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Akeredolu: Supreme Court Judgement Could Have Gone Either Way

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state Governor,  Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has disclosed that the Supreme Court Judgement on the Governorship election of the State between him and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, nearly aborted the conduct of Local Government Election in the State last year due to mounting pressure.

The Governor said these while playing host to the 18 Council Chairmen in the State who came to congratulate him on his election victory at the Supreme Court.

The Local Government Election was conducted before the October Governorship election in the State  with candidates of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) winning all the Chairmanship seats.

Governor Akeredolu declared that “As you said, we had pressure not to hold your election. We thank God that we had the courage to do it. You have done so well in your positions till now.

“Whatever victory, whatever success that we have recorded is laid at the doorestep of God alone.

“Specially for the victory at the Supreme Court, we need to thank God. It could have been otherwise. I must thank you for all you have said.

“Yes. I don’t participate in your Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC). When your money comes, it gets to you.

“We have financial challenges. The only thing for you is to get creative. Do something in your own local governments and let us know. Do something that is peculiar to you.”

The Council bosses led by the Chairman of ALGON in the State who doubles as the Chairman of Akoko Southwest Local Government, Hon. Augustine Oloruntogbe, described the Supreme Court verdict as a victory for the people of the state.

The Chairmen lauded Governor Akeredolu’s style of politics and approach to governance, stressing that he has shown the world that politics can be played in truth and sincerity

They also thanked the Governor for purchasing for the Councils brand new caterpillars after fifteen years since such intervention was last witnessed at the various local government areas.

Akeredolu won at the Supreme Court  by a slim margin of four against three.

Why Ekiti State Is Hosting NAFEST – Gov Fayemi; As 52nd Technical Meeting Opens In Ado Ekiti

By
The Source
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NAFEST

By Ayodele Oni

Stakeholders and Chief Executives of Culture in Nigeria began a four day meeting in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.

The meeting, is the 52nd National Technical Stakeholders’ Meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture in Nigeria.

In attendance are the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, State Directors of Culture and other delegates from the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.

A statement by the Special Assistant, Media, to the deputy governor of Ekiti state, Mr Odunayo Ogunmola explained that the meeting is in preparatory to this year’s NAFEST, which the state is hosting.

The festival, which is coming up between November 13 and 20, has as its theme, Celebrating National Unity in Diversity.

Addressing delegates at the opening ceremony, Governor Kayode Fayemi, represented by his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, listed benefits of hosting the festival to the state.

According to him, it will, among others, showcase the Ekiti cultural heritage to the whole world and for investors to tap into its abundant economic potentials.

Dr. Fayemi said his administration also accepted to host the national cultural fiesta in November to further encourage creativity in the tourism sector and to create a viable platform and market for young people in creative enterprises.

Describing the State as the most suitable place to host a national programme of such magnitude, Dr. Fayemi noted that Ekiti was awarded the hosting right because of its reputation as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria which has one of the most hospitable people in the world.

The Governor, who noted that his administration has always given attention to culture and tourism, expressed delight that NAFEST would provide the opportunity for Nigerians to appreciate the role of culture in promoting national unity and integration.

He charged stakeholders to use the meeting as a preparatory ground for  eventful festival which would create windows of investment opportunities for the economic growth of not only Ekiti State but Nigeria as a whole.

“As a nation, we need to appreciate the dynamic nature of our cultures and acknowledge NAFEST as veritable platform to further celebrate our unity in diversity.

“I, therefore, urge you to focus more on how we can redirect cultural activities towards revenue generation. We need to effectively tap into the economic potential of our cultural heritage and improve our grassroots development.

“It is important to say at this juncture, that our government is encouraging creativity in the tourism sector of the state. We now have young people in tourism businesses as well as creative enterprises.”

The DG of NCAC, Otunba Runsewe,  described the festival as one of the measures to cement the unity and harmony of the country as it is an avenue to showcase cultures and traditions of the various ethnic groups spread across the 36 states of the federation.

“In Brazil, for example, people pay for what we have seen in Ekiti State today. We will take Ekiti Cultural Troupe to sell our culture outside our country. We should market our cultural heritage to the world, we must value what we have.

