Politics Archives - Page 200 of 201

After that terrifying experience, I stopped boarding trains.

October 5, 2020 No Comments

I have never been on a train in Nigeria and I hope to board one someday. However, when I heard a story narrated to me by an “ex corper” , I began to have a rethink. I hope the present administration finds a lasting solution to the obvious dangers in this mode of transportation system.

It actually ought to be the best mode of transportation with comfort, less traffic , itch free movement and a kind of mind blowing experience. I like trains but this story is the complete opposite of what I dream for in Nigeria. The story starting from the next paragraph reflects the experience of an “ex corper” during his service year in the northern part of Nigeria as narrated by him.

This time around , I was alone on the train without a friend. I boarded the train and got on the first class coach . It was a perfect time to get on the train as it wasn’t a festive period. The train was not overloaded and nobody was on top of the train as I experienced few months ago. As soon as the train began to move, I noticed it wasn’t in a good condition because of the unusual sound and slow movement. Most passengers did not give these signs any attention because they believed there were engineers and technicians on-board as well.

It was around 12 a.m. when the train needed to be refilled with fuel and have maintenance check done before proceeding on the journey. Then exactly 2.30 a.m., I decided to get a drink from the bar. Upon returning to my seat, I overheard some of the engineers discussing how they intend to manage getting the train to the next terminus.

The driver however began to make the train move fast because of the delay we encountered earlier while taking off. Unfortunately, some of the coaches loaded with goods got disengaged immediately the driver applied the break, there was a momentum ( collision) , when the detached coaches began to hit other coaches. As a result of this, the train stopped moving . A lot of us sustained injury as many were asleep at that time, they began to nurse their injuries.

There were a number of casualties , although not many and thankfully, no fatal injury was sustained. We were in the middle of an unknown place for several hours , the engineers and technicians began to proffer solutions to the problem, trying their possible best to ensure the train moved again.
At about 5 a.m. in the morning, they agreed on a plan to solve the problem and decided to leave behind some coaches containing goods.

Fortunately, the train was ignited and it responded. We got on-board again to continue our journey. As we kept moving , the day got brighter and the sun began to rise. I couldn’t help but think that if anything happened again, at least we would be able to see our surroundings clearly in case of any danger. Of course the train wasn’t still in a good condition, it was still moving at a slow pace.

We eventually got to a sandy area where sand had covered part of the railway track. At that point, the train couldn’t move anymore. We had no choice as many of us got down the train , while we split up. Some of us started clearing the track while others pushed the train in order to move past that point, as the engine was weak. Fortunately, the train responded again and we moved ahead till we reached our final destination!

“After that terrifying experience, I stopped boarding trains. I realised that the risk I tried to avoid while travelling by road was even more alarming on rails.”

Politics

President Muhammadu Buhari will not succumb to threats and undue pressure. – Presidency

October 5, 2020 No Comments

According to the presidency, President Muhammadu Buhari will not “succumb to threats and undue pressure” , being mounted by advocates of restructuring the country.

The Presidency, in a statement, criticised “the recurring threats to the corporate existence of the country with factions giving specific timelines for the President to to do one thing or another or else, in their language, “the nation will break up.”

The statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, added:

“This is to warn that such unpatriotic outbursts are both unhelpful and unwarranted as this government will not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at a time when the nation’s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the COVID-19 health crisis.”

“This administration will not take any decision against the interests of 200 million Nigerians, who are the President’s first responsibility under the constitution, out of fear or threats especially in this hour of health crisis.”

He further stated that;

“The President as an elected leader under this constitution will continue to work with patriotic Nigerians, through and in line with the Parliamentary processes to finding solutions to structural and other impediments to the growth and wellbeing of the nation and its people.”

In another statement, the Presidency said those condemning the organised Labour for reasoning with the government by suspending a planned nationwide strike last week are enemies of the country.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), after rounds of negotiations with the federal government, suspended the industrial action slated to commence on September 28.

The decision was criticised by varying groups, with some suggesting that the decision was a betrayal.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, noted that the attack on the Labour unions was borne out of pain for “traducers of the Administration”, having failed to achieve an alleged plan to use the strike to score political and electoral gains.

The statement said:

“Since Organized Labour toed the path of sense and sensibility last week, seeing reason with the imperatives of fuel price adjustment, and opening a further window of dialogue on the service based electricity tariff, some groups of Nigerians have been dolorous, disgruntled, and disconsolate.

“They had apparently perfected plans to use the strike by the labour unions as smokescreen to unleash anarchy on the land, fomenting mayhem and civil disobedience. But the plan blew up in their faces, and they have been in severe pains since then. They have launched series of tirades against Organized Labour.”

“For some interest groups, their intention was to use the umbrella of the strike to further their whimsical and pie-in-the-sky dream of a revolution in the country. It went bust in their faces.”

“For some others, Bitter-Enders, who have remained entrenched in pre-2015 and 2019 elections mode, it was opportunity to avenge the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests, which they believe largely devalued the government of the day, and led to its eventual ouster in 2015.”

“The strike that was to have come up last week, they wanted to use as opportunity for a pound of flesh, which they calculated would weaken the government so much, and influence the 2023 elections.”

“For them, it was all about hanker for power, its trappings and appurtenances. Nothing about love of country. They have since then been calling Organized Labour all sorts of names, claiming they deceived Nigerians.”

“The times in which we live-with severe security, economic and social challenges-call for all hands to be on deck, and goodwill and support for government, as it strives to put the nation on an even keel. We commend Organized Labour for putting the country first.”

