Youths Pose Peculiar Challenge To My Government, Buhari Confesses
File photo of Nigerian Youths at President Buhari re-election campaign rally in Taraba 2019President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the huge population of youths has posed peculiar new challenge to his government and will do everything possible to frontally address it.
The President, who received letters of credence today, November 12, from the new Ambassadors of Belgium, Mauritania, Austria and Norway at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the huge number of youths “pose peculiar new challenges of their own. As Nigeria relates with your countries, it is our expectation that we should leverage on the advantages that can yield positive results in youth development in our country.”
President Buhari therefore appealed to international community and investors to take advantage of the country’s diversity in human and natural resources for investment.
According to him, youth development, integration and employment remain priority for his administration, saying: “Nigeria is ready to pursue broader dialogue, as well as enhance cooperation and collaboration on the basis of constructive mutual respect and a shared vision for our future.
“As you may know, Nigeria is an ethnic and culturally diverse society with various opportunities which we seek to creatively utilise for the benefit of our people.”
The Ambassadors who presented their Letters of Credence to the President are Daniel Bertrand, Ambassador of Belgium, Amedi Camara, Ambassador of Mauritania, Thomas Schlesinger, Ambassador of Austria and Knut Eiliv Lein, Ambassador of Norway.
President Buhari said that Nigeria enjoys very good bilateral relations with the respective countries and had collaborated at the multilateral level to achieve targets set by several international conventions and treaties.
“Allow me to offer you my sincere congratulations as you commence your diplomatic duties as defined by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. As we celebrate its 60th anniversary, next year, it is my hope that you will carry out your respective mandates to improve existing cordial relations between our countries consistent with the provisions of this time-honoured convention.”
The President told the ambassadors that there is a need to enhance the existing cordial relations in the interest of citizens and countries.
“Nigeria shares common problems of insecurity, impact of climate change and socio-economic challenges common among nations. Notwithstanding these challenges, efforts are being made to sustain our position to overcome these difficulties. I invite you to partner with us to address these challenges.
“As a global family, we are impacted by several other common challenges like terrorism, insurgency, climate change, population explosion, human trafficking, corruption, poverty, and now the global health pandemic which Coronavirus represents considering its mayhem across the world.”
The President said the challenges underscore the need for the international community to make concerted efforts at resolving them in the interest of common humanity.
“The survival of humanity depends on our efforts to enhance our cooperation to attain the goals of global peace and economic prosperity.’’
In his remark on behalf of others, Ambassador of Belgium thanked the President for making out time to receive the Letters of Credence in spite of the peculiar situation created by the COVID-19, assuring that all the ambassadors will make the most of the opportunity to enhance relations in economics, commerce and socio-cultural issues.
“Your Excellency, we are at your disposal to strengthen and narrow the ties, not only in economic and commercial issues, but also in cultural terms.”
Suspected armed robbers have attacked a bullion van in Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos State, killing two persons and carting away huge sum of cash.
Ghana has declared seven days of national mourning in honour of former President Jerry John Rawlings, who died in the early hours of today, November 12.
Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki collapsed today, November 12 during the governor’s second-term inauguration at the Tennis Court of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the state capital.
President Muhammadu Buhari has acknowledged the great role the late Jerry Rawlings played in stabilizing democracy in Ghana where he held sway as President for about a decade.
Balarabe Musa: Exit Of The Last Man Standing, By Adams Oshiomhole
It came like a rude shock. Only recently we had a robust telephone conversation which was more like a reminiscence of the good old days, when politics was played along ideological persuasions.
He was loud and firm, as usual, espousing his thoughts about building a united Nigeria where tribes and tongues no longer matter in deciding our nationality. It didn’t strike me that I was having my last conversation with this great pan-Nigerian consummate politician, a thoroughbred progressive, who deployed honesty in all his political engagements.
He was not just a politician’s politician, he was one who brought ideology to flourish in his political engagements and nurtured that ideal under the People’s Redemption Party, till death snatched him away. I could still remember vividly how he appointed me into a board during his time as Governor, even though I wasn’t from Kaduna state. He never hesitated to cultivate the support of anyone who could add value to his policy focus of making governance reach the ordinary folks in the state. With a Secretary to Government in Late Dr. Bala Usman, one could imagine how robust the engagements would be. He was more concerned about delivering services than what the office could afford him. He was never materialistic. He was not carried away by the allure of power and the paraphernalia of office. He was simple, ideologically grounded, and dialectically opposed to politics of acquisition.
We have lost the last man standing, the last of the mohicans, the last man who represented the ideological underpinning of politics. Alhaji Balarabe Musa will be sorely missed. He was a father figure to me as we often exchanged telephone conversations like father and son. He never shied away from speaking his mind on any issue no matter the risk involved.
He was blunt and his vitriolic “missiles” were often directed at the right quarters. He was bold and fearless. Any time he had opportunity to interact, you would find him espousing those ideals that defined his politics and humanity. Even though a former Governor, he lived like an ordinary Nigerian. He refused to bend the ultra Left of PRP ideology to accommodate the right NPN and paid the prize by impeachment rather than keep the Governorship office and compromise his well cherished PRP ideology. He lived and died for the masses.
His life will remain a good example for Nigerian politicians and those who occupy public office. He will remain a reference point in political discourse especially on the subject matter of ideological politics. May his soul rest in peace. May Allah forgive him his sins and accept his soul amongst the saints in the hereafter. Adieu, Alhaji, Balarabe Musa, the people’s authentic Governor and leader.
Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole is former Governor, Edo state and former President, Nigeria Labour Congress.