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APC Chieftain Advocates for Nigeria’s Division as Path to Progress

Published

1 month ago

November 20, 2024

Dr. Adebayo Orire, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, has voiced his belief that Nigeria must break up to achieve genuine progress and sustainable development. In a recent interview at his home in Ikoro-Ekiti, located in Ijero Local Government Area, Orire emphasized that the country’s current structure is impeding growth due to longstanding disunity and deep-rooted ethnic divides.

Orire expressed his view that Nigeria cannot continue in its current form, arguing that the nation faces two options: to prosper by evolving or to break apart peacefully. “Nigeria cannot go on like this. For the nation to truly advance, it must either evolve or dissolve peacefully without violence,” he explained, speaking to the Daily Sun.

The APC chieftain also pointed to rising separatist movements across Nigeria as signs of this underlying division. He referenced the persistent calls for autonomy among groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Yoruba nationalist factions, and various groups in the Middle Belt. In his view, these movements underscore the deep-seated ethnic allegiances that overshadow a collective Nigerian identity, making national unity difficult.

“People see themselves as Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, or Efik before they see themselves as Nigerians,” he said, noting that over a century of efforts have failed to unify these diverse groups. “We need to ask ourselves why we keep trying to force unity, and why we’re ignoring the reality of our divisions,” Orire added.

Suggesting a peaceful path forward, Orire called for a dissolution into smaller, region-based entities to foster genuine development and stability. He believes that allowing each ethnic or regional group to manage its affairs would better serve Nigeria’s people, providing an environment where communities can flourish independently.

Orire also offered candid thoughts on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He acknowledged Tinubu’s political insight and strategic skills, noting that he has long been respected as a knowledgeable leader. However, he expressed disappointment with the President’s current performance, suggesting a gap between Tinubu’s potential and his current leadership. “Tinubu is brilliant and highly experienced. If asked to offer solutions outside the presidency, he could probably solve issues in minutes. But as President, I’m unsure what has changed,” Orire remarked, sharing his concerns.

In his remarks, Orire underscored his belief that Nigeria’s future would be more promising if the country’s leadership prioritized peaceful solutions, advocating for a peaceful restructuring that would allow each region to pursue growth and stability independently.

News

Renovation: Tinubu, Shettima’s official quarters to gulp N6.36bn

Published

56 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Federal Government has allocated a total of N6,364,181,224 billion for the renovation and rehabilitation of the residential quarters of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and some of their aides in the 2025 budget proposal.

Sunday PUNCH’s analysis of the proposed allocation, contained in the 2025 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly, showed that the annual maintenance of the Presidential Villa would gulp N5.49bn.

According to the proposed budget, N765m will be used for the renovation of the Vice President’s quarters and guest house.

The renovation of the president’s quarters at the State House will cost N6.39m, while the renovation of security quarters, auditorium, gymnasium and presidential aides’ quarters will cost N49m.

In addition, the renovation of Prescott barracks at Maple State House officers’ mess building and signal office in Asokoro, Abuja will cost N51m.

Further analysis of the budget revealed that Tinubu and his vice are also expected to have N87m as honorarium and sitting allowances, while N127m was allocated for the procurement of SUVs.

Also, N3.66bn was budgeted for the purchase of State House operational vehicles and N1,09bn will be spent on replacement of SUV vehicles at the State House.

Under the budget of the State House Lagos Liaison Office, there is an allocation of N14.72m for the routine maintenance of State House Lagos facilities (Dodan Barracks, Vice President guest houses at Ikoyi, among others).

Another N140.10m was allocated for the completion of renovation and furnishing of the State House annex (Dodan Barracks), Lagos.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government is planning to spend N1.83bn on converting forfeited properties from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into State House quarters.

The plan to convert forfeited houses from the EFCC comes in the same month that the commission disclosed the recovery of an estate in the Lokogoma District of Abuja, measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 units of duplexes and other apartments.

The commission described this as its “single largest asset recovery” since its inception in 2003.

The estate rests on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09 of the district, and was forfeited in a ruling on Monday, December 2, 2024, by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.

(Punch)

News

SEE NAIRA Rates Against The USD, GBP, EURO Today December 23, 2024

Published

59 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

WHEN we look at this month, USD was traded at ₦ at the beginning of this December on Monday, December 2, 2024. As at today with USD being traded at ₦1,655 we see a % for United States Dollar to Naira exchange rate for this month.

On this page, we are primarily focusing on the Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today, the USD to Naira currency pair are the most traded currency in the FX market.

Black Market Exchange Rates
Buying Rate
Selling Rate
Dollar to Naira 1655 1640
Pounds to Naira 2150 2000
Euro to Naira 1730 1700
Canadian Dollar to Naira 1146 1135
Rand to Naira 52 43
Dirham to Naira ‎0 0
Yuan to Naira 62 62
G.Cedi to Nair 70 50
CFA F. (XOF) To Naira 0.83 0.81
CFA F. (XAF) To Naira 0.74 0.74
READ ALSO: INSIDE LIFE: 26-Year-Old Lady Died In Bangladesh With No One To Claim Her Body, She Is A Nigerian From Enugu (SEE PHOTO)

Having full knowledge how much USD to NGN black market exchange rate today will give you a better opportunity to plan and make informed decisions.

Nairatoday.com

News

Passengers Stranded As Warri-Itakpe Train Derails In Delta Community

Published

1 hour ago

December 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

Passengers of a train plying the Warri-Itakpe route escaped death on Sunday as the train derailed at Okpara in the Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was gathered that the passengers were stranded following the incident that happened at about 10pm.

According to eyewitness accounts, some of the passengers got to their destinations on Monday morning.

“The incident happened at Okpara Station last night. They stole many people’s phones and other valuables when they slept at night,” a source said.

“It’s this morning that everybody began to find their way to their various destinations.”

The Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident in a statement by its spokesman, Yakub Mahmood on Monday.

Mahmood said the service will resume shortly, adding that a team of engineers is at the site of the incident to ensure the track is restored soon.

According to him, the train service will resume as scheduled on Monday afternoon.

The statement reads in part, “The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) hereby informs the general public, especially our valued passengers that ply the Warri-Itakpe route, that following the minor derailment yesterday at the Okpara station, the service will resume shortly as our team of engineers are at the site of the accident to ensure the track is restored anytime soon.

“However, Itakpe-Warri (Ujewu) train will resume as scheduled in the afternoon today.

“All inconveniences caused as a result of the minor derailment is highly regretted.”