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Okowa Says Obi Is A Reference Point In Nigeria

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The Source
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Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of  Delta has congratulated former Governor of Anambra, Mr Peter Obi, as he clocked 60 on Monday, July 19, 2021.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra, was Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa said that Obi’s tenure as governor recorded outstanding transformation of Anambra, which had remained a reference point in the country.

He commended Obi for his outstanding leadership and immense contributions to the growth and development of the state, especially when he bequeathed lots of assets to his predecessor and the state.

Okowa remarked that Obi’s enviable success as governor did not come to many as a surprise given his pedigree as a consummate banker and finance management expert.

Gov Patrick Okowa
Gov Patrick Okowa

He particularly commended the former governor for the physical transformation of Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra, which hitherto was despised by many for the crime rate and other vices in the city.

According to Okowa, Peter Obi demonstrated immense courage and determination to develop Anambra in spite of all the battles he fought as governor of the state.

“Your Excellency, your selfless and impressive performance as governor of Anambra has already distinguished you as a great nationalist and among the pride of our great nation.

“At a very young age, you towered high in the corporate world which was your occupational comfort zone, until your people beckoned on you to take up the mantle of leadership which was at a rudderless level at a time in the state.

“Your performance after eight years proved those who recommended you right for the job. You were a lesson in fiscal prudence, accountability and transparency to both those in public and private sectors, especially in governance.

“Since leaving office in 2014, you have remained a great figure and an inspirational leader for our great party in your state and country, and an undisputable model and mentor to younger Nigerians,” he said.

Benonise Court Adjourns Igboho’s Case Till Monday;Wife, Released

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Embattled Yoruba Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly aka Sunday Igboho will spend the weekend in detention as the Court hearing his case adjourned till Monday.

Sunday Igboho is being tried for immigration-related issues in Benin Republic after he was arrested last Monday along with his wife.

His wife was, however, released on Thursday as the Court said she had not breached any known law of the land. She is a German citizen.

The Court sat briefly on Friday  and adjourned till Monday.

Meanwhile, a Yoruba Group, Ilana Omo Oodua updated Nigerians on the fate of the Activist, insisting that some spurious charges are being compiled by the Federal Government against him.

A statement on Friday by its Communications Officer, Mr Maxwell Adeleye, stated that:

“The Lawyers handling the case reported after the proceedings that Chief Sunday Adeyemo lgboho cannot be extradited to Nigeria for two principal reasons:

“That contrary to insinuations, Nigeria and Benin have no Extradition Agreement.

“That Nigeria has not been able to come up with charges that could lead the court to order lgboho’s extradition to Nigeria.

“What Nigerian Government came up with were mere allegations against Ighoho such as trafficking in arms and inciting violence that could result in the social disturbance without evidence, which the Government of Benin Republic considered spurious and untenable, and insufficient to warrant extradition.

“Lastly, the case has been adjourned till Monday 26th July to allow the Nigerian Government bring up whatever evidence they may have, and Mr. lgboho has been taken back to the police custody.”

Ighoho, an agitator for a separate Oduduwa Republic  out of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was arrested on Saturday at an Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic after he was declared wanted in Nigeria on July the 1st by the Directorate of State Services, DSS.  A joint operative of Security agencies had earlier raided his Ibadan home in search of weapons he, allegedly,  stored in his home.

During the raid, two of his associates were killed while  12 others, including a woman, were arrested.

World Bank: More Nigerians Fleeing The Country Over Unemployment

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The number of Nigerians fleeing the country over unemployment has increased astronomically, the World Bank has said in a report. The Brenton wood-based institution said economic frustration in the last 10 years has pushed more Nigerians, particularly youths to seek asylum in other countries.

The report comes on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to lift more than 100 million out of acute poverty in 10 years.

“Nigeria attaches great importance to poverty eradication. It is for this reason that in May, 2019, on my inauguration for a second term in office, our government committed itself to starting a new programme of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within a 10-year period,” Buhari said recently.

In the report titled: ‘Of Roads Less Travelled: Assessing the Potential for Migration to Provide Overseas Jobs for Nigeria’s Youth’, the World Bank said factors such as rising unemployment, booming demographics, and unfulfilled aspirations are pushing more Nigerians to seek greener pastures oversees.

The situation, the bank said has spiked the number of Nigerians that have left the country from 446,806 in 1990 to 1,438,331 in 2019, while the number of international migrants has slightly increased from 0.5 per cent to 0.7 per cent within the same period.

The report said “An important trend that is observed in the data is the rise in the number of refugees and asylum seekers from Nigeria. The share of refugees and asylum seekers from Nigeria has increased drastically in the last decade, growing from 27,557 in 2010 to 408,078 in 2019.”

The bank also noted that Nigeria has benefited from its citizens in the diaspora, which was put at five per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019.

The report further stated that “Nigeria is facing one of the most acute jobless crises in recent times. Between 2014 and 2020, Nigeria’s working age population grew from 102 million to 122 million, growing at an average rate of approximately 3 per cent per year.

“Similarly, Nigeria’s active labour force population, that is, those willing and able to work among the working age population, grew from 73 million in 2014 to 90 million in 2018, adding 17.5 million new entrants to Nigeria’s active labour force.

“Since 2018, however, the active labour force population has dramatically decreased to around 70 million—lower than the level in 2014— while the number of Nigerians who are in the working-age population but not active in the labour force has increased from 29 million to 52 million between 2014 and 2020.

“The expanding working-age population combined with scarce domestic employment opportunities is creating high rates of unemployment, particularly for Nigeria’s youth,” the World Bank report said.

Also between 2010 and 2020, the international financial institution estimated that the unemployment rate rose five-fold, from 6.4 per cent in 2010 to 33.3 per cent in 2020, with the rates being particularly acute since the 2015/2016 economic recession and further worsened as COVID-19 led to the worst recession in four decades in 2020.

Increasingly, it noted that educated Nigerians were struggling to find employment opportunities in the country while unemployment rates increased substantially for Nigerians across all education levels over the years, becoming progressively challenging for educated Nigerians to find employment opportunities.

“Combined with significant demographic changes and increased aspirations of the youth, Nigeria’s unemployment crisis is creating migratory pressure in the economy. Unemployment is considered to be a key driver of migration. Consequently, multiple surveys show that the number of Nigerians, who are looking to migrate internationally is high and increasing,” the bank stated.

Lagos LG Polls: LASG Announces Movement Restriction Ahead LG Polls

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

With less than 24 hours to the Lagos State Local Government Polls, the Lagos State Electoral Commission, LASIEC, has said it is fully prepared for a hitch free polls.

The Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Government has, also, announced restrictions of movement ahead of Saturday Polls to ensure that the election is free and fair.

Announcing the restriction of movement ahead of the polls, the Commissioner for Information in the State, Gbenga Omotosho, said that the restriction of movement across the State will be between the hours of 8.00a.m and 3.00pm on Saturday, 24th July, 2021.

The restriction is to enable the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) conduct hitch-free elections into positions of Chairmen and Councillors in all the 20 Local Government and  37 Local Council Development Areas.

The restriction is expected facilitate the ease of movement of the electorate, election materials and LASIEC officials for the sanctity of the election, effective monitoring and enhanced security.

All eligible voters are urged to participate in the elections, which require the cooperation of all residents.

Political Parties hoisting their flags at the polls have been canvassing for votes from electorates.

Mega rallies were held in various Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the State Thursday being the last day for campaign in accordance with the LASIEC guidelines.

IPOB Bank Account In USA Allegedly Closed

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Since the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, reports say that the fortunes of the secessionist organization seems to be dwindling.

It has been gathered that the account of the organization in the United States of America which also served as a central account for members to pay their monthly dues and contributions has allegedly been closed.

Making this disclosure, the Head of Directorate of the organization, Chika Edoziem in a statement on Thursday 22nd July, 2021, said  the order which was given through the legal department of the group has also directed that another account should be opened to serve the same purpose.

Edoziem further said that the group received a report from the bank that some yet to be determined persons reported that they were operating a fraudulent account and subsequently requested that it should be closed down.

Although the group said it is yet to determine those who originated the fraud report, it noted that a new account has been directed by Kanu, through the legal department to be opened.

The statement also directed all members to obey their leader’s command and adjust to the new change.

The statement reads; “That the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, worldwide Nnamdi Kanu authorized the opening of the IPOB USA account where families were instructed to pay in their monthly contributions.

“That this same USA National account was also designated by our leader as the account for ESN worldwide contributions.

“Following a report to the bank by yet to be identified persons that this account is fraudulent, the bank requested that the account be closed”, Edoziem stated.

PDP Congratulates Jonathan On Appointment As ISCP-Africa Chair

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Goodluck Jonathan

By Akinwale Kasali

Leading opposition Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has  congratulated former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on his appointment as Chairman of the International Summit Council for Peace, ISCP-Africa.

The appointment of the former  Nigerian President is in recognition of leadership qualities, as well as peacekeeping efforts across the world.

ISCP-Africa is an association of incumbent and former Heads of State and their Deputies, established in 2019 by the Universal Peace Federation UPF, an organization in general consultative status with the United Nations, UN.

In a statement by the PDP issued by its Spokesman, Kola Ologbodiyan, the PDP said the appointment was in recognition of his leadership qualities as a democrat as well as his resounding success in peacekeeping efforts across the world.”

