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  • Ex VP Sambo says Buhari’s policies will yield stronger economy soon

    The immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo has said that, the President Muhannadu Buhari led Federal Government’s economic policies will soon lead to a strong economy.

    The former Vice President argued that, the control on the importation of goods and services found or produced within the country by the Federal Government is a major milestone towards building a strong economy.

    Sambo stated this in Kaduna on Tuesday at a seminar themed; “Consolidating Interface between Industry and Agriculture for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development” at the ongoing 40th Kaduna International Trade Fair organized by the Kaduna state Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA)

    While commending the Federal Government for improving the Nigerian business environment, he  assured that, “the economic policies of the government will soon lead into a strong economy that is less dependent on oil.”

    Read also: Osinbajo: what to expect from Buhari’s second term

    He then urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government’s effort to diversify the Nation’s economy saying, “The importance of the theme is apt, as it highlights the growing interest to strengthen the non-oil sector especially the two key Sectors, Industry and Agriculture.”

    He added, “It is my belief that the seminar will go a long way in generating ideas that will help to develop our private sector thereby boosting the economic growth and development of our country.

    “It is through these avenues that solutions will be developed to the factors that are militating against achieving our socio economic development plans which is why the full implementation of the local content policy and the patronage of the made in Nigeria products must be encouraged and supported by all Nigerians.”

    He urged Nigerians in both private and public sectors to be more proactive in the effort to strengthen the nation’s economy towards faster growth added, “It is through stronger collaborations that such policies would yield positive development towards building a greater nation.”

    On her part, the President of the chamber said the theme of 40th Trade Fair was chosen to spark up a debate that would complement the effort of government towards revamping the economy to drive investments in Agriculture and manufacturing.

    “The theme highlights the growing interest to strengthen the non-oil sectors especially these two key sectors of industry and Agriculture,” she added.

     

     

  • MD charged with stealing N741,777

    The Managing Director of R.A. One Enterprises, Rotimi Omolekan, yesterday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for  alleged N741, 777 theft.

    Omolekan, 44, was arraigned by the police before Magistrate B.I. Bakare on a two-count charge of obtaining credit facility under false pretence, stealing and issuance of a dud cheque.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ingobo Emby alleged that the defendant committed the offence in June 2013, at Projects Micro Finance Bank, 61, Marina Street, Lagos Island.

    The court heard that the defendant applied for a credit facility of N741,777 in 2013 from the bank under the guise of repaying the loan at a stipulated time.

    The defendant allegedly failed to repay the loan, but issued a cheque for N354,960 to the bank as part payment for the loan.

    The cheque was rejected on presentation due to insufficient funds in the defendant’s account.

    Magistrate Bakare granted Omolekan N400,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum, among other conditions.

    The case continues on April 18.

     

  • Court dismisses AAC’s suit against Rivers election

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit by the African Action Congress (AAC) and one other, querying the propriety of handling of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State, particularly as it relates to the announcement of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Justice Inyang Ekwo yesterday said the since the case was about an election that had been held, it was appropriate for the plaintiffs to take their case before an election tribunal.

    The suit has AAC, Biokpomabo Festus Awara and Pastor Ben-Gurion John Peter as plaintiffs, with INEC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as defendants.

    The plaintiffs said INEC had earlier admitted that the election was marred by violence which compromised its credibility, and so it suspended the election.

    Red also: Rivers Polls: Wike, AAC’s Awara clash at stakeholders meeting

    They added that without calling for a fresh election, INEC announced that it was set to continue with the election from March 20.

    The plaintiffs prayed the court for, among others, an order cancelling the already held Governorship and House of Assembly elections, and an order directing the conduct of fresh elections.

    Justice Ekwo said the reliefs sought by the plaintiff’s, which include prayers for the cancellation of an already-held election and the stoppage of further collation of results of the election, are post-election in nature.

    He said such prayers, on which the electoral tribunal has exclusive jurisdiction, could not be entertained by the regular courts.

    Justice Ekwo said his court has no jurisdiction to grant any of the prayers contained in the plaintiffs’ originating process.

    According to him, the court has earlier held in a similar case, that once an election has been held, the Federal High Court no longer has jurisdiction to entertain and determine any litigation touching on such election.

    Justice Ekwo said the case by the AAC and others was an attempt to litigate election issues in disguise.

    According to him, hearing the case will amount to an attempt by the court to constitute itself into an election tribunal, “a capability it does not have constitutionally”.

    He said: “I find that issues in this case are post-election in nature and do not belong to the realm of this court. Therefore, the preliminary objection of the second defendant succeeds and accordingly, I declare jurisdiction.

    “Now, it is the law that where the preliminary objection succeeds, there is no need to go further to consider arguments in support of other issues or issues for determination.

    “So, at this point, I make an order dismissing this case for want of jurisdiction.”

  • Tinubu, political asset for all seasons

    Great literary icons have argued that the person in the man is known based on what others say about him in relation to his manners, lifestyle, actions, reactions and inactions, hence the saying “tell me your name and I will tell you who you are”. Thus the name, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu rings a loud bell in the political landscape of Nigeria. To that extent, the name means different things to different people. To some, the name Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu means the opposition guru and tactician who singlehandedly nurtured a political marriage between himself and President Muhammadu Buhari in 2014 which eventually wrested political power from the PDP thereby cutting short it boast of the 60 years in power before 2015, using the APC platform. Whilst others call him the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, others simply refer to him as the man who worked together with other renowned Nigeria leftists home and abroad to form the then dreaded NADECO, which by no means influenced the agreement for power shift from military dictatorship to democratic governance, which was done at the risk of his life and huge resources.

    It is to a man like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that we owe the first opportunity which resulted to surrendering the presidential slot to former President Olusegun Obasanjo though of the PDP. It was thought that the Southwest should first be compensated for the denial to inaugurate late Chief M. K. Abiola who was believed to have won the presidential election which was annulled vide suspicious court process.

    With his deft political calculations, Tinubu could pass for a politician who yesterday saw in advance the political future configurations of today and got prepared for it with plans ahead of time. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu made history in Nigeria when after two terms as governor of Lagos State, he went ahead to make the two other governors of Lagos State. As if that was not enough, in the March 9, governorship election, he repeated this rare feat when he caused to be nominated and elected the current APC governor-elect.

    As a onetime senator, his political sagacity and dynamism in no small measure contributed positively to many political developments of Nigeria. To a few persons, particularly those in the PDP, Ahmed Tinubu is perceived as the man who contrived the political onslaught that led to the defeat of the PDP in the 2015 and 2019 general elections.

    Many for obvious reasons may attempt to deny him this credit which has been acknowledged far and wide. Without mincing words, it was he who led others including Vice President Yemi Osibanjo on the political onslaught to recover some of the states in the Southwest that were lost by the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007 elections.

    At the ripe age of 67, the name Bola Ahmed has become a household name that in no small way has caused some political extortionists to see him as a stumbling block to their continuous cheating of the people.

    It is no wonder that at his 67th birthday, many have continued to assess him from different perspectives. Thus, to President Buhari, Tinubu is a fascinating team player and a political enigma whilst to Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, Bola is “a man who spent his last 30 years of his life in creative and catalytic public service”. To Governor Ambode of Lagos State, Tinubu is a man whose political dexterity, doggedness, undoubted courage and political acumen played a key part in the electoral victory of APC at the federal, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly elections, and to Governor Fayemi of Ekiti State, Bola Tinubu “has been a reliable, dependable and passionate leader who like a colossus in the jungle of life, has the ability to identify, nurture and engage talents is unequalled”.

    Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos State Assembly, sees Bola Ahmed “as the greatest politician of the present generation” and as the architect of modern Lagos, laying solid foundation in which successful governments continue to build on making the state the best among its peers in the country and the continent.

    The traditional institution is not left out in this joyous journey of discovery of who Bola Tinubu Ahmed is. Thus to Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi (Kusenla III) says “through Bola’s selfless and exemplary life, the story of the Yoruba nation and indeed, the entirety of Nigeria has changed for the better”.

    To the three senators of Lagos State, the Jagaban of Borgu kingdom saw him as a man who “over the years, has shown that being principled in public and private life is possible”. He has demonstrated pristine leadership qualities for all followers across the nation and to the likes of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Tinubu is “a blessing to our country”.

