NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag democracy

General news

Political scientist gives recipe for democracy growth, transformation of Nigeria

Political scientist gives recipe for democracy growth, transformation of Nigeria

Democracy

By Francis Onyeukwu

Awka, Feb. 7, 2020 (NAN) A Businessman and Political Scientist, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, says de-emphasising money politics is key to the survival of democracy and transformation of Nigeria.

Okonkwo, Chairman of the Dome Entertainment Centre, Abuja, and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated this when he donated 340 customised registers of PDP to the party on Friday, in Awka.

The register would be distributed to chairmen of PDP in the 326 political wards across Anambra for registration of members.

He said there was the need for Nigerians to understand that mortgaging their conscience or vote during elections was one of the major reasons it had become difficult to hold elected officials accountable for actions that were marring the political process.

“It is wrong for party men and women to collect money and back an aspirant who does not know the party executives at the ward, local and state levels, just because he or she needs the platform to achieve their goals.

“If Nigerians continue to approach its democracy from a point of buying and selling, development of the country and its democracy will continue to lip-frog’’, he said.

Okonkwo said he procured the 340 registers to be used in all the wards to ensure that the party stopped using notebooks as registers, which he noted had before now resulted in the manipulation of the members’ registers by some individuals.

He listed other things he has done to strengthen the party, and noted that if other bigwigs in Anambra could work as a family, PDP would return to power in the state by March 2022.

Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, the State chairman of PDP in Anambra, who officially received the registers on behalf of the party, said he was humbled by the huge support the party was getting from Okonkwo.

“After a meeting we attended at PDP National Secretariat Abuja, the national leaders told us that customised registers of our party could be procured at the cost of N10, 000 per one.

“At a stakeholders meeting in Awka, I made an open appeal for people to support Anambra PDP to acquire the registers, to my surprise, one day a vehicle sent by Okonkwo landed at our secretariat and brought these very import documents’’, he said.

Nwobu, however, warned the chairmen present during the handover to handle the registers with care, noting that anyone who mutilated or did anything fraudulent with the document would be handed over to the law by the party for prosecution. (NAN)

FEO/AIJ/DOR

==========

Edited by Abigael Joshua/Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

 

 

General news

Gov. Tambuwal urges media to defend Nigeria’s democracy

By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Media
Sokoto, Nov. 28, 2019 (NAN) Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, has urged the media to remain vigilant, educate and mobilise Nigerians to defend the country’s hard earn democracy.

Tambuwal gave task while declaring open the 15th All Nigeria Guild of Editors’ Conference (ANEC) in Sokoto on Thursday.

The Conference is themed: “A Distressed Media: Impact on Government, Governance and Society”.

According to the governor, the media need to shock Nigerians in the anti-hate speech bill that prescribed death penalty for offenders.

“This is quite scary and indeed set people thinking of the true intention of those in the forefront of the bill.

“There are enough provisions in our laws to deal with people whose actions can undermine national unity and cohesion. Such cdraconian legislation has no place in the constitution and democracy like ours.

“The media must therefore remain vigilant, you have a responsibility to educate, mobalise Nigerians to defend this hard earn democracy.

“We cannot operate democracy like a military dictatorship, the storms are gathering and we must join hands to checkmate anti-democratic elements and return our country to the path of constitutionalism, progress and development,” he charged.

Tambuwal described the theme of the conference as apt as it came at a time when Nigeria is struggling to regain its economy balance.

“We face the challenges of dwindling resources, government at all levels are struggling to provide essential services.

“This has restated search for creative and innovative ways to boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in order to keep afloat.

“The media is also feeling the heat of the harsh economic environment. It’s a testiment for the firm resilient and creativity of Nigeria media that remains vibrant despite the huge financial challenges its facing.

“I urge you not to despair, keep the faith and remain unbound, the difficult time would give way to a better time, to a better room for a prosperous future,” said the governor.

He added that the conference has come at a better time when Nigeria is striving to find lasting solutions to some of the problems militating against its political, social and economic development.

“Nigeria faces serious challenges of insecurity, matters of conflicts have been holding many communities hostage.

“However, the good news is that the Federal and State governments are doing their best to address the ugly situation.

“Seemingly injectable nature of the conflict has increases sophistication of kidnappers and bandits may however require overhaul of security architecture of the country,” he said.

