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FG Gets US Report On Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe’s Fatal Helicopter Crash

May 14, 2025

15 months after the helicopter crash that killed Herbert Wigwe, the the United States National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB shared the shared the report of what led to the crash with the federal government, according to The Punch.

Alex Badeh, the Director-General of the Nigeria Safety and Investigation Bureau, made this known, the newspaper report.

Badeh is the chief executive officer of the NSIB, the Nigerian version of the US’ NTSB.

Wigwe, the magazine reported died in an ill-fated helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of his wife, son and others on February 9, 2024.

The helicopter, an Airbus EC130B4 operated by Orbic Air, LLC, under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, crashed near Halloran Springs, California.

The US NTSB had released the report on the cause of the banker’s death, last week, more than 15 months after the fatal crash.

The US agency said the crash was caused by the “pilot disorientation” as well as violation of flight protocols, especially the decision to proceed under visual flight rules in instrument meteorological conditions, as key causes of the crash.

Badeh who confirmed that the report has been shared with the federal government however refused to comment on how the government is planning to proceed with the issue, saying “it is not my place to comment on that.”

Aviation experts insist that the US government is likely to press charges against the operators of the aircraft compay.

Badeh: “The NTSB shared the report directly with the NSIB as we are interested parties and in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 protocols.

“We do not necessarily comment on accident reports as they are not to ascertain blame but to improve safety and prevent reoccurrence. Please note that the NSIB is not the head of aviation.

“The family of the deceased has been in contact with the NTSB at the time of the accident till the close of the investigation.”

Wigwe was on his way to watch the Super Bowl when he died in the fatal helicopter crash alongside his wife Doreen, their first son, Chizi, and former Nigerian Exchange, NGX Group Chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, along with two pilots.

Serial Defector Atiku Abubakar Should Write A Book- Oshiomhole Takes A Dig

James Orji

May 14, 2025

Amidst the gale of defections that have trailed some opposition political parties in the country, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has taken a dig at a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to author a book on the issue of defection, because he has more experience.

The former governor of Edo state spoke on Tuesday on Channels Television programme ‘Politics Today’, as criticism intensifies in the country over the recent defections of dozens of opposition leaders to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Just this week, three senators from Kebbi state left their party, the PDP, for the APC amidst suggestions that more politicians from the opposition are planning to join the ruling party.

The senators are Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central Senatorial District, Yahaya Abdullahi, representing Kebbi North Senatorial District, and Garba Maidoki, representing Kebbi South Senatorial District.

Recall that the governor of Delta state, Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy and all the members of the state House of Assembly, had last month dumped the PDP, in what political pundits described as the biggest gains for the ruling APC.

The development has generated intense fears, that the country is gradually sliding into a one-party state, even as key opposition leaders such alleged that people are being forced to defect from their political parties. APC has denied the allegation.

Reacting, Oshiomhole, a former APC National Chairman slammed Abubakar, for being a serial defector, asking whether he was also coerced to do so.

Since 2007, when the he had a problem with his former principal, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, the former number two citizen had defected many times, recent suggestions indicate that he’s preparing to dumped the PDP, the party on which platform he contested the 2023 Presidential election due to the internal crisis rocking the party.

Adams Oshiomhole — Oshiomhole: Abubakar Most Popular Defector

According to Oshiomhole, It’s wrong for Abubakar and others to suggest that those defecting to APC were being forced to do so, noting that the former vice president is among those who “started defection” in the country.

“When, as a sitting vice-president of Nigeria, he decamped from PDP to ACN, which is now part of APC, was he courted by no state at all?

“Was he (Abubakar) courted by ACN, which was then led by Bola Tinubu – Asiwaju Tinubu – a non-state president at the time?”.

“Was Atiku Abubakar coerced by Tinubu to come and join us in ACN?” he asked. “Did ACN coerce Atiku Abubakar to leave Obasanjo and PDP to pick our ticket and run as president?”

Abubakar’s first defection happened in 2006 when he dumped the PDP for the Action Congress, AC, due to the clash he had with former President Obasanjo at the time.

He rejoined the PDP in 2009, moved to the APC in 2014, and returned to the PDP again in 2017, under which he contested twice as presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023.

