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Edo: I Am On Divine Assignment, Obaseki Can’t Stop Me, Says Shaibu On Gov Bid

January 3, 2024

Embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu says he has received divine backing in his quest to become the next governor of the state.
Shaibu who spoke on Channels Television disclosed that he has prayed and received God’s support on his quest to succeed incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki, his principal, who report said is backing another candidate for the top job.
Shaibu and Governor Obaseki were political allies until recently when they were torn apart by the former ‘s ambition.
The Deputy governor is banking on the support of his supporters to clinch the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, ticket for the November 2024 governorship election, though report says Shaibu is also planing to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC, if his quest to represent PDP in the make or mar election, failed to materialised.
As the battle for the govrnorship intensifies, Governor Obaseki also recently slashed the Budget to Shaibu ‘s office, a move described by many as a plot to further frustrate the deputy governor on his campaign.
Governor Obaseki, on his part said he nursed no evil against the governor, saying Shaibu ‘s office budget was cut because less state functions have been assigned to him this year to enable him pursue his governorship ambition.
He needs no huge funds to run his office, now that he’s concentrating on his ambition, Obaseki said to the allegation that he’s trying to muscle Shaibu financially.
According to Shaibu, nothing could stop him from achieving his quest to be governor including road blocks mounted on his path by Governor Obaseki.
He said he has a divine assignment to serve the people of the state who, he claimed have thrown there weight behind him. Those who believe in his ambition are also supporting him financially he said.

Shaibu said:“Yes, I want to be the next Governor of Edo State not because l am Philip Shaibu, it is my constitutional right. Before publicly declaring my interest to contest, l had consulted widely with many persons and groups within and outside Edo State. Moreover, l went into prayers to seek guidance and direction from God. The signs l received encouraged me to go ahead with my aspiration, though it was obvious the Governor had his own plans of supporting another person.

“It is not correct when they say l am over ambitious, no, that’s not true. You see, over the years, l have made lots of sacrifices to impact the lives of people. I have played active roles and proven commitment in supporting the former Governor, Oshiomhole, even the present one, Obaseki. So, I have a lot of goodwill and financial support from people and groups who know l have the capacity to be Governor and God is using all of them to fund the campaign and by God’s grace, l will be the next Governor of Edo State”.

The feud between Shaibu and Obaseki got to a chilling point last year after the Deputy Governor was locked out of his office on the order of Governor Obaseki, who in his response to the saga said his Deputy was over ambitious.

Minister Reveals Zack Orji Had Brain Surgery

Akinwale Kasali

January 3, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has disclosed that Veteran Actor, Zack Orji had a brain surgery on January 1, 2024, at the National Hospital in Abuja, the country’s Capital.

The Minister appealed to Nigerians to rally round the Actor for his impact on the creative industry over the years.

Musawa said Orji is a national asset, and expressed confidence in his swift recovery.

A statement by the Minister’s ’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Nneka Anibeze, said, “God will heal him and he will be well. We will do all we can to support him. We solicit the collective prayers of Nigerians because he is like a part of our families. We have watched him entertain us and we see him as a national treasure. So the best we can do is to ensure that we support him to have the best treatment.

“ We will reach out to other well-meaning Nigerians to support Zack Orji through prayers and other means available to ensure that he survives this ailment.

“This is not only about the ministry which I am representing. You know that Zack Orji has been in the industry for decades. This is a man who has given his time and effort to entertain Nigerians.

“He is one of the individuals who laid the foundation for Nollywood and the film industry in Nigeria but now he is sick and the least we can do as an administration is to give him all the necessary support through prayers and otherwise to ensure that we save his life.

“This will also propel the administration to look at the welfare of artists and others in the industry who have not only given their time and energy but people like Zack Orji who have become national treasures”.

It would be recalled that Oluremi Tinubu and Nana Shettima, Wives of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President, Kashim Shettima had visited Orji at the National Hospital in Abuja, to wish him quick recovery.

It would be recalled that last Friday, the Actor slumped in the bathroom leading him to go into a coma. He was, thereafter, rushed to the hospital.

The Actor was born in 1960 in Libreville, Gabon.

He grew up in Cameroon, Benin and Togo where he learnt how to speak both English and French fluently.

He is an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

An actor, director, producer and filmmaker, he is known for his role in Nollywood movies Glamour Girls, and Blood Money.

His first movie was in 1991 and was entitled Unforgiven Sin.

In an interview with Nollywood Post, Orji shared how he got the lead role in the movie without auditioning.

Since then, he has starred in different movies and is now a Nollywood legend.

He is also a singer and preacher of God’s word since he found Christ.

He is married to Ngozi Orji and they have three children.

In 2000, Zack Orji made his directorial debut with the movie titled WEB starring himself and Ghanaian actress, Kalsoume Sinare.

The movie won best collaborative film in the Ghana awards of 2001.

NECA Laments, Says Economy Will Remain Bleak For Months, Blames Buhari For Unfulfilled Promises

Akinwale Kasali

January 3, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The possibility of the nation’s economy witnessing any growth looks bleak following the analysis of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA. It has warned that there will not be any significant growth in the nation’s economic outlook in the next six months.

The Group said the economy will remain bleak if the Federal Government does not take a pragmatic implementation by initiating various reforms that will make the nation witness significant growth economically.

NECA is the umbrella body for employers in the country.

Adewale Smart-Oyerinde, the Director General of NECA, described 2023 as most challenging for businesses. He said this was compounded by the petrol subsidy removal and harmonization of the foreign exchange.

According to him, “2023 was a year in which we had significant economic challenges that created different dynamics for organised businesses.

“While trying to surmount the obstacles that COVID threw in our ways, other challenges that we created for ourselves as a people continued to dig us deeper into the hole.

“It is now stale news to say tax remains top of the issue that organised businesses faced. Policy inconsistency from 2022 up to the early part of 2023 was also a serious challenge that organised businesses faced.”

Smart-Oyerinde lamented that the last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari made a lot of promises that were unfulfilled, adding that the rate of reversal of those policies made it very difficult for organised businesses to plan.

“Similarly, regulatory and legislative incursion and harassment negated all the attempts at improving the ease of doing business.

“These were the things that we faced in the early part of 2023.”

He however noted that after the general elections, “The new government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came up and removed fuel subsidy which naturally increased the cost of doing business and living. Just as energy cost skyrocketed, the cost for logistics also skyrocketed.

“The harmonisation of the exchange rate also came with its own dynamics.

“The value of naira plummeted significantly and we are still trying to find a balance. Forex, which remains scarce, also had serious effects on the cost of doing business for organised businesses, especially those compelled to import inputs.

“All of these things created problems for organised businesses.

“Though some have said the government is only seven-month-old and it has started on a good trajectory by trying to reverse the pattern of recklessness that we witnessed in the past, we hope that the effect of those policies will start coming to fruition as quickly as possible this New Near.

“We know that the last administration supported the naira with over N150 billion on a monthly basis for us to have a seemingly workable naira exchange rate.

“This government has stopped that pattern. It also stopped the pattern of fuel subsidy that had become a deep hole in the country’s pulse while aligning the fiscal and monetary policy environment.

“This is a positive for us. We are hoping that the foundation that they have set will create an opportunity for the economy to start booming before the end of 2024, so that the pattern of businesses exiting the country and high rate of employment will reduce significantly.

“For us, 2023 was a challenging year and we hope that the steps taken by this administration will yield positive results this 2024.”

On the economic outlook for this year, the NECA’s Director-General said “The first and second quarters might not be called definitive quarters for us.

“Probably, the end of second quarter to the end of year might be more friendly.

For instance, there was a report that the dollar inflow to the country has increased by about four per cent.

“We also know that the Taiwo Oyedele Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Monetary Reforms will round off its work between the first and second quarters of 2024 with the expectations that the implementation of far-reaching recommendations of that committee will start coming up to make the tax environment much more friendly and make tax collection much more efficient as well as reduce the burden of multiplicity of taxes on organised businesses.

