Super Eagles Redeem Image, Cruise Past Mambas Of Mozambique

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October 16, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Three first half goals from Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka and Moses Simon were all the Super Eagles of Nigeria needed to secure a 3-2 win over the Mambas of Mozambique in an international friendly in Portimonese, Portugal.

The Mozambicans took the lead as early as the 7th minute courtesy of a strike from Geny Catamo.

The goal rattled the three time African Cup of Nations champions who hit back through Terem Moffi in the 19th minute before Brentford Football Club of England midfielder, Frank Onyeka scored the second goal for the Coach Jose Peseiro side.

The Southern African team were red-carded in the 39th minutes as Edmilson Gabriel Dove received the marching order to reduce their team to 10 players.

In the run of play, the Super Eagles got a penalty kick that was converted by Moses Simon.

The first half finished 3-1 with the West African side taking the lead.

In the second half, the Mozambicans made two substitution by bringing in Fernando Chamboco and Gildo to add more bite to their attack which paid off.

Faisal Abdul Bangal scored the second goal for his side to reduce the deficit, but the Super Eagles held on to record a 3-2 win over their opponent.

Coach Peseiro made Nine Changes from the team that started against the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia on Friday with only Goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho and Bruno Onyemaechi making the starting line up.

Jordan Torunarigha made his long awaited debut for Nigeria, pairing Kenneth Omeruo and Bright Osayi Samuel in the defense.

Frank Onyeka, debutant, Olufisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon and Joe Aribo were in the heart of the Super Eagles midfield, with Terem Moffi playing as a lone striker.

At the later stage of the game, Chiedozie Awaziem, Ademola Lookman, Umar Sadiq, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Victor Boniface Okoh came in as substitute.

The Super Eagles next assignment will be against the Crocodiles of Lesotho and the Warriors of Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in November.

President Tinubu Set To Present N26 Trillion 2024 Budget To National Assembly

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Ayodele Oni

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October 16, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The shape and size of next year’s budget have started to unfold going by revelation of the Minister of Planning and Budget, Atiku Bagudu on Monday.

Bagudu disclosed that the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has proposed N26 trillion as the 2024 budget to be submitted to the National Assembly before December 31, 2023.

The Minister, made the budget proposal known at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Monday, at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu presided over the FEC meeting, which is the second meeting held since the inauguration of the cabinet.

Before the FEC meeting commenced, President Tinubu sworn in three ministers recently cleared by the national assembly.

The president had on September 17, nominated Ibrahim and Olawande as Minister of Youth and Minister of State for Youth, respectively.

He also requested the Senate to screen Balarabe Lawal as minister from Kaduna.

Lawal, who served as secretary to the government under former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, replaces his principal in Tinubu’s cabinet as Minister of Environment.

Court Sacks Adamawa’s APC Senator Abbo, Gives Victory To PDP’s Yohanna

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Adesina Soyooye

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October 16, 2023

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By Adesina Soyooye

The Ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has lost one of its Senators to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Ishaku Abbo, the Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, was, on Monday, sacked by the Court of Appeal which sat in Abuja.

Elected for a second term on February 25, 2023, Abbo was sacked in favour of Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Abbo was a member of the PDP before he defected to the APC. However, during the Campaign leading to the Presidential Election, he quit as a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee over the Party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket. He said it was difficult for him, as a Christian, to accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a multi-religious country like Nigeria.

Just before he was sworn-in as a Senator in 2019, Abbo was involved in a physical fight with a saleswoman at an adult shop in Abuja.

He was later to tender an apology after he was asked to do so by his political mentor, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the PDP in 2019 and 2023.

Group Fingers Ondo Deputy Governor In PDP Youth Protest As Police Says Presence Meant To Forestall Anarchy

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Ayodele Oni

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October 16, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

A Group, Ondo Masses Solidarity Movement (MSM) has accused the embattled Deputy Governor of the State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of being behind the protest by youth forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The group said the protest was meant to incite crisis in the state and derail the impeachment process of the deputy governor.

The allegation by the group is coming just as the state police command defended presence of officers and men at the state PDP Secretariat to abort the protest.

MSM in a statement signed by its coordinator, Ogunyemi Jeremiah said Aiyedatiwa had been reaching out to opposition parties and youths to occupy the street of Akure and protest against the governor.

“We have it on good authority that the deputy governor instigated the protest and had already sponsored some youths to join the protest. A meeting was held at a hotel in Akure last night where money was shared among the youths.

“As stakeholders in this state and voice of the masses, we condemn in strong terms, the activities of the embattled deputy governor. We are astonished by the actions of the deputy governor and his resolve to set the state on fire.

“We appreciate the security agencies for rising up to the occasion. We are aware that the protest would have led to wanton destruction of properties and people’s lives.

“Part of the plans which was foiled by the security agencies was that the protesters would set a petrol- filled tanker on fire within the state capital. They had also planned to raze down the House of Assembly complex.

“The planned protest was never in the interest of the masses. The masses are receiving their palliative and also enjoying their thriving sales due to the regular payment of salaries and leave bonus in the state.

“We are calling on well meaning Nigerians and people of the state to warn the deputy governor to desist from these attempts to set our dear state on fire. We should learn from history and guide against any act that will bring our state to jeopardy.

“Where were these people when the masses needed a voice? Where were they when we were faced with insecurity and became helpless even in our own homes. Where were they when Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was facing the federal government and speaking for the people of Southwest and Southern Nigeria.

“We are convinced that this induced protest is not in the interest of the masses. We will not fold our arms and allow a group of people who were motivated by few cash to interrupt the relative peace in the state.

Police command spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya explained that “This morning, policemen actually sent some of its personnel to the place to maintain law and orders.

“On Friday we got a kind of unanimous letter stating that some people want to protest and the letter came in without letter-head, no details of those that wanted to embark on the protest and for the safety of the party involved we just felt to mobilize our men to maintain law and orders in case of any thing.

“Because we don’t want a situation whereby people will just take themselves to the streets and at the end of the day people will deny that they are not the one.

“One man, Akintayo Oluyi signed the letter and from our background check, we are not sure either he is the actually the Chairman of the youth wing of the party.”

Oyebanji’s One Year In Office: Delivery, Malaria Treatment In Ekiti Govt Owned Health Facilities Now Free

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Ayodele Oni

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October 16, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has announced that monthly revenue generation of government has witnessed significant improvement since he assumed office.

Addressing members of the state House of Assembly on Monday, as part of activities marking a year in office, the governor disclosed that everything was being done to attain revenue target for the year.

Oyebanji stated that “I am pleased to inform you that due to a lot of innovative ideas and strategies that we adopted, the monthly internally generated revenue of the State has seen a significant upward improvement.

“As an administration that is committed to excellence, we acknowledge that we can do better.

“Rest assured that we have put critical measures in place to improve our performance in the coming months; we have already surpassed our revenue performance for 2022, and I am confident that we will not only finish 2023 with a significant growth, we are also on track to achieve our revenue budget for the year.

“We strongly believe in strategic planning, and have been committed to institutionalizing long-term planning for the development of our state and the good of our people.

“For us, a campaign manifesto is not an empty set of unimplementable promises; but a pledge to be honoured, an actionable plan to be executed, a contract with the people to which utmost fidelity is non-negotiable.

“This is why the six pillars were distilled into concrete policies and program ideas under different ministries and presented as the core of my administration’s inaugural Budget of Strong Beginning.

“Our vision is to have an economy that is dominated by private sector investment and activities. We are currently one of the least industrialized states in Nigeria but we want to change this unpleasant profile.

“A major requirement for industrialization is land availability and regular electricity supply. While we are working round the clock to provide access to electricity and other critical infrastructure.

The governor also highlighted achievements of his administration in other sectors of the economy such as education, transportation and health.

“I have continued to improve the inputs for service delivery. This year, we qualified for World Bank financing to enable our Primary Health Centres (PHC) receive direct facility financing.

“I am happy to inform you all that 177 PHC facilities across the 16 LGAs each received the sum of N4.6m for facility upgrades.

“I’m aware that these funds are now being used to purchase drugs, equipment, data tools and also to carry out minor renovations across these facilities.

“In addition to this, we disbursed the sum of N100,000 monthly to each facility to help with basic operational requirements. A few weeks back, we also distributed antimalarial drugs, color coded bins for separating medical wastes, and other items to 200 PHCs across the 16 LGAs.

“Simply put, no one in Ekiti should pay for treatment of malaria in any of our PHCs any longer. To expand our health insurance program, we scaled our efforts from 25 facilities to one (1) PHC in each ward across the state.

“With this, services such as family planning, ante-natal care, delivery, under 5 childhood illnesses are now paid for by the state. In the last 2 months (August and September) more than 49,000 persons have benefitted.

‘I strongly encourage everyone particularly our expectant mothers to take advantage of our Ulerawa program. No one should have to pay for delivery in any of our PHCs anymore.”

Falana Tackles Tinubu Over Appointment Of EFCC, ICPC Chairmen From Same Geopolitical Zone

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 16, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, has lamented the appointment of Chairmen of anti graft agencies, Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Comission, ICPC, from the same geopolitical zone.

He said it was unlawful and against the Federal Character Principle.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday, the Legal luminary said if the Chairman of the EFCC is from the Northern region, then the chairman of the ICPC should be appointed from the Southern region.

Ola Olukayode and Bolaji Owasanoye were recently appointed as EFCC and ICPC Chairmen respectively by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Both men are from the South West Geopolitical Zone.

