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Owo Catholic Church Attack: Ondo PDP, APC Engage In War Of Words

By
Ayodele Oni
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Catholic Church in Owo

By Ayodele Oni

As the spirit of those killed in Owo Catholic Church terrorist attack cry for justice, the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) and opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) are up in arms over the incident.

First to fire war of words is PDP which acknowledged that some of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s remarks during the incident are pointers to failure of the APC administration.

According to PDP, “What Akeredolu said at the burial service, was a confirmation of what every sensible Nigerian has said about the APC Government and its agents.

“That the Government has failed the people is the truth. Akeredolu’s qualification of the failure as “not because we have not tried but because those forces on the other side are evil and they have support” amounts to begging the question.

“At least, I appreciate the humility of the Governor to openly admit the failure of the APC Government, whether at the centre or at home in Ondo State.

“It is a further proof as to the reason why such an “evil” government should not be allowed beyond 2023,” PDP spokesman in the state, Kenedy Peretei, said in a statement.

“While the whole of Ondo State mourned and grieved over the massacre, the pains of civil servants came to the centre stage again. This was against the backdrop of calls for volunteers to donate blood to save lives of those who were in hospitals.

“While most children are anaemic, parents can’t afford proper medical care for men… prior to this, there had been a crazy staffing crisis. Civil servants have parked their cars due to inability to buy tyres, service or fuel them.

“We owe tonnes of bills in kids school fees and food stuff bought on credit. Hungry people neither donate blood nor volunteer. In what other ways can a government fail the people other than this?”

Reacting to the position of the PDP, Governor Akeredoku, in a statement by Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde stated that it is unfortunate that the opposition party is deriving joy in such an incident which has been condemned worldwide.

“The statement supposedly made by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in respect of the remarks made by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, at the funeral mass for the slain victims of Owo terror attack did not come as a surprise to the Ondo State Government.

“The assertion credited to the opposition shows its lack of empathy and respect for humanity. It is an unnecessary gloat that greatly offends the collective psyche of the people of the state.

“The PDP, which obviously doesn’t know the limits of politics, is attempting to reap political capital at the expense of human lives. It is politics taken too far.

“Since the unfortunate incident of Owo attack, the people of the state and across the country have collectively mourned the departed while praying for the injured to heal fast.

“It is very sad that the PDP, in its  characteristic manner, has shown that it places politics above human lives.

“At this time when the state is still struggling with the pains of the heinous attack, the opposition party has found it convenient to scoop political gains from the excruciating pains inflicted on humanity by the incident.

“As we speak, the tombs of the deceased are even yet to dry, but the PDP couldn’t wait to dance on their graves. This infantile and inhumane brand of politics depicts what the party stands for.

“The misplaced allusion to the Governor’s statement at the funeral mass as well as the weak nexus between same and the issue of workers’ salaries expose the PDP as a lazy party without direction.

“We will not prevent the PDP from sliding into this path of perfidy, but we shall not forget to warn against playing politics with the precious lives of the people of the state, and dishonouring the memories of the innocent compatriots who fell to the bullets of terrorists.”

The St Francis Xavier Catholic Church was attacked by terrorists who killed 40 worshippers, including children and couples. No arrest has been made.

First Bank: Buhari Congratulates MD As He Gets Cranfield Recognition Tomorrow

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The managing director of First Bank Nigeria, FBN Limited Adesola Adeduntan has been congratulated by President Muhammadu Buhari on his conferment of Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa by Cranfield University, the United Kingdom.

In a statement by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the president said the award is a testimony that many talents like Adeduntan abound in the country, noting that the achievement recorded by the First Bank boss is a proof that hard work  pays.

This is a “testament to the fact that Nigeria is blessed with the brightest and the best in all areas of human endeavor,” Buhari said.

Adeduntan holds Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Ibadan, Master’s in Business Administration from Cranfield University, and is Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, as well as Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN.

In 2020, the First Bank boss received the Forbes Best of Africa Award, in New York City, United States of America.

The Forbes Best of Africa Award is for business personalities with record of creating and building great global businesses that have made far-reaching contributions to the development of Africa.

Abdulsalami Abubakar: Presidency Says No Cause For Alarm

By
The Source
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Abdusalami Abubakar

By Gideon Njoku

The Presidency has said there is no more cause of alarm over the health status of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

News broke Monday morning to the effect that the former Head of State had suffered a serious set back in his health, and was flown out of the country for proper medical attention.

Abubakar, it was reported, was first flown to Dubai but had to be relocated to London for a more aggressive attention than he was getting in Dubai when there was little or no improvement in his condition.

The reports alleged that he had suffered stroke.

But the Presidency, in a Post on the verified Facebook page of a Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, said General Abdulsalami has been discharged from the hospital and was relaxing in a London apartment.

Garba said he had just visited the former Head of State in London and he was no longer, apparently, in any serious condition.

Said Garba’s Post:

“Alhamdu Lillahi for Allah’s mercy, I just ended a visit to  His Excellency Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State. He is out of hospital. In a London apartment and apparently in no serious condition. He was his jovial self, maintaining a keen interest in developments back at home in Nigeria. Please, no cause for alarm.”

General Abubakar handed over power on May 29, 1999, to a Civilian Government headed by President Olusegun Obasanjo after years of Military Rule.

He took over from General Sani Abacha when Abacha suddenly died in office. Since then, he has been working hard on deepening peace and democracy in Nigeria.

Peter Obi, LP Candidate, Says He Never Called 70% Of Nigerian Politicians Lunatics

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

By Charles Igbo

Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, has denied that he described 70 per cent of Nigerian Politicians as Lunatics.

The story had gone viral on Sunday. But Obi, in a statement from his Media Office on Monday, was distanced from such statement.

The statement dismissed its attribution to Obi as the “handiwork of mischief makers who have been trying, over the years, to quote him out of context or twist his statements in a manner to set him against the people.”

The statement reads:

RE: “70% of Nigerian Politicians are Lunatics.”

“The attention of Mr. Peter Obi’s Media Office has been drawn to an article being   circulated, where Mr. Peter Obi was quoted to have said that ‘70% of Nigerian Politicians are Lunatics.’

“Let it be made clear that Obi, not known for violence of speech, did not make the statement. It is the handiwork of mischief makers, who have been trying, over the years, to quote him out of context or twist his statements in a manner to set him against the people.

“Anybody who has listened to Obi, even when he was the governor, would know that he always, when he wants to show that the wrong people have taken over would talk in terms of lunatics taking over the asylum, which plainly means that those that are not supposed to be in a particular place have displaced the rightful people.

“Therefore, the use of ‘Lunatics,’ is always euphemistic. Obi has never and would never use it plainly to designate a given set of people as if to suggest they are mad, as the writer suggested he said about politicians. He cannot so degrade a tribe he belongs to.

Obi assures all class of people of his continued respect.”

2023: VP ‘Placeholder’: Tinubu, Obi In Trouble; INEC Says Not In The Constitution

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Independent National Electoral Commission

By Adesina Soyooye

A great shock may be awaiting the Presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC , Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and that of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi.

Both candidates have no Vice Presidential candidates yet. Even though they submitted names  – Kabiru Masari from Katsina State for Tinubu, Dr Doyin Okupe from Ogun State for Obi – the names are temporary.  It was meant to beat the June 17 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the submission of VP candidates. The idea is to substitute the names with permanent candidates after consultations with Party stakeholders before the window of substitution closes. They call it “placeholder.”

But INEC may pull the rug from under their feet if what Festus Okoye,  INEC’s Commissioner in charge of Voter Education said Monday on Arise Television.

Speaking, Okoye said there is nothing like “placeholder” in the Constitution. He described the idea of “placeholder” as “a unique Nigerian invention”, and submitted that the Commission’s law has no such provision.

