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Lord’s Chosen Pastor Denies Endorsing Obi For President

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Peter Obi

By James Orji

The General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries Pastor Lazarus Mouka,  has denied reports that he endorsed Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP.The man of God said neither him nor his church has endorsed Obi for next year’s presidential election, following viral reports to that effect.The church is one of the biggest pentecostal churches in the country.Obi’s presidential bid has enjoyed the support of prominent south east leaders who have to thrown their weight behind him, as one of their own to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari next year.The presidential candidate of LP is enjoying support across the country, particularly youths who are desirous of change of governance.

But  a statement signed by the Church’s Public Relations Director, Pastor Louis Chidi said neither the church nor its General Overseer made a statement in support or against a political party.

“Our attention has been drawn to publications on some social media platforms attributed to our General Overseer, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, which were meant to portray him and the Church, the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, as politically inclined with sympathy for a particular political party and its aspirant.

“We wish to state without equivocation that neither our General Overseer nor the Church has ever made any political statement in support of, or against any person or party, and have no cause to be involved in politics

“We, therefore, wish to state categorically that such publication or view does not emanate from our General Overseer. Rather, it’s the enemy that has done that (according to Matthew 13:24-30),” it stated.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC and TUC, have assured Obi of their support to become the next president.

The unions made this known after the former governor of Anambra state met with the representatives of the worker.

Obi had earlier assured the workers of a better time if he emerged president.

Funke Akindele’s Troubled Marriage Ends

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Funke Akindele and Her Husband Bello


By Akinwale Kasali

The fairytale marriage of Funke Akindele, the multi award winning Nollywood Actress, Funke Akindele Bello to her husband Abdulrasheed Bello, has crashed.
Bello, also a talented showbiz entrepreneur announced, on Wednesday that he has seperated from his wife due to some irreconcilable differences.
This is the second time in nine years that Funke, who already had two children for her now estranged husband marriage had crashed.

In 2013, Akindele’s fairytale marriage to property mogul, Kehinde Oloyede-Almaroof hit the rock, following which she got married to Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skill

Before now, some close relations of the couple had hinted that their relationship was entangled in problems and headed for an inevitable dissolution.
This, even became moreso, after Bello’s son to another woman, revealed dirty secrets about the couple, hinting among other things that the couple no longer live together.
They both denied the allegation, insisting that all was well with their marriage.
It’s therefore, not a shock to keen watchers of the relationship after Skillz announced yesterday that their marriage has hit the rocks.

Skillz said on his Instagram page on Thursday, June 30, 2022, JJC Skillz that he has moved out of the house three months ago and they had been leading separate lives.

He said, “Dear Friends and family, I need to let you know that Funke and I have separated. While it lasted we shared a lot of things together and have created 2 beautiful children.

“The last two years have been extremely difficult for us. I know I have tried my best to fix things but I believe it is beyond repair now. Three months ago and at Funke’s insistence, I moved out of the house and apart from AMVCA have not been able to get Funke to sit down in an amicable manner to discuss the future of our relationship.

“I’m making this announcement so that the public is clear that we both are pursuing separate lives. We still have issues that need to be addressed such as the custody and wellbeing of our children which is paramount as well as business interests which need to be disentangled but I have no doubt that these will be resolved one way or the other.”

Ekiti: Fayose Speaks On Defection As Gov-elect Visits Him In Lagos

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By Ayodele Oni

In continuation of his thank you visit to political leaders and royal fathers, Ekiti State Governor-elect, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos residence of former Governor of the State, Mr Ayodele Fayose.

Media Aide to the Governor elect, Raheem Akingbolu said in a statement that the visit was sequel to the congratulatory messages sent to Oyebanji by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the June 18 election, Chief Bisi Kolawole, and Fayose.

The PDP and its candidate in the election had earlier hailed the outcome despite coming third in the race.

