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Dangote Cement Drivers Boycott Southeast Over Insecurity

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Association of Drivers of Dangote Cement Transport, Obajana in Kogi State has directed all its members to boycott the transportation of cement to the South-East region of Nigeria.

The association said the decision was taken over the security situation in the region and in Akwa Ibom state in the South-South region.

According to a memo dated December 11, 2022, and sent by the drivers’ association to the company, the drivers said, the five southeast states and Akwa Ibom state have become a no-go area for them following the spate of killings in the region.

Doing otherwise, the drivers said will endanger the lives of their members.

The drivers said, “We kindly write this short notice to the company that we are returning some waybills of the southeast state Nigeria that we driver (sic) are not going to some part (sic) of southeast Nigeria due to ongoing situation of the site Nigeria those part (sic) of southeast they are as follows: 1. Enugu, 2. Anambra, 3. Abia, 4. Imo, 5. Ebonyi, 6. Akwa Ibom.”

Criminals enforcing sit-at-home orders in the South-East have in the past burnt trucks belonging to Dangote Cement and reportedly killed some of the company’s drivers.

Meanwhile, market experts said, the development will likely affect the prices of cement in the region during the festive period which normally experience price hike in building materials.

Fidelity Bank’s Onyeali-Ikpe, Banda, Make Outstanding African Women List

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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First female Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, has made the list of 110 ‘Outstanding Women in Africa’ for the year 2022.

The ‘Outstanding Women in Africa’ report is developed by the New Africa Magazine, a strong believer in the culture of recognition for both men and women who have been shaping the vision and progress of the African continent. 

Some others picked for the special recognition  are Hon. Joyce Hilda Banda, Former. President of Malawi, Hon. Jewel Howard Taylor, Vice President of Liberia; Jamila Sedqi, First Moroccan Female Judge at the UN Administrative Tribunal, and Pastor Faith Oyedepo, Wife of the Founder, Winners’ Church, Worldwide.

A statement by the magazine publisher, Gift Chidima Nnamoko Orairu, said “in Africa, one needed extra hard work, dedication and focus to succeed.

“In addition to the so many factors affecting women progress on the continent at the political and socioeconomic level; a great number of women have been silenced with violence, hate, discrimination, and isolation.

“However, these Pan African women have never been silent, and have led important revolutions for democracy, freedom and social justice.

“They have gone on to write their names on the sands of time; breaking old records and setting new standards, smashing barriers and detecting the pace.”

Journalism Loses Veteran Journalist, George Okoro  a.k.a George Shabaaz

By
The Source
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George Okoro

By Abia Onyike

One of Nigeria’s pioneer Journalists and a leading light in newspaper editing and production, George Okoro has died at the age of 86. He died in a hospital at Umuahia, the Abia State Capital and would be buried on 4th January, 2023, according to family sources.

George Okoro began his journalism career in Daily Times in 1960. He was one of the newsmen trained by the white men in news, aesthetics and newspaper production. He worked in several newspapers and remained one of the best newsmen until his retirement in 2009. His contemporaries in the Daily Times were Uche Chukwumerije, Tony Momoh and Segun Osoba.

Born in 1936 in Mbaisara, Amawom Oboro in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, George had his primary education at Baptist Day Primary School in Port Harcourt. He later went to Baptist High School in Port Harcourt, passing out in 1956. He was granted scholarship in the British School with which he obtained the Advanced Level General Certificate in History by the University of London in 1958.

His father, Chief  Nwachukwu Okoro told him to go to Lagos and join the labour movement, then led by Michael Imoudu.

He became the General Secretary of the Pan-African Congress in 1958 and by 1964 was appointed as Speech writer to Imoudu. George became a member of the 1964 Labour Party founded by Imoudu, which organized and executed the 1964 general strike which lasted for 15 working days. Other veterans with him then were Uche Chukwumerije, Tunji Otegbeye and Uche Omo.

After the Nigerian-Biafran war, George resumed his journalism works. He was Editor of Daily Star Newspapers, Enugu.

He left Enugu for Owerri as Editor of Statesman with Nduka Onum as Editor in Chief. His stay in Statesman was cut short when the then Military administration of Gen. Ike Nwachukwu in 1987 sold the Spartan Football Club to business man, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. The first part of an Editorial by the Statesman on the vexed issue was condemned by the government and George was ordered never to produce the second part. But he went ahead to publish the second editorial and submitted his resignation letter immediately.

That was at a time when journalists battled the authorities for editorial independence. The Statesman was the highest selling Newspaper in Nigeria after the Daily Times. And the Spartan Football Club was making waves in the East, in the footsteps of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu. George felt that Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and his cohorts were not the only readers of the newspaper. He refused to shift ground. He went back to Lagos. Commenting on the episode, a veteran Journalist, Mr  Obike Uko of News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) and a former staff of Statesman newspapers stated that George “was a courageous man. He stood out tall among his contemporaries. They agreed on the editorial, himself and Onum. They were men of principle. No one sacrificed the other”.

In the 1990s, I met George at Abuja. He had relocated his base to the Federal capital. He was teaching Journalism at the International Institute of Journalism located inside the NUJ National Secretariat. A consumate intellectual and radical scholar, Shahbaz took the little time I spent with him to open my eyes on the “National Question” in Nigeria. His death is like the burning of a rich library into ashes.

From 2002 to 2010, George worked in two newspapers at Abuja. He was the Managing Editor of Leadership newspapers and later on did the same job at Daily Trust newspapers.

He retired and went back to his village in Abia state thereafter. George Okoro had an epochal career in journalism. He wrote powerful and penetrating articles, using his pen-name George Shabaaz.

He will be remembered as one of the patriotic journalists who laid the foundation and paid the price for the liberation of Nigeria from putative colonial and imperialist slave drivers.

Adieu great brother and teacher. May your soul rest in peace.

Onyike is a former Deputy National President, NUJ

Qatar 2022: Messi Leads Argentina To World Cup Triumph

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Argentina vs France at Qater 2022

By Akinwale Kasali

After 120 minutes of a tension soaked encounter the ‘Albacelestie’ as the Argentina National Football Team is called won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

France came back on three occasions having gone 2-0 down in the first half courtesy of a Lionel Messi Penalty and an Angel Di Maria strike gave the Argentina a deserved lead.

Less than 15 minutes to the end of the match, France Poster boy, Kylian Mbappe changed the dynamics of the game scoring two goals in quick succession to send the game into extra time.

During the extra time, Messi scored with less than 12 minutes to the end of the 30 Minutes of extra time before Mbappe restored France’s chanaces of winning the trophy from the penalty spot to make the game 3-3 forcing it into penalties.

Argentina won the penalty shootout 4-2 against France.

Mbappe won the Highest Goal Scorer with eight Goals, while Messi won the Player of the Tournament and Enzo Fernandez won the Young Player of the Year Award.

Emiliano Martinez won the Golden Gloves as the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.

Ondo Mourns Tuoyo: Former Military Administrator

By
Ayodele Oni
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Brigadier-General Sunday Esi Tuoyo

By Ayodele Oni

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has reacted to the death of a former military administrator of old Ondo state, Brigadier-General Sunday Esi Tuoyo describing him as a patriotic Nigerian, whose period in the state was remarkable and phenomenal.

Governor Akeredolu said the late Tuoyo was one of the pillars of the state, who nurtured the old Ondo State, comprising the present Ondo and Ekiti States, into sustainable development.

The Governor lamented that the death of the former Military Administrator has again marked depletion of the generation of founding leaders of Ondo State, that toiled to make a name for the state in the country.

Describing his death as a monumental loss for the country, Governor Akeredolu said the retired Brigadier-General served the country meritoriously, with commitment and unwavering desire for a better society.

A statement by Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor reads “We received the news of the passing of Brigadier-General Tuoyo with grief and sadness.

“On behalf of the good people of Ondo State, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of our departed Elder Statesman. He was a national asset, who made his mark in the service of his country.

“Late Brigadier-General Tuoyo served as Military Administrator of the old Ondo State from July, 1978  to October, 1979, during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Born in 1938, the retired Brigadier-General Tuoyo handed over the reins of governance to Pa Micheal Adekunle Ajasin, also of blessed memory, as Governor of old Ondo State.

“Undoubtedly, his displayed patriotism, as well as personal commitment to the democratic process that led to the handing-over the rein of power to the first democratically elected Governor in Old Ondo State were very fascinating. He gave his all, with passion and total commitment.

“We acknowledge his contributions to the development of Ondo State and the country at large.

“His principled stance and candour stood him out as a gentleman officer, who deployed his God-given wisdom for the progress of the country.

“Our consolation as he departed us, remains his footprints on the democratic path, where he served as a veritable and supportive pillar.

“We pray God Almighty to grant the departed eternal rest and sustained the family he left behind”.

Imo PDP 2024: Road Clear For Ihedioha, As Samdaddy Endorses Him

By
The Source
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Samdaddy and Emeka Ihedioha

By Charles Igbo

It was a day for the flag off of the Presidential Campaign for the Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. So, it was a day meant for Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to sell themselves to Imo people, to show the stuff they are made of, and what they have for the State if they win the Presidential election in 2023.

Their Party is in the opposition in the State. Led by former Governor of the State, the Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, who was removed from office by the Supreme Court in January 2020, just after about seven months in office, the Party is a very strong, some say bitter, opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

But within the PDP, there is a turmoil. Bitter politics which border on hatred, almost, reigns.  It is a house very much divided against itself. It is a house torn into two – between Ihedioha and the National Secretary of the Party, Samuel Anyanwu, popular as Samdaddy. He is the Party’s highest office holder from the State at the National level. The National Secretary is the engine room of the Party, depending on how the occupant packages/handles it.

Each of the PDP groups in the State, runs the other down. Each group fabricates stories against the other group. Each group lies against the other. For both groups, nothing negative is off limits against  the other. They, atimes, roll in the gutter.

So, not a few people were nervous about how the Presidential Campaign Rally  will play off. Will both parties behave? Will they bury the hatchet and present a common front?

How will the leaders of both groups, Ihedioha and Samdaddy, manage their differences? Both of them are, in their own right,  leaders of the Party in the State, but  Ihedioha has the upper hand. The members  of the State Working Committee, SWC, are fiercely loyal to him.

What is the bone of contention?

Their story goes back to 2019. And it is over the Governorship seat. Both men had, in 2019, aspired to be the Governor. At the Primary, Ihedioha won, but Samdaddy cried foul. He said he won but was cheated out. So, he went to Court. At the time, he was a Senator. All appeals to him to drop the case fail on deaf ears. When he lost at the lowered Courts, he gave a condition – that he be given the ticket to go back to the Senate. But it was late. For, by then, the ticket has been ceded to Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi who was then a member of the House of Representatives. It was going to be untidy to withdraw it from him.

So, Samdaddy challenged Ihedioha to the Supreme Court, and continued even after Ihedioha had been sworn in as Governor. Samdaddy lost at the Supreme Court, and the bad seed was sown, permanently, almost.

November 2023

The Imo State Governorship  election will be an off-season one in November, 2023. The winner will be sworn-in January 2024. That has set the battle, again, between Ihedioha and Samdaddy who has since become the National Secretary of the Party. Both men are fired up to lock horns again. And it is the reason for the fierce bad blood, the reason why the Party in the State is torn apart.

Why Ihedioha/Irona?

Ordinarily, one would say give the ticket back to Ihedioha and his Deputy, Gerald Irona, since their administration was cut short and, especially, seeing that Ihedioha is popular in the State. But Samdaddy and his group see it differently.

They ask: Why would it always be Ihedioha? He has contested two times, why go a third time? Is he the sole owner of the PDP in the State? If we agree it is the turn of Owerri, is Ihedioha the only Owerri person capable of contesting for the office? Why are other capable members being fenced out of the contest? Why not throw the contest open?

