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Amechi is Dead; Buhari’s Promise To Him Unfulfilled

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Mbazulike Amechi

By Adesina Soyooye

Chief Mbazulike Amaechi is dead. According to a release by his family, he died Tuesday morning, 1st November, 2022.

Accomplished in all spheres of life, including the gift of old age, Amechi, who was Nigeria’s first Aviation Minister, died with one of his greatest desires unfulfilled.

In his last months on Earth, he worked assiduously for the release, from custody, of the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

In his desire for that, in a rare action by a man his age, he led a delegation of a few prominent Igbo men to State House, Abuja, to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari for Kanu’s release.

In a passionate appeal, he asked the President to release Kanu to him as a favour before his (Amaechi’s) death. He promised to rein Kanu in if done the favour.

Even though Buhari promised to consider the request, difficult as he said it was, he never fulfilled the promise to the old man. Instead, the Buhari-led Federal Government has tightened its hold on Kanu, Court judgements for his release notwithstanding.

Amaechi who was in his 90s was a foremost Zikist, and until his death, the only surviving one.

A statement released Tuesday morning by his family, signed by Ezeana Tagbo Amechi, confirmed he died in the early hours of Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

The statement reads: “With total deference to the will of the Almighty God, the Ume Amechi, Ezeana Ihinede families and the Umu Mmara kindred of Amihe Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State announce the peaceful transition of our illustrious son, father and grandfather, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor), Nationalist and First Republic Minister of Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who transitioned peacefully in the early hours of today November 1, 2022.

“We thank God for the fulfilled life that he lived, the lives that he touched and his service to God and Country. We respectfully ask that you keep us in your prayers”

He hailed from Amihe village in Ukpor, Nnewi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Yoruba Group Applauds Pa Fasoranti’s Stand On Tinubu

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Reuben Fasoranti

By Ayodele Oni

Despite mixed reactions from prominent leaders, the Yoruba Ronu, a group within the South-west, said the reception of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) Bola Tinubu by Pa Reuben Fasoranti, former leader of the Afenifere, “has proven beyond doubt that the interest and the unity of purpose of the Yorubas comes first before any other thing.”

The Yoruba social political cultural group, Yoruba Ronu lauded Fasoranti for his dogged determination to see to the unity of the Yoruba race and the actualisation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency in 2023.

Chairman of the group, Prince Diran Iyantan, while reacting to the reception, in a statement, in Akure, Ondo state,  noted that “Baba believes we are Yorubas before we are Nigerians.

“Therefore, the aspirations and wishes of the people of the Yoruba race should take preeminence at all times. That is what he has demonstrated by endorsing the candidacy of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the coming presidential election.

The statement, signed by Steve Otaloro, director of communications of the group, added that “This singular action of the leadership of the Afenifere group has deepened the sense of the average Yoruba man on the unity of the Yoruba race.

“Pa Fasoranti’s action has renewed our hope in the existence of the common interest of the Yorubas for a better tomorrow for the Yorubas and for all Nigerians.

“What our nation needs at the moment is someone who can build a team that will work wonders in the country. One of the criteria for this is to secure a president that when he does other things, the team can carry on with its assignment without much supervision.

“The only man who fits such description amongst the present contestants is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has a record of identifying the appropriate men and women to build such a great team as mentioned.

“We believe in his capacity to unite our nation and bring about rapid development.

“Indeed, we, at Yoruba Ronu, also project the view that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is best placed to win the presidential election.

“This was the reason we are the first group to declare our support for him immediately he declared his intention to run for the presidency.

“The request of Afenifere leaders on restructuring was well noted as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu presented his manifesto to Afenifere leader, Pa Ruben Fasoranti. We see restructuring and devolution of powers as gateway solutions to so many problems.

“However, this can only be done in partnership with the North. Obviously, the North has the majority in population and that weighs in to the balance of victory in the forthcoming election.

“The Northerners would only yield ground to a man they can trust, who can make it come to pass the better tomorrow as projected.

“This is why amongst the trio of TInubu, Atiku and Obi; only Tinubu has the gut, has earned the trust of the North, and is in the position to act the desired role to achieve the great country that Nigerians crave.

“What should gladden the mind of the Afeniferes and the Yorubas in general is the RENEWED HOPE Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represent.

“This is the first time someone who was an apostle of June 12 and who fought for this democracy has a chance to lead the democracy he fought for.

“Where were these so called ‘frontline candidates’ during the struggle for democracy? One thing that is certain is that they will all contest this election, lose and congratulate Tinubu on his victory at the end of the day.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has built a lasting goodwill. He has acquired good friends. He has built bridges across the length and breath of the entire country to secure him victory come February 2023.”

