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Jonathan Commissions Edo Civil Service Secretariat Complex, Says Nigeria Needs Politicians Like Obaseki

Published

1 year ago

June 12, 2024

Editor

Former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, has said Nigeria needs politicians like Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who has the vision to groom intellectuals, bring about development to the people in his effort to enthrone good governance.

Jonathan spoke on Wednesday in Benin at the commissioning of the Edo State Civil Service Secretariat Complex in Benin City, which was renovated and completed by the Obaseki-led administration.

He said that while other state governments were finding it difficult to pay minimum wage, Obaseki had gone ahead to pay N70,000 minimum wage , which distinguished him from his colleagues as a performing governor.

Jonathan, who expressed satisfaction with the developmental projects embarked upon by the governor, said Obaseki is doing well in the state as his government has positively improved the welfare of the people, particularly the state workforce.

He also expressed dismay at manners some governors in the country were busy encouraging youths into criminal activities with a view to using them to win elections.

Jonathan, while encouraging them to become brains that would be an asset to the country, urged politicians and governors to emulate Obaseki, saying he has redefined the political system in the state by engaging brains to drive the process.

The former president said
before this time, civil servants were taking what could not take them home, but Obaseki has changed that in Edo by paying what is reasonable and that can take them home.

“In fact, if you go to some states, governors are busy encouraging criminals because of politics. The people who will rig elections for them, snatch boxes , carry knives and cutlass to pursue people. But Governor Obaseki is encouraging the Brains of Edo State.

“The brains don’t come from one political party. The brains come from all political parties. Obaseki is not supporting these brains because he wants to win an election, but because he wants to build a state.

“For you to build a state, you have to build the people. I have to sincerely appreciate that vision. Let me join the civil servants in Edo State to thank you for improving their welfare. Of course, before this time, civil servants have been going home with salaries that can not take them home. Now, you are paying them salaries that take them home,” Jonathan said.

On his part, Obaseki said the Civil Service Secretariat Complex was the first place he visited when he assumed office as the governor of the state.

He said that the complex was in a very sorry state, he promised to revamp it and make it conducive for workers to carry out their jobs in the belief that a conducive working environment would always lead to a workforce that can boost productivity.

Also speaking, the state Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, thanked the state governor for revolutionizing and digitalizing the state civil service.

He stated that the governor has provided a conducive environment for the state workers to be effective in their day-to-day assignments.

Okungbowa said that the state is the only one paying its workers the highest minimum wage when other states are making excuses and can’t raise their own to that amount of money.

He added that the state is the only one that offers automatic employment to first-class graduates of Edo origin from any of the universities in the country.

Headline

Taliban Attacks Kill 23 In Northwestern Pakistan

Published

3 hours ago

October 11, 2025

Editor

The Pakistani Taliban on Saturday claimed responsibility for deadly attacks in several northwestern districts that killed 20 security officials and three civilians.

The attacks, which included a suicide bombing on a police training school, were carried out on Friday in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan.

Militancy has surged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the withdrawal of US-led troops from neighbouring Afghanistan in 2021 and the return of the Taliban government in Kabul.

Eleven paramilitary troops were killed in the border Khyber district, while seven policemen were killed after a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden car into the gate of a police training school, which was followed by a gun attack.

Five people, including three civilians, were killed in a separate clash in Bajaur district, security officials told AFP on Saturday.

The Pakistani Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attacks in messages on social media. The group is separate from but closely linked with the Afghan Taliban.

The attacks came hours after Afghanistan’s Taliban government accused Pakistan of “violating Kabul’s sovereign territory”, a day after two explosions were heard in the capital.

Pakistan did not say if it was behind the blasts in Kabul, but said it had the right to defend itself against surging border militancy.

Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to expel militants using Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan, an accusation that authorities in Kabul deny.

The TTP and its affiliates are behind most of the violence — largely directed at security forces.

Including Friday’s attacks, at least 32 Pakistani troops and three civilians have been killed this week alone in the border regions.

AFP

Headline

US Threatens To Sanction Countries That Vote For Shipping Carbon Tax

Published

3 hours ago

October 11, 2025

Editor

The United States on Friday threatened to impose sanctions and take other punitive action against any country that votes in favor of a carbon tax on maritime transportation to be implemented through a UN agency.

“We will fight hard to protect our economic interests by imposing costs on countries if they support” the Net Zero Framework, said a joint statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his counterparts at the departments of energy and transportation.

Members of the London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) are set to vote next week on the adoption of the Net Zero Framework (NZF) agreement aimed at reducing global carbon emissions from the shipping sector.

Washington, however, described the proposal as imposing “a global carbon tax on the world.”

Since returning to power in January, US President Donald Trump has reversed Washington’s course on climate change, denouncing it as a “scam” and encouraging fossil fuel use by deregulation.

In the statement, Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Trump administration “unequivocally rejects” the NZF proposal.

They threatened a range of punishing actions against countries that vote in favor of the framework, including: visa restrictions; blocking vessels registered in those countries from US ports; imposing commercial penalties; and considering sanctions on officials.

“The United States will be moving to levy these remedies against nations that sponsor this European-led neocolonial export of global climate regulations,” the statement said.

Headline

Top 10 Most Powerful Countries In The World In 2025 And Why

Published

3 hours ago

October 11, 2025

Editor

Power in the global arena is no longer measured by military strength alone; for powerful countries, it encompasses economic resilience, political influence, technological advancement, cultural impact, and the ability to shape international alliances.

A new ranking by US News, developed in partnership with the BAV Group (a division of WPP) and Professor David Reibstein from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, highlights the countries that command the greatest global influence in 2025.

How the Rankings Were Compiled
The Power Sub-Ranking by US News was determined based on an equally weighted average of five key attributes that signify a country’s global might:

Top 10 Most Powerful Countries in the World (2025)

United States – With a GDP of $30.34 trillion and a population of about 347 million, the U.S. remains the world’s most powerful nation, driven by its unmatched military, technological innovation, and global leadership.

China – The Asian powerhouse holds the second spot with a $19.53 trillion GDP and 1.415 billion people, maintaining significant influence in global trade, manufacturing, and diplomacy.

Russia – Despite economic challenges, Russia retains its strategic importance and military dominance, with a GDP of $2.2 trillion and a population of 143.8 million.

United Kingdom – The UK’s global clout stems from its strong economy ($3.73 trillion GDP) and active role in international politics and defense alliances.

Germany – As Europe’s largest economy, Germany boasts a GDP of $4.92 trillion and a population of 83.9 million, solidifying its leadership in technology, industry, and diplomacy.

South Korea – With a $1.95 trillion GDP and a population of 51.6 million, South Korea’s rise reflects its technological innovation and growing military strength.

France – A key European player with a $3.28 trillion GDP, France continues to wield influence through its diplomatic reach, defense capabilities, and global culture.

Japan – Boasting a $4.39 trillion GDP and 123.7 million people, Japan remains a technological and economic force in Asia.

Saudi Arabia – The kingdom’s $1.14 trillion economy and control over global energy markets reinforce its growing geopolitical importance.

Israel – With a $550.91 billion GDP and a population of 9.38 million, Israel earns its place among the top 10 thanks to its advanced military and leadership in innovation and technology.