Opinion: Nigeria- A Fulfilment of What?

If you are scared of the truth, turning back at this point may be the best thing to do. In reality, the truth is a bastard while the Lie has a father.

Growing up many years ago, I remember my home lesson teacher's assignment. The home lesson itself was a punishment, much more the assignment. This home lesson came not because I was "unbrilliant" but because I was practically stubborn
This day, my aunt had me write in my lesson note:
"Write an essay on the topic: Nigeria, an empty giant of Africa."

 

This was a strong and wide topic for a boy of ten years- I was about rounding off my primary school education. Obviously, I barely knew about life in my family, much more Nigeria save for the fact that things have changed in comparison to now- living conditions and standards.

Till today, that topic rings a bell. I choose to remember that there was anomie in the Nigerian state back then. Now, it's worse.

At a point, I felt nothing could be done to change things. This was not because of pessimism- I've always been optimistic as relates to Nigeria.

Now, thanks to change. I see something making that proposition in my lesson note invalid, thanks to the present administration. However, I believe that her campaign slogan was too wide... Change is nice, change is wanted but change is gradual...

Shout out to PMN. He is a wise man, going after the principle of "tell them what they want to hear."
However, I choose to utter: "Cursed be anyone who lies to the masses in the want of Votes"
and
"Cursed be anyone who for the taste of pottage, sells his birthright"

This piece is coming at this point in time because everywhere near me, an election would take place- My Faculty, my department, my University, my state and Nigeria as a whole. Let Nigerians make open their stand, don't be gullible, yet be wise.

In the words of my Father:
"Go to the ants, consider their ways and be wise".

"This piece seeks to address salient issues as concerns politics. However, any resemblance in the nominal is not purposeful."

FG Declares May 2, 3 Public Holidays for Workers’ Day, Sallah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially declared Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd May 2022 as Public Holidays to mark this year's Workers' Day and EIdul-Fitr Celebrations.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday night in Abuja.

He said the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

The statement congratulated workers across the country on this year's celebration.

"Ogbeni Aregbesola commended workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, noting that their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.

"Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead is incapable of working" , the statement added.

The minister enjoined workers to imbibe the culture of productivity, saying "the end of work is productivity. It is productivity that leads to the satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation. It is, therefore, the path to national and individual prosperity".

He urged workers to raise the bar of their trade-in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration's drive to rev up the vehicle of governance and make all Nigerians derive maximum benefit from the nation.

"The Minister also congratulates all Muslims for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

Ogbeni Aregbesola calls on all Muslims to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

"The self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper", the minister advised all Muslims.

Alongside, the minister expressed confidence that the security challenges in some parts of the country will soon be a thing of the past, noting that the government is putting determined efforts and all necessary measures in place for Nigerians to enjoy unfettered peace all around.

He assured Nigerians that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is fully committed to the security of life and property of every citizen and foreigners alike.

New Man Movement Opens Portal for Gospel Writing Contest Submissions

In an official release which was published in the early hours of Tuesday, 24th January, 2022, on the New Man Movement's website, the gospel organisation announced that it is set to host its annual Gospel Writing Contest.

The New Man Gospel Writing Contest is a yearly project organised by the New Man Movement. According to the release, the writing contest evolved to recognise the efforts and excellence of Christian writers and creatives, show them to the world and ultimately preach the gospel of Christ through creative writing.

 

 

In our chat with Mr. Nelson Vincent Ayomitunde, he explained that the 2023 edition of the New Man Gospel Writing Contest is a strategic assignment in line with the ministry's vision to birth new men by bringing them to Christ. 

 

To participate in the New Man Writing Contest 2023, kindly follow the instructions below.

Theme

The theme of the New Man Gospel Writing Contest 2023 is "Unashamed of the Gospel" (Romans 1:16). All entries must be creatively written in line with the general theme. However, your entries can be in form of:

• Prose/Short Story (maximum of 5000 words)
  
• Poetry (minimum of 30 lines)
  
• Drama (maximum of 5000 words)
• Essay/Article Writing (maximum of 2000 words)
  

These four make up the categories of this writing contest and our top winners will be selected from each of these categories. 

Eligibility

Every Christian and true believer in Christ is eligible to participate in the New Man Gospel Writing Contest. All participants must be creative in expression of thoughts, ideas and grammar as our judges will look out for these qualities in your entries. Each participant is also entitled to submit a maximum of two entries ONLY. These entries can be in any of the aforementioned categories

Submission Guidelines

All entries must be properly typed in Microsoft Word ONLY. Any submission in an other formats will not be considered. We receive a handful of entries each year and we advise that you follow these guidelines to ensure that your submission is valid. To submit your entry into the New Man Gospel Writing Contest 2023, simply visit our submissions portal here to upload your entry.

Submission Deadline

Entries into the New Man writing contest opens from 31st January, 2023 and runs through till 13th March, 2023. All entries must be submitted on or before 11:59pm on March 13th, 2023. There will be no extension of this deadline.

Entry Judgement and Voting

The entries will be judged by our competent team of judges which will be announced before the close of submissions. There will also be a voting stage where our readers, friends and family members of the participants are allowed to vote their winning entries. The judgement phase takes a total of 70 points while the voting stage takes 30 points. As such, both phases are important for winning this contest.

Prizes

The total prize value to be won this year is #200,000 ($500). This prize value includes:

• Cash prizes worth #20,000 for each category
  
• Book and Website Publishing packages
• Brand Souvenirs
• Gift Items from Sponsors
  
• Certificate of participation for all entries and much more.

Partners and Sponsors

Our official partners and sponsors range from individual to corporates, brands and organisations. For our 2023 media partners, we are particularly grateful to DailyReport NG All About Christ.Net, NELOC News, Campus Verve and Chriative Minds Royal Concepts among diverse blogs and media platforms for offering to publish details about the writing contest on their websites.

 

Winners will be recognised at a special award giving programme to be announced upon completion of the writing contest.

For sponsorship and further enquiries about the New Man Writing Contest, you can send us a message through our contact page or directly chat with a representative by clicking here

 

 

Just In: Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95

Former pope Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced Saturday, almost a decade after he became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries.“With sorrow, I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement.