Davido, Chioma In Ibadan When Son, Ifeanyi, Drowned; Governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke, Weeps; Emotion Runs High

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ademola Adeleke Weeping

By Akinwale Kasali

Renowned Music Star, David Adeleke and his fiancé, Chioma Rowland have lost their lovely son, Ifeanyi.

Ifeanyi, three years, drowned Monday evening in the swimming pool at his father’s Banana Island, Lagos, residence.

His parents were said to be away to Ibadan and left him in the care of his nanny when the tragedy happened.

Nobody can quite explain where the nanny was when the little boy wandered away and fell into the swimming pool.There were also other people in the house with the little boy. But he was said to have been under water unnoticed for a long time.

Davido
Davido and his Son, Ifeanyi

By the time he was taken to the hospital – Lagoon – it was late. He was confirmed dead.

Ifeanyi was their only child, and was named after Davido’s uncle, the Governor-elect of Osun State, Senator Ademola Ifeanyi Nurudeen Adeleke.

A family source who spoke to this medium said both the music star and Chioma are inconsolable in their grief while the Governor-elect is weeping like a baby.

Davido’s father, Deji, is said to be numb in his grief at the loss of his grandson.

Confirming the death of his son, Davido posted a black photo on his Instagram account and captioned it: “Trying Times. But my God is Always and Forever Faithful”

The death of Davido’s son comes a few years after the one year old son of Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, another Nigerian music superstar, popular as D’banj, and his wife, Lineo Didi, died under the same circumstances in their home in 2018.

This medium also gathered that Ifeanyi is likely to be buried in Lagos on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Ifeanyi turned three years on October 20, 2022.

Wike: Rivers Yet To Decide Which Presidential Candidate To Vote For

By
The Source
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Nyesom Wike

By Charles Igbo

Even though he is of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Monday, said he was not sure yet which Presidential candidate the State would vote for.

Wike has been at loggerheads with both the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar  who defeated Wike at the Presidential Primary, and followed up by picking the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as running mate, instead of the highly expectant Wike, and the National  Chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu. Wike holds Ayu responsible for his defeat, and along with members of his team, which includes four State Governors, want Ayu out of office in favour of a Southerner. They argue that both the National Chairman and the Presidential Candidate, cannot come from the same zone.

Since then, Wike and his team have distanced themselves from the activities of the Party, and have been in public romance with both the Presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, and thar of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi.

Speaking on Monday, Wike insisted that Rivers State has not made up its mind which Presidential candidate to vote for.

However, he said that all the PDP candidates from the State – National Assembly. Governorship, State Assembly – would win.

Wike: “PDP will win our State. I am not hiding it as far as the Governorship,  Senate, House of Representatives, State Assembly are concerned. The other one (Presidency), we are yet to decide.”

On a number of times, Wike had more than hinted Atiku is not likely to win in Rivers State, and so have the Governors of Benue and Oyo States, Samuel Ortom and Seyi Makinde respectively.

On Sunday when  Tinubu met with some Yoruba political stakeholders in Akure, Ondo State, at the house of elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Makinde, represented by his Deputy, Bayo Lawal, said he would flow with the decision by the Yoruba. Those at the meeting endorsed Tinubu.

Drowning Of Son: Music Star, Davido Speaks, Describes Time As Trying

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Davido

By Akinwale Kasali

A mourning and devastated Music Star, David Adeleke, popular as Davido, has described the loss of his son, Ifeanyi, as Trying Times

Ifeanyi, three years, Davido and partner Chioma’s son, drowned Monday evening in the swimming pool at his father’s Banana Island, Lagos, residence.

His parents were away to Ibadan when the tragic incident happened. Ifeanyi, who turned three years on October 20, 2022, was left in the hands of his nanny. There were, also, other people in the house at the time. It is not known yet where all them were when the little boy wandered into the swimming pool.

Reacting to his son’s sudden, tragic, death, the Music Star posted a black photograph on his Instagram page, and wrote: “Trying Times. But my God is Always and Forever Faithful.”

The three year old, named after his Uncle, the Governor-elect of Osun State, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Ifeanyi Adeleke, was inside water for a long time. By the time he was discovered in the pool, it was late. He was pronounced dead, on arrival, at the Lagoon Hospital.

He will be buried in Lagos on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

Prof. Akintoye Alleges Plot By Tinubu To Destroy The Ilana Omo Oodua Movement

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Dr Banji Akintoye

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been accused by Prof. Banji Akintoye, the leader of Yoruba Nation Self-Determination Struggle, of plotting to destroy the Ilana Omo Oodua Movement.

The elder statesman said that ever since he distanced himself from Tinubu and disclosed that Tinubu is on a selfish mission, after his personal interest and not the interest of the Yoruba.

Akintoye added that he has told members of the Movement to ignore all his agents within our system and be more focused on our struggle for freedom and liberation.

He said that he did not authorize a congress of the apex body of Yoruba Self-Determination struggle, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide being rumored to take place November 1st, 2022, (today) at Ibadan, Oyo State.

Akintoye,  while reacting to a statement issued by one Funmi Soyemi, the outgoing Chairman of Ilana Interim Management Committee of the organization that a World Congress of Ilana Omo Oodua will hold tomorrow in Ibadan. Akintoye said he never authorized such an event.

However, the Professor of History in a statement said that the people planning the congress are agents of Nigerian politicians within the struggle.

He alleged that the former Lagos State Governor is “currently recruiting some power-seeking individuals within the self-determination struggle to either discredit him or destroy the movement completely”.

The statement reads in parts:

“I am sending out this short message to all Yoruba People worldwide that I did not authorize any meeting of Ilana Omo Oodua to be held tomorrow at Ibadan, Oyo-State.

“Those behind the gathering are few people working for Nigerian politicians who are determined to discredit our noble struggle.

“I hereby dissociate myself from such a gathering and I want the whole world to know the meeting is illegal, unauthorized and unknown to Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide thus whatever resolutions reached at the meeting are null and void.

“The characters behind the rumored meeting are individuals who are more interested in holding offices and positions within the self-determination struggle than fighting to restore the stolen sovereignty of our people.

“More also, Bola Tinubu has threatened to destroy Ilana Omo Oodua and other serious self-determination organizations in Yoruba Land because we told him that he is merely after his personal interest and not the interest of the Yoruba people.

“Therefore, I urge you all to ignore all his agents within our system and be more focused on our struggle for freedom and liberation”.

The allegation by Akintoye against Tinubu is coming a couple of days after the leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, and several South West leaders endorsed the Tinubu ambition.

PDP Crisis: Abiye Sekibo Has No Capacity, Was Useless To Rivers As Minister – Wike

By
The Source
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Nyesom Wike

By Charles Igbo

A former Minister of Aviation, Dr Abiye Sekibo, has come under the acidic tongue of the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

The two former close political allies fell apart over Sekibo’s support for the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

Sekibo, a Medical Doctor-turned politician fell under Wike’s hammer after he, Sekibo, addressed a gathering in his house on Sunday, in his capacity as the  Director of Atiku’s supporters in Rivers State. That stung Wike who doesn’t want to hear anything about Atiku’s campaign in the State.

Governor Wike spoke on Monday during the inauguration of 319 Ward and 32 Constituency Liason Officers at the Government House, Porthacourt.

Wike dismissed Dr Sekibo as a self-seeking politician without capacity who was unable to attract anything to Rivers State as the Minister for Transportation.

Wike: “I watched a video when one Dr. Abiye Sekibo, while he was addressing people in his house on Sunday, said he is the Director of Atiku Supporters in Rivers. I have no problem about that. But he does not have the capacity to speak on behalf of Rivers State.

“In that video, he said that Rivers State has been having  a  close relationship with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that Rivers has always benefitted from Atiku Abubakar.

“I want to correct one impression. Dr Abiye Sekibo has  personal relationship with Alhaji Atiku (Abubakar), not Rivers State.

“Dr Abiye Sekibo was Minister of Transport when Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was the Vice President of Nigeria. Can you people mention one project in Okrika, I don’t even want to talk about Rivers State, in Ogu/Bolo, one project that he brought down to Rivers State? Is there anyone?

He described Dr Sekibo as one of those l never contented with the fortunes they have enjoyed in life, “otherwise, he should have been silent in the public sphere for his failure in leadership.”

Wike, comparing himself with Sekibo,  reeled out a number of projects and grants he attracted to Rivers State when he was a junior Minister  – Minister of State, Education – during the Government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Sekibo was one of those who aspired to succeed Wike in office. But the Governor, who, allegedly, paid for the expression of interest and nomination forms as he did for others, said a source, ditched him and his co-aspirants  by doing “the more you look, the less you see.”

Re: I Was RAPED, Threatened and Forced To Carry DRUGS By Peter Obi –  Chinenye Ezewuzie Confessed

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

By Valentine Obienyem

Ordinarily, my boss would not want any of us to waste time on the above subject – a piece of nonsense.  Indeed, it is not worth wasting time on, but for the fact that a few gullible ones among men and women of goodwill appear to be thinking there could not be smoke without fire.

