By NefishetuYakubu

Mr Frank Okiye, the newly elected Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, assumed duty at the assembly complex on Tuesday.

Okiye, who addressed newsmen at the complex, thanked members and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the confidence reposed in him.

l am happy and very elated. Edo people, my party and the members of the House have found me worthy for the position as the Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly.

Am not the best, but this responsibility is divine, he said.

The Speaker said other elected lawmakers, who were not at the inauguration ceremony, would be inaugurated as soon as they completed their documentation processes.

According to Okiye, we adjourned sitting till July 17, 2019 to enable us do some administrative work, allocate offices to members and get the system to function well.

My expectation for the seventh assembly is that we will strive to make laws that would be of immense benefit to Edo people, he said.

Okiye promised to work harmoniously with the state governor to deliver the dividends of democracy to Edo people.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, on Monday inaugurated nine out the 24 members-elect.

Omogbai, who ushered in the lawmakers into the chamber, read the letter of proclamation transmitted to the office of the Clerk by the Executive Governor of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

After reading the letter, the clerk proclaimed the seventh assembly and members began the process of electing the House leadership.

Frank Okiye (APC-Esan North East Constituency I) was elected as the Speaker, while Yekini Idiaye (APC Akoko Edo Constituency I) was elected Deputy Speaker.

Meanwhile, there was heavy presence of security personnel at the entrance to the assembly complex, while staff of the assembly went about their normal duties.

The nine members inaugurated on Monday were Frank Okiye (Esan North East l), Yekini Idaiye (Akoko-Edo I ), Nosayaba Okunbor (Orhionmwon East), Roland Asoro (Orhionmwon South), Marcus Onobun (Esan West), Uyi Ekhosuehi (Oredo East), Ephiraim Aluebhosele (Igueben), Henry Okhuarobo (Ikpoba-Okha) and Eric Okaka (Owan East).

NAN reports that 19 of the 24 members-elect, had on Monday, called on Gov. Obaseki to inaugurate the seventh assembly following the expiration of the sixth assembly on June 7.

The lawmakers, who made the call while briefing newsmen in Benin, said they would resist any attempt by the governor to impose the leadership of the House.

Source: NAN

The Trump administration has announced plans to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

The news came after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the thousands of Central American migrants who have come to the U.S. in search of asylum at the U.S. border with Mexico.

U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said funds for programs in those countries would not be provided until the administration is satisfied these governments are taking concrete actions to reduce the number of migrants coming to the U.S.

Working with Congress, we will reprogram those funds to other priorities as appropriate. This is consistent with the presidents direction and with the recognition that it is critical that there be sufficient political will in these countries to address the problem at its source.

As Secretary Pompeo has said, these nations have the responsibility to take care of the immigration problems in their home country, Ortagus said.

According to Reuters, congressional aides said the administration told them it would reallocate million in aid to Central America lawmakers that had approved for fiscal 2018, and suspend an additional million Congress had approved for fiscal 2017.

Lawmakers had been urging the administration to reverse course, fearing the end of U.S. assistance will only make worse the rampant poverty, deep-rooted political instability and widespread insecurity in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, collectively known as the Northern Triangle.

Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, who represents the border city of El Paso, Texas, said on Twitter that the Trump administrations strategy is destabilizing.

Instead of working with leaders in Central America to stabilize the situation there, the administration is eliminating aid intended to create better conditions that would help keep families home, she wrote.

Source: NAN

By Naomi Sharang

The National Democratic Institute (NDI), has urged the Federal Government to begin preparations for the 2023 general elections now to ensure its success.

Dr Christopher Fomunyoh, NDIs Senior Associate and Regional Director for Central and West Africa made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the presentation of the institutes report on 2019 general elections.

While hoping that the preparations for the 2023 would begin immediately, Fomunyoh said the NDI, as an International Election Observation Mission has been contributing in the conversation to ensure the success of the elections.

This is because we hope that if the conversations begin now and a lot of the reform issues that have been touched upon in our report and the election administration authorities, political parties, CSOs and electorates as a whole will be so well prepared.

And when all the aforesaid are well prepared and so well vast in the electoral processes, by the time we get to 2023, we will actually see a vast and very huge successful election that Nigerians across the world will be overwhelmingly proud of.

We will also see fewer cases before election tribunals or before courts of law, he said.

On the successes of Nigerias elections in the last 20 years, the director said that until 2015, there was a progressive improvement in the way in which elections were conducted in the country.

In 2015, Nigeria had one of the most credible elections in the countrys history as was said by most Nigerians and friends of Nigeria across the world.

