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  • Strike hits Lagos, Adamawa, Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, others

    GOVERNMENT offices, banks and public schools were closed yesterday in many states as the organised labour began its strike over delay by Federal Government to conclude negotiation on a new minimum wage.

    As reported by The Nation‘s reporters, cases of full compliance were recorded in some states as others witnessed partial obedience to the labour leaders’ directive.

    The organised labour, had on Wednesday, directed its affiliates to begin an indefinite warning strike yesterday to press home its demand for a new national minimum wage.

    Three labour groups – Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC) – issued the directive after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to the government to announce and implement the new national minimum wage as promised.

    Labour demanded N65,000 national minimum up from the present N18,000.

     

    Govt offices, some banks, courts, schools crippled in Lagos

     

    The enforcement teams of the organised labour yesterday set out from Ikeja to the State Secretariat, Alausa, at about 7:20 a.m. and workers, who arrived for work, were turned back.

    The organised labour led by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Vice President Comrade Amechi Asugwuni shut Lagos airport and banks branches to press home their demands for the implementation of a new National Minimum Wage.

    Labour leaders and their members also stopped operations at branches of Access Bank, Stanbic IBTC, and Guaranty Trust Bank. Workers of the banks were sent out of the premises.

    The labour leaders also drove workers at the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) out of the parastatal’s premises.

    In an interview, Asugwuni said he was satisfied with the level of workers’ compliance with the strike.

    When asked why owners and drivers of commercial buses failed to comply with the action, he said they had been directed to stop operation.

    According to him, “We are going round to enforce the strike and we will do everything legitimate to ensure that it stands. Nothing can be more unique than this.”

    Asugwuni explained that they were still waiting for the Federal Government to call them for a meeting.

    Also speaking with reporters, the Lagos State NLC Chairman, Comrade Idowu Adelakun, said the strike is long overdue, adding that “everybody is prepared for the strike”.

    He added that labour leaders would keep registering their presence in the premises for the seven days duration of the warning strike to ensure compliance and no destruction of property.

    Association of Senior Staff of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) President Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye and his team also joined other labour leaders to ensure that banks comply with the strike action.

    Some banks on Lagos-Ibadan express way and Lagos metropolis were closed.

    The ASSBIFI enforcement team also prevented workers from gaining access to Stanbic IBTC Bank, Ikeja branch.

    The team stormed Polaris Bank (former Skye Bank) on Awolowo Way, Ikeja and thereafter locked its gate. Workers and customers were prevented from accessing the premises.

    However, Access Bank in Dopemu and First Bank in Iyana-Ipaja opened for business with many customers carrying out various transactions.

    Fuel stations were seen attending to customers. Major roads, including Iyana-Ipaja to Ikeja and Ikorodu Road, were busy with the usual heavy traffic.

    Public school pupils stayed at home because their teachers complied with the strike by the NLC.

    Though some of the pupils said they had been informed of the impending strike by their teachers on Wednesday, many still went to school. They were sent back home.

    At the Agege Local Government Area secretariat, the gate was locked with padlock and workers wearing Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE)-branded T-shirts sat outside chatting.   One of them who did not want to be named told The Nation that the gate would be opened by 4pm. He said he was not sure when the strike would be called off.

    The court rooms of the Lagos State Judiciary were shut to adjudication of cases as workers stayed away to observe the nationwide strike.

    As a result, lawyers and litigants who came to the courts were turned back at the gate by security guards keeping watch over the court premises.

    The premises of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja was like a graveyard yesterday.

    The doors of the court rooms were shut by workers to prevent proceedings from taking place.

    Chief Registrar Mrs. Taiwo Olatokun, who arrived at Ikeja High Court could not gain access to her office as the main door of the administrative building was locked.

    None of the officials of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) were on ground to answer media enquiries yesterday.

     

    Federal, State Secretariats, banks shut in Oyo

     

    The strike witnessed full compliance in different parts of Oyo State as workers shut down offices yesterday.

    Public primary and secondary school classrooms were locked across the state.

    Besides, most banks visited in the city yesterday did not open for business.

    Workers deserted both the Federal and State Secretariats in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday in compliance with the seven-day warning strike.

    Some commercial banks in Ibadan metropolis also shut down their activities. The federal and state secretariats in Ibadan were deserted as workers obeyed the sit-at-home order.

