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Mr President, You Owe Us Apologies

November 21, 2024

By Comfort Obi

President Bola Tinubu owes Nigerians a couple of apologies. But one in particular is urgent because it would help clean our dirt a little before the world. It is an apology he should have offered since. I thought he be reminded because it is, almost, late.

His subordinates are not allowing us to forget. So, the more he delays, the more they worsen the situation by either double-speaking or adding more fuel to the fire they lit. They keep reminding us of things we have been struggling to forget.

So, while offering the apology, Mr President needs to, also, publicly chide some of his subordinates. represent him publicly. He needs to take a second look at them. He needs to double-check what they tell him. Things are far from what they tell Mr President.

In reality, a number of them don’t give a hoot about Mr President as long as they praise him in order to keep their jobs.

They criticise him behind closed doors. They don’t mean well for him. Otherwise, how did they draw the President into the recent mess with minors? How could they have given the world the impression that the President does not know some of the happenings around him? How could they have locked up minors, for over three months, and starved them to the point where they were fainting in Court?

In the name of serving him, they present Tinubu in the worst of colors. In their bid to get noticed, they become ridiculous sycophants; what they say does damage personally to him and his Government.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu - President — President Bola Tinubu.

As the President, the ball stops on his desk. Even in my little place, I cannot begin to count how many times I have had to own up to, and apologise for a script I never saw.

Mrs Chris Anyanwu, accomplished Journalist, was jailed by the repressive General Sani Abacha regime over a publication by her Magazine because the ball stopped on her table. She planned no coup, and was privy to none. The reporter who wrote the “offensive” cover story disappeared into “thin air” – as far as I know, he has made no contact with any staff member (then) till date.

So, whatever any of President Tinubu’s subordinates says or does is attributable to him. He takes responsibility.

Wearing the three caps of President, Presidency, Federal Government, he has shocked a lot of people by some happenings under his watch. “I don’t believe this is the same man who stood for democracy under Abacha”, said a diplomat at an informal chat recently.

So, there I was, this other night awake, mostly, as the seconds, minutes and hours ticked by. Face, up. Eyes, wide open. Starring at nothing. Just starring. My pillows partly wet, wet from sweat because there was no power supply. There had not been for three days. As usual, for more times than I remember, the national grid had packed up.

Inside me, I was hot. A kind of “heat wave” for want of a better way to put it. And no, it was not menopause setting in. That’s gone. It’s a nightly medication I am condemned to for the next five years which job is to make me uncomfortable once there is no power supply, and so, no air-conditioner, no fan. And here’s the sad part this very night.

I couldn’t ask that the power generating set be put on. Poor thing. It had ran for about eight hours, non-stop. So, I asked for it to be put off. “Give it a break, let it rest”, I ordered.

But, of course, you understand. My order was not because I was in sympathy with the gen-set. No, I was in sympathy with my purse. One cannot be spending N100,000 everyday on diesel. Not that the public power supply is cheaper than diesel. With this wicked “Band A”, atimes, I pray that NEPA,(we still call it NEPA, and shout ‘up NEPA’ when power is restored) goes to hell with its power supply. In my house, and I am not exaggerating, it is N60,000 every two days! It’s killing me.

I have toyed with the idea of removing all the electric bulbs in the house except those in the kitchen and the rest rooms. But how does one maneuver the staircase? A friend of mine did that and missed a step on her staircase. She had a big fall and was lucky her skull did not crack. But she is still nursing a bad leg. How does one read at night? I have banned the use of microwave. And, in frustration, one day, I unplugged the fridges and freezers. The washing machine is a taboo now. Nothing is wrong with our hands I tell my now almost scared household. And, I am still eyeing the iron and ironing board. That’s how bad things are.

So, this day when I had little or no sleep, my mind roamed. I thought about the Nigeria that was, and the Nigeria that is. I sighed, and in frustration, I exclaimed, “Mr President, you owe us a couple of apologies”.

First on my list is the fuel subsidy which he removed(?) within minutes of becoming the President. Nobody prepared us for the immediate consequences. The result is the abominable cost of fuel and everything. And, I’m like, how did the President forget so soon? Are we just a pawn in the hands of politicians and our leaders?

