₦airaland Forum

The National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu says his relationship with Abiola Ajimobi, governor of Oyo state, is intact and solid.

This was in reaction to a report that he was making moves to ban Ajimobi from leading APC campaigns in Oyo.

This was made known by Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s media adviser, denied the report saying the national leader was only lending his assistance to the governor efforts in the state.

He stated that Tinubu’s intervention in state’s chapter of APC is to bring about "genuine reconciliation and not to supplant the governor".

"This report goes beyond a lie. It is a vindictive attempt to sow discord because the writer is angered by the APC’s success in the presidential election," he said in a statement.

"By its unsubstantiated report, the medium seeks to set brother against brother. Asiwaju and Governor Ajimobi have been political brothers and allies for a long time.

"Moreover, Governor Ajimobi has been an excellent governor and a faithful member of the APC. He has brought progress to the state and in serving two consecutive terms, Ajimobi made history in Oyo.

"He is instrumental to anything the APC can achieve in Oyo."

The statement said the actions of the national leader was to bring "all together" to achieve success in the forthcoming governorship election.

"The truth is that Asiwaju is not trying to supplant or hide the governor, instead, Asiwaju is lending his support to the governor’s and APC’s efforts in the state," he said.

"As such, he has held strategic meetings with some notable groups and important individuals. The heart of the discussions was the need for all to come together to achieve victory for APC in the March 9 governorship poll.

"We want and need Governor Ajimobi to be a visible figure at the forefront of this campaign during these final decisive days. He will prove pivotal to our hope for victory in the state.

"In addition to not having such a negative inclination, Asiwaju wields no such power and has no desire to have such power.

"Asiwaju views Governor Ajimobi as highly disciplined and a committed and respected party leader, unlike some others who have no respect for party supremacy. The relationship between them remains solid and loyal."

Read more on;

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/03/asiwaju-tinubu-explained-rumor-against.html

The former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, has returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He is the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the March 9 governorship election.

Following the Tsunami that happened during the Presidential Election, the man has now changed his mind with the intervention of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The former governor, made the decision earlier today after meeting the APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Abuja and Lagos.

A reliable source within the party confirmed that the Ogbomoso-born politician will make a statement on his new decision today for his supporters across the state to understand the reasons for his move ahead of the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly election.

Their is already a mixed Reaction from the Ogbomoso Indigene, where the former governor have majority of his supporters as Adekka TV Correspondence in Ogbomoso as gathered.

Source: https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/03/akala-dumps-gubernatorial-ambition.html

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward Chairman of Yandoton Daji in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Alhaji Yusuf Yahaya, has been killed by unidentified gunmen.

Read more on:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/nigeriadecides2019-apc-chairman-killed.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will offer automatic employment to members of the National Youth Sevice Corps, NYSC, who are outstanding during the general elections, commencing from Saturday.

Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC Chairman, gave the assurance during a briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.

Answering questions on the welfare of corps members seen sleeping on the floor the night before the postpones elections, Yakubu assured that the welfare of the NYSC Corps members will be adequately taken care of during the conduct of the elections.

He said: "The youth corps members are among the most educated, most reliable, most patriotic, and most readily available ad-hoc staff we have… so we don’t joke with the wellbeing of corps members.

"Arising from my interaction with DG NYSC yesterday, they are looking at how they can mobilise mattresses, used by the youth corps members in camp to places where the youth corps members are going to stay the night so that the layover before we open the polling units on Saturday can be more comfortable for them.

"I am waiting for the DG NYSC to submit the details to the commission, but I want to assure you that anything that the commission can do to make the corps members comfortable, and all other staff, including their welfare and security, we will do.

"Those who do exceptionally well during elections are accorded automatic employment by the commission."

