This is the time for all of us to take objective decision. Pass vote of no confidence on Tinubu Administration now!
Nigeria politicians are among the worst world over. Like in Animal Farm , they consider the ordinary Nigerians as animals in their farm . They are so insensitive that they care less of the basic needs the ordinary people require to survive on daily basis. But , shamelessly,they accumulate wealth for their children generations ,moving around with retinue of personal assistance and security guards. The Nigeria constitution has legalized criminals in political power, they have immunity to steal as many billions of naira as they desire without accounting to the public . They are infact demigods!
Nigeria Politicians in Executive arm of government have pocketed two other arms in their pockets with enormous resources at their disposals. They have divided the oppositions and weaponized the masses with the instrument of poverty. A country where about 110 million youths are unemployed is heading towards slaughter house!
President Tinubu is not serious ! He has no plans to improve the standard of living for the poor Nigerians. If he has , there are many things to be done to redistribute the enormous resources in Nigeria. One of them is using National identification Numbers to induce consumption, savings and investment. This is what is done elsewhere . Politicians have excess money to steal because of ignorant of the Masses in animal farm. In Uk,Children are paid £102 monthly (N188k) just for being children. If you were working but stopped, Ireland pay €232 weekly as job seeker’s allowances. A month is €928 (N1.41m) for being jobless! That is the meaning of ‘distribution of common wealth’. These are countries that do not have what Nigeria has in terms of natural resources. What they mostly have is good leadership and people-oriented policies.
Meanwhile, in these difficult times, apart from wardrobe allowances and other luxuries, our senators receive N1.2m monthly as newspaper allowances. Is this not demonic corruption?
You will never understand how wicked Nigerian political class are, if you don’t travel abroad to normal countries with normal leaders.That is why Nigerians in diaspora are angrier than our compatriots back home. They have seen both sides of the world and they know that Nigeria is directly opposite of what happens in normal societies.
Sadly, those back home seem to have conditioned themselves to the uncommon hardship. They only complain online .
Only a massive revolution will reset Nigeria when Nigerians are ready to take back their country.
Following the total shutdown of economic activities across the country on Monday as a result of organised labour’s strategy, the federal government has invited the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to an emergency meeting at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The meeting, according to organised labour, was called to broker solutions to the issues that led to industrial action and eventually get the labour to end the strike.
The President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, and his Deputy, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, confirmed organised labour attendance at the meeting.
Osifo said, “We are heading there now.” When he was contacted, Okon, on his part, said, “We have been invited to an emergency meeting to address the issues bordering the strike. We are attending the meeting.”
Asked if the strike would likely be called off after the meeting, he said, “The end will justify the means.”
A senior member of NLC also confirmed the meeting. “The president and others are heading to the meeting. We hope that the outcome of the meeting will be positive.”
Meanwhile, the Tripartite Committee on the New Minimum Wage (TCNMW) has invited the leadership of the organisation to a meeting tomorrow, June 4, 2024.
In a later signed by Ekpo U. O. Nta, Esq. Member/Secretary, the invitation to NLC and TUC said, “I respectfully invite you to attend the 8th meeting of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage scheduled as follows: Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Venue: Nicon Luxury Hotel, Area 11, Abuja. Time: 10
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, has been announced to oversee the office of the Vice-Chancellor as Prof Charles Esimone’s tenure ends today.
Esimone became the Vice Chancellor of the University about this time five years ago.
Having served out his five-year tenure, it only became natural that his deputy should take over pending the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor in due course.
The announcement for Ikechebelu to take over was made at the special Senate meeting held at the University Auditorium today June 3rd, 2024.
Prof Ikechebelu, being the only Deputy Vice-Chancellor in the institution, was announced in accordance with the NUC’s circular to Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities recently.
The NUC circular dated May 28, 2024, titled “RE: END OF TENURE OF SOME VICE-CHANCELLORS OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES,” directs outgoing Vice-Chancellors to nominate a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, as recommended by their Senate, to temporarily oversee the office of the Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Esimone is scheduled to officially hand over to Prof Ikechebelu later today as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
Fielding questions from journalists, Ikechebelu promised that there would be a new dimension in administration of the institution.
