27 Million Nigerians Lack Access To Telecoms Services, NCC Boss, Prof. Danbatta Hints

June 14, 2023

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, has said that no fewer than 27 million Nigerians currently lack access to telecommunications facilities.

He added that the number of identified areas of clusters across Nigeria without access to the telecommunications services has been reduced by 53.1 per cent as at the end of 2022.

Professor Danbatta, who spoke at a telecoms industry stakeholders forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, said that from the 207 clusters of access gaps in 2013, the industry witnessed a reduction to 97 as of end 2022 by bridging 110 clusters of access gaps, representing a 53.1 per cent reduction. Represented at the forum by the Head, Pre-Licensing at the Commission, Usman Mamman, the NCC Boss said by implication, the number of Nigerians who fell within the access gap which were estimated at 37 million in 2013 has been reduced to 27 million, following increased access to telecoms services by those hitherto not digitally included.

He explained that access gaps refer to the cluster of communities or grouped areas in different parts of the country that are bereft of access to telecom services and till date, the NCC has reduced clusters of access gap by more than half.

Professor Danbatta said: “we have worked tirelessly to ensure we bring telecom services to people living in rural, unserved, and underserved areas of this country, totalling 37 million people courtesy of the consultancy that was conducted in 2013.

“By 2019, we had succeeded in reducing the clusters of access gaps to 114 through the deployment of the necessary infrastructure needed to bring services to people living in rural, unserved and underserved areas of the country.

“The deployment of infrastructure is in terms of base transceiver stations, which resulted in the reduction of Nigerians in those clusters from 37 million to 31 million in 2019.

“By 2022, we have reduced the clusters of access gaps to 97 from 207 in 2013. The number of Nigerians again have come down from 37 million in 2013 to 27 million as we speak. We achieved this by deploying, from 2009 to 2011, a total of 79 new base transceiver stations.”

Professor Danbatta said that from 2013 to 2018, the telecom sector witnessed the deployment of additional 124 base transceiver stations while from 2019 to 2022, a total of 364 base transceiver stations were deployed.

“So far, the total number of base transceiver stations we have deployed to date between the time the access gaps were identified till the end of 2022 are 567.”

Describing the reduction in access gap so far as a landmark, Professor Danbatta said that the Commission will not rest on its oars as it thrives to ensure that the remaining 27 million Nigerians, who currently lack access to telecoms services, are provided with services.

The Executive Vice Chairman said that part the regulatory interventions of the Commission to bridge the remaining 97 access across the country to provide ubiquitous connectivity in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria are the issuance of the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Licences and the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) networks, among others.

It’s Mentally Tasking Having Big Boobs, British-Nigerian Woman, Jackie Confesses

Greenbarge Reporters

June 14, 2023

Writer and presenter, Jackie Adedeji has embarked on a mission to ensure that the society respects women with large boobs.
According to her, there have been times in her life where she wanted to hide just because she was a size 36k.
She told BBC Newsbeat, “From about 11 years old I was super sexualised. I remember vivid experiences of walking to school and having grown men walking past me licking their lips.
“I’ve also been in meetings, where you have colleagues staring at you, making you feel like you’re here to be a sexual object.”
Mrs. Adedeji is exploring these issues in a new Channel 4 documentary Untold: My Big Boobs.
While many are unable to contain the pressure they face and eventually go under the knife, Adedeji said she has learnt to embrace her body with age.
She added that people in the UK, for instance, see women with big boobs as “funny and silly”.
Breast reductions are the second most popular aesthetic procedure, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).
The association said there were 5,270 breast reductions in 2022, up 120% from the year before and higher than pre-Covid.
Adedeji revealed she grew up in a religious home where there was an expectation of modesty.
“You’re supposed to be classy and additionally, as a black woman, you always want to come across in the most positive way possible and I often felt that my boobs weren’t seen as a positive thing,” she said.
Asked when she discovered her confidence, she told the British Black List:
“Probably 18 years old. I have always been very tuned into who I am at my core, maybe it’s because I’m Nigerian and we’re taught to be proud of who you are from an early age.
“However, I always knew I wanted to do something great, It’s just a God-given feeling.”
Adedeji met a lot of women who are suffering with big boobs when making her Channel 4 documentary.
She said that she doesn’t think people get “how mentally taxing it is” having bigger breasts.
“They feel shameful, because a lot of people feel ownership towards your boobs, when they’re big, they are seen as public property,” she said.

