₦airaland Forum

I had watched Obiageli Ezekwesili on TV many times and all I could deduce from watching her was that she was an iron lady. When I arrived at the location where this interview took place, Oby sat in the backseat of her Honda saloon car, looking strong and in control. I watched her from the bar as she attended to many people that had come in from all around the state to listen to what she had to s

Finally, on my one-on-one encounter, Oby looked and sounded pleasant and inviting. Her aura was peaceful and serene. Despite speaking for many hours, she didn’t over-indulge in her glass of water that decorated the table. She was more interested in satisfying the thirst of the people that came to meet with her. This turned out to be an interview filled with laughter, emotions and intelligence.

In this piece, the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria and former vice president of the World Bank’s Africa division spoke with KORE OGIDAN about her childhood, parents, goals and other issues

What are the life lessons that have prepared you for the top position you are running for?

I believe that my training; the kind of competences I have acquired over the years; the experiences and the problems I have been able to solve in the course of my career in all sectors have prepared me in a way. I also don’t find anything daunting and I believe that is also a bonus. No matter how complex problems are, I am always able to figure out how to assemble the appropriate solutions to address them. I have a strong sense of can-do and when I look at Nigeria, what I see is a country that has been failed by its leadership repeatedly, with very dire consequences for the citizens that I love dearly. I love being Nigerian and I love seeing Nigerians wherever I go. When I am abroad, even if I wasn’t smiling the entire day, my mood would be lifted when I see a Nigerian around me. Just knowing that I am dissatisfied with what leadership has produced for Nigeria and Nigerians puts me in a place where I am totally committed to leading a citizens’ movement that takes over our politics and redefines it as pure democracy – governance for the people, by the people and of the people. It’s no longer about governance by politicians, of politicians and for politicians.

When you meet people overseas, does it sadden you that they’ve had to relocate to find greener pastures outside their motherland?

We should always bear in mind that people have choices which they are free to exercise. If a person doesn’t like one place, they are free to go somewhere else; it is a free world. But when you are losing your best minds because the environment isn’t conducive enough for them to become the best that they would love to be, then there is a reason to worry. It is a policy problem and a political leadership failure at that. It is also an economic problem which must be fixed.

A bank MD once told me that he lost more than 25 of his staff in one month. These were well paid staff who just decided to leave the country one day, saying that it was in the best interest of their children. When I was in government, some graduates of Ivy League schools reached out to me and asked to work with me. So, they returned home to work for me. How is it that about a decade later, it’s the reverse that we’re seeing? Instead of building on progress, we regressed. Look at the price we are paying for that now? We must inspire hope again and not just vacuous hope but one where people see evidence that there is a sensible leadership that is hands-on and is addressing the serious issues of development and solving them. Government must also be able to tackle the problems in a way that is ethically inspiring because leadership has to be exemplary. When leadership is exemplary, people won’t be forced to do things. They’d just see that the leader reflects values that are admirable and they’ll be happy to follow. The opportunity that my being a candidate in this election offers this country is to see a leader that will lead by example. You don’t have to worry whether my public piety is the same as my private piety because my values are consistent. Even when I was in government, I was the one who could challenge the authorities on certain issues. When no one spoke up, it was I who would speak. Interestingly, I had no interest in politics back then so much that as a minister, who was to be the leader of the party in my state, I opted to have nothing to do with that when I was in government. But over the years, watching how politics undermines everything we do as technocrats, I’ve come to the very realistic conclusion that if we don’t fix our politics, we are never going to fix our country. There must be a massive inflow of people who have been trained and are experts, so that some of them will be politicians and some will be the technocrats that will help the politicians to get development to happen at a faster pace.

Running against two powerhouses who are men, do you feel choked being the only woman in their midst?

Not at all! They should be the ones feeling choked because I am occupying my space. It is time for a new direction. Nigerians have a strong appetite for a new nation that works and turns away from mediocrity. This strong appetite means they are going to be looking for the person who is most capable of giving them that. When Nigerians look at the candidates, the person who stands out with competence and character to achieve this based on consistent track record is me; so, the other two cannot choke me. There is nothing they have that chokes me and the Nigerian citizens are ready to retire them

When I was 10, I asked my dad why I could see so much poverty around me but on the television, other countries looked nice, compared to my own country. He then told me that those countries had good governance and were being led better and we didn’t have good governance. So, at an early age, I asked why we didn’t have good governance and I made up my mind to provide good governance when I grew up. My dad doted on me so much as a kid and I was a well-loved daughter. So, when I told him that, he proudly threw me up in the air and I shrieked with laughter. I was excited that my father agreed with my dreams to provide good governance when I grew up. I went on from that with my dad always being my teacher and I got excited about issues of public policies. My father enabled me have a strong voice and he validated me so much that nobody can ever invalidate me. I always say to my male siblings and friends that the father figure is very important in the life of a girl child. When a father validates his daughter, no one can invalidate her. She comes out very determined and strong, knowing that the most important man in her life till she gets married, her father, believes in her. Fathers should not dismiss their responsibilities to their daughters. It makes all the difference. My dad believed very strongly in me that I could do anything I set my heart to. He usually boasted about me to his colleagues and it made me so conscious about not failing him. He taught me to stand firmly on my views but be willing to negotiate them when someone offers a stronger opinion or brings out facts that contradict my views. However, I must never negotiate my values.

As a child, I had the fortune of having a great father who was also my best teacher. I did well in my classes in Mathematics and English in particular because he taught me ahead of the class. In fact, my school teachers became friends with my father because they saw how well I did in their classes.

Because of the strong father figure I had, I was able to flap my wings and have my voice. My father harped a lot on knowledge; so, I grew with an avidity to learn.

What kind of relationship did you have with your mother?

I had an exceptional relationship with her. She was the disciplinarian in my life. She always told my father that he was spoiling me. She was always trying to balance things out. She is an amazing woman and I’ve never seen a more sacrificial woman. That’s the aspect of my life I modelled after her – sacrifice. She lived her life entirely for us. My dad was able to do the things that he did and stand his ground as a public servant because he had a wife that complemented him. She was a businesswoman who would give her entire self to earning income so that we could get the quality of education that we needed. I love my mum so much and sometimes, when I think of her, I cry because of the kind of sacrifice she has made. By the time she was widowed at a relatively young age of 44, she just adapted her life to being there for us. She occupied the space my father left and ensured that his death did not ruin anything that was on the path of our destiny. In fact, the bond my children have with her is deep because when I’m not there, she is there. We were from a very modest home. My mum used to go to Tejuosho Market, Yaba, Lagos, to buy grade one okrika (second-hand clothes) and she would launder the clothes. By the time the laundry was done and I wore the clothes, I would look so good that my mates, who went on summer vacations, often asked me where I got them from. We were taught that material things shouldn’t be our focus.

How did your father’s passing affect you?

I was a young woman and had just got married when he died. It was 30 years ago (in 2018) but there’s no time I’m asked this kind of question that his death doesn’t seem as if it happened yesterday. I didn’t think my dad could die; how could he? How could the one, who made me aspire, die? I wondered how he could be willing to leave me. My mum actually cried for me when he died. She was worried about how she would cope with me dealing with the loss. It was quite tough and I wanted to abandon the things I had discussed with my dad that I would do because I thought that it wouldn’t be the same doing it without him. But it’s amazing how God arranges things in life. A few days after his funeral, we came back to Lagos and my husband could see that I was very devastated and withdrawn. I was shaken so badly because everything I thought I knew had suddenly faded away. So, he said to me one day that since my dad was gone, he would like to fill the empty space. That really changed our relationship because he’s been more than a husband to me. He felt I didn’t realise how much he and my father had prepared his transition. When my dad was ill, I think he figured that he may not come out from the sickness. So, on his way to LUTH, he decided to detour to our home where he stayed for one week. I didn’t realise that he and my husband were spending much time together every day after my husband got back from work. There’s no word to describe my husband. He’s awesome.

