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Prof Akintoye Dares  Buhari; Says He Cannot  Stop Actualisation Of Yoruba Nation

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Professor Banji Akintoye

By Akinwale Kasali

Yoruba Nation agitator and Leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Banji Akintoye, has called on Yoruba people across the globe not to lose hope on the actualization of the  Oduduwa Republic as a Sovereign Nation for the Southwestern Nigerians.

The renowned historian and Second Republic Senator urged the Yoruba to remain steadfast as the actualisation of its agitated Yoruba Nation will be achievable soonest. He stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot stop the actualisation of this goal.

In a statement on his behalf by Maxwell Adeleye, the Communications Secretary of the Self-Determination Movement, he  said that he remains optimistic and would not rest until the dream becomes a reality.

Akintoye, who marked his 87th birthday Saturday, said he had pleaded with his loyalists who wanted to celebrate his birthday anniversary to do otherwise, saying he cannot be celebrating when Sunday Igboho, a leading light of the freedom movement is still in detention in the Republic of Benin.

According to him, the Nigerian Government lacked the capacity to criminalize the struggle, stressing that the agitation is beyond the manipulation of the current government.

The statement reads in part,

“My message to all Yoruba people across the world who are passionate for the country of their own is not to lose hope.

“I am very much convinced that we are on our way to freedom. Our agitation is an idea whose time has come.

We shall keep the struggle alive, and beyond the manipulation of the Nigerian government.

“We won’t allow the Federal Government of Nigeria to criminalize our struggle. The Yoruba people worldwide are urged never to be deterred in the struggle.

“Many Yoruba patriots worldwide planned to celebrate my birthday but I pleaded with them not to do so in honour of my son and one of the heroes of our struggle, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Ighoho, by all of us. I cannot be celebrating a birthday when Igboho is in detention”.

2023: Alaafin Endorses Tinubu,  As Tinubu Visit Late Prof.  Tunde Samuel’s Family Over His Death

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Tinubu and Alaafin Of Oyo

By Akinwale Kasali

The campaign train of  the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Aspirant; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,in  2o23, moved to Oyo State to  consult with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi.

The former Lagos State Governor made his aspiration known to the Monarch, soliciting his support and prayers to become the nation’s President come 2023.

A horde of his supporters who came with him from Lagos thronged the Palace and sang intermittently as he told the Traditional Ruler the purpose of his visit.

“All I came for today is to seek your blessing, your cooperation, your prayer for me to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Tinubu told the Monarch.

Responding, the revered Yoruba Monarch assured that he was confident that the Yoruba ancestors would make Tinubu the President of Nigeria come 2023.

Hours after returning from Oyo State, the APC Presidential Aspirant paid a condolence visit to the home of late Professor Tunde Samuel, a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), who passed on a coupleof days ago. Tinubu was accompanied by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and other top wigs in the Lagos APC.

Tinubu expressed expressed sadness at the demise of the academician who was 73 years old.

He prayed for the repose of his soul, praying that God would grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, stressing that his demise was a big loss to the Lagos State and the APC fold.

In the Speaker’s condolence message, he had described the death of Prof Samuel as “a blow, a pain that would take long for us to bear both as people of Agege, the APC as a family, the GAC and the entire Lagos State.

“His importance to Lagos State can never be under-emphasised. He was a passionate Lagosian whose thoughts, actions and activities were all geared towards strengthening democracy in Nigeria and the creation of an egalitarian state where individuals would live their lives in peace.”

Obasa, who visited the family of the deceased on Wednesday, added: “We will continue to miss his wisdom, knowledge and understanding of how Lagos and Nigeria should be run for the utmost good of the people. We will miss his advice and productive efforts to keep a united APC in Lagos.

“I, on behalf of my colleagues at the Lagos State House of Assembly, pray that God grant him peace and give his immediate family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this huge loss, Amen.”

APC Youths Rally Against Aregbesola In Lagos; Display Mock Coffin Of Him; Say He Is Dead, Politically

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Aregbesola mock in Lagos

By Akinwale Kasali

Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is in the eye of the storm, as his political career seems to be facing a litmus test.

The survival of his political career looks dim, as he has lost his strongest base in Lagos State – Alimosho Area, the most populous Area in the State.

