The Nation Newspaper

Tag: begs

  • Atiku begs Lamido to step down for him

    Former Vice-President and PDP presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar is pleading with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido to step down for him in the party’s presidential primary.

    The former vice president made the plea yesterday at the Jigawa State PDP secretariat. He was in the state to seek support ahead of the primaries.

    Atiku visited the former governor in his Bamaina country home.

    Atiku said his visit was to seek Lamido’s support.

    He explained that he “did not go to Jigawa to campaign but to visit PDP members and his junior brother Sule Lamido”.

    Atiku related the incident with what happened in 1993 election under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Katsina State where two brothers – Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua were contesting. The latter stepped down for the former.

    He recalled that elders told Shehu Musa Yar’Adua that there was no way they could support him as president and support his brother as the governor.

    “Junior brother cannot contest against his senior brother. The junior brother instantly stepped down for his brother due to his loyalty,” he said.

    Atiku explained that the country needs repairs because of what he called a system failure around all sectors, including security and economy.

    “The government inherited an economy growing at about 7% and crashed it to recession in its first year and currently going below 2%,” Atiku noted.

    “Most of the parts of this country are currently feeling excluded” Atiku added.

    To the former Vice-President, the APC administration is a failure and disappointment. He advised Nigerians to votes out APC next year.

    Lamido said the visit was a homecoming visit.

    All the presidential aspirants declined to comment on the issue.

  • PDP ‘begs’ Akpabio not to join APC

    There are indications that former Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, may soon join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is said to be making concerted effort not to lose him, it was learnt yesterday.

    Akpabio is said to have fallen out with his successor Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    The development appears to be a confirmation of Akpabio’s statement that “all is not well” when he met with stakeholders in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

    A source said the PDP National Working Committee led by the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, was locked in a marathon meeting with Akpabio in his Asokoro Abuja home at the weekend.

    The meeting is believed to be a last minute effort by the opposition party to stop the Senator’s possible decampment to the ruling party.

    Akpabio is said to be unhappy with the governor for his unwillingness to open the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene which Akpabio was said to have built and furnished.

    Emmanuel is also said to have failed to complete a portion of the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road.

    Akpabio had hinted at a mega rally held at Ikot Ekpene to endorse him and Emmanuel for second terms that a political party is just a vehicle for winning election.

    He also reportedly said that whichever party he decided to pitch his tent with in the 2019 elections, he would emerge a winner to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to his people.

    This has been widely perceived by political watchers as an imminent plan by Akpabio to decamp to another political party.

    A former Deputy Governor Chief Chris Ekpenyong, who chaired the rally, had also reportedly told Emmanuel that all was not well in the Senatorial District.

    Ekpenyong is said to have urged the governor to replicate the good roads and industries he has built in his Onna community to other parts of the state, as what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

    The issue was said to have cropped when at the APC mega rally in Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium where Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director Obong Nsima Ekere reportedly faulted the governor for abandoning the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District by refusing to open the hotel and complete the road.

    Observers are said to have wondered why Emmanuel had allowed the Sheraton by Four Points Hotel and the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road issues to linger.

    Political analysts have asked what it would have cost the administration to open a hotel that had virtually been completed instead of leaving it to rot.

    Sources pointed that even though Akpabio’s predecessor, Obong Victor Attah pitched his tent with his son-in-law Dr Udoma Ekarika rather than supporting Akpabio, he (Akpabio) still built a dualised road complete with the most modern street lights to Attah’s home.

    Unconfirmed reports say the end-of-tenure entitlements of Akpabio’s political appointees were yet to be paid simply because they are “Akpabio Boys.”

    When contacted, Akpabio’s media aide Jackson Udom said he was not aware of any move by his principal to dump the PDP.

    “Senator Akpabio as far as I know is a strong member and leader of the PDP. He is the Minority Leader of the party in the Senate,” Udom added.

  • Dethroned Miss Akwa Ibom begs to return

    Dethroned Miss Akwa Ibom begs to return

    Having been removed as beauty queen following the semi-nude photos she released on her birthday, Miss Abasiodiong Eyo Inyang, is begging to be forgiven and reinstated, while giving reasons for her affirmed negative action.

