HALF SALARY: FRESH STRIKE LOOMS AS ASUU NEC MEETS MONDAY ---TROVE ONLINE MEDIA

Members of the National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities will on Monday hold a crucial meeting to decide on whether to go on a fresh strike or not.

The decision to convene the emergency NEC meeting, which is to be held at the ASUU National Secretariat on the University of Abuja campus, is coming on the heels of October salary cut received by members of the union.

A NEC member, who does not want his name in print, told our correspondent that members of the union across all the branches were disappointed about the action of Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

The official said their members had it on good authority that it was the minister who wrote to the necessary quarters, directing them not to fully pay October salary to lecturers.

President of the union, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke could not be reached for comments as at when filing this report.

ASUU had called off an eight-month strike on October 14, following court rulings and the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila

Another NEC member said the most “worrisome” part of the whole thing was the payment of salary backlogs to medical lecturers in the universities while other teachers in other discipline were neglected.

He said the pro-rata was done because they cannot be paid for work not done.

The minister maintained that he never directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to pay the university lecturers half salary.

“Following the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), asking ASUU to go back to work, the leadership of the union wrote to the Minister, informing him that they have suspended the strike.

The Federal Ministry of Education wrote to him in a similar vein and our labour inspectors in various states also confirmed that they have resumed work.

“So, the minister wrote to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, directing that their salaries should be restored.

They were paid in pro-rata to the number of days that they worked in October, counting from the day that they suspended their industrial action. Pro-rata was done because you cannot pay them for work not done. Everybody’s hands are tied,” he said.

The minister equally faulted a statement by the Chairperson of ASUU, Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) branch, Muhammad N. Al-Mustapha, accusing him of biased payment of salaries to selected professional members of the union.

He added, “Those obviously being referred to by the UDUS ASUU chairperson were members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association (MDCAN) who abstained from the eight-month strike of ASUU because they abhorred the incessant strikes by the union and its grave effects on medical education in Nigeria and production of more medical doctors.

OBASANJO’s IMAGE SHOULD BE ON REDESIGNED NAIRA NOTE – ATIKU

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar says one of the three naira notes about to be redesigned should have the image of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Atiku, in a series of tweets on Saturday also praised the 85-year-old elder statesman and African Union’s mediator for leading peace talks between the Ethiopian Government and Tigrayan rebels after two years of devastating conflict that have claimed thousands of lives and left millions needing aid in Africa’s second-most populous country

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) had in a statement this week agreed to “permanently silence the guns” and end the two years of conflict in northern Ethiopia.

The conflict erupted on November 4, 2020, when Nobel peace laureate Abiy sent troops into Tigray after accusing the TPLF, the regional ruling party, of attacking federal army camps.

Atiku, on Saturday, celebrated the “extraordinary prowess” of Obasanjo in bringing peace to Ethiopia.

“I am not surprised. I know my boss. He did the same thing in Liberia and São Tomé and Príncipe during our time in office,” the PDP candidate said. Atiku was Nigeria’s Vice-President between May 1999 and May 2007 when Obasanjo was a democratically elected President. Obasanjo and Atiku’s second term in office was not smooth but the two would later resolve their differences.

If for nothing else, he is most deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize, and I will nominate him when entries are open for nominations.

“Africa is blessed to have a statesman of such impeccable democratic credentials as Chief Obasanjo. A man whose image ought to be in the redesigned Naira note to inspire future generations of Nigerians to sacrifice for their nation and continent,” he added.

On October 26, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele said the apex bank will issue redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, effective December 15, 2022, while the new and existing currencies will remain legal tender and circulate together until January 31, 2023.

Recall Atiku and other presidential candidates like Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) have visited Obasanjo at his Abeokuta residence in the last couple of months. However, the former military head of state has not endorsed any candidate.

2023 Election: TINUBU, ATIKU OR OBI? - PASTOR ADEBOYE FINALLY OPENS UP ABOUT WINNER ---TROVE ONLINE MEDIA

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has finally opened up on the likely winner of the 2023 presidential election.

The general overseer of the RCCG revealed that God has yet to speak to him about who will emerge victorious at the 2023 presidential polls 

He stated this at the Redemption Camp while ministering to the congregation at the latest edition of the “Holy Ghost Service” program. 

The highly revered cleric further stated that he had not received any revelation from God if the 2023 election would hold.

He told his congregants not to be alarmed as he lamented about the current state of the nation. Pastor Adeboye’s submission is coming just a few months into the penultimate month of the 2023 election. 

The cleric maintained that he is just a pastor and not a prophet while stating that he does not have a preferred candidate but prays for anyone who comes to him for prayers and God’s blessings. 

Pastor Adeboye’s sermon was inspired by the program’s theme tagged “Let It Rain” as he took a bible passage from Chronicles 7:13-14. He urged Christians to remain steadfast and prayerful for the healing of Nigeria from the plagues and agony it has suffered. 

In another development, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye says God still answers prayers.

He, however, blamed Christians for the current state of Nigeria, while he declared a seen days of prayer and fasting.

Pastor Adeboye said prayer is the master key and the only way to heal Nigeria from the plagues that have befallen it. 

COURT SACKS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, ORDERS REPLACEMENT ---TROVE ONLINE MEDIA

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sacked the presidential candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd).

The court, presided over by Justice Z.B Abubakar ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize all candidates presented by the Kenneth Udeze-led faction of the party.

The Judge added that instead, the candidates submitted by the faction loyal to the chairman of the party, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje should be recognized for the 2023 elections.

The court order was made known to newsmen in Kaduna on Saturday.

Justice Abubakar cited section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, and ordered that INEC should immediately publish the names and addresses of all candidates submitted by Omoaje on behalf of the Action Alliance.

“By the provision of section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the INEC should publish by displaying at the relevant office or offices of INEC and on its website,” the Judge ruled.

The court order follows a suit instituted by Omoaje who challenged the decision of INEC not to recognize the candidates submitted by him on behalf of the party for the 2023 polls

BREAKING: FG REACTS AS ASUU THREATEN ANOTHER STRIKE OVER PAYMENT PAYMENT OF HALF SALARIES --Troveonlinemedia

The Federal Government on Saturday explained why it failed to pay full salaries to lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities. This statement is coming after the union threatened another strike over the half salaries.

