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  • UPDATED: Seun Onigbinde resigns amid social media backlash

    Following a public outcry over his appointment as a Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Co-founder of BudgIT, Oluseun Onigbinde on Monday announced his resignation.

    Onigbinde had prior to the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari tweeted that whoever plans to vote for Buhari in 2019 don’t love Nigeria.

    He wrote: “I will say this for the last time, if you plan to vote for Buhari or you encourage him for another term, you really don’t love Nigeria. You are either a closet ethnic jingoist or someone who worships mediocrity.”

    His acceptance to work under the same administration he tongue-lashed backfired as many on social media blasted and described him as a man without “integrity.”

    Onigbinde made his resignation announcement on his Medium Page, a link he shared on his official Twitter handle.

    He said the recent media reports about his appointment have created a complex narrative, which I believe would engender an atmosphere of mistrust, as I planned to proceed.

    “Upon further reflections on the furore that has been generated by my new role as the Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, I humbly resign the appointment.

    “I am very grateful to the Minister, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, for believing in my expertise and I also thank everyone who sent his or her congratulations to me in the short period. I have also been humbled by the faith and belief that numerous persons have expressed in me,” he wrote.

    Read Also: Mixed feelings as Budgit’s Onigbinde becomes Technical Adviser in Budget Ministry

    Onigbinde said his sincere interest is to see a Nigeria that grows and optimises resources for the benefits of all Nigerians, adding: “My loyalty to the good cause of our nation, Nigeria compelled me to accept the call to provide technical skills and this experience has more than strengthened it.

    “I also want to wish the Nigerian Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, well. I will always be of help to the federal government in my capacity as the Director of BudgIT, a critical fiscal transparency group, as I have been to several agencies. I would also work to ensure that BudgIT continues to build civic awareness on the right of every Nigerian to know how public resources are managed. Thank you all.”

     

     

  • Alleged N6.9bn fraud: Trial of Fayose to resume Oct. 21

    The trial of former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, will now resume on Oct. 21 before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Ccommission (EFCC) over N6.9billion fraud and money laundering charges.

    He was first arraigned on Oct. 22. 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside a company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.

    He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.

    The defendant was subsequently re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, on July 2.

    He had also pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted.

    After his re-arraignment, Justice Aneke had granted leave for the defendant to travel aborad for medicals.

    The court had however, ordered that his International passport be returned to the court, on or before Sept. 16.

    Aneke had then adjourned the case until Sept. 16, 17, 18, and 19 and also to Oct. 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 for continuation of trial.

    Meanwhile, the case will now come up on Oct. 21, as Judges are away for the annual judges conference, which takes place after the annual long vacation of the court.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the pendency of the charge before Justice Olatoregun, EFCC had opened trial on Nov. 19, 2018, and had so far called 13 witnesses out of the15 listed.

    However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon.Justice Adamu Abdu-kafarati had transferred the case from Olatoregun, to Aneke, following a petition by the EFCC.

    During trial before Olatoregun. the prosecution had called witnesses, from several commercial banks, as well as a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.

    According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Read Also: How I made Fayose Ekiti Governor, By Olujimi

    Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.

    He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million which sum he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd, to retain the aggregate sums of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Besides, the defendant was alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    He was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million, to acquire a property in Abuja, in the name of his elder sister Moji Oladeji, which sum he ought to know also forms crime proceeds.

    The offences contravenes the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

  • Ighalo returns in Shenhua loss

    AFRICA Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 hotshot, Odion Ighalo returned to action for his Chinese team, Shanghai Shenhua but could do little as his side slumped to a 3-0 home defeat to Tianjin Teda.

    The 30-year-old striker was introduced in the 55th minute for Stephan El Shaarawy of Italy with Shanghai Shenhua already three goals down. The homers needed a saviour and the fans would have thought that the Nigerian striker would haul them back into the game.

    However, the Nigerian had the chance to make a goal-scoring return but he missed a penalty in the 64th minute after Haixin Li was brought down in the 18 yard box. Ighalo also had two shots off target as he tried to make up for his penalty miss; while Tianjin Teda goals were scored by Frank Acheampong (12min), Sandro Wagner (21min) and Zheng Kaimu (51 min).

