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  • Olojo: Ooni begins 7-day seclusion to pray for resuscitation of economy

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has proceeded on a seven-day annual seclusion as this year edition of Olojo festival begins in Ile Ife, Osun State.

    On Sunday evening before ceremonies for seclusion began, the foremost African traditional ruler and the Arole Oodua addressed journalists, where he expressed joy to formally begin the Olojo festival.

    He said he was on a very high spirit to go into seclusion to meet with “God Almighty who owns the Day through fasting and prayers.

    He said he would pray for the resuscitation of the country’s economy while in seclusion.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who is the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up an excellent Economic Advisory Council led by Prof. Doyin Salami, warning stakeholders especially those within the presidency to resist attempts to sabotage the council’s efforts in the interest of Nigerians, especially the poor masses.

    While explaining the significance of the seven day seclusion, the Ooni revealed that the God answers prayers during the period, noting that all he prayed for during last year’s seclusion, particularly for peaceful state and general elections were granted by God.

    He said: “I am going into seclusion now just to pray for the presidency that they should provide an enabling environment for the newly economic council to do their job. It is very important. In fact, we have to do it in any way we have to do it because Nigerian economy needs to be resuscitated in a rapid manner for the betterment of our country. I am so much familiar with the pedigrees of all the members and Am so sure they will deliver only if given free hands to work.

    “As a spiritual head of the Yoruba race, I must continue to pray for the country and the government. I must also intercede for the people to support the government and for the government to work for the people. The president has to listen to this wonderful team. Every recommendation must be followed to the later because these are experts carefully selected from all parts of Nigeria. Failure to listen to them might even draw us back.

    “There is problem in Nigeria, we cannot continue to deceive ourselves because if we do so, we are only postponing the evil day. It is important that we do a rapid economic transformation. We are very thankful for having a corrupt-free President and whoever that would not allow him to listen to the council will have God Almighty to contend with.”

    “This time around as the Arole Oduduwa, I am focusing more on how Nigerian economy will be completely turned over. If you look around, you will see unemployed youths everywhere this is the time to pay attention to these kegs of gunpowder that we are all seated upon. To me, I am very excited that the best decision ever made by this current government of Buhari administration is to bring in experts for the economic council because I know that our economic fortunes will change for good.”

  • Hisbah destroys 196,400 bottles of beer in Kano

    Kano State Hisbah Board has destroyed over 196,400 bottles of beer, in its bid to rid the state of consumption of alcohol.

    Speaking shortly after flagging off the destruction exercise at Kalemawa in Dawakin Tofa local Government Area, Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said Islam strongly condemn drinking of Alcohol and all other intoxicants that can distort mental capability of a person.

    “ln Islam, drinking of Alcohol is strongly forbidden being one of the backbones of committing sins either big or small and that has been stated out at several places in the Holy Qur’an.

    “Our Islamic Scholars, religious and community leaders should join hands together in the crusade against such social vices because it is not only Islam that condemns alcohol consumption, to good Christian, consuming alcohol is also prohibited,” he said.

    The Governor represented by his Deputy Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna assured that all other shari’a agencies in the State would enjoy similar promotion and support with State Hisbah board to enable them discharge their mandates.

    READ ALSO: Kano Hisbah arrests 32 beggars

    He said “this Government is a Shari’a compliant Government. We will continue to support the Hisbah Board “.

    Ganduje therefore implored people in the State to accord the needed support and cooperation to the officials of the Hisbah Board, pointing out that…” giving them all the supports to discharge their duties will not only promote their work but ensure that our society become free from evil social acts “.

    In his remarks, the Commander General Kano State Hisbah Board Sheik Haroon Muhammad Sani ibn Sina disclosed that the board had succeeded in preventing selling and drinking of alcohol under the provision of penal Court section (401) of 2013 sharia law in Kano.

    According to him, the Board has got court order to destroy over 12 Tippers of Alcohol confiscated while trying to bring them in to the State which are meant to distort the life of the teaming youth.

    “It is against this background, I call upon the suppliers and those that consume the alcohol to shun this act as Hisbah Board will not relent in its effort to fish out the perpetrators and take them to court at any given time for prosecutions,” he assured.

  • Edo to invest N2.1bn Azura Power Proceeds in Benin Industrial Park

    The anchor investor in the Benin Enterprise and Industrial Park would soon be moving into the facility, as the Edo State Government has finalised plans to invest the N2.1 billion that will accrue from its divestment of 50 per cent of its equity in the Edo-Azura Power Project, into the park.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the N2.1bn would go a long way in building the needed infrastructure for the park to come on stream.

    According to him, “The state government is going to divest 50 per cent of its equity in Edo Azura Power project. We will be investing the proceeds into the Benin Enterprise and Industrial Park project as we prepare to have the Anchor investor settle down to business.

    “The state government will be providing the needed infrastructure for the project, including access roads and other needed structures to ensure the smooth take-off of the facility.

