News
Tinubu: My administration will tackle youth unemployment
President Bola Tinubu yesterday in Abuja assured traditional rulers in the country that his administration would run an open-door policy that would be ready to listen to the yearnings of Nigerians toward transforming the country’s rich potential to reality.
Speaking at an interactive session with the royal fathers under the aegis of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), the President apprised them of the decision of his government to improve security, create jobs and sustain the environment.
He also spoke on the removal of fuel subsidy as well as the forthcoming election of principal officers of the 10th National Assembly.
“We are all ears. We are ready to listen at any given time. I promise you an open-door policy and that is the way I will go.
“That open-door policy is for you to call me and send to me at any given time any concern that you might have.
“We may not have it right 100 per cent of the time but we must get it right 90 per cent of the time for this country,” he said.
Responding to issues raised by the traditional rulers on challenges facing the country, he reassured them, saying: “Worry not because the country is in good hands.” He added that his administration was very conscious of the expectations of Nigerians.
On the decision to remove fuel subsidy, for which various speakers at the meeting expressed support, the President appealed to the traditional leaders to persuade Nigerians to have faith that the pump price of fuel would eventually come down.
“I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing. You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not everyday is Christmas?
“The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have potential to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing,” he said.
While acknowledging concerns on the need for critical infrastructure in different parts of the country, Tinubu promised that his government would remove any roadblock on the way of the progress of Nigerians.
“The lamentations about the capital projects; where is the money going to come from if we don’t protect our resources and our boundaries? You cannot have development without capital projects,” he added.
On the leadership of the National Assembly, the President urged the royal fathers to counsel their subjects interested in elective positions on the need to manage their ambitions and create harmony within the legislative house.
He declared that he was ready to work with any elected representative from the National Assembly, stressing that the Nigeria project is of paramount importance to him.
Nigeria must survive. Nigeria must develop. Nigeria must make progress,” he said.
On security, the President reiterated his pledge to Nigerians that his administration would prioritise the sector until every Nigerian “goes to sleep with their two eyes closed.”
He emphasised that the unity and togetherness of the country could not be compromised, saying every region of the country would get what is due to it.
“We are going to tackle youth unemployment. It is only when we have the prosperity for the country that we can create jobs that will employ our youths.”
Condemning crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region by a “tiny percentage” of the population, Tinubu said it was counterproductive to the growth of the economy.
“We need to tame those involved in this sabotage and we will work as hard as possible to ensure that the diversity of this country is used for its prosperity, growth and stability.”
He told the traditional rulers that with the campaigns and elections over, he was primed for governance, saying his government has already signed a law that extends the retirement age of judicial officers from 65 to 70 years while also addressing pension reforms.
On electricity, the President said a constitutional amendment signed into law now allows the 36 states to generate electricity.
“That’s devolution of power and that should be our contribution to the developmental projects you are looking for and we will continue in ways that will help our people,” he noted.
Tinubu thanked members of NCTRN for their early visit and prayers for the success of his administration.
“Without your prayers and support, I cannot stand before you as President and I thank you for your support during the campaigns,” he said.
In separate remarks, the Chairman and Co-Chairman of NCTRN, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, pledged the support and loyalty of traditional rulers from the six geo-political zones to the President.
They also assured the President of their continued prayers towards achieving his Renewed Hope agenda.
“We are 100 per cent in support of your government and we believe, in the will of the Almighty Allah, you will move this country forward,” the Sultan said, while also congratulating him and Vice President Kashim Shettima on their election victory, peaceful transition and assumption of office.
“We will contribute our quota to the development of the country once you reach out to us,” the Sultan added.
The Ooni of Ife expressed delight that the country has remained united and focused despite the challenges.
Recounting that the President had said he deserves no pity from anyone because he asked for the job, the Ooni appealed to the President not to underestimate the power and reach of traditional rulers in complementing the programmes and visions of the new government.
The President and his Vice also listened to presentations from representatives from the six geo-political zones, including Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Ibn Umar Al Amin El-kanemi; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Amanayabo of Nembe, Edmund Daukoru; Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse and Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.
The General Officer Commanding, GOC, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. J H Abdusallam has vowed that the Nigerian Army will continue to conduct operations in Okuama community, Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, until its equipments and arms which were allegedly carted away by hoodlums are recovered.
“We will continue to conduct operations until our equipments and our arms that were carted away are recovered,” the GOC declared while addressing journalists on Tuesday.
He remembered with sadness how troops were brutally murdered in Okuama community in March 2024.
Abdusallam denied reports that the Army invaded the community on Monday.
“This is nigeria. I don’t understand when you say Nigerian Army invaded a place. When Nigeria Army go to operations in a place it is called operations. Why do you say it’s invasion?
“If we are conducting normal military operations in other places, it’s normal military operation not invasion. So it’s normal military operation that the military went to conduct in Okuama not invasion.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate assistance to victims of the devastating flood in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The flood, described as the worst in recent decades, has displaced thousands of residents and affected critical facilities such as the Post Office and Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed deep concern over the disaster, triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam, and extended his condolences to the government and people of Borno State, particularly families who have lost their livelihoods.
He called for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas and assured Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of federal support to address the humanitarian needs of the affected population.
As relevant authorities assess the damage, President Tinubu pledged to mobilize federal resources to support the state during this challenging time.
“President Bola Tinubu expresses deep concern about the flooding in parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
“The worst flood in recent decades has displaced thousands of residents and affected facilities such as the Post office and the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
“President Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the state, especially to the families that have lost their means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam.
“While relevant authorities are still assessing the damage wrought by the flood, the President calls for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas.
“President Tinubu assures Governor Babagana Umara Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.
