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36 State Governors Declare Support For Oil Subsidy Removal

By
Greenbarge Reporters
-
Governors in the 36 States of the Federation have expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s Government on the removal of fuel subsidy payments in the country and other policy initiatives.
The governors, who took turns to speak when the President hosted members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by its chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, at the State House today, June 7, acknowledged the President’s moves to run an all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship.
They congratulated President Tinubu for tackling the fuel subsidy behemoth, promising to work with him to ameliorate the short-term impact of the policy.
President Tinubu had earlier called on the governors to collaborate with the Federal Government to tacke the menace of poverty in the country, saying that the level of impoverishment is unacceptable.
The President advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.
“We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary, it is from the society. Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics, we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building.”
President Tinubu stated that the nation should be seen as one big family.
“We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results.”
The President said that good governance would safeguard the future of democracy.
“Present in this room is our diversity in culture and politics, but we are one nation. The unity and stability of the country rest upon us.
“We are in a democracy and we have to nurture the democracy. It is a hard-earned system and not easy to manage. If anyone thinks it is easy, look at other nations who are over a hundred years in democracy.
“We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people,’’ President Tinubu told the governors, while assuring them that he would maintain an open-door policy.
The President said that he is prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.
“What do we do in the face of crushing poverty? What do we do with our development goals? We took the bull by the horns by removing the elephant in the room, before the nation sinks.
“We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanize the economy, and put resources in place. We must think and perform.
“After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,’’ he noted.
President Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury.
“How do we address the unacceptable level of poverty? How much are we investing in education, which is the only tool against poverty? I am ready to collaborate with you.’’
The President also drew attention to the security problems in some states, admonishing the governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle the security situation, without thinking it’s only for those facing it.
The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRasaq, thanked the President for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that the governors would support the Federal Government in meeting the targets of human development.
“The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with you,’’ he said.
The meeting, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and new Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, had 22 governors and two deputy governors from Edo and Niger States, in attendance.
The governors made suggestions highlighting the plight of citizens in their states, assuring the President of their support in proffering solutions through the National Economic Council.

NYSC, NPC, UNICEF Join Forces To Revolutionize Birth Registration in Nigeria

By
Editorial staff
-

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the National Population Commission (NPC), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have announced a new partnership aimed at enhancing birth registration in Nigeria.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), today, June 7, solidifies the commitment of the three organizations to collaborate and support the digitalized birth registration process in 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and hardcopy magazine said that the partnership is aimed at providing a robust framework within which the parties can implement a comprehensive and efficient digitalized birth registration process across Nigeria.

By leveraging their existing resources and facilities, the NYSC, NPC, and UNICEF intend to benefit at least 12 million under-5 eligible children who will be registered as primary beneficiaries.

Families, parents, caregivers, communities, households, state and local government areas (LGAs), and ward level administrators will be indirect beneficiaries of this collaboration.

Speaking on the collaboration, the Director General NYSC, Brigadier General Y. D Ahmed expressed his enthusiasm, saying: “The NYSC is honoured to join hands with the NPC and UNICEF in this vital initiative.

“Our deployment of 850 corps members as coordinators and supervisors, spread across 22 states and the FCT, will ensure effective monitoring and supervision of the birth registration process. Together, we will strive to achieve comprehensive data collection and availability, supporting increased birth registration coverage in our respective LGAs.”

The NPC, as a key partner, will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of this partnership.

According to Chairman of NPC, Nasir Isa Kwarra: “We are committed to supporting the recruitment of ad hoc birth registrars at the ward level and ensuring the availability of registration materials to coordinators and supervisors.

“By distributing protocols, checklists, FAQs, and informational materials, we aim to engage local government chairpersons, traditional and religious leaders, and communities to promote the importance of birth registration.

“Together, we will generate and analyze digitalised birth registration data at the LGAs and wards, ultimately increasing birth registration coverage.”

UNICEF, a leading organization in child welfare and development, will bring its expertise to the table to support the digitalised birth registration services in focus states. “Our primary focus will be on providing technical assistance and evidence-based interventions,” emphasized Cristian Munduate, UNICEF representative in Nigeria.

“By integrating birth registration into routine health service delivery, conducting the digitalized birth registration process, and increasing awareness through state and community-level campaigns, we aim to ensure that every child has access to and benefits from the essential health and birth registration interventions they deserve.”

