The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Democracy Day

  • Resources must be tapped for Nigeria’s development – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday tasked political leaders to adopt practical measures to accelerate effective utilisation of human and natural resources for sustainable development of the country.

    Obasanjo gave the challenge while speaking at the maiden Jigawa Economic and Investment Summit in Dutse.

    The summit was organised by the state as part of the activities to mark the 2013 Democracy Day celebration.

    The major highlight of the summit was to encourage investment on agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), solid minerals and small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

    Obasanjo said that Nigeria was endowed with abundant natural and human resources, which could be transformed to the social and economic benefit of the people.

    “Nigeria is a land of opportunities and it is blessed with all it takes to develop. It has been stagnant for so long, it is about time to change these opportunities to actuality.

    “There is no reason why we should not do that, we must invest in education to save the larger population of the country or else our population will become a liability,” he said.

    The former president said that for Nigeria to attain sustainable development, children must be trained, educated and be skilled in every sector to be self-reliant.

     

  • Democracy Day: Senators promise ‘pro-poor legislation’

    Democracy Day: Senators promise ‘pro-poor legislation’

    As the country celebrates the 2013 Democracy Day, senators on Wednesday urged Nigerians to be patient as they pledged to enthrone a “pro-poor legislation.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had declared May 29 each year as the country’s democracy day.

    The former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), handed over power to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.

    Obasanjo later declared May 29 as a public holiday to enable citizens mark the day by taking stock of the performance of the democratic system of governance.

    Commenting on the development, the Senate Leader, Mr. Victor Ndoma-Egba, told NAN in Abuja that democratic process was an enduring and tedious project which had moved slowly.

    He said that democracy was not a destination or a milestone, but an endless journey requiring citizens to be patient and optimistic of reaping the benefits.

    Ndoma-Egba said: “Democracy is an endless journey and that is why countries that have practiced it for centuries are still looking for ways to improve what they are doing.’’

    The senate leader maintained that the fact that Nigeria had remained under democratic rule for 14 years at a stretch was in itself something worth celebrating.

    “Nigerians yearned for democracy, if you ask the average Nigerian now whether he will want to go back to the days of totalitarianism he will tell you no.

    “So the fact that we have had it for 14 years is something to celebrate, the fact that the country is still one in spite of the challenges is something to celebrate.’’

    According to the lawmaker, Nigerians are looking for the quick delivery of tangibles but in a democracy, the process is more important than outcome.

    “In a democratic rule you must follow the process and procedure and not necessarily the outcome, and these processes and procedures are designed to ensure good governance and certain standards and certain values,’’ he said.

     

     

  • Assess FG’s performance on individual scorecards – Jonathan

    Assess FG’s performance on individual scorecards – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday in Abuja, implored Nigerians to assess his administration based on individual scorecards.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Jonathan said this while presenting the mid-term report of his four-year Transformation Agenda.

    He advised his critics to assess the report he presented based on their individual scorecards.

    The president said that all the achievements had been enumerated by the ministers in his cabinet.

    He, therefore, urged anyone willing to assess the government “to develop a marking scheme and mark us.”

    He said the essence of the forum was to formerly present a document to Nigerians about the workings of government in the last two years.

  • Leaders must build democratic institutions – Tambuwal

    Leaders must build democratic institutions – Tambuwal

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Wednesday urged those in authority to build institutions of governance to allow democracy thrive in the country for the good of generations to come.

    Tambuwal in a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, to commemorate Democracy Day, urged Nigerians to nurture and protect the country’s democracy by participating actively in governance process at local, state and federal levels.

    He said one of the cardinal principles of democracy is “openness and transparency.”

    “Therefore, those in authority must be open and transparent in the conduct of their activities at all times,” the Speaker said in the statement.

    He said though the country is faced with various challenges in its march towards nationhood, Nigerians should roll out the drums and celebrate the 14 years of its democracy.

    Tambuwal said the devastating effect of military rule and how past dictatorships have stunted the growth of the country and severely hampered the freedom of choice of Nigerians should not be forgotten in a hurry.

     

  • Emergency rule to end soon – Mark

    Emergency rule to end soon – Mark

    President of the Senate, David Mark, on Wednesday said the state of emergency declared in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States would be over soon.

    Mark stated this at a church service to mark the 2013 Democracy Day at St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja.

    He explained that the state of emergency proclamation in some states of the federation was a last resort to tame the lingering menace of insecurity and bring normalcy back to the land.

    He said: “I know it is yielding positive result. Very soon, it would be over as our military formations are living up to the task.”

    He admitted that there are challenges militating against the nation but said they are surmountable.

    “All we need is a collective resolve to confront our challenges and find a lasting solution to them,” he added.

    The Senate President in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja urged Nigerians to be a good Apostle of peace in the country in order to facilitate delivery of the dividends of democracy.

    He stated that the nation is currently passing through some difficulties especially in the areas of security and socio-economy challenges, pointing out that “We can collectively resolve to say enough is enough.

    “All our efforts towards development would come to naught if the crisis continues,” Mark added.

    He thanked Nigerians for their perseverance and cooperation in the propagation and sustenance of democracy, adding that democracy is a process everyone should uphold in order to benefit from its dividends.

     

  • Jonathan presents mid-term report Wednesday

    Jonathan presents mid-term report Wednesday

    President Goodluck Jonathan will on Wednesday present Mid-Term Report of his administration to Nigerians at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    A statement from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation signed by the Special Assistant (Media), Sam Nwaobasi, urged Nigerians to disregard contrary reports in the media.

    The statement reads: “This is to inform invited guests and the general public that the 2013 Democracy Day Celebration, at which event His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, will present the Mid-Term Report of his Administration titled: “Transformation Mid – Term Report: Taking Stock, Moving Forward, will hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja by 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday, 29th May, 2013 as is being announced in the print and electronic media.”

    “This Clarification has become necessary in view of the false and totally misleading news story on page two of Nigerian Tribune of Monday, 27th May, 2013 captioned “Again, FG cancels Democracy Day Celebrations.”

    “For emphasis, there is no truth in that story. Activities for the 2013 Democracy Day Celebration have commenced since Friday, 24th May, 2013 with National Juma’at Prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja.”

    “This was followed by an Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja on Sunday, 26th May, 2013.”

    “On Wednesday, 29th May, 2013, Mr. President will present to the nation his administration’s mid-term report as the main event for this year’s Democracy Day Celebration.”

    “Invited guests are expected to be seated at the International Conference Centre, Abuja by 9.30 a.m,” it stated.

     

  • ‘Nigeria one of world’s most promising democracies’

    ‘Nigeria one of world’s most promising democracies’

    The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has said that Nigeria has grown to become one of the most promising democracies in the world.

    Jonathan said this on Saturday in Abuja at the distribution of wrappers to various groups to commemorate the celebration of Democracy Day on May 29.

    She was represented at the occasion by the Peoples Democratic Party National Women Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe.

    She said: “The celebration of Democracy Day is significant to Nigerians because it has restored dignity to the people.

    “Democracy has also given Nigerians a strong voice in decision making within the context of governance of our nation whereby our desires and opinion are reckoned with in the process of development.

    “It is therefore a thing of joy that the country has become one of the most promising democracies of the World.

    “The government is making conscious efforts to ensure that Nigeria is peaceful, united and an independent nation, in spite of the many challenges facing the country.’’

    The First Lady urged women to engage in activities that would promote the unity of the country and to contribute their quota, “no matter how little’’, to make Nigeria a better place.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Jake Epelle of the Albino Foundation, presented a world report on Albinism to the First Lady.

    Mr. Samuel Kehinde, who spoke on behalf of people “Living with Disabilities,” appealed to the First Lady to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to ascent to the bill on people living with disabilities.