Monday 31 October 2016

Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok And Others Remained Suspended – Young Democratic Party

Ambassador Rapheal Sebibo Horsfall

The crisis rocking the Young Democratic Party may not come to an end soon as the suspended South East Zonal Coordinator of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) Collins Okelu has dragged INEC, Young Democratic Party and her Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Rapheal Sebibo Horsfall to a Federal High Court in Abuja
Collins Okelu said that the Party Board of Trustees and the Founding Members Council lack the power to suspend the Executive. In his originating summons, he cited Article 28.5 of Party’s Constitution which reads thus “The National Convention shall have and exercise authority to: (b) Elect or remove National Officers of the Party,” and therefore says his suspension is illegal.
But when our Reporters contacted the National Leader/Chairman, Founding Member Council of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) Hon. Henry Nwabueze to know where the Party derived the power to suspend any member, he cited Article 27.6 which reads thus “The Board of Trustees shall regulate its own proceedings and shall draw up a code of conduct for its members and shall have the power to SUSPEND any National Executive Council (NEC) who openly causes division in the party or involved in serious party breach of national consequence in so far as its quorum is formed with at least 60% of its member from at least four geo-political zones assenting such suspension. Such suspension which must be ratified by the Founding Member Council shall not exceed 30 days within which the suspended member shall face the disciplinary committee of the party and if ratified by the committee, the suspended member shall be liable to any or combination of penalties listed in this constitution all subject to the party’s policy on ADR.
He further cited Article 29.2 (15) which reads thus: The Founding Member Council being the highest organ of the party shall be the SOLE organ to ratify rules for Party discipline which shall be binding on all organs and members of the party.
It will be recalled that Board of Trustees of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) on the 6th of October, 2016 suspended some NEC members for embarking on acts capable of bringing division among the members of the party and several party activities.
The suspended NEC members include: Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok, National Chairman; Yerima Shetimma, Deputy National Chairman; Vidiyeno H. Bamayi, National Secretary; Ugo Nwofor, National Legal Adviser; Georgina Dakpokpo, Financial Secretary; Usman Haruna, National Treasurer; Bishop Amakiri, National Youth Leader; Collins Okelu, South East Zonal Coordinator; Tosan Blessing, South South Zonal Coordinator; Oluremi Ajibade, South West Zonal Coordinator; Rabiu Abdulsalam Pantami, North East Zonal Coordinator; Elizabeth Abba Victoria, North Central Zonal Coordinator and Mohammed Saboakinzuwo, North West Zonal Zonal Coordinator among others.
Acting on Article 31.5 which says thus “But where there is vacancy arising from anything whatsoever of the substantive officer or deputy or vice as the case may be, then the Founding Council Member shall resolve the matter and fill the vacancy or vacancies” and Article 31.13 state thus “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the party, the Executive Committee at the appoint another person from the area or zone where the officer originated from, pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy”
Based on the above Article, the Founding Members Council appointed replacements for the various vacant positions created as a result of the suspension, so as to carry on with the activities of the party pending the party’s National Convention scheduled to take place in January 2017.
Some of the appointed party’s new acting National Executive Council are: Amb. Raphael Sebibo Horsfall, Ag. National Chairman; Hon. Dahiru Mashainu, Ag. Deputy National Chairman; Hon. Liyasu Mohammed Makaye, Ag. National Secretary; Barr. Maxwell Alaeto, Ag. National Legal Adviser; Evelyn Okere Onyung, Ag. National Publicity Secretary; Barr. Isaac S. Nwachukwu, Ag. National Financial Secretary; Huldah Lynns-Ihetuge, Ag. National Woman Leader and Abdullahi Gambo, Ag. National Youth Leader.
The mandate of the new acting National Executive Council includes but not limited: Ensure there is peace, unity and stability amongst members of the party; reconcile aggrieved members of the party since the inception of the party; protect, preserve and respect the sanctity of the party’s constitution and to ensure that the manifesto of the Young Democratic Party is actualized; take steps to correct the abnormalities and mistakes made by the previous NEC members of the party.
The Ag. National Chairman, Amb. Horsfall at his inaugural meeting warned all disgruntled elements within and outside the party who want to sow seed of discords to desist from such act forthwith as the new leadership of NEC will not tolerate any such further act from within and outside the party capable of causing disaffection/disrespect/disrepute to the YDP.
It will be recalled that it was after Arch. Ezekiel Nya-Etok was suspended that he rushed to the social media to resign his position as the National Chairman of the Young Democratic Party
The Young Democratic Party on the 12th of October, 2016 notified by writing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the suspension and appointment of acting NEC pending the National Convention scheduled for January 2017.         











