tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69794481224622153082024-03-12T16:56:13.280-07:00Brand InfoBrandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-54242571270089203862023-11-25T02:59:00.000-08:002023-11-25T02:59:34.016-08:00Emefiele pumped N10tn into economy through quasi-fiscal activities – Cardoso<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcf_hc_6Y8c2cUyHoR8glOL7aDmcldJlxnXEI6g5Q7KZ9IL72sT9GkYC1y8CoXyoF1QdCdC9jgaqqXI2hBM0jB9gHzaoUOcm7E-cSSnKkhoqHlX3HDAqtTGcQgsiRVw-FWlWE6PNNbM0JR1kIPvTQTri8Kzu9Q62sH9JkMur1-9vGE6jE24kdFj3IoRpW/s414/Yemi-Cardoso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcf_hc_6Y8c2cUyHoR8glOL7aDmcldJlxnXEI6g5Q7KZ9IL72sT9GkYC1y8CoXyoF1QdCdC9jgaqqXI2hBM0jB9gHzaoUOcm7E-cSSnKkhoqHlX3HDAqtTGcQgsiRVw-FWlWE6PNNbM0JR1kIPvTQTri8Kzu9Q62sH9JkMur1-9vGE6jE24kdFj3IoRpW/s320/Yemi-Cardoso.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-align: left;">CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso</span></span></div><p></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Olayemi Cardoso, has said that the apex bank will be asking Deposit Money Banks to increase their capital base in order to service the $1tn economy projected by President Bola Tinubu. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is as he noted that he knew that there was much work to be done in the way the apex bank ran its operations, adding that he would need the collaboration of all stakeholders. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking on Friday at the 58th Annual Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria in Lagos where he was the special guest of honour, Cardoso said, “In my recent speech at the 370th Bankers’ Committee meeting, I highlighted the economic agenda of the President. The administration has set an ambitious goal of achieving a GDP of $1tn over the next seven years. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Attaining this target necessitates sustainable and inclusive economic growth at a significantly higher pace than current levels. It is crucial to evaluate the adequacy of our banking industry to serve the envisioned larger economy.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ibadan Family Where Dad, Mum, Two Children Are Vulcanisers | Punch</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It is not just about its current stability. We need to ask ourselves, can Nigerian banks have sufficient capital relative to the finance system needs in servicing a $1tn economy in the near future, in my opinion, the answer is no, unless we take action. As a first test, the central bank will be directing banks to increase their capital. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Therefore, we must make difficult decisions regarding capital adequacy. As the first step, the CBN will be directing banks to increase their capital.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added that it was crucial to prioritise price stability to safeguard the livelihood of Nigerians.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He also blamed the recent negative perception of the apex bank on corporate governance failure, diminished independence and deviation from the core mandate, inefficient forex rules, and venture into development financing. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I’m confident and optimistic that by taking appropriate corrective actions and strategic steps, we can restore macroeconomic stability and address fundamental flaws,” he stated. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cardoso also noted that the fluctuating exchange rate was hampering business growth and promised to be transparent and fair to all as the bank performs its function. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added, “The removal of petrol subsidy and the adoption of a floating exchange rate and other government policies are anticipated to have a positive effect on the economy in the medium term. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“These measures are expected to enhance investors’ confidence, attract capital inflow, stimulate domestic investors and ultimately improve the level of external reserves. Additionally, they are expected to contribute to the stability of the local economy. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Despite the challenging global and local economic environment, Nigeria’s financial sector has demonstrated resilience in 2023 with key indications of financial soundness largely meeting regulatory benchmarks. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Stress test conducted on the banking industry also indicates its strength under mild to moderate scenario on sustained economic and financial stress. Although there is room for further strengthening and enhancing resilience to shocks. Therefore, there is still much to be done in fortifying the industry for future challenges.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cardoso also noted that the previous forex ban on those 43 items widened the gap between official and parallel market rates. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking on the activities of the CBN before his appointment, Cardoso stated that the quasi-fiscal policies of his predecessor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, resulted in N10tn being pumped into the economy through intervention programmes. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “I am aware that events over the past few years have also put the CBN in a bad light. These issues can be attributed to various factors, such as corporate governance failures, diminished institutional autonomy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, a deviation from the core mandate of the Bank, unorthodox use of monetary tools, an inefficient and opaque foreign exchange market that hindered clear access, a foray into fiscal activities under the cover of development finance activities. There was also a lack of clarity in the relationship between fiscal and monetary policies, among other challenges. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Hitherto, the CBN had strayed from its core mandates and was engaged in quasi-fiscal activities that pumped over N10tn into the economy through almost different initiatives in sectors ranging from agriculture, aviation, power, youth and many others. These clearly distracted the bank from achieving its own objectives and took it into areas where it clearly had limited expertise.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The apex bank boss however promised that the issues affecting the bank would be tackled under his watch. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “Under my leadership, the Central Bank of Nigeria will vigorously address these issues. We will tackle institutional deficiencies, restore corporate governance, strengthen regulations, and implement prudent policies. We assure investors and the business community that the economy will experience significant stability in the short-to-medium term as we recalibrate our policy toolkits and implement far-reaching measures.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The President/Chairman-of-Council at the CIBN, Ken Opara, in his welcome address, pointed out that governors of the CBN as the guest speaker had historically used the platform to share perspectives on economic and financial market development in the current year and provide insights into its economic outlook for the year ahead.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Opara went on to highlight some of the initiatives from the CBN since Cardoso took office and stated that there was still much to do. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It is important to mention that within the short time in office, the Central Bank governor has activated some key initiatives aimed at repositioning and stabilising the economy. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I will mention a few, focusing on the core monetary mandate of price and exchange rate stability, the unification of the exchange rate, and initiating steps to improve liquidity in the foreign exchange market, therefore achieving real positive change. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We are on a journey and we are not yet there but we believe that we are progressing as we are not oblivious of the inflationary pressure that has intensified and has reached a high of an all-time high of 27.33 per cent in October 2023 while the exchange rate continues to rise. We believe that the focus should continue to be on reforms and incentives that will boost non-oil export revenue as well as attract Diaspora and foreign portfolio investment. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“These achievements tie into the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, whose comprehensive development plan aims to address Nigeria’s most pressing challenges as encapsulated in the eight points agenda of economic growth and transformation, access to capital, job creation, food security, ending poverty, improved security, rule of law, fighting corruption and improved playing field for business to operate.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on National Economic Council and Climate Change, Mrs Rukayat El-Rufai. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lagos governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner of Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, in his goodwill message said, “In the last few months, we have witnessed what have been described as the new dawn in the management of our monetary policy and fiscal policy in line with the renewed hope agenda of the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I am confident that in the first full fiscal year of this administration and the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria under Dr Yemi Cardoso, these anticipated positive impacts of the monetary and fiscal policies of the new administration will fully manifest in our macro and micro economic indices, most importantly, for us as politicians, in the living conditions of our people.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In his remarks, the Chairman of the Body of Bank Chief Executive Officers, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, stated that the banking industry was becoming stronger even as the issue of FX forwards is being dealt with. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Onyeagwu, who is also the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, said, “The industry is getting stronger and the elephant in the room, FX forwards has been caged and we are moving forward.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, in his goodwill message, said, “The industry is thriving and relatively healthy. Taking Nigerian banks to the rest of Europe and other regions shows what we are able to offer the rest of the financial world. It has been difficult but we must stay the course.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Punch</span></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-20654589788738077922023-11-08T03:17:00.003-08:002023-11-08T03:17:28.422-08:00Opposition parties, residents condemn North absentee governors<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtyP6hgtK0qJWW-a7oPwFH-p3E1S1BRe1JexCLp_WbtFwk8P442DH0Sgp6nd1FOSWAw68WFTm7AEaHz4s54IJ7Xgjytjw4HeKoA6V8Z09wvFX1Ujdc7BBZLdd931mEFPHaFqAKqqf-zXM_r8MpZ1JGQye8BnrZwQNNbgEwyAE4S5ACdVj8vc_gNCDj3Y1/s700/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="700" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtyP6hgtK0qJWW-a7oPwFH-p3E1S1BRe1JexCLp_WbtFwk8P442DH0Sgp6nd1FOSWAw68WFTm7AEaHz4s54IJ7Xgjytjw4HeKoA6V8Z09wvFX1Ujdc7BBZLdd931mEFPHaFqAKqqf-zXM_r8MpZ1JGQye8BnrZwQNNbgEwyAE4S5ACdVj8vc_gNCDj3Y1/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is a sustained and worsening public outcry from several residents and stakeholders in the north over the absence of their elected governors who rather than sit in their various states prefer to govern the people from Abuja and other parts of the world, <i>Arewa PUNCH</i> reports. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Gombe State helmsman, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya who doubles as the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, and his Kwara State counterpart and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq have been fingered as the worst culprits in this category of absentee governors. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Apart from the two, other governors also identified as being always absent from their domain are Kogi, Sokoto, and Zamfara state governors. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This development, <i>Arewa PUNCH</i> investigations reveal, has attracted the hue and cry of their citizens and residents who say it negates the principle of good governance.<br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress during the 2023 poll in Gombe State, Nafiu Bala, the continued absence of state governors is no doubt impacting negatively on good governance. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bala faulted a situation whereby the governor spends most of his time in Abuja, Dubai, Turkey, and other parts of the world and from where he governs the citizens of the state “who elected him to office.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He argued that the development is completely at variance with the constitutional provision that governors as Chief Security Officers must not stay outside their states for more than two weeks.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It affects good governance because the governor has a statutory duty to sit and ensure lives and property are secured and protected. He is not expected to stay outside for more than two weeks because he is the Chief Security Officer of his state. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The critical insecurity situation in the country is another reason why governors should stay more in their states,” he declared. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The governorship hopeful further decried the inability of the affected governors to transmit power to their deputies as legally required by the law for the sustained governance of their states. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Most annoying is that these governors, including the Gombe State governor, don’t hand over to their deputy governors. Since Governor Inuwa Yahaya resumed, he had never anointed his deputy to take office as acting governor. This is wrong,” Bala stressed. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also speaking with Arewa PUNCH, a social critic and an advocate of good governance and best leadership practices, Cliff Stanley, said Governor Yahaya’s repeated absence from the state in the name of “Abuja politics” has robbed the state of the much-needed good governance. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Gov Yahaya’s emergence as the Northern States Governors’ Forum’s Chairman has made him concentrate more in Abuja politics to the detriment of governance in the state. Most times, he is not even in the state, and the Secretary to the State Government would always stand in for him at very important state functions and critical moments requiring his attention. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“So bad is the situation that most people in the state are now of the opinion that Abuja is his primary abode. Compare this is flight of fancy to his first tenure as the state governor, and you will know that the people are being shortchanged,” he said.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On his part, the Global Pan-Africanism Network North East Regional Coordinator, Musa Maishanu, who is also the National Director of GPAN Security and Intelligence Nigeria Chapter, said the governor’s continued absence is impedinńg good governance, thus, describing the situation as “unfortunate.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was no official response from the governor’s quarters as repeated voice calls initiated into the Director-General, Press Affairs Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli’s phone rang out with no response just as the text message forwarded to his mobile telephone as of the time of filing this report had yet to be responded to. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also, in Kwara State, opposition parties admonished the Governor, Malam AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq, to spend more time in Ilorin, the state capital, and ensure that the residents get the dividends of democracy. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The opposition parties informed Arewa PUNCH that since the emergence of the state governor as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, he hardly settles down to preside over the state again. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">First to throw the salvo is the Kwara State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Babatunde Mohammed, who knocked the governor over his incessant absence from the state. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mohammed said, “Since the governor took up the mantle of leadership of NGF, he hardly comes to the state to either oversee projects or spend time with the people,” he said, adding “the continued absence of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led to the illegal conversion of security vehicles procured to enhance local security into private use by the impostors he put in charge of our local government areas as the Transition Implentation Committee chairpersons. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It should be noted that none of the vehicles have been put into any serious use by the security agents it was meant to serve, as the TIC chairmen still cruise in them as though they are their official cars.’’</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added, “We are calling on Governor Abdulrazaq to return to Kwara fully and face the business of governance which he swore an oath of office to. The governor should draw an example from the leader of the PDP, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who was also a former NGF chairman but did not only stay in Kwara to run an efficient and people oriented government, but he also turned Kwara into a tourist attraction for other governors in Nigeria who thronged the state daily to learn from Saraki’s transformative prowess in the state.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria National People’s Party, Mallam AbdulSalam AbdulRazaq, who noted that the residents did not only need the much-mouthed and hyped change mantra insisted that they also needed a total transformation. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He urged the governor whom he accused of not spending quality time in the state since he became the chairman of the NGF to attend more to his job of governing the state instead of junketing across the country. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added that the governor’s appointment of inexperience technocrats into his cabinet had further exposed his absence from the state. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“If the governor has good hands in key positions in government and he gives them the free hands to operate, no matter how long he stays away from the state, his administration won’t suffer and people won’t know for how long he has been away from the state,” the NNPP spokesman observed. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Although AbdulRazaq hailed the governor for closing the gap in gender equality by giving more appointments to women, however, he noted that most of the women and the youth appointed into the cabinet, and other key areas in government are without the requisite experience in government business. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As a result, he admonished him to always appoint experienced people into key positions in the government, “so that no matter how long he stays away from the state, his administration won’t suffer if he gives them the free hand to operate.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On his part, the state chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Kehinde Rotimi while acknowledging the dual position of the governor, defended that, “as the chairman of the NGF, he does not only govern Kwara State but the entire 36 states.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nonetheless, he urged the Kwara State Governor to create a balance such that the state would not suffer, even as </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">he hailed him over some achievements which included prompt payment of salaries to the state workers and the implementation of the minimum wage of N30,000 which he described as a big departure from the past administration which was paying salary of workers in percentage. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The State Commissioner for Communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju, while defending the governor, told Arewa PUNCH that the additional responsibility of the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum given to Governor AbdulRazaq hasn’t in any way affected his performance as the governor of the state. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to her, the NGF chairman appointment has been a worthwhile thing to the governor, who has always been in the state to perform his role as the governor. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“In fact, His Excellency, governor AbdulRazaq has always been in the state to perform his role as the governor. He is presently at home, and he visited the State General Hospital to inspect some projects on Monday. He was also with the Traders at Oja Oba, where he met the women. The additional role as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum is a worthwhile appointment in which he has been functioning effectively,” the Commissioner declared. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Residents of Sokoto State too urged the state governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, to “spend more time with his people at home,”instead of spending more days outside the state.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They decried a repeat of the previous administration of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was accused of spending more time in Abuja than in the state. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mallam Bala Bello, a resident of the state while speaking with our correspondent, described the previous administration of Tambuwal as not too good for the state. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I am sure you are aware of the Tambuwal tenure in the state when he spent more of his time outside the state than in the state. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Tambuwal was the worst in the history of the state in terms of governors staying at home. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“He hardly stayed a week in the state without travelling either to Abuja or other parts of the country attending one function or the other in the name of national politics. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The most annoying part was when he travelled to Imo State during the yam festival. Can you imagine our governor paid a whopping N50 million to buy two tubers of yam. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“That was the same year all available data indicated that Sokoto State was the poorest in the country in terms of poverty, rate of out of school children, and other negative indices one could think of,” Bello reminded.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He appealed to the incumbent governor to halt his frequent trips outside the state and focus more on the job at home. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Continuing, he declared, “We voted for this administration in order to have a change on how things are done here in Sokoto by staying more at home rather than always being on the move from one place to the other searching for what is not lost. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Things must change, and it should be quick. After all, we once had a governor in the state who rarely travels, even to Abuja, not to talk of abroad. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We have to do everything humanly possible to appeal to Mr Governor to spend more time at home and face the work he was voted to do.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another resident, Bello Nasiru, who spoke on the development, also condemned the attitude of governors in the region over their flights of fancy, stressing that the situation is not too good for the development of the state in terms of infrastructure among others. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Sokoto State has not been lucky in terms of being blessed with excellent governors, especially after the exit of Aliyu Wamakko. Our governors hardly stay at home for one week. Rather, you see them jumping from one flight to the next available flight, searching for what is not lost. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We voted for this governor to correct the previous one, but all are the same. It was in the beginning of his administration that he stayed at home, not in recent times, that he has always been moving up and down.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We need him more at home than before. Things need to change if we want to have rapid and quality development in the state like our peers across the country.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Efforts to speak with a former special adviser to Tambuwal on SDGs, Mallam Kabiru Aliyu, was not successful as he neither pick his call nor replied to the text message sent to him as at the time of filling this report. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Further checks by our correapondent in Gusau, Zamfara State capital indicated that the state governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal hardly spends a week in the state since his inauguration in May 29. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The development, it was gathered, is becoming worrisome to the residents as </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“they are expecting much from the Governor who had during his electioneering campaign promised to rescue the state from total disintegration.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The situation has also led to public outcry and complaints, especially by the opposition who say they can not imagine that the governor whose state is under the control of bandits, terrorists and is ravaged by insecurity challenges would still be traveling out of state, leaving the residents to their fate. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A chieftain of the opposition All Progessives Congress in the state, Kabiru Shehu, berated the Lawal for “abandoning his primary responsibility of presiding over the state and traveling out at all times in order to attend his private businesses.”<br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “we are tired of this absentee governor who is always out of the state just for his business activities living behind his hired consultant friends to manage the affairs of the state. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“He should stay in the state and stop wasting our resources fueling his vehicles and using our resources for his personal trips both within and outside the country. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Since he came to power, Governor Dauda never stayed for a week in the state. The security situation is always worsening by the day because of his persistent absence,” he insisted. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rising in defence of his principal, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dauda on Broadcast Media and Press Affairs, Mustafa Jafaru said, the governor’s frequent trips outside Zamfara were for the benefit of the state. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jafaru disclosed that the governor has been going out of the state with his cap in hand, seeking assistance to develop the state because he met the treasury empty. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“You see, when he (Dauda Lawal) took over the mantle of leadership, he inherited an empty treasury with a lot of debts. <br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“So how can he rule the state with an empty treasury.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“As a political scientist and a banker, he decided to go and meet people who can donate to the state for developmental projects to take palace. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“As I am talking to you now, the Governor has been able to convince many people including international donour agencies who have promised to give helping hands and very soon, people will see changes,” he assured. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Kogi State, the story is different as our correapondent learnt that the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is more at home in Lokoja “compared to before now.” <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our correspondent observed that, the governor who before now had been running the affairs of the state from Abuja has of recent been more at home helping his party, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo effectively prosecute his campaign strategies so that the ruling party can maintain its dominance in the state. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to the Arewa PUNCH findings, since Bello lost the APC presidential ticket, which led to the emergence of President Bola Tinubu, the governor has been more visible in Lokoja. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He has equally been visible at most state functions, unlike when he used to delegate his duties to his Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja, who stood in for him most times in the past. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Punch</span><br />
</p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-13193942906871157772023-11-03T06:12:00.003-07:002023-11-03T06:12:36.755-07:00Bodex Social Media Hangout 4.0: Shaping the digital landscape for positive impact<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprghzWUONx_I2uc0bK8bDHP7CzbXrI0FpwvV7Gfo3S0_i6E8fggo-i1RcyksntSP_mjCFjsWAfudI5BP1vFgFrMVoCtvUqdBS8fb7vgZrjRzqNFT5QHzN2nh8VvaiEs4uZR9-maYkGCDHQBWfzDlhACwtt5GhB29zf7__U93aYWGuK5kOtbbBXdMmAcGF/s1080/IMG-20231103-WA0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1080" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprghzWUONx_I2uc0bK8bDHP7CzbXrI0FpwvV7Gfo3S0_i6E8fggo-i1RcyksntSP_mjCFjsWAfudI5BP1vFgFrMVoCtvUqdBS8fb7vgZrjRzqNFT5QHzN2nh8VvaiEs4uZR9-maYkGCDHQBWfzDlhACwtt5GhB29zf7__U93aYWGuK5kOtbbBXdMmAcGF/s320/IMG-20231103-WA0026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 4th edition of the Bodex Social Media Hangout, held at the prestigious Radisson Blu Ikeja, Lagos on 21st October 2023, brought together an ensemble of digital experts, thoughtful leaders, Opinion experts, stakeholders and social media enthusiasts for an event that left a profound mark on the ever-evolving digital landscape.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Themed 'Social Media: Hope or Hubris,' the event explored the evolution of social media, transforming from its early days as a platform for personal connections to the complex landscape it has become today. Attendees had the exclusive opportunity to engage with a remarkable lineup of top-tier digital experts who shared their invaluable insights on various digital topics.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The driving force behind the Bodex Social Media Hangout, the esteemed convener Bodex Hungbo, commenced the event with a thought-provoking narrative. She recounted the fascinating journey of social media from its inception to its current role in society, highlighting its original purpose: "to bring sanity to netizens" through the annual gathering of experts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Guest speaker Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, shared his insights on how social media has emerged as the new leader, accelerating communication in an interactive and effective manner, surpassing the limitations of traditional media. His compelling discussion resonated with attendees, emphasizing the significance of this dynamic medium.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keynote speaker Obi Asika, the founder of Omniverse, captivated the audience by shedding light on the astounding growth of Nigerian influencers in the digital space, amassing billions of followers on social media platforms. His perspective underscored the global impact of Nigerian content creators.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ray Sharma, lead partner at Global Tech and a seasoned investor, delivered an engaging talk on the rapid growth of social media platforms. He pointed out that Instagram took two and a half years to reach a hundred million users, TikTok achieved this feat in just nine months, and ChatGPT, a testament to cutting-edge technology, took a mere month to reach a hundred million users.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The head Mass Media Writing Department School of Media Communication at Pan-Atlantic University Dr. Chike Mgbeadichie also gave a compelling speech on the importance of cultural competence in content creation. He emphasised the inevitable need for cross-cultural knowledge and skills in creating content that respects the cultural and religious sensitivities of others. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Izzi Boye who is into smartphones maximization also taught some hidden features on smartphones leaving the audience jaw dropping as they never knew such features existed on their phones </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Bodex Social Media Hangout 4.0 also featured three enlightening panel sessions where savvy panelists shared insights on different topics. Moderated by Ekezue Anthonia Ezenwa, the first panel featured Dr. Morayo Brown, Victor Ogunyinka, Ekemini Ekerette, and Elsie Godwin, discussing how social media can inspire hope for individuals in today's turbulent times. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The second panel, moderated by Mercy Frank, featured Hon Gbenga Omotoso, Charles Olojede, Mariam Bakre, and Taiwo Adeyemi sharing their informed opinions on the essentiality of digital media in various sectors, including business, governance and citizenship participation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Moderated by Lanre Basamta, the third panel featured JJ Omojuwa, Olubiyi Tudors Ogunbiyi, Naijabrandinfluencer and Dami Adenuga dispensing enlightening thoughts on the prospects of social media for economic empowerment. All sessions proved engaging with remarkable takeaways for the audience. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Overall, the Bodex Social Media Hangout 4.0 succeeded in fostering a renewed commitment to using social media as a force for good, emphasizing responsible engagement, and highlighting the incredible potential it offers for both personal and professional growth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For more information about the Bodex Social Media Hangout and its mission, please visit www.bsmhangout.com</span></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-40143683370255168182023-10-11T20:56:00.001-07:002023-10-11T20:56:08.068-07:00Certificate forgery: Atiku, Obi protest as BBC fact-checkers clear Tinubu<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonboNLtLTra2RrrjNr1YP4QOJTJbnVTc6NG1x9sS-UihwfyFjIyXyvFIhiPA8RI0N1zwR87eAzJAF6Qxdif4_Ivgs4_MH3wKhVxCGsexqPTqm7qWbI-5PuknrC8u0wLTR_7pYhtoOWMluzyLM1HkmHn1nhPS0n_HS03Q5oT4fhsvf9kmj1YtbhKtbeemE/s650/01-at-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="650" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonboNLtLTra2RrrjNr1YP4QOJTJbnVTc6NG1x9sS-UihwfyFjIyXyvFIhiPA8RI0N1zwR87eAzJAF6Qxdif4_Ivgs4_MH3wKhVxCGsexqPTqm7qWbI-5PuknrC8u0wLTR_7pYhtoOWMluzyLM1HkmHn1nhPS0n_HS03Q5oT4fhsvf9kmj1YtbhKtbeemE/s320/01-at-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-align: left;">Obi, Tinubu and Atiku</span></span></div><p></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>BBC says documents confirm President’s CSU diploma, APC carpets Atiku, Obi</i></b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>•PDP, LP tackle Tinubu, say certificate issue tarnishing nation’s image</i></b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The camps of the Peoples Democratic Party standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have protested the BBC report that there is no evidence to back the diploma forgery allegation against President Bola Tinubu. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">BBC’s Global Disinformation Team had in a fact-checking report published on Wednesday said there was no evidence that Tinubu forged the Chicago State University certificate he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest the February presidential election.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The BBC report concluded that the allegation that Tinubu submitted a forged CSU certificate to the INEC was false. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Global Disinformation Team explained that it fact-checked the most widely circulated claims to arrive at its conclusion. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The allegation of certificate forgery levelled against Tinubu has been roiling the polity with his opponents in the last election-Atiku and Obi-taking the ex-Lagos State governor to task over the issue.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reports that the ex-Lagos State governor’s certificate was faked went viral on social media following the release of his CSU academic records. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The release of the president’s academic documents is the culmination of a judicial case filed in August by former Vice President Atiku, who is seeking to overturn Tinubu’s electoral victory at the Supreme Court. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Atiku had accused Tinubu of falsifying the CSU diploma of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration awarded in 1979 that he submitted to the electoral body. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a move to strengthen his election petition appeal filed at the apex court, the PDP standard bearer asked an Illinois, Chicago court to compel the CSU to release the President’s academic records, including a copy of any diploma issued by CSU in 1979, a copy of the diploma the CSU gave to Tinubu in 1979, copies of diplomas with the same font, seal, signatures, and wording awarded to other students that are similar to what CSU awarded to him in 1979. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He also demanded documents from the CSU that were certified by Jamar Orr, who was then a staff member of the CSU. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Atiku’s application was opposed by Tinubu’s lawyers citing privacy concerns, but the US court decided it should proceed and the school subsequently released the academic records. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In line with the court ruling, Atiku’s lawyer, Angela Liu, questioned the CSU registrar, Caleb Westberg, in a deposition.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The report read, “Some social media users in Nigeria allege that the deposition and the diplomas released by CSU confirm that the diploma submitted to INEC by Mr Tinubu was forged. This claim was also repeated by one of Mr Abubakar’s lawyers, Kalu Kalu, at a press conference last week. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We found there was no evidence to support this claim. Many social media users in Nigeria have been sharing false or misleading posts about the deposition of Caleb Westberg, the current CSU Registrar. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>CSU diploma</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The CSU released several diplomas issued between 1979 and 2003. We analysed all of them. There are three different diplomas for Mr Tinubu that we refer to throughout our analysis: </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The original one from 1979, which he has said in the past was lost when he went into exile in the 1990s. The second one that he submitted to INEC, supposedly a replacement diploma from CSU (it is similar to diplomas issued by CSU in the 1990s). </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Additionally, CSU holds another replacement diploma for Mr Tinubu that they say is probably from the early 2000s that he never collected. The allegations on social media are based on a comparison between the document Mr Tinubu submitted to INEC and the 1979 diplomas released by CSU.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">During Westberg’s deposition, the BBC noted that Atiku’s lawyer focused on the copy of the diploma Tinubu handed to the electoral commission and suggested that it was unlike any of the diplomas released by the CSU.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“However, while Mr Westberg agreed with Ms Liu that the diploma in question does not look like the samples from 1979, he stated that the certificate actually looks like three of the diplomas CSU released to Mr Abubakar. Our analysis confirms this. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It turns out that the discrepancy in the appearance of the diploma is down to it having been re-issued in the 1990s. Mr Westberg said the template of CSU’s diploma has changed several times over the years. He said any request for a new diploma would resemble the current template at that time, no matter when the student graduated. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“As such, if Mr Tinubu had reordered his diploma in the late 1990s, what he would have been given would look like what was obtainable then.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Referring to a claim made by a fact-checking organisation in Nigeria that the diploma Tinubu submitted was not from CSU as its diplomas do not include the phrase “with honours” under the degree name, the BBC said it found that while this was not reflected in the other diplomas released by CSU, “it does appear in Mr Tinubu’s diploma issued in the early 2000s, which was authenticated by Mr Westberg during his deposition. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It has the words “with honours” – a match with the diploma with the same detail submitted by the president to INEC.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In response to the new light shed on the controversy by the British broadcaster, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, in a statement, described the report as a hatchet job. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He claimed that the report “is part of President Tinubu administration’s propaganda programme.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shaibu said, “Sometime last week when the National Broadcasting Commission issued a final warning to Arise News TV, we pointed out that the Tinubu administration was on the verge of launching a full-blown propaganda and also intimidating ‘uncooperative’ media houses into discrediting and downplaying the CSU scandal. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Sadly, we never imagined that it would be the BBC that would become the willing tool.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shaibu lampooned the BBC for allegedly attempting to “bamboozle Nigerians with a jaundiced report when the details are clear for everyone to see.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Atiku’s aide alleged that the BBC investigation was carried out with a predetermined goal- to clear Tinubu. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shaibu called on the BBC and other fact-checkers to be more circumspect, adding that their job was too sensitive to entertain errors. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The media aide, who advised media organisations to invest more in investigative journalism, noted that “If the BBC had invested in proper investigative journalism, it would have been the one uncovering some of Tinubu’s scandals instead of relying on Atiku for information on Tinubu’s certificates.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shaibu in another statement lambasted the President “for holding just one cabinet meeting since taking office 135 days ago.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He described it as ironic that Tinubu, who has the largest cabinet in Nigeria’s history, had decided not to meet with them. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba could not be reached for comment on Wednesday but the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, insisted that Tinubu’s CSU certificate presented to the INEC was not genuine. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He challenged the President to put the information in the public in the right perspective. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reacting to the BBC report, Osadolor said, “I would urge them to toe the part of honour like the BBC of old, and not get their reputation stained by this saga that has stained so many characters, individuals and institutions.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The leadership of the Labour Party said they were not moved by the report of the British media outfit, which it hinted was damage control to change the certificate saga narrative. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The National Legal Adviser of the party, Kehinde Edun, told one of our correspondents that regardless of what anyone may say, the president must take responsibility “for the mess he is putting the country through.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He noted, “They (BBC) are entitled to their opinion. As far as we are concerned, this issue has become so messy and too dirty. In fact, in this circumstance, we even sympathise with Tinubu because he put himself in too many problems by not coming out clean about so many things.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“If you look at what Peter Obi said today, he was actually showing some form of empathy by saying that this man (Tinubu) should just clean up his mess for the sake of the country.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>APC berates Atiku</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But the Director of Publicity, All Progressives Congress, Bala Ibrahim, slammed the PDP standard bearer, Atiku, over the certificate controversy. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He applauded the BBC, describing its investigation as “factual and a reflection of reality.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He told The PUNCH that it was a vindication of what they earlier knew. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “What the BBC has done now is to lend credence to the submission of the president that he did not forge any document. If anybody is in doubt, he can come up with a contrary investigation. For the BBC disinformation team to come with this report, it means the information is sacrosanct.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ibrahim also dismissed insinuations that the foreign media might have been compromised to give the president a clean bill.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said his experience working for the foreign broadcasting station for almost three decades convinced him the British media outfit could not be intimidated or induced. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I am saying this to dismiss the insinuation by critics of this administration that the BBC is compromised. I served with the BBC for upwards of 27 years and retired as a regional coordinator in charge of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Burkina Faso. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“In all these years of service, one thing is central in the training of the BBC, which is credibility and fact-finding. The BBC lays emphasis on re-training people on fact-finding and importance of credibility. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“That is why the BBC is the only media in the world that doesn’t run advert. It doesn’t collect money from anybody because it is being funded by the Foreign Office. No BBC staffer is in touch with money or allowed to collect money from anywhere. The question of being compromised or influenced to do something is laughable,” he stated. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a related development, Atiku has again challenged Tinubu to clarify the alleged discrepancies in his CSU academic records. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Aide defends Atiku</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Atiku in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe on Wednesday clarified that Siddiq Abubakar on his West Africa Examination Council certificate was his former name.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A member of the APC, Ayekoto Akindele had in a Facebook post queried, “At what point did the new name “Atiku Abubakar” changed to “Siddiq Abubakar” which is the name written on the WAEC certificates presented to INEC and when did “Siddiq Abubakar” changed back to Atiku Abubakar which is now his current name?” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Atiku while describing the inquiries as healthy because they seek to probe the truth, added that “We also notice that a lot of those who engage on the issue are supporters and aides of President Bola Tinubu.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He explained, “To start with, Atiku Abubakar wrote his WAEC examination in 1968 with the name Siddiq Abubakar. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Every elementary student of Islamic civilization will not find it hard to decipher that both Siddiq and Atiku are names that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) gave to his bosom friend, Caliph Abubakar. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Therefore, Siddiq and Atiku are names that have a historical link to one person in Islamic theology,” Ibe added. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to him, Atiku in 1973, more than 50 years ago deposed to an affidavit that he would wish to be known officially as Atiku Abubakar. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The BBC report has, however, divided Nigerians with Bashir Ahmad, a former Digital Communications Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the certificate saga is closed following the BBC fact-checking.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“BBC says no evidence, so case closed,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), via @BashirAhmaad. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reno Omokri, former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan and staunch supporter of the PDP and Atiku, said some Nigerians were “harassing the BBC on social media for stating the obvious truth.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Some Nigerians are now flooding the BBC with calls and harassing them. They are also doing the same on all their social media handles simply for stating the obvious truth: That there is no evidence Bola Tinubu forged his certificate. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“This is the same thing they did to the Governor of Illinois and Chicago State University, which made the university lock their X profile. It is the same thing they did to Judge Maldonado’s court,” he wrote via @renoomokri on X. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Peter Obi already knows he will lose at the Supreme Court. That is why he gave his bumbling press conference today. If you know you have a case, you wait for the court. Pre-empting the court, especially on a day the BBC busted his bubble by saying there is no evidence Tinubu forged his certificate, shows that Obi has seen the handwriting on the wall. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“By the time the Supreme Court also rules that there is no evidence that Bola Tinubu forged his certificate, they will also say that the honourable justices have been bribed. They are incapable of accepting the truth that does not favour them,” Omokri added in another tweet. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meanwhile, an Obi supporter, @Balatic, queried the BBC’s methodology in gathering its findings.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Dear @BBCWorld, can you explain to the world how you assembled analysts that analysed the Tinubu certificate saga, ‘found’ no evidence of forgery and went ahead to write an article that shows more evidence while claiming there’s none? Do you now employ quacks as journalists?” the tweep wrote. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, argued that the BBC report failed to answer some important questions especially as it admitted to the existence of three certificates purportedly for one person. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I have read the BBC article. The crux of the report is based on assumption and conjecture. It has not answered the most pressing questions or added anything new to the issues in contention. It is predicated on the assumption that the replacement diploma certificate that Tinubu presented to INEC, may have been obtained by him from Chicago State University simply because it is similar to or consistent with the format used by CSU during the 1990s. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“If this report was aimed at fact-finding and based on serious investigation, the BBC should have told us what year the certificate was obtained by Tinubu from the CSU,” he wrote on X via @InibeheEffiong. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Punch</span><br />
</p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-63129780954257620222023-09-29T00:55:00.001-07:002023-09-29T00:55:08.000-07:00Indefinite strike: Labour protests as FG threatens union leaders with contempt charge<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Sd062Xo93uD2_YozLfsPePao6QgW30WpwbMa_9Eghn4Me3VFJ_K9NPkC_0xsOPWyw-HrXtiO5wNfcQFV0tpfLMgV-V13xdaKGo2Yeo4vpJDTSyh8N9rlnAd3dUyj1yBkBZ2NxeXqiYLSb7-edlMLtv4jzYRgqLKF-01xHzXCI7YqvDLxbOAg4-BqLRa3/s566/NLC-strike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="566" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Sd062Xo93uD2_YozLfsPePao6QgW30WpwbMa_9Eghn4Me3VFJ_K9NPkC_0xsOPWyw-HrXtiO5wNfcQFV0tpfLMgV-V13xdaKGo2Yeo4vpJDTSyh8N9rlnAd3dUyj1yBkBZ2NxeXqiYLSb7-edlMLtv4jzYRgqLKF-01xHzXCI7YqvDLxbOAg4-BqLRa3/s320/NLC-strike.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NLC members during a strike</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, on Thursday, berated moves by the Federal Government to hamstring the Organised Labour from embarking on an indefinite nationwide strike from Tuesday, using the courts. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Etim stated that labour leaders would not succumb to any threat by the government, noting that they were ready to go to prison in their fight for better lives for Nigerian workers. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The TUC deputy president said this against the backdrop of the warning by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, that the proposed strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and TUC was in contravention of a subsisting court order restraining the unions from declaring an industrial action. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> The NLC and TUC Tuesday announced an indefinite strike with effect from October 3, 2023, to protest the alleged failure of the Federal Government to provide post-subsidy palliatives for workers and implement policies that could alleviate the sufferings of the masses after the removal of the fuel subsidy.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The unions had also directed their state chapters and affiliates to mobilise for the shutdown of critical facilities and infrastructure, including airports, seaports, electricity grids and fuel supply across the country. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> However, the AGF in a letter addressed to the counsel to the NLC and TUC, Femi Falana, SAN, reminded them that it was as a result of the disobedience to the order that the ministry of justice filed a contempt proceeding against the labour leaders. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added that the ministry withdrew the suit following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The letter read, “You are kindly invited to recall the antecedence of previous steps/actions on this matter, particularly the exchange of correspondence between this office and your firm, before and after the nationwide “action/protest” declared by the NLC on August 2, 2023. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Whilst your clients had maintained that the nationwide protest by the NLC is in furtherance of its constitutional right to embark on protests, the ministry has repeatedly advised on the need to advise your clients to refrain from resorting to self-help and taking actions capable of undermining subsisting orders of a court of competent jurisdiction. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It is also to be recalled that based on the conduct of the said nationwide action/protest, this office instituted contempt proceedings against the labour leaders. However, upon the intervention of the President and National Assembly, coupled with the decision of the labour unions to discontinue their action/protest, the contempt proceedings were not prosecuted further. This was advisedly done to enable the government and labour union to engage in further negotiations without any form of encumbrances. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“However, in its communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting on 31st August 2023, NLC resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from August 31, 2023. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’Also on September 26, 2023, the Presidents of NLC and TUC, jointly issued a communiqué stating that organised labour had resolved, “to embark on an indefinite and total shutdown of the nation beginning on zero hours Tuesday, the 3rd day of October, 2023.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>AGF</b><b> writes</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Fagbemi stated that from the contents of the communiqué and available media reports, the proposed strike action is connected with the removal of fuel subsidy and provisions of palliative for workers.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> “These are undoubtedly issues that have been submitted to the National Industrial Court for adjudication. Therefore, the proposed strike action is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted on June 5 2023 restraining both the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress from embarking on any industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending Motion on Notice”, he added. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fagbemi said irrespective of their disposition on the matter, the court order must be obeyed unless it is vacated. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He called on Falana to advise the labour leaders to abide by the court judgment to protect its integrity. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “We wish to reiterate that a court order, regardless of the opinion of any party on it, remains binding and enforceable until set aside. It is the expectation of the public that the labour unions would lead in obedience and observance of court orders and not in its breach. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’It is therefore the earnest expectation of this Office that your distinguished law firm will advise the labour unions on the need to protect the integrity of courts and observe the sanctity of court orders. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Consequently, you are kindly requested to impress it upon the organized labour unions to note the fact that their proposed strike action is in gross breach of the subsisting court order, as well as the appropriateness of addressing their grievances/demands within the ambit of the law hence, the need for them to be more accommodating and show greater appreciation of the effect of the order of the court, by shelving the strike action. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’The foregoing will afford parties more room for further mutual engagements, for a holistic and sustainable resolution of all outstanding issues on this matter in the overall national interest.”<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But the TUC Deputy President waved off the AGF’s warning, saying the contempt threat would not make the organised labour shelve their planned walkout, noting that the labour leaders were ready to be jailed for their convictions. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He stated, ‘’It is a threat but power belongs to the people. Let them carry all of us to the prisons. I can only answer by saying the end justifies the means. If that is what they want, let’s see what would happen on the 3rd of October. The good thing is that Nigeria is our country. If he would pack all the Nigerian people to prison, there is no problem. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’If the government wants to put us in prison, let them put us in prison. Going to prison is not a death sentence. After all, even a (former) president passed through the prison. Didn’t (Segun) Obasanjo go to prison? We are used to threats and it is not going to deter us, we are not cowards. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’We are working for the country and if the government feels it wants to put us in prison because we are working for the country, so be it. Let the end justify the means.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Falana could not be reached for comments on Thursday but senior lawyers in separate interviews with The PUNCH aligned with the AGF and advised the NLC and TUC to respect the order of the court. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lawyers react</span></b></b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, argued that the labour unions would be in contempt of the court and Section 287 of the Constitution, which enjoined every person or group to obey the order of the court. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> He added, “Where the order of the court is being ignored, it is an invitation to anarchy. What they should do is to have that order set aside before they can embark on any industrial action.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’So, to do so (embark on strike) will amount to contempt of court which they may face. I think they should do something about the order, and either appeal against it and then ask for a stay of the order, or get it set aside by the Appellate Court or that same court.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking in the same vein, Rasheed Adegoke, SAN, underscored the importance of respecting judicial orders. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The appropriate thing to do, he counselled, was to apply for the order to be set aside or appeal. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He held that disobeying a court order could lead to contempt charges which he said is a grievous offence. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Adegoke said, “Once there is an existing court order, it is binding on all persons and authorities concerned. Where they fail, refuse or neglect to obey the court order, the AGF can bring them to court for contempt and that is a grievous offence because it undermines the integrity of the court. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It equally destabilises the judicial system otherwise where everybody feels that he’s right and courts are wrong, choosing not to obey the court order is a licence to resort to self-help and the implication is that others can behave the same way. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’What we will have is a society not regulated by the rule of law; that means there will be breakdown of law and order. The appropriate thing to do is to apply to set aside that order or go on appeal against it.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another senior lawyer, Afam Osigwe, SAN, warned that willful disobedience of court orders could attract serious consequences for the labour leaders. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He contended that if the AGF asked the unions not to go on strike, it meant there was an order of the court that restrained them from carrying out the action. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added, ‘’If there is an order and the labour union leaders violate that order, it may amount to contempt of court for a person to willfully disobey an order of a court. It will be wrong for any person, whether it is a labour union, to violate such an order and act contrary to do that which the court has restrained the person from doing.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking further, the former General-Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association averred, ‘’When you disobey a court order, there are contempt committal proceedings that will be followed up within the court where the person would be allowed to defend him or herself and if the court at the end of the proceedings finds the person liable, then the person will get appropriate punishment. “ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But a lawyer and activist, Deji Ajare, stated that no order of court could perpetually restrain the labour unions from embarking on industrial action as that would mean removing the right of the members to organise actions to negotiate their demands. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He submitted, “I am minded to believe that the order of the court was to enable the parties explore an opportunity to amicably resolve the issues. And if for the past six weeks since that order was allegedly made, the Federal Government of Nigeria has not been able to provide the necessary leadership that the labour unions and Nigerian citizens need to develop some level of confidence and comfort that the government is sincere and genuinely pursuing a resolution of the issues, I do not think any court will reasonably make that order.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Against the backdrop of the expected impact of the strike on the economy, the Senator representing Abia North at the National Assembly, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, has appealed to the NLC and TUC to reconsider their proposed strike as it would increase hunger and hardships in the country.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He assured that the workers’ salaries would soon be reviewed in a few weeks in response to the demands of the unions, arguing that the President cannot approve funds without appropriation. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He stated, “I am pleading with the NLC to see reason with the people of Nigeria, not even with the government. They are thinking that President Tinubu and his cabinet are the owners of Nigeria, no. Nigeria belongs to all of us, including President Tinubu. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The budget is coming and workers’ salaries will be reviewed. It is a question of a few weeks or months. We will make sure that the Nigerian budget will be implemented and workers salaries will be looked into. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“President Tinubu is not going to manufacture money without appropriation to do anything and I am sure that within six to eight weeks, the budget will be before the National Assembly. Workers should take it for granted that the President will work out the details of how to set up the emolument of all levels of workers.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> He further pleaded, “for the sake of Nigerians who are eating as labourers, if there is a strike, they cannot eat. If there is unrest, they cannot feed. I hope the NLC will find reason and reconsider going on strike this week because it is going to hurt the economy so much. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’Manufacturers, stock exchange, truck pushers, everybody will be in a mess. During budget deliberation, we will make sure we consider what is good for all.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He used the opportunity to also plead with the state governors not to use their party structure in distributing the Federal Government palliatives.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The palliative is not a party matter, it is for Nigerians. Please, do not share it through your party structure as we heard that many governors are sharing it through party structure. It is not the right thing to do,’’ he admonished. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Governors beg NLC</span></b></b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The National Economic Council on Thursday said state governors would negotiate with the organised labour in their respective domains to avert the nationwide strike slated for Tuesday. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It also appealed to the unions to reconsider their stance, warning that such an exercise would devastate Nigeria’s economy, currently grappling with double-digit inflation, forex shortages and low oil production. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Addressing State House correspondents after the 136th NEC meeting, which was held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, said, “Labour is represented in all the 36 states and the FCT and NEC is appealing that discussions should continue at the state levels because there will be peculiarities as to the issues to be addressed concerning the demands of labour. Therefore, dialogue is the way to go.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Relating the NEC’s appeal to journalists after the monthly meeting, the governor explained that the council was aware of the strike notice issued by the national leadership of the NLC and TUC. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “The Council noted further the implication of this strike for the economy and the nation and thus urged members to continue to engage with the leadership of their respective states and to appeal to them to shelve the action and continue on the path of dialogue with the federal government. This is the appeal of Council.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Explaining the grounds for NEC’s appeal further, Mutfwang noted that most first-term governors inherited a striking labour force and have only managed to get them back to work recently.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Therefore, enforcing a new strike would further damage the economy, which, he observed, is in a “critical” phase. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The nation is at a very critical moment at this time. In some states, when they took over on May 29, the workers were on strike; some of those issues have just been resolved for the workers to return to work. To ask them to go back immediately it’s going to further damage the economy. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Therefore NEC, while expressing genuine concern about the situation in the country, appeals for calm and patience and I want to believe that the leadership across the nation at this point in time wants to truly address the issues that concern Labour and the general populace and move the country forward,” said Mutfwang. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He appealed for more time for the government to work on addressing the concerns of Labour, affirming that President Tinubu will address Labour’s concerns in his Independence Day address on October 1. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“NEC actually expressed genuine concern on the situation in the country and appreciated the concern by Labour to have those issues addressed. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“That is why NEC is appealing for patience, appealing for time to be able to address the concerns of Labour. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We also believe that Mr. President will be addressing the nation on October 1 and some of the concerns of Labour will be appropriately addressed in the President’s speech,” the governor revealed.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meanwhile, in his opening address at the NEC meeting titled, ‘Planning for Stability: Our Agenda for Economic Growth in 2024,’ Vice President Kashim Shettima reminded the governors and other council members that the weight of the tough decisions to rescue Nigeria’s economy depended on their cooperation and goodwill. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He noted that what has set Tinubu apart as a leader ‘’is the courage to embark on fixing the country’s economy through bold reforms.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Identifying stability as a significant priority in the 2024 economic agenda, the VP said, “It took courage to embark on fixing an economy hindered by decades of political lip-service. But that has set President Bola Ahmed Tinubu apart: his bold reforms to reposition the economy and save it from further erosion.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shettima said the federal, state and local governments must remain committed to re-evaluating their priorities, streamlining processes, and making bold decisions reflecting key social issues, including social protection, social investment and nutrition.(Punch)</span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-90425241731134348782023-09-27T03:00:00.004-07:002023-09-27T03:00:57.072-07:00Indefinite strike: OPS kicks as Labour vows to shut down airports, others Tuesday<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5n6_zO-b1AIgwy38JqktG2KMN0ibjF3gsjFhrcyGnRDsaMZM7_-AF65lgqMw43cPMvsQvTn2IFuYbGLrTg2vkRLGt19rJypbxDlY0T2ZFAct0KH6RPNIY0zy8QXqAceeXkj7H_okdKUi7dFGSwUWYkkS0y8rUdOAckT1WbOook5kTmriczNVehIrMoM7_/s750/NLC-protest-in-Abuja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="750" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5n6_zO-b1AIgwy38JqktG2KMN0ibjF3gsjFhrcyGnRDsaMZM7_-AF65lgqMw43cPMvsQvTn2IFuYbGLrTg2vkRLGt19rJypbxDlY0T2ZFAct0KH6RPNIY0zy8QXqAceeXkj7H_okdKUi7dFGSwUWYkkS0y8rUdOAckT1WbOook5kTmriczNVehIrMoM7_/s320/NLC-protest-in-Abuja.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress during the protest at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja...on Wednesday. Photo: Olatunji Obasa<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>•FG, labour leaders’ meeting holds Tuesday</i></b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>•Tinubu to unveil workers’ package October 1</i></b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>•MAN, others warn of massive economic losses</i></b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">•Govt foot-dragging on workers’ demands – NLC</span></i></b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Federal Government has invited organised labour to a meeting in a last-minute bid to stop the planned October 3, 2023 nationwide strike announced by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress on Tuesday. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The two unions had declared an indefinite strike with effect from Tuesday to protest the alleged failure of the FG to provide post-subsidy palliatives for workers, but the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity assured Nigerians it would meet with the leadership of the unions before they shut down the economy. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The spokesperson for the labour ministry, Olajide Oshundun, said the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, would be centred on the pronouncements that would be made by President Bola Tinubu during his October 1 Independence Day broadcast.<br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tinubu is expected to unveil the palliative package for workers in the customary presidential speech to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Oshundun disclosed in an interview with one of our correspondents, that the two major demands from the unions had been presented to the government. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He further said that the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Simon Lalong, had met one of the NLC’s demands which was the release of the factional National President of the National Association of Road Transport Workers, Tajudeen Baruwa, from police custody. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Baruwa and 21 others, including three national officers of the union, had been detained by the police for alleged criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, public disturbance, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Oshundun noted that the second major demand was on the wage award for workers which the Labour centres said would help in mitigating the suffering occasioned by the removal of the petrol subsidy. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “We will avert the strike. We got the news of their intention to go on strike. They need to be rest assured that there will be a pronouncement in the October 1 speech of Mr President for Nigerian workers. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’The ministry is working assiduously to meet with the second aspect of the demand which focuses on the wage award. We have already secured the release of the NURTW factional chairman.<br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’So we hope to invite them on Tuesday following the pronouncement of the president to see reasons for them to call off the strike.” <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Justifying the decision to proceed on strike at the virtual meeting of the National Executive Committee of the NLC held on Tuesday afternoon, Ajaero said the FG had failed to reverse its anti-poor policies characterised by the removal of fuel subsidy earlier this year. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The NEC meeting had in attendance several union leaders, including the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke; the National President, Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, Prof Theophilus Ndubaku; the National Treasurer of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Mercy Lanka; the General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Ibrahim Bomoi, and others. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The NLC leader told the over 90 participants at the meeting that the walkout would be carried out in collaboration with the TUC which had earlier failed to participate in the two-day strike declared by the NLC on September 5 and 6. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The TUC had said that it was not interested in embarking on any industrial action for now, preferring to give the FG a two-week grace while sustaining its ongoing dialogue with government officials. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> But Ajaero explained that the TUC had decided to participate in the strike following a meeting with the leadership of the congress led by its National President, Festus Osifo. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The TUC later endorsed the decision at a joint media briefing held by Ajaero and the TUC president in Abuja on Tuesday.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">During the NLC NEC meeting which commenced at 12:32pm with an opening prayer and adoption of motions by representatives of the NLC state councils of Ebonyi and Borno states, Ajaero alleged plans by agents of the government to break the ranks of the congress. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The unionist also noted that there were plans to divide the ranks of the NLC leadership by individuals spreading rumours of a possible compromise by the congress’ leadership. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He stated, “Some people are saying that we have collected money. I have been here for a very long time and I have not encountered such. If anyone has any information, let them come forward and we will investigate.” <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking further, Ajaero informed the NEC-in-session of the plans to ground economic activities in the country from Tuesday. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Addressing journalists, Ajaero and Osifo said their unions decided “in the spirit of the Independence Day celebration and to demonstrate our resolve for a truly independent Nigeria to take our destinies in our own hands and rescue our nation.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ajaero carpeted the FG over what he described as its lackadaisical stance towards the demands raised by the unions since the subsidy removal policy took effect. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He accused the government of deliberate refusal to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue within the ambit of good faith during the 21-day ultimatum and the two-day nationwide warning strike.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The union leader explained that the national executive councils of the NLC and TUC in their various meetings deeply analysed the current situation in the country, taking into cognisance the hardships and deprivation afflicting the citizens across all the states of the federation. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said both NECs unanimously condemned the government’s tardiness in handling the consequences of its petrol price hike on Nigerians. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ajaero also noted that the NLC and the TUC NEC-in-session observed that there was no disagreement between Labour and government on the existence of the massive suffering, impoverishment and hunger in the country as a result of the hike in the price of petrol which he said required an urgent remedial action. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He accused the government of abdicating its responsibility and ‘’had shown gross unwillingness to act, thereby abandoning Nigerian people and workers to excruciating poverty and affliction.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Labour accuses FG</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He further accused the government of continuous grandstanding and forestalling all avenues to peaceful dialogue with organised labour on ways to save Nigerians from hunger and suffering. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ajaero noted that the Tinubu administration has equally demonstrated a complete lack of intention to take positive steps to rescue the multi-dimensionally impoverished citizens.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He stated, “The Federal Government has, therefore, not met in any substantial way the demands of Nigerian workers and peoples as previously canvassed in our mutually agreed roadmap to salvaging the economy and protecting workers and Nigerians from the monumental hardship. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The grace period given by the two labour centres has expired but the trade unions continue to face severe threat from the state via the brutal and suppressive power of the police and government. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The National Union of Road Transport Workers office continues to be illegally occupied by the government via the instrumentality of the police who have cloned the leadership of NURTW.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria continues to be illegally occupied by the Lagos State government in total disregard for the courts and the statutes. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“That the state has continued to blackmail and sponsor serious campaigns of calumny against trade union leaders on social media using its buying and coercive powers instead of making efforts to lift the burden on the masses,” the NLC President alleged without providing any evidence. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Disclosing the decisions jointly taken by the NLC and TUC, Osifo said, ‘’Consequently, the NLC and TUC NEC-in-session resolved as follows: To, in the spirit of the Independence Day celebration and to demonstrate our resolve for a truly independent Nigeria to take our destinies in our own hands and rescue our nation </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“To embark on an indefinite and total shutdown of the nation beginning on zero hours Tuesday, the 3rd day of October, 2023; To direct all workers in Nigeria to withdraw their services from their respective workplaces commencing from the 3rd of October.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“To direct all affiliates and state councils to immediately start mobilizing accordingly for action to organise street protests and rallies until government responds positively to our demands </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We enjoin all patriotic Nigerians to join hands across the nation to assist this government put the people back at the centre of its policies and programmes.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking earlier on Channels TV, Osifo said the union was tired of the promises by the labour ministry to implement the unions’ demands, stressing that the TUC wanted concrete actions. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The TUC is demanding wage awards for civil servants to cushion the hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal, tax exemption for some categories of workers, as well as setting up structures for the effective implementation of the palliatives from the FG. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “In the last meeting we had with the ministry of labour, they told us the same thing that the president was out of the country and when he comes back they believe that he will make the pronouncement. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“But I saw it this morning that he said the pronouncement will come soon but again we are really tired of soon, we want a definite pronouncement, we want a definite solution to these lingering issues. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“At the end of the day, we have been hearing dates, we have been hearing it will come today, tomorrow or next tomorrow, we are relatively tired of promises; all we want is action.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Nigerians are tired of a lot of meetings, lots of promises, what we want is concrete action, so we are tired of promises and promises.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>FG, labour warned</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, the declaration of the industrial action did not go down well with the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria, which has warned the FG and labour of its wider implication on the economy. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It observed that the strike would truncate business activities and worsen the economic hardship Nigerians are facing. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The OPSN, in a statement, emphasised that the economy cannot afford a nationwide strike at a time like this, and called on the Federal Government and the labour unions to work hand-in-hand to avert the looming disruption of socio-economic activities in the country. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The OPS comprises the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Having keenly watched the back-and-forth consultations between the government and the unions, the OPS noted that it is evident that the series of consultations have not yielded positive results, a development which sets the stage for the imminent industrial action.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The statement read in part, “We are worried that adequate consideration is not given to the dire situation of the economy and the devastating/disruptive impact that a nationwide strike will have on the country at this time. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The government and labour need to understand that our economy is being de-marketed and the livelihood of the average Nigerian is being diminished by this incessant bickering. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’One is beginning to wonder if the wellbeing of more than 200 million Nigerians is being factored into their negotiations.” <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It also implored the government to endeavour to re-engage the leadership of the unions and find an amicable ground to avert any disruption in business activities that will attend the nationwide strike. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The OPS stated, “Government should demonstrate good faith in keeping to its promises during the negotiations with labour and abstain from making promises they cannot or do not intend to keep. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“On the other hand, labour should do a realistic assessment of its demands within the context of prevailing economic realities and possibilities, while going the extra mile to indicate how its demands could be met.’’ <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking to The PUNCH, the President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Elliot Ibie, said his colleagues would down tools in compliance with the NLC directive.<br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Of course we’d be joining the strike, we’re an affiliate of the NLC. We just finished a meeting, everybody is part of it. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Asked if activities at the airport will be grounded, he said, “Yes, everywhere.” <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Similarly, the President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Ben Nnabue, confirmed the NUATE would also participate in the walkout. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “Yes, we are an affiliate of NLC so we’d be joining the strike.” <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But the Deputy President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Emmanuel Jaja, said, “ATSSAN is under the Trade Union Congress, so we wait to get direction from our centre. As soon as we get directions from our labour centre which is the TUC national, we take it from there.’’ <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Head of Media of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Mr John Ikemefule, also affirmed that maritime workers would shut down the ports and jetties from Tuesday. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added, “It has been confirmed that the union will be joining the NLC and TUC to shut down the country from October 3rd. There will be a total and indefinite shutdown of the country. We are going to withdraw our members from jetties and terminals.’’<br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, Oluwole Olusoji, said, “As an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress, we are bound by the resolutions until otherwise advised. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We, however, expect that the government will act in good not just by making public pronouncements but actualising such statements without delay.” <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has appealed to organised labour to shelve its planned industrial action owing to the economic challenges facing the nation. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abbas, who made the plea during plenary, while welcoming lawmakers back from a two-month annual recess, expressed the commitment of the lawmakers to the welfare of the Nigerian workers through robust legislation and other critical interventions. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He noted that the challenges of meeting daily needs were the reason the NLC s “Seems to have lost patience with the painstaking effort of the government to plan and provide sustainable minimum wage and palliatives to citizens.” <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“As the peoples’ representatives, we feel and equally share in the pains of our people at these very difficult times. However, I would like to appeal to the NLC to consider the various actions being taken by the Federal Government to alleviate the current hardship faced by Nigerians,’’ he said. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abass assured that the 10th House would interface between the organised labour and the government to quickly work out a realistic new national minimum wage and other palliatives.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Admonishing his colleagues to prioritise the needs of Nigerians, the speaker noted that “When people are hungry and despondent, what is needed is a leadership with a clear vision, a leadership that daily, demonstrates its commitment and capacity to tackle the challenges at hand; a leadership that should be innovative in proffering short- and long-term solutions. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’That is what Nigerians need at this time and as representatives of the people, we must rise to the occasion. It is our considered opinion that embarking on a nationwide strike at this point will only aggravate an already bad situation. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘’ I, therefore, urge the leadership of labour unions to give us the benefit of doubt and suspend any planned strike action while we engage the Executive.” <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> The Speaker urged his colleagues to get set to speedily treat the 2024 Appropriation Bill due for presentation in the weeks ahead, saying, “We must diligently consider the bill to ensure that it meets the needs of our constituents.” <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a similar vein, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has called on the FG to find a solution to the economic crisis the country is facing in the light of the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The group also urged the government to meet the demands of the NLC to avoid the planned industrial action. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This was contained in a communique issued after a meeting of the group held at the residence of its acting National Leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, on Tuesday.(Punch)<br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-71900987513928826962023-09-26T03:22:00.003-07:002023-09-26T03:22:40.823-07:00I was threatened for not allowing workers misuse UNIOSUN’s resources – Ex-VC<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroBJwhc7CfurKX257kDfcujYbk_DEt37omswpNA_wN12zb_S0piKxAi0nmz-6CdKl-_vyG_hKhpqh7K1QDXMGe95ONFkw5XnAjW9_mpkEDRx9FN6SnkV9mG8llsq7BSr5ymDeIcH9GrZ3-rnN-RfGj05R46BCnIPZ5vpaCfS5IBhlEZjW8tAmVwx6b54r/s700/PROF-LABO-POPOOLA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="700" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroBJwhc7CfurKX257kDfcujYbk_DEt37omswpNA_wN12zb_S0piKxAi0nmz-6CdKl-_vyG_hKhpqh7K1QDXMGe95ONFkw5XnAjW9_mpkEDRx9FN6SnkV9mG8llsq7BSr5ymDeIcH9GrZ3-rnN-RfGj05R46BCnIPZ5vpaCfS5IBhlEZjW8tAmVwx6b54r/s320/PROF-LABO-POPOOLA.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>Former vice-chancellor of the Osun State University, Prof ‘Labo Popoola, talks to BOLA BAMIGBOLA about his disagreement with the leadership UNIOSUN branch of the Non-Academic Staff Union during his tenure and the controversy that ensued</i></b><i></i></span></p><p dir="ltr"><b><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Not</b></i><i><b> much has been heard from y</b></i><i><b>ou since you left UNIOSUN as the vice-chancellor. Did you take up another job?</b></i></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have been busy as usual. I was busy before going to UNIOSUN, and for the five years that I was there, I was busy. I completed my five-year tenure on November 4, 2021, and the following day, I was back in my office at the University of Ibadan. So, I resumed in my office at UI on November 5, 2021, and continued what I love doing most – teaching, research, and attending to those I supervised. In any case, I was doing all of that, even when I was the vice-chancellor (of UNIOSUN). </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">You faced opposition from workers at UNIOSUN when you were there as the VC. For example, the then chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union, Isaiah Fayemi, was reported to have accused you of using your position to deny workers their rights and making sure some of them were sacked unjustly. Is that true?</span></b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am publishing a book and many of the facts will come out. Which rights is he talking about? Did I owe anyone salaries? I was there for 60 months and I paid (salaries) for 60 months, on the 25th day of every month, and at times, even earlier, depending on the season. Was any worker deprived of their promotion? You didn’t have to come and lobby me before you got promoted. Promotions were carried out as and when due. Did Fayemi miss a promotion despite his hatred of me for reasons best known to him? The records are there. (In terms of) capacity building, what we had during my period was something they never had before. People who deserved training were trained across the board and even outside the country. So, I don’t know what he meant. The guy had his issues with me and I will publish them. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">People hide under unionism to commit atrocities. That you are a president of a union doesn’t make you the owner of the union or a lord over members of the union. I know that the majority of the workers at UNIOSUN were happy with me. Many of them still reach out to me with expressions of love, even after 22 months of leaving the university. Having a motley crowd abusing the use of social media does not tell the whole story. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>You said they were happy but many of them celebrated your exit. What is your reaction to that? </b></i><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">How many? I doubt if they were up to 10. They said they were performing rituals. This is the problem we have with the Nigerian media. What about all the celebrations before my exit? The students organised a symposium in my honour. The management and staff did their own. The governing council did theirs. The students pulled me out gloriously. Because somebody decided to be notorious does not reflect reality. He (ex-NASU chairman) was like a lord before I came to UNIOSUN, but I am happy I demystified him. Those that I came to serve appreciated me and they still appreciate me till tomorrow. So, ask him to define whatever he meant by depriving workers of their rights. I am not a vindictive person. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">People were shocked when we were processing the papers of those who were giving us problems, including himself. But I insisted that matters be separated. Yes, I did not allow people to abuse the resources of the university the way they used to. So, if that is what he meant by right, maybe right has a different definition. I did not permit indolence, frivolities, and cheating as the vice-chancellor. No apologies for that. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>As a university administrator who didn’t enjoy the support of some of the workers at UNIOSUN, did you face physical hostility or threats to your life?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don’t say, workers. I know the number of workers that I inherited and I know the number that I left. We only recruited people that we needed. Also, what do you mean by hostile workers? Workers were not hostile to me. The fact that two or three people got themselves together, made some noise, and went to the press does not mean workers were hostile. I think the media would need to be circumspect on some of these issues. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It will be published in my book for you to know it was beyond unionism. I know that I blocked leakages and it is like the then chairman of the (UNIOSUN) Governing Council, Mallam Yusuf Alli would say, “Labo, you are a reformer and you should expect all these attacks. How do you expect those who were benefitting unjustly from a commonwealth to love you now that you have blocked that avenue?” </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Were there threats to your life?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were threats. At a point in time, the Department of State Service had to attach someone to me to follow me about. I later told them that it was not my lifestyle and I wanted to be free. I had a domestic driver by the letter of my appointment. That driver had to plead with my wife and me to allow him to be deployed out of my premises because people were giving him instructions to do something untoward to members of my family. I had to accept his plea to get him posted out of my place. He said he got to my family and found out that all that Fayemi and co were saying about me was not true.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">You said in an interview that nice guys don’t run the university system in Nigeria. Don’t you think being nice is an attribute that can endear a leader to their followers in a university and promote harmony between a VC and the different unions? </span></b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No! When people say to you, “Bobo yen nice,” you know what that means in Yorubaland. It means you are a fool. Those who know me know that I can be so meek. The students ended up loving me so much, even though Fayemi and co almost turned them against me but they failed because the students got to know that I was doing everything in their best interest. How can Fayemi have any good thing to say about me when some collected TEFFund travel grants and did not make the journey even after some two years? Of course, when I could I made sure every kobo was retrieved and we reported the same to TETFund. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, when I say nice, it is not in the sense that people are putting it. Nice in the sense that approving everything that was presented without scrutiny because you want people to hail you is definitely not part of good administration. Feigning ignorance of malfeasances cannot be good for a system either. It is nice in the sense that there is an infraction and you overlook it. That’s what I meant. Otherwise, the workers knew that they had it better because none of their rights and entitlements were denied them. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we reviewed fees upward, I was the one who took it to the governing council that every member of staff of UNIOSUN whose children were enrolled in the university should have a 50 per cent rebate in fees subject to a maximum of four children. In the first congregation meeting I had, I made a statement and somebody decided to misinterpret it, but he later came to me and said he misunderstood me. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>What did you say?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I said I would step on toes, but it did not mean that toes in the right places would be stepped on. If you go beyond your bounds, you should be ready for the consequences. Could I have denied workers their rights if I put in place a health fund for workers, not workers like me, not professors but ordinary workers? This money was pooled from sources that some people normally benefitted from unjustly. From the money we saved from our first post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination test when I came in, there is a building cropping up around the Odi Olowo area (in Osogbo). We used part of that money to procure the land on which that edifice is. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Was that idea welcomed by the workers?</span></b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some people would not like it because that was the kind of money they normally shared. The building was almost completed before I left. What do they have to show from the revenue they earned from post-UTME tests before we came in? The first examination conducted when I came in cost the university over N15m. I ended up spending less than N5m to conduct the examination, and that was prudently maintained all through my tenure. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Where were the differences in the costs going in the past? Private pockets! Records must be put straight, and there are several such tangible outputs of our prudent management of the university’s resources. Facts have stamina. They don’t get tired. This is Nigeria. I don’t want to generalise, but we have mean human beings here. It is so easy to blame governments and politicians but the kind of things that go on in our backyard are unimaginable. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I came in as the VC, they had already approved money to buy SUVs for the pro-chancellor and vice-chancellor. At that time, they were anticipating the coming of the VC and at my first council meeting, I saw the document and they were saying the value of the naira was depreciating so the price had gone up. So, they were going to buy the SUVs for the pro-chancellor and VC at the cost of N89m and I just scribbled a note to the pro-chancellor saying that it was impossible. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>How much did it eventually cost the university to buy the SUVs?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We ended up buying the vehicles at N65m. I was not the VC when they cooked the scheme, but I busted it. Where was the difference going to go? They had put the cost of the SUV for the vice-chancellor at N55m but I ended up buying it at N39m. For God’s sake, why would anybody want to buy something at N89m when it could be bought with N65m or something at N55m when we could buy it with N39m? Where was the difference going? So, it is natural that some people would not like me, but do I care? I thank God that I had a good council. I didn’t have a council that came to ‘eat’. Of course in Nigeria, people equate an opportunity to serve as an opportunity to ‘eat’. I even learnt that some people were saying that it was good that the noble council was dissolved because they had ‘eaten’ enough. Sad! </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>The then leadership of NASU accused you of financial misappropriation. What is your reaction to that?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As VC, I never took any extra kobo beyond my entitlements. I would even return unspent duty tour allowances. We know how some of our colleagues do these things but I never did because my upbringing didn’t allow it.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>How much influence did you have in the choice of your successor?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is a general saying that success without a successor cannot be defined as a good success. So, it would be out of place to say that I wasn’t interested in who would succeed me. Who that person was probably would be a matter for conjecture, but we had criteria that were queried and I wouldn’t know why. It is the council that advertises the vacancy for the position of vice-chancellor, not vice-chancellors, but the VC as a member of the council can give an opinion. I wouldn’t call that influence because it was an open advertisement and you see, we often make some mistakes about some of these issues. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every advertisement is supposed to put some people at a disadvantage. Every advertisement is supposed to eliminate some people, otherwise, someone with a school certificate result, or a diploma will also apply for the position of the vice-chancellor. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>How did your successor emerge?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Somebody needs to tell me that the man who eventually emerged did not have all those criteria that were advertised. With those criteria, I learnt that they had interviews with about eight candidates in three areas of competency, and the person that came first did so in all three areas. The CVs were assessed; there was a computer-based test, there was an oral interview and the person who came first led in all. Similarly, the person who came last did so in all the areas. Being a professor does not automatically make you a potential vice-chancellor. It’s like a football league; you have divisions three, two, and one. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Did he merit the position? I think that is the question we should ask. His person is a different thing entirely. You can never know people 100 per cent. Don’t forget he worked with me and a good administrator will know the capacity of people who work with him or her but to say that I influenced it, I couldn’t have. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></i></p><p dir="ltr"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></i></p><p dir="ltr"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Did he not face any opposition?</span></b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There were other issues that could have dropped him. There were petitions against him. It has happened before in the Nigerian university system when someone came first and did not have the approval of the Visitor to the university because of petitions that turned out to be spurious. In his case, the pro-chancellor played his role properly by encouraging the then-visitor, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, to approve the selection process as properly conducted. The rest as they say is history. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The important thing is that the man satisfied all the known and seen conditions. Other things like personality, character, and approach to issues are different things entirely. There is no way you will know that until the person gets on with the job. In any case, I have never seen a perfect person. I am not one. But in terms of the basics of the job, he was the best. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">You were known as a vice-chancellor who did not consider strikes as an option to address industrial disputes. What other measures do you think could be used instead? </span></b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I do not know of a VC that would encourage strikes. I have moved around the world, and not in the last two decades have I seen a country where people would go on strike for 10 months and almost indefinitely and yet feel comfortable doing so. Some people have analysed the number of months that universities have been on strike in the last 20 years. It is worrisome. This is not happening again elsewhere. Weaponising strike is not in vogue. It is outdated. This is what our colleagues don’t want to hear. Of course, I have had issues with them but I don’t bother. I have to speak my mind. We are ruining lives first and foremost. They may think they are fighting the government but they are ruining lives. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a programme of four years, a student spends seven or eight years not because they failed. I guess that is why the labour law was applied, and the court upheld it. I was already back in UI when the last strike started. I didn’t believe in the strike and I couldn’t have joined the strike but like the Yoruba will say, “Won ko eran mo ero,” (animals were packed with human beings). So, I was an unwilling victim but I am happy that the court has settled the matter. (Punch)</span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-45822015923898812702023-05-26T10:59:00.004-07:002023-05-26T10:59:48.274-07:00Prostate cancer survivors share experiences of painless surgery at Reddington Hospital<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAZrQiu42Dk0bleK1La3tkgN_XxI9Z_MLg3ayetiPDzJeyoiBODkqiudC4IWmREPW6_L2A_kIRBJQdB8dw_0d7VEeRdUTPdyn9fQ_kl1TlxuLvYQYlbzcJrulrTLHycz_9XVLBpeS_Kc5y2YYfnzvVYkiaEjpksbFeQwFkbFi31y9K98GjjCuMb6R3A/s1080/IMG-20230526-WA0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAZrQiu42Dk0bleK1La3tkgN_XxI9Z_MLg3ayetiPDzJeyoiBODkqiudC4IWmREPW6_L2A_kIRBJQdB8dw_0d7VEeRdUTPdyn9fQ_kl1TlxuLvYQYlbzcJrulrTLHycz_9XVLBpeS_Kc5y2YYfnzvVYkiaEjpksbFeQwFkbFi31y9K98GjjCuMb6R3A/s320/IMG-20230526-WA0008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reddington Hospital: Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, UK based Consultant
Urological, Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeon (2nd left) flanked by
Prostate Cancer Survivors, Ichie Ezereadi Ezeorjika (extreme left); Mr.
Emeka Ezeani (2nd right) and Mr. Ben Alozie (extreme right) at the
celebration of a milestone in laparoscopic procedures with 50th
successful cases at Reddington Hospital on Thursday, May 25, 2023.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No fewer than 50 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer
were successfully operated at Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos in
the last 12 months even as some of the survivors gave accounts of how they were
saved from premature death after undergoing laparoscopic surgery (a non-invasive
pinhole surgery). </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At a media parley in Lagos to mark the milestone attained in
the last 12 months by the Reddington Hospital in conjunction with Prof.
Kingsley Ekwueme, a United Kingdom based Consultant Urological, Laparoscopic
and Robotic Surgeon, the survivors narrated how using the latest technology in
prostate cancer care at Reddington Hospital assured a 100% cure for their
prostate cancer with minimal loss of blood or any other side effect. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mr. Ben Alozie, a veteran journalist, who is also a survivor
who had his laparoscopic surgery 10 months ago said the previous eight years
had been traumatic for him because he had had a near fatal road accident with
broken legs, survived Covid-19 before he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“But today I am a happy man. I am free from cancer. No more urinary
incontinence and my libido is back fully”,said Mr.Alozie. He urged men not to
be negligent but to go for regular tests to check their Prostate health. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mr. Emeka Ezeani went for an annual vacation in the United
States and used the opportunity to run a comprehensive health check. It was one
of the tests that returned positive for prostate cancer. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The result was like a death sentence. I was devastated. My
sister in New York said I should come over to do another test for a second
opinion. It was confirmed but I was assured there is hope as it has not
progressed much”, Mr. Ezeani said. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He was about to start radiotherapy in the hospital when he
read a report about Prof. Ekwueme at the WhatsApp group of their church, St.
