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PDP: “I Saw A Rapist From Rivers At Shekarau’s Homecoming” –  Wike; “It Is Sour Grapes”, PDP Sources

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The Source
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Wike and Shekarau Kano Meeting

By Charles Igbo

Monday, August 29, 2022, was a big day for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Its National Leadership, and high profile stakeholders, including Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate,  Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, National Chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin, and some State Governors were present.

It was a big do. Former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, who is fast acquiring the reputation of a political rolling stone, was, for the second time, returning to the PDP. Before now, Senator Shekarau had decamped from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC, then back  to the PDP,  then back to the APC, then to the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and, again, on Monday, back to the PDP.

Shekarau had joined another former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso in the NNPP after Kwankwaso inexplicably dumped the PDP for the second time. But they soon fell apart.

Shekarau said he and his supporters were not only short-changed by Kwankwaso, they were betrayed. He said none of the agreements he reached with Kwankwaso was kept. So, on Monday, he and thousands of his supporters officially dumped NNPP for the PDP.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who has been battling Atiku since the former Vice President defeated him at the Party’s Presidential Primary, then shunned him and picked Okowa as running mate was, nor surprisingly, absent. He and his Camp which includes three State Governors, have since after Okowa’s choice, given the PDP a wide berth. If anything, Wike has been engaged in what not a few people term anti-party activities. He has been, publicly, romancing Presidential candidates from other Parties, and making statements to provoke his Party, the PDP.

Even though Wike was not at the Monday event in Kano, it did not stop him from keeping an eye on the goings-on. He said he watched it on television. And he had something to say about it.

Wike did not comment on the number of Party big wigs who graced the occasion. He did not comment on the intimidating crowd which defied the heavy rain to grace it. He did not comment on Shekarau’s tough promise to deliver Kano State to Atiku. But he commented on something only a Wike will  comment on.

Wike said that while watching the television, he saw a rapist at the event. The rapist, he said, is from Rivers State, and so, Wike’s subject.

Wike neither mentioned the alleged rapist by name, or identified him, but political analysts said Wike meant to “pour cold water” on the otherwise, successful event.

Said Wike at an event in Porthacourt on Tuesday: “I was watching television yesterday (Monday), when they went to Kano to receive Shekarau. I saw one rapist from Rivers State sitting at the back where he went to join them to receive Shekarau. But I asked  him: how many people have you made to join your party in your State?

“You have gone to receive somebody somewhere, but you have not made efforts to receive other people to join your own party in your State. You like when food is ready, you’ll go and eat,  but for you to cook, no. It is where people have cooked that you go to eat the food but you won’t cook your own.

“As people who want the party to win, or who want their candidate to win the election, what role are you playing in your State to make sure your party wins the election?

“How many people have you been able to galvanise, mobilise them for them to leave their party to join your party? That  is to show you are committed, willing and ready to make your Party win an election.”

Many PDP loyalists have dismissed the Governor’s allegation as sour grapes,  and challenged him to name the rapist.

Bishop Oyekpen Of  The Anglican Communion Dies At 56

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Rt Rev Jolly Oyekpen

By Adesina Soyooye

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has lost one of its young, vibrant  Bishops.

His Lordship, the Rt Rev. Jolly Oyekpen passed on in the morning of Monday, August 29, at the age of 56.

Until his death, he was the Bishop of Akoko Edo Diocese.

His Lordship died after what  was described as a brief illness at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

A statement released by the Church, said the late Bishop was a great mobiliser of youths.

“With great sadness, but glory to the  God Almighty, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Announces the death of The Rt. Rev. Jolly Oyekpen, Bishop of Akoko Edo Diocese.

“He passed away peacefully  early this morning August 29, 2022 at the University of Benin, Edo State after he complained of brief illness. He was born 7th September, 1966.

“We offer sympathies and prayers to his family, to the Priests, and the faithful whose lives he touched throughout his years of Priestly and Episcopal Ministry.

“His approachable and youthful nature will be how Bishop Oyekpen will be remembered as he was the Bishop Coordinator to the Anglican Youth Fellowship of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion until 2021. He was elected Bishop in 2007 to pioneer the Diocese of Akoko-Edo.

Please, pray for the wife, family, friends, and the Diocese he left behind.”

Bishop Oyekpen was born in Iruekpen, Edo State and was educated at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

ASUU Strike: FG Set To Meet Vice Chancellors, Councils On September 6 Over Lingering Strike

By
Akinwale Kasali
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ASUU President and Ngige

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government is set to meet with Vice Chancellors and Pro- Chancellors of Federal and State Universities over the indefinite strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

The National Universities Commission, NUC, has convened the September 6th, 2022, meeting to address the lingering strike action that has crippled the nation’s educational system.