Tambuwal also urged the delegates to feel free to move around and see the historical sight that would capture their imaginations.

The Chairman of the occasion and governor of Ogun state, Aremo Segun Osoba, appealed to the NGE to struggle and fight against the hate speech bill.

“The social media are not part of us, so I don’t know why somebody wants to punish us for what we have not committed.

“In our constitution there are enough provisions for us to go to court. Therefore, we should continue to fight this out and by the grace of God we will succeed.” he said.

Osoba commended the state government for hosting the 2019 ANEC and hailed Tambuwal for the warm reception given to the members.

Earlier, the Acting President of Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Mustapha Isah, said that this year’s ANEC is about the editors, the profession and its survival.

“It is also about Nigeria and the sustenance of our country democracy, because without a robust media, democracy suffers.

“This year we are focusing on media as business. We chose to discuss our profession because we’ve often been accused of proffering solutions to other people’s problems and neglecting ours.

“The media is passing through a tough phase. We are going to survive and we will survive. We will find solutions to our problems,” he said. (NAN)
BMN/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Provide dividends of democracy, Nasarawa Assembly tasks LG chairmen

Provide dividends of democracy, Nasarawa Assembly tasks LG chairmen

By Awayi Kuje
Dividends
Nasarawa Eggon (Nasarawa State), Oct. 17, 2019 (NAN) The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has tasked local government council chairmen in the state to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.
Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, the Chairman of the committee, made the call on Thursday when the committee visited Akwanga, Wamba and Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Areas, respectively.
According to Alkali, providing people oriented projects would also boost development at the grassroots, create employment opportunities and tackle rural-urban migration.
He said that the provision of infrastructural facilities would also improve on the health and socioeconomic activities of the people of the state.
He said that the visit was part of the House oversight function aimed at repositioning the local government system in the state.
The chairman said that the members of the House were happy that the issue of percentage payment had been dropped in the state.
“For four months now, we are happy that workers at the local government areas are receiving their salaries 100 per cent,” he said.
He also tasked the chairmen to explore more ways of improving on their revenue in their interest and for the overall development of the state.
Alkali assured of the assembly’s readiness to pass laws and resolutions that would have positive impacts on the lives of the people of the state.
Responding, Messrs Samuel Meshi, Abubakar Abbas and Mohammed Idris, the chairmen of Akwanga, Wamba and Nasarawa Eggon local government areas, respectively, lauded the initiative and commitment of the committee to rural development.
The chairmen renewed their commitment to key into people’s oriented projects that would be of benefit to residents. (NAN)
AKW/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Education

Invest more in education to sustain democracy – Cleric urges government

Invest more in education to sustain democracy – Cleric urges government

Education

By Muftau Ogunyemi

Akure, July 23, 2019(NAN) An Islamic Scholar, Alhaji Abdulazeez Sirajudeen, has urged government at all levels to invest more on education in order to sustain democracy in the country.

Sirajudeen made the call during the 10th anniversary of the Minaret Group of Schools held on Tuesday in Akure.

The 10th anniversary is themed: ‘Qualitative Education For Global Leadership And Sustainable Development: Muslims on call’.

According to him, there is no doubt today that the nation’s educational system, due to its inefficiency, has not only failed humanity but has left us in a serious quest for leadership.

“We can authoritatively say that democracy is not working in Nigeria. Our
educational system is not producing responsible, useful, productive and independent adults.

“We are standing on a time bomb in this country, if something urgent is not done drastically and aggressively to overhaul our educational system which is a fruit of colonialism.

“The government is not investing adequately in it.

“Our schools are characterised by dilapidated structures, inadequate personnel and educational infrastructure, and the curriculum is not reflecting the realities of life.

“If we must rescue our country from this crossroads, then we must, as a matter of urgency improve on our education so as to reflect our problems and challenges with a goal to provide practical and sustainable solutions,” he advised.

The scholar, who explained that the educational politics in the country as a whole, and Ondo state in particular, had taken a dangerous dimension, said the nation’s education system was only quantitative and not qualitative.

He, therefore, called on Nigerians, especially Muslim leaders, to join hand with the government to rescue and improve education system in the country.

“The only panacea to this ugly and dangerous journey is mobilisation of all our resources toward ensuring that our children acquire quality education,” he said.

He added that quality education would not only sustainably develop them but also propel them to fill the leadership vacuum the world was experiencing.

