Home Blog Page 2159

Defection: Ogboru Debunks Rumour Of Dumping APC For NNPP With Kwakwanso

0

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, 2019 Governorship candidate in Delta State, Great Ovedje Ogboru, has debunked the rumour making the rounds that he defected, alongside former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.

The former Labour Party Candidate in the 2015 Governorship Election said he remained a committed and astute member of the APC.

Speculations were rife that Ogboru and Kwankwaso had formed an alliance and it was agreed that both politicians will be

National Leaders of the party ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

It was also gathered that Kwankwaso is being tipped to be the Presidential Candidate of the NNPP with Ogboru as his running mate in 2023.

Ogboru has been at loggerheads with the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege over who owns the structure of the APC in the State.

The trio of Ogboru, Omo Agege and Festus Keyamo are all jostling to be the APC Candidate for the 2023 Governorship Election in the State.Omo Agege and Keyamo have an edge over Ogboru because of their position in the affairs of the ruling Party at the center. This, political observers said may have prompted the alleged the defection of Ogboru, which he has debunked.

Ogboru and Keyamo have lost the newly constituted  APC structure to Omo Agege who is the leader of the party in the South-South.

Reacting to his rumoured defection, the Chairman of Fiogret, a Private Fishing Company, said; “I’m still a member of APC”.

He added, “It’s rumour. I’m still in APC. If I am leaving APC, I will make it public. I’m still an authentic APC member. Just forget the rumour.”

First Bank, Others Hide N400bn Govt Funds In Ficticious Accounts

0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The managing director of First Bank Nigeria, FBN, Kazeem Adeduntan will soon have his day with the house of representatives following the discovery of over N14 billion federal government funds lodged in various fictitious accounts with the oldest commercial bank in the country. The discovery has now brought the total funds uncovered so far to close to N400 billion.

Even though it is not yet clear when Adeduntan will appear before the adhoc committee, sources privy to the ongoing investigations told the magazine that letters have been sent to the management to that effect, but there was no feedback yet from the old generation bank.

Some chief executive officers that had earlier been invited were said to have shunned the committee  over fear that may possibly implicate their banks during investigations. Sad over the development,  the committee was forced to issue a threat of arrest to erring banks earlier in the week.

“We are still consulting our lawyers on the issue”, a top First Bank official said confidently to the magazine on Friday.

The committee,  has, however fixed next Tuesday as deadline for all the concerned bank officials to appear before it after which a warrant will be issued for their arrest.

Some questions that the House Adhoc Committee investigating government funds trapped in many commercial banks in the country, will be asking First Bank officials, include how the numerous accounts were being serially oeperated without the Bank Verification Number, BVN as mandated by CBN governing rule,.
The committee had revealed recently that 45 million bank accounts are still being operated without BVN.

The lawmakers will also try to find out from the officials of the bank the identities of governmnet agencies and parastatals that lodged the humongous funds with the bank, aside from tasking FBN management to explain why such funds had not been remitted to the government despite several directives to that effect.
In line with all of these, the managing director of the bank will be summoned by the committee to shed lights on the matter, a member of the committee who said he ws not authorised to speak on the issue, told the magazine on Thursday.

“This is a serious issue that needs to be adressed promptly and we are going to do that to forestall any future infringement from these banks. Among others, we are also trying to know how bank account could be operational without the BVN as prescribed by the law. The National assembly will not spare any bank that deliberately flout the extant law of the country,” the lawmaker said.

According to him, “we are also trying to find out how much involved are government officials from parastals and agencies in this matter. We will get to the bottom of all of this and apply necessary actions where it is required”, he said.

The committee had on Tuesday disclosed that over N300 billion has been uncovered in various commercial banks. On Wednesday, the lawmakers said fresh discovery of N83 billion and N14 billion had been made in Stanbic IBTC and First Bank, respectively, effectively bringing the total to N397 billion that has been uncovered so far.

Recall that Unyime Idem, the chairman of the committee had earlier warned bank chief executive officers that they face arrest if they failed to cooperate with the committee, noting that many of the said accounts were being fraudulently operated without signatories and BVN.
“These accounts have been existing. We don’t open accounts without signatories. We said customers did not provide BVN details. What we mean by ‘No Signatory” is that we have listed the signatories. That’s what happened,” he said.

