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Tag: Democracy Day

  • MKO Abiola: Name June 12 Democracy Day – Orji Kalu, Gani Adams, Odumakin tell FG

    MKO Abiola: Name June 12 Democracy Day – Orji Kalu, Gani Adams, Odumakin tell FG

    In commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the June 12 1993 elections popularly believed to be won by the candidate of the then Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief MKO Abiola, prominent Nigerians and activists have called on the Federal Government to name June 12 as the authentic Democracy Day (currently celebrated on May 29) in Nigeria.

    Former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Chief Gani Adams and human rights activist, Dr. Dr. Joe Odumakin were among those that agitated for the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria.

    They spoke during an event to mark the 1993 election organised by the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Lagos.

    Speaking at the event, former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu said: “The Democracy Day celebration should not be on May 29 but, on June 12. That date should be the symbol of fairness, equity and obedience to the rule of law because unfortunately, most of our security agencies have taken the law into their hands instead of allowing the law to take its course”, Kalu said.

    “No matter what you say about our Judiciary, I have been to many countries in Africa and I can confidently say ours is the best. We should not because of a few bad people say that the entire judiciary is bad.

    “As a state governor, we went to court 15 times against the federal government and we won 13 times. Is it not the same judiciary that ruled in our favour? I call on the federal government to learn to obey the laws of the court, no matter how frivolous they are.

    “These are the ideals Abiola died for. We have to protect our institutions; Nigeria is our country and we cannot run away from it. The country is in need of assimilation, healing and the right democratic ethos.

    “People have a right to do anything that they want, but do not have the right to carry arms. In countries like The Gambia, you would not know the difference between a Muslim and a Christian, but, Nigeria is drifting because of quarrel and strife. I am a Catholic, but, I have always taken part in Ramadan.

    “The governors have their club, so does the political elite and they are usually united in pushing forward their agenda, but, in the end, if the masses do not stick together by pushing their own agenda through the ballot box, they are the ones who will suffer.”

    In his speech, OPC National Coordinator, Gani Adams, who stated that June 12 will always be Democracy Day, lamented that those who benefitted from the struggle have forgotten Abiola and his mandate.

    His words: “June 12 and will remembered by those who have defied the culture of silence and conspiracy against a significant moment in Nigeria’s history, to remind us of how today, 24 years ago, the battle against the exit of the military from power was fought at the ballot by a determined Nigerian people.

    “It is sad that, apart from the South West states, there has been indifference to the June 12 phenomenon by the federal government and the rest of Nigeria. That election was adjudged to be free, fair and peaceful, but the military government led by Ibrahim Babangida, played games with the transition to civilian rule.

    “It chose not to announce the final results of the election. That singular act was seen by many as a coup against the Nigerian people and an act of brazen injustice.

    “It is sad today that those who benefitted most from Abiola’s martyrdom do not want to be reminded of him. Those who used to talk about injustice have since, given opportunity, inflicted their own injustice on the people.

    “Those who used to swear by Abiola’s name have since found new political patrons. Those who proclaimed Abiola as the symbol of democracy and the rallying point for the people’s hopes have since been dancing on his grave.

    “It is unfortunate that Nigeria forgets too soon, for when the Jonathan administration tried to address this injustice by naming a significant national institution after Abiola, the attempt resulted in controversy and a storm.

    “Jonathan had renamed the University of Lagos after Abiola, but, the students and staff trooped to the streets, in protest. Politics and opportunism was read into the gesture and government had to eat the humble pie.”

    Human rights activist, Dr. Joe Odumakin, added her voice to calls for the date to be officially recognized by the federal government.

    “It is very delightful to know that the spirit of June 12 is still alive. When Kalu was the governor of Abia state, he was the first person to declare a public holiday to commemorate June 12 and we commended him for that.

    “I join by voice to other patriotic Nigerians who demand that June 12 be declared the Democracy Day for Nigeria because it symbolises the promotion of positive ideals and national integrity,” she said.

  • Nigerians yet to feel improving economy, says Archbishop

    Nigerians yet to feel improving economy, says Archbishop

    The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Martins says Nigerians have yet to feel the effect of the nation’s economy coming out of recession.