He said there would be a defined pathway of excellence in steering the wheels of the institution in areas such as lighting up UNIZIK, addressing insecurity, digitalizing of the institution and Beautification of the institution.
He promised that efforts would be made to tackle the power challenge as a matter of necessity, adding that his administration would come up with a programme aimed at securing the institution while also promising that the digitalization of the institution will transit from the point of admission to graduation for the students of the institution right to the point of collection of transcripts.
He also affirmed that one attribute of a good institution is in its ambiance which will propel the beautification of the institution
Ikechebelu rose the through the ranks to become a professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in the University in 2008. His research has distinguished him as a renowned fertility expert and Gynaecological endoscopic surgeon par excellence with over 150 scholarly publications in reputable national and international journals. He is listed in the Scopus First 500 scholars in Nigeria in 2020 and among the first 10 academics in UNIZIK Awka in 2021 based on article citations and publications.
His outstanding achievements besides his numerous Awards and Recognitions include his sterling performance as Director of Academic Planning (2019-2021) and Dean of Medicine (2012-2014) of the University which earned him the accolade “Digital Dean” for his innovative digital transformation of the Faculty of Medicine and Academic planning unit of the University respectively.
He holds the membership of notable societies and associations including International College of Surgeons, World Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons, European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology, American Society of Reproductive Medicine. He is a Life Member of Society of Gynaecology & Obstetrics of Nigeria and West African College of Surgeons. He is also the pioneer president of Association of Gynaecological Endoscopy Surgeons (AGES), Nigeria.
He pioneered the establishment of Minimal Access Surgery (Laparoscopy) [2006] and provision of prevention of Mother-to-child transfusion of HIV (PMTCT) [2003] services in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. These are twin services that he has continued to lead and train manpower for the Hospital and Nigeria. He also pioneered the establishment of Assisted Reproductive Technology Services in Anambra State [2010] with the delivery of its first IVF conception (aka Baby Joseph) on 6th August, 2011. Today, he has delivered over 300 babies from this Technology at Life Fertility Centres of Life International Hospital Awka and Life Specialist Hospital Nnewi.
Prof. Ikechebelu with his Team has trained over 300 Doctors (including Gynaecologists, Surgeons, Anaesthesiologists and Medical Officers) and over 40 Peri-operative Nurses in the field of Minimal Access Surgery as the founder and Course Director of Life Institute for Endoscopy [since 2010]. He is also the initiator and promoter of Always Life Fountain initiative (ALFI) since 2012. Through this organization, he offers scholarships to school children, indigent University Students and support to widows. Currently has about 25 persons on ALFI Scholarships.
He is the Editor-in-chief of Journal of HIV and Human Reproduction, Deputy Editor-in-chief of Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences and Special assistant to the Editor of Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice.
He is the Chairman of Faculty of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of West African College of Surgeons (WACS) since 2019 and serve as the Chief Examiner to all its Primary, Membership and Fellowship examinations for doctors specialising in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
In pursuit of his dream to mentor the next generation, he has successfully supervised 5 MSc thesis and over 30 Fellowship dissertations for consultants. Five of his mentees have progressed to Professorial cadre in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Joseph Ikechebelu believes he could do all these through Jesus Christ. He surrendered his Life to Jesus after hearing the message of salvation (and got born again) on 23 January 1983 in his first year in the University and has enjoyed a loving relationship with our Lord. Many years down the lane, his trust in God remains unshakable. God is good if you serve Him in righteousness, in spirit and in truth. He has served the body of Christ in several capacities and he is currently a Trustee and Chairman of the National Administrative Board of Grace of God Mission International and Chairman of the Governing Board of Grace Theological Institute Onitsha.
Prof Ikechebelu is an astute administrator, an erudite professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, a Minimal Access Surgeon, a fertility expert, an accomplished entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a humble and silent achiever, a man of excellence, and above all a man after Gods own heart
See the black market Dollar to Naira exchange rate for 2nd June, below. You can swap your dollar for Naira at these rates.
