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Democracy Remains Cornerstone Of Nigeria’s Progress – Tinubu

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu At Arewa Joint Committee Forum

By Ayodele Oni

Activities lined up for the inauguration of the president elect, Bola Tinubu continued on Saturday with a lecture delivered by former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta.

President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the lecture, spoke on the significance of democracy in driving Nigeria’s sustainable development.

The lecture, which was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu highlighted the indispensable role of democracy as the cornerstone for the nation’s progress and prosperity, emphasizing the vital nature of democracy in advancing the nation’s interests.

The President-elect address was delivered by the Vice President-elect,  Kashim Shettima, who used the opportunity to call on Nigerians to stand together with the incoming administration to birth a better country.

President-elect Tinubu, in his speech, restated his commitment to the ideals of democracy as the best form of government.

“Distinguished guests, democracy is more than a system of governance; it is the very lifeblood that empowers a nation to flourish and thrive,” the President-elect said.

“We stand at the precipice of a new era, where the ideals of democracy will guide our path towards sustainable development.”

Tinubu while embracing his African identity, reaffirmed his love for the continent.

He also recognized the collective efforts of Nigerians and Africans in shaping their democratic political cultures and institutions, tailored to the unique conditions and challenges faced by their societies.

He articulated the essence of democracy, emphasizing that it transcends being a mere form of government.

“Democracy, my fellow countrymen, is not only a political system; it is a way of life.

“It embodies a distinctive code of thought and conduct, demanding the utmost integrity and self-improvement from leaders.”

Stating the paradoxical nature of democracy, the President-elect noted that while it guarantees freedom, its survival hinges on responsible and measured use of that freedom, adding that democracy, as an ever-evolving concept, empowers the majority to express their will while safeguarding the fundamental interests of the minority.

“Our democracy is not an abstract ideal; it is a practical vessel that will propel our nation to new heights in every facet of our collective existence.”

Drawing insights from Nigeria’s national experience, he acknowledged the merits of democracy even in its imperfect manifestations, stressing that it surpasses the most perfect dictatorship in terms of justice, humanity, and productivity.

The keynote speaker, former President Kenyatta appealed to the incoming President of Nigeria to unite the country irrespective of ethnic, political and religious  cleavages that may exist.

“The contest is now over and the hardwork of building a prosperous and unified Nigeria now begins.

“Upon assuming the office of President, you would be wise to transcend from tactical politics of an election and assume your role as Nigeria’s vision bearer.”

He also mentioned the importance of fostering open forums for discussion and debate, where the best ideas and policies can enter the national discourse and capture the imagination of the people.

While making his remarks at the lecture, outgoing President Buhari noted that the inauguration lecture took participants on a journey of introspection on the imperatives of democratic governance and nation-building and that the various challenges that confront the socio-political fabrics of Nigeria were highlighted.

“We have learnt that democracy is not just a system of governance. It is a way of life.

“True democracy is when voice of people is heard. Our nations progress rest on inclusivity, unity and not leaving any citizen behind and by ensuring every citizen enjoy dividends of good governance.

“We must heed the lessons of this lecture and translate them into action. We must fight against corruption in all its form. We must remain united. Our diversity is our strength.

“We can overcome our differences and forge a common cause towards progress.”

LP Governor Elect Otti For Inauguration Monday, Court Of Appeal Suspends Earlier Order

By
Ayodele Oni
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Alex Otti

By Ayodele Oni

The coast is now clear for the swearing in of the only Governor elect on the ticket of the Labour Party, (LP) Alex Otti as the Court of Appeal, Kano division, stayed and suspended the order granted by the federal high court, which nullified the election of the Labour Party in the 36 states due to the late submission of the list of candidates to INEC.

Citing non compliance with electoral act, the Federal High Court sitting in Kano, presided over by Justice M N Yunusa had nullified the candidature of the Abia State Governor-elect Dr Alex Otti.

The Court also disqualified all the candidates of the Labour Party, (LP) in Abia and Kano States during last general elections.

The Court ruled that their emergence was not in compliance with the provisions of the 2022 electoral act.

The Court in Suit No FHC/KN/CS/107/2023 filed by Mr Ibrahim Haruna Ibrahim against the Labour Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), ruled that the failure of the Labour Party to submit its membership register to the INEC within 30 days before their primaries renders the process invalid.

Otti had filed an appeal at the Kano division of the appellate court as an interested party although he was not a party to the suit at the trial court.

A 3-member panel lead by Justice Mbaba granted the order pending the hearing and determination of the motion.

The Court also ordered Mr Otti to sign an undertaken to pay the sum of N2 million if the notice of appeal is not duly served at the Federal High Court.

Children’s Day: Ogene Charges Govt, Families On Policy, Right Values

By
James Orji
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Victor Ogene

The House of Representatives Member – Elect for Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state,  Afam Victor Ogene, has called on government at all levels to be more intentional in the formulation and implementation of policies that impact the lives and wellbeing of children in Nigeria.

He also charged families, who he noted are the first contact the children have in life and the society at large, to always inculcate the right values in the children, in order to enthrone a successor generation that is morally and attitudinally sound.

The lawmaker decried the increasing negative influence and impact of the internet and the social media on the Nigerian child, which he said has made the task of parenting increasingly more complex, as children with uncontrolled access to the internet are disturbingly exposed to some content that may be misleading and damaging to their young minds.

Ogene, who is also the Labour Party’s caucus leader in the incoming 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives, made these admonitions in a statement in Abuja, Saturday, to commemorate the 2023 Children’s Day celebration, marked every May 27, globally.

According to him, “Government must pay more attention to the wellbeing of the children, especially in the areas of access to quality and affordable education and healthcare, because a healthy and well informed child would grow to become a valuable adult and an asset to the society and the nation.

“But the job of moulding a great future for the children, is a collective one. Both the individual parent and the society have a fundamental role to play to ensure that our children are imbued with the right values that abhor tendencies that enable social vices, avarice, corruption, crime and moral decadence, often exhibited in the internet or by some adults, as acceptable norms.”

Ogene further said that,”Children are precious gifts and must be guided jealously with love, intentional and exemplary actions, that would help them thrive today as children and also excel as future adults and leaders.

“Let us also spare a thought on the numerous children in the various Internally Displaced Persons ( IDP) camp across the crisis ravaged regions of the nation, who are suffering the impacts of the societal intolerance, government indifference and crimes committed by adults.

“As a father, I wish children all over the world, especially Nigerian children, a beautiful and memorable Children’s Day celebration and a bright future!”

Children’s Day Celebration; Gov Oyebanji Promises Conducive Environment For Youths

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has promised that his administration will provide the right platforms for children to exhibit their God- given talents and attain greatness.

The Governor, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, restated the commitment of his administration to investing in the education of the children for their better future.

Oyebanji noted that his administration is aware that a society that neglects children would trade off its future and values, hence the decision of his government to prioritize education, welfare and wellbeing of the children, who he described as the future leaders of the state and country.

The Governor stated that aside providing free and qualitative education from primary school to senior secondary school level, his administration has continued to provide conducive environment for teaching and learning through comprehensive renovation of schools and provision of incentives for teachers.

He added that the state government decided to key into the world bank co-sponsored Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment ( AGILE) with a view to making education attractive to children and to build a future for them.

Oyebanji emphasized that human capital development remains one of the pillars of his administration’s development agenda in order to develop and exploit the creativity of Ekiti youth and children, who are always known for their ingenuity and excellence.

He described children as great assets and engine for long term prosperity of the State.

While assuring that the state government would continue to protect the rights of children, Oyebanji said the government would not relent in creating opportunities for them to shine like the stars that they are.

He congratulated the children, their teachers and parents on the occasion of Children’s Day and promised that his administration would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Ekiti children become models for emulation.

“I congratulate our children, our future leaders as we join them to mark this year’s International Children’s Day.

