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Our Stand Remains Peaceful Exit From Nigeria – IPOB

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been counting loses in its continued agitation to exit Nigeria but has now resolved that it is ready to negotiate with the Federal Government on peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a United Nations supervised referendum.

The pro-Biafran group said the peaceful agitation for  Biafra Independence started in 2012 without any violence or criminality, but the Federal Government has continued to attack its members.

The group disclosed this in a statement issued by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Saturday.

Powerful said IPOB has lost over 5,000 members and properties worth over $1bn as a result of the extreme use of force from the Nigeria security forces.

The statement read, “We the global family and movement of IPOB wish to reiterate once again that IPOB remains peaceful and open for negotiations and dialogue on peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a UN supervised Referendum.

“IPOB’s peaceful agitation for Biafra Independence started in 2012. Never has IPOB been associated with violence or criminality in all our years of rallies and protests.

“Nevertheless, the Federal Government, through its security forces, has levied war against IPOB. Our members have been brutally attacked while on peaceful protests by the Nigeria security forces at many locations in Biafra Land.

“As a result of these unwarranted attacks, many IPOB members have been murdered in cold blood, some have been permanently handicapped, some forcefully taking away by the security forces whereas some are still illegally detained in various detention facilities across Nigeria.

“Many IPOB members and sympathisers have had their houses and business burnt by the Nigeria security forces. IPOB has lost over 5,000 members with properties worth over $1bn as a result of the extreme use of force from the Nigeria Security Forces. Irrespective of all the provocations, IPOB has never retaliated nor have we taken up arms against the Nigerian State.”

“IPOB stands for peace. We stand for dialogue, and we stand for discussions. The cardinal rule under which IPOB was formed is to lead the way to a peaceful separation of Biafra from Nigeria. Biafra and Nigeria are two different nations.

“The events from 1948 to 2023 have shown that it is practically impossible for Biafra and Nigeria to coexist as one nation. IPOB has been calling on the Nigeria State for discussions on a peaceful referendum date, but the Nigeria State always returns the peaceful call with violent suppression.

“We have always maintained that self-determination is our inalienable right according to the UN laws.”

The group insisted that it remains committed to pursuing its self-determination peacefully according to international laws and regulations.

FG Suspends NPower Program Indefinitely, Alleges Irregularities

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
NPower

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has suspended the NPower Program indefinitely.

It took the step over allegations of irregularities and raised concerns over the utilization of the funds.

Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation made the disclosure of the suspension of the NPower Program on TVC News.

The NPower Program was initiated by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and designed to tackle youth unemployment and promote social development.

The program’s effectiveness and transparency has, however, been queried.

Highlighting several issues that necessitated its suspension, Edu said one major concern is the presence of beneficiaries who should have exited the program in 2022 but are still receiving monthly stipends.

This discrepancy has raised doubts about the accuracy of the program’s payroll and the legitimacy of some beneficiaries.

According to her, “ We must go back to look into Npower and understand what the problems are, so we will basically suspend the program for now until we are done with a proper investigation into the utilization of funds”.

The Minister further explained that government aims to determine the exact number of beneficiaries, the outstanding amounts owed to them, and whether they are actively contributing to the program’s objectives.

She emphasized that there was need for a comprehensive restructuring of the Npower program and its expansion.

She stated, “There are lots going on. We met people who are supposed to have exited the program since last year, and they are still claiming that they are still teaching.” It was discovered that some beneficiaries are listed as teachers even though they are not actively working at their assigned locations. According to Minister Edu, approximately 80 percent of these beneficiaries are not engaged in their designated roles, yet they continue to receive salaries, causing a significant drain on the program’s resources.

The suspension of the Npower program is targeted at bringing about a significant development that underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the issues that have plagued the initiative.

Some section of Nigerian has however applauded the suspension, saying that investigation into fund utilization and beneficiary legitimacy is expected to shed light on the program’s challenges and pave the way for meaningful reforms.

IPOB Ready To Discuss With  Tinubu, Set For Referendum For Biafra Nation

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has declared its readiness to negotiate with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Government on the peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria.

