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Tag: Nigerian news

  • Nigeria bound to succeed, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reiterated his conviction that Nigeria has great hopes towards development as its success is key to Africa’s development.

    Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement in Abuja, said that the Vice President delivered the 8th Convocation Lecture of the Osun State University on Saturday in Osogbo.

    Osinbajo spoke on the topic, “Six Decades of Chequered Nationhood: Nigeria Still Holds the Key to Africa’s Development”.

    Read Also: Osinbajo to speak today at LCCI policy forum

    The Vice President told the audience that there was hope that Nigeria would achieve its potential.

    “This country is bound to succeed; we will get there.

    “Our founding fathers were all right, even though they had not even then seen Nigeria’s true potential Nigeria.

    “And indeed as Nigeria grows, so does Africa,” he said.

  • Abia Assembly begins screening of commissioner nominees Monday

    The Abia State House of Assembly (ABHA) will on Monday, September 23 begin live broadcast of its legislative activities, through its social media handle.

    This is even as it has invited all the 24 commissioner nominees to the Assembly Complex on Monday for screening by lawmakers.

    Notable persons on the list were former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, Former Commissioner of Works and one-time member House of Representatives for Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo federal constituency, Hon. Eziuche Ubani, immediate past commissioner for Education, Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji, Dr, Hagler Okorie, former immediate past Accountant-General of the State, and Gabriel Onyendilefu.

    Other commissioner nominees include Honorable Chimaobi Ebisike, Chief John J. Okoro, Honorable Ugbaja Theophilus Odionyemfe, Onyema Wachuku, Chief Emeka Ikwuagwu, 11. Honorable D. K Uduma, Barr Ekele Nwaohanmuo, Mrs. Ukachi Amala, Honorable Prince Ezekwesiri Ananaba, Dr. Solomon Ogunji, Chief Ikpechukwu Onuoha, Prince Dan Okoli, Barr. Suleiman Ukandu, Dr. Aham Uko, Honorable Chijioke Paul Madumere, Dr. K. C. K Nwangwa, Chief (Mrs.) Uwaoma Olenwengwa, Dr. Joe Osuji, Engr. Emma Nwabuko.

    Uzoma Okoro, Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji in a chat with The Nation in Umuahia, the Abia State capital said that the essence of the live transmission of the plenary is to ensure that Abians in the State and elsewhere can be able to follow the activities of the House regardless of their locations.

    Read Also: Nasarawa: Tribunal affirms Gov Sule’s election

    Okoro stated that with the live streaming, constituents can be able to monitor the contribution(s) of the lawmaker representing their area in the House of Assembly.

    The legislative aide who debunked the report that the current leadership in the Assembly was on a witch-hunt mission said “It takes a leader who has class and taste, one who is pragmatic and visionary to be able to know what he wants and when he wants it.

    “This is 21st Century where everything has gone digital. You will agree with me that just as the Senate and House of Representatives, people now have the privilege of watching the contributions of their National Assembly lawmakers from the comfort of their homes either using their phones or through their Television sets.

    “If Abia State is not the first, it is definitely going to be the second among the 36 States of the federation since 1993 when that House was built. As a journalist, you will agree with me that before now, the only time people hear about the sitting of the Abia State House of Asssembly is when someone has been impeached or when someone resigned.

    “But now, people will have the opportunity to watch the day-to-day activities of the Abia State House of Assembly. The main purpose of the streaming is to bring business of the Abia State House of Assembly to the grassroots.

    “Before now, people think that lawmakers go to the House of Assembly for jamboree or going there to sleep and at the end of the month, they will be paid their salaries. But this time, the Speaker who is media friendly, one who knows that this is 21st Century where people are moving away from the analogue to the digital state

    “It will impact positively on the House. The people will be the ones to judge. By the virtue of the streaming, you will have the opportunity to know how many bills that have been passed into law.

    “People will know how many motions that were raised and the people that sponsored them. It will help the constituents to know the contribution of their lawmakers and by so doing, help to build democracy in Abia State because the world is following what is going on in the House and there won’t be any need for someone to be afraid, unlike what we used to have before where.

    “A lot of people are having suspicion that the current House is there for a particular mission. If the house is on a mission, would they introduce live streaming; where everything going on there is being recorded live.

