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Tag: Nigerian news

  • ‘Tinubu’s first 100 days in office my worst nightmare’

    Mr. Segun Ayobolu, a former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Lagos State ex-governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the first 100 days of the administration were his worst nightmare.

    Ayobolu spoke yesterday in Ikeja, the state capital, while presenting a paper, titled: The Dynamics of Public Affairs Management.

    The occasion was the celebration of the 60th birthday and retirement from the state civil service of a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi.

    The former CPS recalled the overwhelming challenges the administration confronted as it was settling down to govern the state.

    He said: “As Chief Press Secretary to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the anniversary of his 100 days in office in 1999 was one of my worst nightmares.

    “The reviews in the media were exceedingly negative and abominable. Critics after critics focused on the refuse heaps on the roads, the potholes and veritable craters on most roads, the scarcity of water, the terrible insecurity with armed robbery attacks on banks and snatching of vehicles occurring almost on a daily basis.

    Read Also: Why Lagos is magnet point for investors, by Tinubu

    “For a government, which had about three months to get ready, the first three months in office seemed to have caught it by surprise. No practical solution had been applied on any problem so far then.

    “Refuse heaps, which, like armed robbers, can neither talk nor think, challenged the wits of the governor.

    “Consider all the other areas, like housing, education, health and rural development. They were still at the blueprint level… Asiwaju Tinubu had enough time to prepare. He was even praised for taking the initiative of setting up a team to draw up an action plan.

    “His inauguration speech was excellent, showing clarity of thought and evidence of insight. But what went wrong? Could it be the fish in water syndrome which, out of water, just bobs and bobs? The future, the very near future would tell.”

    Ayobolu told the gathering comprising three ex-commissioners for Information and Strategy, among other media practitioners and scholars.

    The former CPS said most of the critics were not bothered that the problems were the inheritance from years of military neglect and misrule and could thus not be resolved instantaneously or magically.

    Happily, he said the Tinubu administration rose to the occasion and set a standard in governance that has been difficult to beat across the country.

    Also, Adeyemi announced the setting up of a foundation, Fola Adeyemi Foundation, to train indigent journalists.

    He broke the cheery news at his 60th birthday and retirement from the state civil service.

    During the launching of his book, titled: The Dynamics of Public Information Management: Memoirs of A Veteran Public Affairs Manager, Adeyemi said the proceeds from the book would go to the National Association for Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

    The former commissioner said the foundation is his way of giving back to the society and journalism, which was instrumental to his rise and successes.

    He made an instant donation to the foundation and promised to make the gesture a yearly affair.

    Adeyemi said this would ensure that indigent journalists get the requisite training to excel in their profession.

    The foundation has representatives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and NAWOJ on the board that will administer its fund.

  • EFCC recovers $690,400, N550m from suspects in Kano

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered $690,400 and N550,692,362 from some suspects in Kano State.

    The money was reportedly recovered between January and August.

    The commission’s Acting Chairman Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, stated this through the Head of the Kano Office, Akaninyene Ezima, at a media briefing in Kano.

    A statement by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Ezima revealed that the zone was also focusing on cybercrime through intelligence gathering and collaboration with other agencies across the world.

    He said: “In this zone, we are developing a lot of intelligence to ensure that we combat this menace. Of course, we are sending a word of warning. The world has become a global village and these days law enforcement is not limited by national borders.

    Read Also: Clampdown on ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ politicians, Frank tells EFCC

    “So, there are collaborations between the commission and other law enforcement agencies in the world. As a result of such collaborations, several arrests have been made and we in the Kano Zonal Office will make sure we deliver on this mandate and stamp out the scourge of cybercrime.

    “I want to advise members of the public not to disclose their bank details to anybody because we often receive unsolicited phone calls, emails, asking us for our banking information. There is no bank or financial institution that will call you and ask for your banking details.”

    Ezima explained that scams are mostly perpetrated at weekends when fraudsters know that it would be difficult for victims to contact their banks.

    The EFCC officer also cautioned the public against the prevalence of Ponzi and other “get-rich quick” schemes.

