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Edo: Committee On Assets Recovery Retrieves 30 Vehicles From Fmr. Govt. Officials

November 28, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

With the help of whistleblowers, the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee claims it has successfully retrieved 30 government-owned vehicles from officials of the previous administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The committee was inaugurated few days ago by Governor Monday Okpebholo with the task of recovering government properties, especially vehicles, allegedly carted away by former political office holders.

In a statement on Thursday, Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Edo State, on behalf of the chairman of the committee, Kelly Okungbowa, confirmed the recoveries, highlighting the committee’s dedication to reclaiming state assets.

According to Okungbowa, the latest recovery took place last Friday and included a Hilux van and two Toyota Hiace buses.

He disclosed that additional recoveries were made from the residences of former senior officials, including two Land Cruiser Jeeps and two Toyota Hilux vehicles, one of which contained campaign materials.

Okungbowa emphasized the committee’s readiness to extend its operations nationwide to locate and recover government vehicles.

“Our team has been working tirelessly, and with the support of whistleblowers, we have made significant progress.

“We appeal to the public for more information to assist our efforts. Whistleblowers have been instrumental to our success, and we are committed to rewarding those who provide helpful tips.”

With a two-week deadline set for the completion of their task, Okungbowa assured residents that more recoveries would be made in the coming days.

Oluyede Confirm As COAS By House Of Reps

Akinwale Kasali

November 28, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has been confirmed as the substantive Chief of Army Staff, COAS, by the House of Representatives.

This followed his screening, yesterday, by the Joint Committees on Defence and Army.

Babajimi Benson, the Committee’s Chairman submitted the report during plenary.

He urged the House to confirm Oluyede.

The House granted the prayer at the session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.

Imo: Ihekweme Arrested, Not Abducted – Police Command

The Source

November 28, 2024

The story which has been making the rounds since Wednesday, November 27, of the Abduction of Dr Fabian Ihekweme has been debunked by the Imo State Police Command.

Ihekweme, a former Imo State Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, was, reportedly, according to a video recording by his wife, abducted from their Abuja home by gunmen. She Alleged that the gunmen were sent by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma for reasons she did not disclose.

But in response to the allegations and the stories making the rounds, the Imo State Police Command has said that nothing could be further from the truth.

In a statement signed by its Spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, the Command said that Dr Ihekweme was arrested on 27th November 2024, by detectives of the Imo State Police Command.

Okoye explained that the arrest was based on a petition against him by the Imo Democratic Alliance. The petition, the Police said accused Dr. Ihekweme of “seditious and inflammatory publications aimed at inciting civil unrest in the State.”

Following is the full text of the Police statement.

REFUTAL ON THE ALLEGED ABDUCTION OF DR. FABIAN IHEKWEME

“The Imo State Police Command has noted with concern the circulation of misleading reports claiming that Dr. Fabian Ihekweme, former Commissioner for Foreign Affairs in Imo State, was allegedly abducted by gunmen. We wish to clarify the facts.

“Dr. Fabian Ihekweme was not abducted, but was lawfully arrested on 27th November 2024 by detectives of the Imo State Police Command, following a formal petition by the Imo Democratic Alliance (IDA). The petition accused him of seditious and inflammatory publications aimed at inciting civil unrest in the State. In line with due process, a duly signed warrant of arrest was obtained before his detention.

“We urge the public to disregard the false narrative circulating on social media, and call on media practitioners to verify their sources before publishing, as misinformation undermines public trust.

“The Imo State Police Command remains committed to upholding the rule of law without external influence and will provide timely updates as necessary

“ASP OKOYE HENRY, ANIPRPolice Public Relations Officer Imo State Command”

“See Who’s Talking” – Edo PDP Tackles Oshiomhole, Son, Over Stella Obasanjo Hospital

Adesina Soyooye

November 28, 2024

By Adesina Soyooye

The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has, literally, taken to the cleaners, a former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, now a Senator, and his son, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, the newly appointed Edo State Commissioner for Health.

The problem arose over the Stella Obasanjo Specialist Hospital, Benin, which the immediate past Governor, Godwin Obaseki commissioned days before he left office. The event was marked with fanfare and was witnessed by a number of VVIPs, including, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. The Hospital is named after President Obasanjo’s late wife, Mrs Stella Obasanjo, former First Lady.