In a statement, by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the government noted that members of ASUU were paid their October salary pro-rata. According to the ministry, pro-rata was done because they cannot be paid for work not done.

The statement further clarified that the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, never directed the Accountant General of the Federation to pay the university lecturers half salaries.

The statement reads in part, “Following the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, asking ASUU to go back to work, the leadership of the union wrote to the Minister, informing him that they have suspended the strike. The Federal Ministry of Education wrote to him in a similar vein and our labour inspectors in various states also confirmed that they have resumed work.

So, the Minister wrote to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, directing that their salaries should be restored. They were paid in pro-rata for the number of days that they worked in October, counting from the day that they suspended their industrial action. Pro-rata was done because you cannot pay them for work not done. Everybody’s hands are tied.”

The ministry equally faulted a statement by the Chairperson of ASUU, Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto branch, Muhammad N. Al-Mustapha, accusing the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, of biased payment of salaries to selected professional members of the union.

Those obviously being referred to by the UDUS ASUU chairperson were members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association who abstained from the eight-month strike of ASUU because they abhorred the incessant strikes by the union and its grave effects on medical education in Nigeria and production of more medical doctors.”

Accusing the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, of biased payment of salaries to selected professional members of ASUU, is a barefaced distortion of facts. Mustapha said he received information that a segment of the staff in the College of Health Sciences has been paid seven months of their withheld salaries from March to September, due to a letter written to the Minister of Finance, instructing the exemption of the under-listed staff on the application of ‘No Work, No Pay’ rule

To set the records straight, the medical lecturers who are being referred to by the Chairperson of the ASUU UDUS branch, abstained from the eight-month strike of ASUU. This has been corroborated in a press statement by the Chairman, MDCAN UdUS, Dr B. Jubrin and Secretary, Dr I. G Ango, on Friday, November 4, 2022.”

PDP: AYU, TAMBUWAL LAMIDO MEET WITH BALA MOHAMMED IN BAUCHI --troveonlinemedia

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorchia Ayu, Sokoto State Governor and Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Aminu Tambuwal and former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido were among those present at the meeting, which was held behind closed doors.

The PDP Chairman said part of the reasons for the meeting was to discuss some developments in the party.

I APPOINTED 200,000 AIDES TO PUT FOOD IN THEIR STOMACHS ‘ —GOV WIKE

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has defended his appointment of 200,000 Special Assistants on Political Units, saying he did that to put food in the stomachs of the appointees.

Wike who responded to criticism from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and other stakeholders in the state, said the appointments were to fulfill his promise that he would begin to implement his policy of “stomach infrastructure of putting money in the pockets of Rivers people.”

In a statement on Friday, Wike said there was no crime in using Rivers State money to put food on the tables of Rivers people.

Before these appointments, my mail box almost crashed. People were sending text messages saying ‘why are you leaving us alone, the job is too much. This number cannot do the work’.

“Therefore, a lot of Rivers people are volunteering to be part of this work

“It is me who is appointing. It is me who wears the shoe that knows where it pinches. It is not you outside because you are not part of government

“I know what it takes and I know these people will help me. Now that I am finishing, I want to finish very well

“I am using Rivers money to put food on the table of Rivers people, so why should that be anybody’s problem? Is there anything wrong in using your money to put food in your stomach?”, he asked rhetorically.

BILLIONS OF NAIRA CASH STASHED IN ABUJA, KANO, PORT HARCOURT HOMES OF NIGERIAN GOVERNORS WIKE, GANDUJE, MATAWALLE UNCOVERED BY ANTI-GRAFT AGENCY, EFCC

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have discovered billions of Naira in cash stashed in various houses of some serving governors.

Multiple sources on Friday identified the governors as Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State and Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.

EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa earlier said three serving state governors were being monitored over their moves to launder stashed billions of naira through the payment of salaries to workers.

The development follows the announcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that it will redesign some naira notes.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on October 26 announced that the country’s currency would be redesigned to address many issues that have negative effects on the economy.

While the re-designed notes would be released on December 15, Nigerians have up to January 31, 2023, to deposit the old notes in banks. 

However, Bawa in an interview with Daily Trust said that some governors were devising means to launder the money they stashed in houses. He added that so far, the commission was closely monitoring three of them.

He said intelligence at the disposal of the commission showed that the three governors had concluded plans to inject the money into the system through the payment of workers’ salaries.

“Let me tell you something, the Intel that I have yesterday and I would want you to take this thing very seriously. Already, some state governors that have some of this cash stashed in various houses and the rest are now trying to pay salaries in cash in their state,” he had said.

While the EFCC boss refused to disclose the identity of the three governors, multiple sources in the anti-graft agency identified them as Governors Wike, Ganduje and Matawalle of Rivers, Kano and Zamfara respectively.

“The three governors we are monitoring are Governors Wike, Matawalle and Kano’s Ganduje. Billions of naira stashed in their homes in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano have been discovered,” 

“These three state governors were caught trying to move these huge sums of notes kept in their residences after the CBN announced its decision to redesign the naira notes.

“They are in billions; that of Ganduje is purely kept in Kano but he has used some parts to pay for a hotel he’s building in Abuja. The hotel is at the back of the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre.”

“Zamfara governor, Matawalle kept his own in some houses he owns in Abuja while Wike has his own kept in Abuja and Port Harcourt,” one of the sources said.

In 2018, two videos of Ganduje allegedly receiving kickbacks from contractors trended on social media.

The videos published by Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, showed the governor receiving bundles of dollars and putting them into his flowing dress known as ‘babanriga’ in the northern part of Nigeria.

The governor had reportedly requested $5 million from the contractors who recorded the video while handing part of the payment to him.

In one of the videos, the governor appeared to have received $230,000, which he hastily stashed in his ‘babanriga,’ a flowing dress common in northern Nigeria.

ASUU KICKS, SUMMONS NEC MEETING AS FG PAYS HALF SALARIES

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may be heading for another showdown with the Federal Government over half salaries paid its members for October 2022.

The university lecturers suspended their eight months strike on October 14 and only work for 18 days last month.

The Federal government had insisted on implementing the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy for the period the university teachers were away from their duty posts.

However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, waded into the imbroglio between the union and the Federal Government after all negotiations had failed.

Gbajabiamila had assured the lecturers that government would look into the issue, adding that the lecturers would get whatever was due to them.

