The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • APWEN wants govt to prioritise investment in water and sanitation

    APWEN wants govt to prioritise investment in water and sanitation

    The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called on government at all levels to prioritise investment in water and sanitation infrastructure to address the water and sanitation crisis from a gender perspective.

    The APWEN president, Engineer Elizabeth Eterigho, in a statement to mark the 2023 World Water Day, said the lack of access to safe and clean water disproportionately affects women, who often bear the burden of water scarcity in their communities.

    According to her, women are responsible for collecting water and managing household water use, and often have to walk long distances to access water sources, stressing that lack of water can affect their health, education, income and safety.

    “This makes it crucial for the government to address the water and sanitation crisis from a gender perspective. Access to safe and clean water is essential for achieving sustainable development goals, including poverty reduction, gender equality and environmental sustainability.

    “According to Eterigho, “Improving access to water and sanitation can empower women and girls by reducing the time and energy they spend collecting water, allowing them to attend school, pursue income-generating activities, and participate in decision-making processes.

    “Water and sanitation interventions that involve women in planning, implementation, and management can also help build their skills and confidence, leading to greater empowerment.”

    Eterigho, who lamented that statistics that highlight the urgent need to address the water and sanitation crisis in Nigeria are not encouraging, stated that advances in technology can help Nigeria to understand and manage water resources better.

    The APWEN President stressed the need to engage with local communities and stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to the water crisis, adding that by involving communities in decision-making, the government would be able to design solutions tailored towards their specific needs which can be sustainable in the long term.

  • IKE THANKGOD: My love for Jose Mourinho

    IKE THANKGOD: My love for Jose Mourinho

    Former Warri Wolves captain, Ike ThankGod, is an assistant coach of Vandrezzer FC in the Nigeria National League (NNL). After a successful career in Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), he left the shores of the country to play for Fanja SC of the Oman Professional League before returning back home to pursue his coaching career. The towering defender speaks on life as coach and other sundry issues, writes Samson Oti.

    Ike ThankGod has witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) after spending nearly his entire playing in Nigeria. But, for a short stint in the Arabian country Omani League, before hanging his boot and headed back home to take up coaching positions, ThankGod has seen it all in the Nigerian league with Champions Enyimba FC, Heartlands, Sunshine Stars and Warri Wolves. He was also a veteran of CAF Champions League. With a resume like this, the 37-year-old is qualified to talk about the Nigerian league.

    MEMORIES OF NPFL

    He said: “Without doubt, I have wonderful memories of my playing career. I made a name for myself in the league. I played against top players in Africa as well as playing for the national team. It’s always a good memory that I shared with players today. As a player then, I was able to see the good, bad and ugly of a footballer’s career. But what always rings in my head is that I want to be the best I can and thank God I was able to play to my best and have the best memories of playing time. But my best was carved into my hard work on a daily basis and ability to learn from other good defenders both in the league and foreign leagues. It was a combination of hard work and ability to listen and learn.”

    The former Warri Wolves defender and captain, chose to the glory of the league rather than the sore points as he recounted the goodness and high points of his career.

    GREAT TIME AT WARRI WOLVES

    He said of his times in Warri Wolves, which he led to the top of the league and the CAF Champions League to be counted among Nigeria’s and Africa’s best teams.

    “Of all the teams that I have played I won’t forget Warri Wolves. I had a fantastic experience there. Warri Wolves are one of the best in Nigerian League and one of the best in the continent. We played good football and earned good applauds from the media across the country. As a matter of fact, some of our players played for the Super Eagles at a point. We have Sunday Mbah, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and hosts of other good players who made the country proud continentally. Why Warri Wolves is not in contention again could probably be lack of funds. During our time in Warri Wolves, the club was able to buy and invest a lot of money in players and that motivated everyone because we were happy to give it all on the pitch. It is the secret of Warri Wolves excellent performance in those days. Football is all about money.”

    FOND MEMORIES

    He recalled the great games that led to getting an invite to the Nigeria senior national team during his career.

    One of them was in the CAF Champions League against Congo DR and one of Africa’s top clubs, TP Mazembe.

    “I played lots of fantastic games, both in the national team and club level but I will pick the game against Kano Pillars where I paired with late Chinedu Udoji, and scored the winning goal at the last minutes to beat Kano Pillars in Kano State.