    Miss Inyang, in a public statement titled “An apology letter from my subconscious mind”, said: “In a dilemma such as which I see myself, one would be lost on who to choose between the Devil and Deep Blue Sea. I chose the deep blue sea.

    ”I, Miss Abasiodiong Eyo Inyang who until my dethronement few days ago was MISS TEENS 2017/18 deeply apologise over my negative behaviour lately. Few days ago I added another year to my age and I thought it wise to embark on a photoshoot, I decided to post my “Half Nude” pictures taken with the clearest of intentions. Not knowing I would be misunderstood!  And so, I apologize to organisers of the “Miss Teens Pageant” whose crown I bore… To teenagers across boards who are victims because of how they dress.

    ”To Akwa Ibomites who I let down, to parents, family, School and friends, Please, from the deepest recesses of my heart, I plead for forgiveness. The past few days have been hell for me, so depressed and so hard on me regarding the fact I was a serving queen and shouldn’t indulge on negative trends. It hurts and sincerely, I have never felt this way in my entire life, and I just cannot control it. I never meant to bring disrespect to the world of Pageantry or modelling professions, my intention was not to belittle the crown or insult fellow queens. No Far from it.”

    She however believes that she deserves a fair hearing before being thrown out.

    According to Inyang, “Not being asked WHY but being judged by all without an opportunity for fair hearing, not being allowed to face a panel on my suitability to continue as a TEEN AMBASSADOR before being banished, not being asked the motive behind my actions, Not given a chance/opportunity to atone & plead for forgiveness and being chastised, condemned and treated as an infidel over a mistake I should have been corrected with kid gloves. Notwithstanding, I am sorry for what I did yesterday, I am sorry for what I did today and what I’ll do tomorrow.”

    She fears that the impression already created through her action might earn her stigmatization.

    “I know I could apologize for days on end but it may not eliminate your thoughts on me but I take solace on God Almighty and on his grace I continually seek strength to endure the pain I currently face.  Knowing my actions upset many tremendously. Please I am deeply sorry. My fault, I am human & not a saint without blame. Dear Friends, Help me if you will, “Not to drown in this Deep Blue Sea”. We Teens must grow, and thrive, for a better tomorrow. As a child raised from a Christian home, I seek for forgiveness from all who I must have offended, I am not entirely perfect so let me not be crucified over an ignorance I now regret. It is my fervent supplications to God that my apology over this sad episode of my life be accepted by all who I offended by this ugly incidence. Once again, I am deeply sorry, please accept me back as I am.”

    In a statement made available to Ibom Reporters, President of the Akwa Ibom Teen Forum, Martins Jimmy described the attitude of Inyang as infantile.

    According to him, the 20-year-old lady’s birthday photos in which her boobs were visible while she was seen smoking in another, does not uphold the moral standards of the organization.

    He announced that the erring queen has been replaced with the First Runner-up.

    “That a new Queen, Miss Meggy Linus has been appointed and will be crowned within 48 hours of the release. Miss Linus was the First Runner-up at the 2017 Edition of Mr/Miss Akwa Ibom Teen.

    “We sincerely regret any inconvenience the puerile behaviour of our former Queen may have caused the general public, while also urging social media users to refrain from tarnishing the image of Akwa Ibom Teenagers Forum.”

  • 69-yr-old suspect fails to meet bail conditions, family begs for help

    The family of a 69- year- old driver arraigned for reckless driving, Samson Olawunmi, has cried out for help following his inability to fulfill bail conditions.

    Olawumi has been in prison custody since December 22,2014 for allegedly injuring one Sunday Ozemeke, following a reckless driving.

    Olawunmi, a native of Gbongan, Osun State, was arraigned before Mrs A.M Davies of  Ojota Magistrate Court for driving recklessly and injuring Ozemeke on his right leg, head and hand .

    The incident was said to have happened on December 9, 2014 along Oworonshoki/ Oshodi Expressway after following which Olwaunmi took his victim to hospital for medical care.

    Olawunmi has been remanded in Ikoyi Prison since his first arraignment.

    He was said to have been granted bail but he could not perfect the bail conditions.

