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Uzodimma Receives FIFA Women World Cup Team From Imo, Gifts Them Land, Cash

August 17, 2023

Governor Hope Uzodimma has received members of the Nigerian Super Falcons from Imo State who participated in the FIFA Women World Cup Tournament, describing them as good ambassadors of both Imo State and Nigeria.

The four Imo State born female footballers proudly received by the governor include: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Desire Oparanozie, Osinachi Ohale and Tochukwu Oluehi.

During the reception at the Government House Owerri, yesterday, Governor Uzodimma gifted the four female footballers a plot of land and cash gift of 10,000 dollars to each of them.

Governor Uzodimma told the female footballers that they made Imo State proud with their quality representation despite the diversity of the nation, an indication Nigeria can do better as a united country where the citizens are at liberty to compete.

The Governor who reminded them that they ought to be appreciated by their government, the reason he invited them, however added: “Why wishing you good luck, do not relent in your efforts, we look forward to the day you will bring back the trophy.”

“The prophet must be known in his own town. You desire to be appreciated and that is the main reason for this meeting, to present our token to you as a way of encouragement.”

Taking to his social media platform shortly after receiving them, the Governor wrote: “I have consistently maintained that Imo State and indeed, the South East, is blessed with human capital resources.

“Interestingly, our talents have been contributing to national interest and we will continue to encourage all.

“I was impressed receiving Chiamaka Nnadozie, Desire Oparanozie, Osinachi Ohale and Tochukwu Oluehi as they shared their experiences and the joy of wearing our national colours.

“When Oparanozie Desire reacted emotionally, on her social media account, over their exit from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023; attributing it to the non conversion of her own penalty kick, I was moved passionately not just for their impressive performance in the competition, but for the zeal to make the nation proud.

“Thankfully, they now wear beautiful smiles even as I presented some token to them as an encouragement to do more.”

Responding on behalf of her colleagues, Desire Oparanozie thanked Governor Uzodimma for his generosity and for deeming it fit to reward them not withstanding that they didn’t win.

“Your Excellency, you were not obligated to do this, but you did it as a father of all and the love you have for us. What you have done, I am sure other State governments are even thinking about it. This is too much, for lack of a better word to explain it. We thank you so much,” she said.

Trinity University Appoints Professor Clement Kolawole Acting Vice Chancellor

The Source

August 17, 2023

The Governing Council of Trinity University has announced the appointment of Professor Clement Olusegun Olaniran Kolawole as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University.

In a press statement, the University said the new Acting Vice Chancellor has extensive experience both as an academic and an administrator, along with national and international pedigrees.

Professor Kolawole’s appointment is coming in the wake of the recent passage of the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Charles Korede Ayo.

The Acting Vice Chancellor, appointed as a Professor by the University of Ibadan in 2008, was a former Head of Department and Dean of Faculty in the Premier University. He would be assuming duty on September 11, 2023.

Tinubu Is Minister For Petroleum Resources; To Swear-in New Ministers On Monday

The Source

August 17, 2023

By Gideon Njoku

President Bola Tinubu has assigned to himself the portfolio of the Minister for Petroleum Resources.

Even though it was announced, and is not in the list of the Miniterial portfolios released by the Presidency, it is obvious that he is holding tight to the Ministry.

Assigned to assist the President in the Ministry as Minister of State, is a former Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, former Minister for State, Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

By keeping the Ministry in his bag, Tinubu has not set any precedent. He has only followed in the foot steps of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari.

For the eight years of his administration, Buhari was the Minister for Petroleum. In his first tenure, Dr Ibe Kachukwu was his Minister of State. In his second tenure, Buhari picked Chief Timipre Sylva who is now vying for the office of the Governor of Bayelsa State – an office he had held before, but lost his second term bid.

An analysis shows that the offices are divided as follows per Zone.

North West – Five Ministers, Five Ministers of State

North East – Six Ministers, one Minister of State

North Central – Six Ministers, two Ministers of State

South West – Seven Minsters, two Ministers of State

South East – Four Ministers, one Minister of State

South-South – Five Ministers, two Ministers of State

Following is the full list of Tinubu’s Cabinet Members who will be sworn-in on Monday, August 21, 2023, and their portfolios. Each Ministerial appointee is entitled to two guests, and are expected to be seated by 9.30am.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy – Bosun Tijani,
Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management – Ishak Salako
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy – Wale Edun
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy – Bunmi Tunji
Minister of Power – Adedayo Adelabu
Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare – Tunji Alausa
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake
Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John
Minister of Transportation, Adegboyega Oyetola
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite
Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji
Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy
Minister of Works, David Umahi
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo
Minister of Youth, Abubakar Momoh
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu
Minister of State, Gas Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri
Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh
Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike
Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru
Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle
Minister of State Education, Yusuf T. Sunumu
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed M. Dangiwa
Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, Abdullah T. Gwarzo
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu
Minister of Environment and Ecological Management, (Kaduna)
Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Mairiga Mahmud
Minister of State, Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello M. Goronyo
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari
Minister of Education, Tahir Maman
Minister of Interior, Sa’Idu A. Alkali
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf M. Tuggar
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate
Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam
Minister of State, Steel Development, U. Maigari Ahmadu
Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu A. Audu
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi
Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon B. Lalong
Minister of State, Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Govermental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev
Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.

he 47th is President Tinubu, Minister of Petroleum Resources

BREAKING: Edun Replaces Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Alake Loses Information To Idris, Imo’s Doris Gets Trade & Investment, Keyamo, Aviation

Ayodele Oni

August 16, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Wale Edun, President Bola Tinubu’s loyalist, has been appointed Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. He is the second person to occupy that office, the most powerful Ministerial position, after Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who occupied it during the Goodluck Jonathan Government. Edu was Tinubu’s Commissioner when the President was the Governor of Lagos State, and was Chairman of the Board of The Nation, President Tinubu’s Newspaper.

Publisher of Blueprint Newspapers, Muhammed Idris, was appointed the Minister for Information. Until his appointment, Dele Alake, a former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State, and until recently, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser for Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake was taken for granted for that position. He is now appointed to the Ministry of Solid Minerals.

In a big elevation from his former office as Minister of State, Labour, under President Muhammadu Buhari, Festus Keyamo, SAN, is now the Minister for Aviation. During the valedictory session for Buhari’s Cabinet members, Keyamo had canvassed for the scrapping of the office of Minister for State. He dismissed it as unconstitutional.

Following, some other appointments:

*Nyesom Wike – FCT Minister

*Festus Keyamo – Minister of Aviation

*Adebayo Adelabu- Minister of Power

&Adegboyega Oyetola – Minister of Transportation

*Dele Alake – Minister of Solid Minerals

*Muhammed Idris – Minister of Information

*Mohammed Badaru – *Minister of Defence

*Minister of State, Defence – Bello Mattawale

*Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy – Wale Edun

*Minister of Works – Dave Umahi

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare – Ali Pate

*Minister of Agriculture and food security – Abubakar kyari

*Minister of Youths – Abubakar Mohmoh

*Minister of Communications and Digital Economy – Bosun Tijjani

*Minister of Foreign Affairs – Yusuf Tuga

*Minister of Budget and Economic Planning – Atiku Bagudu

*Minister of Water resources and sanitation – Joseph Utsve

*Minister of Steel Development – Shuaibu Audu

*Minister of State, Agriculture – Sabi Abdullahi

Minister of Trade and Investment – Doris Anieete

*Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation – Betta Edu

*Minster of Sport – John Eno

*Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy – Bunmi Tunji Ojo

*Minister of Labor and Employment – Simon Lalong

*Minister of Special Duties – Zapahnnaih Gazzalo

Nobody has yet been appointed the Minister for Petroleum.

Don’t Marry More Wives; Osun Gov Adeleke Charges LGA Caretaker Members

Ayodele Oni

August 16, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has defended Inauguration of caretaker committees in Local Government in the State, saying previous ones came on board unconstitutionally.

He has therefore charged the newly inaugurated local government caretaker Chairmen to key into the development strides of his administration, warning that members should not use the opportunity to start marrying more wives.

Inaugurating the caretaker Chairmen in Osogbo on Wednesday, Governor Adeleke justified his action on the need to fill an existing vacuum at the Local level saying his government has kick-started a process that will produce a democratically elected local government system in the nearest future.

