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Nnamdi Kanu In Court On Thursday; Granting Of Bail To Be Moved; Supporters Expectant

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

In a sudden about-turn, the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, will appear in Court tomorrow at the Federal High Court, Abuja, where his prosecution has been taking place since he was rearrested in Nairobi, Kenya and brought back to Nigeria.

On November 10 when he appeared at the FHC before the trial Judge, the Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, the Court had adjourned the case till January 19, 2022. His Counsels had worked out, according to media reports in protest that their colleagues were not allowed in by Security Agents. But on their part,  the Counsels blamed the Judge, insisting she locked them out, and adjourned the case in their absence.

IPOB had protested the long adjournment, saying it was part of the plan to keep their leader in custody in perpetuity.

His appearance tomorrow, Thursday, in Court, it is gathered, is on a special arrangement, a consequence of the pressure on the Federal Government to explore political solution rather than a legal solution to Kanu’s case.

His Counsels had gone back to Court to ask for an abridgement of the adjournment period. Their request was granted.

A couple of weeks ago, some Igbo leaders, led by 94 year old Amaechi Mbazulike, had on a scheduled visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, specifically appealed to him to release the IPOB leader unconditionally. Mbazulike had asked that Kanu be released to him, and promised to “contain” him.

Buhari had said it was an extremely difficult request to make but promised to consider it.

According to a reliable source, Kanu’s Counsels are most likely to move for bail on his behalf on Thursday.

But not a few people speculate, strongly, that Kanu’s appearance in Court on December 2, 2021, instead of  January 19, 2022,  is part of the softening of ground by the Federal Government to give Kanu bail, in reverence to the appeal by the Igbo elders, and the Caucus of the South-east National Assembly members.

On its part, IPOB seem to have softened a bit. Its leadership has said there will be no lockdown of the South-east on Thursday when its leader appears in Court. Before now, IPOB’s order, after cancelling the every-Monday lockdown, was that South-easterners sit at home each time Kanu appeared in Court.

But in a statement issued on Wednesday, December 1, 2022, and signed by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, INEC asked all South-easterners outside Abuja and environs, to go about their normal businesses. There is no sit-at-home order, it emphasized.

However, the statement asked those in Abuja and environs to come out and show solidarity with the IPOB leader.

Following is part of the statement by Powerful:

“We wish to inform Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom that our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, will be in court tomorrow, December 2, 2021, in Abuja.

“We, therefore, urge Biafrans living in Abuja and its environs to come out en mass to solidarize with our leader.

“Meanwhile, there will be no lockdown tomorrow in any part of Biafra land as a result of the court appearance. Biafrans residents in Biafra land, as well as visitors to Biafra land, are free to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestations or intimidation.

“We have not asked or authorised anybody to monitor or enforce any lockdown. Again, there will be no lockdown in Biafra land for tomorrow’s court appearance of our Leader.

“Only Biafrans and friends of Biafra in Abuja and its environs that are encouraged to be at the court premises.

“As a non-violent movement, we urge everyone to remain peaceful and law-abiding in all their conduct. Security operatives should also refrain from infringing on the fundamental rights of people who come to cheer our leader.”

Ahead Ekiti 2022: Fayemi Directs Those Nursing Ambition To Resign

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, and other political appointees nursing Governorship ambition, are set to resign.

Oyebanji, although yet to make public his ambition, is said to be the annointed candidate of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Governor Fayemi has denied having any annoited candidates among the aspirants, but sources within the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) said members of the State Executive have been directed to go and work for the Scribe.

Various social media and political platforms in the State are now awash with pictures and write ups on Oyebanji, popularly known as  BAO.

There are, however, mounting pressures from groups and individuals from the Southern Senatorial districts of the State clamouring for the zoning of the number one seat to the area.

Southern Senatorial Zone comprising of six Local Government Areas, has not been able to produce the Governor since the creation of the state in 1996.

The SSG is from the Central Senatorial District, which has produced two Governors.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, Governor Fayemi directed anyone serving in his Government who would like to contest the Governorship primaries to tender his or her resignation latest by December 18th.

The directive was contained in a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode.