Through this partnership, the NYSC, NPC, and UNICEF are committed to promoting the importance of birth registration within the National Youth Corps programs, stimulating increased demand for birth registration services in health facilities and at the community level. The collaboration will also foster constructive engagement with local government chairpersons, traditional and religious leaders, leveraging their support to enhance the digitalized birth registration process.

MTN Still Nigeria Market Leader, Makes N554 Billion To Beat Dangote 

By
Editorial staff
-
MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN) Plc has beaten Dangote Cement Plc, and others to emerge as the most profitable company in Nigeria in 2022 after making N553.97 billion.
This is based on information gathered from the companies audited results released on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
According to the NGX, Nigerian economy expanded by 3.1 percent in real terms in 2022, representing slow growth when compared to the previous year’s 3.4 percent expansion. Headline inflation also rose to a 21-year high of 18.77 percent in 2022 due to the pass-through effect of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Businesses in the country have been able to increase their income, whilst giving value in the form of dividends to their shareholders.
In 2022, fifty top companies were listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) posted profit before tax of N3.54 trillion, surpassing the previous year by 8.1 percent (N3.27 trillion).

Senator George Akume Takes Oath Of Office As SGF

By
Editorial staff
-
The immediate-past Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume has taken an oath of office to assume the position of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Senator Akume, who also served as two-term Governor of Benue State, was sworn-In today, June 7, by President Bola Tinubu in the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
Akume, 70, was Governor of Benue State from May 1999 to May 2007. After his tenure as governor, he was elected into the National Assembly as the Senator representing Benue North West Senatorial zone in 2007.
Senator Akume was re-elected in 2011 and 2015, demonstrating the trust reposed in him by his constituents.
During his term in the Senate, Akume served as Minority Leader from June 2011 to June 2015.
Prior to his political career, Akume started work as a civil servant in the Benue State Civil Service in 1979 as a  Land Officer.
Over the years, he held various positions in both the State and Federal governments, retiring voluntarily as a Federal Permanent Secretary, Establishments and Management Services, in 1998.
Speaking to newsmen after his inauguration, Akume said:
”It is an honour to be chosen to serve in this exalted position out of over 200 million Nigerians. It is a challenge to serve in line with the oaths I have taken today. I assure Nigerians I will do my best and I will not disappoint the President.
”I will not disappoint this country; I will not disappoint my party. I believe Nigerians will find fulfillment in my responsibility as I discharge my duties.”
Also present at the ceremony were the Governor of Benue State, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the wife of the SGF, Regina Akume, some former governors, the leadership of the All Progressive Congress, family members and well-wishers.

36 State Governors Declare Support For Oil Subsidy Removal

By
Editorial staff
-
Governors in the 36 States of the Federation have expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s Government on the removal of fuel subsidy payments in the country and other policy initiatives of the government.
The governors, who took turns to speak when the President hosted members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by its chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, at the State House today, June 7, acknowledged the President’s moves to run an all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship.
They congratulated President Tinubu for tackling the fuel subsidy behemoth, promising to work with him to ameliorate the short-term impact of the policy.
President Tinubu had earlier called on the governors to collaborate with the Federal Government to tacke the menace of poverty in the country, saying that the level of impoverishment is unacceptable.
The President advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.
“We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary, it is from the society. Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics, we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building.”
President Tinubu stated that the nation should be seen as one big family.
“We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results.”
The President said that good governance would safeguard the future of democracy.
“Present in this room is our diversity in culture and politics, but we are one nation. The unity and stability of the country rest upon us.
“We are in a democracy and we have to nurture the democracy. It is a hard-earned system and not easy to manage. If anyone thinks it is easy, look at other nations who are over a hundred years in democracy.
“We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people,’’ President Tinubu told the governors, while assuring them that he would maintain an open-door policy.
The President said that he is prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.
“What do we do in the face of crushing poverty? What do we do with our development goals? We took the bull by the horns by removing the elephant in the room, before the nation sinks.
“We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanize the economy, and put resources in place. We must think and perform.
“After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,’’ he noted.
President Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury.
“How do we address the unacceptable level of poverty? How much are we investing in education, which is the only tool against poverty? I am ready to collaborate with you.’’
The President also drew attention to the security problems in some states, admonishing the governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle the security situation, without thinking it’s only for those facing it.
The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRasaq, thanked the President for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that the governors would support the Federal Government in meeting the targets of human development.
“The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with you,’’ he said.
The meeting, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and new Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, had 22 governors and two deputy governors from Edo and Niger States, in attendance.
The governors made suggestions highlighting the plight of citizens in their states, assuring the President of their support in proffering solutions through the National Economic Council.

Nigeria Has Been Feeding West Africa  With Fuel, Major Marketer Confirms

By
Editorial staff
-
The Managing Director of the Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited, Winifred Akpani has confirmed that Nigeria had been feeding the whole of the West African subregion with subsidized fuel long before the government of Bola Tinubu removed it.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after a solidarity visit to President Tinubu today, June 7, at the Presidential villa, Abuja the major oil marketer said: “we have been feeding the whole West Africa Sub Saharan Africa, with  fuel.
“Since last week Monday, and it’s difficult to believe that it’s only 10 days that this happened, if you check, all those neighboring countries have all their prices shot up.
“Probably maybe Niger is the cheapest with about N580 per liter because they were all feeding on Nigeria’s fuel.”
 She defended the removal of the subsidy, saying that it is all about repositioning the country.
“I think Nigeria has suffered for too long. It’s about putting your money in the right place. “We spent like N4 trillion last year. We have spent N4 trillion this year for the first three, four months already.
“We are at about spending 2.7 trillion in subsidy and by the end of this year, we would have been at over 6.7 trillion. How much of that really goes to the populace?”
The boss of the oil marketer stressed that  Nigeria cannot be subsidizing the whole of Africa, especially when the country has a lot of its own problems.
“So we came today to express our support and to see how we can cooperate with government because ultimately, you can’t kill the people you’re trying to save. So we’re not going to sit back and say, hey, yes, you have removed subsidy, so it’s fine. There are a aches, there are pains, what can we all do?”
She said that a lot of suggestions were made to the President on how to move the country forward.
She said that over time, Nigeria had depended on PMS because it was cheap, regretting that gas was not developed. “There’s electricity. So we’ll have alternate sources of energy. It doesn’t have to be PMS.
Now suddenly, we now realize that we have gas in abundance.
“There was no fresh investment. Nobody’s going to invest in an economy that is not free. “You’re going to have restrictions. since maybe July last year, I don’t think NNPC has paid anything into the Federation accounts.
“As a matter of fact, we’re actually going to start billing the Federation because there was spending more on a subsidy than they were earning. So these are the problems and that’s why we said it was important for the government to understand that we do support and we are very willing and able to help Nigeria transit this situation.
“The President did listen to us very graciously. And it was interesting, because we all suddenly remember that he’s an accountant first and foremost.
“He asked and he interjected with very, very intelligent questions, and he understood what we meant by saying we want a complete free market. “Free market to have one exchange rate so people can stop trading in dollars. When there’s free exchange rate then we can compete in importation, have competitive licensing, and having refineries running.
“Ee have gone through so many years of no fresh investments, all you ever see are new depot being built? Why is that because that’s all it takes. If you do that, then you become a marketer and you can begin to sell fuel but no. And we also try to explain that whereas you were buying 10,000 matrix ton of petrol for N4 billion, today you have to pay N12 billion. So it’s also important to recognize the fact that the pain is not only for the populace, it’s for the marketers, we’re going to see mergers.
“We’re going to have drop off because that’s a lot of money. But that’s also not to say that we’re going to have scarcity No. Finally we’re going to have our real volumes. “We have stopped feeding most of Africa already, the volumes have dropped. And it’s not only because you’re saying we can’t afford transportation. It’s only the man who has a Jeep that will spend N70,000 now to fuel his car.
“The man who doesn’t have a car doesn’t have to worry about that. All he needs is transportation. And to that extent, we recognize this fact that we have to have an effective mass transit system so that people don’t want to be bothered to drive cars have alternatives, and they’re not going to be stuck at home because they can move.
“So, most of what we talked about is how do we go from here? How can we actually make it work? How can we go back to almost the points where we are before? It’s possible.
“And I say that with all sense of responsibility. And one good thing we also have recognize is the fact that a lot of jobs are going to be created, new businesses are going to come up.
“That’s an adage that says sometimes if you don’t shut a door a window doesn’t open. “And you will find out that maybe that window that opens because of the timing, there’s a lot of opportunity that comes through that.
“So for us it was a very, very good meeting. And we had an input in which we also were able to discuss about helping the economic team, participating in what they’re doing, because they were the people on the field were the ones doing this distribution. What can we do differently?
“And one thing that the President also stated clearly is that we must minimize frictions in this system. We must have a free market that works. “Whether is licensing if you say you are licensing, how long does it take to license it has to be done promptly.
“So in a nutshell, I think that covers essentially what this meeting was all about. We believe by July, which is only a month away, we’re going to begin to really see what is being put in place to help, to assist and to make sure that people can go back to seamless living.
“And we all collectively agree that we’re going to work at providing real mass transit buses  that work, the ones that run on CNG, which is a compressed natural gas and diesel interchangeably, and hopefully we’re going to start with about 50 to 100.
“And that is in the very, very short term. And these are locally produced, so you see that we’re also providing jobs, a lot more jobs because we’re using local assembly plants, we are not importing this.
“That is less pressure on our foreign exchange, and that’s more jobs for Nigerians. And Mr  President was very happy with that. And we’re really relieved to thank the President because he has a perfect understanding of a lot of the issues.
“I guess we’re not surprised but we were almost amazed to use that word. He asked all the right questions and he pointed to who could solve this problem and that problem.
“So like I said, we’re really, really grateful that we’ve had this interaction, and we’ll take it from there.
“And hopefully, everybody here and Nigerians at large will begin to see that even if this sounded very difficult, it’s a very, very good move, and very courageous.
“We’ve been trying to do this for so many years. “No president has had the courage to do this. “But now we’ll have to face it and like we said, support is what is required now to sit this through.”

Court Dismisses Suit Seeking To Stop Inauguration Of Tinubu As President

By
Editorial staff
-

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by five residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who prayed to the court to halt the inauguration of Bola Tinubu as president.
The five applicants: Anyaegbunam Okoye, David Adzer, Jeffery Ucheh, Osang Paul and Chibuike Nwachukwu identified themselves as registered voters of the FCT.
The five residents in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/578/2023, urged the court to stop the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, any other judicial officer and/or any other authority or person from swearing in any candidate in the February 25 presidential election as President or Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The suit read in part: “A declaration that no state of the country is at the same time the FCT for any purpose whatsoever, including, in particular, under section 134 (2) (b) of the Constitution.
“A declaration that no candidate in the February 25 presidential election in the country may validly be declared elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without that candidate obtaining at least 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, Abuja.
“A declaration that no candidate in the February 25 presidential election may validly be sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without such candidate having obtained 25% of the votes cast in FCT, Abuja.
“A declaration that following the February 25 presidential election and until a successor is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and sworn in, the term of office of his Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria subsists and endures in accordance with the provisions of section 135 (1) (a) of the Constitution.”
It added that this should remain until it is judicially determined with finality or in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution that such candidate has fulfilled the requirement of Section 134 (2) (b) of the Constitution.
The suit, which cited the Attorney-General of the Federation as the first respondent and the CJN as the second respondent in the matter also demanded “an order setting aside or suspending any declaration and/or issuance of a Certificate of a Return to any candidate in the February 25 presidential election in the country as having been elected, save and except it is judicially determined with finality that such candidate fulfilled the conditions stated in section 134 (2) (b) of the Constitution.
Source: The PUNCH

Kingsley James Emerges Captain, As J9C Elects New Executive Officers

By
Greenbarge Reporters
-

Chief executive officer of Indoor Design and Concept Limited (IDCLng), Kingsley James, has been elected Captain of a socio-economic group known as January 9 Collective (J9C).
Mr James emerged unopposed on Sunday, June 4, at an election that was conducted by the January 9 Collective Electoral Committee, headed by Michael Dada, with Adeniyi Adelaja serving as secretary.
He succeeds the Publisher of News of the People, Titiloye Amzat, as leader of the group.
Others elected into the new executive council of J9C are Abiodun Oshinibosi, Vice-Captain; Azuh Arinze, General Secretary; Olanrewaju Akintilo, Assistant General Secretary; Adebayo Abolarin, Financial Secretary; Olumide Iyanda, Publicity Secretary; Adeyemi Aseperi, Membership and Mobilization Secretary and Debo Alexander, Welfare and Social Secretary.