“I assure them of Government’s continued support and investment in their education and in creating opportunities and platforms for them to explore their potentials and attain greatness.”

Don Proffers Non Partisanship Approach To Tackle Terrorism

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Akinterinwa - Prof

By Ayodele Oni

There must be a non partisan approach before the war against terrorism can succeed in Nigeria.

A university Don and security consultant, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, noted that the war on terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurities would only be won if the Federal Government can ‘uproot the domestic pillars of terrorism, and stop the growth of terrorism.

According to him, “government should equally lay a  foundation for a new Nigeria in which religious bigotry, ethnic chauvinism, politico-economic chicanery, and the toga of selfishness and irrationalities will be thrown into the garbage of history”

Prof. Akinterinnwa spoke as Guest a Lecturer at the 14th Public Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, (AAUA)

The lecture was titled: “Prolonged Insurgency and Internationalization of Domestic Terrorism in Nigeria: The Missing Strategic Approach.”

Akinterinwa, a former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, added that the missing strategic approaches behind the spread of terrorism included the tendency of government to underestimate the strength of the terrorists, indulgence in self-deceit and strategic miscalculation, failure to involve youths in the fight against terrorism, and the myopia of leaders in politico-security governance.

The Guest Lecturer, likened the absorption of captured militants and terrorists into the civil and public service, as well as other arms of government to accommodating government enemies in the corridors of power.

He also fingered the widespread use of the social media, foreign travels, religious fundamentalism, ideological partisanship, social activism, and the failure of government to provide good governance and services, as contributory factors to why terrorism has gone global and spreading.

“We contend here that the government of Nigeria, like the governments of other African countries, wrongly believe that they are just simply fighting terrorists and insurgents.

“They have not been able to expose those funding terrorism in Africa even though they claim to know them.

“This is one major missing strategic approach that should be tabled for further discussion.

“Nigeria cannot be rightly said to have technically defeated the Boko Haram.

“On the contrary, it is Nigeria that has technically conceded defeat by giving public impression of a success be it technically or otherwise.”

Future Of Children Our Concern – Gov Akeredolu

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has said his administration is committed to programs and policies that will secure the lives and future of Children in the State.

Governor Akeredolu, in a statement, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, to mark 2023 Children’s Day, said deliberate investment in Education, Health, and Infrastructure will have fruitful effects on future generations.

The Governor, who said his administration is committed to massive investment in the children’s future, noted that his government had recorded huge investment in Education, Health, and Infrastructure.

“In our six years in the saddle, we have reconstructed and renovated over 800 Public Primary Schools. We understand the importance of building a formidable foundation for our Children, especially at the Basic Education Level.

“In view of this, we didn’t only reconstruct blocks of classroom; we also constructed perimeter fence for the security of our Children. Our Public Schools are equipped with new ICT centre, playground equipment and modern toilets.

“We also employed qualified teachers through the State Universal Basic Education Board to bridge the long-time shortage of teachers in our schools.

“We put all these in place to create a conducive learning environment for our Children and nurture their quest for a better education and good living. Our administration is determined to commit more resources to this vision.

“Our Primary Health Care delivery service has since received a major boost. Only recently, the

Ondo State Primary Health Development Agency won the Best Leadership Challenge Award in the South West with a Cash Award of Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($500,000).

“The Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge Fund is a flagship programme of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to revamp the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy in the country by maximizing the commitment of state Governors to promoting a progressive increase in PHC funding, and ensuring all primary healthcare centres have the requisite human resource capacity.

“The Challenge is a joint project of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the Dangote Foundation and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

“Ondo State emerged first in the Southwest with a Cash Award of Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($500,000). This attested to our commitment in investing in the Primary Health Care service for our Pregnant women and Children.

“Aside, our administration has put in place the Abiyamo Maternal & Child Health Insurance Scheme (AMCHIS) as a State Equity Scheme for two sets of Vulnerables – Pregnant women and Under-five children. This program is fully funded by the State Government.

“We have also continued to build infrastructure that will serve the next generation and sustain the economy and development of our dear State. These and more we are doing, bearing in mind that the future of our Children is the most important investment.”

While describing the Children as precious gifts from God and future leaders, the Governor assured that his administration will continue to give special attention to issues concerning children.

He charged the Children to always be of good character and shun bad company, adding that their studies should be the most important to them.

Kano: Governor-elect Invites Sanusi, Former Emir, To Inauguration; Confusion Reigns

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, may likely take his first trip to the ancient city since he was deposed from the high profile office, and banished from Kano.

Crowned Emir of Kano on 7, February 2015, after his controversial and abridged tenure as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi was deposed by the outgoing All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who banished him to a remote village in Nasarawa State.

However, Sanusi got a relief through the Courts, and since then, has had his freedom, but never visited Kano, especially  with Ganduje as Governor.

All that is about to change, and strong speculation is that Sanusi could be reinstated as the Emir of Kano.

This speculation stemmed from the defeat of the APC in the Governorship election held in March, 2023.

Ganduje’s Candidate and preferred successor, Nasir Gawuna, was defeated by the Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Engr Abba Yusuf.

It was the Presidential Candidate of the NNPP, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Governor of the State, who first gave a hint that Sanusi could get his seat back. Kwankwaso, former Ganduje’s boss, who became his political enemy, on his Party’s victory at the Governorship polls, revealed that the deposition of Sanusi as Emir might be revisited as well as the balkanisation of the old Kano Emirate into four by Ganduje. It was Kwankwaso as Governor, who appointed Sanusi as Emir of Kano.

Now, it does seem that the process, which could lead to the reinstatement of Sanusi, has started.

Governor-elect, Yusuf, has officially invited the former Emir to his inauguration as the Governor of the State on 29 May 2023.

Many people see the invitation as controversial. And, are wondering how Sanusi will be in the same space, if he honours the invitation, with the incumbent Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.

Uzodinma To Imo Assembly Members-elect: Serve The People, Not Me Or Yourselves

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma with the Imo Lawmakers

Governor Hope Uzodinma has charged the 27 House of Assembly members-elect in Imo State to devote their time, resources and energy serving the people who freely gave them their mandate and not himself as the governor or themselves as lawmakers.

Governor Uzodinma gave the advice on Friday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital when he paid a solidarity visit to the lawmakers at the venue of their induction retreat.

The Governor who took time to rap the lawmakers on his personal experience as a senior colleague reminded them of the joy derivable in sincerely serving the people who voted for them.

His words: “Your duties and responsibilities are to defend and protect the interests of your constituents without fear or favour.

“Cultivate good synergy amongst yourselves for the common good of Ndi Imo.

“Be of good conduct, both in private and in public.

“You are elected to serve the people and not the Governor or yourselves.

“Your being part of Government is solely for the Interest of your people.”

He congratulated them once more for being found worthy by their Constituents to represent them, noting that it was not by accident they are carrying the mandate of their people.

Governor Uzodimma who also reminded them of the need for synergy between the other arms of government, noted that the bottom line is for the drivers of the three arms of government to serve the people.

Ekiti Police Command To Arraign Three Underaged For Stealing

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Teenagers Arrested in Ekiti for Stealing

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Police Command has vowed to arraign three underaged suspects being held in connection with conspiracy, burglary and stealing.

The suspects are Adelabu Okiki ‘15yrs’, Ogunsulade Vincent ‘14yrs’ and One Ogunleye Ayomibe 15 years.

They are all students of the Federal Science and Technical College, Usi Ekiti.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti, the State Command Spokesman, Sunday Abutu, explained that the suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Police Command in collaboration with local security guards of the College.

He alleged that the suspects, who are students of the school, burgled the school’s tuck shop, ICT, Administrative blocks and carted away laptops, 1 solar generator, 3 handsets, 4G Airtel wifi, 2 office bell and one rechargeable clipper.

According to Abutu, during interrogation, the arrested suspects confessed to  committing the crime and further revealed that they have burgled the school several times, and have stolen different items in recent times.

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