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Speak Truth To Power, Prof Omotola Tells Journalists
Journalists have been tasked to speak truth to power and hold political office holders accountable to the citizenry to entrench genuine development in Nigeria.Journalists have been
tasked to speak truth to power and hold political office holders accountable to the citizenry to entrench genuine development in Nigeria.
Former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof Shola Omotola gave this charge to Press men during his paper presentation at a retreat held by the Senate Press Corps at Al – Vari. Hotel, Keffi , Nasarawa State, last Saturday.
In line with this, most of the public office holders who graced the event pledged to make available any information needed by journalists covering the National Assembly at any time as entrenched in the provisions of Freedom of Information Act .In line with this, most of the public office holders who graced the event pledged to make available any information needed by journalists covering the National Assembly at any time as entrenched in the provisions of Freedom of Information Act .
President of the Senate , Senator Godswill Akpabio , represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal were among dignitaries at the occasion.President of the Senate , Senator Godswill Akpabio , represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal were among dignitaries at the occasion.
Prof Omotola in his paper presentation on “Developmental Impact of the Executive on Nigeria’s Democracy, 1999-2024 “ , said successive elected governments at the federal level since May 1999, have by policy formulation and execution, tried to effect development across the sectors but failed in the area of poverty alleviation, let alone , eradication .Prof Omotola in his paper presentation on DevelopmentalImpactoftheExecutiveonNigeria’sDemocracy,1999-2024 , said successive elected governments at the federal level since May 1999, have by policy formulation and execution, tried to effect development across the sectors but failed in the area of poverty alleviation, let alone , eradication .
The failure to effectively tackle poverty among Nigerians by successive governments, according to him, has made development, as a vital component of democracy, to be substantially missing in Nigeria over the years .The failure to effectively tackle poverty among Nigerians by successive governments, according to him, has made development, as a vital component of democracy, to be substantially missing in Nigeria over the years .
The theme of the retreat, Democracy and Development: How far, So far, for Nigeria?”, is, therefore, very apt, timely and cogent. The theme of the retreat, Democracy and Development: How far, So far, for Nigeria?,is,therefore,veryapt,timelyandcogent.
“Democracy and development are inextricably interconnected and must flow together, the very reason why journalists in Nigeria , need to speak truth to power in making it so , in Nigeria .Democracyanddevelopmentareinextricablyinterconnectedandmustflowtogether,theveryreasonwhyjournalistsinNigeria,needtospeaktruthtopowerinmakingitso,inNigeria.
“ Development is basically about the people reaching an acceptable standard of living, having the basic things on which they need to live decently – housing, shelter, clothing, food -nutritionally balanced diet, potable water, clean environment.Developmentisbasicallyaboutthepeoplereachinganacceptablestandardofliving,havingthebasicthingsonwhichtheyneedtolivedecently-housing,shelter,clothing,food-nutritionallybalanceddiet,potablewater,cleanenvironment.
“ All hindrances to these in Nigeria from corruption to bad policies, need to be exposed from time to time by journalists who are the watchdogs of the society”, he said .AllhindrancestotheseinNigeriafromcorruptiontobadpolicies,needtobeexposedfromtimetotimebyjournalistswhoarethewatchdogsofthesociety, he said .
He also urged journalists to ensure credible reportage and shun being roped into biased reports or analysis coming through brown envelopes and gifts He also urged journalists to ensure credible reportage and shun being roped into biased reports or analysis coming through brown envelopes and gifts
He however added that for Nigeria to have sustained the practice of Democracy for more than 24 years and remaining as an entity , show that development would surely follow .He however added that for Nigeria to have sustained the practice of Democracy for more than 24 years and remaining as an entity , show that development would surely follow .
In his remarks at the retreat , the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio , representedby , Senator Yemi Adaramodu , said the Senate under his leadership , would not deny any journalist , access to information for ventilation to the larger society as provided for, by the FOI Act .In his remarks at the retreat , the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio , representedby , Senator Yemi Adaramodu , said the Senate under his leadership , would not deny any journalist , access to information for ventilation to the larger society as provided for, by the FOI Act .
Also the Clerk to the National Assembly , Sani Magaji Tambawal , represented by Secretary , Research and Information , Mr Ali Umar , said since Democracy provides a more favourable environment for development, management of the National Assembly , will continue to provide conducive working environment for journalists for very balanced and objective reportage .Also the Clerk to the National Assembly , Sani Magaji Tambawal , represented by Secretary , Research and Information , Mr Ali Umar , said since Democracy provides a more favourable environment for development, management of the National Assembly , will continue to provide conducive working environment for journalists for very balanced and objective reportage .
However the Chairman , Senate Committee on Public Accounts , Senator Ahmed Aliyu who represents the host state said for development to flow with Democracy in Nigeria , Nigerians need to move away from sentimental reasoning and conducts, by in actual fact , being brother’s keeper . However the Chairman , Senate Committee on Public Accounts , Senator Ahmed Aliyu who represents the host state said for development to flow with Democracy in Nigeria , Nigerians need to move away from sentimental reasoning and conducts, by in actual fact , being brother’s keeper .
By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
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.
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.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
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.