The statement added that “The development, became imperative in order to ensure cohesion and excellent service delivery – two major  hallmarks of the administration- remain uncompromised.

“In compliance with directives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has slated the governorship primaries for January, ahead of the June 2022 governorship election.”

Gov Obaseki Presents N214.2 Billion Budget For 2022

By
Ayodele Oni
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Godwin Obaseki Presents Budget

By Ayodele Oni

Edo state Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday presented a budget proposal of  N214.2 billion  for the 2022 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

Christened ‘Budget of Renewal, Hope and Growth,’ it showed an increase of 32.9 percent over the 2021 approved budget of N161 billion.

Presenting the estimates, Mr Obaseki explained that it was made up of N95.9 billion recurrent expenditure and N118 billion capital expenditure.

“Mr Speaker,  the increase in capital expenditure over the previous year’s approved budget  underscores my administration’s commitment to enhance and stimulate the ease of doing business .

“Recurrent estimates of the budget are based on $57 per barrel bench mark for crude oil and an average daily production of 1.88 million barrels per day as well as increase of our IGR to N50.2 billion.

“The proposed capital and recurrent expenditures ratios is put at 55 percent to 45 percent respectively.

“The total projected internally generated revenue for 2022 is N186 billion consisting of N65 billion statutory allocation.

“Value added tax of N23 billion, IGR of N50.3 billion and N11.6 billion from grants.”

The Governor also proposed N24.6 billion for Education, Health N14.1 billion, Government buildings N21 billion, Road/Bridges N30 billion, Youth/Social Development N5 billion and Environment N8 billion.

Others are Agriculture N4.6 billion, water N1.2 billion, Electricity N2.7 billion and public safety and security N9.2 billion.

Technology enhancement is expected to gulp N7.6 billion, enhancing working environment N15 billion, Tourism and development of Benin cultural districts N2 billion and administration of justice N5 billion among others.

Again, Soludo Wins; Court Throws Out Suit To Nullify Poll Victory

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

For Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor-elect of Anambra State, it is yet another victory after his landslide victory at the November 6, 2021 Governorship election.

In that election, he had won 19 out of the State’s 21 Local Government Areas, and secured over 25 percent in the remaining two.

Just as he was celebrating his victory, two gentlemen, Adindu Valentine and Egwudike Chukwuebuka, dragged him to a Federal High Court in Abuja screaming perjury. Joined in the suit were his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

They said he had lied in the affidavit he swore to and submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Instead of filling in the form that he was running for the office of the Governor, he had mistakenly filled it was for Aguata 2 constituency.

The judgement was to be delivered on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, by the Honourable Justice Taiwo Taiwo. But it was shifted by one day to Wednesday, December 1, 2021. Nobody knew why, but that upped tension and anxiety both in Anambra and Abuja where a good number of his supporters, associates and party men and women had converged.

On Wednesday morning, Justice Taiwo handed down another victory to Soludo. He dismissed the suit filed against him as of no effect.

Ondo: Government Tackles PDP, Says Workers To Smile Soon

By
Ayodele Oni
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Donald Ojogo

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, has clarified that the present situation in the State was not as precarious like that of the immediate past administration during which workers were owed seven months salaries.

Reacting to insinuation by the opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) that Christmas would be bleak for the workers due to unpaid arrears of salaries, the Commissioner assured that things were being worked out to enable the State Government meet its obligations.

“The PDP will be shocked at the unworkability of their devious wish and desire for Ondo workers.

“The height of pretence is this unpardonable display of amnesia on the part of a party which emplaced a government that laid off several workers with many losing their lives while it lasted, amid a huge debt profile aside a seven-month old unpaid salary burden.”

Confirming that there were problems, Mr Ojogo pointed out that ‘Yes, there are challenges and our desire is to face these challenges headlong with a view to charting a more robust and holistic path to surmount same.

“We will, therefore, unlike the doomsday ilk that held sway before us, rather focus on exploring means to measure up with our avowed commitment to workers welfare than dispensing the state’s commonwealth to bribe higher powers for political stability as was the case before now.

This Government will ensure workers in the public service enjoy a very pleasant season. The next one week will manifest Government’s seriousness in this regard. Workers will smile, as further deeper positive thoughts are already firmed up to ease economic challenges imposed on all of us by the global financial straits.

Workers in the State public service are already well acquainted with the pretentious posturing of the PDP. They know too well that there could not have been a better advertisement of hypocritical vices by their immediate past tormentors.

“This party called PDP lacks the moral status to defend its former victims, the current Akeredolu-led administration is striving hard to bring out of an eight-year old economic strangulation wrought on them by the viciousness of a flipant leadership.”

Editors Hold Self-Scrutiny Town Meeting In Lagos; Ativists, Scholars, Students, Lead Conversation

By
The Source
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Mustapha Isah-NGE President

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has scheduled to commence itsTown Hall Meeting in the South-west geo-political zone on Thursday at De Rembrandt Hotel, 172 Obafemi Awolowo Road, Beside Ikeja City Mall, Ikeja, Lagos, with a theme: ‘’Agenda Setting For Sustainable Democratic Culture.’’

The main objective of the meeting, which is supported by the US Embassy in Nigeria, is to assess the media performance in consolidating Nigeria’s democracy – citizens’ verdict and outlining media agenda for the future.

In a statement by its President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, yesterday in Lagos, the professional body of all the editors in Nigeria, said the meeting will also provide a platform for the media’s stakeholders to remind editors and other media managers of the sacred duties they are tasked to perform by the constitution on behalf of the citizens.

Drawing copious examples from democracies around the world, the statement added that the meeting, which is billed to hold in all the six geo-political zones across the country, is expected to instil in the editors the need to perform their duties with the highest form of standard and sense of responsibility.

“The Town Hall Meeting will provide a platform for media stakeholders to undertake self-introspection and also begin a conversation on a framework for media regulation, which will not only have their buy-in but also improve the standard for media practice in Nigeria thereby reducing, if not eliminate, incidents of sub-standard and unprofessional reportage in the Nigerian media.

“Such conversations and hopefully eventual adoption of self-regulatory framework could also have a regional spin-off whereby countries within the region, and indeed Africa, could be encouraged to borrow a leaf from the Nigerian example, as was the case with the adoption of a Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria subsequently having a positive spin-off in Ghana’’, the NGE added.

Those invited for the Town Meeting, which will be followed by a two-day capacity building for editors, are leading pro-democracy/human rights activists in the zone, renowned scholars from the academic community, pro-media rights groups, students from different higher institutions, faith groups, members of the international community and the media.

On the expected impact of the meeting and the capacity building workshop, the NGE said that a pool of Nigerian editors and media managers would be galvanised and would be committed to the highest ethical standard and taking robust actions to ensure same. And committed to the promotion and protection of the right to independent press, freedom of expression and the deepening of democratic space.

The statement added, ‘’The NGE also hoped that at the end of the project, mobilised pool of editors will be constantly projecting issue-based governance in defence of the mass of the Nigerian people in line with Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’

The NGE explained further that the programme looks to galvanise the key stakeholders to act responsibly and deny the authorities the moral authority to take punitive actions against the media for performing their constitutionally assigned role to hold the government to account, and to the general citizens the right to hold and voice their opinions on the conduct of public officers.

#EndSARS: Activist, Timi Frank Reject LASG’s White Paper, Says No Peace Walk Without Justice

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Timi Frank, Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday, rejected the White Paper on the report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters, issued by the Lagos State Government.

He also called on all #EndSARS activists never to partake in the planned “Peace Walk” by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describing the move as tendentious and anti-youth.

“How can there be peace without justice,” he queried, adding, “Sanwo-Olu should accept the truth about the #EndSARS massacre at the  Lekki Toll Gate, apologise to Nigerian youths and pay adequate compensation to victims of the massacre if he desires to walk for peace,” Frank said in a statement in Abuja.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, urged Sanwo-Olu to re-read the JPI report and follow the truth courageously captured therein.

He commended #EndSARS activists like  Folarin Falana (Falz), Debo Adebayo (Mr Macaroni), Dele Farotimi, Temitope Majekodunmi, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Adedotun (Just Detoun) and Seun Kuti, among others, for rejecting the Governor’s tomfoolery.