Is this not the same Tinubu who was vehemently opposed to any increase in fuel price during the Goodluck Jonathan Government?

As the leader and strongest voice

of the opposition then, Tinubu, a good organizer, put together a huge protest which grounded Lagos for days. That protest had everything going for it. High profile attendance. Good food, beverages. Revolutionary music/songs in full supply. Speeches which wrenched the heart and could make the cripple walk – all aimed at showcasing how wicked Jonathan was for adding a few kobo to the cost of fuel; for daring to suggest that fuel subsidy be “touched” a little.

Jonathan was accused of snatching babies away from their mothers’ breasts which they were sucking. He was accused of forcefully removed feeding bottles from the mouths of babies.

A coffin was carried with Jonathan’s name on it. Fuel subsidy was dismissed as a scam. There was nothing like fuel subsidy.

Tinubu crowned all those with a well-written, well publicized opinion piece where he roundly berated Jonathan. But look at where we are today.

Subsidy is gone. The cost of fuel is better not remembered to avoid a stroke. We are just barely surviving. The question is: what changed? How did Mr President plunge headlong into what he roundly condemned under Jonathan? Clearly, he knew Jonathan was right and he, Tinubu, was wrong, and was just playing politics with the future of Nigerians; that he knew the truth but decided to feed Nigerians with a dose of political falsehood; that perhaps, if he had not condemned it then, our fate today could have been different. Mr President has not apologized to Nigerians for misinforming and misleading us then. He has not told us what changed.

For the records, I am not one of those who hold President Tinubu responsible for the hell we are going through today. Not even the removal of the fuel subsidy. I actually believe that whether it was Peter Obi or Atiku Abubakar, fuel subsidy would have gone. I sincerely believe that President Tinubu inherited from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, a dead country, almost; a financially wrecked and wretched country; a country that was on life support. But here’s my beef.

Tinubu knew all that. He knew what went on under Buhari. But, along with others, mum was the word. Instead, as the Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and one who contributed, to a very large extent, the making if President Buhari, Tinubu was in the forefront of praising Buhari as the best thing that happened to Nigeria. He upheld Buhari as a great leader, prudent leader who knew where the shoe we wore was pinching us. But it turns out a lie. It was a cover-up.

From all that Tinubu’s subordinates are saying today, the Country he inherited from Buhari was finished. But, he hid the truth from us then. Opinion is that was deceitul; that Mr President owes us an apology for deceiving us into believing that Nigeria under Buhari was doing well; was thriving.

However, while we await for those apologies, the one over the minors is urgent.

As I watched the video and photographs of the minors that were arraigned in Court that black day by the Federal Government, my heart sank. I was diminished as a human being.

Picked up from, mostly, the North, especially Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Sokoto, the Police arraigned them for daring to show face during the #EndBadGovernance protest which held from August 1-10, 2024. They said the minors held Russian flags; that they took part in the destruction and looting of public properties. And so, among other things, they were charged for committing treason; of trying to overthrow the Government of President Tinubu.

They arrested and held the minors for over three months in a despicable environment, an environment worse than a pig’s sty. They juggled them from Police custody to Prison custody. They kept them with hardened criminals. There was no change of clothes for them. They hardly took their bath. Feeding was epileptic. And when it came, the food was worse than that fed to a a dog owned by a hungry villager.

Their appearance in Court raised emotions to high heavens. It was a combination of anger against our leaders, and disgust with a Government that treated minors like animals. They were malnourished, so malnourished and tired six of them collapsed in Court.

If their arraignment and the treason charge preferred against them were outrageous, worse was the reaction of the Police and the Judge before whom they were arraigned.

Reacting to the collapse of some of the kids, Police Force Spokesperson, Adejobi Olumuyiwa, ACP, said it was a pretense. That the minors faked their collapse in Court. He capped it by teaching us law. He told us seven year-olds can be arraigned in Court for crime committed. But he cleverly failed to tell us where such seven year-olds should be detained. Or the type of Court before which they should be arraigned.

When the careless and insensitive statement was published, it was attributed to IGP Egbetokun. Surprisingly, the IGP did not immediately distance himself or office from it. For a couple of days, he said nothing. He only reacted when Tinubu realised the damage the arraignment of the minors has done to his image and that of Nigeria, globally, and ordered their immediate release. He also ordered the investigation of all those involved in their detention and arraignment.