On the day of the Commissioning, an almost emotional Obasanjo, had praised the Hospital to high heavens, noting that it was of international standard. He commended Obaseki for a job well done, and flaunted the Hospital and its equipment to the world.

It was, therefore, a surprise when Dr Oshiomhole, in his capacity as the Commissioner for Health, began his tenure by criticising the hospital, insisting there were defects, including structural.

However, for the records, there is the Edo Specialist Hospital built by the Commissioner’s father, Senator Oshiomhole when he was the Edo Governor. He brought no less a person to commission it at the time than President Muhammadu Buhari.

But from the day of the Buhari commissioning, criticism dogged it. It ranged from the alleged borrowing of Hospital equipment from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, to an uncompleted hospital, to structural defect which culminated in the collapse of one of the structures.

It was, therefore, an angry PDP, given the background story of the Hospital, which reminded Dr Oshiomhole of his father’s alleged deceitful commissioning of what they called an empty Hospital.

They reminded him, in case he was forgetting, that given the alleged ignoble role his father played as it concerns the Hospital, he lacked the moral authority to talk about a low quality standard of the edifice. Both he and his father, the PDP said, ought to be ashamed. The PDP also chided Governor Monday Okpebholo, for having the courage to criticise the Hospital.

The statement signed by the Publicity Secretary, Caretaker Committee, PDP, Chris Osa Nehikhare, chided the Edo State Government for its desperation to run down Obaseki’s Government, even if it meant manufacturing brazen lies.

The statement reads in part:

“We are appalled and utterly disappointed by the petty, infantile and ignoble behavior of the Monday Okpebholo-led administration in attempting to diminish the undeniable impact of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital on the State’s healthcare system.

“It is widely acknowledged by anyone who has visited or used the hospital that it ranks as one of the best in the South-South region, if not the entire country and this was made possible by the huge investment made by the immediate past government of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in upgrading and equipping the hospital to world-class standards.

“We are not surprised by the childish criticism coming from a clueless and incompetent government. Had they been discerning, they would have known that it is to the credit of the state and its government that a hospital of such significance and impact is located in the State and would not have desperately sought to diminish this for petty political reason.

“It is particularly laughable and ridiculous that Cyril Oshiomhole, the son of the former governor of the state, Adams Aliu Oshiomhole is the one making these unfounded claims, lamenting about a non-existent structural defect, when it was his father, who as governor, superintended the construction the Edo Specialist Hospital, where a section of the building collapsed due to structural defects, killing at least two innocent Edo citizens.

“For someone with such a history, it is only hypocritical to point fingers at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, disparaging the fully functional and operational facility where no lives have been lost when his father’s greed and selfishness led to the death of innocent people. He therefore lacks any moral standing to do.”

Nehikhare queried, “Or does Cyril Oshiomhole think we have forgotten in a hurry how his father, Adams Oshiomhole as governor brought the then President Muhammadu Buhari to commission an empty Edo Specialist Hospital without facilities or personnel?

“Or how his father went to Lagos to hire equipments and put on display for the commissioning of the Edo Specialist Hospital and how in the evening of the commissioning, loaded a truck with the rented equipments and returned same to the company located on Agege Motor Road, in Lagos, and placed the hospital under lock and key?

“Does a person from such a deceitful and wicked lineage have the moral fiber to criticize or describe a functional, operational and world-class hospital, renowned as one of the best in South-South region as with structural defect?”

Okpebholo’s APC Government succeeded Obaseki’s PDP Government in a highly contentious and controversial Governornorship election. Its outcome is, already, a subject of litigation.

OPINION: The Fuss About Kemi Badenoch

The Source

November 28, 2024

By Azu Ishiekwene

Donald Trump’s election overshadowed Kemi Badenoch’s emergence as the leader of the Tory Party of Britain. Yet, no one gets the worst political job in one of the world’s oldest political parties and walks away quietly.

This is especially the case when the candidate is a straight-talking, ideological woman and a child of an immigrant in a largely conservative society.

It was not a mistake that a section of the British press framed the last contest for the Tory leadership as one of the worst match-ups in recent times, if not in its history.

