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All I Want is to Be President of Nigeria, Audacious Dele Momodu Declares at Triumphant Homecoming

Published

3 years ago

February 7, 2022

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The ancient community of Ihievbe, in Owan East Local Government of Edo State was on lockdown Sunday as presidential aspirant and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Aare Dele Momodu made a return to his hometown 49 years after the death of his father, Obo Momodu.

The tumultuous crowd that stepped out to receive the illustrious son, who had traversed through time and space, thick and thin to conquer his field of endeavour, was excited to just catch a glimpse of their own.

Accompanied by his beautiful wife, Mobolaji, and a host of entourage, Momodu made a stop over at the home of Senator Yisa Buraimah, who facilitated the homecoming, where he was reunited with his age mates, the Umalame Age Grade, as a prelude to his total acceptance back to the community and among his kindred.

Speaking on behalf of the age grade, while receiving Momodu into their fold,t chairman, Yesuf Tijani, announced that the worthy entrepreneur and accomplished journalist was well accepted, promising him all the privileges and rights of membership. He said the group was proud to have a man of his calibre as their member.

He was thereafter initiated and robed in the attire of the age grade to the admiration of all present.

In his remarks, the host, Senator Buraimah, who doubles as the Seriki Musulumi of the community, confirmed and described the homecoming of Momodu as a symbol of the prayers said for the sons and daughters of the community in the Diaspora to come home.

Responding, an emotional Momodu, who was practically overwhelmed by the show of love and massive reception giving to him by his people, thanked members of the community, and his age group members in particular, saying he had wished his father was alive to witness the joy of the day

“As you can see, I am not a lost child. See the way I returned home triumphant. I cried at this, and I know I will still cry. And again, I wished my father was alive to see this day,” he said.

The homecoming train thereafter moved to Momodu’s place of birth, Ugba village, where another unprecedented number of persons were waiting to catch a glimpse of the accomplished presidential hopeful.

Welcoming him, the village head, Mr. Rufus Aigbevbole noted that it was a rare privilege to have the person of Momodu’s status to come from the village. He informed that though it had been easy for Momodu to come home all these while, he was given a native name Ovbare by his grandfather, which means ‘coming home is worth it’, stressing that the name has been fulfilled by the actions of the day.

Expressing their profound gratitude at reuniting with their son, the villages showered gifts on Momodu including yams, plantains and livestock.

At the palace of the Paramount ruler of the community, where Momodu paid homage, he was honoured with a chieftaincy title as the haihai if the community.

In his speech, Momodu recounted his journey of 62 years, declaring that by the time the 50th anniversary of his father’s death is celebrated, he would have been the president, commander in chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.

“I don’t want to be a senator; I don’t want to be a minister – I’m not interested. All I want to be is the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

The homecoming was graced by notable citizens of the community and the rank and file of the PDP in the senatorial zone.

Momodu, who first declared his Intention to be president shortly after joining the PDP insisted that he remained the most qualified among those aspiring to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2023.

He noted that his presidential ambition is a function of the fact that though he had never been an elected official, he has a private individual interacted with the high and mighty of the world including presidents, opinion leaders and eminent personalities across the globe.

“I reached out to many without being a president. Now, I can actualise much more when I occupy the position,” he said.

Headline

Tinubu Presents N47.9trn 2025 Appropriation Bill to NASS

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Eric

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, presented the proposed 2025 federal budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The N47.9 trillion budget saw a whopping N3.5 trillion allocated to the education sector.

Other sectors that got higher allocations include defence and security – N4.91tn, infrastructure – N4.06tn and health – N2.4tn.

“It is with great pleasure that I lay before this distinguished joint session of the National Assembly, the 2025 Budget of the National Assembly of Nigeria titled, ‘The Restoration Budget’ security peace, building prosperity,” Tinubu said as he concluded his 30-minute presentation at 1:10pm.

This budget highlights the government’s focus on improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure, in line with its ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ aimed at boosting the economy and addressing key national priorities.

The live broadcast of the budget presentation today revealed the government’s plans for the next fiscal year. With a strong emphasis on human capital development, the president highlighted the budget’s commitment to improving the nation’s economic foundation.

Education sector receives major funding

A significant portion of the 2025 budget is dedicated to education, with N3.5 trillion allocated to the sector. President Tinubu stated that part of this funding would be directed toward infrastructure development, including support for Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the establishment of nine new higher educational institutions.

“We have made provision for N826.90 billion for infrastructural development in the education sector,” Tinubu said.

This allocation aims to improve educational facilities and support ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s educational system.

Focus on human capital development

During the presentation, the president emphasized the importance of investing in Nigeria’s human capital. “Human capital development, our people are our greatest resource. That is why we are breaking record investment in education, healthcare, our social services,” he remarked.

Tinubu also pointed to the N34 billion already disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to assist over 300,000 students.

The budget includes continued investments in healthcare and social services as part of the broader goal of enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians.

Strengthening the economy and national security

Tinubu highlighted that the 2025 budget is designed to build a robust economy while addressing critical sectors necessary for growth and security.

“This budget reflects the huge commitment to strengthening the foundation of a robust economy, while addressing the critical sectors essential for the growth and development we envision; and secure our nation,” he said.

The budget aims to tackle key challenges and foster long-term economic stability by prioritizing infrastructure and development in key sectors.

Healthcare and social services allocations

In addition to education, Tinubu focused on the allocation for healthcare and social services. The government plans to increase investments in healthcare infrastructure and services to ensure broader access to essential healthcare for Nigerians.

These investments are part of the administration’s strategy to improve overall living conditions and enhance public health across the country.

President Tinubu’s proposed 2025 budget is said to reflect the administration’s commitment to achieving its development objectives, with a focus on economic growth, human capital development, and infrastructure improvement.

As the National Assembly reviews the budget, the president reiterated his administration’s resolve to address the nation’s most pressing needs.

Source: Nairametrics

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Ghana’s President-elect Mahama Visits Tinubu in Abuja

Published

5 days ago

December 17, 2024

Eric

Ghana’s President-Elect, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at his residence, Presidential Villa, State House on Monday.

Mahama won 56 percent of the votes in this month’s presidential election, compared to the ruling party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who secured 41 percent.

The landslide comeback for former president Mahama ended eight years in power for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose last term was marked by Ghana’s worst economic turmoil in years, an IMF bailout and a debt default.

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I Stand by What I Said, Kemi Badenoch Replies VP Shettima

Published

2 weeks ago

December 12, 2024

Eric

The leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has lashed back at Vice President Kashim Shettima over the latter’s reaction to her comments about Nigeria.

Badenoch was born in the UK in 1980 to Nigerian Yoruba parents.

Badenoch, who attained age 16 in Nigeria before departing the country for the UK where she was elected Conservative Party’s leader, described Nigeria as a nation brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity.

However, Shettima, while speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, December 9, 2024, accused Badenoch of “denigrating her country of origin” with her remarks.

The vice-president listed influential people whose families had migrated to other countries, commending former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a “brilliant young man who never denigrated his nation of ancestry.”

Reacting on Wednesday, Badenoch lashed back at Shettima, saying she doesn’t do “PR for Nigeria”.

Her spokesperson, as the Tory leader, according to UK Express, said: “Kemi is not interested in doing Nigeria’s PR; she is the Leader of the Opposition in the UK.

“She tells the truth; she tells it like it is; she isn’t going to couch her words. She stands by what she said.”