“If that is done, it would create a bit of dynamics within the context of multiplicity of taxes – both legal and illegal – that organised businesses are paying.

Speaking about the Refineries, Smart-Oyerinde stated that, “ As reported, we know that the Port Harcourt refinery has come on board, Dangote refinery has received the third tranche of millions of barrels of crude oil.

“The expectation is that, by the reason of both refineries coming on board and one or two modular refineries, the pressure on Forex will reduce.

“ The Forex that is used in the importation of petrol might be saved resulting in an increase in the volume of Forex that we have in the country, which could also have an effect on the value of the naira.

“In the long run, it is all about demand and supply because if there is shortage of dollars and huge naira chasing a few dollars, naturally demand and supply says if demand is more than supply, then the price will go up.

“If supply is more than demand, the price will come down. It is simple economics.

“The price of crude has also increased significantly. This will change the game for government as more revenue will come in.

“We also know that a lot of reforms and private sector engagement are going on in most of those agencies.

“If we aggregate all these signals, we might want to say we are getting a semblance of positive vibes. If all these things are implemented conscientiously with a high level of citizen engagement and consensus, there are chances that 2024 will be better than 2023.

“ However, it is neither here nor there. But one thing is for us to see these conjectures, patterns and postulate that this is what might happen.

“The context of implementation of those things can change whether those will turn to positives or not.

“We believe that with continuous engagement and advocacy by the private sector, 2024 will be a foundational year for the prosperity and economic growth that we are all anticipating.”

NANS Urges FG To Sanction Institutions Offering Unaccredited Courses

Akinwale Kasali

January 3, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of certification from Universities in Togo and Benin Republic, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has urged Federal Government to sanction various Institutions offering unaccredited Courses in the country.

NANS stressed that if the measures taken over the suspended West African countries’ institutions is also taken against home-based institutions running unaccredited courses, then the nation’s educational system will witness astronomic development.

In a statement signed by factional National Senate President, Elvis Ekundina, on Wednesday, NANS commended the Federal Government over the suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates obtained from institutions in Benin Republic and Togo.

However, the students body called on the Government “to extend its sanction to tertiary institutions operating in Nigeria who are offering courses without accreditation from relevant authorities.”

NANS described as outrageous, the utilisation of deceptive methods by some Nigerians to acquire degrees from Benin Republic and Togo, aimed at securing job opportunities for which they lack qualifications.

The association charged the Federal Government “to commence investigation into the activities of the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other agencies fingered in the fraudulent activities of obtaining degree certificates from foreign universities.“

The statement read, “While we commend the Federal Government for its quick decision to suspend the accreditation of degree certificates obtained from institutions in Benin Republic and Togo, it is, however, important for the government to take further steps into investigating the activities of relevant agencies fingered in the fraudulent activities.

“This is the only way the Federal government can save its face and restore the battered image of the country.

“We also want to use this opportunity to call on the government to beam its searchlight into the activities of tertiary institutions, especially privately owned ones, that are running unaccredited courses.

“These institutions, in their fraudulent act, are destroying our education sector and swindling innocent young Nigerians of their money by offering them unaccredited courses.

“NANS describes these universities and polytechnics offering unaccredited courses as illegal institutions as we want the government to deal with them appropriately.”

Ekundina called on the Federal Government to collaborate with NANS and other student bodies to rid the country of illegal tertiary learning institutions towards repositioning the nation’s education sector.

Kano: My SSG Is Sick, Not Sacked- Gov Yusuf

James Orji

January 3, 2024

Kano State govrnor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has denied sacking Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG. The governor described the report as a “useless” talk without any iota of truth.
The state’s helmsman was reported to have sacked Bichi last year, after appointing the state’s Head of Service, as acting SThe governor and the SSG were also said to have exchange blows due to some political disagreement.
Governor Yusuf who was sacked last year from office by the Court of Appeal, and has now appealed to the Supreme Court, described the reports of the alleged feud with his SSG, as the product from the rumour mill without any proof.
According to him, what happened is that the SSG has been “sick” and since the position cannot be vacant due to its importance, somebody had to be appointed in acting capacity pending Bichi recuperation.
He said, “I overheard some useless persons speaking with full authority on the local radio programme that there was an exchange of deadly blows between myself and the SSG.