    “The toughest opponent in my career was against TP Mazembe in Congo DR in CAF Champions League finals. We lost but I played the game of my life that was during my days in Warri Wolves when we were one of the hottest Africa teams.”

    ThankGod played with determination and confidence. He saw himself as a leader in all the teams he has played for marshaling from defense to claim victories at home and away matches.

    These qualities were observed by managers, players and coaches, who propped him to developed these abilities and try out football coaching at the end of his playing career.    

    COACHING PROSPECT

    He added: “Every time I am playing, a lot of people tell me to go into coaching after my career, probably because of my charisma in organizing my teammates, and playing a leading role to ensure victory for the team. Even some of my coaches advised me to go into coaching that I will be a good coach and today I am enjoying every bit of the challenge. Immediately I stopped playing, I took it upon myself that I will develop my skill in the area of coaching and today, I do not regret that decision.

    LOVE FOR JOSE MOURINHO

    The present Assistant Coach Nigerian team Vandrezzer FC adores famous coach Jose Mourinho because he shares some qualities that have made the Portuguese national a success and toast of many soccer players and followers.

    These qualities are passion, determination and aggression.

     “I love Jose Mourinho, he’s a great coach, he’s very aggressive and determined, and he’s a coach that intimidates oppositions due to his pedigree and style of play. Although I fancy an attacking style of playing despite being a defender, my coaching style is attacking style.”

    As a coach and manager he has made in road with Heartland FC, his states’ team and one of his former clubs. 

    HEARTLAND TEAM MANAGER

    In the last two seasons, I was in Heartland FC of Owerri as team manager. I decided to go out of Owerri to have more experience and more challenges, and at some point I went for a coaching course to develop my skill, which was successful. Of course, I could have remained in Heartland but I want to make name for myself and build my ability as a coach and that is why I am in Vandrezzer as an assistant coach to build on my ability.

    VANDREZER ASSISTANT COACH

    He is currently the assistant coach of Vandrezzer FC and he said he’s enjoying the experience.

    “In Vandrezzer, we have crop of fantastic players, don’t forget the team has played in NPFL before now, but coming back again will be explosive, we are coming to stay for long, and, all efforts to ensure maximum focus is on ground. Last two seasons that this team competed at the NPFL, the club showed what they are up to, they showed class and attributes of modern football. We are committed to work hard for success at the same time to be a team to reckon with in the Nigerian League.

    As a coach, my major focus is to be part of the successful team that will return to the NPFL and we all believe we can do it.”

    NPFL IMPROVEMENT

    In spite of the backlash that has characterized the Nigerian league and the drop; he’s not giving up on the league, at least not yet.

    “In terms of technicality, we have good players in the Nigeria Premier League; I just told you the secret of Warri Wolves’ success.  When a team has good players with enough motivation, players will want to play. The coaching crew would like to develop more and give their best on weekly basis. The Nigeria league is better than some highly rated African league but due to bad officiating, poor management and players’ welfare, people always bring down the league but in Nigeria, we have good players that can compete. Don’t forget Sunday Mbah was a product of the Nigerian league, Muhammed Gambo of Kano Pillars and other good players. What our league is lacking is organization which I think is getting better this season.”

    ThankGod noted that things are also getting better in the area of officiating. 

    “Also, bad officiating has reduced because we have seen matches whereby home teams losing at home and nothing happened. The referees and their conduct have been fair to the standard of a league but we need more.”

  • APGA factions battle for soul of party

    APGA factions battle for soul of party

    These are not the best of times for the All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA) as the factions of the party led by the duo of Edozie Njoku and Victor Oye continue their struggle for the soul of the party in spite of the dismal performance of the party during the 2023 general elections. A recent Supreme Court judgment that reaffirmed Edozie Njoku as the authentic National Chairman of the party has ignited a fresh round of face-off over the leadership of the troubled party.

    Chief Victor Oye, a factional National Chairaman of the party, on Friday said the Supreme Court judgement, is fake. Oye who is recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as APGA National Chairman said this after multiple news channels reported that the apex court had replaced him (Oye) with Njoku. Briefing reporters at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Oye described Njoku as a man unknown to APGA, stressing that there was no judgement by the Supreme Court on Friday, contrary to reports in the media.

    Njoku was sacked as APGA’s national chairman by the lower court in Jigawa State and went on to lose at the appellate court as well. He thereafter took his search for justice to the Supreme Court which according to latest court pronouncement, has now recognized him as the national chairman of the party. The apex court made the pronouncement on Friday in a judgement on an application by CNjoku, wherein he sought the regularization of the amended judgment of Justice Mary Peter Odili delivered on May 9, 2022.