He called on other youths not to yield to such evil and dangerous temptation now being dangled before them by Sanwo-Olu until the Lagos State Government and Federal Government fully implement the courageous recommendations of the JPI.

He lamented that  while the truth about the #Lekki Tollgate Massacre has been succinctly captured in the JPI Report, the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government are still living in denial and plying the ostrich.

“The truth is the truth. No amount of whitewashing, shenanigans, jerrymandering or intimidation can erase it.

“Sanwo-Olu and Lai Mohammed must acknowledge the truth, apologise to Nigerian youth if they desire closure on this egregious matter.

“The youth cannot be fooled. On justice for our colleagues massacred at the Lekki Tollgate on 20:10:20 we stand! Any youth that marches with Sanwo-Olu without adequate and commensurate justice for our fallen heroes is a betrayer!” Frank declared.

He called on the international community not to be swayed by attempts to sweep the Lekki Tollgate massacre and crime against humanity perpetrated against Nigerian youth by government forces under the carpet.

“The White Paper released by the Lagos State Government is another attempt at covering up an intentional genocide.

“The actors, including officials of the Federal Government must be held accountable. The White Paper is a fluke. The JPI Report says it all and we need not look any further,” Frank insisted.

Ekiti:Coronation Of Monarch Turns Sour; Youths Set Palace Ablaze

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oba Adeniran Ajibewa

By Ayodele Oni

As a Traditional Ruler in Ekiti State was celebrating his coronation anniversary, some angry youths set ablaze the Palace and some houses belonging to his loyalists.

The Olorin of Orin, Oba Adeniran Ajibewa, from Ido-Osi Local Government has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tunde Mobayo, on the incident, which he said was the handiwork of some youths in the community.

The petition explained that apart from the attack on the Palace, some of the loyalists of the Monarch also had their houses vandalized.

The petition titled ‘Complaint of Arson, Malicious Damage And Threat To Life,’ specifically identified 18 Indigenes of the community as suspects.

Oba Ajibewa wrote that “I wish to notify the Commissioner of Police about the nefarious act of the above named persons that invaded my palace.

“They damaged properties and burnt down part of the palace on the 20th of November, 2021, which was my coronation day,

“On Sunday 21st November, 2021, I had my coronation thanksgiving where the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti advised the congregation to cooperate with me so as

to move the town forward.

“It was after my thanksgiving service in the evening, I was informed that John Ania a.k.a Oyinbo went to the neighbouring town Ido

Ekiti on a bike and fell off the bike and was crushed by a moving vehicle that led to his death.

“I was reliably informed that the above named persons held meeting in the house of Adebowale Olofinro and after the meeting, went to my palace and destroyed my properties and that of my loyalists.

“Part of my Palace fence was demolished, the Palace was put on fire. Thanks to some of my loyalists in town that prevented the Palace from completely burnt down.

“One of my Chiefs, High Chief Clement Omoso’s car and bike were burnt down completely. Stones were thrown into the building thereby breaking glasses.

“Also the house of the Secretary of Ido/ Osi local government in person of Hon. Olumide Fadipe was damaged.”

For over a year since the appointment of Oba Ajibewa was confirmed by the State Government, the Orin community has been engulfed in crisis.

This has led to the postponement of the coronation anniversary, apparently to pacify aggrieved persons in the community.

It was gathered that apart from delayed coronation, Orin community has been without a monarch for over 10 years due to inability of ruling houses to agree on a candidate.

The Deputy Governor of the State, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, who presented the staff of office to Oba Ajibewa inside the Governor’s office in Ado Ekiti, has met with the warring groups severally urging them to accept the Monarch.

Backlog Of Salaries In Ondo: PDP Predicts Bleak Christmas For Workers

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party,(PDP) in Ondo state has empathized with workers in the public service due to their agony occasioned by inability of the government to pay their salaries as at when due.

The party expressed the fear that as preparations for yuletide period are gathering momentum, the workers may be incapacitated to make plans.

Spokesman of the PDP in the state, Mr Kenedy Peretei, said in a statement on Wednesday in Akure that “December is already here, and fragrance of Christmas is in the air.