    Despite being on the losing side  in his first game after two-month injury lay-off, Ighalo remains giddy with happiness in a series of post on one of his social media accounts saying :“Once has the Lord spoken and twice have I heard that all powers in Heaven and earth belongs to him ; the battle is of the Lord.”

    Read Also: Ighalo revenge

    Pressed by The Nation Sport on his return to action, an excited Ighalo posited further: “I missed football, feels so good to be back after two months .”

    It would be recalled that  the Nigerian striker copped a hamstring injury on  17th July when the Super Eagles played Tunisia in the bronze medal game of the AFCON and had been out of action  for 60 days missing seven games in the Chinese Super League.

    The forward had remarkably scored seven goals in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, the most by any player, to help Nigeria qualify for the finals for the first time since 2013. He was included in Gernot Rohr’s squad, taking part in all the matches and finding the net once  against Burundi in the group phase (1–0); a brace against Cameroon in the round of 16 (3–2 win), as well as a goal each against Algeria in the  1-2 semi-finals loss and  in the 1-0 win against Tunisia in the third-place playoff. At the end of the competition, he announced his retirement from the international football.

  • Sports Ministry to nurture youth athletes, says minister

    YOUTHS and Sports Development Minister, Sunday Dare, on Sunday said the ministry was planning to have a camping system to nurture athletes discovered at the ongoing 5th National Youth Games (NYG).

    Dare told newsmen in Ilorin after addressing some of the discovered athletes that the ministry would go beyond handing the athletes over to the national sports federations.

    He assured that there would be a renaissance in grassroots sports development. “We are going to have some kind of renaissance when it comes to grassroots development and that is at the local government and the state level.

    “What we are planning to do at the ministry is to hand over the discovered athletes to the different federations. The work of the federations is to develop these talents further and nurture them.

    “But, we will be going beyond sending them to the federations, as we want to involve a camping system where we will be able to monitor them and nurture them into sports professionals,” Dare said.

    He added that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was ready to apply the same political will and spirit into sports to address the lingering challenges.

    Read Also: Senators grill Sunday Dare, Dada, Magashi, Abdullahi

    “Presently in the country we are facing challenges in terms of resources and its management, but the present administration is ready to direct the will in other sectors into sports.

    “Also, we will be concentrating on the management, upgrade and maintenance of facilities,”  Dare said.

    The minister added that the federal sports ministry would help each state surmount its challenges in sports.

    “Even though it is the responsibility of every state to develop sports, but I understand from my interaction with the Directors of Sports that states are facing challenges.

    “I will present their case to the National Executive Council (NEC) and, as a follow-up, I will seek appointment with the state governors to present the pertinent issues raised by the Directors where help is needed.

    “We will also hold a large meeting with the Directors to compare notes and learn how other states are doing better.

    “Also, we want each state to bring forth a coach and submit same to the ministry,and the ministry would train them occasionally.

    “This is because part of our challenges is the technical depth of our coaches, which we need to improve upon,” Dare said.

  • Arsenal blow two-goal lead at lowly Watford

    QUIQUE Sanchez Flores enjoyed a happy return to Watford as Arsenal blew a 2-0 lead at Vicarage Road to draw 2-2 on Sunday.

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked to have the Gunners well on course for a comfortable three points when he struck twice in 11 minutes before the break.

    However, Sanchez Flores, who was appointed as Hornets’ boss for the second time last week after one point from their opening four games of the season saw Javi Gracia sacked, roused the hosts for an impressive second-half fightback.

    Arsenal played a huge part in their own downfall too as they gifted possesion away inside their own box for Tom Cleverley to pull a goal back before David Luiz upended Roberto Pereyra, who slotted home the resulting penalty.

    A point sees Arsenal only move level with Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Leicester behind Liverpool and Manchester City in the early season battle for a top-four finish.

    However, it is Watford who will feel they should even have gone onto win the game as Arsenal boss Unai Emery’s inability to find a balance between his brilliant attack and shoddy defence continued.

    Emery recalled Mesut Ozil to his starting line-up for the first time since he and Sead Kolasinac were the victims of a carjacking attack in July.

    Ozil initially struggled to settle as Watford started the brighter with Cleverley’s rising drive forcing Bernd Leno into a fine save before Jose Holebas fired horribly off-target with a great chance from the edge of the area.

    However, Watford have now conceded 10 goals in their opening five games to the campaign and were opened up far too easily to allow Aubameyang to open the scoring on 21 minutes.

    The home fans were screaming for a foul as Dani Ceballos won back possession, but Watford were slow to react as Kolasinac burst down the left and fed Aubameyang, who spun and fired low past Ben Foster.

    Ozil was involved as a patient build-up from the visitors doubled their lead on 32 minutes.

    Read Also: Why I joined Arsenal, by Nicolas Pepe

    At the end of a 20-pass move, Ozil freed Ainsley Maitland-Niles in behind the Watford defence and the right-back squared for Aubameyang to slot home his fifth goal in as many games this season.

    Twice the visitors escaped gifting Watford a way back into the game when Matteo Guendouzi was caught in possession on the edge of his own box, trying to play out from the back.

    But Arsenal did not learn their lesson and were finally punished when Sokratis Papastathopoulos gifted possession to Gerard Deulofeu and the Spaniard teed up Cleverley to shot low past Leno.

    Watford were then in the ascendancy as Deulofeu curled just wide, Ismaila Sarr scuffed a great chance for his first goal in English football off target and Pereyra’s flicked finish flashed across goal.

    They finally got the equaliser their second-half display deserved nine minutes from time when Pereyra was clipped by Luiz inside the box and the Argentine sent Leno the wrong way from the penalty spot.

    Deulofeu sent another effort inches wide and Cleverley’s fierce drive was deflected over by Luiz as wave upon wave of Watford attack continued.

    But is was Abdoulaye Doucoure who squandered the best chance of all for a winner deep into stoppage time when he shot too close to Leno with just the German goalkeeper to beat to leave Watford still bottom of the Premier League table.

     

  • Nigeria partners with Niger, Chad on rehabilitation of Lake Chad Basin

    Nigeria, Niger and Chad are working on a joint trans-border agro ecosystem project aimed at the restoration of livelihoods and rehabilitation of the Lake Chad Basin.

    Director-General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall Dr. Bukar Hassan stated this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after an international conference on desertification yesterday in New Delhi, India.

    NAN reports that the 14th Conference of Parties (CoP 14) to UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was held at India Expo Centre and Mart from September 2 to September 13.

    He said since environmental issues did not recognise national boundaries, the partnership would help to rehabilitate agricultural system, restore degraded land and livelihoods of people in Lake Chad basin.

    According to him, the project includes promotion of agroforestry and livestock development in the three participating countries bordering the Lake Chad Basin.

    Read Also: MNJTF launches attacks on terrorists in Lake Chad

    The Director General said Lake Chad, which was located in a very dry area, had lost about 90 per cent of its water over the years, thus making farming unattractive in the basin.

    “Today, agriculture is no longer practiced in the Nigerian side of the Lake Chad Basin.

    “So, our responsibility as an agency of Nigerian government is to make sure that we regain what we lost in terms of water (which has created huge unemployment among the people) and empower the people to be able to get back their land which was lost due to the disappearance of lake.

    “We will also make sure that the boundary of the lake is afforested to stabilise the basin.

    “The Lake Chad basin was one of the worst degraded areas in the world with attendant humanitarian crisis.

    “That’s why our president is keen on seeing that the basin is rehabilitated because the insurgency affecting the three participating countries is all linked to environmental degradation.

    “That’s why we are developing a project that will help in rehabilitating the Chad basin,” Hassan said.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari had already given his agency marching orders to intensify afforestation specifically in the country’s five northern border states of Sokoto, Jigawa Yobe, Borno and Katsina.

    He said land degradation and desertification resulting in loss of livelihoods had led to forced migration of young people from the north to the southern parts of the country.

    “There was mass movement because the means of livelihoods are no longer there; otherwise people will not just board an articulated vehicles from Jigawa to Lagos in search of a means of livelihood.

    “So, we’re trying to provide capacity for these people to get them adapted to the arid environments they found themselves and also do some economic activities, so that they can stay put where they were, take care of their families like everyone else,” Hassan said.

  • Challenges before Bande as UN prepares for 75th anniversary

    All eyes will be on Nigeria as from today as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, takes charge of the global body as the president of its General Assembly (UNGA).

    The Muhammad-Bande presidency, which is coming 30 years after this country’s first, presents Nigeria and Africa a unique opportunity to ensure the implementation of the existing mandates for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

    It is noteworthy that the Bande’s tenure will also witness the direction of the global body as it marks its 75th year anniversary next year.

    Bande is a Nigerian political scientist, administrator and career diplomat. Muhammad-Bande was born on 7 December 1957 in the town of Zagga in present-day Kebbi State. He attended Ahmadu Bello University for undergraduate studies, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 1979 before proceeding to Boston University, where he graduated with a Master of Arts in Political Science in 1981.

    He was the permanent representative of Nigeria to the United Nations and served as the Vice President of the General Assembly during its 71st session in September 2016.

    A year from now, on June 26, 2020, the international community will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter.

    May be months before the anniversary, the global body will hammer out a forward-looking and unifying declaration that captures member states’ commitment to multilateralism, global peace and global hunger.

    The anniversary may invariably put the UN in a state of reflection, giving it a chance to assess achievements, renew commitments, strengthen its systems and mechanisms for global governance and peace.

    Read Also: FG applauds emergence of Nigerian Bande as 74th UNGA President

    The UN missed the boat during its 50th anniversary, in 1995, compelling Secretary-General Kofi Annan to push for the adoption of several new goals, including one aimed at improved peace-building, 10 years later.

    The outgoing UN General Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, a former Ecuadorian ambassador to the UN, said recently that the 75th anniversary of the creation of the institution is a time for reflection as well as celebration.

    In a remark, she said the anniversary offers both “opportunities” and “serious challenges.” Espinosa said the UN is more vital than ever in a time of rising nationalism and extremism.

    “We sometimes speak of this moment as ‘a crossroads’ – where things could go either way,” she said. “But it feels more and more like a tipping point – as though we are on the brink of irreparable damage to our rules-based international system.”

    Espinosa warned that as these forces rise, public confidence in the UN is declining. “We are seeing a growing disconnect between people, governments and institutions,” she said.

    She said the world “badly needs an effective United Nations,” and that in addition to challenges of poverty and conflict, rapid shifts in technology and the present threat of climate change means “there is virtually no challenge – or opportunity – that does not require cooperation between nations.”

    Espinosa must be speaking the minds of many the world over as the world body refuses to change the membership of the Security Council to reflect new power blocs.

    Analysts believe that the UN should be a body that prevents conflicts and not the one that tackles crises – even though the world cannot exist without conflicts.  This is more so with the money being spent on peacekeeping all over the world and the number of casualties being suffered by countries contributing troops.

    The Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN was elected President of the 74th session of the General Assembly by acclamation on Tuesday, June 4, to serve the one-year role with a strong mandate from his home government, that nominated him, endorsed by the Group of African States and adopted unanimously by the member-states.

    Bande’s mandates particularly will be focusing on peace and security, poverty eradication, zero hunger, quality education, climate action and inclusion.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government has dispatched a three-man team to witness Bande’s assumption of office.

    The ceremony will take place at the UN New York headquarters, United States of America, today and tomorrow, ahead of the high-level week of the UNGA when leaders of the nations of the world take turns to address the General Assembly.

    However, the world is watching the fruits Bande’s tenure will bear.

     

  • Redeemer’s Varsity graduates 379

    The Redeemer’s University, Ede in Osun State at the weekend graduated 379 students at its 11th convocation.

    Speaking at the event held on the university campus in Ede, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo advised youths to face the future with hope, saying they should not to allow the nation’s challenges to overwhelm them.

    Represented by the acting Chairman, Board of Trustees of the university, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, the vice-president urged the graduating students to be focused and face challenges.

    Read Also: Madonna Varsity marks 16th convocation as 38 Students bag first class

    He admonished them not to join the bandwagon of pessimists, “who complain daily about the nation’s challenges rather than face the challenges and succeed in life.”

    Osinbajo said the world itself is full of distractions “capable of luring those who are not focused away from attaining their goals,” adding that the serious minded ones will take advantage of a lot of opportunities that abound in the country.

  • I’ve experienced most turbulent times in office, says Abiodun

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on Monday said God has continued to show His divine powers in his life and led him to triumphs in his trying times.

    The governor said he had experienced one of the most turbulent times since he became governor in May.

    He said his victory in the March 9 governorship election had been contested in many courts, adding that the Saturday validation of his victory at the tribunal was a further affirmation that with God, nothing is impossible.

    Abiodun poured out his heart to reporters after the opening ceremony of the second plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference at the Sacred Heart College, Okelewo, Abeokuta, the state capital.

    The conference was attended by some politicians, including Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi; Women Affairs Minister Mrs Pauline Tallen; Osun State Deputy Governor Gboyega Alabi; Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong; popular economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, and former Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Mr Jimi Agbaje – all practising Catholics.

    Read Also: Asiwaju, Kaka congratulate Abiodun on his tribunal victory

    Abiodun, who was reacting to his victory at the tribunal, stressed that he had experienced one of the most turbulent periods as governor.

    The governor said he went through nine pre-election cases besides going to the tribunal.

    He said: “My first reaction is to give glory to Almighty God and to say that this is a further affirmation that indeed with God, nothing shall be impossible. This victory is for Ogun State people who have entrusted me with this mandate. It has been contested in so many courts.

    “I have gone through probably one of the most turbulent periods any governor could have gone through. I went through several pre-election cases, about eight or nine, and this tribunal.

    “God has continued to remain God. This mandate is a divine mandate and I believe that is obvious to all. This is a decision of the people of Ogun State and that was further ratified by the people yesterday (Saturday).

    “Unfortunately, I was away in Burkina Faso yesterday. But I was being informed about what was going back home and I was told it was a detailed judgment.

    “I am thankful to the Judiciary, the people of Ogun State and my team of lawyers, who are very learned. I am thankful to my party, which has stood by me during this period. They are very disciplined, very resilient, supportive. I could not have opted to be in another party apart from APC.

    “It is not because I am the best in the state, but I am special. God has just given me the assignment to lead Ogun State at this point in time. I have pledged I will do so with all that God has given me.”

    Abiodun urged religious bodies and other organisations in the state to join his administration in its quest to make life meaningful for its people.

    The governor thanked the church for its contribution to the socio-economic economic development of the state, saying the Catholic Church had played an important role in the health delivery and education of the residents.

    He added that his administration was glad that the Catholic Church held its plenary at the early stage of the present administration in the state.

    According to him, the session was an affirmation that God was present and the decision of the election tribunal in his favour showed God’s manifest powers.

     

  • Tribunal victory: Tinubu congratulates Ogun governor

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun over the judgment of the state’s Governorship Election Petition Tribunal affirming his victory in the March poll.

    Asiwaju Tinubu said the APC candidate truly deserved the victory, “despite the intimidation, harassment and violence unleashed on your numerous supporters and other shenanigans perpetrated by known opposition elements within and outside our party, APC”.

    The tribunal, headed by Justice Yusuf Halilu, threw out the petition filed by Abdulkadir Adekunle Akinlade and the Allied People’s Movement (APM).

    The judge held that the petitioners “not only failed, but also irredeemably failed” to prove their allegations of over-voting and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

    In a congratulatory letter to Abiodun, dated September 15, which he personally signed, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “Saturday’s judgment of the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal affirming your electoral victory has further demonstrated that your election was indeed a true reflection of the wishes of your people.

    Read Also: Tinubu: it’s vindication of Buhari’s character

    “We were all living witnesses to the fact that despite the intimidation, harassment and violence unleashed on your numerous supporters and other shenanigans perpetrated by known opposition elements within and outside our party, APC, you emerged victorious because the people of Ogun stood by you.

    “Undaunted by all of that, you ran a clean, peaceful, issues-based campaign. You were, by far, the most popular and most qualified of the governorship candidates, hence your election. You truly deserve your victory.

    “This is now time to extend your hand of fellowship to the APM candidate and others who contested against you and indeed other stakeholders in the state. You must re-dedicate yourself to re-uniting the people and be the governor for all.

    “Ogun State deserves development; Ogun State deserves industrialisation. Having made success in your private multi-sectoral entrepreneurial life, you are best placed to replicate this in Ogun. This you must do within the shortest possible time.

    “Once again, I congratulate you and wish you God’s guidance in the daunting, but not insurmountable tasks, ahead of you.”