Home Blog Page 2236

Breaking: Veteran Actress, Iyabo Oko ‘Resurrects’ Hours After Death

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Iyabo Oko- Veteran Actress

By Akinwale Kasali

Controversy has trailed the health status of Nollywood veteran Actress, Sidikat Odukanwi, popularly known as Iyabo Oko, who was pronounced dead by Doctors, but miraculously came back to life three hours later.

The news of her demise was announced by her daughter, Bisi Aisha, on her Instagram Page handle with different posts on Wednesday night.

She had written,  “My mum is gone. Rest well mummy. May ur soul Rest In Peace mummy”.

However, On Thursday morning, she updated the post, saying, “Wonderful being, she moved her hand after being confirmed dead three hours ago. God, we will forever praise your holy name.”

After Aisha had announced the demise of her mother, Nollywood Actress, Foluke Daramola-Salako  followed suit by wiring a tribute to the 62-Year Old Iyabo Oko, She initially wrote on her Instagram page,  “And finally we lost her… RIP Iyabo Oko, we did our best but God knows best”.

But Daramola-Salako also later updated that Iyabo Oko is no longer dead.

“Just heard from her daughter again that she moved her hand and she is still alive. Hallelujah! She is alive. It was her same daughter that announced her death before and she was the one that says she is alive now.”

Olamide, one of the daughters of the ‘resurrected’ Actress said her mother was diagnosed with Ischaemic stroke about five years ago but chose to keep her health issues away from the public.

She had said, “What affected my mum was the fact that she was not going for her medical check-ups. I want Nigerians to help provide a car for her. What happened (to her) could have been prevented but because of the unavailability of a car, things took a different turn. She lives very far from the hospital.

“When she had her last ‘attack’, I had to get a motorcycle to convey her to the junction before I could get a cab to pick her. She was diagnosed with right ischaemia stroke some years back. The first health scare happened about five years ago but she did not want anyone to know about it. My elder siblings even flew her to China for better medical treatment and she got better. Sadly, she had two other ‘attacks’.

“But, she instructed us not to tell anyone about it, that she would be fine. But seven days ago, she had another attack that affected her limbs. However, she is getting better. She can now talk and respond to people. The doctors have assured us that with the help of physiotherapy, she would be able to use her limbs again.

“We spoke out because we now need financial help. Her children are doing their best but they can’t do everything. Actresses like Foluke Daramola, Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe, and Biodun Okeowo have assisted financially in the past.”

Colleagues of the Veteran Actress have taken to their Social Media handles to appreciate God for preserving the life of the Actress, praying that she would come out healthier and stronger.

Many said she was just in “coma” when she was pronounced dead, and have doubts that any doctor did.

Lagos Assembly Mourns Former Deputy Speaker, Adetoun Adediran

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Adetoun Adediran

By Akinwale Kasali

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has described the death of Hon. Adetoun Adediran, a former Deputy Speaker of the House as shocking.

The late Adediran served as a member of the House representing Surulere Constituency 1 between 1999 and 2003.

In a tribute by his media office, Obasa expressed sadness at the former lawmaker’s demise saying the late Adediran died at a time her legislative and political experiences were still very important to Lagos and Nigeria.

Obasa described Adediran as a passionate woman who wanted the best for her society  adding that to achieve this, she played major roles in the Fourth Assembly of Lagos State.

“Hon. Adetoun Adediran is leaving behind fond memories of her roles as a lawmaker in the emergence of a more modern Lagos.

“As a Principal Officer at the House, she was passionate and active making sure her voice was heard among her colleagues who were mostly men.

“It was this same passion for service that got her the position of Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. She also later became the Chairman of the Lagos State Building and Investment Company.

“We mourn her demise as it came at a time her experience and wisdom were still desired for the progress of our state. We mourn because death has snatched one of our finest politicians.

“While I pray that God grant her a peaceful rest, I also pray that He strengthen those she left behind and give them the fortitude to bear this huge loss”, Obasa said.

Okorocha Is Paranoid – IMSG; Makes payment Of Workers Salary Mandatory Before Month End

By
The Source
-
0
Hope Uzodinma

The Government of Imo State has approved a proposal that would entail the payment of salary of Workers before the end of every month.

