Don’t Pick Atiku, Northern Candidates For 2027 Presidential- George Warns PDP

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December 12, 2023

Chief Bode George, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has warned the party not to field a northern candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The opposition party, he said, must pick a candidate from the south for it to win the next Presidential election.

Recall that George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP had opposed the party’s decision to chose Atiku Abubakar, a northern candidate for the 2023 presidential election, arguing that a southerner must succeed then President Muhammadu Buhari.

The party eventually lost the election to Bola Tinubu, a southerner and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Speaking yesterday after receiving award from the National coordinator of the mobilisation committee in the party, the PDP chieftain said the principle of power sharing in the PDP constitution, must be followed, adding that the founding fathers of the party had a reason for their action.

The delegation of the party led by Iteh Ubon had paid a visit to George to solicit his support for the next Presidential election.

Chief George said the party has the chance to return to the Nigerian Presidency if its members are united.

The PDP chieftain said, “it is our determination to ensure that the PDP returns to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on May 29, 2027. But, we can only go back to Aso Rock if we are united, not divided.

‘’So, I don’t really understand the rhetorics in some quarters these days that a member of the party from the North is strategizing or plotting to return as the presidential candidate of our party in 2027.’’

Meanwhile, keen watchers of the party insist that so long Abubakar Atiku, the PDP candidate in the last presidential election decides to run in 2027, the party will remain polarised.

The former vice President recently said he’s not tired to run for the highest office in the country.

Ondo: Akeredolu’s Son Rejects “Doctrine Of Necessity”

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Ayodele Oni

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December 12, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State House of Assembly is set to proclaim the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as Acting Governor.

This follows a second round of meeting convened by President Bola Tinubu Monday night with political actors in the State.

The State House of Assembly, according to report, has been advised to empower the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to be Acting Governor of the State in the absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

According to a source at the meeting, the Assembly is directed to adopt “Doctrine of Necessity” in making Aiyedatiwa the Acting Governor.

The Assembly is still waiting for the return of the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji from the Abuja meeting before reconveying to decide on the option before the House.

However, another report says some close aides, especially, the Governor’s son, Babajide, are putting pressure to ensure that Governor Akeredolu is allowed to transmit a letter to the Assembly to empower Aiyedatiwa as the Acting Governor rather than the doctrine of necessity.

Mr Kolawole Johnson, spokesman for Acts For Positive Transformation Initiatives, one of the groups which have been canvassing for strict adherence to the constitution on the crisis, wrote “The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, intervened, once again, in the current political impasse in Ondo State and spoke decisively on the part of the provision of the law by ordering the immediate emergence of the Deputy Governor as the Acting Governor.

“We note that the transfer of power to the deputy governor in an acting capacity pending the return of the governor to his duty post is the constitutional and right thing to do.

“However, the point of disagreement here is the President’s acceptance of Babajide Akeredolu’s plea for a letter from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu transmitting power to his deputy, in place of the Doctrine of Necessity earlier directed.

“The President is aware that our organisation is already working with relevant agencies on the criminal allegation of large-scale forgery of Governor Akeredolu’s signature on account of his unfortunate ill health at the moment.

“The danger looming is that if a forged signature is allowed as the premise for transmission of power to Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, it will be difficult to reject the same forged signature on other documents that are currently in our possession and many more in different government agencies across the state.

“There can not be a rejection of the signature in some instances and acceptance of the same in other instances.

“We, however, do know that the President is fully in the know of Governor Akeredolu’s state of health at the moment, his level of lucidity, and his likely inability to sign any letter.

“It’s our concern that any attempt to accept a forged letter to the House of Assembly which will transfer power to the deputy governor in an acting capacity will confer some sort of legitimacy on the forgery already perpetrated.

“This will make it difficult for the forgers to face the full wrath of the law in the fullness of time as we are determined to bring perpetrators to face the law.

“In this circumstance, we suggest an electronic signature be used in place, or a law enforcement officer be sent alongside the Governor’s son to sign the letter in full glare of the camera.