However, things took a new turn last Thursday when it was gathered that the government only paid half-month salaries to the university teachers.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of the union described the development as “insensitive and disheartening”

The branch chairman, Dele Ashiru, in a statement said: “The leadership of the union at the national level has been duly informed about this unfortunate development and they are on top of the issue.”

At the Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDU), Sokoto, the union has accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, of attempts to create disharmony among its members.

There were reports of selective payment of lecturers’ salaries at the university, with some lecturers in the College of Public Health and Medicine allegedly receiving all their outstanding salaries.

Ngige had said those categories of workers didn’t participate in the union’s strike. ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, while confirming the development, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the minister to order.

Osodeke said: “Half salaries were paid; no reasons were given whatsoever. We learnt that Ngige wrote the office of the Accountant General and Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and told them to only pay us for the period when we called off the strike.

“We heard there was a letter to that effect but we haven’t gotten it yet. We are going to summon a meeting.

“The minister just want to create more problems and Nigerians should take note. They are pushing us again to the point of taking drastic action. We have not been paid for eight months and we have resumed for about a month now.”

Those who impressed it upon us to suspend the strike should take note also,” he said. To address the issue and come up with a plan, ASUU has called a nationwide Congress in its various branches on Tuesday next week to take a decision on the matter.

When contacted on whether his members had been paid, the National Secretary of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Dr. Henry Oripeloye, said no member of his union had been paid any salary.

I WILL PROTECT OWODE ONIRE'S MANDATE - RUKAYAT SHITTU. ----TROVE ONLINE MEDIA REPORTING

As a young lady in my mid 20's, many have been asking how I am coping with the tasking political environment, especially after the news of an unfavorable court judgement.

In this past week, a court of first instance, Federal High Court gave a judgement regarding my nomination as the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate of our constituency, Owode Onire, which was unfavorable.

Since the news of the judgement made it to the public domain, all the APC ward chairmen in the 9 wards of Owode Onire had jointly expressed their solidarity, so is the women leaders, youth leaders and even the elders across our constituency.

The solidarity of our people, despite the perceived setback is an indication that the mandate given to me by our people is a collective mandate to redefine the future of Owode Onire and we will not relent in upholding the people's mandate.

On our journey to  building a new Asa, it is not unexpected that we may encounter temporary gallops. 

 

Sometimes, we may have to slow down to clear the road and at other times, we may have to branch fuel stations to refill our tank.

All these circumstantial events might slow us down a bit, but they are an important event that would eventually make our journey worthwhile.

However, slowing down a bit to clear the road or branching fuel station to refill our tank cannot stop us from getting to our destination, actually, it is going to aide our mission.

With the outpouring of support from our party elders, leaders, women and youths, there's no doubt that we are unstoppable, because we are on a mission sanctioned by Allah, our creator.

I therefore want to assure our people that I will protect the mandate of Owode Onire given to me.

In furtherance to our resolution to reshape the future of the constituency, the unfavorable judgment of the lower court has been appealed by our legal team and we are confident that the superior court will pronounce our mandate as the rightful one.

2023: 60 NOLLYWOOD STARS DECLARE SUPPORT FOR TINUBU

Popular Nollywood actors, producers and entertainers under the auspices of Progressive Coalition of Entertainers have declared total support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2023 general elections. 

The group, led by popular actor, Saheed Balogun, announced this during a courtesy visit to the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa on Friday at the assembly’s complex in Lagos.

Obasa who received the group, urged them not to relent in their effort to ensure victory for the APC presidential candidate in the election. 

He said: “Our task is to involve people, enlighten them and make them see reasons why they should continue to support APC. We know the group has always supported the party and we want them to continue. To us, every vote is an investment because every single vote counts.”

Speaking on the visit, Balogun said the group of over 60 celebrities had come to endorse Tinubu because of his impact on the development of Lagos. He said: “Since the campaign has commenced, the artists, having large followers on social media, see it as an opportunity to reach out and engage prospective voters. This is because we see Tinubu as one who had done a lot to qualify as the next president of Nigeria and we hope to continue to release the presidential candidate’s achievements

“Asiwaju has done well and it is time to pay back. Every successive government continues to build on his foundation.”

ON OUR LENS: SAKA SAADU SPEAKS

Dear Esteemed Followers 

Today, ON OUR LENS crew featured the People's Democratic Party candidate of Ilorin North-West Constituency *Hon Isiaq Saka Saadu

 

Stay tuned as we reel out full package of the programme soon.

 PROGRAMME TITLE

On our lens. 

GUEST

Hon. Isiaq Saka Saadu.

PDP candidate, Ilorin North-West Constituency

PRESENTER

Eniola Shukurah Oniyor

PRESIDENTIAL VILLA THROWN INTO WILD JUBILATION AS VP OSINBAJO WINS BIG

The vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday, November 3, received an award of ‘National Nutrition Vanguard’ from the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN). 

The senior special assistant to the vice president on media and publicity, Laolu Akande said Osinbajo was honoured in a brief ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

According to a statement signed by Akande, the award recognizes the vice president's outstanding and invaluable contributions to Nigeria's national development, particularly nutrition development. 

Reading Osinbajo's citation, a former deputy governor of Kano state, Hafiz Abubakar, said the VP has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s nutrition space.

He listed some of the achievements of the vice president towards ending hunger and creating a path for good nutrition to include the approval of the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NMPFAN) in Nigeria by the Federal Executive Council. 

KW-IRS: ABDULRAZAQ'S ADVOCATES YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN TAX PROFESSION

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has lauded the initiative of involving the younger generation and developing them early in the Tax profession.

The Governor said this today at the Grand Finale of the 2022 Tax Club Quiz Competition organised by the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service at the Banquet Hall Ilorin.

He called on all to invest in tax practice and administration to build a virile environment and make the taxation businesses thrive at all levels of endeavours.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, explained that the collection of taxes and fees is a fundamental way to generate public revenues that make it possible to finance investments in human capital, infrastructure, and the provision of services for citizens and businesses and fund public services, such as schools, emergency services, and welfare programs.

Governor AbdulRazaq congratulated the organisers, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service and the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, for the feat.