The hope for many Nigerians in 2015 was that upward trajectory will be maintained and that 2019 saw improvement on what transpired in 2015, he said.

Fomunyoh said Nigeria had a lot to offer in terms of electoral achievements and as such, the electoral umpire must up its games in ensuring the credibility of the electoral process.

A lot has been accomplished since the transition in 1999 but there is still lots that need to be done, he said.

He explained that once stakeholders have the consciousness that a lot still needed to be done to give citizens confidence that their votes counted, then there would be successes recorded in the system.

Also, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Mr Bashir Ibrahim said that due to various responsibilities the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is performing, it is overburdened.

He listed the responsibilities to include the regulation of political parties, registration of political parties and voters and conduct of elections.

All these responsibilities can be unburdened and given to other organisations like the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to create voters register, he said.

He added that in other countries, the electoral body only conduct elections.

Ibrahim, however, said that he is not in support of the establishment of an electoral offences commission to punish offenders because other law enforcement agencies could handle them under their own act.

All we need to do is to strengthen the existing anti-graft agencies to enable them perform their responsibilities, he said.

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe

The Presidency has welcomed with reservations, the joint report of the International Republic Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) on the 2019 general elections in Nigeria and recommendations for the 2023 general elections.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, made this position known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said: It is instructive that President Buhari clearly won this vote and the report in no way disputes that fundamental fact. President Buhari won by almost 4 million majority, with a 14 per cent margin.

However, the most important thing in an election is that it reflects the will of the people which in our circumstances was acknowledged to have been a success by ECOWAS Observer Mission and YIAGA AFRICA whose parallel vote tabulation verified INECs presidential election result as announced. This we achieved.

Shehu noted that the nation had developed a tradition of improvements in its electoral process through enforcement of the electoral law which resulted in the prosecution and conviction of electoral officers that were found wanting in compromising the electoral process.

He, however, maintained that there are improvements that must be made in the process for the future, noting that the sheer size, terrain and remoteness of certain regions did posed serious logistic challenges.

They also pose a problem for electoral observers: across a country of over 190 million, only 40 observers were deployed to observe just 16 states the Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria has 36 states).

It was unfortunate that the election was postponed yet imagine if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had gone ahead unprepared. The delay undoubtedly resulted in a lower turnout.

Because they are registered to vote in their place of birth, and not where they live, many Nigerians could not make arrangements to travel back again.

But the fact still remains that major democracies of the world have equally recorded worst turnout in modern history.

The effect of voter turnout, at any rate, is a two-way traffic that affected both sides equally.

To pretend otherwise is wrong considering that in 2015, the INEC postponed the election by six weeks under a PDP President, whom as an incumbent it was said to help at the time.

It didnt make a difference. Similarly, neither did it aid the sitting President in 2019, he said.

Shehu also described as amazing that the electoral observers recommended that electoral laws were enforced, and perpetrators of crimes punished and at the same time implicitly criticise the removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria for failing to disclose his assets as required by law. Which would they prefer?

The law is a matter of principle that takes its course regardless of time and circumstances.

It is never a matter of convenience and indeed remains functional, operational and enforceable without due regard to the electioneering process.

As we have already said, we are committed to reviewing our electoral laws and processes, like every democracy across the world should.

The presidential aide stated that government intended to build on the innovations of the election that would facilitate inclusiveness and participation, such as providing braille for blind people to cast their votes among other innovations.

This election was won by the candidate who received the most votes. We value the reports recommendations. We can assure they shall be assessed and evaluated.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday renamed the National Stadium Abuja to Moshood Abiola stadium as mark of honour to the late winner of the June 12 1993, Presidential Election.

This was announced on Wednesday by the president while delivering his 2019 June 12 Democracy Day celebration at the Eagles Square Abuja.

It would be recalled that Abiola had run for the presidency in 1993, but the election results were annulled by former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, popularly called IBB.

But Buhari, on the 6th of June 2018 recognised the election and awarded Abiola posthumously with Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) – award meant for Presidents.

According to Buhari, the country only needs to get its acts together because it has all it takes to become a world power.

Buhari was optimistic that Nigeria can do it, since nations like China, India and Indonesian achieved the feat, saying that Nigeria’s economy is expected to grow 2.7% this year. “Nigeria can do it,” he said.

He noted that his administration has made remarkable progress in the fight against corruption, improving economy and securing the nation in the past four years.

The president also assured that his administration in the next four years would consolidate on the achievements recorded in the past four years.

He urged state governments and the private sector to play their own part, as the Federal Government cannot develop the nation alone.

