Cross Rivers: Former Gov’nor, Monarch Move Against Ayade |The Source

By Fola James

Former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS Babatunde Fowler has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Fowler a close associate of APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was fired last year by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sources in the commission told the magazine that he was arrested in connection with a petition filed against the APC leader and Alpha Beta Consulting by a former managing director of the company, Oladapo Apara, who has accused the politician of fraud.

Tinubu was also accused of diverting funds belonging to the firm to companies owned by him.

The spokesperson of the anti graft, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed Fowler’s arrest.

The tax firm consults for the Lagos state government and its operation has been controversial.

More details to come……….

PDP Says Lagosians Have Lost Confidence Reposed On Gov. Sanwo-Olu |The Source

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November 2, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have called for the immediate resignation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the recent Lekki Killings of #EndSARS protesters and misrepresentation of the people of Lagos.

The PDP stressed that Governor Sanwo-Olu needs to resign as he no longer enjoyed the confidence of the people.

The Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, said Governor Sanwo-Olu could no longer be trusted following the disclosure that he invited the army to quell and disperse EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll-Gate, where there is a controversy over the number of fatalities and the injured.

“The PDP is of the view that it is more expedient for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to step aside now that the army has revealed him as the person who invited the soldiers to quell the Lekki protest.

“Obviously, Lagosians can no longer trust a governor who denies his actions in government. Sanwo-olu has no moral standing worth being proud of and he should admit this and honourably leave the stage as governor. Lagos is held down by his recent misdeeds. Sanwo-Olu has done his best, but not good enough to propel the state to greater development heights. The state is now inadequate in areas of security, commerce, infrastructure, government-citizens’ trust, among others,” Gani said.

He decried what he called the “multiple collapses of pillars of good governance in the state” in the last two weeks, and added that the state had become overwhelmed by issues of insecurity, even as residents were panicky and did not know what wouldhappen next.

“If this state continues to experience thiscollapses in next 72 hours, it may suffer a declaration of a state of emergency, a step that would likely deprive all. The anarchical traffic situations, corruption in state services, high-handedness, favouritism in the state is disturbing.”

Reacting to the call by the PDP that Governor Sanwo-Olu should resign, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile, declined to comment on the issue, but referred the Reporter to the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC Lagos State Chairman, Babatunde Balogun and Publicity Secretary, Oluseye Oladejo did not respond to several calls and text messages sent to them as at press time.

Joe Igbokwe, the former APC Publicity Secretary in the State said he could no longer speak for the APC, but, however, described the PDP as a moribund party in the state and in no position to make such demands.

“Only the electorate that elected Governor Sanwo-Olu can remove him from office and not a moribund party like PDP,” he said.

Restructuring: Lagos Based Journalist Proposes New National Flag To Quell Agitations By Nigeria Youths |The Source

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November 2, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

A Lagos based journalist, Felix Igiebor, Publisher/Editor of Community News Network (CN News) has proposed a new national flag for Nigeria and called for the restructuring of the nation.

Speaking at a news and current affairs programme, on Arise TV where he unveiled his model of the proposed new flag, Igiebor opined that Nigerians have since lost faith and respect for the current national flag which many believe no longer inspires patriotism among Nigerians, especially the youth.

He reasoned further that agitations by groups such as the Independent Peoples of BIAFRA (IPOB) for self determination is unending because the agitators have no faith or confidence in Nigeria and its leaders and, therefore, will not want to have anything to do with them. They would rather have a country of their own than remain in what they call the contraption called Nigeria.

He further reasoned that agitations for the creation of different republics will be eradicated once national pride is restored in Nigeria’s symbols.

The proposed new flag which is a modification of the current national flag has the rising sun placed in the middle of the current flag with six stars depicting the six Geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Each of the stars has separate colours depicting the main product of each zone which is their contribution to the national GDP.

According to the proponent who is also an author, the idea will be taken to all the major sociocultural organizations, past heads of state, governors, State Assemblies etc. for their support before it is presented to the National Assembly who will eventually present it to the President for his approval and signature.

Giving the interpretation of the New National Flag he is proposing, he said the Green-White-Green colours remain while the rising sun of the defunct Biafran flag is placed in the white horizontal bar of the current flag.

Six stars of different colors are placed in an arch formation (Sample 1), while six stars of different colors are placed under the bar of the rising sun (Sample 2).

The yellow rising sun in the middle of the BIAFRAN flag he said is adopted and placed in the middle (white vertical bar of the present flag) on the proposed new Nigerian national flag both as recognition and as a way of telling the Nigerian story (history).

*Recognition of the Southeastern people’s struggle for self determination.

*Recognition of the loss of the Southeastern people of over one million people and properties of inestimable value during the Nigerian civil war.

* The rising sun also depicts Nigeria not just the defunct BIAFRA as a nation rising out of obscurity, economic doldrums, and other ills that plague us as a nation.

* The rising sun also depicts Nigeria as a rising powerhouse both in Africa and the world.

THE SIX STARS

* The Black Star represents black gold. It represents oil produced majorly in all the Niger Delta states of the South South zone of Nigeria.

*The Light Brown Star represents groundnut produced in the North West states of Nigeria.

*The Yellow Star represents the Cocoa produce of Nigeria’s South West states of Nigeria.

*The Deep Brown Star represents yam and other such agricultural produce of the Middle Belt states in Nigeria.

*The Silver Star represents trade and enterprise which are predominant amongst the South East states of Nigeria.

*The White Star represents cattle and cattle rearing which is predominant in the North East states in Nigeria.

#EndSARS: Falz Explains Why Protest Was Hijacked By Hoodlums |The Source

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November 1, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, son of Human Rights Activist and Legal Luminary, Femi Falana, has disclosed the main reason why the #EndSARS protest against Police brutality and extra judicial killings was hijacked by hoodlums.

The Nigerian hip-hop artiste, lawyer and social activist, Falz, said the reason why hoodlums and thugs attacked demonstrators and disrupted the protests was that they were willing tool of politicians used to create apprehension and forment trouble in the society.

He added that the hoodlums disrupted the protests because they did not know better, adding that the hoodlums were oblivious to the fact that the agitation will rub off positively on them and change their life for good.

Falz made the disclosure at a webinar organised by a group called “We Move Naija”.

He opined that the #EndSARS protests had engendered the re-engineering of Nigeria, noting that the country will not remain the same again.

He noted that with the passion and unity displayed by Nigerian youths in the past weeks, he was optimistic that the future of the country looked brighter.

He added, “I have never seen a Nigeria as united as what I saw during the protests. The youths were so united. However, the question for many people now is, what next? I think it is work in progress. The struggle has by no means ended. Majority of the work lies in citizen education.

“People need to know their rights and what the Constitution says. For some time, I have been informing my followers on social media about what the law says about specific issues but I decided to commit my resources and efforts into making it a full-fledged show when I realised that many people were unaware of certain things.”

On hoodlums disrupting demonstrations, he said “The words, ‘hoodlums’ and ‘thugs’ were thrown around a lot recently. A hoodlum is an average young man like me who does not know better. Nobody was born or destined to be a hoodlum. They just need more education to let them know they don’t have to be used by politicians to wreak havoc.”

He, however, enjoined youths to focus on the next election cycle in 2023 to make substantial inputs to the political process.

“As we are approaching 2023, it is important for us to start getting ready. It would be a big year for our future. It is important to start getting our permanent voter cards. A lot of people don’t understand certain things like the process for recalling an elected official.

For example, if somebody who is representing you in the National Assembly is not doing what the constituents want, you have the power to remove him. The power of the people is greater than the people in power. We need to work more closely with one another,” he said.

He said the whipping up of religious and tribal sentiments was a way of sowing seed of discord among the populace “We need to discard all the religious and tribal sentiments that have been thrown around. They are just tactics by people trying to tear us apart. We need to keep the energy going. Stay alert and register to vote.

“We need more intelligent people in government. These past few weeks have shown us that the people we have in power are very shallow. They are just there to embezzle money. We need people who know that they are there to serve us and not for them to be worshipped”, he concluded.

Akeredolu Defends Governors Over Hoarding Of Covid -19 Palliatives |The Source

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November 1, 2020

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has explained reasons for hoarding palliatives meant for distribution to Nigerians during the Covid 19 pandemic ravage.

According to Akeredolu, who is also Chairman South West Governor’s Forum, some of his colleagues were waiting for the official launch of the Palliatives packages by the coallition against cacovid 19.

He spoke in his country home, Owo, at a Thanksgiving service to mark the third year enthronement of an Anglican Cleric, Rt Rev Stephen Fagbemi as Bishop of Owo Anglican Communion.

He pointed out that no governor in the country would deliberately hoard COVID-19 Palliatives, meant for distribution to the populace during the lockdown occasioned by the pandemic.

Some suspected hoodlums, during the endSARS protests in states pounced on warehouses where the food items were hoarded looted and set them ablaze.

The Governor stated that no warehouse was looted or destroyed in Ondo state because the Palliatives were promptly shared to the people.

Governor Akeredolu said those states where the palliatives were hoarded were also expecting more donation of the remaining items and flag-off by the CA-COVID-19.

He spoke on his victory in the October 10 Governorship election, describing it as God’s project which no man could truncate and that he would still come out victorious at the tribunal.

Ekiti Lifts Restriction On Worship Centres, Waves Curfew |The Source

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November 1, 2020

By Ayodele Oni

Religious centres in Ekiti state are now free to conduct their activities anytime and anyday as government has lifted the restrictions placed on them.

Also, the curfew which was imposed on the state in the wake of endSARS protest has been waved with effect from 6am on Sunday, November 1, 2020.

The restriction on worship centres, clamped on them in the wake of the corona virus pandemic, compelled them to carry out religious activities only on Fridays and Sundays from 10. am till noon.

In a statement, the State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Akin Omole explained that the decision to lift the curfew was taken after an assessment of the security situation and the restoration of relative peace in the State.

The commissioner added that the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi also approved the lifting of the restrictions placed on religious gatherings during the corona-virus pandemic with effect from the same date, November 1, 2020.

