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Ondo Gov Election: INEC Distributes Materials To 18 Local Councils

By
Ayodele Oni
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INEC Distributes Materials for Ondo Gov Election

By Ayodele Oni

Ahead of the Saturday Governorship election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday  commenced the distribution of the sensitive materials to the 18 Local Governments in the State.

Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) in the state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, supervised the distribution exercise at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) in Akure.

“The exercise is going on smoothly, this distribution exercise is going on very smoothly.  The farthest local governments  have started moving to their local governments.

“All the other local governments have received their materials, they are checking them, and they are loading  the vehicles and if I’m sure in another one and a half hours we should be out of it.

“Most vehicles have loaded the materials and they have started moving to their destination with the security personnel assigned to each vehicle that would pilot the material to their destination.

“The vehicles are already moving. Ilaje has left, Ese- Odo  has left, they are loading, they will soon leave. Then we move to the next set, Akoko, North East, North East, North West, South East, South West, Owo and Ose.

“They have collected all their materials and they will leave any moment from now.  Then Odigbo, Ondo East, Ondo West, Idanre, Axis, they are leaving. We are on course, we are doing it and  we are moving.

“The movement is not local government by local government. We are doing it simultaneously.  It’s not only Ilaje and Ese-Odo, On the land, We have difficult terrains.

“We have on land and we have on water.  The difficult terrain on water, they are in Ilaje and Ese-Odo and we have identified those areas and we  are going to have boats that will transport men and materials.

”We also have the support of the Navy. They are giving us gunboats to secure the movement. For the land where we have difficult terrain, we will move out to the place where vehicle can reach and we’ll continue the rest with suitable means of transportation.”

Tinubu To Present N47.9 Trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill To National Assembly

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

The presentation of the 2025 budget by President Bola Tinubu  to the National Assembly, may come up any moment as the Federal Executive Council(FEC)  ratified N47.9 trillion for the fiscal year 2025.

This exceeds the 2024 budget with N12.9trillion, as the 2024 estimates were put at N35 trillion.

This was the outcome of the meeting of the council presided over by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.

According to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, the council also approved the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

According to him, the government has set the crude oil benchmark at $75 per barrel and oil production at 2.06 million barrels per day (bpd).

Bagudu explained that the exchange rate was pegged at N1,400 per dollar, noting that the government is targeting a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.4 per cent.

Sack Of Public Servants: PDP Lashes Gov Okpobholo

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Monday-Okpebholo

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  has strongly condemned the spate of retrenchment that  characterized the first two days in office of Governor Monday  Okpobholo.

The Source reports that the newly inaugurated All Progressive Congress, APC-led adminstration, on Wednesday, sacked many people public servants.

The Government alleged that they were illegally recruited at the last minute by the out gone administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

A few days to its inauguration, the new administration had raised an alarm concerning last minute recruitments, particularly political aides being converted to full civil servants by the immediate past Government.

But reacting to the retrenchment exercise, the PDP spokesperson Chris Osa Nehikhare, in statement on Thursday, November 14, 2024, described Governor Okpobholo’s action as callous, reckless and unjust.

The PDP noted that the unfortunate development has plunged many households in the State into  a state of uncertainty and despondency.

According to the Party, the retrenchment  exercise is a stark reminder of the impending troubling times that await the people under the new APC-led adminstration in the State.

The PDP spokesman expressed regret that such inhuman action from an APC Governor is coming on the heels of the excruciating hardship already visited on the people by a central Government equally led by the APC.

” This is totally condemnable and unacceptable. How can a Governor begin to sack workers in the State barely 24 hours after he was sworn in ?

“This  callous and rash action of the Governor is a direct assault on workers and the people of the State and we condemn it in its entirety.

“It is reminiscent of the dark days of the military when after they illegally took over power, they began to sack and dismiss civil and public servants, using such words as: ‘with immediate effect’

“Could this just be the beginning of the harsh and inhuman policies and decisions we are to see under the new administration of Monday Okpopholo ?.

“Is this a sad tale sign of what the Government portends for the people of Edo state? If this is how the Governor began his first day in office, what hope do we have for the months ahead?

“How can a Governor kick off his administration by throwing families into hardship? This is the height of wickedness and insensitive and does not bode well for our state” the PDP noted .

According to the statement, the PDP is however not all that surprised at the actions of Governor  Okpobholo as it is in tandem with the wider suffocating policies of the APC led Federal Government.

Ondo 2024: Three Candidates Step Down For Aiyedatiwa, Endorse Him

By
Ayodele Oni
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Three Candidates Step Down For Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

Less than 48 hours to the governorship election in Ondo State, three gubernatorial candidates have withdrawn from the election, endorsing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in a statement revealed that the candidates are of the Accord Party, (AP) the National Rescue Movement (NRM) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The endorsement came during a solidarity visit to the governor, where Dr. Ajibola Falaye, candidate of the Accord party, speaking on behalf of the three parties, praised Governor Aiyedatiwa’s dedication to the progress of Ondo State and cited his achievements in office.

The other two are the governorship candidate of the NRM, Jenyo Ataunoko and the deputy governorship candidate of the ADC, Mr Olaide Rasheed Ibrahim. The governorship candidate of the ADC had earlier declared support for Governor Aiyedatiwa.

Dr. Falaye stated that their decision to back the governor for Saturday’s election was based on observations of his longstanding commitment to public service, tracing back to his time as the deputy governor.

“We have been watching him, and his doors are always open to all,” Falaye stated, commending the governor for his inclusive approach to governance and for prioritising the welfare of residents.

He pointed to the governor’s record on security, stating, “The state has been experiencing relative peace under his watch, which reflects his commitment to safeguarding the lives of our people.”

The Accord candidate also noted the shared values of progressive politics and goals that NRM, ADC, and Accord find in alignment with the Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

“We see the infrastructural development that has taken place even within this short period. It is clear that the governor is actively working for the people. This Saturday, we will turn our commitment into votes. We will vote for continuity in Ondo State.”

In his response, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed deep gratitude for the endorsement, calling it a quality decision made out of goodwill by the candidates and their parties.

“I didn’t call for this, but I am grateful that my colleagues in the race have voluntarily identified with my mandate and are ready to mobilise their supporters to vote for the APC.

Governor Aiyedatiwa warmly welcomed the candidates’ decision to unite behind him, describing it as an act of statesmanship.

Acknowledging the short time remaining before election, the Governor said: “There’s no time left. I appeal to you all to encourage your members to come out in full force on Saturday and cast their votes for the APC.”

The Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia and the Director General of the campaign, Abiola Makinde, among others, joined Governor Aiyedatiwa to receive the three candidates.

Veteran Nollywood Filmmaker, Actor, Moses Korede Are Is Dead

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Actor Moses Korede

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Movie Industry has been dealt a big blow once again, as one of its Veteran Actors, Filmmaker and Gospel Movie Producer, Moses Korede Are, popularly known as Baba Gbenro dies.

The famous Actor was known for his role as Baba Gbenro in Abattoir Series, that was shown on Television in the early Year 2000.

His demise was announced by a co-Gospel actor and producer, Oluwaseun Adejumobi on his verified Instagram page on Thursday afternoon.

He wrote, “Heavens’ Gain Again. A General Has Gone to rest”.

It should be recalled that Baba Gbenro, as fondly called by his fans, is one of the main actors in the popular Mount Zion series titled “Abbatoir”. He was the founder and International President of Calvary Movies Drama Ministry based in Ogbomoso, Osun State, Nigeria.

He was also the Chief Executive Officer of Calvary Movies Television.

The cause of his death remains sketchy as at the time of filing this report, as no official statement has been made by his family.

PDP Campaign Council Urges Electorate In Ondo To Protect Their Votes

By
Ayodele Oni
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PDP Campaign in Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

The National Campaign Council of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Saturday’s Governorship Election in Ondo State on Thursday held its final rally with a call to Ondo State voters to be vigilant during the election.

Speaking at the rally which was held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the Chairman of the National Campaign Council and Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, urged voters to  do all to protect their votes to avoid manipulation by the All Progressive Congress, (APC).

Adeleke promised that the Governorship Candidate of the PDP, Agboola Ajayi will bring development to the state if elected as governor on Saturday.

According to Adeleke, the people of Ondo State are the only ones that can liberate themselves from the shackles of the APC-led administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Acting National Chairman of the PDP Damagun assured voters that Ajayi will not fail them when sworn-in as governor of Ondo State.

Also speaking, the Governor of Oyo State and leader of the PDP in the Southwest, Seyi Makinde urged voters to believe that the party has plans to develop the state, urging them to vote massively for Agboola Ajayi during the election.

He advised voters to monitor their votes and ballot boxes during the election and then leave the rest for the National Campaign Council to handle.

According to him, the APC is making luciferian scheme to rig the election by creating violence at Polling Units, but he urged voters to be very watchful and calm. He advised them not to engage in such violence but vote for Agboola Ajayi.

Also speaking, the governors of Bauchi and Adamawa states, Mohamed Bala and Umaru Fintiri said that the state will be blessed with the emergence of Agboola Ajayi as governor.

Both Bala and Fintiri added that they were in Ondo state to give supports to the party so as to ensure that votes count.

In his speech, a former Governorship Candidate of the PDP, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN berated the APC for making the people of Ondo State to go through hardship.

