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Tag: Nigerian news

  • Buhari and where Nigeria still got it right

    The recent verdict by the Elections Petitions Tribunal affirming the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the general elections is an indication that Nigerians indeed got it right in casting their ballots overwhelmingly for President Muhammadu Buhari for another four years in office.

     

    Whether we like it or yes, President Muhammadu Buhari has done what no president in the annals of the democratic dispensation in Nigeria has done. He has shown what it means to have integrity. He has displayed an unimaginable level of patriotism and dedication to the unity of Nigeria, and a Nigeria of our dream where every voice would count regardless of religious or ethnic affiliations.

     

    I am one of those that have always asked questions whenever mischief-makers spread negative narratives about the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to leaving Nigeria better than he met it. I also often ask if these individuals are in Nigeria or holed up somewhere in space. But again, it is understandable.

     

    In the first four years of the life of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians indeed witnessed the introduction of a sound foundation for economic growth and prosperity. I am aware that in some quarters, many debates were generated as regards the policy direction of the administration. However, these same individuals that hitherto saw nothing good in the various policy initiatives of the administration were left in awe with the manner of progress the country recorded within a record period in critical sectors of the economy.

     

    Enter the life of the second tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, and every discerning mind would want to agree with me that with the way and manner the government has hit the ground running, Nigeria is indeed on the path of greatness. President Muhammadu Buhari has once again shown to Nigerians that that same zeal and commitment that he exhibited during his first term in office would be replicated in his second term in office, and the events that shaped the first 100 days in office, should give every well-meaning Nigerian a cause to smile.

     

    The cabinet has been formed and portfolios assigned to ministers, other critical appointments have been made and as they say, on your marks, get ready and go! That is the mood of the present administration, and I am somewhat elated with the way and manner every member of the new team seems to be carrying out their duties and responsibilities with every sense of urgency.

     

    The first 100 days in office in the life of this present administration gives me hope and as well indicates that Nigeria still got it right by electing President Muhammadu Buhari for another second term of four years. I stand to be corrected, it takes only a man of vision and courage to be able to confront the cankerworm of corruption that has eaten deep into the very fabric of our national life.

     

    It also takes a man that is interested in the safety of lives and properties of Nigerians to be able to make quality appointments into the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which has in turn translated to the various successes recorded in the fight against terrorism in North-East Nigeria and other parts of Nigeria.

     

    It also takes a man of integrity to be able to match his words with actions and not play to the gallery as the everyday politicians would do. The above listed are some of the characteristics that marked the first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari and an indication that Nigeria indeed is still getting it right with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs in the country.

     

    I am convinced with every breath in me that with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs in Nigeria for the next four years, victory over our adversaries would be our greatest reward and peace, unity and greater prosperity will be our collective legacy. This much I can vouch for because of the commitment of a man who all of his life has been interested in the betterment of the lives of the ordinary man and woman on the streets. A man whose belief in the unity of Nigeria is unwavering and whose dedication to the Nigerian cause is infectious.

    Read Also; Outrage at Lagos Airport as police molest airline manager over ‘unruly passenger’

     

    That is Muhammadu Buhari, the President that Nigerians voted for to lead them to the promised land in the next four years. I am also convinced that God in his infinite mercies has shown Nigeria mercy by leading us right into voting him as president despite the antics of those that contributed immensely to the mess Nigerian found itself in times past, as well as those whose intent and purpose is to see to the disintegration of Nigeria.

     

    As we celebrate the first 100 days in office, we owe this great country of ours a duty to do the right thing by extending our unalloyed support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed. We all have a part to play given the fact that we know who our president is, and we also understand that the sincerity of heart and purpose guides his actions and inactions.

     

    We must also realize that this generation and indeed the unborn generation of Nigerians have nowhere to call home and as such we must remain here to salvage it together. Nigeria indeed got it right. Also, President Muhammadu Buhari would do it just right for the unity, growth, and development of our dear country. This I am convinced about.

     

    Abiodun wrote this piece from Ibadan.

     

  • BBnaija: Photos from Teddy A and Bambam’s traditional wedding

     

  • The good, the bad, the ugly of sports betting

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    Sports betting is big business in Nigeria today. Statistics show that Nigeria is the leading country in Africa involved in sports betting.