“Those sponsoring and encouraging discord and anarchy, either for selfish ends, or as revenge for perceived injuries, are enemies of the country. Nigerians are urged to beware of them, as the Muhammadu Buhari government is only interested in engendering better quality of life for the citizenry. Nothing more.”

Politics, World News

All terrorists and their sponsors will not see 2021.- Pastor Adeboye

October 5, 2020 No Comments

Pastor Enoch Adeboye,the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), prayed that all terrorists and their sponsors will not see 2021 yesterday.

Adeboye also assured Nigerians that the Almighty God will arise against those pretending to be the country’s friends while planning to enslave the nation.

In his prayer, he said:

“Where they say there is no way, God will arise and make a way for Nigeria and everyone. Any form of stagnation in Nigeria will come to an end and every terrorist and their sponsors will not see the New Year in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Claiming that God has given the country victory over the Coronavirus pandemic, Adeboye admonished everyone to always praise God at all times.

He made a statement;

“We thank God for the victory over Coronavirus and we pray that the victory will be total and permanent.”

He said further;

“We also pray that God will help us to be united and let our tomorrow be alright.”

The RCCG General Overseer, who took his reading from the book of Psalms 68: 1 to 4, also said;

“God will fight for us, arise and make a way where there is no way.”

Politics

Ondo state government directs civil servants to resume at their duty posts on Monday.

October 4, 2020 No Comments

Ondo State government has directed workers to resume back to duty as from Monday, 5th of October, 2020.

Those given the directive to resume back to work , are from grade level 1 to 12, who had been working remotely for over five months due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Head of Service in the state, Oludare Aragbaye, gave the directive for the resumption of the workers in a memo on Sunday in Akure, the state capital. He said;

“It can be recalled that efforts by the state government at combating COVID-19 yielded encouraging results to the effect that the curve of the virus has been flattened to a very large extent in the state”.

“It is in view of this that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu directed all public servants on grade level 01-12 and other workers who have hitherto worked from home to resume work on Monday, 5th October 2020”.

“Therefore, all workers are hereby enjoined to rededicate and commit themselves to effective and efficient service delivery to reciprocate government’s good gesture.”

Politics

Nigerian youths plea “END SARS” , triggers reaction from Minister of Sports.

October 4, 2020 No Comments

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development in Nigeria, Mr Sunday Dare said that ; the federal government will review the operations of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Media Aide, John Joshua-Akanji, the minister said that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had been monitoring reports of the attacks of young Nigerians by SARS.

The minister further stated that the government will investigate the reports of harassment by SARS officers and will bring any officer culpable to justice. He assured the young Nigerians that his ministry would continue to protect their rights.

The statement ;

“The ministry of youth and sports is worried about the menace, increasing harassments and attacks by SARS, especially targeted at youths and other innocent members of the public, and brought it to the attention of the relevant security agencies in Abuja”.

The minister of youth and sports development, who has also been monitoring the reports of alleged SARS harassment and attacks, has called for immediate investigations that will unravel the truth.

The ministry wishes to assure that this government, through relevant security agencies, will step into the matter to protect our youth and the fundament human rights of every Nigerian.”

Politics

Unless we restructure, the country will remain standstill and even retrogress -Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, Imo state former governor.

October 4, 2020 No Comments

Why should we run away from our history? It means that that ugly past is still haunting us in a way. In any case, we cannot be saying that the presidency or Biafra is anybody’s to give. It is our collective patrimony. It is not a matter of “take this or that”. Must we continue to dissipate energy in the sing song of the woes of yesterday?Not at all.

“The people we lead expect to draw inspiration from us , not lamentations of marginalisation.”

The tactics of red eyes only leads us to producing more war lords, not champions of democracy. Although it worked for the Yoruba, the North and Niger Delta, I do not believe it will work for Ndigbo. As is said earlier, where is that leading us?

No matter where the president is going to come from, what we should concern ourselves with is who will do this dirty job of rehabilitating our collapsed building. Nigeria, as far as I am concerned is a collapsed building with so many people, mostly youths, trapped underneath. The next president must be one who has the capacity to ensure that the people trapped underneath are rescued alive. For that to happen, it means that all hands must be on deck. For all hands to be on deck, Nigeria must be reformatted and every nationality re-motivated.

To employ the metaphor of a collapsed building still, all the professionals, architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, technicians and what have you, must be involved. In short, the next president of Nigeria is going to be the most tasked in the history of Nigeria. I have seen some people moving up and down and I just laugh. The presidency of Nigeria this time around will not be for sale or by threat or bullet.

A lot of people still talk about the fact that the roads built during your tenure are still intact, with little or no portholes even though it is over twelve years since they were constructed. What was the magic?

There was no magic. It was just that all our road projects were properly designed by qualified consulting engineers and bills of quantities produced by professionals, including environmental impact assessment reports. The projects were properly advertised, tendered and awarded to well-known engineering firms and supervised by the engineers of the state’s ministry of works. In short, what you are referring to is the due process strategy we adopted which Imo people are still benefiting from.

Some of our leaders have a habit of passing the buck to the youths. The other time, the President at a forum abroad said Nigerian youths are lazy…

The president might have been misquoted, I can assure you. However, we would be doing the wrong thing by blaming the youths for a situation that is no fault of theirs. Is it really their fault that the standard of education has fallen? Is it the fault of Nigerian youths that the only prospect facing them after graduation is unemployment? Who do we blame? There is enough blame to go round. But the blame game cannot solve the challenges we face today. The next president of Nigeria must endeavour to return the political class to the critical business of nurturing opportunities for the youths.