    Martins spoke at a news conference to mark his 58th birthday at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, on Thursday.

    The archbishop said that Nigerians continued to face hard times, despite government’s assurance that the economy was gradually moving out of recession.

    He said: “While this is gladsome to hear, the reality is that the impacts are yet to be felt at the grassroots. The cost of living is very high; workers are being retrenched daily.

    “Even some of those still working are not being paid, both in the public and private sector; the power sector is in a comatose. The effects of all these on the poor masses of this country can better be imagined.

    “We know efforts are being done to address all these, but Nigerians are tired of promises; they want to see results.

    “In the past we have been given promises of palliatives being put in place to bring immediate relief to the masses, but we are yet to feel the impact, or is this another case of policy somersault?’’

    Martins said the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in his Democracy Day address, however, gave account of the federal government’s efforts to move the nation forward.

    “He pinpointed security as one key area that the present administration has performed credibly well.

    “Let me use this opportunity to commend the government for the victories recorded against the insurgent and for securing the release of about 125 of the kidnapped Chibok girls.

    “We urge them not to rest on their oars until the remaining girls are brought home safely,’’ he said.

    The cleric, however, said the incessant armed herdsmen attacks across the country which had led to loss of lives and properties worth millions needed urgent attention.

    “All efforts must be made to stem the tide of their activities and bring them to book; every Nigerian deserves to live in peace and wherever they choose to live in the country,’’ Martins said.

    On his 58th birthday, the archbishop said he could not but thank God for granting him the grace and privilege to serve in His vineyard.

    “Indeed, every of our lives is important and should be lived to the glory of God by impacting positively on as many lives as possible.

    “Though times are hard and some days may be frustrating, we must always learn to live with faith, placing all our burdens and hope on God.

    “ Counting our blessings, naming them one by one, these, I have committed myself doing, such that whatever may come my way each day, I know my life is secured in His,’’ he said.

  • How low income earning Nigerians can own houses for N30, 000 monthly

    How low income earning Nigerians can own houses for N30, 000 monthly

    …Acting President details FG’s Social Housing Programme

    The Federal Government has started a N100 billion Family Home Fund – an initiative of the Federal Government’s social housing project that provides inexpensive mortgages to Nigerians who can afford N30,000 per month, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said.

    Prof. Osinbajo who spoke about this at the May 29 Democracy Day Broadcast and at the Social Investment Programme’s score card presentation yesterday organized as part of activities to mark the 2017 Democracy Day celebration, said “already the project has started in 11 States.’’

    According to him, “there is also an aspect of the SIP that has not been mentioned. This is N100 billion set aside for the Family Home Fund of our Social Housing Project.’’

    Explaining the operationalization of the fund, Osinbajo said “the N100 billion is a yearly contribution to our N1 trillion Social Housing Fund, the largest in the history of the country.

    “Both the World Bank and AFDB are contributors to the fund from which developers will borrow 80% of cost of project and counter fund with their own 20%.’’

    Prof. Osinbajo added that “the same fund will enable us to provide inexpensive mortgages for hundreds of thousands across the country especially for Nigerians who can afford N30, 000 per month.’’

    He said: “we expect that this Family Housing Fund will jumpstart and expand construction exponentially across the country.’’

    For instance, some of the houses are estimated to cost as low as N2.5 million, which would be paid for through the monthly mortgages.

    Earlier in his broadcast to the nation Prof. Osinbajo stated that “the 2017 budget provides for substantial investment to implement our Social Housing Programme.’’

    “The Family Home Fund of our Social Housing Programme will provide inexpensive mortgages for low-income individuals and families across the country,’’ he added.

     

     

    **Press Release

     

  • 200 girls to study medicine abroad under Sokoto govt. sponsorship

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, says his administration has concluded plans to send 200 students to India and other countries to study medicine.

    ImageFile: 200 girls to study medicine abroad under Sokoto govt. sponsorship
    Gov. Tambuwal: Working to save girl-child education in Sokoto

    Gov. Tambuwal made the disclosure in Sokoto on Monday night at a media parley to commemorate the 2017 Democracy Day.

    The governor said majority of those to be sponsored would be girls.

