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Tag: Elders’ Forum

  • Crisis hits CAN as leadership dissolves elders’ forum

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dissolved the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) over what it described as irreconcilable differences with its activities.

    The development is part of the outcome of its meeting where NEC also unanimously passed a vote of confidence in CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, for the achievements recorded under his leadership.

    Members of the NCEF include Solomon Asemota, SAN (Chairman); Vice President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Prof. Joseph Otubu; Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd); Archbishop Magnus Atilade; Dr. (Mrs) Kate Okpareke; Dr. Ayo Abifarin; Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd); Elder Moses Ihonde; Elder Nat Okoro and Gen. T. Y. Danjuma.

    Others are Elder Matthew Owojaiye; Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd); Elder Shyngle Wigwe; DIG P. L. Dabup; Sir John W. Bagu; Dr. Saleh Hussaini; Elder Mike Orobator; Justice James Ogebe, JSC (rtd); Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Chief Debo Omotosho; Dame Priscilla Kuye; Dr. S. D. Gani; Mrs. Osaretin Demuren; Prof. Yussuf Turaki and Pastor Bosun Emmanuel (Secretary).

    A statement issued by the Special Assistant (Media and Communications) to the CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, in Abuja yesterday said: “The National Executive Committee of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at its meeting of Tuesday, November 20, 2018, unanimously applauded the CAN President for the unprecedented achievements recorded under his watch and dissolved the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) due to irreconcilable differences with its activities.

    “Recall how NCEF has been using the social media and a section of the traditional media to attack its leadership, especially the President, Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, using unprintable words to label him due to his refusal to take directives from its members.

    “NEC sees all the negative and baseless publications against the CAN President as mere distractions and a calculated attempt to malign his integrity and derail him from his focus of giving CAN credible leadership.

    “In the Communique issued on Friday, November 30, 2018 in Abuja, CAN, among other things, immediately dissolves the National Christian Elders’ Forum (NCEF) which was inaugurated on Thursday, January 15, 2015 by the powers conferred on the then CAN President. CAN NEC, by the same powers that inaugurated the forum, forthwith dissolves and dissociates completely from the NCEF in view of the incongruous and unacceptable operations manifested consistently by the group.

    “CAN NEC dismisses in its entirety the publication of the immediate past National Youth CAN Chairman, Mr. Daniel David Kadzai, who, in The Guardian newspaper of Monday, November 12, 2018, P.9, alleged that the CAN President defrauded CAN of ‘over N2.8 billion’.

    “CAN regrets that a man who had served the Association in the past and was tolerated in spite of his numerous incompetent leadership skills, could not only be malicious, but impersonate himself as Chairman of the Congress of Northern Nigerian Christians (CNNC).

    “Although he has apologised for his falsehood by the said publication and has verbally retracted his claims, and the CNNC has equally denied him being their Chairman, it is important to set the records straight.

    “However, because he has apologised to CAN leadership, he has been forgiven in the spirit of Christ as recorded in Matthew 6:14-15.

    “The meeting critically examined the activities and programmes under the leadership of its President, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, and resolved as following: That the CAN President should be appreciated for his courageous leadership at such a time as this in the history of our nation.

    “The CAN National Executive Committee is particularly pleased with the CAN President for consistently speaking out about the plight of numerous voiceless people in our country, chiefly, on the terrorist activities as unleashed by Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen and other terrorist groups on innocent Nigerians.

    “His struggle for the release of the remaining Chibok schoolgirls, Miss Leah Sharibu, a captive of her Christian faith by the Boko Haram group, and other innocent captives all over the country has been greatly applauded.

    Read also: Can PDP bounce back in 2019?

    “That the CAN President should be appreciated for his great concern and positive actions in caring for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) all over the country.

    “The Association recalled how CAN leadership travelled from state to state in the country, rendering support to people who have been displaced from their homes.

    “The CAN President should be appreciated for leading CAN in inter-faith activities which were almost completely closed up before he assumed office.

    “It was noticed that it was at his time that NIREC was revived and officials who were not giving the organisation the needed cooperation and cohesion were replaced.

    “The CAN President was appreciated for his ability to bring together Christian leaders from across the country to deliberate on moving the Nigerian Church forward. This was an unprecedented feat.

