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Tag: spokesman

  • 2019: We’re worried about killings, says APC spokesman

    2019: We’re worried about killings, says APC spokesman

    The National Public Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bolaji Abdullahi, fears that the current wave of killings by herdsmen in parts of the country could constitute a threat to the party’s 2019 presidential fortune.

    He therefore wants the problem resolved immediately.

    Abdullahi, who spoke at the reading of his book, “On A Platter of Gold,” in Ikeja on Thursday night, said the killings have “the potential to affect our political fortune if we don’t deal with it decisively the way we dealt with Boko Haram.”

    “If we fail to do that, we also know the consequences, because we had a recent experience,” he said in response to a question at the event.

    He added: “We are worried with the way herdsmen kill people.

    “The significant part of it is that even as we speak, there are also interpretations of what is going on regarding the herdsmen that approximate closely the interpretation President Jonathan was being given about Boko Haram.

    “You will recall that some people said what happened in Benue was a communal clash; some said it was Ortom who had some militia and refused to pay them, and it was the militia who turned their weapons against the people. It is frightening for us to hear these.

    “At the party level, we are having conversation, that we want to see the President and tell him that this interpretation you are being given is potentially destructive to our party and your own position as the President and potential candidate of the party.’

    Responding to another question on why Buhari has not visited Benue State to douse the tension generated by the killings, Abdullahi said: “We don’t know the information the President has, and we don’t know what the security people are telling him. When you are in power, you are being held hostage.”

    Abdullahi, who served former President Goodluck Jonathan as Minister of Youth and Sports, used the occasion to shed light on the circumstances that led to his sack.

    Jonathan, he said, had wanted him to deliver a speech publicly condemning the now Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is well known as his (Abdullahi’s) mentor, but he declined the assignement.

    “I said no. And it is not because I am loyal to Saraki that I said so; I will do it for everybody I have relationship with,” he said.

    “To ask me to be the one to abuse him, no way. I take it to be hypocritical of me to stand for something and not get the repercussion.

    “There was no bitterness at all with Jonathan or to get at somebody. Anybody reading this book will be looking out for vengeance words, but I tried to be objective.”

  • Defence gets new spokesman

    Defence gets new spokesman

    Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters  has a new spokesman, Major General John Enenche.

    He replaced Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar who is now the Director of Information Management in the Department of Civil Military Affairs, Army Headquarters.

    Until his appointment as the new Defence Spokesman, Major General Enenche was the Defence Liaison Officer at the Defence Headquarters.

    He has since taken over with effect from 6 March 2017.

  • Niger Delta JTF gets spokesman

    Major Abubakar Abdullahi has assumed office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, as the new spokesperson of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS).

    Abdullahi, in a statement yesterday, said he was named the Coordinator of Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), following routine postings and redeployment in the military.

    Prior to his appointment, Major Abdullahi served in different capacities across the country as military Public Relations and Information Manager.

    He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

    The coordinator took over from Lt.-Col. Olaolu Daudu, who was reportedly redeployed to serve as Deputy Director, Army Public Relations at 81 Division of the Army in Lagos.

    The statement said during the handing and taking over at ODS headquarters at Igbogene in Yenagoa, Daudu expressed gratitude to the media in the Niger Delta region and everyone that supported his successful tenure.

    Daudu called for continued cooperation and support to the new spokesman to enable him perform effectively in line with the mandate of ODS.

  • Ex-Sports minister elected new APC spokesman

    Ex-Sports minister elected new APC spokesman

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday got a new National Publicity Secretary when the North Central Zone of the party unanimously elected former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, as the spokesperson of the party.
    But the suspended Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Timi Frank said he remains  the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party pending the outcome of the case he instituted against the party.
    The suit which was filed before an Abuja High Court comes up for mention in December 5.
    Abdullahi from Kwara state is expected to replace Alhaji Lai Mohammed who vacated the seat about one year ago when he was appointed Minister of Information by President Muhammadu Buhari.
    Others elected along with Abdullahi are Mohammed Zakari who was elected Deputy National Treasurer, while Zakari Mohammed and Abdul Magun Ibrahim were elected to fill the vacant positions of Zonal Secretary and Zonal Organising Secretary respectively.
    The event was attended by the governors of Plateau and Niger States, Barr Simon Lalong and Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello respectively, the representatives of the Kogi and Benue States governors, the representatives of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, the National Vice Chairman of the zone, Alhaji Zakari Idde among others were present at the mini congress which elected the former Youth Minister the APC spokesperson and three other national officers.
    Abdullahi was nominated for the position by the Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Godiya Akwashiki and seconded by  Senator Abdullahi representing Niger North senatorial zone before his nomination was confirmation through a voice vote.
    Three others were also elected to fill vacant positions zoned to the north central as well as the zonal executive of the party.
    Speaking on behalf of other elected officers, Mallam Abdullahi assured that he will operate under different template and terrain with his predecessor and do everything humanly possible to endear the party to Nigerians.
    He however told newsmen that he was conscious of the fact that the position of the spokesperson of the ruling party is an entirely different assignment from his former position as Minister of Sports.

  • Orthom’s aide sues PDP spokesman

    The Special Adviser to Benue State Governor on Media and Information Communication Technology, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, has filed a suit claiming damages of N50 million against the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Bemgba Iortyom.

    In suit filed at the Makurdi High Court by his son, Mr. Terna Agerzua of Emmanuel Law Partners, the adviser is seeking three other major reliefs.

    These include “a declaration that the libelous publication by the defendant on Facebook dated September 19, 2016 against the plaintiff is false, unfounded, unwarranted and defamatory in nature.”

    He also sought “an order of court directing the defendant to retract the said libelous publication via the same medium (Facebook),” as well as an order “directing the defendant to tender a public apology to the plaintiff and cause same to be published in at least two national and local newspapers.”

    Agerzua said Iortyom made a libelous publication alleging that he diverted N10 million meant for members of the Independent Print-Media Publishers Association of Nigeria.

    On seeing the fallacious publication, he immediately issued a rejoinder and demanded a retraction within 24 hours.

    He said the leadership of IPPAN also issued a public statement refuting the publication through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Nelson Ogbu.

    Rather than retract the publication, the defendant continued to circulate the said publication to different Facebook groups while his allies shared it to defame the plaintiff’s reputation, the statement of claim added.

  • NDV announces presence in Akwa Ibom

    NDV announces presence in Akwa Ibom

    …claims responsibility for attack on NNPC gas Pipelines

    …vows to shut down major oil platforms, flowlines

     

    A new Militant Group, Niger Delta Volunteers, NDV, yesterday announced its presence in Akwa Ibom State.

    The group in a statement signed by its spokesman, Commander Ekpo Ekpo, claimed responsibility for last week’s attack on gas pipeline belonging to NNPC/NGC supplying gas to ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.

    The pipeline was attacked last Thursday but the Akwa Ibom State Government and the State’s Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani claimed it was a leakage.

    NDV said its professionals attacked the pipeline at exactly 11:45am last Thursday to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari who was due in the country that same day.

    The group said the ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta militants should be extended to Akwa Ibom state otherwise it would shut down some major platforms and flowlines in the state.

    They also vowed to move after some ‘selfish’ Paramount Rulers in the State who connive with oil companies to ‘siphon’ money meant for community development.

    NDV said it would soon unveil its website, twitter and facebook account.

    The statement from the group reads: “We the Niger Delta Volunteers has condemn the recent claim by Akwa Ibom State government that the attack on NNPC gas line was leakage.

    “The gas pipeline belonging to NNPC/NGC supplying gas to ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, was attacked by our professional at exactly 11:45am on Thursday 16th June, 2016 as a welcome to the Mr. President which was due in the country that Thursday to record our grievances and announce the presence of the Niger Delta Volunteers in Akwa Ibom state to fight injustice, marginalization and oppression for the common people.

    “It is very sad that the Governor we work and deliver can deceive the whole world that the attack was leakage even the community around that axis can testify that it was explosion and not leakage as claim.

    “It is not surprise because the government is full of deceit and we urge the state government and his entire cabinet to deliver dividend of democracy to the people than deceiving them.

    “We are so shock that Akwa Ibom State government crying that there is money to pay salary can pay over seven pages on The Nation newspaper of Monday June 20, 2016 from pages 33 – 39 which worth millions of naira just to deceive the whole country on project not in existence.

    “We demand that the ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta militants should be extended to Akwa Ibom state otherwise we would shut down some major platforms and flowlines in our state.

    “Very soon we will move after some selfish Paramount Rulers in the State who connive with oil companies to siphon money meant for community development, enough is enough.

    “Soon we will unveil our website, twitter and facebook.”

    Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, had told some newsmen that the rumored bomb attack was not a militant attack.

    But a highly placed source at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the attack on the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline.

    The source said: “Yes there was an attack on the pipeline. The pipeline is between Akwa Ibom and Rivers states boundary along Ikot Abasi – Port Harcourt road.

    “Right now engineers from NNPC, Port Harcourt are there working on the pipelines. Our officers and other security agencies are also there too.”

    But the Police boss said what happened was a technical problem and that some engineers from Port Harcourt, Rivers state were currently working to rectify the leakage of gas from the pipeline.

    CP Mani said that the Akwa Ibom state was safe from the activities of the militant group.

    Also, the Akwa Ibom State Government had debunked rumours of pipeline bombing in Ikot Osute, Oruk Anam local government area, even as it calls for calm among citizens who may have been troubled by the purported development.

    Reacting to the rumours after a visit to the site, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah said: “there is no iota of truth in the claims making rounds in the social media”, stating that what happened was an eruption occasioned by leakage in the old pipeline of the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, which traversed the area.

    “No pipeline has been bombed in Akwa Ibom State those peddling such rumours are ignorant of the true situation in the affected area.

    “As at Thursday morning, when security operatives and officials of the State government visited Ikot Osute, the state Ministry of Environment, NGC personnel and other gas companies operating the area were on site, working round the clock to ensure safety in the area.”

    Mr. Umanah enjoined Akwa Ibom people and indeed Nigerians to remain calm and go about their businesses as government was committed to protecting lives and property of all citizens in the State.

