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Tax Reform Bill, Re-election: Tinubu Plots Bulwark Against Northern Threat

By
The Source
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President Bola Tinubu

By Akinjide Aina, Abuja Bureau Chief

Despite the bloc support the controversial tax reform of President Bola Tinubu received from the Nigerian Governors Forum last week, multiple  sources have told this magazine that President Bola Tinubu may have decided to take seriously the relentless threat from the Northern part of the country against the reform and his re-election in 2027

Recall that the tax reform bill currently before the National Assembly has been attracting opposition from the Northern intelligentsia- political, academic, religious and traditional leaders- on the grounds that it would cripple the region economically. Many Northern politicians, including chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, have vowed to work against the President’s re-eletion  unless he jettisoned the controversial tax reforms.

The bipartisan nature of the Muslim North opposition against the President on the account of the tax reform bill, sources inform The source Magazine, is a source of serious concern to the President.

Said a source conversant with the unfolding political intrigues: “Even governors and federal lawmakers from the core Muslim North elected on the platform of the APC have openly spoken out, strongly, against the tax reform bill and, whether you like it or not, against the President too. They are not hiding their belligerent mood and resolve to move against Mr President’s re-election if he insists on going ahead with the bill. Do not be deceived by the endorsement the tax reform bill got last week from the Nigerian Governor Forum. Many Northern Governors remain opposed to the tax reform which they perceive as anti-North.

“Those who haven’t spoken or who may not speak out are quietly throwing their weights against the bill. The situation is currently causing the  President’s trusted allies and members of his kitchen cabinet some disquiet”

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi, Senators Ali Ndume, Tahir Monguno, Abdul Ningi are among top serving Northern politicians who  kicked against the tax reform bill. Many more Northern Governors and National Assembly members across parties are believed to be opposed to the tax bill but have elated to work behind the scenes to truncate it failing which they have vowed to truncate President Tinubu’s second term bid.

Bala Mohammed - Governor of Bauchi State
Governor Bala Muhammed: Tax reform against the North.

Speaking in Bauchi, the Bauchi state capital  during the Christmas festivities while receiving the Christian community in the State who paid him a Christmas homage, Governor Mohammed accused President Tinubu of sectionalism and threatened that the region would show him its true colour in 2027 if he insists on pushing throug the tax reform bill which he claimed is anti- North: “We are calling on the Presidency and the Federal Government to change their style. Whenever a policy is not popular, they should listen to the people, they should not be arrogant and think that whatever we bring, must be. This is not an oligarchy, this is not a military rule, they must listen to the people and that is what makes a good leader.

“And we pledge to be loyal to them but anything they are doing contrary to that, they are calling for anarchy, they are calling for intransigence and it is unacceptable.

“The Presidency must listen to the cries about Tax Reform.It is not a good policy for Northern Nigeria because we are not going to get money to pay you salaries, to do roads. They must listen, otherwise, they are calling for anarchy. And that is not good.

“We voted for the Presidency in this State and other states, they must listen to us. They must not come up with policies that favour only one section of the country or even one state in the country. It is not about religion, it is not about tribe, it is about national unity, it is about national hegemony and this is what we are all about, good leadership. We will continue to be loyal for the time being, if the situation persists, they will see our real colour, we are going to fight for it.

“We are not afraid of them, even if it’s the President, we are not afraid of them, except that we only show respect. Whether it is a traditional institution, or it is the Federal Government or it is the President, honestly, we are not afraid of them but we can only show our obedience and respect to leadership. But we will not allow anyone to denigrate us”, said the Governor who is the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors Forum.

Meanwhile, apart from his emphatic declaration during Presidential Media chat last month that there was no going back on the tax bill, feelers from the Presidency indicate that the President is poised to damm the likely political consequences of the bill and have therefore resolved not to back down on its passage.

The President is reportedly determined to muscle his way with the bill and have it passed in both chambers of the National Assembly without any alteration even if it means losing key Northern support for his re-election.

However, to douse the opposition to the tax bill and by extension his re-election bid, the magazine gathered that the President have enlisted  respected Southwest political, religious leaders as well as traditional rulers to help calm frayed nerves in the North.

The recent visit of the  Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and his entourage to former President Muhammadu Buhari in his hometown, Daura,  Kastina state, is believed to be one of such trouble-shooting emissaries despatched by President Tinubu.

Former President Buhari, famous for his irredentism in favour of the core muslim North, is reportedly fiercely oppose to the tax bill for allegedly being anti- North and is said to be predisposed to joining forces with anti- Tinubu elements in the region to torpedo the President’s second term bid.

The Source magazine has, however, been told that should the North remain implacable, President Tinubu would consider rallying the Southern and Northern Minorities for his re-election.

Said an Aso Rock source: “Don’t forget that in the  2011 Presidential election, the whole of the so called core Muslim North voted for Buhari against President Jonathan, infact Jonathan lost woefully to Buhari in the core Muslim North but won overwhelmingly in the entire southern Nigeria and in the minority Northern Christian communities and also in the Middle Belt states. And that was how President Jonathan massively won the 2011 presidential election.

“All cards are still on the table. If circumstances later dictate that Mr President rallies the Southern and Northern minorities, he will do so, afterrall, those were the people who gave Jonathan victory in 2011.”

A political analyst, Tobenna Igwekile, however, opine that the Jonathan 2011 scenario will significantly differ from the likely Tinubu scenario in 2027 should he decide to appeal to the  Southern and Northern minorities’ sentiments.

“Jonathan was a Christian with an Hausa/Fulani runing mate contesting against a Muslim Fulani candidate; and it was quite easy for him to attract virtually all the votes of Northern minorities and Middle Belt states and Southern Nigeria which are predominantly Christians.

“In the case of Tinubu, such sympathy from Northern minorities and Middle Belt, and even Southern Nigeria, particularly Southeast and South south, may be lacking if he sticks to his Muslim-Muslim ticket”, Igwekile said.

Trump’s External Tax Policy Endangers World Trade

By
James Orji
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Following Monday’s announcement of the External Revenue Service by President Donald Trump of the United States, global trade could be disrupted, according to Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

Oyedele has been credited with the controversial Tax Reform Bills sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2024.

The magazine reported that the Bills have divided the country, because not a few Nigerians said it will impose more hardship on the masses.

Nigerian state governors have just thrown their weight behind the Bills after weeks of opposition.

The PCFPTR Chairman said the Tax Reforms Bill proposed by President Tinubu will help the country in the face of President Trump’s decision to establish, in US, the ERS.

He shared his thought on the plan of the US leader on Tuesday on his X handle, saying Nigeria must ensure that she’s a step ahead of what Trump is planning to do. The ERS has the potentials of ‘disrupting’ international trade, global tax system among other economic problems it’s capable of causing, Oyedele stated.

He asserts that “The 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump announced plans to establish an to impose tariffs and taxes on other countries.

Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump

“This move could disrupt international trade and further complicate the already complex global tax system, highlighting the importance of our ongoing tax reforms.”

On his inaugural on Monday, President Trump said in his speech that he will work to ensure that America now works for Americans, saying part of the plans was to set up the ERS which will rally funds globally, and bring back home for the benefit of Americans.

The new American leader said a situation where the resources of the US are used to supports oversees initiatives has ended.

Trump said, “Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we tariff and tax other countries to enrich our citizens. For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenue. It will be a massive amount of money pouring into our treasury coming from far.”

The ERS is among a slew of Executive Orders issued yesterday by President Trump as part of his plan to  ‘Make America Great Again initiative.

2027: Expect 100 Percent Support For Donating ‘Food Items’ To Edo People; Okpebholo Assures Tinubu

By
James Orji
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Monday Okpebholo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the maximum support of the people of the state ahead the 2027 presidential election.

The governor made the promise on Monday during a food outreach organised by the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, that the people of the state will deliver 100 percent of their votes to the president if he chooses to contest for a second term.

