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Amotekun: Obasanjo Speaks On Nigeria Insecurity, Says Leadership Responsibility Is To Secure Life
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has spoken on the increasing insecurity in Nigeria.
Obasanjo spoke on Saturday at the 1st Memorial Lecture for the late founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Frederick Fasehun.
The former leader stated security and political structure were of great concern to Fasehun.
Obasanjo said the first duty and responsibility of a leader of any human community or organisation is security of life and property of all the members of the community, the organisation or the society.
He said there is no doubt that the national security architecture, apparatus, system and arrangements in Nigeria today have failed to measure up to the needs of the citizens in different parts of the country.
Obasanjo lamented that even the President Muhammadu Buhari himself confessed that he was shocked to come to know that things are that bad.
Obasanjo noted: “The Governors in different States of the country as the Chief Security Officers of their respective States were taking measures to enhance and buoy up security for their citizens. These measures vary from paying off bandits, to hunting them down with vigilantes and hunters and innovative joint efforts like Amotekun.
“What these Governors have shown was that they were concerned and they cared. I would not know if any of them was shocked but most of them took steps as they deemed fit to enhance the security of life and property for their citizens and to augment the failing and inadequate security provided at the national level.
“Whatever we may feel individually or collectively by these different measures, these Governors must be commended and where necessary, they should be helped to refine and make robust and efficient the effective measures they have taken, from Katsina to Zamfara, from Adamawa to Benue and from South East to South West. From my personal observation as I talked to people and people across the board talked to me, nothing has united the people of South West like Amotekun since independence except independence itself. Not even the civil war was such a unifier.
“I commend the Governors of South West for their bold and courageous measure taken beyond political party affiliation to improve security architecture and care for their citizens. I particularly commend Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for his leadership on this matter and for sharing their thoughts with me. Security measures are never static and security is the responsibility of all of us but by appointment and elections, some have more responsibility than others.
“It is instructive to note that the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto, became extremely worried about the level of insecurity in the country and then called on President Buhari to declare a state of emergency for security in the country.
”The NSCIA has followed the line of other organisations, institutions and individuals who have expressed dismay and disappointment at the level of insecurity and criminality all over the country as if there is no government in charge in this country. Calling for an emergency is a wake-up call for the Federal Government to know the magnitude of the level of insecurity and to take effective measure or measures to stem the tide.
“The Northern Elders Forum has spoken out on the pervasive insecurity in the nation. The Governor of Borno, Babagana Umara Zulum, has pointed out that in his eight months in office, Auno, a community in his State, has been attacked six times.
“The Governors of South West acted, believing that Amotekun is one of the necessary measures. And most people of the South West support them. I will strongly advise that Amotekun and other measures put in place should continue to be refined and improved upon to serve as adequate complement and enhancer of present, disappointing and inadequate, national security architecture and provision.
“We must learn from the past, particularly from Native Authority Police. Professionalism and adequate equipment for the job are imperative for a serious security apparatus. Security is the foundation of all human development and progress. Common assured security should lead to common and shared prosperity and development.
“There has been embarrassing paralysis and katakata in the present nation’s security house as if we have nobody in charge. If it had happened before, it was not so brazenly in the public domain. This type of situation cannot do credit to us as Nigerians and it can only sap confidence in the security architecture for people to say, ‘no wonder’. The President must accept the challenge and the responsibility.
“Let me move to the second currently germane and raging issue of our political structure and arrangement which if Dr. Fasehun were here would have been of great interest and concern to him. He showed concern about this issue when he was alive.
“The agitation at the end of the last century was for ‘true federalism’ substantially brought about by Abacha’s autocratic and pernicious rule and self-succession and perpetuation and the process by which the democratic Constitution emerged. My administration was an inheritor of part of that agitation. The product of the political conference set up to address the agitation in part, if not in full, and which was personally handed over to the National Assembly was not advanced to conclusion by the National Assembly.”
Nigeria’s petroleum marketers have asked Dangote Refinery to unveil the price of its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) to Nigerians.
The President of the Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, Billy Gillis-Harry and the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN Abubakar Maigandi disclosed this to DAILY POST in separate interviews on Thursday.
The petroleum marketers were reacting to a statement by the Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin that local marketers were boycotting Dangote Refinery petrol for imported ones despite its lower prices.
However, Gillis-Harry explained that marketers have yet to know the price of Dangote Refinery’s petrol which they claim has lower prices than imported ones.
According to him, petroleum marketers in Nigeria are willing to patronize Dangote Refinery Petrol based on a fair price.
“Why don’t Dangote Refinery give us a price list of what his price is? They cannot tell the price of Dangote Refinery’s PMS which they claim is cheaper than imported petrol. What is the price of DRL petrol?
“How come they are saying marketers are boycotting their petrol? We don’t know how much Dangote is selling its petrol.
“We are willing to partner with him but we partner on the basis that we would be able to sell with a human face”, he said.
On his part, Madigan said that local marketers can’t boycott Dangote Refinery’s petrol as claimed by Edwin.
He stressed that oil marketers were yet to know the price of Dangote Refinery’s petrol.
According to him, petroleum marketers are ready to patronize Dangote Refinery petrol provided the price is not more than the price they are currently buying
“We don’t know the price of Dangote Refinery’s Petrol. We are ready to buy Petrol from Dangote Refinery in any condition provided the price is not more than the price we are getting from other places”, he said.
He added that marketers buy Petrol at various prices depending on location.
Recall that the president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, while announcing the rollout of his petrol in the first week of September said that the price will be determined by the Federal Executive Council headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Polaris Bank has been inducted a premium member of the prestigious Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), marking another milestone in the Bank’s journey towards enhancing profitable trade between businesses in Nigeria and promoting global commercial partnerships with businesses in United Kingdom.
The induction ceremony which took place recently in Lagos with few other enterprises has swelled current membership of the Chamber representing a broad sectoral spectrum of top players operating in the banking; consulting; education, energy, pharmaceuticals, oil & Gas, Trading, health, manufacturing companies, among many others.
The Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal speaking at the induction expressed gratitude to the Chamber for the recognition and highlighted Polaris Bank’s commitment to “leveraging this platform to drive sustainable economic development and deeper engagement with stakeholders.”
“Distinguished guests, members of the Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce, and esteemed colleagues, it is truly an honour to accept this induction, on behalf of Polaris Bank. Being part of this esteemed Chamber is a significant milestone for us, as it aligns with our vision to build stronger partnerships and contribute meaningfully to the growth of trade and investment between businesses in Nigeria and the UK.”
He further added that Polaris Bank is committed to using its membership of the NBCC to exchange innovative ideas and provide long-term and mutually beneficial relationships that promote growth of businesses in Nigeria and beyond.
“We are available for business and ready to work with stakeholders to ensure impactful and a win-win collaboration,” Mr. Lawal reiterated.
The Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce continues to play a critical role in promoting trade relations and investment between Nigeria and the UK, and Polaris Bank’s induction reflects the Bank’s strategic focus on contributing to these bilateral efforts.
Polaris Bank was adjudged Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year in 2023, 2022 and 2021 and MSME Bank of the Year 2022 and 2023 in Business Day’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI)
Awards.
Photo caption:
From right: Mr. Kayode Lawal, Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, receiving on behalf of the bank, Premium Membership Certificate into Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) from Mr. Kayode Falowo, NBCC’s Ex-President/Chairman, Greenwich Merchant Bank in Lagos recently.
A seven-day curfew has been imposed in six local government areas of Osun State following the death of Oba Adekunle Gabriel Aromolaran, the Owa Obokun of Ijesa land.
The 87-year-old monarch passed away on Wednesday evening after a brief illness, ending his 42-year reign.
The affected local government areas, which constitute Ijesa land are Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Ori-Ade, and Obokun.
The Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa, Oba Oyebade Samson Kehinde Oyeleye, speaking on behalf of the Owa-in-Council and kingmakers, announced that the curfew will run from 10 pm to 6 am daily, effective Thursday
Additionally, all markets in the affected areas will be closed for three days.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, expressed his condolences over the monarch’s death.
He described the late Oba as “a father figure, a pillar of support, and a teacher” committed to the development of Ijesa land and Osun State.
Adeleke added, “Kabiyesi was a deeply selfless father, who took no prisoners when it came to matters of development and wellbeing of the people. He was a friend of good governance, no matter the colour or race.
“The last time I was with him was the flag off of the dualisation of Brewery – Palace road. I am glad our late erudite scholar witnessed a new phase of development for Ijeshaland.”
Former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, praised the late monarch’s contributions to the state and nation.
“Kabiesi was known for brilliance, bravery and bluntness as these virtues, exhibited throughout his reign, culminated to many successes recorded not only in Ijesaland but in the state and the country as a whole.
“No doubt, the departed Aromolaran was an epitome of culture, character, integrity and dignity. Being the symbol of Ijesas, he spent all his entire life to serve God and humanity. His over 42 years reign indeed witnessed a myriad of developments cutting across different aspects of life,” said Oyetola.
Prince Dotun Babayemi, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun West Senatorial District, described the monarch’s passing as a big loss.
“Late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran was a highly principled traditional ruler whose body of knowledge and reign, will never be forgotten in our history.
“He occupied his space robustly and contributed immensely to the growth and development of our dear state, Osun and beyond,” stated Babayemi.
Governor Ademola AdelekeOba Adekunle Gabriel Aromolaran IIOba Oyebade Samson Kehinde Oyeleye
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