When Egbetokun reacted, he said he was in Glasgow for a conference and ordered for an investigation too.

That was when the Force Spokesperson also made a U-turn.

But questions. Those minors were arrested by the Police and detained by them. They were in the custody of the Police from where they moved them from one detention centre to another. So, how come nobody briefed the IGP? How come he was hearing about their sorry state for the first time after they were arraigned? Why did the IGP wait until the President’s reaction to react? What was the IGP’s reaction when the Force Spokesperson accused the minors who fainted in Court of faking? That accusation was insensitive.

In more civilized climes, he would have lost his job as the Force Spokesperson, and would, by now, be fighting to keep his uniform – first for his insensitive accusation, and second, for misrepresenting the IGP, unless he ran the statement by him.

As for the Judge, I was perplexed when he granted the minors bail to the tune of N10 million each. Where he thought the minors, most of whom have no kobo to their names, most of whom hardly understood what they were doing or what the charge was about, most of whom were forced to join the protest because they had no food to eat, and no place to sleep, some of whom have no addresses, would get a whopping N10m beats me.

I join those who thanked President Tinubu for ordering the release of the minors, and the withdrawal of the charges against them. Still what is their fate, their future? How are we sure a number of them are not back to the streets? Who has asked after them since then? Where is the finding of the investigation the President ordered? And that of the IGP?

On release, the minors were driven to Aso Rock. I still don’t understand why? Was it to see the beauty and splendour of Aso Rock? I never read anywhere that the minors were apologized to. I read that they were counseled – not for their mental well being, the trauma they went through, but against joining any such protests again. Then, they were sent back to their States.

In Kano, the Governor received them and talked about rehabilitating them. Nobody has heard anything thereafter. In Kaduna, the Governor gave each of them a mobile phone. What was that for? Of what use? There was no apology.

The case of the minors is scandalous. It is even worse than that because those who should tell the President the truth are not doing so. Instead, they are telling him, and us, that the minors deserved what happened to them; that the President released them because of his magnanimity; he released them because he is the father of the Nation.

But an unsolicited advice for Mr President: Ignore them. Apologise to the minors and the country. Apologise for making us a laughing stock before the world. Those that tell you otherwise mean no good for you. When the chips are down, they will answer the names of their fathers. It will just be you battling with the mess. Remember, the bulk stops on your table. And it is your testimonial that is being written.

Obi is the Editor-in-Chief/CEO of THE SOURCE (Magazine), https://thesourceng.com. Email: [email protected], [email protected]

2027: Yoruba Intelligentsia Plots Tinubu’s Re-election, Fears He May End Up One-Term President

The Source

November 21, 2024

By Aina Akinjide, Abuja Bureau Chief

Concerned that the current hardship in the country occasioned by the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu may cost him re- election in 2027, THE SOURCE can exclusively report that the President’s ethnic race, the Yoruba, has resolved to do anything humanly possible to ensure that their son does not end up a one-term President.

Indeed, when push comes to shove, blood will always be thicker than water. This was demonstrated two weeks when a horde of Yoruba intelligentsia- politicians across parties, religious leaders, businessmen, technocrats, professionals among others- secretly met in Abuja to deliberate on ways to ensure that one of their own, President Tinubu, gets re-elected in 2027.

Apparently aware that should the 2027 Presidential Election be free and fair and contested by a united and virile opposition, Tinubu could suffer a humiliating defeat, one of the suggestions put forward at the meeting to facilitate easy re-election for the President, the magazine was informed, was to urge him to find a way to get his foot soldiers to infiltrate the main opposition parties and ensure that they field weak Yoruba Presidential candidates that will mount a feeble challenge to him in 2027 or ensure, through fifth columnist in the parties, that they become factionalised and remain enmeshed in leadership crisis so as to prevent the emergence of credible, strong and acceptable presidential candidates.