    The motion followed a letter from the Supreme Court to him on January 19, 2023, wherein it had addressed him as the National Chairman of APGA and advised him to approach the Court by way of a motion to correct the slip. By its latest pronouncement, the apex Court has restored Njoku as the actual National Chairman of APGA, which was wrongfully removed by a Jigawa High Court in Suit No: JDU/022/2021 between Alhaji Garba Aliyu and Chief Jude Okeke & 2 Ors.

    In a lead judgment, Justice Garba Lawal held that it was Chief Edozie Njoku that was wrongly removed at Jigawa without being joined as a party. Subsequently, Justice Lawal stated that Njoku’s application was meritorious and consequently granted it as prayed. Reacting to the judgement, Chief Njoku appealed to the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, to make himself available for a roundtable discussion on the way forward for the party. As APGA Chairman, Njoku said he would do everything humanly possible to bring stability and peace to the party.

    A fake judgment

    But Oye, while speaking with our correspondent on Friday in Abuja, dismissed the said judgement as fake. He said: “The attention of our great party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance has been drawn to a malicious and vile propaganda making the rounds on various news platforms on the purported removal of the National Chairman of APGA, Victor Oye. The publication, which has since gone viral, claimed that the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a judgment earlier today being Friday 24th of March, 2023, wherein the apex court allegedly affirmed one Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of APGA.

    “While our great party has gotten used to the series of lies and falsehood churned out at intervals by Edozie Njoku on his infantile claim to the coveted seat of the National Chairman of APGA, what is however worrisome is the alarming speed with which otherwise reputable media platforms couriered the fake news and fed same to unsuspecting members of the public. It is the above stated unfortunate turn of events that has rendered it absolutely expedient that we, as a responsible and responsive political party, set the records straight on the effect and purport of the ruling delivered by the apex Court today.”

    According to Oye, “What transpired at the Supreme Court is clearly verifiable and will imminently be borne out by the certified true copy of the ruling of the Supreme Court delivered by His Lordship, Hon Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba. The application which the Supreme Court heard on the 20th of February, 2023 and brought by Edozie Njoku was merely to correct a typographical error contained in the Lead judgment delivered by His Lordship, Hon Justice Mary Peter-Odili (rtd) on the 14th of October, 2021.”

    But supporters of Njoku have been celebrating his alleged re-instatement by the apex court. According to a close ally of the APGA boss, Njoku plans to promptly restructure the party and position it for better achievements. “We are not happy with what they have reduced our great party to. It is the plan of the National leadership under Chief Njoku to reposition the party and ensure that it returns to its winning ways as soon as possible. That is why he is calling on all genuine and sincere stakeholders to join hands with him for the task ahead,” the source said.

    An old rivalry

    Speaking further on the lingering leadership tussle between him and Nkoju, Oye noted: “It will be recalled that following a fraudulently contrived judgment which purportedly affirmed the factional national Convention of APGA allegedly held in Owerri, Imo State, Victor Oye approached the Court of Appeal, Kano Division, as an interested party, to have the said perverse judgment set aside.

    “Consequent upon the grant of his application for joinder, the Court of Appeal, Kano Division in a unanimous judgment delivered on 10th of August, 2021 allowed the appeal of Victor Oye and set aside the judgment of Jigawa High Court. Tellingly, the decision of the Court of Appeal, Kano Division aforesaid was predicated on an earlier judgment of a High Court of Anambra State which had earlier upheld the National Convention of APGA held in Awka, Anambra State on the 31st of May, 2019.

    “The Court of Appeal held that the Jigawa High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter ab initio and thus set aside the judgment of Jigawa High Court. It is interesting to note that the Supreme Court while upholding the finding of the Court of Appeal, Kano Division that the Jigawa High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the original suit filed by one Alhaji Garba Aliyu, went on to affirm all the findings made by the Court of Appeal, Kano Division.

    “It is therefore most bemusing and smacks of deliberate mischief for anyone to remotely contemplate that the Supreme Court delivered another judgment on the 24th of March, 2023. Indeed, the allusion to Edozie Njoku in the body of the corrected judgment stems from the facts of the case as filed by Alhaji Garba Aliyu in the High Court of Jigawa wherein it was alleged that Chief Edozie Njoku was suspended by the National Executive Committee of APGA.

