News
Afenifere Recalls 31 Times Tinubu Dragged FG to Court over Restructuring
Afenifere, on Tuesday, advised President Bola Tinubu not to jettison the calamour for the restructuring of the country, having been in the vanguard for the struggle during his administration.
The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group also said that the blueprint on restructuring of the country is ready.
The Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, disclosed this while briefing journalists shortly after the caucus meeting of the group held at the Isanya Ogbo Ijebu residence of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.
Afenifere posited the idea of restructuring the country geared towards adoption of the parliamentary system of government.
Adejumo noted that the idea would help in cutting down huge amounts of money being spent on the electioneering campaign and more importantly, the heavy cost of governance under the Federal system of government.
“What we have here today is the caucus meeting of Afenifere and the germane national issue that took the centre stage was restructuring.
“Sometime last year, in November, a committee under the leadership of Oba Oladipo Olaitan was set up to aggregate Afenifere’s view on restructuring and today, the committee said that the report is ready.
“However, this report will still be considered by the executives of the group, after which it will be taken to the general assembly where all the members will get to know what we stand on restructuring as Afenifere, and we shall then print the report, do our various publicity on it for people to be enlightened on what we believe on restructuring.
“Tinubu, himself, is a product of Afenifere. He was elected (governor of Lagos State) on the platform and ideology of Afenifere. He took the Federal government to court under the leadership of former President Obasanjo for 31 times in an effort to implement restructuring.
“He didn’t do anything when former President Buhari was there for eight years, probably he was bidding his time because he knew that northerners won’t implement restructuring because they thought it won’t favour them.
“But Tinubu is there now as the President, he is answerable to us all as a product of Afenifere and as what the whole Yoruba did under the Afenifere in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State in 2017 that what we want is nothing but restructuring.
“For this 2017 meeting, we invited the South South, South East and the Middle Belt and this is the beginning of what we called Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum.
“So we are still meeting at this forum when other zones will also submit their recommendations, so what we took to 2014 Confab is what we are submitting even though some things have changed. We will then take it before the National Assembly for their approval.
He hinted that Afenifere is proposing a parliamentary system of government in the greater interest of Nigeria.
The Publicity Secretary added, “What we are actually proposing is the parliamentary system of government. Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo didn’t have to campaign in Ijebu Igbo, all he had to do was to win in Ikenne to become a member of the House and whoever is the leader of the party becomes the Prime Minister or the Premier.
“The old Western Region was from Badagry in Lagos to Asaba in present day Delta State, but he never had to be campaigning everywhere as we do now. It makes governance so cheap, nobody will have to spend billions on campaigns again. You will need as much as N100m to campaign for local government chairmanship elections.
“So, until under this system you will from your constituency come into the House of Assembly and from here you will choose your Ministers and your Commissioners, you are not going to be appointed anyone again from outside but those that have been elected into the house of Assembly.
“With this system of government, we are going to be spending one tenth of the humongous resources we are using to run this presidential system of government”.
In attendance at the meeting presided over by Pa Adebanjo were the Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan; Chief Supo Sonibare; former deputy governor of Lagos State, Chief Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele; Prince Justice Faloye; Chief Segun Ojo and Bashorun Segun Sanni.
The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted N50 million bail to Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and human rights activist.
The news was shared by Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 election, through his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
The post read, “The first hurdle was crossed. #DeleFarotimi was granted bail of N50 million surety in the like sum with someone with landed property. The case was adjourned to January 29, 2025”.
Farotimi was taken to court by Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria for alleged defamation.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
As human beings, life offers us several blessings. The blessings can be spiritual, physical, financial, academic, marital, vocational, professional, and even personal which can be attributed to grace.
Just like one man’s food is another man’s poison, blessings mean several things to different people. Some of us desire the blessings of parents which I humbly think is the highest form of blessings apart from the blessings of God. While someone might be praying and wishing for the blessing of a life partner, some other persons are praying for the blessings of the fruit of the womb, destiny helpers or even dream job.
