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Tag: Peace

  • When will peace return to Rivers APC?

    Supporters of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC), Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe have resumed their hostilities.

    Amaechi’s associate, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze has alleged plans by Abe to eliminate him. The senator said the allegation was a figment of imagination. But, Eze is adamant, saying that Abe is a supporter of the governor.

    Governor Nyesom Wike, on collecting his certificate of return after the controversial elections that returned him to power, offered an olive branch to his many political traducers.

    In a statewide broadcast, following the announcement of the governorship election result, Wike said:

    “I therefore appeal to the APC and the Minister of Transportation to join hands with us to move our dear State forward. We cannot as leaders continue to remain divided and expect Government to deliver on its responsibilities to our people.

    “Let us from henceforth seek the common ground instead of allowing our differences to be exploited to retard our march to progress. I appeal to our people to eschew all acts of acrimony, criminality, unrest, and violence throughout the state.”

    The minister of transportation and leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi was to reiterate that point in his Easter message when he called on those who lost during the recent elections not to give up hope.

    He said: “I appeal to all who truly love our dear Rivers State to join hands in building the state, irrespective of their party affiliations.

    “No amount of provocation or even threats should challenge the Rivers spirit of oneness, unity and harmony in you.

    “To the youths, I urge you not to see crime as an escape route from the difficult times we are going through in Rivers State today. I am confident that with resilience and prayer, you can always pull through.”

    However, amid the reconciliation Eze, punctured the serenity with his petition of an alleged assassination against him.

    Eze, who is Amaechi’s alter ego, blamed Abe, who he said was working in cahoots with Wike against Amaechi.

    Eze alleged a collaboration between Abe and Wike, saying both of them worked to frustrate Amaechi and the  APC in its bid to field candidates in the recent general elections. Abe was at the head of the dissenting group within the Rivers State APC that stopped the mainstream from presenting candidates. It was a development that was heartily welcomed by Wike and the PDP.

    Eze said: “Senator Magnus Abe has been angry that I exposed how he teamed up with elements within and outside Rivers State to ensure that APC in Rivers state did not field a candidate in the just concluded general elections and how he has ceaselessly castigated and impugned the personality of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past Governor of Rivers state and the incumbent Minster of Transportation.

    Claiming that Abe has a grouse with Eze on account of his close affinity with Amaechi and President Muhammadu Buhari, he said:

    “This is the same man who happened to be his benefactor and mentor. I have been severally threatened by the Senator and his boys over my defense of the Minster and my exposing their plots against him by teaming up with PDP elements within and outside Rivers State to promote the candidates of PDP in the last elections including even the presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar all because of a desperate hope of making Atiku’s ministerial cabinet.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ugwuanyi preaches peace, unity, progress

    Enugu State Governor and Governor-elect, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has urged Christians and indeed all Nigerians, to take advantage of Christ’s resurrection, which Easter symbolizes, to sustain their abiding faith in God and promote peace, love, unity and virtues that enhance the progress of the country.

    In his Easter message, Ugwuanyi noted that the observation of 40 days of Lent through fasting, abstinence, praying and charity in memory of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection, “reinvigorates the spiritual strength of Christians and God’s amazing grace for salvation of mankind”.

    While wishing the good  people of Enugu State and indeed all Nigerians a happy Easter celebration, Ugwuanyi reiterated his resolve to continue to serve with the fear of God, and urged them to remain committed to the core values of their religious belief which centres on peace, unity, love and progress.

     

  • Okowa admonishes Nigerians on peace, unity

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Nigerians to show love to one another and be willing to make sacrifices for greater unity, peace, political stability and progress of our beloved country.

    Okowa, according to an Easter message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu in Asaba at the weekend, said “As Christians, we must reflect on the import of Easter celebrations in our dealings, not only with other Christians, but with people of other religions.” He added, “we must eschew bitterness and all forms of violence, because the progress, peace and security of the nation are anchored on good neighborliness and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.”

