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Adesanya Retains UFC 271 Welterweight Crown, Defeats Whittaker

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Isreal Adesanya and Robert Whittaker

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria’s Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC 271 Welterweight Champion, Israel Adesanya, has successfully defended his crown in a unanimous decision over arch rival, Robert Whittaker.

Adesanya faced Whittaker for the second time at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, United States of America in the early hours of today.

The fight against Whittaker was Adesanya’s fourth after wins over Yoel Romero, Paolo Costa and Marvin Vettori

The Nigerian Fighter constantly attacked the lead leg of Whittaker from all angles, and was in full control of the First Round and scored an early knockdown. Luckily for Whittaker, he got back on feet  quickly.

Noticing that Adesanya has won the first round, Whittaker attempted two takedowns in the second round but was well defended by Adesanya.

Prior to the fight, Whittaker had  looked for an Avenue to avenge his earlier defeat to Adesanya, and their fight in Texas was a huge chance.

Adesanya emerged victorious in their first fight at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, in 2019 to claim the middleweight title and was confident of retaining the belt against a much improved Whittaker.

The Nigerian however scored a thunderous second-round knockout of Whittaker in Melbourne, Australia to claim the title in October 2019 to cap an amazing run in just his seventh fight with the promotion.

Whittaker rebounded with three straight victories to earn a second shot against Adesanya after his brief stay atop the division.

Adesanya only loss in UFC was his light heavyweight against Jan Blachowicz.

In Round two of their fight, Whittaker was more aggressive but met more counterattacks from Adesanya.

Both fighters connected well during the third  round but Adesanya hit heavier.

Adesanya defended Whittaker’s first takedown attempt but Whittaker got him in his second attempt but Adesanya got back to his feet.

Adesanya rarely threw his right hand with the commentators claiming he might have hurt the hand in training.

Whittaker was landed several body kicks and he seemed to have hurt his legs, as he was expertly taken down by a stronger and determined Adesanya.

The champion landed several body shots.

Both fighters came out smoking in the last round as the race for the title rested on the final round.

Ekiti Gov Election: Segun Oni’s Rumoured Defection To APGA Hits Brickwall

By
Ayodele Oni
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Segun Oni

By Ayodele Oni

There are indications that the planned defection of former Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni, to the All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA) where he hoped to be picked as the party’s flagbearer in the June election has hit the brick wall.

Oni, who lost out in the Primary Election of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), where he came a distant second, was rumoured to have concluded arrangements to ditch PDP and join APGA.

The social media has been awash with his supporters already displaying the logo and dress code of APGA with his picture.

Even as at last Friday, some of his supporters were expecting him to return from Abuja to Ado Ekiti, where he had gone to meet with the leadership of APGA to formalise his defection.

Surprisingly, when things did not work out as expected in Abuja, the tune changed as his supporters denied on Sunday that he ever dreamt of decamping to APGA.

Director of Publicity of Segun Oni Movement, Mr Jackson Adebayo, denied that Oni has joined APGA describing the claim as absolute falsehood.

“The concocted story that Segun Oni has joined APGA, as well as pulling out again, is just part of the orchestrated blackmail put together by those who are being hunted by the aspiration of former Governor.

Adebayo, in a statement in Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, explained that though many Political Parties approached the former Governor to fly their ticket in the June 18 election, he didn’t agree to join any due to the ongoing wide consultations.

He claimed that some stakeholders in the Ekiti project attempted to convince Oni on reasons he should agree to contest on APGA’s platform, but he declined arguing that the people of Ekiti State would come up with a party they love before the close of the window.

“It now became laughable reading on social media that Segun Oni is leaving APGA that he has never joined before; or how can you resign from an association you never belonged to?.

“People behind such rumours are those who were being taunted by the geometrical growing of Segun Oni popularity and the negative effects it will have on other political party in Ekiti State.

“What they wanted to achieve with such a blackmail has however backfired on them as the people of the state refused to buy into the shenanigans.

“As it stands today the only person that the people could trust with the governance of the state is Eng Segun Oni as evidently displayed at every nooks and crannies of the state.”