“Our country can be great again and culture is one of the platforms we can use to make it great.”

Ekiti Assembly Receives Bills On Judicial Autonomy, Creation Of New LGs

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ekiti State House of Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti state Government took a step forward on Tuesday in its quest to create additional Local Councils, to be known as Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA).

The State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, forwarded two bills to be enacted into law to the State House of Assembly.

A statement by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olawale Fapohunda, listed the two bills as the Ekiti State Judiciary (Funds Management) Bill, 2021 and the Creation of Local Government Bill, 2021.

The statement gave details of the bills as “The Judiciary (Funds Management) Bill is a bill for a law to provide for the Management of funds of the Ekiti State Judiciary and the repeal of the Ekiti State Fiscal Autonomy for the Judicial Arm of Government Law, No 8 of 2008 and for other related matters.

“The Government of Ekiti State proposed this bill in furtherance of the Memorandum of Action on the Implementation of the Financial Autonomy for the State Judiciary, which was jointly signed, by the Nigeria Governors Forum and the National Judicial Council among others on 20 May 2021.

“In broad terms, the purpose of this bill is to grant Ekiti State Judiciary the power to manage its capital and recurrent expenditure in accordance with the provision of Sections 6(5)(a)-(I), 81(3), 121(3) and Item 21(e) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and other relevant laws.

“The Bill further affirms the severally stated commitment of the Fayemi administration to an independent judiciary that is professional, effective, and responsive to the needs of all users including where appropriate, the provision of informal dispute resolution mechanisms.

“The Second Bill is the Creation of Local Government Bill, 2021. This is a Bill for a law to provide for the creation of new local government areas in Ekiti State and for other related matters.

“The Bill seeks to create nineteen (19) new local government areas in addition to the existing 16 local government areas in the state as specified in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“These newly proposed Local Government Areas are inchoate and shall operate for the time being as Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) until such a time as the National Assembly shall pass an act recognising them under section 8(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Nigeria Wins Second Medal, As Oborodudu Settles For Silver

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Blessing Oborududu

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria’s Wrestler, Blessing Oborodudu, has given Team Nigeria its second medal.

She was beaten to a  Silver as she lost her 64kg Category Wrestling Event to Tamyra Mensah Stock of the United States of America by 4-1.

Ese Brume had earlier won a Bronze medal in the Long Jump Event putting the nation on the medal standing.

Sadly, Nigeria male sprinter, Divine Oduduru missed a place in the 200 Meters final, finishing third in the Semi Final Heat with a time of 20:13. That was not good enough to take him to the finals.

Oyo: Tension As Makinde Appoints New Commissioners

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has dashed the hopes of 10 formers commissioners’ hoping to return to his cabinet.

On June 29, the state governor sacked 17 commissioners in the state executive council, including his Chief of Staff, CoS Bisi Ilaka. A new chief of staff has since been appointed.

Intense lobby among politicians has pervaded Ibadan, the state’s capital in the last five weeks following reports that Makinde had no intentions to return majority of the sacked Commissioners to office.

Sources told the magazine that the state’s helmsman dissolved the cabinet due to complaint among politicians in the state, that they were not being carried along in the affairs of the state. Aggrieved politicians in the ruling PDP in the states accused the governor of appointing non-politicians into the state’s cabinet.

“The governor now want a mix of technocrats and politicians in the government. He needs the politicians, particularly as the 2023 election is drawing close. That’s what Governor Makinde is trying to do by forwardiñg the first batch of Commissioner-nominees to the state’s house of Assembly for clearance. The second batch will soon be sent in few days,” a close source to the governor told the magazine on Wednesday, following the nomination of seven commissioner- designates to the Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday, for clearance.

The seven commissioners were among those sacked on June 29 by the governor.

The returnees are Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinola Ojo; former Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin; Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Alhaji Siju Lawal.

Others are former Commissioner for Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Bayo Lawal; then Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Seun Ashamu and former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion,  Faosat Sanni.

It was learnt that some of the Commissioners will still retain their former portfolios, while others will be moved to other ministries “in line with the governor’s quest to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state ahead the next election,” another source in Agodi Government House said.

The state assembly which received the list on Monday, said it will conduct screening for the nominees on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, other sources said politicians whose name did not appear in the new list, and others whose candidates did not make the list forwarded to the state house of Assembly on Monday have commenced fresh lobby to ensure that their candidates make the next list.

” Governor Makinde will ensure that all interests are represented in the new cabinet. He’s a man of the people and the people interest is the cornerstone of this administration,” one of his trusted aides said.

Appointment Of Sitting Gov As Caretaker Chairman : Malami Says APC Breached No Law

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Attorney General of the Federation/Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, says the  appointment of Governor Buni as National Chairman Caretaker Committee  of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) did not breach any law.

Malami, in a statement on Monday in Abuja explained that “As the Supreme Court did not make any definite declaration or proclamation on Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution vis-à-vis the position of H.E, Mai Mala Buni as the Chairman of our Party’s CECPC, any speculative interpretations of the instant Supreme Court Judgment go to no issue and should be discountenanced.

“If the issue is submitted to the Court for determination, same will be determined based on a proper construction of the relevant facts and review of evidence.

“The Supreme Court did not consider nor determine the justice of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution vis-à-vis the peculiar case of the position of H.E, Mai Mala Buni as the Chairman of our Party’s CECPC.

“The foregoing said, needless to state that the determination of the propriety or otherwise of H.E., Mai Mala Buni to function as Chairman of the Party’s CECPC in his capacity as a Member of the Party and Executive Governor of Yobe State, or whether such dual-responsibility amounts to occupying an executive position or paid employment as envisaged under Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is a matter which will have to be specifically submitted to the Court, for proper adjudication before a firm position of the Law can be arrived at in respect thereof.

“However, it remains to be seen how the Court will hold that an ad-hoc caretaker committee chairman exercising the powers of, and subject to the supervision and control of NEC and the Convention of his Party, is occupying an executive position.

“It is trite that Case Law (or judicial precedent) operates under the principle of stare decisis to the effect that the Court must follow and apply the Law as set out in the decisions of higher Courts in previous cases.

“The principle is not inviolable as it is only applicable to the specific stare decisis and not any orbiter dictum in the case. Importantly, a case is also only a judicial precedent for a subsequent case where the facts and circumstances are similar, to avoid a situation where the Court will perpetuate injustice.

“The appointment of Gov. Mala Buni in the circumstances is not irregular and the possibility of any member of the Party to be so appointed is in compliance with the APC Constitution which empowers the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party to appoint any Member into any Committee, give such Committee any name and empower it as the NEC may deem fit.

“To further show the meritless nature of the position under review, assuming without conceding that the argument is right, then, it will equally be contrary to the spirit and intent of Section 183 of the Constitution for any sitting Governor to be Chairman of say the Governors’ Forum, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, or any other similar body. This, in my humble view can definitely not be the intention of the drafters of the 1999 Constitution.”

Minister for State, Labour, Festus Keyamo, SAN, thinks otherwise. He had, in the wake of Supreme Court’s Judgement, advised the party to halt the Ward Congresses held on Saturday, July 31. He held the view that the Judgement  rendered Buni’s headship of the Committee illegal.

Oloyede Tenure Ends As JAMB Registrar

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Ishaq Oloyede

By Akinwale Kasali

Prof Ishaq Oloyede tenure as the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has come to an end.

Oloyede stepped down at the end of his five-year tenure, and  handed over the affairs of JAMB to the most senior  officer.

Fabian Okoro, the agency’s Director of Information and Technology Services had taken over the affairs of JAMB, pending the appointment of Oloyede’s replacement.

Oloyede was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, and could be reappointed if the President wishes to retain him.

The outgoing Registrar’s tenure expired alongside 13 other Heads in other Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education.

Others  whose tenures also expired are Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission; Dr. Hameed Boboyi, Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Board; Prof. Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe, National Business and Technical Examination Board.

They also include Prof. Sunday Ajiboye, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria; Afolabi Aderinto, Computer Registration Council of Nigeria; Prof. Garba Dahuwa Azare, National Teachers Institute; and Prof. Michael Afolabi, Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria.

Others are Prof. Steven Ejugwu Onah, National Mathematical Centre, Shedda; Prof. Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche, National Institute of Nigerian Languages; Prof. Lillian Salami, Nigerian Institute for Educational Planning and Administration; Prof. Lanre Aina, National Library of Nigeria; Prof. Abba Haladu, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education and Prof. Bashir Usman, Nomadic Education Commission.

Oloyede In the saddle as JAMB registrar was described as Nigeria’s Laragon of Integrity when he received the prestigious National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) award from President Buhari.

A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, he was one of the 26 eminent Nigerians that were given the NPOM award at the well-attended ceremony.

The award, organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, was in recognition of the honorees’ sterling contributions to national development through their high productivity, hard work and service excellence.

The award, came on the heels of a special parliamentary commendation for the erudite Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence during his budget defence appearance at the National Assembly recently, is a veritable acknowledgement of his dexterity in the management of human and financial resources.

He also chalked up series of awards in the saddle.

The possibility Of President Buhari retaining him hangs on the balance. But, he will be remembered for boosting the finance of the country.

Within  a year of  his appointment as Registrar, the same JAMB that had been remitting funds in the range of N3 million to the Federal Government annually, remitted over N5 billion that year.

This has been the norm since then.

IGP Replaces Abba kyari, Appoints DCP Tunji Disu As Head, IRT

By
The Source
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0

A concrete confirmation that embattled and suspended DCP Abba Kyari will never go back to his high profile job as the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, has been given by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba. Head or tail, Kyari iddgone. 

Without waiting for the report of the investigation panel he set-up to investigate into the damning  allegations against him, the IGP has replaced him. 

IGP Baba, on Monday, August 2nd, 2021, appointed DCP Tunde Disu as Kyari’s replacement. This was announced by Force Spokesperson, CP Frank Mba.

According to the statement, the IGP “today, 2nd August, 2021 approved the posting of DCP Tunji Disu as the new Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). 

“The posting of the officer is on the heels of Management’s decision to fill the leadership gap within the IRT and refocus the Unit for better service delivery.

“The IGP has charged the new Head of the IRT to demonstrate his professional competence in his leadership of the Unit. He also assured citizens that the IRT will remain focused in the discharge of its duties in line with national statutes and international best practices.  

“Prior to his appointment as the new Head of the IRT, DCP Tunji Disu, a former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos State, was the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja. He had also previously served at the State CID, Rivers State as the Deputy Head of the Unit. He was also a former Commander of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the African Union (AU) Peace Keeping Mission in Dafur, Sudan.

“DCP Disu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Lagos State University (LASU) and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State. 

“He has also attended several professional courses both at home and abroad: Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana, Internet Fraud Training at the Cambridge University, UK, Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, Forensic Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Course at the University of Lagos, amongst others. 

“He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chattered Institute of Personnel management, amongst other professional bodies.

“His posting is with immediate effect.”

Kyari ran into trouble when International internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popular as Hushippipi who is under U.S. custody, told the FBI that he bribed DCP Kyari to the tune of  $1.1m to arrest, detain and torture his business partner, Chibuzor Kelly Vincent.

The FBI Indicted Kyari and a U.S. issued a Warrant of Arrest against him. 

On August 1, 2021, the Police Service Commission, PSC, suspended him from duties on the recommendation of the IGP.

Tokyo 2020: Nigeria Guaranteed A Medal, As Wrestler, Oborududu Qualifies For Final

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Blessing Oborududu

By Akinwale Kasali

The hope of Team Nigeria winning a medal at the ongoing 2020 Tokyo Olympics received a huge boost as Wrestler, Blessing Oborududu, booked a place in the final of the Wrestling event. That has put smiles on the faces of Nigerians and embattled Minister of Sport, Sunday Dare.

Oborodudu’s qualification for the final guarantees Team Nigeria a silver or gold medal.

Oborududu defeated her Mongolian opponent,  Battsetseg Soronzobold 7-2 to reach the final of the 68kg.

Nigeria faces world powerhouse, United State of America’s Tamyra Mensah-Stock in the final.

