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Tag: Obi

  • Easter: Christ’s victory over death inspires hope of new Nigeria – Obi

    Easter: Christ’s victory over death inspires hope of new Nigeria – Obi

    Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has urged Christians to see the victory of Jesus Christ over death as a huge motivation that a new Nigeria is possible.

    This is contained in a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Dr Yunusa Tanko, on Saturday in Anambra.

    According to Obi, it is also a strong indication that Nigerians will surmount the existing challenges and sing the great alleluia in the end.

    “I join the global community of Christians, especially Christians in Nigeria, in celebrating Easter – the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    “This great occasion brings to an end the Christian Lenten season of fasting, prayers and almsgiving, and ushers us into the season of glory and victory over death.

    “For us in Nigeria, this very significant celebration holds vital promises of victory over our present myriads of challenges, if we do not despair,” he said.

    He said that Nigeria had continued to stagger under the heavy weight of high insecurity and other challenges that had pervaded every part of the national existence.

    “Just as Our Lord Jesus, who made very painful sacrifices for the salvation of the world, which today we celebrate His glorious resurrection, we all must continue to labour in unity, for the good of our nation, knowing that our labours will not be in vain,” he said.

    Read Also: Peter Obi, Otti, Ume absent as LP re-elects Abure National chair

    Obi urged Christians, in the spirit of Easter, to continue to pray for God’s intervention in the country’s affairs, even as Nigerians laboured as humans.

    “For the sake of our nation, God will crown our efforts with success and make a greater Nigeria even more possible, beyond our human efforts. I wish everyone a very Happy Easter celebration,” he said.

    (NAN)

  • Sule to Obi: politics is over, support President

    Sule to Obi: politics is over, support President

    • I’m desperate to see Nigerian work, not desperate to be president, say ex-Anambra governor

    Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has urged the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last year’s presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in building a new Nigeria.

    Sule spoke yesterday when he hosted Obi and members of his entourage at the Government House in Lafia, the state capital.

    Obi and his team were in the state to identify with Muslims during the ongoing Ramadan fasting and support them.

    Sule told Obi that President Tinubu was doing his best to reposition the country and that he needed the support of everybody to succeed.

    “I want to sincerely thank you also for making a straight statement about the fact that there is time for politics and there is time for governance. While thanking you for your kind words, I will also call on you, sir, because I know you have the experience and you have also the competences and the capacity to support Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in order for us to be on the same page.

    “So, I’m calling on you, if you have the opportunity, always to share it. He (the President) is your friend; he is your colleague. We were all in Lagos together. You will be doing so to contribute your quota even without the rest of the world knowing what you are contributing.

    “Nigeria needs all the support and President Bola Tinubu needs all the support that he can get in order to get us on track.

    “The country’s challenges cannot be resolved by only one person. I’m sure you have contributions to make, just like you are making in Nasarawa State by drilling boreholes and contributing to the period of the fasting.

    Read Also: Support President Tinubu to succeed, Gov. Sule advises Obi

    “Before politics, you and I have been in the private sector. I was in African Petroleum (AP); I was in Dangote Group as CEO, and we were looking for money from Fidelity Bank.

    “So, the relationship is beyond politics. I want to thank you for sparing the time to come to Nasarawa State.

    “As you rightly said, you are going round the country in order also to contribute to cushion the effect of the economic hardship that is facing our people. That is what every one of us is doing, and that is exactly what Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. is doing.

    “He is doing everything possible and he is encouraging all the Governors, all the other political office holders to do everything possible to cushion the effect of the hardship that we are facing at the movement,” Sule said.

    Addressing his host, Obi had said: “I’m here to pay my courtesy and solidarity to you. That is the purpose I’m in the state at this Ramadan fasting period. It’s a nationwide project of touring parts of Nigeria at this fasting period to support, in my own little way, the fasting period.

    “I’m also doing some boreholes across the country. Water is one of the greatest (human) needs. I’m equally going round to appraise what is happening nationwide. That is basically why I’m here.

    “I’m desperate to see Nigeria work, but I’m not desperate to be President.

    “What I saw during the campaign last year in Nasarawa and what I’m seeing today – new roads, new construction everywhere – I must congratulate the governor for doing well. It is good to appreciate when you see a difference.”

  • Support President Tinubu to succeed, Gov. Sule advises Obi

    Support President Tinubu to succeed, Gov. Sule advises Obi

    Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has called on Mr Peter Obi, to support President Bola Tinubu to succeed.

    Sule made the call when Obi visited him on Monday in Lafia.

    Obi was the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections.

    The governor, who said that elections were over, maintained that the president needs the support of all Nigerians to move the nation forward.

    “I know you have the experience, competence and capacity to support the president in the overall interest of the country.

    “The president is your friend and colleague, we were all in Lagos at some point, as such you need to contribute your quota to the development of the country.

    “You can contribute your quota quietly, because the President need all the necessary support in order to bring the country back on track,” Sule said.

    He said that the president alone cannot address the current challenges confronting the nation, adding that well meaning citizens like Obi should support him.

    He added that the president means well for the country and called on Nigerians to support him toward addressing insecurity, economic hardship, and other challenges confronting the country.

    Sule, however, lauded Obi for drilling boreholes in some communities in the state, adding that the gesture had complemented government’s efforts toward alleviating the sufferings of the people.

    Earlier, Peter Obi said that the visit was part of his nationwide tour to offer support to Nigerians during Ramadan.

    Read Also: Edo APC: Tinubu meets Okpebholo, Idahosa, others at the Villa

    He lauded Sule for constructing new roads in the state, adding that the move had given the state a new look.

    “I am not desperate to be president of this country, but I am desperate to see Nigeria work for the good of all.

    “I always commend people when they do well, because politics to me is not about being negative every time.

    ”So, I commend you for the road networks in the state,” he added.

    (NAN)

  • Obi hails Tinubu, FG for adopting Oronsanye report

    Obi hails Tinubu, FG for adopting Oronsanye report

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last election, Peter Obi, has applauded the move by President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to adopt implementation of the Steve Oronsanye’s report.

    In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the former Anambra Governor said he would have also implemented the Oronsanye report as President stating that it was in his 2023 manifesto.

    He wrote: “I have received several text messages from people wanting to know if I would have implemented the Oronsaye Report, whose  full implementation has just been directed by the President.

    “In response to their questions, I would like to refer everyone to my Manifesto and my response to similar questions during my campaigns. On the 5th of October, 2022 at Harvard University, I was asked: “Will you implement the Oronsaye Report?” and I responded in the affirmative.

    “I went further to explain that implementing the report is one of the best ways  to make governance efficient, cost-effective, and productive. Being in opposition does not warrant blind and thoughtless criticism. Whenever the government takes the right decision, we should agree  and if need be, propose related or even better ideas to move the nation forward.

    “I have always been an advocate of the 3 critical components of the Oronsaye Report, which are: i) drastically cutting the cost of governance; ii) eliminating the overlapping of responsibilities to ensure that responsibilities are appropriately domiciled;  and iii) increasing efficiency and effectiveness, which will increase productivity.

    “Although the implementation of the report is long overdue, its implementation is a welcome development so long as the decision is informed by these principles. Beyond implementing the Oronsaye Report, the government should go further and cut the cost of governance across board.

    Read Also: Auditor General clears Oronsanye of N123b fraud

    “Having found it imperative to implement the Report, the government should now do away with the bogus and needless wastages of our scarce resources on frivolous issues, and deploy such funds to the critical areas  of Education, Health, and pulling people out of poverty.”

    He however said the FG should not be hasty about implementing the Oronsaye Report because those who will be affected directly are mostly the civil servants.

    “However, we must not rush to implement the Oronsaye Report just because those that will be directly affected are mostly civil servants. A very deep understanding of the workings of the Federal bureaucracy will be required to effectively implement the Report.

    “Grasping the symetries between the federal and the other tiers of government will be imperative as Federal agencies have branches and outreaches in all the 36 states. We the political leaders, should be ready to back up such implementation with our sacrifices from comfort and selfishness, for the overall development of the nation.

    “In implementing this Report, conscious effort must be made to cushion the effects of such a major overhaul on the workers, to avoid driving more people into hardship, in these very challenging times.

    “Also Nigerians are yet to be informed  about the extant White Paper pertinent to the report’s implementation. Moreover, you cannot ask those who are likely to be affected by the downsizing to manage the process.

    “Government must also show clearly the amount of resources to be saved in the implied shrinking of government. It should also indicate clearly where and how the saved resources are to be redeployed.

    “More importantly, the implementation needs to be accompanied by a template to avoid a future bloating of government. By doing the right things and implementing the right policies, we will build the New Nigeria of our dreams. -PO,” he concluded.

  • LCCI, others call for stable Customs’ forex rate

    LCCI, others call for stable Customs’ forex rate

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has increased within two days, the foreign exchange (forex) rate used to calculate Customs duty on imported goods from N1, 537.073, to N1,605.82 to a dollar.

    The new hike represents 4.5 per cent increases on import duty in two days. This is the sixth time the CBN has increased import duties this year.

    Stakeholders, including the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have kicked against the hike and called for caution.

    LCCI called on the CBN to stop the upward review of the customs rate and reverse it to a lower rate for the purpose of importation.

    In a statement, LCCI Director-General, Dr Chinyere Almona said this way, importers would be able to charge lower prices for their goods according to what costs they incur on the shipments.

    She advised that any fixed rate should be held for a specified time frame (e.g., quarterly) so that people can plan. She stressed that an element of predictability for planning purposes is highly desirable at this time and season.

    Read Also; Petrol importation drops by 3.29% in 2023

    She said LCCI has always advocated that the government should stop subsidizing consumption and invest such funds to subsidize production activities. A relief or palliative through import duties is more impactful as it affects the prices of goods consumed by more people than the transfers of cash to people as palliatives in the recent past.

    According to her having a fixed rate for import duties also helps businesses to plan ahead for their import portfolios.

    She stressed that as it is today, if the CBN continues to adjust the Customs Rates according to the current volatility of the exchange rates, businesses would be at a loss about how to plan for the months ahead.

     The LCCI boss also advised CBN to fix a rate lower than what it is now and leave it at that rate for the purpose of importation.

    Furthermore, she stressed that the Customs Duty Rate, being the rate with which Customs evaluate imports to arrive at duties to pay, is normally affected by the prevalent exchange rates against the Naira.

    She lamented that in recent weeks the Naira have suffered a hit against the major currencies, falling to as low as N1,900 against the Dollar and N2,250 against the Pound Sterling, in the parallel market. The volatility recorded with the exchange rates has made the CBN adjust the Customs Duty Rate up to six times in February alone she stated

    She said: “While the CBN defends its stand on the point that the Customs Rate is simply following the official exchange rate of the Naira, we at LCCI expect that the CBN will leave this rate at a much more affordable level to at least cushion the pains importers are already suffering in terms of higher import prices due to recent supply chain disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine and more recently attacks at the Red Sea.”

    President, Association of Nigerian Customs Agents, Prince Olayiwola Shittu said the CBN should be concerned with the sorry situation facing Nigerians and the business community before taking decisions that will have far reaching implications on the economy.

    “The current decision of the CBN is highly condemnable because the apex bank just increased the duty exchange rate about two days ago. There is no predictability in the market prices and that is not good for the economy and the people the CBN was created to serve,” Shittu said.

    Also, Obi said the CBN’s decision would cause  a serious business challenge.

    Obi stated this in a series of tweets on his official X page yesterday.

    According to him, the national business climate is being negatively impacted by the inconsistent in Customs’ duty rates

     “Calculating import duty using a rate that is different from the rate in Form M will cause a serious business challenge that results in losses. Worse still, it directly fuels the inflationary spike, which is the basis of the increasing cost of goods and living. Such arbitrary charges will lead to further closure of businesses, and attendant job losses,” he tweeted.

     This, Obi said, “is because at the time of the initiation of the business, calculations, including duties, have been made based on the prevailing exchange rate.”

    Other stakeholders who spoke with our correspondent urged the Federal Government to address the issues causing the constant depreciation of naira.

    An importer, Solomon Agbaje said the depreciation of naira is affecting the import business seriously and urged the CBN to come up with policies that will take the country out of the woods.

  • LP crisis: We will account for campaign funds, says Obi

    LP crisis: We will account for campaign funds, says Obi

    Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for the general elections of 2023 has declared that the party would provide a transparent accounting of all donations raised throughout the campaign.

    Obi said this on Thursday, February 15, during a press conference in Abuja amid a new controversy rocking the party over sales of form and other fundraising efforts for the last general elections.

    The Nation reported that Oluchi Opara, the LP’s national treasurer, questioned Julius Abure, the party’s national chairman on the N3.5 billion that was generated from the fundraising events and nomination form sales leading up to the general elections.

    Speaking to reporters at the party secretariat, obi, however, said that in his capacity as the party’s leader, he would make sure the LP engages a respectable audit company to examine the party’s finances.

    He stated that a detailed investigation and reconciliation are required about the party’s accusations and counter-allegations.

    He said: “I have told everybody that whatever we receive directly or indirectly will be accounted for transparently. For the party, I am a member of the party and they have chosen to say I am the leader,” he said.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Peter Obi is an opportunist, says Bwala

    “What we need to do in the party as I have discussed with the leadership is that we must now appoint a reputable audit firm to audit and be able to deal with the accounting of the party.

    “When I am involved in anywhere money is, it must be transparently utilized. So there is the allegation and counter-allegation now that must be thoroughly investigated and verified. We will reconcile it and know exactly what we are doing.

    “What we are doing here is accounting for the campaign. I am using the opportunity also to appeal to various support groups or individuals and parties that received some form of funding to support what we are doing which we are very grateful.”

  • Obi urges FG to prioritise critical sectors

    Obi urges FG to prioritise critical sectors

    The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 General Elections, Mr Peter Obi, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise critical areas of the economy, such as Education and Health, given the present global reality.

    Obi gave the advice on Monday in Ibadan during an interactive session with newsmen shortly after paying a condolence visit to Gov. Seyi Makinde at the Government House, over the January 16 Bodija explosion.

    He also called for a drastic cut in the cost of governance, especially at the federal level, saying that the way things were going were not acceptable.

    He charged the Federal Government to initiate measures that would pull Nigerians out of poverty, saying, “Elections are over and governance is the key thing”.

    Read Also: Obi wishes Super Eagles victory against Cameroon

    The former Anambra governor charged Nigerians to contribute their quota toward turning around the fortunes of the country, saying that everyone should be involved in the task of developing the country.

    He commiserated with Makinde and the people of Oyo State over what he described as “an unfortunate incident” and commended the State Government “for responding promptly when the explosion occured”.

    Makinde, who thanked Obi for the visit, said that investigation was still ongoing to unravel the masterminds of the explosion.

    (NAN)

  • Obi donates N75 million to Enugu Nursing College

    Obi donates N75 million to Enugu Nursing College

    Former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, on Sunday, January 14, presented cheques worth about N75 million to the Annunciation Specialist Hospital for the commencement of its College of Nursing Sciences in Enugu.

    Obi, who was in the hospital on Sunday, said he mobilized $50,000 (about N60 million) from one of his friends, Prof. Philip Ozua while he added the sum of N15 million to make the total sum to N75 million.

    Speaking to the management and staff of the hospital, Obi said the donations were meant to appreciate the work the congregation of the Daughters of Divine Love(DDL), owners of the hospital, was doing in the area of helping to build a better society.

    He said he had to get involved in supporting the immeasurable things voluntary agencies like the Daughters of Divine Love, were doing because things were becoming more difficult.

    He stated: “If you look at the wonderful works they’re doing, I have to support them. And it is in line with that that I have been going around talking to friends to help especially now that they (the hospital) have the intention of building a college of nursing sciences which is critical.

    “If you consider the future, Nigeria today lacks basic medical care workers and nursing is number one. They want to build a college for that and I want to partner with them in that direction. And I have also spoken to somebody I consider a very dear friend and brother whose commitment to building a better nation is immeasurable in supporting such things globally and is doing so now, Prof Philip Ozua.”

    Obi, who expressed worries that private individuals and groups were now rendering more of the services the government should have been more involved in, used the opportunity to call on the government to do more and partner with such individuals and organisations.

    Read Also: ‘I don’t know how vessel got filled with crude oil, instead of diesel’, says Captain of ship arrested by Tantita

    “Government should see that things work. When I was in the office, you can go and verify, I partnered with establishments like this. All the nursing schools that were started while I was governor I started it.

    “In fact, I go to hospitals and say, start a school of nursing and I gave them the funding. That is what government should be doing, because they are now doing the work of government should have been doing.

    “Our constitution says that government should provide education, health and pull people out of poverty and that we(government) are not doing and they(private individuals and groups) are doing that and we must help them. I believe in their commitment. They have given us a target on when to start this school. My job is to see that that school starts on the day they want to start it. I will look for the money.”

    The Superior General of the congregation of the Daughters of Divine Love, Rev. Sis. Mary Annastasia Dike expressed excitement over the donations, saying it would quicken the process of commencing the college as soon as possible.

    She disclosed that Annunciation Specialist Hospital decided to establish the College of Nursing Sciences to bridge the acute shortage of health personnel in the country as a result of people leaving the country to look for greener pastures.

  • Obi’s campaign DG Okupe resigns from LP

    Obi’s campaign DG Okupe resigns from LP

    • Admits party lost February 18 presidential poll

    The former Director General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has resigned his membership of the party.

    He announced his resignation in a letter sighted by The Nation yesterday.

    Last year, Okupe stepped aside from his position as the DG of the LP Presidential Campaign Council.

    He was the spokesperson for Third Republic’s National Republican Convention (NRC) in the early 1990s.

    Okupe was twice a presidential spokesperson, working for ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

    He said: “I submit herewith my letter of resignation from the Labour Party with effect from today. You will recall that our flag bearer, Mr. Peter Obi, myself, and others left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) abruptly and had to look for a Special Purpose Vehicle in which to contest the 2023 presidential elections.

    “The Labour Party, your good self, and other members of your executives provided us with this veritable platform with no burdensomeness whatsoever and for which we were extremely grateful.

    Read Also: Emefiele: EFCC to appeal against N100m fine

    “We did contest the election on the platform of the Labour Party and lost. This makes it exceedingly difficult for me to continue to stay in the Labour Party, which is ideologically rooted in the left of the centre.

    “I have been a rightist and a Liberal Democrat all my entire life. It is, therefore, this ideological conflict that makes me seek an exit so that I may continue my political activities with liberalism, sincerity and freedom.

    “I wish to thank you in particular and other members of the leadership of the party for the cordiality and respect accorded to me as the Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation.

    “I wish you and the party success in your future endeavours. Long live the Labour Party. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your brother, friend and compatriot, Omooba (Dr. Doyin Okupe, Former Director General Obi-Datti Campaign Organisation.”

  • 2024: LP‘ll adjust to new role as Nigeria’s main opposition party — Obi

    2024: LP‘ll adjust to new role as Nigeria’s main opposition party — Obi

    The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, says a new Nigeria is possible despite the numerous yet-to-be-fulfilled aspirations of citizens.

    Obi, in his New Year Message to Nigerians on Monday, said that “As Nigeria is the only country we have, deeply endowed but lacking good leadership over the years, we will continue to seek a new Nigeria that we know is possible.”

    According to him, the party will continue to adjust to new role as Nigeria’s main opposition party.

    Expressing his heartfelt and warmest greetings to all Nigerians, Obi prayed God to bless them richly and grant them their good hearts’ desires in the new year and beyond.

    Obi said: “The events of past year are now part of our national history. As we trudge on, we remain mindful of the State of our Nation, and that our best hopes and aspirations remain largely unfulfilled.

    “Peace and security continue to elude us with the rising level of bloodletting deeply troubling and sometimes beyond a war situation.

    “A situation where hundreds of Nigerians are violently killed in December alone is deeply sad and unacceptable.

    “While we pray for the repose of the souls departed, we demand that the Federal Government must do whatever is required to bring the perpetrators to justice and permanently stop a reoccurrence in any part of Nigeria.”

    He noted that the nation’s economy needed a turnaround considering the rising unemployment, inflation, poverty, inequality and other key socio-economic variables.

    “Nigerians are now very aware and convinced that good governance, inclusive development, and accountable leadership expected in a functional democracy, continue to elude us.

    “But we must be consistent and resolute in our demand for rule of law, regulatory quality and government effectiveness for transformative solutions to litany of our social problems.

    “If there is one fundamental threat to our democracy, it is the undermining and weakening of our national institutions and the capture of state affairs and resources by few individuals and private interests.

    “This must stop for Nigeria to move forward and function as an inclusive and sustainable society and nation,” Obi, a former two-term Anambra governor, said.

    According to him, in a democratic and secular country like ours, there must be full respect for the separation of powers between the three independent arms of government, as well as between the federating units.

    He said  the National Assembly should devote time and commit itself to diligent performance of their functions like the 2024 budget that required their prudent examination and subsequent patriotic oriented approval or rejection.

    Obi said  the nation must work assiduously to avoid drifting to a one-party state, or a situation, where the Federal Government intervened unduly in the internal affairs of the states, particularly in circumstances where national security is not threatened.

    He added: “We in Labour Party have undertaken in the national interest and in our undying commitment to a New Nigeria that is possible, to remain firmly in opposition and as such, must remain focused going forward.

    “Our collective role in nation building remains fundamental and obligatory,” Obi said.

    He used the opportunity to thank all Nigerians who supported his campaign during the 2023 elections and voted for his party because of their belief in the quest for a New Nigeria.

    Obi said the outcome of the 2023 presidential elections was contested and remained so, on record,” but the Courts of law have spoken; so be it”.

    He said: “I wish to thank members of the Labour Party, the Obidient Family, friends and well-wishers of Nigeria for their loyalty, resilience, tenacity and commitment to true democracy.

    “We will continue ongoing discussions and efforts for the Labour Party to adjust to our new role as Nigeria’s main opposition party.

    Read Also: Peter Obi pledges N5millions to support Plateau attack victims

    “We will continue to constructively engage all Nigerians and our friends, who have now realised the vast implications of the road not taken; and the folly of national interest decisions predicated on sentiments and primordial interests.”

    Obi said that Nigeria remained a God-given country and that the business of Nigeria was far too important to be left to those involved in transactional politics.

    “I am involved in the struggle for a New Nigeria that is possible and works for all and will remain passionately committed to the crusade.

    “I, therefore,  implore you all who strive for a New Nigeria to remain fully engaged, committed and resilient as it is and will be possible.” (NAN)