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TODAY’S SUPREME COURT VERDICT SAYS IT IS TIME TO FIND SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION FOR TINUBU’S PROMISE OF RENEWED HOPE

Published

9 months ago

October 27, 2023

TODAY’S SUPREME COURT VERDICT SAYS IT IS TIME TO FIND SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION FOR TINUBU’S PROMISE OF RENEWED HOPE

By Moses Okezie-Okafor

The victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Supreme Court of Nigeria earlier today (Thursday, 26th October, 2023) calls for congratulations to Mr. President. Although today’s outcome was entirely expected, given my more than 23 years of experience as a lawyer and my direct involvement in the Renewed Hope Campaign, it is still highly gratifying. One thing is sure, this judgment is a significant milestone for both our president and our nation, Nigeria. By confirming his election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and putting an end to all judicial challenges by his opponents, the apex court of the land has removed all lawful impediments for the President to continue with the task of governing Africa’s largest economy and most complex polity.

While I enjoin all persons of goodwill to extend sincere felicitations to Mr. President, even if only in the spirit of good sportsmanship, I am also quick to remind our president that every constituency in Nigeria, down to the smallest polling unit, is now eagerly anticipating accelerated and proportionate development of the country under his leadership. This expectation is neither unreasonable nor surprising, after all President Tinubu made promises of renewed hope and a future assured to Nigerians when he applied for the job. He committed, through his Renewed Hope Manifesto (a document that I personally consider one of the most comprehensive governance templates by any presidential candidate ever) to do his utmost in the best interests of Nigeria. It is safe to assert that the entire world, not just Nigerians, holds him accountable for these promises.

I will now provide a summary of some of the President’s most outstanding promises to Nigerians, for the records and to emphasize the importance of keeping these promises. I will also be calling on all Nigerians before the end of this article to put aside partisan divisions and give him a genuine opportunity to keep his word.

The president pledged to build a Nigeria where ample employment opportunities with respectable remuneration would enhance the quality of life, especially for the youth. He undertook that the country would manufacture, create, and invent more of the goods and services we require. This implies that his administration will facilitate the necessary conditions to achieve this goal, with the aim of making Nigeria known as a nation of creators, not just consumers. The Renewed Hope Manifesto also commits to enhancing exports and reducing imports, which would fortify both the Naira and our way of life. These two promises, in particular, ring with an urgency that cannot be overemphasized, especially now that his removal of fuel subsidy and harmonizing of the exchange rate has seen the Naira facing significant forex headwinds with little to no support from domestic production, which, admittedly, the President inherited at a very low ebb.

The Renewed Hope Manifesto consists of interconnected commitments, one linked to another. To fulfill the aforementioned promises, the President must also uphold others alongside them. His commitment to transforming Nigerian agriculture into a potent force is a quick-win objective that became long overdue the moment it was made due to carryover expectations from previous administrations. Nigerians are now counting on him to provide the necessary political will to support our ‘ever-toiling farmers’, as he affectionately refers to them, with the practical policies and enlightenment as well as the agricultural tools and inputs to finally succeed. This support is required to boost productivity, secure decent incomes, sustain their families, and feed the nation. The President is well aware that if we can provide the promised assistance to the 70% of our people engaged in subsistence agriculture, they will lift themselves and their families out of poverty, ideally within the four years it takes to complete a first term as president of Nigeria.

The President’s electoral promises also encompass his intention to modernize and expand public infrastructure and utilities so that the rest of the Nigerian economy can piggyback on it for optimal and accelerated growth. This commitment underscores his understanding that inadequate infrastructure and nonexistent utilities lie at the heart of poor domestic production, a key contributor to the country’s balance of trade challenges. Now that the Supreme Court has relieved him of the uncertainty of judicial outcomes concerning his continued stay in office, no doubt Mr. President and his ministers in the relevant sectors are ready to commence the construction of the promised infrastructure and utilities.

