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Petrol Subsidy: Tinubu’s Bold Decision Saved Nigeria N5.4trn- Abiodun

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Dapo Abiodun
Governor Dapo Abiodun

Governor Dapo Abiodun of ogun state says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold decision to end petrol subsidy has saved the country over N5.4 trillion.

The Ogun helmsman made the remark on Sunday in Abeokuta, the state capital during a church service at the St. Peters, Ake to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary.

The savings from petrol subsidy will be used for infrastructure transformation of the country, the governor said.

The governor’s remarks also comes amidst impending protest by some angry Nigerians under the aegis of #Takeitback over the hard  economic situation in the country, blamed on the harsh policies of the Tinubu’s administration.

Abiodun  however urged those planning to protest on October 1 to shelve the idea, stressing that the president is already addressing their grievances.

He said the protest will further divide the country, saying what is needed at the moment is divine intervention, urging Nigerians to pray to the Almighty God for intervention.

He said protest will not achieve anything other than looting, vandalism and destruction of public property.

said that protests would not achieve anything other than looting and vandalism of public properties.

According to him, “Mr. President removed the subsidy, which, if not curbed, would have cost us N5.4 trillion by the end of 2024.“We have been busy subsidising our neighbours; these are funds that can be invested in improving our infrastructure and other social services.“Our budget this year for infrastructure was N6.7 trillion, meanwhile, the subsidy would have consumed N5.4 trillion, if not curbed or checked.

“Let us be resilient, let us continue to pray, let us persevere, and let us hold on to our faith in Almighty God.“Let us not join those who continue to fan the flames of discord in our land, and those who are calling for protests, violence, and civil disobedience, which only leads to vandalism, looting, and destruction of public property.

“Let us engage constructively and work with the government, knowing that this administration is an inclusive one,” he said.

FG Donates 64 CNG Buses To Labour, NANS

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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CNG Buses

The federal government has handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas buses to the Nigerian Labour Congress, NCL and the Trade Union Congress, TUC.

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, also benefited from the largesse, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris said in a statement on Sunday, stressing that the Tinubu administration has fulfilled one of its promises of making life better for Nigerians.

Idris’ said in the statement shared on his X handle that the administration is poised to provide cheaper and cleaner transportation, apart from bringing down the cost of transportation leveraging on the country’s abundant gas reserves.

He said, “Today @NigeriaGov handed over 64 CNG buses to representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), for deployment as commuter buses.

“Running on CNG will allow for cheaper and cleaner transportation, in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to bringing down the cost of living and taking full advantage of Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves.

“I joined my colleagues the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande for the handover.”

Following the rising cost of the Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol the federal government has advised Nigerians to migrate to CNG for their vehicles because of its cost effectiveness and nature friendliness.

Meanwhile, not a few insist that the buses are too few to force down the cost of transportation or ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians, a situation caused by the recent hike in the price of petrol.

Fubara To Wike: “Be Quiet, God Made You Who You Are”

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Nyesom Wike and Simi Fubara

Governor Simi Fubara of River state has taken a jab at Nyesom Wike, his predecessor on his performance in office. The governor said he has achieved within a year what Wike could not achieve in eight years that he ruled the oil rich state.

Fubara’s remark is the latest in the struggle between him and his predecessor for the soul of the restive oil rich state state.

The magazine reports that Fubara rode on the back of Wike, now the FCT Minister to office last,  but has since turned his back on benefactor less than a year after the incumbent accused the minister of trying to undermine him.

The governor also spoke barely few hours after his Ijaw kinsmen, led by Boma Iyaye, the NDDC Executive Director of Finance, appealed to Wike to forgive Fubara for betraying his trust in him.

They berated the governor for fighting the minister who assited him to be the number one citizen of the state, the first Ijaw man to have achieved that milestones in the history of the state.

Speaking today, during a thanksgiving service marking Nigeria’s 64th  Independence Anniversary at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Port Harcourt, the state capital the governor who reeled out his achievements in the last one year said Wike cannot be compared to him.

