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LP Crisis: No Leadership Vacuum, Abure Replies Gov Otti

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Julius Abure LP Chair

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Julius Abure has rejected the call by the Abia state governor, Alex Otti on him and other members of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, to step down.

The Abia governor had during a recent meeting with the LP chairman demanded the dissolution of the leadership structure of the party from the national to the ward level.

During the meeting, Otti informed Abure his intention to convene a NEC meeting on Saturday August 31 where the current leadership will be dissolved.

But in a communique issued by the Abure-led NEC on Tuesday, the party said there is no “vacuum’ in the leadership of the party, saying its tenure has yet to expire, having been recently elected.

According to the party due process was followed during its national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra state on March 27, 2024 where the current NEC members were elected.

The communique read in part:  “The national leadership hereby states unequivocally that there is no vacuum in the leadership of our Party.

” Conscious of the fact that the tenure of the executives was to last till June 2024, the National Convention of the Party was held in March 27, 2024 at Nnewi, Anambra State at which the Governor of Abia State was ably represented by his deputy governor who also doubled as the Chairman of the Convention Committee.

” It must be noted that most of the government functionaries from Abia State including the Deputy Governor, Commissioners, Chief of Staff and indeed all the Labour Party State Assembly members led by the Speaker of the House, Senior Special Assistants and other aides of the governor, were present at that Convention.

” It must be stressed that under the Laws of the land which include the following: the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, the Labour Party Constitution and indeed, all other laws of the land were adhered to in convening that Convention.

“Article 14 of the Labour Party Constitution provides that it is only the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the Party who can convene the meetings of the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee and National Convention or any other national meeting of the Party.

“In the exercise of that power therefore, on the 20th of December, 2023, the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the Party issued notices to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the convening of the National Convention of the Party that was scheduled to hold in March 2024.

” It must be noted that Section 82(1) of 2022 Electoral Act provides as follows

“Every registered Political Party shall give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference or meeting convened for “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this Act.

“It was in fulfilment of this provision that the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the Party issued notice to INEC on the 4th of December 2023.”

Food Support: Nigerian Army Farms Set To Release 100 Thousand Metric Tonnes Of Rice

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lt General Taoheed Lagbaja

By Ayodele Oni

As part of its food support programme, the Nigerian Army is set to release one hundred thousands metric tonnes of rice into the market at highly subsidize rate to support government efforts.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja disclosed this on Tuesday, at the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Combined Second and Third Quarters Conference 2024 in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The COAS revealed that Nigerian Army would review its agricultural policy to better position its Farms and Ranches to significantly boost crop production.

General Lagbaja noted that the Nigerian Army understands that the issue of food security will remain on the front burner of national security and discussion for awhile.

He said the Army Headquarters is reviewing some proposals for partnership with Ministries, departments and agencies of government and reputable private organisations on how best to collaborate to resolve food crisis in the country.

“Relatedly, Nigerian Army troops currently provide security cover for farmers in physical farming communities in the North East, North West, and North Central Zones.”

He noted that this is with a view to preventing the devastating consequences of a purse on stop food production in those regions, for the entire country food supply chain.

To key into the president’s drive for food security, the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited (NAFARL) was established by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. TY Buratai and the current Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa was the pioneer Managing Director tasked with security and general integrity of Nigeria.

The Nigerian Army is holistically supporting the presidents’ drive into agriculture, food security, and to add to the GDP of Nigeria. Also the army will benefit by getting internally-generated revenue, employment opportunities, and so on.

Ekiti Govt To Construct 200 Bed Space Capacity Hostel For Military Command School, Votes Fund

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji - Ekiti State Governor

By Ayodele Oni

In fulfilment of its Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with the Nigeria Army, Ekiti state government is to construct a 200 bed space capacity hostel at the Command Secondary School, Is an Ekiti.

The MoU, which was entered into during the administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi entailed that the state would provide structures, manpower for the take off of the school.

At its weekly executive council meeting in Ado Ekiti, the state government ratified the awards of N329,474,681.08 contract for the construction of the hostel.

The commissioner for information, Taiwo Olatubosun, in a statement on Tuesday, explained that the project, which is expected to be completed in 12 weeks, is to guarantee continuous full boarding facility in the School and facilitate academic resumption.

The commissioner disclosed that executive council also approved a sum of N700,973,716.86 to comprehensively renovate and remodel the State House of Assembly Complex and the Assembly Service Commission building.

“Given its deteriorated state, it became exigent to undertake a comprehensive renovation and remodeling of the buildings to ensure the structures are restored to a modern and functional state, conducive for effective discharge of legislative duties and administrative functions.”

He added that the contract has been awarded through Direct Procurement in line with section 42b of the Ekiti State Public Procurement (Re-Enactment Law, 2020) and is expected to be completed in 12 weeks.

The exco in a demonstration of its dedication to ensuring the state’s roads are well-maintained and motorable, aligning with its infrastructure development agenda, approved contract for the rehabilitation of some inner roads in the state capital.

According to the commissioner, rehabilitation of the roads is expected to alleviate traffic congestion within the city, boost socio-economic activities in the area, and enhance the security and quality of life for residents and property owners along the road.

To boost food production, the council also ratified the sum of N177,937,500.00 as part payment to clear 325 hectares of land for some youths from Ikere, Emure, Moba, Ido-Osi and Ekiti West Local Governments in the State to support ‘Youths In Agriculture’ initiative at their respective Local Governments level.

“Through targeted initiatives, the administration aims to empower farmers in the State by collaborating with interested local government areas to boost production along the value chain.

“A sum of N355,875,000.00 had earlier been approved for the project in the partnership between the State and the affected Local Governments.

“However, given the urgency to plant crops before the end of the farming season and in a demonstration of unwavering resolve and commitment to transforming the agriculture sector, a private company was directly engaged for the land clearing project.

“This will be in a venture that will be supervised by both the Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the affected LGAs.”

Kebbi, Kogi Celebrate 33 Years Of Creation

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nasir Idris - Governor of Kebbi State

By Ayodele Oni

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has thanked the people of the State for their unalloyed support for his administration urging them to sustain the tempo for rapid development of the State.

He made this known while rejoicing with the people of the state on the attainment of 33 years of statehood.

Kebbi State was created on August 27, 1991 during the reign of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babagida as president.

Also in Kogi State, created same time with Kebbi, the people were urged to be patient as they are in safe hand with the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Governor Idris particularly

appreciated the traditional rulers in Kebbi state for their fatherly advice, support and consistent preaching for sustainable peace across the state.

The Governor appealed to the royal fathers not to relent in their efforts to foster unity, peace and development of the State.

He gave kudos to previous civil and military administrations of the state for their contributions that culminated to the growth and development of Kebbi State, “without which we wouldn’t have been where we are today.

“I want to use this medium to appreciate our former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Ibrahim Badamasi Babagida who in his own wisdom find it imperative to carve out Kebbi State out of old Sokoto State.

“There is no doubt that people of Kebbi State are now reaping the fruits of this wisdom, therefore, we are much grateful. We wish you long life, good health and God’s guidance.”

While preaching to the people to sustain the prevailing peace across the state, the governor clamoured for more support and cooperation to enable the present administration take the dividends of democracy to the door steps of electorate.

Idris reiterated his readiness to redouble efforts in executing more developmental projects across the state to give citizenry a sense of belonging.

In Kogi State, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Monday Anyebe stated this in a congratulatory message to the State Governor, Ahmed Ododo and the people of the state on the anniversary of Kogi at 33.

Anyebe commended the past leaders from military administration to date for the efforts to make the state stand tall among others in the country.

The Commissioner described the contribution of past leaders as impressive especially the growth and development of the state.

Anyebe commended the present administration of Governor Ododo for his fatherly roles and commitment to the progress and growth of the State.

Nigeria’s First Olympic Medalist, Nojeem Maiyegun Dies In Austria

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Nojeem Maiyegun

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Sporting enclave has been thrown into mourning following the demise of Nojeem Maiyegun. He was Nigeria’s first  Olympic Medalist. He achieved this feat in the Boxing event.

The death of the 80-year old retired pugilist was announced in a Facebook post by his confidante Rudolfine Soultan.

Soultan:”My Jimmy died. I can’t say more about this right now because it’s just horrible. The day after tomorrow, we would have been together for 17 years”.

Maiyegun passed away Monday in his Vienna, Austria base.He became visually impaired a few years ago, and   battled an unnamed illness for months before his death.

Maiyegun won a bronze medal in the light-heavyweight boxing category at the Tokyo 1964 Olympics to break Nigeria’s medal jinx in the light-heavyweight boxing category.

Two years later, he won another bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.

Maiyegun left Nigeria in 1971 to begin a professional boxing career, fighting 16 times and winning 12, 10 of them by knockout.

The Ministry of Sports is yet to issue a statement on this development,  but netizens have taken to the Social Media to celebrate the icon that put the Nation on the Olympic map as a Medalist.

The Cancer Story Of Ex-CAN President, Ayo Orisejafor

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Ayo Orisejafor

Ayo Orisejafor, a popular tele-evangelist  and Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, has narrated how he narrowly survived cancer.

Orisejafor, a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, told his congregation recently during a service that his escape from the killer disease was through the help of God, adding that others who suffered from the life threatening disease were not so lucky.

Tens of thousands of Nigerians have died from cancer-related disease, according to the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, with 78,000 people dying from the disease in 2020 alone

According to the institute, over 120,000 new cancer cases are recorded yearly in Nigeria.

Speaking to his church members, Orisejafor disclosed that he was treated in the United States through the help of God.

Pastor Orisejafor recounted that the day he was leaving for the US with the deadly health challenge for medical treatment, someone he knew was leaving for the United Kingdom with the same kind of cancer but sadly, he never survived it.f Mainland

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According to him, “while I was leaving for America somebody I know was leaving for the United Kingdom with the same kind of cancer. It’s an aggressive cancer. The day I boarded the flight coming to Nigeria, he was in a casket coming to Nigeria.

“How do you face cancer and still stand like this? But I have not told you when I was going to America full of cancer, you did not know, I did not tell you. I look normal because this is my way of life.

“Hear me, I was on my two legs. I walked into the plane but he wasn’t. Please don’t clap, because I am not better than him, but God remembered, He remembered my heart. I have always had a heart for God.

“I told God, ‘If you save me from this, I would double my service, I would serve you twice more’. God saved me and brought me home.”

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, is the founding and Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, In July 2010, he became the first Pentecostal leader to be elected as President of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN.

Shi’ites/Police  Confrontation: “Those Who Killed Police Officers Have Murdered Sleep” – IGP

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Kayode Egbetokun - IGP

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has vowed to fish out and prosecute, accordingly, all those involved in the Islamic Movement of Nigeria IMN  attack and killing of  some  service  personnel in Abuja on Sunday.

Already, the Police confirm that  about 97 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident which pitched the Police and members of the religious group otherwise known as Shi’ites, who were on their annual religious procession.

The Source reports that on Sunday August, 25 2024, the Police authorities in a statement claimed that IMN launched an unprovoked attacks on some Police Officers on routine duty in the Wuse area of the Federal Capital Territory FCT .

Josephine Adeh, the FCT Command’s spokesperson noted that the violent attack left two  Police Officers dead,and three in critical condition at a medical facility. Three operational vehicles were set ablaze by the Shi’ite followers .

But Sidi Mainasara, spokesperson for IMN, blamed the police for the avoidable loss of many lives ,during what he described as a peaceful procession.

“We wish to inform the public that the police have attacked the ongoing Arb’een Symbolic Trek at Wuse District in Abuja and killed numerous mourners while trying to disperse the Arba’een procession”‘ the IMN stated

In a statement issued on Monday August 26, by the  Force Public Relation Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi ACP ,the IGP affirmed the commitment of the Police in maintaining law and order, as well as resisting any forms of attempt to perpetrate anarchy and unrest in any part of the country.

Egbetokun deplored the unprovoked attacks and killings of police personnel while on lawful. duties, noting that such developments are highly outrageous and unacceptable .

He insisted that the alleged killers of the Police officers have by their conduct murdered peace.

The IGP  informed that a full scale investigation has been launched with a view to unraveling the extent of the attack, as well as preventing future occurrences.

While soliciting the support and understanding of the public in Police’s determination to maintain peace and order, the IGP expressed  sympathy and solidarity with the families, relations and friends of the fallen officers.

NFF Appoints German Tactician, Bruno Labbadia As New Super Eagles Coach

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bruno Labbadia - New Super Eagle Coach

By Akinwale Kasali

After several months of waiting, the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has announced the appointment of German Born Tactcian, Bruno Labbadia as the new boss of the Super Eagles.

Labbadia is to become the Head Coach of the country’s senior men Team.

Labbadia, who was former Bayer Leverkusen boss, holds a UEFA Pro- License and is the sixth German to manage the Super Eagles.

The NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed the appointment of the 58-year-old former Bayern Munich player in a statement released on Tuesday.

He said: “The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Mr. Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The appointment is with immediate effect.

“And Labbadi’s immediate challenge is to take charge of the three-time African champions for two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic (Saturday 7th September in Uyo) and Rwanda (Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali), with four other matches to conclude the qualifying race following in the months of October and November”.

Born in Darmstadt, Germany on 8th February 1966, Labbadia, who won two caps for Die Mannschaft in his playing career that took him through clubs such as home-town team Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Armenia Bielefeld and Karlsruher SC, triumphed in the German Bundesliga with Bayern Munich as a player in 1994.

He coached famous names Hertha Berlin and VfB Stuttgart this decade, and previously, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, among others, and holds a UEFA Pro License.

He is only the sixth German, after Karl-Heinz Marotzke (who had two stints between 1970 and 1974), Gottlieb Göller (1981), Manfred Höner (1988-1989), Berti Vogts (2007-2008) and Gernot Rohr (2016-2021) to lead the Super Eagles. Höner led the Eagles to runner-up position at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified and led Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.

LIST OF SUPER EAGLES’ COACHES IN HISTORY

John Finch (England) – 1949

Daniel Anyiam (Nigeria) – 1954-1956; 1964-1965

Les Courtier (England) – 1956-1960

Moshe Beit Halevi (Israel) – 1960-1961

George Vardar (Hungary) – 1961-1963

Joey Blackwell (England) – 1963 – 1964

József Ember (Hungary) – 1965-1968

Sabino Barinaga (Spain) – 1968-1969

Peter ‘Eto’ Amaechina (Nigeria) – 1969-1970

Karl-Heinz Marotzke (Germany) – 1970-1971; 1974

Jorge Penna (Brazil) – 1972-1973

Jelisavčić ‘Father Tiko’ Tihomir (Yugoslavia) – 1974-1978

Otto Glória (Brazil) – 1979-1982

Gottlieb Göller (Germany) – 1981

Adegboye Onigbinde (Nigeria) – 1983-1984; 2002

Chris Udemezue (Nigeria) – 1984-1986

Patrick Ekeji (Nigeria) – 1985

Paul Hamilton (Nigeria) – 1987; 1989

Manfred Höner (Germany) – 1988-1989

Clemens Westerhof (Netherlands) – 1989-1994

Amodu Shaibu (Nigeria) – 1994-1995; 1996-1997; 2001-2002; 2008-2010

Johannes Bonfrere (Netherlands) – 1995-1996; 1999-2001

Philippe Troussier (France) – 1997

Monday Sinclair (Nigeria) – 1997-1998

Bora Milutinović (Yugoslavia) – 1998

Thijs Libregts (Netherlands) – 1999

Christian Chukwu (Nigeria) – 2002-2005

Augustine Eguavoen (Nigeria) – 2005-2007; 2010; 2022

Berti Vogts (Germany) – 2007-2008

Lars Lagerbäck (Sweden) – 2010

Samson Siasia (Nigeria) – 2010-2011; 2016

Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) – 2011-2014; 2015

Sunday Oliseh (Nigeria) – 2015-2016

Gernot Rohr (Germany) – 2016-2021

José Peseiro (Portugal) – 2022-2024

Finidi George (Nigeria) – 2024

Bruno Labbadia (Germany) – 2024-?

AMCON Set To Recover N5trn Debt From Offshore Assets

By
James Orji
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AMCON

The managing director/chief executive of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON Gbenga Alade has disclosed that efforts are underway to recover close to N5 trillion outstanding debt from recalcitrant debtors.

The debt will be recovered from the assets hidden abroad by the debtors including those secretly kept under the Special Purpose Vehicles, SPV.

The debts recovery drive spans all the sector of the economy, AMCON said yesterday, adding that the agency is poised to “resolving non-performing loans” in the banking and financial sector of the economy for the purpose of stabilising the sector.

The AMCON chief executive made the remark while speaking with journalists in Lagos, on Monday.

According to him, the agency has received support from the federal government in its quests to recover debts transferred by banks to AMCON during the different phases of Eligible Bank Asset, EBA acquisition.

He explained that so far the organisation has received the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Assembly, and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in the ongoing efforts to recover debts from recalcitrant debtors, noting that debtors who refused to pay will be named and shamed soon.

Alade, stated that since the new management took over about five months ago, they have successfully collected approximately N100 billion from several high-profile debtors and revised the sale of some assets.

He emphasised that the organisation has been receiving support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Central Bank Governor, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Assembly in their efforts to recover debts transferred by banks to AMCON during the different phases of Eligible Bank Asset (EBA) acquisition.

Furthermore, the CEO mentioned that the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance has pledged to name and shame obligors who have yet to repay their debts at a major stakeholders’ conference that would hold before the end of the year.

He revealed plans to organise a conference where senior officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), relevant ministries, banks, and the judiciary would be invited to discuss the challenges posed by non-performing loans in the country.

Alade, highlighted four key sectors that the new management has chosen to focus on.

They included oil and gas, power, telecommunications, and aviation.

He expressed confidence that resolving issues surrounding assets in the oil and gas sector would boost production, generate more foreign exchange, and create employment opportunities for citizens. The CEO noted that they have achieved remarkable results in two of these assets in less than five months.

“By engaging international asset tracers and focusing on key sectors, AMCON aims to recover outstanding debts and contribute to the overall economic growth and development of the country,” he said.

32 Medical Doctors In Kidnappers Den- NARD

By
James Orji
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Kidnapped Dr Ganiyat Popoola

32 medical doctors are currently in the captivity of kidnappers, the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has revealed.

Doctor Abah Innocent, Chairman, Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, UATH, made this known on Tuesday while speaking on Channels Television.

Abah said there’s no information on what has happened to the kidnapped doctors, whether they are dead or alive, saying the hope of re-uniting them with their families is becoming dimmer everyday.

He said “posterity will not be fair” to medical doctors if they failed to take any action to ensure their release, saying medical doctors have been targeted by kidnappers across the country for ransome.

For instance, bandits who kidnapped Dr Popoola are demanding N40 million ransombefore she can be set free.

Abah’s remark comes on the heels of a seven-day warning strike declared by NARD in view of the abduction of one of their colleagues, Dr Kudirat Popoola who has been in the den of her abductors for eight months.

NARD had had last week embarked on a nationwide protests to press home their demand for Dr Popoola to be released.

Dr Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna State, was abducted alongside her husband on December 27, 2023.

While her husband was released in March, Popoola and her nephew remain in the custody of the kidnappers, a situation that has sparked widespread concern and outrage within the health sector in the country.

On Monday 26, 2024, the angry medical doctors put the federal government on notice of an indefinite strike if Dr Popoola is not released withing seven days.

Declaring the seven -day strike on August 25, NARD President Dr Dele Abdullahi said the strike will be total, with no emergency care services available for one week.

He said doctors could no longer stand by idly while one of  our own “remains in danger”.

“The continuous captivity of Dr Popoola is unacceptable, and we can no longer stand by idly while one of our own remains in danger,” Dr Abdullahi stated.

Meanwhile, checks by the magazine indicate that the strike action has severely impacted healthcare services nationwide, as many Nigerians who need urgent medical care groan under the abandonment of the doctors.

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