Vice President Shettima And Weaponisation Of Political Language, By Is’haq Modibbo Kawu

Editorial staff

June 14, 2023

With the election of the presiding officials for the 10th National Assembly over, it has become instructive to do an overview of the politics, and the related issues, on the eve of the elections. The first thing to note, is that the ruling APC eventually got what it wanted: party candidates as Senate President and Deputy; as well as Speaker and Deputy in the House of Representatives.

The traumatic experience of 2015 was avoided. A dissident from within the party couldn’t manipulate the process to emerge. And the fears were real enough. In the lead to the elections, there were stories making the rounds, that Senator Yari’s campaign was finding traction with sections of the incoming senators, just as the rumour that Senator Akpabio had made impolitic statements which had ruffled political feathers in certain sections of the party. The consequence of that, was the allegation being whispered about in political circles, that the President and party leaders, were shopping for an alternative candidate for Senate President.

Of course, disinformation is a very important weapon of political manoeuvres. And in the context of the horse trading associated with the leadership selection for the 10th National Assembly, it was a most potent weapon indeed!

The reason was simply because the stakes were very high. The backdrop of the emotions about the central place of identity in Nigerian politics, had not been as poisonous as we witnessed with the emergence of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.

Religion was weaponised at the most dangerous level that we’ve ever witnessed, since the 1999 transition to civilian administration in our country.

The bitterness that was stoked around the issue became a central motif of the political campaigns, the elections, and the outcomes. The fact that our political elite has been unable to devise a soothing balm for the frayed political nerves, therefore deepened suspicions about the leadership tussle for the 10th National Assembly.

It was also important to note that despite the political savvy of the President and his Vice, the new administration was still not sure-footed yet, given the backdrop of the balance of forces in the incoming Assembly.

So the APC as a party, and the new administration especially, couldn’t leave anything to chances. The smoke-filled recesses of Nigerian politics have been known to throw up incredible surprises. And if the administration wants to settle in properly, to face the challenges of governance, this battle for the 10th National Assembly leadership must not only be joined, it must be won. And decisively too!

This was where Kashim Shettima, the Vice President entered the fray. He had been a prominent member of the 9th National Assembly ; he built an impressive network within both chambers, as a party leader, and his emergence as Vice President, meant added responsibility on behalf of the government and party.

That’s what played out in the days leading to the leadership election in the. National Assembly. Shettima was working flat out, to ensure that bruised egos were massaged; party members were shepherded back into the party’s political line; a balance was found between personal ambitions and national interest, especially given the ethno-religious fractures that accompanied the last elections.

The context within which issues were being contested didn’t leave room for spontaneity. If the party and the administration made any damaging miscalculations, they won’t just have eggs on their faces, the administration would become significantly diminished over the next four years.

The example of 2015, and Bukola Saraki’s rebellion is still too fresh in the memory, and some of the personnel from that epoch are still very much around today. The President cannot afford to be wrong-footed a second time. Not when he’s now the lord of the manor!

The situation that the political party, APC, faces was clear. The Muslim-Muslim ticket has been a success. But that success alienated a very significant section of the country. The wise thing is the search for restitution, through the creative balance sought for, in the leadership of the 10th National Assembly. Thus, the Senate President, the nation’s number three citizen, was consciously zoned to the South-south zone of the country, and specifically, for a Christian to emerge. Yet, nothing was totally guaranteed in the field of politics.

