₦airaland Forum

The minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has called for a speedy investigation into the matter, noting that any officer culpable or complicit of sabotaging the Nigerian Correctional Facility, & by extension the security of the country, shall face the full wrath of the law.

Everything that will protect the interest, position the nation for development and portray the right image of Nigeria is welcomed.

Laolu Akande, a former presidential spokesperson and journalist has called for a revisit of the Justice Muhammadu Uwais electoral reforms as he debuted as Channels TV political analyst.

Akande, who was analysing the just concluded off-season governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States noted that the voter apathy witnessed during elections in Nigeria is an important concern that needs more attention.

Speaking on Channels TV News at 10, Akande was asked what his takeaways were from the recent gubernatorial polls in the three states.

He said “I guess the first one in my view will be voter apathy in the country now. Not much has been said about this and of course, it’s even worse in this kind of off-season election compared to a place like Kenya where you have about 50-60% turnout.

Akande continued “What you had even in the Presidential/National Assembly election is about 20%, this [off-season polls] is even below that, for me that is what one of the major things that we should be looking out for.

“Having said that, there is also the problem of violence, intimidation and all related stuff” citing the instance in Kogi state where election results were written ahead of even the time of voting.

“Now, what all of these point to is that there is an increasing level of impunity when you talk about electoral offences.

“I remember that in 2008 when the Uwais Report was released the report said that at that time since 1960, there hasn’t been any conviction of electoral offences, I don’t know whether between 2008 and now is a significant change of that but that is a big problem because of the impunity we see in the electoral terrain all kinds intimidation.

He then added “So I think the first thing we have to do is to take a good look at the Uwais Report again. Looking at the report again is going to be very helpful because many of the things we are still dealing with have been highlighted in the report.

“For instance, the report states very clearly that there must be an end to all cases that are prosecuted from the elections before elected officials are sworn in, now for some reason that recommendation was not accepted. If that had been accepted that means that the role of the judiciary in fact would be limited.

“What we have today is the judiciary playing too much role in the process something the Uwais panel report had also warned that won’t be good for the system, it won’t confer credibility on the process if we have the judiciary determining the outcomes of the elections and not the voters.

“Today, I was reading an article written by Lasisi Olagunju where he said that the Nigerian Judiciary had become our electoral college because of the over-participation of the judiciary in our electoral process,” he said.

https://www.chronicle.ng/2023/11/laolu-akande-channels-tv-uwais-report/

Let's return to Uwais report, Akande says as Channels TV names ex-presidential aide political analyst

Laolu Akande, a former presidential spokesperson and journalist has called for a revisit of the Justice Muhammadu Uwais electoral reforms as he debuted as Channels TV political analyst.

Akande, who was analysing the just concluded off-season governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States noted that the voter apathy witnessed during elections in Nigeria is an important concern that needs more attention.

Akande, who was analysing the just concluded off-season governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States noted that the voter apathy witnessed during elections in Nigeria is an important concern that needs more attention.

Speaking on Channels TV News at 10, Akande was asked what his takeaways were from the recent gubernatorial polls in the three states.

He said “I guess the first one in my view will be voter apathy in the country now. Not much has been said about this and of course, it’s even worse in this kind of off-season election compared to a place like Kenya where you have about 50-60% turnout.

Akande continued “What you had even in the Presidential/National Assembly election is about 20%, this [off-season polls] is even below that, for me that is what one of the major things that we should be looking out for.

“Having said that, there is also the problem of violence, intimidation and all related stuff” citing the instance in Kogi state where election results were written ahead of even the time of voting.

“Now, what all of these point to is that there is an increasing level of impunity when you talk about electoral offences.

“I remember that in 2008 when the Uwais Report was released the report said that at that time since 1960, there hasn’t been any conviction of electoral offences, I don’t know whether between 2008 and now is a significant change of that but that is a big problem because of the impunity we see in the electoral terrain all kinds intimidation.

He then added “So I think the first thing we have to do is to take a good look at the Uwais Report again. Looking at the report again is going to be very helpful because many of the things we are still dealing with have been highlighted in the report.

