News

Tinubu Does Not See Any Need for Protest, Says Info Minister, Idris Mohammed

Published

3 months ago

July 24, 2024

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has said that he does not see any need for a planned protest, scheduled to hold between August 1 and 10, 2024 across the federation while urging the youths to exercise patience as he is already addressing the issues raised, assuring that government will promptly react to all their grievances.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the revelation while briefing newsmen after a routine meeting with the president at the State House, Abuja.

He said: “Mr President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people that are trying to protest.

“Mr President listens to them; he takes what they say seriously and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good not just for today but also for the future.

“On the issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that; he asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await government’s response to all their pleas; he has listened to them like I said.”

The minister further disclosed that intervention measures had been taken by the Bola Tinubu administration including the new minimum wage of N70,000 already passed by the National Assembly, trucks of rice already dispatched to all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as the Student Loans Fund launched recently by the president.

His words: “A lot is happening, only today, the National Assembly has expeditiously passed the bill on national minimum wage; you can see how the president is working. It was transmitted only yesterday, today, it has been passed.

“A lot of other interventions that the president has also put in place are also going to be looked at expeditiously in the interest of Nigerians. So there is no need for strike. The young people out there should listen to the president and allow the president more time to see to the realization of all the goodies he has for them.

“Highlights of other policies to cushion the effect of hardship Nigerians are feeling are in town. For example, you saw that the Federal Government approved grains and rice for state governments, it was delivered to them expeditiously.

“Also, the Federal Government, like I said that time it is just the necessary first step. Government is going to continue in that direction, supporting them and assuring them that whatever intervention the Federal Government has put in place go to those that should benefit, it is very important that is being put out.

“The Federal Government is looking at strategies that every intervention would go directly to those who benefit from those interventions, not middle men intervening along the way.

“You heard about the Student Loans Board launched by Mr President. Mr President is very passionate about the fact that everyone will have the opportunity to go to school. It is no longer a time for all of us to stay back and see our able bodied young men and women that have passed the examinations to go to tertiary institutions that have not been able to do that because their parents are not able to pay for their fees. This is now a thing of the past, government is very very desirous to ensure that happens.

“You know the provision that was made to the NELFUND already; we have in excess what is required today and the more that people are requiring that the more the president will also give.”

Idris also disclosed that government will soon come up with a scheme that will accommodate all unemployed graduates nationwide, while stressing the fact that President Tinubu was committed to running an inclusive government.

According to him, “There is also the intervention the president is making for young men and women who have finished school and who are yet to get employed post NYSC. For example, there is a scheme the government is perfecting now and that will be pushed very fast so that all those young men and women who have finished school, graduates of universities and polytechnics that are not able to get jobs, they will continue to be supported by the government until such a time that those jobs are offered to them.

“The whole idea is that no one is left behind. It is an all inclusive government and the president is determined to ensure that no one is left behind in this attempt to march Nigeria towards progress.”

News

Akpabio, Akume, Ministers Assume Presidential Roles As Tinubu, Shettima Remain Abroad, Says Presidency

Published

8 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Eric

The Presidency has named Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume and the ministers as those in charge of the country’s leadership in the absence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Both Tinubu and Shettima are currently abroad while the presidency insists that there is no leadership vacuum in the country.

There have been enquiries across the country regarding who is in charge of Nigeria in the absence of the president and his deputy.

The Presidency, through a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, recalled a similar situation during the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement said: “It is important to note that the President and Vice President are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country.”

Tinubu jetted out of the country on October 3 to commence a two-week working vacation in the United Kingdom (UK), while the vice president departed on Wednesday for Sweden, on an official trip.

“All State organs are functioning as usual. The Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ministers, and service chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government,” Onanuga’s statement clarified.

“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth II.

“We have also experienced it during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi, to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit.

“After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.

“The Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfill his duties.”

News

Glo-Sponsored 2024 Ofala Festival Begins in Onitsha, Showcases Nigerian Culture

Published

8 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Eric

The annual Ofala Festival which celebrates the best of African culture and sponsored by digital solutions provider, Globacom, kicks –off in the historic city of Onitsha on Friday at the Ime Obi, the palace of Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the traditional ruler of the Kingdom.

In a press statement in Lagos, Globacom said, “the festival’s first day, known as Iru Ofala, takes place on Friday, followed by Azu Ofala, on Saturday, October 19, while the annual Royal Banquet organised by Globacom in honour of Igwe Achebe comes up at the Ime Obi on Wednesday, October 23.”

This prominent traditional festival in Southeastern Nigeria marks the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, where he successfully negotiates the kingdom’s fortunes.

The theme of the 2024 Ofala festival, “Courage, Perseverance, and Self-Reliance” (Onye kwe, Chi’e ekwe), reflects the Igwe’s message of hope and resilience amidst prevailing hardships in the country.

“We are proud to once again partner with the Ofala Steering Committee to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. The Ofala is a celebration of our nation’s diversity and resilience, and we are honoured to be a part of it”, Globacom concluded.

News

National Grid Collapses Again, Second Time in 24 Hours

Published

2 days ago

October 15, 2024

Eric

The national electricity grid collapsed again on Tuesday, the second time within 24 hours, plunging millions of people into darkness.

The latest incident comes barely 24 hours after electricity distribution companies across the country announced the grid collapsed around 6:48 p.m, resulting in the loss of power supply across their networks.

“Dear valued customer, kindly be informed that there was a system collapse at 09:17hrs which has resulted to a loss of power supply across our network,” Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) which serves some parts of Lagos State said on its X handle.

“We are currently working with our partners as we hope for a speedy restoration of the grid. We will keep you updated as soon as power is restored. Kindly bear with us.”

Similarly, the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the fresh collapse and promised the restoration of normalcy as soon as possible.