Thursday 20 October 2016

Kano State Government Reconstitutes Board Of Kano Pillars FC



Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has approved the appointment of a new Management Committee for Kano Pillars Football Club with immediate effect.

In a statement signed by the Director General, Media and Communications to the Governor, Salihu Tanko Yakasai said the new Board/Management has Muhammad Tukur Babangida as Chairman.

Other members are Prof. Musa Garba Yakasai, Faruk Sani Haladu, Tijjani Sale Minjibir, Sani Lawan, Murtala Alasan Zainawa and Yahaya Idris (Minister)

The statement added that Gov. Ganduje appeals to the new management to work diligently and ensure that the objective of the administration of restoring the glory of the club is achieved.

By this statement, the former management has been directed to immediately handover all public properties, including finances under it, to the new management.

Kano To Spend Over N3.8 Billion On New Public Infrastructure



Kano State Executive Council has approved N3.8 billion for infrastructural projects across the state, out of which 45 percent was sourced from Internally Generated Revenue.

The state Commissioner of Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba who disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the Council’s weekly meeting presided by governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, highlighted that the sum of N870 million was specifically set aside for reconstruction of six new access roads in some rural parts of the state.

The roads include Takai - Albasu (12.5 Km), Dawakin Tofa – Bichi (8.5 Km) and Garun Malam - Agalawa (11.2Mm). Others are Bebeji - Zarewa (7.8 Km) Makoda – Maitsidau -Tsangaya (8.9Km) and Gezawa - Jogana - Nahuce (7.5 Km).

The commissioner also revealed that the council consented to award Kofar Dan Agundi – Emir’s Palace road reconstruction in Kano city at the N239 million, pointing out that the road was proposed for renovation about 23 years ago but was aborted.

Similarly, the council authorized construction of Dungurawa - Dawakin Tofa road at the cost of N615 million while Ungogo - Minjibir road was awarded at the cost of N350 million, the Commissioner stated.

Malam Garba disclosed that N280 million was set aside by the council for the enrollment of 100 males and 50 females into Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), Training Center, Kaduna, maintaining that the first batch of 100 youths trained at the center would benefit with equipments and take off capital in the sum of N16 million.

He further said that N183 million was approved for renovation of 18 divisional libraries and construction of four new ones across the state, adding that N21 million would also be released for the provision of 30,000 copies of the 1438 A.H. Kano Islamic Calendar.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner disclosed that the council has selected a consultant for the proposed Kano city light rail project with a view to ensuring superior quality work.


I Am Not Behind The Arrest And Investigation Of The Hon. Justice Ngwuta - Amaechi



Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has responded to the recent Justice Ngwuta’s allegation as nothing but pure fiction, a dubious diversionary tale concocted to muddle the very serious issues of his arrest and investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a press release by the Amaechi’s media office on Thursday, they are indeed very sad and most unfortunate that the Hon. Justice Ngwuta had decided to drag the name of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), into his fabricated allegations.

The media office said that Amaechi did not and has never lobbied, approached or attempted to make the Chief Justice of Nigeria or any other Justice of the apex court to influence the Supreme Court judgment on the Rivers State and Ekiti State Governorship Elections petition appeals or any other matter before the apex court or any other court.