RHI is an initiative of Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of the president.

The initiative was launched last year by the First Lady, and not a few states in the country have benefited form the food outreach. The states, apart from Edo include , Benue, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Gombe and Cross Rivers.

Others states will soon benefit from the RHI, according to the organisers.

Speaking yesterday, Okpebholo said the initiative could not have succeeded without the support of President Tinubu, and as such the people of the state will return the favour in the next election by voting massively for him if he choose to contest.

Th president has yet to complete his first term in office, there are however suggestions that he will run again in the next presidential election slated for less than two years.

Okpebholo asserted that the people of the state are happy with Tinubu , assuring him of “100 percent votes in the State come 2027 presidential election.”

The governor said, “The entire people of Edo State are very appreciative of this kind gesture of food outreach and donations of different food items to the vulnerable in Edo State.

“We are happy in Edo State, and the people are beginning to see and enjoy a new dawn. Look at food items all over the place in this hall, all thanks to the president and his wife for this great initiative that Edo people are benefitting from today.

“We are assuring you, Mr. President of our 100 percent votes in the State come 2027 presidential election, and if possible, we will give you more than 100 percent.”

“God Saved Me To Make America Great Again”

By
James Orji
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Trump Inaugural Speech

Being transcript of the inaugural speech delivered by President Donald Trump of the United States of America

Thank you. Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you very, very much. Vice President Vance. Speaker Johnson. Senator Thune. Chief Justice Roberts. Justices of the United States Supreme Court. President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and my fellow citizens, the golden age of America begins right now.

From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first.

Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. And our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free. America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before.

I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country, sunlight is pouring over the entire world, and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before. But first, we must be honest about the challenges we face. While they are plentiful, they will be annihilated by this great momentum that the world is now witnessing in the United States of America.

As we gather today our government confronts a crisis of trust. For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair. We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect our magnificent law-abiding American citizens, but provides sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and ​​mental institutions that have illegally entered our country from all over the world.

We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders but refuses to defend American borders, or, more importantly, its own people. Our country can no longer give basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina. Been treated so badly. And other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago.

Or more recently, Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn. From weeks ago, without even a token of defense, they’re raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They don’t have a home any longer. That’s interesting.

But we can’t let this happen. Everyone is unable to do anything about it. That’s going to change. We have a public health system that does not deliver in times of disaster, yet more money is spent on it than any country anywhere in the world. And we have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves in many cases, to hate our country despite the love that we try so desperately to provide to them. All of this will change starting today, and it will change very quickly.

My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed, their freedom. From this moment on, America’s decline is over.

Our liberties and our nation’s glorious destiny will no longer be denied. And we will immediately restore the integrity, competency and loyalty of America’s government.

Over the past eight years I have been tested and challenged more than any president in our 250-year history. And I have learned a lot along the way. The journey to reclaim our Republic has not been an easy one, that I can tell you. Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom, and indeed, to take my life.

Just a few months ago, in that beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear. But I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

That is why each day, under our administration of American patriots, we will be working to meet every crisis with dignity and power and strength. We will move with purpose and speed to bring back hope, prosperity, safety and peace for citizens of every race, religion, color and creed. For American citizens, Jan. 20, 2025, is Liberation Day.

It is my hope that our recent presidential election will be remembered as the greatest and most consequential election in the history of our country. As our victory showed, the entire nation is rapidly unifying behind our agenda, with dramatic increases in support from virtually every element of our society: young and old, men and women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, urban, suburban, rural, and very importantly, we had a powerful win in all seven swing states, and the popular vote we won by millions of people.

To the Black and Hispanic communities, I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and trust that you have shown me with your vote. We set records and I will not forget it. I’ve heard your voices in the campaign and I look forward to working with you in the years to come. Today is Martin Luther King Day and his honor, this will be a great honor. But in his honor we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true.

National unity is now returning to America, and confidence and pride is soaring like never before. In everything we do, my administration will be inspired by a strong pursuit of excellence and unrelenting success. We will not forget our country, we will not forget our constitution, and we will not forget our God. Can’t do that.

Today I will sign a series of historic executive orders. With these actions we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense. It’s all about common sense.

First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. We will reinstate my Remain in Mexico policy. I will end the practice of catch and release. And I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.

Under the orders I signed today, we will also be designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. And by invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gang criminal networks, bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil, including our cities and inner cities.

As commander in chief I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do. We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Next I will direct all members of my cabinet to marshal the vast powers at their disposal to defeat what was record inflation and rapidly bring down costs and prices. The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices. That is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill.

America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have: the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it. We’re going to use it.

We will bring prices down, fill our strategic reserves up again, right to the top, and export American energy all over the world.

We will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it. With my actions today, we will end the Green New Deal and we will revoke the electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto industry and keeping my sacred pledge to our great American autoworkers.

In other words, you’ll be able to buy the car of your choice. We will build automobiles in America again at a rate that nobody could have dreamt possible just a few years ago. And thank you to the autoworkers of our nation for your inspiring vote of confidence. We did tremendously with their vote.

I will immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families. Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens. For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service, to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our treasury, coming from foreign sources.

The American dream will soon be back and thriving like never before. To restore competence and effectiveness to our federal government, my administration will establish the brand-new Department of Government Efficiency.

After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression, I will also sign an executive order to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America.

Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents, something I know something about. We will not allow that to happen. It will not happen again. Under my leadership, we will restore fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law. And we are going to bring law and order back to our cities.

This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.

This week, I will reinstate any service members who were unjustly expelled from our military for objecting to the Covid vaccine mandate, with full back pay. And I will sign an order to stop our warriors from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty. It’s going to end immediately. Our armed forces will be free to focus on their sole mission: defeating America’s enemies.

Like in 2017, we will again build the strongest military the world has ever seen. We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into.

My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be, a peacemaker and a unifier. I’m pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families. Thank you.

America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world. A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. And we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs.

President McKinley made our country very rich, through tariffs and through talent. He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States. The United States — I mean, think of this — spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal. We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made. And Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated.

American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape, or form. And that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back.

Above all, my message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization. So as we liberate our nation, we will lead it to new heights of victory and success. We will not be deterred. Together we will end the chronic disease epidemic and keep our children safe, healthy and disease-free.

The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons. And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars.

Ambition is the lifeblood of a great nation. And right now, our nation is more ambitious than any other. There’s no nation like our nation. Americans are explorers, builders, innovators, entrepreneurs and pioneers. The spirit of the frontier is written into our hearts. The call of the next great adventure resounds from within our souls. Our American ancestors turned a small group of colonies on the edge of a vast continent into a mighty republic of the most extraordinary citizens on Earth. No one comes close.

Americans pushed thousands of miles through a rugged land of untamed wilderness. They crossed deserts, scaled mountains, braved untold dangers, won the Wild West, ended slavery, rescued millions from tyranny, lifted billions from poverty, harnessed electricity, split the atom, launched mankind into the heavens and put the universe of human knowledge into the palm of the human hand. If we work together, there is nothing we cannot do and no dream we cannot achieve.

Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am. The American people have spoken.

I stand before you now as proof that you should never believe that something is impossible to do. In America, the impossible is what we do best.

From New York to Los Angeles, from Philadelphia to Phoenix, from Chicago to Miami, from Houston to right here in Washington, D.C., our country was forged and built by the generations of patriots who gave everything they had for our rights and for our freedom. They were farmers and soldiers, cowboys and factory workers, steel workers and coal miners, police officers and pioneers who pushed onward, marched forward and let no obstacle defeat their spirit or their pride.

Together they laid down the railroads, raised up the skyscrapers, built great highways, won two world wars, defeated fascism and communism, and triumphed over every single challenge that they faced. After all we have been through together, we stand on the verge of the four greatest years in American history. With your help, we will restore American promise and we will rebuild the nation that we love, and we love it so much.