    People take to betting on various sports such as football, basketball, Table Tennis, Athletics and others, not forgetting ram-Sports where people bet to see which ram wins during a fight.

    Given the high rise of the internet and technology, even amongst youths, Nigeria has got various betting companies.

    It all began with Nairabet, being the only domestic online sports betting website in Nigeria.

    Many others like Bet9ja, Sporting Bet, Bet365, Sportybet, Betting, Merrybet, Surebet247, Betfarm, 1960bet, Betking, 9japredict and the rest of them, have since joined the business.

    They all attract customers with high odds, assuring them of big wins if their predictions come true.

    Statistics further tell us that over 60 million Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40 years engage in sports betting.

    They spend about three thousand naira a day, betting, hoping to gain profits when they predict correctly. It is therefore not surprising to see a betting shop, in almost every street in Lagos State.

    More interesting is the fact that it is possible to predict who wins the first corner kick, first goal, first throwing, first attempt at goal, first free kick, first yellow card, first red card and others, and this would translate to extra cash.

    One may want to check the rightness or otherwise of engaging in sports betting but betting restricted to Nigerian citizens below 18 years old, sports betting is legalised with the National Lottery Act, 2005.

    Lagos State on its parts has set up a body known as Lagos State Lotteries Board (LSLB). The body is responsible for regulating lotteries, sports betting, scratch card & interactive games, casino, gaming machines operations, pools betting, promotional competitions and other gaming activities within the state.

    Read Also: Nigerians spend N730bn on sports betting annually

    There are different reasons people engage in sports betting. One of it can be that they want to gain rewards from the sports they are passionate about.

    It is one thing to celebrate your team’s victory in a match, it is another thing of joy to gain rewards because your team won.

    Other people see sports betting as a source of extra income. Given the rising rate of unemployment in Nigeria, people bet in sports, hoping to win, so that they can use the money to take care of themselves and their families.

    Thanks to sports betting, many are beginning to show more interest in sports. Besides the money made, it has also aroused their interest, in that they keep close tabs on games that they have staked on.

    Sports betting is known as the fastest way to make money today. It is stress free, and a direct access to cash.

    Greed is however associated with the act, looking at the negative side of it. One engaged in sports betting always wants to win and will get addicted to the act, seeing it as the only source of livelihood available.

    It can also lead to violence amongst the involved. When someone lose and would not accept defeat, it could lead to a big fight that would cost lives and properties.

    People use money meant to cater for other things to bet, with the aim of winning, and if they lose, they have nothing to show for it.

    This is the case with a young boy who would rather use his school fees to bet or a youth who would bet with his house-rent, or all his salary, hoping to double their monies. If they lose, what happens next?

  • Edo: Tribunal to deliver judgment in Omosede’s petition

    The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal headed by Justice O. Ogundana will on Sunday deliver judgment in the petition filed by Barr. Omosede Igbinedion.

    Barr. Igbinedion was the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

    She lost the election to Hon Dennis Idahosa of the All Progressives Congress.

    In her petition, Omosede is asking the tribunal to declare her winner of the election on grounds that Idahosa was not qualified to contest the election.

    Omosede argued Idahosa did not resign from the Federal Ministry of Environment before contesting the election.

    She called 17 witnesses in the course of trial while Idahosa called 21 witnesses.

    Idahosa in his defence when he was led in evidence by his Counsel, Enahoro Ahhomo, Hon Idahosa said he did not renounce his citizenship of Nigeria and insisted that he remains a citizen of Nigerian by birth.

    Read Also; Tribunal dismisses PDP’s petition against APC

    Idahosa said he was a board member of the National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGW), an establishment under the Federal Ministry of Environment, but he resigned on November 5th 2018, about 90 days to the elections.

    According to him, “The conduct of the National Assembly election for Ovia Federal Constituency was free, fair and peaceful in all the wards and polling units.

    “I am a proud Nigerian and I came to this earth as a Nigerian and I will leave this earth as a Nigerian. There was nowhere and time I told anybody that I renounced the Nationality of Nigeria”.