    To the Yobe State governor – elect Hon. Mai Mala Buni, Bola Ahmed is “a rare breed politician and a true democrat who contributed immensely to reshaping democracy in Nigeria with focus on service delivery to the people” and to the Asoju Oba of Lagos and Balogun of Remo kingdom, Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu CON, KJN, FISM, Bola is “a worthy icon whose contributions to the development of this nation are worthy of celebration”.

    Whether one likes him or not, Bola Ahmed cannot be denied the courage and distinction of a political titan whose courage to build political bridges across all ethnic nationalities has been variously acknowledged.

    Before giving his all to PMB in 2015 and 2019 to be elected president, it is on record that Bola tried to sell the presidential candidacy of two prominent sons of Adamawa State in the persons of Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Nuhu Ribadu respectively in the AC and ACN, though Nigerians were loud in their opposition to those two men.

    Perhaps, the true man behind the shadow of Bola Ahmed is as captured by the discourse on him as adumbrated by Segun Gbadegesin, on the back page of The Nation of Friday, March 29, when he aptly opined that “Tinubu’s proclivity or strategic thinking, his courage and his untiring efforts to work across the divides of ethnicity and religion to build strong coalitions and commendable traits of leadership. That PDP finally had a serious opposition in 2015 is what’s bitterest enemies must give him credit for”.

    It is reasoned that there can be no better description of the man Bola Ahmed more apt, precise and well summarized than the forgoing by Gbadegesin.

    With all the foregoing encomiums showered on this rare gem across board, the Jagaban Borgu looks like an open leader to whom the future of this nation can be trusted with no fears of disappointments.

     

    • Chief (Barr) Eteng a public affairs analyst writes from Calabar.

  • 220 suspected criminals held in Kano

    The Kano State Police Command has arrested 220 suspected criminals involved in robbery, drug peddling and others.

    Addressing reporters yesterday while parading the suspects, spokesman Abdullahi Haruna said they were nabbed at flashpoints in the municipality.

    He said the suspects had been terrorising residents before they were apprehended during a raid.

    Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Haruna added that nine suspected robbers were arrested at Tudun Wada while attacking Rasa Industrial Company Ltd on Club Road, Kano.

    He said during the raid, one person was injured.

    Read also: Kano Emir organises special prayer for Ganduje’s second term

    “Items recovered from the robbers include two desktop computers, one Plasma TV, six laptops, one printer, one decoder, two standing fans, 15 cutlasses and sticks.

    “In continuation of the command’s earlier pledge to rid the state of crimes, raids of criminals’ hideouts and blackspots were carried out between March 29 and April 1 across the state.

    “This was to arrest the remnants of criminals moving about in the communities, posing security challenges and threats to the public.

    “During the raids, 142 suspected criminals were arrested. Quantities of Indian hemp, Suck-and-die, intoxicating drugs, knives and cutlasses were seized.

    “Such raids will continue throughout the state to reduce crimes.

    “The suspects will be arraigned. Residents are enjoined to cooperate with the command and report suspected people,” Haruna said.

     

  • Live up to your oath, LAUTECH VC tells Lab Scientists

    The Vice Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Prof Michael Ologunde, has charged 59 medical laboratory science graduates of the institution to discharge their duties diligently and live up to the oath of  the profession.

    Speaking during the 10th induction of laboratory science graduates at the College of Health Sciences of LAUTECH in Osogbo, Osun State, Ologunde reminded the inductees that their professional body, the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MESCN), would monitor their disposition to societal needs on good health delivery and globally acceptable professional conduct.

    “As you journey through life, be determined to be good to people and plan to be good achievers. The Almighty God, who has seen you thus far, will not leave you alone. You are meant for a greater height and you will get there. I congratulate you for the laudable foundation that you have laid for a better tomorrow and it shall be well with you. Always remember that you are responsible for whatever you become in life and you shall make positive impact on your generation,” he said.

    He acknowledged the contribution of the College of Health Sciences in the effort to put the LAUTECH on a “good pedestal with acceptable best practices.”

    In his speech, the Provost of the College, Prof. S.S. Taiwo, thanked the two owner states of the institution, Osun and Oyo, for their support.

    He noted that LAUTECH was facing some challenges, especially poor funding, which he said was largely informed by the downturn in the nation’s economy.

    He also expressed hope that the university would overcome indiscriminate interruption of its academic calendar occasionally caused by industrial actions of the university’s labour unions.

     

     

     

  • Rivers polls: Wike leads in 13 councils

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike is leading in the March 9 governorship election having won 13 of the 15 local governments already collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    INEC resumed result collation yesterday, having suspended it on March 10 due to violence and alleged military involvement which caused a disruption of collation.

    At the resumed collation yesterday, Returning Officer Prof. Teddy Adias said 17 councils would have been received and would be collated. They are Port Harcourt city; Ikwerre; Emoahua; Ahaoda-East; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni; Etche; Omuma; Okrika; Akuku-Toru; Tai; Eleme; Oyibo; Andoni; Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro.

    While Wike won in 13 of the councils, his closest contender and candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpamabo Awara, won in Oyibo and his Akuku-Toru councils.

    Awara’s representative Nenye Kocha was disappointed in the figures announced. He said: “We appear to be in the dark as it were, as to what has happened. It is said INEC had 17 councils; they know what were in these councils though we had the assumption that we were leading, we were winning, but we have come here now to see what is happening, and it appears to be a departure from what we had in mind.

    “The process was transparent but the figures we are seeing are not our expectation. We will review the issues; we will look at everything that has happened within the period the process was said to be suspended. As a party, we will look at what has happened, review it and then take it up from there.”

    The PDP agent, Austin Opara, was satisfied with the process and apologised to residents for the difficulty the elections has caused them.

    He said: “PDP is coasting clearly; we believe this is going to be a new Rivers State. The state cannot continue to be in the news for the wrong reasons, we believe that at the end of this, this will be a new beginning for the state.

    “We apologise to the people for the stress they are going through, caused by some people because of their internal wrangling. They put the people into this, we sincerely apologise on their behalf, and we believe that at the end of the exercise, there will be a relief for the state.”

    Prof. Adias, while adjourning the sitting yesterday, said while the two outstanding results would be collated today and decisions taken on the other six councils whose results are yet to be received by INEC.

    He, however, did not reveal the councils, but assured stakeholders that collation is ongoing in the councils

  • APC, Niger South Senatorial seat and travesty of justice

    It is dispiriting when judiciary, the last hope of the common man, is increasingly becoming the archetypal masterpiece of dashing people’s hopes. What, however, buoys up our hopes is the ever-presence of a pecking order in the country’s judicial system where malfeasances and excesses of judicial actors are hierarchically checked and balanced.

    It is against this background that the senator representing Niger South in the National Assembly, Mustapha Sani Mohammed, petitioned the National Judicial Council, NJC, to demand an investigation in to the seeming judicial conspiracy, delay and incredible transfer of a case he filed at the Federal High Court five months ago challenging his arbitrary replacement as the All Progressives Congress, APC’s flag-bearer in the Niger South Senatorial District, even after winning the party’s primary election in the district.

    Senator Mohammed, in the suit instituted on October 30, 2018, demanded an explanation as to why his name was replaced with that of Bima Mohammed Enagi, who was not even screened to contest the primaries.

    It is known fact that some forces in the state government, a powerful traditional ruler and a certain influencer in the presidency are interested in the case in order to dwarf the towering political profile of the senator.

    The sheer injustice leading to the senator’s travails manifested itself at the conclusion of the APC primary elections in the state where the senator emerged winner of the Niger South senatorial district and was issued result of the primaries signed by the chairman, secretary and the returning officer that conducted the elections. But some usurpers, in a political heist, robbed him of the ticket.

    The second albatross started when the case, which was instituted way back in October 2018, began to undergo strange transfers from one judge to another without recourse to the exceptional circumstances supplied by the limitations law of the 1999 Constitution under section 285(10) which has made the suit time-bound, expiring, at least, six months after the institution.

    The last hearing on the case was done in Abuja on March 13 before being adjourned to March 29 for the judgement. On the D-day, the case was again mysteriously transferred to the Minna Division of the Federal High Court. As could be gleaned from the enrolled order of the court, the summary of the reason for the transfer is that “The 1st and 2nd Defendants pleaded specially for the matter to be heard and determined in the Federal High Court, Minna Judicial Division, Niger State.”

    The daunting question, therefore, is what does the judge from the Abuja Division, where the matter spent five months out of its six months lifespan, expect his Learned Brother in Minna Division to achieve in the matter within the remaining few days lifespan of the cases? This is quite a worrisome situation that really requires not only an expeditious intervention of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in order to avert the impending miscarriage of justice but also to undertake a discreet investigation of what has been behind the asphyxiating attitude of the judges handling the matter.

