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Tinubu: What’s Next?

By
Bayo Bernard
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Muhammedu Buhari in London

By James Orji

The political atmosphere of the country has become charged with the return of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Nigeria on Sunday. The former Lagos Governor and All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain came back to the country after spending three months in London to take care of his failing health.

While he was away, his London abode became a mecca of sorts for top politicians in the country, including President Muhammadu Buhari.

But now that he’s back, close watchers of development in the country insist that his Bourdillon, Ikoyi Home will become a beehive of activity within days, particularly for his supporters who are waiting for him to declare his presidential ambition.

Even though the APC chieftain has yet to make any pronouncement on the issue, close watchers of events said it is a matter of time before he did, considering those rooting for him to be the next occupier of Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of power.

“The Asiwaju is back. We have been waiting for him to tell us what is the next line of action for the next dispensation. We are sure he will not mislead us. We trust him to give directions on this very important matter,” a chieftain of the APC in Lagos said on Monday.

Judging by the current political atmosphere in the country, the former Lagos governor appears to have arrived at the material time when top politicians are drumming up support for him. In two years time.

The latest of such is Salihu Tanko Yakasai, a former Special Adviser on Media to Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje who listed the former governor as one of the top politicians in the country highly favoured to take the baton of leadership from Buhari.

Speaking last week on the need to zone the presidency to the South west, the former spokesman of the Kano helmsman placed Tinubu on top of three other politicians, who he explained are qualified to take over from the incumbent.

According to him “There are a number of them. We have Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; we have the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; and to some extent, Governor of Ekiti that is being put out there as a potential candidate.

“All these people are potential candidates that the party can go for; anyone of them.” Considering that Tinubu is a strong ally of Governor Ganduje, analysts said the position of his former aide may not be farfetched on where the governor stands on the issue, considering that the former Lagos Governor was said to have played a major role in his return to office for a second tenure.

Before Yakassai spoke on the matter, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state had during his visit to Tinubu in London disclosed that the APC strongman will determine the direction of the South west concerning the 2023 presidency.

Describing Tinubu as the “Capone” of the party in South-West, Akeredolu said his supporters are waiting “for the national leader, we are waiting for him to come so that critical decisions could be taken. He is our leader in the South and the one we can call our Capone.”

Analysts have also pointed out that the calibre of politicians who visited Tinubu in London indicates his rising popularity in the country as the presidential election is fast approaching.

Those that visited him cut across the country, even though they were mainly members of his party, APC.

In spite of this, many insist that the presidential ticket will not be delivered to Tinubu al carte- if and when he declared his ambition- considering that some interests in the ruling party have also planning to support other notable politicians from the party, which include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to take over from Buhari.

Apart from Osinbajo, politicians in the APC that are likely to challenge Tinubu for the presidency are Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state and Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, who has already declared that he will take a shot at the presidency in 2023.

The question on the lips of not a few Nigerians, is whether the Lagos strongman will seize the current momentum to declare his ambition for the nation’s highest office.

Imo: Youth Cucumber Farmer Thanks Uzodimma

By
The Source
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Imo Youth Cucumber Farmer

William Eke, a youth farmer from Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State has expressed his gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodinma over the support from him that has helped in his cucumber farming.

Eke, popularly known for his “Ngor Okpala cucumber” made the disclosure  on Friday when he paid an official visit to the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku in his office.

The cucumber farmer said that he had received a lot of support in form of fertiliser from Governor Uzodimma, noting that the Governor had also made it possible for him to use Government facilities in Ngor Okpala Council to ply his trade.

Eke who said he started his cucumber farming with only N10,000 on a small space said today, he is proud of what he does and the gains therefore.

He said he remains grateful to the Governor and will continue to support his 3-R mantra administration. 

He cautioned his fellow youths not to despise agriculture “because the sector has a lot of potential for them as government white collar jobs are no longer available.” 

Eke who lauded the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor for his professional competence hinted that he has also mentored many youths from different parts of the state who are desirous of being proud farmers like himself. “There is joy in being independent and earning a  decent living.”

He, however, solicited further assistance from the government in the area of transportation, seedlings, insecticides and even cash, as he intends to add onion, cabbage and tomatoes farming to the existing cucumber production.

Responding, Mr. Nwachuku congratulated Eke for the forsight in discovering his talent and passion early enough and urged him to remain focused in what he is doing.