As a woman who has been locked up for voicing her opinions, aren’t you ever afraid of worse things happening to you?

I don’t feel that way. Those are feelings that entrap society. Those who oppress would love to coerce everybody so that they can carry on with their oppression. Where then does it end? We must be people of courage who are prepared to stand for what we believe in.

What was the experience you had living abroad?

I had been going abroad before but I lived outside Nigeria in circumstances where we had political instability in our country. As a co-founder of Transparency International, I had been a very strong voice against the level of corruption that was going on under the military. There was nothing significant about living in another country that made me love it more than living in Nigeria. I always say that we have to build our country, which is part of what reflects the utter passion with which I did the things I did in government.

What does it feel like being married to a pastor?

It reinforces my very strong spiritual values but my husband is my husband who happens to be a pastor. It’s not like I married a pastor; I married a great man, who is my significant other and completes me in many ways.

If not accounting, what other career path would you have chosen?

I really wanted to be a lawyer and my mum said, “My daughter is not going to be a lawyer”. It’s interesting how influential mothers are. She managed to cajole my dad to dissuade me from studying law. I wanted to study international law because I had an idea of how nations interact and how law underpins it. Law naturally would have been my focus of study. I am a chartered accountant but I moved out of that as I focused more on economic policies. The training and mentorship I got from my boss, Prof Jeffrey Sachs, repositioned my skills and emphases. What I focused much on in the field of public policy is how things intersect in order to create the basis for economic growth.

What kind of woman are you domestically?

Cooking is a therapy for me; I love it. Sadly, I don’t always get the opportunity to do so anymore. It used to be so much fun doing that back in the day when we were all growing, with my husband and the kids. My husband cooks and so do my sons. It’s basically the kind of skill needed for functional living as an individual. If I cook stew for you, you won’t taste another person’s stew again. Actually, I cook a variety of dishes. Domestic chores go beyond cooking; it’s really about how you keep the home. I hate filth and I love really clean and tidy environments.


https://punchng.com/my-dad-prepared-me-well-for-what-im-doing-oby-ezekwesili/amp/

this man never die ni.

Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin will be having another wedding and this one will be lavish, unlike the first which was very private.

The couple plan to have their second wedding during the weekend of March 1, which also happens to be when Justin Bieber will turn 25.

They have already invited a number of family and friends to the wedding which will hold in Los Angeles.

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott have already received a "Save the Date" email from the Biebers inviting them to their second wedding, which will be a religious affair since the first one wasn't.

According to TMZ sources, this is the third batch of "Save the Date" invites the Biebers have sent, but they intend to follow through this time.

source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/justin-bieber-and-hailey-baldwin-are.html
cc mynd44 dominique seun lalasticala

Wow

The Naira on Wednesday sold at N363.05 to the dollar at the inventors’ window.

Market turnover stood at $333.37m.

At the parallel market, the dollar remained stable, exchanging at N360, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro traded at N462 and N412.

The naira exchanged at N360 to the dollar at the Bureau De Change segment, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N462 and N412.

Meanwhile, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, a Senior economist, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye noted that CBN was determined to protect the stability of naira at N360 to the dollar.

”This is why it continues to intervene whenever there is a short fall in the market,” Tella said.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/naira-closes-at-n36305-to-dollar-at-i.html
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The traditional ruler of the Ayetoro Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi was on Tuesday remanded in police custody by an Akure Chief Magistrate Court over alleged armed robbery and arson.

The embattled monarch was also arrested by the police over conduct that was likely to cause a breach of peace in the coastal community.

According to the police prosecutor, Olatunji Kazeem, Ojagbohunmi and others at large armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons and conspired to rob five different people of their money. He was arraigned on nine counts.

The prosecutor had accused Ojagbohunmi of conspiracy to commit a felony to wit armed robbery and therefore committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under section 5(b) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provision) Act cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The defendant with others at large was accused of being armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons and robbed one Ajimijere Ayodele of Tiger Generator and a sum of N160,000.

Ojagbohunmi was also accused of shooting one Olu Obolo in the leg and matcheted him at the rear pelvic girdle and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 320 (1) of the criminal code cap 37 volume 1 Laws of the Ondo State 2006.

The charge reads “That you Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi ‘m’ and others at large between 7th October, 2018 till date at Ayetoro community within the Ondo State Magistrate District, did allow yourself to be installed as the Oba Ogeloyinbo having not been approved by the Executive Council of Ondo State and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 15 (2) (a) (b) of the Chief Law of Ondo State, 2006.”

The prosecutor prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison custody pending the hearing of all the necessary bail application.

However, the counsel to the defendant, Mr. Olusola Oke told the court that he had had not been properly served with the charges as required by the law, saying he needed 24 hours under the administration of criminal justice to file the necessary application for the bail of the defendant.

In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Mayomi Olanipekun ordered the defendant to be remanded in police custody and fixed the hearing of the case for January 24.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/ondo-monarch-remanded-over-armed.html
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Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and six other big wigs of the All Progressives Congress in the state have been invited to appear before a disciplinary committee set up by the state chapter of the party in Owerri, the state capital.

The seven men are to appear before the committee on Wednesday.

Others invited included: APC candidate for Imo East senatorial district, Mr. Emma Ojinere; House of Representatives candidate for Ezinihitte Mbaise/Ahiazu Mbaise Federal Constituency, Mr. Rapheal Igbokwe; Ehime Mbano/IhitteUboma/Obowo Federal Constituency candidate, Mr. Chike Okafor; state Deputy Speaker, Mr. Ugonna Ozuruigbo; Mr. Eddy Iheanacho and a gubernatorial aspirant, Mr. Obinna Mbata.

In the invitation letter signed by the Committee Chairman, Mr. Matthew Omegara; and Secretary, Mr. Kevin Ugwu on Tuesday, in Owerri, the committee stated that the affected persons were invited for various anti-party activities.

According to the letter, the committee will take decisions on what it described as “the ugly activities” after investigations.

The committee will meet at the APC Secretariat/Campaign office, Owerri, between January 16 and 17, 2019 and 9am and 6pm respectively.

The invitation letter reads in part, “The above-named are directed to appear before a disciplinary committee of the All Progressives Congress, Imo State, to answer to complaints made against them respectively on “anti-party activities, conduct likely to have adverse effects on the party and bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute and factionalisation of party membership.”
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/breaking-okorocha-six-others-to-appear.html
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The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday said it had discovered new methods to be used by some politicians to buy votes in the forthcoming general elections.

Speaking at an interactive session with traditional rulers in in Osun State, the INEC National Commissioner, Mr Festus Okoye, however warned that any politicians caught buying votes or engaging in acts that could have negative effects on the elections would be punished.

Okoye, who was represented by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Segun Agbaje, said the commission had been informed that some people were inducing voters to release their PVCs or Voter Identification Numbers.

He said the intention behind the moves was to either stop the owners of the cards from voting or to attempt using the VIN to hack into the commission’s website and preload card readers ahead of the elections.

He said, “We have introduced a partial ban on the use of mobile phones and other photographic devices by voters while in the voting cubicles. Also, we are introducing the rolling and flattening of ballot papers by voters before casting them into the ballot boxes.

“However, new methods of vote-buying are being devised. We have received credible information that some partisan actors are now buying PVCs from voters or financially inducing them to collect the Voter Identification Numbers on their PVCs. In some instances, telephone numbers and details of bank accounts of voters have been collected.”

He however assured the public that the commission would work with the security agents to deal with the violators of electoral laws.