“We advise that the right thing be done in making the deputy governor the acting governor while we pray for the full recuperation of the governor.”

Rivers: Clock Ticks For Wike To Join APC

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James Orji

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December 12, 2023

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Following the defection of 27 lawmakers in the Rivers state House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, clock is ticking for Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to defect from the PDP.

The State lawmakers led by the Speaker dumped their party for the PDP yesterday, in what some analysts described as setting the tone for Wike, a former governor of the state to join the ruling party.

Wike and his successor, Governor Simi Fubara are currently embroiled in a battle for the soul of the state. Fubara and Wike were political allies, but have now parted ways due to irreconcilable differences.

Last month, Governor Fubara foiled an attempt by those believed to be Wike supporters in the Assembly to impeach him.

The governor said he has not committed any impeachable offence,vowing to defend his mandate.

On his part,Wike has described Fubara’s plan to diminish him politically intolerable, after riding on his back to the state government House.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and political elders from the state have tried unsuccessfully to reconcile the warring parties.

With Wike’s plan to defect to APC, sources in the state and Abuja informed the magazine that no going back in the ultimate showdown between the former governor and his successor who has also vowed not to back down.

“Wike will defect anytime from now. The governor, from all indications does not support reconciliation. If he does, he knows how to bring everybody together. But he seems to have made up his mind not to discuss with anybody. What do you expect the former governor to do. What his legacies destroyed, and his supporters eliminated politically by an ungrateful successor? a close ally of Wike said today.

The source made the statement as the magazine learned from competent sources in Abuja that the former Rivers governor is expected to join the APC before the end of the year.

A pointer to this assertion came yesterday when Tony Okocha, the Rivers state APC Caretaker Chairman appealed to him to join the party.

Okocha spoke on Monday at a press conference in Port Harcour, the state capital.

He called on Wike to join the party to ” assist it” make an impact in the state, adding that the former governor is not likely to remain in PDP till 2027 with the way things are in the party.

Okocha said, “The best thing we are asking him to do is to come and join the APC because it is the government in power.”

The APC Caretaker Chairman, a close ally of the FCT Minister was recently appointed into the position by the National Secretariat in Abuja.

Not a few insist that his promotion is aimed at preparing the ground for Wike to join the APC.

Meanwhile, those watching the state insist that the last has not been heard of the impeachment plot against Governor Fubara. Whether the governor would fall remains a matter of conjecture, as those close close to him say he’s also “gathering his troops” to thwart Wike’s plan to remove him from office.

FG Mulls Increasing 2024 Budget From N27.5trn

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James Orji

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December 12, 2023

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Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy has disclosed that the Federal Government may increase this year budget.

Edun disclosed this while addressing a joint sitting of the National Assembly Committee on Finance on Monday.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on December 1 presented, to the National Assembly, the 2024 financial estimate totalling N27.5 trillion.

The estimate has passed first and second reading in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Speaking yesterday, the minister hinted that the Tinubu-led administration is considering increasing the budget if revenue improves.

According to him, the revenue accruing to the federal government has increased since President Tinubu came into office in May this year.

Edun said, “The revenue performance was encouraging, here we see that the revenue profile is encouraging.

“It is expected that it will continue to be encouraging. There is a fiscal policy and tax reform committee which is already at work.

“It is meant to provide fundamental changes together with digitalisation and greater efficiency in collection because it is revenue to debt that can give us the opportunity to even increase this budget.

“If we have a solid revenue performance, we will be coming back, and I am sure Mr President will authorise the process to return to the National Assembly to appropriate extra revenue. That is a situation we are all looking forward to.”

Edun said the federal government was already looking at how to speed up the procurement process in order to increase capital spending in the 2024 budget.

He said, “When we look at the actual budget performance, expenditure as of the third quarter of the year, which is September, was 32 per cent below the budget estimate.

“Revenue was five per cent up, the revenue performance is quite encouraging because of a change in exchange rate, a depreciation of the currency and the fact we have foreign debt of about $46 billion outstanding.

