Pa Ayo Adebanjo: A Life of Service, Justice, and Truth.
My family and the Obidient Movement got the shocking news of the passing on of our dear father and leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who was a great pillar in the struggle for a new Nigeria. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and the Afenifere organization.
His death is a profound loss to Nigeria and to all who cherish justice, equity, and truth. As the leader of Afenifere, Pa Adebanjo remained a steadfast advocate for a united and progressive Nigeria. His unwavering commitment to fairness and his relentless pursuit of a better nation have left an indelible mark on our country's history.
One thing my political journey in life taught me, for which I am eternally grateful to God is bringing me close to a few great minds who helped to shape my perception of this land as a great country. One such person is Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the quintessential Afenifere leader.
I remain deeply grateful for his support during my presidential campaign. His endorsement was not merely a political gesture but a testament to his belief in the ideals of equity and inclusiveness. He stood firm in his convictions against all odds demonstrating his dedication to the greater good of Nigeria.
The last time I spoke with him, his words left a lasting impression: “Always stand on the path of justice.” That advice remains a guiding principle in my life, and I reaffirm my commitment to upholding it in honour of his memory. In my association with Pa Adebanjo, I come to appreciate Nelson Mandela's words, “I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”
As we mourn his departure, let us also celebrate a life well-lived in service to humanity and commit ourselves to upholding the values he so passionately championed.
May his death not be in vain. Instead, let it serve as a renewed call to action for all who believe in justice and fairness. As we extend our condolences to his immediate family and the Afenifere organization, may we find solace in the enduring impact of his remarkable life. -PO
The future of democracy in our country took center stage yesterday as I joined other distinguished Nigerians at the National Dialogue on Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity, held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Abuja.
For democracy in Africa to thrive beyond its current fragile state, it must operate within its foundational tenets, going beyond ceremonial elections. This requires building critical institutions that command trust and deliver absolute respect for the people's will. Governance can only deliver tangible benefits when the will of the people prevails.
I most sincerely express my gratitude to the keynote speaker, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a distinguished African democrat who displayed exemplary statesmanship by conceding defeat to John Dramani Mahama before the final election results. His actions upheld democratic principles, reinforced Ghana's reputation for stability, and highlighted the respect for the people's will, which is essential for democratic growth.
With about 100 million Nigerians living in absolute poverty and 150 million in multidimensional poverty, democracy is fast losing its essence if it fails to address the fundamental needs of its citizens, particularly in critical areas such as health, education, and poverty alleviation.
We must confront the fundamental question: is democracy truly addressing the needs of Nigerians? Are we building institutions that uphold accountability, justice, and fairness? To achieve a functional democracy, we must prioritize strengthening independent institutions, fostering governance that delivers economic and social progress, encouraging active citizenship to hold leaders accountable, and empowering our youth as drivers of nation-building.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “As long as poverty, injustice, and inequality exist, none of us can truly rest.” Now is the time to deepen democracy and build a better future for all Nigerians.
Amid the rise of coups across Africa and the growing fragility of democracies globally, it is evident that democracy cannot thrive without trust, robust institutions, and a steadfast commitment to the welfare of the people.
Together, we can build a productive new Nigeria that is possible! -PO
The handling of the case involving human rights lawyer @DeleFarotomi runs foul of every Democratic norm that guarantees freedom of expression and innocence until found guilty before a law court.
It's curious that the Nigeria Police, who are struggling with a barrage of crimes all over the place, now indulge in civil cases on half complaints and rush to court at the speed of light.
Hearing that Dele Farotimi has been remanded in prison over an allegation of defamation is very disturbing. This development raises serious concerns about the state of justice and freedom of expression in our country, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of the alarming rise in criminal activities across the nation.
At a time when national efforts should be directed toward addressing pressing issues such as insecurity, corruption, and economic challenges, it is disheartening to see the focus shifted to cases that appear to stifle critical voices.
Matters of defamation are civil and should be treated as such, not turned into a tool for intimidation or the erosion of fundamental rights.
The strength of any democracy lies in its ability to tolerate differing opinions and uphold the rule of law without bias.
I once again call on the authorities to ensure that justice is served impartially and to prioritize the urgent task of combating the real threats plaguing our nation. -PO
04 /12/2024
PRESS CONFERENCE
Release Barr. Dele Farotimi A civil right activist.
We, the Obidient Movement crusaders, express our deepest concern and shock regarding the gestapo arrest of Obidient Dele Farotimi, a renowned human rights Lawyer, an activist and an advocate for Good Governance . His detention, allegedly stemming from a petition filed to Inspector General of the police, raising serious questions about the misuse of power and the suppression of freedom of speech in Nigeria.
This government inflicted pain on the Nigerian people by increasing the cost of fuel prices with impunity from #165 to # 1,100k and above depending on ones location, thereby increasing the cost of food items and other essential commodities directly linked to purchase of Premium motor spirit with absolutely nothing to show for it. Now people can no longer afford a square meal in a day not to talk of 3 square meals in their houses, Civil Servants are impoverished, the Nigeria people are living in total hunger with poverty increasing beyond measures. The Nigerian people are making frantic efforts to survive with no certainty of what tomorrow brings.
Yesterday, I had the privilege of mentoring some of our young Nigerians at the SMFest event in Owerri.
At the event, I reminded them that the road to greatness demands grit, flexibility, and the courage to evolve.
Yes, Nigeria is challenging right now, but those of us who are older are finding strength in the passion of the younger generation.
And we say—don’t give up! Whether it's in business, skills development, education, or politics—don’t give up!
Life will throw obstacles your way, but stand firm. If you need to, step back, rethink your strategy, evolve, and come back stronger.
Success comes to those who stay the course, even in tough times.
Seeing the innovation and determination of our young people gives me hope.
I believe they will transform Nigeria, making us a globally competitive force. I will continue to support that growth and believe in the change they’re driving."
A new Nigeria is emerging right before our eyes. Let's keep at it.
A new Nigeria is well within our reach and very POssible. -PO
On this World Teachers Day, I join the global community in celebrating members of a very unique profession that forms the basis of human development.
It is a day to celebrate all teachers, especially teachers in Nigeria, whose dedication and resilience have kept the fires of our education sector burning, even against all odds.
Teachers, at all levels play very critical roles in society by contributing immeasurably to the intellectual and moral formation of our children.
Their welfare must, therefore, be prioritized by the government.
On this note, I add my voice in demanding a better life, working
Conditions and advancement opportunities for all teachers in Nigeria.
Recently, I read a very concerning report that not less than 30 members of the Academic Staff Union of the Universities, ASUU, have resigned from Sa’adu Zungur University, SAZU in Bauchi State due to poor pay and poor handling of the affairs of members.
A few days ago, precisely on October 1, it was reported that the Academic Staff Union of Universities had issued a 35-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address the lingering crises threatening the University System.
Yesterday, another report stated that the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address its demands, which includes better care and attention to the needs of the members.
Sadly, all these obvious failures reflect the general lack of attention to the welfare of teachers in our nation in general .
The lack of attention to the welfare of our teachers has remained unresolved for far too long.
Aside from caring for the teachers, the government must invest more in the training of more teachers. It is reported that the world is in dire shortage of teachers to the tune of 45 million.
Africa alone needs about 15 million teachers to boost its education sector.
At the basic education level, which I have maintained is the most critical, there is a reported shortage of 194,876 teachers in public primary schools across Nigeria.
With over 18 million out-of-school children roaming the streets, training and recruiting more teachers has become a matter of severe urgency.
Government must, therefore, ensure it speedily resolves any lingering issues it has with the teachers and invest more in the welfare, training, and development of Nigerian teachers to enable them continue to deliver the best standard of education to our children.
I sincerely commend all the Nigerian teachers for their tireless dedication to the growth of education, not minding the various socio-economic challenges burdening every Nigerian, while urging them to keep the fire burning.
A New Nigeria remains POssible.
Happy World Teachers Day to all Nigerian Teachers. -PO
Today, We stand with Pavel Durov - Creator of Telegram.
In support of the #DigitalResistance, we are updating Toncoin’s logo and profile pictures across TON Community channels to the global symbol of Digital Resistance — the Resistance Dog. Pavel Durov started this movement during his fight to maintain the privacy of Telegram users and protect freedom of speech.
Join the #DigitalResistance, #FREEDUROV. Activate the Resistance Pack:
1️⃣Share this post using #FREEDUROV Hashtag
2️⃣Put 🆓emoji in username
3️⃣Change avatar to Resistance Dog (our profile photo)
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Ojukwu ran for President and he didn’t have the full support of the South East region.
Even at the beginning of Peter Obi’s campaign many swore that the South East region will not even support him. He was pegged to win only Anambra if any.
Now the people of South East are being vilified and called tribalistic because they supported Peter Obi.
When they supported Obasanjo they weren’t tribalistic!
When they supported YAR’ADUA they weren’t tribalistic!
When they supported Jonathan they weren’t tribalistic!
When they supported Atiku they weren’t tribalistic!
It is when they supported the most competent who happened to be from their region they became tribalistic.
Anyways, I like this form of tribalism. Let’s have more!