By the approval, Workers will now be paid their salary on or before the 26th of every month.

To achieve that, the Executive Council of Imo State has also approved a proposal for a rolling bank facility from Zenith Bank to enable it live up to that expectation.

The approval for the rolling bank facility was sequel to a memo submitted to the EXCO by the Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Dr. Uzoka- Anite, which suggested that Government could deal with the payment of salary of workers through the rolling bank facility pending the receipt of the monthly allocation from the federation account.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the Maiden Exco Meeting in 2022, the  Commissioner for Information and Strategy,  Hon. Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba said the proposal was well received as it was in keeping with the idea of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration to pay workers at all levels their salary on or before the 25th and 26th day of every month.

Joined by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, Emelumba said Governor Hope Uzodimma tinkered with the idea and relied on it to pay Imo workers their December 2021 salary as well as the 100 per cent 13th month basic salary before December 25,  2021 and therefore feels it could be made a permanent programme.

Emelumba informed that Governor  Uzodimma who presided over the meeting had earlier sworn-in the  Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Rabbi Ibrahim and the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor,  Prof. Kenneth Amaeshi.

The duo, he said, were formerly admitted as members of the State Executive Council and that the Governor enjoined them and their colleagues to work for the interest of Imo people.

He said the Governor asked all the EXCO members to acquit themselves with the tenets of the 3R mantra and work as a team to deliver the dividends of democracy to Imo people.

The Commissioner said that the Exco congratulated Governor Uzodimma on the successes recorded at the Stakeholders meeting on January 4, 2022 “which indicated the people’s acceptance of the Shared Prosperity Administration.”

“The cream of Imolites that graced the occasion indicated the interest and concerns of Imo people in the administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma,” he said,  adding that the Chairman of the occasion, a successful international businessman, Chief Leo-Stan Eke who is an Imo son, and other very important personalities from the State who spoke at the occasion tells a lot about how successful the event was.

Fielding questions from journalists on Senator Rochas Okorocha,  the former Governor of Imo State, who accused  Governor Uzodimma at a press briefing on Wednesday of “funding a killer squad domiciled in Government House, telling Imo people lies at the Stakeholders meeting and failure to name the perceived criminals causing security breaches in the State,” Emelumba said

“Okorocha must be suffering from paranoid of a sort.”

He said Okorocha’s countenance since the issue of those behind insecurity in Imo State was brought to the fore speaks volume about someone who actually has something to hide.

“The worries of Rochas Okorocha may not be unconnected with the fact that he actually has something to hide and sooner than later the world will hear of those things that are making him jittery.”

Emelumba described the allegation of the Governor keeping a killer squad consisting of the Police, Army and the DSS, as laughable.

He, however, advised Okorocha to “follow the due process by petitioning the Security Agencies, furnish them with the facts and allow them get to the route of the spurious claims.”

The Commissioner reiterated that “the Senator is worried and embittered because he was prevented by Imo people from creating a political dynasty for himself and worse still, from continuing to take the people’s patrimony after looting the State dry alongside his family members and cronies for which the government of the day is working hard to retrieve.”

Stop The Rubbish, Ihedioha Goes Nowhere – Imo PDP

By
The Source
-
0

By Charles Igbo

The Imo State Branch of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is angry. It is angry over a false story, which had, for days, made the rounds that its face, leader and driving force, former Governor Emeka Ihedioha would, sooner than later, defect to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

According to  the news, to defect to APGA with Ihedioha, this time from the All Progressives Cogress, APC, are the embattled former Governor of the State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, his equally embattled son-in-law, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, the “down-spirited” Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, and their associates in the APC.

While it is a little obvious why those who began the story of the defection would think of Okorocha and associates moving to APGA, that of Ihedioha is inexplicable.

In Imo APC, Okorocha and associates have, so to say, lost grip. The Governor, Hope Uzodinma, is the one calling the shots. Depending  on one’s understanding, it is debatable if they are still members of the APC, having not taken part in the APC membership revalidation exercise in the State.