  • Sport promotes peace, success, says proprietor

    Proprietress, Roshallom Nursery and Primary School, Egbeda, Mrs Roseline Owoniyi, has implored parents and other stakeholders to encourage their wards participate in sporting activities.

    Speaking at the presentation of awards for the fourth Lagos Inter-Schools Athletics Championship, Owoniyi said sports was vital for psychomotor as well as social development.

    “Sports and games which are the aspects of psychomotor of domains of learning are receiving attention, both at the grassroots and the national levels. Sports and games can be seen as catalysts of peace and success in a nation.

    “Sport is a tool for building healthier lives. It also helps to eradicate poverty. It is a weapon for participating in global markets, promoting healthy political competition at all levels. Sports enhance good and healthy living. The spirit of understanding helps to bind friendship between nations and people. This should be pursued relentlessly by parents, schools and government in regulating sports and other related schemes to prepare, build and encourage our children,” she said.

    Roshallom was the defending champions for the competition organised by both Wonderland Sports and Phidel Schools. The school was presented with the tournament trophy for winning 18 gold, five silver and eight bronze medals.

    Chief Executive Officer, Wonderland Sports, Mr Adeyemo Tayo, underscored the need of parental support in sports.

    “I want to appreciate our children. These children are sacrificing a lot. They are so strong and determined to achieve something for the school and themselves. They represented the school very well. We organised school sports for private schools only. Your school has been so exceptional,” he said. End

  • Credible polls, peace, others dominate discourse

    The need for credible polls, peace and others are dominating political discourse as Nigerians get set for Saturday’s rescheduled presidential and National Assembly elections, report Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Nwanosike Onu, Augustine Ehikioya, Joseph Jibueze and Adesoji Adeniyi.

    APC: our commitment to credible elections unshaken

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has said its commitment to credible polls remains unshaken despite the postponement of polls.

    National Chairman Adams Oshiomole spoke at the party’s caucus meeting yesterday in Abuja.

    “We called this meeting to give our people hope and renew our commitment to democratic, free, fair and credible elections.

    “And the way forward to that is that we must now go back with the additional cost that it entails to renew the campaign.

    “And again, INEC’s wrong decision to attempt to amend the law through mere administrative pronouncement to the effect that campaigns are frozen, INEC is not in a position to make laws.

    “The laws made by our parliament are superior to the opinion of the INEC chairman with all due respect to his office.

    “The extant provision of law is clear.

    ‘When you postpone election it has happened before, the law says you are entitled to renew campaign up to 24 hours before the new date of the election.’’

    Oshiomole therefore, expressed the APC’s determination to continue with its campaigns, saying that the party expected a credible election devoid of malpractices on Saturday.

    “As a law abiding party we will proceed to re-energise our members to renew the campaign and encourage them to come out in huge numbers to vote APC,’’ he said.

    Islamic cleric canvasses peace during polls

     A respected Islamic cleric, Sheikh A.A. Usman, has appealed to Nigerians to embrace peace during the rescheduled general elections.

    Usman made the appeal when groups of his followers across the nation as well as traditional and religious leaders visited him at his Lagos mansion in Oniru Private Beach.

    The visit coincided with the annual prayer congregation where the Sheikh told his adherents Allah has revealed winner of the presidential contest to him.

    He said: “Let us embrace peace as Nigerians. It is when there is peace that God can work with us.

    “We have to realise that whoever wins has been ordained by Allah. So, there is no need to disrupt the nation with our selfish interests.”

    The congregation praised Usman for his good work and trademark predictions, which they said have always come out true.

    They extolled him for not inciting Nigerians against themselves based on religious and tribal affinities.

    Jonathan warns against extra-judicial killings

    Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has charged security agencies in the country to demonstrate their goodwill towards peaceful elections by desisting from extra-judicial killings.

    He made the call on Monday when youth groups in the Niger Delta led by the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Barr. Pereotubo Oweilaemi paid him a courtesy visit at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Ilechukwu Eze, Jonathan said “Anytime someone dies extra-judicially it reduces the integrity of the country. So, if our security personnel are interested in peace, especially during this electioneering, then they must do everything to suppress extra-judicial killings; because when one person is killed unlawfully, it affects everyone.”

