News

64th Independence: We Must Strengthen Our Institutions For Good Governance, Growth – Jonathan

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2024

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the strengthening of democratic institutions as the key to ensuring good governance and fostering national prosperity.

In a statement he shared on his X handle on Tuesday, marking the 64th Independence Day, Jonathan emphasised that the country’s future depends on the integrity of its institutions and the development of a democratic culture that promotes transparency, equity and inclusion.

He acknowledged Nigeria’s significant strides since gaining independence in 1960, including the 25 years of sustained democracy in the Fourth Republic, which began in 1999.

“We have had sustained democracy in this 4th Republic for 25 years,” he noted, praising the country’s ability to maintain democratic governance after years of military rule.

However, the former president stressed that Nigeria’s current challenges—ranging from insecurity and economic instability to social divisions—can only be effectively addressed if its institutions are strengthened.

“For us to deepen the roots of our democracy and foster inclusive economic growth, we must strengthen our institutions and develop a good democratic culture that will support peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections,” Jonathan said.

He argued that without robust institutions that ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law, the country’s progress would remain stunted.

Jonathan believes that the foundation of good governance lies in electoral integrity, urging that transparent elections are critical for building trust in leadership and promoting national unity.

In his message, Jonathan highlighted the importance of governance systems that prioritise justice, equity, and inclusion.

He called for leaders to recommit to these principles to ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to succeed.

“As a nation, we must recommit to the principles of justice, equity, and inclusion,” Jonathan stated.

He also emphasised the need for Nigeria to harness the potential of its youth and diverse population as well as its abundant natural resources, to drive sustainable development.

He believed that a more inclusive approach to governance—one that taps into the strength of Nigeria’s diversity—would be essential for achieving lasting prosperity.

While acknowledging that Nigeria has recorded economic growth in recent years, Jonathan pointed out that more needs to be done to ensure that this growth is inclusive and benefits all citizens.

“We have recorded perceptible growth in our economy and our GDP,” he said but warned that persistent inequality and underdevelopment in certain areas pose a threat to national cohesion.

Jonathan closed his message with a call for optimism and resilience, encouraging Nigerians to remain committed to the nation’s greatness despite the challenges it faces.

“With a common purpose, zeal, and love for one another, we can overcome our challenges and build a prosperous nation of our collective dreams, where every citizen has equal opportunities to thrive,” he concluded.

News

Nigerians Jubilate as FG Removes VAT on Diesel, Cooking Gas, Others

Published

8 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Alexis Uchendu

The Federal Government has announced tax exemptions on key energy products and infrastructure, as well as fiscal incentives for the upstream and downstream oil and gas sectors, sparking widespread jubilation among Nigerians.

Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, stated on Wednesday that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, unveiled two major fiscal initiatives aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

According to Edun, “The VAT Modification Order 2024 introduces exemptions on a range of key energy products and infrastructure, including diesel, feed gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), electric vehicles, liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, and clean cooking equipment.”

These measures are designed to lower the cost of living, bolster energy security, and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy sources.

Additionally, the tax incentives for deep offshore oil and gas production provide new tax reliefs for deep offshore projects, with the goal of positioning Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for global oil and gas investments.

These reforms are part of a broader series of investment-driven policies introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in line with Policy Directives 40-42, to foster sustainable growth in the energy sector and boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness in oil and gas production.

The government emphasized that these initiatives put Nigeria on track to reclaim its position as a leader in the global oil and gas market, while also demonstrating a commitment to fostering sustainable growth, enhancing energy security, and driving economic prosperity for all Nigerians.

Politics

PDP Flags Off Campaign for Benue LG Elections

Published

8 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Alexis Uchendu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially launched its campaign for the upcoming local government elections in Benue State, set for October 5.

At an event held on Wednesday in Makurdi, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, AVM Napoleon Bali, represented by the Secretary, Mr. Osita Ogene, presented party flags to the chairmanship and councilorship candidates, urging them to ensure victory for the PDP in the polls.

Former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, expressed confidence in PDP’s strong presence in the state, stating that the party will be victorious. He also noted that the PDP would seek redress in court if denied victory unjustly.

In a goodwill message, Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro called on party members to turn out en masse to vote for PDP candidates, emphasizing that the election would be free and fair, as promised by the Benue State Independent Election Commission (BSIEC).

Representatives from the state’s three senatorial districts—Engr. Dondo Ahire, Mike Uba, and Alex Ogaba—called for unity within the party to secure success in the local government elections.

News

Stop Migrating to Countries Worse than Nigeria, FG Warns Nigerians

Published

8 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Alexis Uchendu

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged Nigerians to avoid migrating to countries that are in worse conditions than Nigeria.

In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Dabiri-Erewa appealed to Nigerian influencers and bloggers to assist the Federal Government in discouraging citizens from fleeing to such countries. “Please, we appeal to bloggers and influencers. Help us appeal to Nigerians that where you are running to is worse than where you are running from (Nigeria),” she said.

Dabiri-Erewa’s comments came in response to a recent viral video showing Nigerians calling for help from a Malian prison. She mentioned that some of the individuals seen in the video were previously rescued by the Nigerian government and repatriated from Mali but had subsequently returned. “I want to address a viral video of some girls shouting from a prison in Mali, asking to be returned home. Some time ago, the chief of defence staff helped us bring back some girls,” she explained. “We have identified some of these girls as some of those brought back that time. That they found themselves back in Mali is shocking.”

She further appealed for Nigerians to respect the laws of other countries, adding that irregular migration and engaging in criminal activities can have serious consequences. “We need to obey the laws of other countries. Crime and criminality, irregular migration, is very deadly now,” she warned, while assuring that the Nigerian mission in Mali is working to bring those affected back home.