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Tag: Awe

  • I’m better prepared for Senate – Al-Makura

    Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has said that he is better prepared to give the people of the southern senatorial district better representation as a senator.

    He made this known in Lafia local government at the final campaign rally for his Senate bid.

    According to him, after a deep thought and beckoning by the people, in addition to what he has done in the area of development across the senatorial zone, he felt the only way to consolidate and ensure sustainability of the projects would be “if and when I am elected to represent my people at the National Assembly”.

    “I am more prepared for the senate than the incumbent to be frank with you, because if you look at what we have done in the past seven and a half years compared to the twelve years of the current occupant of the seat you would have every reason to support us than vote for what is best described as wasted years.

    “I want to assure you that my contribution at the floor of the National Assembly in terms of making laws will be what will benefit my constituents as well as strengthen democracy and add value to governance” He said.

    The Governor, however, assured the people of Awe that before his exit from office, he will make sure that the general hospital is completed and equipped for full health care service delivery, as well as the construction of a one kilometer intercity in Awe town in addition to the three already constructed.

    Al-Makura expressed satisfaction with the turn out of the people to the rally, saying it was most assuring that Awe people will vote 95% for APC in the upcoming elections.

  • APC welcomes Chairman Awe

    Ekiti State  All Progressives Congress (APC) has passed a vote of confidence on its chairman, Chief Jide Awe, following his return from hiding.

    The party also commended his deputy, Mrs. Kemi Olaleye, for living up to expectation as the acting chairman in the last two years.

    The party in a statement praised Awe for his forthrightness, doggedness and commitment to the party.

    It described the chairman as a  rallying point for the party.

    The party urged members to prepare for the governorship primary.

    It called for unity and cohesion among leaders and followers. It urged member to desisit from hate speeches or risk sanction.

    According to the statement, Awe survived the victimisation of the ruling party in Ekiti, following the collapse of the baseless charges.

    It said the views canvassed by Awe on the proposed primary when the national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, visited the state is in tandem with the thinking and aspiration of members.

    “The duo of the chairman and his deputy are reassured of the Exco support and loyalty as we move closer to the party primary to select the flag bearer and the governorship election coming in July. “All aspirants and party members are advised to make their campaign an issue based.

    “Any member or aspiring member of the party involving in blackmail or hate campaigns as a means of attracting members/public support will be disciplined in accordance with the provision of the party constitution.”

  • Senator donates relief materials to displaced persons in Nasarawa

    Senator donates relief materials to displaced persons in Nasarawa

    Following the attacks on some communities along the  Nasarawa/Benue border by suspected herdsmen, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe has donated relief materials to displaced persons in the area.

    Adokwe, who represents Nasarawa South Senatorial District, made the donation on Wednesday at the Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs )  camp at  Awe,  Awe Local Government Area of the state.

    The senator  described the attacks as unfortunate and urged the IDPs to be patient and law abiding in the interest of development.

    The lawmaker, who was represented Mr  James Agbo,  donated over 1,000 tubers of yam, 20 bags of rice, 20 jerrycans of palm oil, 20 bags of salt and  20 cartons of  soap among others.

    Read also: Nasarawa increases retirees’ pension to N5, 000

    “ We are here to sympathise and to donate relief materials to the IDPs  who are taking refuge as a result of the recent killing in Nasarawa/Benue border communities.

    “The killing is  unfortunate  in an area where  people that have been living and  farming together wake up and find  themselves in this kind of situation.

    “It is very sad that this  farmers/herdsmen crisis is no longer  localised, but a national issue.

    “I wish that the Federal Government takes  a measure quickly in order to find a way of stopping this  crisis in the interest of peace and development.

    “I will use my position as their representative at the upper chamber of the National Assembly to liaise with the government to provide adequate security for the protection of lives and properties of my constituents, the state and Nigeria at large,” he said.

    Adokwe, who is  also  the Chairman of the  Senate Committee on Information and Culture,  assured the people of his constituency of   robust and quality representation.

    Mr  Charles Gusa, who spoke on behalf of the IDPs,  lauded the humanitarian gesture of  Adokwe and called on other politicians and individuals to emulate him.

    Gusa also urged the government to provide adequate security in  the affected communities to enable IDPs  return home.

    The senator’s delegation had earlier paid  homage to the Emir of Awe, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, who had commended the humanitarian gesture.

    Reports say that there are more than 15,000 IDPs camped in different  locations in the state.

    NAN

  • Olusola’s adoption can’t threaten APC, says Awe

    Olusola’s adoption can’t threaten APC, says Awe

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said that the adoption of Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola as governorship candidate by Governor Fayose will not threaten the opposition party at the poll.

    The APC chairman, Chief Jide Awe, also described the screening of the local government chairmanship aspirants through Option A 4 as a manipulation designed to facilitate Olusola’s emergence as a flag bearer.

    Noting  that the governor has manipulated the system to favour his  anointed, Awe who spoke through his Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Kemi Olayele, said: “The list of our aspirants in APC is far better than the best Fayose can offer. The smallest aspirant among ours can beat Olusola, who Fayose is forcing down on his party’s throat and that is why we will send him parking in 2018. InAPC, we don’t deceive the people by adopting a system that ensures that it is only our choice that emerges. We assure all our candidates of free, fair and transparent primaries. We don’t allow a system where it is only the people that we have ordered to queue behind our candidates that eventually emerge. Ours is a transparent system.”

    The party chairman made the remarks while receiving an aspirant for the 2018 race, Mr. Ajayi Olatunji Olowo who declared his intention at the party secretariat.

    Olaleye told Olowo: “Meet with the grassroots. We have given you that ticket to campaign for votes from the masses. Your ability to speak our native talent is an advantage for you. It is what some people now in government have been using to cajole our people.

    “No one on the platform of APC will lose out in this race. I am assuring you that a free and fair primaries would determine who gets the ticket.”

    Olowo, a legal practitioner, said the adoption of the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof.  Kolapo Olusola as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has automatically put the APC on the spot on the need to uphold zoning in the coming election.

    Olowo said the APC – led government under former Governor Kayode Fayemi did excellently well in terms of infrastructural provision in the state, pointing out that the only snag  had been that the government didn’t fraternize well enough with the downtrodden masses.

    People from the South Senatorial district have been advocating for zoning of the governorship ticket to the zone in 2018 on the basis of equity, justice and fairplay.

    On the large number of aspirants  for the governorship election in APC, Olowo said: “Most  of them are pretenders who will not even pass the screening of the party for the primary.”

  • In awe

    •Ewuare 11 is Oba in a line of storied Benin monarchs

    Again, a rite that happens every generation took place in Benin, capital of Edo State. It was the coronation of a new monarch, the Oba of Benin, to steer the kingdom’s royal affairs after the passing of his father, Oba Erediauwa.

    Few coronations absorb media, diplomatic and political oxygen like that of the revered Benin monarchy. Once the death of his predecessor was announced, the world anticipated October 20, when the 40th in the line of storied kings would mount the throne.

    As usual, the event attracted men and women of substance and reminded the nation that royalty, however its diminished aura, still captured the imagination and awe of our people. Especially the Benin monarchy that is ineluctably tied not only to the fortunes and culture of the Benin people, but all over what we know today as the Niger delta and southwest, including Lagos.

    Whatever the revisionism or controversies concerning the influence and power of that kingdom, no historian has undermined its widespread footprints in Nigerian history over centuries.

    It was to that august throne that the new monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Akpolokpolo Ewuare 11, has ascended in an air of mystique, éclat and glory. Befitting the dynamics of change, we witnessed both the chemistry of ancient and modern rituals. This culminated in the handing over of the staff of office to him by the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

    The name Ewuare rolls back in time to another great king of Benin, known as Ewuare 1 or, in the more laudatory appellation of historians, Ewuare the Great. The choice of that spectacular man points to the ambition and vision of the present king. Ewuare the Great infused the kingdom with prestige and bestowed it with power, not only by his expansionist swagger that corralled over 200 towns and villages but also the colour and stature of royalty with many titles added to the palace.

    As the new king transformed from crown prince to king, many Nigerians focused on the dignity of the former king. In all the years he was on the throne, he manifested the higher ideals of the throne. He was known to play politics without partisanship, to engage his people with colour shorn of ostentation, to make judgements without prejudice, to evince moral positions without the air of the puritan, to speak without verbosity and make public pageants without pomp.

    Coming from the austere background of civil servant and diplomat, he brought into the throne the sophistication and discipline that many on the throne today will still see as a model. He once shunned a minister who had not worked according to his official mandate, he offered to sacrifice portions of the palace for Governor Oshiomhole’s plan to expand the road network in the city. He was never suggested in any scandal either of the libertine hue or contractual smear.

