News
Hardship’ll Be Over Soon, Shettima Assures Nigerians
Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that the current economic challenges facing the country will soon be over and urged Nigerians to react to the current realities “in a responsible and mature manner.”
He added that the consequences of our past are the stark realities we face today, such as the rising cost of living as well as pessimism over the government’s ability to turn the economy around for growth and development.
Shettima, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stated this during the 29th pre-Ramadan lecture organised by the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA) with the theme, “Economic Reforms for Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects for the Future,” held at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos.
Shettima noted that the forthcoming Ramadan would come with “severe” challenges for many Nigerians, adding that the current reforms might be challenging, but the government has no intention to punish Nigerians.
He said, “The leadership of President Tinubu recognizes that this Ramadan will come with severe challenges for most Nigerians. The road to where we are today was long and full of missed opportunities and tragic failures to build on our great potential.
“The consequences of our past are the stark realities we face today, such as rising cost of living and pessimism over our prospects to turn around our economy in the direction of growth and inclusive development.
“Yet, my brothers and sisters, we do not have the choice of continuing in the direction that brought us where we are today. We have to fix this country, and failure to do this is not an option. All the options we have are difficult and challenging, and they are, without a doubt, more telling on the poor. If there are easier and reliable alternatives to the policy choices we have adopted, we would have adopted them.
“Our administration does not plan to make the lives of Nigerians more difficult. Nor do we intend to deceive fellow citizens that the change in direction and the expected outcome can be achieved without pain or sacrifices.
“We are also acutely aware that ours is a set of related Nigerian problems, and the solutions we seek must be genuinely informed by a Nigerian context, not the experiences of others or the preferences of special foreign interests which are removed from consequences of mis-steps or errors of judgement.
“Fellow alumni, I appeal to you to help make space for our administration to achieve the goal of turning our nation around. As products of a distinguished institution, we have learnt that progress is only possible if it is informed by criticism and critical scrutiny.
“We expect that Nigerians should express their feelings over our circumstances in a responsible and mature manner. We are also a deeply religious people, and we believe in the powers of faith and prayers. Let us be reminded that Allah tests His servants with ease and hardship, and He asks that we pray to Him for relief from hardship, and discipline in times of abundance.
“I join you in praying that Allah will grant us the privilege of undertaking our Ramadan fast as prescribed by Him, and we shall receive the reward.”
Chairman of the occasion, Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali, represented by Deputy President of Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Wale Sonaike, said any economic reform must be well thought out and diligently implemented, adding that Nigeria must transform from a consumption nation to a production nation.
Earlier in his welcome address, UMA President, Prof. Khalid Adekoya, expressed hope that the hardship would recede and better times would come when policies being introduced begin to yield good fruits.
Prof. Adekoya said this will materialise only if all stakeholders (government and the governed) “play their part in line with global best practices in rejuvenating an ailing economy and, above all, if we imbibe the fear of Allah in the true sense of it.”
He added, “However, we are obligated to take some practical steps as a nation. We must invest extensively and pragmatically especially in manufacturing and Agro-Allied industries. Manufacturing will promote local production, boost employment and reduce our dependence on imported goods. Agriculture will eliminate hunger and reduce crime and criminality.
“Government should also make concerted efforts to achieve fiscal and monetary policy consolidation to tackle inflation; strengthen our public services to improve efficiency and reduce corruption; improve the business environment to attract investment; fight insurgency and banditry to improve security nationwide.”
News
Retirement: Ignore PSC’s Directive, Remain In Office, IGP Tells Officers

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed all police officers affected by the recent directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC) to disregard the order.
The PSC had directed officers who have served 35 years or reached 60 years of age to retire immediately.
A wireless message from the office of the Force Secretary, dated February 11, 2025, stated that the IGP “strongly directs all officers affected by the PSC’s directive to stay action, pending further instruction.” Officers were told to comply strictly with this order.
Last week, PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the commission’s order followed a review of its previous stance from the 24th plenary meeting in September 2017, allowing force entrants to use their enlistment date rather than their initial appointment date.
The commission cited inconsistencies with Public Service Rule No. 020908, which mandates retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age.
However, the PSC clarified that it does not have the constitutional authority to determine the appointment or retirement of IGP Egbetokun.