“This means that debt service was up by 18 per cent, capital expenditure performed below budget quite significantly.

“We are looking at the issue of procurement process and ways to speed up capital spending.

“In terms of overall balance of the budget, the fiscal deficit is expected to come down from N13.7 trillion to N9.2 trillion.

“Importantly, the deficit, the amount of the budget to be funded by borrowing, is down from 6.1 per cent to 3.9 per cent. That is, the percent of GDP and Capital expenditure remains at 32 per cent, so that is the whole structure of the budget.

“In the meantime, the efforts in tax side, to tax revenue as a percentage of GDP from its relatively low figure of under 10 per cent, is doubling now within two or three years to 18 per cent.”

Chairman of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, said Nigeria was currently in a delicate situation, economically.

Musa, however, said the Tinubu administration was doing everything possible to change the narrative.

Musa said, “Nigeria today has found itself in a delicate situation, the high rate of unemployment and you know this is transition period.

“It is a new government, so we must give Nigerians the right budget. What is the right budget? We must look at our revenue projections, we must look at our performances, and then look at what we are committing to by the time this budget is passed.

“We want to make sure that before we even pass the budget we have really checked it, where to dot and cross it, we do it and at the end of the day, we will have a budget that is at least what is expected to do.

“We need a budget that will renew the hope of this country and that is why Mr President tagged it the renewed Hope Budget,” the minister stated.

Anambra: Gunmen Invade Night Club, Behead Security Personnel, Many Gruesomely Killed

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The Source

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December 12, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

A Night Club in Oba, Anambra State, identified as Porsche, came under heavy attack by gunmen Sunday night.

The gunmen were on a deadly mission to kidnap the owner of the popular Night Club.

However, they met a stiff resistance from a number of security guards at the Night Club.

That infuriated the gunmen, and they embarked on an indiscriminate shooting and massacre spree.

In the process, a number of clubbers were gruesomely mowed down. The number of the dead was put at seven. It was a gory scene to watch. Blood was like water. Many were hit by bullets, and are hospitalised.

A Security Guard at the Night Club who was in the forefront of the resistance to kidnap the owner, was gruesomely murdered. He was beheaded. Another had his two legs cut off. A couple of others were massacred.

Unconfirmed reports say the owner of the Club was eventually abducted, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

The Anambra State Police Command has not yet issued a statement on the tragic incident.

Imo’s 65th Birthday Gift To Uzodimma

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The Source

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December 12, 2023

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By Oguwike Nwachuku

Exactly 65 years today, our amiable Governor, Hope Odidika Uzodimma; Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Chairman, South East Governors’ Forum (SEGF) was born. December 12, 1958, to be precise, he was ushered into the waiting hands of the humble, but royal family of Igwe Michael and Ezinne Rose Uzodimma, in Ozuh Omuma, in today’s Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.

What a great honour, therefore, to be among those celebrating one of Imo’s most courageous and compassionate leaders. Also, what a great opportunity to thank God for His abundant grace upon Hope, which has sustained him in a country like Nigeria, where life expectancy is more or less a gamble.

As expected, goodwill messages from family, friends, associates, well-wishers, et al, both within and outside the country, are competing for space on the Governor’s communication gadgets because of the peculiarity of his birthday this year.

One is almost certain he may not be done reading the messages one week after the birthday.

Sixty-five years means a lot in the life of an individual.

Different appellations have also been ascribed to the number. One says: “65 is a reminder that with hard work, dedication and determination, anything is possible. The number encourages us to take risks at our own pace. We must keep an open mind when it comes to achieving our life goals.”

Another says: “The Angel Number 65 is associated with spiritual awakening and enlightenment. So, when it comes to careers, it can indicate that you are on the right path towards fulfilling your purpose. This number could also signify that you are being guided towards a career that aligns with your spiritual values.”