    “Discussions are in top gear with a university in India to send one hundred youths, mostly women, to study medicine.

    “This is to shore up the number of women medical doctors in the state, hence, encourage more women to seek medical services in the hospitals.

    “We are also discussing with other universities across the world, with a view to send another batch of one hundred youths to study various medical professional fields like pharmacy, dentistry, radiography and medical laboratory science, among others.”

    Tambuwal explained that the programme was part of ongoing efforts to reposition the education sector in the state.

    The governor stressed that the administration would continue to “take the bull by the horn” and encourage more people in the state to acquire qualitative education in spite of dwindling resources.

    “This is sequel to the desire of the state government to provide more efficient healthcare services to the people of the state,” he said.

    Tambuwal also spoke on other interventions in the health sector, saying that the government had set up a malaria control agency, with a view to taming the disease, which he described as deadlier than HIV/AIDS and cancer.

    He said that a contributory health agency has been established by the government to utilise some idle funds from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to provide affordable healthcare services to the people.

    “The state government had since provided N100 million as take-off grant to the agency, while the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, had also paid N1 million to it.

    ”Communities across the state are also being sensitized to key into the scheme, with a view to ensuring state-wide coverage,” Tambuwal added.

    He disclosed that the government had since brought all primary healthcare services under one roof, to enhance access and efficiency.

  • Jigawa govt. spends N5bn on water provision in 2 years

    The Jigawa Government has spent over N5 billion on provision of potable water to citizens across the state in the last two years.

    Gov. Muhammad Badaru made this known while presenting his score-card to stakeholders at a town hall meeting to mark Democracy Day in Dutse on Monday.

    Badaru said out of the amount, N3.5 billion was spent on capital expenditure, while N236 million was spent to convert motorised water schemes to solar-powered ones, during the period under review.

    He added that government was planning to actualise the Dutse Greater Water Project, pointing out that a new design was also being developed, for the successful actualisation of the project.

    The governor said that his administration has planted over five million assorted seedlings in the past two years, to controlled desertification in the state.

    According to him, the 2016 desertification programme was hosted by the state, where eleven kilometres shelter belt was established in Malammadori, Babura and Garki Local Government Areas of the state in an effort to check desert encroachment.

    Badaru added that forty nine temporary forest guards were recruited to guard the forest reserves in the state.

    Also speaking, Dr Abba Zakar, the state’s Commissioner for Health, said the state government would build three General Hospitals in Guri, Garki and Buji Local Areas of the state in 2017.

    Zakar said that medical equipment worth h N800 million were procured and and distributed to health facilities across the state in 2017.

    He explained that through the ongoing screening of health personnel across the state, the ministry was able to save more than N54 million.

    The commissioner added that the money saved would be used for the newly recruited 540 health workers.

    According to him, the state government had also evolved effective modalities that would ensure the completion of the School of Nursing project in Hadejia.

    Zakar added that the school would commence operation in October.

     

  • Democracy Day: Nigeria parading bunch of corrupt, selfish people as leaders since 1999

    Former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarebe Musa has said those priviledged to occupy public positions in the country from 1999 to date are nothing but ‘a bunch of corrupt, selfish and irresponsible people.’

    The elder statesman said this on the sidelines of democracy day celebrations in Nigeria.

    The outspoken former governor noted that the country is yet to enjoy any tangible gain since the inception of democracy in 1999.

    “All that Nigerians have experienced from 1999 to date is a military dictatorship transferring power to a civilian dictatorship,” he explained to Daily Post in Kaduna.

    Asked about how democracy has fared in Nigeria, Balarabe said: “Where is the democracy you are talking about? Who is practicing democracy in Nigeria? Who is benefiting from democracy in Nigeria?

    “When the military handed over power to a military dictator and later handed over power to his chosen civilian dictator, is that democracy? And again the same military dictator is in power dictating to Nigerians what is to be done, and you call that democracy?”

    In this political dispensation, he explained, Nigerians are yet to test what democracy is all about, adding that, “Democracy in its true word has lost its value in the present political dispensation because we are being led by selfish and greedy people that call themselves politicians.”