This was the backdrop to the statement which Kashim Shettima made two days before the vote in the National Assembly about “… the worst, most incompetent Southern Christian”, vis-a-vis “… the most puritanical Northern Muslim candidate”.

Of course, the party was not throwing up “the worst, most incompetent Southern Christian”, and neither is it preparing a cudgel against “the most puritanical Northern Muslim.”

There’s no way that Kashim Shettima, who is on the joint presidential ticket as a Northern Muslim could turn his back on that constitiency; in the same manner, that having emerged as Vice President in a keenly-contested election, can denigrate the southern half of the country!

A flowery flight of language and of erudition, was immediately seized upon for political weaponisation purposes. And therein, lies the high stakes of Nigerian politics. There’s no issue that’s too small to seek to gain a very damaging advantage, politically.

I am sure that the Vice President would have been flummoxed at the manner in which political capital was being extracted from his statement, and as is the wont in such situations, devoid of the overall context of the wellbeing of our country.

Thank God; the sought for outcomes have emerged within the haloed chambers of the National Assembly. The stage has now been set for the concerted work of administration, over the next four years. The in-tray of the administration is filled with incredible levels of expectations, and Nigerians will be watching every step being taken to solve the myriads of problems dogging our country.

How the relationship evolves between the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, the administration and the ruling party, would very much be part of the overall picture.

Politicians are not averse to weaponising every thing on their way, from ethno-religious chasms, to political language. That’s been very evident in the past couple of days. But the success of the overall balance being sought for national cohesion, through the outcomes of the leadership election for the 10th National Assembly, trumps the divisiveness of petty politics.

In that victory for the idea of uniting our country and building bridges, across the chasms of ethnicity and religion, Kashim Shettima won a major victory for the party and the new administration. That’s a very important victory indeed!

Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, PhD, FNGE, is a broadcaster, journalist and political scientist and can be reached on: kawumodibbo@yahoo.com

Did Suspended CBN Gov, Emefiele, Say That Buhari Ordered Him To Spend N500 Billion Every Month?

Editorial staff

June 13, 2023

An unconfirmed report on social media and blogs in Nigeria claims that the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele revealed that he has been releasing N500 billion every month to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar, on the instructions of former President Muhammadu Buhari, to fight poverty.

Checks show that the report was first posted on Twitter by Mahdi Shehu, a self-acclaimed socio-political commentator.

The report, which has now gone viral on social media, left many Nigerians calling out Buhari for alleged corruption.

Further checks show that it’s not feasible for the federal government to spend such an outrageous amount in the country on a monthly basis without a serious ripple effect.

Also, it is noteworthy that the Federation Account Allocation Committee normally shares a little above the sum of N500 billion as the Federation Account Revenue to the Federal, State, and Local Governments.

Also, no credible media has confirmed the said report, neither has the DSS which arrested Mr Emefiele release any transcript of the CBN governor’s interrogation.

Hence, it is safe to say that the report is false.

Recall that Emefiele was taken into custody by Nigeria’s secret police hours after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is now in its custody for some investigative reasons,” Peter Afunanya, the spokesperson for the agency, said in a press statement.

Afunanya did not provide details of when and how Mr Emefiele was arrested and where he is being kept.

However, it’s learnt that the banker was picked up from his home in Lagos and then flown to Abuja guarded by a detachment of operatives. He was then driven to the SSS’ headquarters in the Asokoro District of the nation’s capital when sources said he was being quizzed.

Source: PREMIUM TIMES

Nigerian Students Storm Villa, Protest None Inclusion In New Loan Law

Editorial staff

June 13, 2023

Nigerians students, under the canopy of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed concern that students were not involved in the process of the a Bill on student loan which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law yesterday, June 12.

The executive members of the Association, who visited the President today, June 13, at the Presidential villa, Abuja noted that it’s an irony that other unions that have nothing to do with students affairs were involved.

