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Family Announces Dokpesi’s Death

By
Ayodele Oni
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Raymond Dokpesi

By Ayodele Oni

The family of Media guru and founder African Independent Television, (AIT) Raymond Dokpesi has confirmed his death

It was announced in a statement signed by one of his children, Raymond Dokpesi jnr on Monday.

The statement reads “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of High Chief Raymond Aleogho Anthony Dokpesi (Ezomo of Weppa-Wanno Kingdom) who passed away on May 29th, 2023.

“High Chief Dokpesi was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

“The Dokpesi family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.

“We ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of our patriarch. We also ask for privacy during this time as we grieve together as a family.

“High Chief Dokpesi was a respected and accomplished businessman, a pioneer in the media industry, and a philanthropist who dedicated his life to the service of his country and his community.

“His legacy will live on through the impact he made on the lives of many.

“The family will release further details on the funeral arrangements in due course.”

Breaking: Dokpesi, DAAR Communications Founder, Politician, Dies

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Raymond Dokpesi

High Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications is dead.

There are two unconfirmed stories as to what caused his death. While a family source confided that he died of stroke which he suffered immediately after the recent Feast of Ramadan, another said he slumped Monday afternoon while exercising in his gym at home and passed on.

It was gathered that the 75-Year old Edo State born Media died Monday, 29th May, 2023, at his residence in Abuja, the nation’s Capital.

DAAR Communications which comprises African Independent Television, AIT, Raypower and Faaji FM has remained one of the leading media outfits in Nigeria.

The late Dokpesi was born on 25th October 1951 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He was a Nigerian media entrepreneur. His parents are from Agenebode, Edo state.

He entered the Nigerian mass media industry with his company DAAR Communications and set-up the Nigerian TV network Africa Independent Television (AIT).

He was the Organising Committee Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, National Conference in 2015.

In May 2020, Dokpesi became a COVID-19 survivor.

ICAN Suspends Fmr AGF For Ten Years, Seizes Licence

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre has backed the Institute of chartered Accountants of Nigeria, (ICAN) for its decision to punish the former Accountant General of the Federation, (AGF) Jonah Otunla who had earlier been indicted for financial mismanagement.

HEDA  lauded members of the National Executive Council of the ICAN for their decisive disciplinary action against the embattled former AGF, on professional grounds.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Chairman of HEDA, Olanrewaju Suraju.

The anti-corruption group expressed the appreciation for ICAN’s fulfilment of commitment to inform the organisation of the outcome of a disciplinary proceeding against Otunla.

The group had previously filed a complaint against Otunla, accusing him of embezzlement and stealing approximately N6.3 billion.

Suraju stated: “We received the judgment with excitement and assurance that accountability is about to take firm root in our professional associations.

“We also commend the President of the Institute and his Council members on this act.

“We, as an organization, believe that the disciplinary action and its outcome will further deter corrupt practices among members of this noble profession.

“Thank you once again as you are always assured of our support and commitment to professional integrity, enforcement of ethics, and the fight against corruption and misappropriation of public funds in the country.

“We also extend our congratulations to the President of the Institute, Mallam Tijani Musa Isa BSc, M.IoD, FCA, his Council members, and the entire Institute for this significant accomplishment.

“As an organization, we firmly believe that this disciplinary action and its outcome will serve as a powerful deterrent against corrupt practices among members of this esteemed profession.”

According to the eight-page judgment delivered by the ICAN Disciplinary Tribunal, Otunla has been suspended from membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria for a period of 10 years. Additionally, he has been ordered to return his membership certificate and licence.

Part of the judgment reads: “The suspension period shall run from the date the certificate and licence are returned to the institute.

“The respondent is also ordered to pay the cost of N1,000,000, which covers the expenses of the proceedings at the investigating panel and the tribunal in this case.”

Furthermore, failure to comply with the judgment will result in automatic removal from the institute’s membership register.

HEDA further welcomed the judgment with enthusiasm and expressed confidence that it would foster a stronger culture of accountability within professional associations.

“I Will Review Nigeria’s Monetary Policy”  – Tinubu; Says It Needs Total Cleaning

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has announced that his administration’s monetary policy will have human face.

President Tinubu declared that “Monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning.

“The Central Bank must work towards a unified exchange rate. This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.

‘Interest rates need to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level.

“Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN given the number of unbanked Nigerians.

“The policy shall be reviewed. In the meantime, my administration will treat both currencies as legal tender.”

On the Nigeria’s journey so far, President Tinubu remarked that

“As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope.

“The question we now ask ourselves is whether to remain faithful to the work inherent in building a better society or retreat into the shadows of our unmet potential.

“For me, there is but one answer. We are too great a nation and too grounded as a people to rob ourselves of our finest destiny.

“This nation’s journey has been shaped by the prayers of millions, and the collective sacrifices of us all.

“We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble.

“Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this SUBLIME moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future.

“To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed.”

What Nigerians Needs Now – Gov Akeredolu

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman, Southern Governors Forum, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has admonished the new administration of President Bola Tinubu on the need to remain focused on the socio-economic programmes for the emancipation of the people.

“This is not the time to gloat on the electoral victories recorded in the last general elections. It is definitely not a season for recriminations.

“The rhetoric, which conveys the divisive nuance of “we against them” ought to have ceased with the declaration of the winners by the electoral body, INEC.

“This is the moment when all the new leaders must cast aside all tendencies which promote and deepen cleavages of different hues. All hands must be deployed on deck.”

These were contained in Governor Akeredolu’s congratulatory message to the new president and vice.

The Ondo state Governor noted that “As Nigeria takes yet another momentous step on her journey towards greatness, it behoves us to join all good people in the country and our friends and well wishers from all over the world to celebrate this seamless transfer of power to a new set of elected leaders, at both the national and state levels.

“Most importantly, all decent people must pay glowing tributes to the commitment of the immediate past President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for this phenomenal leap towards political stability and economic prosperity.

“I congratulate the former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, and other members of the Federal Executive Council for a successful tenure.

“I am confident that posterity will reserve a worthy mention for their collaborative efforts, which have bequeathed abiding legacies to this country, despite experiencing difficult moments, since assumption of office, till the very last days. I congratulate all members of the All Progressives Congress for the victory at the last polls.

“On this occasion, I felicitate the new President, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, most heartily, for his resilience, equanimity, doggedness and uncommon tenacity to achieve set objectives.

“I congratulate the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, for being a part of the team who will steer the affairs of the country for the next four years.

“I rejoice with the All Progressives Congress for working assiduously and sustaining the momentum until the final victory was won. I congratulate Nigerians for being witnesses to history.

“The task ahead is so enormous than to warrant attending to frivolities capable of distracting the new Administration.

“There must be conscious attempts to bring on board only those with proven capacity with regard to expertise. The President must ensure that all those who are bent on setting Nigerians on one another are neutralised.

“The new Administration has its jobs well defined, the very first being the urgent need to assisting in birthing a new constitutional order which takes into account, keenly, the principles of federalism.

“The success recorded at fixing the basic defects in the 1999 Constitution, As Amended, will determine, largely, the pattern and the depth of the deliberative governance designed to achieve development.

“All existential issues will be addressed realistically. It is our duty to encourage the new Government to tread this honourable path.

“The new thinking should anticipate active participation by the constituent units of the Federation as coordinate partners in revenue generation and the security of lives and property of the citizenry.

“I have no doubt that Mr President is ready to deliver on this mandate of rectitude. His record of service in Lagos State leaves no room for any doubt concerning his capacity to turn things around positively.

“The Federal Government should expect robust engagements from the Government and people of Ondo State who expressed confidence in the new leadership through the overwhelming support given the President at the last presidential election.

“I, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ondo State, join other party leaders and members to congratulate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the successful take-over of the mantle of leadership.”

Kano: Ganduje Leaves N241 Billion Debt, For New Governor, Absent At Inauguration, Emirs of Kano, Bichi Booed

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Abba Yusuf - Kano Governor Inaguration

By Ayodele Oni

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has expressed dismay at the debt profile – N241 billion –  left for his administration by the immediate past Government of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.  He has, however, sworn to probe Ganduje’s Government.

Ganduje was absent at the Inauguration of the new Governor which was marked by the booing of two of the high profile Emirs appointed by him – the Emirs of Kano and Bichi – as soon as they arrived for the inauguration ceremony.

While receiving mantle of leadership on Monday from Ganduje’s Secretary to the Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, the new Governor declared “We will carefully study the reports and come out with our position on the debt and other matters.

“I am surprised that the outgoing Governor is not around to hand over to me as a democratically elected Governor which has been the tradition.

Yusuf, however, called on the people of Kano State to pray for the success of his administration to ensure it meets the expectation of the governed through good democratic governance.

Alhaji said his principal left for Abuja to attend the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at the Government House in Kano, earlier,  Ganduje said his administration collected N1.2 trillion in the last eight years and spent the amount, leaving behind a total of about N241 billion debt, made up of loans, contractual obligations, and others.

Breaking: Tinubu Ends Petrol Subsidy

By
James Orji
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0

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed the Petrol subsidy.

The president took the decision during his inaugural speech as president and commander-in-chief on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The fuel subsidy regime has been very controversial, with the former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari chickening out to end the regime last month, after he had earlier promised to end it by the middle of this year.

The president said he took the decision because there is no provision for petrol subsidy in the 2023 Budget.

This decision is likely to elicit serious reactions from the organized labour and other Nigerians in the next few days., according to political experts.

The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC has already warned that the removal of subdisy will elicit strong reactions from its members nationwide.

More details later……

Tinubu Pays Homage To Buhari As Honest, Patriotic Nigerian

By
James Orji
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0

President Bola Ahmed has paid tribute to Mohammadu Buhari, his predecessor as a patriotic and honest Nigerian.

Tinubu disclosed this during his inaugural speech in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Monday, barely one hour after he took over the reins of government of Africa’s biggest economy as 16th president.

President Muhammadu Buhari had stepped down from government, after eight maximum years in office, handing over to Tinubu in an elaborate ceremony where Justice Olukkayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of the Federation, CJN administered the oath of office on the former governor of Lagos state as President and Commander-in-chief.

Buhari has since retired to his home in Daura, Katsina where he’s expected to continue his next phase of life as a farmer.

Tinubu, Nigeria’s 16th President, Sworn In

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Bola Tinubu Takes Oath of Office

By Ayodele Oni

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been sworn-in as the 16th President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He took the oath of office at exactly 10:35am with the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Olukayode Ariwodola in charge.

Vice President, Kashim Shettima had earlier taken the oath of office.

Tinubu took the oath of office to a rousing applause by supporters and well-wishers at a colourful ceremony at the Eagles Square,witnessed by Presidents and delegations from over 40 Contries including those from United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Both President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, were joined by their spouses as they took their oath.

NIMASA: Minister Commissions Skill Acquisition Centre

By
James Orji
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The outgoing Honorable Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo weekend commissioned the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA skill acquisition centre in Zaria Kaduna State and a twin lecture theatre donated by the Agency to Kaduna State University.

The skill acquisition centre located in Zaria has facilities such as Electrical, mechanical, sewing, technical, and welding learning facilities amongst others for youths and women.

Speaking at the event, the Minister noted that these projects are part of the legacies of the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to improve education as a basic need for economic development and used the opportunity to commend the Management of the Agency for the initiative.

On his part, the Director General, NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, OFR noted that the NIMASA skill acquisition centre is one of the centres located across the six geo-political zones of the country. He also disclosed that higher institutions in all geo-political zones of the country are benefitting from the Agency under her Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.

“Our desire as an Agency is to ensure young Nigerians acquire skills to make them self-dependent thus productively engaged. We are also developing such centres in Niger, Lagos, Anambra, Gombe, Bayelsa and Rivers States. This is also aimed at fighting insecurity on land which will have a multiplier effect on security in the maritime domain”, he said.

The outgoing Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, CON represented by the Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe noted the commitment of Kaduna State Government to education and thanked NIMASA for completing the project in record time.

The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli CFR, commended NIMASA for citing the Project in the Emirate council assuring that the centre will be maintained for the benefit of the people.

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