    “The CAN President was appreciated for ensuring that various court cases all over the country were withdrawn for out-of-court settlement.

  • Ekiti APC elders urge Oni to withdraw suit against Fayemi

    The Elders’ Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has called on former Governor Segun Oni to withdraw the suit challenging the eligibility of the Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to stand as candidate in the last governorship election.

    The body made the appeal at a meeting held on Wednesday in Igbara Odo, Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, presided over by its Chairman, Chief George Akosile.

    The issue formed the major topic of discussion at the APC Elders’ Forum meeting with members resolving that withdrawal of the case by Oni would be in interest of the party and Ekiti State.

    According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, a copy of which was made available to reporters in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, the APC chieftains said the withdrawal of the case by Oni and his group will facilitate an out-of-court settlement.

    In the communiqué signed by Akosile and the Forum’s secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, the group resolved to send a five-man delegation to Oni with a letter appealing for the withdrawal of the case.

    The Ekiti APC Elders’ Forum also resolved to send a memo to Fayemi to reconcile wish the aggrieved (Oni) group with a view to withdrawing the case from court and their inclusion in the forthcoming administration.

  • Ekiti: APC elders urge Oni to withdraw suit against Fayemi

    The Elders’ Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has called on former Governor Segun Oni to withdraw the suit challenging the eligibility of the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to stand as candidate in the last governorship election.

    The body made the appeal at a meeting held on Wednesday in Igbara Odo, Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, presided over by its Chairman, Chief George Akosile.

    The issue formed the major topic of discussion at the APC Elders’ Forum meeting with members resolving that withdrawal of the case by Oni would be in interest of the party and Ekiti State.

    Read Also:Ekiti poll tribunal: Fayemi assembles eight SANs, 27 others for defence

    According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting a copy of which was made available to reporters in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, the APC elders said the withdrawal of the case by Oni and his group will facilitate an out-of-court settlement.

    In the communiqué signed by Akosile and the Forum’s Secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, the group resolved to send a five-man delegation to Oni with a letter appealing for the withdrawal of the case.

    The Ekiti APC Elders’ Forum also resolved to send a memo to Fayemi to reconcile the aggrieved (Oni) group with a view to withdrawing the case from court and their inclusion in the forthcoming administration.

    The communiqué reads: “The Ekiti State APC Elders’ Forum at its meeting held on Wednesday, 29th August, 2018 under its Chairman, Asiwaju George Akosile at Igbara Odo Ekiti, having reviewed the various steps taken by the Forum on the above subject matter including the following:

    *Sending of a five (5)-man delegation with a letter to Asiwaju Segun Oni appealing for the withdrawal of the case from the Court

    *Invitation and meeting with the representatives of Asiwaju Segun Oni at Igbara Odo, Ekiti

    *Sending a memo to the Governor-elect as to reconcile the aggrieved group with a view to withdrawing the case from Court and their inclusion in the scheme of things in the forthcoming administration in Ekiti State, from our findings, the Elders’ Forum is aware that the case is still pending in the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “We hereby wish to appeal to Asiwaju Segun Oni and his group to withdraw the case from the Federal High Court, Abuja as to facilitate an out-of-court settlement in the interest of the APC Family in Ekiti State, in particular and Nigeria in general.”

    The former governor is urging the court to nullify Fayemi’s candidacy on grounds that he (Fayemi) did not resign from his position as Minister of Mines and Steel Development 30 days before the APC primary.

    Fayemi won the APC governorship primary held on May 12 in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by polling a total of 941 votes beating Oni, who scored 481 votes to the second place and 31 other aspirants

    Oni also dragged Fayemi to court on grounds that he was indicted by Ekiti State Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Ayo Fayose and handed a 10-year ban from holding public office.

    Oni, as the Claimant/Applicant filed a suit before a Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba. The suit is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/663/18.

    Joined as Defendants/Respondents in the case are Dr. Fayemi, APC and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The court on 20th August issued an ex parte order for substituted service on the defendants.

    Justice Dimgba ordered: “Upon the Motion Ex Parte dated and filed on the 9th day of August, 2018 praying for the following reliefs:

    *An order of substituted service of the Originating Summons and other processes in this suit on the 1st Defendant by substituted means, to wit; by delivering the processes to the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Ekiti State, the 2nd Defendant, at the party’s secretariat, No 156, Ajilosun Street, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, or alternatively

    *Service on the 1st Defendant by delivering of the said processes to the Administrative Officer of the JKF Centre, the operational office of the 1st Defendant.

