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Shettima, governors attend Akeredolu’s funeral service in Owo
Vice-President Kashim Shettima and some governors on Friday attended the funeral service of the late Rotimi Akeredolu, former governor of Ondo state.
Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, after a protracted battle with prostate cancer.
The burial programmes of Akeredolu have been taking place in the last one week
The funeral service was held at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Owo, the home town of the late governor.
The service was attended by Shettima, George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC); state governors; politicians; family members; friends and lawyers as well as residents of Ondo state.
Governors present at the funeral service included Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo; Babajide Sanw-Olu of Lagos; Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti; Ademola Adeleke of Osun; Seyi Makinde of Oyo; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun; Godwin Obaseki of Edo; Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta; Charles Soludo of Anambra; Hyacinth Alia of Benue and Peter Mbah of Enugu.
Some former governors were also present at the service.
Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the funeral service, eulogised Akeredolu for the legacies he left behind in Ondo and Nigeria.
The vice-president said Akeredolu stood for the truth, adding that “he was a vastly intelligent man whose passion has created quite a wide vacuum beyond this community”.
“As we gather here today, we are confronted with one inexorable truth: seasons come and seasons go, much like the ebb and flow of our lives, and each of us shall go with the tides one after the other,” the vice-president said.
“We are also reminded that in this transient journey through life, we are but whispers in the wind.
“The parts of us that endure after we get to the end of our journey are the choices we make, and this moment is the ultimate confirmation of the noble paths trodden by our dear brother.”
On his part, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo, said his late principal contributed to the development of the state in the areas of health, education, and infrastructure among others
“You are all here to pay your friend, our leader, and our governor last respect because of the relationship that he had with all of you at one time or another,” Aiyedatiwa said.
“Some of you were his childhood friends of over 60 years, some of you his professional colleagues, some former governors, some of you from the community he hailed from and some of you from the church.
“You are all here because he stood for something: good governance and the rule of law.
“He means a lot to different people, and that is why he has been described in different words. He was a courageous leader, a fighter, and a warrior.
“How can we forget him so soon? It is not possible because he lives on. Sometimes we wonder how he decided to leave us so soon.
“Why can’t God give him more years to still stay with us? A real husband to the wife, a real father to the children, a leader and governor for the state for many years, and a loyal friend to all of you. Why did God take him home so soon?
“They say good people don’t live for too long; I think he is one of them. For me, I cannot forget him so soon because we share a lot together.”
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising junta-led Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso have imposed a 0.5 percent import duty on goods from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations.
The move further strains relations between the three junta-led nations and the ECOWAS, which they withdrew from earlier this year following a series of military coups and economic sanctions.
The AES, which began as a security pact between the military rulers of the three countries in 2023, has now metamorphosed into an aspiring economic union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic and military ties.
In a joint statement last week, the AES said the levy aims to generate revenue to fund the alliance’s activities.
The tax, which came into effect on Friday, applies to all imports from ECOWAS countries, except humanitarian aid.
The taxes also disrupt the free trade once enjoyed by all countries in the West African region.
The economic implications could be severe, leading to higher consumer prices, supply chain disruptions, and strained regional economic stability.
While it may provide short-term revenue for the junta-led governments, it risks other long-term consequences, including weakened regional integration.
ECOWAS has maintained that it will keep diplomatic channels open with the junta-led states until July, despite announcing their permanent expulsion from the bloc earlier this year.
Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo state, says 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Kano-bound travellers in Uromi LGA of the state have been transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.
The suspects were detained after a mob attacked a group of hunters travelling to Kano for Sallah celebrations on Thursday.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during a condolence visit to Barau Jibrin, the deputy senate president, Okpebholo condemned the attack and assured Nigerians that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Okpebholo also announced that his government had set up a committee to support the families of those killed.
“It’s unfortunate that it happened in our state. We are here to say, to let you and other people know that we are not happy,” Ismail Mudashir, media aide to Barau, quoted Okpebholo as saying.
“The president is doing something drastic about this. He’s not happy also.
“The IG has swung into action. The DIG CID is in charge. So far, they have arrested 14 suspects.
“So they are bringing them to Abuja for interrogation. We have also set up a committee to see that we take care of the families of the deceased.”
Responding, Barau said the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We cannot undo what has been done. But we all want – all Nigerians, what they are looking forward to is to make sure that these people are arrested and brought to justice. And you are doing well in that direction,” Barau said.
“And I’m also glad you’ve spoken about the fact that your government is ready to assist the families of those affected.
“I want you to continue to pursue the case so that all those who were involved in these barbaric actions are brought to justice. It’s a barbaric action, to say the facts.”
He urged the Edo government to ensure all those involved were held accountable, adding that such attacks must never happen again.