President Muhammadu Buhari has banned visitors during the coming Sallah celebrations in Aso Rock due to the social distancing occasioned by the rampaging COVID 19 Pandemic.
The Federal Government has already declared Thursday and Friday Public Holidays to celebrate the Eid-el Fitrs Muslim festival, a remembrance of the story of Ibrahim’s attempted sacrifice of Ishiaku to Allah.
The President, through a statement by one of his spokespersons, Garba Shehu, said he will observe the Sallah privately with his immediate family in line with advisories from the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA and the Presidential Task Force, PTF on COVID-19.
He has, therefore, banned all forms of homage by religious bodies, Community leaders, party leaders, and government officials. He, however, enjoined all to observe the COVID 19 Protocol during the festival.
“In wishing all Muslims a safe and happy Eid, the President reiterated the protocols as issued by the PTF that large gatherings, as much as possible, should be discouraged. Where small groups choose to hold the Eid together, face masks are absolutely necessary, as is social distancing. Advisedly, such prayers should hold outdoors and worshippers are encouraged to bring their own prayer mats”, the statement said.
“In order to stop the spread of the disease, the President will not be receiving Sallah homages by religious, community, party and government leaders and urges all citizens to observe the occasion as advised by state and local authorities. He once again wishes all citizens a safe and happy Eid.”
Recall that two months ago, during the Ramadan festival, he also discouraged visitors from solidarity visits to Aso Rock during the period. This was in the heat of COVID 19 lockdown. Currently, the current partial lockdown has been extended for one week.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Imo State who defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the build up to the 2019 general election have returned to base.
They did on Tuesday when the Imo State Chairman of APGA, Dr. Henry Okafor led the members in a solidarity visit to Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma at the Government House Owerri.
The governor was represented by his deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku,
The members who were received at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Owerri said they were original members of APC in Imo State but left the party in 2019 to pursue their various political interests and that since the days of politicking are over and “having observed the tremendous achievements of Governor Hope Uzodimma in a short period of his being at the saddle” they have in “unison decided to return to where they belong and support the prosperity Government of APC in the State”.
Dr. Okafor expressed satisfaction with the performance of Governor Uzodimma in Imo State, hence they taught it right and proper to quickly rejoin their brothers in APC to contribute their own quota to the progressive government.
He appealed to the Governor to receive and integrate them into the fold of APC in the State, promising that they are honest in their decision and have a lot to contribute to further speedup the rate of developmental achievements in the State.
Dr. Okafor acknowledged the Governor’s solid and verifiable achievements in the area of road infrastructure, healthcare development, social welfare, security of lives and property that have resulted in reduced crime in the State and education, especially the proposed Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and many more in just a short period.
The Chairman seized the opportunity to appeal to the governor to use his good offices to untie the naught that is holding the realization of the Marine University at Osse Motor Oguta LGA of the State which is over 60% completion, emphasizing that the University when completed could be a campus of the new university of Agriculture and Environmental Studies.
Receiving the group on behalf of the Governor, Prof. Njoku expressed happiness at their wise decision of retuning to where they rightly belong and enjoined them to feel free as “Imo State belongs to all of us, especially those who mean well and are genuine in their taught about the State.”
Prof. Njoku informed that the Governor has his hands wild open for all and sundry knowing full well that it is only when all hands are on deck that the State will deliver the desired dividends of democracy to Imo people.
He used the opportunity to inform the group of some moderate achievements of the administration in spite of starting off on a zero note from past administrations. The achievements, the deputy governor said, are anchored on the 3Rs mantra of the administration Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery. He took them on ajourney of what the governor has done in the area of roads, healthcare, education, security, social welfare etc within a short period.
Prof. Njoku reminded the group that Governor Uzodimma is a man that does not forget easily and as such mindful of the issues surrounding the Marine University and assured that at the appropriate time the Governor will give the project the attention it deserves.
He thanked the APGA members for coming and assured them of automatic qualification to all rights and privileges of membership of APC in the State.
Highlight of the occasion was the formal acceptance of the group into APC by the State Chairman of APC, ChiefMarcon Nlemigbo.
In our world today, the biggest challenge to the Church of God is how to maintain sanity in mankind in the midst of trending unusual behavioral patterns fast gaining social acceptance especially among the younger generation.
It is no more odd to see people shamelessly identify themselves publicly as lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals and transexuals as the political authorities in many countries have legitimized these deviant and anti-social behaviours under the guise of freedom, not minding the immoral implications and the resultant surge in dangerous crimes.