In her welcome address, the Executive Chairman KW-IRS, Mrs Shade Omoniyi, said the KW-IRS Tax Club Quiz Competition is an aspect of the 6-Es Community Impact Programs (CIPs), designed to nurture tax-compliant generations through deliberate exposure to rudiments of taxation right from the secondary school till taxable adulthood. The winners at the end went home with cash prizes of N2.5Million, N1.5Million and N1Million, respectively, while all participating schools also received tangible consolation prizes.

She expressed her appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his commitment and investment in the education sector of Kwara State, a feat that she said has produced world-class scholars and multi-talented generations ready to conquer the world. 

NIGERIA NAVIGATE 2023 ELECTIONS – SEGUN SHOWUNMI BEGS OBASANJO

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, an Ogun State governorship aspirant, Segun Showunmi, has appealed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo to assist the nation in having a successful poll next year.

Showunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) begged Obasanjo not to give up on issues affecting the nation, saying Nigeria needs his help just as he did in resolving Ethiopia’s crisis.

In a statement made available to TROVE ONLINE MEDIA, Showunmi asked the Balogun Owu to look more pragmatically at the situation in Nigeria and offer himself to help the country navigate the 2023 elections.

According to him, any election that involves a change of leadership at the highest level can be nerve-racking.

The Egba chief made this plea while commending Obasanjo’s efforts in resolving the crisis in Ethiopia, which he said had ravaged the African country for decades.

“It is very consistent with your life of service, I remember with nostalgia the same effort during the former Rhodesia now Namibia and Zimbabwean conflicts in the 70s. Baba, you have thought many life lessons, especially in the area of a purpose-driven life,” Showunmi said on Friday

In his appeal to Obasanjo, Showunmi said: “Dear Elder statesman, do not give up on the issues of Nigeria, I want you to look more pragmatically at the situation in the country and offer yourself to help Nigeria navigate the next circle of elections. As you know, when the elections involve a change of leaders at the highest level, it can be very nerve-racking, needing a steady and guided hand.

“I trust that you understand what I am saying in the context of how fluid our security situation is right now, coupled with the socio-economic situation generally.

“Once again Baba Obasanjo, May the lord bless and keep you to keep doing more for mankind.”

ITS AN INSULT TO MENTION FUNKE AKINDELE IN MY PRESENCE – TINUBU BLOWS HOT

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has told his supporters that it is disrespectful to mention Nollywood actress and People Democratic Party’s Lagos gubernatorial running mate Funke Akindele in his presence.

Tinubu made this known at a political outing on Wednesday, where his supporters sang a campaign song, describing Funke Akindele as a political ‘ant’ compared to the incumbent governor of Lagos and candidate of the APC in the 2023 election, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

However, Tinubu cautioned his supporters against mentioning Akindele’s name in his presence, describing it as disrespectful and an insult.

Don’t even bother to mention her name in my presence. It is an insult. It is disrespectful,” the former Lagos governor said.

Akindele had said that God called her and the PDP governorship candidate, Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor) and gave them the mandate to change the turn Lagos around.

Akindele said God has been with her right from birth and is interested in her aspirations to make Lagos State work for all people in the state.

“God has been with me from infancy till I went to school and till now. He chose me to be the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP, despite the crowd that struggled to be chosen.

“I give God all the glory for what he has done. God has always been doing the best for me.

“We were called by God, if not we would have backed out. People have suffered but God has called us and put us forward to come and change the story of Lagos state for the better. The success of Lagos state is ours,” she said.

BREAKING: FIVE APC GOVERNORS IN TALKS WITH ATIKU – PDP

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said five governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are currently in talks with its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

A spokesperson for the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Kola Ologbondiyan disclosed this today while chatting with journalists

He also said the aim of the APC and its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to benefit from the crisis between Atiku and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike will fail.

Festus Keyamo (SAN) the Minister of State for Labour and Employment and Chief Spokesperson of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign had earlier said that aggrieved PDP stakeholders will support Tinubu’s presidential bid.

He also said aside from Wike and his allies, other governors in the PDP are not on the side of Atiku.

While responding to Keyamo’s claim, Ologbondiyan, the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP said “It’s a dishonest statement”.

“We are not unaware of the wishes and roles of the APC and its presidential candidate in their hope to draw capital from the disagreements in our party.

But they need not worry because no fewer than five of the governors elected on the platform of APC are in consultation with the PDP and its Presidential candidate”.

“They will definitely want to benefit from the situation but they will meet a brick wall”.

TROVE ONLINE MEDIA CELEBRATES ATERE'S NEW AGE

Birthdays are a new start, a fresh beginning and a time to pursue new endeavors with new goals. Move forward with confidence and courage.

As you're celebrating your birthday, start counting  the remaining ones with smiles, joys, abundant blessings, everlasting happiness, Allah's mercies and unending elevation.

From all of us at TROVE online MEDIA we say  Happy birthday to our indefatigable man. May today and all of your days be amazing!”

ATIKU: YOU LIED, I Didn’t COLLECT ANY CONTRACT FROM YOU, EX-MINISTER SEKIBO FIRES WIKE

A former Minister of Transportation, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, has denied collecting road contracts from Governor Nyesom Wike of River State

Sekibo, who was appointed as the Director General of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers, was reacting to a claim by Wike that he was given N5.5 billion  contracts by the state government.

Recall that Wike accused Sekibo of working the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, despite receiving N2.1bn Okrika sand-filling contract, N2bn Okochiri internal road contract, and the N1.4bn contract for the Okujaku Street, Danjuma Drive in Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt, from his administration.

The Rivers governor described the formerly minister as a self-centered politician who has failed to attract any kind of democratic dividends to his local council, Okrika Local Government Area of the state.

Reacting to the claim in a statement on Tuesday by his lawyer, Christian Onuobodo Elenwo, Sekibo said the allegation by the Governor was as an orchestrated attempt to tarnish his image.

The former minister denied receiving the said contracts, saying he only recommended competent contractors to execute the projects at Wike’s request.

The PDP chieftain therefore asked Wike to immediately retract the false allegations and the publication of unreserved apology to him.

RUKAYAT SHITTU GOES ON ART EXHIBITION WITH INTERNATIONAL NGO

Ongoing: 

Rukayat Shittu and her colleagues arrives at the Art Hotel Lagos for the art exhibition.

She stepped into the Obinrin 2.0 Fashion collection place.

APC Candidate for Owode Onire Constituency, Rukayat Motunrayo Shittu is currently at the special Art exhibition to launch a wearable art collection for candidates under ElectHer.

