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Zenith Bank Retains Position As Nigeria’s No 1 In Top 1000 Global Banks’ Ranking

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Ebenezer Onyeagwu - Zenith Bank PLC MD

Zenith Bank Plc has retained its ranking as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in the 2023 Top 1000 World Banks’ Rankings, published by The Banker Magazine.

For the fourteenth year in a row, the Bank has held its position as the number one Tier-1 bank in Nigeria, emerging as the 467th Bank globally with a Tier-1 Capital of $2.54 billion.

The rankings, published in the July 2023 edition of The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group, United Kingdom, were based on the 2022 year-end Tier-1 capital of banks globally. The rankings continue to be the primary source for global bank financials and are used by most international organisations in their assessments of banks.

Zenith Bank’s financial performance for the year was bolstered by an impressive double-digit growth of 24% in gross earnings, leading to an improved market share in both the retail and corporate segments of the market. This occurred despite a persistently challenging macroeconomic environment and headwinds.

Commenting on the ranking, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said, “Being ranked as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the fourteenth consecutive year attests to our resilience as an institution despite a very challenging macroeconomic environment and global headwinds. It is also an affirmation of our best-in-class service and commitment to value creation for our highly esteemed customers.”

He thanked the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his foundational role in building the structures and setting the institution on the path to continued success; the Board for their vision and outstanding leadership; the staff for their unwavering commitment and dedication; and the Bank’s customers for their unflinching loyal support of the Zenith brand.

Tier 1 Capital describes capital adequacy, which is the core measure of a bank’s financial strength from a regulator’s point of view. According to the ranking, Tier 1 Capital, as defined by the latest Bank for International Settlements (BIS) guidelines, includes loss-absorbing capital, i.e., common stock, disclosed reserves, retained earnings, and minority interests in the equity of subsidiaries that are less than wholly owned.

Zenith Bank became one of the latest companies to join the exclusive group of stocks worth over one trillion, as its market capitalisation on the Nigerian Exchange, NGX, crossed the N1 trillion mark in the third week of June 2023. This followed the appreciation of its share price by 3.23% to close at N32 per share, taking its market capitalisation above a trillion to close at N1.004 trillion.

The bank’s track record of excellent performances has continued to earn it numerous awards including being recognised as Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2021 and 2022, in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022; Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa, for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023, by the Ethical Boardroom; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.

Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, and Retail Bank of the year, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Similarly, Zenith Bank was named as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.

Tinubu Says EU Report On 2023 Presidential Election “Jaundiced”

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The major benefactor of the 2023 Presidential Election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the European Union Electoral Observer Mission, EUEOM Report on the election as “jaundiced” meant to validate an earlier report by the union in March.

Following the February 29 election, the EU released a scathing report against its validation by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The election won by Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate is still being contested in the election tribunal by two other candidates, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, AP, as largely flawed.

The two candidates are asking the court to overturn the results declared by INEC, and be declared winner.

But in a statement issued by  Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Tinubu said he “reject European Union’s conclusions on 2023 general elections,” saying that other monitoring groups have commended the outcome of the election.

He said the EU is trying to manipulate Nigerians, and discredit its credibility, adding that the union have no substantial evidence to prove its claim that the election was not free, fair and credible.

The president said the EU did not monitor elections in all the 176, 000 polling centres across the country, noting that it only interviewed few persons to validate its position that the election was flawed.

Part of the statement reads, “Sometimes in May, we alerted the nation, through a press statement, to the plan by a continental multi-lateral institution to discredit the 2023 general elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The main target was the presidential election, clearly and fairly won by the then candidate of All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“While we did not mention the name of the organisation in the said statement, we made it abundantly clear to Nigerians how this foreign institution had been unrelenting in its assault on the credibility of the electoral process, the sovereignty of our country and on our ability as a people to organise ourselves.

“We find it preposterous and unconscionable that in this day and age, any foreign organisation of whatever hue can continue to insist on its own yardstick and assessment as the only way to determine the credibility and transparency of our elections.

