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”The current administration is fighting Boko Haram with the weapons i acquired – Goodluck Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is yet to say anything about the On-going probe of his National security adviser over $2.1bn arms procurement scandal has told those anticipating his part of the story that he would, at the “appropriate time”.
He further said the weapons the present administration is using to fight boko haram are the ones he acquired.
At a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday, Mr. Jonathan emphasised the importance of education in fighting terrorism.
He later tweeted about his readiness to speak on the alleged arms funds mismanagement.
“My voice will certainly be heard at the appropriate time regarding the alleged arms funds mismanagement,” the former leader said.
“I would not want to interfere with the proceeding by the judicial system that my administration worked tirelessly to strengthen.
My post presidential focus is advancing democracy and good governance in Africa.”
Mr. Jonathan later added that the Buhari administration, which is investigating the scandal, is currently fighting Boko Haram with weapons his government purchased.
“G and collectively I am confident we will eradicate them,” he tweeted.
Earlier at the press conference, Mr. Jonathan said lower education levels are linked to poverty and poverty is one of the chief causative factors of crime whether it is terrorism or militancy or felonies.
According to him, there are obviously other dimensions to the issue of insecurity in Nigeria and particularly terrorism, the dearth of access to formal education over years created the ideal breeding ground for terror to thrive in parts of the country.
He added, “Education is one of those issues. If former African leaders can form themselves into an advisory group to gently impress on incumbent leaders the necessity of meeting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommended allocation of 26% of a nations annual budget on education, I am certain that Africa will make geometric progress in meeting her Millennium Development Goals and improving on every index of the Human Development Index.
“Data has shown that as spending on education increases, health and well being increases and incidences of maternal and infant mortality reduce.”
Mr. Jonathan explained that while in office he began the practice of giving education the highest sectoral allocation beginning with his first budget as President in 2011.
“My policy was to fight insecurity in the immediate term using counter insurgency strategies and the military and for the long term I fought it using education as a tool,” Mr. Jonathan said.
“As I have always believed, if we do not spend billions educating our youths today, we will spend it fighting insecurity tomorrow. And you do not have to spend on education just because of insecurity. It is also the prudent thing to do.
“Nigeria, or any African nation for that matter, can never becomewealthy by selling more minerals or raw materials such as oil. Our wealth as a nation is between the ears of our people.”
The former president said it was no coincidence that the Northeast epicenter of terrorism in Nigeria is also the region with the highest rate of illiteracy and the least developed part of Nigeria.
Explaining that in Nigeria though the federal government does not have a responsibility for primary and secondary education, he could not in good conscience stomach a situation where 52.4% of males in the Northeastern region of Nigeria have no formal Western education.
According to him, the figure is even worse when you take into account the states most affected by the insurgency.
He said, “83.3% of male population in Yobe state has no formal Western education. In Borno state it is 63.6%.
“Bearing this in mind is it a coincidence that the Boko Haram insurgency is strongest in these two states?
“So even though we did not have a responsibility for primary and secondary education going by the way the Nigerian federation works, I felt that where I had ability, I also had responsibility even if the constitution said it was not my responsibility.
“Knowing that terrorism thrives under such conditions my immediate goal was to increase the penetration of Western education in the region while at the same time making sure that the people of the region did not see it as a threat to their age old practices of itinerant Islamic education known as Almajiri.”
Mr. Jonathan noted that for the first time in Nigeria’s history, the federal government which he led set out to build 400 Almajiri schools with specialized curricula that combined Western and Islamic education.
He said 160 of them had been completed before I left office.
“I am also glad to state that when I emerged as President of Nigeria on May 6th 2010, there were nine states in the Northern part of the country that did not have universities,” he said.
“By the time I left office on the 29th of May 2015, there was no Nigerian state without at least one Federal University.”
The former president recounted that the fall of the Gaddafi regime in August 2011 led to a situation where sophisticated weapons fell into the hands of a number of non state actors with attendant increase in terrorism and instability in North and West Africa.
Mr. Jonathan explained that his administration initiated partnership across West Africa to contain such instability in nations such as Mali, which I personally visited in furtherance of peace.
He said, “And with those countries contiguous to Nigeria, especially nations around the Lake Chad Basin, we formed a coalition for the purpose of having a common front against terrorists through the revived Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
“Those efforts continue till today and have in large part helped decimate the capacity of Boko Haram.”
He also explained that his administration waged the anti-terror was with the effort to improve intelligence gathering capacity, lamenting however that this has not enough attention.
“Prior to my administration, Nigeria’s intelligence architecture was designed largely around regime protection, but through much sustained effort we were able to build capacity such that our intelligence agencies were able to trace and apprehend the masterminds behind such notorious terror incidences as the Christmas Day bombing of the St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State.
“Other suspects were also traced and arrested including those behind the Nyanya and Kuje bombings.
“Not only did we apprehend suspects, but we tried and convicted some of them including the ring leader of the Madalla bombing cell, Kabir Sokoto, who is right now serving a prison sentence.”
The former president said he would use the newly Goodluck Jonathan Foundation to further democracy, good governance and wealth generation in Africa.
He said, “Of course, Charity begins at home and for the future, what Nigeria needs is to focus on making education a priority.
“Thankfully, the administration that succeeded mine in its first budget, appears to have seen wisdom in continuing the practice of giving education the highest sectoral allocation. This is commendable.
“I feel that what people in my position, statesmen and former leaders, ought to be doing is to help build consensus all over Africa, to ensure that certain issues should not be politicized.”
