Don’t Abandon Nigeria To Those Messing It Up – Obasanjo To Nigerian Youths
No fewer than 85 youths, drawn from across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja have benefited from tricycles distributed by the former president Olusegun Obasanjo as part of the activities to mark his 85th birthday celebration. The tricycles, valued at N1million each, were donated through the Youths Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) and were targeted towards ensuring that unengaged youths are kept busy and self-reliant without necessarily depending on anyone for survival.
Speaking at the event tagged, ‘OBJ @85 Free Keke Programme’, Chief Obasanjo charged the Nigerian youths not to abandon the country for those messing it up, but brace up and make necessary contributions towards addressing the plethora of challenges confronting the nation.
Admonishing them to reject the famous cliché that, “youths are the leaders of tomorrow”, the former president said the youths needed to hold the firm belief that “today is their day” and as such, the younger generation must to take advantage of the opportunities galore, which abound in the country to better their lots.
He emphasised that If the youths leave things to those who are messing it up, and who are saying they (youths) are the leaders of tomorrow, they will never have that tomorrow.
Despite all my pleadings to Igbo delegates, they still sold their votes at APC primary – Umahi
Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has lamented that in spite of all his pleadings with Igbo delegates in the All Progressives Congress presidential primary election, they still traded their votes.
He said their action had reinforced the impression nmany people had that Igbos could exchenge anything for cash.
The only people he saluted are Ebonyi delegates whom, he said, remained with him and cast their votes accordingly.
He berated the South-East zone’s delegates to the just-concluded primary, insisting that they “traded” their votes.
Umahi made the declaration on Saturday at his hometown, Uburu, during the maiden matriculation ceremony of the King David University of Medical Sciences.
The governor who said he was making his first public speech after the primary, said that no one should henceforth complain of marginalisation of the Igbos due to the delegates’ conduct. “I had a series of meetings with the party’s chairmen in the five states of the zone in the company of its national vice chairman.
“I impressed it on the delegates that the issue was not about me but the mood of the Igbos in the nation. “I implored that they should vote for any south east aspirant so that when the votes are counted, we would not be missing. “We would have made a strong statement in the process that the Igbos are eminently qualified with due capacity to lead the country,” he said.
He regretted that conversely, the delegates ‘traded” their votes while only those from Ebonyi voted for him and others. “They will come later to preach about Igbo unity and its agenda but henceforth, the only agenda I know is the Ebonyi agenda.
“This shows that even if we have equal number of local government areas and delegates such as other zones, we would still trade our votes. “We are currently regarded as people who can sell anything but they should remember that anyone who betrays his brother will lose the trust of those who gained from the betrayal. “There was no sort of lobbying I did not receive but I maintained that it was about bringing the marginalisation of the Igbos to the fore,” he said.
Umahi commended the delegates from Ebonyi for their trust and steadfastness, assuring that other people would soon realise that money is not everything.
“You (Ebonyi delegates) have made yourselves reference points of steadfastness in the country and when people are seeking for trustworthy people, they will come for you.
“I have lost total confidence in the leadership of the Ohaneze Ndigbo socio-cultural organisation and will openly confront anyone who challenges the Ebonyi agenda,” he said.
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY 12TH JUNE, 2022
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.
MUSLIM-MUSLIM TICKET CAN’T WORK, CAN WARNS APC, PDP
The Christian Association of Nigeria has rejected proposed Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets by major political parties in the country, claiming that the outcome of the proposal will be worse.
According to CAN, Christian-Christian or Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2023 is a threat to the fragile peace and unity of Nigeria.
The apex Christain body gave the warning in a statement on Friday by its National Secretary, Barrister Joseph Bade Daramola, titled, ‘Christian Association of Nigeria Rejects Proposed Muslim/Muslim Presidential Ticket in 2023’.
CAN said with the country’s trajectory and its challenges, it was important for the nation’s political parties not to further polarise the country by opting for Christian-Christian or Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets.
The statement read, “The Christian Association of Nigeria has once again warned the leading political parties to bury the thought of Christian/Christian or Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket in 2023. We want to unequivocally state that it is a threat to the fragile peace and unity of Nigeria.
“We congratulate the Presidential Candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition People’s Democratic Party, the Labour Party: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi respectively, including other parties that are participating in the forthcoming Presidential election.
“CAN urges that a balance of both religious practitioners be considered in the choice of running mates of the presidential candidates. We do not subscribe to Christian/Christian ticket or Muslim/Muslim ticket. Politicians can talk politics but we have stated our view long before now.
Any party that tries same religion ticket will fail. This is not 1993. Even when we have joint Muslim/Christian ticket, the church still goes through hell. Only God knows the number of Christians that have been killed in the last seven years with no one apprehended or prosecuted.
“Imagine how bad it will be if we have two Muslims in power? The extant Nigerian Constitution promotes religious balance. So, if any political party wants to try a Muslim/Muslim ticket, it’s at its own peril. CAN is only forewarning but will make a categorical statement in the event our warning is not heeded.
“The Presidential running mate for the APC presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu should be a Christian from the North, Atiku’s running mate should be a Christian from the South while Obi should choose his own among the Muslims from the North.
Anything contrary to the above means that the leadership of these political parties do not bother about the unity of this entity called Nigeria.
“Those who are planning Muslim/Muslim ticket should also find out what was the outcome of MKO Abiola and Kingibe ticket in 1993. If they try Muslim/Muslim ticket this time around, the outcome will be worse because our fault lines are very visible.
There is no party that has no great, good and patriotic Christians who can preside over the affairs of this nation not to talk of being the Vice President as some mischievous people are trying to say. If merit and competence are used as yardsticks, we have many qualified Christians in all the 774 Local Government Areas of this country.
In the ongoing dispensation, CAN leadership cried in vain to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to break the monopoly or dominance of the security architecture with people of same faith. We are all seeing the outcome now. It is obvious that the Nigeria of today is different from that of 1993. Our politicians should stop flouting the Constitution by respecting the North and South dichotomy and religious factor.
To those arguing that people do not care about the religions of their leaders once they are competent and credible, we dare APC to pick its presidential running mate from the South and PDP pick its own from the North and see what follows.
“When the late sage, Papa Obafemi Awolowo picked Chief Mrs Oyibo Odinamadu, a fellow Christian and Southerner, as his running mate in 1979, we all know the consequences of his performance in the North. Our politicians should be doing what will unite us instead of what will further polarise the country.”
American Singer, Justin Bieber Reveals That Half Of His Face Is Paralyzed After Being Diagnosed With Rare Disorder
Justin Bieber, the world-famous Canadian singer, has revealed he is experiencing paralysis on his face after being diagnosed with a rare disorder known as Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
Taking to his Instagram page on Friday, the singer asked his fans to keep him in prayers as he explained in a three-minute video how the paralysis was really affecting his face and how it had led to the cancellation of some of his shows.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is a complication of shingles that occurs when an outbreak impacts the facial nerve near one ear. In addition to facial paralysis, it can cause hearing loss.
“I wanted to update you guys on what’s been going on. Obviously, as you can probably see from my face, I have a syndrome called Ramsay Hunt syndrome and it is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis,” the 28-year-old pop star said.
“As you can see, this eye is not blinking. I can’t smile on this side of my face. This nostril will not move, so there’s full paralysis on this side of my face,” Bieber continued, gesturing to the right side of his face.
“I’m gonna get better and I’m doing all these facial exercises to get my face back to normal and it will go back to normal.
“It’s just time and we don’t know how much time it’s gonna be, but it’s gonna be OK. I have hope and I trust God and I trust that this is all for a reason.”
Fans have taken to his comment section to wish him well.
“So for those who are frustrated by my cancellations of the next shows, I’m just physically obviously not capable of doing them. This is pretty serious as you can see. I wish this wasn’t the case, but obviously my body’s telling me I gotta slow down,” he continued.
The “Peaches” singer had announced Wednesday that he would be postponing a few shows from his ongoing Justice World Tour due to a health issue that was yet to be known then.
With some time off from the tour, scheduled to run through March 2023, Bieber told fans on Friday that he plans to “just rest and relax” so that he can “get back to 100 percent.”
“Love you and proud of you,” wrote Bieber’s longtime manager Scooter Braun, while Kehlani added, “love you dude, please take all the time you need!!”
Owo Terror Attack: Ondo Govt Cancels Commemoration Of 2022 June 12 Celebration
The Ondo State Government has canceled this year’s June 12 celebration earlier slated for Sunday 12th June, 2022.
This is consequent upon the terror attack on innocent worshipers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on Sunday 5th June, 2022.
The cancelation is to enable the entire people of Ondo State mourn their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack.
Recall that the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, had directed that all flags in the state be flown at half -mast for seven days in honour of the victims of the terror attack.
Power Outage Hits Ogun West, Following Feeder Pillar Explosion
Several communities in Ifo, Ota, and Ilaro axis of Ogun state have been plunged into blackout due to power outage.
According to a resident, Olabisi Oluwasuyi, he said “It’s 12 days now in ibara, omida axis.. no single beep., And they will come for estimated bill later…”
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) blames the power outage on explosion in its 33kv feeder pillar in Ota industrial axis.
The explosion caused power outage in several electricity transformers in Ota, Ilaro, Ifo, Papalanto, and Ijoko.
Other areas mostly affected include Eggua, Ibeshe, Ijoga, Idiroko, Owode Ijako, Ibogun, Pakoto, Coker village, Igbogila, Oja Odan, Imasayi, Gudugba, and Abalabi.
IBEDC said the explosion was caused by a snap of cable on the Ota industrial 33 kv feeder.
The company says that its technicians along with those of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, are battling to fix the feeder pillar to restore normal power supply to the areas affected by the blackout.
A former Kaduna Central District Senator, Shehu Sani, hss provided an insight into the latest terrorists attack in Southern Kaduna.
The rampaging terrorists were said to have attacked the area on Wednesday killing over 30 people.
And a viral report said that the terrorists this time, came with a helicopter, with which they carried out the operation.
But Kaduna State Government, on Thursday, debunked reports of the aerial attack by terrorists, but confirmed that 32 persons were killed in the attack in Kajuru Local Government of the State.
It said that the much talked about helicopter belongs to the Nigerian Air Force, which arrived to engage the bandits.
Over 150 bandits reportedly stormed the area on motorcycles, and proceeded to raze several houses, as they attacked and killed locals.
Shehu Sani, who also confirmed the killing, said however, that the NAF helicopter did not carry out any form of attack on the bandits.
“I was on call with a Kajuru youth leader who confirmed the massacre of 32 people by terrorists in Kaduna.
“The reported helicopter may not have belonged to the terrorists, but it deliberately refused to take action against the terrorists when they were killing and burning down houses,” he said.
•A dagger Has Been Drawn To Our Hearts-Gov Akeredolu
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, on Friday received Nobel laureate and renowned playwright, Prof. Wole Soyinka in his office, Alagbaka, Akure.
Prof. Soyinka was at the Governor’s office on a condolence visit over the terror attack in Owo, last Sunday.
He described the terror attack as a message, adding that “We are dealing with people who are obsessed with domination; it is in their blood, it is in their Creed, their psyche that they need to dominate.”
The Nobel laureate noted that the attack was on Governor Akeredolu who has been showing leadership in terms of internal liberation.
“He was targeted and there is no question about that. It was not an accident, and it is passing a massage to the rest of us. That is why I’m here. I want the Governor to know that we have received the message. We understand it and we came to sympathize with him that he was selected as a medium of that message.
“So, the answer we must give to the message we all received is that we are not slaves. Here, on our own soil, having had the experience of century of disdain, contempt about us as black poeple. Again some characters come along calling themselves whatever, ISWAP, Boko Haram. So, all those groups including those who are just opportunists – the herdsmen, they are making a mistake. I want the Governor to realize they are making a mistake.
“I have been on this issue for quite some times. This invasion has been on and these herdsmen are all over the forests. At a time we thought it was Boko Haram, we didn’t know that Fulani herdsmen were capitalising on the fundamentalist insurgency and brutality.
“And that is why we see a nexus of operation between ISWAP, Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen.They work singularly, individually and they work collectively. I Know Ondo State has always been at the forefront of awareness.” Prof. Soyinka said.
Governor Akeredolu appreciated the Nobel laureate for the condolence visit, saying that the state will remain hugely indebted to him.
“It is a cause that he has dedicated his life to, and I thank God for his life. The state wants to appreciate you for finding time to come at this hours of grieve.
“This is like a dagger drawn to our heart, and it is an assault on our psyche. The psyche of those of us in the South-West and Western Region.
“I think they think they can create some fears in us but they made a mistake because this will make us more fierce in our condemnation of their actions. And we are not hiding it.” Governor Akeredolu said.
Christ Embassy Pastor And Wife Declared Wanted By EFCC For Duping Investors To The Tune Of N2Billion In Ponzi Investment Scam.
The EFCC has declared Pastor (Dr) Miebi Bribena (full name: Onyimiebi Bribena) and his wife, Beatrice Bribena wanted for allegedly defrauding Nigerians to the tune of N2 billion.
Pastor Bribena, who is a pastor at Christ Embassy fled Nigeria after failing to pay investors their return on investment (ROI), leading to protests in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Peak News 
You must be logged in to post a comment.