    Entry gates of the secretariats were locked.

    A security operative in one of the banks said customers could only use the ATMs, saying that activities in the banking hall had been shut down in compliance with the warning strike.

    However, some commercial banks and filling stations across the metropolis went on with their normal duties.

    In some of the secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis, students were turned back home by principal officers who politely asked to return due to the current strike action.

    At the University of Ibadan, academic activities and administrative duties were disrupted as the Non-teaching staff joined the strike.

    Similarly, the leadership of the UI chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) directed members to comply with the strike.

    Students and lecturers, who had lectures as at 8am, were shocked to meet the lecture venues locked.

    Administrative offices were not spared as most members who had come to work were directed to return home after attending the union’s congress held at the Theatre Arts to intimate members on compliance.

     

    Workers stay at home in Ekiti

    Government offices were locked in Ekiti State as workers  complied with the Labour directive to stay away from work on the first day of the nationwide warning strike.

    The officials of the state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) moved round to ensure compliance with the strike.

    The Governor’s Office, House of Assembly, High Court complex, the State Secretariat housing Ministries,  Department and Agencies (MDAs) remained desolate.

    Private business organisations like shops, hotels,  petrol  stations,  eateries and banks opened for business.

    Some of the banks that opened earlier in the day closed again at about 1.00pm when labour leaders were moving around to ensure compliance.

    Commercial motorcycle operators, taxi and bus drivers defied the strike order and continued their activities unabated.

    State TUC chairman,  Mr. Odunayo Adesoye, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance. He expressed optimism that workers in the informal sector would comply in subsequent days.

    Adesoye, who justified the strike, argued that the present minimum wage was no longer sustainable.

     

    Business activities affected in Ogun

     

    The warning strike was effective in some parts of Ogun State.

    Business activities were paralysed in Sango-Ota. Some of the other places visited included Ado-Odo/Local Government headquarters, the courts, post office, Ansarudeen Secondary School and Primary Schools.

    Some lawyers who came to the Magistrates’ Court and High Court in Sango-Ota to transact business could not gain access to the courts. School teachers in schools visited were at the gates sending wards home.

    Some workers, who wished not to be identified, hailed the NLC and the organised labour for the strike aimed at ensuring that workers received decent pay.

     

    Civil servants join in Adamawa

     

    In Adamawa, government workers joined the strike.

    The state Government Secretariat in Yola as well as Yola North and Yola South local governments’ secretariats were shut.

    The courts were also closed while some banks rendered skeletal services.

    But at Federal Medical Centre, Yola, the doctors and nurses attended to patients.

    The Police Command in Adamawa, however, advised the public to remain calm and go about their normal businesses.

    The command in a statement by its spokesman, SP Othman Abubakar, said it had put adequate security measures to ensure that no one was harassed because of the strike.

     

    Govt offices shut in Imo

     

    Government offices in Imo State, including public schools, higher institutions and other public offices, were closed down yesterday following the nationwide strike.

    The state secretariat, which houses the ministries located on Port Harcourt road, was deserted by workers.

    Banks were also forced to shut down by NLC taskforce that monitored compliance.

    Among other government and private institutions that obeyed the NLC order was the Imo State House of Assembly, which was locked.

    The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Austin Chilakpu, who spoke with reporters, said the strike was complied with.

    According to him, “The strike is being observed to the fullest in Imo State. As you can see, the state secretariat is locked. The workers stayed away from work. This is a national directive and we are complying with it.”

    Also, the State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Paul Akalazu, said both the government institutions and banks complied with the order.

  • Lanre Teriba to host Esther Ajayi, Ayefele, others

    Gospel artiste, Lanre Teriba a.ka Atorise is set to host fellow gospel artistes at the third edition of his annual praise-oriented spiritual programme, Ori-Oke Sioni. The event with the theme ‘Salvation’, holds on Friday, September 28 at Oke Sioni, Ago Iwoye road, Ishara-Remo, Ogun State.

    Expected at the event are worship singers like Yinka Ayefele, Megga 99, Adegbodu Twins, Ajidara, Dare Melody, Ifemide, Alapanla, Aduke Gold and Bunmi Akinnanu among others

    Among clergy billed to preach at the event include Prophet Muyideen Kasali, Rev.Mother Esther Ajayi, Prophet Dele Ogundipe, Prophet Ezekiah, Prophet Gabriel Adomeh and Prophet A.T Williams among others.