Excerpt is the full text of the press statement:

RESPONSE TO HON. JUSTICE NGWUTA ALLEGATIONS

Our attention has been drawn to the allegations leveled against Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, by Supreme Court Justice, The Honourable Justice Sylvester Ngwuta. In response we state that:

1. The Hon. Justice Ngwuta’s allegation as it concerns Amaechi is nothing but pure fiction, a dubious diversionary tale concocted to muddle the very serious issues of his arrest and investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS).
2. For emphasis, we want to state categorically that Amaechi did not and has never tried to lobby, induce or make the Hon. Justice Ngwuta to influence the outcome of any matter before the Supreme Court or any other court. The Hon. Justice Ngwuta’s narrative as it concerns Amaechi is simply not true, an unadulterated fallacy design to deceive and distract from the real issues of DSS investigation of acts of corruption against him.
3. It’s indeed very sad and most unfortunate that the Hon. Justice Ngwuta had decided to drag the name of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), into his fabricated allegations. Again, We make bold to state that Amaechi did not and has never lobbied, approached or attempted to make the CJN or any other Justice of the apex court to influence the Supreme Court judgment on the Rivers State and Ekiti State Governorship Elections petition appeals or any other matter before the apex court or any other court.
4. Within a space of 48 hours, we have observed a carefully planned and coordinated political attempt to drag Amaechi into the DSS arrest and investigation of judges in Nigeria. The aim of the plot is two-fold: to smear and politically destroy the image and reputation of Amaechi, and deceitfully portray him as the person behind the arrest of judges. This is indeed most ridiculous and callous.
5. We are aware of a well-timed, heavily funded plot to “take out” Amaechi politically, and it appears that Justice Ngwuta and Justice Inyang Okoro (of the Supreme Court, who had also made similar made-up allegations against Amaechi), have wittingly or unwittingly been conscripted into this devious politics of “destroy Amaechi by all means.”
6. Amaechi is not and cannot be behind the arrest and investigation of the Hon. Justice Ngwuta. He should kindly leave Amaechi alone and face the issues he has with the DSS.
7. Amaechi is talking with his lawyers and will explore lawful channels to seek redress for this gross defamation against his character and person.


Rotimi Fashakin Is Still That Brainless Ignoramus!



The recent vituperations of Rotimi Fashakin against Chief Femi Fani-Kayode which in his (Fashakin) usual manner is nothing but a product of masturbatory ejaculation emanating from his frustration of an unfulfilled desire and life-long fantasy of being in Buhari's government but was understably ignored by the president.

With such scurrilous write ups from the likes of Fashakin, one then begins to understand why the president must be forgiven for rejecting them in his appointments despite their avowed "loyalty" and "contributions" to his emergence as president.

Nobody can trust any "brainless ignoramus" with State responsibilities!

It was the erudite Reuben Abati who as far back as 2013 described Rotimi Fashakin as "a medieval-era brainless ignoramus" in reaction to some of Fashakin's usual sophistry and jaundiced reactions. 

Then, one would wonder why an Abati would further describe Fashakin as "a silly, hideous and second rate character whose family should be ashamed of". 

But today, even Fashakin himself has not only justified that but he has also since been living up to those descriptions by Abati. 

If not, how could Fashakin condescend so low as to question why any Nigerian citizen should be in any Nigerian state for any transaction? It befuddles a degraded mind why Mrs Precious Chikwendu Fani-Kayode who is from the eastern part of Nigeria should be in Ekiti as if Ekiti is South Africa where Nigerians would need visa to go to and explanations to make at the embassy as to the reason for their visit. Or is the massive infrastructural development being undertaken by Gov Peter Fayose of Ekiti confusing Fashakin as to think that Ekiti is South Africa or Singapore or the UK?

While Precious has since debunked the deliberate malicious falsehood spread against her by the EFCC and accentuated by undiscerning minds like Fashakin by making public her statement of account which had nothing but just N200,000 in it contrary to the claims of EFCC that the account had over N2,000,000, the likes of Fashakin have continued to believe such mundane concoctions that have become the stock-in-trade of EFCC and some other security agencies under this inept government.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that Fashakin is hungry and needs feeding from his masters even if it is the crumbs from their tables. 

Hunger kills but before then it negatively affects the cerebral settings of its victim. Fashakin knows that the only way he could be considered for a ration of food from Aso Rock is to ride on the popularity of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode to ignominious stardom. 

Until he is cured of his silly, hideous and second rate characteristics that have led to him being described as a brainless ignoramus, let us ignore Rotimi Fashakin for now and see if his medications would have any little positive effect on him.

