Breaking: Governor Sanwo- Olu, Floors Rhodes-Vivour, Jandor Petition

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September 25, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has had his victory at the March 18th, 2023, Governorship Election in the State upheld by the Election Tribunal sitting in Lagos.

The Tribunal dismissed the preliminary objection of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which asked it to dismiss the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

It was dismissed because the petitioner did not comply with provisions of the Electoral Act about payment of security as to cost.

It struck out the petition filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, and that of Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

The duo of Jandor and Rhodes Vivour had challenged the election of Governor Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat at last election in the State.

The Lagos State Governor had polled 762,134 votes to beat Rhodes-Vivour, who scored 312,329 votes, and Jandor of the PDP came a distant third, polling 62,449 votes.

In the petition filed by Adediran and his party, PDP, the petitioners based it on two grounds, stating that Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Hamzat were at the time of election not qualified to contest.

Adediran also stated that the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party Rhodes-Vivour, who was declared by the first respondent INEC as having scored the second highest number of votes was, at the time of the election also not qualified to contest.

While INEC is the first respondent, Sanwo-Olu; Hamzat, APC; Rhodes-Vivour, and the LP are listed as the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth respondents respectively.

The PDP governorship candidate said he was calling for the disqualification of the All Progressives Congress and the Labour Party candidates in the election for “non-compliance” with the Electoral Act 2022 as well as the guidelines of INEC.

Chairman of the panel Justice Arum Ashom had announced that the court will first deliver judgment in the case of the PDP and its candidate before going to give its judgment in the petition of the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

Justice Ashom also announced that his colleague on the bench, Justice Mikail Abdullahi will read the judgment on behalf of the panel.

The APC in their preliminary objection asked the Tribunal to strike out PDP’s petition, but the tribunal dismissed the objection.

Some of the motion of the 2nd and 3rd Respondents to strike out some paragraphs of the Petition and additional statements on Oaths filed outside the 21 days provided by the electoral Act succeed in part.

Paragraphs 2,3,4,5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Petition were struck out. and the additional statement on oath that mirrors the struck-out paragraphs was also struck out.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party’s petition that its name be struck out from the PDP’s petition succeeded.

Zamfara Accuses FG Of Negotiating With Bandits Without Involving State, Says Move Is Sabotage

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Ayodele Oni

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September 25, 2023

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Dauda Lawal - Zamfra State Governor — Governor Dauda Lawal

By Ayodele Oni

Zamfara State Government has queried rationale behind the decision by the Federal Government to enter into negotiation with some bandits without carrying along the state describing the move as sabotage.

Zamfara, a State where over 20 students of the Federal University, Gusau were abducted, last week, stated on Monday that some Representatives of the Federal Agencies have been meeting with bandits in the State.

The State Governor, Dauda Lawal explained that the decision was against the policy the state government put in place to tackle banditry in the state.

A statement signed by Media Aide to the Governor, Sulaiman Idris stated that “Governor Dauda Lawal has called for an urgent and comprehensive investigation by the Federal Government into the secretive negotiations held with bandits in the State.

“Reports indicated that a delegation allegedly sent by some agencies of the Federal Government has been holding talks with bandit groups in Zamfara without the knowledge of the State Government.

“Governor Lawal on Monday, in a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, lamented the action of some Federal Government agencies engaged in negotiations with bandits without seeking recourse from the State Government and other security agencies.”

The statement added that Governor Lawal called on the Federal Government to clarify the action of these Federal agencies, which is clearly at variance with the State Government’s adoption of a kinetic strategy in the fight against banditry.

The statement read in parts: “Governor Dauda Lawal wishes to call on the Federal Government to clarify and investigate the actions of some unscrupulous elements sabotaging the ongoing fight against banditry in Zamfara.

“The Zamfara State Government has received reports of how some Federal Government delegation met with different bandit groups in Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege.

“Previous administrations in the State failed to achieve positive outcomes in their attempts to engage in dialogue with bandits.

“We must learn from these past mistakes and adopt a new approach to restore peace in Zamfara.

