Hope
By Alaba Olusola Oke
Akure, June 12,2024( NAN) The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, has expressed hope for a greater Nigeria as the country celebrates 25 years of interrupted democracy.
Oladiji, in his Democracy Day’s message on Wednesday in Akure, celebrated those whose efforts yielded the celebration of democracy.
He congratulated Nigerians on the numerous benefits of democracy, saying there was need to guard the nation’s democracy jealously in order to benefit more dividends.
The speaker called on Nigerians to be more resilient and key into the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu with the believe that the country would emerge better, stronger and greater.
Oladiji commended governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his efforts so far in the delivery of democracy dividends to the people of the state.
The speaker who solicited for more support for the governor, pledged the unwavering commitment of the legislative arm to continually strengthen the pillars of democracy. NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)
Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Mr Ola Olukoyede, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the commission has received 14,000 petitions from the public in the last one year.
EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Oyewale quoted the EFCC boss as saying this during a meeting with a special envoy for West Africa, Charles Omini in Abuja.
Olukoyede expressed the commission’s commitment to tackling economic and financial crimes, while regretting the poverty experienced by many Nigerians in spite of the country’s wealth.
He said that the commission’s relentless efforts in ridding the country of all forms of economic and financial crimes were geared towards ensuring that Nigerians have a taste of good governance.
“What we are doing is about this country; there is nothing personal in it and we are passionate about giving Nigerians a taste of good governance for once in their lifetime.
“In the last one year, we have received over fourteen thousand petitions, credible petitions; fourteen thousand, within the space of twelve months,” he said.
According to him, Nigerians have no business being poor if the resources are well managed and leaders being accountable.
“If we do the right things, by now we should be at par with America.
“There is nowhere in Nigeria that you dig and you won’t see natural resources or mineral resources. The forest alone can make us in the class of advanced countries.
“There is no region in Nigeria that does not have tourist attractions.”
Olukoyede reiterated that fighting corruption was winnable if all Nigerians come together and join hands with the EFCC to ensure good governance.
“The war is winnable; there are some countries where their own cases were even worse than our own.
“Our associates in Singapore, Hongkong told us they used to be worse than Nigeria, but we have gotten to that point where everyone will say let us come back to the discussion table and do the right thing.
“Everybody is now realising that we have done ourselves so much evil. If all of us can come together, we will overwhelm them,” he said.
He charged the Envoy to strengthen the anti-corruption fight more by making Nigerians realise that corruption would rob them of their rights to good life and good governance.
“Let people know that their rights have been violated; it is not about EFCC, it is about every one of us, so let us collaborate more.”
On his part, Dr Charles Omini stated that his team was at the EFCC to appreciate the efforts of the Commission in its efforts towards ridding Nigeria of corruption, economic and financial crimes.
“We have seen the level of impact. You stood very well to make sure corruption in Nigeria is reduced at all levels.
“Part of our collaboration that brought us here today is to make sure we stand with you at all levels to ensure the rights and the rights of your officers and men are defended at all,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Democracy Day: More dividends coming to Nigerians – Speaker
Dividends
By Femi Ogunshola
Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has congratulated Nigerians on the celebration of Democracy Day and 25 years of unbroken democracy.
Abbas, in a statement to mark the day in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the dividends of democracy were bound to reach more Nigerians.
He said that the country had evolved in the past 25 years and democracy had come to stay in Nigeria.
The speaker said the country had been navigating through the learning curves successfully.
He said that though it was not perfect yet, the country had continued to grow in democratic experience and practice.
Abbas said that this year’s celebration was significant in the life of the National Assembly, as it also marked the one year anniversary of the 10th Assembly.
The 10th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 13, 2023.
Abbas enjoined Nigerians across tribes, religions, gender and age groups to continue to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the country.
According to him, Nigeria promises to be a nation that the citizens will be proud of.
He urged Nigerians to continue to support the government at all levels and remain law-abiding citizens.