Source:
https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/2019-election-inec-promise-automatic.html

The results from the Round of 32 are;

� Sevilla 2-0 Lazio (agg: 3-0)

� Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Viktoria Plzeň (agg: 4-2)

� Salzburg 4-0 Club Brugge (agg: 5-2)

� Napoli 2-0 Zürich (agg: 5-1)

� Frankfurt 4-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (agg: 6-3)

� Valencia 1-0 Celtic (agg: 3-0)

� Zenit 3-1 Fenerbahçe (agg: 3-2)

� Villarreal 1-1 Sporting CP (agg: 2-1)

� Arsenal 3-0 BATE Borisov (agg: 3-1)

� Internazionale Milano 4-0 Rapid Wien (agg: 5-0)

� Genk 1-4 Slavia Praha (agg: 1-4)

� Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Krasnodar (agg: 1-1, Krasnodar win on away goals)

� Chelsea 3-0 Malmö (agg: 5-1)

� Real Betis 1-3 Rennes (agg: 4-6)

� Dynamo Kyiv 1-0 Olympiacos (agg: 3-2)

� Benfica 0-0 Galatasaray (agg: 2-1)

The draw for the Round of 16 will be held on Feb 22, 01:00 PM WAT

UEFA Europa League Last 16 are giving below:

������� Arsenal
�� Benfica
�� Valencia
�� Dinamo Zagreb
�� Frankfurt
�� Sevilla
�� Inter
������� Chelsea
�� Krasnodar
�� Napoli
�� Dinamo Kiev
�� Slavia Praga
�� Rennes
�� Salzburgo
�� Zenit
�� Villarreal

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/uefa-europa-league-update.html

As Saturday approaches for the presidential and national assembly elections, the Federal Government has declared Friday, February 22, 2019, as a public holiday.

This was disclosed by the Ministry of Interior in a statement, yesterday, bankers and those offering essential services across the nation are excluded in observing the public holiday.

"The Federal Government declares Friday, February 22, 2019 as work-free day. Those providing essential duties and bankers are excluded."

"The work-free day is to enable citizens return to their poling units for the reschedule Presidential & National Assembly elections.

"Security agencies have been directed to ensure safety of lives and property before, during and after the general election." the statement stated.

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/2019-elections-friday-declares-as.html

Certain Number of the sensitive election materials meant for the Saturday elections in Kebbi State were “mistakenly” taken to Kaduna State and those meant for Katsina were brought to Kebbi, this was reported by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kebbi State, Ahmad Mahmud.

The REC, during his interactions with journalists after inspecting the elections sensitive materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s state office in Birnin Kebbi, said “Two of our forms-EC 8D1 and EC 8E1 were mistakenly taken to Kaduna and that of Katsina was brought to Kebbi.

“We discover it during the inspection and they are already bringing it back to Kebbi.”

The REC said INEC in Kebbi State had received all the sensitive materials meant for the presidential and national assembly elections and would start distributing them on Wednesday across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

He also said all Card Readers sent to the state have been configured.

“I can confirm to you that we have received all the sensitive materials meant for Kebbi State and all the Card Readers have been configured. By tomorrow (Wednesday) we shall start distributing the sensitive materials”

He said the voting exercise will take place in 2,398 polling units and 1,345 voting points in the 225 wards of the state.

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/kebbis-electoral-materials-mistakenly.html

The police in Osun on Monday arraigned Lateef Ajetomobi, 43, and Saraju Yekini 33, in an Osogbo Chief Magistrates ‘ Court for allegedly stealing 2,514 chickens.

The police charged Ajetomobi and Yekini with three counts of theft, conspiracy and deceit.

The Prosecutor, Insp Joshua Oladoye, told the court that the defendants committed the offence between May 2018 and August 2018, at Olu farm limited, Osogbo.

Oladoye alleged that the defendants and others at large, stole 2,514 chickens valued at N3 million, belonging to one Akosu Samuel.

He said the defendants worked at Olu farm limited.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 516, 427, 383(1) punishable under section 390(9) of the criminal code cap 34 vol. 11, laws of Osun, 2003.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

The defence counsel, Mr Emmanuel Adebisi , prayed the court to grant his clients bail in the most liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mrs Aishat Olayemi, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N500,000 each and one surety each in like sum.

Olayemi ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction with evidence of tax payments and three passport sized photographs, attached with an affidavit of means.

She adjourned the case until March 11, for hearing

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/2-men-arraigned-by-police-for-allegedly.html

The number of Permanent Voter Cards in Oyo State is 28,539 higher than the number of registered voters in the state, This was learnt yesterday as the aggregate of available PVCs is 2,962,646, the number of registered voters stands at 2,934,107.

A record obtained yesterday from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office in Ibadan, the state capital, showed the total collection of 2,176,352 PVCs.

Mr Olayiwola Awolowo, the commission’s Head of Publicity in the state, explained the causes of the discrepancy in the figures.

Awolowo explained that some of the owners of the uncollected PVCs are dead, while others had transferred their details to their new locations.

He further Said that non-sensitive materials had been distributed to INEC offices across the local government areas in the state.

He said sensitive materials were at the Central Bank branch in the state, adding that they would be distributed at the appropriate time.

Mr Awolowo said, "The total number of uncollected PVCs is 786,294 while 2 176,352 PVCs have been collected.

"The total number of registered voters is 2,934,107. The difference in the figures of the PVCs and registered voters is because some owners of the uncollected PVCs are dead while some have been transferred.

"All the sensitive materials have been distributed to the INEC offices across the state. As for the sensitive materials, they are still with the CBN. We will call party agents and journalists to witness the distribution of the materials as soon as we are ready."

Awolowo further reported that all INEC offices in the state had been secured against attacks by security agents, adding that the commission was fully prepared for the Saturday presidential and National Assembly elections.

He said 946 card readers were available as backup for those that might malfunction during the exercise, adding that 1,607 new polling units had been created across the state to ease the process.

Source:
https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/number-of-pvcs-exceeds-total-registered.html

One of the staff of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, who was yet to be identified, was yesterday evening shot, while two others were said to have been kidnapped by gunmen along Iwo-Osogbo road.

Read more on:
https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/gunmen-kidnapped-two-workers-of-bowen.html

The Supreme Court has affirmed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not have candidates in Rivers state during the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

Justice Aliyu Sanusi-led Supreme Court, has, today, struck out the appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress, (APC), to be qualified to field candidates in the approaching general election in Rivers State.

The court struck out the appeal by the APC challenging the judgment of a High Court in Rivers State which stripped it from conducting any primaries in the state.

In the judgement, Justice Aliyu Sanusi, ruled that the preliminary objection raised by the respondents, Ibrahim Umah and 22 other aggrieved members of the APC, had substance and therefore, struck out the appeal by the APC.

The group loyal to Senator Magnus Abbe claimed the primary that produced Cole and others were done in disobedience to an order of the court.

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/hope-lost-supreme-court-strikes-out.html

The stage is set, read the full gist below;

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/vote-with-your-index-finger-on-saturday.html

The former secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi is dead.

The football foreman passed on after failing to recover from an illness which is not revealed.

The announcement of his death was made known by Tunde Samusudeen, the public relations officer of Osun United Football Club, to the reporters today in Osogbo.

The news of Ogunjobi's death have been confirmed on the Nigerian football governing body's NFF through their Twitter handle.

Until his demise, Taiwo Ogunjobi was the chairman of Osun State Football Association.

Details later.

Source:
https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/breaking-taiwo-ogunjobi-is-dead.html

The Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, has advised Nigerians ‎to refrain from negative acts and vote peacefully during the forthcoming general elections.

‎NAN reports that Sanusi gave the advice when the People Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Kano on Sunday.

"Election is not a war, there is no need to shed blood and there is need to caution and enlighten the public against violence.

"As a father to all, I always preach peace; this is because no meaningful development can take place without peace.‎

"I urge eligible voters to vote for whoever that is competent and capable they think will take them to the promise land," he said.

According to him, what the people choose is what is going to serve them for the next four years.

The Emir, who urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the elections, called for continuous prayers for peaceful elections in the country.

Sanusi also commended Abubakar for his contribution for education by building a befitting university in his hometown.

He also thanked them for the visit and prayed for peaceful campaign.‎

Earlier, Abubakar said he was in the palace to seek for the blessings and prayers of the emirate council.

He said that royal fathers had great roles to play in nation building.‎

Abubakar also prayed for peaceful, unity and stability in the country.‎

Abubakar was accompanied to the palace by his running mate, Mr Peter Obi, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Others are; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Aminu Wali, former Cross River Governor, Mr Liyel Imoke, former Minister of Power, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, Sen. Abdul Ningi, ‎Hajiya Baraka Umar and Kano PDP governorship candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Source:


https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/2019-general-election-details-of-emir.html

The Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, has uncovered a ‘baby factory’ supposedly owned by one Mrs Stella, on Block B, House 8, Adebayo Oke Street, Sharp Corner, Oluyole area of Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.