The NANS President, Usman Umar Barambu, told newsmen shortly after the visit that the involvement of such bodies as Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and others would not serve the interest of the students.

The students however commended President Tinubu for signing the Bill, sponsored by the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, into law, but insisted that students should be brought in while removing the bodies that are not relevant.

The Student Loan Bill is meant to provide loans to indigent students such that no Nigerian student in tertiary institution will drop out of school over inability to pay school fees.

Earlier while speaking before the President, Usman Umar thanked him for what he had been doing to the country since he assumed responsibility as the President.

“We want to equally thank you for the Students Loan Bill.”

He assured the the President that students support the removal of fuel subsidy.

”It takes a great person to take that bold step of removing the subsidy on petrol.

“Some people contacted us to protest against that decision, but we said no!

”The well is dry and ‘Baba’ cannot give what we don’t have now.

“We have to accept reality and face that challenge squarely so that together we can rescue the country. “Today we are saying ‘yes’ to fuel subsidy removal and we will stand with that decision.”

This was even as President Tinubu on pledged that his administration would commit more resources to the education sector to ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education.

The President stressed that poverty should not be a barrier to education, emphasizing the transformative power of education in combating poverty.

”If we all believe that education is the greatest weapon against poverty then we have to invest in it.

”Poverty should not prevent anybody, any child, including the daughter or son of a wood seller, ‘Bole’ (plantain) seller or yam seller from attaining their highest standard of education, to eliminate poverty.

”If you eliminate poverty from one family, you can carry the rest of the weight.”

President Tinubu promised to consider the requests of the NANS leaders, urged the students’ body to ensure unity among its members across the country to achieve more.

”You have to promote unity and stability among each other. You have to employ democratic means in your programmes and elections. I have to say anyone who is unable to accept and celebrate a free and fair election, does not deserve the joy of victory.”

The President expressed his appreciation for the students’ support of the removal of subsidy on petrol, explaining the reasons behind the decision and the need to curb smuggling.

”I’m glad you understand the reason for the subsidy removal. We were at a point where Nigeria tried to draw water from a dry well and that is no longer acceptable and we equally must not continue to service the smugglers because they used to take our tankers and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the borders. We will put our money where our mouth is.”

Tinubu To New NASS Leaders: Let’s Make Everyday Count In Life Of Nigerians

Editorial staff

June 13, 2023

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has solicited the cooperation of the new Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, House of Reps Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas and other leaders of the National Assembly to make everyday for the next four years count for the betterment of Nigerians.

In a congratulatory message to the Leaders who were elected today, June 13, at the National Assembly, Abuja, President Tinubu reminded them they have no time to waste.

The President said that Nigerians are looking up to them to change the fortune of the country for good and remove all barriers that impede progress.

“All of these we can make happen with dedication and commitment.

“We can only achieve all the good things we promised during our campaigns when we work together in harmony but with respect for our respective prerogatives and in the best interest of our country.”

“I count on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly and all members to work and walk with me on this governmental journey.

We cannot afford to waste this opportunity because Nigerians want us to make every day of the next four years count. Justifiably, our people want more from their government. They truly deserve progressive good governance that will improve their standards of living. We must give them our best.”

President Tinubu further reminded them Nigerians expect so much from them, saying: “they want us to lift their economic burden. They want us eliminate insecurity so our farmers in rural communities can go to their farms and produce the food we eat.

“We have all been called upon and accepted the responsibility to diligently and faithfully serve our fatherland with the oath we took. It is time to get on and move swiftly with the business of governance in the service of Nigeria.

As your President, I am prepared to transparently work with the National Assembly. Nigerians expect distinguished Senators and Honourable members to make laws and carry out oversight duties that will enhance the performance of government to achieve successful outcomes including improving their quality of life.

In the course of our work together, disagreements may occur. When we disagree it will not be out of malice, ill-will and quest to diminish the institution of National Assembly or any individual member.”

