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

Three-storey Building Collapses On Lagos Island, Many Injured

Published

10 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

A three-storey building has collapsed on Lagos Island, injuring some occupants.

The building is located on Asesi Lane around the Adeniji Adele Road.

According to Lagos State Information Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso, “Four persons have been rescued from the rubble. They have been taken to hospital.”

Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), among others, have since gotten to the incident scene.

Details later…

Metro

NDLEA Arrests Warri Chief, Ayirimi Emami’s Brother For Alleged Drug Smuggling

Published

22 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

… Group lauds agency

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Emami Ajetsibogho, younger brother to Warri Chief, Ayirimi Emami, for allegedly smuggling drugs worth billions of naira into the country.

It was gathered that the suspect was arrested by the agency’s strike force at Apapa in Lagos State Command following a tip-of.

Reacting to the arrest in a statement, rights activist and president, Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo, commended the agency and in particular Commandant-General of the NDLEA, Maj. Gen. Buba Marwa for fighting against drug illicit drugs

Ozobo said, “The arrest of Chief Emami’s brother is a milestone, laudable achievement in the fight against drug trafficking in this country.

“I want to commend NDLEA who were able to get the lead information to apprehend this criminal suspect.”

He added: “As Ijaw people, we are happy that God is vindicating us. The Itsekiris are hell bent to kill the Ijaw people to grab their lands.”

He recalled how a British Soldier from the Itsekiri extraction was recently arrested for smuggling guns into Warri to kill innocent people, especially Ijaw and to cause a crisis in Warri, adding, “God exposed him and DSS arrested the British Soldier and thwarted his evil intentions.”

He noted that another Itsekiri person has been caught allegedly trafficking drugs into the Country. “Who knows whether it was to drug miscreants to kill Ijaw people and burn villages? Ozobo asked.

“Ayiri particularly who has been making all kinds of unprintable statements against Ijaw people, we are surprised that his younger brother is a drug baron. Ayiri should be ashamed of himself.

“This shows that Ayiri Emami’s family is not a reputable family, by wanting to bribe NDLEA with a whopping sum of Two hundred million (N200m) to get his brother released. We thought Ayiri had a reputation, but it is shameful.”

Comrade Ozobo, therefore, urged the NDLEA to investigate the matter thoroughly and prosecute the suspect in line with stipulated laws to serve as a deterrent to others.

“I am calling on the NDLEA to investigate properly and bring to book anyone connected to this crime. If Ayiri is connected, he should be brought to book. Anyone connected connected should be brought to book,” he said.

Metro

Ekiti Court Remands Man Over Alleged Threat To Life

Published

24 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, has ordered the remand of a 31-year-old man, Caleb Ajobor, at the correctional custody in Ado Ekiti over alleged assault and threat to life.

The defendant was accused of conducting himself in a way that constituted a threat to the life of a woman, one Omotayo Olowolagba, at the Ekute area of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court on Wednesday that “the defendant on June 29, 2025, at about 10am at Ekute Quarters, Ado Ekiti, did assault and threaten the life of Olowolagba Omotayo.

“The defendant did hit the chest of the female victim and conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace in society.

“The offence committed is punishable under sections 185, 46, 181(d) laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2021,” the prosecutor stated.

Oriyomi pleaded with the court to order the remand of the defendant in the correctional centre.

Counsel to the defendant, Adunni Olanipekun, however, urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, refused the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the correctional centre.

Adeosun adjourned the matter till July 11 for hearing.