Buhari, Others Beg Ondo People To Vote Akeredolu |The Source

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October 7, 2020

By Ayodele Oni

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday highlighted reasons why Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state should be elected for second term during Saturday’s election.

Describing Akeredolu, as a good ambassador for the All Progressives Congress (APC), the President, in a virtual message to the grand finale of the APC Governorship rally in Akure appealed to voters to give him second chance.

The rally was attended by APC governors and other political office holders across the geopolitical zones of the country.

According to him, Akeredolu has taken the sunshine state to a new level and a path of prosperity.

”I have no doubt that our candidate is a good brand for the APC to market. I am particularly delighted by his ingenious approach to governance.

”His performance within the limits of available resources is endearing, just as he has taken the State to an enviable level and on the path of prosperity.

”Having had the privilege of commissioning some of his projects, which I consider enduring legacies, I join you here today to declare that Governor Akeredolu deserves to be re-elected to consolidate the good work he commenced in his first term.

”I am not just proud of his achievements. I am confident he will enjoy the mandate of the good people of Ondo State for the second term.”

The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, who also spoke via social media, highlighted the achievements of Governor Akeredolu, from the Ore interchange bridge, christened “Redemption bridge”, to the Oke-Alabojuto road, and the various roads that have been constructed across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee. and Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee of the APC, Governor Mai Bala Buni, said the APC has performed well in the state and deserved to be re-elected.

Governor Akeredolu thanked the people for the huge turnout for the rally and assured the people of the state that his administration will continue to do more for the progress and development of the state.

The Ondo Governorship election is billed for October 10, 2020.

Akeredolu’s main challengers are PDP’s Eyitola Jegede, SAN. and ZLP’s Agboola Ajayi.

Breaking: Nuhu Bamali Crowned Emir Of Zazzau |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 7, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali has been Crowned the new Emir of Zazzau, Kaduna State.

Bamali was installed as the 19th Emir of the Zazzau Empire in Kaduna State after a rigorous screening session.

He succeeds the late Emir Alhaji Idris Shehu, who died on Sunday, September 20, 2020, after a 45- year- reign.

Bamalli becomes the first Emir from the Mallawa Ruling House in 100 years, after his grandfather Emir Dan Sidi died in 1920.

The New Emir was born in 1966, he studied Law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

He holds a Masters Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy, and a Diploma in organisational leadership from Oxford University, United Kingdom.

He is, also, a fellow Conflict Resolution, University of York, United Kingdom.

Industrialists Issue Buhari Red Card Over N31tn Debt |The Source

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Bayo Bernard

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October 7, 2020

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By Fola James

Top Industrialists and businessmen in Nigeria under the aegis of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI are angry that the Buhari government has nothing tangible to show for the over N31 trillion debt owed foreign and local creditors.

The LCCI had in July expressed deep concern over plan by the federal government to borrow $2.5 billion from the World Bank.

The chamber said the fresh loan could push the nation’s debt stock to over N34 trillion by the end of the year, after records from Debt Management Office, DMO already indicated that the current public debt stood at N31 trillion at the end of June.

This is definitely not a cheery news for the LCCI, whose President Toki Mabogunje, said in Lagos, on Tuesday that the rising debt figure is giving many of her members sleepless nights, as the huge loans has not changed the lives of many Nigerians.

She said “LCCI is deeply concerned about the country’s rising debt portfolio without corresponding impact on output growth and economic development. According to official statistics from the Debt Management Office, public debt stock grew by eight percent to N31 trillion at the end of the second quarter, equivalent to 21 percent of GDP.

“At the peak of the pandemic in the second quarter, the Federal Government received financial support worth $3.4 billion and $288.5 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and African Development Bank (AfDB) respectively, while negotiations are also on-going for a cumulative $1.8 billion credit support from the World Bank, African Development Bank (second tranche) and Islamic Development Bank.”

The situation is already bad enough, LCCI said warning that taking fresh loans “could possibly push the country’s public debt stock to around N34 trillion by year-end, equivalent to 23 percent of GDP. The growing level of the country’s debt is fast becoming unsustainable in the light of dwindling oil prices and production.”

It further stated that the debt burden has left the federal government with barely 30 per cent of its income to spend on critical infrastructure.

“Our position is reinforced by the uptrend in debt-service to revenue ratio from 60 percent by year-end 2019 to 72 percent as of May 2020. The high level of debt servicing continues to hinder robust investments in hard and soft infrastructures which are key to stimulating productivity and improving living standards.”

I Will Never Pray For Buhari’s Success – Sule Lamido |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 7, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, says he would never pray in the Mosque for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

And that he would never advice the administration on ways to make his government better for Nigerians.

Lamido was speaking to the BBC Hausa Service on the sidelines of Nigeria independence anniversary, the country which he said has recorded number of success despite many setbacks.

“You can’t say in the past 60 years of our independence that there is no progress, there is, but, honestly, our leaders are not taking advantage of the natural resources we have in the country to make us progress and live better,” he said.

The former governor said he cannot pray or advise someone who called him a thief and chased him out of power.

He added that it is left for Nigerians to weigh this administration and see the difference so as to let All Progressives Congress, APC, continue or vote them out.