The chairman of the occasion, Prof Isiaka Amoo, of department of Chemistry in Federal University of Technology, Akure, charged the public to partner government to contribute to the development of education in the country.

“Government needs to provide all necessary things that can give us quality education and must be ready to spend more money on education.

“However, government can not do it alone. The individuals that are capable or that have resources should partner the government so that our educational system can improve,” he said.

Alhaji Junaid Yunus, proprietor of the school, stressed that governments and parents needed to find a lasting solution to examination malpractice in schools.

He urged parents to invest more and give their children sound education in order for them to blend with global leadership.

“We need to address the issue of examination malpractice in our schools.

“Here, at Main Minaret Group of Schools, we have zero tolerance for examination malpractice because it has no value and it is a future destroyer,” he said.(NAN)

OMA/MA/DCU

=============

Edited by Muftau Adediran/Donald Ugwu

Health

Centre warns against unregistered CSOs

Centre warns against unregistered CSOs
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
CSOs
Abuja, June 11, 2018 (NAN The Executive Director, Citizen Communication and Advocacy Centre , Mr Charles Ibiang, has called on Nigerians to be wary of unregistered civil society groups claiming to be promoters of democracy.
Ibiang cautioned during a media briefing on Monday in Abuja that the unregistered groups could be sponsored and used as agents of destruction.
He said they are usually used to orchestrate falsehood, lies, and propaganda against a state or society, saying that Nigerians should not listen to them or their falsehood.
“Recently, as you are aware, the peaceful town of Offa in Kwara State was greeted by group of dare devil robbers for a bank robbery and carnage, leaving behind its trail unfortunate deaths of Offa citizens and officers of the Nigerian Police.
“The centre condemns in the strongest terms this unfortunate incident by these sons of the devil; it is ungodly, satanic and sheer wickedness.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences and commiserate with the families who lost their loved ones, the people of Offa and Kwara State,’’ he said.
Ibiang however called on security agencies and judiciary to ensure that the culprits were severely punished or prosecuted according to the laws.
He commended the police for the speedy arrest of the culprits, adding that rapid response be extended to other cases pervasive in the country.
“We are concern that the integrity of Nigerian Senate President and entire institution of the National Assembly would be tarnished and reduced to rubbles on unsubstantiated allegation of sponsoring or aiding robbers and murderers.
“The centre considered this very mundane, petty and the lowest we could degenerate as people capable of portraying us badly before the international community.
“We condemn this recent pastime of the police in fighting serious crime in our country troubling, where security operatives will attempt to frame up highly place public officers using hardened criminals,’’ he said.
Ibiang said such criminals should be given sanction by the appropriate or regulating institutions.
He said the centre warns that linking the President of the Senate to the Offa Bank robbery by the police portend a great danger to our democracy and threat to foreign investors confidence in doing business in Nigeria and with Nigerians.
“No foreign investor will want his money to be kept in a country where some of her highest ranking public servants aid bank robbery.
“This is too much to bear for our country considering also our battered image abroad.
“Citizens must insist that fairness; justice must be seen to be done not vendetta or vengeance.’’
Ibiang advised the Inspector General of Police to be professional and unbiased in handling the issues in Offa bank robbery.
He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari not to remain aloof or being seen protecting anybody but wade into the issue because it is capable of derailing the country’s democracy. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Group lauds President Buhari over sustained democracy

Group lauds President Buhari over sustained democracy
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Democracy
Abuja, June 2, 2018 (NAN) General Muhammadu Buhari National Solidarity Advancement (GMB-NASA) has commended the President for sustaining Nigeria’s 19 years of democracy.
The Director-General of the group, Mr Charles James, made commendation at a news conference on Saturday in Abuja.
He said Buhari had built, sustained and strengthened strong institutional values since he assumed office on May 29, 2015.
James said contrary to criticisms, the Buhari administration deserved accolades on feats achieved so far particularly in the Niger Delta and South-South region.
The director-general however called for support for the president in order to sustain development strides, especially the Ogoni cleanup project.
“Since Mr President assumed office he has done a lot for Nigerians especially the Niger Delta region.
“He sustained the NDDC and Presidential amnesty programmes even though he has the power to scrap it.
“President Buhari has also ensured the cleanup of Ogoni land which was abandoned by past administrations by releasing funds through the Ministry of Environment for work to commence,’’ he said.
James said Buhari was not for the Niger Delta or South-South alone and not president of oil companies but for every Nigerian.
He said appointments were given to sons and daughters from the region to take care of the Niger Delta.
“To ensure the development of the Niger Delta and South-South, the President sacked the former Special Adviser on Niger Delta amnesty programme Paul Boro and appointed Charles Waka, he is performing and we can see the development in the region,” he said.
James further lauded the administration’s efforts in the fight against terrorism, charging Nigerians to contribute to ensuring peace by always informing security agencies on happenings around them.
“Today there is peace in the Niger Delta region and the hostility, kidnapping that was common has been tackled except for cases of armed robbery which is also a challenge in every part of the county.
“We should all be security conscious because the President cannot be everywhere.
“We should see it as a responsibility to always inform the Police and other security agencies of happenings to help them perform and serve us better,” he said. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

