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Lack of trust tearing up Nigeria, says Edwin Clark

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Elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Edwin Clark has called on leaders in the country to devote more efforts to the promotion of peace, saying lack of trust is breaking up the country by the day.

Clark stated this on Thursday at his private residence in the Asokoro District of Abuja at an event marking his 96th birthday anniversary.

The event was attended by the Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, ex-Edo State Governor, Oserheimen Osunbor, All Progressives Congress chieftain, Cairo Ojougboh, saw Clark in his elements, renewing his commitment to speak truth to power at all times.

The Ijaw leader told guests gathered to honour him that he stopped celebrating his birthday anniversaries when schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State were kidnapped in 2014.

On April 14, 2014, over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, were abducted by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, from their hostels; a tragedy that sparked international condemnation with calls for the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to swing into action and rescue them alive.

“I will always speak of what I know in defence of Nigeria. We cannot be one country by word of mouth. We must love and trust ourselves. It is a lack of trust that is breaking Nigeria today, Nigeria is divided but we must speak our minds. I am a Nigerian, but I won’t keep quiet when Nigerians are suffering. If Nigeria does not stand properly, there will be no unity, there will be no peace.

“I have worked for Nigeria for over 70 years, from the age of 25 or thereabout. I have served this country in various capacities. I must have offended many people, but I will always speak on any issue concerning Nigeria.

“I am not celebrating. I stopped celebrating my birthdays since the Chibok school girls were abducted in Borno State. It was very painful. Today, I am not celebrating, I am thanking God. I am not celebrating because I lost two younger brothers in the past. On October 13, 2020, I lost my younger brother, Prof John Pepper-Clark. In July last year, I lost my brother, Ambassador Blessing Clark who was Nigerian Permanent Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs. So, I no longer celebrate my birthdays,” he said.

The elder statesman who unveiled his memoir titled, “Brutally Frank,” at the event expressed his readiness to face litigations because of “What I wrote in this book.”

 

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He continued, “This is a book, my memoirs that I have written. It contains everything and I titled it, ‘Brutally Frank.” I know some people would like to take me to court but I am waiting for them. I have spoken the truth and you can’t kill the truth. The foreword to the book was written by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.

In his goodwill message, Gov Diri saluted the courage of the nonagenarian for his deep sense of history, stressing that even at his (Douye’s) age, he could not boast of Clark’s athletic mind especially when dealing with datelines of important events.

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Sermons, Tinubu Appeals To Religious Leaders

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Bola Tinubu

 

President Bola Tinubu has called on religious leaders to refrain from vilifying or denigrating the nation in their sermons.

Speaking during Ramadan Iftar with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the State House on Thursday in Abuja, the President emphasized the important role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and fostering a sense of unity among citizens.

He urged the leaders to be more constructive in their criticism of those in elective positions.

President Tinubu also declared that his administration is determined to turn Nigeria’s challenges into prosperity.

He reiterated that no terrorist can defeat the collective will of Nigerians, no matter how hard they try to prey on innocent citizens.

He urged traditional and religious leaders to forge a strong bond with the government to defeat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality in the country.

”Yesterday in Abuja, I attended the burial of the 17 soldiers killed in action at Okuama, Delta State. I saw their pregnant wives and little kids.

”The love of the nation is in your hands. Pray for our country. Educate our children. The sermons we preach to the members of our churches and mosques are important.

”Do not condemn your own nation. As a Yoruba man and as our fathers will say, ‘No matter how slippery the bottom of your child is, you must leave the beads there.’

“Leave the beads there. This is your country; do not condemn it in sermons, do not abuse the nation. Leadership is meant for change.

”Yes, this leader is bad, fine. Wait until the next election to change him, but do not condemn your country. Do not curse Nigeria. This is a beautiful land.

The President, who acknowledged the birthday wishes and goodwill extended to him on the occasion, reminded the leaders that his birthday on March 29, 2024, coincided with Good Friday.