He reminded the public that his administration came on board at a time of constitutional crisis at the Local Government level.

“The previous government had grossly violated the constitution and the law by holding kangaroo local government elections after its defeat.

“Rather than complying with the specific provisions of the law, my predecessor ordered a sham election, creating legal conflict and wastage of billions of taxpayers money.

“Our administration adopted legal routes to dismantle the inherited illegality. And as a government committed to upholding the constitution, we have mapped out a sustainable process that will fully restore normalcy to the local government system.”

The Governor charged said the mandate they have is to compete in the arena of grassroots programmes and projects that positively affect our people.

“As you are taking office today, you are to take note of the following :

“You and your team must fashion out a local copy of the five point agenda for implementation in your local government. This will help to deepen the reach and touch of our administration across the state;

“You can also make a difference by developing local development plans for your local areas. This will help to take care of your local peculiarities;

“Your leadership must remain closely in touch with the people. You must ensure inclusive government that carry along people from voting units to ward and local government areas;

“Intergovernmental Relations is also critical. You are not an island on your own, so you must be attentive to demands of coordination with the state and national bodies;

“Very important is the issue of financial discipline. This is not the time to marry a second or third wife. This is a time of financial prudence. Anyone found engaging in corrupt practices will be severely sanctioned.”

Responding, Sarafa Awotunde Chairman for Ifelodun Local Government who responded on behalf of the Chairmen promised to focus on grassroots development in line with the five point agenda of the Governor.

Awotunde, who conveyed gratitude to the Governor and other leaders said the Chairmen will ensure that the admonitions of the Governor are reflected and manifested.

Shock As Tinubu Assigns Ministerial Portfolios; Wike Is FCT Minister, Umahi, Works, Alake Loses Information, Badaru Gets Defence

Ayodele Oni

August 16, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

In a surprise move, President Bola Tinubu has appointed former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Wike’s appointment is unprecedented as it is the first time a non- Norther will be so appointed.

In another unprecedented appointment, former Governor of Ebonyi State gas been appointed the Minister for Works. This is a first for an Igbo man.

These facts came as Tinubu is reported to have assigned portfolios to the newly appointed Ministers.

Cleared by the Senate, the Minister’s designate are yet to be sworn in by President Tinubu.

According to the list of portfolios sighted Wednesday evening, Blueprint publisher, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Malagi has been named Minister of Information and and National Orientation, first time the office, for years, is going North.

Former governors of Rivers and Ebonyi States Nyesom Wike and David Umahi will take charge of FCT and Ministry of Works.

Their Jigawa State counterpart, Mohammed Badaru named Minister of Defence, while former Governor of Plateau State is Minister for Labour and Productivity.

Former special adviser to the president on communications and strategy, Dele Alake had been highly favoured to take charge of information ministry.

There has not been official confirmation of portfolios allocation from the Presidency.

More details, later.

Oyo State Governor, Makinde, Advocates Single Tenure For Governors, President

Ayodele Oni

August 16, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, who is serving his second tenure in office, has said that a single tenure of five or six years is ideal for Governors, President and other elected political office holders.

The Governor believes that this would allow them enough time to do everything they have in mind within a single term instead of thinking about second term.

The Governor spoke on Wednesday while playing host to the National Executive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), to flag off their retreat in Ibadan.

The Governor called on Nigerians to pray for those in positions of authority, noting that politics is over and it is time for governance.

Makinde stated: “But maybe, if we have the opportunity to discuss this, I think a five or six-years single term will really be enough for most of us to do whatever it is that we are supposed to do.”

He maintained that governance is about the interest and wellness of the country, noting that political parties would come and go but the country would remain stressing the need for Nigerians to pray and work with those in positions of authority.

The Governor, in a release by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, urged Nigerians to put politics behind them and face the task of governance.

“Political parties will come and go, but our country will remain. We must pray for those in authority. Politics is over. It is time for governance.

“These leaders God has asked us to pray for are products of who the political parties present to us. And these leaders have been chosen, we are obligated to pray for them and work with them.

“Well, if we don’t like those in authority, what should we do? We have another opportunity in another four years to vote again.”