According to him, churches and mosques are now free to open for worship without restrictions and emphasized the need for worshippers to continue adhering to the Covid-19 protocols which include wearing of face-masks, maintaining social distancing and properly washing their hands or sanitizing their hands before joining their respective congregations.

He also stressed the need for residents in the State to be law-abiding, vigilant and promptly report suspicious movement to relevant authorities, assuring that the state government would leave no stone unturned towards ensuring the safety of lives and property of the people in the State.

Black Saturday As Trailer Rams Into Market In Ondo Community, Ten Dead, Still Counting |The Source

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November 1, 2020

By Ayodele Oni

The restive university community of Akungba Akiko in Ondo state is in a mourning mood.

As the residents of the community were preparing to enter the new month with pomp, the unusual happened, which left them mourning.

A trailer loaded with rice descending from Ikare end of the hilly road lost control and rammed into traders at a market at Ibaka Area of Akungba Akoko, late Saturday.

It was a gory site as the market was littered with broken human ribs, arms and skulls as well as bags of rice and the reminants of the truck.

Eyewitnesses explained that the trailer loaded with bags of rice might have lost control due to brake failure, and eventually swerved off road and into the market where people were shopping, preparatory for Sunday.

“The accident occured at about 7.30pm, when the trailer loaded with bags of rice rammed into the stalls into the market. As I am talking to you, not less than 20 persons must have died as over 10 dead bodies trapped under the trailer have been removed and many are still trapped.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), of the state police command, Mr Tee-Leo Ikoro, who confirmed the crash said about eight/persons have been confirmed dead.

“As we speak now eight people have been confirmed dead in the accident and we can still have more because we still have many people trapped under the trailer,” Ikoro said.

Gov Fayemi, At Arewa Forum, Identifies Bane Of Nigeria’s Development |The Source

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October 31, 2020

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has identified distrust and suspicion among socio ethnic groups in Nigeria as major bane of the country’s development.

Dr Fayemi, in a lecture titled; Unfinished Greatness, Towards More Perfect Union in Nigeria, on the 50th Anniversary of the

Centre for Historical Documentation and Research (Arewa House), Kaduna on Saturday, was of the view that the amalgamation of Nigeria by British imperialists was a right step in a right direction.

Dr Fayemi, noted that “despite the challenges that we have faced as a nation, which we sometimes unfairly exaggerate, it is important for us to constantly bear in mind that nation building is a slow and dynamic process.

“The awareness that nothing in nation-building is finalised should give us hope and challenge us to do better and constantly look for ways and means to build a better country, by experimentation and learning, trial and errors, setting and resetting.

“And this is why the operative framework of any nation is never intended as a divinely inspired scripture. Most of the challenges that we face today could not have been envisaged in 1999. But we must see these challenges as opportunities to test our governance system and its responsive capacity to issues of national co-existence.

“The integrity of our governance and administrative system must be continually measured in terms of its ability to deliver the greater good to the greatest number of our people. If it is not able to do this, we must be willing to press the reset button and ask ourselves why is the system that we all must submit to not working for us all?

“However, for us to constructively confront these issues, we must start by first conquering the demon of mutual suspicion and distrust that has poisoned our politics and subverted our will to achieve the necessary consensus that is so crucial to marching confidently towards our destiny as a great nation.

“If we do this, we would have scaled the major obstacle to forging a great nation out of this colonial creation and show the world that we are finally ready to embrace our true destiny as the hope of all black people everywhere.”

According to him, important as the power of leadership is, until and unless we recompose the Nigerian State and make it derive her original consent and legitimacy from the people, then we labour in vain.

“Contrary to the pretensions of neo-liberal economists, without a modern state there cannot be an economy or society; therefore, before public governance, there must be a modern state in the real sense. A predatory state cannot give birth to proper public governance and a sense of justice and fairness.

“Those of us in public office may delude ourselves, but the events of the past few weeks have brought the contradictions of the Nigerian state into a sharper focus.

“Whether your immediate concern is police brutality and the need for police reform or you reflect upon the rationale and the challenges of those who insist that until Nigeria becomes a theocracy, there shall be blood and tears unlimited; whether you look towards the Niger Delta where, despite the amnesty and the industry of graft and greed that it has re-produced, there is a continuous and bloody demand for justice and equity.

“You may also want to examine the endless pretexts for ethnic strife and blood-letting between the indigenous people and the “settlers” in the Middle Belt; whether you scrutinise the regular apocalyptic predictions of highly placed Nigerians about the fate of the country, or you contemplate what would happen if measures are not taken to arrest the drift, you cannot but come to the conclusion that Nigeria needs to be re-imagined and re-created.”

“Over the years, I have heard even presumably informed analysts referred to our country as the mistake of 1914. But was the amalgamation really a mistake?

“Therefore, it is possible to argue that the toxic legacy of their ‘divide and rule’ strategy may be the reason that we have remained divided even 60 years after their rule has ended. However, to describe this amalgamation itself as a mistake would be wrong, both historically and conceptually.

“The hands that drew the map may not have been ours, but the map was possible only because we are here in the first place.”

Fayemi is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF.

Police Officers And Men Are Demoralised – IGP |The Source

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October 31, 2020