LET'S SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS RESTRUCTURING~~SULTAN

Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar III said yesterday that there is the need to sit down and discuss how to make Nigeria better.

Speaking at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)- organised colloquium, the Sultan said: “When people talk about restructuring, if they mean we should disintegrate the country, I will not support it. But if it means making things and lives better and much conducive and convenient for Nigerians, then lets sit down and discuss about it.

“I know that many of these groups from the North, West, South-South and South East agitating for this or that have their positions. But despite the realities at present, no group has the right to tell anybody you must leave this place or that place if we still live in this country called Nigeria.



“And I support the President’s position 100 per cent, I believe what he said is right.

“And I say, instead of talking about devolution of power, let’s talk about devolution of economy.

“It is good to sit down and dialogue, but there must be respect. I must respect you and you must respect me. And the greatest thing we can do for this country is to always reflect on our history. We didn’t fall from the sky, but came from somewhere.

“We became Nigeria in 1914 through amalgamation. People are shouting that our coming together as a country in 1914 was a mistake, but God doesn’t make mistakes. If God doesn’t want such a thing as Nigeria to happen, nobody could ever have made it happen.

“So we claim to be very religious, but we challenge God, you don’t come out in the open and say you are challenging God, but by actions and utterances, many people are virtually challenging God. There is no wrong in you saying I want to be better than I am.

“But when you sit down and discuss issues, you find out that you are a much better person. It is important for us to use this forum to bring out issues that are really gemming, very important at this time in the history of our country.



“I expected the organised labour to have been at the forefront of some of the issues affecting this country long before now. Not through strike, even though strike would be the last option, but there are things we need to take much more seriously and make our lives much better.

“And I also know that at the 2014 National Conference, some things were discussed though some people now said that conference was politically motivated and whatever. But whatever happens or anyone may say, Nigerians came together and discussed.”

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade Ayuba Wabba said since the debate on restructuring started, many people had referred to it in different ways saying “For some, it means resource control component of fiscal federalism. Yet other groups see restructuring as increased access to political and economic resources and institutions of governance.

“The discourse among the political elite in our country in the last few months has been so heated that suddenly many involved in this debate have thrown caution, decency and decorum to the winds, and threats and counter threats, all having grave consequences for our cooporate existence as a nation, have become the order of the day.


“Since the outset of this latest stage of our political discourse, both the proponents and the opponents appear to be gravitating towards ‘‘restructuring’’. For some it means resource control component of fiscal federalism. Yet other groups see restructuring as increased access to political and economic resources and institutions of governance.

“Our inability to ensure that the rich resources this nation has been blessed with is administered in a way to benefit the vast majority of Nigerians has been at the centre of our crisis. In this respect, any effort to seek to be sustainable in addressing our recurring problems must address the failure of governance.

“Many of the prominent figures in the forefront of the current agitation for restructuring of our country have had opportunities to play important roles in the governance of our country in the past, and are still part of the governing structure in various ways.

“While we welcome the debate on how best to make our union work, we will continue to underscore the need for good governance in our country as a basis for any realistic development and eventual emancipation of our people.

“If the resources available to us as a nation were well managed and not stolen by both the public and private sector operators, from all parts of the country without exception, the escalating problems of unemployment, decaying infrastructure, non-funding of education, health care and other social services, would be adequately addressed.”

OBA PATRICK FASINU'S KILLING IS A SILENT WAR ON TRADITIONAL RULERS~~ OLU OF YEWALAND

The Yewa Traditional Council in Ogun State yesterday bemoaned the killing of one of its members, the Olowo of Owo-Yewa, Oba Patrick Fasinu, by gunmen.

The council said the killing was a “silent war against the institution of traditional rulers in Yewa” and Nigeria.

Oba Patrick Fasinu, who was on his way back from a meeting of traditional rulers in the state which held at Ilaro, on Wednesday, July 26th, was reportedly ambushed by assassins, who dragged him out of his car, axed him to death and then burnt his corpse alongside his car.

Over 27 Yewa monarchs, who jointly addressed reporters in Ilaro, headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area, under the leadership of the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, noted that the action of the killers was “abhorrent to the customs and traditions of the Yoruba and humanity”.


Oba Olugbenle, who doubles as chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas, spoke on behalf of other monarchs.