The time has also come to uphold another significant promise, namely, the much-anticipated commitment to empower and support our young entrepreneurs of all genders who have embarked on the challenging path of entrepreneurship and are ensnared in a demanding operational environment. Nigeria’s youthful entrepreneurs can be likened to small vessels carrying precious cargo stranded in a fierce storm on a rocky shoreline in pitch-dark night. Mr. President must now devise methods and strategies to deploy his administration like a tugboat and send it into those storm-tossed seas to rescue these struggling vessels and guide them to a safe harbor of his design and defense. This is the only way that emerging sectors led by these young entrepreneurs, such as the digital economy, entertainment, culture, tourism, and others, will have the opportunity to thrive and help us construct the Nigeria of tomorrow, today.

An implication of such targeted investments in these sectors by the administration is that the President’s other commitment to train and offer economic opportunities to the poorest and most vulnerable among us will also be fulfilled. With some time and sustained support, earnest efforts in agriculture and these emerging sectors have the potential to equip sufficient Nigerians with the self-help abilities to lift the 133 million people believed to be in multidimensional poverty out of the wretched state that has confined them. Mr. President has expressed the aspiration of creating a Nigeria where no parent is compelled to send a child to bed hungry, anxious about what the future holds. I emphasize: uphold these promises, sir, and witness these concerns essentially address themselves.

In addition to the promises outlined in the Renewed Hope Manifesto, President Tinubu’s administration has recently articulated eight priority areas through which it intends to realize the electoral commitments of its principal. Mr. President himself enumerated these areas in his speech during the opening ceremony of the 29th NESG Summit this week as food security, poverty eradication, economic growth, job creation, access to capital, inclusion, rule of law and fighting corruption. To my mind, this 8-point agenda presses all the right buttons and it is commendable that Mr. President’s focus remains on these key areas, meaning that he is taking tangible steps to translate words into actions.

As I have advocated on numerous occasions, I firmly believe that this Administration is well-positioned to be a Super Administration, and I am using ‘super’ as an acronym to represent Security, Unity, Prosperity, Equity, and Reconciliation (S.U.P.E.R). Nigerians demand actions and I believe we can get so much mileage out of a few action areas, hence the acronym. Each of these words represents a substantial source of concern for Nigerians, and the President must urgently transform each of them into a tangible reality, accessible in every part of the country, if he aims to alleviate the suffering of his people and deliver the dividends of democracy.

Security is number one and remains paramount. The President must ensure the security of lives and property in the country. He must adequately equip and motivate the security agencies to execute their duties effectively. Marching in double quick time, the President must address the menace of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism that has become both endemic and devastating in every part of the country, but particularly the South East and North East.

Unity comes a close second and is no less a critical objective for a diverse nation like Nigeria. Our diversity of ethnic groups and religions is undoubtedly one of our greatest assets, but it is a most challenging one. The President’s Muslim-Muslim ticket with Vice President Kashim Shettima raised concerns for many non-Muslims, and the President must work to build trust. Nigeria needs a ‘civil or civic religion’, also known as the shared values of a nation as expressed through public rituals and symbols. They are the bond that unites a people who live under the same laws and rules and help to provide a sense of inclusion, belonging, identity, unity, structure, worth, confidence, transcendence, purpose and pride in the nation. The President must reawaken this long lost ethos for Nigeria while cementing unity and inclusivity in his administration by ensuring that every Nigerian feels a sense of belonging in the country and a shared ownership of her.

Prosperity is a pivotal goal, considering Nigeria’s economic woes despite her abundant natural resources. The President must see to it that these resources are effectively harnessed for the benefit of all Nigerians. He pledged ‘shared prosperity,’ and he must deliver on this promise. The masses must experience his benevolent influence in their livelihoods and overall standard of living. Our President must cultivate an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and create jobs for the vast population of unemployed youths.

Equity is crucial, and the President must ensure that every Nigerian is treated fairly and justly. There should be no discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, or gender. Meritocracy must be the guiding principle for appointments and promotions. The President must confront the issue of inequality head-on, particularly addressing the cries of marginalization and ensuring that every part of the country is included in the development agenda. He must also take decisive steps to combat corruption, which has hindered the country’s progress.

Reconciliation is a pressing need in a country plagued by ethnic and religious conflicts. Ethnic and religious nationalism has gone out of hand in many places and must be reined in. Political campaigns since 2015 have been particularly divisive and Nigerians have left deep wounds on themselves from vicious hatchet-jobs. It is now the President’s unenviable responsibility to craft deliberate policies and initiatives that will facilitate reconciliation and healing in the country. He must ensure that every Nigerian feels a sense of belonging, is treated with respect and dignity, and that social justice is upheld while the rule of law is enforced.

