The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has called on the government to prioritize the safety and well-being of students by ensuring that all educational institutions undergo integrity tests.
NANS made this call in a statement issued by its President, Pedro C. Obi, on Monday, in Abuja, in the wake of the school building collapse in Jos, Plateau State.
“This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the negligence and complacency that has plagued our educational system for far too long.
“We cannot continue to risk the lives of our students by ignoring the dilapidated state of our school infrastructure,” he said.
Obi sympathized with the families affected by the tragedy, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“We demand a thorough and transparent investigation into the cause of this collapse, and those found responsible must be held accountable,” he said.
He also stressed the need for stringent enforcement of building codes and regular inspection of school facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy to strike before we take action. The time to act is now,” he added.
Plateau building collapse: NANS demands urgent infrastructure review
Plateau building collapse: NANS demands urgent infrastructure review
IG advocates for justice, forgiveness, reconciliation
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has urged Nigerians to be advocates for justice, facilitators of forgiveness, and champions of reconciliation in addressing the security challenges facing the nation.
Egbetokun said this at the opening of the Forgiveness, Justice, and Reconciliation Course 2, convened by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Development Consult, on Monday in Abuja.
The police boss was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Community Policing, Mohammed Ari, at the event.
The IG said the Nigeria Police Force was very much aware of the fundamental role that law enforcement plays in advocating for justice, facilitating forgiveness, and championing reconciliation.
He said their actions, decisions, and interactions with the public significantly impacted the social fabric of the nation.
According to him, it is the responsibility of the police not only to enforce the law but to do so with a deep sense of fairness, compassion, and respect for human rights and the dignity of persons.
“We must be advocates for justice, facilitators of forgiveness, and champions of reconciliation.
“The country is gradually healing from some tensions that were escalated during the last election cycle.
“There is a need for us as a people to take drastic steps to reconcile our differences and focus on the future by bringing together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from various fields.
“We can share insights, learn from each other, and develop comprehensive strategies to address the complexities of conflict resolution,’’ he said.
Egbetokun said that the journey towards forgiveness, justice, and reconciliation was not a tea party affair, but inevitable, adding that it demanded courage, resilience, unshaken and unwavering commitments to peace.
He said the police were confident that the discussions, insights, and experiences shared during the course would significantly contribute to their understanding and implementation of concepts.
“The overall essence of any government is to guarantee the welfare of its people, justice, and security and of course, shelter to the people.
“As we are gathered here today, we are reminded of the profound challenges that our country and the world at large are faced with that often manifest in the form of conflicts, grievances, and injustices.
“These challenges test our resolve, our humanity, and our commitment to building a better future. It is in such times that the principles of forgiveness, justice, and reconciliation become not only imperative but germane,’’ he added.
NAN reports that the course has key themes such as the history of Violence and Nigerian Security Dynamics, Concept and Methods of Forgiveness and Justice.
Other themes are Forgiveness and Public Policy; World-view Analysis, Cross-Cultural Communication, and Connections; Building a Peace Intervention Process and Truth Recovery, Trust Building, Reparation and Restitution, among others.
NAN
Regionalism: Don’t cede parts of Igbo land to another region – Ogbonnaya to Nigerian govt
An Igbo leader and elder statesman, Charles Ogbonnaya, has warned the Federal Government against ceding parts of Igbo land to other regions ahead of the clamour for a return to regional administration.
Ogbonnaya gave this warning amid rumours that some parts of Igbo land, particularly, the Ohaji/Egbema local government of Imo State would be ceded to the South-South region.
Ogbonnaya, who was a two-term Commissioner in Abia State, also applauded President Bola Tinubu for initiating the court action that led to the Supreme Court’s granting Local Government councils financial autonomy.
Expressing his support for the idea of returning to the regional government, the elder statesman warned against ceding any part of Igboland to another region.
He said if it is not possible to return the country to the original four regions as was obtained before the military intervention in 1966, the best option should be to transform and strengthen the existing six geo-political zones into regional administrations.
He called on the Federal Government to resist any pressure from any quarters to move the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State to the South-South region as being rumoured.
He warned that such action would be very offensive to Ndigbo and would bring bad blood and could be seen as a declaration of “war” against Ndigbo as Ohaji/Egbema is an oil-producing area and an economic life wire for the South East region.
According to him, if Nigeria as a nation wants to right the wrongs of the past, all the Igbo-speaking Local Governments in Delta, Edo, Rivers, and Kogi States should be brought to join the SouthEast region.
“Recall that it was politics of the civil war that made the Mamman Nasir Boundary Adjustment Commission cede some parts of Egbema where former IGP Mike Okiro hails from to Rivers State. All those areas are Igboland”, he explained.
Regionalism: Don’t cede parts of Igbo land to another region – Ogbonnaya to Nigerian govt
Osinbajo celebrates wife’s 57th birthday with adorable photos
Ex-vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has showered his wife, Dolapo, with lovely words as she celebrates her 57 birthday.
Osinbajo took to his Instagram page on Monday to wish his wife a lovely birthday.
Sharing photos Osinbajo said, “Happy Birthday, my love #dolapoosinbajo. Your love, kindness, and generosity make all our lives so much happier. Love you always.
He continued, saying: “This year I decided to share my favourite photos of Dolly #dolapoosinbajo doing her favourite things .”
In the comment section, Nollywood actress Joke Silva said: “Happy birthday to the Jewel in the Crown. Have an incredible day.”
Also, Ibukun Awosika, former Chairman, Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. , wrote, “Happy birthday to a most beautiful person, both inside and outside. You are a true treasure and a worthy example of Christ in us. God bless you richly. Love you lots.”
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Deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians, ALGON tells council chairmen
Following a recent judgment of the Supreme Court which granted full autonomy to all local government areas in the country, the National President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Aminu Mu’azu-Maifata, has called on the 774 council chairmen to use the opportunity of the autonomy to positively touch the lives of the people at the grassroots.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, on Monday, the ALGON President explained that the autonomy granted to the LGs would enhance democracy at the grassroots level across the country and empower local authorities to make decisions that would have positive impacts on the lives of their people.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to ensure that local government councils begin to function properly as enshrined in the constitution.
The ALGON president, who is also the incumbent Chairman of Lafia LG, further assured all that henceforth, all council chairmen across the country will do everything within their powers to deliver the dividends of democracy to their people.
Mu’azu-Maifata said, “Before the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, the autonomy has been there, clearly spelt out in the constitution, but the players were not allowing it to see the light of the day.
“But with this pronouncement, we know that everybody has keyed into it. Nigerians are now waiting to see that the pronouncement of the Supreme Court becomes a reality.
“So, I want to call on all the council chairmen in the 774 LGs of the country to ensure that you give your people the best of leadership. You need to deploy all the necessary expertise at your disposal to see that you deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“As council chairmen, we have high expectations from the federal government, the governors and all Nigerians, so we should not disabuse these positive expectations, most especially from President Bola Tinubu who has a passion to see that local government councils in the country are functioning, as stated in the constitution.”
He urged his colleagues (774 council chairmen) to pay more attention to the issues of payment of salaries; building and rehabilitation of basic healthcare facilities; supporting schools at the grassroots to function properly; and ensuring adequate security at the grassroots; among other basic amenities which would make life more meaning to the people at the grassroots level.
Mu’azu-Maifata further called on all relevant stakeholders, including local government officials and the general public, to support the Supreme Court’s judgment and work together towards harnessing its positive impacts for the benefit of the entire citizens of the country.
On the N62,000 proposed minimum wage by the Federal Government, the ALGON President appealed for an increase in the monthly allocations to the 774 LGs in the country to enable them to pay the new amount when it is finally made a law.
“Once the new minimum wage is enacted by the National Assembly and becomes a law, every council chairman must obey. But how to obey such a law is what we will look into. By sourcing funds to pay salaries; We are also going to find ways to attract and harmonize resources so that we will not default,” he added.
Adamawa inaugurates male, female council chairmen, vice chairpersons
The Adamawa State government on Monday, swore in 21 newly elected local government chairmen.
The Chairmen emerged after a council election conducted on Saturday, July 13, across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Notably, the 21 Chairmen, all of them male, were elected alongside 21 women as running mates and now as vice chairpersons; achieving a gender balancing hitherto unknown in the state.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri who leads the state with a female Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, had earlier asked his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to make chairmanship candidates choose people of opposite sex for the council poll.
The party had gone ahead to present a mix of candidates for the election, which produced all-PDP winners after the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, refused to present candidates.
The newly elected council bosses were sworn in at the Mahmud Ribadu Square in Yola by the state chief judge, Hapsat Abdulrahman.
Making a thanksgiving speech on behalf of all the Chairmen, Suleiman Gankuma, the Chairman of Toungo Council Area, said they would not disappoint the party on which ticket they were elected.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, commending the winners, said the victory of the chairmen at the poll is a victory for democracy at the grassroots.
“You must continue to win by discharging your duties responsibly. You must be at your duty post whenever your people desire you. This isn’t a part-time job. Your people must have access to you as much as possible at all times,” Fintiri told them.
Adamawa inaugurates male, female council chairmen, vice chairpersons
Court stops Bayero, four others from parading selves as Emirs
A Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Amina Aliyu has perpetually restrained Aminu Ado-Bayero and four other deposed Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as Emirs.
Delivering the judgment on Monday, Justice Aliyu further restrained the 15th Emir of Kano and four other dethroned Emirs by themselves, servants, privies and any other persons appointed by them from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano, Karaye.
Recall that the Kano State Government had filed a suit asking the state High Court to stop the 15th Emir, Bayero, and four other Emirs of Karaye, Bichi, Rano and Gaya from parading themselves as Emirs.
The government also gave the deposed Emirs 48 hours within which to vacate their respective palaces after being deposed.
However, Justice Aliyu said while delivering the judgment, that the issue of evicting the deposed Emir, Bayero, from his Nassarawa mini palace is a rent tribunal matter and is not before it.
In her judgment, she directed the deposed Emir and four other former Emirs to quickly hand over all the Emirate Traditional Royal Artefacts to the government and the substantive Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Justice Aliyu also said that the State Assembly Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024 was done according to the Law as enshrined in Section 4 of the Constitution.
Similarly, she ruled that the State Governor, Abba Yusuf, assenting to the law is also done perfectly according to the Constitution.
Reducing NNPCL’s stake in Dangote refinery recipe for losses – Adeyanju to Tinubu
Activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, on Monday, informed President Bola Tinubu of the implications of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited reducing its stake in the Dangote refinery from 20 percent to 7.2 percent.
Adeyanju warned President Tinubu that NNPCL’s decision has significant implications for Nigeria’s economy and welfare.
The Chairman of Dangote Group and owner of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote disclosed that the NNPCL reduced its 20 percent stake in Dangote Refinery.
The African richest man noted that the Nigerian oil company now owns only 7.2 percent of the refinery due to the NNPC’s failure to pay the balance of their share, which was due last month in June.
Reacting, Adeyanju said the decision of the NNPCL raises concerns that “warrants immediate attention and transparency.”
In an open letter to Tinubu, the lawyer said the reduction from 20% to 7.2% would amount to a loss in potential revenue for the Nigerian Government.
The letter reads: “As a concerned citizen of Nigeria, I feel compelled to address the recent decision by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to reduce its stake in the Dangote Refinery from 20% to 7.2%. This decision has significant implications for our national economy and the welfare of Nigerian taxpayers, and it raises several concerns that warrant immediate attention and transparency.
“To provide context, in September 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited acquired a 20% stake in the Dangote Refinery for $2.76 billion. This investment was intended to secure a significant share in the refinery, which is expected to be a crucial asset for Nigeria’s energy sector. The initial financing included $1.036 billion provided by Lekki Refinery Funding Limited, with $1 billion paid directly to Dangote Refinery and $36 million allocated for transaction costs. The remaining $1.76 billion was to be paid through a discount on crude oil prices and future dividends.
“The reduction of NNPC Limited’s stake from 20% to 7.2% represents a substantial loss in potential revenue for the Nigerian Government. The Dangote Refinery is poised to be a critical asset in our nation’s energy sector, and owning a significant share would have ensured a steady stream of revenue through dividends and profit sharing. By reducing its stake, NNPC Limited diminishes its share of future profits, directly impacting the funds available for public services, infrastructure, and other critical needs. This decision essentially sacrifices long-term financial benefits for what appears to be short-term expediency.
“Additionally, this move reduces NNPC Limited’s strategic influence over the refinery’s operations. With a smaller stake, NNPC Limited will have less say in the management and strategic decisions of the refinery, which is a key national asset. This diminished influence could lead to decisions not aligning with our national energy policies or best interests. It raises questions about whether this decision was made adequately considering its broader implications for Nigeria’s energy security and economic stability.
“Moreover, the lack of transparency surrounding this decision is deeply troubling. There has been little or no detailed explanation provided to the public regarding the reasons behind the reduction in NNPC Limited’s shares. Was this decision driven purely by financial constraints, or were there other factors at play? The absence of clear, comprehensive communication from NNPC Limited fuels suspicion and erodes public trust in our institutions. It is imperative that NNPC Limited and the Nigerian government provide a full and transparent account of the motivations and deliberations that led to this decision.
“Furthermore, this decision has direct implications for Nigerian taxpayers. By capping the investment, NNPC Limited avoids potential immediate financial strains, but it also forfeits future financial benefits that could have supported public services and infrastructure development. The reduction in potential revenue could impact the funds available for critical national development projects, thereby affecting the quality of life for Nigerian citizens.
“I urge the Nigerian government and NNPC Limited to reconsider this decision or, at the very least, provide a detailed and transparent explanation to the public. The people of Nigeria deserve to understand the rationale behind decisions that significantly impact our national assets and future prosperity. It is essential to restore public confidence through openness and accountability. Failing to do so will only deepen the distrust and scepticism that many Nigerians already feel towards our institutions.
“In conclusion, the reduction of NNPC Limited’s stake in the Dangote Refinery is a decision laden with negative implications for Nigerian taxpayers and raises serious concerns about transparency and potential foul play. I call upon the Nigerian government and NNPCL Limited to address these concerns promptly and ensure that all future decisions regarding our national assets are made with the utmost integrity and in the best interest of the Nigerian people.”
Reducing NNPCL’s stake in Dangote refinery recipe for losses – Adeyanju to Tinubu
Osoba’s passion for nation-building remains indelible
The United States chapter of the All Progressives Congress has described the ex-Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, as a nation-builder whose impact on the development of Nigeria cannot be forgotten.
The APC USA National Youth Leader, Oyakhilome Bello, disclosed this in a congratulatory message issued in Abuja to celebrate Osoba’s 85th birthday on Monday.
The elder statesman had an illustrious career as a journalist in the 1960s before veering into politics.
He was elected as the governor of Ogun State first from 1992 to 1993 during the Third Republic on the platform of the Social Democratic Party.
The former Daily Times editor was later removed from office by the late General Sani Abacha’s administration on November 17, 1993, but was fortunate to be elected again as governor on the ticket of the Alliance for Democracy from May 1999 to May 2003.
In the statement released on Monday, Bello described Osoba as a paragon of excellence in politics and public governance.
The member of the APC Diaspora Directorate of Edo Governorship Campaign Council also labelled him a ‘hero of democracy’ and an ‘accomplished political actor of great repute’ that should be emulated.
He said, “Osoba’s unwavering commitment and passion for nation-building, as seen in all his meritorious service to humanity and the nation at large, would remain indelible. He is a renowned journalist and paragon of excellence in public governance whose impact on nation-building cannot be denied in the sand of time.
“We salute his patriotism, dedication, and service to the nation with his impact on our democracy today. As we celebrate his birthday today, we not only express our deepest appreciation for his exceptional and immense contributions to making our dear nation better, but also pray for many more years of good health, fulfilment, and continued sound health and mind.”
‘You are a common stooge,’ Bello El-Rufai fires back at Omatseye
Bello El-Rufai, one of the sons of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Bello, has descended on The Nation newspaper columnist, Sam Omatseye for calling his family derogatory names in his recent column in the newspaper.
In the column under the headline “Like father like fraud,” Omatseye described the El-Rufai‘s family as a shameless and criminally minded people in response to an earlier tweet by Bello who labellrd him a “shameless idiot”.
The article read:
“A tweet went viral last week from the fingers of lawmaker and son of former Kaduna State governor, Bello El-Rufai.
“I did not see it until quite a few people forwarded it to me. A former minister also sent it to me with a comment, ‘This little prick needs to be put in his place.’
“What did Bello, a member of House of Representatives, write?
“Thanks. I left the office early to see him off at the airport. I just told him a lot of you do love him and have been supportive. I shared some tweets to him. We also laughed at a shameless idiot, Sam the houseboy at 70, of the Toilet Paper called The Nation.
READ ALSO:Aisha Yesufu mocks Yahaya Bello, El-Rufai over travails
“He accompanied the tweet with a picture of the back of his father, the former governor who bleeds rather than talk.
“Bello himself has been pampered by his father. He never had any real job in this country before he became lawmaker, except a stint at a Chinese firm his father helped him get. He schooled outside this country.
“A father is accused of stealing over N400 billion, the son goes to the toilet to defend him… So, if father is an accused thief, son is a liar. What a combo of family. Who is shameless if not a thief or a liar?”
A father is accused of stealing over N400 billion, the son goes to the toilet to defend him… So, if father is an accused thief, son is a liar. What a combo of family. Who is shameless if not a thief or a liar?
— Sam Omatseye (@samomatseye) July 15, 2024
In response to the article, an angry Bello took to his X handle to fire back at Omatseye.
He wrote: “Your family is the shameless one, who are they? You are a common stooge sent to write terribly written articles. Who are you?
“The man is here, he is defending himself, he has ignored you people, yet you still can’t stop shaking before going to sleep because he troubles you.”
Your family is the shameless one, who are they? You are a common stooge sent to write terribly written articles.
Wtf are you?
The man is here, he is defending himself, he has ignored you people, yet you still can’t stop shaking before going to sleep because he troubles you.
— Bashir El-Rufai (@BashirElRufai) July 15, 2024
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