When we talk of giving, it’s not limited to financial blessings. It’s only myopic minds who judge or see people who give money as good people. We should desist from the mindset of seeing people who give money as good people. Some great minds might give you their time to mentor you, train you, or give you opportunities that will shape your life.
Giving shows where our heart and love resides. Different things appeal to different people. Your goal is to know what works for the person. Your ability to pay attention is critical to knowing someone. For instance, when you listen to how people spend their time and money, you will know how their mind works. The truth about life is that one can love without giving. If anyone is not giving you, he is giving to someone or to another cause.
Do you know what makes one happy? Yes, it can help to battle depression. Some people derive satisfaction when they give. Do you know that giving can be contagious? Yes, this principle is applicable when one pays it forward.When people experience a generous kindness, they are more apt to treat others with the same sort of benevolence.
When it comes to giving, what’s important is the motive or intention. There are several reasons why most people give money, some give money for charitable purpose, some give because the law of God admonishes us to give, some give just to encourage employees or to inspire people, some give because they have the feeling or mindset the person they give might give them tomorrow or the children of the receiver will reciprocate in the nearest future, or because they want to sow presence so that their benefactor can notice them. Some people even give because it gives them joy, and this is where I belong. As a matter of fact, one of my weak points is that I can be too kind to a fault. The list is literally endless.
Giving is relative. Some people might give their money, some give their time which can be priceless, some might give loyalty, others might give expertise on a subject matter. What is important is to know the value of the blessings you are receiving because in the grand scheme of things, none is more important than the other, it all depends on the needs at the said time. For instance, if someone is hungry, the best gift you can give the person is food or money to buy food. The person might not necessarily need words of consolation, neither does he need academic tutor nor spiritual teachings.
According to Dr. Yomi Garnet, a celebrated author, “one thing is certain in life, there are hidden blessings that come when one gives genuinely. It’s sad to note that we live in a world where some people find it hard to give.
In practical terms, prosperity is probably in two forms: There is survival prosperity, and there is Abrahamovic abundance. The way to proceed from the first to the second simply to become a channel of blessings for others. We do this by doing three things.: Giving to the kingdom of God, giving to the poor within His Kingdom; giving to the poor outside his kingdom.
The blessing of giving is priceless. Do you know the givers hand is always on top. I have always counseled my friends who complain when they give to put themselves in the position of the person receiving. Be happy you are in the position to give as opposed to receive. I don’t really think people love to beg even though some people have little or no shame when it comes to begging.
When it comes to giving and receiving, what’s important is to focus on the needs or desires of the giver in order to receive. For instance, if you want to receive funds from a fortune 500 company, when you are working on your proposal, it must align to their needs or interest. Several things motivate several people, so your ability to know what works for each person might be the icing on a cake.
It’s just like an employee who is looking to work in a multinational national company or any great company of interest, what the hiring managers might be concerned is to know how the employee is a perfect for the position, and this might entail looking at the skills, qualifications or interest which the intending employee will show he has given time, money and resources to show he’s capable, competent in addition to be being consistent on how his works. While the potential employee will have to show reasons why he should be hired, and all these will point to one thing, giving.
In conclusion, if you desire anything in life, consider giving it your time, whether it involves setting up a business, beginning a relationship, studying a course, serving God, or building your body; consider giving it your time and resources, and trust me, the blessings will come back to you. That’s the blessings of giving.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, has urged Nigerians to join a nationwide protest against the detention and prosecution of Dele Farotimi by the police.
Farotimi, a human rights activist, was arrested by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command for allegedly defaming the character of the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) in his recently published book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.”
Farotimi was remanded in prison until December 10.
He had appeared before the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.
The lawyer’s ordeal has generated widespread reactions from Nigerians across the country, with many demanding his release.
In a post via his official X handle, Sowore said that the protest would kick off on December 10 from the Afe Babalola Chambers in Lagos, Federal Ministry of Justice Abuja, Police Headquarters in Ekiti and Kings College Campus in London.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” he wrote.
