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Buhari’s Independence Day Address

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Muhammadu Buhari

Fellow Nigerians, I address you today, with a deep sense of gratitude to God and a high level of appreciation to all Nigerians whose tremendous goodwill gave me the opportunity to provide leadership for our great country at one of the trying times in her history.

Conscious that today’s address would be my last on an Independence Day as your President; I speak to the millions of Nigerians, who believed in me, propelled and stood by me in my quest to bequeath a country where all citizens have equal opportunities to achieve their lives desires in a peaceful atmosphere.

I am honoured to say that my story in the annals of Nigeria’s history is no household secret. My various attempts, failures and eventual success in being elected as a Democratic President in 2015 was made possible by the majority of Nigerians.

When you elected me, I readily acknowledged that the tasks before me were daunting but surmountable because of the growing national consensus that our chosen route to national development was democracy.

This democracy was to be anchored on a clear understanding, application and the principles of separation of powers supported by a reformed public service that is more effective.

I then pledged to Improve the Economy, Tackle Corruption and Fight Insecurity and this was further strengthened by my commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years as the central plank of my second term in 2019.

To the Glory of God and His Grace as well as the commitment and passion displayed by many Nigerian supporters, we have made appreciable progress in these areas but not yet at our destination.

Mindful of the task before us, we took some time in settling down and we re-positioned the economy by providing strategic interventions in core areas at both the federal and sub-national levels.

One of the areas where we have made significant progress is in the eradication of deeply entrenched corruption that permeates all facets of our national development.

We strengthened the institutions for tackling corruption and also cultivated international support, which aided the repatriation of huge sums of money illegally kept outside the country.

The increasing number of prosecutions and convictions, with associated refunds of large sums of money is still ongoing. Furthermore, we would continue to block opportunities that encourage corrupt practices.

In order to address insecurity, we worked methodically in reducing Insurgency in the North East, Militancy in the Niger Delta, Ethnic and Religious Tensions in some sections of Nigeria along with other problems threatening our country.

Our efforts in re-setting the economy manifested in Nigeria exiting two economic recessions by the very practical and realistic monetary and fiscal measures to ensure effective public financial management. In addition, the effective implementation of the Treasury Single Account and cutting down on the cost of governance also facilitated early exits from recessions.

Fellow Nigerians, this administration removed several decades uncertainty for potential investors in the Oil & Gas sector with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. This landmark legislation created opportunities for foreign investments in addition to improving transparency in the management of the sector.

Our administration has given the desired priority to the Agricultural Sector through a series of incentives to Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises that resulted in creating millions of jobs. Leading this initiative, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in a number of areas as well as the Anchor Borrowers Programme had created the required leverages for Nigerians towards self-sufficiency in food and the necessary attraction for farming as a business.

The growing contribution of non-oil exports, especially in agriculture, information and communication technology as well as the performing arts to our national economy will enhance our foreign exchange earning capacity.

We are confronting current economic challenges such as debt burden, growing inflation, living standards and increasing unemployment accentuated by our growing youthful population. These problems are globally induced and we would continue to ensure that their negative effects are addressed in our policies.

This administration will continue to ensure that our fiscal policies are supported by a robust and contemporary monetary policy that recognises our peculiarities in the midst of the growing global economic difficulties.

This is evidenced by the recent Monetary Policy Committee decision to maintain all parameters, especially interest rates and marginally increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 14 per cent to 15.5 per cent and the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) from 27.5 per cent to 32.5 per cent. It is projected that this would further insulate our economy from over exposure to uncertainties at the international market by restraining growth in core inflation.

As we continue to de-escalate the security challenges that confronted us at inception of this administration, newer forms alien to our country began to manifest especially in the areas of kidnappings, molestations/killings of innocent citizens, banditry, all of which are being addressed by our security forces.

I share the pains Nigerians are going through and I assure you that your resilience and patience would not be in vain as this administration continues to reposition as well as strengthen the security agencies to enable them to deal with all forms of security challenges.

At the inception of this administration in 2015, I provided the funding requirements of the security agencies which was also improved in my second tenure in 2019 to enable them to surmount security challenges. We will continue on this path until our efforts yield the desired results.

As we put in place all measures to ensure that Nigeria takes her place in the Comity of Nations, we recognise the importance of a well-educated populace as a panacea to most of the challenges we face.

We have, therefore, pursued policies and implemented programmes designed to create a literate and proficient society that ensures that citizens are availed with opportunities for life-long achievements.