Oyebanji said the visit was to extend courtesies to Fayose as a former governor of the state, who, according to him, demonstrated statesmanship by congratulating him shortly after he was declared winner.

Fayose, while receiving the Governor-elect, urged him to be magnanimous in victory and to see himself as the Governor of Ekiti State and leader of the people regardless of their political affiliation.

He promised to support Oyebanji’s administration in whatever area his support would be needed, adding that the development of Ekiti State is a collective effort.

Oyebanji had earlier gone on a thank you visit to the Governor of the State, Dr Kayode Fayemi in Ado-Ekiti, a day after the incumbent Governor led two other APC governors to visit him at his Ikogosi Ekiti country home.

The Governor-elect has also visited the first civilian Governor of the state, currently Minister of Investments, Trade and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, at his Iyin-Ekiti country home earlier in the week.

He had also visited Chief Deji Fasuan, the nonagenarian elder statesman who chaired the committee for the creation of Ekiti State, under whom he served as Secretary (to the committee) as well as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, HRM, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe.

Meanwhile, Fayose has restated his resolve not to support the presidential flagbearer of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, insisting that he would soon announce his next move.

Fayose in his Twitter page on Wednesday stated that “The current President of Nigeria is a two term northern Presidency, thus implying that it must be a southern Presidency in 2023 or nothing. Awa south lo kan. Nigerians should await details soon.”

Yoruba Presidency: Group Targets 40m Votes

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AYDM Executives

By Akinwale Kasali

Pan Yoruba Group, the Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, says it target 40 million Votes from the South West Region as the 2023 general election draws closer.

As part of the plan the group, an Alliance of civil society and community-based groups in the region, said it will recruit 150,000 campaign volunteers in its bid to ensure overwhelming votes in the region

In a statement on Wednesday, the General Secretary of the group, Popoola Ajayi, said the campaign volunteers will work across the old Western Region including Kogi, Kwara, Delta and Edo States.

“Vote is political and economic power. The South West needs to show strength. It is the surest way to inform the local and international community about the real population of our people” the AYDM said.

Some groups in the alliance include The Covenant Group, (CG), Agbekoya led by Chief Kunle Osodi, Oodua Peoples Congress, (OPC New Era), Network for Yoruba Alliance, (NEYA), Oodua Students Movement, (OSM) led by Comrade Deji Omotoyinbo among the 121 members of the movement.

The AYDM said it would vigorously pursue its earlier position to support any presidential candidate from the South West.

Not a few believes that the group is working for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate.

It added that Nigeria faces very difficult times the worst of which is violent terrorism and economic terror inflicted through poverty and lack of access to opportunities.

Speaking further, Ajayi said the best way to deepen democracy is for Nigerians to chose their leaders during elections.

The campaign volunteers are expected to work three days in a week.

After extensive training on communication, they will be required to visit strategic places, institutions, cities, rural and urban communities including farm and fishing settlements in the remotest areas.

Ajayi said the AYDM will explore the goodwill of the leaders of associations in the alliance who already command respect and dignity of their members

‘In the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Western Region used to be the bride of electoral politics. The region recorded overwhelming votes each time election held. We can do the same again” the statement signed by the AYDM General Secretary, Ajayi said.

He said the group is working to ensure no fewer than 30 to 40 million votes are recorded in the South West plus Kogi, Kwara, Edo and Delta States.

The AYDM came into limelight early this year when it brought together several Pan Yoruba groups that cut across every sphere of human endeavours, including Yoruba groups across West Africa, especially in Ivory Coast where the Yoruba population has peaked at 3.5 million.

The group hosted a summit in April which drew over 1,500 delegates from across the South West including representatives from leaders of non-Yoruba -ethnic groups living in the South West.

“Our strategy is to ensure at least 90 percent turn-out of residents of South West Nigeria on voting day. Our target is all residents in the South West not Yoruba alone,” Ajayi said

The members of AYDM have now increased to 121 different associations of farmers, students, peasants, community-based groups and professional blocs alike.

