News
Tinubu admonishes Nigerians to keep faith with the country to move in the right path
***Agbakoba canvasses for constitutional role for traditional rulers to tackle insecurity
***Says the electoral act is a mockery of Democracy
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to have faith in the country as one indivissible nation in other to put it on the right track for growth and development
Tinubu spoke on Thursday at a Lecture/Colloquium held in honour of the 61st birthday of the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio in Abuja.
The event with the theme: “Legislative Agenda for National Development” dignitaries from across the country and the diplomatic corps including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje and traditional rulers.
In his remarks, Tinubu described Akpabio as a man who is committed to the values of national development.
The president said: “The opportunity you (Akpabio) offered us to listen to the lead speaker and his recommendations will be definitely looked into a more deeper legislative activities and collaboration with all of us.
“We will work together. While we consider the affairs of this country, the nationhood and the belief in one country will put us on the right path.
“Having you as a partner, I think Abbas as a partner, as the Speaker, is good enough for me to succeed.
“Inshallah, we will succeed. I appreciate Godswill Akpabio, God will help you, God will guide you.
“I believe in the person of Godswill Akpabio; he is truly Godswill.
“I know him as as a governor, as a commissioner in Akwa-Ibom. We share a vision even though he was a commissioner, he is extremely inquisitive.
“He transformed Akwa-Ibom tremendously. He built one of the most effective drainage systems in Akwa-Ibom. Today, up till now, no matter how heavy the rain is, you will never find casualties.
“All the other beautiful things you did, the stadium, the hotel, that caring for the lives of the people of Akwa-Ibom, is exceptionally great.
“On this occasion of your birthday anniversary, I’m delighted to join your family, friends, colleagues and Nigerians from across the country wishing you long life, good health, peace, satisfaction and gratitude for abiding grace of God Almighty.”
Earlier, the Guest speaker, former President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), said that for the country to tackle insecurity, peace and security must be developed.
The event was well attended by dignitaries across the country and the diplomatic corps including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje and traditional rulers.
“The first question is how can we find peace. Is it by armed forces. It will be by executive and legislative processes.
“We can’t win, in my opinion, the war by armed forces. So I will suggest to the national assembly to consider the possibility of inviting the ethnic nationalities, the owners of Nigeria.
“The traditional rulers that are being ignored, I believe they should have a hand in the constitutional process. If this is done we will achieve peace.
“Together with our traditional rulers who I think are being ignored in the process, we might be able to resolve these insurgencies Boko Haram, IPOB.”
He further recommended the unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which he said “is doing far too much.
“INEC is doing far too much. In the Uwais report, we recommended creating the electoral offences commission.
“I urge the 10th National Assembly to simply enact the recommendations.
The Electoral Act makes a mockery of democracy, so we can correct that by passing all the recommendations of the Uwais Panel.”
He described the Supreme Court as the worst saying the country has suffered legal failure
The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau who was also the Host of the event said that the colloquium was the culmination of events to mark the 61st birthday of Akpabio.
He described Akpabio as a leader par excellence who was always willing to give his quota to the development of the country.
“Hence the decision to organise this colloquium in order to contribute to the effort of the Senate and the entire Nigeria towards giving Nigerians the best.
“Leading to the transformation of our dear country in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The 10th Senate feels that as we work with the President of this country to lay the foundation for the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration…
“The time has come for us to draw attention to the critical mandate imposed on the Senate and the National Assembly by the Constitution.
“And to engender an inclusive process of executing the mandate by working with a broad section of our society to design a legislative agenda for national development.”
Barau further said that the National Assembly was in the process of reshaping the Constitution and legal frameworks that would make good governance a way of life and democratic consolidation the legitimate expectations of the people.
On his part, the celebrant Akpabio said that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration “is real and this government is a correcting government.
“Our legislative agenda is going to be people-centred,” he said.
He also said that the national assembly would consider the recommendations spelt out by the guest speaker.
“We have taken note that we should unbundle INEC; we have taken note that we should involve our traditional rulers.
“We have taken note that most of the colonial laws are still in existence by virtue of the constitutional law given to us.
“We will work on these things,” he said.
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen said that Akpabio, throughout his distinguished career, showed valuable assistance, strategic thinking and innovative leadership.
For the Chairman of the occasion and a former Senate President Anyim Pius, Akpabio has a date with destiny.
“You have emerged as President of the Senate at a time so much dexterity is required to redirect the course of our nation, reset our national agenda, and re- envision our future as a people.”
Anyim emphasised the need to align legislative agenda with the executive agenda.