Agbaje said anyone found guilty of buying votes would pay either a fine of N1m or be sentenced to one year in prison, adding that multiple registration, impersonation and being in possession of more than one PVC would attract N1m fine or a 12-month jail term or both.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, urged royal fathers in the state to ensure that there was peace before and during the elections in their areas.
source:

https://punchng.com/inec-uncovers-new-methods-of-vote-buying/

The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested a suspected cultist, Elijah Ogunlaja, who allegedly confessed to killing three people in the state.

The police also said Ogunlaja, who with other cult members had allegedly been terrorising the Oworonshoki area of the state, had mobilised his gang members to kill a target on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, when he was arrested.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, said in a statement on Monday that Ogunlaja had been involved in series of cult clashes, adding that a distress call received during a cult clash led to his arrest in the Ososa area of Oworonshoki.

He added that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to killing one Yusuf, 22; Seun Balogun, 39; and one Aro, 25.

Oti stated, “Following a distress call received on Sunday, December 9, 2018, around noon that the two rival cult groups in Oworonshoki, Aiye and Eiye were fighting, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the division quickly mobilised police officers to the scene and gave the cultists a hot chase. During the chase, one of the cultists, Elijah Ogunlaja, also known as Akeju, dropped his gun and took to his heels.

“Aside from the mastermind of the crisis, one Abiola and his accomplice, Rilwan, were also arrested and transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja. The suspect, Abiola, is not only a notorious cultist, but also an Internet fraudster, who has been intimidating people and terrorising the whole community. Hence, the residents were happy about his arrest.

“Meanwhile, on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, around 7.30pm, Ogunlaja was arrested when he and his gang members came out to kill as usual. The arrested suspect had been deeply involved in several killings, robberies and other cult-related activities in Oworonshoki and made a confessional statement regarding the people he killed and how he bought his guns. The command’s operatives are still on the trail of the other fleeing gang members.

“The suspect, during interrogation, admitted to killing one Yusuf, 22, on Sunday, December 30, 2018, around 8pm; one Seun Balogun, 39, on Thursday, November 29, 2018, around 4pm; and one Aro, 25, on Monday, August 6, 2018, around 9pm. The police also recovered a charm from him during a search after his arrest.”

The PPRO added that the suspects had been charged to court and their case files duplicated and forwarded to the state Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/weve-arrested-cultist-who-murdered.html
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APC's governorship candidate in Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak had to be escorted away from a rally in Ilorin on Sunday after suspected political thugs fired bullets into the crowd leaving at least two persons seriously injured while vehicles damaged as thousands fled the scene.



The Nigerian Police Force confirmed the attack in a statement by spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, affirming that the thugs went on the rampage in Ilorin, Kwara and disrupted a rally being held by the All Progressives Congress.



“As we speak, the situation report from Kwara State Police Command was that the APC holding a Governorship campaign rally at Agbaji in Ilorin came under a sudden attack by suspected PDP thugs, who disrupted the rally, damaged five vehicles and some Keke Napep and wounded two innocent people”, police spokesman Jimoh Moshood said.



According to The Nation, there was also another attack on APC supporters in Ile Aiyelabegan, a short distance from the Agbaji homestead of the Senate President Bukola Saraki.
see more photos below
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/photos-thugs-attack-apc-governorship.html
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Residents of Orepeju Close in the Akowonjo area of Lagos are in mourning following the death of a seven-year-old boy, Godwin Samuel, who fell into an abandoned well.

When our correspondent visited the area on Sunday, neighbours were seen gathered in groups and discussing the incident in hushed tones as the mother of the deceased was too distraught to talk.

it was gathered that Godwin left his parents’ residence on Saturday to play on the street.

While playing, he reportedly fell into the well at 6 Orepeju Close, off Olasehinde Crescent, Akowonjo, Lagos.

It was learnt that at the time of the incident, around 5pm, the victim’s mother and stepfather were not at home.

The stepfather, Isaac Okon, said by the time the boy was recovered from the well by officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, he had already drowned.

He said, “His mother and I were not around when the incident happened; I went to church and his mother went to the market to get the foodstuffs she needed to make dinner.

“I was still in the church when someone called to inform me that my boy had fallen into a well. As soon as the boy was recovered from the well, we rushed him to a hospital but it was too late.

“The well had been left unattended to by the house owner; the mouth of the well was covered with cement sacks. And I learnt that the boy innocently stepped on the sacks and slipped into the well while playing with other kids.

“I know there is nothing that happens without God knowing about it. I am just a man trying to meet the needs of his family. I cannot afford to make a case against the owner of the house, but I know God will fight for me.”

The deceased’s stepsister, Elizabeth Okon, said Godwin was a special kid, adding that the incident was an avoidable one if the landlords in the area had done the right thing.

She said, “Godwin was a Down syndrome pupil and was only trying to live like every other kid. The landlady is at fault for leaving the well unattended to and it seems to me like it was intentional, because a concrete slab had been constructed for the well but it was not fixed.

“The landlords in the area, who decided to turn a blind eye instead of reporting the situation of the house, are also at fault. My stepbrother’s death was an avoidable one if everyone had done the right thing.”

A neighbour, who identified herself simply as Mrs Ifekoya, asked that the owner of the house be summoned and questioned by the appropriate authorities to answer for her negligence.

She stated, “I learnt that the house owner had issued a notice to quit to all the tenants living in the house but some are still living there. The well was originally erected high but it was brought down low in August 2018. A concrete slab was made to cover the well but it was not fixed. It was after the incident that the slab was placed on the well.

“The makeshift covering that was initially on it was just like a trap, because anybody could have fallen into it.

“The owner of the house should be summoned and questioned by the appropriate authorities, because the well is on the road; if a drainage channel is to be created, it will pass through where the well is and children also play around there,” she said.

The General Manager, LASEMA, Adesina Tiamiyu, said the building had been sealed off to avoid future occurrences.

He stated, “We got a distress call about a boy that fell into a well around 6.38pm on Saturday. On getting to the scene, we found a boy of about seven years. We were told that he left his house and went to play on the street. Unfortunately, we learnt that he fell into a partially covered well and he was recovered dead. The Lagos State Fire Service and the LASEMA Response Unit were also on ground.

“Further investigation revealed that the building was under construction and the well was dangerously exposed. Beside the well is a septic tank, which is also partially covered. The building has been sealed off to avoid future occurrences. We sealed off the building because we discovered that the well was dangerously exposed. And we expect that other agencies like the police will carry out further investigations.”

The general manager advised parents and guardians to keep watchful eyes on their wards and also urged Community Development Associations to report suspected buildings or abandoned projects in their neighbourhood to avoid disasters.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, however, said investigation was ongoing to ascertain if it was a case of negligence on the part of the owner of the house.

He said, “A case of sudden and unnatural death was reported at the Shasha Police Station. The preliminary investigation so far revealed that the boy mounted the well and the cover gave in. By the time the child was recovered, he had already drowned.

“However, we are investigating to ascertain if there was any form of negligence on the part of the well owner; we are trying to establish if the owner of the well, by act of omission or commission, failed to secure the it properly, making it easy for the child to fall into it. If we establish any act of negligence against the well owner, we will take appropriate steps and charge her for negligence.”
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/lagos-pupil-steps-on-abandoned-well.html
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Four Lagos State governorship candidates at a debate on Sunday expressed different opinions on the alleged failure of the government to domesticate the Freedom of Information Act and what they would do differently in promoting accountability and transparency in government.

The four candidates were Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Jimi Agbje of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi of the Action Democratic Party and the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, Owolabi Salis.

In the debate, organised by The Platform and broadcast on Channels TV, the candidates promised to ensure that government was more open.

Responding to a question on how transparency would improve, Agbaje said he would domesticate the FoI Act which was passed by the National Assembly eight years ago.

