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Breaking: ACF Blasts Northern Leaders, Backs State Police |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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President Buhari of Nigeria

By Fola James

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF has accused Northern political leaders of not speaking up against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The northern cultural and political group said this through its National Publicity Secretary, Hakee Baba Ahmed, who said on an AIT programme on Friday that, the leaders from the region should emulate the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III who has been trenchantly criticizing the administration over the spate of insecurity in the country.

“It’s good that the Sultan is speaking now,” he said, adding that the conspiracy of silence will not help the region which has been devastated by Boko Haram insurgency, arm banditry and kidnapping in the last few years.

Ahmed, who was a former Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC said the federal government should have a broad approach to addressing the problem of insecurity, including the adoption of state or regional police that have been clamoured by some political leaders in the country, particularly from the south.

He said the North will also be a major beneficiary of restructuring that most social and political bodies in the country have been clamouring for.

“We also want to control our own resources. We want a system that will allow the north benefit from its own resources,” the former INEC scribe said, explaining that it was wrong for some persons to believe that the region is against restructuring.

Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna state has recently disclosed that those averse to restructuring are individuals who do not have the good of the country at heart.

According to El-Rufai“We have the highest number of out-of-school children. We have the highest poverty rate. We have the lowest JAMB cut-off rate. So, what are the advantages in the North in the current situation?

“As the Governor of Kaduna State, I have had to look at these issues and try to see how I can get the people of my state up on the ladder. I think you need to differentiate the knowledge from a few and the voice of the silent majority.”

“If there are northern leaders today, by virtue of the fact that I am a governor, I must be there. So, who are these northerners against restructuring? Who are they? Who are they speaking for?

“Let us have a very honest, unemotional conversation without looking down on people or insulting them or framing them.”

 

OPINION: Lai’s Metamorphosis |The Source

By
The Source
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Victor Ogene

By Victor Afam Ogene

Nigeria’s Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, could easily pass for an artist. Whether of the con or visible variant, Lai is adroit at his act. In his mind’s eye, he paints diverse portraits, all fittingly serving the specific publics he intends to ‘entertain’.

When he gets to work, he paints, not just on canvass, but essentially on the hearts and imagination of his fellow countrymen. So efficient is Lai, that he can construct, in living colours, an imagery of Jezebel that would readily turn Monalisa green with envy. Much in the same way as he can deodorize the village bully as a penitent altar boy.

A lawyer by calling, Lai is, perhaps, the only Nigerian, in recent memory, that can change course multiple times – yet, remain right. In fact, so adept at his game was Lai, as Spokesman of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC), that then National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, on Monday, March 14, 2016 lamented that it was difficult finding a replacement for him.

He had been appointed seven months earlier, as Minister, and suddenly the information machinery at the party’s headquarters appeared to have gone awry.

Deploying a combination of passion, panache and argumentum ad hominem, Lai easily swayed the media, craftily using it to advance whatever viewpoint he intended to sell. In deed, many believe that his emotive approach as National Publicity Secretary of APC, helped curry international support, and ultimately victory for his party at the historic 2015 presidential election.

His calls, at the time, verged on playing both the patriot and the victim; routinely beckoning on the international community to mount pressure on the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Whether the issue centred around an alleged plan to shift the date for the election, or an alleged plot to hold on to power, after probable defeat, Lai remained at his alarmist best.

When the issue centred on insecurity, especially the Boko Haram insurgency, he felt no compulsion laying the blame squarely on the rival People’s Democratic Party(PDP). “In view of the fact that the alleged Boko Haram sponsors are either members of the ruling party(PDP), or friends of the President(Jonathan), it is clear that the PDP-led Federal government is unwilling to try them”, Lai stated in an address at the House of Commons, London on September 8, 2014. He had, unabashedly, in an earlier part of the speech mentioned former Governor of Borno state, Ali Modu Sheriff, as one such Boko Haram sponsor.

Today, Sheriff is a chieftain of the APC, and is yet to come to trial concerning Boko Haram. Neither has anyone else of his stature.

Take another example. Eight years ago, as Spokesman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN – one of the legacy parties that formed the APC – Lai had heavily criticised the Jonathan administration’s planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

Lai: “ACN said it remains convinced that fuel subsidy removal is not in the best interest of Nigerians, hence will not support it, and that – based on informed analysis – the average true price of a litre of fuel is 34.03 naira, which means Nigerians have been overpaying for the product.”

