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APC NWC Removes Uzodinma, Orders Fresh Primary Election In Edo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Hope Uzodimma

By Ayodele Oni

Following protests and rejection which trailed the outcome of the Edo State Governorship Primary Election, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has been removed as Chairman of the Edo State Gubernatorial Election Committee.

The All Progressives Congress, (APC) National Working Committee, (NWC)  which fixed Thursday for fresh election, after it declared the previous one inconclusive, appointed Cross River state Governor Bassey Otu, who was Uzodinma’s Deputy, in previous Committee as Chairman.

A revised list issued on Wednesday and signed by Suleiman Argungu, National Organising Secretary of the Party, confirmed the development in a statement on Abuja.

Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman retained his position as Secretary of the panel.

Shettima Sheu replaced the Imo State Governor in the panel, which also has a former Osun State Deputy Governor as a member.

Earlier a statement on Monday signed by Ize-Iyamu, Chief Lucky Imasuen, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and General Charles Airhiavbere (retd),  noted that the Imo State Governor, who incidentally is the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma, supervision of the weekend election that has been declared inconclusive by the party national secretariat, breached provisions of the Electoral Act and the APC Constitution.

They, therefore, demanded that Senator Uzodinnma not be allowed to head the panel that would conduct the fresh primary.

“We strongly believe that whatever was responsible for his flagrant disregard for due process and unusual hasty declaration of unconfirmed fictitious results of the primaries outside the designated collation centre may not have abated from his mind and, therefore, may be repeated if given the opportunity to play the same role as chairman in the process.

“In the circumstances, we are calling on Mr President to kindly use his good offices to replace Senator Hope Uzodinma with any other respected member of our great party as chairman.

“Furthermore, we believe that this is the only way to remedy the ridicule and embarrassment that Uzodinma’s tactless and overzealous behaviour, which in the view of keen observers of happenings in the ongoing process of nominating a viable candidate of our party, runs within the borderline of mischief and clotted with antidemocratic vestments, unknown to law.”

President Tinubu, Governors Receive Late Akeredolu’s Body At Lying In State

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu represented by the Minister for Finance & Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, and Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, of Kwara state led dignitaries to receive the body of late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at the lying in state ceremony in Akure, Ondo State capital on Wednesday.

At the lying in state were political, professional allies, family members as well as the deceased former political appointees.

A special Court Session had earlier been held at the state High Court complex where the Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola enumerated contributions of Akeredolu to the State Judiciary.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in a speech at the lying in state, stated that the deceased risked his life to ensure the people lived.

“I remember how this great man lying still here before us now took an uninsured risk in service of a greater goal for his people.

This was at the heat of the avoidable farmers – herders/kidnapping and other security challenges in our country. I am sure you remember his indomitable interventions when it was tough to speak loud.

“He, without fear, took an unusual sacrifice that many considered a suicide mission. He raised his voice high to the roof to speak truth to power.  He condemned inequality, complacency, divisiveness and double standards.

“He asked for the supremacy of rule of law. He asked for fairness, love and true nationalism.  He faced the troubling issues of the times with the candour of a statesman. He not only condemned indolence of thought, he proffered solutions that guaranteed peace. He not only talked, he walked his talk. He advocated for a new thinking, a new action and a new direction.

“He took these risks against bigger powers whose might is determinate and final.  He took a great risk at the peak of his reelection attempt.

“I can as well remind you of yet another heroic deed of the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. How can we forget his clear posture and position on the very constitutional matter of true federalism?

“I remember till today, the bellow of his voice, as we ruminated in the quiet Chamber of his quarters, on the need and strategies for survival and self-preservation for the Yoruba people of Nigeria.

He said and I quote ‘How can we claim the audacity of leadership if we fail the litmus test of protecting the people when adversary, persecution, humiliation and death come? We will not be worth our salt if we betray our oaths of office and natural commission of leadership for which we are known.”

EU, UNICEF, Set To Reduce Number Of Out Of School Children In Three States

By
Ayodele Oni
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Students - Education

By Ayodele Oni

As part of initiatives to reduce the number of out of school children, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have announced plan to enroll and skill 1.5 million children, youths, and adolescents across three states.

The benefitting states are Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano.

The Senior Education Manager at UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Michael Banda, disclosed this during a multi-sectoral meeting of key stakeholders focused on education and youth empowerment projects.

The meeting, held on Wednesday in Kano, highlighted the importance of addressing educational and developmental needs among the younger population.

Banda pointed out that the programme was aimed at increasing the number of girls and boys benefiting from safe, inclusive, relevant learning and skills development opportunities in Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto states.

He said the four-year programme which commenced from October 2023 to August 2027, would cover Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto states.

Banda explained that the programme was aimed at increasing the number of girls and boys benefiting from safe, inclusive, relevant learning and skills development opportunities.

“The programme operation is categorized into three main outputs involving strengthened education governance and learning, expanded access to safe and inclusive learning environment and giving quality, continuous learning and enhanced competencies.”

The education manager pointed out that in Nigeria, many children between seven and 14 could not read or write simple sentence.

“Our aim is for them to get skill that will make them competitive, marketable and self sustaining, to start a business.

“We are also looking at Integrated Qur’anic School because we have Qur’anic schools that do an integrated curriculum which includes literacy and numeracy beyond the religious education.

“We are going to catch everyone, including those who do not have space in the formal school.”

Banda stated further that Kano State has been selected to be one of the top beneficiaries of the newly introduced European Union-funded education and empowerment programme in Nigeria.

According to him, Kano will have the lion share of the project because of its population and the number of out-of-school children.

He said that EU was not only concentrating its resources in Kano, but in Northwest, Northeast and other states in Nigeria.

The UNICEF education manager added that the EU was an all-weather partner for UNICEF and various states in ensuring that all children accessed quality education.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, in Kano state,  Umar Doguwa, commended the development partners for the gesture.

He restated the state government’s commitment to invest in education sector.

Breaking: President Tinubu Appoints Kemi Nandep As New Comptroller General Immigration

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Kemi Nandep

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the expiration of the tenure of Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju as the Comptroller General of Immigration on February 29th, 2024, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DCP Kemi Nanna Nandep as the New Boss of Immigration.

Her appointment will take effect from March 1, 2024, as the New Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Services, NIS.

Before her appointment as Comptroller-General, Nandap was the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of the Migration Directorate of the Service.

The President anticipates that the new Comptroller-General will deepen the ongoing reforms in the service and create a robust mechanism for efficient and dedicated service delivery to Nigerians, as well as strengthen the nation’s security through proactive and effective border security and migration management.

Akpabio Claims Widespread Protest Sponsored By Opposition, Mischief Makers 

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Senate President, Godswill  Akpabio, has accused the opposition and those he described as mischief makers of being responsible for the widespread protest against the Federal Government over the unprecedented hardship in the Country.

Nigerians in a number of States have, in the past couple of weeks taken to the streets in protest against the economic hardship. But in response, Akpabio said that the protests, far from being genuine grassroots movements are products of sponsorship by the opposition.

He accused opposition Parties  of funding the protest to further cripple the economy and turn the people against the Government.

Akpabio noted that the protesters may not fully grasp the efforts being undertaken by both the Senate and the Federal Government to alleviate these economic challenges.

He remarked, “You can see a lot of sponsored protests here and there, but those people are not aware—most of those sponsored protesters are not aware of the kind of efforts made by this Senate to tackle the situation together with the management team of the Federal Government.

“Unverified reports suggest that State Governments, in recent months, have received an additional N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), outside their regular allocations from the federation account, to assist them in addressing the food situation.

“So we believe that every state government should utilize the funds received to ensure that food is available.”

Akpabio emphasized that the National Assembly would not approve anything that does not ultimately benefit the citizens, affirming their commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.

Reacting to the statement of the former Akwa Ibom State Governor, netizens took to the Social Media to lash him for making such unsavoury comments.

