Home Blog Page 2217

Campaign Posters: PDP Demands Emefiele’s Immediate Resignation, Investigation

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Godwin Emefiele Campaign Posters

By Adesina Soyooye

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has demanded for the immediate resignation of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, from office. The party also called for his investigation.

The call by the PDP follows  Emefiele’s  Campaign posters for the office of the President of Nigeria which have flooded Abuja and elsewhere.

Emefiele is the surprise name which popped up as a possible Presidential candidate under the All Progressives Congress, APC. He is, allegedly, being presented under the refuge and prompting of Corporate Nigeria.

But like a number of commentators, the PDP has described Emefiele’s entanglement with the Presidential office in 2023, as “The height of impunity”.

In a statement signed by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP asserted that “the appearance of the CBN Governor, the banker of the federation, who by law, ought to be non-partisan and apolitical, in APC campaign material is the height of impunity of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, which amounts to poking its fingers in the eyes of Nigerians and daring them to do their worse.”

Following is the full text of PDP’s statement.

:The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demands the immediate resignation and investigation of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, following his appearance in All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign posters which confirms his partisan affiliation and entanglement with the APC.

“The PDP asserts that the appearance of the CBN Governor; the banker of the federation, who by law, ought to be non-partisan and apolitical, in APC campaign material is the height of impunity of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, which amounts to poking its fingers in the eyes of Nigerians and daring them to do their worse.

“This action by Mr. Emefiele is contrary to the provision of Section 9 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act which provides that “the governor and the deputy governors shall devote the whole of their time to the service of the bank and while holding office, shall not engage in any full or part-time employment or vocation, whether remunerated or not…”

“By engaging in partisan politics to the extent of appearing in APC campaign posters, Mr. Emefiele has knowingly and deliberately violated the provision of the CBN Act stated above.

“Mr. Emefiele has also desecrated the sanctity of his office as CBN Governor, compromised the integrity of the apex bank, stripped it of the confidence reposed in it by Nigerians and the International Community and as such, cannot legitimately continue to hold and function in that office.

“This further confirms that under Mr. Emefiele, the CBN, as the custodian of our national economy, has become an appendage and cash cow of the APC in their reckless pillaging of our national resources, the resultant effect of which is now evident in the near collapse state of our economy.

“The CBN Governor must therefore resign immediately and subject himself to investigation by anti-corruption agencies on various allegations of financial misfeasance including reportedly opening our national vaults to the cabal in the APC administration and operating a special fraudulent, corrupt and discriminatory foreign exchange regimes for APC leaders to fleece our nation.

“In addition, this further confirms allegation in the public space that the CBN had secretly released billions of naira through various petroleum sector underhand dealings to finance the APC National Convention.

“It is now crystal clear that President Buhari and the APC are not committed to providing a level playing field for free and fair general elections in 2023. As the banker of the federation, Mr. Emefiele is in a position to have undue access to public funds to finance APC’s campaigns.

“Moreover, being in control of all the accounts of other Nigerians, the CBN Governor is also in a position to use his office to clamp down on the finances of other contestants and stifle them of funds.

“It is only under the APC with its impunity and disregard for rules and sanctity of Institutions that campaign posters with the portrait of the CBN Governor side by side with that of the President can be condoned. That presupposes an endorsement of impropriety and we demand that President Buhari come clean on this monumental corruption of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“History will note President Buhari’s legacy of destroying every segment of our national life; from security to electoral process, unity of our nation and now the sanctity of the Central Bank. Our Party cautions that the consequences of this are better imagined.

“Now that Mr. Emefiele has openly identified with the APC, he should immediately resign and face an ill-fated career in the fizzling APC.”

Emefiele, a former Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, was appointed the CBN Governor by former President Goodluck Jonathan. He succeeded former Emir of Kano who was sacked by Jonathan.

On coming into office in 2015, Buhari not only kept him, but renewed his appointment, thus making him the first CBN Governor to get a second term in office.

He is of the Igbo speaking area of the South-south.

