Politics
Nigeria’ll Work Again Under Tinubu – Shettima
Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has assured Nigerians, especially those living in Russia, that the country, under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, will experience positive change and progress.
He gave this assurance during an interactive forum with members of the Nigerian community in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Vice President, who met with them on Friday evening, addressed concerns raised by members of the community.
He stated, “Be rest assured that in the next nine to 12 months, there will be a swift change in the fortunes of Nigeria. I’m speaking with all sense of certainty and responsibility because I believe in the capacity and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
According to a statement issued on Saturday by Director of Information at the Office of the Vice President,Olusola Abiola, Shettima spoke about the efforts of the administration to reposition the economy.
He emphasised the pursuit of completing the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and reviving the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON).
“It’s going to be a game-changer. Having a vibrant steel industry is essential for the industrial take-off of any nation. I can bet you, I can promise you that the President will bring Ajaokuta to a reality.
“Be rest assured that if there is one legacy that President Tinubu would bequeath to fellow Nigerians, Ajaokuta is the one”.
I’ll come back to Russia, we are going to drive this process, and my leader, my boss, and principal – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is irrevocably committed to Ajaokuta and to ALSCON.
“We have begun the discussion, and we will see to it that these two companies take off; we have no option than to bring them to reality,” Vice President Shettima emphasized.
Speaking further about Nigeria’s transformation prospects, the VP said the Tinubu administration would harness the vast human and material resources to put the country on the path of sustainable development and growth.
According to him, “This is the land of opportunities; we have the landmass and a vibrant youth population. By 2035, there will be a 65 million talent deficit in the world, with America, Russia, and Brazil all suffering a 6 million talent deficit. Nigeria, with its vibrant young population, will be expected to fill the gap.
“So, opportunities abound in the digital space. Our target is to train 1,000,000 Nigerians on digital skills.”
Citing examples of President Tinubu’s outstanding performance as Lagos State Governor, Sen. Shettima said the President had shown “the propensity to inspire development across all sectors, and he has also shown the zeal, passion, as well as the commitment to transform Nigeria.”
He then commended the conduct of leaders and members of the Nigerian community in Russia, stating that “the maturity exhibited by Nigerians living in Russia is an understatement, and I must confess that I am impressed by the Ambassador’s impressive achievements.”
Representatives of the Nigerian community, in separate remarks, commended the initiatives of the Tinubu administration to actively engage with the Russian government to improve relations between Nigeria and Russia.
Present at the forum were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia, Amb Shehu Abdullahi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr Gabriel Aduda; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs Mary Ogbe; President of the Nigerian Community in Russia, Dr Maurice Okoli, and Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO), Russia, Mr Sampson Uwem, among others.
In a related development, Vice President Shettima on Saturday in St. Petersburg attended the second edition of the Annual Arts Exhibition of the Nigerian Embassy titled “I Imagine Nigeria,” which showcased artworks by young Russian artists.
Besides seeing artworks exhibited at the event and presenting prizes to young Russian artists, the vice president, in a brief remark, emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy, noting its potential in deepening ties between Nigeria and Russia.
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
-
Maritime2 days ago
Minister Tasks Academy On Thorough-Bred Professionals
-
Maritime2 days ago
Customs Cautions On Delayed Clearance, Says Consignees May Lose Cargo
-
Maritime2 days ago
NCS Sensitises Stakeholders On Automated Overtime Cargo Clearance System
-
Maritime2 days ago
Lagos Ready For International Boat Race–LASWA
-
Maritime2 days ago
Shoprite Nigeria Gets New Funding to Boost Growth, Retail Turnaround
-
Politics2 days ago
I Would Have Gotten Third Term If I Wanted – Obasanjo
-
Sports2 days ago
Bournemouth, Newcastle Share Points
-
Sports2 days ago
Iwobi Stars As Fulham Overcome Brentford