  • Parties, observers, others take stock of Osun poll

    A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, political parties and others yesterday took stock of Saturday’s inconclusive governorship election in Osun State.

    The CSOs expressed worry over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) delay in collating the Osun governorship election result.

    The Convener of the Situation Room, Mr Clement Nwankwo, in a statement yesterday, said there was need for INEC to change the trend on collation of results and use of electronic method.

    Nwankwo also expressed concern that the result collation took place mostly at night.

    “On collation of results, Situation Room is concerned that the process of collation is delayed and appears to happen mostly at night.

    “This is when the political parties, candidates, observers and other election stakeholders may have depleted away from observation of the process, especially with fears of insecurity.

    “This trend needs to change and INEC should consider an improvement and innovation in its processes that will enable the collation of results in as much of daylight as possible and thus reduce night time election activities.”

    Nwankwo called on the INEC to open up its e-collation method to independent observers and other stakeholders in the electoral process to eliminate the present suspicion that now clouds the use of the said e-collation system.

    He said this would create an understanding of this aspect of the election process and win support for its use.

    “To further increase the credibility of election results, INEC will need to return to its previous practice of immediate publication of polling unit election results .

    “As well as publishing all of the comprehensive details of collated results, including the Form EC60E, on its website and to be accessible to all.

    “Situation Room also calls on INEC to ensure that its announcement of the introduction of Braille for voting is made operational across the country and that all persons with disabilities are able to vote during elections,” he said

    Nwankwo said the Situation Room deployed observers across the 30 local government areas of the state to monitor the election .

    He said incidents of vote buying reoccurred in the Osun State elections, even though at a reduced and less brazen manner.

    He called on INEC to intensify the training of the different cadres of its staff to enhance their understanding of election duties and increase their confidence and ability to respond to election day challenges.

    He, however, hailed INEC on early commencement of the voting process, adding that polling units across the state opened early for accreditation and voting.

    He commended the people of Osun, the political parties and the security agencies on their good conduct.

    Nwankwo said the announcement by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement officials that they would arrest vote-buyer suspects and charge them to court helped significantly in reducing the malpractice.

    He said: “As with recent INEC conducted governorship elections, incidents of vote buying reoccurred during the Osun State governorship election, even if at a reduced and less-brazen manner.

    “Incidents now seem subtler with the announcement by INEC and law enforcement officials that suspects would be arrested and charged to court, and the actual deployment of security personnel to enforce this helped significantly.”

    The coordinator commended Osun residents and political parties for conducting themselves peacefully during the poll.

    He, however, called on INEC to intensify training of its different cadre of staff to enhance their understanding of their election duties and increase their confidence and ability to respond to election challenges.

    Nwankwo said it was observed during the election that some INEC staff and officials were not sure of their responses to voters’ concerns or voting procedures, which he said created delay.

    He also called on the electoral body to look into the process of results collation, which he said was usually done at night when political parties, candidates, observers and other election stakeholders “may have been depleted”.

    The NCS recommended that INEC should ensure that its announcement of the introduction of Braille for voting was made operational across the country and that all people living with disabilities were able to vote during elections.

     

    Group lauds INEC, police over peaceful conduct of election

    A SOCIO-POLITICAL group, Southern Nigeria Peoples Mandate (SNPM), has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police over peaceful conduct of Osun governorship election.

    Its President, Mr Augustine Chukwudum, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday.

    Chukwudum also applauded INEC for the prompt arrival of voting materials and early commencement of voting in most polling booths in the state.

    He said: “The SNPM is calling on the nation’s electoral body, INEC, to extend this recorded peaceful conduct of Osun governorship poll to the much-anticipated 2019 general elections.

    “We are also calling on INEC to look into the issue of malfunctioning Card Readers.’

    Chukwudum praised the Nigerian Police, for arresting some vote buyers and sellers during the election, adding that it should serve as deterrent to other Nigerians engaging in the ‘shameful act’.

    He added: “The SNPM commends the Nigeria Police for the professional conduct of its personnel which led to the arrest of some vote buyers and sellers.

    “It wants all Nigerians to completely frown at vote buying and selling, as well as expose those in the shameful habit.”

    Last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State took place amidst a peaceful atmosphere, compared to other previous governorship elections held in recent times.

     

     APC hails INEC’s decision

    THE Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the state has been saved from the savage jaws of evil with the declaration.

    In a statement by its spokesperson, Kunle Oyatomi, the APC said: “It was providential. Osun has been miraculously saved from the savage jaws of the evil that could have been fallen into if the monster called the PDP had won the election. It was the limit that corrupt money could go to buy up an election.

    “Now that Osun has been given a second chance to escape from the calamity it almost fell into, the people of Osogbo, Orolu, Ife South and Ife North now have the enormous task to save the state from predator-politicians.

    “On Thursday September 27, that is the mission that they have. We therefore call on all citizens in these polling areas to sacrifice everything they can on that day to become the great heroes and heroines  of our beloved state.

    “We use this opportunity to thank all those who summoned courage in spite of  the ‘blood’ money on offer by the PDP to vote against their conscience, stood their ground and voted for the APC. The unfinished job will be concluded on Thursday by the Grace of God.”

     

    All quiet in Iragbiji over election

    IRAGBIJI and its environs were quiet yesterday, after last Sunday’s governorship election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Iragbiji is the home town of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the election, Gboyega Oyetola. The ordinarily sleepy  town was alive at the weekend with the expectation of victory for Oyetola.

    When our reporter went round the town,  residents gathered in groups in a few places, discussing the outcome of the election, but traders were already out with their wares to return to their normal life.

    The front of the palace of the Aragbiji was empty, unlike Saturday when voters and other indigenes besieged the town centre to chat with friends and recall fond memories.

    Taxi drivers and commercial motorcyclists also returned to business after an early noon rainfall.

    A resident who spoke to The Nation in confidence, expressed disappointment with the election, saying it would be difficult to predict the outcome of Thursday’s supplementary poll.

     

    No one should be underestimated, says Oyo APC

    THE Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday declared that the conduct of last Saturday governorship election in Osun State should serve as a lesson that no one should be underestimated in any contest.

    The party said judging by all the negativity that trailed the APC  leading challenger in the Osun governorship poll, anyone would have written him off in the contest.

    Reacting to last Saturday’s election in Osun State, which was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , the APC Director of Media, Research and Strategies and Publicity Secretary,  Dr AbdulAzeez Olatunde, said the experience garnered in the Osun election would be deployed to good use in Oyo State, starting from the  primary election.

    Olatunde said: “Also, the keenness or the  competitiveness of the Osun election is a reminder to the people that have the mandate of the electorates that there is a judgement day in waiting when the mandate would  either be renewed with good performances or repositioned to another party or person.

    “In relation to Oyo State, it shows that no one can be taken for granted or underestimated, considering all the negativity that trails APC leading challenger to the election, most would have written him off. That is another lesson that voting patterns and trends are most times unpredictable.

    “As for Oyo 2019, we have learned a lot of lessons which we hope to deploy to good use starting from our primaries.

    “Also, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  in Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has described as unacceptable the reason given by INEC for declaring the Osun governorship election inconclusive.

    Makinde said the PDP candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, won the highest number of votes and scored 25 per cent in more than two thirds of the 30 local government areas in the state and as such ought to have been declared the winner of the election.

    Makinde said Senator Adeleke won the election fair and square.

    He said INEC must have buckled under pressure from desperate politicians whose cupboards are filled with filth.

    The PDP governorship aspirant said that the decision by the election umpire is a disservice to democracy and will not stand the test of time.

    He said such miscarriage of justice, no matter how short, will not be allowed to happen in Oyo State.

    Makinde, on behalf of members of PDP in Oyo State, applauded the good people of Osun State for the role they played against anti-democratic forces who did everything humanly possible to reverse the wheel of progress.

    He said it is disheartening to note that since the advent of the APC at the federal level, all elections conducted by INEC have been riddled with controversies and failed to meet basic international standard.

    Agoro hails Ooni for not voting

    Olapade Agoro, the presidential candidate of the National Action Council (NAC) in next year’s election yesterday hailed the decision of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, not to cast his vote in the last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

    There were media reports that Oba Ogunwusi did not vote despite the fact there is a polling unit by the palace, because he saw all the governorship candidates as his subjects.

    Speaking with reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday, Agoro commended the revered traditional ruler, describing his action as “very laudable and respectable”.

    The NAC presidential candidate maintained that what the Ooni Ogunwusi did was honouring the throne of Oduduwa and the whole of Yoruba race.

    He said: “The Ooni ‘risa, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has placed himself on the side of honour. The position of the Ooni of Ife is above all political positions. The Ooni should be a rallying point for all sons and daughters of Oodu, irrespective of political inclinations.

    “The Ooni has been doing well since he ascended the exalted throne. He has been promoting the rich culture of the Yoruba race above political considerations. So far, so good, he has been doing a good job on the throne.”

  • Kewalram Chanrai to unveil Jeep, Fiat, Dodge, others

    Kewalram Chanrai Group (KCG) is reintroducing two of the world’s iconic names – Fiat and Jeep – into the sedan, Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and pick-up market.

    Ahead of a take-over announcement and re-launch, KCG is lining up the latest models of the brands’ offerings, in addition to investing hugely in sales and after-sales facilities, to ensure that customers have pleasant ownership experience.

    Its Group Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Victor Ebuarjolo, said the Kewalram Chanrai Group, had been planning to ensure that the vehicles have sure-footed penetration into the market when they are launched.

    The Group is also preparing vintage spots in its network for Jeep’s sister brand, Dodge, as well as Alfa Romeo and Maserati, froms Fiat segment.

    Predictably, Tipo, the wave-making 1.6-litre C-segment sedan marking its first 30 years of functionality, simplicity and personality, is the car leading Fiat’s come-back.

    Boosting Tipo’s confidence is not just its six airbags and six-speed automatic transmission, but also that it is the car with the highest growth rate in Europe, and the choice of over 180,000 motorists in the Middle East and Africa region.

    Tipo will be accompanied by its pick-up sibling, Fiat Fullback  –  one of the first pick-ups in the world with an all-aluminium engine, which translates to lightweight and efficiency. The 2.4-litre pick-up will be available in 4×4, 4×2, single cabin and double cabin variants. It has up to 3100Kg towing capacity.

    The coming of Fullback will certainly give the current market leaders, like Hilux, L200, Isuzu D-Max, Ranger, and NP 300 something to worry about. This is because having been enhanced technologically; the Fullback pick-up has a good price-value reputation and boasts the smallest turning circle in the class at just under N12 million.

    Excitement also awaits lovers of the iconic Jeep brand, as it has been confirmed that the latest models of the luxury SUV brand, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (3.6 V6) and SRT (6.4 v8); the ALL new 3.6 V6 Wrangler Sahara trim levels: and 2.4 liter Compass Limited, are rearing to dare the competitors.

    Ebuarjolo is upbeat about the success of the brands is poised to unleash on the market, saying that Fiat’s Tipo has got more than what it takes to impress the Nigerian market with its beautiful design, safety features and roominess.

  • Medical college to honour Gowon, others

    Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon will today be bestowed with the honorary fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College (NPMC).

    Gen. Gowon signed Decree 44 of 1969, which laid the foundation of  NPMC 49 years ago.

    NPMC  President Opubo Dah Lilly-Tariah said Gen Gowon rememberd how the college was born when told about the award.

    Similarly, two past fellows of the college, Dr Ademola Olaitan, who is the immediate past president of the college from the Faculty of Dental Surgery, as well as former treasurer Dr Nimi Briggs, would be bestowed with Distinguished Fellowship awards.

    For this year, he said 3,086 candidates sat for the fellowship examination, of which 1,255 passed.

    Of the 1915 candidates that sat for the Part 1, 684 passed, adding that only 434 of the 774 that wrote the Part 2 exam passed.

    He said management was happy for fulfilling its mandate of training specialists over the past 49 years.

    “The college has made significant progress in its attempt at computerisation of all its activities. College now has personalised email account for all fellows, and has started submission of proposals and dissertations online, while we are also ready to deploy the anti-plagiarism software for dissertation and proposals.

    He said the college has continued to make progress on all fronts, including the computerisation of its activities.

    He added: “All financial transactions between associate fellows, fellows and the college are now online. Faculty chairman and secretaries are able to vet candidates for examinations online. The college was also able to conduct the last examination despite the Joint Health Sector Union   strike because a significant part of the examination was online.  The college is working to get all dissertations ever written in the college in a searchable form online before the end of the year. In this regard, we hope to work with collaborations with other colleges in the sub region.”