The meeting is scheduled for the NUC secretariat in Abuja, on the stipulated date.

This was conveyed in a letter written by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration, of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki and addressed to all Pro-chancellors, Chairmen of Councils, and Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities.

“As the Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of Councils and the Vice-Chancellors are quite aware, the industrial action by the Union has led to the closure of the institutions since February 2022.

“You are, also, aware that the non-teaching unions have suspended their industrial actions with effect from August 24, 2022, while a final decision is being awaited from ASUU.

“It has become necessary for the Governing Councils and the managements of the universities to be briefed on the decisions and actions taken by the Federal Government so far to allow a for a well-coordinated review of the situation including building consensus around succeeding actions.

“Consequently, I am to invite the Pro-Chancellors & Chairmen of Councils as well as Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities to a special interactive meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.”

LAWMA Reads Riot Act, Says No One Is Exempted From Paying Waste Bills

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ibrahim Odumboni - LAWMA MD

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has announced that no Lagosian, regardless of status, is exempted from paying Waste Bills, stressing that anyone found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.

Making this disclosure is the Managing Director/CEO of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ibrahim Odumboni, who Urged Lagos residents to support efforts of the Authority to rid the environment of filth, by paying their waste bills promptly.

He stressed that payment for waste services was very crucial to achieving the state’s vision of establishing a cleaner and livable environment, adding that no one was exempted from paying waste bills, regardless of occupation or societal status.

According to him, “We want to appeal to all residents in the state, to make it a duty to pay their waste bills. This is very important because the operations of service providers, rely heavily on people paying for waste services. As a matter of fact, nobody is exempted from this, including civil servants”.

“For the sake of emphasis, there is no section of the Civil Service Rule that exempts government workers from paying for services rendered by PSP operators. This applies to every other profession. We must take responsibility for the change we want to see in our environment. Anyone caught dumping indiscriminately under the guise of belonging to a particular profession, would be made to face the wrath of the law”, he said.

The LAWMA boss reiterated the Authority’s commitment to ensuring that every part of the metropolis was properly sanitised, adding that the agency had stepped up efforts to rid the environment of waste backlogs, through intensive morning and night operations.

He further stated, “We deploy thousands of sweepers, and waste collection trucks daily, across major routes in the city, as well as ensure that waste generated by tenements is taken care of, by PSP operators. We want to assure Lagosians that we will not relent on our efforts to make the environment cleaner and healthier for all”.

Odumboni said the Authority was also working with other sister agencies, such as Neighbourhood Watch and Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), to check waste migration, a situation where some residents move wastes generated at home in their vehicles, and dump while transiting to another point.

Speaking further, he called on the populace to embrace the culture of recycling and waste sorting from source, which apart from saving the environment from plastic pollution, had numerous economic benefits.

He admonished residents to always bag and containerise their waste, while waiting for the arrival of assigned PSP operators, adding that the practice of

waste containerisation would eventually help curb littering and indiscriminate refuse disposal around the city.

Make Welfare Of Women Priority Of Your Administration; Mrs Fayemi Charges Ekiti Gov-elect

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Female gender advocate and Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Bisi Fayemi has advised  the State Governor -elect, Mr Biodun Oyebanji to be gender sensitive by prioritizing protection and promotion of  women.

The Governor’s wife, who chaired the women’s wing of the governorship campaign, made the call in Ado Ekiti when the  Governor – elect, Mr Oyebanji and his Deputy , Chief Monisade Afuye, paid a thank you visit to the Ekiti APC Women Campaign Council for 2022 gubernatorial election.

Erelu Fayemi said women needed to be well positioned in the incoming administration in order to add value and make meaningful contributions urging him to also provide necessary support for the office of the first lady to enable the office function optimally .

The Director General of the campaign council, Mrs Oluremi Ajayi said the voting power of Ekiti women contributed in no small measure to the success of the election, promising that the incoming administration will be given maximum support by the women .

In a remark,  Ekiti APC State chairman, Paul Omotoso appreciated the mobilisation strategies  put in place by the women campaign council during the electioneering campaign.

“We are here to register our appreciation  to the efforts of the Governor’s wife and Chairperson of the women campaign council, Erelu Bisi Fayemi during the last Governorship election in the state.

“For any state to progress, there is the need for continuity of the party in power. Lagos is where it is, because of continuity in governance.”

