RVSG Dances On Dokpesi’s Grave, Shuts Down AIT, Raypower; Downs Structures

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September 4, 2023

By Gideon Njoku

The Rivers State Government has, literally, danced on the grave of Dr Raymond Dokpesi, an estranged friend of the State till he died.

The shocking, but not quite surprising, dance took place on Sunday, September 3, 2023 in Porthacourt.

The Government shut down the operations of Dokpesi’s babies – African Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower. Dokpesi was the proud founder of DAAR Communications Plc, the umbrella body under which AIT and Raypower operate.

This shut-down happened just three months after Dokpesi’s death on May 29, 2023. The South-South Headquarters of DAAR Communications operations is in Rivers State.

Watchers of the events cannot quite pinpoint when the strong friendly relationship between DAAR Communications and Rivers State Government went sour. But not a few people put it down to politics.

Dokpesi was a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before his death. Trouble reared its head when he became, not just a staunch supporter of the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, but the Leader of his Presidential Campaign in the South-south Zone. The immediate past Governor of the State, now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was also a Presidential aspirant. For Wike, any supporter of Atiku’s Presidential ambition automatically became an enemy. Dokpesi was one. That, it is alleged, affected the relationship, and also affected the Corporate relationship between DAAR Communications and the Rivers State Government under Wike.

It was, therefore, no surprise when the Government, under Wike, suddenly gave DAAR a-48 hour notice for the demolition of its Headquarters. This has just been carried out under Wike’s successor.

A report on DAAR’s website said their operations were shut down by Government contracted telecommunications Engineers, accompanied by armed security operatives.

A broadcast, shown live on the TV channel showed the disconnecting of the wave guard from the antenna on the mast by the Engineers. The mast was also seen being dismantled.

In a statement, the organisation said in part: “Meanwhile, bulldozers were also deployed by the Rivers State Government to demolish the Transmitter Complex at the DAAR Communications PLC Broadcast Centre in Port Harcourt.

“Management of the Company has been taken by surprise following the sudden turn of events as efforts were in top gear to resolve issues with the State Government amicably but the no notice incident is a heavy source of concern.

“Some officials of the telecommunications contractor told AIT that they were working on a directive from above to start demolition on Sunday despite the heavy rains as against a later date.”

According to reports, “the land on which the AIT/RayPower Radio station built its transmission station has been a subject of dispute between the Rivers State government and Daar Communications, Plc.”

In March 2023, under Wike, the Government issued a 48-hour demolition notice on the transmission station in Port Harcourt.

It ordered DAAR to remove its property, claiming it was on the right of way of the proposed GRA Phase 5 housing project.

The letter to DAAR dated March 20 and signed by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Ebere Dennis-Emenike, reads:

“Following the imminent commencement of the above project, all structure (s) impacting on the Right-of-way of the project have been earmarked for demolition including your own.

“Consequently, you are by this notice requested to remove such structure (s) within forty-eight (48) hours to allow for speedy progress of work.”

It sadly came to pass on Sunday.

Tension, Suspense As Presidential Election Petition Court Delivers Judgement; September 6 Is D-day

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Ayodele Oni

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September 4, 2023

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Bola Tinubu-Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

By Ayodele Oni

Another major step in the February poll is set to take place as the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPT) is expected to be delivered on Wednesday, September 6th.

The Court of Appeal Registrar Umar Bangari confirmed this to Channels Television on Monday, saying the proceedings will be open to live broadcast by interested television stations.

The Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as well as their presidential candidates, had petitioned the tribunal seeking to nullify the election of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election.

Judgement is also expected to be delivered by election tribunals in 25 states for Governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly Election Petitions.

The legal tussle is one of the major steps through which winners of the elections will be determined.

Any party that is dissatisfied still has the option to appeal against the judgement of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court. In the case of the Presidential office, the next stage is the Supreme Court, while that of Governorship is the Court of Appeal.

Economic Hardship: DSS Reveals Plan For Massive Protest; “Don’t Subvert National Unity” It Advises

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Ayodele Oni

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September 4, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Vice chancellors, heads of institutions and parents in the country have been put on red alert as the Department of State Services (DSS) revealed that it uncovered plans by some elements in parts of the country to stage violent protests in order to discredit the Federal Government and security agencies over sundry socio-economic matters.

In a statement on Monday, DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, stated that intelligence reports have indicated that the plotters include certain politicians who are desperately mobilising unsuspecting student leaders, ethnic based associations, youth and disgruntled groups for the planned action.