- Jude Ndukwe, SA (media) to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode 

Withdraw Bribery Allegation Against Amaechi Or Go To Jail, APC Tells Justice Okoro



The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has given Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court one week to withdraw the bribery allegation he made against Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, or be ready to go to jail for contravening the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offence Act 2000.

The demand is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt, signed by State APC Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.

The statement berated Justice Okoro for his wild and baseless allegation as contained in his letter to the National Judicial Council (NJC) following his recent arrest by the Department of State Service (DSS) for alleged corruption.

The party noted that while the judgement in the Rivers State governorship election dispute was given by the Supreme Court on January 27, 2015, Justice Inyang Okoro in his letter to the NJC claimed that Rt. Hon. Amaechi tried to bribe him on February 1, 2015 to influence a ruling made four days earlier and nine months to alert the public about the alleged bribery attempt!

“One does not need a soothsayer to see that Justice Okoro is very confused and thinks that by mentioning the name of Amaechi in his letter, he would deceive Nigerians and play down the gravity of his sins and crimes against Rivers State people and Nigeria as a whole,” Rivers APC said.

Continuing, the statement said: “If we may ask Justice Okoro, why should Amaechi or anybody attempt to bribe him for an election upturned by both the Tribunal and the Appeal Court? An election widely condemned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the international community and both local and foreign observers who monitored the shambolic exercise in the course of which over 200 of our members were slaughtered like chicken just to install Chief Nyesom Wike of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in power at all cost?”

Rivers APC drew Justice Okoro’s attention to the provisions of the orrupt Practices And Other Related Offence Act 2000, which makes failure to report bribery or a bribery attempt a crime that attracts both a fine and a jail term. Below are the relevant provisions of the said Act:

(23)-(1) Any public officer to whom any gratification is given, promised, or offered, in contravention of any provision of this Act, shall report such gift, promise or offer together with the name, if known, of the person who gave, promised or offered such gratification to him to the nearest officer of the commission or police officer.

(2) Any person from whom gratification has been solicited or obtained, or from whom an attempt has been made to obtain such gratification, in contravention of any provision of this Act, shall, at the earliest opportunity thereafter, report such soliciting or obtaining, or attempt to obtain the gratification together with the name, if known, or a true and full description of the person who solicited, or obtained, or attempted to obtain the gratification from him, to the nearest officer of the commission or police officer.

(3) Any person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with sub-sections (1) and (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand Naira or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both fine and imprisonment.

“For failing to report the fictional bribery attempt by Amaechi, Justice Okoro has committed an offence that attracts up to two years imprisonment. We are hereby giving him one week to retract his worthless and satanic letter and apologise to Amaechi or we may be forced to set in motion a machinery to invoke the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offence Act 2000,” Rivers APC said.

The party commended the DSS for taking the bold step to bring corrupt judges to justice. It urged the NJC “not only to assist the Federal Government in this fight against crimes against our nation but to also
overturn the injustices meted to the various states and organs by these agents of darkness in the Judiciary, as this is the only way to atone for the blood of our dead members shed with impunity during the discredited 2015 elections in Rivers State.”

21 Chibok Girls: Niger Delta Youth Coalition Applaud Buhari, Military

Rowland Odih



The Niger Delta Youth Coalition (NYDC) has commended President Buhari and the Military for the release of 21 Chibok girls by the Boko Haram group.

In a press statement by its National Coordinator, Rowland Odih, he said that President Muhammadu Buhari has further earned the confidence of the Niger Delta Youth and the generality of Nigerians by this finely strategized approach in ensuring that the Chibok girls were released.

“We therefore use this medium to call on all Nigerians irrespective of regional divide, religious inclination or partisan affiliation to give Mr. President and his Team the needed support to ensure the remaining of the Chibok girls are brought back safely and in stable condition. Our prayers for our Military troops should also be intensified”, Odih said.

Excerpt is the full text of the press release:
  
The Niger Delta Youth Coalition has received with patriotic elation the news of the release of 21 of the abducted Chibok girls.