The German pope emeritus, whose birth name was Joseph Ratzinger, had been living a quiet life in a former convent inside the Vatican grounds since his shock decision to step down in February 2013.

His health had been declining for a long time, but the Vatican revealed on Wednesday that his situation had worsened, while his successor Pope Francis called for Catholics worldwide to pray for him.

His death brings to an end an unprecedented situation in which two “men in white” — Benedict and Francis — had co-existed within the walls of the tiny city state.

While there is no rulebook for former popes, Benedict’s funeral is expected to be at the Vatican, presided over by Francis.

In 2005 the body of John Paul II, the last pope to die, lay in state before a funeral mass in St Peter’s Square attended by one million people, including heads of state.

Football Legend, Pele Dies at 82

Pele, the Brazil football legend and three-time World Cup winner, has died at the age of 82.He passed away on Thursday. His daughter, Kely Nascimento, confirmed the news on Instagram, writing: "Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace."

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele is widely considered to be football's first global superstar. Pele had been treated for colon cancer, following surgery to remove a tumour in September 2021, and had required regular medical treatment.

After being admitted back into hospital at the end of November to re-evaluate his cancer treatment, he was diagnosed with a respiratory infection before subsequently being moved to palliative care when his body became unresponsive to chemotherapy, Mirror reports.

Doctors and nurses at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo duly made him as comfortable as possible, while his wife, Marcia Aoki, remained by his bedside.

Pele made his international debut at the age of 16 and announced himself to a global audience in 1958, when, still only 17, he scored six goals in four games as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time. He scored twice in a 5-2 final win over Sweden in Stockholm.

He won the World Cup on two more occasions, in 1962 and 1970, when the Brazillian team produced arguably the greatest final performance in the competition's history, defeating Italy 4-1 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico. Pele won the Golden Ball for the tournament's best player.

During the tournament, ex-Manchester City boss Malcolm Allison, working as a TV summariser, asked: "How do you spell Pele?" Counterpart Pat Crerand responded: "Easy: G.O.D."

His 1970 teammate Tostao remarked: "Pele was the greatest – he was simply flawless. And off the pitch he is always smiling and upbeat. You never see him bad-tempered. He loves being Pele.” Sir Bobby Charlton, part of the England side beaten 1-0 in the group stage of that tournament by Brazil, remarked later in life: “I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player.”

Officially, Pele scored 757 goals in 831 games during a glittering career from 1957 to 1977, although his long-time club Santos claim his tally was closer to 1,000.

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Wonderland Amusement Park shut down After A Child Was Electrocuted On Christmas Day

Lagos State Govt has sealed & suspended activities at the Kiddies section of Wonderland Lagos - an event venue which was meant to deliver a holiday experience of fun & excitement on Monday 26th Dec. 2022 after a guest was electrocuted at the event venue. Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola in a joint inspection with the Lagos State Task Force team stated that this intervention has become imperative

to prevent further exposure of attendees particularly kids at the venue to prevent accidents that can lead to injuires and fatalities.

Mr. Lanre Mojola further disclosed that the event venue owner - Mr Ezekiel Adamu had refused to implement safety measures prescribed by the Commission

despite several meetings at the onset of the project following an initial safety inspection exercise carried out on the venue to deliberate on safety infractions observed within the facility.

He further stated that It has however become urgent and pertinent to shut down the facility until all infractions are corrected to prevent users from further exposure to risk especially children and to also ensure that other lined up event are safe for Lagos residents.

The Director General stated that no individual or institution is bigger than the State and it will continually ensure the safety of Lagosians as they go about enjoying the festive season.

He further sounded a note of warning to facilities in Lagos that are not in compliance with the State Safety guidelines on events and urged residents to socialise responsibly.

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Man abscond from marriage ceremony over incessant demands

Drama as bridegroom walks out of engagement ceremony in Imo State due to extortion.He paid N1,500,000 to cater for food, tents, chairs and a public address system.

He was also made to set aside N100,000 as the bride price that the two families had agreed on.

Biobelemoye David was asked to add N50,000 to the bride price because he had already impregnated the girl.

He was slapped with a N10,000 fine for making a detour to the wrong path and ending up in a different homestead other than the girl's.

He was also asked to pay N15,000 to appease the elders who had become tired of waiting for his arrival.

Drama however ensued when twelve girls covered in loose robes from head to toe were paraded before Biobelemoye David and he was asked to guess who his fiancée was.

He pointed at the wrong woman and that led to yet another fine of N15,000.

The decisive moment specifically was when the elders demanded for a refund of the total sum of N850,000 that had been paid as the girl's school fees and upkeep since she started primary school!

Fuming with anger which he tried his best to hide, Biobelemoye David excused himself to visit a nearby latrine and disappeared!

He switched off his phone and was last seen at a bus heading to Bayelsa State from Imo.

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Just In: Wike Seals Off Atiku Campaign Office

Governor Nyesom Wike has closed the Rivers State Atiku/Okowa campaign headquarters as part of his new offensive against the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign.The office, which is in Port Harcourt’s GRA axis, was shut down for causing loud political activities in residential neighborhoods without the state government’s consent.

Based on Executive Orders 21 and 22, Mr. Wike closed off the campaign office.

The Rivers branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council had submitted a written request for permission to conduct political activities on the property.

Before the venue was sealed on Friday, the application had gone unanswered for months.

The seal on the office was deemed anti-democratic and a breach of free speech by the state’s PCC’s media team.

“The public is hereby informed that the sealed premises had no bill board or poster, since the approval had not been given, yet it was sealed off, a sign that the delay in the approval is premeditated and computed to cause this sort of unlawfulness.

“We condemn this act because it rubs off on our fundamental right to free expression of interest. Furthermore, this egregious move by the Rivers State Government, seen in the prism of politics, tends to militarise our democracy and renders our dear state politically recessive when juxtaposed with other states in the country,” the media team said in a statement.

It also advised the state’s party leaders to file a lawsuit in accordance with the constitution’s requirements.

“We urge our dear leaders in the state to challenge this illegality in a court of competent jurisdiction so that friction can disappear from our political space.

“The right to campaign for preferred candidate is enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria, which is the grand norm from which every other law derives its power.

