text
stringlengths 149
496k
| link
stringlengths 13
1.69k
| token_count
int64 38
116k
| section
stringclasses 19
values | int_score
int64 0
5
| language
stringclasses 48
values | language_probability
float64 0.12
1
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Infinix Note 30 5G will feature JBL-powered stereo surround sound.
- The handset will come with a 108MP high-resolution camera.
- The Infinix Note 30 will feature a leather finish, triple cameras, and probably an aluminium side frame.
Infinix Note 30 5G is set to debut in India around mid-June. Now, the company has confirmed the phone will feature JBL-powered stereo surround sound, which is touted to take entertainment to new heights. Besides this, the phone is confirmed to feature a 108MP high-resolution camera. The handset will arrive with a new film mode for shooting videos with a cinematic flair and a super night mode for low-light images. The Infinix Note 30 5G is expected to come as a successor to the Note 20 5G.
In addition to announcing these features, Infinix has also released the Note 30 5G’s render, which shows the complete rear design.
Infinix Note 30 5G design
- The Infinix Note 30 5G has a leather back panel, which looks quite premium, especially in the Orange colour.
- The SIM tray section can be seen on the left edge.
- We also see the rectangular module that houses dual circular rings, which have triple camera sensors and an LED flash.
- The Infinix Note 30 5G appears to have an aluminium frame, which is in Gold colour complementing the Orange leather finish.
- The front portion of the design is under wraps, but we believe there could be a punch-hole cutout for the selfie snapper and narrow bezels.
Infinix Note 30 5G features
- The new Note Series with ‘Sound By JBL’ will deliver enhanced audio with distortion-free volume, deeper bass, and JBL’s signature sound that users will enjoy, especially when listening to music or watching videos.
- As for the cameras, besides the 108MP camera, the Note 30 5G is expected to include a dual-view feature of recording videos simultaneously from the front and rear cameras.
- This is claimed to give customers a unique and immersive feel. | https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/infinix-note-30-5g-camera-specs- | 450 | null | 1 | en | 0.999979 |
•Golden lift… Amahala lifts for gold in Glassgow Friday. Photos: AFP
By Ben Efe
Nigeria’s medal’s prospects brightened yesterday, with Chika Amalaha winning Nigeria’s first gold in the women 53kg weightlifting event.
The 16 year0old heaved a combined weight of 196kg to clinch the gold in the keenly contested event. Amalaha defeated Paupa New Guinea’s Dika Toua with just three points, while India’s Santoshi Masta won bronze with 188kg. The event continues today with the men taking their turn to dig for gold.
Nigeria’s Nkechi Opara had won bronze on the opening day of the weightlifting event in the 48kg category.
However, the joy of winning gold was subdued as the country’s athletes were still expecting their kits. Amalaha competed in ‘mufti’ and this remained a subject of discussion in the camp of the Nigerian delegation.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/commonwealth-games- | 234 | null | 1 | en | 0.999941 |
April 22, 2020 by The Nation
ASUU rejects submission of BVN as condition for payment of withheld salaries
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it has rejected the submission of Bank Verification Number (BVN) as a condition for payment of February and March withheld salaries of lectures in the Federal Universities.
Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Federal Government on Tuesday in a statement has approved the payment of February and March withheld salaries of lecturers in universities, who were yet to enroll on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
NAN recalls that ASUU had embarked on an indefinite strike on March 23, over failure of the government to address outstanding issues raised in the FGN-ASUU 2019 Memorandum of Action and the objections of ASUU to IPPIS.
ASUU had rejected the application of force on its members to join the IPPIS in spite of its offer of a more credible alternative to IPPIS.
According to Ogunyemi, we have been told that the Federal Government has approved the payment of withheld salaries of our members for the month of February and March.
“We appreciate Mr President for doing that, however, withholding February and and March salaries was unnecessary in the first place.
“In the second place, the issue is the condition attached to it, which does not go down well with our members, which is the supply of their BVN.
“Our members are being paid in the past without asking for their BVN.
“So, we have reasons to suspect that this is an indirect way to get us back to IPPIS, which our members rejected.
“So, these are things we are going to clarify with the government whenever we are called for a meeting,” he said.(NAN) | https://thenationonlineng.net/ASUU-rejects-submission-of-bvn-as- | 407 | null | 1 | en | 0.999985 |
By Tunde Oso
An ex-militant leader and National Coordinator of National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Eshanekpe Israel, a.k.a Akpodoro, has urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, to emulate the leadership style of former governor of the oil-rich state, Chief James Ibori, especially as he is touted to being his political godfather.
Akpodoro in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, lamented that Governor Okowa was sidelining those who worked for his second term emergence, which include members of his coalition, noting that, ‘Okowa’s godfather’ didn’t lead the state in the style the Ika-born medical doctor-turned politician is running the affairs of the state.
According to Akpodoro, who is also the Coordinator of the Urhobo Youth Forum for Change, UYFC, he alleged that the governor doesn’t see the state beyond his Ika kinsmen.
The former agitator said his coalition worked to ensure Okowa’s victory at the polls in 2019 only for the governor to sideline him and members of his group.
He called on the people of Delta State to rally support for Urhobo gubernatorial candidate in 2023, so as to wrest power from ‘cabal’, who he accused of emasculating other ethnic groups, particularly the Urhobo nation.
“The time has come for the people of the oil-rich state to show the current administration that Deltans and by extension, the Urhobos are not fools. We have the numerical strength in Urhobo land to decide who rules the state.
“In as much as we need other ethnic groups to succeed in our political drive, the Urhobos has the capacity to make bold system and shame our transducers. Nobody knows it all like the governor erroneously thinks, we shall work with other ethnic nations in the state to achieve our aim of capturing power in 2023.”
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/01/emulate-your-godfather-ibori-on-equitable- | 453 | null | 1 | en | 0.999922 |
July 28, 2016 by The Nation
Woman gives birth without being aware of pregnancy
19-year old woman Mutiat Abiona has given birth to a baby girl without knowing that she was pregnant all through nine-month pregnancy period.
She delivered the baby at Ilu Iboro, on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway when she went to visit a relative. The baby weighs 4.0kg.
According to an eyewitness, Mutiat at the relative’s place complained of stomach pain and before the people knew what was happening, signs of a baby’s impending arrival were seen.
“They quickly partitioned a side of the house with clothes and delivered the woman of the baby. She gave birth to the baby beside the wall there. In fact, they used blade to cut the umbilical cord,” he said.
Neighbours, who were surprised by the development called for a nearby doctor’s assistance.
Before the doctors’ arrival, she was attended to by some midwives.
“On arrival, two doctors just cleaned up the baby. They were from the General Hospital. I was with her when she had the baby. They went to greet someone there when she started having contractions. She had a baby boy and he weighed 4.0kg.
It was the women who live in the house that attended to her when the contractions started,” he said.
She denied having knowledge of the pregnancy but admitted having a boyfriend who she gave his name as Lekan, a 20-year-old brick layer.
According to her, she usually met Lekan at Akeola Street on the Expressway whenever she visited her Aunt on weekends.
“You can imagine, neither she nor her Lekan boyfriend knew about the pregnancy. This is surprising,” he said.
Mutiat’s mother, who was at the scene, corroborated her daughter’s claim, saying they had gone to do some tests in the hospital and they were told that there was nothing in her womb.
“From my investigations, she told me that she always met the guy every weekend when she went to her aunt’s place. She lives with me and throughout these last nine months, there was no sign of the pregnancy. She still wrote the last November/December West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). She did not know that she was pregnant,” she said.
However, a medical doctor Monsurah Kadri described the incident as nothing new.
Dr Kadri said “it is not a new occurrence.”
“We do see it. It is possible that her stomach would not bulge. She would notice some bodily changes but the fact that she does not have people who are really observant would not make her think along that line.
“When some people despite being pregnant, still see some blood, they may think they are on their period but it is not.
“She also did not go for ante-natal. So, there would be no cause to screen her. There was a case we had when I was still in the university. The patient denied all the questions posed to her. It was when her stomach was opened up that we saw uterus bulging. Nobody thought of pregnancy. Her parents were worried about her because nobody knew what was wrong. Unfortunately, they didn’t do pregnancy test.
“Since she didn’t have older people experience enough to notice those subtle changes, she could not have known. Also, being a teenager, it is common among them. Even if she notices that she is getting fatter, she may be doing many things to hide it. It is not strange,” the doctor explained. | http://thenationonlineng.net/woman-gives-birth-without-aware- | 783 | null | 1 | en | 0.999985 |
November 16, 2022 by The Nation
No going back on no work, no pay for lecturers – FG
Despite the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) protest against payment of alleged incomplete October salary, the Federal Government, on Wednesday, insisted it would not pay for works not done.
Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, expressed Federal Government’s position on renewed face-off with ASSU after the week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Journalists had asked the Minister to speak to the insistence by the lecturers to embark on a work-free-day in protest of the Federal Government’s decision to pay its members pro-rata, accusing government of attempting to turn university lecturers to ‘casual workers’.
But responding to questions, Adamu said: “The strike has been called off and the government has paid them what is due to them. I think that’s the position of the government; that it is not going to pay anyone for work not done and they only did, I think, the number of days that they were paid.
“How can anybody make a university lecturer a casual… Do you know the meaning of casual worker? If you know the meaning of the casual worker, it is impossible to make a university lecturer a casual worker.”
Asked if the Federal Government would be willing to take steps to assuage the ASUU and stave off further hostilities, the Minister said: “I don’t understand, is there any problem now?”.
Told they planned work-free-day, he said: “Oh? Okay, I’m not aware. I’m not aware. That they are going on strike? No, nobody has told me.
“So let’s wait till the work-free-day comes, then I’ll find out the details and we’ll discuss, you can ask me then, but at the moment, I’m telling you honestly, I do not know that there is a problem”, he said.
Asked to shed light on the claim by the President of the ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodoke, that the union only had an agreement with the Minister of Education and Speaker Femi Gbajabiamiala, not with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Adamu said: “I cannot add any light on something that I did not know.
“And since they said they have no business with the Minister of … Did they show you the agreement? Well, I’m not aware that there’s any agreement between us,” he said. | https://thenationonlineng.net/no-going-back-on-no-work-no-pay-for-lecturers- | 583 | null | 1 | en | 0.999954 |
By Rotimi Fasan
IT would be interesting to know what finally happened to convince Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank governor, that it was time to reconsider his single-minded pursuit of the January 31 deadline for the withdrawal of old naira bills from circulation.
Shortly after the change in decision was announced, cheeky Nigerians circulated a photograph of Emefiele and a woman holding a microphone, probably his wife, with her hand across the neck of an apparently happy Emefiele seated at a table during a ceremony. An accompanying message to this image requested appreciation for this lady, who is probably the real power behind the CBN Governor’s throne.
The truth behind the entire message may be no more than to establish the influence of women (be they spouses, daughters, etc.) behind powerful men. We all see this point at play in the recent history of the American presidency, where, Ivanka Trump, one of Donald Trump’s adult children, is acknowledged for her influence on her father.
There’s nothing strange or untoward, therefore, in the claim about Godwin Emefiele and his wife. Even his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, is not totally impervious to the influence of his wife, Aisha. She has been known in the past to do battle with those she considered interlopers in the corridors of Aso Rock Villa, even locking some of them out.
Patience Jonathan, Turai Yar’Adua, and even Stella Obasanjo were former first ladies known to have wielded some influence over their husbands. So, whoever is that woman in the photograph with Godwin Emefiele, Nigerians send their appreciative thanks.
But beyond the influence of any daughter of Eve, Emefiele had been under tremendous pressure to change track on his CBN decision to put a three-month deadline between the introduction of the newly coloured naira bills and the withdrawal of the old bills. During that time, he had been accused and later exonerated of the charge of sponsoring terrorism, gone into hiding, and returned to a warm handshake and photo-op with President Buhari, from what was reframed as his annual vacation, thus dousing immediately the tension that had built up in his absence. He had hardly settled in to his job when he was summoned by the House of Representatives, whose Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, had threatened to order his arrest should he once again ignore the summons to appear before the House.
The sword of Gbajabiamila dangling over Emefiele’s head must have swung elsewhere after he bowed to pressure. Virtually every person and group of some influence had in turn cajoled, begged and threatened Emefiele about his deadline, but he had stayed his course and ignored all entreaties.
Nobody knew who his advisers were or where he got his courage from. On his return to Abuja to resume duty about a fortnight ago, it was clear he had enjoyed the unstinting support of President Buhari. He was soon to accompany him on a rather routine and insignificant trip to Senegal, perhaps, just to prove to doubters that he was not only in the good books of the president but equally chummy with him.
He was rubbing that point in for his critics, and Buhari, who is no stranger to the kind of criticism that disdains a response such as Emefiele had been treated to lately, appears to share in the latter’s secret pleasure and derisive mistreatment of Nigerians. As the deadline drew nearer and the criticism got louder, so did Emefiele and President Buhari doubled down and refused to consider the desperate pleas of Nigerians.
The pressure worked despite the duo’s stance. It was probably such that Emefiele couldn’t bear to wait until Monday before going before the cameras on a Sunday morning to announce an extension of the deadline by 10 days, to wit: from January 31 to February 10, with a so-called “period of grace” for Nigerians to return their old naira bills, though no longer legal tender, for new ones without any liability.
So much for all the drama that started in November. But then, the trouble is not over. The CBN’s approach to the withdrawal of old naira bills had made it clear that the deadline would be missed. If it had a good policy in place (just in case), its execution was poor in the extreme, in addition to being in bad taste.
The most persuasive justification for the extension of the deadline is the fact that even the banks continued to dispense the supposedly old bills from their available cash withdrawal points. Nigerians would go to banks with bags full of old bills, only to be dispensed freshly minted cash in the old bills at ATMs and other cash withdrawal points. This is in addition to the fact that in many parts of the country, including the insurgency-ravaged regions, there is no semblance of governance, much less the existence of banks to deposit or withdraw cash.
Why did it take almost the eve of the expiration of the CBN deadline for Emefiele to acknowledge this as he did in his speech announcing the extension? What kind of sadness was behind his and the President’s attitude? Even though the CBN offered a number of justifications for “redesigning” the naira, it was laser-focused on just one: namely, to forestall any planned misuse of the naira by politicians that had allegedly stashed it away to influence the general elections slated for February and March 2023.
Besides this, nothing else counted, not even the pain of Nigerians who couldn’t find the new bills anywhere except at parties and the black market, where they had to use money, usually in the form of the old naira denominations, to buy (of all things!) money in the form of the so-called new bills. What type of trade has the CBN and the Buhari-led government brought upon Nigerians?
The president himself, in his rigid support of Emefiele, would seem more driven by vengeance and vendetta than anything else. It’s as if Buhari cannot do certain things without bringing an element of vindictiveness into them, even when there could be merit in the originating plan. The idea of changing the naira bills might have been motivated by good intentions aside from being a matter of national policy.
But the execution was intended to be punitive, perhaps against politicians; and besides this, nothing else matters. The same thing happened in 1984, when Buhari was a military dictator. That instinct to inflict pain and cause maximum damage, would appear to have motivated this latest gambit of the CBN and Buhari, amid the chaos of persistent fuel scarcity.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/02/buharis- | 1,453 | null | 1 | en | 0.999975 |
Governor Godwin Obaseki
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has hailed the selfless sacrifices made by officers and men of the Armed Forces to keep Nigeria one and said the country would not be divided.
Obaseki stated this on Thursday in Benin at the launching of the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem.
According to him, most Nigerians have benefited from the selfless sacrifices of members of the armed forces “from the first world War through our civil war till this day, where we are still losing patriots”.
He said that it was imperative to remember and appreciate the fallen heroes and the enormous courage of serving gallant soldiers.
“As a state and a country, we remain very optimistic that despite the threats of insecurity and banditry which we face as a country and a state, that we will overcome.
“We are hopeful that we will continue to secure our state and our country, because we have courageous people like you, who are ready to serve and sacrifice for the country.
“That is why we take event like this very seriously and to encourage the younger ones what sacrifices to the country means and also to encourage those of you who are in service that your efforts will not be in vain.
“This occasion also reminds us of the need to jealousy guard the unity of our country.
“We should not encourage the kind of rhetoric that we have been parading in this country today about the unity of our great country. Nigeria has come to stay, and Nigeria cannot and will not be divided.
“It has to be so, because people have paid a supreme sacrifice to keep this country together, and it will not be right or fair to do anything to make it look as if those people who fought for this country did not know what they were doing.”
The governor launched the Emblem with N10 million, pledged to replace the legion’s Hilux van and include the legion as part of the state’s security architecture.
“We need your services, we need people like you to help us improve the work being done by our local vigilantes across the various ward and local governments,’’ Obaseki said.
In his comments, the Speaker, Edo House of Assembly, Mr Marcus Onobun pledged 50 per cent of his salary to the legion while the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Tony Aziegbemi, donated N1 million.
In his remarks, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Mr Ignatius Enabulele, pledged their support to tackle insecurity in the state.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/12/nigeria-has-come-to-stay-says- | 562 | null | 1 | en | 0.999979 |
321 Chat - Alternate by TalkwithStranger
Were you looking for Best Chat Sites like 321 Chat - Alternate by TalkwithStranger or finding online free alternatives to 321 Chat - Alternate by TalkwithStranger or may be finding sites similar to 321 Chat - Alternate by TalkwithStranger ? TalkWithStranger is proud to write reviews and opinions on other chat sites like 321 Chat - Alternate by TalkwithStranger & 321 Chat - Alternate by TalkwithStranger Alternatives. Read more below and stay tuned with best chat sites of 2020.
Who doesn’t like meeting new and exciting people? Be it for dating or just as a friend with whom you can discuss your whole day, it is great to have someone to talk to. But with the advent of the internet, now dating or meeting new people have become even easier. It won’t be inaccurate to suggest that the internet has made dating and making friends easy and that is all due to online chatting and dating apps like 321 chat.
But what makes online dating chatting more fun and interesting?
The main reason behind this change in the overall trend of dating as well as meeting new people online is due to a number of reasons. The first and the foremost reason is that these sites offer a number of features that you cannot find in real life.
There are separate chat rooms for every personality type and for different preferences. For example, if you are looking to find a date for yourself, there are chat rooms for dating, even for different cultures like Latina chat rooms, Asian chat rooms and various others. There are a number of chat rooms where people with the same beliefs and religion can come together.
There are a number of reasons why using online platforms for chatting has become so popular in a matter of time. One of the top reasons for that is, there are a number of people who have an introverted personality. Due to this personality type, they are not able to strike up conversations with a total stranger. Lack of confidence or fear of being turned down is the main reason for shyness and introverted nature.
People are afraid of getting rejected or embarrassed in front of their friends or a stranger will turn them down. But that is not the case if you chat online. There is no pressure whatsoever. If you feel like you are suitable for each other, you can continue to chat. If not, then move on to the next stranger.
If you are wondering about some other reasons, here they are.
The top reason for the popularity of such platforms is that they are very convenient. With the passage of time a number of features were added like 321 chat and video calling, which made new friends even easier to connect with each other. Apart from that, you can now make friends from the comfort of your home. All you have to do is to just sign up with this website and start making friends right away.
Do you want to be the old soul in your group of friends?
People often don't like to be left behind in following the latest trends, they feel like it’s a necessity to fit in with their peer groups. People joined Orkut when it was first introduced is an active example of following the trend. Although most of us didn’t actually know what was the purpose behind it and joined in to follow the lot. Similarly, online chatting platforms are the latest trend for dating as well as making friends nowadays.
Don’t want to compromise on your privacy?
Another great benefit of choosing platforms like 321 chat is that they are completely secure with the availability of strict users' policy. All the chats are either under strict surveillance, or the people have the choice to report any sort of activity.
Therefore, if you do not feel comfortable while talking to someone, or a user is displaying explicit or prohibited content, you can report them accordingly. The website will take action against them or ban them from using the site.
As compared to other forms of communication like phone calls, text messages or video calls, such platforms offer their services almost free of cost. Even if there are some charges, then they are so minimal that you won’t even have to worry about the costs.
You cannot even think about using other services for making international calls. But with online chatting platforms, no matter what part of the world you belong to, you can make a totally free call to any country in the world.
So just click on 321 chat login and start making video and audio calls for free.
We have discussed a number of benefits of using online platforms for chatting, and getting connected with strangers for making new friends, online dating and a number of other things as well. The Internet is loaded with online platforms like such. But 321 chat is quite different from all others.
What do you think is the reason for this ?
The reason is that it offers a large number of different chat rooms. Due to this, there is a lot of diversity in the people that you can get connected to. Apart from that, it has also been providing online chatting services since 2002 and has always been among the top online chatting sites. Here are some of the most famous chat rooms that we have for different people.
We strive to provide a family friendly chat room service for all people. That is why, we have an age restriction for using different types of chat rooms. This specific chatroom is designed especially for adults. They can use it to get connected to their peers or meet new people online. It serves various purposes.
If you are looking for online dating, looking to make new friends, looking for people related to your field or any other person that you want to share something with. This chatroom is specifically designed for you. All you have to do is go to the 321 chat app download and start getting to know more people.
During teenage years, the body is filled with all those new hormones. You and your body are going through so many changes that you are confused. You feel like no one in the world understands what you are going through. That is why, teenagers are mostly frustrated or acting out. Therefore, you want to get in touch with people that can truly understand what you are going through. And who can understand you better than the people of your age?
So this chatroom is designed especially for teenagers, where they can get connected to other people from the same age groups. This chat room has a lot of options for chatting. For example, you can send gifs, emoji and a lot more to make your chatting fun through 321 free chat.
Every age group likes spending time with people of the same age. Therefore, this chat room has been designed for kids. This is a great way for the kids to learn new things about different cultures and countries. It broadens their horizons and makes them see different people as equals. The kids in their early years are like sponges. They absorb everything very quickly and adopt what others are doing around them.
321 chat room allows a connection to kids from other cultures. This opens them up to see others as their friends. They get a chance to rise above the basic differences like race and color, thus instilling human values among them. These values help in making them better human beings in later parts of their lives. Apart from all this, they don’t get a chance to take up bad habits from all the garbage that is available online, which pollutes young minds.
Like different chatrooms for different age groups, 321Chat has also designed a special chatroom for seniors as well. These days, everyone from kids to grownups are so busy in their daily routines. Due to this, they can’t take a lot of time out for the grandparents. So this chat room is an opportunity for them to get connected with people from their age groups and share different thoughts.
Talking to others alleviates your mood in seconds. That is why a lot of senior people suffer from depression and stress because they don’t get a chance to talk with strangers. 321 chat is a chance to get connected to people from their own age group. Where they talk about all they want, make new and interesting friends and discuss their life experiences by using 321 chat for seniors.
What makes 321 chat different from all other chatting websites is that it has thought about every type of group. Religion is a sensitive topic in all the countries across the world. People are very possessive about their religion. It offends them very easily when someone talks about religion.
The same is the case with people when making friends. A lot of people prefer to make friends that only belong to their religion and faith.
One of the main reasons this chat room especially is designed about different religions. People are free to select according to their faith. A great chance for Muslims to get connected to other Muslims, Christians to Christians and Jews to Jews.
So they can openly discuss various religious topics, without worrying about offending the other person because they know that they belong to the same faith.
We all talk about the freedom of thought and speech, but people are still scared to talk about their sexual orientation openly with their parents and family members. This causes a lot of depression and anxiety. Some people are still very homophobic. Different sexually orientated people have the freedom to choose. Especially it is perfect to enjoy lesbian chat as it is very easy to use.
Females get a chance to get connected to other females, who want to date lesbians. Gay men can look for other gay men who are online looking for a date or just for a fling. So this chat room is not only for straight men and women, but for people with different sexual orientations as well.
Transgender are one of the most neglected and overlooked community in all the cultures. Even though the world has changed with all the modernization and moderation practices, people still don't accept them as a part of their community.
They are still treated like outcasts. Therefore, this chatroom specially offers the transgender community a gateway to be together and share their thoughts and grievances with each other. It is a friendly and a supportive place, they can get together and have fun which unfortunately does not often happen in public.
As explained earlier, teenage is a difficult age for everyone. It gets even more difficult if you are gay. On top of all those hormones running around in your body, you also have to worry about discussing your sexual identity with others.
Even if someone does get to know about it, they might make fun of you. So this chatroom is designed to talk with gay teenagers. It is a chance to get connected to other teens that are gay. They can discuss what they are going through, which makes life a little bit easier. They can openly discuss their thoughts and interests and even get a chance to find an amazing friend through gay teen chat.
There are a number of benefits of using 321 chat. Enjoy the amazing features of 321 chat that we will discuss below:
A lot of online chatting platforms online are not very thoughtful regarding the privacy of their users. But that is not the case here. The site offers complete privacy of the users and also urges the users not to share their personal details or any critical information with other users. Apart from that, the site also does not require any credit card information or other details for signing up either.
Therefore, you can be assured that when you use this site, your privacy is completely secure. You can also see that in the various 321 chat reviews.
Another great benefit of using 321 chat is that the site is family friendly. This means that all the content is filtered on the website. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the kids using this site, it is completely secured.
There is an assigned 321chat moderator in 321 various chat rooms who keep all the conversations in check; it is their core responsibility. 321 chat moderator bans people sharing explicit content or violating any terms of agreement and blocks them from the site as well.
One of the greatest advantages of using this platform is that it has a very easy sign up procedure. As explained above, the chat rooms are designed by 321 chat moderators for different age groups and the sign up procedure is also very easy to follow. Any one belonging to any age group can easily sign up and start using the amazing services.
Like transgender and gays, black people have also suffered a lot of racial discrimination. They have always been thought of as slaves, which makes them think they were never given equal opportunities or rights. Even in this day and age, there are numerous cases like George Floyd, which is a clear picture that they are suffering from racial discrimination.
321chat offers a specific chat room for people from African descent, where they are connected to other Africans from different parts of the world. It is an excellent opportunity to get together, they can also raise a collective voice for their rights.
People from all different nationalities and descents like to get connected with people belonging to the same races. 321 chat an opportunity to be where you are more open and connected to people. This also offers you an opportunity to date people of the same race. In Spanish chat rooms, you can get connected to Hispanic and Latinas from different parts of the world. | https://talkwithstranger.com/chatsites/321-chat | 2,701 | null | 1 | en | 1 |
September 14, 2017 by The Nation
Workers get rice as strike dulls activities at BUK, UNILAG
Non-academic activities at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Bayero University, Kano (BUK) have been suspended as all the non-academic members of staff of the universities obeyed the call by their national unions to embark on a nationwide industrial action which started Monday.
Since then, members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association for Academic Technology (NAAT) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of both institutions, under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have only held meetings or forced their colleagues out of offices in a bid to enforce the strike.
When The Nation visited BUK campus on Monday, our reporter saw SSANU leaders distributing bags of Rice and gallons of vegetable oil to members as palliative measures against the strike.
SSANU Chairman, Comrade Haruna Aliyu said the strike was in the best interest of the public, workers and the education system and should not be misconstrued for personal and selfish interest.
“We have no option than to join our counterparts to press home our demands from the federal government who have deliberately refused to meet our 10-point demands even after we embarked on warning strike,” Haruna said.
As at the time of filing this report, the university had been deserted by students, lecturers, and non-academic staff while shops shut their businesses on campus.
At UNILAG, the Senate building, centre of the institution’s administration, was empty on Tuesday.
Security personnel stationed at the entrance of the building as well as the NASU, SSANU and NAAT members were on ground to make sure that no activity went on in the building.
Olugbenga Adenaya, Vice Chairman of SSANU, UNILAG branch, said they were there to monitor the strike to make sure that members complied.
He said the Federal Government had been paying N333.33k for allowance but the agreement was N15,000 for junior workers and N30,000 for senior workers, which had not been effected.
Comrade Ganiyu Adelagun Adeshina, NASU Chairman, said that the government was not bothered about the welfare of its workers.
Comrade Ajibade Kehinde NASU Chairman, UNILAG said; “we want the Federal Government to face its responsibilities and face the affected universities.”
He also said that the Federal Government sent a memo to the staff school teachers’ name to be removed from the payroll and that the Federal Government was taken to court and was asked to return the list of the staff school teachers back to its payroll but they are yet to comply.
Comrade Suleiman Lawal, Chairman of National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), said representatives of the committee of vice-chancellor, budget office, office of the Secretary of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Salary and Wages Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education and NUC were present during the agreement. | http://thenationonlineng.net/workers-get-rice-strike-dulls- | 653 | null | 1 | en | 0.999908 |
1st July, 2022
By Ramatu Garba
A Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Abdullahi Liman, on Friday restrained the Kano State Government from borrowing N10 billion for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras.
A coalition of NGOs, the Kano First Forum (KFF) filed a motion exparte dated June 27, sworn by the Director-General of the Association Dr Yusuf Isyaka-Rabiu.
KFF through its counsel, led by Mr Badamasi Suleiman-Gandu, prayed the court to restrain Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano from borrowing N10 billion loan.
Other respondents in the suit are the Attorney General of Kano State, Commissioner of Finance Kano and Speaker Kano State House of Assembly.
Others are Access Bank, Federal Ministry of Finance, Debt Management Office and Fiscal Responsibility Commission.
Justice Liman granted the prayers of KFF and restrained the first respondent from borrowing the N10 billion loan and ordered all parties to maintain status quo.
He also ordered the plaintiff to serve Federal Ministry of Finance, Debt Management office and Fiscal Responsibility Commission with the order and other court processes.
KFF is challenging the Governor of Kano State from borrowing the sum of N10 billion on the grounds of non-compliance with rules and regulations governing loan transaction.
The applicants in their prayers challenged the state government for not complying with Debt Management Office establishment Act 2003, fiscal responsibility Act 2007 and laws of Kano State 1968.
The adjourned date would be later communicated to both parties in the suit.
NAN reports that the State House of Assembly had on June 15 approved Ganduje’s request to access N10 billion from Access Bank | https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2022/07/01/you-cant-borrow-n10bn-for-cctv- | 364 | null | 1 | en | 0.999857 |
August 10, 2019 by The Nation
How 10 year-old girl was impregnated and gave birth through caesarean
Miss Masenengen Targba, a 10 year-old Tiv girl from Guma Local Government Area in Benue can said to be an unfortunate female child, as life has not been kind to her.
Miss Targba lost her father at the age of five and her young mother immediately re- married another man.
Attempt by Miss Targba to co- habitate with her stepfather and mother ended in fiasco as she was severely maltreated beyond description,while her mother could not protect her .
When the suffering became unbearable, Miss Targba had no choice than to wonder into the streets of North Bank area of Makurdi, the capital city of Benue, where she begged from house to house looking for daily bread.
The Nation gathered from some of her close relations that some times she slept with people just to feed her self .
Finally, she met a 17 year-old boy, Terna Tags, a Senior Secondary School 1 student in Nassarawa state in December last year, who had sex with her and got her pregnant at the age of 10 .
The matter would have been swept under the carpet but when it became clear that Miss Targba was in a painful labour, her neighbour’s became afraid, thinking that she may die, they immediately took her to General hospital in North Bank and disappeared.
But the nurses observed that she can only deliver through caesarean and nobody or relation was present to buy the basic needs of a pregnant woman who was in labour.
The general hospital staff raised alarm .
Some one posted her condition on Facebook and a Social Media Activist and Humanitarian, Ukan Kurugh saw the post and followed it up by moving the girl to a more standard private hospital called Foundation Hospital in Makurdi.
There was an uproar as the man who impregnated her was no where to be found, but police launched a manhunt and he was arrested and detained at by CID at the State Police Command Headquarters in Makurdi.
The 10 year-old gave birth to a baby girl through a caesarean operation in Foundation Hospital with the effort of Dr Mdichael Ejiko, at 12 midnight .
Parading the suspect before newsmen, the man responsible for the pregnancy told newsmen that the girl came into his room twice to beg money for food before she made love to her on the third time last December .
He also admitted that he did not rape the girl as she gave her consent.
He further told newsmen that at the time he had sex with her, Targba was not a virgin, but he was ready to take responsibility as a good husband.
Police spokes person, Kate Sewuese Anene said investigations is still in progress.
Meanwhile the hospital where Targba delivered had been taken over by security personnel and journalist barred from speaking to her .
Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has also taken over the matter as the girl is under their care and custody. | https://thenationonlineng.net/how- | 635 | null | 1 | en | 0.999893 |
December 31, 2020 by The Nation
Glo creates more channels for NIN/SIM update
NEW channels for telecommunication subscribers to link their National Identity Number (NIN) with their SIM cards have been announced by Globacom. The announcement which was made in Lagos by the telecommunications provider, was to enable its customers seamlessly complete the update process in compliance with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The expanded channels entail the following: “Firstly, our customers can simply text their NIN to 109. Alternatively, they may dial *109# or *109*your NIN# directly. Customers can also call 109 to update their NIN via voice call.” The company stated in its announcement.
“Customers who do not have their NIN can dial *346# to retrieve the number if they have already registered with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), while those yet to register are reminded to visit any NIN enrolment center to get one.” Globacom further said.
Read Also: Making sense of global trauma
These new measures are part of the company’s commitment to ensuring that customers have an uninterrupted experience on its network, and is also a demonstration of its support for the regulators efforts to create a secure and sustainable industry.
All Globacom subscribers with further enquiries are encouraged to contact any of its customer contact channels or visit https://www.gloworld.com/ng/nin for further support. | https://thenationonlineng.net/glo-creates-more-channels-for-nin-sim- | 306 | null | 1 | en | 0.999907 |
June 6, 2022 by The Nation
TB Joshua: SCOAN worshippers celebrate founder’s first memorial, legacies
One-year after the demise of Prophet Temitope Babatunde Joshua, known as TB Joshua, his followers yesterday thronged the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun, Lagos, to celebrate his legacies.
The event, also attended by followers from diverse foreign nations, was filled with nostalgia of glamorous and spirit-filled worship in the people, as it was during the days of TB Joshua.
The church has been operating on low-key since the passing on of the founder, in honour of the departed preacher and philanthropist.
The service had the theme: “Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Prophet TB Joshua”.
It featured some Nigerian celebrities, including popular comedian Ali Baba, K C Brown and Tee Mac, who entertained people.
Many foreign gospel ministers who also attended the service included Pastor Freyle from Colombia, Pastor William Ghaltas from Bethlehem, Pastor Obispo Elvis from the Dominican Republic and Bishop Trevor Williamson and wife from Bahamas.
Others included Pastor Bernard Mulder of South Africa and Bishop Steven Ogedengbe from Nigeria.
Wife of the late prophet, Evelyn, at the event, revealed that she fought like every other woman for her husband’s love and attention.
On the challenges of being wife to such a personality, she said she once walked into his office resolutely one Sunday and told the late prophet that, “Look, you will not attend to anyone today but me.’
Subsequently, she said they began to dialogue and it was Mama Akinola, one of the two oldest women members of the church who saved the day.
“Her motherly advice kept me from the part of error”, she said.