Some accused him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, for inflicting pains on Nigerians.

They queried the ‘Renewed Hope’ Mantra, stressing that Nigerians are suffering and living in abject poverty and penury, whereas, the political class are living a life of luxury.

The netizens said that though there are protests in Oyo, Niger, Kano, and Sokoto, where citizens have taken to the streets to express their frustrations over the mounting economic hardships, the FG should be prepared as there is going to be another #EndSARS drama in Lagos if things are not addressed in earnest.

They threatened that Nigerians will soon take to the streets in Lagos which is the commercial hub of the nation and cripple all activities.

Breaking: Labour Party Chairman, Abure, Arrested Over Alleged Murder Threat, Embezzlement, Infractions

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Julius Abure - Arrested

By Akinwale Kasali

The National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure has been arrested by the operatives of the Edo State Police Command on  allegations of attempted murder, amongst other alleged infractions.

Abure’s arrest came following a petition by the LP Youth Leader, Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia.

The petition, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, dated February 13, partly reads, “I, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, write to you with utmost urgency and grave concern regarding a heinous act of violence perpetrated against me on the 29th of December 2023.

“I am a member and National Youth Leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria, and the events I am about to recount are of utmost importance for justice and the safety of individuals involved in political activities.

“On December 28, 2023, I flew into Benin City Airport around 2 p.m. as part of an official 5-member delegation authorised by the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Lamidi Basiru Apapa.

“Our mission was to organise Ward, LGA, and State Congresses in Edo State, as well as supervise the sale of nomination forms for various posts, as mandated by INEC guidelines, within the stipulated time frames.

“On arrival at the Benin Airport, I was received by one Mrs Mary Okheime Newberry, who falsely claimed to be providing transportation and accommodation on behalf of unnamed stakeholders.

“She proceeded to lodge us at the Smart Homes Hotel, unknown to us that she was plotting a sinister and gruesome ambush. The next morning, a man named Austin Emeka came to pick me and my colleague, Mr Patrick Anethua up from the hotel lobby, pretending to take us to a meeting venue.

“Instead, we were violently attacked just outside the hotel gates by a waiting mob.”

It would be recalled that the 36 States Chairmen of the Labour Party, LP, had queued behind Abure following calls for his resignation, having been indicted by the Party’s Treasurer, Oparah, who said the National Chairman should account for over three billion Naira of the Party’s money.

Akeredolu: Gov Aiyedatiwa Declares Public Holiday

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

To enable people of Ondo state bid late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu last respect.

Governor Lucky  Aiyedatiwa, has declared Thursday, and Friday,as public holidays in the State.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan said in a statement that the two days holiday is to honour of the former Governor of the State.

The body of the former governor arrives Akure the state capital on Wednesday for a special court session at the state high court complex, while the traditional rites take place in Owo.

There will be Lying in State and Commendation Service at Akure Township Stadium, while Evening of Tributes holds later in the day at Saint Andrews Church, Owo.

On Thursday, Service of Songs holds at St Andrews Cathedral, Imola Street,

Owo to be followed by Wake-Keep at his Owo residence.

There will be Candlelight Procession & World Gyration by the Kegites Club while funeral service holds on Friday, at St Andrews Church Owo with interment after church service.

The two work-free days will allow the people of the State to participate in the burial activities of the former Governor. The burial activities, which started last Thursday.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, political leaders and former appointees of the late Governor had for the past two days relocated to Ibadan, Oyo state to participate in other burial programmes which were held there.

Cement Price: FG Threatens Dangote, BUA

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Federal Government has threatened cement manufacturers in the country over the high cost of the product.
Manufacturers should reduce the price of cement failure which the federal government would be forced to open the nation’s borders for the importation of cement.
The minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa issued the threat on Tuesday during an emergency meeting with cement manufacturers in the country.
Biggest cement manufacturers in the country such as Dangote, BUA, Portland Cement sent representatives to the meeting held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The meeting comes on the heel of a similar one held by Dave Umahi, Minister of Works with cement manufacturers on Monday, where it was agreed to slash the price of 50kg bag of cement to between N7000 and N8000 from the price of N12000 per bag.
The manufacturers however gave some conditions to the federal government to reduce the current price, including the reduction in the cost of gas and fuel, repair of roads, amongst others.
Speaking yesterday, Dangiwa said the price of cement is too high in the country despite the fact that most raw materials used by manufacturers are sourced locally.
He said the manufacturers have no excuse to charge exorbitant price for the product, saying they have a choice to bring the price down or the government would be forced to import the product.
Reacting to manufacturers complaints of high cost of production, the minister said “The gas price you spoke of, we know that we produce gas in the country. The only thing you can say is that maybe it is not enough.
“Even if you say about 50 per cent of your production cost is spent on gas prices, we still produce gas in Nigeria. It’s just that some of the manufacturers take advantage of the situation. As for the mining equipment that you mentioned, you buy equipment and it takes years and you are still using it.
“It is safe to say we are all Nigerians and we are all facing the current head weight that is happening. I would like to speak on the popular belief that most of the raw materials to produce cement are available locally.
“While we have limestone and in some cases, we have gypsum and some cases coal, the reality is that it takes a lot of forex-related items to produce cement.”
Recall that BUA Chairman, Abdulsamad Rabiu had during a meeting with President Tinubu last year promised to slashed the price of 50kg bag of cement to N3,500.
He has failed to live up to his words as BUA cement currently sells for N12000 and above depending on the location in the country.

Gani Adams Backs Parliamentary Govt, Says It’s Solution To Structural Imbalances

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Foremost Yoruba Diaspora Organization,Yoruba One Voice (YOV)has expressed concern over the raging spate of insecurity in Yoruba land,saying the south west has become vulnerable to threats emanating from kidnapping and killings.

The organization made this known during the International Conference held at the weekend via zoom with 300 participants spreading across 5000 online platforms in all the six continents of the world.

In his remarks,the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland,Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams,who is the Grand Patron of the organization, said members of Yoruba One Voice across the world are worried about protracted cases of insecurity in the country, most especially, in Yorubaland with many, including three traditional rulers as victims of the growing scourge.

The Yoruba generalissimo stated further that the parliamentary system of government remains the best solution to solving the structural imbalances in the country.

He pointed out that the conference was a timely intervention to the various challenges in the country, adding that there is urgent need to get the country out of the woods.
L
“This conference is a wake up call to everybody that is involved in the management of our region.

“Issue of security is fundamental to the growth and development of every nation.However, we can not continue to pretend as if nothing is wrong.

“As far as I am concerned,I think there is need for another security conference to address the pressing demand for restructuring.The first security conference was the one that led to the establishment of Amotekun.And there is need to enhance the operation of Amotekun
as well as the security architecture of the south west.

“It could have been worse, but for the series of letters I wrote to the international communities and my interventions on the security in the south west have been worthwhile in the past few years.

“So,whatever problem we face today has to do with the structure of our government.I have been advocating restructuring as the
best solution to the structural imbalances of Nigeria.

“With the Parliamentary system of government,every region will be at liberty to address its political and socio- economic problem and the central will be vibrant.

“With regional government across the six geo- political zones, Nigeria will explore the beauty of our diversity;and there will be effective competitions and healthy rivalries among the various regions.

“Each region would develop at its own pace. The federating units will have their policing structure that will take care of the safety at the region.

The Guest lecturer,Prof.Olufemi Otubanjo,a professor of Political Science,University of Lagos spoke about the topic entitled:Yorubaland
bleeding on the scourge of types Kidnappers :”Proffering Solution to Security Threats”.

Otubanjo highlighted the need to be proactive in securing the south west, adding that there is need to identify the possible threats in our various environments.

The university don also described the seven types of threats, saying both Internal and external threats are existential to human nature.