News
Be Consoled, God Who Gives, Also Takes, Fubara Tells Principal Secretary

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has extolled the sterling motherly virtues of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta, and urged the children not to deviate from those valuable lessons she had taught them.
Late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta (79 years) is the mother of Dr Ayebaesin Jacob Beredugo, the Principal Secretary to Governor Fubara.
The Rivers State Governor, who described Dr Beredugo as a brother, trusted ally and key stakeholder of his administration, urged him to be consoled in God and bear the loss with fortitude.
Governor Fubara gave the advise at the funeral service in honour of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta at the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Anglican Communion in Nembe City, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State yesterday.
The Rivers State Governor said: “We are here as a government to show that in this difficult time, we stand with him. We know that there is no consolation here that can fill the gap of this loss, more especially the loss of a mother.
“But, we want to draw his mind to the good Book: that it is the Lord that giveth, and it is also the Lord that taketh. And he takes for a reason.
“We live in a corrupt world, and when you are a saint in the world, when it pleases the Almighty and He believes that He doesn’t want you to be corrupted, He takes away the soul to a better place where death is no more, where you don’t have to look for food again, where you have peace.”
Governor Fubara expressed strong belief that given the way Mama had lived and the good virtues that had been read out and said about her, there is no doubt that she will be in a good side in heaven.
The Governor decried the current condition of the cathedral where the funeral service held and committed the support of the Rivers State Government to ensure the completion of the building in memory of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta
“We have been made to understand that the Cathedral needs strong support. We are willing to support the completion of the Cathedral. We will support the building in memory of Mama with the sum of N50million”
Delivering the sermon on the topic; “Hope in the face of death”, Bishop of the Diocese of Western Izon, Rt. Rev. Victor Okporu, said those who are confidently expecting positive future must also believe in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and be prepared to spend eternity with Him.
Reading the biography of the late Madam Ayebadieye Edward-Igbeta, brother of the decreased, Mr Godwin Ekine, said his late sister was an embodiment of love, care, peaceful and kind-hearted, and touched lives through her generosity and compassion.
Friends and well-wishers from Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states, some of whom shared fun memories of the late matriarch, were later hosted to a funeral reception at King Koko’s Square in Nembe Town.
Also at the burial were the State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu; Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo; member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Boniface Emerengwa; and Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie.
Others are Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, Dr Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja; Chief Hanny Woko; Amaopusenibo Fubara Hart; Chief Theodore Georgewill; members of the State Executive Council; Special Advisers; top politicians, leaders and stakeholders in the State; among others.
News
Old Boys Plan Rehabilitation Of GSS, Okehi
The Chairman of the Old Boys Association of Government Secondary School (GSS), Okehi Etche, Rivers State, Prof. Sir, Umunna Offor, has stated that the association would soon visit their alma-mater and rehabilitate decayed infrastructure and facilities in the compound.
The chairman made this assertion while speaking with some newsmen after an extensive meeting of the Old Boys in Port Harcourt, recently.
Sir Offor stated that since they left the secondary school, some years ago, most of the facilities and infrastructure built by then Rivers State Government had decayed and worn out.
“ However, being responsible ambassadors and Old Boys of the college, we would not fold our arms and expect government to rebuild everything in the school compound, hence, we have decided to come together and graciously assist our alma mater’, he said.
“The meeting was basically for like-minds to gather to find a way to help the school, it is a thing of joy to see and receive old school friends and comrades who have gone far in life and have excelled in their respective chosen fields”.
Speaking in the same vein, Engr, Lasbrey Amadi; (FNSE), who is also an old boy and former member of the House of Representatives, said the association would be working in synergy with the administrators of the school to ensure that in no distant time; there would be a massive face-lift in the physical infrastructure in the school compound.
Veering into politics in Nigeria of today, Engr, Amadi, said that god-fatherism in politics had seriously killed the gains and beauty of democracy in Nigeria and quickly urged politicians to always play-down the issue of god-fatherism in politics and ensure good governance in the country.
In his comment, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Association, Mr Goodluck Nwaobilor, said the door of the association is still wide open for new members who finished from the school to join and work towards taking the association to higher level.
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