    Now that the matter has been fixed for hearing on Thursday April 4 at the Minna Division of the Federal High Court, all eyes are on Justice Aminu BaffaAliyu to beat the remaining 22-day lifespan of the case. Justice is a double-edge sword, which has both favourable and unfavourable consequences. Whichever way the case goes will be a relief for the petitioner.

    Ordinarily, Senator Mohammed would not have known roads to the court of law, except for the antics played on him by the leadership of the APC. When APC was trying to check the gale of defection, Senator Mohammed joined Adams Oshiomhole to crisscross the country, sugar-coating the party members who hold strategic political offices to remain in the party. He even went to the extent of promising them an automatic return ticket. Expectedly, Senator Mohammed, as a loyal politician, heeded to the party’s call and stayed put.

    However, when the defection hurricane subsided, the party put its shredded-self together and began to diss those who were there for her in its trying times. They have continued to show sheer in indifference to the plights of its members. All the political office holders had to resort to the rigmarole of party primaries, some scaled through, while others got enmeshed in the process. It was the same trap that caught up with Senator Shehu Sani. He was also promised an automatic ticket but was robbed of the ticket in a broad daylight.

    If the powers-that-be could not give the senator the automatic ticket as promised, why would they deny him the primary electoral process even after emerging victorious? If the party was compromised to substitute a name after primaries, why will INEC, which supervised the primaries, accept the replacement?

     

    • Ramalan wrote from Abuja and can be reached via ibroramalan@gmail.com

  • Seyi Shay takes part in FVCKYOU Challenge

    Sultry artiste Seyi Shay has become the latest Nigerian singer to step on the ‘Fvckyou challenge’ initiated by Kiss Daniel who dropped a song with the same title, ‘Fvck You’.

    She posted a video of her own version of the song on her Instagram account late Monday.

    “THIS IS THE REMIX,” she wrote.

    “My response to @iamkizzdaniel #fvckyouchallenge.

    “Let’s look at it from another angle. It’s ALL love guys @drance.ent”

    Started by Kiss Daniel, who drop a song titled ‘Fvckyou, the challenge which is trending among Nigerian artistes has seen over 10 artistes.

    Among those who have voiced over the beat which was produced by Young John are Lil Kesh, Tiwa Savage, CDQ, Simi, Dremo, Skiibii, LK Kuddy, Sarkodie, Chinko Ekun. Others included Lasisi Elenu and Young John.

    However, two of the singers have faced backlash from participating in the challenge.

    While Tiwa Savage has been accused of dissing about her ex-husband, Tee Billz, Simi have had to apologise to her fans over a line in her own version of the song.

    Simi apologised for the use of the line: “abi o ro bi mo kola ni”, a Yoruba phrase for ‘Do you think I have tribal marks’.

    She said some people found that part of her version insensitive and she had to bring down the video.

  • Fayemi nominates 14 for commissioner

    EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday forwarded a list of 14 commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

    Fayemi transmitted a letter to the Assembly, requesting for legislative approval to constitute the state executive.

    Speaker of the Assembly Adeniran Alagbada, who read the letter to his colleagues at plenary, said the governor’s action was in consonance with Section 192 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The commissioner-nominees are:  Dr. Adio Afolayan, Dr. (Mrs.) Moji Yaya Kolade, Chief (Mrs.) Moji Fafure, Mr. Emmanuel Foluso Daramola, Mr. Folorunso Olabode, Engr. Dele Faparusi and Mr. Gbenga Agbeyo.

    Read also: Ekiti pensioners will no longer cry over entitlements — Fayemi

    Others are Mr. Olusoga Davies, Mr. Sola Adebayo, Mr. Michael Awopetu, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, Mr. Femi Ajayi, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu and Mr. Febisola Adewale.

    The Speaker also read another letter from the governor on the reconstitution of the board of Local Government Service Commission.

    Chief S.A. Abejide will serve as chairman. Other members are Mrs. Abiola Adeosun, Dele Oloje, Comrade Bisi Dada and Alhaja Mariam Bimbola Ogunlade.

    The commissioners-nominees and Local Government Service Commission’s members will face the lawmakers tomorrow for screening.