“We will not be bothered as we are too focused than to be distracted by writings that was rumbled together to cause confusion.”

Substitution of names of Governorship candidates and their running mates by parties at the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) is expected to close next week.

Force Spokesman: Adejobi In, Frank Mba, Out

By
The Source
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Frank Mbah

By Gideon Njoku

Long serving Nigerian Police Force Spokesman,  Frank Mba, has taken a bow from the office he made exceptionally relevant.

Mba, a Commissioner of Police, is proceeding to the high profile National Institute of Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, Jos, on the recommendation, and nomination of the Inspector General of Police. On completion, that will put him in a good stead for promotion to the rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, on merit, and when due once there is a vacancy.

In Mba’s place, another brilliant officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, has been appointed with immediate effect.

Adejobi comes into the office well prepared, having been a staff of the Department as Mba’s Deputy. He had also occupied, effectively, that position in a couple of State Commands.

A graduate of the University  of Ibadan where he came out with combined Honours in Archeology and Geography, he also holds a Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, also, from the same UI.

A great communicator, he is a member of a number of professional bodies and associations.

A statement signed by Benjamin Hundeyin, an Administrative Officer, Force Public Relations Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed the change in baton.

Buhari Appoints Former NUJ President, Sani Zorro, As Aide, Deploys Him To First Lady’s Office

By
Uche Mbah
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Sani Zorro

By Uche Mbah

President, Muhammadu Buhari has approved  the  appointment of Sani Zorro, a Journalist,  and former lawmaker as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs and Strategy, Office of the First Lady.

In a statement Saturday signed by a Presidential Spokesperson, Garba Shehu, redeployments were also made which involved the office of the First Lady.

“At the instance of the First Lady, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, the President has also approved the immediate redeployment of three of the political appointees in her office to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, pending their assignment to some other Government Departments or Agencies.

“Those affected by the redeployment are: Dr. Mohammed Kamal Abdulrahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Health and Development Partners and Personal Physician to the First Lady; Hadi Uba, Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Wole Aboderin, Special Assistant to the President on Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs”, the statement said.

“Also approved with effect from 11th February is the disengagement of Zainab Kazeem, the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic and Social Events, Office of the First Lady.

“Zorro, a famous journalist brings to the new job decades-long experience in media practice, publishing and unionist leadership.

“He was at various times President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and the Federation of African Journalists, FAJ”, the statement read.

It is not known why the deployments and redeployment were made, but they came 24 hours after the First Lady’s trip to Kano and Kaduna, and after her photographs, on a Kaduna-Abuja train,  made waves in both traditional and new media.

NBA Asks Lawyers To Apply To Be Supreme Court Justices; South-east Has Two Slots

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

The Nigerian Bar Association has asked qualified Lawyers who desire to be appointed to the Supreme Court to apply.

This is as a result of the vacancies that exist in the number of Justices at the Apex Court. There are vacancies for six Justices.

The vacancies are a consequence of retirements and deaths.

The South-east zone, whose daughter, the Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili is the second highest ranking Justice in the country has two slots out of the six.

Justice Peter-Odili, whose two daughters, Njideka and Chinelo are, following in her footsteps, Judges of the High Courts of FCT and Rivers State, respectively, is billed to retire in May 2022 when she will be 70 years old. Both daughters were appointed Judges in the later months of 2021.

Other Zones which have slots are:

*South-South- one.

*South-west – one.

*North – central- one.

*North-west – one.

A notice by the NBA, which was made available to BarristerNG, asked qualified Lawyers to send in their expression of interest.

Conditions, however, apply, including being a full financial member of the NBA for 10 years and submitting 10 “judgments delivered in contested cases the applicant conducted in the five years preceeding 2022, certified by competent authorities for Legal Practitioners in private practice, among other tough conditions.

Those interested are required to submit their expression of interest to: The President Nigerian Association on, or before 21st February 2022.

Following is the notice asking those interested to apply. It is dated 7th February 2022.

“Dear Colleagues,

RE: APPOINTMENT OF SIX (6) JUSTICES FOR THE SUPREME COURT BENCH: CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, Federal Judicial Service Commission has, by a letter dated 19th January, 2022, called for nomination of suitably qualified persons for appointment to the Supreme Court of Nigeria to fill six present or imminent vacancies.

“The slots available for nomination are:

(a) Two slots for the South-East geo-political zone.

(b) One slot for the South-South geo-political zone.

(c) One slot for the South-West geo-political zone.

(d) One slot for the North-Central geo-political zone.

(e) One slot for the North-West geo-political zone.

“Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from the geo-political zones listed above who are suitably qualified and are interested in applying for appointment to the Supreme Court Bench are enjoined to submit an expression of interest to the National Secretariat of the NBA on or before 21st February, 2022 addressed to:

“The President

Nigerian Bar Association

c/o Grace Igyo, Esq.

Head, Legal Services Department

Nigerian Bar Association

National Secretariat

Plot 1101 Cadastral Zone A00

Central Business District

Abuja.

All expressions of interest should include the following attached thereto:

“1. A copy of the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae;

  1. A copy of the applicant’s Call to Bar Certificate;
  2. Evidence of payment of Bar Practicing Fees (BPF) for the past 10 years;
  3. Evidence of payment of NBA Branch Dues for the past 10 years;
  4. Evidence of attendance at Conferences of the NBA;
  5. Evidence of membership of Sections or Fora of the NBA;
  6. 10 Judgments delivered in contested cases the applicant conducted in the 5 years preceding 2022 certified by competent authorities for Legal Practitioners in

Private Practice; and

  1. A letter of good standing from the Chairman of the applicant’s Branch confirming

that he or she possess the qualities set out in Rule 4(4)(1)(a), (b) and (d) of the NJC’s Guidelines for the Appointment of Judicial Officers for Superior Courts of Record.

“For the avoidance of doubt, these qualities are reproduced hereunder:

“In all cases:

  1. a) Good character and reputation, diligence and hard work, honesty, integrity and sound knowledge of law and consistent adherence to professional ethics; as may be applicable:
  2. b) Active successful practice at the Bar, including satisfactory presentation of cases in Court as a Legal Practitioner either in private practice or as a Legal Officer in any Public Service;
  3. d) Credible record of teaching law, legal research in a reputable University and publication of legal works …”

Upon receipt of the expressions of interest, the National Secretariat shall publish the names of the interested candidates and request comments thereon from members of the NBA.

“For further enquiries, kindly call the following numbers: 07039084181, 07034631029 and 08065901348.

“Kindly note that ONLY APPLICATIONS FROM MEMBERS IN THE SHORTLISTED ZONES will be attended to.”

Usually, Justices of the Supreme Court, except on rare occasions, are elevated from the Court of Appeal.

Most very senior high profile  Lawyers are usually reluctant to go to the Bench.

They make more money as Lawyers than those on the Bench – Justices of the Supreme Court or not.

ThisDay Newspapers Lose Director, Danbaba; Sokoto, Kaduna, Mourn Influential Northerner

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba

By Adesina Soyooye

He was in Lagos last week at a  meeting of a mix-marsh of high profile Nigerians, concerned about the situation in the country, and looking for a way to stop Nigeria’s fall. They are, also, allegedly, working on who best to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

But in the mid-morning of Saturday, February 12, he slumped in his hotel room in  Kaduna, and was pronounced dead some minutes later in a hospital.

Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, was not only one of the most Influential Northerners, he was the Head of Sokoto Kingmakers.

He was in Kaduna to condole with another Influential Northerner, Lt General Aliyu Gusau, rtd, former NSA, former Minister for Defence, father of the embattled Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mahid Aliyu Gusai who, recently, lost his elder brother.

On arrival, and after the condolence visit, Danbaba checked into his hotel, Stonehedge, in Kaduna.

Just before he slumped in the Hotel room and died at about 11.30am, he had dressed up, preparatory to meeting General Gusau in his house for two of them to head back to Abuja. But he slumped. Panicky Aides swooped on him and  rushed him to the 44 Army Reference  hospital, Kaduna. He was declared dead on arrival.

A devasted Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, ordered that his body be evacuated to Government House, for an airlift to Sokoto for funeral.