    His wife Mrs Olawunmi said her husband had no relations in Lagos State adding that his family members could not raise the money required to perfect her husband’s bail.

    She explained further that their children are still under age and that her husband’s employer has refused to help secure his release from prison.

    It was said that the incident happened while Olawunmi was taking his Indian employer’s wife and child to their residence.

    The case was to be heard on Monday but it was adjourned because a new magistrate had just been posted to the court.

    In a chat with our reporter, Olawunmi, who was in court on Monday pleaded for leniency.

    “My husband has always been a good driver and had not been involved in any accident until the unfortunate day when he knocked down Ozemeke around 9pm while he was crossing the highway. Despite this, he took him to a hospital for treatment .The court and the man’s family should pardon him,” the wife of the suspect added.

    The next adjournment date, April 22, will make it four months since Olawunmi has been in custody with no legal counsel appearing on his behalf or to process his bail.

    His bail conditions include payment of N200, 000 by two gainfully employed sureties with evident of two year tax payment and an undertaking or recommendation letter from his defense counsel.

    The police prosecutor, Mr Lucky Ihiehie, said a public counsel who was to appear for Olawunmi did not show up in court.

    The charge sheet read in part: “That you Samson Olawunmi ‘m’ on December 9, 2014 around 8pm along  Oworonshoki/ Oshodi Expressway by Ram Market, Gbagada, in the Lagos magisterial district being the driver in charge of a Toyota Carina E wagon car with Reg.No Ej 166kJA drove same on a highway recklessly and in a manner  that is dangerous to the public, hit and injured one Sunday Ozemeke ‘m’ on his right leg , left hand and his head and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 19 of Lagos State Traffic Law.”

    The case was adjourned to April 22.

  • Umahi’s PDP faction begs Elechi for forgiveness

    The faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State chapter, loyal to the state deputy governor, Dave Umahi, at the weekend begged Governor Martin Elechi for forgiveness ahead of next month’s election.

    The acting chairman of the party, Chief Joseph Onwe, made the appeal to the governor at the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the governor at the party’s secretariat in Abakaliki.

    He appealed to the governor to ensure that the party’s interest is promoted above others, stressing that PDP, since he was sworn-in in 2007 as the governor, has enjoyed uncommon progress and peace.

    Onwe also begged him to forgive those that had wronged him in the past and move forward.

    He also begged the governor to attend the official flag-off of the party’s campaign in the state tomorrow (Monday).

    Responding, Elechi stressed that he is not only the governor of the PDP that brought him to power but also to other political parties.

    The governor also lamented the disunity in his party, saying he was not aware that the party will kick off campaign on Monday.

    He said his purpose for convening the meeting of the stakeholders of the party was to inform them of the coming of President Goodluck Jonathan to Ebonyi State scheduled to hold on January 16.

    Elechi noted with dismay that the party he is leading is witnessing problems.

    “Many people could not come here on time because of some reasons. I’m usually blunt when I speak. Our problems are of our own making, whether we accept it or not. There were conflicting signals for people not to come for this meeting.

    “By the implication of my being the leader of this party and I was elected on the platform of PDP but having been sworn-in as governor of the state, I’m supposed to be responsible for the interest of everybody in the state regardless of party division. I’m working for the well-being of everybody including those in opposition party. I’m supposed to protect their lives, property and interest just as I do with those in the same party with me.

    “If we approach our business with narrow mindedness and bring unnecessary division among ourselves, we will get to nowhere,”  he said.

  • Immigration job deaths: Moro begs families

    Immigration job deaths: Moro begs families

    The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has asked for forgiveness from Nigerians, especially the families affected by the ill-fated recruitment in which 19 people died.

    He said the incident could not have been deliberate.

    The minister promised to take responsibility about what happened.

    Moro stressed that the tragic deaths of Nigerians during the recruitment was “a personal loss” to him.

    Despite calls from various quarters for President Goodluck Jonathan to sack him, Moro told reporters at the weekend in Abuja that his intention was genuine, but “unfortunately, the exercise turned tragic”.

    He added: “I think that I will ordinarily ask Nigerians for understanding in this matter. The intention, understanding, the motive behind the whole thing is an open. The transparent recruitment exercise …was intended primarily to give employment to Nigerians, irrespective of their backgrounds, connections, contacts in government or the business circle.”