Indeed all true Patriots across Nigeria and empathetic humans the world over where move to chilling tears and pains of unimaginable dimension at the news of the abduction of over 200 hapless students of Chibok (Chibok girls). More unsettling was the gruesome acts of terrorism, murders, proclamation of sovereignty in some parts of Nigeria among other fearsome feats vented on the Nigerian State by the then dreaded terrorist group - Boko Haram.

It is on record that President Muhammadu Buhari has severally reiterated his commitment to obliterate the hitherto larger than life Boko Haram group and recover the kidnapped Chibok girls still in their possession. The Niger Delta Youth Coalition is excited and proud of the sterling feat recorded by Mr. President and his Team with the reuniting of these kidnapped girls with their families and society.

The decimation of the Boko Haram group by the joint combatant and sacrificial efforts of our courageous Nigerians Army who were constantly engaging the group in daring battles, the sustained aerial bombardments of the Nigerian Air Force did a whole lot of damage to the destructive band of Boko Haram Fighters. The strenuous efforts of the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services and other security Agencies will forever remain in ink of gold. These fused with the support of the citizenry made the release of these Chibok girls possible.

President Muhammadu Buhari has further earned the confidence of the Niger Delta Youth and the generality of Nigerians by this finely strategized approach to release the Chibok girls. We therefore use this medium to call on all Nigerians irrespective of regional divide, religious inclination or partisan affiliation to give Mr. President and his Team the needed support to ensure the remaining of the Chibok girls are brought back safely and in stable condition. Our prayers for our Military troops should also be intensified.

It is our renewed belief that Nigeria will achieve even greater feats on the economic front as we look forward to a greater Nation under the leadership of a visionary President.

God bless Nigeria!!!

Wednesday 19 October 2016

A Peep Into The Presidential Kitchen



By Philip Agbese

An African adage says, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” Whether in Africa, Europe or Asian continents, leaders are burdened. And support of his family has to come with full measure for him to succeed. 

Leaders of nations battle to contain disparate interests; strive to leave a legacy and unquestionably accept responsibility for acts of commission or omission from subordinates. A leader of any nation spends more time cogitating and less for leisure. He deprives himself and his family the comfort of his presence most of the times. It’s worse when a leader operates in a clime where there is stiff opposition.

In faraway Germany, Nigeria’s President Muhammedu Buhari decried the burden posed by a multi-coloured opposition in Nigeria in these words; “It’s not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government.”

A leader in the words of the ancient Greek Philosopher,Aristotle must be a philosopher King,who must claim superior knowledge over the rest of the ruled, opposition inclusive. He must not only imbibe the virtues of truth,honesty and hard work, but ardently exhibit it at all times in private and public arenas. President Buhari is an embodiment of these virtues,which is the source of his courageous and fearless war on corruption in Nigeria. 

The family of a Leader, whether designated as President, Prime Minister or Chancellor or as in the case of Germany is rightly,the first family of the nation. They must exude the quintessence of uprightness and puritanism.

When they pander to debauchery,the nation screams and shrieks;  hurl invective at them.  Like any other couple, leaders of nations also double as leaders of their families. And the shame of ridicule of a failed first family imposes a heavy and additional burden on the husband and wife to keep an eagle eye on the family.

The temptation of children of leaders of nations to pander to waywardness is extremely high because of the feeling of a paradise on earth. It is fired by the blaze of affluence.

 Therefore,President Buhari’s epochal statement that “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to; but she belongs to my kitchen, my living room and the other room,” is humorous; but also pregnant with meaning.

The President was reacting to comments credited to his wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari in a BBC interview,which had political undertones. Invariably,President Buhari as leader of Nigeria and also head of Nigeria’s first family sought to limit the duties of his wife, to domestic affairs only, which in itself is a herculean burden.

Nevertheless,the statement is the embodiment of the hard truth about the onerous task on the shoulders of the wife of the President in ensuring the proper upbringing of the first family and proper care of the home-front.

It is a sacred duty she owes to the nation. The Holy books prescribed it. It is the unwritten norm in traditions of almost all communities in the world. Families which slide into immorality, resent hard work and embrace odiousness are not only shunned, but loathed.

In Nigeria,with its complexities and a fastidious people,the imperative of an ideal first family is a ministry of its own headed by the wife of the President. And she needs not be burdened any further with the exigencies of politicking.

