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Obasanjo Presidential Library, First in Africa Commissioned

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  • Obasanjo Presidential Library, First in Africa Commissioned

Nigeria made history, yesterday, with the commissioning of the first Presidential Library in the African continent.

The multi-billion naira Library complex, facilitated and owned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo is located in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Eminent personalities across the globe witnessed the epoch making ceremony. The roll call included, Liberian president, Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson-, presidents Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone, ex-president Boni Yayi of Benin Republic and ex-president Joyce Banda of Malawi.

Others were, Prince Michael of Kent, former United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Kofi Anan, Prof. Akin Adesina, former president of Ghana, John Kuffour, former president Goodluck Jonathan, Ernest Sonekan, AbdulSalam Abubakar, Emeka Anyaoku, Namadi Sambo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Olusegun Osoba, former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwakwaso, among others.

The commissioning was part of activities to mark the 80th birthday of Obasanjo, who was Nigeria’s President between 1999 and 2007. The Library was launched in May 14, 2005. It is modeled along the American Presidential Library.

The co-chairman of the Library’s Board of Trustees, Christopher Kolade disclosed that the library has preserved over 4,000 artifacts, two million materials in books and 15 million documents to cater for the needs of students from all over the world. He also disclosed that the library complex has employed over 500 youths.

Sirleaf-Johnson, chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in their speeches extolled the virtues of Obasanjo and urged other African leaders to emulate his leadership qualities “by preserving the history and culture of their countries for posterity sake.”

Osinbajo described Obasanjo, who is the Chief Promoter of the Library as a world Statesman, a detribalised Nigerian and a gift to Nigeria and Africa in various ways.

The Acting-President who was full of praises to Obasanjo for preserving the history and culture of Nigeria, said the library would go a long way in teaching, not only young Nigerians but also adults, especially those aspiring to be future leaders.

Osinbajo said, “Baba Olusegun Obasanjo is certainly one of those rare human beings. There are at least two advantages to writing history, there is a personal one, you write a few nice things about yourself. But the most serious advantage is that it is one sure way of preserving the lessons, the failures and the successes of the past and also that we can approach the future with more sure-footedness and less pains.”

Sirleaf urged other African leaders to emulate Obasanjo and also do the same.

Her words, “History will bear truth to this precedent setting occasion in Africa that will spell a long legacy of successful retiring Presidents to record and preserve the history of nation building for prosperity and for the benefit of today and future generations.”

She advised “African children, adults, scholars everywhere and friends of Africa worldwide to visit this Presidential library as we have experienced today, feel the exhibits from the life and times of a great son of Nigeria and Africa, more importantly read, see, hear, feel and interact with history and culture.”

Obasanjo said the library was in fulfillment of his vision and mission he had in 1988 to collect and keep vital materials of the civil war.

He described the library as a centre of knowledge said the Library would also sustain culture and encourage tourism.

“Together we are making history today”, he said and commended former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Governor Ibikunle Amosun for the roles they played in the actualisation of the Library.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 Months Over Budget Padding Allegations

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Abdul-Ahmed-Ningi

The Senate has announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Population, had made the claims in a recent interview with the Hausa service of the BBC.

During a plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a motion to address Ningi’s allegations, citing the urgent need to address what he termed as “false allegations.”

The transcript of Ningi’s interview was read on the Senate floor, prompting deliberation on the appropriate action to take.

Initially, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, but Senator Chris Ekpeyong moved to reduce it to six months.

Eventually, Senator Garba Maidoki amended the motion further, suggesting a three-month suspension.

The amended motion was put to a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision to suspend Ningi for three months.

Following the ruling, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.

The suspension comes amidst division within the Senate over Ningi’s claims, with some senators disowning his allegations and calling for a thorough investigation.

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Ekiti Governor Unveils Multi-Billion Naira Relief Programmes Amid Economic Crisis

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Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the people of the state.

The relief programs encompass various sectors to cushion the impact of the economic downturn.

One of the key initiatives entails clearing salary arrears amounting to over N2.7 billion owed to both State and Local Government workers.

This move signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the financial burdens faced by its workforce.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji has approved a substantial increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and tertiary institutions.

This augmentation is intended to enable these institutions to implement wage awards in alignment with State and Local Government workers’ salaries.

In addition to addressing salary arrears, the relief programs extend to pensioners, with the approval of payments totaling N1.5 billion for two months’ pension arrears.

Moreover, an increase in the monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and local government pensioners will provide additional financial support, totaling N200 million monthly.

The relief initiatives also encompass agricultural and small-scale business sectors.

The allocation of funds for food production and livestock transformation projects underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and economic sustainability at the grassroots level.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that these relief programs are part of the state’s concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn and foster shared prosperity.

The comprehensive nature of the initiatives reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by Ekiti State residents.

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President Tinubu Orders Immediate Settlement of N342m Electricity Bill for Presidential Villa

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the prompt settlement of a N342 million outstanding electricity bill owed by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This move comes in response to the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the AEDC.

The AEDC had earlier threatened to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a total outstanding debt of N47.20 billion as of December 2023.

Contrary to the initial claim by the AEDC that the State House owed N923 million in electricity bills, the Presidency clarified that the actual outstanding amount is N342.35 million.

This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate accounting and reconciliation between entities.

In a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency affirmed the commitment to settle the debt promptly.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the debt would be paid to the AEDC before the end of the week.

The directive from the Presidency extends beyond the State House, as Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with the AEDC and settle their outstanding electricity bills.

The AEDC, on its part, issued a 10-day notice to the affected government agencies to settle their debts or face disconnection.

This development highlights the importance of financial accountability and responsible management of public utilities.

It also underscores the necessity for government entities to fulfill their financial obligations to service providers promptly, ensuring uninterrupted services and avoiding potential disruptions.

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