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Insecurity: Gov Akeredolu Tasks Ebira Community In Ondo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has dragged leaders of Ebira community in the state before security chiefs to explain their role in recent security breaches in the state.

The meeting, which held on Saturday followed revelation by some victims of kidnappings that negotiation for ransome and their subsequent released took place at some settlements belonging to Ebiras.

The Ebiras, a tribe in Kogi state, are predominantly farmers and scatter in virtually all towns in the state.

The Governor warned at the meeting that the Ebiras living in the State should flush out criminals among them urging them to join hands with the government in ridding the State of crime.

Governor Akeredolu, who stressed that the Ebira people have lived together with the indigenes of the State for too long, charged them not to deviate from the farming trade.

They were led by the Odeyani Anabira, Zubair Dan Musa and Alhaji Chief Abdulazeez Majeobaje Akure, State Chairman of Egbira.

The Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 17, Mr. Yusuf  Mohammed Akeera; Heads of Security Agencies; members of the State Executive Council; and Chairmen of the six Local Government Councils in the Northern Senatorial districts of the State were in attendance.

Addressing reporters shortly after the closed door meeting, Governor Akeredolu informed that the meeting was summoned in the light of the recent development of the June 5 attack in Owo and other kidnapping cases in the State.

He disclosed that the leaders of the Ebira Community have been urged to rid themselves of criminals and deal with the situation the best way, so as to protect their name and integrity in the State.

“We summoned this meeting with our brothers. They are not new here but because of the recent developments that have to do with the Owo massacre and kidnappings, we have to call ourselves.

“I can assure you all that we have had very frank discussion with ourselves and their leader of the in Ondo State spoke on behalf of Ebiras and few other persons.

“It is clear that the message from us to them is well understood and we have assurance from the Ebiras who are living in Ondo State that they would corporate with the security agencies and that the incident in Owo was something that they themselves felt very bad about.

“I also have received a letter from Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, that is the leader of Ebira in the World, commiserating again and expressing his own embarrassment on what happened.

“So, we leave here today with the belief that our brothers, Ebira that are here, would at the least work to ensure that there is security in Ondo State and in doing that, we have charged them to discus with all their people.

“They have assured us they would do that and we want to call on our people that at least, let us continue with our brotherliness and maintain the good relationship we have had with them in the past.

“We believe that it is not those who are residing here that came to perpetrate this crime. That is what they have said and we should give them another chance.

“Let us live together in peace and I hope and pray that the Ebiras who are here in Ondo State will work with the government and security agencies to make sure that criminals are flushed out within our midst and they have our cooperation in whatever way they wish.”

Reigning MAPOLY Beauty Queen Abducted, Raped, Murdered

By
Akinwale Kasali
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MAPOLY Murdered Beauty Queen

By Akinwale Kasali

Tears, sadness and anguish were the reactions at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, when the news of the rape and murder of  Happiness Odeh, a student of the school was confirmed.

The late student was, on August 3, 2022,  crowned  Miss MAPOLY Beauty Queen. She was abducted at Ipara Remo on her way to Ode Remo in Ogun State, raped and murdered in cold blood by her assailants.

Confirming her demise, Sodiq Ajani and Joy Okolie, President of MAPOLY Student Union, MAPSU, and the Public Relations Officer, respctively, incident in a signed statement said that the deceased was a Mass Communication Student and was kidnapped three days ago while going to visit a movie location.

“According to reports, she was abducted along Iperu road to her destination. The deceased left Abeokuta three days ago to visit a movie location at Ipara, Ode-Remo, with the consent of her parents.

“Contrary to the rumours flying around, her death is not related to her status as the new Miss MAPOLY. She won the award on the 3rd of August and the movie location she attended has nothing to do with the beauty pageantry on campus.

“We commiserate with her family, friends and colleagues. May Almighty God grant us all the fortitude to bear this painful loss. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord,” the statement read.

It was disclosed that her murderers took away the victim’s phone to avoid any traces.

The MAPSU President added that the police have commenced investigations so as to get the assailants arrested.

The body of the slain student had been deposited at the morgue of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.

“It was so pathetic. The kidnappers killed her and went away with her phone. Her body was found inside the bush along Iperu road. The body has been deposited at the mortuary. We were at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, yesterday with the parents. May God rest her soul,” a student said.

Edo: Gunmen Abduct Female Footballers; Demand N30 Million Ransom

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Gunmen Abudected Female Footbalers in Edo State

By Akinwale Kasali

The fate of six female footballers and officials of a Grassroot Team in Orhionmwon,  Edo State, is uncertain. Gunmen abducted these ladies to yet to be known destination.

The sad incident took place at Uronigbe, a border community between Edo and Delta states in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. They are demanding  a whopping sum of N30 million as ransom for the release of the players and the officials.