Opinion: How Bola Tinubu Commissioned Four Teams To Find His Certificates

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By Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo

What the CIA does not know does not exist.

In Luke 24:5-7, the angel said to the women who went to the tomb in search of Jesus, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?”

For those looking for Bola Tinubu’s certificates, I ask, why do you seek from St. Paul’s School, Aroloya, Lagos, and Government College Ibadan, when you should be seeking them at Iragbiji?

It wasn’t intentional when Bola Tinubu left blank in his INEC forms the names of the primary and secondary schools he attended. No, I mean, it was intentional, but nothing was malicious about it. After all, Bola Tinubu is an honorable man.

Bola Tinubu really tried to find the certificates but could not find them. And when in doubt, the safest thing to do is back off. It is the first law of journalism. It doesn’t matter how many Bode Georges are telling him the schools he attended and the years. Once he would not find the certificates, he must desist from mentioning the schools.

What is the point of writing the names of the primary or secondary schools when you cannot find the certificates to back them up? What is the point unless Bola Tinubu wants inquisitive Nigerians to storm the schools to dig up abandoned toilets, manure pits, and headmaster’s offices in search of the certificates? Or in the case of one particular school destroyed during the Korean War, it could lead to curious Nigerians disturbing the dead by digging up burial grounds that are now on the premises.

These nosy Nigerians would like to perform the DNA test of Tinubu’s deceased classmates to see if there will be a match.

Unknown to most Nigerians, Bola Tinubu launched four frantic searches in 2014 for Bola Tinubu’s certificates. The moment Buhari became the nominee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu knew it would be his turn next. And because he knew how Nigerians think, he knew when it became his turn, whether in 2019 or 2023, that Nigerians would expect him to present his certificates. He quickly set up four teams to search for them. That, I must say, is what an honorable man will do.

One team started to visit the tomb of unknown soldiers. He remembered that some unknown soldiers stormed his house when he was in exile in 1994 and ransacked it. Some of the things they took were his certificates. These unknown soldiers knew even then that his turn to be president was coming and they were determined to frustrate his destiny. They were vicious. They did not just take his primary and secondary school certificates; they also took all the exercise books he used in school, including that perfectly ruled composition book; his awards, like his dancing championship award. The one that pained him most was his debating society competition certificate for five consecutive years across several schools in the Western Region. He fondly remembered winning a particular debate for his school when he told a hall full of students and teachers in Ibadan that “a egg is a better asset than a wheelbarrow.” The applause he got was more thunderous than the one he received when he returned from Abuja after winning the APC’s presidential primaries. No be today honor start to follow Bola Tinubu around.

Another team of certificate finders headed by a protégée of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo got the job of searching through all the forms Bola Tinubu ever filled in his service in Lagos State. They started when he ran for the senate in 1992. This team made sure that Tokunbo Afikuyomi was reminded to memorize the story he told in 1999 when this certificate scandal first broke and shocked the new governor of Lagos State. They wanted him to remain consistent with his story no matter the pressure and inducement by enemies of progress. They did not want the man to have a second thought and change his story. If there was a need to make the man comfortable, this team had the mandate to do whatever it took. If there was a need to make his memory disappear, the team was also well equipped. The same team was later deployed when the Alpha Beta scandal opened. They were the most fortified team, with express access to Bourdillon Road’s vaults and the right to invoke force majeure. They did such a great job in both assignments that the team leader was given a juicy position in the current campaign for president as a reward. Even Jeffery Archer agrees that there is honor among thieves.

