A file photo of former President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday met in Abuja over the political crisis in Mali.
Giving updates on the considerable improvement in the management of the crisis in Mali, Jonathan, who is the Special Envoy/Mediator to the West African country, said the mission given to him by the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was almost fully done, as a transition government with a largely civilian face has been inaugurated in Mali.
He said: “The President has been sworn in, the Prime Minister, and Ministers too. The military has only four portfolios for serving officers, and the government has taken off.
According to him, “We can’t do hop, step and jump like other developed nations of the world, but one is delighted at the successes recorded.”
It would be recalled that after the intervention by the military in Mali, ECOWAS leaders had insisted on a transition government led by a civilian, and return to constitutional order within 12-18 months, among other demands.
File Photo: Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Thursday announced February 18, 2023 as the date for the 2023 presidential election.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, who officially announced this in Abuja on at the inauguration of the House of Representatives Committee on 1999 Constitution Review, said there are just about 854 days left to the 2023 general elections.
Yakubu charged the lawmakers to ensure a timely review of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to help improve the country’s electoral process.
The commission boss said in it usual practice, elections have to take place in the second week of February of each election year and reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to credible polls through the use of various technology the commission has adopted in conducting elections.
In his remark at the event, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, described the constitution review as an important step to “identify those areas where the laws of our land have not lived up to expectations” and fix the gaps accordingly.
Gbajabiamila said the committee, headed by the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase, should also consider the expectations of different interest groups among Nigerians.
Inaugurating the committee at the National Assembly, the Speaker said the House is determined to come up with a constitution that addresses most of the current challenges facing the country.
“Mr Chairman, Honourable Members of this Committee, I do not envy the enormous amount of work you have in front of you. However, I know you have an abundant capacity to execute this important assignment and deliver on our joint commitments to the Nigerian people.
“I encourage you during this assignment to seek out and listen to as many voices as possible. Engage with as many interest groups as possible, reject misinformation, document the stories of our people, consider their expectations.
“Let the work you do demonstrate that this House of Representatives is fully capable of reflecting the most urgent concerns of the Nigerian people and acting in their best interests. I am confident that you will act judiciously and produce for the consideration of the House of Representatives, a quality report we can implement expeditiously,” he said.
The Speaker said the House is commencing the “constitution review process at a time of great and ongoing upheaval in our country.
“New challenges emerge daily from every corner. Some of these challenges are of our own making, and others, we could not have foreseen or been prepared for.
“Whichever may be the case, the Nigerian people look up to us as government to proffer solutions that work, to do the heavy lifting of writing a new constitution, one better suited to our current aspirations and reflecting our vision of the future.”
He said when the House updated its Legislative Agenda two months ago, one thing that was made abundantly clear during the preparation of the document was that “the answer to many of our development questions lies in the pages of a new Nigerian constitution.”
“When you ask me what the state of our nation is, the honest answer is this: we are in a fight for the very survival of our country and the continuation of the Nigerian project. Recent global developments have exposed all our systemic weaknesses so that we can no longer pretend to ourselves that things are on an even keel and slow progress is enough to get us to where we ought to be yet are still so far away from.
“This 9th House of Representatives has since committed to the cause of reform. Our commitment must neither waver nor wane on the matter of thoughtful and fair overhaul of our nation’s constitution.
“The reality of our current circumstances and the now certain knowledge that only we can save ourselves imposes on us an obligation to act with greater determination and all the urgency this moment calls for.”
Noting that “the ongoing evolution of our nation’s democracy requires of us that we continually review and update the rules of our engagement,” Gbajabiamila said: “Every election season exposes significant gaps in the process that if left unaddressed, threaten our democracy.”
For this, the Speaker noted, the House would, through the constitution review process, ensure electoral reforms that would address the challenges in the electoral system.
“Electoral reforms are not a party-political issue, they are a matter of loyalty to an ideal that is greater than the party to which one belongs to, or the personal ambitions we may each hold.
“Electoral reforms are a matter of our nation’s future, and the process of setting out systems and protocols for managing how we choose our leaders and representatives begins with the Constitution. We must keep this in mind as we begin this process.”
On the #EndSARS protests going on for over a week in parts of the country, the Speaker said: “In addition to whatever other changes that may be caused by these protests, they have exposed the stinking underbelly of our nation’s policing system.”
With that, he said: “We now understand better why our federal police is often unable to effectively respond to the localised manifestations of insecurity across the different parts of our country.
“The simple truth is that we have a police that doesn’t have the trust of the people, and a policing system that doesn’t make for productive partnerships between the police and the communities they serve. However, for those of us who are out there, we must be careful not to lose the plot.
“The Inspector General of Police has heard you and he has spoken. The House has spoken, even before now, and continues to speak. The President has been unequivocal and spoke clearly. It is now time to sit back and see what happens.
“I believe the hand of God is on this nation. The point has been made, and the government in all its layers has responded. Let us sit back and see if the government does what it has committed to do. Which I have all assurances, and as your Speaker I pass these assurances on to you.
“Honourable colleagues, overcoming our overwhelming national security challenges now requires of us all that we be willing to accept new approaches and consider novel ideas. Neither the security institutions nor political leaders can afford to hold on too tightly to a status quo whose frustrating limitations are painfully evident, whilst reflexively rejecting innovations that may improve our fortunes if properly implemented.”
File Photo: Wife of former First Lady of Ogun State and Founder, UPLIFT Development Foundation, Dr. Mrs Olufunso Amosun.
More than five hundred women in the Ogun Central Senatorial District of Ogun State, were on Thursday in Abeokuta screened during a breast cancer and lumpectomy programme organised by wife of former Governor of Ogun State, Dr. Olufunso Amosun ìn collaboration with Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.
The free cancer screening and lumpectomy programme by Dr. Mrs Amosun, holds annually during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October to Increase attention and support for the awareness and early detection and treatment as well as palliative care for those in need.
Founder, UPLIFT Development Foundation, Dr. Mrs Olufunso Amosun at the free Breast Cancer Screening and Lumpectomy Programme organised for over 500 women in Ògùn Central Senatorial District of Ogun State.
The former first lady, who is the Founder of UPLIFT Development Foundation stated in her remark that her husband, “Senator Ibikunle Amosun has made fund available for lumpectomy sugery for any lump that we find during this year’s cancer screening programme”.
Medical experts have reiterated that Breast cancer, touted to be the most common cancer disease amongst women worldwide is a major cause of death.
In his remark, the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Prof. Musa Adewale-Olomu, adviced women that: “when you go to the toilet every morning try to rob your breast yourself to see if you can detect anything”.
Apart from free breast cancer screening exercise, the beneficiaries were trained on how to personally examine their breast and what to do if they noticed a lump.
The ongoing #EndSARS protest against police brutality has scored some points as Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, sacked a former Commanding Officer of the disbanded Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) in Awkuzu, James Nwafor (retired), who has been repeatedly mentioned in the media for his high-handedness against crime suspects and unspeakable violations of human rights.
Nwafor had retired from the service and picked up an appointment as an advisor to Obiano on security matters.
Addressing protesters in Awka on Thursday, Obiano announced the sack of Nwafor and assured the people of Anambra State that the sacked security aide and other officers who circumvented the law and indulged in human rights violations while in service in the state would be brought to book.
The governor also announced that a special panel headed by Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice had been set up to document human rights violations and abuses by the defunct SARS with a view to getting justice for victims and bringing closure to old injuries.
He also assured that he would personally visit all the facilities of the defunct SARS in the state and effect immediate release of suspects who are unlawfully held in the cells.
Obiano, in a statement by his Media Aide, James Eze, commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully so far and implored them to leave the Enugu-Onitsha Highway since their demands had been met.
Lagos State Police Command has arrested one of the #EndSARS protesters, Nike Lawal, ‘f’, of 30, Anjorin Street, Aminkanle in Lagos State, for driving recklessly and killing two innocent Nigerians at Ikola Road in Alagbado area of Lagos on October 14.
The command, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, identified Lawal as the driver of Toyota 4Runner SUV with registration number: GGE 346 BK, that ran into a tricycle and killed the duo of Ojo Azeez, m, 27-year-old and Yusuf Sodia, m, 26-year-old, both of Command Road, Alagbado in Lagos State.
The statement said: “The suspect, who intentionally removed the number plates on her SUV, as at the time of the incident, joined the protest at AIT Junction, Alagbado, and started driving recklessly, like many other protesters, before the fatal accident.”
Meanwhile, Lagos State Commisioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has commiserated with the families of the deceased and assured them of the command’s commitment to having justice in the case; and that the command would not relent on its efforts in maintaining peace, law and order within the state.
In a related development, the commissioner has arrested and commenced orderly room trial of the four policemen who were caught for assaulting a young lady (protester) in a viral video at Surulere on Monday.
The policemen are: Bagou Michael, Ekpoundom Etop, Nnamdi Majura, and Akinyemi Benson.
The policemen, who are attached to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Surulere, are cooling their feet in the cell while the orderly room trial continues.
Odumosu has also ordered for the arrest of the policeman who slapped an aged mother in another viral video at Iyun Street in Surulere, same day.
The commissioner has, however, reiterated his zero tolerance for incivility, brutality and inappropriate conducts amongst police personnel as his corrective mechanisms are sacrosanct.
For how long will our country continue to put forward it’s worst XI instead of it’s 1st XI team? For how long will our leaders portray a country blessed with some of the most brilliant minds anywhere in the world as “no good doers” who know how to say all the right things but whose sincerity somehow always comes into question when it comes to execution?
For how long will mediocrity be celebrated in our nation, confounding the rest of the world who see the genius of our people in their countries everyday? For how long will Nigeria be presented to the world in awfully bad light causing us to bow our heads in shame and disbelief? For how long will our leaders continue to blot out the dazzling stars that we are? For how long shall we continue to ascribe the alarming rate of unnecessary deaths to acts of God?
The average life expectancy in Nigeria is a pitiable 53 years compared to 71 years in wartorn Syria. Ponder on that for a moment. For how long will we question why we even bothered to go to school if at the end of the day, we’ll be overlooked in favour of another, who knows next to nothing? For how long will our leaders continue to ignore the most obvious solutions to the myriad of problems bedevilling our society in favour of a glaringly hopeless alternative, leaving the hapless people to pray and fast for a miracle that will invariably never come?
Two plus two will always equal four no matter how hard you pray or how deep in the sand you bury your head. For how long will our children continue to ask “Why?”. “Why is the country like this?” “Why do things not work?” “Why will my country not support me to fly like the eagle that I am?” “Why are my ambitions being deliberately thwarted by officials whose job it is to ensure I succeed?” “Why can I not move from point A to point B without the fear of being accosted or brutalised by those who swore an oath to serve and protect me?”
“Why do I feel as if I’m being sidelined or worse still, victimized for my God given talent?” “Why should I have to grovel and beg for what should be mine by right?” “Why is it that everyone appears to be so religious yet it’s the evil ones who seem to thrive?” “Why is our generation still praying for the same things your generation has been praying for, for so long?”
“Daddy, for how long will we continue to deceive ourselves and hope for a better future when tomorrow never seems to come?” “Why…Why…Why?”
Folks of my generation have offered their children every explanation in the book, in a vain attempt to convince them all will still be well. We began by uttering them with confidence, albeit contrived. We then appealed to their faith in God.
Unsuccessful yet again, we resorted to reversed psychology by chiding them for their unbelief. Before we knew it, we found ourselves attempting to temper their fury by empathizing with their frustrations. It soon dawns on us that we have come full circle and things are yet to change.
Filled with questionably placed patriotism, we sold them a vision of a good tomorrow. The same ones our parents sold us in adolescence and which many of us, refusing to give up hope, continue to sell ourselves even now in maturity.
Taking a good look around, it all begins to sound hollow and hollower by the day. No longer totally convinced ourselves, it becomes an increasingly herculean task to convince the other. For how long shall we continue to excuse the inexcusable? How many more stories can we tell our children, in good conscience? I think you’ll agree that one of the things which make us human and distinguishes us from robots is our individuality.
This extends to our threshold also and that’s why some who find themselves out of excuses, having exhausted all they could think of, to the same questions over the years, simply throw their hands up in surrender. They give up altogether and before you know it, whisk their children out as they wave with undisguised lament, “so long” to their country. With a deep sigh of relief and yet as if to console themselves too, they say to no-one in particular, “at least I tried”. For how long will this be our story? I wish I could answer that.
One day our children scattered across the diaspora will hear of that distant land where because of poor leadership, the sun was said to have smitten the people by day and the moon in solidarity, did same by night. But our prayer is that the story they’ll hear then, will be very different to the one we tell today.
We hope by then we would have transmuted from a nation where possible is selfishly made impossible to a nation where impossible becomes possible. We hope by then, our people here in Nigeria will be supported, enabled and given the opportunity to equal and even best the achievement of their kinsmen in foreign lands. We hope by then we would have gotten our groove back and will proudly display our full ability as a great people for the whole world to acknowledge and admire.
We hope by then, we shall no longer be a source of disappointment to our expectant African brothers because of our penchant to under perform, much like a man dancing with two left feet. And I hope this rallying cry will touch the heart of all, so this dream will one day become our reality. To all the above, may I please hear a loud Amen!
*#ENDSARS*…what do they say about an idea whose time has come? *It’s unstoppable*!!!
Changing the nation…one child at a time.
Oladapo Akande is a Surrey University (UK) English graduate with a Masters in Professional Ethics. He’s an alumnus of the National Institute for Transformation and a two time author; The Last Flight and Shifting Anchors. He writes from Lagos.
A driver of the Bus 240-171, Mayowa Olajide, owned by Lagos State Bus Service Limited (LBSL), which was allegedly used for carrying thugs to disrupt the #EndSARS protest in Alausa, has spoken up in order to set the record straight.
Olajide, who spoke during a live briefing held on Thursday by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the State House in Marina, explained how the alleged thugs attacked the peaceful protesters.
According to him, “I took passengers from Berger Bus Stop and we were heading to Oshodi Bus Stop.
“On getting to Alausa under the bridge, there was a protest going on there. I had to stop moving the bus to allow the protesters leave the road, so that we could pass.
“After about three minutes, we saw another group of youths, whom we presumed to be protesters, disembarking from yellow minibuses. They were armed with machetes and axes. They moved towards the protesters who blocked the road and started attacking them.1
“Upon sighting the armed youths, the passengers in my bus and I became frightened. They asked me to open the doors, so that they could flee from the scene. I opened the doors; some of them ran out, while others remained in the bus. I also abandoned the bus and ran away from the scene, because I didn’t know what was going on.
“After some minutes, normalcy returned to the scene. Some of the passengers remained in the bus when I came back. Some left. We continued our journey thereafter. Nobody was injured in the bus and the bus was not destroyed by the hoodlums.”
Also speaking on the matter, Sanwo-Olu said the police had been on the trail of the hoodlums who attacked protesters in Alausa.
He reaffirmed that his administration would continue to identify with the demonstrators who conduct themselves peacefully.
The governor, therefore, directed Lagos State Police Command to ensure adequate security for citizens who respect the law and orderliness in the cause of their protest.
Meanwhile, LBSL Managing Director, Idowu Oguntona, has suspended all bus operations for the safety of passengers following the #EndSARS protest in the city.
Oguntona said the suspension was due to a viral video on social media about thugs who purportedly alighted from its bus 240-171 to attack protesters at Alausa Secretariat.
While dismissing erroneous narrative in various social media platforms, Oguntona said the bus was heading towards Oshodi from Berger around 8am when some armed individuals disembarked from a particular yellow vehicle in front of the bus at Alausa Secretariat Bus Stop.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have commiserated with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and his entire family over the passing of their mother and the Matriarch of the Makinde family, Madam Omojolagbe Abigail Makinde.
The late matriarch of the Makinde dynasty died at the age of 81 at her Ikolaba residence in Ibadan.
The President sent condolences to friends, family and associates of the matriarch, whose testimony of love and kind heartedness continues to be shared, particularly her warmth to the poor and less privileged.
Buhari urged friends and family members to find solace in the good works of the governor’s mother, who invested heavily in fear of God, love and hard work, and ensured her children and grandchildren followed same training of diligence, discipline and charity.
The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, prayed God to receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family.
Sanwo-Olu, in his condolence message, prayed God to grant the Makindes the fortitude to bear the loss.
“I commiserate with Governor Seyi Makinde on the passing to eternal life of his dear mother, Mrs Abigail Makinde.
“While I extend my condolences to the Makinde family, I pray that God grants them the grace and courage to bear the loss.
Also, Ogun State governor has said he received the news of the death of Mama Makinde with great shock and disbelief.
Abiodun described Mama Makinde as a frank and straightforward woman who raised her children in a godly way and was a source of strength to those she came in contact with during her life time.
“Mama was a rare gem, a supportive wife, a loving mother who would stop at nothing to ensure the welfare of her children and others who crossed her path.
“She was not only a mother to her children, but mother to children sir other parents, as she did not discriminate, but treated everyone equally. She made positive impact on the lives of people in her community. I am sure she will greatly missed,” Abiodun said.
He noted that he was particularly pained by her death when preparation was on top gear for her 82nd birthday, adding that with her death, the country, Oyo State and Governor Makinde had lost a good adviser, motivator and a great counsellor.
“It is a pity that mama died at a period when her wise counseling was mostly needed not only in Oyo State, but in Nigeria.
“I sympathise with my brother, Governor Seyi Makinde. I know this is indeed a trying period for him. It is my prayer that the Almighty God will grant him the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” Abiodun said.
The governor while praying for the repose of soul of the deceased, called on Nigerians to emulate Mama Makinde who lived a life of service to humanity, saying this would imprint their names on the sand of time.
PDP National Working Committee, on behalf of the National Executive Committee and entire PDP family, had consoled Governor Makinde, over the passage of his amiable and highly revered mother.
The party said: “Our party grieves over the death of this great personality, particularly at this time Oyo state and indeed the nation at large, need her prayers, intercessions and wise counsel the most.
“Madam Makinde was a rare gem; an exceptionally resourceful, upright, straightforward and patriotic Nigerian, who sacrificially committed her life towards the good, welfare and development of others rather than herself.
“Though we deeply mourn at this point, our party draws solace from the fact that she lived a fulfilled life and bequeathed to our nation, a patriot in Governor Makinde.
“Indeed, Governor Makinde’s exceptional commitment to duty, forthrightness in governance, love for his people and Nigerians at large, all stem from the tutelage and nurturing he received from his mother.
“Our party indeed identify with Governor Makinde and the Makinde family at this moment of grief.
“We also commiserate with the government and people of Oyo state and pray God to grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, particularly given that she rests on in the bosom of her Lord and creator.”
A statement by Jagun Olubadan, Muyiwa Makinde, on behalf of the family had Thursday announced that the late matriarch slept peacefully in the Lord in the early hours of October 15.
“With total submission to the will of the Almighty God, we announce the passing to the great beyond of our mother, Mrs. Abigail Makinde, who departed this world in the early hours of today, Thursday, October 15, 2020.
“Though Mama gave no indication of any sickness, she slept peacefully in the Lord at the age of 81, in the early hours of the day at her Ibadan home, 7B, Oyeleke Street, Ikolaba, Ibadan.
“While we appreciate the Almighty for sparing her life thus far, we must confess that we will sorely miss her counsel, motherly role and impact on the lives of her children and the grandchildren.
“We will equally miss her impactful role as a stabilising force in the family, her community and especially Oyo State, which is currently being governed by her son and our brother, Engineer Seyi Makinde.
“We sincerely appreciate the prayers and condolences of our numerous well-wishers.
“May Mama’s soul rest peacefully with her maker,” the statement said.
Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The Federal Government has directed civil servants who have not been going to work since March when the lockdown declared to curtail the spread of COVID-19 started to return to work from Monday 19th, 2020.
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha; and the National Coordinator, Sanni Aliyu, disclosed this at the press briefing of the task force on Thursday.
Only civil servants of Salary Grade Level 12 and above as well as those on essential duties have been going to work.
But the PTF has directed that civil servants below SGL 12 can now resume work.
It however directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that they alternate the days the civil servants will be at work in order to ensure social distancing.
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