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  • BREAKING: Gunmen abduct Bayelsa commissioner’s father

    Unknown gunmen have abducted the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Doodei Week’s father, Chief George Agbabou Week.

    He was abducted from his home at Ayama-Ijaw in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The incident reportedly happened in the early hours of Thursday.

    Details shortly…

  • Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila’s large heart

    For the want of a perfect description, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is a misunderstood man. He is a dogged and resilient fighter, who is hell bent on achieving his tall dreams.

    The Speaker of the 9th National Assembly is synonymous with grace. The reason is not far-fetched. He is one of the few who have witnessed the goodness of the creator in their lives.

    Achieving his long -time dream as the Speaker is a clear indication that anything can be achieved with hard work, loyalty and consistency.

    Naysayers must have recoiled into their cocoon as elections at the Green Chambers are over and the House under his leadership has been fully involved in the business of law making.

    Those who have enjoyed a close rapport with Gbajabimila will attest to the fact that there is one thing you can’t take away from him; his heart of kindness and love for the downtrodden.

    Read Also; Oyo guber candidate, Bayo Adelabu, celebrates

    Despite his position as the 4th man in the country, he is not power drunk. Yet, he sees wealth, affluence and position as God- given which must be used for the uplift of humanity.

    The trained lawyer has demonstrated his humane side quite often most especially in 2017, when he gifted a physically challenged lawyer, Kamarudeen Idowu a brand new car for graduating from Law school.

    When he emerged Speaker, he further appointed him as one of his aides at the Green Chamber.

    The latest of his philanthropic deeds was when he visited Gidan Baki IDP camp, Kastina where he saw a 3-month old baby Halimatu Abdulai, who needed an urgent cleft plastic surgery.

    The Speaker, in his magnanimous nature, offered to sponsor the surgery in Abuja. A close source disclose little Halimatu has undergone a four- hour surgery at the Royal Specialist Hospital, Abuja where she is recuperating.

  • Oyo guber candidate, Bayo Adelabu, celebrates

    For those who think his influence and clout will be submerged after his loss at the last gubernatorial election in Oyo state under the All Progressive Congress (APC) Bayo Adelabu with the sobriquet “Penkelemense”, is still enjoying massive support from his party and people around him.

    Away from his defeat to Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the former Deputy Governor of Central Bank, who challenged his election at the tribunal, has accepted the outcome of the result in good faith and currently working on his next move politically.

    After setting his feet in the murky waters of politics, the Agbaakin Parakoyi of Ibadan land was widely commended for pulling such a huge weight at the just concluded pools. This is a clear indication that, he is well loved in Oyo state and beyond.

    On the 28th of September, Bayse 1 as he is fondly called in the social radar, celebrated his 49th birthday amidst pomp. Many had thought he was going to be deserted by favour seekers and supporters.

    Read Also: Youth ambassador, Dayo Isreal’s bounty reward

    To the chagrin of his detractors, a mammoth crowd of supporters came out to share in his joy of his birthday. This turnout further certified that, Bayo is a heavy weight in politics.

    As part of the birthday celebration activities, APC leader in Oyo state, Mr Akin Oke also commissioned a new edifice. The Adelabu Penkelemense Political headquarters located at the highbrow area of Jericho, Ibadan.

    The birthday and building commissioning witnessed the presence of top political heavyweights in the state.

    In attendance were APC chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, ably represented by Mr Tunde Rahman his media adviser, Hon. Dapo Lam-Adeshina and a host of others.

    The First Class Accounting Graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University, we gathered, is currently focusing on his business, humanitarian foundation and human investment/development.

    He is currently restrategising and rebuilding his political dynasty. He will be relaunching his gubernatorial ambition in 2022, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

  • Youth ambassador, Dayo Isreal’s bounty reward

    The astronomic rise of Dayo Isreal is not new to those who have come in contact with him; his passion and drive for success, has made him a goldfish that has no hiding place, breaking impeccable records and gaining global recognition.

    The Ibita Ofin Lagos Island born lawyer has shown leadership traits and greatness right from his tender age, which has helped sustained him till this moment.

    His resume and wealth of knowledge are quite intimidating for his age. As a young chap, he was selected by the United Nations to represent all delegates to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children on a special CNN Live Interview in 2002.