Okoye: “The Constitution makes it very clear that you cannot run alone as a Presidential candidate and must nominate an associate to run with you for that position, and as far as INEC is concerned, the Presidential candidates have submitted their associates to run with them in the Presidential election.

“As far as we are concerned, there’s no form submitted by the Presidential candidate where they said ‘we’re submitting this person’s name as a place or space holder.

“The issue of space or place holder is a unique Nigerian invention that has no place in our constitutional and legal framework.

“Political parties’ candidates have submitted names of associates to run with them, and that is the position of the law as at today and nothing has changed. For there to be a substitution of a candidate, the vice-presidential candidate must write to INEC, with a sworn affidavit stating that he is withdrawing from the race within the time frame provided by the law. That’s the only way there can be a substitution of candidates.”

If the due process is not followed, Obi would be worst hit. Okupe, his “placeholder”, is from the same Southern region as Obi. It would be the Northern region has been marginalised under the LP ticket.

Fulani Herdsmen Attack: Ondo Police Command Decries False Information

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Police Force

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has warned residents in the state against false information.

The Command particularly fumed at a distress message from one Adeola Jomiloju from Ijoka area of the state capital.

Jomiloju’s message states “we are in danger at Oke Obere, Ijoka, Akure Ondo state. Fulanis came with gun this night, everybody is in  danger now this night.

“Please we need help, we cannot come out, Fulani is everywhere.” The message, which was later found to be false, was sent via Twitter on Sunday.

In a statement on Monday, the Police Command Spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami, warned that:  “The attention of Ondo State Police Command has been drawn to a negative trend which is fast becoming a habit within the State.

“The issue of raising false alarm in the State calls for caution as the Command will not allow any alarmist put unnecessary fear in the heart of the people of the State.

“The Command is miffed at the rate at which people sit in their comfort zone and cause the Police and the public undue stress.

“It is saddening that in less than 24 hours, two false alarms have been raised within the State and this is not good for the mental health of the people considering the  past security event in the State.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Oyeyemi Adesoye Oyediran, psc, fsi, has ordered  a thorough investigation into this false alarms and also warned these alarmist to desist or face the full wrath of the law as the Command will not fold its hand and allow such evil fester within the State.”

Closure of AMEN: Mbaka Reacts To Adherents’ Protests; Warns Of Consequences

By
The Source
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Adoration Ministry Protest

By Adesina Soyooye

The embattled Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria, AMEN, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, has warned of the consequences of the protest by his adherents.

Mbaka’s adherents had taken over the streets of Enugu in protest against the shutting down of AMEN by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, His Lordship The Rt. Rev, Calistus Onaga.

The Bishop had ordered all Catholic faithful in the Diocese, including Priests, to stop attending to any program, including Church Services at AMEN. Onaga said Fr. Mbaka has deviated from the Catholic doctrine.

The order followed Mbaka’s unprovoked attack against Peter Obi, the  Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, during last Wednesday’s Service in his Church. He called Obi stingy, and cursed him that he would never be President of Nigeria as long as there is God.

Not able to contain, or bear, the backlash, Mbaka apologised to Obi and the millions of youths rooting for Obi’s candidacy. The apology did not, however, stop the Bishop’s action.

While Mbaka, uncharacteristically, quietly obeyed the order to shut down, not so his adherents. They took to the streets of Enugu in protest, howling insults at the Bishop, and asking for his sack.

Reacting to the protests in a statement he, personally, signed, Mbaka distanced himself from their action, warned them of the consequences, and asked them to leave ” My dear Bishop” alone.

The statement reads in part:

“My attention has been drawn to the activities that took place in the Adoration Ground on Sunday. I am not in any way involved in such activity.

“We received with obedience the directive issued by my Bishop, His Excellency, Most Rev. CVV Onaga on June 17, 2022.