Here was Badenoch, a black woman (who doesn’t like to be described in racial terms), in a contest against three men, two of them white, and the last man standing, Robert Jenrick, was snow white. Still, all, including Badenoch, were caricatured as the miserable, surviving heirs of a once-illustrious political party.

Like Trump like Kemi?

Some have compared her with Trump, which is nonsense. The only way she resembles Trump is in her plain speaking, which is a rare quality in politics. Comparing Badenoch to Trump for depth, intellect, or character is a disservice to demagoguery for which Trump has no equal.

Although she had only been in the House of Commons for seven years, her rise was forged in the extraordinary turmoil of British politics in the last decade. She held junior cabinet positions under Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. She has been in politics since she was 25 and unsuccessfully contested a seat in the London Assembly in 2012.

Two years ago, after Johnson’s fall, Badenoch contested the Tory leadership position but lost to Truss, whose eventual reign was as brief and chaotic as her competence. In love, as in politics, familiarity ultimately undermines affection. That partly explains why the Tories lost the last general election long before Labour won. However, the killer punch for the Tories was not this natural course of affairs but the rise of Johnson and his succession by Truss, two of the most incompetent Tory leaders in decades.

Scapegoats and guardian angels

More than any leader in modern British history, these two dragged the Tory party to the left at the expense of its traditional base, giving ground to right-wing clowns like Nigel Farage and others. But the besotted press did not see that—or they pretended they didn’t—until, despite Rishi Sunak’s best efforts at Tory house cleaning, the party suffered one of its worst defeats from years of accumulated rot.

It’s to Badenoch’s credit that, despite that setback and criticisms of her political views – some deserved – she gave it another shot and has emerged as the first black leader of one of the world’s oldest political parties.

But her foes in the culture brigade and the furious guardian angels of the Tory legacy won’t let her sit before fetching the long knives. They are upset. How did the party of the durable Winston Churchill, whose leadership saved his country and the world from Hitler, fall this low?

What has become of the party of Margaret Thatcher, who transformed the UK economy with her free-market policies and laid the foundation for the most extended spell of Tory rule? How can Badenoch, a poor imitation of Thatcher’s ideals, even if she claims her an icon, save the Tories from what looks like a long winter?

‘Kemikaze’

In a baptism of fire after Badenoch’s second Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT), John Crace of The Guardian wrote that she is “turning out to be the gift that keeps on giving…to the Labour party…Behind her rather patronising, condescending façade, there’s a largely empty interior.

“She is riddled with levitas. Her self-confidence is in inverse proportion to her abilities. She’s not nearly as bright as she thinks she is, and quite where she got the idea she is a brilliant performer in the Commons is anyone’s guess. It’s Liz Truss levels of delusion.”

Yet, this was the same Badenoch who, two months before she was elected Tory leader, was described by Andrew Marr, author and respected UK political journalist, as “scorchingly clever.” This quality, which is supposed to be her strength, is why she has attracted some of the most scathing criticisms, with some describing her as someone who can start a fight in an empty room.

What she stands for

Badenoch is something of a shock to a largely conservative society where reticence, class and race play big. She doesn’t believe in being identified by race, for example, and has argued that identity politics only scratches the surface of why nations fail.

She argues that just as the cloak does not make the monk, to say someone is black or white, gay or straight, does not explain who they are, but lazy politicians stoke race and identity because it saves them the real work of fixing society.

She doesn’t believe in “multiculturalism” either, insisting that cultures make sense not in their numbers or variety but in what each contributes to building and advancing a society. Many would find Badenoch’s position unsettling, being the child of an immigrant herself and for a country like Britain, which has prided itself on being Europe’s melting pot and multicultural capital.

Still on Sowell

I can’t entirely agree with Badenoch that multiculturalism and social cohesion are mutually exclusive, that denial of identity politics wishes it away, or that, as she loves to argue, Britain didn’t profit from colonial rule. Interestingly, in Migrations and Cultures: A World View, Thomas Sowell, one of those Badenoch claims shaped her political views, makes a strong point about the role of migrations and relocations in redistributing skills, knowledge and development worldwide.

