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2023: I am yet to decide, just watch out – Jonathan

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2023: I am yet to decide, just watch out - Jonathan

2023: I am yet to decide, just watch out – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he is yet to decide whether or not to yield to pressure from different groups urging him to contest the 2023 presidential election.

He said this on Friday in Abuja when his committee of friends and some youths from across the country visited him at his Foundation office in Maitama, Abuja.

Jonathan said the visits, especially by the youth, particularly showed that they were clearly interested in the political affairs of the country.

He urged them to be interested and be key players in the country’s politics to enthrone good governance.

“As youths, we must get involved in the country’s political process and luckily the law of  `Not too Young to Run’ bill has made it clear that youths can contest almost every position in government.

READ ALSO: 2023 Presidential Election: Group Urges Ex-COAS Amb. Buratai To Join Race

“We will continue to encourage youths to get involved in the country’s political process.

“And as long as many youths get involved in the political process, we will be able to get the government we want,’’ he said.

Jonathan expressed optimism that with youth involvement in politics, the enthronement of good government would effectively address the country’s current challenges as possible.

He, however, said that though some of the country’s present challenges went way back but could be dealt with from a united front.

On whether he would declare for the 2023 presidential election, Jonathan said the political process was ongoing.

“Yes, you are calling me to come and declare for the 2023 presidency, yes I can’t tell you are declaring, that the political process is ongoing, just watch out.

“But the key role you must play is to pray that Nigeria gets a president that will carry the young people along and work very hard to see that some of the country’s problems raised are dealt with.

“I believe that collectively, we can work together,’’ he said.

Mr Mayor Samuel, leader of Youth Compatriots of Nigeria, while speaking with newsmen at the event, said youths were prepared to support Jonathan to ensure that he emerged as the country’s next president in 2023.

He decried the spate of insecurity in parts of the country and the dwindling economy, saying there was a need to address the situation.

According to him, the Nigeria Peoples Party is ready to give Jonathan its presidential ticket to contest the 2023 presidential election.

He said the party though not registered yet, belonged to the downtrodden, adding that any party that gave its presidential ticket to Jonathan would be supported by all Nigerians.

“The secret to good governance is what Nigeria requires at the moment, Jonathan had been tested and proven and we are ready to follow him,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Coalition of Northern Youths and other youth and women groups from across the federation were part of the visit.

NAN also reports that the youth were chanting ‘run Goodluck run ‘ and they were also seen holding placards that read ‘ declare now, Goodluck, you must run ‘ you are wasting our time declare now’ among other descriptions.

Mr Jonathan Akumobi one of the youth leaders said that they came to compel Jonathan to run because they believed in his capabilities, given his past experience.

Akumobi said that a lot of challenges being experienced in all sectors required an experienced hand like Jonathan to tackle.

“We are tired of the killings, of the insecurity, our schools are closed because of the strike, the national grid has been collapsing, everything in Nigeria is challenged.

“The prices of food items have gone up, during Jonathan’s administration, we were buying a bag of rice for N7,000, today it is N35,000; we need Jonathan back to help return to the good old days because we are tired of the excuses.’’

Another speaker, Mr Ibrahim Saki said they were calling on Jonathan to run so he could rescue the country.

“We need Jonathan to turn things around, we need him back to tackle all the things that have gone bad in the country.

“Please we need you back, Nigerians are tired please come back and continue your good luck, we are sorry for all the things we said and did then,’’ he said.

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JAJI LAUDS SANWO-OLU, GBAJABIAMILA

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JAJI LAUDS SANWO-OLU, GBAJABIAMILA

· CALLS EX-SPEAKER BRIDGE BUILDER, REDEEMER OF THE MASSES

By: Our Reporter

Lagos politician, Oladipo Jaji, on Saturday described the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as the champion of the people’s cause and bridge between all divides.

‘’Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila is kind, upright, conscientious and deeply religious’’

He also described the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a resourceful and persistent organizer.

Jaji in a statement in Surulere commended the former Speaker of the House of Representatives for his brilliant dramatization of politics as the medium of empowerment, development, education and leadership.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain applauded Sanwo Olu for handling development issues in Lagos State with general skill and efficiency.

The gender conscious governor was also praised for sustaining peace, developing a new moral climate and executing several projects across the state.

Jaji praised Gbajabiamila for carrying the load of the president’s office with calm, deepening grassroots democracy, giving a greater sense of security to the people, empowering the youths and enriching their knowledge to enable them garner necessary experiences for higher challenges.

‘’Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila unlocked new energies in the good people of Surulere. He also rekindled hope in other parts of Lagos State’’.

The dashing leader was applauded for standing up for the people, encouraging the women and stimulating the imagination of politicians in Lagos to new visions of things to be done.

Particularly, Jaji hailed Gbajabiamila for his deep sincerity, intellectual ability and dedication to public service.

The statement highlighted qualities of poise and endurance, integrity and honesty of purpose, loyalty and ardor.

It also emphasized Gbajabiamila’s largeness of vision and inexhaustible energy.

‘’I wish His Excellency, Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu and Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila robust health, much joy and unlimited strength’’ the statement added.

