Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the removal of Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing the need for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s electoral system.

Speaking at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, Obasanjo described the 2023 general election as a “travesty” and emphasized the urgent need for credible leadership in INEC. He proposed shorter tenures for electoral officials and a rigorous vetting process to ensure the appointment of impartial and incorruptible individuals.

Obasanjo criticized INEC’s failure to utilize key technologies like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV), leading to alleged voting irregularities. “These technologies had the potential to eliminate rigging and boost trust in the system but were deliberately underutilized,” he said.

He urged Nigeria to prioritize restoring public confidence in the electoral process through transparent reforms.

The Arewa Youths Merger Group has initiated legal proceedings against Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso following his recent statements accusing the Lagos State Government of attempting to dominate a major city in Northern Nigeria, challenging the policy of taxation, and alleging interference in the selection of an Emir.

Kwankwaso also accused the Federal Government of fostering a new generation of Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents in Northern Nigeria and blamed the government for minor attacks related to bad governance.

In a press statement, the Arewa Youths Merger Group described Kwankwaso’s accusations as unfounded, reckless, and dangerous to national unity. “Such statements undermine ongoing efforts to provide peace and unity in our nation,” the group stated. “By making these baseless claims, Kwankwaso jeopardizes the stability and security of the region, potentially inciting further unrest.”

The group emphasized the serious implications of Kwankwaso’s allegations and expressed their commitment to ensuring accountability. “Through the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police, we call on Kwankwaso to be held accountable for his irresponsible conduct and false accusations against Lagos State and the Federal Government,” the statement read. “These actions pose a significant threat to national unity and undermine the dedicated efforts of those working tirelessly to maintain peace and unity between the North and South West regions under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The Arewa Youths Merger Group also highlighted Kwankwaso’s alleged political ambitions for the 2027 election, suggesting that his actions are driven by desperation. “We are all aware that Kwankwaso is desperately working for his ambition in the 2027 election,” the group noted.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that foster unity, peace, and progress in Northern Nigeria. “We urge all citizens to reject divisive rhetoric and fake accusations made by Kwankwaso and work together towards a safer and more prosperous future for our nation,” the statement concluded.

This statement was signed by the National Coordinator of the Arewa Youths Merger Group, Hon. Musa Mujahid Zaitawa.

Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant at the weekend extended the frontier of its social investments in the wellbeing of its 17 host communities when it hosted the senior citizens in the communities offering them free medical services and mobility equipment for the people with disabilities including wheelchairs

The Company said the gesture was aimed at complementing the effort of the government in improving the lives of the people of Ogun state especially those in whose territory the leading cement manufacturer operates.

Tagged “A Day-Out with Senior Citizens 2024”, the well-attended annual event saw the elderly ones being led in physical exercise, receiving health talks, medical checks, free drugs and other food and household items like rice, semo, honey, beverages, bathing soaps, detergent, clothing and cash incentive.

In his address of welcome, the Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant Director, Roy Uttam said the event was aimed at increasing the level of socialisation, engagement, emotional and mental wellbeing among the elderly around its host communities.

Uttam, pointed out that the management of Ibese Plant remain deeply committed to its responsibilities under the Community Development Agreement signed in 2022, saying “we will continue to prioritise the transfer of both economic and social benefits to our host communities, focusing on areas such as health, education, infrastructure, and empowerment.

“It is gratifying that our social investment strides are making meaningful impact in the lives of people across the host communities. We are determined to keep improving and broadening our initiatives, as we work together for the benefit of all.

“As elders who have devoted your youthful lives to the growth and development of your communities, the focus now should be on your health and well-being and the overall goodness of the society. This event is designed with your health in mind, as well as to offer an opportunity to reflect and connect with one another to promote longevity,” he said.

While reveling on the success of the maiden edition last year, Mr Uttam recalled that “we hosted 50 elderly members of our host communities for the first time in the history of this Plant. It was a memorable event filled with activities that demonstrated deep recognition for this all-important people in our society and promoted healthy living among them. It was a significant milestone for the Plant and the communities.

“We have made significant improvements this year, including the identification of five persons with disabilities from our host communities, who will each receive mobility aids to enhance their quality of life. This is just one example of how we continue to expand the scope of our social investments to create even greater impact”.

Uttam assured the host communities that the Plant would continue to live up to its responsibilities as regards the execution of the existing Community Development Agreement (CDA) even much more beyond  saying some of the social investment initiatives of the Plant when well appraised, go beyond the letters of the signed CDA.

The Dangote Cement boss noted with nostalgia that the company’s social investment strides are making meaningful impact in the lives of people across the host communities and promised that the management was “determined to keep improving and broadening our initiatives, as we work together for the benefit of all.”

The Plant Director noted that In line with the company’s local content initiative, it had retained the services of Novia Hospital Services, a local healthcare provider, to assist in making this event a success. He assured the people of Dangote Cement’s continued support and believe that with the people’s cooperation and collaboration, the management will continue to build on “our shared vision of peace and prosperity”.

In his own comment, the Group Head of Social Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola said the whole idea about hosting the elderly ones in the host communities borders on carrying along the old ones who are the foundation upon whom the new generations are building on. “They also need to be active in their old age”, he stated.

Responding on behalf of other elders, a beneficiary, Pa Michael Oderinlo from Ijako-Orile host community thanked the management of Dangote Cement for the gesture especially for reaching out to the elders which he said was not a common practice among business organizations.

Said he:” it is a very rare gesture by a business organization to take special interest in the old people and cater to their wellbeing”.

Also another beneficiary of the wheelchair, Modupeola, Olaoluwa Bankole described the wheelchair donation as very touching and timely saying she now has a new lease of life with the mobility aid andtanked the Dangote Cement management for coming to her aid.