    He noted that what Nigerians needed to do to free themselves from slavery was to embark on peaceful revolution in all spheres of life in the country with the view to ensuring that only people with patriotic and nationalistic belief be elected into elective positions to continue from the foundation laid by the founding fathers of the country.

    “What we consider as political leaders since 1999 to date are only but a bunch of corrupt, selfish and irresponsible people that do not have the interest of the country at heart, but only to enrich themselves to the detriment of all Nigerians,” he observed.

    Speaking on insecurity in Kaduna State and the Southern Kaduna in particular, Alhaji Balarebe Musa opined that its main cause was those in power who always cause conflict at a slightest provocation.

    The present administration in the state, he said, had failed to involve stakeholders in the state in exploring possible ways to ensuring peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic groups. “Failrue to carry every stakeholder along in arriving at critical decisions meant to ensure better understanding will continue to be wasteful efforts by the state government in its attempts to bring an end to the incessant crisis in the Southern part of the state.

    “There is poverty in the state, and unless this issue is urgently addressed, it may be a mirage to think of tackling insecurity in a situation where majority are roaming the streets aimlessly without any hope of tomorrow.

    “The fundamental issues that have become main source of concern in the state have to be addressed by the government of the day if it is thinking of making remarkable impact. True reconciliation must be seen to be made among the various ethnic groups, if not any coercive decision will not be in the interest of the majority.”

     

  • Democracy Day: Buhari has fulfilled 2015 campaign promises – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said on Monday that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has fulfilled its campaign promises to Nigerians despite dwindling revenue.

    Mohammed made the pronouncement at the Presentation of National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP) Report Card event to mark the 2nd Anniversary of President Buhari’s administration in Abuja.

    The theme of the report card presentation was “ Showcasing the Achievements of National Social Investment Programmes: A Smile for Every Nigerian.“

    He said through N-SIP the Federal Government provided employment to 200,000 unemployed graduates, engaged 57,000 people through Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and empowered about 26,000 ordinary Nigerians through Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT).

    Mohammed said that under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programmme (NHGSFP), government was able to serve about 25 million meals to 1.2 million pupils all over the country in order to make leaning conducive.

    The minister added that the APC-led Federal Government under its school feeding programme had employed no fewer than 12,000 cooks across 36 states and the FCT.

    “ This is a government that promised and delivered on its promises and the unique thing about this particular N-SIP is that it has been achieved in an era when there has been no revenue.

    “ It would have been very perfect excuse to say that because oil revenue dropped drastically, therefore, we are not able to deliver on our promises.

    “ But despite the dwindling revenue, we are able to deliver on our campaign promises and then this is not related just to the social investment programmes alone.

    “ I am happy that we are here today to prove that this government is not a government of propaganda; this is a real government that is dealing with the real people, “ Mohammed said.

    He said the programme was designed in such a way that it was easy and accessible to all Nigerians, adding “one of the unique selling points of the programmes is the transparency in it.”

    According to him, this is the first programme in the history of Nigeria that you don’t need to know anybody before you can get enrolled.

    “ I am happy that many of the beneficiaries have testified to this and this is a new dawn.

    “ My appealed to all the beneficiaries is to please let them not limit their testimonies to this hall please say it louder and clear at every time to all Nigerians.

    “ Let Nigerians know how this government has impacted positively on your lives,“ he said.

    The minister said that in spite of dwindling resource between October, 2016 and to dates, the Federal Government was able to add an additional seven billion dollars to its foreign reserves.

    Mohammed disclosed that the the Buhari administration had been able to attract 500 million dollars to the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), and increased the Excess Crude account with 87 million dollars.

    “ All these we did despite the very tight resources,“ the minister said.

     

  • Democracy Day: Buhari running Nigeria like civilian dictator – NBA

    The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s style of governance as that of a civilian dictator.

    The accusation was made in a statement by the Chairman of the Imo State Chapter of the NBA, Lawrence Nwakaeti during an assessment of the two years of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) led federal government.

    He insisted that the past two years was characterized with impunity and abuse of rule of law.

    The statement partly reads “As far as any true Democrat who understands the norms of democracy is concerned, the two years administration of the APC has set us back by decades.

    “Some of us were expecting an improvement on the gains recorded so far before the coming into office by the ruling party. What we have mainly seen which we erroneously describe as democracy is a civilian dictatorship as aptly coined by one northern Elder statesman.

    “May I take us to recent happenings in the polity where the rule of law and all known tenets of constitutional democracy have been abused with impunity. Namely, the desecration of the judiciary as an institution by the executive, disobedience to court orders, clamp down on non-violent protesters, treating the issue of the president’s ill health with secrecy, media trial of suspected persons, incessant clamp down of persons with opposing views without trial and if there is an order of court for the release, refusal to obey the said order”.

     

  • [Video] Democracy Day: Nigerians speak on Buhari’s administration

  • Democracy Day Special: Interesting facts about Nigeria

    After gaining independence in 1960 from Great Britain, Nigeria fell prey to civil war and the first of many military coups in 1966. Democracy was briefly restored from 1979 to 1983, but for most of its independent history, Nigeria was ruled by a series of military juntas. The last major military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, died in office in 1998. His successor, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar promised a transition to democracy, and accordingly a new constitution was adopted on May 5th, 1999.

    May 29 of every year commemorates the restoration of democracy in Nigeria, when the newly elected leader, Olusegun Obasanjo took office as the President of Nigeria in May 1999 ending multiple decades of military rule that began in 1966 and had been interrupted only by a brief period of democracy from 1979 to 1983.

    The end of military rule brought about a new era of regular elections as well as the return of civil liberties, free press and an end to arbitrary arrests and torture.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com brings you a list of Nigerian leaders (living and dead) from 1960 t0 date.

    Nigeria’s Presidents / Heads of States and their Vice from 1960 – Present

    S/N PERIOD PRESIDENTS / HEADS OF STATE

    1. 1st Oct. 1960 – 1st Oct. 1963: Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Governor General)
    Sir. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; (Prime Minister)

    1st Oct. 1963 – 16th Jan.1966: Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe (President)
    Sir. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; (Prime Minister)

    2. 16th Jan. 1966 – 29th July 1966: Gen J.T.U Aguyi Ironsi (Military Head of State)
    Brig. Babafemi Ogundipe (Chief of Staff, Supreme Hq.)

    3. 1st Aug. – 29th July 1975: Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Military Head of State)
    Vice Admiral Joseph Edet AkinwaleWey (Chief of Staff, Supreme Hq.)

    4. 29th July 1975 – 13th Feb. 1976: Gen. Murtala Ramat Muhammed (Military Head of State)
    Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (Chief of Staff, Supreme Hq.)

    5. 13th Feb. 1976 – 1st Oct. 1979: Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (Military Head of State)
    Maj. Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Chief of Staff, Supreme Hq.)

    6. 1st Oct. 1979 – 31st Dec. 1983: Alhaji Shehu Shagari (President)
    Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekweme (Vice President)

    7. 31st Dec. 1983 – 27th Aug. 1985 Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Military Head of State)
    Brig. Babatunde Idiagbon (Chief of Staff, Supreme Hq.)

    8. 27th Aug. 1985 – 26th Aug. 1993 Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Military President)
    Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (Chief of General Staff;1985 -1986),
    Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (Chief of General Staff;1986-1993)

    9. 26th Aug. – 17th Nov. 1993: Ernest Shonekan (Head of Interim National Government)

    10. 17th Nov. 1993 – 8th June 1998: Gen. Sani Abacha (Military Head of State)
    Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya (Chief of General Staff)

    11. 8th June 1998 – 29th May 1999: Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Military Head of State)
    Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe (Chief of General Staff)
    12. 29th May 1999 – 29th May 2007: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (President)
    Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Vice President)

    13. 29th May 2007 – 5th May 2010: Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (President)
    Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Vice President)

    14. 9th Feb.2010 – 6th May 2010: Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (Acting President, Acted for Umaru M. Yar’Adua who was indisposed due to ill health)

    15. 6th May 2010- 29th May 2011: Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (President)
    Arc. Namadi sambo; (Vice President)

    16. 29th May 2011 – 28th May 2015 Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (President)
    Arc. Namadi sambo (Vice President)

    17. 29th May2015 -to date President Muhammdu Buhari

    Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo

    Happy Democracy Day from all of us at TheNewsGuru.com