He said, “The Lagos State Governorship has been running an opaque system. Nobody knows about award of contracts.

“You cannot be accountable if you are not transparent. In my first 100 days in office, I will domesticate the FoI Act,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said he would look into the FoI matter but said he would first set up a portal through which the people of Lagos could communicate with his government directly.

Gbadamosi, however, said there was no need domesticating the FoI Act since the Court of Appeal had ruled that it already applies to every state.

He, however, said it was unfortunate that the Lagos State Government had appealed against the Appellate Court’s ruling at the Supreme Court.

The ADP candidate said the FoI Act was not sufficient as regards promoting transparency, adding that it didn’t cover financial statements.

The candidates – except Sanwo-Olu – also lamented the negative effects of vested interests in the state which had affected the prosperity of the state negatively.

The governorship candidate of the AD, Chief Owolabi Salis, said the commonwealth of the state was in the hands of an individual.

“I want to release the commonwealth to the people. Lagos is the image of the African black nation and I am going to open Lagos to the rest of the world. This state should not be ruled this way,” he said.

Gbadamosi said that if elected, he would use the money that Alpha Beta Consulting was generating to develop the state.

Alpha Beta, a consulting firm given exclusive rights to collect Internally Generated Revenue on behalf of the Lagos State Government, was in 2018 accused of tax fraud to the tune of N100bn.

Agbaje said pupils in Lagos schools were not exposed to technology, adding that the state government blocked Google plan for selfish reasons.

He said, “Those that have been there for the past 20 years have put obstacles on technology. We have had Google that wanted to give us free Internet, but they keep putting blockage for vested interest and that is what we are going to do.”

However, Sanwo-Olu called for caution, adding that the platform was not for making baseless allegations.

On how they would tackle the traffic congestion in the state and the Apapa Port area in particular, the candidates all agreed that there was a need for other means of transport to be developed.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/sanwo-olu-agbaje-others-clash-over-foi.html
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The Olota of Ota Kingdom, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, has decried the alleged marginalisation of Awori people in Lagos State by the ruling All Progressives Congress-led government.

The monarch said Awori people had been neglected by the APC government in the sharing of political positions while non-indigenes were placed far above them.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Oba Obalanlege threatened to mobilise the Awori to vote against the APC candidates if the alleged marginalisation was not addressed.

The monarch, who said the Awori in Lagos State as well as those in Ogun State were his subjects, stated that the leadership of the ruling party in Lagos State must give the neglected indigenes a strong commitment to address the issue without delay.

He said, “Historically, when you look at the axis of the South-West, I mean from Ota to Igbesa, Agbara and Lagos, the area belongs to the Awori; there is no contest about that. But the problem now is that the Awori are being marginalised politically. When you look at it, we used to have the deputy governornorship position and a representative in the Senate. But looking at those contesting within the APC in Lagos in the coming elections, none of them is Awori. Not minding that Awori people are in Ogun State, we own Lagos State. My parents sold the land where Ray Power is built in Lagos.

“Despite our stake in Lagos, we are being margianlised. But if nothing is done, or there is no major promise from the APC to address this, I will call on all Awori not to vote for the major party and I want the leadership of the party to see the power of Awori.

“If there is no major statement concerning what the APC has for Awori people, we will not vote for the party; and let us wait and see the consequences of that.

“You cannot come to a people’s ancestral land and still deny them of everything including political power. How do they expect Awori people to feel? Most of these people came from outside Lagos. You cannot come from a faraway place and marginalise us and expect us not to react. I want the APC to look into that.”
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/olota-threatens-to-mobilise-awori.html
cc lalasticala

The candidate of the Providence Peoples Congress in next month’s presidential poll, Mr Victor Okhai, on Saturday vowed to defeat both candidates of the All Progressives Congress, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate Atiku Abubakar in the election.

Okhai at a campaign rally in Ibadan lamented that the democracy in the country since 1999 had not made an impact on the people.

According to him, the PPC has what it takes to win the presidential and governorship elections in many states.

Okhai urged the people to stand for their rights and punish both the APC and the PDP during the general elections “because they have failed to utilise the resources God deposited in our land for the good and greater advantage of the majority”.

The governorship candidate of the party in Oyo State, Mr. Taiwo Otegbeye, a former Commissioner for Information in the state, said the PPC was the party to beat, having signed a pact with the people to evolve a workable blueprint to bail them out of poverty.

Otegbeye promised to revamp the state’s economy through agriculture and reposition education, health and other sectors.

The party’s National Chairman, Akintola Aduroja, said,”The PPC is a party for all Nigerians. The people leading us since 1999 have not been able to deliver on their electoral promises. Instead, they keep giving us intangible things as democratic dividends and we continue to clap for them. Unemployment pervades our land. We must fight for our rights and ensure that the PPC wins so that we can jointly rebuild this country for the benefit of all.”
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/ppc-presidential-candidate-vows-to.html

The Police Command in Niger State says it is fully ready to provide adequate security before, during and after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit to the state on Saturday, January 12.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Dibal Yakadi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna on Friday.

Yakadi said that an effective operational order on how to provide security at each of the places that the Vice President was expected to visit had since been issued to the officers deployed for that purpose.

He said that the command had taken concrete security measures to ensure a peaceful visit.

‘’We have mobilised sufficient armed personnel to provide security cover for our Vice President before, during and after the visit,’’ Yakadi said.

The commissioner also said that the command had already embarked on “Operation Show Force’’ with other security agencies to show our preparedness for the visit.

He explained that the measures were aimed at giving the residents of the state the opportunity to welcome the Vice President without any security threat.

The commissioner advised leaders of political parties in the state to impress it on their supporters to shun all forms of violence and thuggery before, during and after the Vice President’s visit.

Yakadi said: “We will not tolerate any act capable of bringing confusion before, during and after the visit.’’

He warned that any person or groups found wanting would be arrested and prosecuted.

The commissioner said that during the Vice President’s visit, the TraderMoni Scheme of the Federal Government would be introduced to traders at Gwari and Tunga markets in the metropolis.

According to him, the visit will also afford the Vice President the opportunity to flag off the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship campaign.

NAN reports that the Federal Government’s TraderMoni scheme is a collateral-free loan to traders, that ranges from N10,000 to N50,000, depending on how well the borrowers are able to make repayments.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/were-ready-to-provide-security-during.html
cc lalasticala

Taraba State Governor/governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Darius Ishaku; ex-Minister of Women Affairs/candidate of United Democratic Party, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan; and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Sani Danladi, on Thursday failed to show up at a peace accord signing ceremony.

The signing of the peace accord took place at the Taraba State Police Command headquarters in Jalingo.

Though the three top governorship contenders were absent at the occasion, 14 other governorship candidates, including Mr. Kefas Sule of the All Blending Party (ABP), signed the peace pact.

Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Akinremi, who presided over the signing of the peace accord, said the aim was to commit the governorship candidates to peaceful conduct of the election.

“We cannot, as a nation, move forward if we fail to promote peace. I want to appeal to you stakeholders to shun violence.

“If contesting election is for the sake of service, then there should be no need for violence before, during and after the election,” he said.

Akinremi pledged that the Police and other security agencies will give all parties equal protection before, during after the election, even as he urged the parties to conduct themselves well and avoid violence.

Resident Electoral Commissioner for Taraba State, Baba Yusuf, pledged INEC’s determination and commitment to giving all parties level playing ground.

Responding on behalf of the candidates, Mr. Kefas Sule of the ABP thanked the security agencies for the initiative and pledged the resolution of the candidates to stand by what they have signed.

Sule called on those who were absent at the signing to make efforts to sign the accord with a view to having a peaceful election in the state.

Our correspondent reports that Governor Darius Ishaku and Senator Aisha Alhassan sent representatives, but they were turned down, with the officials insisting that all candidates must sign in person.

The candidate of the APC, Sani Danladi, was not represented at the occasion.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/taraba-gov-udp-apc-candidates-shun.html
cc lalasticala

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has asked Nigerians to be wary of a former President who pretends to be the conscience of the nation.

Soyinka said this in Abuja on Wednesday at a symposium on fake news organised by BBC News.

The playwright, who was a panellist at the event tagged, ‘Nigeria 2019: Countering Fake News,’ urged the traditional media not to act like the electronic media by spreading unfounded allegations.

Reflecting on the effect of fake news ahead of next month’s elections, Soyinka asked Nigerians to be wary of a former President who pretends to be the conscience of the nation.

The Nobel laureate said if the former leader had been referring to a certain person for eight years as a devil and is now telling Nigerians to vote for the devil, then there was reason for Nigerians to express some doubt.

Soyinka said, “We have got to develop very healthy scepticism. If someone in a position of power for eight years has lectured a nation for eight years and after that continued year after year to continue to direct the minds of a whole nation in one direction only saying ‘this is Lucifer from hell’ for eight years in office and several more years out of office saying this is Lucifer and then one day he changed his left hand and says behold your redeemer, which of the two is fake news?”

Although he did not mention the former President he was referring to, the only President who has ruled Nigeria for only eight years is Olusegun Obasanjo, while the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 polls, Atiku Abubakar, could be the ‘devil’ that Soyinka was referring to.

Obasanjo until recently had described Atiku as very corrupt even going to the extent of dedicating some parts of his published works to lambast the ex-VP.

He said God would not forgive him if he supported Atiku’s presidential bid.

But he changed his mind recently, saying he had forgiven Atiku, urging Nigerians to vote for the ex-Vice-President.

…says those spreading fake news have mental problem

Soyinka said those spreading fake news had mental issues and thus psychologists and psychiatrists must be included in the fight against the menace.

He disclosed that he had seen his obituary countless times on social media and he had become tired of receiving phone calls from well-wishers.

He said sometimes ridiculous statements were attributed to him which many could find disgusting.

Soyinka added, “During the last Presidency, there was a statement attributed to me that I said that it serves President Jonathan right for marrying an illiterate woman. I never made any comment whatsoever about her and suddenly here it is staring me in the face.

“An account (on Facebook) has even been created in my name and from time to time a card is sent to me and it reads, ‘Wole Soyinka says anyone who votes for this person must be stupid, must be mentally retarded, his mother must be a goat and his father must be a gorilla.’

“And this comes on all the time and I don’t want to understate the numerous motivations going into this. Although basically, I think the commonality is that those who create fake news are sick in the head and they are also cowards because they lack the conviction for their own beliefs and so they try to attribute to other people what they are thinking.”

The activist, however, rejected the temptation to promulgate laws that could curtail press freedom.

Soyinka said the laws against libel, slander and identity theft were sufficient for the fight against fake news but said sadly, the police and other law enforcement agencies were not serious enough to tackle the menace.

He described as crazy, attempts by the Senate to pass a bill recommending capital punishment for purveyors of hate speech.

The Nobel laureate added, “I have insisted that it is something that must be treated criminally but I don’t want this to become an opportunity for our very bloodthirsty legislators to push the kind of law which they tried to enact the other time which they were decreeing capital punishment for any hate speech.

“I don’t know how far it has gone, whether they have dropped it or if it is on the President’s table but nothing I say today should be taken as an endorsement of that lunacy.

“If people are bloodthirsty they should go and join Boko Haram instead of using the legislative chambers to initiate another opportunity for slaughtering people for speaking their minds like Khashoggi. Let us be very careful about that.”

The playwright called on social platforms like Facebook to do more in tackling fake news and deleting fake accounts.

He said there was a need for INTERPOL and other multinational law enforcement agencies to join in the fight against fake news as some of the people engaged in the criminal act were operating from multiple jurisdictions.

Amaechi didn’t insult Buhari in audio tape – Soyinka

On the leaked audio tape depicting the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, insulting President Muhammadu Buhari, Soyinka said he had read several reports of the trending audio clip but had not been able to spot any insults as insinuated by the media.

He said, “Just two or three days ago, I read an item where a minister was supposed to have insulted the President and it was carried in some media and I checked the statement and of course there was a video and so on and I looked through it, I read the text again and again and I said I have to relearn English language because I didn’t see where the insults were.

“So sometimes, print media feels compelled to compete with the electronic media and this is a great mistake because there is a reputation, there is an expectation and you should not be embarrassed to show yourself superior to a medium which is accessible to the lowest, the very dregs of society.”

Politicians, youth behind fake news – INEC

In his remarks, a National Commissioner and Chairman of Publicity and Voter Education Committee, at the Independent National Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Festus Okoye, said the spread of fake news would worsen as politicians try to outdo each other ahead of the polls.

He said this was what informed INEC to hold weekly press briefings ahead of next month’s elections.

Okoye said the purveyors and target of fake news were mostly the nation’s youths 22 million of whom, he said, had registered to vote in this year’s elections.

How fake news put me in trouble with my wife – Osinbajo

In his remarks, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo lamented the negative effect of fake news, adding that it even put him in some trouble with his wife recently.

Osinbajo said a blog put up a picture depicting him posing with strippers.

The Vice-President said upon a closer inspection of the photo, he discovered that he had indeed taken a picture with the women at an entertainment event but they were fully clothed.

He said the blogger picked a photo of where the women were not fully clothed and presented it to the public wrongly.

Osinbajo said, “I have been one of the targets of fake news. It can also sometimes cause you marital peace. I got a call from my wife about three or four weeks ago and she said Yemi what are you doing with strippers and I said what do you mean by strippers? So, I read a story in a famous blog that said, ‘Osinbajo caught with strippers.’

“And there was a photograph of me sitting between two perfectly clothed ladies but underneath this picture, the same ladies were not wearing much.

“In fact-checking, (I noticed that) the photographs with these two ladies at an entertainment event were taken when they were perfectly clothed but by the time the story was put out, it was as though I had taken a photo with them at the time they were not clothed at all.

“As it turns out, I wasn’t in the picture of where they were not wearing clothes but just the caption, the stories and all that gave the impression that here I was in the company of these ladies at a point when they were doing their business. I think the capacity of fake news to cause great harm is not in doubt at all.”

Osinbajo, however, rejected further legislation that would limit press freedom since it included the right to create a blog or post social media messages.

He added, “It will be impossible to regulate social media without in some sense substantially infringing on fundamental rights, especially freedom of expression. There is no way you will leave that power in the hands of the government or the legislature without finding some form of overbearing activity on the part of the government or the legislature.”

The Vice-President, however, called for an international convention that would enable several countries to tackle fake news jointly since those creating the false messages are in several jurisdictions.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/2019-soyinka-attacks-ex-president-for.html
cc lalasticala seun

Kano State governor. Abdullahi Ganduje has accused his predecessor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, of funding his presidential campaign with funds budgeted for road construction in the state.



Ganduje made the revelation on Wednesday at the inauguration of campaign committees for his re-election bid. He also vowed to investigate Kwankwaso over a multi-billion Naira road project. He revealed that the issue had been taken to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation.



According to Ganduje, so far, investigation by EFCC revealed how Kwankwaso used money budgeted for the construction of five-kilometre roads in the 44 local governments of Kano state for his presidential campaign in 2015.

In his words: “I was the deputy governor when the project was conceived. Ninety per cent of the total sum of the contract was provided by the 44 local governments while the remaining 10 per cent was provided by the state government.

