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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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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.”

Kwara: Four Persons Killed As OPC, Cow Dealers Clash

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Four persons have been confirmed dead during a clash between members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and cattle dealers in Kwara State.

It was gathered that the incident happened at a popular cattle market at Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun local government area of the State.

The spokesman of the State Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the development in a statement made available to Journalists in Ilorin the state capital.

It was gathered that the crisis started at Kaara market, a weekly cow market in the town with both parties engaging in shooting which later left four unidentified persons dead while many also sustained various degrees of injuries.

A source said that the clash first started between cow merchants in the market and it later escalated to the major road while the OPC members who were returning from Osun State where they attended a festival in Osogbo got involved in the clash because of the traffic gridlock on Omu-Aran-Ilorin highway.

However, the State Police Command said normalcy has been restored in the area, following deployment of policemen.

Commissioner of police, Kwara State Police Command, Tuesday Assayomo  is reported to have ordered immediate deployment to prevent further escalation and killings of more people in the affected area.

The four unidentified dead bodies have been evacuated from the scene and deposited at the  University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue and the injured taken to the hospital in Ajase-Ipo for medical treatment.

Those That Will Make Atiku Win Or Lose The Election – Wike; Disagrees With Ayu Over Suit Against PDP, Atiku, Tambuwal

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said that those around the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will be responsible for either his victory or failure at the 2023 Presidential polls.

Wike said this in a statement in reaction to a suit purportedly filed by him and one other at an Abuja High Court, seeking to disqualify Atiku, and declaring him, Wike, the Party’s Presidential candidate.

Wike and one Newgent Ekemon  were listed as plaintiffs in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022.

In the originating summons,  PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  Atiku and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State  were listed as first, second third and fourth respondents respectively.

However, in a statement  issued on Friday by his media aide,Kelvin Ebiri, Governor Wike denied knowledge of the suit. He said he neither instituted  it, nor aware of it. Instead, Wike accused Atiku’s loyalists of being responsible for the court case. He said they initiated it, an allegation Atiku has dismissed as ridiculous.

Wike’s allegation, also, runs contrary to that of the National Chairman  of the Party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, who accused the ruling Party at the centre, the All Progressives Congress, APC, of being behind the suit seeking Atiku’s disqualification.

Here’s what Wike said on Friday in the release:

“People have called me throughout this morning and said all kinds of things that I went to court against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. I want to say categorically, if I have a reason to go to court, I will go to court, but I didn’t go to court.

“Yesterday too, they said I removed all PDP flags at Rivers State Government House. But I just have to say these things for Nigerians to know that I have kept quiet, and I’m busy delivering dividends of democracy for my party to win election in Rivers State.

“But I want to tell the candidate:  it is the candidate’s group that are doing all these things. Let the world hear, they are the ones plotting all these things, thinking that they will spoil my name; they cannot.

“I didn’t go to court; I have no reason to go to court. But those of you who are plotting and saying that I went to court, for you to have come out now to say Wike went to court, I say shame on you. Shame will be on all of you.

‘’I have told the candidate, you will win or lose this election because of the people around you. Anybody who knows me knows too well that if I was going to court, I would have gone to court within two weeks after the primary because it is a pre-election matter and after two weeks, you can’t go to court.’’

“The Legal Adviser of the party called me and told me that he knows that there is mischief going on. But that he knows me very well, if I’m going to court, it is not those kinds of lawyers that I would have used and I don’t even know the lawyers.”

Wike advised Atiku to focus on big and more important issues – how to win election –  instead of focusing on frivolities.

Wike: “You’re supposed to be talking about how you will win the election. All these rent seekers around him are not doing him any favour. Rather, they are trying to prevent him from winning the election. But if that is what they wish, I wish them good luck.

“You see that I am not talking. I am doing my work, so leave me to do my work. Those concocting ideas everyday; social media cannot make you win elections.

“Election is about the people and by the people. Let those in Abuja with you (Atiku); tell them to go home and campaign for you to win the election. Leave Wike alone, enough is enough.”

The Governor also identified those planning against him in Abuja. He said it was some Governors, wasting their time, concocting allegations against him instead of planning how to win the 2023 election.

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 percent. It was only Rivers State that did not give Buhari 25 percent; I am challenging anybody on it,”

But Atiku has faulted Wike’s claims that the suit was instituted by his loyalists, and dismissed it as ridiculous.

Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe in his response to Wike challenged Wike to show evidence. He reasoned: ‘’Why will the candidate of a party go to the extent of instigating a suit against anybody? It does not make sense. Since he (Wike) is making the allegations, he has to provide evidence.

“We are committed to the process for the resolutions of the issues. It is important that we do that for the good of the party, for the unity and cohesion of the party and for the good of Nigerians who are looking up to the PDP as the major opposition party to wrestle power from the APC and turn around the broken social, economic and political  fabric. We remain committed to that process.”

But National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, exonerated both Atiku and Wike of responsibility in the suit. He put it on the table of the APC.

In a statement on Friday by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Simon Imobo-Tswam, Ayu

“His Excellency, Gov. Nyesom Wike never took the party to court. It is the APC that did it. The first name in the case is a coordinator of the presidential candidate of the APC.

“We know very well that they don’t believe they can win any election. They have decided to divide you. But don’t let any APC manipulation divide you.

“They are the ones sponsoring false stories of the crisis in PDP. PDP has no crisis, it is a united party.

“Anyone who thinks they can come and brew a crisis here is deceiving himself. They should wait for us till next year. In February, we will show them that they are the ones with crises.

“I want to make this clear before people start saying: ‘Oh, Wike took the party to court.’  Wike is a strong party man.

“And I am happy that he came out immediately to deny that he took the party to court. And very soon, the truth will be revealed because it’s a criminal thing.”

The crisis in the PDP reared its head at the Presidential Primary of the Party when Atiku beat Wike to a second place to pick the ticket.

Wike stormed out of the venue because of what he saw as a betrayal. His valid reasoning was that Atiku was not qualified to contest as the Presidential contest ought to have been left for the South, especially, as the National Chairman, Ayu, is a Northerner.

The relationship worsened when Atiku picked Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate instead of Wike who came tops, according to the screening Committee which was set up to chose Atiku’s running mate.

Since then, there has been bad blood between Atiku and Wike. The Governor has given PDP activities a wide berth abs has refused to be pacified. It s gathered that one of his conditions for peace is: “Ayu must step down as the National Chairman for a Southerner, since Atiku, a Northerner is the Presidential candidate.

Not a few people see it as a legitimate request.

APC’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Neither For God Nor Country

By
The Source
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0

By Prof. Usman Yusuf

For fairness, equity and justice as is enjoined in all our scriptures, our politics must reflect the nation’s rich ethnic and religious diversity. APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket is neither for God nor country.

Let us be clear: all this political gymnastic around the religion of the ruling party APC’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections and the dust it has raised, is just to accommodate the lifetime presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

Although a presidential candidate emerges through a party’s primary election; choosing the vice-presidential candidate is the prerogative of the winner of that ticket, not the party’s.

So, if anyone has any problem with APC’s vice-presidential choice and the bogus, almost insulting reason given for that choice, you know who to blame instead of vilifying your favourite scapegoats; the Hausa-Fulanis, Muslims and Islam. Doing so as it is being done by the leaders of the “APC Northern Christians” group is uncharitable and a big political miscalculation.

I am yet to meet or hear of a Northern Muslim, Muslim cleric or traditional ruler that is celebrating the fact that both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the ruling APC are Muslims. One thing I know for sure is that, no Northern Muslim presidential candidate of any political party would even contemplate attempting this lopsided ticket.

I will take the liberty of dispensing with all political correctness and say it as it is. The plain truth is that only a Muslim presidential candidate from the South West (SW) geopolitical zone would have the audacity to float this combination which is an exact replica of the 1992 ticket of Abiola and Kingibe.

