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NGE Election: Obi Congratulates Eze Anaba, Others, Sets Tasks For Media

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in 2023 elections, Peter Obi has described the transparent process leading to the election of the Vanguard Newspapers Editor, Eze Anaba, as President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), as a sign of new beginning for Nigeria. The LP standard bearer congratulated Anaba and other successful contestants, describing their emergence as positive development for the media and the country at large.

Obi who made the remarks in a statement, urged the new officers to see their election as a call for more contribution in the making of a new Nigeria where truth, justice, equity and hard work would be the watch words. He recalled the noble role by the media at strategic points in Nigeria’s march to nationhood, urging contemporary practitioners to further dedicate themselves to the collective efforts at making the country a better place for all.

Obi, former Anambra state governor, enthused that the transparency of the processes leading to the new NGE officials, aligns with is dream of a Nigeria where the voters are allowed to vote candidates of their choice and their votes counted.

“By the peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections, the NGE has shown that a new Nigeria, free from manipulations and vote rigging, is possible. The keenness of the competition among the contestants and ability to stick to the issues while campaigning, is a lesson to politicians and all Nigerians seeking elective offices. Every Nigerian of good conscience should be proud of the marks of true statesmanship demonstrated by the entire members of the NGE in the election.

“I congratulate the elected officials and others who contested with them for the nobility of their efforts. The victory in the election is a victory for all NGE members and victory for democracy”, Obi stated.

He charged the editors to recommit themselves in the search for an equitable Nigeria, adding that with the uncertain economic atmosphere in the country and other challenges of insecurity, all hands needed to be on the deck to pull the nation through.

Obi urged the journalists and other citizens not to lose hope in the country but to continue to contribute their quota in repositioning it. He urged Anaba and his team to see their election as a call to service and victory to the media profession.

Is Reno Omokri, A Loose Canon Or A Broken Record?

By
The Source
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Reno Omokri

By Ike Abonyi.

After the regime of Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, one of his aides relocated to Europe and made himself relevant in national politics as a critical voice articulating the minds of the Nigerian people.

He did this very well by being critical of Muhammedu Buhari’s awful administration, taking the government on at every stage. This endeared him to many Nigerians, particularly social media adherents. He became a voice everyone waited for on any issue.

But along the line ahead of the 2023 general elections, Omokri started eroding his own gains by his unpopular stance on issues. He started talking from both sides of his mouth and was no longer as assertive in his points as he used to be.

Not a few began to feel that he may have even compromised his own principles. When he started attacking the phenomenal political leader of our time, Peter Obi, his fame nose dived as he now struggles to keep his hitherto vibrant and robust supporters.

The people did not have any problem with his supporting  Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but they couldn’t fathom his needless attack on Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

It became clear that soon after he realized that his celebrity and stardom were fading due to his unpopular political stand, he became uncoordinated. But possibly realizing that he cannot get his usual attention using his new leader ATIKU, he decided to attack Obi with whatever he wants to say believing that doing so may give him the attention and relevance he desires.

Because many will ordinarily not react to Omokri for marketing ATIKU so he devises a means of attacking Obi in the process for visibility.

A lot of Omokri’s followers in the past are still in awe of how their once highly admired, articulate social media voice deteriorated to a level of incoherence in his arguments.

They could not imagine their beloved Omokri delving into what he doesn’t know and reducing his intelligence.

The problem with being a jack of all trades is that you end up as a master of none. Where is Omokiri’s expertise, nobody can say. His frivolous and aimless argument against Peter OBI’S legal team has left many wondering what really is his mission.

In his latest anti-Obi paroxysm done with no discernible point, Omokri described OBI’S legal team as an embarrassment claiming that he is disappointed at the nature of the witness and evidence they are bringing to the tribunal.

The assertiveness with which he said it you would think that Omokri is either a Senior Advocate or a law Professor but available is showing he is not anything near the profession. His knowledge of the law does not go beyond the elementary understanding. His view on OBI’S legal team is inconsistent with great legal minds who have been following this case.

What is indisputable however is that since Omokri is on a mission whether commissioned or not to bring down Obi, attacking anything about him could be a good way of delivering on the mission. Otherwise, even Omokiri’s argument which clearly does not connect cannot warrant the legal team of the best legal minds both in practice and qualifications to be an embarrassment. If embarrassment is awkwardness and a feeling of shame, I don’t see how what Omokri presented warrants such outrageous condemnation if ulterior motives are not embedded.

If Omokri has found his continuous attack on Obi not yielding the desired results to those he is trying to impress and feels he needs to diversify, he should also know as a fact that discerning minds are following his mischief and impishness.

My dear Reno, l will like you to note that if you are doing good for the person you support, the excess of it is mischief and not a plus for him. When one keeps sliding on the verge of truth, it says a lot about his motive.

As I conclude this advisory, I like my friend Omokri to note these wise words from Francis Bacon, “Of all virtues and dignities of the mind, goodness is the greatest. God bless.

Ike Abonyi is a Journalist based in Abuja.

Ondo: Kidnappers Collect N2 Million, Free Chief Imam

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ibrahim Bodunde Oyinlade

By Ayodele Oni

Kidnapped Chief Imam of Uso community in Owo local government area of Ondo State, Alhaji Ibrahim Bodunde Oyinlade who was abducted on Saturday, has regained his freedom.

He was released by his abductors Sunday evening and dropped at a spot near the town which is on Owo-Akure Highway.

Family sources confirmed that before his release by his captors, ransome was paid. The abductors had earlier demanded for N10 million to free the Islamic Cleric out of which N2 million was raised.

A family source confirmed that individuals in the community and the family members were begged to raise N2 million to secure the release of the Islamic cleric.

Alhaji Oyinlade had left his Uso residence for his farm on Saturday from where he was abducted by unknown persons.

After waiting endlessly for his return, family members organized a search for him during which his vehicle and phone were seen but his whereabout unknown.

The abductors later contacted the family and demanded for N10 million to secure his release.