Rukayat is with other selected candidates across the country at the program held in Lagos.

ZAMFARA PDP CHAIRMAN SLUMPS, DIES

The state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Zamfara, Dr. Ahmed Sani Kaura is dead.

He died at a peace meeting in Gusau.

The PDP publicity Secretary in the state, Abba Bello, said the chairman  died immediately after he attended a peace meeting organized by the Nigeria Council of Ulamah, Zamfara state chapter on Wednesday.

He said the late chairman was invited with other PDP stakeholders by the state Council of Ulamah for a meeting to discuss ways to avoid political thuggery in the state.

“The chairman slumped while he was delivering his speech. He was rushed to a private hospital in Gusau and he was confirmed dead by the doctors,” he said. 

Sources said the late PDP chairman died at the age of 62 and was survived by two wives and six children.

He was buried at his home town of Kaura Namoda in accordance to Muslim rites. 

PDP APPOINTS ALHAJI SALISU LAWAL ULI AS ACTING CHAIRMAN

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Executive Committee has appointed Alhaji Salisu Lawal Uli as its acting chairman in Katsina State, pending the election of a substantive chairman.

Until his appointment as acting chairman by the PDP NEC, Uli has been acting as the Deputy Chairman of the party in the state.

The decision was contained in a letter duly signed by its Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar M. Bature.

As seen in the letter, Uli’s appointment was necessitated to pave the way for the ousted chairman of the party, Hon. Salisu Majigiri to concentrate on his bid for membership of the house of representatives for Mashi/Dutsi constituency in the 2023 general elections.

Hon. Salisu Majigiri, before his recent replacement, spearheaded the party’s activities in the state for the past seven years.

He was also among the governorship aspirants that lost in the PDP primary election to Senator Yakubu Lado but was able to find his way back as the party’s chairman but replaced again apparently to enable him focus on his house of representatives race.

Following the election of the Katsina State Chairman, Salisu Y. Majigiri as the House of Representatives candidate of our party for the upcoming 2023 general elections, the National Working Committee (NWC) on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our party, after careful consideration, approved your appointment as the Ag. State Chairman of our party in Katsina State

ATIKU SUFFERS FRESH DEFEAT AS COURT NULLIFIES HIS STRONG ALLY'S ELECTION, ORDERS FRESH PRIMARY

Lawal Adamu, an ally of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has suffered a strong setback as a federal high court sitting in Kaduna nullified his election. 

On Wednesday, November 2, the court nullified Adamu's election as the PDP candidate for Kaduna central senatorial district and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary, 

Usman Ibrahim had filed a suit before the court, praying for the nullification of the PDP primaries conducted in June over alleged irregularities.

 Ibrahim argued that the election was full of over-voting, falsifying the delegate list, and denying his supporters' right to vote. 

He then urged the court to cancel the PDP primary in the Kaduna central senatorial district that eventually produced Lawal Adamu as the party's candidate. 

While delivering his judgement, Justice Garba Umar said that the plaintiff's complaints were substantial. He then nullified the election.

Umar ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh primary within the next 14 days and ensure that the environment accommodates all contestants to participate in the primary

PDP FILES SUIT SEEKING SACK OF APC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, ADAMU

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has flied a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking the sack of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

In the fresh suit filed by the main opposition party on Wednesday, the PDP opined that the Adamu-led APC NWC acted in illegality in the process that produced the party’s national officers and candidates.

The PDP is also demanding that all candidates produced by APC for the 2023 general elections be disqualified from the race having been allegedly produced in breach and gross violation of the 1999 Constitution and Electoral Act 2022.

The suit filed on behalf of the PDP by Ayo Kamaldeen Ajibade, (SAN), before

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court, according to the party, was predicated on a judgment of the Court on September 30, 2022, which declared all actions and activities of the dissolved Extraordinary Convention Committee of the APC led by Gov. Mai Mala Buni as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional

During a preliminary hearing in the suit, Justice Ekwo fixed November 22 for mention of the suit with an order that all the 53 persons listed by PDP in the suit as defendants be served with hearing notices in their respective locations.

Some of the defendants listed in the suit by the PDP include Adamu, presidential flag bearer of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his running mate, Kashim Shetima, all Governorship candidates and their deputies, Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates of the party, as well as various officials of the NWC.

EFCC ARREST KOGI ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE WHO ALLEGEDLY DEFRAUDED A BANK OF N1.4B

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested Ismaila Yusuf Atumeyi, the Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). 

The arrest was made known by the commission in a statement on their Facebook page on Tuesday evening. According to the EFCC, Atumeyi was arrested alongside Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster in a sting operation at Macedonia Street, Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja with N326 million and $ 140,500 cash. Earlier in the day, the sum of $470,000 was recovered from another accomplice.

He was alleged to have masterminded the defrauding of a commercial bank of the sum of N1.4 billion alongside Dominic and a former employee of the bank.  

 The EFCC noted that all the suspects were arrested following months of investigations into the hacking of the bank.

The EFCC revealed that among those arrested is Abdumalik Salau Femi, the former bank employee who divulged the bank’s information that led to the N1.4 billion fraud. The sum of $470,000 was recovered from Abdulmalik following his arrest at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lagos. 

 They also noted that the suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigations.

Atumeyi, who is seeking to represent Ankpa 11 Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly was arrested on Sunday, October 30, 2022, alongside one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster, in a sting operation at Macedonia Street, Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja. 

 “Also arrested in connection with the Fraud is Abdumalik Salau Femi, a former bank employee, who allegedly supplied the inside information that facilitated the attack on the bank by the syndicate. He was picked up today, November 1, 2022, at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lagos. Following his arrest, a search was conducted on his home in Morgan Estate, Ojodu, where a total of $470,000 USD was recovered. 

 The arrest of the suspects followed months of investigation into the hacking of one of the commercial banks by a syndicate of fraudsters who pulled off a heist of N1.4billion. 

“The syndicate allegedly moved N887million into the account of Fav Oil and Gas Limited, from where the monies were paid to several Bureau de Change operators and some auto dealers for exchange into United States dollars and purchase of high-end cars. 

 “Dominic, who has severally been arrested for fraud, allegedly helped Atumeyi perfect the hacking plan through Abdumalik. Dominic, a self-styled investment expert and managing director of Brisk Capital Limited was arrested in May 2021 by the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police for an alleged N2billion investment scam. He allegedly defrauded over 500 persons in a phony investment scheme. 