Said a source who got snippets of the plot to subjugate opposition parties to smoothen Tinubu’s re-election path: “To this end, don’t expect a united Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party, LP ahead 2027 presidential election, don’t dream of an opposition presenting a common front to wrestle power from the President and his party, the opposition will be infiltrated, divided and compromised; they will be bought over..and as you can se the the turn of events in the opposition parties- the internecine crisis in the PDP and LP-the process is already afoot.

“Even if the opposition parties manage to forge a grand coalition against Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC in 2027, such coalition will be infiltrated and get it factionalised.

“And if there is no coalition and the PDP and LP decide to go into the 2027 presidential election individually, expect factionalised parties with each faction fielding it’s own presidential candidate but eventually, INEC will recognize the factions with Southwest candidates.

“And to leave the North (where the bulk of presidential votes are) with no option than to still vote Tinubu/APC in 2027, religious card will be deployed in terms of appealing to their religious sensibilities. Consequently, Tinubu’s running mate, whether it will be the current Vice President, Kashim Shettima or not, will still be a core Northern Muslim-meaning that the APC will retain the current Musim-Muslim ticket- while the the pro- Tinubu/APC factions of the opposition parties present Christian- Christian tickets.

The secret meeting, held in the Wuse, Abuja residence of a top Southwest politician and a businessman, this magazine was informed, had the blessing of highly placed officials of the Tinubu administration who are of Yoruba extraction.

A source who was privy to the outcome of the meeting, but pleaded not to be named, told this magazine that a consensus about Tinubu’s second term was reached.

“It was resolved that irrespective of any differences in political party affiliations, the failings of the Tinubu administration which resulted in the current hardship in the land, the Yoruba as an ethnic group and Southwest as geo-political zone must unit to save the President nay Yoruba race the disgrace of Tinubu becoming a one-term President or superintendenting the affairs of Nigeria for just four years.

“It was, therefore, agreed by all that all Yoruba will see the re-election of the President in 2027 as a personal project which must be accomplished”, the source told this magazine.

A retired diplomat from Ogun state who was among the gathering, it was learnt, evoked ethnic fervour while contributing to deliberations to underscore the imperativeness of the Yoruba uniting behind Tinubu in 2024.

The retired diplomat, the magazine was informed, admonished the Yoruba to emulate the Hausa/Fulani who, in his words “turned blind eyes to the fiasco that the Buhari presidency and defended him at every juncture,supported and voted for him massively for second term and save him from defeat even when it was obvious he didnt deserve to return”

Referring to former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was not supported by the Yoruba in his first term election but was later massively voted for by the same Yoruba in his second term, the ex diplomat reminded the gathering that “we (Yoruba) have done it before and let’s do it again”

World Bank Rewards Imo With N6.8b For Good Governance

The Source

November 20, 2024

Barely one year into the second tenure of Governor Hope Uzodimma, the World Bank has rewarded Imo State government with a whopping sum of four million United States dollars (N6.8b) for engendering good governance and accountability in the ease of doing business.

The State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba announced the cheering news during a conference in Owerri.

He said Imo is among only four states in Nigeria that qualified for the reimbursement under the World Bank’s State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme for the country.

According to the Commissioner, the States were assessed under the following framework – efficiency of land administration, regulatory framework for private investment in fiber optic infrastructure, services provided by investment promotion agencies and the efficiency and transparency of government-to-business services in participating States.

Emelumba disclosed that Imo State excelled in the four criteria, thus qualifying it to be rewarded with the huge sum for the consolidation of its programmes during the period under review.

He described the award as a testament to the commitment of Uzodimma’s government to progressive governance, economic empowerment and sustainable development.

Emelumba said under the focused administration of Governor Uzodimma, Imo State implemented firm policy initiatives to improve land administration, enabling seamless land registration and boosting land-based investments.

According to him, through transparent governance, Uzodimma has boosted the confidence of investors in the State, especially in the area of digital connectivity.

He said contrary to the submissions of critics of government, Uzodimma had been working very hard, interacting with investors within and outside Nigeria to buy into the investment opportunities available in the State.

The Commissioner noted that Imo State has made giant strides in strengthening its investment promotion agencies to ensure that they attracted the best investors to the State.

He was happy that by prioritising efficiency and transparency in government to business services, the State has engendered a culture of accountability in its relationships with relevant stakeholders.

