Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has moved out of Government House, Port Hacout.
The Governor moved out two years into his second term in office. Even though he did not say where he moved to, reports say he moved into his private residence in Port Hacout.He has two more years to stay in office. Like other Governors sworn in same day with him, Wike will leave office on May 28, 2023.
Speaking to Reporters in Abuja on Sunday, Wike said he moved out of Government House so as to be ready for what would happen to him at the end of his second term tenure. He said he knew he would be a target, and that he would be looked for. “They would look for me”, he told Reporters.
Wike did not say who would look for him at the end of his tenure, but it is obvious he meant Government Security/anti- graft Agencies, That has been the fate of most ex-Governors.
On why they would look for him, he said it would be because of his stand on National issues. Wike said is political forces will come after him because of his strong views on issues.
He said: “Political prosecution will come, especially, after you have left office. I know they will come after me, but I’m prepared. I am ready for them.
“Right now, I don’t even live in the Government House. I have packed out as part of my preparations, even though I still have two more years.
“When you have a system that is not doing well, the truth must be told. But people don’t like the truth, and that is why they don’t like me.
“As long as I am concerned, I do my things the way I want, and nobody can stop me, or tell me what to do, or who can be my friend.”
Wike is doing the second term of his eighth year constitutionally approved tenure.
A former Local Government Chairman under the Government of Dr Peter Odili, he served as the Chief of Staff to then Governor Rotimi Amaechi, from where he was appointed Minister for State, Education. Thereafter, he was elected as the Governor of Rivers State in 2015, and re-elected in 2019.
A Lawyer and Life Bencher, and of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, he is married to the Honourable Justice Suzzette Wike of the Rivers State High Court.
The managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe said the acquisition of BancABC Botswana is strategic in the lender’s quest to dominate the African market and make more returns for its shareholders.
“We remain committed to a focused and deliberate expansion strategy in Africa, which we believe will generate solid, long-term returns,” Wigwe said, in a memo by the bank, where the new generation bank stated that the deal has finally been sealed to acquire Botswana fifth largest bank.
The bank’s chief executive further stated that “The establishment of Access Bank through this acquisition in the Republic of Botswana will position the bank to deliver a more complete set of banking solutions to its clients active in across the SADC and COMESA regions.”
Wigwe: BancABC Acquisition Strategic
The development comes barely a month after the Wigwe-led bank sealed a $60 million deal to acquire the controlling stake in Grobank of South Africa. The bank had earlier made big acquisitions in South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique as part of the ongoing Pan-African expansion drive to position the lender as the biggest commercial bank in the continent.
According to the details of the deal, Access Bank has acquired more than 78 per cent of the Botswana bank shares, held by Atlas Mara, a financial services group based in British Virgin Islands, in a transaction to be completed by the middle of the year.
The bank said the acquisition will increase profitability as well as provide opportunity for Botswana customers to enjoy Access Bank’s digital banking.
The “BancABC Botswana is the fifth largest Bank in Botswana and is a very well-capitalised banking institution poised for growth and success in its local market.
“The bank has been perennially profitable, given an existing high-quality retail loan book with opportunities and scope for diversification and further expansion into corporate and SME lending,” the bank said.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given new lease of life to the popular Danfo Bus Owners and Drivers. He has rescinded the earlier decision of his Government to take the buses off the road.
The decision cancels the submission of the Commissioner for Transportation, Frederick Oladeinde who, in February 2021, said the retention and continued use of the yellow buses did not argur well with the transportation master plan of the State. Governor Sanwo-Olu thinks otherwise.
The yellow buses will no longer be scrapped, and taken off Lagos State roads.
The Governor said they are also major stakeholders in the State and it won’t be fair taking away their means of livelihood.
Speaking on a Channels Television Political Programme, Politics Today, with Seyi Okinbaloye, the Governor said the Danfo buses have become part and parcel of the State’s residents, making it practically impossible to phase them out.
Sanwo-olu disclosed that instead of taking the buses off the road, the State Government would remodel them and give them a contemporary outlook and feel that meet modern standards.
“It will be unfair for us. These are important stakeholders. They served our citizens. They served Lagosians for a long time. It became the print of Lagos, the yellow buses,” Sanwo-olu said during the Sunday night interview.
“Let’s be very creative. Let’s see how we can remodel them without scrapping them out. We are collaborating with them. You know that our citizens now deserve newer models of cars.”
The Governor also spoke on the wanton destruction of Lagos State Government Buses during the #EndSARs protest. He said the State had signed an agreement with a local bus manufacturing company to replace buses burnt during the protest.
He said although the buses were insured, the insurance did not cover “unforeseen circumstances”.
He disclosed that the buses that will be manufactured by the local firm would have the same features and specifications as the ones that were razed during the protests.
“Absolutely, we are trying to replenish them, we have started the compensation and the interesting thing is that we are working with a local bus manufacturing company,” he said.
“And it is going to come almost with the same specifications of the ones that were unfortunately destroyed so that Lagosians can have the same feel of the buses.
“They were insured. Insurance will never cover you 100 percent.”
The Lagos state government has edged towards establishing its own anti-corruption agency after the state governor Babajide Sanwo-olu signed a bill into law to that effect. The action, watchers of the state insist, is to establish an anti graft agency that will rival the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
According to the bill signed by the state’s helmsman, the anti- graft agency would be similar in operations to the EFCC and its chairman would be appointed by the state governor.
While signing the bill earlier passed by the State House of Assembly, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that the law will ensure accountability and public trust in government.
The governor said ‘Our government will not take the people’s confidence for granted. We will continue to remain transparent in our activities and be accountable always.
‘The gaming and lotteries law will ensure fair play, restore proper regulation and monitoring of the sector. It will also give players better function, and government can monitor them to enhance their investments and make their decisions more enduring. It will also improve the quality of inputs and outputs in the sector.
“The anti-corruption commission will ensure that all approved activities are implemented in accordance with budgetary allocation,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamo has disclosed that the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences, SPOMO Act, signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, last year, has really helped in combating sea piracy in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
Jamoh made this known at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Admiralty Law Colloquium organised in Lagos by the Agency, in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS.
The colloquium had the theme, “Achieving Maritime Safety, Security and Shipping Development (TRIPOD S) through Enforcement of Legislations and the Implementation of the Deep Blue Project: The Role of the Judiciary and State Actors.”
Jamoh said the admiralty law conference, in its 10th edition this year, had achieved significant milestones in the continued effort to better maritime law administration in Nigeria. But the meeting was renamed this year to reflect current challenges and widen the scope of participation, he stated.
He further stated that, “The Admiralty Law Conference instituted by NIMASA has achieved important milestones in the pursuit of its target of continuously improving maritime law administration in Nigeria. I am happy to announce that the key recommendations captured in the communiqué of last year’s conference would be sent to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative actions expected to improve the SPOMO Act.
“We have made good progress in the implementation of the SPOMO Act. We have secured convictions at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and Lagos, and more judgements are expected next month.
“These prosecutions and convictions have greatly helped to improve Nigeria’s image in the international community by producing a better appreciation of the country’s role and determination to end piracy and other maritime crimes in its territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea.”
The NIMASA Director-General also spoke on the adjustment in the name of the maritime law sessions, saying it is prompted by the need to bring on board a wider range of stakeholders, including Supreme Court justices.
“From next year, Supreme Court justices and more lawyers would be included in the continuous attempt to fine tune the processes and procedures of justice administration in maritime issues,” Jamoh stated.
Meanwhile, the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has lauded NIMASA as a key organ of economic development, saying the admiralty law conferences introduced by the Agency are helping to streamline application of the antipiracy law.
She said NIMASA was “a vital organ in the economic development of Nigeria.” She said the maritime sector was indispensable, and being global in nature, “Informed knowledge of the law in the global environment” was necessary in efforts to advance the sector. What touches this sector should be treated with great care,” Dongban-Mensem stated.
Embattled Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami says there is a plot to ridicule him by those he has identified as detractors.
The Minister’s troubles started when his relationship and support for deadly Terrorists, including Al Qaeda and Taliban were made public.
A fiery Islamic scholar Scholar and Preacher, Pantami, a few years ago, was in support of terrorism activities carried out by fanatic Moslims, including the World Trade Centre tragedy which killed over 3,000 people in one fell swoop. Applauding Al Qaeda Leader, Osama Bin Laden for the feat, he said the late Terrorist was a better Muslim than him, Pantami. He also acknowledged his joy and happiness whenever “infidels are killed”.
Outraged, not a few Nigerians called for either his resignation or sack from President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, saying that it amounted to an a crime against the State to keep him in office, and to trust him with a sensitive office which is dealing with the identity of every Nigerian.
Put under pressure, the Minister apologised for his previous extreme views, saying he was young and immature at the, and no longer held such views.
He, also, disclosed that he was not a terrorist, and does not hate Christians. “My driver is a Christian”, he said.
However, an Islamic Rights Group, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has come to Patami’s defence, alleging a plot by detractors to destabilize him, and soil his name.
The Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintoye, urged Pantami to ignore calls by some Nigerians that he should resign following his alleged links to global Islamists terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
MURIC, in a statement issued by its Director General, Professor Akintola, described the campaign for Pantami to step down as politically motivated, and urged him not to succumb to blackmail.
Hinging its position on the fact that Pantami has renounced the statements he made before he was made Minister, MURIC said that just as everyone has a past, Pantami should not be judged based on his past.
Prof. Ishaq Akintola
The statement by MURIC reads:
“A section of the Nigerian press published reports of calls being made by some people for the resignation of Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami over the fake news that the US had placed him on its watchlist.
“The second allegation was that the minister had made certain radical pronouncements in the past.
“It is a baseless call and it should be ignored. Afterall, the US itself has denied it. Dr. Pantami has been enjoying unhindered multiple entry to the US for a very long time.
“Even Facebook, the US based social media giant had Pantami’s picture on Facebook’s digital board for several hours as a mark of honor and respect during one of his numerous visits to that country.
“The campaign of calumny is being pushed by forces against the Federal Government’s NIN policy, Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, criminals in general and political IDPs (Internally Displaced Politicians). No one who has the love of Nigeria at heart will support such a malicious and frivolous allegation.
“It is a well-known fact that NIN is designed to expose the true identity of criminals like Yahoo Yahoo boys, bandits and kidnappers who use the internet and telephone to extort money from foreigners and families of kidnapped victims.
“They live a life of Mr. Jekyll and Hyde, respected gentlemen in the day but dangerous criminals at night and on lonely alleys.
“They have become jittery ever since the NIN policy was introduced by Pantami’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Policy.
“They are among those who stand to benefit from Pantami’s resignation. As for the political IDPs, their motive is to ensure that no project initiated by the current administration succeeds.
“The implications of Pantami’s resignation at this crucial stage are too gloomy to contemplate. It is a national security issue.
“The NIN scheme, our hope for dealing a technical blow on terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping and all sorts of criminality in the country will suffer suffocating palpitations.
“There will be a break in monitoring. It is better for us to allow the man who started it to finish it. If any problem arises after we have changed hands in the middle of its implementation, the new boss will easily shift the blame. It will then be a double tragedy. Let the beginner be the finisher. #beginnermustbefinisher
“In the interest of our great country, Nigeria, we therefore charge Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami to ignore calls for his resignation. An agitation for resignation which is not based on sincerity and truth must be resisted by patriots.
“This campaign for the minister’s resignation is in bad taste. It is pregnant with ulterior motives. Pantami must not surrender. He must not succumb to cheap blackmail. A captain does not abandon ship in stormy waters. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.
“On the issue of statements credited to Pantami in his younger days, we wonder how detractors would give preference to pronouncements made by a teenager and those made in the days of students’ unionism to those made after maturity and clairvoyance. It is sheer mischief to seek to use that against him.
“If they have evidence of speeches delivered 35 years ago when Pantami was a teenager, we have indubitable proof of more recent anti-terrorism speeches, particularly his public debates with the late Boko Haram leader Muhammad Yusuf where the minister made mincemeat of the arguments of Muhammad Yusuf.
“But our strongest evidence is the threat made by Shekau, the current leader of Boko Haram, to kill Pantami.
“Again, come to think of it. It was not as if the minister committed any official misconduct. Neither is it for abuse of office nor for corrupt enrichment. Some people just want to crucify him for daring to acquire infotech skills ostensibly reserved for a certain circle of elites.
“They believe that this is a field jealously reserved and guarded for the Western literati and their Nigerian cronies. Not an area for a mallam. It is just too petty the way some Nigerians think and behave. This is another big raison d’etre for the Shaykh to sit tight, continue and complete his good work, all to the chagrin of mean detractors.
“Pantami could have resigned the moment his life was threatened by the Boko Haram leader in February 2021. But he continued to wheather the storm because he was determined to finish the NIN scheme which he initiated. He knows that his intiative is crucial to the defeat of insurgency and terrorism. The terrorists also know it and that was the cassu belli for the threat on Pantami’s life. They wanted him to stop the NIN scheme.
“A man who puts his life on the line for the sake of his country deserves the support of every right thinking Nigerian. It is therefore ironical that the same man is being asked to resign. This is definitely a gangup by rebellious subjects and enemies of the people. They do not mean well for Nigeria.
“We call on every Nigerian who still has some modicum of our values and norms: hardwork, truthfulness, transparency and accountability to stand in solidarity with the honourable minister.
“We must not collectively hand over one of the few symbols of our pride to people who believe in easy money, people who see fraud as a necessity of life, people who believe in making their own wealth by causing hardship, pain and agony for others. It will mean the triumph of evil. We must not allow this to happen. Auudhubillahi. Allah forbid”, the statement reads.
Lawyers in Ondo and Ekiti States have lent their voices to the clamour for autonomy for the judiciary.
Lawyers in Ondo State on Monday took to the streets in a peaceful protest to back the strike embarked upon by judicial workers since two weeks ago.
“Please, save the Judiciary from sinking. The time for emancipation is now” “NBA says no Executive control of Judiciary.Aketi Obey section 121(3) of the Constitution” “NBA believes in judicial autonomy” and “Save judiciary from drowning,” are some of the inscriptions on the various placards mounted by the protesting lawyers.
Chairman of Akure branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA), Mr Rotimi Olorunfemi, Ondo branch,Thompson Akinyemi and Okitipupa, Chief Orimisan Okorisa said Governors should stop blocking the much anticipated judicial autonomy.
According to them, a situation where the Judiciary goes to Governors for fund each time is not acceptable to lawyers in the state.
They later submitted a letter at the Governor’s office, which contained their demands.
Part of the letter states that “JUSUN’s demand, which the NBA unequivocally supports, is not alien to our system of governance, because federalism comes alive through active implementation of the doctrine of separation of powers.
”It is particularly reprehensible that despite all the interventions of relevant stakeholders towards enforcing constitutional provisions, this state has continued in the undemocratic practice of micromanaging the funds due to the Judiciary with gross impunity, and in breach of oath of office which requires that you uphold the dictates of the Constitution.”
In Ekiti state, the lawyers paid a courtesy call on Governor Kayode Fayemi, during which they tabled their demands.
The three branches of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA in Ekiti State which include Ado, Ikere and Ikole called on the Governor to accede to the demands of the judicial workers over the implementation of financial autonomy for the Judicial sector.
Chairmen Ado Ekiti branch, Barrister Adeyemi Adewumi, chairman Ikole branch Barrister Albert Adeyemi and his counterpart from Ikere Barrister Kikelomo Owolabi disclosed that the request of the Judicial workers for financial autonomy was a constitutional provision which could not be negotiated.
They affirmed that granting financial autonomy to the Judiciary would enable the court function effectively urging government to act on the request so as to enable the Judicial sector bounce back to life.
In an undignified manner, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club of England has sacked Jose Mourinho as Coach of the team. This followed an unimpressive 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on Friday against Everton Football Club.
The North London Club sits Seventh position on the log of the Barclays English Premier League Table. With that, any hope of playing in Europe next seems impossible.
Tottenham Hotspur Chairman, Daniel Levy, unexpectedly, and sensationally announced the sack of the Portuguese born tactician.
Former Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason and the ex-Charlton and Huddersfield boss Chris Powell have been placed in temporary charge.
Mourinho was appointed Tottenham Manager in November 2019, a day after the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino.
He guided them to sixth place in the table by the end of the campaign, but not many people were impressed by his style of football, and so, he is, mostly, unappreciated by fans.
Tottenham has struggled in the Premier League this season, and exited the Europa League at the last-16 stage after a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Dinamo Zagreb Football Club of Croatia, in an embarrassing manner.
The sack of Mourinho by Tottenham now makes it the third Club in England to have parted ways with him.
On two occasions, he was sacked by Chelsea Football Club, and also got sacked by the Red Devils of Manchester United Football Club, before joining Tottenham Hotspur, where he has also been shown the exit door.
Tottenham are gearing up to take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final next weekend as they search for their first trophy in 13 years.
Julian Nagelsmann is the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Mourinho at White Hart Lane. But the RB Leipzig coach is also Bayern Munich’s No.1 target to replace Hansi Flick if he leaves the Allianz Arena this summer.
Hours after the Police gave him 48 hours to return Government vehicles which he took away at the end of his tenure, former deputy governor of Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, has finally agreed to immediately return them. Before the ultimatum, Ajayi had refused to return the government vehicles in his custody, two months after leaving office.
Ajayi and some political appointees of the present administration had engaged in argument over the legality of holding on to the vehicles after expiration of his tenure. But the number of vehicles he claims he has with him, differs from what the Government claims. While he said two, the Government claims four.