The abduction happened at about 6pm on Friday while they were returning from a game at Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

The abductors has contacted some families demanding a ransom of N5m each for the victims.

According to a source, “They (footballers) went to Owa-Alero to play football match so, on their way back, they were kidnapped at Uronigbe area, the boundary between Delta and Edo State”.

The kidnapped victims are;  Precious Agbajor, Abraham, Nancy, Beatrice, the driver and one other person. They are six in number that are in the kidnapper’s den.

The matter has been reported to the Uronigbe police station.

“The kidnappers have contacted the family of Agbajor and asked them to pay N5 million for his wife.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta state, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the kidnapping incident, adding that it happened in Edo State.

His Edo state counterpart, Chidi Nwabuzor, said from the record available at the State Command, there is no information about the incident.

“You know we transmit our records to Force Headquarters every day. There is no such record before us. From the command’s record, no such incident happened yesterday (Friday) so the police will not give an account of anything unreported.

“It is only when an incident is reported that the police can act on it. In most cases, citizens are not aware of the powers to report incidents. So the record I have from the command is that no such incident happened yesterday (Friday), today (Saturday), and even the day before yesterday (Thursday).’

How South-south Governors Betrayed Atiku, PDP, in 2019 – Wike

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State has revealed how the PDP Governors of the South-south betrayed Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2019 Presidential election.

He said that for their betrayal, President Muhammadu Buhari could not have had the spread to be declared the winner of the Presidential election.

Wike made the revelation while putting a lie to the viral  news that he took the PDP, its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, to  an Abuja High Court to ask for the disqualification of Atiku, and the declaration of himself, Wike, as the PDP candidate.

Wike said he knew nothing of the suit, and had no knowledge of who the plaintiffs are, or the lawyers. He alleged that the suit was filed by Atiku loyalists just to paint him, Wike, in unflattering colors before Atiku.

He identified some of those doing that as Governors who, instead of going to their States to work for the victory of the Party, clog around Atiku talking nonsense. He said they are the same people who betrayed Atiku and the PDP in 2019.

On how they betrayed Atiku and PDP , he said they allowed Buhari to score 25 per cent in their States and, so, gave him the spread,  something that did not happen in Rivers State.

Wike: “When I see people talking about PDP today, I say to myself, what is going on in this world. In the South-south, they all betrayed us. President Muhammadu Buhari wouldn’t have won the 2019 election because he won’t have had the spread.

“But all the States in the South-south made Buhari to have 25 per cent. It was only Rivers that did not give Buhari 25 per cent. I am challenging anybody on it.”

In 2019, Buhari, against all sentiment at the time, defeated Atiku in the Presidential election. That victory fave Buhari a second term in office.

Why I will Not Run For  Senatorial Seat Now – Dariye

By
Ayodele Oni
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Joshua Dariye

By Ayodele Oni

A former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, has clarified that he is not contesting the Senate seat for the Plateau Central Senatorial District in 2023.

Dariye, who was serving a 10 – year imprisonment for N1.126bn fraud, was released last Monday three months after the National Council of States granted him state pardon and after serving for about four years in prison.

Immediately he walked into freedom, there were speculations that Dariye was set to defect to the Labour Party, (LP)to contest for the Senatorial ticket of Plateau Central zone.

Speaking when the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, led a delegation to visit him and a former Governor of Taraba State, Rev. Jolly Nyame, to rejoice with them over their release from prison, Dariye dismissed the rumour of his Senatorial ambition, saying he had no intention to contest the Senatorial position in 2023.

Director of Press and Public Affairs, to the Governor,  Macham Makut, in a statement said Dariye used the occasion to narrate his ordeal in prison and said it was a difficult moment, but God saw him through and made him survive.

The statement added that Dariye also debunked the rumour that he was running for Senate, describing it as unfounded and untrue as he has not bought a form or done anything to that effect.

He advised politicians in Plateau to unite and rally round the governor in promoting the interest of the citizens, saying governance was an opportunity for those in charge to do their best and leave posterity to judge their efforts as no one could finish the business of government in a day.

The statement said that the Governor, who was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Regina, National Assembly members from the State, as well as members of the State Executive Council, was also at the residence of Nyame.

The statement added, that Lalong told ex-Governor Dariye that the entire state received the news of his release with joy because the citizens have been praying for him since his incarceration.

The Governor, while appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for giving Dariye another opportunity, said this was the time to reflect and forgive people that might have offended him as had been his practice during previous challenges.

The delegation also visited the residence of former Taraba State Governor, Rev Jolly Nyame, who also expressed deep appreciation for the role that Governor Simon Lalong played towards his pardon and release.

Nyame said he was highly encouraged by the love and care shown towards him and Dariye, saying the experience of the past would be put behind so that they could forge ahead.

While urging Nyame to, also, forgive anyone that might have offended him in the course of his ordeal, Lalong said the act of forgiveness brings total healing and freedom.

Wike Mocks PDP National Assembly Members; Says They Have No Balls To Impeach President Buhari

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is having a good laugh at the National Assembly members of his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He is mocking them, and daring them to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari. They cannot, he said.

The Lawmakers had, just before they proceeded on recess, threatened to impeach Buhari on return over the unprecedented worsening insecurity in the Country.

Earlier before their threat, they had staged a walk-out during Plenary because Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, blocked the Minority Leader, from presenting a motion on the State of insecurity.

Finally, they  gave the President six weeks within which to improve the state of insecurity, threatened to impeach him otherwise, on return, and boasted that they had the numbers to do so.

But Governor Wike has dared his Party men and women to do so. He literally called them cowards, and chided them for daring to publicly say they will impeach the President when they have no balls to do so. He said they cannot even over-ride President Buhari, not to talk of impeaching him.

Wike spoke in Porthacourt, on Friday, when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC, on Wike’s invitation, commissioned the Legislative Quarters built by Wike’s administration.

Said Wike while mocking his Party men and women: “People don’t like the truth, but the truth must be told at all times. They are saying they will impeach Buhari. They don’t have the balls. They don’t have it.

“Ordinary override, they cannot. Let us see who will stand up and say, Mr Speaker. They think they can use Nigeria. Wayo. Things you know you cannot do, why are you saying it.”

Wike has in the past couple of weeks been inviting high profile APC members to commission some of his completed projects in the State, and pointedly ignoring his Party members, triggering fears in the PDP that he could decamp to the APC.

Those who know him say: He will not.

2023: “Obidients” Shut down Calabar

By
The Source
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By Stanley Ekpenyong, Calabar

Calabar, the sleepy capital of Cross River state was literally on lockdown on Saturday as thousands of supporters of the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential election, Peter Obi, known as “Obidients”,  staged a mega rally in the city.

The rally brought vehicular movements to a standstill in major roads round the city.

The supporters sang different solidarity songs, including, “with Obi Nigeria go betta”, “Na Obi we know”, Na Obi we go follow”, Na ” Obi we go vote for”  as they marched along.

Though an APC State, Obi’s support base in Cross River has burgeoned in the past months.

Many APC Chieftains and supporters in the State, including some political appointees, offended by the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Party’s Presidential Candidate, openly drum support for Obi.

They vow to vote Obi in the presidential election and APC in the other elections.

Obi dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in late May, just before the PDP Presidential Primary, and pitched his tent with the Labour Party, LP, at the time, a virtually unknown Political Party.

But since Obi, the Party has an unprecedented new lease of life, spreading like wild fire in a harmattan, and now ranked among the three biggest Parties in Nigeria.

Human Organ Harvesting: Ekweremadu Is On His Own – FG

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Ike Ekweremadu

By Adesina Soyooye

The Federal Government has washed its hands off the case of alleged human organ harvesting levelled against Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice, by the Metropolitan Police, London, United Kingdom.

Ekweremadu, a serving Senator, and a two-term Deputy Senate President and his wife were arrested in June, 2022, by the Metropolitan Police at the Heathrow Airport, London, on arrival from Istanbul, Turkey.

They were accused of alleged trafficking of  a-21 year old boy from Nigeria to London for the sole purpose of harvesting one of his kidneys to save the life of their first daughter who has a problem with her kidney.

Ekweremadu’s wife was, on July 22, granted bail. But Ekweremadu was refused bail and, so, remains in jail.

Considering the position Ekweremadu had held in Nigeria – a two-term Deputy Senate President- the hope in many quarters is that he could be saved by the Nigerian Government, using diplomatic channels.

But that hope has been  dashed by Abubakar Malami, SAN,  Attorney General of the federation (AGF), and Minister for Justice.  Malami, while speaking on Thursday during a Ministerial briefing at the State House Abuja where he gave a run-down of the activities of his Ministry said the Nigerian Government does not intervene in Court cases, either locally or internationally. It is not the Government’s practice, he said.

Malami: “It has never been the tradition of the Nigerian Government to interfere in anything judicial, local or international. And that stands the position of the Government.

“On the issue of the intervention on senator Ekweremadu. I have stated in the course of my presentation, that there have been in existence, mutual legal assistance requests and collaboration between Nigeria and other countries across the world.

“So, to this end, I want to state that we will address the request if there is such a request on the part of Senator Ekweremadu.

“I can remember very well, there was a request, which was passed through my office but sealed and meant for delivery to the crime agency in the UK at the instance of the Distinguished Senator, which request I am not in a position to comment on because what relates to my office was a simple transmission.

“In view of the fact that the transmission of international documents is a function of a Department Central Authority Unit in the office of the Attorney General and on the request of Senator Ekweremadu, an agency of Government was asked to respond to certain inquiries. They did, and under seal, they presented their finding which was transmitted to the UK accordingly.

“So, the implication of what I’m trying to state in essence is we have mutual legal assistance, understanding with the UK, and whichever of the Agencies, either the Senator as an accused or suspect or, indeed, the Agencies in the UK, make any request for international support, we will respond accordingly.

“But as far as interest as to the Federal Government is concerned, it is not a matter over which we can develop any interest. Perhaps maybe, if there are interests, the interests should be rooted in law.

“For example, relating to the child in contention, you know, we have child rights, among others.

“In case of Consular Services, there is a need for senator Ekweremadu to be accorded one, in view of the fact that he is Nigerian, and the request is made. We’ll look at it on its merits.

“So, what I’m saying, in essence, it is not about meddlesome interloper, or perhaps maybe just coming into a scene relating to issues that border on crime.

“As you are likely aware, a number of Nigerians were, before now, convicted across the globe. And then a number of foreigners were equally convicted of recent in Nigeria . So, it is about issues that border on crime.

“If, indeed, a criminal allegation is an issue, the jurisdiction determines what happens both in terms of request, in terms of support, and not for a Nigerian government to simply intervene because you are a high-profile personality.”

The case against the Ekweremadus has been adjourned till October. Meaning that the Senator will still remain behind bars till then.

Ondo Targets Tourism To Boost Revenue, Foreign Investment

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

As part of its commitment to attract foreign investment and shore up revenue, Ondo State Government has concluded arrangements to declare the Araromi Seaside in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the State, a Tourism Zone.

The State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, made the announcement at the weekend in Akure.

The Governor, who said the huge potentials of the State in Tourism could no longer be left untapped, assured that the declaration will attract global attention to the State.

He noted that the development, which is in partnership with La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, will replicate the success stories of Tourism, particularly in Dubai, in the Sunshine State.

“We have reached an agreement to declare our waterfronts or shores, where we have a lot of advantage in the country, a Tourism Zone.”

The  Chairman of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Wanle Akinboboye assured that the declaration will create jobs and drive revenue generation in the State.

Akinboboye pointed out that by the declaration of the Governor, a platform for the present and future generation to enjoy tourism to the fullest has been provided.

He said the avanlache of natural tourist endowment of the State will be explored for the benefits of not only Nigerians, but the global community for the economic prosperity of the state.

“I am sure you are aware that there is 840 kilometers of beachfront in Nigeria across Six states in which Ondo state has the longest with almost 200 kilometers.

“The entire Dubai has a total of 70 kilometers of beachfront, they welcome over 15 .9 Million visitors every year.

“Just imagine if they spend a thousand dollars, multiply by 15.9million people, that is what Mr Governor wants to replicate, to bring the entire world here.

“We have the richest ocean because of limited operations of trollers, so our sea is extremely rich with different species of fish, prawns and the entire tourism activity that we believe very strongly will not only attract just Nigerians, but Africans in diaspora.

“A declaration like this will attract the world to that area for business opportunities. With this declaration, we in the state would have built a humongous platform for  tommorow’s people.

“The platform we are standing on today was built by yesterday’s people. Mr Governor has begun the process of the platform for tomorrow’s people.”

Labour Pushes For 50% Salary Increase, Writes President Buhari

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

As the Federal Government is still battling with how to resolve the lingering strike embarked upon by Academic Staff Union Of Universities, (ASUU), the Nigeria Labour Congress has proposed a 50% salary review.

The proposal, which will be “across board” as canvassed by the NLC, is as a result of the “realities on ground.”

On its part, ASUU is asking the Federal Government to scrap centralized pay roll system, IPPIS, N1.4 trillion to improve funding of Universities and wage  increase

The request was contained in a letter to President Mohamadu Buhari dated August 8 by the Labour Union.

The letter,  signed by NLC President, Ayuba Wanba, according to Labour sources, was a response to the economic prescriptions offered by State Governors.

It was gathered that the Governors had pushed for the elimination of petrol subsidy, the retirement of civil servants from the age of 50, and the reduction of National Assembly constituency projects among other prescriptions.

The Union slammed the Governors for seeking early retirement of workers, saying anyone promoting this idea “should be treated as enemy of your Government.”

Instead of early retirement, the Union asked the Buhari-led administration to consider a further increase of workers’ salaries.

“While we commend you for your thoughtfulness for a wage increase, truth of the matter is that given the misfortune that has befallen the Nigerian populace, especially workers with fixed incomes, there is an urgent need for a massive intervention much deeper than the 22 percent.

“We would recommend a 50 percent salary review across board given the realities on ground.”

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