You are of the opinion that it is not necessarily the dearth of good leaders that is responsible for the situation in the country, where do we put the blame squarely on?

Let me put it this way, by re-iterating the views expressed by some notable world leaders that what Africa needs are strong institutions not strong leaders and I think that our country, Nigeria, fits into this template very well. Our problem is largely institutional; what you might also describe as systemic. This is why I remain a strong advocate of a political restructuring of the country.

All the problems confronting us as a nation today are nothing but symptoms of the present flawed structure that has failed every test in the last 60 years. Because of that systemic flaw, we have been unable to develop strong institutions. We must re-examine the structure which concentrates power and responsibility at the centre. What we have is not the political structure our founding fathers negotiated at independence.

But we have been on this for some years now. About five years ago restructuring was the only talk in town but suddenly nobody talks about it again…

And to our detriment; but I don’t think Nigerians have given up on that. As far as I am concerned, any other thing outside restructuring would remain a mere palliative. Everybody is talking about presidency, but a country gets the type of president it deserves.

“Unless we restructure, the country will remain standstill and even retrogress. Unfortunately, some of our brothers up north are not comfortable with the idea of restructuring and seem determined to ensure that we remain with the current arrangement that is not working”.

But what would you attribute such an attitude to? Many Nigerians support restructuring. Even in the North, some of the most ardent advocates of restructuring are from there, a leader like former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar for example. What do we do to convince the few but powerful elements who are anti-restructuring?

The reason rests on fear of the unknown and the comfort zone syndrome. Some of the elements in the North fear that restructuring will tamper with their comfort, just like the man with a blanket under winter trying to cover himself alone with the entire blanket. They are comfortable the way things are now. It is our duty to convince them that they will be even more comfortable with restructuring or we may be compelled to look for our own blanket. Perhaps that is what those agitating for Biafra are doing unconsciously. Looking for their own blanket.

When you talk about imbalance, is the Southeast not getting attention already? The Second Niger Bridge is right now under construction.

The Second Niger Bridge matter is an over flogged issue. It is being built under a Public-Private sector arrangement that will involve tolling in order to recover the cost of building it.

I don’t think many of us understand the politics of this Second Niger Bridge. You may recall that when the administration of President Obasanjo came up with the idea of a national intervention programme to promote peace and restore a sense of belonging in the country, the Southeast was initially left out. But the Federal Government, under that programme, embarked on the construction of the East-West road at a cost of N400 billion; the Kano-Maiduguri road at a cost of N600 billion; the Lokoja-Abaji-Abuja road at a cost of N200 billion and the Ibadan-Ogbomosho-Osogbo road at a cost of N150 billion.

There was nothing for the Southeast and when we asked questions, we were promised the Second Niger Bridge. You will recall the several back and forth around it and even when it started, see the condition. Our share of that national intervention programme is still outstanding till date. None of the other intervention road projects have a tolling arrangement, meaning that the people of the Southeast will be indirectly paying for the bridge since more than 80 percent of the road users that will cross the bridge will be indigenous of the Southeast or at least those resident there. Where is the fairness in that? There is also this road, the Otuocha-Nmiata-Kogi road of less than 150 kilometres that was awarded by the Yar’Adua regime to a company called Niger Cat in 2009. That road is still abandoned by the federal government till date. If completed, it will shorten a journey from any part of the Southeast to Abuja by more than three hours. Why is that road still abandoned?

That reminds me of your lecture at the first Achebe International Conference at the University of Nigeria in 2017, where you tried to debunk the notion that the Southeast is land locked. Did that make any impact?

Well, I don’t know what you mean by impact but the truth remains that, contrary to that impression, the Southeast has one of the potentially deepest seaports in the country at Osemoto-Oseokwa axis between Imo and Anambra states, offering a potential for a natural Greenfield deep sea port. Besides, it lies only 18 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean and will be a strategic hub for the oil industry and inland dry-docks to promote trade. It has the capacity of handling over 35 percent of marine business in Nigeria. A sea port was designated there in 1959 but the project was abandoned for political reasons. I can tell you that it was the attraction to its potentials that made my administration to site the Oguta Wonder Lake And Resort Centre in the area to encourage both the federal government and foreign investors. The Yar’Adua administration also cited a Naval base and a Marine Police in the area but these projects were subsequently abandoned till date.

Let’s come home to Imo State. Over eight months ago, something quite dramatic took place in your state, Imo. The Supreme Court sacked the administration of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, in favour of the current governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma. You were a strong supporter of the Ihedioha administration and it is a well-known fact that you were at the background guiding the governor with your experience. But up till now, you have not made any comment on that development as the people would expect you to. Why did you decide to keep mute?

I don’t understand why I needed to say anything. It was a straightforward matter. The highest court in the land had ruled on it and I had no option but to join other law abiding citizens to respect the judgment.

Lifestyle, Politics, World News

Trump receives special COVID19 treatment in presidential suite at the National military hospital.

October 3, 2020 No Comments

US president, Donald Trump, was rushed to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday night to be treated for Covid-19 after announcing on his social media handles that he had contracted the deadly disease.

The hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, is the United States’ biggest military medical center that cares for the wounded, ill and injured from global conflicts. It has close to 7,000 staff workers taking care of those who are hospitalized.

The hospital is located nine miles from the White House in Washington, DC and has 244 beds and 50 intensive care unit beds.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Friday ;

“Trump would be spending a “few days” in the hospital’s presidential suite”.