Ironically, these abominable social trends have crept into many Churches globally, even as some members of the Priesthood who ought to know better have joined the bandwagon. And some have gone as far as engaging in some of the most reprehensible of these acts such as same sex marriage.
For the Church, this challenge which, obviously, is not the will of God for mankind, is a wake up call for continuous revival to bring all of mankind to align with God’s original plan and purpose for the world while at the same time redirecting those who had lost the way back to the creator’s purpose for their lives.
One of the greatest advocates of this kingdom responsibility and obligation in contemporary times is Most Reverend Nicholas Dikeriehi Okoh, the immediate past Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, who retired in March this year after completing his mandatory tenure as head of the Church.
For all of his full term of ten years, he was able to shield the Nigerian congregation from these destructive trends and tendencies even as he spoke vehemently at several international forums against allowing the church of Christ to deviate from the eternal values ordained by God in the scriptures for mankind under the guise of modernity or any other excuse.
Under his leadership, the Church of Nigeria resisted the urge to join the Western world in accepting, or tolerating these non-biblical acts. He was able to carry the various authorities of the church along to decisively resolve some cases that came up. Some of the priests involved in such incidents resigned and left the church while some repented and retraced their steps.
As he retired this year, Primate Okoh felt fulfilled that the Church of Nigeria maintained the purity of the Anglican orthodox faith under his leadership. In his words: “We in the leadership have been vilified, they said we are illiterates. Now, standing from the point where I am and looking back to the past ten years, I said God you have not let me down. I will hand over this church to my successor an orthodox Anglican church. So I will say that the ability to defend the Anglican orthodox faith is perhaps the most important thing we have done.”
To keep the Church in line with the orthodox faith wasn’t such an easy task but with determination Primate Okoh achieved the feat through dedication to the spiritual growth and development of the Church.
He stirred up evangelical revival among the congregation to boost their knowledge of God through the teaching of the truth of God’s undiluted word and thereby prevent them from falling prey to false doctrines and satanic influences.
Primate Nicholas Okoh
In the process, he reinforced existing spiritual programmes in the church and also created new ones. Some of the new programmes he introduced include the Monthly Power Night, an all night prayer vigil on the last Friday of every month. Another is The Way of the Cross, a spiritual meditation programme during the Lenten Season. It was inaugurated in 2014 and has continued to be a spirit filled annual gathering of the faithfuls. He also initiated the Divine Commonwealth Conference (DIVCCON ) an annual conference of ministers and believers anchored by the Anglican Church but also open to Christians of all denominations. It was introduced in 2011.
Still in the quest for the spiritual growth and development of the Church, Primate Okoh created many platforms for the fellowship of brethren towards kingdom stewardship. They include Christian Men’s Fellowship, Brides of the Lord ((Women’s) Fellowship, Youth Chaplaincy and Prison Chaplaincy.
Perhaps the most audacious project embarked upon by Primate Okoh in the pursuit of evangelical revival is the establishment of the Advent Cable Network Nigeria Television (ACNNTV). With this he took the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion to the hitech age with ability to reach homes and other places in any part of the world with the message of the gospel – The Undiluted Word of God-This has enhanced the spread of the gospel while also ensuring the spiritual nourishment of members in their homes, beyond their physical encounters in the four walls of the church.
Primate Okoh did not only cater for the spiritual nourishment of the church. He also took care of the physical welfare of the youths and women through empowerment projects to create employment opportunities for them under the auspices of the Church. The projects which also generate revenue for the church include a civil security outfit known as Crowther Chariots Limited and the Women Water Project which produces the famous brand called Rose bottled water.
Other enterprise projects initiated by him include the Crowther Business Plaza and the Diocesan Training Center where youths are trained in various skills of trade and business enterprise such as Catering, Event Management, Fashion Designing, Farming, Home/Body care and Social Media enterprise.
Recognizing the importance of a good leadership to the mandate of the ministry Primate Okoh ensured that the church invested a lot in manpower development within the clergy through consistent training, ordination and retraining of priests to have capable hands in the ministry. He encouraged priests to go back for further studies fully sponsored by the diocese in his quest to build a future leadership able to propagate the gospel anywhere.
Many Archbishops, Bishops, Priests are proud holders of PHD certificates.