According to him, “If you don’t have BVN and it’s an existing account from the onset and if you are meant to be a signatory to the account and we don’t have your BVN, we delist you and you can’t operate the account anymore. We are not deleting ownership. We are just stopping the operations of the account until you comply with the requirements.

The committee was set up in February this year to search for over N1.3 trillion belonging to the federal government believed to have been secretly stacked in some commercials banks by government agencies and parastatals with alleged connivance of some top officials of commercial banks.

Nollywood Thespian, Dejo Tunfulu Is Dead

0
Dejo Tunful

By Akinwale Kasali

In what can be referred to as a big blow to the Nollywood Industry, most especially the Yoruba genre one of its very best actor, Kunle Adetokunbo, popularly known as Dejo Tunfulu has exited mother-earth.

The veteran actor is known for his comical display in movies and the good interpretation of his role is always a delight to his fans.

Breaking the news of his demise on his social media page is a colleague and friend, Kunle Afod, who wrote a tribute to him.

“You posted few days ago Dejo,

Haaaaaa, this is so sad, Pressy, Tunfulu, Daddy Junior, still can’t believe this.

“May his soul Rest In Peace”.

He is a veteran Nigerian actor and producer born on the 31st of May,1972.

The prominent actor was born in Idumota, Lagos Island area of Lagos State but hails from the Ikija area of Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State.

He did his primary education at Ansar-Ud-Deen primary school in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate.

He then proceeded to Dolphin High School, Ebute Elefun, Lagos Island, Lagos State for his secondary education.

He later attended the Modern Way Nigeria School of Printing for a certificate in printing to enhance his knowledge and skill.

He began acting in secondary school when he joined the entertainment society (a school drama club) and did some stage plays in the early 1980s.

He lived in close proximity to some notable stars like Fausat Balogun (Madam Saje) and Kayode Olasehinde (Baba Ajirebi) while growing up and had the opportunity to receive training from them even as a boy.

A few years later, he joined Akuko Gagara Theatre Group and Kolawole International Theatre Group, and  got his first television appearance in 1987 in the drama series “Apere Ijongbon” by the Kolawole International Theatre Group.

The late Dejo Tunfulu, as he was fondly called, is blessed with beautiful kids and grandkids. His previous marriage gave him two grown-up daughters. They are known by the husband’s surname, Sammyhat Pamilerin and Balogun Boje.

Dejo was married to Adesola Olakunle who  passed away in December 2012, reportedly, during childbirth.

After the death of his first wife, Dejo got married to Deola Idowu Gunwa.

Jonathan Condoles With Victims Of Kaduna Train Attack

0

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has commiserated with the victims of the unfortunate Abuja-Kaduna train attack and other Nigerians who were affected by the violent activities of bandits and terrorists in the country.

The former President also urged security services to scale up their efforts to bring the perpetrators to book, and hoped that those abducted would be rescued and reunited with their families.

The message stated: “I commiserate with  the victims of Monday’s Abuja-Kaduna train attack, the families of the deceased and other Nigerians who have been affected, in one way or the other, by recent events in our country, driven by the violent activities of  bandits and terrorists.

 

My thoughts are with them even as I pray that all those abducted will be rescued and reunited with their families soon.“I urge Nigerians to be vigilant, optimistic, and not to succumb to pessimism and fear.“I call on the security and intelligence services to scale up their efforts and ensure that perpetrators of these dastardly crimes are served with justice, and restore normalcy to our land.”

They Hate God, They Loathe Humanity – Femi Adesina

0

Haters of God and humanity struck on Monday, bombing the Abuja-Kaduna train. They then proceeded to open fire on passengers of the immobilized coaches. It was premeditated murder from the very bottom of hell.

See the toll of the carnage. Promising lives, cut short. Destinies terminated. Hopes and plans, ruptured. People who committed no sin, no crime, except that they lived in the same space with people who hate God, who loathe humanity, and who despise themselves. Hell awaits them, indeed, the hottest part of that nether region, “where their worms do not die, and the fire is never quenched.”

May God rest the souls of the dead, console their loved ones, cause rescue to come for the kidnapped. And the evildoers? They have their comeuppance awaiting them. “Though hands join to hands, the wicked shall not go unpunished.”

Whoever or whatever they are, terrorists, bandits, it doesn’t matter. They sow evil, and they will reap it. They do not deserve to live. Not in this world, nor the next. They need to be sent to their master, the Devil, and speedily too. They are like the British satanist and occultist, Aleister Crowley, who after a lifetime of evil and repudiation of God, said to himself on his deathbed: “I am perplexed. Sometimes I hate myself.” Yes, they hate God, loathe humanity, and despise themselves.

