News

National Confab Begins On Shaky Note …Logistic Challenges Force Adjournment To Monday

Published

12 years ago

March 19, 2014

National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers, protesting over the stampede that led to the death of some applicants during last Saturday’s recruitment into Nigerian Immigration Service in Kaduna, last Monday.

The much-talked about National Conference which was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Abuja yesterday suffered setback as delegates adjoined on the first day of sitting to Monday, following logistics challenges.
The Tide gathered that the delegates will take advantage of the adjournment to sort out their logistics issues before settling down for the national business.
Delegates to the conference, some of whom did their accreditation on Monday morning, are optimistic that the conference will achieve its prime objective of re-inventing and re-enacting Nigeria by coming up with a new roadmap acceptable to all sections and making the nation the toast of the international community.
Announcing the adjournment after a brief session that was meant to integrate delegates into the business at hand, ensure compliance with the directive of President Jonathan that the indivisibility of Nigeria is non-negotiable and ensure that the three-month conference was hitch-free and successful, Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi said the adjournment was meant to allow delegates, most of whom live outside Abuja, to settle down for the national assignment.
Present at the conference’s maiden session were other members of the secretariat, including the Deputy Chairman and former external affairs minister, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Secretary, Mrs Valerie Azinge and Assistant Secretary (Media and Communication), Mr James Akpandem.
After the adjournment, the 492 delegates were given conference materials in seminar bags in an orderly manner by Mr Akpandem, who is also an aide of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Those who expressed hope for the birth of a new Nigeria at the end of the conference in separate interviews with The Tide, include former military governor of old Rivers State, General Zamani Lekwot, former secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Sampson Agbaru, former deputy governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, former chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator John Braimbeifa and Chairman, Abuja council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chuks Ehirin.
Meanwhile, all delegates to the National Conference will earn same allowances, the conference’s Assistant Secretary, Administration and Finance, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said.
Yakubu also told the delegates, at their inaugural meeting yesterday in Abuja, that the secretariat would not disclose the amount that would be paid to each of them.
According to him, the payment covers accommodation, transportation and sitting allowances.
He said that the delegates would be notified by their respective banks.
“Everything (allowances) has been monetised. Every delegate will be paid through e-payment and will be alerted by their banks.
“The payment, that covers accommodation, transportation and sitting allowances, will be paid every two weeks.
“We will not disclose it but the delegates are free to do so when they receive their payment slips. The allowances paid are the same for everybody,” he said.
Yakubu said that the Federal Government policy did not allow payment in physical cash except through e-payment and every delegate would be notified by his/her bank.
The Secretary to the conference, Dr Valerie Azinge, said no provision was made for aides of the delegates.
She, however, said facilities would be provided for the physically-challenged and the elderly where necessary.
Some of the delegates complained about facilities at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), which they said were not very conducive for the conference’s proceedings.
Azinge, however, appealed to them to make use of the facilities available adding that it was the best facility they could get in Abuja.
She explained that the International Conference Centre (ICC) is currently being occupied by the ECOWAS Parliament and that the centre had a standing rule with ECOWAS.
She said other issues which were also noted not have been included in the president’s speech would form part of the agenda when the conference reconvenes.
Azinge said that the speech would also form part of the major business of the conference for the next two weeks before breaking into committees.
According to her, the presiding and principal officers have set out clear cut plans to achieve the purpose of the conference.
She, however, said that before Monday’s session the rules of proceedings would be presented to the House to endorse, reject or make amendments.

Justus Awaji, Abuja

News

Victory Over Insurgency Certain, Tinubu Assures

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.

The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.

He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.

Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.

“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.

“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.

The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.

Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.

He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.

“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”

The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.

Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.

News

US Embassy, Lagos Consulate Close Today For President’s Day

Published

4 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.

According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.

The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.

In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.

Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.

News

Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role

Published

4 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.

Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.

The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.

“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.

The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.

Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.

The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.

In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.

“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.

Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.

He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.