However, Kwankwaso collected the 90 per cent from the 44 local government, paid the mobilisation fee and funded his presidential campaign with the remaining balance. The Kwankwasiyya people have started campaigning with the 5km road project, but I will expose them."

He also alleged that EFCC discovered that the funds were converted to dollars. However, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam, a commissioner under Kwankwaso's government, said the allegation raised by Ganduje was a ploy by the governor to "to divert people’s attention".



It was confirmed by Abdulsalam, who is the running mate to the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf, that the contract took effect during Kwankwaso’s tenure but originated from Ganduje’s office when he was the deputy governor and commissioner for local government.



“Let him tell the public how the contract was awarded, what happened to it and who the contractors are. The 5km road project was not the case investigated by the EFCC and it is not Ganduje that took the case to EFCC. The EFCC has finished that case,” he said. Ganduje, himself, has in recent times been riddled with corruption allegations. He was recently revealed in a leaked video allegedly collecting kickbacks from contractors.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/governor-ganduje-who-was-accused-of.html
cc lalasticala fynestboi

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo and the Chairman of the All progressive Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, will be in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, for the flag-off of the APC presidential and governorship rally, which will be held on Friday, January 8, 2019.

The Director of the Abia APC Rally Committee, Chief Acho Obioma, who disclosed this on Wednesday, said the party would use the rally to make a statement concerning its readiness to take over the reins of power in the state.

He said President Buhari had sited many developmental projects in the South-East and that would encourage the electorate in Abia to vote for him in the forthcoming general election.

“Work is ongoing on many Federal roads in the South-East that were never attended to by the last administration in the country. If completed, the roads will improve transportation and promote the ease of doing business in the geo-political zone.

“The President has also helped some of the state governors to improve the welfare of Nigerians through the provision of the Paris club refund, which they used, for example, in paying the backlogs of salaries owed workers. This shows that he is a leader that has the interest of the masses at heart”, he said

Obioma pointed out that the APC was running an issue-based campaign in Abia aimed at forming a development-oriented government.

He said “Abia is one of the poorest and the least developed states in Nigeria. Even the opposition party knows this. If we don’t make a change in 2019, I don’t know where Abia will be. We are poised to produce a governor that will drive development in the state, instead of apportioning positions based on geographical locations.”
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/buhari-osinbanjo-others-to-attend-apc.html
cc lalasticala seun

Bayern Munich, who are targeting young talent in the current transfer window, have confirmed their strong interest in English teenager Callum Hudson-Odoi amid reports the defending German champions have agreed a fee with Chelsea.

“We definitely want to sign him – he has the qualities which would fit very well into our team,” Bayern’s director of sport Hasan Salihamidzic said Wednesday at their winter training camp in Doha.

“He is very fast and good at dribbling.”

According to Sky, Bayern and Chelsea have agreed a transfer of 39 million euros (35 million pounds, $44.6 million), but it is unclear whether Hudson-Odoi would move in the current Bundesliga transfer window, which closes at 1700 GMT on January 31, or in July.

It was reportedly the fourth bid Bayern have tabled for the talented Hudson-Odoi, who has made just one Premier League appearance this season.

If he moves to Munich, he will become the third English teenager currently in the Bundesliga alongside Jadon Sancho, 18, who left Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund in 2017, and Riess Nelson, 19, on loan from Arsenal at Hoffenheim until July.

The 18-year-old Hudson-Odoi, who can play as a winger or forward, played 79 minutes of Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night in the English League Cup semi-final.

His sole Premier League appearance so far this season was as an injury replacement in a 2-1 win at Watford on December 26.

The England Under-19 international is set to face more competition next season at Stamford Bridge with the arrival of US winger Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund in July.

On Wednesday, Bayern also confirmed the signing of French World Cup-winning defender Benjamin Pavard, 22, on a five-year contract from July 1 for 35 million euros.

Despite winning the Bundesliga title for each of the last six seasons, Bayern will resume the 2018/19 campaign on January 18 trailing current leaders Dortmund by six points.

They are looking for more youthful recruits to boost their ageing squad with RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, and Atletico Madrid defender Lucas Hernandez, both 22, also targeted.

“He is a very interesting player,” said Salihamidzic of Hernandez, who can play at left-back or as a central defender, but is under contract in Madrid until 2024 with a buy-out clause worth 80 million euros.

Werner, who has scored nine goals in 23 appearances for Germany, has been offered an extension to his current contract, which runs until 2020, by Leipzig.

Should he reject the offer, he is likely to transfer out of Leipzig at the end of this season, RB’s director Oliver Mintzlaff has confirmed.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/bayern-eager-to-complete-signing-of.html
cc lalasticala fynestboi

President Buhari has challenged the Nigerian media to expose his wife Aisha or son, Yusuf, if they get any monetary deals from any of the government parastatals. President Buhari said this during his interview with Arise TV while responding to the allegation that he is covering some persons close to him that have been accused of corruption.



“It is a very unfair allegation against my integrity. I don’t think… anyway you are in a position to find out and if you do so, I don’t care. Publish it even if my son or my wife has a company and they are involved in deals with customs and excise and so on, bringing in illegal goods or whatever, I challenge you to do that.”
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/expose-my-wife-and-son-if-they-get-govt.html
cc lalasticala dominique seun

A father of three, Egbuwoku Ogaga Isaac was shot by armed robbers in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Monday.

He is currently receiving treatment at St. Luke's Hospital. He posted photos from his hospital bed and wrote:

"Just shot by armed robbers just now,in St Luke's Asaba.
see more photos here:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/photos-armed-robbers-attack-father-of.html
cc lalasticala fynestboi seun

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board says it was set to commence the publication of a bulletin of its financial activities to the public for the purpose of transparency.

The Head, Media and Information of the board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos.

Benjamin said that the bulletin, which will be known as “Jambulletin”, would be published every Monday and would not be for sale.

“The board has concluded plans to commence a weekly publication, “Jambulletin” for the public.

“This is in compliance with President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s directive of full disclosure of all financial transactions in the public sector, in line with his transparency agenda.

“This bulletin will therefore, contain the board’s financial inflow and expenditure for every week.

“The board is taking transparency to another level. Nigerians will be able to read new editions of this bulletin every Monday on our website.

“The emphasis here is transparency. The board wants to be as open with its financial activities.

“We will also distribute the bulletins to offices and individuals who are interested,” he said.

Benjamin, however, added that the board would soon commence its 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration scheduled for January 10.

According to him, the bulletin will also update the public on progress made in the registration exercise, while it lasts.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/jamb-set-to-inaugurate-transparency.html
cc fynestboi lalasticala

Opposition political parties on Sunday have resolved to begin nationwide protests from January 15 to force President Muhammadu Buhari to name a new Inspector-General of Police.

The parties, on the platform of the Coalition of United Political Parties, hinged their decision on the claim that the current IG, Ibrahim Idris, ceased to be a policeman since January 3 after 35 years in service.

The coalition’s position was contained in a statement by its first national spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, in Abuja.

Ugochinyere said the position of the IG was currently vacant since Idris was deemed to have retired having served for 35 years, adding the nation’s constitution did not make provision for a former police officer to be an IG.

He claimed that by parading himself as the IG after January 3, Idris was committing a crime of impersonation, describing the act as a threat to national security.

Ugochinyere said the protests would start once Idris was seen in police uniform around the force headquarters from January 15.

He added that the protests would be held in front of the police command headquarters of every state and would continue till the right thing was done.

The CUPP’s spokesperson called Buhari’s attention to the provision of Section 215(1)a of the 1999 Constitution which he said held that the President could only appoint a serving police officer as the IG.

Ugochinyere said, “This means that with the reaching of the mandatory retirement age of 35 years of active service on January 3, 2019 and the mandatory retirement age of 60 years while in service by the IG (which comes up on January 15, 2019), the IG is constitutionally barred from being retained or reappointed as the IG as he is no longer a serving police officer.