Something, obviously, is peculiar about Uzodimma’s birthday this year. The people of Imo appreciate the good work he has been doing since he came on board and are proud to identify with his sterling performance. No wonder they voted massively for his reelection recently and unanimously agreed that he should continue to govern them beyond January 15, 2024, when his first tenure in office expires.

Putting it more succinctly, re-electing the Governor is a unique, rare birthday gift that is worth the pomp and circumstance from all of us.

This time last year, yours sincerely reminded us that we shall be here this year to appreciate God in a special way for an incredibly good man, whose 2023 birthday would coincide with his reelection victory. While I lay no claim to being a prophet, on this, there is no contradiction.

Barely three years and 10 months now, Saturday, January 15, 2020 to be precise, when the Senator that was representing Imo West mounted the saddle as Governor of Imo, there was no indication the public was ready to allow him prove his mettle. The sincere message of hope he brought to Imo people on assumption of office fell on deaf ears and got drowned in the cacophony of hate speeches and fake news.

Mind you, Uzodimma’s brief swearing-in was marked by fanfare. The expectation was also huge. But almost immediately, the fanfare and excitement were displaced. Deep-seated, orchestrated hatred and sponsored negative publications in the mainstream and social media took over. Invented, contrived insecurity and other abominable tendencies that hitherto were alien to our dear Imo were incredibly served the state.

Uzodimma’s crime: he won election via judicial pronouncement, something not exclusive to him in Nigerian politics. The Supreme Court ruling on January 14, 2020 indicating that Emeka Ihedioha usurped the office of Imo Governor and, ab initio, did not win the election in 2019, was given different interpretations by seen and unseen forces. For months and even years unending, those forces became the chief tormentors of the state, opposing and sponsoring all kinds of things in Imo against Uzodimma. They deployed overt and covert attacks and criticisms via blackmail, slander, propaganda, fake news, hate speeches and other inexplicable negative conversations, in and outside Imo, against his administration. All attempts to let the people rethink what those who lost power and were determined to undermine the relatively young government of Uzodimma had told them fell on deaf, symphonic rhythmic ears.

The single, most important line was: Bring Hope Uzodimma down willy-nilly; don’t give him any breather or the opportunity to succeed in the assignment God assigned to him. Did they care what happens to the generality of Imo people? How could they when they vowed to make the state ungovernable for Uzodimma?

By hook or crook, they entered into unholy alliance with purveyors of fake news and hate speech, who made the social media, in particular, their dwelling place, ravaging Imo with all manner of tools available to them and inventing tales they knew were unfounded and outright falsehood.

Again, their next target: Crouch Uzodimma to submission and make him unelectable for a second term in office, and prove that the apex court was wrong in its January 14, 2020 judgement.

Unfortunately for them, the Apex Court on December 5, 2023 affirmed for the third time its ruling that Uzodimma won the Imo governorship election in 2019. In their ruling on another application by Ihedioha’s PDP that Certificate of Return be retrieved from Uzodimma and given to him, the Supreme Court described the prayer as lacking in merit, unnecessary, vexatious, strange, frivolous, unwarranted, and designed to mock the Apex Court. It proceeded to mete N40million as sanction to the appellants for their indiscretion.

Uzodimma has an unusual attribute: dose of courage from God. With that, he leaves no one in doubt that his government is headed for a historic, divine direction, regardless of the distractions. If anything, the physical, psychological and spiritual afflictions remind Uzodimma that there is no alternative to fixing his eyes on the ball. And he does.

We have reiterated time and again that Uzodimma got no hand-over note on assumption of duty. He had no money to run government affairs. He inherited a disoriented civil service, all round broken down infrastructure, impassible city and rural roads, backlog of unpaid pension arrears, among others. In fact, there was no living Imo, practically speaking, but a hackneyed entity at the corridor of the morgue desperately looking for revival.

When the first test of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) crept into Nigeria, and found its way into Imo like it did in other states, Uzodimma was undaunted, focused and emerged from the situation stronger with the strategy he deployed in dealing with the pandemic.

