Metro

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

Published

1 year ago

June 11, 2024

Editor

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

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

4 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

5 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

5 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.