    “If not the cost implication, I am sure that the present leadership of the house would have invited some national television stations to come and cover its activities periodically.

    “Members of the public will also be privileged to interact with their lawmaker through a channel that we are going to create soon.”

  • Nasarawa: Tribunal affirms Gov Sule’s election

    The Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2019 general election, Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu against Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Governor Abdulahi Sule and the All Progressive Congress (APC)

    The Tribunal presided over by Justice Abba Bello Mohammed in a nine-hour judgment said, “the petition lacks merit and so thereby dismissed”.

    According to him, the petitioner was supposed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt for alleged over voting, disruption of votes, falsification of results among others.

    Read Also: I won’t resign, Bayelsa Speaker dares Dickson, others

    He said, petition was not in compliance with the provision of the 2010 electoral Act, so failed to establish acts for his claim.

    The Judge further added that none of the witnesses who testified for the petitioner were able to establish facts or tendered any documents that can substantial the allegations made.

    Reacting to the tribunal judgement, counsel to the Petitioner, Affiku Gambo, said they will make consultation before taking any further decision.

    Also speaking on behalf of the State Governor, the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe, commended the tribunal for the judgement, stressing that the ruling has affirmed the people’s votes count.

  • Kogi poll: Former governor Idris, Ogbeha boost PDP campaign

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign for the November 16 governorship election in Kogi state Saturday received a boost with Former Governor Ibrahim Idris accepting to chair the campaign council.

    Also, Senator Tunde Ogbeha who represented the Kogi West senatorial district from 1999-2007 has been appointed deputy chairman of the Council. Another grassroots politician, Badamasuyi Abdulrahaman will serve as secretary.

    The Kogi PDP chapter had suffered a hitch a few days ago when the senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, turned down the offer to lead the party’s governorship campaign.

    Melaye has since been replaced with a serving member of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Yusuf who represents the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu federal constituency.

    Expressing optimism about PDP’s chances in the election, Yusuf said the party has got a trump card in the Musa Wada/Sam Aro ticket to win the election.

    Describing the PDP candidate as experienced and properly educated personality, Yusuf said Wada rose to the top of his public service career through diligence, dedication, commitment, competence and integrity.

    “He has the administrative capacity, organizational capabilities as well as tremendous goodwill to positively turn around the fast-dwindling fortunes of our dear state.

    “More importantly, with our faith in Almighty God, we are confident that our Creator will give us victory come November 16, 2019, Yusuf added.

    Read Also: Running mate crisis: doubts in PDP over Dickson’s proposed meeting

    Stressing the collective desire of the people of Kogi State for genuine change, Yusuf said the Musa/Aro ticket would bring about meaningful growth and development as well as the resuscitation of the Kogi dream.

    He said, “The present state of economic squalor, abject poverty, societal degeneration, developmental disequilibrium, infrastructural decay, moral decadence, inexplicable suffering and gross hopelessness experienced by Kogites, truly inspired the keen collective desire for genuine change, meaningful growth and development as well as the resuscitation of the Kogi dream.

    “The capacity, competence and capabilities of experienced members of our campaign team and the dynamism, passion and creative abilities of our vibrant youths in the team are pointers to impactful mobilization at the grassroots”.

  • Running mate crisis: doubts in PDP over Dickson’s proposed meeting

    Party members including stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State have raised doubts on the sincerity of Governor Seriake Dickson to hold a stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the crisis rocking the party following the choice of its running mate for the November 16 governorship election in the state.

    Party members, groups and other stakeholders descended heavily on Dickson and the PDP leadership for nominating a Senator representing Bayelsa West at the National Assembly, Senator Lawrence Ewrujakpor, as the running mate to the party’s candidate, Senator Douye Diri.

    Critics of the nominee accused Dickson of driving a selfish agenda to replace Ewrujakpor, who hails from his Sagbama Local Government Area, at the Senate in exchange for the running mate slot against all political permutation by the PDP to win the forthcoming poll.

    Others insisted that the governor was blinded by his ambition, which they said was against his earlier principles of equity, balance and fairness and appealed to the governor to take the slot to Bayelsa East and consider giving it to Ogbia, the local government area of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Following the hullabaloo generated by the decision, Dickson promised to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to review the decision within the timeframe of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for substitution of candidates.