 “Two Range Rover Luxury SUVs were also recovered from the two suspects arrested in Abuja. 

 “They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.” 

 

2023 ELECTIONS: PRESIDENCY FINALLY SPEAKS ON SACKING INEC BOSS, HALTING USE OF BVAS

During a policy dialogue in Abuja, a presidential media aide, Femi Adesina, debunked the rumour and also refuted speculations that there is a plan to sack the current national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, 

Adesina urged journalists not to give attention to such reports and those who propagate them with the intention of disrupting the 2023 elections.

Recently, there was one group that said the chairman of INEC was going to be removed because maybe they didn’t want BVAS." “How many times has the president spoken about the role of technology in getting him into office? “He has spoken about it locally, internationally that three times he contested, three times he ended at the Supreme Court because the government of the day will just write results. 

Adesina noted that the same people selling lies about the use of BVAS in 2023 are claiming that there is a plot to sack Mahmood. According to him, such things can never happen under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration. 

DEATH ALERT: KWARA DEPUTY GOVERNOR LOSES STAFF

Kwara Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi has described the death of his Chief Detail, Kehinde Obafemi, as a rude shock.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ilorin by Mrs Modupe Joel, Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor.

According to the statement, Obafemi succumbed on Sunday, Oct.30 during a brief illness.

PDP Crisis: BODE GEORGE REACTS TO MOVE TO SANCTION WIKE, ORTOM, OTHERS

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has cautioned the leadership of the party against sanctioning five of its governors.

Recall that Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) have been consistent in their call for the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

Wike and his allies specifically noted that since a northerner, Atiku Abubakar, emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, it would be unfair for Ayu to remain as the PDP chairman.

In their determination to press home their demand, the five governors resigned their membership of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council.

Following these developments, there have been calls for the sanctioning of the governors to instill some elements of discipline among party members.

In a chat with The Punch, George said the party should be looking for ways to pacify the aggrieved governors and their allies instead of planning to sanction them.

The member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) urged Ayu to resign from his position and allow a Southerner to replace him as the party chairman.

According to the PDP chieftain, there is a need for an equitable distribution of the party’s elective offices in line with the PDP constitution.

He said, “As an elder, we will continue to appeal to Ayu to put on his thinking cap. Atiku should remain a nationalist because he wants to govern Nigeria.

“Even if the party wants to do so (sanction them), the time is not now. As an elder of the party, if Atiku remains completely adamant that he will not listen and Ayu is blowing tantrums all over the place, whatever anybody wants to do, they will do it. These governors are not pawns on the chessboard, and Atiku should know this.

Atiku can’t be talking about the constitution of the party now. Could he have emerged as a presidential candidate if we had not set aside our constitution? What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.”

George advised Atiku to remain a nationalist and stop playing games with the aggrieved governors if he wants to win the 2023 presidential election.

He added: “Even if Atiku wins today, he has already planted discord in the minds of the people. Atiku met with these governors and told them he would bring the chairmanship to the South. If he is playing games with these governors, they are also ready to play games with him. He (Atiku) is thinking that he is already in the Aso Rock Villa.

People are lying to Atiku, telling him he would win without these governors but he doesn’t know how angry our people (South-West) are. The whole North will vote for him and let’s see how he will get 25 percent of the South-West’s vote.”

DELTA GOES AFTER UNAUTHORIZED POLITICAL BILLBOARDS

Delta State government has threatened to confiscate unauthorized political billboards while those responsible for the structures will be made to face prosecution.

The state Signage and Advertisement Agency (DESAA) cautioned registered outdoor advertising practitioners and business entities involved in outdoor political advertising in the state to desist from indiscriminate installation of unauthorized billboards across the state

Findings disclosed that DESAA would immediately commence a massive state-wide enforcement activity to remove any unauthorized billboard and that it would not entertain further indiscriminate installation of billboards and sign posts around the state without the proper approval.

While threatening that any such would be visited with the full weight of the law, it warned that failure to comply with the directive would render such billboards eligible for removal and confiscation and those responsible for the structures would be made to face prosecution

Corroborating, the director of Information, Ministry of Information, Mrs Theresa Oliko, reminded outdoor advertising practitioners, businesses and political actors in the state that there were regulations/guidelines on the installation of billboards and placements of political advertisements in Delta State.

She said the regulations ranged from the vetting of the adverts by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to the approval of structures and placement of billboards by DESAA before a billboard could be installed.

The director emphasised that the adherence to the laid down guidelines was to ensure a peaceful political campaign environment and also to ensure that the beauty of the state and safety of its citizens were not compromised.

She called on the public, outdoor advertising practitioners, business owners, political parties and politicians that had erected unauthorized political billboards in Delta State to remove them immediately.

2023: GOV. WIKE DONATES 25 BUSES TO BENUE PDP CAMPAIGN TEAM

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has donated 25 buses to the campaign team of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State.

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi during the inauguration of the party’s campaign council, said that each of the 23 local governments would get a bus.

“Wike has also promised to be in Makurdi for the flag-off of the campaigns slated for Monday,” he said.

All I and my colleagues want is for the committee of the whole house to address the issues holistically.

He thanked Mr Wike for always standing with Benue people both in good and bad moments.

He said that if the presidential candidate of the party addresses the challenges rocking the party, all PDP members would work together to rescue Nigeria, declaring that he had no issues with any candidate of the party.

He encouraged the national leadership of the party to listen to the voice of reason and address the burning issues raised by five governors.

The governors are Messrs Wike, Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State

They are asking the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, to resign since the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, is from the North as Mr Ayu.

ABIA APC GUBER ASPIRANT URGES APPEAL COURT TO INVALIDATE EMENIKE, OGAH'’s TICKETS

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship Aspirant in Abia, Dan Eke, has urged the Appeal Court, Owerri Division, to invalidate the candidacies of Ikechi Emenike and Uche Ogah.

On October 7, the Federal High Court in Umuahia dismissed Mr Eke’s suit challenging the outcomes of the parallel APC governorship primaries.

In doing so, the trial judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike, said Mr Eke lacked the locus standi to sue, having not participated in the exercise.

Both Messrs Emenike and Ogah conducted separate primaries, which handed them the tickets.

However, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) validated Mr Emenike’s ticket obtained through an indirect mode of primary and forwarded his name to INEC.

Mr Ogah, a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, who emerged from a purported direct mode of primary, has since filed a suit also challenging Mr Emenike’s candidacy.

Mr Eke alleged that both primaries did not comply with section 84(14) of the Electoral Act 2022, the APC Constitution, and the guidelines and directives of the NWC for the May 26 primaries.

He, therefore, approached the Appeal Court with the relief to set aside the trial judge’s judgement to allow his suit.

Mr Eke also urged the upper court to consider and determine his suit on its merit.

He averred that the trial judge “erred in law” on six grounds, including denying him of the locus standi to sue and dismissing his suit without looking into its merit, amongst others.

Mr Eke further averred that the decision by the trial judge that he did not participate in the primaries, after admitting that his names and scores were published in the result sheets, “occasioned a miscarriage of justice in the matter”.

His Counsel, Obinna Nkume, told journalists that the filing of the processes for the appeal by all the parties had been concluded.

We are therefore waiting for the court to give us a date,” he said. Mr Nkume added that the appeal must be concluded within 60 days.

“The same reliefs that the Federal High Court in Umuahia shied away from granting us is what we are asking the Appeal Court to grant us because it has the jurisdiction,” Mr Nkume said

ATIKU APPOINTS IBRAHIM ZANGO, EX PROTOCOL OFFICER TO OBASANJO AS SECRETARY

In a build to the 2023 general elections, Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has appointed Ibrahim Zango as his Principal Secretary.

Zango, an indigene of Katsina State is a seasoned public officer who has served Nigeria in foreign missions including the United Kingdom, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, among others.

He was the Chief Protocol Officer at the Presidential Villa between 2001 and 2002.

His academic profile shows he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Sokoto and a Masters in International Relations at the Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

He is a Fellow of the Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington DC. Mr. Zango has also attended several specialized training in the operation, administration and management of Foreign Service both at home and abroad.

Zango’s appointment takes immediate effect, the statement added.

This is happening despite a frosty relationship between Atiku and Ex-President Obasanjo.

The former President was recently quoted to have said he regretted his choice of Vice President.

Beyond this, Atiku since his emergence as the Presidential flagbearer of PDP pitched him against the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike who has consistently criticised the leadership structure of the party and the need for the party’s chairman, Iyorchia Ayu to resign.

Atiku is also believed to have travelled to the United States to further his presidential ambition.

TINUBU STEPS DOWN FOR PETER OBI, SENDS MESSAGE TO ATIKU? FACTS SURFACE

*A tweep who recently cloned Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Twitter account has shared some outrageous tweets about the APC candidate's presidential ambition

*The tweep, pretending to be Tinubu, said he has stepped down for Peter Obi who has much better things to offer Nigeria.

*Moreover, the fake subscriber called on Atiku Abubakar and other Nigerians to join him in endorsing Obi ahead of the 2023 presidential election

There is a viral claim on Twitter that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dropped from the 2023 presidential race.

Part of the online claim is also that Tinubu has endorsed Peter Obi, the presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP), ahead of the election. 

Tinubu was reported to have stated that he made the rather sudden decision after carefully studying Obi's manifesto and found out that the former Anambra governor has much more to offer Nigeria. 

Also, it was claimed that Tinubu urged Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other well-meaning Nigerians to join in supporting Obi's presidential ambition 

PDP SUSPENDS POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OVER DAVIDO'S SON DEATH

Following the demise of Ifeanyi, the son of Afrobeats superstar Davido, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osun State has suspended political activities for the week.

Davido, who is the cousin to Osun Governor-elect Ademola Adeleke, reportedly lost his son after he was drown in a poll in Lagos State. 

A statement by Osun Caretaker Chairman of PDP, Dr Adekunle Akindele, expressed sadness over the incident and prayed with the family for God to console them. 

We mourn the sorrowful exit of our son, Ifeanyi. We pray for the repose of his soul. It is a sad day but we remain steadfast in our faith in the Lord of the Universe.

“Our condolence goes to Davido, our youth ambassador. We commiserate with our father figure, Dr Deji Adeleke and the entire Adeleke family. We pray the good Lord grant the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement reads.

KWHA CANDIDATE, RUKAYAT SHITTU SETS PRIORITY FOR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

The All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate for Owode Onire state constituency, Rukayat Shittu has set an agenda for her legislative activities.

The sensational journalist turn politician said strengthening public institutions, ensuring government accountability and enforcing child right act will be the priority of her legislative activities.

In the agenda35 brochure of ElectHer, an international NGO currently holding in Lagos Nigeria, Rukayat outline her priority ahead of the 2023 general election.

The young politician, who is being unveiled alongside other forward-looking women in the race for the 2023 election is a graduate of the National Open University of Nigeria and the first female senate president at the Congress of NOUN Students (CONS)

BREAKING:EX-MINISTER, AMAECHI IS DEAD

Chief Mbazulike Amechi, Nigeria’s first Aviation minister, is dead. He died this morning in his home town of Ukpor in Anambra State, aged 93.

The politician ,who was popularly known as “The Boy Is Good”, recently led a delegation of prominent Igbo leaders to Aso Rock where he made a case for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

A statement from his family read; “With total deference to the will of the Almighty God, the Ume Amechi, Ezeana lhinede families and the Umu Mmara kindred of Amihe Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State announce the peaceful transition of our illustrious son, father and grandfather, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor), Nationalist and First Republic Minister of Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who transitioned peacefully in the early hours of today November 1, 2022.”

We thank God for the fulfilled life that he lived, the lives that he touched and his service to God and Country. We respectfully ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers at this time

DAVIDO LOSSES SON, IFEANYI

David Adedeji Adeleke known as Davido has reportedly lost his son Ifeanyi Adeleke. 

Ifeanyi who clocked three (3) years was said to have died in a drowning accident at the family's residence in Lagos.

According to a family source who gave the information about the development said the boy was inside water for long and they later pulled him out and rished to the hospital.

NIGERIA CAN BREAK CHAIN OF POVERTY THROUGH FOOD SECURITY, SAFETY NET: ...Kwara Gov AbdulRazaq

Nigeria and Africa can easily break the shackles of poverty through proper investments that lead to food security as well as various safety net programmes that directly put money in the pockets of those mostly in need of it, Kwara State Governor said on Monday.