I must confess that I am very pained by the recurring disruption to our tertiary education system and I am using this Independence Day celebration to re-iterate my call for the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to return to the classroom while assuring them to deal with their contending issues within the limits of the scarce resources available. This administration has made appreciable progress in redressing these issues that have been lingering for over eleven years.

The Federal Government will continue to mobilise resources both internationally and nationally towards funding education to ensure that our citizens are well educated and skilled in various vocations in view of the fact that education is a leading determinant of economic growth and employment generation.

Fellow Nigerians, we have also improved our health facilities, especially during and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which attracted commendation of the global community.

As you are aware, Nigeria was one of the countries that defied global predictions of the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic because of our resilience, commitment and passion with which we individually and collectively managed the pandemic.

This administration embarked on addressing critical ecological challenges across the country in order to mitigate the impact of Climate Change manifesting in the form of flood, soil erosion, desertification, air pollution amongst others

We will continue to ensure that our infrastructure drive remains the key to Nigeria’s economic growth and for which every Nigerian will feel the impact.

The Federal Government is already expanding ports operations to ensure that they provide opportunities for the growth of the Nigerian economy.

We have also continued to accelerate our infrastructure development through serviceable and transparent borrowing, improved capital inflow & increased revenue generation by expanding the tax bases and prudent management of investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

To further open up our communities to economic activities, we have continued to boost our railway infrastructure with the completion of a good number of critical railways and at the same time rehabilitating as well as upgrading obsolete equipment.

I am pleased to inform my fellow citizens that besides our emphasis on infrastructural development with its attendant opportunities for job creation, employment generation and subsequent poverty reduction, our focused intervention directly to Nigerians through the National Social Investment Programme is also yielding benefits.

There is hardly any ward, village or local government in Nigeria today that has not benefited from one of the following: N-Power, trader-moni, market moni, subsidized loans, business grants or Conditional Cash Transfers.

All the aforementioned programmes along with various interventions by the National Social Investment programme, direct support to victims of flooding and other forms of disasters have provided succor to the affected Nigerians.

Fellow Nigerians, no matter what gains we make, without a good governance system anchored on electing credible leaders on the basis of free, fair, credible and transparent elections, our efforts would not be enough.

It is for this reason that I have resolved to bequeath a sustainable democratic culture, which will remain lasting. The signing of the Electoral Act 2021 as amended with landmark provisions further assures us of a more transparent and inclusive Electoral Process.

Having witnessed at close quarters, the pains, anguish and disappointment of being a victim of an unfair electoral process, the pursuit of an electoral system and processes that guarantee election of leaders by citizens remains the guiding light as I prepare to wind down our administration.

You would all agree that the recent elections in the past two years in some states (notably Anambra, Ekiti and Osun) and a few federal constituencies have shown a high degree of credibility, transparency and freedom of choice with the people’s votes actually counting. This I promise would be improved upon as we move towards the 2023 General Elections.

As we begin the transition process to another democratically elected government, I want to implore all aspirants to conduct issues-based campaigns devoid of hate speeches as well as other negative and divisive tendencies.

I also want to express my wish that we see more female and youth participation in the forth-coming electoral cycle. I am sure that our teeming and energetic youths now realise that violence generally mar elections and so should desist from being used by politicians for this purpose.

Reforms in the public sector are already yielding results especially in the delivery of services.  On this note, I urge the general public to demand for citizen-centred services from the relevant authorities.

On the international front, we have continued to take advantage of our bilateral and multilateral platforms to explore cooperation with friendly countries and partners whenever these areas of cooperation are to the advantage of Nigeria.

Fellow Nigerians, in the past few years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of challenges that would ordinarily have destroyed our Nation. However, the indefatigable spirit of the Nigerian people has ensured that we overcome our challenges.

It is in this spirit that I call on all of us to individually and collectively bring to the fore in dealing with all our development issues.

I was called to serve, along with my team, I saw an opportunity to create a better Nigeria which we have done with the support of Nigerians. Almighty God and the good people of Nigeria supported us in laying a solid foundation for the Nigeria of our dreams.

I thank you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Why PDP NWC Members Returned  Spurious Money, Leadership Insists, It’s Not Bribe; EFCC Could Wade In

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
PDP Secretariat - Wadata Plaza

By Ayodele Oni

In what looks like Ayu’s gate, in the opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are pitched in controversy over the claim of bribing members to overlook the alleged collection of N10 billion against the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike had last week raised the allegation against the National Chairman on a national television programme.

In order to prevent an in-house rupture within the NWC, members were allegedly given some millions of Naira.

The move however blew up when members of the NWC from the Southern Caucus of the party resolved to return the booty.