Ihedioha’s is different. His removal from office by the Supreme Court notwithstanding, his popularity within the Imo PDP is total and overwhelming. He is their leader. He calls the shots. He has the party in his grips. Most of the members believe in him. And, as far as they are concerned, he is their candidate come the 2023 Governorship election, and would be sworn-in on January 14, 2023 as Governor.

The question then is, why would he decamp to APGA, a party which is not strong, for now, in the State?

The news carriers put it on the door steps of Senator Sam Anyanwu (Sam Daddy), the recently inaugurated National Secretary of the PDP. They say with Anyanwu’s new position, the grip on the party by Ihedioha has shifted. With Anyanwu, they argue, Ihedioha  can no longer be answering the Leader of the PDP in the State. They say Anyanwu should be the one calling the shots. And they argue that because Ihedioha was allegedly, responsible for Anyanwu not going back to the Senate in 2019, after he lost the Governorship Primary to Ihedioha, Anyanwu may not support Ihedioha to pick the ticket in 2023. Anyanwu had challenged Ihedioha’s victory in the Governorship Primary upto the Supreme Court.  He gave up when he lost in the Courts.

But, as far as most Imo PDP members are concerned, Ihedioha is it in 2023/2024.

They, therefore, are upset that anybody, or group, would dare suggest that Ihedioha would decamp to APGA.

They dismiss such thoughts  as mischievous, and those who manufactured the story, and are spreading it, as agents of darkness and outright blackmailers.

In a strongly-worded statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Emenike Nmeregini,  the party said Ihedioha is its brand, and put the blame, expectedly, on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, and the APC.

Following is the full text of the Statement.

IHEDIOHA’S PURPORTED DEFECTION TO APGA, A FAKE NEWS,  MALICIOUS JOKE, HANDIWORK OF DROWNING POLITICIANS.

~ IHEDIOHA IS OUR BRAND, HE GOES NO WHERE.

“We have been inundated with calls by concerned people of Imo State over a flying rumour, syndicated in the social media by enemies of Imo State, purporting that our leader, His Excellency,  Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON will defect to the All Progressives Grand Allaince, (APGA) to vie for the 2023 governorship election

“This party, initially did not consider a disclaimer necessary, for the simple reason that Rt. Hon. Ihedioha is not known to prostitute between political parties. He is known and has indeed remained a consequential leader, consistent major financier, loyal and dedicated member and leader of our party since helping to found it in 1998.

“For emphasis, there is no other truly democratic party in Nigeria and in Imo State in particular, aside the PDP. We are not unaware of the increasing desperation of agents of darkness, who are afraid of the imminent reclaiming of our stolen mandate come 2023.

“It is incontrovertible that His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, is our brand. And our message ahead of the 2023 general elections is the celebrated achievements of the Rebuild Imo administration within the seven months.

“The PDP led Rebuild Imo administration laid a solid foundation for the rebuilding process of our state. It is on record that all the sectors of the state were receiving attention before the usurpers broke into the government house. We restored salaries and pensions from 70% to 100% and paid as and when due; adequate security of lives and property, began construction on over 33 critical roads across the state; flagged of an audacious agro revolution and youth empowerment; aggressive automated revenue system; autonomous local government administration; implemented the Treasury Single Account; Qualitative free education, aggressive investment drive; transparency, accountability, rule of law etc.

“Our party takes pride in the achievements of the Rebuild Imo administration for which we are being pressured by the people of Imo State across party lines to endeavor to seek their mandate to continue the rebuilding process.

“Lastly, we wish to warn mischief makers, agents of darkness, blackmailers enemies of Imo State, Senator Uzodinma and his failed APC cohorts, to look elsewhere and stop any such fake news. Imo people are wiser and are vigilant to these and other devices of the enemies.”

At the time of writing this, the APC has not responded to the allegation of its culpability.

Magodo: Finally, Landowners Get Justice 37yrs After

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0

By James Orji

For more than 37 years, landowners under the aegis of Landlord Association of Shangisha /Magodo fought a serious legal battle with the Lagos state government to have their lands which had been forcefully seized returned to them.

The state government had in 1984 seized over 500 plots of lands from the landlords on the pretext that such will be used to build an international standard hospital for the people of the state.