On the second litmus test: the #EndSARS# protests with its attendant destructions nationwide, God, the Architect of the Universe and the Compass driver of the ship of Imo, showed Uzodimma the way to follow. He did and, amazingly, was able to convert the protesting youths to his friends such that today, his government has assiduously pulled the youths out of the streets with the Skill-Up Imo project.

Steadily, work went on across the state on critical roads and things began to take different shape in Imo. The junction renewal project, the balloon technology-driven approach to solving the perennial flood in Owerri metropolis, the Otamiri water scheme, free transportation for civil servants, official vehicles for judges and permanent secretaries, automation process for seamless payment of workers’ salary, recovery of Adapalm, among others, became the early interventions of the Uzodimma administration that tested his message of hope.

By now, Uzodimma’s natural intelligence, wisdom, strategic thinking mien and commitment to public good have begun to manifest in Imo. It did not take long before some came to terms with the reality that is Uzodimma’s government, anchored on the 3R mantra of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery.

We also knew that his government was not just ordained by God, but a purposeful one, devoid of deceit, corruption, recklessness, fraud and arbitrariness.

His is a people-oriented government committed to serving the public sincerely, regardless of what his traducers may think. As a licensed driver, Uzodimma was fully prepared to pilot the affairs of Imo.

Expectedly, the same public that hitherto imbibed junk reports on Uzodimma gradually began to reject such unjustified tales his rabid critics tried to hang on his neck. They began to see through his political journey and career, his hard-work, handiwork, dedication, determination, openness and love for state, God and humanity. They came to the conclusion that Uzodimma could as well be that rejected stone that has become the chief cornerstone.

Now, accustomed to the trajectory the Uzodimma government is headed, including his already great deeds in Imo, the public had no choice than to reciprocate his love for them.

On May 7, 2022, the Sun Publishing opened the floodgate of recognitions that later became synonymous with the Governor and indicates he is on the right track of good governance index. The newspaper honoured him with its Governor of the Year (2021) award.

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, in the letter to Uzodimma, said: “We note that as governor, you are silently working to make the State better. Although your achievements seem to be drowned by security challenges, they are there for those who are unbiased to see.

“Within the short period of being in office, you have given Imo indigenes many reasons to be happy. You are recovering from previous State actors, private property acquired with State resources. You have also recovered lands illegally taken from hapless citizens by previous State actors and given them back to the original owners.

“At a time public utilities are in decay across the country, Uzodimma is restoring hope by rehabilitating roads and other infrastructure. For the first time in decades, public taps are dispensing water in some parts of Owerri….”

Ukeh also listed the secondary and tertiary educational institutions Uzodimma’s government built/remodeled across the State.

Too many laudable projects had long been commissioned in Imo since the Sun’s Award. They include: the Owerri-Orlu, Owerri-Okigwe dual carriageways, the MCC-Road Safety (Egbu) road, the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport to Owerri-Aba road, among others. Work is progressing speedily on the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road, the MCC-Toronto-Ekemegbuoha market road, the dredging of the Oguta Lake/Urashi River up to the Atlantic Ocean, among others.

The Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri has replaced the former Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, the Alvan Ikokwu Federal University of Education has replaced the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, the Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Ogboko, is now in the kitty as the third Imo State-owned University, competing favourably with other universities in Nigeria, there is a new Polytechnic at Omumma, and a remodeled and rebranded University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo to make it a cutting-edge institution.

Lest I forget, are the imposing brand new Imo State House of Assembly Complex, the General Hospitals at Omuma, Egbema and Oguta respectively equipped with cutting edge technology, et al. No sector has been left unattended to by Uzodimma.

Against all permutations, Uzodimma has proven the naysayers wrong with his superlative performance, just four years in office, despite the invention of insecurity by his opponents to undermine his government.

Imo people have come to appreciate his leadership qualities that have been lacking in the State for years. They have come to love his passion for service. Suffice to say that now, they have known the truth which Uzodimma’s opponents never wanted them to know and that truth has set them free from the bondage of the few.