She singled out another woman, Mrs. Felicia Olowofeyeku, whom she said always responded to her grievances with the line: “‘Are there not more important things than this?”
“In truth, when I look back, there were indeed more important things than those things,” she said.
Notably, she had earlier revealed how she met Prophet Joshua a vegetarian and how that constituted a major challenge to her.
“I told him, but all these things you don’t eat, I eat them. Today, by the grace of God, I am a vegetarian.”
“With him, I learnt tolerance, perseverance, understanding and forgiveness. All those things have helped to shape my Christian life.”
She also revealed that she was the first Sunday School teacher of the church.
Apart from the Museum that was to be unveiled later at the event, Mrs. Joshua stated that one of the church’s next biggest attention will be to complete its prayer mountain in Arigidi in Ondo State.
She said that was one of the late prophet’s biggest dreams.
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Special Assistant on Christian Affairs, Rev Bukola Adeleke, congratulated Mrs. Joshua for preserving the memory of her husband and especially on the inauguration of the museum.
Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Ayedatiwa, representing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu brought Mrs. Joshua and the congregation greetings from the governor and the good people of Ondo State.
Deputy Speaker of Cross River State, Joseph Bassey, also delivered message from his state governor and people, stressing: “As long as God lives, Synagogue Church of All Nations will not die.”
He promised to come to the church to give testimony after the election.
Worshippers at the event also prayed for God’s direction on the leadership of the church.
TB Joshua, Nigerian pastor, televangelist, philanthropist, leader and founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations, passed on June 5, 2021 at the age of 57.
He would have been 58 on June 12, 2021. | https://thenationonlineng.net/tb-joshua-scoan-worshippers-celebrate- | 861 | null | 1 | en | 0.999861 |
By Dele sobowale
“Justice is a machine that, when someone has given it a push, rolls on by itself” – John Galsworthy, 1867-1933, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p 111.
Perhaps in the midst of the multitudes of issues dividing this nation, especially religion, politics, ethnicity, regionalism, economic inequality etc, it might appear audacious to bring another contentious issue up for debate — particularly, when it is at the moment not a popular view across Nigeria.
However, the question of Igbo presidency pre-dated all of our current problems and will probably outlast all of them – if it is allowed to linger.
Most of us seem to have forgotten that Boko Haram started in 2009; herdsmen were harmless individuals moving around with their cattle without threatening even the smallest girl alone in a farm until about 2015. Bandits were seen only in American films as those nasty people committing atrocities and being hounded by security forces on horseback.
Kidnapping was limited to occasional snatching of small kids (that was why it was called kid-napping) instead of district heads and ministers’ wives and medical doctors. Go and open any newspaper you want up till 2010 and you will find almost no stories about all the social maladies which have become front page news since 2012 till now. But, the recurrent issue of Igbo presidency remains on the national agenda – and will remain there until we address it frontally and end it once and for all. The year 2023 is, to me, as good as any to aim for it. Permit me to defer the answer to why 2023 until later in the narrative. Incidentally, most of us seem to also forget that we almost solved the problem without violence, rancour or animosity during the transition to civil rule in 1998-9. Let me briefly remind all of us.
A great deal of what follows is taken from my book, PDP: CORRUPTION INCORPORATED, mainly from pages 93 to 108: “For the sake of those under the age of thirty, who might not have heard of them, I want to introduce thirty four gallant men – called the G-34 – who risked everything. Everything included life to confront the deadliest dictator Nigeria has known – General Sani Abacha.
1. Dr Alex Ekwueme, 2. Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, 3. Chief Bola Ige, 4. Chief Ayo Adebanjo, 5. Chief Sunday Awoniyi, 6. Alhaji Sule Lamido, 7. Chief Solomon Lar, 8. Malam Adamu Ciroma, 9. Dr Tunji Otegbeye, 10. Professor Jerry Gana, 11. Alhaji Balarabe Musa, 12. Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, 13. Dr Iyorcha Ayu, 14. Alhaji Lawal Kaita, 15. Col Abubakar Umar, 16. Professor Ango Abdullahi, 17. Alhaji Mohammed Arzika, 18. Alhaji Suleiman Komo, 19. Alhaji Lawal Dambanzu, 20, Malam Iro Dan Musa, 21. Alhaji Farouk Abdulazeez, 22. Alhaji Musa Yakubu, 23. Mr Steve Achema. 24. Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, 25. Chief Onyeabo Obi, 26. Chief Francis Ellah, 27. Chief Emeka Echeruo, 28. Major General Zamani Lekwot, 29. Mr Basil Ukaegbu, 30. Mr Isaac Sha’ahu, 31. Malam Mahmud Waziri, 32. Mr Dangana Nfayako, 33. Dr Usman Bugaje, 34. Obong Victor Attah. (Of course Attah has to be there in every role of honour. That is why I always adore him).
“The G-34 had several things in common. First, one of my friends and classmate in the university in the US described them as ‘men who must have packed iron balls instead of scrotum to have had the courage to openly confront Abacha at a time when everybody else was afraid to even whisper the dictator’s name in their bedrooms’.
“Second, they were evenly divided between Muslims (18) and Christians (18). Third, although the military Head of State was a northerner, 21 of them were from the North and only 15 from the South. Yet, they all accepted the late Dr Alex Ekwueme, the Second Republic Vice President and Igbo man, as their leader. Fourth, Ekwueme was well on his way to becoming the elected President in 1999 until unkind fate took over and prevented Nigeria from healing the wounds of the 1967-70 Civil War once and for all.
“For most of the details about how the nation missed the chance and instead of Ekwueme we got Obasanjo – we exchanged gold for dross – readers will have to get a copy of the book from someone who has one.
“The important thing is that we once got so close to getting an Igbo President when 34 truly patriotic Nigerians first got together to form the nucleus of a great all-inclusive political party and then scouted for more like-minded individuals. Unfortunately, they were not too careful about their selection of members. They got foxes mixed with chicken in the same cage”.
On 21 February 1999, in an article published in SUNDAY VANGUARD, I had warned Ekwueme and by extension the PDP with these prophetic words: “Many of us have assumed that the military revolution, which ended up as all revolutions in the hands of madmen, would have cautioned all Nigerians about the dangers of continuing military influence on our lives, and in that regard your emergence as the leader of the PDP and presidential aspirant raised hopes of deliverance.
“Even the entry of General Obasanjo was not seen as a threat to that aspiration. Not because people had anything against Obasanjo. Personally, I don’t, but because of the need for the clean break with regimented governance, with orders issued to be obeyed ‘with immediate effect’, irrespective of the soundness of the decision, could not be achieved by looking backwards [to Obasanjo] instead of moving forward. At least so we thought.
“But, as events unfolded, as N130 million [a colossal amount in those days] was first donated by faceless manipulators and billions more weighed in on the side of continuation of military rule by other means, it became increasingly clear that the party you once called ‘my baby’ would be snatched from you by powerful groups hell-bent on ensuring that the clean break with the past does not occur.”
‘TO MY BROTHER ALEX EKWUEME’ in PDP: CORRUPTION INCORPORATED, p 99: “Granted Ekwueme and the Founding Fathers of the PDP ignored the warning and set the ball rolling for the predicaments in which we find Nigeria today, there is a ray of hope even in that story. A party known to be led by an Igbo man was overwhelmingly accepted across all the zones. The question is: Have we run out of Ekwuemes in Nigeria? I would not be writing this article if the answer is NO! I sincerely believe there are at least half a dozen ‘Ekwuemes’ even now. None of them is a former VP or leader of a party he started. But, there are Igbo men and women with the requisite leadership qualities who can serve the nation meritoriously. We must find them or some of them must start taking the risk of coming out NOW! That statement immediately would raise a complex question: why must we find them and why are they not coming out on their own? Let me attempt to answer them as best as possible.
First, we must find them because it is not the first time some individuals or group have found some of our past leaders for us – Gowon (1967-1976), Obasanjo (1976-1979, 1999-2007), Shagari (19791983), Buhari (1984-1985), Yar’Adua (2007-2010). If we are honest with ourselves we must admit that for most of our history since 1966 our national leaders have been found for us – one way or another. There is absolutely no reason why we cannot adopt the same method for getting our Igbo President. To be quite candid we are being discriminatory when we refrain from undertaking the task of searching for and bringing our Igbo President.
The question “why are they not coming out on their own?” is just a shade less dishonest than the first one. If the truth must be told, the rest of us in Nigeria intimidate the prospective Igbo candidates. We set up political hurdles higher than those established for others for them to scale and we make it almost impossible for them to scale them – even with super-human efforts”. Just read the book PDP: CORRUPTION INCORPORATED, especially the areas pertaining to how Obasanjo emerged as the party’s presidential candidate and you will understand why Ekwueme failed after building the party right from prison. One would have thought that Obasanjo, self-esteemed as a statesman and having the power at the time to impose his successor, would have used that clout to impose an Igbo president and end the Civil War once and for all time. Even he could not think that deeply. He went for the easy choice which required no courage at all.
“If we do not find our way to peace, whatever else we do will not make much difference” -Charles Keller, President, Rotary International 1988-9, VBQ, p184.
IPOB as well as all the other radical Igbo organisations will continue to have relevance as long as we don’t address this issue and peace will continue to elude us and cost the nation billions required for development. Nigeria’s security forces were placed on high alert because Kanu’s parents were being buried. An event which should not have merited more than mere mention in the papers had the entire world focused on it and wasting time and resources. We are paying dearly already for this self-inflicted damage to our country. No external enemy could have done worse to us. In 2023 we have a chance to at least put this one conflict behind us – if we can summon the courage once and for all time.
NO HIDDEN AGENDA
Almost invariably when such a call is made in Nigeria small minded individuals assume there must be a hidden agenda. The promoter must have a candidate in mind. I was confronted with the same sort of scepticism when the call for a Christian governor in Lagos State was made on these pages in 2010-1. Apart from being dismissed as a day-dreamer who had not consulted the “god” of Lagos politics, there was the fear that I was fronting for a candidate. Time proved my critics wrong on the two counts. We had Ambode who I never met in my life as governor and I did not prostrate before any human being in Lagos. Igbo presidency in 2023 is also possible because all power belongs to God Almighty. I have no candidate in mind. There are some possibilities; but, none that I ever met in my life – a former senator, a businessman and, thinking out of the box, there is the Chairman of Air Peace who selflessly provided aircraft to lift fellow Nigerians out of South Africa. That is the sort of heroism which separates the men from the boys. I am compiling a dossier on Allen Onyema and others – just in case we need him again…..
THE YOUNG SHALL GROW; THE OLD SHALL GO
“The old order changeth; yielding way to the new…”
Many responses have been received in connection with Obong Victor Attah’s Life Time Achievement Award on March 20, 2020. They are being processed. As Obong moves further up into the ranks of elder statesmen in Nigeria, the baton of leadership in Akwa Ibom State must be passed to somebody. Show your face in Lagos; honour the current Father of Akwa Ibom State.
JUST ASK ME HOW.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/02/time- | 2,631 | null | 2 | en | 0.99992 |
February 26, 2021 by The Nation
My $1.9 billion in Minnesota bank, by Femi Adesina
By FEMI ADESINA
Let’s have a comic diversion today from weightier matters of our national life. Because what I want to discuss can only be comic, if not also idiotic and otiose.
Yes, you read the headline right. The money I allegedly stashed at a bank in Minnesota, United States of America. Not millions of dollars. But billions. $1.9 billion. Holy Moses!
This misinformation, disinformation and hate speech first came out in 2016, about one year into my stint in government. Before then, I had been enjoying my work as a journalist and newspaper manager, in what I considered a comfort zone, never sparing a thought for service in government. And then, the offer to serve President Muhammadu Buhari came. Of course, I would follow him from Cape to Cairo, from Sambisa to anywhere. So I accepted. Goodbye anonymity, something I craved and enjoyed so much, despite the high visibility of a weekly column I used to write. I still loved, and managed to fly below the radar of national attention.
All that disappeared when I took up the assignment of media adviser to the President. Against my personal preference, I was in the spotlight, attracting both accolades and flaks, as I spoke for the President. The flaks were particularly toxic, virulent, from those who knew next to nothing about me.
The evil report first came in 2016, written in a particularly horrible grammar, which anybody educated would have seen through. But you know what? People chose to believe it, even highly educated and enlightened ones, judging from the enquiries I received.
Circulating on many platforms of the digital media, the misinformation went thus: ‘President Obama release (sic) names of Nigeria (sic) politicians who stocked (sic) looted funds overseas.’
There was a long list of Nigerians, 27 in all, who had purportedly stashed funds abroad, which they had apparently got illicitly. They included the President, his wife, some governors, ministers, Service Chiefs, and top government officials.
Three of us involved in information management for the President and Federal Government were also named. Minister for Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was said to have the sum of $1.3 billion in Ally Financial Bank, my colleague as presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, had $2.3 billion at Wells Fargo/San Francisco, while yours truly had $1.9 billion in U.S Bancorp/Minnesota. Almost two billion dollars. Jumping Jehoshaphat!
When the information (or rather, disinformation) first came to my attention, what I did was to laugh it off. Mere irritation from fecund but addled minds. Not even worth a rebuttal.
The only person I raised the matter with jocularly was Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at Federal Executive Council meeting one day.
“Alhaji, so I am richer than you! They say you have only 1.3 billion dollars in an American bank, while I have 1.9 billion dollars. Don’t joke with me o.”
Myself and Alhaji Mohammed laughed them to scorn. That was what such cock and bull story deserved.
But I got several shockers in the weeks and months that followed. Otherwise respected and respectable people would call me, asking; have you seen it? Seen what? Then they would mention what was circulating on social media about the $1.9 billion.
I initially took it calmly, laughing it off. But it got to a point that it was no longer funny. Anybody that called me about it, I simply told: “Yes, I am preparing a budget right now on how to spend the $1.9 billion.” They would get the sarcasm, and go away with their tails tucked between their feet, like a beaten dog. Serves them right for being so credulous. Or is it mischievous?
At a point in 2017, the misinformation changed. President Barack Obama having left office, they changed it to President Donald Trump.
“Trump release (sic) names of Nigeria (sic) politicians who stocked (sic) looted funds overseas.”
Obviously, the same sick mind was behind it, he just updated his gambit to reflect the change of power in America. His atrocious grammar remained the same, and the amount of money credited to us remained the same. Not even smart enough to up the ante, after years had elapsed.
Now, I am waiting for an updated copy of the evil report. “President Biden release (sic) names of Nigeria (sic) politicians who stocked (sic) looted funds overseas.” Lol.
And sensible people would still be led by the nose, and would call me to ask questions. And I would continue to tell them I was making a budget on how to spend the money. Despicable. Contemptible. Loathsome.
An idle mind even translated the false information to an audio version, which was then widely shared on social media. Femi Adesina has $1.9 billion stashed in America. Good grief! And people continued to ask me questions, or forward same to my social media accounts, showing they possibly believed it.
And it brings me to the question: why do people choose to believe improbable things about those in government? Does it make any sense that I would have stashed away such amount of money in less than a year in government? What even is the annual Nigerian budget, that some individuals would have the kind of money being bandied around? Do I even have a foreign account?
I have seen that when you serve Nigeria, however altruistic you may be, there is always an attempt to turn you to an enemy of the people. Somebody who knows me personally, up to my home, told me that he was recently at a gathering, and I was speaking on television. One person in the gathering said cynically: “See them (referring to me). All Nigeria’s money is in their pockets.”
The man who knows me said he then asked the evil mind: “Do you by any means know Mr Adesina in person?”
That one said no, after which the one acquainted with me gave him a dressing down, urging him not to say evil of people he doesn’t know, or he may be offending the divine powers.
People love evil reports, particularly about those serving in government. Have we got so bad as a people, that we can’t have genuine, patriotic service again? Quite baffling.
This leads me to a lie peddled about me from the pit of hell in the past fortnight. I had traveled to Umuahia, in Abia State, to deliver a paper at the Social Media Converge organized by the state government. At the Abuja airport, I had met former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, and we greeted pleasantly, as we always do. As we spoke, the former Minister’s aide took our photograph with his phone, which was later posted online.
The camera angle was a bit awkward. My clothe seemed too baggy than it was, and my hand appeared twisted in the seemingly oversized sleeves.
And what next? Some people subjected my arm and legs to photoshop, twisting them further, making me appear as a stroke patient. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Those who know me would testify that I like a good laugh. I laughed till my ribs ached, and I put my two feet up in the air. They were having a baleful ball, while I was having the time of my life. Life and health belong to God. And He has not denied me of that grace. Why then do the heathens rage, and the people imagine vain things? Let them continue to wail, and we will continue to laugh, and say ; ‘back to sender.’
Will Nigeria ever have people actuated by nothing other than patriotism to serve her? Not with the Ill-will often displayed to public officers. But for me, let them wail, while I spend my $1.9 billion. | https://thenationonlineng.net/my- | 1,738 | null | 1 | en | 0.999914 |
Chief Olu Falae
• Speaks of looming ‘first-class crisis’
• Descends on Bisi Akande: You are a serial liar
• ‘Contrary to claim in Akande’s book, Ajasin, Danjuma, Lar invited me into the presidential race, not IBB’
• Says ex-Osun gov goofed on his participation in Jonathan Confab
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
Chief Olu Falae was Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, before serving as Finance Minister under the military regime.
Later he joined the presidential race first under the Babangida regime transition and later under the Abdulsalami Abubakar programme to return Nigeria to civil rule. In this interview, Falae reacts to some claims made by a former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, in his recently launched autobiography titled, ‘My Participations’. He also speaks on issues in the polity including insecurity and the downturn in the economy. Excerpts:
Let us start with your assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s seven years in the saddle and your expectations for 2022?
All Nigerians know all that it has been living under the Buhari’s regime. I don’t need to tell you. It has been a very difficult time. Security has never been as bad as this in our entire history.
Nigerians have never been this divided. In fact, we should look for another term to describe the near-war situation we are going through. When people were voting for him, the expectation from him as a General was that of an uncompromising man of discipline, that, within months, he will finish off Boko Haram and we will all live in peace but the opposite has been the case.
And everything else depends on security. You have to be alive and well to know that there is something called education; that before you can even eat and wear clothes, you have to be alive and well, and that depends on security.
Security has been in complete shambles. If a saint becomes President tomorrow, how and where is he going to start from? Is it with Boko Haram, with bandits or herdsmen? Where is he going to start from? I saw on social media that before Fulani herdsmen left Ekiti area, some boys had understudied them and they have now become graduate kidnappers. So, this is the legacy of this administration.
It has been a complete crisis. People of my age and status cannot live in their homes in any part of the North. Most of them now are hiding in Abuja, including traditional rulers. It is terrible. I know Buhari would want it to be otherwise but it is not otherwise, it is the way it is. I want to take this opportunity to thank our own governor in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, in the area of security, he has been fantastic; he is a true son of the land. Soon after he became governor, we had a meeting and we discussed the issue of security. I used my kidnap to illustrate the very serious situation. I didn’t know it was going to get much worse.
I pleaded with him to talk to his colleagues in the South-West to do something about the security situation, that security is fundamental to any other thing. I’m not claiming that it is because of that advice that he did what he did. But it is a historical fact that we had that meeting and I made that plea. It is also a historical fact that he played a leading role in the creation of Amotekun. There was a time some of the governors appeared to be wavering and hesitant but Akeredolu was firm all the way.
And because of my appreciation of what he was doing, when the House of Assembly was having a hearing on the Amotekun law, I went there to give them political and moral support and to strengthen their backbone by saying to them that they do not need to go to Abuja to seek permission before they could give Amotekun police powers because it is inherent in anything called government elected by the people, whether at the local level, state-level or national level or regional level; any organisation elected by the people and called government has an inherent power invested by the votes of the people to make laws that will be valid and to implement them.
In the colonial period and the post-independence period, the regional government has forestry laws that enabled forestry officers to arrest anybody felling logs illegally and also enable them to prosecute those people either directly by themselves or by sending them to the Ministry of Justice.
In other words, in that law was evidence that the regional government, the state government has always had the power of arrest through the forestry officers and prosecution through the state Ministry of Justice. So, it is the same state government. Whether you want to use that power now for Amotekun, just create it and pass it. It is already being used from the colonial period. I told them this and I believed that helped to clarify the situation.
Akeredolu was also the first to commission the first batch of Amotekun trainees. Again, to show my support for his effort I was present at the passing out parade. And then again, when they were going to pass the Anti-Open Grazing Law, they sent the draft to me, they passed it. Although Miyetti Allah and herdsmen boasted that they will not obey the law, that they are Nigerians and Ondo State is part of Nigeria, that they have every right to do what they like. Since the law was passed, I have not seen a single cattle or Fulani from here to my farm.
They have disappeared. Let them come back and break the law and enforcement agents will arrest them, take them to court and send them to prison. So, I think Governor Akeredolu has done very good work. And the security he is enforcing in the state capital right now encourages people to relax during this New Year period.
Political gladiators are rolling up their sleeves ahead of the 2023 general elections. What’s your advice to these players?
My advice is that no election should be conducted until and unless some fundamental amendments are made. I’m not saying that they should do the full restructuring that I have been advocating but a few fundamental amendments, particularly in the area of security and how elections are conducted and result transmitted.
My take is that whatever election is conducted, the way things are if they are allowed to continue till 2023, cannot be credible, may not even be possible physically. You remember when they were going to conduct the Anambra governorship election, how many troops and policemen were posted there? Can you send that level of policemen and soldiers to all the 36 states, voting on the same date? The answer is no.
In any case, an election is held under such a military situation, is that credible? Is that free? Is that democratic? In my view, no credible election or transparent election can be held the way things are in Nigeria as of today. If you go to Zamfara, people are being kidnapped every day. 120 people were slaughtered in Sokoto State.
People coming from Abuja to Kaduna are not safe. Someone told me that no credible election can be conducted in at least 23 states as of today. If the present trend continues, it may be in 30 states. I’m hoping that elections will be peaceful in the South-West which has always been the most peaceful part of Nigeria.
All types of historic, cultural and spiritual reasons are for that, but that is the fact. If there is a problem in the North, they come here, problem in the East, they come here. So, if elections are not possible in 30 states out of 36, what are they gladiators after?
With about 17 months to the exit of the Buhari administration, do you think the President is capable of changing the fortune of the country?
With God, all things are possible. If God decides to take over President Buhari and his administration and use him and others to revive and revamp Nigeria, God can still do so. Nothing is impossible.
Are you then saying that Nigerians shouldn’t be concerned about power shift come 2023?
We should be concerned about where power should go as an objective person, whether it should be through the election in an unstructured Nigeria. But that is my own perception. It may well happen; God is in charge of the whole universe. I believe that all the changes and restructuring people have been advocating these many years, I have always believed that it will not happen until and unless and except there is a crisis when the question will be where do we go from here? A crisis can come in the next 12 to 15 months if two things happen.
One of them is sure to happen; the second one is what we don’t know. But if the second one happens, then we will have a crisis that will force us to rethink Nigeria. What are the two things? First, if and when the tenure of the current President comes to an end, we know that it will come to an end, we know the date. It is not a prayer or wish. May 29, 2023, that, by God’s grace, will happen. That is the first condition.
The second condition is that if the first situation does not permit the election of a replacement President, then the old President is gone, a new one cannot be elected, a first-class crisis, solution to the Nigerian problem. At that point, every section of Nigeria will be free to say there is no more Federal Government. That is my view. What is the probability of that happening? One of the two conditions will happen.
I have not heard that Buhari wants a third term. I hope there is no attempt to impose a third term on us. So, the first condition will happen, it is more likely to happen. The second one is not unlikely, it will happen. Then if the two happen together, that is when restructuring is automatic. If there is no government in Abuja and there is a government in Ondo State, Kano State and other states, that is the government.
Let’s talk about the many agitations across the country especially in the South-West and South-East. Do they portend danger for the 2023 general elections?
Self-determination is a movement that force cannot stop. In my book, I addressed it and I gave copies to the Federal Government but they won’t read it. I said in that book that since the collapse of international communism, the collapse of the Berlin wall and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, a new thing has become a dominant force in international relations and that is ethnic self-determination.
Exemplify for example in Europe by the Bosnia/Herzegovina war in the very heart of Europe. That area of Europe is called the Balkans. That was the centre point of the Roman Empire. But in the course of history, they broke into smaller pieces.
The 19th century was the period that brought smaller entities to create larger entities in Europe because of the competition for colonialism and access to raw materials in the colonies. That was how Germany evolved under Bismarck. It was Bismarck and others who brought various German principalities together in Germany. It was the age of aggregation.
Smaller entities were coming together to be able to compete for colonies and raw materials because the industrial revolution was taking place in Europe. But since then, with the collapse of communism, those smaller entities have been agitating for self-identity especially in the Balkans.
- Stop criticising Pastor Tunde Bakare over N9bn loan to build cathedral — Ex-Lagos CPC guber candidate tells Nigerians
When Marshal Tito under communism was the President of Yugoslavia, because of the superiority of statesmanship and love for the people, he was able to keep the various entities together. But the moment he died and lesser men took over in Yugoslavia, agitations started again. Bosnia/Herzegovina, Montenegro people started asking for self-determination and then the war started in Bosnia/Herzegovina.
After 10 years of war and the deaths of thousands of people, Yugoslavia broke into pieces. Seven or eight countries have come out of Yugoslavia alone because the leaders of Yugoslavia didn’t have the sense to see that they could not stop self-determination. I call that resisted change model.
There is another model in Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia was also created during that period of aggregation but, in this period, Czechs and Slovaks wanted to go their different ways. The leaders had the sense to sit around the table and negotiate and they broke into two friendly countries till today. We now have Slovakia and the Czech Republic. That is the managed change model. They managed the change. Yugoslavia was resisted the change model. Yet, a third model is a British model. In the 16th, 17th centuries, England and Scotland were rivals. But Queen Mary who was the daughter of King Henry the Eighth was married to the Scottish king.
So, she had both British and Scottish royal blood and they united the two crowns. Eventually, the Act of 1707 gave way to Permanent Union between England and Scotland. Of course, Wales has always been a close neighbour of England. So, eventually, we have the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland.
But by the time of Harold Wilson as Prime Minister in England, agitations began, especially in Wales and Scotland, for self-determination. Harold Wilson organised a referendum in Wales which was passed by half of one per cent, 50.5 to 49.5 per cent in favour of home rule.
Today, if you listen to Sky News when they are talking about what Britain is doing about COVID-19, they say the four nations of England, Wales, Scotland and North Ireland. Those were the people who colonised us and we saw them as one monolithic country, the United Kingdom under the British crown.
The most unitary of all unitary governments is the monarchy because the government finds expression in one single person, the king or queen. So, therefore, it is the most unitary of unitary governments. Today, it is a de facto federation of four nations in Britain; self-determination has led to the emergence of four nations.
So, in Yugoslavia, in Czechoslovakia, in Britain, we can see recent examples of what self-determination has achieved. And it continues in other places including in Nigeria. So, it is for us to make a choice now. Do we choose the system of resisted change which is what we have been doing, where we have been saying it is Igboho, it is Kanu; we won’t change? Let us see where that is going to lead us. We must learn from history, otherwise, we will make the mistake of history.
Do we take the resisted change model or do we go to Czechoslovakia and take the managed change model or the managed change model of Britain? Managed change has A and B. A is Czechoslovakia that resulted in two different countries or B, Britain, they are still together but emerging as different nations. It is up to us. I don’t want to be too academic. But these are the facts, contemporary facts. You cannot stop it. If you want true self-determination from Britain why do you think you can prevent 448 ethnic nationalities from rearranging this country?
Some weeks back, a former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, in his autobiography, titled, ‘My Participations’, accused you and other Yoruba leaders of attending the 2014 Confab because of the allowances promised by former President Goodluck Jonathan…
Honestly, l have decided not to say a word about the nonsense that Akande wrote. Akande himself will be surprised that I am commenting on what he wrote. I don’t think it is not worth my comment. In the first place, my career is an open book. I served Nigeria well with total commitment and integrity. So, I cannot because of an allowance do what I will not otherwise do. For five years, I was Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria and Minister of Finance under the regime of President Ibrahim Babangida and I chose not to earn N1 salary from the government.
Rather, before I agreed to leave my banking job to come and be Secretary to the Government, I told the government to negotiate with my bank to agree to a secondment, that I should be seconded from the bank to government as Secretary to the Government while I would remain Managing Director of the bank and be paid by the bank for my services to the Federal Government.
And at the return of my tenure with the government, I would return to the bank. That was the agreement we reached and that was the agreement we implemented for five years.
The letter confirming this is in my possession and was signed by Alhaji Umaru Mutallab who was the Managing Director of UBA at the time. He signed the letter because he was Vice Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Merchant Bank where I was Managing Director. He signed for, and on behalf of the Board.
He wrote that the bank was happy and privileged to be asked by the Federal Government to second their Managing Director, that is, I Olu Falae, to come and be Secretary to the Government.
And that I would remain their Managing Director throughout my tenure with the government, the bank would continue to pay my salary and other entitlements and, at the end of my tenure, I would be free to return to the bank. I have the letter. I will publish it in my memoirs.
That was the situation. About one year after I got into government, someone from the Establishment Section came and said they were aware of the arrangement of not paying my salary but I was entitled to what they called Responsibility Allowance, that the job I was holding as Secretary to Government was more complicated, higher and more important than MD of a small Merchant Bank, and that, therefore, I was entitled to what we know in the service as Responsibility Allowance.
And I turned it down. He insisted that I was entitled to it, and I said yes, but if I were to take the Responsibility Allowance, it will be described as another salary in future.
And so it was. After I left government, I went into politics and somebody wrote a petition to the ‘Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba’, headed by the late General Adebayo, that Olu Falae whom they were supporting for President was a thief, that when I was Secretary to Government I was earning two salaries.
Thank God for His guidance. If I had taken the allowance, that fellow would have said that was the evidence. But all he saw were the documents prepared by the bank for paying me a monthly salary. I’m sure he had access to those documents, so he was sure the bank was paying me when I was Secretary to Government. So, he assumed wrongly that I was being paid also by the government whereas I chose not to earn one extra Naira.
If I could turn down the Responsibility Allowance to which I was entitled, to avoid being misunderstood as a second salary, how can I, therefore, go to a conference because they are going to pay me an allowance?
We went to the conference because it was a patriotic thing to do. We have been asking for Sovereign National Conference. I wrote a book ‘The Way Forward for Nigeria’. I don’t think Akande has read the book which I launched in Lagos in 2005 and I advocate the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference as a means of resolving the Nigerian crises.
So, when a conference was convoked by former President Jonathan, similar to what I have been advocating, should I refuse to go there because they will pay me an allowance? I went because I have been a passionate advocate of the Sovereign Conference to resolve the Nigerian crises. When an opportunity came, it was my duty and responsibility to go there and contribute my quota to the remaking of Nigeria, that is why I went there and not because of any allowance. I went to the Confab as a nominee of the Federal Government in the category of national elder statesmen.
The delegates of Afenifere were chosen by Afenifere at the Yoruba level. I did not go to the conference as a nominee of Afenifere. I was an Afenifere leader but I was nominated under the category of elder statesmen. Now, elder statesmen are by definition old people. So, no young person under 50 would qualify for that position. So, the position which I occupied was not available for anybody who was not an old man.
So, by going, I did not deny any position to any young person. In any case, the likes of Akande refused to go to the conference; they are now throwing stones at the conference. If he cares to look at all the delegates from the South-West from whichever category, you will find that there were lots of young people, trade unionists, teachers who were in the conference. Not just Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Lanihun Ajayi, Olu Falae and Sehinde Arogbofa.
There were over 90 delegates from the South-West. The others were from various age categories. In any case, Akande should know that some of us, by the grace of God, didn’t need that allowance. Without stealing public funds, God has given some of us contentment and taken care of us. Talking for myself, I have never begged for food, I have never felt the need to take money that did not belong to me.
I said it when I was campaigning for President and I want to say it now that I have never taken a bribe from anybody at any stage of my career, either when I was in the Civil Service as Permanent Secretary or Secretary to Government or in the bank as Managing Director or as Minister of Finance.
Offers were made but the answer was definitely no because my total upbringing is against that. Let me tell you a little story. When I was in primary school, Saint Stephen’s, Ijomu, Akure, in the late 40s, one day I was returning home after school and I found a small eraser along Ijomu Street.
As a child, I was happy and I picked it. When I got home I told my paternal grandmother who I was living with because my mother was dead. I said “mama, I was lucky today, I found this eraser on the ground” and she said, “who asked to pick it?” I said no one and she immediately called me a thief.
I said “no mama” and she said, “you stole it because the owner did not give it to you, although, the owner was not there, so nobody transferred the ownership to you. For taking it without the consent of the owner, you stole it”.
Mama took a whip and followed me back to the very spot where I picked the eraser. I dropped it there and mama took me back home. I can never forget that day. If a pastor today finds $1m along the road, he won’t think it is theft. He will go and pay tithe and thank God for it.
But by my grandmother standard, ethical standard, that is theft. So, the likes of Akande can never understand where we are coming from. So, my background, my Christian commitment and the contentment God has given me have enabled me to negotiate my career without taking N1 that does not belong to me. I will not do anything for money if I’m not persuaded of the right thing to do.
Nigerians are reading political meanings to the attack by Akande. Do you agree that he is playing politics?
Well, only Akande can answer that question. But I just found Akande is a very reckless person. He’ll just say anything without thinking about the consequences. That is how he speaks. That is why I said I was not going to comment about Akande. I don’t want to lower myself to his level.
Still, in Akande’s autobiography, he alleged that you were decorated by Military President Babangida into politics…?
l don’t know what “decorated” into politics means. It has no meaning in English, only Akande can tell you what it means, but I can only speculate.
It can mean one or two things. It could mean he was saying IBB sponsored me into politics. Now, let us look at that. I will not go into any details but I want to say here and now that the first set of people who invited me and said I should run for President was a group of three national leaders, namely the late Papa Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Solomon Lar and General T.Y Danjuma.
The three of them invited me to the flat of Dr Debola Ajasin, Papa Ajasin’s son who was my junior at Igbobi College. The three of them invited me one night to his flat at Lagos University. It was Papa Ajasin who asked me to come.
When I got there, I found the two other leaders with him. And they said to me “we are leaders of the Progressive Movement, we are trying to form a Progressive Party”. They said they had a problem because all of them had been banned from participating in politics and they were looking for a credible presidential candidate and that they would love to ask me if they formed the party, if it was registered and then invited me to come and be their presidential candidate, will I agree to run? I said, “well, I have not made up my mind”.
I said when I was leaving the bank, it was on second with the expectation that I would return to the bank at the end of my tenure. That was my plan. But, what they had said, I would think about it.
Two of the three men are dead but thank God General T.Y Danjuma is still alive. So, if there is any group that invited me to politics, it was that group, Papa Ajasin, S.D Lar and General T.Y Danjuma, nothing to do with Babangida.
