News
Hate Speech: It’s Time To Restructure Nigeria – OPC
The National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples’ Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, says it’s time to restructure Nigeria to curb hate speeches currently being experienced in the country.
Speaking, yesterday, in Lagos, Adams said that hate speeches indicated that all was not well with the country politically.
“With the present hate speeches, it is an indication that all is not well with us politically, and we need to do something fast about it before it degenerates into crisis.
“I have been hearing from the government that there are lots of hate speeches in the country from different groups, even from the political players.
“I believe that under democracy, the government must learn the civil way of addressing such anomaly because of freedom of speech as entrenched in the constitution.
“Also, if anyone says anything that contravenes the law, such an individual is liable to face the full weight of the law but that does not mean government should go overboard,” he said.
Adams said that various groups agitating within the federation are a reflection that injustice was prevailing in the country, adding that only restructuring would help douse the tension.
“We can’t cow people. I am aware of the various interest groups such as Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and Arewa youth and other groups.
“With Arewa youth giving October 1 as deadline; I believe that in any society, when injustice prevails, agitations mount for a change. This is what we are experiencing today. This country needs restructuring.
“The only problem we have is that we are not well structured from the time we had our independence; which warranted all these hate speeches flying around.
“In our society, if the right thing is not done, it may bring anarchy; I appeal to the Federal Government, as a matter of urgency, to restructure Nigeria now,” he said.
Adams said that if the country continued without restructuring, many groups will rise to agitate more for their rights.
“This country cannot continue without restructuring because people will express their rights for liberty, and we cannot avoid this. They will continue to agitate.
“If we consider what happened during the military, we will see that we cannot stop agitation from people. We fought the military through agitation and we won.
“At the end, the wish of the people will prevail, so, to reduce all these ugly incidences and to sanitise our society, the government has the responsibility to listen to the people and restructure the country.
“Government must do the wish of the people because democracy is the government of the people, for the people and by the people. We cannot call the people’s bluff,’’ 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.
-
Politics4 hours agoNew PDP Leaders Emerge In Adamawa After Congress
-
Sports4 hours agoForest Still Looking For Winning Formula
-
online games2 days agoThe Power of Advanced Historical Data and Live Metrics for Football Analytics
-
Rivers4 hours ago
Democratic Rule Return Sparks Renewed Debate In Rivers
-
News4 hours agoTroops arrest five suspected criminals with concealed AK-47 rifles
-
Sports5 hours agoPlateau Wins Kanemi, As Bayelsa, Bendel Played 1-1
-
Education4 hours agoVC Congratulates Igwe on Appointment as Pro-Chancellor
-
Politics4 hours agoAlleged Attack On Abure In Benin, LP Calls For Investigation