Some of the Southern Caucus members are said to have returned as much as between N28 and N36 million.

As at last count, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, the National Women Leader, Prof Stella Effah-Attoe and the National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih have returned theirs.

Arapaja returned N36 million paid to him while Effah-Attoe and Orbih each returned N28 million.

All of them in separate letters addressed to the National Chairman claimed that the money which was paid into their accounts under the guise of housing allowance were suspicious.

It was also learnt that the National Vice Chairman Southeast, Dr Alli Odefa, the National Vice-Chairman, Southwest Adagunobi-Oluwatukesi and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo equally returned theirs.

While letters written by Arapaja, Orbih and Effah-Attoe to the party were leaked, the status of others is still shrouded in secrecy.

The N10 billion in question was said to be sums collected from the sale of forms and nomination fees from aspirants seeking for elective political offices on the party’s platform.

Meanwhile,  the leadership of PDP has explained that the money paid into the accounts of the members of the NWC of the party, is meant for their housing and not bribe.

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Debo Ologunagba, stated that the return of the money by some members should not be misconstrued.

The statement reads, “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to misrepresenting reports in a section of the media alluding strange and unfounded motives to the Housing Allowance duly approved and paid to NWC members and staff of the Party

“The NWC has noted that this misleading report stemmed from an unfounded publication by a particular media outlet which suggested that the Housing Allowance, an entitlement duly approved and paid to national officials and staff of the Party amounted to bribery.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP states in an unequivocal term that no funds were paid into the account of any member of the NWC as bribe for any purpose whatsoever for that matter.

“To set the record straight, the Housing Allowance being referred to went through the Due Process of the Party in line with the Conditions of Service and Entitlement of the Staff and Principal Officers of the Party.

“If any individual, for any reason decides to return money duly approved and paid, such does not in any way suggest that the money was paid as bribe or indicate that it was illegitimate or unlawfully paid.

“A bribe is defined as ‘money or any other valuable consideration given or promised with a view to corrupting the behavior of a person especially in that person’s performance as a public official…’.

“This is not the case in the payment of Housing Allowance duly approved for officials and staff of the Party.

“The PDP therefore urges all members, teeming supporters and the general public to disregard the report and misleading insinuation which are clearly designed to malign the PDP, cause disaffection and distract our Party from our mission to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Not a few people think that the PDP has invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to itself.

ASUU: Gbajabiamila Takes Union’s Case To Buhari

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

Femi Gbajabiamila, Nigeria’s Speaker of the House of Representatives has promised to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari in an effort to end the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff of Union of Universities, ASUU.

The university teachers have been on strike since February 14 this year and have promised not to go back to work until their demands are met by the federal government.

The Union and the government are currently in court after negotiations broke down, as students remained at home not sure when academic activities will return to campuses.

The Speaker, on Thursday, after a meeting with the leadership of ASUU and other top government officials urged the lecturers to go back to work while the parties involved worked out modalities on how to resolve the crisis. The lecturers refused.

Apart from ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, those in attendance included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha; the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Sen Chris Ngige; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan; the Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Sylva Okolieaboh; the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, amongst others.

Speaking after the meeting the Speaker said he will meet with the president next week to intimate him of the outcome of the meeting with ASUU.

He said whatever decision taken on the issue will be in the interest of Nigerians, appealing to ASUU to put the students first.

Gbajabiamila said: “We will put together our recommendations and our thoughts and take it to Mr. President, that’s why we are here to interface and look for solutions.

“Again let me repeat, we are running a government, nobody, no individual, no group, whether you are legislative, judiciary or whatever can be above the government, can be above the law.

“We can’t be against and I’m speaking specifically to ASUU, we did not say because the court has given judgment, that’s the end of our conversation. In spite of the court judgment, we are still looking for solutions, we didn’t even address it here, I don’t want to address it.

“Otherwise, we could’ve said, if government has given judgment, I don’t know if there’s a stay of execution, I don’t know.

“We are appealing to you, the Judiciary has spoken, the Executive has spoken, the Legislature is about to speak together with the Executive; everybody cannot be wrong and only one person is right. For me I’m happy with the solution on UTAS, no victor, no vanquished, everybody is being carried along.

“For the sake of emphasis, the House is pleading with you, let’s put all interest aside and look at the interest of our children.

“The white paper we told you we’ll get, the letter is here, it’s now waiting for the President’s final approval.

“On revitalization, I asked the DG budget here if provision has been made in the budget. We made a promise to you, and we are staying by that promise.

“Regarding the issue of UTAS, you said you haven’t seen the report; we have it here, so we’ve been working for you”.

The belief among not a few Nigerians particularly students and parents who are facing the short end of the stick is that the issue between the union and the federal government cannot be resolved in court.

PDP: Ayu Faces More Pressure After N180m Bribes Scandal

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Iyorchia Ayu and Atiku Abubakar

Following the N177 million alleged bribe against six members of the PDP, those watching the prolonged crisis in the opposition party said the development will further threaten the position of the National Chairman of the party, Iyorcha Ayu.

Top members of the party, on Thursday, returned various sums following a report that they were paid from the N10 billion realized from the sale of nomination forms during its last convention.

Those that returned money include Taofeek Arapaja, deputy national chairman, south; Dan Osi Orbih, national vice chairman, south-south; Stella Effah-Atoe, national women leader; and Olasoji Adagunodo, national vice chairman, south-west.

Not a few watching the crisis in the party insist that the money may have been used to bribe the National Working Committee, NWC members in other to buy their support for the embattled National Chairman of the party, Iyorcha Ayu, who is currently out of the country.

The National Publicity of the PDP, Ologunagba has however denied the money was a bribe, adding that the funds, which have now been paid back into the party’s account were approved for the said officials by the party leadership.

The development comes a few days after Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state accused the Ayu leadership of collecting an N1 billion bribe to support Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the party.

Governor Wike has insisted on the resignation of Ayu while Atiku says he must stay in office.

The alleged bribery scandal, many say, will further put pressure on the Ayu-led NWC to quit office, even though the affected officials said the money sent to their accounts went through due process.

‘The question is why the said officials have now decided to return the money if actually, it’s legitimate. The party will have to do more to remove the doubts in the minds of the public. It even came at a time that one of their governors has accused the NWC of mismanaging billions of naira belonging to the party,” a public affairs analyst said.

Reacting to the development, Ologunagba, said in a statement on Friday that the NWC members were paid for housing allowance.

“The attention of the national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to misrepresenting reports in a section of the media alluding strange and unfounded motives to the housing allowance duly approved and paid to NWC members and staff of the party,” the statement reads.

“The NWC has noted that this misleading report stemmed from an unfounded publication by a particular media outlet which suggested that the housing allowance, an entitlement duly approved and paid to national officials and staff of the party amounted to bribery.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP states in an unequivocal term that no funds were paid into the account of any member of the NWC as a bribe for any purpose whatsoever for that matter.

“To set the record straight, the housing allowance being referred to went through the due process of the party in line with the conditions of service and entitlement of the staff and principal officers of the party.

“If any individual, for any reason decides to return money duly approved and paid, such does not in any way suggest that the money was paid as bribe or indicate that it was illegitimate or unlawfully paid.

“A bribe is defined as “money or any other valuable consideration given or promised with a view to corrupting the behavior of a person especially in that person’s performance as a public official.

“This is not the case in the payment of housing allowance duly approved for officials and staff of the party.

“The PDP, therefore, urges all members, teeming supporters, and the general public to disregard the report and misleading insinuation which are clearly designed to malign the PDP, cause disaffection, and distract our party from our mission to rescue, rebuild and redirect our nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Meanwhile, those watching the party say it must put its acts together now that the election campaign has started in earnest.  Any further mistake, they insist is capable of costing the party the 2023 presidential election it’s desperate to win.

Rivers Recovered Aircraft: APC Mocks Wike; Angry Questions For APC

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Rivers Recovered Aircraft

By Adesina Soyooye

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is mocking Governor Nyesom Wike over  the recovery of the State-owned Embraer 600 from Munich, Germany.

The Aircraft, which was bought during the administration of Dr Peter Odili, was for reasons yet to be made public, taken to Germany and abandoned there by the Government of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

Wike had, months ago, revealed that his Government received information that an asset of the State, the Embraer 600, was abandoned in Germany. He claimed it was not part of the handover note his administration was given by the Amaechi administration. He said he got to know about it when patriotic Rivers people brought it to his notice.

On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, Governor Wike who, in the past couple of months, has been in and out of Europe, flew back to the  Portharcourt  International Airport on the Aircraft. He was received with an elaborate receception marked by pomp and pageantry.

Addressing the people at the Airport, Wike commended everybody involved in the recovery of the Aircraft which he, re-emphasised, was abandoned by the Amaechi administration. It said it cost a lot of money to put it into shape and fly it back to Rivers State. He said his Government did so in the interest of the people.

But the All Progressives Congress, APC, which Government was headed by Amaechi is mocking Wike over the recovery. In a statement issued on Thursday, September 29, and signed by Darlington Nwauju, its Rivers Chapter Spokesperson, the APC said that the recovery of the Aircraft makes no economic sense. It calculated how much money it would cost to mIntain it and keep it. It said it runs into millions of Dollars. It also listed what the Government could do with that amount of money, and gave an unsolicited advice to the Government: Sell the Aircraft.

The full text of the statement reads:

“Our attention has been drawn to yesterday’s dramatisation of the return of an Embraer A600 aircraft to Rivers State, a feat “miraculously” achieved by the outgoing state government.

“We, however, wish to place on record that there is no economic benefit of a private jet to the people of Rivers state. We would like to educate the state government on what to do with the aircraft if it’s difficult to understand that there is a global economic meltdown and governments all over the world have their sleeves rolled up for work and not jamborees or investments with zero Return on Investment (RoI), that can only shoot up our debt burdens and deliver an unhealthy balance sheet to the incoming APC Government in Rivers State.

We recommend that the State Government should immediately dispose the said legacy jet A600 and invest its accruals into refurbishing all abandoned primary and secondary schools, resuscitation of the moribund primary healthcare system, pay off all outstanding salaries owed teachers of demonstration secondary schools, wrongfully dismissed lecturers of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, 5 years salaries of RSSDA staff, pensions/ gratuities, students bursaries and many more unresolved obligations of the state government.

Rivers people are tired of the more than 2,675 days of inchoate rhetorics going on in the State.

We salute both the promoters of the “miracle” and the court jesters working on this monumental achievement, which no state government in Nigeria can EVER attain! We suspect that this miracle was made possible by the combined efforts of Germany-based metaphysicians who gained access to the handover notes of the Rivers State Ministry of Transport and discovered the Ministry’s assets/liabilities as at 2015 which included a Legacy jet A600 aircraft.

In the interest of our beloved Rivers State, we have elected to pose the following questions to the state government:

(a) From which budget will the state defray the following obligations – (i) landing cost of the aircraft which approximates to $20,000.00 USD?;

(ii) Daily parking fee of up to $2,000 to park on the tarmac or will the state award a contract to Julius Berger to build a hanger?;

(iii) Up to $4,100 navigational charges per flight whenever it has to be used?;

(iv) Minimum of N1.5m monthly salary for a Pilot and #500,000.00 for at least one cabin crew member?;

(v) Engagement of a ground crew (maintenance engineers, cleaners, security)?;

(vi) Maintenance, observation and repairs (MoR) to carryout C-check in Europe, the cheapest being in Turkey because of its proximity to Africa but this will cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars?;

(vii) Payment of insurance on the aircraft which is in dollars?;

(viii) 3million Euros cost of refurbishment;

(ix) NCAA air-worthiness check.”

But not a few Nigerians are wondering what the APC expected Wike to do. They are worried that instead of the APC to first of all, ask Amaechi why he abandoned the Aircraft in Munich,  Germany, it is asking why Wike brought it back.

The questions they are asking the APC are: If it would have preferred that the Aircraft be permanently abandoned in Germany to bringing it back? What economic sense does it make to abandon the Aircraft in Germany? Isn’t it a waste of money to abandon the Aircraft there? Why was it abandoned? And why was it not noted in the handover note given to the Wike Administration.

Said one angry Rivers Elder Statesman: “I will encourage the Governor to set up an urgent Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate why the Aircraft was abandoned in Germany. The culprits should be punished accordingly.”

The Rivers State Government is yet to respond to the APC statement.

Independence Anniversary  Shocker: Disbelief As Army Paratroopers Land On Trees, Cars, Buildings

By
The Source
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Military Paratroopers

By Gideon Njoku

Dozens of Nigerians watched in shock, disbelief and a dose of shame on Thursday, as Army Paratroopers failed. In  dangerous jumps, the Paratroopers landed on absurd and places.

One jumped and landed on a parked car, mercifully. He fell from there, hard on the ground. Another landed on a tree. And another landed on a house.

“This is a national embarrassment”, remarked an onlooker who had joined others to watch.

The Army Paratroopers were assembled in Abuja to rehearse for a display to mark Nigeria’s 62nd

Independence Anniversary

 on 1st October, 2022.

Usually a thing of raw joy to watch, the rehearsal ended in embarrassment and near-tragedy. “Those boys should be in hospital for urgent medical attention. They must have been hurt. I was on edge, watching as they failed and fell. My heart throbbed no end”, remarked another spectator.

Because of the incident which happened on Thursday, September 29, and to avoid any mishap on October 1, the Army has cancelled any parachute-jumping display slated for 1st October. “Good a thing they cancelled it. What if they jump on VIPs that day, people will not believe it was not deliberate”, noted a source.