It is confirmable that women married to high profile politicians are the epitomes of endurance and patience. They spend days or sometimes weeks, without the comfort of their spouse,who keeps moving from one meeting in one location to another.

And since Buhari’s foray into partisan politics, Aisha was automatically elevated from the position of housewife to the lofty status of the Minister of Kitchen and Domestic Affairs. She has lived with the task all her marital life,by ensuring the children, especially the tender ones are properly brought up,in the periods of her husband’s absence for political adventures. Her ministry of Kitchen and Domestic Affairs ensured the children were properly fed, attended school timely, cultivated good social relationships and never deviated from the path of morality.    

Now,after exhaustive political meetings,only Aisha knows the delicacy that would revive and energize her husband. It is perhaps,the secret of President Buhari’s strength and agility at his octogenarian age. It is the signpost of excellence from Aisha’s Kitchen and Domestic Affairs ministry.

She cooks endlessly for the teeming supporters or visitors to the house and now Aso Villa,where President Buhari is resident. She plans the President’s menu and outlines what goes for breakfast,lunch and dinner as well as refreshments’.

Aisha is the closest confidant of the President and he confides in her, issues that would ordinarily not be thrown to public purview. Even though President Buhari is endowed with superior knowledge over the wisdom of his wife, but undoubtedly,the shared thoughts give him inspiration to courageously and fearlessly confront the devouring external forces against him.

A troubled house unsettles the head of the family.It inflicts a psychological burden on the leader of the house, which affects him in multiple dimensions. But by ensuring peace in the house,Aisha raises a platform that gives Buhari the confidence to face Nigeria to deliver on his mandate of leadership to the country.      

But by far, the most alluring and enduring accomplishments of Aisha’s ministry is her supportive role in ensuring  discipline is inculcated in the children of the first family. They exemplify the virtues of truthfulness, discipline, hard work and honesty. In 1983 when Buhari was military Head of State and since his return as civilian President in 2015, none of his children  has been caught in public cynosure  of haughtiness and  waywardness, traits common with  children of leaders of  President Buhari’s status.

It will therefore, not be out of place to nominate Hajiya Aisha Buhari as the best performing Minister of Kitchen and Domestic Affairs in Nigeria for the year 2016, as Nigerians look forward to 2017 with more  brightened performance of the first family . So, dragging her into politicking would be a distraction designed to diminish this enviable record.


Agbese writes from the United Kingdom

Asiwaju Urges Kogi Youths To Rise Up To Challenges


Alh. Asiwaju Idris Asiru 

The Kogi State Commissioner for Finance and Chairman Kogi state Economic team, Alh. Asiwaju Idris Asiru has called on youths in the state to rise up to the challenges by availing themselves of the numerous opportunities provided for them by the State Government to improve their lives.

The Commissioner, who gave the charge at the Airport Abuja, opined that government’s lofty efforts at improving their lots will amount to naught if the youth fail to embrace the challenges, and channel their efforts and energies to more productive engagements.

“As a government, we will continue to do our best to provide the necessary support they require, this no doubt is a challenging period for our country, but we must not lose hope. “It’s time for us to have high hope and begin to think out of box, we cannot continue to live in a regimented circle.

As Kogites, we must begin to think in a very new direction, we must govern our strength towards productivity”. “I want the youths to adapt to the “I can spirit”, nothing is impossible when we are determined. So let us bring ourselves to a point of determination and make the best out of this challenging period.

“We must be ready; ready to think productively. The responsibilities of our future lie on our shoulders, nobody is coming to do it for us, we must rise up as one and build for ourselves the future we want to live in.”


Asiwaju advised them to change their attitude and mentality, be law-abiding and maintain peace always so as to enable the government to continue to attract more investors into the State, adding that he is saddled with the task of changing the mindsets of the state youths from those who were waiting to be given employment to the ones creating employment opportunities and an entrepreneurship.

Northern Leaders Must Prioritize Education, Inclusiveness ---Tambuwal


Governors of Northern of Nigeria in Group picture at the United States Institute of Peace Washington, USA  

Northern leaders must prioritize education and promote inclusivity in order to minimize conflicts and ensure long term development of the region, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has said.