“Thus, every clash between the Constitution and any other made law should be resolved in favour of the Constitution. The Rivers State Government, we dare say, is subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended).

“It is our duty to remind Gov. Wike and his co-travelers that they, like everyone else, are subject to the Laws of Nigeria.

“Meanwhile we charge the Rivers State PDP PCC, our dear leaders, to see to it that this unlawful disruption of campaign activities does not rattle their cage. They must continue to function as they always had prior to the existence of the Secretariat.

“Tyranny will expire in our state. If the Nazi Regime could die in Germany, then this facsimile of such will die even much faster to the glory of God and liberty of Rivers State,” 

it added.

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Gunmen attack community, set monarch, Deputy Speaker’s houses ablaze

Gunmen went on rampage in Orsumoghu community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, setting ablaze houses belonging to the State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Pascal Agbodike.The attackers also reportedly set ablaze the house of the traditional ruler of the community and that of the President General of the community, Nze Denis Muomaife.

The incident was made known during a meeting of stakeholders in Anambra South Senatorial Zone with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Recall that Anambra South Zone had previously been marked as a redspot of insecurity in the state.

Following the persistent and frequent attacks in the Zone, INEC at the stakeholders’ meeting solicited collaboration to ensure that elections in the zone are held peacefully.

Speaking during the meeting, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, asked the stakeholders whether elections would be held in those communities because of their current volatility.

In his response, Muomaife, who said his house was burnt down by gunmen two weeks ago, said the community had set up a peace and reconciliation committee to make sure that such issues were tackled in time to ensure that elections can be held in the area.

The REC, Agwu, therefore emphasized that it was about time youths in Anambra State took possession of their lands, noting that insecurity in Igboland (South East) was caused by the indigenes and not imported persons.

“We must hold 2023 elections; it must be credible and the votes must count. This is the time for the youth to rise up in different communities to protect their people.

“We have prepared for the election with materials and men. What we need from communities is to collect their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs. Non-sensitive materials have been distributed already.

“Anything that will make [the] election not successful in Anambra South should be resisted; anyone caught doing abnormal things during the election will not be alive to tell the story.

“I’m relying on the Presidents-General in all the communities and traditional rulers to secure their areas during the election. Let us avoid suppressing ourselves,” she said.

Speaking further, Agwu said that the corporate existence of Nigeria depends on the 2023 general elections.

She noted that “This nation is seriously depleted today and that’s why we’re talking about unity. Voter education concerns and affects everyone in this country. There are so many ways it affects us, but the problem we have here is our penchant for pursuing money.”

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Fuel Subsidy will be remove, No Matter How Long You Protest, Tinubu Tells Nigerians

Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said his government will remove fuel subsidy if he is elected president in 2023.Tinubu stated this while speaking at a business luncheon with business owners titled "Business Forward" on Thursday in Lagos.

The former Lagos governor said no matter how long people protest, he will remove fuel subsidy.

In a statement issued by his Media Office and signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, the APC presidential candidate said Nigeria would no longer subsidise fuel consumption in neighbouring countries.

He said, “How can we be subsidising fuel consumption of Cameroon, of Niger, of Benin Republic. No matter how long you protest, we are going to remove subsidy,” he said.

He, however, said his government will allow the private sector to thrive and be open to collaborating with players in the sector.

“My government will collaborate with the private sector to bring about massive infrastructure renewal that enhances economic opportunities, lower business costs and overheads while producing jobs that spur further growth and development through increased consumer demand. This is the virtuous economic cycle we seek to create,” he said.

He also promised to improve security in the country, saying several measures will be implemented if he is elected as president including increasing the number of military and non-military personnel.

“I am committed to securing Nigerians from violence and the fear of such violence. Terror, kidnapping and banditry have no place in the society I envision. Upon entering office, we will move to implement several measures,” he said.

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Ibadan-based comedian, Peteru Comedy, is dead

The entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning as Ibadan-based comedian, Tobi Owomoyela Nifemi aka Peteru Comedy, has died.

The skit maker who is known for his Yoruba take on Big Brother Naija is said to have passed away on Wednesday, December 21. The cause of his death is yet to be made public.

However, his colleagues have taken to social media to mourn his untimely demise. He only buried his father in November this year. He is said to be the only son in a family of seven.

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Photostory: Argentina’s Central Bank Considers Putting Messi’s Photo On Currency

Argentina’s Central Bank is reportedly considering putting Lionel Messi's image on their 1000 peso banknote.According to Daily Mail on Thursday, an Argentina newspaper, El Financiero, claimed that the Central Bank of the Republic of Argentina is eager to commemorate the national team's historic win in Qatar and has been working on ideas before the win over France on Sunday.Messi led Argentina to defeat France to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986.

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Photostory: Temokun Chambers host annual get together, unveiled law school students support scheme, roll out scholarship for students

2022 Chambers' End of Year!

Annual Law School Students Support scheme was unveiled by Tope Temokun Chambers at the 2022 End of Year Get-Together which held in the chambers' Akure office this 21st of December 2022.

The Chambers shall pay annually full tuition fees for two indigent students, one of whom must be from Ikale, which comprises two local governments of Okitipupa and Irele and the second beneficiary could be from any local government in Ondo state.

The event kick-started with a lecture "Who is a good lawyer?", delivered by Barrister Oju Kekemeke in which he postulated that a brilliant lawyer without character cannot be called a good lawyer. He emphasised integrity and observance of ethical conducts for lawyers.

The chambers rewarded excellence, with monetary prizes and this year 2022 most hardworking staff award went to the Akure office secretary of Tope Temokun Chambers, Miss Onyiye onyekachi Gift, with cash reward of one hundred thousand naira, while over all best lawyer award went to Barrister Fidelis Dennis , with monetary reward of five hundred thousand naira by cheque while additional five hundred thousand naira was in scholarship for masters in law in 2023, making one million naira.Copies of the chambers' founder's human rights handbook "Rights of Nigerians in Civil Rule and the Police" were also distributed freely for those in attendance. In this way we end the year strong in Tope Temokun Chambers and in high spirit for more navigations and exploits in 2023.

He added

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Second Niger bridge users will pay toll - FG

The federal government on Wednesday, December 21, announced that those using the recently opened Second Niger Bridge will pay toll.Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said the road will remain open till January 1 for inward travelers, and for those on outward journey from January 2 to 15.

The bridge will be shut after Jan 15. Fashola said in an interview on Channels TV;

“Infrastructure is one of the instruments for economic growth and tackling multidimensional poverty.

“The purpose of the second Niger Bridge is to bring relief to Nigerians who traverse from east to west or west to east.

“Especially during the end of the year, we know that it is a logistics nightmare moving goods and services and people.

“The bridge itself is finished. The road linking it to the Obusi end on the Anambra side is finished, except for the interchange which is at different levels of completion. The road linking it to the Asaba side is the one that we could not finish.

“We know that it is a festive period; the ports are busy, sea and airports. The roads will also be busy. As part of the ember month plan, we decided to open it up and provide a choice for people (to either use the old bridge or the new one). We expect that it will relieve the inconvenience at this time of the year.

“We did the same thing on Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

“There is still work to be done there, but we think that it can get better if we remove the construction barriers so that it is a proper thorough fair.

“We did the same thing in Abuja-Kano. On Abuja-Kano, which is 365 km, we have only five obstructions, and they are for safety.

“The current opening (on the second Niger bridge) for motorists is for those going to the East and will end on the 1st of January. It is currently a one-way crossing.

“On January 2nd, we will reverse what we have done and allow people to use it from January 3rd, that is, for those going back from the East to West.

“On the 15th of January, we will shut it down again so that we can finish the 4 km access road that we are trying to build and also complete the interchanges.

“Inevitably, the bridge will be tolled.

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CBN increases weekly ATM withdrawal limits from 100k to 500k

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced an upward review of its cash withdrawal limits directive.The apex bank announced in a circular issued Wednesday, Dec. 21, that individuals can now withdraw N500,000 cash weekly and corporate entities can now withdraw up to N5 million cash across all channels including Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point Of Sale (PoS) terminals.

The circular was signed by its Director of Banking Supervision, Haruna Mustafa.

The directive becomes effective from January 9, 2023.

Recall that on December 6, 2022, the CBN ordered Deposit Money Banks (DMOs) and other financial institutions to ensure that weekly over-the-counter (OTC) cash withdrawals by individuals and corporate entities do not exceed N100,000 and N500,000, respectively.This sparked outrage from Nigerians and the National Assembly and CBN adjusted the directive.

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Returnee Accuses Airport Staff Of Theft, Damaging Luggage

A Twitter user simply identified as Rashiid has accused officials at the Abuja airport of theft and damaging his luggage.

Rashiid, who said he was returning to the country after four years, shared a photo of his damaged luggage on his Twitter handle on Tuesday.

“This was how Nigeria airport staff welcomed me home after four years, stole my Givenchy perfume, other perfumes, bags etc. 'Asin' I even bought this traveling bag for almost 400 euros," he tweeted.

Speaking to our correspondent, he revealed that the incident happened at the Abuja airport on Monday after his flight landed at about 8:00 p.m. He added that he didn’t realise that his items were missing until he got home.

He said the picture of his luggage was taken immediately he took it from the conveyor belt.

“I didn’t make any complaints because I thought maybe the bag got damaged. It was when I got home I knew the things that actually got missing. Even at the airport there is no way I could have known what exactly was missing and we landed at night, so I took that picture immediately I took my bag from the conveyor belt."

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IGP hosts Journalists, crime reporters in Abuja, urges balanced reportage and Patriotism

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, in the evening of Tuesday 20th December, 2022, hosted journalists and crime reporters cutting across all sections of the media including print, electronic and social media covering the Police beat, to a banquet at the Nigeria Police Officers' Mess, Garki, Abuja to show appreciation for balanced reportage and further cement the synergy between the NPF and the media.The IGP appreciated the reporters for their dedication to ensuring that members of the Nigerian society receive timely updates on matters relating to the Force even as he urges them to enthrone balanced reportage and patriotism in the discharge of their duties. He similarly charged them to eschew sentiments and unprofessionalism while conducting their business.

The IGP felicitates with the media and entire Nigerian populace on the Christmas season, while wishing them a prosperous new year 2023 in advance. He assured of improved working relationship in the coming year, and noted that his administration is committed to press freedom and issue-based engagements which has been the fostering force behind the fruitful interrelation enjoyed in 2022. 

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Photostory: Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates Blue Line Rail In Lagos

The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, inaugurated the Blue Line Rail in the state.According to his aide, Jubril Gawat, the first phase of the infrastructure works for the rail project (Marina to Mile 2) has been completed and is being inaugurated on Wednesday (today).The blue line is one of seven Lagos metro rail lines, spanning from Marina to Okokomaiko.

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Ooni hosts Christmas party, roll out scholarship for 50 students

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Tuesday awarded scholarships to 50 students selected from those that participated in the Christmas party he hosted for children in his palace.While receiving the children drawn from primary and secondary schools, as well as schools for persons with Special Needs at his Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife, Oba Ogunwusi urged the kids to adopt good mentors from the society.

Speaking through his queen, Olori Temitope Adesegun-Ogunwusi, who doubles as CEO of the Ooni’s NGO; Hopes Alive Initiatives, the monarch urged the children to remain focused on their education, imbibe the spirit of hard work and look up to good people with impeccably virtuous character as role models.

A statement by Moses Olafare, the spokesperson to the royal father, quoting Ogunwusi obtained in Osogbo further read, “While you listen to music, watch movies and socialize, pick from what is good only. Do not imbibe bad habits because such is capable of destroying you and your purpose in life.

“Kabiyesi cannot wait to hear and celebrate your success stories in the nearest future, so he is urging you to be right and do right at all times.

“To our daddies and mummies here present, we need to train these children to have the fear of God. When a child fears God, they will be diligent, hardworking, obedient to their parents and every other people that they come in contact with.”

The statement further said the 50 beneficiaries of the scholarship were selected after cultural and academic presentations by the children.

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Bullion Van Politicians after CBN –Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said that ambitious politicians that run activities with bullion vans are the ones after the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.Recall that the media space has been awashed by report on how plans has been hatched to frame Emefiele on allegation of financial terrorism.

The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization has said that it has carefully reviewed the onslaught on the CBN Governor and called for restrain, given the sensitivity of his position to the nation’s economy.