So what went wrong?

There are two schools of thought.

One school of thought attributed it to non-training, no rigorous training of the boys. They did not have adequate training, they noted. “This is what is happening in the Military, not just the Army. Adequate and rigorous training are lacking. All they needed to do was invite veteran Paratroopers who are now retired to come and train the boys. The first second and final words are training, training, training. Were the jumpers experienced? What type of training did they have? For how long”, submitted a retired Paratrooper.

But another school of thought blamed it on the type of parachutes given to the jumpers. They were given the wrong ones to use, this school of thought noted.

One very experienced retired Paratrooper noted that the parachutes  they used were MC 1 parachutes That type, he said, is meant only for combat jumps. He also noted that the jumps were badly affected by strong winds.

However, another expert differed. Describing what happened on Thursday as a national shame, he asked: Why send the boys to jump under strong wind? He said that heads should roll. Asked how? He said a board of Inquiry should immediately be set up to investigate what happened and who and who failed in their duties.

62 Lawyers Make SAN Rank; 67  Fail

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
SAN List

By Adesina Soyooye

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC, on Thursday, September 29, 2022, released the list of successful Senior Lawyers to be conferred with the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.

62 of them, made up of 53 Advocates and nine Academics made the successful list. A whopping 67 of them of  the shortlisted, fell by the wayside. Those dropped  were 20 Advocates and 47 Academics.

Those to be conferred with the SAN rank in 2022, are 10 shorter in number than those conferred with it in 2021.

The full list of the successful Senior Lawyers, ad released by the LPPC is as follows:

 SUCCESSFUL ADVOCATES

1.  MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI ABUBAKAR, ESQ.

2. JOHNSON TARIGHO OMOPHE UGBODUMA, ESQ.

3.  LAWRENCE SUNDAY OKO-JAJA, ESQ.

4.  CHRISTOPHER AGBOMEIRHE SUNDAY OSHOMEGIE, ESQ.

5.  SANUSI OLUGBENGA SAI’D, ESQ.

6.  WAHAB KUNLE SHITTU, ESQ.

7.  EMMANUEL IDEMUDIA OBOH, ESQ.

8. DIRI SAID MOHAMMED, ESQ.

9.  OLADIPO AKANMU TOLANI, ESQ.

10.  AYODEJI OYEWOLE OMOTOSO, ESQ.

11.  CHIJIOKE OGBONNA ERONDU, ESQ.

12.  KINGSLEY OBINNA AJOKU, ESQ.

13.  YAKUBU MAIKASUWA, ESQ.

14. HENRY ESHIJONAM OMU, ESQ.

15.  DAGOGO ISRAEL IBOROMA, ESQ.

16.   JOSEPH ADEMU AKUBO, ESQ.

17. GOZIE BERTRAND OBI, ESQ.

18.   INAM AKPADIAGHA WILSON ESQ.

19.   ABUBAKAR BATURE SULU-GAMBARI, ESQ.

20.  ABIOYE ARAOYE OLOYEDE ASANIKE, ESQ.

21.  SYLVANUS TAHIRU, ESQ.

22.  BOLARINWA ELIJAH AIDI, ESQ.

23.  TONYE TOMBERE JENEWARI KRUKRUBO, ESQ.

24.  ADEREMI MOSHOOD BASHUA, ESQ.

25.   KOLAPO OLUGBENGA KOLADE, ESQ.

26.  SAMUEL PETER KARGBO, ESQ.

27.  IFEANYICHUKWU SYLVESTER OBIAKOR, ESQ

28. OLASOJI OLAIYA OLOWOLAFE, ESQ.

29.   MUTALUBI OJO ADEBAYO, ESQ.

30.  VICTOR ODAFE OGUDE, ESQ.

31.  SULAYMAN OLAWALE IBRAHIM, ESQ.

32.   MUMINI ISHOLA HANAFI, ESQ.

33.  TANKO TANKO ASHANG, ESQ.

34.  DAMIAN OHAKWE OKORO, ESQ.

35.  ANDREW MWAJIM MALGWI, ESQ.

36.  ETUKWU ONAH, ESQ.

37.   ADEBORO LATEEF ADAMSON, ESQ.

38.  BANKOLE JOEL AKOMOLAFE, ESQ.

39.  KELECHI CHINEDUM OBI, ESQ.

40.  ANDREW OSEMEDUA ODUM, ESQ.

41.   OKECHUKWU EDWIN OKORO, ESQ.

42.   GODSON CHUKWUDI UGOCHUKWU, ESQ.

43.   STEVEN ONYECHI ONONYE, ESQ.

44.  IKANI KANU AGABI, ESQ.

45. MUSTAPHA SHABA IBRAHIM, ESQ.

46.   MUIZUDEEN YUNUS ABDULLAHI, ESQ.

47.   MAGAJI MATO IBRAHIM, ESQ.

48.   SUNUSI MUSA, ESQ.

49. OLADOYIN OLUSEYI AWOYALE, ESQ.

50.  ROTIMI ISEOLUWA OYEDEPO, ESQ.

51.  CHUKWUDUBEM BONAVENTURE ANYIGBO, ESQ.

52.  LUKMAN OYEBANJI FAGBEMI, ESQ.

53.  MICHAEL JONATHAN NUMA, ESQ.

SUCCESSFUL ACADEMICS 2022

1. PROF. KATHLEEN EBELECHUKWU OKAFOR

2.  PROF. MUHAMMED TAOFEEQ ABDULRAZAQ-

3.  PROF. AMOKAYE OLUDAYO GABRIEL

4.  PROF. ISMAIL ADENIYI OLATUNBOSUN

5.  PROF. ABDULLAHI SHEHU ZURU

6.  PROF. JOY   NGOZI EZEILO

7.  ASS/PROF. THEODORE BALA MAIYAKI

8. PROF. OLAIDE ABASS GBADAMOSI-

9.  ASS/PROF. CHIMEZIE KINGSLEY OKORIE

Baring any changes, the award will be conferred on them on November 21, 2022.

Mbaka Bounces Back; Adoration Ministry Reopened; Ban Lifted; It’s Preposterous – Catholic Faithful

By
The Source
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Ejike Mbaka Fr

By Charles Igbo

Controversial Roman Catholic Priest, Reverend Fr. Ejike Mbaka is on cloud nine.

Shut-out of limelight since the past three months, Mbaka has bounced back. The leadership of the Enugu Catholic Diocese has lifted the ban placed on him and the Adoration Ministry Enugu (Emene) Nigeria, AMEN, which he runs.

Mbaka, who made his name as a Political Priest, prophesying for, and seeing visions, especially, for Politicians, was suspended by the Church, and all activities at the AMEN Ground stopped, after an inexplicable attack on the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

In the unprovoked attack, Mbaka had discouraged Nigerians from voting for Obi because he “is a stingy man.”

For the records, it was not the first time Mbaka would descend on Obi.

In 2019 when Obi, then a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, also Presidential candidate then, Mbaka had  humiliated Obi in his Church, for not publicly making a personal donation to his Ministry. Obi had insisted on Mbaka showing him a project which he and the Church could execute together. But Mbaka preferred a cash donation to that. Obi was not persuaded. And, it earned Obi Mbaka’s acid tongue and public humiliation. He was to mock Obi, later, when a delegation from President Muhammadu Buhari, came to the Church, same day,  after Obi had left. He told them he humiliated Obi because of them. Mbaka apologized to Obi later.

He has, however, fallen out with Buhari whose aides dismissed Mbaka as a contractor.

In the instant case which earned him a suspension, Mbaka’s attack on Obi was totally unprovoked. He, again, apologized to Obi after not a few people lashed out at him. But it was late.

Embarrassed, the Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu suspended him and all the activities at AMEN grounds. He barred every Priest and/or Reverend Sister from stepping into AMEN Grounds. But three months later, the Diocesan has lifted the ban.

Announcing the good news of the lifting of the ban, Mbaka took to his Twitter account to address members of his congregation. He wrote:

“Dear Adorers,

To the glory of God, Adoration Ministry,Enugu Nigeria, AMEN, starts on Sunday, 2nd October 2022 with 10.00am Mass at the Adoration Ground Umuchigbo Iji Nike, Emene, Enugu State.

“God bless you miraculously as you come to worship with us.

“Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka”

It is not known if Mbaka will now adhere to the rules of the Church and stick to winning souls for Christ instead of dabbling into Political prophesies and endorsement of politicians.

Only time will tell.

The Church had warned him to desist from such, a couple of times. But, he always went back to it.

A number of the Catholic faithful who spoke to this medium are not happy with the lifting of the ban.

Asked one of them: “Can this be considered expedient at this time? Just when I thought he had been reined in, they are letting him loose again.”

Another described the lifting of the ban as “preposterous.”