Even then, the former Deputy Governor had insisted he is constitutionally entitled to the two vehicles but government insisted there is no provision under the law for ex-governors and their deputies in the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, and an aide to the Governor, Seun Odebowale had called on the state police command to retrieve the vehicles through any means.
In a statement personally signed by the former Deputy Governor titlted “Much Ado About Nothing: The Ondo State Government Must Get Their House In Order,” he expressed his readiness to return the vehicles.
The statement reads, “Recall that in my farewell message to the good people of Ondo State, on 24th February,2021, I wished Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN and his Deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa success in their administration.
“I stand by that; as a citizen of the state, it is in my interest and in the interest of all of us that this current administration demonstrates good governance, transparent policy making and effective change.
“Unfortunately members of the inner circle of the Governor have decided to prioritise their time to harass me on a number of issues, most especially with regards to the return of vehicles.
“I had hoped these petty interactions would have ceased after the recent inauguration.
“To be clear – if the return of these two vehicles will make the administration focus more on the avalanche of pressing needs, challenges and predicaments facing the state most especially insecurity, the absence of governance and unpaid salaries across the entirety the Ondo public sector, then I’m ready to make the sacrifice and return the two vehicles which they so desperately need.
“I am not the problem of the present administration.
I have moved on.
Once again, I wish Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN and his Deputy Lucky Ayedatiwa Success in their administration.”
Renowned Journalist and administrator, Senator Chris Anyanwu, has emerged the pioneer President of Nzuko Umunna. The association is a leading think-tank of foremost Igbo Technocrats and Professionals.
Announcing the new Executive Council, Political Economist and Chairman of the Nzuko Umunna Board of Trustees, Prof. Pat Utomi said: “I am pleased today to flag off the formal path forward from four years of impactful service to the Igbo nation at home and abroad by the Nzuko Umunna foundation, especially through this platform, to a new level of greater impact, with an Executive Council selected by the trustees to administer Nzuko Umunna affairs for the next four years when formal elections by eligible members will decide their replacement.”
In a statement titled “The light finds formal torchbearers,” Prof. Utomi noted that “A candle loses nothing, it is said, when it lights another candle. I am full of trust, therefore, that the eminent members of this Executive Council will give generously of their service in knowledge and wisdom and love for God’s purpose for the Igbo person, that all may thrive wherever they are located and live in peace with fairness, justice and equity, as defining marks of their environment.”
Utomi observed that the new leadership “sets the pace and tone of where NU and the Igbo nation is going by breaking new ground in both diversity and inclusion,” adding that the team “features accomplished entrepreneurs, social enterprise and civil society champions, outstanding academics, media experts and technocrats.
“Finally, I want to salute the dedication, tenacity and goal mindedness of Ngozi Odumuko and his team of young people who birthed Nzuko Umunna in response to the desperate needs of our people for direction.”
In her acceptance speech, Senator Anyanwu thanked Prof. Utomi and the Board of Trustees “for assembling such an amazing mix of young, tough and bright Igbo with men and women of experience and capacity in the new Council,” noting that “The task to be undertaken is not going to be easy but with the team members bristling with patriotism, I am sure that passion and that ‘can do’ spirit will propel us to new frontiers and higher goal achievement.”
She noted that the times “are unusual, hard, even scary, at times,” adding that “Our highest mission is to bring out the best in our people and to build synergies across economic and social classes, interest groups, and political divides that will enable the best deployment of our very fertile pool of ideas.”
Concluding, the respected lawmaker said: “I have no doubt that the team will give of its best. But let me emphasize that it will require the maximum cooperation of Nzuko Umunna people to succeed. I hope we can count on this.”
In his remarks, Odumuko, the Founding Coordinator of the think-tank, said: “I am full of joy for seeing through a successful handover to a great Executive Council under Senator Chris Anyanwu as the President. Ndigbo have shown the light, for a great woman to be leading a very strong global Igbo organization comprising men and women. It is heartening that Nzuko Umunna in the last four years has implemented great interventions including the Handshake Across the Niger Conference, Never Again Conference, Igbodum Database project, and the South East Economic Development Integration project, to name a few.”
Other members of the Executive Council include Prof. Chika Moore, Vice President; Mr. Ngozi Odumuko, Executive Secretary, and Dr. Uju Agomoh, Deputy Executive Secretary. The Ex Officio members are Dr. Austin Nweze, Chief Patrick Chidolue, Prof. Emeka Ezeonu, Mr. Obioma Okoye, Mr. Paschal Mbanefo, and Mr. Gregory Muonyililo.