    A professor of Otorhinolary from University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Basil Ezeanolue, would deliver the convocation lecture with the theme: ‘’Do not be afraid and do not fail to rescue: A discourse on the challenges confronting Nigeria’s health sector’’.

  • Moghalu meets financial investors, others in London

    Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Kingsley Moghalu will be meeting with global business and financial investors, asset management firms and sovereign wealth funds managers in London.

    Moghalu, who is also the presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), is currently on a global listening tour in London, which includes meetings at Chatham House, the London School of Economics. He will also hold a private lunch hosted by OMFIF ( the official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum), an independent think tank for central banking, economic policy and public investment. A former United Nations official, Moghalu is a member of OMFIF’s Senior Advisory Board. He will also be featured on interviews with a number of international media outlets such as Sky News, Bloomberg, Russia Today, Sunday Times, The Economist and Fame TV.

    Speaking at the London School of Economics’ Institute of Global Affairs yesterday, Moghalu delivered a powerful lecture on ‘Nigeria’s Poverty: A global ticking time bomb.’

    He expressed dismay at the rising rate of poverty in Nigeria, saying that the issue will have devastating consequences on the global community if not addressed.

    Moghalu said that “I am hopeful that we can defuse the Nigerian poverty time bomb because Nigerians are not poor. We are only impoverished by our lazy rulers. Nigerian youths are not the lazy ones. Pretend- leaders who cannot promote opportunities for the youths are the lazy ones.”

    The YPP presidential flagbearer will also hold a town-hall meeting in London themed Nigeria, Stand Up! on Saturday, 22 September, 2018, where he will engage with Nigerians in the diaspora speaking to them about his presidential candidacy and what he has planned to include them better into Nigerian system.

  • NOC honours Tinubu, Elegushi, Gbong Gwom Jos, others

    The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has concluded arrangements to honour nine prominent Nigerians as patrons for their immense contributions to the Olympic movement in the country.

    They include His Royal Majesty, Oba S. A. Elegushi, Sir Mark Wabara, Mrs (Dr) Zainab Bagudu and Major-General Adamu Dyeri(rtd). Others are Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, His Excellency M. A. Abubakar, Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba Gyang, His Excellency Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Alhaji Bashari Mohammed Gumel.

    According to a release signed by the spokesman of the NOC, Tony Ubani, there will be separate investiture ceremonies for those in the northern part of the country and another for Patrons in the South.

    The formal investiture ceremony for Patrons in the south is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 23rd October, at Oba S.A. Elegushi’s Palace, Lekki, Victoria Island, Lagos, while the investiture ceremony of those in the north will take place on Wednesday, 31st October and will be hosted by the wife of Kebbi State Governor, Mrs. (Dr) Zainab Bagudu.

    Being a Patron of the Olympic Movement, honourees will become iconic international sports personalities, carrying the emblem of Nigeria globally. It is, therefore, our honour to invest the honourees as Patrons of the Olympic Movement which is in recognition of their meritorious contributions to humanity, sport and societal development.

  • UBA, FBN General, STI, others to sponsor confab

    United Bank for Africa  (UBA Plc), FBN General Insurance and Sovereign Trust Insurance are among sponsors of the inaugural Lagos State Petroleum Marketers Safety Conference slated for September 18 to 20.

    The event, being coordinated by an industry Safety consultant, Bendeb Sylmar Associates, in collaboration with Lagos State Safety Commission, is aimed at gathering industry experts, regulators and government to a roundtable to discuss how to enhance productivity in handling petroleum products

    The conference is expected to set the tone for an enhanced policy articulation and deliberation on safety as it concerns the petroleum sector and its entire value chain.

    Bendeb Sylmar Associates Chief Executive Officer, James Akin Ashokeji, said the conference would be a rallying point in the industry, adding that the deal with Lagos State could create an avenue for cross fertilisation of ideas, set agenda and define the space for petroleum industry in the state.

    He said: “Top speakers and international facilitators have indicated interest to participate, while key industry leaders and thought leaders in petroleum sector are billed to expand the discussions and chart a new narrative in the industry.

    “The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Emmaneul Ibe Kachikwu is the guest of honour;  Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream, Hon. Akinlaja Joseph is the guest speaker. Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode is the Chief Host.

