News From Nigeria
SDP suffers defection as Akpoti-Uduaghan, supporters join PDP
Key players in the politics of North Central on Saturday described Kogi State Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the 2019 governorship election, Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as an astute consensus builder, a great mobilizer and prudent manager of human and material resources.
The Kogi State politician and lawyer recently joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
‘’Politics is all about service. We believe, very fervently, that you have so much to offer to Nigeria, particularly Kogi State in the years ahead’’
The leaders applauded the Kogi State politician for making the hardest and wisest political decision.
They urged Akpoti-Uduaghan, party supporters and well-wishers to squarely face the 2023 elections and ensure the PDP records victory in Kogi State.
‘’Akpoti-Uduaghan must join forces with other PDP chieftains to consume the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State’’.
In a press statement issued on Saturday in Lokoja and signed by the Chairman of North-Central Assembly, Alhaji Yinusa Suleiman, the leaders described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s entry into the PDP as a turning point for the opposition in Kogi State.
‘’It is indeed a step in the right direction’’
The statement emphasized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s contributions to Nigeria, her humanitarian values and superlative drive for service to fatherland.
Particularly, the leaders praised the PDP for making Nigeria a significant voice in the international community, improving the nation’s foreign reserves, paying off debts and exiting from the London and Paris Clubs of creditors.
They also commended the nation’s leading opposition party for the country’s telecommunication revolution, massive inflow of foreign investments, re-invigoration of the middle-class and massive improvement in the area of education, infrastructure, security, health, tourism and finance.
‘’We welcome Chief Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan to PDP’’
Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to contribute to PDP’s victory and also bring her vision for the rapid development of Kogi State to fruition.
South-South Women laud Akpabio for playing credible role in Nigeria’s development agenda
Women in the South-South geo-political zone on Sunday praised Daily Independent Newspaper for taking interest in larger goals, holding a strong view regarding the Niger Delta region and promoting truth.
‘’Journalism is an arduous calling. Daily Independent is an important source of information’’
They also applauded the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio for contributing constructively to the progress of the country, bringing about deep and profound changes in the Niger Delta region and placing premium on service, integrity and efficiency.
‘’Any serious student of development in the Niger Delta region must admit that there have been far-reaching changes in the last two years’’
In a statement in Port Harcourt, the South-South women commended Daily Independent Newspaper for focusing on Akpabio’s role in developing the Niger Delta region and recognizing what has been achieved by the current administration in the region.
They described the recent pronouncement of the Wailing Women of the Niger Delta (WWND) as irresponsible, vulgar, provocative, and abusive.
The women also described calls for the termination of the award as foolish, childish and irrational.
‘’The Wailing Women of the Niger Delta is off the rails’’
The statement by the spokesperson of South-South Women Front (SSWF), Dr. Doris Ogba rebuked WWND for confusing the public on the Niger Delta issue.
‘’What is needed is a fundamental change in the perception and behavior of WWND Coordinator, Odighonin Nwadighi and her co-travellers.
The women underscored the minister’s understanding of the region, tenacity of purpose, quality of character, service to humanity, sense of duty and responsibility.
They described Akpabio’s nomination as well-deserved.
The women also urged the former Akwa Ibom State governor and Senate Minority Leader not to allow the negative attitude of Nwadighi to crush his spirit.
‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio believes in the rapid development of the Niger Delta region. Since his appointment, he has been alive to his duty to the people of the Niger Delta region. He has worked assiduously to transform the region. And he has proved his genuine desire to reposition the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)’’
Daily Independent Newspaper recently nominated Akpabio as the Minister of the Year.
Women in the South-South geo-political zone on Tuesday applauded the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio for imprinting his integrity on all that he did in the private sector, Akwa Ibom State and the Senate.
The women also commended Akpabio for pouring out his milk of kindness to the Niger Delta people and contributing to the stability of the polity.
At the inauguration of the South-South Women Political Front (SSWPF) in Port Harcourt, the women appealed to Nigerians in the Diaspora as well as foreigners to put pressure on Akpabio to contest the 2023 presidential election.
‘’Mr. President is comfortable with the prospect of Akpabio taking over from him. The Niger Delta Affairs Minister is hardworking, honest, suave and accommodating. He is in the best position to serve the country’’
The inauguration attracted hundreds of women across the length and breadth of the South-South geo-political zone.
The women spoke on physical development in the Niger Delta region, judicious utilization of funds, vision, discipline and credibility.
Spokesperson of SSWPF, Dr. Doris Ogba disclosed to reporters after the meeting in Port Harcourt that they had gone far in their discussion with prominent politicians from the North, South East and South West on power shift come 2023.
‘’ Senator Godswill Akpabio has political credibility and strong network across the country. He is a detribalized man and a man of the people. He is building bridges of peace and understanding between the South and the North of this country’’
The women praised Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and other ethnic groups in the region for supporting Akpabio.
They also pounced on the leadership of the project Niger Delta (PND).
‘’The comments made by Timpre Ebebi are offensive, bigoted and disgusting. He does not speak on behalf of the region and his views certainly don’t reflect those of the region’s leaders’’
The women emphasized continuous investment in infrastructure, security, education and health in the region.
They also highlighted Akpabio’s devotion to moral purity, capacity for honesty, anti-corruption posture and the critical need to work together in view of moving the region to the next level.
Afegbua to Atiku: You are not destined to be president
Former Edo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Kassim Afegbua on Monday dismissed insinuations from some quarters that he had anything personal against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
‘’Following my interrogation of the Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s presidential aspiration and the urgent need to cede the nomination of the PDP ticket to the Southern part of Nigeria, the alarm bells have been let loose. Expectedly, I have been called all manner of names and accused wrongly, just to extract a pound of flesh from me for daring to question the rationale for Atiku presidency in 2023 at the age of Methuselah. I do not have anything personal against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, but I disagree with his latest resolve at being a professional aspirant or perpetual candidate from 1991 till date. Politics has a process and timing’’.
He also advised the country’s former vice president not to hesitate to contribute his own quota in his capacity as a senior citizen towards the development of the nation.
‘’Alhaji Atiku is mortally misplaced at this moment. Having put up such a strong showing in 2019, I thought very sensibly, that was the climax of a journey that started in 1990 when he initially aspired to preside over the country with Late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, easily called M.K.O Abiola. Alhaji was in that equation even though at the end of the day, he was prevailed upon to step down for MKO Abiola. And the rest is history’’.
In a statement in Abuja on Monday, Afegbua said the age of methuselah in Nigeria politics was no longer fashionable.
‘’Nigeria is a plural society with several political interests competing for attention. It is a country of many tribal leanings and clannish configurations. After the EndSars protest and the lukewarm attitude of the current president before he reluctantly addressed the nation, it became obvious that the age of methuselah in Nigeria politics was no longer fashionable. Nigerians now yearn for younger leadership who is upwardly mobile to preside over the affairs of the nation, leaders who have the technical ability and managerial acumen to preside over our disparities and ethnicities, and create a balance towards national cohesion and stability. Nigerians are looking forward to welcoming a new dawn in our body.of politics, some.kind of paradigm shift that would.give opportunity to our younger generation to politically assume a pride of place in the scheme of things’’
The former spokesman of Atiku said for stability and good governance to be achieved in Nigeria, there must be a rejection of travelling the road of the aged.
‘’ President Buhari has not helped matters. He has raised very curious remarks about the sanctity of travelling the road of the aged. Aside from being taciturn, president Buhari is not creative and result-driven. His go-slow style has affected our reading of the older generations who appear unwilling to quit the stage while the ovation is still loud. Buhari’s standoffish attitude and leadership weakness has become Atiku’s albatross. President Buhari has pointedly declared that at 79, working 6 to 8 hours daily is no joke, reason why it will be an exercise in self-destruct to chart the course of an Atiku post Buhari era’’.
He urged Atiku to honourably quit the stage for others to try their luck.
‘’From 1990 till date, Atiku Abubakar has featured in our politics at regular intervals. Remove 32 years away from Alhaji Atiku’s age; you will readily see the beauty.of a young man who got involved at such a middle age to seek the presidency of the country. After 32 years, he should honourably quit the stage for others to try their luck. That is the beauty of life’s evolutionary process. Seeking for that same position which he sought for in 1990 at this age and time is like performing a surgical operation with a blunt scalpel. His closest was the 2019 experience. Bookmakers said he won the election, but INEC thought otherwise’’
Afegbua lamented how Atiku vanished to thin air after the 2019 presidential election.
‘’After the 2019 election, when the dust of that election had not settled, when tempers were still high and emotions were still boiling, Alhaji Atiku simply vanished to thin air. He was no where to be seen. His next address was Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. When the party members wanted to see him, they had to travel to Dubai. The tribunal came, and Alhaji was nowhere near the courts. Imagine how it would have been seeing him with his Lawyers inside the courtroom, it would have given a sense of motivation and encouragement to all the factors that participated in that election. We waited, kept our eyes on the road, thinking he would join us. Alas!! He was away in the comfort zone of Dubai’s architectural wonders while we remained here in Nigeria like orphans or fatherless children. The tribunal case ended on a loss note. That was to mark another evolutionary watershed in the history of electoral petitions in Nigeria. But in all of the actions, Alhaji Atiku was absent’’.
He said it was time to discuss power shift to the Southern part of the country in 2023.
‘’When they are seeking for election, they try to act as father-figure, pretending to have the interest of the people at heart, but when you need them to give you protection, they hide in the comfort zone of their empire. For those of us who were Spokesmen of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, it was difficult getting to sit Alhaji Atiku down to robustly engage, at least to glean from his perspectives on issues. After the election, and after his escape from the shores of Nigeria, there was no post-election thank you. And this is not about material gratification. Far from it! It was simply by way of hosting a meeting to say; guys, you all are great. You made me proud and gave your all. I appreciate. No way!!. Instead, for two years, Alhaji Atiku was in Dubai, and left us in the lurch. When he returned to the country and the idea of recontesting struck his mind, he wrote personalized letters to some chosen associates, supporters and stakeholders. When I got my own letter, I asked a couple of questions. Aside from being a regular face in the political firmament of Nigeria, like Robert Mugabe to Zimbabweans, Alhaji Atiku’s aspiration was wrongly footed. The pendulum of the political equations and algorithms has to shift to the Southern part of the country in 2023’’.
He urged Atiku to support a younger element from the south as a way to assuage the feelings of the people.
‘’After an unbroken 8 years run by President Buhari, it will be immoral for any Northerner to aspire to govern the country on another run of 8 years. That would be injustice of the first order. Even if the equation becomes so compelling, we could opt for a younger element to fill the void. Contesting for presidential elections since 1990 till date without success is enough indication that he was not destined to be. At this age and time, I would rather he supports a younger element from the south as a way to assuage the feelings of the people. Political greed and selfishness has its own undercurrent. Just like power and its aphrodisiac, it makes men blind to their real intentions. Their eyes will be fixated on the aplomb of power, its allure and appurtenances. But the dynamics of the moment and the learned experiences from President Buhari’s gloomy and uneventful leadership have combined to hurt the dialectics of an Atiku aspiration’’.
Specifically, Afegbua called for geo-political zones balancing through robust interactions and constructive engagement.
‘’The country must consciously engage with diverse interests across the land. Individual and collective interests must be cultivated. Geopolitical zones balancing through robust interactions and constructive engagement are the required process to build national cohesion. And with the way the country has become, a Southern presidency is one that will invariably calm frayed nerves and put paid to some agitations that have been threatening the unity of the country’’.
He urged Nigerians not to devote time, energy and resources in championing the aspirations of a man who has been a perpetual aspirant and a recurring decimal in our national politics since 1990
‘’The route I have taken is one borne out of my deep conviction that Nigeria needs to chart a new course of action. It is one that reminds me that if we choose to do things differently, we will achieve greater success than devote time, energy and resources in championing the aspirations of a man who has been a perpetual aspirant and a recurring decimal in our national politics since 1990. I hold no grudge. It is out of love that I have spoken truth to the man, and I welcome all the insults and abuses. Not long, my interrogations would yield the desired result and I do hope that Alhaji Atiku would not end up gnashing his teeth to lament the turn out of events with the usual malaproprian bluff; had I know. The resources he intends to lavish at this political contestation should serve other purposes that could impact on the wellbeing of his followers and supporters. The binoculars for the 2023 presidential contest does not pick the image of Alhaji Abubakar. The earlier he quits the race, the better for his cherished history, the better for his political trajectory. Those who are waiting to profit from his involvement might not like my invocations, but in the long run, it will form a basis to assess the totality of his political emanations as he ages on’’.
The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain advised Atiku to learn from Mugabe’s journey in Zimbabwe that ended in infamy and public disgrace.
‘’At 77 in 2023, I will rather quit politics, such a vocation where insults are hurled at you, than stay put in the name of putting up a try. When the sunshine of Mugabe of Zimbabwe was ebbing, he frowned at those who gave him honest advice and romanced those praise singers who said he was the father of the nation of Zimbabwe. At the end, his fall from glory was the denouement of a journey that ended in infamy and public disgrace. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, I still wish you well’’.
IS ATIKU THE MUGABE OF NIGERIA POLITICS?
Following my interrogation of the Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s presidential aspiration and the urgent need to cede the nomination of the PDP ticket to the Southern part of Nigeria, the alarm bells have been let loose. Expectedly, I have been called all manner of names and accused wrongly, just to extract a pound of flesh from me for daring to question the rationale for Atiku presidency in 2023 at the age of Methuselah. I do not have anything personal against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, but I disagree with his latest resolve at being a.professional aspirànt or perpetual candidate from 1991 till date. Politics has a process and timing. The timing for a fresh mandate for Alhaji Atiku is mortally misplaced at this moment. Having put up such a strong showing in 2019, I thought very sensibly, that was the climax of a journey that started in 1990 when he initially aspired to preside over the country with Late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, easily called M.K.O Abiola. Alhaji was in that equation even though at the end of the day, he was prevailed upon to step down for MKO Abiola. And the rest is history.
Nigeria is a plural society with several political interests competing for attention. It is a country of many tribal leanings and clannish configurations. After the EndSars protest and the lukewarm attitude of the current president before he reluctantly addressed the nation, it became obvious that the age of methuselah in Nigeria politics was no longer fashionable. Nigerians now yearn for younger leadership who is upwardly mobile to preside over the affairs of the nation, leaders who have the technical ability and managerial acumen to preside over our disparities and ethnicities, and create a balance towards national cohesion and stability. Nigerians are looking forward to welcoming a new dawn in our body.of politics, some.kind of paradigm shift that would.give opportunity to our younger generation to politically assume a pride of.place in the scheme of.things. President Buhari has not helped matters. He has raised very curious remarks about the sanctity.of travelling the road of the aged. Aside from being taciturn, president Buhari is not creative and result-driven. His go-slow style has affected our reading of the older generations who appear unwilling to quit the stage while the ovation is still loud. Buhari’s standoffish attitude and leadership weakness has become Atiku’s albatross. President Buhari has pointedly declared that at 79, working 6 to 8 hours daily is no joke, reason why it will be an exercise in self destruct to chart the course of an Atiku post Buhari era.
From 1990 till date, Atiku Abubakar has featured in our politics at regular intervals. Remove 32 years away from Alhaji Atiku’s age, you will readily see the beauty.of a young man who got involved at such a middle age to seek the presidency of the country. After 32 years, he should honourably quit the stage for others to try their luck. That is the beauty of life’s evolutionary process. Seeking for that same position which he sought for in 1990 at this age and time is like performing a surgical operation with a blunt scalpel. His closest was the 2019 experience. Bookmakers said he won the election, but INEC thought otherwise. After the 2019 election, when the dust of that election had not settled, when tempers were still high and emotions were still boiling, Alhaji Atiku simply vanished to thin air. He was no where to be seen. His next address was Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. When the party members wanted to see him, they had to travel to Dubai. The tribunal came, and Alhaji was nowhere near the courts. Imagine how it would have been seeing him with his Lawyers inside the courtroom, it would have given a sense of.motivation and encouragement to all the factors that participated in that election. We waited, kept our eyes on the road, thinking he would join us. Alas!! He was away in the comfort zone of Dubai’s architectural wonders while we remained here in Nigeria like orphans or fatherless children. The tribunal case ended on a loss note. That was to mark another evolutionary watershed in the history of electoral petitions in Nigeria. But in all of the actions, Alhaji Atiku was absent.
When they are seeking for election, they try to act as father-figure, pretending to have the interest of the people at heart, but when you need them to give you protection, they hide in the comfort zone of their empire. For those of us who were Spokesmen of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, it was difficult getting to sit Alhaji Atiku down to robustly engage, at least to glean from his perspectives on issues. After the election, and after his escape from the shores of Nigeria, there was no post-election thank you. And this is not about material gratification. Far from it! It was simply by way of hosting a meeting to say; guys, you all are great. You made me proud and gave your all. I appreciate. No way!!. Instead, for two years, Alhaji Atiku was in Dubai, and left us in the lurch. When he returned to the country and the idea of recontesting struck his mind, he wrote personalized letters to some chosen associates, supporters and stakeholders. When I got my own letter, I asked a couple of questions. Aside from being a regular face in the political firmament of Nigeria, like Robert Mugabe to Zimbabweans, Alhaji Atiku’s aspiration was wrongly footed. The pendulum of the political equations and algorithms has to shift to the Southern part of the country in 2023.
After an unbroken 8 years run by President Buhari, it will be immoral for any Northerner to aspire to govern the country on another run of 8 years. That would be injustice of the first order. Even if the equation becomes so compelling, we could opt for a younger element to fill the void. Contesting for presidential elections since 1990 till date without success is enough indication that he was not destined to be. At this age and time, I would rather he supports a younger element from the south as a way to assuage the feelings of the people. Political greed and selfishness has its own undercurrent. Just like power and its aphrodisiac, it makes men blind to their real intentions. Their eyes will be fixated on the aplomb of.power, its allure and appurtenances. But the dynamics of the moment and the learned experiences from President Buhari’s gloomy and uneventful leadership, have combined to hurt the dialectics of an Atiku aspiration. The country must consciously engage with diverse interests across the land. Individual and collective interests must be cultivated. Geopolitical zones balancing through robust interactions and constructive engagement are the required process to build national cohesion. And with the way the country has become, a Southern presidency is one that will invariably calm frayed nerves and put paid to some agitations that have been threatening the unity of the country.
The route I have taken is one borne out of my deep conviction that Nigeria needs to chart a new course of action. It is one that reminds me that if we choose to do things differently, we will achieve greater success than devote time, energy and resources in championing the aspirations of a man who has been a perpetual aspirànt and a recurring decimal in our national politics since 1990. I hold no grudge. It is out of love that I have spoken truth to the man, and I welcome all the insults and abuses. Not long, my interrogations would yield the desired result and I do hope that Alhaji Atiku would not end up gnashing his teeth to lament the turn out of events with the usual malaproprian bluff; had I know. The resources he intends to lavish at this political contestation should serve other purposes that could impact on the wellbeing of his followers and supporters. The binoculars for the 2023 presidential contest does not pick the image of Alhaji Abubakar. The earlier he quits the race, the better for his cherished history, the better for his political trajectory. Those who are waiting to profit from his involvement might not like my invocations, but in the long run, it will form a basis to assess the totality of his political emanations as he ages on. At 77 in 2023, I will rather quit politics, such a vocation where insults are hurled at you, than stay put in the name of putting up a try. When the sunshine of Mugabe of Zimbabwe was ebbing, he frowned at those who gave him honest advise and romanced those praise singers who said he was the father of the nation of Zimbabwe. At the end, his fall from glory was the denouement of a journey that ended in infamy and public disgrace. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, I still wish you well.
He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Port-Harcourt and a Master’s degree from University of Lagos.
Ebireri has a postgraduate diploma in Journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, a diploma in English from University of Lagos and other certificates from Broadcast Academy, Republican Institute, College of Education Technical, Akoka and the Independent Journalism Centre.
His curiosity for learning and love of teaching led him to become a teacher and later a journalist.
Prominent leaders in the South-South geo-political zone on Thursday said Obukohwo Monday Arthur Whiskey, Ovie of Idjerhe kingdom did not understand the objectives of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) forensic audit and the recommendations.
They also commended Chief Godswill Akpabio for pursuing key priorities, paving the way to a better future for the people and providing vibrant leadership in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
In a statement in Asaba, the leaders scolded the Idjerhe monarch for embarking on steps that further present Niger Delta leaders as people supporting corruption and working against the transparency and development agenda of the current administration.
They described the Idjerhe monarch as a divisive element and his recent interview as a shameful exercise.
The leaders praised Akpabio for the redirection of the affairs and profile of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Steps to insure lasting dignity for the Niger Delta people
The statement underscored the reform and re-direction of NDDC, disdain for flippant monarchs, peace, economic growth and empowerment.
Signed by the Chairman of South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, the leaders hailed Akpabio for the reallocation of public spending towards essential infrastructure, security, health and education.
Specifically, the leaders applauded Akpabio for redeeming the zone’s standing, maintaining meaningful dialogue with the stakeholders, strengthening NDDC, increasing transparency, reducing corruption and delivering efficiently basic services to the people.
Meeting under the aegis of South-South Front to address the common problems and interests of the zone, the leaders condemned the Idjerhe monarch for his weak argument, campaign of calumny against President Muhammadu Buhari, Akpabio and the good people of the South-South geo-political zone.
They also criticized the bad sense of language and repetition by the monarch.
October 27, 2021
Press Statement
As part of our preparation for the forthcoming Saturday October 30 to Sunday 31, 2021 Elective National Convention of our great party, the PDP, all members of the NCOC (Main Committee), are hereby invited to a meeting as follows;
Date: Friday October 29, 2021.
Venue: Legacy House, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, Abuja
Time: 3:00Pm
Please note that attendance is strictly by invitation.
Members are advised to also note that Covid-19 protocol on public gatherings will be strictly observed.
Signed:
Engr. Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State and Secretary, 2021 National Convention Organizing Committee,
Announcer.
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF POWER
PRESS STATEMENT
THE FIRST 50 DAYS : OUR REFORM AGENDA FOR THE POWER SECTOR – BEING A STATUS UPDATE REPORT BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF POWER, ENGR. ABUBAKAR D. ALIYU, FNSE ON WEDNESDAY, 27TH OCTOBER, 2021
It is with great delight that my Team and I engage with you today through this Statement. We hope to do this very frequently to bring Nigerians up to speed on the developments within the Ministry and the Power Sector as a whole.
Since I assumed office in this Ministry, 50 days ago, a lot has transpired in that short period. This reinforces my inaugural assertion and conviction that you do not need to be a magician to Perform.
I do believe that a determined and motivated team will always find a way to mobilize resources and deliver on its assignment. We have put in place goal delivery machinery which is operational.
With this in place, many of our lingering challenges in the power Sector are now being addressed in a Methodical, systematic, and Proactive manner.
We are working tirelessly as we explore opportunities that will, in the short term, deliver the much-desired quick wins whilst still focusing on the long-term objectives of increasing the available Power, improving the quality of services, attracting the much-needed investment, promoting efficiency, competition and growth and lastly ensuring transparency and accountability in the value
chain of the Power Sector.
The Ministry is intensifying performance monitoring of the licensees and the licensing regime, especially their revised Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) to have a better understanding of why some critical stakeholders are performing below expectation.
We shall be taking a careful and detailed look at issues of policy, capacity and the technical requirement, amongst other things.
One very critical concern that we must address in this performance monitoring process is to find out if the terms for granting of licenses were onerous.
Do we need additional laws and or regulations to enable the sector to perform optimally?
These are some of the critical concerns that the performance monitoring will highlight. The outcomes will also hopefully point at ways to address these concerns and challenges.
It is well known the primary policy aim of this administration is to Provide stable, good quality, reliable and affordable electricity for the people of Nigeria for domestic and industrial usage.
The Electric Power Sector Reform Act of March 2005 is quite revolutionary. We are working on its full implementation to match up with the huge sums invested by this administration to realize our objectives in the Sector, which are very much achievable.
Against the backdrop of the reality that the delivery of electric power is a multi-sectoral undertaking, specific areas of conflict and tensions within the power industry value chain are being harmonized for greater synergy which will bring about a wholesome alignment of responsibilities within the governance system of the power sector. It is this new mindset of cooperation for optimal performance that we are bringing on board.
So far, I am happy to inform you that everyone is in alignment with this mentality. There are ongoing conversations within the power value chain. Stakeholders are talking and cooperating with one another and in so doing, bridging the observed disconnect within the sector.
It must be clearly stated that within this value chain, some responsibilities are by virtue of the EPSRA performed by our private sector partners and other agencies of Government. These partners are being more closely monitored and sometimes given the needed nudge in the right direction in order to achieve our objectives.
Hopefully, we will soon begin to experience the imminent turn around in the power sector.
We are determined to deal with some policy issues, the legal and regulatory bottlenecks, and the human factors involved in the implementation and coordination of the power sector’s road map. Though clearly a work in progress, let me assure you that the viability of the sector is not in doubt. As much as it is a capital-intensive sector and currently in need of massive injection of fresh capital, we are making steady progress.
CHALLENGES IN THE POWER SECTOR
We are aware that the Nigerian Power sector is confronted by many challenges which have not enabled the sector to grow as desired.
These challenges are reflected in the two over-arching problems of the Sector:
Too many people are still not satisfied with the quality of service in terms of hours of supply, voltage,
Disputed/estimated bills, or have no access to electricity;
OUR FOCUS
My immediate focus is how to achieve the following through effective policy and regulation and cooperative engagement with private and public sector operators:
The key policies and initiatives of the Ministry to achieve these aims are: –
agreement issues are being resolved.
Initiative (PPI) of this administration. Siemens Nigeria and the Federal Government in 2020 entered into a Power
Infrastructure revamp agreement. It is a government-to-
government agreement. The Nigerian Electrification Roadmap (NER) is a partnership that will expand Nigeria’s electricity capacity from the current average output 4,500MWh/h to 25,000MW. We are confident that the NER will succeed because of the pedigree of Siemens and their footprint in the Global Power Industry.
The first phase of the PPI is the upgrading and expansion of the vital infrastructure of the TCN and Discos with the end goal of achieving 7,000MW. This first phase started in earnest this year, with the ongoing pre-engineering phase. The selected EPC Contractors will soon be contracted officially so work on the project implementation can commence.
CONCLUSION
Reforms take time and require patience to implement, especially in a highly regulated sector like the power sector. I am confident that these reforms, when fully implemented, will bring about the transformational change that we all desire to see in the sector. We are very mindful of the various challenges and bottlenecks. I plan to face the challenges with a dogged determination and resolve. It is my belief that with the right focus, determination and teamwork, the power sector will experience a new lease of life. This further serves to assure you that Nigeria is finally navigating towards resolving some of the seemingly intractable challenges of electricity and power supply in our country.
We are at the threshold of a new era of greater liberalization in the power sector as we gradually achieve results based on all the plans for quick wins and for long term growth of the Sector.
I am convinced that everything we need for the power sector to succeed is available to us. We must ensure that all stakeholders Work together as a family to improve the lot of the power sector.
Thank you, gentlemen of the press.
Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE
Honourable Minister of Power
Wednesday, 27th October, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
COVID-19: SANWO-OLU LAUNCHES MASS VACCINATION PROGRAMME, TARGETS 4 MILLION LAGOSIANS BEFORE YEAR END
There is possibility of the fourth wave of Coronavirus (COVID-19) as the Yuletide approaches, Lagos State Government declared on Wednesday.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, however, launched a mass vaccination campaign as part of the strategies to stave off re-emergence of the viral infection. The objective is aimed at vaccinating four million residents in Lagos before the end of the year.
The immunisation programme was flagged off with a symbolic event held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island. Residents of Lagos, who are 18 years and above are eligible to be fully immunised with the COVID-19 vaccine.
The accelerated vaccine rollout is tagged: “Operation Count Me in 4 Million Lagosians Vaccinated Against COVID-19” and it is being undertaken by Lagos State Government in collaboration with National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The Governor believed the mass vaccination campaign would help bolster the State’s response to the emerging threat posed by the pandemic.
Sanwo-Olu said the joint committee set up by the Lagos State Government and NPHCDA to oversee the implementation of the campaign would be opening vaccination sites in high traffic locations as part of the strategies to expand vaccine access in underserved communities. Mobile vans, the Governor added, would be deployed to move round boundary settlements in order to reach individuals in areas with limited access to health facilities.
He said: “There is potential for the fourth wave of COVID-19, as our borders would be opened to all people coming into Lagos in December. To prevent the catastrophic events we witnessed in the previous waves, the State has developed a robust vaccination drive, leveraging on both the strengths we have in the public and private sectors of our healthcare system. In development of our strategy and counter-measures, we prioritise the protection of human lives and keeping our economy open for business.
“To mitigate against this potential damage that will further spread existing variants of COVID-19 in the State, and accelerate efforts towards herd immunity, the need for a different strategy became a front burner issue. This is what has culminated in the campaign, tagged ‘Count Me In! 4 million Lagosians Vaccinated Against COVID-19’ to target the full vaccination of 4 million Lagos residents before the end of December 2021. Once achieved, this will bring the State closer to reaching our promise to vaccinate 30 percent of our population within one year.”
Since March when Lagos started its vaccination programme, Sanwo-Olu said the State had successfully vaccinated 800,000 residents with the first dose of Moderna vaccine and 310,000 persons fully vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
This, he said, sums total number of residents vaccinated with the first dose of either AstraZeneca or Moderna to 1.2 million, while raising the number of fully vaccinated individuals to 550,000, which accounts for about four per cent of the State’s population.
Sanwo-Olu re-emphasised that the vaccines being administered are safe and remain free of charge in public health facilities. The Governor, however, said an administrative charge of N6,000 would be paid by individuals who wish to get the vaccines at approved private facilities.
The Governor charged all stakeholders, including the local council chairmen, to mobilise for participation in the programme and ensure the success of the campaign.
He said: “We have set up COVID-19 vaccination in all our 205 public primary health centres, 14 of the State’s second and tertiary hospitals, and we are hoping that this partnership can be implemented in over 400 private health centres across seven underserved Local Government Areas in the State.
“Let me re-emphasise that we are not compelling anyone to get vaccinated. But, we want everyone to take it as personal responsibility, which is highly important. What we seek to achieve by this campaign is to ensure there is access to the vaccines and availability. Then, give people an opportunity to get vaccinated at centres close to them. This will give nobody a reason not to get the vaccines.”
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described the vaccination campaign as “ambitious”, saying the State Government had put in place two-pronged approach to prevent the fourth wave of the pandemic.
“The first step is to control the in-bound flight passengers and maintain adherence to all preventive measures that have been put in place, while the second step is to closely monitor the isolation of those coming from the red zone area,” Abayomi said.
NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr. Shuaib Faisal, disclosed that only 2,950,232 Nigerians had been fully vaccinated, which is a far cry from reaching the target number for herd immunity.
He said: “We have enough vaccines in storage to give many people the opportunity to get vaccinated. We now have the jabs, but we now need the arms.”
The campaign kicked off with symbolic vaccination of Mr. Okeke Onyeama, a private security guard, who was inoculated in presence of the Governor and NPHCDA boss.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
OCTOBER 27, 2021
27 October 2021
Actress Damilola Adegbite discusses balancing career and dealing with broken marriage on #WithChude
This week’s episode of #WithChude gave viewers an insight into the life of the award-winning Nigerian actress and TV personality Damilola Adegbite. The actress discusses how her career turned out to be a walk in the park and how she was able to come out of her marriage scandal strong.
Finding the perfect romance in her fellow actor, Chris Attoh, on the set of Tinsel, Damilola Adegbite had believed she had found her own fairy-tale. Both actors had gotten engaged in 2014 and welcomed their son, Brian, a month later. Unexpectedly for the actress, this perfect haven came crashing down three years into the marriage, and the news of it had gone viral.
Exposed to this turn of events, she had handled the whole episode with grace. The actor reveals how she had consistently refused to grant interviews because she had felt they would cause her more harm than good. One interviewer in particular had gone ahead to make up a false interview on her behalf.
When the actress was asked about the circumstances that led to the end of her marriage, she replied, “It didn’t work. I learnt a massive lesson from that experience and it is that love is not enough. When you meet somebody and you want to spend the rest of your life with them, love is just one of the qualities that you need, but it’s not everything.”
Damilola Adegbite goes further to distinguish the popular marriage mentality from hers and how it doesn’t fit into her lifestyle. According to her, a failed marriage is not the tragedy people make it out to be. Not every marriage is ordained by God. She reminisces how she had fought and prayed hard right to the end of the marriage and how she knows in her heart that she did her best.
Touching on her journey so far with her son, she explained how difficult it had been to answer the questions the seven-year-old had been coming up with. “I know how to maneuver my way through but it’s hard to be able to strike a balance between the truth and what he needs to know.” For her, Brian won’t always be a seven-year-old, but for now, there are limits to what he can know.
Despite the ups and downs, she has experienced in the past few years, the actor continues to keep herself in an area of peace and self-awareness while making waves in her career. In her words, “You just have to ride that wave, just be strong and ride it if that’s what you have found yourself in”.
PRESIDENT BUHARI PRAYS FOR EVERLASTING PEACE IN NIGERIA
President Muhammadu Buhari continues his visit to Saudi Arabia with a brief stopover at Madinah where he observed his evening prayers and engaged in intense prayers, along with his entourage for the return of peace and security all over Nigeria and the world at large.
The President who had earlier been received at the Prince Muhammad Abdulaziz Airport, Madinah by the Deputy Governor of the Region, Prince Sa’ud Al-Faisal spent quality time at the Mosque of the Holy Prophet Muhammed, Islam’s second holiest, engaging in prayers and recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
President Buhari and the delegation prayed for the well-being of the nation and its people and for the full restoration of peace and security in Nigerian and around the globe. Prayers for the economy, ravaged by the pandemic to fully recover for the benefit of the nation and its people were also offered.
The President will later on in the evening proceed to Makkah for the performance of the Umrah (lesser Hajj).
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 27, 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH THE ADUDAS OVER DEATH OF FATHER
President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with the Aduda family on the passing away of their beloved father, Rt. Rev’d Tanimu Samari Aduda after a brief illness.
The President commiserates with the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion in the Federal Capital Territory and especially the Diocese of Gwagwalada on the transition to glory of its pioneer Bishop who devoted his life to contributing to the spiritual wellbeing of its members.
He particularly extends condolences to Senator Philip Aduda representing the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate as well as Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging them to uphold and surpass the legacies of their father in their services to God, country and humanity.
As President Buhari prays for the repose of the soul of the late Bishop, he asks for strength for the family and those who mourn at this time.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 27, 2021
Notable South-South leaders on Wednesday lauded the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, for making an effort to provide greater autonomy to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
‘The South-South leaders know the meaning of purposeful leadership that feels their pains, understand their yearnings and pursue the aspirations of this country. Chief Godswill Akpabio is a key to the solution of the Niger Delta problem’’
They also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for taking decisions he considers best for the overall benefit of the Niger Delta people.
At a meeting in Calabar to discuss 2023 politics, governance and its broader impact on democratic institutions and norms, the leaders accused some cynics in the country of trying to throw a monkey-wrench into the works of the current administration.
‘’Chief Godswill Akpabio has done his best to complete the NDDC Audit. The Audit Report is an important step forward’’
The leaders described Akpabio as an iconic figure, a dogged advocate for the interests of Nigerians, a hope for Nigerian politics and a magnet attracting a number of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country.
They also gave depth to the practical dimension of Akpabio’s ideas on development.
Particularly, the leaders hailed the former Akwa-Ibom State governor for doing what is best for the people, reframing the way growth on the Niger Delta region is understood, strengthening fiscal discipline and transparency in the management of public resources.
Spokesman of the South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, told journalists after the meeting that the leaders commended Akpabio for expanding existing social development programmes, spending on much needed infrastructure, offering the clearest policy and enhancing peace and development in the Niger Delta region.
The leaders highlighted Akpabio’s pivotal role in the development of the Niger Delta region, projects in health, education, job creation, housing, agriculture, security, road construction and other areas of development.
They insisted on Akpabio for the coveted slot of president in 2023,
‘’We welcome the current moves to consider the former Akwa-Ibom State governor. Chief Godswill Akpabio is a compassionate human being who cares about the well-being of Nigerians. He knows the issues. He is extremely qualified, the best qualified among the presidential aspirants. He has the character to do the job’’
They also urged ex-militants not to allow opposition politicians in the country to use them to persecute political opponents.
…tasks MDAs on accountability, timeliness at budget defence
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that the National Assembly would “ensure exhaustive consideration” of the 2022 budget that President Muhammadu Buhari presented to the federal legislature on Thursday.
The Speaker, who said the National Assembly was committed to the timely passage of the Appropriation Bill as it did in the last two years, noted that the next two to three months will be for the strictest scrutiny of the budget estimates and emphasized that lawmakers would hold government agencies accountable for the previously appropriated funds.
In a remark at the budget presentation before a joint session of the National Assembly, Gbajabiamila recalled that upon inauguration, the 9th Assembly committed itself to pursue long-awaited and critical reforms to the appropriations process for better delivery on the promise of national development.
“Over the last two budget cycles, by the joint effort of the executive and legislature, we have made significant progress in this regard and achieved reforms that will stand the test of time and count in our favour,” he noted.
Speaker Gbajabiamila added that while working to deliver the previous budgets, the lawmakers worked “through the day and night, forgoing all other considerations in a joint effort to deliver a national budget that meets the highest expectations of the Nigerian people.
“Therefore, I am confident that the National Assembly will give this Appropriation Bill the prompt consideration it demands.
“However, let me use this opportunity to say to the heads of ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria that the determination of the National Assembly to deliver a timely budget will not derogate from our responsibility to ensure exhaustive consideration of the Bill.
“We will demand a thorough accounting for the funds previously appropriated, disbursed and expended. And we will take steps to hold to account those who fail to provide the records we need to make informed decisions on the Appropriation Bill. This is the responsibility of the National Assembly, and we will live up to it.”
The speaker noted that the reforms introduced by the 9th Assembly in the appropriations process, “including establishing a January to December budget cycle, improving oversight procedures, and ensuring greater fidelity to the letter and spirit of our appropriation laws, have led to measurable improvements in public infrastructure, access to education and housing, healthcare and transportation, amongst others.
“These improvements, which have had a positive impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians across the country, inspire us to do more.”
He said innovations in technology, the changing nature of global trade, the challenges of cross-border insecurity and the increasing interdependence of nations have continued to “present challenges we must overcome and opportunities we must embrace.”
As legislators and leaders in government, the speaker said, “we have a continued obligation to ensure that in considering this Appropriation Bill, we make all deliberate efforts to ensure that we continue to make critical investments in education and healthcare, public infrastructure and national security.
“Through these investments, we can hope to build an economy that provides enough well-paying jobs for our young population so that we can, in our lifetime, end endemic poverty in our country and eradicate the social ills that derive therefrom.”
The speaker said the House has, in the last one year, passed several important resolutions relating to healthcare, primary education and national security that require actual funding.
“Where these resolutions have not been included in the Appropriation Bill, the House will work with the Senate and with the Executive to see to it that the final version of this Appropriation Bill includes necessary allocations to implement these resolutions and give full effect to the best wishes of the House.”
Gbajabiamila thanked President Buhari for coming to present the budget estimates personally as usual, and commended the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, the Budget Office, Honourable Ministers and all those who contributed to drafting the Appropriation Bill.
“The National Assembly will build on your efforts. Together, we will deliver an Appropriation Act that provides real solutions to national problems, unlocks economic potential, secures our country and brings a future we can all look forward to and be proud of.”
He also paid glowing tributes to senators and members of the House for their “unmatched determination to delivering the annual budget on time, in line with our commitment to a January to December budget cycle.”
Signed:
Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria
PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMISERATES WITH AMBASSADOR OF UAE OVER LOSS OF MOTHER
President Muhammadu Buhari extends condolences to the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq on the loss of his mother, Kulaithem Mohammed Al Hammadi who passed on at the age of 61.
The President notes that the late Kulaithem, whose passion for education dotted her life, would be sorely missed by those who benefitted from her tutelage, her large-heartedness and commitment to instill knowledge.
“She was a strong pillar of support for the family, while her generosity and love for the less privileged endeared her to all and sundry. She will surely be missed,” said President Buhari.
The President calls on Ambassador Al Taffaq and members of the family to remain steadfast in the wisdom of Allah in all things, praying that the Almighty will forgive the sins of the departed and grant her soul Aljannah Firdaus.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 7, 2021
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU FLAGS OFF SWAGA ‘23 IN LAGOS, DRUMS SUPPORT FOR PRO-TINUBU MOVEMENT
Ikeja – the political unit of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu – literally stood still on Thursday for the formal launch of Southwest Agenda 2023 (SWAGA ‘23) in Lagos State.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu joined full political machinery in the State to host the carnival-like event held at 10 Degree Event Centre in Oregun and attended by political leaders from all divisions of Lagos.
SWAGA, a group being led by Senator Dayo Adeyeye, is a political movement building support base for the former Lagos State Governor in anticipation of his interest to contest for president in the 2023 general elections.
Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by all members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers in the State House of Assembly, and members of Conference 57 to formally unveil the political group.
Declaring total support for the group’s agenda, Sanwo-Olu said SWAGA was formed based on the belief in Tinubu’s vision and political philosophy that prioritise development of human capital and economy.
The Governor described the APC National Leader as a “core political thinker” of the contemporary generation, noting that Tinubu’s constituency in progressive politics stood him out as a beacon and rallying figure capable of delivering directional leadership to the country in the next dispensation.
He said: “Asiwaju Tinubu’s story has been a legend in vision, passion and action. These three values stand him out among his contemporaries in national politics today. It is no wonder the man stretches his arm of fellowship beyond Lagos, the State he led for eight years as a Governor and in which he bequeathed the legacy we are building on. He is nationalist in thinking and progressive in action.
“The SWAGA we are launching in Lagos today is a demonstration of Tinubu’s enduring political principles and strong vision. Those behind the movement took the three values and push them with passion. What we are witnessing today is the action from the vision and passion; this is what SWAGA represents. By the grace of God, we will drive this agenda to logical end and we will all witness the inauguration of our political icon come 2023.”
Sanwo-Olu assured the proponents of the movement of his continued support, promising to mobilise more political support for the group. He said he would join hands with SWAGA coordinators to take the agenda beyond the Southwest region and make it a national movement.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said Tinubu personified the progress the Nigerians had been yearning for, drumming support for the APC National Leader.
“If we want true progress, employment, security and development, we all know who is capable of creating these opportunities for us. He is Asiwaju,” Dr. Hamzat said.
Senator Adeyeye said Lagos was the last State to be visited since the movement started last December, noting that all political and traditional rulers across the Southwest were in tune with the agenda being pushed by the group.
Before the formal launch in Lagos, the Ekiti-born ex-lawmaker said the group met over 80 traditional rulers in the State to establish SWAGA as a grassroots movement.
Lagos SWAGA official, Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, said it was time Tinubu let the cat out of the bag, urging Southwest Governors to unanimously join hands with teams of supporters to make a clarion call on the APC National Leader to declare his interest in the presidency.
She said: “Today we are launching a national machinery for the advancement of our nation and rescue it from the challenges of insecurity, banditry, unemployment. Today is a clarion call on all of us that we will break through if we organise ourselves to focus on the goal and give our total commitment to Asiwaju’s vision.”
Former member of the House of Representatives and chairman of SWAGA in Lagos, Hon. Moshood Alao, described Tinubu as “highly visionary”, noting that the former Lagos Governor possesses all attributes to make a great leader.
“Tinubu is unique and he is incomparable under the current political dispensation. The current situation in the country requires the leadership of an individual with a wider network and support base. No other person fits in that position other than Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,” Alao said.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Otitoju, who spoke on “Credentials of the next president of Nigeria”, listed qualities to be possessed by anyone vying for president in 2023.
He said a thorough analysis of political issues in the country indicated unrivalled political sagacity and good understanding of economic issues in terms of wealth creation remained the most important attribute to be possessed by the next president.
Tinubu remains the most qualified person, Otitoju said, adding: “He is a political tactician who rules over the most diverse State in Nigeria and ensures every ethnic group has contributions to the affairs of Lagos.”
The highpoint was the unveiling of the pro-Tinubu movement’s logo by Governor Sanwo-Olu and Adeyeye.
Notable figures at the event included Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Lagos APC caretaker chairman, Hon. Tunde Balogun, Governor’s Advisory Council (Member), Baba Bamu Seriki, former Minister for Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, former APC National Legal Adviser, Babatunde Ogala, SAN, and Iyaloja General, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo.
Others are traditional rulers in Lagos, traders and market leaders, youth groups and grassroots political organisations.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
OCTOBER 7, 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH CHIEF OF STAFF TO ABIA STATE GOVERNOR, PROF A.C.B AGBAZUERE, ON LOSS OF WIFE
President Muhammadu Buhari sends heartfelt sympathy to the Chief of Staff to Abia State Governor, Prof A.C.B Agbazuere, on the passage of his wife, Onyinyechi, aged 44.
The President says the departed left at the bloom of life, having established reputation as a devout Christian, always interceding for her husband in his challenging duties as a top functionary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.
President Buhari extends condolence to the Abia State government, relations, friends and associates of the Agbazuere family, praying God to rest the soul of the deceased, and comfort all those who mourn her.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
October 7, 2021
Decaying State Of Education Under Godwin Obaseki’s Watch
By Erasmus Ikhide
GOOD education is the best legacy any parent, guardian or government
can bequeath to the next generation and young ones. The reason why the
late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo is still revered thirty-four years
after his demise is because of the free primary school education he
introduced in 1955 when he was the Premier of the Western Region.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who went through hell and high water in getting an
American education established the University of Nigeria Nsukka with
the motto ‘To restore the dignity of man.’ It was the good education
that Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro received from Kings College Lagos
without a university education that made Azikiwe appoint him as the
Editor of the Southern Nigeria Defender in Ibadan at the age of 21 –
the youngest ever editor in the country.
It is tragic that education has been thrown to the dogs under the ill fated administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki who doesn’t give a hoot about the extremely poor state of education in the state. Edo
State has Edo College which produced many illustrious sons in the
state but which is now a shadow of its former self due to criminal
government neglect. How many of its alumnus would gladly send their
children or wards to the school that ironically made them who they
were today?
The level of youth unemployment is extremely high. The National Bureau
of Statistics puts it at about 33%. A way to tackle this societal
malaise is to re-introduce vocational and technical education which
was abandoned when the nation was awash with petro dollars. Igarra
Technical College, Afuze Technical College, Uromi Technical College
and Government Science and Technical College (GSTC) have been left to
rot without any critical governmental intervention.
The level of unemployment is extremely high in Edo State due to the
fact that the state is largely a Civil Service State. Edo State with
its large land mass has what it takes to be a heavily industrialized
and agricultural driven economy. Sadly, over the last four years the
Governor has shutdown all the Colleges in the state in the name of
renovation, including College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi which ought
to be at the vanguard of agro-preneurial training and production.
Governance has been absent since his swearing in last one year and he
is just naming his cabinet after over a year of his winning his second
term.
Despite his acclaimed robust private sector experience which saw him
establishing a Securities Dealing Firm – Afrinvest, he has failed in
innumerable ways to industrialize the state. Imagine if many
industries were functional in the state, it will lead to the
concomitant high demand for highly skilled technical labour as their
services will be needed to effectively run these industries and
factories! It is bad enough that these schools have been left to rot,
it is worse that even the few that manage to survive the rigours of an
education there have no jobs to look forward to due to a visionless
and rudderless leadership that is ideas bankrupt.
The state of many of the government owned primary and secondary
schools leaves much to be desired. The schools lack good toilet
facilities, fields for sports, high population in the classroom, few
teachers. The students study under the most excruciating conditions
not even befitting for animals.
We currently live in a globalized world where the world is now flat
according to prominent American Economist, Thomas Friedman whose New
York Times bestselling book ‘The World is Flat’ exposes the reality of
globalization and how your nearest competitor could be someone
millions of miles away. The covid 19 pandemic which changed the world
of work to remote working is a lesson for our political leaders to
adequately prepare the young minds for a fast changing world of work.
This is an era where secondary school students in former war torn
Rwanda learn about the use of drones. Yet, the students in Edo don’t
learn with computers. How will they be able to compete in the future
against their peers from all over the world? What sort of future is
the Edo State Government under Obaseki preparing the children for?
Despite the dictatorship of Cuba’s Fidel Castro which spanned over
four decades amidst many assassination attempts and embargo by the
United States after he defeated the US backed Cuban forces in the Bay
of Pigs Invasion, his greatest legacy was his sturdy investment in
education. He ensured that medical doctors in the country got the best
training and created a system whereby they are exported to the rest of
the world. Today, the exportation of medical doctors from there is
their largest revenue earner dwarfing sugar which was their previous
economic mainstay. Cuban doctors helped Italy effectively tackle Covid
19 which badly hit them.
Crude Oil exports will be irrelevant anytime from now. Smart leaders
are preparing their citizens to be relevant in a knowledge driven
economy. The legendary Lee Kuan Yew prepared Singaporeans for this
reality as he moved them from being a third world into a first world
nation in less than three decades. Saudi Arabia has already saved up
over two trillion dollars to be managed by Global Consulting Giant,
Mckinsey in their preparation for a post oil economy. The UK has said
that by 2030 they will completely phase out fossil fuel run cars in
favour of electric cars. Imperial College has scrapped the Masters
Degree Program in Petroleum Engineering because of the irrelevance of
crude oil in the nearest future. What is Obaseki doing about this new
trend? How is he preparing Edolites sons and daughters to compete in
the knowledge economy that our curriculum is ill prepared to address?
What are his educational legacies as he will be out of office in less
than 38 Months time?
It is sad that Edolites have the stereotype of prostitution as the bad
policies of the leadership have pushed many of its young, pretty girls
to prostitution abroad especially in Italy. A good education will
equip these emotionally battered and financially emasculated ladies to
a life of financial independence where they will be able to live their
life solely on their own terms and not being dependent on male beasts
for their sustenance.
The Edo State House of Assembly is supposed to question him on the
sorry state of education there but alas it is yet to be fully
inaugurated since last year which has now transformed him into a full
blown dictator.
We call on the Civil Society and Public Spirited Individuals to mount
pressure on this Pharoah of a leader to do the needful and rescue Edo
State education from the mire and ensure that our students who will
take up the mantle of leadership someday are well prepared for this
challenge which will prevent them from perpetually playing the second
fiddle both in their country and in the Diaspora.
Erasmus Ikhide contributes this piece via: ikhideerasmus@gmail.com
2022 BUDGET SPEECH
Budget of Economic Growth and Sustainability
Delivered By:
His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
At the Joint Session of the National Assembly, Abuja
Thursday, October 7, 2021
PROTOCOLS
PERFORMANCE OF THE 2021 BUDGET
Improving Revenue Generation and Administration
THEME AND PRIORITIES OF THE 2022 BUDGET
PARAMETERS AND FISCAL ASSUMPTIONS
2022 REVENUE ESTIMATES
PLANNED 2022 EXPENDITURE
Fiscal Balance
Innovations in Infrastructure Financing
Enhancing Revenue Mobilisation
Finance Bill 2022
CONCLUSION
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU ENDORSES NIGERIA SKITS INDUSTRY AWARDS
…Lagos To Host Maiden Edition
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has taken his commitment to the promotion of inclusive society a notch higher as he formally endorsed the Nigeria Skits Industry Awards and gave consent to the nomination of Lagos as the Host City of the first edition.
The Governor said this is in demonstration of his belief that the society will be built with everyone contributing their quota in different ways.
He stated this on Monday when the promoter of the NSIA, Hon Bimbo Daramola paid him a visit at the Lagos House, Marina where he presented the Governor with the Awards insignia.
Governor Sanwo-Olu added that the creative sector continues to be an area of interest to him therefore necessitating the many support for arts development in Lagos State, particularly because Lagos is the entertainment capital of Nigeria, with the State providing the launch pad for many successful artistes and a city of hope, where dreams are realised for the budding ones.
Declaring his love for the emerging Skits Industry, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the organisers for thinking of giving formal recognition to the artistes who have used the medium of skits to give expression to their various talents.
The Governor said the creativity, passion and determination that they have shown has made skits a significant feature of the Nigerian entertainment landscape, agreeing that giving the skit makers the recognition they have earned is proper and thoughtful.
He urged them to continue to use their talents to promote the wellbeing and the advancement of Lagos and the country at all times, because as great influencers to millions of people they must realise that they also have responsibility to ensure that their talents and creativity is deployed responsibly at all times even as they use the vehicle of humour sometimes to deliver such messages.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
OCTOBER 7, 2021
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
REMORSEFUL TRAFFIC OFFENDERS GET SANWO-OLU’S CLEMENCY TO PAY REDUCED FINES
…Governor pays unscheduled visit to Taskforce office, assesses outfit’s operations
…Warns erring motorists against traffic violation
Respite came the way of some traffic offenders in Lagos State on Wednesday, when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made an unscheduled visit to the holding facility of the Lagos State Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force) in Alausa.
Sanwo-Olu was at the Task Force’s office for an assessment of the security outfit’s operational activities. But, the sight of people crowding outside the facility caught the Governor’s attention.
They turned out to be offenders waiting to be arraigned in mobile court for various traffic offences.
The offenders surged towards the Governor’s convoy as the fleet moved into the Task Force’s premises. They pleaded with Sanwo-Olu to intervene in their cases.
The Governor took time to ear out the offenders. They all admitted to committing the offences for which their vehicles were seized and begged the Governor for clemency.
Reprimanding the offenders, Sanwo-Olu replied that their explanations were inexcusable, reiterating the State Government’s zero tolerance for traffic offences.
He particularly chided those arrested for driving on one-way, saying their action usually endangered the lives of law-abiding residents. The Governor said it would be out of place to make the offenders escape penalties stipulated to their offences.
Sanwo-Olu directed men of the Taskforce to avail him the full list of all vehicles seized in the last two weeks for traffic offences, granting reduction in the fines for each offence.
He said: “You all (offenders) have admitted to flouting traffic regulations and you are here because you don’t want to be arraigned for your offences in our mobile court. I have requested for the list of all vehicles in this facility and I will be meeting with the Taskforce officers on it. We will still get judgement on your offences but we will grant you the opportunity for reduction in the fines to be paid.
“If I give you this opportunity, you must not be caught again for flouting the traffic rules. The laws are there and no one is above the law. I will intervene to reduce the fines for you and you must be remorseful. Anyone caught again would have his vehicle completely impounded. You must be law-abiding and respect the lives of our fellow citizens.”
The offenders, in excitement, thanked the Governor for the gesture, promising to turn a new leaf and abide by the laws.
Sanwo-Olu made independent findings on the process followed by officers in the Taskforce to arrest, impound and auction vehicles confiscated for traffic violations.
Taskforce chairman, Mr. Shola Jejeloye, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), intimated the Governor with challenges faced by his men in enforcing the traffic laws and getting the offenders prosecuted.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
OCTOBER 7, 2021
JULIUS BERGER WINS FRSC’S AWARD FOR ROAD TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BEST PRACTICES STANDARD…as FRSC Hails the Company’s Drivers’ Competence, Reduction in Road Traffic Crashes
Nigeria’s leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC during the week received the significant Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC Award of recognition for Best Practices in the implementation of Nigeria’s Road Transport Safety Standard Scheme.
According to the FRSC, Julius Berger won the award for the company’s compliance with the best expectations in applying the stipulated guidelines as stated by the Corps Transport Standardisation Office.
In a letter conveying the Award to the company, the FRSC said that, “the Federal Road Safety Corps as a lead agency in road traffic and safety management through its Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme (RTSSS) introduced the certification of fleet operators’ drivers as a basic safety requirement for drivers education and fleet management standardization with a view to minimize their involvement in avoidable Road traffic Crashes (RTC)”
It added that previous participation of the company in the certification programme has yielded positive result as evident in improvement in the driver’s proficiency and the reduction of RTC involving the company.”
According to the FRSC, following earlier correspondences with Julius Berger, the Corps conducted the certification of drivers and inspection of the company’s vehicles nationwide. “Due to the busy schedule of the drivers, the exercise was decentralized and conducted in different centres including Kaduna, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Warri and Onitsha. The Corps ensured that all the drivers were certified with a view to developing their driving competency towards better service delivery…which will no doubt lead to improved productivity,” the FRSC said.
With the objectives of “improving truck driving skills and knowledge of emerging trends in road traffic safety, educating them on new dynamics in driving, evaluating the drivers level of understanding of the Nigerian Highway Code and other traffic related issues and educating the participants on how to manage truck driving related stress,” the programme, according to the FRSC, showed that Julius Berger has really impacted much training on their drivers that there is drastic reduction in recorded road traffic crashes involving the company’s drivers. The FRSC on an evaluative scale, hailed the improved driving competence and safety orientation and practices of JBN’s fleet drivers.
The Corps Transport Standardisation Officer, Corps Commander Abiodun Akinlade, presented the award to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc in Abuja on behalf of the Corps Marshal of the FRSC
Reacting to the Award, the Head, Media Relations Office of JBN Plc, Prince Moses Duku thanked the FRSC for the significant and encouraging award. Duku said, “…over the years, Julius Berger has seriously committed tremendous amount of resources into improving the professional competence and safety orientation of its hundreds of drivers, and operational teams in general.
Duku further added “…for the good reason of our manifest operational scope and geographical spread, Julius Berger is not relenting in its consistently intentional and proactively self-driven safety mandate. It is also to be noted that in the engineering construction sector and its necessarily huge and routine logistical requirements, fleet management and safe deployment of same is a fundamental necessity for our historically successful overall service delivery.”
“As Julius Berger appreciates the worthy Award of Recognition for Best Practices in the implementation of Nigeria’s Road Transport Safety Standard Scheme by the highly respected road safety regulatory authority, the FRSC, our company, as in all our professional endeavours, commits to an ever-improving road safety profile. On behalf of our MD, the executive management and entire staff, we say thank you for this award to Julius Berger on the merit”, Duku said.
James Agama of the Corporate Communications Department and Trust Ekaji of the HSE Department of Julius Berger were also in the delegation of the company that received the Award at the FRSC Office in Abuja recently.
PRESIDENT BUHARI TO ATTEND ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER ABIY AHMED’S INAUGURATION
President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the inauguration of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for a second five-year term in office on Monday in Addis Ababa.
The President, who will depart Abuja for the Ethiopian capital on Sunday, is scheduled to deliver a goodwill message at the inauguration ceremony, after which he will attend a State Banquet in honour of visiting Heads of State and Government.
President Buhari will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
He is expected back in Abuja on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Ahmed secured another term in office following the victory of Ethiopia’s governing Prosperity Party in the country’s parliamentary election of June 21.
In his earlier congratulatory message to the Prime Minister, President Buhari had assured that Nigeria will continue to support the unity and territorial well-being of Ethiopia and all African States.
‘‘On behalf of the Nigerian people, I send you and the people of Ethiopia our well wishes for your courage and commitment to the democratic process and urge you to continue with the good policies of your government that endeared you to the people,’’ the President said in his congratulatory message to the Prime Minister.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 2, 2021
October 1, 2021
Press Statement
PDP To Buhari: Comparing Period Under Your Watch to Civil War Experience Vindicates Us
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the admission by President Muhammadu Buhari in his Independence Anniversary speech, that Nigerians have faced difficulties that are similar to the situation of the civil war under his administration, vindicates its stand that his government is incompetent, confused and the worst in the history of our country.
The party insists that the fact that President Buhari compared the challenges and sufferings being faced by Nigerians under his administration to the agony of the Civil war, underscores the horrible situation in the country today.
In President Buhari’s words “The past eighteen months have been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria. Since the civil war, I doubt whether we have seen a period of more heightened challenges than what we have witnessed in this period”.
This grave assertion brings to mind the ugly images of the Civil war; the killings, lawlessness, violence, human rights violations, poverty, hunger, starvation and other horrible situations as also being currently witnessed today under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.
From Mr. President’s admission, it is clear that he has nobody but himself to blame for the sorry situation in Nigeria under his watch
It is therefore a pathetic antithesis for Mr. President to attempt to exonerate himself by claiming that no government, since 1999, has done what his administration has done in six years; a claim that portrays a desperation to parry blame for the consequences of the misrule of his administration.
Rather, what obtains in the public space is that no government has since 1999 brought our nation to her knees on every facet of life like the Buhari administration.
It is appalling that in his speech, President Buhari had no concrete assurance on how to revamp our economy and how to end acts of terrorism in our country. Instead, the speech, as usual, dwelt on empty claims that have no bearing with the actual situation in the country.
Such disposition further exposes the insensitivity of the APC towards the plight of millions of Nigerians and confirms that our nation will end in ruins if the APC is allowed to stay in power any moment beyond May 29, 2023.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S SIXTY FIRST INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, FRIDAY 1ST OCTOBER, 2021.
Citizens of Nigeria
It is with full gratitude to God that today, we celebrate Nigeria’s sixty first Independence Anniversary.
2.For 1st of October 1960 to happen, all hands were on deck. East, West, North all came together to celebrate freedom. Today should not only serve as a reminder of the day the British handed over the reins of power to Nigerians, but also unified Nigerians from all ethnic groups, religions and regions.
3.Today, despite the challenges we face, most Nigerians still maintain the spirit of 1st October. That positive outlook and determination to make Nigeria a peaceful and prosperous nation. It is due to this collective attitude that Nigeria doggedly continues to remain a united and indivisible nation.
4.Fellow Nigerians, the past eighteen months have been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria. Since the civil war, I doubt whether we have seen a period of more heightened challenges than what we have witnessed in this period.
5.Our original priorities for 2020 were to continue stabilising our economy following the deep recession while restoring peace in areas confronted with security challenges. But the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on all nations meant we needed to shift gears and re-strategise.
6.Nigerians came together as one to fight against COVID-19. It is this attitude and by the special grace of God, we continue to survive the pandemic as a nation and indeed, provide leadership and example at regional and international levels.
7.The doomsday scenario predicted for our country never came. Even as the Delta variant continues to spread, we have built the capacity we need to respond now and into the future.
8.I will therefore appeal to Nigerians not to take COVID lightly, adhere to public health and social measures, put your mask on and get vaccinated. We can control this pandemic, but it requires effort on everybody’s part. The investments we made in response to COVID-19 will also serve our country to tackle any future disease outbreaks or pandemics.
9.Despite the global inequity in access to vaccines, the Government of Nigeria has continued to explore all available options to ensure Nigerians have free access to safe and effective vaccines.
10.Some five million vaccine doses have been administered to Nigerians through efforts led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and we will continue to explore options for purchase or acquisition of vaccines such as through COVAX and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust.
11.I will take this opportunity to remind the global community that the current state of access to COVID-19 vaccines is unacceptable. We cannot afford a situation where a handful of countries keep the global vaccine supply to themselves at the expense of other nations.
12.We must act now to accelerate equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This is the message I conveyed to the international community in New York last week.
13.As we push to source vaccines for our immediate needs, we shall invest more to support our pharmaceutical and research agencies to come up with ideas for locally developed vaccines. Should another pandemic arise in the future, Our question is simple; will Nigeria be ready?
14.Accordingly, I have directed the Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Health, Education and Science and Technology to work with Nigerian and International pharmaceutical companies and research organisations to enhance Nigeria’s domestic pharmaceutical capacity.
15.Already, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority is raising a $200 million fund for this initiative that will complement the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing N85 billion Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme to support local researchers in the development of vaccines and drugs to combat communicable and non-communicable diseases, including COVID-19.
Fellow Nigerians, this is just the beginning.
16.Similarly, on our approach to food security, I am proud to announce Nigeria has commenced its journey to pharmaceutical independence.
17.This journey, which will take years to achieve but will ultimately result in Nigerian based companies developing the Active Pharmaceutical substances and competence needed for us to make our own drugs and vaccines.
Fellow Nigerians,
18.As our economy continues to open after the COVID-19 related lockdowns, we have also seen the resurgence of insecurity in certain parts of the country.
19.In the last four months, the gallant men and women of the Military and Security Agencies have made tremendous progress in addressing these new security challenges. We are taking the fight to our enemies from all angles and we are winning.
20.Earlier this year, I launched the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, the Deep Blue Project, which is designed to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea. I am happy to inform Nigerians that we have taken delivery of key assets for this project and very soon, its impact will be felt.
21.In the North East region alone, over eight thousand Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered.
22.To support our surge approach to fighting banditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces have recruited over 17,000 personnel across all ranks. Furthermore, I have also approved for the Nigerian Police Force to recruit 10,000 police officers annually over the next six years.
23.I am also pleased to note that most of the Air Force platforms we acquired over the past three years have started to arrive in Nigeria. These will positively impact our security operations in all parts of the country.
24.In line with section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the security and welfare of Nigerians continue to be the prime focus on which programmes and projects of our government revolves.
25.Therefore, as a Government, we are ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action. Our resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering.
26.That said, our hope is not to fight for peace. We can always settle our grievances peacefully without spilling any blood.
27.I will therefore take this opportunity, on this special day that symbolises the unity and oneness of our great nation, to ask all Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue, whatever your grievances.
28.The seeds of violence are planted in people’s heads through words. Reckless utterances of a few have led to losses of many innocent lives and destruction of properties.
29.Such unfiltered and unsubstantiated lies and hate speeches by a few evil persons must be stopped. Our media houses and commentators must move away from just reporting irresponsible remarks to investigating the truth behind all statements and presenting the facts to readers.
30.We must all come out and speak against the lies being peddled. At this point, I would want to sincerely appreciate the large number of our Traditional, Religious and Community leaders as well as other well-meaning Nigerians who, in their various fora are openly spreading the message of peaceful co-existence and conflict settlement through dialogue in their respective communities.
31.Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation.
32.We shall continue to work on dialogue based solutions to address legitimate grievances. But we remain ready to take decisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threaten our national security.
33.The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the national assembly.
Fellow Nigerians,
34.This is a clear example of how people abandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains. Instead of preaching unity, they are funding and misleading our youth to conduct criminal acts that sometimes lead to unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives and property.
35.As the so-called leaders run abroad to hide, our innocent youths are misled and left in the streets to fight for their senseless and destructive causes.
36.Government will continue, with greater level of peoples’ participation and in collaboration with our international partners, to improve the security architecture, reduce enabling environment for criminality to thrive and eliminate opportunities for terrorism financing.
37.Fellow Nigerians, our unrelenting effort at resolving an almost two-decade stalling on the management of our Petroleum resources and ensuring equitable consideration to our host communities has resulted in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
38.This Act not only overhauls the Institutional, regulatory and fiscal framework of the Petroleum Industry but also reduces the previous opacity associated with this sector.
39.This is the first step to the reforms as the process is a continuous one. Already, to further improve the governance framework, I have sought for an amendment of sections 11(2)(b) and 34(2)(b). We will also continue to review and amend as appropriate.
40.At this juncture, it is very appropriate that I salute the leadership and members of the Ninth Assembly for their patriotism, dedication to duty, candour and most importantly the dispatch with which they have enacted legacy legislations for this nation. I do not take such level of cooperation for granted and hope it continues for the overall efficiency of the Federal machinery.
41.Nigeria’s Roadmap on Local Refining is on track with the Commissioning of a Modular refinery in Imo State.
42.A second is scheduled for commissioning by the end of this year in Edo State and the third one in Bayelsa State by 2022.
43.In addition to the modular projects, we also have the two mega refinery projects coming up in Lagos and Akwa Ibom States.
44.As these refineries are commissioned, more employment opportunities are created and there would be increased petroleum products available for local consumption which will significantly reduce our reliance on importation.
45.In further demonstrating our plan to reduce our dependence on oil and tapping from our enormous gas resources, this administration remains committed to the “Decade of Gas” Initiative, which is aimed at bringing to focus the utilization of our huge gas resources.
46.Already, we are supporting and promoting various gas-based projects including NLNG Train 7 and the mega urea and ammonia projects in the South-South region.
47.As we continue to optimise and enhance our oil and gas sector, I am also proud and delighted to state that our economic diversification strategy remains on course with the persistent increase in Non-Oil Sector contribution to GDP.
48.We recovered from economic recession in quarter four of 2020 with a GDP growth rate of 0.11%, and grew by 0.51% and 5.01% in real terms in the first and second quarters of 2021.
49.The Agricultural sector remains key to our economic diversification efforts as the sector has been a consistent driver of the non-oil sector contributing 22.35% and 23.78% to the overall GDP in the first and second quarter of 2021.
50.We have seen significant private sector investments in almost all areas of the agricultural value chain. And these have continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
51.Unfortunately, as our food production capacity has increased, food prices have been going up due to artificial shortages created by middlemen who have been buying and hoarding these essential commodities for profiteering.
52.To address this, I am hereby directing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National Food Reserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to these disruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities.
53.To further enhance food production, we have completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitating several River Basin Development Authorities to enhance ground water supply for rainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture.
54.The water projects we completed between 2015 to 2020 have improved Nigerian’s access to potable water to 71% between 2015 and 2020. This means 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have direct access to potable water.
Fellow Nigerians,
55.This Government remains concerned by the significant transportation infrastructure deficit we have. Addressing the challenges our commuters and lorry drivers face on the motorways is still a high priority to us.
56.To complement our budgetary allocations, the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund and the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, we recently established a N15trillion Infrastructural Corporation of Nigeria Limited (INFRACO), which is expected to begin operation by the fourth quarter of this year.
57.INFRACO will also focus on leveraging resources on a public-private sector basis for infrastructural development in Nigeria.
58.We hope through these innovative programs, the additional cost burden on individuals and businesses because of inefficient logistics operations will be reduced and ultimately, eliminated.
59.We currently have over 13,000 kilometres of roads and bridges under construction all over the country of which a fair percentage have been completed.
60.As we fix our roads, we also continue to extend and upgrade Nigeria’s railway network with the notable opening of the Warri- Itakpe standard gauge rail line.
61.To increase capacity, we have introduced more locomotives, coaches and wagons including the establishment of a Wagon Assembly in Kajola, Ogun State.
62.The sea ports however still remain problematic. The effect of our various interventions to reduce the gridlocks and inefficiencies have been slower than expected.
63.However, the implementation of the Electronic Call-Up System as well as the conversion of the Lillypond Container Terminal to a Vehicle Transit Area will further enhance the ease of cargo evacuation.
64.Our prioritisation of developing Nigeria’s Digital Economy has positively impacted the contribution of the ICT sector to our GDP.
65.We hope our present efforts to ensure all Nigerians use a National Identification Number as well as our planned roll-out of the fifth generation (5G) network technology will ensure we stay in line with the global innovation curve as a Nation.
66.As we embrace the digital economy in Nigeria, we are fully aware of the prospects and the perils. Our policies have been developed to enable Nigerians to take advantage of the prospects and avoid the perils of digital technologies.
67.Social media is a very useful platform that has enabled millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promote their businesses, socialise, and access news and other information.
68.However, recent events have shown that the platform is not just an innocuous platform for information dissemination.
69.Rather some users have misused the platform to organise, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.
70.To address these negative trends, the Federal Government of Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria on June 5, 2021 to allow the Government put measures in place to address these challenges.
71.Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue.
72.The Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues. These are:
73.Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.
74.As a country, we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of our citizens, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety.
75.Nigeria’s progressive diplomacy continues to manifest through growing numbers of highly placed Nigerians in positions of regional and global influences. Very recently, Nigeria won election for the position of Commissioner for the expanded Political, Peace and Security Affairs of the African Union.
76.Our persistent calls for a reorganized and reformed ECOWAS, to make the organization citizens-sensitive, paid off with the acceptance by the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS to commence the agreed reforms in the organization ahead of the next elections of the organization’s principal officers in December this year.
77.At the African Development Bank, World Trade Organization and indeed, the United Nations, footprints of Nigeria’s Diplomacy are clearly evident.
78.We remain confident that our goal of lifting 100million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is achievable.
79.Considering the positive impact of our Social Investment Programs, I recently approved an increase in the number of N-Power program beneficiaries from 500,000 to 1,000,000.
80.Out of this, 510,000 have started the programme while the competitive selection process for onboarding the outstanding 490,000 beneficiaries is in progress.
81.The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is currently being implemented in 35 States of the Federation and the FCT. Over 103,000 women have been engaged and empowered as cooks under the programme, while about 10 million pupils are being fed across public primary schools in the country.
82.To grant increased access to credit to the most poor and vulnerable, I have directed an increase in the disbursement of Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme loans to an additional one million beneficiaries laying more emphasis on the smallholding farmers through the farmers Moni program.
Fellow Nigerians,
83.For far too long we have neglected the centrality of the civil service as the engine of governance and this has manifested in ineffective service delivery.
84.There is widespread discontent and disillusion about the efficiency and probity of our civil service.
85.It is for this reason that we are refocusing the Nigerian Civil Service to provide World class service to run our country.
86.The youths of this great country remain propellants for our today and provide guarantees that we would have a secure tomorrow.
87.It is for this reason that I remain focused on expanding opportunities for their participation in politics and governance.
88.Recent appointments of young people into positions of authority and their track record so far, gives me confidence that we need to bring more of them into governance and this I promise to do.
89.More specifically, to encourage Girl-Child Education, female scholarship schemes, life skills and digital literacy skills to boost girl’s enrolment, retention and completion of schooling, are all initiatives put in place to ensure gender balance in appropriately positioning our youths for positions of leadership.
90.The commitment of this Administration to the well-being of people living with disabilities remains unwavering.
91.Government recognises their contributions to development and I have, in this regard, directed that all relevant Government Agencies pay special attention to the peculiarities of different abilities in the implementation of policies and programmes.
92.Rape and Gender Based Violence remains a sore point in our Nation as in many countries worldwide and this was worsened during and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
93.We are currently engaging Heads of Courts to establish Specialised Courts for the speedy and seamless trial of Rape/Gender-Based offences especially to ensure that justice is done for child victims of sexual violence.
94.On the other hand, work has advanced in the reformation, reintegration and reunification of Minors involved in one crime or the other.
95.The reformation in our Correctional Services has manifested in an increase in modernised custodial centres and a transformation from strictly punitive to attitudinal changes so that criminals do not relapse into their previous lifestyle.
96.As we begin to celebrate our sixty one years as a Nation, we need to be conscious that Nigeria does not start and end with the Federal Government. This country is a great collective where Government at all arms and levels as well as the private sector, and more importantly individuals, have a role to play.
97.In particular, security is a bottom to top undertaking. Joining hands and hearts together would enable us to secure ourselves and our country.
98.I fully understand the anxiety of many Nigerians on the inability of this country to go beyond a never-ending potential for becoming a great nation to an actually great one.
99.A lot has been achieved in the last six years on many fronts: in infrastructure, social care, governance, Nigeria’s image and influence in Africa and the international community.
100.But critics misdiagnose incremental progress as stagnation. Since coming to power, this Administration has tackled our problems head-on in spite of the meagre resources. No government since 1999 has done what we have done in six years to put Nigeria back on track.
101.We shall continue to serve the country: listen to all and protect our democracy and country.
Thank you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
NDEPENDENCE DAY: GOV AKEREDOLU CALLS FOR URGENT RESTRUCTURING, SAYS TIME TO RENEGOTIATE IS NOW
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has called for urgent restructuring of the country to reflect the diversity and address the various misunderstandings and high rate of criminality in the polity.
The Governor made the call on Friday in a statewide broadcast in commemoration of the 2021 Independence Day Celebration.
Governor Akeredolu, who said the current system adopted in the county does not encourage ingenuity, noted that it is time for all patriots to unite and speak with one voice .
He maintained that the current system in the country does not take into account the diverse status of the people, adding that the country faces serious challenges bordering on redefinition.
“It has become imperative that the current structure be tinkered with in a fundamental way. It is no longer sustainable,”Governor Akeredolu said.
While noting that the country must not shy away from the reality of her diversity, the Governor said the unique diversity which should ordinarily be a source of strength is gradually becoming the country’s albatross.
He said: “Our country is blessed abundantly. There is hardly any part of this vastly endowed space that should not be self-sustaining. This land should not be a place where hunger, poverty and a general sense of lack predominate.
“We must be bold enough to interrogate why these challenges appear perennial. We must not shy away from the reality of our diversity which should, ordinarily, be a source of strength but is gradually becoming an albatross.
“We must inquire for the reasons why those who regarded themselves as brothers and sisters no longer feel comfortable seeing or accommodating one another. We must be willing to confront whatever system which has reduced the once self-reliant sub-national entities to perpetual dependencies practically.
“The states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria appear independent nominally at present. Serious attempts must be made to return our country to the path of progress trodden by the founding fathers. Conscious efforts must be made by both the political and communal leadership in all the parts of the country to reorientate the people to embrace the pristine values which held lofty promises for advancement.
“Consequently, I am of the firm view that this occasion affords us yet another opportunity to reflect deeply, on the current difficulties and proffer frank suggestions which will assist in addressing our fundamental challenges of nationhood.
“Our people must strive under a system which recognize their God-given talents and promotes unique initiatives. All federating units must be less dependent on the Federal Government for basic survival.” He said.
Governor Akeredolu, who commended the Federal Government for the current victories recorded in the war against insurgents and terrorists in the Northern region, also acknowledged the great strides taken in abridging the infrastructural deficits in the country.
“We must, however, admonish on the immediate necessity to restructure the polity in a manner that will engender progress and amity. There is no other way to solve the current socio-economic problems facing the country.
“The security challenges bedeviling the country will become a thing of the past if proper devolution of powers is undertaken. The over centralization of the security architecture is a major impediment.
“Having a police command structure in a country of over 200 million is not sustainable. The attempts by some states to complement the efforts of the security agencies are at best tokenistic. Let each State be in charge of internal security in its locality.
“As a corollary to this submission, each region must be encouraged to take charge of the resources in its area. A system which permits strangers to take over the mineral resources in a place without any recourse to local authorities encourages dispossession and promotes misery and want. Development of any given space must be about the people,”Governor Akeredolu noted.
He called on the legislators at the National Assembly to look critically into the 1999 Constitution as amended with a view to expunging and amending relevant provisions of the document which militate against the march towards nationhood.
Arakunrin Akeredolu also called on Citizens to rededicate themselves to the ideals which assisted other nations to establish abiding systems.
The Governor said: “We must restructure the country to reflect our diversity. We must pursue policies which support rebirth. We must interrogate, continually, an arrangement which ensures that a country richly like ours endowed continues to wallow in abject poverty and want.
“We must make the country work for posterity. It is time to renegotiate, restructure and reinvent Nigeria for the good of all.”
He congratulated the people of the State for witnessing this year Independence anniversary, saying it is his hope that the next one year will record remarkable progress for the benefit of the people.
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
01/10/2021.
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI DELIVERED AT THE CLOSING EDITION OF NIGERIA@60 ACTIVITIES HELD AT THE BANQUET HALL, PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ASO ROCK, ABUJA ON THURSDAY, 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2021
Protocols
I am very delighted to be addressing you today as we conclude the activities marking our sixtieth anniversary celebration as a Nation. Looking at the activities lined up for today’s event gives me a great deal of comfort that no matter the challenges we face as we go through the Nation building process, we would always come out better.
PRESIDENT BUHARI REJOICES WITH INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIST, PA DEJI FASUAN, AT 90
President Muhammadu Buhari appreciates the grace of God in the life of Chief Deji Fasuan, an industrial economist who turns 90, October 1, 2021.
The President rejoices with the Fasuan family, the people and government of Ekiti State, as they celebrate the Jagunmolu of Ado-Ekiti and Asiwaju of Afao-Ekiti, at the landmark age.
President Buhari applauds a life devoted to the service of the country, particularly as one of the builders of the public service in the former Western Region, and founding General Manager of Investment Corporation, the most successful arm of the Old Ondo State government.
Pa Fasuan, the President notes, trained as an economist at the Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, in the 1950s, and specialized later as an Industrial Economist at the World Bank Headquarters, Washington DC, and used all the endowments to serve his country creditably.
President Buhari wishes one of the Founding Fathers of Ekiti State good health, sound mind and peace, as he turns a nonagenarian.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
September 30, 2021
OUTGOING GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, IN PHONE CALL WITH PRESIDENT BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari was in a telephone call Thursday with outgoing German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who initiated the chat to pay compliments and say thank you to the Nigerian President.
It will be recalled that President Buhari had concluded his address at the 76th edition of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week this way:
“Let me close my statement by paying special tribute to a great and humane internationalist, and an exemplary practitioner of multilateralist cooperation. I am speaking of Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Federal Republic of Germany. As she exits the stage, we wish her well.”
Chancellor Merkel thanked President Buhari for his kind words and felicitation, wishing him greater successes in the challenging task of leading Nigeria and her about 200 million people.
The President was full of appreciation for the cooperation Germany showed Nigeria, and the ECOWAS sub-region at large.
He particularly mentioned the support for the project to recharge Lake Chad, through inter-basin water transfer, which would alleviate the plight of about 30 million people.
President Buhari applauded Merkel’s initiatives on rehabilitation of refugees, and help for developing countries.
President Buhari said German companies like Julius Berger, Siemens, and others, were doing well in the country, adding that the Federal Government was doing a lot to improve infrastructure.
On the security situation, the President said a lot was being done to stabilize things at this difficult period, thanking all the countries that had given helping hand, including Germany.
And on agriculture and food security, President Buhari said much had been achieved, leading to stoppage of massive food importation to the country.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
September 30, 2021
FOR NIGERIA AT 61, IT’S LAFIYA DOLE, PEACE BY FORCE
Nigeria is 61 years old as an Independent country. And so what? What’s the big deal about it? That is what some people will say, arguing that all we have seen is flag independence, and no true emancipation for the citizens.
There’s a big deal about every landmark or milestone we reach in life, because we may as well not have made it to that point. We could have fallen by the wayside, or vanished like smoke. The world owes nobody a living. Not individuals, not countries. That is why the Good Book enjoins us to number our days, “that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12).
The cynic, sceptic or scoffer may say what is there to celebrate about Nigeria, with all its troubles. A country yet to realize its potentials at 61, an adult condemned to a perpetual life of crawling. They will mention the negatives: massive insecurity, insurrection agitations, millions of jobless youths, struggling economy, humongous corrupt acts, and others, which have all characterized national life.
Yes, you can dwell so much on the storm, that you never get to enjoy the rainfall and its soothing effects. Nigeria is also the land of a resurgent economy, with the indices looking up and promising to get better. It is a country where stealing has become corruption and graft is being robustly fought, and it is a polity that is wiping out enemies of its soul, cleaning up the forests, cities, towns taken over by terrorists and bandits, with the prospect of restoring peace at the shortest possible time. It is the land of renaissance in infrastructure: rail, roads, bridges, airports, and others.
Sadly, some people do not want peace for Nigeria. They do not only promote but celebrate rupture of tranquility, repose or serenity. They are glad when our troops suffer reversals on the battlefield. When they make advances, giving enemies of our country bloody noses, they pretend not to see. But when bombs go off, killing and maiming innocent people, when bandits sack villages, or invade schools and abduct students, they quickly shout ‘security architecture,’ and alleged incompetence. They trumpet negatives, and close their eyes to positives. And in the blind search for power and relevance, they even subterraneanly bankroll terrorists.
Some others, with giant sized grudges against the polity, plot to dismember it. But I ask: who does not have one grievance or the other against Nigeria? Is there any ethnic group that does not have one angst or the other? But if we have worries or perturbation, is then the next option a pulling down of the roof? Do we crash the superstructure? Do we turn the country into a tailspin, simply because we are disaffected? Do we break the eggs of the chicken, because the bird upended our medicine pot?
As we celebrate Nigeria at 61, I join William Cowper, who said, “England, with all thy faults, I love thee still; my country.” Nigeria, with all thy faults, I love thee still; my country.
I don’t know how it is with you, if you are a frequent traveler. The best I enjoy a foreign land is one week, after which I begin to miss good, old Nigeria. The smell. The flora. The fauna. The cuisine. The sense and sensibility. I pray I never get sentenced or consigned to life abroad, wittingly or unwittingly. Nigeria, with all thy faults, I love thee still; my country.
Lack of peace seems to be the greatest bane of Nigeria today, despite wonderful showing in many other areas. Peace has turned tail, and fled. But I venture to say that with the resolve of good people, and the commitment of government, Nigeria will yet know peace. If the country unravels, as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said recently, we shall all be losers. Nobody gains. Nigeria will, therefore, have peace. It must have peace. As the Hausa phrase goes, it is Lafiya Dole. Peace by Force. We must have it, and we will get it. And we don’t have to necessarily spill blood for it. It is the enemies of peace that will lose and must lose out.
A country of about 200 million people, troubled by a sprinkling. Will they succeed? Never. We fought a war of unity, in which about two million people perished. Did we do all that, only to eventually allow ourselves to be splintered by people with blinkered ideologies? Never! Nigeria will have peace, and must have peace, even as she turns 61. It’s Lafiya Dole. Peace by Force. And I say again, we can achieve it without bloodletting, if some forces let reason prevail.
I am happy that the Good Book supports me. “Now, may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians, 3:16). Peace by Force. Lafiya Dole. Even the Holy Bible supports it. Peace at all times, and in every way. We will have it. The higher powers back it. Therefore, there’s no room for caterwauling, endless wailings on what has not been done, ignoring the lot that has been accomplished. Nigeria will have peace. By Force. That is my prayer for the country at 61. Amen.
*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity
61st Independence Anniversary: Nigeria is our only country, let’s unite for peaceful coexistence – Gbajabiamila
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has called on Nigerians to be more united for the common purpose of building a country that meets the best expectations of all Nigerians.
Citing the well-known aphorism, United We Stand and Divided We Fall, Gbajabiamila said unity is priceless, urging every Nigerian to drop their sentiments and work together for a better nation.
In a message marking Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary, the Speaker re-echoed the fact that Nigeria is “the only country we can call our own,” noting that, “As far as I am concerned, there is no country on earth like Nigeria, and I know every patriotic Nigerian holds this view.”
He added that Nigerians must all work together to fulfil the dream of a nation of peaceful coexistence and abundant prosperity.
He said in the past 61 years, Nigeria has grown and developed beyond imagination, though he recognised the fact that, “We still have significant challenges we must overcome together.”
Speaker Gbajabiamila said Nigerian leaders were doing their best to see an end to the challenges facing Nigeria, especially the insecurity across the country.
He noted that such efforts required the support of all citizens, irrespective of political affiliations.
The Speaker reassured Nigerians that the 9th Assembly would always give the necessary legislative interventions to other arms of government to smoothen the task of governance.
Signed:
Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila pledges legislative support for development of road transport
…RTEAN visits, seeks Transport bank, waivers
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has pledged the support of the legislature to fully develop the road transport sector in the country.
He said the House would do all within its powers to support the expansion of infrastructure and the transformation of road transport unions to become truly professional bodies in line with global practices.
Speaker Gbajabiamila spoke on Thursday when the leadership of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria paid him a courtesy call at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The speaker acknowledged the critical role of transportation in the development of the economy of any nation. He said one urgent area to address would be the rapid expansion of road infrastructure.
“There is a lot we can do together.
Road transport plays a very critical role in the development of Nigeria.
“It is one of the most significant sectors in any country.
“We want to support you and engage you as a House as much as we can. We are here to help and assist you”, the speaker stated.
Gbajabiamila asked RTEAN to professionalise its operations and work toward sanitising the nation’s motor parks.
“In other places across the world; in Germany, the US, the UK and several others, transport associations are well-respected as professional groups. That is what we want in Nigeria.
“I have seen your recommendations. You want a transport development bank. That is fantastic. We are here as a House to give you all the necessary support to achieve your set targets.
Earlier, the Executive President of RTEAN, Alhaji Mohammed Musa, who led the leadership on the visit, praised Gbajabiamila’s leadership qualities, urging him to sustain his commitment to nation-building through legislative interventions.
Musa told the speaker they were at the National Assembly to seek his support for proposed reforms RTEAN would want to be carried out in the road transport sector.
He listed them as (a) establishment of Transport Development Bank (b); compulsory introduction of Traveller’s Insurance Policy at all motor parks; and (c) Waiver for Importation of Commercial vehicles not assembled in Nigeria.
According to Musa, these proposals, when implemented, will help greatly to strengthen the road transport sector in the country, which he described as the “second highest employer of labour after government.”
Signed:
Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Alaafin names Speaker Gbajabiamila as Supreme Legislative Guide of Yorubaland
…I’m most honoured, says Speaker
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has been conferred with the traditional title of the Aare Baasofin of Yorubaland (the Supreme Legislative Guide for Yorubaland) by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Dr) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (CFR).
This is the first time that a Yoruba son would be conferred with such a title.
The Alaafin made the conferment in a letter dated September 7, 2021, and presented to the Speaker on Thursday at the National Assembly, Abuja, by members of the Oyomesi Council led by the Bashorun of Oyo Kingdom, High Chief Yusuf Olayinka Ayoola, who is the traditional Prime Minister of Oyo Kingdom.
The Alaafin said in the letter that: “Since your victory at the polls and subsequent swearing-in as a member of Federal House of Representatives representing the good people of Surulere Federal Constituency of Lagos State in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and eventual emergence as the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the 9th National Assembly House of Representatives via an overwhelming 283 votes out of 360 members.
“I have watched with keen interest your unquantifiable contributions on the floor of the House as a member with the highest number of Bills and Motions, to your rise from a Member to Minority Leader, Leader of the House and eventually the Rt. Hon. Speaker and your Centrality in the federating unit Nigeria have placed you in the legislative realm just like our forefathers who were actively involved in nation-building.
“….Going by the above, you have demonstrated as a Legislator the uniqueness inherent in the Yoruba race participating effectively in nation-building; you have participated in ensuring that the practice of separation of power to check abuses of the Executive and ensure the smooth running of government.
“After due consideration and indeed consultation, the Alaafin in Council has identified you with the aforementioned attributes and considered you worthy of being honoured. It is on this basis that I have decided on behalf of Yoruba land to pick you as ‘AARE – BAASOFIN OF YORUBA LAND.’
“This new title bestowed on you is a clear reflection of your outstanding success as an astute legislator, accomplished Legal Luminary, successful Representative of Yoruba race and Nigeria in general. With this title, you are placed in the rank of great Empire builders and defenders of the Yoruba race. The least I can expect from you in your new title is to put all the state attributes of yours for the service of Yoruba land and advancement of a balanced system of government.”
Presenting the letter, the Bashorun of Oyo Kingdom, High Chief Ayoola, who spoke in Yoruba language, said the selection of the Speaker as the first Supreme Legislative Guide of Yorubaland land was well thought out.
The Bashorun, whose remarks were translated by Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, leader of the Oyo Development Association, said looking at Gbajabiamila’s records, the Alaafin saw in him “an adequate representation of the kind of balance in governance where the Executive exercises its own authority, but the Legislature is there to say this is what the people want, and this is how we want you to do it.”
Accepting the honour, Speaker Gbajabiamila said he was full of appreciation and pride looking at where the title came from.
“I honestly want to thank the Alaafin for this gesture; this honour that he has done to me and the House of Representatives. May the Almighty God continue to honour him.
“I receive this honour with pride because of where it is coming from. You cannot talk about Yorubaland and not talk about the Alaafin and the Oyo Kingdom as the cradle of civilisation.”
The Speaker noted with delight how democratic the Oyo Empire had been even before the coming of the colonial masters, saying the role of traditional rulers in Nigeria’s democratic journey could not be too strongly stressed.
“I have accepted this honour on behalf of the House and my colleagues”, he added.
There were goodwill messages from the leader of the South West Caucus in the House, Rep. Femi Fakeye, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Oluwole Oke, who also thanked the delegation for the honour done the Speaker and the House.
Signed:
Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila assures legislative work on Diaspora voting, support for NiDCom
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has assured that the Green Chamber would work comprehensively on the issue of Diaspora voting.
He said being a constitutional matter, the House would be very thorough in the process of working on the Bill seeking to empower Nigerians abroad to vote during the country’s elections.
Gbajabiamila spoke on Thursday while receiving the management of the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission (NiDCom) led by its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa in his office.
Noting that the issue of Diaspora voting has been on the front burner for a long time, the Speaker said it requires a constitutional amendment, as “…the constitution talks about those who reside in Nigeria.
“Since the Bill is before us, the constitution amendment will allow us to draw up a detailed, comprehensive law. It’s going to be tough and complicated because we are still having election issues even within, but Nigerians abroad are not any less Nigerian than we are.
“We will deal with all the issues and hopefully harmonize with the Senate when it’s time for harmonization”.
Gbajabiamila expressed satisfaction with the concept behind the +600 Nigerians in Diaspora Icons Compendium compiled by the commission, saying “This is very exciting; what it does is, it encourages Nigerians abroad and it encourages those that are not there to do better”.
Though he sought to know the parameter or benchmark employed for those that made it to the compendium, Gbajabiamila also expressed his curiosity over the inclusion of the recent feats accomplished by some Nigerians abroad in the document.
“This just underscores the fact that there are so many Nigerians out there doing amazing things, and we must encourage and celebrate them because if you don’t tell the good side of your story, nobody is going to tell it for you. Bad news sells faster than good news, that’s why I was excited about this,” he added.
The Speaker also urged the commission to consider going beyond the compendium by looking at how to further encourage others on how to strive to be part of those listed in the compendium, while assuring NiDCom of further parliamentary support to enhance its work.
In her response, Dabiri-Erewa, who had earlier sought the support of the Speaker for Diaspora voting, disclosed that the commission is set to organize a Diaspora Award in 2022 while adding that though it is a continuous process, the benchmark for those on the list was based on merit for excelling in their chosen fields.
“We believe that in our two years of existence, we’ve been able to justify the reason for setting up of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission. Today, we have a Diaspora policy that gives the country the short, medium and long-term plans to fulfil the issues as they affect the Diaspora,” she said.
Saying that though the government is keen to engage Nigerians abroad due to their resourcefulness, Dabiri-Erewa, however, expressed happiness that the new generation of Nigerians in the Diaspora are equally eager to engage the government for the development of the country, citing the huge remittances they make yearly to the country.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of a compendium of 600 patriotic Nigerians who have taken over fields they are into abroad as well as the Nigerian Diaspora Policy and the Commission’s Newsletter.
Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Rep. Jimi Benson, Chairman, Committee on Diaspora, Rep Tolu Akande-Sadipe and other members of the House also witnessed the presentation.
Signed:
Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.