Part of that truth is the sanity Uzodimma is working hard to inject into Imo politics with the Charter of Equity. Before now, Imo people had had their fair share of leaders, who concentrated their energy on amassing the people’s common patrimony and using same to dehumanise them.

They have learnt from Uzodimma that politics of avarice, rabid materialism and waste has not been helping them over the years; hence, change becomes inevitable.

Imo people have realised that Uzodimma’s preoccupation is to serve them and do good to them. They seem to agree with Aristotle, who wondered, “What is the essence of life, if not to serve others and to do good?”

Today in Imo, it is difficult to point to anyone who would say Uzodimma is not at home with the people. That was not the situation in the past, but it is the current reality.

Back to the number 65, the question as it relates to Uzodimma’s birthday is: Is Uzodimma dedicated to his job? Is he taking risks for Imo? Does he keep an open mind? Does he have high spiritual awakening and enlightenment? Is he on the right career path? Has he fulfilled his life purpose?

I can hear Imo people shouting yea to all the posers.

Therefore, what the Imo 65th birthday gift to the Governor says is that Uzodimma started strong and will finish strong in January 2028. The gift suggests that his hard work, dedication and determination are coalescing with his spiritual awakening and enlightenment to provide him with the career fulfilment of service to God and mankind which he craves for.

A prayer for the birthday boy: May God reward Hope for being selfless, kind, compassionate, considerate, loving and real. May God bless

Hope’s New Year with uncommon blessings and cause all his unfulfilled dreams to be realised. More importantly, may God grant Hope many more years in divine health.

Happy 65th birthday, Onwa Imo!

Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to Governor Uzodimma, writes from Owerri.

Osimhen Breaks 24-Year Old Jinx, Crowned CAF African Footballer Of The Year …Oshoala Wins Too

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 12, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The moment was historic and magical as the crowd rose to its feet in Marrakech, Morocco CAF President when Patrice Motsepe called out the striker’s name, writing him into the footballing history books forever.

Super Eagles Striker, Victor Osimhen has written his name in the history books of Nigeria football and in the African continent.

After 23-Year hiatus of winning the coveted award, Osimhen has broken the age long jinx for Nigeria. He became the first Nigerian to receive the CAF awards after ex-international, Kanu Nwankwo, in 1999.

Osimhen saw off competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Senegal’s Sadio Mane, and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, among others.

The 24-year-old, standing at 1.85m has indeed stood tall among his peers, with the award coming after a lengthy 24-year wait.

Speaking after he was named Africa’s Best, an elated Osimhen hailed the impact of Nigerian legend and 1994 CAF Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, as well as fans from the country among others.

“First of all, I want to say thank you to God for everything. Special thanks go to Mr. Emmanuel Amuneke; without him, I don’t think I would be standing in front of you guys holding one of the most prestigious awards in world football,” he told the gathering of the creme-de-la-creme of African football and beyond.

“It’s a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has seen me through life’s journey. In achieving my dreams, in achieving my goals.

“I appreciate Nigerians for their support; I appreciate Africa for putting me on the map, for encouraging me, and for defending me regardless of my shortcomings.

“I also thank Emmanuel Adebayor for his encouragement. Salomon Kalou, I appreciate you. And every African legend that I have looked up to while growing up who inspired me. Didier Drogba, my role model, thank you so much. God bless you all.”

No doubt, his triumph is a sigh of relief for Nigerians who had waited anxiously for a day like this.

Osimhen registered 26 goals in the league, and Five goal in the UEFA Champions League, becoming the first African to win the top scorer award in the domestic Serie A league.

He later won the Italian league’s best striker prize and got included inthe Serie A Team of the Year, earning him a place in the hearts of the Neapolitans.

Super Falcons and Barcelona Feminina Team Forward, Asisat Oshoala defended the title she won last year, as she was crowned CAF Female Footballer of the Year for the Seventh Time, brushing aside, South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and Zambia’s Barbara Banda.