    He also called on Nigerian youths to be peaceful and eschew violence all through the period of the scheduled general elections.

    He said: “Without peace there cannot be development in the society. If we want to develop Nigeria as leaders and citizens, then collectively we must work hard and make sacrifices that will bring peace to our country.

    “When we have conflicts, it creates a very negative impression in the society and investors are very mindful of these impressions.”

    Speaking earlier on the purpose of the visit, the President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Peretubo Oweilaemi said that their visit was to align themselves with the peace philosophy of the Dr. Jonathan that “nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.

    Comrade Oweilaemi, in his speech said “during your time as President, you emphasized that nobody’s blood is worth your ambition. You didn’t just say it, but you live by it everywhere you go. You have always placed national interest above personal interest.

    “The Niger Delta is very peaceful today because of you and the role you have been playing in peacebuilding. We watch and follow every of your footstep and we can say we have become peace ambassadors because of your conduct and mentorship on us.

    “We are also aware that in a state, it is very difficult to have a former President, without him and the incumbent governor not having issues. But in Bayelsa, we haven’t heard about you and the Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson having issues. This is a further testament of your peaceful disposition.

    “Our visit today Your Excellency, is to commend you on the role you and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation   have been playing in the society, in terms of peacebuilding and democratic stability in the country and we consequently urged our youths to imbibe your philosophy of politics without blood.” he said

    Group deploys technology to forestall rigging

    A group, Third Eye, has said it would deploy cutting edge technology to monitor the February 23 postponed general elections.

    It listed the technology as special rings and watches with the capacity of recording fraudulent practices.

    The project coordinator of the group, Mr. Uche Ubajaka, who disclosed this in Nnewi, Anambra state, said the decision to engage such technology was informed by plots by certain political actors to rig the outcome of the poll.

    He said the group would partner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and an election observer group in the monitoring.

    According to Ubajaka, the exercise would be restricted to Nnewi federal constituency of Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo local government areas of the State as a pilot programme.

    He said, “Among items to be used would be rings and wrist watches that have recording devices and cameras without attracting any attention.

    “The 2019 general election has attracted a lot of attention from within and outside the country and there is palpable fear in some quarters that some political actors have concluded plans to rig the outcome of the poll.”

    Fasanmi calls for calm

    The national leader of Afenifere Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, has called all Nigerians to remain calm.

    In a statement by his media assistant, Mr. Adebayo Temitope, the Second Republic said in spite of what the postponement might have caused, Nigerians should not see it a s a barrier to forge ahead.

    He advised Nigerians to exercise faith more so that the electoral umpire had promised that the election will be free and fair.

    He said: “Therefore, I urged the people in the south west and the members of real Afenifere Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba to remain firm like an anvil under the stroke, like our indefatigable leader, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, has taught us that it is not life matters but the courage that we bring into it.

    “Afenifere has spoken, Yoruba have spoken and our traditional rulers have spoken. The Yoruba will not abandon the legacy of progressivism handed to us by our great immortal Awo. By the grace of God we shall overcome.”

    ‘Don’t encourage bloodbath’

    An Islamic cleric and founder of Mas’had li Asrar Almujaba Worldwide, Sheik Abdul Jelil Owonikoko, has warned the Nigerians not to turn the rescheduled general elections to war and blood bath.

    He said the electoral exercise is not worth shedding the blood of any Nigerian, admonishing the stakeholders, especially politicians and their supporters not to set the country on fire.

    He gave the warning in his lecture entitled: “Duty of Human Being to His Dear Country,” at the celebrations of birthday of Prophet Muhammed (Maoludinabiy) in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    Owonikoko, who noted that seeking power at all cost by the politicians is dangerous to the polity, said differences in culture and creed should never be a “source of acrimonious relationship but should be a way of appreciation of our rich diversity.”

    He said: “Peace is absolutely necessary for the survival of a nation because without peace there will be no nation, without nation there wouldn’t be any election.”