Emelumba commended Governor Uzodimma for providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the State, thus attracting the attention of the World Bank.

He said the government’s achievements in the SABER programme of the World Bank are a confirmation of Uzodimma’s leadership initiatives aimed at making Imo the investment hub in Nigeria.

On what the government intends to do with the fund, the Commissioner said it would be utilised to further advance key reforms and reinvest in infrastructure, including offering support to Micro, Small and medium sized enterprises.

Bystander Killed, Three Injured, As Police, Military Clash In Ebonyi

Suleiman Anyalewechi

November 20, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A disagreement which later snowballed into full-blown clashes between some Police Operatives and a Military Personnel in Ugwuachara area of Ebonyi State has left one person dead and three others injured.

The deceased, a passerby, was killed by stray bullets released during an altercation involving Police officers on a stop and search duty and a Soldier.

The stop and search Police team, according to eye witness accounts had stopped a motorcycle rider, and wanted to impound his bike.

But the motorcycle rider, who unknown to the Police Officers is a serving Military Personnel, reportedly resisted the Police Operatives, a development which led to a serious scuffle.

Shots allegedly discharged from the Police Personnel service riffle fatally hit a menial job worker, and injured three others.

The Ebonyi State Police authorities, informed that the soldier and the policeman involved in the fracas are already in custody.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, while briefing the media in Abakaliki, the State capital, also said that a full scale investigation has been launched to ascertain the real circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.

“The Policemen on stop and search stopped the purported soldier at that time, and wanted to search him, but he refused and there was a scuffle between them.

“One was trying to disarm the other and the bullet went off and hit a bystander.

“One person is dead and three are injured, but they are responding to treatment. The ones that are in the hospital are responding to treatment.

“We have confirmed the purported soldier is a soldier, and both the soldier and the policeman are in our custody”, the CP stated.

The corpse of the dead victim has been deposited in the morgue, while investigations are ongoing.

Abia: Again, Gunmen Kill One, Injure Another In Police Checkpoint Attack

Suleiman Anyalewechi

November 20, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

As the Abia State Government and the opposition trade words over the spate of insecurity rocking the state, armed hoodlums have also continued to have a free reign.

On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, just a few days after ambushing, attacking, and killing one police officer and seriously injuring another attached to the convoy of the Federal Law maker representing Isiala Ngwa South /North at the National Assembly Hon Ginger Onwusibe, gunmen killed yet another Police personnel in the Ohafia area of the State.

According to eye witness accounts, the gunmen attacked some Police Operatives, at a check point in Ugwu Abba Asaga in Ohafia local Council of the state at about noon.

The surprise attack resulted in the death of one the Police officers on duty, with another severely injured.

As would be expected, the attack has brought about tension and panic among residents close to the scene of the incident, with many believed to have fled their homes for fear of mass arrest and possible reprisal attacks from security agencies.

As at the time of reporting, neither the Police nor the Abia State Government had volunteered any reactions.

The Source reports that Wednesday’s attack came on the heels of Sunday November 16 incident that targeted the Federal Legislator representing Governor Alex Otti’s Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.

Although Hon Onwusibe was not in the convoy during the attack which occurred in the Ubakala area of Umuahia South Local Government, the assailants killed one of his security details and seriously injured another.

The attack has since provoked bitter exchange of words between the State authorities and the opposition.

On Monday November November 17, the Government, in a statement issued by the Governor’s media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, pointedly domiciled the blame for the attack and others on the door steps of the opposition.

According to the Government, the opposition having unsuccessfully tried through propaganda to incite the people has regrettably resorted to orchestrating violence to distract it.

But the opposition would not have any of that as the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, apart from distancing itself from the heightened insecurity in the state of late, cautioned Governor Otti against playing politics with the security of the state.

A statement from the Abia PDP spokesperson, Eric Ikwuagwu on Monday 18 ,urged the State Government to embark on self interrogation, rather than blame its failures on imaginary enemies.

Instructively, before the Sunday attack, some armed men had on Wednesday, November 13, gunned down three soldiers at a military checkpoint at Ekenobisi Umuokpara near Umuahia the State capital.

In the early morning attack, the assailants also dismantled the military checkpoint.