    Oni’s supporters said the court case was triggered by alleged non-inclusiveness, ostracisation, marginalization and demonstration of open hatred for them by Fayemi’s supporters.

    They said the legal action would defend their rights, privileges and interests within the party alleging that they are suffering so much unwarranted abuse and humiliation in the party.

  • Elders forum seeks rejection of INEC voters register, cattle colony

    Elders from the South and Middle belt region of the country have sought the support of the House of Representatives in the rejection of the voters register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), even as the 2019 general election moves closer.

    The elders, under the aegis of the Southern Elders and Middle Belt Forum also demanded the support of the lawmakers towards the realisation of the clamour for restructuring the country under a Federal system of government.

    The forum which comprised of Afenifere , Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEV) and the Middle Belt Forum, led by Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere met with Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday in his office.

    Others in the delegation include Chigozie Ogbu, AVM Ikhanga Idongesit (rtd), Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd), former governorsOlusegun Mimiko, Cornelius Adebayo and Chief Olu Falae among others.

    Saying that the group was apolitical, Adebanjo said it is only restructuring of the country in a Federal system of government that can keep the country together.

    He said: “Anything beyond restructuring, we are not for it and we believe in championing this cause, we need the support of the House.

    “Conveying the idea of restructuring  to you does not mean to break up Nigeria, it is the only thing that can keep Nigeria together in peace.

    “We do not think that after being together for so long we should break up but we don’t want to be in a Nigeria that is dominated by one section of the country, that is anti a section of the country and extremely pro another section of the country.

    “Anyone one who is opposed to the restructuring of the country is the enemy number one. We want a constitution that is agreeable to all of us.

    “Restructuring does not mean the break up of Nigeria, it has no religious or ethic coloration but uniting us in peace”.

    The group demands include devolution of power to the federation units, restoration of fiscal federalism, zonal or regional structure as federation units and reduction of cost of governance.

    The group also asked the government to put a stop to  killings allegeldy carried out in the parts of the country by herdsmen.

    The forum also expressed its opposition to the establishent of cattle colony and grazing lands by the Federal government.

    “The current voters registration exercise  has been compromised and marred by irregularities by the registration of underaged and foreigners bring recorded in some parts of the north.

    “Accordingly, we call for the total cancellation of the INEC voters register, support and insist on restricturing and true federalism and call on the National Assembly to immediately commence a legislative agenda in that regard,” he adeed.

    The elders also asked that the military Service Chiefs to begin immediately the process of their statutory retirement while their replacements must have a face of federal character.

    In his response,  Dogara said the composition  of the elders and their desire for a strong United Nigeria has reinforced his believe in a better democratic Nigeria.

    He told the delegation that the National Assembly has made efforts through the review of the constitution to address some of the issues raised.

    He said restructuring should  be seen within the context of making Nigeria work better for all citizen.

    He said: “Restructuring means we should make the country work but we  generate consensus for everyone to agree on formula that is agreeable to all.

    “Crisis is normal, else there won’t be any  reason for government. It is when we agree and disagree that we find solutions.

    “We should tend to even look again at what is even working  for us to make it sustainable and that is innovation.

    “People should make the system work, if the system  fails, its down to the people. Nations fail where family unit fails”.

    He however expressed regrets that the current Assembly would not be able to take further review of the constitution due to time constraints.

  • 2019: Division in Ogun West Elders Forum

    Ogun West Elders Forum (OGWEF) has said that certain forces are working to divide Yewa-Awori people as they push for power shift to Ogun West Senatorial District in 2019.

    The group said tbat part of the tactics to scuttle the governorship agenda has manifested in a recent press briefing in Abeokuta, Ogun State, capital, by the Ogun West Elders Council (OWEC), which cast aspersion on  former Governor Olusegun Osoba.

    OWEC had accused Osoba of working against the Ogun West people and threatened that no stranger would be allowed to contest for the governor on platform of  Ogun West.

    But, the Chairman of OGWEF, Chief Muftau Ajibola, said OWEC members were “loyalists of Governor Ibikunle Amosun,” adding that they merely “reechoed” the voice of “their paymaster.”