Dollar to naira exchange rate today black market (Aboki dollar rate):
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players buy a dollar for N1480 and sell at N1500 on Sunday 2nd June 2024, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
In a bid to strengthen the democratic culture and hold public officers accountable,the Board and Management of Good Governance Ministry(GGM) has approved the appointment of Comrade Henry Ebubeogu as the group Spokesperson.
Comrade Henry is expected to communicate the organization’s messages, positions, and information to the public, media, stakeholders, and other parties with utmost clarity.
He will be working directly with Ambassador General to ensure that the vision of the Ministry is protected and ultimately achieved . The primary aim of Good Governance Ministry is to serve public interest at all time.
On behalf of the Board and Management of GGM , we congratulate Comrade Henry Ebubeogu for his appointment and wish him successful outing.
Ndubuisi Anaenugwu
Ambassador General
Good Governance Ministry (GGM)
The Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, was humiliated and ordered out of his Land Cruiser bulletproof SUV by soldiers over the killing of five military personnel at Obikabia junction military checkpoint in Aba, Abia State on Thursday.
Trouble began when unknown gunmen, who the army identified as members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), killed five soldiers at a military checkpoint at Obikabia junction on Thursday during the May 30 Biafra Day celebrations.
Following the incident, reinforced troops barricaded roads within major areas of Aba North Local Government and into some villages in Obingwa area.
While Abaribe was on his way to attend a funeral ceremony in Obingwa, he encountered a military barricade at Itu Ngwa village, and his vehicle was stopped. His police security detail, Joe, attempted to explain to the soldiers, but they insisted that Abaribe must alight from his vehicle.
He eventually got down from the bulletproof car and was delayed for some time before being allowed to proceed.
According to some of those he spoke with at the funeral, the APGA Senator said that after the soldiers humiliated him and later allowed him to go, he called Governor Alex Otti, and explained what had happened, requesting the governor to issue a statement to calm the tense situation.
But Otti, according to a source, told Abaribe that he would not issue any statement so as not to aggravate the situation.
According to another source, while Abaribe was on his way home after the funeral, he was stopped again by another group of soldiers who also ordered him out of his bulletproof SUV.
He came down and again introduced himself as a senator, but they insisted that he could only leave when they allowed him to. They kept him for some time before releasing him.
Abaribe later detoured to Umuahia instead of his village, Ohuru in Obingwa LGA from where he returned to Abuja with the first flight on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has vowed to respond fiercely to the killing of the soldiers and arrest the perpetrators.
A statement endorsed by Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, categorically stated that IPOB/ESN members were responsible for the killing.
“Troops of Operation Udo Ka deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjoining Aba metropolis in Abia State were attacked and sadly killed by terrorists of IPOB/ESN. The troops deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were mass attacked by the terrorists. The terrorists in three tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from built-up areas surrounding the checkpoint launched a surprise attack on the checkpoint.
“The attack sadly took the lives of five personnel of the armed forces. The armed forces mourn the death of these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing concerning the attack.
“Accordingly, it is absolutely imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops. The military will be fierce in its response. We will bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” the statement said.
It should be noted that Abaribe signed bail bond for the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who jumped bail before being re-arrested and is currently in custody.
IPOB had called for a sit-at-home on May 30 for Biafra Day Celebrations.
What Reps Said About Viral ‘Bill’ Seeking Reintroduction Of Regional Govt, Increase Tenure Of President
The House of Representatives has disowned a viral “bill” seeking the reintroduction of regional government among others in Nigeria.
The document which has gone viral on social media was tagged, ‘A Bill for an Act to Substitute the Annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria’, the document proposes that Nigeria should return to regional government structure that would be led by a prime minister and his/her cabinet.
The bill also allows for individual ethnic groups to aggregate or disaggregate as provinces, divisions and districts while being in control of their affairs, as well as increase the tenure of the president from four years to 6 renewable term.
Reacting to the document, the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, said there was no such bill before the lower legislative chamber.
“The Committees on Rules and Business and Constitution Review have confirmed that there is no such bill before them,” Rotimi announced.
Similarly, the chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, said that the said bill was not before the committee.
He said, “There are two routes to making presentations for constitutional amendments.
“One is by members proposing an amendment bill during the plenary. The second is by memoranda from individuals and groups to the Constitution Review Committee.