“His continued stay in office is illegal and an act of impersonation as there is no legal or documentary evidence to back up his stay as the IG.

“We call on President Buhari to be courageous to announce the replacement and not bow to the pressure to cement illegality in the core of the nation’s security architecture due to his desperation to rig himself back to power knowing he has been rejected by the Nigerian people.

“The uncertainty in the leadership of the police in such auspicious moment emboldens persons with sinister motives and demoralises senior officers of the force due to this abrupt and unlawful halt to their career progression.

“The law is clear on who can be appointed as the Inspector-General of Police and who cannot be appointed as Inspector-General of Police and Mr Ibrahim Idris is now in the latter group.

“It is flowing from this and to save our dear country from further drift from a government that lacks capacity to provide leadership to our country that the secretariat of CUPP hereby directs all coalition members in the 36 states to begin preparation for nationwide protests from January 15 if the retired IG is seen dressed in police uniform around the Force Headquarters.

“The protests will be in front of the police command headquarters of every state and shall be continuous till the right thing is done.”

He added, “During the protests, there shall be a declaration that since Mr Ibrahim Idris is no longer a police officer, he cannot be addressed as the IG and a call to him to steer clear of the Force Headquarters.

“By January 15, Mr Ibrahim Idris would have attained both 35 years (January 3, 2019) in service and 60 years of age (January 15, 2019) and he would have been roundly unqualified to occupy the office of the Inspector-General of Police.

“Finally, we call on President Buhari that he should realise now that he would be held personally responsible if there is a breakdown of law and order, loss of lives and property if he continues down this path of noxious plots to rig himself into power. A word is enough for the wise!”

On its part, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, asked the President to ensure that Idris proceed on retirement after his statutory age of 60 years on January 15, 2019.

HURIWA on Sunday in a release by its National President, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said, “The IG, who ought to retire on reaching the statutory retirement age of 60 on January 15, must proceed on pre-retirement leave immediately. We suspect that he has been positioned to use his operatives to manipulate the conduct of the February elections in favour of the authorities.”

IG still has a few days more – Presidency

However, the Presidency said the IG still had a few more days for his tenure to expire.

A Presidency source stated, “The IG has a few more days. He has a few days still.”

When the source was reminded that Idris turned 35 years in service on January 3, the source asked, “Was it 3rd?”

The IG will turn 60 years in service on January 15 by which time he would have met both retirement requirements on length of service and age.

By the service rule, an officer is deemed to have completed service if he has spent 35 years in service or turns 60 “whichever comes first.”

IG not packing anything from office, residence –Police source

But, The PUNCH learnt on Sunday that the IG had yet to start packing any of his personal luggage out of his office or his official residence.

Idris was said to be carrying on as if he had just been appointed, without considering that he ought to have proceeded on leave that would precede his retirement.

A senior police officer, who is close to the office of the IG, told one of our correspondents that Idris was not behaving like someone that would leave the force soon.

He said, “As as we speak, there is nothing to suggest that oga (the IG) is retiring soon. All his personal belongings are still intact at his official residence and office.

“He is even planning to do transfer of some police officers soon. He has hope that President Muhammadu Buhari will allow him to stay back to conduct the elections.

“I don’t know where the confidence is coming from. He has told us that since the President has not retired the service chiefs, then there is no way he will be asked to leave when his retirement date is due.”
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/well-protest-if-ig-remains-in-office.html
cc lalasticala

The elders and stakeholders in the Ogun West Senatorial District in Ogun State have announced the favoured governorship candidate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo , Gboyega Isiaka, as their consensus candidate.

Isiaka is a governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress who is enjoying the backing of Obasanjo, ahead of the March 2 governorship election in the state.

Five governorship candidates are from the districts which has not produced a governor in the state since its creation 42 years ago.

Apart from Isiaka, others are Abdulkabir Akinlade of the Allied People’s Movement; Oluseyi Olowookere of the Alliance for Democracy; John Agboola of the Action Alliance Party and Adewale Omoniyi of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party.

The elders, under the aegis of Ogun West Stakeholders Forum, included, the Asiwaju of Aworiland, Senator Ayodeji Otegbola; Asiwaju of Yewaland, Prof. Anthony Asiwaju; the Ekerin of Ota, Chief Bamgboye Osunlabu, Otunba of Ilaro, Dr. Samuel Ibukunle, former female Minister of National Planning, Mrs Ebun Oyagbola; Iyaloja of Yewaland , Mrs. Yemisi Abass and a former deputy governor of the state, Alhaja Salimot Badru.

Others were a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mrs. Iyabo Apampa; Mrs.Mary Ogunjobi; Chief Bisiriyu Popoola and Chief Lisa Adejobi among others.

The leaders made the announcement at a summit of indigenous people and stakeholders of Yewa/Awori Senatorial District held in Ilaro, Yewa North Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

The co-chairman of the summit, who is also a historian of Yewa/Awori land, Prof. Asiwaju, said it had become imperative to endorse a governorship candidate in the forthcoming election so as to avoid a repeat of the past.

He said, “We also held a meeting in Lagos where we agreed that GNI (Isiaka) should be our candidate and since we have agreed, I am saying it again that GNI (Isiaka) is our consensus candidate and by the grace of God, he will be our next governor.

“As a result of this, everyone of us must be ready to work for the actualisation of this dream.”

While explaining his effort in realising an Ogun West governor, the academic recalled that there was a cordial relationship between him and the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, until he advised him to support the candidature of Isiaka.

He said, “The going was good between myself and the governor because he said he would support an Ogun West candidate for governor. In fact, a meeting was held in Ota and I decided not to say anything, but the governor insisted that I should talk alongside three others.

“But when what happened in APC happened and I heard that he would remain in the APC, while Akinlade would go to the APM, I wrote to him. I told him that I didn’t think that things would go as expected with the APM development. It seems that was where I offended him.”

Also, the Coordinator of the forum, Dr Kunle Salako, who spoke about the Yewa/Awori agenda, stressed that the struggle was not for any political party, but it was aimed at a governorship candidate from the district in 2019.

His words, “Let me call your attention to the fact that this summit is not about a political party, but to actualise our long time struggle of producing an Ogun West governor.

“The struggle for an Ogun West governor is going through its eighth circle, numbering 43 years, since the creation of the state. But, despite the huge investment materially and emotionally, the goal of the struggle remains unachieved.

“We have five sons of the soil gunning for the same seat and they include, Gboyega Isiaka (ADC), Abdulkabir Akinlade (APM), Oluseyi Olowookere (AD), John Agboola (AAP) and Adewale Omoniyi (ANRP).

“ In terms of structure, grassroots penetration, clear identity, visibility, national spread and internal cohesion, we asked ourselves which of these political parties was best suited for this all important journey and we discovered and agreed that it is Gboyega Nasir Isiaka “ Dr. Salako said.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/
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The Lagos State University has urged its students to disregard any notice directing them to resume for lectures amidst the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

Spokesman for the university, Mr Ademola Adekoya, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the resumption notice was a lie.

“Similar information was released for Ladoke Akintola University’s students some days ago. Kindly disregard the information as it does not emanate from the office of the LASU Registrar,’’ he said.

NAN reports that a notice had gone viral on the social media recently directing all students of the university to resume for academic activities on January 8.

The notice had indicated that the management of the university at its meeting of January 3, said all students be notified of the commencement of academic activities including course registration and lectures.

NAN also reports that ASUU had, on November 4, 2018 embarked on what it described as a ‘total, comprehensive and indefinite strike’ to press home some demands from the Federal Government
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/disregard-resumption-notice-lasu.html
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The Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Olusegun Adewumi, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and other presidential candidates to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan in displaying statesmanship throughout the election period.

