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Skit Maker, Adisa, Appears In Court, Denied Bail

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Abdullahi Maruff Adisa, aka Trinityguy, will remain in prison following  denial of bail for him  by a Magistrate Court in Ibadan, Oyo state, on Monday.

Also remanded along with Adisa is  the parent of the little girl he used in an obscene viral video.

This is pending legal advice from the State Ministry of Justice.

The Court ordered the remand of  Trinityguy in prison over allegations of using a minor in an immoral viral skit video.

The Nigerian Police, through Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had called for the arrest of Trinity guy following a viral video of his dangerous pranks.

Oyo State Police Command on Friday, disclosed that the skit maker and parent of the little girl in the viral video were quizzed by the Command and would appear in court Monday.

Counsel to Adisa, Olúdáre Adebayo, who was brought before the Magistrate by the Police, urged the court to grant his client bail.

Magistrate P.O Adetuyibi, while denying the bail application, stated that the allegations against the Skit maker is currently receiving attention of the state Ministry of Justice.

It’s Wicked, I Am Not Contemplating State Pardon For Convicted Proprietor Of Oduduwa University – Osun Gov Adeleke

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ademola Adeleke sworn in as Governor of Osun State

By Ayodele Oni

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has cried out over an alleged move to link him with the convicted proprietor of Oduduwa University, Rahman Adedoyin.

Adeleke said there are rumors on social media that he is plotting to subvert the  death judgement on Adedoyin, affirming that there is no plan to use state apparatus to pardon the proprietor of the Oduduwa University.

Adedoyin and some of his workers were condemned to death over the gruesome murder of a postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) that lodged at his hotel in Ile Ife.

He has, however, appealed against the verdict of the Osun State High Court.

Reacting to the growing rumour of possible state pardon for the businessman, Governor Adeleke  said that his administration has never, and will never intervene in the judicial process, labeling those behind the fake news as public enemies.

“Those who concorted the fake news are evil minded political operatives who are merely grasping at straws in their desperation to blackmail the state Governor.

“Governor Adeleke has not and will never contemplate exercising the prerogative of mercy or whatever the report calls it, on a matter under adjudication which has generated deep interest among local and global communities.

“It is important to clarify that neither the State Governor nor his political party has any hidden plot on the said murder case other than a public interest agenda to see culprits in the dastardly act face the full wrath of the law.

“That explains why no PDP member is involved as counsel for any of the convicted individuals and why the state judiciary enjoys and exercises its full independence in the hearing and judgement of the case.

“It is uncharitable for political enemies and their paid agents to attempt any linkage between the convicted businessman and the state Governor.

“We affirm with all sense of responsibility that Governor Adeleke is not at any material time a friend or partner of the owner of Oduduwa University and did not interfere, intervene or manifest any untoward agenda in the arraignment, hearing and sentencing of the accused.

“We therefore urged the members of the public to ignore the repeated rumors of state pardon by Governor Adeleke for the convict and the watery push to link service records of a state judicial official to a popular verdict on the gruesome murder of a postgraduate student.

“Those peddling such lies are agents of darkness acting on behalf of disgruntled, dark political elements. They are better ignored.

“We convey appreciation to men and women of goodwill who have put up spirited defense for the Governor in the face of this orchestrated falsehood.

“The undiluted truth is that neither the State Government nor the state Governor is interested in the subversion of the wheel of justice.”

Sokoto Gov Speaks Against Mob Justice For Blasphemers Of Prophet Mohammed

By
James Orji
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Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto state has vowed to deal decisively with anyone who blasphemes Prophet Mohammed.

The governor however stated that jungle justice will not be allowed for those who committed blasphemy against the Islamic prophet.

The governor spoke after some extremists, on Sunday, mobbed to death Usman Buda for allegedly blaspheming the Muslim prophet.

Buda, a trader in the state was brutally killed in the presence of other traders who tried to save him from the mob.

Some traders who tried to rescue him, according to Ahmad Rufai, Sokoto police spokesperson, were injured by the mob, and are now in critical condition after sustaining serious injuries.

This is not the first time somebody will be killed for abusing the Prophet in the Muslim-dominated state.

Recall the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, in May 2022 by her irate schoolmates for allegedly blaspheming Mohammed.

Reacting to Buda’s murder, Governor Aliyu said anyone who abused the prophet will be dealt with appropriately, saying such acts would not be tolerated.

He said in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, that “degrading the personality of Prophet Muhammad SAW, especially in a state like Sokoto, which is predominantly a Muslim-dominated community,” will not be allowed in the state, urging the residents to respect and protect the prophet’s dignity and personality.

The statement read, “Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has called on the people of the state to remain calm and law-abiding at all times. The governor cautioned the people against any act capable of degrading the personality of Prophet Muhammad SAW, especially in a state like Sokoto, which is a predominantly Muslim-dominated community.

“Dr Aliyu said that Sokoto people have so much respect and regard for Prophet Muhammad SAW, hence the need for all the residents to respect, protect his dignity and personality.

“I want to call on the people of Sokoto State to avoid taking laws into their own hands and instead report any alleged crime or blasphemy to the appropriate quarters for necessary action.

“Our religion does not encourage taking laws into one’s hands, so let us try to be good followers of our religion,” he appealed.

Kano: Ganduje Gets Reprieve As Court Stops Demolition Of His Properties

By
James Orji
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Former Governor Abdullahi of Kano state has finally got a reprieve over the demolition of his properties and those of his proxies by the incumbent, Abba Yusuf.

The reprieve for the former governor came a few weeks after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention on the matter failed.

The former governor has blamed his predecessor, Musa Kwakwanso for his predicament, and the duo was summoned to Aso Rock by President Tinubu for a reconciliatory meeting recently.

The meeting did not succeed as Governor Yusuf continued the demolition of structures owned by the former governor and other former government officials, whom the governor accused of acquiring state properties, illegally.

But Justice S.A Amobeda has now directed the demolition to stop. He made the order after granting a motion ex-parte, filed by Saminu Muhammad, which prayed the court to restrain the government and its agents from demolishing some buildings on BUK road.

The judge also ordered the state government to stop plans of demolishing the applicant’s property at No. 41 and 43 Salanta, on BUK road.

Attorney-general, solicitor general, governor, government, and Kano State Bureau for Land Management are respondents in the suit.

Other defendants include: Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, inspector-general of Police, Police, commissioner of Police, commandant general of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The court, after listening to the motion by the applicant’s counsel, Prof. Nasiru Aliyu, ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned to July 10.

Justice Amobeda said “Order of this court is hereby made in the interim restraining the respondents by themselves, agents, servant or proxies whatsoever called from encroaching, trespassing, entering, invading, demolishing or revoking the applicant’s titles or doing any other act in respect of the applicant’s property, No. 41 and 43 at Salanta, on BUK Road, Kano, covered by Certificate of Occupancy No. KNMLO8228 and Certificate of Occupancy No. KNMLO8229 pending hearing and determination of the originating motion.

”That Order of this Honourable Court is hereby made granting leave to the bailiff of this Court to serve the 3rd, 4h, 5h, and 6th Respondents with all processes and all subsequent procedings.”

Not a few Nigerians insist that Governor Yusuf is on a revenge mission against his predecessor for betraying Kwakwanso, the leader of the Kwakwansiyya group, which Ganduje rode to power in 2015, but later dumped following a fierce political struggle with his predecessor.

Governor Yusuf is a son in-law to Kwakwanso, a former governor and Minister of Defense.

France Earmarks 600,000 Euros For French Teachers In Nigeria

By
James Orji
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The Government of France says it is pumping 600,000 euro into Nigeria to make French the second language in Nigeria.

The funds will be spent to encourage French teachers in the country to propagate the language, through a special fund, called the Solidarity Funds for Innovative Projects, according to the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuella Blatmann.

The French envoy said secondary school teachers will be encouraged to create a network of media platforms using the French language, adding that 50 secondary schools in the country will be used as a pilotage.

According to her, “The Embassy of France in Nigeria officially sets in motion a new project, titled: “French in Nigeria, language of communication and capacity building,” financed by a special fund called “Solidarity Funds for innovative Projects” (FSPI in French) to the sum of €600,000.

“This project, with the slogan: ‘À toi le micro, Naija’ (the mic is yours, Naija), aims at positioning French as a real language of communication in secondary schools and in the Nigerian public space, by supporting the training of secondary school teachers in Nigeria and creating a network of media platforms using the French language.

“In line with the foregoing, this FSPI project will make it possible to deploy a programme for 50 schools in five states in which local partners have clearly expressed the desire to intensify educational cooperation actions: Enugu, Plateau, Oyo, FCT and Lagos.

“These schools will benefit directly from a pilot initiative involving teacher trainings in France and in Nigeria, and the purchase of books and computer equipment.

“A link will also be created with five radio stations (FM and web radio) that already broadcast content in French in Nigeria and who will collaborate with the pilot schools.

“Furthermore, educational programmes will be created to allow adults and children to practise. French, differently, and podcast creation workshops offered in schools will allow learners to develop computer and transversal skills.

“This fund will also make it possible to create a modern resource centre within the Nigerian French Language Village in Badagry and to make this inter-university facility a model center for teacher training.

“A partnership will also be developed with the University of Caen, a French institution specialising in the teaching programme of French as a foreign language.”

English is the official second language in Nigeria.

Zenith Bank’s CFO Emerges Winner At All African Business Leaders Awards

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

The Chief Financial Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Mukhtar Adam has been named ‘Chief Financial Officer of the Year’ at the 11th All Africa Business Leaders Awards, AABLA, in partnership with CNBC Africa. The award ceremony took place at the King’s Ballroom, Sun City, South Africa, on June 23, 2023. This honour places Dr. Mukhtar alongside other celebrated professionals across Africa.

Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Dr. Mukhtar thanked the judges and organisers of the award, expressing his appreciation for being deemed a fitting recipient of the ‘Chief Financial Officer of the Year’ for 2023. He dedicated the award to the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR. Additionally, he expressed his gratitude to the management of Zenith Bank, his colleagues in Nigeria and the bank’s subsidiaries for fostering a positive work environment. Dr. Mukhtar also extended his thanks to the bank’s many customers.

AABLA  in partnership with CNBC Africa, represents Africa’s largest single-business awards, celebrating the pinnacle of African business achievement. The AABLA has consistently narrated an African story of perseverance, success, innovation, and accountability. It has become synonymous with recognising the finest in business leadership on the African continent.

Dr. Mukhtar Adam is a distinguished finance professional with over two decades of cognate experience. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Finance from Leeds Beckett University, an M.Sc. in Finance – Financial Sector Management from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, an MBA in Finance from the University of Leicester, and a B.Ed. in Social Sciences, specialising in Economics and Management, from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. Dr. Mukhtar Adam also holds a Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS, from the esteemed Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, ICAEW, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Islamic Banking and Insurance from the Institute of Islamic Banking and Insurance in the UK.

Dr. Mukhtar Adam has participated in several executive programmes at world-leading institutions, including the General Management Program, GMP, at Wharton Business School in the USA, Harvard Business School, INSEAD Business School in Paris, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana, ICAG, and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN.

Prior to his current role as the Chief Financial Officer, CFO, of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Mukhtar Adam served as the bank’s Deputy CFO, leading the Financial Reporting, Tax Management and Strategic Planning Groups and supervising the Zenith Group’s entire financial reporting function. Before joining Zenith Bank in 2007, he honed his skills as a Senior Consultant in the Financial Services Group of PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC.

His vast expertise spans numerous financial areas, from financial sector management and policy analysis to financial reporting and analysis, tax management, audit management, strategy development and execution, enterprise risk management, credit risk management, and financial advisory. He is also accomplished in capacity building and training. Dr. Mukhtar Adam is a prolific researcher with several professional and academic publications.

Buhari Was Afraid To Remove Fuel Subsidy, At The “Expense Of His Life”

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

Isa Yuguda, a former governor of Bauchi state has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to go after those involved in the fuel subsidy scam, saying that former President Muhammadu Buhari could not surmount the courage to end subsidy on petroleum products because of fear for his life.

President Tinubu recently ended the multi-billion fuel subsidy regime that has been well criticized by not a few Nigerians as a fraud.

President Tinubu said last week in France that he only acted with courage to remove the subsidy even though it was not written in his inaugural speech on May 29 when he came to power.

For instance, former President Muhammadu Buhari before he came into office in 2015 described the petrol subsidy as a scam, but like his predecessors, he failed to end it for the eight years that he was in power.

Yuguda, who is the chairman, of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress, APC Professional Forum, said the former president did not have the political will to remove the subsidy despite abundant evidence that the country was hemorrhaging as a result of the scam.

Yuguda blamed the former president for not “defending’ the country he had sworn by “the Quran” to defend.

He said President Buhari cannot claim ignorance of the scam and should take responsibility as the Minister of Petroleum.

He said President Buhari could not end subsidy at the expense of his life, adding that he should have bitten the “bullet” because he was well-defended as the commander-in-chief.

According to him, one of those that benefitted from the scam once told him during an international forum that “he’s tired of making money” from the subsidy scam, and that President Buhari should end it.

The former governor who spoke on Channels Television Sunrise Daily on Monday described subsidy as a gang-up against the country by those that do not want her progress.

He said all those involved in the scam should be arrested immediately, and stolen funds recovered to run the country, adding that the country cannot borrow again from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, through the “ways and means’ window.

Recall that Ben Akabueze, the Director General, The Budget Office, said early this year that over 97 percent of the country’s revenue is being used to service loans.

Arewa Group Says Tinubu’s Appointments of Service Chiefs, Others Based On Federal Character

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Arewa Economic Forum, AEC, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to shun mediocrity and other political considerations in making appointments into public offices.

President Tinubu’s recent appointments have come under criticism in some quarters for being lopsided.

The president, last week, sacked former Service Chiefs and appointed new ones. His action was commended by not a few Nigerians who said the appointments cut across the nation’s geo-political zones.

The new Service Chiefs are Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff

Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar Chief of Air Staff, DIG Kayode Egbetokun Acting Inspector-General of Police, and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye Chief of Defense Intelligence.

The AEC said any further appointment by the president for the positions of ministers, advisers, and heads of government agencies should be based on merit rather than other primordial considerations.

The group Chairman, Ibrahim Yahaya Dandakata who spoke to journalists at a press conference in Abuja, the nation’s capital, commended President Tinubu for following federal character in his appointment of service chiefs.

The same model should be followed in other appointments soon to be made by the president, he said, adding that the country needs competent hands for economic turnaround.

Dandakata said, “The appointment of individuals who possess the necessary competence, track record of probity, diligence, and capabilities is a crucial step toward effective leadership and governance. Nigeria finds itself at a critical juncture and the leadership must be guided by these qualities rather than political patronage and expediency.

“The President, elected on the strength of his track record as a public administrator and an accomplished businessman, has demonstrated an unblemished integrity. His reputation as one of the most investigated politicians, having been scrutinized by anti-corruption agencies and found not wanting, is a testament to his commitment to transparency and accountability.

“We urge him to continue preserving this legacy and projecting a positive image of his administration and the nation. As subsequent appointments, including those for ministers and other positions, are considered, we encourage the President to prioritize competence, track record, and merit above any other considerations.

“The Arewa Economic Forum remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote good governance, accountability, and the welfare of the Nigerian people. We stand ready to work alongside the government in its efforts to build a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.”

Edo Goes Digital: “‘I Will Be Last Governor To Treat Files Manually” –  Obaseki

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Godwin Obaseki Presents Budget

By Ayodele Oni

As part of efforts to boost health and education services in  Edo State, the State Government has embarked on linking local Governments to the State with uninterrupted internet service.

Moreso, as the state government recently directed public servants to work from home following astronomical rise in transport fares. It reduced working days to three per week.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, disclosed in Benin City that the ongoing fibre connectivity across the State’s 18 Local Government Areas, as well as other digital infrastructure development projects in the State, will improve access to quality healthcare services and positively impact the State’s education sector.

The Governor explained that in the past six years, there has been  sustained reforms and programmes to guarantee the right physical and digital infrastructure to drive sustainable growth and development in the state, leveraging technology.

According to him, the fibre connectivity project is aimed at bolstering the government’s efforts at expanding its digital space and pushing up the commerce potential of all Edo local councils, thereby improving the livelihoods of the people and reducing rural-urban drift.

Apart from this, the government recently introduced 24-hour free Wi-Fi service in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other public places within the Benin metropolis to provide unlimited Internet access to workers and other members of the public.

This is in the wake of the three-day weekly work schedule for civil and public servants, as part of efforts to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

The free Wi-Fi service is being expanded to other local government areas in the State, in line with its digital economy drive.

Obaseki reinstated his government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve the delivery of quality services to Edo people.

“We are building a solid digital backbone for Edo people as this is a project that the future of Edo State would rest on.

“We are connecting fibres across every local government area to ensure connectivity and promote digital services as I would be the last governor to work on files manually.

“All the local government offices are linked as the project is going to link all our schools. Our students don’t need to buy books because, with their digital devices, they can assess their books.

“All our primary health care centers would be linked to enable us to improve our patients’ record, increase telemedicine service, job and training center services as we would deliver services  to our people at their place of residence.”

“Don’t Attack Tinubu Based On Lies” – Reno Omokri Warns Atiku, PDP

By
The Source
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Atiku - Tinubu and Reno Omokri

By Gideon Njoku

Reno Omokri, a socio- political critic and  strong loyalist and defender of Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 25th Presidential Election, has warned Atiku and the Party to refrain from attacking President Bola Tinubu, based on lies. If Tinubu is attacked based on lies, Omokri said, “God will appoint him greater.”

Omokri, in a post, was reacting to the strong allegation presented by Atiku, at the Presidential Election Petition Court, that President Tinubu, who was the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not graduate from the Chicago State University. The papers presented to the PEPC, claimed that the name on the graduation list at the University, is that of a female, not a male.

However, Omokri disputed the claim with documents.

He said he travelled to Chicago, and went to the University, with the aim to disgrace Tinubu, but found out that not only did he attend the University, Tinubu, actually, graduated with honours.

His tweet reads: “I worked for Waziri Atiku Abubakar to win. I pray he unseats Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Court. And I am not pursuing any political appointment or job offer from Tinubu.

However, it is false to assert that Bola Tinubu did not attend Chicago State University. I went there physically. I did a video broadcast from their campus. I met their officials. Tinubu attended and graduated from the Chicago State University with honours, and they even have a  photo of him in their alumni office as one of their most accomplished alumni.

“Not only did I go there physically to expose Tinubu (only to find out that he attended), I also asked their registry to put what they told me in writing.

“Attached is the letter they gave me. You can also go there physically as I did, or email or phone them if you doubt this letter given to me.

“The man is no saint. His past cartel links indelibly taint him. But let us be fair, honest and transparent as we oppose him. If we attack Tinubu based om lies, God will just disappoint us further, and appoint him greater.”

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