Another team was sent to America. They had with them an auto delete tool. They were the most methodical of all the teams. From Bola Tinubu’s first international passport to the ticket he used to leave Nigeria in 1969 (or is it 1971?), they went everywhere deleting and destroying what didn’t match what is currently on Wikipedia. Where there is a ‘she,’ they changed it to a ‘he,’ and where there is a height discrepancy, they adjusted it accordingly. They were so sophisticated that they penetrated the American embassy and ensured that the 1969 or 1972 visa application disappeared. From there, they went to Chicago and did a fantastic job at Richard J. Daley College and Chicago State University. Even the FBI, when they looked at Bola Tinubu’s drug-related charges of the 1970s in Chicago and the rest of his FBI file, was very impressed at how this team combed everything. Bola Tinubu’s first driver’s license in America, the forms he filled at the first school he applied for, and the lease he signed at his first apartment were carefully scrutinized and sealed. Those that they could not discard were legally sealed, never to see the light of the day for 100 years after the death of Bola Tinubu. It was so watertight that, even if Bola Tinubu wrote the institutions involved to waive his right to privacy, these forms and copies of documents he submitted would not be public until 100 years after his death.

In all their investigations, there was no sign of his birth certificate or primary and secondary school certificates. Nothing. The researchers who worked on James Bond’s movie, “Tomorrow Never Dies,” consulted this team out of respect for what they delivered for Bola Tinubu. That was when Tinubu’s reputation for honor got enshrined in the constitution of Lagos.

The final team is the one that started work in Iragbiji, Osun State, the place Bola Tinubu was actually born as Yekini Amanda Ogunlere. This team had a very simple mandate. Find all those old enough to remember when the Jagaban was a small boy running around in his underwear, dancing in the rain, and eating ewedu and amala without washing his hands. The instruction to this team was, “When you gather those who knew him, tell them the same thing Will Smith said to people who saw aliens in “Men In Black” before he used the neuralyzer, an electro bio-medical neural transmitting zero synapse repositioner, to wipe the minds of all who saw its flash.

The neuralyzer does so by isolating and editing the electronic impulses that control memories. This team deployed it across the old Oyo State and wiped out any memory of Yekini Amanda Ogunlere. They supplied all the victims with a new memory of one Bola Tinubu, born in Lagos State in the house of his alternate mother, Madam Tinubu, in whom he is well pleased.

At this point, there is no way to recover deleted files. There is no way to restore altered DNA. There is only one de-neuralyser that can reverse memories lost – and that is Professor Yemi Osinbajo. He was there in 1999 when the bodies were buried. Unfortunately, there is no hope that a man like Osinbajo, whose convoy as the Vice President is nothing compared to Bola Tinubu’s convoy as a presidential candidate, will try to unmask the man from Iragbiji. As they say, once beaten, twice shy.

The only thing that can stop Bola Tinubu from becoming the next president of Nigeria come 2023 is if Jack Bauer comes out of retirement and is given 24 hours to find any of Bola Tinubu’s certificates – birth or primary or secondary school certificates for there lies his original sin. The other thing that could happen, though most unlikely, is if the God of Oyedepo, Adeboye, and Suleman, hears their prayers, touches Tinubu’s heart, and makes him confess his sins. But that will only happen if Tinubu wants to be free. And so far, it doesn’t look that way. As a man of honor, Bola Tinubu, is taking all his scams to the grave.

Again, what the CIA does not know does not exist.

Okonkwo teaches Post-Colonial African History at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Defection: Gov Ortom Urges PDP To Stop Wike; Says Party Treated Him Badly

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By Ayodele Oni

Rivers state Governor, Nyesome Wike’s rejection at the last minute as the running mate to presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) does not go down well with some of his colleagues in the PDP Governors Forum.

His unusual silence since his rejection is another issue that should make the leadership of the party make effort to reach out to Wike, according to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, a staunch ally of the Rivers’ helmsman.

Ortom challenged the leadership of the PDP, to go to the Rivers State Governor and appeal to him and still make him feel a sense of belonging.

According to Ortom, the PDP has treated Wike, a former presidential aspirant of the party, badly.

Ortom, who appeared on Arise TV on Wednesday morning, also claimed that it was Wike who brought him back to the PDP in 2015 when he was treated unjustly.

“Why do you just send calls to Wike, you should have to go to him.

“When people left the party, Wike was on ground. It was Wike that brought me back to PDP when I was treated unjustly.

“He brought me back to PDP in 2015. You have treated Wike badly. The party at the national level should go to him and appeal to him. He came second to Atiku.”

Wike, has since he lost out in the PDP Presidential primary, been involved in closed-door meetings with some top opposition leaders who visited his country home, for meetings which details were not made public.

Just last week, the governor met with Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labor Party; Governor David Umahi of the All Progressives’ Congress, (APC); Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party, (NNPP); and the Bauchi State Governor and former presidential aspirant, Senator Bala Mohammed of the PDP at his private residence in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The visits were sequel to rumour of Wike’s alleged plan to dump the PDP after failed bid to emerge as a running mate to the flag bearer of the party for the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar.

Early this week, former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose hinted that his next line of action and that of Wike would soon be made public.

Fayose stated this while protesting his non-inclusion in the list of national campaign team of Osun Governorship election, which Wike is a member.

PDP in Ekiti state has equally accused Fayose of nocturnal romance with Governor Wike, saying that members of the party in the state are supporting Atiku’s ambition.

CBN: UK Varsity Demands Prompt Payment Of Nigerian Students’ Tuition

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has been urged by the Manchester Metropolitan University, MMU to do something about the delay in paying school fees of Nigerian students studying in the university. This was contained in a letter written by the university to the CBN, according to TheCable.

The letter is believed to have been sent to the apex bank following suggestions that it will, by the end of this yea,r stop providing forex to Nigerians studying abroad through the official window.

Watchers of the bank said the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN is currently tinkering with different measures to tackle the forex crisis rocking the country.

Experts insist that they would not rule out any measures to stop the flight of scarce forex by the CBN.

For instance, some have speculated that the CBN, will by December 2022 withdraw the Form A which allows foreign students to purchase forex at official lower rate.

The university had responded to TheCable’s query on the suggestion that CBN was about to withdraw the Form A thus:  “we understood that the CBN’s Form A discounted rate was to be withdrawn at the end of this year, and therefore, we gave our students guidance to help deal with the issues this might present.

“At Manchester Metropolitan University, our primary concern is always for the wellbeing of our students. Nigerian students primarily pay via the CBN using the Form A discounted rate.

“If this was withdrawn it may lead students to use parallel market payments which comes with a significant additional premium, adding to the financial burden for our students.”

The apex bank has denied this, saying it has no intention to do that.

Despite the clarification, the UK university said it’s now taking too long, at least six weeks, for the CBN to clear students’ tuition fees.

The university said in the letter to CBN that “In recent months we have seen payments from students coming via the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) taking six to seven weeks or longer to reach us. A student coming to the University in September needs to make a statutory payment to secure their visa, and if this process is taking six to seven weeks it creates unnecessary stress for the students.”

Supreme Court Clarifies CJN’s Age; NASS Begins Probe

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Supreme Court has laid to rest the controversy surrounding the true age of Justice Olukayode Ariowool, the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN following suggestions that he may have falsified his age.

Ariwoola succeeded Justice Tanko Muhammad who retired from the apex court due to health reasons.

The clarification comes after the National Assembly said it will probe the allegation of malfeasance against his predecessor who was on Monday conferred with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR by the president.

The new CJN is among 14 justices of the court, who last week, accused Muhammad of corruption.

After Ariwooola swearing in on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari, controversy had trailed his age after many Nigerians observed discrepancies in the information, he provided concerning his age.

The initial document he provided showed that he was born in 1958 and started primary school a year after in 1959, making many to wonder how that can be possible, as others said the new CJN may have falsified his age.

The earlier information on the court’s official website showed that Justice Ariwoola was born in Iseyin, Oyo state, on August 22, 1958 and began his primary education in 1959 at the Local Authority Demonstration School, Oluwole, in his hometown.