The governor said he has made his mark within a very short period, citing his achievements particularly in the sector.

Apart from road construction, “I’m also building a General Hospital and a Psychiatric Hospital because they’ll need it soon. What I achieved in one year is what they couldn’t do in eight,” Fubara said.

Advising his predecessor to be humble for what God has done for him, the governor said “If God has blessed you, eat your plantain and be quiet..”

Following his departure from office last year, Wike was appointed FCT Minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu despite the fact that the former governor is not a member of the ruling All progressives Congress, APC. He’s a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

As the FCT minister, Wike, political analyts insist has the ears of the president making him one powerful appointee in Tinubu’s cabinet.

IPOB: Kanu’s Family Begs Tinubu To Free Him As Respect For Late Iwuanyanwu

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Nnamdi Kanu in Court

Nnamdi Kanu’s family has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release their son, and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

The family said President Tinubu should  do this as a mark of respect for the memory of the late leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

According to the family, south east leaders and state governors have not done enough to ensure Kanu’s release, stressing that they should put more pressure on the federal government to free him.

The late Iwuanyanwu, you will recall, died in July this year, and will be buried on November 2, according to details form his family.

Recall also that Binta Nyako, the judge trying the detailed IPOB leader recently recuse herself from the case following Kanu’s demand to that effect. The same judge has been on the case for some years.

Kanu’s family said in a statement, on Sunday, signed  by Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the elder brother of the embattled IPOB leader that he should be released like other agitators who have been freed by the government, adding that his release can be used to pacify the south east people who currently felt marginalised.

The statement said I n part: “While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu may have offended some individuals with his rhetoric, it doesn’t indicate he harbours hate.

“He cares for and respects people but expresses concern when things are not handled properly.

“He has no interest in holding political office in Nigeria; his primary focus is on ensuring the proper development of Biafra land with equal opportunities for all.”

Since July 2021 when he was arrested and repatriated  to Nigeria from Kenya, the IPOB leader has been in the custody of Department of State Services, DSS  and has been going in and out of the case where he’s been tried by the federal government.

Some leaders from the region had severally appealed to the federal government to free him ot no avail.

Shock As Four Teenagers Drown In Jigawa Pond

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Swimming in Water

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Jigawa State Police Command on Sunday  September 29, 2024 confirmed the drowning four young girls  in a pond while swimming.

This is even as the State Commissioner of Police,  A.T. Abdullahi, called on parents to monitor, closely, the movements and activities of their wards so as to minimize the occurrence of some avoidable incidents.

The deceased drowned while swimming in a pond at Malkaderi Village in the Gagarawa Local Council of the State on Saturday September, 28.

A statement on Sunday by the Jigawa State Police Command spokesperson, Lawan Shiisu Adam, said the incident which occurred on Saturday evening involved five persons.

However, only one of them could survive the accident.

“In a tragic and devastating incident reported to the Command on September. 28, 2024 ,at about 1530hrs, five (5) teenagers, all female went to swim in a pond at Maikaderi Village, Gagarawa LGA on the same date, at about 1100hours.

But, unfortunately, four of them namely Sauna’u Musa (12) ,Fiddausi Ado (11) Habiba Musa (12 ) and Bahijja Musa (13) were found drowned and floating in the pond, while Sahura Audu ( 8) survived.”

According to the police statement, upon arrival, at the scene of the incident, police operatives quickly evacuated the victims to the nearby Gagarawa Primary Health Centre.

However, at the medical facility, the Medical Doctor on duty, confirmed four dead, while Sahura, the only survivor was  resuscitated, treated and discharged.

The Police further informed that the corpses of the dead were subsequently released to the families for interment.

The CP,  while cautioning residents, on the use of ponds for swimming  purposes this rainy season, extended the sincere condolences of the Service to the bereaved families.

Uzodimma: Nigeria’s Brightest Days Lie Ahead

By
The Source
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Governor Hope Uzodimma at Independence Day

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that Nigerians have every reason to thank God after 64 years of Independence from colonial masters, insisting that the country’s brightest days lie ahead.

The Governor who said that Nigeria’s story is not that of defeat but hope in the Supreme God, therefore solicited collective prayers for the country and her leaders from the citizenry for a Nation of our dream.

Addressing the congregation at the end of the Independence Day Anniversary Church Service at Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, Sunday, the Governor expressed thanks to God for giving Nigerians another opportunity to celebrate their Independence in the face of relative peace and unity, noting that it is a sign that ,”Nigeria is a Nation whose God is Lord.’’

He said that despite all the perceived challenges from different parts of the country, ‘’Nigeria has not been confronted with full blown war.’’

He recalled, for instance, the recent flooding that devastated our brothers and sisters in some parts of the Country as that of great challenge to the country but noted that “with God all things are possible.”

The Governor said Nigerians have three good reasons to praise God today: one, after 64 years of Independence God has allowed us to make progress; secondly, there is the gift of life for Nigerians to stay together as brothers and sisters and finally, Nigeria has experienced relative peace that prevails in our land despite all challenges.

The Governor then urged Nigerians to give thanks to God in all circumstances and move away from “lamentation to celebration and from dismay to hope.”

He seized the opportunity to express the people’s deep appreciation of the work the Church is doing for the Nation and implored the Church leaders to continue to pray for Nigeria and Imo State.

“The past and present leadership may have fallen short of expectations of the people, yet there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel,” he posited and called for prayers for the Nation so as to continue to remain peaceful and united.

His words: “With unity and faith the country will get to her destination.”

Governor Uzodimma however urged the citizens to interrogate their consciences and attitude when it comes to the destruction of Government property, killing of security agents and frustrating government policies, noting that “patriotism and nationhood abhor all that.”

On the request of the Archbishop through his representative regarding the payment of gratuities, the Governor promised to continue with the payment but implored the Bishop and his lieutenants to pray that those involved in despicable and fraudulent behaviour which hurt the seamless verification exercise on gratuity should refrain from such.

Earlier in his message, His Grace Most Revd. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji,  the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, had acknowledged that God is with Nigerians, having kept us together as a Nation despite all challenges.

He said that “it is not a surprise that Nigeria has remained one,” noting that “the journey is not easy but with God tomorrow will be better.”

While wishing Nigerians a Happy Independence Celebration, the Archbishop whose message was read by the Very Rev. Fr. Gerald Njoku, the Director of Church and Society commended the Governor and Government of Imo State for “maintaining peace, fighting insecurity and embarking on infrastructural development as well as engaging the Eastern Waste Management that has created jobs and established recycling plants.”

He also thanked the Governor for adding 3,000 more workers whose salaries were suspended at the beginning of the administration into the payroll and for the timely payment of their salaries.

He requested that the Governor continues with the payment of gratuities for the pensioners that are yet to receive theirs.

The Archbishop also appealed for the speedy completion of the ongoing flyover at the Assumpta roundabout.

The Independence Anniversary Special Service was attended by the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly,  Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka, the President Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Victor Okorie, Members of the National Assembly, Members of the State House of Assembly, Members of the State Expanded Executive Council, Chairman Imo State Elders Council, HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Heads of Security Agencies, Chairman of APC Imo State, Dr. Macdonald Ebere, Chairmen of Local Government Areas of the State and their Councillors, and many others.

In Nigeria, When You Steal Money, You Are Celebrated – Senator Ndume

By
Ayodele Oni
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Senator Ali Ndume

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator from Borno state, Ali Ndume, has noted with dismay that Nigeria has no law or executive order on unaccountable wealth, which allows corruption to be thriving.

Ndume stated that “Up till now, there is no law on unexplained wealth Act in Nigeria and there is no Executive Order on it.”

He decried the level of corruption in Nigeria, saying the trend is a major challenge facing the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Ndume as speaking during an interactive session with newsmen in Kano on Saturday.

“Our major challenge in this country is corruption. Up till now, we have no law that can proactively or reactively address the issue of corruption in the country.

“If you see somebody in our system, especially in politics or government, and he is not corrupt, then he is lucky that he is God-fearing.

“Otherwise, it is only in Nigeria that you steal money and you walk freely and you are celebrated.

“If you come into an area like this, people would start lobbying you and prostrate before you even when they know that the money was stolen.

“It is only in this country that somebody had no money yesterday or last week, but the following week he buys 10 cars; buys jets and his family will celebrate with him.”

The lawmaker pointed out that “in other developed countries, people would ask how, when and where he made his money but the reverse is the case here.”

Ndume revealed that he had made several efforts to pass a law on unexplained wealth in Nigeria, but that such endeavours never saw the light of the day.

According to him, he approached a former Head of State if he could sign an Executive Bill to that effect but he declined.

He expressed concern over the hunger in the country and called for an increased cultivation of food crops to address the problem.

“There is hunger in the land and up till now we have not cultivated up to five per cent of our land, Nigeria is blessed with massive arable land.

“Nigeria is blessed with cultivable land everywhere such that could be used to grow food crops and feed the nation.”

Alao-Akala’s Daughter Drags Widow To Court Over Late Ex-Governor’s Estate

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Alao-Akala';s Daughter Drags Widow To Court

By Adesina Soyooye

Former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao Akala must be turning in his grave over the mess in his family. The late Governor’s family is currently washing its dirty linen in the market square in a fight over the Estate he left behind. The family is in Court.

His daughter, Toyin Alao-Aderinto has dragged her step mother and the late Governor’s widow, Kemi Alao-Akala, to an Oyo State High Court over the Estate he left behind.

So, the High Court in Ibadan has summoned the late former Governor wife oto appear before it within 30 days.

In a writ of summons  Kemi and her co-defendant were asked to respond to a suit (number 1/443/2023) filed by Alao-Aderinto over a Letter of Administration.

She alleged illegal acquisition of the Letter of Administration as it concerns the estate of her late Alao-Akala. She said the widow obtained it without her consent.

Kemi, who was the First Lady of Oyo State when her husband was Governor, was summoned through an order issued by the Court, when it granted an ex-parte motion for substituted service which was  brought by Dipo Olasope, SAN, a former Attorney General of Lagos State, representing Alao-Aderinto.

In the suit, Mrs Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi are accused of mismanaging the estate of the late former Governor.

The writ of summons stated that:  “You are hereby commanded that within 30 days after the service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of this service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in action at the instance of the claimant.”

The case which is  marked I/443/2024, is tackling the actions taken by Mrs Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi, both of whom are accused of allegedly, unlawfully  obtaining a letter of administration from the state High Court on October 6, 2022.

In addition, both are  accused of mismanaging the late former Governor’s assets. The main grouse being that Alao-Aderinto was excluded in the distribution of the Estate.

For the records, Alao-Aderinto, is the first daughter of the late former Governor.

In the suit, she is seeking a court declaration that the letter of administration obtained by Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi is illegal, null, and void. She also wants the Court to issue a restraining order on the defendants from selling and/or disposing any assets in her late father’s estate.

A letter dated August 16, 2023, from Dipo Olasope, SAN, which was addressed to Kemi Alao-Akala and Olamide Alabi, insisted that the letter of administration was “obtained illegally, excluding Toyin, who by law should be one of the administrators unless she declines to act.”

The letter further indicated, as published that “Toyin has been sidelined in the administration of the estate, while Kemi and Olamide, along with two other siblings, including Olamiju Alao-Akala, a member of the House of Representatives member, are working together to manage the estate, disenfranchising other legitimate children of Adebayo Alao-Akala.”

They were also accused of processing the letter of administration without Alao-Aderinto’s consent as well as dealing with the deceased’s assets illegally.

They were issued a 21-day notice to amend the letter of administration to include Alao-Aderinto. This was followed by another seven-day notice (as required by law) before the claimant sought legal redress in court.