Mulumba Catholic Church. He made contact with Ekwueme who asked him to take the
next available flight to Lagos.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I came back January 14,2023, did the MRI Scan and was
booked for the surgery at Reddington Hospital. The rest is history. I am free
of prostate cancer. No pain, no loss of blood during the surgery and I ate food
the same day”, Mr. Ezeani narrated his experience while thanking the management
of Reddington Hospital for providing a conducive medical environment for the
successful surgery. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a presentation titled “Can We Conquer Prostate Cancer?”,
Prof. Ekwueme said Prostate Cancer has become a public health burden globally
with statistics showing high prevalence in Europe and North America. He said
although data in Nigeria is very poor, available information paints a gloomy
picture. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ekwueme said people should not wait to have symptoms before
they go for prostate cancer screening, noting that at that stage it is bad news
because it is already advanced. He said the success rate of laparoscopic
surgery is 100% adding that his partnership with Reddington Hospital will
provide succor for Nigerian men and others from the West Coast including Ghana
who come for the surgery. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chief Operating Officer of Reddington Hospital, Mr. Matthew
Emmanuel said the hospital has been at the forefront of revising medical
tourism since its inception through excellence in healthcare and by partnering
with Nigerian health professionals in the Diaspora to come back to Nigeria to
deliver the same quality services in the healthcare value chain.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-52952029952645426882023-03-18T04:39:00.005-07:002023-03-18T04:45:36.346-07:00How my prank landed man in hospital — Trinity Guy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39p1KSPyG7KIDGYzizAuh7ItRVSs3D3szUGoWbZA736flal0Fvx71CDOplcEQXl0b3VQ5_s8uqKw84kYugr-392FeqljtN34gAB5iNFIqDcEZR-l-W5vG3B8ePZMy-dHNoC48eMvAaOMNP6vxFWDOgDK6mMK9P7n3Lsw0shYGzoH_cnepuW5jdieXsg/s554/images%20(92)_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="554" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39p1KSPyG7KIDGYzizAuh7ItRVSs3D3szUGoWbZA736flal0Fvx71CDOplcEQXl0b3VQ5_s8uqKw84kYugr-392FeqljtN34gAB5iNFIqDcEZR-l-W5vG3B8ePZMy-dHNoC48eMvAaOMNP6vxFWDOgDK6mMK9P7n3Lsw0shYGzoH_cnepuW5jdieXsg/s320/images%20(92)_1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abdullahi Moruff, AKA, Trinity Guy</td></tr></tbody></table></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Abdullahi Moruff, aka Trinity Guy, is a social media prankster with 457,000 followers on Instagram, and 2.7 million followers on Facebook. He tells Punch Newspaper about his career, playing pranks on people and other issues</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>When did you decide to become a content creator?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I started around 2016/2017. But, at that time, I was working as a continuity manager in Nollywood. However, one day, I decided that I had to put in more efforts into the job. I was at a movie location on that day, and I did something which made the people there laugh. From there, I started thinking that I could take it seriously, and make more people laugh.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I did not start my social media career by playing pranks though. I started by joining funny videos together.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>When did you start playing pranks on people?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That was in 2018. I started by removing the wigs of random women on the streets. After that, I have been playing different pranks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>What was the general reaction to your pranks when you started?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Aside from the people on Instagram, my parents also used to ask what I was doing whenever they saw any of my pranks. They used to tell me that I should no put them into trouble.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If one were to go by people’s comments on social media, one won’t do anything again. I most definitely would not have come this far. I don’t bother myself about people’s comments; I only continue doing what makes me happy. Some of the pranks are planned, while some are real; but people don’t know that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>What do you mean by planned pranks. Aren’t pranks supposed to be unscripted?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Out of about 100 pranks, about five per cent are planned. By planned, I mean that when I want to play pranks and I know they could be quite sensitive and get me into trouble, I would inform the person ahead that I want to create content. Me and my personal assistant would call the person, and I would introduce myself, telling them what I want to do. I would then ask them not to interrupt me. After that, some would give consent, while some could decline. But, for the ‘real’ pranks, I don’t inform anyone beforehand.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>You are one of the popular pranksters and your face is known to many people. How are you able to play pranks on people without being recognised?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">While shooting videos, some people don’t recognise me, because not everyone is on social media. It is only people on social media that could sometimes recognise me. Sometimes, we intentionally go to places where the use of social media is not widespread.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>In one of your skits, you were on a motorcycle, and you poured water on a lady, because you claimed she was not dressed decently. Was that prank real or planned?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was a real prank. I did not know the lady, and she did not know me either.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>After she slapped you for pouring water on her, did you apologise?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">After pouring water on the lady, I later told her that it was a prank, and she should not be angry. As it turned out, she had watched some of my prank videos before.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>If she had watched your videos before, how come she did not recognise you as a prankster?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">After the prank had been concluded, she told me she kept staring at me when the drama was ongoing because I looked familiar. It was later I confirmed to her that I was the one. We then settled the issue. I asked her if I could post the video, and she agreed. I went on to compensate her, and we became friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Are there times you give the people you play pranks on money to compensate them?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, including the lady you just asked about. I bought her another dress, because she was on her way somewhere when the prank was done.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Many social media celebs seem to be smiling to the banks these days and are buying properties. How lucrative is the prank sub-sector of the industry?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I can only thank God. I don’t put things (acquisitions) on social media. I do my things privately.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Is being a social media comedian enough for one to make a living?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sure; consistency is the key. When I was still a continuity manager, I was doing other things as well. But now, this is all I do.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Have you ever been in trouble on account of your pranks?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That happens all the time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Share some of those experiences with us</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There is a guy I met on the street, and I told my PA that I would like to play pranks on him. I went to meet the guy, telling him that I was a thief, and I had a gun with me. He thought it was real, not knowing that there was a cameraman somewhere. I told him I also had N60m in cash, which I had stolen from somewhere. The guy ran away, and unfortunately, he had an accident. I needed to take him to the hospital, and I spent a lot of money on his treatment. Unfortunately, I was not able to do the skit. It was a rough day for me. Sometimes, I even get arrested by the police.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>How did you resolve the issue with the person who had an accident?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I visited him about three times at the hospital, and we settled everything. I later informed him that it was a prank video and I had neither a gun nor N60m. I told him my social media handle, and one of his family members knew me. The injuries he sustained from the accident were not too much.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Don’t you get scared that you could be beaten up while playing pranks on people?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was in the early days that I used to get scared. On different occasions, people have stoned me and did other things. But, at the end of the day, people are usually happy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Do you observe people to know if they can handle stress before playing pranks on them?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, I do that. People are facing different problems in the country. For instance, I don’t go near old people. Also, if a person looks sick and unable to handle whatever I am bringing, I would leave them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>How do you bail yourself out when you are arrested?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There was a particular time I played a prank, and I was arrested. On getting to the police station, I realised that the Divisional Police Officer was my fan. That was how we settled the case. On instances when the DPO does not know me, I would see someone that knows me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Which prank video brought you to the limelight?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Two of them actually did that. The first prank was the one where I was removing the wigs of ladies; while the second one was during the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>How do you get ideas for your pranks?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I give all glory to God. When I wake up in the morning, different ideas come into my head. I come up with a lot of ideas when I am alone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>On the average, how long does it take you to shoot a prank video?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It depends on different factors. Sometimes, it could take four days. Whenever I want to make a prank video, me and members of my team could go about scouting for people for up to seven hours, without being able to create any content. For some skits, it could take three days to get the kind of content I want.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Have you ever been beaten to the point of sustaining injuries in the course of playing pranks on people?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Whenever I am beaten by people who don’t know me, members of my team would come out and inform them that it was a prank. There was a particular prank video, where I put a carton on a lady’s head, and she slapped me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>On occasions when you are beaten, do you get discouraged from playing pranks on people?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have never thought of giving up. If I wanted to give up, I would have done that a long time ago. We are not quitters in my family.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Have your parents, especially your mother, made peace with the fact that you play pranks on people?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">She is okay with it. But, you know how African mothers can be. Several times, she advises me to be calm. She encourages me to play pranks in a way that I won’t be beaten or get into trouble.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">However, it is those beatings I get that energise me. I am now used to it, and there is no going back.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Do you get gifts from fans?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes. There are times public figures see me and appreciate me. One time, a man alighted from his car when he saw me, and he gave me N100,000.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>What is the story behind your name Trinity</b>?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am one of a set of triplets (two boys and one girl). That was where I coined my name from.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>When growing up, did you and your siblings play pranks on your parents or people around you?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When we were younger, we did. But, it was just me and my brother who did that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Did those childhood experiences inform your decision to become a professional prankster?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">No. Me and my brother were actually hip-hop artistes before now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Considering how identical you are, do you and your brother play pranks on people by pretending to be the other?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We do that 100 per cent, because we look alike.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Tell us about your background.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I live in Ibadan, Oyo State. I studied Agriculture at the Odua Farmer Academy, also in Oyo State.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Have you ever practised agriculture?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, I have.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Do you have a farm?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I had a farm about two or three years ago. I had a pond, where I bred fish. However, because of my job as a prankster, I don’t have any pond again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Where are you based now?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am based in Ibadan.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Do you agree with the opinion that to make it big in the entertainment industry, one needs to come to Lagos?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, I agree with that, and my team is presently working on that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Do you have plans to return to Nollywood, considering your background as a continuity manager?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am not an ordinary skit maker; I do many things. As we speak, I am working on three movies. Two of them have already been shot. I will produce them, and they will be released soon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Also, some colleagues ask me to direct their movies. While working as a continuity manager, I learnt many things about the industry, so I know how to get the job done.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>What are some of the challenges you face</b>?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One of the major challenges I faced in the early days was hiring editors for my videos. There was a particular one I paid to edit my skit, but he messed it up. Since then, I have been editing my videos myself.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Some people are of the opinion that people will soon get tired of prank videos and move on. What are the things you do to make sure your pranks don’t get boring to people?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My skits can never be boring. Some people are doing just one thing, but that is not my thing. I have been creating content for more than five years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Have you ever been accused of engaging in rituals because of your pranks, such as the one you went about removing wigs from the heads of ladies?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, but the people later realised we were making prank videos. On some occasions, the people around would recognise me, and tell the person involved that I was just creating content.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>What advice do you have for young people who want to become pranksters and/or skit makers?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I cannot tell people to stop doing what they are doing; I can only encourage them. However, my advice for them is to be unique. They should not copy anyone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Do you get weird requests from female fans, and where do you draw the line?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I love to make friends, but when it gets to the point of dating or marriage, I am not into that. My mother advised me that if I want to make it in life, I should not deal with multiple women. There are many ladies who want to date me; but I tell them that we can only be friends. Some woo me directly; then insult me when I don’t accept their requests.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Have you ever played pranks on a lady, who eventually wanted to have a relationship with you?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, that has happened.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-60308049689636086242023-02-04T02:23:00.003-08:002023-02-04T02:23:35.811-08:00Japanese PM dismisses aide over homophobic comments<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJl60aXAdGjSOX08GW2LRZCNzx6IChPdthkb-G2mbooGgfCxI4qWfprKRagqlblNn0j8kRX7fVUzGttNJX3ZEQg6lZaW7v1I0ylAwDaakCaR0X4jbL6uMOs1wn4ys0xA4lz-DTZrVW3mZLjqF5viosMfvszZSDjuhn92vp2St6SAW0tURPUFY_5Ho7Q/s750/japanese-flag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="750" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJl60aXAdGjSOX08GW2LRZCNzx6IChPdthkb-G2mbooGgfCxI4qWfprKRagqlblNn0j8kRX7fVUzGttNJX3ZEQg6lZaW7v1I0ylAwDaakCaR0X4jbL6uMOs1wn4ys0xA4lz-DTZrVW3mZLjqF5viosMfvszZSDjuhn92vp2St6SAW0tURPUFY_5Ho7Q/s320/japanese-flag.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, dismissed one of his secretaries on Saturday over homophobic comments that the premier called “outrageous”. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kishida said the remarks by Masayoshi Arai- in which he said he “doesn’t even want to look at married same-sex couples” – were “outrageous” and “incompatible” with an inclusive society the government was aiming for. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I made the decision to relieve him of his position as secretary,” Kishida told reporters. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On Friday, Arai said he “wouldn’t like it if they lived next door” and that people would “abandon the country if we allow same-sex marriage”, according to public broadcaster NHK.<br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 55-year-old apologised later, saying his remarks were not appropriate, even if they were his personal opinion.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The dismissal is a further blow to Kishida’s government, which has faced plummeting approval ratings since last year. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kishida has lost four ministers in just three months over allegations of financial irregularities or links to the controversial Unification Church.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Japan is the only nation in the Group of Seven industrialised countries not to recognise same-sex marriage, although recent media polls show a majority support such unions.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This week, the prime minister told parliament that same-sex marriage would “affect society” and therefore lawmakers needed to be “extremely careful in considering the matter”.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">More than a dozen couples have filed lawsuits in district courts across Japan arguing the ban on same-sex marriage violates the constitution.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In November, a Tokyo court said the country’s failure to legally protect same-sex partners created an “unconstitutional situation” – while ruling that the constitution’s definition of marriage was legal. (Punch)</span><br />
</p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-7327679021105554632023-01-21T00:36:00.005-08:002023-01-21T00:36:37.971-08:00How celebrities forgo privacy, endure online attacks to enjoy stardom<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZfXjP4dasV_cH0KRDf8792koznquWVTY_ee-ynswQYISNLgLiD8rszxHmGjzQLXZtP1PIOBho-ctsFygXVsJy4SJYY-nceKuKYYg6CXtivYO7JaL91_enqTYCv1hsg8l0R3OEMfLwFl7zQfiKBKWCApjpkxLHYI4PtBxZDAUygstFoaGt3lxamlpMQ/s700/Okorie-HarrysongAdeyinka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="700" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZfXjP4dasV_cH0KRDf8792koznquWVTY_ee-ynswQYISNLgLiD8rszxHmGjzQLXZtP1PIOBho-ctsFygXVsJy4SJYY-nceKuKYYg6CXtivYO7JaL91_enqTYCv1hsg8l0R3OEMfLwFl7zQfiKBKWCApjpkxLHYI4PtBxZDAUygstFoaGt3lxamlpMQ/s320/Okorie-HarrysongAdeyinka.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blessing Enenaite</b><i> examines the strain societal pressure, stalking, among others exert on celebrities beyond the façade of stardom</i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ace comedian and master of ceremonies, Gbenga Adeyinka, has put smiles on the faces of several persons with his craft. However, his dedication, tenacity and consistency on the job for years have not exonerated him from attacks by members of the public. Also, being a comedian does not insulate him from low moments. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Adeyinka stated that in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, he faced financial challenges that affected him. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He told <i>Saturday PUNCH</i>, “During COVID-19, I owed many people. There were times I thought I should end it all instead of bearing disgrace. But I looked at what I had around and what God has done for me. I looked at my colleagues and felt I was better off than many people. I had to forge ahead until victory was certain.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He also spoke about his experience with societal expectations and state when the public pry into his private life. Besides, his choice of a preferred presidential candidate for the coming general elections had often been questioned by some people. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Adeyinka said, “The truth is that it is lonely up there but we (celebs) were the ones who prayed for it (fame). Hence, we are going to get ourselves to adjust to it. At a point in my life, I prayed that God should put me up there and let people know me among other prayer requests. Once the prayers are answered, one has to live with it. It is lonely because one cannot go out as much as one wants to go out. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“For instance, whenever I decide to go wherever I desire, some fans usually ask me to give them money. If I have I will give, if I don’t have, I will not give. No policeman will arrest me for not giving such people money. However, some of them (fans) would abuse me if I don’t give them enough money. I have come to understand that I cannot please everybody. Once I am happy as a person, I have to forget every other person. I think it is the standard we set for ourselves that puts us in trouble and sometimes, we are not prepared for what God does for us.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He noted that sometimes he felt like confronting people who ‘dragged’ him online based on his posts. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “Anything I put online, I believe in it. If someone ‘drags’ me from now till next year, it is that person’s problem. At times, I feel like meeting the person to beat him but if I can’t find the person to beat him, why should I worry myself? I move on. If I don’t give trolls the opportunity to make me feel inferior, then I am not inferior. There was a time I posted on my <i>Instagram </i>page my preferred presidential candidate. I watched as they ‘dragged’ me. At one point, I got angry and I started replying to the people on my page. Then, someone called me and said, ‘Guy, what are you doing? These people you are replying to, you don’t know them. You have not seen them.’ I thought about it and I said to myself, it is my personal conviction.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He further said that at his age, he should be able to make up his mind regarding whatever he wanted to do. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Asked if he had ever got depressed despite making others laugh, he said, “Everyone at a particular point in his or her life is depressed no matter who the person is. Depression is real but sometimes, the things that make us depressed are things that we can control on our own. For example, it could be that one used to have money before and one no longer has. Also, it could be that an entertainer used to do 37 shows before but now does only two shows. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“That is why it is important for young people to know that the fame they have now will not be as bright as it is forever. So, when they lay their hands on some small things, they should invest it in other things.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On things that fame had deprived him of, he added that he just wanted to put on whatever he desired and go out. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The MC noted, “If I want to go to the supermarket, I can’t put on shorts. I have to wear something more decent. This is because someone may take a picture of me with and add a bad caption. As a celeb, one cannot do what one wants to do. I cannot even say everything I want to say with my mouth. This is because there are certain things that are expected of me and that is one of the responsibilities attached to popularity. One cannot go to eat at certain places. In all of these, I give thanks and praises to God.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b><span style="font-size: 1.30em;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The price of stardom </span></b></span></b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many celebrities forgo privacy, endure cyberbullying and mask their low moments to maintain their status in the public eye despite tasting the other side of fame. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another entertainer who has regularly been at the receiving end of trolls is music executive, Ubi Franklin. He spoke to our correspondent about the burden of stardom. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “Basically, I think online contributors–fans and haters who comment on posts– forget that celebrities are also human beings who have flesh and skin and are like every other human being who walks on the streets every day. Some people forget that we are humans but unfortunately, our career paths became different in terms of what we chose to do and what we succeeded at. When people are judging us, they forget we are humans too.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He also noted that hurtful words had been thrown at him despite the impact of his craft over the years. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added, “Being a celebrity means that my craft has been built to celebrate people or to be celebrated by people. It is because people do not understand these facts and that is why they say hurtful things to some of us who are not exempt from mistakes. When things like this happen, it feels like celebrities should be holier than thou and perfect than any other person. That is where the issue is.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He also expressed his feeling when people pry into his private life because he is a celebrity, noting, “It gets to a point where one is used to it and does not think about it anymore because one knows that people are going to judge one regardless. People judging me does not mean that they do not have bad issues about them too. We see stories every day on social media similar to people who are popular. If celebs are continually ‘dragged,’ that is their business. I feel that as human beings and as people, regardless of how one might see it or what one might do, we are all in one box and the box is about how we can grow ourselves, become better and people of interest.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On what being famous has deprived him of, he said, “I can’t walk the streets normally.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b><span style="font-size: 1.30em;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Constrained by public </span></b></span></b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are some celebrities who love to post their relationships and fond moments with their loved ones online. But fear of public opinion often gives them concerns. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Actress Angela Okorie, it’s usually a challenge because, according to her, her fans are jealous. She noted that she couldn’t walk on the streets as she used to do before she became known. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She said, “When it comes to relationships, my fans are so mean because they don’t want to see me with a guy. If I post any guy on my page and say that this is the guy I want to marry, it will go viral. This is because I don’t usually bring my relationship to social media. This kind of situation deprives me of showing off people I truly love. When I put my relationship out there, I know what I am expecting except my partner has also grown a thick skin to cock and bull story out there. If one’s partner understands that not everything said about celebrities is true, the relationship will stay. However, if my partner doesn’t understand such, the relationship will not last.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She also spoke on public expectations, noting that as a known face, she couldn’t go to open public places. Okorie said, “I also know that my hustle has doubled and security needs to be tighter. Also, many things have to be in place. When one is famous, one has to spend more.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On how she feels when people ‘dragged’ and pry into her private life, she said, “It makes me feel bad because many people do not know that celebrities are also humans. Some of us are lonely people in the sense that we cannot do what we want to do. We stay indoors more and just work because we cannot come out often and be seen all the time. When one comes out all the time like a regular person, one will devalue. When it comes to relationship, we are always careful with whoever we date because we don’t know people’s mindset.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Besides, she stated that she never regretted being famous, because the status was paying off. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b><span style="font-size: 1.30em;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Enduring fierce criticisms</span></b></span></b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Though 57, actor, Jude Chukwuka, loves to sing trending songs of young artistes. This has earned him accolades and mocks from fans. Regardless, he told our correspondent he grew a thick skin against the criticisms.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “I am a highly spirited person. That does not mean I don’t have dark patches. I just process them out of my system and my life. Concerning societal expectations, I do not lead my life for society. I lead it for God and myself. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I have experienced situations when I order a cab after events and I would hear statements such as, ‘you did not come with a car?’ I give that look of ‘a car is not a priority.’ I know what I want and need. Letting oneself fall into societal expectations can lead to depression.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking on being ‘dragged’ on social media, Chukwuka stated that he would describe them as brutal counselling. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added, “I take the juice from the brutal counselling and continue with my life. Being a celebrity has not deprived me of anything. I am always me. If anyone comes into my house, that person would see that I invest quality time with my children. Of course, I don’t go to places I would naturally not go to because I want to prove a point. I have my standards, taste, and most importantly, I have my life to live. I enjoy every minute of being me.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On criticisms he got for singing trending songs despite his age, he said that some criticisms were borne out of jealousy because one was doing what the critics couldn’t do. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He noted, “Some people describe me as a trans-generational connection between the elderly and the young. Those are people who would give one positive criticism and they tell one how to improve it and in what area to concentrate more. However, there are damaging criticisms. These guys will make comments like, ‘at your age, you are singing small children’s songs’ and in the same breath, some people will say, ‘Jude, if not for you, I would not know what these children are singing. So these guys (artistes) make sense like this. I don’t bulge to negative criticisms.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking with <i>Saturday PUNCH</i>, popular musician, Harrison Okiri, otherwise called Harrysong, said at a time in his life he wished he wasn’t famous because he had a personal issue he wanted to resolve and didn’t want the public to know.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “These experiences and feelings are personal and they depend on one’s dealings and life’s perception generally. First, one must understand that being a celebrity makes one a public figure. Hence, one’s (personal) issue is now everybody’s issue. That is why one should mind what one puts out online.” <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Harrysong further stated that being famous had deprived him of some kind of public enjoyment. He said, “For instance, I cannot buy food in public. I can’t really talk even when I am right and I know the truth. I can’t visit many places. In addition, I pay a higher price for anything I want to buy because I am a celebrity.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 2018, the “Reggae Blues” crooner complained about being depressed. Speaking on what caused it and how he got out of the mood disorder, he said, “I was depressed in 2018 because I was duped of a lot of money. I had a business partner and we were buying a vessel to start an oil business, and almost at the end of my final payment, he disappeared. I handled the issue by doubling my hustle and making more money (laughs). I have never regretted being famous but I once wished I wasn’t this famous because of a family incident I needed to handle personally.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b><span style="font-size: 1.30em;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Social media to the rescue</span></b></span></b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Social media now offers a robust platform for celebrities to bear their minds on anything, actor, Kunle Remi, revealed not long ago that he wanted to end it all in 2017 despite the fame he enjoyed. His statement was in reaction to the news on the demise of popular American entertainer, DJ Twitch, who reportedly committed suicide. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Remi wrote on <i>Instagram </i>in December 2022, “I remember in 2017 I had a series of tweets that I went on to delete. It was very suicidal. Someone called me a year later and said I should delete those tweets. I was going through a lot. I was overwhelmed. I was thinking too much about my career, am I doing enough, am I enough, am I with the right person, so many thoughts in my mind. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“At a point I could not take it, I felt so useless, not enough, incompetent, even though it was the contrary of what I felt. I was beating myself up too much, then I started to tweet randomly and I was very close to jumping off the bridge or just taking my life. It took the grace of God for me to scale through that. I usually bottle up, I don’t share stuff but I learnt to become better doing that. And I just want to share a word with every man out there. Look it’s not easy and it’s not going to be easy, but talk to someone. Always have someone in your corner that you can talk to and open up with. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Life is beautiful but it doesn’t guarantee that it will be smooth all the time but we need to always find a balance and choose happiness over being sad. I’ve been there, I’ve gone through it. Right now I still caution myself. I take life one day at a time, once I get overwhelmed I shut down. Mental health is very important. We can do better. Just thought of sharing.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b><span style="font-size: 1.30em;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Global phenomenon</span></b></span></b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is not only in Nigeria that celebs undergo public pressure and other issues stirred by stardom. Globally, entertainers also have hidden struggles and have experienced the dark side of fame. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A former disk jockey and co-producer, Ellen DeGeneres TV show in the United States of America, Stephen Boss, aka Twitch, reportedly committed suicide on December 13, 2022, at 40. For someone who made others happy, many would have thought everything was going well for him. However, he had his struggles. Boss played the role of Jason in the popular dance movie, ‘Step Up.’ He also featured on the ‘Ellen’ show from 2014 till May. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Boss was described by his wife, Allison Holker, as best husband and father in a statement shared with TMZ. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Holker said, “Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. ‘’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also, popular Canadian singer, Justin Bieber, experienced societal pressure from an early age. The singer, who gained fame for his hit song, “Baby” featuring American rapper, Ludacris, when he was 16, had also complained about the harsh criticisms he has got because of stardom. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a documentary titled, ‘Justin Bieber Next Chapter’ in November 2020, the singer spoke up on his struggles. He said, “I think that there was times where I was really, really suicidal. I was like, ‘Man, is this pain ever going to go away?’ The pain was so consistent. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After releasing “Baby” in 2010, Bieber said he wasn’t prepared for fame. He said, “I just had no idea what was to come. I had no idea that this life would take me by storm. I had no idea that I would just get sucked up by all of this stuff.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“There were many people who were just so mean, random people saying, ‘You suck. You look like a girl.’ I would shake it off and act like it didn’t bother me but that stuff bothered me and then it affected how I acted and how I treated people. And then, it’s just this ongoing cycle of like, ‘Hurt people, hurt people,’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On December 24, 2022, Times of India reported that Bollywood actor, Tunisha Sharma, committed suicide. The 20-year-old actress was said to have hanged herself in the make-up room of her TV show. The actress played the character of Shehzaadi Mariam in <i>Ali Baba Dastaan-E-Kabul.</i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b><span style="font-size: 1.30em;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Psychologists proffer solutions</span></b></span></b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking on the issue, a clinical psychologist, Maymunnah Kadiri, noted that when one examines fame, one should look at those who searched for fame and those found by fame. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The mental health advocate said it was necessary because sometimes, some people chased fame while fame chased some people. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kadiri noted, “Some people are accidentally famous and it was not what they desired. Some people can go viral without sponsoring any advertisement. Now, these people have become famous, they are recognised and have become celebrities. How can they still protect their private life? These people have to know themselves first because personalities differ. Everyone has a personality trait. Imagine someone who is an introvert becoming famous? There will be a lot of social anxiety for that person because people would want to see that person regardless of what that person does. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Hence, the ability to know oneself is key. When one knows one’s strengths and weaknesses, one will be able to develop one’s leadership skills, and know that there are things one has to outsource and things one has to delegate.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The psychologist added that there was a need for a celebrity to have ‘me time,’ adding, “It does not necessarily mean that that person is selfish. There are some famous people that are assumed to be arrogant. These people may not be arrogant. It could be that it is the way that they are being seen because people want them (celebs) to be naturally humble.”<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kadiri advised celebs to be conscious of the people they allowed into their inner circles. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She said, “One’s ability to manage one’s inner circle and give from a place of abundance as against a place of deficit is ultimate. This is because one has to know oneself, fulfill one’s purpose, know what one can give and what one can’t give because one cannot give people what one does not have. Hence, an entertainer has to build that capacity to be emotionally intelligent to know how to relate with people. It’s a lifestyle.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She further said that apart from being emotionally intelligent, it also required one to have the right people in one’s inner circle. Kadiri stated, “The rat outside most times does not know what is inside. It is the rat inside that tells the rat outside that something is inside one’s house. Also, they must ensure that they take care of their well-being. It is not all information a famous person must put out there. There should be boundaries in whatever the celeb does ; personal, family, social media boundaries, and what the celeb wants out there.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The psychologist said that lack of compassion made it difficult for celebs to speak up. She said, “We lack a culture of compassion. This has made it difficult for celebs to speak up. People have forgotten that these people are first humans before becoming celebs. Why do people make them feel awkward expressing themselves? These are things we would ordinarily accept for other people. Why shouldn’t we accept them from celebrities?’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Saying that some people believed celebs should be superhumans contrary to reality, Kadiri added, “Trolls are out there who want to destroy the lives of famous people. These celebs have to do many things to maintain their sanity and prioritise their mental health because people don’t really care. It is when one is sane enough that one can sustain celebrity status and make an impact because trolls will always troll.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In his contribution, a senior lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Johnbosco Chukwuoji, noted that there was always a price to pay for every situation, adding that learning how to manage situations was part of being famous. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chukwuwoji noted that the situation might be more difficult for celebrities in Nigeria given the low standard of living most Nigerians find themselves in.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Comparing the experiences of celebs in Nigeria and their counterparts abroad, he said, “In developed countries, people who meet celebrities may just want them to sign autographs to give them or give them souvenirs. Then, they go their way. However, in Nigeria, the majority of people come to celebs because they have one need or the other.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He advised that the first step celebs should take was to accept it as a reality, noting that by the acceptance, it would serve as a step in the right direction. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The psychologist added, “Also, they should be able to see how they can support other people around them. This will help to reduce the pressure.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On how they achieve a balance with fans prying into their private lives, Chukwuoji said, “Being a celeb comes with responsibilities. Celebs should have the good character to be called a celeb. There are certain things that people will do and go away with it but celebs will not be able to go away with it because people look up to them. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Celebs should be mindful of what they do. If society encourages what they do, no one would care if it is their private lives. It is when they get involved in certain behaviours that are not acceptable in society that they begin to complain that it is their private lives.’’ </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Similarly, a professor of psychology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Toba Elegbeleye, stated that it was not societal expectations that take a toll on celebrities, adding that it was how they conceived what the expectations were about. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Elegbeleye said, “They perceive these things differently from others. Therefore, they discern certain expectations in their mind. Every human should define oneself and define what one represents. Then, that should be one’s personal mantra one plays to. A celeb should learn how to answer questions when they are being interviewed. A celeb’s private life can be kept away from the public if he or she desires. Some celebs endeavour that no one can probe into their private lives. When they think certain things will elevate their status, they give others a clue to ask certain questions in that direction.’’<br /><br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-62381900214216184742023-01-14T07:55:00.000-08:002023-01-14T07:55:01.755-08:00I’m sorry, Brymo apologises for Igbo presidency tweets<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RxVSXt9lIjc45_GBmdIUxhRkldYA-XbPaXZYZFHXVaf3w22RHu9sQnbKUm1ZAIOg47DWpPot4kQSDX0zKwubyrZR1lcPbcjYv43XbXEDTLK4qe2pP_z7DnA2Xjzs-o3M8OQbpmdniPoUI2D0V1p5uZOwJUDtdasWR9MkLpmlpohVzztXzrCvvPbGMg/s700/BRYMO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="700" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RxVSXt9lIjc45_GBmdIUxhRkldYA-XbPaXZYZFHXVaf3w22RHu9sQnbKUm1ZAIOg47DWpPot4kQSDX0zKwubyrZR1lcPbcjYv43XbXEDTLK4qe2pP_z7DnA2Xjzs-o3M8OQbpmdniPoUI2D0V1p5uZOwJUDtdasWR9MkLpmlpohVzztXzrCvvPbGMg/s320/BRYMO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brymo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Singer, Olawale Brymo, has apologised over his tweets on the possibility of south-easterners producing a Nigerian president. <br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This comes after thousands of Nigerians signed a petition to stop the singer from winning the All Africa Music Award where he was nominated in the ‘Songwriter of the Year’ category. <br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The singer had been under fire for stating that the Igbos are not ready to produce a Nigerian president.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He also urged the region to test the waters with the vice presidential slot before aiming for the presidency.<br /><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He went live on his Instagram account on Friday night to address the issue and clarify what led to his tweets. <br /><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Brymo said that issue started after he shared his opinion about author Chimamanda Adichie refusing national honours but accepting a chieftaincy title in her hometown, Abba, Anambra State.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “It is very important you understand that this entire fracas began with me seeing in the media that Chimamanda Adichie refused some national honours and had picked up some traditional title in the East at home.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“And I suggested that for me, it says a lot about the Igbo presidency because that actual seat is what the region should be eyeing right now. I have clamoured for Igbo presidency in the last few years, you wouldn’t believe it. <br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It will pop in your mind when you hear the news that Igbos do not actually want the presidency. <br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I did not insult the tribe, I am sorry to anyone who it sounded as such to. I was trying to weigh into a very important matter.” (Punch)<br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-39183559513103748472023-01-14T07:03:00.002-08:002023-01-14T07:03:55.864-08:00Ooni didn’t like polygamy, circumstances forced it on him– Sister<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VD0zov2_iSmj3AboxgbJZfMCb4_xm-ZYKmaKJfdZSlPsoUmVwODv3fKEOv6wAy_gWiLTm2c6dSf1AjcYHfmG8R6PIYDd0RkT8FMFrG5Kz2rOSdLji-cmRY5NOCiWhhHZwiF2Fn9tDYFqEjzLHYJJ83T9bkG3Cbz9pPvh1G2_6fbtSs9JxfSUcixNag/s700/Princess-Folashade-Ogunwusi-Fadairo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="700" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VD0zov2_iSmj3AboxgbJZfMCb4_xm-ZYKmaKJfdZSlPsoUmVwODv3fKEOv6wAy_gWiLTm2c6dSf1AjcYHfmG8R6PIYDd0RkT8FMFrG5Kz2rOSdLji-cmRY5NOCiWhhHZwiF2Fn9tDYFqEjzLHYJJ83T9bkG3Cbz9pPvh1G2_6fbtSs9JxfSUcixNag/s320/Princess-Folashade-Ogunwusi-Fadairo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>Princess Folashade Ogunwusi-Fadairo is an elder sister of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, from the same father and mother. She tells </i>Punch<i> about their childhood days in Ibadan and what life has been like for the family members since her brother became the Ooni of Ife</i> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>You are from the royal family of Ile-Ife. Please tell us more about yourself.</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">I am Princess Folashade Ogunwusi-Fadairo. I’m a native of Ife, as you know. I am a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (Ile-Ife). Right now, I am self-employed; I own a fabric business at Ikota Shopping Mall, Victoria Garden City, Lagos. I’m married to Prince Jide Fadairo and I’m blessed with a kid. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Is your husband also a prince of Ife?</b></i><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">No, he is from Abeokuta. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Are you a direct sister to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; that is, were you born by the same father and mother?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">The answer is yes. We were born by same parents–father and mother – and I am the first girl in the family.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>How large is the family?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">It’s a family of seven, apart from my father. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>And what is Ooni’s position?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">He is the fifth child. He has two younger ones. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Did the Ooni and the rest of you spend your childhood together in the same place?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Yes. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>How was growing up like?</b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr">We were brought up in Ibadan and growing up was fun. He (Ooni) was very fun to be with, very intelligent, very creative, jovial; he was a good dancer, he was stubborn in a way and he learnt a lot by himself. </p>
<p dir="ltr">For example, he started driving at the age of 11 or so, without anyone guiding him. He just took the (car) key, started the car and that was how he started driving. So, we had a lot of fun together growing up. He taught me how to dance. In my family, if we are to pick the best two dancers, it will be me and him. Up till now, I can still dance and I know he does too but not openly because of his position. I’m very proud to say that. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We used to scold him then that he would spoil something and use what he spoilt to create another thing. He loved making his shoes by himself. I remember we had a flask with a rope handle but he removed the rope and turned it into shoelaces for the shoes he made by himself. We were annoyed that he spoilt the flask. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I also remember that when he was much younger, about age five, there was a drawing competition organised by <i>The PUNCH </i>then for that age group and he won. He drew a head and he actually won. I remember <i>The PUNCH </i>gave him a prize then. He did so many things as a young boy that amazed me and people around him. He’s been very intelligent since childhood and growing up with him was fun. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Was it foretold that he would become the Ooni?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">There were some predictions. For instance, my father had three boys and he is the last of the three boys. The prediction had been there that one of the boys would become a king but no name was mentioned and we didn’t know which one of the three it would be. In any case, we didn’t even take the prediction too seriously. You know, people will always predict, it’s left for you to believe or not to believe. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The prediction came and I remember my dad gathering us together to pray for whoever it was going to be and I called my sister aside and said to her: “Do they know when the present one (king) would die? Nobody knows; so, what kind of prediction is that?” But then we joined our father in the prayers, believing that one day, it might happen and it actually happened eventually.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I remember my grandfather used to call him (my brother) Adeyeye Ooni; my late mum also did the same, calling him Adeyeye Ooni. My other brothers were there but I can’t remember my grandfather or mum calling them Adegboyega Ooni or Adetunji Ooni. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Didn’t that spark some kind of jealousy among the brothers?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">There was nothing like that. We were just a happy family. I can’t remember any such thing coming up. Actually, we didn’t refer to ourselves as princes and princesses and even our peers didn’t know we were royalties. That was our upbringing. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>What religion did your family practise while you were going up?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">We were Christians, very strict Christians. We went to Deeper Life (Bible Church) and you know how Deeper Life church is. You know that they are very strict. You know the issue of not watching TV in Deeper Life. My dad was a broadcaster and he monitored news through the TV and the radio. He started with WNTV (Western Nigeria Television), the first television station in Africa. But the doctrine of the Deeper Life then was that they should do away with TV; I don’t know if they still do that now. We were so angry about it. </p>
<p dir="ltr">My parents were initially Anglicans before they joined Deeper Life and then they later joined the Redeemed (Christian Church of God). We were brought up in a Christian home. We were just one humble family in Ibadan. We knew we are from a royal lineage but we really didn’t bother about what was happening at the palace in Ife. My brother (Oba Adeyeye) wasn’t groomed or prepared for the throne at childhood. We just grew up like every other children. Our parents sent us to school like every other normal children. It wasn’t even in our head that we are royalties. We lived our normal lives. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Now that your brother has become the Ooni, as predicted; has that brought any kind of changes to the family?</b></i><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">A lot has changed. Even friends don’t believe that I’m still my normal old self. They believe that I’m up there now and that I wouldn’t want to associate with them anymore but when I have the opportunity of meeting them, I tell them that nothing has changed, that I’m still my normal self. But when we are in public we know how to comport ourselves; we know what we should and shouldn’t do. We can’t behave aggressively or talk anyhow. In any case, these are things that our parents inculcated in us while we were growing up. The background they gave us has been really helpful. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Having had a feel of both the ordinary lifestyle and the royal life, which do you prefer?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Should I be sincere? I prefer the former lifestyle to the current one. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Why?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">I prefer the former lifestyle because now, what they (public members) do is to fabricate lies and pin them on you. A lot of things are being said even about the kabiyesi himself; all sorts of evil things, people fabricating different stories and lies. They tell people that we all live in Ife, controlling the palace, meanwhile, I live in Lagos. Where is that coming from? And people out there believe it so much that they don’t even bother to try to confirm the truth or otherwise of such claims. </p>
<p dir="ltr">On a normal day, I would have preferred that people don’t know much about my private life; to just live my normal life as a Nigerian. But right now, anything that happens there (at the palace) in Ife, it’s all out there on the social media. Even things that didn’t happen, they will just sit down somewhere and fabricate things and people believe these things. If I am unknown, what would they have been writing about me? </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>What about the privileges of royalty?</b></i><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Well, just meeting people. And even when you meet people, nobody wants to help you; they think you don’t have any need; they believe you have it all because your brother is the Ooni. There are people coming to you with demands or sending their account numbers via Facebook and Instagram, some even send pictures of themselves taking garri and water and begging for financial help. (They don’t realise that) everybody wants money, help and job; they don’t care to know what’s going on in your own life. It’s not like I don’t like helping people or that I am complaining, but one can only offer help to the best of one’s ability. There are times that you also need help. You want to do one or two things at a time but nobody wants to know that; they are only after their gains. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Has that taken a toll on your business?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Well, I’m just trying to develop my business in my own way; putting royalty aside and doing it in my own way. Probably some customers come because (they say) ‘she’s Ooni of Ife’s sister’ but I’m just doing it in my own way, believing that things will get better. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>You mentioned that you came from a strict Christian background. But recently, the Ooni, being the king, had the honour of taking more than one wife. What’s your opinion about that?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">My opinion is that what you have to do, you just have to do it. Meanwhile, that’s his personal life, I can’t meddle in it. What I can say is that I don’t know if you were there during his wedding anniversary or so, if you heard the speech he made, it was very touching and it was something that personally he didn’t like but he had no choice, he had to do it. Where the Yoruba are coming from, polygamy is expected. And being the progenitor of the Yoruba race, inu e ni won bi wa si (we were born in it). For instance, my grandfather had eight wives, that’s paternal and my maternal grandfather had about seven or eight wives too. So, it’s something he had to do, although, I think he avoided it. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Are you saying that as kabiyesi, it is compulsory for him to have more than one wife?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Yes. As kabiyesi, he just has to take more than one wife.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Are there other practices that come with the stool that the Ooni, you or other family members have reservations about?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">He has to do it. How do I say this now? It is what God wants him to do and that is what he is doing. He was chosen for it. If I’m chosen for it, I will know what to do. He is called for it, he will do it. If it is my calling, I will know what to do but that’s his own life and he knows what to do. I believe you get what I’m saying. The Yoruba will say, “<i>Ibi ori da ni si la n gbe,</i>”(where fate leads one to, that’s the path one takes). <i>Ibi t’ori da si, Ibe l’oun gbe yen</i> (he’s on the path that fate chose for him). What God purposed for him to come to do in this life is what he is doing and there is nothing anybody can do about it. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>What’s your opinion about the 2023 presidential race?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">I put everything in God’s hands. God knows what will become of Nigeria and Nigerians. All I’m praying for is the best. Let’s hope for something good and let God in His infinite mercy choose a wonderful leader that will turn Nigeria around for good. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Do you have a preferred candidate?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">(Laughs)….. Even if I have, I won’t tell you because in the position that I am I can’t support anybody publicly and I won’t let you know; even kabiyesi is supposed to pray for everybody. I’m just a princess. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Do you think that there is some sort of pressure on the Ooni to endorse a particular candidate as politicians always visit the palace?</b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr">They go there for his prayers. Like we all know, he is a first-class monarch in Nigeria, not only in Nigeria, also in Brazil, where they speak Yoruba; just like in Cuba. So, anywhere they speak Yoruba all around the world, he is our progenitor. People go to him for spiritual prayers, for affirmation from God and for so many things. He’s our father and he will give his blessings. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>What schools did you attend?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">I started my early life at Subuola Memorial Nursery and Primary School at Agodi, Ibadan. The school was created in 1972. I was born in 1970, April 6; I didn’t finish there. I left for the Seventh Day Adventist Primary School, Agodi, Ibadan and that was where I finished my primary education and then proceeded to Isabatudeen Girls Grammar School, Bashorun, then I went to the College of Education in Ilesha (Osun State). After that, I went to Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, where I studied English Education. I worked with 21st Century Communications and Advertising Company at Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos. I left there and proceeded to the Nigerian Ports Authority where I worked for some time before I later went into shipping and that was the most interesting part of my life. I was the only female there and all over the port. I was a shipping manager at the port, doing all sorts of things. I was in agency department and what we did basically was to berth vessels and I was the only woman there. It was a very tedious job. Sometimes I resumed at 8am and by 3am (the following day), I was still on the ground because I was expecting a vessel. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I met a lot of people then; I met captains but the challenge I had then was that there was no mobile phone. When Obasanjo came and brought mobile phones, things changed but I had already lost a lot of contacts that I should have got earlier. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I tried to develop a career in shipping but I couldn’t, so I had to leave to start a business. I had a salon and a gift shop. That was in Ikorodu way back after I left the shipping business but now, I run a fabric shop, Wuraola by Fola Couture at Ikota Shopping Mall in VGC. I do that coupled with all the things we do at the palace. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>Are there specific functions you perform as a princess or the first princess in the family?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">A lot. I do go out to represent the king, even outside the country. I remember going to The Gambia last year to represent him. The Yoruba in The Gambia gathered together to celebrate the Ooni and I was there in The Gambia to represent him. I was meant to go to Ghana too but I had to stay back to prepare myself as I had another trip to Italy. So, I do that and I see to a lot of things too in-house. I pray for him too, I consult for him and if I hear anything, I talk to him. My father is also there and my husband is there as well.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>As you said, your husband is also from a royal family in Ogun State. How would you feel if the lot falls on his family and he becomes the next king?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Do you know that the issue actually came up? We lost the Olowu of Owu in Abeokuta, Obasanjo’s town. The issue came up and people were telling him that it was time (for him to become a king) and I said it was time to (go) where? (Laughs)… </p>
<p dir="ltr">I actually told him, though on a lighter note, that if he becomes a king, I will be the only Olori (queen) (laughs)… I told him that he will not marry another wife, that I will be the only one but he looked at me and said, “Well, if God wants me to be there, I will be there.” Unfortunately, he didn’t even pursue it because he is a politician in Ogun State and to the glory of God, we have another Olowu now. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>So, is that to say you’re happy or relieved that he didn’t become a king?</b></i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Let him face his work as SSA to the governor. He is a very hard-working man and always very agile; he doesn’t like sitting at a place, so I think that suits him better. (Punch)<br /><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-6503602003542801132023-01-06T08:05:00.002-08:002023-01-06T08:05:37.995-08:00Minister denies knowledge of electricity tariff increase by NERC<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMo3FVmyXxiMbc5vzRUy2h7uwSiv-PCCeYZmHwW657Fz0NSecPmEPKR9NBkRCI74PQ3skBW8fQe6AHcTENK9GHgk7vG3hfhaIN0qwHyHdfGfT0YAj_i_SsNoP_tz2qjqGKgTQruZNAdhlIc9T8bJme1Av4RcRiqrXGaU9lBsPI48sn8pDOpxPrkI77g/s766/Goddy-Jedy-Agba.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="766" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMo3FVmyXxiMbc5vzRUy2h7uwSiv-PCCeYZmHwW657Fz0NSecPmEPKR9NBkRCI74PQ3skBW8fQe6AHcTENK9GHgk7vG3hfhaIN0qwHyHdfGfT0YAj_i_SsNoP_tz2qjqGKgTQruZNAdhlIc9T8bJme1Av4RcRiqrXGaU9lBsPI48sn8pDOpxPrkI77g/s320/Goddy-Jedy-Agba.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Goddy Jedy-Agba</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, yesterday
evening denied knowledge of the indiscriminate electricity tariff imposed by
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on consumers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The minister who made this known while responding to
questions by parliamentary correspondents on the presentation of the NUEE
Secretary General on the increase of electricity tariff, said: “Where is the
Chairman NERC? He’s the one that do anything on tariff. I can’t speak on
tariff. He’s the chairman of NERC that can speak on tariff.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Earlier, the organised labour had kicked against the over N3
trillion injected by federal government into the privatised electricity
companies owned by individuals, without commensurate increase in power generation
over the past 10 years.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Secretary General of NUEE, Joe Ajaero expressed concern
during the public hearing on a bill to amend Electric Power Sector Reform Act,
2005, to provide the legal and institutional framework for the implementation
and coordination of Rural Electrification projects, establishment of the
National Power Training Institute and Regulatory provisions to strengthen the
sector for efficient services delivery and for related matters’, held at the
instance of House Committee on Power chaired by Hon. Aliyu Magaji.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ajaero, who argued that the privatisation had further
compounded the economic woes, maintained that the exercise was designed to fail
from the onset.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said there has not been meaningful improvement or
contribution by the current investors nine years after the privatisation and 17
years after the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 was signed into law.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While stressing the need to review the entire privatisation
exercise, the NUEE scribe said: “Our position on privatisation is clear, but we
are worried whether the amendments are critically based on market private
public where we belong now. Having tried privatisation for 10 years, and we are
doing just the amendment of sections of the act and even the review provision
in the act which gives provision for the review of the sector after five years
and we have written consistently and it has not happened.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“This Act, are we really obeying it? If there is provision
for review after five years, and Nigerians are groaning, consistently Nigerians
are complaining and we say privatisation was based on the fact that government
doesn’t have any business in it and government is pumping in money to an
individual’s business.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“As we speak now, almost N3 trillion has been pumped into
the power sector which wasn’t there when it was owned by the government. So
what’s the logic to say government has no business in business and government
now has to pump and fund the business of another man. And we need to sit down
and see what is working for us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“That is why we came here to say the laws we made by
ourselves, we can pause and look at it and move on. As we are speaking today,
the issue of tariffs is on, if government is pumping in trillions and Nigerians
are being compelled to pay, you can see what is happening, the country is
suffering.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“If you put N2 trillion in the economy of Nigeria today, it
will thrive, but it is being pumped into businesses owned by individuals. Let’s
look at this: What is the cost benefit analysis of this if we have to take our
money and go and check the records, for about 10 years before privatisation,
government didn’t put 10 per cent of that money into the sector but it’s
putting it now.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the bid to address myriad of challenges facing the
industry, Ajaero underscored the need for review of shareholding of the
industry.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Magaji,
disagreed with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) over power generation and
distribution in the country.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eyo Ekpo, consultant to NGF had said that said issue of
power was not a matter of opinion of the forum or of the states, but a position
that rests absolutely on the provisions of the constitution that makes power
the concurrent responsibility of the federal government and the states.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But, Magaji said lawmakers were in a position to ensure
whether or not the action of the NGF is in consonant with the law or
constitutional framework for power generation and distribution in the country..</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-32541997507553308402022-05-14T05:25:00.003-07:002022-05-14T05:25:37.191-07:00[JUST IN] Blasphemy: Youths plan protest in Sokoto, demand release of suspects<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis4puwvU2Fu3T_Wbmm-T7J72hPeUwN155rikeip6JhcAYrpEQA2LpFCjUP54M1MaZ5r006jUmn25Erizf_BERfFfAAHeeHJZfZjxfgrQIehxBDT2-l7CqTe8Z7XaK58TVYmlZfKBhwhTDq9-ppdd9RjZQfsv1n7wunjdvA-523ZIzleGbh_ZgdHbMrw/s640/Blasphemy-n-sokoto-attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="640" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis4puwvU2Fu3T_Wbmm-T7J72hPeUwN155rikeip6JhcAYrpEQA2LpFCjUP54M1MaZ5r006jUmn25Erizf_BERfFfAAHeeHJZfZjxfgrQIehxBDT2-l7CqTe8Z7XaK58TVYmlZfKBhwhTDq9-ppdd9RjZQfsv1n7wunjdvA-523ZIzleGbh_ZgdHbMrw/s320/Blasphemy-n-sokoto-attack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some Muslim youths are planning a protest in Sokoto State to demand the release of two suspects arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu, <i>The PUNCH</i> has learnt. <br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Deborah, a Christian youth and 200-level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, was mauled and burnt to death for alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). <br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a notice circulating online, the youths agreed to meet at the Gawon Nama Roundabout by 9am. <br /><br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two phone numbers were scribbled on the notice but the date of the meeting was not stated in the e-flyer written in Hausa.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The translated version of the notice read, “We are calling on Muslims in Sokoto State to gather where there was a riot to save brethren in Islam that are battling the faith of Islam and upholding the respect of prophet of Allah S.A.W.” <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Police Public Relations Officer in Sokoto, Sanusi Abubabar, confirmed the brewing protest in a telephone interview with <i>The PUNCH</i> on Saturday. <br /><br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We are on top of the situation,” he told our correspondent, adding that the police authorities in Sokoto are in talks with leaders of thoughts and opinion moulders in the state.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The police in Sokoto had confirmed the killing of Deborah by extremists on Thursday. <br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where the school authorities hid her, killed her and burnt the building. The students banded together with miscreants and barricaded the Sokoto/Jega road,” the PPRO had said in a statement. <br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Two students were arrested in connection with the crime committed. The school has been closed down by the school authority, and policemen were deployed to give tight security coverage,” Abubakar had added. <br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many civil society groups and lawyers have condemned the murder of Deborah while some persons have defended the mob action. <br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sokoto, a state in Nigeria’s North-West has a more Muslim population than Christians and there have been cases of sectarian strife and religion-triggered extrajudicial killings. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Punch)<br /><br /><br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-74267702938126870382022-05-06T02:55:00.002-07:002022-05-06T02:55:25.005-07:002023: Consensus plan unsettles APC, protesters warn against imposition<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKmxn5H_nyyu1_hhl8l8mtQefOxPB8D3JPH9_MXKhDbVQ6kP3be6v8GVgPAWjhj6KcJ7mrpxviNqPoRfpl3aMaW39Xm_huJSq4PuJQX5ZEqH6_7fCTaYJmFWUzPJfdwi73ErnIAoONb_z4AwEFm2cODvOQ7_rW24HaNeCjLrj6iEMCiF4iqES5-Q3Ng/s750/APC-National-Chairman-Abdullahi-Adamu-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="750" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKmxn5H_nyyu1_hhl8l8mtQefOxPB8D3JPH9_MXKhDbVQ6kP3be6v8GVgPAWjhj6KcJ7mrpxviNqPoRfpl3aMaW39Xm_huJSq4PuJQX5ZEqH6_7fCTaYJmFWUzPJfdwi73ErnIAoONb_z4AwEFm2cODvOQ7_rW24HaNeCjLrj6iEMCiF4iqES5-Q3Ng/s320/APC-National-Chairman-Abdullahi-Adamu-.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>• Aspirants number hits 30, 12 pick forms, Amosun unfolds six-point agenda</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The All Progressives Congress has begun moves to adopt the consensus method at its presidential primary due to the high number of presidential aspirants which has almost hit 30, <i>The PUNCH</i> can confirm. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Despite the decision of the party to peg the cost of its presidential form at N100m, more aspirants are joining the race. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was gathered that the high cost of the form and the inclusion of voluntary withdrawal form were part of the moves aimed at adopting the consensus method at the primary scheduled for May 30.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, aspirants and their campaign groups, who had got wind of the planned adoption of the consensus method, in separate interviews with The PUNCH, were divided over the plan with some of them warning that it could lead the party into a major crisis. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While campaign groups of the APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, warned against imposing the method, organisations campaigning for the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, said their principal would emerge the consensus candidate. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On his part, the Minister of Niger Delta, Godwill Akpabio, in an interview on Channels Television, said consensus and selection were not elections. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But a group backing the adoption of The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, said other aspirants should step down for the minister. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The APC had pegged the cost of its form at N100m all in a bid to reduce the number of aspirants and ensure a seamless presidential primary. The cost, however, failed to scare aspirants. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The reason we pegged the price at N100m was to separate the pretenders from the contenders. But the opposite has happened and we are heading for a crisis if things are not properly handled. So, the NWC (National Working Committee) will meet and decide on the next step since NEC (National Executive Committee) has relinquished its power for the time being. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The President prefers consensus that is why it is included in our forms but the problem now is that it will be difficult to push a consensus when there are too many aspirants,” a member of NEC told The PUNCH on the strict condition of anonymity. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So far, 12 aspirants have purchased the presidential form. They are: Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, APC stalwart, Bola Tinubu, the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuiba, Lagos pastor, Tunde Bakare, Governor Mohammed Badaru of Jigawa State, his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dave Umahi, and Senator Rochas Okorocha, Governor Yahaya Bello; the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Ms Unu Onaneye, the only female and Nicholas Felix. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Others who have joined the race and are expected to purchase the form include Governor Ben Ayade, Ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Kayode Fayemi, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Orji Kalu, ex-Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, and Senate President Ken Nnamani. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mr Yakubu Mohammed; Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim; Tien Jack-Rich; Tech Entrepreneur, Adamu Garba; Rev. Moses Ayom; Dr Ibrahim Bello-Dauda; and Ibinabo Dokubo are also expected to pick forms.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Minister of Science and Technology, Onu; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; are expected to join in the coming days. Supporters have also offered to purchase forms for the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; and former President Goodluck Jonathan </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Tinubu, Osinbajo, Onu supporters disagree</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, while groups loyal to Tinubu rejected the consensus option, those supporting Osinbajo welcomed it. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Ekiti State Coordinator, South West Agenda for Asiwaju Tinubu, Prince Bamgboye Adegoroye, on Thursday expressed reservation over the much-touted plan by the APC national leadership to impose consensus to produce its presidential candidate. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Adegoroye, who wondered why APC would not adopt indirect primary as done to elect Muhammadu Buhari in 2014, said adopting consensus could be difficult. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has the largest followers in APC. The people following Tinubu are more than the APC. In fact, Tinubu’s supporters are in other parties including the Peoples Democratic Party. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“In case of consensus, if it is Tinubu that is picked, it will be well. And if it is not Tinubu, it will be difficult. Why won’t APC go to an elective primary? I don’t believe APC is planning consensus. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Consensus cannot be imposed. Consensus simply means agreement among all the aspirants. When you start imposing, it is no longer a consensus, it is something else and anything else can happen after. I don’t want to speculate.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also in a chat with The PUNCH, Lagos lawmaker and founder of the Tinubu Support Group, James Faleke, said Tinubu would accept any mode of primary that is stated in the APC constitution. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When asked if consensus would be accepted, Faleke, who picked the N100m APC form on behalf of Tinubu last week said, “There is no such thing as consensus in the APC constitution.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Consensus: <b>APC heading towards disintegration, says party chieftain</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">An associate of Tinubu, who wished to remain anonymous, said the party would be plunged into a crisis if it insisted on adopting the consensus method. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The national leadership of the party is aware of the consequences of imposing a presidential candidate in the name of consensus. The effect will be too devastating. On several occasions, the President has said he would not impose a candidate on the party. We hope the leadership of the party will listen to this. We are watching. We want to give the National Chairman, Senator Adamu Abdullahi, the benefit of the doubt.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Support groups bank on consensus for Osinbajo’s victory</b><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But the Convener of the Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation, Kwara State, Ganiyu Galadima, told <i>The PUNCH</i> during a telephone interview on Thursday that Osinbajo was the most qualified and would emerge as a winner if a consensus candidate was adopted. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “The Electoral Act recognises direct and indirect primaries and a consensus, and a consensus has not in any way violated the laws of the APC. Osinbajo is not above the party, but I want to put it to you that I am very sure that he is going to make the one if there is going to be a consensus. He has the requisite knowledge, he has been groomed in national politics in the last seven years and is aware of the challenges and the successes. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“And now, as far as the presidency is concerned, tell me who among the aspirants has been a vice president? Under normal circumstances, he has the right of first refusal such that even in advanced climes, all the aspirants must support him except if he says he is not interested. So, at the end of the day, if there is a consensus, he is going to be the consensus candidate. None of the aspirants is above the party; the party is supreme and the people will be voting for the party and not the candidate.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Galadima added that there would be no consequence for the party if it decides on a consensus because all the aspirants would have been carried along. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also, the leader of Progressives Lawyers for Osinbajo, Mr Kayode Ajulo, told The PUNCH in a telephone interview that Osinbajo had the right of first refusal and would be selected as the consensus candidate. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Osinbajo is the popular aspiration as it is, and parties all over the world listen to popular aspirations. And when you look at it from the issue of law, the conventions all over the world, Osinbajo has the right of first refusal so whatever may be the consensus adopted by the party, it will take into consideration the right of first refusal which can never be denied to Osinbajo.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“So, from whichever angle we look at it, if it is by popular aspirations, by the way and manner people are rooting for him, mind you he will stand to be the only candidate by popular demand, because in any formula, whether by zoning or consensus or the position of aspiration of the candidates with people and delegates, it all falls on the side of Osinbajo,” he said. <br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Field Onu, his candidacy will stop discontentment in S’East, group tells APC</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, a political support group, ‘The Patriots For Ogbonnaya Onu’, called on the party to ensure that the South-East produced the presidential candidate of the APC while others step down through a consensus. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The leader of TPFOO and former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said this during a visit to Onu in Abuja. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to him, it was in the interest of equity, justice, fairness, national cohesion and stability for the APC heavyweights to step down for Onu. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He explained that stepping down and supporting Onu would not only save the APC and Nigeria but also ensure that the separatist agitations stop. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fawehinmi said, “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, VP Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Kayode Fayemi and others are eminently qualified to be the President of Nigeria. But Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, in our opinion, is the most qualified. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Moreover, we think that it is the time for the South-East to produce Nigeria’s next leader. In the eyes of natural justice and equity and for the reason of fairness, national cohesion and stability, it is the turn of the South-East that constitutes about a quarter of the country’s population.”<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Consensus and selections are not elections</b> – Akpabio </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also in an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, said consensus was not a form of election. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Akpabio, however, said he would be happy if the party picks him through a consensus. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The question of consensus; this is the reason why Section 84(12) could not have worked because you can’t say that consensus is (an) election. And some political parties have in their guidelines, selection. Selection is not an election. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“So, the contemplation of election, in my view, even though the matter is before the court, is that of…as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, which is general election; that you must resign 30 days to the general elections. So, a consensus is not really an election,” he said </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Akpabio said if the party eventually opted for a consensus and he was not picked, he would support whoever emerged. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Group rejects plan to impose Jonathan</b> <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Protesters under the aegis of the Youth Wing of the APC on Thursday stormed the national secretariat of the party in Abuja to register their disapproval over alleged plans by the party to impose Jonathan on the party through a consensus. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The protesters numbering over 100 stormed the party’s Headquarters by about 8 am disrupted vehicular movements along the Blantyre Street of the APC. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The protesters under the aegis of APC North-South Patriotic Coalition carried banners and placards saying imposing Jonathan as the APC presidential candidate would ultimately kill the party. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Addressing journalists, the convener of the group, Alhaji Toyin Rahim, wondered how the party would justify bringing someone they had called corrupt and incompetent back to power. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “In the APC today there are presidential aspirants with credible pedigrees and humongous electoral value and capacity. It is not only unnecessary to smuggle Jonathan into our great party, but it is also self-indicating and meaning that our party’s performance in office has been worse than an administration that Nigerians thoroughly rejected and voted APC in 2015. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“What becomes of those who have been party members from inception, who have laboured to build the APC? What becomes of real APC members who have purchased the presidential nomination forms at a whopping sum of N100 million each? </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“What becomes of those who will still declare their presidential ambition and buy the form? It is on good authority that former President Jonathan has declared that the only condition that would make him join the APC is if he is assured to get the presidential ticket of APC automatically. This is not going to happen.”<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Spokesperson for the APC, Felix Morka, when contacted on the phone, failed to respond to the calls and messages sent to his phone as of the time of filing this report. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Presidency: <b>Amosun unfolds six-point agenda</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Former Ogun State governor and Senator representing Ogun Central District, Ibikunle Amosun, on Thursday declared for the presidency in Abuja, saying his administration would prioritise human security as a fundamental principle to national security and economic development. He unfolded his six-point agenda including security and economic development. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Osinbajo, Bakare obtain forms</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Senator Kabiru Gaya, from Kano on Thursday picked presidential nomination and expression of interest forms for Osinbajo. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A spokesman for the vice-president, Laolu Akande, confirmed the development in a series of tweets on Thursday. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“A passionate team of support groups and individual Nigerians from across the country have raised funds to support the purchase of APC nomination forms for the Vice-President’s 2023 presidential bid,” he tweeted. (Punch)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-85801355513505126432022-04-29T02:43:00.004-07:002022-04-29T02:43:55.380-07:00Presidency: PDP reps, SANs warn Jonathan, group threatens suit<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfk8QSredkPywVdtpraY3FkqzSxYCpdBzEJCIrVj0gPAJ9zQgV6623UrDJlQ-c1ahuet6pfoIxyIDe8RVYjxS2VWKLYULxFR7NJWKI5AU6asemdM8FJjwcvVisTXe0BZbVm5Furgo7TeE0nWrRgpZRdicCM8f10wLvmraECR7elBRUFVS2lFxstUA9Q/s768/Ex-President-GEJ-768x372(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="768" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfk8QSredkPywVdtpraY3FkqzSxYCpdBzEJCIrVj0gPAJ9zQgV6623UrDJlQ-c1ahuet6pfoIxyIDe8RVYjxS2VWKLYULxFR7NJWKI5AU6asemdM8FJjwcvVisTXe0BZbVm5Furgo7TeE0nWrRgpZRdicCM8f10wLvmraECR7elBRUFVS2lFxstUA9Q/s320/Ex-President-GEJ-768x372(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Former President Goodluck Jonathan who is considering joining the All Progressives Congress to run for President is set to face a legal battle in the coming days, <i>The PUNCH</i> has learnt. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is just as the Vice Chairman/Director of Public Affairs, Igbo Leadership Development Foundation, Dr. Law Mefor, says his group will be going to court to challenge Jonathan should he declare his intention to contest. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mefor stated this as the Peoples Democratic Party members in the House of Representatives warned the ex-President against accepting offers of the APC and the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Explaining the stand of the ILDF, Mefor, who believes the next President should be from the South-East region, argued that Jonathan had been affected by the constitutional amendment and thus had no right to contest.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “I have said it before and I’m saying it again. We will go to court to challenge it if Jonathan joins the presidential race. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“What my group, Igbo Leadership Development Foundation, would test in court is whether Jonathan can be sworn in as President of Nigeria a third time despite the express constitutional provision against it. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We are just waiting for Jonathan to pick up a political party’s nomination form and the Igbo Leadership Development Foundation will approach a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge his qualification to stand this election. I have nothing personal against Jonathan. After all, I was in his media team in 2015 but we have to do things right as a nation under the law and not as a nation of impunity.” <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jonathan had, while addressing supporters last week, informed them that he was still consulting on whether to contest and asked them to “watch out”. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sources also told <i>The PUNCH</i> that Jonathan had given the APC the condition that he would only join the party if the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), endorsed him and he was picked as a consensus candidate. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a chat with <i>The PUNCH</i>, a human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said any party that picked Jonathan as its candidate risked being disqualified. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When asked what would happen if Jonathan emerged candidate, Falana stated, “Of course, their opponents will go to court to challenge the legal validity of his election. It will be too much of a risk without having a definitive pronouncement on this matter.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The senior advocate maintained that Jonathan having been inaugurated as President twice could not be sworn in the third time. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Falana also noted that Section 137(3) of the constitution which was amended in 2018, states that a person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He argued that since Jonathan became President following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, he would not be able to serve two more full terms.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The senior advocate said it would be very risky for any political party to pick Jonathan as a candidate as his candidacy could be annulled by a court. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A statement he later issued read in part, “It has been confirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to join the APC for the purpose of contesting the 2023 presidential election. However, the former President is disqualified from contesting the election by virtue of 137 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Some people have said that the amendment is not retrospective and therefore cannot apply to Dr. Jonathan. Assuming without conceding that the amendment is not retrospective, it is submitted that under the current constitution a President or governor cannot spend more than terms of eight years. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“In other words, the constitution will not allow anyone to be in office for more than a cumulative period of eight years. In Marwa v. Nyako (2012) 6 NWLR (Pt.1296) 199 at 387 the Supreme Court stated that Section 180 (1) and (2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has prescribed a single term of four years and if a second term, another period of four years and not a day longer.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He noted that in the case of Governor Rasheed Ladoja v INEC, the Supreme Court rejected the prayer of Ladoja for 11 months’ extension to cover the period he was kept out of office through an illegal impeachment. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Falana added that the Supreme Court rejected the prayer on the grounds that a governor was entitled to spend a maximum period of eight years or less and not more than eight years. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Supporting Falana’s position, the Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria, through its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, advised Jonathan not to allow greedy politicians to push him into diminishing his international reputation. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Onwubiko said, “Falana’s legal opinion is the correct position of the law which does not allow an individual to spend more than the required number of years in a particular office. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Falana had used adequate points in law and in fact that nullified any attempt by Jonathan to try to get into any political kind of contestation as President of this country. Jonathan had already spent five years as President. He can’t spend nine years because it is unconstitutional.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also speaking to <i>The PUNCH</i>, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Emeka Ngige, said Falana’s position was valid. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ngige said, “I have not looked at the amendment to confirm what Falana said but I believe that he may be right because there was an amendment that was done when Buhari came into power. The amendment affected the eligibility of any person who has completed the tenure of another person. That person is deemed to have done his tenure.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ngige further said that morally it was wrong for Jonathan to contest the presidency as it would only lead him to further ridicule. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Attempts to get a response from Jonathan’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, proved abortive as his phone indicated that it was switched off. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Jonathan free to contest, constitution amended after he left office</b> – SAN</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But another senior advocate, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe, said Jonathan was free to contest since the constitution was amended after he had left office. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Adedipe also faulted the law, adding that it would not withstand a judicial challenge. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “Constitutionally he can run, provided he can run, there is nothing stopping him from running.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Reject APC’s offer, it’s offensive, disgraceful to all of us</b> – PDP Reps<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Responding to the controversy surrounding Jonathan’s purported ambition, members of the House of Representatives warned Jonathan against accepting any offer from the Presidency and the APC. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The lawmakers, who are members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, said the ex-president had been too ridiculed by the current Buhari regime. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Regardless of Jonathan being from the South-South geopolitical zone like them, some of the lawmakers said it was better for the ex-President to continue to enjoy goodwill. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking with <i>The PUNCH</i>, a member of the House from Rivers State, Solomon Bob, stated that Jonathan would be “debasing himself” by accepting APC’s offer. He also noted that the Electoral Act 2022 might prevent the ex-president from contesting since he is not a member of the APC. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bob said, “It would be the most irresponsible and reprehensible thing for President Jonathan to contemplate it. When I watched the interview where he was saying that people should watch out, I felt especially offended. That will show the whole world that Nigeria is not a serious country, where one person can be President on the platform of the PDP today and defect to another platform tomorrow. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It is reprehensible, it is morally abhorrent. It is not something that anybody can think about. That it was thought about, for me, is totally offensive. And it will disgrace all of us.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Toby Okechukwu (Enugu), noted that it would be Jonathan’s personal choice to make on the offer. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “It is a personal decision but I know it is meant to rubbish him. The idea is to bring him up to be helpless. What structure does he have? What inputs has he made?” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the same vein, Tajudeen Yusuf (Kogi) recalled that several Nigerians who were recalled to power were demystified. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yusuf said, “What has changed between now and the narrative that was propagated in 2015? For the APC, it is known that they are power mongers who ran down this country just for power; who lied stupidly and concocted funny things against this country just to attain power. Now that you are bereft of ideas, you are going to bring back the same man.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“As for Jonathan, if I were to advise him, ‘no, no, no’ would be my counsel to him. God has elevated him. When he lost the election, God further glorified him internationally. As a statesman, by now, Jonathan should be the one matters are brought to in the PDP.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In his submission, Ben Igbakpa (Delta) said, “If it is real, if I had the opportunity to have advised Mr. President, it would be that he should continue to enjoy the goodwill he is enjoying all over the world; that he should not spend that goodwill on the altar of the presidency. He should just sit back, enjoy himself and enjoy the diplomatic work that he is doing all over Africa and the world.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, Nicholas Ossai (Delta) stated that Jonathan had the right to join any party and contest any public office. He also noted that a choice could be positive or negative, which could make or mar someone’s image in the public. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Jonathan not qualified</b> – Osinbajo, Tinubu groups </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, Ekiti State Leader, Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation, Femi Adeleye, said Jonathan having been inaugurated twice as president was not qualified to contest for APC presidential ticket as he could not be sworn in the third time. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Adeleye, therefore, said Jonathan would not scale the screening process if he joined the APC. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The OGO leader said, “If he (Jonathan) wants to join APC, he can join APC. He is not coming to contest. The law has precluded him from contesting. So he cannot contest the presidential election again. The law court will stop him. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The party will accept anybody that comes to join the party. Even when you obtain a nomination form, there will still be screening for aspirants, the party has a legal adviser who will look at the law and those who are not qualified will be screened out. If you obtain a form and you are not qualified, you will be screened out.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also, the Coordinator of Tinubu Support Organisation in Ekiti State, Gabriel Babalola, said the former president could not reap where he had not sown. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“There is no law that is against Goodluck Jonathan’s coming to contest, he has only contested and won the presidential election once for a four-year tenure. I don’t even see Jonathan coming to our party and making waves. He has not been in our party, he has never joined our party and all the aspirants have been working,” Babalola added. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reacting to the development, the apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said Jonathan would be seen as a man lacking in integrity should he accept to contest the Presidency on the APC platform. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, said, “Ohanaeze is not talking about the constitution. Our own stand is that he has no morality. Former President Goodluck Jonathan doesn’t possess civic virtue. He doesn’t’ seems to possess civic virtue. He doesn’t understand the meaning of reciprocity.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Fielding Jonathan will put APC in a precarious situation</b> – Groups </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking to <i>The PUNCH</i>, the Convener, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy, Dare-Ariyo Atoye, stated that it was the Supreme Court that could determine Jonathan’s eligibility.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “The controversy ranging now over the issue of eligibility of Jonathan to contest in 2023 will have to be decided by the Supreme Court. It is going to put the APC in a precarious situation because if the APC gives Jonathan the ticket and he probably becomes the President of the country and his mandate is challenged, it will now be left for the Supreme Court to decide whether Jonathan was eligible. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Jonathan could also be a serious problem for the APC if he’s fielded as the candidate of the party. Between the time he becomes the candidate of the party, don’t forget that between May 29 or May 30 when the presidential primaries of the APC are going to be conducted and February 2023, that is more than six months, which is sufficient enough to either sustain or nullify the candidacy of Jonathan in case the Supreme Court interprets Section 123 or otherwise, or supports the argument as canvassed by Femi Falana.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But the Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Francis Nwaze, said the state Governor, Dave Umahi, was in the presidential race for himself, and not for anybody. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He stated this in a telephone interview with our one of correspondents in Abakaliki, on Thursday. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “Governor David Umahi is not contesting for anybody. I want to let you know that he (Umahi) has made mention of this.” (Punch)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-75666124106321888242022-04-27T23:41:00.004-07:002022-04-27T23:41:34.486-07:00Electoral Act: More commissioners resign as Buhari’s ministers refuse<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_ApvI03bJBtCc4uMKVxXm3K39NZaGBqbZ1KRZAWZSRK_lRq4PcCqaGjJBXd9YyRKQFWCfod7q5c-QpWBrXQkwfety3ukcqwrcjFDeTYYYmiULaCbHLMrcg4NluusrS3jJU67Roqzr0wH09rL8C_ROWpp1SmN7OLclk64CkHLkHE_yDi4dGEDEWlo7Q/s768/Minute-768x512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="768" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_ApvI03bJBtCc4uMKVxXm3K39NZaGBqbZ1KRZAWZSRK_lRq4PcCqaGjJBXd9YyRKQFWCfod7q5c-QpWBrXQkwfety3ukcqwrcjFDeTYYYmiULaCbHLMrcg4NluusrS3jJU67Roqzr0wH09rL8C_ROWpp1SmN7OLclk64CkHLkHE_yDi4dGEDEWlo7Q/s320/Minute-768x512.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FEC minute of silence</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Governor Tambuwal’s 11 commissioners, SSG, chief of staff resign</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>• Amosun joins presidential race, Yahaya Bello, Nwajiuba pick forms</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>• I won’t resign, says Ngige</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">• NLC flays campaigns amid ASUU strike</span></b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At least, 13 commissioners have resigned their appointments in Sokoto State ahead of the primary elections in accordance with the Electoral Act, bringing the total number of commissioners that had resigned in order to contest elections to over 60 across the 36 states, <i>The PUNCH</i> can confirm. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, on Wednesday said Governor Aminu Tambuwal had accepted their resignations accordingly. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The statement read in part, “Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has accepted the resignation of 13 key portfolio holders in his administration, which include Manir Iya, the deputy governor, who was also the overseer of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The remaining commissioners are those hitherto manning Ministries of Finance, Environment, Youths and Sports, Lands and Housing; as well as Careers and Security: Abdussamad Dasuki, Sagir Bafarawa, Bashir Gorau, Aminu Bodinga and Col. Garba Moyi (retd) respectively. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Other commissioners who resigned are those of Commerce, Works, Water Resources, Solid Minerals and Religious Affairs: Bashir Gidado, Salihu Maidaji, Shuaibu Gobir, Abubakar Ahmad and Abdullahi Maigwandu correspondingly. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“More of those who resigned include the Secretary to the State Government, Mallam Sa’idu Umar and the Chief of Staff, Mukhtar Magori.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The PUNCH</i> reports that Sokoto is not the only state where commissioners have resigned. In Kano State, no fewer than 10 commissioners have resigned while in Delta State at least nine have stepped down. The case is the same in Kwara State where no fewer than seven commissioners have stepped aside while in Bayelsa State at least five have resigned. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently asked members of his cabinet seeking to run for office to resign. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>‘I won’t resign’</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, insisted that he would not resign until 30 days before the general election as required by the constitution.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State was a minister when he contested the governorship primary and won, adding that nobody could confer his opinion on another. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The minister spoke when a group, Project Nigeria, presented the N100m presidential form of the All Progressives Congress it purchased for him on Wednesday. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nwajiuba urged anyone who was hurt by his decision to remain in office to challenge it in court. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The minister said, “The resignation of a minister or anybody who is in office is guided by the constitution to contest elections. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We are required to contest elections if we want, required to resign 30 days before the election we wish to contest in. That’s the position of the law. Any other person can have an opinion. My position is that the law of the country rests on the grundnorm called the constitution. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“If you do not like the constitution, your work is to amend it. There is no subrogation of power that is required for you to include into a law what is not deemed as included in that law. If you’re in doubt I’ll remind you about Kayode Fayemi. He was in government up till the day he contested in the primary and started his campaign and 30 days to his election he called the federal executive cabinet, and said ‘I am now meeting the requirements of law by resigning.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nwajiuba’s decision to contest despite a protracted strike embarked on by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities drew criticisms from Nigerians mainly on social media who argued that the minister ought to focus on ending the crisis rather than his personal political ambition. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Reacting to the criticisms, he pleaded with the lecturers to return to class, assuring them their demands would be met. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “I will like them to return to class so that students can go back to class, as the nation earns, we pay them, as the nation gets money, we will settle them. We don’t want our children to miss the opportunity of their own time because there is a time frame in which children must grow, the time cannot wait. It is important that ASUU returns to class.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who is in charge of negotiations with striking university lecturers, insisted that he would not resign despite his intention to contest the Presidency. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ngige also said he was unaware of a directive by the All Progressives Congress for political appointees to resign. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The minister said this while fielding questions from State House correspondents after the Wednesday Federal Executive Council meeting. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to him, since the March 18 judgment of the Federal High Court in Umuahia struck out section 84(12) of the recently signed Electoral Act 2022, he is under no pressure to resign. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’ll be guided by the letters and spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That aspect of the law enacted by the National Assembly, via the Electoral Act, Section 84(12) has been struck down by a court of law and the cases are on appeal. And for now, no matter how bad the judgment is, that’s the maximum jurisprudence. No matter how bad the law is, it is a judgment of the court, it should be obeyed, until upturned or stayed.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“But there is no stay, there’s no atonement of that particular pronouncement, and the party is on appeal. So the judgment is still subsisting. That aspect of the law was injurious to some persons and should not have been there.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I also know that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in sections 107, 137 and 88, prescribes disqualification clauses for people who are going for election and that prescription is supreme because it’s in the constitution and the constitution is the grundnorm of all laws,” he said. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the N100m fee for the nomination and expression of interest form, the labour minister said, “Well, that is the people’s views. I had said earlier that I made a budget for N50m, and it is now N100m. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“So I have discussed with my supporters, and they are raising the money to augment whatever is before now. So when they finish augmentation, I believe that we’ll get up to N100m so that we can purchase our form.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Amosun joins presidential race</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b>Also, a former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has notified the Senate of his intention to contest for president in the 2023 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amosun is a known confidant of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as both of them were in the defunct All Nigerians Peoples Party, one of the legacy parties that formed the APC. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, read out Amosun’s notice at the opening of plenary on Wednesday. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Wednesday in Abuja, said he was not shaken by the pedigree of any of the aspirants joining the All Progressives Congress race, including former President Goodluck Jonathan who is being tugged to join the race. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bello said this after obtaining his N100m nomination and expression of interest forms to officially register his presence in the APC presidential race. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>NLC knocks politicians</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, the Nigeria Labour Congress has described as gross injustice the 2023 electioneering amid the shutdown of universities. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The PUNCH</i> reports that both Ngige and Nwajiuba who are heading negotiations with ASUU are also contesting the Presidency. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The NLC leadership at its Central Working Committee meeting on Wednesday, preparatory to the May Day Commemoration on May 1, decried the injustice meted out to ASUU and by extension, the children of the underprivileged who attend public universities.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, who addressed a press conference before the Central Working Committee went into a closed-door session, lamented that the government merely paid lip service to issues of education. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “We are facing a period of great injustice on the downtrodden of the society; children of the poor are at home but the children of the rich are going to school. We have written several communications to the government but no response till date, rather they are busy discussing politics.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Recall that ASUU has been on strike for over two months following the failure of the government to meet its demands. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wabba reminded the CWC members that unionists and workers all over the world had not had it rosy, especially with events that had continued to shape the world such as the COVID-19, and the Russia-Ukraine crisis. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“As you all know, the children of the poor are at home while those of the rich are going to school. To date, we have communicated through recommendations to the government but no response. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“This is most disheartening because people in our generation benefited from free education from primary to tertiary level. This is not acceptable, instead of the politicians discussing these issues as a national emergency they are occupied with the 2023 elections,” he added. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Bankole in the race</b> – Associate <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a related development, it was learnt on Wednesday that a former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, would also the presidential race as his father ,Suara Bankole reportedly got the nods of some power brokers in the north for his son’s ambition . </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">An impeccable source who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter told one of our correspondents that the coast was clear for the former speaker to declare for president. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The source said his father who had established a strong relationship with some northern politicians was said to have activated his contacts and reportedly got the support for his son. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The source said “Our man is in the race ,but, not official yet. He has consulted with some stakeholders in the north and got positive response. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“He is very likely to declare very soon . He is only taking his time. His father has been in Abuja for awhile meeting people on the move.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Efforts to get the former Speaker did not succeed as he did not pick calls to his mobile phone. (Punch)<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-65492494311876267012022-04-20T04:12:00.000-07:002022-04-20T04:12:06.680-07:00Drop your presidential bids, Afenifere leader tells Tinubu, Osinbajo<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjXsjMDOG6_K29aPMhLf8awwzXP9JeAxHOMFphtkH2wJSk7jNIR4DbfEQLuSoLNDuQdpkkai66hEC1DGrhBiOVylTl3otRyrcO3wOCDHPsKQwqfpBHAQs0UhYG-bQQxXCXSb1UmMEdNhHEb78Re7VuxnyuSM6cuGre0kEziiL8ejOmU7riHlQpibegA/s700/Osinbajo-Tinubu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="700" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjXsjMDOG6_K29aPMhLf8awwzXP9JeAxHOMFphtkH2wJSk7jNIR4DbfEQLuSoLNDuQdpkkai66hEC1DGrhBiOVylTl3otRyrcO3wOCDHPsKQwqfpBHAQs0UhYG-bQQxXCXSb1UmMEdNhHEb78Re7VuxnyuSM6cuGre0kEziiL8ejOmU7riHlQpibegA/s320/Osinbajo-Tinubu.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osinbajo, Tinubu</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Leader of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has said that presidential aspirants from the South-West geopolitical zone including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, should forget their presidential ambitions. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said it was the turn of the South-East to produce Nigeria’s next President after the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in May 2023. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The elder statesman made his position known in an exclusive interview with <i>The PUNCH </i>on Tuesday. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to him, it is an injustice for a South-West President to emerge in 2023 after ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo from Ogun State had ruled from 1999 to 2007; while Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, also from Ogun State, has been in government since May 2015 and would have spent eight years in power by May 2023.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 94-year old elder statesman added that the South-South zone has also had a shot at both President and Vice-President positions with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan between 2007 and 2010 (as VP) and from 2010 to 2015 (as President). </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Adebanjo, however, said for Nigeria to have another President, the country must first be secured. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The nonagenarian said, “Right now, is there a country for them to be President? There must be one country first before you can talk of an election. Is this the country Jonathan handed over to Buhari? Whether a Southern or a Northern candidate, let us unite everyone. We can’t get everyone united until we change this constitution. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are you safe? Talk about security. How am I sure that I won’t be shocked when I go to the police station, when electoral officers, soldiers, and policemen are being shot dead and I can’t travel to Maiduguri safely? </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“All those who are clamouring for Presidency, be it Jagaban (Tinubu) or Osinbajo, they should assure us of our safety first, that the country is safe, that we are one, then we talk of who is going to be President. They should forget about their ambitions now until there is safety. Nobody can go to the South-East now, and we are all living in denial.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Asked if he was supporting Tinubu, Osinbajo, or any President from the South-West, the Afenifere leader said, “How can I back a South-West candidate? That is not equity. Has Obasanjo not done so for eight years? Has Osinbajo not done eight years as VP? Has Jonathan not done five years as President? Is the South-East not part of Nigeria? </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We want peace and equity. It is the turn of the South-East. I don’t talk ambiguously. It is the South-East that the thing must go; there is no doubt about that but my anxiety now is that before we say, South-East, have we got a country? Let us settle that before we say the South-East is the answer. I am not ambivalent about it at all.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>He is entitled to his opinion, say VP, ex-Lagos gov’s camps</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pro-Tinubu and pro-Osinbajo groups have however expressed their disagreements with the statement made by the Afenifere leader.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The chairman of the pro-Tinubu group, South West Agenda 2023 group, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, during a telephone interview with <i>The PUNCH</i>, said the rotation principle of the presidency is between the North and South of the country.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “Chief Adebanjo is our leader and a man I respect. He is now in his 90s and has paid his own dues; we are their followers and we are also entitled to our own views and our view is that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should go ahead and contest the presidency. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The rotation principle in Nigeria is between the North and the South and whenever it rotates to any of the regions, whether South or North, every of the geopolitical zones in that region are free to contest the presidency. Now, it is the turn of the South and we absolutely believe that anybody in the South, including those from the South-West, are free to throw their hats into the ring and challenge for the presidency. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“This is exactly what Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing and he is enjoying tremendous support not only in the South-West which is his own base, but throughout the entire length and breadth, nook and cranny of Nigeria and therefore, no person will sit in one corner and say Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should forget his presidential ambition. Certainly, he will contest for the presidency.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Convener, Progressive Lawyers for Osinbajo, Dr Kayode Ajulo, explained to The PUNCH that the opinion of Adebanjo does not indicate the position of the Afenifere group. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “The Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not about making emotive statements. I know that if Afenifere wants to say anything, it has to be decided on. Afenifere is not a conclave of what people don’t know what is being done there. The way we have been doing it is that the issue would be deliberated upon by Afenifere and there would be a communique collectively passed. I ask, where is the communiqué of Afenifere saying this? </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“For some time now, I have not seen such things from Afenifere. I have not received any notification to this effect and no one else has confirmed receiving any invitation. Baba Adebanjo is entitled to his opinion. But where is Baba Reuben Fasoranti? Where is Baba Sehinde Arogbofa? Where is Chief Sola Ebiseni? Where is Olu Falae’s opinion on this issue? This is not an issue that only one person will just make a sweeping remark. Where did these men deliberate on this issue? </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I am worried that it is being termed Afenifere’s position. Afenifere has procedures, ways and manners such an issue is to be discussed. As it is, I see more of Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s personal opinion which he is entitled to, but please it is clear how the President of Nigerians should emerge.” (Punch)<br /><br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-48416025632920883832022-04-08T03:39:00.008-07:002022-04-08T03:39:56.962-07:00Reactions as NFF begins search for new Eagles coach<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcFo6BRyOb1r2EznahN9h-uhuGKaOLJS9vQvgH5K6Z9zU9llOJ5Fd_Itots7Yi0LOIMbYche8WD8hhkPFqLZlBUGaY00KPfXON19pl7pzuASFejptLOZITbOHwf41o4qLBJyLBQ_2l5vGvtUX8Qr1Z2QP1ouy97cEF0AxvdGFNKePU8NxJOKwODymXw/s700/Eagles-training1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="700" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcFo6BRyOb1r2EznahN9h-uhuGKaOLJS9vQvgH5K6Z9zU9llOJ5Fd_Itots7Yi0LOIMbYche8WD8hhkPFqLZlBUGaY00KPfXON19pl7pzuASFejptLOZITbOHwf41o4qLBJyLBQ_2l5vGvtUX8Qr1Z2QP1ouy97cEF0AxvdGFNKePU8NxJOKwODymXw/s320/Eagles-training1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Following the Super Eagles failed bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the country’s football faithful are divided over the national team’s next head coach, <i>The PUNCH</i> reports. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Nigeria Football Federation has begun moves to hire a new coach after it tasked its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to begin the search for a gaffer for the national team. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Austin Eguavoen and his technical crew were relieved of their positions after the Eagles were beaten by Ghana in the play-off to Qatar, and thus failed to qualify for the world’s biggest football showpiece. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While no name has been mentioned as a possible candidate, there were reports that former Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh is in the running for the position, while Eguavoen on Monday also stated that he would love to return to the coaching position in the future.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But fans aired different opinions on their choices of coaches for the Eagles, with some insisting on the NFF hiring a local coach, while others backed a foreigner for the job. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yusuf Ganiu has the opinion that Nigeria’s football governing body should go for an indigenous coach. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“… An indigenous coach would understand the pain and emotion of the citizens and will not toy with us. For me, I think I will prefer a local coach,” Yusuf Ganiu said. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Peter Dibịa added, “Super Eagles need Emmanuel Amuneke.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Afam Udeozo, who also shared Dibia’s opinion, stated, “It is an indigenous coach for me, please. Both Ghana and Senegal have indigenous coaches, and the North Africans usually employ indigenous coaches. It’s time Nigeria looked inwards.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mujahideen Mmabdullahijnr added, “A good indigenous coach, someone that has Nigeria at heart, someone that can coach even without being paid, a patriotic Nigerian.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Twitter The real spencer is among several others who preferred a foreign coach for the Eagles job. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“A foreign coach is fine, but must be knowledgeable enough to coach a team and identify new players home and abroad. A Brazilian or Dutch coach may be a good idea,” The real spencer said. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Foreign coach to help us organize the talent of our boys, the indigenous coach doesn’t have that pedigree,” The Mayor Of Warri added. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hiboi sarcastically stated, “Except they are bringing (Stephen) Keshi, we do need a foreign coach, Rohr was not doing badly.”</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Punch)</span></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-4139731738957801782022-03-13T23:32:00.004-07:002022-03-13T23:32:37.309-07:00NDLEA traces N4.2bn to Abba Kyari, co-accused’s accounts<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo-hvsZYIwGGEkyP9mCxG6mfCMxia_LULU01c62RtbNljjFQvdnp7Z8XDsrA_ez9EGCAqELIWIXfEEZ_d4IM3o6I9JI5kBxvP5pwrpHvrQ9A5QHR1PGhe2rKM3-WOaiw3iW_30zizea9vVtticaNnc8YNBVKNG-8WCMjvey-QB_g_lA7qwszKhNRxoPg=s750" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="750" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo-hvsZYIwGGEkyP9mCxG6mfCMxia_LULU01c62RtbNljjFQvdnp7Z8XDsrA_ez9EGCAqELIWIXfEEZ_d4IM3o6I9JI5kBxvP5pwrpHvrQ9A5QHR1PGhe2rKM3-WOaiw3iW_30zizea9vVtticaNnc8YNBVKNG-8WCMjvey-QB_g_lA7qwszKhNRxoPg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abba Kyari</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fresh facts have emerged on how suspended super cop and former Commander of the Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari; as well as his deputy, ACP Sunday Ubua, allegedly received a combined N4.2bn from their separate bank accounts. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The details are part of a report sent to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, by the NDLEA. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to the drug enforcement agency, not less than N1.4bn passed through Kyari’s account while he was commander of the IRT. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, Kyari’s deputy, Ubua, may have received far more than him as not less than N2.8bn was traced to his eight bank accounts.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to investigations, Ubua allegedly received a lump sum of N2.664bn on August 15, 2019. The NDLEA is now working on the assumption that the sums traced to Kyari and his deputy may be connected to the sale of some illicit substances including Tramadol worth N3bn. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A source said, “You will recall that the NDLEA is investigating an allegation that Kyari and his team seized a large consignment of tramadol in a warehouse at Amuwo Odofin in Lagos. The consignment was worth about N3bn. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The IRT under Kyari’s command seized these drugs and they are believed to have sold the consignment to a cartel afterwards. It was around the time of this seizure that Kyari’s deputy received a deposit of N2.664bn in his personal bank account. Out of this money, he purchased FBN Insurance shares worth about N100m.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>NDLEA seeks AGF’s approval to confiscate Kyari’s assets, bank accounts</b> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meanwhile, the NDLEA has written a letter to the AGF seeking his approval for the confiscation of properties and assets belonging to the once revered super cop. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was gathered that the NDLEA’s request was dispatched to the justice minister last week following the March 7 arraignment of Kyari and his men for dealing in cocaine. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kyari is facing eight counts of conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences at the Federal High Court, Abuja. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, are four members of the IRT, Ubua, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two other suspects arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, were also listed as defendants. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kyari, has been indicted in the United States for alleged involvement in a $1.1m scam carried out by a notorious Internet scammer, Ramon Abass, a.ka. Hushpuppi was suspended by the police last July.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A source said the drug agency’s request is receiving the AGF’s attention, noting that Malami was in the process of approving the seizure of the embattled DCP’s assets and property to ensure he did not benefit from the proceeds of crime. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our correspondent gathered that the ex-IRT commander’s assets that will be confiscated include cash and money in bank accounts, vehicles, real estate, notably hotels, residential and commercial buildings; personal effects such as wristwatches, jewellery and other valuable possessions. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The PUNCH learnt that the AGF’s approval was required by the NDLEA to seize a suspect’s property pending conviction by the court.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A senior officer stated, “Under the NDLEA Act, the NDLEA cannot forfeit his assets unless based on the consent of the Attorney-General. The NDLEA wrote last week and the AGF is considering the request.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The NDLEA spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, confirmed the development, saying, “It’s a normal procedure to seek approval for a no debit order on suspects’ bank accounts when suspicious transactions are noticed in such accounts.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice has denied changing its legal opinion in respect of the money laundering case against Kyari, stating that the prima facie case against him still subsists. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Director of Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar, said the AGF has not issued another opinion on the case, noting that the legal advice issued to the police in January still stands. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Abubakar told our correspondent on the phone on Sunday that the police were expected to probe the allegation but failed to carry out the necessary forensic analysis of the phones of the suspects which could have provided the money trail linking the senior police officer to Hushpuppi’s syndicate members. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “You rightly quoted our first opinion where we said they (police) should establish the linkages- trace the money trail. We didn’t say the case file doesn’t contain sufficient evidence. It was their (police) response we were referring to. The prima facie evidence we said exists still exists. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The response they sent to us after we sent in our opinion did not sufficiently address the issues we raised. That was the point we raised; maybe, we should have done it differently. We didn’t abrogate our opinion. Our legal opinion still subsists; you don’t seek for legal opinion twice. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“There is nowhere we said we changed our position. If you look very well, our position is the same as that of the Police Service Commission. When you have a case and you need further investigation and that further investigation is not conducted, you cannot go to court with half evidence.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking on the gaps in the police investigation, the DPP added, “Normally, they should have done the forensic analysis of the phone records of all the suspects and that would have given them an idea of how they dealt with the money, which sent the money, when they collected the money, what they did with it. They didn’t do all of these.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a separate statement by his Spokesman, Umar Gwandu, the AGF stated that he had not changed his opinion on Kyari’s indictment. Rather, he only called for a further probe, a demand which may have been misunderstood. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The statement read in part, “It was a case of work in progress in respect of which the office of the AGF requested for further probe in relation to some aspects of investigation.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It was clear that the conclusion on the alleged contradiction on the issue was a clear misconception. The office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice’s stance is that no conclusion has been reached in the direction of absence of evidence relating to the first report.” (Punch)</span></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-31851495969256264062022-02-14T08:14:00.003-08:002022-02-14T08:14:26.544-08:00 "Part of rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar is to register and come out to vote”-Dr. Tony Rapu<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge1Up3HhSiQp4KWttRvldGO-bXVXZDCrQiL236x4wRg-4M03SCit9Fv0f-BBTESq_uWrmziSuYeBtJhFkNg56PZHOdZtUybf8s9YROA3HAvPqYJKpqSZ4piTe_S4BjI4XpTmbH63C4bEbyKrZGgJLoTrZYkng4vJO4oNmwB1Sdauv60YuaHEje6TG0aA=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="1080" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge1Up3HhSiQp4KWttRvldGO-bXVXZDCrQiL236x4wRg-4M03SCit9Fv0f-BBTESq_uWrmziSuYeBtJhFkNg56PZHOdZtUybf8s9YROA3HAvPqYJKpqSZ4piTe_S4BjI4XpTmbH63C4bEbyKrZGgJLoTrZYkng4vJO4oNmwB1Sdauv60YuaHEje6TG0aA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As Anap Foundation launches GoNigeria initiative</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dr. Tony Rapu, an advocate of the GoNigeria initiative has reminded young Nigerians not to shirk from their civic responsibilities of actively participating in the electoral process that will determine those who will occupy political offices during the 2023 general elections.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to the Medical Doctor and Pastor, ‘’Part of rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar is to register and come out to vote during the 2023 elections’’. Shirking from that responsibility portends grave dangers for the citizenry. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Corroborating that position, the Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank + President & Founder, Anap Foundation, Atedo Peterside stated, ‘’From opinion polls, it has almost become fashionable for the educated young voter [18+ and above] to brag that he or she has no intention of registering to vote or voting or both.’’</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to Peterside, the most popular reasons which educated youths give for opting out are: [1] the votes will not count anyway; and [2] the candidates are uninspiring. Whether we like it or not, it will remain the responsibility of knowledgeable, skilled, and patriotic Nigerians at home and abroad to improve the country and the plight of our impoverished citizenry.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added that shirking that responsibility does not come so easily to some of us who have had Nigeria embedded in our DNA from childhood. I have personally not found that country that I would like to emigrate to - and I have travelled through all of the 5 major continents as well as Australia.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is as Anap Foundation kick-starts its enlightenment campaign themed, GoNigeria, a campaign to sensitize Nigerian youths to participate actively in the electoral process leading to the election of visionary leaders during the general elections come 2023.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anap Foundation will be partnering with the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] and other advocates, celebrity ambassadors, corporate bodies as well as volunteers in ensuring a huge success is attained in encouraging the youths in understanding that their votes count in having the right leaders at the country's helm of affairs.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The campaign is in full gear with the initial advocates of Anap Foundation, who have intensified efforts at encouraging young Nigerians to register and collect their PVC to vote in next year's general elections towards ensuring good governance and accessing the true dividends of democracy.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The initial advocates are Aisha Yesufu, Active Nigerian Citizen; Nuruddeen Lemu, Director, Research & Training, the Da’wah Institute, Islamic Education Trust; Dike Chukwumerije, Poet; Folarin Falana (Falz), Musician, Actor, and Entertainer; Atedo Peterside, Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank + President & Founder, Anap Foundation; Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic Church, Sokoto; Arunma Oteh, Chairperson, Royal African Society and Scholar, University of Oxford; Hamzat Lawal, Founder, Connected Development (CODE); Tomiwa Aladekomo, National Chair, Youth Party; Osita Chidoka, Founder UnlockNaija, Former Minister, Aviation & Corps Marshal FRSC; and Dr. Tony Rapu, Medical Doctor and Pastor.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Others include ‘Yemi Adamolekun, Executive Director, EiE Nigeria; Muhammad Ali Pate, Professor of Public Health Leadership at Harvard, Former Minister and former World Bank Global Director for Health; HH Muhammad Sanusi II, 14th Emir of Kano & Grand Khalifa of Tijjaniya Order; Dr. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, Former Minister, Former Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Chairman, Tertiary Education Trust Fund [TETFUND] and President, King’s College Old Boys Association; Ayisha Osori, Author; and Ibrahim Dahiru Waziri, Former DMD NLNG/GED of NNPC + House of Rep. member in 1983 at age 25.</span></span></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-69498413570688216912022-02-11T03:05:00.003-08:002022-02-11T03:05:58.109-08:00Electoral bill: National Assembly carpets Malami over ‘self-interest’ comment<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRKcD2DcYNmLR5g9EVEW6CsGU8XnUmU3paDCwRoRPV_2PKSle-543JKsWQW_i-ZBy9U6YoFX6becmv9CmVLGAWAiO9LWkIROMCN1iMrWXpSdyIEOr2vAjxvl3KJmKZjupEvVddmAEWenB9X19oVVCwf5A2tbFTvQEyXzLWv0nBXy44XDDsSxNZeASjRQ=s709" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="709" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRKcD2DcYNmLR5g9EVEW6CsGU8XnUmU3paDCwRoRPV_2PKSle-543JKsWQW_i-ZBy9U6YoFX6becmv9CmVLGAWAiO9LWkIROMCN1iMrWXpSdyIEOr2vAjxvl3KJmKZjupEvVddmAEWenB9X19oVVCwf5A2tbFTvQEyXzLWv0nBXy44XDDsSxNZeASjRQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The National Assembly, on Thursday, dismissed a threat by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), that he would oppose the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, if it was based on selfish interest. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, specifically dismissed Malami as a political appointee, who could not speak for the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on institutional matters like the bill. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Basiru was reacting to a recent interview granted by Malami in which the minister said Buhari would not assent to the reworked bill, if its provisions were considered to be of selfish interest. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The AGF had hinted that Buhari might withhold assent from the bill, if it was considered to have proposed laws based on personal interests.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to the minister, the bill, which the National Assembly transmitted to the Presidency the second time on Monday last week, just got to him on Monday for legal advice. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When asked if he would advise the President to reject the amended bill if he was not satisfied with the new version, Malami said, “Certainly, if I am not satisfied and if I am of the opinion that it is against the public interest, the national interest; and then against the dictates of democratic process, I would advise accordingly. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“But then, one thing I can tell you is that we are all interested in leaving behind a legacy of a lasting democracy; a democracy that indeed accommodates the collective interest of the Nigerian state, and eventually advances the national interest, national development and deepens the democratic process. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“So, with these considerations associated with deepening democracy; with the considerations associated with the national and public interest, we will certainly do whatever it takes to move democracy to the next level.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Responding in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, Basiru said, “I cannot be responding to Malami. Let the President talk and we will respond (to Buhari). I represent an institution, which is the National Assembly. We are not on the same par. If the President speaks, then we can respond as an institution. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“There are three arms of government: the executive headed by the President; the National Assembly (legislature), and the judiciary. I speak on behalf of the Senate, which is an institution, so I can’t be responding to an appointee of the President; I can’t be responding to Malami. We can only respond to correspondence from the President and authenticated by him (Buhari); we cannot be responding to an appointee of the President. We are an institution.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Benjamin Kalu, in his response, said the minister might need to define what he meant by ‘selfish interest’. According to him, the parliament was guided by national interest in the consideration and passage of the bill. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kalu said, “I don’t know his definition of ‘selfish interest’, of course, it is not a tool in making laws for the country. But public interest is the instrument used in making laws, not selfish interest. And the only way that you can measure public interest is through the steps outlined by our laws, one of which is public hearing or stakeholders’ engagement. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Another one is consensus or majority opinion of the parliament on an issue, reflective of the opinion of the people that they (lawmakers) represent. If the majority of those in the parliament are for a particular position, it means that those who have asked them (lawmakers) to represent them are speaking with one voice. That is how you measure public interest.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The House’ spokesman also stated that the opinions and interests of the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties, governors, civil society organisations and other public stakeholders in the bill could not have been considered to be selfish.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A senior official in the National Assembly, who spoke on condition of anonymity, corroborated the Senate’s spokesman, saying, “If he, as an appointee of the President, made an observation, until that observation is formalised by the institution that he represents, which is the Presidency, we cannot give much attention to it until it comes from the institution.”<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The source added, “If Mr. President finds out that there is an element of selfish interest, he will communicate that to us and we will look at it. Not that Malami will tell us, the President will communicate directly to us.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The PUNCH had reported in December that the President had rejected the last electoral bill mainly on the advice of Malami. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Recently, there were reports that some members of the cabal in the Presidency were opposed to some provisions of the bill. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to the reports, they are not comfortable with the provision which mandates appointees to resign before the primaries of their parties. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had reworked the electoral bill for the second time by concurring on consensus candidacy and setting fresh conditions for political parties in the nomination of candidates for elections. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Buhari, last year, had vetoed the electoral bill and sent it back to the National Assembly over the restriction of political parties to direct primary, insisting on the direct or indirect. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The House had amended Clause Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010, which is Clause 84 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, by inserting the indirect primary option. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Senate, however, not only added indirect primary, but also consensus adoption of candidates for elections by a political party. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">By passing different amendments to the bill, the Senate and the House were expected to refer the versions to a conference committee to harmonise the differences and report back for final passage and transmission to the President for assent. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, both the Senate and the House of Representatives took a shorter route by rescinding their decisions on the amendments last week and re-amending the electoral bill. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This time, the House concurred with the Senate on the consensus, while both chambers passed the same conditions set for the option. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> The President had said in his interview with <i>Channels TV</i> on January 5, 2022, that he would sign the bill once the mandatory direct primary clause was removed.(Punch)<br /><br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-33355445797825571412022-02-08T01:12:00.002-08:002022-02-08T01:12:52.416-08:00Buhari won’t sign Electoral Bill if amended for selfish interest – Malami<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCrUHzh-mQZtH9SPfrC32aQGcxcvdyKhOfX-tUcpcSCxy-u2XeNSzHz0sECa9tbIHr-XNyJMZBPntX4ST_HgeGvXGJkUgdg4VTJFGMGCaWE-O6SzvjtjF-XFHTaaEQuxLlImhIoSv0pHHv_xKPuQYEKntMQnOBwapP08dlHW_GllgNt1yMoom6ul9yA/s728/Malami2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="728" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCrUHzh-mQZtH9SPfrC32aQGcxcvdyKhOfX-tUcpcSCxy-u2XeNSzHz0sECa9tbIHr-XNyJMZBPntX4ST_HgeGvXGJkUgdg4VTJFGMGCaWE-O6SzvjtjF-XFHTaaEQuxLlImhIoSv0pHHv_xKPuQYEKntMQnOBwapP08dlHW_GllgNt1yMoom6ul9yA/s320/Malami2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has hinted that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), may withhold assent from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill if it is considered to have proposals based on personal interests. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to the minister, the bill, which the National Assembly transmitted to the Presidency the second time on Monday last week, just got to him on Monday for legal advice. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Malami made this known while appearing on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television which our correspondents monitored on Monday. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Buhari had withheld assent to the first version of the bill last year after consulting the Malami and the Independent National Electoral Commission, among others, on the bill.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When asked if he was satisfied with the amendments made to the bill by the National Assembly after Buhari sent it back to the parliament, Malami said, “In terms of satisfaction, honestly, it is premature for me to conclude, taking into consideration (that) I can admit to you that the electoral bill was only received in my office this afternoon as I was preparing to come over for this engagement with <i>Channels TV</i>. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 1.20em;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am working for advancement of democracy, Malami insists</span></b></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“So, I have not taken steps to review the content and context of what has been presented for consideration for the President. So, it is premature and pre-emptive for me at this moment, now to arrive at any conclusion, taking into consideration that I have not gone through the document to understand what it contains and then analyse the same in accordance with the constitution and the prevailing laws.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When asked if he loved democracy and wanted the advancement of the same, being someone who had been involved in political party activities, the minister interjected, “I am working for the advancement of democracy and the democratic system.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Responding to a question on if he was willing to assist Buhari to pass what the President said he wanted to leave behind as a legacy of good elections for Nigeria; and if the bill might get passed by Buhari, the minister said, “Honestly, without going through or reading through, I am not in a position to assess whether the bill, indeed, has factored the national and public interest, as against selfish interest, among others; whether it is a bill that can stand the test of constitutionality and legality.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 1.20em;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I will advise Buhari not to sign bill if it is against dictates of democracy – AGF</span></b></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When asked if he would advise the President to reject the amended bill if he was not satisfied with the new version, Malami said, “Certainly, if I am not satisfied and if I am of the opinion that it is against the public interest, the national interest; and then against the dictates of democratic process, I would advise accordingly.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added, “But then, one thing I can tell you is that we are all interested in leaving behind a legacy of a lasting democracy; a democracy that indeed accommodates the collective interest of the Nigerian state, and eventually advances the national interest, national development and deepens the democratic process. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“So, with these considerations associated with deepening democracy; with the considerations associated with the national and public interest, we will certainly do whatever it takes to move democracy to the next level.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When asked to express to Nigerians, his commitment to deepening democracy in Nigeria, the minister stated that his office is a constitutional one, which is fundamentally governed by public interest. “And when we are talking of the public interest, I am talking of the interest of 200 million Nigerians. I will be guided at all times by my oath of office associated with public interest, exclusive of the sentiments or the feelings,” he added. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had reworked the electoral bill for the second time by concurring on consensus candidacy and setting fresh conditions for political parties in the nomination of candidates for elections. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The President had last year vetoed the electoral bill and sent it back to the National Assembly over the restriction of political parties to direct primary, insisting on the direct or indirect.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The House had amended Clause Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010, which is Clause 84 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, by inserting the indirect primary option. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Senate, however, not only added indirect primary but also consensus adoption of candidates for elections by a political party. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">By passing different amendments to the bill, the Senate and the House were expected to refer the versions to a conference committee to harmonise the differences and report back for final passage and transmission to the President for assent. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, both the Senate and the House of Representatives, last week, took a shorter route by rescinding their decisions on the amendments last week and re-amending the electoral bill. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This time, the House concurred with the Senate on the consensus, while both chambers passed the same conditions set for the option. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> The President had said in his interview with Channels TV on January 5, 2022 that he would sign the bill once the mandatory direct primary clause was removed. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He said, “All I said was that there should be options. We must not insist that it should be direct (primary); there should also be consensus and indirect (primary options) and if they do that, I will sign. I will sign. All I would like is that there should be options. Allow them (political parties) to have other options.” <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 1.20em;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">AGF speaks on TI Hushpuppi, CP Abba Kyari’s trials in US, Magu, Babachir</span></b></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meanwhile, the AGF also dismissed the recent Corruption Perception Index released by the global anti-corruption campaign organisation, Transparency International, which rated Nigeria as the second most corrupt country in West Africa, after Guinea and 154th out of 180 countries ranked globally. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to Malami, the regime led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has been rated highly by global bodies over its anti-corruption drive. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The minister also refused to speak more on the trial of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawan, over alleged corruption, stating that it is a judicial affair.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The AGF also avoided giving full details on the indictment and the possibility of prosecuting a former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Malami also described the trial of a Dubai-based Instagram sensation, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, in the United States of America over alleged Internet fraud as an international affair. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The AGF also said the American Government and the Nigerian Government are discussing the possible extradition of the suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force, DCP Abba Kyari, for his alleged role in a $1m scam allegedly perpetrated by Hushpuppi and five others. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The minister also said reasonable grounds for suspicion have been established against Kyari.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Malami spoke on Monday while featuring on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme monitored by <i>The PUNCH</i>. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Nigeria Police Force had probed Kyari and transmitted its findings to Malami for “legal opinion.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Malami said, “It is an issue that has international and national dimensions. Actions have been taken, it is a work in process locally and internationally and we are doing whatever it takes to ensure justice is done within the context of the law regardless of the personalities that are involved. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“When criminality is involved, Nigeria and the US naturally work together when there are elements of the offences that have taken place in the diverse jurisdictions. So, Nigeria is doing the needful by way of supporting what America is doing for the purpose of ensuring that the cases are tried accordingly within the American context of it. And then, eventually, if there is a need for local prosecution, nothing stops it.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Commenting on the probe of Kyari, the AGF said, “There are a lot of issues that are ongoing inclusive of the possibility of consideration for extradition. That is where the collaboration element of it comes into play.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Asked if a request for Kyari’s extradition had been made by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, the minister said, “There could be a need or perhaps the possibility of making such a request.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He added, “As far as I am concerned, the parties are discussing, the parties are collaborating, there are exchanges of correspondence from the perspective of investigation, from the perspective of extradition, and associated things. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Reasonable grounds for suspicion have been established and that will eventually translate to the possibility of prosecution and conviction if indeed one is adjudged guilty by the law.” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FBI Special Agent, Andrew Innocenti, had alleged that Hushpuppi contracted the services of Kyari after a “co-conspirator,” Chibuzo Vincent, allegedly threatened to expose the alleged $1.1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Innocenti, who said he obtained voice calls and WhatsApp conversations between Kyari and Hushpuppi, had also alleged that the latter paid the police officer N8m or $20,600 for the arrest and detention of Vincent. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The United States Attorney’s Office at the Central District of California had ordered the FBI to arrest Kyari almost a year ago. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kyari had taken to Facebook on July 29, 2021, to deny the allegations, but he later deleted the post after editing it about 12 times. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had recommended the suspension of Kyari, which the Police Service Commission carried out on July 31, 2021. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The police boss had on August 2, 2021, constituted the Special Investigation Panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, to probe the allegations.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The findings of the probe panel had been transmitted to the AGF office which is responsible for matters regarding extradition, repatriation and transfer of suspects or wanted persons. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The PUNCH had earlier reported that the court scheduled the sentencing of Hushpuppi for July 11, 2022. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hushpuppi, who pleaded guilty to various offences bordering on internet scam and money laundering, among others, risks “20 years’ imprisonment; a 3-year period of supervised release; a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offence.” (Punch)<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979448122462215308.post-84827945660331588322022-02-06T04:34:00.003-08:002022-02-06T04:34:49.429-08:00Why I dumped Eleka for Kolawole to become next Ekiti governor –Fayose<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguH6ApdNOD9nGCZcZzf0usxFvJAI0cMlt3OVaUSHQz-mMX6BUH34KceOEOmadk-nI3mOl9AH2h6tL6f7yXqLWP7OY4wK2EWTP1_9eBakiScNPkK44vjL_ccn2ySkTKtVypWtdFr2NVEGwfB1-nA0FFyt5XIDyvnMHVPeKApUYUkbEAe6SgcB-YwFBa0Q=s650" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="650" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguH6ApdNOD9nGCZcZzf0usxFvJAI0cMlt3OVaUSHQz-mMX6BUH34KceOEOmadk-nI3mOl9AH2h6tL6f7yXqLWP7OY4wK2EWTP1_9eBakiScNPkK44vjL_ccn2ySkTKtVypWtdFr2NVEGwfB1-nA0FFyt5XIDyvnMHVPeKApUYUkbEAe6SgcB-YwFBa0Q=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ayodele Fayose</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>A former Ekiti State governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, shares his thoughts with</i> <b>ABIODUN NEJO</b> <i>about the party’s recent governorship primary in Ekiti, the chances of his anointed candidate in the upcoming governorship poll and the 2023 general elections</i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>How</b></i><i><b> has life been as a former governor?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I should say I am used to that. I have been in and out of office twice. The first one was a very interesting experience that made me to go on exile. So, for me, being out of office is not a big deal. I have continued to live my life and that must be an example for everybody that has held a political office. Everything that has a beginning must have an end and you must have to do well to adjust back to society and the society too will accept you back because if the office gets into your head, to get reunited with society will be difficult. You will still be pretending to be what you are not. I have adjusted well; I have continued to live my life. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I recall that when I was here, freely, I rode on okada, and when I left office, there was an incident in Lagos when I was almost missing my flight, I had to look for an okada (motorcycle) to take me. I am who I am and I have chosen to be natural all my life.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>You boasted that your candidate would win the Ekiti Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary and he won. Where did that confidence come from?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is not an issue of confidence; it is not an issue for boasting. It is the product of hard work and the fact that none of the aspirants in Ekiti will deny that I am their leader. It is a statement of fact that everybody ordinarily should be Fayose’s person except that issues arise when people decide to choose or create a path for themselves. We have always been working together. Majority of the people that have gone to the National Assembly, who are ex-this or ex-that, are products of leadership and followership, which we built over time. I am a two-term governor of the state. I have led the people. In PDP and in Ekiti, I am the only leader that has won election, defeating two incumbents. I am the only one that has the record of winning in all the 16 local governments in a state election. Forget about the bickering, when a fowl goes out in the morning, it returns to the house of the owner. They all know that I am their leader. That is what is popularly known as ‘Gba fun oga e’ (surrender to your superior). They can’t deny it. We can have differences, but to the glory of God, I am their leader and they cannot deny it. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are you trying to say it is difficult to defeat you in any election in the state? </span></b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Looking at my performance, it may not be good for me to judge myself, but my achievement is public knowledge and there is no way Ekiti people will leave that and go to vote for someone else. If I want to enumerate what I have done for the state, we will sleep here. I did not only work for this state, I have quality, indelible achievements that will speak for themselves in many decades to come. In the history of Ekiti, there were no two flyovers before the flyover I built, which is the longest in South-West. That is a legacy that nobody can contest. If you do an asphalt overlay on any road, it is different from when you build a bridge. Beyond that, the high court that I built is one of the best in Nigeria and it has made Ekiti proud within the judicial system. The two existing Governors Office were built by me and the new one is one of the best in Nigeria. If you enter Ekiti from Ikere Ekiti, all the things you will see until you get to Ado Ekiti and within the state capital are things that Fayose built. The whole roads from Ekiti bordered by Ikere to Ado Ekiti were built, dualised by me. In the state capital, the entire roads were done by me. The popular Fayose Market and the erosion control drainage system by the market were built by me. The Oja Market, the facelift of the Ewi Palace were all done by me. All the interlinks, Ado-Afao, Afao-Ire, the dual carriage linking NTA Road, all these are some of the major projects that you cannot forget Fayose for. <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>When the ad hoc delegates’ election was nullified, you were not afraid your candidate for the primary election could lose – what was the secret?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was not happy that that election was annulled. We never knew the party was going to annul that election, the party made all of us to sign and to accept that whatever decision they took there should be binding on all of us. At that point, I never knew that they were going to say that the delegates were not going to be part of the final election; I was actually in good spirits, believing that everything went well. So we all agreed, we submitted to the will of the party. The party asked us to go and that we would hear of their decision. And the next day, there was a communiqué issued by the party that those ad hoc delegates would not participate in the election. If you wanted to be angry or protest, it was only 24 hours to the election; what could you have done? There was a huge conspiracy, but it is normal, it is a struggle for the soul of the party. It is not a one-man business. Nobody alone can win election in this state, we are all important. Jesus Christ left 99 of his lambs to look for one that was missing. I am going to look for everybody, including Engineer Segun Oni. I have tried to call him, he didn’t pick, but we will still try. I’ve tried to call Senator Biodun Olujimi, I’ve tried to call Yinka Akerele. The thing is that I’m not contesting anything; I’m not looking for anything. The constitution does not allow me to be a governor again and I don’t even want to be again, because it is a very tedious job. I’m not ready to go to any of these other offices; I am not ready. Even if we win the federal and I am given ministerial, I will give it to any of them. Let them go to the field and work and bring goodies to their leader; that is the position. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>But among you, Olujimi and Oni, several reconciliatory meetings were held. In reality, was there any reconciliation at all?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We held a lot of meetings. The first meeting, we both said that we could not work with Segun Oni, he left us in 2013 and came back in 2019. The fact remains that we can’t work for him. It is a will thing. Olujimi wants to be governor, I have a candidate, I can’t submit my own will to Engineer Oni; Olujimi too cannot submit, Akerele is with Olujimi, all of them cannot agree. If we cannot agree, then we will all end up on the field. Lateef Ajijola too cannot agree, everybody feels he is important and wants to win, but I told them I would accept the result of the primary. If I had lost that day, where will I go? Will I go and meet Fayemi and become Fayemi’s boy? Which position will they give me in the APC? At what age do I want to decamp? To go and meet who? And I can’t found a party – if I float a party now, will I just form new ward chairmen, etc? How will I manage it? Who will I take there? These PDP people will not leave the party and follow me. For me, it’s too late to jump boat. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>In the course of the primary, Senator Olujimi pulled out. How did you feel, especially against the backdrop that all of you promised to accept the outcome?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That is Mrs Olujimi’s style. In 2018, when we chose Prof Kolapo Olusola (Eleka), it was the same style. In the morning of the election, she said she stepped down, that is her style. Nobody will blame anybody for her style. She stepped down that day because she said she was disenfranchised by the two local governments. Funny enough, they (Olujimi and others) were the ones calling for cancellation of the three ad hoc delegates and the two local governments which they were supposed to do after that. That election by itself has satisfied more than 80 to 90 per cent of the total number of voters and the party. By the Supreme Court’s judgment, the party has finality in party affairs. It is an internal matter of the party to decide how they want to run their party. They are the ones who stand to lose if they do the wrong thing. That makes it impossible.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>But Senator Olujimi claimed that the process was already compromised. Did your team actually compromise the electoral committee?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am not in position to answer such question. You know when we get angry, we say certain things that we will or may regret later. Anger destroys; anger is like a fire, you don’t know where or who it will burn and the extent to which it will burn or the damage that could be done. I read where some people insulted me, the PDP national chairman and the committee – that is unnecessary. The National Working Committee was heroic when it annulled the three-man-ad hoc delegates, which could have given me a very strong edge. Mrs Olujimi and others were busy celebrating the NWC then, saying it was just; it was not like Secondus’. But when you looked at the number and realised that you could not win, to rest your failure on the party is not right. Anyway, anybody is to their own style. I don’t want to judge anybody, but I want to say that the committee we met was a committee of seven governors, seven Board of Trustee members and seven NWC members. The same set of strategy of seven BOT, seven NWC, seven governors was designed for Ekiti and Osun. So, for anybody to be saying that is unfortunate. I am sure the party is an arbiter for everybody; it will take it in good faith. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>And how did you feel when Oni rejected the outcome of the election?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chief Oni did not reject the outcome of the election initially. He said he was satisfied with the process in the hall there and told Bisi Kolawole that as soon as he finished counting, that he would congratulate him. Let me say this without amplifying anger: Chief Segun Oni, during the contest with Dr Kayode Fayemi in the APC in 2018, said exactly the same thing. He insulted former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. Chief Oni said the process was manipulated for Fayemi – the same thing that he is saying now that the process was manipulated for me and my candidate. You must be honourable losers. In any contest, there must be a winner. During the PDP Zonal Congress in Osogbo, I had a lot of issues with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, I never knew they would defeat us, but we were defeated. Whether we say they muzzled us or the accreditation was not okay, the result came out to be 320 to 333 – A margin of 13 votes, which meant if we had extra seven, we would have defeated them by one. But that is history, and I told Chief Eddy Olafeso, who was our candidate, that he should concede since we could not be at war forever. It is our party; we cannot destroy it because we did not win today. We will win some other day. All the people that won in Osogbo were not from my side and I took it in good faith and I am working with them now. Taofeek Arapaja has now gone from the zone; the new man, Soji Adagunodo, is my personal friend. The people from Ekiti on the zone are on the side of Mrs Olujimi and her Repositioning Group. We have to work with them. Even if you are cheated, everything works together for good. Today, you are a loser, tomorrow you will be a winner. President Muhammadu Buhari contested so many times; we have seen people even in America who contested seven times, (before) they won. Sometimes, we must concede loss as victory because everything works together for good. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Some said you never forgive Oni for siding with Fayemi during the 2018 governorship election to defeat your candidate. How true is that?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No, Segun Oni never worked with Fayemi to defeat my candidate. The Federal Government muzzled us and had us defeated. Segun Oni did not have any power at the time. Fayemi was supported by the federal might and that was part of the game at the time. I am not a complainant, if things happen, I move on. The issue of forgiving Segun Oni or not, even if you forget, history will still state the fact. You may want to talk about what happened in 2007 when Segun Oni came, how I was treated, how his Attorney General manipulated the Judiciary and prison authority to bring me to Ekiti to try me for murder. When I went into exile, I left all our (my family) property in the Governnment House, our vehicles, our clothings, we did not pick anything from there. They were there throughout his tenure, all my followers were not paid, apart from that, the local government chairmen, everybody was put in jail throughout his tenure. Those were the issues at the time. The party had called the two of us together, but the story must still be told. For me, I have conscience, if I do not forgive him, how do I get to God? God has been kind to me, being Ekiti State governor before and after him. It is enough for me, so I will never begrudge him. Not even Fayemi. Me and Fayemi are not enemies and we are not supposed to be. Even myself and Oni are not enemies. Life goes on. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Looking at all these, it seems you and Oni cannot work together…</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Let me give you an instance; the Governor of Akwa Ibom came to conduct the PDP election, he stayed in the Government House. The Deputy Governor of Taraba State came to conduct election, he stayed in the Government House, courtesy of the deputy governor, though in the APC. When the Akwa Ibom State Governor was leaving, his helicopter landed at the Government House’s helipad, and courtesy demands that as a former governor I should go and say goodbye. So, I went to the Government House, met Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru, who came to conduct the APC governorship election. The four of us took pictures and I was the one who posted that picture – clear conscience fears no foes. If I had hidden agenda, why did I have to post the picture? I posted the picture and I stated before the fifth columnists start their wagging, I am in the Government House of Ekiti to see off Governor Udom and I saw Governor of Jigawa there and Fayemi and we took these pictures. That shows that I know them. They are cheap blackmailers. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b> But the meaning people out there read into the visit to the Government House the morning after PDP primary was that….</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I don’t care. You can say whatever you like. If you don’t attack people like me, you will not be known. If you don’t attack people like me, nobody will read your write-up. I am a newsmaker, you have to tell tales about me, I am the headache of so many politicians in Ekiti, within and without; they can’t deny that. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>There is the saying around that the PDP candidate is not popular and that he would lose the election because you imposed him on the party…</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What is happening in APC now? It is common sense. It is public knowledge; they are the ones accusing Fayemi of imposing the candidate. They all say that they are going to court. I read one who said they would not leave the APC but teach them a lesson in the APC. So, juxtapose those statements and see where the problem is. Every political party has their own problem, but the one in APC is more. Don’t take them serious. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>But is the PDP candidate popular?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">More than popular. Let me give you the CV of the PDP candidate. Our candidate is a personal friend of Engineer Oni. He is a personal friend of Prince Dayo Adeyeye. He was a member of House of Assembly under Oni and Fayemi. I heard Governor Oni described Kolawole as a stabilising factor that time. Beyond that, when you want to campaign, one of the first set of the people you will choose for your campaign is the Director General of the campaign; the DG of a campaign must be a man of means, of knowledge, known and who has what it takes. Our candidate was the DG of Adeyeye Campaign even against me in 2014. Back to back, he became the DG of my candidate too in 2018. Why is everybody choosing him? Why are they not choosing somebody else within the space of two elections? My candidate became the chairman of PDP in an election which produced the same delegates that produced the governorship candidate. You must ignore these cheap blackmails. They are wagging for nothing. Bisi Kolawole, by the grace of God, was a member of the highest body of the party in Nigeria as a BOT member. So, what other CV do you want? He has functioned in virtually all sectors. Politics, to some, it is if you cannot beat them, you join them, to some, if you cannot join them, you start destroying them. So, they are only trying to destroy him. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Remember in 2014, the PDP aspirants said, “Fayose cannot win an election; he has too many baggage.” They must tag you with something. With all they said, I won election in all the 16 local government areas. Don’t let us use theirs as a yardstick. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b> But do you have an alternative candidate apart from him for the position of the governor?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I don’t know what that means! Do you invest in things you have interest in? If they do that, I don’t do that. I have gone too far, I have my neck deep into water, I don’t need a cup to drink anymore. For me, it is either Bisi Kolawole or nothing. Even my candidate has won the ticket of PDP; the best thing is to support him. If you were there at the welcoming rally on Wednesday, you would see he is popular. I am totally solidly behind Kolawole. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Some are surprised that you abandoned Prof Kolapo Olusola (Eleka) this time around. At what point did you realise he is not fit for the position now?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well, it is not as if Prof Eleka is not fit to be governor; all of them that contested are quite fit, sound, cerebral and wonderful guys. There is nothing wrong with them. To every man, all women are good, but one would be your choice. Eleka was my choice that time, Kolawole is my choice now. It is a matter of choice. I have spoken with Eleka, I have spoken to all of them, Eleka will always say, ‘Oga is my benefactor’. I remain his benefactor, his brother, his political leader, nothing will separate us. It could be painful sometimes when you don’t get the support of somebody like me, I agree. But sometimes, life, to me, is ‘everything works together for good.’ For me, the choice of Eleka, I had no regret at the time. They fought me when I chose Eleka. The same way, the same set of people. I am used to it. If you look back, those who fought me, some people fought me when I picked them too. Some people fought me when I supported Mrs Olujimi. There was a sitting senator when I supported Mrs Olujimi, Senator Ayo Arise was there when I supported Senator Duro Faseyi. Today, Arise is a political adversary, he wasn’t happy because I supported Faseyi. Faseyi too is not my friend. This is politics. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>But for Prof. Eleka, some say it is because he is close to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who worked against your interest during the zonal election at Osogbo?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why did Governor Makinde not support him if it was because of that? Governor Makinde supported me. You don’t know the meaning of a governor. A governor is an institution, dogs don’t eat dogs; we have our strategy. As a former governor and a sitting governor, we are all together.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>You always boast and claim to be Peter the Rock of Ekiti politics, yet you and your party were defeated during the last governorship election. Has your rock turned to rubble?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am Peter the Rock of Nigeria. Anybody can be defeated. Losses are part of the journeys of life. You win some, you lose some. Even Jesus Christ wept. It was not easy for him that time, did he not have powers? The Bible recorded, ‘And Jesus wept’. Even Buhari cried when he lost. Sometimes, when we are in pains, we learn more lessons. I can always tell you everything works together for good. Maybe Eleka could have won and something bad would have happened to anybody. In all these things, you give thanks to God. You can’t win all the times. When you say you are Peter the Rock, even the apostles in the Bible, even Christ had down moments. Jesus said, ‘Father, it is not my will, but may your will be done’. That means he lost something, but believed something greater was coming. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>If your candidate fails to win the coming election, would you still be boasting of being the rock?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> For me, APC is a letdown in our state. Everybody knows that. I’m not going to dwell on the APC; I will dwell on what we should do to win the election. We are all human beings. As a journalist, you are looking for news, as a politician, I am looking for votes, I will get the votes and we win. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>How will you get the votes?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I said, we will do the needful. The needful is for us to lead the good people of Ekiti State to see what we have done. There is no way you will see a party that has done so much in Ado Ekiti and you will say Ado Ekiti people will vote for another person. I have never lost Ado Ekiti since I came into politics; I have never lost Ikere since I came into politics because of the goodwill God has given me. As I said, the fact that we lost the last election does the close the door of victory against us. There is a time to win; there is a time to lose. In Ekiti, it is now PDP’s turn. Our turn has come. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>You were close to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the former PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus. How come you were unable to settle the rift between them?</b></i> <br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was not in a position to do that. It was not my duty. They are both from River State. They understand each other better than I do. I am not somebody who exhibits power that I don’t have. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>But don’t you think their crisis will affect the chances of the party in the general elections in 2023?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I don’t know how it can affect the chances of the party. Is Rivers State same as Niger State? Is it Sokoto State? The event has taken its turn and the party has moved on. Prince Uche Secondus, by the grace of God, has moved on; Wike has moved on. There is no permanent situation in anybody’s life. The party is bigger than all of us. It is a common interest and common home is the PDP. So, I don’t think anybody wants to destroy the PDP for any reason. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Which part of the country should produce the presidential candidate of the PDP in 2023?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My thoughts, as good as they could be, would remain my opinion, but the bigger PDP will decide in due course. My position is to respect the decision of the party. If I sit here and give you judgment, I would be disappointing Nigerians. Let’s wait, the party must come together and zone that position. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>You were quoted to have claimed that you would work for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in 2023 against your party. Did you ever say that?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have never seen the quote. It is impossible. How do I claim to be the husband of a woman in another man’s house? It is all heresies. Loose talks! Listen, PDP government is far better than APC government in Nigeria. Would he leave the APC people and come to give me appointments or will he make me vice president, such that I work for the APC? It is not possible. Tinubu is for APC, I am for PDP. All these insinuations are just to call the dog a bad name and hang it.<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>What is the true position of things between you and the APC national leader?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have said it over and over, Asiwaju remains a Yoruba leader; I remain a Yoruba leader. We are in different levels of leadership. But if I am being misquoted for the fact that I said Asiwaju is a Yoruba leader, I am saying I am a Yoruba leader, but the Asiwaju in his own Yoruba leadership is in the APC; Ayo Fayose in his own leadership is in PDP. Who has told you that I don’t want to be President? Who has told you that if the PDP picks me that I will not defeat Asiwaju? Who has told you, you don’t know maybe I will still contest? If I come out and they zone it to South-West and they say it’s Fayose, if they pick Asiwaju, I will defeat him!” </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>But you said earlier that you would not contest again.</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Ekiti, I am not contesting any position like governorship, senate or the like. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>So, are you interested in the Presidency?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> It is not impossible. But for now, I am more engrossed in the Ekiti election. Because to me, if you want to be president of Nigeria, you must win (election in) your home state. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>As things stand, do you think the PDP can win the 2023 presidential election?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If PDP does not win the 2023 election, then Nigerians are doomed. From what I have seen since 2015, Nigerians are doomed. The kind of leadership that Nigeria has witnessed – insecurity, the economy – don’t forget that the impact of these things is more felt by the masses. It is the people that are at the receiving end. The cost of diesel today is about N400 per litre; during President Goodluck Jonathan’s (PDP) time, it was N140, N145. Whatever we are saying, it is either Nigerians want to remain in perpetual poverty or they save themselves. It is about Nigerians themselves. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Who among the presidential aspirants in PDP do you think has the capacity to win the election for the party?</b></i> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I don’t think, because I don’t know whether I’m going to contest. So, if I say somebody has capacity and I come out to say I want to contest, how do I redeem that statement? Tomorrow I may wake up and say I want to be president of Nigeria. Remember I declared intention to contest the last time. I cannot talk about anybody now. I want to see if I am contesting, then I will propagate myself more than any other person. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Punch)<br /></span><br /></p>Brandinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019113678108351672noreply@blogger.com0