    For his contribution to Africa Diaspora Development, he was specially invited by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to a private reception at Buckingham palace. He was awarded by the Mayor of London, for his developmental role in Africa with the Person Earnestly Working for Africa (PEWA) award.

    Interestingly, his blistering performance on the world stage, landed him a job at the National Assembly of Nigeria (Office of Senator Omoworare – now Chairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business).

    A former student council chair at London Metropolitan University, he was responsible for Strategy Development, Project Design and Evaluation.

    He also created and maintained relationships with Strategic Global partners such as the World Bank, VSO, British Council and other International Organisations.

    Read Also: Nollywood stars unmarried at 40 and above

    He is reaping what he has sowed in sweat. In 2016, he tried to clinch the All Progressive Congress (APC) primaries to win the party’s ticket to contest for Lagos Mainland Local Government Chairmanship. He lost out and accepted the outcome in good faith. In 2019, he also tried to clinch the APC ticket to represent Lagos Mainkand at the Halowed State Assembly but also lost the ticket. Little did he know that there is reward for loyalty, consistency, hard work and dedication.

    Few weeks ago, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced him as a permanent board member of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) under the chairmanship of Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King.

    His wealth of knowledge in education and development, we learnt, clinched him the role for the team member. He is currently working assiduously with his team to further revamp and re-position the quality of primary and secondary education in Lagos State.

  • ‘Ex-footballer’ arrested for dealing in drugs

    A man who claimed to have played for Shooting Star Football Club, Oyo State has been arrested by the police in Imo State for unlawful possession of cocaine.

    28-year-old Aidomoaki Samson was arrested on September 30 at Aleke Hotel, Nekede, Imo State alongside with his girlfriend, Ezinne Iwuagwu who he contracts to send text messages in pretence as his sister overseas.

    Upon interrogation, he confessed at the State Command headquarters that he was an ex-footballer barred from playing football due to drug related offence.

    Read Also: Police arrest one-eyed man over serial murder of 15 people in Ogun

    Police Commissioner Rabiu Ladodo said while parading them that the suspect claimed he was based in Benin Republic and Ghana.

    “He impersonates as a national of Ghana while investigation has revealed that he is from Edo State, Nigeria,” he stated.

    The Police boss said that the suspect deals with hard drugs in several countries like Uganda, Addis Ababa, Turkey, Ghana, Morocco, Colombia and then Nigeria.

    “His syndicate member one Mr. Eric in Italy disappointed him in Nigeria hence he then started the manufacturing of fake hard drugs with the intention to dupe and defraud people,” he alleged.

  • Analysis: Boko Haram, prayers, indoctrination and science

    In recent times, two individuals dominated public discourse pertaining to the war by other means against Boko Haram: Lt. General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State. They advocated the involvement of Muslim clerics in the war against Boko Haram. While the Borno Governor believes that with prayer, God could deploy Angel Gabriel and the hosts of heaven to smoke the insurgents out of their holes, Buratai’s position tilts more towards the pre-emptive approach of ideology or indoctrination.
    The two men will be ranked in history along with men like Sun Tzu, author of Art of War and Carl von Clausewitz, a Prussian general and military theorist who wrote the classic, On War. While Clausewitz argued that war “is the continuation of politics by other means,” Buratai and Zulum also advocated that religion is a continuation of war by other means!
    Let us start with the latest. On 6 October Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State engaged 30 clerics from Saudi Arabia to pray over the insurgency in the North East, especially, Borno the epicentre. Zulum, a professor of Soil and Water Engineering at the University of Maiduguri before he became governor, according to The Punch, interacted with the devotees on 5 October at the Ka’aba, the Islamic holiest place located inside the grand Al-Haram mosque in Makkah, expressing gratitude and seeking continued prayers.
    He told the devotees: “Rather than sending anyone, I am here, on behalf of the good people of Borno. I thank you so much for your empathy and the compassion in devoting yourselves to prayer for us every day at the Ka’aba which, for us as Muslims, is the most sacred place. We need prayers more than ever before; we are handling our problem from different approaches. Prayer is key to everything that we seek. We will continue to seek prayers from many fronts. We will keep supporting our clerics of different faiths in Nigeria for prayers and we will seek the same from all of you that are always here around the holy Ka’aba. I beg you; continue to pray for us towards achieving three things: first, for us to regain peace in Borno State, the North and Nigeria in general. We will have to continue to pray on a permanent basis because we need peace to be sustained. Secondly; we need prayers for us to achieve our ambitious plan for Borno State; and lastly, for Allah to make us remain focused and not to get carried away by power.”
    In a statement signed by his image-maker, Isa Gusau,  Zulum signed the agreement with the selected persons “who are residents of Makkah, to permanently offer daily ‘Dawaf’ (circumambulation of the holy Ka’aba), to offer prayer for the return of sustained peace in Borno and the country.” He revealed that the men of God hailed variously from Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Kano and parts of the northwest and they had been “spending hours at the Ka’aba daily for the purpose of worship.” One of them, as Gusau wrote in his press statement, had “been a Ka’aba devotee in the last 40 years.”
    Guasau wrote further: “The critical move is aimed to combine different approaches that include sustained support for the Nigerian Armed Forces, aggressive mass recruitment and equipping of more counter-insurgency volunteers into the Civilian Joint Task Force, hunters and vigilantes as well as socio-economic approach to enhance access to education, job opportunities and provide other means of livelihood through social protection initiatives.”
    Buratai, on the other hand, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Chief of Administration, Maj. Gen. Sani Yusuf on Monday, 30 October, submitted that insurgency cannot be stopped alone by the military “unless religious bodies and organisations in the country come to the forefront of the spiritual battle.”  It was at a spiritual warfare seminar at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, with the theme, ‘Countering insurgency and violent extremism in Nigeria through spiritual warfare.’ However, Buratai advised Islamic and Christian clerics to join the fight “against terrorism and reorient the people against negative ideologies.”
    In his words: “It is easier to defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists than their ideology because while we degrade the terrorists and their havens, the narrative of the ideology grows the group. Therefore, communities, families and groups should join in the fight and narratives to reject and prevent the ideologies of the terrorists and extremist groups. Religious bodies and organisations in particular, which interface regularly with the grassroots, should be at the forefront of this spiritual battle and fashion out ways of stepping up their roles.
    “It is a well-known fact that terrorism and terrorist groups cannot be totally eliminated by mainly military actions. This means focusing our efforts on the underlying narratives through ideologies employed by these terrorists to lure innocent citizens into their fold. The need to defeat the ideologies of Boko Haram and ISWAP is based on the awareness that it is the ideologies that enhance their resources and help to recruit new fighters to their fold and as such, kill their ideology and the terrorist movement withers and dies.”
    Here is the difference between what Zulum and Buratai stood for. While the former advocated contemplative meditation and prayers, the Army Chief wanted clerics to target the area of ideology or indoctrination. Buratai’s position sounds more plausible for many reasons. The heart is from where every act originates and it is what comes out of the abundance of that organ that defines a man. That is why a man can be brainwashed to tie a bomb on his own body, go to a market place and blow himself and innocent persons into smithereens, his boldness made possible by the reward of heavenly bliss, complemented with beautiful virgins!
    How the heart of man can be twisted this way happens from a child’s school impressionable age. An adult’s mind can become skewed too with the type of sermons or messages or religious books and exegeses he reads. Government, as I wrote on this platform in an article, Our National Pride, published on Wednesday, 21 May 2014, government at all levels has to do something decisive about the social condition that threw up Abubakar Shekau: poverty and the right education. Two examples will suffice here, one real, the other fictional.
    On education, whether it is Western or Arabic, I wrote that it could be misdirected as was the case in the formative years of Osama bin Laden, the late leader of al-Qaeda, the international terror group that operated from the Middle East but caused mayhem in far-flung places.
    ‘As a pupil of Al-Thagher Model School, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, young Osama was indoctrinated by his Physical Education teacher, a Syrian. It was a time when King Faisal of Saudi Arabia needed expatriate teachers and some of those Muslim Brotherhood members, driven into the four winds by President Gamel Abdel Nasser of Egypt, became useful. After school, the man would gather the pupils, in the name of sports, to recite the Quran and narrate some parts of the Hadith. Then the man would veer off tangent and delve into some stories that were not parts of the teachings of their religion. One of such narratives is entitled, “A Boy Who Found God”.’
    Steve Coll, in his New Yorker magazine piece, entitled “Young Osama”, wrote that there was this righteous and brave boy who wanted to please God. Since his father stood between him and quest for God, the teacher explained how the boy procured a bullet, loaded the gun, and made a plan. Strategically, the teacher would deliver the punch line: “Finally, the boy shot the father. Lord be praised.”
    The pupils’ eyes would now be as wide as saucers, and as I wrote earlier, the faces of young demons in the making! Such instances of indoctrination abound in the Middle East and they happen during the impressionist age of school pupils. This reminds me of a Palestinian teacher in one of Leon Uris’ novels (Hajj or Exodus, I am not sure now). In an Arithmetic class, he asks the pupils: “If a Palestinian kills five out of six Zionists, how many Zionists do you have left?” The children would chorus “five Zionists”. It was a subtle way of brewing anti-Jew hate in the minds of Palestinian kids. And it worked.
    I concluded that piece this way: ‘In Nigeria, therefore, it is not enough to build educational infrastructure. Parents and governments at all levels must monitor what teachers, pastor and Islamic clerics pack inside the brains of their wards in the western schools, churches and the various madrasas in the North. When you give all children (not only sons and daughters of emirs and chiefs) good education, you have provided a level playing field for wealth creation. Moreover, government should create more jobs to close the gap between the rich and poor.’
    It is my humble submission that those criticising Buratai are uncharitable; they should revisit the speech read on his behalf. The man acknowledged how strong ideology and religious doctrines could breed monsters and war mongers. Buratai did not say he would not be brutal against Boko Haram the way President Muhammadu Buhari (as he told this magazine in 1993), gave the Chadian rebel, Hissen Habre, “a bloody nose” when he invaded part of Nigeria’s terrotory.