NNPCL GMD: No More ‘Clashes’ With Dangote

James Orji

May 14, 2025

Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL says he will ensure that no clash exists between the company and Dangote Refinery.

The NNPCL chief executive spoke on Wednesday, saying the owner of the refinery and Africa’s Richest Man has made huge contributions to the country, and needs to be supported.

Ojulari stated that efforts are ongoing to ensure that existing conflicts with the managers of the $20 billion private oil refinery in Lagos, are mutually resolved in the interest of the country.

Dangote Refinery and NNPCL had a frosty business relationship over the importation of fuel into the country before Ojulari’s appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April this year.

For instance, Dangote had last year claimed that the decision by the NNPCL to continue to import fuel into the country was part of the larger plot to destroy his multi-billion dollar oil refinery. The allegation has been denied by the state-owned oil giant.

Two weeks ago, the business man also accused oil marketers in the country of sabotage.

But, the NNPCL boss has assured that the clashes will be nailed under him.

“You won’t hear of any more clashes between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery. We’ll work together for Nigeria’s benefit,’ he said.

During his courtesy visit to the NNPCL GMD last week in Abuja, the nation’s capital Dangote had assured that a new dawn has began between his company and the government- controlled oil corporation.

The company is not in competition with the NNPCL, rather a business partnership exist between them, the business mogul said.

“There is no competition between us, we are not here to compete with NNPC Ltd. NNPC is part and parcel of our business and we are also part of NNPC. This is an era of co-operation between the two organizations.” Dangote stated.

Meanwhile, the NNPCL boss has dismissed reports that he’s not a northerner. According to him, he hails from Kwara state, grew up and schooled in the region.

How Hotel Manager Killed, Buried 22-year Old PoS Operator

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 14, 2025

POS Operator Killed by Hotel Manager in Delta

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Delta State Police Command, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 said they have arrested a hotel manager in connection with the killing of a Point of Sales, POS, operator in Isoko area of Delta State.

Onoriode Bethel, 22-year old PoS operator, was killed and buried within the premises of the Century Home Hotel in Owhelogbo community, Isoko North Local Council of the State by the Manager, who was simply identified as Iboirode.

According to a statement issued by Bright Edafe, SP, the spokesperson for the Delta state Police Command, Iboirode, who is presently in custody has confessed to killing and burying his victim in the hotel premises after demanding and receiving ransom payment from her family.

According to the Police, Bethel was on December 13, 2024 reported missing by her family.

The suspect contacted Bethel’s father, demanding a ransom.

The suspect was said to have collected the ransom through the victim’s PoS machine ,after obtaining the password.

Consequent upon collecting the ransom, Iboirode proceeded to killing and burying his victim within the premises of the hotel.

But according to the Police, the suspect’s wife had earlier claimed that her husband killed Bethel for accusing him of using a fake transaction alert to fraudulently withdraw the sum of N10,000 from her account.

According to the suspect’s wife, the husband, after refunding the said N10,000, vowed to get even with Bethel for tarnishing his image.

“My husband called her into the hotel; she was a friend of his.That day, he called her on phone, and took her into a room.

It was around 7pm. I don’t know how he killed her because I was in our own room .It was when he came out around midnight that he told me he had killed her”, the suspect’s wife stated.

Recalling the details of the incident, the Police Spokesman said “If we remember the Owhelogbo hotel murder case where a PoS missing girl was recovered from the manager of the hotel.

“On a very sad note, he has confessed that he murdered the girl who owns the PoS . She only went to ask the hotel manager for her money ,and he murdered her because according to him, she spoilt his reputation.

“He killed her, and used her phone to call her father demanding ransom. He even used her PoS to collect the money. He extracted the password from the girl before killing her. Her remains have been recovered,” Idafe noted.

The Police further informed that Bethel’s fate was only known after the same manager, alongside three other staff members of the hotel were, in March, arrested in connection with the killing of a guest, Sunday Ogofotha, whose remains were also recovered at the hotel.

“You Are Cowards”, Rotimi Amaechi Slams Governors For Not Confronting President Tinubu

The Source

May 14, 2025

By Gideon Njoku

A former two-term Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has, literally, dismissed the present crop of Nigeria’s Governors as “men without balls”.

Amaechi, who was, also, a former two-term Chairman of the once powerful Nigeria Governors Forum, taunted the present Governors for being weak.

He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the launch of former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido’s book, Being True To Myself.

Addressing the high profile audience, Amaechi bemoaned the state of Nigeria and lamented a situation where Governors were too afraid to call a spade a spade.

In a comparison of his class of Governors to the current class, Amaechi asked if it is possible for what is happening in Nigeria now to have happened during his class of Governors. Before he got an answer, he provided one himself.

He said not possible. “We would have confronted the Government. We would have confronted the President.”

As the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Amaechi mounted a stiff resistance to the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government, including opposing the establishment of the “Sovereign Wealth Fund.” He preferred that every kobo be brought to the table and shared, no savings for the rainy day.

He was, also, as he recounted at the book launch, the push behind the defection of six Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the then new All Progressives Congress, APC.

However, his relationship with the Party is at best, shaky, just as his relationship with President Bola Tinubu with whom, along with others, he engineered the ousting of Jonathan from office in 2015.

He was appointed Minister for Transportation by President Muhammadu Buhari for two-terms, but lost the position when he failed in his bid to clinch the Presidential ticket of the Party in 2023.

Amaechi was beaten to a distant second place by now President Tinubu. Since then, he gave both the President and the party some space, but instead, became a strong critic of the Tinubu-led Federal Government to the surprise of many who knew how both collaborated to oust Jonathan.

His criticism of the Tinubu Government was at play during Lamido’s book launch when he lamented the docility of the current Governors for neither confronting the President, nor his Government in the face of hunger and insecurity and sufferings being experienced by Nigerians.

“Close June 12’s Chapter, Pay Abiola Family N45b” – Sule Lamido to Tinubu

The Source

May 14, 2025

Sule Lamido and Bola Tinubu and MKO Abiola

By Gideon Njoku

“Abiola has been double-punished. He was not given the Presidency, and he is owed N45 billion in debts”

A former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has warned the Federal Government of the injustice in its continued punishment of the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, May 13, 2024, at the launch of his book, Being True To Myself, Lamido described a situation where Abiola was still being owed the sum of N45 billion by the Federal Government of Nigeria as double punishment.

Chief Abiola won Nigeria’s Presidential Election which was held on June 12, 1993. But he was denied the joy of occupying the seat by the Military Regime of General Ibrahim Babangida which canceled the exercise and its outcome. Abiola was to tragically die in detention where he was clamped and being prosecuted by the late General Sani Abacha Regime for fighting for his mandate, just when he was expected to be set free by the General Abubakar Abdulsalami Regime which succeeded Abacha’s after the maximum leader’s sudden death.

However, even though it had since been taken for granted that Abiola won the election, it was not until recently during the launch of his autobiography that Babangida publicly admitted that the late Abiola won the Presidential election free and fair and square.

It is based on that admission that Lamido, who revealed that Babangida told him about the N45 billion owed to Abiola by the Federal Government is pleading that the debt be paid to the Abiola family so as to close the June 12 chapter.

Lamido: “I would like to appeal to President Tinubu to close the chapter of June 12. In his book, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida revealed that Abiola won the election.

“When I went to him (IBB), he said Abiola is being owed N45 billion. Abiola is double-punished. One, he was not given the Presidency, and two, he is being owed.”

Specifically addressing the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who represented President Tinubu at the event, Lamido said: “Please, tell him (President Tinubu) to pay Abiola’s family the N45 billion. When this money is paid, the chapter of June 12 will be closed. It is very important.”

Babangida, even though he was the Head of the Regime, blamed Abacha, who was his subordinate, for the cancelation of that Presidential election which repercussions still haunt Nigeria till date. He was dismissed as a coward by the Abacha family and a number of other people for heaping the blame on the late Head of State.

Disbelief As Female Broadcaster Slumps, Dies In Office

Adesina Soyooye

May 13, 2025

By Adesina Soyooye

Mrs Bukola Agbakaizu, a broadcaster with Ogun State Television went to work as usual. She was on afternoon duty.

