IGP Alkali Baba Usman Joins Senatorial Race

By

-

August 15, 2023

By Gideon Njoku

The immediate past Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman has joined Politics, and is reportedly seeking an elective office.

Usman who was the 21st Indigenous Nigeran IGP, was appointed to office by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, on 6th April, 2021. He was removed by President Bola Tinubu on 19th June, 2023, and succeeded by IGP Kayode Egbetokun, PhD.

It is not known when Baba joined Politics and registered as a card carrying member of the ruling Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. But he is reportedly vying to represent Yobe East Senatorial District in the expected upcoming by-election. Its incumbent Senator, Ibrahim Gaidem, a former Governor of Yobe State has just been nominated and confirmed a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Posters, declaring Baba’s interest in the Senate, have been placed all over the Senatorial District.

Not a few people now think that he was, allegedly, a card-carrying member of the APC while in office as the IGP.

Born in 1963, Baba attended Bayero University, Kano and the University of Maiduguri where he received his first and masters degrees, respectively.

CBN Takes More Knee-jerk Measures To Stop Naira Slide

By

James Orji

-

August 15, 2023

0

The Central Bank of Nigeria has disclosed that the recent volatility experienced in the forex market is driven by speculators, vowing to take serious measures to curtail the trend.

Acting Governor of the CBN, Folasodun Sonubi, made this known after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu in Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The CBN governor said the president is seriously concerned over the volatility in the forex market, saying the bank is on top of the situation to stop the naira from further devaluation.

According to the Acting CBN Governor, Shonubi part of the measures the apex bank is taking include sanctions against commercial banks involved in the illegal sale of forex.

The CBN boss also stated that the bank is trying to improve liquidity in both the I& E and parallel market in order to stop a further freefall of the naira.

Shonubi said: “Mr President is very concerned about some of the goings on in the foreign exchange market. One of the things we discussed is what could be done to stabilise and what could be done to improve the liquidity in the market and also the goings on in the various other markets, including the parallel market.

“He’s concerned about its impact on the average person, since, unfortunately, a lot of activities that we do, which are purely local, are still referenced to exchange rates in the parallel market.

“We’ve discussed and I’ve shared with him what we’re doing to improve supply. If you look at the official market, you’ll find that that market has been fairly stable and the spreads of the difference have not fluctuated as much.

“We do not believe that the changes going on in the parallel market are driven by pure economic demand and supply, but are touched by speculative demand from people.

“Some of the plans and strategies, which I’m not at liberty to share with you, means sooner rather than later, the speculators should be careful because we believe the things we’re doing, when they come to fruition, may result in significant losses to them.

“But my presence here is more about the concerns the President has and his needs to know that we are doing something about it, assurances of which I have given him totally.

“So I hope this helps. We are looking at it and we’re doing things that will significantly impact the market in a few days time and we will all see it.

“The intention is to ensure the environment operates at a level that’s more efficient, but also that is also very reasonable and does not have a negative impact to the best that we can on the lives of the average person.

The governor of the government-controlled bank spoke amidst concerns among not a few Nigerians that CBN has lost total control of the forex market, considering how the naira has lost value in the past few weeks.

The nation’s currency started falling to the dollar not long after the CBN ordered the convergence of both the parallel and I&E markets early in June this year, as part of its forex reforms policy.

The belief then was that the measure will improve liquidity and in turn, strengthens the naira.

But that’s not to be, as the measures, according to analysts appear to have been counterproductive, considering that the value of the naira to other foreign currencies continues to slide raising further concern about future stability.

Analysts have therefore warned that the value of the naira to the dollar could rise to as much as N1000 or more in a few weeks if serious measures are not taken by the monetary policy regulator to quickly arrest the trend, adding that the current CBN approach to the problem is another knee-jack measures that have not helped in the time past.

LAHA Drills 20 Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Commissioner-Nominees

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

August 14, 2023

0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State House of Assembly Lawmakers seem to have soft-pedalled on its move to reject the Commissioner-Nominees list of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the Lawmakers have commenced the screening of the nominees.

20 out of the 39 nominees whose names were recently sent by Governor Sanwo-Olu to the House have so far been screened by a Committee of the House which began sitting on Sunday.

It is expected that all the cabinet-nominees would have been screened by Wednesday when the exercise is expected to end.

On Monday, the committee drilled Adetoke Benson- Awoyinka, immediate past Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Housing, and Bola Olumegbon Lawal, a former Executive Secretary of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Others screened were Yakoob Ekundayo Alebiosu, Idris Aregbe, Abdul-Kabir Opeyemi Ogungbo, Dr. Oreoluwa finnih- Awokoya, Eng. Abiola Okanlawon Moshood Olowu, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, Mosopefolu George, and Eng. Aramide Adeyoye.

Earlier on Sunday, the Committee led by Hon. Mojeed Fatai, Chief Whip of the House, screened Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, Dr. Olamide Abiodun Babatunde, Lawal Pedro, and Afolabi Waheed Ayantayo, immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor on Parastatals Monitoring.

Others include Jamiu Tolani Adedeji Alli-Balogun, Olugbenga Olanrewaju Olaniyi, Ogunwuyi Rotimi Ekundayo, Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju Layode, immediate past lawmaker of the State from Badagry, Adetokunbo Wahab and

Olakunle O Rotimi-Akodu.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, had recently constituted the 12-man ad-hoc Committee for the exercise.

The Committee is to make a report to the House when it reconvenes.

At the commencement of the screening, Hon. Fatai noted that the task before the Lawmakers was in line with a provision of the 1999 Constitution.

“The House of Assembly has the mandate to screen and confirm the nominees for the position of commissioners and Special Advisers.

“Recall that on July 28, 2023, the Executive Governor of Lagos State submitted a total of 39 commissioners and Special Adviser nominees,” he said adding that the recommendation of the committee would be presented to the House.

Members of the Committee include Hon. Adedamola Kasumu, Hon. Ajomale Oladipo, Hon. Saheed Babafemi, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, and Hon. Ajani Owolabi.

The others are Hon. Sa’ad Olumo, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, Hon. Adewale Temitope, Hon.Ajayi Oladele, Hon. Abdulkareem Jubril and Hon. Orekoya Abiodun.

“We Are Seeing Sunshine Now” – Ondo State First Lady On Her Husband’s Ill-Health

By

Ayodele Oni

-

August 14, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

An excited and relieved First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, on Monday, August 14, 2023, had some cheering news to share with Nigerians, and especially, Ondo State people on the state of health of her husband, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

From Germany where she is with her health-challenged but fast recovering husband, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu enthused quoting accomplished Musician, R. Kelly: “The storm is over now, and we are seeing sunshine.”

Her cheering news was contained in her welcome address at the BEMORE 2023 Opening ceremony which is holding from August 13-26, at Mabest Academy, Akure, Ondo State.

BEMORE is Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s pet project, founded in 2017, to, according to her, “close the widened gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Entrepreneurship (STEM+E) while creating opportunities to help them (girls) improve on their lives and make meaningful contribution to the socio-economic development of their respective communities.”

This year, however, she was not there to physically, welcome the girls – the new entrants. She is in Germany where she is looking after her husband, Governor Akeredolu who has been on medical vacation for a couple of months.

The Governor’s ill-health, which resulted in his temporary absence from the State, has been a subject of concern to his subjects most of whom have been praying for his quick recovery and return to Akure.

On Monday, his wife told them their prayers have been answered, and that the Governor would be home soon.

In her address she enthusiastically said: “Good morning the good people of Ondo State. Warm greetings from Germany where I’m providing the much needed care and psychosocial support to our dear Arakunrin (the Governor), who is facing some health challenges. The good news is that, quoting R. Kelly, ‘the storm is over now, and we are seeing the sunshine.’ Mr Governor is coming back soon, and, as we have all prayed and wished for, All will end in praise. Once more, Guten morgen, greeting you in Germany.”

Governor Akeredolu, SAN, an accomplished lawyer, a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, is serving his second term in office as the Governor of Ondo State.

In his absence, his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa is acting as the Governor.

Mrs Akeredolu Opens Girls’ Youth Camp, Says Initiative Is Success Story

By

Ayodele Oni

-

August 14, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State First Lady, and Founder, BEMORE Empowered Foundation, Chief (Mrs.) Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has said the BEMORE initiative, her pet project, has not only covered incredible mileage in the last six years, but has also extended its frontiers and continues to break new grounds.

Mrs. Akeredolu made the remark at the official opening ceremony for the 2023 BEMORE Boot Camp, on Monday in Akure.

She pointed out that beneficiaries of the initiatives in the past have proven that it is possible to change the trajectory of life for good, and, also, move ahead to become change agents within the two weeks training in the camp.

According to her, BEMORE was conceptualized in 2017 to close the widened gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Entrepreneurship (STEM+E) by empowering young Nigerian girls in critical areas of science and technology.