“Please, note that memoranda submitted should eventually come by way of bills sponsored by a member of the committee.
“On this specific memo (draft bill) under reference, I doubt if it has come before the Rules and Business Committee for listing. I speak as chairman of the committee”, he said.
1. I am grateful to the leadership of this university for the honour of delivering the 7 & 8th graduation of this great institution. I applaud the Vice Chancellor; the Board of Trustees, and the Faculty for the fine job you have been doing in continuing to raise the image of this institute and the quality of education in Nigeria.
2. It is an honour to speak on an occasion like this in an institution of higher learning named for one of the greatest Nigerians ever, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, first Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who held the office from 1979 to 1983. Dr Ekwueme, GCON, was a man of great learning who received degrees in disciplines as diverse as law, sociology, architecture, town planning, and history; he was at home with mathematics and Latin. He was also enormously cultured and principled. As the panel to probe him headed by Hon. Justice Sampson Uwaifo, then of the Supreme Court, found out, Dr Ekwueme left office with far fewer financial resources and assets than when he joined the government. A successful entrepreneur, Dr Ekwueme was the first person to build a standard hotel in the 1980s in Abakaliki, which was to become the capital of Ebonyi State in 1996. The hotel proved immensely useful, particularly in the early Ebonyi days.
3. Most people don’t seem to know that Dr Ekwueme played a pivotal role in my involvement in developing the Nigerian power sector. When the defunct National
Electric Power Authority (NEPA) wanted to construct a 330KV transmission line from the Shiroro Hydro Plant to Katamkpe in Abuja, it needed an emergency power supply for the two years the construction would last. Dr. Ekwueme went to then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, Ph.D, and convinced him to give a team of Nigerian engineers led by me the chance to build a 22Megawatt Emergency Power Plant in Abuja that would guarantee supply of 15MW. The plant was built in record time and commissioned by then-Vice President, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON 2001. The emergency plant was initially scheduled to run for two years, but it operated for 2 years 4 months. During this period, it supplied electricity to the corporate headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Secretariat, the entire Central Business District of Abuja, and State House because of the deteriorating power crisis in Nigeria.
5. The topic you asked me to speak on today, Opportunities and Challenges in the Nigerian Electric Power Sector, is socially relevant. Nigeria currently generates less than 5,00MW for a nation of over 200 million, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Even so, the transmission network often cannot transport the paltry amount of energy generated due to its fragility.The distribution network is also in a poor state.
6. In contrast, Egypt produces over 59,500 MW, and the level of power keeps on rising. South Africa’s 56,000 MW for its almost 60million people, less than a third of Nigeria’s, has long proved grossly inadequate; it has been experiencing load shedding. For Nigeria to become a middle-income economy, it has to generate and effectively transmit and distribute at least 100,000MW within the foreseeable future. This will mean tremendous employment and business opportunities for millions of people.
7. The Aba Integrated Power Project (Aba IPP) is made up of two NERC licensed companies: Geometric Power Aba Limited (GPAL) which has the 188MW power plant with a 27 kilometer 12inch gage gas pipeline and APLE Electric Limited (popularly known as Aba Power) which is the distribution part of the project. Following the commissioning of the Aba IPP at its headquarters at the Osisioma Industrial Layout in Aba on Monday, 26 February, 2024, by Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, interest in how the private sector can drive power development in Nigeria has grown appreciably. Nigerians now feel that constant, reliable, quality, and affordable electricity throughout Nigeria is doable, as in Mauritius, Egypt, Botswana, Algeria, and Morocco.
8. I would like to use this opportunity to publicly thank the government and people of this great nation for their solidarity with Geometric Power Limited, the owner of the Aba Integrated Power Project. Very few things in our recent national history have united our people as their support for the Aba Independent Power Project in the days leading to the commissioning and after the event. We truly appreciate the confidence in us and in the Nigerian possibility. The support is comparable to the nationalism and patriotism we see anytime any of the Nigerian national football teams play a foreign team. There is still hope for our dear nation, although the Aba Power Project, originally scheduled for completion within three years, was commissioned a whole 20 years later.
9. There are greater opportunities in the power sector than ever. The 2005 Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSRA) ended the Federal Government monopoly in the sector.
The 2023 Electric Power Amendment Act, which amends the 2005 EPSR Act, enables states to create their own electricity regulatory commissions. Some states have already set up their own commissions. However, here is a word of caution: the electricity business is very expensive and also highly technical. It costs between $1.3m and $1.5m to produce a megawatt from a gas-powered plant, which is the cheapest. This doesn’t include the cost of installing evacuation and distribution infrastructure for the generated power or the cost of O&M and staffing to operate the thermal plant 24 hours a day. The Geometric Power Group spent almost $800m to build the Aba IPP including new substations and powerlines to distribute power to nine of the 17 local government areas (LGAs) in Abia State which we serve, as well as the 27-kilometre natural gas pipeline from Owaza in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State to the Osisioma
10. Industrial Layout. This is the largest single investment in the Southeast. How much power does a state need? Some can make do with 100MW or less, but some require anywhere from 150 MW to 1000MW. How many states can afford the huge amount required? If the source of electricity is solar, coal, hydro, or wind, it will be far more expensive. How will the states source the funds? Who are likely to be the off-takers or end-users? Can they pay the commercial rates? Akwa Ibom and Rivers states have built their own power plants, but what is their experience? Obviously, not so flattering. Must state governments that build power plants manage them and the distribution network?
11. Since the Nigerian government has not been effective and efficient in managing businesses in the last few decades, it should concentrate on providing an enabling environment, including making the necessary laws, rules, and regulations as well as policies guiding electricity development.
12. All LGs and state governments in Nigeria plus the Federal Government collectively have a 40% in each of the distribution companies (DisCOs) privatized in 2013. They have not earned dividends from the investments since the privatization. They should divest completely from them. As has been stated many times, electricity is a value chain business. A chain is as strong as the weakest link. Contrary to perceived wisdom, the electricity value chain does not start from power generation but what is called fuel to power, that is, the sources of power like natural gas, hydro, coal, the solar, wind, nuclear, hydrogen, etc. The source must be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
13. I recently called for a state of emergency in the gas sector. I hereby reiterate the call for the emergency. All thermal power plants in the country which account for almost 80% of the country’s electricity are going through a very difficult period because of inadequate gas supply. This is a supreme irony. Nigeria has proven gas reserves of 206.53 trillion cubic feet of gas, with estimated recoverable gas put at 139.4TCF. This makes Nigeria a rich gas province with sprinkles of crude oil since the crude available is only 37.1 billion barrels. If the acute gas shortages are not addressed soon with the required sincerity of purpose by stakeholders, the country will face more severe power shortages.The Public Good, Not Private Agendas
14. One thing that has bedeviled the electric power sector is the lack of policy consistency. This lack has awful consequences. President Obasanjo established the NIPP to fast-track electricity development and devoted a fortune to it. However, on coming to power in 2007,
President Umaru Yar’Adua suspended it. By the time President Goodluck Jonathan assumed office in 2010 and brought it back to life subsequently, a lot of things had gone wrong. For instance, work was suspended for years on numerous generation, transmission, and distribution projects. The clearing of electricity goods at the seaports had been abandoned. The payment of contractors had been suspended. The demurrage incurred at the ports was not payable, so I had to work with President Jonathan, the Minister of Finance, and the Customs leadership to find a way out of the conundrum.
15. Here is another instance of policy inconsistency, or what Nigerians famously call policy somersault. Immediately I resigned as the Minister of Power on 28 August 2012, rumours began to fly around that I owned Manitoba Hydro Company of Canada. The government consequently announced the cancellation of Manitoba’s contract with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), though it later reversed itself. A team was nevertheless dispatched to Canada to bring evidence that I owned the firm, only to discover that Manitoba Hydro is a state-owned enterprise that belongs to the government of Manitoba State, known as the Province of Manitoba in Canada. The company was set up in 1961 when I was only five years old!