“You know, some people who are jobless see politics as their source of living, and they always try to create rumours to create unnecessary tension, but this time they have failed woefully.”
“Because we have appointed the State Head of Service as acting SSG, that does not mean we sacked Bichi; we cannot allow the position to be vacant because of its sensitive nature.” On December 21, the Supreme Court reserved the judgement after hearing the appeal brought by Governor Yusuf, against the Court of Appeal judgment which had earlier declared Nasir Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner of last year’s governorship election.

Full List Of Foreign Universities Delisted By FG Over Fake Degrees

The Source

January 3, 2024

By Gideon Njoku

On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, the Federal Government, made public the list of 18 foreign Universities in Nigeria it has suspended from evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates.

The Universities, all from the Republic of Benin and Togo were suspended following a scandal which erupted over a number of fake University degrees awarded by them.

The Government, in a statement from the Ministry of Education, also, warned Nigerians to avoid patronising the institutions.

The decision followed an undercover investigation by a Nigerian newspaper, which unravelled the scandalous activity of a University in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The investigative reporter was awarded a degree from the Cotonou University within six weeks. Worse, he was cleared, and participated in the National Youth Service Corps even though he had participated in the programme in 2018.

Following, the list of the Universities suspended by the National Universities Commission, NUC.

University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
West African Christian University is operating anywhere in Nigeria.
EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.
Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.
Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.

Ondo PDP, NEC Issue Counter Orders On State Chairman Suspension

Ayodele Oni

January 3, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo state Working Committee, (SWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and party’s National Working Committee, (NWC) seem divided over the fate of Fatai Adams, state chairman of the party.

Some nine members of the SWC out of eleven, had earlier on Tuesday ratified the suspension of Adams, citing anti party activities, an action the NEC described as null and void.

Reacting to the position of the NEC in a statement signed by the national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the Ondo state chapter insisted that its chairman remains suspended.

In a statement, signed by the state publicity secretary of the PDP, Kenedy Peretei, noted that “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter is embarrassed by the Statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of our great party Hon. Debo Ologunagba whose opinion about developments in the party in Ondo State is contrary to PDP Constitution as amended.

“For the record, all levels of the party have powers to discipline erring members of their Executive, whether at the Ward, Local Government, State or Zonal levels.

“The State Chairman, Fatai Adams is a member of the State Working Committee and can therefore be sanctioned in the face of his activities with flagrant disregard for SWC decisions. To this end, the suspension of Fatai Adams stays.

“Unfortunately, Hon Ologunagba who is from Ondo State appears not to have up to date information about the party in Ondo State. If he did, he would have been the last person to issue such a misleading statement.

“Nine out of the Eleven State Working Committee (SWC) members signed the suspension letter. That alone is a confirmation that Fatai Adams has overstayed his usefulness as State Chairman.

“Finally, we wish to re-iterate that, by the provisions of our Constitution, every level of the party can discipline any officer of the party at that level. Therefore, Ologunagba’s personal opinion should not be misconstrued as the provisions of our Constitution.”

Ondo PDP Chairman Suspension: NEC Says It’s Null And Void

Ayodele Oni

January 2, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The National Working Committee, (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has reacted to the suspension of the Ondo state chairman of the party, Fatai Adams dismissing it as “non and void and of no effect.”

Adams was on Tuesday suspended by the party’s executives in the state over alleged anti-party activities.

Adams himself in a reaction laugh over the matter saying it was all politics.

The NWC in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated that “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported suspension of the Chairman of the Ondo State Chapter of our Party, Mr. Fatai Adams.