In any case, Akande must have lost his memory by not remembering that it was Babangida who disqualified me from the presidential race and banned me from further participation in primaries. Is that the act of a sponsor or supporter? Let Akande answer that question.
As a former Finance Minister, what’s your take on the nation’s economy?
All the wrong things are being done at the same time. I don’t know why. One of the causes of inflation is not just the devaluation of the Naira which is very serious but it is the pumping of money by the Central Bank into private people.
They are lending money to farmers, traders. That is not the Central Bank’s function. They have taken over commercial banking, pumping money which they can never recover because their staff members are not trained to lend to people and to recover and manage credit. You just don’t hand loan cash to people.
They bring a proposal, you look at it. Commercial banks are trained to look at it and see whether it is viable or not. We are trained, we have the experience, we have the dedication. And after lending money, there are things you do to manage it.
The Central Bank hasn’t got one person trained to do this and they are handing out billions of naira. It is a disaster. They were saying the money they give to farmers they can get the money back.
Why should they return the money when they know you don’t have the capacity to get it back? They will be daft to pay back.
Meanwhile, herdsmen say you must not farm again. The rice that you borrow money to plant, cows eat and destroy it, then how can the farmer payback? So, these are the raw materials for the economic meltdown that we are trying to create. Then we have been borrowing and borrowing. Borrowing must be used to create an asset; borrowing to finance consumption is dangerous.
Can we say that the Buhari administration is doing enough to tackle banditry?
If the government is doing enough, banditry would have ended. When this government came, the major thing we were fighting was Boko Haram. The new platform in violence came into being in the last four, five years after the inception of this government. The banditry that is shooting down military jets, that is no banditry, that is insurrection. People who went into the military academy to kidnap military officers showed that they were not bandits, those were terrorists.
All this came into being to join Boko Haram in the last four, five years. That is what makes it frightening that rather than things get better, they are getting worse. And we can then begin to ask questions, why is that so? When people are unemployed and desperate and they can see no future for themselves, they take to crime. And because of the ineffective security arrangement in the country, they are tempted to go and grab people and kidnap them.
They are sure that nobody was going to get them. Ransoms are being paid. In other countries, people do not pay the ransom but here ransom is being paid. So, kidnapping has become a fairly lucrative business in Nigeria. Some people even kidnap themselves and ask for ransom. It shows how terrible things have become.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/01/there-may-be-no- | 6,259 | null | 1 | en | 0.999992 |
July 1, 2022 by The Nation
2023: Jaruma drums support for Tinubu
Popular aphrodisiac merchant, Hauwa Muhammed aka Jaruma, has drummed support for the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the 2023 presidential elections.
The controversial ‘kayanmata’ seller made a post via her Instagram page, declaring her steadfast support for Tinubu.
She posted a photo of the former Lagos State governor, crowning him her king who she loves so much.
Depriving her critics the chance to spew their thoughts, Jaruma ensured she closed the post’s comment section because “No Tinubu slander will be tolerated” by her.
In a photo she captioned Jagaban, the self-acclaimed ‘1st female president of Nigeria’ wrote: “I Love You So Much.”
“Jaruma always allow u have a fun filled life by leaving the comment section for u to spew & spew but on My kings Posts, sorry, NO TINUBU SLANDER WILL BE TOLERATED. Run along child, shutting u up by comment section closed”, she added. | https://thenationonlineng.net/2023-jaruma-drums-support-for- | 267 | null | 1 | en | 0.99818 |
23rd July, 2015
A 52 year-old man, Gilbert Maduako, has lost his wife, Oluchi and five children after his friend, Akwusi Aluwaogu, who allegedly snatched Oluchi and took away the children claiming that he was their father.
The incident happened at Ugwuakwu Village in Umuchu in Aguate Local Government in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria.
The marriage which produced those children, collapsed after Oluchi and her children moved to Aluwaogu’s home who is an indigene of Akokwa town in Imo State and introduced the man to her children as their real father.
P.M.NEWS learnt that both Maduako and Aluwaogu were good friends for years before he married Oluchi.
Unknown to Maduako, his friend was secretly dating his wife even though he visited them as a family friend.
He later got to know when he returned from work and did not find his wife and children.
He started looking for them and later found them at Aluwaogu’s house at his village in Akokwa, Imo State.
The wife reportedly introduced Aluwaogu as her husband and father of those five children.
It was not certain who among the two husbands actually impregnated Oluci and had the children.
P.M.NEWS gathered from the indigeines that the children belong to Maduako because he properly married Oluchi by paying her bride price.
Trouble started after Aluwaogu planned to give the eldest daughter to a husband at a tender age to collect her dowry.
Maduako got wind of the plan and reported to the police at Umuchu Division who intervened.
The police arrested Aluwaogu and took him to the station where he was interrogated and he confessed that he actually wanted to marry off the teenager.
He said since they are living with him and their mother, who actually knew their real father of those children, he had since adopted them as his own children.
On the fate of his friend, Maduako, he said he cannot force Oluchi to marry him and suggested that he should go and get himself another wife and accept his fate.
When our correspondent visited the station, the new DPO was not around to comment on the matter.
P.M.NEWS gathered from police sources that police stopped the marriage on two grounds-to determine the rightful owner of those children and that the girl was too young to get married. | http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/07/23/man-snatches-friends- | 533 | null | 1 | en | 0.999985 |
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has urged state governors and senior civil servants to give President Bola Tinubu maximum support as he tries to fix Nigeria’s economy.
Oyintiloye said that it is not possible for the president alone to achieve his Renewed Hope Agenda for the people without the support of the governors and top civil servants, who were the engine room of the government.
He said this while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo.
Oyintiloye said that the governors needed to support the various initiatives of the president in fixing the economy by utilising their monthly allocation for poverty alleviation in their various states.
The APC Chieftain said that the various efforts of the president in fixing the economy may not be immediately visible to many Nigerians, if the state governors refused to utilise their monthly allocation for the benefit of the masses in their states.
He said: “This is the time for state governors, irrespective of political affiliations to join the president in fixing the economy by attending to the welfare of the people.
“What the president is doing at the centre to fix the economy will only be meaningful to the people, if the state governors can lend a helping hands.
“What the governors are currently collecting as monthly allocation is more than in enough to lift the people out of poverty in relation to what the president is doing.
“While the masses are shouting the name of the president at every slight discomfort, they should also hold their governors accountable, asking them what they are doing with the improved monthly allocation.
“To set the record straight, the governors have to come out and tell people of their states the amount they have collected since June last year and how they have administered the funds.
“In the reckoning of most Nigerians now, the governors are seen as part of those sabotaging efforts of the president to lessen effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on the people.
” We are in a very critical situation in which unnecessary bureaucracy which can hinder the efforts of the president be suspended.
“Any act of sabotage in whatever form in the civil service should be rooted out for the sake of the benefit of the masses.”
Oyintiloye, however, urged Nigerians to be patient with the president, adding that with all the various interventions the president is putting in place, the country will soon attain the height of desired greatness.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/03/dont-sabotage-tinubus-efforts- | 552 | null | 1 | en | 0.999985 |
17th November, 2019
National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says 22 bakeries and 25 “sachet water” factories have been sealed during routine inspection in Maiduguri.
The agency’s Coordinator in Borno, Nasiru Mato, disclosed this shortly after a raid in Maiduguri on Sunday.
Mato said some of the shut factories did not meet the minimum requirements to operate, while others were not registered with the agency.
He added that “we have done a lot in terms of surveillance, investigative inspections and prompt response to consumer complaints and alerts. The objective is to ensure that the health and safety of the public is adequately catered for.
“Recently, we embarked on serious sensitisation visits to worship centres across the state. We have visited not less than 20 Mosques and Churches to create awareness on key issues of health concern, ranging from dangers of drug abuse and how to identify fake products.
“We have also educated people on the dangers of calcium carbide, a dangerous chemical used to hasten fruits’ ripening and the efforts has yielded positive results.
“Many people are more aware now and are wary of things happening around them.
“Operationally, we have paid surveillance and unannounced visits to bakeries to ascertain their good hygiene practices and to further ascertain their compliance with NAFDAC regulations.
“In addition, we visited factories where packaged water is produced to ensure that producers comply with good hygiene practice, as well as good manufacturing guidelines.”
He explained that where there was default, the agency meted out necessary sanctions on violators to ensure safety of consumers.
He noted that “in respect of bakeries, we sealed 22 for different categories of violations. And most of these violations are; unregistered products, products with expired licences, while some had hygienic practice.
“And in some cases, the bakeries were found using the dangerous potassium bromide, which is carcinogenic and has potential to cause cancer.
“In respect to water packaging establishments, we sealed 25 for non-compliance to regulations and importantly the failure of manufacturers to stick strictly to good manufacturing practices.
“You see, any product that does not carry NAFDAC registration is categorically defined as fake.
“That means the safety, wholesomeness and efficacy of the product has not been ascertained, so it is dangerous to the health of consumers. So, we are always calling on consumers to check for NAFDAC registration number before buying products.
“We are also calling on them to look at the manufacturing date on products, as well as the expiry date and batch number and the address of the company before buying products.” | https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/11/17/nafdac-shuts-47-bakeries- | 576 | null | 2 | en | 0.999949 |
Following a news report carried by the Vanguard newspaper that Ghana has placed a ban on some imported goods from Nigeria, the office of Ghana Consulate-General has in a statement debunked the claim, saying that at no point did the Ghanaian authorities ban any imported goods from Nigeria.
Vanguard had on February 18, 2016 in a report titled: ‘Ghana bans goods from Nigeria, other countries’ stated that Ghana has prohibited some items from entry into its domains, following Nigeria’s footsteps that restricted 41 items from access to foreign exchange, adding that Ghana had however placed a ban on some goods from being imported into the country.
The statement reads: “The Ghana High Commission would wish to state categorically that the (story) is false and does not reflect the position of the Ghanaian Government or that of the Hon. Minister of Trade and Industry of Ghana, Mr. Ekwow Spio-Grbarah, as alleged by the Vanguard report.”
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/ghana-denies-banning-imported-goods-from- | 215 | null | 2 | en | 0.999964 |
A 19-year-old man, Muyiwa Olakotan , was on Thursday remanded in Olokuta Prison, Akure, by an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court for stealing motorcycle valued at N120,000.
The prosecutor, ASP Pelumi Adejuwon, told the court that the accused and others still at large, conspired to steal a Bajaj motorcycle with registration No. QA 725 AKR, belonging to one, Mr Aroture Happy.
Adejuwon said that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 30 at about 7 a.m. at Ore, Ondo State.
According to him, the offence was contrary to and punishable under sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The accused pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The accused, who was represented by his counsel, Mr Femi Adetoye , prayed the court for leniency and mercy.
In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr Sunday Adedapo, ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody until Dec. 15 when the case would come up for judgment
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/man- | 277 | null | 1 | en | 0.999964 |
Troops of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, conducting “Exercise Golden Dawn” in the South East, have neutralised four gunmen of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) at Nnobi in Anambra.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Nwachukwu said the gunmen were overpowered in a fierce encounter with troops at Nnobi Junction, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra, on Friday.
He said the assailants had earlier attacked personnel of security agencies deployed at Ekwulobia Round About in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He added that troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and subsequently embarked on pursuit of the criminals along Nnewi – Nnobi road.
According to him, troops made contact with the fleeing gunmen and engaged them in a fire fight, neutralising four of the criminals.
“The gallant troops also recovered two AK-47 Rifles, one GALIL Ace 5.56 x 45 Iwi Gun, one Avofeng Hand held radio and one Black Highlander jeep.
“Sadly, a personnel of one of the security agencies paid the supreme price,” he said.
Nwachukwu also disclosed that the troops had in another operation, foiled another attack by IPOB/ESN gunmen at Umunze Checkpoint, in Orumba South Local Government Area of the state.
He said the vigilant troops overwhelmed the attackers in the shootout that ensued, forcing them to take to their heels, abandoning, one Pump Action gun with nine cartridges, a Ford vehicle and four motorcycles.
According to him, the Nigerian army notes that the recent attacks are part of proscribed IPOB/ESN plan to instill fear in the public and sabotage the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election.
“Members of the public are reassured that the Nigerian army, sister services and other security agencies will not relent in resolutely confronting all criminals intents against the citizenry and national interest.
“Law abiding citizens are enjoined to continue to go about their daily activities without any fear.
“They are also encouraged to report any unusual activity observed across Anambra State to the nearest security post,” he said.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/10/troops-eliminate-4-ipob-esn-gunmen- | 520 | null | 1 | en | 0.999884 |
March 18, 2024 by Toba Adedeji, Osogbo
Adeleke berated for renovating Govt House with N1b amid hardship
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has been berated by All Progressives Congress (APC), for refurbishing Government House with alleged N1billion.
Governor Adeleke had last Saturday opened the newly-rehabilitated Government House in Osogbo with top officials and dignitaries joining him for inspection of the facilities.
A statement by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said “the rehabilitation covers the main house, the completion of an abandoned multi-bedroom guest house, remodelling of many of the structures, refixing of many derelict facilities and facelift of the entire Government House.”
Reacting, APC through its state Chairman, Kola Olabisi, yesterday described the inauguration as a misplaced priority.
He said: “It is a shame that Governor Adeleke could be involved in flaunting the Government House rehabilitated with N1billion in this austere period and when Osun State has been declared the corporate headquarters of poverty in Yorubaland.” | https://thenationonlineng.net/adeleke-berated-for-renovating-govt-house- | 254 | null | 1 | en | 0.998914 |
The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it would penalise homeowners found guilty of renting out their apartments at exorbitant fees.
Commissioner for Housing Moruf Akinderu-Fatai in a statement, said the government would wield a big stick on allottees who engaged in sharp practices.
According to him, residents of various state housing schemes have filed complaints about the high rent being charged by homeowners.
He added that the state government will withdraw allocation from culpable homeowners.
He said: “The essence of asking allottees to make a five per cent down payment and spread the remaining amount for ten years was to make life bearable for Lagosians.
“This is what Mr Governor wants to achieve, but some people seem to be taking Mr Governor’s magnanimity for granted. They are renting those apartments out to make money. The question is why do people try to inconvenience others when the government intended to make life bearable for citizens?”
Akinderu-Fatai called on the facility managers and association members in the estates to report culpable allottees to the ministry, adding that those homeowners would forfeit their apartments with their payment refunded.
The commissioner assured that the State Government will continue to cater to the needs of first-time buyers who are in dire need of such accommodation facilities through outright purchase and rent-to-own platforms.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Abdulhafis Toriola, an engineer, said a lot of complaints have been received from some of the estates that some homeowners harbor people of questionable character hence posing a threat to residents.
He noted that the ministry as a matter of urgency shall investigate and take the right step towards safeguarding the lives and prosperity of residents in the affected estates.
The Permanent Secretary also urged allottees to take ownership of joint facilities and follow the rules put in place to maintain the estates. | https://www.channelstv.com/2024/02/16/lagos- | 394 | null | 1 | en | 0.999975 |
Nike Official Store on Jumia Nigeria - Shop for Original Items at Affordable Prices
Everyone loves the original Nike products and that is what the Nike Official Store provides on Jumia. With affordable prices, online shoppers can get access to quality straight from the brand sneakers, sportswear, and footwear. Avoid buying counterfeit Nike products by shopping from the official store.
The Nike Official store is for everyone, the sneakerheads, the fitness enthusiast, and everyone else. There is a wide range of products including running shoes, soccer cleats, slides, and more. The store also sells a variety of clothing items, such as gym wears, t-shirts, and shorts, as well as accessories like backpacks, and face caps. There is always something that can suit your style.
Get the Best Deals on Nike Products
You do not have to break the bank to get the most original products is a truth we believe in and that is why we make sure to provide easy access to the most original products for our customers. When you shop at the Nike Official Store on Jumia, you will enjoy great and exciting deals and with fast delivery, you can enjoy the benefits of online shopping without stress at the Nike Official Store
We have various secure payment options on Jumia. You can pay online or on delivery with your cards, USSD, or bank transfers. | https://kol.jumia.com/s/7ydnz75 | 279 | Sports | 1 | en | 0.999994 |
By Gbenga Olarinoye
Osogbo—It was wailing and weeping, yesterday, at Ile-Olowola compound at Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State, as a 13-year-old girl was knocked down and killed by a vehicle.
It was gathered that the girl was inside her mother’s shop when a gold coloured Toyota Camry car with number plate JJJ 825DB, veered off the road and hit the girl inside the shop.
The girl, it was gathered, died on the spot.
The incident which occurred around 10.30a.m., has been confirmed by Osun State Police Command.
Consequently, a mob set the car ablaze, while the driver of the car was rescued by the quick intervention of policemen from Ilobu.
An eyewitness said the driver of the car, Gbenga Ayangoke, 28, of Ile Iyaloja compound, Erin-Osun, was on high speed, lost control, veered off the road and knocked down the girl inside the shop.
The state Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, DSP Folasade Odoro, confirmed the incident.
She explained that normalcy had been restored to the area, adding that the driver of the car was helping police in their investigation.
She disclosed that the remains of the girl had been deposited at General Hospital mortuary, Ilobu, for autopsy.
Mrs. Odoro said further that the matter would be taken to court after the completion of investigation.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/car-kills-13-yr-old-girl-inside- | 345 | null | 1 | en | 0.999846 |
August 7, 2020 by The Nation
WASSCE 2020: How prepared are students?
By Shotonwa Waheed
Sir: I was elated at the announcement by the Ministry of Education after its meeting with other stakeholders, that schools would be opened when it is safe to do so. The joy didn’t last long when it dawned that only the exit class in the secondary schools are making their way back from August 4.
Exit class? Those in the category are our precious SS3 students who were to take the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) before the COVID-19 outbreak halted the process. Before the announcement, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) had already slated the exam to commence by August 17 through to September 12.
That is barely about two weeks to the examination. Even some state government announced other dates from that of the federal government reducing the timeframe.
Before the outbreak and lockdown brouhaha, the preparation was on high with weeks to go but going four months down without the usual class activities and engagement would certainly not retain the zeal. Realistically, refreshing and getting the minds of the students ready for the examination within that short time is way impossible to achieve the set result.
A glance at previous years’ performance indices of the students, even with the usual high level of preparedness and focus, is revealing. Of the over 1.5 million students that took the exam in 2017, only 59.22 percent got the minimum five credits including English Language and Mathematics which is little above half the total population.
A 9.24% drop was recorded in the following year in same category while 2019 saw 64.18 percent recorded the same level of performance out of the over 1.5 million registered students.
How just two weeks of preparation can take the performance index for this year higher is a big question with an answer not too close. The workload on the students will be more than normal as classes for the nine subjects they opted for would run uninterruptedly.
Some quarters might argue that the students had four months to prepare. No doubt, this could be true but only to a limited extent. At the initial phase of the lockdown, the tempo of study could have been sustained as the students continued to prepare with the hope that the spread of the virus would be contained as quickly as possible and normalcy restored. What they could never have bargained for is the waiting game extending for four long months.
To seek to excite the minds of the students suddenly with examination within a short time is not the best. Even advance examinations and professional bodies are known to give sufficient time for preparation and with adequate information to those concerned.
With the current situation, the floodgate for examination malpractices might have been opened as the students and their overzealous parents and even the teachers would opt for creative ways of making it through in the examinations.
Why can’t the WASSC Examination be shifted to give time for our dear students to get ready for the big and life changing task ahead of them?
- Shotonwa Waheed, [email protected] | https://thenationonlineng.net/wassce-2020-how-prepared-are- | 636 | null | 1 | en | 0.999996 |
Photo / Video
April 7, 2015 by The Nation
COLLAPSED GIIRE BRIDGE ON KOSUBOSU-YASHIKIRA ROAD IN BARUTEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA ON TUESDAY
Abuja doctor reveals a unique way to permanently cure weak erection, small and shameful manhood, and infertility issues without side effects within a short period. Click now to see!! | http://thenationonlineng.net/new/photo-collapsed- | 93 | null | 1 | en | 0.996851 |
President Muhammadu Buhari
*Backs more use of technology in election
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that he will not stay in office as President beyond May 29, 2023.
The President has also warned those campaigning for tenure extension for him to desist from such a dangerous journey, saying that he would abide by the constitution he swore to uphold.
This is as he has given tacit support to efforts to increase the role of technology in the nation’s elections.
His expression of support to increase the role of technology in elections came on the heels of the clamor for electronic transmission of results by many Nigerians to make the process credible.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had told the National Assembly and indeed Nigerians that the commission can transmit election results electronically.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, quoted the President as saying, “I swore by the Holy Qur’an that I will serve by the constitution and leave when my time is up.
“No Tazarce (tenure extension). I don’t want anybody to start talking about and campaigning for an unconstitutional extension. I will not accept that.”
According to the statement, President Buhari made the vow at a meeting in Makkah with a select group of Nigerians resident in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he just ended a visit.
Besides the tenure extension issue, the statement further said that the President “tacitly expressed support to efforts to increase the role of technology in the nation’s elections.
“He argued that the introduction of the card reader and electronic register was God’s answer to his prayers, having been cheated of his victory in three previous elections.”
The President said, “After the third so-called defeat, I said, ‘God Dey’. My opponents laughed at me but God answered my prayers by bringing in technology.
“At that point, nobody can steal their votes or buy them.”
READ ALSO: Buhari travels to Saudi Arabia
President Buhari, who ended his visit to the Kingdom with the Friday Prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, said he will continue to abide by the constitution in all its ramifications and he will at all times supervise and deal with his ministers on the same basis.
He gave assurances at the meeting that in the balance of “eighteen months or so of my time left, whatever I can do to improve the life of Nigerians, I will do it for the country.”
The President commended diaspora Nigerians in the Kingdom for representing the country well and projecting its good image.
He also used the opportunity to urge citizens at home to be fair to his administration at all times.
He asked the critics to compare the security situations in the North-East and South-South in 2015 and how things have improved as of now.
“My problem is the North-West where people are killing and stealing from one another.
“I had to be very hard on them and I will continue to be very hard until we put them in line and bring back order,” he said.
For Nigerians in Diaspora
President Buhari urged Nigerians living in the country to respect the laws, remain law-abiding and do nothing to derogate from the many years of friendly and mutually-beneficial relationships between the two countries.
A leader of the community, Dr. Abdulkadir Maikudi, who spoke on behalf of the group requested the President to assist the privately-run Nigerian International School in the Kingdom by equipping it to provide science and technical education.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yahaya Lawal, and the Consul-General in Jeddah, Ambassador Abdulkarim Mansur attested to the good conduct of the nearly 1.5 million Nigerians there.
According to them, “Nigerian professionals are doing well and projecting a good image of our country.”
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/10/i-wont-stay- | 883 | null | 1 | en | 0.99999 |
The Presidency has reacted to the protests by members of the #RevolutionNow movement in parts of the country.
Speaking during his appearance on Sunrise Daily on Thursday, the President’s Special Adviser, Femi Adesina, dismissed the demonstration by the protesters.
“Well, was it really a protest? By my estimation, that just seemed like a child’s play because protests by their very nature are spontaneous things; they are mass things,” he said on the Channels Television’s breakfast programme.
The President’s spokesman added, “I just saw a sprinkle of people trying to be funny. As far as I am concerned, it is nothing to worry about because when you talk of a revolution, a revolution is always a mass thing.
“Not the sprinkle of young boys and girls you saw yesterday in different parts of the country. I think it was just a funny thing to call it a protest and a revolution protest.”
‘The Country We Get’
Dozens of youths had taken to strategic areas in Abuja and Lagos, among other parts of the country in protest to demand the resignation of the present administration.
Among the various issues raised, the protesters said the government has failed to tackle the security challenges in the country and provide jobs for unemployed youths.
In his reaction, Adesina insisted that there was never a revolution march and the action of the youths was a mere child’s play.
According to him, revolutions, by their nature, are quite well-known and the government has been living up to its responsibilities.
The President’s spokesman said, “Revolution is something that turns the normal order; what happened yesterday, would you call it a revolution? It was just an irritation; it was just an irritation and some people want to cause irritation in the country.”
“And what I will say is that when things boil over, they boil over because you continue to heat them. So, Nigerians need to know that the country we get is what we used our own hands to build.” | https://www.channelstv.com/2020/08/06/revolutionnow-not-a-protest-it- | 435 | null | 1 | en | 0.999989 |
By Esther Onyegbula
Tragedy struck on Tuesday afternoon at Grammar School Bus Stop, Along Ogba-ojodu Berger Road Lagos when a white delivery truck, allegedly chased by officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency LASTMA rammed into school children returning back from school killing seventeen in the process.
Vanguard metro learned that the school children who are pupils from Grammar school, were coming back from school when the truck driver who was attempting to escape from the officials rammed into them.
According to an eyewitness account, immediately after the accident happened, the truck driver, ran away but was caught at Ogba very close to Excellence hotel, where it was set ablaze by irate commuters.
According to Cynthia a student who witnessed the accident, “the sight is something else, the kids were crushed, the accident happened immediately the school opened their school gate after the close of school. I am not sure about the number, as at when I left they said 17 children were confirmed dead.”
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/12/delivery-truck-kills-over-17-grammar- | 228 | null | 1 | en | 0.999834 |
The former lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye on Friday said he is full of regret for supporting the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
Buhari contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) six years ago and defeated ex-President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the first time an opposition would floor a ruling party in Nigeria’s presidential election.
Melaye was among those that canvassed support for Buhari’s presidential ambition, having dumped the PDP for the ruling APC.
Six years down the line, the former federal lawmaker and PDP chieftain asked God and Nigerians for forgiveness, noting that this current administration is the worst in the nation’s history.
“I apologise to God almighty who is the supreme controller of the universe and Nigerians for supporting Buhari,” he said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“The Buhari agenda is the greatest scam that came out of Africa. The Buhari presidency in 2015 is the greatest scam that came out of Africa.
“The subject Buhari is the greatest common that came out of Africa. Once I was blind, now I can see. How can one remain in a political party and support the presidency with what is happening today in Nigeria? I regret seriously supporting that because we were scammed,” he stated.
Senator Melaye also bemoaned what he described as corruption inherent in the ruling APC, noting that the current administration would inflate the mount of road contract.
Giving an instance, he wondered why the government would budget ₦2.1billion for the rehabilitation of one kilometre of road.
The PDP chieftain also spoke about the 2019 general elections where the main opposition fielded ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate.
He said based on available statistics the PDP won the election, accusing the APC-led Federal Government of ousting former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen during the electioneering period.
When asked if Atiku would join the 2023 presidential race again, the ex-lawmaker said although he is qualified to aspire for the highest office in the land, he (Melaye) is not in a position to speak for the ex-Vice President.
“Atiku Abubakar is qualified in all ramifications to run for the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is not for me to ask him to run or not to run. Whether he should or not, my opinion is immaterial.
“When we get to the presidential primaries, I will vote for an aspirant I feel is qualified to run for the PDP. That is my personal opinion,” he added.
On the security challenges facing the country, the PDP chieftain faulted the APC’s handling of the security issue in the land.
He noted that the Nigerian Army that has excelled in international peacekeeping operations have been reduced to a boy scout under the APC’s government.
Melaye stated further: “Nigerians are fed up with this NGO called the APC. The insecurity in this country, we have never seen anything like this, I cannot fathom it.
“The same Nigerian Army that did well in Sudan, Liberia, that went to Congo Brazzaville, that went to Sierra Leone, that has been going for United Nations’ assignments and flying in brighter colours is the same Army, Air Force, Navy that is behaving like a boy scout today all because of corruption, ineptitude.
“There is no governance in government. We have no President, the President is not available. It has never been this terrible.” | https://www.channelstv.com/2021/03/19/i-seriously- | 804 | null | 1 | en | 0.999891 |
6th July, 2021
By Taiwo Okanlawon
The only three daughters of Prophet TB Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, have paid tributes to their late father, describing him as loving and caring father.
Serah, Promise and Heart poured out their hearts at the All-Day Tribute Service held at the church premises on Tuesday, in his honour.
Their mother, Evelyn had earlier promised to carry on with the legacy of her husband and “keep his hopes alive”.
Evelyn said though his husband is not dead, it’s very sad she will not see him again.
The widow in her heart-warming message also described the late man of God as a loving husband and father and one who created time for his family despite his busy spiritual schedule.
She, however, thanked God for making her the wife of such a great husband and spiritual father, and said, “thank you for choosing me”
Speaking further, she described her late husband as one who did not understand the word impossible.
“We will keep the fire burning. We will keep your hopes alive. I shall forever be proud to be your wife,” she added.
Dad lived a fulfilling and enigmatic life – Serah
In her own tribute, Serah, the first daughter of the late prophet said he lived a fulfilled life.
“It’s really hard to put in words how remarkable and impressive you are. I had a good portion of having you as a father who was hard-working, generous, and a host of other versions too numerous to count.
“I remembered the countless time you called me when I was in boarding school, asking about my favourite subject, how my exam went and for some reasons, asking me to predict what I think I got in every test.
“I truly appreciated that you took your time out of your busy schedule to call me.
“I am so proud of my father. Dad told me that the work of God is so beautiful to do.
“’Indeed he lived a prayerful life, I recall how one day we prayed for 45 minutes and after that my knees were aching. After that he told me that the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
“I will truly miss our conversation. If anyone lived a fulfilling and yet enigmatic life, it was you. I have no reservation that my dad had the biggest heart that I know of. He was a true humanitarian for his generation. What a feat you have left for all of us to live up to.
“I am so surprised to hear about all the condolences from people around the world about your passion, even people I have never met, they all testified about your passion for What a life you lived- such a legend and exemplary light.”
His death didn’t come to me as a surprise – Promise
On her part, Promise the late Joshua’s second daughter described her late dad as one who lived each day as if it was his last.
“As devastated as I was upon hearing about the news of my dad’s passage, I cannot say I was completely unprepared for that day. Growing up as a biological daughter to a man like Prophet TB Joshua, he made me understand that he was on a mission in this world.
She added that she was also certain her father will be called back after executing the assignment he came to the world for.
“I will say that my Dad did an excellent job in preparing me mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically.
“I remembered our trip to Arigidi in Akoko, Ondo State, he made sure I was present when in town to visit the ederly people. He will ask me to kneel down as we ask the elders to accept out gifts and they will pray for us, he will look at me and say ‘this is the good life.’
He lived each day like it was his last. It didn’t come to me like a surprise. Thank you for living such an exemplary life,” she added.
It has not been the same for me since his death- Heart
Also paying tribute to her dad, Heart Joshua said; “Thank you for coming out to celebrate my father’s beautiful life. When that day came, June 5, my father Prophet TB Joshua departed this world to go and join his father in heaven and it has not been the same for me then.
“I don’t have many words to express how much I love him, me Daddy’s girl. At a tender age, he showed me that he loved me, and I will forever love him.
“He was clear in heart, body, and mind, and I shall never forget that. My father was an extraordinary man.
“My father always had a smile on his face regardless of any situation and will never let anything trouble him.
“He was a jovial man, full of fun and laughter, he cracked uncountable jokes with me and my sister.
“His death has left a scar in our hearts, but his legacy will stand in our lives. I am so grateful to have had as much time I had with him, and I will always remember that he was the most ambitious and remarkable father.
“My father was the most important person in my life and I feel heartbroken that I no longer have my father, a spiritual figure.
“His memory will not only carry on in my heart but in the heart of everyone lucky enough to have known Prophet TB Joshua,” she added.
I doubted many times if he was human – Brain Moshil
His son-in-law, Mr Brian Moshil, said that he lived an exemplary life of service to God and humanity.
Moshi said that his father-in-law could do many things at the same time.
“You were a great teacher, yet a good student, a lion, yet a lamb.
“I have doubted so many times if you were human; you never waited for tomorrow to accomplish what could be done today,” Moshi said. | https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/07/06/tb-joshua-in-the-eyes-of-his-daughters- | 1,302 | null | 1 | en | 0.999994 |
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA– THE non teaching staff of universities who have been on strike since December 2017 are seated at Conference hall of the Federal Ministry of Education for a closed-door meeting with the Federal Government.
The meeting which is on the instance of the Federal Government negotiation team led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige is expected to deliberate on the “no work, no pay” policy being contemplated by the government against the striking workers.
But the three unions have said they will not be threatened and have accused the government of being responsible for the prolonged strike.
Although the meeting was slated for 11am, as at 12:30pm the union members were agitating to storm out of the Conference hall because neither the two Ministers of labour nor their counterparts in the ministry of education are present, a staff of the labour ministry pleaded with the union leaders that the meeting has been shifted to 1pm.
The non teaching staff under the umbrella of Joint Action Committee, JAC, comprising the Non Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions, NASU, National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, have accused the Federal Government of breaching the agreement the two parties entered into in September 2017 that led to the suspension of the strike the unions embarked on.
However, as at the time of filing this report, Permanent Secretaries in the two ministries are seated waiting for the leader of the government negotiation team, Senator Chris Ngige.
Present at the meeting are the Chairman of JAC and National President of SSANU, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, the National President of NASU, Chris Ani, the NAAT President, Suleiman Sani, the General Secretary of NASU, Peter Adeyemi as well as other executive members of the three unions.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/no-workno-pay-nasu-ssanu-naat- | 403 | null | 1 | en | 0.999987 |
*Churches deprived of holding Sunday service
By Evelyn Usman
Mushin area of Lagos State was yesterday, thrown into commotion as some armed gang invaded some streets, inflicting injuries on residents and destroying property worth millions of naira.
It was gathered one person died in the mayhem that forced churches within the affected communities to close for fear of being attacked.
Information had it that a notorious armed robber was arrested sometime by the police and was transferred to Abuja. But his release was allegedly facilitated by some big shots he worked for.
After his release, his loyalists from the Idi-Araba area of the state reportedly invaded some areas of Mushin to attack some persons whom they accused of being the cause of his arrest. The areas affected were Alafia, Daniel and Morgan.
A resident, who simply gave his name as Mitchy, explained that “the fight has been going on since midnight (Saturday)and the perpetrators came from Idi-Araba. This has been happening for almost six months. But last night and today’s(Sunday) were the most violent.
“Surprisingly, the armed thugs were teenagers between 16 and 19 years. They looted people’s shops and carted away goods. They were armed with machetes, guns and bottles.
“Holy Trinity Anglican Church at Alafia junction and Christ Gospel Apostolic Church on Da-Silva street could not conduct Sunday service.”
Vanguard gathered teams of policemen from the Tactical Unit of the Lagos State Police Command were ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Odumosu to contain the situation,
When contacted, the command spokesman, CSP Ade Ajisebutu, said 15 suspects had been arrested in connection with the clash. He said axes, cutlasses and expended cartridges were recovered in the process.
According to Ajisebutu, “Normalcy has returned to the area. CP Odumosu has assured residents to go about their lawful businesses. At the end of an investigation, the suspects will be charged to court.”
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/09/armed- | 450 | null | 1 | en | 0.999977 |
4th January, 2021
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Monday accused Amnesty International and the International Criminal Court of worsening the security challenges facing the country through their criticisms of activities of Nigerian troops.