The suite, known as Ward 71, is equipped to allow the president of the United States to keep up with his official duties even while in the hospital.

The suite which is around 3,000 square feet includes bedroom-type areas, living rooms with couches, a doctor’s office, conference room, office space and a dining room.

According to USA Today, the presidential suite is one of six special patient rooms reserved for high-ranking military officers and members of the White House cabinet.

The White House controls the entire presidential suite unlike other parts of the hospital controlled by Walter Reed administrators and the Defense Department.

If the White House doctor can’t treat something specifically, the medical center has prescreened specialists whose background checks are already available to the president.

Trump’s chief of staff has his own office space in the suite. The White House doctor has sleeping quarters there, so they could be constantly there while Trump is constantly being treated 24/7.

If Trump’s condition worsens, he will have to transfer power to Vice President Mike Pence using the 25th amendment .

With just 5 weeks to the election, such a scenario will dramatically upset the US presidential election.

Politics

Akeredolu set to make Ore an industrial town.

October 3, 2020 No Comments

The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu(SAN), is set to make Ore, a commercial town in Odigbo Local Government Area of the State , to an industrial town before 2024.

He made this statement on Friday , when he visited Odigbo local government area , Akeredolu said,

“my second term shall be a blessing to the younger generation”.

“By the grace of God, we have just started. We started with the Ore redemption bridge because we needed to ensure safety before hitting the ground fully”.
“I am a believer in God. I am saying again, that by the grace of God, Ore will be turned to a new Nnewi before February 2024. Presently, we have seven companies here, including a cassava to ethanol factory. Because of that, cassava is now like gold in Ondo. The cassava available in Ondo State is not even enough for the factory, the company go as far as Taraba State to get Cassava”.

He further stated;

“I want to congratulate all cassava farmers in Ondo on this feat. We have produced a market for you to sell your cassava. Ore and the entire Southern Senatorial District are where we want to use to run our industrialisation policy”.

“The factories will be at the Ore Industrial Parks, the Bitumen Exploration shall be operating in Ikale while the Sea Port will be in Ilaje”.

“I, therefore, congratulate the younger people of our state on what is ahead of them. My second term shall be a blessing to the young people because our future bleaks if we fail to develop the younger generation”.

“So, we need your vote to return to office. Without continuity and consistency in governance, we are going nowhere.”

Politics

N2bn Fraud: Senator Ndume tells court he can’t find Maina.

October 3, 2020 No Comments

Senator Ali Ndume, the lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, on Friday, told a Federal High Court in Abuja, that he is not aware of the location of the former chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina.

The All Progressives Congress chieftain is standing as bail for Abdulrasheed Maina, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 12 counts of money laundering involving about N2billion. Information obtained revealed that Maina has been absent from court three times consecutively within a week.

In line with terms and conditions of the bail which the judge Justice Okon Abang gave in January 2020, Ndume gave legal commitment to accompany the defendant to court every trial date and provided the court with the title documents of his property worth N500m in a choice area of Abuja as a guarantee.

They were both absent at the September 29 proceedings, but Ndume, on September 30 was at the court without Maina.

The senator told the judge that he was not present for the September 29 proceedings due to Boko Haram’s attack on the convoy of the Governor of Borno State. Asked by the judge if he knew the defendant’s whereabouts, Ndume said,

“My lord, I must confess, I do not know.”

The lawmaker, who recalled that he agreed to serve as Maina’s surety following pleas by the defendant’s wife and uncle, also said,

“I did not foresee these circumstances, my lord.”

He said he did not know Maina’s residence in Abuja, but he knew the one in Kaduna.

The senator pleaded for more time to enable him to find the defendant.

Politics, World News

ASUU, SSANU, NASU commence 14 days warning strike.

October 2, 2020 No Comments

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), on Friday, asked its members to commence a 14-day warning strike. The directive was given by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the two unions in a statement.

The statement was jointly signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi for NASU and Comrade Samson Ugwoke for SSANU. According to the unions, the strike had become necessary due to the inconsistencies of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in the payment of salaries of members of the two unions.

The statement read,

“Following the recent directives from the National Universities Commission to Vice-Chancellors for immediate resumption/safe reopening of universities you are hereby directed to commence a 14-day warning strike effective from 5th to 19th, October 2020.”

Among the demands of the unions are ‘Non-payment of Arrears of Earned Allowance being owed NASU and SSANU members despite various Memoranda of Understanding; non-payment of arrears of national minimum wage to members, non-payment of retirement benefits to outgone members and lack of seriousness by government in the renegotiation of 2009 FGN/NASU and SSANU agreements.

Others include usurpation of the headship of non-teaching units by academic staff in violation of conditions of service and establishments, neglect and poor funding of state universities, corruption in the university system and none constitution of Visitation Panel for the universities in line with the laws.

NASU and SSANU said the 14-day warning strike is a prelude to a full-blown, total and indefinite industrial action if the demands of the unions are not properly addressed.

Politics, World News

Governor Ben Ayade buys 54 brand new SUVs for Local Govt Chairmen and deputies.

October 2, 2020 No Comments

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, presented 54 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) to local government chairmen and their deputies. The vehicles were given to 18 local government councils in the state.

The 54 Sport Utility Vehicles comprises of : 18 Ford Edge to the Local Government Chairmen, 18 Ford Escape to the Vice Chairmen and 18 Ford Ecosport to the leaders of Council.