He recalled how previous PDP administrations in the state were constructing roads, building and equipping hospitals, building schools, seeing to the welfare of workers and making life bearable for their subjects.

Jegede, noted that Ajayi is an experienced administrator who will give succour to the people by returning to the old and good governance of the PDP.

Jegede urged men, women, youths and market traders to use their votes to send the APC packing, saying that the present administration has inflicted so much pains on the people.

In his brief remarks, the Governorship Candidate of the party, Ajayi who was flanked by his running mate, Festus Akingbaso promised that he will return all the lost glory of the state if elected.

Edo: Okpebholo’s Appointments Compensation For Godfathers, One Sided – Group

By
Ayodele Oni
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Monday-Okpebholo

By Ayodele Oni

A socio cultural Group in Edo State has punctured appointments announced so far by Governor Monday Okpebholo. The Group said the are intended to pay back godfathers.

The Group, based in Benin City, the Aigbedo Progressive Alliance (APA), raised concerns over the appointments made so far by Governor Monday Okpebholo and called for more representation for the Edo South Senatorial District.

Governor Okpebholo, who assumed office on Tuesday, announced several key appointments, including Barrister Musa Ikhilor as Secretary to the State Government (SGG), Dr. Samson Osagie as Attorney-General, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole as Health Commissioner-designate, and Fred Itua as Chief Press Secretary.

However, the APA, led by its President, Engr. Uyiosa Otokiti, in a statement, expressed disappointment over the distribution of these appointments, arguing that Edo South, the most populous and resource-rich district, has been unfairly sidelined.

The Group noted that “Apart from slighting Edo South politicians as the only commissioner-designate is Adams Oshiomhole’s biological son, it speaks volume of political patronage to a man you hailed during your inauguration as ‘the godfather’, more than an altruistic desire to serve the larger interest of Edo people. This is most unfortunate.

“Despite your campaign promise to populate your administration with Edo based tacticians, of the four appointees, only Samson Osagie is Edo based, the remaining three were completely silent to the torrents of your gubernatorial campaign trails. This is another deviation from what you promised Edo people.

“We are constrained to remind you, as you are undoubtedly aware that, your administration started on the note of vendetta against Edo South political stakeholders in the manner you shared four political appointments and reduced Edo South, the most populated senatorial district with the most critical natural resources – at par with Edo North senatorial district in allocation of a ministerial slot to each district.”

“For context, four appointments were made on your first day, they are Chief Press Secretary, Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners for Heath, and Commissioner for Justice.

“The first two appointments were given to your Edo Central senatorial district which is the least populated and without natural resources; while the last two slots were shared between Edo North and Edo South districts, respectively.”

Engr. Otokiti reminded Governor Okpebholo of his campaign pledge to ensure the inclusion of more Edo-based politicians in his administration, urging him to uphold that promise by ensuring fair representation for all senatorial districts.

Delta’s 2025 Budget Of N936 Billion Focuses On Effects Of Fuel Subsidy Removal – Gov

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Sheriff Oborevwori presents Budget

By Ayodele Oni

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday, announced that the 2025 state budget of N936,078,818,719 was targeted at cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal on people and all the attendant economic challenges it has brought.

Presenting the Appropriation Bill for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly in Asaba, the governor said the budget christened, ‘Budget of Fiscal Consolidation,’ was made up of recurrent expenditure of N348,717,758,635 billion representing 37.25 per cent and capital expenditure of N587,361,060,084 representing 62.75 per cent of the total budget.

According to him, the 2025 budget is N211bn more than the 2024 approved sum of N725bn, indicating an increase of 29%.

The Governor attributed the increase to the realignment of the exchange rate which resulted in higher FAAC allocations and associated revenues.

“This is in addition to a corresponding improvement in our Internally Generated Revenues in the year.

“The 2025 budget contains several initiatives planned to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on our people and all the attendant economic challenges it has brought upon us.

“These include deliberate provisions to strengthen our social protection interventions and safety nets, basic rural infrastructure, agriculture and food security, agro value chain, and MSMEs.

“The 2025 Budget focuses on continued provision of physical infrastructure, human capital development, job creation, wealth creation, and poverty reduction in our dear state.

“The state government intends to achieve these through prudent management of our resources and prioritizing expenditures on health, education, agriculture, water resources, environment, housing as well as women and youth empowerment programmes.

“In 2025, we propose to spend N230 billion on Road Infrastructure; N67.42 billion on Education; Health will gulp N30.55 billion; Water Resources N11.03 billion and Agriculture, N7 billion.”

Governor Oborevwori appealed for the speedy passage of the appropriation bill by the lawmakers.

In his remarks, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, noted that the state had witnessed unprecedented development due to the Governor’s pragmatic style of governance and commended the Governor for continuing and completing inherited projects from previous administration.

