Nelson Ugwuagbo

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, has warned that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder that could explode if the nation fails to take the right step.

According to Obasanjo, Nigeria will not progress towards achieving its goals unless both leaders and citizens embrace what he termed moral rearmament.

Obasanjo described Nigeria as a nation that takes two steps forward, one step aside, and four steps backwards.

He deemed the demands of #EndBadGovernance protesters as very legitimate, stating that the government should heed the people’s grievances and cease pretending that all is well.

Obasanjo made these remarks when he received six members of the House of Representatives, who are co-sponsors of bills proposing a single six-year term, rotation of the presidency between the North and South, and rotation of governorship slots among the three senatorial districts of each of the 36 states.

The legislators visited Obasanjo at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

The lawmakers included Abdulmalik Danga from Kogi, Dr Usman Midala from Borno, Matthew Nwogu from Imo, Peter Aniekwe from Anambra, Kama Nkemkanma from Ebonyi, and Ugochinyere Ikenga from Imo.

Obasanjo lamented that succeeding governments have failed to build on the foundation he established, resulting in significant setbacks for the country.

He said, “As I have warned earlier, we should recognise that we are all sitting on a powder keg if we fail to begin doing the right thing. For instance, what the youth are demanding is very legitimate and should be listened to. Why should they be denied what rightfully belongs to them?

“They are frustrated, they are hungry, they are angry, they are unemployed, and they deserve to be heard.

More than anything else, such as changing our system of government or adopting a single term of six or four years, we must change our ways of doing things. We must reform our thinking and character.

“I wish that succeeding governments had built upon the foundation we laid, even if not as quickly as hoped, but sadly, the blocks we put in place are being removed.

“What I know about Nigeria is that if we get it right — both leadership and team — because one tree does not make a forest, you need a good leader but also a good team for a well-done job.

“If we get it right in about two and a half years, we could overcome some challenges, and in about 10 years, we will have a solid foundation. In about 25 years, we could be there.

“But we always take one step forward, two steps aside, and four steps backward, which is why we are where we are.

“For me, it is not just about the system; we may need to rethink our liberal democracy. In Africa, we often talk about loyal opposition, but what we do is reach a consensus, and then there is no opposition; everyone is on the same page and moves together.

“In many African languages, the word for opposition translates to ‘enemies.’ What do you do with loyal enemies? Once you take power, you claim everything, and the opposition is left in the wilderness. This approach is not beneficial. We need everyone to join hands to advance society.

“Our main problem is ourselves. Whether we adopt a single term of six years or two terms of four years, if we maintain the same mentality and approach, nothing will change.

“The real issue is ourselves. Yes, the system needs rethinking, but the character of people in government must change. With all due respect, many in government should currently be behind bars or on the gallows.”

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully targeted and destroyed a suspected Boko Haram terrorist Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

This operation was part of the ongoing Operation Hadin Kai, aimed at combating terrorism in the region.

According to NAF Spokesman AVM Edward Gabkwet, the airstrikes were conducted on August 2, 2024, targeting terrorist enclaves at Grazah, a location in the Mandara Hills.

The strikes were carried out after intelligence reports revealed the presence of a possible IED factory and storage area for other logistics.

The IED factory had been relocated multiple times, from Gwoza to Timbuktu Triangle in Sambisa Forest, and finally to Grazah in the Mandara Hills.

This frequent relocation was attributed to the intense pressure from the combined efforts of the security forces under Operation Hadin Kai.

The NAF had been monitoring the IED factory location at Grazah for weeks, observing various installations and activities consistent with those protecting a strategic location. Two gun trucks were also spotted near the suspected factory, further confirming the need for an air strike.

The air strike was carried out, and the targets were effectively destroyed. A thick cloud of smoke was seen after the strikes, indicating that the suspected IED factory and the two gun trucks were successfully destroyed, and several terrorists were neutralized.

The Take It Back Movement is gearing up for a massive nationwide protest, set to take place this Saturday in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This unprecedented event promises to be an important moment in the fight against bad governance in Nigeria.

According to Mr. Sanyaolu Juwon, National Coordinator of the movement, the protest will be a culmination of their #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign, which launched on August 1, 2024.

What began as a planned 10-day protest has evolved into a full-blown movement, drawing support from every corner of the country and beyond.

The protest’s primary objective is to bring attention to the widespread hardship faced by Nigerian citizens, and to demand action from governments at all levels.

Despite being marred by the involvement of criminal elements, the movement has witnessed significant turnout across the country, particularly in northern states.

This protest is coming despite pleas from President Bola Tinubu, urging protesters to stand down and give his administration more time.

The protest has continued unabated in Abuja, Kano, and other parts of the country, with this Saturday’s event shaping up to be the largest and most impactful yet.

Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, Founder and CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, has revealed plans to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses, which will provide cheaper transportation options for the commuting public.

He also urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the Bola Tinubu administration, asking them to “give him time.”

After a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma told journalists that he had discussed plans with the President to introduce more Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses on the roads, saying “I’ve discussed with him, and soon the masses will have plenty of CNG buses on the road.”

The automobile entrepreneur described the Presidential CNG Initiative as “the way forward” for the country.

The Innoson CEO explained, “The government’s initiative on CNG is the best idea for transportation in this country because CNG offers many benefits for Nigeria.

That benefit is what I recognised before I started the factory to produce vehicles that run on CNG. I began producing CNG kits before the announcement.

“So today, everyone who tries CNG will find that it is the way forward for this nation.”

Thursday’s meeting follows President Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast five days earlier, in which he promised to distribute “a million kits at extremely low or no cost to commercial vehicles that transport people and goods and who currently consume 80 per cent of the imported Premium Motor Spirit and Automotive Gas Oil.”

Tinubu argued that despite Nigeria’s abundance of oil and gas resources, the country had relied solely on oil-based petrol, neglecting its gas resources to power the economy. He stated that the CNG initiative would save the country N2 trillion monthly.

“We were also using our hard-earned foreign exchange to pay for and subsidise its use.

To address this, we have launched our Compressed Natural Gas Initiative to power our transportation economy and reduce costs.

“This will save over two trillion Naira a month, which is currently used to import PMS and AGO, and free up our resources for greater investment in healthcare and education,” said Tinubu.

Tragedy struck in Bayelsa State when a wooden cargo boat, “Godbless Dickson”, caught fire and sank in the Ezetu 1 community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

The boat, carrying over 64 passengers and crew members, as well as cargo, exploded and burst into flames, resulting in the loss of 20 lives.

According to ASP Musa Mohammed, spokesperson for the Bayelsa Police Command, rescue efforts are ongoing to save other victims.

The boat was transporting farm produce from a rural settlement to Swali market in Yenagoa when the incident occurred.

Target Segibo, Chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA, described the incident as a “disaster” and “regrettable”.

He called for improved safety regulations in the marine transport sector across the state, emphasizing the need for stakeholders to strengthen measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs has retracted its internal circular dated August 1, 2024, regarding the sale of subsidized rice to public servants.

In a new directive, Aderonke A. Jaiyesimi, Director of Human Resource Management, stated that the previous circular is hereby withdrawn.

The new directive, addressed to all directors, heads of departments, and unit heads, instructs that staff be informed of the withdrawal and provided with proper guidance.

The directive was issued on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, with copies sent to the Minister and Permanent Secretary for further action.

The Ministry has assured that more information will be provided soon to clarify the situation regarding the sale of subsidized rice to public servants.

President Bola Tinubu has named Aminu Masari, former Governor of Katsina State, as the new Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board.

This appointment was announced by Presidential Spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement.

In addition to Masari, six other individuals have been appointed as members of the TETFund Board, including:

• Senator Sani Danladi
• Mr. Sunday Adepoju
• Mr. Nurudeen Adeyemi
• Mrs. Esther Onyinyechukwu Ukachukwu
• Mr. Turaki Ibrahim
• Mr. Aboh Eduyok

According to Ngelale, President Tinubu expects the new board members to be dedicated and committed to achieving TETFund’s goal of supporting tertiary education and enhancing the quality and productivity of higher education.

Jonathan Vatsa, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step down from his position.

According to Vatsa, the senate president must be relieved of his duties for asking hunger protesters to go ahead with the protest while he enjoys a meal.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Jonathan Vatsa criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s recent comments, calling them insensitive and embarrassing to the ruling party.

Vatsa accused Akpabio of bringing the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) culture of corruption, which he described as “eating,” into the APC.

He continued, “It is a huge error and a disservice to this country to turn around and make someone like Akpabio a Senate President in the APC government. That is why this government can never get it right.

“The APC, as a party, has been hijacked by those that Nigerians were fed up with and decided to embrace ‘change’ in 2015. They have been eating and they want to continue eating like Akpabio made Nigerians believe.

“I said it before and I will repeat it that it is sad that we are giving red carpet reception to those we initially accused of looting this country with reckless abandon, so how can we get it right?

“The same eating Akpabio ate for 16 years under the PDP government, he still wants to continue eating under the APC government. This is the tragedy of a nation.”

The former Commissioner for Information in Niger State said since Akpabio’s state, Akwa Ibom, was under the PDP he “shouldn’t have been allowed to occupy the seat of the Senate President.”

“This party must begin to redeem its image and build confidence in Nigerians before 2027. This must start from Akpabio’s resignation to let Nigerians know that we are serious as a party,” Vatsa added

Africa is the only continent not in the top 30 of the Paris2024 Olympics medals table.

While countries like the United States of America already shine with 86 medals, no African country was represented in the top 30 so far.

Kenya, known for having incredible athletes is the best African country so far, ranking 33rd with 4 medals.

Kenya has 1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals. But even Kenya is not doing as well as countries from other continents.

Other African countries including Nigeria are doing worse in the Olympics and hence far below in the medal ranking list.

This is as individuals of African birth have nationalized and won medals for countries in other continents after they received zero support from the governments of their countries in Africa.