    But party leaders were worried that a day to the expiration of the INEC September 23 deadline for substitution of candidates, the governor had yet to fix a date for the stakeholders’ meeting.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have waited for the stakeholders’ meeting and left the state in anger.

    A PDP leader, who spoke in confidence, said there was no possibility of holding the meeting adding that Dickson only made the proposal to douse tension that erupted in the party following his choice of Ewrujakpor.

    He said even if the governor managed to convene a meeting, it would be mere formality as his cronies would be positioned to shoot down any opposition against his chosen running mate.

    He said: “The governor’s proposal for a stakeholders’ meeting was a smart but deceptive move. He discovered that the PDP was having many backlashes following his choice of a running mate. Having observed that the opposition was too loud, he decided to douse the tension by proposing the meeting. But by all indications, he has made up his mind on Erwujakpor.

    “He has set his sight on the Senate and we are suspecting that there is a secret agreement that Erwujakpor should resign from his seat as a condition for the running mate slot. Therefore, even if the PDP loses the governorship election, the governor will still contest the senatorial election to replace Erwujakpor before handing over in February 14.

    “But even if he eventually holds the stakeholders’ meeting, it will be a mere formality. His foot soldiers will be positioned at such meetings to endorse Ewrujakpor. The governor believes that he can still win with Ewrujakpor.

    “I can assure you that any attempt to allow the senator from Dickson’s local government area as a running mate is a calculated attempt to hand over the state to the opposition. We cannot win that election because it doesn’t make sense and the people of Bayelsa are not fools. Some people are telling the governor that he will win, but they are lying to him.

    “If you lose the entire Bayelsa East, how do you expect to win an election with Kolokuma-Opokuma that has the least number of votes in the state; Yenagoa, that is legendary for dry voting or is the governor banking only on his Sagbama vote?

    “If the governor is serious with this election, he should take the running mate to the East to ensure balancing. He must purge himself of his senatorial ambition first to see clearly and help the PDP unless he wants to be the last PDP governor in the state”.

    But other party leaders, who described Dickson as a listening governor, said the governor would change his mind on Ewrujakpor and seek his substitution before the end of the INEC timeline.

    Party stakeholders including members of the Bayelsa East Forum for Justice (BEFJ) appealed to Dickson to save the PDP from imminent destruction at the poll by changing his mind on his choice of running mate.

    The BEFJ commended Dickson for his decision to review the choice of Erwujakpor, saying everybody was waiting for the meeting,

    Chairman of BEFJ, Monday Eribo, said the governor by deciding to convene the meeting, had again proved that he was a leader that listened to genuine complaints.

    He said for listening to the loud outcry against the intended running mate, Dickson endeared himself to the heart of loyal members of the party, who were ready to stand with him till the end of his tenure.

    Eribo urged the leaders and stakeholders invited for the meeting to look at the issue of running mate dispassionately and ensure that it was zoned to the East.

    Read Also; I won’t resign, Bayelsa Speaker dares Dickson, others

    Eribo, a former three-time Commissioner in the State Local Government Service Commission, appealed to the stakeholders to ensure the selection of a competent person from the East before the expiration of the INEC deadline.

    He said: “What the candidate of the PDP for the November 16 governorship election, Senator Douye Diri needs is someone who enjoys the support of not only Ogbia people but people across the state and it must be someone who is very committed to the Restoration agenda.

    “Picking someone from the East, particularly Ogbia will be a mark of honour and respect to former President Goodluck Jonathan and will balance the political equation in the state.

    “We thank individuals and groups who came out to voice their concerns over the choice of Senator Lawrence Ehrudjakpor, saying history will never forget them, as they spoke up when it mattered most”.

    Other party chieftains warned that the PDP was at the verge of collapsing if after the September 23 the meeting failed to hold to substitute the running mate.

    “What will hit PDP is an exodus beyond imagination. Those that will remain in the party will stay there to work against the governor and bring his leadership to an end. Everybody is waiting for the stakeholders’ meeting”, a source, who spoke in confidence said.