Adewumi, who made the appeal in a statement made available to our correspondent in Lagos on Saturday by his media aide, Mr Charles Akinola, recalled that Jonathan’s display of statesmanship during the 2015 presidential election saved the nation from chaos.

The deputy speaker said the forthcoming elections would define the future of Nigeria while appealing to contestants to shun violence and inflammatory remarks in order not to plunge the nation into a serious crisis.

He said the future of Nigeria would be further determined by the outcome of the general elections, urging politicians to play the game by the rule.

The statement read, “The elite must show commitment to democratic ethos by allowing the people to freely choose whomever they desire, while citizens must also prove that sovereignty rests in them by resisting vote buying and other monetisation of the electoral process that could submerge their will.

“The leading presidential candidates should emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan’s rare display of statesmanship during the 2015 presidential election. His action saved the nation from chaos.”
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/buhari-atiku-should-emulate-jonathan.html
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The Independent National Electoral Commission will hire about 40 per cent of its ad hoc workers for the February 16 and March 2 elections from members of the National Youth Service Corps, the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, has stated.

Between 300,000 and 400,000 corps members would be needed for the two elections out of 800,000 to one million workers to be deployed in different polling booths during the exercise.

According to the INEC commissioner, the expectation is that the corps members will serve as presiding officers in about 120,000 polling units and the estimated 30,000 voting points and settlements.

He also stated that should there be any shortfall, the commission would make use of students from federal tertiary institutions.

Okoye spoke in Abuja where he shed light on the number of ad hoc employees to be deployed for the February and March polls including the additional 30,000 voting points that might be created by INEC.

He said, “There are 119,809 polling units in Nigeria and maybe additional 30,000 voting points will be created. Each polling unit and voting point will have not less than four ad hoc staff. We have a total of 8,809 registration areas and each of them must have collation officers.

“All the local governments and area councils must have collation officers. INEC will conduct elections in 1,558 constituencies and it requires between 750,000 and one million ad hoc workers. The commission can only harvest around 40 per cent of its ad hoc staff need from the corps members.”

Okoye explained that each of the polling units would be manned by a presiding officer and three assistant presiding officers.

The national commissioner added, “Where voting points are created, there will be at each voting point an APO (VP) and three APOs appointed by the commission under the supervision of the presiding officer. The presiding officer shall delegate the responsibility of accreditation, preparing and issuing of ballot papers to the assistant presiding officer (VP) in-charge of a voting point.

“The commission will also deploy collation officers in all the registration areas/wards throughout the federation as well as supervisory presiding officers to all the registration areas/wards. The commission will deploy registration area technical support staff in all the registration areas/wards.

“The commission will also deploy collation officers in all the local governments in the federation and appoint returning officers for all the strands of election that will be conducted.”

According to Okoye, INEC does not create voting points based on geography.

He said, “The voting points are created based on multiples of 500 and a maximum of 750 registered voters or as may otherwise be determined by the commission. The determining factor in the creation of voting points is the number of registered voters in a particular polling unit and the need to make it easier for all registered voters to cast their votes expeditiously.
“Voting points are not stand-alone polling units. Voting points are appendages of the existing and main polling units. The APO (VP) in charge of a voting point reports directly to the presiding officer and hands over the votes harvested from the voting point to the presiding officer after counting and recording in the appropriate forms.

source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/inec-to-deploy-400000-corps-members-for.html

The Peoples Democratic Party has said that it does not believe that President Muhammadu Buhari will deliver on his promise of ensuring free and fair elections.

He stated that recent developments had emboldened its belief that there would not be free, fair and transparent election.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in an interview with our correspondent, stated that the plan to re-introduce the use of incident form and the deployment of Buhari’s ‘relation’, Mrs Amina Zakari, as the Chairman of the National Collation Centre Committee by the Independent National Electoral Commission during the February presidential election indicated that there would be no free and fair election.

He said the PDP was not comfortable with any possible plan to extend the tenure of the current Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

He alleged that Idris had shown partisanship and therefore would not be impartial in his duties.

He said, “Is he (Buhari) promising free and fair election by asking the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, to move his blood relation, Amina Zakari, as the head of the collation centre of the presidential election? Is that how to deliver free and fair election? The PDP and our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, do not believe that President Muhammadu Buhari will deliver free and fair election.

“As far as we are concerned, the use of incident form or the new adoption of the incident form has shown clearly that there is no plan for free and fair elections. It is this incident form that was used by INEC that caused the rigging of elections in 2015 particularly in a state like Kano. It is the same approach that the current INEC chairman is adopting. Totally, we do not believe that there is a desire or plan to conduct an election that will be free and fair.”

He added, “In terms of security across the nation, we believe that the security situation is not the same across the nation. There are areas where we have security challenges and there are areas where there are no security challenges. But what we object to and what gives us concern is the fact that the IGP has demonstrated partisanship in many states of the federation and we have the fear that if he remains the IGP that will conduct the election, he is certainly going to be biased against the non-APC candidates. As such, we believe that since he has attained the service year of retirement, the President, if he is sincere to Nigerians and want to conduct a free, fair and credible election, should allow him to retire.”
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/buhari-planning-to-rig-through-incident.html
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Apple Inc ordered to pull iPhones from stores in Germany

Apple has been ordered to remove some iPhone models from its stores in Germany over a patent dispute with chip giant Qualcomm.

A court ruling in Munich on 20 December found Apple had infringed patents on power-saving technology.

On Thursday Qualcomm paid a €1.3bn (£1.2bn) bond, allowing the ban on iPhone 7 and 8 models to go ahead.

The bond will fund damages awarded to Apple if the iPhone maker wins its appeal against the injunction.

The German case is Qualcomm’s third attempt at blocking the sale of iPhones. The California-based chip maker has made patent infringement claims against Apple in the US and China already.

The court ruling in Munich in December included the sale of iPhones by third party sellers, such as mobile phone operator shops and other retailers, as well as those sold in Apple’s 15 branded outlets.

However, Apple and some observers, believe third party sellers will be able to continue selling the iPhone models in question, according to a report from Reuters

The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR models will still be available at Apple stores and from other retailers.

When the initial judgement was announced in December, Apple said that it would appeal the decision.

“Qualcomm’s campaign is a desperate attempt to distract from the real issues between our companies,” said an Apple spokesman at the time.

“Qualcomm insists on charging exorbitant fees based on work they didn’t do and they are being investigated by governments all around the world for their behaviour.”

Under German law, judgements become enforceable once the winner of the patent dispute posts bonds covering potential damages incurred by the losing party, in case the judgment is overturned or amended on appeal.

early December, Qualcomm won an injunction against Apple that also banned the sale of some iPhone models in China, ranging from the iPhone 6S to the iPhone X. That ban was the result of a different dispute concerning software patents.

However, Apple said all of its iPhone models remained on sale in China, following a software update from Apple and pending a further legal ruling there.

Qualcomm’s executive vice president and general counsel Don Rosenberg said in December: “Two respected courts in two different jurisdictions just in the past two weeks have now confirmed the value of Qualcomm’s patents and declared Apple an infringer, ordering a ban on iPhones in the important markets of Germany and China.”

Qualcomm did not respond to Apple’s statements.

Qualcomm has also sued Apple in the US , accusing it of sharing its technology with rival suppliers.

Technology firms often choose to litigate in Germany, alongside key markets such as China and the US, because the German court system rules more quickly on patents than in many other countries. It may also be easier to get an injunction blocking further sales in Germany, according to PCWorld .

Germany is also the largest market in Europe, with the potential to have a large knock-on impact on other countries within the EU.
source:https://thebiggestgists..com/2019/01/apple-inc-ordered-to-pull-iphones-from.html
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