President Bola Tinubu and former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), are currently engaged in a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This visit from Abubakar comes just 48 hours after former President Goodluck Jonathan was also at the Villa to provide updates on the situation in Mali to the President. It is noteworthy that Abubakar recently celebrated his 81st birthday.While the specific agenda of the meeting has not been made public, it appears that the former military leader, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), paid a courtesy visit. It is worth noting that a few months ago, Abubakar chaired the National Peace Committee, which facilitated the signing of a peace accord by all major candidates in the Presidential election held on February 25. The purpose of the accord was to reduce tensions during and after the elections.
Tag: Bola Tinubu
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Tinubu Engages with NANS Leadership, Supports Student Loan
President President Bola Tinubu pledges increased investment in education, aiming to provide quality learning opportunities for all Nigerian children, regardless of their background. During a meeting with the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) leadership at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the importance of education as a powerful weapon against poverty.
Tinubu expressed his belief that poverty should not hinder any child’s access to education and their potential for a brighter future. He stated, “No child, whether the son or daughter of a wood seller, ‘boli’ (plantain) seller, or yam seller, should be prevented from attaining the highest standard of education to eradicate poverty. By lifting one family out of poverty, we can carry the rest of the burden.”
In the meeting, the NANS delegation, led by National President Umar Barambu, urged Tinubu to revise the composition of the special committee overseeing the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund. They proposed the inclusion of student representatives and the removal of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from the Student Loan Board, emphasizing the need for student-centric decision-making.
Barambu highlighted that ASUU has its own microfinance bank, functioning independently without student representation on its board. He argued that it would be more appropriate for student-oriented organizations to have a greater presence on the board, as students are the primary stakeholders.
pledges increased investment in education, aiming to provide quality learning opportunities for all Nigerian children, regardless of their background. During a meeting with the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) leadership at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the importance of education as a powerful weapon against poverty.
Tinubu expressed his belief that poverty should not hinder any child’s access to education and their potential for a brighter future. He stated, “No child, whether the son or daughter of a wood seller, ‘boli’ (plantain) seller, or yam seller, should be prevented from attaining the highest standard of education to eradicate poverty. By lifting one family out of poverty, we can carry the rest of the burden.”
In the meeting, the NANS delegation, led by National President Umar Barambu, urged Tinubu to revise the composition of the special committee overseeing the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund. They proposed the inclusion of student representatives and the removal of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from the Student Loan Board, emphasizing the need for student-centric decision-making.
Barambu highlighted that ASUU has its own microfinance bank, functioning independently without student representation on its board. He argued that it would be more appropriate for student-oriented organizations to have a greater presence on the board, as students are the primary stakeholders.
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President Tinubu Hails MKO Abiola as Symbol of Democracy, Promises Relief from Subsidy Removal Effects
President Tinubu Hails MKO Abiola as Symbol of Democracy, Promises Relief from Subsidy Removal Effects
President Bola Tinubu paid tribute to Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, and recognized him as a symbol of democracy. Tinubu acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidies and assured them that their sacrifices would be rewarded. He pledged to make substantial investments in transportation infrastructure, education, power supply, healthcare, and other public utilities to enhance their quality of life.
Tinubu empathized with the pain experienced by Nigerians and emphasized that the temporary discomfort was necessary to rescue the country from impending collapse. He assured the nation that the decision to remove fuel subsidies was made in the interest of saving the country’s resources from the control of a few unpatriotic individuals.
In his inaugural Democracy Day address, Tinubu underscored the need for collective responsibility in tackling the rising costs associated with fuel subsidies. The subsequent increase in petrol pump prices nationwide was a consequence of this decision.
While addressing the aftermath of the move, Tinubu acknowledged the additional burden placed on the masses but assured them that their sacrifices would not be in vain. He pledged substantial investments in critical sectors to enhance the well-being of the people.
Tinubu also emphasized his commitment to upholding the rule of law, asserting that conflicting and illegal orders undermining Nigeria’s democracy would not be tolerated. He highlighted the recent harmonization of retirement ages for judicial officers as part of ongoing policy reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law and democratic institutions.
President Tinubu acknowledged the significance of the February and March elections in Nigeria’s democratic journey and described the legal contestations of the results as a testament to the beauty of democracy.
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Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu Makes TIME Magazine’s 2023 ‘100 Most Influential People’ Of 2023
President-elect Bola Tinubu has been named in TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023.
Others on the list included the King of the United Kingdom, King Charles III; US President Joe Biden; US Senator Mitch McConnell; Argentine footballer, Lionel Messi and Twitter CEO, Elon Musk, amongst others.
Some entertainers on the list included US actor, Michael B. Jordan; US singer, Beyonce; US actress, Angela Bassett, amongst others.
Tinubu’s profile as given by TIME magazine read, “Winning an election in Africa’s most populous country is no easy feat. But Nigeria’s newly elected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has had nearly two decades to prepare.
“Called Jagaban, or ‘leader of the warriors’, by his supporters, the now 71-year-old ran in a presidential election for the first time this March.
“His campaign slogan, ‘It’s my turn’, was a nod to his role as a longtime political power broker. Tinubu helped restore the country’s democracy in 1999 after fighting military rule and then served two consecutive terms as governor of Lagos.
“But Tinubu’s win with the ruling All Progressives Congress party came in a fraught election and by a slim margin over Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
“It was the first time Nigerian voters contended with a third-party candidate, and many discontented young Nigerians yearning for change pinned their hopes on Obi. Marred by allegations of intimidation and vote rigging, the outcome of the ballot is being challenged in court.
“Tinubu now faces a litany of crises in a fractured nation, including deep-rooted corruption, religious insurgencies, and shortages of cash, fuel, and power in a crumbling economy.
“But the President-elect seems aware of his inheritance: ‘[Nigeria] is one country and we must build it together,’ he said in his acceptance speech.”
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Of Bola Tinubu, presidential ambition, and Wolsey’s charge to Cromwell
By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
“When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of lI’ve”.- Martin Luther King Jnr.
Ambitions are good. Nothing is negative about ambitions, especially when they are done within the realms of decency and responsibility. What is negative about ambitions is when they are shot beyond every reasonable limit. This negative pursuit of ambitions informed Wolsey’s charge to Cromwell thus “Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition. By that sin fell the angels; how can man then, The image of his Maker, hope to win by it? Love thyself last, cherish those hearts that hate thee; Corruption wins not more than honesty .Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, To silence envious tongues. Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country’s, Thy God’s, and truth’s. Then if thou fall’st, o Cromwell,
Thou fall’st a blessed martyr. Had I but served my God, with half the zeal I served my King, he would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies”.
Cardinal Wolsey, it would be recalled , was adviser to King Henry the Eighth of England, but he was an overly and unscrupulous element.As overambitious elements are not content with their states, Wolsey was not content with the level of wealth he amassed and besides, he had the ears of the King.
Overambitious elements are noted for always going into unholy alliances to satisfy their selfish ambitions, Wolsey connived secretly for an alliance with France, and urges the king to divorce Katharine of Aragon, who has been his wife for twenty years. Wolsey hopes the king will then marry a French princess to cement the alliance. But the king falls in love with Anne Bullen, a Protestant. Alarmed at this turn, Wolsey requests the Pope to delay the divorce. A copy of this letter and an accounting of Wolsey’s wealth, enough to make a king jealous, fall into Henry’s hands. Confronted with the king’s wrath, these evidences of his double-dealing, and the loss of his offices, Wolsey meditates upon the precarious nature of ambition, and then speaks a touching farewell to his servant Cromwell.
Overambitious elements, like the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would not stop at anything in achieving their ambitions. This can manifest in the form of renting unscrupulous cleric elements to add legitimacy and credibility to their inordinate political pursuits. Here, Proverbs 6:16-19 comes into use”There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers”. Also, like Proverbs 6:14 posits” Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, who continually spread discord”.
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2023: I Am Ready To Get Dirty To Become Nigerian President – Bola Tinubu
National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu has declared that he is ready to get dirty in the struggle to emerge next Nigerian President.
The 2023 presidential aspirant on the platform of APC, stated this on Sunday during a consultation with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Olubadan-designate, Oba Lekan Balogun, seeking their various blessings.
The Asiwaju vowed that no other contender would intimidate him out of the race, stressing that he is out to be President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor come 2023.
His words: “No amount of intimidation can stop me. I am ready to get dirty. I am out to become President of Nigeria. We are at a crossroads.”
Earlier, the former Lagos State Governor told the Alaafin that it was important for him to seek blessings from the traditional institution before embarking on the journey properly.
He said: “I cannot embark on a project of such magnitude without seeking for prayers and cooperation of the traditional rulers.
“I am here to inform our fathers of my decision to run for the position of the President of this country in 2023. What I need from our highly revered traditional rulers are their prayers and cooperation.”
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2023: Southwest politicians launch 2023 presidential campaign for Tinubu
Some politicians of the Southwest states have launched the ‘Bola Tinubu for President’ campaign for the 2023 election.
They include former senators and House of Representative members.
They started the campaign with visits to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 last Monday. They conveyed their agenda to the leading monarchs.
Chaired by former Senator Dayo Adeyeye from Ekiti State, the group christened Southwest Agenda (SWAGA), said members came together to actualise the agenda for the Southwest to produce the next president in 2023. Other members of the group include Senator Adesoji Akanbi (Vice Chairman), Bosun Oladele (Secretary), Rotimi Makinde, Otunba Abayomi Ogunnusi. Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, Oyetunde Ojo, Deji Jakande and Ifedayo Abegunde (aka Abena).
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Tinubu is the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He championed the formation of the party and the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate in 2014.
Adeyeye told the two monarchs that SWAGA was aimed at ensuring that an electable political leader from the Southwest is supported to succeed Buhari in 2023. He pointed out that Tinubu possesses all the qualities and experience needed to lead Nigeria as the next president. Besides, Adeyeye revealed that there was an agreement among APC leaders during the 2015 election that presidential power will rotate to the South after Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
His words: “We are here for politics. Politics has started. We Yoruba believe that it is our right to produce the next president. It has been an agreement that presidential power will rotate from the North to the South. May God preserve President Buhari. After his tenure, power will shift to the South. Yoruba will be part of the contest. We want the best candidate to emerge as the presidential candidate. As the media adviser to Abiola, I know what Yoruba want. Except a thorough-bred Yoruba person becomes president, we can’t get it. We saw that we have a very capable hand in Asiwaju Tinubu. He is so capable. I’ve tried a bit in Nigerian politics. No one has a bigger political stature than Tinubu in Nigeria today. He has not told us he would contest. We as true Yoruba sons and daughters just decided to embark on this to ensure that we push forward a good candidate. He is sellable all over Nigeria.
“We are having our inaugural meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) in Ibadan. Ibadan is the political headquarters of Yoruba. All Yorubas are represented in Ibadan. Hence, we chose Ibadan. As Yoruba children, we have come to seek your blessings for the meeting and the agenda.”
He said they will continue to consult elders and traditional rulers in the land. Responding, Oba Adetunji commended members of the group for taking the bold step to advance the interest of Yoruba. He said it is not out of place for people to press for their rights in Nigeria.
The monarch said Yoruba played key roles in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence and development, stressing that they deserve top roles in government, particularly those eminently qualified citizens of Yoruba extraction.
As a traditional ruler, Adetunji said his door is open to all political parties. He assured them of open arms, stressing that they were free to visit him at any time. He blessed their agenda thereafter.
At Alaafin’s palace, Adeyeye told Oba Adeyemi that all regions want the presidential slot but having had an agreement, written or unwritten, there should be no alteration.
He said: “We have a joker that others don’t have. That is Asiwaju. He has no peer in Nigeria today. That’s why we are confident that Yoruba will produce the next president. Tinubu is not only qualified, he offered good governance in Lagos. Prior to that, he was an active member of NADECO. After Abiola, the next eminently qualified candidate we have is Tinubu.”
Expressing belief in the group’s mission, Oba Adeyemi recalled the leading roles which Yoruba people have been playing in Nigeria’s development. He said it was right for Yoruba to aspire to be president, adding that it is a noble cause for all Yoruba to consider.
The monarch said for Nigeria to progress, the country must practise true federalism. He said: “We must have true federalism. If we don’t run true federalism, it will be difficult to move forward. Yoruba has been at the forefront of exploits and development efforts of Nigeria but there has been no sincerity in Nigerian politics.
“We need a leader who understands Nigeria very well and able to offer purposeful leadership.
I think your agenda is well thought out. I believe in your mission. In this journey, don’t entertain any fear no matter the situation. You will attain your goal.”
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No one deserves to be killed this way – Tinubu reacts to Nasarawa APC chairman’s death
The national leader of the All Progressive Party (APC), Bola Tinubu has reacted to the death of the Nasarawa State APC Chairman, Philip Shekwo.
Tinubu while commiserating with the Nasarawa State government in a tweet on Tuesday, December 8, expressed disappointment in the gruesome murder of Shekwo.
He wrote, ”I commiserate with Governor Abdullahi and the government of Nasarawa State.
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”I hope and pray that security agents will get to the bottom of this horrid killing and bring the perpetrators to book.
”Shekwo’s killing was a callous, wicked and dastardly act. He did not deserve to die the way he did. Indeed, no one deserves to be so killed in such a gruesome manner.
”I pray that Almighty Allah comfort them all. In particular, I pray that Allah stand by the wife and children, and indeed by all those left behind by the deceased.
”May the soul of Mr. Shekwo rest in the bosom of the Lord.”
Recall that police officers have arrested the killer of of the Nasarawa State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Philip Shekwo.
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Senate President felicitates with Tinubu at 68
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has felicitated with the National Leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, who turns 68 on March 29.
Lawan in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi on Saturday, said Tinubu, a former Senator and governor of Lagos state, was an inspirational political leader, champion of national unity and development.
“All through his political life, Asiwaju Tinubu has doggedly groomed leaders, set development templates and built bridges for national integration and cohesion, all of which he sees as necessary tools for robust development and great nationhood.
“Tinubu’s concept of leadership enables him to motivate associates and inspire in them confidence and loyalty.
“His imprints are indelible on politics and governance at the sub-national and national levels in Nigeria,” Lawan said.
The Senate President rejoiced with Tinubu, his family, friends and political associates on the auspicious occasion.
He prayed that the Almighty Allah grants him many more years of service to humanity and his beloved Nigeria. (NAN)