To curb corruption Nigeria must make discipline, dependability, and sustainability its pillars- Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley, YMK

By Emmanuel Daudu, Abuja

A Nigerian political icon and economic analyst, known for his humanitarian style of leadership, Engr. Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley, YMK, after diagnosing Nigeria’s problems to its roots has advised the nation to make its pillars dependent on discipline, dependability, sustainability, and transparency if the combat against corruption should yield admirable and tangible results that would in turn better the country’s Economy and it’s citizens.

Engr. Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley, YMK, made this known during the weekend in his new year message to the Nigerian people.

According to him, said, the Nigerian dream can finally become a reality if we have a leader who is passionate enough to face all odds.

Stressing further, he stated that if Nigeria and its citizens adopt a culture of professionalism and a code of conduct that values accountability and openness, the fight against corruption can be won permanently.
“The future of Nigeria lies in our hands and whatever we do, we must be conscious of posterity”, he said.

Reacting to the Nigerians’ attitude toward its political players, he has this to say, ” it is a high time Nigerians Stop sneering contemptuous remarks against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and others.
We should shy away from the politics of bitterness and let us promote love, peace, and unity.
All the Presidential candidates deserve respect for coming out to showcase what they have for Nigeria and not to be humiliated with words”.

Earlier, in his statement, he pointed out that the Nigeria oil-producing communities are not enjoying the required dividends of democracy despite the damages crude oil spillage has continued to cause in their lands.
“There has not been any Nigerian leader that has been able to curb this menace. Going by our experience while we were in NNPC, this is one of our areas of specialization amongst others. The country needs a president in 2023 that has laid down plans and programs prepared to be carried out in various communities relating to the peculiarity of the prevalent problems to each of them.
These programs amongst others should be designed to bring about the unity of the great Nation, Nigeria. We have agenda centres on the unity of our great Nation, Nigeria”, Yakubu added.

Oil theft: In one week we can bring to an end the menace – SDP Presidential candidate

By Emmanuel Daudu, Abuja

The Presidential Flagbearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo says his government will bring out policies that will curb crude oil theft and improve revenue in the country in one week.

He made this bold statement when answering questions on what he can do to address the revenue problem of the country.

Prince Adebayo said, “we are going to collect our legal taxes from the different companies but we will not increase taxes as a lot of businesses are not properly taxed particularly the ones in the mineral resources sector.

“So many companies are operating illegally hence making it difficult to tax them and these companies are the ones guilty of the massive theft of gold, lithium and other resources in the country.”
In terms of subsidy removal, he said, “we will improve our self sufficiency in terms of supply by giving support to the different commercial and modular refineries that are being built at the moment to operate properly.
“Unfortunately, management of the subsidy has become welfare package for the people who are close to the presidency as most of the supplies that are being paid for by the Federal Government are fictional.”
He also said that pricing of petroleum products must be regulated so that Nigerians can afford the products once we become fully operational.

“We need to govern our resources and guard them jealously by making sure that our resources are properly taxed and improve our revenue generated.”

“We are receiving only seven percent of the taxes on the mineral resources. We can’t complain of exhausting our options in terms of revenue when we have not regulated taxes and solve supply of crude domestically” he said.

Endorsement of Peter Obi would not affect the chances of my Presidential candidacy- Prince Adebayo

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Sunday said that the endorsement of Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo was of no effect as it would not affect the chances of its Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.

This was contained in a statement signed and released on Sunday, January 1, 2022 by the SDP National Publicity Secretary / Director, Media and Publicity, National Campaign Council, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba.

Aiyenigba said Prince Adebayo undeniably meets the Southern Presidency advocacy of many as led by the former president and many other prominent National Leaders.

According to him, “Prince Adewole Adebayo undeniably meets the Southern presidency advocacy of many as led by the former president and many other prominent national leaders. Adebayo meets the boundless and essential energy requirement for the top job; he meets the requirements of deep grasps of transformational leadership and development issues; vision and soundness of mind, as well as the character and integrity quotient as listed.

“Adebayo is more youth- friendly in practical terms, considering the hundreds of jobs he has created through his various businesses and enterprises, as well as the huge verifiable number of young Nigerians he has empowered, still empowering and mentored and still mentoring.

“With this development, it’s therefore, getting crystal clear that the contest, is going to be a two-horse race between Prince Adewole Adebayo and Peter Obi, because they are both emblematic of the new realities of the need for a new generation of young leaders for our country and also the strongly evolving national quest for a new Nigeria – a nation that will be anchored on innovative, resources, honest and good leadership which will ultimately engender a good Nigerian society.”

This came as Chairman of the SDP Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam said that the Coming Presidential election would usher in the most visionary president in Nigerian history.

In his new year message to Nigerians he said that at the moment, Nigerians were suffering as the economy was suffocating.

He urged all to work together to produce a leader that would ensure peace unity equity throughout the country.

NYVD lauds AFN over hitch-free Christmas Celebration

The Northern Youths Vanguard for Development (NYVD) has commended troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for ensuring Christians in the country celebrated Christmas with fanfare and peace.

The group said it is a testimony that the AFN is determined to keep it’s promise of restoration of Peace in the country.

NYVD in a statement signed by the President, Yakubu Dauda and Secretary, Roseline Musa on Monday said that for the second year running, the people of the region, especially the North East had a peaceful Christmas.

The group urged people of the region to show appreciation to the military by their cooperation and provision of useful information on the activities of enemies of the country in their domain.

The statement said troops continued their onslaughts against criminal elements in the last period of the year to show their determination.

“New year eve, bandits kingpin, Gwoska Dankarami, escaped death by the whiskers when air strikes of the Nigerian military targeted his hideout, along Kaura Namoda Road in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“Similarly, troops of 199 Special Forces Battalion hit out at terrorists on the eve of new year along Maiduguri to Damboa Road, killing some of them.

“Reports from the North East is cheering and gives us hope that very soon, normalcy will be completely restored, because of what our troops are doing there and other places.

“We in NYVD commend the Armed Forces of Nigeria under Gen. LEO Irabor for making all this possible. We are very hopeful it will get better for the North and Nigeria as a country.

The group urged parents to monitor the activities of their wards to ensure they don’t fall for the evil antics of enemies of the North who want to recruit more youths into their nefarious activities.

Barr Aisha Ghana identified with widows during yuletide, lent support to Medical outreach

 

Barr Aisha G Gana Jekadia Alkalai Nupe and Team ANG  identified with widows for the christmas and in addition lent support to the Medical outreach  to Bida indigenes at Medical centre in Nasarafu ward. The Medical outreach involves medical consultation, treatment and surgery of 1000 patients by Dr Shehu Ahmed and his team.

Dr Shehu Ahmed, an  APC stalwart and stake holder from Bida led his team of Doctors to the outreach held on the 27th to 28th December, 2022 at the PHC Nasarafu, Bida.

Team ANG Progressive Associates on behalf Hon. Barr. Aisha Galadima Gana, the Jekadiya Alikalain Nupe, Chairman Niger State Law Reform Commission, Member APC Presidential Campaign Council has  Partnered with Dr. Shehu Ahmed in the just concluded Free medical outreach held in honour of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship Candidate,
Umar Bago aside from the massive food item donation project she embarked on still in honour of Umar Bago, the APC Governorship candidate alongside the Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a campaign tool ahead of the February elections.

The free medical outreach which comprises free medical consultancy, free drugs, free surgeries, and other related services rendered showed the masses that the APC gubernatorial candidate is the most outstanding as beneficiaries assured Hon. Aisha Galadima of taking the indoor campaigns upon themselves.

Earlier, Dr. Shehu in his speech stated that the outreach is borne out of the benevolence of Hon. Aisha Galadima Gana stated that she was the brain and financial backbone of the event while urging every one of them to Vote for the APC presidential candidate and the Niger State  APC gubernatorial candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and  Umar Bago and all APC Candidates across the State, respectively.



Hon. Aisha Galadima while distributing the food items which were rice, noodles, semovita, spaghetti, Maggi, salt, tin tomatoes, salt, soaps & detergents, wrappers, and slippers,  also engaged the women on issues bothering their immediate communities as she assured them of immediate intervention soon as APC wins the elections.


According to her, Aisha,
“the gesture is part of my passion for humanity and vision to help indigents and vulnerable people in order to alleviate their suffering, especially during this festive period.

“This is not the first time I am embarking on this kind of project, we have been providing for widows, we empowered them,  and the vulnerable in the state generally.

“I promise to reach out to more beneficiaries in the years ahead by God’s grace,’’ Aisha said.

Beneficiaries prayed that God continues to bless, protect her, and grant all her heart desires so that she could continue to do more.

