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President Tinubu Pushes For Saudi Arabia Presence In Nigeria

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu now in Saudi Arabia has intensified his foreign investment drive for Nigeria as he assured potential investors that their investments are safe.

Addressing participants at the Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh, on Friday, President Tinubu said Nigeria is ready for business, while assuring investors of some of the world’s highest returns on investment.

A statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngalele, stated that the President said Nigeria is desirous of enhancing collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on combating terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other violent extremist groups which have been terrorizing the Lake Chad and Sahel regions.

“Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have always enjoyed a special relationship at both the bilateral and multilateral levels.

“Within the past six decades, our bilateral cooperation, which was initially hajj-centric, has witnessed diversification to cover a number of areas of common interest.

“It is delightful to note the presence in this great Kingdom of a large number of our compatriots and professionals, including highly-skilled medical practitioners and professional football players.

“As members of several international organizations including the UN, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the International Energy Forum, the G77, the Islamic Development Bank, the Digital Cooperation Organization among others, our two nations have effectively used these and other platforms to enhance close interaction and coordination.

“I am confident that our joint positive disposition within these platforms will continue to be demonstrated as we seek to advance our mutual interests.

“Nigeria, like the Kingdom, is diversifying her economy away from oil dependence to promote sustainable development.

“My administration has undertaken bold economic reforms by removing wasteful subsidies on petroleum and the merging of our foreign exchange market, among other incentives aimed at improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

“I also wish to assure all potential Saudi investors of the safety of their investments based on the sanctity of the rule of law and good returns on their investments in the largest economy in Africa.

“In this regard, the benefit attached to the early inauguration of the Nigeria-Saudi Business Council can not be over-emphasized.”

“Don’t Use Sheesha Beauty Cream, Dona White Extra Whitening Lotion” NAFDAC Warns Nigerians

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned  Nigerians against the use of  Sheesha Beauty Cream and Dona White Extra Whitening Body Lotion.

NAFDAC said that the products have been banned by the European Union but  found their way into the Nigeria Market.

NAFDAC, in a statement, said the products were tested against European standards and did not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.

The Agency explained that the products contain mercury which when accumulated in the body can damage the kidneys, brain, nervous system, affect reproduction and the unborn child.

As a result, a ban on the import of the products have been placed by some regulatory and public authorities in the EU.

The regulatory body also added that these products are not in their database, importers, distributors, retailers and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the above-mentioned product.

It advised that the products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked and that members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue their sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

NAFDAC also urged all Healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of adverse reaction, substandard and falsified regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office.

Imo: “My Story” By Joe Ajaero, NLC President, Says “I Am Not Card Carrying Member of LP,” WOPC Seeks Justice “For Son Beaten In Own Home”

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has said he is not a card carrying member of the Labour Party. Ajaero said this following the mixed feelings which greeted photographs of him in a relaxed mood with the Imo State LP Governorship Candidate which surfaced in the Social Media on Thursday.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, had earlier accused Ajaero of membership of the LP, and alleged that his mission to Imo State was to further the fortunes of the LP Governorship Candidate, Athan Achonu, with whom he had allegedly met in Abuja.

But speaking to Journalists on Friday in Abuja, for the first time, since his ordeal in Owerri, Ajaero strongly denied being a card-carrying member of the LP. “I an not a card-carrying member of the Labour Party. It is false”, he emphasised.

On his brutalisation in Owerri, Ajaero indicted the Police. He held the Imo State Police Command for his ordeal, and insisted that they, along with thugs blind-folded him and beat him up like a common criminal.

Ajaero spoke a day after the World Owerri Peoples Congress, WOPC,  in an advertorial in both National and Local Newspapers, called out some Police Officers, and condemned what it described as their unprofessional conduct in Ajaero’s humiliation. While WOPC described the situation as shameful, especially, the claim by the Police that it took Ajaero into protective custody to avoid his being lynched, it questioned the level of security provided the NLC President by the Police.

WOPC said the denial by the Police of complicity “raise vital questions as to what level of security, if any, that was provided by the State Police Command to Comrade Joe Ajaero while in the State executing the office of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“Second was the unprofessional and open bellicose disposition of ACP David Ogenyi, CP Ahmed Barde, and SP Shaba identified by the NLC President as being front and centre in ignominious onslaught.”

It asked for a thorough investigation and justice. It said: “The World Owerri Peoples Congress  demand accountability and justice in this matter.  We are, therefore, calling on the Nigerian President and the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate the alleged role of the local law enforcement agents in the unfortunate extra judicial violent assault and humiliation meted out to Comrade Joe Ajaero, an Owerri son, in his own very home community in the act of executing the office of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.”

According to Ajaero: “I was arrested by the Police and  handed over to waiting thugs who thoroughly beaten me up”, he told the Journalists.

