Former Minister Diezani Laments That Yahoo Boys Have Become Role Models

The former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, says societal values have disintegrated to the extent that online fraudsters otherwise known as ‘Yahoo boys’ have become role models in Nigerian society.

Diezani said this while delivering a lecture at a virtual event which was also attended by her former boss, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday.
Speaking at the event organised by the Ijaw National Development Group on Friday, Diezani stressed the need for mentorship of Ijaw youths.
The former minister said, “The ones that have swag, the Yahoo Yahoo boys as my son would say; these in short, are the role models they are looking at. These are the ones that reinforce negative societal norms and values.
“This is a travesty of an unfolding tragedy for us. Why have I spent time talking about fatherless homes and the impact it has on our children? The truth of the matter is that an irresponsible boy tends to become an irresponsible man and it is therefore a vicious cycle. If you plant yam, you cannot harvest plantain.”
Diezani said there are no shortcuts to progressing in life, adding that only hard work could guarantee success.

The former minister added, “There are no shortcuts to working your way up the ladder of life. Progressing in life, in work and relationships – marital or otherwise – is always dependent on consistent effort and hard work.
“As we create more responsible young men, we will generate more responsible fathers which will in turn engender a more sustainable society and build a greater nation of successful Ijaw men and women.”
She said societal values had collapsed mainly because of weak family bonds caused by broken homes.
She said in some instances, children raised by single parents do well in life but it should not be the norm that children should be brought up by single parents.

Diezani thanked her former boss, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, for empowering women during his tenure.
The videos were posted on Twitter by blogger, Jackson Ude, who is also the publisher of Point Blank News.

@punchnewspap

We are targeting electrification of five million households with solar power - VP Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment towards making the country better for Nigerians.

 

Speaking at a Virtual Presidential Policy Dialogue Session organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Vice President said that while the Buhari-led administration is focusing on key areas like agriculture, housing, manufacturing, they will also expand to cultivation and agro processing.

 

He said; 

 

“We are to create jobs and boost our national housing programme. We would be intentional in the support of manufacturers in using our local raw materials. We are seriously engaging the use of cement in building our roads, as it will be cheaper for us and more durable.

“We are targeting electrification of five million households with solar power, and we are supporting SMEs, especially in the pharmaceuticals to enhance the production of personal protective equipment.”

China to support Joe Biden while Russia wants Trump to win 2020 US presidential election: New intelligence report reveals

According to a new intelligence report by the US intelligence agencies released on Sunday,  August 9, China will influence the upcoming 2020 presidential elections to favour Democratic candidate Joe Biden while the Russian government favors a Trump re-election.

 

According to the report, global powers China and Russia are in position to interfere with proceedings to ensure that their pick seals the White House position.

 

The report alleges China want to remove 'unpredictable' Trump as tensions between Washington and Beijing have intensified during the first term of the Trump administration due to the Coronavirus pandemic plus other issues while Russia wants to discredit Joe Biden with their own interests in mind.

"Ahead of the 2020 US elections, foreign states will continue to use covert and overt influence measures in their attempts to sway US voters' preferences and perspectives, shift US policies, increase discord in the United States, and undermine the American people's confidence in our democratic process," said William Evanina, who leads the National Counterintelligence and Security Center

 

Evanina also said that tactics that could be used, as well as the spread of disinformation and propaganda, include attempts at compromising equipment used in the election. This could be either to alter the result in their favor or to give a false impression that the results have been tampered with.

 

While speaking to congress, she also revealed another player in the up I ng elections was Iran, saying the Islamic Republic aims to spread disinformation to divide the country and hurt the chances of Trump to remain in power.

Trump's and Biden's campaign have both denied soliciting for foreign help.

 

Tony Blinken, Biden's campaign senior advisor says Biden "has led the fight against foreign interference for years, and has refused to accept any foreign materials intended to help him in this election," adding that this is "something that Donald Trump and his campaign have repeatedly failed to do."

 

Trump's reelection campaign spokesman, Tim Murtaugh, said;

"We don't need or want foreign interference, and President Trump will beat Joe Biden fair and square."

From Lindaikejiblog