The programme also creates opportunities to help them improve on their lives and make meaningful contribution to the socio-economic development of their respective communities.

While noting that the initiative yearly affords the opportunity to impact new set of sterling young Nigerian girls, Mrs. Akeredolu said in the last six eventful years, BEMORE have had five outstanding editions of boot camps, with great successes.

“We have given to the world rare gifts of female champions who are making waves as solar energy queens, ICT experts and sought-after young entrepreneurs.

“Through Bemore, we have successfully raised about three thousand girls as ‘special breed without greed’.

“We have justified our charge with the Bemore performances over the years. The strides of our ambassadors are living testimonies of what Bemore has done and what Bemore can do. Thus far, we have convincingly demonstrated the fact that educating the girl child is not a waste”

“In these last six, fulfilling years, I have taught the Bemore girls how to do it. I have given depictive examples of what it means to have the courage of one’s conviction.

“I have proven to them the wonders of imagination and the beauty of being a woman on one’s own terms; of achieving one’s hearty goals and of holding up one’s head amidst storms.”

She urged the new intakes to make the most use of the opportunity and be part of the league of problem- solvers that the world direly awaits.

The Governor’s wife also used the opportunity to appeal to Government, private sector players, critical stakeholders as well as parents to remain committed to sustaining the enviable standard that BEMORE represents to the society and continue to support it financially.

In his address, the Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while acknowledging the challenges and discrimination faced by young girls across Africa, applauded Mrs. Akeredolu for taking a bold and practical step to stern the tide.

Aiyedatiwa who also noted that BEMORE initiative has changed the narrative of girl-child across Nigeria, congratulated those who made it to the camp, saying they were indeed lucky to have a kind hearted mother who, through her ingenuity, founded the boot camp to empower 21st century Nigerian girls and womenfolk in general.

He also applauded Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for always supporting the initiative as a gender sensitive leader.

Ondo Community Kicks Against Move By Fmr Deputy Governor To Impose Monarch

By

The Source

-

August 14, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

Youths of Supare Akoko, in akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo state have accused a former deputy governor of the state Alli Olanusi of attempting to foist over the community an unpopular candidate as monarch.

The youths, on Monday protested the alleged removal of two names from the nine legitimate names of kingmakers expected to select the next Olusupare, in an alleged bid to ensure emergence of an unpopular candidate.

They also alleged that the removal of the names was a ploy by some mischief makers within the state government to manipulate the process of choosing the next preferred candidate as the monarch of Supare-Akoko.

The youths, who stormed the major streets at Supare-akoko with various placards, defied the early morning rain to stage the peaceful protest against what they described as imposition of Traditional ruler on the town without following the due process as laid down by their Tradition.

The former Olusupare of Supare Akoko, Oba Kasali Adejoro Adedeji, had joined his ancestors last year. Oba Adedeji, who ascended the throne of his forefathers in 1994, died at the age of 77.

According to the youths, those two kingmakers whose name were removed are perceived to be against the imposition plot.

Gov Akeredolu Presents Vehicles To Ondo Legislators

By

Ayodele Oni

-

August 14, 2023

0

Gov Akeredolu Presents Vehicles To Ondo Legislators

By Ayodele Oni

To assist them in performing their legislative duties, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has presented official vehicles to the 26 members of the State House of Assembly.

The vehicles were presented to the lawmakers at the government house in Alagbaka, Akure, on Monday.

Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu presented the vehicles on behalf of the Governor.

Speaking on behalf of the Governor, Princess Odu stated that the vehicles were procured to ease the legislative duties of members of the 10th Assembly.

She noted that Governor Akeredolu has consistently emphasized on the importance of all stakeholders and State actors to collaborate as “One Administration” for the overall development of the State.

The SSG added that the Governor remains committed to the well-being of every Arm of Government and the people of the State in general.

Chairman of the APC in the State, Adetimehin, hailed Governor Akeredolu for finding it imperative to procure official vehicles for the lawmakers.

While stressing that the party in the State is proud of the Governor, the APC Chairman urged the lawmakers to continue to support him for the overall development and progress of the State.

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji expressed gratitude to the Governor for the gesture, describing it as a significant accomplishment.

He explained that the vehicles would aid the lawmakers in fulfilling their legislative responsibilities and strengthen the relationship between the Assembly and the other Arms of Government.

CBN: Revealed! How Emefiele Spent N1.2trn As Running Cost

By

James Orji

-

August 14, 2023

0

One of the critical areas Jim Obazee, the Special Investigator, appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to probe Godwin Emefiele, the suspended CBN Governor is beaming searchlight, is how the management of the bank under his watch incurred a whopping N1. 2 trillion as running cost while he held sway in the government-controlled bank.

Obazee, a former chief executive officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN, was appointed on July 28 by the president with the mandate “to investigate the CBN and related entities using a suitably experienced, competent and capable team and work with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to deliver on this assignment.”

According to sources monitoring what is currently going on in the apex bank, the investigator is particularly surprised to unearth documents showing that the operating expenses grew to close to 200 percent under Emefiele.

The embattled Emefiele was recently granted bail by a federal high court in Lagos in the sum of N20 million but has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, which is prosecuting him for illegal possession of firearms.

Not a few Nigerians have called for his release following the court order, saying the DSS no longer has reason to hold him, but the revelations from the ongoing probe by the special investigator appointed by the president may further compound his predicament, according to those closely monitoring his case.

Sources in the CBN said the investigator has interrogated some top officials of the bank in the last few weeks, who have given useful information on how Emefiele ran a one-man show in the bank.

“Even though some critical decisions were carried out with the knowledge of the former president Muhammadu Buhari, others that are equally important, particularly in the areas of operations, such as the finances of the bank were shrouded in top secrecy. The finances of the bank were carried out in such a manner that lacked transparency,” a top source in the bank said.

The source who spoke under condition of anonymity said “Even some top officials of the bank were shut out in some decision-making processes, particularly those capable of raising red flags to put Emefiele in trouble.”

The former CBN Governor relied on his closeness to former President Buhari to take some actions that are now the subject of the ongoing probe, the source further stated, adding that some top officials of the bank ‘were also neck-deep’ in the corruption that pervaded the apex bank under Emefiele.

Those that have also been fingered in the alleged heist are some individuals and companies consulting for the apex bank. Some of them were said to have been paid for many jobs that were never done.

“I think Nigerians are about to witness one of the biggest corruption cases under any CBN governor so far,” a member of the investigating team said on Monday.

Before Emefiele took over the affairs of the bank in 2014, the total operating cost was barely N500 billion, and financial experts are now asking why the expenses have risen so sharply without a commensurate expansion in the economy.

“This is tantamount to voodoo which can only be explained by Emefiele,” Alade Justice, a forensic expert told the magazine in his alleged heist in the apex bank that has now become a subject of a probe by the federal government.

President Tinubu was said to have appointed Obazee to probe Emefiele based on his track record as a thorough forensic expert. Former President Goodluck Jonathan had appointed him to probe Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, a former CBN governor.

It was based on his report that Sanusi was removed from office by Jonathan in 2014 leading to the appointment of Emefiele.

Politics Not War, Uzodinma Tells Imo People; Asks Opponents To Stop Violence, Killings

By

The Source

-

August 14, 2023

0

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has said that politics is not war and advised his political opponents to stop the violence and killings in the State in the name of politics.

The Governor made the statement at the All Saints (Anglican) Cathedral Diocese, Egbu in Owerri on Sunday.

Addressing the congregation at the end of the Church Service, the Governor reminded his political opponents that power comes from God “and as a believer in God, I am bound by conscience to do the right thing as a Governor.”

He told the politicians to stop attending Church Service on Sundays and resort to financing violence and the shedding of blood of innocent Imo people the next day.

The Governor promised not to disappoint the reasonable expectations of Imo people.

He commended the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt Rev Geoffrey Enyinnaya Okoroafor for the choice of his Homily which he said he benefited from.

Governor Uzodimma also congratulated the members of the Cathedral, men and women, and pleaded with Imo people in general to “have a rethink on what is happening in the State, characterised by violence, killings and destructions and orchestrated by the illegal release of over 1840 prison inmates at the Owerri Correctional Centre by unknown gunmen.”

The Governor said despite the huge amount of money spent in stemming the level of insecurity in the State, people have continued to be afraid because of the experience of the past.

“I don’t blame the people because they live with the fear of the past phenomenon.”

He, however, appealed to the people not to sit at home any longer on Monday, reassuring them that the government had done a lot on security.

“Please come out on Monday, open your shops, you have a Government that will protect you. Let us take back our State. We have no other State we can call our own.”

He said as a Governor, he is only holding the common patrimony of Imo State in trust, insisting that “the earlier we understand ourselves and come together, the better.”

On the request of the Bishop for the reconstruction of the road from Toronto Road Safety Junction to Naze, the Governor promised to make it a priority project based on available resources, stressing that he will not give contract he is not able to pay for immediately.

But in the interim, the Governor promised to do the landscaping of the Cathedral premises and that of the Bishop’s Court to make entry and exit easy. He also made a donation of N5million on behalf of his wife, the First Lady, for the Women Ministry of the Cathedral.

On the present hardship faced by the people as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, Governor Uzodimma assured that soon, people will be happy as plans are afloat to ensure that the price of the dollar comes down, and fuel prices nosedive with the commencement of local refining in few months time. He requested all to be patient with Government at all levels.

In his Homily drawn from Exodus 18:13-26, Bishop Okoroafor appreciated the Governor for his good works in the State and encouraged him not to relent despite the challenges and distractions.

Bishop Okafor who said that Governor Uzodimma’s works in the State are there for everyone to see encouraged him to remain focused even as he reeled out the catalogue of things the Cathedral has benefited from the Governor, both directly and indirectly.

He reminded the Governor of the story of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, who recommended to Moses that those entrusted with responsibilities must be trustworthy, honest, sincere, not take bribe and accountable at all times.

The Bishop prayed God to give those in positions of responsibility the grace they require in whatever assignment they find themselves.

The Traditional Ruler of Egbu Ancient kingdom, HRH Mishel Egukole in his appreciation, thanked the Governor for finding time to join them at the Church Service. He appreciated the Governor for all his benevolence to Egbu people and pledged their continuing total support.

The Governor who read the 1st Bible Lesson from Exodus 18: 13-26 was later invited to the altar by the Bishop for prayer along with other top Government officials.

Earlier in the day, the Governor had worshipped at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Nworieubi where he told the congregation that the outing was part of his “political and religious evangelism to bring back confidence in our people who are still living in fear despite the reduced insecurity in the State.”

At Nworieubi, Governor Uzodimma intervened in two projects which the Church said was weighing the parishioners down.

On one of them, he donated N10million to support the erection of a primary school for the children of the Church in addition to helping secure a land for the project and on the second request, he donated another N10 million for the ongoing the Church building project.

Top government officials, elder statesmen from Imo State, business moguls, traditional rulers, among others joined the Governor at both events.

Akpabio In Trouble, Could Face Impeachment Over Careless Talks

By

The Source

-

August 14, 2023

0

By Gideon Njoku

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is in trouble. Unless he does a lot of work to placate his Senate- colleagues, he may face a huge embarrassment when the Senate resumes sitting after their recess.

In the words of the Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, Akpabio could face a “drastic action” for embarrassing his colleagues and exposing them to public ridicule and the anger of the masses.

While addressing his colleagues on the day just before they proceeded on recess, Akpabio had, on live stream, informed them that their bank accounts has been credited with an undisclosed amount of money to enable them enjoy their vacation.

That sent tongues wagging, especially, at what the masses sensed was the insensitive behavior of the Senators while the poor suffer. It, also, raised speculations to high heavens as to how much each Senator received. Many speculated as high as N50m per Senator. Others said N10m per Senator.

When Akpabio realised the damage he has done to the image of the Senators and the Senate, he tried to control it by saying what he meant was that he sent prayers to them for safe trip to their holiday destinations and back. ” I withdraw that statement. In order to allow you to enjoy your holiday, the Senate President has sent prayers to your mail boxes to assist you to go on a safe journey and return.”

Too late. A Senator, Ireti Kingibe, Labour Party, FCT, has since denied she received any prayers from Akpabio.

An angry Ndume, APC Borno South, warned, while speaking to the BBC Hausa Service, that Akpabio would face the wrath of the Senators. He said Akpabio’s careless revelation that each Senator has been credited some money for enjoyment during the recess was embarrassing.

His words: “It’s common knowledge that if any employee is going on leave, he/she is entitled to a leave grant. That was the money we received, and it is nothing unusual or special.

“All Senators received two million Naira. And I am making this comment with a heavy heart because he is the cause of this controversy.

“He created an impression as if we were given some special or huge amounts of money. What’s the big deal if I receive two million Naira allowance in my capacity as a Senator?

“He made a very wrong statement, and I warned him immediately that his comments were unbecoming of an elder.

“In fact, we are even planning to take a drastic action against him if he continues making unguarded statements and acting as if we are kids.”