celebrity radar - gossips
Full Text Of Buhari’s Democracy Speech on Insecurity, Protest, Others
Full Text Of Buhari’s Democracy Speech on Insecurity, Protest, Others
I Buhari join you all today to commemorate and celebrate our Democracy Day. It is a celebration of freedom and a victory for one people, one country, and one Nigeria.
2. As with all democracies we will always be going through improvement processes in our desire to reach the goal of a mature democracy, a strong, evolved, and integrated nation-state to be reckoned with globally.
3. In the last two years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of testy challenges that would have destroyed other nations especially relating to our collective security.
4. The indefatigable CAN DO Spirit of the Nigerian has sustained us and would keep pushing us to put these challenges behind us.
5. Unfortunately some of these challenges came in the shape of violent outrages leading to the loss of lives of many of our dear compatriots and the destruction of some of our infrastructure, including those devoted to improving our democratic processes.
6. Once again, I want to render my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of our gallant servicemen and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and as a sacrifice to keep Nigeria safe.
7. I extend the same condolence to the families and friends of our countrymen, women, and children who were unfortunate victims of such senseless arsons, kidnappings, and murders.
8. I also share the pains of families and direct victims of ransom-seeking, kidnaped victims who went through unimaginable trauma in the course of their forced imprisonment.
9. Let me assure my fellow citizens that every incident, however minor gives me great worry and concern and I immediately order security agencies to swiftly but safely rescue victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
Fellow Nigerians,
10. When you elected me as your President in 2015, you did so knowing that I will put an end to the growing insecurity, especially the insurgency in the North East, but the unintended consequences of our scattering them in the North East pushed them further in-country which is what we are now facing and dealing with.
11. We will, by the Grace of God put an end to these challenges too.
12. Unfortunately, like in most conflict situations, some Nigerian criminals are taking undue advantage of a difficult situation and profiteering therefrom with the misguided belief that adherence to the democratic norms handicaps this Administration from frontally and decisively tackling them.
13. We are already addressing these obstacles and we will soon bring some of these culprits to justice.
14. We are, at the same time addressing the twin underlying drivers of insecurity namely poverty and youth unemployment.
15. Interventions led by the Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria driving economic growth over the past 6 years are targeted mostly to the agricultural, services, infrastructure, power, and health care sectors of the economy.
16. In the Agricultural sector, for instance, the Anchor Borrowers Programme resulted in a sharp decline in the nation’s major food import bill from $2.23billion in 2014 to US$0.59billion by the end of 2018.
17. Rice import bill alone dropped from $1 billion to $18.5 million annually.
18. This initiative supported the local production of rice, maize, cotton, and cassava. The government-financed 2.5 million small-holder farmers cultivating about 3.2 million hectares of farmland all over the country and created 10 million direct and indirect jobs.
19. Several other initiatives, namely Agribusiness/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme, the Non-oil Export stimulation Facility, the Targeted Credit Facilities operated across the 774 Local Governments.
20. In the manufacturing sector the CBN – BOI N200 billion facility financed the establishment and operations of 60 new industrial hubs across the country, creating an estimated 890,000 direct and indirect jobs.
21. The CBN’s N50 billion Textile Sector intervention Facility increased capacity utilization of ginneries from 30% to nearly 90%.
22. The Economic Sustainability Plan – our rebound plan for the COVID-19 pandemic developed in 2020 is currently being executed. The plan is primarily focused on the non-oil sector, which has recorded phenomenal growth contributing over 90% to the GDP growth in Q1 2021.
23. Though marginal we have recorded GDP growth over two quarters; Q2 2020 and Q1 2021. This is evidence of successful execution of the ESP by the Federal Government.
24. My vision of pulling 100 million poor Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years has been put into action and can be seen in the National Social Investment Programme, a first in Africa and one of the largest in the world where over 32.6m beneficiaries are taking part. We now have a National Social register of poor and vulnerable households, identified across 708 local government areas, 8,723 wards, and 86,610 communities in the 36 States and the FCT.
25. Our conditional cash transfer program has benefited over 1.6 million poor and vulnerable households comprising more than 8 million individuals. This provides a monthly stipend of N10,000 per household.
26. I have also recently approved the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy Plan that augments existing plans to further reduce poverty in Nigeria.
27. As of the end of 2020, the Development Bank of Nigeria had disbursed 324 billion Naira in loans to more than 136,000 MSMEs, through 40 participating Financial Institutions. I am to note that 57% of these beneficiaries are women while 27% are youth.
28. We are able to do all these and still accelerate our infrastructure development through sensible and transparent borrowing, improved capital inflow, improving and increasing revenue through capturing more tax bases, and prudent management of investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Fellow Nigerians,
29. Our infrastructure revolution continues with key projects attaining critical milestones under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund; The Second Niger Bridge, The Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.
30. I have also approved the establishment of Infraco Plc, a world-class infrastructure development vehicle wholly focused on Nigeria with a capital structure of N15 trillion.