“The NWC declares the said suspension as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down Rules.

“For emphasis, no State Working Committee has the power whatsoever to contemplate or suspend a State Chairman without due recourse to the National Working Committee as provided by the Constitution of PDP.

“The PDP is an organized political Party governed by strict adherence to the provisions of its Constitution and Rules and will not allow any individual or group at any level to violate its Constitution and Rules.

“The NWC cautions those involved in this illegal act in defiance of the PDP Constitution to retrace their steps as the NWC will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary or punitive actions to preserve the stability of our Party and the sanctity of our Constitution and Rules.

“The NWC states that Mr. Fatai Adams remains the Chairman of the Ondo State Chapter of the PDP and charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our Party in Ondo State and the nation to disregard the purported suspension.

“The NWC enjoins all Party members in Ondo State to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of our Party and the people.

In his reaction, the embattled Chairman of PDP in Ondo State, Fatai Adams declared his purported suspension plot as politically motivated and unfounded.

Adams described the purported suspension by some of the State Executive Council members of the party as illegal and unfounded

He emphasized that it was a plot to remove him so that they can hatch their plans for the Akoko North East/North East Federal Constituency Bye election.

While stating that he remains the chairman of the party in the State, he maintained that the party will not be taken over by unscrupulous elements who are out there to destroy the democratic values which the party is known for.

Japa Syndrome: Ondo Set To Fill Existing Vacancies

Ayodele Oni

January 2, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

As the Japa Syndrome takes toll on Ondo State health sector, Government has promised to recruit more workers to fill existing vacancies.

The State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who on Tuesday joined the annual prayer organized by the Civil Servants in the state to herald the new working year, also promised to pay all outstanding entitlements of workers.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan stated that Aiyedatiwa assured that despite lean resources of the state, the administration would ensure the recruitment of health workers.

The Governor thanked Public Servants in the State for their cooperation and also the labour unions for their support for Government, promising that priority will be given to the welfare of the workers in the State.

Aiyedatiwa also assured prompt payment of salaries, promotion, regular elevation, payment of inherited salary arrears, training and retraining, provision of working tools among other things that will engender an efficient 21st century Civil Service.

“We will forge ahead with the approval already given for the recruitment of health workers as a way of strengthening the health sector, while filling of vacancies will be done on regular basis as need arises.”

The Governor urged civil servants to face their work diligently and shun partisan politics as the people of the State prepare for another governorship election, adding that politicians should also desist from treating the election as a do or die affairs.

“This is an election year; let everyone knows that the peace of the State is not negotiable and election is not a do or die affair.”

The governor assured the administration’s readiness to open up the State for investors to come and invest their resources for the progress of the State.

The Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, commended the Governor for the continuous support in all areas pertaining to issues affecting public servants in the State.

The HoS unequivocally passed a vote of confidence on Governor Aiyedatiwa as being worker-friendly especially in the areas of regular promotion with financial benefits, equitable distribution of palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, payment of 35,000 wage award, presentation of SUV cars to 30 Permanent Secretaries and other welfare packages aimed at enhancing efficiency.

Ondo PDP Suspends Chairman, Fatai Adams

Ayodele Oni

January 2, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The State Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has suspended the Party’s Chairman, Fatai Adams.

In a letter of suspension released on Tuesday, and signed by nine members, the SWC explained that Adams was suspended for allegations ranging from anti party activities.

Although, Adams has not been linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, the party said recently that some of the members of the PDP would soon join its rank.

A letter suspending Adams reads “Pursuant to section 58(1b. c, f. h. and i) of the PDP Constitution as amended in 2017, the State Working Committee has approved the suspension of the State Chairman, Mr. Fatai Adams, for anti party activities and for engaging in activities likely to bring the party to disrepute.

“He is accordingly advised to appear before the State Disciplinary Committee of the party for further interrogations within the next one week.

“The party wishes to state emphatically that it will deal decisively with any incursion by the ruling party, the APC, into its ranks.”

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