“The Zamfara State Government has taken a firm stance from the beginning – we will not negotiate with these criminals.

“Ensuring the fight against banditry is a top priority of Zamfara State Government, and we cannot afford to make any compromises in our efforts.

“We urge the Federal Government to take swift action by terminating the ongoing negotiations with the bandits in Zamfara, as it undermines progress so far.”

Nigeria Needs 300k Teachers For 10.5m Out of School Children

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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September 25, 2023

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The Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, says no fewer than 300, 000 teachers are required to get more than 10.5 million out-of-school students back to school.

Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, the chief executive of the TRCN made this known on Sunday to Nigerian Tribune.

The agency boss lamented the dearth of qualified teachers, particularly in the private schools, and in the northern part of the country, adding that if more teachers are employed it will increase the number of enrolment in schools.

According to him, Ajiboye said Africa has about 5 million shortage of teachers and Nigeria has the lion’s share of the figure.

He noted that it is even hard to believe that some state governments did not recruit new teachers in the last 10 years, adding that such development means that teachers who are retiring from service or died in such states have not been replaced.

He said that was why some primary schools in the rural communities for example, have just only one or two teachers, adding that such is a reality and not fantasy the country is contending with.

According to him, it is only a few states that recruit teachers often and even at that, no state in the federation has enough teachers in their schools.

“So, it is important that as a country, we engage not only qualified and competent teachers but also in enough quantity that will give quality education that the country and its people will be proud of,” he stressed.

Ajiboye while noting that only about 2.3 million teachers have so far registered as professionals with TRCN nationwide, he explained that the several million others are not because they have no prerequisite educational background to do so.

He explained that the aim of TRCN is to ensure that no unqualified person would be standing in front of students teaching in any of Nigeria’s school classrooms.

“We don’t want people to venture into teaching and be in classrooms teaching just because they couldn’t get job elsewhere in any of our schools nationwide.

“We call those kind of people nonchalant and we can’t surrender our classrooms and children to them any longer and we are standing firmly on that policy if we are genuinely wanted to move forward appreciably like the developed countries.

Ajiboye, however, pointed out that the reality now is that any state government that wants to recruit new teachers is making TRCN certificate mandatory for their recruitment.

Lagos Guber: Sanwo-Olu Knows Fate Today

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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September 25, 2023

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The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will know his fate today whether he will remain as the helmsman of the Centre of Excellence, as the state is widely known.

The State Governorship Election Tribunal, SGET, is set to deliver judgment on the petitions filed by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and his counterpart of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor.

The two candidates are challenging the election of Governor Sanwoolu.

The petitions of the APM and APP had earlier been dismissed by the Chairman of the three-man Tribunal, Justice Arum Ashom, after the petitioners withdrew them.

The independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Sawoolu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC winner of the March 18 Governorship election.

He was declared winner after polling a total of 762,134 votes, defeating Rhodes-Vivour who scored 312,329 votes, and Adediran aka Jandor who scored 62,449 votes.

The Justice Arum Ashom-led panel had on Saturday informed the litigants that judgment would be delivered on the matter on Monday, September 25.

This was confirmed by Rhode-Vivor, the candidate of the LP in his X post, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.

He posted, “We have just been informed that judgement on our election petition at the tribunal will be delivered on Monday, the 25th of September.”

On August 12, lawyers in the petitions adopted their final written addresses before the tribunal.

In proof of his petition, Rhodes-Vivour had called 10 witnesses including four subpoenaed witnesses, describing his petition as a litmus test for constitutionality in the country.

He asked the tribunal to disqualify SanwoOlu and his running mate Hamzat and return him as the person with the highest number of lawful votes cast during the election.

Jandor on his part had also called for the disqualification of the candidates of Sanwo-olu and Rhodes-Vivour for “non-compliance” with the Electoral Act 2022 and the guidelines of INEC.

The PDP candidate’s main contention against the governor is that he lied about his West Africa Examinations Council, WAEC, he submitted to the INEC for the election.

He insisted that there were differences in the names submitted by the governor and what the WAEC list showed, he asked the tribunal to declare as wasted all votes cast for Sanwo-olu and Rhodes-Vivor.

He should be declared winner of the election, he said in the petition.

GTCO Fashion Week Unique Opportunity For Local Retailers- Agbaje

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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September 25, 2023

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The Group Managing Directors, GTCO Segun Agbaje says the 2023 edition of the GTCO Fashion is another opportunity for local fashion retailers to showcase and reposition their businesses.

A yearly event, the GTCO Fashion Week is a consumer-focused fair designed to showcase the best of Africa’s finest fashion to a global audience.

Speaking on the event expected to hold later this year, Agbaje, said: “Fashion is not just about making items of clothing or style accessories, it is about exploring feelings and channelling creative expressions to create experiences that resonate with various buyers, across different markets.

“The GTCO Fashion Weekend is constantly evolving to reflect the rapid growth of the global fashion industry in terms of size and sophistication, as we continue to draw on the endless possibilities in fashion retail to create better outcomes for individuals, indigenous businesses, and our communities.

“The landscape for fashion design is always shifting; so too are the needs of consumers. The 2023 GTCO Fashion Weekend provides a unique opportunity for local fashion retailers to seize on emerging trends and buyers’ preferences to reposition their businesses and thrive amidst the uncertainties and complexities of the future.”

The two-day event will feature retail exhibitions, masterclasses, and runway shows together with free stalls for over 120 fashion retailers.

The 6th edition is scheduled to take place at the GTCentre, Plot 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos between November 11 and 12, 2023, the bank said in a statement.

Rights’ Abuse: 2 Businessmen Sue IGP For N10bn

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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September 25, 2023

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Two businessmen have sued the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and five other persons for N10 billion for alleged violation harassment and violation of their human rights.

In a matter that’s now before the Federal High court in Abuja, Ibrahim Shehu Tenimu and Jemima Monosoko Shehu, who claimed to be Directors with an indigenous Paz Oil Nigeria Limited, accused one Dr Kamoru Yusuf, who is the chief executive of Kam Steel Integrated Limited of using the instrumentalities of the police force in the country to breach their fundamental human rights.

Apart from the IGP, others named in the case are the Nigeria Police Force, NPF; Commissioner of Police in Kwara State Command, Superintendent of Police Sadiq Sule; Dr. Yusuf, and his Company, Kam Steel Integrated Limited as defendants.

According to the plaintiffs, Dr Yusuf who is the fifth defendant in the case was using police through the State Intelligence Bureau, SIB, of Kwara State Command to intimidate, harass, witch hunt, and oppress them and their family members over a pure civil transaction.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1278/2023, was instituted by Akintoye Balogun, against the defendants on behalf of the applicants.

In the suit before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, the plaintiffs are seeking the following prayers from the court: “A declaration that the serial acts of intimidation, incessant invitations and persistent threats of the 1st to 4th respondents (the Police) to invite, witch-hunt, arrest, detain, embarrass and humiliate them on the alleged prompting and instigation of the 5th Respondent (Dr. Kamoru Yusuf), amount to a violation of their fundamental rights as enshrined in sections 35, 37, 39, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“A declaration that the serial acts of intimidation, incessant invitations and persistent threats of the 1st to 4th respondents to invite, witch-hunt, arrest, detain, embarrass and humiliate the applicants herein, on the prompting and instigation of the 5th respondent, over civil transactions between the applicants and the 5th and 6th respondents is illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional and constitute a blatant violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights as enshrined in sections 35 to 37, 39, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

“A declaration that the violent invasion, viet armis of the 1st applicant’s residence at Plot 1, Ibrahim Shehu Tenimu Close, Gwarimpa, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by operatives of the 1st to 4th respondents at the instigation of the 5th respondent, on the 1st and the 2nd of August 2023 to arrest the 1st and 2nd Applicants, without a warrant or a court order to that effect, is ultra vires the powers of the respondents is illegal, unconstitutional and constitutes a violation of the applicants’ fundamental rights to privacy and dignity of human person as guaranteed by sections 34 and 37of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

“A declaration that the applicants are entitled to a public apology and adequate compensation from the respondents as provided for in sections 35 (6) and 46 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered, Sections 314 (1) and 323 (1), (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, for the blatant violation of the Applicants’ fundamental rights, over a civil transaction.”