31. The rail system is not left out as the Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail was completed and commissioned 33 years after construction began. The Lagos-Ibadan double-track railway line which I have just commissioned has commenced operations.
32. We are focused on ensuring that our infrastructure drive is key to economic growth and one that can be felt by every Nigerian. Building critical infrastructure in our ports is also opening up opportunities for the Nigerian economy.
33. My approval for 4 new seaports using a Public-Private-Partnership approach is hinged on growing the Nigerian economy. These four seaports; Lekki Deep Sea Port, Bonny Deep Sea Port, Ibom Deep Sea Port, and Warri Deep Seaport will create massive job opportunities and foreign investment inflows.
34. We have worked at deepening our Eastern ports leading to success like having three container ships berth at Calabar port, a first in 11 years. Similarly, on October 30, 2019, an LPG tanker operated by NLNG berthed in Port Harcourt, the first time an LPG ship is berthing at any of the Eastern Ports.
35. As we invest in these new assets, we have also made strides in ensuring that they are secured and protected. In this regard I am also pleased to note the launch of the NIMASA Deep Blue project – which is an Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure that I recently commissioned. This initiative is designed to add to the layer of security we have to safeguard our maritime sector.
Dear Nigerians,
36. I will be the first to admit that in spite of our efforts and achievements which are there for all to see, there is still much more to be done and we are doing our best in the face of scarce resources and a galloping population growth rate that consistently outstrips our capacity to provide jobs for our populace. Our overall economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is our goal notwithstanding COVID-19.
37. In the last two years we lifted 10.5 million people out of poverty – farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, market women, and the like.
38. I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and this informed the development of a National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy will be unveiled shortly.
39. In the last year, Nigeria and the whole world faced COVID-19 for which no one was fully prepared.
40. Our response to the pandemic involved making hard choices in balancing livelihoods and public health concerns. You are all living witnesses to how successful this has been due to a number of proactive measures put in place. Our response to COVID-19 is globally acclaimed.
41. We were able to ensure that the various lockdown measures did not impact too negatively on the ability of ordinary Nigerians to continue sustaining their livelihoods.
42. During the pandemic, we disbursed N5,000 to 1 million Nigerians using a Rapid Response Register and advanced N20,000 to 750,000 beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer Progamme and provided 1.37 million Nigerians with palliatives from CACOVID.
43. At the same time the Federal Government released 109,000 metric tonnes of food reserve stocks and 70,000 metric tonnes of grains to the poor and vulnerable in all 36 states of the federation.
44. In addition, Government reduced interest rates from 9% to 5% for struggling businesses and extended credit facilities to 548,345 beneficiaries.
Fellow Nigerians,
45. When this administration decided to change our Democracy Day from 29th May to June 12th in my first tenure, it was not only to honour the sacrifices of the men and women of our country who fought for the return to democracy but also to demonstrate our commitment to satisfying the aspirations of the people and creating an environment for democracy to be an accepted way of life.
46. As your President, I remain committed to providing an enabling environment for a free, fair, and credible electoral system under my tenure.
47. However, you need to play your part by getting involved at any level you can supporting a democratic system that works for all and not for a section or a select few and demand accountability from your elected leaders.
48. My commitment to bequeathing a sustainable democratic culture remains resolute, my pursuit of a fair society remains unshaken and my desire to see that Nigeria remains a country for each and every one of us has never been stronger.
49. In responding to the challenges that this period imposes on us, Government also recognizes the need to acknowledge notions of marginalization and agitations for constitutional amendments among various segments of our population.
50. While this government is not averse to constitutional reform as part of our nation-building process, everyone must understand that the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with the National Assembly.
51. This body which, as I said, is the arm of government responsible for constitutional changes has concluded the preliminary stages of amending and improving our constitution in a way that the majority of Nigerians will be happy with.
52. Government is, however, willing to play a critical role in the constitutional amendment process without usurping the powers of the National Assembly in this regard.
53. As a nation we have come very far from where we started and we are getting incrementally closer to where we ought to be.
54. Overcoming the present challenges is but one of a necessary process that we have to undergo as a nation so that we can come out stronger. The day I joined the Nigerian Army I was prepared to lay down my life for Nigeria.
55. As your President I remain ever committed to upholding and defending Nigeria’s Corporate existence.
56. In adhering to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy notably section 14(2)(b) I shall do all within my power to ensure that the Security and welfare of the people remain the primary purpose of government.
57. I have, throughout my tenure, provided the security agencies with all they require relative to available resources and will be providing more as the dynamics unfold to put an end to our security problems.
58. My strong belief in the Nigerian spirit gives me comfort that we are facing these challenges with renewed commitment to keep our country one.
59. I thank you for your patience and attention and more importantly your resolve to join hands in making Nigeria the country of our dream.