16. Yet another example of policy summersault is the key financing instrument which Dr. Okonjo Iweala and I developed to support power development in Nigeria without costing the Government a fortune. The development of the electric power sector has been stalled for years because of the suspension of Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) to support power purchase agreements (PPAs). It was this instrument that enabled the emergence of the 461MW Azura-Edo Power Plant in Edo State. With the partial risk guarantee (PRG), a private firm can have the comfort of building a power plant knowing that an institution like the World Bank is providing such instrument to shore-up the payment of the distribution companies. I understand the financial implications to the country if it fails to meet its obligations to the GenCo, however these concerns should be addressed in the terms and conditions of the legal contract/Agreement, rather than halt the progress of the electricity generation sector totally. As things are now, no private sector investor will be attracted to invest in the electricity sector in Nigeria despite the enormous potential the market has if there is no bankable guarantee instrument. The key driver to unlock the power sector for investors is availability of credible and creditworthy off takers. We need innovative solutions that would provide the requisite comfort for potential investors and financiers in Nigeria’s power sector.
17. A fourth example of policy inconsistency is that I was able to secure the approval of the Federal Executive Council to build a 765KV national Supergrid. It was meant to radically improve power transmission in the country. But the moment l left, the project was abandoned, as though it were my personal enterprise. The nation thus lost a golden opportunity to address its perennial transmission problem significantly. I am glad that the current Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, is reviving the Supergrid project.
18. Now, the last example of policy somersault. The Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP) was set up under my chairmanship by President Jonathan who also appointed me his Special Adviser on Power. Made up of a fine team of accomplished and dedicated Nigerians from both the private and public sectors, it operated in an agile manner, free of the bureaucracy and hierarchy of the civil service. It was an immense source of ideas and human resources when I became the Minister of Power in July 2011. The members share the credit of our achievements. Yet, it was scrapped after I left office for reasons I have yet to understand.
19. The cause of all this inconsistency was the absence of commitment to the public good. Personal agendas overrode public interest. Phenomena like this come with costs. Organizations that displayed a keen interest in the power reform sector, particularly the privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) assets developed cold feet. Jeff Immelt, then-global chairman of General Electric, the most capitalised company in the world then and the world’s biggest electricity manufacturing firm, flew directly from the United States to the Ministry of Power, his first visit to Nigeria, to see how GE could work with Nigeria to develop the power sector. Key government and corporate organizations in the United States, Germany and Brazil signed MoUs with Nigeria to develop the power sector. There were always teams of international media like The New York Times, Financial Times of London, The Economist, etc, in the Ministry of Power. But with the inconsistencies they saw in public policy, they failed to participate in the privatization of the power sector in 2013. All Nigerians are today the casualties.
Conclusion
20. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a chance to transform Nigeria for good. Our people do not ask for handouts. They like to work for their keep. But they can only work within the confines of the environment they live. These confines are defined by the infrastructure we provide to them. Can you imagine what our ingenious people will do if they suddenly have good roads, healthcare with a good drug industry, a good communication system, reliable, quality electricity, and reliable finance sources? Then the making of the African Tiger can commence. It is in the best interest of each of us to see that we play our role in providing this empowering environment.
21. Let us enable our very bright people to unleash their creative instincts so that tomorrow will be magnificent; so that we can join the small train of mighty emerging nations of the world; so that Africa can heroically have something to show for itself as the cradle of civilization. But more importantly, so that we live a higher quality life in our own society with our cultural values intact. So that generations unborn will look at our effort and be proud to have been our descendants: the descendants of visionary people who laid the foundation for leap-frogging our people into productive modernity.
22. Before I round up, a word of advice for the graduating students of this great Federal University. One of the key success enablers for a university graduate is your disposition for getting rewarded for your education and experience
23. You should understand that the reason why Obama became the President of America is because he sacrificed. After Harvard Law School where he was the first Black person to be editor of the famous Harvard Law Review, he had over 600 highly lucrative job offers. He turned them all down. Instead, he went to Chicago to work as a community organizer, earning perhaps 10 times less than what he would have earned from those jobs. But then, he became the President of America and none of his classmates stood a chance of comparing to him on the world stage. When he was done serving the public, he could have surpassed his classmates in income, if he so chose.