Whatever Donald Trump and the new right are teaching the world, migration by conquest, treaty, geography, or the sheer human desire for a better life is a fact of history. The unlikely rise of Badenoch to power—a Nigerian girl who, at age 16, returned to Britain, where she was born—proves that migration works. However, she might argue that the problem is not migration per se but the unwillingness to integrate with host communities.

My disagreement with the new Tory leader on this point does not suggest even remote support for the vicious attacks she has received from a section of the press in Britain or those in her native country who think she must bend a knee to those who want to exploit her Nigerian heritage before she has even settled down.

Not as brittle as they think

As I wrote, when Sunak emerged as Tory leader (and closet xenophobes may be squeamish all they want), the rise of a racially diverse and unconventional crop of politicians, not only in terms of cultural background but also the ideas they represent, is a good thing for politics – whether in Britain or elsewhere.

Sunak lost to Keir Starmer, not necessarily because Labour was very popular—Starmer won with less than 20 percent of eligible voters’ votes—but because the particularly catastrophic years of Johnson and Truss had eroded trust in politics.

Badenoch has a lot of work ahead of her, but she has the competence, character, and energy to do it despite the snippers at home and abroad. You don’t get this far in the furnace of British politics by being a levitas.

Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It.

Bode George Warns Onanuga For Insulting Obasanjo, Says He Would Pay For It

Akinwale Kasali

November 28, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Bode George, former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Deputy National Chairman, has lashed Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, for disrespecting former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

George said that Onanuga will face the consequences of disrespecting the elder statesmen.

Obasanjo, while delivering a keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, had issued a scathing critique of Nigeria’s current state under President Bola Tinubu, labelling the country’s status as a “failing state” marked by pervasive corruption and leadership failure.

Reacting to Obasanjo’s statement, Onanuga labeled the former president as not an ideal Nigerian leader, adding that he oversaw the most fraudulent election in Nigeria’s history.

Onanuga pointed out that former President Obasanjo has consistently blamed those who served after his tenure for the nation’s numerous challenges, despite his many flaws.

He said in part, “The current economic crisis the All Progressives Congress administrations have been battling since 2015 is the product of the poor choices in economic management made by Obasanjo and the two successors from his party.

“It is hypocrisy writ large when a man who presided over the worst election in Nigeria demands the sack of the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The only positive of the Obasanjo era was fiscal and monetary policy management buoyed by a consistent rise in crude oil prices throughout his eight-year tenure.

“This rise in crude oil prices started in 2000 and peaked in 2013 when it reached over 100 dollars per barrel before a decline in 2014, which set the oil-dependent economy downward.”

But in an interview on Nigeria Info FM, George emphasised that Onanuga would face consequences for insulting an elder, noting that such behaviour is forbidden in Yoruba culture.

“An old man who could be Bayo Onanuga’s father said something, and you took him on by blasting him right, left, and centre.

“That is his style because he did it to me before; he didn’t meet me in Ijebu Ode Grammar School.

“You can see how small he is when comparing himself to us; people give their opinion, and you insult them.

“Even if you want to react, the Yoruba culture does not allow that insult from him.

“Someday he would pay back because there would be a day after, and that’s more important.

“He should be vigilant as he walks because it’s possible for him.”

My Predecessor Has Been Hostile To Me And My Government – Gov. Adeleke

Ayodele Oni

November 28, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

“My job is to enrich lives, to make people happy, to appreciate and glorify God. Osun people have not seen the height of my performance. They will

In this interview with Journalists in Osogbo to mark the mid term of his administration, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, reveals what has been behind the various successes being recorded by his administration and how the State has been running without borrowing

It has been two years since you became the Governor of Osun State. How can you describe the journey so far?

Thank you. Well, there is no perfect word to describe the journey, but I must say that it is an interesting journey. Days of decision making, days of series of engaging meetings between my team and I. But you can see, and I am sure the people of Osun can now see the difference between us and the other people who just want to be in power purposely to add to their titles rather than to serve.

We have focused our energy on the growth and development of Osun State, and I promise that this is what we shall continue to do till 2030.

You said 2030 with so much confidence, what gives you the assurance of a second term?

It is a simple arithmetic. We carry out survey on a periodic basis from the people of Osun State, and it is evident that the love and support we are getting is real; the people are satisfied with what we are doing, and now, they will continue to support us because we shall also continue to add more value to their lives.

