Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun has appointed two clerics as Consultants on Religious Matters.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kunle Somorin, the consultants are Bishop Tunde Akin-Akinsanya for the Christian faith and Sheikh Iskeel Lawal, better known as Sugar for the Islamic religion.
The statement stated that with their appointments, Bishop Akin-Akinsanya who is the present chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Sheikh Lawal, the Wakilin Musulumi of Yorubaland including Edo and Delta States, are to ensure inter faith relationship and religious harmony in the state.
Their appointments, “is also in recognition of the role of religion in ensuring the social welfare and wellbeing of the citizens as encapsulated in the “Building of Future Together” Agenda of the present Administration in Ogun State”, the statement added.
The governor noted that though Ogun has been known for religious harmony and tolerance, the two Consultants are expected to work together to further deepen and enhance inter faith harmony in the state.
Abiodun, in the statement, charged the appointees to bring their wide spiritual experience to bear on their new assignment, expressing confidence that their appointment will further put the state on global map of religious harmony and collaboration.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the constitution of an Ad hoc Committee of state’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Commission.
A statement from the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, named the Chief Imam of Ikenne, Alhaji Kehinde Husayn Lawal as chairman and Prof Kamal Balogun as Amirl-Hajj respectively.
Others appointed to serve as members include Dr. Kola Olawunmi, Sheikh Iskeel Lawal Sugar, Sheikh Rufai Sile and Imam AbdulGaniyu Ejalonibu. The rest are Imam Uthman Fasasi Akeukowo, Imam AbdulWasiu Adeniyi Akinboyede, Alhaji Tunde Oladunjoye, Alhaja Bisola Aliu, Dr. Kamilu Akano Raji and Alhaja Yemi Kudirat Rabiu.
The ad hoc commission will supervise the 2022 Hajj operations by the state pilgrims, the statement concluded
We prayed fervently to stop Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from emerging as the presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC).
Revealing this on Monday following the emergence of the former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress was Senator Sandy Onor, the Governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party.
He narrated how himself and members of PDP in the state prayed to stop the emergence of the former Lagos State Governor as the APC standard-bearer because they believed Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained a strong politician to defeat.
The PDP governorship candidate confessed that they never wanted Tinubu to emerge as APC presidential candidate and admitted that the 2023 Presidential contest would be a tough one between Atiku and TInubu.
According to Senator, “It’s going to be an interesting battle but a lot still has to fall in place for us to be in a position to hazard reasonable guesses as to who will eventually win.”
The politician opined that the 2023 presidential election would have been an easy ride for Atiku if Tinubu didn’t pick the presidential ticket of the ruling party, adding that the popularity and influence of the politician described as a serial winner would make it difficult for the PDP presidential candidate.
Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State has called on Nigerians to draw strength from the 1993 general election and make the 2023 exercise even better, equally advocated stringent punishment for violators of due process in elections, declaring that people’s ballots must count and be respected in 2023.
The Governor gave this charge on June 12 Democracy Day celebration held at Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO) Stadium, Kuto Abeokuta.
The governor noted that the struggles of June 12 as orchestrated by late MKO Abiola gave birth to the seamless democracy Nigeria has enjoyed in the last 29 years, emphasising that “only by upholding the tenets of democracy and ensuring its sustainability that we can truly honour the memory of those ideals that Chief MKO Abiola and others stood and died for”.
While saying that the process to a free, fair and credible election begins, among other things, with voters’ participation in the registration exercise, Abiodun stressed that for the 2023 general elections to be a huge success, every eligible Nigerian must register to vote and actually take part in voting on the day of election.
“While it is heart-warming to note that in the last 29 years, we have enjoyed seamless civilian-to-civilian transition, it is only by upholding the tenets of democracy and ensuring its sustainability that we can truly honour the memory of those ideals that Chief MKO Abiola and others stood and died for. People’s ballots must count and be respected, while violators of due process in elections ought to be dealt the full wrath of the law.
“If the ideals matter to us, religion and ethnicity too should not become campaign issues or determinants of who gets what, when, how in our body-politic or become primary considerations in our leadership recruitment and governance processes. I can envision how these Nigerians who gave their all would be cringing in their graves seeing us celebrating divisive vices and our do-or-die politicking”, the governor stated.
He urged political leaders and followers to keep hope and fairplay alive in democracy, tasking them to fashion a way to ensure that will make democracy in Nigeria a means to an end, not an end in itself.
Abiodun further charged Nigerians to internalise democratic values and tenets of the late MKO Abiola and other heroes and heroines on democratic principles and practices.
As part of activities commemorating the 2023 Democracy Day, Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved the committal of six convicts on death row to life imprisonment and also released 40 inmates.
The governor made the pronouncement on Sunday while speaking at the June 12 commemorative anniversary and Nigeria’s Democracy Day, held at the M.K.O International Stadium, Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.
He explained that the committal to life imprisonment and release of the convicted inmates is in accordance with the provisions of Sections 212 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended) and Sections 4 and 5 of the Ogun State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy (Establishment Law), Laws of Ogun State 2006.
“Our schools should teach them and we should hold them in our hearts and not our mouths. We labour in vain if we claim to have laid the ghost of June 12 to rest as long as Nigeria still experiences banditry, insurgency and ethnic champions still hold sway. Rather than all these, we should restore our country back to true federalism and ensure that powers are properly devolved”, he added.
The governor, however, assured that his administration would continue to deliver on its electoral promises and fulfill the dreams of Ogun founding fathers.
“As our administration is in the final year of our first term in office, we will not drop the baton. We will continue to deliver on our mandate. In fact, the people of Ogun State should expect a faster pace in the actualization of our electoral promises. We are determined that Ogun State shall fulfill the dreams of our founding fathers.
“As we reflect on the unquantifiable, selfless sacrifice and contributions of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and other democratic legends towards the development of our fatherland, I enjoin us all to rededicate ourselves to the service and unity of our great nation. Beyond this celebration, I enjoin you all to shun all acts that could be an albatross against the democratic success we have made and continued to sustain in our dear State in the last 36 months. This is the only way we can make progress and achieve our collective dream”. Abiodun submitted.
Highlights of the event included a march past by students, unions, organisations and associations, as well as observation of a minute silence for late Abiola and other legends of democracy.
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama on Sunday said there was nothing to celebrate on Nigeria’s democracy day because of corruption, hunger and other vices which have become a norm.
According to him, Nigeria was nearing collapse as the high level of inflation, unemployment, and hunger have remained worrisome.
Kaigama who stated these in his Homily delivered at St. Augustine Parish in Dutse-Sangbagyi Abuja said that corruption had become a norm of bad conduct in the public offices occupied by successive politicians.
He said, “We should be joyfully celebrating democracy Day today, June 12. But how can we when corruption seems to be institutionalised in a manner that it is okay to spend humongous amounts of money to influence voters and still believe that if such people are elected to political power they will provide transparent governance with honest economic policies?
“How do we celebrate in the midst of escalating prices of essential commodities, hunger and unemployment? How do we celebrate democracy when yet-to-be-identified gunmen pose such a grievous setback in our march towards harmonious and peaceful co-existence? How do we celebrate when corrupt governance and insecurity threaten the present and future of Nigerians?
“Unfortunately, our country seems to be driven by ideologies and interests that only favour a given few.”
The Archbishop accused political of insensitivity, saying that it was disheartening that one week after the carnage at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Owo, Ondo State, the authorities have no immediate verifiable security evidence of the attackers.
2023: Don’t Just Predict Political Future, Speak Truth To Power, Kaigama Charges Clerics
“All that our leaders care about now is guaranteeing their political future, and oblivious of the rude happenings, they go on to spend incredible amounts in both local and foreign currencies to get elected.
“We pray that someday, we may truly become one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity, when Christians, Muslims and traditional religious worshippers will come together to unmask marauders living among us, now emboldened by the poor action of government and the relevant security agencies”, he said.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has challenged Nigerians, particularly the youths to prioritize and go all out to get their permanent voter cards in order to be able to participate in the process of electing their leaders in the forthcoming general elections, advising that asserted that the PVC is more powerful than the AK-47.
Senator Diri made the remark on Sunday while speaking at a non-denominational Democracy Day service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.
He said “Nigerians should be ready with their PVCs because according to him, the current leadership of the country has visited the citizens with hunger, poverty, dwindling economy and above all, wanton destruction of lives and properties.
“The people of this country are the only ones who have the solution to all of these. I call on them to free themselves from the current bondage because, the PVC is more powerful than the AK-47. Their PVC is everything”.
The governor also charged those occupying elective and appointive offices to see themselves as servants while the people that gave them the mandate as their masters to whom they are accountable.
He further stated that elected or appointed officials should regard such positions of authority as a privilege and a platform to better the lot of the people.
His words: “Today being Democracy Day, we should all be reminded to continue to give service to our people. If you have been elected or appointed into key government offices and positions, you should note that It is only but a privilege.
“In all our actions, we should know that those who have given us the mandate to serve them are our masters and we are their servants. If you make yourselves a demi-god, you are only deceiving yourselves.”
Commenting on the recent attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, Senator Diri again condoled with the government and people of the state over the incident.
He said Bayelsa in solidarity with the government of Ondo State has declared that there would be no Democracy Day celebration.
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to conduct a free, fair and transparent electoral process in the forth coming general elections 2023 in 2023.
The president who made this during his June 12 Democracy Day speech pleaded with all citizens to come together and work with Government to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s full speech reads:
Fellow Nigerians, Today, June The 12th, marks another Democracy Day anniversary and an occasion to celebrate freedom and unity of our Nation.
From 1999, we consistently celebrated Democracy Day to mark the end of military rule and the return of power and control into the hands of those freely elected by the people. On this day, Nigerians recommit themselves to ensuring we protect and preserve the ideals of democracy.
In 2018, we moved Democracy Day from 29th of May to the 12th of June. This change was to remind all Nigerians of one free election after which the presumed winner along with Nigerians were denied their rights and their choice.
On June 12th 1993, Nigerians saw the best in our citizens as we all went out to vote peacefully. By June 24th 1993, we also saw the worst of our leadership as the elections were annulled.
We must never forget the sacrifices of the heroes of Nigeria’s democracy during 1993. Their patriotism and peaceful struggle should guide our actions especially when it comes to electing our leaders and holding them accountable, now and in future.
Fellow Nigerians this is my last Democracy Day speech as your President. By June 12th, 2023, exactly one year from today, you will already have a new President. I remain committed and determined to ensure that the new President is elected through a peaceful and transparent process.
It is important for all of us to remember that June 12th, 2023 will be exactly 30 years from the 1993 Presidential elections. In honour and memory of one of our national heroes for democracy, Chief M.K.O Abiola, GCFR, we must all work together to ensure this transition is done in a peaceful manner.
I am hopeful that we can achieve this. The signs so far are positive. Recently, all registered political parties conducted primaries to select their candidates for the 2023 general elections.
These primaries were peaceful and orderly. Those who won were magnanimous in their victories. Those who lost were gracious in defeat. And those aggrieved opted to seek judicial justice as opposed to jungle justice. I followed the party primaries closely from the state level to the Presidential level. I was very impressed to see across all the political parties that, most candidates ran issued based campaigns. The language and tone throughout were on the whole measured and controlled.
Another positive that came from the 2022 party primaries was the significant increase in women and youth particularly across all parties. I was very pleased to see this development. This augurs well for the future. These trends clearly show the level of maturity our democracy has achieved in the last 23 years.
As we move into the general election campaign season, we must sustain this mature attitude to campaigning and ultimately, voting. We must never see it as a “do or die” affair. We must all remember democracy is about the will of the majority. There must be winners and losers.
I will therefore take this opportunity on this very special day to ask all candidates to continue running issue focused campaigns and to treat opponents with dignity. As leaders, you must all showcase high character and never forget that the world is watching us and Africa looks up to Nigeria to provide example in governance. The tone you set at the top will surely be replicated in your followers.
For the voters, I am pleased to inform you that in the last 7 years, our government across all tiers, has made significant investments to reform and enhance our electoral laws, systems, and processes to safeguard your votes.
The Executive, Legislature and Judiciary were and still remain united and committed to ensure these reforms are fully implemented in the 2023 general elections. Fellow Nigerians, your right to choose your government will be preserved and protected.
I know many of us are concerned with the rise in insecurity due to terrorist activities in parts of the country. As a government, we are working hard to contain and address these challenges. And ensure that the 2023 general elections are safe and secure for all Nigerians.
To achieve this however, we must all contribute. It is not the job of government alone. I ask all citizens to support and cooperate with our security agencies by reporting any suspicious characters and activities to law enforcement agencies. We can only have a safe country if we are able to prevent crime not after the crime has been committed.
On this special day, I want us all to put all victims of terrorist activities in our thoughts and prayers. I am living daily with the grief and worry for all those victims and prisoners of terrorism and kidnapping. I and the security agencies are doing all we can to free those unfortunate countrymen and countrywomen safely.
For those who have lost their lives, we will continue to seek justice for their families against the perpetrators. For those currently in captivity, we will not stop until they are freed, and their kidnappers are brought to justice. If we all unite, we will be victorious against these agents of terror and destruction.
We have reformed some of our security structures. Some of the defence assets we procured three years ago have arrived and have been deployed.
Our cyber security and surveillance systems are being upgraded to further enhance our ability to track and trace criminal elements. We are also recruiting and training new personnel across all our security and intelligence agencies to strengthen the country’s over-all security.
I will conclude this Democracy Day speech, my last as President, by assuring you of my commitment to protect Nigeria and Nigerians from all enemies from within and outside. I am also promising you a free, fair and transparent electoral process. And I am pleading with all citizens to come together and work with Government to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.
The Nigerian Nation state has once again lost one of her music, icons few months after the demise of Music, Sir Victor Uwaifo.
This time is another Edo state Music Ambassador, Osayomore Joseph whose demise was announced yesterday by Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Edo State Chapter.
Osayomore Joseph who died at the age of 70 was He was said to have died peacefully on Saturday, about 3 months to his birthday.
Former Niger-Delta militants’ leader, Asari Dokubo has charged Nigerians to cast their votes for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu because, according to him Tinubu is caring and kind.
Dokubo who made this call in a video currently trending online, declaring his support for Tinubu in the fast approaching 2023 elections recalled how Tinubu took care of his family when he was in prison.
Asari Dokubo in the video narrated how Tinubu has been kind and helpful to him, he also revealed that Tinubu once wanted him to join politics.
“When I was in prison, these people were so kind to me, Tinubu paid my children’s school fees, he gave me a house, he also gave my wife a house.”
He also revealed that Tinubu did all these without calling him to inform him. He said that Tinubu, being a presidential candidate is an opportunity for the people and that shouldn’t be missed. “I know the truth and I know what the ordinary people would miss if they fail to vote for Tinubu, if they fail to grab this opportunity…”
He stated that this would be Tinubu’s last service to Nigeria and Nigerian, adding that if Nigerians failed to grab it, it would be a colossal loss.
Governor Abiodun has given assurances of his readiness to support the flag bearer of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next political process that has now begun ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
The Governor gave this declaration today when he paid a visit to the National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to congratulate him on his emergence as the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) which he described on his twitter account as, “our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC”.
Residents of a Lagos State Development and Property Company (LSDPC) Estate, Odogunyan Road, Ikorodu, Lagos recently ran for safety as drunken policemen shot sporadically, killing a dog and leaving many injured while running for dear lives.
We gathered from the residents of the estate that the police had gathered at the bar located by one of the entrances into the state for drinking, and after a while they started throwing jabs at the residents of the estate and. One of the resident who spoke on condition of anonymity narrated that the policemen even threatened them, making denigrating statements such, “Who be the baga! Who them be? Who wan check am? Who wan die?
This residents said at that points parents, some residents hurriedly closed their shops, some started dragging their children and wards into their flat while other were seeing locking their shops and doors leading to their flats. “Unfortunately, after sometimes, I think they had become so drunk and started shooting sporadically. The whole residents and other people within the vicinity scampered for safety, at the end of the shooting spree, a dog was killed”.
According to another resident of the estate who also preferred anonymity for fear of molestation said they approached the young lady who run the bar and expressed their resentment and fear over the incidence but she did not bite an eyelid nor apologise to the residents of them.
The residents of the estate and the owner of the dog killed during the shooting reported the case to Sagamu Road Police Station with the view to bring the policemen involved to book, but upon their investigation, the Divisional Police Officer said the policemen were not from the station, hence not under him as a result there was no way they could be identified.
Further investigation by our team showed that the young woman who run the bar named, Ifeoluwa and her friends knew them very well because some of them are allegedly dating them. Our impeccable source also revealed that on some occasions the police would be so drunk that they would forgot their official rifles with fully loaded with magazine inside the bar that the women would call them to pick them up or other times keep these rifles fully loaded with magazine for them.
We gathered the bar which, under its original owner used to be a spot where many residents would gather and frolic without any record of atrocious case has now under Ifeoluwa been causing palpable fear as these killer policemen constantly hang around and threatening the residents of the estate, adding that, Ifeoluwa, at the behest of the policemen has been bragging that there was nothing anyone could do to her or the policemen.
The residents are now calling on the Lagos State Police Commander, particularly the Commissioner, CP Abiodun Alabi to wade into the matter with a view to bringing the policemen to book and also forestall wreaking havoc on them and their children.
a) 25% annual budget for education b) 10% annual budget for health c) Decentralisation of police d) Introduction of commodity exchange e) Total deregulation of oil market and building of national storage to sustain supply f) Stimulation of production and manufacturing for export g) Target of 15,000MW generation and distribution of electricity
Presidential Candidate and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has shared his manifesto for the transformation of Nigeria if elected president of the country.
The APC presidential aspirant, according to a press statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Director of Media and Communication, said his team will lead Nigeria to a new era of economic prosperity, peace, security and political stability.
Tinubu, the Governor of Lagos State between 1999-2007, presented his vision within five thematic areas.
He promised to improve security by decentralising the policing of the country and creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs simultaneously.
He promised to transform Nigeria into an enviable country and one where there will be justice, peace and prosperity for all, with a “robust economy”.
Titled ‘My Vision for Nigeria’, Tinubu promised in the document, “a nation transformed into greatness, the pride of Africa, a role model for all black people worldwide, and respected among all other countries.
“A vibrant and thriving democracy and a prosperous nation with a fast-growing industrial base, capable of producing the most basic needs of the people and exporting to other countries of the world.
“A country with a robust economy, where prosperity is broadly shared by all irrespective of class, region, and religion.
“A nation where its people enjoy all the basic needs, including a safe and secure environment, abundant food, affordable shelter, health care, and quality primary education for all.
“A nation founded on justice, peace, and prosperity for all.”
On economy, Tinubu promised to build an economy that will make the nation’s Gross Development Product grow quicker annually for the next four years while also providing jobs for millions of youths in the country.
He also promised to launch a new National Industrial Policy focused on special intervention to reinvigorate specific strategic industries.
“I will focus on stimulating jobs, which will be my top priority as President. I will get Nigeria to work by launching a major public works program, a significant and heavy investment in infrastructure, and value-adding manufacturing and agriculture.
“My administration will build an efficient, fast-growing, and well-diversified emerging economy with a real GDP growth averaging 12% annually for the next four years, translating into millions of new jobs during this period,” he said.
Tinubu also promised to create six new Regional Economic Development Agencies which will establish sub-regional industrial hubs to exploit each zone’s competitive advantage and optimise their potential for industrial growth.
The presidential aspirant also promised to formulate a new National Policy on Agriculture to boost food production.
He promised to promote the establishment of new commodity exchange boards, while also strengthening the one in Lagos in order to guarantee minimum pricing for agricultural products such as cotton, cocoa, rice, soya beans, corn, palm kernel, and groundnuts.
On infrastructure, Tinubu promised to “Build A New Nigeria (BANN)” by developing a National Infrastructure plan, which would cover strategic roads, bridges, rail, water, power, seaports, and airports spanning the length and breadth of the country.
He said his administration will combine government funding, borrowing, public private partnership, private sector financing and concession to initiate a medium and long-term financial model for the BANN initiative.
Tinubu further stated that his administration would target an electricity distribution goal of 15,000 megawatts across the country and ensure a sustainable 24/7 supply.
“On Electricity, I will embark on a renewed action-oriented focus and take immediate and urgent action on resolving existing challenges of power generation plants, gas purchasing, pricing, transmission, and distribution. My administration’s critical goal is to have 15,000 megawatts distributable to all categories of consumers nationwide to ensure 24/7 sustainable supply within the next four years,” he added.
On the oil and gas sector, Tinubu said there will be no need for a subsidy because the market will be open and transparent.
“Supply will come from local refineries, and the forces of demand and supply will determine the price of petroleum products”.
My administration will establish a National Strategic Reserve for Petroleum Products to stabilize supply during unexpected shortages or surplus periods. This will eliminate any form of product shortages and prevent wild swings in prices.
Tinubu also spoke about his administrations promise in the area of education, promising to increase the spending on education to 25 per cent of the nation’s budget.
He promised to continue the free school feeding programme of the APC, feeding “millions of primary school children across the country”.
On tertiary education, Tinubu said his administration eradicate strikes by tertiary institution workers by encouraging the tertiary institutions to source for funds through grants and corporate sponsorships, with all the institutions granted financial autonomy.
Just like education, Tinubu also promised to increase the funding for health care in the annual budget to 10 per cent. According to him the National Health Insurance Scheme will be relaunched to grant health insurance cover to most Nigerians.
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