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Tag: tinubu

  • ‘Tinubu should wade into Ikorodu apc crisis’

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Ikorodu Division Constituency I, Lagos State, have urged Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to wade into the controversy generated by the ward and local government congresses.

    Party leaders, including alhaji Lawal Animashau, Alhaji Waheed Owokodu, Ahaja Funmi Basorun, alhaji Musilu Sulaimon said “a selfish, dubious and insignificant minority” is imposing illegal ward and local government list of party officers.

    In a letter to Tinubu, they said: “We held consensus-based congresses in our wards and LGAs in Ikorodu Division wherein the interests of all the tendencies and stakeholders were collated and included in the lists, and accordingly signed by all and submitted to the secretariat of our party.

    “However, we were surprised and disappointed to discover that certain selfish and influential political office holders, who were also signatories to the agreed lists aforesaid, went behind and clandestinely submitted another lists totally and radically different from the one agreed to by all.

    “These unscrupulous few have succeeded in getting their one – sided and out rightly lopsided lists approved by the State Secretariat of the party as the authentic lists for our Constituency.

    The one – sided lists are now being used for purported swearing – in ceremonies of party Exco members in the state and our constituency which swearing in ceremonies were purportedly held on May 30 and 31.

    They added: “The lopsided lists do not and cannot represent the true state of affairs in our constituency and division and as such should be declared as illegal and preposterous while the lists attached herewith for your information should be officially recognised as the authentic one, having been signed by all stakeholders and tendencies within our party in our constituency.

    “This is the only way to engender peace and unity in our constituency.

    “This complaint is forwarded to your good offices so that justice and equity could be done and needless rancor and violence averted in the match towards 2019. We await your quickest and patriotic intervention in this regard.”

  • NPO, Buhari, Tinubu, Atiku mourn Aboderin

    The sudden and shocking death of Punch chairman, Wale Aboderin on Thursday has triggered a flood of condolences and tributes from President Muhammadu Buhari, many prominent Nigerians, including the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), led by Prince Nduka Obaigbena.

    The NPO,  consisting of  the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE)  and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said it was saddened by the news of the untimely death of the Chairman of the Punch Group of Newspapers.

    “Wale , a consummate sport enthusiast, was jovial, amiable  and  easy going. His death is a big blow, not just to the Punch Group, but to the entire media  landscape of Nigeria and Africa”, said Obaigbena on Thursday.

    “We offer  our condolences to the Aboderin family and the Punch Group”, Obaigbena added.

    President Buhari had led the outpouring of condolences in a statement by  Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Thursday.

    President Buhari commiserated with all members of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the media and sports industry in the country on the death of the respected entrepreneur and philanthropist.

    The President believed that Aboderin, who was greatly admired by his peers in the media and sports industry, would be long remembered for his resourcefulness, managerial proficiency and invaluable contributions to the growth of these sectors.

    National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described Aboderin’s death  as a huge loss to the media and sports world.

    Tinubu commiserated with the Aboderin family in a condolence letter, released by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman, on Thursday in Lagos.

    “I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Chairman of Punch Newspapers, we lost Wale at a rather young age when we still needed him to continue to be with us.

    “At 60, he still had a lot to offer us but within those three scores though, he made appreciable impact and touched and changed lives.

    “As Chairman of Punch, taking over from his uncle, the actuary, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, Wale continued to maintain and sustain the excellent journalism Punch is noted for, ensuring that the newspaper remains where it should be.

    “Though he trained as a pilot, he was also a sports enthusiast. He particularly loved basketball to the point that he floated Dolphins Female Basketball Foundation.

    “He was at one time the Chairman of our Basketball Association in Lagos.

    “His death is a huge loss to the Aboderin family, both immediate and extended. The media and sports worlds, which he traversed and impacted positively, have also lost an outstanding partner.

    “My deep sympathy and condolences to his wife and two children. I mourn with the Aboderin family, the Punch Newspaper, the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and the media generally.

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar described the death of Aboderin as hearth breaking.

    He condoled with the immediate Aboderin family in particular; the media, especially the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and the teeming lovers of Punch newspapers worldwide.

    “In today’s world, 60 years is too young an age for anyone to pass on with their lofty dreams.

    “Aboderin’s untimely departure is certainly heartbreaking: painful to the family, a monumental loss to the fourth estate of the realm and the nation at large,” Abubakar said.

    The former Vice President noted that the deceased had been in the vanguard of sustaining the vision of his late father and founder of the Punch group of newspapers.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan also described late Aboderin a great Nigerian.

    Ologbondiyan said Aboderin was  a quintessential administrator and very ingenious entrepreneur, who committed his resources towards the development of Nigeria.

    He said Aboderin’s legacy in publishing a credible news medium of the status of the Punch Newspapers remained an indelible mark in the history and development of journalism in Nigeria.

    “Aboderin was widely known for his philanthropy and sports enthusiasm.

    “He played key role in the development of sports in Nigeria including as founder and chairman of the Dolphins Female Basketball Foundation as well as the former chairman of the Lagos, State Basketball Association.”

    Mr. Gbadebowale Wayne  Aboderin, died early today after a heart surgery at the First Cardiology Consultants, Ikoyi, Lagos. He was 60 years old.
    He attended the Government College, Ibadan and trained as a pilot in the United States.

    He was also Chairman Punch Commercial Printing Limited  and  Lukahed Properties Limited.

    He was a one-time vice-president of the Nigerian Basketball Supporters Club.

    He is survived by his wife, Titilayo, and children.

  • Tinubu invites Falana, Ajibade to APC

    National Leader of the APC, Chief Bola Tinubu, has called on Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and veteran journalist, Mr Kunle Ajibade, to join hands with the party to move Nigeria forward.

    In a birthday message to the duo, Tinubu described Falana and Ajibade as icons in their chosen fields, whose contributions would continue to mean much to the country.

    The message was made available to our reporter on Monday in Lagos by Tinubu’s Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman.

    NAN reports that Falana was born on May 20, 1958, while Ajibade was born on May 28, 1958.

    ““The month of May which in 1999 heralded the rebirth of democracy in Nigeria after almost 16 years of unbroken military interregnum, is also significant in one other respect.

    “”It is the month of birth of many prominent Nigerians.

    “”As both were united in their month of birth, there is also an unmistakable meeting point in their life trajectories.

    Read Also: APC, ADP, LP disagree on gains of democracy

    “”Both fought against successive military regimes to facilitate the emergence of democracy in the country,” Tinubu noted.

    `He said that Falana and Ajibade fought to ensure that Nigeria would be a citadel of social justice, rule of law and a better place for generations.

    ““There is no doubt that both Falana and Ajibade had impacted on Nigeria and Nigerians in the most profound ways.

    ““We thank them for their struggles and we thank them for their sacrifices but we are not yet in the Promised Land.

    “”We enjoin the duo not to rest on their oars but join hands with us in the All Progressives Congress, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to make Nigeria a better place,’’ Tinubu said.

    According to him, Falana and Ajibade have continued to contribute to the enthronement of democracy, good governance and rule of law in the country.

    ““I say happy birthday to them and wish them long life, continued good health and renewed energy to continue to make invaluable contributions to our country.”

    “He described the duo as close friends with whom he had interacted in the continuous struggle for enthronement of true democracy, good governance and rule of law.

    “”Mr Falana is a lawyer, pro-democracy and human rights activist, who continues to employ the instrumentality of the law to correct the ills of the society.

    “”His contributions to constitutionalism and jurisprudence know no bounds.

    “”He takes briefs from the rich to empower him to fight injustice against the poor pro bono.

    “”Ajibade is that astute journalist and celebrated author, who through his pen, fought against the military junta and was particularly a thorn in the flesh of the regime of the late Abacha.

    “He authored two popular books – ‘Jailed for Life’ – his experience in prison for which he was clamped by the Abacha junta, and ‘What a Country’ – which speaks about the ills in the country,’’ Tinubu said.

  • Falana, Ajibade impacted Nigerians in most profound ways, says Tinubu

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu  yesterday felicitated  with Lagos lawyer Femi Falana and ace journalist Kunle Ajibade on their birthdays.

    Tinubu, in a statement by his media aide Tunde Rahman, said there was no doubt that Falana and Ajibade had impacted Nigeria and Nigerians in the most profound ways.

    While thanking them for their sacrifices, he said the country is not yet in the Promised Land.

    “We enjoin the duo not to rest on their oars and to join hands with us in the All Progressives Congress, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to make Nigeria a better place,” Tinubu said.

    The statement reads: “The month of May, which in 1999 heralded the rebirth of democracy again in Nigeria after almost 16 years of unbroken military interregnum, is also significant in one other respect. It is the month of birth of many prominent Nigerians.

    “But this statement is about just two of them, Messers Femi Falana and Kunle Ajibade, both of them icons in their chosen fields, the one an outstanding lawyer, the other exceptional journalist.

    “Falana, born May 20, 1958, and Kunle Ajibade, born on May 28, 1958, recently turned 60. I say happy birthday to them and wish them long life, continued good health and renewed energy to continue to make invaluable contributions to our country.”

    “Both are close friends and associates, with whom I have interacted in our continuous struggle for the enthronement of true democracy, good governance and rule of law.

    “Mr. Falana is a lawyer, pro-democracy and human rights activist, who over time employed and continues to employ the instrumentality of the law to correct the ills of the society.

    “His contributions to constitutionalism and jurisprudence know no bounds. He takes briefs from the rich to empower him to fight the injustices against the poor pro bono. Like his late mentor and comrade, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Falana is an advocate of the people, of the masses.

    Ajibade is that astute journalist and celebrated author, who through his pen, fought against the military junta and was particularly a thorn in the flesh of the late Abacha regime.

    “He authored two popular books ‘Jailed for Life,’ his experience in prison to which he was clamped by the Abacha junta, and ‘What a Country,’ which speaks about the ills in the country.”

    It added: “As both were united in their month of birth, there is also an unmistakable meeting-point in their life trajectories. Both fought against successive military regimes to facilitate the emergence of democracy in the land and a country laden with respect for human rights.

    “They fought to ensure Nigeria is a citadel of social justice and rule   of law and generally a better place for the present generation and generations yet unborn.

    “There is no doubt that both Falana and Ajibade had impacted Nigeria and Nigerians in the most profound ways.

    “We thank them for their struggles. We thank them for their sacrifices. But we are not yet in the Promised Land. We enjoin the duo not to rest on their oars and to join hands with us in the All Progressives Congress, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to make Nigeria a better place.”

  • Buhari, Tinubu, governors to storm Epetedo for MKO

    The Coalition for a Better Nigeria, an alliance of hundreds of pro-democracy organisations, is organising its seventh national discourse, titled: 2018/2019 Elections and a Careful Search for a Better Nigeria.

    It will be discussed by a legal luminary/human rights activist, Gbenga Awosode, on June 11, at Eleganza Sports’ Centre, old Epetedo Hall, Lagos Island Local Government Development Area (LCDA), at 11 am.

    The discourse is to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola’s self-declaration as president-elect, on June 11, 1994, at Epetedo Hall.

    Chairman of the occasion is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. President Muhammadu Buhari is the special guest of honour.

    Osun and Oyo State Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Abiola Ajimobi as well as Ekiti State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Kayode Fayemi, will be guests of honour.

    Father and Mother of the Day are: Senator Biyi Durojaiye and Prof Sophie Oluwole.

    The chief host and Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will get Architect of Modern Lagos Award in the form of a beautifully carved Eyo masquerade.

    It is a follow-up to the Father of Modern Lagos Award bestowed on Asiwaju Tinubu last year during the sixth national discourse.

     

  • Tinubu hails Lagos APC congress

    •’Those who own the party have spoken’

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the congress conducted in Lagos State at the weekend.

    Congress, he said, was conducted in line with the guiding laws of the party.

    “The people who own the party have spoken and chosen their leaders. The success of the congress held confirms the tradition of robust democracy and consensus-building that has brought progressive development to our state,” Tinubu said.

    He hailed Senator Uche Ekwunife, who led the state Congress Organising Committee, and her team for conducting a free, fair and transparent exercise and for demonstrating commitment to the progress and success of the party.

    Tinubu congratulated the newly-elected state executives and urged them to further promote unity and inclusiveness in APC.

    He spoke on Saturday when he received the new executives during their visit to his Bourdilion, Ikoyi residence after their victory.

    The former governor urged them to rededicate themselves to the party and work to take it to the new level, saying winning all political contests became the party’s hallmark in Lagos.

    He thanked the former executives led by Chief Henry Ajomale for their unparalleled stewardship that saw the party growing stronger, broader and more relevant.

    The party stalwart lauded them for the steady way they led the party and maintaining discipline and cohesion through the years.

    “The outgoing executives led by Chief Ajomale did a wonderful job. He led the party with a unity of purpose underpinned by the spirit of inclusiveness and purpose. Under them we never lost any election. We will not lose any election but this depends on how you handle your new responsibilities,” he said.

    Tinubu said new chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, was no stranger to him and no stranger to responsibility, adding that as commissioner during his administration, he performed well.

    The APC National Leader expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party and to deliver the good.

    Balogun was commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture during Tinubu’s tenure as governor.

    The new chairman thanked the APC national leader and pledged to work hard to take the party to the next level.

     

     

  • Tinubu, Ambode condole with Bode George

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode have condoled with former Deputy National Chairman, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, on the death of his son, Dipo.

    Dipo, who died last week after a brief illness, will be buried today in Lagos.

    In his condolence letter to George on behalf of his family, Asiwaju Tinubu urged the bereaved father to accept their condolences and sympathy.

    “It is for us to keep in remembrance the good person that your son was and to honour him by living up to ideals of charity and love towards all.

    “I pray that God bestows on you and your family a special grace to strengthen and carry on through this moment,” Tinubu said.

    In his letter, on behalf of the Lagos State government and his family, Ambode sympathised with George and prayed that the Almighty, who knows best, will give him the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

    “May you find the courage and strength to move forward knowing that he lived a good life,” the letter said.

  • Tinubu seeks support for party’s candidate

    The national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has urged the contestants to support the winner saying, “It is time for us to make history. Let us not squander this fine chance. We win by standing together.”

    According to him, “The Ekiti primary has now been conducted. From all indications, it was free of disruption and any sign of offense. Here, we all must thank and commend the excellent work and diligence of Governor Al-Makura. He showed commitment to the party and its democratic principles by ensuring that the primary was conducted fairly and openly. He did all he could to ensure an honest process. He has done well for the party and Ekiti.

    “Now that the primary has been concluded, we must realize that only one person can win. I applaud all the contestants for their passion and effort during the primary. By the very exercise of your democratic rights to contest for the governorship nomination, you have strengthened the party. Now I ask, I beseech all of you to further strengthen the party by respecting the fair results of the primary whatever the result may be. Everyone cannot be satisfied by the outcome but we all must respect the fairness of the process.

    “This is the manner of democracy. Yesterday was the time to compete against each other. Today is now time to join hands to ensure a unified APC wins the governorship of your state. It is time for us to make history. Let us not squander this fine chance. We win by standing together.”

  • Tinubu to Fed Govt: declare public holidays for collection of PVCs

    THE senator representing Lagos Central District, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has urged the Federal Government to declare public holidays for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), ahead of the December 2018 deadline.

    Senator Oluremi, in a statement in Lagos, identified PVCs as the tools to participating in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    She also urged residents in the state to ensure that they collect their PVCs.

    The call sequel to revelations by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that over seven million PVCs were yet to be collected nationwide, with 1, 400,000 from Lagos State.

    Prior to the 2015 elections, INEC introduced the use of smart card readers. This has necessitated issuance of PVCs as part of the identification and authentication process.

    After the 2015 elections, about 12 million PVCs had remained in the electoral body’s custody.

    She said: “With previous elections, Nigerians developed voter apathy due to a distrust of the system. The 2015 elections taught us, however, that as individuals, our votes count. Thus, we must rise up as citizens to fulfill our civic responsibility and ensure accountability in governance.”

    Ahead of the forthcoming elections, INEC had released modalities for ongoing continuous voter registration. The centres open from 9 am to 3 pm daily.

    Mrs. Tinubu pleaded that the period should be extended; and should include weekends to allow those who were unable to visit the centres during work hours to do so at weekends.

    She said INEC should ensure that it had adequate resources to make the process quick and easy.

    The senator called for increased voter education and sensitisation to achieve the desire results

     

  • Tinubu urges FG to declare public holidays for collection of PVCs

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu, senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District on Sunday urged the Federal Government to declare public holidays for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), ahead of the December 2018 deadline.

    Oluremi, in a statement in Lagos, said that the PVCs were the tools to participating in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    She also urged residents in the state to ensure that they collect their PVCs.

    The call sequel to revelations by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that over seven million PVCs were yet to be collected nationwide, with one million and four hundred thousand from Lagos State.

    It would be recalled that prior to the 2015 elections, INEC had introduced the use of smart card readers. This has necessitated issuance of PVCs as part of the identification and authentication process.

    After the 2015 elections, about 12 million PVCs had remained in the electoral body’s custody.

    ”With previous elections, Nigerians developed voter apathy due to a distrust of the system.

    ” The 2015 elections taught us, however, that as individuals, our votes count. Thus, we must rise up as citizens to fulfill our civic responsibility and ensure accountability in governance,” she said.

    Towards the 2019 elections, INEC had released modalities for ongoing continuous voter registration. The centres open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

    Tinubu pleaded that the period should be extended; and should include weekends to allow people who were unable to visit the centres during work hours to do so at weekends.

    She said INEC should ensure that it had adequate resources to make the process quick and easy.

    She also called for increased voter education and sensitisation to achieve the desire results.(NAN)