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SW APC Backs Akeredolu As Zonal Coordinator, Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

As contending political parties for 2023 elections prepare to kick-start

campaigns, the All Progressive Congress, (APC) National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Isaac Kekemeke has lauded the appointment of Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the South west coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council.

The appointment of Governor Akeredolu, as the Zonal Coordinator of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Committee was conveyed in a letter addressed to him and personally signed by the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu, in the letter, dated August 8, 2022, noted that Governor Akeredolu, who is also the Chairman, South-west Governors’ Forum, deserved the appointment, owing to his impressive political achievements and the exemplary leadership he had demonstrated as Governor of his state and as a party member.

”By way of this letter, we are pleased to formally convey your appointment as the Zonal Campaign Cordinator (South West) of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

“This appointment is fitting and appropriate given your impressive political achievement and the exemplary leadership you have demonstrated as governor of your state and as a party member.

“We are grateful that you have joined our campaign team. We know you will do your utmost in this new responsibility as we conduct an effective, message-driven campaign leading us to victory in the 2023 presidential election.”

Kekemeke, in his letter said “On behalf of myself, the leadership and entire membership of the party in the Zone heartily congratulates Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on his well-deserved and highly strategic appointment as Coordinator of the Southwest in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

“John Quincy Adams could not have been more right when he unassailably asserted that, if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

“Doubtlessly, the true leader in Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has impelled him to take deliberate actions that have positively and radically impacted the course of events in the politics of Nigeria as Governor of Ondo State, Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Chairman of Southern Governors’ Forum.

“The number of challenges Governor Akeredolu has frontally and courageously taken, has brought many achievements under his belt.

“Apropos of that, this new appointment provides yet another opportunity to win more in a terrain that the Governor has extraordinarily mastered to the admiration of many.

“The APC in the Southwest of Nigeria and indeed the people of the Southwest of Nigeria are solidly behind Governor Akeredolu and pledge their co-operation with him to deliver on this new assignment.”

Ortom To Atiku, PDP: Placate Wike Or Be Doomed; Accuses Party Leadership Of Fueling Crisis

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has told the Peoples Democratic Party’s, Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the PDP Leadership to resolve its rift with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike if the Party wants to be a major contender at the 2023 General Election.

Ortom said that the crisis within the Party has escalated because of the failure of the Party leadership to deploy its internal mechanism to resolve the crisis rocking the party.

The former All Progressives Congress, APC, Chieftain stressed that Atiku and other Chieftains of the Party need to resolve the crisis and placate Wike ahead of the campaign season.

Ortom stated this during the Party’s Stakeholders meeting held at the Government House, Makurdi, on Monday.

The Governor insisted that the National Leadership of the party should address the injustices meted out to Wike and other members of the party.

Cautioning the party leadership, Ortom said that attempting to ignore Wike or any of his allies may spell doom for the party.

He said, “If you dismiss us that you don’t need us, I believe that will be dangerous. I want the party to address the injustices so that as we move into the election, we will work together and we will have no crisis.”

He added, “There is an injustice that has been meted to my friend, Wike because he stood for the party and supported it to the end.

“The leadership of the party should do the needful to resolve the problem and not shove people around as though they are not relevant. Everyone is relevant and one vote can make you fail in an election.

“So, the leadership at the national level should do more; politics is about interest and what is the interest of our state and our people? What do I tell my people in Benue?

 “The leadership of the party was not able to deploy its internal conflict resolution management skills in solving the problems that arose and then, it has continued. To me, it is better for us to work together and deliver this party.’’

Ortom, while making this assertions about the caucus meeting said that the stakeholders’ meeting was to discuss the formation of the campaign council in the state.

 The governor said the APC has been de-marketed in the state, adding that the PDP is poised to win all elective positions in the forthcoming elections.

Ekiti University Pensioners Lament Over Unpaid N1.5 Billion Gratuity, Pension

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ekiti State University to resume May 24

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Universities Pensioners Association, (NUPA) Ekiti State University, (EKSU) chapter, has disclosed that the management of the institution is owing members about N1.5 billion unpaid gratuities.

They explained that unpaid gratuities span 15 years, while monthly pension has not been paid for five months.

The pensioners expressed concern over the non payment of their benefits by management of the institution and appealed to the state government to prevail on the management of the institution to attend to their needs so that they could heave a sigh of relief.

The pensioners, who spoke through their Chairman, Chief Samuel Akinwale in Ado Ekiti noted  that many of their members  were either dead or chronically ill because their dues were not paid and have no money to take care of their health challenges.

“We are calling on Ekiti State government to  intervene in this matter by bailing out the University through a special fund which may likely save our people from going to their early graves.

“Pensioners are not on strike but in retirement and should not be made to bear undue  punishment because a particular Union in the University is on strike.

The EKSU retirees appealed to the State government to  resolve with the striking lecturers in the institution to call off the strike and as well increase funding of EKSU particularly the monthly subvention.

Academic Staff Union, (ASUU) of the university, owned by Ekiti state government joined the nationwide strike called by leadership of the union.

Since the inception of Dr Kayode Fayemi’s administration, subvention to the university has been drastically reduced, while some workers laid off challenged their sack and reinstated on the orders of the National Industrial Court.

The state Governor elect, Mr Biodun Oyebanji is among pensioners of EKSU as he once worked there.

PDP Crisis: Fayose Says He Will Work For Atiku, PDP, But Remain In Governor Wike’s Camp

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has pledged his loyalty and allegiance to the camp of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers in the current Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, crisis.

Fayose said this in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital, at a PDP stakeholders’ meeting. He openly said he still remains in Wike’s Camp, and asked PDP members in the State  to work together as a team for the success of the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, National Assembly; and State House of Assembly candidates in the 2023 general elections could not be overemphasised.

 Fayose said that there was need for the PDP to resolve its crisis and allow peace to reign.

He said, “Therefore, I am appealing to those who are angry to stop being angry. Those who are fighting should stop fighting. Let us face the 2023 elections together and win first. After that, we can resume the fight.

“A lot has been said, but as I have said many times, let me state it here expressly again that I will never join the All Progressives Congress for whatever reason.

“In all the issues we are having as a party, no one has said that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is not our presidential candidate. No one has said too that Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is not our party’s vice presidential candidate.

“Also, we have Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates here. Among them is my biological son, Joju, and others who are my political sons and daughters. My interest is that all these candidates should win elections,” Fayose said.

Peter Obi: Fuel Subsidy Is An Organized Crime Against The Masses; Corruption Responsible For Failing Economy

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Peter Obi

By Akinwale Kasali

Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has lamented that the Nation ’s economy continues to fail and dwindle due to the fiscal recklessness, inability to tackle insecurity and corruption by the All Progressives Congress, APC, led President Muhammadu Buhari Government.

He added that domestic problems, caused by leadership failure, have damaged the unity and cohesiveness of the country and  plunged the nation to this deplorable State.

Obi spoke  at the Private Sector Economic Forum organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday. He, also, stated that the successor of the President Buhari administration in 2023 would be confronted with an array of daunting challenges, both domestic and external.

The 2019 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stressed that the Nation was not bereft of transformative ideas from brilliant minds, but noted that institutional weakness and lack of political will led to poor outcomes that have affected the people.

According to him: “Given our history, politics and governance challenges, moving Nigeria forward would require concerted efforts and a shift from coercive to consensus approach.

“The government that will come in 2023 will be confronted by an array of daunting challenges, both domestic and external

The domestic ones have accumulated over the years, and because of leadership failure, have not been dealt with, and these have impacted heavily on our unity, social cohesion as well as the economic outcome. It has affected us negatively.

“Our country today is bad news. We now have the concentration of the highest number of people living in poverty, the highest number of out of school children, and the highest rate of unemployment.”

He said that “leap-frogging Nigeria from oil dependence to industrial revolution, improving human capital development, and formulating good foreign policy must be brought to the front burner in order to revive the nation’s ailing economy crisis”.

These Terrorists Are Still With Us; Don’t Celebrate Yet – CAN Warns Federal Government

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has told the Federal Republic to stop celebrating victory over terrorism in the country.

The association flayed the kidnapping of 43 worshippers at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in a Kaduna community, saying that despite the victory songs by Security Agencies in recent times, attacks by terrorists in communities have continued.

“The victory songs should be lowered down until the fight and the battle are completely won. We don’t need to sing songs of victory because these criminals are on the move and are still having their way.”

Vice President of CAN in the North, Rev Joseph Hayab, while reacting to the incident stated that “57 people or 43 people are not just 3 people, they are a whole community.

“We feel sad about it.We condemn this in totally and we appeal and call on the government to urgently do something and ensure that things like this don’t continue to happen because the more things like this happen it creates fear in the mind of people.

“It creates confusion and makes people to continue to doubt any other story they are going to hear.The assurance that all is well is been questioned now.”