“Our party is assured that former President Jonathan, will deploy his wealth of experience strengthened by the democratic tenets and principles of our great party, in his new mandate of providing direction for the essentials of peace, security, and development in Africa.

“The party also congratulates President Jonathan on his appointment as the Chancellor of Cavendish University, Uganda, CUU.

“The PDP is elated that former President Jonathan is so honoured to hold the position previously held by late President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia as well as late President Benjamin Mkapa of the Republic of Tanzania, because of his commitment to education and human capital development, in line with the ideals of the PDP.

“Our party congratulate Dr. Jonathan and urged him to use the positions to further the advancement of peace and development in Africa and the world at large.”

Bishop Oyedepo Says Sacked Pastors, Were Not Fruitful

By
The Source
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By Akinwale Kasali

Founder of Living Faith Church International popularly known as Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has revealed the real reason why some Pastors were sacked by the Church.

Oyedepo said they were not fruitful and productive for the growth of the Church leading to their sack.

One of the sacked Pastors, Peter Godwin,  went to the Social Media and revealed that they were sacked by the Church due to low revenue remittance and not Church growth index as stated by the Church in the termination of appointment letter given to one of its Pastors in Benue State.

Reacting to this allegation, the revered Clergyman while speaking to his congregation, wondered why there was no buzz on social media when 7,000 people were employed by the Church.

“People are confused about our Ministry. I learnt some fellows said,“you know, they are not bringing income, that is why they asked them to go”.

“We asked you to go because you are unfruitful. Unfruitful! Blatant failure. Doing what there? We have no patience with failure here.

“When we employed 7,000 people at a time, social media was dead.

“We have more employees in this organisation than most of the states. No one is owed a dime in salary and we don’t borrow, we don’t beg. Ask our bank whether we take overdraft.

“We are covenant bound, working in the light of God’s word, enjoying an open Heaven.

“Saying money is the reason for their sack is Nonsense. We have never lacked it and yet we have never prayed for it.

“We are just simply obeying God and He is backing up what He is asking us to do. Awesome God”, he said.

I Don’t Know if Ekweremadu Will Stand Surety For Nnamdi Kanu – Abaraibe

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The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, says he does not know if Senator Ike Ekweremadu would agree to stand as Surety for detained Leader of the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Ekweremadu, a former Deputy Senate President, is now the Caucus Leader of Senators from the South-east.

Abaribe made the remarks on a TVC program, Journalists Hangout, while explaining the circumstances under which he stood Surety for Kanu in 2017. He ,also, explained why the Hon. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, did not order for his arrest after Kanu disappeared from Nigeria.

Abaribe was one of those who stood Surety for Kanu when Kanu was granted bail by the Court in 2017. Explaining why he did that, Abaribe said circumstances, at the time, required him to.

He said that one of the conditions given by the Court was that Senator from Kanu’s region, took him on bail. Kanu is from Abia, South-east, and is the Senator.

According to Abaribe, since Kanu is an Igbo son, it fell on him as the Caucus Leader of Senators from the Zone to stand Surety for Kanu. “Given the same circumstances, I will stand bail for him again”, he told his stunned listeners.

Not a few people thought Abaribe was going to be locked up for not producing Kanu but Abaribe explained that  his was not a straight forward case. Indeed, it was not.

Ike Ekweremadu
Ike Ekweremadu

Kanu was in his father’s house when soldiers stormed the compound. A number of people were killed. But Kanu escaped. But when the case came up, Abaribe explained that Kanu was no longer in his care as the last people who were with him were Federal troops. Justice Nyako understood, and instead of detaining Abaribe until Kanu  was produced before her, she issued a bench warrant against Kanu.

The circumstances have, however, changed. The Leader of the South-east Senate Caucus is now Ekweremadu.

Asked if Ekweremadu would stand surety for Kanu, considering  Ekweremadu’s position now,  Abaribe, short of declining to comment, said he wouldn’t know.

Ekweremadu was one of those who, allegedly, worked behind the scene, for Kanu’s bail in 2017. However, months down the line, he received a raw deal in the hands of IPOB members when he went to Germany on invitation to the New Yam Festival of an Igbo Community. He was beaten up, allegedly, on the instructions of Kanu, for an alleged betrayal of the IPOB cause.

Sunday Igboho: Ooni Of Ife Rallies Support, Sets Up Advisory Committee

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ooni of Ife- Oba Enitan Ogunwusi

By Ayodele Oni

Prominent Yoruba Traditional Rulers may have waded in as the Federal Government is insisting on extradicting Activist Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho, who is currently being held in custody in Benin Republic.

Igboho, arrested on Monday, while attempting to board an aircraft enroute Germany, is spending his fourth day in custody and there are indications that he might be arraigned in Court on Thursday.

There were reports of pockets of demonstration in Ibadan, Oyo state and Court premises in Benin Republic capital on Wednesday to press home the unconditionally release of Igboho.

In an attempt to ensure soft landing for the Yoruba Activist, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi,  has constituted a 28-member Committee of South-west leaders to look into the arrest of Sunday Igboho in Benin Republic.

It was learnt that the committee was inaugurated early this week at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile Ife.

One of the coordinators of the Committee, Chief Akin Osuntokun, who disclosed this explained that the Committee is expected to look into the issues surrounding the arrest of Igboho and related matters.

According to Chief Osuntokun “The Ooni of Ife inaugurated an Advisory Council comprising eminent Yoruba sons and daughters across the political spectrum. It is called the Ooni Caucus.

“The inauguration ceremony had been scheduled over a month ago and it is just an accident that it coincided with reports of Sunday Igboho’s arrest in Cotonou.

“Nonetheless, the Council is actively interested in the new development and would appropriately respond in the nearest future.”

He listed other members of the Ooni caucus to include the Olugbon of Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao; Senator Biodun Olujimi from Ekiti state; Toyin Saraki, Kwara; Segun Awolowo, Doyin Okupe; Gbenga Daniel, from Ogun and Muyiwa Ige, Osun.

Imo: PDP Lauds Senator Onyewuchi Over E- Transmission Of Votes

By
The Source
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Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi

By Chidi Onyewuchi

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  Imo State branch, is celebrating one of the three Senators from the State for voting in support of the Bill for the Electronic Transmission of Votes.

The Bill was voted upon on Thursday, July 15. 2021. Only 80 Senators, out of 109 of them, voted. The Bill was defeated as those who voted No to it overwhelmingly carried the day.

The result was 52 Votes to 28 Votes. 28 Senators, obviously for political reasons shied away from voting.  Opinion is that they were deliberately absent.

Many people, especially, from the Southern part of the country, had looked forward to a Yes to the Bill. They had hoped a-yes vote would help clean up the electoral system – take care of rigging and manipulation to an extent – and strengthen democracy.

That was not to be as the Senators voted across party and/or  ethnic lines. Most Northern Senators voted for it, and got a public commendation from the office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives for upholding the interest of the North.

The South-east, mostly, disappointed. In Anambra, for example, all the three Senators absented themselves from the Floor of the Senate. Two of them, Senators Uche Ekwunife and Stella Oduah, are of the PDP. The third one, Senator Ifeanyi Uba, is of the YPP.

However, an association, the League of Anambra Professionals, LAP, took an exception to their absence, and queried them, in a letter,  threatening an action against them.

In Imo State, two Senators,  Ezenwa Onyewuchi, PDP and Frank Ibezim, APC, voted. However, the third Senator, Rochas Okorocha, APC, was absent from the Senate that day.

Expectedly,  Onyewuchi voted a Yes to the Bill, while Ibezim voted a No

It is the Yes Ibezim voted that the State PDP is celebrating.

In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the Party,  Ogubundu Nwadike,  dated July 19, 2021, Imo PDP said it “sees the rejection of the Electronic Transmission of election results by the APC as a testimony to the accusations that APC only hopes on rigging and various other electoral irregularities and malpractices to win elections.”

Part of the Statement titled

Imo PDP Commends Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi For Voting In Support Of Electronic Transmission Of Election Results reads:

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State heartily commends one of its leaders, Distinguished Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, PDP, representing Imo East (Owerri Zone) Senatorial District in the Senate, for his ebullience in voting in support of electronic transmission of election results during plenary.

“The Party is very satisfied with the way its only Senator in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly made it proud during the voting on the electronic transmission of election results, aligning with the popular will and wish of the people of Imo State and Nigeria that the electoral system should be further advanced in delivery processes and procedure by allowing the transmission of election results electronically.

“This Party finds the action of its Senator as a bold and courageous stand for the unfettered growth and development of democracy in the country, which the PDP stands for at all levels, at this time when its certain that the country is ripe and ready enough for electronic transmission of election results.

“The Party, in spite of the rejection by the All Progressives Congress (APC) of the electoral system which time has come, applauds Senator Onyewuchi for lining behind the wise and progressive minority that exhibited strong belief in and desire for good, free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria, as the only trusted panacea to the real threats to democracy, national unity, peace and progress.

“The Party sadly notes that while Senator Onyewuchi was displaying boldness and courage on the occasion of voting for or against electronic transmission of election results, the other two APC senators from Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha and Senator Frank Ibezim, respectively chose the ignoble path of one abstaining, and the other voting against it.”

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