“May I, therefore, appeal to the faithful, in particular members of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, to remain calm and united with the Body of Christ in the Diocese, and also refrain from any measure of violence either in action or by abusive utterances.

” Those who take to attacking or insulting my dear Bishop should desist from such.

“The Bishop is the Shepherd of the Church in the Diocese and we remain his flock who in every way and at all times, is expected to be respectful, obedient and willing to respond favorably to his apostolic directives.

“May I, also, remind you that all Adoration activities are suspended unti further notice.

“Adoration, Ministry is ever submisive to the Mother Church. I enjoin all Adorers to know this and remain constantly in prayers for the manifestation of the will of God in the life of the Ministry.”

This is not the first time Mbaka would run down Obi and apologize. The first time, he humiliated Obi during AMEN’s bazaar because Obi refused to give him cash and, instead, asked him to show him a Church project he would help undertake. Mbaka refused and publicly humiliated Obi before the congregation. He apologized later, profusely just as he did now.

But last Wednesday, he said his apologies to Obi at the time was indeed a curse as he was forced to do that by the Bishop. He said he only obeyed the Bishop.

 

It is not also the first time the Church would sanction him over his utterances and behavior. In the wake of his scandalous tango with President Muhammadu Buhari over the refusal of Buhari to give a contract, without due process, to some foreigners Mbaka took to Abuja and introduced to Buhari, the Bishop had suspended the Priest for one month.

Then, as is the case now, his adherents took to the streets in protest, and in the process, attacked and destroyed the Catholic Cathedral, Enugu.

This time, the Police has taken the preemptive measure to heavily guard the Cathedral to avoid a repeat of last time.

OPINION: Ekiti Election: Highest Bidder Carried The Day

By
The Source
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0
Ekiti Election 2022

By Ajibola Amzat

Truth be told, each party offers bribes, but APC offer was the highest. And because more people wanted higher bribe, they voted for the highest bidder

I just returned from Ekiti where I reported the Governorship election.

And I learnt a few lessons.

The saddest part was that people can actually vote against their long-term interest in exchange for instant gratification.

I saw middle aged and young people gleefully collecting bribe ranging from N3, 000 to N10, 000 to  vote candidate they despise.

Days to the elections, the same people on the street were chanting hilarious but a warning song like Alagbara mo mero baba ole/ Ao gbodo gbo BAO l’enu yin mon.

Roughly translated as “powerful, but thoughless lot, we dare you mouth BAO again in our midst.”

I was curious and asked a few that I met why do they despise the ruling party so much, and the response was that Ekiti people had suffered hunger and deprivation in the last four years. They spoke about absence of clear leadership in the midst of insecurity. Of high cost of living and exorbitant school fee.

They wanted a change.

But on the day of election, politicians  among them had a different plan.

They stationed party agent by the corner of the polling booth to monitor   how people vote, and give them bribe afterwards.

Truth be told, each party offers bribes, but APC offer was the highest. And because more people wanted higher bribe, they voted for the highest bidder.

On the election day in Ado-Ekiti, I sat close to a couple of young girls who were giggling about how they almost voted for a party that offered N3,000 before they got promise of N7000 from the ruling party.

They were so happy to show the money to their friends. They cared less that someone in INEC uniform was seated nearby.

Observers we deployed to the 16 Local Government Areas in the State came back with similar reports.

The election was largely smooth. INEC appeared to be well prepared. BVAS worked well in many places. There were no case of major violence or rigging like we experienced in Kogi state.

The key issue in the Ekiti election is vote buying.

Politicians bought votes. People sold their votes.

And so the lesson I learnt is that the candidates who do not have war chest to dispense in the 2023 election  will struggle to win majority vote.

People will talk ideal before the day of election, but on that very day, politicians will be waiting for customers, not voters. And many registered voters will become customers on election day.

This is what I learnt in the Ekiti Election.

Again, I wish the people of Ekiti the best of luck in the next four years.