President Tinubu must fulfill his promises to Nigerians. He must provide leadership that propels the country forward. I am one of those who firmly believe that if we in the All Progressives Congress (APC) adhere to the core principles of our manifesto in our interactions with citizens, Nigerians will undeniably witness and recognize the transformational leadership and good governance for which President Tinubu is renowned. These principles form the foundation of our contract with the nation as a governing party and we have no room for foibles or failure.

While it is essential to hold the President accountable and offer constructive criticism when necessary, we must also grant him the benefit of the doubt and support his efforts to propel the country forward. The Supreme Court’s judgment today affirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s election, not only put a burden on him to keep his electoral promises to us, but it also signifies that it is time for us to unite and support him in delivering on his promises to Nigerians.

He has pledged to renew hope in Nigeria, create jobs, promote unity, and ensure that every Nigerian is treated fairly and justly. He has also committed to prioritizing security, prosperity, equity, and reconciliation. However, President Tinubu cannot accomplish these things alone. He requires our support, trust, and cooperation. Let us therefore set aside our differences and work together to construct a better Nigeria for ourselves and future generations of Nigerians. Together, we can achieve our goals of Renewed Hope and Future Assured.

Moses Okezie-Okafor, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) writes from Abuja.

TODAY’S SUPREME COURT VERDICT SAYS IT IS TIME TO FIND SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION FOR TINUBU’S PROMISE OF RENEWED HOPE

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PLANNED PROTESTS: *TAC DG URGES RESTRAINT, SAYS PRESIDENT TINUBU POSSESSES ABILITY TO ADDRESS NATION’S CHALLENGES

Published

13 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

PLANNED PROTESTS: *TAC DG URGES RESTRAINT, SAYS PRESIDENT TINUBU POSSESSES ABILITY TO ADDRESS NATION’S CHALLENGES

By: Michael Mike

Nigerian parents have been called upon to appeal to their wards to desist from participating in any activities that may risk their lives or the lives of others.

Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, who made the call, Friday, in Abuja during an interactive session with newsmen, described the planned nationwide protest as an ill-wind that blows no good.

He expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to address the current challenges being faced by Nigerians,while also stressing that most of what Nigerians may be considering internal challenges at the moment are actually fallouts of what the entire globe is currently witnessing.

Buba observed that all the current economic and development indices across all areas of life in the country point towards an era of positivity for Nigerians and advised all aggrieved persons to, rather than engage in any form of agitations that may pull the country back from the gains already made by the Tinubu Administration in the past one year, toe the noble path of dialogue.

“It is common knowledge that no progress can be made in a time of chaos.So it beats the imagination why any sane person will at this material time want to resort to protests to make a point.What point if I may ask?

“Nigeria is not an island.We are all witnesses to cost of living crisis across countries of the world,even in the most developed ones.We cannot be completely insulated from such realities being felt in the UK,in the United States, France, Russia,South Africa and such other places.It is not easy anywhere now across the globe; and there are factors that are causing all of this.

“All of these have arisen as a result of the ongoing war in places like Russia and Ukraine,which are major hubs in grain production and distribution.There is also the problem in the Middle East,where the Israeli-Hammas conflicts have snowballed into parts of Lebanon,Iran and the rest of that economically important corridor. You know this is the hub of oil production.Every tension in that area has a serious backlash on the global oil market and on the economy itself generally.Again,I’d like to stress that we are not insulated from any of these global challenges, including the effects of global warming!

“My advice this time is to give His Excellency,Mr President and his lieutenants time and offer the Renewed Hope Agenda the enabling environment and the requisite co-operation needed for the desired results to come.These required results cannot come from any form of disorders or negative eruptions nationwide.I can categorically tell you that the President we know and voted into office is not sleeping on anything concerning Nigeria. He is the father of the nation and no father will sit down and watch his home go into flames.

“Again, it bears repeating here that a period like this must be witnessed before we start to fully enjoy the golden era that awaits Nigeria. Mr President has continued to emphasize this fact. So, we have a group of leaders who know what they are doing and if you ask me, all that they need now from us to succeed are our prayers and goodwill. Protests have never put food on anyone’s table. Instead, what you get is what Kenya is facing today, which should even be a wakeup call for Nigeria as the big-brother country to rise and remain ever peaceful and united. Together, we know we must win.”