He said that the agenda when properly aligned, would reset national priorities, bench mark national interest and redefine development.
Error Icon
Address not found
Your message wasn’t delivered to oluseye_daniel@yahoo.co.uk because the address couldn’t be found, or is unable to receive mail.
The response from the remote server was:
552 1 Requested mail action aborted, mailbox not found
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: John Akubo <johnakubo@gmail.com>
To: newsalert@guardian.ng, “Newsroom@guardian Ng” <newsroom@guardian.ng>, theguardian1983 <theguardian1983@gmail.com>, Tope Templer <temitope.olaiya@guardian.ng>, Thee Ofoelue <Ofoelue@gmail.com>, TemplerOlaiya <templer2k2@yahoo.com>, goddyofulue@gmail.com, Guardian politics 2 <oluseye_daniel@yahoo.co.uk>, muyiwa.adeyemi@guardian.ng, Femi Onikeku <femi.onikeku@guardian.ng>
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2023 18:29:34 +0100
Subject: Tinubu admonishes Nigerians to keep faith with the country to move in the right path ***Agbakoba canvasses for constitutional role for traditional rulers to tackle insecurity ***Says the electoral act is a mockery of Democracy ***Wants INEC to be unbundled
—– Message truncated —–
To educate citizens on the economic interventions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has commenced a public awareness campaign in Jigawa State.
The ministry urged the public, especially the youth, to take advantage of the opportunities for self-reliance, with the initiative highlighting various job creation and poverty alleviation programs.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris, represented by Mala Bashir Dahiru Galadanci, Head of the Federal Information Center in Dutse, highlighted the government’s “Renewed Hope” initiatives.
He emphasized that the interventions were designed to change the narratives in the economic wellbeing of Nigerians and provide job and skill opportunities, particularly for the youth, to encourage self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
According to Mr. Galadanci, the administration is committed to addressing poverty and unemployment by introducing accessible programs that benefit citizens at the federal, state, and local levels. He called on the people of Jigawa State to explore these opportunities and support government efforts in transforming the country’s economy.
Jigawa State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Ahmad Tijjani, also called for public support of the government’s policies. He acknowledged that while some recent policy changes have impacted citizens’ living standards, these new interventions are a proactive step toward alleviating poverty and economic hardship.
In a presentation, Professor Ali Siro of the Sociology Department at the Federal University Dutse detailed various federal interventions, including the Student Loan Program, Consumer Credit Corporation, Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, National Youth Talent Export Program, National Housing Initiative, and several small business loan schemes.
He explained the eligibility criteria, repayment terms, and benefits of the initiatives to encourage public participation.
In his goodwill message, the Emir of Dutse, Hamim Nuhu Sanusi, commended the federal government for introducing multiple economic interventions to cushion the impact of new policies.
Represented by Senior Counsellor Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, the Emir suggested a review of civil service rules, urging the government to adjust workers’ salaries and make loan terms more flexible to prevent financial strain on the workforce.
This campaign marked the beginning of a nationwide effort to educate citizens on government interventions aimed at creating socio-economic opportunities and improving the overall welfare of Nigerians.
***Bello leaves EFCC without interogation
The Economic ane Financial ctimes Commisaion has discredited reports that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello is in its custody .
Head, Media and Publicity of the anti graft agency, Dele Oyewale in a terse statement on Wednesday indicated that Media reports earlier in the day that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. “The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody. Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.
Bello’s media team had sent out a statement earlier indicating that the former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello had turned himself in to
honor the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation, following allegations of corruption and fraudulent activities during his tenure.
Their statement confirmed that the former Governor appeared before the EFCC after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies.
In another twist, indications emerged that Bello, who had initially claimed to have voluntarily honoured the commission’s invitation, was trailed and arrested by EFCC operatives in Lokoja at midnight.
In yet another twist, Bello’s Director of Media, Ohiare Michael said, “Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, HE Alh. Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the Commission’s invitation.
“In the statement, we reiterated the former Governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, and stressed that, all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“Recall that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former Governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear. “
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has honored the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation, following allegations of corruption and fraudulent activities during his tenure.
Bello’s media team in a statement confirmed that he appeared before the EFCC after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies.
The former governor had been declared wanted by the EFCC over alleged money laundering and corrupt enrichment amounting to N80.2 billion.
The statement reads: “The former Governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high profile Nigerians.
“It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Details of his engagement with the operatives of the Anti-Graft Agency will be disclosed later.”
-
Crime11 months agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News8 months agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi10 months agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi1 year agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News12 months agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro6 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News8 months agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu