Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has urged Nigerians not to allow the 2023 general elections to fail.
Allowing such failure, he said, will increase political polarisation, exacerbate social fault lines and set Nigeria’s democracy backwards.
Governor Wike gave the charge at the 2023 Port Harcourt International Conference, sponsored by Rivers State government, with the theme: Deepening Democratic Culture and Institutions for Sustainable Development and Security in Nigeria”, that held at Obi Wali International Conference in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The governor noted that barely one month away, Nigerians are hoping and praying for the 2023 general elections to herald the deepening of democratic culture, the rule of law and good governance in the country.
But the opportunity to elect a new President of the federation and 30 State Governors, governor Wike insisted, should be a success because it will consolidate and strengthen the roots of democracy in the national life of Nigeria.
“In a democracy, periodic elections are the only legitimate means for the peaceful transfer of power from one party to another. Since 1999, Nigeria has had six general election circles, but none was considered substantially clean and fair.
“The outcome of the 2003 general elections was rejected at different levels by the opposition and the losers, and litigated up to the Supreme Court. The outcome of the 2007 elections led to protests, riots, the loss of several lives, and the destruction of property in particular sections of the country.”
Governor Wike recalled that even President Musa Ya’ardua had promised necessary electoral reforms when he publicly denounced the process that brought him to power because it was severely flawed. According to Governor Wike, the 2011 general election also suffered a similar experience and was litigated by the opposition to the Supreme Court.
“None of the defeated contestants believed they lost fairly and blamed the umpire, the security agencies and politicians for undermining our democracy with brazen electoral fraud.”
Governor Wike noted that the 2015 general election, though considered rigged, recorded some improvements with the use of the smart card reader and the emergence of opposition candidates as the winners of the presidential.
The governor said the 2019 general election was equally problematic and rejected as highly compromised by the opposition and litigated up to the Supreme Court.
“In Rivers State, we battled the military in the 2016 and 2019 re-run and general elections with pure courage and determination to secure our victory and retain our mandate with the sweat and blood of innocent citizens.”
Governor Wike pointed out that when the government compromises the integrity of elections through election management agencies, it denies citizens their constitutional right to elect the leaders they want and can hold accountable.
Conversely, he emphasised, when elections lack integrity, the leaders who emerged from outside the people’s will are illegitimate.
“Such leaders without trust are likely to be authoritarian, divisive and incapable of effective governance. Serial election rigging threatens our democracy and constitutes an existential challenge to the nation’s future stability.
“Therefore, deepening democratic culture and institutions for sustainable development and security is important to us as a nation, and free and fair elections with integrity remain the only path to achieving this objective.”
Speaking further, governor Wike said the new electoral law, especially with the provisions of the use of technology, holds the prospect for a brighter democratic experience for Nigeria if implemented effectively.
However, he stressed, that beyond the legal regime, political parties’ internal practices and external electioneering behaviour must conform to democratic norms and standards.
“The efficiency of the judiciary in interpreting and enforcing the existing regulatory regime, including the laws, regulations and guidelines beyond reproach and the capacity and consistency of INEC and the Security Agencies to be firm, impartial and independent in the discharge of their functions are most crucial.
“Safeguarding and deepening our democracy lies with every citizen. We must have the courage to stand up for justice, the rule of law, an independent and courageous judiciary, and our rights and freedoms to vote and be voted in a transparent election.”
Presenting his keynote address, former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who titled his paper: “Respecting the Principles of Democracy”, noted that Nigeria’s democracy has gone through twists, dives and turns since political independence. The best of the country’s history has been the sustenance of democracy since the military transfer of power to an elected government in 1999.
He however, observed that there may be reasons to doubt how much lessons the leaders and followers have drawn from the country’s past and how far they are willing to go to deepen, widen and strengthen democracy and democratic practice.
The former president declared that the ways in which the political class have practised democracy have deepened contradictions, negative coalitions, distrust, disloyalty and unpatriotic tendencies within and between communities and constituencies all over the country. He stated that this means that there is a deep structural and philosophical problems that must be deal with.
He informed that if the practice of democracy is superficial and opportunistic and it is designed to pursue a struggle of limited objectives, it would precipitate variants of fractured engagements that cannot address structural and philosophical contradictions and challenges.
“In fact, the order of the day would be community against community, religion against religion, leader against leader. Ordinary citizens are then dragged into the directionless, meaningless and opportunistic personal or narrow ambitions of leaders. The end result will be confusion, diffusion, distraction and possibly leading to separation and disintegration.”
He stressed that democracy is possible in Nigeria and the people have the capacity to build a culture of democratization. However, he insisted that Nigerians must recognise and accept the fact that it is an evolutionary process with principles.
“Without retracing our political steps to the right direction, the current process will either not produce the right leaders or it will leave so many broken blocks on the path to governance and attract resources and energy away from the task of rebuilding Nigeria and consolidating our democratic practice.
“The result will be democratic quagmire, increased corruption, insecurity and survival of the fittest, richest and better connected with little or no recognition of merits. The implications and cost of such a scenario to our present and future can best be imagined. I pray that God will grant us the wisdom to do what is right for our country and people at all times and more so now.”
In his opening remarks, former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who was the chairman of the occasion said the theme of the conference addresses itself to the imperative of enhancing democratic governance to the benefit of Nigerians and the country.
Fayemi pointed to the scholarly assertions of late Claude Ake, on feasibility and possibility of democracy wherein there has to be enduring democratic culture and democracy being structured to be developmental in nature.
He observed that Nigeria’s democracy is bedevilled by lack of party based politics, issued based politicking, untamed political violence, winner take all mentality, growing influence of money in politics, exploitation of loophole to subvert the will of the people and social media and spread of fake news.
“Though, there are some political milestones achieved since1999, there is no doubt that we still have a Longway to go in building a robust culture of power and politics that is both Democratic and sustaining.”
As part of the event, there was the unveiling of the book, “Bridging Rivers”, under the chairmanship of former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili.
January 26, 2023.

PRESIDENT BUHARI CELEBRATES WITH FORMER MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, CHIEF EBENEZER BABATOPE AT 80
President Muhammadu Buhari sends greetings to former Minister of Transportation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, on his 80th birthday, rejoicing with family members, friends and political associates on the milestone.
President Buhari congratulates the elder statesman for devoting his public life to pursuing the good of the country, starting out early as pro-democracy activist, and serving as Director of Organisation of the Unity Party of Nigeria in the Second Republic.
The President notes the zeal and wisdom
of Chief Babatope in advocating strong political institutions, unity of the country and good governance, using his experience to counsel leaders at state and national levels.
As the former Chairman of the Governing Council of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, turns an octogenarian, the President extols his fearlessness in telling the truth to leaders, and standing for integrity, probity and accountability in public office.
President Buhari prays for more strength and good health for Chief Babatope and his family.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 26, 2023

