Connect with us

News

Nigeria Derailing, Needs Right Leaders, Says Jonathan

Published

on

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday said Nigeria’s democracy was drifting towards dictatorship, insisting that all hands must be on the deck to save it.

Jonathan spoke at the 70th birthday of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme of the event, ‘Nigeria’s unfinished greatness: Next steps,’ Jonathan advised Nigerians to remain vigilant.

READ ALSO: Omokri, Briggs Knock Tinubu For Seeking Jonathan’s Support

He said, “The task before all of us is not to lower our guard, lest the democracy we cherish today succumbs to threats and recedes into fascism tomorrow, and there are signs already.

“Looking at the states and so on, we are derailing towards quasi-fascist form of government, but democracy is not only about winning elections alone, it is about accommodation. We, as leaders at the centre and at the state levels, especially at this time when elections are coming, must accommodate different views.

“Towards this goal, we are again faced with a good opportunity of choosing our leaders as the nation prepares to go to the polls next year. Let us choose those that will take us to the desired destination and the promised land.”

The former Nigerian leader described Nigeria as a work in progress, adding that until that work was done, people like Kukah, who serve as the conscience of the nation, will continue to be around to constantly hold the mirror of the nation’s progression to its face.

“Nigeria may not be where we want it to and should be, but we should not give up or lose hope by focusing on only the negative.

“Judging from where we are coming from since independence in 1960, we may have been moving slowly in our journey of nationhood, but it is a journey of progress, all the same,” he added.

Jonathan recalled that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities also embarked on a prolonged strike during his tenure bought he succeeded in ending the crisis. Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, described Kukah as man with undying love for country.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tinubu Meets Jonathan After Obasanjo’s Visit

Tambuwal, who chaired the occasion, reiterated the Catholic bishop’s belief in the possibility of a new Nigeria.

He said although Kukah’s criticism of the nation’s bad governance have been controversial, he (Kukah) believed Nigeria can and would come out of the doldrums of failed political leadership.

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, on his part, said leaders in the country must ensure inclusion and justice for peace and development.

News

One Feared Killed, Others Injured In LAUTECH Students’ Clash

Published

on

One person has been feared killed in a fight that broke out among students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) at a nightclub in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, on Monday night.

The development was owing to a misunderstanding which led to a fight between two groups of students at a popular joint in the town.

They were celebrating the institution’s convocation ceremony when the fight broke out.

The owner of the club had invited the police when the fight escalated to put the situation under control. Unfortunately, one life was feared lost while others sustained injuries when the clash turned bloody, according to eyewitnesses.

READ ALSO: 10 Killed As two Military Helicopters Collide

While it is unclear what led to the student’s death, the deceased body has been kept at the Ogbomosho Police Area Command.

Police and LAUTECH authorities are yet to comment on the matter as of the time of this report.

Continue Reading

News

Indiscipline Not Tolerated here – NYSC Warns Corps Members

Published

on

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned all the corps members across the country that any act of indiscipline would not be tolerated.

Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu, the Bauchi state Coordinator of the NYSC stated this in Bauchi on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2024 Batch ‘A’ stream II corps members in the state.

According to her, any corps member found indulging in any form of indiscipline would be decisively dealt with in accordance with NYSC bylaws.

You must equally obey all camp officials as they are your guardians. Indiscipline is not tolerated here and I assure you that if you are law abiding you will have a very fruitful and enjoyable camping exercise.

READ ALSO: NYSC To Corps Members: Keeping Your Uniforms Safe, An Act Of Patriotism

“On our part, we pledge to do our utmost best to ensure that you experience the regimented nature of camp throughout the duration of the orientation course and the entire service year,” she said.

The state Coordinator commended Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state for his approval of the renovation and repairs of damaged camp facilities as well as his release of funds to augment feeding of corps members for the orientation exercise.

She said that the corps members would be given the opportunity to serve in the various committees set up for the smooth running of the camp.

This, she believed, would give them practical experience in administration and a chance to contribute to decisions that affect them.

Speaking, governor Mohammed expressed happiness with the sense of patriotism and enthusiasm demonstrated by the corps members by promptly reporting to the orientation camp.

READ ALSO: Prepare For Death, Priest Tells Politicians At Cairo Ojougboh’s Burial

Represented by Mr Mohammed Salees, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mohammed enjoined them to cherish his commendation and become a catalyst for change in this orientation camp and during the entire service year.

Mohammed however, urged them to take with utmost seriousness the noble call and dedicate themselves toward achieving the Scheme’s goal of national unity and development.

The good people of Bauchi State appreciate and understand the objectives and philosophy of the NYSC.

“In view of this, we have resolved to join hands with you in every way possible to ensure the success of the Scheme in the State.

“I implore you to take with utmost seriousness the nation’s clarion call to serve with greater dedication and commitment. The future of this country lies in your hands,” he said.

Continue Reading

News

BREAKING: Dangote Further Crashes Diesel, Aviation Fuel  Price

Published

on

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has again announced a further reduction in the prices of diesel and aviation fuel to N940, N980 per litre respectively.

This is coming at the wake of its widely celebrated price reduction to N1,000 barely two weeks ago.

The price change of N940 is applicable to customers buying five million litres and above from the refinery while the price of N970 is for customers buying one million litres and above.

Speaking on the new development, the Head of Communication, Mr Anthony Chiejina, explained that the new price is in consonance with the company’s commitment to cushion the effect of economic hardship in Nigeria.

“I can confirm to you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has entered a strategic partnership with MRS Oil and Gas stations, to ensure that consumers get to buy fuel at affordable price, in all their stations be it Lagos or Maiduguri.

READ ALSO: Edo Guber: INEC Releases Final List Of Candidates

“You can buy as low as 1 litre of diesel at N1,050 and aviation fuel at N980 at all major airports where MRS operates,” he stated.

He further stated that the partnership will be extended to other major oil marketers.

The essence of this is to ensure that retail buyers do not buy at exorbitant prices.

“The Dangote Group is committed to ensuring that Nigerians have a better welfare and as such, we are happy to announce this new prices and hope that it would go a long way to cushion the effect of economic challenges in the country,” he added.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Aircraft Belonging To Dana Air Skids Off Lagos Airport Runway

It would be recalled that the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a further reduction of the price of diesel from 1200 to 1,000 Naira per litre barely two weeks ago.

This marks the third major reduction in diesel price in less than three weeks when the product sold at N1,700 to N1,200 and a further reduction to N1,000 and now N940 for diesel and N980 for aviation fuel per litre.

President Bola Tinubu had also commended Dangote for the initial price reduction, describing it as an “enterprising feat.”

READ ALSO: IGP Faults Creation Of State Police

Reacting to the latest development, The Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Ajayi Kadiri, said: “The decision of Dangote Refinery to first crash the price from about N1,750/litre to N1,200/litre, N1,000/litre and now N940 is an eloquent demonstration of the capacity of local industries to positively impact the fortunes of the national economy.”

He added: “The trickle down effect of this singular intervention promises to change the dynamics in the energy cost equation of the country, in the midst of inadequate and rising cost of electricity.

“The reduction will have far-reaching effects in critical sectors like industrial operations, transportation, logistics, and agriculture, contributing to easing the high inflation rate in the country; a lot of companies will be back in operation.”

Continue Reading

Trending