The deputy governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu who represented the governor, charged the officials to make effective use of the vehicles. He said this during the presentation ceremony held at the Governor’s office in Diamond Hill, Calabar.

“It is not about giving cars; what is happening is important at the time we are now . With zero allocation, COVID – 19 and the economic crisis , if we were to rely on federal allocation, even salaries will not be paid. The governor is prudent in managing our resources. If this was not the case , the cars will not be provided. ”

The deputy governor further stated that;

“The cars are not free gifts , they were purchased through the JAAC Accounts and going by the NFIU regulations , they were procured by the chairmen themselves and the funds came through their individual local government accounts. The governor kept funds for them even before they came in and that is why we have been able to purchase the cars. It is their entitlement because it has always been a practice that the chairmen of council , considering the exigencies of their office, deserve mobility.”

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of Akpabuyo council, Emmanuel Offiong Bassey, commended the state government for meeting the mobility needs of council chairmen. He pledge that the vehicles would be used for the purposes for which they were bought.

Politics

Reopen schools _ FG

October 2, 2020 No Comments

The federal government has ordered the reopening of all schools in Nigeria.

The minister of education, Adamu Adamu, made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja this Friday.

He advised all institutions to obey and adhere to the guidelines for the reopening of schools, earlier announced by the presidential task force.

He said;

“all unity schools across Nigeria should open by October 12 , while states and private schools will determine their own modalities of reopening.”

Many states including Lagos, Oyo, Kano and Enugu, have since announced dates for the reopening of schools in their states.

Politics

Nigeria@60: Osun protesters demand Buhari’s resignation over hardship

October 2, 2020 No Comments

Scores of people under the aegis of #RevolutionNow movement yesterday morning stormed the major streets of Osogbo, Osun State to protest alleged harsh policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration.

The protesters, who gathered at the Old Garage about 8.30am, were chanting antigovernment songs to condemn the hardship faced by Nigerians. New Telegraph saw officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Old Garage trying to disperse the demonstrators from proceeding with the protest but to no avail. The protesters, including members of the Coalition of Revolution (CORE) movement, decried the brutality they suffered in the hands of operatives of the DSS in Osun State. The DSS operatives were accused of beating and arresting 11 members of the group during the protest.

The arrested members were later released at the entrance of the DSS office. One of the protesters, who is a member of “Take it Back Movement,” Olaoluwa Owoeye, said the regime of President Buhari should resign with immediate effect.

He said: “We are calling for immediate resignation because we cannot continue with this act of indiscipline; we cannot continue with this act of corruption; we cannot continue with this act of fuel hike; we cannot continue with this act of electricity tariff hike. “We are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the materials that have been taken such as our phones, money. We are also calling for the probe of the battery regime, the DSS head, we are saying he should withdraw his neck from this unruly act that they perpetrate against Nigerians.

“They should do that within 24 hours or else, they are going to see us on the streets again.” Also, Temitope Fagunwa Maberu said Nigeria was the poverty capital of the world. He said: “We have the poorest people living in the whole world domicile in Nigeria, and yet the Nigerian state has the audacity to tell us that we are celebrating independence.

“We are saying that this independence is nothing to write home about; it is nothing to celebrate because the entirety of what we are told as citizens should celebrate in the 21st century, we are not entitled to it. “We are also sending a message that the Nigerian state under its current liberal practice, capitalist practice cannot guarantee us the normal dividends that all citizens should enjoy.

“We are saying that only a socialist government can transform the entirety of whatever we want to demand as citizens of this country. And we are saying that the insecurity in the North is also tied to the failure of the Nigerian government. Any government that cannot guarantee protection and safety as a citizen, that government has failed. “We are saying this because in 1960 when they told us that we gained independence, many of our people did not understand that the kind of independence they gave us was flag independence. “Many people did not understand that the kind of independence they gave us was nothing but political independence.

But we have refused to gain the right independence, which is economic independence. That is why we are here today. That is what has brought us this mess; the mess of failure. The mess of maladministration, and no matter how much you talk about it, Nigeria is a failed country.

“There is no need for us to negotiate this. There is no need for us to discuss this. The government has failed to protect the lives of her citizens, and that government had no reason to stay in power, which is the point about the Buhari government. “The Buhari government should be ashamed of itself, and those that are supporting the Buhari government should be ashamed of themselves because this government has failed both inside and outside.”

Politics, World News

President Trump and first lady test positive for COVID-19.

October 2, 2020 No Comments

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus, the president tweeted.

“Tonight, (at)FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”

Trump announced late Thursday that he and first lady Melania Trump were beginning a “quarantine process” after Hicks came down with the virus, though it wasn’t clear what that entailed. It can take days for an infection to be detectable by a test. This marks a major blow for a president who has been trying desperately to convince the American public that the worst of the pandemic is behind them even as cases continue to rise with less than four months before Election Day. However, it stands as the most serious known public health scare encountered by any sitting American president in recent history.

Hicks traveled with the president multiple times this week, including aboard Marine One, the presidential helicopter, and on Air Force One to a rally in Minnesota Wednesday, and aboard Air Force One to Tuesday night’s first presidential debate in Cleveland.Trump had consistently played down concerns about being personally vulnerable to contracting COVID-19, even after White House staff and allies were exposed and sickened.

Trump, the vice president and other senior staff have been tested for COVID-19 daily since two people who work at the White House complex tested positive in early May, prompting the White House to step up precautions. Everyone who comes into contact with the president also receives a quick-result test.