He said the monarchs were aware three persons had been arrested in connection with the killing, but urged the government and the police to ensure that all suspects are made to face justice.

The paramount ruler, who was represented by the Olu of Imasayi, Oba Gbadebo Adesola Oni, also called for the protection of Yewa monarchs and other traditional rulers, following what he called increased security threats on traditional institutions.

Oba Olugbenle noted that tight security should be approved for them, warning that if the security challenges were not addressed, they could impact negatively on the nation’s socio-economic and political development.

EDO TRADITIONAL RULERS ASK SPEAKER TO VACATE SEAT

The days of Hon Kabiru Adjoto as the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly may be numbered as traditional rulers in the state have insisted that a lawmaker from Edo Central senatorial district must be made Speaker for the purpose of equity and justice.

According to source,Hon Adjoto who hails from the same senatorial district with the Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, emerged Speaker last week after the impeachment of Hon Justin Okonoboh, a lawmaker from Edo Central.

The traditional rulers spoke yesterday at a summit of Edo North and Edo Central traditional rulers held at Auchi, headquarters of Estako West local government area.

Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, who addressed journalist at the end of the summit, said they supported comments of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewaure II, who described the action of the lawmakers as an act of barbarism and hooliganism.

The Otaru noted that the power balancing factor in the state has been displaced with the removal of Okonoboh as Speaker.

His words, “We are meeting the Oba. We will send delegation to the Benin Monarch to inform him that we support him on his comments as regards what happened at the Edo State House of Assembly.

“We feel that equity, justice must prevail. Edo Central must have somebody who should be the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly. We are going to see what we can do to bring justice to the state over that matter. A balancing factor has to be made which was in place. That has been displaced and it is not a good thing for us if we have to navigate justice.”

On the call for restructuring by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Otaru stated that they resolved that Nigeria does not need restructuring but justice and restructuring of the heart.


His words, “We felt that restructuring is nothing to do other than justice. Justice has no boundary. Everybody has to be treated equally. We appeal that everybody has to restructure their heart to do the good thing.



“Restructuring is not the problem of this country but the restructuring of our heart to the belief that we are all one nation. If we have good roads, water, railways, nobody will be talking about restructuring because the poor and the rich will have an environment that provides for all. The structure of wages and salaries is lopsided. We feel that the salary of the top should reduce and the bottom should rise. There should be a living wage for the low income earners.”

BADAGRY DIASPORA FESTIVAL WILL SHOWCASE NIGERIA AS A BETTER PLACE ~~DABIRI-EREWA

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, on Wednesday said the Badagry Diaspora Festival would help to improve the economy of the country.

Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry on the sideline of the International Symposium Day which is part of the activities to mark the Badagry Diaspora Festival 2017.

According to Dabiri-Erewa;  “The festival is a doorway to the people in the Diaspora and it is going to bring so many people to the great ancient city of Badagry so they can see and explore its culture.



“People in the Diaspora want to be part of the country so they are willing to invest in it and this will  help in improving the economy.

“The major problem of the country is corruption and the present administration is really tackling it. So the people in the Diaspora are seeing Nigeria as a better place and this will encourage them to come back.

“It is also important to note that the festival will  improve tourism in Badagry and ensure that Badagry becomes the hub of tourism in  Lagos State and in the whole of West Africa,’’ she said.

She noted that infrastructure was the key to development of the country.

“In developing this country, infrastructure is very important because it will help in bringing in investors who will invest in the country.

“The Federal Government is making sure that infrastructure are put in place in the country so this will also encourage Nigerians in the Diaspora to come back home,’’ she said.



She urged Nigerians to always attend festivals as it would help to showcase the country’s tourism to the world.

Dr Ence Bennett, a member of Africa Union Diaspora Forum Mission, told NAN that the festival would encourage people in the Diaspora to retrace their roots.

“I have been really impressed with all that I had seen and I have just been here for a few days.

“The festival will help in encouraging people in the Diaspora to retrace their roots back to Africa because a lot has changed and Nigeria in particular is very impressive.

“Nigeria is blessed and its culture is unique so this is one of the attractions because at the end of everything, there is no place like home,’’ he said.

However,  Mrs Mere Jah Evejah, Founder of Cultural Embassy of Pan-African Diaspora, said  that her family had difficulties in resettling in Africa adding that the relevant authorities should tackle the problem.

“To get back to Africa for repatriated Africans, the gap between the dream and reality is wide.

“The geography of South Benin resembles Guadeloupe, but its environment lacks control, particularly concerning the management of household garbage and the state of the roads.

“The difficulties on the ground are so serious as there is no formal structure of advice, no guide for the newcomer who becomes an easy prey for swindlers on the lookout for quick profits.

“The relevant authorities must look into this and set up an agency who will tackle this problem so that repatriates will not be discouraged from coming back,’’ Evejah said.

Also, Mr Babatunde Mesewaku, President, African Renaissance Foundation (AREFO) said the annual Badagry festival had been encouraging Nigerians in the Diaspora to return to the country.

Mesawaku who is also the Chief Organiser of the event added that the festival had been showcasing the tourism centres  of the ancient city.

“The annual festival has been a means to lure Nigerians in the Diaspora back to the country so we are always encouraged by that aspect.

“It always showcases the tourism attractions of the ancient city to the world,’’ he said.

BABA SALA IS ALIVE !

Ace comedian, Moses Olaoluwa Adejumo, aka  Baba Sala, was rumoured to have died on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the comedian has swiftly dismissed the rumour, urging Nigerians to discard the report trending on social media.

In a statement, Adejumo said those spreading the rumour wanted a cheap popularity on social media.

He said the report, the second in less than two years, came as a rude shock, and asked God to forgive those behind it.

WAYNE ROONEY RETIRES FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

The England and Everton's striker, Wayne Rooney ,  31,  has announced his retirement from international football.  Rooney, who won 119 caps, putting him second only to Peter Shilton, and scored 53 goals since making his debut in February 2003, breaking Bobby Charlton’s national record of 49 in September 2015.

Rooney was permanent England captain since replacing Steven Gerrard in the role after the 2014 World Cup.

Rooney’s statement read: “It was great that Gareth Southgate called me this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad for the upcoming matches. I really appreciated that.

“However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football. It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton and those closest to me.

“Playing for England has always been special to me. Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me. But I believe now is the time to bow out.

“Leaving Manchester United was a tough call, but I know I made the right decision in coming home to Everton. Now I want to focus all my energies on helping them be successful.

“I will always remain a passionate England fan. One of my very few regrets is not to have been part of a successful England tournament side.

“Hopefully the exciting players Gareth is bringing through can take that ambition further and I hope everyone will get behind the team.

PHOTOS: BAALE AND THREE OTHERS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY BURYING POLICE OFFICER ALIVE IN LAGOS

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, disclosed that the command has arrested the Baale of Oshoko village, Ibeju-Lekki and three others for allegedly burying a police Inspector alive.

The police boss said: “On November 25, 2016, Inspector Musa Sunday, attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) disappeared from Ibeju-Lekki while performing his duty. During an Anti-Kidnapping patrol, Sunday and other members of his team were alerted   to a fight between two families. The families were fighting over a land. Sunday and his team responded to the distress call. On getting to the scene, one of the communities involved turned against the SARS team, and at the end of the day, Sunday didn’t return.”

Owoseni added: “The next day, I led a team of policemen to the community, to appeal to the religious leaders, traditional heads and members of the community to release Sunday, but they all denied having him in their custody.

"With the technical support of Intelligent Response Team (IRT) headed by DSP Philip, and a sustained detective activity, Sunday's corpse was recovered with his AK-47 rifle, which was buried somewhere along the waterway. Four suspects have been arrested. The Baale of Oshoko village is among the suspects.”
The CP said that investigation has revealed that the Baale led other suspects to take oath of secrecy, to say they didn’t know the whereabouts of Sunday.

He disclosed that part of those that took the oath was the Baale’s two sons, who are still at large.The Baale, who identified himself as Aroki Badiru, denied his involvement in the murder of the policeman.

Badiru said: “I was in my house, when I heard that land grabbers had entered our community. Thereafter, I heard that one of the policemen had been attacked. I called a chief on phone to ask what happened; he told me that a policeman was killed by members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).”

It will be recalled that Sunday’s remains were exhumed and taken to hospital for examination. He was discovered to have been tortured, his hands tied backward, before he was buried alive.
Owoseni said that the suspects would be arraigned. He reiterated that the law does not respect anyone.