Home Blog Page 2162

Anyim Mourns Senator Arthur Nzeribe, Says He Made Great Impact

By
The Source
-
0
Arthur Nzeribe

Former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim has expressed sadness over the death of Senator Arthur Nzeribe, describing him as a man who made great impact in his life time.

In a statement he personally signed, Anyim said he received the news of the death of Senator Nzeribe with deep sadness saying the late politician and businessman man was a household name in Nigeria, Africa and across the world.

Anyim who is a frontline presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said Late Nzeribe was very active as a politician and left foot prints on Nigeria’s political landscape, for which he will be remembered for a long time.

He described Nzeribe as a man who had the courage of his convictions and pursued whatever he believed in with commitment and single mindedness.

“As a politician, Senator Arthur Nzeribe was very visible from 1979 till his death and was dogged and committed to whatever he believed in.

“In Business, Senator Nzeribe was  successful, building business empires in many sectors such as Insurance, Oil & Gas, Construction, Arms supply, and real estate.

“The scope of his operations stretched from Britain, Middle East, Ghana and Nigeria”, Anyim also recalled.

The PDP presidential aspirant also described Late Nzeribe as a committed PDP man who remained a member of the Party till his death.

Anyim condoled with the immediate family, friends and numerous political associates of the late Politician and indeed the Nigeria nation.

He prayed that the Almighty and merciful God will grant the soul of Late Senator Arthur Nzeribe eternal rest in His bosom.

Anger As ASUU Extends Strike By 12 Weeks

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Emmanuel Osodeke

By Akinwale Kasali

The hope of the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to reach a compromise over the Strike has hit another brick wall, as ASUU extended its ongoing  strike by another 12 weeks.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in a statement issued Monday morning, May 9, 2022.

He said this was to give the Government enough time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues that led to the strike that had already lasted more than 12 weeks.

It stressed in its statement  that the roll-over strike became effective from 12.01 am, May 8, 2021.

It said it took this decision after its National Executive Council meeting which started on Sunday night at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja.

Following this development, Nigerians have slammed the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government for the negligence the nation’s educational sector is facing.

Afro-fusion maverick Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, has condemned the current crisis which continues to cripple learning activities in universities nationwide.

Taking to his social media, the Dumebi crooner lamented that since he got admission into the University of Lagos, which he announced earlier this year, he has been unable to attend any classes.

“ASUU, since dem give me admission I neva start school o, e don do nau!” he wrote in Pidgin.

He appealed to the Government to heed to the demands of ASUU to bring the strike to a halt.

Chinonso Asikwe, a Social Commentator said the fate of Nigerian students hang in the balance due to the lingering ASUU strike, lamenting that education has been neglected for election.

In the midst of the long strike action, the Minister of State, Education, Emeka Nwajiuba and the Minister for Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, are each aspiring to be the President of Nigeria in 2023.

Dutch-American Declares For Governorship Of Plateau State

By
Uche Mbah
-
0
Wiebe Boer

By Uche Mbah

Wiebe Boer, a Dutch national who was born and brought up in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria,  has declared interest to contest for governorship in Plateau State.

He is known as Yohanna Maigona by the locals.

He attended secondary school in Jos and speaks Hausa and English fluently.

Speculations are rife that Boer is rather being sarcastic because of the number of aspirants justling for elective positions come 2023. Moreover, his party, All For All Peoples Party, is not registered by the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC.

Boer holds an American passport.

In recent times, his posters have flooded the internet, and is said to be gaining high level of acceptability within the zone.

He was almost killed in the Jos crisis of 2003.

CBN: Desperate Emefiele Goes To Court Over Presidential Ambition

By
James Orji
-
0
Godwin Emefiele

By James Orji
Amid widespread condemnations of his alleged presidential ambition, the CBN governor had headed to a Federal High Court in Abuja to seek a constitutional interpretation on his non-resignation while pursuing his political interests.
Reacting after friends of the CBN Governor obtained the All Progressives Congress, APC nomination for him, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State had called on him to resign from his prizedd position or be fired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Akeredolu, who is also the chairman of South West Governors had described Emefiele’s ambition a “joke taken too far” citing the Constitutional provision which bared any public officials from contesting electing until such has resigned.
On her part, a former Minister of Education, Obby Ezekwesili lampooned the CBN Governor, noting that Emefiele has destroyed the nation’s economy after allegedly opening up the CBN vault fro the Buhari led government.
The apex bank boss later denied that he has obtained the form. He said he’s still expecting God’s lead before he made any decision on the issue. Emefiele said that decision will be made in few days, adding that he will not obtain the presidential nomination form by proxies if he decided to run, in a veil reference to those who obtained the form for him for a whopping N100 million.
Byut sources said the CBN governor had now reached out to a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Dr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), to seek interpretation of the constitution and public service rules on public servants seeking elective positions while in office.
A highly placed source in the CBN told The PUNCH that the case had been scheduled for today (Monday).
He said, “Emefiele has just briefed Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) as his lawyer. He has just filed a case in court and is coming up tomorrow (today, Monday).”
Several efforts by The PUNCH correspondent to get the reliefs being sought by Emefiele from the source proved abortive.
Although the details of the suit were still sketchy Monday night, another source in the APC said Ozekhome was taking up the matter “for certain constitutional interpretations.”
Three interest groups – the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Friends of Emefiele and Emefiele Support Group – last week paid N100m for the APC presidential expression of interest and nominations forms for Emefiele.

