Home Blog Page 2493

2023: Alex Otti Says Igbo President Cannot Solve Nigeria’s Problems |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Two-time Governorship  candidate under banner of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia State and former Group Managing Director of defunct Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti, has opined that having a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, would not solve the problem of the country, as some fundamental structural problems must be handled for an egalitarian society to be institutionalized.

Otti, airing his views on the clamour for a President of Igbo extraction from different Groups, stated that insecurity would continue in the country until poverty among the citizens is addressed.

He stressed that; “A situation where close to 90 million people, representing 43 per cent of our population, live below the poverty line of less than 1.90 dollar per day, makes the country a veritable candidate for insecurity of the highest order.

“If you have followed my politics, you would realise that I do not believe in primordial sentiments. I believe that tribe and religion are basically smokescreens used by politicians to drive personal interests.

“Having said that, I also know that arrangements about power shift have remained the fulcrum of our politics in Nigeria. That is not to say that our salvation is going to come from that.

“Given that arrangement that has had power move from North to South and power having been in the North for two terms, it should naturally move to the South. Since South-West and South-South had been in power, it should naturally shift to the South East. That is the extent to which I believe in Igbo Presidency.

“Would that solve the problem of Nigeria? I think not. There are some fundamental structural problems that must be dealt with for an egalitarian society to be institutionalized.”

Dr Otti has since dumped APGA for the APC.

2023 Presidency: Finally, Jonathan Breaks Silence

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0
Buhari and Jonathan working secretly with APC

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan will run for the president in 2023 has been put to rest, at least for now, by the former leader who said contesting the highest office in the country is not his immediate priority.

Jonathan who left power in 2015 after losing to President Muhammadu Buhari has been touted among politicians eyeing the exalted position again after serving as president from 2011 to 2015.

Recently, it was suggested that some top echelon of the All Progressives Congress, APC are planning to drag him into the presidential race. Some APC stalwarts even visited the former leader late last year, a move many considered to be a consultation with the Otuoke, Bayelsa born politician over his political future.

But, speaking on the 2023 presidential race Jonathan said he has moved on after losing the presidential election to the incumbent and no longer interested in the office. He explained that he has now dedicated his service to serving God and serving humanity.

Jonathan disclosed this when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state over the death of his father. .

The ex president said.”On the rumour of my interest in the 2023 presidential election, it is mere speculation. I will continue to serve God, humanity, Africa and the world to the best of his ability and with all sense of commitment and sincerity.”

Meanwhile, some watchers of the nation’s politics told the magazine that all has not be heard, on the perceived ambition of the former president to rule the country again. According to these analysts, Nigerian politicians cannot be relied upon when it comes to making statement, because they can still wake up tomorrow and change whatever they have said.

Consultations are currently ongoing to drag the former leader into the race but that Jonathan is still talking to allies across the country before he makes any decision on the matter, according to those close to him.

NERC Directs DISCOS To Commence Replacement Of Old Meters

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has directed the electricity distribution companies, DisCos to replace faulty and obsolete meters for their customers with effect from March 4, 2021.

The commission said the directed is necessary following complaints from both metered and unmetered customers over the slowdown over the National Mass Metering Programme, NMMP.

The NERC said over 7 million customers are currently unmetered as indicated by the customer enumeration data. It also estimates that an additional 3 million meters are currently obsolete and due for replacement.

According to order No. NERC/246/2021, titled, the NERC said“In the matter of the order on structured replacement of faulty and obsolete end-user customer meter in Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI),” issued on March 4, 2021.

NERC further stated that the existence of unmetered customers contributes to the threat affecting the financial viability of the NESI as unmetered customers expressed their displeasure with the estimated billing methodology.

NERC said “The Commission notes that over 7 million customers are currently unmetered as indicated by customer enumeration data. It is also estimated that an additional 3 million meters are currently obsolete and due for replacement.

“The existence of a large population of unmetered customers contributed to threats affecting the financial viability of NESI as unmetered end-use customers expressed deep dissatisfaction with the estimated billing methodology. The revenue assurance objectives of DisCos have also been challenged by being unable to properly account for the utilisation of electricity by end-use customers”.

The NERC has, therefore, issued the following order that DisCos shall grant priority to the metering of unmetered customers under the National Mass Metering Program; DisCos may replace faulty/obsolete meters under the National Mass Metering Program but these replacements must be done in strict compliance with the Metering Code and other regulatory instruments of the Commission.

It also directed DisCos to inspect meters of metered end-use customers and the replacement notice shall contain the following the date of the inspection, name, designation and signature of the officer that inspected the meter, the fault identified in the meter and the date for the installation of the replacement meter.

Accordingly, the Commission shall be copied on all replacement notices issued to end-use customers for the purpose of conducting random reviews of the replacement and new meters must be installed upon the removal of the faulty/obsolete meter and under no circumstances shall the customer be placed on estimated billing on account of the DisCo’s failure to install a replacement meter after the removal of the faulty/obsolete meter.

The new directive also includes that the customer and DisCo representative shall jointly note the units on the meter being replaced and the customer must be credited with these units within 48 hours after the installation of the meter; customers shall only be billed for loss of revenue where the DisCo establishes meter tampering, by-pass or unauthorised access as contained in NERC Order/REG/ 41/2017 on Unauthorised Access, Meter Tampering and Bypass; activation tokens shall be issued to customers immediately after replacement of the faulty/obsolete meter and DisCos shall file monthly returns with the Commission on the replacement of faulty/obsolete

NNPC, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Collaborate on Energy Development

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, have agreed to collaborate on the development of energy inter-conversion and storage as a catalyst for Nigeria’s economic development and transformation.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, and the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Lawal Suleiman Bilbis, made this known during a visit by members of the University Council, led by the University’s Pro-Chancellor, Hon. Justice Pearl Enejere (rtd).

Mallam Kyari, who welcomed the University Management to the NNPC challenged them to always champion the development and transformation of their local communities through research and innovation.

 

He said “It is high time universities connected to the world. It is also high time researches left the drawing board and came to work for the communities. Let us see how some of your abilities can be put to use for the common good of us all”.

Kyari said the Corporation was ready to collaborate with the university in the area of energy transition and renewable energy, which were key features of the Corporation’s new business focus.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lawal Bilbis, called on both parties to serve as catalyst for development so as to provide lasting solutions to nation’s energy problems.

He commended the GMD on his stewardship so far, especially in the area of transparency and accountability which he said, have engendered a positive transformation in the Corporation and the Nigerian oil and gas industry at large.

“NNPC is being transformed, we are seeing the NNPC of our dream. I believe if other sectors of the economy are doing like NNPC, Nigeria would work for all of us,” the Vice Chancellor added.

Jonathan Felicitates With Obasanjo On 84th Birthday |The Source

By
The Source
-
0
Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has felicitated ex-President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion of his 84th birthday.

Dr. Jonathan described Chief Obasanjo as a sincere patriot and thanked God for his life and all the great things he has achieved.

In a goodwill message he personally signed, former President Jonathan said:

“As you mark this occasion of your 84th birthday, I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for a fulfilling and highly eventful life.

“You are a sincere patriot who has sacrificed so much for the growth and development of our dear country. Your leadership both as a military Head of State and President at different periods produced landmark achievements in uniting and deepening the bond that holds together our diverse country.

“Baba, you are a great African who has contributed so much to the consolidation of laudable regional and sub-regional initiatives on the continent. You will continue to remain relevant in the task of nation building, especially in this period when the peace and stability in many African nations is greatly challenged.

“We pray God to protect and strengthen you to enable you to continue to lend your experience and wisdom to the development impetus of our dear country, Nigeria.”

PDP: Fayose’s Faction Disowns Oyinlola’s Intervention In Makinde/Fayose Feud |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Olagunsoye Oyinlola

By Ayodele Oni

A faction of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), in the South West, has described former Governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as an interested party in the ongoing crisis and hence lacks moral preserve to be a peacemaker.

The former Governor was reported to have arranged a meeting, slated for Friday, between Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state and former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state.

The factional Zonal Director of Media and Publicity, Lere Olayinka, in a statement, pointed out that: “Concerning the South-West People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Oyinlola himself knows that he lacks moral preserve to be peacemaker.”

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a report that there will be a reconciliation meeting between Fayose and Governor Makinde at the instance of former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, today (Friday).

Fayose and Makinde
Fayose and Makinde

“To us, Prince Oyinlola is supposed to be Governor Seyi Makinde’s leader, but the reverse is the case now as he is painfully, acting like Governor Makinde’s ‘appendage’ and, also, his contractor.

“Therefore, he has no moral preserve to be peacemaker as peace cannot be achieved when insincere people who are self-seekers sit at the table as peacemakers.

“Most importantly, PDP was peaceful in the South-West before Prince Oyinlola returned from APC.

“Committed and loyal leaders of the party in the zone will on their own, ensure that issues in the party are resolved.”

However, another chieftain of the PDP in Ekiti state, Chief Ebenezer Oladipo, said in a reaction that “It is only the Caretaker Chairman of Southwest that has power to make any statement concerning Southwest in line with the party constitution.”

According to him, “if any group of people or individual is talking, is not representing Southwest.”

Otedola Tells Daughter He Can No Longer Afford Her School Fees |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Femi Otetolda and his Daughter, DJ Cuppy

By Adesina Soyooye

Billionaire Femi Otedola, has just told one of his daughters: “I can no longer afford your school fees.”

If Otedola’s response to her daughter’s appeal that he pays her school fees was a joke, many see it as a bad one, meant to provoke the poor who, really, are unable to afford their children/wards school fees, making even the most brilliant to drop out of school.

As is the Femi Otedola family’s habit  to put out a number of their flamboyant life style out there in the social media, his daughter, the beautiful and talented Disc Jockey, Florence, whose stage name is DJ Cuppy,  had splashed on  the social media the news of her admission into the prestigious Oxford University, London, to read African Studies.

It is a great feat, and admirable, for a young woman who does not, actually, need to go through the rigours of keeping awake to study, writing examinations, and projects. She already has a first degree and a Master’s degree, the later, in her area of current interest, music – Music Business.

And, of course, she is a multi-billionaire’s daughter, and in her own right, a millionaire, having done very well as a DJ. But, she still sought to improve herself, educationally.

As soon as she got the admission to Oxford University, she decided to  share the good news with her parents – not through a normal phone, or during normal family chit-chat and happy moments. She chose to do so in a video, through the social media, in case anybody would dare to put a lie on her admission to Oxford.

She also put the name of her   would-be hall of residence, when she does resume but, worried about her school fees.

In the video, through which she told her parents, she said: “Mama and Papa, I have news to share with you. Remember I applied at Oxford, last year, for my masters? I got it. I am going to Oxford University. I am going to Lady Margaret Hall”

She then added: ” I hope Papa would just pay for my school fees.”

Otedola's Daugher standing by their Ferari
Femi Otedola’s Daughters.

A joke? Perhaps. But her father also matched her in the joke that is capable of making the poor shake their heads.

“I have paid for your school fees, long enough. I cannot afford to”, he responded.

Many interpreted this to mean a mockery of the poor.   But others say father and daughter were just jiving, but admitted: “They didn’t need to make it a social media event.”

D.J. Cuppy, can, on her own, pay her fees. And school fees is absolutely nothing to Mr Otedola who, publicly, splashes billions of Naira on her children.

In 2020 in Abuja, he shook Nigeria when he contributed a whopping sum of five billion Naira, to this same daughter’s Foundation.

Months later, Otedola took his three daughters shopping abroad and, in an unbelievable, apparently, unplanned moment, bought for each of them, the latest Ferrari. Cost price: N100m, each.

The photograph of his daughters, each, standing by her own Ferrari, was a social media sensation for days.

DJ Cuppy will resume school at Oxford on October 21, 2021.

Delta 2023: Ogboru, Omo-Agege Set For Showdown |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Great Ogboru can be described as a serial loser. Having contested for the Governorship seat of Delta State on five occasions, many call him the perennial contestant.

He contested against James Ibori in 2003; Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2007 and 2011; and against incumbent Governor of the State, Ifeanyi Okowa in 2015 and 2019.

A great businessman, greatness has not been his fate since his foray into politics, first under his then political party, Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, a party he brought from obscurity to prominence in Delta State, before cross-carpeting to Labour Party.

The DPP, won the Delta Central Senatorial District Election that brought in late Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido. This  was the highest success the Party achieved in the nation’s political landscape, before going into extinction after its founder and sponsor, Ogboru, decamped to the All Progresssives Congress, APC, in a bid to brighten his chances of becoming the Governor of the State.

Ogboru, through the influence of Party Stalwarts at the National and State levels,  was given the APC ticket in 2019 to contest on the platform of the Party, to the disappointment of the likes of Pat Utomi and other APC loyalists that were eyeing the ticket.

After his loss at the 2019 Gubernatorial polls to incumbent Governor Okowa, many thought Ogboru would throw in the towel, leave the Political scene and concentrate on his business.

But, no.

He is ready to, again, throw in the hat for the Governorship of the State in 2023

Ogboru faces a stiff opposition from the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege who is also eyeing the Governorship seat.

With less than two years to the APC Governorship Primary in the State, Ogboru and Omo-Agege, as well as their supporters, have been at each others neck, trading words.

Senator Omo-Agege  alleges that Ogboru has been sponsoring unnecessary wranglings in the State APC.

Both Men are locked in a battle of wits, and took their battles to the venue of the ongoing  registration and revalidation exercise of the APC. Their supporters are at one another’s throat, engaging in a fight of supremacy.

It would be recalled that Ogboru and Omo-Agege were both of the Labour Party, where Ogboru contested as Delta State Governorship candidate, while Omo- Agege was elected the Senator representing Delta Central on the platform. They later cross carpeted to the APC.

It is being said from many quarters that Omo- Agege is eying the Delta State Governorship position come 2023 on the platform of APC. Interested, also, is Ogboru who contested on the same party platform in 2019, on the platform of Alliance Democracy, AD in 2003 and Democratic Peoples Party, DPP in 2007. That explains the political fight between them.

The Deputy President of the Senate, recently, slammed Ogboru, accusing him of being  used as a tool to sponsor confusion and unnecessary wrangling within the  APC, especially at the ongoing membership registration exercise of the party in the State.

According to Omo- Agege, it is regrettable that, at a time when they are closing ranks towards building a bigger, more united and truly progressive family, Ogboru is fighting to destroy the APC in Delta State.

“It is regrettable that at a time when we are closing ranks towards building a bigger, more united and truly progressive family, Chief Great Ogboru would yield himself as a tool to sponsoring confusion and unnecessary wrangling within our Party, APC”, Omo-Agege said.

Omo-Agege pointed out that investigations and findings by him point fingers at Ogboru as the architect and sponsor of the unwarranted attacks on a few Party members as they made their way to joining the gathering.

“Suffice to say that that minor show of shame, however small, was part of a grand plan to disrupt the meeting but it failed. We wish to inform Chief Great Ogboru and his co-conspirators that party membership and privileges are never the exclusive rights of any single individual. Interests of party members makes Party politics interesting but respect for the rights of others strengthens the fulcrum upon which Democracy thrives.

“It is therefore provocative to fight others endlessly and attempt to stop them from aspiring to heights we couldn’t reach”, he concluded.

On his part, Ogboru said he has no intention to exchange words with Omo-Agege because it will be petty of him.

The cold war between the two is strange as both were jolly good fellows. The situation, now, has put stakeholders in Delta State APC Chapter in a fix.

APC Board of Trustees member, Chief Frank Kokori, has shed light on the feud between Omo-Agege and Ogboru.

Kokori stated that the cold war between both party chieftains dates back to the 2019 general elections, adding that he had, on several occasions,  intervened to mend fences between both leaders.

He also cautioned supporters of both party leaders not to fan the embers of discord and accused their loyalists of stoking the flames of disunity, which he said if not checkmated, will negatively affect the party in the state.

Giving details of the reported feud, he said: “The issue started during the 2019 governorship election with the inability of Ogboru to get the required votes to win the election.

“Most of his supporters suspected that Omo-Agege did not play his expected role during the polls by mobilizing enough support for Great for the election.

“But I have been talking to both of them and that is why they do not come out to challenge or abuse themselves publicly because that is one of the strong advise I gave to them.

“I have been involved with them and have played the role of a father figure and have been reconciling them in my instances, but I feel the fire is being stoked by their supporters. That has always been the case and up till now, I have been doing my best in this regard.

“I am championing a peace move between both of them and I have done it more than three times even before the elections. But I have decided that both of them have to work together to uplift the party because if they both do not agree, it will affect the party”, Kokori said.

Also, the President General of  the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Chief Joe Omene, has pleaded with  Omo-Agege and Ogboru  to sheath their swords in the overall interest of the Urhobo Nation.

The President General urged them to keep their interest aside, adding that no matter what happens, they still need each other in the course of their political sojourn.

Omene, who also doubles as the Ejorofo of Mosogar Kingdom, while speaking to Advocateng from his abode in Mosogar, said, the situation was becoming worrisome. “There is no need for this needless war, they should stop the fire now, sheathe their sword for the interest of the Urhobos, both of them are highly respected Urhobo politicians and the Urhobo are looking up to them, if they continue to tear themselves apart like this, they are telling us that we should forget about better tomorrow for the Urhobo nation

“On behalf of myself and the entire people of the Urhobo Nation I am calling on their surbodinates to hold the fire “there is no problem or issue that cannot be solved, no matter how deep their grievances they still need each other politically” he said.

Ogboru, an astute business man, was employed in 1984 as a marketing officer in a fishing company in Lagos.

By 1987, he left the fishing firm to start up his own private fishing business, Fiogret Ltd, which later grew and expanded to some other African countries. At the time he was involved in the fishing business, he ventured into other businesses which included a Warri based furniture company and Bureau de Change.

In April 1990, Ogboru was indicted in the failed coup attempt of Gideon Orkar to overthrow the General Ibrahim Babangida regime. He fled the country through Seme border with help from his brother, Turner Ogboru.

The military regime subsequently detained Turner and harassed Ogboru’s siblings and did not discourage the looting of his properties by soldiers.

Ogboru initially fled to London but later moved to Angola and Namibia.

He returned to Nigeria in June 2000 and joined the democratic process with the establishment of the South-South Rainbow Coalition, SSRC.

The rift between the two Urhobo sons, many say, would hopefully end as the 2023 Governorship Election draws nearer, to brighten the chances of producing, for the first time, an Urhobo Governor.

Udochi, Okonjo-Iweala’s Sister, Is First Black Female ‘Physician Of The Year’ In The US; Okowa, Ngozi, Celebrate |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Njide Okonjo-Udochi and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

By Adesina Soyooye

Again, the Okonjo family of Ogwashi-Uku,  Delta State, has made Nigeria proud.

And the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, is bursting with pride.

Fresh from producing the first Black, as well as the first female Director General  of the World Trade Organisation, WTO. – Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the family has again produced the first Black female to win the prestigious award of the First Family Physician, 2021, in Maryland, United States of America.

Dr. Njide Okonjo-Udochi, younger sister to Okonjo-Iweala,  emerged the winner of the Best  Family Physician Of The Year, 2021, in Maryland, United States of America.

The award was bestowed on her by the The Maryland Academy of Family Physicians (MDAFP).

The MDAFP award goes to a standout member who exemplifies the values and traditions of the family physician.

A Family Of Firsts; Younger Brother Appreciates Sisters, Parents

Dr Udochi is the first Black female to win the prestigious award. The Okonjo family is a family of trail-blazers, a fact not lost on them, or anybody.

The family produced Nigeria’s first female Finance Minister, the first Minister to hold that position in  two different administrations;  Nigeria’s first female Foreign Minister, and the first Minister to resign from office for lack of job satisfaction.

When President Olusegun Obasanjo reassigned Dr Okonjo-Iweala to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Ministry of Finance,  she resigned after a few weeks in office. She was wooed back by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, appointed the Minister for Finance, with the added responsibility of coordinating the Economy.

Congratulating her younger sister in a tweet, WTO DG, Dr Okonjo-Iweala wrote:  “Congratulations Dr Njideka Udochi, Maryland’s Family Physician Of The Year. Thank you for your care of COVID-19 patients and for saving so many lives. Proud of you my sister.”

But their brother, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Giant Beverages, Onyema Okonjo, could not hide the family’s pride in her two elder sisters. He attributed their feat to their parents, both of them, Professors in their own fields. He twitted:

“Congratulations to both of my older sisters (Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala & Njide Okonjo-Udochi).

Gov Patrick Okowa
Gov Patrick Okowa

“And congratulations to my parents.

“My eldest sister for her success with the WTO, and my second sister for being selected as the best family practice doctor in Maryland, USA.

“My parents set the stage with their strong support for women. My mother has been a very passionate women’s rights advocate and, even as a retired Professor of Sociology in her 90’s, she still cares about women’s rights, equal rights, and equal access for women. May God bless both of you and may both of you continue to reach greater heights.”

Governor Okowa celebrated no less. Congratulating Dr Okonjo-Udochi, in a statement, he said that Delta State couldn’t be prouder of her feat, and the accomplishments of the Okonjos

Dr. Njide Okonjo-Udochi founded Millennial Family Care in 2003. She was announced Baltimore Magazine Top Doctor in 2019. She is, also,  recognized as a top Primary Care Doctor in Maryland and beyond, and is featured as a Medical Expert on Doctors’ Interviews on CNN, FOX News, CNBC, and other international news channels.

Dr Okonjo-Udochi read Medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and graduated in 1988. And, has 33 years experience in her field of specialization.

Jonathan, Obasanjo, Sirleaf, five other former Presidents inaugurate Elders Forum to promote democracy, good governance in West Africa |The Source

By
The Source
-
0
Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo

Former Presidents Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and six other former West African leaders on Thursday joined forces to establish a mechanism targeted at preventing and resolving election related conflicts and maintaining stability in the sub-region.

The leaders resolved to collectively exert their enormous goodwill towards ensuring peace in West African nations, by promoting credible elections and good governance, in order to prevent the nations from descending into crises.

They spoke at the formal inauguration of the West African Elders Forum, an initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) with support from OSIWA, which seeks to limit electoral violence and promote democratic stability in West Africa. The Forum has former presidents in the sub-region as members.

Other former Presidents who participated in the virtual event are Pedro Pires Cabo Verde, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Liberia, Amos Sawyer Liberia, Ernest Bai Koroma Sierra Leone as well as former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Mrs. Aminata Traore, former Senegalese Prime Minister .

Former President Jonathan, who is the Chairman of GJF, described the West African Elders Forum as an initiative  aimed at leveraging the rich resources of eminent personalities in West Africa to promote peace and support processes that enhance sustainable democracy.

He stated that the vision “is to harness the experience and wisdom of our region’s eminent leaders to advance the course of political stability and the quest for economic progress and prosperity in our countries.”

The leaders thanked former President Jonathan for initiating the Forum and promised to lend their support to its engagements and programmes.

Speaking in support of the initiative former President Obasanjo noted that the leaders need to work individually and collectively “to deal with post-pandemic development like governance to build an inclusive society within our respective societies in West Africa.”

Similarly former President Sirleaf said: “Many of us have been involved in mediations and interventions either as individuals or sometimes as part of institutional arrangements to achieve the objective of good governance, peace and security. But we have lacked a collective African effort and this is what this group will bring.”

In his own intervention, former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar observed a pattern of rising insecurity not only in our sub- region but the world over. “We have seen the efforts of ECOWAS in establishing democracy in  the subregion. I am happy that President Goodluck Jonathan has deemed it fit to establish this forum of eminent personalities to alleviate the problems we encounter in establishing democracy and also in fighting insecurity.”

Also speaking, former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma said: “The more progress we have made, the more challenges we are experiencing,   even in the areas of governance. That is why I believe an initiative like this is very timely because of the trend  that we are experiencing in elections and  post-elections.”

Speaking further, former President Jonathan said: “It is evident that as former heads of State, we have not relented in our individual efforts in maintaining stability in Africa and expanding the democratic space. We have worked towards fostering free and fair elections as well as peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another.

“But with this Forum, we can collectively work as a team to reduce political violence and electoral conflicts in West Africa.  This is consistent with the goal of the Goodluck Jonathan foundation to support democratic transitions and manage political emergencies within the continent.

The former President noted that over the last few decades, the West African region has demonstrated leadership and political will by setting the pace in transforming a regional group of states into a ‘secured community’ on the continent.

“Regrettably, the peace and stability of the region is being eroded because of many reasons including political contestation for power, spread of terrorism and the negative effects of the Covid 19 pandemic.

“We recognize the efforts of the United Nations Office for West Africa, the African Union, ECOWAS, the various states and other development partners aimed at promoting peace and stability in this region.

“With this Forum we are to collectively exert our goodwill towards preserving the peace in our nations, some of them fragile, and prevent them from descending into anarchy.  It is my hope that through the Forum, we will be able to leverage on your collective knowledge, years of experiences, passion and deep understanding of the issues to contribute to ongoing efforts towards limiting violence and instability and protecting the integrity of democratic processes within the region.

“As Elders, we will encourage current leaders to embrace the concept of democracy. That leaving behind a lasting legacy of people-oriented leadership that positively impacts the lives of ordinary citizens is crucial.

“We have played and are currently playing key roles in promoting peace and stability within the region. We are all united by our common passion and commitment to see the region progress.”

1...2,4922,4932,494...2,973Page 2,493 of 2,973