The news was sure to rattle an already shaken nation still grappling with how to safely reopen while avoiding further spikes. The White House has access to near-unlimited resources, including a constant supply of quick-result tests, and still failed to keep the president safe, raising questions about how the rest of the country will be able to protect its workers, students and the public as businesses and schools reopen.Yet since the early days of the pandemic, experts have questioned the health and safety protocols at the White House and asked why more wasn’t being done to protect the commander in chief. Trump continued to shake hands with visitors long after public health officials were warning against it and he initially resisted being tested. He has been reluctant to practice his own administration’s social distancing guidelines for fear of looking weak, including refusing under almost all circumstances to wear a mask in public.

Trump is not the only major world leader known to have contracted the virus. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent a week in the hospital, including three nights in intensive care, where he was given oxygen and watched around the clock by medical workers. German Chancellor Angela Merkel self-isolated after a doctor who gave her a vaccination tested positive for the virus, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau worked from home after his wife fell ill.

The White House got its first COVID-19 scare in early March when at least three people who later tested positive came in close proximity to the president at his private Florida club. That included members of the Brazilian president’s delegation, including the Brazilian charge d’affaires, who sat at Trump’s dinner table.In mid-March, as the virus continued to spread across the country, the White House began taking the temperature of everyone entering the White House complex, and in April, it began administering rapid COVID-19 tests to all those in close proximity to the president, with staffers being tested about once a week.

Politics

Nigeria At 60: Buhari’s Independence Day Speech, A Slap On Nigerians – PDP

October 2, 2020 No Comments

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Thursday, described President Muhammadu Buhari’s independence anniversary speech as a slap on the sensibilities of Nigerians, particularly his justification of his administration’s increment of the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit, also known as fuel.

President Buhari had in his broadcast pointed out a number of oil producing countries including Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Egypt and Niger Republic where the price of fuel is higher than in Nigeria, and concluded by saying that “sustaining the level of petroleum prices is no longer possible.”

In its reaction, the PDP, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan called on President Buhari to “wake up to reality and take demonstrable urgent steps that will address the divisive tendencies and poor economic policies of his administration, which are fast decimating our dear nation under his watch.”

According to the party, “President Buhari’s attempt to justify the increase of fuel price in Nigeria by comparing it to the N168 per litre cost in Saudi Arabia is a morbid joke,” adding that “the minimum wage in Saudi Arabia is N305,113 (3000 Saudi Riyals), ten times higher than our paltry N30,000 which is largely unimplemented in Nigeria.”

The statement further read: “Is Mr. President not aware that, on the average, a person working in Saudi Arabia earns around 4,230SAR (N430, 267) to 16,700 SAR (N1, 698,693) per month?

“Our party charges Mr. President to always check his books before making such offensive comparisons including the price in Egypt where monthly average earning is around N222, 841 (9,200 EGP) against our N30,000.

The major opposition party in the country also flayed the togetherness theme of the President’s speech, describing the allusion as a mere rhetoric.

Politics

2023 Presidency: Campaign Poster Of Osinbajo For President, Gov Zulum As VP Emerges

October 2, 2020 No Comments

A campaign poster of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, running for president has emerged online.

The campaign poster has the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum as Vice President.

The campaign poster with tag “The Two Eggheads For 2023” is flanked by the logo of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

However, individuals or groups behind the poster was not identified.
Both Osinbajo and Zulum have not reacted to the poster as at the time of filing this report.

Politics

The worst democratic government is better than the best dictatorship.- Governor Seyi Makinde

October 1, 2020 No Comments

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State takes a walk on Independence day. The pictures he shared on his social media platforms revealed that he walked around the streets of the state capital , Ibadan , with his wife Tamunominni Makinde and many other people.

In his words earlier today via his social media platforms, he stated the following;

Independence Day Walk: A Focus on the Future.
We choose to focus on the future because if a person’s past is not filled with happy memories, he has the choice to create happier moments in the future.

He further stated that the worst democratic government is better than the best dictatorship.

As we celebrate #NigeriaAt60, let us continue to give democracy a chance. May we never think of allowing the affliction of military rule to rise again. May we never forget that even the worst democratic government is better than the best dictatorship.

Politics

It makes no sense for oil to be cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia. – Buhari

October 1, 2020 No Comments

Fellow Nigerians,

I speak to you today as your President and fellow citizen on this epoch occasion of our country’s 60th independence Anniversary.As President, I wish to renew my appreciation to Nigerians for entrusting me with your hopes and aspirations for a better and greater Nigeria.Today, it is my unique privilege to re-commit myself to the service of this great country of great people with profound diversities and opportunities.

We are bound by destiny to be the largest and greatest black nation on earth.At this stage in our nationhood it is important that we reflect how we got here to enable us work TOGETHER to get to where we aspire to be as a strong indivisible nation, united in hope and equal in opportunity.On October 1st 1960 when Prime Minister Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa received the constitutional instruments symbolizing Nigeria’s independence, he expressed his wish that having acquired our rightful status as an independent sovereign nation, history would record that the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest pace.

This optimism was anchored on the peaceful planning, full and open consultation and harmonious cooperation with the different groups which culminated in Nigeria emerging as a country without bitterness and bloodshed.Our founding fathers understood the imperative of structuring a National identity using the power of the state and worked towards unification of Nigerians in a politically stable and viable entity.That philosophy guided the foundation that was laid for our young nation of 45 million people with an urban population of approximately 7million occupying an area of 910,768 square km. These demographics led to development challenges for which major efforts were made to overcome.

