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Tag: united

  • ‘Oyo APC is united, stronger’

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain  and Federal House of Representatives aspirant, Chief Shina Abiola Peller, has  debunked claims that the party in Oyo State is factionalized.

    Speaking at the flag-off of his aspiration to represent the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Peller said APC is united and stronger than ever. He urged Nigerians to ignore the rumour as such news is only being circulated by mischief makers.

    “I don’t believe there are factions within APC in Oyo State, what I believe and preach is that, we are as strong as we are united and we are as weak as we are divided. I know the noise about factions and division is to weaken our strength as a party and confuse us as a people.

    Therefore, I will never ever in my life entertain any faction. APC is one in Oyo State and we will do everything within our power to make sure that unity is maintained,” he said.

    “My people know my worth and my achievements. The young people of Nigeria are the most powerful single block in the country. We would not allow ourselves to be used by people who do not have our interest at heart,” he stated. In his words, the Executive Chairman, Itesiwaju Local Government of Oyo State, Mr. Niyi Adeagbo noted that Shina Peller’s declaration and the wealth of experience he is bringing into politics will set a high standard for 2019 political aspirants in Oyo State.

  • APC chair urges members to be united

    The newly-elected Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Iru/Victoria Island chapter, Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fasanya, has urged members to be united, stressing that “this is necessary for the party’s advancement.”

    Speaking at the weekend at the inauguration of members of the executive council, as well as ward chairmen and other newly-elected officers, Fasanya, a former secretary, Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, said although APC was well grounded in the area, members still needed to be more united and work hard to ensure victory during elections.

    One of the new officers, Mr. Niyi Osoba, restated his colleagues’ preparedness to work for the party’s progress.

    He reiterated members’ confidence in the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a chieftain of APC in the area, Chief Rilwan Alesinloye, among other leaders.

    Osoba advised members to get their permanent voter cards (PVCs), saying no stone must be left unturned in ensuring victory for the party in next year’s general election.

  • Senator Tinubu to Nigerians: let’s remain united

    Senator Tinubu to Nigerians: let’s remain united

    Senator representing Lagos Central Oluremi Tinubu yesterday urged Nigerians to continue on the path of unity and eschew tendencies that may break up the country.

    In an independence anniversary message, entitled: ‘Nigeria @57: One People’, in Lagos, Tinubu said the country had remained united in spite of the daunting challenges facing it.

    She said: “We must continue on the path of oneness, putting national interests above ethnicity and self-interest.

    “We have set our hands on the plough; we cannot at this moment, give up. Thus, we must shun all attempts to cause disunity amongst us.

    “Never again should we as a nation go through conflict like we did with the civil war. For us, the odds are too huge.

    “I celebrate with Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion of our Great Nation’s 57th independence anniversary.

    “This day, 57 years ago, we received liberation from colonial rule, deciding like other Nations that self-governance is the way forward.

    “In the years since then, we have dabbled in military rule, unitary system and now, democratic governance. We have had seasons of plenty as marked by the oil boom, and we have experienced lean years.

    “We have also been besieged with a civil war, ethnic conflicts, and rifts; and we have enjoyed relative peace as a nation.

    “Through it all, we have remained united and indivisible, pressing on to the Nigeria of our dreams. And for this, I must commend every Nigerian.

    “Therefore, I wish all the good people of Lagos Central Senatorial District, Lagos State and all Nigerians a happy celebration.”

     

  • Manchester City ahead of United with win over Chelsea

    Manchester City ahead of United with win over Chelsea

    Manchester City stayed ahead of age-old local rivals Manchester United at the top of the English Premier League on Saturday with a deserved 1-0 win away to champions Chelsea.

     Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United romped to a 4-0 victory over bottom club Crystal Palace, Manchester City had much the better of the late game at Stamford Bridge.

    “We are so happy,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “The way we played, especially in the second half, was pleasing.”

    A second-half goal by former Chelsea forward Kevin de Bruyne won it and left City just ahead of United on goal difference.

    Chelsea, starting the day three points behind the Manchester pair in third place, dropped to fourth.

    This was after two more goals from Harry Kane helped Tottenham Hotspur to a comfortable 4-0 win away to Huddersfield Town.

    Manager Antonio Conte blamed UEFA Champions League exertions from midweek for his team’s subdued performance.

    “It is logical when you play three games in seven (sic) days you risk something,” he said.

    United’s win left Palace rooted to the bottom of the table after a record seventh successive defeat without a goal to start the season.

    Beaten 5-0 away by City in their last game, Palace avoided a repetition but became only the second team since the Premier League began to lose their first seven games.

    Unlike Portsmouth in 2009-10, though, they have not scored a single goal.

    Romelu Lukaku’s late strike meant that free-scoring United have hit four goals in a game six times this season.

    Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini scored before halftime and when Fellaini headed in his second just after the interval, the points were made even more secure.

    “We started strong and we finished strong,” said Mourinho.

    England striker Kane continued his astonishing run by following up a Champions League hat-trick in midweek with two more goals as Spurs went 3-0 up by halftime at promoted Huddersfield.

    Ben Davies scored the other first-half goal and Moussa Sissoko added a fourth just before the final whistle.

    Kane, having failed to score at all in August once again, made it 13 for club and country during September.

    “Goals to games it is probably the best month I have had, especially after August,” he said.

    Watford recovered from two goals down at West Bromwich Albion to go fifth after the home team scored twice in three minutes in the first half.

    They scored through Salomon Rondon and Jonny Evans.

    Abdoulaye Doucoure kept Watford in contention and Brazilian Richarlison headed an equaliser in the final minute of added time.

    Substitute Peter Crouch earned Stoke City a 2-1 win at home to Southampton after Maya Yoshida had equalised Mame Biram Diouf’s opener.

    Earlier Saido Berahino, who has not scored for 30 games, missed a penalty kick conceded by Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, playing his first game of the season.

    In two key games at the wrong end of the table, West Ham United had a late 1-0 win over Swansea City to move above them.

    Bournemouth were held at home by Leicester City.

    West Ham relieved some of the pressure on manager Slaven Bilic when two of his substitutes combined for a dramatic winning goal.

    Arthur Masuaku crossed for Diafra Sakho to score, taking the London side out of the bottom three and putting Swansea there instead.

    “It was a difficult atmosphere in some ways,” West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart said of a home crowd who grew increasingly restless.

    “I‘m never going to criticise the fans, they pay their money and have a right to their opinion.”

    Bournemouth stay bottom but one after dominating against Leicester but failing to score as Jermaine Defoe came closest in the second minute, hitting the bar.

    In Sunday’s three matches, sixth-placed Liverpool meet up with their former manager Rafa Benitez, now in charge of Newcastle United, while  Arsenal host Brighton and Everton are at home to Burnley.(Reuters/NAN)

  • We must be united-Ajimobi

    We must be united-Ajimobi

    Nigerians must be united despite the differences and challenges of the various ethnic nationalities, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has stated.

    These differences, he said, should not divide the nation but strengthen the nationalities to work for peace.

    In an Independence message by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Yomi Layinka, Ajimobi said: “We are better and stronger together with common aspirations in a united Nigeria.”

    The governor also called for concerted efforts at combating violence, maiming and wanton destruction of lives and property, all in the name of religious extremism.

    He called for more patriotism, resilience and determination to ensure the country attains greatness.

     

  • Lawmakers seek united, stronger Nigeria

    Some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday advocated a more peaceful, more united and stronger Nigeria.

    In their Eid-el-Fitr messages, the lawmakers said prayers for the peace, unity and progress of the country should not end after Ramadan.

    According to them, no country can develop in an atmosphere of acrimony, ill feeling, discord and general insecurity.

    Mr Segun Olulade, representing Epe Constituency II in the Assembly, said no country could achieve greatness while in disarray.

    “As Muslims all over the world mark the end of Ramadan with the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, I want to call on Nigerian Muslims to seize the opportunity to pray for continued unity in the country.

    “I urge Muslims in the country to use the occasion of the celebration to ask God for continued peace, unity and progress,’’ he said.

    Olulade, the Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, urged Nigerians across ethnic divides to shun all forms of acrimonious and unfriendly tendencies as well as ethnic selfishness capable of undermining the unity of Nigeria.

    He called on every citizen to shun hate speeches and divisive tendencies, advising Nigerians to join hands with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to build a peaceful, strong and united Nigeria.

    Olulade added: “For the country to quickly recover from its current challenges and start moving in a positive direction, Nigerians must be ready to display high level self-denial, sacrifice and patriotism.

    “Nigerians should not stop praying, supplication and sacrifice for the country toward finding solutions to our challenges.”

    He urged the Muslims to use the lessons and virtues of love, tolerance and perseverance imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan in every aspect of their daily living in order to move the country forward.

    Also speaking, Mr Olusola Shokunle, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I in the Assembly, said national unity remained cardinal to moving the country forward.

    Shokunle, the Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, applauded the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for the efforts he has been putting into ensuring a united Nigeria.

    He said: “As Muslims across Nigeria celebrate Eid-el-Fitr today, we should pray for the unity of Nigeria.

    “I must praise the Acting President for the consultations and peace talks he has held across board to ensure that the country remains united.

    “The unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable because it is only through a united Nigeria that development can take place. Our division will be a terrible thing for us.”

    He described the peace meetings held by the Acting President as steps in the right direction, especially at a time the country is desirous of purposeful leadership that would keep the country on course.

    The lawmaker urged traditional and religious leaders to play their roles toward stabilizing the country politically, socially and economically.

    “Our traditional and religious leaders have serious role to play in the Nigeria project in all ramifications of our live as they command much respect from their followers.

    “I will urge them to use this commanding strength to campaign for a stable and united country,” the lawmaker added.

  • United they stand

    •Governors of South West states are right in deciding on collective approach to combating militancy 

    This is the age of terrorism, militancy and insurgency. It is a global trend. In most parts of Nigeria, criminals are getting bolder and posing a serious challenge to national security. In the South West region, the states are puzzled by the ease with which militants operating around the coastal towns terrorise people. Scores have been killed, kidnapped and property stolen.

    Having watched for months the new trend, the governments of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states have decided to give security of lives and property priority attention in the integration agenda.

    Last month, the governors met in Ogun State and announced that they would harmonise their programmes in this respect. Since then, the militants who had been operating freely in Ishawo, Ikorodu and other towns along the creeks in the state have been somewhat checkmated. The gang that killed an army captain and four policemen in the area and fled through the waters has been arrested in Ondo State. Those who broke into the Nigerian Turkish International School last year, picking up the vice principal, one other teacher and four students were equally arrested, thus indicating that crime may not after all pay, especially in the South West.

    We support the move by the governors. In recent years, pipeline vandalism, especially around Arepo and Ikorodu have been on the increase. It took the involvement of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force to rid the Arepo axis of the miscreants who had become a law unto themselves. The menace was considered so serious that the Defence Headquarters had to constitute a special task force to combat and halt the trend.

    This may be the first major test of the resolve of the six states in the region to combine efforts at promoting better life for their people. Nigerians have continually bemoaned what became of the federation. It has been so battered over the years. No one knows whether what we have is a federal or unitary system. This has affected security. The point has been made many times that security should not be on the exclusive list of the constitution. In the First Republic, each region and Native Authority had its police. It has been proved that posting policemen from Oyo to Zamfara state to handle crime prevention is an impossible task. The Federal Government must give this a serious thought as we embark on another constitution amendment exercise.

    While the governors are putting heads together, the police high command has a duty to device more modern means of checking the trend. Lagos is the commercial capital of the country, desirous of foreign direct investment and recognised as a mega city. It is the pride of the region. It is therefore more likely to attract the attention of the men of the underworld, too. If neighbouring states fail to take care of their security, they will become haven for fleeing felons from Lagos. We hope to see more action than talk in the near future.

    It should be noted that intelligence is very important in this wise. In the absence of good and well coordinated intelligence, it is impossible to track the criminals who have no respect for borders. It is to be seen how the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone Two hopes to ensure this. In other states in the region, armed robbery is the order of the day. Banks are regularly robbed and lives lost in the process. In some towns in Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Ogun states, banks have shut down their operations to protect the lives of their staff and limit their losses. Kidnappers have become so bold in all parts of the region. Last year, the Oniba of Iba, Oba Oseni Goriola, was kidnapped in his palace and organised large scale farmers in Epe were serially attacked and taken away. A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, was also abducted from his farm in Akure. He had to pay ransom to secure his freedom.

    These must stop if the South West is to regain its pride of place as the industrial hub of the federation and a catalyst for national development.

  • Plateau 4-1 ABS: Bala nets hat-trick as United return to NPFL summit

    Plateau 4-1 ABS: Bala nets hat-trick as United return to NPFL summit

    •Coach Makinwa sent off

    Reuben Bala scored a hat-trick as Plataeu United returned to the summit of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) following a 4-1 home win against ABS FC at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos yesterday.

    The match was eventful, as both sides gave it a real go from the blast of the referee’s whistle but it was the Bukola Saraki Boys that suffered the first misfortune of the encounter as coach Henry Makinwa was sent-off in the 12th minute.

    Eight minutes later, Joshua Obaje put the home side in front with a delightful header from a Mafeng Pam’s cross.

    ABS FC responded with a goal of their own when a direct ball into the penalty area came off Plateau United defender Hamisu Saleh and sailed past Dele Ajiboye.

    However, just before the end of the first half, the referee signalled for a penalty after ABS defender, Ernest Governor was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. Reuben Bala stepped up and finished past Sulaiman Dogo to make it 2-1.

    The second half saw a total collapse by the Illorin based side as the home side ran riot.

    Bala rose highest to head home Daniel Itodo’s long throw-in to restore Plateau United’s two-goal cushion.

    And with the game in its final minutes, Ibeh Johnson was fouled inside the box by Ibrahim Omolayo and the referee awarded a penalty which Bala stepped up and finished with aplomb to complete his hat-trick.

    The 4-1 win saw Plateau United return to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) log after leaders MFM FC lost 1-0 against Gombe United.

  • United we stand

    United we stand

    •Federal government should nip fresh challenge from the Niger Delta in the bud

    An irony, indeed. At a time that the people are full of expectation of a final push by the Army  against the Boko Haram insurgents, the equally deadly Niger Delta militants have threatened to resume their action against the state.  Human and material resources are being devoted to addressing the terrorist attacks that once threatened to overthrow the sovereignty of the land and ultimately break up the country.

    Unfortunately, too, the Movement for a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSPB), which is the South East version of the subversion threat, has indicated it would soon embark on another fresh wave of violence and open challenge to the sovereign power of the Nigerian state.

    These call for urgent action. At a time that the international community is being rallied to fight the Boko Haram war, there should be no distraction. We therefore call on the federal government to visit any attempt at insurrection from other parts of the country with the full weight of the law.

    It is on record that, following the earlier wave of protests and the reign of anarchy in the area, it took the introduction of the Niger Delta ministry and the amnesty programme to rein in the rough necks in the area. Only then did the reign of kidnap of expatriates and professionals and attacks on public buildings subside. At the height of the subversion of authority, life became so cheap that no one wanted to invest in the oil-rich territory. The national revenue, dependent on oil wealth, plunged and development was severely threatened.

    But, that was before the slump in the oil market. Added to it are the prohibitive cost of prosecuting the War against Terrorism in the North East, the inclement economic weather and the corruption in the land. The insurgency in the North got out of hand because the security agencies failed to pay it adequate attention in good time. Now, the militants in the creeks are known and their capacity could be fairly addressed.

    The threat of regrouping must be nipped in the bud now with with the support of the intelligence agencies charged with monitoring the key figures.

    While the rule of law should be scrupulously adhered to, the full weight of legal provisions should be exploited in dealing with the budding situation.

    It has been suggested that politicians may be prodding the militants to strike to disrupt plans by the new administration to ensure that the power and energy sectors are sanitised. The truth in this might has not been ascertained, but it should not be dismissed without investigation. Where any politician is found culpable, he should be exposed and charged with the relevant offences in the law.

    The MASSOB and its backers must be told that the era of impunity and inaction is gone. It is unacceptable that, 45 years after the civil war with the slogan “no victor, no vanquished,” anyone or group of persons could still be suggesting that Biafra is feasible. All Igbo leaders and elite should call the young men to order before another line of calamity is opened in that part of the country.

    This is a convenient point to put the militia groups in the various parts of the country in their place. One of the attributes of a sovereign state is that it has a monopoly of control and use of agencies of coercion. Nigeria cannot be an exception; otherwise anarchy looms. We call on the federal government to be fair in the distribution of resources to all parts of the country and in taking care of the citizens. This may go a long way in allaying the fears of the ethnic groups and even the economic minorities.

    At the end of the hostilities in the North East, we call on government to look into the demands of the various peoples of Nigeria. A convenient point to start might be revisiting the original covenant entered into by the people and political parties before independence and granting more autonomy to the federating units. The emergence of regional groups is perhaps an indication that the Nigerian people still owe more allegiance to the old regions that have largely translated to the geo-political zones.

     

     

  • United Ikwerre gone with the wind

    Ikwerre bu’otu (Ikwerre is one) was a popular slogan used in those days by the people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality to remind themselves that they are one indivisible entity. The slogan was also used to remind any Ikwerre man that it was necessary to always queue behind their brothers in times of good and bad.

    It is in this spirit of Ikwerre Bu’otu that the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality called Ogbakor-Ikwerre was set up.  Ogbakor-Ikwerre was the final voice of Ikwerre people. Any matter taken to it  was resolved amicably. They pronounced judgment on issues and parties accepted their decisions.

    But today Ogbakor-Ikwerre is seen as a mere gathering of unrecognised village chiefs. It has been infected by political virus and has lost its value.

    Ikwerre sons and daughters have forgotten the slogan Ikwerre Bu’otu because of personal aggrandisement and selfish desire, which escalated to high level of betrayal and rape of trust.

    Of course, it is now a shame and taboo to shout Ikwerre bu’otu in any gathering or in the public. It is now meaningless.

    Our communities have been divided; they are now giving their support to one political leader or the other. Our community leaders and kingmakers now accept bribe in the daylight to execute their brothers or lead protest against them even without asking what he has done wrong. Some of the communities in Ikwerre land have two monarchs and council of chiefs, the one loyal to ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the ones loyal to Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

    We thought it was  just a mere  destruction of  the traditional symbol of trust and brotherhood but it went beyond that; it has got to a level where Ikwerre people no longer trust one another. His brother is not just an enemy but an unforgivable one. We are in a situation where we prefer to trust a man from another tribe than to live or trust our brother. Many Ikwerre people, especially those who find themselves in the position of authority, have on several occasions signed the death warrant of their fellow Ikwerre brothers. And they are still doing that till today just because of their personal interest.

    Where is Wike, who once told his fans when he was local government chairman that he would forever continue to support his brother, Amaechi? Of course, he fought the battle like a great Ikwerre wrestler when former President Olusegun Obasanjo pronounced the K-leg wahala on Amaechi. At the end they won the battle and took over Rivers State Government House through the Supreme Court judgment. Today where is the brotherhood that bound Amaechi and Wike together? It is now torn to pieces? Who among them should our children emulate as a role model?

    Chief Sergeant Awuse is one of the popular sons of Ikwerreland; he once enjoyed the admiration and support of Ikwerre people. Most of us, during his days of political bulldozor when Amaechi was in the Rivers State House of Assembly as Speaker, supported his ambition to become the first Ikwerre governor. But as a political prostitute, he frustrated most of his supporters and abruptly ended his dream of becoming the governor by jumping from one party to the other. During Amaechi’s second tenure election campaign, Chief Awuse told Ikwerre youths and supporters that he wouldn’t have measured with Amaechi’s achievements if he were governor. He then raised Amaechi’s hand and asked Ikwerre people to support him. Where is Awuse and the love for the brotherhood which he once preached to us?

    Mike Elechi, a former permanent secretary in Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, was an incomparable supporter of Amaechi. He was not the type that gave order or made call when it was getting tough, he fought the fight by himself. And Amaechi hardly joked with him as far as Elele community and Ikwerre Local Government was concerned. Today the Ikwerre affection that made him to support Amaechi is gone.

    What of O.C.J Okocha and family?  They were very close to Amaechi. The relationship was intact until they went off the lane with betrayed heart. Where is Austine Opara, former Deputy Speaker of House of Representative and Amaechi’s   soul brother who with other friends turned Amaechi house to their meeting  point during the Peter Odili administration? Emeka Woke, Prince Paul Wonodi, Chief Wogu Okala, Chinyere Igwe, Sam Ogeh; these were Amaechi reliable soldiers whom he gave opportunities to serve  the state in different capacities, both at the state and at the federal levels. The list is endless.

    These people are all Ikwerre, and they were before now strong supporters of Amaechi. What went wrong? What were their reasons for leaving Amaechi or Amaechi’s reason for not begging them to come back? Could it be possible that our political hatred on one another can supersede the love we have for one another as brothers and sisters? How united is Ikwerre ethnic nationality? Do we ever consider the future of our children in imbibing the true spirit of our fatherland? Must we hate or kill our fellow Ikwerre man before we could make it in life? What are we teaching the younger generation that will take over from us? These are unanswered questions burning in the heart of many Ikwerre people. As far as I am concerned, our pursuit of personal gain cannot in anyway bring peace and unity in Ikwerre land; instead it will divide us the more and make mockery of Ikwerre Bu’otu, which our forefather taught us to say. Ikwerre Anumeka.