Category: South West

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced January 27 as the date for the Ekiti State governorship primary election, as against the earlier date of January 22.

The Secretary of the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, said in a statement yesterday in Abuja that the new date was in compliance with its revised timetable.

He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed the governorship election for June 18.

The statement said: “By the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, All Progressives Congress has released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2022 governorship primary election in Ekiti State.”

The Revised Schedule of Activities, as released by the party, shows that the sale of nomination forms, which began last November, will end on Saturday.

Screening of aspirants will hold on January 18, while the party will publish claims and objections on the primary on January 20, while appeals of the screening will hold on January 23.

The primary election is fixed for January 27 and the election appeal will hold on January 28 and 29.

Deputy governor Noimot Salako – Oyedele of Ogun State yesterday feted kids at Ijamido Children’s home, Ota, with donation of cash, food and other gift items to  to mark her 56th birthday.

Engr. Salako-Oyedele who spent some memorable time with the children, said she believes in giving back to the society, especially the less privileged to celebrate her birthday, rather than throwing a big party.

“I’m happy to be here at Ijamido Children’s Home, I must say that I have the interest of these children at heart and I am willing to support them in any way they needed my support. I pray that God will continue to be with the children and they will become great in life,” she said.

She  thanked God for the life of her mother, whom she described as her backbone and prayer warrior,  praying  that God grants her more grace and long life to witness her children’s celebrate more birthday in years to come.

Also speaking the Commissioner for Forestry, Hon Tunji Akinosi, felicitated the deputy governor, saying it is a thing of joy and gratitude to God for celebrating another year hale and hearty.

He prayed for long life, good health and more prosperity for her.

Earlier in her remarks, the Executive Secretary,  Ijamido Children’s home, Mrs Amos Stella-Willoughby lauded the unflinching support of Mrs Salako – Oyedele towards the development of the home, praying for God’s blessings and goodness  upon her.

The National President of Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Niyi Yusuf has called on Nigerians to always exhibit the acts of patriotism and be committed to nation building in the New Year

Yusuf said this at the Special Fidau prayers for Baale Salaudeen Mobolaji Durosomo Labisi Olugbesan, the father of Princess Jameelah Omolola MKO Abiola, which took place at the Rotary Hall, in lsolo, Lagos, Nigeria.

He said that Nigeria would experience unprecedented growth and development when Nigerians across the public and private sphere exhibit acts of kindness and patriotism.

Yusuf said that kindness promotes understanding and compassion; which in turn, leads to a sense of togetherness with others. Patriotism enhances public sacrifice which is essential to nation building, reduces the chances of conflict, reduces corruption, and is exceedingly all-encompassing as an identity.

He noted that 2022 opens a new vista of hope amidst our present socio-economic challenges, and stressed that we need to work together as a nation devoid of primordial sentiment to make our nation great again.

He commended the Baale Olugbesan for a life well spent, saying “his commitment to his family and his immediate community is worthy of emulation”.

He cited the Quran saying that the best among you are those who bring the greatest benefit to many others, adding that when you benefit the greatest of the people, then you are a good person.

In her words, Princess Jemlat MKO Abiola lauded the contribution of her father in labour activism and community development; promised to continue the good legacies that her father left behind.

On his part, the Chief Missioner, Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, charged Nigerians to live their lives in readiness of life hereafter.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated his wife and First Lady of the State, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on her 55th birthday.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu, a medical doctor by profession, clocks 55 years yesterday January 8, 2022.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, yesterday, described his wife as a courageous, amiable, kind-hearted and also, his strong pillar of support.

He said the First Lady, a thoroughbred medical practitioner who represents the league of the brightest minds and pride of the profession, had touched the lives of millions of Nigerians and Lagosians, first as a medical practitioner and currently as First Lady of Lagos, since his assumption of office on May 29, 2019.

“On behalf of the good people of Lagos State, I heartily congratulate my beloved wife, friend and reliable partner of many years, on the occasion of her 55th birthday.

“Attaining the age of 55 years in grace, elegance and good health is worth celebrating because of her remarkable contributions to the family, medical profession, Lagos State and humanity,” the governor said.