Paris Football Club of France and Super Falcons Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie was crowned the Best Female Goalkeeper in Africa, with the Super Falcons of Nigeria National Team named the Best Female Team of the Year.

President Tinubu Grieves With Families Of Kaduna Bomb Victims, Promises Thorough Investigation Over Incident

By

Akinwale Kasali

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December 12, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

President Bola AhmedTinubu has again commiserated with families of the victims of the recent accidental tragic bombing in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State. The President said most of the victims tragically lost their lives while reciting the Shadada. They were observing Maulud, a central statement of faith for practicing Muslims.

The President assured that investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances which surrounded the unfortunate incident. Anybody found culpable will not be spared, he said.

The President made this known during his visit to Maiduguri, Borno State on Monday.

In his words, “They were Nigerians of profound faith and in the moment of the tragedy, they were reciting the Shadada. May God Almighty comfort their families as their nation grieves their passage into glory. May their souls rest in eternal peace,” the President prayed.

Speaking at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, the President pledged that the Federal Government will continue to do all within its powers to provide support and care to the families of all Nigerians affected by the remnants of insecurity in parts of Borno State.

“This is my most sacred responsibility and the trajectory of the larger effort shown by the ratio of victory over defeat has been sliding well in our favour since the new administration has resumed office. We are not satisfied yet. We are not satisfied until we reach the end of insecurity in Nigeria,” the President submitted.

The President, also, declared that under his watch, security issues would remain a top priority, but not limited only to battlefield concerns.

“We will provide better amenities and benefits to our gallant armed forces and their families. We are committed to this, and this is factored into the 2024 budget. We will ensure that our administration reflects the grateful heart of the Nigerian people in the way we treat those who make the ultimate sacrifices on our behalf,” the President affirmed.

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum acknowledged the steady improvement in collaboration between the security agencies and the Borno State Government.

“We have seen the close working relationship between our state and the security agencies. The results are speaking for themselves. We remain committed to the achievement of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the fight against insecurity anywhere it exists in Nigeria. We thank you for your leadership, Mr. President. We will continue to give all required support to the Nigerian Armed Forces,” Governor Zulum said.

On his part, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi urged the President to deliver his infrastructural interventions to areas that have been hard hit by insurgency over the years.

“We seek the revival of the Lake Chad Commission to provide succour to the large communities in the Lake Chad’s surrounding areas. We seek power projects and job creation initiatives for our unemployed youths. Governor Zulum has been performing beyond what is humanly possible but his resources are limited. Please assist him,” the Shehu of Borno stated.

ommending the Shehu of Borno for supporting the government of Borno State and the Federal Government in maintaining peace and stability in the region, President Tinubu promised to enhance the active involvement of traditional institutions in ensuring stability at the grassroots level across the country.

Lagos Attorney General Douses Tension, Says Landlord-Tenant Crisis To Be Resolved In 60 Days In Court

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 11, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The high rate of tenancy issues in Lagos State is set to reduce drastically as the Lagos State Government through the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lawal Pedro has stated that the government is considering that landlord-tenant disputes be resolved within 60 days in court.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria noted that there is the need to maintain law and order in the State to boost investor’s confidence.

He said the Executive was working hand-in-hand with the Legislature and the Judiciary to create a state where law and order reign.

He said, “The issue of landlord and tenants will be given adequate attention to ensure that such matters in court do not last more than 60 days in our court. We are working towards ensuring that appeals on such matters do not deprive house owners of getting arrears of rent from their property.

“I can also assure you that the state laws will be enforced now to encourage economic activities and protect investments. It is when the law is properly enforced that development can come.”

Pedro said the state had begun moves to amend obsolete laws to reflect current realities.

“Our Law Reform Commission is already working towards reviewing some of the obsolete laws in the state. Through the state House of Assembly, we will be getting that down pretty soon.

“The focus of Governor Sanwo-Olu is to use the justice system to drive economic activities and investments in Lagos. We already have the Administration of Criminal Justice Law and we have reviewed our civil procedure laws and many others,” he said.

On the trend of demolition by the Government, the Attorney General said, “What does it take for a citizen to comply with the law? You are aware of the law and you choose to breach the law; when the long arm of the law is at work, you begin to cry foul.

Speaking further, Pedro said: “The media must begin to enlighten and educate members of the public on the need to obey laws. Nobody is happy when houses are being demolished but unfortunately, in law, they are illegal developments.

“The first point we must harp on is that there must be voluntary compliance with the law. I can tell you from my own personal experience that in any building that is brought down, there would have been a contravention notice served six months earlier, hoping that the defaulter would stop.

“Somebody commences construction of a building, at the foundation level, officials ask for building approval and there is none; they serve a contravention notice and it is ignored.

“The person goes to the first floor and notice is served, at the third floor, a stop-work notice is also served but he continues. When the law is applied to bring down the house, he begins to appeal to sentiment.

“We must begin to advise residents to obey the law as regards building in the right places and getting the appropriate approvals.”

Rivers Crisis: “Call Wike To Order” – Ijaw National Congress Urges President Tinubu

By

Akinwale Kasali

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December 11, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The defection tsunami that rocked the Rivers State House of Assembly during which 27 Lawmakers loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, has prompted the Ijaw National Congress, INC, to urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Wike to order.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his ‘Political godfather’ Wike, has been having a running battle which divided thw Rivers State House of Assembly into two unequal parts, with Wike in control of the majority.

The INC had earlier appealed with both Wike and Fubara to bury their hatchet for the growth and development of the State. But the situation took a different turn following the defection of 27 Lawmakers from the PDP to the APC on Monday. Those who defected are Wike’s loyalists.

Sensing that impeachment is in the offing for Governor Fubara, the Ijaw National Congress has called on President Tinubu to prevail on Wike and his loyalists to stop their moves aimed at sacking the Governor Fubara.

The INC in a statement signed by its President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, on Monday, said it was curious that despite previous interventions by Tinubu and other critical stakeholders, Wike was bent on ensuring the impeachment of Fubara.

It condemned what it labelled as open support by security agencies for the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the state lawmakers loyal to Wike, whom they gave protection to hold a sitting against a subsisting court order requiring all parties to maintain the status quo and to take no official actions until further notice.

The statement read in part: “Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, we implore you once again to call Mr Wike and those Federal Government agencies and agents who are putting Rivers State at risk of anarchy, to order. Such elements are inimical to the stability of Nigeria sooner or later.

“ Mr Wike has also featured on several network TV stations where he made very provocative statements and scandalous claims against Governor Fubara; accusing the governor of attempting to ‘take over’ his ‘structure’, openly taunting him as an ingrate who is lacking in integrity as well as asserting without investigation that the governor masterminded the burning down of the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Is Mr Wike at liberty to make scandalous, libellous and inciting comments without fear of sanction from the security agencies or even Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

“Is Wike the C-in-C of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, such that those on national assignments in Rivers State now act according to his whims and caprices or those he supports, in the push to impeach or make Rivers State ungovernable for His Excellency Governor Siminialayi Fubara, as he publicly boasted? As we glean from history, can law-abiding citizens suffer such intolerable lawlessness orchestrated by one man, indefinitely?

“We, therefore, submit to Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Ijaw National Congress Worldwide, its affiliate bodies, substructures and activists are direly concerned by the impunity and indecorous conduct by a Minister of the Federal Government and the apparent connivance of those who ought to curb his excesses.”

The INC which is the apex pan-Ijaw socio-cultural organisation however commended Fubara for his calm and mature disposition in the face of insults and provocations by the FCT minister, noting that “such conduct is becoming of a civilised leader and statesman.”

It also lauded the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and other stakeholders who, the INC said, put the interest of the State above other interests.

It urged all Rivers people and well-meaning Nigerians to stand with Fubara “to protect our democratic institutions and ensure that justice and the will of the masses prevail.”