FG declares June 12 public holiday for Democracy Day

The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 12, 2023, public holiday in commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

She congratulated all Nigerians on the occasion.

She said, “Nigeria’s democratic journey has, like in many other climes, encountered both stormy and smooth sails, but the ship of state, its institutions and most importantly, the Nigerian people have remained steadfast on the tenets of democratic governance.

“On this memorable occasion therefore, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria are invited to appreciate the progress that has been made, celebrate the milestones covered and look forward to a better future for the country’s democracy. The Permanent Secretary wishes all Nigerians a happy Democracy Day celebration.

Nigeria wins UN Economic Council seat

Nigeria was on Thursday elected to occupy a UN General Assembly Economic and Social Council seat for a three-year term, beginning January 1, 2024.

Of all member states of the 18 vacant seats of the council, Nigeria is the only country that got all the votes of 191 members.

Other 17 countries to serve with Nigeria are France, Germany, Haiti, Japan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Mauritania, Nepal, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Senegal, Spain, Suriname, United Kingdom,, Uruguay and Zambia.

Similarly, member states elected Türkiye in a by-election for a seat vacated by Greece in the Western European and Others Group.

Türkiye’s term will also start on January 1, 2024 and run through December of the following year.

We haven’t changed, says PDP G-5 after meeting Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday evening at the Presidential Villa met with members of the Peoples Democratic Party’s ‘G5 Governors’ also known as the Integrity Group.

The G5 group, made up of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and former governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuwanyi of Enugu and Samuel Ortom of Benue have reportedly been friendly with President Tinubu, and contributed to his electoral victory on February 25, 2023.

Speaking to newsmen, on behalf of the group, after the meeting, Governor Makinde said they were at the State House to intimate President Tinubu with the happenings in the country,

The Oyo governor also disclosed that the complete number of the G5 members came to remind the President of what they represent, which include fairness, justice and equity.

He said, “Nation-building is a difficult task, you have to keep evaluating what you are doing, where you are going, so we have to keep seeing the President to let him know what is happening and for this evening, the G5 (the Integrity Group), we came to let the President know what we stood for; fairness, justice and equity and we haven’t changed”, he said.

Asked what next for the G5, Makinde said, “We’re going towards Mr President coming with us on the route for fairness, for justice and for equity in Nigeria”.

Governor Makinde and former Governor Wike have visited the Villa a couple of times since last week.