They applied for an order of perpetual injunction to restrain the respondents from the continuous invitations, witch-hunting, arresting and attempts to arrest, detain, embarrass and humiliate them.

They prayed for an order directing the respondents jointly and severally, to pay them a sum of N10 billion only as exemplary damages for the wanton and grave violation of their fundamental rights without following the due process of the law.

Justice Olajuwon has yet to fix a date for the hearing of the case.

University Education: Falana Warns Against Fees Hike

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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September 25, 2023

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Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has warned the federal government not to hike fees in public-owned universities in the country.

The rights lawyer gave the warning following the recent increase in fees paid by students of some universities.

He also spoke after the federal government said university autonomy is one of its priorities.

This, according to analysts, means that the government no longer want to fund public owned universities.

The University of Lagos, UNILAG, has recently jerked up its tuition and other fees by over 70 percent but was forced to reduce the fees by barely 20 percent after the students shut down the school for days.

At the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife Osun state, the school authority, and the student union are still at loggerheads after the varsity increased fees for incoming and old students.

Other universities are set to increase their fees in a matter of time, according to those close to university management authorities in the country.

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the umbrella body for student unions in the country has kicked against the hike in fees for public-run higher institutions.

Speaking on Arise television on Sunday, Falana said it is wrong to commercialize education in the country, citing section 18 of the 1999 Constitution which provides that education from primary to the university levels must be free in the country.

The federal government has cited the paucity of funds for its failure to provide education free of charge in the country, but Falana said there are enough resources to provide free education, adding that the government must make it a priority.

He also lamented the exodus of educated young Nigerians abroad, saying the trend seems not to bother the government.

“How can you spend money to train your own citizens to serve other governments?” Falana said.

With the current situation in the country, the SAN stated that poor people will not be able to afford education for their children.

He said: “What is the way forward? We need to make three percent of the profit of every company go into funding of education. Again, under the UBE Act, the Compulsory Free Education Act provides that state government will contribute counterpart funding to the money released by federal government for Universal Basic Education.

“So every Nigerian child from primary to junior secondary school should be educated at the expense of the state. If the law is implemented we would not have our children roaming the street.”

Ekiti Recalls Head Of Delegation To National Youth Games Over Poor Kitting Of Athletes

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Ayodele Oni

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September 24, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, is outraged over what he called the poor kitting of athlete’s representing the state at the ongoing 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta state.

He has, therefore, ordered a recall of the General Manager of the State Sports Council, Mr. Adekunle Adeyemi from the fiesta to account for the poor kitting of the state’s athletes at the opening session of the competition.

The directive followed the shabby appearance of the State contingent at the march-past event during the opening ceremony of the National Youths Games.

Adeyemi is expected to explain circumstances leading to the shabby kitting of the state athletes at the opening session, which photograph is circulating online.

He was directed to hand over to the next most senior official at the Games and return home immediately.

The official, who will act as Head of the Delegation, is to oversee the welfare and wellbeing of the athletes at the competition.

A statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun in Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, described the development as unfortunate.

It, however, added that the State would take full responsibility for the regrettable incident.

The Commissioner, maintained that the state Government made adequate provision for the team’s participation at the Games.

He restated the commitment of the Oyebanji administration to providing platforms for Ekiti youths to exhibit their God – given talents in line with the youth development and job creation agenda of the administration.

ACF Flays Abduction Of Female Students In Zamfara, Says It’s Threat To Education

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Ayodele Oni

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September 24, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF) has observed that the recent abduction of some female students of the Federal University, Gusau, (FUG) will have negative effect on education in the North.

The Northern Group, in a statement on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary,

Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, notes that “It is with utter consternation that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) received news about the abduction of mostly female students of the Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), from their private hostels, at Sabon Gida Village, Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“Although official information about the incidence is scanty, relative to the enormity of the incidence, personal testimonies from witnesses to the disturbing incident suggests that the attack was well planned, coordinated and executed by the bandits/terrorists.

“Evidently, female students were specifically targeted, and the bandits were at the crime scene fully prepared.

“Efforts to repel the bandits by elements of the Nigerian Army neither deterred nor stopped the bandits from going off with a yet-to-be fully ascertained number of hapless victims.

“ACF condemns the abductions in the strongest of terms. It is very disconcerting that such a most unfortunate criminal incident is not the first of its kind in memory, but it certainly is one abduction far too many to occur in any community in Nigeria, nor elsewhere in the world.

“A pointer to the unfolding tragedy is in an apparent voice note on social media where a girl was heard stating that her father had called her home, ordering that her pursuit of a university degree be abandoned; another was heard advising intending candidates for admission not to select this particular institution as place of choice.

“This is an absolutely and highly regrettable development to be condemned in all its ramifications. ACF therefore Commiserates with the victims of the attack, their parents and FUGUS;

“Calls for and prays for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted students unharmed; Commends the security forces for their gallant response, even if ineffective in stopping the bandits in their sordid mission.

“ACF calls on the security forces not to relent in the efforts to contain banditry and terrorism in Zamfara State and elsewhere in the country.

“Commends the Zamfara State Government for its timely and quick response to the situation through a high-powered delegation on a confidence-building visit to the scene to commiserate and reassure the community about the Government’s commitment to citizens’ safety and security.

“As well, ACF commends the Zamfara State Government for immediately convening a meeting with the security agencies to review the situation and re-strategize.

“ACF finally calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to spare no efforts in ensuring that the abducted students are released unharmed forthwith.

“As always, ACF urges the FGN to rejig Nigeria’s security architecture and to come up with new multi-pronged containment strategies against security and related existential threats bedevilling schools and indeed all communities.

“Such new strategies should aim at the total eradication of the scourge of banditry and terrorism country-wide. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Governor Yahaya Bello Discloses Future After Office, Says God Has Been Kind To Him

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 24, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

With few months to the expiration of his tenure as the Governor of Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello has said that when he leaves the saddle, his attention will shift to supporting President Bola Tinubu to succeed as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Governor said this is his ambition, pointing out that all Nigerians would succeed if President Tinubu succeeds.

He made this statements at an interactive session with Journalists at the 3rd Annual Governor Yahaya Bello, GYB, Seminar for Nigeria’s Political & Crime Correspondents/Editors today in Abuja.

He stressed that over the years and till now, God has been kind to him.

“I thank God for my successes and achievements as Governor of Kogi. I know where I met the State and am happy with where I have taken the State.

“I believe that the APC candidate, Usman Ododo, will build on the solid foundation we have laid down for Kogi,” the Governor said.

He stressed that the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship Candidate at the upcoming Election in the State would record a landslide win.

Our unity is why APC wins in Kogi and will continue to win.

“Our party is one. You cannot satisfy everyone. However, there are internal mechanisms in the APC to resolve issues and we always utilise that,” he said.

In a paper titled; “Unity in a Multi–Ethnic, Multi-Religious Society, the Kogi Story” the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said candidates should campaign on merit.

“Any candidate who campaigns on the basis of ethnic sentiments is incompetent.”

Speaking at the Seminar, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, tasked Journalists with responsible and ethical journalism.

In his paper, “ Off Season Elections, Journalists as Responsible Watchdogs”, Isiguzo said there was a need for journalists to ensure transparency, check all facts and verify all information in their reportage.

The NUJ president noted that off-season elections presented challenges and opportunities for journalists to fulfill their role as responsible watchdogs of society.

“I encourage all of us to approach the job with a sense of duty, knowing that the quality of our reporting can influence the future of our nation.”