He noted that it is reasonable to measure the various threats and the impact on the lives of the people.

“Threats are heterogeneous.Human beings are products of various social and environmental threats that are either internal or external, depending on our ability to identify those threats.

“As human beings,we are also liable to threats that are occasioned by many factors such as both human and environmental.

“Yorubaland is,no doubt bleeding, and the best we can do now is to be proactive by being conscious of the threats and also plan against those threats by looking at possible solution to combating the scourge of kidnappings across Yorubaland.

“We should evolve a mitigation strategy that can help in reducing the kidnapping scourge across the southwest

“Every society is responsible for the kind of threats it is experiencing.For instance,the prevailing security challenges across the country was as a result of our failed society.

“The kidnapping scourge in Yoruba does not occur in isolation.It is the bye-product of the Nigerian failed society and there is a need for urgent responses.

“There is need for community policing where people would be conscious of how to secure themselves as well as the people of their community.

While analyzing the economic history of Nigeria,Mr.Debo Adekoya went down the memory lane,giving a graphical representation of Nigeria’s economic situation since independence.He said former president Muhammdu Buhari left the country on May 29 2023 with an external debt of 47 billion dollars.

YOV General Secretary,Prince Adedokun Ademiluyi said the Yoruba organization will continue to pursue the ideology of a true,fair just society,where all Yoruba will be liberated.

“We will never relent in our efforts to seek good government across Yorubaland because that is the ideal of our organization.

Meanwhile,Iyalode Abike Ade urged the Federal Government to address the economic situation of the country, saying Nigerians abroad are feeling the heat,insisting that the current hardship in Nigeria has also dealt a deep blow on them with the economic situation of their families back home being affected.

She said the feeling abroad was that the safety of Nigerians cannot be guaranteed and the current hardship has affected the entire country.

“There is need for the Federal Government to look inwards and see how it can salvage the situation.Nigeria is going through alot of challenges.The security deficit is affecting us,as well as the poor economy and nobody is spared”.

 

Kano: Security Agencies, INEC, Party Leaders Meet Ahead Of Re-run Polls

By
The Source
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Alhaji Mohammad Husseini Gumel - Kano CP

By Daniel Maduka

Ahead of the conduct of the re-run of the Kunchi/ Tsanyawa State constituency  polls scheduled for March, 2024, the Kano State Police authorities have warned  against any acts of  thuggery and other activities capable of compromising the integrity of the electoral process by political party leaders  and their followers.

The Source reports that the country’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had, during the re-run polls of January 20, across the country, suspended the exercise in Kunchi/Tsayanwa owing to some manifest electoral misconducts by some suspected criminal elements .

The State Commissioner of Police CP,  Alhaji Muhammad Gumel who handed down the warning on Tuesday February 19 , during a meeting with leaders of political parties ,non governmental bodies and other relevant stakeholders, said the Police working in concert with other sister security agencies has made adequate security arrangements  ,before during and after the re run polls.

He appealed to the political leaders to control their followers as security agencies will not tolerate acts capable of disrupting the exercise ,and or  breach  the peace and security of the state.

This is just as the Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC Amb.Abdu Abdussamadu Zango,has assured of the readiness of INEC to conduct a hitch free and credible election.

According to him, all necessary arrangements have been put in place for the exercise, pledging that the electoral umpire will be fair and neutral to all parties involved in the exercise.

The Kano State Police Commissioner, at an interactive section with the media after the meeting with the party stalwarts ,informed that all heads of security outfits in the state had met with the REC ,to map out workable strategies for a  hitch free election.

“Today, we are here to discuss among our selves (Security Heads and Party Leaders) on the best way to conduct the re run.

“We agreed after deliberations with INEC REC and all the Heads of security outfits that the election is possible and will be peaceful.

“INEC has agreed to provide all necessary logistics including sensitive materials to conduct a free and fair  poll

“This is why we have invited leaders of the political parties , their candidates and other stakeholders to discuss with us ” CP Gumel stated

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