The governor’s spokesman said Eke demonstrated heart of gratitude by coming to thank His Excellency for assisting him grow in his vocation, noting that the cucumber farmer  represents the class of youths Governor Uzodimma is hungry to assist to pursue their dreams.

Mr. Nwachuku said he is not only proud of Eke, but that the Governor, the government and people of Imo State are proud of him.

Amid Uncertainties on Zoning, PDP Shifts Deadline for Submission of Nomination Forms

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has shifted the deadline for submission of completed nomination forms for State Congresses to Oct. 1.

The earlier announced date for closing of nomination was September 23.

Kola Ologbondiyan, the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, said in a release in Abuja Sunday that the affected states are Adamawa, Borno, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, and Oyo. This was under powers given to the party by the PDP constitution of 2017 as amended, he said.

Meanwhile, the party has not yet publicly announced a zoning formula for the 2023 presidential elections. Though the Governor Ifeanyi-Ugwuanyi led committee sat recently, sources within the party hierarchy indicate that they are playing hide and seek game with the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“We are waiting to see how APC will zone their offices. If they zone it to South, then we will likely zone it to the North.”

Speculations are rife that the APC may float Osinbajo/Zulum ticket since the odds against former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, is getting worse by the day, with the general feelings that he was instrumental in bringing in the current Government, apart from health challenges.

But none of these is official.

It was gathered that all delegates from the North supported getting the Chairman from the South, which will leave the only option for the Presidency to come from the North.

Aminu Tambuwal, the Sokoto State Governor, appears to be the runaway choice of the Caliphate, while Atiku Abubakar, the old warhorse is not giving up yet.

But out of the eight delegates for the Ugwuanyi committee, from the Southeast, they were split in the middle with four supporting a Northern presidency.

Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State, insisted on the Chairman coming from the Southwest.

Olagunsoye Oyinola is being fingered. But stakeholders feel Wike is fond of installing Chairmen and dumping them later if they refuse to dance to his tunes.

Bianca: Obiano Said Ojukwu Dead, No Longer Relevant; Insists APGA Disrespeted Husband

By
The Source
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Bianca Ojukwu

By Charles Igbo

Widow of Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu has lamented the disrespect to her husband’s memory by the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano and APGA, a party which supreme leader her husband was until his death.

She said Obiano once said Ojukwu was dead, and was no longer relevant in the affairs of the party. She, also, said that both APGA, as a party, and Obiano as the Governor, have treated her husband’s memory with disrespect and disdain.

Bianca, who spoke on Sunday, in Awka, was reacting to questions on her conspicous absence at the grand flag-off of the campaign of APGA Governorship candidate, Professor Charles Soludo.

She said her presence would have been an endorsement of the fraud APGA has, allegedly, become since 2018.

Mrs Ojukwu was, surprisingly, defeated in the APGA Senatorial primary under Obiano’s watch. Her defeat enraged not a few Igbo who felt she was set up for humiliation, and by extension, the humiliation of her late husband. They felt that, out of respect for the Ikemba, the ticket ought to have been given to Bianca. Since then, there has been no love lost between Bianca and Obiano and APGA.

Bianca, also, pointed out that her husband’s photograph has been removed from APGA’s customized campaign uniform, unlike the previous years, and replaced with that of Obiano, just to emphasize Obiano’s submission that her husband was dead and no longer relevant. Even then, some party faithfuls wore the old uniform which bore Ojukwu’s image. But she also found that offensive.

Governor Wille Obiano of Anambra State
Governor Wille Obiano of Anambra State

Her words: “It is an irony that today, Governor Willie Obiano has resuscitated Dim Ojukwu’s pictures for use in campaigning for the upcoming elections in Anambra.

“This is the height of opportunism and hypocrisy. Is Ojukwu not the same man Obiano once described as a dead man who was no longer relevant in the party?

“Why should I permit him to keep trampling on the legacy of my late husband who  put his heart and soul in the party?

“Ojukwu should not be like a light switch that should be turned on for party campaign, and be turned off once election is won.”

On the campaign uniform, Bianca said: ” It is most unfortunate that Governor Obiano decided to remove the picture of Ojukwu and replace same with his own just to drive home his statement that he would no longer tie the fate and fortunes of APGA to the memory of a dead man, obviously in reference to my husband.”