The former federal lawmaker, who also revealed the global respect and goodwill, which the President Tinubu Administration has continued to attract for itself for the impactful in-roads being made by the Technical Aid Corps Scheme, using technology transfer and diverse volunteering efforts in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and beyond, said it would be absurd for Nigerians at home to chide an Administration that has in the last one year continued to win notable accolades abroad for the various policy and economic decisions it has brought to bear on the arena of political governance and social sector re-engineering.

PLANNED PROTESTS: *TAC DG URGES RESTRAINT, SAYS PRESIDENT TINUBU POSSESSES ABILITY TO ADDRESS NATION’S CHALLENGES

National News

Tinubu Acknowledges Nigerians High Migration Rate

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Tinubu Acknowledges Nigerians High Migration Rate

By: Michael Mike

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday acknowledged that Nigeria ranks amongst the top 10 countries with most travelled citizens on the globe.

Tinubu while quoting a United Nations figure, recognized the complexity and the scale of migration among Nigerian citizens.

Speaking at the opening of the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations, with the theme “Japa Phenomena and its Implications for National Development,
Tinubu who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, acknowledged the significant contributions of Nigerian citizens living abroad to the country’s development.

The President while citing data, noted that 169 million international migrant workers left their countries of origin primarily to seek work, “with Nigeria having a significant diaspora population.

He added: “Currently, the United Nations ranked Nigeria amongst the top 10 countries with the most international migrants,” even as he shared his personal experience, having lived in the United States before returning to Nigeria.

He appealed to Nigerians in diaspora to bring back their experiences to contribute to national development.

The President highlighted the historical context of migration, from the transatlantic slave trade to the current global mobility competing for talent and skills.

Tinubu identified the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and presidential town hall meetings with diaspora communities, as some of the programmes aimed at engaging the diaspora in national development.

He said that the positive effects of global immigration includes huge remittances of funds to middle-income countries, with Nigeria receiving $21.9 billion in 2023.

The President encouraged Nigerians in diaspora to continue contributing to critical sectors of the economy and commended the Central Bank’s reforms, which have increased Forex and stabilized the currency.

The President also emphasized the importance of Nigerians, both at home and abroad, developing their country and encouraged participation in programmes with tremendous impact.

Speaking earlier, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, revaled that Nigerians in Diaspora remmited about $100 billion from diaspora remittances in the last five years.

Dabiri-Erewa said the contribution of the Diaspora community to national development cannot be over-emphasized.

No fewer than 1,000 participants are expected at the 2-day 2024 diaspora day celebrations.

She said: “Let me also state that the contributions of the Diaspora community to national development cannot be over-emphasized.

“According to the World Bank statistics recently, Nigerian Diaspora has remitted over 99 billion US dollars into the system in the last five years. This is huge and highly commendable.

Dabiri-Erewa stressed that Diaspora is one area that needed to pay more attention to.

She said, “So, this is a sector that we need to pay more attention we haven’t pay attention to it We need to do a lot more. So we have to tap into the enormous resources we have with the diaspora.

“We are still scratching the surface. And that’s what I will say.”

On the much expected diaspora voting bill, she said the Bill which is been sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas has already scaled the first reading, noting that this is a huge plus for the administration.

She said: “It is worthy of note that the long awaited Diaspora Voting, which has been a consistent topic of discussion among the Diaspora community, has now passed the first reading in the Parliament, which is a huge plus for this administration.

“The Bill was sponsored by no other persons than Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Hon. Sadiq Ango Abdulahi from Kano state. “

Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas said Nigerian Government was committed to Diaspora Elengagement for national development.

Abbas who was represented by his deputy, Benjamin Kalu announced plans to explore ways to grant voting rights to Nigerians in the diaspora, recognizing their relevance to nation-building.

He said a constitutional amendment bill has been presented to the House of Representatives, and the government is committed to making progress on this issue.

The government he said acknowledged the significant contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora to the country’s development, particularly in areas such as education, agriculture, ICT, transportation, and healthcare.

He also expressed gratitude to the diaspora community for their efforts and encouraged them to continue making a positive impact.