It appears as if the APC is out of touch with the pulse of the nation in 2022. Thirty years since this memorable 1992 Muslim-Muslim ticket, Nigeria’s rich ethnic and religious diversity has been manipulated by politicians in a very negative and divisive way, thereby balkanizing the nation along ethnic and religious fault lines.

Political calculations and miscalculations

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Politics is about winning elections not sentiments. I would assume that it is this calculation that informed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s choice of Senator Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from the Northeast as his vice-presidential candidate. Nigerian electorates will surely give their verdict on this ticket on Election Day in February 2023.

APC Northern Governors: The jostling for the vice-presidential slot among Northern governors of the party started long before it became public. These governors were the driving force in the campaign for the APC Presidential ticket to rotate to the South in 2023. They gave directions to the delegates from their respective states as to which candidate to vote for at the party primaries. No one in the North believed for once that their motives for campaigning for power shift to the south were altruistic. The calculations of each one of them was to be the chosen one or at least a fellow sitting governor among them to be the one.

APC Northern Christians: To be honest, I didn’t know such group existed within the APC until this Muslim-Muslim ticket brouhaha broke out. Incidentally, the leaders of this group were some of the staunchest supporters of Tinubu leading up to the primaries. They are also some of the biggest beneficiaries of their party’s poor stewardship of this country in the almost eight years that it has been in power.

Their calculation has always been that Tinubu, a Southwestern Muslim, would choose a Northern Christian from among them as his running mate if he wins. Now that they have lost out, they have all of a sudden become the self-anointed champions of the “marginalized” Northern Christians.

All is quiet on the South western front

Has anyone noticed the uncharacteristic silence from the SW on this matter? What happened to this region’s vibrant media, television pundits, academics, lawyers, trade unions, clergies of mega churches and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)?

Would there be this deafening silence from the SW if the top of this Muslim-Muslim ticket were a Northern Muslim? I wondered aloud. There would no doubt have been a loud synchronized chorus of “Islamization” and “Fulanization” of Nigeria from church pulpits, palaces, universities, newsrooms, market places, offices and the streets in this region.

I watched Seun Okinbaloye’s program, Sunday Politics on Channels TV, where the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, struggled to justify his political mentor’s choice of a Muslim running mate.

“I think religion should leave the public space and go back to where it belongs; the homes and the religious centres. There is too much religion in our public life, religion is a private thing, praying in public and others I think we should just stop them and get down to real business” –  Babatunde Fashola, 24-7-2022

APC and Religion in Nigeria

The ruling APC has woefully failed to properly manage the rich ethnic and religious diversity of this country for our common good. This mismanagement has widened the chasm between our people. By 2023, the APC will have an 8-year record of its stewardship that Nigerians will interrogate.

The religion of its flag bearer or his running mate will be the last thing on the minds of the citizens when they go to the polls.

Politicians: At a time when the nation is facing the worst insecurity of our lifetime and citizens are burdened by excruciating economic hardship, our politicians seem oblivious to the mortal danger that Nigeria’s many challenges, particularly insecurity, pose to our existence as a nation.

The scramble for 2023 elections has already begun with political bouncers all over the media platforms trading childish insults instead of presenting credible ideas to the citizens on how to dig the country out of the ditch the APC has put the nation in.

Nigerians are a deeply religious people at least publicly but, instead of using faith as a rallying point for good, our politicians use it to divide the people for their selfish gains.

Democracy offers plenty of opportunities for anyone not happy with any political party the freedom to choose another. It will therefore be irresponsible for any person or group of persons to express their grievances in ways that will adversely affect the nation’s fragile democracy and tenuous security.

For fairness, equity and justice as is enjoined in all our scriptures, our politics must reflect the nation’s rich ethnic and religious diversity.

APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket is neither for God nor country.

Usman Yusuf is a Professor of Haematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation

Yoruba Leader, Banji Akintoye Writes President Buhari Over Planned Exit Of Ethnic Group From Nigeria

By
Ayodele Oni
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Dr Banji Akintoye

By Ayodele Oni

Yoruba Nation agitator, Professor Banji Akintoye, again in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, has given notice of exit of the Yoruba ethnic group from Nigeria.

The renowned historian and leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, Ilana Omo Oodua, stated that time is now for the Yoruba ethnic group for self independence.

In a letter dated August 6, 2022, Akintoye pointed out that the onslaught and continued attacks by Fulani militants can no longer be tolerated by the people.

“We, Yoruba people, solemnly reject any arrangement that would subject us to continued membership of Nigeria.

“Even much worse, Mr. President, you and we do know that, consequent upon, and beyond, all these serious distortions and devastations, a bloody and generalized war is now imminent in Nigeria.

“As these would-be conquerors and their allied terrorists continue to unleash their devastations on indigenous peoples across Nigeria, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo (president 1999 – 2007), has publicly alerted the world that war has become inevitable, and is imminent, in Nigeria.

“According to countless additional sources from all parts of Nigeria, including statements and threats by terrorist and bandit groups, this final war will be triggered by a massive invasion of Abuja by a combination of terrorist and bandit forces.

“This will be followed by claims by these forces that they have taken over the authority of the Nigerian Federal Government, and followed by a general demand that the peoples in all parts of Nigeria should surrender their homelands.

“Since the indigenous peoples will not surrender their lands to the Fulani and their terrorist allies, the war will spread all over Nigeria for years to come and lead to massive refugee floods from Nigeria into most parts of West Africa, generating massive disruption, poverty and human suffering across West Africa .

“We can no longer continue to watch as we face the probable extermination of our people through the unprovoked and persistent aggression by another ethnic group with which we are living together in the same country.

“The people of the South West region have been attacked by heavily armed marauders and militias, who have been invading “our homeland for many years from the Northern part of the country of Nigeria to which we belong.

“The Nigerian Federal Government, in view of the serious urgency of the situation, shall, within the coming days, but not later than Friday September 30, 2022, inform us that they have graciously agreed to our proposal for negotiation and that they have set up a negotiation team that will meet and dialogue with our Yoruba nation’s representatives.

“That as soon as we receive the communication from the Nigerian Government, we shall forward the list of our negotiation delegates to the Nigerian Government.

“That the Nigerian Government negotiation team and our negotiation team shall meet to appoint co-chairpersons, and to agree on a date for the first negotiation meeting, the procedure, and the venue.

“That ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations shall be invited to send observers to the negotiation meetings.”

“Mr. President, we eagerly and most respectfully await your response to our proposal as spelt out above.

“Mr. President, we include below in this letter a Map of Yorubaland in Nigeria, depicting our desired sovereign Yoruba Nation-State.

“Mr. President, we, Yoruba, have taken our time to consider various options available to us as a civilized people in today’s civilized world.

“We have arrived at the most reasonable conclusion and the most sustainable option in the best interest of our people.”

Blasphemy Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Why Gov. Lalong Apologised To Catholic Church

By
The Source
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0
Simon Lalong

By Gideon Njoku

Finally, the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has eaten the humble pie. The Governor has apologised, profusely, to the Roman Catholic Church for dragging  the name of the Catholic Pontiff into the murky waters of Nigerian politics, while defending his appointment as the Director General of the Presidential Campaign of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.

Lalong’s problem with the Roman Catholic Church began when  he was appointed the DG of  the Campaign Organisation for the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Most Christians were uncomfortable with the ticket, and angry at Lalong’s acceptance to lead the Campaign. They saw the  ticket as an insult on the Christian faith and were surprised at Lalong.

Lalong is not only of the Catholic faith, he is a Papal Knight.

To defend himself for accepting to lead the campaign of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, Lalong dragged the office of the revered Catholic Pope into it.

He told the State House Correspondents that the Pope, who is the Head of the Catholic Church, is not against his acceptance of the position.

The dragging of the Pope’s name and office, angered Roman Catholic faithfuls, and especially, Papal Knights. They accused Governor Lalong of disrespect to the office of the Pope by dragging his name into local politics. Not a few asked for Lalong’s suspension as a Papal Knight.

In a letter of protest addressed to the Governor, the National President of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria, APKMN, Dame Esther Uduehi, scolded Lalong. She expressed the disappointment of APKMN members in Lalong and said that “The Executive of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria will be meeting to take a decision and make recommendations to CBCN and thereafter to the Papal Nuncio.”

The letter reads:

“My dear Sir Simon Lalong,

Governor of Plateau State, I write to you as the National President of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria,  (APKMN), to express the disappointment of all Papal Honorees in Nigeria at a statement credited to you which would tend to bring the revered image and person of the Holy Father, the Pope into your Local Politics.

“Your action, to say the least, is not only disappointing but condemnable and not expected of a  Catholic and more so of a Papal Knight.

“The Holy Father is a busy man and does not interact with individuals so easily as you will want Nigerians to believe. I have been mandated by all Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria who feel betrayed by your Statement to ask you to produce evidence of your claim or refute the statement credited to you.

An ardent Catholic and a Papal honoree at that, ought to know where and when to apply the break in discussing issues of the Church.

“No true Catholic, no matter his/her position in the society will deliberately politicize the revered name of the Pope for the purpose of a position in a localized political matter of any country.

“The executive of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria will be meeting to take a decision and make recommendations to CBCN and thereafter to the Papal Nuncio.”

The reactions and the letter shook Lalong. He needed to apologise for two reasons. One, not to hurt the campaign of the APC candidate the more by antagonising the Roman Catholic Church, and two, to avoid being penalised by APKMN, or even being stripped of his Papal Knighthood by the Pope.

To avoid those, Governor Lalong has tendered an unreserved apology to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN.

In the letter addressed to the President of the CBCN, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, the Governor asked for forgiveness, and restated his commitment to the Catholic faith. He promised to continue to uphold the banner of the Christian faith in his public life.

The letter entitled: “Letter of Apology”, and dated August 12, 2022, which the Governor personally signed, reads:

“I have followed, with some shock and deep regret, the reactions that have trailed my appointment as the Director-General of the Campaign Council for the Presidential Candidates of our Party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Ibrahim Shettima.

“The appointment, understandably, was received with mixed reactions across the Christian community who genuinely feel aggrieved by the decision of our party to settle for a Muslim Muslim ticket.

“While many people commended me for the appointment and saw it as a way of remaining within the system to fight for our own interests, others cast aspersions on it on the grounds that our faith had been insulted and denigrated.

“In the course of this, many of my opponents turned the issue into a political weapon with some spreading rumours and questioning the integrity of my credentials as a Catholic and a Papal Knight.

“In trying to make my case, I have granted interviews to justify why I believe that the appointment did not in any way undermine my commitment to the Catholic Church.

“During the week, in the course of defending myself, I had cause to make reference to my credentials as a Catholic and a Papal Knight. In the process, I made reference to the Holy Father.

“I now realise that this was an error on my part and has caused some level of concern and even embarrassment to many, especially the Members of the family of Papal Knights to which I belong.

“I now understand that I may have overreached myself in the course of trying to defend my personal decision in accepting this appointment and thus, the reference to the holy father was not intended as an act of disrespect to his exalted and revered office.

“Your Grace, by this written letter, I wish to tender my unreserved apologies and ask for their understanding and forgiveness from my brothers in the Catholic faith and, through you, the entire members of the Bishops’ Conference, our Fathers and our Leaders.

“My commitment to the Catholic faith to which belong remains unreserved and undiluted. I will continue to uphold the banner of my faith in public life as I have done over the years

“You may recall, Your Grace, that in the last five or so years, I have been at the forefront of facilitating our dialogue as politicians with you our fathers in the faith. I remain committed to this and pray that you will continue to encourage us as we ascend the slippery slope of politics.”

Uzodinma Gets FG’s Nod For FUTO Teaching Hospital, Full Take Over Of Alvan; FMC Becomes Teaching Hospital 

By
The Source
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0
Buhari and Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma’s determination to turn around the fortunes of Imo State was taken to another level on Friday when he got President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for the Federal Government to build a teaching hospital for the Federal University of Technology Owerri.

The National Universities Commission recently approved the commencement of a Medical College by FUTO.

Buhari’s approval did not end with FUTO having a Teaching Hospital as he also conceded to Governor Uzodimma’s request for the Federal Government to fully take over the Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri which earlier approval was suspended since 2015.

Governor Uzodimma got the approvals during a private meeting he had with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock.

Cognisance of the need for FUTO to have a training ground for her medical students, Governor Uzodimma  requested from President Buhari that the Federal Government upgrades the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri to a Teaching Hospital status so that the  FUTO medical students can be trained therefore.

Presidential approval was also granted to Governor Uzodimma’s request for the full take over of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education by the Federal Government.

Since 2015 when the Federal Government indicated interest in the ownership of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri as a federal institution, the idea is yet to be consummated but the Governor’s meeting with President Buhari has put paid to all encumbrances as the Presidency has given nod to its full take over by the Federal Government.

In a chat with newsmen after his meeting with President Buhari, Governor Uzodimma said: “The plan is to upgrade the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri to a Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri which will be made available for the maintenance and management of the Medical School approved by National University Commission (NUC).

“The President has also given a nod to the full take over of Alvan Ikoku College of Education by the Federal Government which was suspended in 2015. This is following the institution’s compliance with the requisite requirements by the National University Commission.”

During the chat, Governor Uzodimma also used the opportunity to advise Nigerians to think deeply about what insecurity and economic sabotage have done to the economy of the country.

He suggested that Nigerians pay less emphasis on the citizens choices of religion and where they come from, particularly as it concerns the political parties and their choices of candidates for the 2023 general election.

Femi Kuti Debunks Endorsing Buhari In 2015, Says He Never Called Obi Supporters Zombies

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Femi Kuti

By Akinwale Kasali

Femi Kuti, Son of legendary Afrobeat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti has debunked allegations that he supported the candidature of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Kuti said that though Vice President Yemi Osinbajo approached him to campaign for Buhari in 2015, but he rejected the offer.

There were claims on Social Media that Kuti had supported and thrown his weight behind Buhari whose administration has been roundly criticised by Nigerians.

Social Media users had alleged that there are indications that Kuti will support All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the same position in the upcoming 2023 presidential election.

The tweep A Twitter user identified as @McAnthony wrote: “Femi Kuti endorsed Buhari in 2015, I won’t be surprised if he supports batshit. He does not matter in the scheme of things.

“Baba you welcomed Osinbajo to your house.”

Reacting to the Social Media castigation of him, the 60-year-old Afrobeat Musician described it as a ‘fabricated lie’ and wondered why people come up with unsubstantiated claims.

He, however, admitted that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo approached him to campaign for Buhari in 2015, but added that he rejected the offer.

“How you all come up with fabricated lies beats me.

“But why all the lies? You heard me endorse him or ever anyone? Thank goodness the video is on YouTube.

“To be clear, Osinbajo came to my house to ask me to join their campaign and I told him no, rumours started to spread that I supported them.

“When he came in front of the crowd was my opportunity to clear it. Go and watch and come back.” he tweeted.

Kuti also reiterated that he never labelled supporters of Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), zombies as insinuated from different quarters.

He was quoted to have made the comment during a performance at the Shrine on Thursday night in Lagos, drawing a comparison between them and ‘Zombie’, the studio album released in 1976 by his late father.

“You know what obedience means? Stand up, sit down, sit there — zombie. How can you be Obidient in this chaos? I am not Obidient,” Mr Kuti allegedly said.

But reacting via his Twitter page on Friday, the musician said his words were taken out of context.

Femi said he only expressed his reservation with the term “Obidient”, adding that he is not against Obi’s Presidential ambition.

“You are such liars. Of what benefit is it to the people when you take my words out of context like this? I said I’m too angry at my age to be obedient,”

“Expressing I do not like the ‘term’ But if Peter Obi wins and actually changes the country, better for all of us.”  he wrote.

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