Nigeria has been advised to be optimistic and continue in their prayers for President Buhari led administration as the recession will soon be over permanently.
The Senior Pastor of Praise Arena, Pastor Jummy Adetoyese-Olagunju said this in an interview with The Nation recently at the Special Service for Nigeria’s independence held at Le-Real Hotel, VGC, Lagos.
He said that the recent data released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria exist from recession is divine and an answer to the prayer of God’s children.
He noted that the agitations by some ethnic groups, President Buhari’s ill health and discovery of weapons at the Sea Port were a big distraction to Nigeria’s unity and government plans and policies to take Nigeria out of recession but God shew himself strong and to him be all the glory.
“OPEC took consideration of our peculiar situation, Nigeria and Libya were given unrestricted production, is indeed an uncommon favour, that implies that our dollar will become stronger, the economy that was just thriving to survive will now have a better leverage”, he said.
Olagunju, who is also an energy expert opined that OPEC recent announcement for a cut in global crude oil but excluded Nigeria is an uncommon favour.
He added that Nigeria generate over 75% of its internally generated revenue from oil and every effort to strengthened the sector and bring in new and genuine investors will have its bearing on Nigeria overall economic growth.
He opined that sectors such as agriculture, tourism, mining, transportation, manufacturing and the creative industries have great potentials for growth and could contribute immensely to Nigeria gross domestic products but proceeds from oil are needed to grow these sectors.
He asserted that diversification is good but it is a long-term plan, we can still control oil. If the oil price stabilises, the agitation of the Niger Delta is handled properly, Nigeria will be better for it
He commended the recent support and encouragement given by members of the oil producing communities in maintaining peace and order, said is greatly commended.
Olagunju added that the host communities in oil-producing areas must be included in well-targeted development programmes of government and more private sector involvement in oil exploration and production.
The Executive Director of Students Without Borders International, (SWBI), Ambassador Nwodi Daniel has charged Nigerian youths to take ownership of the fight against corruption in Nigeria by upholding the virtues of honesty, integrity, patriotism and moral values in all their doings.
Daniel made this known in an interview with The Nation recently at the Training programme for young leaders organized by SWBI held at C-Hub, Surulere, Lagos.
According to him, Nigeria’s population, currently the world’s seventh largest, has over 60% of its population as youths and many of them are cut in the web of corrupt practices which have a grave consequence on the nation’s development.
He said that the development in Nigeria since 1960 have been hindered by gross spate of corruption across all levels of government, a challenge that is not only leading to impoverishment and loss of lives but also threatening the stability of society.
Daniel added that fighting corruption is a global concern because corruption is found in both developed and underdeveloped countries and evidence shows that it hurts poor people disproportionately. It contributed to instability, poverty and is a dominant factor driving fragile countries towards state failure.
He stressed that to curtail the spate of corruption in Nigeria requires the support and dispassionate intervention of all Nigeria especially youth who are the pillars of the society.
He noted that youths need to work collectively to curtail the tide of corruption; a collaborative effort from youth is a necessary and sufficient element to stopping corruption from overriding the general populace.
“Youth is one of the greatest assets that any nation can have. Not only are they legitimately regarded as the future leaders, they are potentially and actually the greatest investment for a country’s development. They serve as a good measure of the extent to which a country can reproduce as well as sustain itself,” he said.
He noted that youth need to start with their immediate environment by being the change agent and a good example. Nigerian youth are energetic over the internet, with a coordinated approach; we should make it our duty to report news and events relating to corruption and laws that have to do with corrupt practices through dedicated platforms and forum to fight corruption,” he said.
Daniel, who restated the commitment of the organisation in promoting values that will keep corruption at bate among the youth said, “we are working hard to prepare the young generation for the future by educating, equipping, and empowering them with essential leadership development skills that will help them maximize their potentials.
The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South African chapter, Hon Ekos Akpokabayen have called on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to resist every intimidation aimed at silencing their democratic voice by the present APC led government and demand their rights with regards to administrative responsibility.
