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Jonathan To Nigerians: Shun ‘Bread And Butter’ Politicians, Oshiomhole Eulogises Ex-President

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday charged Nigerians to be circumspect in the exercise of their voting rights, saying, “We must shift away from the politics of bread and butter.”

He also lamented that efforts of past leaders, especially those of the First Republic to unite Nigeria failed because they were regional but not nationalistic in their programmes and policies.

Jonathan, however, explained that the leaders did their best to also position the country for economic prosperity, while the attempts yielded more to centrifugal forces which reinforced ethnic interests.

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Jonathan stated this in his paper titled: ‘Lasting legacy: Key to Nigeria’s development issues’, at the one-year memorial lecture in honour of late Captain Hosa Okunbo in Abuja.

According to him, the present crop of leaders inherited a country that was already balkanised into three regions and later four regions.

Jonathan said, “I believe that the legacy of nationhood and roots of unity were weak at Nigeria’s independence and not much has been done since then to strengthen the base of the union.

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“The decision to shift away from the regional arrangement to a national focus, where Nigerians will begin to see their country as their common heritage, need a different orientation, planning, strategy and adaptation.

“My charge to Nigerians is to be circumspect in the exercise of their voting rights. We must shift away from the politics of bread and butter and ensure that we do not elect leaders that will buy our conscience today and mortgage the future of our children and grandchildren. We should endeavour to elect only those that will leave legacies of unity, peace and development.”

At the event, a former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili urged politicians to develop the education sector, she lamented would continue to elude Nigeria and other African countries if the political class does not invest in education.

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She said, “When you look at the parameters and issues in our country, especially the current data, it shows that the continent is in crisis and it has to deal with some of the things that the former President Jonathan said about society, It’s that nine out of every 10 Africans do not have the literacy and numeracy skills required of Children of their age in other parts of the world.”

In a similar vein, spokesperson for the Atiku presidential campaign, Dino Melaye, recalled how Capt. Hosa Okunbor, assisted him in the past.

READ ALSO: One Year After, Ex-President Jonathan To Deliver Memorial Lecture In Honour Of Capt Hosa

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He described Jonathan as “the most productive immediate past President Nigeria ever had.”

Meanwhile, former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, said Jonathan left a lasting legacy that set a pedestal for his successors.

He said, “Part of your legacy was when you launched the almajiri school and your thought was that no Nigerian child should be left on the street and also appropriated special funds.” he said.

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In addition, the Olu of Warri and son-in-law of the deceased, Ogiame Atuwase III decried the glorification of stomach infrastructure in Nigeria’s political culture.

While lauding Jonathan for not upturning the presidential elections in 2015, the monarch decried the lack of trust in the country.

He said, “As a nation, we are in a situation of raw survival which fosters an environment that escalates grievances and creates social chaos. And before we know it, we are in a culture of deception and there is no peace where there is no trust. And there is no trust where there is no truth in words, which is why it’s easy for not just politicians, anyone really to just say something and they don’t believe in what they are saying.”

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Edo Expresses Commitment To Ease Of Doing Business

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The Edo State government has expressed commitment to providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, gave the assurance after a closed door meeting with representatives of Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited, NewCross Exploration and Production Limited in Benin.

The deputy governor, who served as chairman of the state boundary committee, noted that this is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the SHINE Agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

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Idahosa, who said “it is part of the state’s strategy to create employment opportunities,” pointed out that it is in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo economic drive to turn the state into an investor friendly one.

READ ALSO:2027: I Will Resign If Tinubu Loses In Edo – Governor Okpebholo

He also emphasised meed to resolve the lingering disputes, saying the boundary committee is proactively looking into and settling areas of concern regarding the issue.

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All communities that are in the boundary line between Edo and Delta States where there are communal disputes, we want to assure them that we are doing everything within our power, using diplomatic and democratic means to make sure this is resolved amicably,” he assured.

The deputy governor noted that under the SHINE Agenda of this administration, much has been done in the area of infrastructural development.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo’s One Year Performance Outshines Some governors’ 8 Yrs, Says Idahosa

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This has made it possible to access roads to major companies, communities, and, ensuring the security of life and properties across the state by investing aggressively in security,” he stated.

