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Archbishop Kaigama Condemns Empty Promises

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The Source
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Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has condemned politicians who are in the habit of making empty and impossible promises to the electorate.

The revered Clergyman  warned, especially, Presidential Candidates jostling to take over the saddle from outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari not to deceive Nigerians with vague and impossible promises.

Kaigama, setting an agenda for the Presidential Candidates that include;  BolaTinubu All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Peter Obi, Labour Party, LP,  and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, said they should prioritize the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons, rebuilding of terrorised communities and confronting the security challenges as the country squares up for the election in 2023.

In a New Year message, Kaigama said; “Our prayer during this year is that peace will flow like a river and social progress, human solidarity and development will characterize all of 2023. Politicians who are on the campaign trail now should do so without hatred, bitterness, incitement or misinformation. They should exercise caution that they do not make wild and unrealistic campaign promises that deep in their hearts they know are not workable.

“Christians, Muslims, African traditional religionists and others are the ones to choose the next President of Nigeria. We should set our eyes and attention only on the leaders who are ready to tackle the culture of hostility, violence, banditry, kidnapping, religious persecution, poverty, and unemployment; failure to see that sensitive and core appointments be spread fairly to those very well qualified in the different geo-political zones.

“The determination to confront insecurity must be given priority in the agenda of those seeking to be elected. They must have the will to unveil those behind brutal attacks and murders such as killers of the no fewer than 38 people killed in separate attacks in Malagum 1 and Sokwong villages of Kagoro Chiefdom in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State or as in Zamfara State, where recently scores of people and some Nigerian Army personnel were feared killed following an ambush by armed terrorists or the killing of a Lagos-based legal practitioner, Omobolanle Raheem, by a police trigger-happy police officer.

“The resettlement of internally displaced persons as well as the rebuilding of terrorized communities where homes, hospitals, churches, mosques and schools have been destroyed should also get prime attention. There must be a deliberate pursuit of integration, bringing all people together in harmony that ensures freedom for all to create an inclusive mindset by recognizing the ethnic, tribal, regional and religious diversity of our nation.

“There must be proper management of our diversity and plurality; building community, creating more trust among all people in Nigeria. There is a very urgent need to address the issue of poverty whereby according to official statistics, 133 million Nigerians out of an estimated 206 million live below the poverty line.

“With gratitude to God and confident optimism we pray that in the year 2023, our expectations as individuals and as a nation will be met. This poem I heard from a little child is apt as we ride into the New Year: “In happy moments praise God, in difficult moments seek God, in quiet moments worship God, in painful moments trust God and in every moment thank God.”

“While we believe that our loving God will do things for us, we need however to do our part with great zeal and determination, the type demonstrated during the FIFA World Cup recently concluded in Qatar. The members of the teams gave their all, especially in the finals. After a full game and extra time, they went into penalty shootouts. In the end, one team won the cup and the other took the second position. In life, sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. The capacity to carry on with equanimity and to cope positively even when we come face to face with frustrations, failures or disappointments is needed.

“Failure is not necessarily a bad thing, it is a challenge to try again and to keep applying ourselves until victory is achieved. We have experienced God’s generosity in very practical ways in 2022. We have survived an ever-worsening climate of fear and uncertainty in a time when the helplessness of government saw non-state actors unconscionably stake a claim for our lives, our property and our freedoms.

We have lived with and survived a culture of kidnapping, hostage-taking and mindless murder. It is still not yet over though as the drama still plays on. The Kaduna deadly train attack in March and the agonizing months the abducted passengers spent in the hands of armed men left us all traumatised. The daring Kuje prison attack by Boko Haram and precipitated secessionist rallies left all of us begging for answers.

The advisory given by some foreign embassies on the risk of travel to Nigeria and the subsequent arrest of suspected terrorists in October left us reeling in fear. The volatile situation in the South-East in a bid to enforce an unlawful lockdown has made life in that part of the country difficult. During the same period, our nation has grappled with a dwindling economy and the worst type of inflation with far-reaching consequences on our social life.

“Everyone, both those in government and the governed, suddenly all needed the grace of God to survive and outlive 2022. And yet we are here today just because God has brought us thus far.

Surrounded by so much bad news and associated with some of the worst scenarios, our people are in dire need of anything that can inspire some hope.