Akpokabayen made this known in a statement issued to The Nation, said that Nigerians should not be cowed to continue believing that the high-level incompetence, corruption and the military democracy they are witnessing today under Buhari and the APC almost 3 years down the line is still about the said errors of the PDP as they were made to believe from the beginning.
He noted that the recent corruption and counter corruption revelations under the present Buhari and APC-led government should serve as an eye opener for Nigerians all over the world. A lot has been covered and most of them swept under the carpet because the Nigerian masses are intimidated not to ask questions, we are slowly and tactically returning back to the era of military regimes which we all collectively vomited out over a decade ago.
Akpokabayen, who have consistently lend his voice against ill governance in Nigeria said “It is time for every Nigerian who can see clearly to rise and ask questions and demand for accountability, we must refer President Buhari and his APC back to the 81 point bogus campaign promises which one very prominent among them is that “all public office holders under the APC led government must be barred from seeking Medicare overseas” which he the president himself has violated over and over again”, he said.
Hon Ekos Akpokabayen
Akpokabayen noted that the discovery a few days ago by the wife of the president, Hajia Aisha Buhari on the total emptiness of the state house clinic in Aso Rock, is very revealing, “I had to go back to those campaign promises because if Buhari and the APC made such promissory vow to Nigerians as part of their joker to deceive them into getting them to power, then it is the time to ask them to give account.”
He added that the same president who made bold with the above promissory vow allotted billions of taxpayers’ money from the 2016 and 2017 and even beginning from 2015 national budgets respectively for the running of the same clinic which is solely meant for him but which he never visited even in his times of medical needs, instead he left the country for the United Kingdom in breach of his avowed campaign promises where another bunch of hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money were wasted on different medical visits/vacations which ran into several months.
He asked how many of our hospitals are being maintained and functional today? If only the same state house clinic under review received over N11 billion yearly budgetary allocations and yet the sole beneficiary never visited it for once then it is time for Nigerians to redefine “corruption”,
Akpokabayen said: “it should baffle Nigerians that given all the billions that have gone down the drains so far, it was only few days ago that the wife of the president could discover the monumental rot under her husband’s administrative nose yet he has been chasing shadows outside in the name of trying to kill corruption, non-accountability to me is the worst kind of corruption, followed by nepotism which is the order of the day here as it is now”.
He further stated that Nigerians under the new administration were deceived into accepting the unnecessary increment of the prices of petroleum products especially the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with yet another bogus promise of using the proceeds to develop infrastructures and better the lives of the masses, almost 2 years have gone, nothing, not one thing to show for it, and Nigerians have once more learnt and resolved to live with it without no questions.
On the issue of the most recent $25 billion frivolous contracts scandal at the NNPC as exposed by a first line insider, the minister of state for petroleum Dr. Ibe Kachikwu which has been greeted with conflicting narratives as to what and how it happened, said that it is another memorable act of corruption that should not go away so quickly from our hearts unquestioned.
This, he stated that calls for serious concern by Nigerians, such revelation coming from an NNPC front-liner and the very minister of state for petroleum is over-weighty for us to allow it to be settled and come out to display some fraudulent coloration of facial smiles and handshakes on national television stations, it will be an error of the century for Nigeria and Nigerians”, it amounts to yet setting the worst precedence for our great nation,” he said.
He called on members of the PDP across the world to reposition themselves for the grand take overcome 2019.
“We must do all it takes and use every instrument of truth to enlighten Nigerians on the foundational defects, lies, propaganda, calumny, misrule, dictatorial military democracy, high level and very tactical corruptions, disrespect to the rules of law, Human Rights abuses all over the nation”, he said.
He continued: “I plead with my party, the PDP that there can never be any other time than this for us to come together, get all the fact on the table and begin to show Nigerians the very clear difference between a true democracy and a faulty one which is militarized.