    The convener of the programme and President of Mas’had Almujaba in Osun State,  Sheik Abdul Qaudri Soliheen Cisse, admonished Nigerians and Muslims to sincerely love one another according to the teaching of Prophet Muhammed that the true love among individuals will help in building a good nation.

    The cleric, who Isi also the founder of Zawiyah Ithad Ansaru Faedat Tijaniyat Ibraheemiyah of Nigeria, also advised all contestants in the general elections not to seek power by all means but to know that only Allah install, whoever he wishes.

    It’s illegal to restrict movement during polls, says Adegboruwa

    Activist-lawyer Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has said there is no legal basis to restrict movement during elections.

    He cited a Federal High Court judgment, which nullified the restriction of movement during environmental sanitation, saying the verdict’s principles ought to apply during elections.

    Adegboruwa noted that the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, had announced that there would be restriction of human and vehicular movements for 12 hours from 6am to 6pm due to the election, which was later postponed.

    He said it was beyond the IGP’s powers to forcefully keep people at home because of elections.

    According to him, there is no law in force in Nigeria authorising such unlawful restriction of movement.

    “The Federal High Court had occasion to pronounce on a similar illegal directive in the case of Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Esq. v. Inspector-General of Police & 5 others.

    “In that case, the applicant, a legal practitioner, was on his way to honour an invitation as a guest speaker of Channels Television for an early morning programme on June 29, 2013, being the last Saturday of the month.

    “He was accosted by policemen and LASTMA officials at the Ketu end of the Third Mainland Bridge, where the road had been barricaded on account of some compulsory three-hour environmental sanitation programme declared by the Lagos State Government.

    “The applicant was denied free movement and was arrested and detained briefly but later released.

    “Being dissatisfied with the action of the policemen, the applicant instituted an action at the Federal High Court to challenge his arrest and denial of his right to move around,” the senior lawyer said.

    According to him, in striking down “this odious practice”, Justice Mohammed Idris (now of the Court of Appeal), held that restriction of movement on account of environmental sanitation was illegal.

    The judge held: “Consequently, the restriction imposed on the applicant and other peace-loving residents of Lagos State during the environmental sanitation day without a law prescribing such restrictions is unjustifiable and a gross infringement of the right to personal liberty and movement of the applicant and the court so holds.

    “Everyone high or low must be prepared to justify his acts by a reference to some statute or common law power which authorises him to act precisely in the way in which he claims he can act.

    “Superior orders or state necessity are not defence to an action otherwise illegal.”

    Adegboruwa said the IGP did not appeal against the judgment, “yet he proceeded to hold people down at home on February 16, 2019, contrary to the express order of injunction granted by the court in this case against any repeated illegal practice of keeping citizens indoors”.

    “We will, therefore not condone or agree with any attempt to restrict people’s movement illegally, on February 23, 2019 or indeed any other day, by reason of elections,” Adegboruwa added.

    Anambra PDP mobilises voters for Saturday polls

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the people of Anambra State  to come out en masse on  Saturday to exercise their franchise.

    The Chairman of the Atiku-Obi Campaign Council in Anambra State, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, spoke yesterday in Awka.

    Obaze said: “INEC should revisit their directives that political campaigns should not be reopened.

    “Our party takes a strong exception to that and if need be, we are willing to approach the court to seek interpretation of the Electoral Act.

    “Our party in Anambra State will meet with the state Resident Electoral Commissioner to inspect those materials, just the way we inspected them when they arrived, to ensure that their sanctity has not been violated. And that should apply across board.”

     ‘Poll shift an indication of INEC under-rating of challenges’

    A non-governmental organisation, YIAGA AFRICA, has said the postponement of the last Saturday presidential and National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was an indication that the Commission may have overestimated its own capabilities or underrated the challenges associated with the management of election logistics.

    In a statement by the chairman, Watching The Vote Working Group, Dr. Hussaini Abdu, and the Executive Director, YIAGA AFRICA, Samson Itodo, the NGO said: “The INEC needs to improve its communication and public engagement to give assurances to Nigerians. The citizenry deserves to be properly informed and reassured that such postponements will not remain a permanent feature of our electoral process.