“I am from an opposition party, no matter how much I love Buhari or his cabinet, I can’t enter mosque and pray for him.

“People called us [PDP] thieves and voted APC.

“So, it is left for them to judge now.

“If Buhari is doing good, they know and let him lead Nigeria forever, but if he is doing wrong, we are always there to come and takeover in order to do the right thing he has failed to do”, he concluded.

Insecurity: Again, Zulum Slams Military, Says It Should Concentrate On Insecurity Rather Than Focusing On Election |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 7, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State who has never hidden his anger over the various attacks he has faced in the past few weeks from the Boko Haram insurgents has asked the Military to face their constitutional role and leave election matters alone.

Zulum charged the military to concentrate on the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency instead of the forthcoming Ondo State Governorship election which has been the major focus of the military these past weeks.

Zulum said this on Tuesday in reaction to the speech of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, at the opening of the combined Chief of Army Staff Quarterly Conference in Maiduguri, Borno State, where he praised the Officers and Men of the Nigerian Army for the professionalism exhibited the Edo State governorship poll, charging them to do same in Ondo State on Saturday. Zulum asked them not to neglect their fight against insurgency, which is a major priority.

The Governor said that it is worth appreciating the Military for their steadfastness, and successes recorded by Operation Lafiya Dole, which has brought about relative peace in the state and aided to the safe return of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.

The Governor pledged his administration’s continued support to military operations in the state through the provision of all the needed moral and material resources.

Zulum stressed the need for the military to intensify the onslaught against the insurgents for a final end to the crisis.

He said: “I want you to change the war narrative all together, to finish the crisis.

“Attack, they say, is the best form of defence.

“The Nigerian Army must therefore take the war to all the hideouts of the Boko Haram insurgents and should not wait and give the insurgents the opportunity of attacking first.

“The Nigerian Army must also embark on confidence building and confidence sharing mechanism, with communities and civil authorities so as to expose the terrorists, their collaborators and sponsors.”

Zulum also urged the Army to use the occasion of the Chief of Army Staff’s conference to look back on the challenges, successes and what is needed to be done to win the war.

While lamenting on the recent deaths of some officers and men in the fight against insurgency, Zulum consoled the army and their families for the losses, adding that the gallant soldiers must not die in vain.

Why NFF Appointed Waldrum As New Super Falcons Coach |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 6, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, finally settled for an American, International Coach, Randy Waldrum as the head coach of the Nigeria women’s national team, Super Falcons.

Waldrum, over the years, have garnered a vast amount of experience, coaching women’s soccer specifically in the USA, from the College, University and professional levels.

The Texan was the first coach for National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion side Houston Dash in 2014 and was in charge for three seasons.

The 64-year-old also has coaching experience at international level. He was in charge of Trinidad and Tobago from 2014 to 2016, where he led them to a fourth-placed finish at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, and within touching distance of 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ qualification.

In a statement released on his official Twitter account, NFF President Amaju Melvin Pinnick said: “For the Super Falcons, I’m happy to announce that Randy Waldrum will be the man tasked with taking our women to the next level.

Waldrum was one of over 40 coaches interviewed by our Consultants, Phillips Consulting, with that list pruned to four. Waldrum got the job.

“I’m hopeful that our Coach will turn our dominance on the continent to dominance worldwide. Hopefully, with a new man in charge, our women can start proper preparations for football again.”

According to the member association’s official website, Waldrum will work alongside former Super Falcons goalkeeper and captain Ann Chiejine, who will be his first assistant coach, while Wemimo Mathew Olanrewaju will serve as second assistant coach and Auwar Bashir Makwalla will be goalkeeping coach.

Alex, Brigadier-General Nwogu’s Son, Murdered In USA |The Source

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Adesina Soyooye

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October 6, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

Tragedy has struck the family of a serving Nigeria Military Officer.

Brigadier-General Ignatius Nwogu, of the Nigerian Army, has lost his son, Alex, in a heart-rending circumstance.

Alex, 23, was shot dead at a Northwest gas station in Washington D.C, at about 1.30am on Monday.

He was, reportedly shot by two men who are now being looked for by the Police. The Police has also promised the sum of $25,000 for any information that would lead to the arrest of the alleged suspects. .

The late Nwogu, who hailed from Mbaise, Imo State, was reportedly hired as a tech consultant with a Northern Virginia firm, Ernst and Young, before he was murdered.

Will Ventura, a friend of his, was quoted as saying: “Never had any negativity about him, Really positive, really hardworking, and caring. And he had such a bright future ahead of him.”

Ventura revealed that the two of them had big dreams of opening their own consulting firm together.

The late Akex was a graduate of Virginia Tech. He graduated five months ago.

Two of his siblings, a brother and a sister, are resident in Alexandria.

The Police say Alex was a customer at the gas station when he was killed. They say there is no information to release on the possible motive behind the shooting.

But reports quote the Police Department, in a tweet, as describing the suspects as two tall, black men with dark complexions possibly wearing New Balance shoes.

Said a neighbour, “I’m really sorry, surprised and shocked to hear about it,” and expressed shock that this happened in such a wealthy part of the city.

The Metropolitan Police Department say investigations ongoing.

Ondo Court Slams Life Imprisonment On Church Founder And Five Members |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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October 6, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

After five months of trial, an Ondo State High Court has jailed, for life, the Founder of a new generation Church, and five of his members.

Justice Olusegun Odusola pronounced a guilt judgement on the Founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Prophet Babatunde Alfa. and five others over the stunning and mysterious disappearance of a year old boy, Gold Kolawole, in the Church, in 2019.

The Judge pointed out that after the prosecution and defence Counsels presented their arguments, he came to conclusion that the convicts were guilty of the two -count charge of kidnapping, aiding and abetting to kidnap, based on the circumstancial evidence presented by the prosecution.

Justice Odusola also accused the police of complicity, compromise, and lackadaisical attitude after Gold got missing, which led to the burning of Sotitobire Church.

The convicts, however, still have the option of appealing against the judgement of the High Court.

Ondo Poll: Sultan, Former Head Of State Abdusalami Abubakar, Others Sue For Peace |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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October 6, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

Members of Nigeria Peace Committee, has rallied actors in Saturday Governorship election in Ondo state with a plea to them to sheathe their swords.

Coming after series of violent attacks in virtually all parts of the state, they were told by the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad, to see the election as a mere game and not a do or die affair.

Speaking during the signing of peace accord by governorship candidates of political parties on Tuesday in Akure, organised by the National peace committee (NPC), under the leadership of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Sultan said that election was like a game of play by many players on the pitch.

He appealed to them to shun any form of violence and thuggery and call their supporters to order, so that the election could be free, fair and credible like that of Edo State.

“I like to make it clear to all of us as citizens of this country and to the players who are going to be on the pitch on Saturday to contest for one single seat of governor of Ondo State for the next four years, that peace is the ultimate.

“I like to call on you to see the signing of accord this morning not just a mere ceremony or formality, but a commitment by all of you.

“Let all of us obey the rules of the game, I call it game because election is a game where there will be only one winner and others who do not win, I won’t call them losers.

“There will be one winner and that winner has already been ordained by Almighty God. We don’t know who is that person.

“So, as contestants tell the citizens of Ondo State what you can’t do and what you will do for them, their votes must count as INEC has assured us that every vote must count.

“Talk to your supporters to remain peaceful, do not allow thuggery to take place anywhere not only near the polling booth even in entire state throughout the duration of election on Saturday.”, the Sultan said.

According to him, “power belongs to Almighty God and he gives it to whom he wants, at the time he wants, and he takes it away from the person or persons without even alerting them, so let us not play God.

“Do not sign this accord, if you know that you are not going to maintain peace during the election on Saturday,” he added.

Meanwhile, the three leading Governorship candidates promised to allow peace to reign during and after the election as well as shun any act that could undermine the pact they have signed.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who pledged to abide by the content of the peace accord commended the the National Peace Committee for its commitment to ensure peaceful election in the State.

Also, Mr Eyitayo Jegede of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) called on security agencies, especially, the police to ensure a level playing ground for all the contestants, arrest and prosecute anyone that foments trouble during the election.

Mr Agboola Ajayi of Zenith Labour Party(ZLP), who is also the Deputy Governor of the State, assured that members of his party would continue to conduct themselves in a peaceful, democratic and civilised way.

Dignitaries at the ceremony include Bishop Matthew Kuka, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, INEC Chairman, Momoud Yakubu, and representative of the Inspector General of Police(IGP).

Kwara United Makes History, Signs Brazilian Winger On A One Year Deal Ahead |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 6, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Kwara United Football Club of Illorin, Kwara State, has taken a bold step and made history by signing a foreign player to bolster its team ahead of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League Season.

The Club snapped up sensational Brazilian winger, Lucas Ribeiro Alves, on a one-year loan deal a few days after former Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba, joined the Kwara State Club Side from Israeli League Side, Hapoel Afula Football Club.

The new arrival will be unveiled soon, according to the player’s Greece-based Nigerian agent, Peter Denise Alade.

The Afonja Warriors, as Kwara United Football team is called has been on the trail of the former Corinthians winger, with Alade playing a key role in the arrival of the South American to the Ilorin-based club.

Alves, who can also function as a midfielder, had a stint in the US cut-short following the outbreak of COVID-19 in March.

The 25-year-old is hoping to play a big role in Kwara United’s campaign next season, but admits the NPFL is a new challenge.

“I feel good, it’s a challenge and I’m going to learn a lot here. After I left the US due to coronavirus, I returned to Brazil but Peter (Nigerian agent) told me to come here (Kwara United), he said they play good football in Nigeria,” Alves told Newsmen.

“I’ll do my best to help the team; what’s important is the team. So many things like the food and the way they drive here is new to me, but I enjoyed the reception I got. It’s a lovely place to be.”

Nigerian agent, Alade, CEO of Prime Sports Management, said Alves would bring along the Brazillian flair to Kwara United.

“Lucas is a highly disciplined professional footballer. He will bring the Brazillian style; he’s a playmaker with good passes and scores goals too,” Alade said.