He maintained this line of argument all through the electioneering period leading up to the 2015 elections; including joining leaders of his party on a road protest to drive home their agitation.

Fast-forward to 2020, and he glibly dismisses criticism to multiple hikes in prices of petroleum products as ” unnecessary and mischievous.”

No longer was it about the people. Instead, he became an advocate for the rule of market forces.

Lai’s trenchant crusade against free speech, be it under the guise of a social media bill, hate speech, or fake news, reeks of someone who knows the intricacies of these tools, having himself deployed same to achieve set goals. This, remarkably, prefigures his current spat with the American global television network, Cable News Network(CNN).

In a petition addressed to Mr. Jonathan Hawkins, VP, Communications, CNN Centre, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Lai threatened that the Nigerian government will ” take any action within its laws”, should CNN fail to investigate it’s report of November 18, 2020, which alleged that soldiers, indeed, shot at protesters at the Lekki tollgate, Lagos.

Whilst it is within Lai’s purview as Nigeria’s Information Minister to protest an allegedly unfair report, and for the Nigerian government to seek to protect it’s sovereignty, both ought to realize that it is deadly to ‘run with the hare, and hunt with the hounds.’

How, indeed, is it possible to relish the gains that comes with international pressure, and denounce the pains arising from outside scrutiny?

Looking at the picturesque of Lai’s eldorado, as chief opposition propagandist, to his mutation as chief proponent against free speech, his metamorphosis appears to be final. And complete.

Hon. Ogene, a former member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, is Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, 365daily, an online publication.

Former President Gowon Replies UK Parliamentarian, Says He Served Nigeria Diligently |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Nigeria Military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon has finally broken silence over allegations levelled against him by United Kingdom Parliamentarian and MP Conservative, Tom Tugendhat, that Retired General Gowon stole half Nigeria’s Central Bank.

Gowon said he served Nigeria diligently during my time, with patrotism, loyalty and dedication.

Tugendhat said authoritatively that Gowon stole half of the Apex Bank, and kept the loot at the UK Capital, London.

Gowon, who ruled Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, described the accusation made by the lawmaker as “rubbish and ridiculous”. The former Head of State noted that he served Nigeria diligently and his records are there for all to see.

Speaking further, Gowon asked the lawmaker to back his allegation up with fact, adding that he doesn’t know why Tugendhat made the allegation or who sponsored him to make such a claim. He noted that he would not want to speak further on the issue, noting that the allegation is false and baseless.

Recall that Gowon was overthrown while away in Kampala, Uganda attending a summit of the Organisation of African Unity. It was from there he moved to England to become a student at Warwick University where he studied Political Science and International Relations.

Gov Akeredolu Advocates Law To Regulate Population In Nigeria |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has advocated for a law to control Nigeria’s population like other advanced countries.

The Governor also called for the establishment of more technology-based Institutions, rather than proliferation of universities, to make the youth self reliant.

Akeredolu, who spoke in Akure, at a post EndSARS forum noted that “we must be able to control our population through population law. We are almost the size of China population.

“But in China today, there is a law that you can’t have more than one child. We must be deliberate about this population law.

“Establishment of technology and trade centers should be encouraged to provide self-sustainable employment for the youths.”

According to the Governor, the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) must be retooled to engage the youths productively in a way that part of the service year should include mandatory military training for self defence and more months for entrepreneurship through technical and technological training and trade.

In attendance at the forum were traditional rulers, representatives of the youths, religious leaders, political office holders and Minister of State for Niger/ Delta affairs, Chief Tayo Alasoadura.

Chief Alasoadura pointed out that the gathering was a dialogue needed at this time, adding that the President has directed members of the Federal Executive Council to liaise with their state government to hold such meeting.

He identified youth unemployment, as one of the bane of the society, stressing that the FEC has been particular about awarding contracts that would benefit the vast majority of the youths.

Alasoadura said the problem of youths unemployment has been with the country a long time ago before the President Buhari administration came in place.

He lamented that the private sector which was supposed to be the harbinger of employment has been destroyed and hopeless, thereby putting all the tasks and responsibilities on the government.

Seized Properties: AMCON Shuns Court Orders; Yet To Vacate Premises Of Seized Hotel |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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AMCON Possession

By Akinwale Kasali

The Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, has ignored Court orders by refusing to withdraw its Security personnel from  Peace Hotel, residence and business premises of owner, Oreye Udo.

AMCON has remained defiant despite loosing the case against Peace Hotels Limited, and refusing to carry out the orders of the Court of Law

An Abuja Federal High Court had vacated an ex-parte order against Peace Global Satellite Communication network and its Managing Director, Oreye Udo Livingstone which was earlier obtained in March this year.

The earlier interim ex-parte order which granted Benson Ibezim, the 3rd Claimant/ Respondent the receiver Manager appointed by AMCON which is the 1st Respondent to take possession of the properties belonging to Oreye and his wife, which include their residence and hotel located at Omole estate, Lagos, was vacated after careful consideration of all affidavits, counter-affidavits, written addresses, exhibits and submissions of counsel for, and against the relief sought.

Delivery judgement, the presiding Judge who ordered immediate vacation of the ex-parte order noted that the court discharged, or set aside the earlier order because the earlier ex-parte order was obtained without jurisdiction and upon suppression of facts. Besides, the Judge noted that AMCON’s Lawyer went ahead to move the motion on March 9th inspite of the fact that a notice of Appeal showing that the matter was in the Supreme court, served the Claimant on February 14 this year.

It would be recalled that Oreye Livingstone haf petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions over the seizure of his properties by AMCON

According to the petition, Asset Management Company Of Nigeria (AMCON) took possession of his two  properties and business premises after 15 heavily armed policemen stormed his hotel in Omole estate on July 24, 2020, and AMCON Receiver, Benson  Ibezim took partial possession of the properties because the Receiver failed to file motion on notice within 14 days as directed in Paragraph 9 of the same order of the court dated March 9th,2020. However, three days to the court ruling, the Receiver attempted to take full possession.

This, according to Oreye was happening when the matter, which has dragged for years, is  before the Supreme Court.

Findings reveal that Oreye, through his company, Peace Global Satellite Communication, in 2004 borrowed N178million to supplement the rolling out of wired phone. Out of the N178m borrowed, the sum of N162 million was paid back, remaining a balance of N16m on principal.

There was a thunderstorm that destroyed the Peace Global Satellite Communications network, a development that made WEMA Bank to attempt selling the collateral used to secure the loan, but Peace Global went to court in 2009 claiming amongst other things, that WEMA Insurance Brokers failed to process their thunderstorm claim for 2 years.

This matter we also gathered was already in court before the creation of AMCON, but according to Oreye, WEMA Bank misrepresented to AMCON that balance on principal was N240m which made AMCON to buy the loan for N123m. According to the petition, compilation of records was done by all parties including AMCON on June 16th, 2020.

Thereafter, the records were transmitted on June 19th, 2020 to Supreme Court while Brief of Argument has since been filed.

But Ibezim, in his affidavit, claimed that the matter was not before any court. However,  Oreye, through his Lawyer was able to prove to the court that the matter was before the Supreme court, necessitating the same Judge to vacate the earlier order.

As at press time, AMCON’s security men were  still at the residence of Oreye at Omole estate  his business premises, and a hospitality outfit, also located at Omole estate, Lagos, hours after the judgement of the Court, even when AMCON’s Lawyer has obtained the certified true copy of the judgement and was in court when the judgement was delivered.

Meanwhile, Oreye has called on the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to ask AMCON to withdraw its security men from his residence and hotel in strict obidience to the court order.

Maradona: Argentina Declares A Three-Day National Mourning |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Diego  Maradona

By Akinwale Kasali

Argentine President, Alberto Fernandez, has declared a three-day National mourning over the death of Argentina’s football icon, Diego Armando Maradona.

The round leather game lost one of its legendary Icons, throwing fans, enthusiasts, analysts, Football administrators, Players and the world at large into mourning.

Maradona, passed- onWednesday , after suffering a  heart attack.

Maradona who, few months back celebrated his 60th birthday, had been hospitalized for weeks after collapsing.

Fans and lovers of the legend had kept vigil at the hospital where the World Soccer Star had been admitted after undergoing a brain surgery.

Until his death, the 1986 FIFA World Cup winning Captain of the Argentine team, was handling a Primera Division Side in the Argentine League.

The legendary Maradona would be remembered for his famous ‘Hand Of God’, goal against the England National team, enroute to the 1986 World Cup triumph.

He also led the Argentina Team to the Italia 1990 FIFA World Cup final against Germany, losing by a solitary Franz Bekenbauer goal.