    He assured that security agents have cordoned off the area to forestall against any eventuality

  • Avengers: Ijaw youths accuse military of violating ceasefire 

    Avengers: Ijaw youths accuse military of violating ceasefire 

    Lament military invasion of Gbaramatu communities

    The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, yesterday, accused the military of violating a ceasefire agreement between the Federal Government and the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    The IYC in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, said it was wrong for the military to invade some communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, at a time the government was planning to hold discussions with the Niger Delta region.

    Omare said the sudden presence of the military in the communities had raised doubts over the sincerity of the government to initiate peace in the region through dialogue.

    “The Federal Government cannot in one breath declare ceasefire and at the same time forcefully invade Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State allegedly looking for militants”, he said.

    He said in the early hours of Wednesday, the military stormed Tebujor community, a clan in Gbaramatu shooting sporadically into the air.

    He said the military operatives apprehended six youths from the community over allegations of pipeline vandalism.

    He identified the arrested youths as Eddy Ikpidi, Tekena Uka, Dboy Oboko, Jamaica Oboko, Coasta Kelly Tortor and Atani Yawuru.

    But Omare said: “While we do not support sabotage of oil facilities considering the negative effects on our environment, the IYC seriously frowns and condemns the continuous invasion and harassments of Ijaw communities and innocent people by the military under the guise of looking for pipeline vandals.

    “The military has no reason to embark on continuous invasion of Ijaw communities and arrest our people in the name of looking for Avengers or pipeline vandals. Our communities and people are peaceful and law abiding people.

    “The continuous invasion of Ijaw communities is a demonstration of lack of sincerity on the part of the federal government to genuinely dialogue with the people of the Niger Delta region to address the renewed militancy and issues affecting the region”.

    He noted that no meaningful dialogue could take place without sincerity of purpose and confidence in the process by the people of the region.

    “Events of the last few days are fast eroding our confidence. We call on the military to carry out deep intelligence gathering and stop the unlawful arrest and invasion of Ijaw communities. The arrested youths of Tebujor community, Gbaramatu Clan, Delta State should be released”, he said.

     

  • Tears as college’s spokesman is buried

    Tears as college’s spokesman is buried

    It was all tears at Amaokwu-Umunze Village in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, when staff and students of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze gathered to bury the institution’s Public Relations Office, Mr Humphrey Sunday Ike.

    Ike died on July 5 after he was attacked by unknown gunmen at his family compound.

    •Catholic priests and others praying before the interment
    •Catholic priests and others praying before the interment

    His burial started with a mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Umunze, which was attended by top government officials, lecturers and students.

    In his homily, the Auxiliary Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Jonas-Benson Okoye, said death was a necessary end of all human beings, charging the congregation to prepare to meet God with good hearts and deeds.

    Describing the late PRO as rare gem, the cleric said the deceased was a tool God used to touch many lives and propagate the message of Christ.

    The Provost, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, described the deceased as a prolific writer and quintessential Public Relations practitioner, saying the late Ike was a dedicated staff member who discharged his responsibilities with unparalleled commitment.

    He said: “We will greatly miss Ike. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the bereaved family; we pray God to give them the fortitude to bear this great loss. The late Ike showed good intelligence and exemplary conduct both in public and private life. He was a team player who brought orderliness to the school information management. He was focused and determined to make positive difference. No doubt he left a vacuum that would be too hard to fill.”

    A staff member of the Information and Public Relations Unit, Miss Lovelyn Ojimba, described the late Ike as a role model, saying: “He taught us diligence in labour, love, humility, resilience and never to be intimidated by challenges. We mourn a man who fashioned his life to upholding justice; a man of tremendous integrity and principles.”

     

  • NFF spokesman refutes Dream Team for CHAN qualifiers

    NFF spokesman refutes Dream Team for CHAN qualifiers

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) spokesperson Ademola Olajire has clarified a statement credited to him in the media that the U-23 team will play the CHAN qualifiers against Burkina Faso next month.

    He said he was misquoted by the media. He insisted the home-based Eagles will play the game, but several members of the U-23 team will be included in the team.

    “What I said was that a good number of U-23 boys are in the team. I never said the U-23 boys would be the team to play against Burkina Faso,” Olajire said.

    Nigeria will welcome Burkina Faso to Port Harcourt on October 18 with the return leg in Ouagadougou a week later.

    The overall winners will qualify for the 2016 CHAN in Rwanda.

  • Amnesty Office spokesman resigns

    The Head of Media and Communication of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Mr. Daniel Alabrah, has resigned his appointment.

    In his resignation letter yesterday addressed to the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), Mr. Alabrah cited “irreconcilable differences” as well as “inexplicable antagonism and attack on his dignity and self-esteem” among other reasons for quitting.

    He explained that following recent developments in the office, the work environment was no longer conducive for the performance of his duties.

    At the moment, consultants in the Amnesty Office are owed four months’ salary arrears, a situation that has brought severe hardship on the staff.

    Alabrah, a senior journalist, was a deputy editor at The Sun before his appointment on June 4, 2012.