Samdaddy’s  About-Turn

But all that seem to have been settled during Atiku’s visit to the State on Saturday, December 17, 2022.

Samdaddy,  before the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, before the members of the PCC, and the crowd, endorsed Ihedioha for Governorship.

This medium cannot confirm whether it was planned; whether there were behind the scene discussions before Samdaddy’s dramatic endorsement of Ihedioha. Or, if the endorsement was done without knowing. Or perhaps, Samdaddy was overwhelmed by the spirit of the moment and endorsed Ihedioha without knowing he did.

Here’s what happened

Atiku, while addressing the excited crowd, suddenly roared: “Emeka Ihedioha!” Then he followed up with a question: “Will you vote for him?” And the crowd roared in the affirmative. Then Atiku nailed it. “If you will vote for him, raise up your hand.”  And Samdaddy hand shot up, indeed higher than those of most other people. It was dramatic. And, Ihedioha and his vociferous supporters lapped it all up.

Ihedioha as Sole Candidate; Tough battle ahead

If Samdaddy sticks to his action on Saturday, Ihedioha  will be the sole candidate of the Party. He will square up with APC’s incumbent Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, a no-push over by any stretch of imagination, and whoever emerges as the Candidate of the Labour Party, LP. The candidates of the other Parties will be, well, “the also-ran,” In November 2023, Imo will be tough!

President Of Igbo Extraction: Fani Kayode Says Atiku Not The Hope

By
Ayodele Oni
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Femi Fani-Kayode

By Ayodele Oni

A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Fani Kayode does not see Atiku Abubakar as a stepping stone for Igbo to realize their Presidential ambition.

The South-east, has been clamouring for the Presidency since the advent of the present political dispensation.

The two leading political parties have not been able to field any candidate from the Zone despite attempts by Indigenes to secure their nod.

With the 2023 election knocking at the door, only the Labour Party, (LP) boasts of a candidate for the Presidency from the Zone, Peter Obi.

Chief Fani-Kayode, is of the view that the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar is not the stepping stone to Igbo presidency.

Fani-Kayode said Atiku who has been vying for the Presidency in the past 30 years but failed, can’t be the stepping stone to Igbo Presidency.

Atiku had promised to bequeath the Presidency to the Igbo if they elect him in 2023. He made the pledge during his campaign rally in Anambra State.

Reacting, Fani-Kayode said nobody can stop the Igbo from producing the Presidency when the time comes.

In his Facebook post, Fani-Kayode described Atiku as arrogant with his statement and not ‘the Messiah the Igbo want now.’

The Facebook post by the former Aviation Minister reads partly: “Do the Igbo need you to become President?

“You have been trying to be President for over 30 years and you have not been able to make it and now you are saying you will be the stepping stone for someone else.

“Please gather your senses together and hear the following: when the time for an Igbo Presidency comes, no-one can stop it and they will not need a fading, weak, corrupt, deceitful, dishonorable, treacherous, anti-Southern religious bigot and ethnic hegemonist to be a stepping stone for them.”

Ekiti Presidential Campaign List: Fayose’s Name Missing As Allies Make List

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Despite his passive alignment with G5 Governors and Presidential bid of Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose lost out in the composition of the state campaign council members.

The list, released on Sunday, by Aminu Tambuwal, Director General of the Presidential Campaign Organization, (PCO) left out Fayose while some of his cronies made the list.

Governorship Candidate of the party in last June’s election, Bisi Kolawole, is the Chairman of the Council.

A statement by PCO states that “The Leadership of the Presidential Campaign Organization (PCO) of our Great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after wide and extensive consultation; has approved the composition of THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL FOR EKITI STATE pursuant to NEC approved guidelines.

“The Membership of the Ekiti State PCC and SCMC is as follows:

“Otunba Bisi Kolawole:Chairman; Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe:-     Vice Chairman; Rt. Hon. Tunji Odeyemi: Secretary.

“All other statutory members as specified in the guideline approved by NEC.”

