Wesmichael's Posts

Nairaland Forum › Wesmichael's Profile › Wesmichael's Posts

1 2 3 (of 3 pages)

Politics › [9/30, 20:31] Mavericks: What's Animation? [9/30, 20:31] Mavericks: Animation Is by Wesmichael(op): 8:30am On Oct 01, 2022

Fellow Nigerians,

I address you today, with a deep sense of gratitude to God and a high level of appreciation to all Nigerians whose tremendous goodwill gave me the opportunity to provide leadership for our great country at one of the trying times in her history.

2. Conscious that today’s address would be my last on an Independence Day as your President; I speak to the millions of Nigerians, who believed in me, propelled and stood by me in my quest to bequeath a country where all citizens have equal opportunities to achieve their lives desires in a peaceful atmosphere.

Advertisement
3. I am honoured to say that my story in the annals of Nigeria’s history is no household secret. My various attempts, failures and eventual success in being elected as a Democratic President in 2015 was made possible by the majority of Nigerians.

4. When you elected me, I readily acknowledged that the tasks before me were daunting but surmountable because of the growing national consensus that our chosen route to national development was democracy.

5. This democracy was to be anchored on a clear understanding, application and the principles of separation of powers supported by a reformed public service that is more effective.

Advertisement
6. I then pledged to Improve the Economy, Tackle Corruption and Fight Insecurity and this was further strengthened by my commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years as the central plank of my second term in 2019.

7. To the Glory of God and His Grace as well as the commitment and passion displayed by many Nigerian supporters, we have made appreciable progress in these areas but not yet at our destination.

8. Mindful of the task before us, we took some time in settling down and we re-positioned the Economy by providing strategic interventions in core areas at both the Federal and Sub-National levels.

9. One of the areas where we have made significant progress is in the eradication of deeply entrenched corruption that permeates all facets of our national development.

10. We strengthened the Institutions for tackling corruption and also cultivated international support, which aided the repatriation of huge sums of money illegally kept outside the country

11. The increasing number of prosecutions and convictions, with associated refunds of large sums of money is still ongoing. Furthermore, we would continue to block opportunities that encourage corrupt practices.
12. In order to address Insecurity, we worked methodically in reducing Insurgency in the North East, Militancy in the Niger Delta, Ethnic and Religious Tensions in some sections of Nigeria along with other problems threatening our country.

13. Our efforts in re-setting the economy manifested in Nigeria exiting two economic recessions by the very practical and realistic monetary and fiscal measures to ensure effective public financial management. In addition, the effective implementation of the Treasury Single Account and cutting down on the cost of governance also facilitated early exits from recessions.

14. Fellow Nigerians, this administration removed several decades uncertainty for potential Investors in the Oil & Gas sector with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. This landmark legislation created opportunities for foreign investments in addition to improving transparency in the management of the sector.

Advertisement
15. Our administration has given the desired priority to the Agricultural Sector through a series of incentives to Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises that resulted in creating millions of jobs. Leading this initiative, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in a number of areas as well as the Anchor Borrowers Programme had created the required leverages for Nigerians towards self-sufficiency in food and the necessary attraction for farming as a business.

16. The growing contribution of non-oil exports, especially in agriculture, information and communication technology as well as the performing arts to our national economy will enhance our foreign exchange earning capacity.

17. We are confronting current economic challenges such as debt burden, growing inflation, living standards and increasing unemployment accentuated by our growing youthful population. These problems are globally induced and we would continue to ensure that their negative effects are addressed in our policies.

18. This administration will continue to ensure that our fiscal policies are supported by a robust and contemporary monetary policy that recognises our peculiarities in the midst of the growing global economic difficulties.

19. This is evidenced by the recent Monetary Policy Committee decision to maintain all parameters, especially interest rates and marginally increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 14% to 15.5% and the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) from 27.5% to 32.5%. It is projected that this would further insulate our economy from over exposure to uncertainties at the international market by restraining growth in core inflation.

20. As we continue to de-escalate the security challenges that confronted us at inception of this administration, newer forms alien to our country began to manifest especially in the areas of kidnappings, molestations/killings of innocent citizens, banditry, all of which are being addressed by our security forces.

21. I share the pains Nigerians are going through and I assure you that your resilience and patience would not be in vain as this administration continues to reposition as well as strengthen the security agencies to enable them to deal with all forms of security challenges.

22. At the inception of this administration in 2015, I provided the funding requirements of the security agencies which was also improved in my second tenure in 2019 to enable them to surmount security challenges. We will continue on this path until our efforts yield the desired results.

23. As we put in place all measures to ensure that Nigeria takes her place in the Comity of Nations, we recognize the importance of a well-educated populace as a panacea to most of the challenges we face.

24. We have, therefore, pursued policies and implemented programmes designed to create a literate and proficient society that ensures that citizens are availed with opportunities for life-long achievements.

25. I must confess that I am very pained by the recurring disruption to our tertiary education system and I am using this Independence Day celebration to re-iterate my call for the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to return to the classroom while assuring them to deal with their contending issues within the limits of the scarce resources available. This administration has made appreciable progress in redressing these issues that have been lingering for over eleven years.

26. The Federal Government will continue to mobilize resources both internationally and nationally towards funding education to ensure that our citizens are well educated and skilled in various vocations in view of the fact that education is a leading determinant of economic growth and employment generation.

27. Fellow Nigerians, we have also improved our health facilities, especially during and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which attracted commendation of the global community.

28. As you are aware, Nigeria was one of the countries that defied global predictions of the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic because of our resilience, commitment and passion with which we individually and collectively managed the pandemic.
29. This administration embarked on addressing critical ecological challenges across the country in order to mitigate the impact of Climate Change manifesting in the form of flood, soil erosion, desertification, air pollution amongst others

30. We will continue to ensure that our infrastructure drive remains the key to Nigeria’s economic growth and for which every Nigerian will feel the impact.

31. The Federal Government is already expanding ports operations to ensure that they provide opportunities for the growth of the Nigerian economy.

32. We have also continued to accelerate our infrastructure development through serviceable and transparent borrowing, improved capital inflow & increased revenue generation by expanding the tax bases and prudent management of investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

33. To further open up our communities to economic activities, we have continued to boost our railway infrastructure with the completion of a good number of critical railways and at the same time rehabilitating as well as upgrading obsolete equipment.

34. I am pleased to inform my fellow citizens that besides our emphasis on infrastructural development with its attendant opportunities for job creation, employment generation and subsequent poverty reduction, our focused intervention directly to Nigerians through the National Social Investment Programme is also yielding benefits.

35. There is hardly any ward, village or local government in Nigeria today that has not benefited from one of the following: N-Power, trader-moni, market moni, subsidized loans, business grants or Conditional Cash Transfers.
36. All the aforementioned programmes along with various interventions by the National Social Investment programme, direct support to victims of flooding and other forms of disasters have provided succor to the affected Nigerians.

37. Fellow Nigerians, no matter what gains we make, without a good governance system anchored on electing credible leaders on the basis of free, fair, credible and transparent elections, our efforts would not be enough.

38. It is for this reason that I have resolved to bequeath a sustainable democratic culture which will remain lasting. The signing of the Electoral Act 2021 as amended with landmark provisions further assures us of a more transparent and inclusive Electoral Process.

39. Having witnessed at close quarters, the pains, anguish and disappointment of being a victim of an unfair electoral process, the pursuit of an electoral system and processes that guarantee election of leaders by citizens remains the guiding light as I prepare to wind down our administration.

40. You would all agree that the recent elections in the past two years in some states (notably Anambra, Ekiti and Osun) and a few federal constituencies have shown a high degree of credibility, transparency and freedom of choice with the people’s votes actually counting. This I promise would be improved upon as we move towards the 2023 General Elections.

41. As we begin the transition process to another democratically elected government, I want to implore all aspirants to conduct issues-based campaigns devoid of hate speeches as well as other negative and divisive tendencies.

42. I also want to express my wish that we see more female and youth participation in the forthcoming electoral cycle. I am sure that our teeming and energetic youths now realise that violence generally mar elections and so should desist from being used by politicians for this purpose.

43. Reforms in the public sector are already yielding results especially in the delivery of services. On this note, I urge the general public to demand for citizen-centred services from the relevant authorities.

44. On the international front, we have continued to take advantage of our bilateral and multilateral platforms to explore cooperation with friendly countries and partners whenever these areas of cooperation are to the advantage of Nigeria.

45. Fellow Nigerians, in the past few years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of challenges that would ordinarily have destroyed our Nation. However, the indefatigable spirit of the Nigerian people has ensured that we overcome our challenges.
46. It is in this spirit that I call on all of us to individually and collectively bring to the fore in dealing with all our development issues.

47. I was called to serve, along with my team, I saw an opportunity to create a better Nigeria which we have done with the support of Nigerians. Almighty God and the good people of Nigeria supported us in laying a solid foundation for the Nigeria of our dreams.

I thank you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Politics › [9/30, 20:31] Mavericks: What's Animation? [9/30, 20:31] Mavericks: Animation Is by Wesmichael(op): 8:22am On Oct 01, 2022

Education › ASUU,the Untold Story by Wesmichael(op): 8:56am On Aug 30, 2022

ASUU STRIKES ARE TO SAVE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

1. The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held an emergency meeting at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja, Abuja on Sunday, 28th August, 2022. The meeting was called mainly to review developments since its last resolution that rolled over the nationwide strike action for another four weeks starting from 1st August, 2022.