On his part, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the brain drain phenomenon, where talented youth seek opportunities abroad.
He therefore stressed the need to create an environment that fosters technological growth and entices skilled professionals to return home.

The National Assembly, he said stands ready to enact necessary laws to support the return of skilled professionals and contribute to the country’s growth
He also urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain committed to Nigeria’s progress and invest in local initiatives.

The National Diaspora Day 2024 provided a platform for Nigerians in the diaspora to engage with the government and discuss ways to drive national development. The event underscored the government’s commitment to diaspora engagement and its recognition of the community’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s growth.

Tinubu Acknowledges Nigerians High Migration Rate

National News

Lagos Wins State with Best Climate Governance Performance

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Lagos Wins State with Best Climate Governance Performance

By: Michael Mike

Lagos State has been ranked top among the 36 states of the country on Climate Governance Performance.

Gombe States was ranked second with Ebonyi State taking the Number 3 position, both Borno State and Ekiti State jointly ranked fourth.

Oyo, Kano and Zamfara States were ranked 34, 35 and 36 respectively, in the result announced on Thursday in Abuja at an event organised by the Departmentof Climate Change in the Federal Ministry of Environment in conjunction with Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP).

Speaking at the event, the President, SPP, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke decried that Nigeria is ranked as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world even though its contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is minimal, noting that the country is vulnerable due to its complex agroecological zones, burgeoning urban and rural populations, extensive coastlines which is susceptible to sea level rise, and weak climate governance systems.

He added that with its significant impact on health, food security, livelihood, and economic development, climate change is emerging as a hot topic in Nigeria, increasing featuring in national discussions and political debates, noting that Nigerian government is committed to achieving net zero levels 2060 and has initiated some projects at different levels to facilitate the process.

He said: “The effective climate change governance at the subnational level demands the consideration and mainstreaming of climate action into all aspects of government policy-making and development planning. This must be strategically done with clearly set goals and an articulation of the method that will be used to attain the spelt-out goals.”

Okereke disclosed that the template for effective climate governance at the subnational level are vision and objectives, political will, institutional arrangements, policy framework, legal and regulatory framework, climate action plan and policy implementation, financial mechanisms, stakeholders engagement, training and capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, communication and awareness and integration with national and global efforts.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal said “Climate governance at the Sub-National level is essential for several reasons. It is at this level that the impacts of climate change are acutely felt. Lands in coastal communities are devastated by erosion while desertification is rampant in the Northern region of the Country. The Sub-National Governments are often at the forefront of implementing policies and actions that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of the people at the grassroots level, therefore, their role in driving climate action is indispensable.”

He noted that the Sub-National Climate Governance Performance Ranking was more than just a ranking, but a tool for motivation, collaboration, and accountability, adding that: “It highlights the best practices, identifies areas for improvement and fosters a spirit of healthy competition among our States and Local Governments. By celebrating the achievements of the top performers and providing support to those lagging behind, we can collectively elevate our national climate response. The criteria for this ranking are rigorous and comprehensive, reflecting the multifaceted nature of climate governance. The process encompasses policy formulation, implementation effectiveness, stakeholder’s engagement, resource allocation and measurable outcomes. This holistic approach ensures that our assessment is not merely quantitative but also qualitative, capturing the distinction of effective climate governance.”

On his part, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said: “Nigeria, like many other nations, is experiencing the far-reaching consequences of climate change. From intensified droughts to severe flooding, the impacts are evident across our states, affecting lives, livelihoods, and our natural ecosystems. It is against this backdrop that we must recognize the pivotal role of our subnational governments in climate action.”

He added: “Today’s event is therefore to highlight the commitment of our 36 states and the FCT to climate governance and the strides they have made in implementing policies, strategies, and actions to combat climate change. The Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking serves as a platform to celebrate these successes, identify areas for improvement, and foster healthy competition that drives progress.

“As we reflect on the results of the ranking that will soon be announced, it is essential to remember that this is not merely an evaluation exercise. It is a call to action, a reminder that climate change requires a collaborative and inclusive approach. Each state has unique challenges and opportunities, and it is through sharing best practices, learning from one another, and working together that we can build resilience and ensure a sustainable future for all Nigerians.”

Lagos Wins State with Best Climate Governance Performance