Mr Omotoso explained that people of the state would soon realize that they have voted right by the time  development of the state is given accelerated attention.

Responding, the  Governor- elect, thanked the wife of the Governor and members of the women campaign council for their efforts and genuine love which resulted to victory at the polls .

He however pleaded with the women not to engage in politics of bitterness capable of demeaning their fellow women within the party so as not to cause division.

Mr Oyebanji promised to build on the legacy of the outgoing government and consolidate on the good works of Dr. John Kayode Fayemi  to propel more successes for the state in all ramifications.

NNPC Announces Deadline For Importation Of Petroleum Products

By
Ayodele Oni
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Buhari Unveils New NNPC

By Ayodele Oni

There is a deadline when Nigeria will stop any form of fuel importation into the country and this is official.

This is because the total output from the recently unbundled Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), and some privately owned refineries will be sufficient for the country.

The NNPC Ltd said on Tuesday that the importation of petroleum products into the country will be stopped by mid-2023.

NNPC was recently unbundled by the Federal Government, divesting government hold on the company.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd,  Mele Kyari, disclosed this at the State House Ministerial Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team.

According to him, the combined output of Nigeria’s refineries being revamped and Dangote refinery would be enough to stop importation.

“Even if all the refineries are working today, you will still have a net deficit of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to import into this country.

“This is what it means, because our population has grown; demand has grown; the middle class has grown.  I am sure everybody here owns one or two cars; and as such, the volume of petroleum products we require in this country has grown exponentially.”

Kyari explained that this was as a result of a clearly exponential growth in our need for Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS).

“So, even if they all come, we are going to stop importation of petroleum products, but happily also, NNPC Ltd owns 20 per cent equity in the Dangote Refinery and we are very proud of this.”

Kyari statex further that aside from owning 20 per cent equity in Dangote Refinery, NNPC Ltd had the right of first refusal to supply crude oil to that plant.

“But, we saw this energy transition challenge coming; we knew that time will come when you will look for people who will buy your crude oil, you will not find.

“And that means we have locked down the ability to sell crude oil for 33,000 barrels minimum by right for the next 20 years. By right also, we have access to 20 per cent of the production from that plant.”

He expressed optimism that Dangote Refinery would become operational by the middle of 2023.

The refinery, he added, has a production capacity of 650, 000 barrels per day, with a different technology.

“Which means that, it can crack the crude in a manner that you can have more gasoline than a typical refinery; that means the refinery has the ability to produce up to 50 million litres of PMS.

“So, the combination of that and our own ability to bring back our refinery will completely eliminate any importation of petroleum products into this country.

“This is very practical; this is possible; as a matter of fact, what we have done with our own refineries and the Dangote Refinery with many other small initiatives we have put in place—small, modular, condensate refineries that we are building.

“If that happens, we are very optimistic it will happen; you will see that this country will now be a net exporter.’’

Two AIT Journalists Arrested  On Governor Inuwa’s Order

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Two Journalists of the African Independent Television, AIT, Chike Udenkwo and Joseph Atabo have been arrested, allegedly, on the orders of Gombe State Governor  Muhammad Yahaya Inuwa according to the Management of the Television Station.

The Journalists were  arrested according to AIT, following their attempt to film and cover of the demolition of the campaign office of Gombe Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Muhammad Barde which is adjacent to the Presidential lodge.

Udenkwo was said to be beaten by irate youths suspected to be ‘Kalare’ thugs before his identity was disclosed by some of his colleagues at the scene.

The Kalare thugs were sighted brandishing dangerous weapons around Liberty Junction, while heavily armed Special Weapon Armed Tactics officers seen cordoning off the two areas from the Government House and into the Government Reserved Area.

The Two Journalists were said to be at the Pantami Police Station as at the filing of this report and were said not to be granted bail until Governor Inuwa gives such order.

Earlier, officials of the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority had invited journalists for a briefing at about 10:30 am, the same time set for them to embark on the demolition of some structures within the Gombe metropolis especially that of Barde, which had become subject of litigation.

However, the officials on the demolition exercise were repelled by another set of police team, allegedly six Special Protection Unit provided by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, upon request of the PDP candidate.

When contacted about the arrest of journalists, the Commissioner of Police, Ishola Babaita, said he was aware, adding that he would revert shortly.

As of the time of filing this report, men of the GOSUPDA were yet to succeed with the demolition as the SPU officials guarding Barde’s property allegedly threatened to shoot at them if they proceeded, following the tear gas fired by the SWAT officers.

Speaking, a resident, Abdullahi Hussaini, warned politicians to tow the path of peace, stressing that violence would not augur well for anyone.

He said, “Politicians should come to the table and understand where the gap is coming from. Politics is not a do or die affair. I want to call on youths to stay off political thuggery and allow peace reign they should be engaged where necessary.”

Delta: Newly Recruited Teachers Get Condition

By
Ayodele Oni
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Newly Recruited Teachers in Delta State

By Ayodele Oni

After almost a year of waiting, newly Recruited Teachers in Delta state have been issued employment letters, with a warning that they should not lobby or reject their posting.

The state Government warned the newly employed teachers for the state’s technical colleges that any attempt by them to reject posting will lead to forfeiture of the offer.

The Commissioner for Technical Education, Mrs Shola Daibo, said this on Tuesday while handing out the employment letters to the recently recruited teachers for the three new technical colleges in Effurun, Asaba and Obiaruku.

She urged the teachers to be committed and be dedicated to their jobs, and avoid engaging in side hustling during official hours.

She said, “Over 28,000 persons applied for the job, out of which about 8,000 shortlisted for written and oral interviews and practicals.

“It was strictly on merit, we did not conduct the exam, and the governor said he wanted to get the best, therefore, we had two consultants to conduct the employment process.

“That was why the employment was delayed till now. It was really tedious because it took us almost a year to get here. They did exam, aptitude test, we did oral and practicals.”

Daibo added that the new employees would be trained by experts, particularly, from the state-owned polytechnic in Ogwashi-Uku.

“Graduates from the technical colleges will be self-reliant, thereby reducing unemployment and poverty,” he said.

NBA Akure Branch, Set To Empower Members; Inaugurates New Exco Members

By
Ayodele Oni
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Banjo Ayenakin - Akure NBA Chairman

By Ayodele Oni

Barrister ‘Banjo Ayenakin has taken oath of office as Chairman, Akure branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at an elaborate event held at the NBA House.

Others inaugurated alongside with him include Chukwumezie Obiaghanwa as Vice Chairman, Olumide Ogidan  as Secretary General, Benjamin Obilor as Asst. Secretary,  and Alhaja K. A. Gbadamosi as Treasurer.

Others are Olutoye Adeyanju as Welfare Secretary, Yakubu Lineker as Social Secretary, Kemisola Obafemi as Financial Secretary and Subair Abiodun as Publicity Secretary.

In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Ayenakin said his administration will hit the ground running in line with his election mantra.

Ayenakin who said the event is remarkable in the history of Akure NBA as there had not been any formal ceremony of such in years, used the opportunity to reel out some of things to expect.

These he said, include the opportunity for members to approach the secretariat for referrals to obtain loans to the tune of N10million under the promised Assets Financing Scheme and the constitution of Sunshine Bar Law Academy to be managed by seasoned advocates.

While also expressing the readiness of his administration to embark on rehabilitation of all dilapidated tables and chairs in Akure High Court and Magistrate Court,  Ayenakin announced the constitution of Young Lawyers Forum as a veritable platform to mentor young practitioners to attain their peak.

In his charge to members, the new chairman stressed the need to continue to practice within the ethics of the profession just as he called for support to achieve the desired goals.

In his inaugural lecture, Prof. Oke Samuel while speaking on ‘Mentoring and Legal Profession’ identified visible gap between the legal professional and the society stressing the need for training and retraining.

While exploring the concept of mentorship, Prof. Samuel stressed the need to have mentors so as to be properly groomed to practice effectively and efficiently.

The event also featured a presentation of account of two years stewardship by the outgoing administration led by Rotimi Olorunfemi.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Senator Anthony Adeniyi, while applauding the outgoing administration charged members to support the new state executive to achieve set goals.

He also used the opportunity to express confidence in the ability of the new state executives to deliver saying the expectation is very high.

Delta Airline Suspends Flights To Lagos

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

American carrier, Delta Airline, has suspended its direct flights from JFK International Airport, New York, to Lagos.

In a statement dated August 30, 2022, the Airline said the suspension takes effect from October 4, 2022.

It said the suspension of the route is to fit into what it termed “the current demand  environment.”

The statement reads in part:  “Delta is suspending its non-stop service between  New York-JFK and Lagos to fit the current demand environment.”

A number of foreign airlines are threatening to either suspend their flights to Nigeria or cut down the number of flights it operates to Nigeria due to their inability to repatriate their dollars back to their home countries.

Already Emirates Airlines has suspended its flights to Nigeria.

However, a couple of days ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria approved the release of over $260 million Dollars to the Airlines.

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