Tinubu said that the election of Senator Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly is a good development.

He congratulated them and also rejoiced with the new Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu for their well-deserved victories.

He said that being elected by their peers as presiding officers and assuming the leadership of the National Assembly is a great honour that comes with huge responsibility.

“I trust that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by your members and many Nigerians.

“I wish Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Honourable member Idris Wase and Honourable Aminu Jaji who enriched the process with their participation in the leadership election the best and a successful tenure in the 10th National Assembly.

“I urge them to sustain the same level of enthusiasm they brought to the leadership contest in the discharge of their duties to their constituents and Nigeria.

“My congratulations to all members of the National Assembly, across party lines, who, today, enlisted into the service of the blessed people of our great country.”

Boat Conveying Wedding Guests Breaks Into Two, 100 Feared Dead

Greenbarge Reporters

June 13, 2023

No fewer than 100 people are feared dead after a boat conveying wedding guests divided into two in Kwara State.
The incident occurred at the early hours of today, June 13, as they were returning to Ebbu village after a wedding ceremony at Gboti community.
The post from a source in the village read: “People from my village went for a wedding in Kwara State, their boat broke in two at about 3am and over a 100 dead bodies have been discovered so far.”
This was even as one of the residents of Patigi, Malam Isah Gimba, however, said that the bodies of 15 people have so far been recovered out of the over 100 on board.
The Secretary, Patigi Local Government Area, Malam Idris Pata Mohammed said the Council has mobilized people to support the survivors who cut across Zakkan in Kwara and Sanpi village in neighbouring Kogi State.
He advised people residing in riverine areas to desist from night journeys as the river Niger may overflow its banks from time to time due to heavy downpour.

Here Comes President Of 10th Senate: He Is Akpabio!

Greenbarge Reporters

June 13, 2023

Senator Godswill Akpabio, senator-elect from Akwa Ibom State has emerged as the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.
Senator Akpabio and a former governor of Zamfara state, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, were nominated for the senate president position.
Akpabio, who is former governor of Akwa Ibom State, got 63 votes to defeat his rival, Yari, who polled 46 votes.
Senator Akpabio has been the choice of the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nigerians Advised Against Consumption Of “Ponmo,” Smoked Meat, Over Deadly Virus Outbreak

Editorial staff

June 13, 2023

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has advised Nigerians to stop consuming hides, known in local parlance as ponmo as well as smoked meat and bush meat to avoid the outbreak of Anthrax which has been reported in some neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, said that the outbreak was first recorded in northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo thereby putting the whole sub-region at risk.

“The disease, which has claimed some lives, is a bacterial disease that affects both animals and man, that is a zoonotic disease.

“Anthrax spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals.”

“People can get infected with Anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. However, Anthrax is not a contagious disease and so, one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an infected person.

“Signs of anthrax are flu- like symptoms such as cough, fever, muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death.”

The statement warned the general public against closeness to non-vaccinated animals with Anthrax as it can easily be transmitted to man through the inhalation of Anthrax spores, including consumption of contaminated/Infected animal products, such as hides and skin, meat or milk.

Women For Yari As Senate President Lauds Tinubu For His Neutrality In Election Of NASS Leadership

Greenbarge Reporters

June 12, 2023

A socio-political group, Women For Yari Movement (W4YM), has hailed the decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain neutral in the election of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly coming up on June 13.

The group, which also felicitated with Nigerians on the occasion of June 12 Democracy Day, in a statement, appreciated Tinubu for dissociating himself from the “now botched attempt to foist a leadership of stooges on the incoming 10th National Assembly.

The group reiterated its conviction that Senator Abdulaziz Yari would emerge the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly in a free and fair election, which President Tinubu has now guaranteed.

