News

Nigeria Had No Political Prisoners Under My Watch –Jonathan

Published

8 years ago

October 31, 2016

The former president,
Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has said that under his watch as Nigeria’s president, no Nigerian was a political prisoner or a prisoner of conscience based on what he or she wrote in criticising him or his administration.
Jonathan said this in a keynote speech last Saturday, at the annual Merit Awards Dinner of the Nigerian Lawyers Association of the United States.
The former President, who urged the Diaspora lawyers to help preserve democratic institutions, also said that, diversity could remain a strength only when all interest groups in the society feel safe and secured, in their day-to-day activities.
At the event, which held in New York, former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, who introduced Jonathan, said “Nobody in Nigeria has made more sacrifices for democracy and unity in Nigeria like former President Jonathan”.
Jonathan was also honoured for his efforts to promote democracy by the City of New York, which issued a proclamation honouring Jonathan as a democratic icon.
During his speech, Jonathan urged Nigerian politicians to build unity and harmony in Nigeria by their language and conduct.
He said that was why he ensured there was both freedom of speech and freedom after the speech, and equally ensured that under his watch, “Not a single Nigerian was sent to prison because of anything he or she wrote or said about me or about the administration that I headed.”

News

Aruna Displaces Assar As Africa’s Top-Ranked Star

Published

2 hours ago

March 21, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has overtaken Egypt’s Omar Assar to become Africa’s highest-ranked player in the world, now sitting at 18th in the week 12 ranking released on Tuesday.
Aruna moved up from 19th place in week 11 to 18th in the latest ranking, while Assar dropped from 17th to 19th.
Denmark’s Jonathan Groth took over Assar’s 17th place, moving up from 18th.
Despite finishing as runner-up at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup, Aruna’s impressive performances at the WTT tournaments this year have boosted his ranking.
Aruna remains the only African male player to have reached the semi-finals of the WTT Contender Doha, repeating his 2023 feat earlier this year in January.
This achievement has propelled him ahead of Assar, who beat him to become the champion of the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup.
Aruna’s next tournament is the WTT Contender Chennai which serves off in India from March 23 to 20.
In the women’s singles, Egypt’s Hana Goda maintained her top spot in Africa, moving up one place to 26th in the week 12 ITTF ranking. Her compatriot, Dina Meshref, remained static at 33rd, holding her position as the second-best-ranked female player in Africa.
China’s Wang Chuqin retained his position as the second-best player globally, behind his compatriot Lin Shidong, who continues to hold the top spot. Japanese superstar Tomokazu Harimoto dethroned China’s Liang Jingkun as the third-best player in the world after his semifinal finish in Chongqing.
In the women’s ranking, the top five remained unchanged, with China’s Sun Yingsha holding onto her top spot after retaining her WTT Champions Chongqing title.

News

NSPRI Empowers Agri-preneurs For Independence, Postharvest Loss Reduction

Published

2 hours ago

March 21, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) has empowered agri-preneurs with skills to be self-independent and reduce post-harvest losses.

The two-day training was held recently at its Lagos Zonal office on Barikisu Iyede Street, Yaba, Lagos, and centered around post-harvest management, particularly focusing on how to add value to agricultural products such as grains, roots, and tubers.

With a hands-on approach making up a whopping 90 percent of the training, participants got their hands dirty, learning to create value-added products such as bean flour, ground rice, odourless fufu, poundo yam, and flavoured pap.

The training also delved into essential post-harvest management practices and highlighted the importance of packaging in enhancing the value of agricultural goods.

Rounding off the programme, participants were conducted round the NSPRI facility, where participants had the chance to discover even more post-harvest solutions beyond what was covered in the training.

The diverse group of attendees, representing various ages and genders, participated both in person and online.

In his closing remarks, the Executive Director of NSPRI, represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Shuaeeb Oyewole, expressed heartfelt thanks to the trainees.

He stressed that the skills and knowledge gained during the training could significantly help in reducing agricultural losses, creating job opportunities, and fighting poverty.

He also encouraged everyone to become advocates for post-harvest loss reduction in their communities.

Participants, including Mrs. Olayinka Immanuel, and Mrs. Olubunmi Afolabi, who joined virtually from the United States and Osogbo, Osun State, respectively, expressed gratitude for the training.

Mr. Christopher, a returning participant, commended the training for its focus on practical skills and expressed his eagerness for future sessions.

Everyone left with a commitment to use what they learned to tackle post-harvest losses head-on and to foster entrepreneurship, ultimately contributing to job creation and wealth generation in their communities.

News

Okiro Urges Unity, Dialogue In Rivers

Published

3 hours ago

March 21, 2025

The Tide

Mr Mike Okiro, former Inspector-General of Police( I-G), has called on warring factions in the Rivers crisis to lay down their arms and engage in peaceful dialogue to find a lasting solution that benefits all parties.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, where Okiro expressed concern about the political unrest that plagued the state for nearly two years.

The Tide source reports that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers following persistent crisis there.

Tinubu had earlier presided over a high-level emergency meeting involving principal officers of the National Assembly and top security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja over the River crisis.

This followed the political standoff in Rivers, which raised tensions, leading to fears of instability in the state.

The meeting also followed a pipeline explosion that rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers.

The blast, which occurred late on Monday near the Bodo-Bonny Road, further heightened concerns over security and stability in the oil-rich region.

Declaring the state of emergency in a broadcast on national television afterwards, the president said the decision had become compelling after the Governor and his Deputy failed to seek presidential intervention.

Meanwhile, the former I-G urged the parties to exercise caution and respect human rights.

Okiro said “I call on all warring factions to lay down their arms and engage in peaceful dialogue to find a resolution that will benefit all the parties.”

He highlighted the need for unity, dialogue and respect for human rights to overcome the current crisis in the area.

He recalled his successful efforts in spearheading the amnesty programme for the Niger Delta region in 2009, which brought peace to the area after years of militancy.

He emphasised the importance of working together as a community to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens during challenging times.

He called for a peaceful and sustainable solution that upholds the principles of democracy and respects the rights of all individuals.

Okiro said he is ready to work with other elders and stakeholders in the state to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

“Just over two weeks ago, I was about to form a committee of elders and stakeholders in Rivers to address this political impasse,” he said.

He, however, urged all parties involved to comply with directives from the President and work toward peaceful resolution of the issues at stake.