“Together – both people and government, we must sincerely work towards that change that brings hope. For the government and people entrusted with leadership at all levels, the New Year beckons on all to place people in the centre of both politicking and governance by ensuring safety and security, reconciling all the fragmented parts of the nation and providing an enabling environment for the economy to thrive again as a precondition for remedying the worsening problem of poverty and living crisis for most Nigerians.

“While we acknowledge with delight the recent heightening of the tempo of the war against non-state actors and the encouraging results that have brought, we urge the authorities to sustain these measures and do everything imaginable to secure every part of the country and ensure an auspicious climate for the coming elections.

“However, no matter how much the use of arms has achieved, we must not forget that honest dialogue can also be a veritable tool for collectively building a Nigeria of our dreams that looks after all. That spirit of dialogue should govern the current political campaigns towards the 2023 elections and above all ensure fair play and respect for the opinion of the people when eventually expressed when the ballot is cast.

“Having faced multidimensional challenges, we in our nation in this time of democratic transition must all keep in mind the fact that our Lord makes demands of us to fulfil our civic responsibilities. He charges us to “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God” (Mark 12:17). We have a duty to come out, each one of us, with a Permanent Voters Card, queue up at our polling units, conduct ourselves peacefully and orderly, get accredited and cast our votes during the 2023 general elections.

“As for the choice of political parties and candidates to vote for, we should be guided by the counsel of St. Paul, which says: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

“In choosing who to vote, let your head and your heart guide you, not your stomach and your pocket!

“We have already seen that without solidarity, we have no chance against poverty, diseases, natural disasters, unemployment, ignorance, terrorism, insurgency and other forms of insecurity. So, let us embrace sincere dialogue and work in solidarity with all people of goodwill for a better country.

“Dear brothers and sisters, none of us should be ignorant of the demands and challenges of our time, amidst the deaths caused by human and natural reasons, insecurity, displacements, floods, economic hardships and the attendant harsh realities in our country.”

We Can’t Lose Sleep Over Obasanjo’s  Endorsement Of Peter Obi – APC Presidential Campaign Organization

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olusegun Obasanjo and Peter Obi

By Ayodele Oni

All Progressive Congress (APC)  Presidential campaign Organization, has mocked the endorsement of Peter Obi, candidate of Labour Party (LP), by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing it as valueless.

Bayo Onanuga, Director of Publicity said in a statement that: “We read with amusement the endorsement of Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his New Year message on Sunday.

“Following calls by Journalists from various media houses who asked for our reaction we decided to make this preliminary statement, though we didn’t consider the so-called endorsement to be of any value.

“We respect the democratic right of former President Obasanjo to support and endorse any candidate of his choice in any election.

“Except that he made it known formally in his new year message, any discerning political watcher in Nigeria knows that Chief Obasanjo’s  preference for Peter Obi is expected.

“He  had earlier stated his position at various public events, the last being at the 70th birthday anniversary  of Chief John Nwodo, former President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Enugu.

“We make bold to say that our party and candidate, Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will not lose sleep over Obasanjo’s move, as Obasanjo is notorious for always opposing progressive political forces, as he did against MKO Abiola in 1993.

“The endorsement is actually worthless because the former President does not possess any political goodwill or leverage anywhere in Nigeria to make anyone win a Councillorship election let alone win a Presidential election.  He is a political paperweight.

“He is also not a democrat anyone should be proud to be associated with.

“We recall that in 2003 and 2007 general elections when he was a sitting President, Obasanjo used all the coercive instruments of State at his disposal to railroad people into elective offices against the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls.

“In 2007, he declared the polls a do or die affair after he failed in his bid to amend our constitution to have a third term.

“From our records,  President Obasanjo has not successfully made anyone win election in Nigeria since then.

“Not even in Ogun State can anyone rely on his support or endorsement to become a governor or Councillor.

“We pity Peter Gregory Obi as we are confident that Chief Obasanjo can not win his polling unit and ward in Abeokuta for Obi in the coming Presidential election on 25 February, 2023.

“Chief Obasanjo’s endorsement is not a political currency Mr. Peter Obi can spend anywhere in Nigeria because he is not a political force, even in his part of the country.

“Chief Obasanjo similarly endorsed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party candidate in 2019 against President Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku was walloped by Buhari with a wide margin in the  election.

“History will repeat itself in February as our candidate Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu will equally beat Obi by a large margin.

“We take a particular notice of the part of the endorsement statement where Chief Obasanjo said none  of the presidential candidates is a Saint.

“We want to state here that Chief Obasanjo is not a good judge of character. He is a man who considers only himself as the all-knowing Saint in Nigeria.

“Over the years, Chief Obasanjo has also convinced himself that integrity, honesty and all good virtues begin and end with him.”

New Year Message: Nigeria’s Must Choose Their Own Leader – Buhari; Says 2023 Critical

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Year 2023 is critical to the development and growth of the nation as it would witness a transition in Government.

In achieving a successful transition after eight years in the saddle, President Buhari again promised Nigerians a free, fair and credible election, saying that the electorates should be relaxed and have confidence in the electoral process.

In his New Year Message released on Saturday, the President also gave a personal commitment that he would ensure that the elections were free and fair, noting that Nigerians would decide their next leaders. He said Nigerians must resist being used by politicians to cause unrest and that there would be consequences for any breach of peace during the elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed February 25 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections while Governorship and state Assembly elections  are scheduled for March 11.

In the message, which he described as valedictory, the President stated: “After having the honour of serving you, my compatriots, for the last seven-plus years, my tenure as your President in the most revered tradition of our ongoing and maturing democracy must necessarily come to an end.

“In the next five months, we would have gone to the polls and elected a new president along with new governors and a plethora of other elected officials at both the national and state levels. All these electoral and democratic principles are working in concert because of the transcendent beliefs, beyond partisan politics, of you, the great citizens of Nigeria.

“In addition is my personal commitment and executive promise to see to the letter that the 2023 elections being diligently conducted by INEC will be free and fair. The collective electoral will and votes of Nigerians will be fulfilled, even in the twilight moments of my watch.”

“In year 2023, Nigerians go to the polls to exercise our right to vote and elect a new administration. It is an important year for our country to ensure that we have another smooth transition of government, to whoever the people have decided upon. This administration’s landmark Amended Electoral Act will ensure that we have free and fair elections across the nation.”

The Daura, Katsina State born President Urged Nigerians to take responsibility by ensuring that the elections were free and fair by not engaging and shunning acts that could affect the polls. “We must also resist every attempt to be used by politicians to create unrest in any form to disrupt the elections. We, as government, will ensure such activities are met with the full force of the law,” he added.

Speaking further, he appealed to Nigerians to assist security agencies with intelligence, noting that security is a collective responsibility. He said with the successes recorded in the North-East, internally displaced persons were being resettled in their homes while progress was being made in the North-West and other regions. He added that police reform programme based on a new presidential vision for Policing in Nigeria was ongoing.

As regards the economy, the President said his regime was focused on building on the Gross Domestic Product and sustaining the huge surge in the non-oil GDP growth. He promised the nationwide implementation of the Start-Up Act, which he said would boost job creation and reduce unemployment given that youths were the country’s most valuable natural resource.

He added, “The year 2023 would, indeed, be a time when we would work to solidify on delivering key strategic priorities under our SEA (Security, Economy and Anti-Corruption) Agenda. Our security forces are working in partnership to ensure the wins we have got in the war against insurgency, banditry, secession and other crimes are sustained and more wins acquired.

“For the economy, the ongoing infrastructure revolution by our administration will see us deliver the key projects across the nation in power, rail, roads, ports and technology. We as a government are committed to ridding our nation of all forms of corruption, through the collaboration with all the arms of government to effectively prosecute this fight.”

Obasanjo Endorses Peter Obi For 2023 Presidency

By
The Source
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Olusegun Obasanjo and Peter Obi

President Olusegun Obasanjo has, officially, endorsed Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party for the Presidential seat in 2023.

Obasanjo, a former President, in endorsing Obi said the LP Candidate stands head and shoulders above the other Presidential candidates.

Obasanjo endorsed Obi in his New Year message to Nigerians, which he personally signed, and released on Sunday.

Obasanjo, had,  from behind, been supporting Obi. But in his New Year message to Nigerians, he officially endorsed Obi.

Obi has the edge over every other candidate in the race, saying the CAN has people to call him to order when there is the need for that.

Said the candidate: “None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge.

“Others, like all of us, have what they can contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria collectively.

“One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost.

“In other words, he has people who can pull his ears, if and when necessary. Needless to say that he has a young and able running mate with clean track record of achievement both in public and private life.”

2023 General Elections: NBA President Cautions Lawyers Against Unprofessionalism

By
Ayodele Oni
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Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau - NBA Chairman

By Ayodele Oni

President of the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, SAN has charged lawyers in the country to live above board, as the general elections draw nearer.

In his new year message to the learned colleagues,  Maikyau pointed out that their actions and inactions could mar the entire process, hence the need for caution.

He stated that “2023 is a momentous year in our country, with the general elections coming up on 25 February and 11 March, 2023 respectively.

“As lawyers, we must remember that we have very important roles to play in determining the outcomes of these elections; either as voters alongside other Nigerians, or as counsel advising the political parties and candidates, or in handling the cases that may arise from the elections.

“Consequently, we owe Nigerians sincere and honest participation in all the stages of the electoral process. We also owe ourselves the duty to preserve the legal space for the next generation of lawyers.

“For this reason, we must shun all forms of unprofessional and unethical practices that may cast the legal profession in bad light and undermine our place in the society.

“We also have an obligation to the younger members of the profession; the duty of deliberate and sincere mentorship – which is the only way the ideal legal profession will abide to next generations.

“As we interact with fellow Nigerians at all levels, we must always bear in mind that our primary call is to ensure that justice is done in all circumstances irrespective of who is involved.

“Therefore, Justice, and not remuneration for service, must remain our primary motivation in all we do; we are Ministers in the Temple of Justice, and it is to Justice that we owe our primary allegiance.

“In this new year, we must commit individually and collectively to the protection and preservation of the integrity and independence of the Judiciary and the Bar.

“We must fervently promote the rule of law in our Country, so that when this year comes to an end we can look back with pride and fulfilment, knowing that the privilege of the gift of 2023 was judiciously and purposefully used.

“We remain committed to our promises to the Bar and the people of Nigeria, not the least of which is the pursuit of justice for our beloved Mobolanle Raheem and Gafaru Buraimoh (both of blessed memory) whose lives were cut short by the senseless and barbaric acts of persons who had the duty to protect them.

“As we continue to pray for God’s comfort for their families and loved ones, we must allow our humanity to find expression in our daily interactions and refuse to be numb and insensitive to the unfortunate bloodshed that appears to be our daily experience in different parts of the Country.

Once again, I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.”

“I Remain Accountable, Responsive To Osun People”

By
The Source
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Ademola Adeleke

By Ademola Adeleke

My good people of Osun State, it is with a high sense of gratitude, hope and commitment that I address you this morning.

The last one year has been very eventful in the life of our State. We have passed through many developments. We have concluded a major election that ushered in a new Government under my leadership.

Our State transited from one political party to a different political party and also from one Government to a Government by, and for the people.

Despite the tension and anxiety, our State gallantly emerged stronger with your support and goodwill. I put on record my deep appreciation to you, our people, for your strong support for my political party and I during those struggling days.

I promise to remain responsive and accountable to you all as we move to reposition our state for greater height.

In the last one month, our administration has laid a strong foundation for sustainable governance of our state. I opened up State finance to the public in the spirit of accountability. I am reforming several sectors to block revenue leakages and stop diversion of state assets. The repositioning of the civil service for professionalism is also ongoing. Urgent state matters are being attended to with a view to restore normalcy and bring our people together for good governance.

Our administration has created a strong working relationship among the three arms of Government. We have forged a common understanding to put the interest of the state at the forefront of everything we do. Combined effort, mutual support and impactful governance are hallmarks that have been accepted by all as a path to progress, in the best interest of the state.

Within the same one month, our administration is focused on delivering on its first 100 days in office programme. I have visited several schools, health centres and other public infrastructures. These inspections have strengthened our pre-election data.

We are poised to deliver on our first 100 days in office programme, which covers areas such as water provision, rehabilitation of schools and health centres, rehabilitation of roads and delivery of tech innovations for the digital economy.

My good people of Osun State, our administration has a rolling plan of 100 days, six months, one year followed by deliverables in subsequent years. I have also put in place a monitoring and evaluation team.

By the end of the first 100 days in office, we will be hosting the maiden edition of our public accountability forum titled ‘Ipade Imole’. We will meet you, the good people of Osun State, and keep you informed about the journey so far.

Permit me to use this occasion to seek the full support of Osun indigenes, home and abroad. Our administration is committed to ensure people-based development. Our vision is to enthrone tech-based agro-industrial growth in our State. We plan to address the infrastructure deficit with a cost effective, home based and labour intensive programme.

To our people in the diaspora, we are opening up the State for partnership in education, health, trade, investment and tech innovations. We are creating the enabling environment for multiple cooperation to put our State on the global map of development.

In our drive for a new Osun State, I assure you that we will be fair and inclusive in our actions. Like I noted in my inaugural address as Governor, the election is over. Now is the time for us all to join hands to move the State forward.

I am the Governor of all Osun people and I will serve the State in the spirit of brotherhood, equity, transparency, accountability and fear of God.

I welcome us all to the new year under the umbrella of Almighty God.

Senator Adeleke, Governor, Osun State, delivered this address to the people on New Year’s Day

Jonathan Urges Nigerians To Put Nation First

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The Source
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Goodluck Jonathan

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has urged Nigerians to put the nation first as they explore opportunities that lie before them in the new year, including voting for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming 2023 elections.

Dr. Jonathan stated this in his new year message in which he noted that the new year holds great possibilities despite the challenges faced by the nation in previous years.

He said: “As a people, we survived the horror of the flood amid other national challenges and lived with hope unto God and faith in our nation.

This year (2023) holds great possibilities for us all. We must harness the opportunities that lie within the length and breadth of our nation. This year is very significant for the survival of our nation. It is an election year, and citizens will go to the polls to elect leaders for different offices.

“We must see the election as an opportunity to birth a new country and overcome the challenges of the past years. Let us put the nation’s interest first in all our conduct this year.”

Below is the full text of the message:  

“Every new day is a gift for which we must show appreciation to God. We thank God for the gift of life and the opportunities the New Year 2023 presents to us as individuals and as a nation.

“Last year was, without a doubt, filled with gains and losses. As a country, we experienced a devastating flood that resulted in the death of many lives and the destruction of properties and sources of livelihood of millions of citizens.

“As a people, we survived the horror of the flood amid other national challenges, lived with hope unto God and faith in our nation, and triumphed into this New Year.

“This year holds great possibilities for us all. We must harness the opportunities that lie within the length and breadth of our nation. This year is very significant for the survival of our nation. It is an election year, and citizens will go to the polls to elect leaders for different offices.

“We must see the election as an opportunity to birth a new country and overcome the challenges of the past years. Let us put the nation’s interest first in all our conduct this year.

“The ballot serves as the most suitable vehicle for achieving our shared dream of peace, justice, unity, and prosperity.

“This year,  let us be purposeful in our actions, abide in faith and love towards God and country and eschew all negative tendencies and sentiments that would diminish our collective fortunes of unity, peace, and progress.”

Ekiti: Gov Oyebanji Promises Massive Job Creation

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has assured that his administration will ensure massive job creation for the youths in the the new year.

Addressing the people of the state, as they celebrate New Year, Oyebanji promised that human capital development will also receive attention.

He urged the people to look forward to 2023 with great hope and expectations for overall development and positive turnaround in all sectors.

Oyebanji expressed the hope that 2023 would be a “year of giant lift for Ekiti”, urging the support of the people to make the dream a reality.

The Governor told the people of the state that they would witness “massive improvement in security, infrastructure and government services than we have ever seen.”

He congratulated the people of the state for making it to the New Year in spite of the numerous challenges and threats, noting that the miracle of daily existence in good health itself is a grace that must never be taken for granted.

The Governor pledged his commitment to youth development and job creation, human capital development, infrastructure and industrial development, agriculture and rural development, arts, culture and tourism in the New Year to turn around the fortunes of the state.

He said his administration is working hard to give Ekiti a new face, which is evident in the aggressive pursuit of road infrastructure renewal in Ado Ekiti metropolis, through ongoing rehabilitation of major and nodal roads spices with massive deployment of streetlights under the Light-Up Ekiti Initiative which would be replicated in other towns and villages in 2023.

Oyebanji pointed out that commendable transformation is ongoing at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort which has been concessioned to a private company to rebuild, expand and manage describing it as “Ekiti’s most iconic tourism springboard for the tourism potential of the State.”

He noted that he is convinced that the resort and nearby Arinta Water Fall will be back in the international tourism site in 2023, bigger and better as his administration would also embark on the development of other heritage sites in the State.

The Governor also unfolded plans to bring more agripreneurs to the State that would lead to the full realization of the thinking that led to the establishment of the Ekiti Agro Cargo Airport noting that his government’s long term goal is to make Ekiti the foremost entity for agro-allied export to the international market in the course of the year.

Oyebanji disclosed that his administration is liaising with critical government agencies to facilitate access to cheaper funds to support the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises with the vision to ensure that artisans, market women and private sector players are linked up with cheaper funds to support their businesses in 2023.

While thanking traditional rulers, religious and community leaders for the critical roles they play at all times, Oyebanji craved for their continued support and cooperation in 2023 as the people of the state look forward to more opportunities for assistance and cooperation in the New Year.

The Governor who noted that he campaigned on a manifesto anchored on six pillars which have been carefully designed to position the state for peace and prosperity, reiterated his commitment to the development agenda because of his conviction that they signpost Ekiti’s path to progress.

“We will keep investing in our schools to make them globally comparable and competitive. To this end, we are working with different international partners, especially, World Bank’s IDEAS and AGILE programmes and other initiatives which have seen our schools receiving funds for renovation, training, equipment and infrastructural upgrade as well and digital and innovation development funding for both formal and informal educational system.

“More importantly, we want to aggressively pursue the Ekiti Knowledge Zone agenda which hopes to create a smart city where technology, science and creativity become the currency of exchange.

“We want to create an innovation and knowledge incubation ecosystem where our young people can hone their ICT competence and creative ingenuity.

“To achieve this, multipronged engagements are ongoing with investors, content creators, power providers and other stakeholders. Our hope is that in 2023, we will have begun the journey into creating a new economic landscape where knowledge is the black gold.

“Similarly, our secondary health facilities are all undergoing serious upgrade and retooling so as to be able to functionally respond to the health needs of our people. For us, sound health and access to health facilities are central to wealth creation and prosperity.

“In the New Year, we will expedite effort on this and ensure all our health facilities at all levels are accessible, available, affordable and in good shape.

“We want to jealously preserve our record as the state with the highest life expectancy rate in Nigeria, we will continue to strengthen our primary, secondary and tertiary health system to keep this trophy.

“Government is deeply concerned about the exodus of our health and medical professionals to other climes due to obvious present challenges. I am however glad to assure them that Government will look into the issues with a view to reversing the trend in the New Year.”

Nigeria Needs a New Lease of Life

By
The Source
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0

By Peter Obi & Datti Baba-Ahmed

Nigeria is a nation challenged. This is crystal clear. Given the severe reversal in quality of life and development, the present state of our nation is simply no longer sustainable.

Leadership lies at the heart of the problem. While our country remains confronted by a handful of natural disasters, it is leadership woes and limitations that have kept Nigeria on its knees.

Moving Nigeria forward and meeting its needs now and in the medium and long terms, requires a complete paradigm shift that must begin with purposeful and transformative leadership; leadership that can think disruptively, within and outside the box.

Today, Nigeria sits on the lowest rungs of global development indices. Insecurity is at an all-time high. Our economy is in a bad shape. The Naira is in free fall. Prices of goods and services are skyrocketing. This is even as family incomes dwindle, and good-paying jobs evaporate. Our country is hugely indebted. Capital flight from Nigeria reportedly is at 82%.

A significant portion of our revenue goes to debt servicing. Government can barely meet its statutory obligations.

Staff unions of academic and medical institutions are embarking on paralyzing strikes. Currently, 18.5 million children are out of school. Unemployment is at 35%. National cohesion and resilience is at its lowest ebb. Electric power supply remains as epileptic and unreliable as it has been for decades.

Consequently, Nigerians are hungry, angry and fed up with bad leadership. The choice of whether to continue along this trajectory or to seek a new course is no longer a matter of debate.

Nigeria needs an enabling environment in which domestic and foreign investors are incentivized and protected. Tackling insecurity should no longer be a cliché. It requires consistency. It calls for robust and reformed federal and state policing. And it is imperative that genuine grievances be addressed without compromising national sovereignty and security.

It is time for the state to tackle criminality seriously, both within and outside governance circles.

There is a clear correlation between a poor and disenfranchised society and one that relapses into criminality. National remediation has thus become imperative.

The parallel track requires an assertive reinvigoration of Nigeria’s economy to ensure people are lifted out of poverty.

Nigeria is also confronted with a combination of circumstances that undermine her overarching governance needs. These challenges are not insurmountable. However, they require curated leadership and governance responses. The prevailing era of deprivation, insecurity, poverty, visceral violence and bloodletting must end. But these challenges will not end if the government remains inactive and resigned to these stark realities.

It is time to urgently rescue Nigeria from implosion. People can certainly pursue personal, partisan and group interests. But in times of serious challenge, true patriots must rise above self-interest and sectional considerations to build a resilient society in the national interest. The primary mission, as we see it, is to secure, unite and make Nigeria productive once again. We must invest in our human capital development to match what we need in today’s technology-driven 21st century economy.

Never in its history has Nigeria been so divided. There is a serious trust deficit between Nigerian leaders and the national public. Furthermore, our society today is so terribly, even insidiously, polarized. Our country attaining true nationhood should, therefore, be a matter of priority to every well-meaning Nigerian.

This means that along with the government’s responsibility to protect and guarantee the security of lives and property, a united Nigeria should be on the front burner of our national discourse. We find no better way of uniting Nigerians than for leaders to engender the trust and confidence of the people in the leadership. Nigerians need a leadership they can trust.

Moving Nigeria forward requires essentially a twin-tracked approach. It requires self-sufficiency in food and improved power supply. Beyond oil, Nigeria must turn her vast arable lands in the North into her new oil. We must get our industries running optimally again.

We must progressively generate 4,000 megawatts of electricity annually for the next decade. When we have accomplished these goals, then we will have created employment opportunities that will translate to lowered criminality.

Conventional wisdom suggests that in life, we must make a choice: to take a chance, or our lives will never change. Nigerians need to make hard choices with a view to ensuring that in her nascent democracy, the government commits to the unfettered promotion of the rule of law. We must guarantee that governance is henceforth inclusive, cost-effective, transformative, and less transactional. We must ensure that national investments are transparent and regenerative.

It is imperative that we shift from consumption to production. This must be the new national mindset.

Securing, uniting and making Nigeria productive requires steady and trusted hands. That assurance is something all Nigerians desire. In fact, beyond desire, they demand it vehemently. From our vantage position, these demands are now imperative. Nigeria needs a new lease of life. We are ready to deliver it.

Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed are the Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates, respectively, of Nigeria’s Labour Party.

Uzodimma: Things Looking Up For Imo State In 2023

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The Source
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Hope Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has assured Imo State indigenes that 2023 will be far better than 2022 given his determination to complete critical road infrastructure his administration initiated in the year that just ended.

Specifically, the Governor said that the Owerri-Umuahia road, the Orlu- Mgbee- Akokwa-Uga road and the Oguta- Okporo-Orlu road will all be completed this year and with the already completed Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe signature roads, Imo can never be the same again in terms of road network that will catalyse trade and commerce and boost the economy of the State.

Governor Uzodimma said 2023 is a year to watch because “it is a year that Imo people will look back to and further appreciate this administration for keeping faith with our social contract with the people.”

He said though 2023 is an election year and demands that the citizens “should conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the elections,” he added that “things are looking up and 2023 is likely to be better than 2022.”

Governor Uzodimma who gave the assurance in his New Year message to Imo people, noted that despite the fact that 2022 came with a lot of challenges nationally , “we have every reason to thank God for sparing our lives to see this year.”

The Governor noted that the transformation that had taken place in Imo State since he mounted the saddle in 2020 due to the hard work, sacrifice, honesty, prudence and tenacious dedication to duty by his team will continue, and urged the citizens not to despair, but remain steadfast in their prayer as God’s blessings will be certain.

Governor Uzodimma’s message reads in full:

“My beloved NDIMO,  Ndewonu. I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year.

To the glory of God, we have seen the end of the year 2022, and we are alive to celebrate the beginning of another year – 2023.

As people of faith, we give God all the glory and adoration for the divine privilege  of being alive to see this new year of our Lord – 2023.

“The last year – 2022 – was a challenging year for the entire country and we have every reason to thank  God for sparing our lives to see this year. As we know, many of those who celebrated the beginning of 2022 with us are no longer  alive today to see the beginning of 2023.

“Yet, it is neither by our might nor by our righteousness that we have been so favoured to see this new year; It is only by the special grace of God. So, as we  celebrate and congratulate ourselves for surviving the new year, we should also pause for a minute  to appreciate and praise God for His abundant mercy and grace on our lives

“Therefore,  as I say very happy new year to all of us, let me, on your behalf,  express our profound gratitude to God Almighty for keeping  us alive to witness yet another year in our pilgrimage on planet Earth. Indeed,for Imo people and Nigerians in general,the preceding year of 2022 was a very challenging one. Yet to the glory of God, through all the trials, we all came out triumphant. May God be praised.

“My beloved NDIMO,  as Imo people, looking back into last year it wasn’t all about trials and survival.  Many of our prayers were also answered and some  of us received some blessings from God, both individually and collectively as a people. For example, I am aware that some families  were  blessed with new babies, new houses, new jobs, and some got promoted to new positions. Some also started new businesses while others grew their old businesses. Thus, in addition to being alive, we have other reasons to thank God for.

“On the part of government, we are thankful that in spite of the monstrous challenge of insecurity which was deliberately contrived to frustrate and cripple my administration, we were able to accomplish our objectives in governance. For instance, two of our signatures projects – the Owerri – Orlu road and the Owerri – Okigwe road were commissioned by no other person than President Muhammadu Buhari.

“This is in addition to several other roads and infrastructural projects which were completed last year. ( I am satisfied and encouraged by the  testimonies I received  from our citizens who retuned and used these roads during the festive season).

” We were also able to get the Federal Government to upgrade the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, to a University Teaching Hospital for use by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Of course, these developments come with abundant employment opportunities for our people and the additional prospect of value addition to the growth of the  economy of the state.

“The same goes for the Alvan Ikoku  College of Education, which we got the Federal Government to take over as a Federal University of Education. We also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Navy for the dredging of Oguta Lake/ Orashi River to the Atlantic ocean. This will grant Imo State, and indeed the South – east, the much needed access to the sea with vast potentials to boost international trade and commerce in the region.

“This also comes with the concomitant opportunities for investment in the oil and gas sector. With the establishment of a Naval base at Oguta, facilitated by my administration, maritime security is assured in the area which will help to combat crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

“Equally heart – warming is the fact that in the preceding year, we were able to wrestle the remaining pockets of security challenges and banditry to a standstill. The few remaining kingpins of  bandits were rounded up and are now dancing to the music of the law. To the glory of God, security agencies were able to act with greater precision in confronting banditry as witnessed in the foiled attempt to burn the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri. So, on the whole, I can assure you that we are on top of the situation and Imo is relatively safer each year. A clear evidence of this is that no incident of insecurity was reported in the state during the festive season.

“The good news is that things are looking up and 2023 is likely to be better than 2022. We hope to complete the Owerri – Umuahia road and the Orlu – Mgbee – Akokwa and the Oguta to Okporo- Orlu road, this year. Adding these  strategic roads to the two already commissioned signature roads  will serve to catalyse trade and commerce and would ultimately boost the  economy of the state.

“Let me also assure you that the security situation will continue to improve this year. Our security agencies are now better equipped and better trained to confront the security challenges. I can further assure you that this year, the few unrepentant ungodly people and their sponsors, who want to continue to unleash violence and insecurity in the state, will be doing so at their own peril. NDIMO should be assured that we will all be safer this year. Above all, I  give you my word that our dear state will do better this year in all ramifications than it did last year.

“It is noteworthy that I have already signed  the 2023 budget of N474.4billion into law, and we are set to go this fiscal year. As you know, the budget  is tagged “ The Budget of Wealth Expansion”. It  seeks to improve the state’s economy, with priority on security, agriculture, education and transportation,  among the others.  With a capital outlay of N373 billion – that is about  72 percent of the entire budget – nothing will stop us from attaining our developmental goals for the year.

“This is a year to watch because it a year that Imo people will look back to and further appreciate this administration for keeping faith with our social contract with the people. Today, even our worst critics will acknowledge the huge difference between the Imo State of today and the Imo State we inherited in 2020.

“I must tell you that this great transformation that has taken place is as a result of hard work, sacrifice, honesty, prudence and tenacious dedication to duty by my team. Needless to add that we could not have done much without your support and  prayers which crowned our modest efforts with God’s blessings. To God be the glory.

“I should also remind our people that 2023 is an election year. My appeal is that the good people of Imo State  should conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the elections. I do not want our state to be in the election news for all the bad reasons. Let us go out peacefully and elect the candidates of our choice.

“Ndi Imo nwem, let us collectively resolve that Imo shall not witness any bloodshed in 2023. Let us  resolve to  work together to ensure that peace, unity and progress shall be our goal and that the interest and welfare of Imo State shall supercede our narrow selfish interests.

“May God keep us safe and bless the works of our hands in 2023.

“I wish all of us a happy,  prosperous and blessed 2023.”

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