In the statement, the W4YM recalled the sacrifices which Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Pa Alfred Rewane, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, Professor Wole Soyinka, General, Alani Akinrinade, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Yinka Odumakin, Mr. Femi Falana, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, Ms. Ayo Obe, Sen. Chris Anyanwu, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Tinubu and First Lady (Dr.) Oluremi Tinubu, among others in the pro-democracy movement made for the June 12 Struggle and the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.

“The Women For Yari Movement has another veritable ground to thank and appreciate His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You will recall that on Sunday, 21 May, 2023 the Women For Yari Movement held a World Press Conference during which we appealed to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to withdraw that now totally discredited zoning list purporting to zone the Senate President and other leadership positions of the incoming 10th National Assembly to certain geo-political zones. The offensive list even micro-zoned these exalted offices to certain individuals, which is totally undemocratic.

“You recall that we stuck our necks out to insist that His Excellency President President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had nothing to do with that noxious list and that some courtiers who were only attempting to form themselves into a nascent cabal were behind the anti-democratic scheme to foist a leadership of their lapdogs and puppets on the 10th National Assembly.

“You will remember that the Women For Yari Movement stated unequivocally that the nebulous cabalists were only engaged in name-dropping, that His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not approve of the invasive list and that the cabalists were only out to weaponise the President’s name to soften and clear the field of strong candidates like Distinguished Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who is the preferred candidate for Senate President among the majority of the incoming Senators of the 10th National Assembly.

“We can inform you that His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dissociated himself totally from that false flag operations of the cabalists and insisted that as a true democrat who made his name from the June 12 Struggle, he will not interfere in the leadership contest of the 10th National Assembly. Based on his inaugural speech, he said and we quote: “We will not dictate. We shall dialogue where the People’s Voice will take (centre) stage. We are here to build the country”.

“To clear any lingering doubt in any quarters nationwide, we in the Women For Yari Movement hereby informs the nation on good authority that His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared himself a neutral observer in the upcoming election of the Principal Officers of the 10th National Assembly, which shall take place on Proclamation Day, Tuesday, June 13, 2023 on the floors of the National Assembly, Abuja.

“Therefore, we in the W4YM seize on the significance of today – June 12, 2023 and Democracy Day – in the annals of Nigerian history to express our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed for his nobility in living up to his long-held democratic principles as regards the 10th National Assembly leadership election. As the first election in this regime, this is a litmus test for the Tinubu Presidency from now till 2027.

“The President has declared neutrality and a level-playing field in the 10th National Assembly election holding on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a noble man. His words are his bonds. He will stick to them. Let no cabalists tell you otherwise.

“It bears repeating that on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 the 10th National Assembly shall be inaugurated and the 109 Senators shall elect Distinguished Senator Abdulaziz Yari as President of the Senate in an open, free and fair election which the whole nation shall witness live on national and satellite television stations, radios and on online broadcast and streaming platforms.

“It is the classical, true democracy which His Excellency President Tinubu fought for through the June 12 Struggle and as Governor of Lagos State. His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will strengthen that democracy by his avowed non-interference in the election of the 10thNational Assembly this Tuesday. The President has spoken! He is a Hero of Democracy. He would strengthen our democracy on the floor of the 10th National Assembly come Tuesday, June 13, 2023 by not favouring and imposing any candidates on the 10th National Assembly.

“The emergence of Distinguished Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Senate President in the envisaged transparent, free and fair election shall be another bright feather added to the democratic cap of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Father of the Nation and Icon of Democracy in Nigeria – a reputation His Excellency President Tinubu rightly and bravely earned in the crucibles of the June 12 Struggle. So shall it be in the name of the Almighty God, amen!.”

Going down memory lane on June 12, the Women For Yari Movement, observed: “How time flies!Three decades ago on this very day, millions of Nigerians flocked out to polling units nationwide to elected Bashorun MKO Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) as President, Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was the freest and fairest election held in Nigeria at that time. Unfortunately, the Military Junta annulled that free and fair poll, which led into a huge national crisis and struggle for the de-annulment of June 12. In that patriotic, democratic cause, many heroes were forged from the fire of the struggle, even as the villains and anti-democratic forces in Nigeria were revealed to the world.

