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.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state.
According to TheCable, Usman Ododo, Kogi governor, brought Bello to Abuja this morning and invited EFCC to come pick him up.
The EFCC had charged the former governor with alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of N80.2 billion.
The former governor’s detention was disclosed by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
“We have arrested him. Our chief security officer arrested him and he was brought in by 12:54pm. He is having a session with our investigators. We are holding him in our custody,” Oyewale told TheCable.
In September, Bello honoured the invitation of the anti-graft agency in Ododo’s company.
The former governor and Ododo were at the car park of the Abuja office of the EFCC, but the anti-graft agency did not arrest him.
The beginning
In April, the commission declared Bello wanted after several attempts to arrest him proved unsuccessful.
On August 20, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment.
Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, would later allege that Bello withdrew $720,000 from Kogi coffers to pay his child’s school fees in advance.
The anti-graft agency also filed a 19-count charge against Bello over alleged money laundering.
However, the arraignment was stalled due to the absence of the former governor.
In May, Abdulwahab Mohammed, counsel to Bello, told the court that the former governor’s whereabouts remain unknown and that he was nurturing some safety concerns.
On August 20, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment.
Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, had said the court’s ruling was a “vindication” of the EFCC’s stance that Bello must face trial.
Sources had told TheCable that Bello has been hiding in plain sight — holed up in the “protective custody” of the Kogi state government — since he was declared wanted by the EFCC.
FAME Foundation, a gender focused non-governmental organisation (NGO), has launched a tracker to report and document femicide cases in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, founder of the foundation, called for collective action to end femicide.
She said the tracker will provide reliable data on cases of femicide in Nigeria.
“Today, I am proud to announce the launch of our Femicide Tracker, an important tool that allows for the reporting and documentation of femicide cases,” she said.
“This tool will help ensure that no case goes unnoticed, no story is silenced, and that we, as a society, can work toward justice and accountability for victims and their families.
“By utilizing this tool, we aim to spotlight this pressing issue and mobilize action against the rising trend of femicide.”
She said the foundation’s activities for this year’s campaign will focus on amplifying awareness, empowering people, and engaging communities.
As a call to action for collective efforts against gender-based violence, Bello announced the launch of a social media campaign, #HereForHer.
“This campaign serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility we share to protect and empower women and girls,” she said.
“Let us remember, awareness is just the starting point. True change requires sustained and united efforts.
“It demands a commitment from governments to enforce laws that protect women, from civil society to create supportive environment, and from people to challenge harmful behaviours and attitudes.”
The United Kingdom, UK, has announced changes of its visa application centres in Nigeria.
The UK embassy made the announcement in a statement issued on Wednesday.
In a statement on its official X handle, the embassy said the UK is changing its visa supplier in Nigeria.
It however assured that applicants would be notified with further information via email.
“The supplier of our visa application centres in Nigeria is changing. During this transition customers may submit and collect their documents from different location.
“You will be contacted via email if this affects you.”
Applicants were advised to visit the UK official visa application website for more details.
The National Judicial Council, under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has constituted a committee to investigate multiple allegations against Osun State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Adepele Ojo and others.
In its 107th meeting on November 13 and 14, 2024, the NJC sanctioned five judicial officers for misconduct and recommended the formation of a committee to probe the various complaints against Justice Ojo.
At the heart of the allegations are claims that Justice Ojo has repeatedly failed to adhere to legal and ethical standards expected of her position.
A petition submitted to the NJC by the Concerned Citizens of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, further outlined the gravity of the allegations. The petition claims that Justice Ojo’s actions have violated both the spirit and the letter of the law. The group accuses her of gross abuse of office, breaches of professional ethics, and a blatant disregard for the rule of law, which they argue has led to a loss of public trust in the judiciary.
Earlier, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke took the decision to suspend Justice Ojo following a resolution by the State House of Assembly. The resolution cited serious allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, corruption, and failure to uphold the rule of law.
Additionally, Justice Ojo is accused of taking personal vengeance against judiciary staff, she dismissed several staff members who had shown courage in reporting her actions, creating a climate of fear and retaliation within the judiciary.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says the decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the commission.
In a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka said the action of the company is in contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, and Starlink’s Licence Conditions regarding tariffs.
The Commission commenced pre-enforcement action on the licensee on the 3rd of October, 2024.
The Federal Government has announced that it will commence implementation of the $750m World Bank-funded rural electricity project in November.
It said the project will provide over 17.5m Nigerians with new or improved access to electricity through distributed renewable energy solutions.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, disclosed this when he appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise daily programme on Thursday.
Recall that in December 2023, the World Bank announced the approval of Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up project, being financed by $750m International Development Association credit and would leverage over $1bn of private capital and significant parallel financing from development partners.
The financing from development partners includes $100m from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and $200m from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Other development partners collaborating on the programme include the United States Agency for International Development, the German Development Agency, SEforAll, and the African Development Bank.
But 10 months after its approval, the REA MD noted that the project would begin implementation next month without stating reasons for the delay.
He explained that three million anticipated beneficiaries would be connected through the isolated mini-grid, 1.5 million Nigerians through the inter-connected mini-grip, and 12 million would be electrified using a merged grid and solar stand-alone system.
Aliyu said, “There is a new project that we are starting next month called the Distributed Renewable Energy Scale-up project which is a $750 million financed by the World Bank.”
“The target of that project is to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians, and I must say that this is one of the most ambitious projects in the world based on my understanding from India that has moved many unelectrified people to have access to electricity.
“Three million of them through the isolated mini-grid, 1.5 million Nigerians through the interconnected mini grip, 12 million would be electrified using a merged grid and solar stand-alone system.”
Aliyu further said the project is estimated to last for five years and was built on successes recorded from similar projects in the past which cost $550 million and were funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
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