But that was to be her last day in office and the last day she would go home from office to her beloved family alive.

For, instead of going back home, she was put in a body bag to the morgue.

The accomplished broadcaster, according to reports, slumped as she was about to take over for her shift. All efforts to revive her failed. Rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, she was confirmed dead by doctors on duty.

Her sudden passing on Monday, May 12, 2025, has sent Shockwaves through her family, her colleagues in the office, and the entire members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council which Ex-Officio member she was.

Agbakaizu was a staff of the Ogun State Television (OGTV), in which studio she slumped and died.

Prior to her sudden death, colleagues said they knew she was on medication for high blood pressure but never showed any sign of any other ill-health. “She took her medicines religiously. In the Nigeria of today, who is free from high blood pressure?”, offered a source close to her.

Until her passing, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Ogun State Chapter said, Mrs Agbakaizu was a “consummate and dedicated staff” of the state-owned television station.”

In a condolence statement issued in Abeokuta by NAWOJ’s state Chairperson, Sekinat Salam, Agbakaizu’s death was described as “a painful and a bitter pill to swallow”.

It read in part:

“Ogun NAWOJ received the news of Mrs Bukola Agbakaizu’s death with a rude shock. Her death came when her experience and exemplary leadership would be needed by the association.

“As a dedicated member of NUJ, Ogun State Council and NAWOJ, Ogun State chapter, the mother of two will be sorely missed by all. Her compassion towards others, dedication, love and passion for the pen profession will always be remembered and cherished by all.

“We pray that her soul finds peace in the Lord, while the family he left behind will continue to be under protection of the God Almighty. Rest on, the amazon of our profession,” the statement stated.

She passed at the age of 52 years.

Lagos IGR Hits N1.3trn, Generates N14bn From Land Use Charge

Akinwale Kasali

May 13, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

The Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of Lagos State rose to N1.4 Trillion in 2024.

This is as the Lagos State Government announced a substantial rise in its IGR, hitting approximately N1.3 trillion in 2024—a 45% increase compared to the N895 billion collected in 2023.

Abayomi Oluyomi, the State Commissioner for Finance, made this disclosure during a Ministerial Press Briefing held as part of activities marking the Second Anniversary of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s Second Term.

Oluyomi also highlighted that over N14 billion was generated from the Land Use Charge, LUC, marking a 37% year-on-year Growth in Property Tax Revenue.

Oluyomi credited the improvement in the IGR boost of the State to a comprehensive property enumeration campaign, which has captured more than 800,000 properties in the state’s tax system.

“Under my leadership, the Ministry of Finance has undergone significant transformation, introduced new innovations, and reviewed key processes, despite the economic challenges faced over the past two years.

“These efforts reflect our commitment to generate additional revenues and to prudently manage the financial resources and contribute to the achievements recorded across the administration’s development initiatives.

“We sincerely appreciate all constructive feedback and valuable suggestions,” he said.

Oluyomi further noted that the Ministry of Finance is tasked with crafting financial strategies, managing revenues and expenditures from both state and federal sources, and driving policies that promote sustainable economic development in Lagos.

Terrorism Upsurge: Gov. Zulum Tells Borno Residents To “Remain Resilient, We Shall Overcome”

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 13, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum has strongly condemned the recent spates of terrorist attacks rocking some parts of the State.

The Source reports that terrorist elements in the last few weeks launched coordinated attacks on the Maiduguri/Damboa Road, Marte, Chibok, Gwoza, Kala Balge, as well as other communities, living behind significant figures of both military and civilian casualties.

Most of the attacks have been targeted at military facilities and new civilian settlements, raising serious apprehension of the State relapsing to its past volatile state of insecurity.

Only a couple of days ago, an improvised Explosive Device IED attack on Maiduguri/Damboa Road resulted in the death of several innocent road users.

In a statement from Dauda Iliya, his media aide, Governor Zulum,also, extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of all the victims of the senseless attacks.

The Governor however, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment towards confronting the renewed insurgency headlong.

“These acts of terror are deeply condemnable.The recent tragic loss of our education workers, gallant troops ,and innocent civilians is a painful reminder of the challenges we continue to face.

“I am more determined than ever to support the military, security agencies, and our volunteer forces in the fight to end terrorism and insurgency in our state.

“The recent surge in attacks will not deter our resolve to tackle the scourge of the 16-year long insurgency .

“I urge the people of Borno to remain resilient and prayerful. This is a partial eclipse, and we shall overcome it Insha Allah ” Governor Zulum assured.

He emphasized that his recent visits to Izge, Gwoza, and other hotspots for engagement with both troops and residents is an eloquent testimony of his administration’s resolve not to be cowed by the activities of terrorist elements.

“It Is Not About You, It Is About Protecting Democracy” – CUPP Cautions Fubara

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 13, 2025

Siminalayi Fubara - Governor of River State — Governor Similanayi Fubara

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The suspended Governor of Rivers State ,Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has been upbraided for his seemingly defeatist disposition towards the collective struggle to restore democratic order in Rivers State.

The Source reports that President Bola Tinubu, had on March 18, 2025, suspended the Governor, his Deputy and Members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

The President subsequently appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok- Ete Ibas as the State Sole Administrator.

But the action has continued to draw flaks from across the country with not a few stridently calling for an immediate return to constitutional democracy.

However, while at a Church Service on Sunday, May 11, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital, Governor Fubara noted that his spirit has since left the Government House.

He stated that he was not all that excited or anxious to be reinstated as the Governor pointing out that some “fights are really not worth fighting for.”

But reacting to the development, the Coalition of United Political Parties CUPP, in a statement issued on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, by Chief Peter Ameh, warned that the suspended Governor has no powers to abandon the fight against the imposition of State of Emergency in Rivers state.

According to the Coalition, Governor Fubara’s comments and position are without the inputs of the people who are the real owners of the mandate.

The CUPP condemned the Governor for making such a weighty remark without wide consultations, insisting that it smacks of a gross act of betrayal of the people.

“The Coalition of United Political Parties, strongly, denounces the recent statement by suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara who declared on May 11, 2025, that “his spirit has already left the Government House” and expressed reluctance to return even if reinstated.

“This remark made amid the unconstitutional state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025, which suspended Fubara, his Deputy, and the Rivers state House of Assembly, undermines the collective struggle to defend Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.

“CUPP asserts that Fubara’s acquiescence is a betrayal of the millions who resisted Tinubu’s authoritarian overreach ,as it was never about Fubara’s personal sentiments,but about upholding constitutional democracy.

“The state of emergency which appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd) as Sole Administrator was widely condemned as unconstitutional, by the Nigerian Bar Association NBA ,the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and Civil Society groups.

“The Constitution does not permit the suspension of elected officials without due process such as impeachment, under Section 188.”

Seven PDP Governors the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project SERAP,and the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties CNPP have challenged Tinubu’s action at the Supreme Court ,labelling it a ”blatant violation ,and an attempt at State Capture.

“Nigerians, including CUPP” are supporting this resistance to protect the democratic rights of Rivers electorate ,not to defend Fubara personally.

“His claim that his spirit has left the Government House trivializes this fight ,breaking the hearts of those who protested and litigated to uphold the rule of law”, part of the statement reads.

The Coalition strongly condemned Governor Fubara’s disposition and statement as being indicative of his lack of resolve to courageously confront the tyranny of the All Progressive Congress APC-led Federal Government of Nigeria.

“While acknowledging the fact that the February 28, 2025 Supreme Court ruling on the Rivers state crisis highlighted some governance breaches by Fubara, the CUPP however noted that President Tinubu’s response was completely disproportionate, and illegal as have been pointed out by legal experts.

“The fight is about restoring constitutional order ,not not absolving Fubara’s errors .By framing his suspension as personal liberation ,Fubara misrepresents the struggle ,risking further destabilization of Rivers state ,and emboldening the APC’s alleged state capture agenda”, the CUPP further stated.

Consequently ,the Coalition called on Governor Fubara to immediately withdraw his statement,and reaffirm his commitment to the struggle to institutionalize democracy in the country.

” Your reluctance to return ,even if reinstated, disrespects the sacrifices of Nigerians who are challenging Tinubu’s actions from the streets to the courts”, the CUPP noted.

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