“June 12, 1993 gave birth to the democracy we enjoy in Nigeria today and it is imperative we celebrate the heroes of the June 12 Struggle on this day. We remember Chief MKO Abiola, the eternal symbol of June 12 who, like a true Aare Ona Kakanfo – the Generalissimo of ancient Yoruba Army – faced up to the Military and demanded the mandate we Nigerians gave him on June 12, 1993.

“For his courageous stand for democracy, for the peace and prosperity of Nigeria and the Nigerian People, Chief MKO Abiola paid the ultimate price, dying in military detention. May Allah grant repose to his beautiful soul and grant him Aljanah Firdaus, Amin! Chief MKO Abiola, the Women For Yari Movement remember your ultimate sacrifice for democracy! We celebrate you today and forevermore! May Allah continue to grant your family the heart to bear this irreplaceable loss as your legacy of democracy lives on.

“Nigerians would recall that women trooped out en mass and were the majority of voters on June 12, 1993. And when the Military annulled the election, Nigerians would also recall that the women of this blessed country took to the barricades to demand for the restoration of the People’s Mandate freely bestowed on Chief MKO Abiola on June 12, 1993.

“Many were the women who took the military’s bullets in their bosoms for June 12. Today we remembers these Amazons – dead and alive – who fought for the democracy we all enjoy today:

“Chief (Mrs.) Kudirat Abiola, it is June 12! We remember you today! You laid down your life for our democracy! We shall never forget! May Allah be pleased with you and admit you into Paradise, amen!

“Chief (Mrs.) Suliat Adedeji. Today is June 12! We remember you! Great matriarch of democracy, you lost your life to the struggle in a most gruesome manner. We recall your memory with pride for the life of service to democracy and humanity you lived. We shall never forget! May Allah grant you eternal bliss in Aljanah, amin!

“Many were the men and amazons at the June 12 Barricades. Pa Alfred Rewane, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Pa. Abraham Adesanya, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Dr. Beekololari Ransome-Kuti, Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Yinka Odumakin, and so on and so forth. Sweet is the remembrance of the righteous! In blessed memory, we remember you all and celebrate you all today!

“The icons of the June 12 Struggle still with us – men and women – we remember you all. Prof. Wole Soyinka, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Chiefs Frank Kokori, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, Mr. Femi Falana, Ms. Ayo Obe, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Dr. Joe Odumakin and others too numerous to mention, you are celebrated and appreciated for your sacrifices to the Nigerian democracy.

“And of course there is the Father of the Nation, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Who dares deny your immense contributions to the June 12 struggle and eventual restoration of democracy to our dear Motherland, Nigeria! Indeed we in the W4YM are grateful to you for the democracy Nigeria enjoys today.

“A thousand tongues cannot tell the Tinubu tale when it comes to chronicling the history of June 12 and return to democracy in this country. Few suffered from the taking the principled stand on June 12 more than His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his family members.

“Many were the personal privations suffer by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our First Family in the cause of fighting for June 12. From a total, complete loss of all His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had worked for in the course of a sterling professional career with multinationals like Mobil Oil, etc to prolonged incarcerations, multiple assassination attempts on his life and those of his loved ones, including sustained danger and harassments of our amiable First Lady, Sen. (Dr.) Oluremi Tinubu, the President and his family members suffered! Their travails culminated in forced exile for His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady, Sen. (Dr.) Oluremi Tinubu and their then young children, via the famous “NADECO Route”.

“Therefore, it is very fitting that the Women For Yari Movement pays ample tributes to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Sen. (Dr.) Oluremi Tinubu on this auspicious occasion of June 12 Democracy Day. Mr. President, you are celebrated; you are highly appreciated – for all you have done and sacrificed to return democracy to Nigeria.

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