Buhari said that his administration will not tolerate any form of attack and violence against Nigerians in any part of the country, noting that the country’s unity is unshakable.

“Join me in this journey of rebuilding our nation,” he added.

By Taiye Agbaje

Sen. Ike Ekweremadu (PDP-Enugu), said he decided to contest for the Deputy Senate President seat in protest against the nomination of Omo-Agege for the position .

Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu West Senatorial District, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen shortly after the election at the National Assembly complex,in Abuja, on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ekweremadu, who is the immediate-past deputy senate president, and Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege vied for the position.

While Ekweremadu scored 37 votes out of the 105 votes, Omo-Agege polled 68 votes to emerge the new deputy senate president.

He said he decided to contest in protest against the nomination of Omo-Agege for the position of the number-two man of the 9th Senate.

I believe that there must be a referendum looking at what happened when I was presiding when the Senate was invaded.

It would have been very embarrassing that somebody who led that operation would just be asked to take a bow and would be endorsed and we all walkover as if it doesnt matter.

So I wanted a situation where Nigerians, especially through their representatives, will be able to present a referendum in respect of what transpired and then be able to either endorse or condemn it, he said.

On when he took the decision, he said: Only this morning because actually we werent minded to run for any office but we thought that our friends in APC will be able to come up with another candidate.

On how he felt with the outcome of the election, he said: I think that God has just given me that opportunity to have a rest.

For over 20 years I have been very busy with politics, with leadership, with governance. So I think this is an opportunity for me to have a rest and reflect on so many other things.

The lawmaker said he hoped that the present Senate would be able to wake up to the current challenges of insecurity, unemployment and issue of disunity, among others, which are staring the nation in the face.

I think these are issues we have to work with the executive closely to address outside the party lines, he said.

He said without tackling some of these fundamental issues, the country would not make any progress. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The newly inaugurated Executive Council of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has congratulated the President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan on his election.

The Council led by Comrade Abdullahi Almustapha Asuku also congratulated all members of the just inaugurated 9th National Assembly.

A statement signed by Awujoola Kehinde, National PRO, the NYCN urged the new legislature to ensure that it deepens democracy.

We the Apex and Umbrella Youth Organisation in Nigeria, use this medium to formally congratulate all members of the Red and Green Chamber as they begin another four years (4) of legislative duties to initiate and pass bills that would represent the general interest of the citizenry and the nation at large.

NYCN beseech the legislative arm of government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to help deepening democratic principles and values in the country and ensure its goods are enjoyed by the citizens at large.

Looking to a more better and virile performance from the 9th National Assembly that would always be the opium of the people they represent at there various Senatorial districts and constituencies.

Congratulations once again to all members of the 9th National Assembly(NASS) on your inauguration today 11th day of June, 2019, it said.

Source: NAN

By Cecilia Ijuo

The newly elected President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, says he will be fair to his colleagues irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliation.

He said this while delivering his remarks at the end of the inauguration of the 9th Senate, which saw to his emergence.

Lawan said the senate under his leadership would do justice to all to ensure that it perform its role for the benefit of Nigerians.

He added that elections are over. It shows that we voted for a united senate and it is clear that the outcome is bipartisan.

All parties including the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and Young Progressives Party(YPP) voted for me and with this outcome, the 9th Senate is ready to take off as a united senate.

Today means so many things. It is the commencement of another decade of our democracy and we will work to ensure best global parliamentary practice among other things, he said.

Lawan, who polled 79 votes to defeat his only contender, Sen. Ali Ndume, who polled 28 votes, promised to ensure a secure and a prosperous future for all Nigerians.

He promised to run a senate that would be responsive to the needs of the masses whose mandate the senate holds in high esteem.

He called for the support of his colleagues to ensure a robust senate, adding that, we will not settle for anything less than the best. We will dream big, aim high and take good initiatives.

Lawan pointed out that the agenda of the 9th senate would include improved Information Communication Technology(ICT).

He added that the senate would work in collaboration with the Executive, to tackle cattle rustling, kidnapping and other crimes bedeviling the nation..

He said, we will work with the executive for sustained pursuit of national ethical renewal.

The president of the senate said the 9th senate would address youth unemployment, high rate of suicide, depression, corruption, insecurity among others.

He also said the upper chamber would work towards finding lasting solutions to the disturbing educational challenges in the country, adding that it is embarrassing to have about 14 million out of school children.

He further allayed fears that the senate under him would be subservient to the executive.

According to him, the senate will be independent while working with the executive.
We will choose unity of purpose instead of conflict, he said.