JAJI LAUDS SANWO-OLU, GBAJABIAMILA

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At Launch Of Ethiopia’s GLI, VP Shettima Urges Practical Action Against Climate Change

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At Launch Of Ethiopia’s GLI, VP Shettima Urges Practical Action Against Climate Change

** Says Nigeria, Ethiopia have the largest stake in Africa’s future by keeping continent green

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on nations of the world to be decisive about combating climate change, saying it is a danger that must be arrested with practical actions.

According to him, while the global threat is not one that can be resolved in a conference room, it requires each country to respond to the peculiarities of the ecological burdens confronting them.

The Nigerian Vice President, who stated this on Friday during the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI), in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, said he was delighted to share in the joy of Ethiopia’s resolve to confront the threat posed by climate change “with clarity, courage, and conviction.”

The Ethiopian Green Legacy Programme, which is designed to combat deforestation, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, targets the planting of 20 billion tree seedlings over a four-year period.

Senator Shettima, who is in the East African country for an official State visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, implored nations to enhance their climate plans by doubling their adaptation and mitigation efforts.

He said, “We have long accepted that climate change is not a problem to be solved in a conference room; it is a danger we must arrest with practical actions, with each nation rising to the occasion by responding to the peculiarities of the ecological burdens they face.

“Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is one such response. It is an inspiring blueprint to reimagine the future. The promise of GLI is the dream of every nation. It is a lesson in vision, in purpose, and in audacity. For those of us who have followed this programme, the numbers are staggering, but the impact is even more compelling.

“To plant 20 billion seedlings within four years, to establish over 20,000 nurseries, and to create hundreds of thousands of green jobs is to show that the future is something we must plant, nurture, and build.”

VP Shettima noted that he was not in Ethiopia to only share in the country’s joy and exchange ideas but to also convey what he described as the deep and abiding solidarity of his boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the people of Nigeria.

Applauding those who made the Green Legacy Initiative a reality, he assured Ethiopia of Nigeria’s unflinching support, adding that both countries have the largest stake in Africa’s future.

“Ethiopia and Nigeria are the two most populous countries in Africa. This distinction is not just statistical; it is existential. It means we have the largest stake in Africa’s future. It means that more of our people are exposed to the peril of climate change, and it also means that we face the highest cost of inaction.

“This is why we are not mere spectators in this fight. We are partners. We are participants. And we are prepared to play our part to keep Africa green,” the Vice President pledged, just as he said it is the promise Nigeria and other nations have been making at the Conferences of the Parties (COP) every year.

“It is the pledge we renewed at the last COP in Azerbaijan. And today, we gather not only to stand by this promise but to celebrate the path Ethiopia has illuminated for the world,” he added.

Senator Shettima thanked the government and people of Ethiopia for the warmth and generosity extended to him and other members of the Nigerian delegation.

He said they felt at home, “not just because of the hospitality shown to them, but because the launch of the Green Legacy Programme resonates with the aspirations “to leave behind a planet fit for the dreams of generations to come.

In his address at the event, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called on African countries to make the Green Legacy a culture, adding that Ethiopia was proud of Nigeria and its bold move to embrace the green initiative.

The Prime Minister called for partnership across African countries, stating that it was time to place less emphasis on foreign aid and begin to focus more on indigenous and home-grown domestic ideas and visions.

“This year’s Green Legacy is to rise by planting, and it is in consonance with our plan to shock the world with our Green Legacy vision. We never received any aid when we set out to achieve our 20 billion tree planting initiative.

“We thank Nigeria for supporting and accepting this initiative. With its population and growing economy, we are sure that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as exemplified by the esteemed presence of Vice President Kashim Shettima, will go a long way in raising the awareness and collaborative effort needed amongst African countries,” the Prime Minister said.

He further expressed optimism that with Ethiopia’s hosting of the forthcoming United Nations summit on Climate Change, the stage is set for all hands to be on deck to achieve one of Ethiopia’s biggest green revolution plans.

Earlier in the day, Vice President Shettima was guided through Ethiopia’s Unity Park, Science Museum, and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, which showcase Ethiopia’s historic and transformative trajectory.

At Launch Of Ethiopia’s GLI, VP Shettima Urges Practical Action Against Climate Change

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VP Shettima Arrives For Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme Launch

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VP Shettima Arrives For Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme Launch

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the venue for the official launch of Ethiopia’s flagship Green Legacy Programme in Addis Ababa.

The project is part of Nigeria’s commitment to regional and continental collaboration on climate action and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes environmental sustainability, food security, and green economic growth.

VP Shettima is in the company of the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed.

The Vice President, who is on an official state visit to Ethiopia, will participate in the launch ceremony of the environmental initiative aimed at combating deforestation and mitigating climate change effects.

The Green Legacy Programme targets the planting of 20 billion tree seedlings over a four-year period to enhance biodiversity and address environmental challenges across Ethiopia.

This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s existing endeavours in afforestation and reforestation, such as the Great Green Wall project, which focuses on restoring damaged environments, combating desertification, and fostering climate resilience throughout the Sahel region.

VP Shettima Arrives For Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme Launch

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