On the outcome of the robust interface with the oil workers, Idahosa said through deliberations at the meeting, both parties successfully forged a headway.

He said this has resorted to the invitation of the Edo State Boundary Committee for an on the spot inspection of operation sites in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

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He called on investors and multinational companies operating in Edo State to go about their businesses with ease as the Okpebholo led administration is investment friendly.

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Imansuangbon Donates To Benin IDPs, Charges Wealthy Nigerians To Advance Humanity

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Politician and philanthropist, Barr. Kenneth Imansuangbon on Wednesday charged political office holders and well-to-do Nigerians to use their position and wealth to advance humanity.

Imansuangbon gave the charge when he visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)housed by Home for the Needy Foundation, Benin, where he donated food items, drinks, cash, toiletries, etc to the children and women as part of his Christmas gifts to them.

Recall that last month the IDPs lamented hardship caused by the economic situation of the country, saying due to the economic hardship, a single meal where they used to cook 15 bags of rice has been reduced to 5.

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Rising to the occasion, the philanthropist said his love for humanity and in accordance with the teaching of the Holy Book drove him to give to the needy annually, adding that he has been doing it for the past 20 years.

READ ALSO:Tragedy For Borno IDPs As Fire Guts 200 Houses

Imansuangbon, who expressed displeasure over the current happenings in the country, said: “If the country is really working we will not find ourselves in this kind of situation. This is an embarrassment to the giant of Africa.”

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“If we teach ourselves love and humanity, then the country will be safer and better for everyone

“We are just a tool in the hand of God Almighty. Anywhere God has placed you, use it to advance humanity. You are in government? Get it at the back of your mind that you are not the first person to occupy the position, and you are not going to be the last.

“The way our country is today, I am not satisfied, this goes beyond Mr. President or the Senators, it is about realising that We all need to save our country. If the country is really working, we will not find ourselves in this kind of situation. This is an embarrassment to the giant of Africa.”

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READ ALSO:Imansuangbon Donates Food Items IDP In Edo, Sues For Honour For Humanitarian Workers

Imansuangbon, who is the proprietor of Pacesetter School, Abuja, expressed gratitude to students, staff members and parents of the school, saying the donations were from them.

“I’m here in Benin with the half of their donation. The children donated ₦1.5m cash, and I am here with the money. You can see these 70 bags of rice, 100 bags of noodles, bags of cane drinks, water, toiletry, etc, are from them. I am grateful to them for doing this for the past 20 years.”

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He, therefore, appealed to Governor Monday Okpehbolo to extend the hand of fellowship to the IDPs particularly on Christmas day.

Responding, coordinator of the camp, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, while appreciating the donor, said: “He does this regularly not because he is a politician but because of his love for humanity. He is one of the few that comes here anytime, not an electioneering period alone, but anytime we are in need. He has been showing his love for the children for years, so I thank him.”

Folorunsho used the occasion to appeal to well-to-do Nigerians to come and assist the IDPs, stressing that until Imansuangbon came they (IDPs) had nothing to “eat for today.”

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27-year-old Man Dies Inside Deep Well In Ogbomoso

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The corpse of a 27-year-old man identified as Alagbe Gbemisoye has been recovered from a deep well at Ire-Akari, Adeniran area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

His body was retrieved by officials of the Oyo State Fire Service after passersby alerted them to the incident.

The circumstances that led to the deceased falling into the well were still unclear as of the time of filing this report.

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The Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Reforms and Chairman, Fire Services, Moroof Akinwande, said his men were alerted by a running caller and Mr Ajayi Olayemi.

READ ALSO:Oyo: Properties Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Ravages Residential Buildings

“Fire personnel led by CFM Oladejo promptly deployed to the scene. On arrival, it was discovered that a man of about 27 years old, named Alagbe Gbemisoye, had fallen into a deep well. His body was recovered and handed over to the DPO, Owode Police Station,” he said.

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Akinwande urged the public to always observe safety precautions in their daily activities and emphasised the importance of having fire extinguishers in their homes to prevent fire incidents.

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