IPOB said this will be done through a United Nation supervised Referendum.

In a statement by its Spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Saturday, IPOB said the pro-Biafran Group  started a peaceful agitation since 2012  without any violence or criminality, but the Federal Government has continued to attack its members.

The Group added that it has lost over 5,000 members and properties worth over $1bn as a result of the extreme use of force from the Nigeria security forces.

The statement read, “We the global family and movement of IPOB wish to reiterate once again that IPOB remains peaceful and open for negotiations and dialogue on peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a UN supervised Referendum.

“IPOB’s peaceful agitation for Biafra Independence started in 2012. Never has IPOB been associated with violence or criminality in all our years of rallies and protests. Nevertheless, Federal Government, through its security forces, has levied war against IPOB. Our members have been brutally attacked while on peaceful protest by the Nigeria security forces at many locations in Biafra Land.

“As a result of these unwarranted attacks, many IPOB members have been murdered in cold blood, some have been permanently handicapped, some forcefully taking away by the security forces whereas some are still illegally detained in various detention facilities across Nigeria.

“Many IPOB members and sympathisers have had their houses and business burnt by the Nigeria security forces. IPOB has lost over 5,000 members with properties worth over $1bn as a result of the extreme use of force from the Nigeria Security Forces. Irrespective of all the provocations, IPOB has never retaliated nor have we taken up arms against the Nigerian State.

“IPOB stands for peace. We stand for dialogue, and we stand for discussions. The cardinal rule under which IPOB was formed is to lead the way to a peaceful separation of Biafra from Nigeria. Biafra and Nigeria are two different nations.

“The events from 1948 to 2023 have shown that it is practically impossible for Biafra and Nigeria to coexist as one nation. IPOB has been calling on the Nigeria State for discussions on a peaceful referendum date, but the Nigeria State always returns the peaceful call with violent suppression.

“We have always maintained that self-determination is our inalienable right according to the UN laws.”

Impeachment: Ondo Group Accuses Deputy Governor Of Fueling Violence

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

An Ondo Group, Arise For Change and Good Governance, (ACGG) has accused the embattled deputy governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of fuelling violence to checkmate his impeachment.

The group also alleged that Aiyedatiwa had been calling different groups and unions to stage protests in the state capital and set some buildings, including the House of Assembly, on fire.

The ACGG in a statement titled, “Aiyedatiwa Beating The Drum Of War In Ondo” and signed by its publicity secretary, Yemi Ogundele, said the impeachment of a deputy governor should not be escalated to crisis level, adding that the deputy governor is not bigger than the state.

The statement reads “We have it on good authority that the Deputy Governor has been calling militants, ex-militants and some youths inciting them to besiege Akure, the state capital and cause unrest.

“Part of his plans is to mobilize some youths and attack innocent residents in Akure, making it look like a bloodbath.

“There is also information that these youths will take over the state capital in a protest manner and set the House of Assembly and other government buildings on fire.

“In the different conversations that have been held on some social media platforms, these youths have been promised thousands of dollars to execute the plans.

“The deputy governor and his supporters are boasting of spending thousands of dollars. They are assuring the youths that some associations and highly placed individuals have contributed money to fight for the deputy governor.

“These plans are being orchestrated by Aiyedatiwa and three of his core loyalists. It is clear that the only way they are luring these youths is with money.

“We are adequately informed that some mercenaries have also been imported into the state to foment trouble.

“We are hereby calling on the security agencies and other authorities to reign-in Aiyedatiwa and his group.

“We are not interested in the feud between the deputy governor and the House of Assembly. What we are interested in is the peace of Ondo State.

“Let it be on record that the issue of deputy governor’s impeachment cannot hold the state to ransom.

‘The state and its institutions are bigger than any politician and their ambitions. We shall expose and rise against anyone, either the deputy governor, his associate, the House of Assembly or the governor, who plans to set the state on fire. Our ultimate goal is to protect the peace and tranquility in the Sunshine State.

“By this statement, we are alerting the security agencies, general public and the good people of Ondo State to resist these agents of destabilization and foil their attempt to cause unrest in Ondo State.”

November 11 Imo Governorship Election: It Will Be A Miracle To Defeat Uzodinma

By
The Source
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0
Samdaddy Uzodimma and Athan

By Onwuasoanya FCC Jones

“No matter how much we want to dislike Governor Hope Uzodinma, we must concede that he remains the most experienced politician in Imo State of today. He is a talisman of the game. To defeat such a man, especially, when he is an incumbent, you certainly need to do more than merely gathering a ragtag team of political hirelings and pass them off as defectors.”

One does not need to be a political pundit to concede that with the present state of things as regards to the Imo governorship election, betting on any of the opposition candidates winning the November 11th election is like betting on Enyimba United Football club defeating Manchester City in a cup match. It is not impossible, but it would amount to a miraculous upset. However, when Enyimba United has its ranks depleted by defections, inefficient management team and poor tactics, it becomes almost impossible. But, because in politics as in football, upsets do happen, we can still give the Imo opposition, as presently constituted, a chance of winning, based solely on some luck, rather than anything else.

No matter how much we want to dislike Governor Hope Uzodimma, we must concede that he remains the most experienced politician in Imo State of today and by Nigeria’s political standards, you can’t rate him above many people on the field. He is a talisman of the game. To defeat such a man, especially, when he is an incumbent, you certainly need to do a lot more than merely gathering a ragtag team of political hirelings and pass them off as defectors.

One of the ways to attain good results in any endeavour is to look back at things that had worked in the past, adopt the strategies that made such things work or improve on such strategies. You can’t be speeding on a cul-de-sac and believe you are heading to somewhere. You are definitely running on a circle.

The first time since 1999 that an incumbent has been defeated in an election was in 2011, and we all know how that happened. It didn’t just happen by a stroke of luck or by someone standing on the podium to boast about how he will defeat the incumbent or how no one can “steal my votes”. It took a lot of technical, financial, spiritual and psychological investments to oust Ohakim by Rochas in 2011. For the benefit of those who didn’t follow the politics closely at that time, let me give you a brief rundown of how that victory was planned and executed.

Firstly, Rochas was already a household name in Imo State and across Nigeria before 2011. He even declared that his contest for governorship was a condescension on his part. Rochas had solid structures on the ground; from his Rochas Foundation Colleges, to his Agenda 2015 organisation, to his Action Alliance political structure and the numerous people who were benefiting from his “philanthropic” gestures. Rochas also gave the impression that he was a multibillionaire. As at that time, he already ran for the presidency twice and made good impacts in the race, yet, winning the governorship wasn’t a tea party for him.

Chief Ikedi Ohakim was a victim of some of the most caustic political blackmail ever seen in our politics. Most of these blackmail were allegedly bankrolled in the multiple billions of Naira by a powerful politician who is his kinsman. These political blackmail were less of the usual social media and newspaper things, but practical actions that did not only alienate that gentleman from the people, but it was primarily targeted at making him lose the support of the federal government. I heard a story of when a popular politician dressed some hirelings in the robes of bishops and top Christian clergy and chiefs and secured an appointment between them and the former President Goodluck Jonathan, where they specifically warned the President that any attempt to foist Ohakim on Imo people for a second term would lead to crisis. The same politician also allegedly sponsored billboards across Abuja, which denounced the Jonathan presidency. Everything was done to link Ohakim to the whirlpool of opposition against Jonathan continuing and completing Late Yar’Adua’s tenure. No doubt, this achieved a lot of results. Even though the sponsor of these activities did not become the eventual ultimate beneficiary, but you cannot deny that this was very effective in at least, disconnecting Ohakim from the patronage of the presidency.

