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I Don’t Know How To Advise Nigerians On Current Hardship – APC Leader, Bisi Akande

Published

2 years ago

July 23, 2023

The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande has said that he would not advise Nigerians on the current severe hardships being faced on all fronts as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy because he is not in government.

Recall that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy in his inauguration speech, the living conditions of Nigerians have started growing from bad to worst based among others on the progressive increment of prices of PMS from N185 per litre to N515 Per litre and now to N585 per litre and beyond.

Chief Bisi Akande spoke in Oro in Irepodun Local Government rea of Kwara State on Saturday on the sideline of the reception organised by the Oro community to honour the immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed for doing the community proud during his eight years in office.

Speaking with journalists in the private resident of the former minister on his advise to Nigerians based on the hardship they are currently facing, he said: “I’m sorry,I’m not in the position to advise Nigerians because I’m not in government and I don’t want to make mistake. Only members of government who are reading files that know a lot of things about the country can do that.im in a position like you and I will see it the way you will see it.”

He nevertheless extolled the virtues of the former minister particularly while he served under him as the Publicity Secretary of Alliance for Democracy (AD),Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)and All Progressives Congress (APC).

“He served Alh Muhammed Buhari for eight years that’s not my business because I wasn’t part of the government but while serving under me as the Publicity Secretary of the AD,ACN and APC I found him to be a diligent people’s servant,” he said.

“I know him to be a great man a very honest individual always willing to learn.He does his job according to rule and I’m happy that he has such a wife that can allow his husband to move among others and be great so I’m happy,” The elder statesman enthused.

Chief Akande also urged the people of Oro to shun “Bad mouthing “syndrome and unite with whoever has the opportunity to be great in order to reproduce many great sons like Alh Lai Mohammed.

“I want to advise our people in Oro to be united because I know they belong to the minority in Kwara state due to the wickedness of the colonial masters who splitted the people of Igbomina and the Yoruba between the old western region and the old northern region.

“So today I can see my people being in minority also in Kwara state and I begin to say that our people must be united in everything they do.When they see anyone of them moving forward in a race they should support him and not say I think I can do it better and then begin to badmouth or pull down.

“The pull down syndrome must not be allowed among Oro people or Igbomina people so that they could produce many more of Lai Mohammed. ” he said.

In his his own remark, the former minister Alh Lai Mohammed said “there is no honor more valued than the one you are given by your own people.”

“Whatever might be their reasons for honouring me I can only thank them for the honour they have done to me its very rare not common because the common parlance is that a prophet is not honoured by his own people.” he added.

Speaking on the current situation in Nigeria the former minister also declined comment.

“I am today Lai Mohammed,a private citizen like you,so what do I know about government?”

He also declined comment about his trying period during the eight years as a minister saying this is not a forum for that,” there will still be fora that we’ll discuss that.

He however commended the people of Oro community for their religious tolerance that bound them together in unity and urged others to emulate them.

He said, “All over the world one of the greatest challenges humanity is facing today is extremism and extremism could come through political groups or religious abuse and in most cases one overlap the other. For those of us familiar with Boko Haram insurgency it was purely intolerance and extremism on the part of some people and this is what I find unique about my community because my people always live in harmony in respective of your religion affiliation.”

Earlier, President of Oro Community Prof Olabode Bojuwoye in his address said the ceremony was a well-deserved homecoming,” for our illustrious son Alh Lai Mohammed.”

“We thank him for his numerous services while in lagos state as Chief of staff then as National Publicity secretary of APC then as Minister for eight years.

“We are extremely happy at home because as they say charity begins at home.

“His contributions to Oro community are immense and cannot be forgotten. “he added.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who was represented by his Deputy Mr Kayode Alabi at the occasion also commended Alh Lai Mohammed for serving the nation meritoriously and make kwara state proud.

He urged politicians and other stakeholders to live in unity and peace among themselves so that the state can continue to witness development.

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Related Topics:#Tinubu Bisi Akande subsidy

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Metro

Nigerian Army Suspends Statutory, Voluntary Retirement For Specific Officers

Published

11 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Army has announced the indefinite suspension of all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers.