The governor described the theme of the retreat, “Going from Strength to Strength,” as indicative of where Nigeria should be as a nation.

He urged Nigerians to join hands to rebuild the nation, while calling on Christians to pray for the restoration of Nigeria’s glory so that it could go from strength to strength.

“I listened to the National President of PFN, Bishop Wale Oke, on the theme chosen for this serious event, ‘Going from Strength to Strength. Well, I think this is really apt, because that is where we are supposed to be as a nation.

“We must think about rebuilding our nation and the role the body of Christ has to play in that process. The Bible asks Christians to pray for their leaders.

“As Christians, we should carry out the work that God has assigned to us effectively.”

Governor Makinde equally used the occasion to call on Christians to make conscious efforts to participate in politics.

He said, by so doing, the ones considered unfit by the majority would not continue to make decisions for the majority of the people.

Earlier in his address, the PFN National President, Bishop Wale Oke, said the retreat came at a very critical time in the nation’s history.

He noted that the country had just gone through a general election that shook the nation to its foundation and almost pitched Nigerians against one another.

“We Shall Not Give In To Propaganda By Terrorists’’ – NAF

Adesina Soyooye

August 16, 2023

Hassan Bala Abubakar - Cheif of Air Staff

By Adesina Soyooye

A mourning, but defiant Nigeria Airforce, NAF, says it will not give in to propaganda by terrorists. Such propaganda, NAF noted, is meant to distract it and demoralise the troops.

NAF which lost one of its helicopters, M1-171,in a crash, on Tuesday in Chukuba Village, Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State while on a casuality-evacuation operation, and suffered fatalities, was reacting to the gory video, allegedly of the crashed aircraft and the mangled bodies of soldiers making the rounds on Social Media.

The video, a handiwork of the insurgents, who claimed to have shot down the aircraft, is disturbing.

But NAF, in a statement signed its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabwet, said it will not give in to the propaganda, and would continue with its investigation to find out exactly the circumstances surrounding the crash of the aircraft and the fatalities. It noted that in a situation, such as we have in Nigeria, such incidents “of fatalities, mishaps and crashes are sometimes inevitable.”

The statement, also, warned those who are spreading the video by reposting it to have a rethink and consider the effect such postings would have on the morale of the troops fighting to protect and preserve their Fatherland.

Following, the full text of the statement.

“The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to a video circulating on social media platforms allegedly depicting the wreckage of the crashed MI-171 helicopter with bodies of victims at Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. While it is not in the character of the NAF to respond to such claims, particularly one peddled by terrorists, concerns expressed by well-meaning Nigerians on the need to address the propaganda becomes imperative.

“Like all military organizations involved in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, incidences of fatalities, mishaps and crashes are sometimes inevitable. For the NAF, the last 8 years has seen an increased level of air operations in efforts at checkmating the nefarious activities of terrorists and criminal elements in the country. With heightened levels of air operations, occasioned by an enhanced fleet, the likelihood of air mishaps and accidents at times become unavoidable and inevitable due to various reasons. Indeed, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar said this much when he hosted Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State, yesterday 15 August 2023, at his office where he noted that the rates of aircraft accidents/incidences are directly proportional to the heightened level of air operations. While the NAF regrets such unfortunate incidents, especially as they involve the loss of lives of our colleagues, the Service will never shy away from unravelling the probable cause of the crash with a view to drawing lessons.

“For those aiding and abetting the propaganda tendencies of terrorists, deliberately or inadvertently, by spreading the videos of the alleged crash site with gory pictures of dead military personnel, the need to rethink the consequences of their actions on the morale of troops, families of deceased personnel as well as on Nigeria’s national security is imperative.

“For the NAF and indeed the entire members of the Armed Forces, our resolve and determination to bring the current security situation in Niger State and indeed all troubled spots in the country remains unshaken. Infact, if anything, we are determined more than ever before, to take on the enemy frontally until they are brought to their knees.

“While calling on all Nigerians to continue to support the Armed Forces of Nigerian and other security agencies as we all jointly confront our common enemies, the NAF wishes to appreciate the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his message of condolence and words encouragement. Our appreciation also goes to other well-meaning Nigerians for their support.”