New year message: Blessing Akinlosotu calls on Nigerian youths to actively participate in political processes

……..says 2023 is a new Dawn for the Youth

The President, Nigerian Youth Congress, and Member, Nigeria Climate Change Council, Blessing Akinlosotu has called on Nigerian youths to participate actively in the February elections stating that youths by virtue of their population have the highest deciding factor. “We the youths must realize that we have the power to decide who becomes the president of this country going by our overwhelming population. We the youths must be ready to come out enmass to exercise our political franchise by voting for candidates of our choice. Candidates that have the country at heart, candidates that believe in the youths, candidates that focus on the unity of Nigeria, candidates that understand and are ready to harness the opportunities embedded in our diversities, candidates that have the passion to take Nigeria where it is to where it should be, candidates that value humanity more than religion, tribalism, nepotism and the rest. We need a Nigeria that works and not a Nigeria to be known for corruption”.

Akinlosotu made this known in a new year message he signed on the 1st of January, 2023, and made available to newsmen in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media Relations, Emmanuel Daudu.

Stressing further, Akinlosotu said, ” according to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “One of the great liabilities of history is that all too many people fail to remain awake through great periods of social change. Every society has its protectors of status quo and its fraternities of the indifferent who are notorious for sleeping through revolutions. Today, our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant, and to face the challenge of change.”

“This is the time Nigerian youths must stay awake to bring to bear the desired transition ever clamoured for. President Muhammadu Buhari has done a lot for this country, especially in the area of fighting corruption, insecurity, and fundamental restructurings in all government establishments, and has succeeded in returning sanity to the system. He has done what no other President has done in the history of this country”, he added.

Similarly, Akinlosotu tasked the youths without PVCs to visit INEC offices and get their PVC so that they can cast their votes in February.

“Any youth without a PVC at this time is one of the problems of Nigeria and the earlier such people realize that, the better for this nation. The days to which youths are not involved in election processes have gone”, he added.

NYC Lagos Chairman Adeyemi Adewuyi task youth to disassociate selves from political violence says 2023 opens up new hope for the youth

By Juwairat Aliyu

The Lagos State youths have been charged to disassociate themselves from political violence ahead of the general elections stating that the rate at which the country’s potential can be harnessed is dependent on the way the leaders of the country are been elected or emerge in the forthcoming elections.

The Lagos State Chairman, Nigerian Youth Congress, Mr. Adeyemi Adewuyi made this known to newsmen in a new year message to the youths on Sunday in Lagos.

According to Adeyemi, Nigeria has great potential to become one of the wealthiest nations on earth but leadership and the way they emerge into political offices is the major threat to the growth of the nation.

While tasking youths of the state, he said, according to Youth Action Research Group, “We believe that to confront the challenges our communities face, people- — not just their advocates- — need to define issues and develop strategies for action. [We] foster leadership, literacy and language development among its participants and provides them an enriching job experience that prepares them for college and for careers in community organizing, advocacy, and services delivery.” Youths should vote for leaders who define issues and develop strategies for action. We the youths should actively be involved in changing the political narrative and contribute to birthing a new Nigeria”.

Adeyemi, therefore, lauded the Lagos State governor, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and Special Marshal Mr. Sola Olojede for their commitment to the empowerment of youths in the state.

“His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s
Jobs Initiatives Lagos (JIL), Eko Digital Skills, Adult Literacy Education, Vocational Training, Quarterly Mega Empowerment Programme, and LSETF Funding Initiatives have yielded overwhelming results.

“No less than 125,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created in the last two years via the various activities of the governor under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment

“Similarly, the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is also being used to empower Lagosians.
Also, the various projects being executed with the private sector at the Lekki Free Trade Zone are already yielding great dividends with youths as direct beneficiaries.
Despite the pandemic, over 230 jobs were created through the Alaro City project, a joint venture project designed and owned by Rendeavour Nigeria Development Company Limited and the government, through Lekki Worldwide Investments Limited.
The government has also been exploring opportunities in the agriculture sector to empower more. Recently, 1,750 Agricultural Value Chains Actors were empowered with various agricultural productive assets and inputs via the Agricultural Value Chains Empowerment programme.
Other projects being deployed to empower Lagosians in the Agric sector include the Imota Rice, Agricultural based Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), World Bank assisted Agro-processing, and the Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS) to mention a few”.

The Lagos Youth leader, Adeyemi Adewuyi thanked the President of the Nigerian Youth Congress, Comr. Blessing Akinlosotu for the privilege to serve the Nigerian youth in such a capacity, assuring him that the Lagos state youths will for sure experience one of the best-ever youth leadership under his administration in the state.

New year message: UNESCO Laureate, Prof. Sir Bashiru Aremu congratulates Nigerians says it is time to embrace the hybrid educational system

By Maryam Aminu

UNESCO Laureate, Pro-Chancellor, and World Acclaimed Distinguished Professor and Chairman Board of Trustees of West Coast International University of Sciences Technology Management and Arts Formerly Known as West Coast University United States of America, Prof. Sir Bashiru Aremu has congratulated Nigerians for the new year stating that the new year unfolds a new dawn which gives all Nigerians a leveled playing ground to make choose their political leaders within the next 4 years.

Stating further, he tasked Nigerians especially the youths to get involved in the election processes in other to have in power leaders that have the country at heart.

Aremu made this known in a new year message he signed on the 1st of January, 2023, and made available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on media, Emmanuel Daudu.

While reacting to the dilapidating educational system in the country, Aremu said, “education helps us get exposure to new ideas and concepts that we can use to appreciate and improve the world around us and the world within us.
When we improve our education and continue to learn, we can foster new connections, increase our marketable skills, and understand people better.
According to Benjamin Franklin, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”.

He further said, ” Kofi Annan once said, Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.”
“Edward Everett also once said, “Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.”

“It is a high time Nigeria votes leaders that have a bias interesting in the education of its citizens. Education is the bedrock of every country. We need a President that is solely ready to invest in education. Not only to invest in it but to passionately and assiduously follow its implementation to a level that Nigeria has the best educational system in Africa”, he added.

Hon. Barr. Aisha Galadima Gana assures Nigerians of Good governance, campaigns for APC

By Emmanuel Daudu

The member, APC Presidential Women Campaign Council, member, PCC and Matron ANG Associates, Chief Barr. Aisha Galadima Gana has stated that Nigerians can only see more dividends of democracy if Nigerians give the mandate to the APC Presidential Candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Barr. Aisha made this known in a new year message she signed and made available to journalists on Sunday, the 1st of January, 2023.

Chief Barr. Aisha Galadima Gana noted that sustainability and continuity in governance are essential and as such, for Nigerians to actually see the practical evidence of what President Muhammadu Buhari has laid the foundation for, the people of Nigerian should realize that the same party should be given that mandate to prove what it had brought to bear.
“Tinubu is one of the best ever political technocrats who has all it takes to make Nigeria a country of our dreams. He is a leader with no questionable character, he is a leader who believes in the masses and has the unity of this country at heart. A vote for him is a vote for the good of Nigeria, a vote for him is a vote to better Nigeria, and a vote for him is a vote for economic viability.
Until Nigerians get to the level of understanding how things work politically, it might not go smoothly. It is on this, I urge all Nigerians to give a block vote to APC in the February elections”. She added.

Stressing further in her new year message, thanked Her Excellency Aisha Buhari for her doggedness in leading women and giving them a leveled playing ground with their male counterparts in all spheres of discipline.

UN-Habitat Ambassador to Nigeria Dr. Raymond Edoh wishes Nigerians a Happy New Year, task youth on political involvement

By Simeon Monday

The United Nations Ambassador to Nigeria and the Nigerian Youth Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency, Dr. Raymond Edoh has congratulated Nigerians on the new year 2023 pointing out that Nigerians are at its strategic decision-making junction and the decision made determines the prospect and result Nigerians will harness from the macrocosm, Nigeria.

“We all are aware that we are already in the season of electing new political leaders. Yes, it is a new year, congratulations to us all. We thank God for the privilege of living as individuals and as a Nation. However, in this season, a lot of decisions both at individual levels and as a nation must be made. If we have been complaining of bad leadership, this season has brought us another opportunity to correct the ills we feel are bad. The long awaiting 2023 is here and as such we must make an informed decision so that we can be involved in the growth of the nation. How can we do this? We can do this simply by going out on that day of the election and casting our votes for candidates we believe has Nigeria at heart. Someone who can give us dividends of democracy, the candidates that have the poor masses at heart, the candidates that know what they are doing, the candidates that strongly believe in Nigeria and its people, both at the federal and state level.

Dr. Raymond made this known in a new year message he signed and made available to journalists by his senior special Assistant on Media, Emmanuel Daudu, in Abuja on Sunday, 1st January 2023.

Dr. Raymond Edoh in his new year message gave lots of democracy quotes among which a few are, “Every citizen of this country should be guaranteed that their vote matters, that their vote is counted, and that in the voting booth, their vote has a much weight as that of any CEO, any member of Congress, or any President.” Barbara Boxer
“Voting is a right best exercised by people who have taken time to learn about the issues.” Tony Snow
“Voting is fundamental in our democracy. It has yielded enormous returns.”
“I believe that voting is the first act of building a community as well as building a country.” John Ensign
“Voting is the foundational act that breathes life into the principle of the consent of the governed.” DeForest Soaries
“Never turn your back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never!” Winston Churchill
“Do the unexpected. Take 20 minutes out of your day, do what young people all over the world are dying to do: vote.” Rick Mercer
“Vote early, and vote often.” Al Capone
Democracy:
“Democracy is not something that happens, you know, just at election time, and it’s not something that happens just with one event. It’s an ongoing building process. But it also ought to be a part of our culture, a part of our lives.” Jim Hightower
“No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline.” Kofi Annan
“So long as we have enough people in this country willing to fight for their rights, we’ll be called a democracy.” Roger Nash Baldwin
“Anti-democracy…is a virus that exists, and pro-democracy is the antibody to that virus, and I think we have to become vigilant, and we have to stay on top of the issues of democracy and freedom.” Harry Belafonte
“The primal principle of democracy is the worth and dignity of the individual.” Edward Bellamy
“Democracy is the ultimate, positive revolution because it gives each and every individual the power to control their lives. And we can work together to create a just, sustainable world.” Bill Blackman
“The only title in our democracy superior to that of President is the title of citizen.” Justice Louis D. Brandeis
“We preach the virtues of democracy abroad. We must practice its duties here at home. Voting is the first duty of democracy.” Lyndon B. Johnson
“I’d like people to be educated on the voting machines, making sure that our democracy isn’t being hijacked by computer technology. There’s no reason there can’t be a paper trail on those machines.” Eddie Vedder
Democracy is about voting and it’s about a majority vote. And it’s time that we started exercising the Democratic process.” Debbie Stabenow
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Democracy is not just the right to vote, it is the right to live in dignity.” Naomi Klein

“What I am saying in essence is, Nigerians especially the youths should understand that they have over 70% of deciding factor of who becomes a political leader in this country if they are involved in voting during elections. Over the years, instead of the youths realizing their political worth, they are used to truncating the process, yet at their expense. What a political higgledy-piggledy! It is a slap on us as youths.

“Just as I have said earlier in my various previous interviews, this election would be one of the best and most peaceful elections in the history of Nigeria. Sure! It will! Why do I say so? As a Nigerian youth leader within and in the Diaspora I have led other youth leaders to put measures in place to curb electoral violence ahead of the February election and others. We have mobilized these measures to ensure a peaceful election. I know what I have led other youth leaders to put in place as structural measures. And if any youth tries anything funny, he or she would assuredly be caught in the web of the measures put in place.

” It hurts me when youths tend to allow selves to be used by politicians to cause violence. Yes, the youths! Have you seen a 70-year-old or 50 years old person perpetrating electoral violence? Not at all! I urge us all the youths to use our energy positively to make the electoral processes peaceful.

“It is another opportunity to correct our ills by doing informed voting. As a youth, you are yet, to get your PVC, you are the problem of this nation. What are you still waiting for? Go and get your PVC and be ready to vote on the days of the elections. It is your right to exercise your political franchise”.

Speaking on violence, he charged the youths not to get involved in political violence as he described any who would be involved in such an act as an enemy of Nigeria, stressing that not one of such persons will go scot-free without being cut up with the law.

While expressing optimism about the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari in conducting a free and fair election pleads with the President to keep to his words so that Nigerians can decide who becomes their next president legitimately.
“Mr. President, all I plead you to do for us is to keep to your words of conducting a free and fair election. I wish to draw to your notice that the National community is watching, Past Presidents are watching, the youths are watching, the military is watching and all political stakeholders in Africa and all around the world are watching. Your Excellency, please don’t disappoint Nigerians by doing the contrary of what you said. We know you as a man of integrity, please maintain your integrity to the end. You understand that Nigerians love you, they trust you, they believe in you, please Mr. President don’t turn us down.”

However, he thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for a well-done leadership and for considering the youths in strategic leadership positions, giving an example of Comr. Blessing Akinlosotu who he added as Member, Nigerian Climate Change Council.
“Mr. President, we understand and have seen lots of initiatives ranging from security, economic, political, and otherwise but the persons in charge of the implementation have drastically failed in their roles thereby frustrating your achievements. Against this backdrop, we plead with you to help us achieve a free and fair election so that these challenges can be handled once and for all. This is the pleading of the youths. You are our father, and we know you will listen to the yearning of your children, the youths of this country. Please hear our plead, our father, President Muhammadu Buhari”.