2. NEC observed with regret that the Union had experienced a lot of deceit of the highest level in the last five and half years as the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) engaged ASUU in fruitless and unending negotiation without a display of utmost fidelity. In 2017, the Federal Government constituted a committee to renegotiate the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement under the chairmanship of Dr. Wale Babalakin. After three years of fruitless negotiation, Dr. Babalakin was replaced in December 2020 with Professor Emeritus Munzali Jibril. The Renegotiation Committee produced and submitted a draft agreement to the Federal Government in May, 2021. It is sad that, until 14th February, 2022 when the ongoing strike commenced, the Federal Government made no significant efforts to either sign the agreement or commence implementation. It was only after the commencement of this strike that the Federal Government reconstituted the committee with Professor Emeritus Nimi Briggs appointed Chairman to lead the Government Team.

3. NEC recalled that, before meeting with our Union, the Nimi Briggs Committee confirmed to ASUU in writing that it was consulting with all relevant stakeholders in order to aggregate Government's position/offer. After intensive bargaining, ASUU came to a compromise with the Professor Briggs-led Team leading to the submission of the second Draft Agreement to the Federal Government in June, 2022 for consideration and approval for signing by the two parties within one week. This was done in line with the principle of collective bargaining. Shortly after and against all expectations, however, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, and later his Minister of State, Festus Kayamo, alleged that the Union chased away representatives of government agencies and thereafter fixed unreasonable and unimplementable salary package for its members. They claimed that the government would need to borrow 1.6 trillion Naira to implement the Draft Agreement;- a claim that is not only malicious but contrived to blackmail the Union. Subsequently, some miserable, unilateral, and insulting take-it or-leave-it offers of between N30, 000 and N60,000 monthly salary were thrown at the Union. This was obviously an attempt to abrogate the principle of collective bargaining which has guided ASUU engagements with Federal Government since 1981.

4. NEC noted that ASUU and other well-meaning Nigerians have expressed serious disappointment by and consternation on the attitude of the Government conveyed by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who had deliberately misinformed the public and reduced the current struggle of ASUU to the payment of withheld salaries, claiming that all other contentious issues had been resolved. For the avoidance of doubt, however, none of the issues that forced our Union to resume the suspended strike as listed in the December 2020 FGN-ASUU Memorandum of Action (MoA) has been satisfactorily addressed by the Government to
date. The draft renegotiated FGN-ASUU Agreement (second draft) remains unsigned; the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) has not been adopted and deployed to replace the discredited Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS); and the White Papers on Visitation Panels to Federal Universities, if ready as claimed by Government more than six months ago, are nowhere to be found. Similarly, Government has not delivered on the promised balance of one tranche of the Revitalization Fund more than one year after, the outstanding two tranches of the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) have not been released; and nothing has since happened on the
upport for amendment to the Law of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to stem the tide of proliferation of universities especially by the State Governments.

5. NEC was utterly disappointed in agents of Government, especially the Minister of Education, for the deliberate falsehood and misrepresentation of facts aimed at scoring cheap political gains. It is disheartening to imagine that a Minister whose responsibility it is to resolve the crisis can overnight turn round to lead in this ignoble enterprise of distorting facts and misleading Nigerians. The disdain with
which the Minister of Education handled questions about the ongoing ASUU strike at his distasteful Press Conference on Thursday, 18th August, 2022 lends credence to the widespread suspicion that the current Government never believed in saving public universities from the misfortunes that have befallen Nigeria's public primary and secondary schools.

6. NEC noted with delight that, in defence of the integrity of the process leading to the agreement reached with government, the Briggs Committee has, in a well- publicized newspaper advertorial, confirmed that all the proposals and recommendations it made to ASUU were properly discussed and cleared with their Principal. The Committee also confirmed that throughout the renegotiation process, all the relevant government agencies, including National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Budget and Finance and Federal Character Commission (FCC), were in attendance. In addition, the paid advert by the Briggs-led Government Team equally showed that the figure of N1.1 Trillion quoted by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, and his Minister of State, Festus Keyamo, and some other government officials as amount needed to implement the salary increase, came from some imaginative blues and was no way close to reality. We commend members of Nimi Briggs-led Team for their unprecedented act of courage. By this singular act, the Team has put the lie to official propaganda against ASUU and the entire renegotiation process. May this race of Nigerians multiply!

7. NEC observed with displeasure that some mischievous Vice-Chancellors and Chairpersons of Governing Councils of State Universities have evolved disingenuous underhand tactics to undermine the current ASUU struggle in their various Universities. ASUU struggles are to save Nigerian public universities irrespective of ownership - Federal or State. The Union views with all seriousness the fact that the sanctimonious behaviour of these university administrators and managers does not stop them from accessing yearly grants of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) which ASUU struggles of the 1980s and 1990s brought to life. Neither did their holier-than-thou attitude keep these invidious individuals from jumping into the next flight to come for project defence each time ASUU struggles had translated into some handsome funds for the revitalization of their universities (hostels, laboratories, workshops, lecture theatres, etc.). ASUU shall use all legitimate means at its disposal to protect and defend the interests of our members in public universities who may be victimised on the account of the ongoing struggles.

8. ASUU NEC noted with pains, its concerns for Nigerian students who are also our wards and foster children and condemned Government's seeming indifference to their plights. The Union empathizes with the students, their parents, as well as other stakeholders (including our colleagues who are undertaking their higher degrees) in the universities. ASUU reaffirms its belief in the sanctity of a stable academic system. Were it within our control, our universities would never have been shut for one day! However, ASUU was
forced into taking this painful decision to prevent members of the Nigerian ruling class and their foreign collaborators from further destroying whatever is left of our public universities. We are all victims. We need the understanding, solidarity and sacrifices of all to ensure that every qualified Nigerian youth who
cannot afford the cost of private university education or foreign studies has unhindered access to quality university education. ASUU strikes are aimed at saving public education, and ensuring that Governments (Federal and State) use our common patrimony to support quality public university education. This is
our collective obligation.

9. NEC acknowledged with appreciation past and current efforts by eminent Nigerians and groups to mediate in the lingering crisis. Our Union remains open to reasonable engagements we have always done. However, ASUU remains focused on the full implementation of the 23rd December, 2020 Memorandum of Action
for quick restoration of industrial harmony in Nigeria's public universities.

10. In view of the foregoing, and following extensive deliberations on Government's response to the resolution of 14th February, 2022 so far, NEC concluded that the demands of the Union had not been satisfactorily addressed. Consequently, NEC resolved to transmute the roll-over strike to a comprehensive, total and indefinite strike action beginning from 12.01a.m. on Monday, 29th August, 2022.

Thank you.

Emmanuel Osodeke
President
29th August, 2022

1 Like

Jobs/Vacancies › Can't Verified Account Number by Wesmichael(op): 2:01pm On Aug 20, 2022

Good afternoon, please am having issues to verified my account number on npower Portal
The response given is seen below please help.have heard deployment has started..

Please moderator help me push this to front page

Education › 2022 Waec Examinations Result Released by Wesmichael(op): 8:47pm On Aug 08, 2022

WAEC Releases May/June 2022 WASSCE Results*

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Monday, in Lagos, released the results of this year’s May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

A total of 1,601, 047 candidates sat the examination, out of which 1, 222, 505 (representing 76.36%) obtained credits and above in at least five mandatory subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, which is a notable decrease of 5. 34% from 81.7% of that of last year.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 10 states out of the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory which are yet to pay for their candidates’ exam fees in full would have their candidates’ results withheld until they pay the money in full and likewise, a total of 364, 564 candidates (representing 22.83%) of the total number of candidates, who sat the exam are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of exam malpractice, and their cases are being investigated to determine if to eventually release or cancel.

The Head of the National Office of WAEC Nigeria, Mr Patrick Areghan, announced the release of the results and gave the statistics at a media conference held at the headquarters of the organisation in Yaba.

He explained that the cost of conducting its both school-based and exams for private candidates has gone up astronomically and therefore would ensure to get its money paid in full by the indebted state governments before releasing their candidates results.

He also decried the upsurge in malpractice cases during the exam particularly over that of last year, blaming the development over many reasons.

According to him, many students no longer prepare well for exams as they rely on the so-called “Expo” which is actually non-existent and also for activities of the “rogue website operators” and some social media platform owners, who post question papers online immediately after the commencement of subject papers and the use of mobile phones in the exam halls in spite of the ban placed on the device.

He, however, promised that WAEC would continue to sanction all cases of exam malpractice and perpetrators including schools, and school administrators, invigilators and supervisors until the system is rid of sharp practices.

Areghan, who also complained that the insecurity situation in the country particularly in Kaduna State and some eastern states where the sit-at-home order is imposed really taken a toll on the organisation during the conduct of the exam, stressed that the council was able to get the support of state government and security agencies to help out.

Areghan also noted that a total of 1, 713 candidates with special needs including visually (128) and hearing impaired(583), physically challenged (12) and 387 others sat the exam, and that their results had been released with that of others.

He, however, said candidates could start checking their results within the next 12 hours on the council’s website, given at www.waecdirect.org and using their Smart Identity Card which they used during the exam.

Areghan added that the certificates would be ready for collection within 90 days in candidates’ various schools.

End/

1 Like 1 Share

Sports › Super Eagles Striker Set To Graduate From UK University After Bagging A Degree by Wesmichael(op): 6:14pm On Aug 08, 2022

Playing football is one of the most lucrative jobs in the world today, the players earn massive amounts of money because of their hard work, but the physical demands of the game doesn't allow them to play forever.
Some footballers go broke when they stop playing football, but a good number of them plan their life by investing their money and getting an education that can be relevant for them when they retire from the game.
Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, became a professional in 2015, and he's already planning for life after the sport. He recently told NationSport that he just finished his degree program at the Buckinghamshire New University, Buckinghamshire, England.
He also said that he will be part of the students that will be at Wycombe Swan Theatre in High Wycombe for the Graduation Week that will hold between September 5 and 9. It is not the first time he enrolled for a course in England.
The striker who is proud about doing something else on the sideline aside from football said, “I got my Diploma in Business and Marketing Management two years ago from the London School of International Business”. He studied Business Management for his degree program

Congratulations to him...