We are one people, one family and one glorious nation under God. So to every parent who dreams for their child, and every child who dreams for their future, I am with you, I will fight for you and I will win for you. We are going to win like never before. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

In recent years our nation has suffered greatly. But we are going to bring it back and make it great again, greater than ever before. We will be a nation like no other, full of compassion, courage and exceptionalism. Our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent and totally unpredictable.

America will be respected again and admired again, including by people of religion, faith and good will. We will be prosperous, we will be proud, we will be strong and we will win like never before. We will not be conquered, we will not be intimidated, we will not be broken and we will not fail. From this day on, the United States of America will be a free, sovereign and independent nation.

We will stand bravely, we will live proudly, we will dream boldly, and nothing will stand in our way because we are Americans. The future’s ours. And our golden age has just begun. Thank you, God bless America, thank you all.

How Turji, Terror Kingpin, Abandoned His Son To Be Killed By Troops – Military High Command

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Bandits Leader Bello-Turji

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigerian Military High Command on Monday January 20, 2025, informed that the  noose is gradually being tightened on one of the most wanted banditry lords  in the North West region of the country.

At a media briefing, Edward Buba, a Major General, and Director, Defence Information, announced the  killing of several terrorists loyal to Turji, including his son in  operations by troops.

The Source reports that Kachalla Turji has been one of the most vicious and notorious banditry kingpins  whose criminal activities have brought untold agony to many  Zamfara residents and others especially travelers along the Funtua-Gusau-Sokoto/Kebbi highway.

Apart from several innocent people killed, Turji and his gang have been imposing a suffocating tax regime on some communities in  Zamfara State to fund his murderous activities.

According to Buba, Turji’s son, whose age was however not stated, was killed along side other fighters on Friday January 17, 2025, following raids and military operations on his stronghold in the Fakai area of Zamfara State.

The attacks, he stated, were jointly launched by the air and ground components of the Operation Fasan Yamma, currently fighting to root out bandits and other criminal elements from the North West region.

The well coordinated military operations, he noted were carried out within Maiwa Shinkafi, Kagara Moriki, Fakai and Chindo areas of Zamfara State, believe to be the major operational base of Turji and his group.

Although specific figures of bandits casualties were not given, the Defence spokesman however indicated that a large number of terrorists lost their lives during the operations .

Similarly, Buba informed that the operations also resulted in the rescue of several abducted.  victims ,who had been  in captivity .

However, despite the seemingly high successes recorded during the exercise, the Defence spokesman, regretted that Turji, the main target, remains elusive.

“The terrorist leader Bello Turji in a gross cowardly act escaped abandoning his son and combatants”, Buba noted.

The Source further reports that ,the Minister of Defence (State), Bello Matawalle, had, in the last quarter of last year ,harped on the urgent need for the arrest and death of Kachalla Turji .

He had specifically pleaded passionately with troops ,to get him the notorious terror lord either dead or alive.

Ekiti: Gov Oyebanji Thumbs Up Dev Strides At FUOYE, 11 Years After Establishment

By
Ayodele Oni
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Federal University Oye Ekiti - FUOYE

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has commended the Governing Council of Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) for developing the university to enviable heights within 11 years of its establishment.

Governor Oyebanji made the remark while receiving members of the Governing Council of the University led by its chairman, Victor Ndoma- Egba, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina at the Governor’s office, Ado Ekiti on Monday.

The Governor also applauded the institution for championing academic excellence among over 280 public universities in the country.

He said there is no doubt that FUOYE under the leadership of  Ndoma-Egba will continue to soar higher, adding that he is impressed with the accomplishments of staff and students of the institution in areas of academic excellence and research.

The Governor emphasized that the state government would continue to support the university in its infrastructure development drive, which is geared towards repositioning the institution as one of the leading institutions of higher learning.

Speaking on the education policy of his administration, the Governor said his government would continue to translate the state’s comparative advantage in education into wealth creation in line with shared prosperity agenda of the administration.

This, he said informed investment in learning facilities in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state.

