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Obasa Leads Lagos Assembly To Visit Tinubu In UK

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Obasa and Bola Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa led Lagos House of Assembly has  joined the list of political associates and allies of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to visit him in London, United Kingdom, where he is presently recuperating from an undisclosed illness. He, allegedly, had surgery.

The Speaker and his members that visited the former Lagos State Governor said “he is hail and hearty.”

The Lawmakers said they had lengthy discussions with their host.

Among the members who visited Tinubu were Hon. Temitope Adewale, Chairman of the House committee on Transportation, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, as well as Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu, Chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Investments and SDG.

According to Speaker Obasa, Tinubu was his jovial self and had discussions with the team on issues of national importance.

He added that the visit was necessary considering the position of Asiwaju as a leader in the country, a mentor and benefactor to many Nigerians.

“Asiwaju remains amazingly passionate about Nigeria. He is hale and hearty.

“We had a lengthy discussion about developments in the country; he was in high spirit, cheery, witty as usual and remains optimistic about the progress of the country,” the Speaker said.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari who, himself, was in the UK on medical grounds, took time out to visit Tinubu. Others who visited too are the Governors of Lagos, Ekiti and Ondo States.

“My Statement On Open Grazing Interpreted Out Of Context”, Says Uzodinma

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has expressed regret that his recent statement on open grazing law was interpreted out of context by a section of the media. 

He reiterated that what he said was  that farmers and herders were peacefully coexisting in the state as a result of mutual respect and understanding.

The governor who spoke through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, also, disclosed that contrary to insinuations, the State has an open grazing law which became operative since 2006.

According to the Governor, the law provided for areas that are restricted from open grazing, and the Herders have been abiding by it. 

The MOU the Farmers and Herders signed was to strengthen the existing law, and it is working very well, the Governor further clarified. 

He regretted the extreme interpretation the media gave to his comments on the matter, saying that what was important was the peaceful way farmers and herders have been coexisting in the state.

According to him, whereas a law on anti grazing may be desirable, dialogue and understanding as is the case in Imo state were more effective in addressing the conflict.

Uzodinma urged Nigerians to embrace inclusiveness and tolerance as necessary tools in building and sustaining a united country. 

According to him,all activities of the states and the people should be geared towards uniting the country and not creating divisions.

He commended farmers and herders in Imo state for living in peace and pledged the support of government towards ensuring that they sustain their cordial relationship.

PDP Crisis: Secondus resumes as Elder Akinwomi hands over

By
The Source
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Uche Secondus

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, on Friday, took over the affairs of the party.

A Rivers State High Court had suspended Secondus from office about five days ago. But on Thursday, a Kebbi High Court restored him into office.

Confirming the development,  a Press Release signed by his Media  Adviser, Ike Abonyi, explained:

“Prince Secondus who was obeying the purported experte order of a Degema High Court in Rivers State had stayed away but got reinstated after a Kebbi High Court presided over by Justice Nasirat.i. Umar directed him to resume.

“Sequel to that, Prince Secondus who had stayed away even though not served, resumed,  and the Deputy National Chairman South, Elder Yemi Akinwomi, who held forth in his absence, upon receipt of the new Court order, handed over to him.

“At the brief handover, Prince Secondus pledged to continue providing astute leadership to the party.

“Elder Akinwomi also announced his receipt of the court order which he presented to the caucus meeting.”

The PDP has been enmeshed in a leadership tussle since a group, allegedly headed by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, accused Secondus of incompetence, and asked him to resign as National Chairman.

Husspuppi: Abba Kyari’s Fate Hangs As Panel Submits Report

By
Bayo Bernard
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Abba Kyari and Huspuppi

By James Orji

Any moment from now, Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP will know his fate on whether the Nigerian government will extradite him to the United States of America, USA to face trial over allegation that he shared in the proceeds of a $1 million fraud against a Qatari businessman by the notorious Nigerian fraudster, Ramon Abbas also known as Husspuppi.

This followed the submission, on Thursday, a report by a panel set up by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba to investigate Kyari’s involvement in the scam.

Frank Mba the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO said in a statement on Thursday that the IGP “received the report of the NPF Special Investigation Panel (SIP) investigating the alleged indictment of the erstwhile Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)”.

The report was submitted by the Chairman of the SIP, DIG Joseph Egbunike, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, the police spokesperson said.

According to Frank the report “contained the case file of the probe, evidences and findings as well as testimonies from DCP Abba Kyari and other persons and groups linked to the matter,” adding that “the IGP assured that a careful and expeditious review of the recommendations would be undertaken by the Force Management Team and thereafter forwarded to appropriate quarters for necessary action(s)”.