Happy Democracy Day! God Bless us All, God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
celebrity radar - gossips
Power, Protocol, and Papal Grace: The Inside Story of How It All Went Down in Rome By Bianca Ojukwu
Power, Protocol, and Papal Grace: The Inside Story of How It All Went Down in Rome By Bianca Ojukwu
There’s something about the Vatican that strips away titles and trappings. In the shadows of St. Peter’s Basilica, under the searing Roman sun, global leaders, power players, and everyday pilgrims become equals—bound by reverence and ritual.
I should know. I was there.
On my last trip to the Vatican—during the funeral of Pope Francis just weeks earlier—I had witnessed something unforgettable. As President Donald Trump arrived and a crowd of dignitaries swarmed to greet him, a sharply-dressed, no-nonsense priest cut through the noise with a firm:
“Scusi. This is St. Peter’s Basilica, not the White House. Kindly take your seats.”
Boom. Order restored. And a reminder: here, no one upstages the moment.
So when I returned for the Installation Mass of Pope Leo XIV, I knew I’d be witnessing not just history, but human theater—with the Nigerian delegation right in the mix.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leading the delegation, arrived in good time—early enough to soak in the atmosphere, greet dignitaries, and observe the ancient rites. As we settled into the square, I spotted Peter Obi and Kayode Fayemi, former governors and political heavyweights, already seated. After the President had taken his place, I went over to greet them—and in a rare gesture of statesmanship, they chose to accompany me to pay their respects to the President.
What followed was a surprisingly warm and humorous exchange. Far from the icy tensions back home, Tinubu welcomed them with ease, smiling, laughing, and trading quips like old friends reunited at a family function. They soon returned to their seats—but that moment, however brief, spoke volumes about what’s possible in Nigerian politics when the ego is set aside.
But Rome doesn’t care who you are. The sun showed no favoritism. Under the blazing Vatican heat, everyone—presidents, pilgrims, priests—sat exposed. The square is merciless. People faint. They’re carried off in stretchers. It’s part of the experience.
One man, seated directly in front of me, collapsed mid-Mass. Paramedics were far off, and panic briefly rippled through the crowd—until Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, leapt into action. He darted to the vestibule and returned with a cold bottle of water that was used to revive the man before medics arrived.
Meanwhile, the President—stoic and composed—sat through the entire three-hour liturgy, standing and kneeling as required, skipping only Communion. Afterward, he lingered. He chatted with Nigerian priests, seminarians, posed for selfies, and shared laughs, showing none of the fatigue one might expect.
And oh—that suit.
Tailored to perfection, the President’s power suit turned heads across the square. The cut, the stride, the confidence—it was presidential flair meeting ecclesiastical ceremony. He walked up to greet the new pontiff with grace and gravitas.
So yes, Vatican ’25 wasn’t just a religious event—it was a convergence of power, humility, diplomacy, and humanity.
From protocol to personal moments, this was history not just witnessed, but lived.
And for those of us lucky enough to be there, one thing is clear:
In Rome, you don’t just attend a Mass. You become part of a moment that echoes through eternity.
celebrity radar - gossips
Ngozi Okafor Unleashes a Wave of Youth Energy Through Transformative TV Content
Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Rome Visit Amid Smears and Propaganda Storm
Presidential hopeful and former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has calmly addressed a wave of politically charged misinformation following his recent visit to the Vatican, where he attended an inauguration ceremony. The backlash, largely fanned by known government allies Femi Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, and Omoyele Sowore, misrepresented the nature of his visit and falsely accused him of refusing to “pay homage” to the Pope until a supposed presidential intervention.
Contrary to the sensational headlines, Mr. Obi clarified that he did not meet the Pope, nor was such a meeting on his agenda. “I bought my own ticket and traveled for what I believe is a personal, non-political trip,” he told a close confidant in Abuja before departing. Emphasizing his commitment to modesty, Obi disclosed that he flew economy class, adding, “It’s the difference between business class and economy that I use for donations to build classrooms.”
Obi’s visit to Rome mirrored his past trips to the Vatican, including the 2013 inauguration of Pope Francis. A Papal Knight and longstanding Catholic faithful, Mr. Obi is no stranger to such events. This time, he traveled alongside former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, both of whom held official passes granting them VIP access. They also paid a visit to Cardinal Francis Arinze, a 90-year-old Nigerian cleric and longtime Vatican figure — an act Obi has made a tradition of during such visits.
The criticisms have drawn widespread rebuke, with many questioning why a man known for self-funding his travels and donating millions to health and education continues to face political smears, while those squandering public funds remain unchallenged. Obi’s quiet return to Nigeria was followed, as usual, by school and hospital visits — the kind of grassroots outreach that has cemented his reputation as a man of service, not spectacle.
As misinformation continues to plague Nigeria’s political discourse, observers are calling for a return to truth and substance. “Enough of the lies. Enough of the propaganda. The truth has no tribe,” said a supporter who met with Obi before his Rome trip.
In an era of performative politics, Obi’s response has once again underscored his consistent message: humility, service, and transparency over noise.
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