“You are one of my back bones and great supporters during the electioneering that brought me into office on May 29, 2019 as the 15th Governor of Lagos State. You contributed and participated in the Health Mission of our campaign train that transversed all the nooks and crannies of the state, especially the grassroots and riverine communities to offer free medical services to millions of Lagosians, particularly the needy and the downtrodden, who couldn’t afford to pay for such health services.

Senator Solomon Adeola, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Finance has expressed shock and sadness over the demise of His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdullateef Adediran Akanni, the Olofin Adimula Oodua of Ado Odo and the King of Ado kingdom.

In a statement signed by the Senator’s Chief of Staff and Media Adviser, the Senator said the passing of the Monarch is a great loss, not only to his immediate family and kingdom but the people of Ogun West Senatorial District and the Ogun State as a whole.

“I recall with fond memories that the departed “Ojikutujoye Obaarun Oladekan 1” was always at the forefront of any development initiatives in Ogun West beyond his domain and will go to great length to solicit assistance for community development” Senator  Adeola stated.

The Senator prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed Monarch and the fortitude for his immediate family and other bereaved relatives to bear the irreparable loss.

A socio-cultural group in Owo, Owo local government area, the Owo Youths Vangaurd, have called on security agencies to carry out thorough investigation and fish out killers of one of it’s high Chiefs, Chief Ilori Tunde, the Elerewe of Owo Kingdom.

Chief Ilori was killed while returning from a disputed farmland in company of other Owo Chiefs.Masked gunmen were said to have accosted them and killed him instantly while others survived injuries.

The youths called on family and closed associates of the late Elerewe not to cause crisis in the community by pointing accusing fingers at highly placed persons in the community.

Speaking at a press briefing in Owo, spokesman for the group, Mr. Olayode Olarenwaju, enjoined the family to wait for police investigation instead of sending petitions to all security agencies including the ‘Interpol’ just to see their perceived enemies in jail.

Olarenwaju stated that it was shocking to them for the family to finger a former Chairman of Owo local government, Oluwole Folahanm, whereas the late Elerewe was killed over a disputed farmland.

He said investigation showed the former council boss had nothing to do with the disputed land or the family land housing an old generation bank branch in the locality.

According to him, “This matter if not properly handled could plunge the town into a terrible crisis. How could relatives of late Elerewe point accusing fingers at anybody? The issue the late Elerewe was killed over is different from the contest over the Elerewe chieftaincy title.

“Folahanm has been investigated by the police and nothing implicating was found on him. Our investigation showed he was not responsible for the petition against late Elerewe in 2019 after the attack on Ugele camp.

“We want peace in Owo. We are pained over the death of Elerewe and demand justice but his relatives must desist from using his death to pursue another agenda.”

Ondo Police Commissioner, Oyeyemi Oyediran, had said that some suspects have been arrested over the killing of late Elerewe of Owo.

A support group for the presidential  aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Progressives’ Solidarity for Asiwaju (PSA), has said that irrespective of the mode of primaries adopted by the party, direct or indirect, Tinubu will emerge as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to a statement by the PSA Director of Media, Strategic Communication and ICT, Dr. Adewale Adenaike, the group said it would mobilise its members within and outside Nigeria to support the emergence of Asiwaju as the next president of Nigeria.

The PSA media minder further revealed that members of the group are card-carrying members of the APC. “Our membership cuts across all the  36 states in Nigeria and the FCT, we will give massive support to Asiwaju, which will make him not only emerge as the APC standard bearer, but to also make sure we mobilise others to make his dream of becoming the next president of Nigeria a reality.”

Justifying their support for their principal, the PSA noted that Tinubu has the requisite experience to develop this country. “When he was in Lagos, he developed the state even with the stiff opposition from the federal government which denied the state allocations.

“To appreciate this, with allocations from the federal government now, many states are still struggling to survive, but Asiwaju was able to survive without allocations. He is the type of person we need right now. He is a good manager of human and natural resource.”

The group said its members are warming up for the exercise even as they impressed on other Nigerians the need to lend their support to make Asiwaju the next president.