Tag: Nigeria newspaper

National Chairman the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye has said that the party will spring a surprise in Kogi state with the emergence of Sheikh Jibril as its flag bearer.

He said this at the presentation of certificate of return to Sheikh Jibril at the party Secretariat in Abuja.

Jibril won the primary with 15,215 delegate votes winning Chief Sani Teidi 14,997 votes in the election supervised by the APGA returning officer Barrister Steve Nwoga.

According to Oye, APGA remains the only party with a clean bill of health to offer the people of Kogi good leadership as evident in Anambra state stressing that the disconnect between the population and the All Progressives Congress led government in the state is an opportunity for APGA to win the election.

Oye said APGA is gradually gaining national spread by the decision of the people and not out of any form of inducement but on the popularity of the candidates and party, this he expects to play out in Kogi.

“Winning election in Kogi is doable the reason is this the people are disenchanted with the current administration in Kogi state as the Governor performed woefully and APGA is ready to take over the Governorship of that State.

“I have always said that PDP is expiring APC is explicating APGA is the only political party with a clean bill of health.

“We won election all over Nigeria. We won three seats in the Benue State House of Assembly, we reclaim the Governorship seat in Anambra State, three members in the House of Assembly in Abia State; one House of representatives member from Abia, one from Taraba, five councillors in Niger State and two from Kaduna State.

“We are going to follow our manifesto which is a functional and pragmatic one. In Anambra State things are working well, in fact, we will reenact the template if development in Anambra State in Kogi State,” Oye stated.

Kogi state chairman of APGA, Abdulazeez Alikola congratulated Jibril and called on Teidi to accept the outcome of the primary and support the party’s choice.

Sheikh in his response called on all party members to join hands to remove the incumbent as the task as ahead is challenge that required focused attention of all.

He said come November 16, APGA would be the party chosen to steer the ship of Kogi State.

A British foreign office spokesperson says Zimbabwean people “suffered for too long” under the “autocratic rule” of late former leader Robert Mugabe.

“There are mixed emotions in Zimbabwe today at the death of Robert Mugabe,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

“We express our condolences to those who mourn Robert Mugabe’s death,” the statement said.

“However, Zimbabweans suffered for too long as a result of Mugabe’s autocratic rule.

Read Also: Buhari mourns Robert Mugabe

“We hope that in this new era, Zimbabwe can continue to be set on a more democratic and prosperous path.”

Zimbabwe’s long-time president Robert Mugabe has died at the age of 95 in Singapore, officials said on Friday.

Zimbabwe’s current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who announced the death on Twitter, praised Mugabe for his role in the liberation of his country from white-minority rule.

“His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Mnangagwa tweeted.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Friday pledged the support of the lower chamber to President Muhammadu Buhari towards protecting Nigerians against xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

According to him, the President has been taking proactive steps on the issue.

Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the State House, he said that he is on the same page with the President on the issue.

Asked his purpose to the Presidential Villa, he said; “Engagement with Mr. President is not out of place even on a normal day but these are not normal days. The country in the last few days has witnessed unfortunate incidence in the last few days in South Africa.

“As you are aware, I cut my trip to Tanzania to return with the hope of reconvening the house so that we can discuss this very important issue.

“We have called that off because events have overtaken, the government has taken proactive steps, same we would have taken. We are all on the same page with the President and the government.

“So I came to fully discuss that with Mr. President and other national issues that require the attention of both the legislature and the executive, and we had very fruitful discussions on those issues.”

Asked if there are moves to cut bilateral ties with South Africa, he said “We are not there yet but nothing is off the table, we will take each day as it comes. As of now Mr. President has proactive steps in evacuating our citizens using recalling the high commissioner, we will stand with and by Nigerians.

“We have issued a statement today and is in tandem with what the executive is doing and we stand by our citizens. Our priority is to protect the welfare of our citizens and that is exactly what we are doing and that is what the president is doing.”