He pointed out that he would ensure that senates relationship with stakeholders including civil society organisations and the media is strengthened.

He stressed that we must drive a trans-formative senate dedicated to serving the people with confidence, courage and patriotism.

In doing so, we are convinced that our past was only a story told while our future can yet be written in gold.(NAN)

Source: NAN

By Martins Odeh

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday prayed the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to dismiss petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar against his Feb.23 re-election.

Buhari made the prayer through his Counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, in a motion adopted and argued on Tuesday before Justice Mohammed Garba-led five-man panel in Abuja.

Olanipekun submitted that the petition was fundamentally defective, adding that his client won the presidential square and clear.

He explained that the allegations advanced by the petitioners were mere theoretical assumptions that could not stand the test of critical legal debate.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal also entertained the presidents motion that sought to effect amendment on the identities and addresses of counsel representing him.

Another of Buharis application seeking to mandate the tribunal to entertain all interlocutory motions before the commencement of proper hearing of the main petition was also adopted and argued.

Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition brought by PDP and Atiku against a flawless election that won by Buhari.

Mr Yunus Usman, SAN, Counsel for INEC said that the electoral commission would standby the declaration of the second respondent (Buhari) as winner of the Fbe.23 presidential election.

Usman said the petition challenging the outcome of the exercise was misguided, adding that the allegations of fraud made against the electoral body was mischievous.

NAN reports that INECs application challenging the jurisdiction and competence of the tribunal to entertain the petition.

Usman further urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition as the petitioners failed to include the vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as a co-winner in the election.

The failure of the PDP and Atiku to include Osinbajos name as party should not be overlooked because whatever affects the president affects his running mate, Usman said.

NAN also reports that three other interlocutory motions filed by the All Progressive Congress were argued and dispensed with.

Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Counsel for the APC had urged the tribunal to strike out 18 paragraphs of the petition with frivolous assumptions among other prayers.

He submitted that the competence of the petition was questionable, adding that it would soon become a mere lame duck.

Meanwhile, Dr Levi Uzoukwu, SAN, Counsel for the petitioners prayed the tribunal to discountenance all the arguments canvassed by the respondents, describing INECs position in the matter as unusual.

The presiding judge, therefore, fixed June 13 for the petitioners motions to be heard.

Source: NAN

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The contingent of the National Troupe on Wednesday thrilled guests to cultural dances and displays at the maiden June 12 Democracy Day celebration.

The troupe from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, entertained guests with dances from the Northern, Southern and Western regions of the country.

The cultures represented at the event are the Yoruba, Fulani, the fishermen dance from the Ijaws and Ibo.

While the Fulani dancers displayed the showing of strength by the men and feeding of the men by their women, the Ijaw dance showcased the paddling of canoe for fishing.

One of the unique aspect of the display was the mixture of the dance with the armed forces brigade parade intermittently.

They provided shield for the dancers during the performance which symbolised the statutory function of the military to protect the country.

The Armed forces also showed an excellent display of entertaining parade that elicited applause from the audience.

The audience comprised of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Acting Chief Justice, Justice Tanko Mohammed.

Other dignitaries at the event are some visiting Heads of States and members of the diplomatic community.

Source: NAN

By Sunday John

There was no celebration of Democracy Day in Nasarawa State, inspite of the declaration of the day as the new Democracy Day in Nigeria to honour Moshood Abiola, the winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, did not line up any activity to mark the day.

NAN also reports that this was supposed to be the first Democracy Day with Sule as the governor of the state, and no reason was given for the development.

Meanwhile, Lafia and some towns in the state were quiet just as most of the highways were largely deserted due to the public holiday declared by the Federal Government.

However, some private schools in Akwanga and Lafia did not observe the public holiday as students and pupils were seen receiving lessons in classes when NAN correspondent visited the schools.

When NAN interviewed some residents of the state, they commended President Muhammadu Buhari for honouring Abiola more than two decades after he was denied his mandate.

Bala John and Musa Ahmed told NAN that the new Democracy Day is really worth it given the sacrifices that were paid to entrench democratic rule in the country.

The duo, however, called on political parties to ensure they present highly qualified candidates with vision and patriotic zeal to lead in every election just like it was the case in June 1993.

They explained that in 1993, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for Abiola because of his passion for the country inspite of that himself and his deputy, Amb. Babagana Kingibe were Muslims.

Source: NAN

By Abiemwense Moru

President Muhammadu Buhari, has promised to take 100 million Nigerians from poverty to prosperity in the next 10 years.

Buhari disclosed this in his opening speech at the inaugural June 12, Democracy Day celebration on Wednesday in Abuja.

The President said that his administration would ensure rapid and positive growth in the economy to move Nigeria away from poverty.

Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 2.7 per cent this year.

Our external reserve have risen to 45 billion dollars enough to finance over nine months of current equal commitments.

This administration has laid a foundation of taking bold steps in transforming our country and delivering our people from shackles of poverty.

First we will take steps in integrating the rural economy to national economic grade by extending access to input to rural farmers as well as credit to rural micro businesses and opening up many critical feeder roads.

Secondly, all small scale enterprises in towns and cities would share facilities currently available so that we can continue to encourage and support domestic production of basic goods to improve our lives, he said.

The president added that in the next four years his administration would remain positive to improve the lives of people by consolidating on efforts to address many issues.

Source: NAN

By Taiye Edeni

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigerian security agencies for conducting free and fair general polls in 2019 that brought him to power for second term.

Buhari made the commendation during the June 12 Democracy Day celebration at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

He said that INEC was given all the necessary support by providing the commission with all the resources needed for successful electoral process.

According to him, the various security agencies in the country must be commended for maintaining peace and order and for laying down their lives to protect the nation.

He said today, we are privileged to mark the 9th secretariat of unbroken democracy leadership and peaceful transfer of power; we have won a democratic election government for another four years in Nigeria.

Throughout the last four years, I respected the independency of INEC, I ensured that INEC got every resources needed to independently conduct impartial management of elections in the country.

Political parties can agree that the recent elections, except for pockets of unrest, were free, fair and peaceful. I thank all the people who worked for our party, who campaigned and who voted for us.

I thank my fellow Nigerians, who, since 2003 consistently voted for me.

I and Nigerians must collectively commend our Armed Forces and other security agencies for working round the clock to protect us by putting themselves to protect our future.

Buhari said that the issue of terrorism was a worldwide phenomenon that even the best secured countries were experiencing increasing incidences of unrest.

He, however, said that the present administration would consolidate on the achievements of the last four years.

Source: NAN

All Nigerias former Presidents including Olusegun Obasanjo, failed to attend the June 12 Democracy Day celebration which held on Wednesday at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The former presidents and Heads of state were scheduled to be seated at the venue of the event at 9:35 a.m., but they were conspicuously absent at about 10:06 when President Muhammadu Buhari arrived the venue.

The event is the first since Buhari approved June 12 as Democracy Day in honour MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election.

It would be recalled that May 29 had been observed as democracy day since the return of democracy in the country in 1999.

Buhari took his oath of office for his second term on May 29, but major events of the programme were moved to June 12.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as well as Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives are in attendance.

While Yakubu Gowon, former head of state, attended the May 29 event, he was conspicuously absent at the one of June 12.

Aside Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida, also former heads of state as well as Ernest Shonekan, former interim president, were absent at the celebration.

Ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan also shunned the event. But world leaders majority of whom are from Africa where on hand to celebrate the day with the leadership of the country.

The world leaders in attendance were President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania; President Paul Kagame of Rwanda; President George Weah of Liberia; President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo; and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana.

President Macky Sall of Senegal; President Adama Barrow of Gambia; President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic; President Jos Mrio Gmes Vaz of Guinea-Bissau and President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic were also present at the celebration.

Source: NAN

Protocols

All Praise is due to GOD Almighty Who spared our lives to be present at this great occasion. We give thanks also that the democratic process has been further entrenched and strengthened.

2. Twenty years ago, a democratically elected government took over from the military in a historic transfer of political power for our country.

3. Today, we are privileged to mark the longest period of unbroken democratic leadership and 5peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another in Nigeria.

4. Throughout the last four years, I respected the independence of INEC. I ensured that INEC got all the resources it needed for independent and impartial management of elections in the country.

5. All interested parties are agreed that the recent elections, which except for pockets of unrest, were free, fair and peaceful.

6. I thank all the people who worked for our party, who campaigned and who voted for us. I thank my fellow Nigerians, who, since 2003 have consistently voted for me.

7. Victory is your greatest reward; peace, unity and greater prosperity will be our collective legacy.

Your Excellencies, Fellow Nigerians,

8. I and Nigerians collectively must give adequate thanks to our Armed Forces, Police and other law enforcing agencies for working round the clock to protect us by putting themselves in harms way and defending our values and protecting our future.

9. Terrorism and insecurity are worldwide phenomena and even the best policed countries are experiencing increasing incidents of unrest and are finding things hard to cope.