Sports › Football Conspiracies. by Wesmichael(op): 3:19pm On Aug 08, 2022

1. Liverpool plays newly promoted teams at the start of every season.

2. Belgium has no left back.

3.Barca produces a Youngster every season.

4.Trent Alexander-Arnord came out of nowhere.

5. KDB's hairstyle never changes.

6. Ajax, Benfica and Monaco spawn a new first 11 every year.. sell them and repeat.

7. Thomas Muller was never young.

8.Buffon is forever 40.

9. Burnley's home kit never changes.

10. Cr7 has been doing the same celebration for the last 8 years.

11.Florian Thauvin disappeared after the 2018 world cup.

12.Neymar rarely scores a header.

13. Zinchenko appeared out of nowhere and he was bought for £1m.

14. Sadio Mane never gets injured.

15. Ajax's home kit never changes.

16.Phil Jones hasn't renewed his contract buh he's still at Man Utd.

17. Lautaro Martinez has the same haircut since he was born.

18. PSG only plays at night.

19.Fabrizio Romano never sleeps.

20. Man City has been using the same shirt sponsor for the past 12 years.

21.Villarreal has only one jersey.

22.Bayern loses to Gladbach every season.

23. Toni Kroos has been using the same type of boots since 2014.

24. Mo Salah rarely scores free kicks.

Add yours.....

#footsports

Nairaland General › Man Who Drove Burning Tanker Receives N2million, Letter Of Commendation For Disp by Wesmichael(op): 4:55pm On Jun 17, 2022

Tanker Driver, Ejiro Otarigho who grabbed headlines after he drove a burning tanker away from a residential area in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State to a safe place in a bid to avert what would have led to loss of lives and properties, has been recognized by the Delta State Government for his display of heroism and humanity.
Mr. Otarigho had risk his life to protect others, as he drove a burning tanker to a riverside where it eventually exploded into an inferno last Sunday. His action warmed many people’s hearts on the internet as they called on the State Government to honor him for his bravery, heroism and patriotism
Mr. Otarigho disclosed during his interview with BBC News on Thursday that the only thought that was on his mind when he realized his truck was on fire was to save lives and properties from the tanker’s explosion. He said he started by sending the boy that was with him inside the truck out.
Today, the Delta State Government presented a cheque of two million, a plague and a letter of commendation to Mr. Otarigho. On behalf of the State Governor, the secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah commended the rare display of patriotism, humanity, bravery and heroism by Mr. Otarigho.
In his statement, Chief Patrick Ukah said the incident would have resulted in the death of many persons and destruction of property at Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area where the fire started.

“We commend him for rare patriotism, humanity, bravery and heroism, the incident would have resulted in the death of many persons and destruction of property at Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area where the fire started.”
“Mr. Otarigho has become the new face of Delta and Youth Ambassador for his display of heroism, the state government will continue to celebrate him” –he said. He added that what Mr. Otarigho did was priceless and he should know that people appreciate him.

Crime › Owo Attack: Gov Akeredolu Weeps At Funeral For Slain Victims by Wesmichael(op): 4:11pm On Jun 17, 2022

“We Failed To Protect These People” He Says

“You Didn’t Fail, Your Determination To Protect Your People Is Unquestionable” -Bishop Arogundade

Tears flowed freely on Friday at the funeral mass for the victims of the June 5th, Terror attack at the Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, and his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu attended the funeral mass held at the Mydas Resort and Hotel, Owo.

Governor Akeredolu, who wept during his speech said the government failed to protect the victims of the terror attack.

But in a swift response, the Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Dr. Jude Arogundade declared that Governor Akeredolu has not failed in protecting his people.

Bishop Arogundade said:”You didn’t fail. You are a strong soldier. Your determination to protect those who voted you into power is unquestionable. This was done by cowards. You have tried your best.”

Governor Akeredolu stressed that the forces on the other side are evil, assuring that they will not triumph forever.

“We have failed to defend these people. Not because we have not tried. But because these forces on the other side are evil and they have supports. They will not triumph over us forever.” He said.

The Governor noted that something must be done in the country, adding that the Security architecture of the nation needs rejigging.

“When I see the sea of heads that are here it speaks volumes. What has happened to us in Owo in Ondo state is indescribable. A lot of words are used to qualify it. Dastardly, horrendous. But I still believe there are words to use to describe it but I still short of those words.

“We have just 22 (deceased) in this hall. A few of them have been buried. Because the relatives couldn’t wait till today. But as at the last count, these animals came to the church and murdered 40 people.” Governor Akeredolu said.

Bishop Arogundade wondered why the people of the country need to beg for state police, despite the endless attack and killings.

He thanked the Governor for accepting to designate a memorial park in honour of the victims, stressing that those who created the situation that made the incident happened has bloods on their hands.

Meanwhile, the expansive hall of the Mydas Resort and Hotel was filled to the brim as families of the victims, people of Owo, and other sympathizers thronged the venue of the funeral mass.

Members of the State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. David Bamidele Oleyelogun also attended the service.

Also, Members of the state executive council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, were present at the funeral mass.

Other dignitaries at the funeral mass included: Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Engr. Ade Adetimehin; and Chieftain of the APC , Chief Olusola Oke,SAN,

The local government chairmen were also led by the chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALCON) Ondo State chapter, Hon. Augustine Oloruntogbe.

Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
June 17, 2022.

Politics › Re: Full Speech Of President Buhari's Democracy Day, 2023 by Wesmichael(op): 7:57am On Jun 12, 2022

Nothing subtancial is in this speech....only political primaries and just a glimpse into security... thank God na d last be diz ...make we get sense this coming election......(Amen)

30 Likes 2 Shares

Politics › Full Speech Of President Buhari's Democracy Day, 2023 by Wesmichael(op): 7:44am On Jun 12, 2022

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY

12TH JUNE, 2022

Fellow Nigerians, Today, June The 12th, marks another Democracy Day anniversary and an occasion to celebrate freedom and unity of our Nation.

2. From 1999, we consistently celebrated Democracy Day to mark the end of military rule and the return of power and control into the hands of those freely elected by the people. On this day, Nigerians recommit themselves to ensuring we protect and preserve the ideals of democracy.

3. In 2018, we moved Democracy Day from 29th of May to the 12th of June. This change was to remind all Nigerians of one free election after which the presumed winner along with Nigerians were denied their rights and their choice.

4. On June 12th 1993, Nigerians saw the best in our citizens as we all went out to vote peacefully. By June 24th 1993, we also saw the worst of our leadership as the elections were annulled.

5. We must never forget the sacrifices of the heroes of Nigeria’s democracy during 1993. Their patriotism and peaceful struggle should guide our actions especially when it comes to electing our leaders and holding them accountable, now and in future.

6. Fellow Nigerians this is my last Democracy Day speech as your President. By June 12th, 2023, exactly one year from today, you will already have a new President. I remain committed and determined to ensure that the new President is elected through a peaceful and transparent process.

7. It is important for all of us to remember that June 12th, 2023 will be exactly 30 years from the 1993 Presidential elections. In honour and memory of one of our national heroes for democracy, Chief M.K.O Abiola, GCFR, we must all work together to ensure this transition is done in a peaceful manner.

8. I am hopeful that we can achieve this. The signs so far are positive. Recently, all registered political parties conducted primaries to select their candidates for the 2023 general elections.

9. These primaries were peaceful and orderly. Those who won were magnanimous in their victories. Those who lost were gracious in defeat. And those aggrieved opted to seek judicial justice as opposed to jungle justice.

10. I followed the party primaries closely from the state level to the Presidential level. I was very impressed to see across all the political parties that, most candidates ran issued based campaigns. The language and tone throughout were on the whole measured and controlled.

11. Another positive that came from the 2022 party primaries was the significant increase in women and youth particularly across all parties. I was very pleased to see this development. This augurs well for the future. These trends clearly show the level of maturity our democracy has achieved in the last 23 years.

12. As we move into the general election campaign season, we must sustain this mature attitude to campaigning and ultimately, voting. We must never see it as a “do or die” affair. We must all remember democracy is about the will of the majority. There must be winners and losers.

13. I will therefore take this opportunity on this very special day to ask all candidates to continue running issue focused campaigns and to treat opponents with dignity. As leaders, you must all showcase high character and never forget that the world is watching us and Africa looks up to Nigeria to provide example in governance. The tone you set at the top will surely be replicated in your followers.

14. For the voters, I am pleased to inform you that in the last 7 years, our government across all tiers, has made significant investments to reform and enhance our electoral laws, systems, and processes to safeguard your votes.

15. The Executive, Legislature and Judiciary were and still remain united and committed to ensure these reforms are fully implemented in the 2023 general elections. Fellow Nigerians, your right to choose your government will be preserved and protected.

16. I know many of us are concerned with the rise in insecurity due to terrorist activities in parts of the country. As a government, we are working hard to contain and address these challenges. And ensure that the 2023 general elections are safe and secure for all Nigerians.

17. To achieve this however, we must all contribute. It is not the job of government alone. I ask all citizens to support and cooperate with our security agencies by reporting any suspicious characters and activities to law enforcement agencies. We can only have a safe country if we are able to prevent crime not after the crime has been committed.

18. On this special day, I want us all to put all victims of terrorist activities in our thoughts and prayers. I am living daily with the grief and worry for all those victims and prisoners of terrorism and kidnapping. I and the security agencies are doing all we can to free those unfortunate countrymen and countrywomen safely.

19. For those who have lost their lives, we will continue to seek justice for their families against the perpetrators. For those currently in captivity, we will not stop until they are freed, and their kidnappers are brought to justice. If we all unite, we will be victorious against these agents of terror and destruction.
We have reformed some of our security structures. Some of the defence assets we procured three years ago have arrived and have been deployed.

21. Our cyber security and surveillance systems are being upgraded to further enhance our ability to track and trace criminal elements. We are also recruiting and training new personnel across all our security and intelligence agencies to strengthen the country’s over-all security.

22. I will conclude this Democracy Day speech, my last as President, by assuring you of my commitment to protect Nigeria and Nigerians from all enemies from within and outside
I am also promising you a free, fair and transparent electoral process. And I am pleading with all citizens to come together and work with Government to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.

24. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

(NAN)

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/june-12-president-buharis-speech-on-2022-democracy-day/%3famp

8 Likes

Education › How Do I Write This In Words??? by Wesmichael(op): 10:17pm On Jun 05, 2022

What is 934,752,213,849,592,189,365,634 in words?

Please help

Nairaland General › Myth We Believed When We Were A Child.. by Wesmichael(op): 9:54pm On Jun 05, 2022

1.India beat Nigeria 100-1

This story has been told so many times that it nearly became a fact. As kids, we were told that Nigeria once played a friendly match with India at lost by an unbelievable margin 100-1. According to myth, the Indians played with juju and any time the Super Eagles had the ball it turned to a lion. 'They' told us that it was because of India's black magic that they were banned from football. We later grew up to know this was a big fat lie.

2) Whistling at night

Our mothers and grandmothers warned us never to whistle at night because it attracted snakes. We held on to this scary myth for a while until we figured out it was a silly story meant to discourage kids from whistling at night.

3) When someone walks over your legs

We were told that anyone who walks over our legs will end up having kids who look just like us. This is a baffling one cos it really makes the least sense out of the five.

4) Do not beat a boy with a broom

Another crazy myth is the one concerning beating a boy with a broom. According to what we were told, if you beat a boy with a broom it would shrink the size of his penis. As a remedy, if a boy has been beaten with a broom, he would have to beat by the same person seven times with a broom. Wow.

5) Sun and rain

This myth is probably the most popular. Once in a while nature does freakish things like raining while the sun is out. The Nigerian explanation for this? A lion is giving birth.

6..Add your own...

Politics › Resolution Of 11 States Northern Governor Concerning Incoming APC Primary. by Wesmichael(op): 11:09pm On Jun 04, 2022

Press Statement

We received with utmost joy the news of the resolution of the 11 Governors from the Northern Region thus:

" We therefore wish to strongly recommend to President Muhammad Buhari that the search for his successor as the APC Presidential Candidate be limited to our compatriots from the Southern states. We appeal to all aspirants from the Northern state to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries. We are delighted by the decision of our esteem colleague His Excellency Gov Abubakar Badru to contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration."

We did not expect anything short of this heart-warming decision from our colleagues, great patriots and reliable partners in the collaborative efforts geared towards the attainment of nationhood for our dear country. This is indeed another landmark achievement in our quest for understanding, rapprochement and continual engagements for mutual beneficence.

We acknowledge this courageous stance for equity and moral rectitude. We applaud the zeal and determination of our brothers to engage realistically and honestly. We salute this uncommon resolve to confront issues militating against the march towards nationhood and ultimate greatness. By this gesture, we are convinced of the seriousness of our colleagues to join other patriots in ensuring that the ascendant march towards stability, progress and prosperity is not truncated by indiscretion.

We congratulate our brother Governor, Abubakar Badaru, for his exemplary conduct. Posterity will remember him for good. We thank the leadership of the Northern Governors' Forum for the patriotic zest displayed at this crucial moment. We look forward to conducting a hitch free Convention which will culminate in the election of a suitable candidate who will hoist the flag of the party with a sense of mission.

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN.
Chairman, Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum

Politics › FG Suspends Accountant-general Of The Federation, Ahmed Idris, As EFCC Traces Mo by Wesmichael(op): 10:29pm On May 18, 2022

The Nigerian government has suspended the Account-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, following his arrest over money laundering and diversion of public funds allegations on Tuesday.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intercepted Mr Idris in Kano on Tuesday and subsequently flew him to Abuja.

The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, informed Mr Idris of his suspension in a letter on Wednesday.

His suspension is without pay, Mrs Ahmed’s letter stated in the letter dated May 18, 2022.
Following your recent arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering, I write to convey your suspension from work without pay effective 18th May 2022,” the letter read in part.

The suspension, Mrs Ahmed said, is in line with Public Service Rules to give room for proper and unhindered investigation.

The letter, titled, ‘LETTER OF SUSPENSION’, also bars Mr Ahmed from visiting his office or contacting any official in his office during his suspension except for disciplinary proceedings that might be initiated against him.
This is to allow for proper and unhindered investigation into the serious allegations in line with Public Service Rules 030408.
During this period, you are not expected to attend to your place of work or contact any official in your office except for any disciplinary hearing that may be advised.

Also, it is expected that you will strictly comply with any instructions that will be forwarded to you in your current location or your known recorded
address as stipulated in the extant rules,” the letter read.
This newspaper also reliably gathered from sources with direct knowledge of the case that some assets believed to be proceeds of Mr Idris’ alleged unlawful activities have been traced.

The sources, who asked not to be named because they had no permission to speak about the case in the press, provided photographs of a sprawling edifice located in Kano allegedly linked to Mr Idris.
Our reporter gathered that the agency has obtained a court order for the arrest of more suspects linked to the alleged crime.

The photographs show the property is in its finishing stage.

Operatives refused to reveal the identities of the suspects in order not to jeopardise investigations.

Family › IQ,EQ,SQ &AQ.. Does These" Q" Have Influence On Someone's Sucess In Life??... by Wesmichael(op): 1:46pm On May 11, 2022

IQ, EQ, SQ, AQ

According to psychologists, there are four types of intelligence:

1) Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
2) Emotional Quotient (EQ)
3) Social Quotient (SQ)
4) Adversity Quotient (AQ)

1. Intelligence Quotient (IQ): this is the measure of your comprehension ability", solve maths; memorize things and recall subject matters.

2. Emotional Quotient (EQ): This is the measure of your ability to maintain peace with others; keep to time; be responsible; be honest; respect boundaries; be humble, genuine and considerate.

3. Social Quotient (SQ):
This is the measure of your ability to build a network of friends and maintain it over a long period of time.

People that have higher EQ and SQ tend to go further in life than those with high IQ but low EQ and SQ. Most schools capitalize in improving IQ level while EQ and SQ are played down.

A man of high IQ can end up being employed by a man of high EQ and SQ even though he has an average IQ.

Your EQ represents your character; your SQ represents your charisma. Give in to habits that will improve these three Qs but more especially your EQ and SQ.

EQ and SQ makes one manage situations better than IQ does.

As teachers, we shouldn't teach students to only have high IQ, but to also have higher EQ and SQ.

Now there is a 4th one: A new paradigm...

4. The Adversity Quotient (AQ):
The measure of your ability to go through a rough patch in life and come out without losing your mind.
AQ determines who will give up in the face of adversities and possibly even abandon their families.

TO PARENTS
Expose children to other areas of life other than academics. They should enjoy doing manual work (never use work as a form of punishment), sport and art.

Develop their EQ, SQ and AQ. They should become multifaceted human beings able to do things independently of their parents.

Finally, do not prepare the road for the children. Prepare the children for the road.
It is true, teaching children how to make network of friends, how to control emotions, how to deal with stress and shocks (adversity) is just like teaching them how to stand on there feet in any situations

Nairaland General › If You Know It, Give It A Trial... by Wesmichael(op): 9:39pm On May 02, 2022

This is name of some areas in capital city of osun state , osogbo to be precise...which of the name of those areas you can possibly interpret correctly...

Celebrities › Polygamous Yul Edochie: Polygamy Is Not A Sin – Reno Omokri Opens Up (reply A Fa by Wesmichael(op): 9:36am On Apr 28, 2022

Thank you for your question. I generally would prefer to mind my own business, but as this is a direct question to me from you, a gubernatorial candidate, about Yul, who relates very well with me, I will respond to it. In my personal opinion, I don’t think Polygamy is a sin. Scripture is crystal clear that God Himself gave David many wives-2 Samuel 12:8. Abraham, Jacob, and many Godly men were polygamists, and it was a regular way of life in Scripture amongst everyday people. For instance, Samuel’s father, Elkanah, was a polygamist-1 Samuel 1:2.

Polygamy is only forbidden for Bishops, overseers and elders in the church-1 Timothy 3:2. Monogamy is a Western construct, not a Christian one.

The modern marriage vows we use in Black Africa is a curse. It is not Scriptural. If you, Uche, can show It to me in Scripture, I will give you $50,000. And you know of my financial ability more than most people. It was adopted from Europe. It is very hard for a single woman to satisfy the libido of a normal man. And this is the reason we have such a high rate of what we call cheating in our society. Compare the rate of cheating in Europe and America, with that of Saudi Arabia and Jordan and my point becomes clear.

Sadly, Black Africans have accepted this Western construct as a Christian one. Which is why we are now becoming tolerant of same sex marriage, and are very intolerant of polygamy. Meanwhile, you find polygamy in Scripture-Exodus 21:10, and the very thought of the other is abominable according to Scripture-Leviticus 18:22.

I will not counsel any man to marry more than one wife, but I will say that polygamy is by far better than adultery and fornication. But, these are my personal views.

#TableShaker

1 Like

Career › WAEC Massive Recruitment.... by Wesmichael(op): 8:53am On Apr 27, 2022

Let's do well to apply for any of this post.... if you have any questions slides to my DM.

Education › ASUU Strike: Are The Public Universities' Students Still At Home? by Wesmichael(op): 7:46am On Apr 13, 2022

As declarations for the 2023 elections continued and the discussions took over the blogosphere, I nearly forgot that ASUU is still on strike. Everything about the strike was quiet that I began to feel that I was just enjoying a long weekend or holiday. Then, I stumbled over an article by The Punch in which the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba said FG does not have N200b to give to the universities at once.

Sometimes when that minister talks, I wonder if he is aware of the issues in his ministry. It appears that while Adamu Adamu was busy at the "pseudo-ministry of pre and post-APC convention internal crisis", the minister of state was mandated to just say anything that comes to his mind whenever questions are asked about the ASUU strike. The internal political crisis was threatening their political ambitions and Adamu Adamu was found resourceful in the crisis resolution and management. Then, they find the minister of state for education as among the few men around Buhari that have got no much political ambition and was then commissioned to be speaking about the ASUU strike.

In the interview, Punch asked: "what is going to happen now?" And he said "it’s up to them, students, the government didn’t go on strike. It is the professional bodies that went on strike. They are the ones you should be asking when they will resume. We don’t have any disagreement with them. We are not promising anything. If you ask me why they went on strike, I will say I don’t know". The Minister for education don't know why ASUU is on strike and the students are too weak to ask questions in the language he will understand.

When he talks sometimes you will be wondering why Buhari assigned him to the education ministry. The senior minister is absent and the junior minister doesn't know why ASUU is on strike. How can a Minister for education trivialize the university revitalization fund? He is possibly not aware of the purpose of the said N200b. The quality of people assigned to manage education shows the importance they placed on education.

When further asked; "ASUU claims that the proliferation of universities is not favorable and that the existing universities are not even being funded", his response was: "As a plan, the objective of the government is to train and give as many people access as possible. The objective of ASUU is to make sure that their staff is getting very good condition of service. That’s how unions can engage the government. But that’s not something you go on strike for". That was the education minister talking. The minister doesn't know the meaning of university proliferation.

There have being noise that the government does not have the money to revitalize public universities and they are still establishing more. There was a trending letter dated 9th February 2022 from the clerk of NASS to the President to assent to a bill to establish the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Funtua. NASS passed the bill to establish a Federal Universities of Medical Sciences and Biomedical Technology in the 6 geopolitical zones on the 5th of April. On April 6, 2022, NASS approved the establishment of the $50 million Federal University of Transport, Daura. The Daura university is 50% completed. The public universities are closed for funding fight but the government of the broke Nigeria is establishing more.

Channels TV recently displayed a chart of the security budget from 2015 to 2022. 2015 was the peak of the Boko haram fight and the budget was 969 billion naira. The budget grow to become 2.41 trillion naira in 2022. That's a 148.7% increase in 7 years. Meanwhile, even with the huge budget, we can't travel by road, rail, or air between Abuja and Kaduna.

I decided to look at the budgets for education within that period for comparison. The education budget in 2015 was 484.2 billion naira, reduced to 369.6 billion naira in 2016, and increased to 875.93 billion naira in 2022. Where did we get the money to fund the 2.41 trillion naira security budget? Why can't we get 220 billion naira annually for 5 years to revitalize the government-owned universities?

Recall that it was the NEEDS Assessment Committee of the government of Goodluck Jonathan that assessed the state of the universities and came up with 1.3 trillion naira for their revitalization. The agreement with ASUU was then signed to release the money to the university annually for 6 years, starting with the 200 billion naira that was released by that government.

The revitalization of public universities is in the interest of the country towards creating a knowledge-based economy. A revitalized university will produce quality manpower to drive the economy of the country. It will give us universities that will be attractive to international students and research grants donors. Such universities will attract foreign exchange like Malaysian universities. Within 7 years, the security budget increased by about 1.4 trillion naira, and the education budget is much less than 1 trillion naira. If we remain narrow-minded about university education and refused to look at it from a bigger picture, we won't make any progress.

As Alhaji Lai Muhammad said in 2013, No government worth its salt can afford to play with education because it is the path to national development. ASUU is not making fresh demands beyond the agreement it reached with the government. Agreements are meant to be honoured and breaching them comes with some consequences. If we can source for 2.41 trillion naira to fight insecurity, why can't we put the revitalization fund in the budget?

No-work-no-pay for striking lecturers? I laugh hard whenever I heard that. I am trying to understand the meaning of no-work-no-pay. All our refineries do not refine any fuel even though they are turned around with hundreds of billions of naira every year. The NNPC staff at these refineries get paid huge salaries every month with allowances, bonuses, and upfront for doing no work. So, please explain to me the meaning of no-work-no-pay. The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba said they have not stopped our salary. Today is 12th April 2022 and March 2022 salary is not paid yet. We are still expecting it.

A well-informed mind cannot be easily drafted into stuff like Boko haram or banditry. We watch as the Governors destroyed public primary and secondary schools. There are schools in some states that have got not more than 3 teachers. The teachers in these schools meant to educate the masses are poorly paid and have inadequate manpower. Mass production of unbaked and half-baked educated people has consequences. The public universities are on the path of total destruction.

Boko haram and banditry are the major security challenges we've got now. The best way to fight the insecurity is to create a mindset that cannot be easily drafted into it. That can only be achieved through proper education. As long as we refused to have a purposeful investment in education, The budget for security will keep growing. As long as we refused to prioritize and invest in public education, we'll be producing feedstocks for Boko haram and banditry.

©Amoka

Sports › Asisat Oshoala Stripped Of Nigeria Women's Captaincy by Wesmichael(op): 6:10pm On Apr 07, 2022

Asisat Oshoala has been stripped of the Nigeria women's team captaincy, SportNewsAfrica can exclusively report.

The Barcelona star, who vice-captained the Super Falcons at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, was elevated to the captaincy post on September 17, 2019, but 30 months later, the reigning and record-equaling four-time Africa Women's Player of the Year has now been relieved of her leadership role.

Back in 2019, former acting coach Chris Danjuma had handed Oshoala the armband, after stripping Desire Oparanozie, following her fallout with the Nigerian football authorities, having led a sit-in protest at the showpiece.

The change of captainship comes just a few days before Nigeria's 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations build-up against Olympic champions Canada in two-legged ties on 8 and 11 April respectively in British Columbia.

Head coach Randy Waldrum had named a 25-player roster with the Barcelona star, not in the traveling squad due to injury, having only just seen out seven of her 10-month on the sidelines. The 28-year-old striker will now be missing the fourth successive game for Nigeria due to the thigh injury she suffered while on international duty in February.

Despite her anticipated absence, SportNewsAfrica learned that Oshoala will no longer be part of the Super Falcons' leadership group following directives from the Nigeria Football Federation to the Waldrum's led technical crew.

While the American tactician had declined comments on the expected change to the team's leadership, sources in the Nigerian FA when contacted offered some reasons for the surprising change of captaincy.

"We have no issue whatsoever with Asisat [Oshoala] but thoughts of stripping her of the armbard came after Aisha Buhari Cup last September," said a high-ranking official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"This is not for anything negative but for troubling concerns of seeing her struggle in national team colours. We and the coach [Waldrum] observed the captaincy is weighing her down and affecting her play. With or without it, we believe she is a true professional player and should not struggle to prove otherwise by delivering on the pitch."

Education › A Phd Graduate Advises A New Phd Student (very Useful Advice) by Wesmichael(op): 12:39pm On Apr 06, 2022

I just finished my PhD few months ago, so the whole experience is still very fresh for me. Here is what I learned in summary:

You must be passionate about the process : Its a very long process, so If its not about passion, the whole process becomes a burden…so find out the basic driving force for pursuing the PhD in the first place to know if the reason is good enough to keep you going amidst the challenges that may come with it.

Find below Kostas Hatalis submission on quora

Research takes a lot of time.

1. Expect to spend months, if not years, on a single project.

Expect to work on multiple projects beyond your dissertation work.
Expect to spend 4–8 years doing the PhD.

2. Don’t do a PhD to check off the box that you got all your “degrees”.
A PhD is nothing like a bachelor or masters. It is not about taking courses.

It’s about proving to yourself, and to the world, you can do cutting edge novel research.

3. Pick the right advisor. This is far more important then picking a good school.

Your advisor is the one that will guide all your work. They should be as knowledgeable, approachable, and helpful as possible.

Some advisors are slave drivers, having meetings almost on a daily basis and piling more and more work on your desk. Others are ghosts, where you rarely ever see them.

Some advisors know nothing about your research interests, while others are the leading authorities on it.It is up to you to find the best advisor. They should equally impress you as you do them!

4. You will experience different types of failure and frustrations, learn from them and move on fast.

These include paper rejections, lack of research ideas, failed experiments, criticism about your work, self doubt, etc.

You will experience far more lows then highs in the PhD. What will set you apart from others to succeed and graduate one day is how you dealt with those lows to move forward.

5. Expect to work very independently.

You must define your own research agenda and goals.

This comes as a surprise to a LOT of new students who expect that their advisors will layout work schedules for them, defining every detail of what they should do. Most advisors don’t do this, it’s your responsibility.

Your advisor is there to mentor, not baby sit, you.

6. Do not expect that getting a PhD will make you financially rich.

The #1 question I get asked by new students is how much money could they make if they get a PhD. In some cases, it can be a big salary boost.

But in most cases you will make more money by working in industry for the time it takes you to get the PhD.

If your goal is to get rich, then the PhD is not for you.

7. In general, the PhD is not for most people, and that’s okay.

Doing a PhD is about a passion for science and research. It’s about sacrificing many years to pursue that passion. Most people don’t have that drive, and that’s okay!

For 99% of jobs in industry, you don’t need a PhD.

The main job prospects after graduating are becoming a professor or working in a research lab. These jobs are not for everyone, it’s about what you love doing.

8. You will at times work 7 days a week, 10–14 hours a day. I have even slept in my lab space over night several times. A PhD is demanding intellectually as well as emotionally and physically.

A PhD is a lot of work for very little pay. If you have family depending on you financially, this becomes a challenge.

You will suffer from imposter syndrome, but the truth is you don’t need to be a genius to do a PhD.

A lot of people think the PhD is only for very “intelligent” individuals. But almost anyone can do a PhD. It just requires an immense dedication.

Many students, when they start a PhD, will suffer from imposter syndrome. I did, and many of my friends did too! At first you will be scared, feeling completely lost at times.

This is natural, no one expects new students to really know much. Don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know. Learn how to be a good learner: reach out to others, ask as many questions as you can!

9. Do not get bogged down in the academic race to outdo others.
As you progress your PhD, you will start feeling pressure to produce more quantity than quality. A lot of people start thinking they need to publish more and more to look better.

Focus on doing 1 high quality publication instead of 4 low quality ones.

Some students also start feeling competitive with other researchers in their field. Some competition is healthy, but it can quickly become a distraction.

Don’t focus on being better than others. Focus on being better than your past self. Improve your own work rather than outdoing someone else’s.

10. And finally, don’t forget to have a life outside your PhD!
A lot students get sucked so much into their work they forget their own health or that there’s an outside world.

Eat healthy, exercise, do yoga, meditate, whatever gives you a healthy mindset and body.

Have an active social life: volunteer for charity, go to community events, go on dates or spend time with your partner, visit family and friends. Surround your self with people who love you. They are the ones who are there to pick you up if you ever fall.

- Culled from a FUTA Alumnus

13 Likes 4 Shares

Celebrities › Yoruba Actor, Dejo Tunfulu, Dies by Wesmichael(op): 12:08pm On Apr 01, 2022

A popular Yoruba comic actor, Kunle Adetokunbo, popularly called Dejo Tunfulu has died.

Fellow thespian, Kunle Afod, shared the news on his Instagram page on Friday.

The president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Bolaji Amusan, known as Mr Latin, also confirmed his death.

“Yes, it is confirmed. He died in a hospital this morning. But I am yet to get full details of the incident,” he told our correspondent on Friday.

The deceased shot into limelight for his role in the movie titled: “Omo Oran”, featuring the veteran actor Fatai Adetayo (Lalude).

Details later.

Music/Radio › Portable Loses Canadian Show After Sacking Manager, Promoter, Others by Wesmichael(op): 7:17pm On Mar 30, 2022

Musician, Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, has lost his chance to perform at a forthcoming show organized by a comedian, MC Morris, in Canada.

The comedian made the statement on Instagram shortly after the news of Portable sacking his manager, deejay, and promoter became public knowledge.

The post read in part, “For those that are asking why I removed idamu adugboyin from my May 22 show. Talent is not enough, a beautiful song without a beautiful attitude is a beautiful nonsense.

“Two managers in less than a year, even sack innocent DJ that his job na to play song and scratch shaka shaka. I cannot koshi mero am sorry. All transactions canceled and ijoba danku am sorry.”. Portable was heard in a live broadcast on Instagram claiming that his manager, deejay, and promoter were solely dependent on him for money.

The fast-rising artiste, however, stated that they should leave him if they were not gaining from him.

He said, “Am I your father or brother? Manager, DJ, promoter, I will feed una, buy cloth for una, put money into your accounts, I go con do like say I broke, ask the manager for money but he will tell me he has no money as if he is building a house
Deejay will also say he has no money, promoter will also say he has no money. They think the grace will finish but it won’t. If you are not gaining from me, maybe you should clear from me.”
Reacting, his erstwhile promoter, popularly known as Ijoba Danku, said he never collected a dime from Portable while acting as his promoter.

He added, “Hello Mr Portable, I just dey wake up now and I just dey see your video. Thank God say I no be promoter wey dey rip. All the show wey I collect for you, you dey collect your money complete and no be say you dey give me percentage.

“I am ok, I am comfortable, I am rich enough, I am fine and you know it. I am not signing anything with you, keep your work. Nah you dey owe me now, nah you dey rip me now, nah you borrow money from my hand, so please, I will send my account, drop my money.

“And Eti DMW, Eti Davido, wey give you money yesterday, wey you say you no fit go him show say you no send anybody after them pay you N2m, you don spend the money now, abeg return the money, make I return Eti money for am.”

The punch.

Romance › How School Boys Used To Write Letters To Girls In The 80s And 90s.. by Wesmichael(op): 1:29pm On Mar 29, 2022

Amoye Grammar School
P.O. BOX 35
Ikere - Ekiti
Ondo State
12th May 1985

Dear Honey,
Hope you are fine,if so doxology. Time and ability plus double capacity has forced my pen to dance automatically on this benedicted sheet of paper. I hope you're swimming in the wonderful pool of Mr. Health there. I am also parambulating in the cool breeze of wellness here.

Sweetie pie, the reason why this miraculous thing is happening is because, honey, I love you spontaneously, and as I stand horizontally parallel to the wall and vertically perpendicular to the ground now, I only think of you, since you are a fantastic and fabulous girl, put together as fantabulous. I implore you to decipher this my anthem of love oozing out from the innermost pendulum of my thoraxial cavity.

Darling, please stop haranguing with the feelings in my heart because I love you more than a snake loves rat.
To me each day I start by dreaming of you. Each time I see you, my metabolism suddenly halts and my peristalsis goes in reverse gear. My medula oblongata also ceases functioning.

Crazy, crazy, crazy you may say but this is verily veritable. If only you knew what is going on in my encephalon, you would prostrate. That's why I need to see you vis a vis soon for a better elucidation through tete a tete. No hyperbole & onomatopoeia, simple candidness.

Only you and me are protagonists in this subtle affair. As I cogitate and ruminate over the last episode, I genuflex before the Omnipotent and implore him to let this affair emulsify.

By the way, I was bamboozled, scintilated, exhilarated, and left in a state of prolonged euphoria by the contents of your missive which was quite edifying and exalting. It left my bio-chemistry in a paradise-like equilibrium.

Empirically speaking, I love u chemically... I don't ever want to see gloom and doom looming over your angelic live portrait. Let my appellation be scribbled across your heart, with indelible ink. If any boy tries to ask for your companionship, tell him that u are leased and caveated.

I think I have to pen off here, because I still haven't finished studying electrolysis polymerization. But before I evaporate, I like to revitalize your memory with those encapsulating lyrics which proclaim that your catarrh is my butter, your piss is my mimbo, the world's greatest lover is me.

Catch you later. Sleep tight and don't let those bed bugs bite you because you are too sweet for them.

Goodbye for now.

Your slave in Love
Class Captain
Form 5B.

163 Likes 13 Shares

Nairaland General › ASUU One Month Warning Strike. by Wesmichael(op): 8:22am On Feb 14, 2022

After serious deliberations that dragged into the early hours of Monday, the National Executive Council, NEC, of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has voted to embark on one-month warning strike to press home its demands from the government.A source at the meeting held in Lagos told Vanguard in confidence that the strike is to allow the Federal Government do the needful failure to which the union would go on an indefinite strike.We just want to give the government a long rope hoping that it would see the need to avoid a total paralysis of academic activities in the nation’s universities. We are parents too and have our children in the system but we cannot watch and allow the total collapse of education in the country.

“Our agitation is in the interest of all and if the system is made better, we will all enjoy it. Prominent personalities in the country have waded into the matter but the government seems recalcitrant. Our National President would explain more when he briefs the press later today,” he said.
Recall that the union has been agitating for a number of demands including the payment of Earned Academic Allowance, revitalization fund, the replacement of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS, with the University Transparency and Accountability System UTAS, among others.

Nairaland General › Messi Finally Sign For PSG On A Two Year Deal With Option Of Extra Years by Wesmichael(op): 10:15pm On Aug 10, 2021

Messi to the world

Nairaland General › Waec Adhoc Staff. by Wesmichael(op): 7:34pm On Jul 24, 2021

WAEC is recruiting adhoc staff nationwide for WASSCE 2021.You can do well to apply...

Nairaland General › The Program Of Event for the final burial of Pastor T.B Joshua by Wesmichael(op): 10:17pm On Jun 25, 2021

The program of event for the final burial of the great man of God.. Pastor T.B Joshua

Jobs/Vacancies › Re: Teach For Nigeria 2021 Aspirants by Wesmichael: 2:18pm On Jun 17, 2021

The link for the test was sent to my mailbox,I saw it very late and the link has expired before seeing it,I sent mail to the agent (WonderHCD) may be link can be reactivate.Anyway have reapplied again with another mail..

Politics › Newsobasanjo Writes Letter To Buhari, Lists Four Avoidable Calamities by Wesmichael(op): 11:01am On Jun 14, 2021

Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria has again written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari about the current state of the nation.

Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria has again written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari about the current state of the nation.

Obasanjo urged Buhari’s government to come to terms to the level of insecurity, herdsmen crisis in the county and take decisive decision before it’s too late.

The former President cited four calamities waiting to happen if Buhari’s government failed to act immediately.

These include letting Nigeria fall into the hands of suspected criminals, reprisal attacks on Fulanis, attacks on other ethnic groups, as well as series of uprisings in sections of the country.

He lamented that Boko Haram has continued to plague the country for over a decade, six years of which Buhari has been in power, adding that it was wrong to assume the war against insurgency was being won.

The former President noted that if urgent decision is not taken, what happened during the Rwandan genocide may play out in Nigeria.

SEARCH
Daily Post Nigeria
Daily Post Nigeria
NEWSObasanjo writes letter to Buhari, lists four avoidable calamitiesPublished on June 13, 2021By Fikayo Olowolagba

Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria has again written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari about the current state of the nation.

Obasanjo urged Buhari’s government to come to terms to the level of insecurity, herdsmen crisis in the county and take decisive decision before it’s too late.

The former President cited four calamities waiting to happen if Buhari’s government failed to act immediately.

These include letting Nigeria fall into the hands of suspected criminals, reprisal attacks on Fulanis, attacks on other ethnic groups, as well as series of uprisings in sections of the country.

He lamented that Boko Haram has continued to plague the country for over a decade, six years of which Buhari has been in power, adding that it was wrong to assume the war against insurgency was being won.

The former President noted that if urgent decision is not taken, what happened during the Rwandan genocide may play out in Nigeria.

Obasanjo disclosed that the main issue in Nigerian is which of not handled properly will lead to rain of destruction, violence, disaster and disunity.

Bandits, kidnappers must be punished – Details of Obasanjo, Gumi meeting

Full letter to President Buhari

Dear President and General Buhari,

I am constrained to write to you this open letter. I decided to make it an open letter because the issue is very weighty and must be greatly worrisome to all concerned Nigerians and that means all right-thinking Nigerians and those resident in Nigeria. Since the issue is of momentous concern to all well-meaning and all right-thinking Nigerians, it must be of great concern to you, and collective thinking and dialoguing is the best way of finding an appropriate and adequate solution to the problem. The contents of this letter, therefore, should be available to all those who can help in proffering effective solutions for the problem of insecurity in the land.

SEARCH
Daily Post Nigeria
Daily Post Nigeria
NEWSObasanjo writes letter to Buhari, lists four avoidable calamitiesPublished on June 13, 2021By Fikayo Olowolagba

Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria has again written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari about the current state of the nation.

Obasanjo urged Buhari’s government to come to terms to the level of insecurity, herdsmen crisis in the county and take decisive decision before it’s too late.

The former President cited four calamities waiting to happen if Buhari’s government failed to act immediately.

These include letting Nigeria fall into the hands of suspected criminals, reprisal attacks on Fulanis, attacks on other ethnic groups, as well as series of uprisings in sections of the country.

He lamented that Boko Haram has continued to plague the country for over a decade, six years of which Buhari has been in power, adding that it was wrong to assume the war against insurgency was being won.

The former President noted that if urgent decision is not taken, what happened during the Rwandan genocide may play out in Nigeria.

Obasanjo disclosed that the main issue in Nigerian is which of not handled properly will lead to rain of destruction, violence, disaster and disunity.

Bandits, kidnappers must be punished – Details of Obasanjo, Gumi meeting

Full letter to President Buhari

Dear President and General Buhari,

I am constrained to write to you this open letter. I decided to make it an open letter because the issue is very weighty and must be greatly worrisome to all concerned Nigerians and that means all right-thinking Nigerians and those resident in Nigeria. Since the issue is of momentous concern to all well-meaning and all right-thinking Nigerians, it must be of great concern to you, and collective thinking and dialoguing is the best way of finding an appropriate and adequate solution to the problem. The contents of this letter, therefore, should be available to all those who can help in proffering effective solutions for the problem of insecurity in the land.

One of the spinoffs and accelerants is the misinformation and disinformation through the use of fake news. A number of articles, in recent days, have been attributed to me by some people who I believe may be seeking added credence and an attentive audience for their opinions and view-points. As you know very well, I will always boldly own what I say and disown what is put into my mouth. But the issue I am addressing here is very serious; it is the issue of life and death for all of us and for our dear country, Nigeria. This issue can no longer be ignored, treated with nonchalance, swept under the carpet or treated with cuddling glove. The issue is hitting at the foundation of our existence as Nigerians and fast eroding the root of our Nigerian community. I am very much worried and afraid that we are on the precipice and dangerously reaching a tipping point where it may no longer be possible to hold danger at bay. Without being immodest, as a Nigerian who still bears the scar of the Nigerian civil war on my body and with a son who bears the scar of fighting Boko Haram on his body, you can understand, I hope, why I am so concerned. When people are desperate and feel that they cannot have confidence in the ability of government to provide security for their lives and properties, they will take recourse to anything and everything that can guarantee their security individually and collectively.
For over ten years, for four of which you have been the captain of the ship, Boko Haram has menacingly ravaged the land and in spite of government’s claim of victory over Boko Haram, the potency and the activities of Boko Haram, where they are active, remain undiminished, putting lie to government’s claim. The recent explanation of the Chief of Army Staff for non-victory due to lack of commitment and lack of motivation on the part of troops bordering on sabotage speaks for itself. Say what you will, Boko Haram is still a daily issue of insecurity for those who are victimised, killed, maimed, kidnapped, raped, sold into slavery and forced into marriage and for children forcibly recruited into carrying bombs on them to detonate among crowds of people to cause maximum destructions and damage. And Boko Haram will not go away on the basis of sticks alone, carrots must overweigh sticks. How else do you deal with issues such as only about 50% literacy in North-East with over 70% unemployment?

Herdsmen/farmers crises and menace started with government treating the issue with cuddling glove instead of hammer. It has festered and spread. Today, it has developed into banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and killings all over the country. The unfortunate situation is that the criminality is being perceived as a ‘Fulani’ menace unleashed by Fulani elite in the different parts of the country for a number of reasons but even more unfortunately, many Nigerians and non-Nigerians who are friends of Nigeria attach vicarious responsibility to you as a Fulani elite and the current captain of the Nigeria ship. Perception may be as potent as reality at times. Whatever may be the grievances of Fulanis, if any, they need to be put out in the open and their grievances, if legitimate, be addressed; and if other ethnic groups have grievances, let them also be brought out in the open and addressed through debate and dialogue.

The main issue, if I may dare say, is poor management or mismanagement of diversity which, on the other hand, is one of our greatest and most important assets. As a result, very onerous cloud is gathering. And rain of destruction, violence, disaster and disunity can only be the outcome. Nothing should be taken for granted, the clock is ticking with the cacophony of dissatisfaction and disaffection everywhere in and outside the country. The Presidency and the Congress in the US have signalled to us to put our house in order. The House of Lords in the UK had debated the Nigerian security situation. We must understand and appreciate the significance, implication and likely consequences of such concerns and deliberations.

No one can stop hate speech, violent agitation and smouldering violent agitation if he fans the embers of hatred, disaffection and violence. It will continue to snowball until it is out of control. A stitch in time saves nine, goes the old wise saying. With the death of Funke, Chief Fasoranti’s daughter, some sympathetic Nigerian groups are saying “enough is enough”. Prof. Anya, a distinguished Nigerian merit Laureate, has this to say “We can no longer say with certainty that we have a nation”. Niger-Delta leaders, South-Eastern leaders, Middle-Belt leaders and Northern Elders Forum have not remained quiet. Different ordinary Nigerians at home and abroad are calling for different measures to address or ameliorate the situation. All the calls and cries can only continue to be ignored at the expense of Nigerian unity, if not its continued existence.

To be explicit and without equivocation, Mr. President and General, I am deeply worried about four avoidable calamities:

1. abandoning Nigeria into the hands of criminals who are all being suspected, rightly or wrongly, as Fulanis and terrorists of Boko Haram type.

2. spontaneous or planned reprisal attacks against Fulanis which may inadvertently or advertently mushroom into pogrom or Rwanda-type genocide that we did not believe could happen and yet it happened.

3. similar attacks against any other tribe or ethnic group anywhere in the country initiated by rumours, fears, intimidation and revenge capable of leading to pogrom.

4. violent uprising beginning from one section of the country and spreading quickly to other areas and leading to dismemberment of the country.

It happened to Yugoslavia not too long ago. If we do not act now, one or all of these scenarios may happen. We must pray and take effective actions at the same time. The initiative is in the hands of the President of the nation, but he cannot do it alone. In my part of the world, if you are sharpening your cutlass and a mad man comes from behind to take the cutlass from you, you need other people’s assistance to have your cutlass back without being harmed. The mad men with serious criminal intent and terrorism as core value have taken cutlass of security. The need for assistance to regain control is obviously compelling and must be embraced now.

A couple of weeks ago at a public lecture, I had said, among other things, that:
“In all these issues of mobilisation for national unity, stability, security, cooperation, development, growth and progress, there is no consensus. Like in the issue of security, government should open up discussion, debate and dialogue as part of consultation at different levels and the outcome of such deliberations should be collated to form inputs into a national conference to come up with the solution that will effectively deal with the issues and lead to rapid development, growth and progress which will give us a wholesome society and enhanced living standard and livelihood in an inclusive and shared society. It will be a national programme. We need unity of purpose and a nationally accepted strategic roadmap that will not change with the whims and caprices of any government. It must be owned by the citizens, people’s policy and strategy implemented by the government no matter it’s color and leaning.

Some of the groups that I will suggest being contacted are traditional rulers, past heads of service (no matter how competent or incompetent they have been and how much they have contributed to the mess we are in), past heads of paramilitary organizations, private sector, civil society, community leaders particularly in the most affected areas, present and past governors, present and past local government leaders, religious leaders, past Heads of State, past intelligence chiefs, past Heads of Civil Service and relevant current and retired diplomats, members of the opposition and any groups that may be deemed relevant.”

The President must be seen to be addressing this issue with utmost seriousness and with maximum dispatch and getting all hands on deck to help. If there is a failure, the principal responsibility will be that of the President and no one else. We need cohesion and concentration of effort and maximum force – political, economic, social, psychological, and military – to deal successfully with the menace of criminality and terrorism separately and together. Blame game among own forces must be avoided. It is debilitating and only helpful to our adversary. We cannot dither anymore. It is time to confront this threat headlong and in a manner that is holistic, inclusive, and purposeful.

For the sake of Nigeria and Nigerians, I pray that God may grant you, as our President, the wisdom, the understanding, the political will, and the courage to do what is right when it is right and without fear or favor. May God save, secure, protect and bless Nigeria. May He open to us a window of opportunity that we can still use to prevent the worst from happening. As we say in my village, “May God forbid bad thing”.

signed
OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

Politics › President Buhari's Democracy Day Speech On June 12, 2021 (Full Text) by Wesmichael(op): 7:36am On Jun 12, 2021

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY ON 12TH JUNE, 2021

Fellow Nigerians,

I join you all today to commemorate and celebrate our Democracy Day. It is a celebration of freedom and a victory for one people, one country and one Nigeria.

2. As with all democracies we will always be going through improvement processes in our desire to reach the goal of a mature democracy, a strong, evolved and integrated nation state to be reckoned with globally.

3. In the last two years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of testy challenges that would have destroyed other nations especially relating to our collective security.

4. The indefatigable CAN DO Spirit of the Nigerian has sustained us and would keep pushing us to put these challenges behind us.

5. Unfortunately some of these challenges came in the shape of violent outrages leading to the loss of lives of many of our dear compatriots and the destruction of some of our infrastructure, including those devoted to improving our democratic processes.

6. Once again, I want to render my sincere and heart-felt condolences to the families and friends of our gallant service men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and as a sacrifice to keep Nigeria safe.

7. I extend the same condolence to the families and friends of our country men, women and children who were unfortunate victims of such senseless arsons, kidnappings and murders.

8. I also share the pains of families and direct victims of ransom-seeking, kidnaped victims who went through unimaginable trauma in the course of their forced imprisonment.

9. Let me assure my fellow citizens that every incident, however minor gives me great worry and concern and I immediately order security agencies to swiftly but safely rescue victims and bring perpetrators to justice.

Fellow Nigerians,

10. When you elected me as your President in 2015, you did so knowing that I will put an end to the growing insecurity, especially the insurgency in the North East, but the unintended consequences of our scattering them in the North East pushed them further in-country which is what we are now facing and dealing with.

11. We will, by the Grace of God put an end to these challenges too.

12. Unfortunately, like in most conflict situations, some Nigerian criminals are taking undue advantage of a difficult situation and profiteering therefrom with the misguided belief that adherence to the democratic norms handicaps this Administration from frontally and decisively tackling them.

13. We are already addressing these obstacles and we will soon bring some of these culprits to justice.

14. We are, at the same time addressing the twin underlying drivers of insecurity namely poverty and youth unemployment.

15. Interventions led by Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria driving economic growth over the past 6 years are targeted mostly to the agricultural, services, infrastructure, power and health care sectors of the economy.

16. In the Agricultural sector, for instance, the Anchor Borrowers Programme resulted in sharp decline in the nation’s major food import bill from $2.23billion in 2014 to US$0.59billion by the end of 2018.

17. Rice import bill alone dropped from $1 billion to $18.5 million annually.

18. This initiative supported local production of rice, maize, cotton and cassava. Government financed 2.5 million small-holder farmers cultivating about 3.2 million hectares of farmland all over the country and created 10 million direct and indirect jobs.

19. Several other initiatives, namely AgriBusiness/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme, the Non-oil Export stimulation Facility, the Targeted Credit Facilities operated across the 774 Local Governments.

20. In the manufacturing sector the CBN – BOI N200 billion facility financed the establishment and operations of 60 new industrial hubs across the country, creating an estimated 890,000 direct and indirect jobs.

21. The CBN’s N50 billion Textile Sector intervention Facility increased capacity utilization of ginneries from 30% to nearly 90%.

22. The Economic Sustainability Plan – our rebound plan for the COVID-19 pandemic developed in 2020 is currently being executed. The plan is primarily focused on the non-oil sector, which has recorded phenomenal growth contributing over 90% to the GDP growth in Q1 2021.

23. Though marginal we have recorded GDP growth over two quarters; Q2 2020 and Q1 2021. This is evidence of a successful execution of the ESP by the Federal Government.

24. My vision of pulling 100 million poor Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years has been put into action and can be seen in the National Social Investment Programme, a first in Africa and one of the largest in the world where over 32.6m beneficiaries are taking part. We now have a National Social register of poor and vulnerable households, identified across 708 local government areas, 8,723 wards and 86,610 communities in the 36 States and the FCT.

25. Our conditional cash transfer program has benefited over 1.6 million poor and vulnerable households comprising more than 8 million individuals. This provides a monthly stipend of N10,000 per household.

26. I have also recently approved the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy Plan that augments existing plans to further reduce poverty in Nigeria.

27. As at the end of 2020, the Development Bank of Nigeria had disbursed 324 billion Naira in loans to more than 136,000 MSMEs, through 40 participating Financial Institutions. I am to note that 57% of these beneficiaries are women while 27% are the youth.

28. We are able to do all these and still accelerate our infrastructure development through sensible and transparent borrowing, improved capital inflow, improving and increasing revenue through capturing more tax bases and prudent management of investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Fellow Nigerians,

29. Our infrastructure revolution continues with key projects attaining critical milestones under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund; The Second Niger Bridge, The Lagos- Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.

30. I have also approved the establishment of Infraco Plc, a world-class infrastructure development vehicle wholly focused on Nigeria with a capital structure of N15 trillion.

31. The rail system is not left out as the Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail was completed and commissioned 33 years after construction began. The Lagos-Ibadan double track railway line which I have just commissioned has commenced operations.

32. We are focused on ensuring that our infrastructure drive is key to economic growth and one that can be felt by every Nigerian. Building critical infrastructure in our ports is also opening up opportunities for the Nigerian economy.

33. My approval for 4 new seaports using a Public-Private-Partnership approach is hinged on growing the Nigerian economy. These four sea ports; Lekki Deep Sea Port, Bonny Deep Sea Port, Ibom Deep Sea Port and Warri Deep Sea port will create massive job opportunities and foreign investment inflows.

34. We have worked at deepening our Eastern ports leading to success like having three container ships berth at Calabar port, a first in 11 years. Similarly, on October 30 2019, an LPG tanker operated by NLNG berthed in Port Harcourt, the first time an LPG ship is berthing at any of the Eastern Ports.

35. As we invest in these new assets, we have also made strides in ensuring that they are secured and protected. In this regard I am also pleased to note the launch of the NIMASA Deep Blue project – which is an Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure that I recently commissioned. This initiative is designed to add to the layer of security we have to safeguard our maritime sector.

Dear Nigerians,

36. I will be the first to admit that in spite of our efforts and achievements which are there for all to see, there is still much more to be done and we are doing our best in the face of scarce resources and galloping population growth rate that consistently outstrips our capacity to provide jobs for our populace. Our over-all economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is our goal notwithstanding COVID-19.

37. In the last two years we lifted 10.5 million people out of poverty – farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, market women and the like.

38. I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and this informed the development of a National poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy will be unveiled shortly.

39. In the last one year, Nigeria and the whole world faced COVID-19 for which no one was fully prepared.

40. Our response to the pandemic involved making hard choices in balancing livelihoods and public health concerns. You are all living witnesses to how successful this has been due to a number of pro-active measures put in place. Our response to COVID-19 is globally acclaimed.

41. We were able to ensure that the various lockdown measures did not impact too negatively on the ability of ordinary Nigerians to continue sustaining their livelihoods.

42. During the pandemic, we disbursed N5,000 to 1 million Nigerians using a Rapid Response Register and advanced N20,000 to 750,000 beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer Progamme and provided 1.37 million Nigerians with palliatives from CACOVID.

43. At the same time the Federal Government released 109,000 metric tonnes of food reserve stocks and 70,000 metric tonnes of grains to the poor and vulnerable in all 36 states of the federation.

44. In addition, Government reduced interest rates from 9% to 5% for struggling businesses and extended credit facilities to 548,345 beneficiaries.

Fellow Nigerians,

45. When this administration decided to change our Democracy Day from 29th May to June 12th in my first tenure, it was not only to honour the sacrifices of the men and women of our country who fought for the return to democracy but also to demonstrate our commitment to satisfy the aspirations of the people and creating an environment for democracy to be an accepted way of life.

46. As your President, I remain committed to providing an enabling environment for a free, fair and credible electoral system under my tenure.

47. However, you need to play your part by getting involved at any level you can supporting a democratic system that works for all and not for a section or a select few and demand accountability from your elected leaders.

48. My commitment to bequeathing a sustainable democratic culture remains resolute, my pursuit of a fair society remains unshaken and my desire to see that Nigeria remains a country for each and every one of us has never been stronger.

49. In responding to the challenges that this period imposes on us, Government also recognises the need to acknowledge notions of marginalisation and agitations for constitutional amendments among various segments of our population.

50. While this government is not averse to constitutional reform as part of our nation building process, everyone must understand that the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with the National Assembly.

51. This body which, as I said, is the arm of government responsible for constitutional changes has concluded the preliminary stages of amending and improving our constitution in a way that the majority of Nigerians will be happy with.

52. Government is, however, willing to play a critical role in the constitutional amendment process without usurping the powers of the National Assembly in this regard.

53. As a nation we have come very far from where we started and we are getting incrementally closer to where we ought to be.

54. Overcoming the present challenges is but one of a necessary process that we have to undergo as a nation so that we can come out stronger. The day I joined the Nigerian Army I was prepared to lay down my life for Nigeria.

55. As your President I remain ever committed to upholding and defending Nigeria’s Corporate existence.

56. In adhering to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy notably section 14(2)(b) I shall do all within my power to ensure that the Security and welfare of the people remain the primary purpose of government.

57. I have, throughout my tenure, provided the security agencies with all they require relative to available resources and will be providing more as the dynamics unfold to put an end to our security problems.

58. My strong belief in the Nigerian spirit gives me comfort that we are facing these challenges with renewed commitment to keep our country one.

59. I thank you for your patience and attention and more importantly your resolve to join hands in making Nigeria the country of our dream.

Happy Democracy Day! God Bless us All, God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=334956384658589&id=100044326904709

10 Likes 3 Shares

1 2 3 (of 3 pages)