University Of Calabar Investigates Dean Over Allegations Of Inappropriate Harassment Of Female Law Students

Adesina Soyooye

August 16, 2023

By Adesina Soyooye

An unprecedented protest against the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Professor Cyril Ndifon, by female students of his Faculty, has forced the authorities of the University, to institute a probe into the allegations.

The female Law students, accompanied by their male colleagues, placards in hand, stormed the office of Vice Chancellor Professor Florence Obi, in protest and accused the Dean of inappropriate harassment of the female students. They said they were tired of the exploitation of their feminity by the Dean, and demanded his sack.

However, Professor Ndifon in his first reaction, denied the allegations and said the protest against him was sponsored by those who want out by deliberately soiling his hard earned clean reputation.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards displayed by the protesting students read, among others:

“The Faculty of Law not a brothel”
“Ndifon must go for our sanity”
“We are tired of buying law journals”
“We are tired of lecturers not attending classes”
“Law girls are not your bonanza; Prof. Ndifon should stop grabbing us”

But reports quoted the embattled Professor Ndifon as saying in his defence:

“For Christ’s sake, I don’t teach Year 2B or Year one students, so I don’t know why they have chosen to drag my name into the mud.

“This was why I said earlier that the allegations were lies, cooked from the pit of hell, just to destroy a reputation that I had spent decades building”

Eyo Bassey, the University’s Spokesperson, who confirmed the protest on Tuesday, said the University management has met with the aggrieved parties and issue a statement.

“Yesterday (Monday), the students came out with their protest, carrying placards, which you saw online bearing various inscriptions,” Bassey told The PUNCH.

“They were invited by the Vice Chancellor. The staffers of the faculty of law were invited to come and address Management as well as their Senior Faculty Staff about whatever might have been their complaints.

“They spoke and raised a lot of issues. It is not even just about sexual allegations. There are all kinds of other issues they raised and management commended them for bringing the issues to their attention.”

This is the first time female students would rise in anger and frustration against alleged inappropriate behaviour by some of their lecturers.

Petrol Pump Price Hike: Presidency Lied, Only Market Forces Can Determine Price – IPMAN

Ayodele Oni

August 16, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said that it is only market forces that can determine whether pump price of petrol will rise or not.

According to IPMAN, the Presidency lacks necessary information data on petroleum business to assure Nigerians that there will not be further increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.

A presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, had while briefing State House correspondents on Tuesday, dismissed insinuations that there would be further increase in fuel price, considering the rise in dollar rate.

But, speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, IPMAN chairman in Rivers State, Dr. Joseph Obele, said the claim shows that the Presidency lacked basic knowledge of the principles of the economy.

Obele stated that the claim by the Presidency would only be possible if the Federal Government will secretly re-introduce subsidy payment to cover the additional cost as being lamented by the fuel importers.

“Mr President had earlier removed fuel subsidy, this implies that the commodity is now a deregulated product. Prices in a deregulated economy are not benchmarked or controlled, rather they are moderated by market forces.

“Petroleum importers have announced last week that landing cost for PMS has increased above ₦700 because of high rate of foreign exchange, yet you are saying petrol price won’t increase. That is not possible in any way.

“That statement from Presidency can only be possible if the federal government will secretly re-introduce subsidy payment for the additional cost as lamented by the importers.

“Otherwise, the importers of petroleum products from the international market will pause further importation. I can tell you on good authority that they have suspended. We are currently experiencing a supply gap. There is shortage of supply at the moment.

“Majority of the importers and depots have announced price increment yesterday Tuesday 15th August, yet someone is telling us that petrol price won’t increase.

“I think they tell us what we want to hear to calm us, and what is the reality? As long as we keep importing from the international market, then prices will reflect as such because of external elements.

“External elements are uncontrollable, since no man can control such external variables, then no one should have the capacity to lie to Nigerians that price will not be increased.

“Can you control the Russian-Ukraine war or increase in foreign exchange rate that is affecting the prices of petroleum products? If no, then how can you control the price of PMS that is imported from the international market?

“The earlier we repair our refineries, the better for us as a nation. Then, we can locally control the price of PMS.”

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