NEWS
Hardship: Be patient, Tinubu ‘ll transform Nigeria, Omo-Agege Urges Nigerians
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Former Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege has appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu noting that when he succeeds, all would succeed.The former lawmaker who represented the Delta Central Senatorial District in the Ninth Assembly made the appeal during the weekend at a homecoming reception organised in his honour in Ughelli, Delta.
Omo-Agege who was also the All Progressive Congress (APC)Guber candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Delta said that President Tinubu had done very well. ”I want to appeal to some of you, please be patient. I am confident that the president remembers everybody. One thing is clear, the president has not disappointed us.”President Tinubu is a president for everybody. We went about championing and fighting for his emergence because we knew his track record as former governor of Lagos State.”We made the case that what he did in Lagos State, he should replicate it across the country.”When he started as President, we saw the turbulence, the economic downturn, the Dollar spiralling out of control but Asiwaju we know has stepped forward and things are taking shape gradually.”This is just the beginning, he is our own. I am sure he will succeed and when he succeeds all of us have succeeded.So let us continue to pray for our President. When it is good for him, it is also good for us. So let’s continue to pray and support him”.“He has a mandate, some say it’s four years but we believe that it is a mandate of eight years. We know that in eight years, he is going to turn everything around for the better in the country,” he said.Omo-Agege recalled that the APC supporters in Delta gave President Tinubu their full support during the 2023 Presidential election.”We gave the President all our best in Delta. Championed his renewed hope agenda to every nook and crannies in the state. We should be patient, he will remember everybody,” he said.The former senator recalled five persons that lost their lives during the last day of the APC governorship campaign in the creeks of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.”I will forever remember the five die-hard APC members that lost their lives in the creeks of Gbaramatu kingdom. They wanted the best for our state.”Our people voted en masse but the Supreme Court rule said otherwise. We respect the Court. But the Bible says in everything, we should give thanks.”I thank you all for what you have done. I pledged to serve you and you voted for me, if I do not appreciate it, then I am an ingrate,” he said.Omo-Agege noted that APC may have lost the 2023 governorship election in Delta and urged the supporters to be patient as the party would get the state back in the 2027 election.He also urged the APC loyalists in the state to work with the party at the local, state and national levels.Also speaking, Sen. Ede Dafinone, the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District said that Omo-Agege fought the most organised, structured and successful campaign in the history of Delta.Dafinone who was the chairman of the ceremony, said he was a member of the opposition party about 15 years ago adding that, now, he was pleased to be a member of the APC.”As a member of the opposition party some 15 years ago, I have to say that our leader fought the most organised, structured and successful campaign in the state to remove the PDP from office.”I have to say that today, I am not just proud but honoured to be here, to be the chairman of this event to celebrate our former Deputy President of the Senate and to welcome him home.”He has done us proud as a legislator and a leader. I believe that alone is worth celebrating. Two years ago, he threw himself into the ring to contest for the position of governorship of the Delta State under our great party.”Many of us still believed strongly that the APC won the 2023 Delta governorship election.As law abiding Nigerians, we have listened to the verdict of the Supreme Court and stand by the verdict.””This is our way of saying welcome home, you have done us proud.You may not have been victorious, but you know and we know that Delta was behind you,” he said.On his part, Mr Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of APC said that Omo-Agege was a man of great accomplishments.”Omo-Agege embraced the call to service. He put down some projects that continue to impact on the lives of the people of Delta,” he said.Others who spoke included, Mr Friday Osanebi, the APC running mate to senator Omo-Agege, Mr Francis Abigor, APC deputy chairman in Delta and among others.Highlights of the event was the presentation of gifts to Omo-Agege.In attendance were APC faithfuls across the 25 local government areas in Delta.
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to fix the internal crisis in the party as the PDP is capable of fixing the country.Makinde, who spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the Board of Governors and Unveiling of Roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), said that as the nation approaches 2027 for another general election, it was clear that the PDP has the capacity to provide direction for Nigerians.
The Oyo State Governor, who was the special guest at the occasion, asked rhetorically, “What would you want to be remembered for? This is a question every politician who has had to serve at any capacity in our great nation should ask themselves. Because players would come and go.”The situation is so dynamic, but you have to be remembered for something.”From 2019, I’ve been benefitting from PDP. So, I want to say thank you to our great party, and all the stakeholders gathered here today, for giving me the opportunity to get not one, but two mandates, back to back, under this umbrella.”The only thing I can promise you is that since I have fetched water from that well I have been drinking since 2019, I will not pollute the well when it is time for me to exit that position.”The journey to this day has not been all smooth, but I’m thankful that we are able to overcome all the obstacles along the way.”On the PDI, Makinde said that with inauguration of the institute Board of Governors, the PDP is moving a step closer to defining the ideology that the party stands for, and cementing what the party as a whole will want to be remembered for.He said, “Let me especially thank all the people that are members of the party that has put aside grievances, and played a role in the re-establishment and revitalisation of the PDI” recalling that the institute was formed during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.”So, one will take a pause and say okay, what happened during the 16 years of PDI in power nationally? “You can see that with the PDI, there is a pivotal rule, and during those years, we can rightly refer to as the golden years, because since we are working through the plan, we got debt forgiveness, we were interacting with everybody around the world, we were not in pariah relations,” he said.He called on members to rally round the party and set aside their differences, saying there was need for true reconciliation and unity to wrestle power from the APC in Ondo State, whose governorship election has been slated for November 16, 2024.In his contribution, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, noted that parties are built on ideas, philosophies and policies, stressing the need to move away from building ideas on self and ambition.Sakari said: “We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts from. This is the foundation that is important. “Let us desist from talking about who is running for councillor, or who is running for governor, or who is running for president in 2027. Let us talk about what PDP is. What does PDP represent? What are the issues and policies that we must take into account?”This is what is important for us. This is what Nigerians outside want to know. This is what is important.”Earlier the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb Umar Damagum ,who was represented by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, said there needed to reposition and unite the party to play its opposition role.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu has expressed profound sadness over the sudden death of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, who, until his passing, was Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army.Describing the death of Lagbaja as a great loss to the Nigerian Army, the military, and the entire nation, Governor Otu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, said: “The late Chief of Army Staff’s untimely departure is a devastating blow and a monumental loss not only to the military but to our nation as a whole.
”Lamenting the painful death of Lt. General Lagbaja while acknowledging his bravery, Governor Otu noted that “he was known for his unwavering commitment, exemplary leadership, and dedicated service to Nigeria. Throughout his distinguished career, he played a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and enhancing the security of our citizens.”The governor praised the fallen Chief of Army Staff and his strategic vision, saying: “His relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of challenges was inspiring to all who served under him.”As the nation mourns the loss of Lagbaja, Governor Otu urged Nigerians to celebrate the late Chief of Army Staff’s legacy of courage, bravery, and dedication, adding that “Lt. General Lagbaja’s service to Nigeria will forever be remembered, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of military personnel.”On behalf of the government and the good people of Cross River State, Governor Otu extended his deepest sympathies to Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Army, adding: “May his soul rest in peace, and may we find solace in the memories of his service to our nation.”
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said the Media has a duty to hold the elected and appointed officials accountable and ensure that they do their work in a manner to strengthen democracy and not weaken it.He said in any thriving democracy, the roles of the government and the media are intertwined, both essential in serving the public interest.
Saying the alignment enables us to achieve common goals that benefit society at large. Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation Hon. Mohammed Idris handed down this during the 20th All Nigeria Guild of Editors Conference at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa the state capital.He said in the room are many veteran journalists who played very important roles in ushering in the age of enduring democracy in Nigeria. “I salute your individual and collective efforts not just at that time, but even right through to today, as we celebrate a quarter of a century of unbroken democratic experience”.This year’s theme which was titled:”Economic Growth and Development Strategies in a Resource-Rich Country” had in attendance media moguls across the federation.According to the president, “Indeed, our roles are most effective when they are not adversarial but cooperative.By viewing each other as allies in nation-building, we can create an environment where transparency, accountability, and mutual respect thrive. Together, the government and the media can empower citizens, strengthen democratic institutions, and build a more informed and resilient society”.”As editors and media managers, your role in national development cannot be overemphasized. You are the custodians of public perception, the gatekeepers of information, and, importantly, the voice of the people. You have the power to shape narratives that inspire, inform, and engage Nigerians positively and productively. We count on you to report truthfully and to engage constructively to help the public understand not only what this government is doing but also why we are doing it.With a united effort from government, citizens, and the media alike, we can build a resilient, diversified economy that offers security, opportunity, and hope for all Nigerians”.In his opening speech, the host governor senator Douye Diri said, the significance of the media in democratic governance has been recognised since the 17th century. Speaking as the fourth pillar of democracy, the press educates, informs, and entertains, shaping public agenda and debate. Democracy relies heavily on the press to thrive.According to Diri, as ethnic nationalities and diverse interests vie for attention, “your work serves as a beacon of hope, promoting understanding and unity. In these turbulent times around our nation and the world at large, your role as guardians of truth is more critical than ever”.He said integrity remains the cornerstone of the profession, building trust with the public and fortifying the foundations of a healthy democracy.“Economic Growth and Development Strategies in Resource-Rich Country,” your theme for this conference, is both relevant and timely. Therefore, we implore you as editors and influential voices, to advocate for policies that prioritise sustainable development and empower local communities.In his goodwill message, the former governor also of Ogun state, Chief Olusegun Osoba urged the NGE before they leave to set up a committee to look into the crisis brewing in the NUJ, “they are supposed to hold their annual conference but some people are saying that the president has overstayed his tenure and they took him to court. “You are the only united group after the NPAN to intervene in that crisis brewing in the NUJ”.In his speech, the chairman of conference Chief Nduka Obaigbena said, the time is hard but Nigeria journalists are harder so they have to be tough to cope with the time.He said, Nigeria needs to be fixed first if we want to get it right, saying that it is the first thing to do and work hard to ensure that we also protect our Industries.”Are we going to protect Dangote refinery from cheap imports? If Dangote fails then we all have failed. If we are going to use whatever means to deal with the oil mafias, we should keep our refinery alive. If you say you want to stop monopoly then the four refineries must work””Let that four refineries be completed with Dangote so that they can compete. We challenge the Minister of information to get the refineries working. Everybody is feeling the pains in the country”.In his welcome address, the president of Nigeria Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba said, the biggest threat to media survivors today is availability of resource materials. Saying they are here because they recognize the critical role that both a strong economy and a resilient media sector play in fostering a prosperous, informed and democratic society.”Today, as editors, we stand at a crossroads where our decisions, priorities and strategies will shape the future of our country and journalism. The growth of our nation’s economy directly influences every sector, and our industry is no exception. A strong economy fuels consumer spending, drives innovation, and creates opportunities for media organizations to expand and thrive. Yet with opportunities come new challenges.”Media organizations face mounting pressure to adapt to modern trends while staying financially viable and maintaining journalistic integrity. Now, we thought the only challenge facing the media will be adapting to modern trends. But the biggest threat to media survivors today is availability of resource materials to produce our papers or to broadcast on our TV stations.”The growth of our nation’s economy directly influences every sector, and our industry is no exception. Today’s economic landscape demands that we be agile and innovative.”Many media houses are devising different ways to survive. However, as we exploit these strategies, we must keep sight of our mission to provide accurate, trustworthy and independent information to our audiences.”Sustainability is about more than economic survival. It’s about preserving the values and principles that make our profession a pillar of democracy. And there is a constitutional guarantee for that.Section 22 of our constitution challenges us to hold the government to account despite the poverty in our profession today because we are struggling to meet demand conditions.”The Constitution builds on us to hold the government to account. So at the same time, we must consider how we as editors can contribute to broader economic growth. We know that reliable media support informed citizens, foster accountability and encourage investments in democratic institutions.”An informed public is empowered to make decisions that spur economic growth, create jobs and promote sustainability, in this our work is essential not only to our audiences but also to our economic and social fabrics of our country.”
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