Aregbesola, who once reigned  as a colossus and strong man has gradually seen his popularity fade  into thin wind.

The for this is his outburst against the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In an unexpected outburst,

he Tinubu was playing god and imposing Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State on the people of the State against their will.

Though, his anointed candidate, Moshood Adeoti lost in the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Osun State to incumbent Governor Oyetola on Saturday, the former Osun Governor has also lost his base in Lagos.

Aregbesola who once called the shots  in Alimosho has become a laughing stock with APC youths in Alimosho taking to the streets with a mock coffin and obituary of Aregbesola with his name and image pasred on it with different captions – RIP Aregbesola; Sun Re O; End of a political career and so many others signaling an end to his reign.

It would be recalled that prior to becoming a two term governor of Osun State from 2010 – 2018 and subsequently Minister in 2019, Aregbesola served as Director General of the campaign team of his erstwhile godfather, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 1999 and later the Commissioner for Works in Tinubu’s two-term (1999 – 2007) administration as governor of Lagos State.

How Aregbesola will survive and swim across the stormy political sea remains a mystery.

Obiano Endorses His Wife For Senate Seat in 2023

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ebere Obiano

By Akinwale Kasali

The out-going First Lady of Anambra State, Ebelechukwu Obiano, will be on the campaign train in 2023. She is to contest for the Senatorial seat of the Anambra North Senatorial District in the 2023.

This was disclosed by her husband, the outgoing Governor of the State, Willie Obiano.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Governor disclosed this while addressing members of Nigeria Union Journalists, Anambra State Chapter, at his country home, Aguleri, in the Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday. The Governor said he has no intention of contesting for any position. After eight years as a Governor, he said all he wants is to rest. But he is pushing his wife forward.

Mrs Obiano will be relying on the support of the in-coming Governor of the State, Professor Charles Soludo, to clinch the ticket.

She and her husband will leave office in March 2022.

If she gets the APGA ticket, she will be seeking to replace the  incumbent Senator of the zone, former Minister for Aviation, Stella Oduah. Oduah, who, inexplicably, defected from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, is on a second missionary journey in the Senate. It is not known if she would contest for a third time, but political watchers say she stands no chance of winning for the third time, with her defection to the PDP. In the November 6 Governorship election, Oduah not only lost her Local Government Area to the PDP, she also lost her Ward to her former party.

Mrs Obiano is regarded as the most powerful First Lady since the creation of Anambra. Not a few people see her as the defacto Deputy Governor. Her office, allegedly, has its own budget and security vote.

It was gathered that some youths in Oyi Local Government Area of the state, under the umbrella of United Ogbunike Youths Association, urged the Governor’s wife to run for Senate to represent Anambra North in the 2023 general elections.

The group said that the reason for their quest was for the Governor’s wife “to continue in the good work she is doing and also attract more development to Anambra North.”

The National President of the group, Okonkwo Ikechukwu, said they have observed that Mrs Obiano recorded tremendous human and infrastructure development during her husband’s administration, despite not holding any office.

Ikechukwu noted that contesting and winning a Senate seat would offer her veritable opportunities to continue to promote human development.

He said, “Mrs Obiano empowered many of our youths in Ogbunike. She has placed some in various lofty positions. Youths of Anambra North are beckoning on her to declare interest in the Senate race.’’

This request, it seems, has been endorsed by her husband.

How Sule, First Class Graduate Was Killed In Anambra On Way To NYSC Camp; His Last Words

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Sule Mathew

By Adesina Soyooye

The insecurity in the country couldn’t have been more wicked. Gunmen, fearlessly parading with, and flaunting their weapons of mass killing, two days ago snuffed the life out of a fertile brilliant mind.

The end for Sule Mathew, a fresh First Class Graduate of the Bayero University, Kano, BUK, couldn’t have been more heartbreaking.

Mathew, in his early 20’s, was on his way to Anambra State to participate in the mandatory National Youth Service.  He was looking forward to it in a country where acute unemployment is the norm. The paltry N30,000 given to Corpers monthly is, at least, a consolation. But he was not even allowed to enjoy that.

Travelling in a private vehicle, along with others and his boss where he was an intern, they had arrived Anambra State. As they got to Ekwulobia, the God-cursed, blood-sucking devils struck, and killed everybody in the vehicle, except the driver who miraculously escaped. Mathew was wasted.

Mathew’s school mates cannot hold back their flood of tears. For his family, it is a nightmare.

Silas Manager, Mathew’s coursemate at the Mass Communication Department  of BUK, was quoted as saying:

“Mathew was among the first set of students to intern with PRNigeria Centre in Kano in 2019. He lost his father in June, few months to his final examination, and graduated as the overall best student of our Department in August 2021 and was due to enrol for mandatory NYSC programme next week.”

Another friend of his, who was his room mate in school,  Gambo Ibrahim, said of Mathew:

”He was on a six-month non-residential fellowship program that trains, and mentors young citizen activists to push for democratic reforms – Gidan Yanci. He was on his way to Anambra from Abuja when the gunmen attacked their vehicle”

A devastated Jemila, his sister revealed how the family knew of Mathew’s fate. He was traced to a mortuary.

She said: “Mathew traveled with his boss on that ill-fated day along with other passengers including the driver in a private vehicle.

“After waylaying them, the gunmen opened fire on them killing all of them except the driver who escaped.

:So, when we couldn’t reach him and heard of the incident, we sent Sule’s picture to the mortuary to confirm if he was among those killed and we got feedback that he was identified among those killed,”

He was active on Social Media. In 2021, when he was through with his final examination, he posted:

”So what has really changed after 4 years? 4 years ago, I made a decision to leave everything including my Distinction result in HND 1 to Pursue a University degree. Today, I am graduating, Let’s look at what has really changed in the past 4years.

“Before I dive into the tales of “my transitions ” I want to sincerely extend my appreciation to God and to everyone who have been part of my academic journey – My Parents, Uncle Joe, Aunty Omaye… the list is endless.

“My lecturers who opened the doors of their offices and of their hearts to share in my personal stories of losses and gains.

“My friends who made me feel too well at home even though I traveled closely 800KM away from my home, you made BUK “HOME away from HOME” for me.

“Thank you Google – for your many products and services.

“SO WHAT HAS REALLY CHANGED

1. My understanding of the world: I was born and raised in a village of less than 70 houses at a time and my life, until 2015, had revolved around only 3 major towns in Kogi state. This singular most overlooked experience shaped my understanding of the world and my interactions with same.

“However, my exposure to people, places and circumstances fairly different from what I was familiar with, has reshaped my understanding of the world around me – By learning, unlearning and relearning the core values of the varying cultures with which I interacted.

Some of the very funny, very basic and more valuable part of my learnings are; I have learnt to correct my pronunciations of English words, delimitate my strong mother’s tongue interference, learn basics of other languages, learn new foods and practice some new ways of life.

“Professionally, I have been trained through my well structured course to a remarkable level of proficiency in information technology, media and communication sciences (majoring on the new media) – thanks to my inspiring Head of Department- Dr. Nura Ibrahim and all the highly committed staff members of the department of information and Media Studies and the entire faculty of communication-Bayero University, Kano.

“Combining my class work with some out-of-class training has helped me to personally advance my technical skills and have strengthened my flare for technological innovations. I am now experienced in UI/UX design.

“My strong engagements in extracurricular activities have modeled me in the path of projects managements. Please hire me.

“While pursuing good grades and wanting to gain life saving experiences, I am happy that I didn’t sacrifice the place of building a great network- my friends are my greatest assets.

“My greatest joy lies in those that could count me as being part of their academic success. I sincerely regret those times I couldn’t reach out to those that needed my help.

“My best moments as an undergraduate student were at the reception of my first scholarship, my certificate of recognition from my VC- Prof. Yahuza Bello, the Honorable mention award from Facebook (with my team at heartUmight) and my finalist award at enactus National competition (2019 with my team)

“The saddest part of my story is returning home and meeting my father no more. Rest In Peace father.”

Sadly, Nigeria has wasted this brain.

Breaking: APC Reschedules National Convention To March 12

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has rescheduled  its planned National Convention from Saturday, February 26th, 2022, to March 12, 2022.

The Governor Mai Buni led APC Caretaker Committee  announced that the earlier scheduled date for Sale of Interest Forms for respective positions was to start on February 14th, 2022.

The rescheduling of the Congress did not quite come as a surprise. A few days ago, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari said that there was no plan to reschedule the convention billed for February 26, but that “the date may changed if the party thinks it is necessary.”

An APC chieftain, Hassan Alwan, while speaking on Arise Television a couple of days ago, had said there were signs that there will be no Convention as scheduled. He dismissed the party as a fast dying party and said that if the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, was a serious Party, it would since have sent the APC packing.

Hassan said the Governors do not want the Convention to hold. His words: “I am saying that the party has been hijacked by some evil forces among us, and they intend to abort the Convention.

“For God’s sake, this is 10 days to the Convention, where are the sub- Committees? They said they would start selling forms on February 14, that they will start selling tickets, dud they do that? They gave us a Valentine gift that was a lie. They are not sincere. They are not sincere, they are not willing to put up a Convention. Buni and his Committee have failed.

But  according to Uzodimma,  Nigerians should focus on how democracy can become “workable”, adding that citizens should support the government in power.

“That is the decision of the party and there is nothing wrong even if it doesn’t hold. What is important is that we must have our convention.

“We have said it’s 26th. If for any reason tomorrow, it’s not doable in the opinion of the party, we will move. But that does not mean that there is any intention to move.

“We shouldn’t worry about little issues. I think our focus and attention should be towards having a workable democracy in Nigeria like we have shown, supporting government policies and programmes and then being patriotic”

Why We Suspended Activities Of Knights of St John International – Catholic Bishops

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Catholic Bishops

By Adesina Soyooye

In an unprecedented action, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has suspended, indefinitely, the activities of the influential Knights of St John International, KSJI, in Nigeria.

The suspension is a consequence of the leadership crisis which has engulfed the Order.

The CBCN said it does not recognise the new leadership because, aside from the fact that there has been no genuine reconciliation inspite of the many interventions by His Lordship, Bishop Michael Akpochi, KSJI members did not adhere to the directives given to them by the CBCN during its conference in Enugu.

The letter of suspension dated February 16, 2022, was signed by the President of CBCN, Most Reverend Augustine Akubueze, the Catholic Archbishop of Benin, and Most Reverend Camillus Umoh, Secretary, and the Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene.

The suspension  statement reads:

“The CBCN appreciates the efforts of Bishop Michael Apochi in handling the crisis in the Knighthood of St. John’s International. His sacrifices and unrelenting efforts at working for peace within the order are well noted with gratitude.

“The Bishops of Nigeria are aware of the elections held and the new leadership team put in place within the KSJI.

“The Bishops, however, do not recognize these elections based on the following: The directives given at the CBCN in Enugu requesting for reconciliation between the opposing sides within the order have not been heeded; the bylaws submitted to the CBCN have not yet been approved.

“In light of the above, the Bishops call for a concerted effort toward reconciliation. This should be undertaken by members of the KSJI themselves (without episcopal supervision). Let the past be permanently laid to rest.

“All aggrieved members should be called to the reconciliation table. The CBCN should be duly informed that a true and genuine reconciliation has been achieved. It is only on these grounds that the CBCN can begin to take steps toward recognising the elections conducted.

“In the meantime, the CBCN has declared an indefinite suspension of the KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL at the national, provincial, Diocesan and parish levels. The said suspension will be in place until the Bishops are convinced that the order has actually achieved a genuine reconciliation.

“The Bishops are unequivocally calling for a spirit of humility, honesty and mutual forgiveness among and within the membership of the KSJl.”

Osun Gov Primary Election: Aregbesola Bows, Faults Outcome, Commends Supporters

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Like a typical defeated Nigerian politician, former Governor of Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola, reacted to the outcome of Saturday’s Governorship primary election by describing it as a sham.

During the exercise, the Minister of Interior, who had for days running, campaigned in all zones of the State, asking members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to troop out and vote for his preferred candidate, Moshood Adeoti, was nowhere to be seen, or found. He disappeared. And did not vote.

In his ward, Adeoti was roundly defeated by Governor Gboyega Adegboyega.

