The United States of America is still talking of how it was impressed by the March Presidential election in Nigeria, even as it congratulated the country for its 55th Independence anniversary today.
A statement by Secretary of State, John Kerry, in Washington, DC said that Nigerians can observe this national day with gratitude and pride knowing that it followed a largely peaceful general election in March, “a significant moment for your country
“On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the citizens of Nigeria as you celebrate your Independence Day on October 1.”
Kerry recalled that he was privileged to travel to Nigeria in the lead up to that historic balloting and that during such visit, he reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Nigeria strategic partnership and the need to uphold peace and democratic principles as the nation headed to the polls.
“I was pleased to see the high-level of participation in the democratic process, which resulted in a successful transfer of power. I was also honored to attend the presidential inauguration on May 29.
“Even with the elections behind you and a new government in place, much hard work still lies ahead. When President Obama met President Buhari, in July, the United States pledged to support Nigeria firmly as it strives to curb corruption, bolster the economy, consolidate democratic governance, and address regional issues, including the weakening and defeat of Boko Haram.”
Kerry noted that the partnership between the two countries is strong “because of our people, because of our collaboration in so many areas, and because of our commitment to uphold and advance shared values.”
He said that the United States is looking forward to deepening its friendship with Nigeria in months and years to come.
“I extend my very best wishes to you on this, the 55th anniversary of your nation’s independence.” [myad]
Workers in Cross River State have been ordered by their unions to begin an indefinite sit-at-home protest from tomorrow, Friday, against the background of the alleged refusal of the state government to settle the arrears of their salaries and allowances..
The Organized Labour Action Committee (OLAC) is demanding on behalf of the workers, that salaries of local government workers and teachers, salaries of staff of the Cross River University of Technology, weigh-in allowances and other salary related payments should be settled.
The workers unions expressed surprised in a statement that the state government claimed that the bailout funds it received from the federal government is to offset loans acquired.
The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Clarkson Otu, insisted that the bailout funds are meant for payment of salary arrears, outstanding gratuities/pension and deduction from salaries, adding: “our demand is that the government offsets all these payments, if not please sit at home from October 2, 2015.
“MDAs are grounded, no activity, no funding. It is a one man show, no exco. Boards, commissions and agencies are not formed. Promotion of civil servants stalled. Salaries paid in parts, no release of deductions from salaries. Civil servants are made bad debtors to banks and loan vendors. All we hear is noise and sirens. Comrades, we are tired of waiting.”
After a botched meeting with Governor Ben Ayade, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. John Ushie, said the governor never granted them audience to sort out the issues until they had to resort to strike. [myad]
The governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai has admitted that the challenges facing Nigeria today could scare leaders who are not prepared for them.
According to him, as he addressed the people of Kaduna state to mark the nation’s 55th Indepedence celebration: “the challenges are so huge that they can easily disorient the unwary, and insert depression where resolve is needed.”
The governor said that as he contemplated the magnitude of the job at hand, he was encouraged by aspects of the Nigerian character, adding: “we have proven repeatedly that when we set our heart to a challenge, we can master it.
“But our collective weakness is that we demonstrate this burst of creative energy only in emergencies, in moments of crisis when the consequence of failure is too tragic to contemplate. Yet episodic feats of competence and performance are not sufficient to build a country. Such feats certainly inspire, but we should strive to be a land of people who consistently do our best in every assignment, small or large.”
The governor’s speech, titled: Our Chance for National Rebirth, is reproduced here. Read on:
Protocols
I am highly delighted to witness this commemoration of our country’s 55th independence anniversary. It is the first since we got the chance to reclaim our country. Nigeria and and its people have traveled a tortuous path over the last few decades. We are nowhere close to where we ought to be, no thanks to the legacy of bad governance, corruption, abuse of power and disunity that has been foisted by leaders who could have done better.
Yet we can celebrate the small mercies that have been afforded us. Despite our differences, and the many tensions and stresses that have buffeted our land, we remain bound together as a united country. We can celebrate because 2015 is the year that the peoples of this country decided it was time to begin the rebirth of a nation. Against the most concerted campaign ever mounted by a government to divide the people it was meant to lead, Nigerians refused to be set against each other. I pay tribute to the many sacrifices that were made to make the historic elections of this year possible. What the voters of 2015 did was to make democracy a bulwark of patriotism. In other words, the people cast their votes for their country. May we never again be saddled with people who prefer themselves above the country.
As we joyfully celebrate today’s occasion, I urge us all to remember that we are only at the beginning. The tasks before us as a country and a people are immense. The challenges are so huge that they can easily disorient the unwary, and insert depression where resolve is needed. As I contemplate the magnitude of the job at hand, I am encouraged by aspects of the Nigerian character. We have proven repeatedly that when we set our heart to a challenge, we can master it. But our collective weakness is that we demonstrate this burst of creative energy only in emergencies, in moments of crisis when the consequence of failure is too tragic to contemplate. Yet episodic feats of competence and performance are not sufficient to build a country. Such feats certainly inspire, but we should strive to be a land of people who consistently do our best in every assignment, small or large.
The opportunity we have been given for national rebirth imposes on us a duty to take steps to improve the life chances of people. We have a duty to improve access to jobs, education and healthcare. And we can do this only in a climate of peace and security. I urge us all to respect and uphold the humanity of others, and to foster harmony in all our little corners. The ordinary people of this state have not benefitted from the division, acrimony and violence that the entrepreneurs of ethnic and religious hatred have unleashed. Enough is Enough!
We have been delighted by the parade and the marches put on today. I say a big thank you to our people in uniform for a good show. Our school children and young people have also given us a grand spectacle, and they deserve our applause. They have truly demonstrated what can be achieved through discipline and rigorous preparation.
On this occasion convened to celebrate independence, I wish to remind us that as we liberated our country, we must also free our people by making the light of quality education accessible to all. Education is emancipation! The provision of free basic education in decent schools and with skilled teachers is one of the priorities this government will accomplish in its four-year term. We have spent the past few months planning school repairs, the provision of school furniture and the training of teachers. Today, we move to declare a state of emergency in education. We ask for your support as we begin to implement extraordinary measures in the educational sector. Tomorrow by God’s Grace, the Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology will announce the raft of measures that will be taken to ensure that our schools’ infrastructure, tools and teacher quality are improved significantly within the next six weeks. We are determined that one legacy of the rebirth of our country will be the restoration of education as a tool to free our people from the fetters of ignorance.
On this occasion, the Kaduna State government decided to extend mercy to prisoners. Pursuant to Section 212 of the Constitution, the prerogative of mercy was exercised in favour of 14 prisoners. The government commuted the death sentences of five convicts, who will now serve prison time. Five prisoners serving sentences of three years and above were released on the basis of good behavior or time served already. In addition, three prisoners were released on the basis on age while one person was released due to ill health. In doing our duty to show mercy, the government warns that it will not tolerate crime and threats to security.
I will not end my speech without conveying the message of our leader and mentor President Muhammadu Buhari on the APC’s philosophical reason for being, and contained in his nationwide broadcast earlier this morning. I quote him verbatim:
“And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about…Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring CHANGE about. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.”
Once again, I wish us all a happy 55th independence anniversary.
Thank you for listening.
God bless Kaduna State
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nasir El-Rufai is Governor of Kaduna State. [myad]
Kwara state government cancelled the 55th independence celebration parade scheduled to take place at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin. This followed an unfavourable security report that suspected hoodlums might disrupt the programme.
The cancellation of the independence parade, might not be unconnected also with last Thursday’s attack at Ilorin praying ground where some suspected hoodlums stoned the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Emir of Ilorin and other dignitaries.
During the attack, sachets of cold pure water and stones were freely used by the suspected hoodlums, which resulted in pandemonium. 9myad0
Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state has cancelled all forms of fanfare as well as stadium parades usually held on Independence Day celebrations, citing the difficulty in paying workers salaries as the main reason.
Fayose, in a broadcast to the people of the state today said that there was nothing to celebrate in view of the economic situation in the country.
“`I do not think it is proper to engage in jamboree when it is almost becoming increasingly difficult to pay workers salaries.
“The current situation demands sober reflection from all and we cannot pretend about this,” Mr. Fayose said.
He ordered residents to stay at home and enjoy the celebration in low-key.
As a result of the governor’s order, there were no activities in most parts of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. However, there were few places where pockets of activities were organized by individuals and corporate bodies. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians to join in the change mantra which his government has brought for the country to attain genuine progress. In a nation-wide radio and television broadcast today to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence anniversary, President Buhari asked Nigerians to change in the all aspects of their lives and in every place they found themselves. “I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about. “We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behavior in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.” The President regretted that in the last few years, huge resources of the country were mismanaged, squandered and wasted. “The new APC government is embarking on a clean up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.” He said that at an early stage, the federal government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation which he said, was capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government, he added, stepped in to provide short-term support to the owing states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians. On the delay in announcing the names of ministers, Buhari said that there is no cause to be anxious, saying that his government was out to do things methodically and properly. “We received the handing over notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over. Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its Report on the reorganization of Federal Government structure after studying the hand over notes. It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalized the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance. “Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about.” [myad]
Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Chief Ibe Kachikwu, former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola, former Rivers state governor, Chief Rotimi Amaechi and former governor of Anambra state, Chief Chris Ngige as well as the former governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi are amongst those who have made it on the President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list.
The list was submitted to the Senate President yesterday for the commencement of screening.
Also on the list are the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazau. In all, 21 names were in the initial list submitted yesterday, where as another 16 will be submitted at a later date.
The President said in his nation-wide broadcast to mark the 55th Independence anniversary today that first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the senate and that subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course.
“Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Kachikwu is expected to become minister of state for petroleum resources while remaining at the helm of the NNPC. President Buhari had earlier made himself minister of petroleum resources. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has noted that Nigeria has all the attributes of a great nation but for the lack of unity of purpose and cohesion. “We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose.” The President, who addressed the nation this morning via radio and television broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence anniversary said that unity of purpose would have enabled the country to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration but also continuity and economic progress. He noted that God, in his infinite mercy, endowed Nigeria, besides being the ninth most populated country on the planet, with arable land, water, forests, oil and gas as well as coastline and solid minerals. “Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.” On the Independence celebration, President Buhari said that no temporary problems or passing challenges should stop the citizens from honoring this day, adding: “that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a sea change in our democratic development. The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system. “Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences. “As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me in working for the nation. The President maintained that every new government used to inherit problems and that his was not different. “But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not a recitation of problems inherited. Accordingly, after consultations with the Vice President, senior party leaders and other senior stakeholders, I quickly got down to work on the immediate, medium-term and long-term problems which we must solve if we are to maintain the confidence which Nigerians so generously bestowed on us in the March elections and since then. “As you know, I toured the neighboring countries, marshal a coalition of armed forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also the G7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an international coalition against Boko Haram. Our gallant armed forces under new leadership have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities. Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run. “That they are resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as I.D.P. camps is indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have instructed security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places.” On power, President Buhari recalled the efforts that have been made so far, saying that there has been improvement in the power supply. He added that supply of petrol and kerosene to the public has also improved throughout the country and that there are early signs that within months, the whole country would begin to feel a change for the better. [myad]
The Lagos State Government has disbursed over N4.5 billion to 1,200 public servants who retired from the state service. The Director-General of the State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga who made this known at the 19th batch retirement benefit bond certificate presentation at the NECA House, Alausa said that the state government would clear the backlog soon.
At the presentation, Onanuga acknowledged that the desire of the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was to ensure all retirees enjoy their lives out of office without strains and stress.
The director-general said that the governor promised that retirees “will enjoy free health care delivery in Lagos State Hospitals as arrangements are on to provide them with Retirees identification cards.” She explained that the pensioners “will be accorded the necessary respect by the pension fund administrators and annuity service providers as the money being paid to them is their rights and not privilege.” [myad]
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned the Presidency to the North for the 2019 presidential election.
The Acting National Chairman of the, Chief Uche Secondus, who made this known today, said the party would not repeat the “mistakes” it made in 2015.
The PDP, commonly tagged the largest party in Africa, suffered serious defeat in the hand of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election after it filled Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate.
Secondus said that the party would not want to be beaten twice, hence the decision to zone the ticket to the north. [myad]
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