On the campaign ground, Owelle Rochas Okorocha enamoured himself to the people, to the point that people were throwing in their personal funds into his election campaign, instead of collecting money from him. Okorocha watered the groundswell of mass support he enjoyed from the people by performing many episodes of interesting but highly believable dramas across Imo State. If he is not leading prayer sessions in the market places, he would be drinking sachet water with street children and cleaning up with his bare hands the mucus running down the nostrils of some dirty looking children. Rochas effectively ignited a revolution in the State at the time that people were ready to throw in their lives to ensure he won the election. But, he would have still lost out woefully, if his opponent on the other side and himself did not succeed in ensuring that Ohakim became a kind of pariah before the presidency.

No one would believe that Chief Ohakim was the incumbent running on the platform of the Party that held power at the centre. Instead of the opposition been harassed by security agents, it was rather the supporters and operatives of the ruling Party that were the targets of police harassment and unfriendliness from other institutions.

At present, there is no opposition governorship candidate with either the clout of Ararume and Rochas or the public appeal of Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Fundamentally, there is no political party with the cultural undertone of APGA of 2011, or a Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to lead the campaign for the governorship election. In 2010/2011, it was a combination of Ezeigbo Gburugburu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Mr. Peter Obi, Chief Victor Umeh, Senator Chris Anyanwu, etc. Then, we had the financial muscles of Chief Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah of the Capital Oil fame, Arthur Eze N’Ukpor, Emeka Offor and many others, from within and outside Imo State and Igbo land. Ohakim contested that election not against Rochas, but against the principalities and powers that owned Nigeria.

While it was obvious that Ohakim was up against Rochas and APGA in that election, at least three months before the election, today, we have three purportedly strong opposition candidates, drawing at each others scrotum, while Governor Uzodimma consolidates on his base and even expands more on his chances, poaching key operatives in the opposition camp. I forgot to mention that in 2011, a sitting Senator defected from the ruling Party to join Rochas in a little known APGA. Commissioners and key operatives of the ruling Party were attending meetings and helping to strategise for Rochas’ victory.

Elections are not won by mere wishes. Electioneering is a big business and you must sit down and plan things through, to the very end before you can win. While there is always an element of luck in elections like every other thing in life, luck plays very insignificant part in ensuring election success, and not in a situation where you are up against a Hope Uzodimma, who has mastered the art of our politics and electioneering. You will certainly need more than the luck of the Croatian Frane Selak , who is considered the luckiest man on earth.

MAY IMO WIN!

Jones, an accomplished Political Analyst, Writer, Image Maker and Manager, was until he quit within a few weeks of his appointment, the Spokesperson for the Imo PDP Governorship Candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu

Warning To Arise TV: KENNETH OKONKWO Replies National Broadcasting Commission In An Open Letter

By
The Source
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0

I read the letter written by Mr Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, DG of NBC, and wish to state as follows:

  1. I sympathize with him in this unfortunate journey intended to please his employers, but state that he would have been more wise and circumspect in going about it.
  1. Maybe he is not aware that the Court has decided that NBC has no power to fine or sanction any media house. Intimidating or manipulating the media house is a form of sanction and is unlawful.
  1. He ill-advisedly mentioned my name in his letter as making an unguarded utterance simply because I confirmed that the Chicago State University certificate, which BAT submitted to INEC, was forged, for the simple reason that the University has expressly stated that the certificate did not come from them, which is the condition necessary to prove forgery.
  1. This statement is an outright infringement on my fundamental human rights as enshrined in Sections 38 and 39, which provide that “every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought…; every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information, ideas and information without interference”.
  1. These rights are superior to the NBC Statute which the DG incorrectly stated and his mentioning my name in his letter is an attempt to rudely interfere with my divinely and constitutionally guaranteed rights and he should desist henceforth from further mentioning my name in any letter or communication whatsoever. I remind him that, by law, any infringement on the fundamental human rights of Nigerians attracts punishment of damages.
  1. The Constitution also protects the right of the media in Section 22 to be free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people. Again the DG does not have the right to deny Arise TV their right to hold the government accountable to the people.
  1. It’s unfortunate that when all media houses condemned Mmesoma for forging her Jamb certificate, and rightly too, without being convicted by a court, simply because JAMB disowned her certificate, and rightly too, the DG didn’t write to any TV station or mention the name of any guest on TV who condemned such forgery. Now that the certificate of the President is disowned by the University that purportedly issued it, the DG has suddenly found his mouth to mention the names of the people who condemned such forgery of the certificate after the university disowned it and even wrote the media house to threaten it.
  1. The only unguarded utterance here is the ill-advised letter written by the DG to Arise TV and this must stop. I did not make my name by forging my certificates, I made my name by investing the talent of acting God has deposited in me to create a new movie industry called Nollywood which started with the movie Living in Bondage, and which pleased God to make me the first Actor of the industry which is employing millions of Nigerian Youths. I have since improved to become a Lawyer and advocate for a New Nigeria, which preceded this new political dispensation.
  1. If your letter is an attempt at intimidating me not to say the truth, you have failed because I have already decided to fight for a new Nigeria based on the truth, realizing that truth is the only thing that brings genuine and permanent solutions to a nation’s problem. It is letters like your own that have prompted foreign entities to wrongly ascribe forgery as a Nigerian thing. Please desist from such letters.
  1. Sir, I humbly take exception to your using my name disrespectfully and demand an apology from you. I will restrict myself and be as civil as possible in this writing because this is the first time you are embarking on this misadventure. I will certainly not be this civil next time if this attitude continues.

Accept my best regards and thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Sincerely,
Kenneth Okonkwo Esq.

Osun Warring Communities Agree To Ceasefire, Curfew Persists

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun state Clash

By Ayodele Oni

To allow peace and order to reign, the two warring communities of Ifon and Ilobu have signed a peace agreement with the Osun state government.

The agreement is coming just as the two warring communities defied government curfew with more houses set ablaze. The communities agreed to sheath  swords with immediate effect.

While welcoming the development as a good omen towards a near lasting peace in the two communities, Osun state government reaffirmed its earlier stand that the 24 hour curfew put in place subsists.

For the past few days, the two hitherto peace-loving communities of Ifon and Ilobu had been embroiled in a communal conflict that had led to the wanton destruction of lives and properties, which informed imposition of curfew.

Announcing the truce reached by the two communities, Osun state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, stated as follows:

“That Ifon and Ilobu Communities of Orolu and Irepodun local governments respectively have agreed to sheath their swords with immediate effect following a signed Peace Agreement to stop the communal clashes

“That notwithstanding this cheering development, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun state in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state directs that the 24-hour Curfew earlier imposed in Orolu and Irepodun local governments housing Ifon and Ilobu communities be continued until further notice.

“That Osun state government appreciates the leadership of Ifon and Ilobu communities as well as Olokanla for the signing of the peace agreement

“That Osun state government, for the umpteenth time commiserates with the families of victims of the communal clashes, who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis.

“That officers of the Joint Security Task Force comprising the Nigerian Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and other security agents, as directed by His Excellency, are to remain on the 24 hour surveillance of the two communities with a view to ensuring a lasting peace.

“That as a government, the present administration will not stop at doing anything as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to protect the lives and properties of the people of Orolu and Irepodun local governments and by extension, Osun state in general.

“That Osun state government appreciates the leadership of Ifon and Ilobu communities as well as Olokanla for the signing of the peace agreement .

“That, Osun state government, for the umpteenth time commiserates with the families of victims of the communal clashes, who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis.”

How An Unqualified Nurse Injected Mohbad To Death – Police

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Mohbad

By Adesina Soyooye

The controversy over the sudden death of singer, Ileroluwa Aloba, popular as Mohbad is gradually settling down with the revelation by the Lagos State Police Command that he may have died from a couple of injections given to him at home by an unqualified and unregistered “Nurse”

Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, and sparked off a series of allegations and counter allegations which led to the arrest and detention of his friends, including, controversial musician, Naira Marley, whose signed he was before they parted ways.

His friends were alleged to have bullied him no end, and often times physically beat him in a bid to intimidate him. Both his wife and mother confirm he lived in fear until his sudden death.

But in a detailed preliminary brief on Mohbad’s death, pending the release of the autopsy of his body ordered by the Lagos State Government, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Idowu Owohunwa, said the late singer was sent off Mother- Earth by the instruments of an unregistered Nurse who gave him injections, including one for tetanus, and an infusion in quick succession. Thereafter, Mohbad began to convulsed and vomited blood. When he was eventually taken to the hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The CP disclosed that a total of 26 witnesses have been interviewed.

Those interrogated were Mohbad’s father, mother, sisters, brother, wife and manager, among others.

The CP said that the “nurse”, Feyisayo Ogedemgbe, was invited by Mohbad’s friend, Ayobami Sodiq, aka Spending, to inject the singer at his residence.

She administered three doses of injections now believed  to have triggered a chain of reactions which ultimately led to Mohbad’s death.

Said the CP: “The chain of events that directly and specifically led to the death of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (Mohbad) occurred between 10th – 13th September, 2023 and the locations of incidents stretched over Ikorodu and Lekki in Lagos State.

“Feyisayo Ogedengbe ‘f’, who, as an auxiliary nurse, administered multiple and highly potent injections which triggered an immediate reaction that eventually occasioned the death of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (Mohbad) is the principal suspect in the homicide case.

“Feyisayo Ogedengbe is not a qualified, registered, nurse, and her illegal and medical negligence are believed to have been directly responsible for the chain reactions and eventual death of Mohbad at 1543hrs on 12th September, 2023.

“The time within which Auxiliary Nurse Ogedengbe administered the injections on Mohbad, through his reaction, convulsion and his eventual death is confirmed to be within less than an hour covering from 1440hrs when the principal suspect administered the sets of injections and 1543hrs when Mohbad was confirmed dead at Cura-Med Hospital, Lekki.

“Aside her admittance to the consequences of her actions, the Report of the Medical Panel that reviewed Auxiliary Nurse Feyisayo’s actions concluded that she went beyond her limitations as an auxiliary nurse by administering IV Ceftriaxone on the deceased and that this from their review, was the most likely cause of the anaphylactic reaction which could have been promptly resolved and his death possibly prevented, if the deceased was treated in the hospital.

“Ibrahim Oluwatosin Owoduni (Prime Boy) is also considered as complicit in the chain of events that led to the eventual death of Mohbad as the injury that culminated in actions which led to his death was sustained in the course of physical combat between him and Mohbad

“Ayobami Sodiq (Spending), is also considered complicit in the homicide case for inviting Feyisayo Ogedengbe whom he knew to be an unqualified and unregistered nurse to administer the potent medications that eventually triggered reactions leading to Mohbad’s death.’’

The result of the  autopsy conducted on the late singer’s body, said the CP, is being awaited. His body was exhumed for autopsy after it was buried on September 13, 2023.

According to the CP, “From investigation so far conducted, the sequence of events that directly occasioned the death of Mohbad and the suspects directly involved have been established as follows:

On 10th September 2023, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (Mohbad) attended a musical concert at Ikorodu Town Hall at about 2100hrs on the invitation of Soso Soberekon to promote De-General Bitters beverages.

“Mohbad arrived the venue of the event at about 1900hrs in company of his wife, Mrs Cynthia Omowumi Adebanjo and their 5months old baby; his childhood friend Ibrahim Oluwatosin Owoduni (Prime Boy), and Mohbad’s Personal Assistant, Adeyemo Boluwatife (Darosa) all of whom were in the Prado Jeep which was hired by Mohbad for the event and driven by Fidelix Esanbor.

“Others that accompanied Mohbad in separate vehicles include Ayobami Sadiq (Spending), Aduragbemi Shedrack Aloba, Mohbad’s younger brother; Ajisegiri Sultan Ayobami, Mohbad’s DJ; Aderinto Fawas Ademola (Adewest), Mohbad’s friend, and Olanrewaju Idris Adedoja (OG), his Photographer.

“Other musical acts that performed along with Mohbad at the show included Zlatan, Seun Kuti, and DJ Fokati.

“At the end of his performance at about 2300hrs, as he made to exit the venue with his entourage, he discovered that his vehicle had been blocked by other vehicles, while some of his fans and Area Boys also mobbed him. Mohbad who from witnesses’ evidence was said to be tipsy and hyperactive became infuriated and as he attempted to come down to clear the road, Ibrahim, his friend, prevailed on him not to for security reasons.

“This further infuriated Mohbad and degenerated into a hot argument and physical fight between the two of them. In the course of an attempt to hit Ibrahim with a blow, Mohbad missed and smashed the rare window of their Prado Jeep causing him an injury on his forehand and he bled profusely.

“Eventually, the situation was brought under control, and they all departed for the Lekki residence of Mohbad excluding Ibrahim.

“Upon arrival at home at about 0200hrs of 11th September, 2023, Mohbad refused to go to the hospital to treat his injury despite persistent persuasion by his wife, staff and friends including the Prado Jeep driver whose vehicle was damaged.

“Later in the day, the injured hand which was still bleeding, started getting swollen causing Mohbad unbearable pains. His friend Ayobami Sadiq (Spending), who noticed the increasing pains, further insisted that he must go to the hospital for treatment.

“Mohbad still resisted and opted to call his personal nurse identified as Nurse Funmi, who unfortunately was unavailable.

“At this point, Ayobami Sadiq (Spending) offered to call his own nurse, Ms Feyisayo Ogedengbe, to attend to Mohbad, a suggestion that he (Mohbad) consented to.

“When Ms Feyisayo was contacted at about 1430hrs on Monday 11th September, 2023, she was also unavailable but promised to come the following day, being Tuesday, 12th September, 2023.

“Ahead of her arrival, she requested that the picture of the swollen hand/injury area be snapped and forwarded to her for assessment and to guide on the medication to come along with. This was eventually done.

“At about 1435hrs on 12th September, 2023, Ms Feyisayo eventually arrived armed with 1 Pack of Ceftriaxone injection; 1 Vial Paracetamol injection, Tetanus Toxoid injection, 1 Vial Procaine Penicillin, 7 ampules of IM Diclofenac, Tincture Iodine, and Needles/Syringes.

“Ms Feyisayo administered the Tetanus Toxoid on the arm of Mohbad and gave both the Paracetamol and Ceftriaxone injection intravenously.

“Immediately the Ceftriaxone injection was administered, Ms Feyisayo confirmed that Mohbad started vomiting while goose bumps appeared on the face and all over his body.

“At this point, it dawned on Ms Feyisayo that Mohbad was reacting to the administered medication. She consequently ran out to procure hydrol and nisaline infusion. While at the Pharmacy in the locality, she got a call that Mohbad had started convulsing.

“Eventually, Cynthia Omoduni Adebanjo, Aduragbemi Shedrack Aloba, Olarewaju Idris Adedoja, Ayinde Habib Idowu Damola, Aderinto Fawas Ademola, and Ms. Feyisayo rushed him to the hospital in the vehicle of Engr. Chinaka Jesse, their neighbour.

“Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead on arrival at Cura-Med Hospital, Lekki. Not convinced, the team moved his body to Perez Hospital, Lekki where his death was re-certified. A death certificate was later issued by Cura-Med hospital.

“Mohbad’s father who had earlier been contacted, came to the Late Mohbad’s house and after a short meeting, resolved to move the body to Ikorodu for burial, which was done the following day, 13th September 2023 at about 1400hrs.”

Mohbad’s death triggered unprecedented protests within and outside Nigeria.

FG Warns Arise TV Over Alleged  “Derogatory And Incendiary Remarks”

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Bola Tinubu and Arise TV

By Adesina Soyooye

The Federal  Government has issued a “Final Warning To Arise TV”.

In the letter the FG urged the TV station to have what it called a “delay mechanism to guard against undesirable contents.”

The Federal Government’s warning was issued through the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

It accused  Arise Television of making derogatory and incendiary remarks. The letter was signed by NBC’s Director General, Dr Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, and dated October 6, 2023.

Addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Arise Global Media Limited, it also urged Arise TV  “to keep to its responsibility of keeping its guest on check.”

The letter titled:

“Preponderance of derogatory and incendiary remarks: final warning” read in part:

“The NBC has observed with concern preponderance of incendiary remarks allowed on Arise news.

“This letter seeks to underscore the tremendous responsibility put on the broadcaster to manage the array of guest that may feature on the station from time to time.

“The commission listed the station’s morning show programme on 5th October anchored by Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Ayo Maio-Ese, which featured Oladokun Hassan and Dele Farotimi as guests.

“The programme contained unguarded incendiary remarks by Dele Farotimi against the Legislature and the Executive, the Judiciary and Mr. President.

“The station was also accused of not keeping to its responsibility while airing its programme ”Newsday” which featured Kenneth Okonkwo, (Spokesperson of Labour Party) who used derogatory remarks on air.

“The Commission, therefore, drew the attention of the broadcast station to broadcast rule and code 1.10.3, 3.3.1(a), 3.3.3(c), 3.3.1 (e), 5.3.3(b) and 5.5.6.   Arise TV is advised to install a delay mechanism to guard against undesirable contents as prescribe in section 5.5.6 of the broadcasting code.”

The NBC is in the condemnable habit of imposing outrageous fines on Broadcast Stations on one flimsy excuse or the other.

Soyinka Tells Accusers Of Certificate Forgery To Jump Off River Niger Bridge

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

It is not known why he chose River Niger over the Atlantic Ocean. But Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has asked those who accused him of forging his academic certificates to jump off the bridge of River Niger “as a token of moral recompense.”

The Professor had come under strong criticisms in the wake of his loud silence on the controversy surrounding the academic certificates of President Bola Tinubu  submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to participate in the February 25th Presidential Election.

As a follow-up to the criticisms, a couple of social media stories had emerged which dared question the authenticity of the Nobel Laureate’s certificates.

In a statement on Friday, Soyinka gave the purveyors of the story 30-day ultimatum to prove their allegations by providing evidence(s). If proved, he said he would strip himself of all academic laurels he has garnered. Otherwise, he asked them to “undertake to jump off the bridge of the symbolic River Niger, provided with life jackets to ensure a life of remorse after this ritual of purgation, but chained to one another in a commendable unity of purpose.”

Following is the full text of Soyinka’s statement titled “A Moral Call To Amoral Conscripts” which he released on Friday.

“A document of unmatchable scurrility, last encountered during General Sani Abacha’s global campaign of calumny against opponents of his despotic, infernally venal and homicidal reign, is back in circulation. Duly modified to suit a debased internet culture, it is making its grimy rounds ironically under the auspices of a democratic political party, supposedly dedicated to an ethos of freedom of opinion and expression. The contents of that script are attributed, as before, to the scholastic industry of a Bristol schoolteacher.

“While awaiting a decision from my lawyers whether or not to dignify the current sponsors of this mouldy tract with legal action, I wish to state in advance that I voluntarily waive all protection under the statute of limitations, and insist that the laws that govern fraudulent academic claims be invoked and applied to these allegations to the uttermost limit.  I also declare, in advance that, if found culpable, I shall strip myself of any titles and honours I may have garnered in my entire career, from the most obscure to the most coveted.

“In return, I expect the purveyors of this sordid material to submit all evidence, however minuscule, to the nation’s investigative agencies – Directorates of Prosecutions, EFCC, ICPC, plus affected institutions and others – within the next thirty days. Failing this elementary service in public interest within the stated time, and/or If such allegations are yet again proven baseless, thus indicating that their sponsors can boast of neither honours to their careers nor honour to their births and origins, then, as a token of moral recompense, they should undertake to jump off the bridge of the symbolic River Niger, provided with life jackets to ensure a life of remorse after this ritual purgation, but chained to one another in a commendable unity of purpose.

“This is being copied to the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria, Pan-African Writers Association, Accra, Nigeran Association of Authors, the Nobel Foundation, Stockholm, the University of Leeds, the alleged Bristol Primary Source and his school, and the infested media.”

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