Another area of development very dear to Primate Okoh was the education of children. He too had been a beneficiary of mission schools as a child. He established the Anglican International Academy for the Abuja diocese and donated the entire sum of eighty eight million naira (N88 million) gifted him by friends and well wishers during the celebration of his 25th wedding anniversary to the project.
Indeed, his administration impacted every aspect of the church. In terms of physical development, the church of Nigeria made a lot of progress under the leadership of Primate Okoh. The ultra modern, multi billion naira National Secretariat/Headquarters of the church known as St. Mathias House was built and commissioned during his tenure. He encouraged the building of churches across the dioceses in various parts of the country in furtherance of the spread of the gospel.
Several churches were also built at strategic locations in the Abuja Diocese such as Wuye, Mabushi, Lugbe, Duboyi, Apo, Kpaduma, Kobi Makaranta, Paradise Hill Estate, Kafe, Galuyi, Kabusa and Gwarinkpa. Other physical infrastructure built in the Abuja Diocese during his tenure include Diocesan Quarters, Wuye; Clergy Quarters, Gwarinkpa; Lay Quarters, AGGS Compound and Episcopal House, Wuye.
However, he did not ascribe his decade of achievements to himself alone as he gave glory to God and his predecessor Most Reverend Peter Akinola when he said: ” I felt his legacies of building on the church foundation were worth it. I not only built on his legacy but in some other areas, I felt I should do things differently due to new demands and passage of time.”
Having done his utmost best for the cause of the church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Primate Okoh however believes that there is still a lot to be done to attain God’s ordained standard for the church and same applies to other churches.. According to him, Christians must internalize and live by the principles of the gospel they have heard and received. This is the real essence of salvation and it can be achieved through a continuous process of teaching the gospel to guide their day to day living.
Sir Olamiti, a Media Consultant and Chairman, Board of Management Advent Cable Network Nigeria Television (ACNN),writes from Abuja.
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Thursday, unveiled Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa as his running mate for the October 10 governorship election.
According to the governor, the former NDDC Commissioner was picked after wide consultations with key stakeholders including APC leaders.
Mr. Akeredolu disclosed this at the swearing-in ceremony of a new Commissioner, Hon Idowu Otetubi, and a Special Adviser, in Akure.
The Governor said his running mate possess verifiable credentials.
Mr. Ayedatiwa is a former member of the governing board of NDDC.
He will go into the October election with the incumbent governor since Mr Agboola Ajayi has refused to resign after his deflection to the PDP.
The new commissioner was appointed to replace Mr Tayo Oluwatuyi who was appointed as the secretary to the state government following the resignation of Mr Ifedayo Abegunde Abegunde last month.
All of them are from Akure, while the deputy governor is from Ilaje local government.
Mr Tosin Ojaomo, Counsel to the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, CP Ibrahim Magu, has slammed the Presidential Panel investigating Magu.
Ojaomo says the Panel is on a fishing mission, and has not carried on in a fair manner. He added that the Panel is on “a fishing mission to nail Magu by all means.”
President Muhammadu Buhari had set up a Presidential Panel to look into the affairs of the EFCC under Magu.
The five-man panel is headed by a retired President of the Court of Appeal, the Hon. Justice Ayo Salami.
On July the 6th, after the Panel had sat, for weeks, with the knowledge of just a few trusted individuals, it ordered the arrest of Magu. He was subsequently intercepted on his way from his office to attend a meeting at the Force Headquarters, by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, who rail-roaded him to the venue of the Panel, the old Banquet Hall, in the Villa to face interrogation.
He was put in the custody of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, and was released, on bail, after nine days.
The Panel was set up, based on allegations against Magu, raised in a petition to the President, by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Abubakar had listed 22 allegations against Magu, bordering on alleged non-transparency, corruption and insubordination.
The Panel had since, then, been sitting. But on Tuesday, Magu’s Counsel, Ojaomo, condemned the Panel, accusing it of unfairness.
His reaction stemmed from the appearance of Mike Ozekhome, SAN, before the Panel to testify, allegedly, against Magu.
Ojaomo’s position is that it was wrong for the Panel to invite Ozekhome who, he described as a known critic of Magu and the EFCC.
He, also, described as unfortunate a situation where his Client is not given the copy of petitions against him, while petitioners are invited by the Panel.
He ,also, accused Ozekhome of being on a revenge mission because his account was frozen, but later unfrozen, by the EFCC under Magu.
