Metro

Jonathan Vists Benin Monarch, Says Only Quality Education Can Birth Good Leadership In Africa

Published

1 year ago

June 11, 2024

Former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan says quality education is needed among Africans for the continent to transform into society everyone desires.

He added that it is only young Africans are given quality education that they can attain a position of leadership and transform the continent.

Jonathan made these assertions in Benin Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, where he informed the First Class Monarch of an upcoming programme by his foundation (Goodluck Jonathan Foundation) billed for Thursday.

The programme, Democracy Dialogue, with the theme: Functional Education, Effective Political Leadership as a Panacea to Africa’s Growth and Development,’ is expected to have as a guest speaker, Prof. Olubayi Olubayi, a seasoned educationist, Chief Academic Officer at Maarifa Education, a Kenya based Pan-African company that owns private universities across Africa and former Vice Chancellor of the International University of East Africa (IUEA) in Uganda.

Others expected at the event are immediate past president of Kenya, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta; former Liberian President, George Weah and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar.

According to the former president, he was in the palace to inform the Oba of the upcoming event and to also seek for his blessings and protection during his stay in the kingdom.

He told the Oba that he is particularly concerned about democratic practice in Africa, hence he has been using his foundation to spread “the message of good governance and the issue of standard practice of election.”

Jonathan who said past programmes of the foundation focused mainly on democracy and democratic practice in Africa, said he decided to focus on education this year because there is no way education can be separated from good leadership.

He said: “That as a continent, we need to look at how we practice democracy; how we elect our leaders; and what the leaders should offer. As regards what should be offered to the citizens, we are emphasising on the issue of education because we believe that when you have educated citizens, that is when the citizens can now be in position to transform the society.

“So this year, we are focusing on the link between standard, quality and functional education and strong political leadership, and how that can transform our society.”

When asked to comment on Nigeria democracy as the nation prepares for Democracy Day, the former president said Nigeria has not gotten there democratically does not mean the nation is not advancing in its democracy.

Responding, Oba Benin, while thanking Jonathan and his entourage for the visit, said for Jonathan to have brought the programme to Benin is a personal recognition by the former president that Benin is the epic centre of Africa culture.

Related Topics:#Oba of Benin Goodluck Jonathan Jonathan

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Metro

Lagos: Police Arrest Security Guard For Stealing Generators, Others

Published

11 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 38-year-old security guard for allegedly breaking into an apartment and carting away household items worth about N1.8 million.

Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed the arrest in a statement released on Saturday, adding that the suspect was tracked down by officers attached to the Iju Police Division.

He said operatives from the Iju Division apprehended the suspect following a report from a resident of the Ifako area, who returned home on August 15 to find his house burgled.

“Stolen items included a Sumec generator, a Fireman generator, a National air conditioner, and three air conditioner compressor engines, all valued at N1.8 million.

“Detectives arrested the suspect in the same neighbourhood after investigations revealed he conspired with others, who are still at large, to commit the crime,” Hundeyin said.

He added that the stolen items have been recovered, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices.

Hundeyin said the case would be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, assured residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing criminals to justice and urged employers to conduct proper background checks before hiring staff.

Metro

NAF Kills 35 Terrorists In Border Airstrikes Near Cameroon

Published

11 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Air Force said it had killed more than 35 jihadists in raids Saturday on militant fighters that had gathered near the Nigeria–Cameroon border following an attempted attack on ground troops.

The air strike was the latest by the Nigerian military, which is battling a resurgence of attacks in the country’s embattled northwest.

“Acting on multiple intelligence from several sources, the Air Component executed precision strikes in successive passes, engaging the terrorists and neutralising more than 35 fighters at four identified assembly areas,” said a Nigerian Air Force statement.

It re-established communication with the ground troops that had been threatened, and they confirmed that the “situation around their location had been stabilised,” the statement added.

The strike had “intensified efforts” to dominate the battles field and “deny terrorists freedom of action,” said the statement.

While Nigeria’s 16-year-old insurgency has slowed since violence peaked around 2015, attacks have picked up since the beginning of the year.

The Air Force said the latest operation demonstrated the force’s commitment to providing close air support to ground forces, “while also disrupting terrorist logistics and movement corridors along the north east border regions.”

AFP

Metro

Police Arrest Man For Allegedly Dismembering Pregnant Sister-in-law In Kwara

Published

11 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The police command in Kwara says it arrested a man, who allegedly dismembered the body of his pregnant sister-in-law, Mrs Esther Enemo at Egbejila Road in Temidire community, Ilorin.

This is contained in a statement by the command Spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.

According to Ejire-Adeyemi, the command wishes to inform members of the public of a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Aug. 21, at Temidire community in Ilorin.
‎
‎”At about 9 a.m., a resident of the area reported a suspected foul play within the residence of one Mrs Esther Enemo.

“In a swift response, a team of police detectives visited the scene, where the dismembered body of Mrs Esther Enemo (aged 39 years) was discovered in the bush behind her residence.

“Further search led to the recovery of other parts of her body concealed in a sack and dumped beneath a nearby community bridge.
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‎”The suspect, (names withheld), aged 29 years, younger brother to the victim’s husband, who was seen leaving the house a few minutes before the discovery of the incident, has been arrested in connection with the crime.

”Meanwhile, the husband has also been contacted for necessary clarification.
“The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue for autopsy.

‎”The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter, assuring that the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served,” he said.
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Ejire-Adeyemi expressed the command regret of the unfortunate incident and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculations that would incite fear or tension within the community.

He assured that the police would unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.

He urged the residents to continue to cooperate with the police by providing useful information that would aid ongoing investigations and security operations.

He reiterated the command to resolve to protect all residents and ensure peace prevailed in the state.

NAN