The National Coordinator of the Kickout Corruption Initiative (KCI), Comrade Goodness Akande, has called on traditional rulers to check scrupulous activities within their domain by disseminating the consequence of this illicit activity to their chiefs and the operating cabinets to ensuring a corrupt free community.
Akande said this at a courtesy visit to the traditional rulers in Ikotun and Iba area of Lagos and the Divisional Police station at Igando and Ikotun where the two DPOs welcomed the Organization and deliberated on ensuring corrupt free activities within the communities.
He said that the issue of corruption and undemocratic governance are of genuine concern for the people. It drains off resources for development and social services and is also at the heart of the problem of poverty and injustice.
He noted that charity begins at home, our community leaders should ensure transparency and uprightness and communicate same to their community members.
He commended the effort of the President Mr Buhari in his intervention to put an end to this major malaise called corruption that has ravaged the nation’s economy such that the effects may not spare generations unborn if something is not done quickly to arrest it.
He said Nigerians should take ownership of the fight against corruption by toeing the path of patriotism, forthrightness, honesty and integrity within the immediate environment.
He stated further that KCI as an approved member of The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) NACC will ensure that corruption will be reduced to the barest minimal while working relentlessly to ensure its eradication starting from the grassroots.
“We are poised to join forces with the apex anti-corruption organization in the fight against corruption starting from the grassroots a quest embarked upon by President Buhari’s administration,” he said
A non governmental organisation, Galaxy for Peace has concluded plans to stage its 4th edition of sweat for peace programme in commemoration of the 2017 International Day of Peace holding on the 16th, September at the Federal College of Education, Sports Centre, Akoka – Yaba
The programme tagged “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All”, 1, 000 people from across Nigeria and will feature networking, peace talk interaction, aerobics, dance, face-painting, great music and other forms of entertainment.
In a statement issued by the Project Lead GALAXY4 Peace, Precious Ajunwa said that this year Sweat4Peace will feature – aerobics, dance and football, with the primary focus of enlightening participants and the public on the need to be proactive in sustaining a peaceful environment while calling and reminding them of their communal humanity.
She said that we will join the global community to highlight our solidarity with refugees, migrants and show support to them while engaging in 2017 Peace Day Event in Lagos.
“We are want together draws attention to the promotion of respect, safety and dignity for everyone forced to flee their homes in search of a better life”, she said.
She added that players in the private sector, civil societies, academic institutions and individuals will be encourage to advocate for peace through a socially binding experience of physical exercises and interaction.
The Chief Executive Officer of Xchangerate.oi, Mr Peter Moradeyo has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to come up with a profound policy framework for the adoption and trading in Crypto currency in Nigeria.
Moradeyo said this at the launching of its CBM 2.0 model of Crypto currency trade held recently at Eko Hotel recently in Lagos. The programme also features graduation ceremony of 16 people who participated in their 30 days online training programme and awards were given to supportive staffs and customers.
He said that the Crypto currency trade is a growing phenomenon in Nigeria that requires proper education and policy framework for its users so that they will not be scammed.
He noted that although the Central Bank of Nigeria had earlier announced that Nigerians should be weary of a crypto currency trade, said mere announcement cannot deter people who are spending their own money but the regulatory agency can help in providing proper education and direction.
Moradeyo, who is also The Principal Consultant, Crypto Plus Certified said “you cannot stop people from spending their money the way they want. We can only advise them on what and how to better use their money”.
He said: “CBN should tell us what it is and what is not. They need to advise us appropriately so that everyone will be guided to make the right decision. They need to properly let Nigerians understand the concept of Crypto currency trade and see how they can help the users have the correct information. So when the users appreciate it correctly, they are able to make their inform decision.
He noted that Crypto currency is a digital asset from block chain technology designed to work as a medium of exchange using cryptography to secure transactions and to control the creation of additional units of the currency. Crypto currencies are a subset of alternative currencies or specifically digital currencies.
He opined that that Automated Teller Machines (ATM) for crypto currencies have been launched in Canada, U.K. Germany, South Korea, Brazil, India, with the sole aim of aiding banking technology,
He added that the continued red light by the Central Bank of Nigeria against it, while other countries are beating us to it is not the best. It is imperative that they let Nigerians know how they can take advantage of it.