  • Tribunal: Sokoto APC rejects ruling, heads for Appeal Court

    THE All Progressives Congress(APC) has rejected the tribunal ruling delivered against its Sokoto State Governorship candidate in the March 2019 General elections, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.

    The party said it will end to the Appeal Court to further pursue justice, stating ” we believe that the judgment has turned justice on its head.”

    The Tribunal, which sat in Abuja, at its verdict, validated Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s reelection after dismissing the petition filed by APC’s guber candidate, Aliyu Sokoto challenging the victory of Tambuwal declared by INEC.

    In a statement on Thursday morning by APC Sokoto Chairman, Alhaji Sadiq Isah Achida, the party said: “In view of the unfair and unjustifiable ruling delivered by the Sokoto state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Wednesday 2nd October, 2019 the party wishes to state categorically that it rejects the ruling.

    Read Also; Sokoto: Tribunal admits facts presented by APC’s Lead Counsel

    ” Our lawyers are studying details of the judgment , with a view to filing an appeal at the appropriate court of law.”

    “Meanwhile, the APC wishes to call on its teeming members across the state to remain calm and peaceful , while the party explored all available legal means to reclaim its stolen mandate.

    “We wish to thank all our members and electorates in the state for their continued support and loyalty . We remain committed to defending your interest at all times.”

  • Nigeria, South Africa to review 32 agreements

    The Presidency on Thursday disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s three-day state visit to South Africa will enable more harmonious relations between the two largest economies in Africa.

    It said it will also open up more frontiers of opportunities for prosperity by encouraging more exchange and investments, especially for Nigerians.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

    According to him, 32 agreements and Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) signed at the Bi-National Commission and mutually beneficial to both nations, will get opportunity for progress review during the meeting.

    “President Buhari is on a state visit to South Africa. While in South Africa, the two leaders will review a number of issues in our Bi-National Commission, including issues that affect citizens,’’ he said.

    The Bi-National Commission meeting, he said, was elevated to the level of Presidents’ participation, following the strategic position of the two economies in Africa and need for stronger relations.

    According to him, President Buhari and his host, President Cyril Ramophosa, will co-chair the meeting on Thursday.

    Read Also; Buhari, others mourn NSCIA Deputy President General Babalola

    The statement said President Buhari had arrived in Pretoria, South Africa on Wednesday night for a state visit and 9th meeting of Bi-National Commission, which will for the first time witness participation of the two Heads of State after an elevation.

    “The President’s plane arrived in the South African Air force Base, Waterkloof, at 9.10pm, and he was received by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor and Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu.

    “Before the meeting, which will be held at the Union Building, both Presidents will have a tête-à-tête to discuss issues of mutual interests relating to the welfare of citizens, and expanding economic and cultural ties.”

    Before returning to Abuja on Friday, he said President Buhari will hold an interactive meeting with Nigerians in South Africa.

  • FUOYE student emerges Miss Ekiti 2019

    Akindele Justina Temitayo, a 200-level student of History and International Studies department, Federal University Oye-Ekiti has emerged Miss Ekiti 2019.

    The event was witnessed by students, captains of industries, traditional rulers, political persons and entertainment personality at AB Civic Centre, Ado Ekiti at the weekend.

    Saheed Balogun, a popular veteran actor and Taiyelolu, were host and co-host for the event while OAP AyNigeria and Queencyglo were red carpet hosts.

    Raji Abimbola 23 Foundation is the organizer of the event.

    The purpose of Miss Ekiti yearly is to encourage young ladies across the Continent to live their dreams.

    The judges for the pageantry show were Miss Ekiti 2017, CEO of DE Elegant Expertise Palais; Owajoba Busayo, CEO of Seatop Media/Printing and Publishing; Seun Awopegba and Award winning Nollywood actress; Dupe Jaiyesimi.

    The process of selecting the winner by the Judges was based on “Communication, Education, Health, Entrepreneurship, Arts & Culture, Environment, Welfare, Technology and Financial Management, the sole objectives are to uplift, empower and cater for the dignity of young ladies, women and the less privileged in all facets of life using this Vital Values”, as announced by the organiser.

    Temitayo emerged defeated 20 others contenders while Iyeku Peace emerged as first runner up and Adesioye Adetutu as second runner up.

    The winner of Miss Ekiti 2019, is entitled to a Brand new car, one year wardrobe allowance, trip abroad and a well furnished office.

    Read Also: 42nd Miss Nigeria grand finale holds tomorrow

    First runner up is entitled to N200,000, well furnished office, one year free makeover, spokesperson and brand ambassador for every child deserves to be in classroom campaign.

    Second runner up is entitled to 100,000, well furnished office, one year free makeover, spokesperson and brand ambassador for every child deserves to be in classroom campaign.

    The winner expressed excitement over winning the contest and promise to impact the society through her office.

    ” I felt very good and so happy that I was crying. I didn’t expect it We were 20 that participated in the contest.

    “I intend to use my office to impact the society in the best way I can. I have a project am working on which will be revealed very soon. I am sure by the time I carry out my project the impact will be felt in Ekiti and outside Ekiti,” she said.

    Awodola Oluwaseun, The Students Union President of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, in a statement congratulated Miss Ekiti 2019 for bringing the crown home.

    He said: “Projecting the beauty and royal dignity of the institute,even in adverse, we choose to be of positive impact and being of virtue.

    “The Student Union hereby felicitate and congratulates our very own Justina for topping and bringing the crown home.”

    Miss Ekiti 2019Miss Ekiti 2019Miss Ekiti 2019

  • Jubilation as Ganduje floors Abba at tribunal

    There was jubilation in Kano city on Wednesday, as residents trooped to the streets to celebrate the victory of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

    The tribunal reaffirmed the electoral victory of Ganduje.

    It said the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Abba Yusuf, challenging Ganduje’s victory, lacked merit.

    The Chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Halima Shamaki, in a judgment read for over three hours, dismissed the PDP’s petition seeking the nullification of Ganduje’s victory in the March 9 and 23 governorship election.

    Read Also: Tribunal upholds Ganduje’s election

    The tribunal ruled that the governorship candidate of the PDP failed to prove his case against Ganduje and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 9 and 23 governorship poll beyond reasonable doubt.

    It upheld Ganduje’s election, saying the cancellation which followed the Gama Ward poll and others that brought about the March 23 rerun was not only constitutional, but also valid.

    Giving judgment, Justice Shamaki, who gave reasons why the PDP prayers were struck out, said: “The difference between the outstanding votes at Gama was 128, 000 votes, compared to the 26,000 votes which the PDP governorship candidate, Yusuf, was leading with on March 9. There was need for the election to be concluded through the rerun of March 23.”

    Reacting to the judgment in a statement signed by the former Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, the government urged the PDP to accept defeat and support the APC to take the state to the next level.