“For instance, the report states very clearly that there must be an end to all cases that are prosecuted from the elections before elected officials are sworn in, now for some reason that recommendation was not accepted. If that had been accepted that means that the role of the judiciary in fact would be limited.

“What we have today is the judiciary playing too much role in the process something the Uwais panel report had also warned that won’t be good for the system, it won’t confer credibility on the process if we have the judiciary determining the outcomes of the elections and not the voters.

“Today, I was reading an article written by Lasisi Olagunju where he said that the Nigerian Judiciary had become our electoral college because of the over-participation of the judiciary in our electoral process,” he said.

Nigerians took a swipe at human rights activist Kayode Ogundamisi on Saturday for questioning Laolu Akande’s freedom to express himself freely after serving as a presidential spokesperson for 8 years.

Akande, who has been analysing public issues to the admiration of many on Channels TV recently, was a journalist and columnist for many years before he joined the past presidency. He became an editor of a national newspaper in 1997, seven years after graduating from the University of Ibadan.

Many X users (formerly Twitter) slammed Ogundamisi for playing judge and jury by assigning to himself the responsibility of who can comment on the present-day government.

"You left the government less than 7 months ago, 'Kori ko sun' to the Number 2 man in that Presidency, and you are already jumping from Channels TV to Arise TV to tell us how bad the situation in Nigeria is. You people always have solutions after leaving the government. Pathetic," he wrote.

He then pointedly addressed Akande in his second post: "My 'Brother', Laolu Akande, about time those who served in the Buhari and Osinbajo Presidency just came out and said all. These attempts to try and wash your hands off all that went wrong and claim ownership of all that went right are not honourable. Collective responsibility," he added.

However, his posts did not go down well with some Nigerians who believed that Akande had every right to express his views on TV, particularly because he is a journalist and should be allowed to continue his profession after serving Nigeria.

Others question why it is a human rights activist who is now attempting to curtail a free citizen from exercising his freedoms lawfully as a fundamental right and as enshrined under the Constitution.

"Ogundamisi, nothing has happened to deny Laolu Akande his freedom of expression. Being an aide in a government that did its part, there is no reason to lose that fundamental right to speak. There is no point trying to deride his person. It won't work. Look at what is being said, if you are honest," Lakuli said in response to Ogundamisi.

In defence of free speech, writer and social media influencer Japheth Omojuwa also wrote on Friday, “If you support the president, don’t let anyone deny you your right to ask for better or criticize the president and/or his appointees. You are within your rights. Voting for the president doesn’t make you a cult member. And you certainly don’t belong to a headless mob where no one is allowed an independent opinion other than the inert anger and irrationality of the collective.”

Adelekan Al also shared his opinion on Ogundamisi's post. "I wonder how Kayode thinks. So, as a spokesperson to the VP, do you expect Akande to change the constitution, fix power and roads, declare free education from primary to university, build hospitals, etc.? Let's not forget that he granted interviews on TV even as an aide to PYO.

Olakunle Olatunji noted that Ogundamisi’s comments were out of envy. “You made me watch that interview, and to be honest, you, Ogundamisi, are not making any sense about this attack on him. God will help some of you, irredentist Batists that's of the same cloth as many of the obedient you crucify.

For MohPrince, educating Ogundamisi was more pertinent. “Are advisers among the decision-makers in an administration? You know how it works. You were once an assistant between 2015 and 2019 before you were laid off.

Hayden Jones noted that Akande has every right to speak his mind without fear. “I think Akande has every right as a journalist to be on TV and say what he’s saying. Kayode, you have stayed so long in servitude that you cannot question the master or point out errors. Your warped thinking has now evolved into envy. No one appointed you, and it hurts."

https://www.chronicle.ng/2023/11/akande-nigerians-react-ogundamisi-attack/

Elected officials are in office to serve not for perks - Laolu Akande

Former presidential media aide and seasoned journalist, Laolu Akande, has challenged the elected officials to rise up to their official callings to serve the people that entrusted them with power and not relish in the perks of office.

Akande, a veteran journalist expressed his views on Friday, November 17, 2023, while appearing as a guest analyst on Channels TV’s news documentary programme, Sunrise Daily, where he spoke on the Kogi gubernatorial election and other topical issues that bother improving Nigeria’s electoral processes.

While speaking on the importance of political awareness and sensitization of the public to drive popular participation in politics, Akande noted that the mindset of Nigerians must be tailored towards demanding good governance from their leaders, insisting power belongs to the people.

He said, “We should start with some kind of political education that creates awareness among the Nigerian people that power actually belongs to them. It is a democracy, and it is a reason why voices have to be loud on this issue. It is a democracy, not a military rule. It is a government for the people, by the people, and for the people.

Continuing, Akande stated “Everybody ought to be on the board to ensure that the message goes in as deep as possible, and that is why we have to keep on reforming the electoral process every and any time that we find a loophole.

“It has to do more with the mindset of the average Nigerian. Whether it be a politician or an ordinary citizen, understand that, at the end of the day, power belongs to the people.

“If we all think that those that get into government can do whatever they choose, if we don’t insist when we see an infringement, if we don’t raise our voices and say no, we are not going to take that, then they will continue to behave that way.

He also condemned the alleged electoral abnormalities that occurred at the just concluded off-cycle Kogi gubernatorial polls, insisting the electoral body needs a long way to go to inspire trust and confidence in the people.

According to Akande, what happened in the Kogi gubernatorial polls, where there were reports of election results written by some alleged INEC officers, calls for serious concern and advised the electoral body to purge itself of some compromised individuals.

His words, “There are still ongoing developments, but I think the case—it was in Kogi where the results were written ahead of even the voting—still raises quite a bit of concern. I don’t want to go pounding on INEC again, hoping that they are trying to fix the issues.

“But when you have a situation where results have been written out, I think it calls for some very profound reform of the agency itself if indeed you had your staff compromised up to the point that they released the result sheet and results have been filled.

“This kind of thing does not inspire any kind of confidence or trust, but let’s hope that the commissioners and INEC leadership would be able to get to the bottom of this kind of storm,” Akande noted.

Continuing, Akande said, “We must concede that the people that work for INEC are also Nigerians, so it is not so much trying to say that this is something that is just localised to INEC, but it remains the responsibility of the leadership of INEC, the chairman, the national commissioners, and the resident electoral commissioners to ensure that the enormous trust that the Nigerian people and government have given INEC is protected and secure so that we can begin to build trust of the people in the government.

“There is much cynicism, and it is this kind of behaviour that encourages it. So, for the election, I think we’ve had it; the election is gone; those who would go to court would go to court; but INEC needs to continue to work on improving the trust of the people in the process.”

Referring to the controversial nomination and eventual confirmation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s former Chief of Staff as resident electoral commissioner by the Senate, Akande lampooned the opposition senators in the chamber, noting the country needs a serious opposition party.

His words, “In such instances is the issue of the INEC commissioners; I think two or three of them is an issue we must keep alive. It is interesting that the PDP issued a statement and said that they are afraid that this current president or this government is leading to totalitarianism.

“I said, you know, what did the PDP legislators say in the senate? We have more than thirty PDP senators in the Senate. When the confirmation of those commissioners was going on, what did they say? It was only the publicity secretary who issued a statement from the PDP.

“We have PDP senators in that senate, sitting down, watching the whole affairs, watching Akpabio bring his chief of staff and former SSG to become a resident electoral commissioner, and they all sat down there.”

https://www.chronicle.ng/2023/11/elected-officials-office-laolu-akande/

Congratulations Nigerians in diaspora

Leveraging on building a fortified internal security structure is for our safety and national image.

Who know like better thing.

Who doesn't like ease.

No more jump around to other to other countries.

Congratulations Nigerians, more success to performing minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

I'm glad HM Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo always seek new ways at all cost to improve on our internal security and citizenship integrity in his engagements with the Norwegian Amb to Nigeria, His Excellency, Svein Baera, in commitment to President Tinubu #RenewedHope agenda.

When are ready to commit your own suicide, make sure it is in your closet. Suicide is a crime in Nigeria.

turmacs:
Those soldiers should be arrested and prosecuted. Why should they stop someone that wants to end their life in this miserable country? That should be a crime honestly. Someone wants to die and go and find eternal happiness in the great beyond, but you're stoping them, do you want them to keep suffering? Abi when you rescue them will you solve their problems? Please people have the right to do whatever they want to themselves.

A global ambassador and gentleman

The Interministerial cordial relationship is directly proportional to #RenewedHope success.

Congratulations Hon. Minister on your well deserved honorary IT productivity award.

The true Nigerians are proud of you

Matching action with words is a virtue of good leadership

We need more BTO in the affairs of Nigeria.
The Ministry of Interior under Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is working without limitations for the success of Nigeria(ns)

Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and Alake pushing President Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.

A welcome development. An end to examination malpractices in agencies under the Ministry of Interior.

No fire service men should tell us no functional vehicle for fire incident.

His Excellency speaking at Future Resilience Forum

Knowing how to react in a fire can help safeguard your life and those of your loved ones. But preventing the outbreak of a fire is your best protection. Here are some ways to eliminate fire hazards:

Switch off all appliances and electrical outlets when not in use or before leaving your home.
In the office, shut down your computer and turn off the power switch when you’re leaving for the day.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Install smoke detectors in your home to alert you to the presence of smoke.

Do not overcharge your mobile devices such as handphones and tablets by leaving them to charge overnight.

Never store combustible items/materials near heat sources.

Check for broken wires and exposed wiring and if you find any replace them.

Properly extinguish cigarette butts before throwing them into the rubbish chute.

Keep matches and lighters safely stowed away from children.

Keep a 1-kg dry powder fire extinguisher in your bedroom in case of emergency.

Purchase a smoke escape mask that can protect you from toxic smoke for up to 20 min.

Those people that like tipping should stop it.

Best in serving Nigeria with all his strength and might

Best in serving Nigeria

Today he also said by December this year, people will not need to go to the passport office to capture. People will be able to upload their passport photographs and supporting documents. online with specifications. That will save time of going to passport officers. You will only go to the passport office for biometrics, which will be done under five minutes.

Congratulations your prof. Osinbajo on another commitment to global success.

https://www.chronicle.ng/2023/09/cap-a-osinbajo-chair-board-directors/

Must everything be about Nigeria.

It is about the whole Africa and global world.

“We are deeply honoured to have Prof. Osinbajo join the CAP-A Board of Directors as Chair to assist with the next phase of our growth and our mission of unlocking Africa’s potential as a global hub for climate action,” said CAP-A Founder James Mwangi. “His vast experience and passion for transforming African countries’ economies in harmony with climatic needs will be invaluable to CAP-A’s mission, especially coming out of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit that made a strong push for accelerated climate action.”

Bliss52:




Tinubu made it very clear... Global warming is not Nigerians concern

We need energy to power our industry

We need to sell Fossil fuel to fund our budget


.

jahsharon:
Nonsense without ingredients.

Did he study Geography or Climate ni? Or is he going to be there as figure head who will be giving fake analysis by the dubious professionals in the field of study?

“We are deeply honoured to have Prof. Osinbajo join the CAP-A Board of Directors as Chair to assist with the next phase of our growth and our mission of unlocking Africa’s potential as a global hub for climate action,” said CAP-A Founder James Mwangi. “His vast experience and passion for transforming African countries’ economies in harmony with climatic needs will be invaluable to CAP-A’s mission, especially coming out of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit that made a strong push for accelerated climate action.”

The climate thing is beyond your your mental capacity. Leave the convo for those spear heading it.

[url] https://www.chronicle.ng/2023/09/cap-a-osinbajo-chair-board-directors/

The telecommunications, banks, others came to mind when I read Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo plans to end multiple ID registration.

The telecos and other stakeholders has to support this measure of national security.

Happy holidays Nigerians

Way forward