Today, we grapple with multiple challenges with a population exceeding 200million occupying the same land mass but 52% residing in urban areas.Sixty years of nationhood provides an opportunity to ask ourselves questions on the extent to which we have sustained the aspirations of our founding fathers. Where did we do the right things?Are we on course? If not where did we stray and how can we remedy and retrace our steps? Upon attaining independence, Nigeria’s growth trajectory was anchored on policies and programmes that positively impacted on all sectors of the economy.

However, this journey was cut short by the 30-months of civil war.We came out of the civil war with a focus on reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation that enabled the country to put in place world class development structures and a strengthened public service that well served the government.This positive trajectory continued with a return to democratic government which was truncated by another round of military rule.For a cumulative 29 of our 60 years existence as a nation, we have been under military rule.

My summary of our journey so far as a nation is necessary to appropriately chart where we need to go and how to get there TOGETHER.Today, I am aware that our economy along with every single economy in the world is in crisis. We still face security challenges in parts of the country, while our society suffers from a high loss of moral rectitude which is driven by unbridled craving for political control.An underlying cause of most of the problems we have faced as a nation is our consistent harping on artificially contrived fault-lines that we have harboured and allowed unnecessarily to fester.

In addition, institutions such as civil service, police, the judiciary, the military all suffered from a general decline.We need to begin a sincere process of national healing and this anniversary presents a genuine opportunity to eliminate old and outworn perceptions that are always put to test in the lie they always are.The stereotype of thinking of ourselves as coming from one part of the country before seeing ourselves as Nigerians is a key starting point to project us on the road to our deserved nation’s evolution and integration.

To start this healing process, we are already blessed with the most important asset any nation requires for such – OUR PEOPLE – and this has manifested globally in the exploits of Nigerians in many fields.It has been demonstrated time and time again that Nigerians in the diaspora frequently excel in science, technology, medicine, sports, arts and many other fields. Similarly, the creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Nigerian at home has resulted in globally recognized endeavours.I am convinced that if we pursue our aspirations TOGETHER we would be able to achieve whatever we desire.

That informed our adopting the theme TOGETHER to mark this epochal event. Together we can change our condition for the better and more importantly together we can do much more for ourselves and for our country. I chose the path of self-reflection because this is what I do on a daily basis and I must confess that at most times, I always felt the need for a collective reflection as I know that the foundation for a solid future which this administration is laying can only be sustainable if there is a collective commitment by Nigerians.

Nigeria is not a country for Mr. President, any ruling or opposition party but a country for all of us and we must play our part, irrespective of challenges we face, to make this country what we desire.To achieve this, we must focus our minds, TOGETHER as a people, on ways of resolving the identified critical challenges that underlie our present state.

These include:

a.Evolving and sustaining a democratic culture that leaves power in the hands of the people;b.Supporting the enthronement of the rule of law, demanding accountability of elected representatives and contributing to good governance;

c.Increasing our commitment to peaceful co-existence in a peaceful, secure and united Nigeria;d.Harnessing and Optimizing our tremendous human and natural resources to attain our goal of being in the top twenty economies of the world and in the process;

e.Lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
f.Strengthening institutions to make them stronger in protecting National Interests; and
g.Imbibing tolerance in diversity.

I am a firm believer in transparent, free, fair and credible elections as has been demonstrated during my period as a democratically elected President.The recent build-up and eventual outcome of the Edo State elections should encourage Nigerians that it is my commitment to bequeath to this country processes and procedures that would guarantee that the people’s votes count.The problems with our electoral process are mainly human induced as desperate desire for power leads to desperate attempts to gain power and office.

Democracy, the world over and as I am pursuing in Nigeria, recognizes the power of the people. However, if some constituencies choose to bargain off their power, they should be prepared for denial of their rights.This call is made more urgent if we realise that even after a transparent, free, fair and credible election, desperation leads to compromising the judiciary to upturn legitimate decisions of the people.It is necessary to, therefore support the enthronement of the rule of law by avoiding actions which compromise the judiciary.Fellow Nigerians, our history has shown that we are a people that have the capacity to live peacefully with one another.

As a government, we remain committed to our constitutional oath of securing the lives and properties of the citizenry. I, however, call on the citizenry to also support government by providing the necessary community level intelligence in addressing these challenges.In moving forward together, it is important to strengthen our economy to provide sustainable means of livelihood for as many Nigerians as possible so as to eradicate absolute poverty from our midst.I want to re-emphasize my dedication and commitment, a dedication and commitment that propelled my public service career and informed my quest to continually seek for an opportunity to improve the lives of Nigerians, set the country on the path of prosperity and lead the country to a better future.

This administration has been focused on rebuilding and laying the foundations for a sustainable Nigeria.Of course, we have met and are still meeting the challenges inherent in any rebuilding initiative – more so that of a nation like Nigeria that has undergone avoidable levels of deprivation – but can be surmounted if we all work together.I wish to re-iterate that our people and our spirit of excellence remains our most important asset.In this wise, the need to return to our age-old ethical and high moral values would be necessary and this informed my launching of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy on Monday 28th September, 2020.

The policy would not implement itself and the first contact of the visibility of its implementation is the Public Service whose on-going reforms would be expected to be sustainable and give a radical re-direction in providing services to all Nigerians. Fellow Nigerians, in addition to public health challenges of working to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, we have suffered a significant drop in our foreign exchange earnings and internal revenues due to 40 per cent drop in oil prices and steep drop in economic activities, leading to a 60 per cent drop in government revenueOur government is grappling with the dual challenge of saving lives and livelihoods in face of drastically reduced resources. In this regard, sustaining the level of petroleum prices is no longer possible.The government, since coming into office has recognized the economic argument for adjusting the price of petroleum. But the social argument about the knock-on effect of any adjustment weighed heavily with the government.