Business
Valentine Season: Adron Homes Encourages Nigerians to Build Lasting Love Through Real Estate
Valentine Season: Adron Homes Encourages Nigerians to Build Lasting Love Through Real Estate
Adron Homes and Properties has continued its ongoing “Love for Love Promo” as part of its Valentine season initiatives, encouraging couples, families, and investors to move beyond traditional gifts by embracing shared property ownership as a lasting expression of commitment and financial stability.
The company stated that the promo, which has been running throughout the Valentine period, was designed to inspire Nigerians to build long-term value and legacy through real estate investments. It noted that the initiative offers attractive discounts, flexible payment options, and a variety of exclusive gift items across its estates and housing projects nationwide.
Under the promo structure, clients who pay ₦100,000 receive cake, chocolates, and a bottle of wine, while those who pay ₦200,000 receive a Love Hamper. Subscribers who commit ₦500,000 receive a Love Hamper with cake, and those who pay ₦1,000,000 enjoy a choice of a Samsung phone or a Love Hamper with cake.
The incentives increase with higher commitments. Clients who pay ₦5,000,000 receive either an iPad or a romantic couple’s getaway at a top Nigerian hotel, while payments of ₦10,000,000 come with options including a Samsung Z Fold 7, a three-night stay at a premium resort, or a full solar power installation.
High-value investors are also rewarded, as clients who pay ₦30,000,000 on land receive a three-night couple’s trip to Doha or South Africa. At the same time, purchasers of houses valued at ₦50,000,000 are presented with a double-door refrigerator, further reflecting the company’s focus on combining lifestyle experiences with strategic investments.
The company added that the promo covers estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger states. It reiterated its commitment to secure land titles, affordable pricing, and prime locations, urging Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to take advantage of the ongoing Valentine campaign to build a future rooted in love, security, and prosperity.
14 Reasons Nigerians Should Own Property with the Trusted Real Estate Brand
As part of activities marking its 14 years of transforming Nigeria’s real estate landscape, Adron Homes and Properties has unveiled 14 compelling reasons why individuals and families should consider owning property with the company reinforcing its commitment to accessible, stylish, and sustainable homeownership.
In a statement released by the company, Adron Homes described property ownership not just as an investment but as a strategic lifestyle decision rooted in long-term security, wealth creation, and community development. The company noted that over the past 14 years, it has remained consistent in providing affordable housing solutions while delivering well-planned estates that cater to diverse income levels.
According to the statement, Adron Homes’ success is anchored in its strong value proposition, which ranges from affordable pricing and flexible payment structures to prime estate locations nationwide. The company emphasized that its gated communities are designed with security, modern architectural standards, and structured infrastructure that ensure comfort and functionality for residents.
Adron Homes further highlighted its transparent documentation process and verified property titles, which have continued to boost investor confidence and encourage long-term property ownership among Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. The company added that its developments are intentionally designed to promote thriving communities, environmental sustainability, and long-term urban planning.
With a proven track record of helping thousands of customers achieve their property dreams, Adron Homes reaffirmed its commitment to delivering high-value investments that appreciate over time while maintaining strong customer service support from initial inquiry to allocation and beyond.
The organisation also noted its culture of appreciation for clients, partners, and staff through consistent reward programmes and promotional incentives. This strategy has strengthened loyalty and deepened engagement across its growing customer base.
Reflecting on its 14-year journey, Adron Homes reiterated that its mission goes beyond selling land and houses; it focuses on building vibrant communities where families thrive, investments grow, and futures are secured. The company encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of its flexible ownership opportunities, stressing that the best time to invest in property is now.
As it continues to expand its footprint across Nigeria, Adron Homes remains committed to innovation, excellence, and redefining the real estate experience through sustainable developments that stand the test of time.
Ogun Unveils Plan for ₦1bn AI-Driven Digital Classroom at Remo Secondary School
The Ogun State Government has announced plans to deliver a 900-capacity, Artificial Intelligence-enabled digital learning complex at Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, in a move aimed at strengthening technology-based education across the state.
Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed activities marking the institution’s 80th anniversary, noting that the proposed facility represents a deliberate investment in modern learning infrastructure designed to prepare students for a rapidly evolving, knowledge-driven global economy.
He explained that the digital classroom project complements ongoing smart-education initiatives within the school, which already features a functional resource centre and a state-of-the-art robotics laboratory established to nurture innovation, problem-solving skills, and digital competence among learners.
Reaffirming his commitment to the school’s growth, the governor announced a financial pledge of ₦100m, stating that ₦50m representing half of the amount would be released immediately to kick-start development efforts. He also assured stakeholders that at least one of the outlined projects would be fully executed before the end of his administration.
Abiodun further disclosed that the state government had upgraded the school’s science laboratories, equipping them with modern facilities and teaching tools to ensure safer and more effective practical learning experiences for students.
He added that renovation works had also been completed on both the male and female hostels to improve accommodation standards, enhance security, and promote the overall well-being of boarding students.
Describing Remo Secondary School as a symbol of enduring heritage, the governor said the anniversary celebration went beyond mere commemoration of years of existence, emphasising the institution’s long-standing role in shaping generations of leaders and professionals.
He praised members of the old students’ association for their unwavering support and contributions to the school’s development, stressing that their collective efforts demonstrate a shared commitment to sustaining its legacy of excellence.
According to him, the projects and improvements carried out at the school reflect a strong belief in education as a foundation for future growth, as well as the power of collaboration between government, alumni, and the wider community.
Abiodun also revealed that the institution had been recognised as one of Ogun State’s model schools, urging students to remain focused on their academic pursuits, uphold strong moral values, and continue the tradition of excellence for which the school is known.
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