The rail revolution in the country has been hailed for its safety, comfort, luxury. Now the evil people have come to show that they hate safety, comfort, luxury. They abhor any form of progress or development. They prefer to live in the Stone Age, out there in the wild, visiting sorrow, tears and blood on humanity.

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has taken some right steps in response to the tragedy. The President has summoned the Service Chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police, giving the marching orders once again. You know what he once said at a security council meeting? “Wipe out these evil people. Kill them. Eliminate them. Nigerians love me, they trust me. That is why they keep voting for me. Wipe them out. Kill them. Eliminate them.”

Short of personally carrying a gun to confront the troublers of the country (he did that in his younger days), President Buhari has given the necessary support to the different security agencies. He has equipped them, trained them, boosted their morale in different ways. And they, too, have risen to the occasion. Daily, they are dispatching the evil people to meet their principal, the Devil. But those ones keep coming like locusts. You cut their fingers, they are even wearing rings.

However, there’s one thing we are sure of. Evil has never overcome good. Light has never conquered darkness. Nigeria will win. This country will be rid of terrorists, insurgents, bandits, ritual killers, all forms of criminals. As night inexorably follows the day, and dawn comes again, it will happen.

But the role of some Nigerians in perpetuating anomie in the country is worrisome. Through their tongues. They say evil about the country, utter negativity, thinking they are saying it against the government of the day. I mean even bishops, pastors, imams, commentators, talk show hosts, all sorts. They are engaged in war of tongues with Nigeria. They don’t know that the more they say it, the more evil happens. The cup fills up, and runs over. Let’s change our tongues. Change our hearts about our country. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Let’s begin to bless our country, rather than curse, and sow negatives in the hearts of people.

As horrendous as the train bombing is, do you know that some people are playing politics with it? See that statement from the failure called PDP, reducing the development to just leadership by the All Progressives Congress, APC. In such national tragedy? I’ve never seen a more silly, otiose, idiotic statement. All because of power, which if God wills, they may never smell again in their lifetimes? How imprudent, incautious, can some people be!

I remember an interview the then General Muhammadu Buhari granted to The News magazine in its maiden edition. Trying to defend some punishments considered draconian under his leadership as military head of state, he gave the illustration of people who vandalize electricity facilities supplying power to a major hospital. And in the process, all premature babies in the incubators died. He said, why don’t you shoot those kind of evildoers, so that those young babies could live?

I agree. Those who visit evil on society do not deserve to live, no matter what some activists may say. They should be sent to hell, and I join the President to plead with our security agencies: wipe them out. Kill them. Eliminate them. They have declared war against the country and its people. We are at war, yes we are.

They do not deserve to live. They have lost their humanity. Wipe them out. Kill. Eliminate.


Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

Terrorism: El-Rufai, Amaechi’s Confessions Confirm Complicity by APC Govt – PDP

0

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says that it’s suspicion that Federal Government is aware of the whereabouts of the gangs terrorizing the country  and killing and kidnapping innocent citizens in their thousands, has been confirmed by both the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

In the wake of the fatal bombing of an Abuja-Kaduna bound Train on Monday, March 28, 2022, an angry and frustrated El-Rufai said the Security Agencies knew exactly where the terrorists are, monitors their telephones and even talks with them, but are reluctant to storm their abode and take them out.

In the same vein, Amaechi disclosed that if he was not frustrated by approving authorities over his Ministry’s request for the sum of three billion Naira to install security equipment along the rail track, the tragedy which befell the Nation could have been avoided.

However, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said the two have only confirmed  what the Party always suspected – complicity of the Federal Government.

PDP: “These revelations from high-ranking APC officials who are in the position to know, is troubling as they are unequivocal confirmation that APC leaders are in league with terrorists”

Following hereunder is the full text of the PDP statement.

“The public confession by the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai authenticates the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s position that the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration knows the whereabouts and plans of the terrorists ravaging our nation but deliberately refuse to act.

“Also, the revelation by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, that some members of the APC-led Federal Executive Council frustrated his request to install security surveillance equipment to avert terrorist attack on the Kaduna-Abuja rail track confirms that the APC administration has been creating safety nets for terrorists to freely operate in our country.

“In exposing the APC government which he is part of, Mallam el-Rufai said, “we know where their camps are, we know where they are, the SSS has their phone numbers, they listen to them and they give me report…”

“In his own confession, the Minister of Transportation said ‘We knew what the problems will be. We knew we needed to have digital security equipment…I warned that lives will be lost and now lives are lost… When you come with sincerity to government and your colleagues are stopping you, it is annoying’.

“These revelations from high-ranking APC public officials who are in the position to know is troubling as they are unequivocal confirmation that APC leaders are in league with terrorists.

“It is therefore not surprising that President Muhammadu Buhari insists on retaining a self-confessed terrorist apologist, Dr. Isa Pantami to continue to head the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy which is indispensable in any meaningful fight against terrorism in the country.

“Nigerians will recall that the PDP has variously and consistently requested for a total overhaul and change of guard at the Ministry of Communications, which advice, like every other from Nigerians have been ignored, arising from the culture of arrogance in failure of the APC.

“The fact that the Buhari-led government atrociously refused to act despite having full intelligence on the whereabouts as well as the plans of the terrorists confirms grave complicity and conspiracy against our nation at the very top level of the APC government’s security command and control coordination structure.

“It also confirms that the APC government has conceded sovereignty over a part of our country to terrorists who, as a former APC leader confessed, were brought from neighboring countries by the APC as ‘political mercenaries’ to rig the 2019 general elections.

“That informs why the APC is deliberately suppressing information and exposing our brave and gallant armed forces to harm’s way while watching innocent Nigerians perish in the hands of terrorists.

“This is consistent with the character of the APC administration which places low or no premium on the lives of Nigerians as evidenced in the huge number of our compatriots killed since the APC took over governance in 2015. To the APC government; every Nigerian is a dot in circle which is considered inconsequential.

“This also apparently reveals why the APC administration has refused to adequately seek or accept assistance from foreign nations, even when offered, to track and plug sources of funding for terrorism in our country.

“In any case, Nigerians can recall how ahead of the 2019 elections, Governor el-Rufai declared that “those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the persons that will come and intervene, they will go back in body bags”. The question to ask is, who were those that el-Rufai had in mind will implement his body bag threat?

“It is clear that the APC is complicit in the many acts of terrorism in our country. Nigerians should therefore be united in ensuring that the APC is voted out of power in 2023 so that our nation can breathe a new lease of life.”

Train Attack: Government Officials Make Billions Of Naira From These Attacks – Shehu Sani

0

By Uche Mbah

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani,  says some  Government officials are making money out of the incessant attacks by terrorists.  He says they make billions of  Naira out of the misfortune of others.

Reacting to the fatal  bomb on the Abuja-Kaduna bound Train by Terrorists, Sani said  some Government officials are already carrying calculators to know how much they would make.

The solution: Sani advocated that Nigerians carry firearms to protect themselves.

In a series of tweets Wednesday, Sani said that if the Government and Security Agencies cannot crush these terrorists and bandits “kidnapping and killing our people in Northern and Southern Kaduna, people should be officially allowed to carry same weapons, and let’s see who owns the land.”

According to him, Government should recruit locals along Abuja and Kaduna axis to protect the roads and rail tracks.

“There are 37 villages along Kaduna-Abuja road, if the Govt can recruit, arm, & engage the youths of this villages to protect the road & the rail track, it’ll be cheaper & more effective than blowing N71 Billion in the name of surveillance or whatever ‘solution systems’ they call it.

“Each time there is protest or terror attack, Government officials quickly pick up their customized calculators and come out with figures in Billions and trillions of Naira or Dollars.

“(For) The Bandits attack on Kubwa-Abuja; I’m sure one Government official will soon calculate the damage done in Billions”, he said.

COVID: FG Scraps Use Of Face Masks, To Relax All Restrictions After Easter

0
FaceMask

By Uche Mbah

The use of face masks in public places is no longer compulsory, and is now a matter of choice, according to the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19.

The Committee,also, said the decision on when the final relaxation of measures will be taken will be the after the Easter festivities, when the current downward trend of infections will be monitored.

In an interview with The PUNCH monitored in Lagos, Secretary of the PSC on COVID-19, Muktar Muhammed, said Government has already suspended limits placed on public gatherings.

This follows the trend of other countries worldwide which are relaxing COVID restrictions.

Ghana was the first West African country to end the use of face masks in public places.

“We are easing up restrictions, but it’s important we do so responsibly”, he reportedly said.

“Last week, we suspended the limit placed on public gatherings, curfews and other social measures.

“The use of face masks in open spaces is now discretionary.

“We shall not hesitate to remove all mandates once the disease is no longer of public health consequence. We are aware that cases are rising in the Western Pacific and Eastern Europe. The US just mandated a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine for adults older than 50. We fear a reversal of the pandemic situation, where largely unvaccinated poor countries will be made to bear the burden, because the West has developed very high immunity through large scale vaccination.

“Our biggest fear now is the upcoming Easter holidays. If we are able to cross and the cases continue to go down with no significant increase in hospitalisation and death, then certainly, we will lower down our level of alertness and relax most of the measures.

“We are working with data and algorithms to determine our line of action. Everything depends on what happens next. We learn from other countries, but we don’t have to necessarily copy what they are doing. Every country should evaluate its risk and take responsibility.”

Defection: Ondo Assembly Member Loses Seat

0
Ogundeji Iroju

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, sacked its former Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji, following his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared his seat vacant.

The Assembly, presided over by the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye- election in Odigbo Constituency 1, within 90 days.

Clerk of the Assembly, Jayeola Benjamin, had read a letter written by the APC Chairman in the State, Ade Adetimehin, requesting the House to declare Ogundeji’s seat vacant.

Adetimehin said that the request was sequel to the letter written to the party by Ogundeji on March 19, notifying it of its resignation from the party.

Ogundeji, who was elected on the platform of the APC to represent Odigbo Constituency 1 in the Assembly in 2019, had said that he had registered as a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC Chairman quoted Section 109 of 1999 Constitution as stating that any lawmaker who became a member of any political party other than the one under whose platform he was elected into the assembly must vacate his seat.

Majority Leader of the Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi (APC-Owo II), therefore, moved a motion that Ogundeji’s seat should be declared vacant and was seconded by Deputy Speaker, Samuel Aderoboye (Odigbo II).

The Speaker then declared the former Deputy Speaker’s seat vacant, based on APC’s letter, and in accordance with the constitution.

He directed that a letter be written to INEC to conduct a bye election in the constituency within 90 days.

Oleyelogun also directed that Ogundeji’s benefits and entitlements be stopped forthwith and that all the government property in his possession be returned to the assembly immediately.

In his reaction to the development, Ogundeji, however, said that the Assembly had acted contrary to the order of the Court.

Ogundeji, confirmed that he was no longer a member of the APC saying he decided to join PDP, due to what he called division in the ruling party.

“APC deregistered me during its registration exercise sometime last year and I have to belong to a political party. That was why I join PDP.

“It is no longer news that the matter is already before a court of competent jurisdiction, that is, a Federal High Court.

“The court had served the speaker, through the clerk of the house, notice against declaring my seat vacant and that no action should be taken in respect of the matter.

“So, if it is true that they have declared my seat vacant, then they have acted in contravention of the court order, which is tantamount to contempt of court.”

Ondo Community Vows To Disrupt 2023 General Election Over Govt Neglect

0
Irele Local Government Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

The youths of Akotogbo in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State took to the streets on Thursday to protest against the alleged neglect of the community by the State Government .

Report from the area indicated that the protesters vowed to disrupt all political meetings, rallies and campaigns towards 2023 General Elections in the community, except Government pay urgent attention in terms of social amenities to the town.

They alleged that the 12 kilometers Akotogbo -Ajagba Road, linking the area with other parts of Ondo State has been cut off for long time and government has done nothing about it.

The people stated that the community lacked good roads, electricity and many other infrastructure as a result of neglect of the Government.

They carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Ondo Government pay Attention to Akotogbo, Our roads are the worst in Ondo State, no light,  no teachers in schools at Akotogbo, no good road, no election at Akotogbo,’among others.

According to them , Akotogbo was the only big community at the border between Edo and Ondo states which has no road and electricity supply.

Speaking during the protest , the Chairman, Youth Group, Mr Nenuwa Ayodele expressed disappoinment on all the politicians voted for in the area in the past.

He added that “kidnappers  have turned the only road linking the town with other parts of Ondo state to death traps as they usually strike daily.”

In a reaction , the Regent of Akotogbo, High Chief Iwalewa Emoruwa appealed to the government to urgently respond to the plights of the people of the community.