    Royals of the Benin kingdom know the history and the expectations of the people of the kingdom and the nation at large, and that accounts for the king’s stature. They know that the king makes the throne more than the throne makes the king. They therefore rise from epoch to epoch to the moral and cultural standards of tradition.

    Unlike some other kingdoms, transition from one king to the next is often flawless and rancour-free. It is a reflection of a stable and organised system, tested over centuries and respected by the royals.

    Oba Ewuare 11, who took part in all the rites that eventually led to his coronation, understands the value of this tradition. The respect and awe that surround him reflect that he, too, will play his part and stand in the high hall of avatars and show his mettle.

  • Ekiti APC to PDP: murder charge against Awe hypocritical

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said President Muhammadu Buhari did nothing wrong in hosting its Chairman, Olajide Awe.

    The party criticised the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for raising eyebrows over Awe’s appearance at Aso Rock.

    It said: “Nigerians know the difference between murder charge and contrived cases of alleged murder to hound political opponents.”

    In a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary Taiwo Olatunbosun, the APC said the PDP’s insistence that Awe should not be allowed entry to the seat of power “was hypocrisy taken too far”.

    The party recalled that shortly after President Buhari made a public declaration to probe unresolved murder cases, Governor Ayodele Fayose was jolted into official reaction, urging the President not to play politics with  investigation of murders.

    Explaining that Fayose and the PDP contrived the crisis that led to the death of a PDP member, Olatubosun said Awe could not be blamed for the death that happened when he was not in town.

    The APC spokesman said: “All Nigerians knew when Fayose unleashed his thugs on Ekiti people with the alleged support of security agencies aided by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, which believed that Fayose represented the suppressing machine needed to win Ekiti State.

    “Awe’s alleged murder charge was the making of Fayose to put him out of circulation. This politically-motivated case was investigated and the accused were discharged by a court, until Fayose assumed office and reopened the case for political reasons.

    “We are aware that PDP is planning a press conference to allege that Awe killed Madam Jeje and Ayo in Erinjiyan just to blackmail President Buhari.”

    Olatubosun expressed indignation at this dishonest arm-twisting in the face of many alleged unresolved criminal cases hanging on the governor’s neck.

    He said it was hypocritical for Fayose to be allowed to contest election while criticising Buhari for allowing innocent Awe into Aso Rock.

    “Fayose must be prepared to defend himself, instead of a devious scheme to blackmail the President,” he said.

  • Thugs attack Awe’s elder sister

    Thugs attack Awe’s elder sister

    Suspected political thugs have attacked the elder sister of the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Olajide Awe.

    Mrs. Florence Aluko was inflicted with machete cuts in Erijiyan-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area on Saturday at the farmhouse of the APC boss at Oketere/Aaye area in the community.

    She is said to be on the danger list.

    Sources told The Nation yesterday that the 68-year-old victim was beaten before she was cut on her face and back.

    A chief in the community was alleged to have led three thugs to attack Mrs. Aluko.

    Other women working on the farm with her fled. Mrs Aluko was rescued by good Samaritans, who took her to the State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

    It could not be immediately ascertained why she was attacked but some residents believe that the attack was politically motivated.

  • Eight kidnap suspects arraigned in Awe

    Eight kidnap suspects arraigned in Awe

    Eight suspects arrested for allegedly kidnapping a business man, Chief Adebowale Omotoso, have been arraigned in court.

    They were arraigned in a magistrate’s court  in Awe, the town where the kidnapping took place on March 11.

    The suspects, seven men and a woman, were charged with  conspiracy, robbery and kidnapping.

    When they were initially arraigned on April 22, the suspects were ordered to be remanded in prison till the next adjourned date, which was yesterday.

    Magistrate N. A. J. Ogunbona directed the police prosecutor to duplicate the case file in the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

    Chief Omotoso, who is the Chairman, Bond Chemicals Ltd, Awe, was kidnapped in his home.

    He was later rescued at Ajia Village by a team of policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Oyo Area Command.

    His freedom came after hours of a gun duel with the suspected kidnappers, according to the Police Commissioner, Muhammed Katsina.

    The legal advice would help determine if the accused have case(s) to answer.

    If they do, they may be moved to a court of higher jurisdiction.

    At the resumed hearing yesterday, the prosecutor told the court that the case file had been duplicated and forwarded to the DPP, adding that he was awaiting response.

    The Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Sergeant Enugwa Anthony, was absent.

    He was said to have been involved in an accident and was discharged from the hospital on Saturday.

    Consequently, the case was adjourned till June 10.