Speaking in Washington, USA at a three-day symposium organized for Governors of Northern of Nigeria by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Tambuwal said giving education the necessary attention will ensure easy mobilization of the populace for societal good.

"Most of the problems associated with our region today could easily have been tackled is the vast majority of our kids are educated. Without an educated and enlightened society, most of our problems will not be solved," the Governor said.

A statement issued in Sokoto Wednesday by the Governor's spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, quoted Tambuwal as saying that the conflicts in the North has now made it imperative to begin massive efforts at de-radicalisation of youths in the region.

He said there should be sustained engagement of the youths on the need to have peace, harmony and respect for divergent views in the society.

"We may disagree with each other on various issues, but that does not give anyone the license to become violent and cause harm to other people.

"Closely related to that is inclusiveness. All leaders from grassroots level to the top must carry along all people in their areas of authority. Favouring one group over another breeds unnecessary tension. When a leader opens his doors, that's when people understand his policies and that's when they will make input in how they are governed," Tambuwal added.


The Governors are attending the symposium with civic leaders from the United States Senior Working Group on Nigeria and representatives of the Federal Government, led by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

Eyitayo Jegede And The Vision Of A "Greater Ondo Together"

Eyitayo Jegede SAN


By Jude Ndukwe

The great Ondo State is at another threshold of history. The state which is generally accepted as one of the truly few progressing states in Nigeria will have one of the greatest tests of its existence come November 26, 2016, when the people are expected to vote for a new governor that would take over from the incumbent, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

It is not just the election that is at stake here, much more than that are the legacies of the state which have set the state on upward movement since the assumption of office of the incumbent. The apprehension in the state is heightened among the people not necessarily because of the election per se, but much more than that because the people do not want anyone to drag them backward and rubbish the dividends of democracy they are currently enjoying.

There is a foundation that has been laid: the state is in a state of political serenity, social tranquility and industrial calmness as everyone goes about their daily duties in an atmosphere of peace, security and stability eking out honest living for themselves and loved ones.

Just recently, members of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ondo State Chapter, held a solidarity rally in appreciation of Dr Olusegun Mimiko for his unprecedented support to the local government workers in the state and for making their welfare one of the utmost priorities in the scheme of things in Ondo.

The rally which was attended by a mammoth crowd of jubilant local government employees saw the people pouring endless encomiums on the governor and his team for a job well done. That is the level of confidence the masses have in the current governor, and this level of confidence at a time that the nation is passing through its toughest times economically and politically in her history is very hard to come by except to those who truly deserve them.

This is the more reason why the forthcoming election in Ondo State is of fundamental importance to the people; this is the reason the people would not want anyone to upset the apple cart...

The search for a worthy successor to the Ondo State government House has since begun and one name that resonates with the people as someone who can greatly improve upon what is currently on ground and carry the people along in their collective quest for building a greater Ondo together is Barr Eyitayo Jegede SAN.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria apart from being an accomplished legal luminary was the immediate past Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General of the State since 2009 until he resigned in July of 2016 in order to help steer the state's ship of development. His negotiating skills and legal advice, no doubt, have contributed to the many achievements attributable to the government in which he served.

Having excelled in his legal profession where he rose to become a SAN, an accomplishment of no mean feat in Nigeria's legal calling, Jegede has also proved to be an accomplished politician having served Ondo State for a little less than eight years as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, surviving several cabinet shake-ups in the process. There must be something about him that has seen to his steady rise in all facets of life he has endeavoured in. It is this experience in steady rise and stability that Jegede is bringing to bear on the continued development of the State.

With the robust healthcare system, educational advancement, infrastructural development, strong foundation for the State's industrialization and independent power generation and supply, people-focused urban renewal implementation, improved workers' welfare etc, the good people of Ondo State cannot afford to take the risk of supporting a novice to these laudable initiatives who would only come in to start learning the ropes and thereby slow down the pace of development or even disrupt the entire process totally. The best man for the people at a time like this is one who has seen it all, one who has been a part of the process of the shine Ondo is enjoying today, one who knows exactly the next button to push for the immediate take-off of the next phase of development, and that man is Eyitayo Jegede.