    Moro said the March 15 exercise was meant to correct the ills of the past and give everybody an opportunity to get jobs in the Immigration Service.

    He said: “For me, like I said, it is a personal loss, because the exercise, in the first place, took place within the Ministry of Interior, organised by the ministry and its services…”

  • Akinyele begs Jonathan to support Ultimate Commander

    Akinyele begs Jonathan to support Ultimate Commander

    FORMER Minister of Sports, Alex Akinyele, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to give his executive backing to Osita Offor aka De Ultimate Commander, in his bid to retain the Universal Professional Wrestling Federation (UPWF) world heavyweight wrestling title.

    De Commander will be meeting United States (US) Bobby Lashley in his title defence on December 6 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

    Speaking while receiving De Commander and his team at his Lagos residence yesterday, Akinyele praised the wrestler’s vision in reviving the game of wrestling in the country, saying the sport was almost dead before the coming of the world champion.

    He urged De Commander to ensure that the fee-paying fans had value for their money, which he said is a way of proving that wrestling is indeed real and could be fought in different dimensions.

    He opined that Nigeria could record great success in wrestling after its successes in football, athletics and weightlifting, amongst other sports.

    The former sports minister insisted that President Jonathan’s support would help to re-engineer wrestling, adding, “this is the hour of pride for Nigerian sports, so with this great vision from the De Ultimate Commander, I want the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to come out that day and support our own wrestler in writing the name of the country in the history books.”

    On the inclusion of musicians and other artistes in the championship, Akinyele said: “This is a very good innovation. Combining sports with music, which is one of the fast growing businesses in Nigeria is a great idea.

    “De Ultimate Commander’s team should also know that the fee paying fans must also have the value for their money too, not only through watching the fight.”

    The wrestling championship, christened Battle of Legends, will witness performances from world renowned musicians including Tuface and Omawunmi, as well as Tee Mac Itseli.

    Also speaking at the event, the Battle of Legends’ promoter, Aghalieaku Arinze, affirmed that apart from thrilling wrestling fans with the bouts, the event would also be used to exhibit Nigerian arts and culture to guests from different parts of the world.

  • Fed Govt begs ASUU to end action

    Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its strike in the interest of the students and the country.

    Sambo spoke yesterday in Gadau, Itas/Gadau Local Government Area of Bauchi State, at the inauguration of the Bauchi State University in the town.

    The Vice President, who is the Chairman of the Federal Government’s negotiation team, said the government had shifted grounds in response to the union’ demands.

    He urged the striking lecturers to reciprocate the government’s gesture by calling off the strike.

    Sambo said: “The Federal Government is rehabilitating the railway system to ease transportation and is developing the health, agriculture and the training of youths on industrial computer technology to create wealth and make room for private investors to invest. All these developmental plans can only be achieved when we have educated manpower.”

  • Invite Yobo back to Eagles:Emenike begs Keshi

    Invite Yobo back to Eagles:Emenike begs Keshi

    Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike has pleaded with the team’s chief Coach, Stephen Keshi to consider re-inviting Captain Joseph Yobo back to the team.

    Speaking with 2muchsports.com, Emenike stated that the experience of the Fenerbahce defender is still very much needed in the team. More so, that the Eagles captain is still playing top football in Turkey that warrants him making the Super Eagles.

    The Fenerbahce hitman noted that both Yobo and Siasia were very instrumental to his coming to play for Super Eagles.

    “Yobo is a very nice gentleman who is very important to the team. The guy played a lot of good part in my coming to play for Super Eagles and I love to continue to see him in the team,” Emenike said.

    Coach stephen Keshi had dumped the Eagles captain after the Nations Cup in South Africa. The player’s offence was having the boldness to query why he was excluded from a match after the Nations Cup. He claimed that as a captain he deserved to be informed by the coach of his exclusion.

    Though, Keshi had continued to maintain that Yobo is still part of his plan and remains his captain but had consistently omitted him from the list of players that had prosecuted the World Cup qualifiers and was also excluded from the last Confederations Cup in Brazil.