A US judge had on July 28 ordered the arrest of the former Commander of IGP Intelligence Response IRT, team after a 69-page court document of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI indited him in the Abbas saga.

In the case marked 2:21-cr-00203, USA VS Abba Alhaji Kyari dated April 29, 2021, the FBI had asked a US District Court in California to order the arrest of Kyari within 10 days, a request granted by the judge.

Even though the President Joe Biden-led government, the magazine learnt, has yet to make a formal extradition request for the DCP Kyari, the IGP and the Police Service Commission, PSC had set up separate panels to investigate him after FBI investigations showed that Abbas credited the policeman’s bank account with the sum totaling over $20,600 or N8 million.

According to checks by The Source, Nigeria has an extradition agreement with the US by virtue of an extradition treaty signed between the United Kingdom, Nigeria’s colonial masters, and the US on December 22, 1931.

The treaty came into force on June 24, 1935, and was applicable to all British colonies, including Nigeria. It provides for reciprocal repatriation of criminals among the countries involved in the agreement.

But whether the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will handover Kyari to the US, is another ball game entirely, experts say following serious pressure that has been mounted on the government and the reactions it has generated since the issue broke last month.

However, sources in government told the magazine that the outcome of the panels set up by the IGP and PSC will assist the government to take informed decision over the issue.

“Aside whatever the outcome of the panels, the matter will still have to go to court. Nigeria is an independent nation, governed by her own laws. A mere indictment by a US judge cannot be used to extradite any Nigerian citizens, notwithstanding the fact that the two countries have signed a treaty. The whole matter still has to go through the rigours of our own laws before it can be decided,” a top presidency official said on Thursday.

A top lawyer who spoke to the magazine discreetly because of the attention the issue has generated, however, said the federal government will take the decision for the extradition of Kyari as soon as “the US government makes a formal request to that effect. Such are usually done at the government-to-government levels. And considering the cooperation that the Buhari government has enjoyed from the US government, particularly in the area of weapons procurement in the fight against terrorism, I don’t think it will want to jeopardise such gains over the Abba Kyari saga.”

The IGP had on August 2, 2021 set up the investigative panel headed by Joseph Egbunike, a Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG.

 

2023: PDP Bleeds As Top Leaders Dump Party

By
Bayo Bernard
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Uche Secondus

By James Orji

Following the departure of Stella Odua  from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP on Thursday, there seems  no end to the  risks facing the party, which has been witnessing endless defection of its top brass to the ruling party

No fewer than three state governors have left the party in the last one year, even as anxiety looms among its leaders that more politicians are likely to dump the embattled party.

Those that have left the party include the Governors of  Ebonyi, Dave Umahi; Zamfara, Matawalle and Cross Rivers, Professor Ben Ayase. Some members of the National Assembly have also defected from the Uche Secondus-led party amidst struggle for its soul.

Secondus was on Thursday restored back to his position after he had earlier being stopped by a Port Harcourt High court, from parading himself as the chairman.

The party has scheduled it’s National Convention, where new leaders will be elected to lead the party, for November, amid division in the party over the future of Secondus as it prepares for the next election.

The defection of the former minister, therefore, many insist is a watershed on the party’s struggle to remain relevant ahead the 2023 presidential election.

Odua, a former minister of Aviation under President Goodluck Jonathan dumped the party yesterday, with the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee, who’s also the Governor of Yobe state welcoming her into the party.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were: Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege; and the party’s governorship candidate in the November 2021 Anambra election, Senator Andy Uba

Sources said the former minister’s defection is a plus to the ruling party ahead the November Governorship election in Anambra state.

Speaking over the defection the former minister said she took the decision after consultations with her people, adding that the state is better with APC as the ruling party.

Oduah said she joined the aAPC family with a view to changing the political dynamics in the South East.

While welcoming her into the APC, Governor Buni said she will receive a waiver as a new member of the party.

Meanwhile, Secondus has been restored back to his position as the national chairman, a few days after his sack by a high court in Rivers state. More legal fireworks, those familiar with happenings in the party say, are expected in the next few weeks over his future as the leader of the embattled party.

Breaking: Veteran Nollywood Actor, Olatoye Olaotan Is Dead

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Victor Olaotan

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Movie Industry, Nollywood, has recorded its sixth loss in 27 days.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Victor Olatoye Olaotan, who has been bedridden for months  has finally died.

The news of his demise was made known by his publicist, Demola Sanyaolu, on behalf of his family.

The late Tinsel Actor clocked 69 years on February 17, 2021, and would have been 70 years old in less than five months before bidding the world farewell.

He has been bedridden for five years after he was involved in a ghastly vehicle accident.

The actor was driving to a movie set in 2016 when the accident took place around Apple Junction, in Festac, Lagos.

In 2018, the actor requested for financial aid to facilitate his treatments outside the country, after two years of being incapacitated.

Shortly after, Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola, agreed to settle his bill of about N39 Million.

The news of his death was  also confirmed by his wife, Julia Olaotan, who disclosed that her husband died on Thursday night in Lagos State.

No doubt, this would be a hard nut to crack for the make believe industry which welcomed the month of August with the sad death of veteran actress, Racheal Oniga, followed by the demise of Rich Oganiru and Stanley Okoro.

Others are; Doris Chima and Kunle Agboola who died in the United States of America.

Olaotan will be missed by the Nollywood family for his interpretation of roles, exemplary and fatherly role to other younger actors in the industry.

DSS Invades, Stops Saudi Arabia Doctors’ Recruitment Exercise

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

Organisers of the ongoing Saudi Arabia recruitment exercise for Nigerians doctors in Abuja have abandoned the project after operatives of the DSS invaded the venue.

Many doctors and senior consultants in the nation’s health sector have stormed the venue to take their chances of working in Saudi Arabia, with many Nigerians blaming the federal government for the massive exodus of doctors and other critical health workers from the country.

A recent survey indicate that over 6000 doctors have left the country to seek greener pastures in the US, Europe and Saudi Arabia.

The threat by the federal government to sack the striking  Nigeria Resident Doctors, NRD has worsened the situation with many doctors trying to seek employment outside the country.

The minister of Health, Dr Chris Ngige has even threatened to enforce the government no-work no-pay policy on the angry doctors who went on strike over many months of unpaid salary arrears and allowances.

The minister even dismissed the impacts of the Saudi doctors’ recruitment exercise on the country’s already battered health sector.

Ngige said the exercise would have no effects, on the exercise many said has the potential to further strip the country of needed manpower in the sector.

Eye witnesses said Operatives of the Department of State Services, on Thursday, dispersed medical doctors, who stormed the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja, to take part in the recruitment interview organised by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health.

It was gathered that the DSS operatives stormed the hotel on Thursday morning and dispersed the doctors and journalists, who gathered at the venue.

The Vice-President, Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Adejo Arome, told The PUNCH that the organisers of the interview confirmed to him that the exercise had been suspended.

He said, “Well, some people got to the venue today (Thursday) and when they didn’t meet anyone, they called me and I confirmed from the recruiters and some other doctors that the recruitment has been suspended.

“The recruitment on Tuesday garnered coverage, because of the media publicity. It was everywhere that doctors were going to Saudi Arabia.

“The recruiters had to suspend it because the Federal Government said it felt embarrassed by the news.

The striking Resident doctors had, on Tuesday insisted that they will only return to work after all their allowances have been paid, and the withdrawal of a suit filed by the federal government at the National Industrial Court.

Jonathan urges universities to focus on solving societal problems; Inaugurated Chancellor Ugandan University

By
The Source
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Jonathan with Ugandah VC

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,  has charged African universities to always seek to produce graduates that would be well-equipped to address the social and economic needs of the society.

He also called on tertiary education planners in Africa to device means of meaningfully engaging businesses with a view to establishing academia-industry partnerships that would enhance research and create avenues for employment and jobs.

According to a statement by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan stated this on Thursday in Kampala, Uganda,  during his formal inauguration as the third Chancellor of Cavendish University Uganda, following in the footsteps of two former Presidents, Benjamin Mkapa and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.

He said: “We should ensure that the university education we offer intersects and engages with the social and economic challenges within the national, regional, continental, and global contexts.”

On the need for strategic industry-academia relations, Dr. Jonnathan noted: “Our task will be to engage the industry across the regions and the continent with a view to creating academia-industry partnerships.

“This will work better if the academia supports industry with research to strengthen production, distribution, and marketing while industry supports the university with research funding, internship placement opportunities for students and the offer of industry practitioners to support teaching and learning with the current business trends and hands-on experience.”

Making a case for more youths to be able to access tertiary education, Dr. Jonathan said: “We need to focus on removing barriers to accessing higher education for many African youth who are gifted but disadvantaged economically. The sponsorship by governments is limited to their own revenue bases and available mainly in public education institutions.