At the 1994 FIFA World Cup at the United States of America, Maradona tested positive to drugs, ending his footbal career as a Player.

He was also tagged ‘god of Naples’, in the Italian Serie A Legaue, for his impressive performance for Napoli Football Club, seeing him winning many laurels for the Italian Club Side.

Maradona coached the Argentina National Team to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, losing 4-0 to Germany in the Quarter Finals, which saw the Late Maradona weeping profusely, and was been consoled by his players. The incident was an irony.

The Late Legend would b be remembered for his skills, feat and  contribution to Football.

He began playing football at the age of 16.

“We Want N500m”, Shot Vendor”s Family Tells Gbajabiamila |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Femi Gbajabiamila Meets Vendors

By Adesina Soyooye

These are difficult times for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The family of the Vendor, Ifeanyi Okereke, who was shot dead in Abuja, by a Security aide attached to him, are asking for the  “paItry” sum of N500m from the Speaker to cushion the effect of the pain and trauma his sudden death has brought upon them.

Gbajabiamila had announced the death of the Vendor who,  he said, was caused by a gunshot fired by a Security personnel attached to his convoy. He said he had stopped, as he had done on a number of times since he moved to Abuja, to exchange greetings with the newspaper Vendors who ply their trade just outside the National Assembly gate. Thereafter, he said, his convoy made to leave, but was blocked by some young men. That was when, according to him, the Security Officer fired shots to disperse them. Unfortunately, the bullets hit Mr Okereke. And killed him.

Gbajabiamila, in the statement he released, said he was distraught by Okereke’s manner of death. He took a number of actions.

He stood down the security officer from his convoy, and handed him over to the DSS for investigation. He held a meeting with Newspaper Distributors and Vendors Associations where he condoled with them. Both Associations had, the day after Okereke’s death, held a peaceful demonstration, asking for justice for their killed colleague. He also visited the family of the deceased, where he condoled with his wife, children and other family members.

He said he has taken over the welfare of the  family Okereke left behind, and would be responsible for his children till they are 21years old. He also instructed his legal team to set up, immediately, a Trust Fund for the family’s welfare.  And, of course, it is taken for granted that he would shoulder the burial expenses.

But his offers seem hardly enough for the family. Family members, led by his father, are not impressed. They want more. Which is why his father has retained the services of no less a Counsel than Dr. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to write. and ask from  Speaker Gbajabiamila, the sum of N500m, and prosecution of the security Officer, identified as Abdullahi Hassan.

Among other demands, Ozekhome gave the Speaker a seven day ultimatum to meet  the demands, or face legal actions. The letter to the Speaker reads  in part:

“Our Clients have instructed us to make  from your good self, the following modest demands: That you use your good offices to ensure the immediate prosecution of your security aide, (Abdullahi Hassan), who went on a frolic of his own, clearly acted outside the purview of his duty and responsibility by shooting to death an innocent, harmless and harmless citizen.

“That you adequately compensate the Okereke family with a modest sum of N500m, only. This monetary demand can never adequately replace, or take the place of their son, husband, father, brother and breadwinner’s life. But it will, at least, mitigate the obvious trauma and hardship the premature demise of their irreplaceable breadwinner has placed on them.”

The family also asked the Speaker to ensure the safety  of Newspaper Vendors in Abuja, as the manner of Okereke’s death, now, scares them from  the streets of the FCT.

Gbajabiamila was given a seven-day ultimatum to fulfil the demands, or face legal action.

“Take note, therefore, that it is our clients’  firm instructions that in the event   that you fail, refuse, and/or neglect to accede to, or proffer reasonable compensatory terms to our above modest demands within seven days from the date of this letter, we shall, without any further correspondence from us, take appropriate legal steps  to enforce our clients’ constitutional right.”

But newspaper Distributors and Vendors who spoke to this magazine expressed shock at the family’s action.

They say Gbajabiamila has done enough for the family.

One of the Vendor’s told The Source: “They want to make money from their son’s tragic death. The man has taken over their welfare, taken over everything about his children till they get to the age of 21 years. He is also setting-up a Trust Fund. What else do they want. This is greediness.”

The Vendor was to start work at the Ministry of Labour and Productivity before his death. His last child was aged nine days, only, at the time of his death.

It is not known if the Vendor’s widow is aware of the new development.

Ondo: House Of Assembly Divided Over Deputy Speaker’s Removal |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The removal of some Principal Officers of the Ondo state House of Assembly, on Monday, including the deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji, is still generating heat. Nine members of the House have rejected the move.

Those against the move are mainly members that were opposed to the impeachment of Mr Agboola Ajayi, as the Deputy  Governor  of the state.

Twenty Lawmakers, according to the Assembly’s Speaker, approved Ogundeji’s removal, and replaced him with Samuel Aderoboye.

Citing relevant sections of the law about impeachment of Principal  Officers of the Assembly , the Lawmakers described the impeachment as unlawful.

“The same provision for the removal of Speaker and Deputy is provided for in section 9 (sub 1-IX) of the standing order of the house.

“It requires two-thirds majority for their removal. It must be known that there was no place where the Assembly, either at the Plenary or Parliamentary,  sat to take the decision to remove Rt Hon Iroju Ogundeji took place.

“It must be noted that impunity reigns supreme in the Assembly where Rt Hon Bamidele Oleyeloogun presides.”

Describing the exercise as impunity taken too far, the Lawmakers noted that it was unfortunate that this  was happening in a state being governed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rotimi Akeredolu.

Former President Jonathan greets Atiku as he turns 74 |The Source

By
The Source
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Goodluck Jonathan

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has felicitated with former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who turned 74  today, Wednesday.

In a goodwill message to the former Vice President, Dr. Jonathan prayed God to grant him good health as he continues to play an active role in the polity.

He described Atiku as a statesman who has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s development and the growth of democracy in the Nation.

Dr. Jonathan further said: “I join your family, friends, and well-wishers to felicitate with you as you mark your 74th birthday.

“Yours has been a steadfast journey in the political and business world with remarkable successes and positive impact in the country.

“As a politician, you have contributed to the growth of our nation’s democracy, having served as Vice President of Nigeria, and have continued to play an active role in our polity.

“You are a statesman, who has continued to advocate for the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria, offering innovative ideas to the challenges in the land.

“I commend you for your abiding faith and love for our country and pray for more strength and success in life.”

Atiku was also the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP,  during the 2019 Presidential election.

Lekki Reports: CNN Acting Out Of Desperation, Says Lai Mohammed |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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Alhaji Lai Mohammed

By Uche Mbah

The unfolding drama of Lekki shootings took a new turn Wednesday when the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, in a program on the Nigeria Television authority, NTA, said that the footage that are being released by the American Cable news, Cable News Network, CNN, was being done out of desperation by the global News media group.

This was after the CNN aired a second report of the controversial Lekki Toll Plaza shootings of October 20.

CNN had Tuesday released a follow up report on the Lekki killings during the #endsars protests after Lai Mohammed threatened to sanction the station after the first report. Mohammed had dismissed the report as lacking credibility.

Reacting to the second video, Mohammed said:  “It shows that they (CNN) are desperate. The so-called recent development has been seen before. There is nothing new. If there is anything new, it is a contradiction of CNN’s position.

“What we are asking CNN is that where is your evidence? The military has been consistent. CNN contravenes the basic principles of journalism – fairness, and balance.

“They did the story without contacting the Federal Government for its own side. They relied on second and third parties narratives.

“They (CNN) were caught spreading fake news and they are trying to escape.

“We are accusing them (CNN) of basing their stories on videos sourced on social media. CNN has been inconsistent. It also doctored the video it got.

“We are confident in our position.”

CNN had mostly analysed  the trending videos, including revelations from the fact finding panel on the Lekki killings, drawing conclusions. There were allegations that CNN provided no body of evidence, that they were basing their position on conjectures and assumptions. But CNN claimed to have interviewed some of those that lost their relatives. Allegations were rife that the army dumped some corpses into the lagoon.

CNN, however, claimed that they made efforts to reach out to the government but could not. Lagos refused to talk, citing the ongoing investigative panel activities, according to CNN.

The Army has been shifting positions in their defense, first saying they were not at Lekki Plaza, then that they were there but did not shoot, then that they shot blank bullets, and finally that there were real bullets shot.

When asked about the letter addressed to Jonathan Hawkins, VP (Communications), CNN Centre, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the Mohammed said: “We have received an acknowledgment and we were told that the letter has been passed to the editorial team.”

Some of the footage used by CNN has already been used by local media, but the media houses were sanctioned by the National Broadcasting Commission.

The NBC itself had its handle briefly suspended by Twitter.

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