Moradeyo, who restated the commitment of its company with the new CBM Model said that crypto currency market is growing massively and we want to get 2, 500 people on board so they can take advantage of the opportunities in the Crypto currencies market.
He said: “The government should live up to their responsibility and have their interest at heart and release a statement that is favourable to Nigerians them and educate them correctly, so they can benefit and be enlisted as participants in the normal trading of Cryptocurrency.”
The South African chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the much expected victory of the Ahmed Makarfi’s led caretaker committee of the party as God’s verdict.
The Chairman of the chapter, Hon Ekos Akpokabayen stated this in a congratulatory statement, following the pronouncement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria declaring the Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic leader of the party.
“it is a good thing to give thanks, but best to give it most timely, today marks the beginning of true democracy in Nigeria, we have seen many verdicts but God’s verdict remains the greatest of all, we are overwhelmed.
“it is time now to get back to the table and begin a new foundation that will reflect the dynamics of our founding fathers. Our dear country was almost drifting to a full blown one party state but thanks to God the truth has finally prevailed.
Akpokabayen said he has always believed that the PDP will bounce back much stronger and Nigerians will soon begin to experience the beauty of democracy which has been denied them for so long due to lack of viable opposition.
He called for the process of reconciliation among the aggrieved members under the party so as to form a better PDP.
“I and the entire members of the PDP in South Africa are calling on all our members to immediately kick start reconciliatory parleys with the aim to bringing back all aggrieved members under one umbrella to form a better PDP.
“Our revered elders must take the center stage and foster the solidification of this new foundation. The rancor of the past has only made us stronger and wiser.
“We never fought to loose, we only disagreed to agree. In the same spirit, I join my resolute fellows to declare “No victor, No vanquished,” he added.
Building the capacity of young people to become peace builders within their immediate community was the focus of a one-day capacity building training for young people on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention organised by Galaxy4Peace in Surulere, Lagos.
The training brought together 15 young advocates from the University of Lagos and other civil society groups. It features lectures on the importance of peacebuilding, peacebuilding activities, conflict prevention, preventive diplomacy, post-conflict prevention and early warning system and signs while highlights of the training include task breakout session and planning of new advocacy campaigns for execution.
Speaking at the event, the Project Leader, Galaxy4Peace, Precious Ajunwa, said that the training is to introduce new sets of young people into peacebuilding business, targets to raise young people’s awareness of the dangers of violence, the role young people need to play in contributing their quota in promoting peace, thereby preparing them as peace leaders in their respective communities.
Illuminating the participants on why the organisation came into existence, Ajunwa noted that the vision keyed into young people as a tool in countering violent extremism – focusing on projects the organisation run to promote the sustainable development goal no 16 “Peace Justice & Strong Institution”.
She stressed that there is no alternative to non-violence in solving conflicts. “We welcome new youth recruitment into #Youth4Peace movement countering violent extremism, aim to raise young people’s awareness of the dangers of violent extremism, develop their leadership abilities and prepare them as peace leaders in their respective schools and communities.”
In his lecture titled: Volunteering as a Tool for Sustainable Development, convener of Climate Wednesday, Olumide Idowu noted that volunteer speaks for our future hence, “volunteering gives you your next opportunity, be focused and know that you are priceless.”
Sharing his insight on youth engagement in sustainable development using himself as a case study, David Ogundero of Galaxy4Peace emphasised that the overall success of the Sustainable Development Goals depends on youth engagement because young people if equipped have the right capacity to drive positive change in their communities and countries
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South Africa Chapter, Hon Ekos Akpokabayen has called on Nigerians to stand strong and resist every attempt to make Nigeria a one political party state.
He said that Nigerians must apply their God’s given wisdom not to succumb to the unholy antics of the ancient crop of politicians who have lost every sense of democratic values; selfish political gangsters whose utmost motive is to enthrone one party system in Nigeria in this conventional times when refined democracy reigns supreme all over the world.
According to him, this against the seemingly un-ending leadership tussle between the factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is currently breeding serious uncertainties about the immediate future of the most popular political party in Africa
He noted that the current instability that is bedevilling PDP may have been perceived by many in different ways but the truth remains that no man will ever allow his family to disintegrate if that family is truly his.
He said that in our own African culture, when an issue goes the wrong way in the family, the elders are called in to calm the situation and when any of the entities involved in the crisis is seen to be on the side of resistance, it becomes very obvious that such one is running prodigal and there is always an unseen hand rocking the cradle for him.
Akpokabayen maintained that any Nigerian enjoining the government of the day in the spreading of this numerous dark propaganda against the PDP should have a rethink and also remember that nothing lasts forever, life and virtually everything in it take turns.
He opined that the future is the nearest companion of the human race. Prizes can only be given at the end of the race, not at the beginning.
Akpokabayen called on the true members of the PDP to keep faith alive and anchor such hopes on the fact that without demolition there will never be renovation. Those that endures to the end will surely be the ones that will be crowned.
He restated that the visions and values of our founding fathers will never be destroyed by a few sale-outs whose personal interests are of more importance to them than the stability of our great country and her hard earned democracy.
He called for an urgent political solution to the pending leadership problem in the party.
He admonished Nigerians to continue to pray for the health of the nation and that of the president, Muhammadu Buhari for him to recover from his ailments so that he will be sound enough to give the Nigerian people the “change” he and his party promised
“No matter the direction the said change takes so that there will later be no more excuses when the time comes for making comparisons between the past and the present”, he said
The Chairman, People Democratic Party, South Africa Chapter, Hon Ekos Akpokabayen have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reconstitute her economic team with suitable and competent hands so that a favourable economic policy can be initiated to take Nigeria swiftly away from its presence economic recession.
Akpokabayen said this in a statement issued to The Nation while baring his mind in the present economic hardship Nigerians are still facing two years down the line since the APC team took over the leadership of the government. He said that the need for a competent economic management team that will salvage the country from its harsh economic conditions is very urgent and imperative for development.
He said that hunger, starvation, hopelessness, fear of the unknown and lack of livelihood security have completely overtaken our people’s mindset, that strong survival tendencies we were known for have been totally defeated as a result of the inability and insincerity of the government of the day to provide any visible sign of the promised better tomorrow.
Akpokabayen noted that it is disappointing and disheartening that Nigerians are fast getting used to suffering and a kind of life that is alien to our national standards as a people.
He said ‘it plagues my heart each time I look back to where we are coming from, only about 27 months ago, how the once acclaimed happiest people on the planet earth have slowly and eventually lost out in the hope race which is glaringly evident in the current spate of both reported and unreported cases of suicide in the country’.
He opined that the present government have enjoyed the support and patience of Nigerians in the last two years, yet no hope in sight due to the hard hearing and adamant nature of the APC government in reconstituting her economic team with suitable and competent hands so that a better and favourable economic policies could be initiated as quickly as possible to salvage the swift drift to record-breaking irrecoverable recession the world have ever witnessed.
Akpokabayen went further to call on the warring faction in the PDP to do all that is possible to sustain the current effort of the reconciliation committee headed by Governor Seriaki Dickson of Bayelsa State, stated that nothing on earth is 100% perfect but if at all, we are able to get up to 60% of what could enthrone peace and restore a lasting unity in the party from this committee.
”We must please embrace it and bring back our virtues as a formidable political party, now in the opposition for the sakes of the good people of Nigeria whose choices are now highly predictable that the best they could wish for now is a brighter, true and all-inclusive change which only the PDP offered and can still offer come 2019”.
He added that party faithful should come back and much better than they have ever so that they can take up this challenge of a Rescue Mission which our beloved people of Nigeria are sincerely yearning for and restore their hopes and before it is too late.