In a statement of the Minister by his Media Adviser , Sola Fasure, Aregbesola stated:

”I will like to thank you most sincerely for heeding the call earlier this morning to participate in our party’s governorship primary and conduct yourselves most peacefully. You adopted a non-violent posture, even in the face of sore provocation.

“You have demonstrated your loyalty to the party and democratic ideals. You have comported yourselves as Omoluabi in the true essence.

“We have received and continue to receive the reports of the shenanigans of the officials who conducted the sham of an election.

“We have been inundated with reports state-wide of how your names were expunged from the party’s voters register, which was not made available until this morning, contrary to the convention of making the list available to the candidates before the election.

“We have heard of how party registration cards were being hawked this morning to the supporters of the state governor.

‘We have also received reports of how accreditation was not done at all in many wards and how people without the party identification just participated and queued behind the governor in many polling units.

“We have received the report from our members and independent observers, how government officials and notable supporters of the governor officiated in the election, how votes were farcically counted in favour of the governor and how the votes recorded for him were more than the number of voters accredited ab initio in many units.

“We have heard of the absence of result sheets and other vital documents for recording results and vital data.

“We note also the absence of INEC officials in most wards, casting serious doubt on the credibility of the election.

“We note with shame and much regret the consternation of local and international observers on what they regard as a travesty of an election.

“I will urge you to maintain your cool and calm. Be not downcast, be not agitated. Hold your head high. We are still receiving and studying all these reports and will take a definitive position on them.

“You are urged not to take laws into your hands. Please leave the rest to the Almighty God and let us explore all peaceful and legal means for addressing the matter in order to obtain justice.

“Please remain committed to peace and the rule of law. Be unflinching in your commitment to the democratic ideals.

“Democracy is for the long haul. As you all know, we never tire and we never give up on the cause we believe in. Be rest assured that victory is ours.”

It doesn’t matter what Aregbesola says now. The fact is that he has lost out. And needs to start afresh.

Abia University Students Accuse Female Lecturers Of Sexual Harassment

By
The Source
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0
Abia State University

By Charles Igbo

Nigerians are used to hearing and reading of sexual harassment of female students by their male lecturers.

But here is the latest news on such issues.

At the Abia State University, some male students have accused two of their female  lecturers of harassing them sexually. They also allege intimidation by the lecturers.

One of them, the students alleged in a petition to the University’s Management, is the Head of the Department of Public Health, Professor Ezinne Enwereji. The second is Lois Ndu Agumuo, who they allege connives  with Professor Enwereji to fail them in their courses.

Mercifully, both the Head of Department and the other lecturer are not being accused of luring them to bed. They accused them of, allegedly, fondling their private parts during examinations in search of any hidden materials.

They say that in connivance with Agumuo, they are failed en masse in their courses which they also claim they were not given adequate lecturing on.

However, a source at the University, dismissed the allegation as “utter nonsense.” The source said the students abhore the strictness during examinations, which includes searching, to prevent them from entering examination halls with unwanted materials. As for the mass failure, he said: “The students should study. That is why they are in school. They are not studying, and as such should not expect to pass.”

Another source suggested that the school’s security personnel be deployed to do the searching and not lecturers. He added: “Students should, however,  be searched by those of the same gender with them.”

Osun APC Gov Primary Update: Aregbesola Elusive As His Annoited Coast Home To Huge Defeat

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By  Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola shocked his candidate and supporters as he was nowhere to be found during the Primary Election of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) in the state on Saturday, February 19, 2022.

As bits of Moshood Adeoti’s performance (his chosen candidate for the Governorship Primary election in Osun) began to emerge, the Minister of Interior was nowhere to be found. He did not even vote for his annoited at his Ilesa East Ifofin ward.

Informed sources revealed that rather than vote for Adeoti at the primary election, the Minister reportedly travelled to Ghana for an undisclosed reason.

His absence may not be unconnected with the fact that the people resented his clamour to make Adeoti the next Governor and return Osun to regime of half salary and confusing educational policies.

Indications from the results emerging from the polling centers pointed to a clear loss for the Minister and his candidate.

Incumbent Governor Oyetola is in clear lead, going by results already counted and made public.

Both Aregbesola and Adeoti lost in their Wards.

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