I BELIEVE HISTORY WILL BE KIND TO ME, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI IN KATSINA
*COMMISSIONS LEGACY PROJECTS
*COMMENDS GOVERNOR AMINU MASARI
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Kastina says he believes history will be kind to his administration, going by the situation inherited on security and economy, and the difference that has been made.
President Buhari, who inspected and commissioned, developmental projects in health, education, and road infrastructure, extoled the Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, for silently growing the State, with effective management of resources.
“I have done my best, and I hope history will be kind to me,’’ he reiterated at a lunch, after the commissioning of Kofar Kaura Underpass, Kofar Kwaya Underpass, Kofar Kaura Water Works, Katsina State Internal Revenue House, Muhammadu Buhari Meteorological Institute by the Ministry of Aviation, Darma Rice Mill in Batagarwa and Katsina State General Hospital.
The President, who is on a two-day official visit to the state, also inspected ongoing work on the first flyover in Katsina, which has reached 90 per cent completion in the Government Reserved Area.
President Buhari said former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, had been criticized for his leadership style, while many ignored the contributions of the Petroleum Trust Fund, which he chaired under the former Head of State.
The President noted that the PTF implemented many developmental projects, particularly in health, education and infrastructure, with some of the projects still evident in many parts of the country.
President Buhari explained that the Kano-Katsina-Maradi (Niger Republic) rail line was designed to enhance neighborliness and ease economic activity between Nigeria and Niger, and not only for cultural affiliation.
“If you want to enjoy peace and harmony, you must be very friendly with your neighbour. That is why when I came into office, I started by visiting all our neighbours,’’ he added.
The President said the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, deserved commendation for the youthful energy, intellectual capacity and visionary leadership he deployed in improving the security situation in the North East.
President Buhari extoled Zulum for being daring by neglecting threats to his life, and visiting various parts of the state to encourage indigenes.
“We were lucky to have a young, vibrant and intellectual governor like Prof. Zulum. He was all over the place, working. Who said Boko (Book) is Haram (forbidden)?,’’ the President stated.
He urged Nigerians to be more focused on getting education that equips them for a dynamic and digital world, instead of studying to get a job only.
At the lunch, after the inspection and commissioning, the President appreciated the sacrifices and dedication of the state government in constructions, upgrading facilities and supply of medication and working tools.
“Let me start by expressing my thanks to Allah (SWT) for granting us the privilege of life to be here today in Katsina to commission projects during my two-day official visit.
“Governance or leadership as I have emphasised on many occasions, is an enormous responsibility embodying trust and requiring sacrifice so that the community of people that entrusted a leader with that burden can in both short and long terms, stand to benefit from the uprightness of the leadership.
“In November, 2022, I received a letter from the Governor of Katsina State, inviting me to pay a State Visit to commission projects executed by his Administration. I was confident in giving my consent to the request.
“Firstly, I noticed that the Governor’s letter had already earmarked many projects that are beyond commissioning for a State Visit spanning only two days; and;
“Secondly, I was impressed by the transparency implied by the manner that each of the projects was associated with its cost of execution,” he said.
President Buhari noted that he had already learnt about the Governor’s numerous activities carried out in the state in the form of policies, programmes and projects.
“I am under the impression that the Governor is using this occasion to announce his silent achievements, many of which were unknown till today.
“Earlier today, it was my pleasure to commission Kofar Kaura Underpass, Kofar Kaura Water Works, Revenue House, Meteorological Institute and Darma Rice Mills as well as upgraded Katsina General Hospital.
“I am happy with the infrastructural development efforts in Katsina State, particularly when one compares the recorded achievements with the position of the state as a rural state with a short history of a little over three decades of existence,” he added.
President Buhari said that it was an encouraging effort and indication of burning desire to transform society when a Government is judged to have invested resources and energy in infrastructural resuscitation, or provision.
“Tomorrow, I look forward to commissioning the Dayi Dangulle Road, Musawa General Hospital, Sandamu-Baure- Babban Mutum Road, and Gurjiya-Karkarku Road.
“Indeed, infrastructure is the substructure upon which societal growth and development are predicated. It is the realisation of this that the federal government makes infrastructural presence an irrevocable reality, thus enticing Foreign Investors and motivating the local elements,” the President stated.
President Buhari said he was pleased that Masari’s administration placed more emphasis on the educational sector.
“While all the achievements recorded in Katsina State under the leadership of the Executive Governor are important, the education sector has really emboldened my belief that our society is in a stead to enjoy transformation in near future because when education permeates the life of members of society then the propensity to experience growth and development is very high.
“As I listened to Governor Masari’s address a few minutes ago, he upped the level of our confidence in the modest Federal Government projects and interventions in Katsina State,” he said.
He assured citizens that the government would continue working for the peace and harmony of the country.
“I recognised the reality that the current state of insecurity in the country which does not spare Katsina State is a major drawback, which must be tackled to sustain the achievements recorded by both Federal and State governments.
“It is in this vein that I am giving my unwavering commitment to tackle insecurity and restore normalcy in the country,” he said.
While thanking Governor Masari for the visionary leadership and commitment to improving livelihoods and infrastructure, the President said he would continue to support the government.
“I congratulate the Katsina State Government for achieving these milestones and I wholeheartedly identify with the important strides Governor Masari has recorded,” he noted.
In his remark, the Governor of Katsina thanked the President for honoring the invitation to commission projects in the state.
Masari noted that many hospitals had been renovated and upgraded, schools had been built and repositioned for quality education and roads had been constructed in various parts of the state.
The Governor, who presented a full report on his achievements in office over seven years, noted that enrolment in schools moved from over one million to more than two million annually, following interventions by the state government.
Masari appreciated the President for historic support to the states like the bailout, budget support and refunds which enabled many states to pay salaries and record some achievements at the downturn of the economy, with drop in price of crude oil.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 26, 2023

Nigerians ready for PDP government, tired of APC – Okowa

Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, said general acceptance of the party across the country was an indication that Nigerians were truly tired of the inept All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, shortly after inspecting preparations at the facility, venue of the Presidential Rally in the state of Tuesday, Okowa said that PDP would provide Nigerians with all-inclusive and purposeful leadership that the country yearns for.

He said that the warm reception and support PDP had across the country showed that Nigerians had become optimistic about the need for positive change, adding that the party was determined to rescue the nation and deliver good governance to the people.

He said that the party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, being an experienced politician knew the path to Nigeria’s recovery and would work with him and other citizens to recover, reset and rebuild the country.

According to him, Nigerians are already tired if the APC-led government and we are very much aware of what the situation is in this country.

“What we are seeing today is not the Nigeria that we dreamt about with the high level of insecurity and the disunity amongst the people and that fact that we cannot trust ourselves anymore because of the non-inlcusiveness in government, that obviously is not the Nigeria we thought about.

“The economy is in great shambles and we believe that it will take our administration because surely by the grace of God we will be there, its going to take us a lot of work, working also with Nigerians to get ourselves out of where we are at the moment.

“The economy is already definitely messed up but we believe that by God’s grace and with the programme that we have we can take Nigerians out of where we are to the new process of rebuilding our great nation,” he said.

The Vice-Presidential candidate said the party also believes that for the nation to function properly, the issue of restructuring and devolution of powers to states and local governments must be taken seriously.

“This is important because the more resources and the more powers and activities at the local and state levels, the more Nigerians can actually grow while competing with each other.

“We also believe in a private sector led economy and in so doing we must provide the enabling environment and that enabling environment is not what it is today.

“There are lots of things that would be done and I believe that Nigerians have already seen that the APC-led government has not performed and we have been so welcomed across 20 states that we have visited.

“The reception has been very very good and we still have a lot of work to be done to let Nigerians know exactly what the situation is and the pathway to recovery.

“We believe that Atiku Abubakar is a very experienced man in government and the private sector and we believe that with his level of experience and capacity working along with myself and other Nigerians including the Organised Private Sector, the youths and the women folk, we can turn things around for the country.

“If we all work truthfully together in a government that will be purposeful and all-inclusive we believe that we would be able to rescue and recover Nigeria from where it is today,” he stated.

On preparations for the rally Okowa expressed satisfaction with the arrangements at the venue stressing that the party would have a very successful rally on Tuesday January 24.

PDP’ll secure Nigeria, grow our economy – Atiku

Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday said if voted into office, his administration would change the security architecture in the country and grow the economy.

He gave the assurance at the party’s Presidential Campaign in Delta held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

Abubakar said that between 1999 and 2015, PDP grew Nigeria’s economy and made it the largest in Africa, but that the All Progressives Congress (APC) destroyed it with its inept leadership.

He said that with adequate security and right economic policies, a PDP administration led by him would attract Foreign Direct Investment that would grow the nation’s economy, adding security of the country was paramount because no nation could develop without security.

He told Deltans that the team was not in the state to campaign, saying “we are here to show our gratitude and appreciation to say that we are with you in all respects because of the support we have received from you from 1999 to date.

“All through my political journey, Delta state has always supported me and I want to promise you that I shall not betray the trust of Delta and the entire Niger Delta.

“That is why in my modest appreciation, I chose one of you as my vice presidential candidate and you know that a running mate is always a stepping stone.

“Therefore it is up to you to show your support by giving Governor Okowa the massive support to enable us to rescue and rebuild our dear country.”

On his policy document, the PDP Presidential flag bearer stated that his administration would pay attention to developing the education sector, and promised that under his watch, strikes by members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would be eradicated.

“The Niger Delta and other parts of the country will benefit from our resource control and restructuring agenda because it is our intention to devolve more powers to the states and local governments to tackle peculiar challenges facing the people.

“The APC government has disunited Nigeria in all aspects and it is our commitment to restore the unity of this country by ensuring that every part of this country has a sense of belonging.

“You must believe in PDP because as a party we built the biggest economy in Africa until the APC came and destroyed it in 2015.

“Why vote for the same party that has suffered us in the last seven years plus? Let us vote them out to unite and rebuild our country again,” he said.

The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the party and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, said that Atiku knew how to address the socio-economic challenges bedevilling the country and urged the people to vote for the party.

According to him, we all know that the APC-led Federal Government brought poverty to the nation; they destroyed our economy to the extent that Nigerians are now hungry, without food to eat.

“How can a bag of rice be sold for almost N50, 000? It is only Atiku that can solve the problems in the country because when the PDP took over the reins of power in 1999, Atiku and Obasanjo were able to restore the nation’s lost glory.

“Atiku has assured Nigerians that he will revive the economy of the country and reposition it for optimum productivity in all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

“For over 20 years, Atiku has been advocating for the restructuring of Nigeria where states and local governments will get more money that will stimulate growth and development and this is what we want in the Niger Delta.

“Atiku has also promised that his administration, if elected, will put in place, a constitutional framework that will enable states to have State Police so as to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.

“Atiku is an experienced politician that has the capacity and pedigree to reset the country and I call on all eligible voters in the state to ensure that they have their PVCs to enable them vote in the forthcoming general elections,” Okowa stated.

National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, on his part, congratulated Deltans for the choice of Okowa as Vice-Presidential Candidate and lauded previous governors of the state for their contributions to the growth and development of the state.

He called on sons and daughters of the state to vote massively for all PDP candidates in the general elections.

The rally recorded the defection of many members of APC in the state, including the State Secretary, Chief Nick Ovuakporie, to the PDP.

The party also got the endorsement of the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone B, led by the Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Great Tamarapreye.

The students said the endorsement was in recognition of Okowa’s efforts in establishing three new universities in the state and ensuring that lecturers in the institutions were on duty while ASUU was on nationwide strike for eight months.

The rally was attended by former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki; Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa-Ibom, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Douye Diri of Bayelsa and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa.

Earlier, Atiku Abubakar had held a meeting with traditional rulers in Delta, at their Secretariat in Asaba, and assured that if elected, he would ensure that clear constitutional roles were given to monarchs in the country.

Asaba monarch wants LG administration back to traditional institutions

The Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, has called for the return of local government administration in the country to traditional institutions for effective governance.

The Asagba made the call while receiving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and members of the Presidential Campaign Council at his Palace in Asaba on Wednesday.

He blamed the rising poverty and insecurity in Nigeria to the collapse of local government administration, and said that the situation needed to be addressed.

“I have watched for the past days, the campaign of the PDP here in Asaba, and today, you have continued to commission projects in Asaba and has given us the opportunity of receiving you.

“For many years, we remember that you have always associated with us and we are also delighted not only for this long standing association, but that you have selected one of our sons, our governor, to be your running mate.

“We thank you and we appreciate that choice. We wish you the best in this election and when you succeed, there are one or two things we expect of you and it is my responsibility to remind you.

“By all yardstick in the economy of the world, Nigeria is not a poor country, but unfortunately, the statistics show that Nigeria is one of the largest poverty capitals of the world.

“Perhaps, the insecurity in the country in combination with poverty, points to the collapse of the local government system; which needs attention,” the monarch said.

He expressed hope that there would be constitutional reform to change the perspective, and that he was certain that it was one of the foremost items in Atiku’s programmes.

“My expectation in this reform of the local system of the country, is the return of the local government system to the traditional institutions.

“I think that should be the focus of that reform. The people of this country have lived time immemorial, with their kings and traditional rulers and to change the traditional system into a political system, is the worst change that has befallen this country since independence.

“And, I hope that the change to return the traditional rulers to the old system succeeds. Recently in Saudi Arabia, the phenomenal success of seven Emirates points to the fact that the kingship system can survive and bring prosperity to the people.

“It is therefore, imperative that the return of the traditional institutions to local government administration would solve the problem of poverty and insecurity in the country,” the monarch stated.

Earlier, Atiku had assured that if voted into office, he would carry out constitutional amendments to put traditional institutions into effective use to render greater services to the people.

The PDP delegation included Vice Presidential Candidate of the party and Governor of Delta, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu; former Vice President Namadi Sambo; former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto; Emmanuel Udom of Akwa-Ibom and Douye Diri of Bayelsa among others.

Atiku, stakeholders laud Okowa’s contributions to creative industry

Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and creative industry stakeholders have lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his massive contribution to growth and development of tourism in the country.

Atiku gave the commendation on Wednesday in Asaba while inaugurating Asaba Leisure Park and Film Village built by Okowa and named after late Mrs Mariam Babangida.

He said that only the PDP government could partner the creative industry to harness potential inherent in it, and urged stakeholders to support the party in the coming elections.

“What makes this event special is the naming of this place after Mrs. Mariam Babangida. This is because she was a lady who introduced very historic important programmes in the lives of our women; particularly, rural women.

“For those of you who are not old enough to remember, she was the founder and initiator of Better Life For Rural Women. We want to commend her for that contribution and since she departed this life, Better Life For Rural Women and indeed other women, has been on the decline.

“About a month and half ago, I had a meeting with the leadership of the creative industry in Lagos. It was a very extensive meeting and I reminded them that it was the last PDP govermnment that made available N100 billion to be accessed by the creative industry.

“I am not sure now that the money had been accessed by the industry since the PDP left government. So for the creative industry to make progress, they need to have a partnership that believes in the future and the contributions of the industry to our economy.

“I would therefore like to draw the attention of the leadership and members of the creative industry that your best partner in the development and advancement of the industry is a PDP-led government.

“So, let me call on you again and your members to make sure that this opportunity that would be available to Nigerians next month, that you play active role, to make sure of the return of the PDP to government.

“I want to pledge to you that if you elect PDP in the next election, we will go with you, so that you can access the N100 billion that would be available to you for the promotion of the creative industry.

“Therefore, I congratulate the government and people of Delta State for being pacesetters in the development of the creative industry,” Atiku stated.

Earlier, Governor Okowa had said that the Leisure Park which had facilities for recreation and a zoo, with different species of animals, was named Mariam Babangida Leisure Park; in recognition of her contributions to Asaba community and the society.

He commended Nollywood and the creative industry for their inputs leading to the construction of a Film Village alongside the Leisure Park and Zoo, adding that Delta had become the next tourism destination in the country.

“We decided to name the Leisure Park after our great mother, the late Mrs Mariam Babangida because of the impact she made on humanity and the Asaba community and I am glad that her son, Mohammed Babangida, is here today to witness this inauguration of the facility named after his beloved mother.”

In his remarks, Babangida commended the state government for the honour and recognition of their mother, adding that her legacies would continue to live long after her passing.

Creative industry stakeholders including Zeb Ejiro; Tony Akposheri; Ali Baba; Francis Agoda and others expressed appreciation to Governor Okowa for giving them an edifice to practice their profession.

Restructuring key to Nigeria’s progress – Atiku

The Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, reaffirmed his commitment to restructuring and devolution of powers to states and local governments in the country.

He predicated his position to the inadequacy of presidential system of government currently being operated in the country, which concentrated so much powers at the centre, to the detriment of the federating units.

Atiku stated this in Asaba at the inauguration of some projects executed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration in Delta State.

The projects inaugurated were Koka Flyover and Interchange along Asaba-Benin Expressway; Model Technical College, Asaba; Maryam Babangida Leisure Park, Asaba and Mother and Child Specialist Hospital and Advanced Diagnostics Centre, Owa-Alero, Ika North-East Local Government Area.

The PDP Presidential candidate said that over-concentration of powers at the centre had impeded the nation’s growth, and expressed his willingness to undertake restructuring of the country if elected.

According to the former Vice President, if you look into the books you will see that this Benin-Asaba Expressway is a federal road but the state government has taken over the construction of this project because it is closer to the people of Delta State.

“We borrowed our Presidential system from the United States and in the United States the only federal roads you find are interstate roads that connect one state to another. Other internal roads, bridges and highways are the responsibility of state governments

“It is understandable because it is the military that gave birth to our own presidential system of government and you know how they accumulate too much powers to themselves to the detriment of the federating units.

“I believe that by the time we undertake a fundamental amendment to our constitution to restore the autonomy to the states and local governments as far as resources are concerned, we would have done away with this very huge bottleneck that has impeded our growth infrastructurally and otherwise,” he said.

Atiku commended Okowa and Government of Delta for taking the initiative of restructuring even before it was constitutionally allowed, saying “congratulations Governor Okowa for this huge development that you have undertaken to the benefit of the people of Delta State and Nigerians in general who ply this road daily.”

On the Model Technical College, Atiku called for a review of the educational system in the country to ensure productivity of Nigerians at all levels.

He disclosed that the type of educational system in Northern Nigeria in the was such that there were no drop-outs.

“The educational system was such that the brightest ones went to the universities; the second group went to the universities also, and the third went to Technical Colleges and the last but not the least, went to what we used to call craft schools.

“In the craft schools we had to learn cattle breeding, carpentry, poultry or even farming, that’s agriculture. When you finished, you were given a capital to start a business.

“So, you see that the educational system did not produce non-performing or what we call unproductive members of the public. Every member of the society was productive. The only thing was that the level of productivity varied from stage to stage.

“No sooner we abandoned the first Republic for the second one, which was the military than all those systems were set aside. We now went to a kind of unitary educational system.

“We now rear and send every child to the university which they were not naturally endowed nor gifted by nature to attend.

“There must be a review of our educational system in such a way that every child is granted opportunities to go to school but of course, should be based on their God-given or natural talent; so that he/she can be useful to the community.

“You will see that in every aspect of our human endeavours, we have our thinking that can move us forward. So I want to thank the Governor for this initiative, even before we have a formal review of our educational system, he has decided to review the educational system in Delta State,” he said.

Atiku commended Okowa for his hardwork, visionary and purposeful leadership, and congratulated the people of the state for having such a great leader.

He said that healthcare was among the 5-point agenda in his policy document and would rely on the competence and experience of Governor Okowa in executing his health policies for the country.

In his remarks, Okowa said that the Koka Flyover and Interchange was conceived and delivered by his administration to provide solution to the traffic gridlock along the Benin-Asaba highway, and expressed optimism that on completion of the dualisation of the Ughelli-Asaba road, the traffic along the Koka corridor would have been completely eliminated.

He said that his administration embarked on revamping of technical education in the state to equip youths with technical skills to make them employers of labour rather than job seekers.

He stated that his administration rehabilitated six existing technical colleges and award contracts for nine new model ones, with three already completed at Asaba, Effurun and Obiaruku.

At Owa-Alero, Okowa said that the Mother and Child Hospital and Advanced Medical Diagnostics Centre was well built, furnished with appropriate staff to improve the health of mothers and children.

Okowa mourns Abia PDP governorship candidate, Prof. Ikonne

Governor of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has commiserated with the government and people of Abia, Ikonne family and the PDP on the passing of the party’s Governorship Candidate, Prof. Uchenna Ikonne.

Prof. Ikonne reportedly died on Wednesday morning at the National Hospital, Abuja.

In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Thursday in Asaba, Okowa described the late Prof. Ikonne as a brilliant scholar and administrator whose services would be greatly missed by the people of Abia and Nigeria.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with my dear brother Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the Ikonne family and the PDP family in Abia on the unfortunate demise of our party’s gubernatorial candidate, Prof. Uchenna Ikonne.

“Prof. Ikonne was an outstanding scholar and committed member of our party who contributed immensely to the party’s victories in Abia and in the country.

“As a committed patriot, erudite scholar, renowned optometrist, Prof. Ikonne offered himself to the service of his people and humanity leading to his nomination as governorship candidate of our party in Abia until his untimely demise on Wednesday.

“It is my prayer that God grants his family and the party the fortitude to bear this huge loss while also praying for the repose of his soul,” Okowa stated.

January 26, 2023
Press Statement
Count us Out of Your Problems with Buhari, Atiku/Okowa Campaign Tells Tinubu
The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization has told the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to count it out of his manifest problems with President Muhammadu Buhari resulting in his continued attack and pouring of vitriolic on the person of Mr President.
The Campaign says it is indeed pathetic that in less than 24 hours after Tinubu stood on the public stage at his Presidential Rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to accuse the Buhari administration of creating fuel scarcity and redesigning the naira to scuttle the 2023 election, he is turning around to blame the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for his woes.
Is it not strange that Asiwaju Tinubu wants the world to believe that his caustic remarks against Buhari where intended for Atiku Abubakar and the PDP when neither Atiku nor PDP is involved in the monetary policies or the failure to arrest the horrifically unending fuel crisis.
It is important to remind Asiwaju Tinubu that in accusing the “powers that be” of creating fuel scarcity and hoarding the naira to truncate the election, he knew that President Buhari is the Minister of Petroleum Resources and that all agencies of government in charge of prospecting and distribution of petroleum resources are under his (Buhari) office.
Asiwaju also knew that President Buhari approved the redesigning of the naira and that issues of distribution of the naira notes are vested on the APC-controlled Federal Government and not on the PDP.
It is therefore clear that Asiwaju’s verbal assaults against President Buhari is the official position of his confused, disoriented and disorganized Campaign Organization.
It is noteworthy that having come to the conclusion, by himself, that he does not enjoy the support of President Buhari, having realized that his campaign is now falling apart with its leaders leaving in droves given his manifest rejection by Nigerians, Asiwaju Tinubu now seeks to blackmail the President and incite his followers to violence, with the view of truncating the electoral process and blaming it on President Buhari.
This further explains why Asiwaju Tinubu had set up the dangerous militia group, code-named the Jagaban Army, which is reportedly being trained and equipped to unleash violence on Nigerians and truncate the electoral process, having realized that there is no way he can win in a free, fair and credible election.
Asiwaju Tinubu had always sought to exonerate himself and blame only President Buhari for the failure of the APC administration in spite of the fact that he (Tinubu) is behind the corruption ridden policies of the APC government that have brought untold hardships on Nigerians in the last seven and half years.
His verbal somersaults within a space of less than 24 hours presents him as a person that must not be entrusted with power.
Since Asiwaju Tinubu wants Nigerians to believe that he is fighting for their course, he will need to respond to some of these troubling questions;
What has he done as a loaf of bread which sold at N300 in 2015 now sells for N1000 under the APC administration which he claimed to have brought into power?
What has he done to encourage or alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians as kerosene which was being sold at N150 in 2015 is now selling for over N1000.
What advise has Asiwaju Tinubu given to the Federal Government to save the situation as a bag of rice which sold for N8000 in 2015 went up to N46, 000 under his APC?
The list is endless!
Asiwaju Tinubu’s politics had always been about “self and the cabal” who never cared for Nigerians or the success of the government he claimed to have brought to power.
He should therefore leave the PDP and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar alone and face his self-inflicted woes.
On our side, the Atiku/Okowa Campaign will not be distracted by Asiwaju Tinubu but will continue to focus on rallying with Nigerians in their determination to vote in Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria so that he can commence the onerous task of rebuilding our nation from the misrule of the APC.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
Spokesperson,
Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization

PRESS STATEMENT
FUEL AND NEW NAIRA NOTES SCARCITY: FIFTH COLUMNISTS WORKING IN CAHOOTS WITH PDP
Nigerians should no longer be in doubt about those working in cahoots with fifth columnists in the system to inflict avoidable pains on our hapless people for political end.
No sooner Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu empathised with the Nigerian people facing the dual crises of fuel and new Naira notes scarcity, than the opposition PDP and the Atiku camp issued a knee-jerk response, derailing from the issues, distorting Asiwaju’s statement and trying, in vain, to create a wedge between our presidential candidate and President Muhammadu Buhari.
When the guilty are afraid of being uncovered, they try to push back with red-herring
For the records, Asiwaju Tinubu during APC campaign rally at Abeokuta on Wednesday, in his statement, did not mention, blame or accuse President Muhammadu Buhari for the current challenges in the country.
Asiwaju Tinubu was only adverting government’s attention to the sabotage being carried out by some Fifth Columnists in the system, possibly working in cahoots with the PDP.
The CBN officials, including Governor Godwin Emefiele have said many times that enough new Naira notes have been supplied to the banks, yet our people complain that they have not been able to get the new notes.
In recent days, many ATMs are either not working or when working they are dispensing the old notes, just a few days to the January 31 deadline.
Similarly, Asiwaju Tinubu is aware of the salutary efforts by President Buhari to end the fuel queues, by chairing a 14-man panel. Yet the queues and agony continue.
For a presidential candidate, who cares about the suffering of our people, he has a duty to warn government that its efforts to make life better for Nigerians are being sabotaged on several fronts.
Our presidential candidate only re-echoed what is well known and acknowledged, even by President Buhari himself at different fora: That there are Fifth Columnists in and outside of government who often throw spanners in the works against good intentions and programmes of the government.
How does an advisory genuinely made by Asiwaju Tinubu to protect and create goodwill for the government of his party become an attack? It can only be so in the jaundiced view of the PDP.
It is in this light we found amusing the directionless Atiku Campaign’s bagful of mischief in their hurriedly put together press statement meant to gain shameful mileage from the suffering of Nigerians.
PDP and Atiku should remember not to get high on their own smoke. No political blackmail and an attempt to create a conflict between Tinubu and his long-term ally, President Muhammadu Buhari can succeed.
We have bad news for Atiku and his handlers: their latest mischief is therefore doomed to fail.
The Atiku rudderless campaign, always seeking cheap shots and easy ways has again woefully attempted to make a mountain out of a molehill from the comments made by Asiwaju Tinubu in Abeokuta.
As a patriotic and compassionate leader, Asiwaju Tinubu will not stomach seeing ordinary Nigerians being made to face excessive difficulties over mundane issues due to activities of petrol and currency hoarders.
As a proud leader of the APC, Asiwaju Tinubu would not also look indifferent as his party and the government get dirtied with black brush at a critical time like this, whether he is a candidate or not.
Atiku camp’s hasty move to mine political capital out of the clearly difficult situation betrays his campaign’s possible connivance, due to its desperation.
As Asiwaju said in Abeokuta, these orchestrated hardships will not stop his impending victory come 25 February. Nigerians shall surely vote for a party that is working to solve all the problems and mess created by the PDP for which their presidential candidate was an integral part in the, largely, 16 unproductive years they spent in government.
Atiku and his team can continue their indulgence in fake news and twisted narratives, they cannot change the minds of majority of Nigerians who have long rejected the PDP and Atiku, after their 16 wasted years in power.
Bayo Onanuga
Director, Media & Publicity
APC Presidential Campaign Council
January 26, 2023

January 25, 2023
Press Statement
PDP Mourns Its Abia Governorship Candidate, Prof. Ikonne
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) received with great shock the devastating news of the sudden death of our Party’s Candidate in March 11, 2023 Governorship election in Abia State, Prof. Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne, who died early this morning at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Alas our hearts bleed; Prof. Ikonne’s death is indeed a big blow not only to the PDP family but also to Abia State and the nation in general.
Prof. Ikonne was an outstanding and committed member of our Party who contributed to the continued success of the PDP in Abia State and our country.
He was a committed patriot, very brilliant academician, seasoned optometrist and excellent administrator, who gave himself to the service of his people and humanity, and for which the people of Abia State were resolved to elect him as Governor of Abia State.
The National Leadership of the PDP deeply commiserates with the family of Prof. Ikonne, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the Abia State Chapter of the PDP as well as the entire people of Abia State and prays to God to console us all and grant eternal rest to the faithful departed.
The NWC calls on all leaders, members and supporters of our great Party as well as the people of Abia State to remain prayerful for Prof. Ikonne’s family, the PDP and Abia State for this irreparable loss.
The NWC directs that the PDP flags at the Party’s National Secretariat, Abuja be flown at half-mast in mourning of the death of this outstanding Nigerian.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

January 26, 2023
Press Statement
PDP Celebrates Its National Auditor, Daniel Obiechina Okechukwu, on Birthday
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulates its National Auditor, Sir. Daniel Obiechina Okechukwu, as he marks his birthday today.
Sir. Okechukwu is a brilliant, forthright and meticulous professional; a very humble and loyal partyman who has brought his exceptional proficiencies as a Chartered Accountant and Certified Forensic Investigation Professional to bear in the effective management of the affairs of our Party.
Our National Auditor is a calm, very friendly and focused professional; a fine gentleman and team player who remains committed to the success of our great Party especially in the PDP’s mission to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from misrule.
The PDP family congratulates you on this special day and Prays to God to bless you with many more years in sound health to continue to serve our Party, the people of Anambra State, the South East Geo-Political Zone and our country in general
Happy Birthday our amiable National Auditor!
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

PRESIDENT BUHARI INAUGURATES PHASE 1 OF LAGOS BLUE RAIL LINE; TAKES TRAIN RIDE
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Blue Rail Line, taking a ride from the Marina Station to National Theatre Station.
The President was aboard the trip with Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, members of the Federal and State Executive Councils, members of the Federal and State Legislative Assemblies, President of China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), Chen Sichang and journalists, among others.
The first phase of the project, executed by the State Government, which spans 13 kilometers, has five stations – Mile 2, Suru-Alaba, Orile Iganmu, National Theatre and Marina.
President Buhari also witnessed the signing of the contract for the construction of second phase of the Lagos Blue Rail Line by the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo and President of China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), Chen Sichang.
In his remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu thanked the President for the State Visit to commission several landmark projects, noting that since 1999 the State has not enjoyed this level of support from the Federal Government.
On the benefits of the project, the Governor stated that it would reduce travel time, improve the quality of life of citizens and make Lagos one of the most resilient mega-cities in Africa that would compete favorably with other megacities around the world.
Sanwo-Olu hinted that he would invite the President again to Lagos to commission the Red Line, which he described as a bigger rail corridor project compared with the Blue Rail Line.
‘‘This iconic Marina Station would be the largest and busiest in Africa. It has the capacity to process about 450 passengers per minute, meaning that in an hour this station can process about 25,000 passengers,’’ he said.
Hamzat, the Lagos Deputy Governor, traced the pioneering role of the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in envisioning and laying the foundation for the project, as governor of Lagos State.
‘‘Talking about the Blue line without making a reference to the ground-breaking contributions of the presidential candidate of our great party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is like talking about the beach without the ocean.
‘‘A visionary leader, Asiwaju Tinubu pioneered the idea of the Lagos Blue Line and many other revolutionary initiatives.
‘‘The Tinubu administration developed the Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), which laid out the foundation for a network of robust and modern transport infrastructure befitting a 21st century City-State, such as ours.
‘‘The master plan has six rail lines and one monorail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, over 20 water routes and a number of major roads.
‘‘Thanks to Asiwaju’s creative leadership, today, we are making history with the completion of this rail line,’’ he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Cui Jianchun said the completion of the first phase of the project is a demonstration of the harmony in the bilateral relations between Nigeria and China.
‘‘It is a harmony in integration, diversity, and development,’’ he said.
Earlier, before leaving Lagos for Dakar, Senegal, President Buhari also inaugurated John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, after which he toured the facility.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 24, 2023

HOW AFRICA CAN FEED ITSELF, PRODUCE SURPLUS FOR EXPORT, BY PRESIDENT BUHARI
• WELCOMES PROVISION OF $538.05 MILLION TO NIGERIA BY ADB, OTHER PARTNERS FOR SPECIAL AGRO-INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING ZONES
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Dakar urged African leaders to demonstrate political will and re-commit themselves to transformation of agriculture in the continent.
In his goodwill message to the Feed Africa Summit of Heads of State and Government, the President called on his counterparts to embrace innovative policies that ensure the continent’s citizens eat what they produce as well as export the surplus.
President Buhari also welcomed the provision of $538.05 million by the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development for the first phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) for Nigeria programme.
With rising inflation globally and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that have driven up food prices, especially for basic staples such as wheat and maize, the Nigerian leader listed measures that African leaders must take to change the status quo.
‘‘Feeding Africa is an imperative.
‘‘We must ensure that we feed ourselves today, tomorrow, and well into the future. The starting point is to raise agricultural productivity. This requires the access of farmers to quality farm inputs, especially improved seeds, and fertilizers and mechanization.
‘‘To succeed, we must strongly support farmers.
‘‘There is no doubt that we need to subsidize our farmers, but we must do so in ways that are transparent, remove rent seeking behavior and effectively deliver support to farmers.
‘‘The share of budget allocation to agriculture should be increased across Africa, especially for investments in critical public goods, such as research and development, infrastructure, especially roads, irrigation, and energy.
‘‘As leaders, let us decisively ensure that we meet the 10% allocation of our budgets to agriculture as agreed in the Malabo Declaration of the African Heads of State and Government.
‘‘We must reduce the rate of rural to urban migration through the development of rural areas,’’ he said.
President Buhari noted that the future of agriculture in Africa would depend on getting more youth into agriculture, which means making agriculture attractive for them.
‘‘To feed Africa, we need younger male and female farmers. We must also ensure that they get access to land, finance, technologies, information, and markets.’’
The Nigerian leader therefore requested that the Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts arising from the Summit must address ways to improve empowerment of the youth and women in agriculture.
‘‘We must take into consideration climate change and ensure that agricultural systems are climate-smart and climate-resilient.
‘‘We must invest heavily in irrigation to help address increasing frequency of droughts that are leading to decline in crop yields.
‘‘I am convinced that the very targeted and bold approach of using the Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts will allow Africa to finally break through and feed itself.
‘‘Feeding Africa is not negotiable. Africa must grow what her citizens eat. As leaders, we must demonstrate political will and re- commit ourselves to producing for the continent’s needs, including surpluses for export,’’ he said.
The President applauded the efforts of the African Development Bank to launch SAPZ, recounting that he had launched the scheme in Nigeria in October 2022.
‘‘The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones for Nigeria, which is in the first phase will cover seven States in the Federation.
‘‘These very innovative public-private partnership models will help us to transform the agriculture sector much faster and use it to generate wealth.
‘‘They will also allow our countries to develop integrated infrastructure around our agricultural processes and add value to the production of crops, livestock, and fisheries,’’ he said.
On SAPZ funding for Nigeria, President Buhari said:
‘I am pleased with the partnership approach used for Nigeria by the multilateral financing institutions, with the African Development Bank providing $210 million, the Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development providing $310 million, and the Government of Nigeria providing $18.05 million.
‘‘The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones are game changers for the structural transformation of the agricultural sector.
‘‘I therefore urge that as we develop the Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts from this Summit, special attention should be placed on the development of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones.’’
President Buhari also used the occasion to call for affordable financing to support smallholder and commercial farmers, underscoring the need for dedicated financing windows from the central banks.
‘‘Access to affordable finance is critical for the success of efforts to support smallholder farmers and commercial farmers. Commercial banks do not lend much to agriculture due to the perception of high risks.
‘‘Generally, less than 3% of total financing by commercial banks in Africa go into agriculture. We must therefore reduce the risks of lending faced by commercial banks. But we must go beyond commercial lending.
‘‘Where possible and countries can afford to, the central banks can also dedicate significant resources to complement lending from commercial banks.
‘‘Such dedicated financing windows from the central bank must be well monitored, to ensure that they reach the intended beneficiaries, must be transparent and must not crowd out the commercial lending sectors, or the private sector.”
President Buhari commended Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank for the vision to drive the Summit, together with the African Union Commission.
‘‘Dr. Adesina has continued to do an excellent job at the helm of the African Development Bank,’’ he said.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 25, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

BUHARI RIDES IN LAGOS TRAIN, AS PRESIDENT INAUGURATES BLUE RAIL LINE, JRANDLE CENTRE

•Sanwo-Olu launches rail project’s second phase, says 37-km Red Line ready in May

•Lagos museum is centre of Yoruba renaissance, Governor

Lagos now officially has a State-operated rail system, with the commissioning of Blue Line Mass Transit by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday. This historic moment climaxed the President’s two-day working visit to Lagos for projects commissioning.

The inaugural ride on the train was performed by the President in company of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and other invited dignitaries.

The electric-powered train made a round trip between the iconic Marina station and National Theatre, enthralling crowds of citizens along the corridor. Residents watched in excitement as Lagos recorded yet another history in infrastructure delivery.

The completed tracks, spanning 13 kilometres in the first phase, extend from Mile 2 to Marina, covering five stations. Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) constructed the rail infrastructure, which will transport 250,000 passengers daily.

At the event, President Buhari supervised the signing of contract by Gov. Sanwo-Olu for the commencement of the project’s second phase, which will cover 14-kilometre stretch from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko.

Earlier, the President inaugurated John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History – a museum built by the Lagos State Government to promote cultural renaissance. The museum is sited in Onikan, an artistic neighbourhood steeped in the rich history of Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu said the delivery of the Blue Line Rail was the culmination of the “timeless vision” of the State Government initiated by his predecessor and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom the Governor described as “the architect of modern Lagos”.

Tinubu, the Governor said, developed a comprehensive roadmap for the State’s economic prosperity through continuous implementation of the State’s Strategic Transportation Master Plan (STMP), which envisioned six metro lines.

Sanwo-Olu said the construction of the Blue Line could have been completed years before the APC took power at the centre in 2015, but said the project was slowed down by hostile policies of the then Federal Government being led by an opposition party.

He said: “Since 1999, Lagos has not enjoyed the kind of support it is receiving from the President Buhari administration since 2015. The socio-economic impacts of various projects we have commissioned during the President’s two-day visit bear testimony to the support and collaboration we have enjoyed from the APC-led Federal Government. Mr. President, we are proud in Lagos to be associated with your national vision for infrastructural transformation.

“The Blue Line we are commissioning today is a product of timeless vision by Lagos State, which dates back to the administration of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu 20 years ago. One of his greatest legacies was the development of roadmap for the future of Lagos, which cleared the pathway for a modern, prosperous and competitive mega city. With the rail line, a journey of two hours will now take 15 minutes. This will improve quality of life for our citizens, while Lagos will grow to be one of the most resilient mega cities.”

Sanwo-Olu said the Blue Line would be operational after the completion of 750 Volt-ampere dedicated power supply source. The Governor said the iconic Marina station commissioned by the President was designed as Africa’s metro hub with a capacity to process 28,000 passengers per hour.

The Governor said the development of the State’s audacious rail infrastructure project was to increase mobility for commuters and raise productivity to energise the State economy. He said the ongoing construction on the Red Line, which extends 37-kilometre from Agbado to Ebute Metta, would be completed before the end of May.

Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the courage of his predecessor, former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who started the Blue Line project despite opposition from the then central government.

He said: “This rail infrastructure is for the benefit of our teeming citizens who daily endure the pain of traffic gridlock from their homes to workplaces. This is about bringing relief to your mobility challenges and ensuring Lagos works for you. We believe this will make your journey easier and better your lives. The Greater Lagos Lagos that we promised you is rising. You can see and feel it. This is a demonstration of purposeful government.”

Dr. Hamzat described the Blue Line as “the most audacious project” to be funded by a sub national in the history of the country, noting that the Sanwo-Olu administration took the steps to complete the project given its importance to solving transportation challenges in the State.

“The excitement about this rail project is justifiable, considering the fact that it will certainly help to reduce the pressure on our roads, enhance the economic wellbeing of Lagosians and put our dear State on the same pedestal as others of its stature. People come first in all that we do, because they are the bedrock of our government,” the Deputy Governor said.

The John Randle Centre, originally built in 1928, used to serve as a hub for cultural tourism, recreation and entertainment. Its reconstruction started in 2018.

Sanwo-Olu said the Centre fitted into the State’s overall objectives in Arts, Culture and Tourism as stipulated in the recently launched 20-year Arts and Tourism master plan towards making Lagos a tourism destination.

The Centre has an exhibition gallery, which chronicles the history of Yoruba, cultural evolution and journey from the race’s origins, through present day, to the future.

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
24 JANUARY 2023

RELIGIOUS AND TRIBAL TOLERANCE: PANACEA TO PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN NIGERIA – THE REV. EUBA EXAMPLE, BEING THE TEXT OF THE FIRST REVEREND WILLIAM BENJAMIN EUBA MEMORIAL LECTURE 110TH FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to thank you all for the honour of inviting me to speak at this year’s Founders Day celebration of the Eko Boys High School and in particular for inaugurating this Memorial lecture in honour of the visionary Reverend William Benjamin Euba now of very blessed memory, who founded this school.

I know that in 1955 when the Premier of the Western Region inaugurated the free primary education program across the western region, the prevailing condition was one of mass illiteracy.

While many of our people are now literate in numeracy and letters, and they can now operate a telephone, this literacy that we have come to take for granted, was unthinkable on any scale in the western region in 1955. Large numbers of people simply could not put meaning to numbers and letters talk less of reading or writing.

One of the permanent businesses of that time, was that of a professional letter writer. Yes, in case you did not know or you have forgotten that was a business that once thrived in Nigeria and which happily by the vision and execution of Awolowo, is now history, because the monopoly of knowledge by a few has been democratised by the leadership provided by one man and his team.

But my intervention is not about Obafemi Awolowo but rather about William Euba.

But it is important to put matters in context by emphasising how difficult things were in 1955 when Awolowo intervened, which is just 68 years ago.

You can therefore imagine perhaps how much more difficult the Euba era was, back in January 1913 when he opened the doors of Eko Boys High School to the public to get Educated.

That was 110 years ago today and approximately 42 years before free education started; and interestingly, both events occurred in January.

On a lighter note, and for those who have recently been involved in the debate over who is the greatest of all time between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, I do not intend such a debate between Euba and Awolowo.

Rather, I seek to celebrate the farsightedness of their vision about the importance of education and knowledge to nation building, peaceful coexistence and information management for rational choices.

This school, founded by Reverend Euba, and the many more that have come after it have in my view been the glue that has bound our people together in more ways than we have either acknowledged or appreciated.

This is the background to my discussion of the topic of this lecture: Religious and Tribal Tolerance: Panacea to Peaceful Coexistence in Nigeria – The Reverend Euba Example.

The example of Rev. Euba remains iconic because he set up a school that opened its doors to people from all walks of life, in our diverse country.

The importance of this educational tolerance to peaceful coexistence is easy to miss, if we do not understand how strong identities are, and how even more strongly people cling to their tribal, ethnic, and religious identities.

For those who want to delve into the matter of identity more deeply, I recommend, “IDENTITY: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment” by Francis Fukuyama.

But for the purpose of today, it is simply important to stress how strongly those identities magnify our suspicions about one another, inflame myths about others in our minds and expand fault lines that overshadows the common bonds of humanity that we all share.

It is the very early work and initiative of men like Reverend Euba and other missionaries of the time to open access to formal education for African and Nigerian children on a non-discriminatory basis that has helped in no small way to bridge those gaps that are being widened by manipulation of our ethnic and religious diversity.

As I have had cause to argue on occasion, if our creator has demonstrated the capacity to create diversity, certainly nothing could have prevented him from making us all the same other than his infinite wisdom that our diversity would better enrich us and make our planet a more exciting place.

Regrettably this is what a few people (and I insist that they are few) choose to weaponize and deny us of the richness and excitement that the creator intended for us.

Clearly, Reverend Euba saw through their chicanery many years before it matured. He chose education as his weapon to put those few people in their place.

A place of irrelevance and ignominy, supplanted by the training of a large army of young people who have the understanding of both religions, who accept the minor differences between them and who decide to embrace the fundamentals of a common good and a common humanity.

Those young people, by virtue of the opportunity they got to attend the same school, sit in the same classrooms, eat together and participate in sporting activities together have learned that we are not different from one another even if we speak different languages.

Afterall, as Bishop Desmond Tutu of blessed memory argues in his book “God is not a Christian,” that the languages we speak and the faith we profess are not divine; on the contrary they are products of where we were born and to whom we were born.

Those accidental circumstances should not define our essence. They should not be points of discord or discontent. Rather they should serve as sources of strength and richness which in fact they are.

It is to the eternal credit of Reverend William Benjamin Euba and others like him that they saw these sources of strength and richness and exposed young men and women to them through education.

This has turned a generation of young men and women into a large army of adults who have overcome religious and ethnic differences to contribute to national good and development.

Permit me to illustrate this phenomenon, by telling you a story that is only one example of many uncountable stories, which keeps the very few peddlers of division in check in our country.

On the 16th day of December 2022, I was invited to the Church Missionary Society (CMS) Grammar School premises to open an e-learning centre at the school premises in Bariga area of Lagos.

The centre had 300 computers, high speed broadband internet, fully equipped IT lab, for students and many other facilities for librarians and teachers. It was not built by the Anglican mission nor was it built by a Christian.

It was built by a Muslim, Senator Olugbenga Bareehu Ashafa, a two-term senator and now the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority.

It was built in part because he was an old boy of that school. The Anglican mission did not shut him out about 50 years ago when he sought admission there, on the grounds that he was a Muslim.

On the contrary, they opened their doors to him, and interestingly while still a student, the school gave him a special permission to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca as his parents wished and he returned to complete his education.

As I said, at the occasion, what is a Bareehu doing amongst Anglicans? Only the farsighted vision of missionaries and men like Reverend Euba could have found a place of comfort for a Bareehu amongst Anglicans, and for me a Raji in Eko Boys High School. Yes, I passed through this school for one year.

Ladies and gentlemen, Reverend Euba’s place in Nigeria’s quest for peaceful coexistence is legendary. We cannot thank him enough. May his kind, generous and visionary soul continue to rest in peace and may his example continue to inspire our nation.

Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN , CON
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing

Friday 13th January 2023

PRESS STATEMENT
CARE CONDEMNS THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF ACTIVISTS AND COMMUNITY WOMEN FOR PEACEFULLY PROTESTING OUTRAGEOUS ESTIMATED ELECTRICITY BILLING
WE DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL DETAINED PERSONS AND AN END TO OUTRAGEOUS AND UNJUSTIFIABLE ELECTRICITY BILLS
The community people, mostly women and youths in the Tolu area of Ajegunle, Apapa Lagos led by socialists and rights activists trooped out in a peaceful protest against outrageous (crazy) electricity billing issued to community residents by Eko Distribution Company. Rather than attend to the demands of the protesting community people, the Nigeria Police of the Tolu Divisional Police on the orders of the management of Eko Distribution Company arrested and detained the peaceful protesters. Notable among the arrested persons are Moshood Oshunfurewa (Coordinator of the Ajegunle Peoples Movement, APM), Lateef Adams (member of the Movement for Socialist Alternative), Emeka Bosah (Coordinator of Ajeromi Ifelodun Community Movement, AICOM), Mrs Stella Edegwa (Community activist), Joseph Chukwudi, Mrs Nana Gloria, Mrs Rose, and 3 others.
The Eko Distribution Company just like the other private electricity companies is notorious for issuing unjustified and outrageous electricity bills to amass huge profits. In a country with N30,000 minimum wage, these electricity companies sometimes issue electricity bills to the poor communities for tens of thousands of Naira. This has been the root cause of huge debts hanging on the neck of many residents across the country.
Since November 2013 when the power sector was privatized, communities have been plunged into darkness while tariff has gone up steadily. The power companies have also refused to issue prepaid meters to residents in order to issue fraudulent estimated bills.
In order to sustain this exploitation, the electricity companies rely on the capitalist government and its state agents of repression, particularly the Nigerian Police whose men and women have often used brute force against peaceful and innocent protesters. Many community residents and activists are currently facing trumped-up charges in different courts. We demand an end to police arrest, detention, and attacks on innocent community people and activists.
Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE) demands the immediate and unconditional release of the detained protesters.
We appeal to working people, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and pro-people organizations in Nigeria and internationally to join the campaign for their immediate and unconditional release of the protesters.
Family members and members of different pro-labour organizations have visited the Tolu Divisional Police Station but the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Etuk Akanyene refused to release the peaceful protesters, apparently, the order from the Eko Distribution Company is to brutalize, detain and eventually charge the protesters to court on trumped-up charges.

We appeal for protest calls and messages to be sent to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodu Alabi (08033432264) and Tolu Divisional Police Officer, CSP Etuk Akanyene (08034448617) with a call to release all protesters.

SIGNED:
Chinedu Bosah Shoyombo Monsuru
National Coordinator National Secretary

Why PDP Will Sweep The Polls In Ogoniland – Dekor

As campaigns intensify ahead of the forthcoming general elections, the lawmaker representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Robinson Dekor has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will sweep the polls not only in Gokana Local Government Area but in Ogoni land at large.

Rt. Hon. Dekor who made the declaration while speaking to journalists at the PDP Campaign rally in Gokana on Wednesday, said the huge turnout of Ogoni people at the Khana and Gokana PDP rallies showed that no other party but the PDP exists in Ogoniland.

Rt. Hon. Dekor who is the House Committee Chairman on Host Communities and the PDP Candidate for Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency described the Gokana rally as another huge success as according to him, the people turned out in their thousands to declare that Ogoni is PDP and PDP is Ogoni.

“I give thanks and glory to God Almighty for making it possible for us to gather in Gokana today. As usual, it’s a mammoth crowd. All I can say to the people of Gokana is to continue voting for the PDP.

“They should vote for Siminialayi Fubara for Governor; vote Barry Mpigi for the Senate, and vote for my humble self, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Robinson Dekor for the House of Representatives.
They should also vote Hon. Dumle Maol into the Rivers State House of Assembly”, he told the people.

Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor, a one-time Deputy Speaker in the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as former Works Commissioner in the state, said he can confidently seek block votes from Ogoni people because the PDP has done well for Ogonis.

“You find some small parties who have no trace of performance in the various offices they had occupied since 1999. They have been in public offices but have nothing to show that they have been in public office.

“So, we asked the people to vote right because this time, they are not going to bring soldiers or police to intimidate us. They cannot hire thugs and arm them against us”, he said, adding that the game is up for the “enemies of Ogoni” as they would be up against the will of the people which he asserted, would always prevail.

On the level of confidence he has for the people of Gokana and Ogoni in general, Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor enthused: ” Yes, I’ve always been confident that the people of Gokana and the rest of Ogoni will vote massively for the PDP and today’s turnout is a testament to that fact. So, we have no issues that Ogoni will vote for the PDP”.

2023 Ogoni Governorship: Facts and Fictions

It was Sean Hughes who defined a politician as ‘a person who has nothing to say but says it anyway’.

Though the definition is one parochial prism of seeing a politician, it nonetheless captures the true image of the like of Kennedy Friday, real or pseudo name of the political acolyte who displayed the depth of his ignorance of politics and by extension, democracy while responding to Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor’s innocuous statement at the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) campaign rally in Gokana Local Government Area, Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

While we will not want to join issues with anybody, it suffice to say that in a democracy you can say whatever you like as long as you do what you are told.

Politics, we know is the art of seeking legitimate power through a political party to direct public affairs or be in charge of government policies. To achieve this, one has to belong to one of the numerous political parties registered and accredited by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as it relates to Nigeria .

This fact is what is lost on some emergency political commentators and tribal jingoists who see any opinion that differs from theirs as a confrontation and, or assault on the sensibilities of ‘their own people’.

While Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor was speaking and canvassing for votes at the said rally, he passionately appealed to the people to keep voting for the PDP which has the largest presence in the area and Ogoni at large.

Rightly too, the PDP government has benefitted Ogoni in many ways which evidence are visible in infrastructural developments.

Besides, the zoning of governorship position is not and has never been done on ethnic basis but on the basis of senatorial districts.

Presently, the PDP governorship candidate in the person of Sir Siminalayi Fubara is a bonafide son of Rivers South-East to which Ogoni eminently belongs, thus making him our own son and should therefore be seen as such and voted for.

This is the import of Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor’s message. At no time did the honourable federal lawmaker say Ogoni is not ripe to produce a governor in 2023.

This is a true case of giving a dog a bad name to find cause to kill him. The truth is that the PDP has chosen a governorship candidate for the 2023 election and it will be foolhardy for the Ogoni not to join the moving train simply because the candidate who is from the same senatorial district as Ogoni, and the nearest community (Opobo) is the party’s flag bearer.

That, to Rt. Hon. Dekor, amounts to political suicide in the face of the fact that no other political party in the state outside the PDP as of today is well positioned to win the 2023 general elections in the state. This is just the bitter truth these political dreamers do not want to accept.

The 2023 general elections will not be the last elections in the state or Nigeria. All that is important is for the Ogonis to continue to unite and have a sense of purpose and whichever party through which the Ogoni gets what is due her, so be it.

Unfortunately, these political desperadoes would not let this be, simply because ‘if it is not we’ then it cannot be.
This is a very wrong approach to politics.

There is no gainsaying the fact that Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor is one of the finest political office holders Ogoni has produced in recent times.

He has not only demonstrated capacity at the National Assembly where he serves as the House Committee Chairman for Host Communities, he has also visibly and compassionately impacted lives of numerous Ogoni youths, women and elders indiscriminately. What else could be the essence of political representation and what else do these blackmailers and visionless agitators wish to do differently?

Notwithstanding, may we use this opportunity to advise the good people of Ogoni once again, to discountenance this antics of scoring cheap political points by those who do not mean well for Ogoniland and vote rightly for the PDP governorship candidate and for candidates of the National and State Assemblies in 2023 general elections.

God willing, at the right time, and very soon too, the great Ogoniland will produce a Governor which is our collective dream.
But to be a good leader, we must first be a good follower.

Signed:

Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor Media Team