Condemning the appointment, Falana said, “There is no issue; the only issue that has been raised has to be considered by the government is that we have in this country, the Federal Character Commission Act and also by the virtue of Section 14 of the constitution, appointments must reflect Federal Character.

“If you are going to have the EFCC and the ICPC, the heads cannot come from same zone. If there are two positions in the public service, one must go to the North, and one must go to the South. If there are four, two must go to the South, and two must go to the North. If there are six, one must go to each geopolitical zone. That is the law in Nigeria today.”

Falana said that though the new EFCC’s Boss is very much qualified to head the Commission, but he, as a person, is not comfortable with the fact that the heads of both anti-graft agencies are from the South-West geopolitical zone.

“So, I am not comfortable with the fact that the heads of the EFCC and the ICPC are from the same zone. Apart from that, Mr Ola Olukoyede is eminently qualified to head the EFCC. My colleagues who have criticised the appointment have not looked at the relevant provisions of the EFCC which is Section 2”, he submitted.

NIPOST: Workers Lock Out New Postmaster General, Insist On Sacked CEO

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Ayodele Oni

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October 16, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Workers of Nigeria Postal Service, (NIPOST) have rejected Tola Odeyemi as Chief Executive Officer/Post Master General of the organization.

President Bola Tinubu had, last week, appointed Odeyemi and others as Chief Executives of some Federal Government-owned parastatals. But he has been rejected by the staff of the agency.

Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, announced that some changes were made in the leadership of communication agencies, including NIPOST.

However another report surfaced on social media at the weekend that Odeyemi’s appointment has been reversed and the sacked Post Master-General, Adeyemi Adepoju, reinstated.

Adepoju was seen in a viral video addressing some workers who claimed Tinubu had reappointed him.

But on Monday, NIPOST workers closed down the head office gate of the service in Abuja, protesting against Odeyemi’s appointment.

The protesting workers denied entry to the newly appointed NIPOST CEO, saying her appointment was against their wish.

The workers, who said they preferred Adepoju, chanted solidarity songs and carried placards.

Unity Bank: Customers Win Big In Verve Card Promo

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James Orji

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October 16, 2023

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Unity Bank customers, Nmeregini Chukwuebuka and Sharif Yusuf Mohd have emerged as winners of 500,000 and 150,000 naira respectively in the ongoing Verve National Consumer Promo.

Organized by payment processor, Verve Card Services Limited, the winners emerged in the August draw where other Unity Bank customers also won prizes including fuel vouchers, electricity payments, shopping vouchers, etc.

The promotion, which started in August 2023, will run till January 2024. It presents an opportunity for all Unity Bank’s Verve cardholders, active and inactive, to win the different categories of prizes. However, customers are advised to activate their Verve Cards and increase their frequency of transactions across any transaction channels – POS, ATM and WEB in order to increase their chances of winning.

To win as a Unity Bank Verve card holder, customers are expected to perform at least two additional transactions with their Verve cards every week, with a customer’s chance of winning increasing with the frequency of transactions.

Congratulating the Unity Bank winners, the Head of E-Business, Eghomware Iyamu commended Verve Card for organizing the promo which is intended to drive uptake of technology, e-banking and financial inclusion.

He expressed satisfaction with the partnership that exists between the organization and Unity Bank which has been mutually beneficial in terms of increased adoption of the cashless society, digital payment and convenient Banking.

Speaking further on the reward, Iyamu stated: “Unity Bank is happy to continue the issuance of Verve Card whilst the promo presents a unique opportunity for Unity Bank customers who transact with their Verve cards to enjoy substantial financial benefits in cash, vouchers and other gifts”.

He added that “Verve Card also allows Unity Bank customers to take advantage of added security and convenience that comes with the Verve cards, which offers advanced security features, reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions; while providing customers with the convenience of making payments and withdrawals at numerous locations across the country.”

Iyamu therefore invites customers of Unity Bank Plc to pick up and activate their Verve cards to enhance their overall banking experience.

As Nigeria’s top retail lender, Unity Bank values its customers and strives to offer them attractive incentives for their trust and patronage. This promo aligns with the bank’s commitment to rewarding customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Ondo PDP Insists Gov Akeredolu Must Resume Or Resign,Says Enough Of Vacuum Of Leadership

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Ayodele Oni

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October 16, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has reacted to an early Monday morning siege at the entrance of its office in Akure by security agents thus disallowing workers to resume work.

A statement by the party’s spokesman, Kenedy Peretei stated that “As early as 6.00 am this morning, a combined team of Police, SSS men and Anti-cultists Unit of the Nigerian Police stormed the Ondo State PDP Secretariat with Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), more than 8 Hilux vehicles and nearly 400 men in all to seal off the secretariat in order to stall a PDP Youth Wing protest to demand the whereabouts of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu who has not been seen in Ondo State since April this year.

“Even staff of the secretariat were denied access to their offices. The stern-looking officers offered no explanations.

“However, it took frantic efforts of members of the PDP State Working Committee before the secretariat gate was opened amidst serious tension and confrontation.

“Photo Journalists were threatened to stop recording anything lest, their cameras were smashed. But as the PDP youths forced themselves into the secretariat, proceeding on a street protest would amount to daring the trigger-happy police to do their worst.

“As much as the officers tried to stop the protest, they failed because the youths displayed their banners and placards to Journalists who gained entrance into the secretariat.

“As we speak, the policemen are still in front of the secretariat with their vehicles. I want to use this medium to appeal to the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command to immediately withdraw their men from our secretariat.

“We cannot be intimidated by security agents who are paid with taxpayers’ money. We have the right to demand for the whereabouts of the governor if he is missing in action.

“Early yesterday, the APC spokesman in a fear-laden statement accused the PDP of instigating crisis in Ondo State.

“We make bold to say that the presence of the security men is not unconnected with the APC’s fear of its shadow and their failure to get Akeredolu to come to Ondo State for the assignment he was elected for.

“Let it be known to all, that we shall continue to demand for Akeredolu to resume or resign until either is achieved.

“We were really embarrassed because the security agencies were fully notified because we don’t want a situation whereby PDP will be responsible for a breakdown of law and order.”

Another chieftain of PDP, Tayo Akintade, noted that “It is no longer gain saying that in the last nine months, there has been vacuum of leadership in Ondo State. Sometimes in April, the people of the state agitated and that led us to having an acting governor.

“We were also aware of what transpired when Aiyedatiwa was acting in his stead. That isn’t even our problem because it’s an internal issue but since 32 days ago that the governor arrived from his three-month medical leave in Germany, we’ve not seen the governor anywhere near the state.

“And yet, we’ve been hearing of Akeredolu passing bills into law by proxy and this is what informed the protest by the youth wing of PDP in the state.

“We can no longer continue like this. We are the voice of the people, we are the voice of the masses.

“We are saying, Mr Governor must resume back to duty, he can no longer govern us by proxy, we can no longer be hearing that he’s one thing or the other when we’ve not sighted him. We know the governor we have, if he’s truly fit, we would have sighted him in the streets of Akure.

“The youth wing of the party is giving Mr Governor the next 24 hours to address the people of Ondo State and we are giving him three days ultimatum resume back to the state.

“We’ve been seeing series of responses from the APC that the governor will join us in days time. We are giving him three days ultimatum to address us and if he fails, we as the opposition party will occupy the streets of Akure and we will continue to demand that he either resume or resign.”

PDP Forces Plot Saraki As Next National Chairman

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James Orji

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October 16, 2023

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Contending forces in the People Democratic Party, PDP, are planning to make former Senate President, Bukola Saraki as the party’s National Chairman.

The former governor of Kwara state, is likely to emerge as the replacement for Iyorchia Ayu who was sacked last year after the party lost the presidential election.

Ayu’s ouster climaxed the struggle for the control of the soul of the party, between PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and five state governors of the party led by Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers state, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The two influential camps are now jostling over which of them to produce the next PDP National Chairman, Daily Trust reports.

According to the newspaper, Atiku has thrown his weight behind Babangida Aliyu, a former governor of Niger State while Wike is said to be backing Jerry Gana, a former information Minister.

But, in order to avoid a looming clash between the two contending parties over the matter, some elements in the party are said to have suggested Saraki as a consensus Candidate for the position.

Recall that Saraki and Wike recently met in Abuja, even though the magazine could not confirm whether Wike has now agreed that the former Kwara helmsman should be the next chairman.

Those following what’s going on said the choice of Saraki was based on the fact that he could use his influence as a bridge builder to bring reconciliation to the embattled party.

A source said, “They know Saraki as a reconciliation, a bridge builder, and somebody they can trust to be neutral and have the capacity and resources to rebuild the party. The exchange of visits between Wike and Saraki last week is the first step the Wike group is making.”

Also commenting on the issue, a top chieftain of the party noted that party leaders were looking for a strong character to rally party members together after the Supreme Court judgement, depending on how it goes.

He said, “The Atiku group is comfortable with Saraki because they know it will be difficult to put their own person as chairman now because of the Wike influence. The visit is all about Saraki now trying to get a foothold across the party before the real hostilities start. You cannot say Saraki is an Atiku man or a Wike man, so both sides of the divide seem to be comfortable with his personality.

“Even though Ayu is in court, I believe when the time comes, he will be told to withdraw the case so that the party can move forward.

“From what we are hearing, Saraki is going around the party stakeholders to intimate them on his plans and the need for all to work together for the peace and unity of the party.”

The former governor of Kwara state was among the PDP Presidential aspirants in the 2023 election, but later dropped his ambition to support Atiku.