Uzodimma To Supervise APC Convention, Heads Technical Committee

By
The Source
-
0
Hope Uzodimma

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has been saddled with the responsibility of supervising the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention slated for Saturday, March 26, in Abuja, in his capacity as Head of the Technical Committee.

His Committee is to oversee the conduct of the exercise.

Governor Uzodinma is heading 34 other eminent party leaders also involved in monitoring and supervising the Convention.

In a letter addressed to Governor Uzodimma by the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee and Extraordinary Convention,  Mai Mala Buni, who is, also, Governor of Yobe State, Uzodimma was informed that his Committee “is responsible for the smooth conduct of the Convention.”

The Imo State Governor was further informed that he was selected as the Chairman of the Committee based on his “track record of service and commitment to the party.”

The letter emphasised: “Your selection is in consideration of your track record of integrity and firm commitment towards the ideals and development of our great party.”

The Education Minister, Adamu Adamu serves as the Secretary of the Committee, while other members include: the Governor of Nasarrawa State, Abdulahi Sule, Justice Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika.

Governor Uzodinma and his members of the Committee have since resumed duties at Abuja.

Nigeria’s Toyin Tofade, Breaks Record, Becomes First Black Female President of U.S. College

By
The Source
-
0
Toyin Tofade

Nigeria’s name resonated when a Nigerian, Dr Toyin Tofade broke the record. She was appointed the first Black woman to be the President of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in the College’s 141 years history.

“Dr Tofade is the first Black woman to serve as president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in the college’s 141-year history, said a Press Release.

Her appointment, announced Wednesday, March 24, 2022, takes effect from July 1, 2022.

“Nigeria’s Toyin Tofade, last Wednesday, became the first black female president of the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) founded in 1881”, said a report, quoting a release from the College.

The College’s press release said Ms Tofade, by her selection, after a comprehensive search will become the 10th President of the College.

“Dr Tofade is the first Black woman to serve as president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in the college’s 141-year history. She begins her term on July 1, 2022,” said the release.

Christopher Di Lascia, the Chairman of  the Presidential search committee said: “Dr Tofade possesses all the qualities desired, including her deep commitment to academic quality, scholarship, and service, as well as a proven track record of successful management and resource development…”

Ms Tofade had served as the Dean and Professor at the Howard University College of Pharmacy in Washington, D.C. “during which the college has nearly doubled enrollment for the class of 2021; doubled the number of student internships; expanded clinical, industrial and international partnerships; and received the maximum number of Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) re-accreditation years possible.

“Under her leadership, the college diversified its faculty composition and expertise; revised the curriculum which has led to improved educational outcomes; entered into a one-of-a-kind partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Glaxo to provide fellowship opportunities in regulatory affairs and policy.”

While accepting her high profile office, the new President said: “It is an honour to be selected for this distinguished role by the Board of Trustees at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.”

“My sincere thanks go to Howard University’s Provost and President for their leadership, ongoing support, and mentorship over the years, the entire Howard University College of Pharmacy for their dedication to excellence and leadership, my distinguished colleagues for making Howard a great place to work, and my family for their unwavering support. I am grateful to God for this new opportunity, and I look forward to serving the ACPHS community as President”

Ms Tofade  graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, a master’s degree in pharmacy practice and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree both from UNC Chapel Hill in 1994 and 1997, respectively.

She completed a residency with emphasis on clinical pharmacokinetics in 1994 from UNC Chapel Hill, and an American Society of Health-System Pharmacy-accredited residency in 1995 at UNC hospitals.

Ace Comedian, Julius Agwu’s 14 Years Marriage Crashes

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Julius Agwu

By Akinwale Kasali

It came as a shock to fans and lovers of ace Comedian, Julius Agwu, that his 14-year old marriage has hit the rocks.

The ‘Crack Ya Rib’ Show Convener was bedridden for some period of time, during which his wife, Ibiere Maclayton, stood by him.  The lovebirds have parted ways.

It was gathered that Ibiere moved out of their matrimonial home, though, reasons for her exit remains unclear.

The Rivers State-born comedian has been battling with illness and was yet to recover after having a brain surgery that almost claimed his life in 2015. He has, since, continued to maintain a very low profile.

He suffered a relapse in 2016 when he went for his show in London, United Kingdom.

He had attempted to revive his career by returning ‘Crack Ya ribs,’ and announced his plans to celebrate 25 years in comedy by staging another edition of ‘Crack ya ribs,’ his annual comedy concert across the country. Unfortunately, that dream didn’t come to reality.

Earlier in 2019, the comedian had also attempted to stage his comedy show in London, but the date clashed with that of the iconic comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, a.k.a Ali Baba.

Both shows had been scheduled for the same day and they had to jostle for the attention of the same audience. After that episode, nothing was heard about the comedian again.

Agwu and wife Ibiere married on the 31st of May 2008 and are blessed with two kids, a girl and a boy, Zahra and Zadok.

It was gathered that the wife became the breadwinner of the family as she took care of him for sometimes but there were cracks in the union.

This, observers said, may have weighed her down as she might have become tired of the current situation,  forcing her to quit the marriage.

Allegations are also rife that the Abonnema born Ibiere travelled abroad with her kids and only shares their photos on Instagram, and has reverted to her maiden name.

Imo-East 2023: Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Throws Hat In For Senate Seat

By
The Source
-
0
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu

By Charles Igbo

The race for the Imo East Senatorial seat, come 2023, has become more intense and interesting with the entrance of Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a woman who hardly needs any introduction, is the wife of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

By popular acclaim, she is the most prominent and, unarguably, the most effective First Lady in the 36 States of the Federation. She has name-recognition, and a special interest in women health issues and the girl-child education and well-being.

A native of Emebiam, Owerri-west Local Government Area of Imo State, it has long been speculated that with her many visits to Imo State (Owerri Zone), and her activities in the State, which have garnered her a couple of awards, including the prestigious “Ada Owere” and “Igolo Emeabiam 11”,  she would aspire to a Political office in the Zone.

On Thursday. March 24, Anyanwu-Akeredolu confirmed her ambition to the Owerri-,East Senatorial seat at a meeting she held at her Igolo Abiam Plaza located along Wetheral Road, Owerri Municipal.

One of the reasons she  decided to take this step, she disclosed, is her discomfort with the deterioration in the country. She said it is difficult for her to sit down and watch.

She decried the state of youths, their resort to drugs, especially, Mkpurumiri, and condemned the act of whipping them instead of rehabilitating them.

The Ondo First Lady also lamented the state of women, maternal mortality, and the girl-child education.

She urged women to step forward and contest to elective positions, and emphasised that “good people cannot continue to sit-by and watch while bad people continue to run the country aground.”

If Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu succeeds in her aspiration, she will be the second woman to represent Imo-east Senatorial District. The first was the very accomplished Journalist and two-term Senator,  Chris Anyanwu. She will, also be the second Governor’s wife to go to the Senate, the first being Mrs Oluremi Tinubu who is on her third term as a Senator.

Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu is not new to politics. Aside from being married to Politician, she had, unsuccessfully, contested for the seat of Owerri-west Federal Constituency years back.

This time, she will contest under the banner of the All Progressives Congress, APC. It is not known, yet, who  she will face at the APC Primaries, but strong speculation is that it is likely to be Alex Mbata. There could be others.

In the PDP for the same seat,  it is a strong field of the incumbent Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Barrister Uche Onyeagucha, former Secretary to Imo State Government, former House of Representatives Member, and Dr Basil Maduka.

Islamic Group, MURIC Tackles RCCG On Political Structure

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

The yet-to-be announced Presidential ambition of Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, is under threat following a stand of an Islamic Group, which is against any member of Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) succeeding President Mohamadu Buhari.

The RCCG leadership, recently, launched a political structure to advise and garner support for any member of the Church  seeking political office.

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), warned that any political party that picks any member of the RCCG is like Moses in the Bible that saw the promised land but never got there.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday, by the Chairman of MURIC, Bauchi State Chapter, Barrister Idrees Safiyanu Gambo.

According to him, “Since the RCCG has the effrontery to launch a national political structure, the rest of us have no option than to challenge this existential threat.

“We must work towards our survival before the RCCG tsunami threat sweeps Islam and other Christian denominations out of existence.

“It is very clear that the plan of our Redeemer friends is to eliminate other religions or turn their faithfuls into political slaves.

“The ugly experience of our Muslim brothers in Yorubaland where they are persecuted politically and marginalised economically despite their superior numerical strength is enough for us to know what is likely to happen if members of the RCCG take over the reins of power either in Aso Rock or in any state in the manner they are going about it at the moment.

“We, in the North, have been watching this ugly development with keen interest.

“In fact, it is unimaginable to expect the emergence of RCCG candidates as winners in Northern States and we will ensure that this does not happen now or any time in the future.

“We are not unaware of the ‘winner-takes-all’ mentality of the RCCG, but Northern Muslims will never expose their land to such obnoxious cultural invasion, as what we want is a society where everyone is treated equally.

“The RCCG declaration of a directorate of political affairs was met with great annoyance by us in the North and it has destroyed any goodwill Christian politicians enjoy here in the North.

“It is so bad that any Muslim who queues behind a redeemer is now considered a traitor to the cause of Islam and this is not what we want at this critical point in our nation.”

Barrister Gambo also warned Islamic organizations and Muslim communities against hobnobbing with any RCCG candidate, whether presidential or gubernatorial.

“Although MURIC will not support any political party against another during the coming general election, we warn Islamic organizations and Muslim communities against hobnobbing with any RCCG candidate, whether presidential or gubernatorial.

“While our interest lies in credible candidates who are most likely to benefit their states or the country as a whole, we frown upon attempts by the RCCG to turn the whole country into Redeemers territory.

“It had better not be. The RCCG plot is dangerous, provocative and contemptuous. Our warning to all political parties is: pick redeemer candidate, kiss Aso Rock goodbye.”

Deregistration of Parties: Supreme Court Upholds INEC

By
Uche Mbah
-
0

By Uche Mbah

The Supreme Court, Friday, squashed the Appeal Court’s ruling which chided the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for deregistering political parties, thereby upholding INEC action.

INEC had scrapped 74 political parties they considered unviable two years ago because of their abysmal performances at the polls, having won no seats at the polls.

Later, the Advanced Congress of Democrats and 21 other parties took INEC to Court, demanding they reverse their decision.

The Court did not grant their plea, but on appeal by INEC, the Appeal Court ordered INEC to reverse its decision. The case ended up at the Supreme Court.

Justice Ejembi Eko, who read the judgment on behalf of his brother-Justices, Friday, set aside the judgment of the Appeal Court.

Justice Eko pointed out that the Appeal Court ruled without hearing from other parties involved in the matter. He said the Appellate Court raised the issue of fair hearing but did not apply it to the defendants.

The Apex Court, therefore, ruled that INEC’s decision is commendable and sustained.

MAAN Lauds Unity Bank’s Support For Maize Farmers

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
????????????????????????????????????

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Nigerian maize farmers under the auspices of Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria, MAAN have commended Nigeria’s agric-focused lender, Unity Bank Plc for their role in facilitating the financing of maize production by smallholder farmers in the country through the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The President of MAAN, Dr Bello Abubakar gave the commendation while delivering an address at the official unveiling of 21 maize pyramids in Kaduna on Thursday.

Abubakar said Unity Bank has proved to be a trusted and reliable partner of Nigerian maize farmers in their journey to sustain sufficiency in maize production in the country.

“What we celebrate today would have been impossible without our finance partner, Unity Bank. The Bank has been a reliable partner in the journey and we shall continue to partner to greater heights,” Abubakar said.

Through Unity Bank’s strategic partnership with the maize farmers under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the CBN, which focuses on commodities with significant concerns for foreign exchange, maize production output has risen to 11 million metric tons from 10.1 million metric tonnes in 2014.

As a major financial institution partner of the ABP, the Bank has facilitated the disbursement of billions of naira to no fewer than 4.52 million smallholder farmers across the various commodity value chains supported by the ABP, including to an additional 120,000 maize farmers in 2021 alone.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc, Oluwatomi Somefun said the Bank remains committed to its strategic partnership with maize farmers to support their capacity to sustain the sufficiency in maize production.

She said, “When we say that we are farmers’ best friends, we walk our talk. And I am glad that the association appreciates the invaluable support that we provide by facilitating the financing of their activities. As a Bank, we are driven by the overarching objectives of the federal government to drive food sufficiency, while creating the much-needed jobs for sustainable development.”

Represented by Usman Abdulkadir, Executive Director, Risk Management and Compliance, Somefun said the pyramids displayed is a reminder of the inherent possibilities in Nigeria’s agricultural value chains and a proof that with enough commitment, Nigeria could maximise its potential in agriculture through strategic initiatives such as the Anchor Borrowers Program,e.

Since its launch in 2015, the central bank has through the ABP programme, disbursed a total of ₦975.61 billion to over 4.52 million smallholder farmers, who have cultivated 21 commodities across the country for the procurement of inputs and cultivation of maize, rice, and wheat.

Maize is one of Nigeria’s most important staple foods, with about 60 per cent of the maize produced in Nigeria used for commercial activities including the production of poultry feeds and as a major ingredient in alcohol production.

$418m Debt: Court Rules In Favour Of FG

By
Uche Mbah
-
0
President Buhari
President Buhari

By Uche Mbah

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that the Federal Government should continue to deduct  from State allocation, thereby dismissing the suit filed by the State Governors of the 36 states seeking to stop such deductions.

36 State Governors had filed a suit seeking to stop deductions of $418 million Paris Club refund debt.

But the Presiding Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, Friday, ruled that the suit lacked merit. Besides, the Judge said, filling the case in the first place was an abuse of Court process and that the 36 Attorneys General do not have locus standi-that is to say they have no basis for filling the case in the first place.

The Counsel for the plaintiffs, Sunday Ibrahim Ameh (SAN), had requested the Court to stop the deduction of $418 million from their accounts. He had pleaded with the court to suspend the deductions untill the case is concluded, but the Judge refused.

More details later…

Ahead Ekiti Poll: Fayemi’s Aides Resign, Align With Segun Oni

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Ahead of the June Governorship election in Ekiti state, two Aides of Governor Kayode Fayemi have resigned and decamped to the Social Democratic Party, (SDP).

They are Special Adviser to Governor on Internal Security,  Israel Adesokan known as Jaru and Olaiya Kupolati, Special Assistant on Electoral matters.

Jaru joined the party at ward A in his home town, Iyin Ekiti where he addressed other members and hoped that the party would record victory in the forthcoming election.

Kupolati announced his new party at his Iye Ekiti ward where he was received by stalwarts of SDP.

Former Governor of the state, Chief Segun Oni, who lost out in the primary contest of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), is the candidate of the SDP in the election.

Since he was picked by the SDP as the flagbearer, there has been mass exodus of members from the PDP and the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) to the SDP.

It was gathered that those teeming up with the SDP candidate are mainly supporters of aspirants that lost out in the APC and PDP primaries.

Chief Oni is seen as the third force in the politics of the state, especially to those politicians that are fed up with change of baton between APC and PDP in the affairs of the state since its creation in 1996.

The former Governor, immediately he lost out of the PDP primary, had met with leaders of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA) in his bid to pick the party’s ticket before he settled for the SDP slot.

Former Governor Ayo Fayose has vowed to do everything possible to stall the victory of the SDP candidate declaring that “the outcome of June Governorship election in Ekiti state will send Segun Oni out of politics.”

He is reported to be working with Governor Fayemi to ensure that Chief Oni is roundly defeated during the election.

1...2,2162,2172,218...3,059Page 2,217 of 3,059