    “The correction made by the Supreme Court in its said ruling was to the effect that the issue whether Edozie Njoku was purportedly suspended or not (a fact alleged in the Originating Summons filed at Jigawa High Court) is within the internal affairs of a political party and therefore non justiciable.

    “It was on the above basis that the Supreme Court decided that the Jigawa High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit and deliver the judgment it delivered. Indeed, His Lordship, Hon Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba unequivocally stated that Edozie Njoku was not a party to the appeal brought by Chief Jude Okeke at the Supreme Court.”

    He called on security agencies to immediately pick up Njoku for questioning, adding that the judgment being brandished by Njoku is nothing but a forged document with which he is seeking to curry favours from unsuspecting members of the public.

  • Imo Labour Party guber aspirant found dead in Lagos home

    Imo Labour Party guber aspirant found dead in Lagos home

    One of the Labour Party governorship aspirants in the forthcoming governorship primary holding in Imo State, Humphrey Anumudu, has been found dead in his house.

     He was found dead in his Lagos home after returning from a meeting at the LP secretariat in Abuja.

     He was a native of Mbieri Ancient Kingdom in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

     A family friend who confirmed the demise of Anumudu said he died on Friday evening in Lagos.

     Until his death, Anumudu was a multi-billionaire businessman cum politician who had been contesting the governorship seat of the state since 1998.

     He was said to be the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary in the state in 1998 before the ticket was ceded to Achike Udenwa who went on to rule the state between 1999 and 2007.

    Since then, he had been contesting for the number one seat of the state.

     In 2019, he was the Zenith Labour Party governorship candidate.

     He was also a respected legal luminary and the Chief Executive Officer of Globe Motors.

  • EFCC arrests 80 PoS vendors in Ondo

    EFCC arrests 80 PoS vendors in Ondo

    Over 80 Point of Sales (PoS) vendors in Akure, the Ondo State capital, have been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly buying and selling money to individuals with higher interest.

    The operation was carried out in Akure South and Akure North Local Government Areas.

    It was gathered that the PoS operators were forced to disclose the source of the cash used in their businesses.

    A source said some PoS agents confessed to buying cash from banks after which they charged their customers exorbitantly.

    According to the source, “They have arrested about 80 PoS attendants in Oja Oba Area. If they come to you, they will ask you to disclose the source of your cash and how much you are charging your customers and also ask you to take them to the person that gave you the money.

    “Some PoS attendants, who got the information beforehand, abandoned their stands and fled.

    “A PoS agent was just here attending to customers when a woman came and asked how much he charges on every one thousand naira.”

  • Guber poll: Fresh crisis rocks APC in Kogi

    Guber poll: Fresh crisis rocks APC in Kogi

    Ahead of the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi state, Assistant Editor, ‘Dare Odufowokan, writes that a fresh crisis is rocking the ruling party as chieftains and groups within the party struggle for supremacy. Kogi is one of the eight states where an off-cycle governorship election is expected to hold in November.

    The Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been thrown into crisis ahead of the November governorship election in the state. Gubernatorial election will take place in the North-central state on 11 November 2023 to elect a new governor. Incumbent APC Governor Yahaya Bello is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term. The primary election to elect the party’s candidate is expected to hold between 27 March and 17 April 2022.

    Governor Bello and the leadership of the APC in the state have been boasting of the readiness of the party to win the next governorship election and retain control of the state beyond 2023. The party proved its readiness by winning the last presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. Its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, was declared the winner of the Saturday, February 25, presidential election in the state.

    Tinubu polled a total number of 240,751 to emerge as the winner of the presidential election in the state. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, emerged as Tinubu’s closest rival in the state with a total of 145,104 votes. The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, got 56,217 while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso trailed with 4,238 votes.

    The APC cleared all three senatorial seats in the national assembly during the February 25 elections. APC also won 22 of the 25 seats in the Kogi state house of assembly. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured two seats while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) won one in the March 18 elections. The PDP won Bassa and Ogori Magongo, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) won Yagba west. With the outcome of the general elections in the state, pundits say the ruling APC is in pole position to retain its hold on the governorship seat.