The Minister who spoke in Lagos while addressing journalists on review of activities of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020 alleged that the two organizations by their constant criticisms of the activities of Nigeria’s security operatives saddled with the task of fighting against insurgency and other crimes are colluding to “exacerbate the challenges facing the country in the area of security.”
He said, “Gentlemen, let me say straight away that Nigeria is fending off attacks on many fronts, not just from terrorists and bandits, but also from some human rights organizations and the International Criminal Court (ICC) which seem to have colluded to exacerbate the challenges facing the country in the area of security.
“While our security agencies continue to battle these bandits and terrorists, the ICC and some international human rights organizations, especially Amnesty International, have constituted themselves to another ‘fighting force’ against Nigeria, constantly harassing our security forces and threatening them with investigation and possible prosecution over alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.
“Unfortunately, a section of the local media has been parroting these organizations without weighing the impact of their constant threats on the security of the nation.
“The federal government frowns at this unbridled attempt to demoralize our security men and women as they confront the onslaught from bandits and terrorists.
The Minister added that Nigeria is a sovereign state and will not surrender its sovereignty to any organization while asking ICC, Amnesty International and others to desist from threatening Nigerian troops
“Enough is enough. It is sad that these organizations mostly rely on fake news and disinformation to reach their conclusions, as witnessed during the Endsars protest when CNN – an otherwise respected global news network – went to town with fake news of a massacre. As it turned out, it was a massacre without bodies.
“ As you are aware, we called CNN out and also petitioned the network. Though they acknowledged receipt of our petition, we have yet to hear from them on what actions they intend to take to prevent a recurrence of the fake news they peddled about Nigeria.
“I can assure you, gentlemen that the matter is far from over.” | https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/01/04/amnesty-international-icc-now- | 501 | null | 1 | en | 0.999979 |
According to Goal, having originally been confident that a deal could be reached, the La Liga giants would not concede to PSG's demands for a fee of €200 million.
Considering the existing condition, Mbappe will now see out the remainder of his contract at PSG. The contract expires at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, PSG’s sporting director, Leonardo, has drawn up a four-man shortlist of forwards to replace Mbappe should he leave the French club.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane is one of the names on the list, with Richarlison, and Mohammed Salah said to be among those eyed.
Kane has already been heavily linked with a move away this summer but the striker has confirmed he is staying at Spurs for this term. | https://allnews.ng/news/transfer-mbappe-to-stay-at-psg-see-why | 166 | Sports | 1 | en | 0.999912 |
January 25, 2021 by The Nation
BREAKING: Court discharges Atiku’s lawyer over alleged $2m fraud
By Robert Egbe
A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a $2million money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie, a lawyer to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke held, among others, that the EFCC failed to establish that the money was illegal. | https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-court-discharges-atikus-lawyer-over- | 116 | null | 1 | en | 0.994275 |
20 suspected members of ESN paraded at Imo Police Command headquarters in Owerri, over attacks in Oru East, Njaba.
*…7 females arrested
By Chinonso Alozie
The Imo State Police Command on Monday, said a 15-year-old boy, Emmanuel Nnaji, a native of Awala in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, was the one who led the police tactical team to a hotel in Orlu Local Government, from where attacks were planned and executed in Omuma, Oru East Local Government and Njaba Police station in the State.
The Imo State Police Commissioner, Abutu Yaro, said this in Owerri while parading over twenty suspected members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, who were arrested from the said hotel in Orlu. In addition, Yaro said seven females were among those arrested.
It was said that the hotel was where a victim was beheaded by the suspects and the head placed along the road. Also, the ESN members were arrested with Army camouflage uniforms, arms and ammunition.
The police said part of their discovery was that the owner of the said hotel accommodated and gave financial support to the ESN members as a base from where they launched attacks in the State.
According to the Police, “Sequel to the recent attack on Omuma Police station and Njaba Police Station respectively, where the bandits were swiftly repelled by the ever-alert tactical teams of Imo State Police Command and the unfortunate loss of a Divisional Police Officer and the arrest of one of the bandits Emmanuel Nnaji ‘M’ age 15 years, a native of Awala in Ideato South LGA of Imo State with bullet wounds and brought to the station.
“On interrogation by the command’s tactical teams, the suspect gave a vivid description of a Hotel located in Orlu as were they, the bandits stayed, planned before they executed their dastardly act on the police stations.
“The owner of the Hotel has been accommodating and assisting them financially. He then volunteered and led security forces to the location of the hotel. On arrival, the hotel and house were cordoned and searched exhibits were recovered from the arrested twenty-six suspects including seven females in the hotel they incudes.
“It is on good record that, it was in the same hotel that the head of a young man was severed and placed on the road close to the hotel premises.
Presently, the investigation is ongoing and the suspects are undergoing interrogation.”
However, the Police said it “Recalled that, in the same Orlu, some months ago during the peak of IPOB/ ESN attacks and killing of Police officers including innocent citizens and burning of Police stations in the state.
“That, the command’s tactical teams and Special forces, after a diligent gathering of technical intelligence, arrested one Boniface Okeke ‘Male’ age 57 years from Obor Autonomous Community in Orlu LGA of Imo State in connection with terrorism and attacks on security agencies and private individuals where several Police stations were burnt down and police officers killed in numbers.”
“On interrogation, he confessed of being a facilitator and financer of IPOB/ ESN Operation in the state to the tune of ten million Naira ( #10,000,000 ) while he was outside the country. He assisted the police in the arrest of some of their members and decimation of their Camps in the state.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Abutu Yaro, FDC, while commending the good people of Orlu and Imo State in general, pleaded for calm as security agencies are doing everything humanly possible to sustain the already improved peace in the state,” Police said.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/08/15-year-old-boy-exposes-hotel-where- | 827 | null | 1 | en | 0.999935 |
January 15, 2023 by Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt
Wike hails Buhari’s war against Boko Haram, bandits
Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has for the first time applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his sustained war against Boko Haram, bandits and other terrorists in the country.
The Governor spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt after the wreath laying ceremony to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Isaac Boro Park on Sunday.
Wike said the best legacies Buhari could leave for the country were the restoration of peace in all troubled geopolitical zones and free and fair elections in February and March.
The Governor said: “I commend our President, General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for his sustained efforts at defeating the Boko Haram insurgents and bandits terrorizing and destroying our communities in parts of our country.
“The restoration of peace to our troubled geo-political regions and the conduct of free and fair general elections are the best legacies you can live for our country”.
He recalled that a few years after independence, the Armed Forces fought and quelled the civil war that broke out and lasted for three gruesome years.
He said since then, there had been hardly a year when members of the armed forces were not assigned to a bloody combat mission either within or outside the country.
Wike said the armed forces had also been at war with Boko Haram and other insurgents in the Northwest and Northeast of the country for over 10 years and the “unknown gunmen” in the Southeast of the country.
The Governor noted that the goals of all well-meaning leaders should be the sustenance of one country and building a fairer, more inclusive and just society.
The Governor insisted that he would continue to pray for President Buhari and other leaders to succeed in their mission and commitments.
He said: “As leaders, our goal must be one Nigeria, one destiny, and the challenges of building a more fair, inclusive and just society are not beyond us.
“Therefore, I will not relent in my prayers to God to enable Mr President and other leaders of our country to succeed in our mission and commitments to our country.”
Wike said that a grateful country would honour her armed forces’ extraordinary bravery and courage during their service and the sacrifices of their families for the common good.
Wike recommended that persons suffering from various health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorders, should have the best healthcare and attention from the public purse.
He said the State Government had redeemed N50m pledge it made during the emblem appeal fund lunch.
The Governor also donated N100m on behalf of the state for the economic empowerment of the veteran servicemen. | https://thenationonlineng.net/wike-hails-buharis-war-against- | 573 | null | 1 | en | 0.999971 |
17th March, 2021
The Biafra Nations League (BNL) in the Bakassi Peninsula, is threatening to unleash mayhem on any security agency prepared to stop its operations in the region.
According to the group, they have taken over the creeks and bushes of the region to hoist the Biafran flags in all parts of Bakassi Peninsula of both Nigeria and Cameroon.
In a statement signed by its Operational Commander in Bakassi Peninsula on Wednesday, the group also threatened to enforce the expulsion of oil companies from the region.
“BNL activities in Bakassi Peninsula will differ from other areas,” the group warned.
“Any oil vessel coming towards Bakassi Peninsula to stay off, otherwise their vessels will be hijacked in the sea,” it boasted.
Earlier, BNL had in a separate statement disassociated itself from Asari Dokubo’s Biafran De Facto Customary Government. | https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/03/17/biafra-claims- | 200 | null | 1 | en | 0.999559 |
The Minister of Works, David Umahi said the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi is inciting people of the southeast, especially the uninformed, against the federal government.
Umahi stated this while speaking during an event organized by the Federal Ministry of Works to compensate property owners affected by the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.
Lagos-Calabar highway: Peter Obi inciting Igbo against FG — Umahi
— Vanguard Newspapers (@vanguardngrnews) May 1, 2024
Credit: TVC pic.twitter.com/F2hGOXLUEo
The minister added that Obi failed to advocate for the people even after leading them into difficulties.
The 700-kilometre coastal highway project, estimated to cost the federal government N15 trillion, has attracted public outcry over demolition of the Landmark Beach Resort valued at $200 million to pave for a right of way for the road.
Following the demolition, the Group CEO of Landmark, Paul Onwuanibe, expressed concern over the development, saying the demolition will impact on businesses, livelihoods, and employment.
Obi had criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
The Labour Party candidate emphasized the need to prioritize national security, poverty alleviation, healthcare, and education over controversial infrastructure projects.
He berated the insensitivity of the reported demolitions in the project’s designated right of way, noting the devastating effects on livelihoods and investments.
But, Umahi defended the government’s actions, dismissing claims of inhumanity towards Landmark.
The minister accused Obi of spreading misinformation that incites the uninformed population.
Umahi urged people to exercise wisdom and avoid judgmental statements that could lead to trouble, adding he has been personally involved in addressing the project’s concerns.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/05/lagos-calabar-highway-peter-obi-inciting- | 407 | null | 1 | en | 0.999641 |
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has disclosed that the G5 otherwise known as the Integrity Group visited the President Bola Tinubu to brief him of the latest happenings and the group’s stance for fairness, equity and justice in the country.
Makinde, who was flanked by the four other members of the group who are now immediate past governors, further acknowledged that nation building is a difficult task and demand constant evaluation.
The G5, according to him, will keep meeting with the President on the way forward for the country.
Addressing State House correspondents, the Oyo governor said, “Nation building is a very difficult task. You have to keep evaluating, you know what you’re doing, where you’re going. So, we have to keep seeing the President, you know, to let him know what is happening.
“The G-5, the Integrity Group, came to let the President know what we stood for: fairness, justice, and equity.
This is the third time that Makinde would be visiting the President with some members of the group in the last one week.
In attendance at the meeting alongside Makinde were four former governors within the party. They are former Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).
The current governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah was also present.
The G5 made up of aggrieved politicians within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) kicked against the emergence of PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the last elections and backed the return of power to Southern Nigeria. | https://www.channelstv.com/2023/06/08/what-g5-members-discussed-with- | 368 | null | 1 | en | 0.999939 |
By Yinka Odumakin
MALLAM Audu used to have a kiosk as you crossed from Moremi Hall to Awolowo Hall in Ife in those days. We bought little items from from the wares he displayed close to the health centre. After payment was made, Audu was usually not so quick with giving out the change, so, we would yell at him in our smattering knowledge of the Hausa Language: “Mallam,bani Changi!
For all those persuaded that all we needed to bring about CHANGE in Nigeria is one man of integrity while keeping the crooked structure that survives only on the oxygen of corruption must be screaming “Bani changi!” after going through the 2016 budget proposals laid before the joint session of the National Assembly recently.
President Buhari himself betrayed the limitations of what one man’s moral can do in a totally depraved system when he revealed during his maiden media chat that he refused the sum of N400m appropriated to buy cars for him but that his officials persuaded him to accept, that cars be purchased for use of visiting heads of state and all that when the dire straits we are in compels that we rely on hired taxis to receive such people so they would know that we are not in party mood. By the time they were done, the Presidency whose head felt buying cars should not be our priority now is to spend N3.6b on Salon cars.
Presidency’s mockery of the times
There are many other expenditure items in the presidency that are scandalous and mock the times that we are in. There is the N189.1m voted for tyres for various vehicles, including the bulletproof and plain Mercedes Benz cars being used in the Presidency. The budget for the Presidency has been raised to N39b from N24.4b in the 2015 budget with N1,415,706,197 devoted to both local and international travels as against N944m spent in 2015. We should be spending more time to find home-grown solutions to our problem given the global economic turmoil that we are witnessing.
At a time when we are not sure if human beings would be able to feed, the N24m budgeted for the purchase of exotic animals in 2015 has been increased to N326m in 2016.
A further breakdown of the 2016 budget for the Presidency includes other ridiculous headings such as : general renovation of the Guest House (N387m); complete furnishing of the Guest House (N45m); purchase of computers (N27.5m) and construction and provision of recreational facilities at N764m.
Other insensitive expenditures on the Presidency’s vehicles include N39.8m for the purchase of an unspecified number of 200 amps, 100 amps and 60 amps Mercedes Benz batteries for bulletproof vehicles while N30m is to be expended on the purchase of tool boxes, car jacks, and diagnostic machines for bulletproof cars. The purchase of C-Caution triangles, fire-extinguishers and cables is to cost N27m.
The uproar generated nationally in 2015 over the N1billion budget for food in the villa did not stop the almost 100% increase on the same heading to N1.75billion in 2016 at a time “fellow Nigerians” are being summoned to tighten their belts!
In the same vein, the acquisition of presidential canteen materials and kitchen equipment increased from N83.1m in 2015 to N89m in 2016. Where are those purchased last year? We have not been told yet that the last occupiers of Aso Rock went away with kitchen equipment and as such it is sheer waste to make such an item a recurrent expenditure.
A whopping sum N114.4m is to be expended on the upgrade of internet infrastructure in the State House with another N22.5 to be spent on purchasing internet servers.
In what appears as cooking up items to justify frittering of resource, a nebulous “Active Devices for State House Network” is to cost N100m and N35m is to be expended on the purchase of security appliances and licences, including computer anti-virus software. God have mercy!
The binge continues, the Office of the National Security Adviser where out of the N90.3 billion budget for 2016, N8.7 billion is to be expended to develop the ONSA’s “All-Eye” surveillance project and N9 billion to construct a salacious b “Stravinsky Project”.
Securing the nation
The ONSA’s security vote, including funds for operations, is put at N576m.
The Department of State Security Service (DSS) has N2.2 billion for its 2016 security vote. The Presidential Air Fleet is to spend N262.4m on Air Navigation equipment.
Other wasteful items under the Presidency’s 2016 budget include: N55,670,000 for installation or budget planning software; N272,646,891 for Upgrading of mechanical and electrical power line (underground) supplies to the State House; N322,421,971 for linking of cable to drivers’ rest room at Villa Admin and N213,873,953 for linking of cable from House No 9 Generator House to the gate.
The craze continues with N618,604,265 for installation of electrical lightings and fittings; N191,592,132 for electrical installation of distribution boards and other cables; N22,861,449 for provision of stage curtains and electrical drive; N10,416,146 for installations of electrical materials and luminaries.
There have been a lot of rhetorics about “diversification ” of the economy to the point that people were expecting that the 2016 budget would pay serious attention to non-oil sources especially the solid mineral sector. Alas, only a paltry N9b was voted for solid mineral, just a quarter of the N40b that has been earmarked to search for oil in the Lake chad at a time when IMF has projected that oil may fall to $20 a barrel as against our $38 projection. Peradventure oil is found in the North East, who is going to invest in the place given the security situation in that area? This is at best a sentimental voyage!
The President was right when he said that there is the need to secure Nigeria and then manage it. But we also need to manage what resources we devote to securing the country. We have N294.5 billion budgeted for the Ministry of Defence,the Ministry of Interior has a budget of N145.2b, Nigerian Police Formation and Command has N283.09 billion.
There is another N10b voted for Operation Lafiya Dole. If the four items are added with the N57.7 billion voted for the office of the National Security Adviser we have N799.04 billion devoted to security out of a N6.08 trillion!
Neglect of Agriculture
There is no rationale for the N39 billion voted for the Ministry of Information in the 2016 budget as against the N9 billion allocated to the same Ministry in 2015. Are we to consume more propaganda in this appropriation year? It boggles the mind further when it is realised that the N39.1billion allocated to the Information is more than the combined budgets of Ministry of Transportation N13.7 billion, Ministry of Water Resources N7.2 billion and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment N10.5 billion. The Information Ministry also has a higher vote than the Ministry of Agriculture N29 billion and Solid Mineral N9 billion. Yet, these are two key ministries crucial to diversification of our economy to meet the challenges of our reality.
It is doubtful if our policy makers came across Rick Rowden’s article titled “Africa’s Boom Is Over” where he opined as follows:
Today, I’m sorry to say, it looks like the skeptics were right. Oil and commodity prices are plunging, China’s purchases are slowing, and GDP growth rates across the continent are in steep decline. Reflecting these trends, the IMF has cut its 2015 projection for growth in sub-Saharan Africa from 4.5 to 3.75 percent, concluding that the decade-long commodity cycle that had raised African export revenues “seems to have come to an end.” With a population boom on the horizon, experts now worry about how the continent will produce enough jobs for its people.
Africa and arrested development
Africa’s plight is reflected by developments in its two leading economies, Nigeria and South Africa, which together account for 55 percent of the 48 sub-Saharan African nations’ GDP, and which have both been particularly hard hit by falling mineral and oil prices. Nigeria’s growth rate has slumped to 2.4 percent in the second quarter, the slowest pace in at least five years, while South Africa’s economy contracted by an annualised 1.3 percent as power shortages curbed output.
The fall in commodities prices has hit other oil producers, too, such as Angola and Ghana, while Zambia, the continent’s second-biggest copper producer, has suffered as copper prices have plunged to a six-year low.”
Nigeria has to smell the coffee. We must come to terms with the fact that the 2016 budget proposals is a great goof that betrays lack of appreciation of the need to CHANGE our ways. A return to the drawing board is necessary.
We must urgently disperse powers to the federating units so they can start in earnest the exploration of non-oil minerals under their soil and create new corridors of prosperity.
There is too much resources in Abuja with little responsibility which is the reason scandalous spendings would continue to be its lot. To continue to do what brought us to where we are and call it CHANGE is sheer deception. Give us the real change now!
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/01/2016-budget-bani-changi/ | 2,086 | null | 1 | en | 0.999979 |
President Muhammadu Buhari
By Perez Brisibe – Ughelli
Former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Oweilaemi Pereotubo has counseled his Ijaw kinsmen from the Niger Delta region that they should stop seeing President Muhammadu Buhari as their problem stating that the Ijaws are their own problem.
Pereotubo in a statement yesterday, also ask the Ijaws to expunge themselves of “hate, blackmail, deceit and sycophancy as well as worrisomely disunity and pull him down syndrome.”
He said: “How can we be this divided as a people in every fronts and expect President Buhari or the system to take us serious?
“How do you expect Buhari to take you serious when you place your personal political affiliations above our collective cultural affinity and development?
“Ijaws are fighting each other wherever they find themselves in as much as they are not in the same political association. Unlike other regions that places their well-being and coexistence above their individual political parties and self aggrandizement. Emulate others before it is too late.
“I tell you for free, if the ijaw race is truly and or genuinely united, no leader born of a woman that will not reference us as a people in building an egalitarian society.”
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/were-our- | 309 | null | 1 | en | 0.999971 |
November 6, 2019 by The Nation
Minister orders cut of data rate
Blessing Olaifa, Abuja
PRICE of mobile data services must go down, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, said on Tuesday.
He directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to work in concert with telecom operators within one week to achieve the reduction plan.
The minister, who spoke in his office, said he had been inundated with complaints by Nigerians who pay so much for data that hardly lasts.
The NCC team to his office was led by its Board Chairman Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye.
The Minister spoke in Abuja after NCC’s new Executive Commissioner (Stakeholders Management), Adeleke Adewolu was sworn in.
He said: “I am urging the management of NCC to work towards reducing the price of data in Nigeria. It is too costly and people are complaining every day.
Read Also: Nigeria to review foreign policy – Minister
“If you go to other countries, even countries that are not as largely populated as Nigeria, data prices are not this high. I am also a victim of some of the infractions that are so common in the industry.
“You load your data, but you barely use 20 per cent of it and the entire data is wiped off. Illegal data deduction is one of the issues that worry me badly today.”
The minister said he did not agree with an attempt by NCC to defend the operators.
“I was not fully convinced by the explanation. Please go, sit down and review that issue. It is very important and I want to get your feedback with that report in the next five working days with the decision on it.
“The complaint from Nigerians is beyond what I can handle as it is today. People are complaining. And it happened to me. I recharged my data line and used it, and I believe that what I used was not up to 20 per cent of what I purchased when it was wiped off, so that is an issue that is very important.
“I directed NCC to reduce the price of data downward. It is very important. Go and look at other African countries that do not have population like ours, even 20 per cent of our population; go and see the price of data there.
“As a regulator, the main agenda of NCC is to protect the customers; our priority should be the interest of Nigerians.”
Pantami praised the NCC leadership for its achievements, especially in five per cent broadband penetration and the de-activation of pre-registered and unregistered SIM cards.
He urged the commission to go a step further by ensuring that 3G and 4G technology are expanded in Nigeria.
He urged the new board member to key into President Muhammadu Buhari’s programmes, which he said are anchored on fighting insecurity and corruption and lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty as soon as possible. | https://thenationonlineng.net/minister-orders-cut-of-data- | 631 | null | 1 | en | 0.999981 |
May 9, 2017 by The Nation
Imo students top JAMB application list in 2017
For the second year running, Imo topped the number of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) applications with 101, 868 in 2017, JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede has disclosed.
The registrar said this during a briefing with reporters on Tuesday in Abuja ahead of the unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) billed to start on Saturday in 642 computer based test (CBT) centres across the country.
According to him, Imo, Osun, and Oyo topped the list of those with the highest number of JAMB applications in 2017, following the applications of statistics by the state of origin.
Oloyede said Osun recorded the second highest with 88, 653 applications while Oyo recorded 87,811 applications.
The JAMB registrar said that Benue (68, 916), Kogi (70, 150) and Kano (70, 276) recorded the lowest applications.
He added that the agency registered 1.7 million candidates an increase of 464,287 candidates from last year’s 1.2 million candidates registered for the 2016 UTME,
Oloyede said: “As we set for the 2017 exercise, we have expanded on almost all the frontiers of the 2017 examinations. You may recall that last year, the examination was conducted in 524 centres. The 2017 UTME will hold simultaneously in 642 examination centres in Nigeria.
“A total number of one million, seven hundred and thirty-six thousand, five hundred and seventy-one (1,736, 571) candidates have registered for the 2017 UTME.
“In the last UTME conducted in 2016, a total of one million, two hundred and seventy-two thousand, two hundred and eighty-four (1,272,284) candidates registered for the 2015 UTME.
“The figure for the 2017 UTME shows an increase of four hundred and sixty-four thousand, two hundred and eighty-seven (464,287) applicants when compared with last year’s figure of one million, two hundred and seventy-two thousand, two hundred and eighty-four (1,272,284).
He said JAMB was more prepared to conduct a successful UTME after learning all the lessons from the recent past.
The JAMB registrar added that the agency has made provisions for 321 visually impaired candidates to take write examination.
“A total of 321 visually impaired candidates registered for this year’s examination and adequate arrangements have been provided to ensure that they partake in the examination.
“It is the board’s desire to ensure that no candidate is deprived of taking its examination. The examination will be conducted using JAMB’s equal opportunity group, a group of experts in education, who have graciously assisted in the assessment exercise.
“We have created 691,000 registration points instead of the previous less than 1000. This means that we have developed a system that would allow 691000 candidates to register in 10 minutes with our free access code granted to 100 points of registration at each centre even if our plan was to register 50,000 candidates per day.
“We have started to install CCTV cameras at our test centres so that from the situation room, we can monitor what is going on across the country,” he said.
Oloyede also said the organisation had successfully prosecuted two Nigerians who forged the board’s results and came for confirmation.
“It is certainly not going to be business as usual in the conduct of the board’s examination and other processes. In line with this resolution, the board had secured through diligent prosecution, the conviction of two Nigerians who forged the board’s results and came around for confirmation.
“At the moment, we have lodged complaints against a number of CBT centre owners for one infraction or the other and a number of them were arrested, cautioned, while others are to be prosecuted so as to serve as a deterrent to others,” he added. | http://thenationonlineng.net/imo-students-top-jamb-application- | 868 | null | 1 | en | 0.999996 |
German coach Gernot Rohr yesterday earned praises from the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare for the meritorious manner he has conducted the Super Eagles orchestra since he took the reins of the national team in 2016.
Under the former Bordeaux coach, the Super Eagles earned a qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2013 at Egypt 2019 where the team eventually clinched the bronze medal. He also supervised the team’s qualification to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup in a seemingly difficult group that housed three former African champions including the much-dreaded Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, Fennecs of Algeria and Chipolopolo of Zambia.
At a breakfast engagement with Minister shortly before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Rohr presented an autographed Ahmed Musa’s number 7 jersey and said the players were happy with the minister’s appointment, assuring that the Super Eagles will redouble their efforts to ensure qualification for the 2021 AFCON to be hosted by Cameroon without dropping a point.
“First, I bring you greetings from the players and they have sent me to present this signed Ahmed Musa Jersey to you which they would have done by themselves if you were in Uyo for their game against Benin Republic,” the 66-year-old coach said. “They equally said I should thank you for your support and encouragement and to assure you that they will make you proud by qualifying for the Nations Cup in 2021 without dropping point.
“I am also happy working with this young team which I known in future Super Eagles will be a team to beat,” Rohr noted.
Responding, Dare thanked Rohr for the good job he is doing and expressed satisfaction with the two recent 2021 AFCON matches as the Super Eagles beat Benin Republic (2-1 in Uyo) and Lesotho (4 -2 away in Maseru) respectively.
He urged the coach to take a look at Nigeria’s Professional Football League: “Our league needs to develop and any country without a strong league can’t compete globally. I urge you to look into our league to build the necessary confidence on our local players.”
Meanwhile, the Minister has explained that the renewal of Rohr’s contract which expires June next year depends on his employer, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“The NFF will decide either to renew or not his (Rohr) contract,” he said. “It is their duty to evaluate what he has done since he took over as the head coach. I have no say on that but for me, I am happy with the progress of our young team and I urge him to do more towards winning trophies.” | https://sportinglife.ng/sports-minister-gets-ahmed-musas-jersey-for-benin- | 576 | null | 1 | en | 0.999985 |
May 15, 2021 by The Nation
We’ve arrested killers of security agents in Rivers, says Wike
By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that some of the gunmen responsible for the ambushes and murders of security personnel in the state have been arrested and will face the full wrath of the law.
Wike in a state broadcast on Saturday evening said the state government had undertaken measures to check the recent attacks on security checkpoints and the killing of some security personnel and it’s yielding positive result.
He said: “Thank heavens, those responsible for the premeditated ambushes and murders of security personnel in the State have been apprehended and are now facing the bitter venom of our laws as none that is proven to be criminally liable will escape the fury and crushing impact of justice.
“We wish to reassure every citizen and resident that we are able, willing and ready to act directly and decisively, and at any time, with the full weight of our government to forestall every security threat to our State from any person, group or quarters.” | https://thenationonlineng.net/weve-arrested-killers-of-security- | 233 | null | 1 | en | 0.999994 |
March 22, 2024 by Gbenga Omokhunu | Abuja
Killing of 17 Military personnel in Delta barbaric, says Wike
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday, March 22, expressed sadness over the killing of 17 soldiers in the Okuama community area of Delta state.
Wike described the sad incident as barbaric and uncalled for and pledged to support the victims’ families to reduce their pain.
Wike stated this in Abuja when he received the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa who paid him a working visit alongside top military officers in Abuja.
He pledged to support the military that laboured day and night to protect the territorial integrity of the nation, adding that their sacrifices cannot be overemphasized.
Wike said: “First of all let me condole the families and the Nigeria Military of what happened in Delta State. It was the most barbaric act that has ever been seen. I don’t think every right-thinking person will ever support such a heinous crime. Not that the people died, but the way they were killed. It was quite unfortunate.
“We as FCT, we support the Nigeria Military in whichever way we can to see what we can do to reduce the pains the families of these individuals go through. We are going to support you”.
The minister reiterated the readiness of the Administration to build a high-technology security rapid response centre for security agencies in the territory to stem the tide of criminality.
Wike explained that the centre will be equipped with all forms of technologically driven security gadgets to enable security agencies to effectively fight crime and criminality in the nation’s capital.
In addition to the Rapid Response Centre, Wike promised to provide necessary operational logistics to all the security agencies, including the procurement of drones.
He went further: “The budget of FCT has been passed by the National Assembly, we are just waiting for the accent of Mr President. We have concluded to buy drones so that it will help the security agencies in trying to reduce the level of crime.”
Wike also assured the Armed Forces officers that the Administration would look into some of the land issues the military was having with the FCTA for the agencies to move forward.
Earlier, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa said plans were underway for the formation of special standby security forces in the FCT to nip insecurity in the bud in the territory.
He commended the FCT Minister for changing narratives in the history of Abuja and assured him that the Armed Forces are solidly behind him in his quest to ensure that Nigerians are protected.
Musa noted that efforts are on to join forces with other security agencies to tackle insecurity head-on, and also stressed the need for citizens to support security agencies.
He said: “Mostly why we came is to appreciate you for all the efforts you have put in place. We have seen within the short time that you took over, a lot of changes, things have really improved. We want to commend you for those efforts and to assure you that members of the Armed Forces are solidly behind you to provide all the necessary support as required.
“We know a mega city like FCT will attract different individuals, both the good, the bad and the ugly. We want to ensure supporting other security agencies that together we work as a team. We are people-centric. Whatever we are doing, is for my men, members of the Armed force to understand first and foremost that we are here to protect Nigerians. We must ensure that we are not part of those that infringe on the rights of other people.
“We are looking at it holistically to see how we can assist the police in responding to acts of criminality. Like the incident at Kuje prison, the incident of train crash, even though not in the FCT, but within the perimeter of the FCT. What we are trying to do is to build a force that will be on standby 24/7, in case there’s anything happening, we can provide additional support to the police.” | https://thenationonlineng.net/killing-of-17-military-personnel-in- | 861 | null | 1 | en | 0.999996 |
September 5, 2019 by The Nation
Sanwo-Olu: 100 days of action
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is 100 days old in office today. EMMANUEL OLADESU examines how he has been tackling the challenges of governance in the Centre of Excellence.
It has been 100 days of action, focus, resilience and resolve to make an impact on Lagosians. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been on the weighing scale. So far, the judgment of the people is positive. In their view, the governor has hit the ground running and demonstrated the resolve to build on the legacies of his predecessors, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
As part of activities marking his first 100 days, the governor commissioned the Olusosun Dumpsite Building yesterday. The facility is meant for the training and re-training of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) staff. He is determined to rid Lagos of the heap of refuse that has dented the image of the state, apart from also creating jobs in the sub-sector.
Today, Sanwo-Olu will launch the State Blue Box Recycling at Simpson Transfer Loading Station, Lagos Island today. It is part of the new initiatives and strategies to ensure a clean environment.
The speed of performance has increased, following the swearing-in of commissioners and special advisers two weeks ago. Sanwo-Olu has set up a cabinet of talents comprising seasoned professionals, tested technocrats and experienced politicians who will drive the developmental agenda of the administration. During the recent retreat, the members of the State Executive Council were able to tap from the experience of Asiwaju Tinubu and Fashola, who were his former bosses.
Earlier, the governor had appointed a retired Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Folasade Jaji, as Secretary to Government, Mr. Tayo Ayinde as Chief of Staff and Mr. Gboyega Sanyanwo as Deputy Chief of Staff.
The experience of the last 100 days has shown that Lagosians made a wise choice during the last governorship poll. Sanwo-Olu, a dynamic and forward-looking administrator, has demonstrated wit, competence and capacity for the work. On his shoulders rest the care of almost 20 million Lagosians, a demography that has made the Centre of Excellence a mini-country. There is high expectation. So far, Sanwo-Olu has not disappointed the voters. Many Lagosians expect him to sustain the tempo to the end.
Following his inauguration, the governor swung into action. During the campaigns, he had expressed concern over the environmental condition of the city-state. The traffic snarl starred him in the face. Lagosians complained about the infrastructural deficit. In particular, they cried out that the roads were bad. In response to people’s yearnings, the governor signed an executive order on indiscriminate refuse dumping, traffic management and public works.
The order on indiscriminate refuse duping is now being vigorously enforced. Information and Strategy Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso said the move has restored sanity. Also, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been directed by the governor to operate a minimum of two shifts until 11.pm daily. The Office of Drainage Services in the Ministry of Environment has been directed to embark on aggressive cleaning of secondary and tertiary drainage system to ensure the free flow of rainwater during the raining season. The governor also directed to commence the rehabilitation of bad roads.
Sanwo-Olu has given a marching order to LASTMA not to spare the road offenders. He said nobody is above the law. “If my brothers or cabinet members breaks traffic laws, arrest them,” he said. The officials are also to shun indiscipline, particularly bribery and corruption. Since motivation is critical to efficiency, the governor has increased their allowances by hundred per cent. Also, he emphasised that the Lagosians should continue to be enlightened and encouraged to be law abiding on the roads.
The filling of potholes on the roads has contributed to ease of movement and reduced traffic snarl. Citizens can contact the relevant agencies on the condition of the roads in their localities and responses are prompt.
When he assumed the reins, Sanwo-Olu was inundated by complaints that the Apapa gridlock was wrecking havoc. He made appeal to the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state. The federal and state governments put heads together on how to end the logjam. He was in company of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), who was on inspection of the axis. The governor said: “Fixing the road in Apapa, completing the trailer park and deploying technology solutions that ensure we never have to experience the trailers nightmare again are critical for Lagos and the Federal Government.”
As the sixth elected governor of Lagos, Sanwo-Olu has heroes and role models to learn from. Before him, the state had the fortune of being governed by successful governors who left indelible marks. He served under them as special adviser and commissioner. Although no fewer than seven All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains were on the queue for the job, the lot fell on the surveyor and banker-turned politician. Little did he guess that he would leave the job of the Managing Director of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSDPC) for the higher responsibility.
During the campaigns, Sanwo-Olu demonstrated an understanding of the city state and its myriad of challenges. To Lagosians, he is a round peg in a round hole, and yet with a huge capacity for learning and improvement. The party that put him forward believed that he is reliable, tested and trusted. As Special Adviser on Corporate Governance, Acting Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, and LSDPC boss, he heft his indelible marks. However, his greatest asset is his loyalty to the party, the government and people of Lagos State.
His victory at the poll was a fulfilment of destiny. At the direct primary, Sanwo-Olu was a candidate to beat. The party had proposed a change of candidate and he became the symbol of the intra-party struggle. The aged, youths, women and other stakeholders embraced his candidature. In demonstration of a clear understanding of their aspiration, he promised a government of inclusion.
In the spirit of the time, Sanwo-Olu visited all party leaders, party officers, elders, office holders, religious leaders, other Lagos opinion leaders, and women groups. He was at home with the masses; artisans and peasants. On his lip was the message of unity, harmony and cohesion. The candidate urged Lagosians to invest their trust, confidence and faith in him as he sought for their votes. He did not promise what he could not deliver. Thus, Lagosians took him serious.
Sanwo-Olu survived the odds during the electioneering before breasting the tape. Apart from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) threat, he triumphed over internal rebellion within his party. The Sanwo-Olu campaign team, led by Ayinde, ran an effective intra-party campaign. A confident Sanwo-Olu was on the popularity scale radiating warmth. He won.
However, having secured the ticket, the governor was not carried away by the victory. He embarked on reconciliation, urging those who also sought party tickets during the primaries and lost not to lose hope.
The next hurdle was the campaign. Lagos APC opted for door-to-door campaigns, following the fracas at the maiden rally at Ikeja. The coast was clear on poll day. His opponent, Jimi Agbaje, having seen the handwriting on the wall, conceded defeat.
Sanwo-Olu is not a vendetta-seeking governor. There is much to accomplish instead of succumbing to self-distraction. The governor has refrained from relating with civil servants and chieftains based on their intra-party affiliations. He believes in a motivated workforce. Thus, apart from regular payment of salaries, he has fulfilled his promise of better welfare packages for civil servant. To convey them to and from work, 35 buses were provided.
Governance is not a tea party in Lagos. The Centre of Excellence is not a place where the governor can relax. All Nigerians have stake in Lagos. It is the economic hub. The population is huge and there is pressure on the social infrastructure. It is a highly sophisticated and politically conscious state. In Lagos security is key.
Conscious of this, Sanwo-Olu promised to overhaul the security architecture of the state. He has mobilised security agencies to sustain the prevailing atmosphere of security, curtail or prevent cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism. The governor has held many meetings with security chiefs, with the permanent aim of securing Lagos. He has also mobilised traditional rulers, community leaders and community development associations to contribute their quota to intelligence gathering that is critical to security.
Yesterday, governor unfolded plans to recruit more teachers for public primary and secondary schools.
Much is expected on Sanwo-Olu in the next four years. His programme of action gives a ray of hope. During his inauguration, he promised to work for a “greater Lagos” through the implementation of “six pillars of development agenda.”
The pillars, which he described as the framework that encapsulates his vision, include traffic management and transportation, health and environment, education and technology, making Lagos as a 21st century economy, entertainment and tourism, and security and governance.
Sanwo-Olu said: “These six pillars of development represent our response to the yearnings of the people. They constitute the foundations that must be restored for future generations. Should we fulfil our promise and deliver on these pillars, we are most confident that we would have succeeded in setting Lagos on a new trajectory of economic growth and development that would be unprecedented in our entire history.” | https://thenationonlineng.net/sanwo- | 2,122 | null | 1 | en | 0.999973 |
BREAKING: FG advises Nigerians travelling to UK, USA, Europe
The Federal Government has advised Nigerians travelling to the United Kingdom, the United States of America and some countries in Europe to be security conscious.
It said it is worried by the rate Nigerian travellers had been losing cash, international passports and belongings in the two countries.
The Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed gave the advice at the 5th edition of PMB Administration Scorecard (2015-2023)Series in Abuja.
He said: “It has come to the attention of the government that Nigerian travellers to the United States and some countries in Europe are having their belongings, especially money and international passports, stolen at an increasingly high rate.
“The most recent victims of this are travelers to the UK, most of whom were dispossessed of their belongings at high brow shops, particularly in the high street of Oxford.
“We have therefore decided to advise Nigerians travelling to Europe and the United States to take extra precautions to
avoid being dispossessed of their belongings.
“This is not your typical travel advisory. Issuing such is the prerogative of our embassies/high commissions as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“It is merely a piece of advice to Nigerians who may be visiting the affected parts of the world.” | https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-fg- | 279 | null | 1 | en | 0.999966 |
May 18, 2020 by The Nation
COVID-19: Madagascar demands 170,000 Euros from Fed Govt for herbal drugs
By Yusuf Alli, Abuja
Republic of Madagascar has asked Nigeria to pay 170,000 Euros for the quantity of its COVID-19 cure drugs sent to the Federal Government, it was learnt at the weekend.
The quantity of the consignment sent to Nigeria through Guinea Bissau could not be ascertained yesterday.
Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja on Saturday, brought the drugs allocated to Nigeria by Madagascar.
President Buhari said Nigeria would take the drug through intensive test to determine its suitability.
A source on Sunday said: “For our consignments in Guinea Bissau, Madagascar has asked Nigeria to pay over €170,000 (N78, 200,000). We have received the invoice because the African country has made us to realise that the drugs are not being given out free.
“We are being asked to pay for the drugs yet to be validated. Since the AU directed the supply of the drugs to African countries, we may have no choice than to pay for it.
“This payment may, however, be one-off because mass importation of the drugs from Madagascar will not be cost effective. By the time we take into account the cost of freight, the amount will be too high.
“This is why we are looking at local options available to us as a nation.
“Some researchers have told us that we have richer herbs to contain COVID-19. In fact, a shop in Wuse 2, Abuja has been discovered to be selling Artemisia Tea with high potency than COV drugs.
Read Also: COVID-19 and the Madagascar lesson
“As a nation, we will leave all options open and look inwards. But, we will subject Madagascar herbal drugs to verification or validation.
“The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 is also thinking of asking the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) to relax the protocols and hasten the validation of local drugs for COVID-19.:
The NAFDAC and NIPRD are awaiting the samples from Madagascar for validation.
A highly-placed source in NIPRD said: “We are yet to get the samples for testing and validation. We are hopeful that this week, we might receive them. Our team is on the alert.”
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said many researchers and practitioners have responded to its call for expression of interest for the COVID-19 related medicines.
In a statement on NAFDAC website, Adeyeye said:”The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), as at the time of this press release, has only received application from one company for a product the company is presenting (for approval) to the Agency for the treatment of the symptoms of Covid-19, and not for the cure of Covid-19 as a disease.
“Call for expression of interest for the COVID-19 related medicines was made; several researchers and practitioners have responded and are being guided to submit such medicines to NAFDAC for expedited review. The agency continues to encourage all stakeholders to present the products of their research findings and allow these remedies go through internationally recognised process of approval through pre-clinical and where applicable, clinical trials.
“Finally, as the body with the mandate to regulate the conduct of clinical trials in the country, NAFDAC is committed to encouraging and supporting sponsors with appropriate guidance to expedite the development of effective interventions to treat or prevent COVID-19.” | https://thenationonlineng.net/covid-19-madagascar- | 829 | null | 1 | en | 0.99999 |
Former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife
By Nwabueze Okonkwo
Former Governor of Anambra state, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife has expressed optimism that the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was gradually walking out of detention, based on the outcome of Friday’s proceedings in Abuja High court.
Ezeife said “if Kanu was standing trial on a 15-counts charge and eight of the charge were struck out for lack of merit, do you think the rest of the charges can stand the test of time? Of course not”.
In a telephone chat Friday, Ezeife urged those he described as lovers of freedom to remain calm and allow justice to run its natural course as it concerned Kanu’s trial.
Meantime, there was a total lockdown of the commercial city of Onitsha and its environs yesterday in compliance with IPOB’s directive that sit-at-home should be observed in Biafra land any day their leader, Kanu was appearing in court.
Like the usual Mondays sit-at-home, markets, banks and other businesses remained shut, just as vehicular movements disappeared on our highways, leaving all nooks and crannies deserted.
The traditional ruler of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state, Igwe Alex Onyido has bemoaned the level of insecurity in Igbo land.
Speaking to newsmen in Ogidi, Igwe Onyido lamented that the situation was becoming inexplicable that sons and daughters of Ndigbo are now very much afraid to return home, not to talk of bringing their investments home.
The monarch therefore urged the authorities concerned to wade into the ugly tend by establishing a state police in order to check the situation.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/nnamdi-kanu- | 419 | null | 1 | en | 0.999922 |
File: Nigerian Soldiers
Section 217 (2) (c) of the 1999 Constitution and Section (8) (1) and (3) of the Armed Forces Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, (LFN) 2004 provide code of conduct and rules of engagement for the armed forces in internal security.
For instance, no officer or soldier must be found aiding or abetting any act of arson, vandalism or unprofessional conduct; and troops are duty bound to intervene in any situation to avoid a breakdown in peace, stability or law and order of an area where they are deployed.
Section 217 (2) (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that Nigeria’s armed forces shall suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authority to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, Commander-in-Chief reinforced by Sect (8) (1) and (3) of the Armed Forces Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, (LFN) 2004, it stressed that this presupposes that troops have to use necessary force to quell crisis resulting in deaths, injury and damages to properties.
Other highlights of the ROE include:
- The principle of minimum force and proportionality must be applied at all times; whenever operational situation permits, every reasonable effort shall be made to control the situation through measures short of using force, including personal contact and negotiations; the use of lethal force shall only be resorted to if all other means to control the situation have failed or in case of unexpected attack or suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack during which a delay could lead to loss of life or serious injury to personnel; and that any force applied must be limited in its intensity and duration; it must also be commensurate with the level of threat posed.
- Force shall be used only when absolutely necessary to achieve an immediate aim; the decision to open fire shall be made only on orders and under the control of on-scene commander, unless there is insufficient time to obtain such order. Fire can however be opened if the life of a soldier, any law-abiding member of the public and/or property of which it is our duty to protect is in grave danger; fire must be aimed and controlled. Indiscriminate firing is not permitted.
- Fire may be opened to forcefully stop any vehicle that fails to stop at a checkpoint or road block when ordered to stop for search; automatic fire will only be opened as a last resort; avoid collateral damage; after fire has ceased, render medical assistance and record details of incident both in writing and using audio/visual equipment whether or not casualty has been recorded; and whenever in doubt, seek clarification from higher headquarters.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/nigerian-armed- | 566 | null | 2 | en | 0.999996 |
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State says the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has life and does not need to show any proof of life.
A man that has life does not need to show any proof of life. Asiwaju has life and he doesn’t need to show any proof of life and you can see that,” Umahi said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday.
Amid questions about his health status, Tinubu on Sunday took to his verified social media handles and shared a short workout video of himself, saying he is healthy and ready to serve Nigerians.
Asked why Tinubu showed “proof of life” through the workout video, Umahi said Tinubu is well and does not need to show any proof of life.
“Nobody is totally well and nobody is totally sick. That is one point. Another point is that Nigerians are so petty. A man that is doing his workout is being videoed and circulated on social media without his knowledge,” the governor noted.
“I don’t think we should concentrate on intangibles because life is like a bus and you don’t know where the next bus stop is. Some of the people talking about the health of leaders of this country do not even know where their own bus stop is coming from. Every life and death rests in the hands of God,” he added.
On the delayed inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and the controversy surrounding the 422-man list released by the party, Umahi said, “The presidential campaign committee is just a mere recognition of the importance of stakeholders in the entire affairs.
“It doesn’t translate to major contributions in terms of winning elections. Politics is at the local level. For me, the formidable presidential campaign is at the state level. That is where it is supposed to be and that is where it will be.”
Umahi had contested APC presidential primary with Tinubu and other heavyweights including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi. Umahi and the other aspirants lost to Tinubu. The governor was subsequently made the South-East leader for Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign. | https://www.channelstv.com/2022/10/03/tinubu-does-not- | 493 | null | 1 | en | 0.999863 |
Police have arraigned 15 out of the 22 suspects alleged to have laid siege on the residence of Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The suspects who are facing 18 counts were presented on Wednesday before Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
They include Ajodo Lawrence (principal suspect), Michael Diete-Spiff, Bar. Alex Onyekuru, Bayero Lawal, Bar. Igwe Ernest, Aliyu Umar Ibrahim, Maimuna Maishanu, Ayodele Akindipe, Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Musa, ASP Mohammed Yahaya, Stanley Nkwazema, Shehu Jibo, Abdullahi Adamu, and Abdullahi Usman and were listed as the 1st to 15th defendants.
They were said to be among a Joint Panel Recovery unit of the Federal Government comprising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), police, and the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The suspects had invaded the Abuja residence of the Supreme Court Justice on October 29, claiming it had a warrant from Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna to search the home of Justice Odili.
Justice Mary is the wife of Dr Peter Odili who served as governor of Rivers State between 1999 to 2007.
The siege on the judge sparked widespread criticism from various individuals and groups within and outside the legal profession.
They include the Supreme Court, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and various legal bodies such as a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).
As more drama and confusion trail the incident, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) distanced themselves from the action of the security operatives.
On Wednesday last week, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, took time in his speech at an event to condemn the siege on Justice Odili’s residence.
He warned individuals and agencies of the government against any form of harassment and embarrassment of judicial officers.
According to the CJN, the judiciary will no longer take any of such tricks and its silence should never be mistaken for stupidity or weakness.
He stressed that the era of oppressing, suppressing, and intimidating judicial officers was long gone and such action would no longer be condoned.
Justice Muhammad also warned that no one, irrespective of his or her status or position in the country, should test the will of the judiciary, saying the consequence of such unwarranted provocation would be too dire to bear. | https://www.channelstv.com/2021/12/15/police-arraign-15-suspects-over-siege- | 541 | null | 1 | en | 0.999298 |
September 23, 2022 by The Nation
10 takeaways from Wike’s media chat on PDP crisis
Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike on Friday held a media chat for almost two hours on Friday during which he addressed many issues on the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
Here are major takeaways from the chat that held many spell-bound:
1. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led the foundation for the crisis when it jettisoned zoning principle contained in its Constitution. The Presidential ticket was supposed to have been zoned exclusively to the South.
2. The PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, is not a trustworthy character. He promised to resign if a Northern presidential candidate emerged, but had refused to fulfill his promise despite the emergence of Atiku Abubakar.
3. The convention that produced Atiku Abubakar was highly compromised and flawed by the actions of Ayu. He said: “It would have ended in crisis if not for the love I have for the PDP.”
4. Ayu deployed intimidation and abused his office when he convened many meetings in the houses of retired generals. The meetings, according to Wike, were ” to ensure that I did not emerge the flag bearer of the party. He even vowed to resign if I should win the party’s ticket.”
5. PDP presidential canndidate, Atiku Abubakar, is not a trustworthy character. He lacks integrity. Wike alleged: “He visited me after his emergence and promised that Ayu would resign, but he failed to actualise it. He also met us in London and promised that Ayu must go but we were surprised that he went to a gathering and cited constitutional issues.”
6. PDP is arrogant and needs restructuring. The Governor claimed: “A party that is in the opposition and serious to win an election cannot be as arrogant as the PDP. If the PDP cannot restructure itself to correct the marginalisation in the PDP, Nigerians are now doubting the party’s capacity to unite the country.”
7. Atiku is surrounded by those without much political value. “Those asking the party to sanction me especially Waziri from Yobe State lack electoral values. Since 1999, PDP has never won Yobe,” he stated.
8. PDP cannot dare sanction, let alone suspend me. “I dare the party to sanction me. They should do it. Who will sanction me? Those, who left the party cannot sanction me. If they do it, they know what I can do,” he warned.
9. No backing for Atiku until demand are met. “If at the end, the party refuses to meet our demand, we will meet again to take a decision on our next strategies for the election. Haven’t you seen where a senatorial candidate lost in an area while the governorship candidate from the same party won in that same place?”
10. There is nothing that justifies Ayu remaining in the office. Ayu should demonstrate that he loves the PDP by resigning. The NEC can meet and take the decision and later rectify it in a convention after the election. | https://thenationonlineng.net/10-takeaways-from-wikes-media-chat-on- | 688 | null | 1 | en | 0.999975 |
By Ozioruva Aliu
THE Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, apologised to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State Council for brutalising some of its members during the party’s governorship primaries in the state.
Recall that some journalists, who covered the APC’s primaries on Thursday, February 17, 2024 were beaten at the Lushville Hotel in Benin, collation centre and their gadgets were destroyed in the process.
The APC, in a letter of apology sent to the leadership of the union also said they were willing to replace all the items destroyed and foot the medical bills of the injured.
Consequently, upon the receipt of the letter, the leadership of the union summoned an emergency congress where it was resolved that the APC should be given temporary relief until March 16 when the party promised to replace the lost and damaged gadgets.
Chairman of the council, Festus Alenkhe, said: “Based on this letter of apology and also a letter of commitment to replace all the damaged items, congress has today resolved that the decision for us to boycott all APC activities in Edo State should, henceforth, be put on hold between now and the 16th of March, 2024 because the APC Edo State has also agreed to replace all these items on or before the 16th March, 2024. After that, we will reconvene and take further steps to ensure that this issue is finally resolved.”
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/02/apc- | 334 | null | 1 | en | 0.999966 |
Last Friday, the Court of Appeal, Lagos quashed the death sentence which Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court handed Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan over the death of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. The appellate court said that the court below convicted the duo at all cost despite the prosecution’s failure to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Below is the judgment as delivered by the appellate court.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF NIGERIA, LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT LAGOS.
ON FRIDAY THE 12TH DAY OF JULY, 2013 , BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS
AMINA ADAMU AUGIE,
RITA NOSAKHARE PEMU, FATIMO OMORO AKINBAMI,
JUSTICES, COURT OF APPEAL.
DELIVERED BY RITA NOSAKHARE PEMU
THE Appellant, in a 326 pages Judgment of the High Court of Justice, Lagos State in Charge No 10/37C/03 Coram Moji Dada J. was convicted for the offences of conspiracy to murder and murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. The Charge initially included Chief Superident of Police Mohammed Rabo Lawal, but he was discharged on a no-case submission made on behalf of the Defendants.
FACTS OF THE CASE
The case of the Prosecution is that the Appellant conspired with another to murder and allegedly did murder Alhaja Kudirat Abiola on June 4, 1996, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway opposite Cargo Vision, Ikeja Area of Lagos State.
The Prosecution called four witnesses, namely: Dr. Ore Falomo (PW1), Barnabas Jabila, a.k.a. Sgt. Rogers (PW2), Mohammed Abdul a.k.a. Katako (PW3) and D.C. Yusuf (PW4), while the Appellant called two witnesses and testified himself.
The facts leading to this appeal can aptly be put as follows. This trial started at the Lagos State High Court as ID/43C/99 in which the present Appellant with Mohammed Abacha, Rabo Lawal and one Mohammed Abdul were charged with conspiracy and murder. Mohammed Abacha was eventually discharged by the Supreme Court on July 11, 2002, on the ground of non culpability. The charge metamorphosed into the present Charge No ID/37C/2003.
No eyewitness on record
Noteworthy is that the crime, subject matter of this appeal was innitially investigated by the Nigerian Police Force at Panti in 1996, a Special Investigative Panel, SIP, and the Agbaje Panel set up in 1998 by the Government of General Abubakar Abdusalami. The accused persons were absolved of any involvement by the SIP and the Agbaje Panel in the death of the deceased.
On June 4, 1996, the deceased was shot dead. There was no eyewitness on record to the actual crime, but one Dr. Mark Adesina whose statement is recorded at pages 10-18 of Vol. 1 of the Record of Appeal and whose name is listed as number one in the list of witnesses at the back of the information but was never called as a witness.PW1-Dr Ore Falomo witnessed the removal of a white bullet which was taken by the police. He testified that the deceased died after a head surgery and after her second cardiac arrest. Autopsy was conductyed on the deceased. After the commission of the crime, some members of the Abiola household were suspected of the commission of the crime. At the trial, the prosecution called four (4) witnesses, PW1, PW2, PW3, and PW4 respectively, while the Appellant called two (2) witnesses.
PWl – Dr. Oreoluwa Falomo testified that he was going to Ikosi on the 4th of June 1996 when he saw people running in front and thought it was an accident. He, as an orthopaedic surgeon thought he could help. he then saw Alhaja Kudirat Abiola slumped on the back of the car and the driver also shot. He recognised them as he had known these victims before. He arranged for a vehicle to rush them to the hospital. The deceased had been shot on the forehead and was bleeding from that spot. The driver had also been shot, but his condition was not as bad as that of the deceased.
One Dr. Ogunbanjo, informed him that the victims were in Eko Hospital. He went there and saw the deceased and a consultant who advices an urgent surgery. Two neurosurgeons agreed to work together. Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was still unconscious and bleeding.
, She was operated on and a special bullet that was not commonly seen was extracted from her skull. The operation lasted about two to three hours. She suffered a cardiac arrest. She appeared stabilized, but she suffered another cardiac arrest and she passed on.
A post mortem examination was performed on her body by one Dr. Alimi, who issued a report. He took part in moving the body to her house for burial. He made statement to the Police.
He told Police that it was a 5th Columnist in the Government that killed the deceased, going by the look of the bullet. The Police took the bullet away and never released it to them after the post mortem examination. He had told the Police that the bullet belonged to the family of the deceased in mediolegal term.
He had known the Abiola family and indeed was the personal physician and friend to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola. He was very very close to the family.
Under cross-examination he said he had not trained as a ballistician, but he described what he observed as a doctor. He did say that the Police took away the spent bullet by force and said they needed it for investigation. The Police were picking and choosing what they wanted him to write in his statement. He had made many statements, about four, but he is surprised that he is shown only one.
He testified that he had met the Appellant before, and indeed he facilitated his visit to Late Chief M.K.O. Abiola when he was in detention at Aso Rock Villa. He was not shown Exhibit “A1” before he came to court. It was his first time of seeing the document since he made it.
PW2 is Barbarnas Jabila alias Sgt.Rogers.He is a soldier of the rank of a Sergeant. He worked with the strike force in the Presidential villa in Abuja, before joining the Nigeria Army on the ih of January 1987, and trained as a parachooter Antitank Commander, Strike Security Force, an antiterrist outfit and attended a special course in North Korea. He knows the Appellant as the Chief Security Officer to Late General Sanni Abacha. Rabo Lawal was the officer in charge of Mobile Police in the Presidental villa. The Appellant used to send him and Rabo Lawal on assignment, and Rabo Lawal used to lead them when on assignment. His duty is to provide security as assigned by the Appellant as Special Anti- terrorist outfit and other special assignments. One Lateef Shofolahan used to give them information.
He knows the deceased, and the Appellant gave them order to elimnate her because she was doing some bad things against the state. When she came back from Burkina Faso, the Appellant gave them the order to move in and provided logisitics that they should stay at Dodan Barrack.
O/C Mopol took them to Alhaji Lati who in turn took them to Abiola’s home. That Alhaji Lati gave them information that the deceased would soon move out. As soon as the deceased came out, he opened fire. That one Rabo Lawal gave money to Lateef Shofolahand to give them. The date in which he opened fire on the deceased was the 4th of June 1996. He returned the arm to the Appellant through his orderly Karo who confirmed receipt. The gun looked like MP5.
He was shocked that the secret leaked. It was not supposed to leak, as he was doing his job. The Appellant told him to keep quiet and that he should deny everything. At that time, Abacha had died.
On the day of the incident, they drove a 504 station wagon given to them by Dodan Barracks. The deceased was in a while Mercedes Benz. As she drove out of her premise, they trailed the Mercedes Benz to one round about, where the people in the Mercedes Benz dropped one small girl. The vehicle moved towards Alausa Secretariat and they trailed it until they got to an express road. They went closer and he opened fire at the car directly. After that he told Katako to drive him back to Dodan Baracks,
Under cross-examination, he did testify that all he had said in examination-in-chief concerning the alleged involvement of the Appellant were things he was told to say by the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government. And that there are certain things which the Lagos State Government does not know.
The Attorney General of Lagos State, Yemi Osibanjo and the Solicitor General of Lagos State, and many others of Lagos State visited him when the case was being investigated by the SIP. The SS facilitated the visits of SSS because he was in their cell. He was given a promise by the authorities for agreeing to be a witness in this case. He was promised a house, job for himself and his Wife, security for his family and a foreign posting. His wife was moved to Abuja from Jaji where she was given an initial monthly allowance of N15,OOO, but later increased to N20,OOO. The money got to her through SSS.
Anytime the authorities visited him in the SSS cell where he was detained, they gave him money. Chief Bola Ige gave him N100,OOO.00. his handset and link was given to him by the Attorney General of Lagos State. He agreed to testify against the Appellant as part of his duties to the State. In 2005, inspite of the promises which the State made, he was being paid half salary. The promises made to him were not fulfilled.
His statement of September 29th 1999 was made during the S.I.P, and that was the time that they discussed what they would give him. The statement was a response to the promise. During the S.I.P, and SSS officer prostrated to him and said he would be told to go and on the way he would be killed.
He was afraid and cooperated.
Under cross-examination, he said on the 4th of June 1996, he was in Lagos. He heard about the deceased assassination in the news. He heard it on .the radio in Abuja. He also heard the news on that day he was in Lagos.
In his statement of 27th May, 1999, Exhibit DI-1 he said he was in Abuja.
He said he told one Okoloba that it is not the schedule of duty of the Appellant to issue out arms and ammunition as they have armourer. The Armourere registers your name and give you the arm and ammunition. He testified that as a government official his role was to carry out what he was told, not to make findings. He cannot remeber what he said but he did what they wanted him to do.
Exhibit A2 – his statement of 29th of September 1999 was produced by him and the Government official. That if Katako said it was a Cherokee jeep they rode on that date, he would be surprised. Under cross examination, PW2 testified that he justified his involvement in the murder of the deceased. He said what he was told by the authority. The authorities promised not to bring them to court, but they reneged.
PW3-Mohammed Abdul alias Katako, a soldier who joined the Nigerian Army in 1998. In 1996, he was told by Late Ibrahim Abacha that there are some people coming from Abuja to Lagos, whom he should drive. Hear him:
“Between January and June 1996, when they came, so we went to National Theatre, that was where I saw Alhajj Lati, the 3,d Defendant, we went to Ikeja with him and went back to his house in Surulere, and we left him there and left the next day. Rogers said we should go to Ikeja to the same house we went with Lati. Mercedes car came out of the house, Rogers said we should follow the car. He stopped somewhere and dropped somebody and continued to lagos-Ibadan Expressway around seven-up. Rogers said I should drive close to the car and he fired and then said I should drive back to Dodan Barracks”.
That the house they went to, he was later informed was late Chief M.K.O. Abiola’s house. There were about 3 or 4 people in the Mercedes Benz car. They dropped a woman on the way. That when they got back to Dodan Barracks, Roger told people “we got am” but he did not know who was being refferd to. Later on he heard that it was the deceased. The people with whom we went were Skongama Bello and Late Samaila Shaibu.
Under Cross examinations, he said the shooting took place after the toll gate on the way going to Lagos. He made a statement in Abuja. He is aware that his statement was later translated into English Language, but he does not know who did the transaltion. However, he signed it after the English transaltion was read to him and he said yes. He does not know if he wrote Cherokee jeep, bur he did not ride a Cherokee jeep.It was a daybefore the day of the incident that they used a grand Cherokee jeep. He was offered promises including the gift of a house-in 1999 around September or October. These promises were made by officials he was with.
Officials of Lagos State Ministry of Justice visited him many times in Abuja while he was detained, including the Attorney General and Solicitor General of Lagos State. The Federal Attorney General Bola Ige visited him. He was given a house in Jos. They said that they would take care of him and his family. Promises were made to him before he wrote his statement. The promises were made to him on the 18th of September (the witness cried at this stage). His statement of the 19th of September was as a result of the promises of the 18th of September.
He said that on the 4th of June 1996, he had his first marriage at Azare in Bauchi State.
Under cross-examination, he said that he was in his village at Azare on the fateful day.
PW4 – Ahmed Fari Yusuf, was a police officer, now retired after 35 years of service. He retired as Commissioner of Police in charge of Budget Section, Nigeria Police on October 1, 2009.
He last served at the Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Area II, Garki, Abuja.
In 1999, he was in Abuja Force Headquarters. Between September December 1999, he was in Force C1D Area 10, Abuja. ‘-’Between September-December 1999, he was in Force CID Area 10, Abuja as Assistant C.O.P.
He knew the Appellant in September 1999, as he was brought to the Force C1D in connection with an alleged offence by the then SIP, which offence was for the alleged murder of Alhaja Kudirat, the burning of Guardian House and’attempted murder of Alex Ibru.
When he was brought, he was cautioned and he made a statement in his own handwriting. He witnessed the first statement made by him. Exhibit A-3 – statement made on the 23rd of September 1999.
After Exhibit A-3, he is aware that the Appellant was further interrogated by SIP detailed to carry out investigation and that he made a further statement.
That one Lateef Shofolahan also made a statement on the 21st of September 1999 in his own handwriting.
After, there was a trial within trial for twelve months, he disappeared into thin air and was never cross-examined (from records).
He tendered statements of the accused persons which were all admitted after trial within trial and objections for their admissibility failed.
On the 23rd of November 2010, PW4 was absent from Court, when trial was to have continued and the case was adjourned to the 20th of December 2010 (page 1060 of the Record of Appeal). After series of adjournments, the Court foreclosed the prosecution on the 14th of March 2011.
On the 4th of July 2011, the Appellant Major Hamza AI Mustapha testified on his behalf as DWl. He testified that he was arrested in October 1998, under an allegation that he was keeping the property of General Abacha. When they could not establish anything against him, they changed the allegation to gun running from Libya, then to overthrowing of the government of Abdulsalam Abubakar. it was changed to securing the property of the culprit of 1997 and later when all there were cleared, he was alleged to plan coup plotting to remove Abdulsalam Abubakar from government. He was cleared and when the government handed over to General Obasanjo, this created yet another allegation under a script called YAKASI says Prison Note.
He was investigated by the Police, and later to the Homicide case that brought him to Court on the 14th of October 1999. That Yakasi prison note was a script written by the Government of General Abdulsalam Abubakar in order to continue to keep him in detention having been cleared by numerous panels he established in 1998 and 1999. He was further subjected to interrogations and investigations by reason of that prison note of Lieutenant Colonel Yakasi, because of the events that happened from the murder of General Abacha to the murder of Late M.K.O. Abiola, and the subsequent event that happened right in his presence in the presidency. For fear of him divulging these, he has been persecuted and theY,pave keep him in detention.
He was Chief Security Officer to the former head of state General Sanni Abacha since the lih of November 1993. His career is that of Intelligence for Nigeria. What has to do with intelligence management for the Army and for the country is where he belongs. His primary and secondary assignments begin and end with:
(1) Security to the late head of State and Commander-in-Chief
(2) Security to members of the first family and
(3) Their property and seat of government
The various panels he faced from 21st October 1998 include :
(1)CHQ Panel on the investigation of the personal belongings of culprit of 1997, initiated by the office of CJS in the presidency- He was cleared and returned to Enugu-He was in fact commended.
2. Panel chaired by Major General Yusuf from Arm of Coat, who investigated the allegation fro gun running and he was cleared.
(3) Allegation for Abacha’s personal properties of which he was cleared.
This means that no one else irrespective of rank, position or situation, should use another soldier’s rifle. That is Military Law. The Armourer is the officer in the arm who has the custody and control of weapons.
Military officers or non commission officers are only authorized to move from one location to the other or between one town to the other as military pass. By this, every movement must be on the basis of the data provided in that form. Any movement without that pass or the content and the authority and stamp in that pass is considered iliegal and is punishable by military law.
On the PASS, it contains the name of the officer, or the non- commission officer who is authorized to go on pass, his initials, rank, his service number, purpose for which the pass is issued, jurisdiction for the pass, location that the pass is intended, the nearest military formation to that location that the person is authorized to go to and the nearest police military formation, it also bears the signature and name of the authorizing officer, that is the commanding officer and the stamp of the unit.
It bears a note underneath that says if in the likely event of any is the C.S.O. who has a secretariat headed by a S.S.S officer called the 5LO (i.e Security Liaising Officer). There is also an administrative officer from services in the country. Then there is the office of the 2nd in command, who is from the Army Military Intelligence with his own staff. The department had four different branches, first was Intelligence wing,
The strike force” came to being in 1995. The National Security and Joint Intelligence Bureau came up with the idea of a small force that was to protect the seat of government, and it is comprised of 75 serving personnel from all agencies in the country.
He had unfettered access to PRS, Council of State, the Executive Council by virtue of his schedule of duties.
To be continued tomorrow
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/why- | 4,567 | Religion | 1 | en | 0.999914 |
January 3, 2022 by The Nation
ICYMI: 2023: Jonathan meets with coordinators
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has met with Southsouth leaders coordinating his alleged return to the Presidency in 2023.
It was gathered that the meeting was held on December 27, 2021, at Aridolf Hotels and Spars in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
A source, whose political associate attended the gathering, said it was shortly after Dr. Jonathan visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja last Thursday.
The Nation had reported last year that some Northern All Progressives Congress (APC) governors were plotting Jonathan’s return to the Presidency to assuage the South and enable the North to return to power after four years.
Jonathan’s political associate, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, formed the South-South Presidency 2023 and had held consultative meetings with stakeholders.
Though the activities of the group ebbed following lack of funding, a source said they would soon resume their campaigns.
Our source, said the governors of two Northwest states are championing the plot. He added that the scheme was part of the reasons a minister from the Southsouth spoke recently against the then administration of Jonathan.
He said: “The coordinators of the group plotting for Jonathan to return to Aso Rock in 2023 met recently with Jonathan at his wife’s Aridolf Hotels and Spars.
“The chairman of the group, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, and other Southsouth coordinators were present at the meeting. Jonathan indicated an interest in their campaign and asked them to return to their different states to continue with their campaign.
“This plot has been kept active by two governors from the Northwest, who are plotting for a strong APC Northern governor to become Jonathan’s running mate.
“There is also a plan to reconcile Jonathan with the Southsouth minister.” | https://thenationonlineng.net/2023-jonathan-meets-with- | 405 | null | 1 | en | 0.999757 |
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
Candidates in the forthcoming presidential election, on Monday, protested against the decision of the flag-bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, to send a representative at a state of the nation dialogue that was convened by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.
Tinubu, who was absent at the event, briefed a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr. Hassan Liman, to speak on his behalf.
Liman, SAN, who is a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, had after all the other presidential candidates took their seats to speak on how they intend to tackle the current security, economic and political challenges facing the nation, mounted the stage to stand in place of the APC candidate.
His action however drew the irk of the other candidates, especially that of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, Mr. Daniel Nwanyanwu, who maintained that it was wrong to allow a non presidential candidate to speak at the forum.
“I thank the NBA for this invitation, but I believe that the intendment was not for any presidential candidate to and any one to come and represent him to speak with other presidential candidates.
“I cancelled all my appointments to be here. I don’t think that it will be right for us to have a placeholder for anyone. Nigeria is no t growing simply because we are not obeying rules. You have a right to come or not to come.
“I am only going ahead to speak here because of the respect I have for the NBA as a body”, Nwanyanwu fumed.
On his plans, the ZLP candidate said his administration will deploy technology to tackle the issue of insecurity, insisting that there are many ungoverned spaces in the country that ought to be secured.
“Today people are killed, raped and nothing happens. Insecurity is all over the country and every part is feeling it. I will have a total overhaul of the entire security architecture”, he stated, adding, “we have to unite the country and build trust”.
When he was called to speak, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, equally took a swipe at the APC flag-bearer over his absence at the dialogue session.
He said: “You can see that those of us that are present here today are the real candidates.
“At least you can judge for yourselves whether some of us will fall asleep so that you can compare us with the old candidates”.
Sowore, who decried that the current security arrangement in the country is tailored towards the protection of elites, told the audience that Tinubu’s representative, Liman, SAN, was the one that appeared as government prosecutor when he was tried on trumped up charges that bordered on cyber bullying.
The ACC candidate equally tacked the NBA which it said has continued to spend billions of Naira on conferences, with lawyers failing to offer free legal services to indigent citizens.
Meanwhile, in his response, Tinubu’s representative, Liman, SAN, apologised for the absence of the APC flag-bearer.
“Tinubu’s absence here today is not out of disrespect for the NBA but for certain reasons beyond his control.
“It was because he did not want to leave the seat empty, that is why he sent me to represent him as the Director Legal of the Presidential Council.
“Tinubu respects all the presidential candidates”, he added.
He said the APC candidate will upon his assumption into office, embark on massive recruitment for both the police and the Army.
Other presidential candidates at the event were; Hamza Al-mustapha of the Action Alliance, AA, Dumebi Kachukwu of the African Democratic Congress, ADC; Sani Yusuf of Action Democratic Party, ADP; Prof Peter Umeadi of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Prince Adewole Adebayo of Social Democratic Party, SDP.
Though Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, were invited, they neither attended nor sent a representative.
In his remarks, the NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, said the legal body invited all the presidential candidates to participate in the dialogue “in the hope that whoever wins the election, we would have a basis to further engage and hold government accountable to the people of Nigeria”, he added.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/01/nba-dialogue-presidential- | 998 | null | 1 | en | 0.999842 |
South African players try to stop Nigerian attacker Alex Iwobi (L) from advancing into its half during the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifyer football match between South Africa and Nigeria at Goodswill Akpabio International Stadium in the southern city of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on June 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
The partnership between Aiteo and CAF is sure to deepen football on the African continent, Bonny Kant writes.
When Ahmad Ahmad became the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in May, he did something strange. He refused to accept a salary.
Another African from Nigeria, 5,205km away from Ahmad’s home country, Madagascar, is making his own sacrifice. His name is Benedict Peters, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Aiteo Group. Peters is bankrolling football projects in Nigeria and at the continental level.
Ahmad and Peters have a passion for football, and they believe that it is a sure bet to getting millions of young Africans engaged and liberated from some of the dangerous ills of the society.
Ahmad wants to bring back confidence in African football. While contesting for the CAF presidency in early 2017, he stated his vision for the continent, and part of it is his desire to promote inclusiveness, improve governance, increase transparency and develop African football by reinvestment.
Ahmad has not concealed his desire to reinvest CAF’s resources into the development of football across the continent. He stressed that “CAF is not here to make money to enrich itself.”
Convergence of visions
With the sealing of a sponsorship deal between Peter’s Aiteo Group and Ahmad’s CAF, there was some sort of convergence of goals between the two men.
Ahmad has found someone with a shared vision in the Energy company’s founder, Benedict Peters. These two men, head two different organizations, from two different African countries, and yet, have a joint vision to take African football to the next level.
Peters is regarded as the 17th richest man in Africa by Ventures Africa. He is sitting atop what many now regard as the largest indigenous petroleum company by output in Nigeria. Peters sees football as a veritable tool for change, unity and progress. He also sees the sport as challenged. Finance, and poor publicity on the continent has stalled to growth of many local leagues.
“Ask any young African if they are a football fan and they will surely say Yes,” he wrote for the Huffington Post recently. “But ask them which team they support and the answer is more likely to be Manchester United, Barcelona or Real Madrid, than Rivers Angels, Accra Hearts of Oak or Canon Yaoundé,” he added.
Benedict Peters has placed himself at the right spot to determine history and change this circumstance. For the past two years, the Aiteo Group has been investing heavily in football in Nigeria. A N2.5billion (About $7million) deal with the country’s football authorities eased the payment of salaries for the National team coach and other football officials. Aiteo also gave special bonuses to players of the National team, the Super Eagles, during their World Cup qualifiers.
The company also took over the sponsorship of the local federation cup, the oldest football tournament in the country. The competition has now been rebranded Aiteo Cup, and the prize money for the winners increased five-fold. The deal with CAF to sponsor the football awards, shows that Aiteo has stepped up its engagement in football from the National to the Continental level.
Ahmad’s ascension to CAF leadership was a surprise to many. The suave gentleman from Madagascar defeated a long-term sit-tight president, Issa Hayyatou in May 2017 in an unprecedented election. Hayattou had administered CAF with an iron fist for 29 years, and had often been elected unopposed.
In 2017 Ahmad emerged president by riding on the pedestal of change and promising administrative reform, financial transparency and a potential reorganisation of CAF competitions. It is therefore, not a coincidence that under his administration, the CAF Awards has a new sponsor.
Ahmad comes from Madagascar, also known as Malagasy Republic. The Indian Island nation is not known as one of the great footballing countries in Africa. It has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, nor the Africa Cup of Nations. Of all the 7 presidents of CAF since inception, only Ahmad comes from a country that has never played in the Nations Cup.
Like Ahmad, Peters’ ascension to power, money and fame was not a straight path. He has his origin in Asaba, capital of the oil-rich Delta state in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. It is a region that produces the bulk of the country’s oil wealth but has been devastated by oil spillage, infrastructural neglect, poverty and armed conflict.
Peters was born in December 1966, just a few months before the commencement of the Nigerian civil war; a brutal conflict that engulfed the South-Eastern and Niger Delta regions of the country.
The bitterness of the war continues today as many South-Easterners call for secession. Yet football is one of the things helping to heal the wounds. Peters emerged from all this to become one of the richest men in Africa.
Unlike Peters, Ahmad was a footballer and a politician. He played for Club des Finances de Antananarivo and AC Sotema Mahajanga, both in Madagascar in his younger days but was not ever selected for the national team.
After a brief career in coaching, he ventured into politics and later became one of the youngest ministers in his country when he was appointed Sports Minister at age 34. In 2003, he emerged the head of Madagascar’s Football Association(FA) and has remained so. He was later became the Vice president of the Malagasy Senate in 2015.
Similarly, Ahmad’s country has witnessed conflicts. In 2009, Ahmad was already at the helm of the Malagasy FA when Mayor of Antanarivo, Andry Rajoelina launched an assault to oust President Marc Ravalomanana, pushing the country into crisis.
Madagascar’s history of revolutions and counter-revolutions must have inspired Ahmad when he declared that he would bring change to African Football.
According to Peters, “more than anything, football crosses cultures and unites. If economic bridges can be built in trade; then cultural bridges can be built in sports.”
In January 2018, the CAF awards for African football will be held in Accra, Ghana. It will be the first CAF awards under the leadership of Ahmad, and the first to be sponsored by Peters’ Aiteo. They are two men from separate places in Africa but with similar visions for Africa. The cooperation between these two is expected to build the bridge that will unite Africa through football.
A sports analyst, Kant lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/benedict-peters-ahmad-ahmad-two-leaders- | 1,478 | null | 1 | en | 0.999937 |
26th September, 2013
By James Akudike
Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State will leave office next March, by which time he will have completed two terms, an unprecedented record right from the time of the old Anambra State. He will unfortunately be leaving a state more divided than when he assumed office. If there has ever been a united and homogenous state in Nigeria’s history, it is Anambra. Not only are the people united by their full embrace of western-rite Christianity, they speak about the same dialect of the Igbo language and have virtually the same culture. There is practically even spread of modern development, with every subgroup parading a substantial number of highly accomplished individuals. Consequently, the feeling of inferiority complex in some people from certain very undeveloped areas which gives rise to a culture of violence against the rest of a given society is absent in Anambra State. It is difficult to make claims of this nature about any other state in Nigeria.
The bad news is that Anambra’s homogeneity and unity, which have been a remarkable pillar of the people’s progress for several decades, are now heavily threatened—thanks to Obi’s emergence as governor. Once known as “home for all” in the footsteps of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe who was Nigeria’s very accommodating first president, the state now provides the worst theatre of sectarian politics. Catholics and Anglicans are embroiled in politics of supremacy. Realizing that Catholics are in the majority in the state but the state chief executives have hardly come from within their fold, Obi has persistently played on the fear of domination. He has thus dragged so many priests and religious into the murky waters of Nigerian electoral politics. Yet, the Vatican has since the pontificate of John Paul 11 banned priests and religious from politics. Obi has manipulated the fact that a member of his family is a priest and another a nun to portray himself as pious. The governor habitually says the Rosary and other uniquely Catholic prayers in public places so as to grab attention.
May God forbid that Anambra may well be on the way to becoming Africa’s Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is where Catholics and Anglicans have for several decades engaged one another in a fight to the finish, and until the signing of the Good Friday Agreement on April 10, 1998, in Belfast, the relationship between Unionists and Republicans was very hostile, with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) launching attacks against British interests and the state. It will be most unfortunate if any person should, for whatever reason, return Anambra State to the awful days of debilitating sectarian politics in Igboland when Catholics and Protestants were at each other’s throats. The Catholic faith was introduced in Eastern Nigeria about 127 years ago by priests from Ireland, a country which waged a long and painful nationalist war against British imperialism. The Anglican faith, on the other hand, was introduced from the United Kingdom. It is easy now to see that the Catholic and Anglican priests took their nationalist war from their home countries to Eastern Nigeria.
To end the increasing religious cauldron in the East, Ukpabi Asika, then the East Central State administrator, decided in 1970 to take over schools built by Christian missions which he believed were serving as vehicles for religious intolerance. We deeply regret that Governor Obi does not care taking Anambra to the pre-1970 era in a desperate attempt to enjoy the support of the church with the larger number of followers.
Admittedly, Obi’s parochial politics should not have come to serious-minded people as a surprise. No sooner had he assumed office as Anambra State governor than he signalled he would play politics of divide and rule. In an effort to de-legitimise the government of his predecessor, Dr Chris Ngige, Governor Obi started the propaganda that all the roads Ngige built for the three years he was in office were in his native Idemili area. The governor knew very well that this was far from the truth, but he stuck to it. The whole idea was to set up the Idemili people against the rest of the state. It failed.
With the November 16 gubernatorial election approaching, our governor has pulled another parochial trick. He says his successor should come from the northern senatorial zone, arguing that his position is informed by equity because, according to him, governors have come from the other senatorial districts. Mr Obi is eager to ignore the fact that at no time have people from any part of the state failed to participate in the gubernatorial contest as candidates; and he is also enthusiastic to gloss over the fact that Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first premier of the Eastern Region, hailed from the northern district, just like Asika, administrator of East Central State.
To state the obvious, the people of Anambra have never cared about the senatorial districts of candidates and governors. What has always mattered to our people is the record of each person in question, and not primordial sentiments. Governor Obi’s campaign to have someone from the northern senatorial district (read Omambala or Anambra culture area) as the next governor is merely targeted at one person: Senator Ngige. Obi wants Ngige to lose all moral and psychological right to contest the governorship since he is from the central part of the state. But the people have not been impressed.
The supreme irony is that the Obi strategy of ensuring that the successor is from the Omambala area is backfiring. William Obianor, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate handpicked by the governor and a retired employee of a bank where Obi was the chairman, is unknown even among his kinfolk. So many people prefer Dr Chike Obidigbo, the successful manufacturer from the area who has been chosen by the Maxi Okwu faction of the party as the authentic APGA candidate. Worse is that there are millions of Anambra people who despise the mentality of “we-against-them” which the governor is encouraging in APGA members in the four Omambala local government areas, thus making members in the other 17 LGAs in the state seem to band together against them. In other words, Governor Obi has unintentionally succeeded in setting up APGA politicians in Omambala culture area against the people of the whole of Anambra State.
Governor Obi inherited the leadership of a most united and homogenous state. But he has through electoral brinkmanship decided to make the people be as parochial and clannish as any other state in pre-bendal Nigeria. May God save Nigerians from their rulers.
•Akudike, an engineer with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, wrote from Anambra State. | https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2013/09/26/divided- | 1,403 | null | 2 | en | 0.999971 |
3rd February, 2022
The Lagos State Government has said it will be diverting traffic along Inner Marina to Outer Marina by Oando Filling Station due to the burial service of the Late former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
The diversion will begin from 5.00am till 6.00pm on Friday, 4th February, 2022.
Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde explained that all adjoining and feeder roads leading to Inner Marina road to Nitel building would be cordon off.
He advised Motorists to utilise JK Randle street through Force road to connect Broad street and continue their journey as Inner Marina road/Odunlami Street from Outer Marina road will be barred from vehicular movement.
In the same vein, Oladeinde stated that motorists descending CMS Bridge to Cathedral Church would be temporarily diverted to UBA roundabout or Apongbon for onward navigation to other inner parts of Lagos Island to connect their destinations.
The transport Commissioner assured that Security and Law Enforcement Agencies would be deployed to all strategic junctions/intersections and black spots to reduce delays and ensure security of lives and property both along the routes leading to the venue and alternative routes highlighted. | https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2022/02/03/shonekans- | 257 | null | 1 | en | 0.999681 |
By Omeiza Ajayi, ABUJA
The Controller General of Nigeria Correctional Service NCoS, Haliru Nababa has approved the payment of about N154.57 million to 218 personnel who were either killed or injured in the line of duty.
Spokesman of the Service, CC Francis Enobore in a statement issued Sunday in Abuja said the sum of N70. 24 million would go to the families of 57 officers who died in active service while 161 others are to receive a total of N84.32 million as a refund of medical bills and retirement benefits.
He said the Service, through its Corrections Welfare Insurance Scheme (CWIS), maintains a platform designed to provide immediate financial succour to members or their families in times of need, adding that the concept was established to mitigate the occupational hazards and risks associated with management of inmates.
The Corrections boss while commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes, charged serving personnel to brace up for the emerging security challenges confronting the Service.
He noted that the Service has a duty to provide a secure environment for those committed to its care as well as protect the society from felons.
“Therefore, all available material and intellectual resources must be deployed to checkmate the menace and make custodial centres inviolable.
“Payment from CWIS has always provided financial stability and resilience for staff pending the maturity of other government statutory benefits for civil servants who disengage from active service either through retirement, death or permanent disability including a refund of medical expenses”, the statement added.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/05/insecurity- | 336 | null | 1 | en | 0.999973 |
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a nationwide strike from next Wednesday.
This comes amid fuel shortages across the country occasioned by President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural speech in which he declared that “fuel subsidy is gone”.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made the announcement after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) in Abuja.
He said the government, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had up until Wednesday next week to revert to the old price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise referred to as petrol.
Ajaero added that failure of the Federal Government to meet the ultimatum would attract an indefinite protest across the country.
Tinubu And The Subsidy Debate
On Monday during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Tinubu said the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended, adding that with the 2023 budget making no provision for fuel subsidy, further payment was no longer justifiable.
“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu said. His government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy, he added.
The presidential pronouncement led to an almost instant resurgence of fuel queues across the country with Nigerians foraging for the premium product.
Though Tinubu’s decision received backing from the NNPCL and the House of Representatives, it has since been resisted by the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
According to organised labour, the President cannot unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal.
TUC President Festus Osifo also argued that there was a reason the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari pushed the “sensitive issue” to the new government.
On Wednesday, an hours-long meeting between the Federal Government and the NLC on the matter ended without a consensus.
The Federal Government representatives included Dele Alake, the spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu; the Group CEO of the NNPC Mele Kyari; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele; and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
On the organised labour’s side, the NLC National President Joe Ajaero; and the President of the TUC Festus Osifo, were present.
The NLC demanded that the Federal Government return to the status quo by reversing the price of fuel before resuming negotiations with labour.
Ajaero insisted that the Federal Government did not enter into any conversation even on palliative measures for Nigerians, hence the rejection of the latest announcement. | https://www.channelstv.com/2023/06/02/breaking-nlc-to-embark-on- | 559 | null | 1 | en | 0.999566 |
June 21, 2022 by The Nation
Nigeria needs new leadership culture, says Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said Nigeria needs a new culture of leadership.
He said while leadership is not the exclusive preserve of those privileged to be at the helm of affairs, true service should be the hallmark of effective leadership.
Osinbajo said this as the keynote speaker at Olashore International School Association (OISA) Foundation’s 10th memorial lecture in memory of Oba Oladele Olashore yesterday on Victoria Island in Lagos.
The late Oba Oladele Olashore was the Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesha and founder of Olashore International School in Osun State.
Osinbajo, who was represented by Mr. Dapo Akinosun (SAN), noted that the life and legacy of Oba Olashore represented an effective template for good leadership.
He said: “We cannot continue like before. We need a new culture of leadership in the country. We must limit leadership from encumbrances that affected it. Leadership is service. Service to others doesn’t diminish us; it enriches us. Service is a revolutionary act. Leaders don’t fall from the sky.
“Leadership is a character. It is not only within the purview of the privileged.”
The life and legacy of Oba Olashore provide a template for leadership through his strides in education and other areas.”
Osinbajo, who extolled the virtues of the late monarch, lauded the OISA Foundation for continuing his legacies with commitment.
He urged everyone to collaborate with the foundation to help Nigerians rise and realise their potentials.
In his lecture, titled: Public Service Aas the Best Form of Service: The Example of Oba Oladele Olashore, Co-Founder Guaranty Trust Bank PLC and Founder of FATE Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mr. Fola Adeola, chided public office holders and public office aspirants for their lack of commitment to public good.
“There is too little service, too little commitment to the public good in our public office holders and aspirants. It is a failing that all of us are complicit in enabling. Because of it, it is no wonder that our society continues to be eluded by the dawn it so desperately needs,” he said.
The frontline banker paid tributes to Oba Olashore for his dedication to true service, saying other leaders should emulate him.
A former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Dr. Joseph Sanusi, described the late monarch as a great and selfless leader.
Chairperson of OISA Foundation, Princess Olapeju Shofowora, said the lecture showcased what the deceased monarch stood for.
She said the country would be better if all devoted time to serving diligently and truthfully. | https://thenationonlineng.net/nigeria-needs-new-leadership-culture- | 624 | null | 1 | en | 0.999657 |
PotteryByMe.com offers a distinct identity for your business, reflecting your dedication to the art of pottery. Its memorable and intuitive name resonates with customers, making it easy for them to find and remember your online presence. This domain is perfect for independent artists, studios, or businesses offering pottery classes and supplies.
What sets PotteryByMe.com apart is its ability to establish a strong connection with your audience. The name communicates a sense of community, collaboration, and personal touch. Use this domain to showcase your portfolio, sell your creations, and engage with customers through a blog or newsletter.
Owning PotteryByMe.com can significantly enhance your online presence and reach a larger audience. A domain name closely related to your business niche can improve your search engine rankings and attract organic traffic. It also enables you to establish a professional email address and branded social media handles, enhancing your overall online image.
PotteryByMe.com plays a crucial role in establishing trust and loyalty among your customers. By having a domain that accurately represents your business, you can build a strong brand and create a consistent online experience. This can lead to increased customer engagement, repeat business, and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
Buy PotteryByMe.com Now!
At DomainMarket.com our goal is to make the domain process as painless and transparent as possible for you. Once your funds settle and we have verified the transaction (typically between 3 to 7 business days), we will be contacting you via email with the transfer instructions to take control of PotteryByMe.com.
To acquire the domain, you incur a one-time expense. Subsequently, upon the domain’s transfer to your ownership, you must annually renew it through your domain registrar. These renewal charges varies depending to your registrar and remitted directly to the registrar.
We accept various payment methods, including major credit cards, PayPal, and wire transfers. Our payment processing system ensures a secure and hassle-free transaction experience. | http://potterybyme.com/hearthstone- | 414 | null | 1 | en | 0.999893 |
February 12, 2021 by The Nation
If only we can get Yahaya Bello to be our next president
By Olukorede Yishau
In times past, nation-states abound with gods. The ancient times are long gone and the tendency is to assume that there are no new gods on earth. Christians will even argue that with God, there is no need for gods again. Muslims are wont to argue that Allah is sufficient for us all. It is beneath me to fault this religious standpoint, but my layman’s eyes are leading me to see what seems to be eluding every other Nigerian.
I do not know if there are new gods in other parts of the world, but there is at least one in Nigeria. This god was born on June 18, 1975. He was the youngest of six children. To satisfy men, he attended Local Government Education Authority Primary School, Agassa in Okene, had his high school at Agassa Community Secondary School, and tertiary education at both the Kaduna State Polytechnic, Zaria, and the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. He really did not need this education but because he chose in his wisdom to be born of the intimacy of a man and woman, he had to bear some burden of mere mortals.
Before you worry your head too much, the god I refer to is none other than Kogi State Governor Alhaji Chief Dr His Excellency Yahaya Bello. He knows the Igbo Olodumare in and out. The manner he became governor was not ordinary, only a god could engineer that. A man was cruising to victory and died before results could be declared, and another was called to come and take the cap, even when he was not the running mate!
Alhaji Chief Dr Yahaya Bello is a gift that keeps giving. Looking at all the spectacular things he has done in the last five years, he deserves our accolades. He deserves to be deified. If he had lived in the same era as Sango, Ogun, Venus, Osun and other gods, he would have also been a god. His effigy would have been in shrines and palm oil, ogogoro, apeteshi, bitter kola, kola nut and so on, would be used to appease him. We have this god in our midst free of charge and we are not taking advantage of his presence.
The best thing he has done is to make the Kogi atmosphere a vaccine against COVID-19, a development I expect the Federal Government to monetise instead of fighting him. The air in Kogi is different from the one in other parts of Nigeria, and it is not by accident. The special anointing on Alhaji Chief Dr His Excellency Yahaya Bello is responsible.
America, the United Kingdom, and many other superpowers have lost thousands of people to COVID-19. Many are still down in isolation centres around the world. Researchers in South Africa have worked tirelessly to find the answers around vaccine efficacy for a variant of the virus. There are also instances around the world where some variants have defied some vaccines. The answer to this challenge is in Kogi, and it is high time the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari capitalised on this to diversify our economy. We can earn so much from medical tourism by getting the superpowers to pay us billions of dollars and pounds to have access to the vaccine that is the air in Kogi. For those who cannot visit the country, we can bottle this air the way natural gas is liquefied, and export the way the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited exports shipment of liquefied gas through the Bonny channels. We can contract the NLNG to handle the bottling of the air for ease of exportation.
I know some people will be under-estimating the god in Kogi because he is just 45 years of age, but the great prophets and gods of yore were not Methuselah. There is power in youthfulness and the god in Lokoja has shown us that again and again.
By 2023, there will be a vacancy at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, and I am glad that discerning minds have taken over the traditional and social media to plead with the god in our midst to save us from the punishment that leadership has been since time immemorial. As I write, he has not agreed to help us, but that has not affected my conviction that he is who we need, and we must do everything within our capacity to convince him to join the race. If others want to contest, leave them. Given the experience of how he won his first term in Kogi, victory will not be a difficult thing for him to snatch. The vital thing is to get him to agree to help us. The rest will be sorted out.
Believe me, I have looked around and given the multi-faceted challenges biting us like python, and gradually ebbing lives out of us, we do not need a man to govern us. We need a god who can capture Death and carry it on his head like the palm-wine drinkard Amos Tutuola wrote about. Only one god lives in our midst at the moment, and he resides in Lokoja, where he has shown several times that he has a magic wand like the one Moses used to divide the Red Sea and lead his people to safety.
With Alhaji Chief Dr His Excellency Yahaya Bello’s magic wand, poverty, which President Muhammadu Buhari has unsuccessfully wrestled, will become a thing of the past; with his magic wand, corruption will bid bye-bye to our country; with his magic wand, sickness and diseases will flee from our land; with his magic wand, expectant mothers will be delivered of their babies like the Hebrew women; and with his magic wand, our infrastructure will become world-class.
With Alhaji Chief Dr His Excellency Yahaya Bello in charge, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and members of the Paris and London clubs will find it difficult to dictate to us. After all, a man cannot dictate to a god. The gods have it all. If you doubt me, go to Lokoja and other parts of Kogi and when you get there, try and answer these questions: Are there untarred roads? Are there poor people? Are there people down with illnesses? Are expectant mothers dying while trying to bring forth lives? Are government employees getting paid when due? Are the people living as though they are in the Garden of Eden with everything at their beck and call?
My final take: Rome was not built in a day because gods were not involved. Nigeria, which we have been unable to reach the first floor of its fifty-storey structure since Independence, can be fixed by the god in our midst in no time. I beseech you all, it is time we got Alhaji Chief Dr His Excellency Yahaya Bello to come and take us to the Promised Land with his magic wand. Poverty, sicknesses, poor infrastructure, epileptic power supply, wobbling economy, and all the iniquities in Nigeria can become history if only we can get Alhaji Chief Dr Yahaya Bello to be our next president. | https://thenationonlineng.net/if-only-we-can-get-yahaya-bello-to-be- | 1,528 | null | 1 | en | 0.999998 |
What promised to be a mild drama was abruptly aborted when, at Ogidi Boys High School, yesterday, in the course of Governor Peter Obi’s routine visit to schools, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Reverend Valerian Okeke looked Obi in the face and said to him: ‘You do not know what you’re doing.’
When everybody was ready to receive the bombshell the Archbishop explained: ‘Mr Governor, I said you do not know what you’re doing because all the sacrifices you are making today, the efforts to revitalize institutions of state, to build roads, hospitals, schools, industries and so on, you do not know the impact they will have on the society in ten years time. You are really God’s wonderful gift to Anambra State.’
The Archbishop lamented what he called four wasted decades in Anambra State consequent upon the forceful takeover of mission schools which the State turned into a den for training armed robbers and all manners of vile characters that made the State rather than continue in the tradition of excellence, to embarrassingly become an exporter of criminals to other parts of the country.
The Archbishop said he was happy that Obi’s seven years as Governor had been devoted to reversing this trend. He insisted that today, even those in the opposition had continued to concede that he has done better than any other Governor since Anambra State was created.
He expressed the wish for Obi’s successor to be like him by saying: ‘odi ka gi ako na anyi’ ( may the State never lack someone like you).
Addressing students of the schools visited along with the Governor, Most Reverend Valerian Okeke said by trying to make life easier for them, the Governor was directing them to see excellence as their only mantra.
In his own remarks, Governor Obi who visited ten schools and mission hospitals yesterday including,
Mater Amabilis, Umuoji; Our Lady Secondary School, Nnobi; St Joseph Special Science School & Seminary, Awka Etiti, Girls’ Secondary School, Umudioka, and Boys Secondary School Ogidi; and presented cheques worth 50 million Naira to Archbishop Valerian Okeke said the money brought the State’s 2012 support to the schools to a close. The Governor however assured that the support for 2013 will commence in this quarter. He lamented what he called the destruction of school system through the takeover of mission schools and once more apologized for what he described as grave error by the government.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/you-do-not-know-what-youre- | 550 | null | 1 | en | 0.999928 |
September 13, 2024 by Gbenga Omokhunu | Abuja
BREAKING: Lagos, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa-Ibom get new commissioners of police
…we will monitor your performance, says PSC chair
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of four substantive Commissioners of Police for the Abia, Lagos, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom State Commands.
According to the PSC, these appointments follow the recent promotion of senior police officers, which created vacancies in several state commands.
The newly appointed Commissioners are Isah Danladi Nda for Abia State Command, Olarewaju Ishola Olawale for Lagos State Command, Anthonia Adaku Uche Anya fdc for Ebonyi State Command, and Miller Gajere Dantawaye for Akwa Ibom State Command.
Read Also: Five causes of bad breath
Chairman of the Commission retired DIG Hashimu Argungu, urged the new commissioners to be committed to making a positive impact on the security management of their respective states.
Argungu disclosed that the Commission will monitor their performance stressing that they should not waste time to hit the ground running
According to a statement issued, on Friday, September 13, by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC boss told the new Commissioners that they must build a competitive, competent, and efficient Police Force in their states of posting adding that the Commission will continue to encourage them for optimum service delivery.
He said their appointments should be seen as a call to greater dedication to the service of their fatherland.
The approval of the postings signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Onyemuche Nnamani, has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun for implementation. | https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-lagos- | 395 | null | 1 | en | 0.999613 |
February 7, 2024 by Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
Govt to release food items from Reserves to crash prices
• Tinubu’s special panel swings into action
The Federal Government yesterday moved to stem rising food prices in the country by directing the Special Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention to immediately wade in.
Assuring Nigerians that there was no food shortage, the government alleged that saboteurs were capitalising on Naira’s depreciation to escalate the cost of food items.
Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu convened the meeting at the behest of the President.
Placard-carrying women and youths had on Monday taken to a major road in Minna, Niger State protesting the high cost of foodstuffs.
The protesters called on the political officeholders to save them from hunger.
However, Governor Umar Bago, alleged sabotage by a cartel which he accused of mopping up foodstuffs in order to cause hike in prices.
Bago, who said the Federal Government was aware of the activities of the cartel, alleged that the aim of its members was to cause hunger and incite the people.
While the Minna protest lasted Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf said he would meet with the President over hunger in the state.
After the meeting, the Information and National Orientation minister Mohammed Idris said that food items would be released from the National Food Reserves to crash prices.
Idris explained that major millers and commodity traders would be engaged by the government in order to make the food items readily available.
He said: “We just rounded off a meeting. It is a special presidential committee to address the issue of food shortage or lack of enough food on the table of most Nigerians.
“What I will tell Nigerians is that the President has directed that government needs to step in to stem this tide. Government will not fold its arms and see the way Nigerians are suffering in terms of the availability of these food items.
“Now, some of these will involve unlocking the foods that are available in most of the storage facilities (National Food Reserve) around the country. You know that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has some food reserves. They are going to be made available to Nigerians.
“The government is also talking to major millers and major commodity traders, to also see what is available in their stores. To open it up, so the government will provide some intervention, discuss with them and provide some intervention to make this food available to Nigerians.
“What the government is noticing is that there is still food in this country. Some people are taking advantage of the situation, especially because of the high cost and the depreciation in the value of our currency that has led to the cost of these food items also going up.
“All these issues were discussed, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(Yemi Cardoso) was at the meeting. The Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy (Wale Edun) was there and of course, the Chief of Staff and the National Security Adviser were there. The NSA was there because of some national security implications.
“All these have been discussed and like I said, this conversation or discussion is going to continue.”
The minister also assured that the government would continue to take steps to ameliorate the current situation.
He said: “This is just the beginning of that meeting. It is going to continue tomorrow(today) and the day after tomorrow. The government is very concerned about what Nigerians are going through, especially what happened in Minna yesterday (Monday). Government is taking some action to ensure that Nigerians have some relief in terms of the availability of food on their tables.
“Of course, this meeting is not by itself exhaustive. It’s just like I said, the beginning.
“ I want to plead with you to understand with the government. By the time these meetings are concluded, we’ll be able to issue a definite statement on what the position of government is in this regard. But all I can say is that discussions are ongoing, and very soon a solution will be in sight.
Asked if there were any immediate actions, Idris replied: “Some of them are dependent on the follow-up meeting on this hardship. The government is stepping in a big way to ensure that Nigerians have succour.” | https://thenationonlineng.net/govt-to-release-food-items-from-reserves-to- | 943 | null | 1 | en | 0.999979 |
Senator Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 79th birthday.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by him on Friday in Lagos, described the President as a great reformer and democrat.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader said beyond his admiration and gratitude for the President’s achievements in office, he was proud to call him a friend and a brother.
“Your legacy as a great reformer and democrat will live long into the future.
” You are a man of high intellect and exceptional character,” he said.
Tinubu said that despite prevailing challenges, the president had continued to steer the ship of Nigeria through the most turbulent of waters.
“Your tenure in office has coincided with some of the most difficult and challenging times this country and, indeed, the entire global community has faced.
“Economic crises, global pandemics, insecurity and criminality have all played a role in making the past few years difficult for the people of our great country.
“Yet, despite it all, you continue, calmly and with uncommon dignity, to steer the ship of Nigeria through the most turbulent of waters.
“I, therefore, wish to appreciate the unseen and underappreciated work that you have done and continue to do to guide Nigeria ever nearer to its manifest destiny,” he said.
The former governor of Lagos said that through the careful leadership and measured governance of the country, the President’s administration had achieved many things for which the people could be proud.
He said that under President Buhari’s watch, previously abandoned infrastructure projects had been completed all over the country.
“Unheralded reforms and measures taken by your administration are also taking effect to bring greater transparency and accountability to governance,” he said
“I wish you a wonderful birthday and many more years in good health and renewed strength.
“Happy birthday Mr President,” he said.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/12/buhari-at-79-i-appreciate-the- | 446 | null | 1 | en | 0.999912 |
January 2, 2021 by The Nation
JODIE: I fell into depression after my divorce
IN 2010 when soulful singer, Joy Eseoghene Odiete simply known as Jodie, released her monster hit debut single, ‘Kuchi Kuchi’ (Oh! Baby). She never knew how far her song would go. It went as far as becoming an anthem in many households in Africa and beyond.
Many did not even remember that she participated in the West African Idols competition and came top 10 alongside Nigerian musicians such as Timi Dakolo and Omawunmi in 2007.
After Kuchi Kuchi (Oh! Baby), Jodie, released an album, ‘African Woman in 2012 and few singles. Thereafter things took a different turn in her life. However, she is back and in this chat with SAM ANOKAM, Jodie displayed her strength of character as she bares her mind about her career, her private life, challenges and future.
WHAT took you this long after ‘Kuchi Kuchi’ (Oh! Baby) love’ to release another album?
It took a while, I know, but it wasn’t after ‘Kuchi Kuchi.’ I released an album, titled “African Woman” in 2012 then, a couple of singles in between. Well, you would be right to ask “What took you so long?” – Many people asked the same.
Truth is, life happens. It’s been a roller-coaster for me. I had my distractions. I got pregnant. I got married. I gave birth to a sweet boy with special needs – and you know what that means in Nigeria. I got divorced. I got depressed. I got back up again!
How have you been coping ever since you got divorced?
After crying my eyes out, I tried to numb the pain, so I got a job far away from home, so that I would commute to work very early in the morning and commute back late at night – plus the Lagos traffic – exhausted. It gave me some false comfort, so that I’d be too tired to think and continue the cycle the next day.