24. Finally, when our students graduate from universities, they normally look for jobs. Only very few think of creating employment for themselves and others. Entrepreneurship is a major enabler for economic expansion in the developed and emerging worlds. We have not been quite successful in Nigeria in stimulating young minds to engage themselves in self-motivated initiatives that can lead to the sustainment of their livelihood and potentially others. I believe that high-quality education, especially in any professional endeavor, can lead to entrepreneurship, be it in Accountancy, Medicine, Law, Engineering, the Arts, etc. In the field of technology, we all know the story of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, the Yahoo Founders: Jerry Yang and David Filo; as well as the Facebook creators, Mark Zuckerberg, Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin, and Chris Hughes. All became stupendously wealthy as young students or graduates like yourselves, determined to solve a problem and in so doing, create new ways of doing things in the world. They were courageous. They believed in themselves. I believe that many of you have similar characteristics but may not have come to an understanding that you can do the same. I challenge you to think about this.
25. One way to ensure that you are making the right contribution if you are lucky to find a job or to be part of the creation of the company is to always ask yourself; “What value do I bring to this enterprise? How does what I bring impact my organization, my society, and the humanity of people in my country or even Africa?” Do not ask, “How do I maximize my personal benefit from the value I bring to this enterprise?” Resist the temptation to be a hawk in a field full of chicks.
26. Like the fountain of spring water from a rock, go out there and be a fountain of great ideas and solutions where your rock is the pillar of integrity. Ask yourself how can I be part of doing something great that significantly and positively impacts my society? How can I balance living well and doing good deeds? How can I stand out among my peers so that those who follow me will say, “I want to be like him.”
27. Go out there and be a shining example of what Nigeria and Africa can give to the world. Become part of a movement that will drop Nigeria from the list of the most corrupt nations in the world. Be a game changer. Change your world as many young Africans are already doing. Become the reason why Nigeria will be an industrial economy. Give something of yourself to society without expecting much in return. Refuse to be mediocre. Become an asset rather than a liability.
28. Once more, I congratulate the graduating students on finding the fortitude to make it through your courses and emerge victorious.
I congratulate your parents, uncles, brothers, sisters, mentors, etc who supported you through the period you were soaking up knowledge here. Finally, I congratulate the faculty and staff on minting you into a self-directed weapon ready to strike the world market for positive good. Well done!
29. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let us think of Tomorrow that will be better than today. Let us not be discouraged by the inadequacies of our time. Let us rise to the challenge of experiment and creativity that today’s circumstances demand. I believe that we can do it if we set our minds to it.I thank you for listening
The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, a civil society organization composed of legal practitioners, has declared its intention to file a lawsuit at the Federal High Court to contest the recently enacted National Anthem Act, 2024.
The legislation, which was signed into law on Tuesday, reinstated the former national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee’, which the organization seeks to challenge through legal action
ALDRAP, in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Secretary, Tonye Jaja, announced its decision and argued that the law’s enactment did not comply with the necessary constitutional requirements, rendering it unconstitutional.
The statement read, “The lawsuit would be challenging the National Anthem Act, 2024, because of the following reasons:
“No public hearing was held before the said legislation was enacted as required under Section 60 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
“Members of the public were not invited to make their contributions, as was done when the other National Anthem was enacted in the year 1978.
“There was no letter of transmission of the said Bill from the President to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Assembly.
“The expenditures associated with the National Anthem Act, 2024 (which was done on 29th May 2024 and on other dates) are not captured in the Budget of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Act, 2024 (as can be attested to by the Accountant-General of the Federation) and therefore the said National Anthem Act, 2024, should be declared illegal.”
According to ALDRAP, the National Anthem Act, 2024, should be declared null and void due to its impracticality and potential to cause financial strain on citizens.
The group noted that the financial burden of implementing the new national anthem would include costs such as man-hours, updating official documents, and other related expenses.
The group argued that these costs would be too high for ordinary citizens to bear, especially without a corresponding increase in income
Stating the grounds for the lawsuit, the statement added, “Attorney-General of Bendel State vs. Attorney-General of the Federation (1981) is the major grounds of our application: any law that fails to comply with each stage of the legislative procedures of lawmaking as prescribed under the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, would be declared null and void and of no effect.”
The respondents in the case include the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and several other government officials.
Tinubu signed the National Anthem Act, 2024, into law on May 29, effectively reinstating the former national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee’, as the country’s official national anthem.