  • Governor to DMO, others: publish Ekiti’s debt profile

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has challenged the Debt Management Office (DMO), commercial banks and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to publish any debt he owes since coming to power.

    Contrary to the claims of the opposition, Fayose insisted that he had not committed the state to any debt through bonds from the capital market or loans from commercial banks.

    Addressing reporters yesterday at the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the governor justified the purchase of a N75 million Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) for himself as a “parting gift”.

    Reacting to the claim of the Transition Committee set up by Governor-elect Dr Kayode Fayemi that the records at the DMO showed Ekiti debt profile under him ballooned to N117 million, Fayose said the allegation was a “cheap blackmail and lie from the pit of hell”.

    Fayose said: “When Fayemi was leaving as governor in 2014, he left with in a car and so did other governors before him. So, you can’t expect me also not to have a befitting car when I am leaving office.

    “Fayemi himself ordered a Jeep of almost N7 million for me when I was still governor-elect in 2014, but he didn’t pay for it. I had also bought a Jeep for former Governor Niyi Adebayo to honour him. That is how it is done every four years.

    “If Fayemi’s government wants to probe me, I will present myself and will not behave like a coward, like he did. I have served Ekiti, l have given my best. Relevant documents will be handed over to the incoming administration at the appropriate time.

    “I have not committed Ekiti to one naira since I assumed office as governor for the second term. I haven’t borrowed from any financial institution.

    “They should stop saying it and publish any record of debt from any bank or the Debt Management Office (DMO) as evidence. I did not borrow, take any bond or borrow from any financial bank.

    “In my first tenure, I left N10.4 billion in the covers of government, but I started this administration on October 16, 2014, meeting a huge debt incurred by my predecessor, John Kayode Fayemi.

    “The last administration of Fayemj brought Ekiti to N25 billion bond and N32 billion commercial loan and the state will pay the bond until year 2022. The commercial loan was restructured, like it was done for other states.”

  • Lawal, Ribadu, others insist on direct primaries

    Stakeholders, governorship aspirants and statutory delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, have said any attempt to foist the indirect primary option on the party may cost it the 2019 governorship election.

    The stakeholders, including Dr. Mahmud Halilu, believed to be Mrs. Aisha Buhari’s brother, and former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Nuhu Ribadu, told a news conference in Abuja that only primaries conducted through the direct option will be accepted.

    Lawal, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, said as a former SSG, there was no way a stakeholders’ meeting can be held in his absence. He added that the meeting where the indirect primary  was endorsed was secretly called and held inside the Government House.

    He reminded party leaders of a pending appeal against the conduct of the congresses that brought the current leaders to office, saying any primary conducted by such a group will be null and void.

    Lawal said: “Further to our April 27 news conference on elective congresses, we are constrained to once again express our rejection of the indirect primaries being concocted by the Adamawa State government and its cohorts.

    “Recall that the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) adopted the direct primaries for the nomination of candidates for the 2019 elections. We praise our National Chairman Adams Oshiomole, and NEC members for the landmark decision.

    “For a long time now, especially in the days building up to the political activities, key stakeholders have been increasingly marginalised and party activities and processes carried out in secrecy to exclude legitimate interests. This policy of exclusion came to a head with the purported September 3 meeting of the State Executive Committee, where indirect primaries was allegedly adopted as mode of electing party flag bearers.

    “That meeting was convened secretly; we the undersigned aspirants, statutory delegates and critical stakeholders, were not invited. It was therefore a meeting of like minds; persons who were prepared to perpetuate illegality to satisfy the whims of an individual who has lost out in popularity and integrity.

    “We dissociate ourselves from the purported resolution which was done in bad faith and is bound to affect the image and chances of our party in the elections.

    “Majority of the APC family in Adamawa received the news of the adoption of direct primaries by NEC with pleasure and enthusiasm. Our members are pleased that they will help the party nominate credible, acceptable and marketable candidates to fly its flag. We, therefore, cannot allow unpopular persons who are afraid of voters to change the rule of the game.”

    Those who attended the briefing include Lawal; Senator Ahmed Mo’Allayid; Senator Halilu Girei; Senator Bello Tukur; Marcus Gundiri; Nuhu Ribadu; Sadiq Muhammed (Walin Ganye); Dr. Mahmoud Halilu, among others.