Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has admonished Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), charitable organizations, and individuals who wish to distribute palliatives  to the people to involve the government to prevent a chaotic situation that could lead to the loss of lives

Governor Abiodun, who spoke when he visited Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, in his office in Ibadan regarding the stampede that occurred in the city last week, said such an incident would not have happened if the state government had been involved.

“I am here on behalf of myself, the government, and the good people of Ogun State and the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) to commiserate with the governor of Oyo State and the people on the unfortunate incident that happened on Wednesday, December 18th, where a good initiative turned sour.

“It is most unfortunate that, in response to the current realities, an NGO decided to share the joy of the season with the children, which led to the loss of 35 lives.

“I think that we’ve seen this trend in Anambra and Abuja during this yuletide period.

“I believe that what we must also take away from this unfortunate incident is that when private sector players, non-governmental organizations, and charities want to embark on such initiatives, they should try to work with the government. Because as a responsible government, we carry out such initiatives, and it doesn’t end like this because we have people who are charged with such responsibilities.

“They planned it to ensure that it is well implemented. So, one must admonish others who have such initiatives that a lot of lessons must be learned from what has happened, and we must ensure that we avoid such mishaps in the future,” Prince Abiodun said.

He stated that the Southern Governors’ Forum was pained by the loss, and as the Chairman of the Forum, his visit was to condole with Oyo State, saying that as a neighbor, anything that affects them affects Ogun State.

While praying for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and for the families to bear the loss, the governor wished the people of Oyo State a nerry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

In response, Governor Makinde appreciated his Ogun State counterpart for the visit, saying that it provided an opportunity for the cross-fertilization of ideas that would benefit the two sister states.

He said that the two states would meet next year to have a peer review to see what they could learn from each other and leverage it.

By John Michael Ojo

President Bola Tinubu on Monday night, maintained that there is no going back on the current tax reform bill which is before the National Assembly for consideration.

The former Lagos State Governor, stated this in a nationwide broadcast while addressing Nigerians during his first presidential media chat monitored by NEW TIMES.

Despite the misfeeling being expressed by national leaders particularly those from the Northern part of the country over the bill, President Tinubu maintained that the reform was in accordance with his RENEWED HOPE mantra which seeks to favour the poor.

He added that the responsibility of a true leader is doing what is necessary at the right time.

According to President Tinubu, “The tax reforms are here to stay. The reform is pro-poor and it is to widen the tax net, so we can have more people paying.

“The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it ought to be done.”

He said, “We are spending our future. We are spending our generation’s fortunes. We are not investing. We are just deceiving ourselves.

“Why should you have expenditures when you don’t have revenues?”

The President also disclosed that despite the economic hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, he has no regrets over his actions.

Tinubu said his actions became mandatory in order to save the nation from impending doom.

“I don’t have any regret in removing the fuel subsidy. We cannot spend our generation’s investment.

”We have no choice. Otherwise, we are headed for the slippery slope… financial disaster, not just for us but our children.”

While addressing the recent palliative stampedes in Oyo, Anambra and Abuja which claimed nearly 50 lives with several others sustaining various levels of injury, Tinubu blamed the organizers of the events for poor management.

Tinubu said, “It is very sad that people are not well organised. We just have to be disciplined. My condolences to those who lost their family members,” he said.

By John Michael Ojo

Ahead of this year’s Christmas celebration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Monday address Nigerians in a media chat.

This was made known in a statement by the spokesperson to the president, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed that the media chat will hold by 9pm.

Onanuga added that this will be the first presidential media chat since Tinubu assumed office in 2023.

“The first presidential media chat with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be broadcast at 9 pm on Monday, December 23, on the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

“All television and radio stations are requested to hook up to the broadcast,” he stated.