    “We urge all Nigerian citizens and registered voters in particular to remain calm and exercise restraint as INEC works towards the new dates. This development is a test of our patriotism and resilience, we therefore urge citizens to keep faith with the process and remain hopeful that the rescheduled elections will meet all standards of credible elections.

    “We also urge all registered voters to come out massively and vote for the candidates of their choice on the new dates. We encourage all stakeholders to take advantage of this window to provide additional voter education and mobilise the electorate to exercise their franchise.”

    Group advocates peace during elections

    An advocacy group, Boskoh Crack Team yesterday held a press conference/election orientation talk to sensitise the public, especially students around Epe and environs on the need to maintain peace during the general elections.

    The news conference/election orientation talk tagged, “SAVE Lagos 2019” held at the Procare Hotel and Suites, Epe, Lagos.

    The Initiator of the group, Mrs Yetunde Akinluyi, urged students in attendance not to allow themselves to be used as instruments for violence and chaos. “One thing I stand for and which you can see on my cap is peace. Peace is for everyone. Peace has no family name or tribe; everybody wants peace. Say no to violence during the election. Don’t allow anyone to come to you and incite you for violence. We are not out to fight. If you choose to be an agent of chaos during these 2019 elections, 20 years to come, the stigma will still be on you. Nobody wants that; everyone wants to be remembered for good. Don’t let anyone manipulate you.” She said.

    The coordinator of Boskoh Crack Team, Comr. Fagbodun Oluwadamilare, who is also the convener of the event explained that SAVE, which stands for Students Against Violence Everywhere is also a call o save Lagos from violence during elections. He said, “Some people have been saying that Lagos needs to be free, but I say we need to save Lagos from election violence and chaos. It is only someone who is in bondage that needs to be free. We are not in bondage.”

    Prince Adesiji Ayantuga, Coordinator, Epe Division Solidarity Support Group, who also spoke at the event, said his group is a socio-political pressure group with the aim and objective to mobilize people for the “support of our great party and most especially the support of our incoming governor.”

    Adding that he came to lend his voice to the SAVE Lagos campaign for peaceful elections, Ayantuga said, “We are here to sensitise us on having violence free election. There are rumours that there will be serious fight, but I believe that with this conference being organized today, there won’t be any such thing.”

    The CEO of Procare Hotels and Suites, Segun Osifeko, who was also in attendance, urged students in attendance not to allow anybody undermined them by using them as tools for violence.

  • Ondo APC gets peace, reconciliation committee

    The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated a Peace and Reconciliation Committee.

    The State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, who inaugurated the 15-man committee, urged the members to ensure that every aggrieved party member was pacified.

    He said: “You have been carefully selected. I charge you to represent the party well and justify the confidence reposed in you.

    “You are not going to judge anyone but to interact with the members, listen to them, write and submit a report to us based on what you meet on the field.”

    Read also: United Capital releases 2019 economic outlook

    The committee, which is decentralised into senatorial districts, has a week to submit its report to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu through the state chairman.

    On behalf of the committee, the Ondo Central Chairman, Prince Olu Adegboro, emphasised Akeredolu’s commitment to the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He hailed the governor for supporting efforts at ensuring peace and unity within the party, particularly in the state.

    Adegboro said: “Let me assure Mr. Governor and the action chairman that we, as a committee, will do our very best within this very short time. We will not disappoint all the stakeholders.”

     

  • Atiku signs peace accord, urges Buhari to sign Electoral bill

    Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Amendment Bill into law if he is sincere about having a free, fair and credible 2019 general elections. 

    Abubakar expressed concern about the forthcoming election adding that the only way to ensure a free and fair polls is for government to be fair to all political parties and stakeholders involved. 

    He said spoke on Wednesday in Abuja after signing the Peace Accord by the National Peace Committee, chaired the by a former Military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar. 

    Atiku promised to play by the rules and remain committed to a free, fair and credible election.

     “We are committed to a free, peaceful, fair and credible elections and we have always said that and we believe in that. I am a democrat. I was never converted. I fought the military to return this country to a democracy.

    “However the best way to guaranty peace in any election or any human interaction is to ensure manifest justice to all.

    “I am delighted that President Muhammadu Buhari have agreed to sign this peace accord. But we want to appeal to him to also sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. Mr. President needs to understand that as long as he refuses to sign this bill, we will have doubts that this government is thoroughly committed to free, fair and credible elections.”

    The peace accord document read by the Director of Kukah Center, Fr. Atta Barkindo, stipulates that political parties pledge to run issue-based campaigns at national, state and local government levels.

    ” In this, we pledge to refrain from campaigns that will involve religious incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and by all agents acting in their names; party, any public statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that have the capacity to incite any form of violence, before, during and after the elections.

    It reads in parts:”We, the undersigned Presidential candidates of the under-Iisted politica| parties for the forth-coming elections in February 2019 have attended a one-day Conference in Abuja under the auspices of the National Peace Committee, NPC. 

    “In the course of the Conference, we listened and discussed extensively on the need to ensure that we politicians create a favourable and conducive environment for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2019. Furthermore, we discussed the theme of Trust as a key ingredient in the conduct of our affairs. In the end, we have resolved to adopt the same principles that guided the very successful 2015 Elections and therefore commit ourselves to the following;

    “To commit ourselves and political parties to the monitoring of the adherence to this Accord by a National Peace Committee made up of respected statesmen and women, traditional and religious leaders; 

    “To support all institutions of government including INEC and the security agencies to act and be seen to act with impartiality; 

    “To forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence whether perpetuated by our supporters and/or opponents.”

    The Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Abdulsalami Abubakar apologised to Nigerians on behalf of the PDP for not being absent at the Tuesday’s signing with President Muhammadu Buhari emphasizing that everyone is committed to a peaceful election in 2019.

    The Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus also signed his part of the peace accord document.

  • 2019: ‘Peace, unity essential for success’

    As the 2019 general elections draw nearer, Nigerians have been advised to embrace peace, love and unity to ensure free, fair and credible polls.  They have also been advised to shun all manner of violence that may result in bloodshed.

    Richard Akinnitire, the Prophet in charge of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Christ Ambassador Parish, Asoge Street Ijeshatedo, Sururlere, Lagos gave the advice on Friday while speaking at a three-day annual crusade of the church held at the church’s auditorium.

    Speaking on the theme “God of All Flesh”, Prophet Akinnitire noted that God reveals Himself as the authority over all things, even as he added that the myriad of difficulties the country is experiencing are nothing before God as there is nothing hard for Him to do.

    He urged Nigerians to have faith in God and hope and trust in Him as He has all powers to solve our problems.

    Quoting copiously from John 15, he said if Nigerians turn away from their sins, serve and obey God, the country will experience tremendous turn around.

    “The society is bedevilled with unimaginable vices such as killing, kidnapping, hatred for one another; corruption at high and low places and lack of care for the poor.

    “We should forsake evil and seek the face of God.

    “As recorded in John 15: 5, if we abide in God and turn back to the God of all flesh, He will heal our land and Nigeria will be prosperous again.

    “The suffering in the country results from our unbridled transgressions. There is huge social gap between the rich and the poorest of the poor who are in the majority. Leaders at all levels are only concerned about their well-being and those of their relations and cronies. No thought is spared for the poor.

    “God is so much concerned about the poor, and that is why he said in Psalm 41 that ‘blessed are those who take care of the poor for the Lord will deliver them out of trouble.’

    “Good things are not only for the rich.  Those in position of authority and who decide the fate of those at the lowest rung of the social ladder should spare a thought for the poor,” Akinnitire said.

    Also speaking at the event, Pastor Akinola Fasawe advised Nigerians to involve God in all they do so that He will intervene in all our personal and national challenges.

    He said no matter the challenges the country is going through, “all we need to do is to allow God to step into the situation for solutions. God is stronger than our problems. He is ever ready to take over our battles if we call upon Him. When God of all flesh steps into a matter, there will be a turnaround, no matter how difficult the situation may be. This is because there is nothing hard for Him to do.

    “Nigeria needs God’s intervention in her socio-economic and political challenges. We are all clamouring for change but we cannot compare man’s ideas and wisdom with God’s supernatural power for He is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent.

    When God steps into our travails changes will occur.  We need to involve Him in our quest for national rebirth.

    “If God could give the Israelites victory after 430 years in bondage, He will equally do it for Nigeria and Nigerians.

    “We have to wait on God, have faith and trust in Him and turn away from our evil ways and seek His face for us to be free from our bad situations.

  • Ositelu: I’ll return Nigeria to progress, peace

    Presidential candidate of Accord Party Isaac Babatunde Ositelu has promised to rebuild Nigeria’s broken infrastructure.

    Ositelu announced a four-pronged action plan to restore Nigeria back to the path of economic prosperity, security stability and social order.

    He said food security, portable water, affordable healthcare delivery and power to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria are his priority areas.

    According to him, the energy crisis in Nigeria is tractable and it does not require rocket science to give uninterruptible power to every homes and businesses in Nigeria.

    Ositelu, who gained experience in Canada, United Kingdom (UK), United States (U.S.) and Nigeria where he got academic qualifications and job experiences, said mini grid power structure and containerized/motorized power grids would be deployed on need basis as an emergency intervention scheme.

    He said that the multitude of the energetic and youthful Nigerian population would be motivated to be more productive as the power crisis is resolved.

    “We all appreciate the importance of power and how its availability can radically change our economy and life generally. But it is very unfortunate that this problem has refused to go, despite all the interventions, both by the previous governments and even the current one.

    “However, we all know that at the center of this failure is leadership and capacity. Let me state once again that we are in this race to rebuild Nigeria and return her to the path of growth and development. We have what it takes to bring back those good old years of competence, excellence, development, respect for human life and dignity and hope.

    “Outside power, we all know that other national infrastructures are in dire straits and nobody is doing anything to reverse this ugly situation that has remained for so long.’

  • 2019 polls ‘ ll usher in maturity, peace, says Buhari

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians and the international community that the 2019 general elections will be free and fair as well as usher the country into another clime of maturity, peace and unity.

    He spoke yesterday while receiving Letters of Credence from four ambassadors, including Ambassador of the Peoples’ Republic of Japan, Mr. Yutaka Kikuta, at the State House, Abuja.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said the country’s political and electoral institutions have continued to evolve in strength, skill and experience after each election.

    He said: “We are currently at the threshold of another general election and after five general elections since 1999, we expect that the 2019 elections will be free and fair.

    “The political system is good and if people work hard they will succeed.”

    Buhari also said the increase in number of political parties that will field candidates in 2019 elections indicates more democratic consciousness among Nigerians and willingness to serve the country.

    Receiving Letter of Credence from Ambassador of the Russian Federation Alexey Shebarshin, the President noted that discussions on reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, partnerships in agriculture and other bilateral interests in trade and economic development will be sustained.

    He hailed the country for always standing by Nigeria.

    The President told Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil Richardo Guerra De Araujo that the historical ties between both countries and the shared potentials for growth will be further explored, with strong emphasis on economic and social development.

    He said the number of Nigerians in Brazil already provided a strong reason for deeper and richer discussions for both countries.

    Buhari assured Ambassador of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Fahad Al Taffaq that Nigeria remained committed to strengthening the bilateral relationship that has existed between both countries for many years.

    He said the courtesies extended to Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates was commendable, assuring the envoy that his administration would keep strengthening business and trade relations between both countries.

    Ambassador of Japan said his country remained grateful for Nigeria’s concern and support during the flooding that devastated the country, promising to work hard to further enhance relations in technology, agriculture and trade.

    The Ambassadors of Russia, Brazil and United Arab Emirates assured the president that they would work hard to ensure improved relations in key sectors of the economy.

    They wished Nigeria the best in the forthcoming elections.