“I have earned the honour of having my birthday fall on Good Friday, and I pray that on this Maundy Thursday, you all shall return to your homes safely. May God guide and keep you and your families in good health, and lift your spirits,” the President prayed.

Different speakers at the dinner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come together in the spirit of Ramadan to share a meal with the President and renew the bonds of friendship that unite the nation.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima emphasized the pivotal roles of religious and traditional rulers in promoting peace and unity, urging them to continue to ‘‘build bridges that transcend ethnic and religious divides.’’

 

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The Vice-President expressed delight that the nation’s economy is on a rebound, noting the strengthening of the naira against the dollar.

”The President means well for the nation, and he has continued to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.

”For many years, fuel subsidy was an albatross. The President took a bold decision from day one, and he hit the ground running. Now the economy is turning the corner,” the Vice-President said.

Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, assured the President of the unwavering support of traditional rulers and commended the government’s efforts to address the hike in food prices and the security challenges.

”You are not alone, Mr. President. The prices of food items and goods are gradually coming down. You are doing your best on security, and we cannot allow you to do it alone. We will join hands to support your vision for the betterment of our nation,” the Ooni said.

Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), highlighted the significance of Ramadan as a period of reflection, empathy, and unity.

On the security situation in the country, the Emir of Zazzau, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of NSCIA, expressed optimism that the country will return to peace and stability.

”I am happy to see representatives of Muslim and Christian communities in this room. I pray God Almighty blesses the President for him to do more to take the country to the Promised Land,” the Emir prayed.

Apostle Samson Fatokun, General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), noted that the Ramadan dinner with religious and traditional leaders, coincided with Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter, observed in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper.

The General Secretary, who delivered the address of CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, commended President Tinubu for fostering a harmonious relationship between the State and the Church.

”We are encouraged that your administration has shown great determination in tackling the challenges of kidnapping and banditry and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act.

”We shall continue to show our support to your administration so that you can execute your noble intention for the nation,” CAN General Secretary said.

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NIN-SIM Linkage: NCC Insists On Axing Non-compliant Subscribers Today

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Barring any last-minute change of mind, all subscribers with four lines and above whose SIM registration data failed to match their National Identity Number, NIN, data, will be barred today.

This is as the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has confirmed that it would not be reviewing its deadline to bar them today.

A reliable source from the commission revealed that the Commission’s position was premised on its objective to clean the country’s SIM ownership database and ensure that criminals do not take advantage of having multiple unlinked SIMs to carry out their nefarious activities.

The source said the commission’s management decided at a crucial meeting it held yesterday to review requests from the telcos for an extension of the verification of NINs submitted.

The source also stated that the Commission is mulling the idea of approving an online application solution for MNOs where their subscribers whose NIN verification failed due to biometric mismatch can update their records on the app while existing subscribers can register additional lines

The source said: “We are not standing back on our decision. March 29th is sacrosanct. Our resolve is hinged on the need to close in on the chaos of untoward ownership of multiple SIM cards with unverified NIN details.

 

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‘’We have instances where a single individual has over 10,000 lines linked to his NIN. In some cases, we have seen a single person with 1,000 lines, some 3,000 plus lines. What are they doing with these lines?

“From our interim findings, the owners of these lines did not purchase them for decent purposes or to undertake legitimate activities.

“We have given them enough time to make the decision of which of their lines they want to keep and discard the others. They did not. All lines in this category with unverified NINs will be barred. They will be then expected to go to their operators and decide which of the lines they want to keep, as well as submit correct NIN details.

“Some people would say they want to use it for car trackers, or IoTs, but provision has been made for these services already. They are not under the ‘Max-4 Rule.’

“Across the world, no country allows you to have 1,000 SIM cards to make calls or texts.”

The Max-4 Rule announced by the Federal Government in April 2021 provides that telecom subscribers cannot have more than four lines per mobile network operator.

The NCC has also provided Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) an extension till July 31st 2024 within which they are expected to verify all NINs submitted by subscribers with four (4) or fewer SIMs, as well as bar those whose NIN fail verification with NIMC.

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