Rev. Hayab, who is also Chairman of the apex Christian organisation in Kaduna State, pointed out that security agents should go after these criminals until these worshippers are rescued and returned to their homes.

“We also appeal to people in Church that it’s not enough for us to think that all is well now and go into our church without taking measures.

“The kidnap of worshippers who went to participate at the All Night Worship of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Kurmin Juwa of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State; Kurmin Juwa is a community just behind the market at Kasuwan Magani, came to us as, shock and disappointing.

“At a time we are thinking that progress is being made, we are back to this sad story.

“Because on that fateful night; it was a Wednesday, these bandits took away 57 people .Some escaped on the road and as I speak to you now, 43 are still with the bandits and they are demanding a huge sum of N200 million.

“That’s to tell you that on the side of us and security, we are also to be careful. Let’s not jump and be making statements too early, jump and celebrating victory too early.

“Let’s continue doing the best we can do in carrying out this war until victory is assured because the enemies of the people and the enemies of the state are still strategizing to cause pains.

“As a church we pledged to continue to give the support we know how to give in telling what we know so that it helps the security agencies in addressing this matter.

“But I think we should use more discretion in handling this matter, the way things are at this moment.

“I’m appealing to all Christians especially in Kaduna State and in many parts of the North where these criminality is still going on, that if we must go to church, if hundred people are in church; there should be 30 people outside who are watching.

“There should be 10 people outside who are watching, it could be alternating hours or time for these people who are watching than just go in as if all is well and we have ourselves lamenting on what we could easily help.

“Don’t think if you’re outside you’re not part of the worship, the one who sits outside and those inside receive the same blessings.”

Queen Elizabeth: LAHA Advocates More Respect, Honour For Traditional Rulers

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
queen-elizabeth-ii-

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the glamour, glitz, honour and respect bestowed on late Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom during and after her passing, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Government of Nigeria to improve the honour given to First Class and prominent Traditional Rulers before and after their death.

This motion followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by the lawmaker representing Mushin Constituency 2, Hon. Olawale Abdulsobur Olayiwola, during plenary on Monday.

Referring to the celebration that accompanied the burial ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II of England, Hon. Olayiwola observed that Traditional Rulers in Nigeria are never given adequate honour and recognition before and after their death.

In his comment, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa emphasised that while it might not be easy to honour all the Traditional Rulers in the State, First Class Royal Fathers should be celebrated.

The Speaker said that he shared the idea of celebrating those who make up the Traditional Institution adding: “We should learn how to elevate our own. If foreigners are coming to celebrate us through their documentaries, we should think deeply about celebrating ourselves too.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs should fashion out how best our Obas should be celebrated.

“Occupiers of recognised Thrones that have been in existence for many years should be celebrated,” he said.

Earlier in his argument, Olayiwola had said: “Queen Elizabeth II left after over 70 years on the Throne and the burial was attended by a delegation from Nigeria led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

“But here in Nigeria, we don’t celebrate our traditional rulers in death. An example was when the former Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, joined his ancestors recently. He was not celebrated as he should,” he lamented.

Olayiwola, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Community Affairs, called on the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs to celebrate the Traditional Rulers in the State while they are alive and during their demise.

This was accepted by all the Lawmakers at plenary.

Market Closure: Labour Party Accuses Sanwo Olu Of Shutting Oyingbo, Ladipo Markets Because Of Igbo

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Ladipo Market

By Akinwale Kasali

The closure of Ladipo and Oyingbo Markets by the Lagos State Government has led to brickbats between the All Progressives Congress, APC, Government of the State and opposition Party, Labour Party, LP.

LP, is alleging that the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, deliberaty closed down the markets because of the Igbo who mostly own shops and stalls in them.

Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, LP, Arabambi Abayomi,  accused the APC of being “intolerant and highly crude government”.

He added that “being completely dictatorial, Hitlerite and recklessly very undemocratic is what is now being known” of the Government.

The statement reads partly:

“Closing Ladipo and Oyingbo markets in Lagos indefinitely , two predominantly major centers of Igbos businesses with a view to ruin their businesses because they are confessed and very unrepentant loyal supporters of LP in Lagos is intolerant, callous, insensitive, repressive, a direct discriminatory and oppressive act by the Lagos APC Government.

“Of course, Lagos is not unaware that her own Citizens also work and live in other States in the Country. Must Lagos Government be this given to evil against fellow Nigerians?

“The Constitution of Nigeria guarantees every citizen the freedom to live and work in any part of the country.

“It is a Constitutional duty binding on the Lagos Government to guarantee all Citizens the fundamental human rights. But again, revolutions, social insecurity and people’s rebellion are born by oppressive and wicked Governance“, the statement reads.

Abayomi had earlier said that the APC Government in Lagos State knows that the two markets are dominated by Igbo, prompting the closure to further make them succumb and do the biding of the APC Government as campaign and election draw closer.

Last week, the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, through its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ibrahim Odunmboni had announced that Oyingbo and Ladipo Markets will be shut down due to the indiscriminate dumping of refuse by traders in the market.

The call for the closure of the narket was assented to by Governor Sanwo Olu which has now degenerated into a political war between the LP and the APC.

Prudential Zenith Life Insurance Records N1.13bn PAT

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

Prudential Zenith Life Insurance Limited, PZL has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31st December 2021, recording a 75% growth in profit after tax, PAT of ₦1.13 billion compared to the ₦646 million recorded in the corresponding period in 2020.

The results, which were approved by the Board of Directors of Prudential Zenith and the insurance industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, show that Gross Written Premium, GWP, and Annualized Premium Equivalent, APE grew year on year by 16.3% and 9.3 percent respectively. This was primarily driven by a 27 percent growth in new business acquisition for Group Life written during the period.

Investment income grew by 30 percent year-on-year due to a significant increase in the interest-generating assets of the company, and commission income also increased by 43 percent during the period.

The financial performance is a testament to the continued focus on investments, as the company remains committed to building a strong market-leading position in Nigeria by enhancing its capabilities, strengthening its digitally enabled multi-channel distribution network, and broadening the range of products and services that are available to customers in order to meet their needs.

Despite the challenges experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Prudential Zenith was able to achieve this strong growth in 2021 and is poised to continue improving its performance in the upcoming financial years. Prudential Zenith will continue to develop and launch unique products to meet customers’ needs, leveraging technology and its core corporate governance structure to deliver faster claims settlement. The company will also continue to prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of customers, who subscribe to its unique insurance product offerings.

Prudential Zenith Life Insurance Ltd, PZL is a subsidiary of Prudential Plc., established in 2017 when Prudential Plc acquired a 51 percent holding in Zenith Life Insurance. PZL is one of the most capitalized companies in the Nigerian insurance industry with a wide range of individual products including savings & investments-linked products, endowment, and protection products designed to meet the needs of individuals and their families.  For corporate clients, the company’s product offerings include Group Life, Key-Man Assurance, Credit Life, School Fees Protection, and Mortgage Protection, ensuring that the welfare of clients’ staff and families are met.

Prudential Plc provides life and health insurance, and asset management in Africa and Asia, helping people get the most out of life by making healthcare affordable and accessible and by promoting financial inclusion. Prudential protects people’s wealth, helps them grow their assets, and empowers them to save for their goals. It has more than 19 million life customers and is listed on stock exchanges in London (PRU), Hong Kong (2378), Singapore (K6S), and New York (PUK).

Prudential Plc has insurance operations in eight countries in Africa: Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Togo Uganda, and Zambia.  With over 1 million customers, Prudential Africa works with over 11,000 agents and six exclusive bank partnerships, with access to over 600 branches to bring value-added insurance solutions to its customers.

Women Rights:Teacher Jailed For Fondling Student’s Breast

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

A secondary school teacher in Lagos has been sentenced to to seven years imprisonment by the Ikeja Special Offences Court, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN said in a report.

Sexual assault is a grave offense in the state which recently toughens its laws to prevent women and child abuse.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo sentenced one Idowu Daniel after he was found guilty of fondling the breast of a 16-year-old student in his school.

The judge refused to accept the plea of the convict that he has turned a new leaf, asking that the court tempers justice with mercy.

The court however failed to convict Daniel of the allegation of sexual abuse leveled against him by the prosecutors on the basis that the state failed to prove, even though the judge noted that the convict made a confessional statement that he actually sexually assaulted the minor.

He did not achieve penetration, the judge said, adding however that it was wrong for Daniel to touch the teenager in a suggestive manner.

According to Taiwo, “The defendant admitted to have fondled the breast of the victim twice and tried to have sex with her but could not penetrate as she was a virgin.

“The defendant is hereby convicted on the charge of sexual assault of a child”, Justice Taiwo ruled yesterday. You are a teacher and you were touching the breast of your student. You would have gone for life if the victim had come to court to testify.”

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