  • Sylva not imposing any candidate, says APC chieftain

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Gift Ebiki, has dismissed claims by some party members that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, was on a mission to impose a candidate on the party in Bayelsa State.

    Ebiki, who spoke in Yenagoa, said the statement claiming that Sylva was exerting undue influence on the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) amounted to over-reaction and falsehood.

    He described the statement credited to Richard Kpodo as unfortunate, saying the party’s preference for direct primaries in Bayelsa was a majority decision to check manipulation, corruption and shenanigans.

    According to him, the NWC was monitoring the situation in Bayelsa and the desperation of some aspirants to manipulate their way through indirect primaries and foist themselves on the party. He said the collective position of APC for direct primaries was to ensure the election of a popular candidate who could win  the election.

    Ebiki added that claims that Sylva lost the 2015 election was untrue, and insisted that the former governor won the election but was upstaged by circumstances beyond his control.

    Read Also: Tension as PDP elects governorship candidate in Bayelsa

    He said: “In this 2019 election, Sylva has demonstrated that he is a true party man. He delivered his senatorial seat, House of Representatives seat and four House of Assembly candidates. Where were those people calling him names today? How much did they deliver? Southern Ijaw, Nembe and Brass councils gave over 80,000 votes to Buhari through the efforts of Sylva and David Lyon. How many votes came from Sagbama, Ekeremor?

    “We need people with electoral value, not party faithful by propaganda. Politics is about value not propaganda. So, let them go and deliver their wards and local government areas to be sure they are faithful party members. Sylva is our leader.

    “Why are they afraid of direct primaries? If they are popular, they should not be afraid because direct primaries test your popularity. They want to manipulate in connivance with other forces outside Bayelsa and that is why they are making references to Rivers and Zamfara.

    “Politics is about participation and direct primaries allow everybody to participate. Popular candidates are not afraid of direct primaries. It is the core of democracy. The 2019 elections show those who are leaders of APC in the state.”

  • Forum seeks support for Okumagba as NDDC head

    The United Front for Niger Delta (UFFND) has hailed the appointment of a former Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Bernard Okumagba, as managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), saying Okumagba’s appointment is in order.

    A statement by its President, Yede Gerke, congratulated Okumagba, saying he would not disappoint the people.

    Gerke, who described the appointment as well deserved, said Okumagba was tested and trusted and had distinguished himself in private and public life.

    Read Also: APC flays Niger Delta governors for NDDC Board’s rejection

    The statement reads: “We thank President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, a renowned technocrat, as the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The President did not make a mistake in his choice as Okumagba is very capable and will bring his wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of his duty.

    “We want to make it clear here that it is the turn of Delta State to produce the managing director of the commission, and the President did the right thing by picking the managing director from Delta State. Those opposing the appointment should support Okumagba to chart a new path for the region’s development.

    “Olorogun Bernard Okumagba knows the pains of the people and he is more than qualified for the position of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission.”

  • Tribunal upholds Umahi’s election

    The election petition tribunal in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has upheld the victory of Governor David Umahi. It struck out the suit by the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) challenging the election.

    The PDM sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly excluding its name from the ballot paper.

    Joined in the suit were Governor David Umahi and PDP as third respondent.

    Umhai defeated All Progressives Congress (APC’s) Sunny Ogbuoji, and 35 others to win a second term in office.

    Read Also: Election tribunal voids Osun PDP Rep Salami’s victory

    But the PDM and its candidate, Ajah Agha, petitioned the tribunal for the “unlawful exclusion of his name from the ballot paper.”

    The party prayed the tribunal to cancel the election and order a fresh one.

    But tribunal Chairman Justice A.B Abdukareem said PDM failed to prov that it conducted its primaries in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

    The tribunal noted that there was no evidence to show that PDM submitted its candidate’s name to INEC before the deadline for parties to do so.

    Justice Abdukareem said: “Your party sent the name three days after closure of submission according to finding. Also, your party did not hold primaries…according to INEC guideline; therefore your petition lacks merit.”

    The lawmaker representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency, Livinus Makwe, has congratulated Umhai on his success.

    He noted that the tribunal’s judgment was a true reflection of the people’s wishes, which they demonstrated on March 9.

  • Chieftaincy row: Ibadan elevated monarchs drop crowns

    The 21 monarchs in Ibadanland appeared to have dropped their crowns in a move seen as surrendering to the supremacy of Olubadan of Ibadan land Oba Saliu Adetunji.

    It followed the monarchs’ appearance on Monday as part of the entourage of the Olubadan to the ongoing Southwest security summit at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI).

    The joint public appearance came two years after the monarchs and the Olubadan went their separate ways, following the crowning of members of the Olubadan-In-Council in 2017 by former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    The monarchs had boycotted the palace since their crowning due to the Olubadan’s opposition to their elevation.

    The Olubadan argued that the state government has no right to independently elevate his chiefs.

    Read Also: Insecurity: IGP, S/West govs, leaders meet in Ibadan today

    Though both parties indicated their willingness to reconcile while the crisis lasted, the Olubadan insisted that the only condition for reconciliation was for the elevated high chiefs to drop their crowns and wait for their time to ascend the throne of the Olubadan as is the custom.

    But the elevated high chiefs also stood their ground, stressing that their crowning was already gazetted by the state government.

    The appearance of the obas at the security summit yesterday, however, indicated that they have surrendered to the tough stance of the Olubadan as they wore only common caps as they sat two lines behind the Olubadan as members of his entourage.

    Monday’s outing might be a silent indication that the royal rumble in the Olubadan palace has come to an end without fanfare.

    On the entourage yesterday are Otun Olubadan High Chief Lekan Balogun; Asipa Olubadan High Chief Eddy Oyewole; Balogun Olubadan High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin; Asipa Balogun High Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Ekarun Olubadan High Chief Amidu Ajibade and Ekarun Balogun High Chief Adegbola.

    At the meeting are also Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Olugbo of Ugbo land Oba Frederick Akinruntan; Oba of Lagos

    Rilwan Akiolu and a host of other traditional rulers.

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde hailed the reconciliation between the Olubadan and his high chiefs.

    He gave the commendation during his welcome speech at the ongoing security meeting.

    Sighting the high chiefs without their crowns in their attendance with the Olubadan,Makinde said: “In the entourage of the Olubadan, I can see the high chiefs. I think it is a positive development in Oyo State. We are talking about security here; and I think it is part of what will help overall security of the society.”

    Ekiti State Governor Olurotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, also described the reconciliation as a good development.

  • Lawmaker seeks federal help on roads

    The lawmaker representing Anambra West in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Patrick Udoba, has appealed to the Federal Government to repair dilapidated roads in the state.

    Udoba, who chairs the House Committee on Transportation, lamented that lives were lost daily from accidents.

    Read Also: Traders lament bad road, environment at Ojuwoye market

    The lawmaker, who addressed reporters yesterday, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to rehabilitate and complete bad roads to save the people from hardship.

    He listed some roads:  Enugu-Awka-Onitsha Expressway; Onitsha/Owerri Road; Umuoji/Onitsha Road; Onitsha to Aghamelum, Oromaetiti to Kogi Roads, among others.

  • Robbers attack The Nation driver near soldiers’ checkpoint

    Armed robbers on Monday attacked The Nation driver, Mr. Akinyele Adebayo, at Moro junction, near Ile-Ife in Osun State.

    He was attacked around 12pm while returning to Lagos from Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

    The incident, Adebayo said, occurred a few metres to a military checkpoint.

    He wondered why the military personnel, who mounted roadblock nearby, allowed the robbers to operate freely.

    “I suspect connivance between the military personnel and the robbers. The place the soldiers mounted a roadblock is not up to two minutes’ drive to where the robbers operated freely,” Adebayo said.

    The robbers, he said, used cattle as a decoy to attack drivers.

    Read Also: Suspected robbers cart away valuables in Oyo schools

    “There were cattle on the side of the road. I slowed down and on getting towards the place, the three robbers used their motorcycles to block the road. Before I could get to them, they came down and brought out sticks and cutlasses. So I tried to manoeuvre my car so as to go, but before I could, they broke my side mirror,  windscreen and damaged the bonnet. I didn’t stop; all I just wanted to do was to escape from them because I know that is where they rob people.

    “When I got to the front, I discovered that the road had been blocked with tyres and big sticks and some people were there, but they were not in uniform. They were about five. I looked back and saw the three men coming with their motorcycles.  They met me there and ordered me to stop and open the door.

    “I just managed to climb the tyres and sticks and drove away. Within the next two minutes, I got to another place where some soldiers mounted a roadblock. They just checked my vehicle and allowed me to go. I didn’t bother to make a report to them because I sensed that they might be working together. Other drivers have been saying they are working together. So if they could pursue me to the first roadblock, I also believe that they can pursue me even to where the soldiers are,” Adebayo said.

    He said the experience was his first since driving on that road.

    The driver said the robbers spoke English and Yoruba languages.

    “I don’t think they are herdsmen or people from the North. They just used the cattle as a decoy. They spoke in English and some also spoke Yoruba fluently,” he said.

    He appealed to the government to draft policemen to monitor the road, putting the cost of damage done to his vehicle at N50,000.

  • Oyo is ready for business prosperity, Makinde tells investors

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has assured investors of his readiness to make the state comfortable for business prosperity.

    He said all hands are on the deck to make investors and business owners prosper economically in the state.

    The governor gave the assurance on Monday while receiving a compendium of investment opportunities at an event christened “Oyo-Ile Investors” Forum, which held at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

    The event had in attendance more than 50 local and international and potentials investors, including business owners, corporate organisations, development agencies, financial institutions among others from different parts of the world.

    Makinde was accompanied at the event by top government functionaries, including commissioners, special advisers.

    Read Also: Makinde to landlords, employers: Register migrants, foreigners in your employ

    Speaking on his intention to liberate the state economically, the governor said his intentions is to harness the potentials and proximity of the state to Lagos to build a viable Lagos-Ibadan economic hub by improving the security architecture that would allow investment and economic prosperity.

    He added that before his first 100 days in office, he would unveil a new security architecture for the state which will ensure business and investment success and prosperity.

    He assured the would-be investors to put their minds to rest in terms of chances of business success in the state.

    Makinde said: “Economically, we want to create Lagos-Ibadan economic hub and with this, we are well on our way. In Oyo State, we have put certain things in place since we came in.

    “I can give you the assurance that this economy is going to grow rapidly because we are looking serious at security and efforts are on to ensure that before our first 100 days in office, a new security architecture is been launched for Oyo state.

    Director, Oyo-Ile Investment Forum Mr. Yinka Owodunni said finding from key economic drivers, including access to health, job creation, waste disposal efficient among others from the last forum held earlier in May, showed positive signs of good rewards for investments in the state.

  • Ihedioha ‘in order on loot recovery’

    Civil Society groups in Imo State are backing the government’s move to recover stolen property belonging to the government, it was learnt.

    The groups, after a meeting at the Links Hotels in Owerri, urged Governor Emeka Ihedioha to track and recover money diverted from the state’s treasury.

    They, however, frowned against the use of violence in the recovery process.

    Spokesperson and Chief Executive of Society for Widows and Orphans Dr. Jane Chukwukere, and co-spokesperson/National Team leader of Next Generation Leadership Initiative Ugochuckwu Onwuasonya enjoined the government to plough the recovered money into the state’s economy.

    Read Also: AbdulRazaq to partner EFCC in recovery of looted funds

    They said: “The body opines that measures taken to pay pension arrears should be sustained so the people can rejoice. The civil society coalition is an aggregate of over 100 organisations …facilitated by the Coalition Committee.

    “We congratulate the present administration and our governor for …reviving the hope of Imolites through the steps taken to conduct local government elections within six months, thus returning power to the people. We pledge our commitment to ensure the success of the councils.

    “We commend the government for introducing the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and call on the government to extend this to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as the councils. We also laud the government for initiating the Imo State Participatory Budget System and ask that it be sustained…”