Speaking after his inauguration as captain, James thanked members of the Collective for giving him 100 percent votes which he said confirmed the acceptance of his campaign of rebirth and reenergisation of the association.
Recalling how J9C was formed on January 9, 2012 in the aftermath of the Occupy Nigeria protest, he said “Our focus was to birth a Collective (mostly of friends at the time) that will impact government policies while promoting ideas that will benefit our collective interest.”
He noted that 11 years after, J9C has evolved, grown and become more dynamic.
“The election and result that birth this new EXCO soars my conviction that the Collective agrees to unitedly face the path of rebirth and reenergisation as evidenced in the fact that most offices were by legal consensus with the requisite number of votes required to affirm the office secured. This Exco is the first time we will have no contestant whatsoever at all levels.”
James saluted his predecessors Percy Ademokun, Oluwaseunfunmi Soyinka, Wole Olagundoye, Akin Adeoya and Amzat whom he said managed the Collective to the best of their abilities.
He also thanked founder of Nairametrics Ugochukwu Obi-Chukwu for delivering the inauguration lecture, calling on the latter and others to become members of J9C.

When Preparation Meets Leadership; Tinubu Happens, by Fredrick Nwabufo

By
Greenbarge Reporters
-

The past one week has been one of the most momentous in the life of the nation. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dared the undared, and triumphed. He passed a knotty test of leadership. The first of its kind. Under a haze of threats of strike by labour unions over the abrogation of petrol subsidy, President Tinubu showed peerless leadership, preparation, and attunement. When preparation meets leadership, Tinubu happens.

With mounting national debts, desiccating revenue, haemorrhaging economy, corruption, and shadowy sectoral enterprise, the removal of subsidy on petrol is coming at an auspicious time. It is either we slither down the snaky tunnel to certain economic peril or we buck up, pull together, and confront this bogeyman menacing us for decades.

Tough decisions are expected. President Tinubu affirmed a fait accompli when he said in his inaugural address that petrol subsidy ‘’is gone’’. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 signed by former President Buhari already made the petrol subsidy regime inoperative. Although the effective abolishment of the scheme was delayed until the end of June 2023, there are no funds to finance the deficit.

But the President had been forthright and genuine about his intentions on petrol subsidy. He said during the campaigns that he would not maintain the parlous order, and that he would stop the haemorrhage.

Nigeria had been borrowing to fund petrol subsidy. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) was spending as much as N400 billion every month to subsidise the petrol price. According to Mele Kyari, NNPCL CEO, Nigeria has racked up $6 billion in petrol subsidy debts. The scheme is projected to have wolved over N11 trillion in eight years. This is clearly not sustainable, not even for any avidly populist government. Without an accurate data of Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption quota, the petrol subsidy regime was nebulous and prone to abuse, and chronic venality. Much of the subsidised product is believed to be smuggled to neighbouring West African countries by profiteers.

The argument for petrol subsidy retention is an emotive one that obviates the filth in the system. Nigeria is a quasi-socialist country, a highly subsidised country. Corruption thrives partly because of the regime of subsidies.

The President once said he had prepared himself, all his life, to lead Nigeria. His artful management of the concomitants and corollaries of the petrol subsidy removal accents this conviction. He has triumphed where many leaders failed. How did he do it?

On Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) suspended the planned strike. Earlier, the Joint Health Workers Union of Nigeria (JOHESU) suspended its planned strike as well. A government delegation had been meeting with the labour unions, negotiating terms of entente. The president, himself, had met with the leadership of JOHESU. He did not stay behind the ornated walls of his office while his aides do the jaw-jawing. He got his hands on the wheel.

The President was unambiguous about his proposition to the unions – providing palliatives, particularly minimum wage review — to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal. At a meeting with some governors, the president had said: “We need to do some arithmetic and soul searching on the minimum wage. We will have to take a look at that together, and the revenue. We must strengthen the source and application of our revenue.’’

The federal government and the labour unions agreed to ‘’establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation” and ‘’to review World Bank Financed Cash Transfer scheme and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.’’

Evidently, the President anticipated a problem and primed a solution.

During the campaigns, the President made a valiant statement on axing petrol subsidy and other economic blackholes. What many considered a political suicide attempt at the time. But he stuck to his guns.

He said: “By all means, you must have electricity. And you won’t pay for estimated billing anymore. When I become president, multiple exchange rates will go away. Write it down. How can we be subsidising fuel consumption of Cameroon, Niger, Benin Republic? No matter how long you protest, we are going to remove subsidy. We can do it. We are educated enough.’’

The honesty, courage and forthrightness exemplified by the President in this instance was infectious. He did not dilly-dally or play around the critical issue with political chicanery; he made a firm statement and asked Nigerians to hold him to his word.

And staying true to principle, his first presidential dispatch was to permanently seal the drainpipe. He showed sincerity of purpose, genuineness, and clarity of mind. Honesty is infectious. Nigerians saw the sincerity of the President and the decisiveness of his leadership. He did not get into the saddle and change from Rock and Roll to Rhythm and Blues; he maintained the same tempo; the same energy, the same oomph; the same vision, the same truth, and the same purpose. When preparation meets leadership, Tinubu happens.

The President has earned public trust and goodwill for his honesty and firmness of character. He is aware. Two days after his inauguration, two law enforcement agencies got into a public brawl. He did not dither. He did not vacillate. He did not look away. He issued a stern reprimand.

Nigeria has a leader who is not afraid of taking tough decisions for the greater good. The President may have prepared himself for leadership, but destiny prepared him for Nigeria at this time.

Fredrick Nwabufo, Nwabufo is a media executive.

Attah Igala Describes Attack On Kogi Gov, Yahaya Bello’s Convoy As Criminal

By
Greenbarge Reporters
-

The Attah Igala, Mathew Opaluwa Ogwuche-Akpa, has condemned the Saturday, June 3 attack on the convoy of the State Governor, Yahaya Bello by a political group while returning from Abuja to Lokoja.
The Attah, who led members of the Kogi State Traditional Council of chiefs on a sympathy visit to the Governor, at the Government House in Lokoja today, June 5, strongly condemned the attack, labeling it as a criminal act that must not be repeated in Kogi State, going forward.
The first class traditional ruler and President of the Council of chiefs in the State, cautioned politicians and their followers against violent campings ahead of November 2023 election.
He prayed for the continuous well-being of Governor Yahaya Bello and the progress of Kogi State, even as the Ohimege-Igu of Koto Karfe, Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, emphasized that the state, which has enjoyed significant peace and tranquility under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello, will continue to remain peaceful.
He called on the politicians to adhere to the established rules.
Responding, the Governor expressed surprise at the conduct of those who attacked his convoy on Saturday.
The governor narrated that on his way to Abuja on May 25th, his convoy encountered a roadblock allegedly set up by protesting truck drivers who claimed to have issues with the task force.
The governor said that after waiting for hours, enduring untold hardship alongside other commuters who were unaware of the situation, he joined the security personnel in clearing the road.
He said that those who were involved in subjecting other road users to such harsh conditions, were subsequently arrested and charged by the security forces.
The governor said that such actions were meant to serve as a deterrent to others who may attempt to take the law into their own hands.
According to him, due to a meeting of the Progressive Governors Forum with President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja, he requested the party to reschedule the Unveiling of the APC’s Deputy Governorship candidate, rescheduled for Saturday to Saturday.
The Governor said that as a result of a hectic week, he was taking a naps in his car while on his way to Lokoja when he noticed that the convoy was not moving.
He said that when he inquired about the reason, he was informed by his security details that it was the convoy of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that was causing the delay.
He said that despite frantic efforts by his security details to find a way through, he had no choice but to follow behind Murtala’s convoy from Koto Karfe to Lokoja, covering a distance of approximately 30 kilometers to the point that his convoy was attacked.
The governor described the attackers’ actions as criminal, emphasizing that such lawlessness would never be tolerated in the state.
He called on the security forces, including the traditional rulers, to play their part in ensuring the continuity of peace in the state ahead of the election.
He stressed the need for collective efforts to combat criminality, saying that there is no room for division in Kogi State.
Governor Yahaya Bello commended the traditional rulers for their proactive and fatherly guidance, expressing his appreciation for their visit and sympathy.
He also highlighted the historical connection between the Igala and Ebira people, emphasizing that politicians campaigning along ethnic and religious lines are causing problems in the state.
The governor assured the traditional leaders of his unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order in the state.

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