Obasa Urges NLC, TUC To  Protect Nigeria’s Fledgling Democracy

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Obasa and TUC Members

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, have been charged to focus mainly on the survival and sustenance of the nation’s fledgling democracy.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, made this call, Thursday, at the 2022 Independence Day Anniversary Lecture with the theme ‘Nigeria in search for an enduring political structure: imperative of structural reform’ held at the NLC Ogun State headquarters.

According to him, Nigeria can only advance positively if the various unions and individuals play roles to keep the country’s democracy thriving.

Obasa who was Chairman of the event, said that the country is seen as practising democracy because there are legislative arms of government in place both at the national and sub-national levels.

He, however, lamented the attempts by some individuals in position of authority to ‘pocket’ these lawmaking arms of States citing how, in some instances, principal officers of Houses of Assembly are removed at the whims and caprices of single individuals in authority.

“It is hightime we all rose to protect Nigeria’s political institution, the parliament. We have seen cases where the civil society looked away while democracy faces danger from some individuals.

“We have seen cases where the parliament was closed and where a governor carried inauguration of legislature by midnight.

“When you have a legislature that is answerable to a single person, you can’t progress or meet collective goals or say we are practising democracy. We have heard of a state that already has four Speakers in less than four years.

“It is also surprising that even among the elite, you find that there are some people who do not know their representatives at the parliament. Yet, these parliamentarians make the laws that guide their activities and actions.

“As a union, our concern should not be about where we work, our salaries and welfare alone; we should also protect our institutions. I am not saying you should be partisan, but at least, play a role in guiding our democracy.

“In that way, it would be difficult for individuals to determine how the parliament, which is the true symbol of democracy, should operate,” Obasa said.

In his short remark, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, noted that Nigeria simply practises civil rule and not democracy.

“If you have a vibrant legislature, you have democracy,” he said.

In his address, Comrade Abinbola Bankole, chairman of the NLC in Ogun State, said though Nigeria faces many challenges, “as a labour movement, it is our considered opinion that blame-game shall take us nowhere as a people.”

He said if Nigeria must work, citizens must be interested in how their country is governed.

Guest lecturer at the event, Chief Mike Ozekhomhe (SAN), noted that the problems with Nigeria are fundamental and systemic. He suggested a new constitution for the country.

“No president who rules Nigeria will do well. Until we do serious structural adjustment or realignments, none of those who would rule Nigeria can make any spectacular difference,” Ozekhomhe said while expressing optimism that Nigeria will be successful again.

On his part, Nafiu Aiyedun, Ogun State Head of Service, who represented Governor Dapo Abiodun, promised that the government would continue to focus on the welfare of workers.

President Buhari Appeals To Politicians To Avoid Personal Attack

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

As electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced the commencement of 2023 Electioneering Campaign on Wednesday, 28th, September, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Politicians to stop fanning the embers of hate that could heat up the polity.

He, on Thursday, appealed to contestants and their media representatives to commit to issue-based campaigns and avoid insults and personal attacks as the election campaigns begin.

“I appeal to the contestants, especially their publicity agents and media advisers to shun personal attacks, avoid insults and incitement, reject the spread of fake news, and commit to issue-based campaigns and political rallies,” the President said in a video message to the signing of the 2023 election Peace Accord by the presidential candidates, organised by the National Peace Committee in Abuja.”

This was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media,  and Publicity Garba Shehu,  titled ‘2023: President Buhari wants issue-based campaigns, urges political actors to shun personal attacks, incitements.’

While commending the initiative undertaken by the National Peace Committee to commit all political actors to issue-based campaigns devoid of incitement, personal insults and attacks, Buhari warned that the rise of fake news and misinformation have continued to pose a significant threat to democracy in Nigeria.

Buhari said fake news and misinformation have shifted focus away from issue-based campaigns to amplifying the potential for personal attacks, insults and incitements.

He lamented that this has significantly diminished the civility and decency in public discourse and debate.

Re-echoing the words of the Chairman of the Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Buhari said “The 2023 election is more than an election, it is an opportunity to serve Nigeria, to defend Nigeria and to uphold her unity and progress.”

“Therefore, I call on all Nigerians, political parties, politicians, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria is placed first above regional and sectional claims.

“I appeal to the contestants, especially their publicity agents and media advisers to shun personal attacks, avoid insults and incitement, reject the spread of fake news, and commit to issue-based campaigns and political rallies,” he added.

Reiterating his commitment to peaceful, credible and transparent elections, President Buhari said what the Peace Committee, led by its chairman and a former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has been doing over the years, aligns with his belief that Nigeria needs peace in order to achieve credible elections.

“Once again, let me emphasise that everything must be done to support the National Peace Committee in its work to ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria,” Buhari said

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