Nigerians witnessed its first presidential inauguration in 20 years without an inaugural address; but on the world stage the country shot down the ‘African Time ‘syndrome ending the inauguration event to the minute of the time slated for it.
President Muhammadu Buhari And Vice President Yemi Osinbajo took their oaths of office almost smack on time, and will sit in place for four years, barring and judicial earth-quake from either the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal or Supreme Court; or even the hand of God.
At least five living heads of State and Presidents: Goodluck Jonathan, Olusegun Obasanjo; Ernest Shoneka, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar were absent; but former military head, General Yakubu Gowon was present.
In the States, 29 new and old faces were sworn in as Governors. From Sokoto to Calabar, Ikeja to Maiduguri, the Holy Bible and Qur’an were held and oaths taken by men who swore to deliver on their mandates to a traumatised citizenry.
The African Time syndrome is best known in this clone as starting. an event at least one hour, and ending late. But Tuesday’s inauguration began on schedule and ended at the planned 11.25 a.m.
No official reason was proferred for the missing inaugural address, a tradition that has been sustained since 1999. The address outlines the President’s focus and promises for his four-year tenure.
But there were indications that the President’s inaugural address will be delivered on June 12, the new Democracy Day for the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports proceedings from some of the States, including a report that Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Peter Obi has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the 29 state governors sworn-in on Wednesday to increase tempo of development in Nigeria.
Obi gave the advice in a press release signed by his Media Officer, Mr Val Obienyem while commemorating 20 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria.
Obi, in the statement urged the newly sworn-in chief executives to hit the ground running immediately to accelerate activities that would position the nation on a path of all sector growth.
“Do not allow the ecstasies of your elevation to becloud your sense of purpose,” he said.
Obi described their swearing in as `historic’, adding that it coincided with 20 years the nation had practiced uninterrupted democracy.
He reminded them that they were saddled with the task of repairing the chequered democracy, which according to him was now going through a tough time.
In his words: “How you start will define how you will continue and probably end,” obi said.
He appealed to the president and governors to use the event to reflect about the country, about the life of service and about the condition of Nigeria.
Obi said that upon reflection, he was sure they would realise that they had a lot of work to do in different aspects.
“You are embarking on a serious journey. Our country is today negative in all indices of development.
“Our power sector, security, health sector are crying for regeneration.
Today, the unemployment rate in the country is alarming.
“It is regrettable that our electoral processes are still a far cry to what it ought to be and urgent attention is needed to pull the country from the brinks,” he said.
While pledging his support in any way he can, Obi urged them to remain close to the people by always identifying with their sufferings and needs.
Gov. Bello Matawallen-Maradun of Zamfara State, at his inauguration in Gusau, promised to reinstate the 1,400 workers who were employed by the immediate past Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari.
Matawallen-Maradun made the promise while delivering his speech during the inauguration in Gusua as the new governor of the state with his deputy, Mr Mahdi Aliyu Gusau.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the affected workers were recruited by the state Civil Service Commission in May 2014.
They are owed 60-month salaries and other entitlements, but were later relieved of their appointments.
But Matawallen-Maradun said the workers were recruited in line with civil service rules and regulations.
“Therefore, this administration will reinstate them,” he assured.
“We are going to set up a committee to verify them and put them into the state core civil service, except those who secured another job,’’ he said.
Matawallen-Maradun, who promised to provide meaningful development for the state, appealed for support and cooperation from the people to enable him to deliver on his electoral pledges.
The governor also promised to tackle unemployment among youths which he attributed to various problems facing the state.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the 1,400 Civil Servants Forum, Mr Lukman Majidadi, thanked the new governor for the move to address their problem.
“This is a welcome development and good news for us and the entire people of the state.
“Since 2014 after our recruitment, we have not received any kobo as salary from the state government, despite the fact that we were recruited by the state Civil Service Commission and posted to MDAs in the state,’’ he said.
In Owerri, Imo State, at least 10 people, including a pregnant woman, were injured from stampede during Gov. Emeka Ihedioha’s inauguration on Wednesday in Owerri.
A member of the medical team for the inauguration, Dr Francis Igwe, confirmed the figure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri.
The stampede resulted from a huge crowed which besieged the Dan Anyiam Stadium, venue of the inauguration,
Igwe said, however, that the victims were revived.
He told NAN that the medical team led by Dr Vin Udokwu were proactive to handle the situation.
“When we saw the crowed, we suspected that there may be an emergency situation; we quickly put our personnel and equipment together just to get ready,” he said.
Members of the Red Cross Society were also seen assisting in rescue operations during the stampede.
Before the inauguration, a woman had fainted and was carried away from the field by the medical personnel with a stretcher.
Igwe said that all situations were controlled.