Nation

Presidential Yacht: Senate Halts Procurement as OGD Intervene

Published

11 months ago

November 2, 2023

Adebayo

The Nigerian Navy has halted the plan to procure a multi-billion Naira presidential yacht which has sparked widespread controversy.
The suspension of the presidential yacht, it was reliably gathered, followed the intervention by the Senate Committee Chairman on Navy, Senator Olugbenga Daniel.
Although President Bola Tinubu was not privy to the decision to buy the yacht which was listed under the Nigerian Navy’s proposed capital expenditure in the N2.1 trillion supplementary budget submitted to the National Assembly, authoritative sources revealed yesterday that the procurement plan has been shelved.
According to media reports, a sum of N5.09 billion was allocated for the yacht while N2.9 billion was earmarked for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for the Presidential Villa.
The reports added that a sum of N2.9 billion was proposed for the replacement of operational vehicles for the Presidency.
As the reports continued to generate angry reactions among Nigerians, this newspaper gathered on Thursday that the Senate promptly waded in to douse growing tension.
An impeccable source, who is familiar with the development but not authorised to speak to the media on the matter, confirmed that Senator Daniel actually met with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to discuss the burning issue.
The source stated that it was regrettable that the yacht, which is an operational boat with specialised security gadgets, was mired in controversy.
According to him, the equipment was ordered by the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The source, however, revealed that the yacht had been replaced with more critical equipment required to support operational efforts against oil theft, oil bunkering, and pipeline vandalism.
He said, “The yacht is an operational boat but with specialised security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection, not necessarily for Mr President.
“It was ordered by the previous administration and the equipment delivered though not yet paid for.
“It was part of the committed obligation submitted by the office of the Chief of Naval Staff to the Ministry of Defence, the total of the submitted requests was in excess of N200billion out which no more than N62billion was graciously approved by the President.
“At a meeting between Senator Gbenga Daniel, as the Chairman Senate Committee on Navy and the Chief of Naval Staff this morning, the priority list was reevaluated and the yacht has been replaced with more critical equipment required to further support operational efforts against oil theft, oil bunkering, and pipeline vandalism etc.”

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Nation

Otunba Gbenga Daniel Urges Southern Politicians to Learn Bonding from Northern, Eastern Counterparts

Published

4 days ago

September 15, 2024

Adebayo

Otunba Gbenga Daniel, senator representing Ogun East and former Governor of Ogun State, has urged southern politicians and elites to take a lesson from their Northern and Eastern counterparts when it comes to political unity and collaboration.

He made this call as the keynote speaker at the 40th Convention and Investiture of the 41st President of Junior Chambers International (JCI) Ikeja, held on Saturday, September 14, at Chrisland School, Opebi, Ikeja.

The event, themed “Boundless Bond: Thriving Together,” highlighted the importance of unity, collective effort, and solidarity among communities and professionals.

In his address, Otunba Daniel, who holds a respected legacy within Nigerian politics and was once part of the inner circle of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and also led the student wing of the Unity Party of Nigeria in 1978, recounted his experiences in Nigerian political history, emphasizing the sense of camaraderie and unity that has helped Northern politicians excel and become a force today, despite their political differences.

“The Northern political class remains indivisible, maintains high cordiality, and exhibits a strong sense of camaraderie,” Senator Daniel remarked, noting that this unity has significantly contributed to their enduring political success.

He cited a recent event as an example: “I watched a video of Vice President Kashim Shettima and Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), journeying together on a bus to attend the funeral of Dada Yar’Adua in Katsina.

Despite being political rivals, they were seated together, demonstrating their bond, which transcends political competition.”

Dada Yar’Adua, the mother of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, passed away on September 2 at the age of 102.

Her funeral brought together politicians across party lines, reinforcing Otunba Daniel’s message that unity among Northern leaders remains a key to their political influence.

Senator Daniel also drew comparisons with the Eastern region, particularly the Igbo business community, which he said is rooted in a culture of mentorship and collective growth.

He recounted how Igbo businessmen traditionally train apprentices, usually young boys from their villages, for many years.

Upon completion of their apprenticeship, these young men are set up in business by their mentors. “You will never see the younger man compete with his boss.

This system fosters growth and unity within their communities,” he explained.

However, Otunba Daniel lamented the lack of similar collaboration and mentorship in the South, particularly among the political and elite classes.

“I don’t see much of this camaraderie in the South. When I was growing up, the biggest construction company in Ibadan was T.A. Oni and Sons. We all aspired to replicate such feats. Sadly, in our region, most organizations die with their founders.

This is because there is no strong bond between the visionaries and their subordinates,”

he observed.

He used these examples to urge the JCI members in attendance to build strong networks and hold each other accountable as they advance in their careers.

The importance of collective action and mutual support, he suggested, could be key to their long-term success. “When we have collective action, who will hold us in check when we are in office? Unlike some public servants today, who come into politics to steal from the commonwealth of the nation, there is a need for us to stand united and disciplined.”

Otunba Daniel’s address, rich with relatable anecdotes, reinforced the central theme of the event, encouraging Southern politicians, elites, and young leaders to foster unity, grow together, and create enduring legacies for future generations.

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Nation

LG Autonomy: Senator Daniel Congratulates President Tinubu, SC

Published

2 months ago

July 11, 2024

Adebayo

With the landmark Supreme Court judgement which granted full financial autonomy to the Local Government administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon courage and leadership in a manner that seeks to return Nigeria on a trajectory of growth and development.

This was the view of former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District Otunba Engr Gbenga Daniel.

According to Otunba Daniel, “this constitutional resolution is long overdue because the local government administration is the closest to the grassroots and they should have the capacity to impact directly on the lives of the people through the initiation of life-changing programs and projects.

“President Tinubu and the Supreme Court have restored sanity to the Nigerian political space as this will allow the dividends of democracy to reach the masses.

“As a Democrat, and a Progressive one at that, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has demonstrated enormous capacity in the struggle towards strengthening the Nigeria’s Democracy, and with this Local Government financial autonomy, he has once again set to recalibrate the wheels of our political and Economic growth in a way that it will make clear meanings to the average citizens.

“I salute Mr. President for this global road map that will usher in true and practical development in our nation”

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Nation

Ondo ex-lawmaker hails Tinubu on returning old national anthem, handling of wage strike

Published

3 months ago

June 8, 2024

Adebayo

Honourable Olumide Araoyinbo, a former majority leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, has applauded President Bola Tinubu’s government for the reintroduction of the old national anthem, Nigeria, we Hail Thee.

Araoyinbo, while speaking in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said the wordings of the old anthem captures the true essence of Nigeria as a nation.

“If you listen to the wordings of the old national anthem, you’ll realise that it captures the true essence of our existence as a nation of different ‘tribes and tongues'”.

The chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state maintained that President Tinubu deserves to be applauded for the courage to effect the change, describing the president as a true democrat and a progressive.

Araoyinbo also lauded the president for his handling of the minimum wage strike by the organiaed labour.

According to him, the president displayed his mastery of the game, which he said brought the crisis generated by the strike to an early end.

“I respect President Tinubu’s astuteness and robust intervention in the minimum wage strike initiated by labour. His intervention brought to an early end what ordinarily would have snowballed into a major crisis for the country.

“As a matter of fact, the naysayers were hoping for a major crisis in the land, but President Tinubu’s intervention dashed their hopes.”

Araoyinbo, who is also a businessman and president of the Ondo State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONDOCCIMA), called on Nigerians to exercise more patience and understanding with the Tinubu administration, saying the president means well for the country and its people.

“As a businessman, I know that times are hard. But I urge Nigerians, particularly the organised labour to show understanding with the president as he puts in place structures and policies aimed at returning our country to the path of plenty and surplus,” Araoyinbo added.

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