The speaker said that it was the collective responsibility of all, with the people as the critical stakeholders, to make the government succeed on its plans, policies and programmes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Efficient judiciary key to strengthening democracy—Youth group
Democracy
By Aderogba George
Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Mr Okorie OKorie, President, Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO) on Wednesday said that improved and speedy judicial process were key to strengthening democracy.
Okorie said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja the occasion of Democracy Day.
He urged the country’s judiciary to rise to the occasion of not only defending democracy but also sustaining it with equitable, fair and timely dispensation of justice.
“May I use this medium to call on our judiciary to help protect our democracy with timely and just dispensation of judgments.
“Justice delayed is denied they say. We should try to dispense justice at expected times with equity and fairness,” he said.
He called on the judiciary to always nullify elections that lacked integrity and transparency.
According to him, the courts should make verdicts that condemn electoral malpractices without fear or favour.
The NYO president who congratulated Nigerians on celebration of 25 years of interrupted democracy called for a youth-inclusive at all tiers of government.
He explained that such inclusion was necessary for national development and prosperity.
Okorie also commended the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, for rising in defence of local government autonomy.
The NYO boss said that local governments, as the third tier of government, should not be stifled in true democracies because they remained the closest to the people.
Okorie identified financial and political autonomy as fundamental in engendering development in local governments.
The NYO president advised the Federal Government to ensure that political autonomy was granted local governments by allowing INEC to conduct elections for them.
He urged Nigerians to support Fagbemi to restore the autonomy of local governments for rural development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Fagbemi recently instituted a suit against 36 state governors over local governments autonomy at the Supreme Court. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Democracy Day: LP wants Tinubu to make public offices unattractive
Democracy
By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 12, 2024 (NAN) The Labour Party (LP) in Lagos has called on President Bola Tinubu to make public offices unattractive to attract well-meaning leaders and promote the delivery of democratic dividends.
Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, the LP National Deputy Chairman, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Olurunfemi was reacting to Wednesday’s Presidential broadcast to mark the 25th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic governance in Nigeria.
He said that violence, hooliganism, killing and unhealthy competition marred elections because public offices remained unsustainably lucrative and attractive to politicians
“The kind of huge resources we use to run our democracy cannot allow ordinary Nigerians to benefit from the system, hence the reason our economy is always under pressure.
“The cost of democracy here has removed most of the gains of the system in Nigeria. We can see hardship everywhere in rural and urban areas.
“The idea of democracy is for the majority of the people to benefit from the government they installed by themselves, as against the few benefitting from the system now.
“The people must count, their views must hold sway, not only in elections ,but in policies
“If we truly want to develop as a democratic nation, we must have the right people in government and make political offices unattractive.
“This will pave way for only the serious- minded to get involved, not for money making but for real service to the people,” Olorunfemi said.
He said that public office holders could be subjected to honorarium instead of salary for democracy to work for the people.
“We must reduce the cost of governance here to the bearest minimum if democracy must make meaning to the masses in Nigeria.
“Democracy is about the people. People must matter. With our democracy today, spanning 25 years, can we say the people matter in elections and policies,” he added.
According to him, the last 25 years of democracy in Nigeria has not benefitted the ordinary people but only those at the corridor of power.
He said that Nigerians had no reason undergoing all hardship and pains facing them since the return of democracy .
The LP chieftain urged the President to walk the talk by making the people’s views and opinions count in all policies and programmes.
“The political problems confronting Nigeria can only be solved when we have leaders who are selfless and that is why I will not only support unicameral legislature ,or making legislature a part- time affair.
“Ministerial jobs should be given the same status as the job of board chairmen, and must be given to technocrats.
“Once political offices are no longer attractive only serious- minded people will offer themselves for the job and not criminals,” he reiterated.
He said that the President failed to acknowledge the role of the Labour movements and leaders , particularly the role played by people like Milton Dabibi, Sola iji, Ayo Olorunfemi, Chris uyot, Ajeiro, Abiodun Aremu, Didi Adodo, late Ola Oni, among others, who also risked their lives for democrac,in his broadcast.
NAN reports that the President in his Democracy Day address on Wednesday commended heroes and heroines of Nigeria’s democracy, who laid down their lives, sacrificing everything to pave the way for the nation’s democracy.
Tinubu said: “This year also marks our nation’s 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
“On this day, 31 years ago, we entered our rites of passage to becoming a true and enduring democratic society.
“Going through this passage was hard and dangerous. We lost great heroes and heroines along the way.
“In this struggle, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, the most significant symbol of our democratic struggle, his wife, Kudirat, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Pa Alfred Rewane, among others sacrificed their very lives.”
The President said that no matter how complicated democracy might be, it remained the best form of governance in the long run. (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB
Lagos, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Members of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), on Wednesday, extolled the virtues of the late Founder of the church, Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua (TB Joshua).
The SCOAN members spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly before a church service to celebrate Joshua’s 61st birthday anniversary posthumously.
The late founder of SCOAN headquartered at Ikotun Egbe, Lagos State, was born on June 12, 1963, according to the church.
The renowned televangelist and philanthropist, died on June 5, 2021.
Mr Dare Adejumo, a member of SCOAN, said that Joshua had tremendous accomplishments across the globe in terms of gospel preaching, healing, deliverance and humanitarian works.
“As a child, he was a precocious one. The little Temitope stood out in character, understanding, knowledge with a propulsive bold faculty that used to amaze elders.
“He grew up facing life without losing focus of his assignment on earth as he grew up more in grace, wisdom and power till when the time came for him to announce his apostolicism,” he said.
He described TB Joshua as a game changer that invigorated and rejuvenated the early church.
Pastor Robert Acosta from Argentina said: “The man of God who impacted lives and transformed generations under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit never died.
“The teachings, the example, the impartation continue to live in our hearts.
“Prophet TB Joshua, his life, example and ministry have been a gift from God to the whole world, but in a particular way to my life, my wife and family, and to our church and congregation.
“He was our pastor, our friend, for five years until he passed on to glory, and we continue to live with the legacy he left.
“I believe there is still much anointing to continue resurrecting lives and ministries, not by a man that has passed on to glory, but by the Spirit of God that continues to operate.”
Pastor Sandro Gomes dos Santos from Brazili said: “I am here to celebrate the birthday of Prophet TB Joshua, a unique man, a unique prophet, a great man of God. His legacy remains.
“The good works he did here on earth are wonderful and cannot be forgotten.
“Prophet TB Joshua impacted my life not only with his ministry of miracles, signs and wonders, but with his love for the Word.
“His teaching on offence and forgiveness completely changed my heart. I learned how to let go of offence and the importance of having a pure heart.”
He said that he was determined to come to Nigeria for the posthumous birthday anniversary celebration.
“There is a fresh anointing, something new and extraordinary. The wonders of God continue here, at SCOAN.
“God has done great and extraordinary things through Prophet TB Joshua, and that mantle continues to rest upon Pastor Evelyn Joshua,” he said.
Mr Kolawole Samuel, an engineer and a follower of Joshua, said: “For the past 14 years, I have been part of the ministry, and by the grace I received through the anointing, I have not stopped coming despite the fact that I come from the far North of Nigeria, Sokoto.
“Every year, I specifically budget to be here in June for our prophet’s birthday anniversary celebration.
“The way he treated people inspired me to follow him,” he said.(NAN)
Gombe, June 12, 2024 (NAN) A university don, Dr Misbahu Saidu has urged Nigerians to draw lesson from June 12, to encourage growth of democratic culture in the country.
He stated this while commenting on the 2024 Democracy Day celebration on Wednesday innGombe.
Saidu, a lecturer in the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, Federal University of Kashere (FUK), said June 12 marked an important milestones in the history of democracy in Nigeria.
“June 12 has revealed some significant things about how the election was conducted, the campaign, the presumed winner.
“One fascinating thing about the election was that Nigerians voted across regional and party sentiment. Chief MKO Abiola defeated Bashir Tofa in his home state.
“At least voters were more enlightened; participatory action shows the importance of voting according to certain important credentials apart from the idea of regionalism.
“Many lessons we can learn from June 12, significance of mass mobilisation, voting for credible candidate and entrenching genuine democracy,” he said.
He said the Democracy Day celebration should serve as a sober reflection on the idea of governance providing services to citizens .
Also commenting, Dr Bachama Nigel, a lecturer with the Department of Economics, Gombe State University (GSU), said advocated sound economic programmes to address poverty in the country.
“While we celebrate the heroes of democracy, let the government come out with a clear policy that will turn the fortune of Nigerians.
On his part, Caleb Ubale, former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Gombe State chapter, urged President Bola Tinubu to show greater commitment towards improving the lives of Nigerians.
“People want to know when the hardships will be over because we are living in a state of helplessness,” he said. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng)
Nigeria can become global talent pool, says NATEP boss
Talent
By Patricia Amogu
Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Dr Femi Adeluyi, the National Coordinator, National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), says Nigeria could become a global talent pool because of the quality of talents and skills it exports.
Adeluyi said this when the Managing Director, Gallery of Code, Mr Oscar Ekponimo, led a delegation of experts alongside winner, STARTS4AFRICA in Nigeria to pay him a courtesy visit Tuesday in Abuja.
STARTS4AFRICA is an initiative that will allow artists to address regional challenges around food and water, digital mapping and speculative landscapes, culture, among other thematic areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NATEP was launched by the Federal Government in 2023 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to catalyse job creation by exporting local talents.
“Nigeria has a lot of niche export areas and one of our greatest exports is our talents.
“In the next couple of decades, Africa and Nigeria will become a talent hub because we are getting closer to becoming third largest continent in the world.
“What NATEP is focusing on is to not just jobs inside Nigeria but we are focusing on jobs that are outside the country.
“The idea is to create jobs that can bring in foreign exchange into Nigeria that can strengthen the economy thereby using NATEP to change the Nigerian narrative’’, he said.
He said that what virtual artist, Jibril Baba, was doing with the sponsorship from STARTS4AFRICA was a welcome development because it could help in strengthening food storage system in Nigeria.
“This is a really good model which can be enhanced and elaborated on.
“What Gallery of Code is doing with the STARTS4AFRICA programme is interesting, I also like the STARTS initiative’’, he said.
Ekponimo said the visit was meant to bring home one of the three winners from the STARTS4AFRICA challenge and seek inputs and areas of collaboration with NATEP.
According to him, the programme, a science, technology and arts-driven initiative, is a dedicated version of STARTS for Africa, an EU-led intervention with the Gallery of Code serving as the umbrella body for the initiative in Nigeria.
“This is the first phase and the first time this is coming up in Africa and a Nigerian has been selected from among 300 applicants.
“Jibril Baba, a visual artist, has just been awarded a grant that will support his project – a smart technology that will address food storage challenges and boost food production in Nigeria .
“We look forward to your mentorship and collaborations and we are open to push further discussions forward on the “niche areas’ that we can leverage on for future stakeholder collaborations.
“Jibril will be showcasing his final exhibition in Nigeria and also Austria. He was selected among the winners to exhibit at an Arts festival in Austria from Sept 4-Sept 8’’, he said. (NAN)
Renew your commitment to strengthen democracy,
Ojukwu urges Nigerians
Democracy
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on Nigerians to renew their commitment in strengthening democracy.
Ojukwu made the call in a statement to commemorate the 2024 Democracy Day and also 25 years of unbroken democracy.
He commended the resilience of Nigerians in their quest for democratic governance which according to him, has clearly manifested in the repeated elections that have taken place since the return of democracy in 1999.
The executive secretary however , decried the challenges which seems to threaten the effective democratic processes in the Country such as elections marred by violence, ballot box snatching, killings, vote buying.
” The commission will continue in our interventions in strengthen the democratic process.
” Stakeholders should join hands in doing all that is required, before, during and after elections in order to further deepen democracy in Nigeria.
“As a commission, we shall continue to play our role of monitoring democracy in Nigeria and also safeguarding the rights of eligible Nigerians to freely participate in democratic processes. I therefore urge you all to show similar enthusiasm” he said.
According to him, it is worthy to mention that the Commission in line with its mandate, monitors all elections for the purpose of ensuring that they conform to human rights standards.
He stated that a project known as the Mobilising Voters for Elections (MOVE) was put in place for awareness towards democracy.
He added that the goal is to sensitised masses on the need to exercise freely their franchise especially as it relates to right to vote.
Ojukwu further stated to be voted for as well as being involved in all electioneering processes.
” Of significant interest is the commission’s collaboration with relevant Civil Society Organizations in co-sponsoring a bill seeking enhanced participation of women in politics, elections and governance.
” Though the bill was thrown out by the 9th National Assembly, the commission is still strategizing with stakeholders to represent the same bill to the current National Assembly, hoping that the Law Makers will see reason to pass this important bill without seeing Affirmative Action to prop up women as a discrimination against the men.
” Finally, I call on Nigerians to exercise restraint, exude patience remain focused and committed to support democracy in our dear country, despite the obvious economic challenges currently bedeviling the nation” he said.
According to him, true Democracy ensures enjoyment of human rights.
“With Democracy and Good Governance, the enjoyment of Human Rights is assured.
” But without democracy, human rights will be a victim. Human rights thrives in a democratic melieu not in a conflict stricken nation or military governance or anarchy or undemocratic environment.
” May the labour of our democratic heroes not be in vain and may God help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed and may justice and human rights reign in our democracy in Nigeria” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that former President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2018 declared June 12 as the new date for the celebration of Nigeria’s democracy.
According to him the decision was to posthumously honour MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
Autonomy
By Mercy Omoike
Lagos, June 12, 2024 (NAN) The former leaders of the National Association of Local Government and Development Studies have commended President Bola Tinubu’s bold stance on local government autonomy.
They made the commendations in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
NAN reports that the Federal Government recently dragged the 36 state governors before the Supreme Court seeking enforcement of full autonomy of the local governments.
Among the injunctions, the Federal Government is urging the apex court to issue an order prohibiting state governors from embarking on arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government chairmen, and constituting caretaker committees in their place.
A former member of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Students’ Representative Council and senior lecturer in the Department of Local Government at OAU, Dr Kazeem Lamidi, noted the long-standing demand for local government autonomy among stakeholders in Nigerian federalism.
“Local governance is crucial for effective governance and clear development agenda.
“The theoretical framework supporting local government autonomy underscores its necessity for minimising external oversight,” Lamidi said
He applauded Tinubu’s efforts to grant local governments a distinct status within the federation, emphasising the importance of direct revenue allocation to facilitate prompt social services delivery and enhance local governance.
This move, he argued, aimed to correct the current imbalance where state governments often assume local responsibilities, fostering a partnership for progress between local and state governments.
On his part, Dr Ayotunde Odewale, the pioneer President of the National Association of Local Government Students at OAU, stressed that Nigeria’s development hinges on strengthening local government institutions.
“Local government autonomy should not negate their interaction with other government tiers, especially regarding concurrent functions like primary education, healthcare, and agricultural development, as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.
“There should be cooperative relationship between local and state governments, moving away from the historically hierarchical dynamic,” Odewale said.
Also, Mr Oluwaloseyi Babaeko, a former CTC Chairman of the Association and past Secretary of the Nigerian Students’ Association at the University of Leeds, UK, asserted that full local government autonomy was overdue.
Babaeko urged the National Assembly to amend Section 162 of the Constitution, which mandated a joint state-local government account.
He decried the current weak state of local governments and called for their financial and political independence to drive national development.
Babaeko also appealed to state governors to support President Tinubu’s initiative and suggested the creation of a Ministry of Local Government at the federal level. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
DMO/OJI/JNC
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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