According to an internal memo dated 3 December 2025, signed by Major General E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, this is in response to the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Okoro explained that the measure is intended to preserve manpower, expertise, and operational readiness while the Armed Forces rapidly expand to tackle the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.

Citing the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers (HTACOS) 2024, the document pointed out that officers normally retire upon reaching the prescribed age for their rank, completing 35 years of service, or after repeated failures in promotion or conversion processes.

However, Paragraph 3.10(e) permits service extensions when it is in the interest of the military.

“Military service of a commissioned officer entails a period of unbroken service in the AFN from the date of enlistment or commissioning to the date of retirement. The period of service is determined by conditions enshrined in the HTACOS Officers 2024. These include attainment of age ceilings on various ranks, 35 years maximum length of service, and other criteria provided in Paragraphs 11.02(d) and 17.15, among extant regulations,” the memo partly read.

“Notwithstanding these provisions, Chapter 3.10(e) of HTACOS Officers 2024 allows for extension of service to officers in the interest of the service.

“The President and Commander-in-Chief declared a nationwide security emergency on November 26, mandating the expansion of the AFN and other security agencies. In line with this, and to rapidly expand manpower, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”

According to the memo, the suspension affects Army officers in the following categories: Those who have failed promotion examinations three times, those passed over for promotion three times, those who have reached the age ceiling for their current rank, those who have failed conversion boards three times and those who have completed 35 years of service.

It explained that affected officers who wish to remain in service may apply for an extension beyond their original retirement dates.

However, the memo clarified that: “Officers in these categories who are not interested in extension of service are to continue with the normal retirement procedure. Officers desirous of extension should note that upon extension, they are not eligible for career progression, including promotion, career courses, NA sponsorship, self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental appointments.”

Metro

NDLEA Seizes 7.6m Tramadol Pills, 76,273kg Cannabis In Nationwide Raids

Published

12 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the seizure of more than 7.6 million tramadol pills and 76,273 kilograms of cannabis strains in coordinated operations across several states, with multiple suspects arrested.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the seizures were made during intelligence-led raids between 1 and 6 December.

In Delta State, operatives recovered 3,874,000 tramadol pills and 252.2 litres of codeine syrup from a warehouse at Oko market, Asaba. In Imo State, 1.2 million tramadol tablets were intercepted from a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Kelechi Nwakocha along the Onitsha-Owerri road.

In Adamawa, officers stopped a Toyota Hiace bus travelling from Jos to Mubi with 1,577,112 capsules of tramadol and exol-5 tablets concealed in jumbo bags mixed with footwear. Two suspects, Kabiru Buba, 25, and Hamza Abubakar, 32, were arrested. Another suspect, Mudansir Rabiu, 27, was apprehended in Kano with 197,000 exol-5 pills.

In Ekiti, NDLEA destroyed 14,654 kilograms of skunk in Omuo forest and 54,300 kilograms in warehouses at Asin-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the operations. In Ondo, 5,442 kilograms of skunk were seized in Igoba forest, Akure North, with five suspects taken into custody.

Further arrests were made in Niger State, where 500 kilograms of skunk were recovered from a van along Mokwa-Jebba road, and in Abuja, where 22 kilograms of synthetic cannabis known as Colorado were intercepted at Abaji expressway. A follow-up operation at Jabi park led to the arrest of a female receiver, Ali Blessing, 33. Another suspect, Aliyu Usman, 39, was arrested with 24 kilograms of skunk and 573,500 exol-5 pills along Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway.

In Lagos, 113 kilograms of Canadian Loud were recovered from Ezenwa Udoka at Ladipo market, while Izuchukwu Usulor was arrested with 351 kilograms of skunk in Onipanu. Susan Okoro was also arrested with 104.1 kilograms at Trade Fair complex, Ojo. In Edo, 447.5 kilograms of skunk were seized from two vehicles in Agho forest, Akoko Edo, and 315.8 kilograms were recovered from a warehouse in Isiefve community, Ohuwunde Local Government Area.

The Agency confirmed that sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse initiative continued during the week in schools, worship centres and communities across Kano, Benue and Rivers States.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved.

“Their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, are well appreciated,” he said.
The Agency stated that investigations are ongoing and suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.