News

Nigeria Has Disappointed Africa, Black Race – Obasanjo

Published

12 months ago

October 23, 2024

…attributes Nigeria’s problems to regionalism, disunity

The former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday, said Nigeria has disappointed the black race and Africa in particular due to a lack of good leadership.

He said, the whole world looked at Nigeria as the hope of the black race due to its potential, but bad leadership, disunity and regionalism have made the country lose its potential.

The former President, who said this
when he played host to the 20-member delegation of League of Northern Democrats led by former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, at his Penthouse, located within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, blamed regionalism, which was practised before the nation’s independence in 1960, as the foundation of the country’s prolonged lack of cohesion.

Obasanjo said, despite the uninspiring situation of things in the country, he remains an incurable optimist that things will turn around for good in the country, “as long as we can look back as a country and correct the mistake of the past”.

He explained that “the truth is that at independence, Nigeria emerged with three leaders and so, it is a situation of three countries in one ever since”

The former President said that the question of where you come from in appointing leaders should not be a problem, but what should be of paramount interest is the merit, capacity and ability to deliver on how to move the nation forward saying that “it is high time we begin to work for the national interest”.

Obasanjo said, “You have identified your group as League of Northern Democrats, but how I wish you call your group National League of Democrats because where you come from should not be a problem. Where I was born should not be the enemy of my country. I will be increasing by being a Nigerian than being a member of the Republic of Oodua”.

“I am undoubtedly proud to be a Yoruba, but my being a Nigerian should not be the enemy of my being a Yoruba. We must get the best man for the job, it doesn’t matter where he comes from. We must get our acts together”.

“The African continent, the black race and the entire world are looking up unto us. When we got our independence, what they were calling us was giant in the sun, but is that the situation today?”

“We have disappointed ourselves, we have disappointed the black race, Africa and the world at large. So, our concern is right, we have rubbished the value of integrity, no truth, no love, but it is not too late to retrace our steps. We must put the past behind us and work for the greatness of Nigeria”.

Obasanjo said, he shared the concerns of the group for the poor state of things in the country, but that the situation is not beyond salvaging as long everyone is ready to come together and work as a united nation.

Obasanjo said that he would forever remain a Pan-Africanist, a patriotic and Nationalistic Nigerian and a proud black man from the black race.

While advising the group to change its name to the National League of Democrats because the ideals it espoused cut across the nation, noted that he would not mind being their patron if he could not be an active member due to old age.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the group, Shekarau said the creation of the non-partisan group about three months ago was designed to rally good governance and oneness of the country.

The former governor said that the group is concerned about the issues of unity, youthful exuberance and employment, issues of education, good governance, credible people in government, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the country.

Shekarau said that the group which is made up of people of varying professions across the northern parts of the country decided to come together to see how it can influence good governance, selection of credible leaders among other efforts to address the problems confronting the country.

He lamented that it was unfortunate that registered 93m voters in the country cannot elect the ruling class members who he said are not more than 11,000.

Shekarau said “From all the 36 governors and their deputies, the President and his vice, the 469 lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and Senate, the councillors and the local government Chairmen, all of them are just a little over 11,000, yet the 93 million registered voters in the country cannot look around and elect credible leaders. So, all of these we hope to address with our advocacy as a group.”

The former governor also said that just like the former President has advised, the name of the group after due consultation will be made National to give everyone a sense of belonging.
VANGUARD

News

VIDEO: Why I’ve Never Tried Convincing My Christian Wife To Convert To Islam — Tinubu

Published

14 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained why he has never attempted to convince his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, to convert to Islam, stressing his belief in love, religious freedom, and mutual respect among people of different faiths.

Speaking on Saturday at the funeral service of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwada, Tinubu said his marriage to a Christian pastor has never created any conflict in their home.

The president, who arrived in Jos, Plateau State around 2 p.m. for the ceremony at the COCIN headquarters church, said he inherited Islam from his family and has always upheld the principle of freedom of religion.

He noted that both he and the First Lady serve the same God and would ultimately be answerable to Him, adding that what matters most are people’s deeds, character, and love for others.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace tolerance and peaceful coexistence, emphasising that hate should never have a place in the country.

He also prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Lydia Yilwada and asked God to grant comfort and blessings to those she left behind.

He said, “Hate is not an option for us. Love is what you preach, that we should love one another.