Read Also: S’Africa rules out redress as govt mulls legal option

On the report alleging that South Africa won’t pay compensation to Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks, he said “I don’t know if that statement is official or off the cuff statement by somebody. When it’s official we will take further steps. After the delegation in South Africa, I’m sure there are probably other avenues that are international that we can pursue.

He disclosed that other issues discussed with the President included returning national budget cycle to January to December, the $9.6 billion judgement against Nigeria and security issues.

He said “We discussed the issue of the budget, as you are aware we want to bring the budget circle back to what it used to be, January to December and the only way to do that is for an early presentation of the budget and we have discussed that.

“We discussed security issues and the issue of the recent $9 billion award against Nigeria. I say that with a smile but not really smiling. Clearly we are in opposition to that and steps will be taken.

Asked if the budget will get to the National Assembly this month, he said “I cannot give you a definite answer but I know the budget is going to come as early as possible. It maybe the end of this month or shortly thereafter, but I cannot give you and definite date.

“But it’s going to be an early presentation so that we can pass the budget before the end of the year and return to the January to December circle,” he said.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to create a unit that would help to positively redirect the wrong orientations of youth caught committing financial crimes.

He said the unit should also seek to explore the wisdom, ingenuity and brilliance of such youths positively to fight financial and economic crimes in the country.

The First Class monarch gave the advice while playing host to the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu who paid him a courtesy call in his Ile Odua, Ife, palace.

Magu was represented by the Ibadan Zonal Head of the anti-graft agency, Mr Friday Ebelo who was accompanied by top officials of the commission.

Appreciating the visitors on the initiative of paying courtesy call on critical stakeholders, particularly traditional rulers, the Ooni noted that if the commission can up its game in changing the get-rich-quick mentality of the youths, it would help the EFCC and the nation as a whole to spend less in combating crimes.

Urging the team of visitors to be politically neutral in the discharge of their duties, Oba Ogunwusi reiterated that the goodwill and integrity enjoyed by the commission, as the hope for the oppressed and downtrodden in both the public and private must not be taken for granted.

Read Also; Ooni of Ife to inaugurate maiden Oduduwa Mobile Library

He said “It is unlike the EFCC to pay a courtesy visit. This is a wonderful development to form a sane society for the generation yet unborn and that something good can come from our country. The EFCC is the only hope for the downtrodden and oppressed both on the public and private sector and we will continue to pray for you as a Co-Chairman of the traditional rulers’ council of Nigeria alongside the Sultan of Sokoto.

“We are doing our very best to have a crime-free society. I can assure you that we will continue to work together for Nigeria to be a better country. Today, you have honoured me with your visit to my palace, and I will assure you that we will work together to ensure that our country is a better place even for the generation unborn.

“We have had many presidents and many chairmen of EFCC that have gone, but we will always have one country, and that is the Nigeria that we still have. Your approach is good and you have developed goodwill to do well. You have sanitised and cleaned the private and public sector. But my advice is that, don’t be one-sided. You should be known as a neutral body. Don’t let any politician push you. Do what is right because politicians will come and go but EFCC will still be there.

“I will also advise the EFCC to always look at things in a pragmatic manner. Once the youths are arrested, there are positive ways their thoughts can be redirected. There are many ways you can redirect the bad things on the mind and bring out the good ones because many of them are even ignorant of what they are doing.

“You should have a unit to see how to develop the brains of those engaging in financial crimes and redirect it and use the same to block others from committing the same crime. Use them as anti-venom anytime they are apprehended, especially as to how they were able to carry out successful operations.

“Each and every staff of the EFCC should know that it is very important to lead by examples. Let us encourage our youths with such advocacy that you are doing now for them to put behind them the bad intentions that they may have.”

Speaking earlier on the purpose of the visit, Mr Ebelo said it is the directive and initiative of the EFCC Acting Chairman, Mr Magu to solicit the support of the traditional ruler in the campaign against financial and economic crimes.

Assuring the monarch of the visit of his boss later, the EFCC Ibadan Zonal Head said the commission is aware of the significant roles the traditional institutions among others have to play to ensure victory in the anti-graft war.