How do we refute this nonsense?

The fact is that it has refuted itself. At the end, the writer signed off thus: “Culled from the Sun Newspapers.”

Anything published in the newspapers usually has a link. Where is the link to the Sun Newspapers that published it, so that people will visit it? No links at all, giving it out as a pure forgery.

Now, on the substance of the trash, let us start from the question of identity. The write up accused Mr. Peter Obi of using one 21-year-old Chinenye Ezenwuzie for drug trafficking in Peru. Miss Ezenwuzie is said to be from Agulu and worked in Next, Abuja.

A simple check will show that there is no name like Chinenye among the Ezenwuzies of Agulu.  It will also show that no such name ever worked in Next International. If you like, you may check by yourself, even though it does not worth it and is not recommended, otherwise the trash writer would secretly feel that he has got them at last or that some values have been placed in the nonsense he wrote.

The person that put up the write-up could have accused Mr. Peter Obi of what is believable as reading so much, always researching on the comparative place of Nigeria among other nations; he would have accused him of anything but not of womanizing.

All the years we have worked with Mr. Obi, he never, for one day, left office to any guest house other than his house.  He did not ever make any move suggestive of amorous dalliance.  Saying he raped the said woman is almost placing a seal of unbelievability in the entire write-up.

On drug trafficking in Peru. Even before he became Governor, Obi had visited most parts of the world, but not Peru. Till today, he has still not visited the country.

Meanwhile, how would a former Chairman and Director in many blue-chip companies and a former Governor, traffic by proxy on cocaine worth just £1.5 million? Is this not a plain insult?

Please kindly disregard the entire write-up as a product of a sickly mind.

Now is electioneering and it will benefit the parties to tell Nigerians what they will do if elected rather than sponsoring false write-ups such as this.

Obienyem, a Lawyer and accomplished Author, is a longtime Special Adviser to Peter Obi on Media

Lagos Anglican Archbishop, Olumakaiye, Dies At 53

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Most Reverend Humphrey Olumakaiye

By Adesina Soyooye

The Anglican Communion is in mourning. The Church has lost a young, vibrant, brilliant Priest of God.

The Archbishop of Lagos Ecclesiastical Province/the Bishop of Lagos Diocese, His Grace, The Most Reverend Humphrey Olumakaiye is dead.

His Grace died on Sunday at the age of 53 at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos. At the time of his death, he was surrounded by brother-Archbishops and Bishops who visited to pray with, and for him.

Family sources disclosed that the Archbishop had been in out the hospital in the past two years, and suffered from a yet-to-be disclosed illness.

A statement released by the  Diocese of Lagos, Anglican Communion, and co-signed by the Synod Secretary, The Venerable Segun Ladeinde and the Chancellor, the Honourable Justice Adedayo Oyebanji, to announce his death reads:

“With heavy hearts, but with the sure hope of the Resurrection, the Diocesan Board of the Diocese of Lagos, announce the sudden transition of the Bishop of the DIOCESE OF LAGOS, His Grace, The Most Revd. Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye, PhD, FICT who was called up to higher service in the evening  of Sunday, 30th October, 2022, at the age of 53 years.

“The Most Revd Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye, PhD, FICT, was enthroned as the Bishop of Lagos  on 30th July, 2018, and shortly after,  in November, 2021, presented as the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos.

“His Episcopal sojourn in the Diocese of Lagos, and subsequently, the Province, was characterised by phenomenal, physical and spiritual developments, for which all of us shall remain very proud.

“We shall keep you posted as detailed arrangements of the Funeral obsequious unfold and are made public.”

National Security Council Douses Tension, Assures Adequate Protection

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno, rtd, has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm, despite recent security alarm raised by foreign countries, including the US, UK and Canada.

The NSA, who said the situation is under control, described as false and irresponsible the perception of heightened insecurity in Abuja as painted by the UK and the US.

Monguno made the disclosure on Monday at a briefing after a Security Council Meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House.

He insisted that the alert was for American and British citizens and that the way it was released complicated the situation.

According to him, the alert was simply an unnecessary distraction and nothing untoward so far.

The NSA advised Nigerians to go about their daily activities without fear, saying that the security agencies are in control and that Nigeria as a country is safe.

In attendance at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd); Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor led the service chiefs including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao to the meeting.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to leave for London Monday for a medical check-up.

His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, announced this in a tweet on his verified personal handle earlier in the day.

He said the President will return to the country the second week of November.

The President had cancelled his planned inauguration of the new Technology and Innovation complex of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to preside over an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.

However, he travelled to Owerri, Imo State to flag off the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers before departure for Europe on Monday.

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