  • Jubilation in katsina as Masari floors Lado at Election Petition Tribunal

    There was wild celebration on the streets of Katsina, as the people jubilated over the decision of the election petition tribunal which on Saturday in Abuja upheld the re-election of Governor Aminu Bello Masari

    The Nation reports that the re-election of Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state was confirmed by a majority decision taken by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Katsina State which ruled that the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate was lawful and valid

    The tribunal had by a split 2-1 decision, dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Senator Yakubu Lado, challenging Masari’s victory at the poll.

    This is the second time this year that Governor Masari is defeating Senator Yakubu Lado of the PDP, having defeated him in the March 9 Guber election

    While delivering its judgement, the Tribunal which delivered its judgment in Abuja, dismissed all the grounds of the petition, saying that the petitioner did not prove them beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

    Reading the verdict on behalf of two other members of the three-man tribunal, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman affirmed that Governor Masari was the duly elected governor of Katsina State, having scored majority of lawful votes cast in the election.

    He said: “There is no shred of cogent evidence in proof of their allegations as required by relevant laws. In the circumstance, the petitioners are not entitled to any of the reliefs sought in their petitions. The petition is therefore dismissed in its entirety for lack of merit.”

    Read Also: We’ll retake Adamawa in 2023, APC vows

    The minority judgment, however, came through the Chairperson of the three-man panel, Justice Hadiza Ali Jos, who told other members that Governor Masari “does not have the requisite qualification to contest the election”.

    But her move was overruled by the other two members of the panel, leading to the victory of Governor Masari at the tribunal.

    Meanwhile, there was jubilation galore in at the Governors lodge in asokoro Abuja, as both the victorious Governor and top government functionaries, APC supporters present were seen jubilating and thanking Allah for the victory

    The State Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Shitu Shitu described the verdict as a victory for democracy and called on opponents to join hands with Masari to move the state forward

    Also reacting to the judgment, the state Chairman of the PDP, Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, expressed displeasure over the judgment, insisting that the party and its candidate would Appeal the court ruling

  • NBTE rates Edo high on readiness for technical education

    The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has scored Edo State high on its readiness to drive technical education on account of the quality and spread of training institutions and personnel for technical education to drive industrialisation in the state.

    A delegation from the NBTE led by its Deputy Director, Mallam Samaila Tanko, ranked the state highly after a tour of institutions and personnel for technical education in the state’s three senatorial districts during a resource inspection/assessment tour.

    Mallam Tanko said the delegation was impressed with facilities in the state, noting that they would soon release result of their findings and make recommendations.

    They urged the state government to continue in the positive trajectory it has started, urging the Governor Obaseki-led administration not to relent in its efforts to transform the state.

    Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs Birgitta Eno Okodugha, expressed appreciation to the team for taking time out to visit the technical colleges across the state.

    “I assure you of government’s readiness to transform the colleges to meet international standards. The grey areas you have identified in the course of your inspection will be addressed by the Governor,” she said.

    Read Also; Obaseki, dignitaries storm Ekpoma for Ambrose Alli’s 30th memorial

    Permanent Secretary, Edo State Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Mr Bernard Oigbokie, said the state has met all necessary criteria set by the board on technical education.

    The Edo SEEFOR Project Coordinator, Mr Toju Onaiwu, said the interventionist agency has transformed the narrative of technical colleges from a state of infrastructural decadence into state-of-the-art facilities.

    Project Coordinator, Edo State Innovation and Effectiveness in Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project, Mrs Blessing Osahon Osemwota, expressed appreciation to Edo SEEFOR for working assiduously to transform Government Science and Technical College, Benin.

  • Obaseki, dignitaries storm Ekpoma for Ambrose Alli’s 30th memorial

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will on Sunday, September 22, lead a retinue of high society icons in business, academia and politics to Emuado in Ekpoma, Edo state, for the 30th Memorial Day Celebration of former Governor of old Bendel State (now Edo and Delta states), late Prof. Ambrose Alli.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the governor has made the Memorial Day celebration an annual event to mark the enormous contributions of late Prof. Ambrose Alli to the development of Edo and Delta states.

    He said, “We were in Emuado, Ekpoma last year to mark the 29th Memorial Day celebrations. This year, Governor Godwin Obaseki will also lead a large entourage to the same town to celebrate the late Ambrose Alli. We are proud of what he represents and his achievements while he lived.

    “A lot of middle-aged Edo people enjoyed the numerous projects and policies implemented by the late Ambrose Alli. They benefitted from him in one way or the other, so much so that their lives were positively impacted. A good number of them would have attended either one of the over 600 secondary schools or the Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University). So, for them, it is an opportunity to once again pay homage to a quintessential leader and an enviable son of the state.”

    Read Also: Obaseki nominates Iyase as commissioner

    The governor’s aide maintained that the former governor of old Bendel State has his name etched in gold in the state as, during his stint as governor, the state witnessed remarkable records in governance and probity in public life.

    He said the governor will be leading the delegation to Emuado, for the memorial mass service, which will host a lot of people from within the state and across the country.

    According to him, “A Memorial Mass will hold at the St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Emaudo, Ekpoma. There will also be laying of wreath and a lecture at Ambrose Alli’s compound, in Emuado, Ekpoma.”

    Late Prof. Alli was a Professor of Morbid Anatomy, and governed old Bendel State from 1979 to 1983.

  • Unauthorized activities: FAAN seals off business outlets at Lagos Airport

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during the week sealed off some business outlets and shops at the cargo wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos over unauthorized activities.

    The directive to carry out the sanitization exercise, sources hinted was on the orders of its managing director, Captain Hamisu Yadudu.

    Part of business outlets sealed off at the cargo wing of the airport, it was learnt include food vendors, clearing and cargo agents offices and other businesses at the terminal.

    Investigations reveal that FAAN management was irked over the uncouth attitude of some of the business outlets, who besides operating crossed the threshold in terms of time of operations at the airport.

    Read Also: FAAN to close Enugu airport runway August 24

    Sources hinted that some of the affected outlets were using their premises for unauthorized activities not covered by the terms of their contractual agreement with the airport authority.

    Irked over the unauthorized activities, the FAAN boss, the source said has insisted that the sealed off premises will remain closed until the operators sign a performance bond to desist from activities that will subject them to ridicule.

    Investigations reveal that FAAN has set up a task force to sanitize the activities of persons carrying out business at the cargo section of the terminal.

  • PDP denies reported romance between Dickson, Petroleum minister

    The Peoples Democratic Party Youth Network has called on Bayelsans to ignore a wild rumour being peddled by unscrupulous characters about a purported meeting between Governor Dickson and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    The Secretary-General of the PDPYN, Mr. James Oputin, urged Bayelsans to ignore the unfounded rumour which he described as a product of mischief.

    He said that the politicians behind the rumour were scared of the growing internal cohesion within the PDP ahead of the April 16, 2019 gubernatorial election in the state contrary to their expectations.

    Oputin also advised the members and supporters of the PDP to ignore the false story designed to malign the leadership of the party in Bayelsa.

    He said that the surreptitious design to put unnecessary doubts in the minds of well-meaning supporters of the party in the state should be resisted.

    The PDPYN Scribe said that Governor Dickson and the leadership òf the PDP did not need any meeting with leaders of the All Progressives Congress to win the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

    He stated also while it was possible for Governor Dickson to host Chief Timipre Sylva in his capacity as the minister from Bayelsa in the Federal cabinet, it is sad that some APC members are peddling deliberate misinformation to deceive Bayelsans about a meeting that did not take place.

    Read Also: How I will govern Bayelsa, by Lyon

    Oputin stressed that the same set of people from the All Progressives Congress were behind the story that Sylva supported David Lyon because he wanted to give the governorship to the PDP.

    He advised the uninformed people behind the fake story to focus their attention on their electoral campaign rather than the failed attempt to plant discord within the PDP.

    Oputin noted that the PDP and its followers would not be distracted by disgruntled elements of the APC who are battling to divert attention from the challenge of marketing a gubernatorial misnomer as their candidate in Bayelsa.

    He insisted that Bayelsa is the stronghold of the PDP and would continue to remain so.

    He challenged those behind the rumour to prove the veracity of their story by providing photographic evidence of the said meeting to convince Bayelsans or remain silent.