The hospital was never built, rather the state government allocated the choice lands to cronies and government officials, thus forcing the former land owners to go to court to challenge to seek redress.

But when the landlords sued the state government, they were mocked by some state officials who said they will not be alive to witness the end of the case. The officials did everything in their powers to ensure that the illegality was not reversed.

As it turned out many years after, all the attempts to frustrate the efforts of the landowners have now collapsed like a pack of cards. The mill of justice grinded slowly for the landowners, particularly after the state government refused, for years, to implement court judgments on the matter, but the decision of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to allocate over 500 plots of land as replacement for the lands forcefully seized from them in 1984 is indeed, a suiting balm for their long suffering.

On Tuesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured the residents and other stakeholders of Magodo and Shangisa that the state government has decided to resolved the matter amicably. The government said it has set up a committee that will advise it on how to allocate new plots of land to the landowners, in a mutually agreeable location.

Sanwo-Olu said: “From Friday, they (committee) will be working with the stakeholders, identifying available plots of land around Shangisha areas, a drone will be flown, surveys will be made and available plots will be identified.

“In the event that available plots are identified, allocations will be made timely and additional plots, if we don’t have the right numbers, will also be identified at mutually agreeable locations with the other stakeholders.

‘’The government will also review the list of all the allottees, 549 of them, and we will ensure that the injustice the Shangisha Landlords Association had suffered for 38 years, is restituted”.

The settlement did not come on a platter. It took more than three decades of tortuous legal battle, which started from the trial court in 1984, to the Court of Appeal and eventually terminated at the Supreme Court, for the issue to be resolved.

Indeed, critics of the Lagos state government said it had the opportunity to resolve the land matter after the courts ruled in favour of the landowners many years ago, but failed to do so until the matter resulted in violence recently after the landowners resolve to self-help.

The matter got to a head two weeks ago after the landowners, with the help of the Attorney General of the Federal and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Inspector General of Police, IGP decided to take possession of their lands as ordered by the apex court in 2012.

For days, residents of the estate were at the mercy of the original land owners who locked them out of their homes and offices as they marked buildings on the occupied plot of lands for demolition in a bid to take possession.

The issue also took turn for the worse, on Tuesday, after Governor Sanwo-Olu had a confrontation with the team of policemen deployed from Abuja to enforce the Supreme Court judgment. The governor’s order to the leader of the team, a chief superintendent of Police, CSP to vacate the area was bluntly rebuffed by the officer.

Meanwhile, the state government, said in a statement on Wednesday, that it has agreed with the land owners on how to resolve the disputed land matte once and for all.

The statement reads in part, ”at a meeting chaired by Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola-Sanwo-Olu, at the State House Alausa, on the 5th of January 2022 with the Judgment Creditors (Shangisha Landlords’ Association), their lawyers, Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, Policemen from the F.C.T Command and Police Headquarters, the Executive and Trustees of the Magodo Residents’ Association and senior Government Officials, the enforcement of Judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on the 10th of February 2012 in suit no. SC/112/2002 was deliberated upon and the following resolutions were arrived at:

“That the Committee set up by the State Government to resolve the Magodo dispute, chaired by the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, is to meet with the Judgment Creditors (Shangisha Landlords’ Association) on Friday 7th of January 2022.

“The Surveyor- General of Lagos State, Permanent Secretary Lands Bureau and Hon. Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development are to immediately identify available plots of land within the Shangisha village scheme.

“The Committee is also to identify how the available plots of land are to be accessed and whether any infrastructural development is necessary to access the land.

“Upon identification of available and accessible land, the State Government is to immediately allocate the land to the 549 Judgment Creditors.

“In the event that there is no available and accessible land within the Shangisha village scheme to allocate to all the 549 Judgment Creditors, the State Government, in agreement with the Judgment Creditors, will provide alternative plots of land.

“Whilst this exercise is ongoing, the Nigeria Police are to restrain themselves from any conduct or action that may instigate violence or breakdown of law and order in Magodo. They should be keepers of peace and act within the confines of the law – always. All the parties have agreed to an amicable resolution of the matter.

“The meeting ended with Mr. Governor thanking all for attending and restating his resolve to ensure that peace returns to Magodo and that there is justice for all.

“The attendees praised the Governor for showing “good leadership”, which they said prevented violence in the estate. Besides, they expressed confidence in the Governor’s ability and sincerity to resolve the matter,” the statement said.

First Bank Holdco: Okonkwo Leads New Team

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0

By Fola James

Barely three months after Nnamdi Okonkwo was appointed the Group Managing Director of First Bank Nigeria, FBN Holdings Plc, the flagship investment vehicle of Nigeria’s oldest bank, has appointed three new executive directors as part of the team to pilot its affairs.

According to a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX signed by the Seye Kosoko, company’s secretary, the new EDs are Olusegun Alebiosu, Executive Director, Risk Management & Executive Compliance Officer; Oluwatosin Adewuyi, Executive Director, Corporate Banking; and Ini Ebong, Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking

The appointments, the notice said are subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Recall that Okonkwo was appointed on October 28, 2021 to replace UK Eke who departed from the bank on voluntarily retirement. A statement released by Kosoko said Okonkwo’s appointment takes effect from January 1, 2022.

The statement said, “The FBN Holdings Board has also announced that Eke will be succeeded by Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, a focused and result-oriented top banker, who will assume office as Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings Plc effective January 1, 2022.

“Okonkwo, the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, brings to bear on the Board of FBN Holdings more than 30 years unbroken banking career spanning local and international experience.

“He has a wealth of experience in transformational leadership, business strategy development and visioning, innovative corporate governance and risk management.

“He has led the transformation of banks, with the most recent being Fidelity Bank, where he led the management team in seven years to achieve remarkable results culminating in tripling profit and shareholder value.”

Okonkwo previously served as Executive Director for Southern Nigeria in Fidelity Bank. He was, at a point the Managing Director of UBA Ghana; Director, UBA Liberia; and a Director of the Ghana National Banking College.

He had also served in various leadership positions across other financial institutions, including Broad Bank of Nigeria Limited; Citizens International Bank, Nigeria; FSB International Bank Plc., Nigeria; Guaranty Trust Bank Plc., Nigeria; and Merchant Bank of Africa, Nigeria.

2023: Tension In APC As Buhari Speaks On Successor

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0
President Muhammadu Buhari

By James Orji

President Muhammadu Buhari has hinted that he’s planning to chose his successor. The president’s tenure expires in 2023, and suggestions in the ruling APC is that he’s not interested in who succeeds him as president.

From all indications those who hold this view are wrong, as the president has revealed that he’s interested in who takes over from him.

Politicians in his party that have indicated interest in his job are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ekiti state Governor, Kayode Fayemi, though they are yet to make their interest public.

Buhari who spoke to Channels Television on Wednesday said he has decided to keep the identity of his choice candidate close to his heart in order not to expose him to danger.

When asked to name who among politicians in his party he preferred to succeed him Buhari refused.

Buhari said, “No I wouldn’t because he may be eliminated if I mention. I better keep it secret,”

It is however difficult if any of the politicians mentioned above is the preferred candidate of Buhari to take over from him.

Apart from Tinubu, Osinbajo and Fayemi, former President Good luck Jonathan has also been mentioned among politicians who are planning to take a shot at the nation’s top job.

Jonathan is not a member of APC, the president’s party even though there are suggestions of an ongoing effort by some powerful APC leaders to drag him into the party so that he can contest under the ruling party.

But so far, Tinubu seems to be the most popular among APC top shots who want to succeed Buhari. Apart from being the .ostentatious popular candidate from the South west where he hails from, and the decision of the ruling party to zone the presidency to the South, the former Lagos helmsman and APC National Leader seemed to have made an inroad into the North which is the major factor in who will decide who becomes president next year. Some Northern leaders have been campaigning for him.

Speaking last Saturday, for instance, Abdulmumin Jibril the Direction General of the Tinubu Support Group, TSG an umbrella body of groups rooting for the former governor, said everything will be done to ensure that Tinubu succeeds Buhari.

Jibrin, a former met of the House of representatives said Tinubu will ” emerge president” next year.

He said “I can confirm to you that Tinubu will contest the 2023 elections. The aspect of the decision is done; it’s a done deal.

“Arrangements to publicly declare will soon be known. I’m talking to you officially that he (Tinubu) will contest the presidential seat.

“We need somebody who can carry along everybody and I believe that Tinubu is the best option for Nigeria. He is not a religious fanatic and has massive networks across all the boundaries in the country.

“Asiwaju has worked extensively for the APC and never shifted ground. He is competent to be the president of this country.

“Nigerians always go for quality and I believe that issue is purely on the quality of the person

“I don’t see a dark horse coming in 2023. It will take s super miracle in APC and God willing, Mr Tinubu will emerge as president.

“Asiwaju has an edge ahead of others. He will not lose the ticket and will be the president of this great country under the APC.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that the president’s revelation may upset the apple’s cart in the ruling APC ahead next year’s presidential election, particularly as some insist of a secret agreement in the party that Buhari will handover to the former Lagos governor.  But as it seems, President Buhari may have decided to look elsewhere for his successor.

Salami: PDP Slams Buhari, Says Advising An Incompetent Administration, A Waste

By
The Source
-
0
Doyin Salami

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has slammed the appointment, by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, of Dr Doyin Salami, as his Chief Economic Adviser.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party says it is a waste of time. PDP described the appointment of Dr. Salami,  “barely a year to the  end of his disastrous administration as a design to make the economist a scapegoat for the abysmal failures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.”

The statement reads in part:

“It is evident that Dr. Salami might end up being rubbished and diminished as a titular adviser given that the Buhari Presidency and the APC, in their ignorance, arrogance and incompetence, are never known to have any respect or regard for professional advice on governance and policy.

“As long as the APC, with its insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians is in government, involved professionals like Dr. Salami can never make a headway but risk being smeared with failure.

“If the APC government did not listen to Dr. Salami as the Head of the hurriedly established Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), it will not now take his advice in his new capacity because the APC government lacks the listening ears, competence, capacity, integrity and political will and desire for good governance.

“President Buhari and the APC have never prioritized the economy. The result is a near collapsed economy with two recessions within six years; a 71 percent poverty rate, 33.1 percent unemployment rate, over $38 billion external debt and an unenviable national status as the poverty capital of the world. For this, they desperately seek to use renowned professionals like Dr. Salami as fall guys especially as we approach the 2023 general elections.

“If President Buhari and the APC had listened to well-thought-out advice by patriotic Nigerians as well as the PDP on how to stabilize and grow the economy, our nation would not be in the current economic quagmire where over 80 million Nigerians can no longer afford their daily meals and other basic necessities of life.

“The APC failed to heed the counsel to end its corruption, open up and diversify our economy, review its restrictive and exclusionist policies, invest more in our productive sectors, end its victimization of hardworking Nigerian entrepreneurs, adopt broad-based approach that allows for greater private sector participation and stop demarketing our country especially the youths in the international arena.

“Instead, the Buhari-led administration remained lethargic, nonchalant, unconcerned, hubristic and irredeemably narcissistic. It turned itself into a cesspit of corruption and continued to provide official cover to inept, reckless and treasury-looting APC leaders and their cronies in government.

“Dr. Salami should therefore protect his image by advising President Buhari to end his reckless borrowing and grow the economy by allowing for more transparency, redirecting the resources being siphoned by APC leaders to critical sectors of the economy, especially power and agriculture and giving hardworking Nigerians, especially the youths, greater incentives for active participation in the national economy.

“For emphasis our Party admonishes Dr. Salami to note that his task of advising an incompetent, arrogant and corrupt administration would be grueling if not a complete waste of time.”

Kingmakers Announce Dr Lekan Balogun Nominee For The Olubadan Of Ibadan Stool

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Dr Lekan Balogun

By Akinwale Kasali

Days after the demise of the  Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Adetunji Saliu, the Olubadan In Council has endorsed the nomination of Dr Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.

10 out of the 11 members of the Olubadan in Council chose Balogun ahead of others, as the Council also denied that a legal tussle could derail the succession to the Olubadan throne.

The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, stated these at a briefing by the kingmakers on Wednesday.

According to Ajibola, the kingmakers resolved that Dr Balogun is next in line to ascend the throne of Olubadan according to tradition.

He also debunked insinuations relating to the health and wellness of the new Olubadan-elect.

He said all the negative media reports were nothing to worry about.

The meeting was attended by all members of the Olubadan-in-Council, except former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.

Other High Chiefs in attendance were Balogun Olubadan, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Balogun, Olufemi Olaifa; Ashipa Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole and Osi Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola.

The others were Ekaarun Olubadan, Amidu Ajibade; Ashila Balogun Olubadan, Lateef Gbadamosi, Ekaarun Balogun, Kola Adegbola and Ekerin Olubadan Abiodun Kola-Daisi.

The new Olubadan-elect is expected to address the press later on Wednesday.

NNPC Board: Buhari Drops Ararume, Replaces Him With Okadigbo

By
Uche Mbah
-
0
Margery Okadigbo

By Uche Mbah

In a not- so surprise move, President Muhammadu Buhari reconstituted the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, and dropped Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as Chairman.

The President replaced him with the wife of a former Senate President, Margery Okadigbo.

Her husband, late Senator Chuba Okadigbo, was once a running mate to Buhari.

The removal of Ararume is a big blow to him, and a minus to his political profile which has been on the downside for a couple years. He has been on the losing side.

When he was appointed to the Chairmanship of the NNPC Board by the President on September 19 2021, Ararume and his political associates celebrated no end. They were almost mocking Governor Hope Uzodimma, and literally equating Ararume’s appointment to the office of the Governor.

Even though Ararume is an APC member, he is in former Governor Rochas Okorocha’s camp, a camp bitterly opposed to Governor  Uzodimma, and which members have refused to validate their membership of the APC. The impression they created was that Buhari, by the appointment was passing a message to Uzodimma; that he had snubbed the Governor for Ararume.

But the sign that Ararume could lose the appointment showed when the President suddenly  suspended the inauguration of the Board and Management which was scheduled for November, 23, 2021.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina announced the reconstitution of the Board on Wednesday, December, 5, 2022.  Ararume’s name  was conspicuously missing.

The statement read:

“President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the Board and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, in accordance with the power vested in him under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021″, he said.

“Chairman of the Board is Senator Margret Chuba Okadigbo (South East), Mele Kolo Kyari, Chief Executive Officer, and Umar I. Ajiya, Chief Financial Officer.

“Other Board Members are; Dr Tajudeen Umar (North East), Mrs Lami O. Ahmed (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North West), Engr. Henry Obih (South East), Barrister Constance Harry Marshal (South South), and Chief Pius Akinyelure(South West).

Ifeanyi Araraume
Ifeanyi Araraume

“The appointments take effect from the date of the incorporation of the NNPC Limited.

“Also appointed are Executive Commissioners of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. They are: Dr Nuhu Habib (Kano), Executive Commissioner, Development and Production, Dr Kelechi Onyekachi Ofoegbu (Imo), Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning, Capt. Tonlagha Roland John (Delta), Executive Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, and Jide Adeola (Kogi), Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services and Administration.

“Earlier appointed are the Board Chairman, CEO, Executive Commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management, and Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts.

“New appointees at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority are Francis Alabo Ogaree (Rivers), Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing, Mustapha Lamorde (Adamawa), Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Mansur Kuliya (Kano), Executive Director, Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, Bashir Sadiq (Sokoto), Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration, and Dr. Zainab Gobir (Kwara), Executive Director, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning.

“They join the Board Chairman, Executive Director, Downstream Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, the CEO, and Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, who had earlier been appointed.

“For Midstream and Downstream Infrastructure Fund, new Council Members are; Mr. Effiong Abia (Akwa Ibom), Bobboi Ahmed (Adamawa), and Engr. Abdullahi Bukar (Katsina).

“It will be recalled that President Buhari had last September written the Senate on the administrative structure amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act, which included the appointment of Non-Executive Board Members, removal of the Ministries  of Petroleum and Finance from the Board of the two new institutions, and appointment of Executive Directors.”

1...2,2352,2362,237...2,998Page 2,236 of 2,998