He will be buried at a cemetery reserved – Hubbaren Shehu- reserved for Royal leaders.

A grandson of the late revered Premier of the defunct Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto, his mother, A’ishatu, the eldest daughter of the late Premier, died in Dubai in 2021.

Danbaba was also one of those behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s Rice Revolution, and was very much involved in the Rice Pyramid fare in Abuja recently.

Benue: Air Force Security Bounces Governor Ortom; Denies Him Entry To Receive Osinbajo

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, received one of his worst embarrassments on Saturday, February 12, at the Air Force Base, Makurdi.

Air Force Security personnel humiliated the Governor out of the Air Base.

Ortom, as protocol demands, went to the Base to receive the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The Vice President was on his way to  attend the Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University, Wukari.  Protocol required the Governor of the State to receive the VP at the Base which serves as the only Airport in the State.

But Ortom was denied entry into the Base by the Air Force Security. They stopped him from receiving the Vice President.

An embarrassed Ortom went back to the Government House. He attributed the incident to politics, and described it as “politics carried too far.”

Speaking to Journalists at the Government House, he said protocol has been breached over Politics.

“How can I go to the Air Force Base and I am bounced back? In my State? It’s politics taken too far, and somebody will account for it”, the Governor lamented.

Continuing Ortom said: “I feel so sad that there are certain things you don’t play politics with and I must continue to talk about this injustice.”

It is not known why Governor Ortom was so treated in his State by the Air Force Security. But opinion is that it must have been an order “from above.”

The Governor has been very unsparing in  harsh criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Government.

Ortom, decamped to the PDP from the APC, almost at the end of his first term in office as Governor of Benue State. He won his second term ticket under the PDP, a party he had earlier defected from to the APC. He said he went back to the PDP because of the injustice  the Buhari Government has, allegedly, been meting out on his people, especially, by allegedly condoning the activities of rogue herdsmen  killing his subjects and taking over their farmlands.

Since then, the relationship between Ortom and the Buhari administration has been very untidy. A couple of weeks ago, the Governor said he has been blocked from  having access to the President in Abuja.

The Air Force Base incident is a new low in the untidy relationship.

2023: Atiku Fires Another Salvo Against Power Shift

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

Presidential hopeful and former vice president Atiku Abubakar  has fired another salvo at proponents  of power shift to the south, days after he claimed that the North has not had its own fair share of the presidency. In his latest outburst against those clamouring  for the presidency  to return to the south, after the end of President Muhammadu  Buhari’s  tenure next year, Atiku said there is no provision for zoning political offices in Nigeria’s constitution.

The two major political  parties in the couhty, the PDP and APC have not yet decided on where to zone the highest office in the land, despite serious agitation from the South that power must shift from the north.

Recall that the Chairman, Technical Committee for the actualization of Atiku Abubakar presidential ambition, Chief Raymond Dokpesi had penultimate  week, said the north should be allowed to rule the country for another four years before power would return to the south.

“The south had the presidency from 1999-2007 and again from 2009-2015. The tenure of the North is not yet expired, once it is expired, the south will produce the President, the southeast in particular. All those clamoring for the Presidency to come to the south in 2023 are not asking for it because of the south, they are asking it for their particular interest and the zone they come from,” Dokpesi  said.

Speaking at a meeting organised by his supporters, Atiku, a member of the PDP and a front line  presidential  aspirant, said his decision to run is based on the current challenges facing the country. The PDP chieftain who has contested for the president more than any other aspirant in the race said only God can stop him.

On the question that the youths should be allowed to run the affairs of the country this time, he said age would not determine the performance  of a leader.

According to him, “leadership is endowed by God. You can have a young man come and do better than an old man,” he said.

“So, it is an endowed attribute from God, therefore, we should try to look for such a person who has been endowed by God, who has those attributes and then give him leadership.

“I have never seen; this country has so many challenges at the same time. So, sometimes, when I am on my bed, I begin to wonder whether to go for it (contest) or not because the challenges are just too many. In my life, I have never seen Nigeria in such a bad situation”.