    Speaking on the recent performance of the team, Emenike said that the team will be very difficult to beat if they continue to maintain the momentum that helped them win the Nations Cup in South Africa and dispatched off the Flames of Malawi in last weekend’s World Cup qualifying match, they will be difficult to beat by any team in Africa.

    “It is now for us to believe in ourselves and go out there to do the job. Everyone will like to fight hard whenever they play with against Nigeria but we just have to go there and do what we know how to do best. Not only me, the team together and with the way we played in Calabar and the way we played at the Nations Cup I don’t think any team can compete with us. That is what I think,” he said.

    The player, who has emerged as the new goal king of the Super Eagles, expressed confidence in the ability of the team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, stressing that they have all resolved to ensure that they beat any opponent that would be paired against them.

    “We are aware that at this level the opponents will be more difficult to beat, but that does not mean that we are scared. The important thing is for us to continue to do the way we have been doing and which has been giving us results,” he concluded.

  • Jonathan begs angry NEC members to save Tukur

    Jonathan begs angry NEC members to save Tukur

    For about 10 minutes yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan was pleading with angry National Executive Committee (NEC) members not to sack Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur.

    But the President’s plea did not prevent state chairmen and disenchanted G-84 members from revolting against Tukur.

    Tukur, going by NEC members’ agreement may leave office during the first NEC meeting after the mini-National Convention on July 15.

    According to a source, who attended the NEC meeting – the first in about a year – most of the state chairmen condemned Tukur’s style and listed all his infractions, especially disrespect for the party’s constitution. They thereafter demanded his removal, it was learnt.

    When tempers rose, Dr. Jonathan intervened by acknowledging all the observations made by the aggrieved NEC members.

    But the President pleaded with NEC not to remove Tukur at the session because of the fear of the media backlash, which might create the impression that the party is in a deeper crisis.

    The source quoted the President as saying: “Tukur has come to beg me. I have assured him that I will intervene at the NEC meeting on his behalf. Please, do not let him go today.

    “Before you know it, the media will be saying ‘Jonathan has dumped Tukur’; ‘PDP is on fire’ and so on.”

    “The President admitted that Tukur has not sustained the legacies left behind by some past national chairmen of the party, but he said: ‘Do not remove him today, please.”

    Following the President’s plea, members agreed to embrace peace, with a “caveat” that Tukur must go after the mini-National Convention on July 15.

    Another top source said: “We respected the President but there is no way Tukur can last beyond the first NEC meeting after the mini-National Convention of the party in July.

    “That is the determination of NEC. What we did was to postpone his exit date till the NEC meeting after the mini-National Convention. So, we agreed that he should go after the convention when we will be confronted with the task of leading the party to victory in 2015 and how to reunite all groups having issues with PDP leadership.”

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio was said to have presented a speech in defence of Tukur. NEC members “actually resented” how he was just “talking and talking”, the source said.

    But, unlike Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu set the tone for the meeting by thanking the NWC members who quit, following the rejection of their election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for “serving the party and having sense in resigning in the interest of the party”. “This is a good development,” he was quoted as saying.

    The highpoint on the four-point agenda NEC session was when a former Deputy President of the Senate, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, moved a motion for members to “pass a vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan for keeping to his transformation agenda and performing well”.

    The motion was “unanimously adopted by the NEC, leaving the President smiling and obviously elated”.

    On other issues, the source said: “The NEC considered the report of the INEC, which invalidated the election of eight NWC members and eight Deputy National Officers of the party.

    “The consideration of the report led to the composition of the Steering Committee to manage the party till the mini-National Convention holds in July.”

    Some members of the Steering Committee to replace the eight NWC members and eight Deputy National Officers that will face fresh election at the mini-national convention.

    Some outgoing NWC members were allowed to choose those who will replace them in the Caretaker Committee.

    The source said: “It was obvious also at the meeting that some of the affected NWC members will not be allowed to return, based on the peculiar nature of party politics in their states. For instance, the body language of the President and some of his loyalists showed that the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Dr. Sam Jaja, might not be returned at the mini-National Convention because of the crisis in Rivers State.

    “Therefore, there is no automatic return ticket at the mini-National Convention for the NWC members that have resigned.”