Group tasks new ministers on Renewed Hope Agenda

Published

8 months ago

August 24, 2023

The Natives, a pro-Nigerian democracy group, has charged the recently inaugurated ministers to either deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu or resign from office.

Mr Smart Edward, leader of the group, gave the charge on Wednesday in Abuja at a news conference.

Edward said the ministers could not afford to fail Nigerians because all eyes were on them.

He noted that Tinubu had demonstrated good leadership by appointing the ministers, and advised them to reciprocate by ensuring excellent performance.

“We are total and firm believers in the Renewed Hope administration, so we will give you the ministers support. We will be at your doors, keep you on your toes, and meet you in the field.

“We will monitor and evaluate your progress and will not be afraid to spot you out or call for you to be booted out. This time around, Nigerians must win.

“The undaunting task to renew the hope of Nigerians through creative and innovative solutions has been signaled unmistakably.

“We are all aware of the sacrifices Nigerians have had to make in the face of the bold decisions to rescue our country by Tinubu and the challenges of temporary pain confronting the people,” he said.

Speaking on the ministerial composition, Edward said Tinubu had given Nigerians a combination of courage, open mindedness, experience, inclusion and performers.

This, he said, was achieved with the cooperation of a people centered National Assembly.

“To the new ministers, we say congratulations, we call upon you to be constantly aware of the Renewed Hope covenant with the people.

“Come alive, wake up and rise up, you are 45 of the best among us, do not be a disgrace to us, globally, collectively and individually. We won’t tolerate failure.

“Tinubu has played his part, he has both the mandatory role to supervise and be responsible for successes and failures,” Edward said.

He stressed that Nigerians within and in the diaspora must experience renewed hope under the Tinubu-led administration.

“We are citizens, we are Natives and we are Tinubu’s helpers and followers, our nation deserves better than the past.

“Nigeria must be greater, you have been burdened with the task to lead us to our destination; we will follow, lead us well.

“We call on you to be on your toes, fold your sleeves, the task is enormous, you all have the pedigree to surmount the challenges.

“This is our clear chance to restore the image, glory and economy of our nation,” he further said.

He added that the ministers should not discriminate, but should unite the country and deliver dividends of democracy.

This, he said, was critical to making the country attractive again and restoring its dignity and pride among the committee of nations.

Edward urged the ministers to work hard to eradicate poverty, re-energise the country and give hope to young people, women and the disabled.

He also charged the ministers to open up the reservoir of knowledge, potential and skills inherent in the country.

“We want to see great infrastructure, durable roads, active railways, amazing air and land transport; utilise the sun, the ocean and our brains.

“Create polices that make businesses profitable and inspire Nigerians at home and everywhere.

“You have Singapore, Rwanda, China before you as examples. This is a different journey; the president wants delivery, Nigerians want results,” he said.

He charged the ministers to remove all debris, clogs in the wheels, uproot all blockades, imbalances and impediments on their pathways.

“There must be power; gas, solid minerals, water, fertile land and human talents are before you, explore them creatively and elevate them,” he stressed.

He added that youths under the Tinubu administration must find jobs, noting that the country must be safe.

He also said the forum would monitor and support the minister to ensure that a stronger Nigeria was built, adding that the journey to success and renewed hope demanded the inputs of all.

Edward stressed that the president had empowered the ministers to create a paradigm shift, and urged them to think out of the box to make things happen in the interest of all.

“Produce legacies via knowledge and research, recreate and redesign your ministries for greater output,” he stressed.

Fagbemi warns against obstructing EFCC from performing its lawful duty

Published

7 days ago

April 18, 2024

Fellow Press

The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has warned against obstructing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from carrying out its lawful duty .

Fagbemi’s warning is contained in a statement in Abuja.

“This is a matter of very grave concern, it is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigations into any matter, regardless of status.

“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC, but to honourably answer their invitation.

“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting’’.

He added that running away from the law will not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbate them.

“Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.

“I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism.

“This can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world’’.

He said institutions of state should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.

“I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC, and indeed any other agency to order when there is an indication of any transgressions of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies’’.

NAN reports that the EFCC had on Wednesday warned members of the public that it was a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

The warning , the EFCC said, became necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.

On several occasions, the anti graft agency said, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

Headline

Unknown Gunmen Abduct Channelstv Reporter In Port-harcourt

Published

2 weeks ago

April 12, 2024

Ifunaya Emeka

Some unknown gunmen have kidnapped Joshua Rogers, the ChannelsTV reporter in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Politics Nigeria learnt that Rogers was picked up close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port Harcourt and to an unknown destination by the gunmen around 9pm on Thursday, April 11.

The reporter was driving his official ChannelsTV branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle.

Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened.

Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30million ransom for bis release.

His cameraman confirmed the incident and appealed to his abductors to set him free unconditionally.