He said the country is currently  divided and needs a unifier to bring all contesting groups together. He added that the economic situation  in the country is so bad that a leader that can turn the situation around is what the county required at this times.

He said “As far as the unity of this country is concerned, we are more divided. Even when we fought the civil war, we were never as divided as this. We never have a breakdown of law and order like this because when we fought the civil war, it was confined to a particular location, in every other place, there was peace.

“We never had this kind of poverty where even the farmer cannot go to farm the food to eat, not to talk of commercial farming. So, I have never seen this country so bad, and it is going to be a daunting task for anybody to come and turn things around”.

On zoning Atiku said “fundamentally, the constitution says all of us can run. The constitution has not barred any one of us. There is no zoning in the constitution; there is none”.

PSC Constitutes New Panel To Probe Police Chief, Aba Kyari

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Abba Kyari - DCP

By Ayodele Oni

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has expressed dissatisfaction on the outcome of investigation into the case of suspended DCP Abba Kyari carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

It has, therefore, rejected the report of the police panel that looked into the matter and instituted a fresh probe.

This was part of decisions reached by the PSC, at its 14th plenary, according to Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations of the Commission in a statement in Abuja.

Kyari was indicted by the FBI in an alleged multi-million naira advanced fee fraud perpetrated by Hushpuppi.

Ani stated that the Commission had also ordered that further investigation be carried out by a different panel within two weeks, half the time spent on the original investigation by the police.

According to the spokesman, the Commission has consequently deferred decision on Kyari’s case, who until his suspension, was the Officer-in-Charge of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police.

The meeting, chaired by PSC chairman,  Alhaji Musiliu Smith, also considered other cases relating to misconduct within the force.

Ani’s statement added that “Kyari had earlier been indicted by a report of the FBI and was also investigated by a special panel set up by the Inspector General of Police (I-G).

“The IG had earlier forwarded the FBI report to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for legal advice.”

He stated also that the PSC also considered 20 pending disciplinary matters, five appeals and petitions from the IG and aggrieved serving and ex-police officers.

He pointed out that consideration was also given to five promotions appeals at the meeting.

“The PSC reaffirmed its earlier decision to exonerate SP Shaaba Gboyako, former Chief Security Officer to a former IG of unwholesome act.

“The Commission is mindful of the need to safeguard its corporate image and defend its institutional integrity and directed the IG to implement its decision as it affects the officer without delay.”

Ekiti APC Gov Candidate, Oyebanji, Applauds Two Aspirants Over Court Case

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the June 18 election, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has hailed  Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Hon Femi Bamisile over their decision to opt out of the law suit instituted against the party, a consequence of the January 27 Governorship primary of the APC.

Oyebanji, in a statement, in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, thanked the two leaders for putting the interest of the Party above other considerations, and for demonstrating exemplary leadership qualities.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central at the red chamber, had hinted on Friday that he would discontinue with the court case and would not decamp from APC. He, however, noted that he would not campaign for him.

Also, Mr Femi Bamisile, a Member of the House of Representatives said he would no longer challenge the legality of the Primary election.

Senator Bamidele had earlier boasted that he would use everything within his power to ensure that illegalities recorded in the exercise are corrected.

Their action, according to Oyebanji, has further reinforced the belief that the APC remains one big family where disagreements are resolved amicably in the overall interest of the people.

The APC candidate thanked the leaders of the party that have been working behind the scenes to reconcile the aggrieved members.

He also  urged members of the Party to appreciate the decision of the two leaders, and see it as a decision taken in the overall interest of the party.

While expressing optimism that the remaining aggrieved aspirants would also embrace reconciliation and work for the success of the party at the poll, he said the APC will go to the June 18 election as a united front.

“I received with gladness the news of the decision by my brothers- Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Hon Femi Bamisile to drop their suit and work with other leaders of the party to ensure victory for the APC at the forth coming governorship election.

“Their decision has further confirmed their commitment to the growth and success of our dear party and this is highly commendable.

“I hope my other co- aspirants will follow suit in the interest of peace and unity. I urge all our members to appreciate these leaders for this excellent decision and refrain from making any remarks that might be deemed unfriendly. We are one family in Ekiti APC.”

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