But the apex court’s spokesman Dr Festus Aweneri, has now clarified that Justice Ariwoola he was born in 1954 and not 1958 as information in the public space indicated.

Speaking on Tuesday, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the former CJN had a question to answer.

In a motion tagged: “State of Affairs in the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Demand by Justices of the Court,” Bamidele said the committee will look into the allegations raised against Justice Muhammad to safeguard the integrity of the nation’s apex court.

“The sacred image of the judiciary, which is the epicentre of the temple of justice should be preserved by the Senate through appropriate legislative measures in order to safeguard this highly revered institution and prevent it from being ridiculed,” he said.

He said his resignation “will not prevent the committee from going ahead with its assignment in the quest to find a probable lasting solution to the matter.

“Even though Muhammad has stepped down as CJN, most of the issues raised by the Justices of the Supreme Court and other stakeholders within the judiciary still remain and need to be addressed urgently to prevent an eventual shut-down of the Judiciary.”

Ogun Labour Crisis: Workers To Receive June Salary In 24 Hours

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, has moved swiftly to avert a major labour crisis in the state. The administration, on Wednesday, said it is prepared to meet with leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC and other unions a day after the workers embarked on strike due to unpaid emoluments.  

As a goodwill to resolving the labour problem, the state government said workers will receive their June salaries within 24 hours.

Abdulwaheed Odusile, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that the government is trying to address the grievances of the angry workers.

Governor Abiodun had before the workers embarked on the strike blamed his predecessors for the backlog of unpaid entitlements.

In spite of this, the state government said it will still meet with the workers where the issues will be addressed, adding that the administration is commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of workers in the State. Abiodun is a workers’ friendly governor, the government said.

The statement quoted the governor as saying that he’s “personally committed to ensuring an improved welfare of workers in Ogun State and will do all that is necessary to achieve this” noting that ‘this is a workers’ friendly administration and will remain so under my watch”.

“One of the first duties I performed on my first day at work as the governor on May 30, 2019 was to approve the immediate payment of salaries of our workers, which had not been paid by the immediate past Administration until then.

The governor said dwindling financial resources has limited government’s ability to meet the needs of the workers, however, adding that salaries will now be paid promptly staring from the end of this month.

Abiodun said, “I also made a vow that salaries of workers in the state will be paid on or before the end of each month. And we have been doing that religiously ever since.

“Even in the face of dwindling resources, rising needs and this strike, the salaries are being remitted. I am sure they will start receiving bank credit alerts in the next 24 hours for the month of June.

“We are one of the few States in the country not owing workers salary and paying as and when due.

“Most of their complaints were inherited from the previous Administrations, but as a responsive and responsible government, we are tackling them one after the other, even as we are being hampered by paucity of funds.

“The money accruable to us from the Federation Account and sundry sources have been dwindling for a long time now and this is affecting our ability to meet some of our obligations but even at that we have been prioritising the interests of our workforce.”

LASG To Reward School Teachers With Cars

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

In continuation of its tradition of recognising excellence, the Lagos State Government will reward outstanding teachers and school administrators with 12 car gifts at the second edition of the Teachers Merit Award scheduled for Wednesday, June, 29 2022.

The Annual Education Merit Awards, an initiative of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, rewards excellence to motivate selfless teachers, who have put in their best in raising the quality of teaching and learning.

The selection and nomination committee of teachers for the award was led by the Chairperson of the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria, Mrs. Lai Koiki. Other members of the committee include Mrs. Funke Fowler-Amba, Mrs. Abisola Obasanya, Mrs. Sherifat Atinuke Ogboye, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, Miss. Oyindamola Egbeyemi and Mr. Idris Adetutu.

The committee members are private education administrators and a blend of public sector technocrats. They screened 3,529 applicants and selected 22 semi-finalists, who will compete for 12 cars, for the Y2021 awards for outstanding teachers.