Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disagreed with those calling for the division of Nigeria, asking what would be the fate of minority ethnic groups in the nation.
Obasanjo spoke at his Penthouse residence, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, when he played host to members of Tiv professionals Group (TPG) led by Prof Zacharys Anger Gundu.
According to Obasanjo, secessionists in the country have failed to take account of the fact that there are many minority groups in Nigeria.
He said if the likes of Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa/Fulani ethnic groups stand alone, the minority groups may be oppressed as they would turn out to be smaller countries.
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Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday, has cautioned against the payment of ransom to kidnappers.
He, however, submitted that the government must develop means to deal with kidnappers and bandits heavily in place of ransom payment.
He noted that the governments of both President Goodluck Jonathan and Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) paid ransom to kidnappers but they denied it.
Obasanjo said he does not believe in payment of ransom to kidnappers and bandits, saying it encouraged criminals indulging in the act.
The former president berated any government that pays ransom, describing them as follies.
Obasanjo spoke on Wednesday at his Penthouse residence within Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while playing host to members of Tiv professionals Group led by Prof Zacharys Anger Gundu.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Ayuba Wabba, noted that the plan was tantamount to a “mass suicide”.
Wabba regretted that the government is contemplating to unilaterally cut the salaries of civil servants.
The labour leader described the declaration by Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed as extremely horrendous.
“The question is which salary is the government planning to slash? It certainly cannot be the meager national minimum wage of N30, 000, which right now cannot even buy a bag of rice”, he noted.
Wabba said workers are only alive by hair’s breadth, adding that their survival is a miracle.
The NLC president advised the government to cut the humongous remuneration and allowances pocketed by political office holders.
Akeredolu imposes 24-hour curfew on Ondo community over chieftaincy tussle
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Following the crisis that broke out in the ancient city of Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko North East Local Government, Governor Okuwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the community.
The move by the governor was made known following the killings and destruction of property by some youths in the community over the Olokoja Chieftaincy stool.
According to a statement by the state government, which was signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, the curfew takes effect from 6.00pm on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.
Ojogo emphasized that security operatives had been deployed to the community with a mandate by the state government to enforce the curfew.
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Kidnapping: Obasanjo cautions FG on payment of ransom
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James Ogunnaike, ABEOKUTA
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday cautioned the federal government to stop paying ransom to kidnappers and banditry, saying that payment of ransom will encourage the criminals that engage in the dastardly act.
Obasanjo, who spoke while receiving members of Tiv Professionals Group (TPG) led by Prof Zacharys Anger Gundu
at his Penthouse residence at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Obasanjo said he does not believe in payment of ransom to kidnappers and banditry, saying that such encouraged criminals to indulge in the dastardly act.