 “This is especially on the backdrop of apprehensions that inordinately ambitious politicians that run activities with bullion vans and raw cash are out to destroy the nation’s financial institutions, particularly, the CBN, for their selfish political interests,” the campaign said.

The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization, in a statement by its spokesperson, Ologbondiyan said, “it is instructive to caution that the stability of the CBN as Nigeria’s apex financial institution is critical to the economic and social health of our nation and must not fall prey to corrupt politicians who are out to annex and control our national patrimony as well as resources for their personal ambitions.

“Nigerians know the politicians who are desperate for political office as their ‘turn,’ who see our nation and her citizens as an estate for sale, and who believe that their vacuity, many gaffes, manifest incompetence, incapacity for leadership and allegations of smelly past can be perfumed through the dispensing of corruptly acquired cash.

“It is therefore important that those who are after the CBN and her Governor should be careful not to discredit the institution in the process as the consequential effect of such will be disastrous on our already ailing economy.

“Our Campaign counsels such politicians to rather market their programmes to Nigerians

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Community Launches Campaign Against APC Lawmakers, Other Elected Officials Over Failed Promises

Among the politicians targeted by the campaign is the House of Representatives member, Hajiya Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who represents Damaturu/Gujba/Gulani/Tarmuwa Federal Constituency on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).Also, Senator Ibrahim Geidam, who represents Yobe East Senatorial District on the platform of the APC and Mustapha Gwarime, a member of the Yobe State House of Assembly member, were accused of failing their people.

Some leaders of the coalition told SaharaReporters that there is no need to re-elect politicians, some of whom have spent over a decade in office without making any meaningful impact in their constituencies.

He insisted that politicians who have not discharged their duty, and fulfilled the promises they took, will no longer be voted again.

The coalition however noted that the campaign cuts across all the political parties and their candidates contesting for any position in the forthcoming 2023 elections.

They lamented that the House of Representatives’ member, Abba Ibrahim had spent 16 years in her office but no one from her constituency “can point out a project of N10 million she executed in the whole of Buni Yadi community.”

Similarly, the community said that in his three years in office since he was elected in 2019, Senator Geidam “only contributed in the health sector where he brought some medicine to the community which is the only project he did to the community and never forward any problem of the community to the Senate.”

For the State House of Assembly member, Gwarime, the community said “he has never executed a project of even N5 million and never forwarded a problem of the Buni Yadi to the state assembly.” 

Asked what motivated them to form the group, the chairman of the coalition, who simply identified himself as Alhaji Gambo, said the group was formed to develop the community in terms of social, political and economic development.

Stressing that the group was registered in 2021 with its constitution and objectives, Gambo noted that “the campaign is to launch an orientation on people of the community to vote out any of the candidates who haven't done anything to the development of the community.”

The coalition chairman listed the major challenges the community has been facing without the intervention of their elected representatives to include “annual clashes between headers and farmers for almost five years now.

“Community people are suffering in terms of having portable drinking water as the people buy 240 litres (one truck) of water between the sum of N500 and N700 if there is no light and the government did not do anything to solve the problem for the community.

“The community lacks employment by the government as they promised during their campaign. Lack of enough competent and qualified teachers in our primary school. The governor solicited educational appeal funds to the state, and up till now, we have not seen any of its effects.

“There are not enough professional workers in our hospitals, which include doctors and nurses,” Gambo said.

Also speaking, a female member of the coalition, Talatun Sambo, told SaharaReporters that female members of the coalition “will go sensitising other women to the objective of the association and not to vote for a candidate who hasn't done anything to the development of the community.”

Another female member of the coalition, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they will mobilise community women “not to vote for our house of representatives member, (Hajiya Khadija Bukar Abba) because she spent almost 16 years on the seat and no one can point any N5 million project she did in the community.”

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Road to 2023 election : I will end poverty in Nigeria – Tinubu

Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, has promised to conquer poverty in Nigeria if elected in 2023.

Mr Tinubu, who made the promise at the Town Hall meeting of the South-South region on Tuesday in Calabar, said that he would deploy all the human and material resources God had bestowed on the country to move it out of poverty.

The presidential candidate, who noted that education remained the greatest tool to fight poverty, said that each state of the federation was blessed with abundant natural resources, all of which would be deployed in changing the fortune of the country.

He, however, pointed out that in doing that, there was the need for people to remain united and stop the destruction of what God had deposited in the country to end N

The presidential candidate, who noted that education remained the greatest tool to fight poverty, said that each state of the federation was blessed with abundant natural resources, all of which would be deployed in changing the fortune of the country.

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Explore use of alternative prosecutor to accelerate cases disposal in family court - Wike

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has advocated the need for the judiciary to seek legal audacity that will accelerate cases before the Family Court even when prosecutors develop a cold feet over cases being handled.

Governor Wike gave the advise when he formally inaugurated the Rivers State Family Court at the High Court Complex in Port Harcourt on Monday.

The Rivers State governor also unveiled the "Family Court Rules, the Guide," and the book is titled "The Child, Ethics and the Law: A Simplified Law Guide for Children and Young Persons."

Governor Wike noted that often, prosecutors clandestinely withdraw prosecution of child's rights abuse cases, which frustrate the case, and justice to the child denied, eventually.

To forestall such situation, he urged the judiciary to do everything possible to achieve the essence of establishing the Family Court, which is to engender a child friendly justice system that treat children with dignity and fairness.

"As usual, nobody knows what may happen, but is there no way the legislature could say that in case the prosecutor is not coming for a case, the court, when I say the court, I am not talking about the presiding judge, but the judiciary, could on their own by funds available, hire another prosecutor(s) so that these cases do not die."

Governor Wike spoke of hindsight of experience of what often transpires and why prosecutors discontinue such cases of abuse of children.

The governor stated that children suffer a great deal of defilement at early age, but the lack of interest of prosecution to pursue such cases to logical conclusion serve as another form of injustice to children.

“Children, they suffer, most of them are defiled at their early ages.  Some people (lawyers) cannot stand firm to say that, look, I will not accept this, that I must prosecute the matter to the last to see that there is justice.”

Governor Wike pledged his support to what the Family Court truly represents even if its establishment is coming about 13 years after the State Assembly first domesticated the Child's Rights Act in 2009.

He advised against the attitude of giving excuses which could hamper the operations of the court now that the state has joined the league of States that have Family Court.

"Frankly speaking, I am fully in support and I have to thank God. Students and pupils are here to see that every hope is not lost. You have an opportunity to see that justice is being done and I believe that with the presiding judge and his colleagues that will be working in the Family Court, they will make sure that justice is not only done but will be seen to have been done."

In her speech, the presiding judge of the Family Court, Hon. Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike explained that the essence of child-friendly justice is to re-orientate and rehabilitate the child.

The court, she said, will also reintegrate; bring relief and redress to the child, and not inflict corporal punishment or hardship on the child, no matter the delinquency.

"Under this system, the Court is obliged to listen to children, consider their views and ensure their participation and protection in the process, whether as victims, witnesses or offenders."

Justice Nyesom-Wike spoke further saying that since joining the bench in 2012, she had desired to ensure that there was a justice system, which guarantees the effective implementation of all children's rights at the highest attainable level.

However, she noted that the journey to what has been actualised today did not start until two years ago, despite the domestication of the Child's Rights Act by the Rivers State House of Assembly in 2009.

"Apart from the lack of political will, the Rivers State Child's Rights Law of 2009 was fundamentally defective and incapable of triggering the jurisdictional competence of a Family Court in the State, even if the State had wanted to establish such a Court.

"Additionally, the textual errors, omissions and repetitions in the Rivers State Child's Rights Law 2009 were so severe that the 2021 amendment could not cure and resolve the legal stalemate.

"Besides this, after 13 years and with some changes occurring in our justice system in Rivers State, Nigeria and the world over, a review of the Law was necessary for the benefit of our children."

Justice Nyesom-Wike stated that presently, the Family Court functions in Port Harcourt with four jurisdictions; two High Court Judges and two Magistrates.

According to her, it is expected to spread to all the Local Government areas to ease access to justice across the State as the need arises and resources allow.

"The court will be age-appropriate, speedy, and diligent. It will also focus on the child's needs, respect the right to due process and the right to private and family life.

"It will also be accessible to all, including litigants, lawyers and non-lawyers who have the right to participate and personally conduct their cases in the court."

In his address, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi informed that the Rivers State judiciary has furnished and equipped a befitting place for use as Family Court. He said the judiciary is now set to commence an appropriate Family Court proceedings at the High Court and Magistrate Court levels in tackling designated cases.

On his part, the Attorney General of Rivers State and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor lauded the establishment of the Family Court and said it is another reckonable feat in the administration of justice in Rivers State.

Former president, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onueze C.J Okocha, SAN and chairman, NBA Port Harcourt branch, Victor Benibo, delivered goodwill messages on behalf of Body of Benchers and NBA respectively.

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Protest Rocks Abuja Over Alleged Plot By DSS To Remove Emefiele

Human rights lawyers, civil society groups, including the Arewa Youth Consultative Movement, have moved in defense of governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over alleged plot kick him out of office.Specifically, they raised the alarm over alleged plot by the Department of State Service (DSS) to frame up Emefiele with terrorism sponsorship against Nigeria.

The group operating under the auspices of Coalition of National Interest Defenders alleged that to achieve the aim of getting Emefiele arrested, the DSS has secretly instituted a court action against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Describing the alleged action of the DSS as a strange development in the history of the country, the group demanded immediate sack of director general of the DSS to prevent him from setting the country ablaze.

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Just In: Senate Confirms Onochie, okay Ondo nominee, Others For NDDC Board

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of the Special Assistant to the President on New Media, Lauretta Onochie, as Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The Senate also okayed the nomination of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for appointment as Managing Director of NDDC.

It is “for a term of two years to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.”

Also confirmed for appointment are General Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere (Rtd) as Executive Director of Finance and Mr Charles Ogunmola as Executive Director Projects (Southwest).

The Senate also confirmed Dimgba Eruba as member from Abia State as member representing Southeast), Dr Emem Wilcox Wills (Akwa Ibom, State Representative, Southsouth), Elder Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa State), Hon Orok Duke (Cross River) and Hon. Gbenga Odegba (Ondo, Southwest).

Others are Mr. Onyekachi Dimgba (Rivers, Southsouth), Alhaji Mohammed Kabir Abubakar (Zonal Representative, Nasarawa), Prof Tahir Mamma, SAN (Northeast Representative, Adamawa) and Alhaji Sule-Iko Sadeeq Sani Sani (Northwest, Zonal Representative).

The Senate however stepped down the nomination of Dr Pius Odudu (Edo, Southsouth), Anthony Okanne (Imo, South-East) for appointment as members of the board over their failure to appear before the screening panel.

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Airstrikes mistakenly Kill 11 Soldiers, 7 Villagers, Injure 70

Military airstrikes aimed at neutralizing bandits had mistakenly killed 11 soldiers and seven villagers with two soldiers and over 70 villagers sustaining various degrees of injuries in Malele and Mutungi communities of Zamfara State.According to an eye witness, Nuhu Dansadau, the bandits had on Saturday invaded Malele community of Dansadau Emirate in Maru Local Government Area, with the youths in the village putting up resistance.

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Court Sends Peter Obi's DG, Okupe to Jail for N702m Scam

Doyin Okupe, former senior special assistant on public affairs to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and chieftain of the Labour party is to spend two years in prison following his conviction today, December 19, 2022 by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Abuja.In a well-considered judgment, the trial court held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, successfully established its case against Okupe, that evidence before it established that the defendant had in the discharge of his official duties, accepted cash payments that were above the statutory threshold, without recourse to a financial institution.

It was alleged that Okupe received funds from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, which he could not account for. He was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment on counts 34 to 59. The charges are centred on accusations of receiving various sums ranging from N10million in different occasions from 2012 to 2015 from ONSA when he was senior special assistant on public affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan. The court however gave the defendant an option of N500, 000 fine on each of the counts.

He was however discharged on counts one to 33 which bordered on money laundering and criminal breach of trust

He was mandated to pay the fine before 4.30 pm or be committed to prison.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC had arraigned Okupe alongside his two companies: Value Trust Investments and Abrahams Telecoms on a 59-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N702,000,000 (Seven Hundred and Two Million Naira only) .

One of the charges Okupe is facing is: “That you, Dr. Doyin Okupe, being the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan from July 2012 to May 2015, and being the managing director, chief executive officer, and a signatory to the bank account of Abrahams Telecoms Ltd, on or about the 3rd October, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, directly took possession or control of the sum of N35 million, transferred to the account of Abrahams Telecoms Ltd from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria, purporting to be for special services when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity”.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges upon arraignment, setting the stage for his full trail. In the course of the trial, the EFCC called several witnesses and tendered documents which were admitted in evidence.

After the prosecution closed its case, Okupe refused to open his defence. Instead, he made a no case submission, that the prosecution had not satisfied the requirement of proving its case beyond reasonable doubt and failed to prove that he acquired the money illegally as charged. This was subsequently dismissed by the court, which ordered him to open his defence.

The convict called a number of witnesses in the course of his defence. One of the witnesses who testified as the fourth defence witness was Honourable Bamidele Salami, a member of the House of Representatives, who served as head of media in the office of the then senior special assistant on public affairs to President Jonathan. He had told the court on February 8, 2021 that “there were approximately 30 staff in different units of the office and the office was funded by the Presidency through the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd)”.

He disclosed that funding in the sum of N10 million Naira was provided on a monthly basis in cash to Doyin Okupe through an officer in ONSA.

Bamidele further revealed that N3million was paid for a programme, 'Insight' on NTA, to correct the negative perception of the former President.

He said it was untrue that the programme was aired “free of charge” as corporate social responsibility by the NTA.

However, the defence witness’ evidence on the sponsorship of Insight on NTA contradicted the testimony of the first prosecution witness (PW1), Osas Azonabor, an operative of the EFCC, who had told the court "that no receipt was issued for the payment to NTA. However a letter was written to NTA and investigations further revealed that the programme was aired free of charge as directed by the then Director General of NTA who said the programme was to be seen as the Corporate Social Responsibility of the NTA."

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Benzema announces retirement from international football

France football star and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, Karim Benzema, has announced his retirement from international football.This comes barely 24 hours after France lost the 2022 FIFA World Cup final to Argentina on Sunday night at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

In a Twitter post on Monday afternoon Benzema wrote, “I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it! I have written my story and ours is ending.”

Benzema was sent home on the eve of the tournament after picking up an injury, but there was some speculation that he could return for the final against France after playing a friendly for Real Madrid.

However, he rejected the opportunity to go back to Qatar after reportedly falling out with manager Didier Deschamps, according to Daily Mail.

Deschamps had said he is planning to hold talks with the French Football Federation in the new year over his future at the team.

He has now led the France national team to two World Cup finals, winning one and losing one.

Benzema, on the other hand, won the 2022 Player of the Year Ballon d’Or award.

Benzema was the top scorer in Spain’s La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in the 2021/22 season, as Real Madrid won both competitions.

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Photos: Tinubu Addresses Workers In Abuja as Nigerian Labour Congress Leadership ‘Secretly’ Withdraws Support For Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu, on Monday, says his government would be fair and just to the Nigerian workers if elected into power.Tinubu disclosed this while addressing workers at the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja.

A top official of the NLC told SaharaReporters that Tinubu’s invitation was part of the plans to withdraw the earlier support given to Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

“NLC appears to have broken ranks with Peter Obi of LP, and Tinubu was invited today to address workers at our headquarters,” the source said.

NLC had in June openly declared its support for Obi in the 2023 elections.According to Ayuba Wabba, the workers union president, Obi is one among the finest Nigerians and the first presidential candidate of the LP to be recognised by the labour centre.

Wabba said the NLC was solidly behind the LP and would fully mobilise to ensure the victory of the party at the 2023 polls.

He said the workers’ unions had realised that strikes and protests alone could not change the narratives in Nigeria, especially as regards workers’ welfare.

Ayuba added that labour must venture fully into politics “and work hard to support candidates whose mantra will make life better for their members and Nigerians at large”.

Meanwhile, in September the African Action Congress (AAC) party had advised the NLC to withdraw their support for Obi.

The AAC had said, “It is more than clear to all now where Mr Peter Obi and the new Labour Party (LP) stands on the removal of fuel subsidies and the privatisation of the commanding heights of the economy.”“Live on CNN on Saturday, Mr Peter Obi stated clearly that all subsidies should be removed and the private sector should start refining fuel.

“This is a contradiction to the NLC charter of demands and the congress position since the January uprising against fuel subsidy removal in the year 2012. NLC and TUC must note that millions of Nigerians rose up against the Jonathan regime over fuel subsidy removal, with the fear of the hike in petrol and cost of living.

“As of today, the subsidy removal protests have been justified. With the Buhari government’s off-and-on removal of subsidies as well as payment of fake subsidies, petrol price has risen ridiculously to N250 today.

“Gasoline is N800, while Kerosene and diesel sell for the same N800. Airlines are beginning to pack their loads as business is being stiffened as Aviation Fuel now cost about N1000 per litre.

“We call on President Ayuba Wabba and Festus Osifo to withdraw their support for Peter Obi as he has only hijacked the Labour Party from it’s moving towards pro-workerist ideas.“We also call on the NEC of NLC and TUC to rise and take a clear stand against this usurper of the sweat and blood of our heroes and matyrs as the labour movement.

“How can Labour centres be supporting an enemy of workers who oversaw 13 months of Doctors Strike, 2 years of workers strike and refused to pay 11 months pensions as Anambra governor?

“The same Peter Obi has commercialized the Labour Party to the extent that no incorruptible comrade can contest in the party as tickets are sold off in tens and hundreds of millions.”

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Just In: Court convicts Okupe of breaching money laundering Act

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted former Senior Special Assistant on Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, of allegedly breaching the Money Laundering Act. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu presiding over the case on Monday found Okupe guilty of contravening sections 16(1)&(2) of the Money Laundering Act and accepting cash in excess of the threshold allowed under the Act without going through a financial institution.

Okupe is the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council of the Labour Party.

The Justice has stood down proceedings till 1:45pm

This is to allow Okupe to exercise his right under Section 310 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to call witnesses to testify about his character.

Thereafter, the court will proceed to pronounce its sentence.

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Millions Vote For Elon Musk Stepping Down As Twitter Boss

Millions of Twitter users have voted for the owner of social media platform, Elon Musk, to step down as the Chief Executive Officer.Musk had put up a poll on Monday, asking if he should step down and gave yes and no options.

He tweeted, “Should I step down as head of Twitter? I will abide by the results of this poll.”

The results are in. 57.5 per cent of the 17,502,391 votes recorded in the poll were yes, meaning he should step down.

Meanwhile, 42.5 per cent preferred that he stays at the helm of affairs at the company.

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Atiku’s Campaign Aircraft Catches Fire

The Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign narrowly escaped tragedy when one of the three aircraft with which it went to campaign in Anambra State caught fire shortly before take-off at the Anambra State International Airport.

Though the incident happened on Thursday December 15, 2022, it came to public knowledge only this morning.

It said the incident happened at the conclusion of the PDP presidential rally held at the Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra capital city.

According to the report: “At the conclusion of the campaign rally, the PDP presidential candidate and the dignitaries who had joined the campaign train trooped to the Anambra Airport where three private jets were parked awaiting the arrival of the PDP campaign train.

“Alhaji Abubakar Atiku and his immediate family and close aides boarded one of the Jets and taxied out. It took off uneventfully. The second Jet also taxied and took off uneventfully.

“However, the third jet was not as successful.”

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CAN associates with Ondo lawmaker, honours him as chief grand patron and assures him of total support for second term

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has pledged their support for the second term bid of Hon. (Dr.) Timehin Adelegbe, the federal lawmaker of the National Assembly representing Owo/Ose Fed. Const., Abuja. This was made known in Ifon, Ose local government headquarters at a programme to honour the lawmaker during the weekend as the Ifon Zone of CAN, conferred Adelegbe as the grand patron of the Christian body.

Speaking at the programme, the Zonal Chairman of CAN, Ven. Bunmi Aladegbami, JP, lauded the effort of the former commissioner. He added that the award of honour was necessary because of the laudable programmes and projects the lawmaker have embarked upon for the people. 

The cleric noted that the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ifon Zone is associating with Hon. (Dr.) Timehin Adelegbe in prayers and support for his second term ambition. 

"Going by the various projects and the good works our honourable have done for the people of Owo/Ose, they are quite impressive and beneficial for the development of our communities. 

"This award of honour conferred on our honourable as the Chief Grand Patron of our association became necessary. 

"We are associating with him now to say that we will support his second term ambition because he has really performed". The clergy noted. 

Appreciating the honour bestowed on him, Hon. (Dr.) Adelegbe expressed delight in the Christian Association of Nigeria noting that its a testament to the fact that people are taking cognisance of the various projects he has embarked upon.

"I'm glad to recieve this award as the Grand Patron of this association. It appears to me that all the projects we have facilitated in the past three and some months projects are seen and noticed by our people.

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Show Your Family Members, Tell Us Your Real Name – Atiku Camp dares Tinubu

The PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has described the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as a wicked man who is fleeing when no one is pursuing him.

The Atiku camp in a statement on Sunday alleged that Tinubu has too many skeletons in his cupboard to be allowed to become the next President of Nigeria.

It was further alleged that the many secrets are why Tinubu and his handlers have refused to participate in public debates so his secrets won’t be exposed.

According to the Special Assistant to Atiku Abubakar on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu who signed the statement, Asiwaju Tinubu was not recognized in 2007 by one of the known eldest members of the Tinubu extended family, Abdulrafiu Babatunde Tinubu who at that time was the head of the civil service of Lagos State.

“This perhaps explains why the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has refused to open himself up for scrutiny but continues to evade debates, non-partisan town hall meetings and live interviews.

“Tinubu’s entire life and persona is based on falsehood and thus he cannot address these questions hence his decision to continue to run all over the place. But these controversies did not begin today.

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Amotekun arrests 32 suspected criminals in Ondo

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun has arrested no fewer than 32 persons in connection with various criminal activities.According to the corps, the suspected criminals were arrested in different locations across the 18 local government areas of the state and they allegedly involved in acts such as armed robbery, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, fraud, and stealing, among others.

Parading the suspects at the headquarters of the command in Akure, the state capital, on Friday, the state Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspects would be prosecuted after the completion of investigations.

Adeleye, mentioned that among the suspects were burglars who allegedly used chemical substances to make the victims sleep off by spraying them into their rooms before breaking in and disposing them of their valuables while some of the female victims are raped.

He said, “We have a group of burglars that specializes in drugging unsuspecting residents of various houses, so, they will sleep off, break the burglary, enter their houses, dispossess them of their valuables while some of them are raped. And because of the high dose of drugs they injected into their (victims) system, some of them don’t even wake up, so we’ve been able to break that syndicate.

“They don’t normally have direct access to the victims, what they do is to jump across their fences, and pump in with a syringe, these chemicals into their (victims) rooms, wait for about 30 to 40 minutes, every living thing inside the room sleeps off.”

On the recent kidnap and release of the monarch of Oso Ajowa Akoko, Oba Clement Jimoh, the Amotekun boss stated, “we tracked and we were able to have a very good idea of what was happening there but what is paramount to us is the life of the victim.

“No matter how beautiful an operation is, once the victim is killed, then, it is defeated, so, these are some of the constraints that are almost natural in the course of our job to slow down. We can assure you that some of those involved in the kidnap of the monarch will be apprehended,” he added.

He implored the people of the state to always give out information that could assist the command to arrest criminals in and around their environments.

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Credit: The Punch

LASU Emerges Best Varsity With Green Campus In West Africa

The Lagos State University has emerged the best university in Nigeria and in the West Africa sub-region in the 2022 UI Green Metrics Global ranking.

The UI GreenMetric World University Ranking is a ranking on green campus and environmental sustainability initiated by Universitas Indonesia in 2010.

The ranking rated 1050 universities from around the world on green climate metrics and rated LASU as number 799 globally and the 15th best overall in Africa behind 14 Universities from Egypt. 

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, expressed her excitement at the ranking, calling it a breakthrough in the attainment of her vision to make LASU the very best in West Africa. 

This is the first time LASU has participated in the ranking.

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