Home Blog Page 1144

Group Tells IGP Not To Allow Those Indicted For Banditry In Zamfara State Escape Justice

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Kayode Egbetokun - IGP

By Akinwale Kasali

A Group under the aegis of Zamfara North Progressive Movement, ZNPM, has made an appeal to the Inspector General of Police, IGP,  Kayode Egbetokun, and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to allow justice take its cause by ensuring that a serving lawmaker and other individuals implicated in cases of kidnapping and banditry in the State are not allowed to evade accountability.

This appeal is coming in the wake of a disturbing trend where the lines between politics and criminality are increasingly blurred in Nigeria’s Northwest region, with the Governor of the State raising alarm on the pathetic situation in the State.

Expressing its concerns over the abduction of Alhaji Ibrahim Sarkin Fada Kasuwar Daji, a District Head who was held captive by armed bandits for over six months, the Group said his release was only secured following a ransom payment made by his son, Hon. Anas Ibrahim Sarkin Fada, a former member of the State House of Assembly.

In a statement by its Chairman, Ahmed Abubakar Birane, the Zamfara North Progressive Movement stated that during the interrogation of an apprehended bandit linked to the abduction, a chilling network of complicity was unearthed.

The statement read, “After the arrest of the armed bandit, he further revealed that he collaborated with a serving member of Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Ibrahim representing Kaura Namoda South.

“ On his part, Hon. Aminu Ibrahim alleged that he collaborated with Hali Sidi and Dansadiya to coordinate the abduction of the father of the former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon Anas Sarkin Fada with the intention to intimidate him and harass the family to distance themselves from the politics of Kauru Namoda South completely.

“After the release of his father, Hon Anas moved out of Kasuwar Daji for fear of being kidnapped or killed by armed bandits.”

However, the group lamented that despite his arrest and subsequent detention by the State CID, Hon. Aminu Ibrahim was granted bail, a move that they strongly criticized.

Consequently, the group demanded the revocation of the bail granted to Hon. Aminu Ibrahim and insisted that all those implicated face the full force of justice without delay.

They noted: “There have been more attacks at Kasuwar Daji town; the State Financial Secretary of APC and former State Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were abducted by bandits and spent months in captivity. They were released after payment of ransom to Dansadiya.

“We call on Police authorities not to spare anybody found wanting in the course of investigation no matter how highly placed. We demand the revoke of the bail granted the member State House of Assembly until investigation is completed. Banditry and kidnapping are serious offences. It is inappropriate to release anybody allegedly involved in kidnapping because of his political affiliation.

“ We also appeal to Governor Dauda Lawal and the Inspector General of Police to wade into the matter and ensure that the perpetrators of this crime should face the full weight of the law.

“The good people of Zamfara State want peace and security to enable them continue their lawful business. As a progressive movement, we demand justice and safety of citizens in Zamfara State. We support the government and security agents in the fight against banditry, insurgency, terrorism and kidnapping for ransom or politics.”

GTCO Successful Despite “Challenging Environment”-Agbaje; PAT N540bn

By
James Orji
-
0

The Group Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Holding Company, GTCO, Segun Agbaje has described the success achieved by the holdo in the last financial year to technological innovations embarked by the financial leader.

The GTCO chief executive described the  2023 financial year as very challenging, but stated that the company has successfully overcome the headwinds due to “our relentless obsession with innovation and offering great customer experiences.”

Agbaje spoke following the release of the company’s audited consolidated and separate financial statements to the Nigerian Exchange Group, NGX and London Stock Exchange, LSE on Monday, which indicates that the group’s profit after tax, PAT rose to N540 billion.

“The challenging operating environment of 2023 truly tested the business model we put in place for the holding company, for both our banking and non-banking business verticals. Harnessing the group’s synergies yielded a strong performance, allowing us to strengthen our foothold in banking whilst also building viable and resilient businesses of HabariPay, Guaranty Trust Fund Managers, and Guaranty Trust Pension Managers,” Agbaje said.

He stated further: “Also important to our success is our relentless obsession with innovation and offering great customer experiences as demonstrated by the successful redesign and upgrade of our mobile banking application, GTWorld.

“In a landscape characterised by evolving regulatory reforms, global uncertainties, and heightened competition, we have continued to leverage our inherent strengths and capabilities to unlock significant value, creating more opportunities for the businesses and individuals we serve.”

According to the statement filed with the regulators, the group also recorded, a profit before tax, of over N214 billion, more than 184 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Further checks indicate that the company’s loans and advances rose to to N2.48 trillion, while deposits grew to  to N7.55 trillion.

The group’s total assets and shareholders’ funds at the end of the 2023 financial year stood at   N9.7 trillion and N1.5 trillion, the statement further revealed.

” I Will Not Compete With Governor Obaseki” – New Deputy Governor Omobayo

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Newly Sworn In Deputy Governor of Edo State, Omobayo Godwins, has pledged an unalloyed loyalty to his Principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, promising to support him in every situation.

He added that he would not, in anyway, drag power with him.

Obaseki’s first Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu,  was unceremoniously impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly on Monday.

Speaking on Channels Television, Godwins said he is learning on the job and won’t hesitate to do all that his Principal instructs him to do.

He said, “Whatever he says I should is what I will do. He knows my strength. So, I will dwell on my strength when it comes to adding value. Politically, I am learning on the job.

“It’s okay with me. Life is a process. At 37+, I am already a Deputy Governor, it has improved my political outlook and I am not in a rush to drag with my Governor ”.

Governor Obaseki and his Deputy would be in the saddle, piloting the affairs of the State  till November 12, 2024, when a new Administration will come on board.

Godwins furthermore stressed that he has what it takes to be the Deputy Governor of the State as he has robust grassroot support from his base in Akoko Edo, one of the Local Governments in the Edo North Senatorial District, to boost the chances of Ighodalo, who hails from Ewohimi in the Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo Central Senatorial District.

On Shaibu’s impeachment, he said, “That is politics for you. Your job first of all is to be loyal.”

Shaibu has rejected his impeachment by the lawmakers, describing it as a threat to democracy.

Shaibu said, “ This is not just an attack on me as an individual but on the democracy that we hold dear.

“ It is a dangerous descent into dictatorship and a threat to the foundation of our democracy. Let it be clear that this impeachment was hatched because of my ambition to contest the Edo State 2024 governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. An ambition that is a legal right to all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Sallah: Obi Asks Muslims To Seek Allah’s Intervention In The Needless Blood shedding In The Country

By
The Source
-
0
Peter Obi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has charged Nigerian Muslims to use the window availed by Sallah to seek Allah’s intervention in Nigeria’s situation.

Obi charged the people not to allow the prevailing unprecedented  hardship in the country to affect their spirit of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence

Rather Obi said the people should use this year’s Eid-El Fitri festivities to engender the spirit of oneness and also re-dedicate themselves to the virtues of love, patriotism and unity for the desired national development.

The former Anambra state Governor in a message to Muslims noted that the two major faiths Christianity and Islam coming out of their fasting period should allow the solemnness of the holy months to influence their thoughts and actions in relating with one another and thinking about the future of the country.

Obi said that it’s discomforting the amount of blood being shed in this country daily and asked that the situation be taken to Allah for his prompt intervention.

The LP standard bearer said that the blood of thousands of innocent souls being wasted daily in our land at various troubled spots, particularly the stress of school children in the North, and the needless death of our troops should be enough mitigation to plead to God to save this country from destruction.

“An intense prayer for our dear country has become very necessary more than ever before as our nationhood is in dire need of divine intervention to survive.

“Our economy is already under severe stress, the currency is losing value daily, unemployment and inflation

rising

Obi finally implored the people not to despair and miss the essence and meaning of festivity and the divine succour it brings, assuring us that there is always a light at the end of every tunnel as a new Nigeria is still POssible.

“Why We Stopped Events At International Conference Centre”-Wike

By
James Orji
-
0

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has described the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja as not befitting for the status of Nigeria.

As a result, the minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed him to renovate the Centre to look better, in line with international standard.

To this extent, Wike stated that all booked events at the centre have now been cancelled until the renovation work is completed by foremost construction company, Julius Berger, the firm originally built the facility many years ago.

Wike made the announcement during an inspection tour of the facility on Monday, saying the Centre had not been well maintained.

He explained that the renovation was based on President Tinubu’s admonition that it has become an eyesore.

The minister said: “When we came here for the ECOWAS inauguration sometime last week, with President Bola Tinubu, no right-thinking human being would see the state of this facility and be happy.

“In fact, during the inauguration, Tinubu drew my attention to the rot. Even the lighting system was so poor. This is unacceptable. There is no way we can accept this as an International Conference Centre.

“You cannot call it a conference centre but not international, because there is no standard compared to any international conference centre.

“So, we are sorry to announce this; every booking made here is cancelled. We will start immediate rehabilitation of the centre to meet up with international standards,” the minister said.

The ICC is one of the legacy projects of former military president Ibrahim Babangida.

Fubara: Secondus Tackles Wike, Calls Him Pathological Liar, Mastermind Of Outright Falsehood

By
The Source
-
0
Uche Secondus and Nyesom Wike

A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has lambasted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, for describing him and a former Minister of Transportation, Abiye Sekibo as “expired politicians” over their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Secondus in a statement by his media aide, Ike Abonyi, stated that Wike has exhibited during a media parley on Tuesday in Abuja “his well-known trait of being a pathological liar, harbinger of half-truths, and a mastermind of outright falsehoods just to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public to believe his brew by playing to the gallery and drawing some unwarranted applause and attention.”

Wike had during the parley with media Executives condemned the leaders of the PDP in Rivers State as “expired politicians” and “political buccaneers.”

Last week, Secondus, Sekibo, director-general of the party’s presidential campaign council in Rivers; Sen Lee Maeba, Celestine Omehia, a former governorship aspirant and Austin Opara, an ex-lawmaker, declared support for Fubara and urged President Bola Tinubu to caution Wike.

But Secondus in his reaction, described Wike as “a showman noted for his double-speak, twisting of facts to score some cheap political points, and someone who stands the truth on its head.”

He further described the FCT Minister’s utterances during his media parley as “appalling and rather unfortunate, more so he characterized our revered political leaders of Rivers State, casting them in a bad light by referring to them as transitional politicians, political vampires, and political buccaneers.”

The statement added, “Perhaps in his haste to impugn the integrity of these elders who made him, he forgot to taste that he was referencing himself as being a man imbued with such unwholesome character.”

“Nigerians can attest to the fact that there is no greater transitional politician, a well-known vampire who oscillates between two extremes and a buccaneer who has betrayed all those who made him than Nyesom Wike himself.”

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Atiku’s Desperation To Be President Clouds His Vision-Presidency

By
James Orji
-
0

The federal government has slammed former vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent view that the administration is deceiving Nigerians on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Abubakar, had in a statement released by his spokesman, Paul Ibe challenged the Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on the high cost of the project, he alleged has been highly inflated.

The former number two citizen also questioned why the project that’s expected to cover 10 states across the country had to start from Lagos state, where the president hails from.

Tinubu was a former Lagos state governor from 1999 to 2003.

Abubakar further alleged that the project was initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan for a lesser amount, that when the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari came to power he also tried his best to ensure that the cost of the project was beaten down.

He wondered why the coastal road is costing the Nigerian taxpayers so much at a time the country is struggling economically.

The magazine reports that the minister of Works Dave Umahi recently announced that the federal government has approved over N1 trillion to kick of the project. The government has yet to announce the total cost for the 700-kilometer-long project.

But a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, a presidential spokesman on Monday said Atiku was only looking for cheap publicity, saying his attack on the president is borne out of his desperation to become Nigeria’s president.

The Presidency said the former vice president has been ill-informed concerning the project, stressing that Abubakar has confused the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Rail initiated by past administrations.

The statement said the new project was one of the signatures of President Tinubu is his quest to transform the country through critical infrastructure.

Below is the statement titled: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Atiku Abubakar Makes Hollow Point Again

In his desperation to always want to hug the headlines as a self-appointed opposition leader, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has allowed himself to be led into a blind alley again by his poorly informed aides.

In a press statement signed on his behalf by media assistant, Paul Ibe, the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate in the last election made false allusions, in his futile attempt, to denigrate and find faults in the audacious and transformational Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway project, which was recently inaugurated as one of the signature projects of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

To Atiku’s chagrin and utter disappointment, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway has been rightly praised for the huge economic impact it will create and how it will be a game-changer in improving the quality of life of Nigerians, especially the economy of the nine coastal states it will pass through. Importantly, the road will boost agricultural and tourism economy on a grand scale.

Seeking to be a kill-joy, Atiku Abubakar engaged in red-herring by raising ill-thought-out allegations that only exposed his inadequacies and those of his team in getting the basic facts on an issue he badly seeks to nail the government.

We have decided, however, to respond to Atiku’s misrepresentation of facts in matters of the coastal road if only to set the record straight so that unsuspecting Nigerians are not misled and misinformed.  We owe it a sacred duty to ensure Atiku and his handlers do not continue to spread disinformation as they wallow in their politics of hatred.

Contrary to the claims in Atiku’s endorsed press statement, at no time did the administrations of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan award contracts for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway to any company at any varied and revised amount. So the question of costs comparison does not arise.

The contract that was awarded was that of Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail. The rail was designed as part of the standard guage national rail network. The contract was awarded on August 4, 2021 by the Federal Executive Council presided over by former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN at the cost of $11.17billion. The contract was to be completed in six years. The project didn’t take off.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail project has always been on the card. It was another testament of the failure of the previous PDP-led government that it could not get it off the ground in 16 years it held sway.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway and Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail are two distinct projects. It is unfortunate that the former Vice President is confused about  the two projects.

President Tinubu should be praised for having the courage to embark on this transformative project and not vilified as Atiku Abubakar unsuccessfully sought to do.

We know there is nothing so sacred for Atiku Abubakar in the pursuit of his undying ambition to be President of Nigeria even in his advanced age.

We, however, don’t expect a former Vice President of Nigeria to continue to fan ill-will and engage in divisive politics in his twilight.

Atiku queried the decision to start the Coastal road from Lagos and not Calabar, oblivious of the huge impact such will make on export-import flow around the industrial zones.

We are at a loss as to what the former VP hopes to achieve with his assertion. Is it not a received wisdom that a thousand miles journey begins with a step? Whether the project begins from Lagos or Calabar, Warri or Sapele, what should gladden the heart of any patriotic Nigerian is that this important project that has been in the pipeline for several decades has finally taken off.

President Tinubu as a leader and nationalist will continue to drive and propel national progress through infrastructural development across the country. We enjoin former Vice President Atiku to act his status as a presumed statesman and desist from engaging in fruitless exercise that does not add any value to nation-building.

As to the other poorly researched issue raised by Atiku and his team on the Lekki Concession Company, we urge them to return to the Library for real facts rather than rushing to cast aspersions on President Tinubu and his government.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy

April 8, 2024

Katsina: Governor Radda Pays Fines for 222 Prison Inmates Ahead of Sallah Celebrations

By
The Source
-
0

In a compassionate move to mark the Holy month of Ramadan and the Sallah festivities, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has taken action to alleviate the burden of 222 inmates across various correctional facilities in the state. These inmates were detained due to their inability to pay fines imposed on them by different courts of law.

According to a statement released by Fadila Muhammad Dikko Esq, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Katsina State, Governor Radda’s initiative aims to decongest the custodial centers and allow the inmates to celebrate Sallah with their families.

Fadila expressed her sincere gratitude to the Governor, acknowledging the significance of this gesture in providing relief to those incarcerated for minor commercial and non-capital offenses.

The selection process for the beneficiaries, according to a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, involved thorough verification and recommendations to the state for intervention in paying the fines holding them in correctional facilities. The Governor’s benevolent act is expected to significantly reduce congestion in these facilities and enable the freed inmates to partake in the joyous occasion of Sallah with their loved ones.

The Katsina State Government’s commitment to upholding justice and ensuring the well-being of its citizens underscores Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda’s dedication to fostering compassion and inclusivity in governance.

Uzodimma Offers Automatic Employment To Two Imo Indigenes With First Class In Law School

By
The Source
-
0
Hope Uzodimma

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has approved the immediate employment of Mr. Chinonso Oparaji and Mrs. Chipuruime Udeh, two indigenes of Imo State who made First Class in Law at both the Imo State University and the Nigerian Law School.

He gave the approval when the duo, in the company of the Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. U.U. Chukwumaeze (SAN), the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. C. K. Okorie ( SAN) and the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Theresa Chikeka, paid a courtesy call on him at Government House, Owerri on Monday.

Receiving them, the Governor said that he was delighted and happy with the news of two Imo State Law graduates who made First Class at the Law School, noting that “it was a thing of joy and they needed to be appreciated.”

He added that having distinguished themselves with excellent results worthy of emulation, he was happy to encourage them further with approval for their immediate employment.

The Governor said that appreciating the duo was also a form of encouragement to other students of Imo extraction and as an example that hard work pays.

He commended the Vice Chancellor of IMSU, Prof Chukwumaeze SAN, the management and Staff of Imo State University for bringing back hope to the University “in this period of Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He enjoined other students to know that through commitment and dedication to their studies they can achieve a lot.

On behalf and the Government of Imo State, Governor Uzodimma congratulated the graduates and urged them to do anything they could to correct the ills in the system and the society as the rot is deep.

Responding to the Governor’s gesture, Mr. Oparaji and Mrs. Udeh, who were accompanied by their relatives, expressed joy at the Governor’s gesture, describing it as reward for hard work.

They encouraged other students reading Law and those in the University in generally studying other courses to always put in their best if they want to achieve the best.

Senator Osita Isunaso, representing Imo West at the National Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Irene Chima joined the Governor to receive his guests.

Uzodimma to Deputy: “In Me You Have A Good Partner” –  Lady Ekomaru Reaffirms Total Loyalty

By
The Source
-
0
Hope Uzodimma and His Deputy- Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has reassured his Deputy, Lady Dr. Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, that their working relationship/partnership will be good and in the interest of Imo State as their four years tenure starts.

Governor Uzodimma gave the assurance at the Thanksgiving Service in honour of the Deputy Governor of Imo State on Sunday at St. Barnabas Anglican Church Obeakpu Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government of the State while addressing the congregation at the end of the Church Service.

The Governor commended the Deputy Governor for taking the right step to present her family, their victory and administration to God, to solicit energy and wisdom from Him and for God to do His will in both of them, noting that God will give them a smooth sail during their reign.

Governor Uzodimma acknowledged that the expectations and task from Imo people from them is “precarious,” added that “but trusting God, all is possible.”

He expressed happiness over the number of people who turned out for the Thanksgiving Service, describing the enthusiasm as encouraging.

The Governor assured Imo people that he was happy that the obstacles that hitherto confronted the State are gradually going away, reiterating that he came with a mission to positively change the narrative of Imo State.

“I will leave Imo better than I met it,” the Governor said and asked God to help his Deputy and himself to achieve the set goals for Imo State.

Governor Uzodimma, however, remarked: “Every democracy comes with tangible and intangible dividends. I will be happy to see positive changes, new conduct and style of life of Imo people.”

He enjoined the Imo citizens to learn to shun evil, speak out against same and pleaded with God to forgive us our sins.

He condemned the attitude of elders of the State who keep mute seeing the misdemeanor of our youths as a result of personal fear and reminded them that they are not doing the State or the youths any good.

Turning to his Deputy, Governor Uzodimma reassured of a partnership that will be to the benefit of the people. “In me, you have a good partner,” he said and decried a situation where most public office holders abuse the privilege of the office they occupy on trust.

The Governor urged public office holders in Imo State to always regulate their appetite over acquisition of wealth, saying that “greed is worse than cancer.”

“Primitive acquisition of material things is very bad,” he said and dvised the public against acquiring what they do not need at the end of the day based on their selfish tendencies and greed.

The Governor also left the congregation with hopes that Imo State, in the next two years, will witness massive positive changes the people may not have experienced before. “The Egyptians we saw yesterday we shall see no more.”

Earlier in her appreciation, Lady Ekomaru expressed her profound gratitude to the Governor whom she said “single handedly” appointed her to the position of the Deputy Governor.

She thanked all Imo people for their support before, during and after the campaigns, election and swearing-in.

The Deputy Governor also thanked the College of Bishops, the Clergy and the wives of the Anglican Communion who, with other people of faith, prayed fervently for her choice and supported the gender balancing that Governor Uzodimma initiated.

She pledged her absolute loyalty to the Governor and to offer him pieces of advice that would be sincere and lead to the success of their administration and service to Imo State in general.

Lady Ekomaru reminded the congregation that the thoughts of Governor Uzodimma for Imo people are “thoughts of good and greater development,” saying that ,”the Governor has been able to battle all the vices and challenges he faced at the beginning,”  and prayed God to continue to be with them as they continue with the Shared Prosperity 3R Administration.

The Deputy Governor’s husband, Chief  Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN) expressed his family’s profound gratitude to the Governor for his benevolence via the choice of his wife as a Deputy Governor. He said the gesture will remain a permanent feature in the life of the Ekomarus.

Chief Ekomaru used the opportunity of the occasion to present a gift of picture Portrait  from the St. Barnabas Anglican Church to the Governor and the Deputy Governor.

The sermon was delivered by the Primate of the Anglican Communion, His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Henry Ndukuba while in attendance were members of the Council of Anglican Bishops of Nigeria, their wives, other Clergies and also their wives.

The three Senators from Imo State – Osita Izunaso,  Patrick Ndubuisi and Ezenwa Onyebuchi Onyewuchi, serving and former House of Representatives members, the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chikeka,  members of the Imo State House of Assembly, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim and his former Deputy, Ada Okwuonu, ranking traditional rulers from Imo State, captains of industries and a host of other personalities from Imo State and beyond graced the occasion.

1...1,1431,1441,145...2,902Page 1,144 of 2,902