OPINION: South-East Govs, Alaba Market Traders And Other Matters

By
James Orji
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By Uche Nworah, Ph.D
Many South-Easterners were happy to see the five South-East Governors together last week. It has been a long time since we last saw them in such ‘united front’ posturing. Perhaps it was the occasion of the newly constituted National Economic Council by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that brought them together. In their first ever meeting since the new Governors of Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states were sworn -in, the governors elected Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma as Chairman of the South -East Governors Forum (SEGF).
This seeming unity is a departure from the cold war that existed among the Governors in the last dispensation, when meetings of South-East Governors became a huge joke and assault on the feelings and aspirations of people of the South-East. The Governors during that time towed different political lines and didn’t seem to agree. They prioritized the interests of their various political parties and so not much was achieved. Even the SEGF secretariat was poorly funded, secretariat staff were owed and they cried out severally in the media.
Their meetings then were attended mainly by their Deputy Governors, showing how less important the Governors considered the forum. There were just too many egos to massage, to the detriment of the interests of the people of the region. While South-West governors were discussing regional development, integration and cooperation through their Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), none of such discussions took place in the South-East.
Even in the heat of major crises such as the the economic meltdown, insecurity issues in the region, the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB situation, COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges, there was no synergy or attempt to come up with a collaborative agenda for the South-East region.
All that appears to be in the past now, hopefully. We have new Sheriffs in town in the newly elected Governors and the not-so-new ones. There is much expectation from people of the South-East. The Governors should play less politics and show more leadership for their people. The Ala Igbo Development Foundation (ADF), a regional non-governmental organisation, during a prayer rally in Abia state urged Governors of the South-East region of Nigeria to initiate programmes and policies that will impact positively on the lives of the citizens. The South- East Governors roll call; Alex Otti, Abia State (Labour Party); Peter Mbah, Enugu State (PDP),Francis Nwifuru, Ebonyi State (APC), Charles Soludo, Anambra state (APGA), and Hope Uzodinma, Imo state (APC).
There is so much to do and there is less time to do them. Reducing insecurity in the region should be top on their agenda. Kidnap – for – ransom has become a thriving business in the region. Gangs now engage in the criminal enterprise in the name of freedom fighting. They inhabit ungoverned spaces, camps and forests across the region. Cross boundary crime has become the norm. The people of the region are scared and scarred permanently. The Monday-Sit-At-Home orders have further decimated the economy of the region. Businesses and people are leaving the region in droves for safer environments. The Governors must come up with urgent solutions to fight insecurity. In doing that, technology, intelligence gathering, providing adequate security gadgets and commensurate compensation for security officials should be prioritized.
There is so much youth unemployment in the region. How to economically and gainfully keep the teeming youths engaged should be another agenda for the Governors. An idle man is the devil’s workshop goes a popular saying. Many of these unemployed youths have now become willing tools in the hands of manipulators who have enrolled them into kidnapping business in the name of  freedom fighting. Others have resorted to rituals and patronizing ‘digital dibias’ and other get-rich-quick schemes to make it. The South-East region is now awash with pastors and native medicine men promising young men and women fame and fortune. They advertise on social media and lure gullible young men and women. ‘Ibute Ike’ and  ‘Oke Ite’ are now popular phrases amongst our teeming youths, replacing expressions such as  ‘Igba Mbo’, ‘Olu Aka’ and ‘Oge Nke Chukwu Ka Nma’. The South-East Governors must come up with measures to control the activities of these dibias confusing our young men. During the administration of Governor Willie Obiano in Anambra, a Special Adviser was appointed to manage the activities of traditional medicine practitioners. That template could be strengthened and replicated across the South-East states.
The fallout from the 2023 general elections are now being felt by Ndigbo living in other parts of Nigeria. Lagos in particular has become a sore point. The Lagos state legislature plans to enact anti – settler laws, even though such laws go against the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which guarantees every Nigerian freedom and rights to live anywhere in Nigeria and acquire properties legally. This is not time to open the constitution. Desperate times call for desperate measures. This is time for shuttle diplomacy. The South-East Governors must engage with their Brother Governor in Lagos state with a view to convincing him to intervene and avert the looming economic disaster that will hit Ndigbo hard if the laws are passed. Their properties and businesses in Lagos are under threat.
Already, anti-Igbo policies in Lagos state are rearing their heads. Viral videos last week showed Igbo traders moving their goods away from Alaba International Market. The traders  were given just 24 hours to move out their goods by Lagos state government officials who planned to demolish some of the plazas. Many are speculating that the planned demolitions are part of vengeance against Igbo traders for voting Labour Party during the 2023 presidential, gubernatorial and state assembly elections.
Gbolahan Oki, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, General Manager however denies this. He was quoted in the media as saying that, “LASBCA identified at least 17 buildings in Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Government Area, as being in an advanced condition of distress and in need of immediate removal”.
Some of the shopping plazas marked for demolition by LASBCA include; G80 Alaba Rago Road, Good Season Shopping Complex, the building on 840 Ojo Igbede and the structure behind Oba Oseni Plaza, among others.
The Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma, being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), should urgently lead the other South-East governors to Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos state to resolve this and other pending issues affecting Ndigbo living in Lagos. High level public diplomacy is required at this time to prevent the escalation of the crises. This will be a litmus test of the seriousness of the newly inaugurated South-East Governors Forum. It should not be business as usual.
Dr. Nworah is a media and communications expert

Rivers: How Wike Survived Food Poisoning; Wife’s Cancer Story

By
James Orji
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Former Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike has revealed how he was poisoned, allegedly, by his political opponents in 2019.

He did not mention those behind the act, but said he was saved by divine intervention by God who to thwarted the evil plot to kill him after he was poisoned at the People’s Democratic Party, secretariat four years ago.

The incident, he explained occured during the governorship electioneering campaign that year.

The immediate past Governor of Rivers state spoke on Sunday at a service organised in his honour  at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom Deanery, of the Diocese of Niger Delta North.

He also recalled how God save his wife,  Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, from death after she was diagnosed with cancer, few days to the 2023 PDP presidential primary, adding that he contemplated dropping his presidential ambition at a point due to his wife’s problem.