10. The principal thrust of this new Administration is to consolidate on the achievements of the last four years, correct the lapses inevitable in all human endeavors and tackle the new challenges the country is faced with and chart a bold plan for transforming Nigeria.

11. Fellow Nigerians, I have had the privilege of free education from Primary school to Staff College to War College.

12. I received my formative education in Katsina and Kaduna and my higher education in England, India and the United States.

13. I have worked and served in Kaduna, Lagos, Abeokuta, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Ibadan, Jos and finally here in Abuja. Throughout my adult life, I have been a public servant. I have no other career but public service. I know no service but public service.

14. I was involved at close quarters in the struggle to keep Nigeria one. I can therefore do no more than dedicate the rest of my life to work for the unity of Nigeria and upliftment of Nigerians.

15. In 2002-2003 campaigns and elections, I travelled by road to 34 of the 36 states of the Federation. This year I travelled by air to all 36 states of the Federation.

16. Before and during my time in the Armed Forces and in government, I have interacted with Nigerians of all ages and persuasions and different shades of opinion over a period of more than fifty years.

17. And my firm belief is that our people above all want to live in peace and harmony with their fellow Nigerians. They desire opportunity to better themselves in a safe environment.

18. Most of the instances of inter-communal and inter-religious strife and violence were and are still as a result of sponsorship or incitements by ethnic, political or religious leaders hoping to benefit by exploiting our divisions and fault lines, thereby weakening our country.

19. And our country Nigeria is a great country. According to United Nations estimates, our population will rise to 411 million by 2050, making us the third most populous nation on earth behind only China and India.

20. We have water, arable land, forests, oil and gas and vast quantities of solid minerals. We are blessed with an equable climate. However, the bulk of our real wealth lies in Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Mining. We possess all the ingredients of a major economic power on the world stage.

21. What we require is the will to get our acts together. And our strength is in our people our youth, our culture, our resilience, our ability to succeed despite the odds.

22. A huge responsibility therefore rests on this and succeeding Administrations to develop, harness and fulfil our enormous potential into a force to be reckoned with globally.

23. Thus far, we Nigerians can be proud of our history since Independence in 1960. We have contributed to UN peace-keeping responsibilities all over the world; we have stabilized Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and two years ago we prevented the Gambia from degenerating into anarchy.

24. Without Nigerian influence and resources, the liberation of Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and ultimately South Africa would have come at greater cost. This fact had been attested by none other than the late Nelson Mandela himself.

25. Elsewhere, Nigeria is the Big Brother to our neighbours. We are the shock-absorber of the West African sub-region, the bulwark of ECOWAS and Lake Chad Basin Commission. We can therefore be proud to be Nigerians. We must continue to be Good Neighbours and Good Global Citizens.

26. At home, we have been successful in forging a nation from different ethnicities and language groups: our evolution and integration into one nation continues apace.

27. When, therefore we came to office in 2015 after a decade of struggle we identified three cardinal and existential challenges our country faced and made them our campaign focus, namely security, economy and fighting corruption.

28. None but the most partisan will dispute that in the last four years we have made solid progress in addressing these challenges.

29. When I took the oath of office on 29 May 2015, insecurity reigned. Apart from occupying 18 local governments in the North East, Boko Haram could at will attack any city including the Federal Capital, could threaten any institution including bombing the United Nations building and Police Headquarters in Abuja.

30. Admittedly, some of the challenges still remain in kidnappings and banditry in some rural areas. The great difference between 2015 and today is that we are meeting these challenges with much greater support to the security forces in terms of money, equipment and improved local intelligence. We are meeting these challenges with superior strategy, firepower and resolve.

31. In face of these challenges, our Government elected by the people in 2015 and re-elected in March has been mapping out policies, measures and laws to maintain our unity and at the same time lift the bulk of our people out of poverty and onto the road to prosperity.

32. This task is by no means unattainable. China has done it. India has done it. Indonesia has done it. Nigeria can do it. These are all countries characterized by huge burdens of population.

33. China and Indonesia succeeded under authoritarian regimes. India succeeded in a democratic setting. We can do it.

34. With leadership and a sense of purpose, we can lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

35. Following the 60 percent drop in oil prices between 2015 and 2016, through monetary and fiscal measures, we stimulated economic growth, curbed inflation and shored up our external reserves.

36. We now have witnessed 8 quarters of positive growth in the economy and our GDP is expected to grow by 2.7 percent this year.

37. Furthermore, our external reserves have risen to billion enough to finance over 9 months of current import commitments.

38. This Administration is laying the foundation and taking bold steps in transforming our country and liberating our people from the shackles of poverty.

39. First, we will take steps to integrate rural economies to the national economic grid by extending access to small-scale credits and inputs to rural farmers, credit to rural micro-businesses and opening up many critical feeder roads.

40. Secondly, for small-scale enterprises in towns and cities, we shall expand facilities currently available so that we continue to encourage and support domestic production of basic goods and reduce our reliance of imported goods as I will outline later.

41. For the next four years, we will remain committed to improving the lives of people by consolidating efforts to address these key issues as well as emerging challenges of climate change, resettling displaced communities and dealing decisively with the new flashes of insecurity across the country, and the impacts on food scarcity and regional stability.

42. We are not daunted by the enormity of the tasks ahead. Instead, we are revived by this new mandate to work collaboratively with State and Local Governments, Legislators, the Diplomatic Corps and all Nigerians to rebuild and reposition our country as the heartbeat and reference point for our continent.

43. Fellow Nigerians, Your Excellencies, Ladies

By Joan Nwagwu

Former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, says the recognition of June 12 as National Democracy Day by President Muhammad Buhari indirectly recognised MKO Abiola as a past president of Nigeria.

Osoba said this during the celebration of the first National Democracy Day on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the Day was significant as past presidents from 1999 had refused to recognise the day or Abiolas sacrifices for Nigerias democracy.

He said that the late Abiola, who refused to surrender his mandate, suffered and died in the struggle for democracy for the country.

I have lot of very bad memories about June 12, as a lot of people lost their lives for the struggle, a lot of families also suffered incurable damages, also a lot of people sold their properties to survive.

I also suffered in the hands of Seargent Rogers, who made two attempts to kill me and I was in hiding for almost a year, along others who paid the price.

I also recalled that when I was a governor with a former president from my state and all efforts that we should do something to immortalise Abiola did not make any impact.

You can therefore see why we are grateful to President Muhammad Buhari who recognises the significant of June 12.

The significance is the full price paid by Abiola that is making us enjoy democracy that is 20 year old now.

One of my own benefited from Abiola sacrifice to become president but here is Buhari who indirectly accepted that Abiola was once past president of this country, so those sacrifices that we also suffered are no more in vain, he said.

He commended the President, saying that democracy have come to stay in Nigeria.

Source: NAN

Applications are invited for theInternational Tuition Fee Scholarships which is provided to Individuals who are looking at pursuing a degree program atUniversity Of Southern Queensland Australia (USQ)

The free education program will provide 20% tuition fee reduction for applicants of one of the given programs.

Eligible Countries:International

Type:Masters

Eligible Field Of Study:Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Information Systems, and Master of Business Administration

Eligibility:To be eligible,Applicants must:

• be an International student
• not be a sponsored student
• be a commencing student (i.e. be new to USQ)
• receive an offer to study for Semester 2 or 3, 2019 for a place in one of the postgraduate degree programs offered by the University of Southern Queensland
• have successfully completed an undergraduate degree program at AQF 7 or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0 or GPA 6.0/10.0 or 60% average overall or equivalent.

How To Apply:Interested applicants are advised tosubmit your admission application through the online application system, or through an education agent.

Visit The Official Website For More Information

Application Deadline:November 15, 2019, for semester 2 and 3 2019, and February 24, 2020, for new semester 1.

Source: Scholarships And Aid

The William T. Southcott Scholarship Program is provided to International Students who are willing to pursue a degree program at the University of South Australia.

The bursary will provide the amount worth up to per annum tax-free to a student for a maximum of 3 years. It is comprised of a ,000 stipend plus an annual ,000 budget for research costs such as conferences, overseas study, and minor expenses.

Eligible Countries:Citizens from Australia and all around the world

Type:Doctorate

Eligible Field Of Study:Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering, Water Resources Management, Engineering Management, Autonomous Systems, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Information Engineering, and Systems Engineering.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be Australians or International students
• Applicants must have good communication skills and leadership potential
• Applicants should have good academic records

How To Apply:Applicants must complete an application form, supply certified copies of their academic history and submit a short essay outlining their vision for the proposed research and its potential benefits to industry.

Click Here To Apply

Visit The Official Website For More Information

Application Deadline:31 October for Australian applicants or 31 August for International applicants

Source: Scholarships And Aid

The David Oyedepo Foundation scholarship program is our major platform for promoting our vision and goals. The scholarship program awards scholarships to qualified individuals who are indigenes and residents of African countries, and have been offered admission to specific universities in Nigeria.

