AGAIN, PRESIDENCY ATTACKS ATIKU FOR SUGGESTING WHAT HE WOULD’VE DONE DIFFERENTLY FROM TINUBU
AGAIN, PRESIDENCY ATTACKS ATIKU FOR SUGGESTING WHAT HE WOULD’VE DONE DIFFERENTLY FROM TINUBU The presidency has released the statement below as its second response to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who last week suggested things he would have done differently from the current government had he been elected president. In his statement on 3 November, Atiku listed some of the things he would have done differently if he were president. He said he would not have removed the petrol subsidy at once and would not have done it at the same time as other reforms. He also said he would have privatised the four state-owned refineries contrary to the utilisation of public funds to repair them by the Tinubu administration. In his first response the same day, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Atiku’s suggestions were rejected by Nigerians who chose Bola Tinubu as president instead of Atiku in the 2023 election. Mr Onanuga said Atiku’s programmes “would have plunged Nigeria into a worse situation or run a regime of cronyism.” In his latest statement on Sunday, Mr Onanuga again criticised Atiku’s suggestions. “It is perplexing that he would elevate his untested, hypothetical proposal, which Nigerians soundly rejected during the 2023 Presidential Election, and seek to present it as a superior alternative to the multi-faceted reform programmes implemented by the Tinubu administration,” he wrote. Read Mr Onanuga’s latest statement below. TIME FOR ATIKU ABUBAKAR TO END HIS GRAND ILLUSIONS AND FANTASIES Since his defeat in the last election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shown more interest in undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu than in addressing his party’s implosion. We suspect he is envious of Tinubu’s position—an office he has unsuccessfully sought six times. It is perplexing that he would elevate his untested, hypothetical proposal, which Nigerians soundly rejected during the 2023 Presidential Election, and seek to present it as a superior alternative to the multi-faceted reform programmes implemented by the Tinubu administration. If his plan lacked popular appeal, he must acknowledge that merely repackaging it will not resolve the social and economic challenges his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) bequeathed after 16 years.Atiku’s economic analysis demonstrates a significant misunderstanding of Nigeria’s realities. His narrative, “What We Would Have Done Differently,” indicates an inability to engage with the pressing economic realities being revitalised multidimensionally under President Tinubu’s leadership..What reforms would Atiku propose at the onset of his hypothetical and fabled presidency? While he suggests a consultation period upon assuming office, the reality is that the Nigerian economy requires immediate and decisive action. A leader must be prepared to tackle challenges from Day One, as President Tinubu has done. Atiku, going further to accuse President Tinubu of “stealing his presidency,” exposed his sense of entitlement and his disconnect from the electorate. The truth is that Tinubu rightfully won the presidency, a position Atiku was simply unqualified for due to his arrogance, insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity, and the decision to disregard his party’s power rotation arrangement between the North and the South after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku’s idea of a consultation period upon entering office shows a troubling lack of awareness regarding the state of the economy, which was in dire need of urgent action. The Tinubu administration came prepared with a firm action plan to address the shortcomings that persisted during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s time when Atiku was vice president. We can only speculate what detrimental impact Atiku’s proposed lengthy town hall and Village Square meetings would have had on Nigeria’s economy if he had been elected president and taken such an approach. The country needed a proactive leader such as Tinubu, who immediately set to work on addressing economic challenges rather than one who would have squandered precious time on consultations and a…
OBASEKI IN LAGOS, DIDN’T FLEE NIGERIA
OBASEKI IN LAGOS, DIDN’T FLEE NIGERIA Outgoing Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has been spotted in Lagos, contrary to claims by governor-elect Senator Monday Okpebholo that Obaseki had fled Nigeria. This news comes from sources who informed SaharaReporters of the sighting on Sunday evening. Godwin Obaseki has been the Governor of Edo State since 2016. His initial election was under the All Progressives Congress (APC) but he later joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Okpebholo had accused Obaseki of fleeing Nigeria through the land borders. Okpebholo is expected to be sworn into office on Tuesday, meaning that Obaseki will lose his immunity. Obaseki last week said he heard that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was planning to arrest him after the expiration of his tenure as governor. In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday and signed by his media aide, Godspower Inegbe, Okpebholo said Obaseki’s whereabouts were unknown. The statement accused Obaseki of chasing out everyone from the Government House on Friday before escaping to a yet-to-be known location days before his official departure from office. “As of Friday, 8th of November, the whereabouts of Obaseki are unknown. He has chased everyone out of Edo State Government House. He has abandoned governance in the State, and he is on the run. “He has escaped through the road out of Benin. He did not pass through the airport. If he is as popular as he claims, why did he not use the airport to escape? Instead, he hired a bus and disguised while escaping from Edo State. “Obaseki is trying to push out these narratives in order to distract the public. His antics will not work. We know his plans, and we will continue to expose his shenanigans to Edo people,” the statement read. However, SaharaReporters learnt that Obaseki was spotted in Lagos on Sunday evening. “Obaseki did not flee Nigeria; it is a lie. There was nothing like that. He is in Lagos right now as I speak so there is no truth to the claim made by the governor-elect,” one of the sources said. Obaseki, on Saturday, claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to his inauguration slated for next Tuesday. “Obaseki will soon lose his immunity and if he continues to make his baseless claims, he will face the full wrath of the law very soon and he will prove his unfounded allegations when he is dragged to court,” Okpebholo warned in the statement.
PETER OBI HAS POTENTIAL TO BECOME PRESIDENT IN 2027 – UTOMI, YUNUSA
PETER OBI HAS POTENTIAL TO BECOME PRESIDENT IN 2027 – UTOMI, YUNUSA Dr. Tanko Yunusa, National Coordinator of Obidient Movement, an umbrella body working to actualize the ambition of Peter Obi, the presidentiial candidate of Labour Party, LP in the 2023 general election, has expressed optimism that Obi would clinch victory in the 2027 presidential election, based on his pedigree and antecedent. Yunusa contended that history would no longer repeat itself whereby Obi won the 2023 and was denied victory through electoral fraud, adding that this time around, Obidient Movement would push for electoral reform, have enough agents at the polling units, ensure that INEC chairman would not be appointed by the president but by the masses. Yunusa who spoke in Onitsha, Anambra state on Saturday during a good governance symposium organized by the Obidient Movement in the Southeast geo-politucal zone, said since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has failed the North, the East and even the West, Obi has the potential to become the next president in 2027. Similarly, Prof. Pat Utomi, the Keynote Speaker at the symposium noted that since all avenues have failed to produce a good president for the country for many years now, the next option is to go through such a formidable movement like the Obidient Movement to achieve the desired objective. According to Utomi, “this movement is about sacrifice and together we can make Nigeria a new one”. Earlier, the convener of Peter Obi Support Network and Chairman of symposium Planning Committee, Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke noted that the Good Governance Symposium was to Chart a New Course for the Obidient Movement in the South-East in partnership with Anambra State Support Groups, adding that the Symposium focused on strengthening and repositioning the Movement for greater impact and strategic development. Others who spoke at the event were governorrship aspirants of the Labour Party, Chief Valentine Ozigbo, Chief John Nwosu and Chief Ikenna Azomcine who noted that there is a need to change the face of Anambra state.
MY TASK IS POLITICAL, TASK IS TO CAPTURE KANO FOR APC – MINISTER
, MY APPOINTMENT IS POLITICAL, TASK IS TO CAPTURE KANO FOR APC – MINISTER The newly appointed minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, has said his mission is to deliver Kano state to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. Ata made this known shortly after his maiden visit to Kano after being sworn into the Federal Executive Council. Speaking to journalists, he said, “My appointment was mainly for political reason, APC has lost Kano state and now it will take Kano state. The main problem is the Kano Central and I am from there. “Even as a minister I will continue to sit in this Ward, we are going to work very hard to see that APC gains control of Kano State by 2027. “My mission like I said is purely political, even that I am posted to the ministry of housing and urban development, I will do my work but I will be coming to Kano state every week so as to work towards gaining control of the state.” Ata appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment, adding that it is not for his own person but for the citizens of Kano and Nigeria as well. He therefore assured the president that come 2027, Kano is going to be for APC. “This is my assurance given to the President,” he said.
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- November 10, 2024
- 47 views
EXPERTS SUGGEST LEADERSHIP MODELS FOR AFRICA TO ENHANCE DEVELOPMENT
EXPERTS SUGGEST LEADERSHIP MODELS FOR AFRICA TO ENHANCE DEVELOPMENT The PMI in a recent report had said Africa must address the current manpower shortage in project management for capacity building for growth. Experts at the Project Management Institute (PMI) South Africa, have put forward innovations which seek to challenge the leadership approaches in Africa, in order to foster growth and development. The PMI in a release to celebrate the International Project Management (IPM) Day 2024 said the experts brought forward “traditional and international project management standards” with authentic insights. The PMI in a recent report had said Africa must address the current manpower shortage in project management for capacity building for growth. According to the report, there is an increase in the number of jobs requiring project management skills, especially in developing and emerging countries. Meanwhile, the key expert, Dr Lambert Ofoegbu at the PMI South Africa charter under the global project management umbrella said, “This groundbreaking innovation seeks to promote leadership perspectives on Agile and Hybrid Approaches throughout Africa, fostering growth, development, and raising traditional and international project management standards with authentic insights.” Ofoegbu also led a virtual panel discussion featuring distinguished PMI Fellows who examined his contributions to shaping global practice standards and noted that they were truly remarkable. The statement said Ofoegbu, who is past President of the PMI Nigeria Chapter, and a pioneer in the field of project management, has enhanced PMI’s global project management standards. The event attracted a large and engaged audience of project management professionals from around the globe. The panel of experts, comprising seasoned PMI Fellows, shared their invaluable insights and experiences on the challenges and opportunities presented by Agile and hybrid methodologies. Frank Saladis, a PMI Fellow and a founder of IPM Day, oriented the discussion by highlighting the tenets of Agile (Adaptive) and Waterfall (Predictive) Methodologies, exhibiting over 35 years of professional practice. Consistently, other PMI Fellows as panellists – Beth Ouellette (a Programme Management Professional and a Disciplined Agile Champion), and Dr Alphonso Bucero (Portfolio Management and Risk Management Professional) honed the discussion from the leadership perspectives to determine how to apply a project management methodology in hybrid projects with complex requirements. The distinguished PMI Fellows equally dissected the role leadership play in managing team dynamics and communication within a hybrid Agile-Waterfall framework, where methodologies may sometimes clash. They also highlighted common challenges and how to overcome them. “Point Blanc with PMI Fellows” is a virtual panel discussion series established by Dr. Lambert Ofoegbu and Mr Thomas Walenta (a PMI Fellow, and a past Global PMI Board Member). The statement said the series aimed to provide a platform for PMI Fellows to share their expertise on emerging trends and best practices in project management. The “Point Blanc with PMI Fellows” series, conceived and led by Dr. Ofoegbu, has proven to be a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and networking within the project management community. The PMI South Africa Chapter said its hosting of the event further solidified its commitment to delivering high-quality professional development opportunities by the Chapter Leadership. The PMI South Africa Chapter President Tunde Ojo-Aromokudu, a Project Management and Construction Professional (PMP, PMI-CP) and the VP of Professional Development Victor Chidongo, a Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) appreciated PMI Fellows and the Convener of “Point Blanc with PMI Fellows” Panel of Discussion series for bringing the IPM Day edition to their doorstep.
TINUBU WORSE THAN ABACHA, TARGETED MINORS TO PREVENT FUTURE PROTESTS – ADEYANJU
TINUBU WORSE THAN ABACHA, TARGETED MINORS TO PREVENT FUTURE PROTESTS – ADEYANJU Activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu was behind the arraignment of minors arrested during the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. Adeyanju said the minors were arraigned by Tinubu’s administration to serve as a deterrent to prevent further protests in Nigeria. The Nigerian government had arraigned 72 protesters for engaging in the nationwide EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest. Out of the 72 protesters, 32 were minors and were initially arraigned in an Abuja Federal High Court on charges of treason. However, the Nigerian government withdrew the charges against the minors following an outcry from Nigerians. Speaking with DAILY POST, Adeyanju said Tinubu was worse than former Military Head of State, Sani Abacha. He said: “The aim was not to prosecute the kids; the aim was to deter people from protesting. They want to send a clear message that if you try it, we will detain you for 93 days. If we can detain children, who are you that we will not detain? We will detain you, we will dehumanize you, and we will starve you. “They denied us access to seeing the children. They denied us legal representation in contravention of the constitution, and denied their families and parents from seeing them repeatedly. “What else can be more than that when it comes to the issue of torture? That’s torture. Denied them food, that’s torture, simpliciter. The government is just a huge joke, the government is not different from a military regime. There’s no difference. “Tell me, Abacha did not arrest or arraign children in an open court. This president fled the country when Abacha was looking for him; he didn’t want to be arrested when Abacha was looking for him. “Today, he is the one arresting children and putting them on trial for treasonable felony while bandits roam about the whole country free. Bandits operate for 7, 8 hours unchallenged in most parts of the country.”
- Foreign Affairs
- November 10, 2024
- 166 views
ISRAEL ACCUSES IRAN OF PLOTTING TO DESTABILIZE NIGERIA
ISRAEL ACCUSES IRAN OF PLOTTING TO DESTABILIZE NIGERIA The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said on Tuesday that Iran’s “nefarious activities” have spread from the Middle East to Africa and particularly, Nigeria. He added that the Iranian forces were “working to destabilise” Nigeria. The Israeli envoy made the statement in Abuja on Tuesday at the screening of the documentary titled ‘We Will Dance Again: Surviving October 7th’ by Yariv Mozer organised to commemorate first anniversary since Hamas invaded Israel and abducted its citizens. The militant group abducted 396 partygoers in Israel and released some of them following the intervention of the U.S. and UN. But 101 people are still being held hostage and used to negotiate with Israel. Mr Freeman described Iranians as “tyrants” whose proxies from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon wreaked devastation on different countries and threw millions into misery, noting that Nigeria was among the nation’s victims. “The tyrants in Tehran are responsible for the destabilisation of countries and the misery of millions,” the Israeli envoy claimed on Wednesday. “Yet, Iran’s nefarious activities are not limited to the Middle East. Let me be clear, Iran’s leaders are also working to destabilise Western Africa, including here in Nigeria,” he alleged. Israel had extended the war on Gaza to Lebanon —one of Hamas’s strongest allies—launching missiles that have killed hundreds and destroyed critical infrastructure. Mr Freeman stated that Israel would halt its incursion on Lebanon on one condition, —”the full implementation of UN resolution 1701” stipulating demilitarisation and disarmament of Hezbollah forces. “The war in Lebanon will only end with the full implementation of UN resolution 1701 – with Hezbollah unable to rearm, and pushed back beyond the Litani River and the Lebanese army in control of the South of Lebanon,” Mr Freeman insisted. The envoy thanked the Nigerian government and the U.S. for standing by Israel during its war against multiple nations. “Over the past year, the support shown by President Biden, as well as by Republicans and Democrats alike has been overwhelming and I am confident that whoever wins today’s (Tuesday) presidential election, will continue that steadfast support. But it hasn’t just been the U.S., and I want to thank all of those countries that have stood by us, publicly and behind the scenes,” said Mr Freeman “I also want to thank all of our friends in Nigeria who have stood with us.” The Iranian authorities did not immediately return comments to claims of plotting to destabilise Nigeria. Mr Freeman stated, “This is not a war we wanted. This is not a war we started. Hamas and Hezbollah attacked Israel. And today we face a war on seven fronts – all of it sponsored by Iran.
THE RETURN OF KWASHIORKOR
THE RETURN OF KWASHIORKOR kwashiorkor is back in town.The revelation emanated from Dr Foluso Balogun, a paediatrician at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan that “for the first time in many years, children with kwashiorkor are seen in this part of the country.”According to the report, “Kwashiorkor is a severe form of protein malnutrition. Children who eat diets low in caloric and protein are most likely to suffer from kwashiorkor. Infants and children are typically affected, usually from the time of weaning until age five. The illness is prevalent in areas of the world that are impoverished and have extremely high rates of starvation.”Just as I was wailing about the return of kwashiorkor, the news broke of the arraignment in open court of dozens of malnourished children detained for three months for protesting against the hunger regime of the government.Four of the kid detainees fainted in court to the astonishment of the whole wide world.Members of the Hallelujah Chorus of the incumbent government croaked that the fainting kids were only play-acting!Nigeria’s image was damaged all over the world for detaining and charging hungry children with treason. The internet and social media went into overdrive to put Nigeria to global shame and odium.President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could not but order the immediate release of the detained minors and the stoppage of their trial.But the harm had been done, and the Nigerian regime must perforce suffer the adverse consequences therefrom.There is a connection between children suffering from kwashiorkor and detained malnourished minors being charged with treason.It all boils down to man’s inhumanity in the dispensation of totalitarian power in the name of democracy.All the concern of the powers-that-be is devoted to keeping power instead of fighting issues like hunger and starvation.The starving ones are left with the only option of protests to gain any attention from the uncaring government.Given that the unpopular regime is on edge all the time, any form of protest is deemed as high treason.It is ever so benumbing seeing agents of the government making believe that all is well with a country that is in disarray and completely broken.Families are so broke and can no longer feed, yet the politicians are talking of winning elections and re-elections.The politicians have hopelessly divided Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines such that they can get away with murder.And the return of kwashiorkor spells murder, an apt metaphor for the Nigeria of the here and now.The disease knows no ethnic group as it malevolently launches its ferocious attack across all the geo-political zones.Just as the parochial politicians are claiming “it is my turn”, kwashiorkor is countering with its own charge of “it’s my turn”.The poor folks suffering from malnutrition and kwashiorkor are doomed to die sad, painful deaths before the uncaring eyes of gluttonous politicians.A short history of the coming of kwashiorkor can be traced back to when the then opposition politicians marched on the streets against then President Goodluck Jonathan for removing petrol subsidy.The opposition gained power through General Muhammadu Buhari thereafter, and literally everything went downhill for the country.Even the sidekick opposition star Bola Ahmed Tinubu who took over power from Buhari made bold to stress that he inherited a bankrupt country from the Katsina man from Daura.The first statement out of the mouth of Tinubu as president was: “Petrol subsidy is gone.”It’s cool by me to recall that Tinubu had protested when then President Jonathan put the price of petrol at N140, but now under his watch petrol is a princely N1400!Even so, the Bulaba Hallelujah Chorus cannot stop praising their president for being strong in taking a bold step!It’s just like the title character Rip Van Winkle in the short story by Washington Irving who woke up after 20 years of…
NSA, RIBADU ORGANIZING NATIONAL PRAYER WHILE TERRORISTS KILL CITIZENS – AISHA YESUFU
NSA, RIBADU, ORGANIZING NATIONAL PRAYER WHILE TERRORISTS KILL CITIZENS – AISHA YESUFU Aisha Yesufu, a social critic, has criticized Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, over the insecurity in the country. Aisha said Ribadu is organizing national prayer while terrorists are killing citizens. The statement followed the mass burial of the fifteen victims of a tragic attack in Kebbi State. At least 15 persons were killed by a new Jihadist group, “Lakurawa” in the State. “The so-called National Security Adviser @NuhuRibadu is organizing national prayer while terrorists are killing citizens. The terrorists know that instead of Commander-in-Chief Nigeria has Certificate Forger-In-Chief,” Aisha posted on X. Nigerian military had on Friday said it has identified a new terror group, Lakurawa operating in Kebbi and Sokoto States. The terror group is reportedly affiliated with jihadi factions in Mali and Niger, raising security concerns in the northwestern part of the country. The so called National Security Adviser @NuhuRibadu is organizing national prayer while terrorists are killing citizens. The terrorists know that instead of Commander – in- Chief Nigeria has Certificate Forger -In- Chief
OBASEKI DISSOLVES CABINET AHEAD OF TUESDAY HANDOVER
OBASEKI DISSOLVES CABINET AHEAD OF TUESDAY HANDOVER Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state on Friday dissolved the state executive council ahead of Monday Okpebholo’s inauguration as the new governor of the state. Obaseki, who was sworn in on November 12, 2016, is due to hand over to Okpebholo on Tuesday, 12 November. Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the September 21, 2024, governorship election. Obaseki dissolved the cabinet shortly after a valedictory at the Government House in Benin, the Edo State capital. Speaking, the governor commended members of the council for helping him in driving the government’s vision of making Edo great again. He also commended the people of the state for “supporting, praying, and collaborating” with his administration throughout his tenure The outgoing commissioners and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) took turns to present awards and gifts to the outgoing governor.