News
Nigerians In S’Africa Task Jonathan
Nigerians living in South Africa have welcomed Wednesday’s dissolution of the Federal Executive Council by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
A cross-section told the Southern Africa correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the decision would allow for the injection of new blood into the government.
A South Africa-based law professor, Vincent Nmehielle, described the dissolution of the cabinet as “the best thing that can happen to the country”.
Nmehielle is the Head, Witts Programme in Law, Justice and Development, Africa School of Law, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
He said the acting president should try to strike a balance between the young and the old, as age was not necessarily a prerequisite for good performance.
“We can see David Miliband, the UK Foreign Secretary, who is young and carrying out agenda of the UK government.
“We need people with the drive to give service,” he said, advising Jonathan to go a step further by appointing the right people.
Mr. Dennis Osagie, the President of the Durban chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora, said the poor handling of the controversy over President Umaru Yar’Adua’s absence by the dissolved cabinet gave no justification for their retention.
“During Yar’Adua’s absence, the cabinet compromised in handling the issue by not acting promptly and taking decisions they should take.
“There was no need for such delay tactics and leaving the country ungoverned for some time,” Osagie said, describing their sack as the right step.
He, however, urged Jonathan to show maturity in choosing his new team by allowing merit rather than mere personal allegiance to determine his choices.
“The new cabinet must be men and women of honour who have the will to do the right thing and move the country forward,” he said.
The President of the Nigerian Union, Mr. Jason Osuafor, said the sack news was “a delight” which was necessary for Jonathan to consolidate and have a firm hold on governance.
“Definitely there are certain people who should be returned based on their performance but others who are not loyal to the nation and are individualistic should be dropped permanently,” he said.
Osuafor said the new cabinet should be balanced and based on ability to perform and deliver.
In his contribution, Mr Olalekan Olaitan, a tutor at Khumbulani High School, East London, said the acting president should go for men and women of integrity in order to have meaningful progress in the country.
Describing the cabinet sack as a move in the right direction, he called for a new cabinet made up of people who loved the country above personal interests.
“He should go for men and women of integrity who have the love of the country at heart,” Olaitan said, explaining that the right choices were critical in advancing the nation.
The tutor said with the right team, it was possible to make progress in the country, especially with the “giant problems of power and Niger Delta crisis” which needed concerted effort to overcome.
“With the right team, Jonathan has a better chance to put his name in gold,” he said
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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