“There is the need to secure scholarships for the bright but deprived youth, even if it means connecting them to loan schemes, where they can pay it off, over a period of time even after graduation.”

He also urged political leaders to leverage on Africa’s abundant human resources and lead innovations that will add value to the continent’s natural resources and primary produce. “In this regard, priority should be given to the establishment of more cottage industries to process these products in order to create more wealth and jobs for the people”, he said.

The Chancellor further charged the graduands to deploy the knowledge they acquired towards solving societal problems.

He said: “As you celebrate this moment of glory, I charge all of you who have come this far, to realize that with this achievement comes the responsibility to deploy the market-driven training you have received at CUU to solving Africa’s problems and making considerable contribution to the growth of your professions.

“I should also remind you that we live in a rapidly changing world which requires you to constantly retrain yourself, pursue new knowledge and skills in order to remain relevant and make society better.

“I also urge you to be purposeful in building relationships, impacting people around you positively, and building a community of reformers and change agents.  And in doing so, be resolute in discharging leadership responsibilities and pay more attention to how the society is governed.  For in good leadership lies the fate of humanity and survival of individuals, professions and the society.”

Dr. Jonathan described Cavendish University as a leading international university in the country with a very diverse student population from over 25 countries. “This offers students a unique multi-cultural experience and wide connections that are required in the current situation where the world has become a global village.”

Boki’s “General Iron” Dies in a Battle

By
The Source
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General Iron

By Stanley Ekpenyong, Calabar

A repentant militant from Oku community in Boki local government area of Cross River state, Mark Tawo Obi, alias “General Iron” who later became Governor Ben Ayade’s Special Adviser on Forest Security, has reportedly died in a gun duel.

One account claimed he died while he and his gang  engaged soldiers in a gunfire. The Nigerian Army is yet to confirm this.

However, another account has it that he was killed in a gun duel with some local vigilante in Boki.

Though he claimed to have renounced militancy paving the way for his appointment, General Iron had severally been accused of unleashing terror on some perceived opponents and communities in Boki.

He was often fingered in gang wars over who controls the booming illicit timber logging in the council. Boki’s vast virgin forests are rich with best woods in the world.

General Iron’s last act of terror before he met his waterloo was the mindless mauling, early this month, of his uncle, Barrister Mark  Obi, a former member of the State’s House of Assembly.

He not only left Barrister Obi with life threatening injuries but also destroyed  his house and  many valuable properties.

Following the attack on the ex lawmaker, a livid Ayade wasted no time in wielding the big stick by sacking General Iron from office.

General Iron was later to write a letter of apology, which was largely ignored,  asking for forgiveness from the Governor and all those he had offended.

The gory picture of his corpse indicated that he was apparently decapitated after being gunned down.

Court Restores Secondus as PDP National Chairman; Party Loses Senator To APC

By
The Source
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0
Uche Secondus

The merry-go-round crisis in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, continued Thursday evening when the Prince Uche Secondus, its embattled Chairman was restored to office.

A Press release from his Media Office, signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Ike Abonyi, announced his restoration.

The release reads:

“Justice Nusirat. I. Umar, a vacation Judge of the Kebbi state High Court ,on Thursday, 26 August, 2021, ordered Prince Uche Secondus to return to his position as the National Chairman.

“Giving the order in a suit brought before her in Birinin Kebbi, the state capital in case KB/AC/M. 170/2021, Justice Umar said she was satisfied after reading the affavidit of the respondents that an interim order should be granted on the purported suspension of Prince Secondus pending the determination of the case.

“An order of this Honourable court granting leave to the first respondent (Uche Secondus) to continue exercising all the constitutional powers of the office of Chairman of PDP (second defendant ) as enshrined in both 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended and the Peoples Democratic Party’s constitution pending the hearing and final determination of applicant’s motion on notice. ”

Three concerned members of the party, Yahaya Usman , Abubakar Mohammed and Bashar Suleman are the claimants/Applicant in the case while Prince Secondus and the PDP are the defendants/Respondents”

A High Court in Degema, Rivers State, had a couple of days ago suspended Secondus from parading himself as the Chairman of the PDP.  Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is believed to be leading the Secondus must-go agenda thus throwing the party into a deep crisis.

Meanwhile, the PDP continues to lose a number of its high profile members to the ruling APC. On Thursday, Senator Stella Oduah, Anambra North joined the bandwagon of decampees to the APC.

She was received into the APC fold by Party stalwarts at a ceremony in Abuja.

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