Ondo: Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Withdraws Suit Challenging APC Governorship Primary

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May 28, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

All agitations and legal tussles regarding the last primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have been laid to rest.

This follows the resolve of Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator representing Ondo South at the National Assembly, to withdraw his suit challenging the emergence of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the candidate of the APC.

In a letter released to newsmen on Tuesday, Senator Ibrahim noted that the case with suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/588/2024 was withdrawn after the intervention by President Bola Tinubu.

The businessman turned politician had approached the Court to challenge the outcome of the APC direct primary election that produced Governor Aiyedatiwa as the Party’s candidate in April, 2024.

He had alleged that the process was “rigged” in favour of the sitting Governor

The letter states: “The suit is now withdrawn due to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The President called me, had a meeting with me, and assured me that he will, as the leader of the Party improve on internal democracy within our party, and I will need to withdraw the case to enable him to chart a way forward.

“The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, earlier visited my Asokoro residence for several hours after another unsuccessful visit to my hotel room in Akure.

“I cannot disobey the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the issue am fighting for is not personal.

“It is simply to improve internal democracy to which the President has promised improvement. My respect for the President is absolute!

“Let me use this opportunity to thank Mr. President for the words of wisdom and encouragement during my meeting with him which lasted over one hour and his various interactions with me on the telephone during which he emphasized his commitment to internal democracy over and over again. Thank you, Mr. President.”

Jimi Agbaje’s Son Dies In Canada

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Adesina Soyooye

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May 28, 2024

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By Adesina Soyooye

A Peoples Democratic Party, Chieftain, Olujimi Kolawole Agbaje, popular as Jimi Agbaje, has been hit badly by death.

The politician, who had been a PDP State Chapter Governorship Candidate a couple of times, has just lost his first son, Bunmi.

Said to be Agbaje’s first son, Bunmi died in Canada where he resided.

Reports say he died, suddenly, a situation attributed to Cardiac arrest.

Naturally, Agbaje and his family are said to very heart broken and devastated.

…Details later.

Colleagues Mourn Renowned Nollywood Director, Reginald Ebere

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 28, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

Nollywood is once again mourning.

The industry has lost Reginald Ebere, one of its finest Directors.

Veteran Actor, Segun Arinze, broke the news on Nollywood Giants WhatsApp platform, a group dedicated to prominent Nigerian entertainers.

Perekeme Odon, National Secretary of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, DGN, corroborated Arinze on the death of Ebere

Arinze expressed his deep sorrow over Ebere’s passing, calling it a painful loss for the industry.

“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our dear brother and colleague, Mr. Reginald Ebere,” Odon said in his announcement. He added that further details regarding the director’s burial would be provided on the platform in due course.

His colleagues have been paying tributes to him, highlighting his contributions and the impact he had on Nollywood. The community remembers him as a talented director whose work left a lasting legacy in the industry.

Ebere read Theatre Arts at the University of Jos. He was the founder of The Script Factory, and Channel Manager and Head of Production on the Infinity TV platform.

He was married to Maureen Ebere, and they have three sons.

The late director was known for his contributions to films like ‘Gateman’ (2017), ‘Wicked Love’ (2014) and ‘Living with a Ghost’ (2015).

Others include ‘Commitment Shy’ (2016), ‘The Devil and the Red Sea’ (2017), ‘Tangled Web’ (2017), ‘The Unwanted’ (2017) and ‘Biological Clock’ (2018).

Since January 2024, Nollywood has lost about 10 practitioners including John Okafor popularly known as Mr Ibu, Amaechi Muonagor, Junior Pope, Quadri Oyebamiji popularly known as Sisi Quadri, and Ganiyu ‘Ogunjimi‘ Oyeyemi.

Others who lost their lives include Olofa Ina, Adejumoke Aderounmu, Saratu Gidado, and Ethel Ekpe.

Kano Royal Crisis: Court Issues Counter Order, Asks Security Agencies To Evict Bayero From Palace

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 27, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In a dramatic turn of events in the ongoing Kano Royal Stool face off, a Kano High Court, on Monday, May 27, 2024 issued a counter order restraining the Kano State deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and four others from further parading, and/or presenting themselves as Emirs pending the hearing and determination of a motion filed by the Kano State Government.

Only on Thursday last week, Justice Mohammad Liman of a Federal High Court sitting in Kano had issued an order restraining the Kano State Government from deposing the affected Emirs pending the determination of a motion on notice filed by Emir Ado Bayero

However, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ignored the order and proceeded to depose the five Emirs shortly after signing into law a bill earlier passed by the State Legislators repealing the State’s 2019 Emirates Law which had balkanized the Kano Emirate into five .

The State Governor had also proceeded, based on the strength of the Kano State amended Emirates law 2024, to reinstate Emir Muhammad Sanusi who was earlier deposed by the immediate past Governor of the state Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in 2020 .

But for ignoring the restraining order ,Governor Yusuf’s directives to security agencies to give effect to the deposition of the five Emirs of Kano, Gaya, Rano, Bichi, and Karaye was ignored.

Muhammad Hussaini Gumel, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, leading other Heads of Security Agencies in the State said they will observe and respect the restraining order stopping the dethronement of the five Emirs as earlier directed by the Kano Federal High Court.

The parallel positions of the Kano State Government and security agencies had since resulted in Ado Bayero and Sanusi separately holding court as Emirs ,a development that has generated tension and anxiety.

Justice Liman had fixed June 3 2024 for hearing on the motion on notice filed by Emir Bayero against the Kano State Government.

Ruling on an ex parte motion filed by Bar, Ibrahim Isa Wangida ,on behalf of the Kano State Government, Justice Aminu Adamu Aliyu of the kano state high court also directed the Nigeria police ,army and other relevant security agencies to enforce the restraining order on the deposed five Emirs ..

Justice Aliyu specifically ordered security agencies to evict Emir Bayero from the Nasarawa Palace where he has been holding court since his purported dethronement.

“That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st ,2nd ,3rd,4th,and 5th Defendants either by themselves, servants, privies and or any other persons or officers serving under them or acting in connection with any other persons from parading themselves as Emirs of kano, Bichi ,Gaya ,Rano ,and Karaye pending the determination of the motion on notice filed by the applicants.

“That an order is hereby granted to the extent that the Commissioner of Police kano state should immediately take over the palace of the Emir of Kano situate being and lying at state road kano and evict the 1st Defendant/Respondent ( Bayero) from the said palace pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice .

“That an order of this Hon.Court is hereby granted restraining the Bayero and other deposed Emirs from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano ,Bichi ,Gaya Rano and Karaye in the interest of peace in kano pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice .”

Hearing on the motion on of notice has been fixed for June 11 2024.

“There Will Be Solid Footing For Nigerian Children To Realize Their Dreams” – President Tinubu

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Ayodele Oni

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May 27, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has assured that his administration will spare no effort in ensuring that Nigeria’s children have a solid footing for the realization of their dreams.

The President in a statement to mark this year’s Children’s Day also called for a reinforcement of the family unit.

This was made known in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday, in a post on X.

“President Bola Tinubu celebrates Nigeria’s children, the bearers of the nation’s torch into the future, on the special occasion of Children’s Day.

“The President rejoices with parents, guardians, and families across the nation, and calls for a reinforcement of the family unit as a place where the sacred values of honesty, modesty, hard work and charity are passed down to the shining lights of tomorrow.

“President Tinubu affirms that society is a reflection of each family unit as a collective, urging the preservation of those principles that make us a wholesome, nurturing, and thriving nation.

“The President states that his administration is sparing no effort in ensuring that Nigeria’s children have a solid footing for the realization of their dreams.

“With increased investments in education, and the recent overhauling of the entire education system to provide both human and material resources for learning, as well as the efforts of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education to get the nation’s precious gifts off the streets, the President emphasizes that his administration will continue to expand access to qualitative education for all Nigerians.

‘President Tinubu reassures the nation of his commitment to ensuring a safe and secure ambience of learning for the children while improving the standard of education.”

“I Can See The Glorious Future Of Anambra And Nigeria” Gov Soludo Declares On Children’s Day; Targets Zero Out-Of- School Children

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 27, 2024

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Charles Soludo - Governor of Anambra State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Anambra State Government has said that investments in the education sector remains the most durable and beneficial.

This is even as Governor Chukwukuma Soludo has rated the sector high, noting that Anambra State has the lowest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

The Anambra State Governor who spoke on Monday May 27 ,2024 at the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day held at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka the state capital, emphasised the need for stakeholders to invest massively in the education sector

He noted that a well coordinated and massive investment in the educational system is a sure way of securing the future of up coming generations.

“We call on everyone to invest in education because it is everyone’s responsibility. If you can save the cost of your favourite drink ,you can buy a pencil for the child.

“That is a way of investing in education. In two years, we have employed over 8000 teachers because the school children are our greatest assets.

“Currently, Anambra has the lowest number of out-of-school-children in the country . We are targeting to make it zero in no distance time.

“We are having sleepless nights because of you (children) . Roads will wash away, Sky scrapers will collapse ,but investment in children will stand the test of time ” Prof Soludo noted

The Governor lauded the efforts of teachers in ensuring that children placed under their care are properly moulded.

He assured that the State Government on its part will continue to recruit the best hands available as teachers, adding that Anambra children deserve the best.

Further underscoring the importance of Children’s Day celebration, Prof Soludo said it is all about the celebration of the future of the State and Nigeria.

” We are here to celebrate our future ,our future and others who were not able to join us . This is the third time ,I will be witnessing Children’s Day since I assumed office . But I must say that ,so far this the largest .

“I can see the glorious future of Anambra and Nigeria as we behold their faces . We are deliberately investing in our children ,who are our bridge for skills needed here and beyond” Soludo stated .

The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, while emphasising the need for concerted efforts in the task of ensuring proper education of the child, noted that the well being of the child is not the sole responsibility of Government.

She, therefore, called on parents and guardians to take up the responsibility of providing the needed conducive environment for their children to flourish .

“Evacuate Deposed Emir Bayero Out of Kano State” – Kano Govt Urges Security Agencies

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 27, 2024

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Abba Kabir Yusuf - Governor of Kano Sfate

By Suleiman Anyalewechi.

The Kano State Government on Monday, May 27,2024 insisted that in the count down to the reinstatement of Muhammad Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, it was not served with any restraining order from the Court.

It noted that out of the eight respondents listed in the suit ,only the Inspector-General of Police,IGP was discovered to have been served with the Court papers.

The Kano State authorities which spoke through the Deputy Governor, have, therefore, appealed to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, NSA, and all other relevant entities, to evacuate dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero out of the State to avoid plunging it in to an avoidable chaos.

The State Government warned that the continued presence of the dethroned Emir is threatening the peace and stability of Kano, adding that already the struggle is gradually metamorphosing from a struggle for royal stool to a political battle .

Gwarzo said that the State Government is worried that there seems to be a marching order from the top to ensure a full implementation of the restraining Court order by Security Agencies in the State

“There have been talks around the court order, whatever the circumstances around the order, we as a government have never seen or received any communication in that regard.

“There are about 8 respondents, and only one – the Inspector General of Police IGP was served with the court order papers while the state Commissioner of Police CP ,the DSS and others were not served . Like wise the kano state Government and the Attorney General were not served.

“You cannot act on anything that you don’t know .And that was what informed our actions till this moment .” Gwazo stated

According to him, it has become obvious that some powerful and unseen forces within the ranks of the ruling All progressive Party APC are instigating and sustaining the crisis.

“The Unfortunate thing is that it seems somewhere, somehow, some people up there are fueling the crisis, because the security chiefs told us point blank that they cannot flout directives from above.

“What it means is that somebody is directing the whole thing . Some body is directing the security people . The police and DSS escorted the Emir to Kano and directives were given that they should also receive and keep him at the Nasarawa palace a few metres away from the Governor’s office and residence.

“And ever since then, politicians from the opposition parties have been vocal against the repealing of the Emirates law and reinstatement of Sanusi.

“They, opposition elements, have been taking people to the deposed Emir, meeting and conspiring to cause trouble and crisis in the State to the extent that they came out to make bonfire a few metres away from the Government House .

“Ever since the process for the repealing of the law, began people have been peaceful and happy with the development, only for us to start seeing this ugly development now.” the Deputy Governor lamented.

He noted that part of the destabilizing antics of the opposition is instigating petitions and protest in some of the areas affected by the dethronement exercise.

“Despite the deposed Emir of Gaya going on air to declare that he has taken the development in good fate, some people are still bent on causing crisis.

“Today, there was a sponsored protest carried out in Gaya by APC thugs. Some people claiming to be stakeholders from Bichi wrote a letter calling for the reinstatement of the deposed Emirs .

“All of the protesters have been discovered to be APC card carrying members. So the whole thing is now turning in to a political battle” Gwarzo stated.

Air Nigeria, An Impersonator – Aviation Minister, Announces Suspension

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Ayodele Oni

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May 27, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

To further give room for investigation, the Federal Government has announced the indefinite suspension of the Air Nigeria Airline project.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Monday at the Ministerial briefing to celebrate the first year of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

According to him, the airline was never a Nigerian airline, but instead, an attempt to impersonate a foreign airline operating in Nigeria.

The development had elicited concerns among stakeholders nationwide over the ownership arrangement which gave Ethiopian Airlines a 49 percent equity stake.

The Federal Government had five percent equity, while a consortium of three Nigerian investors had 46 percent.

In 2023, the Ministry of Aviation, under Hadi Sirika, former Minister, unveiled Nigeria Air — three days before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Reacting to the deal in June 2023, the House of Representatives asked the Federal Government to suspend the operations of Nigeria Air, describing it as ‘a fraud’.

Gov Aiyedatiwa Cautions Youths Against Thuggery To Ensure Brighter Future

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Ayodele Oni

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May 27, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has charged youths not to yield to pressure to get involved in political thuggery that can truncate brighter future the government and your parents are planning for them.

Speaking on this year’s theme for the celebration of children day, which is

‘Building a Brighter Future for Our Children’ Aiyedatiwa described children as “the architect of tomorrow’s world.”

“It is, therefore, our collective responsibility to provide them with necessary tools, opportunities, support and guidance to flourish and succeed, considering the envisioned future for them.

“This, therefore, brings to the fore the need for adequate protection for all children irrespective of their background, location, religious or ethnic affiliation so that the dream of a brighter future for them will not be an illusion.

“The above assertion, therefore, means that there should be concerted efforts in investing in our children’s education, healthcare, safety and conducive environments where their potential can be achieved as there is no sacrifice that can be too big to make for them.

“It is in this regard that we have set machinery in motion to recruit large number of teachers in both public primary and secondary schools across the State to cover the gaps created in the learning and teaching processes.

It is our strong belief that the mass recruitment of teachers in schools will go a long way to prepare and secure that brighter future for our children.”

The Governor explained that his administration decided to resuscitate the School Shuttle bus Programme to alleviate the burden of daily provision of fund by parents to finance their children’s transportation to school.

He revealed that new fleet of vehicles were recently added to those on ground to ensure wider coverage.

Peter Obi Decries Child Labour In Nigeria

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The Source

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May 27, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

As Children’s Day is being celebrated in Nigeria, which comes up on 27th May of every year, the Labour Party, (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 Presidential Election, Peter Obi, has decried the persistent child labour practices in Nigeria.

In a post on his X handle on Monday to celebrate the 2024 Children’s Day, Obi said more effort should be channeled toward pulling more Nigerians out of poverty and ensuring the rights of every Nigerian child.

He said, “Every Nigerian child deserves access to quality education, healthcare and a safe and secure environment to live and thrive.

“We must, therefore, invest in these key areas of development for their sake and the future of our society.”

Quoting a report by the National Bureau of Statistics, Obi said 39.2 per cent of Nigerian children are in child labour, while 22.9 per cent are involved in hazardous work.

He urged parents to continue to give the best to their children and raise responsible citizens of the country.