    But stakeholders are concerned that a simmering crisis that has led to the suspension of a National Working Committee (NWC) member from the state by the party’s leadership, may affect its performance at the poll in November. According to reliable party sources, the rumblings within the party in the state has been on for a while with chieftains divided over alleged plans by some forces within the party to foist a gubernatorial candidate on the party by working against the aspiration of other interested persons.

    The crisis blew open during the week when the state leadership of the party, in a surprise move, approved the suspension of a member of the National Working Committee of the party, Murtala Yakubu (Ajaka) by the executive members of Ajaka Ward 1 of the party. Yakubu, who is the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, had been suspended by the entire executive members of APC, Ajaka Ward 1, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, in a letter dated March 20, over alleged anti-party activities, insubordination, gross misconduct, unguided statement, running parallel party structure and encouraging factionalism in the party.

     The Nation gathered that following the declaration by about 25 governorship aspirants to contest the governorship November governorship election on the platform of the APC, various interest groups have been at loggerheads as scheming intensified among aspirants to win the governorship ticket. Allegations that Governor Bello may have an anointed candidate that he is plotting to impose on the party ahead of the November election have been generating controversy. The governor and his allies have been denying the allegations saying Governor Bello is committed to a free and fair primary election.

    Rumpus

    Recently, a group within the party, APC Political Alliance (APA) warned Governor Yahaya Bello to jettison the idea of imposing unpopular candidate on the people of Kogi State. The group while lamenting political wrangling in the Kogi State Chapter of the APC said any attempt by Governor Bello to impose a candidate on the party could make the party lose the state to opposition parties. Shehu Mustapha, spokesperson of the APC, recalled that Governor Bello’s decision to force unpopular candidates on the people during the 2023 general election divided the party.

    He called on President Muhammadu Buhari and other national leaders of the APC to prevail on Governor Bello, to save the fortunes of the party in Kogi State. He said, “for the party to win, the national leaders should compel Governor Bello to allow the most popular candidate, who will be selected by the majority of the party members and delegates to emerge as flag-bearer”. The Nation gathered that many chieftains of the party across the state are posed for a showdown ahead of the primary election as they are determined to ensure that the candidate of the party is freely decided by party members.

    Reacting to the earlier suspension of Ajaka, who has declared his interest in the APC gubernatorial ticket, the leadership of the party in the state, in a statement signed by the State Secretary, Hon. Joshua Emmanuel, affirmed his suspension and barring him from participating in all party activities. Supporters of the embattled governorship aspirant were quick to label the move as an attempt to deny him a chance to participate in the forthcoming gubernatorial primary election in the state. “It is now confirmed that these people will not allow for a free and fair primary election in Kogi.

    “We are again calling on leaders of our great party within and outside Kogi state to rise up and halt this shenanigan. This suspension, like some other actions on the part of the leadership of the state and the government in recent times point to a grand plan to deny APC members in Kogi state a chance to decide who should be the flag-bearer of the party in the November governorship election. We will fight the undemocratic plot and we will not allow anybody or group of persons to deny APC the opportunity to win the November 2023 governorship election in our dear state,” an ally of the embattled NWC member told our correspondent.

    Confirming the suspension of Ajaka, the state executive committee, in a statement, said “The Kogi State Executive Committee (SEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) received a Notice of Suspension of Hon. Muritala Yakubu (Ajaka) from the IGALAMELA/ODOLU Local Government Area Executive Committee which acted on the basis of his suspension by the Ajaka Ward 1 Ward Executive Committee. The Kogi State Executive Committee of the APC, having perused the facts as alleged and established both the veracity and the gravity of the anti-party activities made out against him, has approved the disciplinary action, i.e suspension, meted to him by the appropriate organs below.

    “For the avoidance of any doubt, we reiterate that the Ajaka Ward 1 Executive Committee and the Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area Executive Committee of the party acted in accordance with Article 21 and other relevant provisions of the APC Constitution in the entire circumstances of this matter, and we uphold the same. In view of the foregoing, we hereby wish to notify the Zonal and National Executive Committees of our party as well as the general public that consequent upon his suspension, Hon. Muritala Yakubu (Ajaka) is now barred from participating in all party activities. The foregoing for your information, records and next actions.”

    But in yet another surprise twist, a new statement, purportedly from the leadership of APC in Ajaka Ward 1, denied the purported suspension of Hon. Ajaka. The ward chairman of the party, Omale Danladi in an affidavit at the High Court of Justice, Idah, Kogi State and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday, refuted the purported suspension. In the 2-page affidavit, the ward Chairman averred that a letter of suspension purportedly written by his executive and dated 20th of March was fake and he distanced the entire executive committee of the party from the letter.

    Denying the suspension in the affidavit Danladi claimed ignorant of the suspension letter, insisting that upon sighting the letter, he was completely surprised, as he was unaware of the letter and the content contained therein. He averred in the affidavit that “I completely deny the letter along with the allegations contained therein, as same is entirely false.” He maintained that the letter of suspension was not written by any member of the Ajaka Ward 1 Executives of the party adding that there was no meeting of the Ward 1 Executive to suspend Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.

    According to him: “I unequivocally deny the letter along with the allegations contained therein, as same is completely false.” Picking holes in the purported suspension letter, Danladi observed the inclusion of Danjuma Sani Ejika (Welfare Secretary) as one of the signatories to the suspension further nullified the letter, as the said officer died in April 2022. According to the ward chairman, “I have no reason whatsoever to criticize Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, talk more about writing or signing a letter for his suspension. The letter is only a ploy to denigrate my person and the executive members of my ward.”

    Genesis

    Checks by The Nation revealed that Ajaka’s trouble with the party may have been ignited for allegedly sponsoring a lawsuit against the party ahead of the party’s gubernatorial primaries. Party sources claim the NWC member is dissatisfied with the list of delegates the APC leadership in the state is planning to use to conduct the governorship primary election. “He is accused of taking the party to court. They claim he is fighting the party and his actions may affect the APC negatively in the forthcoming governorship election. That is why they want to ensure that he is no longer a member of the party,” a source said.

    Another party source also claimed that Ajaka’s suspension may not be unconnected with a leaked video why he claimed to be more original as a member of the APC in Kogi state than most of those in charge of the affairs of the party and government today. In the video, the gubernatorial aspirant said his membership of the party predates the coming of the likes of the late Abubakar Audu, James Faleke and even Governor Yahaya Bello, into the APC. He allegedly spoke of how he helped the governor achieve his aims in the past. Sources said the governor and other party leaders may have been irked by Ajaka’s utterances in the now controversial video.

    But supporters of the governorship aspirant insist the suspension is aimed at stopping his gubernatorial ambition. Other loyalists of the embattled APC chieftain recalled how Ajaka donated about 48 vehicles to assist party members and other stakeholders in the campaigns for APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu in all nooks and crannies of Kogi State, and wondered how such a person will be accused of anti-party activities. “It is just a matter of calling a dog an unpleasant name in order to have a good reason to get rid of it. We all know what all this is all about. We are just sad that some people will agree to be used for this type of hatchet job,’ a party source said.

    Meanwhile, trouble started when the executive members of the APC in his Ajaka Ward 1, Igalamela/Odolu local government area, allegedly announced that Hon. Yakubu was suspended for alleged anti-party activities among other offences. The letter, which is now a subject of controversy, claimed the chairman of Ajaka Ward 1, Omale Danladi and secretary, Suleiman Abubakar, disclosed that the decision to suspend Yakubu was arrived at during a meeting of the whole executive team, which was held on March 17 in Ajaka. They accused him of insubordination, gross misconduct, unguided statement, running parallel party structure and encouraging factionalism in the party, among other allegations, while noting that the suspension was with immediate effect.

    “Following the resolution of Ajaka Ward 1 Exco members held on 17th March in Ajaka, Ajaka-Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, you (Yakubu) are hereby suspended from the membership of party in the Ward on the ground of insubordination, gross misconduct, unguided statement demeaning the personalities of the founder of the party, late Prince Abubakar Audu and the leader of the Party in the State, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello at different occasions;

    “Running parallel party structure and encouraging factionalism capable of creating division and racour among party loyalists since 2020; Anti-party activities too numerous to be mentioned, particularly, on the 23rd day of February, 2023 that you organised a parallel rally against the Presidential Campaign Council directive in Ajaka Ward 1 which embarrassed and demeaned the party. The suspension is with immediate effect while we urge the state Secretariat and National Secretariat to endorse our resolution with the necessary action.”

  • Odogwu bitters’ promoters mark anniversary, unveils other products

    Odogwu bitters’ promoters mark anniversary, unveils other products

    The management of Cubana Trading and Investment Company celebrated the first-year anniversary of  Odogwu Bitters in Lagos.

    Three new products “Odogwu Vodka Mix – HAMMER, Odogwu Energy Drink – MALAY & Odogwu Hush,” were also unveiled.

    “These products have been carefully developed to meet the needs of our clients and customers, and we are confident that they will be well received. Our journey toward success is not over, and we are still moving forward. We have more products in the pipeline and continually explore new opportunities to expand our business and reach new markets.”

    Happily, the group Chairman of Cubana Trading & Investment Limited, Obinna Iyiegbu popularly known as Obi Cubana goes down memory lane to recall how it all started. “I remember vividly when we started, filled with enthusiasm and an unwavering determination to succeed. We had a vision, a dream, and a passion for excellence that has propelled us to where we are today.”

    He also talked about the many challenges encountered and how they were surmounted. “When we started, we faced several challenges that tested our resilience and commitment to our goals. However, we never gave up; we kept pushing forward, learning from our mistakes, and adjusting our strategies until we finally found a formula for success.”

    He added: “I am proud to say that we have come a long way since then, and our success story is a testament to every team member’s hard work and dedication. We have achieved great milestones and made significant progress in our industry.

    “We started with 241 distributors, and now we have restructured distribution channels to be leaner but more resilient & responsive. Today we have 60 significant distributors, 55 in Nigeria, 2 in Canada, 1 in Liberia, 1 in Uganda, 1 in Côte d’Ivoire, and still counting. To our numerous final consumers for their loyalty and support, we say thank you.”

  • IWS Nigeria elects Abia-Okon 66th president

    IWS Nigeria elects Abia-Okon 66th president

    In a remarkable afternoon event tagged “IWS RENAISSANCE 2023”, IWS Nigeria, the nation’s oldest indigenous charity organization, has appointed Hungarian-born Mrs. Izabella Abia-Okon as its 66th President. 

    Abia-Okon, a director at the Nigerian-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, Ikoyi, Lagos, brings to the table, over 30 years of leadership experience serving in various capacities and organizations, with a wealth of wisdom in managing a business set-up involving Hungary and Nigeria; for the purpose of developing awareness of Hungary and its vast English university programs. 

    The prestigious position of IWS Nigeria’s President this year affords IWS charity programs the benefit of more international presence and support. 

    The Investiture which was held last Tuesday was chaired by Prince Senator Lanre Tejuoso, a long-time business partner of Mrs. Abia-Okon. 

    IWS Nigeria also inaugurated a 20-woman strong Executive Committee for the 2023/24 service year. Exco Members invested at the event were Mrs. Olabisi Alokolaro(VP), Mrs. Ifeoma Monye (Immediate Past President), Mrs. Nkoli Obi-Ogbolu( Past President & Ex-officio), Mrs. Ibiwunmi Akinnola(Chairperson Social Services), Dr. (Mrs.) Ogechi Nwokedi( Newsletter Editor), Mrs. Funmi Osibo( Chairperson, Scholarship), Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Akpan( Chairperson, IWS Skills Centre), and Mrs Seun Rasaki(Hospitality Secretary)

    The ceremony was well attended by members, prospective members, and Trustees of IWS Nigeria headed by the still-bubbling 95-year-old Chief (Mrs.) Funke Arthur-Worrey, herself a former president of the association. 

  • Fed Govt wants Chinese firms to invest in finished products value chain, improve on $20.4bn trade volume

    Fed Govt wants Chinese firms to invest in finished products value chain, improve on $20.4bn trade volume

    The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Saratu Umar has called on the Chinese government to invest in processing of finished Nigerian products with the option for export.

    Umar stated this during a courtesy visit by the Chinese Economic Minister, Counselor and his delegation in Abuja stating that the African Continental Free Trade Area has opened and liberalised huge market opportunities for African countries and Nigeria is positioned to benefit from it maximally.

    She noted that NIPC is working on producing an Investment Masterplan document that will address and define investment concerns in a detailed, resilient and friendly manner which of course will accommodate all stakeholders in the investment community.

    According to her. “Our trade posture is skewed towards exporting raw products to China, we urge the Chinese government to take advantage of our huge natural endowment (human and materials) to change the narrative by investing massively in all sectors of the country.”

    The NIPC boss noted that this will deepen both nation’s robust relationship. China, she said, is one of the strategic countries targeted by the Commission to drive and attract greater foreign direct investment especially in the critical sectors of our national development.

    Speaking, Mr Wange who led a delegation of Chinese government officials, chamber and investors said Nigeria remains strategic in China’s  investment plan.

    China has continued to partner with National and State governments especially in infrastructure development referencing Lekki Deep Sea Port as an example.

    He said,  “We are not relenting in our efforts in ensuring greater Chinese companies participate in the Nigerian economy as we are desirous to work closely with the NIPC especially in articulating the investors’ concerns. Nigeria is China’s third largest trading partner in Africa after South Africa and Kenya. The bilateral trade increased to almost 142 percent from 2016 to 2021, as the  trade volume stands  at 20.04 billion USD in the first ten months of 2022. China is Nigeria’s largest source of imports.”

  • Terra Jollof cube top consumers’ pick

    Terra Jollof cube top consumers’ pick

    To prepare any menu without the combination of food seasonings is almost a misnomer these days. For many consumers, brands are a-must-have.

    Since its entry into the market, Terra Jollof Cubes has been extolled by consumers for its game-changing move to complement the preparation of Jollof rice in Nigeria. Before now, chefs, caterers and homemakers have had to make do with a host of spices, complicated recipes and cooking methods in an attempt to achieve the desired tastes they craved for in Jollof rice.

    Along with its promise of an extraordinary jollof experience, Terra Jollof Cubes is packed with a unique mix of traditional ingredients like pepper, thyme, turmeric and garlic among others in a single cube to deliver that bottom pot Jollof taste that stands out in a competitive marketplace.

    A cross-section of chefs, caterers and homemakers who offered their perspectives confirmed that Terra Jollof Cubes has not only further simplified the process of preparing Jollof rice with its exciting combination of traditional spices in a cube, but has greatly improved their jollof rice aroma and taste.

    There are no stereotypical ways of making jollof rice but you cannot miss the unique and irresistible bottom-pot taste and aroma that comes out when you add cubes of Terra Jollof Cubes.

    Mrs. Eunice Udoma, a housewife and mother of three who lives in Agege stated that while there are several ways of preparing Jollof rice, however, everyone agrees on its end point – a great extraordinary taste and flavour.

    “I have always sought to achieve that extraordinary bottom pot taste of jollof rice I eat at some parties at home. I always get close to achieving it but never spot on. My friend at work introduced Terra Jollof Cubes to me and since my first try, I have never missed having a pack of Terra Jollof Cubes in my kitchen cabinet.

    “Addition of Terra Jollof Cube to my pot of Jollof rice has added a remarkable taste to my jollof, leaving my family with smiling faces of satisfaction and with no single grain left on the plate” she stated.

    Deepanjan Roy, Group Executive Director – TGI says that the company is delighted with the positive feedback and is confident that Terra Jollof Cubes is achieving its objective of elevating the taste and aroma of Jollof rice across homes, restaurants and in celebratory occasions.

    “We saw a vacuum in the area of giving our consumers a seasoning cube that is tailor-made for their jollof rice cooking, and we went ahead to fill it” he says.

    Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group stressed that Terra Jollof Cubes symbolizes the understanding of what consumers value in their tasty, bottom-pot, flavourful jollof rice.

    “We developed Terra Jollof Cubes after years of in-depth research, studying and understanding the consumers’ palate and taste preferences in various regions as well as their ways and patterns of cooking Jollof rice. We unearthed rich insights from these studies that guided us in developing the very special recipe for Terra Jollof Cube that is now being so widely appreciated by consumers.

    “As word of its unique impact in making Jollof so special spreads, we know more and more consumers would include Terra Jollof Cubes in their pot of Jollof rice to achieve that extraordinary Jollof experience,” he noted.

    Terra Seasoning Cubes are made up of wholesome, carefully sourced essential ingredients specially designed to meet the discerning Nigerian consumers’ needs in every meal, offering great taste, flavour and aroma for that unique cuisine experience. Every meal cooked with Terra guarantees an enjoyable meal and a rich signature homemade taste experience. Available in Beef, Chicken, Shrimp and Jollof flavours, in various consumer-friendly pack sizes, nationwide.

    Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group is an international investment and holding company with diversified interests and investments across Africa, The Middle East, Asia and other emerging markets.

    TGI’s investments focus on driving inclusivity and value addition using locally sourced raw materials, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a highly skilled workforce to produce world class products that are consumed both locally and exported to global markets. Across markets, TGI Group owns over a hundred leading brands in Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Agricultural Inputs, Industrial Chemicals, Homecare Products and Pharmaceuticals.