News
Courageous Citizens Award Echoes Events Of 2023 Presidential Elections
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Occurrences of the 2023 general elections resonated loudly at the maiden edition of the Courageous Citizens award ceremony held in Abuja at the weekend.
The award which was organized by the Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy (NACJD) was to recognize ordinary Nigerians who believe that a new Nigeria is possible and fought for change in 2023.
(What they did, and where they demonstrated their courage)
The awardees were grouped into three categories which include, the Courageous Citizen Order of Distinction, (CCOD), that went to the Labour Party Presidential Candidate and former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Mr Peter Gregory Obi; the Courageous Citizens Order of Freedom, (CCOF), which captured persons like Ex-president Obasanjo and leaders of some ethnic nationalities, and prominent religious groups, and social media influencers and media personalities, who were very vocal towards the journey for the desired change.
The third was for the Courageous Citizens Medal of Valour, (CCMV), which sought to recognize individuals who were the real foot soldiers at the forefront of the battle for change in the build-up and during the 2023 general elections.
The awardees in the second category went to the Executive Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, Right Honourable Dennis Nnamdi AGBO who led the Vanguard for change and won the election under LP, to represent Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency of Enugu State in the National Assembly; Aisha Yesufu, Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo, ace television host, Rufai Oseni of Arise Television, Seun Okinbaloye of Channels TV, and Dr Ordinary Ahmed Isa of the Berekete radio fame.
Late Barrester Oyibo Chukwu, the Labour Party, (LP) Senatorial candidate for Enugu East Senatorial Zone of Enugu State, and Late Victoria Chintex from Kafanchan, Kaduna state the Labour Party Woman Leader from Kafanchan, Kaduna South in Kaduna State, both of whom were gruesomely murdered before the presidential election, were equally awarded post humously.
Responding to the award as the Courageous Citizen of Valour, Hon. Dennis Agbo said he was heartened to know that his little efforts in the 2023 struggles to free Nigeria didn’t go unnoticed.
To him, “the fight to free Nigeria has just began. The battle for freedom is not usually easy but it is not insurmountable. The 2023 elections was the take-off and we did not lose face’. He stressed.
He admonished Nigerians especially the youths not to lose hope in the battle for change saying, “a new Nigeria is truly possible and we must all unite to rescue our nation from elements among us who indulge in State capture, rape of our democracy, and the pillaging of our common patrimony ”.
Aisha Yesuf in her own reaction openly declared, “2023 mandate was stolen and am not afraid to say it. We are in prison today because we are afraid of dying, but I must tell you say, all die na die ” .
She said “the leaders have failed the youths and they are leaving the country in droves and because they have destroyed the country, America, Canada, Australia and the rest of the world are now giving Nigeria different stringent immigration conditions “.
“We are waiting for them in 2027 and we will not allow them to repeat what they did in 2023. They did not win the election and they Know it. They are giving us old National Anthem. l spoke against it and they said they will arrest me and am waiting for them”, she declared.
The leader of the Middle Belt Forum, (MBF) Bitrus Pogu in his goodwill message chronicled the adoption of Peter Obi as the preferred candidate of the four ethnic nationalities comprising of Afenifere, MBF, Ohaneze and the South-South Pandef. He noted that the zones first agreed that the presidency should go to the south and that having reached that consensus, the leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo reasoned that since Obasanjo from the Southwest had been President, and Osibanjo from same region was just leaving office as Vice President, the Southeast should be given the Presidential slot because South-south had produced Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Pogu further stated that having reached that understanding, the three regions asked Ohaneze and the Soith East to give them a sellable candidate, hence the emergence of Peter Obi, away from the legacy Parties, and on an untainted Labour Party platform.
“And as soon as that happened we mobilized our people to support him because we believe in equity and the unity of the country”.
The Chairman of the Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy, (NACJD), Eddie Oparaoji had earlier in his welcoming address emphasized that the event was put together to honour the true heroes of “our democracy ”.
He described the awardees as ordinary citizens who for the purpose of change had demonstrated extraordinary courage to achieve remarkable feats under grave danger and risk. “These awe-inspiring individuals have proven to all of us that with resilience, Compassion and unwavering determination we can achieve the desired change in our country”. Oparaoji stressed that, “this momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in our collaborative pursuit for Justice.”
The high point of the event was a video presentation of flashbacks of the 2023 General election, including Ex-President Obasanjo’s patriotic address to the Independent National Election, (INEC) to organise a re-run of the flawed Presidential election; the world press conferences addressed by Peter Obi and his Vice, and clips of various violence and irregularities recorded during both the presidential and gubernatorial elections of 2023.