A humble and easy-going man with the aggressiveness of youth for the accomplishment of goals, the mien of an apostle for listening and carrying the people along in the delicate business of governance, Jegede is the man on whose shoulders nature has placed the unenviable but inevitable task of building a greater Ondo together with the people. Even this has become more urgent now than ever especially with the popularly acclaimed dismal performance of the APC-led federal government which has dashed the hopes of millions of Nigerians who trusted them to lead them into greater prosperity but has unfortunately reversed the nation's wheel of progress irredeemably.

This is the more reason the people of Ondo cannot afford to make the same mistake Nigerians made by electing the alternative APC at the federal level or any other alternative for that matter. The alternatives have proved fatal failures at every opportunity given to them; therefore, if the people's experience is anything to go by, Eyitayo Jegede is the right man for Ondo State.

irndukwe@yahoo.co.uk; Twitter: @stjudendukwe


Dr. Dakuku Peterside Mourns the demise of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr


Late Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr

The unfortunate news of the demise of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr was received by Dr. Dakuku Peterside with shock Tuesday.

Dr. Dakuku Peterside who was the APC Governorship Candidate in the 2015 election and now Director-General of NIMASA is still visibly pained over the sad development even as he recalled his long years of closeness with the Wiwa family of Bane in Ogoni.

"This is very sad news for me considering my many years of association with the Wiwa family of Bane. It's indeed a very sad development and I am still in shock," Peterside said.

Dr. Peterside said that the untimely death of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr is a huge loss not only to the immediate Wiwa family and the Ogoni but to the Rivers South-East, Rivers State and the Nigerian nation.

Peterside recalled that Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr was a patriot that followed in the footsteps of his legendary father, the world-renowned author and environmental rights activist, late Ken Saro-Wiwa.

"I recall that Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr was a great patriot that followed in the footsteps of his father, late Ken Saro-Wiwa Snr. I'm sure it is this patriotic and nationalistic fervour in the younger Ken that made him to accept to serve the Obasanjo Presidency as Special Assistant on Peace, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation and later served as Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and International Media in the former President Jonathan administration," Peterside recounted.

Dr. Peterside said: "As we all mourn the momentous loss of Ken Jnr, I extend my most profound condolences to his immediate family and pray that God Almighty will grant them the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and grant the soul of late Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr eternal bliss in his bosom.

Gov. Ganduje Sacks Kano Pillars FC Board

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje


Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has dissolved the board of Kano Pillars Football Club, describing it as a terrible disappointment.

The Governor further directed the Chairman of the state Sports Commission to draft a proposal on a new proactive board that would work towards restoring the glory of the club.

Giving the directive when he received players of Kano Pillars Basketball team who visited him in his office, the governor, who was recalled that when he was deputy governor, he was overseeing the affairs of the club, giving them the desired support, as a result of which they kept performing well.

“I made sure they got with they wanted and I even went to the extent of investing my personal resources in the club to ensure that they succeeded. Now that I am the Governor, the most shameful thing is that despite putting somebody whom I know to head the board, regardless of all the support from the state government, the team is in disarray and has failed horribly”, he lamented.

Regretting the dwindling fortunes of the club, Ganduje stated: “I advised them on the strategy to adopt to remain on top of the league and I told them we were ready to follow their plans. Unfortunately, the issue of money became more important to them than that of performance. The pursued personal and monetary interests and could not maintain their position”.

Governor Ganduje, however, assured that the club would soon be resuscitated as the government is determined to get a new board, a competent coach as well as find good players, at whatever cost, to forge ahead.

Turning to Kano Pillars Basketball Club, the governor, who recalled his exploits as a first five player during his secondary school days promised to support the team to retain its position as the best team in West Africa, as the prepare for the sub-regional basketball championship coming up in the next few days.

The chairman of the state Sports Commission, Alh. Ibrahim Galadima assured that the players would use the power of sports to project the image of Kano and the state government.


“We are now number one in Basketball, number one in Taekwondo and number three in Handball. Sooner than later, we shall dominate all sports in appreciation of your remarkable interest in sports development”, he assured the Governor.