“Those who have the means have begun preparations in earnest, so as not to be caught in the web of Christmas fever and its attendant hike in the price essential commodities and other items.

“But for the workers of Ondo State, their Christmas celebration is hanging dangerously in the hope that the Akeredolu led All Progressives Congress (APC) government will be ‘magnanimous’ enough to pay salaries, at least one full month.

“For more than one year now, workers in Ondo State receive percentage salaries. It could be as ridiculous as 30percent of their monthly salary.

“At the last count, only June 2021 salaries have been paid in full. That means, six months salaries are still outstanding.

‘This is in spite of the N18.2 Billion received in tranches as bail out from the Federal Government.

“The Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in separate bulletins sighted online, pleaded passionately with the State government to pay a minimum of two months salary on or before 18th December, 2021, to enable the workers celebrate Christmas.

“It added that their members should endure the harsh economic realities of the time.

“That the leadership of organised labour unions have lost steam and become ineffective in demanding for the rights of workers is understandable.

“What cannot be understood is their inelastic capacity to endure suffering in this manner.

“The leadership of these Unions were carefully installed by Dare Aragbaiye, when he reigned as Head Of Service, of Ondo State public service.

“Even at the expiration of his tenure as a civil servant, Akeredolu, his kinsman from Owo, illegally extended his tenure as HoS.

“What qualified Aragbaiye to be appointed as Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties was his role to midwife the union elections that practically incapacitated the Trade Unions in the state.

“The ‘all powerful’ Special Adviser, assumed and appropriated the duties of Permanent Secretary Governor’s Office, from his days as HoS, a duty and office he has refused to relinquish till today even as Special Adviser.

“The sorrows and pains of workers in Ondo State are the worst in the South West.

“Neighbouring States with less revenue are doing projects and paying staff salaries. Workers in Ondo State have become butt of jokes, unable to meet the challenges of everyday existence.

“Some who used their salaries as collateral to collect loans from banks and cooperative societies are unable to service these loans.

“It has never been this bad in the state. For a ‘Civil Servants State’, the APC Government has abridged every opening for the people to live a meaningful life.

“Artisans and market women all groan under the cluelessness of the incumbent administration.

“As Christmas beckons, we can only plead with Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN to wear a human face in his handling of the affairs of the state and avoid many people falling into depression as a result of government policies under his watch.”

Also Read:  Ondo: Government Tackles PDP, Says Workers To Smile Soon

N97 Billion Public Offer: We Are Not Leaving Nigeria, Says MTN

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has calmed frayed nerves by assuring customers that it has no intentions of exiting the Telecom Market of Nigeria through their public share offer.

MTN is raising about N97.18bn from its public offer to retail investors, an offer expected to be concluded this December.

Fears were that with the volume of public offer, MTN is set to leave Nigeria just as Etisalat did, resulting in change of name to 9mobile.

In a statement Tuesday, the company said  it has pegged the offer of 575 million shares held in MTN Nigeria by MTN Group at N169.00 per share (the offer), and will upload them to retail investors.

“The Offer will open at 8:00am on December 1, 2021 and close at 5:00 pm on December 14, 2021. The minimum subscription is for 20 shares and lots of 20 shares thereafter”, the statement read.

“The offer includes an incentive in the form of one free share for every 20 shares purchased, subject to a maximum of 250 free shares per investor. The incentive is open to retail investors who buy and hold the shares allotted to them for at least 12 months, post the allotment date.”

The Primary Offer will be delivered through a digital platform.

MTN’s Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, linked the success and growth of MTN Nigeria to that of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Therefore, we are very excited to offer Nigerians the opportunity to own shares in MTN Nigeria. Our journey to becoming the largest network in Nigeria has been humbling, but we still have a long way to go.”

Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, that other transactions will follow the offer as the group plans to reduce its shareholding in MTN Nigeria to 65 per cent over time.

MTN had last month hinted that it will lift up its shares for sale which it expected to be concluded this month.

“The offer is expected to close in December 2021. This is the first step in MTN Group’s previously communicated statement of intent to sell down approximately 14 per cent  of its current shareholding in MTN Nigeria”, the company said in a release early November.

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