President Muhammadu Buhari has called on None Governmental Organisations (NGO) to step up campaign against growing rate of hate speeches as the nation approaches the 2019 general elections.
“Now we are in the season of political campaigning. Unfortunately, some people will attempt to take this opportunity to propagate their hateful agenda. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to also step up by preaching tolerance and understanding.
“As a Government, we are doing our best. But we need non-Governmental organisations like yours to also support us in delivering the message of peace and unity. After all, we only have one Nigeria – our only country.”
The Present, who spoke when he received in audience, a group fighting against hate speeches, said that Nigeria needs such forums to promote peaceful co-existence and mutual understanding between many religious, tribal and political groups.
“In the past decade, the world has seen some fundamental structural changes. A good example is the digital and cyber revolution that is still reshaping the world as we all know.
In many instances, this development positively impacts billions across the globe. However, on the contrary, the same platforms are used as tools to propagate divisions and hatred.
Nigeria is not isolated from these influences.
“We are seeing rising instances where social media platforms are being used to propagate hatred between religious, political and tribal groups. These spiteful messages that incite violence are posted by a handful of unpatriotic people, anonymously. Sponsors of these platforms must take adequate measures to deny purveyors of hatred and division space.
It is only through continuous dialogue and engagement that these menaces can be stopped.”

Governors of 36 States of Nigeria have offered prayer for the return of Present Muhammadu Buhari for second term in the 2019 election.
The governors,who attended a special session of the National Economic Council (NEC) today, Friday praises the Present for not discriminating against any of them irrespective of party affiliation.
Speaking to news men shortly after the meeting, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari said: “we came here today to thank Mr. President because in bailing out states he did not discriminate along party lines unlike in those days when you can only get audience with Mr. President if you have long leg before the issue will be raised with Minister of Finance.
“He knew that Nigerians were going to be beneficiaries of the bail out not governors. We believe without this mindset, it would have been difficult for us to govern.
“So we appreciate what he has done and we prayed for him that he will succeed to return for a second term.”
Governor Yari said that the governors came together today to rounded up the last economic council of the year, adding that they had an extended NEC to deliberate on the key issues of the economy, human capital development with focus on health and nutrition, education and workforce.
“Many issues were discussed and points were raised on the way forward because it’s not all about discussing but to also have implementation plan on ground.
“Since all the speakers spoke on health and nutrition, education and workforce, the issue of funding must be discussed as well because it is critical in the implementation plan.
“So we resolved that in the first quarter of 2019, even though it is an election year, we will not shy away from carrying out our responsibility of taking care of the interest of the next generation.
“We intend to discuss on our new way of generating revenue so that human capital development can be financed with these new sources of revenue. At our next NEC meeting, this will be discussed, digested and explained to the general public.”
On the meeting with President Buhari, Governor Yari of Zamfara State recalled so many issues that have been raised since 2015, especially on budget support, bailout fund, Paris London Club refund and infrastructure development funds.
“When Mr. President came on board, 27 states out of 36 could not pay salaries some for 13, 12, 8, 5 months respectively. Our first encounter with him, he told us that we have no business of being in power if we cannot do the basic, that is pay workers.
“So he asked that we discussed how we can support those states that cannot pay salaries so that workers will be paid. Those in the position then came up with the idea of bailing out the states so that they can pay the arrears.
“But paying the arrears was not enough because the performance of the economy at that time could not sustain the current salaries, that was how he paid the London Paris Club in batches until we exited last month. The payment of London Paris Club has been lingering for the past 12 years.”

Seventy one lawmakers in the House of Representatives have sponsored a Bill seeking to a change in the Nigeria’s system of government from presidential to parliamentary.

The Bill, which was presented by the lawmakers to the House of Representatives today, Thursday, is seeking for a constitutional amendment to change the system of government in place in the country.

The Bill, which received the support of lawmakers from different political parties in the country, has passed first reading.

The House of Representatives members are of the view that the proposed Bill will bring about harmony of government if it scales through.

“This is a way forward and it is going to solve a lot of problems in this country,” the lawmakers’ said.