Fear Looms Over Fresh Petrol Scarcity

By
James Orji
-
0

By James Orji

Another round of petrol scarcity is looming following the return of queues by motorists at filling stations in the nation’s capital, Abuja last weekend. The queues could spread to major cities and state capitals in the country in few days if urgent steps are not taken by concerned authorities, close watchers say.
In February this year, the nation witnessed a month- long acute fuel shortages due to importation glut by the state owned NNPC following discovery that methanol found in imported fuel exceeded Nigeria’s specifications.
The NNPC later claimed that the shortages was caused by the withdrawal of the adulterated petrol. The problem lingered for many weeks as the NNPC struggled to meet the demand of desperate motorists.
Just three months after the ugly experience, those watching the situation in Abuja, insist that the NNPC needs to inervene on the matter quickly before it degenerates into another fuel crisis, even though the immediate cause of the latest queues in Abuja remains unknown.
The magazine learnt that filling stations in the Wuse, Bwari, Lugbe and other satellite towns are still selling in prices raging from N165 and above. But petrol dealers said they are likely to exhaust their stocks in few days while appealing to the NNPC to ensure that the product t is available.
Meanwhile, the NNPC in its reaction said the development is due to the recent long Salah holiday, noting that the agency is on top of the situation.
“The NNPC Ltd notes the sudden appearance of fuel queues in parts of Abuja. This is very likely due to low loadouts at depots which usually happen during long public holidays, in this case, the Sallah celebrations. The state owned corporation said it has directed marketers to ramp up supply.
“Another contributing factor to the sudden appearances of queues is the increased fuel purchases which is also usual with returning residents of the FCT from the public holiday.”
“We assure all residents of the FCT, and indeed all Nigerians, that we have ample local supplies and national stock in excess of 2.5 billion litres, with sufficiency of more than 43 days.
“The NNPC Ltd hereby advises motorists not to engage in panic buying as supplies are adequate as will become increasingly evident in the coming days,” NNPC said in a statement on Sunday.

Family Announces Arthur Nzeribe’s Death; Begins Consultation; Requests Privacy

By
The Source
-
0
Arthur Nzeribe

By Charles Igbo

The family of Chief Francis Arthur Nzeribe has announced his passing.

Senator Nzeribe, a man of many parts, died in England on Thursday, May 5, 2022.

He had been bedridden for a couple of years but had been in absolute high profile, World class care put together by his family, led by his beloved wife, Joan.

In a statement  titled Our Mighty Iroko Has Fallen. Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe Is Dead signed by  his three sons – Ojiabu Francis Anyegbu Nzeribe, Anthony Akpati Nzeribe, Ojiabu Oliver Nwedo Nzeribe  –  on behalf of the Nzeribe – Royal Family of Oguta, Imo State, dated May 8, 2022, the family called him an African legend who they were very proud of.

Expressing their pain at his death, the family said it has began an immediate traditional consultations, and requested privacy as they mourn.

The statement reads:

“The Nzeribe Royal family of Umudei Rotal Village of Oguta in the Oguta Local Governor Area of Imo State, in total submission to the will of God Almighty and in appreciation of a remarkably worthy life, hereby announces the death of our Son, Cousin, Uncle, Husband, Father and Grandfather, Distinguished Senator Chief Francis Arthur Uzoma Nzeribe (Ogbuagu, Oshiji, Diamante Oyimba of Oguta) on the 5th day of May, 2022, at the age of 83.

“While we are pained by this loss, we are proud of this African Legend who Distinguished himself  in various fields including Sports, International Business, Politics and gave the Nzeribe brand worldwide acclaim.

“The family has immediately commenced the necessary traditional consultations and will, in due course, release a programme for his funeral rites.

“We appeal to the public  to respect the privacy of the family and the solemnity of this event to enable us grieve in peace. Thanks.”

Uzodinma Mourns Arthur Nzeribe: Says Nigeria Has Lost A Political Juggernaut

By
The Source
-
0
Arthur Nzeribe

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that the death of Senator Arthur Nzeribe is  a big loss to the people of Imo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Senator Nzeribe died on Sunday at the age of 83 according to family sources, having been born on November 2, 1938.

A statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, said Senator Nzeribe will forever be remembered as a political juggernaut in Nigeria.

Governor Uzodimma said his death has robbed Imo State and Nigeria of a seasoned politician and business icon, noting that Senator Nzeribe died when his fatherly and statesmanly advice were badly needed.

The Governor commiserated with the family members of Senator Nzeribe, the people of Oguta, his political and business associates, friends and well wishers on his passing, urging them to pray for the deceased.

Governor Uzodimma who also said Senator Nzeribe’s death is a personal loss to his family, the government and people of Imo State, urged God to grant the soul of the deceased a peaceful repose.

Senator Nzeribe, Osi ji,  Ogbuagu Damanze,  represented Orlu senatorial zone between October 1983 and December 1983 in the Second Republic on the platgorm of the Nigeria People’s Party (NPP).

At the return of the third republic he also represented the people of Imo West between May 1999 and May 2007 on the platform of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

2023 Presidential Race: Groups Buy APC Forms for Ayade

By
The Source
-
0
Ben Ayade and Muhammed Buhari

By Stanley  Ekpenyong, Calabar

Cross River state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade’s presidential ambition has received a huge boost as his supporters across the country under different aegis including Niger-Delta Youth, Eko Boys, Arewa Youth and Friends of Ayade for President are set to pick the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination and expression of intention forms for the governor.

The forms will be presented to the governor on Monday at the Cross River state Liaison office, Abuja at 3pm.

A statement released on Saturday said the governor fits the description of a president Nigeria needs in 2023.

“At this critical stage in Nigeria’s history, we need a president who is a unifer, a pan Nigerian, urbane and cerebral . Nigeria needs a president who will bring an exhilarating freshness to the polity and His Excellency, Senator (Professor) Ben Ayade undisputably fits this description.

“This explains our tireless effort to see that he emerges Nigeria’s next President and we will not rest till the Ayade presidency berths on the shores of reality “, the statement read in parts.

Continuing, it read: “Ayade is Nigeria and Nigerians’ only chance to forge enduring nationhood and unity. Here is a man who sees no tribe and sees no religion in anyone; all he sees is humanity. Indeed Ayade’s constituency is Nigeria and humanity. He is the only Governor in Nigeria that has Nigerians from all ethnic and religious groups-Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Ijaw, Edo, Akwa Ibom etc- in his cabinet with many holding vital and sensitive positions.

“Nigeria cannot afford to miss this man. Not only is he a detribalised Nigerian and a bridge between the young and old, he is also a performer, having dotted Cross Rivers’ landscape with industries in just seven years in an industrialisation drive never before witnessed in any state in this country.”

On why various support groups pooled resources together to purchase the presidential nomination and intent  forms for the governor, it said: “No amount of money is too big to sacrifice for a noble cause which the Ayade presidency project represents. We met and resolved that N100 Million should not be a barrier between us and the best man for the job because Ayade is simply the best of the pack.”

Elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, Ayade, a Professor of Environmental Microbiology, defected to the APC on May 20, 2021, thus redrawing Cross River’s political map.

The state had been under the firm grip of the PDP since 1999 but the governor’s defection has  significantly altered political equation with the PDP now reduced to a struggling opposition party in the state.

Professor Ayade is credited with massive industrialisation of Cross River through his aggressive Agro- Industrialisation policy which has seen the establishment of Agro- based industries in virtually all the 18 local government areas of the state.

Drivers of his presidential project believe that Ayade as President will replicate the same policy across the country.

Why I Fell Out With Ihedioha – Wike

By
The Source
-
0
Emeka Ihedioha And Nyesom Wike

By Charles Igbo

For a couple of years, not a few people have wondered why the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and the former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha fell out.

Until they did, both men, of the same Political Party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were close friends. But no longer.

Their relationship has so soured that Ihedioha and associates in the Imo PDP,  are not rooting for the Presidential aspiration of Wike in 2023. They are, allegedly, rooting for the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, while the associates of Samdaddy Anyanwu, the National Secretary of the Party are rooting for Wike.

Ordinarily, given their relationship before, Ihedioha  would have been rooting for Wike. In 2019, both Wike and Ihedioha rooted Tambuwal.

However, those who think both men fell out over Party politics are wrong. Their disagreement had nothing to do with that. It, instead, had everything to do with the interest of their different States. Both wanted more money for their States.

It began during the short-lived tenure of Ihedioha as the Governor of Imo State when they fell out over Oil Wells located around the boundary  of both States – Akiri and Mbede oil wells.

This was revealed by Wike during a State broadcast to the people of Rivers State to celebrate their victory over Imo State on the Oil Wells at the Supreme Court.

According to Wike, the Government and people of Rivers State, gave tremendous support to Ihedioha and helped him to become Governor. But Wike said Ihedioha stabbed them at the back when he broke the gentleman agreement between the two States over the oil wells reached during the tenures of former Governors Peter Odili and Achike Udenwa to share the Oil Wells on a 50-50 basis.

He said as soon as Ihedioha became Governor, he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari claiming the Oil Wells  as belonging to Imo State.

Wike story: “Let us recall that following the disputed claims to the location and ownership of some oil wells at the Akiri and Mbede oilfields between Imo and Rivers States in 1999, the Governors, Their Excellencies, Achike Udenwa and Dr. Peter Odili respectively, worked out a political settlement and  mutually settled for a 50:50 percent beneficial sharing of the derivation proceeds accruing from these wells pending the proper demarcation of the boundaries between the two States by the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

“While the dispute lingered, nothing was done by the NBC to demarcate the boundaries of the two States and establish the proper location and title to the disputed oil wells.

“However, instead of instigating the NBC to do the right thing, Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, shortly after assuming office, repudiated the subsisting 50:50 percent sharing formula and made provocative claims to the exclusive ownership of the entire Akiri and Mbede oil wells.

“In order to actualize this spurious claims, he stealthily wrote a letter dated 9th August 2019 to President Mohammadu Buhari and requested for the refund of the sum of N15, 000,000.00 (fifteen billion naira) from Rivers State to Imo State as backlog of accrued proceeds from the 13% derivation revenue of the said oil wells.

“Acting on Governor Ihedioha’s letter, Mr. President warranted a letter to be written to the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) through his late Chief of State, Mr. Abba Kyari, to alter the status quo against in favour of Imo State without reference to the subsisting dispute and agreement between the two States.

“Surprised by the surreptitious plots and collusive actions of the Government of Imo State and the NBC to overreach the legal interest of Rivers State in the disputed oil wells, the Rivers State Government opted to approach the Court for a just and lasting resolution.

“Not satisfied with the positive ruling of the Federal High Court, the Imo State Government appealed to the Court of Appeal and lost. We then proceeded against the Government of Imo State at the Supreme Court in a fresh suit for a final and conclusive determination of the boundary dispute between our two States.”

Wike expressed his willingness for futher discussions on the Oil Wells with Imo State  “despite the betrayals and back-stabbing by Emeka Ihedioha, who in spite of the extensive support and goodwill he received from the Government and people of Rivers State to become Governor, led the onslaught and created a wedge between two brotherly States that have been living at peace and in friendship with each other.”

2023: Why Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign DG, Abdulmumin Jibrin Dumps APC

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader and frontline Presidential Aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential ambition has been dealt a big blow.

The Director General of his 2023 Presidential Campaign, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has left him, and dumped the ruling APC.

Announcing his exit from the APC fold on his Twitter Handle, Jibrin, said: “I have done my best for APC. It’s time to move on. I will announce my new political party within the next 24 hours Insha Allah. I will make a formal statement in due course,” he tweeted.

Surprisingly, Jibrin had earlier on Friday and Saturday tweeted twice respectively, suggesting he was committed to the aspirations of Tinubu and that of Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on the platform of APC.

Jibrin, a former Federal Lawmaker at the House of Representatives, where he represented represented Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2011 before decamping to the newly formed political party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, was later re-elected into the House of Representatives in 2015.

Speculations are rife that he left the APC for two reasons. Jibrin, one school of thought insisted, was taken aback by the number of Presidential aspirants from the South West who came out to challenge Tinubu.

Said a source: “He thought it was going to be easy for Tinubu. But the number of  aspirants from Tinubu’s Zone who came out, and are still coming out to challenge him took him aback. He has a strong feeling Tinubu could be humiliated at the Presidential Primary slated to hold in a few weeks time.”

Another school of thought said Jubrin was no longer sure of a Presidential backing for Tinubu. He is, also, not sure that the Notth would allow a power shift to the South. The fact that the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan is coming out, confirms that. He gave up because he would hate to fight a lost battle, and did not want to battle the APC from within.

Jubrin, an academic, business man, was born in Kano. He began his early professional career in the media by working with the Century Research and Communication Limited and later in the construction industry. After a stint at the communications company and some experience under some building construction companies, he moved on to establish his own company, Green Forest Investment Limited in 2003.

Jibrin later became the Managing Director and subsequently Chairman/CEO Green Forest Group Limited, with subsidiaries in Energy, Property Development, Investment, Agriculture, Construction, and Engineering. He was also Chairman (Nigeria) of Turkish Construction giant, TASYAPI between 2010 and 2011.

He taught International Relations at the Nasarawa State University, Nigeria and authored publications in the field of International Relations viz- The new face of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy, Nigeria’s Role in Peace Keeping Operations in Africa.

1...2,1612,1622,163...3,057Page 2,162 of 3,057