    Ajibola said the so-called Elders Council,  led by Muhammed Olagbaye, labelled some Ogun West people as ‘Tekobos,’ ostensibly to strengthen the hands of “their paymaster to  exclude a particular Ogun West governorship aspirant,  Senator Solomon Adeola, from Ogun 2019 race.”

    The two-time member of the Ogun State House of Assembly said no Ogun West son or daughter should be denied the right to aspire to govern the state.

    Ajibola also said the forum would not accept imposition of a candidate on the zone.

    He said Osoba is solidly committed to the actualisation of power shift to Ogun West, adding that OGWEF is also working behind the scene with leaders outside the zone to present a credible, experienced and popular person as governor.

    Ajibola added: “The so-called Elders Council, who obviously are loyalists of the incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun reechoed their paymaster by insinuating that some of our sons and daughters from Ogun West who are in the gubernatorial race are ‘tekobos’ (strangers).

    “This term was recently introduced into the political space of Ogun State by Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The vitriolic attacks that heralded him is needless of mention here as he was roundly criticised and condemned.

     

     

     

     

  • Elders’ Forum celebrates Oliver De Coque

    Elders’ Forum celebrates Oliver De Coque

    Foremost entertainment outfit O’Jez Entertainment Group and Evergree Musical Company Limited are set to celebrate legendary highlife music exponent, late Chief Dr. Sunday ‘Oliver De Coque’ Akanite at this month’s edition of the Elders’ Forum. The event holds by 5:00pm on Sunday, May 28, at Ojez Restaurant and Bar, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    Oliver de Coque who popularised the highlife music genre, locally and internationally, passed away about nine years ago, specifically on June 20, 2008 after a massive heart attack.

    The May edition, which is the fourth in the Elders Forum series, will feature the infusion of artistic development and innovation as advocated by experts such as Elder Benson Idonije.

    And Oliver De Coque’s son, Darlington Akanite De Coque (aka Safine), who is an upcoming music star, will treat invited guests to that innovative and transformational change in Highlife music. Darlington will also play tunes from his father’s songs. Still in line with one of the organisers’ objectives, a “Lifetime Achievement” award will be presented, post-humously, to the legacy of Oliver De Coque and received by his son, Safine.

    Before his demise, the legendary Ogene Sound exponent and his Ogene Super Sound of Africa band waxed over 73 albums to their credit, according to Ogbuefi Ray Ifeme, his former manager.

    Prominent amongst artistes who have featured in the Elders Forum Party series, since its revival, are Miatta Fahnbulleh from Liberia, Jimi Solanke, Shina Ayinde-Bakare, Lady Julie, a renowned female highlife musician, Beautiful Nubia, Bayode Victor-Olaiya, Daisi Orlando – Owoh and other support artistes.

  • Elders’ Forum to celebrate Victor Olaiya

    Elders’ Forum to celebrate Victor Olaiya

    The March edition of the popular Elders Forum, jointly organised by O’jez Entertainment Group and Evergreen Musical Company Limited (EMCL) will, on Sunday, March 26, 2017 celebrate veteran highlife musician Dr. Victor Abimbola Olaiya (OON).
    Known as the ‘Evil Genius of Highlife Music’, Olaiya has contributed to the growth and promotion of highlife music in Nigeria and across the world.
    The event will also honour Kaiyero Rotibi (aka Tyro), a virtuoso guitarist who is the oldest and longest serving member of the Dr. Victor Olaiya’s band, having been with him since 1957.
    Recall that the February edition of the Elders’ Forum treated guests to classic tunes from African and Nigerian artistes in the persons of Miatta Fahnbulleh of Liberia and Pa Jimi Solanke, who were actually the special guests at the event, as well as Shina Bakare and Beautiful Nubia among others.
    A major highlight of last month’s event was the presentation of the “Lifetime Achievement” awards to Fahnbulleh and Solanke.
    While Lagos State Commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, Barrister Rotimi Ogunleye, presented the award to Miatta Fanbulleh, the presentation to Pa Jimi Solanke was done by retired Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju, a former Deputy Director, Civil-Military Relations at the Defense Headquarters.

  • Miatta Fahnbulleh, Jimi Solanke for O’jez ‘Elders’ Forum’

    Miatta Fahnbulleh, Jimi Solanke for O’jez ‘Elders’ Forum’

    O’jez Entertainment, in partnership with Evergreen Musical Company, has revived its popular monthly highlife music show, Elders’ Forum.

    So come Sunday, February 26, by 5pm at the celebrity restaurant, O’jez, situated inside the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, the revived Elders’ Forum will open with the presence of Liberian International singer, Miatta Fahnbulleh alongside Nigeria’s acclaimed folklorist, playwright and actor Jimi Solanke.

    The Elders’ Forum, according to Joseph Odobeatu, Chief Executive Officer of O’jez Entertainment Group, was rested for about three years to enable it come back in a different shape and style.

    “We had to go back to the drawing board and work out a way to make the event that rocked Lagos for almost 15 years look fresher and better. So, O’jez went into a partnership with Evergreen Musical Company to make this happen. What you will witness on Sunday is a sharp departure from the past editions because we will strive to reinvent ourselves,” Odobeatu said.

    Meanwhile, Miatta Fanhbulleh has been rehearsing with Jimi Solanke as both of them will be on stage for the better part of Sunday event.

    Elder’s Forum also serves as a medium to recognize and honour individuals who have distinguished themselves in the arts and music industry.

  • Bayelsa APC disown elders forum

    Bayelsa APC disown elders forum

    The Bayelsa state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disowned a group of party members claiming to be elders of the party in the state, saying such a group was foreign to the party constitution and the national secretariat of the party.

    In a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja and signed by the State Secretary of the party, Daniel Marlin, the party said genuine elders of the party in the state were busy doing they can to help resolve the crisis within the party in the state.

    The statement said those claiming to be elders of the party were nowhere during the formation of the party and asked party faithfuls to disregard such group as they were not working for the interest of the party in the state.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that a certain group which calls itself the ‘Bayelsa APC Elders Forum’ have been going to press lately to complicate the ongoing crises in our state.  We wish to disown such a group as they are merely a make-shift lot drafted to do the bidding of their paymasters.

    “This group was absent in all the many battles of the Bayelsa APC including our difficult embryoic phase when we would have needed such a group going by the sheer elegance of the name they chose to call themselves.  The group is also not known to the national leadership of the APC. It is also not backed up by the constitution of our great party the APC.

    “It is very curious; a shabby group in levels below obscurity would spring up just to discredit the Bayelsa state APC and its hard-bitten leadership.

    We are in touch with the genuine elders of our party and they have generously offered the advise and wisdom expected of Elders, not this rowdy gang tagging themselves as Elders of Bayelsa APC.

    “Party faithfuls and the general public should therefore disregard publications and actions from this food-is-ready group as they are nothing but recruits made up of friends and former aides of Chief Timipre Sylva.”

  • PDP doesn’t believe in fair polls, says Waku

    Senator Joseph Waku has urged the Professor Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections next year.

    Waku urged the commission to ban masked security officials from elections, adding that Nigerians would hold Jega responsible, if INEC failed to live up to its promises.

    He likened the use of masked security men for the Ekiti and Osun elections to developments in the war-ridden Gaza Strip.

    Speaking with The Nation in Abuja, Waku said he was confident that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would take over governance in Benue State next year, if the polls were credible.

    He urged President Goodluck Jonathan and Jega to resist the pressure to rig the elections.

    Recalling his ordeal in the hands of officers of the Department of State Security (DSS) after his interview in a national newspaper, Waku urged the institution to be politically neutral.

    He said: “Our fear is whether the elections would be free and fair. There won’t be free and fair elections, if Jonathan runs in 2015. I am saying this because Jonathan is a major stakeholder in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the PDP does not believe in free and fair election.

    “It is not Jonathan per see; he would have been a different person, but for the pressure on him. Some people will say ‘do this Mr President, nothing will happen’. I emphasise that something will happen. If you knock me off 20 times a day and the right thing is not done, the right thing will not happen. If you do the wrong thing, the wrong thing will happen.”

    Waku described the concluded National Conference as “a jamboree for the expanded PDP caucus”, saying nothing would come out of it.

    He said the call by the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) on the President to rescue the kidnapped Chibok girls before October or forget about 2015 was meant to ginger Jonathan into action “since the only thing that gets the President’s attention is his second term bid”.