I didn’t know I was depressed after a while. I even shaved my hair at some point – I thought it was a fashion statement (I really like hair) – that’s after I had gone blonde. Sometimes, I would put on very heavy make-up, just to add some ‘colour’ in my life. I was restless. I was that way until, one day, still on the job – I had gone to Abuja for an assignment. I was walking back to the hotel I was lodged in, then I found myself praying this so-called prayer. It was full of bitterness and anger – asking God to punish those I believed had hurt me. Then, it was like someone spoke to me in my heart, saying, “but, is that what you really want?” I paused. I then started walking slowly, I was now speaking out, softly, I said, ‘Actually, that’s not what I want, I just want them to see things through my perspective.’ After which, I continued the rest of the prayer, still walking, asking for peace of mind and help to forgive and move on.” I believe that is where healing began.
I started afresh, like a child – I went back to my church choir. I continued with my hobbies – crafting and all. I even learnt a new skill (product formulation from Eudokas Beauty Institute) and opened a natural hair care brand called Kuchi Kuchi – of course, I grew my nappy hair back, and by the way, it is long again. I decided to sing some songs I’ve always wanted to sing, hence my new EP, ‘Songs of Truth’ I decided to live again and by the help of God and with gratitude in my heart, I am living again.
With all what you went through, would you give love another chance?
God is love – nothing but love lives here. I know you are talking about marriage though. If God sends me my Boaz, why not? I will gladly, as I’m still young and ‘everything’ is in very good shape. On the flip side, I’m willing to stay single and celibate if God writes my script that way. Whichever way, I’ll do it with joy!
So, your new EP is gospel of gratitude to God?
‘Songs of Truth’ is made up of four songs I had written long before now – the youngest of the songs should be about 10 years old, while the oldest may be almost 30 years old. I had always wanted to sing gospel music straight up after Idols West Africa, but I was not confident in my choice – I felt I wasn’t “good” enough. Now, I know better – we can never be “good” enough. Also, I listened to others instead of what was in my heart. People advised I sang inspirational songs without adding “God” to it, so that it would sell. Since I wasn’t confident in the first place, I went along with the advice.
When I was having my son in 2016 – there was an emergency CS and I had an epiphany. In that epiphany, I remembered the gospel songs I had written, yet put away till “later” and I had a strong desire to sing them.
Finally, I have sung them and I’d like to use this opportunity to thank Spane5 Mixline, Jide Otutu of DC Akademy Filmz, Innocent Essien (Essino), Kemi Owa of B305 Media, Veentage Band Studio and everyone who helped me put together ‘Songs of Truth’ audios and music videos together. Producing songs, videos, etc cost money – I didn’t have the budget for ‘Songs of Truth,’ as I had other pressing responsibilities at hand, but God used these people to make ‘Songs of Truth’ a reality. I will say that “Songs of Truth” EP is a collection I’ve owed God and my generation for a long time – it becoming a reality is a show of mercy from God.
In specific, what are the titles of the songs?
Songs of Truth is made of “Seasons” (Don’t Give Up), “Goodness of the LORD”, “Psalm 27” and “All of My Days.” Of course, I didn’t write the lyrics to Psalm 27 – I simply added melody to the entire chapter in the Holy Bible. That is the one that should be about 30 years old – I remember singing to Psalm 27 using my little blue Gideons Bible.
Are you now a gospel or inspirational singer?
Sincerely, I’m not particular about how I’m referred to. I just hope I leave a godly impression in the hearts of anyone I (or my materials) come across.
Could you describe yourself in a few words?
I would like to borrow the popular Super Story quote “We are nothing but pencils in the hands of the Creator”. Ok… That just came to mind and it made me giggle.
On a serious note, I am a woman learning that everything I need is in the Holy Bible, so I am a helpless child, clinging to the laws of God. My life has become simpler because the blueprint has been spelled out plainly for me right from the beginning. I’m a God-dependent lady.
What other professions would you have practiced if you are not a musician?
A Visual Artist. I might still get back to it in the near future. For now, I’d like to stabilize my new natural hair care company. | https://thenationonlineng.net/jodie-i-fell-into-depression- | 1,690 | null | 1 | en | 0.999996 |
February 5, 2021 by The Nation
JUST IN: Suspected IPOB members torch Ebonyi Police station
From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki
Suspected members of the proscribed Indigenious People of Biafra(IPOB) on Thursday attacked the Onicha Divisional Police Headquarters in Isu community.
The hoodlums, it was gathered, struck around 3:25pm.
They allegedly set ablaze one of the buildings in the station and four patrol vans.
Police spokesperson, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident.
Idaha said one Police officer sustained matchete cut injuries from the attack.
She said:”Today being 4/02/2021 at about 0325hrs hoodlums suspected to be members of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) attacked Onicha Divisional Headquarters, Isu in Onicha L.G.A of Ebonyi State, set ablaze the left wing of the Division and four (4) patrol vehicles”.
“This followed threats by the Proscribed Group who are alleging that the Police were protecting the Fulani Herdsmen who they accused of being responsible for the killing of one of their members *Nwite Njoku ‘m’”.
“One Policeman sustained machete cuts injuries during the attack and he is responding to treatment in the hospital”.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State *CP Aliyu Garba psc+* took on the spot assessment tour of the Area and met with the stakeholders in the Community to seek ways with the community in carrying out the investigation on the matter”.
“The CP while assuring the general public, particularly the residents of the State of his continues commitment to the protection of lives and properties, urges all to remain law abiding as normalcy has totally return to the Area”. | https://thenationonlineng.net/just-in-suspected-ipob-members-torch- | 411 | null | 1 | en | 0.999886 |
…Calls on Nigeria govt to immediately Withdraw forces from Igboland
…Describes as criminal violent enforcement of sit-at-home
By Chinonso Alozie, Owerri
The De Factor Customary Government of Biafra, on Tuesday, said November 6, 2021 Governorship election of Anambra State, must hold as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The Head of Information and Communication, Uche Okafor-Mefor, disclosed this in a statement obtained by Vanguard in Owerri.
They said those instigating violence to stop the election was engaging in a counter-productive mission that would deny the people of the State from voting and protecting their votes for their preferred choice as governor of Anambra State.
Also, the De facto Biafra Customary Government said it was against the use of violence to force the people of the Southeast Zone to obey the sit-at-home order adding that such action was criminal.
Just as they demanded the federal government should immediately withdraw their security forces deployed to the South East region, pointing out that the use of violent approach against the Igbos would no longer be acceptable.
According to the De Facto Biafra Customary Court as captured by Vanguard, “In the light of the complex developments, hydra-headed security challenges and other sundry issues adversely affecting the indigenous civilian populations lumped up together against their will in Nigeria, the De Facto Customary.
The government of Biafra hereby declares as follows; the hydra-headed government believes absolutely in the sanctity of human life – the protection of lives in the Biafran territory – and therefore condemns in no uncertain terms the ongoing wanton destruction of lives and properties in Biafraland by both state and non-state actors irrespective of their motives.
“That the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra extols the democratic ethos for which Biafrans are known and as such declares support for the people of Biafra to exercise their democratic rights to vote and be voted for in Biafraland in the current and future elections.”
On the Anambra governorship election, “That in line with this pronouncement, the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra affirms that elections in Anambra State and elsewhere in Biafraland must hold by the extant laws; that any boycott of the Anambra elections and others elsewhere remains fruitless, counterproductive and would be incapable of invalidating the electoral process because a winner must emerge eventually by the circumstances strongly urged to go out and vote for the preferred candidates of their choices.
“That the continued violent campaign for the boycott of elections and other ancillary unethical conducts which are inimical to the advancement of the Biafran cause are subsequently frowned at and as such must be discouraged forthwith.
“That the proponents of this self-annihilating strategy must be reminded that in reality, the best way to be in control of political power is by engaging and by going through the democratic process itself or they will otherwise and in effect be aiding and abating the same Fulani-controlled Nigerian state to all the more heavily militarise Biafraland, impose a state of emergency, kill more Biafrans, ultimately rig the elections and fraudulently install their stooges.”
Just as the group condemned alleged violence against the people of the Southeast region saying: “That the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra further condemns without any equivocation the associated systematic subject on of Biafrans to torture and the targeted assassination of Biafrans on Biafran soil. These are heinous conducts against the laws of the land and prohibited as atrocious crimes by the international community.
“That the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra calls on the Nigerian government to withdraw her forces from the Biafran territory forthwith and to arrest and bring to justice all her security personnel implicated in the commission of crimes against humanity, enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings in Biafraland.
“That the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra opposes and deplores in its entirety any torture or killings of Biafrans by Biafrans on Biafran soil. Henceforth, anybody or group of people embarking on this criminality remain the enemy of the people.
“That the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra welcomes any civil disobedience measures taken by Biafrans in response or protest to the violations of their fundamental human rights this criminality which advances the ever legitimate Biafran cause. In this regard and with particular reference, any sit-at-home in line with the above-stated objective which is voluntary is welcome.”
On the issue of incessant Sit-at-home order, he told Vanguard that, “However, any violent enforcement of such exercise leading to the forcible restriction of movements, destruction of businesses, above-stated in Biafraland must be challenged. We further reiterate that violent enforcement of any said sit-at-home exercise is criminal conduct, and anybody indulging in those despicable conducts remains a criminal.
“Finally, that the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra reaffirms and reasserts that Biafra is our heritage and would do everything humanly possible to defend, and her people. Long live the people of Biafra. Long live the State of Biafra.”
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/10/election-must-hold-in-anambra-biafra- | 1,184 | null | 1 | en | 0.999975 |
Securing free visa jobs in the USA requires careful planning, research, and persistence. Here are some steps to help you in your quest:
- Research Visa Options: Understand the different visa options available for working in the USA. Common options include H-1B visas for specialty occupations, TN visas for professionals from Canada and Mexico, and J-1 visas for exchange visitors.
- Identify Eligible Employers: Look for employers who are willing to sponsor visas for foreign workers. Many tech companies, healthcare institutions, and academic organizations sponsor visas for skilled professionals.
- Build Your Skills and Experience: Enhance your qualifications and experience to make yourself more attractive to employers. Acquire specialized skills and certifications that are in demand in the US job market.
- Networking: Network with professionals in your industry who may be able to provide insights into job opportunities and visa sponsorship. Attend industry events, join online forums, and connect with recruiters on professional networking sites like LinkedIn.
- Job Search: Use online job boards, company websites, and recruitment agencies to search for job openings in your field. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your skills and experience relevant to the position.
- Apply Strategically: Focus your job search on companies that have a history of sponsoring visas for foreign workers. Highlight your eligibility for visa sponsorship in your job applications and interviews.
- Prepare for Interviews: Practice interview questions and be prepared to discuss your visa status and eligibility for sponsorship. Showcase your skills, experience, and enthusiasm for the role and the company.
- Be Patient and Persistent: Securing a job with visa sponsorship can be a lengthy process, so be prepared for some waiting and uncertainty. Stay positive, keep applying, and remain open to opportunities as they arise.
- Consult an Immigration Lawyer: If you’re unsure about the visa process or your eligibility, consider seeking advice from an immigration lawyer who specializes in work visas. They can provide guidance and support throughout the application process.
- Follow Up: After interviews, follow up with employers to express your continued interest in the position and inquire about the status of your application. Maintain regular communication and be proactive in pursuing opportunities.
By following these steps and remaining proactive in your job search, you can increase your chances of securing a free visa job in the USA. Remember to stay informed about visa requirements and regulations, and don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance if needed.
Types of Free Visa Sponsorship
Demand for Skilled Workers
The demand for skilled workers is a fundamental aspect of any thriving economy, and the United States is no exception. Skilled workers are those who possess specialized knowledge, training, or experience in a particular field, making them valuable assets to employers across various industries. The demand for skilled workers in the United States is driven by several factors:
- Economic Growth: As the economy grows and industries expand, the demand for skilled workers increases. Industries such as technology, healthcare, engineering, and finance consistently seek skilled professionals to drive innovation, productivity, and competitiveness.
- Technological Advancements: The rapid pace of technological advancements creates a constant need for skilled workers who can adapt to new tools, software, and processes. Employers seek individuals with expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, cybersecurity, and software development to stay ahead in a competitive market.
- Industry-Specific Needs: Different industries have unique skill requirements based on their nature of operations and growth trajectories. For example, the healthcare sector requires skilled nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals to address the aging population and evolving healthcare needs. Similarly, the construction industry needs skilled tradespeople such as carpenters, electricians, and plumbers to support infrastructure development.
- Global Competition: In an increasingly interconnected world, companies compete on a global scale for talent. The United States attracts skilled workers from around the world, contributing to its diverse workforce and bolstering its competitive edge in innovation and industry leadership.
- Demographic Trends: Demographic shifts, such as an aging workforce and changing labor force participation rates, influence the demand for skilled workers. As older workers retire, there is a need to replace them with skilled professionals who can fill critical roles and drive organizational success.
- Government Policies: Government initiatives, immigration policies, and labor regulations also impact the demand for skilled workers. Programs such as the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, reflect the government’s recognition of the need for skilled talent to fill gaps in the domestic labor market.
Overall, the demand for skilled workers in the United States is driven by the dynamic nature of the economy, technological advancements, industry-specific needs, global competition, demographic trends, and government policies. Meeting this demand requires a concerted effort from employers, educational institutions, policymakers, and individuals seeking to develop and leverage their skills in the workforce.
Benefits of Pursuing Free Visa Jobs in the USA
Pursuing free visa jobs in the USA offers numerous benefits for individuals seeking employment opportunities and career growth. Some of the key benefits include:
- Access to a Diverse Job Market: The USA boasts a diverse and dynamic job market with opportunities spanning various industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, engineering, and more. Pursuing free visa jobs allows individuals to explore a wide range of career options and find positions that align with their skills, interests, and professional goals.
- Career Advancement: Many free visa jobs in the USA offer opportunities for career advancement and professional development. Whether through promotions, skill-building programs, or access to specialized training, individuals can advance their careers and achieve their long-term career objectives.
- Competitive Compensation: Jobs in the USA often come with competitive compensation packages, including salaries, bonuses, benefits, and perks. Pursuing free visa jobs allows individuals to access higher-paying opportunities that can lead to financial stability and improved quality of life for themselves and their families.
- Quality Education and Training: The USA is home to some of the world’s top educational institutions and training programs. Pursuing free visa jobs in the USA provides access to quality education and training opportunities that can enhance skills, knowledge, and qualifications, making individuals more competitive in the global job market.
- Cultural Diversity and Exposure: Working in the USA offers the opportunity to experience cultural diversity and exposure to different perspectives, traditions, and lifestyles. Immersing oneself in a multicultural environment can enrich personal and professional experiences, foster cross-cultural understanding, and broaden horizons.
- Networking and Professional Connections: The USA is a hub for networking and professional connections, with numerous industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities available. Pursuing free visa jobs allows individuals to build valuable professional networks, establish connections with industry peers, mentors, and potential employers, and access new career opportunities.
- Personal Growth and Development: Working in the USA can contribute to personal growth and development by challenging individuals to step out of their comfort zones, adapt to new environments, and acquire new skills. The experience of living and working abroad can foster resilience, independence, and personal growth, leading to greater self-confidence and self-awareness.
Overall, pursuing free visa jobs in the USA offers a wealth of opportunities for individuals looking to advance their careers, expand their horizons, and achieve their professional and personal aspirations. From access to diverse job markets and competitive compensation to quality education and cultural exposure, working in the USA can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for motivated individuals willing to seize the opportunity.
Eligibility and Visa Requirements
To pursue free visa jobs in the USA, individuals must meet certain eligibility criteria and adhere to visa requirements. The eligibility and visa requirements typically depend on the specific visa category under which individuals are applying. Here are some general eligibility criteria and visa requirements individuals may need to fulfill:
- Work Visa Categories: There are various work visa categories available in the USA, each with its own eligibility criteria and requirements. Common work visa categories include H-1B visas for specialty occupations, L-1 visas for intracompany transfers, O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary abilities, and TN visas for professionals from Canada and Mexico under the NAFTA agreement.
- Employer Sponsorship: Most work visas in the USA require employer sponsorship, meaning individuals must have a job offer from a US employer to apply for the visa. The employer typically needs to file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the individual.
- Job Offer and Labor Certification: Individuals must have a valid job offer from a US employer for a position that meets the requirements of the chosen visa category. In some cases, employers may need to obtain labor certification from the Department of Labor to demonstrate that there are no qualified US workers available for the position.
- Educational and Professional Qualifications: Depending on the visa category, individuals may need to meet certain educational and professional qualifications. For example, H-1B visas require individuals to have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a specialty occupation.
- English Proficiency: Some work visa categories, such as the H-1B visa, may require individuals to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is often assessed through standardized tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
- Health and Character Requirements: Individuals applying for work visas may need to undergo medical examinations to ensure they meet health requirements. Additionally, they may need to provide police clearance certificates to demonstrate good character and lack of criminal history.
- Documentation and Application Process: Applicants must submit a complete visa application along with supporting documentation, such as passport photos, proof of qualifications, and a valid job offer letter. They may also need to attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate as part of the visa application process.
- Visa Fees and Processing Times: Applicants are required to pay visa application fees and any associated processing fees. Visa processing times vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances, so applicants should plan accordingly and submit their applications well in advance of their intended travel dates.
Overall, meeting the eligibility criteria and fulfilling the visa requirements is essential for individuals seeking to pursue free visa jobs in the USA. By understanding and adhering to the relevant criteria and requirements, individuals can increase their chances of obtaining a work visa and pursuing employment opportunities in the USA.
Pathways to USA Free Visa Jobs
Securing free visa jobs in the USA involves navigating various pathways and strategies tailored to individual circumstances. While the process can be challenging, understanding the available pathways can significantly increase the likelihood of success. Here are some common pathways to USA free visa jobs:
- Employment-Based Visas: Many individuals secure free visa jobs in the USA through employment-based visas sponsored by US employers. Some popular employment-based visa categories include:
- H-1B Visa: For professionals in specialty occupations.
- L-1 Visa: For intracompany transferees transferring to a US branch, affiliate, or subsidiary.
- O-1 Visa: For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in their field.
- TN Visa: For professionals from Canada and Mexico under the NAFTA agreement.
- E-3 Visa: For Australian nationals in specialty occupations.
- Networking and Job Search: Networking with professionals in the industry and actively searching for job openings can lead to opportunities for free visa sponsorship. Building connections with US employers, recruiters, and industry associations can provide insights into available positions and increase visibility to potential employers.
- Internships and Training Programs: Participating in internship programs or training opportunities in the USA can be a pathway to securing free visa jobs. Some organizations offer internship programs that may lead to full-time employment and visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.
- Entrepreneurial Ventures: Entrepreneurs and business owners may explore visa options such as the E-2 Investor Visa or the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which allow individuals to invest in US businesses and obtain visas for themselves and their families.
- Educational Opportunities: Pursuing higher education in the USA can provide avenues for obtaining free visa sponsorship. Some student visas, such as the F-1 Visa for academic studies and the J-1 Visa for exchange programs, offer opportunities for practical training and employment authorization during or after studies.
- Diversity Visa Lottery Program: The Diversity Visa Lottery Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery, provides a limited number of immigrant visas to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the USA. Winners of the lottery may be eligible for permanent residency (Green Card) status.
- Specialty Occupations and Shortage Areas: Individuals with skills or expertise in occupations facing shortages in the USA may find opportunities for free visa sponsorship. Some industries, such as healthcare, technology, and engineering, have high demand for skilled professionals and may offer visa sponsorship to fill critical positions.
- Consulting Immigration Professionals: Consulting immigration attorneys or professionals specializing in US visa matters can provide valuable guidance and assistance in navigating the visa application process and identifying suitable pathways to free visa jobs in the USA.
By exploring these pathways and leveraging available resources, individuals can increase their chances of securing free visa jobs in the USA and pursuing rewarding career opportunities in various fields.
Job Search and Application Process
The job search and application process for securing free visa jobs in the USA requires careful planning, research, and execution. Here are some steps to navigate this process effectively:
- Identify Target Industries and Companies: Begin by identifying industries and companies in the USA that align with your skills, experience, and career goals. Research industries with high demand for skilled workers and companies known for sponsoring visas.
- Networking: Build and leverage your professional network to uncover hidden job opportunities and gain insights into potential employers. Attend industry events, networking mixers, and online forums to connect with professionals in your field.
- Job Search Platforms: Utilize online job search platforms, such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and specialized industry websites, to search for free visa job openings. Customize your search criteria to target companies that sponsor visas and match your qualifications.
- Resume Tailoring: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that demonstrate your value to potential employers. Emphasize any previous international work experience or language proficiency that may be beneficial.
- Cover Letter: Craft a compelling cover letter that introduces yourself, expresses your interest in the position and company, and explains why you are a strong candidate. Use the cover letter to address any visa sponsorship requirements and emphasize your commitment to the role.
- Application Submission: Submit your tailored resume and cover letter through the company’s online application portal or via email, following the application instructions provided. Ensure your application materials are error-free and professional in appearance.
- Follow-Up: After submitting your application, follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter to express your continued interest in the position and inquire about the status of your application. Use this opportunity to reiterate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
- Interview Preparation: Prepare thoroughly for interviews by researching the company, understanding the job requirements, and practicing common interview questions. Be ready to discuss your skills, experiences, and qualifications, as well as your eligibility for visa sponsorship.
- Visa Sponsorship Discussions: During the interview process, be prepared to discuss visa sponsorship requirements and any assistance the company may offer. Clearly communicate your visa status and eligibility for work authorization in the USA.
- Negotiation and Offer Acceptance: If offered the position, carefully review the job offer, including salary, benefits, and visa sponsorship details. Negotiate terms if necessary and ensure that visa sponsorship arrangements are clearly outlined in the employment contract.
By following these steps and remaining proactive in your job search efforts, you can increase your chances of securing free visa jobs in the USA and advancing your career goals in a new environment.
Visa Application and Sponsorship
Once you’ve secured a job offer from a US employer willing to sponsor your visa, the next step is to navigate the visa application and sponsorship process. Here’s what you need to know:
- Identify the Appropriate Visa Category: Determine the most suitable visa category for your employment situation. Common work visa options include the H-1B visa for specialty occupations, the L-1 visa for intracompany transfers, and the O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement.
- Employer Sponsorship: Your prospective employer will initiate the visa sponsorship process by filing a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf. This petition serves as a request for authorization to employ you in the United States under a specific visa category.
- Labor Certification (if applicable): Depending on the visa category, your employer may need to obtain a labor certification from the Department of Labor (DOL) to demonstrate that there are no qualified US workers available to fill the position.
- Form I-129: The USCIS Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, is typically used for visa sponsorship by US employers. Your employer will complete and submit this form along with supporting documentation and the required filing fee to the USCIS.
- Visa Application Process: Once the petition is approved by the USCIS, you can proceed with the visa application process at the nearest US embassy or consulate in your home country. You will need to complete the appropriate visa application forms, pay the visa application fee, and schedule an interview appointment.
- Visa Interview: Attend the visa interview at the US embassy or consulate as scheduled. Be prepared to provide documentation supporting your eligibility for the visa category, including your job offer letter, educational credentials, and any additional required materials.
- Biometric Appointment (if required): Some visa categories may require applicants to undergo biometric fingerprinting as part of the application process. Attend any biometric appointments as scheduled and provide the requested information.
- Medical Examination (if required): Depending on the visa category and your country of origin, you may be required to undergo a medical examination by an authorized physician to ensure you meet the health requirements for entry into the United States.
- Security Clearance (if required): Certain visa categories, particularly those with national security implications, may require applicants to undergo additional security clearance procedures. Cooperate fully with any background checks or investigations as requested.
- Visa Issuance: If your visa application is approved, the US embassy or consulate will issue your visa, typically in the form of a stamp or sticker in your passport. Verify the visa details for accuracy and review any specific terms or conditions of your visa status.
- Travel to the United States: Once you have your visa, you can make plans to travel to the United States to begin your employment. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the terms of your visa status and any requirements for maintaining lawful status while in the country.
Navigating the visa application and sponsorship process can be complex, so it’s essential to work closely with your employer and follow all instructions provided by the USCIS and the US embassy or consulate. With thorough preparation and attention to detail, you can increase your chances of obtaining the necessary visa to pursue employment opportunities in the United States.
Transition to Permanent Residency
Transitioning from a temporary work visa to permanent residency (green card) in the United States is a significant step for individuals seeking to establish long-term roots in the country. Here’s how you can navigate the transition process:
- Understand Eligibility Requirements: Determine your eligibility for permanent residency based on your employment situation, family ties, investment activities, or other qualifying criteria. Common pathways to permanent residency include employment-based immigration categories such as the EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 preference categories, family-sponsored immigration, the Diversity Visa Lottery program, and investment-based visas like the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.
- Priority Date and Visa Bulletin: If you’re applying for permanent residency through an employment-based preference category, your petition will be assigned a priority date, which establishes your place in line for visa processing. Monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin published by the Department of State to track priority date movement and assess when your visa category becomes current.
- File Immigrant Petition: Your employer or sponsor may need to file an immigrant petition on your behalf with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if you’re pursuing permanent residency through employment. Family-sponsored immigrants or self-petitioning individuals may also need to file the appropriate immigrant petition form.
- Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing: Depending on your circumstances, you may apply for adjustment of status to permanent residency if you’re already in the United States, or you may undergo consular processing at a US embassy or consulate abroad. Follow the instructions provided by the USCIS or the Department of State for your chosen processing method.
- Provide Supporting Documentation: Prepare and submit the required documentation to support your application for permanent residency. This may include forms, fees, passport-style photographs, medical examination results, police clearance certificates, and other supporting evidence of your eligibility.
- Attend Biometrics Appointment (if required): If you’re applying for adjustment of status within the United States, you may need to attend a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints, photographs, and signature for identity verification purposes. Follow the instructions provided by the USCIS for scheduling and attending your biometrics appointment.
- Attend Interview (if required): Depending on the specifics of your application, you may be required to attend an interview with USCIS officials to review your eligibility for permanent residency. Prepare thoroughly for the interview and bring any requested documentation or evidence of your qualifications.
- Receive Decision: After reviewing your application and conducting any necessary interviews or background checks, USCIS will make a decision on your application for permanent residency. If approved, you will receive your green card, granting you lawful permanent resident status in the United States.
- Comply with Requirements: Once you obtain permanent residency, ensure that you comply with all requirements for maintaining your status, including residency obligations, employment restrictions, and any other conditions associated with your visa category. Failure to comply with these requirements could jeopardize your permanent resident status.
- Explore Citizenship: After maintaining permanent residency for a certain period of time (usually five years, with some exceptions), you may become eligible to apply for US citizenship through naturalization. Review the eligibility criteria and consider pursuing citizenship if it aligns with your long-term goals.
Navigating the transition from a temporary work visa to permanent residency requires careful planning, attention to detail, and adherence to immigration regulations. Consult with an immigration attorney or qualified immigration professional for personalized guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Transitioning to permanent residency in the United States can pose several challenges, but with careful planning and perseverance, you can overcome them. Here are some common challenges and strategies for addressing them:
- Legal Complexity: Navigating the US immigration system can be complex and overwhelming. Seek guidance from experienced immigration attorneys or consultants who can provide expert advice and help you understand the process.
- Financial Considerations: The cost of applying for permanent residency, including filing fees, medical exams, and other associated expenses, can be significant. Budget carefully and explore potential sources of financial assistance, such as employer sponsorship or family support.
- Lengthy Processing Times: The process of obtaining permanent residency can be lengthy, with processing times varying depending on your visa category and country of origin. Be patient and monitor your application’s progress regularly, following up with USCIS or the Department of State as needed.
- Language and Cultural Barriers: If English is not your first language, communicating effectively and navigating American culture may present challenges. Consider enrolling in language classes or cultural orientation programs to improve your language skills and adapt to your new environment.
- Employment Restrictions: Some temporary work visas come with restrictions on employment, which can limit your ability to switch employers or pursue certain job opportunities. Research visa options that offer more flexibility and consider upgrading to a visa category that aligns with your long-term career goals.
- Maintaining Status: As a temporary visa holder, it’s crucial to comply with all visa requirements and maintain lawful status while awaiting permanent residency. Stay informed about visa regulations, deadlines, and reporting requirements to avoid falling out of status.
- Family Separation: If you’re relocating to the United States alone, adjusting to life without family members or loved ones can be emotionally challenging. Stay connected with family and friends through regular communication, and seek support from local community groups or social networks.
- Uncertainty and Stress: The uncertainty associated with the immigration process, coupled with the stress of meeting deadlines and fulfilling requirements, can take a toll on your mental well-being. Practice self-care strategies such as exercise, mindfulness, and seeking professional support if needed.
- Adapting to a New Environment: Moving to a new country involves adapting to unfamiliar surroundings, customs, and social norms. Give yourself time to acclimate to your new environment, and be open to learning from others and embracing new experiences.
- Legal and Employment Rights: Educate yourself about your legal rights as an immigrant and understand your rights in the workplace. Familiarize yourself with labor laws, anti-discrimination policies, and resources available to protect your rights and ensure fair treatment.
By proactively addressing these challenges and seeking support when needed, you can successfully navigate the transition to permanent residency in the United States and build a fulfilling life in your new home. Remember to stay focused on your goals, stay informed about your options, and persevere through any obstacles that may arise along the way.
USA free visa jobs present an incredible opportunity for individuals from various backgrounds to fulfill their American aspirations. By gaining a thorough understanding of the job landscape, available visa pathways, and the application procedure, you can kickstart your path to a prosperous career in the United States. The journey to securing employment in the USA without the financial strain of visa costs starts now, offering you the chance to realize your dreams and contribute to the diverse fabric of American society.
Leave a Comment | https://travels.footiehound.com/how-to-secure-usa-free-visa- | 5,359 | null | 1 | en | 0.999937 |
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the cutting off of power supply to Niger republic.
TUC Kano State sub-region Public Relations Officer, Adam Umar El-yandiski, confirmed the news to Channels Television via phone call.
According to him, the connection that supplies power to Niger Republic comes directly from the national grid, therefore it has no connection with the supply of power to any region in the country.
The move was part of pressure on the country’s coup leaders.
Meanwhile, West Africa’s regional bloc on Wednesday said a military intervention in junta-ruled Niger was “the last resort”.
As ex-colonial power France sent in a fifth plane to evacuate its citizens, coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani insisted they had no reason to quit the country.
Joining the departures, the United States ordered a partial evacuation of its embassy in Niamey.
West African military chiefs were meeting in Nigeria’s capital Abuja to frame a response while a delegation was in Niger for negotiations, a week after the coup that shook the fragile nation.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders on Sunday imposed trade and financial sanctions, giving the coup leaders a week to reinstate Niger’s democratically elected president or face the possible use of force.
“(The) military option is the very last option on the table, the last resort, but we have to prepare for the eventuality,” said Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace and security.
An ECOWAS team headed by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar was in Niger for talks, he added at the start of a three-day meeting of the grouping’s military chiefs in Abuja.
West Africa’s pre-eminent military and economic power Nigeria, the current chair of ECOWAS, has vowed a firm line against coups that have proliferated across the region since 2020.
A source in Niger’s power company, Nigelec, said Nigeria had cut electricity to its neighbour as a result of the sanctions.
Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, depends on Nigeria for 70 percent of its power.
Junta-ruled Mali and Burkina Faso have warned any military intervention in their neighbour would be tantamount to a “declaration of war” against them.
General Salifou Mody, one of the Niger coup leaders, arrived with a delegation in Mali’s capital Bamako on Wednesday. In an interview broadcast on Malian state television that evening, he stressed the need for cooperation between the two countries.
Russia on Wednesday called for “urgent national dialogue” in Niger and warned that threats of intervention “will not help ease tensions or calm the domestic situation”.
Later Wednesday, the World Bank became the latest international organisation to announce it was suspending aid to Niger “other than private sector partnerships”. | https://www.channelstv.com/2023/08/03/coup-nigeria-cuts-off-power-supply-to- | 636 | null | 2 | en | 0.99991 |
The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has arrived in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, ahead of the commissioning of the state projects executed by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Tinubu was received by Governor and his entourage on Wednesday morning at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The jet of the President-elect landed at the airport at 10:03 am on Wednesday, according to a report by Politics Nigeria.
Wike’s entourage had members of the National and State Assemblies, local government chairmen, and government appointees.
Supporters of the governor were also present at the airport to welcome the President-elect, as they were allowed into the tarmac area under strict security control.
The state government is expected to host the President-elect later in the evening at the state banquet.
Recall that Wike had, in a state broadcast on Tuesday, declared Wednesday as a public holiday, urging residents of the state to come out en masse to welcome Tinubu.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/05/tinubu- | 234 | null | 1 | en | 0.999878 |
By Omeiza Ajayi, Abuja
Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa, has asked those trying to get him disqualified from the forthcoming governorship election to have a rethink, declaring that there is no vacancy in the Government House in Alagbaka.
Ayedatiwa spoke on Friday after he emerged from the screening of Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.
Noting that the issues raised regarding his high school certificate were borne out of ignorance, the governor said evidence abounds, indicating that he did not forge any of his certificates.
He said, “Screening is one of the exercises that has to be done among the processes that the aspirants have to go through. Mine has just been done this morning, and all documents that were submitted have to be verified and questions asked where some are not too clear to the screening committee.
“Questions were asked and answered, and at the end of the day, I have been cleared that there are no issues. Especially the issue that has to do with certificate that a petition was written, today that has been put to rest. My certificates are genuine and authentic. I think this is just a kind of mischief by some other aspirants who find me to be an aspirant to beat, trying to look for a way to discredit my person, but that has been verified and put to rest.
“I think the issue is that it was a school they claim was established in 1980, and how is it that I was able to write my WASSCE in 1982? If you are a student of history, you will recall that in 1979, when the Governor of Lagos State at the time, Lateef Jakande, became Governor of Lagos State, most private schools were taken over and schools were built for the communities.
“Ikosi High School, which I attended, is one of the schools that were built by the regime of Lateef Jakande in the 1980s. So, it is on record that the school was established in 1980, and at that time I was already in Form ‘3’ in a private school. New Nation is in Ikosi, while Royal Comprehensive High School is in Ajegunle, Ikorodu, very close to Ketu. So all of us were moved to both New Nation and Royal Comprehensive High School, as well as some other schools that were affected by flooding. We were all moved to Ikosi High School Ketu, which was built by the government, and that was how we wrote our WASSCE in 1982 because we were in the first set.
“I was in Form ‘3’ at the time; it used to be five years, not now that you have six years for secondary school. So their question, the petitioner, is: How can a school be established in 1980? and we had a first set in 1982. The first set was supposed to be in 1985, but he didn’t take time to look at the history. So investigation has been conducted, the schools are still there, and the WAEC office is there, where you can actually verify the subject that I took, the year that I graduated, and the school.
“You just need to buy a scratch card and go to the website of WAEC; it will be there: Ikosi High School, Ketu, and my name will be there with the subjects that I took and the various grades. So it is clear to everybody that my certificate is authentic, and I actually graduated from that school in 1982.
“I should just advise them (my opponents) to repent and try to go to the field and work. If they are interested in the seat and the seat is not vacant, that is why they’re trying to do all that they are doing.”
There’s vacancy, says Oke
However, one of the aspirants, Chief Olusola Oke, who spoke with journalists after his screening, dismissed the governor’s declaration that there was another vacancy in Government House.
He said, “It is an aphorism from all incumbents. I heard this one in Lagos when Ambode was there. Ambode said, ‘No vacancy’; he had to leave when he needed to leave. It is a statement of wish and desire by the governor, and it is a statement that is intended to undermine a democratic exercise. If we are going to primaries and the people will have to determine, how would anybody have the guts to say there is no vacancy?
“There is no vacancy between now and February next year, no doubt, but after February, his one-year term will be exhausted, and then there will be a vacancy.
“I don’t intend to take over from him before the expiration of his one year in office. So, the essence of this exercise is that there will be a vacancy after a year and that he or somebody else will occupy the seat. Having regard to my wide contact with the people, I believe that I am succeeding him.”
Earlier, APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, who spoke during the inauguration of the screening and Appeal committees for the state governorship primary election, urged the screening committee to “undertake the exercise with necessary diligence, discipline, and, of course, friendliness, that the work requires”.
He explained that the work of the Appeals Committee only starts when the screening committee has finished its work.
“It is important that when they finish their work within the timeframe allowed, they can hand over their report, not just the documents, you hand over your report. For us, the secretariat, we will also help you to midwife most of the things that will be required and then hand it over to the appeals committee that will start their work tomorrow (Saturday). When they complete their work, we can then get clearance for the candidates,” he stated.
The screening, which began on Friday morning, is expected to end at about 10 p.m. on the same day.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/04/ondo-guber-ayedatiwa-dares-co- | 1,303 | null | 1 | en | 0.999977 |
January 9, 2022 by The Nation
New Anambra airport records 142 flights, 3,865 passengers in one month
The newly inaugurated Anambra Cargo Airport has recorded 142 flights with 3,865 passengers landing and taking off from the airport after one month of the opening of the facility.
The airport was opened for commercial services on Dec. 7 last year.
The Anambra Commissioner for Works, Mr Marcel Ifejiofor, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Umueri, near Awka, where the airport is located.
He noted that although the flight and passenger figures surpassed projections when compared with the airport’s contemporaries, it would have been more, if more airlines were using the airport.
NAN reports that so far, only Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines are landing and taking off at the Anambra Airport.
Ifejiofor, who is also the head of the Anambra State Airport Project Committee, said the airport contributed significantly to easing passenger traffic during the yuletide.
He said that passengers who would have landed at Asaba and Enugu Airports flew straight into the Anambra airport.
“Anambra Airport is a hub, there is no place you can’t go to in Nigeria from Anambra State. We are just scratching the surface in terms of activities that will take place here.”
Also speaking, Mr Martin Nwafor, the Managing Director of the Anambra Airport Management Authority, said the service quality at the airport had continued to improve.
Nwafor said that all the regulatory agencies in the aviation sector, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, among others, were now domiciled at the airport.
He said there had not been any issue since the opening of the airport and that the airport management was prepared to handle issues as they arose.
Nwafor said that workers deployed to the airport were trained and that they had been given sufficient orientation on how to do their jobs. (NAN) | https://thenationonlineng.net/new-anambra-airport- | 442 | null | 1 | en | 0.999971 |
File: Herdsmen attending to their cows
By Dayo Johnson
Akure—A middle-aged mother, Patience Salami, was hacked to death by herdsmen, with some body parts missing, in Arodoye community, in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Owners of the farmlands, which the herdsmen also invaded, returned after the festivities to be confronted with the damages done to their farmlands by the rampaging herdsmen.
Vanguard gathered that the victim was ambushed on her farm during the Yuletide by the suspected herdsmen and her body parts dismembered and taken away. Her corpse is presently at the morgue at the Akure specialist hospital.
Speaking with newsmen on behalf of the farmers, a serving Customary Court of Appeal Judge in the state, Justice Michael Owoyemi, lamented the incessant invasion of their farms by the herdsmen.
He said that millions of Naira have been lost to the destruction of their farms and listed some of the farm produce destroyed by the herdsmen to include cassava, cocoyam, yam and vegetables, while some parts of a cocoa farm was set on fire.
Owoyemi traced the genesis of the invasion to December 2016, when the herdsmen harvested most of the farm produce during the Christmas /New Year break.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/herdsmen-kill-woman- | 297 | null | 1 | en | 0.999941 |
Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi has fined his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the indiscriminate posting of campaign posters.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation in the state, Uchenna Orji, the ruling party contravened the provisions of the state’s Executive Order 3 of 2022.
According to the commissioner, the move is an attempt by the state government to set an example.
“His Excellency the Governor has decided to use his Political Party APC to set an example and as such, APC is hereby fined the sum of Five Million Naira (5,000,000.00) for contravention of the Laws and Executive Order of the state,” the statement read.
“APC must pay the money to the State IGR account and obtain IGR receipt and publicise the payment in all media platforms including social media before 31st December 2022 or risk being made to pay a default fee of Fifty Million Naira (50,000,000.00).”
“APC is directed to within this period remove all their posters and make good the infrastructure before 31st December 2022. The Governor has decided to forgive all other Political Parties and appeal to them to remove all their posters on all the critical infrastructure before 31st December 2022 and desist forthwith from defacing the State facilities or face similar penalties like APC, Ebonyi State Chapter.
“The Governor appeals to all Political Parties not to take this benevolence as a sign of weakness on the side of Government as Government will seal off all Secretariats/campaign offices of such parties for their failure to remove their posters and or desist from continuously pasting of posters on such critical Infrastructure.”
Executive Order 3 prohibits political parties from using public places such as schools, parks, and markets among others for political activities without seeking and obtaining due clearance from the state government.
The order, signed by the governor in November, also prohibits political parties from using critical infrastructures for pasting posters without obtaining state clearance. | https://www.channelstv.com/2022/12/25/umahi- | 439 | null | 1 | en | 0.999937 |
By Egufe Yafugborhi
Governor Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers State has said he owes no apology for choosing a private school for the elementary education of his children irrespective of any undertone the public would give the option.
Fubara joined other parents, yesterday, for the graduation ceremony of 2023 Grade Six Class of Private Green Oak International School, Port Harcourt, to celebrate his son, Joseph, among the graduands.
Pre-empting public criticism for shunning public schools for education of his children as an office holder, the governor said: “For the past two weeks, every morning, Joseph wakes up, comes to my bed and asks: are you attending my graduation?
“I was looking for excuse but because of the way he was insisting, I don’t want to lose him. Let me as a government representing the good people of Rivers State commend this school.
“I know when I leave here, there might be a few interpretation of attending this graduation but the truth remains that I wanted better standard above what we had at that time.
“This school was recommended and I can say that when I changed my children to Green Oak, I noticed a lot of improvement.
“As the only legacy you have is quality children, even if you have the whole houses in the world, have all the money, it amounts to nothing when you don’t have a worthy successor.
“What I owe them is the best and if the best is sending them to school that I believe in their skills, I do not owe anybody apology for that. So, I thank you for what you’re doing. Don’t lower the bar.”
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/07/no- | 378 | null | 1 | en | 0.999945 |
September 20, 2018 by The Nation
Nigeria now 48th in FIFA World ranking
Belgium, France joint leaders
Nigeria moved one place from 49th position to 48th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as Belgium and France share the top spot for the first time in the table’s 25-year history.
According to the rankings posted on the FIFA official website on Thursday, the Super Eagles amassed 1415 points to finish 48th in the month of September.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles who defeated Seychelles 3-0 on Sept. 8 to put themselves back in contention for a place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) improved their position from seventh to the fourth best team in Africa.
Seychelles dropped one spot from 188th to 189th in the rankings, while Libya, whom Nigeria face in their next group game of the AFCON qualifier next month are placed 99th in the rankings.
Senegal still maintains their number one spot in Africa and 25th in the world with 1492 points.
DR Congo and Morocco are second and third in Africa, and 40th and 45th in the world with 1447 and 1425 points respectively.
Russia, 2018 semi-finalists Belgium and reigning World Champions, France are joint leaders in the rankings, the first time the top spot is being shared in the table’s 25-year history.
Brazil, Croatia and Uruguay round up the top five.
While England, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain and Denmark are sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th respectively.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on Oct. 25 | https://thenationonlineng.net/nigeria-now- | 352 | null | 1 | en | 0.999981 |
July 20, 2023 by Agency Reporter
NNPCL, UTMOL partner to push down cost of cooking gas
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. and UTM Offshore Ltd. on Thursday signed the Heads of Terms Agreement to provide clean energy to Nigerians through the UTM FLNG Project.
The signing ceremony, which took place in Abuja, allows 20 per cent equity contribution of the NNPCL in the UTM FLNG Project.
The agreement is a significant step towards growing the gas market and making cooking gas more accessible and affordable for consumers.
Mr Julius Rone, Group Managing Director, UTM Offshore Ltd., promoter of the project, said the signing, joint effort not only aim to bring down and stabilise the price of cooking gas, but also has the potential to create a healthier environment.
According to him, it will bring investment opportunities and numerous direct and indirect employment opportunities for Nigerians.
He noted that it was encouraging to see such initiatives that promote the well-being of the people and the economy.
The Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), is already on in Lagos, Yokohama and Paris with JGC, Technip and indigenous companies acting as consultants.
Rone, who spoke on how important that stage of the project is, said that it would enable UTMOL to have an idea about the project cost, prepare a full budget and work towards the FID, noting, particularly, that it could not be skipped.
“Final Investment Decision (FID) is expected to be taken in the fourth quarter of 2023 with planned project start-up in the fourth quarter of 2026.
“When completed, it will produce 1.7mmtpa of LNG and 300,000 metric tons of LPG (cooking gas) which will be fully dedicated to the domestic market.
“The project is estimated to provide direct employment for 3,000 Nigerians and another indirect employment for an additional 4,000 people.
“The LPG produced will help bring down the price of cooking gas, improve the socioe-conomic wellbeing of Nigerians, reduce deforestation and attendant carbon emission,” Rone added.
According to him, the facility which will be located about 60km offshore at 64m water depth, will be built by reputable engineering companies – JGC of Japan and Technip of France – with the support of KBR as the Owners Engineer.
He noted that the two contracting companies and KBR were the consortium that built the six existing LNG Trains for Nigerian LNG Ltd.
“Having got the first outcome, which is level four, the next outcome will be level three while the final outcome will be level two.
“At the same time, the Engineering Procurement and Construction draft contract is being worked with Templers, UTMOL’s lawyers and their international counsel, White and Case,” he added.
“We understand how important this is to Nigerians and Nigeria’s economy, and we are committed to enlisting and partnering with only the best to actualise this project.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in terms of the quality of companies that will deliver this project.
“So, apart from these international companies of foremost global reputation that have been contracted to build the facility, our historic partnership with NNPCL today signals yet another milestone in our dedication to ensuring that this project is not only realised, but also meets the set objectives.
“Our aim is to complete the FEED towards the end of October 2023 and, hopefully, start work on the Open Book Estimate, OBE, for the EPC contract in November 2023.
“There are many intellectual property rights attached to such a project and such rights cannot be moved from one company to another. It may end up in the EPC with JGC and Technip.
“And once that is done, in line with international best practice, they need to also do the OBE negotiation with us.
“It was for this reason that we brought in KBR Consulting Limited of the UK, an international engineering company of the same status as JGC and Technip.
“This is to serve as our engineering consultant since we do not have the experience yet to measure the deliverables from the outcome of the feed,” Said Rone.
He noted that the company would help in ensuring that whatever JGC and Technip are doing in terms of engineering, is in conformity with the project schedule and expectation.
“The importance we attach to this project, because of its immeasurable value to our country, means we have to be meticulous about the quality of those we engage on it.
“The Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, has also encouraged us to go on with the project without any anxiety and we are confident that government will demonstrate sufficient political will in this regard.
“It is worthy of note that this is the first indigenous company to embark on such a project and, by the grace of God, we will succeed.
“It is in light of this that we appreciate the group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mr Mele Kyari, and his management team, for demonstrating the uncommon zeal and patriotism by staking their own commitment to the project.
“It says a lot about what we are doing and the direction we are headed. I can assure you that in no distant time, Nigerians will start reaping the benefits of the project,” he concluded.
Also speaking, Kyari said that NNPCL was optimistic and committed to the project, describing it is “a project of utmost importance to the nation that must be supported to succeed at all cost.
“No matter the amount of reserves you have underground, if you haven’t brought it up to the surface, you have done nothing.
“This is why we are very interested in this project and we are going to do our own part to ensure its success. Be assured that NNPCL is solidly behind this project,” he said.
Kyari, who was optimistic, declared that the company had the ability and capacity to bring the project to realisation, particularly under the leadership of Rone.
According to Kyari, the company’s investment in NNPCL is indicative of that fact. | https://thenationonlineng.net/nnpcl-utmol-partner-to-push-down-cost- | 1,326 | null | 1 | en | 0.999971 |
11th July, 2022
By David Offor
Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso has declared that he will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win the 2023 Presidential Elections if he senses he cannot get it.
Kwankwaso, who is the presidential candidate of the NNPP made the statement in an interview on Arise TV on Sunday night.
He spoke after Tinubu announced former Borno Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Kwankwaso added that he has interacted with Tinubu very well in the past and he has no doubt about the abilities and strategies of the Lagos politician.
“Ordinarily, if I cannot get it, I can recommend him(Tinubu),”he said.
He expressed support for Tinubu’s selection of Shettima adding that it was a good choice.
He however urged Tinubu to take good care of his health because campaigning is a rigorous process, advising the APC candidate to take it easy.
He said: “If you see my friend Bola, tell him to take it easy, and to take care of his health. This campaign is very rigorous and requires a lot of effort.”
Watch the clip: | https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2022/07/11/if-i-cant-get-it-i-will-recommend- | 266 | null | 1 | en | 0.999193 |
May 11, 2016 by The Nation
Africa accounts for 1.4% of global insurance premium
The President, African Insurance Organisation (AIO), Mrs. Lamia Ben Mahmoud has lamented that Africa’s share of global insurance premium remains low at 1.4 per cent.
She added that penetration remained low with a premium/gross domestic product (GDP) ratio not exceeding one per cent in some countries. This is below the average rate of 2.7 per cent recorded in 2014 for the entire continent, she added.
Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the 43rd Conference and General Assembly holding in Marrakech, Morocco, yesterday, she said Africa’s share of the global insurance market is 1.1 per cent for Non-Life insurance business and 1.8 per cent for Life Business, adding that this is a demonstration of the enormous growth potential within the African insurance industry, an indicator that the market is still largely untapped.
In order to insure Africa’s future, she said insurers all over the continent must devise strategies aimed at facing the numerous challenges today.
According to her, within the past decade, the continent has been hit by some major challenges which have to a large extent hampered economic growth and affected the insurance sector tremendously.
She said: “I am referring to the recent drop in fuel prices, in fact, the price per barrel in January 2016 stood at approximately a quarter of its market value two years ago, and at the lowest point since 2003.” On the list of challenges, she identified cyber criminality, political instability, and insecurity with new waves of terrorist attacks, climate change and food security challenges.
“We still suffer from a shortage of skilled and experienced insurance professionals. As a result, large and complex risks are not retained within Africa but are ceded to foreign insurance markets because specialist risk management capabilities and high quality security are not sufficiently available. This leads to premium flight which threatens the viability of the domestic insurance industry. Moreover, there is still wide spread ignorance on the benefits of insurance. Added to this list is an acute insufficiency of product differentiation.
“We emphasise in this area on the need to strengthen the diversification of training in scientific and technical issues by leveraging new tools and instruments imposed by the development of technology to ensure greater communication of their knowledge and know-how.
“The challenges are many and daunting; especially in a context where the one size solution is outdated as customers now expect personalised insurance solutions.”
She said it is true that some of the solutions to these problems require a multidimensional approach with the input of other key actors required, adding that extending insurance cover to the unserved segment of the population will increase penetration in Africa. | http://thenationonlineng.net/africa- | 564 | null | 1 | en | 0.999994 |
Moldova is dependent on electricity delieveries from Cuciurgan power plant in breakaway Transdniester | Photo: Agora.md |
Officially, the government in Chisinau is to start looking next month for a new supplier of electricity for country’s debt-ridden economy and poverty-stricken people.
But as there are not so many options on the table, Moldova is most likely to remain dependent on a scheme which involves a monopoly on gas delivery from Russia’s Gazprom and also intermediary companies with off-shore owners.
Currently, Moldova is around 80 per cent dependent on a gas-fired power station in Cuciurgan, a Soviet-era facility in the breakaway entity of Transdniester.
Transdniester is a mainly Russian-speaking region which split off from Moldova following an armed conflict in 1992. Unrecognised by the outside world, it is sustained by Moscow.
Analysys say the problem is that the price of electricity is not based on a genuine cost structure. Transdniester does not pay for the gas it receives from Gazprom, and the Russian company charges Moldova for delieveries instead.
Moreover, Transdniester sells the gas to a controversial energy intermediary company Energokapital, which pays the Cuciurgan power station to convert gas to electricity and then sells it to Moldova’s state-run Energocom.
Official data shows that in 2015 Chisinau paid Energokapital some $222 million for electricity, while the intermediary company paid $129 million to Transdiniester’s local gas company.
Experts say that the difference between the processing costs and the amount Moldova pays for the electricity is too high, prompting fears that someone is siphoning off this cash.
“In my opinion, the scheme was created by devious characters from both Transdniester and Moldova with the aim of supporting the regime in [breakaway Transdniester’s capital] Tiraspol and, of course, to siphon off money,” independent Moldovan energy analyst Sergiu Tofilat told BIRN.
According to media reports, Energokapital has a complex series of off-shore owners who are connected to a huge bank fraud in which up to $1 billion US, about a fifth of Moldova’s annual GDP, vanished from three local banks ahead of the 2014 elections.
Moldova’s deal with Energokapital ends on March 31, but it is highly likely to be renewed as the controversial intermediary company could sale electricity at the best price.
Last year, Energokapital cut the sale price of electricity to Moldova by 27 per cent compared to 2015, in a move aimed not only to undercut potential competition but also, media reported, to help the government in Chisinau face down protests against its decision to raise energy prices.
But if the current situation is to continue, Moldova faces major risks, according to a report from the Chisinau-based Expert Grup think tank.
“First of all, the country will remain dependent on unpredictable, unreliable electricity supplies and, besides, it will continue the current practices of purchasing electricity through imports, through non-transparent contracts with preferential partners, at the expense of consumers and taxpayers,” said the report.
Analysts say that this is why it is of key importance for Moldova, which is almost entirely dependent on Russia for gas, to diversify its energy supply.
Image from Tiraspol, breakaway Transdniester’s capital | Photo: Sandu Tarlev / MoldNova.eu |
But its options are few, as the country of 3.5 million people, one of the poorest in Europe, is sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania.
Currently, Moldova is receiving no electricity from Ukraine, which stopped deliveries at the end of 2014 following supply deficits for its own domestic consumption due to the armed conflict in the Donbass region.
On the other hand, EU-member Romania is not yet interconnected with its neighbour Moldova.
The Bucharest-based Expert Forum think-tank has suggested that there are two possibilities for interconnecting the two countries, with an estimated cost of some 200 million euro.
“Given the uncertainties about Ukrainian supplies and issues with the purchases of electricity produced from Cuciurgan, the gap between consumption and domestic production could only be filled by interconnecting with the Romanian system,” said energy analyst Otilia Nutu from Expert Forum.
“But any interconnections, both in gas and electricity, make sense only as long as Romanian suppliers are confident that they can participate in a transparent and competitive market, and that there are no companies benefiting from preferential treatment,” Nutu added.
A gas pipeline linking Moldova to Romania, aimed at reducing the former Soviet country’s dependence on Russian imports, started to operate in 2015.
The Iasi-Ungheni pipeline is intended to create an alternative supply route for Moldova, enabling it avoid a repetition of the crisis seen in 2009, when Russia’s Gazprom cut off natural gas to many European countries following disagreements with Ukraine.
In the first stage, the pipeline has started to deliver natural gas only to the area close to the border. About 100 kilometres of pipeline remains to be built to Chisinau, avoiding the existing gas network, which Gazprom owns.
The Iasi-Ungheni pipeline has cost around 30 million euro and its construction took less than a year. The EU covered about a third of the costs and the rest came from Romania.
Romania produces about 11 billion cubic metres of gas a year, covering about 75 per cent of its own annual needs. It imports the rest from Russia.
Russia and Romania have long vied for influence in Moldova, which has been independent since 1991.
The country was part of Romania from 1918 to 1940, when the Soviet Union annexed it. Before 1918, it was part of the Russian Empire.
About 80 per cent of Moldova’s population of 4.1 million are of ethnic Romanian origin and speak Romanian as well as Russian.
Virginia Nica is a Moldovan journalist based in Chisinau. This article was produced as part of a project funded by the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation. | http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/moldova-pays-high-price-for-power- | 1,329 | null | 2 | en | 0.99992 |
Armed with a flask of coffee, some boiled eggs and a towel to shield his bare legs from the scorching sun, 90-year-old Frans Hugo sets off every Thursday to deliver newspapers in the South African desert.
Week in, week out, the elderly editor has made the 1,200-kilometre (750-mile) round trip across the semi-arid Karoo region in the country’s south.
He has been doing it for some four decades.
Born Charl Francois Hugo in Cape Town in 1932 — but known to everyone simply as Frans — he is arguably the last bastion of a dying business.
The energetic nonagenarian edits and hand-delivers three local papers — The Messenger, Die Noordwester and Die Oewernuus.
Driving an orange Fiat Multipla stacked with copies of the eight-page weeklies and with an old portable radio to keep him company, Hugo brings news to towns and villages dotting this vast, parched back-country.
– 1,200 km every week –
He leaves at 1:30 am from Calvinia, a small town of less than 3,000 souls about 500 kilometres north of Africa’s southernmost tip, and comes back in the early evening.
“I am like a pompdonkie,” he told AFP on a recent tour, using the local moniker for the nodding donkey pumps used to extract groundwater from boreholes.
“I keep doing this every Thursday without fail. I will probably stop when I am physically not capable of doing it anymore.”
Hugo worked as a journalist in Cape Town and then in Namibia for almost 30 years before retiring to this remote region.
“I couldn’t handle the pressure anymore, so I moved to the Karoo,” he said.
“Just as I was able to take a breath and relax, the man who owned the printers and the newspaper here in Calvinia came to ask me if I was interested in the business.”
His daughter and her husband got involved but tired and quit after a few months. “I’ve been sitting with this thing ever since,” he quipped.
– Cellphones and printers –
Helped by his wife and three assistants, he has kept alive some historic small-town titles at a time where many printed newspapers around the world are struggling to survive the digital age.
The Messenger, previously known as the Victoria West Messenger, was founded in 1875, while Die Noordwester and Die Oewernuus started printing in the 1900s.
All three are written in Afrikaans, a language descended from Dutch settlers and one of South Africa’s 11 official tongues, but sometimes carry stories in English.
Hugo scoffs at people wanting “to read the news on their cellphones.”
The rise of internet has hit readership but is seemingly yet to reach his newsroom, which looks like a museum.
The office is adorned by an old Heidelberg printing press and paper cutting machines. Staff use computers and software from the early 90s.
Still, Hugo’s team prints about 1,300 copies a week, something he says shows an undying appetite for community news.
The papers sell for eight rand (about 50 US cents) and are dropped off at shops, convenience stores and the correspondents’ homes.
The readers are mainly farmers, living in a remote, semi-arid landscape.
Writing in Afrikaans, which actor Charlize Theron recently controversially said was still spoken only by “about 44 people”, keeps the language alive and ties together small communities separated by hundreds of kilometres (miles) of desert, said Hugo.
As long as he’s around and has the required strength, they will receive their paper every Thursday.
What will happen later does not concern him, he said.
“I don’t have a clue what will happen… in five years or 10 years,” he said. “I am not worried.” | https://www.channelstv.com/2023/01/03/south- | 859 | null | 2 | en | 0.999992 |
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Chanchaga Federal Constituency, Hon. Umar Bago has emerged the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Niger State.
Bago polled 386 votes to beat his closest rival, Publisher of Blueprints Newspaper, Idris Malagi, who raked in 154 votes.
Similarly, a former Minister of Sports, Sani Ndanusa came a distant third with 84 votes while the incumbent Niger State Deputy Governor, Ahmed Ketso got 17 votes to clinch the fourth position in the contest.
Other contestants who were opponents of the APC’s governorship flagbearer in the 2023 general elections include the state Deputy Governor, Ahmed Ketso, Mohammed Kutigi, Aliyu Idris, Sani Ndanusa, Idris Malagi, Rufai Mohammed, Idris Makaranta, and Mohammed Kpautagi.
The Chief Retiring Officer for the exercise, Barrister Nasir Juju announced that about 1, 049 delegates were accredited to participate in the elections which was held at the Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna.
While announcing the results, Juju said Bago had the highest votes in the elections held in Minna, adding that “Therefore, I, Barr Nasir Ibrahim as the chairman Electoral committee, declare Hon Umaru Bago as the winner of the elections.”
In his acceptance speech, Bago appreciated God for the success of the elections.
He equally called on the party supporters to suspend celebration of his victory at the party’s Primary election, saying “We are not yet there, we still have work ahead to do. It is my prayer that APC forms the next Government in the state.”
Bago also thanked the state Governor, Abubakar Bello for providing a level playing field for all the aspirants, while calling on other aspirants and their campaign committees to kindly sheath their swords for the good of the party and residents of the state. | https://www.channelstv.com/2022/05/27/reps- | 420 | null | 1 | en | 0.997879 |
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said he ensured round pegs were placed in round holes to avoid non-performances as regards designation of portfolio’s to the newly sworn-in 36 ministers who are to form his cabinet.
The swearing-in, which was done in nine batches at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa , was witnessed by two guests of each of the appointees, some governors and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The president, who also takes charge of the Ministry of Petroleum as substantive Minister, described the event as a milestone and added that since his inauguration in May, he had been optimistic of bringing high quality persons into his cabinet.
He said the choice was deliberate to appoint square pegs in square holes to avoid the mistake of appointing those who would not perform.
“We are optimistic that bringing these set of ministers into the service of our country today, is a step in the right direction and timely move towards realising our positive goals for our country.
“Since we assumed office in May, I had been mindful of the need to ensure that the appointment of new ministers translate into a round pegs in round holes while showing sensitivity to our diversity as a people and our various positions as groups of stakeholders of our country.
“I have also been conscious of the need not to repeat such mistakes of the past where the right people were allocated the wrong portfolios which translated into their performing poorly to our collective detriment despite their obvious capability,” he said.
The president said the government would continue to implement its policies decisively.
The president said the government was determined to diversify the economy to make the agriculture and solid mineral sectors major revenue earners.
“The primary aim is to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of rice, wheat and to become a major consumer and exporter of those items as well as solid minerals,’’ Mr. Buhari said.
He said the administration would pursue policies that would generate employment, improve security, tackle corruption and rout Boko Haram insurgency and other social vices.
The president said his administration had made progress in its short period, which should be taken as indication that more could be achieved through common resolve and patriotism by all.
He said the introduction of the Treasury Single Account had conserved foreign exchange and made money available for governance.
The president added that the Central Bank of Nigeria had implemented specific policies to strengthen the naira and preserve foreign reserves.
He said the administration was poised to sustain economic growth through transparent governance, which had led to a reduction of “cynicism” about government.
After the inauguration, the Federal Executive Council held its inaugural meeting.
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/ministerial-portfolios- | 573 | null | 1 | en | 0.999994 |
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Thursday said he called President Muhammadu Buhari, to inform him of the killings of #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, by the Nigerian Army on Tuesday, but was told he was not available.
“I made calls to the President twice yesterday but was told he wasn’t in the office. The second time he was said to be at the FEC meeting; I haven’t spoke to him directly but I have reached the Chief of Staff to the President”, he said in an interview with Arise TV.
When asked to explain why CCTV at Lekki Toll Gate was removed before the dastardly act, he said:
“The cameras removed were not security cameras, it is a laser camera for cars; it picks tags for cars and plate numbers; it is not a security camera; it is an infrared camera; security cameras are still available and that is what we are using for our own investigation.
“They did the removal because of curfew. As regards the light LCC put off the light because of the curfew order issued by Lagos State Government. I have never spoken to the owner of the company ( Tinubu’s son), I am very certain their decision was purely a corporate decision.
“I will not stop to continue to apologize to Lagosians. Is it possible to make CCTV footage public; Sanwo-Olu agreed to make the phone call public.”
Recall that Nigerians have expressed deep emotions over the shooting and perhaps killing of innocent #ENDSARS protesters by soldiers at Lekki.
Many International bodies have also lent their voices over what is happening in the country.
See video below:
— ARISE News Feed (@ARISEtv) October 22, 2020
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/lekki- | 416 | null | 1 | en | 0.999954 |
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State says Nigeria has become economically attractive to kidnappers and bandits within the Sahel region of the continent.
The governor who on Wednesday was on Channels Television’s Politics Today strongly opposed the idea of granting blanket amnesty to the bandits, stating that the idea is enabling the miscreants to continue with their crimes.
Masari argued that the security situation in the country has improved since the All Progressives Congress took the reigns.
“When we started in 2015 in the North-West, it was cattle-rustling. Gradually, it now developed into banditry, rape, kidnappings. When all that they (bandits) can steal from the villagers along the fringes finished, they moved to the rustling of goats, sheep, and even chicken.
“What we should do and what the government should do now is (about) high-profile kidnapping. In my state, they kidnapped four relatives of very senior government officials. When they cannot get anything to sustain themselves, they resort to high-profile kidnappings for money in cities and towns. That is the danger, that is something we must work hard to stop,” the governor opined.
Masari also kicked against the intervention of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi in quelling the banditry activities in the northwest.
He questioned the cleric’s knowledge on security issues.
“Was he there? What did he know about what we did in Kaduna? I challenge Gumi to come and tell us if he knows what we did in Kaduna,” the governor asked in reaction to Gumi’s stance on how the state government should handle banditry.
Speaking further on why he does not support Sheikh Gumi’s intervention, Masari said the cleric did not go about it the right way.
“I expect him to, first of all, preach to them (the bandits), the implication of killing innocent people and also the implication of abducting people and its consequences. That is what I expect a clergyman first and foremost to do,” the governor noted. | https://www.channelstv.com/2021/03/17/nigeria-has-become-economically- | 441 | null | 1 | en | 0.999989 |
A Federal High Court In Kano has set aside a ruling of the FCT High Court suspending the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.
Justice Lewis Allagoa on Thursday ordered the police and Department of State Service (DSS) to provide security for Oshiomhole to resume in his office.
On Wednesday, Justice Danlemi Senchi, had granted an order of interim injunction stopping Oshiomhole from parading himself as the APC National Chairman.
However, hours after the ruling, Oshiomhole appealed the judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
The Kano high court ruling was delivered by Justice Lewis Allagoa. But it is yet unclear who filed the case or whether the court has the jurisdiction to set aside the previous ruling. | https://www.channelstv.com/2020/03/05/breaking-kano- | 166 | null | 1 | en | 0.999765 |
April 8, 2022 by The Nation
Amaechi more Igbo than Joe Igbokwe – Ohanaeze
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has cautioned against the vilification of Igbo political leaders.
It said such campaigns of calumny or casting of aspersions on Igbo presidential hopefuls will not be condoned especially when it comes from another Igbo.
Ohanaeze, which reacted to what it described as ‘verbal diarrhea and vituperative predispositions’ of Joe Igbokwe against Transport Minister, Chibuike Amaechi, alleged it was to advance some people’s ambition other than Igbo presidency.
In a statement by its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze said Igbokwe’s unprovoked onslaught aimed at the Minister of Transport should be investigated.
Parts of it read: “For the records, Chibuike Amaechi is a registered member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the Rivers state chapter since 2000, as well as a bonafide member of ime obi (the apex decision making organ in Ohanaeze) based on his position as former Governor and current Minister from Ikwerre, Igbo speaking area of Rivers State since 2015.
“This is our verdict, Chibuike Amaechi is a bonafide Igbo man and there is no reason why anyone would incite crisis just for cheap political goals, the issue raised on abandoned properties in Rivers state after Biafra war is a hoax and diversionary, as based on the facts before us, there is no record of any Ikwerre man or woman that benefited from the obnoxious policy and nobody should blackmail an Ikwerre with the abandoned property saga.
“We applaud the Minister of Transport for his bravery and heroism exhibited in the line of duty to calm the nerves of families and friends who lost the lives of their beloved ones in that ill-fated Abuja – Kaduna train”.
“Chibuike Amaechi, Ndigbo are proud to announce that you are one of the leading lights of the Igbo Nation, we are wishing him and other Igbo presidential hopefuls successful primaries, we expect that no Igbo should be a clog in the wheel of progress, as far as we concerned.
“Joe Igbokwe should have spoken out when Igbos we’re deported from Lagos in 2014, he should have denounced the threats for Igbo to jump into the lagoon in 2015 or when Igbo traders were threatened at Alaba International market.
“Amaechi is more Igbo than anyone who was silent when his kinsmen were forced into political slavery”.
“Ohanaeze will not join issues with a nonregistered organization with faceless leadership which was sponsored by politicians for the first time to discredit the workaholic Minister of Transport.” | https://thenationonlineng.net/amaechi-more-igbo-than- | 628 | null | 1 | en | 0.999895 |
6th September, 2010
At least 10 people were injured during yesterday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Madagascar at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
More than 35,000 fans watched the Eagles beat their visitors 2-0 in the 25,000-capacity stadium. Trouble started after the match when the fans tried to leave the overcrowded stadium. There was a stampede during which people fell over each other in a bid to get out of the stadium. The injured fans were later rushed to the hospital.
An unlucky lady who fell in the VIP stand was trampled and fainted. Her people quickly rushed her to the hospital.
Security was tight with well over 1,500 policemen and about 900 civil defence corps on ground to ensure that the match was hitch-free.
Players and officials of the Super Eagles were guarded by the special security personnel led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Gideon Akinsola.
Meanwhile, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River thanked the fans for coming out in their numbers to support the Eagles. Imoke gave the Eagles the sum of N10m and congratulated them for beginning their Nations Cup qualifiers on a winning note.
President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari thanked the Cross River State government for rescuing the FA by hosting the match. Samsung also gave the team the sum of $9,000 for the nine shots on target.
Nigeria hardly raised a sweat as they triumphed 2-0 against Madagascar in Calabar through clinical first-half finishes from strikers Obafemi Martins in the 18th minute and Michael Eneramo in the 45th minute.
— Tunde Oyedele/ Calabar | http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/09/06/nigeria-vs-madagascar-10-eagles- | 389 | null | 1 | en | 0.999949 |