 Amzat was an Election Monitor to the just concluded Ekiti State Governorship Election

Ekiti Gov Elect Biodun Oyebanji Deserves His Election – Monarchs

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has  lauded 16 contestants that slugged it out last Saturday for the Governorship of the State.

In a congratulatory message to Biodun Oyebanji,  candidate of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) and winner of the election, the Monarchs noted that the peaceful conduct of the poll showed that the candidates are worthy patriots of the State.

The Traditional Council congratulated the Governor-elect, Biodun Oyebanji on his victory in the election.

The Council, which is the umbrella body for all Ekiti traditional rulers, expressed confidence that Oyebanji’s ascendancy onto the state Governorship seat will usher in uncommon transformation that will change the socio-political and economic landscape.

In the congratulatory message signed by its Chairman, Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon, on Monday, the Monarchs opined that Ekiti people hadn’t made any mistake for electing Oyebanji, who served as the Secretary to the Committee for the creation of the State, saying his victory buttressed  the fact that there is always a  reward for selfless service.

“The long period of service in the public service, spanning over 11 years Oyebanji had served Ekiti in different capacities, has given a conviction that he possesses the cognate exposure, astuteness, competence to be able to deliver.

“Let me on behalf of the Council officially congratulate the eventual winner of the Governorship election, Hon Biodun Oyebanji on his victory. We pray that his reign shall bring peace, unity, prosperity, and progress to our dear state.

“The overwhelming victory was a referendum on his personality and conviction by Ekiti people that he can superintend over Ekiti and deliver. He shouldn’t betray the confidence the populace reposed in him.

“Now that the election is over, the governor-elect should ruminate over how to get the best team that would build on the legacies that will be left behind by the current governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and other governors that had ruled Ekiti.

“He should start reaching out to other contenders, who are also Ekiti Patriots, and assure them of his readiness to partner them in the task of building Ekiti of our dream.

“We commend the INEC and security agencies for their neutrality during the poll. I also salute the traditional rulers for collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure that Ekiti was not set on fire before, during, and after the election.”

Uzodimma Urges Police Officers To Wear Their Ranks With Honour, Dignity

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has challenged Police Officers to wear their ranks with honour and dignity as a way of showing they worked for them.

The Governor specifically charged newly promoted police officers working in Imo State Government House to wear their new ranks with such honour and dignity as doing so is the first step towards earning more promotions in the future.

The Governor gave the charge at the decoration of four newly promoted  police officers, three from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to that of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and the fourth officer confirmed as ASP.

The event took place at the Governor’s Office (Pentagon Building), Government House Owerri, on Monday, June 20, 2022.

The three officers decorated with the rank of DSP were – Ahmed Gana, Abdulmalik Mohammed and Mohammed Suleiman  while Ibrahim Abudala was confirmed ASP.

The Governor who was represented at the ceremony by his Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, acknowledged the efforts of the security agencies in the maintenance of peace and protection of lives and property in the State in particular and country at large and commended them for their unrelenting efforts despite all odds.

Anyaehie, on behalf of the people and government of Imo State, thanked the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for finding the officers worthy of promotion to their new ranks.

While congratulating the four officers, he also charged them to avoid anything that will drag their names to the mud and subsequently, rubbish the hard work they put in the past that merited them the promotions.

Addressing the officers earlier, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Barde, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Femi Haruna, advised the officers to endeavour to always carry out their assignments with utmost responsibility, “bearing in mind the discipline for which the Police Force is known for.”

Emphasising that discipline is paramount in the Police Force, he urged the officers at all levels to avoid any behaviour that will tarnish the high reputation and image of the profession built overtime.

He further encouraged police personnel  still expecting to be promoted to continue to work hard and trust God that in due course they will be remembered.

The Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor,  Barr. Emeka Agbo and the Chief Principal Security Officer (CPSO) to the Imo State Government House,  Superintendent of Police (SP) Shaba Adamu also joined Anyaehie at the ceremony.

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