Breaking: Tinubu Returns, Limping

By
The Source
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Bola Tinubu Returns to Nigeria

By Gideon Njoku

Finally, the National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria.

He returned Sunday morning, but with an obvious limp on his right leg.

He discarded the walking stick which he was seen using in London at the time President Muhammadu Buhari went to visit him.

Donning his signature cap, he wore a simple white caftan.

Tinubu has been in the United Kingdom, since July, 2021 attending to his health. He, allegedly, had a knee cap replacement, probably, the right knee. He missed out in many political and social activities.

His residence in London became a Mecca of sorts for Nigerian politicians, including National Assembly members, State Governors, and a delegation  from the Lagos State House  of Assembly.

It is expected that with his return, his Bourdillion, Ikoyi Lagos residence will witness a large number of politicians, and that political activities in the South-west, in particular, will pick up.

Even though Tinubu has neither confirmed nor denied it, he is very strongly speculated to be eyeing the Presidential seat in 2023. His campaign has since taken off by a number of groups and associates.

Last week, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, described Tinubu as the “Capon” of the South, and said they were waiting for him for direction.

It’s Fake News, Arthur Eze Not Dead

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The news was splashed on a couple of platforms that oil and money man, Chief Arthur Eze, popular as Ozoigbondu, was dead.

The news came early Sunday morning of September 26, 2021.

Not a few people, especially, in the South-east zone, and more especially in his Anambra State were shocked as they never heard he was ill. It worsened when there was no statement to either confirm or deny it.

But those who know him say that is not his style. He is not a man of too much protocol, and press releases. He has his own style which he deployed to the maximum Sunday morning.

A staunch member of the Anglican Communion, it is not known if he goes to Church every Sunday, especially during this time of COVID-19.

This Sunday, however, to make a point, he made a song and dance of it. Before he left for Church, a group of, mostly, young men came to confirm he was alive. And in a video which they posted, Eze was seen in an all-white outfit in a photograph with them, with one of them running commentaries.

“This is Chief Arthue Eze. He  is not dead. He is alive and strong. He is doing many things for us, and he will continue. He is strong. Look at him shaking hands. And now, he is entering his car, his Mercedes to go to Church.”

The show did not end there. It continued inside the Church where Eze was seen, along with others, going to give his offering. He did not dance as some other members of the congregation did. But an aide who also wore white followed closely behind him, and when it was Eze’s turn to  put in his own offering, he turned and took a fat, white, envelope from the aide and put it inside the offering bag. Point made.

Such fake news announcing the death of prominent Nigerians have become common. At times, it is political.

Weeks ago, it was that of Bauchi Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa, the Senate Committee Chair of Foreign Relations. He was forced to say: “I am alive.”

For the records, the Senator is married to the immediate past President of the Court of Appeal.

Building Materials: Dare Babarinsa Challenges Varsities

By
Ayodele Oni
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Dare Babarinsa

By Ayodele Oni

Nigerian Universities of Technology have been challenged to come up with Solution to high cost of building materials and environmental problems in the country.

Chairman/Editor in Chief of Gaskia Media, Mr Dare Babarinsa, gave the charge while delivering 11th Registry Annual Lecture of  the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA).

The Publisher and Historian noted that “One area in which FUTA can help us find a solution is in the housing crisis.

“We have not been able to device a system where the cost of building houses would be affordable for an average man or woman.  Why can’t we find cheaper materials to build houses like the clay that were used to build African cities in the past?

“Why do we have to spend so much money to reinforce multi-storey building that would consume so much cement and other materials?  FUTA should lead the way to find better and cheaper ways to build houses for the common people.

“We have also realized that plastic bottles, sachets and other containers have become a serious environmental problem for us in Nigeria and the rest of the continent.

“Everywhere you go in this country, there is an empty plastic bottle starring at you.  We need to find a way to convert this problem into our own advantage.”

He also highlighted effects of incessant strikes on students and academic programmes of the university which include unnecessary extension of period of stay.

“One thing that is overshadowing the reputation of most public universities is the annual festival of strikes and industrial disputes.

“This has led to serious disruption in the lives of students and the expectations of parents.  Some students, in the wake of these serious disruptions, may end up spending eight years for a four-year course.

“I am sure this may not be the intention of those who are declaring industrial dispute. Some of these strikes are direct assault on the concept of university autonomy.

“If a university is not having a dispute with its workers, why should the workers go on strike because the employees of another university have a dispute with its workers?

“I am sure the issue may be more complicated than this simple illustration.  Nonetheless, let the wise ones in this citadel ponder on this within the theory and practice of university autonomy.”

Mr Babarinsa, who is also one of the founding Editors of Tell Magazine, stressed the need for proper information management for universities as they were being judged by whatever comes out of them.

“The university is a living entity.  It must manage its information within its various interest groups and the larger society.  It must defend itself and its reputation against assault from within and without.

“The university cannot escape its environment, but must try to dominate it and influence it positively.  In some instances, some university fully dominate their environment to the extent that they become synonymous with it.

“Thus when you talk in academic circles, Ibadan means the University of Ibadan, Ife means the Obafemi Awolowo University, Makerere means the University in Kampala, Uganda.  The same is applicable to universities in Cambridge, Oxford, Legon and other places.

“Knowledge is a universal product and every wise person is in search of it.  The university is expected to domesticate knowledge, seek to own it and help the world to apply it.”

He commended FUTA for some of its strides saying “FUTA is a stronghold for the storage and nourishment of knowledge.  It is a special nursery bed for ideas which can in turn be transplanted into the general community for the betterment of mankind.

“It has succeeded substantially in fulfilling its role and that is why it continued to be reckoned with in the comity of Nigerian universities.  We should not forget what the Founding Fathers of this institution set out to achieve.

“The founders stated that the vision of FUTA is “to be a world-class university of technology and a centre of excellence in training, research and service delivery.”

“In the year 2020, FUTA was ranked eighth among Nigerian universities, including the private ones by the Webometrics ranking agency.  This shows that it is indeed in the big league in Nigeria.

“However, on the universal setting Webometrics ranked FUTA as Number 2172. This ranking shows that FUTA might be big in Nigeria, but on the universal scale, it still has a long way to go.”

Joshua Outboxed; Loses To Usyk

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Anthony Joshua and Oleksander Usyk

By Akinwale Kasali

In front of his home fans and his fortress at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium in London, United Kingdom, Nigerian born British Boxer, Anthony Joshua, was pummeled and outclassed by the superior punches of Ukrainian Pugilist, Oleksander Usyk. He has dethroned

Joshua as the Heavyweight Champion of the World.

No one gave Usyk a chance, but the former Cruiserweight Champion showed what he got in his sleeves. He is now the  undisputed heavyweight champion as he put an end to the dominance of Joshua. He earned a unanimous decision with scores of 117-112, 116-112, and 115-113.

A more determined Usyk outmuscled and landed harder punches all through the fight, in total, landing 148  punches, which was the most by an opponent of Joshua in a fight.

In dramatic fashion, Usyk closed the show by landing 29 punches in round 12, most by a Joshua opponent.

This is the second defeat Joshua will suffer in his career after his loss to Mexican, Andy Ruiz over a year ago.

The Win by Usyk has caused an upset in the Heavyweight category, putting an hold to the fight between Tyson Fury and Joshua, putting him a pole position to challenge whoever wins between Tyson Fury and Deotoney Wilder rematch.

Joshua however has a rematch clause in his fight with Usyk, which could see him retain his title and await whoever wins the Fury/Wilder fight.

The defeat is no doubt a major setback for Joshua who is bent on becoming the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world, but warnings by British Boxing Promoter, Eddie Hearn, of Joshua facing

his “toughest-ever fight” when he defend is WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against Usyk has finally come to reality.

With Usyk becoming the new heavyweight champion of the world, it is a long walk for Joshua.

Also, the most anticipated British bout between Joshua and Fury may never come to reality if Joshua fails to defeat Usyk in the rematch and also, if Fury fails to defeat Wilder for the second time.

October 1: IPOB Locks Down South-east, Orders Flags Fly Half Mast

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

Again, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has set the stage for a possible clash with the Nigerian State.

October 1 is Nigeria’s 61st Independence anniversary, but IPOB is set to make that day a no-event in the South-east.

To achieve this, the Group has decided to use its most potent weapon.

To that effect, its Leadership has ordered a sit-at-home order on October 1.

Meaning: there will be no movement on that day.

In addition, it has ordered all flags within the Region to fly at half mast as from Saturday, September 25, 2021, except those in Banks.

Even then, the Group says it will tell the Banks when to fly the flags in their premises at half mast, and threatened it would do it its own way if the banks refuse to comply.

Following is the IPOB statement signed by Mazi Chika Edoziem, and dated September 24, 2021.

“1st of October declared total shutdown in Biafra land. There shall be no movement in Biafra land on 1st of October being Nigerian Independence Day.

“Again from tonight all Nigerian flag mounted anywhere in Biafra land must be brought down, Banks exceptional.

“IPOB leadership will communicate to Banks directly and give them reason they must peaceful bring down zoo flag otherwise we do it ourselves in our own way.”

The now “popular” lockdown   – sit-at-home order- was introduced to be a weekly affair by IPOB to pressurise the Federal Government into releasing its Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is under custody and being prosecuted for alleged sundry offences, including treasonable felony and murder. It later reduced it to only the days Kanu would appear in Court. But it has not helped, as most people, out of fear stay home every Monday.

Not only has it resulted in violence and deaths, it has grounded, almost, the economy of the Zone.

NASS Minority Caucus Dismisses Buhari’s UNGA Speech As Disservice To Nation

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Muhammadu Buhari at NUGA

By Akinwale Kasali

The Minority Caucus in the Green Chamber of the Federal House of Representatives led by Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has condemned the speech made by President Muhammadu Buhari in his address at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, USA, alleging he was neither truthful and factual.

The Caucus said his speech was not the true state of the nation, stressing that it is in complete disagreement with the ugly reality of the failures of the present administration in the country under the leadership of President Buhari.

In a Statement by the Caucus signed by Hon. Elumelu Saturday September 25th, 2021, it described the President’s Speech as a great disservice to the nation, saying that the address he presented to the world leaders was not in any way the true picture of affairs in Nigeria.

The statement by the Caucus stressed that it has extensively reviewed the address presented by President Buhari at the United Nations Headquarters and was perturbed by the claims of the President which are not in tandem with the reality of his administration’s failure economically, security-wise and the social ruins that have bedeviled the country under his watch.

It further added that the Caucus is aggrieved with the President for not presenting the true picture of affairs in the country – the human rights violations, corruption and incompetence in his administration; the excruciating hardship, escalated insecurity, national divisiveness and infrastructural decay under his watch -thereby blocking avenues for desired intervention in our various ailing sectors.

Part of the statement reads:

“The Minority caucus was alarmed by President Buhari’s report to UNGA that terrorists have been so weakened in Nigeria that they are now preying on soft targets, when in reality, insurgents have become so emboldened under his watch, that they are now attacking military formations, kidnapping and killing our gallant officers while overrunning communities and murdering our citizens without restrain.

“As representatives of the people, the Minority caucus is depressed that President Buhari’s speech did not reflect on the kidnapping and killing of students and school children in Nigeria.

“The speech did not reflect on the closure of schools and crippling of education in many parts of our country, where normal life has been destroyed by terrorists, neither did it show any empathy towards the victims of terrorism attacks

“Our caucus is worried that in reflecting on violent conflicts, Mr. President’s address conveyed no personal commitments that can guarantee an end to poor and undemocratic governance, human rights abuses, poverty, ignorance, injustice and inequalities, that are prevalent under his watch, even after identifying such as the causes of conflicts.

“Also, the minority caucus is shocked by the claims in Mr. President’s speech that his administration “built” isolation centers and emergency hospital wards, “all over the country” “in record time” in the fight against Covid-19; a claim that is in conflict with the infrastructural reality in the country.

“Moreover, our caucus is worried that Mr. President’s speech did not portray any decisive roadmap towards economic recovery and food security; had no personal commitment to end corruption in his administration; had no personal commitment to end borrowing or show a clear-cut plan to repay the huge debt being accumulated by his administration.

“The speech also lacked definite personal commitments towards credible electoral process especially as the nation approaches 2023 general election.

“The Minority caucus, after due consideration, urges President Buhari to always cross check the content given to him by his handlers so as to ensure that his position, especially on the world stage, captures the reality as well as aspiration prevalent in the country.

“This is because such addresses ought to serve as unblemished working document for interventions and solutions at various levels of governance”.

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