    Read Also; Obaseki reassures on kidnapping, other crimes

    “We disclosed earlier that we have an anchor investor for the park. With the funds we now have, we have all that is needed to effectively kick-off. Nothing is going to be left to chance. As is characteristic of the governor, this is a masterstroke as we now have funds to begin the project. We expect other investors to cash-in on opportunities in the new industrial corridor.”

    He noted that the N2.1bn would be instrumental in ensuring that the state government meets its obligations to investors, by deploying the fund in constructing the access roads, clearing the environment as well as other physical structures to drive investment.

    He added that the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Enterprise and Industrial Park is being conducted by the Federal Ministry of Environment, which would pave the way for the anchor investor to move into the facility.

  • Edo 2020: Hosa Okunbor yet to be approached to vie for guber election – Aide

    Edo business mogul and billionaire, Captain Hosa Okunbor has denied reports in sections of the social media that he has been approached by some political leaders in the state to contest for next year’s governorship election.

    Captain Hosa said he has never muted the idea to contest for governorship election in the state neither has he been approached for same to the investor who pleaded anonymity.

    A close aide of Captain Hosa who spoke to some select newsmen in Benin City said the development of Edo State remained upper most to him.

    The aide who identified himself as Sir Solomon said the report making round in the social media was a calculated attempt to drag his boss into the political mess in the state.

    He said his boss was concern about the development and advancement of state and described those behind the lies as busybody whose stock in trade continues to spread lies and mischief.

    According to him, “His major preoccupation is how to manage his growing business interest across the globe, and not the issue of governorship.

    READ ALSO: Edo 2020: ‘Captain Okunbo not interested in partisan politics’

    “He is always ready to contribute his quota to the development of the state anytime he is called upon, without necessary being political.

    “I am sure you all know the kind of man Captain is. He will not come out to address this issue but has confided in me severally on it. Being a man that is very close to him and from our discussions overtime on the same subject matter, nobody has actually approached Captain to vie for the governorship in 2020.

    “Whatever information, especially in the social media you here about him, are all figment of the writers opinion and meant to arose ‘silly’ political discuss.

    “Okunbor remain committed to the development of the state, is however more concern on how to manage his business interest that is expanding by the day,” he stated.

  • Delta reopens Warri/Benin highway

    The Delta state government has announced the reopening of the Warri/Sapele/Benin highway for the movement of vehicles in and out of the state.

    The Warri/Sapele/Benin highway has been shut down as a result of reconstruction work following the consistent rain which has rendered the road impassable.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu who announced the re-opening at the weekend, commended the Contractor, Obakpor J.U. Construction for its commitment and sacrifice in ensuring early re-opening of the road.

    He said, “As earlier promised, the Okowa led administration has continued to show concern for the pains road users had to go through on account of the deplorable condition of the road.

    READ ALSO: East West Road: Travellers groan as Warri/Benin section collapses

    “It is to the glory of God that we announce the re-opening of the road today Friday September 20 as against the Saturday we earlier promised.

    “This is in fulfilment of our avowed commitment to ameliorate the sufferings of road users that have been stacked there for almost two weeks.

    “I must commend the contractors Obakpor J. U. Construction for their resilience and sacrifice to deliver on target.

    “The State Government commends Deltans and other road users for their patience and cooperation while the road remained closed.

    “Work will now commence on the other side of the road effective tomorrow.”

  • Six startups get N5m grant to expand their businesses in Edo

    The Federal Government through the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) has given six startups being incubated at the South-South Innovation Hub N5 million grant to expand their businesses.

    Presenting the cheques to the startups in Benin City, Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, said the innovative businesses developed by the startups are laudable and would be showcased at national and international levels.

    Prince Agba who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ernest Umakhihe, said the government was committed to providing grants for startups to grow their businesses and become employers of labour.

    “I am greatly excited and overwhelmed by the innovations of the startups. This will be showcased at the national and international levels and we will get more donors to support such initiatives, Agba said.”

    In his remark, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, stressed that youth empowerment is key to eradicating social vices in the country.

    The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths, Hon. Damian Lawani, commended the innovators for their commitment and for developing solutions-driven businesses.

    READ ALSO: 30-year old man who robs prostitutes nabbed in Edo

    He assured that the state government was committed to partnering with individuals and groups, including Non-Governmental Organisations to empower youths in the state.

    Edo Focal Person of NSIP, Ms Yuwa Aladeselu, noted that the South-South Innovation Hub has created an avenue for youths to develop their innovative ideas into businesses.

    She said the grants would enable the startups expand their businesses, employ more persons and deepen their market base.

    Mr Samuel Oluwatobi Gege, Managing Director of Marybel Nigeria Ltd., a partner in the innovation programme, said 17 startups were given N250,000 each to develop their innovative ideas into businesses in the first phase of the grant programme.

    He explained that six of the 17 startups who were given N250,000 each were given N5 million grant in the second phase of the grant programme to expand their customer base and create more employment.

    247 Medics, Open Employment, Tech Hieve and Numbers were given N1 million each while Study Hub and Circum Pro were given N500,000 each.