“Now that the organisation has submitted what it claimed to be its final report on the elections, we can now categorically let Nigerians and the entire world know that we were not unaware of the machinations of the European Union to sustain its, largely, unfounded bias and claims on the election outcomes.

“For emphasis, we want to reiterate that the 2023 general elections, most especially the presidential election, won by President Bola Tinubu/All Progressives Congress, were credible, peaceful, free, fair and the best organised general elections in Nigeria since 1999.”

“There is no substantial evidence provided by the European Union or any foreign and local organisation that is viable enough to impeach the integrity of the 2023 election outcomes.

“It is worth restating that the limitation of EU final assessment and conclusions on our elections was made very bare in the text of the press conference addressed by the Head of its Electoral Observation Mission, Barry Andrews.

“While addressing journalists in Abuja on the so-called final report, Andrews noted that EU-EOM monitored the pre-election and post-election processes in Nigeria from January 11 to April 11, 2023 as an INEC accredited election monitoring group.

“Within this period, EU-EOM observed the elections through 11 Abuja-based analysts, and 40 election observers spread across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. With the level of personnel deployed, which was barely an average of one person per state, we wonder how EU-EOM independently monitored election in over 176,000 polling units across Nigeria.

“We would like to know and even ask EU, how it reached the conclusions in the submitted final report with the very limited coverage of the elections by their observers who, without doubt, relied more on rumours, hearsay, cocktails of prejudiced and uninformed social media commentaries and opposition talking heads.

“We are convinced that what EU-EOM called final report on our recent elections is a product of a poorly done desk job that relied heavily on few instances of skirmishes in less than 1000 polling units out of over 176,000 where Nigerians voted on election day.

“We have many reasons to believe the jaundiced report, based on the views of fewer than 50 observers, was to merely sustain the same premature denunciatory stance contained in EU’s preliminary report released in March.

“We strongly reject, in its entirety, any notion and idea from any organisation, group and individual remotely suggesting that the 2023 election was fraudulent.

Kwara: Yoruba Priestess Forced To Abort Festival After ‘Messengers’ From Emir Threatened Her

By
James Orji
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What would have been resulted in a religious clash between adherents of Islam and traditional worshippers in Ilorin, has been averted following the decision of an Osun Priestess to  shelved her plans to host a traditional festival, also known as Isese Day.

Some Muslims in Ilorin under the aegis of Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society, had warned Adesikemi Olokun Omolara Olatunjinot, the priestess not to hold the event, saying the warning came from the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari

Olatunji said she would no longer hold the event due to death threats she has been receiving.

Speaking during a short video published on Facebook, Omolara narrated her problem with the islamists after announcing the event

According to her, ”I was planning an Isese festival in Ilorin. Issues began after fliers for the event were posted online. In no time, I was bombarded with calls and social media tags.

“Some of my people soon began calling to inform me of plans by the imams to shut my event down. It’s been a stressful couple of days since the fliers were released, I have received multiple death threats from unknown people.”

Recall that the Islamic group had visited her residence to warn her against the festival, saying they were asked by the Emir to convey the message to her.

Isese, the Yoruba word for tradition, is used to denote different kinds of festivals held by adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion in Nigeria and other countries of the world.

While issuing the warning to the priestess, after they stormed her residence the group said traditional festivals are not allowed in four local governments in the state, because traditional worship is prohibited in these areas.

The local governments are Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Asa.

The Muslim group was prompted by a viral video by a resident of the state that the priestess was preparing to hold the festival.

The group led by some Imams immediately stormed her home to warn her to desist from the plan.

Although the group stressed that the visit and their intentions were peaceful, the Imams, while making subtle threats, warned Alaba of the potentially dire consequences of holding the festival, while stressing that the state only supports Islamic activities.

One of the Imams who led the group stated that they were sent by the “Emir of Ilorin, to warn against this Isese festival.”

He continued saying traditional religious worshippers could celebrate in private but never publicly in the ’emirate’ as the only deity that could be publicly celebrated is the one Muslims in the state serve.

”We are here on behalf of the Emir of Ilorin to ask that you desist from any Isese. We are also backed by the laws of the land. We are not here to fight you but to warn you against this celebration.”

Ilorin was Yoruba-controled before its conquest by Fulani jihadist, Utman Dan Fodio.

There has been rival clashes for years between Yoruba and Fulani, and top on the demands of the former is to have an Oba installed to lead them rather than the Emir.

Anambra: How Fraudulent Student Used Fake JAMB Results To Win N3m Innosson Scholarship 

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Ishaq Oloyede
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, has exposed one Ejikeme Mmesoma for parading fake JAMB results which she used to win a N3 million scholarship from famous automaker, Innosson Motors.
Mmesoma became a social media item after claiming that she is the top scorer in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, with 362 marks. She actually scored 249 marks.
Following her claim that she led other students in the examination, Innosson Motors awarded her a N3 million scholarship while the Anambra state government also planned to honour her as a good ambassador of the state.
She was however exposed after the state government wrote JAMB to confirm her claim.
Speaking on the issue in a statement on Sunday, JAMB said Mmesoma is among other students that have used fake or doctored JAMB results to deceive unsuspecting public.
Apart from her, the Board also cited the case of one Atung Gerald in Kaduna, who claimed to have scored 380 in the same exam. He didn’t obtain the form, JAMB said, not to talk of writing the exam.
The duo, JAMB stated,  used some softwares to manipulate their scores, warning the public to beware of such fake results which are not it.
As a punishment for their actions, JAMB said Mmesoma’s result will be withdraw, while the two cheats will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The statement said: “The attention of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has been drawn to several publications in both print and online media celebrating certain candidates for being high scorers in the 2023 UTME.
“The Board is constrained to set the records straight and wishes to state unequivocally that many of the results which many of these candidates are parading are fake. In many instances, some of these candidates had actually obtained far lower scores than they are claiming and had used some funny software packages to manipulate their results to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
“The most pathetic of them all is the case of Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, who claimed to have scored 362 in the 2023 UTME and was awarded a N3m scholarship by Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma. She was even set to be honoured by the Anambra State Government when one of its top officials put a call through to JAMB to confirm her claim, only for the Board to reveal that Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma had actually scored 249 and not the 362 she claimed. She had manipulated her UTME result to deceive the public to fraudulently obtain scholarships and other recognitions.
“A similar case was that of one Atung Gerald in Kaduna, who claimed to have scored 380. His ethnic group had taken the issue up, requesting that he be given special recognition, only for the Board to disappoint them with the incontestable fact that Atung never obtained the 2023 UTME application documents, not to talk of sitting the examination.
“The Board would, therefore, want to advise the public to always cross-check these claims by candidates with the Board before rushing to honour them with undeserving awards, as certain software has been created to fake their version of their results and put same out in the public space for fun, and this is what the sponsors of these candidates are using to defraud good-spirited Nigerians such as Dr Innocent, the founder of Innoson Motors, who sincerely desires to celebrate academic excellence by investing in the education of a young Nigerian.
“We commended the likes of Dr. Innocent Chukwuma and wish to encourage other Nigerians, who desire to invest in the future of genuine youngsters, never to be discouraged but to always ensure that they get the authentic results from the Board as done by the Anambra State Ministry of Education; otherwise they will be celebrating criminality as this is just another new fraudulent method in town. However, these candidates only succeed in manipulating what they are holding, as the authentic results are with the Board and would be transmitted to their schools of choice at the appropriate time.
“It is to be noted that Miss Mmesoma had sent a message to the Board’s platform to request her UTME result, after which she manually inflated her scores and pasted same on the 2022 UTME result sheet. Unknown to her, the Board had changed the design of the 2023 UTME result sheet. Her original result remains 249, as nothing can change that.
“With this her ignoble act, Miss Mmesoma would be prosecuted and her original result withdrawn. This is not all, as the Board would, in due course, investigate all candidates laying claims to higher scores than they actually obtained. Once discovered, such candidates’ original results would be withdrawn forthwith, and they would be handed over to relevant security agencies for prosecution.”
Meanwhile, Innosson Group has called for a thorough investigations of the issue. In a reaction, its spokesman, Cornel Osigwe said the girl was incapable of committing such fraud, saying her records from school showed that she was brilliant.

Group Kicks Against Re-Appointment Of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo As Chairman House Committee On NDDC

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Olubunmi Tunji Ojo

By Akinwale Kasali

A Group under the aegis of Ilaje Parapo Forum, IPF, has kicked against  any move to reappoint Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, representing Akoko North West and Akoko North East of Ondo State as the Chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC, noting that the lawmaker failed woefully in the last four years.

The Group’s statement was signed by its Chairman, Funsho Ajimuda and Bode Orofin, Secretary of the Group as speculation remains rife that Ojo is lobbying intensely and might use his influence to get back to  the Chairman House Committee on NDDC’s seat after allegedly defrauding the peace loving inhabitants of Niger Delta Region of Ondo state in the Ninth Assembly.

The Group, in the statement, stressed that it recalled the Lawmaker in the 9th Assembly, but he allegedly conspired with the Interim Management Committee of the Commission, IMC, of the NDDC between 2019 and 2022 to deny the people of Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency in Ondo State their right place in the Commission within time frame mentioned above.

The statement by the Group also added that  It regretted the anticipated development of  the Niger Delta region has  continued to elude the region largely because of corruptions and self aggrandizement of politicians thus leaving the region in a State of perpetual environmental degradations, human and socio-economic squalor.

It also emphasized that the House Committee on NDDC in the 9th Assembly under the chairmanship of Ojo create unprecedented calamities in the Commission for the people of the oil producing Area of the state in terms of projects allocation, empowerment programs, training, Scholarship and employment of new staff into the Commission.

“As part of his constitutional duties to oversight all projects in the region, Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo did not visit the oil producing Areas of ILAJE and ESE-ODO for his four years reign as NDDC Committee Chairman and  he never consulted stakeholders in the oil producing communities before imputing Ondo State projects in the NDDC budget.  Additionally, he   diverted  NDDC projects and programmes to the Akoko Area of Ondo State at the expense of   the suffering oil producing  areas in the state.

“In the recent appointment made for junior and senior officers in the Commission, out of 56 officers, Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo used his position to employ 45 from Akoko, his federal consrituency that does not have a single drop of oil but gave only 11 to the applicants from the oil producing areas.

“Privilege information before us reveals that Hon. Tunji Ojo has been bragging to people that he doled out money to the emergence of Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives and that the Speaker is under compulsion to consider him for any position of his choice in the 10th Assembly.

“We therefore call on the House of Representatives leadership   not to yield to pressure to retain/ reappoint Hon. Tunji Ojo as the Chairman House Committee on NDDC, rather for fairness and justice, we advocate for true representation by the lawmaker from the mandate areas of Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, who is raised amidst the pains and suffering incurred through oil exploration.

“Bearing in mind that NDDC is an institution established to cater for environmental degradation occasioned by oil exploration in the Environmental Management Plans (EMP), as an important aspect and response to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as best practices across the world”, the statement reads.

Edo Police Command Probes Death Of 400 Level UNIBEN Student, Arrests Two Suspects

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Police Command has arrested two students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), in connection with the drowning of their colleague, 23-year-old, Francis Aniude.

Aniude, a final year student of the Department of Chemistry, reportedly drowned at Ekosodin River, where he went to swim with the suspects.

Those arrested are Samson Kennedy, a 200 level student of Biochemistry and Wilfred Emmanuel, a 500-level student of Optometry.

The duo, who were neighbours with Aniude, reportedly invited him to the Ekosodin River for sightseeing on the 29th of June,2023, where he was allegedly drowned by the duo, who ran back to the school campus to raise the alarm after the incident.

A student of the Department of Chemistry who claimed to be an eye witness, explained that “Francis was drowned in the Ekosodin River, located in an off-campus community near the school, and was declared missing.

“His body was recovered by local divers in the community on Saturday, July 1. The discovery of blood on his lips and peeled skin around his neck region raised suspicion amongst family members and relatives who are demanding for an autopsy.”

Confirming the report, the Spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the suspects were arrested to help the Police in investigating the circumstances behind the death.

“The case has been reported at the Ugbowo Police Station. Eventually, the Divisional Police Officer and his men led a team of local divers to the scene of the incident, luckily enough, they were able to recover the body.

“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigations.

“Two persons were arrested, the reason being that they went together to go and swim in that river when the ugly incident occurred.

“Arresting them is very very important so that we can know what made them leave their hostel and go to that river at that point of time and what happened right there in the river.”

IGP To Appreciate Excellence; Reintroduces Rewards For Officers

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kayode Egbetokun - IGP

By Ayodele Oni

In an effort to sanitize the Police Force and boost morale of officers, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Olukayode  Egbetokun, has resuscitated the Awards and Commendation system for the Force.

Force Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that the policy will be implemented under the guidance of the IGP to enhance motivation and encouragement among Police Officers.

Adejobi, in a statement on Sunday, stated that “This renewed commendation system represents a significant advancement from the past, as it now covers all officers involved in every major case, moving away from solely focusing on arresting officers or commanders.

“The new system is in line with the provisions of Section 92 of the Police Act 2020, and Order 68 of the Force Orders and Instructions, and will be a milestone in recognizing the collective efforts of all officers in upholding law and order in the nation.

“Traditionally, the Nigeria Police Force has a history of conferring commendations and rewards to specific officers who have displayed exemplary performances in critical operations.

“With the new system, commendations and awards will now be bestowed upon all officers who played a crucial role in resolving major cases, promoting a sense of camaraderie, unity, and teamwork within the force.

“This development emphasizes the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in achieving the force’s objectives.

“Furthermore, the introduction of this new commendation and award system also marks a commitment to shelve unnecessary special promotions, which have hitherto been ridiculous in the NPF.

“The new Awards and Commendation system will provide a fair platform for officers to be recognized and rewarded for their exceptional dedication and performance without relying solely on special promotions.

“The IGP envisions a renewed sense of pride and dedication among police officers as they know their hard work and dedication will be acknowledged and celebrated appropriately.

“In furtherance of this policy, the IGP has set machineries in motion to annually organize the Nigeria Police Awards Night, where outstanding police personnel, in all sectors, and certain individuals, who have contributed to a successful policing system in Nigeria would be honoured and celebrated.

“The 2023 Nigeria Police Awards Night will be unveiled and announced as and when due.

“Conclusively, the Inspector-General of Police recognizes the need to revamp the commendation and award system within the Nigeria Police Force.

“The new Awards and Commendation system will foster a culture of appreciation, teamwork, and professional growth. By acknowledging the contributions of all officers involved in major cases, we aim to create a more cohesive and motivated Police Force, committed to upholding the principles and tenets of the Police Act 2020, the Force Orders and Instructions, and serving the Nigerian people with excellence and renewed vigour.”

Revealed: Bill Seeking Establishment Of Federal College Of Education In Ekiti Sited Location At Omuo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Adegboyega Bamisile

By Ayodele Oni

As controversy rages over the siting of the newly approved Federal College of Education in Ekiti state, a former Aide to Governor Lalong of Plateau State, and an indigene of Ekiti has clarified that the location of the institution was clearly spelt out in the bill establishing it.

Dr Adegboyega Bamisile, a stalwart of All Progressives Congress, (APC) said the Ilawe community that is laying claim to it is taking advantage of the exit of Senator Biodun Olujinmi from the red chamber.

According to him, in May 2021, a bill seeking the establishment of two Federal Colleges of Education in Ekiti and Borno States respectively underwent a public hearing at the Senate.

“The bills are the “Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of the Federal College of Education Gwoza, Borno State and for other Matters Connected Therewith (Establishment, Etc, Bill, 2021) [SB: 350],” sponsored by Distinguished Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), and the “Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal College of Education Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State and for other Matters Connected Therewith (Establishment, Etc, Bill, 2021),” sponsored by Distinguished Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South).

“Upon approval, the proposed Federal Colleges of Education will be located in Gworza, Borno South Senatorial district in Borno State, and Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti South Senatorial district in Ekiti State.

“Specifically, the Bill for the establishment of the Federal College of Education Omuo Ekiti was sponsored by the Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, now former Senator Biodun Olujimi, and passed by both chambers of the 9th National Assembly.

“The public hearing was conducted by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, chaired by Senator Babba Kaita.”

Dr. Adegboyega highlighted that Omuo kingdom, comprising over 12 communities in Ekiti East with no Federal or State presence, deserves the College.

He mentioned that a bill establishing the College of Education had been passed, awaiting the President’s assent, before the alleged alteration and relocation of the school were brought to light.

Furthermore, he stressed that the passage of the (Establishment, Etc, Bill, 2021), sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South), resulted from a painstaking legislative process with the support of traditional rulers, dignitaries, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ekiti South.

Therefore, any attempts to relocate the College should be vehemently opposed.

Dr. Adegboyega expressed his bewilderment that someone or a group of people who did not initiate the request would seek to take advantage of the absence of the bill’s sponsor in the upcoming 10th assembly to alter what was clearly not theirs.

He called on President Ahmed Tinubu to rectify this alleged injustice and, if the insinuation about the relocation is found to be true, return the institution to Omuo Ekiti for the sake of fairness and justice.

How Gunmen Killed RCCG Pastor Inside Church, Abduct Seven Worshippers

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

A night vigil organised by a branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, turned into a nightmare when gunmen invaded the Church, killed the officiating Priest, and abducted seven worshippers.

Members of the RGCC Parish, Abule-Ori, Obafemi, Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, were observing their monthly night vigil when the gunmen struck and disrupted the Service.

Blood-thirsty, they immediately shot and killed the Pastor who was conducting the night vigil Service. And, as pandemonium ensued, and worshippers ran helter-skelter, the gunmen abducted seven of them.

A save-our-soul call to the personnel of the Ogun State So-Safe Corp brought some consolation. In a swift response, they went after the gunmen, and in the ensuing shoot-out, the seven abductees were rescued. As an icing on the cake, one of the abductors was killed. The others escaped with gun shot injuries.

The incident which took place midnight Saturday, was confirmed to news reporters by Mr Soji Ganzallo, the Commander of the So-Safe Corp.

In a statement signed by Moruf Yusuf, Director of Information, So-Safe Corp, on behalf of Ganzallo, the Corp explained that: “The Owode-Egba Zonal Command of the Corp, under Jimoh Omoniyi, received a distress call that some members of the RCCG, Desires of Nations Parish, under Ogun Province 22, Abule Ori in Obafemi  Owode Local Government Area, were attacked during a vigil. That seven members of the Church were abducted, and the Pastor killed.

“Officers of the Corp were charged to go after the suspects and rescue the victims unhurt, and the officers swung into action immediately.”

The statement confirmed that the seven victims were rescued unhurt, and one of the murderous criminals shot dead during an exchange of gunfire.

Security Agents, he disclosed, are on the trail of the other members of the gang who, he said, escaped with injuries.

At the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Leadership of the RCCG or that of the State Police Command. The name of the killed Pastor has not been made public.

Ploy To Compromise Integrity, Independence of Senate, Behind Gang Up Against Tambuwal’s Quest For Minority Leadership – GNC

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Generation Next Collective, GNC, a coalition of pragmatic youth and women groups, with core interest in development strategies and democratic accountability, has said that the orchestrated ploy by elements it described as external forces to hijack the minority leadership of the senate, is a danger to the integrity of legislative independence that ensures democratic checks and balances.
GNC made this submission in a  joint statement by its co – conveners, Barrister Ruth Edehemon and Malam Rufai Abdulahi, PhD, in Abuja, on Sunday, July 2, 2023.
It said that a Legislature without a vibrant, experienced, knowledgeable and independent-minded opposition, would remain a liability to the nation and the people,  who are the live-wire of participatory democracy.
The GNC said that that’s why it’s concerned about the coordinated attack on the character and person of Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and immediate past governor of Sokoto state, who it said ticks the objective leadership boxes, given his outstanding legislative and administrative leadership experience, capacity and capabilities.
 The former Speaker, Tambuwal, who is a frontline contestant for the office of the senate minority leader, the coalition added, has the required firmness, reach,  emotional intelligence and maturity to provide an effective opposition leadership that would add value to the Legislature.
It noted that the role of  Minority or opposition Leadership in a parliament  is  too critical to the integrity of the legislature, democratic practice and accountability, to be allowed to be pocketed by external interests that’s most likely motivated by extraneous factors,  hinged on possible personal vendetta or ideals that do not put to account the overall interest of the people.
Emphasising the importance of Minority Leader’s responsibilities, it said that besides being the official spokesperson of opposition parties in particular and the people in general, the Minority Leader, “Develops the minority party’s legislative positions, directs negotiations with the majority party, coordinates the minority party’s strategy on the senate floor and also leads the minority party in floor debates, for the good of the people and progress of the nation.”
Such  critical roles, in the estimation of GNC, “Should not be allowed to be manipulated by divisive interests, or unwittingly handed to a proxy puppeteer, obsessed with power and control, masquerading as exclusive oxygen of party survival or cohesion and defender of democracy.
“These same forces have already taken over the Minority Leadership of the House of Representatives, and have vowed to replicate their authoritarianism in the selection process in the senate.
Speaking on the current controversy surrounding the selection of the Senate Minority Leadership, the statement said further: “The institution of the Legislature in Nigeria has suffered bruises of negative public perception and mistrust in the immediate past administration, on account of how it handled some of its constitutional responsibilities, in a manner that made it appear like a rubberstamp to many.
“It should be noted that more than ever before,  there is palpable apprehension  among the people,  over the quality of service delivery the 10th senate would offer to the people.
“But the unnecessary intrigues, bitter conspiracies and campaign of calumny surrounding the senate minority leadership selection process, is rather unfortunate, and a sad pointer that the will, voice and interest of the people and development of our democracy,  stand the threat of being mortgaged, in order to feed the ego of some individuals in cohort with the ruling party who ought to be put on its toes by the opposition, in fidelity to democratic norms.
“An ideal Legislature requires an objective, conscientious and sensitive majority party leadership and also a robust, responsible and responsive minority leadership to nurture a healthy democracy that would ensure policy initiatives that’ll prioritise the interest of the people and equitable distribution of the commonwealth of the nation.
“Senator Tambuwal, either in his past public office positions as a Speaker, eight years as Governor of Sokoto state, Chairman, People’s Democratic Party (PDP’s) Governors’ Forum, or Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in the last general elections,  has been unblemished, humble and patriotic,
“Tambuwal remains one of the best ambassadors of the PDP.  He is known to be a level headed team player, who will rally the opposition parties to give a resounding voice of reason on behalf of the Nigerian people, for good governance and peace of the nation, devoid of rancour, pettiness or divisiveness. Such an individual imbued with this unique personality of calming candour, should be projected by all well-meaning party men and women, rather than dragged on the mud of internal party politics and rivalry.
The ruling party and the external forces  sweating to stop Tambuwal should stop fretting about his emergence, but rather prepare to give the Nigerian people the kind of responsible leadership they deserve. “
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