“Nobody, nobody determines what God has ordained. God’s ordained action and his promises are what matter. I inherited Islam from my family. I didn’t change. But my wife is a pastor. She prays for me.

“No conflict. And I never did at any single time try to convince her or convert her. I believe in the freedom of religion.

“We are praying to the same God. We are answerable to the same almighty God. We will answer to him. We will account to him. Our deeds, our character, our love for our fellow beings are what are important.

“May the almighty accept the soul of Lydia and give all that she left behind blessings and glory, so we say, may her soul rest in peace.”

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tribune Online (@tribuneonlineng)
Advertisement

News

UK Police Quiz Six After Fatal Synagogue Attack

Published

18 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

Six people arrested on suspicion of “terrorism”-linked offences after a fatal car-ramming and knife attack on a UK synagogue remained in police custody on Saturday, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged people not to take part in pro-Palestinian protests.

Two people were killed and three others seriously wounded in Thursday’s attack in northwestern Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Police shot dead the assailant, Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old UK citizen of Syrian descent, within minutes of the alarm being raised.

Three men and three women are in custody.

The attack has heightened fear among Britain’s Jewish community.

Police said they were patrolling places of worship across the city “with a particular focus on providing a high-visibility presence within our Jewish communities”.

The attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester was one of the worst antisemitic incidents in Europe since the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel led by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 66,288 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to health ministry figures in the occupied territory that the United Nations considers reliable.

The Gaza conflict has inflamed passions in Britain, with frequent pro-Palestinian rallies in cities that some critics allege have stoked antisemitism.

A “global movement for Gaza UK” protest went ahead in London late on Thursday, with police making 40 arrests.

London’s Metropolitan Police asked organisers delay another planned demonstration backing the banned Palestine Action group later on Saturday.

However, organisers Defend Our Juries rejected the calls.

A spokesman said the group “stood in solidarity” with the Jewish community over the attack.

– Accidental shooting –

Starmer urged protesters not to join the pro-Palestinian rally.

“I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognise and respect the grief of British Jews. This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain,” he said on X.

During the attack, Shamie was seen “with a big knife, banging his knife into the glass, trying to get through”, synagogue chairman of trustees Alan Levy, who helped barricade the doors, told ITV News.

“The heroes of the congregation who saw what was happening then came to the doors because he was trying to break the doors down to get in,” he added.

A UK police watchdog, meanwhile, said it would look at the police shooting of Shamie.

The probe would also look at the shooting of a second victim who suffered a fatal gunshot and a third person who was shot but survived.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there was no evidence anyone other than police used firearms at the scene.

“Our independent investigation will look at the circumstances surrounding the fatal police shooting of Jihad Al-Shamie,” it said in a statement.

“A post mortem has today (Friday) concluded another man who died at the scene suffered a fatal gunshot wound.”

IOPC investigations are standard practice in situations where the use of force by police may have resulted in the death of a member of the public.

News

Edo Inaugurates Committee On Drug Abuse, Healthy Living

Published

21 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

L-R: ACGN, NDLEA, Fidelis Cocodia, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani during the Inauguration

Edo State Government has inaugurated Drug Control Committee for the state and local governments, aimed at curbing the menace of drug abuse in the state.

Inaugurating the committee, Governor Monday Okpehbolo said the committee was not only saddled with the responsibility of curbing the menace of illicit substances, but to promote healthier living across communities in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo described the initiative as “a vital step in our unwavering commitment to stopping the menace of drug trafficking and substance use among youths.”

The governor, who bemoaned the rising tide of drug dependency and its impact on society, pointed out that the committee’s creation aligns with the national drug master plan and represents a bold stride toward protecting Edo future generations.

On his part, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, represented by ACGN, Fidelis Cocodia, Zonal Commander, Zone 13, emphasised grassroots interventions, awareness campaigns, and support systems as the backbone of the fight against drug abuse.

Edo State commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed that while national drug use prevalence stands at 14.4 percent, Edo state surpasses the average at 15 percent.

He noted that the state is one of the hardest-hit states in the country, warning that the trend has fueled crime and heightened youth vulnerability.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole pledged to make Edo a model in drug control through rehabilitation, youth enlightenment, and second-chance opportunities for recovering addicts.

Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, described drug abuse as a pandemic, noting that “you hardly see a crime without drugs being involved.”

She added that women’s empathy and influence must be harnessed in the campaign against drug abuse.