The DOF scholars program grants individuals the opportunity to acquire a first degree at top schools in the African continent. It grants individuals the opportunity to build up the leadership potentials that are so evidently lacking in the leaders of our todays society, through the yearly programs and community development initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria

The David Oyedepo Foundation Scholarship program is open to Young Africans who meet the following criteria:

• Are citizens and permanent residents of any African Nation
• Are between the ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application submission
• Are eligible to receive a Nigerian student visa
• Are proficient in reading, writing and speaking English
• Have a record of exceptional performance at the secondary school level which is benchmarked by:
  • At least 20 points above JAMB cut off points (for Nigerians only)
  • 80% recorded average or 0GPA/5.0 in Secondary/High School Transcript
  • Already have begun admission applications to Covenant or Landmark University

Note: The application for the scholarship does not guarantee admission to the specified Universities; all admission to the University is to be secured independently by going through the Universitys admission process. Hence, award of the scholarship is CONDITIONAL on University admission.

Applicants not meeting the above technical eligibility requirements will not be forwarded to the selection committee.

David Oyedepo Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship.

Full Academic fees for a maximum of 5 (In accordance to the University stipulated time for duration of chosen course).

The scholarship does not cover;

• Travel allowances
• Feeding allowances
• Medical/Health Insurance or allowance
• Any other fees outside University generated Academic fees for a course at any level.

David Oyedepo Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship Selection Criteria.

The David Oyedepo Foundation Scholarship Program selection process is a need dependent, merit based open competition. After the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection panel. Following this review, chosen finalists will be interviewed by the David Oyedepo Foundation team, through an online video conferencing platform. If advanced to the final round, applicant must provide;

• Proof of application to Covenant or Landmark University
• Proof of citizenship
• All original copies of documents uploaded during application.

Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

• A proven record of superior scholastic ability
• Displayed financial need
• Outstanding character
• A proven record of leadership and community involvement
• A commitment to influence home community with skills learned

DAVID OYEDEPO FOUNDATION APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE:

GENERAL APPLICATION TIPS

• The David Oyedepo Foundation uses an internet based application You will need to access a computer and internet to apply. You would also need a scanner in order to upload required documents.
• You do not have to finish your application in one You may save your work and return to complete your application as many times as necessary. You must, however, not leave your application untouched for up to 30 days or your account would be deleted.
• You must submit your completed application by the deadline, however you are encouraged to submit before the deadline as no deadline extensions would be provided.
• Answer all questions on the application in English and all documents to be uploaded MUST be translated in English.
• All answers in the application, including written responses to essays must be your own original work.
• Only applicants who complete this application will be Applications and information submitted through email or other means willNOTbe considered.

ONLINE APPLICATION SECTIONS

General/Contact Information Section

• Provide general information in specified formats within the application form
• You will be required to provide documentation verifying age, and country of citizenship for eligibility if you are selected at the interview stage
• Information filled in Parent/Guardian section should be forBIOLOGICALparents orLEGALguardians
• The contact information you provide will be used to reach you during the application and selection Please provide accurate addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses that you use and check on a regular basis.

Education Section

Recommendation Section:

• Insert personal information and contact details for an Academic referee (i.e. academic staff who is aware of your academic progress and other school related affairs). Note: A letter of recommendation from this individual need to be uploaded in the upload credentials section of the application.
• Insert personal information and contact details for a Religious Referee (i.e. a cleric who is aware of your spiritual progress and other personal and character related affairs). Note: A letter of recommendation from this individual need to be uploaded in the uploads section of the application.
• Note that parents or guardiansCANNOTto be listed as referees

Essay Section

• This section includes 5 essay questions that must be Each essay has a word limit of 500 words and must under no circumstances be exceeded. Your responses would give an opportunity to the selection committee to better understand you as a leader, including your desire to participate in the program.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

• English language proficiency is required for participation in the Scholarship All activities and communication would be done in English without the opportunity for translation. Please fill in the portion of the application evaluating your language skills as accurately as possible.

APPLIATION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

The deadline for applications for the David Oyedepo Foundation Scholarship Program is11.59 pm GMT + 01.00 on 14th July, 2019.

APPLY HERE

OFFICIAL LINK

Source: Scholarships And Aid

About

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Every cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast who is interested in the opportunities existing in the cryptoworld!

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Commenced: Sunday July 9 2017

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Member Strength: 219

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Meetup City: Lagos

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Join Mode: open

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Open To: public

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Web Address:

Bolenum Project: African Crypto Adoption & Access Project

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Organizer: Mani Robson

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Source: Meetup