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Revolution, Solution To Nigeria’s Problems, Says Maitama Sule
Nigeria’s former representative to the United Nation Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule has suggested revolution as the only solution to the nation’s political and economic problems.
Speaking as a guest speaker in Minna Saturday at the launching of N500million appeal fund for resuscitation of the oldest primary school in Niger state, Minna Central Primary School now named after the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, a product of the school, the octogenarian diplomat however called for a bloodless revolution to enable the country find its footings again.
The eloquent elder statesman lamented that the present state of affairs in the country called for a radical change, but cautioned that such change should come through a bloodless revolution for the country to attain its vision 2020.
Sule, who is the Dan Masani Kano, also said that part of the surgical operation that will revive the country and put it on a right pedestal will be for the political class to fashion out a modality for the old and the new breed political players to embrace each other.
Observing that the country had lacked meaningful development in the last 49 years of its existence, the elder statesman blamed it on the inability of the political class to perfect their acts.
According to him “they need the maturity of the old breed politicians just as the old breed politicians need the agility of the new breed to make things work but unfortunately this is not so and the country is suffering for this missing link”.
“Nigeria as a country, we have the people, we have the resources that will make things happen but the problem is with the present crops of political leaders,” he submitted.
To overcome our present challenges, Sule maintained that, “what the country need now is honest leaders and not thieves. We need leaders that have fire in their bellies but with humanity in their hearts, leaders that have the interest of the common man at heart”.
Lamenting the poor state of the country’s education sector, Sule pointed out the poor funding of the sector by successive administrations in the country, stressing that until we learn to accord education its rightful place in our national planning, the country would not catch up with the developed nations of the world.
Citing Ghana, where education attracts higher budgetary allocation, the elder statesman advised that if the country’s elites and the leadership are serious about the development of this country, more attention should be accorded the sector.
He then commended the old pupils of IBB Central Primary School for initiating the appeal fund and advised other well-to-do in the society to emulate the steps of the old pupils of the school, noting that government alone cannot meet all our needs as a nation.
Speaking in the same vein, former Head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar, an old pupil of the school and the chairman of the occasion called on parents to pay more attention to the educational growth of their children and wards, just as he advised all Nigerians to always support the government in the provision of infrastructures, noting that government cannot satisfy the public due to other pressing demands and scarce state resources.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene