By Joel Oladele, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has called on political leaders in the country to channel more resources and policies towards catering to the needs of the poor and vulnerable.

Tinubu stated this in Abuja on Monday night, just as the House of Representatives yesterday called on the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to instruct Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to swiftly block all websites that host pornographic and obscene content in the country.

Also, stakeholders have commended the President for his courage, noting that his economic reforms had improved citizens’ livelihoods.

The President, who hosted governors, members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Service Chiefs, and some selected Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to break the Ramadan fast at the State House, urged leaders to be selfless and work for the people’s benefit.

“I thank you all for responding to this invitation. You honoured it out of respect, not because you don’t have enough to eat or share”, President Tinubu said.

President Tinubu noted that political leaders’ efforts are crucial in meeting citizens’ expectations. He commended the people-oriented policies that have started yielding positive results in improved human development indexes and economic indicators.

The President attributed the success of economic reforms to the collective effort of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the collaboration of leaders at the subnational levels.

“I recall in our first FEC meeting, I said we were going to work hard to fetch water from a dry well. We are still working hard to ensure that there is water to drink and that we spend money, not the people.

“You, the leaders at the subnational levels, are also doing all you can to spend money, not the people,” he noted.

President Tinubu urged political leaders to work for posterity so that history will remember them for good.

“Look at yourselves as navigators that will bring the country to the promised land. Standing here as President is a great honour, and you can’t trade it.

“Continue doing what you are doing. And do more for the people,” he added.

President Tinubu said leaders must see the entire country as one big family in a house where people live in different rooms.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, thanked the President for the bold and decisive reform of the Nigerian economy.

The governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, who led the Christian prayers, said, “It is no coincidence that Muslims and Christians are fasting at the same time.”

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, noted that the prices of goods and foodstuffs were steadily dropping.

The minister said the reforms had also improved livelihoods while commending the President for his courage.

Block Pornographic Websites in Nigeria, Reps Urge NCC 

The House of Representatives has called on the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to instruct Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to swiftly block all websites that host pornographic and obscene content.

This urgent demand followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Dalhatu Tafoki (APC-Katsina state) during yesterday’s plenary session in Abuja.

Moving the motion earlier, Tafaki said that cyber pornography is fast becoming a global problem and no concrete steps have been taken to curb the phenomenon in the country.

Nigeria, he said, is a religious country and all the major religions in the country have forbidden nudity and obscenity in any form.

According to him, countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle-east have enacted legislations that ban pornography in their domains.

“Renowned psychologists and sociologists around the world have issued stern warnings on the psychological, sociological and mental consequences of viewing pornographic contents.

He elaborated on the immediate impacts of consuming such materials, noting, “It causes deception in marriage, which may later on affect family life. It promotes adultery, prostitution, and many unreal expectations that can result in dangerous promiscuous behavior. It leads to addiction, escalation, desensitization, and acting out sexually by one person as well as a change of attitude towards oneself and his family.”

In response, the House urged the NCC to apply the complete rigors of the Nigerian Communications Act and the National Information Technology Development Act against ISPs that fail to comply.

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, directed the Committees on Communications and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation and return with a report within four weeks for further legislative action.