A member of the opposition party recently went on radio and said that what my administration has done in two years is what the previous administration could not do in four years. In fact, he said my administration is doing everything they advised them to do but which they didn’t do. Now, if that is coming from a member of their party, then it is obvious that even members of their party will vote for me and will vote for the PDP in 2026.

Reflecting on the journey, what is that thing that has helped you to do so much?

I think it is the ability to do so much with so less. People have been asking questions, that where are we getting the money if we are not borrowing. The answer is simple; we have blocked the leakages and the deliberate loopholes inserted into our system in the past; we have set our priorities right and we focus on raising the Internally Generated Revenue of Osun State.

Now, we are not even there yet, but the assurance that I have is that we are making progress, and I am confident that we will get there. I say it often that Osun is now a construction site because what we met on ground across all sectors is absolute rot. Happily, Osun is gradually moving from a construction site to a remodeled state, and by the time we are done with the constructions, we will have more resources to push development to places it is yet to reach.

In a politically diverse State like Osun, what strategies are you employing to successfully promote the unity that exists, and in rallying the people to work collectively towards the state’s development?

Well, as governor, I am for everyone in Osun, irrespective of political associations. Just like former President Muhammadu Buhari said at his first inauguration in 2015 that “I am for everybody and for nobody” (laughter). This is why you see me identifying with all classes of the society and politicians of different parties on special events, like birthdays and other functions. You will see me felicitate Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and even my predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, on their birthdays.

As hostile as my predecessor has been to me as a person and to my government, I usually extend best wishes to him and act on it. When he appeared for his Ministerial screening last year, I mobilized all Senators from Osun who are members of my party to support him. That showed that I am not a hostile person. Across Osun, I regard and celebrate our Kabiyesis.

A few weeks ago, I was at the Ooni of Ife Palace to celebrate his golden jubilee and just recently, I was with the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, and we exchanged warm embrace. I am a free-minded person, and that is why I operate an open-door policy. Irrespective of our social, political and religious differences, I see us as one. I am always interested in seeing us work together to move Osun State forward. So, that is basically the reason for the unity you talked about, and I will continue to work for it.

Your administration places emphasis on the use of local content, and specifically the involvement of Nigerian engineers in your administration’s development projects. What informed that decision?

Our focus from the start was to reflate the economy and improve the skills of our people. The best way to do that is to entrust them with the projects we are executing across sectors, and the experience so far has been rewarding. In Osun now, you see people willing to earn honest living and engage positively. So, most of the money invested in infrastructures revolves among our people, and that has helped, to a certain extent, mitigate the impact of the economic hardship ravaging the country. You know, with the legacy projects ongoing across Osun, many of our engineers have an opportunity to broaden their knowledge, build more capacity and will definitely help their careers. In the future, Osun will benefit from the knowledge they must have garnered.

With your background as a top player in the private sector and now as a governor in public office, how would you rate compliance with professional ethics and standards in both sectors comparatively?

I have to be fair; things are a lot different in private sector than in public service, in terms of professional ethics and standards. But I see the problem more of how public sector is viewed by most Nigerians. Many people see public service as dysfunctional, and this weighs on the sector a lot.

When I came into office, I noticed the abundance of resources in the public service and wonder what was the issue until I realized that how we view public service is the problem. Most Nigerians, including you here, don’t really care about public asset as we do to our private assets. This is wrong and must change.

In the time I have been in office, I have focused on making our public servants to see their work as a duty they owe to themselves. More importantly, I have implemented reforms in the public sector that rewards productivity. Before I assumed office, there were a lot of distortions in the service that significantly affected the morale of workers. This started with the restoration of the Permanent Secretaryship, a big source of motivation for workers to give their all to reach the peak of their career. Then, I went ahead to implement the financial benefits of the promotion given to workers by my predecessor in 2019 that was not implemented.

You can imagine that people were given promotion and for over three years, they earned nothing from it. They will be demoralized and this was why I ensured the implementation so that they can be assured that whatever they earned will be given to them.

Also, I initiated process to defray the huge half salary debt I inherited, and this has gone a long way to tell our workers that their efforts will not be neglected. You know in the private sector, whatever is agreed as your benefit are given to you, and that serves.