As the first biological daughter of Adebayo Alao-Akala, Alao-Aderinto “asserts her entitlement to inherit an equal share (if not more) of her father’s estate, who died intestate on January 12, 2022. The claimant seeks a declaration that the defendants have no right to deny her legitimate rights and interests in the estate, and that the letter of administration granted to them was fraudulently and illegally obtained, making it null and void.”

Alao-Akala was the Governor of Oyo State from 2007-2011.  He died on January 12, 2022 at the age 71 years.

Nigeria-China Partnership: Tinubu Names Tegbe DG, Global Liaison Officer

By
Ayodele Oni
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Joseph Tegbe
Joseph Tegbe

By Ayodele Oni

To consolidate earlier agreement with China, President Bola Tinubu has named a 58 years old Joseph Tegbe as the Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership.

President Tinubu, during a visit to China in early September 2024, had entered into an agreement with the country in several areas including technology transfer.

Tegbe, a 1988 first-class graduate in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, will report directly to the President.

The appointment was disclosed in a statement from the State House, issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday.

The statement noted that Tegbe, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, will “immediately submit a strategic action plan to enable Nigeria to benefit from the agreements between the two countries in Beijing.

“As the leader of the strategic partnership, he will oversee day-to-day operations, engage continuously with Chinese counterparts, and ensure all deliverables are aligned with national development goals.

“At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, President Xi Jinping pledged 360 billion yuan (approximately $51 billion) in new financing for African nations over the next three years.

“He also committed to supporting 30 infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity across the continent and creating one million jobs.

“During his official visit before FOCAC, President Tinubu secured a commitment from President Xi to support Nigeria’s economic diversification, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and job creation.

“Among the agreements, Nigeria and China will collaborate on expanding Nigeria’s rail network, upgrading power distribution, and creating new industrial parks.”

The two countries have also agreed to form hospital alliances, collaborate on medical research, and send Chinese healthcare professionals to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

In the education sector, the partnership will focus on vocational training, STEM education, and academic exchanges. This includes joint initiatives to establish engineering technology academies and provide scholarships for Nigerian youth to acquire modern workforce skills.

Additionally, the collaboration seeks to improve Nigeria’s agricultural practices through knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and investments in sustainable farming techniques.

Tegbe is expected to bring his nearly 35 years of experience in business strategy. He previously held the position of Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG in Africa, with responsibilities extending to the Middle East.

No Plan To Forcefully Enter Govt. House: Edo Dep. Gov Shaibu, Reacts To Govt’s Allegation

By
Ayodele Oni
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Philip Shaibu - Edo Deputy Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu has reacted to allegation by the State Government that he was planning to forcefully entered the Government House, Benin city.

Shaibu, reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, dismissed the allegation and said it was part of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s plan to smear his image.

Ebomhiana, in a statement on Sunday, denied the Government’s allegations, insisting that the Government should accept the fact that the 2024 Governorship election has been concluded.

“There is no iota of truth in it, please. They should know that the election has been lost and won. This is cheap blackmail and propaganda.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Edo State Government, Crusoe Osagie, alleged that Shaibu had perfected plans to invade the State Government House on Monday to enforce his reinstatement.

The State Government noted that a stay of execution appeal had been filed, challenging the earlier ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Osagie called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and all well-meaning Nigerians to dissuade Shaibu from his “devious plot,” warning that it could lead to chaos, especially as a police officer was killed during a previous attempt.

He said, “We want to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by the erstwhile Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to purportedly enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho.

“The stay of execution is still pending at the Court of Appeal, and we appeal to the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the state does not descend into anarchy because of the ambition of one man.

“The last time Shaibu attempted this, it led to the death of a police officer. We believe that one death is already too many, and it would be wise to prevent a recurrence.”

Osagie added that “government legal counsel had written to the IGP and other stakeholders, stressing that “all actions relating to the enforcement and/or execution of the judgement of Honourable Justice J. K. Omotosho in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 should be stayed pending the hearing and determination of the Motion for Stay of Execution/Injunction Pending Appeal, so as not to create a situation of helplessness for the Court of Appeal or render the order nugatory in the event that the application is granted.”

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