His words, while speaking to The Punch on Ozekhome’s appearance: “We are aware of the visit of Chief Ozekhome. His grouse is the freezing of his account in 2017, which was later unfrozen.
“Unfortunately, it only goes on to show that the Panel is on a fishing expedition, because the Panel is, also, inviting people who have a score to settle with Magu.
“This is not how Panels are supposed to act. We all remember how the Justice Oputa Panel conducted itself professionally, many years ago. People, who were invited were given petitions ahead of time so that they could defend themselves. Till date, Magu has not received any petition. Is this fair?”
Ozekhome, allegedly, submitted to the Panel, while testifying before it, six exhibits, which included two video clips and some documents.
During his about two-hour session with the Panel, Ozekhome was said to have spoken in the alleged failures of Magu, and the deficiencies of the investigative methods of the EFCC. He also condemned the media trial method of the Commission, and suggested ways to improve its operations.
Reports say Magu, a Commissioner of Police, has not yet, defended himself before the Panel.
But the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, said in an interview on Channels Television, recently, that from the snippets from the Panel, Nigerians should prepare themselves for a shock when the Panel submits its report.
On Wednesday, The Federal Government, speaking through the Minister for Information and Culture, said there will be no sacred cows in the EFCC investigation as anybody found guilty will not be spared.
After spending nine months in Kuje prison the former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team , PRTT, Abdulrasheed Maina, has been released.
He was released after meeting his bail conditions and he will now attend court sessions from home.
Monday Ubani, a human rights lawyer said the former Task Forces Team has not been discharged from the allegations of mismanaging billions of naira contrary to some reports, that the essence of his release is to make him have access to his lawyers and prepare for his defence.
Maina was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Okon Abang, on October 25, 2019, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his son, Faisal, and firm, Common Input Property and Investment Ltd. and had been in detention since the period.
Speaking on Tuesday after his release, Maina’s Lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the ex-PRTT boss was released after completing the necessary documents for his freedom.
He said Maina should have been released early safe for administrative procedures.
“It was already late last week Friday so they now have a new timeline shifted at 6 ‘O’ clock.We went there and everything was done,” he said.
Adedipe expressed happiness that Maina has finally been released.
Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation has disclosed that the federal government will repatriate $200 million from The Netherlands and Switzerland as proceeds from Malabu Oil deal, involving Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 245, in few months.
Prosecutors in the multi-billion dollar scam are also seeking the forfeiture of $1.092 billion from a former Minister of Petroleum, Dan Etete and Chief Executive Officer of Eni, an Italian Oil firm, Paolo Scaroni’s properties.
Their companies have also been fined $1.04 million, Malami said yesterday while declaring open a capacity building workshop and interactive session with judiciary correspondents in Abuja.
The minister also disclosed that the federal government has recorded a milestone in the war against corruption and proceeds for graft have been used for various infrastructural development across the country, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Kano-Abuja Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge in line with the agreement reached with the foreign partners.
According to the AGF “due to the anti-corruption crusade of the present administration, we facilitated the recovery of $62 billion arrears from oil companies as part of federation government Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).
“Also recovered within the period is the sum of $311 million from the U.S. and New Jersey, in the third phase of Abacha loot and another $6.3 million Abacha loot from the Republic of Northern Ireland”.
Giving the breakdown of the loot recovered, Malami said over N685 million was recovered through the help of whistleblowers within the last one year while N500 million was recovered from forfeited vessels, trucks, and barges.
“There are several other acts to regulate emerging digital financial sub-sector of the economy.
“Some of these acts will provide for national digital certification authority that will regulate issuance and processing of public and private electronic key validations.
While closing their case last month, Italian prosecutors had requested 10 years jail term for Etete for his alleged involvement in the scam.
They are also requesting an eight-year prison sentence for the chief executive of Eni, Claudio Descalzi, and Paolo Scaroni, his predecessor.
The $1.3bn that Shell and Eni paid in 2011 for the acquisition of OPL 245 offshore oil block was believed to have been shared by the former Petroleum Minister and some top federal government officials.
The political boat of the deputy governor of Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, is still cruising. It had, recently, berthed at the PDP, after it left the APC, it may soon berth in another port.
Ajayi left the APC, and joined the PDP. But he refused to quit the office of the Deputy Governor.
A nice to impeach him failed.
He was among the aspirants who slugged it out in the Governorship Primary election conducted by the opposition PDP. But, he lost out to the two time contender, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the administration of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The State House of Assembly had served him with an impeachment notice, but could not muster the constitutionally required two third majority to proceed.
Going by the tone of his statement on Tuesday evening, his Media Aide, Allen Sowore, told supporters of Ajayi that his next political move is in the offing and will soon be made public.
Commenting on the visit by the Deputy Governor to the Niger state Governor, Abubakar Bello, Chairman, APC Reconciliation Committee in Abuja, Sowore described it as part of the consultation.
“Ostensibly, His Excellency Agboola Ajayi met with the Niger State Governor and discussed issues relating to political developments in Ondo State. On his way out of the meeting, he encountered some political leaders from Ondo State, including Senator Ajayi Borofice, who currently represents Ondo North in the 9th Senate.
“Since that meeting, which was at the behest of Niger State governor became public knowledge, social media platforms have been awash with insinuations and fake news that the Deputy Governor was in the Niger State Governor’s lodge to beg for reconciliation with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu SAN. This is a callous misrepresentation of facts by Akeredolu’s camp; it’s mischievous and preposterously untrue.
“Without equivocation, let it be known that the Deputy Governor is still a member of PDP and has not returned to the APC. He’s committed to the party under whose platform he contested the recent gubernatorial primary election.
“After the primary election of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held on 22nd July,2020, where Eyitayo Jegede SAN, emerged as the candidate of the party, the Deputy Governor has embarked on wide consultations with critical stakeholders within and outside Ondo State.
“He is also determined to reassure his teeming supporters following the PDP primary election. In a couple of days, Agboola Ajayi will announce his next line of political decision.
“The deputy governor appeals to his supporters and the good people of Ondo State to remain steadfast in the collective desire to shake off one-man and clannish government in the state.”
Yet, the question which has been agitating many is: Why would he go to a meeting with Bello, since he insists he is still PDP?
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa says the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has reduced Nigerian students abroad to beggars, thus denting the image of the county. She has, therefore, asked the NDDC leadership to promptly pay the allowances, tuition and other incentives to students on their scholarship scheme abroad.
Dabiri-Erewa lamented the dilemma these students are facing in their respective schools due to the crisis rocking the NDDC, lamenting that the failure of the NDDC to pay their tuition fees has left the students stranded.
That is the only way to guarantee and sustain their stay and education in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
She said the deadline for payment of the fees has expired or about to expire. The non-payment of their allowances has turned them to beggars, she added.
In a statement issued in Abuja on her behalf by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, NIDCOM, a reference was made to a letter written to the Minister of the Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, dated June 18, 2020, NIDC/001/20/1 drawing his attention to the plight of the students, and urging the NDDC which is directly responsible for the Students’ scholarships to pay.
She added that the Commission counts on the Minister’s assurances that all outstanding payments to affected Students will be made.
The NIDCOM boss, therefore, appealed to the NDDC to intervene urgently, and promptly too.
With the completion of governorship primaries of major political parties participating in October 20 governorship election in Ondo state, candidates and their political parties are intensifying efforts to pick credible and reliable candidates as running mates.
Investigations reveal that the Senatorial district of the state that may reap from this searchlight is Ondo south, comprising six local governments of Ileoluji/Okeigbo, Okitipupa, Irele, Ese/Odo, Ilaje and Odigbo.
It was gathered that political parties, especially the leading ones which include People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and All Progressives Congress, (APC) are focussing on the oil rich southern district as a result of large votes which usually come from the area during elections.
Since the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) did not register fresh voters for the governorship election, there are presently 530,146 registered voters in the southern district taking after the central with 669,648.
With the Central already having in its pocket one of the parties flag bearers, Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, and the North, Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC, the South is waiting to give them their running mates.
There are indications that the two candidates of the PDP and APC have zerod in on their would- be-deputies, while consultations are still ongoing with leadership of the parties.
The incumbent Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Ajayi Agboola, who ditched the APC that produced him and pitched his camp with the PDP, is from southern senatorial district.
He lost the governorship primary to Eyitayo Jegede from the Central and as at last count, his name is not among those that are being considered for the deputy slot.
News filtered into the state capital on Tuesday that Governor Akeredolu has submitted the name of his preferred running mate to members of the inner caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) today in Abuja.
Reliable sources disclosed that Governor Akeredolu has settled for the choice of a former Ondo State representative on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa, who hails from Ilaje Local Government Area.
But, the governor’s media team and the APC quickly debunked the report.