On her way to the final, the impressive Oborududu made light work of Elis Manolova in the round of 16, thrashing the Azerbaijans 13-2 via technical superiority, before securing a hard-fought 3-2 win against Meerim Zhumanazarova of Kyrgyzstan in the quarter-finals.

After a cagey opening moment in her semi-final bout against the 2015 World champion Soronzonbold, the energetic Oborududu burst into action, taking down the 31-year-old Mongolian thrice to eventually win the first round.

A late fight back saw Soronzonbold score two points, but Oborududu was never going to be denied a place in history as she ran out with a comfortable 7-2 win.

The second seeded Oborududu will renew her rivalry with old foe Mensah, as they battle for the ultimate prize – gold medal.

Oborodudu and Mensah have been rivals and both met at the 2019 World championships in Kazakhstan, with the American getting the better of Oborududu on her way to the title.

Reports quote the Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, who has supervised Nigeria’s most disastrous and scandalous Olympic outing, as being excited over Oborududu’s outing.

“The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, could not hide his joy over the feat achieved by Oborodudu as she described her as a blessing to Nigeria.

“This is a real Blessing to Nigeria. Thank you Blessing for wiping away the pain of the near misses recorded in other events. Nigerians are proud of you.

“The display is typical of the never say die Nigerian spirit. Keep the tempo going until we reach the ultimate which is the gold. Don’t give up the fight until you re-write Nigerian Olympics history with a gold medal in the kitty.”

Meanwhile, another Wrestler Odunayo Adekuoroye, Ese Brume and Grace Nwokocha are still in the running for medals.

Brume have booked a place in the finals of the  Long Jump Event slated for Tuesday, 3rd August, 2021.

Dare also commended Tobi Amusan’s fourth-place finish at the women’s 100m hurdles final on Monday.

He said, “Tobi Amusan still remains one of Nigeria’s greatest competitors in athletics. She gave a good account of herself. We celebrate her exploits.

“The important thing to note is that many of our top athletes made it and are still making it to the finals in many events particularly here at the Olympics; a competition of huge magnitude where winners are separated in milliseconds.

“This in itself is an achievement and proof that we are in the committee of the best in respect to many sports in the world.

“This is a new and young generation that will be world beaters anyhow.”

NPFL: Akwa United Crowned Champions; Governor Udom Showers Praises On Team

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Udom and Akwa United Captain lifting the NPFL trophy

By Akinwale Kasali

Akwa United Football Club of Nigeria has been crowned the champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, for the 2020/2021 season.

A delighted Governor Emmanuel Udom couldn’t hide his joy as he showered encomiums on the team for achieving such great feat.

The Akwa Ibom State Government-owned Club Side became Champions with a game to spare, after an impressive 5-2 win over Mountain of Fire Ministry Football Club at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo, the State Capital.

After a 37-Round of Games, Akwa United has an unassailable 71 points with its closest rivals, Nasarawa United Football Club and Enyimba of Aba Football Club tied at 62 points.

The Champions’ trophy and winners medals were immediately presented to the team by the Chairman of the Nigerian Football League Management Committee, LMC, Shehu Dikko.

Governor Udom led top government officials including the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Aniekan Bassey and other state House of Assembly Members , the state executive council members and members of extra ministerial departments, local government chairmen, as well as numerous other sports loving Akwa Ibomites to watch the historic emergence of Akwa United as champions.

Coach Kennedy Boboye’s side was outstanding against MFM, with Charles Atshimene headed the Promise Keepers in front from close range in the 24th minute.

The hosts doubled their advantage late in the first half when Alimi Adebayo diverted Mfon Udoh’s cross into his own net.

Udoh netted the third goal for Akwa United two minutes after the hour mark.

The visitors pulled a goal from the spot in the 68th minute through Michael Mbonu after Dennis Obasi was fouled inside the box.

Atshimene got his second and Akwa United’s fourth of the game five minutes from time.

Obasi reduced the deficit for MFM two minutes from time.

Atshimene netted his third of the game on the dot of 90 minutes to make it 5-2 to the home team.

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