The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) wishes to express its deepest condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the good people of Ondo, Kano States and Nigerians in general over the demise of the Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and former Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umaru Na’aba. We share in your grief and stand with you during this difficult time.
In a statement jointly signed by the President and National Secretary of Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists, NGIJ Ayodele Mojoyin and Abdulrahman Aliagan respectively and made available to Journalists.
According to the statement, “We expressed our deep sadness over the passing of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and former Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Umaru Ghali Na’aba.
“Akeredolu was a dedicated leader who tirelessly worked for the progress and development of Ondo State. His commitment to public service and dedication to the welfare of his people will always be remembered. His demise is a great loss to Ondo State, and his contributions will be sorely missed.
We also mourn the loss of Alhaji Ghali Umaru Na’aba, a respected statesman and former Speaker of the House of Representatives. His profound leadership skills, passion for good governance, and substantial contributions to our democracy will always be remembered. His demise is a significant loss to our nation, and his absence will be deeply felt.
During this period of mourning, we urge the people of Ondo, Kano States and the nation at large to stay united and support one another. Let us remember the legacies of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Alhaji Ghali Umaru Na’aba, and strive to uphold the ideals they stood for. Together, we can honor their memories by working towards a better Nigeria.
Amidst these moments of mourning and transition, we cannot overlook the pressing issues of justice and accountability in our nation. NGIJ stands firm in demanding justice for the senseless killing of 195 innocent citizens in Plateau State. These heinous acts cannot go unpunished, and we call on the relevant authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
“We are deeply concerned about the recurring incidents of airstrike, particularly the Tundun Biri tragedy recently. We implore President Tinubu to urgently unravel the root causes and those responsible for these incidents. The safety and security of Nigerians should never be compromised, and it is the responsibility of our leaders to ensure the utmost safety and wellbeing of our citizens.
We therefore, bring to the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the dire economic hardship faced by Nigerians. The current economic climate has brought about immense challenges for our people, and we urge the President to prioritize driving economic policies that will bring about tangible and permanent relief. It is imperative that the government takes decisive action to uplift the livelihoods of Nigerians and create opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
NGIJ extends its sincere commendation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the resuscitation of Port Harcourt refinery and the launching of Dangote refinery in Lagos; it is our hope and believes that the two refineries will lead to cushioning the effect of unbearable cost of fuel and ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.
Without any doubt, the BAT-led administration appears to be a paradigm shift in the development of infrastructures, which is one of the critical questions to National development.
NGIJ remains committed to promoting transparency, integrity, and the welfare of Nigerians through our investigative journalism efforts.
