Headlines
FG Releases Details of May 29, June 12 Inauguration, Democracy Celebrations
The Federal Government has reeled out the details of the May 29 presidential inauguration and the first observance of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the activities leading to the inauguration kicks off with the press conference held Monday.
“This will be followed on Tuesday, May 21st, by the commencement of a three-day National Youth Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit at the International Conference Centre (ICC) here in Abuja
“The Federal Executive Council Valedictory Session will be held at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, May 22nd
“A Special Jumat Lecture and prayer will be held on Friday, May 24th at the National Mosque
“The First Lady’s interaction with women is slated for the Old Chamber at the State House on Saturday, May 25th
“A special Interdenominational Church Service is slated for Sunday, May 26th at the National Christian Centre.
“On Monday, May 27th, Mr President will give a Children’s Day broadcast, to be followed later in the day by a Children’s Variety Party.
“The swearing in of the President and the Vice President is slated for Wednesday, May 29th at the Eagle Square, to be followed by a State Banquet at the State House in the evening of the same day 2019 Democracy Day Celebration (7-12th June 2019)”
Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that effective 2019, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, marked every May 29, be shifted to June 12 to honour Moshood Abiola, the winner of 1993 presidential election.
The Senate also last week passed the bill approving June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. The bill is yet to be sent to the president for signing into law.
Notwithstanding, the government is proceeding with the June 12 celebration based on the presidential announcement.
Events celebrating June 12 as Democracy Day will kick off on Friday, June 7 with a historical exhibition in arts, pictures and immersive environment. The events will run through June 12.
The June 7 event is slated to hold at the ICC. It will be followed on Sunday, June 9 by a Youth Concert, Creative Industry, and Entertainment night also at the ICC.
On June 10, there will be a Secondary Schools Exhibition/Panel Discussion at the ICC, and June 11 will feature three events: the PMB Oratorical Contest at the ICC, an Anti-corruption Summit at the Transcorp Hilton and a First Lady’s Commissioning Programme in Yola, Adamawa.
Wednesday, June 12 will start off with a parade at the Eagle Square, and the Democracy Day programme will wrap up with a Dinner and Gala Night at the State House Conference Centre.
While addressing the press, the minister assured that the federal government is addressing the security situation in the country
He said security agencies were aware of various threats in different parts of the country and they are working to ensure peace and safety of all including world leaders invited for the events.
Premium Times
The first hostages freed from Gaza under a long-awaited ceasefire agreement are back in Israel. The news sparked jubilant scenes in Tel Aviv where large crowds gathered ahead of their release.
The three freed Israeli hostages – the first of 33 to be released over the next six weeks – are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. They are said to be in good health and are receiving treatment at a medical center in Tel Aviv.
In exchange, 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set to be released by Israel from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military withdrew from several locations in southern and northern Gaza after the truce began earlier on Sunday, an Israeli military official told CNN.
Displaced Gazans have started returning to their homes, while the aid trucks laden with much-needed supplies have crossed into Gaza. Here’s what we know about how the ceasefire deal will work.
Hamas, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself, and a failure for Israel.
One of Hamas’ main goals for taking some 250 people during its brazen October 7, 2023, attack on Israel was to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. As Israel pounded Gaza in response, Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.
Source: CNN
The leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said she doesn’t want Britain to be like Nigeria that is plagued by “terrible governments.”
Speaking on Thursday at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, Badenoch expressed fears that Britain may become like Nigeria if the system is not reformed.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told the audience.
“I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation.
“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.
“So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch has been in the news of late after she dissociated herself from Nigeria, saying she has nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.
She also accused the Nigeria Police of robbing citizens instead of protecting them.
She said: “My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive.
“The police in Nigeria will rob us (laughter). When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