What we are trying to do in Osun and in no time, we will see our workers deliver optimally because they are professionals in their respective fields.

How is your administration enforcing compliance in the implementation of projects in Osun State?

Very well. If you ask any of my aides about me, the first thing they will tell you is that I am strict with implementation. The same thing is applicable to the projects we are executing as I will never accept anything that falls short of specification.

Every here and there, I monitor the projects to ensure that those we gave the job are delivering to what we asked them. Most times, I visit sites of our projects without attracting attention to see things for myself and ensure strict compliance to specification. Osun people can rest assured that their governor will make sure they get value for the money expended on the various projects in the state.

Your administration is reputed to be people-oriented. Apart from infrastructural development across the state, can you outline a few of the other initiatives that you have instituted to enrich the people’s livelihood?

Thank you for this question. My kind of person is about enriching lives and this is a family trait that almost everyone in Osun knows very well. From the time I assumed office and now, we have pursued policies and interventions that will touch lives positively. One of such is the over N3bn credit support cooperative societies in the state. The thinking is that the fund will provide the needed credit to small-scale businesses and save them from the challenging experience many of them endured from lenders.

Cooperative societies were chosen as means of providing the support because it is one of the most credible financial platform and spread across communities, making it possible to reach the people who actually needed the support.This has helped a lot as many businesses were revived and this bears positively on the economy of the state.

We have constructed over 200km of roads across the state, we have two flyover constructions ongoing in Osogbo, another one in Ile Ife, we have road dualization road ongoing in Ilesa as well as Ede which will be commissioned soon. These roads are dualized and we even installed solar powered street light on them.

Talking about Solar powered street light, we have installed the street from Akoda Junction to Nigeria Machine tools in Osogbo through Ogo Oluwa, Ola Iya, Ayetoro to Stadium. Now we are doing the same from Ilesa Garage to Stadium roundabout and we are not stopping there. It is also in Ikirun; if you go there you will see it and we will have so much other road projects on going. We reconstructed over 300 Primary Healthcare Centres and even schools across the state. We really mean business.

On a lighter note, sir, you are widely known as someone who loves to dance. And in fact, we acknowledge that you do have the skills to beat some Gen-Z kids on the dance floor. Our readers would like to know: what does dancing do for you?

What many don’t know, especially my critics is that dancing has been a way to reflect the joy of God in my life and appreciate life better. By dancing, I understand what it means to be happy and always want to replicate the same to other people. When you are with me and you look worried, I easily notice it and want to do anything within my reach to make the troubling moment go away.

Earlier, I shared with you how our administration has been able to pay some of the money owed our workers and pensioners by the previous administration and this is basically because I don’t like seeing another man suffer. Those before us may feel differently but, for me, it is not acceptable. But you know politics, they always try to find a way to discredit you. I am a happy man and I cannot hide the feeling. And, no one will say that dancing has affected my performance because by all measures, we have done better for Osun people than those who are aversed to dance.

Governance is about delivery and to the glory of God, I have not faltered in this regard. When you look across Osun, you will definitely acknowledge the impacts we are making. Is it in the welfare of our people, infrastructure or security, the records showed we did excellently well. And for that, we will dance and appreciate God Almighty for His Grace.

Now, two years down, two more to go, what should the people of Osun expect in the next two years?

The people of Osun State have not seen anything yet; we will complete all the projects we have started; we will complete all the process to improve the livelihood and the well-being of our people and then we will start new projects. At least, you must have heard that we will be laying foundation for a new airport; that is one of the developments that we are set to embark on, and you can imagine the kind of development that project will bring to Osun when it is completed.

Also, most of the projects we have done now, they are the first phase of the plans we have. We will unveil the second phase, and the people of Osun will never regret that they voted for us.

What message do you have for the people of Osun State as you celebrate two years in office?

The message is simple and clear; the good people of Osun State should continue to support us, and we will continue to deliver good governance and ensuring that the dividends of democracy is shared across the entire state. I also want to encourage my people to work and walk with us. We are on the journey of this development together, as your governor, I cannot do it alone, so let us work together.

Tinubu Elevates MKO Abiola’s Son, Jamiu

Adesina Soyooye

November 28, 2024

By Adesina Soyooye

Not minding that a couple of his siblings are not in support of his Government, President Bola Tinubu has elevated one of the sons of late Chief MKO Abiola.

The President, in a statement from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federal, signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director Information and Public Relations, approved the appointment of Jamiu Abiola, as his Senior Special Assistant on Linguistics and Foreign Matters. Before Jamiu’s elevation, he was Special Assistant, Special Duties, in the office of the Vice President.

The statement reads in part: “The appointment takes effect from 14th November, 2024. This is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.

“Until his appointment, Jami’u served as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice President.

“President Tinubu tasks the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.”

Jami’u is one of the sons of the late MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election. His father was, however, thrown into jail, and charged with treasonable felony, among other issues by the repressive Military Regime of late General Sani Abacha for courageously declaring himself President after Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, inexplicably cancelled the 1993 Presidential Election.

Sadly, his wife, who was, also, Jami’u’s mother, was shot dead on the streets of Lagos by operatives of the Abacha regime.

Jami’u’s half brother and Abiola’s first son, Kola Abiola, contested against Tinubu for the Presidential seat in 2023. His eldest sister, Hafsat, was the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council of immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Bello later threw in the towel and declared full support for then Candidate Bola Tinubu.

Currently, Bello is in the custody of the EFCC. He is being prosecuted in Court for alleged fraud, money laundering and other issues to the tune of N110 billions.

Strike: Magistrates Disrupt Courts Operations; Demand Official Cars, Promotion

Tosin Olatokunbo

November 28, 2024

Magistrates in Cross River state are angry with the state government for denying them official vehicles and promotion. To express their indignation, the magistrate have embarked on a three day warning strike.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the strike which began on Wednesday could become an indefinite one if the government failed to accede to their demands.

Announcing the strike action in a statement yesterday, the state chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria and his secretary, Godwin Onah and Solomon Abuo, said they embarked on the strike because of the poor welfare of their members.

The association’s leaders noted, for instance, that they have not been promoted for nine years, as the state government appears to have put a cap on promotion for magistrates.

The situation in the Bassey Otu-led state is worse compared to neighbouring states, where magistrates receive what they are entitled to from their respective government, the magistrates alleged.

Also, the magistrate said heads of Magistrate courts in the state receive a paltry N15,000 as monthly impress, too small to manage the courts, adding that magistrates in neighboring states receive as much as N250,000 monthly imprest.

Adding that they have taken all necessary steps to gain the attention of the state government, the magistrates said strike appeared to be the last resort to press home their demands.

The statement reads, “Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated November 11 where the notice of strike, was extended to Friday November 22 to enable the State Government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.

“In line therefore with our congress resolution to proceed on a warning strike, three days warning strike is hereby declared by the state chapter of the magistrates.

“This action in the first instance, will be effective from 6:00 a.m. of Wednesday, November 27 to Friday, November 29. If the state government fails to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met.”

Gov Sule To Northern Leaders: Almajiri Is Our Problem, Tackle It

Tosin Olatokunbo

November 28, 2024

Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule has tasked northern leaders on the menace of Almajiris, the millions of hungry children roaming the states in the region and across the country.

The governor said the leaders form the region should find a way to tackle the problem rather than looking for external solutions.

Governor Sule spoke during the flag-off ceremony of the regional conference on population dynamics, security, climate change, out-of-school children/Almajiri, and vulnerable children in Nigeria.

He said as the Chairman of the North Central Governors Forum he has been using his position to canvass for the internal solutions to the almajiri menace.

He warned of the dangers of the almajiri system on the country if not quickly tackled, urging religious, political and traditional leaders in the region to stop passing the buck of how to end the problem.

Sule: “The Almajiri problem is indeed a huge problem for us. I think, just as I told my colleagues in Kaduna during our last meeting of the Northern governors, I said we should stop complaining. It is time for us to take the bull by the horns and see how we can resolve the problem by ourselves.

‘’Why should Northern Nigeria continue to hold the entire nation ransom when we know that it is our own problem and we have to go out there and find a way to solve it.”

According to statistics, more than 13 million almajiri are roaming the streets across the country, as the number is growing everyday, analyst say, noting that the Islamic religious system in the northern part of the country has worsened the problem over the year.

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