He lauded Governor Oborevwori for his fiscal discipline and ensuring value for money, which he epitomised in returning over N500m to the state coffers, while serving as Speaker and for saving over N14bn for Local Government Councils across the state.

Falana To Wike: “It Is Wrong To Gift Judges Houses, Cars

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has lashed Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, for gifting houses and cars to Judges.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria faulted the move, and called it unethical.

Wike had flagged off the construction of 40 houses for Judges in the Katampe District in the nation’s capital, Abuja, which has generated public outrage.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Falana argued that it is inappropriate for the executive branch to give gifts to members of the Judiciary, particularly Judges.

He said: “The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory operates like a State Governor by virtue of the section 299 of the Constitution. So, he cannot say I am going to build 40 houses, 10 shall go to the Federal High Court, 10 shall go to Judges in the FCT High Court, and 10 shall go to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, no.

“Because you are a Minister of the Federal Capital, like a State Governor, your budget is limited to the affairs of the FCT. So, you cannot as the head of the FCT be dishing out gift of cars, houses to Judges in the Federal High Court, in the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court.

“Number two, you have cases before these Courts, on the theory of equality before the Court, you cannot be seen to be giving cars or houses to the Judges who are going to determine your cases.”

Falana emphasized that Judges’ housing should be managed by the National Judicial Council, adding that any assistance from the Executive to the Judiciary should be routed through the National Assembly.

“If the Executive wants to assist the Judiciary, the appropriate approach is to go to the National Assembly. You can have a Supplementary Budget,” he said.

“If it has been discovered that the Judiciary needs housing in Abuja, then the National Assembly should make the necessary appropriations.

“But the Constitution does not anticipate that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, like a Governor of Kogi, Ondo, or Cross River State, would offer cars and houses to Judges in the Federal public sector. No.

“That is why this matter needs to be properly scrutinised and resolved in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

“Judges need houses, of course. Judges need cars, of course. They need security, of course. But these should be provided by the NJC within its budget.”

In reaction to Falana’s statement, Wike  debunked the claim that the Housing Project for Judges in Abuja is intended to secure political influence over them. He clarified that the initiative was not his own but part of President Bola Tinubu’s welfare plan to support Judicial independence.

He explained: “(Tinubu said) ‘Where are the Judges living? They have no homes and, therefore, open to political manipulation and for me as a President who wants to guaranty the independence of the Judiciary Judges must have their homes’.

“I am not Mr President; I am only lucky to be appointed as a Minister under this administration and who is in the position to implement his policies. And Mr President said, look, this is what he wants, come up and see what we can do.

” It was approved by Mr President, sent to the National Assembly in the 2024 budget that there should be construction of Judges and Justices quarters. That they should move Judges from where they are renting houses, living among criminals.

“A policy anybody should commend Mr President, it is in the budget of 2024, appropriated by the National Assembly, assented to by Mr President which is a law. What is the problem? I am only the implementor, go and implement this.

“Federal Executive Council approved the contract and everything, it is not my policy, how will you now want to kill me that I am implementing what the Federal Government approved?”

Cancer: Ekiti Gov’s Wife Sponsors 200 Women For Free Breast Scan

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Dr Olayemi Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

The wife of Ekiti Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji has picked 200 women, drawn from various local governments of the State, to undergo a free mammogram and breast scan.

The free scanning was announced during an awareness programme in commemoration of the 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness themed: “No One should face Breast Cancer Alone” at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Oyebanji advised women to make early breast cancer screening a top priority to avoid full-blown cancer.

According to the first lady, 150 women ranging from age 18 and 40 years would benefit from free breast scan, while another set of 50 women ranging from age 40 years and above would benefit from mammogram examination.

She called for more and aggressive awareness in the state for every woman to be captured in breast scan and examination, which she said have been heavily subsidized by the state government for easy accessibility, irrespective of class and social status.

To this end, Dr. Oyebanji called on  religious leaders, market women, and female political leaders to champion the cause and intensify cancer awareness campaign.

The first lady commended her husband, Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his administration’s various interventions in the health sector and for providing the Mammogram machine at Adunni Olayinka Women Diagnostic and Wellness Center for women in the state.

A resource person at the event, Dr Julius Olaogun, an Associate Professor of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, EKSUTH, stated that the breast cancer awareness campaign was vital, pointing out that the need for aggressive sensitization has become necessary more than ever before.

He encouraged healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, abstaining from smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption, among others.

By following all these rules, the expert argued that cancer risk can significantly be reduced to the bearest minimum.

“Cancer is not a death sentence, early detection is very key and its preventable. Every woman should hence, examine her breast at least once a month.

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