He commended  Ndoma- Egba for the richness of his contribution during his time at the National Assembly as well as his sterling contribution to national development as an accomplished lawyer, politician and public servant.

“When you were in the Seventh Senate, you were one of the few senators I took special interest in, because of the richness of your contributions on the floor of the senate and by the kind of leadership you espoused. You remain a leader that I have absolute respect for.

“I must congratulate FUOYE for having you as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, I must also thank the President for putting a fit and proper person as the chair of the council of the university.

“Like you rightly said, I keep telling my friends that Ekiti state has the highest PhD holders per capital in the country, our challenge as a government is how to translate that to wealth creation for the people. How to ensure that those titles solve problems for Ekiti. We must add value to the people and the state that will bring gains to the society.

“I can assure you that we will partner with you to ensure that we realize those indelible legacies that you intend to leave behind. On most of the issues you raised, especially the issue of Certificate of Occupancy, the state will take that up immediately. We will also look into the request for fencing and I will also tell you that work has already started on the road from Oye to Are Ekiti.

Earlier, the Chairman of the University Council, Victor Ndoma- Egba commended the hospitality of Ekiti people, which according to him has been the greatest impetus that has driven the university to thrive and achieve remarkable growth and development it has achieved.

Ndoma-Egba also applauded Governor Oyebanji for his development strides in the health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and other sectors of the economy, which he said the Governor is doing without noise.

“Your Excellency, let me congratulate you once again. You are doing so much in Education, agriculture, infrastructure, in health and other sectors. You are doing so much with very little noise”, he added.

The Pro Chancellor stated further that during his tenure at FUOYE, he would do all within his power to stabilize the academic calendar of the university, urging the unions to allow relevant and extant laws to guide their grievance management.

NAF Not Responsible For Explosion In Rivers – Spokesman

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Explosion at NNPC Buguma Community, Asari-Toru

By Ayodele Oni

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has distanced its personnel from the explosion at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) wellhead in Buguma Community, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola  Akinboyewa on Monday stressed the NAF has nothing to do with the incident.

Akinboyewa noted that contrary to the allegations made by the Buguma Community spokesperson, who speculated that the fire may have been caused by aging oil facilities, illegal oil bunkering, or NAF operations, we wish to clarify the situation.

He explained that the wellhead had been leaking crude oil due to prolonged illegal activities in the area. “Video recordings from previous missions confirm that the wellhead had been leaking for an extended period, resulting in the accumulation of gas and flammable liquids in the surrounding environment.

“High-definition (HD) video recordings from the NAF platform, including footage from December 2024, clearly show the wellhead spilling oil and the barge already burnt before its arrival at the location.

“The onboard camera system ensures transparency and accountability by capturing and documenting all activities, eliminating any possibility of indiscriminate firing at civilians or destroying assets, as falsely alleged.

“It is also important to note that the NAF ensures due diligence before engaging any target, so that only illegal refining sites and equipment are destroyed. The safety of innocent civilians and the protection of critical infrastructure remain a top priority for the Service.

“Accodingly, the public may rest assured that the NAF remains steadfast in its mission to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and combat crude oil theft, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human life.”

Suspected Killer Of EFCC Operative, Not Our Member – NMA

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigeria Medical Association on Monday January, 20, 2025 strongly dissociated the body from Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu, the suspected killer of an Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC  Operative in Anambra State.

The Source reports that Aminu Sahabi Salisu, an Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, was on Friday, January 17, gunned down in Awka ,Anambra state capital, by Ikechukwu ,a suspected Internet fraudster, according to the EFCC.

But some news report, after the tragic incident  portrayed Ikechukwu not as a fraudster, but a medical practitioner forced by circumstances  to shoot at the invading and intruding EFCC operatives in self defence.

The presentation of the suspected killer as an innocent medical doctor ,and a victim of circumstances ,has since been rejected by the anti-graft agency.

In a Statement issued on

Sunday, January 19,2025 by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale ,the Commission described such perceived skewed narratives as irresponsible, callous and outrageous.

It also expressed shock and disbelief that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents “with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty.”

The Commission insisted that the suspect Ikechukwu, though engaged in fraudulent online medical supplies and other activities, is not a medical doctor, as the unsuspecting public is meant to believe.

The Awka, Anambra NMA, in a statement by its Secretary, Dr Obiaeli Ifeanyi, informed that  the suspect is neither a medical doctor nor even an academic doctor

“The attention of the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association NMA, Anambra State, has been drawn to the online and newspaper publications in which it was alleged that a medical doctor shot an official of the EFCC in Awka.

“Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu (the suspected killer) is not  a Medical Doctor (not even an academic doctor ) as widely published by the media, though he deals on medical supplies and has been addressed as a Doctor..

“Joshua  Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is not a staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, as has already been debunked by the NAUTH management”,  the NMA stated.

“In the same vein, the Anambra state police authorities, informed that Ikechukwu has since denied being a medical doctor ,as earlier claimed.

“The suspect has recanted. He told the police investigation team that he falsely claimed to be a medical doctor ,and that  people have been addressing him as such” a police source revealed .

The NMA has, therefore, warned against any attempt by any individuals and groups to unnecessarily drag the name of the body into the mud.

“The NMA, also, urged media organizations ,and others who have made the initial mistake of referring to the suspect as a medical doctor to urgently do the needful by way of retracting the reports.”

EFCC Arraigns Former AMCON MD, Ahmed Kuru, Four Others, Over Alleged N76bn Fraud Of Arik Air

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ahmed Kuru - EFCC Arraigns Former AMCON MD

By Akinwale Kasali

Anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Ahmed Kuru, former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, alongside four others, for allegedly defrauding Arik Airline of N76 billion and $31.5 million.

Arraigned alongside Kuru are four defendants – Kamilu Omokide, the former Receiver Manager of Arik Airline Ltd, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, and Super Bravo Ltd.

The defendants face six counts of theft, abuse of office, and stealing by dishonestly taking the property of another.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them.

However, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), the defence Counsel for the first and third defendants, informed the Court of a motion for a bail application, requesting that the defendants be granted bail on liberal terms.

Also, Olasupo Shasore (SAN), the counsel for the second defendant, urged the Court to grant bail to his client on self-recognition.

In response, the prosecution opposed the bail applications through counter-affidavits. EFCC Counsel Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN) expressed concerns that the defendants might be tempted to leave the country.

After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Mojisola Dada granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N20 million, requiring one surety each in an equal amount.

The Judge stipulated that the sureties must be gainfully employed and provide proof of identification. Additionally, the defendants were ordered to submit their international passports to the court registrar.

The Court directed that the defendants remain in the custody of their respective counsel pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions. The trial is set to commence on March 17.

The Commission also alleged that Kuru, Omokide, and Ilegbodu fraudulently converted N4.9 billion to their use through NG Eagle Ltd in 2022.

Furthermore, the EFCC claimed that the CEO of Arik, Ilegbodu, stole N22.5 million by fraudulently converting it to the benefit of Magashi Ali Mohammed, a property of Arik Airline Ltd.

Tanker Explosion: Obi Condoles Families, Wants Stricter Safety Measures In Place

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Labour Party Leader and the 2023 Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to the tragic petrol tanker explosion that claimed several lives, calling for stricter Safety Measures to avert the persisting accident.

Writing on his X handle, Obi condoled the bereaved families and prayed for quick recovery of the injured.

He wrote:

“The tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred along Dikko-Maje Road in the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State is truly heartbreaking. Reports indicate that over 70 lives were lost, while more than 50 people were injured in the incident.

“These accidents, which have sadly become increasingly recurrent in recent times, highlight the urgent need for the implementation of stricter safety measures to address the dangers of tanker explosions and similar incidents, which often result in colossal disasters.

“I sincerely commiserate with the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. I also extend my condolences to the Government and people of Niger State over this devastating incident. May God grant them, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this loss, eternal rest to the departed, and a swift recovery to the injured.

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