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Coronavirus Has Exposed Nigeria As Country Without Leadership, Says PCP Chairman
The National Chairman of the People’s Coalition Party (PCP), Chief Don Anthony Harmattan, has said that the advent of the Coronavirus scourge has exposed Nigeria as a country without effective leadership, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari and his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed Nigerians.
Harmattan made this remarks in a statement made available to PointBlank.ng, adding that the country needs a unity government that will champion the various needs of its citizens.
Below is the full statement:
BUHARI AND APC HAVE FAILED NIGERIANS: NIGERIA NEEDS A UNITY GOVERNMENT TO CHAMPION ITS INTEREST
“The ongoing scourge of corona virus ravaging the country have presented us another opportunity to see first hand that Nigeria currently have no leadership that rallies it’s people together in times of need and emergency such as we are currently facing.
“At a time when other presidents stood side by side with their people, with even the Italian Prime Minister weeping for it’s dead, and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez and the US President Donald Trump openly seen in solidarity with its people, the giant of Africa’s president is no where to be found, not even addressing its citizens in this time of health emergency.
“The Peoples Coalition Party wish to make it clear that this present administration has failed Nigerians and a government of National unity is what is needed and a constitutional conference should be convened immediately in the best interest of Nigerians.
“Nigerians can no longer continue like sheep without shepherd. A country rich in mineral resources has been sank by parasitic elements in government who at every time has proven without doubt that it doesn’t have the interest of Nigerians at heart apart from their primary interest of devastating our collective treasury by hooks and crooks.
“A country like ours being ravaged by disease and hunger is a country at WAR and one that requires the continuous reassurance of its president who is conspicuously absent in his role as president and commander in chief.
“The questions are, is Nigeria a business enterprise of some elite or a selfish gangup of few gangsters and cabals at the dentriment of our citizens?
“The Peoples Coalition Party as the Third Force in the 2019 general election hereby calls on all stakeholders to join hands in the call for a National unity government. We commend the Armed Forces and judiciary and also urge the judiciary to remain steadyfast and see itself as the last hope of the common man in Nigeria irrespective of any threat against it.”
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has set up a fact-finding committee to probe all finances, loans and contract projects awarded under the former Governor Nasiru El-Rufai administration.
Governor Uba Sani, during a town hall meeting on Saturday, lamented the huge debt inherited from his predecessor, El-Rufai, on May 29, 2023.
Sani had said the state was left with a few amounts, not enough to pay salary, adding that his administration inherited a total of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the ex-governor.
“Despite the huge debt burden of 587 million dollars, 85 billion naira, and N115 billion in contractual liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development.
“We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation and are sharpening our focus accordingly,” the governor had said.
However, on Tuesday, the state’s Assembly set up a fact-finding committee during plenary, among others, to also investigate the former governor’s top associate and Senior Counsellor on Investment, Jimi Lawal.
Besides, the panel would probe financial dealings, loans and grants and other project implementation from 2015-2023.
The State Assembly also mandated the committee to invite notable personalities including the former speakers of the 8th and 9th Assembly, commissioners of finance, former Managing Directors of Kaduna Markets, and Commissioners of Budget and Planning, among others.
The Punch
The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared the first week of April as Police week and the last day of the week April 7 as National Police Day.
President Tinubu made the declaration at the maiden edition of the award ceremony of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, where he was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
A statement signed by the Deputy Director (Information and Public Relations Unit of the Police Service Commission), Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), explained that the federal government has approved the first week of April as police week and the last day of the week as National Police Day to honour the Police Force in the life of this great nation adding that they have approved the adoption of the first week of April as Police Week.
“The last day of the week, the 7th of April, is declared National Police Day in Nigeria,” the statement quoted Tinubu as saying.
The President stated that a complete overhaul of the institutional mentality and memory of police officers is fundamental to his administration’s ongoing bid to transform the force into a modern, professional, and accountable institution.
He stressed the need to engage men and women of the force in training and capacity-building to equip them with the requisite expertise to carry out the arduous task of modern policing.
In his words, “This would ensure that police officers were equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, and expertise required to tackle the complex challenges of modern policing, and the government would upgrade equipment and technology to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency of the force.
“This includes acquiring fit-for-purpose equipment, weapons, ammunition, and armoured carriers to provide cover and protection for officers in combat situations. He noted.
President Tinubu recalled that the nation’s security architecture was being stretched beyond elastic limits, and the citizens had been able to endure in the face of security threats as well as attacks on their lives and livelihoods due to the commitment of the police.
“Your exemplary valour doesn’t only represent the pinnacle of patriotism that binds us but also instils confidence that brighter days lie just beyond the horizon,” President Tinubu added.
He said, “Our idea of a modern police force goes beyond superficial changes like repainting office buildings and residences or simply procuring firearms. The transformation we seek must transcend mere policy and infrastructure; it requires a fundamental overhaul of our institutional mentality and memory.”
In his goodwill message, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for recognizing the hard work, resilience and patriotism of the officers and men of the police force.
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam stated that Nigerians must recognize and appreciate the hard work and commitment of brave men and women who selflessly serve the people of Nigeria.
The Minister pointed out that Service is at the heart of the law enforcement profession and Police officers dedicate their lives to protecting and serving others, often putting themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety of their communities.
In his words, “As we acknowledge the challenges and risks that our police officers face each day, we must also recognize the importance of supporting them in their mission. Providing proper training, resources, and support systems for our officers is essential to ensuring their well-being and effectiveness in their roles”.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Egbetokun applauded Tinubu for his support of the force, as well as his administration’s efforts in ensuring the nation’s security forces were up to their game and assured of their dedication, courage, and selflessness to the nation.
In a bìd to enhance security and stability in the Lake Chad Basin, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and 4th Joint Military Region of Cameroon Armed Forces have pledged enhanced cooperation.
This commitment, according to a statement signed by the Chief of Military Public Information, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), was made during a visit by the Force Commander of the MNJTF, Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali, to the Headquarters of the 4th Joint Military Region in Maroua, Republic of Cameroon on April 12, 2024.
During his visit, Major General Ali emphasized the importance of cooperation and synergy between the MNJTF and neighboring national operations like Operation Emergence 4. He pointed out that both forces are working towards similar goals and that their success is interdependent.
Responding, the Commander of the 4th Joint Military Region, Major General Salou Mahamadou, lauded the MNJTF for seeking to synergize with national operations. He expressed optimism that this partnership would foster greater synergy and cooperation, not just between the MNJTF and Operation Emergence 4, but also among all stakeholders involved in securing the Lake Chad basin.
General Mahamadou praised the MNJTF for its contributions towards improving security and economic activities in the Lake Chad area. He assured the MNJTF of his full collaboration and support, indicating a commitment to joint operations that can leverage the strengths of both forces.