Former Deputy Governor, Prof Kolapo Olusola, Senator Duro Faseyi, are directors in their respective Senatorial Districts  to be assisted by others.

The statement added that “it is therefore, the wish of our Candidate, H.E. Atiku Abubakar, GCON (Waziri Adamawa), and that of the entire PDP Family that your contribution to the overall success of the assignment of the Council will justify the confidence reposed in each of you by the Leadership of our Great Party.”

2023: Youths Will Decide Winner With Their Population – Group

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Sukobo Sara Igbe

By Akinwale Kasali

As electioneering campaign for the 2023 General Elections takes center stage with Politicians canvassing for votes, a Group under the aegis of National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, has urged youths not to be deceived by sugar-coated Politicians who do not have their interest at heart.

The Group, through its National President, Sukobo Sara Igbe, admonished Youths to cast their votes for only candidates with robust plans for them.

Sara Igbe added that these aforementioned persons can only get Youths support come 2023.

He said that youths have suffered a lot and would only vote for the candidate who would prioritise their needs.

Sukobo who was represented by the Deputy National Secretary General of the council, Rickie Chinedu, disclosed this at the United Youth of Africa Nations’ stat of the youth proclamation in Abuja on Friday.

He added that the Country’s youth population was enough to decide who wins or loses in any election in the country, stating that this would be put to use in the 2023 general elections.

He said, “Any nation that toys with his youths, toys with its structure, foundation, and future. The youths are the future of the country. We have the power to make any president and that reject any presidential candidate in any election. This is possible because of our demography.

“If half of the Nigerian youth decide to support a candidate, the candidate will surely win. It is youth O’clock. We will only give our support to those who have plans for us. We have suffered a lot and many youths are angry. We will amend this with our PVC in the 2023 elections.”

Kwara APC Boasts Of Gov AbdulRasaq Reelection

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressive Congress, (APC) Campaign Council for the re-election of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in Kwara State has expressed confidence that his achievements are enough to guarantee his reelection.

The Council expressed the hope that people of the state are resolute and unswerving in their decision to extend the stay of the Governor in office.

This was contained in a statement on Saturday by its spokesperson, Florence Oyeyemi Olasunbo  who is also the state Commissioner for Finance.

She claimed that Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration has delivered on its promise to make the people and their needs the “heart and centre of government plans and operations” contrary to what previously obtained.

“There is no doubt that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will be returned by the people of Kwara State for another term in office.

“He has delivered on his central promise to make them the focus of government plans and actions, contrary to what was witnessed in the dark years of the PDP when only a few people sat on our common patrimony and awarded exclusive privileges to themselves and their cronies.

“The Otoge revolution in 2019 was a total rejection and complete break from these charlatans who perverted democracy and fed fat on public resources whilst the majority of our people suffered.

“Although they are gathering again because of their unhealthy addiction to the public treasury, their efforts will end in a resounding failure because the people can see through their lies and pretensions.

“This administration has shown what is possible when the government is sincere and forthright about its duty to the people, particularly the provision of security and welfare alongside the right socioeconomic conditions for self-sustenance and dignified life.

“We have given new life to infrastructure in the state so that our people can do business and receive crucial support from investors who now consider our state a safe and conducive place for their investments.

“We have invested in education, rebuilt schools, improved teachers’ welfare, and provided educational materials for our kids to learn effectively in friendly environments and become drivers of future growth.”

“We have delivered quality healthcare, renovating and expanding PHCs in the state so that women and children, for example, are no longer made to travel several KMs just to see a doctor.”

Mrs Olasunmbo was of the view that the people would not neglect all of these and fall for the “empty grandstanding of those who are butt-hurt and still mourning their loss of access to the public treasury which they lived on for many years and have become addicted to.”

She advised the opposition, particularly the PDP, to quit the white noise it is making and not bother expending efforts on its purported plan to regain lost prominence through lies and distortions.

“The evidence of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administrative success is felt daily by the people in the most personal area of their lives, and that trumps whatever falsehood these yesterday men who were rejected for their mendacity and dubious nature plan to sell.”

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