Monday, 18 July 2022

NigerianEye: “WAFCON 2022: It will be difficult to beat Morocco – Super Falcons coach, Waldrum” plus 29 more

NigerianEye: “WAFCON 2022: It will be difficult to beat Morocco – Super Falcons coach, Waldrum” plus 29 more

WAFCON 2022: It will be difficult to beat Morocco – Super Falcons coach, Waldrum

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:41 AM PDT


Head coach of Nigeria's women national team, Randy Waldrum has admitted that Morocco poses a big threat to him, ahead of Monday's Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semi-final clash.


The Super Falcons qualified for the last four, thanks to a 1-0 win over Cameroon in the quarter-final.


For the hosts, they beat Botswana 2-1 to reach the last four – their best performance ever since making their debut in 1998.


Nigeria may be favourites to reach the final, but Waldrum feels the Lionesses of Atlas also have a chance when both countries face off at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.


"I saw them for the first time in September and I was very impressed by the quality of their team and by the football they play," Waldrum told the Caf website.


"I said as soon as I arrived in Morocco that they are the team that can surprise. I know how this team has developed for three years now.


"They are one of the best teams in the competition and are capable of beating any other team.


"We have respect for Morocco and the way they have played in this tournament. It's a big challenge for us.


"Certainly, we have a lot of experience and a lot see us as favourites, but in football everything is possible and we have to be ready for this game."

Osun 2022 election most monetized in State’s history – Reps member, Salam

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:37 AM PDT


A member of the House of Representatives, Bamidele Salam has claimed that the Osun 2022 gubernatorial election is the most monetised in the history of Osun State.


Bamidele, who represents Ede South, Ede North, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the Green chamber and who was also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent at the Osun guber result declaration, stated that the description was based on the fact that massive vote buying was perpetrated during the voting exercise.


Salam, while appearing on Channels TV programme, The Gavel on Sunday, noted that despite the massive claims of vote buying, the electorates collected the money and still voted according to their conscience.


Salam, who held that the election was a referendum on a sitting government, added that the people issued the Adegboyega Oyetola administration a verdict of failure.


In his words, "The election of 2018 was won by Senator Ademola Adeleke and the electorate decided to reiterate their decision in 2022 by voting for him again.


"There was massive vote buying by the All Progressives Congress (APC) agents, if not, the margin between the results of the PDP and APC would have been higher.


"Election stipulates that the electorate must vote for something better and different."


He also alleged that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola did not abide by the promises he made in his inaugural address on November 26, 2018.


"He promised to set up nine agro parks in the federal constituencies in the State and he has not done any yet.


"He also promised to rehabilitate the Osogbo-Iwo road which he did not work on," he stated.


But defending the Osun State governor, Ismail Omipidan, his Chief Press Secretary alleged that the APC did not win the election because the civil servants fell for the lies, antics and propaganda of the PDP.


Recall that Ademola Adeleke of the PDP was declared the winner of the Osun 2022 gubernatorial election.


In the election result declared early on Sunday morning by Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Adeleke polled 403,371 as against the 375,027 votes for Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC.


Meanwhile, Oyetola has called on his supporters to remain calm.


While stating that he has taken cognisance of the result of Saturday's guber poll as announced by the INEC, he added that the party would respond appropriately to the guber result.

Osun residents stood for democracy – Secondus

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:32 AM PDT


Prince Uche Secondus, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, says the victory of Sen. Ademola Adeleke at the Saturday election shows Osun people have taken their collective destiny into their own hands.


Secondus, in a message by his Special Adviser on Media, Ike Abonyi, in Abuja, said that Adeleke's victory was a clear affirmation and demonstration of the voters' goodwill in appreciation of the efforts of the Adelekes in the development of the State.


The former Chairman commended the voters for standing up for democracy by ensuring that no one else intervened in their will.


"By this brave and courageous act, Osun people have shown their determination to take their collective destiny in their own hands, and for this, PDP and all lovers of democracy are so proud of them," he said.


Secondus urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the various security operatives to ensure that 2023 also reflects the will of the people.

2023: Nigerians must crush bad leadership – Bishop Obi

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:26 AM PDT



The Chairman of the Citizens For Righteousness and Social Justice, Imo State chapter, Bishop Kenneth Obi has urged Nigerians to ensure that they vote for leaders with integrity and character in the 2023 general elections, warning that failure to do so will affect the fortunes of the country.


The cleric said a new Nigeria where terrorists and bandits are tamed and the naira regains its value, where the seasonal ASUU strike is a thing of the past and there is constant and steady electricity is possible if Nigerians are willing and obedient to work for it.


Bishop Obi, who is also the Bishop of Divine Word Intl Church of God in Christ, Owerri, stated this in a chat with journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital.


He emphasized that the Nigerian situation, as bad as it is, will only be corrected if Nigerians are obedient and willing to be useful.


According to him, "Nigerians should crush bad leadership for insecurity and the seasonal ASUU strike to stop. Nigerians must brace themselves to do what is required to put the country back on track.


"As things currently stand, if no action is taken and no one stands up to say enough is enough, things will continue to deteriorate and we will have the same owners by 2023.


"That is why I am urging all Nigerians to stand up and be counted; this is not the time to sit and complain, but rather to stand up and be counted."


According to him, "it has never been this bad in Nigeria's history. Nigerians have suffered enough since 2015, and this suffering knows no bounds.


"It is a painful situation and will only be corrected if Nigerians are obedient and willing to be useful. "


His words, "while others from other political parties just want to be president because it's their turn, because they've made many governors, senators, even the president, the other with his past record as a former VP wants to be president. And if Nigerians do not band together to usher in the New Nigeria led by Peter Obi, the current charade will continue and Nigeria will have the same owners in 2023."

2023: God will punish those who don’t vote – Actor Charles Awurum (VIDEO)

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:23 AM PDT

 


Nollywood actor, Charles Awurum says anyone who fails to vote in the 2023 presidential election will receive God's punishment.

 

The actor, in a viral video, urged Nigerians not to listen to tribal and religion sentiments from politicians, but ensure they vote in 2023 for the right person in order to save the nation.

 

Anurum said: "Stay there and let politicians be using tribalism and religion to kill you.

 

"Anybody wey no vote this next election God will punish you, evertything in this world will punish you.

 

"You must vote this time and God punish you if you vote the wrong person. The youths are out, let everybody join hands to take back our country. Let's not carry Nigeria from top to bottom.

 

LP’s performance in Osun guber not verdict on strength of ‘Obidient’ movement –Peter Obi

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:15 AM PDT

 


Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has congratulated Ademola Adeleke on winning the Osun governorship election.

 

Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), secured over 400,000 votes, and defeated Gboyega Oyetola, incumbent governor of Osun, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

The result of the election was announced on Sunday morning.

 

In a statement on his Twitter page, Obi also congratulated the candidates of the LP in Osun for their efforts, but urged his supporters to remain committed to the vision of seeing a better Nigeria.

 

 "I extend my warmest personal congratulations to Sen. Ademola Adeleke on winning the Osun State Gubernatorial elections," the statement reads.

 

"I also congratulate the candidate of our @NgLabour, Rt. Hon Lasun Sulaimon Yusuff and his running mate, Adeola Adekunle Atanda, for a hard fought battle and their spirit of reslove and sportsmanship, despite the outcome.

 

"To the Obidient Movement Family and our supporters nationwide, the outcome of this particular election is not a verdict on our exponentially growing strength nationwide, especially when viewed against the fact that we are barely one month old in the party and we had to contend with forces that have been entrenched in the state for the last two decades.

 

 "However, within this very short period of only a few weeks, the Labour Party has made its presence and political impact felt nationally.

 

"We must strengthen our collective resolve not to relent in our noble march to take back our country.

 

"Much work remains to be done, hence we must focus the totality of our efforts now on the forthcoming 2023 General elections.

 

"In the fullness of time, our message of rescue and recovery will resonate throughout the length and breadth of the Nation and most Nigerian electorate will buy in into our mission to take back Nigeria, for the purpose of rescuing it from continued decline, shift the national psyche from consumption to production and from sharing dwindling resources to creating wealth and frontally combating poverty."

2023: Pastor Tunde Bakare states position on Muslim-Muslim ticket

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:08 AM PDT

 


Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church Serving has called on Nigerians to prioritise nation building over ethnicity and religion.

 

Bakare, who was one of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirants, stated this during a sermon on Sunday.

 

Reacting to the controversy surrounding the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu's choice of running mate, the popular pastor kicked against religious sentiment in politics.

 

According to him, what the country needs is leadership that would work for both Christian and Muslims.

 

He said, "We dream of a Nigeria in which every woman as well as every man will be able to aspire to any political office at any time without playing the ethnic card and without recourse to its our turn or it's their turn.

 

"What we need is a New Nigeria that works for every Nigerian, Christian as well as Muslim. Nationhood, rather than divisiveness, must be the objective of every engagement."

 

Recall that there have been public outcries against the decision of Tinubu to choose the former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, who is of the same faith with him, as his running mate.

Emir suspended for turbaning banditry kingpin in Zamfara

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:07 AM PDT

 


Alhaji Aliyu Marafa, the Emir of Birnin Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State has been suspended by Governor Bello Matawalle for conferring a chieftaincy title on a banditry kingpin, Ado Alero.

 

The banditry kingpin, Ado Alero, was turbaned as the Sarkin Fulani on Saturday by the Emir.

 

Report has it that the decision of conferring the title on Ado Alero was based on the major role he played during a recent peace process locally arranged between the emirate and the bandits terrorising Tsafe Local Government Area.

 

Kabiru Balarebe, the Secretary to the State Government, in a statement, announced the suspension of the emir with immediate effect, saying that the State government distanced itself from all the processes.

 

The State government, however, assigned Alh. Mahe Garba Marafa, the District Head of 'Yandoto, to take charge of the affairs of the emirate.

 

The government, according to the statement, also raised a six-man committee chaired by Yahaya Chado Gora to investigate the circumstances leading to the action of the emir.

Abuja-Kaduna train attack: Ex-governor, Garba begs Niger Govt to rescue family members

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 12:37 AM PDT


A former military governor of Benue and Kano States, General Idris Garba (rtd.), has appealed to Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State to assist and rescue his son, wife and four children abducted during the terrorists' attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train.


General Garba spoke through his brother when the governor's representatives visited his Kaduna home.


He noted that he has been traumatised and has been having sleepless nights since his loved ones were abducted.


According to him, "We have been going through lots of nightmares since the incident occurred. The agonising incident is causing sleepless nights to members of the family."


He pleaded with the state government to do everything possible to rescue the kidnapped family members.


The former governor explained that the family members in captivity were his son, Abubakar Idris Garba, his wife, Maryam Bobbo and his four children, Ibrahim, Fatima, Imran and Zainab.


Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the Niger State Government (SSG), who represented the State Governor, assured that the government was doing everything possible to rescue all those in captivity.


He urged the families of General Garba and others whose loved ones were abducted to have confidence in the ability of the government.

Osun people will remove Adeleke like Oyetola if he fails – SAN Adegboruwa

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 12:27 AM PDT



Legal practitioner, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has advised Osun governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke to perform well after his swearing in or face rejection later.


The lawyer said if the former Senator failed to deliver, the people would vote him out like they did to Governor Gboyega Oyetola.


Adegboruwa, however, noted that the election produced some disturbing issues that have lessons for Nigeria.


The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said the Osun contest was not won on the basis of programmes, policies or ideologies.


He complained that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) imported musicians to sing and dance "as if entertainment is the engine of good governance".


On the conduct, Adegboruwa said if INEC's independence is guaranteed, the will of the people will become established in the leadership recruitment process.


Adegboruwa maintained that the deployment of technology is crucial to the success of the electoral process, especially for accreditation, voting, transmission and collation of results.


Demanding that no room be given to riggers to corrupt the electoral system, the SAN said politicians will strive to do better if votes count.


"The reign of godfathers in the political space can and should be terminated and then Nigeria will witness some progress.


"No leader that has emerged through the ballot process will ever take the people for granted if there is a credible process of change", he added.


Adegboruwa stressed that should Adeleke disappoint after he assumes office, it won't be difficult "for the people of Osun to reject him as they have done to the incumbent governor".


He said the only way that the winner can merit commendation is for him to formulate programmes that will ensure development.


"The period of dancing ended on Saturday, we want to see results", the rights activist told the governor-elect.


The statement hailed the electorate, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), observers, security agencies and the media for their efforts.

Three Nigerian tech executives convicted in US for laundering $167 million

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 04:28 PM PDT

 


Three businessmen of Nigerian descent – Anslem Oshionebo, Opeyemi Odeyale and Aleoghena Okhumale – have been convicted for money laundering in the United States.


Their fate was sealed after Ping Express U.S. LLC pleaded guilty to failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program.


The Texas company, which transferred millions of dollars from America to Africa, admitted that it failed to play by the rules.


Though the firm was licensed to transmit money, it had no approval to conduct currency exchange.


Ping Express charged U.S. customers a fee to remit money to beneficiaries in Nigeria and other countries in the continent.


The company confessed to allowing over 1,500 customers to violate the laws. One customer remitted $80,000 in one single month, more than 17 times the limit.


Ping Express transmitted more than $167million outside America, including $160million to Nigeria, in less than three years.


The firm admitted it failed to request sufficient details about the sources or purposes of the funds involved in the transactions, or the customers.


A customer, Collins Orogun acknowledged accepting a fee in exchange for transferring money for "romance scam" fraudsters and other criminals.


Orogun received at least $1.3million, cashier's checks, wires into U.S. bank accounts and moved more than $1million to Africa through Ping.


The defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison; his sentencing is set for January 23, 2023.


Ping CEO Oshionebo and Ping COO Odeyale were sentenced to 27 months in prison; IT/Business Development Manager Okhumale got a 42 months jail term.


The company now faces five years of probation and a fine of up to $500,000; sentencing has been set for December 19, 2022.


Christopher Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas said agents and forensic accountants work to eradicate bulk cash smuggling.


"Our investigative reach provides access to a wide range of financial networks allowing HSI to disrupt any criminal organization attempting to exploit global trade", Miller noted.


HSI Dallas Field Office conducted the probe in collaboration with the Texas Department of Banking. Assistant U.S. Attorney John de la Garza is the prosecutor.

Rivers Utd win Nigeria Professional Football League, MFM, Kano Pillars relegated

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 04:22 PM PDT

 

The 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League ended Sunday with Rivers United crowned as champions. Rivers capped their sterling all-round season long performance with a 1-0 victory over Gombe United to finish with 77 points and a plus 34 goal aggregate. 

Surprisingly, MFM, Kano Pillars, Heartland and Katsina United took the undignified steps of going to relegation, having finished one, two, three and four places from behind, dropping to the lower division of Nigeria football, baring any changes by the league organisers.

An appreciative Rivers State Governor Neysom Wike promised each player and official of Rivers United N1 million for winning the last match of the season yesterday, adding that the money was not part of what the state government had packaged for them for winning the title, for the first time in their history.

The final day of the 2022 Nigeria Professional Football League season saw many home teams winning their matches with some escaping the drop on the final day.

American music star, Chris brown congratulates Adeleke for winning Osun election

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 04:17 PM PDT

 

Popular American Music Star, Chris Brown has congratulated Ademola Adeleke, winner of the Osun state Gubernatorial Elections.

Adeleke emerged victorious on Saturday after defeating the Incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola.

The 'dancing senator' scored over 400,000 votes against Oyetola's 371,000 votes.

Adeleke is an uncle to Nigerian pop star, Davido, who is also good friends with Brown.

He shared a photo of Adeleke on Instagram with Emojis hailing the politician.

See Photo below;

2023: Peter Obi meets former president Olusegun Obasanjo

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 04:10 PM PDT

Peter Obi and his Vice-presidential aspirant, Datti Baba-Ahmed met former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday.

The former Anambra governor and ex-House of Representatives member are vying for the presidency under the Labour Party (LP).

Obasanjo received the 2023 candidates at his residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Also present was the Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Ituah Ighodalo, a social justice activist.

Obi's ally and a former United Nations official, Oseloka Obaze shared photos of the meeting on social media.

Obaze was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer for the 2017 Anambra governorship election.

The parley is believed to be part of Obi's consultations ahead of the general elections next year.

Lagos residents lament increase in BRT fare

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 04:04 PM PDT

 


Some users of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) transport in Lagos on Sunday expressed their views over the N100 increase in transportation fare which took effect on July 13.

They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved the increase of N100 on all routes of the BRT to cover the increase in operational cost, such as diesel and spare parts.

A printer, Mr Saka Lawal, who resides in Ikorodu and works at Fadeyi, said the state government should have listened to the opinion of the people before the final implementation.

Lawal, who is a regular BRT passenger, said that they had been discussing with the government through their WhatsApp platform for more than a month before the final outcome.

He said that the money was much to some people and there was fear that other commercial buses would follow suit and increase their prices.

Lawal urged the government to provide additional buses, especially at Ikorodu, to solve the problem of long queues which make many to get to office late daily.

"We understand that diesel is costly and not available at some filling stations but government should upgrade their standard and reduce queues at various bus-stops of BRT," he said.

Mr Adewale Johnson, a banker on Lagos Island, said the N100 increment was reasonable.

He, however, said there should be more buses to reduce crowd at the bus stops to the barest minimum.

Miss Toyin Ayilara, who plies Abule-Egba to Oshodi, said the increment would affect her daily budget being a trader.

She also urged the government to get more buses.

Also, a rug seller at Itire, Mr Yekini Sanusi, said he had purchased N600 BRT top-up  on the Cowry card, but ended up boarding other commercial buses after waiting on the queue for three hours.

"We are not satisfied with the increment, it used to be N300 from Ikorodu to CMS or Costain, during the heat of COVID-19 but it was increased to N500 while observing the social distancing.

"After the period, government refused to reduce the fare and increase the numbers in the buses and now they increased fare with N100," Sanusi said.

He pleaded with the state government to reverse the fare, as the country was facing a lot which was affecting the common people.

A tailor at Tejuosho market who resides at Ojo, Mrs Mary Emeka, pleaded with government to get more buses to ply Ojo-CMS axis.(NAN).

I’m not aware of Oyetola’s loss, says APC Chairman, Adamu

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 01:17 PM PDT

 


The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, on Sunday disclosed that he was unaware a winner has emerged in the aftermath of Saturday's governorship election in Osun State.

 

Adamu's statement is coming in the wake of the party's candidate, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola's loss to the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, Ademola Adeleke.

 

Oyetola had polled 375,027 votes and won in 13 local government areas of the state to come second behind Adeleke in the election.

 

When besieged to make comment after the election, the governor said the leadership of the APC in the state will respond to the result of Saturday's governorship poll after studying it.

 

He also called on his supporters to remain calm, and go about their respective businesses without fomenting trouble or resulting to violence.

 

His loss in Saturday's poll has, however, come to the APC national chair as a surprise.

 

Adamu, who appeared on Arise TV programme on Sunday, denied having knowledge of the winner of the Osun governorship election.

 

He told the presenter, "With due respect, my dear brother, I am just really hearing this from you. I have not formally heard the announcement from INEC, which is the independent commission responsible for election in Nigeria.

 

 "I have not heard from them yet. Once I hear formally from INEC, I can be in a position to answer this particular question."

 

When reminded that the results and the breakdown of the ballots from the 30 local government areas were all over the pages of major newspapers across the country, Adamu remained adamant.

 

"Between me and you, I have not formally heard from INEC and I have not read the papers you are talking about. I do read some papers on my table before I have my breakfast but I haven't done that today yet," he said.

 

When prodded further on whether the party will accept defeat if he finally gets to see the result and breakdown of voting pattern, the APC chair stuck to his gun.

 

He said, "I don't like pre-empting my situation. You need to be patient. Since you got the result, wait for me too to receive it. You can get back to me and I will be willing to talk about it.

 

"Until I hear from INEC formally or my people in the control room confirm that it is the result, of course, I will abide by it. But hearing the result first from you is unacceptable. You are not INEC."

 

According to him, he has yet to even speak with the APC candidate after the poll that gave the opposition PDP the victory.

 

"I haven't spoken to him yet," he said.

Adeleke dedicates Osun governorship victory to his late brother, Isiaka Adetunji

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 11:51 AM PDT

 

Sen. Ademola Adeleke on Sunday dedicated his victory at the just-concluded Osun State governorship election to his late brother, Sen. Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.

 

Adeleke, who said he accepted his election as Osun State governor, also dedicated the victory to every indigene of the state, all his supporters and friends.

 

In his acceptance speech in Ede, Adeleke said he was overwhelmed by the love and support of the electorate.

 

He vowed his total commitment to the best interest of the people and the state, saying that: "I give praise and adoration to the Almighty.

 

"I praise the courage and determination of the good people of Osun state. I commend men and women of goodwill, the young and the old.

 

"I'm overwhelmed by your love and support.

 

"Our state has turned a new page. We have launched a landmark path for the progress and prosperity of our people.

 

"It's, therefore, with a strong faith in God and trust in our people that I accept my election as the Governor of Osun state.

 

"I pledge my total commitment to the best interest of the state and the people.

 

"I dedicate this victory to my late brother, His Excellency, Sen. Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, and every indigene of Osun State, and to all my supporters and friends."

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday declared Adeleke as the winner of Saturday's governorship election in Osun.

 

Announcing the results, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the INEC Returning Officer, said Adeleke scored 403,371 votes to beat his closet rival, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 375,027 votes.

2023: Your chances of winning slim if Nigerians don’t like you – Timi Dakolo

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 11:51 AM PDT

 


Popular singer, Timi Dakolo has said elections have changed in Nigeria as rigging has been made difficult.

 

Dakolo noted that the amended 2022 electoral act signed by President Muhammadu Buhari sometime in February 2022 is a big plus for Nigeria.

 

According to him, now only candidates the people like will win as chances of winning if the electorates don't like you is 'SLIM"

 

He made this known via his Twitter page as the results of the Osun governorship poll show Senator Ademola Adeleke won the election.

 

His tweet read: "This electoral act that @MBuhari signed is actually a big plus for Nigeria. Rigging will be hard if the people protect their vote.

 

"If the people don't like you, your chances are slim."

Ngige’s tenure has witnessed highest number of strikes – ASUU

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 11:51 AM PDT

 


The Academic Staff Union of Universities, on Sunday, once again, took a jab at the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, over his failure to resolve the ongoing crisis in the tertiary education sector in Nigeria.

 

According to a statement jointly signed by the branch Chairperson of ASUU, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, M.N Al-Mustapha and the branch Secretary, S.A, Sadiku, Ngige's tenure recorded the highest number of strike actions.

 

The union also called on the President, Muhammadu Buhari to call the minister to order "before his lies further plunge this nation into serious crisis."

 

While referencing an interview granted to Arise Television by the minister, ASUU-UDUS questioned some of the facts dished out by the minister as regards the state of medical lecturers at UDUS who according to the minister, did not join the ongoing strike by ASUU.

 

The statement partly read, "The attention of ASUU, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Branch, has been drawn to an interview granted to Arise TV by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on July 14, 2022. In the said interview, he characteristically (as always) misinformed and disinformed Nigerians about the actual state of the ASUU-FGN reconciliation efforts.

 

"In part of his remarks, Dr. Ngige pitiably and shamefully stated, in quote "Medical lecturers are at work, they are teaching. Sokoto has graduated their medical students, they are reasonable people, they have tested the strike, and saw that it produces no result, yes they did it the last time. So, today, they have written, their Vice Chancellor has approved that they are at work. The labour controllers in those states have also confirmed that they are at work and I have advised the Finance Minister and they are processing their payments."

 

 "This is to categorically and unequivocally inform the public and those concerned that these are all in the imagination of the Minister. This intentional misinformation and treachery against the sensibility of Nigerians, is already known to many as the characteristics of Dr. Ngige. His manner of narrative during the interview depicts his inhumane nature and wanton disregard for truth, honesty and integrity, a character unbefitting of a Federal Minister.

 

"The question at this juncture is, how many of such untrue statements has he told the President about the negotiations and how will he continue to tell such fabricated stories before Nigerians? What would be the magnitude of damage he has caused the education system of this nation by such 'unstatesmanly' comments? Is Dr. Ngige not aware that it does not add up that the said lecturers have done their job, yet they have not been paid their salaries for such job, or is he cunningly portraying his government as an unfair one?

 

"It should, however, be on record that such dangerous precedence of falsehood without emotion, typical of "Conciliator" Dr. Ngige has made him the worst Minister of Labour ever in the history of Nigerian labour relations. His antics, biasness and wickedness have earned him the highest number of strike actions during his tenure and have surpassed his predecessors with the highest number of unresolved disputes and conflicts. Dr Ngige, by attitude, succeeded in misleading all the critical stakeholders in the current struggle into believing that the issue at stake is unsolvable.

 

"He has also succeeded in degrading his professional status and the position he occupies, while his colleagues in the medical profession are doing wonderfully well, both in Nigeria and in the diaspora.

 

"We, therefore, call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency, take necessary action and call Ngige to order before his lies further plunge this nation into serious crisis."

Osun election: We deserve commendation, we kept our promise – Police

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 11:28 AM PDT


 

The Nigeria Police has claimed it deserves commendation for its role in the Osun governorship election.

 

Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi tweeted Saturday morning after the conclusion of the poll.

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results Sunday morning.

 

Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

The police spokesman said the security agency kept its promise during the election.

 

"We promised to protect and secure Osun Gubernatorial Election, in order to have a free, fair, credible, and acceptable election, which we have done.

 

"I am sure many will join these good Nigerians to command us and other security agencies for a peaceful conduct in Osun", Adejobi wrote.

2023: We, not FG, developed Ebonyi – Umahi

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 11:23 AM PDT


 

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi on Sunday said that the state was not developed by the federal but by the ingenuity of the leaders of the state.

 

Umahi, who aspired to be presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the just concluded party primaries, made this known on Sunday while addressing stakeholders during a church service, that took place at the New Government House Centenary City, Abakaliki

 

The governor equally tasked his anointed successor and other candidates contesting elections in the state to stick to the ticket they are holding.

 

There have been rumours of defection by some candidates contesting election on the platform of APC to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the state.

 

According to the governor: "In the PVC registration, we came 8. If they were to award the mark, they will give us 36, as they give us in our allocation but our neighbours were getting 35 number. If it is transparency, Ebonyi is coming first, if it is fiscal sustainability, Ebonyi is coming first. If it is a state that has the ability to sustain itself without federal, Ebonyi is coming first, what else can we say?

 

"It is about God's plan for the state, we still have two more weeks to end the PVC registration and we can come to number five, we can come to number three. So, whatever it takes for us to come to number three, yes we can.

 

"And let me tell you, don't get entangled with party politics, worry not yourself about this, Stick to the tickets you are holding. This state was never developed by the centre, it was developed by us. Don't worry yourself about any party or this thing, stick to the ticket we have. That's where God wants us to be and it is from that platform that we advance the cause of this state.

 

"Remember, no man gave us any chance. They will never give us a chance, we have to impose ourselves on them and that's what we have been doing. If they said we should not be heard, they are the ones that have to hear us. Even if they share something down this side, they will take it from us but through the supernatural power of God, we have imposed ourselves.

 

"They have reluctantly come to recognize us and we have to take it to another level. The party we know is the ticket we are holding. You must know that no one developed this state for us; the political party or the centre did not. We are the ones through the power of God that developed this state.

 

"So, don't engage on party something. Always look forward to what you have and Ebonyi will be interested in what we have, very important. We are not against any party, we are not against anybody but a bird at hand worth ten in the bush.

 

"I have no problems with our elections, this is one family and when the time comes, you will go round and let our people know and I continue to maintain that Ebonyi State is very lucky. For those who tried to thwart justice and equity; when the North had done their eight years, the central did their eight years and it was the time for the south, some elders from the south joined people from Abakaliki bloc to deny that justice that south should not get it," he stated.

 

NDLEA arrests woman for ‘planting drugs on travellers’, uncovers cannabis hidden in soap

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 10:59 AM PDT


 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have arrested one Mujidat Opoola for allegedly planting cannabis on two passengers at the Lagos airport.

 

In a statement issued on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman, said the cannabis was concealed in bowls containing "black soap and sponge".

 

Babafemi said NDLEA operatives intercepted Mujidat and two Oman-bound passengers at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA).

 

"Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 27-year-old drug queen, Mrs. Opoola Mujidat, for planting drugs concealed in fetish bowls, containing scary native black soap and sponge on two Oman-bound male passengers at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, MMIA, Lagos," the statement reads.


"The passengers, Raji Babatunde Kazeem and Akinbobola Omoniyi, were travelling together to Oman, Middle East, on Ethiopian Airlines flight on Monday, 11th July, when they were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the airport.

 

"A search of their luggage revealed wraps of cannabis sativa hidden in bowls of native black soap and sponge packed into a bag containing food items, which Kazeem was carrying.

 

"Both Kazeem and Omoniyi immediately alerted the anti-narcotic officers that Mujidat, who was still within the vicinity, gave the bag containing the illicit substance to them at the airport. She was promptly arrested. The lady accepted responsibility and stated that she brought the luggage for the two passengers to give to her husband in Oman.

 

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"Mujidat, who hails from Oyo East LGA in Oyo State, confessed during preliminary interview that the bag containing the food items were packed by her with different items, including the black soap used to conceal the illicit substance."

 

The NDLEA spokesman added that operatives arrested other suspects in separate raids across the country.

 

"In Nasarawa state, NDLEA operatives have intercepted over 91 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 1,029.5kg, concealed in a truck mounted natural gas tank by Doma road, around 500 Housing Estate, Lafia," the statement reads.

 

"A 52-year-old suspect, Ernest Ojieh, was arrested in connection with the seizure on Saturday 9th July.

 

 "This was barely four days after operatives at Agwan Doka, Lafia, seized 38 big bags of the same substance with a total weight of 367kg. Two suspects, Abdullahi Iliyasu, 30, and Bashir Mohammed, 29, were arrested over the seizure.

 

"In Kaduna and Adamawa, over half a million pills of pharmaceutical opioids were seized and suspects arrested in raid operations across the two states. In Kaduna alone, 294,400 pills of tramadol and diazepam were seized from Shaban Nasir, Aminu Usman and Shamsudeen Hussaini, along Abuja-Kaduna express road, as well as Sa'idu Yahaya and Umar Abubakar, during a follow-up operation in Kano, all on Friday 15th July.

 

"In the same vein, over 227,000 different grades of tramadol tablets were seized during the raid of a patent medicine store at Sabon Layi, close to Mubi main market, Mubi North LGA, Adamawa State on Sunday 3rd July.

 

"Recovered from the store where a suspect, Nasiru Abubakar, 27, was arrested include tramadol 250mg (aka Boko Haram); royal tramadol 225mg (aka Vectra); tramaking tramadol 225mg (aka Jan Dara); tramadol 200mg (aka Dogari); tramadol 100mg (aka Green), among others.

 

 "Another suspect, Idris Adamu, 25, was also arrested in a shoe shop in the same Sabon Layi, where over 5,000 tablets of Tramadol 225mg were recovered from him."

 

Commending the officers for their efforts, Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, warned drug cartels to desist from crime as no matter the strategies devised to conceal illicit drugs, the agency "will always catch up with them".

VIDEO: ‘Don’t vote for them’ — Portable rants as politicians ‘seek refund’ of show money

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 10:44 AM PDT

 


Portable, the controversial singer, has flared up on yet another public outburst over the situation of things in Nigeria.

 

In a video that surfaced online on Friday night, the fast-rising musician ranted in the Yoruba language while cursing "anyone who votes for the politicians who put Nigeria in this condition".

 

Portable, who appeared to have filmed the footage at the Abuja airport, lamented that his flight to Lagos was delayed and that the excuse was no fuel to move the plane.

 

He also claimed he is being asked to refund payment made to him for a show he was supposed to perform after the money had been spent.

 

 "I've suffered. The money I already spent. You should talk about paying another one. Are you kidding? Is the fault not with Nigeria as a country? A whole Abuja? No fuel inside the airplane. If you all are man enough, vote for the bad politicians," he said.



"They've conned your generation. You can't con us the way you conned our grandparents. It should be us enslaving you all. Imagine [them] telling me to refund the money paid for the show."

 

It is not exactly clear if the refund Portable speaks of is for a stage performance not delivered.

 

It also remains to be seen if his rant is directed toward his political engagements in Osun state.

 

Portable earlier endorsed Gboyega Oyetola, the governor of Osun who lost his bid for a second term in the just conducted  Osun state election.

 

He had flaunted wads of naira notes given to him by the governor.

 

Photos also surfaced last Thursday showing Portable performing at a road show campaign for Oyetola.

 

Portable's outburst comes as the latest in a series of controversies involving the singer.

 

He had previously called out Davido, the Afropop star, for unfollowing him on social media.

Osun: Buhari’ll leave lasting legacy, says Davido

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 09:57 AM PDT

 


Superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has noted that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, will leave a lasting legacy.

 

This is as the singer said a prayer for the president after the latter congratulated his uncle and winner of the Osun State governorship election, Ademola Adeleke.

 

Buhari, in a series of tweets on Sunday, had said that the results of the election reflected the will of Osun people.

 

He said, "The people of Osun have expressed their will through the ballot. This is what democracy is all about: respect for the will of the people.

 

"The successful conduct of #OsunDecides2022 is a demonstration of the maturity and the commitment of all stakeholders, towards strengthening the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.

 

 "I remain fully committed to leaving behind a legacy of credible elections in Nigeria."

 

Quoting the last line of the retired general's tweet, Davido said, "You will leave a LASTING legacy! God bless you for this act alone sir!"

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Adeleke winner of the state's 2022 governorship election with 403,371 votes to defeat the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Adegboyega Oyetola, the sitting governor who polled 375,027 votes.

 

INEC Chief Returning Officer for Osun, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, announced the result on Sunday morning.

APC doesn’t want to lose members but we can’t force anybody to stay— Adamu

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 09:57 AM PDT

 


Abdullahi Adamu, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says his party does not want to lose any member but it cannot force anyone to stay.

 

Speaking with journalists on Saturday after visiting Abdullahi Mohammed, governor of Nasarawa, at the government house in Lafia, Adamu said it is a "season for defection" in the country's political space.

 

The national chairman said politicians are adults who are capable of making their own decisions.

 

"We don't want to lose any member but if a member willfully wants to leave the party without recourse, we can't force anybody to stay or leave the party," the former governor said.

 

 "The issue of defection; there is a season for it in politics particularly in developing countries, and it is not news in Nigeria.

 

"Anybody who is a member of this party is an adult and when an adult takes a decision, it's either you convince him and if the decision is not favourable to you and he does his bidding, you leave him for God who decides everything."

 

Adamu said his party is working to win the general election scheduled to be held in February 2023.

 

 "As for winning elections, we are working to win. By the grace of God, we will win the elections," the national chairman said.

Former APC women leader, Kemi Nelson, is dead

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 09:03 AM PDT

 


A former Southwest Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Kemi Nelson, is dead.

 

Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a tweet, announced that the APC chieftain died on Sunday.

 

"We lost a dear soul to the cold hands of death earlier today. May the soul of the late Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, former Southwest Women Leader of the @OfficialAPCNg," Akosule tweeted on Sunday.

 

"Rest In Peace and may God grant her immediate family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this loss."

 

The deceased, aged 66, was an ally of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

 

Sanwo-Olu's Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Jubril Gawat, also mourned Nelson on Twitter.

 

Sharing an old post, Gawat said, "The day I posted this, Our Big Mummy, Yeye Kemi Nelson called me and said, 'I saw ur tweet and I replied, most pple don't know how we suffered for Lagos to be what it is today'.

 

"I replied, 'we will keep telling them ma'. I guess that was a stylish 'Goodbye'. Goodnight Ma."

Osun people reclaimed PDP, Adeleke’s stolen mandate – Saraki

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 08:53 AM PDT

 


Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has expressed excitement over the outcome of the Osun governorship election.

 

The former Kwara governor hailed the people for ensuring the victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke.

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate beat his opponent, Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

Saraki noted that the people took back the mandate which was "stolen" in 2018.

 

"Ths nation has watched as the people of Osun State delivered a clear, loud, and strong message: "Imole De" — which means that light has come.

 

"We have watched, as the people of this great state have reclaimed their mandate and the mandate of my dear friend and brother, Sen. Ademola Adeleke which was surreptitiously stolen at the polls exactly 4-years ago", he tweeted.

PDP supporter celebrating Adeleke’s victory in Osun accidentally shoots self

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 08:46 AM PDT

 

A man identified as Sunday Akingbala, who is said to be a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporter and member of Amotekun, has reportedly shot himself while celebrating the victory of Ademola Adeleke, governorship candidate of the party.

 

The shooting is said to have occured in Ile Ife on Sunday.

 

The man was taken to the Seventh Day Adventist Church hospital in Lagere, Ile Ife, but later referred to Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital.

 

Adeleke, Osun state governor-elect, polled 403,371 votes to defeat Gboyega Oyetola, governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured 375,027 votes.

 

The PDP candidates won 17 out of 30 LGAs in the state while the governor won 13.

 

Both men went head-to-head at the governorship election in 2018.

 

Adeleke was in an early lead when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the exercise "inconclusive".

 

Oyetola was declared winner after rerun was conducted in some polling units.

Osun Decides: Learn from Davido, use your influence – Omokri

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 09:15 AM PDT

 


Reno Omokri has asked Nigerians to emulate singer, Davido as his uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged winner of the Osun gubernatorial election in Osun State.

 

Davido who has been supporting his uncle stormed Osun State on Friday and organized a campaign for him.

 

The singer during the election kept vigilant at the polls and even commended the army for ensuring the security of votes in the state.

 

Reacting, Omokri via his Twitter asked those with influence and money to learn from Davido by supporting and uniting their family not otherwise.

 

He congratulated the Adeleke family on their victory.

 

His tweet read: "Learn From Davido. Use your influence and money to support your family. Build each other up. Don't tear each other down. Unite. Don't divide. Be greater together. Don't let the hater be the victor.

 

"Congratulations goes to the entire Adeleke family! Osun done and dusted!

 

The INEC's Returning officer for the Osun polls, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe declared Ademola winner after he polled 403,371 defeating his close rival, Adegboyega Oyetola.

2023: Nigerians better get ready, it’s a fight for our lives, says Aisha Yesufu

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 07:53 AM PDT

 


Aisha Yesufu, activist and founder of Citizens Hub, says the 2023 presidential election is "a fight for survival".

 

Speaking on Saturday in an interview by ARISE TV, the activist urged Nigerians to be more active during elections.

 

"Nigerians better get ready because 2023 election is election for survival; we are fighting for our lives. We want a nation where we can breathe," she said.

 

"Today, life in Nigeria is nasty, short and brutish. I mean, everybody is a victim waiting to happen. Even when you're in your house, you don't know if you're going to get to the next morning or somebody is coming to carry you from your house.

 

 "So, this is not a time of shying away and thinking politics is not for everyone. Politics is for everyone, because at the end of the day, it is through the political process that the leaders are brought in, and we must be invested in it."

 

Speaking further, she said candidates should be voted based on their competence and not their political parties, and that the next government should involve people who are passionate about the growth of Nigeria.

 

"One of the things we've been saying is that it's not about parties; it's about candidates. We've seen that a good number of parties do not give competent candidates because there are no incentives in their parties. So, they always give us someone they can control, which hasn't been good for us," she said.

 

 "We want people who are incorruptible, people who have served and not stolen wealth, people who have served diligently to be able to come and run for office."

 

According to her, Nigeria is battling underdevelopment because of selfish desires to get into office.

 

"If you're not from this party or that party, you can't win elections and that is the reason why we are where we are today," she said.

 

"A lot of people who get into office do not care about the people, because they feel it's not the people that bring them in. So, their loyalty is to the people who gave them the party tickets.

 

"Vigilance is the price you pay for democracy. So, we must be vigilant and ensure that whoever is going in there knows that they got there because of us the people. It will be a government for the people, not a government for certain people in Nigeria."
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