I didn’t come to Aso Rock for money but work – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the notion that his administrator has been too desperate and aggressive in raising funds since assuming power, this putting financial pressure on the people.

He however said his goal was to serve the nation and deliver meaningful results to Nigerians, rather than seek personal gain.

Tinubu spoke in Abuja on Friday when he received members of the forum of former presiding officers of the national assembly, led by Ken Nnamani, ex-senate president.

The forum comprises 16 former presiding officers of the national assembly, including past senate presidents, former speakers of the house of representatives, ex-deputy senate presidents, and former deputy speakers.

“I didn’t come to look for money and exploit the situation; I came to work. I asked for the votes, and Nigerians gave them to me,” the president said.

He acknowledged the support given to him by members of the forum, regardless of political differences.

He charged them to continue to promote the unity and cooperation of Nigeria to further national development.

Speaking on the complexities of legislative functions, constitutional amendments, and the nation-building process, Tinubu expressed optimism that Nigeria would progress through collaboration and inclusiveness.

“Regardless of party differences of the past and the difficulty of the present, you still believe in me and what we all planned for this country,” he said.

“I thank you very much; no one will do it better than us. I have travelled the world and seen how developed countries have done it for themselves through collaboration, inclusiveness, and financial structure.”

The president also reflected on the prevailing economic hardship, questioning the mismanagement of past opportunities during the period of high crude oil production.

“Yes, there is hardship, but how did we get here? What did we do when we had very high crude production?” Tinubu questioned.

“We neglected our communities; we neglected the goose that lays the golden eggs; we forgot even to give them a good standard of living.

“We forgot to educate our children. Go round and look at the dilapidated schools. The education environment must be decent enough for pupils to want to learn.

“We can complain from now till eternity that school enrolment is low. But did we do anything to encourage the enrolment process? We must ask ourselves because it is a matter of conscience.”

The President outlined his administration’s priorities, which he said include improving infrastructure, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, exploring alternative energy sources, and securing energy independence.

“We have come a long way, and I promise we must do our best,” he added.

He asked the former presiding officers to keep contributing their expertise to nation-building.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Nnamani pledged the forum’s support for Tinubu’s administration and its efforts to address the country’s pressing challenges.

The former Senate President said the meeting was Tinubu’s first official engagement with the group since assuming office on May 29, 2023.

“Mr. President, history has never been the burden of one man alone, but some are called to meet the special share of its challenges,” he said.

“Though not of your creation, it has fallen on you to end the pervasive insecurity across the nation, the economic downturn that has resulted in hunger and anger, infrastructural decay due to years of neglect, and myriads of other national challenges.

“As difficult as these problems are, we believe that with your experience, you can face the difficulties and surmount them.”

Adesanya bets $10,000 on Joshua to defeat Dubois

Nigerian-born UFC fighter Israel Adesanya has staked $10,000 on Anthony Joshua, the two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, in his IBF heavyweight title battle against Daniel Dubois. 

The title bout is scheduled for September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium in England.

The all-British showdown will include 96,000 spectators, creating an exciting atmosphere at a location familiar to Joshua but new to Dubois.

This will be Dubois’ first fight at England’s national stadium, increasing the burden on him and his staff, who is overseen by trainer Don Charles.

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Adesanya’s bet indicated that he picked Joshua to win between the 10th and 12th rounds, with an anticipated payoff of $50,000.

But Dubois had brazenly announced his goal to knock out Joshua.

“I aim to knock him out. That’s the programme. That’s the mindset; that’s the intention coming into this fight,” Dubois told Sky Sports.

“I’m going to focus my whole life on destroying him and just being a good destroyer, a good conqueror. Don’t wait. Go out there. Smash him.”

33-year-old Joshua is coming off four straight wins, including a knockout victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

Adesanya bets $10,000 on Joshua to defeat Dubois

Jega panel’s proposal on open grazing unconstitutional – Group

The recommendation on open grazing by the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms, chaired by Prof. Attahiru Jega, has been described as unconstitutional, discriminatory, and illegal.

Civil rights group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which rubbished the recommendation in a statement on Friday, said the committee’s proposal on coexistence of open grazing and ranching as a solution to the farmer-herder crisis was faulty.

The statement signed by HURIWA national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, also said the committee’s foundation is unconstitutional, citing Section 42(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits laws or executive actions that impose restrictions based on ethnicity, community, or profession.

The group insisted that the establishment of the committee inherently favours herders at the expense of farmers, who have suffered violent attacks by armed pastoralists.

“It is unconstitutional for the government to form a committee that prioritizes one profession over another. Section 42(1) expressly prohibits subjecting citizens to laws that discriminate based on ethnicity, profession, or community. By promoting policies that favor herders while marginalizing farmers—who are the primary victims of these conflicts—President Tinubu’s administration is engaging in unconstitutional actions,” HURIWA stated.

The association also criticized the recommendations for disregarding state laws that have already banned open grazing. “In several states across Nigeria, laws have been enacted to outlaw open grazing due to the destruction of farmland and conflicts caused by herders. A national panel advocating for open grazing not only undermines these state laws but also sets a dangerous precedent where federal policies override state legislation. These recommendations are not just unconstitutional; they are illegal,” HURIWA added.

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HURIWA further condemned the Jega panel for favoring cattle rearers while ignoring the plight of farmers, who have been the primary victims of armed herder violence. “Farmers who have lost their livelihoods and lives in this ongoing crisis are being sidelined by recommendations that placate the herders. This approach fails to address the root causes of the conflict and may even exacerbate tensions,” the group noted.

HURIWA called for the immediate rejection of the panel’s recommendations by President Tinubu, labeling them an affront to state laws and legal frameworks established to protect citizens from the violence associated with open grazing. “We urge President Tinubu to reject these recommendations outright. They are unconstitutional and illegal, disregarding the rule of law in states that have banned open grazing,” the group demanded.

The rights group emphasized the need for a more balanced approach to resolving the farmer-herder conflict, advocating for the establishment of a presidential committee focused on farmers’ concerns. “For a lasting resolution, the government must ensure that farmers’ voices are heard. It is inconceivable to craft policies that cater to herders while ignoring the farmers who have been terrorized, displaced, and impoverished by the conflict. A balanced approach is essential for any resolution to be just and legitimate,” HURIWA stressed.

HURIWA warned that addressing only one side of the conflict would deepen the divide and prolong violence. “No government can settle one side of a conflict and expect peace. If the President is serious about resolving this crisis, he must give equal consideration to farmers’ concerns,” the group added.

Additionally, HURIWA highlighted international legal frameworks that bolster its stance. The rights group noted that Article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) requires state parties to “respect and ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status.”

Similarly, the association informed that Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights mandates that the rights guaranteed by the Charter’s provisions must be respected “without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth, or other status.”

In light of these international legal principles, HURIWA urged the President and his administration to adhere to both national and global legal frameworks, ensuring that all Nigerians are treated equally under the law, without favoritism or discrimination.

In conclusion, HURIWA reiterated its opposition to the Jega-led committee’s recommendations, calling them unconstitutional and a violation of the rights of Nigerian citizens. The group urged President Tinubu to reject the report and focus on inclusive, lawful, and balanced solutions to the ongoing farmer-herder crisis.

“The Jega report is unconstitutional, illegal, and ill-advised. We demand that the President reject these recommendations and work towards a solution that protects the rights of all Nigerians, especially the farmers who have suffered the most in this crisis,” HURIWA concluded.

Jega panel’s proposal on open grazing unconstitutional – Group