Accordingly, in the last 3 years,we have introduced unprecedented measures in support of the economy and to the weakest members of our society in the shape of;
a. Tradermoni
b. Farmermoni
c. School Feeding Programme
d. Job creation efforts
e. Agricultural intervention programmes
No government in the past did what we are doing with such scarce resources. We have managed to keep things going inspite of the disproportionate spending on security.Those in the previous Governments from 1999 – 2015 who presided over the near destruction of the country have now the impudence to attempt to criticize our efforts.In the circumstances, a responsible government must face realities and take tough decisions.

Petroleum prices in Nigeria are to be adjusted. We sell now at N161 per litre.

A comparison with our neighbours will illustrate the point;
a.Chad which is an oil producing country charges N362 per litre

b.Niger, also an oil producing country sells 1 litre at N346.

c.In Ghana, another oil producing country, petroleum pump price is N326 per litre.
Further afield, Egypt charges N211 per litre. Saudi Arabia charges N168 per litre. It makes no sense for oil to be cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia.
Fellow Nigerians, to achieve the great country we desire, we need to solidify our strength, increase our commitment and encourage ourselves to do that which is right and proper even when no one is watching.

Fellow Nigerians, let us collectively resolve to continue our journey beyond the sixty years on the clear understanding that as a nation we are greater together than being smaller units of nationalities.
By the special grace of God we shall come through any transient challenges.It is my sincere hope that by the end of this anniversary on September 30th 2021, we will all be proud of taking this individual and collective self-assessment for the progress of our great Nation.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God Bless us all. Thank you.

Politics

FAYOSE TO LAGOS PDP: To make progress retire Bode George from politics

October 1, 2020 No Comments

The former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has asked the Lagos State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to send Chief Bode George on political retirement.

He said that George, a former deputy national chairman of the PDP “must be sent to political retirement if the party must make progress in Lagos State.”

His media aide, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement on Wednesday, that Fayose stated this when he spoke at the inauguration of the PDP Campaign Committee for the Lagos East senatorial bye-election on Tuesday.

He called on the party to support the PDP candidate in the senatorial bye-election, Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi (BOG).

According to Fayose, George should rather be a support stand for the younger ones in the party instead of dragging positions with them.

“Lagos is ripe for PDP to take and we will take the state if we work hard and put our house in order.

“This senate election is for PDP to take if we are ready to take it. You have done it before by producing House of Reps members and you can do it again by producing a senator.”

He however said that “before PDP can win any election in this Lagos, the party must first separate wheat from chaffs.

The former governor, who urged leaders of the party in Lagos State to desist from exposing rancour among the party members, laid emphasis on giving the younger ones in the party opportunity to grow and allow them to be in key positions in the party.

According to Fayose, “it is high time to tell Bode George to go and retire. Let him be a support stand for the younger ones in the party.

“As I am here, I am about 60 years of age, I have grown above fighting for minister that it will get to a point and someone will say he is sacking me. I will never be such minister not to talk of contesting any post with younger ones in the party.

“It is time for young people in the party to tell elderly ones to take the back seat. I’m not against the elders, but I want them to know when to take the back seat. If they don’t, the young ones will force them. All those stories of we formed this party in 1998, eight of us sat in my sitting room to form the party is no longer important because the young too must be allowed to grow.

“At this level, if you see any elder contesting chairman with the younger ones, you must know that such fellow needs to be retired.

“I am Ayodele Fayose, you can quote me anywhere. I said, you must retire Bode George if you want progress in the PDP in Lagos. You must stand firm and fight for your right.

“As an elder, he is supposed to stay at home and be giving blessing to his children aspiring to grow not to be contending positions with them.”

Politics

Nigerians demand restructuring as nation clocks 60

October 1, 2020 No Comments

As President Muhammadu Buhari addresses the nation on Independence Day, Nigerians have re-echoed the need to restructure the country.

An earlier statement by Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in Abuja yesterday, disclosed that President Buhari would address citizens today from the Eagle Square as part of the activities commemorating the 60th Independence Anniversary of the country.

He said the address would be broadcast live after the anniversary parade, which would commence at 10 am.

According to the statement, the traditional early morning October 1 Presidential Broadcast will no longer feature in view of the broadcast at the Eagle Square.

But feelers, yesterday, however, indicated that what Nigerians looked forward to as an anniversary gift was a declaration of commitment to the restructuring of the country.

The first indication came from Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF). It started by observing that in spite of the challenges of civil war and the very precarious state of the country thereafter, Nigeria had remained one entity 60 years after independence. It, however, lamented that the nation faced doom if it failed to adopt restructuring as a solution to the many threats to its continued corporate existence.

PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, said it was rather unfortunate that at 60, Nigeria was still grappling with challenges that had continued to hinder her from attaining nationhood. He identified restructuring as a solution.

He said: “It is very unfortunate, we have not attained nationhood. We are still struggling to be a nation. PANDEF believes in the oneness of Nigeria. Nigeria has exploited so much from us. Nigeria has gained so much from us; we have fed Nigeria for close to 60 years. Resources from our land have been used to build Nigeria. So PANDEF is not thinking about secession. What we are saying is there is a need for restructuring. We need fiscal federalism.”

According to him, PANDEF hopes President Buhari and his administration will change the way and manner the affairs of the country are run.

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