(Audio) Sen. Ndume urges youths to take advantage of ‘Not too Young to Run Act’ to strengthen democracy

 

Law
By Donald Ugwu
Abuja, June 1, 2018 (NAN) Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume, has urged Nigerian youths to take full advantage of the “Not too Young to Run Act’’ to strengthen democracy in the country.

Ndume gave the advice in Abuja on Friday, while addressing State House Correspondents.
According to him, the Act  is an achievement for the young population as it has leveled the limit for contesting various offices in the country.
Cue in audio (Ndume)
“The age reduction or age adjustment or age requirement for contest into various offices.
“I want to congratulate the Nigerian Youth because I am one of the advocates of the Not too Young to Run Bill and you have seen the support that we gave it at the National Assembly level.
“Just as nobody is too old to run we feel that nobody should be too young to run either.
“I think this is a very commendable thing that the President did.
“Now the door is open to everybody to have the opportunity to contest; I think this is another very good positive development in the maturity of democracy in the country.
“I want to congratulate the Nigerian youth and I want them to take advantage of that to give in the best and try their best to see that we have an improved democracy with more youths that will be vibrant in the system.’’
Cue out audio
The Senator also noted that the National Assembly had not performed up to expectation in the present dispensation.
He said that the thing that the country got wrong ab initio was that the three arms of government was viewed as independent rather than being viewed as inter-dependent.
According to him, the developed democracy that Nigeria copied from, the U.S., the Vice President is the Senate President.
“There is supposed to be synergy, support and cooperation within the three arms of government.
“And to be honest that has not been the case in the past three years; it has been very bumpy and it was unnecessary.
“But now at the tail end of it I think that everybody has realized that it was not supposed to be as that is not what Nigerians are expecting and people are looking inwards to making adjustments.
“But the eight National Assembly has not been smooth and has not been working closely with the executive,’’ he added.
Ndume said he would not blame the executive entirely for the frosty relationship because “it takes two to tango.
“If somebody is wrong you don’t go the wrong way because you will not get it right by that.’’
The former Senate Leader stated that the assessment was his personal view noting that since the ruling party had the majority in the National Assembly the relationship ought to be smoother that it had been. (NAN)
DCU/YEE

≠========
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
General news

Democracy day: Aremu hail Nigerians for nurturing democracy

Democracy day: Aremu hail Nigerians for nurturing democracy
By Mohammad Tijjani
Democracy
Kaduna, May 29, 2018 (NAN) The General Secretary, National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Mr Issa Aremu, on Tuesday hailed Nigerians for nurturing uninterrupted democratic process for 19 years.
Aremu made the commendation in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kaduna to mark this year’s Democracy Day.
According to him, regardless of the numerous current challenges of governance, the task is to deepen democracy not lessen it.
Aremu said it was “insufficiency in democratic practices” among the politicians that is worsening the crisis of governance in the country.
The labour leader added that security and economic challenges could only be overcome if ordinary people were involved in governance.
“We must democratise the public space and rescue the country from the total capture and dominance of few unaccountable self serving ruling elites,” he said.
Aremu also commended President Muhammad Buhari’s administration for the bailout funds released to states “to ease their fiscal challenges and other obligations including payment of salaries”.
He however flayed what he described as the silence of the President’s 2018 Democracy Day speech on new minimum wage, adding that negotiation should be concluded in earnest so as to motivate the workforce for economic recovery through enhanced productivity.
“We acknowledge the efforts of the Federal authorities with respect to public safety and security in degrading the Boko Haram insurgency.
“The efforts should be at prevention of violence through inclusive development and governance’’, saying persistent violence had compounded “the crisis of productivity, unemployment and value addiction” in the affected North East region.
Aremu also urged Buhari and governors in the crisis-ridden states to heed to the advice of Prof. Mahmoud Jega, former INEC Chairman, who at the 2018 Democracy Day Lecture, said that both the federal and states authorities should urgently develop “capacity, institutions, structures and process of peace building” as a necessary condition for democratic consolidation.
He said it was unacceptable for Nigeria that had been adjudged a peace building nation in war torn Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan to be afflicted with preventable crisis, adding “it is time Nigeria’s peace and charity ship berthed at home’’. (NAN)
TJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Democracy Day: Administrator scores Al-Makura high on healthcare