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms have laid the foundation for local investments that will drive industrialisation and lift citizens out of poverty.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, made this statement at the opening ceremony of the 2024 National Council on Finance and Economic Development conference, held at the Dr Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Bauchi Government House, on Monday.
Edun noted that Nigerians should be encouraged by the fact that the country now has a more sustainable macroeconomic environment, one that is friendly to investors.
The minister, who expressed profound appreciation to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for hosting the conference, added: “What transpires in this formal conference is very important because conversations will take place that will clarify matters and build trust and confidence among individuals.”
He continued, “It is vital to understand each other’s situations, financial and economic needs, available resources, and the skills and specialisations on the ground.”
He maintained that the conference would facilitate an understanding of what can be offered individually and collectively, enabling the country to fulfil its potential.
Edun further stated, “President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited both the assets and liabilities, but there was no looking back. The focus was on charting a forward path, making plans to first stabilise the economy. Then, we sought to attract investments from both domestic and foreign private-sector investors to increase Nigeria’s productivity, grow the economy, create jobs, and, of course, lift a large number of people out of poverty.”
“When we look at where we are now, essentially, the major macroeconomic reforms are in place.”
“The President has stopped the bleeding that was costing 5 per cent of the country’s GDP every year. This was adding no value except to a few individuals and neighbouring countries benefiting from the fuel subsidy and related foreign exchange subsidy.”
“These benefits were reserved for just a few, while the mass of Nigerians saw no advantages from these structures,” he said.
According to him, these structures have been removed, and the federation account will benefit from the increased flow of resources to the federal, state, and local governments.
This will allow more investment not only in infrastructure but also in social services like education and health.
“The path is now clear for private-sector investors, and as we know, we are back in business on the road to industrialisation, particularly with what is happening in the petroleum refining sector. Crude oil is no longer just shipped abroad; it is being refined locally to produce petroleum products and raw materials for industry.”
“We should be encouraged that we now have a more stable, sustainable macroeconomic environment that is investor-friendly and will enable them to produce competitively for the domestic market, as well as for export,” he concluded.
In his remarks, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed expressed his delight that, 17 years later, Bauchi State is hosting this historic event again.
He said, “It is a privilege and highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing the economic challenges and opportunities before us. Seventeen years ago, Bauchi State hosted the same conference, which was widely regarded as successful and impactful.”
“This year, I assure you that we have spared no effort to ensure that this gathering surpasses expectations. Your presence is a testament to your commitment to advancing Nigeria’s financial and economic landscape.”
He urged all participants to contribute constructively to the benefit of all Nigerians.
By Francesca Hangeior.
A night fire whose cause is yet to be ascertained has razed some sections of the Katako market in Jos, Plateau State, destroying property worth millions of Naira.
It was gathered that the incident happened before 11 pm on Sunday when residents had gone to bed, and despite efforts to contain the inferno, some goods, including planks, furniture, and others, were destroyed.
Lamenting the losses in a market that consistently records fire incidents, a trader, Abdulsalam Abdullahi said the cause of the inferno is not known yet but, “the fire has caused a major setback in a time like this,” and asked that all stakeholders should collaborate to end the incident which is fast becoming a yearly one.
However, the Director of the State Fire Service, Caleb Polit, commended the efforts of his men and citizens in containing the fire saying though the property had been lost, it is commendable that no life was lost as a result of the incident.
His words, “Our office at Masallachi Juma’a was called at exactly 10.49 pm. My men reached out to the rapid response at the Federal Fire Service while our fire trucks at the Government House and the Bukuru stations were also deployed to the scene.
“One truck from the Federal Fire Service did about four trips of water and our two trucks did three trips each before the fire was controlled. The furniture section and the timber sheds were the worst hit, and we suspect the fire started from there. We are still investigating to know the cause of the fire and other things.”
Tax Reform Bills: Northern Lawmakers Will Prioritize National Interest – Doguwa
FG committed to economic reforms, poverty alleviation — Wale Edun
SAD: Night fire razes parts of Katako market in Jos
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News10 hours agoTinubu fires DG names replacement (photos)
-
News10 hours agoKwankwaso cries out, says there are plots to colonise north
-
News11 hours agoHonoring Excellence: Dr. Olotu Otemu Akpodiete JP – A Beacon of Inspiration for GCU Class of 92
-
News14 hours agoPolice arrest 2 suspected cultists with arms in Edo
-
News14 hours ago‘I’ll never accept any female’s award again’ – Bobrisky blames Eniola Ajao for his problems
-
News7 hours ago“Be dedicated to Nigerians as God is watching you”-Onaiyekan cautions Tinubu
-
News14 hours agoOndo Guber: Tinubu Tells PDP, Others; Go To Court If Dissatisfied
-
News14 hours agoGunmen abduct NDLEA officer, orderly in Delta