“He orders the National Emergency Management Agency to assist the flood victims.
“The President remains committed to mobilising federal resources to support the state during this difficult time”, the statement said.
The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has empowered 95 Ebonyians drawn from the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
The beneficiaries spent over two months outside Ebonyi State at their training centre in Agbani, Enugu State, where they were trained in fishery, poultry, piggery farming and business management skills.
Governor Nwifuru while receiving the trainees at the State Executive Chamber yesterday, September 9, 2024, registered his utter delight at the fact that the trainees were persistent and focused – staying away from home for over two months to acquire vocational skills.
In a statement released by the Special Assistant to the Governor New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, the governor expressed satisfaction that the empowerment is channelled at beneficiaries who have been trained. As such, the funds will be judiciously and purposefully utilized.
Through an open application to the State Executive Council by the Honourable Commissioner for Human Capital Development – Hon. Mrs. Ann Aligwe, which was approved, the Governor pronounced the empowerment of 95 of the trainees with Three Million Naira (3,000,000.00) each, for them to set up farms and practice what they learnt.
According to the Commissioner, 100 persons were nominated, but some left the camp because of their unwillingness to spend over two months outside home. Others cited different reasons. The Governor reminded the 95 beneficiaries that they will be monitored to ensure proper use of the funds. The training is under the aegis of Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru Empowerment Programme (FONEP) – the pilot batch.
The Department of State Services (DSS) says its operatives did not unlawfully invade the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office in Abuja.
On Monday, SERAP said the DSS agents were “unlawfully occupying” its office in Abuja, adding that they had demanded to see its directors.
The group had asked President Bola Tinubu to direct the DSS to end the harassment, intimidation, and attack on the rights of Nigerians.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DSS said its operatives were lawfully detailed on routine investigation to the SERAP office in Abuja.
The secret police said they have been inundated with multiple enquiries on what transpired.
“This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent,” the statement reads.
“For the records, a team of two (2) unarmed Service operatives were lawfully detailed on routine investigation to SERAP office in Abuja, which has sadly been skewed and misinterpreted as unlawful, harassment and intimidation of SERAP officials.
“The Service further wishes to state that such official enquiries and liaison are traditional and does not in any way amount to illegality or raid.
“While it assures of in-depth investigation of these malicious contents, it sues for citizens’ participation in national security management.”
The DSS asked the public to disregard “false narratives”, restating its commitment to professionalism in discharging its core mandate with utmost dedication and integrity.
The Inspector General of Police, through legal officer S.O. Ayodele from the Federal Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, has filed a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretenses and theft against Nigerian businessman Ebi Otisaye Ogionwo.
In the charges presented before the Federal High Court in Lagos, Ayodele alleges that in 2022, Ogionwo fraudulently obtained $300,000 from Mr. Oluwatosin Adefila of Beltzemo Nigeria Limited. The funds were purportedly meant to finance an oil trading business, but this representation was false.
The charges against Ogionwo are in violation of Section 1 (1) (c) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.
The two count charge as filed before the court.
Count one:
That you, Ebi Otsaye Ogionwo “M” sometimes in 2022,in Lagos, within the Judicial Division of this Honorable Court, did by false pretence and with intent to defraud obtained the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars (S300,000:00) from one Mr. Oluwatosin Adefila of Boltzemo Nigeria Limited under the guise of using the said funds for financing Oil Trading Business, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offer contrary to Section 1(1)(c) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fec,raud and other Related Offences Act 2006, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Count two:
That you Ebi Otsaye Ogionwo “M” on the same date, time and place, and in the aforementioned Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, did steal the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) from one Mr.Oluwatosin Adefila of Belztzemo Nigeria Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383 and punishable under section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Act,Cap C 38,Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004.
Meanwhile, 14th of October, 2024 has been fixed for the arraignment of the defendant.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered that Taofeeq Osunmakinde, a traditional ruler in Osun, and four others be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged illegal gold mining.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who gave the order after the defendants were prosecuted by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), directed them to be remanded pending the perfection of their bail conditions
Oba Osunmakinde were arraigned alongside Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited.
The defendants, who were alleged to have committed the offence in Lege Community, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, were preferred with two counts.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Oba Osunmakinde is the Obawore of Ifetuntun in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun.
The AGF accused the five defendants of conspiring with others at large on Aug. 25 to engage in the illegal mining of gold at the Ogunlepo mining site in Lege community, Odigbo local government area of Ondo State.
The alleged offence is said to be contrary to Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable under Section 1(8) of the same Act.
The monarch and co-defendants were also alleged to have undertaken gold mining on Aug. 25 without lawful authority contrary to Section 1(8) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and punishable under the same Act.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Counsel to the AGF, Toluwalope Ojo, then asked for a trial date.
Although lawyer Ojo did not object to the bail of the accused persons, he, however, requested the court to compel them to deposit their international passports with the court.
Lawyer to the defendants, Vincent Ododo, who moved consolidated bail applications for his clients, prayed the judge to admit them to bail on various grounds.
Part of the grounds he cited was that the 1st defendant was a well-known traditional ruler and that the charges against them did not carry capital punishment while also assuring that the defendants would not fail to appear in court for trial.
Justice Nwite, in a short ruling, admitted them to bail in the sum of N20 million each with one surety in the like sum.
The judge ordered that the sureties must be resident in Abuja with ownership of landed property and must produce a three-year tax clearance certificate.
He also ordered that the defendants must deposit their international passports along with three copies of each of their recent passport photographs with the deputy chief registrar of the court.
The Judge ordered that they be taken to the correctional facility pending their bail perfection.
The matter was adjourned until Sept. 26 for trial.
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