In all of these, the former governor who led five other People’s Democratic Party, PDP, governors to oppose the party’s presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential election, said God has made him triumphed over his enemies.

According to him, he was immediately flown out of the country to Lebanon, where the doctors confirmed that he had been poisoned.

Explaining how it happened, Wike said he could not attend the yearly state banquet usually organised every first day of the year due to the incident.

He said, “From that Sunday, I never came down from my room. It was bad, but those who attended the January 1st, State Banquet of 2019, will know that I never spoke that day. I just sat down there and I told my deputy governor to speak on my behalf.

“People didn’t know what was going on. After that banquet, by 12 midnight, I was taken out of the country because I thought it was over.

“When we got to Beirut, the doctors looked at me and I was looking at them. They were not telling me anything, they said we have to do many tests.”

Stating further, the former governor said, “I never knew that I had been poisoned in our campaign secretariat. My intestinal were all black. The doctors did all they could do.

“But, through divine providence, what would have been a disastrous situation was miraculously turned around by God, who immediately began to restore his failed organs, ”

The controversial former governor alongside other rebel governors  have been blamed for the PDP failure at the presidential poll.

The party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar may not have suffered defeat if the governors, who agitated for a southern president had worked for him, according to keen political watchers.

Obasanjo Says Obi Best For Nigeria, Shuns Tinubu’s Presidency

By
James Orji
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0
Olusegun Obasanjo and Peter Obi
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described Peter Obi as the president Nigeria required at the moment.
The former leader said this during a chat with popular interviewer, Chude Jidenwo in his response to pressing national issues.
Obi, the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate for the February 25 election lost to Bola Tinubu in the election.
The LP candidate is currently at the Election Petition Tribunal seeking to overturn the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC that Tinubu won the keenly contested election.
Despite the outcome of the election Obasanjo said Obi is still the best man for the job.
According to him, “It is not Peter Obi that is important to me. It is Nigeria. Peter Obi is not the issue, Nigeria to me is the issue.
“I believe that the Nigeria we need to have at this point, Peter Obi is still the man.”
The former leader, according to those familiar with the nation’s politics is one of the arrowheads of the Third Force that threw up Obi as a major presidential contender  for the once inconsequential LP after more than two decades of the dominance by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and recently the All Progressives Congress, APC in the nation’s political space.
The LP candidate came third in the election won by Tinubu, while Atiku Abubakar of the PDP came second.
Meanwhile, the former president has yet to make a public statement on Tinubu’s presidency, close to a month after the incumbent took power from Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, thus signaling what some Nigerians have aptly described as a seeming cold war between the two political figures.
Also, Obasanjo unlike other former occupiers of the office has not congratulated the incumbent,

Father’s Day: Obi Salutes Fathers

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter  Obi has joined in the celebration of Nigeria men on Father’s Day.

Obi tweeted his message to the fathers saying “To all the fathers in our dear nation, who through thick and thin, remain steadfast in carrying out their fatherly roles of inspiring greatness, loving unconditionally and protecting the very foundations of our nation – the family, I celebrate you today.

“As you continue to navigate your families through the challenging economic and political atmosphere in our country, with hope for a more secured and united Nigeria, which the New Nigeria will bring, may God protect and bless you always.”

I wish you all a Happy Fathers Day!

PSC Says South-east, North-east, Short-changed In Postings Of CPs; Moves To Enforce Fairness, Gender Consideration

By
Ayodele Oni
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Solomon Arase

By Ayodele Oni

The Police Service Commission,(PSC) has moved to address imbalance and gender discrimination noticed in the postings of senior police officers within the Force.

The Commission also plans to ensure that the principle of federal character is strictly followed in the deployment and posting of officers.

Spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement on Sunday said: “the Commission observed the disproportional distribution and lopsided deployment  of Command Commissioners.

“It notes that it has become extremely important that a fair representation of all geo-political zones is always reflected in these deployments to eschew and address the feeling and sense  of marginalisation  and injustice by certain zones of the country in the Nigeria Police Force.”