  • El-Rufai enrols son in public primary school

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State on Monday enrolled his six-year-old child, Abubakar into primary one in Capital School Malali, Kaduna, a public school, in fulfillment of a promise he made in 2017.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that El-Rufa’i had in a state broadcast in December 2017, promised to enroll his child in a public school when he turns six years.

    “The move is part of reforms to revamp public schools in the state to make them more competitive.

    “We are determined to fix public education and raise their standards so that private education will become only a luxury.

    “As we make progress, we will require our senior officials to enroll their children in public schools.

    “And I will by personal example ensure that my son that will be six years of age in 2019 will be enrolled in a public school in Kaduna State, by God’s grace,” El-Rufa’i had said.

    Briefing newsmen shortly after he enrolled the child, El-Rufa’i explained that it was a commitment that had been fulfilled.

    “I made that commitment because I believe that it is only when all political leaders have their children in public schools that we will pay due attention to quality of public education.

    “I went to a public school like this. In fact, the school I went to is not as good as this one, but here I am, because of the quality teaching I got.

    “My intention is to ensure that all our public schools offer quality education, and so we are encouraging all our senior public servants to send their children to public schools.

    “Once the public schools are improved to a point they are nearly as good or even better than private schools, no one will waste his money taking his child to private school,” he said.

    Ummi El-Rufa’i, the mother of the child said: “l am glad that we are able to send a strong message to our leaders and the elites, that we need to start making things work from within our homes.

    “By the time we start attending public hospitals and send our children to public schools, the system will get better. This is a very huge step,” she said.

    On his part, the little child said: “I am sad that I will miss my old school, my friends and my teachers. But I have to help my father keep his promise” .

  • Court dissolves 5-year-old marriage because hubby has a German wife

    An FCT High Court, Jabi on Monday dissolved a five-year-old union between Lynda Dike and her husband Jude Ajaero, on grounds that he was legally married to another woman in Germany.

    Dike in her petition sought for the dissolution of the purported marriage through Sections 3 (1) (a) (d) and 34 of the Matrimonial Cause Act.

    The sections which stipulated that any marriage purportedly celebrated when one of the parties was lawfully married to another when consent was obtained either by fraud or duress would be void.

    The Act further stipulated that a petition for nullity can be instituted by the ailing party.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Charles Agbaza, held that the sole issue to be determined by the court was whether the petitioner had successfully made out a ground for the court to grant the relief she sought.

    The judge further averred that Ajaero, the respondent who was served with court processes , hearing notices did not file nor answer to the petition, but had legal representation and neither did he challenge the evidence of the petitioner, rather he rested his case on that of the petitioner

    According to Agbaza, ” the implication of this is that the court will deem the unchallenged and uncontroverted evidence of the petitioner as true,correct ( as long as it is credible) and act on it”.

    Agbaza concluded and said “because the evidence brought by the petitioner was not challenged by the respondent,

    “this petition succeeds and judgment is accordingly entered in favour of the petitioner in the following terms

    “The court hereby pronounce a Decree of Nullity of the purported marriage conducted between Lynda Dike and Jude Ajaero on Oct.2,2014 at the Federal Marriage Registry, Abuja, on the ground that the marriage is void.

    READ ALSO: Court dissolves pastor’s marriage over incest

    ” The court hereby grants an order nullifying the said marriage”, he added.

    In her petition, Dike said that when she married the respondent, he told her that he was not married.

    She further submitted that however, when she traveled to Germany to see the respondent and instead of taking her to the address she knew he lived, he took her to a different address..

    According to the petitioner, when she demanded to be taken to the address of where he lived, she was beaten up by the respondent.

    She said this action prompted her to tail the respondent to the aforementioned address and that was when she discovered that he lived there with his German wife.

    Dike added that she confronted the respondent and he admitted that he was married to the German woman and that they had been married for over a year before he came to Nigeria to marry her.

    (NAN)

  • BREAKING: Abia begins grilling of Commissioner- nominees

    The leadership of the Abia State House of Assembly has begun the screening of 24 commissioner- nominees submitted to it for confirmation by Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

    The screening started at about 12noon.

    So far, three former members of the State House of Assembly Kalu Uduma, Paul Chijioke and Theophilous Ugbaja were asked to take a bow in line with legislative privileges enjoyed by lawmakers.

    Details shortly…

  • Abducted SAN Onyemenam regains freedom

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Chike Onyemenam, who was kidnapped a week ago along Benin/Asaba highway has been released by his abductors after paying the sum of N7.5 million ransom.

    Onyemenam was kidnapped, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, at Utulu junction along Benin- Asaba expressway Issele-Azagba near the Delta State capital.

    A family source who confirmed his abduction on Monday, had also confirmed that the SAN has been released after the family has paid N7.5 at the weekend.

    Read Also: Kidnapping: Army dismisses three soldiers in Borno

    The hoodlums were said to have earlier asked for N15million, before the ransom was reduced N7.5m after the family had pleaded with the abductors.

    The source said, “We give glory to God that he was not hurt by his abductors, as he came out a little bit strong.

    When contacted, State Police Command who claimed not to be aware of the kidnap also could confirm release of the lawyer.