He said the Service has identified the ring leaders of the plot as well as sustained monitoring around them in order to deter them from plunging the country into anarchy.

“In view of this development, University Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Tertiary Institutions are advised to discourage their students from engaging in acts capable of derailing public peace.

Also, parents and guardians are enjoined to admonish their children and wards respectively to shun the lure of participating in inimical behaviours or conducts against law and order.

‘While the DSS is aware of Government’s efforts and determination to resolve some of the challenges confronting the nation, it warns those desirous of subverting national security to retrace their steps.

“This is more so that it will not hesitate to legally come against persons and groups behind the devious plans.”

Imo: Mrs Tinubu Shuts Up Fake Story Bearers On Uzodinma; “He Has Presidential Backing, She Says”

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The Source

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September 4, 2023

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By Charles Igbo

The visit to Owerri, Imo State, by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday, 1st September, 2023, couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time.

For both Governor Hope Uzodinma, the incumbent, seeking a second term in office, and the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, popular as Samdaddy, Mrs Tinubu’s visit was of consequence.

She had visited Imo State to grace the grand finale of the Annual August Meeting in the State. In the South-east, the August Meeting, a meeting of the women is important. It is for women home and abroad. It is a period they meet and discuss the progress of their various communities. August meeting is taken seriously by all Igbo women. Those who live outside their communities usually go home to participate. None participation could come with a huge fine.

But the 2023 August meeting in Imo State was one with a difference. It was the first time a President’s wife would grace the grand finale. Not a few people are wondering how the beautiful Mrs Chioma Uzodinma, a Lawyer, pulled the feat. With that feat, Imo became the first State Mrs Tinubu would visit officially. It’s political undertone, especially, in the weeks running to tye Governorship election, was not lost on most people.

It is not known if the Nigerian First Lady knew the significant of her visit to Imo. The supporters of Governor Uzodinma and those of Anyanwu looked forward to it. Perhaps, so did their Principal. Anything she said could lift, or down their morale.

A couple of weeks before her visit, Mrs Tinubu’s name had started featuring in the very bitter politics of the State. Many stories had started circulating on how her support could, and would swing victory the way of a candidate in the November 11, 2023 Governorship election. So, expectations were high. What would she say?

Instructively, as far as many, especially in the opposition PDP were concerned, Mrs Tinubu was not likely to say a word in favour of Uzodinma. If anything, they claimed, Mrs Tinubu was in support of Samdaddy. But because of her position, she perhaps would be diplomatic, and not talk about the elections. If that happens, it would still be a plus for Anyanwu as the interpretation would be that “the First Lady visited and ignored to endorse him.”

The strong speculation which worried a couple of the Governor’s supporters was that Mrs Tinubu “is a supporter of Samdaddy.” Indeed, they, also, claimed that both President Bola Tinubu and his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, were in support of Samdaddy, and were anxious for Uzodinma to vacate the Governorship seat.

In the case of Mrs Tinubu, they said she and Samdaddy were in the Senate together, , and so, she would support her fellow former Senator. They cleanly forgot that Uzodinma was in the Senate too with Mrs Tinubu, and so, a fellow former Senator.

For President Tinubu and Gbajabiamila, they said both are against Uzodinma because he, allegedly, was in support of the Presidential ambition of former Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan. They added that the President was even upset that Uzodinma emerged the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum. The bearers of these stories forgot that not only was Uzodinma solidly behind Tinubu on the day of the APC Presidential Primary, he was the only Governor who rallied a number of businessmen and women from the South-east to donate a whopping two billion Naira to Tinubu’s Campaign coffers on the day Tinubu visited Owerri for his Campaign.

Weird as their speculations were, they continued to propagate them, and a few people, even some loyalists of the Governor, were beginning to believe them, and so became panicky. One of them in a very low, worried voice told this reporter a few days before Mrs Tinubu’s visit: “The Governor has done quite well. Ordinarily, the election is his to lose. He would have won the election effortlessly, but for the non- support for him by Abuja.” Asked who in Abuja, he said: “They say Tinubu, his wife and his Chief of Staff are against him.”

But all fake stories about Abuja, Uzodinma and Samdaddy ended on Ist September when Mrs Tinubu visited.

From the minute Mrs Tinubu disembarked from the Presidential Jet at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, she left no one in doubt where his heart is. She made it obvious that she was at home with Governor Hope and Mrs Chioma Uzodinma. Dressed in the popular Igbo “ishi agu”, there was no denying where her loyalty was, and who her support and that of her husband was for. It was for Uzodinma.