“The PSC observes that the current deployment of Commissioners of Police to State Commands left much to be desired in reflecting the principle of equity and fairness to all geo-political zones of the country, stressing that the current statistics of such deployments was against the North-East and South-East geopolitical zones.

“At least three State Commands out of the 37 Commands must have female Police officers as their Commissioners of Police and out of the 17 zonal headquarters, at least one zone must have a female AIG to head the zone.

“The Commission at plenary and relying on Section 6(e) and (7) of the Police Service Commission Act which empowers the Commission  to ‘formulate and implement policies aimed at the efficiency and discipline in the  Nigeria Police Force; and perform such other functions which in the opinion of the commission  are required to ensure the optimal efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force considered and approved the new policy guidelines.

“Henceforth request for deployment of commissioners of police to state commands must ensure that the disadvantaged zones are considered first in the proposals to the commission in order to redress the present imbalance  and lopsided deployments skewed against the North-East and South-East regions of the country.

“All geo-political zones of the country must now have at least 15 per cent representation in the deployment of Assistant Inspectors-General  of Police to zones, commissioners of police to state commands and posting of commanding  officers of Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism CTU and Special Protection Unit (SPU).

“That all Police deployments to zones and commands at both management  (Deputy Commissioners of Police and Assistant Commissioners of Police and Tactical levels (commanding officers of PMF/SPU/CTU, must recognize  our heterogeneity and reflect  fairness and equity in terms of ethnicity and religion.

“The commission advised the Inspector-General to be guided  appropriately  by this policy guidelines founded on principles  of fairness and justice to all members of the NPF.”

AFCON 2024 Qualifiers: Super Eagles Book AFCON Ticket, Defeats Sierra Leone

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles New - AFCON 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

A last gasp goal from Kelechi Iheanacho was all the Super Eagles of Nigeria needed to salvage a 3-2 victory over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia.

After going two goals up in the 32nd minute of the match courtesy of strikes from Napoli Football Club of Italy forward, Victor Osimhen, Sierra Leone striker, Mustapha Bundu pulled one back in the 41st minute to reduce the deficit, with the first half ending 2-1.

On the resumption of the second half, both teams were careful not to concede any goal, with the defensive line of both performing brilliantly well to curtail their attacking forces.

Sierra Leone Midfielder, Augustus Kargbo, got the needed equalizer for his team with a superb shot outside the box that beat the defense line of the Super Eagles and its goalkeeper to send the vociferous crowd at the stadium to ecstasy.

The joy of the Sierra Leonean was, however, cut short as a superb drive from Zaidu Sanusi broke the defense of the Sierra Leonean sending a pass to Iheanacho who tapped into an open net to give the Three time African Cup of Nations champions victory and booking a spot at the continental showpiece next year.

Coach Jose Peseiro had started the game with Hapoel Jerusalem Football Club of Israel goalkeeper, Adebayo Adeleye, with the quartet of Kenneth Omeruo, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi and Bright Osayi-Samuel in the defense.

Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze were at the heart of the midfield, while Italian Serie A highest goal scorer, Victor Osimhen and Joe Aribo player upfront.

The Nigerian Coach had deployed a 4-4-2 Formation against its West African neighbours for the crucial encounter.

He brought in Iheanacho to replace Chukwueze who was a shadow of himself late on in the second half, while Frank Onyeka replaced Aribo with Kevin Akpoguma replacing Osayi-Samuel who had a knock.

Late on in added time, Simon was replaced by Ajax Football Club of Holland defender, Calvin, with Taiwo Awoniyi coming in for Osimhen who also had a knock in the cause of the game.

With this victory, Nigeria has 12 Points from Five matches ahead of Guinea Bissau who has 10 Points.

Sierra Leone has Five Points and are automatically out of the race for the AFCON 2024 tournament with just a match left.

Nigeria’s last Group match against São Tomé and Principe to be played In Nigeria is of no relevance to the outcome of the Group standings.

But the Super Eagles must avoid defeat to remain Top of the Group as a loss against São Tomé and Principe and a victory for Guinea Bissau against Sierra Leone in their last would see them end as Table Toppers ahead of Nigeria.

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