    “The election into Ovia federal constituency of Edo state was free, fair and there was no record of violence; it was peaceful, adding that he voted in ward 2, unit 3 in Ovia South West local government area of Edo state. I was in my unit on the day of election,” he said.

  • Police arrest soldier for allegedly stabbing man to death

    The Niger Police Command has arrested a Soldier, Lance Cpl. Attahiru Jibril, for allegedly stabbing one Ali Mohammed to death, in Lambatta Market, Gurara Local Government Area of the state.

    Alh. Adamu Usman, Commissioner of Police in Niger, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Minna on Saturday.

    “The suspect attacked and stabbed the victim to death with a knife, following a misunderstanding at the market,” Usman said.

    Read Alo; Police arrest 100 robbery, kidnap suspects

    He said that the incident occurred on Friday.

    “We succeeded in rescuing the suspect from a mob attack at the market and notified military authorities accordingly,” the commissioner said.

    Usman said the suspect claimed he was on special duty in Maiduguri, Borno.

    He added that Jibril would be charged to court after investigations were completed.

  • Outrage at Lagos Airport as police molest airline manager over ‘unruly passenger’

    There was outrage among passengers and airline workers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA ), Lagos on Saturday following the arrest and harassment of the Duty Manager of Virgin Atlantic Airways and some other staff of the airline by some police officers who claimed to be acting on the instruction of the lnspector General of police.

    The airline workers, a source said, were reportedly arrested and harassed by police officers for not allowing passenger to fly on a Virgin Atlantic Airways plane to London.

    According to the source, the passenger arrived at the airport late and was told that checking in had closed. He was advised to return the next day but the passenger refused and insisted that he must be cleared to fly.

    The airline officials took time to explain to him why he could not join the flight on the scheduled date, but the passenger insisted that he must be cleared. The airline officials stood their ground and in frustration, the passenger left. He, however, rained abuses on the airline officials and threatened to deal with them.

    The next day, the passenger returned to the Virgin Atlantic check-in counter and allegedly continued his threat. He also abused the airline staff, creating a scene at the counter.

    The airline staff consulted with their superiors and they resolved not to allow the passenger on board because he was considered a security risk to other passengers.

    The passenger, it was learnt, made some phone calls and left.

    To the amazement of airport workers, the passenger returned to the airport the third day, which was on Saturday with police officers clutching a warrant of arrest for the duty manager and another airline staff.

    The policemen, a source hinted harassed and molested the airline staff threatening to take them to Abuja.

    Read Also: ‘Badoo boys’ is creation of media, killings exaggerated, says Ex-Police boss

    In the ensuing drama, the airline workers reached out to the airport authority, which stepped in.

    According to an official of the airport, who pleaded not to be named, the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the Airport Police Command stepped in to resolve the issue.

    But, the passenger not done yet, pressed further that the airline staff must be arrested and taken to Abuja for further necessary action.

    Consequently, a police higher authority was said to have stepped in. It was learnt that an Assistant Inspector General of Police has been drafted to look into the issue and the lG’s office has allegedly insisted that the airline officials must report to Abuja to clear themselves.

    An airport official said:” I am aware of this matter. It happened a few days ago. While processing check-in procedures a passenger arrived late, when the duty manager of the airline tried to make him understand that he had to return next day, the passenger got angry and exchanged bitter words threatening to deal with the airline staff.

    ” The next day the passenger returned to the airport still threatening to deal with the airline staff. At that time a decision was taken not to allow him join the flight because he could be a security risk to other passengers.

    ” The next day he invited police with a warrant of arrest to pick Virgin Atlantic staff. The police, we learnt molested airline staff , but did not take them out of the airport. We are following up on the matter .

    ” An assistant inspector general is handling the matter. By Monday , the inspector general’s office wants the airline to bring in its staff to explain a few issues. I am sure the matter will be amicably resolved.”

    But, the airline official spared a thought on the deployment of Police to resolve alleged infractions by a passenger. ” I think it is an abuse of power by the police. I don’t think the lG knows anything about this matter. Some people may be using his name. But, if indeed the lG is behind it, it is scandalous. This is the much that can be said about the matter for now.