At the venue of the grand finale, she emphasized on that. She appealed to Imo women to troop out on election day and massively vote for Uzodinma. Then, as if she had heard of the fake stories, she told the people that the Presidency is fully backing the re-election of the Governor. And the hundreds of women and men roared in support and appreciation. As an icing on the cake, Nigeria’s First Lady empowered 2,000 women.

For Samdaddy, even though Mrs Tinubu’s public, solid, endorsement of Uzodinma was expected, except by mischief makers, it was bad news for him. Within one week, the claims of support for him which have been denied and proclaimed fake are growing.

His supporters had claimed that former Governor Rochas Okorocha, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, and the Youth wing of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s supporters have thrown their very significant weight behind his ambition and endorsed him. But one by one, all issued statements to deny any such endorsement. Mrs Tinubu’s on behalf of the Presidency takes the cake. For Samdaddy , It doesn’t look good, especially, as very loyal PDP supporters of Ihedioha are very strongly against his Governorship ambition. They hold him responsible for Ihedioha’s sudden withdrawal from the Governorship race.

Meanwhile, Uzodinma is “collecting” endorsements from left, right and centre.

November 11 will tell.

Anger Over Death Of Cadet Jika At Police Academy

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The Source

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September 4, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

There is palpable anger over the death of a Police Cadet at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano.

The Cadet, Suleiman Jika, a100 level Computer Science student from Adamawa State died on Saturday after what was described as unexpected by the Academy.

However, Jika’s death has sparked off controversy and anger. His colleagues are very angry.

While the authorities of the Academy did not disclose the cause of his death, but claimed that he died, unexpectedly, after he had been given due treatment, Jika’s colleagues and some staff who spoke to Reporters on anonymously for fear of victimisation, insist the youngster died of starvation and negligence at the Academy’s Clinic.

In a statement confirming his death, signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Academy, Hussain Suleiman, an ASP, the Academy said Jika’s death was “unexpected” and extended its deep condolences to his family.

The statement issued on Sunday disclosed that Jika sought medical attention on 29th August 2023, at the Academy’s Clinic. The ill-health for which he sought the attention was not disclosed in the statement.

But according to ASP Suleman, “following a diligent course of treatment and the cadet’s gradual recovery, he was certified fit and discharged by the medical doctor on call the next day, and asked to return at regular intervals for checks, which he adhered to.

“However, fate took an unforeseen turn. On 2nd September 2023, he was once again admitted to the clinic for further examination and care following a complaint of restlessness.

“Though his vitals were normal upon examination and all necessary medical steps were taken, we regrettably report his untimely passing.”

The statement said that the Commandant of the Police Academy, AIG Sadiq Idris Abubakar, has extended “his deepest condolences to the grieving family, friends and loved ones of Cadet Sulaiman Jika.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this period of profound sorrow. May God Almighty grant them the strength and resilience to bear this heavy loss,” the Commandant was quoted as saying.

But a number of Jika’s colleagues blamed the Commandant and the “ill equipped Clinic” for Jika’s death. They allege that Jika’s ill-health was caused by starvation. Their food, they said, is very poor, aside from not being enough for them. In addition to their being starved, they, also, claimed that the manner of their training and the number of times and periods they are forced to do so is heartlessly excruciating. They blamed the situation for the number of Cadets who fall ill.

They, also, alleged that the leadership of the Academy is fond of expelling Cadets for falling ill, a situation which forces the Cadets to cover-up when they fall ill, and carry on with the excruciating training. This medium was not able to independently confirm these serious allegations.

The Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, is a degree awarding Institution. Tuition and feeding and accommodation are free.

Aside from acquiring a University degree, the Cadets, on completion of their Courses of choice and training, are decorated with the rank of ASPs.

Uzodinma Appoints Seven PDP Decampees Special Advisers; Ray Emeana Is DG Ahiajioku Centre

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The Source

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September 4, 2023

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Finally, the high profile seven State Executive Council members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State Chapter, has been appointed to various offices in the State Government.

The seven were appointed Special Advisers to the Governor. In the case of the former State Secretary of the PDP, Nze Ray Emeana, aside from his appointment as a Special Adviser, he was, also, appointed the Director General of Ahiajoku Centre.

The appointments, approved Sunday by the Governor are as follows:

*Nze Ray Emeana, former State Secretary, PDP -Special Adviser/Director -General, (DG) Ahiajoku Centre

*Chief Martin Ejiogu – Special Adviser Election Management

*Mr Collins Opurozor -Special Adviser Strategic Communication

*Comrade GOC Nwadike – Special Adviser Media Management.

*Barr Ndubuisi Mbido – Special Adviser Oil MINERAL Area/ Community Engagement

*HON. (Mrs) Maria Mbakwe- Special Adviser Women Engagement.

*Barr. Josiah Eze – Special Adviser Labour (Education Matters.

Tye Governor, also appointed 17 more people into different offices as his aides.

*COMRADE CHARLES CHILAKPU SPECIAL ADVISER TOWN UNIONS

*KELECHI UCHENNA HERBERT OFOR – SPECIAL ADVISER PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

* CHIEF MORRISON IWU (FORMER PDP CHAIRMAN NGOR-OKPALA) – SPECIAL ADVISER ENVIRONMENT 2

*CHIEF CHUKS CHILAKA – SPECIAL ADVISER POLITICAL 4

*CHIEF EZE Obonna – SPECIAL ADVISER NARCOTICS AND ILLICIT DRUGS MONITORING.

*SIR EMEKA IHEZIE – SPECIAL ADVISER TOURISM 2

*HON OBIOMA NWAMUO – SPECIAL ADVISER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

*MRS FECHI CHILAKA – SPECIAL ADVISER ON ALVAN IKOKU FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

*DR PERRY NJOKU – SPECIAL ADVISER PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

*HON BEATRICE NKWO – SPECIAL ADVISER GRASSROOTS WOMEN MOBILIZATION

*HON CASMIR NNEJI OKOROAFOR – SPECIAL ADVISER NANS AFFAIRS

*CHIEF BLESSING OKU – SPECIAL ADVISER TRADE 2

* HON UGOCHI NWOGU – SPECIAL ADVISER HOSPITALITY 2

* HON SIMPLICIUS – SPECIAL ADVISER VOTER EDUCATION 2

*HON DONALD ANYANWU – SPECIAL ADVISER ETHICS 2

*HON JUDE UGWUANYA – SPECIAL ADVISER INVESTMENTS 2

*HON TIMOTHY ORISAKWE – SPECIAL ADVISER JOB CREATION 2

The PDP 7 were all members of the State Executive Council who suddenly resigned from their offices and the Party and defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC. On a visit to the Governor, they said they defected to join hands with the Governor to continue the good job he is doing.

GTCO: We’re starting To See The Gains, Agbaje Says; Assets Now N8.5trn

By

James Orji

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September 4, 2023

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Guaranty Trust Holding Company, GTCO Plc has reported a combined assets of N8.5 trillion and profit before tax, PBT, of ₦327.4billion.

GTCO disclosed this on Sunday in its financial statement made available to the Nigerian Exchange Group, NGX, and London Stock Exchange, LSE, for the period ended June 30, 2023.

The group stated that the profit “represents an increase of 217.1 percent over ₦103.2billion recorded in the corresponding period ended June 2022.”

Instructively, GTCO stated that its loan book (net) increased by 22.8 percent from ₦1.89trillion recorded as at December 2022 to ₦2.32trillion in June 2023, while deposit liabilities grew by 37 percent from ₦4.61trillion in December 2022 to ₦6.32trillion in June 2023.

“The Group’s balance sheet remained well structured and resilient with total assets and shareholders’ funds closing at ₦8.5trillion and ₦1.2 trillion, respectively.

“Full Impact Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained very strong, closing at 24.7%, while asset quality was sustained as IFRS 9 Stage 3 Loans improved to 4.6% in June 2023 from 5.2% December 2022, however, Cost of Risk (COR) closed at 3.7% from 0.6% in December 2022 owing to worsening macros which caused significant increase in ECL variables,” the statement said.

Commenting on the results, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Segun Agbaje, said;

“Our half year audited results reflect the strong business fundamentals underpinning the GTCO franchise, the quality of our past decisions in future proofing our balance sheet for challenging times, and the sound practices that guide our day-to-day operations. Despite the challenges in the business environment, notably inflationary pressures and exchange rate fluctuations, we are starting to see the gains in the transformation of our businesses following our transition to a Holding Company structure. Improved profitability and a solid performance across key metrics reflect efficiencies and justify the investments we continue to make in technology, product development, and our people.”

He further said; “We recognise the impact prevailing economic and market conditions have on people and livelihoods and we remain committed to seeking better outcomes for our customers by ensuring that our products and service offerings support our customers and their businesses through their evolving realities, whilst also taking every opportunity to optimise stakeholder value.”

Overall, the Group continues to post one of the best metrics in the Nigerian Financial Services industry in terms of key financial ratios i.e., Pre-Tax Return on Equity (ROAE) of 61.4 percent, Pre-Tax Return on Assets (ROAA) of 8.8 percent, Full Impact Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 24.7 percent and Cost to Income ratio of 27.7 percent.

What RCCG Pastor Said Before Becoming Soun Of Ogbomoso

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James Orji

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September 4, 2023

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Senior Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House DC Parish, Pastor Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye has opened up on his purported ambition to be Soun of Ogbomoso.

Olaoye addressed members of the Parish as shown in a video posted on the Social Media monitored by Church Times, saying “I am just obeying God” in an obvious response on whether he’s qualified to mount the traditional stool as a man of God.

He said he never wanted to be a king. But that the Lord spoke to him about it and he had no option but to take a step of faith to obey God and watch what God wanted to do.

I am still Senior Pastor of Jesus House

Olaoye also debunked the news about his purported resignation from the Church telling worshipers that he was still the Senior Pastor of Jesus House.

He however explained that he was yet to be chosen to be the Soun adding that the process is still on.

Olaoye said, “I told God if it is not your will, Lord stop it, let it not go through. But then I got into the process. I am only following God. There is nothing in this world that anybody has to offer me than what I have committed half of my life to do. If you know me very well, I am not doing this because I have nothing else to do. I am doing it because I believe it with my whole heart.”

Jesus my only covenant

Apparently trying to disabuse the minds of his members on the possible spiritual implication of becoming an Oba, he said, ” I can tell you, I have only one covenant. The blood of Jesus is enough for me. No other covenant will I engage in. I am not going to go into the details of a lot of things you have seen on social media.”

He said he had met with the board of the church and the ministers to share the vision of his intention to be the Soun of Ogbomomoso.

He said he however did not tell workers of the church because he had not been chosen. “It is still a process. We will tell you when the process is over.”

Olaoye gave a rundown of how he met with the kingmakers in Nigeria and some of his dramatic encounters.

Chosen out of 23 contestants

“There were 23 of us before I entered into the race. Two of us were eventually picked. The chairman of the kingmaker voted for me to break the tie. The next thing is that it goes to the governor. If you know the process, the person who makes anybody a king is the governor. The kingmaker can choose you. Your family can choose you, which they did not initially.

“But that is a story for another day. It is the governor who chooses,.” he said.

He said he did not want to announce since the governor had not chosen him.

Olaoye narrated how he was overwhelmed with greetings and congratulatory messages. “I was in Lagos at a function and everybody was saying Kabiyeesi and all of those things.

“Apparently I did not know that the news had spread around. I am not on social media. The only social media I use is Whatsapp. if it does not come to me on Whatsapp, I would not know. So I was embarrassed. I was thinking why is everybody saying this. They were taking pictures with me. ”

He said he had to immediately leave Lagos and get back to Church to explain the whole scenario. He said he was embarrassed by the impact of what he saw.

I am only obeying God

“All I am doing is to obey God. Let me tell you this; if we find out in five years’ time that this church starts to have a crisis. And things start to go down and you find out that the Lord spoke to me and I did not obey him.

“And it becomes like the case of Jonah or Achan, I hope you will not say thank God you did not answer God. You will be angry that God spoke to me and I did not obey. All I am doing is obeying God. This is action is not any action of avarice. It is not any action of greediness, It is nothing but obeying God. And this is what I have preached for 30 years. ”

Pastors and traditional rulers

He took time to answer some questions in the service. He explained that a traditional ruler and a pastor play the same role. “We as pastors are shepherds in a local congregation. A king is a shepherd of a city. The major difference is that the people they are shepherding are different. As a shepherd, all your sheep, whether they are black or white, you show all of them love. You take all of them to the green pasture.

“The great shepherd who is our Lord Jesus Christ has shown us that God so loved the world that he died for everybody. So God died for you whether you are atheist, Muslim, or Christian. That is the way I will explain what it is. The difference is the name we give them. We as pastors always think about our local church. God says I will give you leaders who will lead you according to my principles. The only principles I have learned in my adult life are the principles of Christ.”

Last Saturday, Governor Seyi Makinde approved the appointment of Olaoye as the new Soun of Ogbomoso to replace the late Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III who died in December 2021.

Church Times

Palliatives: Lagos Targets 500,000 Households Through Churches, Mosques, CSOs

By

James Orji

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September 4, 2023

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Governor Babajie Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says part of the strategy being deployed by his administration in the distribution of government palliatives is to reach out to vulnerable people in the state through their various religious organisations.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the civil society groups in the state will also be tasked to reach out to other people, the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu stated that under the programme over 500,000 households across the state will received various forms of palliatives including bags of rice, rice, Garri, and other food items.

The governor spoke during the flag-off of the distribution of the palliatives on Sunday, saying the food bank initiative will be conducted in two phases.

He said, “As a responsive government, we announced a number of measures aimed at ameliorating the effect of the policy on our people, most especially the vulnerable.

“These palliative measures which are already being implemented include a 50 percent reduction in transportation cost in the government-owned bus system and free health services for pregnant women in government hospitals among others.

“One of the measures which we announced and being formally flagged off today is the distribution of food items for vulnerable households through the Lagos food bank programme.

“The strategic goal of this programme is to reach 500,000 vulnerable households in the state with staple food items using two methodologies – bulk and individual.

“Bulk food items include (50kg rice, 50kg garri and 100kg beans) for groups, and food boxes (10kg rice, 5kg garri, and 5kg beans) for individual vulnerable households.

“Overall, this initiative will directly impact 500,000 benefitting households, over 2,500 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises involved in bag manufacturing, food aggregation, packaging, and logistics, while over 25,000 employees of the MSMEs will be indirectly impacted.

“I will like to use this opportunity to solicit for the support of well-meaning and public-spirited individuals and organisations for this programme so that more of our people in need of this intervention can be reached.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently announced the distribution of N5 billion to each of the 36 states in the country and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, as part of his administration strategies to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.

Out of the sum, N2 billion has already been released to each of the sub-nationals.

PI&D: Buhari, Africa’s Anti-Corruption Champion, Shehu Replies Adoke

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

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September 4, 2023

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Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the manner his administration tackled corruption was unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.

To underscore this claim, the immediate past president of Nigeria said he received recognition for this feat as the African Continental Anti-Corruption Champion by the African Union, AU.

Buhari was responding to the allegation by Mohammed Adoke, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF that his administration mismanaged the case resulting from a deal signed between Process & Industrial Developments, P&ID, and Nigeria for the Ajaokuta steel company.

Adoke had accused Abubakar Malami, the immediate past AGF and the federal government of giving false evidence before the English Court that is handling the $9.6billion judgement debt case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Process and P&ID.

Reacting to the allegation, Garba Shehu, a spokesman for President Buhari said his administration did all in its part to save the country from graft which could have led the country to total economic collapse.

Shehu made this known in a statement he issued on Sunday.

According to him, the Buhari administration inherited the case from the Jonathan administration under which Adoke served and did everything to stop the execution of the $10 billion judgment debt liability against Nigeria.

The statement read in part: “The logical conclusion any reasonable person can draw on P&ID, Paris Club, and Ajaokuta is that President Buhari came on a rescue mission and effectively saved Nigeria from corrupt undertones that were planted to expose its economy to imminent collapse. The success of the Buhari administration in the fight against corruption is unprecedented.

“New legislation was introduced, major recoveries were made at home, stolen monies were repatriated from abroad, and they were judiciously deployed in infrastructure development. High-profile convictions were recorded in unprecedented numbers, with enhanced percentages over and above the records in existence.

“It is in international recognition of these efforts that the African Union chose the former President as its African Continental Anti-Corruption Champion. Additional recognitions by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Corruption (UNODC), among others, were also lauded by the former president and his administration.

“Adokie also made some wild allegations in the aviation sector. The efforts of the Buhari administration in aviation are known: They were visible in terms of capital infrastructure development, safety, and policy; they changed the face of the aviation sector into an attractive one for investment, resulting in new airlines coming on board. No major commercial airline incident was recorded throughout this period.”

“All Nigerians, by right, can say whatever they want about the Buhari administration. No one is offended by their actions, right or wrong. But when you come out with innuendos of corruption written all over your face and say that you want to moralise and pontificate, Nigerians in different walks of life will have problems with that.”

Despite his claim of fighting corruption, not a few Nigerians insist that official corruption thrived under Buhari’s administration.

Under his watch, a former Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris stole N109 billion, a case that has been regarded as one of the highest single heists by a government official.