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said at a meeting with Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) that coordinated investments in agricultural value chains and social investment programmes that target the most vulnerable groups could help to lift millions of people out of poverty.

Apart from its support for agriculture, the Governor said the administration continues to support small businesses and lift up people below the poverty line through its social safety programmes such as Owo Arugbo and Owo Isowo, among others.

Speaking with the IsDB team on National Programme for Food Security, the Governor said everything must be done to grow the agricultural value chains such as the one being supported by the bank.

Kwara, Kebbi, Kano and Ekiti have been identified to benefit in the first phase of the programme which is funded by the IsDB.

"The global problem created by Covid-19 is still subsisting. We have a huge problem globally not just in Nigeria which has affected food security throughout the world. Africa, and indeed Nigeria, is ready to feed the world. We have the land and everything to achieve that. But we have to be organised. And it is programmes like this that will put us in the right footing to feed the world in every aspect. It is a serious thing that you sent a team down to Kwara to make sure you have hands-on approach to the programme,” he told the IsDB Operations team led by Javed Khan.

“Our 10-year Agriculture Transformation Plan shows the seriousness our administration attaches to agriculture and its value chains. The future for us is agriculture and agro-processing. That is where we have comparative advantages.

"We thank you for your interest in our state. With thorough engagement and sincerity of purpose, be assured that our team is prepared and very serious about this project, because we don't have oil in Kwara, agriculture is part of what we are looking at to sustain us. So, we need to and we indeed can break the chains of poverty through agriculture.”

Khan, for his part, said on the food security programme: “As a procedure, we are here just to confirm and we got the confirmation from the relevant team here, that whatever is designed is according to the needs and requirements of the Kwara State. We are here to listen to all the technical people if they need to add or remove something from it. This is a project for the people of Kwara. 

"What I saw in the last few months that I joined the Nigeria's team in Abuja is that there is a lot of potentials not only in Kwara but also in many other states. But you need to harness this potential for greater benefits. How do we get this benefits from it? We need to work together to achieve the set objectives.

"I will like to convey the appreciation of the bank to Your Excellency for your commitment to the wellbeing of the poor. With your government's support, I am sure, we will be able to conclude our technical meetings here and have a good implementation."

Khan said he led a combined team from the Office of the National Programme for Food Security; the Islamic Development Bank; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Federal Ministry of Finance. 

State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Abdulateef Gidado Alakawa, said Kwara would join three other states — Kano, Kebbi and Ekiti — that have been captured in the first phase of the programme.

He attributed the choice of Kwara and other benefitting states to their government's commitments to agricultural sector in their respective states.

"I am glad to inform Your Excellency that the State under your watch has met all the criteria, and in all the assessments Kwara State came first for the first time they did it, the second time they did it, and the third time they did it. So they are here this morning to do the final stage,” he said.

The meeting was also attended by Commissioners Olasumbo Florence Oyeyemi (Finance); Dr. Raji Razaq (Health); and KWASSIP Chairman Abdulquawiy Olododo; and Agricultural Development Project (ADP) chief Dr. Khadijat Lawal; among other government officials. 

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor 

October 31, 2022

FASORANTI'S MEETING WITH TINUBU WASN'T AN ENDORSEMENT – Adebanjo

The acting leader of Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo, has said the visit of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to Pa Reuben Fasoranti wasn’t an endorsement.

It was reported that Tinubu had on Sunday visited the home of Fasoranti in Akure, the Ondo capital to seek his support for his presidential candidacy.

During the meeting, the former governor of Lagos, who had visited Ondo to present his manifesto to Afenifere leaders, could be seen bowing his head to receive prayers from Fasoranti.

This development comes weeks after Adebanjo said Afenifere had endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.

Speaking on Monday with journalists on National Television, Adebanjo said Tinubu’s visit to the former Afenifere leader was an attempt to cause dissatisfaction among the Yoruba organisation.

Adebanjo said the elder statesman did not endorse the presidential bid of the former Lagos governor as claimed by some members of the ruling party.

He said: “From what he told me and what I understood, it cannot be an endorsement because I told him to receive him as a citizen.

I would like you to ask Pa Fasoranti if he is opposed to the stance of Afenifere. If he says, yes, I’m okay.

“The people in Afenifere — the executives and all that — we know where we are. Those who have left Afenifere, who are jealous of the solidarity there now and who want to cause dissension, that are bringing in him (referring to Tinubu).

“I warned Pa Fasoranti not to allow himself to be put into this mess. I can deal with all of them who were there. They were not there when we were doing all these things.

 But I don’t want any diversion at this time. Afenifere is for Obi, hook, line and sinkerAdebanjo said Fasoranti informed him about the notice of Tinubu’s visit and that he encouraged the elder statesman to allow the visit in order not to look like the former leader was against his presidential ambition.

He said: “Pa Fasoranti phoned me on Friday that Tinubu had phoned him that he wanted to come and that he wanted to say he should not come

“But I said, ‘no, don’t do that; you are an elder statesman; if he wants to see you, why not’, and I went further to say it is a sort of conspiracy among those who want to divide Afenifere.”

Asked if he consulted Fasoranti before endorsing Obi, Adebanjo said he doesn’t have to consult the hun because he had handed over Afenifere leadership to him.

He said: “I don’t have to consult him. He handed over the party (referring to Afenifere) to me over a year ago. That is not the way we do it in the Action Group and he knows it.

“When he phoned me, I told him that these people want to cause dissension and that he should get out of it. I know all of them.

“I would like you to examine all of them who you called Afenifere, ask them when did they last attend Afenifere meeting and look at all the personnel there. They are the Yoruba leaders in APC.”

POLITICS2023: WHY I HAVEN'T DECIDED ON CANDIDATE TO SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENCY – WIKE

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has said he is still undecided on who he will support for presidency in the 2023 election.

Wike stated this on Monday during the inauguration of 319 ward and 32 constituency liaison officers at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

According to him, those flying PDP’s flag in the governorship, House of Representatives, Senate and House of Assembly will all win.

“PDP will win our State. I am not hiding it as far as the governorship, House of Reps, Senate and State Assembly are concerned.

The other one we have not decided until the right thing is done,” he said

Recall that Wike had described the PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, as ungrateful over his comments against Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom.