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British leavers and remainers as polarised as ever, survey finds

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British leavers and remainers as polarised as ever, survey finds

Brexit divisions in UK society appear to be as entrenched as ever, according to the latest British social attitudes survey, with little sign that the issue is losing its polarising force. Nine in 10 of leave and remain voters said they would vote the same way again, it found.

Although Britain’s departure from the EU pushed overall public trust and confidence in government to its highest level for more than a decade, the survey reveals that this surge in support for the UK political system came almost entirely from leave voters – with remainers as disillusioned as they were previously.

The survey co-author Sir John Curtice said the latest findings contained little to indicate that Brexit wounds were healing. “As a result, Britain is left divided between one half of the country who now feel better about how they are being governed and another half who, relatively at least, are as unhappy as they have ever been.”

The annual poll is Britain’s longest-running tracker of public opinions, building up a comprehensive and authoritative picture of how the country’s attitudes and expectations have evolved over the past four decades across a diverse range of moral, social and political issues.

The survey found that the pandemic pushed public concern over inequality to its highest level since 1998, as well as raising support for welfare benefits and public spending, but it concluded there was little evidence so far that Covid had proved a “reset” moment that indicated widespread desire for radical social or political change.

The rise in support for progressive views on these issues was an extension of existing changes over several years rather than an abrupt shift in attitudes caused by Covid. “These trends do not signify a new direction in the public mood. Rather, in many ways the pandemic has reinforced opinions and attitudes that had already become increasingly common in Britain in recent years,” said Curtice.

Nonetheless, there was a sharp rise in 2020 in the proportion of 18- to 44-year-olds who thought Britain was unequal and favoured the rich. Younger adults were also more likely than older cohorts to agree that the government should redistribute income from the better-off to the less well-off – and this could have lasting effects, the survey said.

“It may be that the exposure [young people] have had during the pandemic to relatively high levels of precarity in their early adult years will prove a formative experience that leaves a legacy of a more egalitarian generation – only future survey research will affirm whether or not that proves to be the case,” it concluded.

The most recent poll of 4,000 British adults was carried out by the National Centre for Social Research between October and December 2020, with an additional survey of 2,400 adults conducted in July 2020.

Getting Brexit “done” had marginally reinvigorated overall trust levels in the UK political system – which had hit a record low in 2019. But this mainly reflected a major shift in the attitudes of Eurosceptics, who were for the first time more likely than remainers to agree that “governments put the nation’s needs before party interests”.

The reversal of some of the damage to trust in government caused by Brexit deadlock “might be regarded as a development to be welcomed” if democracy was to function effectively, the survey said, though it added: “Restoring the trust and confidence of remain voters looks as though it is still very much a work in progress.”

While few respondents who voted in the 2016 referendum appeared to have changed their view in the intervening five years, there was evidence of a shift among those who had not participated. More than twice as many (43%) in this group said they would now vote remain rather than back leave (18%).

Trust in government had been in decline for decades, the survey said. In 1987, 47% of respondents said they trusted government to put the needs of the nation above party interests “most of the time”. This slid to a 15% low in 2019 amid parliamentary wrangling over the UK’s exit from Europe, before recovering to 23% in 2020.

This recovery, however, was largely on the back of leave voters, 31% of whom expressed trust in government, up from 12% in 2019. Remain voters largely distrusted government in 2019 (14%) and this view had changed little (17%) a year later.

The debates around inequality sparked off by the pandemic caused a small shift in public attitudes. Nearly two-thirds (64%) agreed that “ordinary working people do not get their fair share of the nation’s wealth” – seen as a proxy for levels of concern over inequality. This was up from 57% in 2019, and the highest level since 1998.

However, this was not accompanied by markedly increased support for the redistribution of wealth from rich to poor. The survey found that 46% agreed with redistribution – up from 39% in 2019 – but the number disagreeing increased too, from 27% in 2019 to 30%.

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Development

Abiodun Promises More Infrastructural Development, Commissions Siun-Owode Road

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Yemi Sanusi; a member of the House of Representatives, Olumide Osoba; Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdul-Rahman Abdul-Razaq; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his Deputy, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon Oludaisi Elemide, during the commissioning of the 6km Siun-Owode Road in Obafemi Owode Local Government area of Ogun State on Thursday.

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun on Thursday said his government will continue with its infrastructural drive, especially in the area of road construction as a catalyst for economic growth and development.

Abiodun spoke at the commissioning of the six kilometres (first phase) of the Siun-Owode-Ofada road in the Obafemi Owode Local Government of the state.

Speaking at the event, which was attended by the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahaman AbdulRasak, Governor Abiodun emphasized the importance of road construction in the overall development of the state.

The governor described the newly rehabilitated road as an alternative to the ever busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, adding that it would also impact positively on the socio-economic development of communities along the road.

He said the construction of the road was a testimony to the dedication to strategic and methodical development of infrastructure across the state to enhance the socio-economic landscape as enshrined in the “Building our Future Together” agenda of his administration.

“The road represents a vital link between communities to boost local economies and connect all those coming from Abeokuta to Siun, Owode up to Mowe. This local government is where people work in Lagos but reside and commune daily.

“The road is an alternative for people from Abeokuta to Lagos. It will significantly impact the socio-economy development of the state,” the governor noted.

He added that the road is the first to be commissioned this year, just as the Mowe-Ofada road has been completed, adding that his administration would soon commissioned more roads including the Ilaro -Owode road and the Gateway International Cargo Airport at Ilisan.

Governor Abiodun listed Obantoko, Gbonogun, Ikorita Meje-Aderinde-Olokotutu, Olomore-Sanni, Somorin- Kemta-Idi-Aba, Panseke-Adigbe as well as the Olusegun Osoba-Toyin- Agbado as some of the roads that have been attended to in Ogun Central Senatorial District, even as he pledged that more roads would be put in good shape soon.

Abiodun who spoke on why some road projects were delayed, blaming the development on the high price of construction materials.

He said: “We have had a slow down on construction due to the situation of things in the country in the last few months which has not allowed for objective pricing of construction materials.

“But for us, construction represents a lot. Besides the fact that road construction allows for movement of goods, services, and people, the construction industry is the largest employer of labour. So, we will continue to prioritize construction.

“We have harvested priority roads in each local government area. We will begin our reconstruction all over again as a result of the price stability. Our contractors will go back to sites. All the roads harvested during our last town hall meetings, you will begin to see construction on the roads.”

He called on the people to take ownership of the road and other infrastructure provided by the government by protecting them as they were commonwealth and taxes were used in providing them.

The Kwara State Governor, who is also the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrasak, praised Governor Abiodun for the infrastructural revolution going on in the state.

According to him, the Abiodun-led administration has judiciously invested the commonwealth of the people.

He said he has visited other states in the country but was impressed with the level of development in Ogun State.

He called on his colleagues from other parts of the country to take a cue from Ogun State by providing their people with the needed infrastructure to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

The Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Shuaib Afolabi Salis, recalled that the road was pencilled down for reconstruction in 2022 and expressed appreciation to the governor, for not abandoning the road like his predecessors.

He called on the people to make good use of the road as it belongs to them.

The state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Yemi Sanusi, described the road as historic to the Egba people because of its interconnectivity to various communities and its importance to the commercial activities in the communities along the road.

The Chairman, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Hon. Adesina Ogunsola appreciated the state government for reconstructing the road and for providing a 7.5 KVA transformer to Owode to restore power to the town.

In his welcome address, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya said the road, which was in bad shape for many years, was reconstructed with a standard drainage system to conform with the federal government’s specification for highways.

The event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the Deputy Dovernor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, former deputy governors, members of the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, party stalwarts, among others.

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GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA NOMINATES 12 NEW COMMISSIONERS

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa

The Governor of Ondo State, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has nominated twelve individuals for the position of Commissioner with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of governance and fostering continued progress across various sectors

According to a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the announcement underscores Governor Aiyedatiwa’s unwavering commitment to fortifying the state’s leadership framework. The nominees, representing a diverse range of talents and expertise, have been selected based on their demonstrated dedication to the advancement of Ondo State.

The list of nominees, forwarded by Governor Aiyedatiwa to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Honorable Olamide Oladiji, includes: Pastor Segun Ayerin, Mr. Olaolu Akindolire, Alhaji Hamidu Takuro, Dr. Banji Ajaka,
Mr. Boye Ologbese, Mr. Sunday Akinwalere, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, Mr. Rasheed Badmus, Mr. Olayato Aribo, Mr. Adewale Akinlosotu and Barrister Gbenga Olaniyi

Each nominee brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and dedication to public service, underscoring Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to assembling a proficient and capable team.

Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized his confidence in the nominees’ capabilities to serve the state diligently. He urged the House of Assembly to expedite the confirmation process, recognizing the significance of having a fully constituted executive team to address the needs and aspirations of the people of Ondo State effectively.

As the state embarks on this pivotal phase of governance, Governor Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and inclusive decision-making processes that prioritize the welfare and progress of all citizens.

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Kano State Government subsidises Hajj fares

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has extended a helping hand to intending pilgrims by subsidising their Hajj fares.

Under the auspices of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, each Kano intending pilgrim is set to receive N500,000 to facilitate their journey for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

The Director General of the Board, Alhaji Lamin Rabiu Dan Baffa, announced this while addressing journalists on Wednesday.

Dan Baffa emphasised that the decision was prompted by the recent hike in Hajj fares by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, attributed to the volatility of the forex exchange rate.

Acknowledging the prevailing economic hardships, Dan Baffa underscored the significance of easing the financial burden on intending pilgrims.

He urged all beneficiaries to settle the balance before March 28, 2024, in compliance with NAHCON’s directives.

He said the subsidy initiative targets those who have already initiated part-payments with the board, benefiting over 2,900 intending pilgrims thus far.

NAHCON’s recent announcement of a N1,918,032.91 increase in Hajj fares brings the total to N6,617,032.91. Fresh intending pilgrims are required to pay N8,254,464.74 for the full Hajj fare this year.

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