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#EndSARS Protest: Dokpesi Urges FG To Brace Up; Says Protest Just Began |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Raymond Dokpesi

By Akinwale Kasali

DAAR Communication PLC Founder, High Chief  Raymond Dokpesi has lent his voice to the #EndSARS protest that took the Federal Government by storm, before it was hijacked by hoodlums, leading to destruction of lives and Properties. advising and warning the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to brace up for more #ENDSARS protests if the demands of the protesters are not met.

Dokpesi stressed that as long as impunity and injustices remain in the system, Nigerians, especially the youths, will continue to demand good governance.

He made this statements when he led the management of DAAR Communications to Vintage Press Ltd, publishers of The Nation over the recent attack on its facilities in Lagos headquarters.

He advised the Federal Government to release detained members of the #EndSARS movement to avoid unnecessary issues that will escalate the present situation.

He frowned at the Federal Government Freezing the accounts of members of the #EndSARS movement, calling for  the accounts to be unfrozen.

Dokpesi said #EndSARS was beginning of a long struggle to appraise and restructure the country.

“A lot of impunity has happened in a very recent time. Nigeria has never been as divided as it is today. People have lost faith and confidence in the ability of Nigeria to remain as one united country.

“So, the time is fast approaching but we pray that God will raise a crop of Nigerians, who still believe strongly in the unity, progress and development of this country.

“Those who can sacrifice because the people who are supposed to be our servants – public servants, civil servants – have become our public masters.

“Until we re-orientate the people that public service is service to our people, that we are in the office to contribute to the well-being and good of our country, then, the #EndSARS has just started. It has emboldened quite a lot of people.  There is nothing to be hidden anymore,” he said.

He alleged the protests were peaceful until some forces in the government sponsored hoodlums to attack them.

He said: “The #EndSARS protest started in a quiet and proper manner. It was an effort of overzealous elements of the government that went to recruit hoodlums to overtake the legitimate protest organised by those that are graduates and well educated that led to the crisis.

“When the protest started, nobody saw any gun; nobody saw anything until an effort was made to quell it. In Abuja where I was, we saw trucks of people they brought in, uneducated to overpower the educated.

“Those people carried cutlasses and sticks and that was the beginning of it. If they had not brought in the hoodlums, it’s possible we would have had a peaceful protest.”

He warned that as a parent, he was ready come out to challenge the government to release the protesters

“They are going after protesters because their own children aren’t involved, so those of us that have our own children involved, can we ask that they be killed?

“Next time, it wouldn’t be the children protesting, we, the parents, will come out and say let our children be free and that’s what we are going to do and the conditions that prevail today now, should it goes to the first quarter of next year, it will be very disastrous and it will be bad for all of us. Let us put on our thinking cap and reverse the situation,” he said.

He described the attack on The Nation premises and facilities as unfortunate and most painful.

“Having gone through this path myself several times in the past, I know how demoralising and devastating it is…It is not such a pain that can just be pushed away or go off in a short time but our gratitude to God is that the fact that the areas that were touched are now gradually being refurbished.

‘’May God not let us experience this; may this organisation be able to prosper and provide that leadership it has begun to provide.’’

Dokpesi said the media should be the last place to be attacked by any group of persons.

“No matter how convincing their grievances were, The Nation didn’t deserve the type of attack that it was subjected to and like I have said, may God not let this happen again in the future,” he said.

#EndSARS Protest: Timi Frank Lauds CNN On Lekki Shootings; Lambast Sanwo-Olu, Buratai, FG |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Thursday, commended the Cable Network News (CNN) for its in-depth report on the alleged Lekki Tollgate shooting of #EndSARS protesters by men of the Nigerian Army.

He thanked the international news medium for helping to expose the truth about how soldiers invaded the Tollgate and pumped live bullets into peaceful protesters that killed and wounded scores of Nigerian youths on Tuesday October 20, 2020.

He noted that by the well-researched investigative story, the CNN has helped to put a lie to the false claims by the Nigerian Army that its soldiers fired blank into the air on that “bloody night of bullets.”

He said it was a good thing that the news outlet helped to uncover the cover-up of the Major General Muhammadu Buhari-led regime, the Lagos State Government, the Nigerian Army and the police concerning the  peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza.

The Bayelsa-born political activist, said he was optimistic that the overwhelming evidence unearthed in the report would aid the International Criminal Court (ICC) in prosecuting those who perpetuated the dastardly act including Buhari, Governor Babajide Sanwolu, Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for aiding and abetting the commission of Crimes Against Humanity (CAH).

He called on the ICC to carry out its own diligent investigation on the massacre as well as ensure that officials found culpable are brought to justice anywhere in the world they’re are spotted outside the shores of Nigeria.

He noted that the Buhari’s regime has been doing all it can to suppress the truth about the  Lekki massacre before the CNN exposed their  satanic lies with graphic evidence.

He lamented that despite the international opprobrium that trailed the Lekki Tollgate massacre, the Federal Government has continued to threaten Nigerian youths by vowing not to allow a similar protest rather than show remorse.

He further lamented that the present anti-people’s regime of Buhari has continued to violate the fundamental human rights of innocent Nigerian youths through inhuman acts meant to intimidate and oppress those believed to have taken part in the #EndSARS protests.

He called on the genuine #EndSARS protesters not to give in to arrests, intimidation harassment, court trials  and imprisonments in their struggle to make the country a better place for all Nigerians.

He said even if the present crop of uncaring government officials escape justice in the courts of men, the blood of those killed and maimed by SARS on the one hand and soldiers at the Lekki Tollgate shootings would hunt them and their families forever.

“The blood of the innocent lives lost will hunt all those that connived and killed peaceful protesters at the Lekki Tollgate. They may may thwart the justice of men but will definitely not escape the justice of God,” he declared.

AFCON Qualifiers: Rohr May Be Sacked, As Criticism Trails Technical Ability |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr
Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr

By Akinwale Kasali

Coach Gernot Rohr is in the eye of the storm.

Soccer analysts, pundits, Fans, Ex-Internationals, Sport Administrators and Nigerians have called for the immediate sack of the Franco-German Super Eagles Coach.

The abysmal performance of the Super Eagles at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, seeing the 2013 African Cup of Nations champions squandering a 4-0 lead to the Lone Stars of Sierra Leone to draw 4-4 was widely criticised.

The technical knowledge of Rohr is being questioned.

The Super Eagles went to Freetown, the Sierra Leone Capital, to play a goalless draw, garnering just Two points from possible Six points.

The Super Eagles still seat ahead on the log with Eight points from Four Games, while the Squirrels of Benin Republic are second with Seven Points.

Sierra Leone and the Crocodiles of Lesotho are third and fourth respectively with Three and Two Points.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, hinted at the sacking of  Rohr.

Dare’s reservation was due to the national team’s lacklustre performance against Sierra Leone in their doubleheader AFCON 2022 qualifier.

Dare tweeted on his Twitter handle: “The performance of the Super Eagles from their last two matches calls to question the suitability and competences of Technical Adviser, Rohr.

“Nigerian football deserves better.

“The needful will be done.

“Apologies to all football lovers.”

Former Super Eagles striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni said the technical Ability of Rohr needs to be queried.

He querried Rohr for making some substitutions that caused the Super Eagles the game against Sierra Leone.

“I doubt the technical ability of Your, how can you succumb a Four goal need in African football. This is unacceptable”, Aiyegbeni said.

The Amaju Pinnick led Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is yet to comment on whether they are planning to relieve Rohr of his job.

2023: Abaribe Says Igbo Succeeding Buhari Is Non-Negotiable |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, says come 2023, an Igbo must succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in office.

The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District stressed that for an Igbo person to become Nigeria President in 2023 is non-negotiable.

Abaribe made this statement when he was Conferred with a Legacy Merit Award by the Imo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ

Abaribe who was represented at the event by his aide, Chijioke Ukoh, added that he would continue to advocate for fairness for the south-east.

He said not continuing with such advocacy would subject the Igbo to “second class citizens.”

The Senator advised the Igbo to remain firm and resolute” notwithstanding the challenges facing the region.

Abaribe’s comment has been in the front burner, with South-East leaders forming a coalition for this dream to come to reality.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation in the south-east, had recently made a similar case, saying that Nigeria will be transformed if the next President  comes from the south-east.

“The exploits of Igbo sons and daughters both within and outside the country are indices of the cerebral capability and ingenuity of the people which Nigeria could exploit to advance its development,” Nnia Nwodo, the group’s president-general, had said.

“The Federal Government should stop marginalising and victimising the Igbo in the country so that the latent creative potentials could be”.

AMCON Strips Jimoh Ibrahim Of His Assets |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Jimoh Ibrahim

By Akinwale Kasali

Flamboyant businessman and politician, Jimoh Ibrahim, has been stripped of all his assets by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

The Ondo State born Ibrahim, according to AMCON, owes a staggering N64.4bn. For that, AMCON was ordered on Wednesday, by a Federal High Court, Lagos Division, to take over Ibrahim’s 12 prime assets.

Wednesday’s Court judgement will definitely shock many Nigerians who have followed Ibrahim’s flamboyant lifestyle since suddenly announced  his presence during the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, buying up everything he could.  Ibrahim is the  founder of  Global Fleet Oil & Gas Limited and NICON Investment Limited in Lagos and Abuja.

The stripping of the assets from Ibrahim was on the orders of The  Honourable Justice R.M. Aikawa.

Based on  Wednesday’s November 18, 2020 judgement, AMCON has effectively taken   possession of all the twelve properties through its Debt Recovery Agent – Pinheiro Legal Partners. They  include:

*The building of NICON Investment Limited located at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja;

*NICON Hotels Limited building at Plot 557, Port-Harcourt Crescent, off Gimbiya Street, Abuja

*The NICON building, Lekki Limited  at No. 5, Customs Street, Lagos.

*The Abuja International Hotels Limited located at No. 3, Hospital Road, Lagos.

*Another Property at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Abuja.

*The former Allied Bank Building on Mile 2, Oshodi Express Way, Apapa Road, Lagos.

*Energy House located on No. 94, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

*NICON Building at No. 40, Madeira Street, Maitama, Abuja.

*A Residential Apartment at Road 2, House A14, Victoria Garden City, Lagos.

*NICON Hotels Building at Plot 3, Road 3, Victoria Garden City, Lagos

*NICON Luxury Hotel’s Building, Garki I, FCT, Abuja.

Accounts Also Frozen

Justice Aikawa also ordered that all accounts belonging to Jimoh Ibrahim and his companies including Global Fleet Oil & Gas Limited and NICON Investment Limited all of who are defendants in the Suit No. FHL/L/CL/776/2016.

Ibrahim also lost all the shares belonging to him and his two companies  domiciled in Nigerian Re-Insurance Company Plc, NICON Insurance Company Plc, Nigeria Stockbrokers Limited (NSL) and NICON Trustees Limited.

AMCON’s  Spokesperson, Jude Nwauzor,  confirmed  that all the assets that are listed by the court, domiciled in Abuja and Lagos have been immediately taken over  by AMCON.

The case between  Jimoh Ibrahim and AMCON has been on for years.

Ibrahim’s  loan was purchased by the Government debt recovery agency during the first phase of Eligible Bank Assets (EBA) purchases from Union Bank.

Since that purchase by EBA from Union Bank, AMCON has offered the obligor  exit opportunities to no avail.

For years, AMCON had explored ways to resolve the debt amicably, but  Jimoh Ibrahim and his companies – Global Fleet Oil & Gas Limited and NICON Investment Limited were, allegedly, uncooperative.

The amended AMCON Act  signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, gives the Corporation  additional powers to deal decisively the fate of its  huge obligors.

Ezekwesili Reveals Why She Refused To Be President Buhari’s Running Mate In 2011 |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Education Minister,  and 2019 Presidential Candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Oby Ezekwesili, has revealed why she chose to turn down President Muhammadu Buhari’s offer to be his running mate during the 2011 Presidential election.

The former Vice President of the World Bank, who is a strong critique of the President Buhari led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration made this disclosure via her Twitter handle.

According to Ezekwesili, she didn’t waste a moment in saying no to the offer, which was  accepted by the serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare.

She tweeted: “Many People: Please tell us, is it true you actually rejected the offer to be Vice Presidential Candidate to Buhari as Pastor Bakare said? Me: Yes it is true.

“Any more questions?

“I laughed at the many messages people sent me upon reading Tunde Bakare’s factual statement that I rejected running as VP with President Buhari in 2011.

“I did not waste a moment in saying No.

“It is why I have always pitied those who spend their years lying against me.

“Next please!”

Recall that the former Minister withdrew her candidacy from the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, stating that her decision to step down was to form a coalition capable of defeating the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, and Peoples Democratic Party.

Umahi: Mass Defection Looms In Ebonyi APC, As Publicity Secretary Resigns, Says He Can’t Work With Governor Umahi |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Governor Dave Umahi

By Akinwale Kasali

24 Hours after Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, crisis and defection loom in his new party.

The cross carpeting of the Governor has further polarised the APC in the State with some stakeholders of the APC in the State feeling threatened and upset that Governor Umahi have hijacked the Party structure which they  built over the years.

The Ebonyi State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chika Nwoba, has tendered his resignation from the party.

According to Nwoba, he is leaving the APC because he cannot work with Umahi who recently defected to the party.

“I cannot work with Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi,” Nwoba noted.

Nwoba, in a statement on Monday, however, expressed gratitude to the APC and its leaders.

He thanked the party for finding him worthy to be elected to the position in 2018, at the age of 27.

Nwoba stressed that Governor Umahi doesn’t share the ideology of the Party and with this development, he will basically take decisions that wouldn’t augur well with him.

“I have always been a critic of his administration, so him joining the APC will see me shying away from the truth, the best thing is for me to throw in the towel and walk away honourably”, Nwoba confided in some of his associates.

The magazine gathered from sources in the State that there might be a mass defection from the APC because  of Governor Umahi.

A Source told this news medium that Governor Umahi is not liked and respected by APC members in the State, but the wind of change that has seen him come to the APC fold will basically see a lot of members walking away.

In a related development, the Chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the Action Peoples Party, Chinedum Elekwachi, has dumped the party and joined the Peoples Democratic Party.

Umahi fulfilled his long-held dream of defecting to the APC from the PDP on Tuesday in Abuja. His defection has given the APC two states in the South- east. It is strongly being speculated that Anambra could be next.

President Buhari Wages War On #EndSARS Protesters, Says Never Again |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Muhammadu Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared war on the #EndSARS protesters who agitating  against Police brutality and extra judicial killings of innocent Nigerians.

#RevolutionNow Converners and Former Presidential Candidate, Omoyele Sowore and Aisha Yesufu had planned to relaunch the #EndSARS protest at the nation’s Capital, Abuja.

But the President has declared war on the protesters, stressing that his government would do everything to prevent a repeat of the recent #EndSARS protest that was hijacked by hoodlums, leading to looting and wanton destruction of lives and properties.

The President gave the assurance that a repeat of such would be repelled by  his administration during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

Briefing State House Correspondents on the proceedings from the meeting, the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, said President Buhari also stated that Nigerians, especially the youths, would be carried along by the administration in issues concerning maintenance of peace in the country.

He said the Council expressed concerns over the deplorable security situation in the northern part of the country and agreed it must be dealt with more decisively by putting  in place proactive methods.

Fuel Hike: Timi Frank Says NLC Is A Failure, Out To Deceive Nigerians |The Source

By
The Source
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on Nigerians not to be deceived by the empty threats being made by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the recent increase in fuel price.

Reacting to the increases in the price of fuel within few months by the Federal Government, Frank said it was sad that the NLC that is supposed to fight for the welfare of workers and by extension the masses, has betrayed Nigerians.

He said rather than champion the cause of the ordinary Nigerian, the NLC has sold out and thus become a tool of deception and oppression in the hands of the government.

He described the NLC’s statement rejecting the present fuel price increase as a “Nollywood script” as “Nigerians know that they have connived and agreed to the increase before it was announced by the Federal Government.

He called on Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands by resisting the anti-people, anti-democratic and wicked policies and programmes of the Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s regime.

He challenged the NLC to make public its agreement with the Federal Government following the last sharp increases in electricity tariffs and the pump price of petrol in September.

He said: “It is clear that the present leadership of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have traded the welfare of workers for their personal enrichment.

“The NLC has since abandoned the struggle after prolonged winning and dinning with King Nebuchadnezzar. It has lost its mettle as the guardian and protector of workers’ interests.

“Their voices are silent because their throats are filled with inducements. They now mewing  like cats instead of roaring like lions. They have lost their Aluta venom and sting.

“The NLC claimed to have entered into an agreement with the FG when the latter surreptitiously jacked up the price of fuel and electricity tariffs.

“Today, those prices did not only stand, the Federal Government has gone ahead to again effect a new increase in the price of petrol at the time prices of crude oil have plummeted at the international market.

“Let the NLC leave Nigerians alone. Nigerians can fight for themselves and they will fight to defeat this evil regime in the next election.”

He however warned the Federal Government not to take the patience and long suffering of Nigerians for granted.

He also urged Buhari and those  now holding Nigerians hostage not to forget the fate that befell past African despots who impoverished and inflicted pains on their people. History will judge all oppressors harshly, negatively and poorly just like it has done to Charles Taylor, Mobutu Sese Seko, Omar al-Bashir, Laurent Gbagbo, etc.

The FG, a few days ago, increased the pump price of Petrol to NI70 per litre, attributing it to market forces.

Adebowale Is A stranger In Ondo State, He Should Stop Spreading Fake News – Organized Labour Writes Akeredolu |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Organized Labour in Ondo state has told Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to call one of his Aides, Seun Adebowale to order.

Adebowale had, last week accused teachers in the state of using school pupils for personal domestic jobs and warned them to desist.

The state branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT) had denied the allegation and warned Adebowale to desist from spreading fake news.

In a letter to the Governor on Wednesday, the organised Labour, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), urged him to call Adebowale to order before he causes industrial disharmony between the state government and the workforce.

Titled “This abuse must stop,” it reads, “Abuse, they say, is inevitable when purpose is not known”.

“Dear Mr. Governor, the above truism describes the vituperation of Dr. Adebowale against the respected Teachers in the employ of Ondo State Government who have been doing and giving their very best in line with best practices of the teaching profession.

“Your Excellency, it is unthinkable that Teachers who have been at home for over seven (7) months of Corona virus compulsory holiday will resume only to be tagged irresponsible by an itinerant personae-non-grata.

“Dear Sir, Labour feels it is high time, people with questionable record be left out of governance and not allowed any space in the public service of our dear Sunshine State where values and virtues are appreciated in persons exhibiting them, just as our teachers have.

“The mouth diarrhea of Doyin Odebowale has not just manifested in his recent attack against our members in NUT and ASUSS as reported in both electronic and print media, he has verbally too, assaulted teachers and Local Government Workers to the face of the NUT State Chairman calling them unprintable names.

“Your Excellency, we strongly pray that, this will be the very last time Doyin Odebowale will attack either verbally or in print any civil servant in the State or else, the story will not be palatable for him to tell.”

The Labour unions cautioned that if unchecked, reckless attitude of Odebowale could set the workers against the government.

“We equally pray Sir, that a total stranger like him causing disharmony and displeasure between labour and government be allowed to go back to his base.

“The damage he has caused is enough! His Special duties, if unchecked will cause special wahala o!

“In conclusion, Dear Governor, we have enough issues to attend to rather than this distraction. We pray for you that your second term of office shall forbid ‘bad-belle’ people like ‘Adebowale’ who should be in the forest hunting games.”

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