Democracy Day: Administrator scores Al-Makura high on healthcare
By Awayi Kuje
Development
Keffi (Nasarawa State), May 29, 2018 (NAN) The Sole Administrator, School of Health Technology, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Alhaji Suleiman Mohammed, has commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura over his developmental strides, especially in the health sector, in the last seven years.
Mohammed said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi on Tuesday on the occasion of 19 years of uninterrupted democratic practice in Nigeria.
He said the governor’s development efforts had impacted positively on the lives of the people of the state and other Nigerians in the last seven years respectively.
Mohammed noted that hospitals and schools built across the state by the Al-Makura administration had improved the health and wellbeing of the people of the state.
“The Authorities of School of Health, Keffi, Nasarawa State, underscored the transformational initiatives of Gov. Tanko Al-Makura especially in the health and education sectors.
“Gov. Al-Makura had done credibly well and is still doing his best in giving the health and education sectors as well as other sectors the needed attention.
“He has built many hospitals and schools across the state in the last seven years which had impacted positively on the lives of the people of the state and Nigerians at large.
“The importance of health and education sector to the development of any society cannot be over emphasised, as a healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” he stressed.
The administrator also commended President Muhammdu Buhari over his fight against corruption, insurgency and for embarking on projects and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of Nigerians.
“President Buhari had done well especially in the area of tackling insecurity, unemployment and the diversification of the nation’s economy through agriculture,” he said.
Mohammed appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray and support Buhari and Al-Makura to enable them continue to deliver more dividends of democracy.
He restated his continued commitment to initiate good polices in order to improve on the lives of the students and the staff. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Democracy walk: President Buhari to lead 1m Nigerians

Democracy walk: President Buhari to lead 1m Nigerians
By Chijioke Okorokwo
2019
Abuja, May 20, 2018 (NAN) The National Democracy Stakeholders Group (NSDG), a pro-democracy and non-profit organisation, says President Muhammadu Buhari will lead the 2018 edition of Democracy Solidarity Walk.
NSDG’s Convener, Mr Kletsaint Akor, told newsmen on Sunday in Abuja that Buhari would lead the walk scheduled for May 29 at the Eagles Square, Abuja.
He said that the walk, organised by NSDG in collaboration with state and non-state partners, would also be led by governors in the 36 state capitals across Nigeria.
According to Akor, the walk, which is the fourth edition with the theme “Walk for Credible, Free and Fair 2019 Elections”, is expected to attract over 1 million people nationwide.
He said that the aim of the exercise was to moblise Nigerians to take ownership of the 2019 electoral process through participation, enlightenment and protection of Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
“The 2018 edition of the annual Democracy Solidarity Walk will be led by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja and the governors in each of the 36 states.
“It is expected to draw participation from all Nigerian democracy stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC), Trade Union Congress(TUC), political parties, National Orientation Agency, aspirants to elective political offices.
“Others expected to participate are the media, pro-democracy groups, civil society groups, development partners, students union representatives, Non-Governmental Organisations and ordinary Nigerian citizens whose best interests are served by credible elections,’’ he said.
The convener recalled that the first Democracy Walk, which took place in May 2009 to celebrate Nigeria’s first ever 10 years of uninterrupted democratic governance since independence in 1960, drew a huge participation.
Akor said that the event was marked again in 2013 and 2017, and had grown into a major component of Nigeria’s annual Democracy Day celebrations as Nigerians had realised that there was no alternative to democracy.
According to him, adequate security will be provided by the Nigeria police and other security agencies throughout the walk. (NAN)
CJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola