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Breaking: Former Anambra State Governor, Mbadinuju Is Dead

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Chinwoke Mbadinuju

By Akinwale Kasali

A former Governor of Anambra State , Chinwoke Mbadinuju, is dead.

Mbadinuju death was announced in a statement by his Son, Cheta, on behalf of family on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the former governor died at the National Hospital Abuja following a brief illness.

It reads: NOTIFICATION OF THE TRANSITION OF DR. CHINWOKE MBADINUJU (ODERA)

“With heavy hearts but utmost gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing our father, grand father, uncle, friend and associate, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, a former Governor of Anambra State and Elder Statesman.

“ODERA, as he was fondly called, passed peacefully at the age of 78 years on the morning of the 11th of April, 2023 at the National Hospital Abuja after a brief illness, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

“At this trying time, we pray for God’s grace and mercy upon him and those left behind to mourn him. His funeral arrangements will be announced in due course by the family.”

Born on 14 June 1945, Mbadinuju served as Governor of Anambra State from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003.

He was elected under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

But the Party did not give him a ticket for a second term in office, citing alleged poor performance as an excuse.

His tenure in office is best remembered by his “fights” with a couple of Anambra State billionaires led by  Chief Emeka Offor, the closure of schools for about two years, and the controversial, gruesome murder of Barrister Barnabas Igwe and his wife, Abigail,  in the streets of Onitsha.

Lai Mohammed Has Abused His Office, Prosecute Him Ijaw National Leader, Clark

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Ijaw National Leader and Convener of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Edwin Clark, has slammed the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed for spreading fake news against Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP. For doing that, Clark has called for the prosecution of the Minister.

The Elder Statesman said that Mohammed has continually used his office to commit an illegitimate act following his statement at Washington DC, the United States of America Capital during an engagement with international media organizations where he warned Obi and his Vice President, Datti Baba-Ahmed against inciting violence over the outcome of the election.

It would be recalled that Baba-Ahmed had said in an interview with Channels Television that the President Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, did not meet the constitutional requirements to become Nigeria’s president, and had failed to fulfill the requirements stipulated for election to the office of the president and asked the chief justice of Nigeria, CJN, not to swear him in as president.

This was said to a treasonable statement, in which the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government warned Baba-Ahmed and Obi to refrain from making unguarded statements.

Though, Baba-Ahmed’s statement received backlash from many Nigerians including Nobel Laureate Winner, Wole Soyinka.

But Clark has a contrary opinion to this, as he called on the Attorney General of the Federation to “undertake thorough investigation of the activities” of Mohammed and charge him to court for constituting himself as “mastermind and disseminator of fake news”.

Clark added that the discovery of a plot of an interim government aimed at overthrowing the federal government was malicious and untrue.

“Like I said, Lai Mohammed did not base his information on any credible intelligence report from the state agencies, but on propaganda and falsity. Therefore, I am of the opinion that he should be charged for spreading unhealthy information and fake news against an innocent Nigerian who is very prominent and has proven his worth in the country. Lai Mohammed used the exalted position of the office of the nation’s ministry of information to commit this perfidy,” he said.

“As Lai Mohammed knows well, most Nigerians today are very keen observers of what is going on in the country. We have also continued to watch and closely watch actions, inactions, and utterances by the key political actors and their close associates. It is therefore totally unacceptable that a minister in charge of a sensitive government department as dissemination of information should constitute himself to become the purveyor of false information, innuendos, and even fake news.

“It is clear therefore that the minister of information has constituted himself to become the mastermind and disseminator of fake news. This leaves us with no option than to call on the attorney general of the nation to undertake thorough investigation of the activities of the minister and charge him to court.

“It is criminal, unpatriotic, and wicked for anyone to draw the name of Peter Obi who fully participated in thev 2023 presidential election and who has gone to court to express his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the presidential election and his popularity which has spread to all part of the country as a wildfire has no doubt caused a great embarrassment to the federal government.

“What is being alleged as a discovery of a plot to overthrow the federal government by DSS is malicious and untrue.”

FrieslandCampina Tenders Unreserved Apology To CAN Following Backlash Over Insensitive Good Friday Advert

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Peak Milk Advert

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the backlash that greeted an insensitive and offensive Advert of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, makers of Peak Milk on Good Friday that undermined the Christian faith, the Company has tendered an unreserved apology to the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the Apex Body of Christians in the country.

The Company said the social media post was insensitive, considering the sobriety of the season, but stressed  that it was neither intended to make light of the significance of the season nor to inordinately exploit the unmatched sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

It added that CAN as well as  Christians at large should temper justice with mercy by forgiving the Company over the Advert.

In a Statement by the Company, it stated that it wishes to inform the general public that the social media post has since been withdrawn.

“We hereby reiterate our commitment to our unwavering mission of nourishing Nigerians while maintaining the utmost respect for all religious laws, tenets, and guidelines.

“We reaffirm our pledge to prevent a reoccurrence of such in the future and wish to use this opportunity to wish all Christians the very best of the season”, the statement reads.

CAN had urged Christians to boycott the consumption of Peak Milk over the offensive insensitive Advert saying that it was unacceptable and a disrespect to the Christian faith and an affront to millions of Christians in Nigeria and beyond.

CAN Secretary General, Joseph Daramola had said that the organization are considering sanctions against the Company and demanded an unreserved apology and withdrawal of the offensive Advert which the Company had done.

The Christian pex body is, however, yet to respond to the apologies of FrieslandCampina WAMCO.

Ekiti Now Free Trade Zone, As President Buhari Gives Approval

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Niyi Adebayo

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti state has been designated as a Free Trade Zone.

This follows an approval granted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the request of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo seeking a free zone status to the Ekiti Knowledge Zone

According to Ifedayo Sayo, Special Assistant to the Minister, the approval was conveyed via a letter titled: “RE: Recommendation For Approval and Designation of Free Trade Zone Status in Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ).

“It is situated on 208.949 Hectares of Land located along Ado-Ijan Road, Ado Ekiti,Ekiti State,” addressed to the Minister and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.”

The letter reads in part, “I refer to your letter Ref.No., FMITI/CED/4748/Vol1 dated 22 February, 2023 on the above subject.

“Kindly note that Mr President has granted free zone status approval for the Ekiti knowledge Zone, located along Ado-Ijan road, Ekiti State on a parcel of land measuring approximately 208.949HA with coordinates 8042765.02m’N;761’ 244.963m’ E, in accordance with Section 1 (1) of the NEPZA Act Cap. N107 Laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

“Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

Ekiti Free Trade Zone, situated along same route with the cargo airport, is necessitated by the commissioning of the airport by the immediate past administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Aside a single flight by a military aircraft on the day of the commissioning in October last year, the cargo airport has remained closed for use.

Stoning To Death Of Suspected Yahoo Kingpin: Ondo Police Arrests Two Persons

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Police Force

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command, has announced the arrest of two suspects who allegedly stoned a 35-year-old man, Olorunfemi Tope, to death in Akure.

Tope was killed by an angry mob for alleged reckless driving, along Ijoka road leading to a  crash which claimed the life of two persons on a motorcycle and injured six others.

The Irate mob had allegedly beaten and stoned Tope to death and set his car ablaze.

This followed claim that some fettish objects were found in the deceased car, which made the angry mob suspected him to be a yahoo boy.

He was stoned to death in the presence of his helpless parents that had to take refuge when the ravaging mob sighted them.

The state police command spokesperson, SP Olufunmilayo Odunlami, while featuring on a live radio programme on Tuesday, said police detectives had arrested two suspects over their alleged jungle justice meted out on Tope.

Odunlami explained that one of the two arrested suspects allegedly masterminded the burning of Tope’s car.

The command’s image maker, who said that the suspects would be charged to court for murder and arson, appealed to members of the public never to take laws into their hands.

“We need to see ourselves as one and love each other. We should first see ourselves as human beings before becoming either a commercial motorcyclist, policeman or any other professionals.

“As of now, no one can confirm if the dead young man in question was an internet fraudster.

“Rather than people around to have helped when the accident happened, some resolved to jungle justice by killing the young man and setting his car ablaze.

“We need to refrain from engaging in jungle justice, shun hearsay and report any incident to nearby police station so that there will be peace in our community.”

Gov Obaseki Wades In As Nursing College Denies Candidate Admission Due To Disability

By
Ayodele Oni
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Edo College of Nursing

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has waded into an attempt by College of Nursing Sciences, Benin city to deprive a female applicant admission due to her physical disability.

The Governor has ordered the re-assessment of the candidate, Miss Precious Umoru to enable her commence her studies at the nursing College.

Provost, of the College, Prof. Patricia  Ukaigwe, in a statement on Tuesday, explained that the Governor’s directive, will make the management to review the candidate’s profile.

Miss Umoru was admitted at the College and was initially advised to withdraw after preliminary assessment of her physical condition, which was not disclosed at the point of admission.

The governor, upon learning of the case, intervened and requested that another assessment be conducted and that Miss. Umoru be provided with all necessary support for her condition for the re-assessment exercise.

The Admission Committee had deemed her eligible for admission based on her cognitive function and score on the CBT examination.

But upon her arrival at the school premises, the hostel manager observed that she had unstable gait and tremors.

A meeting was called between the Counselling Department of the College and Miss. Umoru’s parents, where the nature and history of her condition were reviewed to reach a fair decision on her physical fitness for the College’s rigorous training.

As part of this process, a preliminary assessment was conducted which had suggested that she might not be able to withstand the physical rigours of midwifery training.

The Provost stated that “a rescheduled assessment will take place on Thursday 13th April 2023 and the public will be provided with the necessary updates on the exercise.

“We want to assure that the College will not intentionally deny anyone an opportunity to get the best training and capacity enhancement in healthcare services.”

Ekiti Varsity Declares Two-Week Lecture Free, Sends Students Home

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ekiti State University to resume May 24

By Ayodele Oni

Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof Edward Olanipekun, has approved the suspension of academic activities on campus for two weeks with effect from Tuesday.

The development followed protest by students over unfavorable registration fee.

The National Association of Nigeria Students, (NANS) had two weeks ago flayed what it described as unjustifiable increase of tuition fee being paid by the newly admitted students in Ekiti State University, (EKSU), Ado Ekiti.

In a statement which was signed by  Salawudeen Alade, National Director of Travels and Exchange, stated that education is a right, not a privilege and should not be commercialized.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji had met with leadership of NANS and promised to look into their grievances but made them to realize that university education could not be run free.

The students had paralyzed activities of the school on Tuesday, after resumption from Easter break, to show their grievances.

This time, the students are reportedly protesting against mandatory payment of N5,000 for late registration imposed by the management.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti,

Head, Directorate of Information & Corporate Affairs, Bode Olofinmuagun said all students of the university are ordered to vacate the campus immediately and should not be seen within the  premises for the next two weeks.

“Parents and guardians are hereby advised to invite their wards home immediately.

“Any student found wandering around the university premises does so at his/her own risk.”

Kogi Guber: Wike Shades Melaye, Says He’s Too Unserious To Be Gov

By
James Orji
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0

Wike Vs Dino: Gov Says Senator Too Unserious To Be Kogi Helmsman
Senator Dino Melaye should bury the thought of becoming the governor of Kogi State, according to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state.


Wike and Melaye became sworn enemies after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gave the presidential ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against the governor’s wish.


Since then, Melaye have taken the side of Abubakar, using any opportunity available to attack Governor Wike.


The governor too has also not spared the former Senate Committtee Chairman on Federal Capital Territory, FCT, who he described as a comedian not good enough to hold public office.


Governor Wike’s comment, therefore, is considered the latest in the exchanges between the sworn political foes.


The attack on Melaye, according to those watching the fiasco is capable of working against the former senator who is planning to contest the gubernatorial election in the state, in a few months.


The incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello is expected to step down after the end of his two terms allowed by the constitution on November 11.


Melaye, the magazine learned has been seeking the support of some PDP leaders for his bid to get the party’s sole ticket to contest the election in order to rule the Confluence state as Kogi is widely known.
But Wike while lashing out at Melaye said the job of a governor is a more serious one, and that there is no room for gesters like Melaye for such a critical position.


The governor spoke during a media chat with select journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Tuesday.
“Dino does not have what it takes to be governor” Wike said, adding that he told the senator the plain truth when a former Senate President Bukola Saraki “brought” Melaye to him to seek his support for the Kogi plum job.


He said the ambition of the former senator suffered a big hit after his principal Abubakar lost the presidential election in February, adding that Melaye had planned to ride on the wings of the former Vice president to power, if he won the election.


Abubakar lost the presidential election to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by coming a distant second in the keenly contested election in which Governor Wike and other four PDP governors worked against their party.


The governors now known as G5 has refused to work for Abubakar due to irreconcilable difference with the party, including the decision of the PDP to retain Iyorcha Ayu as the National Chairman of the party.


Not a few insist that the election was for PDP to lose until the decision of Ayu to stay put in the party led to a serious division in Nigeria’s biggest opposition party.


In his response to suggestion that the PDP lost the election due to the rebellion of the aggrieved governors, Melaye said the G5 was not a factor in Abubakar ‘s loss to Tinubu.


According to him, “Wike should bury his head in shame and shut up. I warn him to stop insulting Atiku, enough is enough. Last warning. G-5 has no relevance in the just concluded presidential election.


“The G5 who could not deliver themselves for their senate bid cannot be the ones claiming glory in purported Atiku loss. Even Wike outside thuggery and coercion of INEC officials had nothing to contribute to APC votes in Rivers.”

Gbajabiamila, Faleke Battle To Be Tinubu’s Chief of Staff

By
James Orji
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James Faleke: How far can he go?

A member of the House of Reps, James Faleke has entered the race to become chief of staff to the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Faleke joined his contemporary Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives who has been fingered to be preferred by some inner caucus of the Lagos All Progressives Congress, APC, to launch date the top job.

The magazine had reported an infighting among Tinubu’s associates on who becomes his chief of staff after a group in the party Renewed Hope Advocates, RHA, warned the president-elect not to pick Gbajabiamila.

The group said the Speaker will be a baggage for the incoming administration, citing alleged corruption charges against him.

An Indication that Faleke, a former governorship aspirant in Kogi State has joined the hot race emerged on Tuesday after another group, North central for Tinubu, claimed the laamaker is the best man for the job..

The group cited , for instance, how Faleke supported Tinubu’s bid by forming the Tinubu Support Group.
It said the appointment of Faleke as chief of staff will also give Christians in the country confidence that one of their own is occupying a top position in government.

Faleke is a Christian while Gbajabiamila is a Muslim.

According to a statement signed by Bimbo Adedoyin Okpere, its presifent, the group said the appointment of Faleke will be a reward for loyalty considering that he was at the fore front of Tinubu presidential campaign, apart from his track record in the public service which gives him an edge over other candidates,

The women for Tinubu said: “We are calling on our great leader, the President elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pick Hon. James Abiodun Faleke as his Chief of Staff when he assumes office. From all indications and from our findings, he remains the best for the job.

“Faleke was the pillar behind the formation of TSG and as the leader of the group, he helped galvanize the needed grassroots support for the presidential bid of Tinubu.

“It is also on record that Faleke subsequently emerged the Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council where he functioned effectively as the coordinating official to ensure the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general election.

“We are are also rooting for him because of his proven track records of public service performance in the last 24 years which is known to all and verifiable.”

Meanwhile, Bayo Onanuga, the spokesman for Tinubu said last week that a decision had not been made on the matter. He said his boss will decide on the matter when he returns from France whereally he’s currently seeking a medical attention.  

 

CAN Urges Christians To Boycott Peak Milk Over Offensive Good Friday Advert

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Peak Milk Advert

By Akinwale Kasali

FrieslandCampina, makers of Peak Milk are presently enmeshed in crisis and swimming in troubled waters, as the Christian Association of Nigerian, CAN, the Apex Christian Body has called on Christians to boycott the consumption of Peak Milk over an offensive Good Friday Advert that undermined the Christian faith.

CAN expressed utter dismay the recent social media advert by FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, makers of Peak Milk, which used the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a metaphor to promote their product on Good Friday.

CAN’s displeasure was contained in a statement on Monday by its General Secretary, Barrister Joseph Daramola.

“We find this advert to be insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable. Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians all over the World, a day we commemorate the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was crucified on the cross for our sins. It is not a day to be used for crass commercial purposes.

“FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC’s action is not only disrespectful to the Christian faith but also an affront to the millions of Christians in Nigeria and beyond. We are deeply disappointed that a company of such repute would stoop so low to exploit the religious sentiments of its customers for profit.

“We are considering sanctions against FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, including a boycott of their products by our members and all well-meaning Nigerians who share our concerns. We call on the company to issue an unreserved apology to the Christian community and withdraw the offensive advert immediately.

“We recall a similar incident in the past when Sterling Bank Plc. used a crucifixion imagery to promote their product. We condemned it then, and we condemn it now,” the statement partly read.

The Christian body, therefore, urged all companies and organizations to be mindful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of their customers when promoting their products. Adding that CAN will not tolerate any attempt to trivialize or disrespect the Christian faith.

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