    ” In the aviation industry , there are clearly laid down procedures for addressing issues concerning unruly passenger. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has enough mechanism to address matters like this.

    ” Why should a passenger use the police to threaten an airline ? Why will the police allow themselves to be used by a passenger? “

  • 100 days: PDP accuses APC of publicising falsehood on Makinde

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyo State chapter, has accused the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being desperate to blackmail what it described as “the laudable achievements” of Governor Seyi Makinde and the ruling party in the state in the last 100 days of his administration.

    The PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Engineer Akeem Olatunji, accused the APC of sponsoring all manners of falsehood against the PDP and the Makinde government all in an effort aimed at belittling the successful clearing of the rot left behind by the APC in the state and the positive turnaround the state has begun to experience since Makinde assumed office.

    The statement reads in parts, “We are greatly appalled at the desperation of the APC to publicise all manners of lies and falsehood against our government.

    “There is a permissible level of decency in politics and we expect all Omoluabis to follow that cause.

    “Rather than wish our state well after the eight years of disastrous rule and bad governance the APC foisted on Oyo State, that party is standing alone as a rotten apple in the basket, seeking to negatively affect others.

    Read Also: We’re lighting up Oyo to fight crime, says Makinde

    “Let us assure the lie merchants in the APC that our party, the PDP stands firm with Governor Seyi Makinde, and the laudable achievements he has recorded in 100 days.

    “No member of the PDP is angry with the Governor and no one is expressing any such frustration as contained in the lies being marketed by the APC.”

    The statement indicated that the PDP is solidly behind Governor Makinde on every step all the way, as he continues in his giant strides of laying the foundation for the accelerated development of Oyo State.

    The PDP Publicity Secretary added that the umbrella party is more than ever before united as a family, saying: “we are impressed at the globally acclaimed good works of our Governor, the GSM. No one abandons a good product, not even the blind.

    “We are making particular reference to a story from the frustrated camps of the APC with the headline “PDP Leaders Dump Oyo Gov. We affirm that this is another of their classic lies, as such write-up is not only laughable but comical.

    “It can only come from agents of darkness who do not wish Oyo State well.

    “Let us place on record that purveyors of such stories are either deluded, suffering from acute amnesia, or just trying to make a nuisance of themselves.

    “It is not only unfounded, frivolous and malicious but also a great lie that stands no reason. Governor Makinde is no longer about Oyo State, he is already a nationally acclaimed deliverer of good dividends of democracy and good governance.

    “When God begins a special project, only a fool will refuse to join the train. We as a party are more than ever before, proud of our God-sent ‘Mr. Talk and Do Governor,’ who works more and talks less, and this willpower of Governor Makinde has rekindled our hope and faith in the actualisation of the Oyo project embarked upon by our governor.

    “We are 100 percent satisfied with his every move and decision, because he treats every member of PDP as members of the family. We, therefore, enjoin all members of the public to disregard in totality the distractive publications, falsehood and unbridled lies being peddled against the service-delivering Governor Makinde.”

  • PHOTOS: Sanwo-Olu receives Speakers of South West Assemblies in Lagos

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle), flanked by Speakers of Southwest States Assemblies, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa –Lagos (5th right); Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin – Oyo (4th right); Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo – Ogun (3rd right); Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun – Ondo (5th left); Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye – Osun (4th left); Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye – Ekiti (3rd left) and others during a courtesy visit to the Governor by Speakers of Southwest States Legislatures at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja
    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with the Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and his Osun State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye during a courtesy visit by Speakers of Southwest States Legislatures at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja
    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Speakers, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (Lagos); Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye (Osun) and Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin (Oyo) during a courtesy visit by Speakers of Southwest States Legislatures at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja
    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right), exchanges greetings with Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly (left) while his counterparts, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin – Oyo (2nd left) and Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye – Osun (3rd left), watch in admiration during a courtesy visit to the Governor by Speakers of Southwest States Legislatures at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday

  • Just in : Tribunal dismisses petition against Oyo APC Rep members

    The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Oyo State on Saturday dismissed a petition filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , Mr. Ademola Omotosho against Hon. Olaide Akinremi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Ibadan North Federal constituency in the February 16, 2019 general elections.

    The three man tribunal also dismissed petitions filled by Mr. Mogbonjubola Olawale of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oluyole Federal Constituency against Tolulope Sadipe and Professor Joseph Adeniyi Olowofela of the APC against Oluyemi Taiwo ( PDP) in Ibarapa East/ Ido federal constituency in the February 16, 2019 polls .

    In different judgements read by the three-man panel of the tribunal which has Justice Anthony Akpovi as Chairman, Justice Sambo Daka and Justice Chinyere Ani as members unanimously dismissed the petitions.

    Read Also: Tribunal orders rerun election between Manager, Uduaghan

    The petitioners were contesting that the elections were marred by malpractices, failed to comply with the provision of electoral Act and the respondents did not win by the required number of valid votes.

    Also, the petitioners were seeking an order of the tribunal declaring them winners or on the alternative, nullified the elections.

    The judgments read by each of them said the petitions lack merit and awarded a cost of N150,000 each against the petitioners.

    The tribunal further held that no election conducted anywhere in the world that is without minor errors , and that the petitioners failed to prove that the substantial non-compliance affected the outcome of the election.

    The panel said that the petitioners also failed to tender necessary documents and witnesses to defend their petition, adding that the burden to prove that the election failed to comply with the provision of the electoral Act lied against the petitioner.

  • Leadership crisis:  I remain authentic AA Chairman, Anifowose -Kelani insists

    The leadership crisis rocking the Action Alliance ( AA) at the weekend took a new turn as the National Chairman of party , Dr. Tunde Anifowose-Kelani, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop Chief Kenneth Udeze and Vemimbe James from parading themselves as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party respectively.

    He also warned INEC against recognising Alh. Mohammed Abubakar and Mr El Moses as acting National Chairman and acting National Secretary of the party.

    Anifowose-Kelani, in a letter written to INEC through his lawyer, Mr. Olaniyi Okin, said that he remained the authentic national chairman of the party.

    This, he said, was pursuant to his election at the party’s convention “properly organised and held on 13th of April, 2013, under the supervision of INEC for a four-year term which is renewable for another four years, in accordance with the constitution of the party”.

    Anifowose-Kelani said in the letter that his attention had been drawn to a publication by the Vanguard online of August 11, 2019 that the party’s National Think Tank Committee had ratified the decision made by the party to suspend Udeze and James for alleged anti-party activities and violation of AA’s constitution.

    He added that the decision to suspend the duo were made on June 14, 2019, with the representatives of INEC in attendance.

    “It was further reported that Alh. Mohammed Abubakar and Mr El Moses were appointed as acting National Chairman and acting National Secretary respectively.

    “We wish to advise that the cause of action in the pending suit in the Federal High Court, Abuja is about the chairmanship position of the party.

    “Our client was not allowed to complete his tenure as the elected National Chairman of the party before he was overthrown in the most fraudulent and unconstitutional manner by virtue of a letter of leave of absence which he never wrote as prescribed by the party’s constitution.

    “The cause of action in the said suit concerns a letter dated 22nd June, 2015 addressed to our client by your office whereby your office purportedly recognised Alhaji Issa Haladu, the then National Organising Secretary of Action Alliance as its Acting National Chairman instead of our client.

    Read Also: Obaseki throws weight behind Ogie’s leadership in Ikpoba-Okha

    “This is pursuant to a fraudulent and unconstitutional letter of leave of absence written by the then national secretary of the party on 6th February, 2015, purportedly on behalf of our client.

    “We hope you will obviate the necessity for such action with the inconveniences, expense and negative publicity attendant upon committal proceedings by not taking further steps to jeopardize whatever judgement that will be given by the court,” the letter read.

    He expressed the hope that INEC would not take further steps by recognizing the said appointed acting officers which, he said, might have the effect of foisting a faith accompli on the court.

    “We will not hesitate to commence committal proceedings for contempt of court against the commission on the occurrence of such event,” the letter stated.

    It would be recalled that Udeze had recently said that he and James remained the national chairman and national secretary of the party respectively.

    Udeze had stated that their purported suspension from the party was incorrect, false, misleading and should be disregarded by all Nigerians and AA members across Nigeria.