The recent startling revelations of misappropriation of funds and extra budgetary spending of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, calls for concern and it has shown that People of the Niger Delta Region are their own enemies, and not really the system of Government in Nigeria. This also applies to Nigeria as a whole.
The former Minister of Petroleum Resources, who is having a running battle with the EFCC presently, Mrs Diezzani Madueke, also hail from the same Region, apart from notable others.
The major problem over decades with the Niger Delta Zone and Nigeria at large is bad leadership and not really, the system of Government.
This explains why the Present Federal Government of Nigeria is passing through the sleepless nights to make sure it sanitises the dubious system it inherited regarding the corrupt individuals and Institutions reasonably before the next general election coming up 2023.
We say kudos to the Federal Government on this noble cause and will like to draw the Public attention to the fact that Yoruba should be genuinely allowed by other tribes to take a short at 2023 Presidency based on equity, fairness, and in recognition of the bloc votes given by the Region to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, during the 2015 and 2019 general elections in the Country.
We do appreciate the increasing voice in support of this School of Thought from the key individual in the Northern and Southern Parts of the Country.
We salute former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, for standing with the truth that power must shift to the South in 2023, after the Northern President have spent Two terms.
While we are thinking on how our 1993 electoral experience dragged the Nation back, we must also not fail to be remembering 2023 election and guiding against a repeat of such terrible democratic outing occasioned by lack of vision by the military Juntas led by former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.
We applaud the timely approval of N50b revival fund for Textile Industry by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval of N75billion for the establishment of Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), which will operate as a youth Bank and create a financial support base for innovative youths aged 18 to 35.
We condemn in strong term the move by the Oyo State Government to raise N100billion bond to finance some opaque projects including that of the Federal Government, at a period when the latter had concluded not to refund any money spent on the Federal Government Projects by the State Governments henceforth.
It is on record that Governor Seyi Makinde lampooned the Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s administration for borrowing N150billion in 8 years but only for him to get to office and borrow billions in 12 months contrary to his campaign promise of ensuring financial independence of Oyo State via IGR within 6 months in power.
Against the popular complaint and public opinion, Governor Seyi Makinde is hell bent on going ahead with these unpopular moves that could precipitate Oyo State into financial insolvency, only for the reason known to him.
We congratulate our latest Nonagenarian, International Leader in the Civil Societies, who stood solidly behind the June 12 election actualisation struggles, as US Ambassador to Nigeria (1993-1997).
We thank God today, that your labour for democracy in Nigeria is not in vain after all for Two good reasons.
Your marriage to one of our most beautiful Women from Edo State, Arese Carrington, is blessed with good Children.
Nigeria successfully returned to democracy in May 29, 1999, the date was termed democracy day since then, but the voice of the People was later recognised by the President and June 12 became Nigeria’s Democracy Day since June 12, 2018. “Voix dei, voix populi “.
We felicitate with His Excellency, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State (1979-1983), on his 91st Birthday anniversary.
After over 40 years of your administration, your legacy still speaks volume about your passion for the poor masses while you were in Government.
We congratulate former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Turakin Keffi; Senator Akin Odunsi of Ogun State; former Chief Judge of Lagos State and now Chairperson, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Ayotunde Phillips; Senator Gbenga Ashafa of Lagos State and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, as they turned 74, 75, 71, 65 and 64 respectively.
We say many Happy Returns to our dear Brother and friend, HRM Oba Abdul – Wasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, as he becomes Golden Kabiyesi @ 50.
We commend US based Nigerian Officer, Lt Victor Agunbiade, who was honoured by The United States Navy for effectively managing its largest cash handling $45m (N17billion) in cash transaction. This accounted for about 70% of its overseas disbursing volume. He earned the honour while serving as cash Disbursing Officer at the Navy’s Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, between October, 2019and July, 2020.
Additionally, he managed 100% accountability of 23 million dollars (N8.7billion) across six rigorous inspections and independent audits with zero discrepancies
We commiserate with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, the Ilorin Emirate and the entire good people of Kwara State over the demise of father of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdul-Razaq, SAN, (OFR), Mutawali of Ilorin, Tafida of Zazzau (Zaria), Chairman Nigerian Body of Benchers, First Northern Nigeria Lawyer, who passed on at a ripe age of 93.
We equally mourn our dear Sister, Late Popular Presenter of the TVC Communications, Mrs Emmanuella Pobeni Adepoju (Iya Jogbo).
They had left indelible ink in the sand of time.
We pray Almighty God rest their souls.
Comrade Awa Bamiji
National Coordinator
Coalition for A Better Nigeria