The thugs, he said, were about seven in number. He said they dragged him on the floor like a common criminal. Ajaero had, also, earlier said he was blind- folded, and feared that given the terrain he felt the vehicle he was put in was driving on,  he was being taking down a river to be killed and thrown into the river.

However, contrary to earlier claims, the NLC President neither mentioned the name of Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Special Duties, as the one who led the attack on him, nor did he say Nwaneri was present.

And contrary to the claims that Ajaero did not take necessary official precautions before his trip to Owerri, Ajaero said he wrote to all the Security Agencies before he and his members went to Imo State for the protest on November 1, 2023.

According to him, workers who arrived at the venue of the protest on that day around 7 am were beaten up by thugs and their phones seized.

Ajaero said he got there around 9 am after he got the report of the assault on workers, but was arrested  by the Police and handed over to thugs.

He lamented: “I can’t explain the beating I received. They tied my hands and dragged me on the floor like a common criminal.”

Enugu: Again, Mbah Wins

By
James Orji
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Peter Mbah
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state has been affirmed the winner of the March 14 , 2023 governorship election in the state.
The Court of Appeal in Enugu affirmed his election today barely two months after the state Election Petition Tribunal, declared him the winner.
The ruling also comes few days after a federal high court in Abuja, absolved him of forgery, and declared his NYSC certificate authentic.
The judgment affirming his election today was delivered by a three-man panel, in a suit filed by the Labour Party governorship candidate in the election, Chijioke Edeoga.
Mbah had been returned winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, but his victory was challenged in the court.
On September 9, 2023 Justice K.M. Akano led tribunal affirmed INEC position that Governor Mbah won the election.
Ruling on his alleged forgery of his NYSC certificate last week, the court held that the one in his possession is authentic.
Mbah had sued the NYSC and its Director, Corps Certification, Ibrahim Muhammad, for publishing a disclaimer, denying the issuance of a discharge certificate issued to him on January 6, 2003.

Flight Operations Resume At Imo Airport

By
The Source
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By  Charles Igbo

Flight operations resumed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Friday morning, November 10, 2023.

This was 24 hours after the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC,  in conjunction with their Aviation Union affiliates, disrupted flights to/ from Owerri. The flights were grounded  both at  the Nnamdi  Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos. No flights also took off from Owerri.

However, at least four private jets landed at Imo Airport yesterday with politicians on board, including, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu and his son who came in two separate chartered jets. Others who arrived also included Senators Ifeanyi Ubah and Uche Ekwunife, and Hon. Mustapha.

Friday morning, both Air Peace and United Airlines arrived Owerri Airport from Lagos with passengers, and departed for Abuja, also, with passengers.

The Labour Unions disrupted flights to Owerri to protest the manhanding of NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State, by Police Operatives a few days ago.

The near- fatal incident happened when Ajaero went to Owerri to organise a protest against the State Government by workers over alleged unresolved sundry issues, including non payment of salaries, an allegation the State Government denied strongly  and insisted it is upto date in that, and had even paid October salaries as at, and when due.

The disruption of flights on Thursday, caused untold hardship to, especially, Imo State indigenes.

Ondo Accuses Ogun Of Trespassing, Carrying Out Illegal Mapping In Ilaje Area

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ondo Community

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State government has reacted to allegation of encroachment into some communities by Ogun state, insisting that those areas in question constitutionally belong to Ondo.

The affected communities, Irokun, Obinehin, Idigbengben and Araromi seaside, in Ilaje council area, according to Ondo state, have never been in dispute since the state government has firm control of the areas.

Early this month, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Saleko-Ayodele alleged that the Government of Ondo State attacked Ogun state citizens in Irokun.

Reacting on behalf of Ondo state on Friday, the commissioner for information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju  declared that “This allegation is patently false and has become a pattern of alarming propaganda by the Ogun State Government as a strategy to reinforce their false territorial claim on Irokun, Obinehin, Idigbengben and Araromi seaside.

“The Ondo State Government is ever conscious of and irrevocably committed to the fundamental duty of protecting the lives and properties of its citizens.

“The admonition of the Deputy Governor of Ogun State urging the Ondo State Government to call her citizens to order on allegations that they were attacking their counterparts from Ogun State and linking same to the administrative actions of the Ondo State Government is deceptive.

“While the government of Ondo State is irrevocably committed to securing the lives and properties of its residents, we also note with high sense of responsibility that Ondo and Ogun state are sister states of the same Yoruba ethnic stock.

“For the most part, we have been under common political structures since the creation of the Western Region.

“What is now regarded as territorial disputes predated the creation of both states and have always been managed with the highest sense of responsibility by both states.

“Ondo and Ogun States share common boundaries in several parts, but contrary to the allegations of the Ogun State Deputy Governor, the upsurge of conflicts in the coastal areas is traceable to the activities of officials of the Ogun State Government in areas which are under the undisputed administrative territories of Ondo State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, communities such as Irokun, Obineyin, Araromi, etc which featured prominently in the Press Conference by the Deputy Governor are not in dispute between Ondo and Ogun States.

“These towns are legally and administratively within Ondo State territory and the towns have formidable presence of the state government which attest to the administrative control of the state over these areas.

“The appointment of Obas in these communities have been done by Ondo state in accordance with the customary law, and the extent Chiefs Law of the State.

“In particular, the recent appointment of Princess Adeyinka Abejoye-Ogunyemi as the Regent of Olurokun of Irokun following the demise of her father, the immediate past Oba Olowoniyi Abejoye, the 16th Olurokun of Irokun was approved by the Ondo State Government.

“Thus, the declaration of the legitimate exercise of power by the Ondo State Government over this area which was conferred on it by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as illegal by the Deputy Governor of Ogun State is not only untenable but an open invitation to lawlessness by miscreants who might be inclined to enforce the wish of the Ogun State Government.

“We regard the declaration by the Deputy Governor of Ogun State that “on no account will Ogun State Government cede an inch of this land to Ondo State” as comedic.

“We are committed to the development of these areas, and we state categorically that Ondo State is contented with its territorial boundaries within the Nigerian Federation.

“This includes its vast coastline, which is the longest among the littoral states, the boundary of which is historically shared with Lagos state in the west.

“The people of Ondo state know this and are at peace with the resolve of the state government to protect it. On no account will any part of it be ceded without justification.”

The commissioner accused Ogun state of illegally carrying out mappings in areas belonging to Ondo and appealed to the National Boundary Commission to earnestly release the final report of the ethnographic survey.

She appealed to people of the affected areas to maintain the peace assuring that government would protect them.

Few Hours To Kogi Gov Election; LG Chairman Slumps, Dies

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

As the people of Kogi state  prepare for Saturday’s Governorship Election, the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Council,  Muhammed Danasabe Muhammed, has suddenly died.

He was confirmed dead around 4:30am at a hospital in Lokoja, the State capital early Friday. Muhammed was said to have been rushed to the hospital after he slumped at his residence.

He had earlier held series of political meetings in preparation for Saturday governorship election.

A family source confirmed that he was rushed to a Hospital, in Lokoja, shortly after he collapsed in the house at the late hours of Thursday.

“Doctors confirmed him clinically dead around 4.30am on Friday”, said a family member. The deceased was from ward B in cantonment area of Lokoja.

He will be buried at the Unguwan Kura Muslim cemetery after Juma’at prayer.

Sympathisers were reportedly seen trooping into his family house at cantonment areas of Lokoja to condole the family over his sudden demise.

The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lokoja, Talba Lakwaja, confirmed the incident in a statement.

The statement reads “This is to notify the general public that the remains of the Lokoja Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Dasebe Mohammed, will be buried at Anguwan Kura burial ground 2pm immediately after jummat prayer.

“The body will depart his family house at cantonment to Lokoja Central Mosque by 1:30pm,” he said in a statement.”

2026 World Cup: Super Eagles Brace Up For Lesotho, Zimbabwe Cracker, Name 23-Man Squad

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles

By Akinwale Kasali

As the Super Eagles of Nigeria prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against the Crocodiles of Lesotho and Warriors of Zimbabwe, Coach Jose Santos Peseiro has named a strong 23-Man Squad for the fierce cracker.

Peseiro has invited Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi among a list of 23 players for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

There are also goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.

Defender Jamilu Collins makes a return after a long lay-off due to injury, and there is a first-ever call for Bayer Leverkusen of Germany forward Nathan Tella. Spain-based striker Sadiq Umar also makes a return after a long absence.

The Super Eagles kick-start their race to the huge houseparty in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada in 2026 with a session against the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo next week Thursday, and then fly to Rwanda for a clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday, 19th November.

The 20,000-capacity Huye Stadium, located in the city of Butare which is 135 kilometres south of the Rwandan capital, Kigali, has an artificial turf.

Zimbabwe has adopted Rwanda as home for the qualifiers as no stadium in the Southern African nation has been deemed fit to host the FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

However, Napoli Striker, Victor Osimhen, AC Milan Winger, Samuel Chukwueze and Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi are ruled out of the encounter due to injuries.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales)

Midfielders: Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)

UBA Signs Deal With Saudi Exim Bank To Promote Africa’s Export

By
James Orji
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0
UBA Signs Deal With Saudi Exim Bank To Promote Africa’s Export
 Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa, UBA, Plc, and Saudi Export-Import Bank, Saudi EXIM, a premier export credit agency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have entered into a partnership aimed at strengthening business growth and enhancing economic cooperation between their economies.
To this end, both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on November 9, 2023, to foster economic cooperation and trade relations between the two entities.
The MoU was signed on the side-lines of the Saudi and Arab African Summits in Saudi Arabia.
The partnership between UBA Group and Saudi EXIM Bank outlines the guiding principles for developing cooperation and relations between the two banks, with primary focus on promoting trade through the export of goods and services between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the African markets.
Apart from collaborating in these areas, both institutions will also ensure sustained participation in the development of the African economy through intercontinental business relationships that will be facilitated by the new partnership.
The MoU will also work towards supporting joint projects and collaboration involving the export of goods and services from Saudi Arabia, and exploring opportunities to co-finance, co-insure, co-guarantee, and reinsurance projects jointly undertaken by companies from both regions.
It will also facilitate the exchange of information and know-how in the field of export credit policies and practices, the sharing of experiences and best practices through meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops, as well as providing training for each other’s staff members and staff exchanges when beneficial to both parties.
The framework for cooperation on specific joint projects will be established under separate agreements, with each party determining the terms and conditions of its support in line with its policies, procedures, and national legislation.
Also, the exchange of information will be facilitated by both institutions, while technical know-how in the field of export credit policies and practices will also be shared.
UBA’s Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who expressed his enthusiasm about this collaboration, explained that through the partnership, both companies will Identify and support joint projects and collaboration in the area of exportation of goods and services.
He said, “We are happy to join hands with Saudi EXIM Bank in a partnership that holds great promise for businesses and economies in both regions. This agreement will not only facilitate the export of goods and services but also solidify our commitment to intercontinental business relationships and contribute to the development of the African economy.”
“This relationship is particularly promising, considering that Saudi Arabia is deliberate in deepening economic cooperation with Africa and UBA with presence in 20 African countries, providing the necessary vehicle for deepening this engagement. The partnership also expands our access to Asia and the Middle East, where the Bank recently opened a subsidiary in Dubai,” Alawuba said.
His Excellency Eng. Saad Al-Khalb, CEO of Saudi EXIM, said, “By uniting our strengths, we are setting in motion a dynamic platform that will propel the export of innovative Saudi goods and services, catalyze industrial growth, and magnify our global footprint across the rich tapestry of African economies. This, we believe, will not only augment Saudi Arabia’s export diversification but also contribute significantly to the socio-economic fabric of the African nations we will serve together.”
UBA is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than thirty-seven million customers across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries.

Airports Shutdown: Keyamo Vows To “Fight Back”

By
James Orji
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0
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has warned the organised Labour to resist the urge to dabble into politics.
The minister spoke in the light of Labour shutdown of flights to Imo state from airports across the country.
The unions stopped all flights from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, yesterday to the chargrin of many air travelers.
The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress,  TUC, reacted to the assault on Joe Ajaero, NLC President in Oweerri last week, allegedly by some officers of the Nigerian Police Force.
Not a few Nigerians have criticized the assault on Ajaero, but the incident, others insist should not be used as a collective punishment for Nigerian, particularly air travelers.
Speaking on Thursday at the opening of a retreat for the Minister, Permanent Secretary, Directors and Head of Agencies of the Aviation Ministry, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, the minister accused Labour of allowing itself to be used by politicians.
Keyamo described NLC and TUC as hirelings for an unnamed political parties, vowing to  “fight back” if Labour would not desist from  bringing “politics to aviation.
He said the Aviation Ministry was not involved in the physical assault on Ajaero, adding that his ministry should not be turned to a battleground.
He warned Labour that politicising the movement will destroy it, stressing that
“You cannot target aviation in trying to address your grievances.’’
Keyamo, who spoke at the opening of a retreat for the Minister, Permanent Secretary, Directors and Head of Agencies of the Aviation Ministry, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, pointed out that the “Aviation (sector) was not involved at all; but their target is aviation.
 The minister said, “I pray and I’m talking directly to them: Do not allow the Labour Party to destroy the labour movement. I repeat, do not allow the Labour Party and politics to destroy the labour movement.
 “Call your leadership to order. Don’t get sucked into politics. It will destroy the labour movement. They cannot be hirelings in the Labour Party and they used them at their will. That’s why you see that the labour movement does not control the policies of the Labour Party.
  “I, as aviation minister, will not allow that target on aviation. They should not target aviation. If they do that, I will fight back and they should not bring politics to aviation. I’m grounded in this. I have been with them all over the years but they cannot deceive me.
“What they are doing is politics. It’s not labour movement, it’s politics. You cannot use that platform to go and support a party different from my party when you’re fighting back. You say it’s labour movement. No, it’s not. You should be ready for the consequences if you play politics”.
Meanwhile, not a few Nigerians watching what’s happening insist that Labour paralyses of flight to Imo is targeted to disrupt the November 11, governorship election.
The state is among the three states where the Independent National Electoral Commission, is conducting off-season governorship elections this weekend.
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