Curiously, in all these attacks, no one has yet been held accountable .

The State Government and Police authorities so far have not gone beyond known rhetorics in addressing the situation.

Kogi Hosts Speakers From North Central Houses Of Assembly

Ayodele Oni

November 20, 2024

Aliyu Umar Yusuf - Kogi House of Assemlby Speaker

By Ayodele Oni

Kogi State is hosting a conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly from the North Central Zone of the Country which commenced on Wednesday.

The 2024 North Central Speakers Conference, holding in Lokoja, had in attendance the Speakers of the Six states that made up the North Central which include Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Kwara and Niger.

The Two days summit under the leadership of the Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker and the Chief host, Aliyu Umar Yusuf was among other things to discuss peace, unity and development of the region in particular and the country at large.

Yusuf, who welcomed members of the forum emphasized on the need for Speakers of State Houses of Assembly from the region to close ranks and speak with one voice on national issues and how to attract development to their people.

“We need to strengthen our unity in the region, solidify our working relationships with ourselves and our Governors for development to thrive” He said.

On his part, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Danladi Jatau, who underscored the significance of peace and unity, harped on the need for effective synergy among arms of governments, especially between the Legislature and the Executive, as the strongest avenue to achieve peace, unity and good governance.

The Speaker highlighted the mandate of leadership, orientation and achievements, calling on his colleagues to always brace up in initiating ideas that will enhance meaningful development as well as make laws and resolutions that will better the lots of their people.

Arewa Moves Against Insecurity, To Sensitize People On Self Defence

Ayodele Oni

November 20, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

As insecurity in the North persists despite efforts by security agencies, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is contemplating on educating the people on self-defence against the bandits.

ACF maintained that there is a need for public awareness to educate the people on the importance of self-defence in the North due to the prevailing insecurity.

Speaking in his opening remarks at the ACF National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Wednesday, the Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN), emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address the deteriorating situation.

He emphasized that the North’s security challenges are not only a regional concern but also a national issue that requires immediate attention.

Osuman warned that the worsening insecurity served as a clarion call to action saying, “It is imperative for leaders, stakeholders, and citizens to come together to address the region’s challenges and ensure a safer, more prosperous future for all.

“The North is currently under siege from various threats, including bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, and unjust treatment. We must come together to address these challenges.

“As leaders, we must demonstrate prudence and concern for domestic and environmental problems affecting our region. It is imperative that our governors and legislators work synergistically with traditional leaders to combat the ills plaguing our region.

“We must address the internal crimes perpetrated by our own sons and daughters, and work towards preventing these trends.

“There is a need for public awareness campaigns to educate our people on the importance of self-defence and preservation. We must develop local strategies to combat illegal mining by foreigners and locals in our region.

The ACF chairman also lauded the formation of the Shekarau-led League of Northern Democrats convened by an elder statesman, Dr. Umar Ardo, which was recently launched in a meeting attended by key northern elites in Abuja.

He said, “The League of Northern Democrats, a group comprising former governors, senators, and other prominent figures from the region, aligns with the ACF’s goals.”

“The ACF commends the League of Northern Democrats’ objectives, which align with our goals, but we must focus on immediate action and inward reflection.

“We must prioritize economic empowerment, education and skills development, infrastructure development, and security and justice to revitalize the North.”

Ondo: INEC Says Aiyedatiwa Won Fair And Square

Ayodele Oni

November 20, 2024

INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has insisted that last Saturday’s Governorship election in Ondo state was fair and credible.

This is just as the Commission presented Certificate of Return to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Supervising National Commissioner of INEC in charge of Ondo, Ogun and Osun states, Prof Kunle Ajayi, who represented INEC national chairman, Prof Mahmud Yakubu, praised the people of Ondo state for their peaceful conduct during the election.

Ajayi reiterated INEC’s commitment to conducting credible and conclusive elections, saying: “This celebration marks the culmination of a democratic process that reflects the will and aspiration of the good people of Ondo state.

“First, I will like to commend and congratulate the good people of Ondo state on the way and manner in which they conducted themselves in the just concluded governorship election. The voters attitude was generally impressive and there was no major electoral violence incident recorded.

“INEC remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring free, fair, credible, inclusive, and conclusive elections. The recently concluded Ondo state governorship election is a testament to our dedication to upholding these values.

“I will like to thank every stakeholder that contributed toward the successful conduct of this election from the voters, for coming out.”

Governor Aiyedatiwa promised more developmental strides across the state as a way of repaying the massive votes given him in the just concluded election by the people of the State.

The Governor stated this at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja shortly after receiving his certificate of return from the electoral body.

The Governor, who was presented the certificate alongside his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, thanked the people of the state for the confidence reposed in him by the unprecedented number of votes.

“I cannot but express my overwhelming gratitude to the people of Ondo state who came out en masse on the 16th of November, 2024 to cast their votes for our party, the APC, and by extension, for myself and my deputy in that governorship election.

The mandate you have just renewed via your huge votes across the 18 local governments of Ondo state, where we won convincingly, has placed a burden on me to serve you better than I have done in the last ten months.”

The Governor, who commended INEC for conducting one of the most peaceful elections in the country, also praised President Bola Tinubu for providing a level playing field for all contestants in the election.

“I cannot but also thank the leader of our party, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the leadership he has provided for our nation and our party.

“He was very unbiased in his approach. He did not favour one person over the other, irrespective of political party. He provided a level playing ground for all of us during that contest.

“I will also like to thank the National Chairman of our party, who is also here with me today to identify with this success story, His Excellency, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for the leadership he has provided for our party since he came on board as national chairman.

“I also like to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting a fair, transparent, credible and conclusive election that returned myself and my deputy as the winners of that election.We commend you for your efforts.”

Cabotage Fund: Reports Of Multi-billion Naira Disappearance From CBN False- NIMASA

Tosin Olatokunbo

November 20, 2024

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Mobereola has promised to ensure that the Cabotage Vessels Finance Funds, CVFF is utilised in line with its statutory purpose.

NIMASA has also assured stakeholders of the safety of the funds contrary to reports.

Mobereola made the remark on Tuesday following reports that the multi-billion naira CVFF fund has disappeared from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The agency reported recently that over $150 million has been saved from the funds so far, and remained in a special purpose vehicle account domiciled with the CBN.

According to a statement issued by the spokesman of the agency, Edward Osagie the reports that the funds have disappeared is further from the truth, as such only exists in the imagination of those peddling the rumour.

Mobereola said, “Let us be clear that the CVFF account at the Central Bank of Nigeria is safe, intact, and secure. We at NIMASA will continue to manage it with the utmost responsibility, and there are no irregularities or illegal activities surrounding the funds. I urge the public to disregard this false narrative and to continue trusting the Agency’s ability to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s maritime sector”.

The CVFF is a fund established under section 42 of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition capacity and to provide credit facilities to local maritime operators.

NIMASA is committed to transparency, accountability, and the advancement of Nigeria’s maritime sector, Mobereola said.

Kogi To Crackdown On Landlords Renting Houses To ‘Yahoo Yahoo Boys’

Akinwale Kasali

November 20, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

In a move to curb crime in the State, the Kogi State Government has vowed to clamp down on landlords harbouring Yahoo Boys in the State.

Abanika Taiye, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in the State disclosed the plans by the Governor Usman Ododo-led Kogi State Government during a press briefing ahead of a two-day symposium of stakeholders in Housing and Urban Development in the State.

Taiye noted that it was appalling that some property owners were sabotaging the efforts of the government at ridding the State of crimes and criminalities by accommodating individuals who have questionable sources of income.

According to him, the Government was coming up with a new policy through a bill in the House of Assembly to checkmate the alleged exploitation and excesses of property owners in the State.

This, he said, would help reduce the burden on residents who over the years had been yearning for a workable policy to regulate the housing sector.

He said: “The Kogi State Government is creating awareness by bringing all the relevant stakeholders on board in the building sector for a robust dialogue in which we will come out with a blueprint that will serve as a guideline for the provision of houses for our people.

Policy and law is very important in any organization or ministry. When it is made and strictly adhered to, the government will be able to check the excesses of property owners or landlords in the State.

“Our ministry has already put in place policies and measures that will check the excesses of property owners in Kogi State”.

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