Two victims, which include a pregnant lady, were saved and three accomplices arrested at the factory.

The Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, Saleh Abdullahi, said that the Zone F of the command discovered the ‘baby factory’.

With respect to him, the supposed operator of the factory, Stella, is now at large.

Abdullahi said the place was uncovered in the process of rescuing a 16-year-old girl, Mary Yawa, from one Mrs Kehinde Omotoso of the Awolowo Bashorun area of Ibadan on 28 January, 2019.

The victim, Mary Yawa, was said to have earlier delivered a baby in the premises on August 28, 2018.

Abdullahi stated, “In the process of investigation, Yawa, a Togolese, revealed that she was impregnated by one Adewale when she served as a housemaid to one Alhaja from Saki.

“A few days to her delivery, the said Alhaja took her to Stella, who is not a nurse, and on whose premises she was delivered of a baby on August 22, 2018.

“After her delivery, precisely on August 27, 2018, the Alhaja from Saki came to the house with an Igbo woman and took her child away, while Mary Yawa was given to Omotoso in whose custody she was rescued.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service visited Stella’s house but did not meet her. Officers met a 25-year-old girl, Odunayo Abiodun, who claimed to be Stella’s area sister, and another 21-year-old pregnant lady, Esther Hadji.”

The comptroller said the heavily pregnant Hadji, a Togolese, claimed that she was brought to Stella’s ‘baby factory’ by her brother, Kodjo.

Abdullahi said the immigration and the police had been on a manhunt for Stella and the Alhaja from Saki.

With respect to him, Stella’s house was met under lock and key.

He promised that Stella and the Alhaja will soon be arrested and prosecuted.

The two victims and three accomplices were later handed over to the representatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in the presence of reporters.

Yawa told journalists that the Alhaja lied to her that the baby had been given to Adewale’s mother.

She, however, said she did not know the whereabouts of her baby and the said Adewale.

Hadji, on her part, stated that Stella told her brother, Kodjo, that she will help in taking care of the baby whenever she gave birth.

She said Stella later told her after four days of living with her that the baby will be collected from her and given to the mother of the person who impregnated her.

“I knew she was lying and I told her I would think about it,” Hadji stated.

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/shocking-baby-factory-discovered-in.html

The wife of the Kogi state Governor, Amina Bello, has been involved in a car accident at Kabba, the same area where the aircraft of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, crash-landed a week ago.

The Governor’s wife and everybody in her entourage were unhurt and safe.

The chief press secretary to the Governor, Onogwu Muhammed, confirmed the ugly incident and disclosed that the accident occurred around Oshokoshoko area of Kabba as the governor’s wife was on her way to Isanlu for a rally organised by a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

He said the Governor’s wife and her three aides survived the accident which occured in the morning of Saturday (today).

The aides are: Mrs Ejura Edward, the SSA on Women Affairs; Mrs Kelechi Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Women and Children to the Governor and Mrs Adesoro Olamide, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Governor’s wife.

He further said that, the state government thanked God for saving the Governor’s wife’s life and those of her aides.

With respect to him, “In appreciation to God Almighty for his faithfulness to the New Direction family, the Kogi state government wishes to announce that three aides to the governor and his wife survived an accident this morning.”

“The government appreciate God once again, that all persons are in perfect condition.

“The governor’s wife’s door-door campaign train continues with their rally to the western senatorial district after a successful two days outing in Kogi east.”

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/gov-bellos-wife-involved-in-car.html

The board of National Examinations Council (NECO) has released results of the 2018 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Abubakar Gana, the Acting Registrar of NECO, affirmed it in a statement yesterday.

Gana said 37,069 candidates, representing 62.48 per cent of the 59,963 candidates who sat for the examination, got five credits and above in both English Language and Mathematics.

He further stated that 44,497 candidates got either distinction or credit in English Language, while 47,151 candidates got either distinction or credit in Mathematics.

Further breakdown revealed that 47,031 candidates got five credits and above, irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.

However, 12,084 candidates were said to be involved in examination malpractice.

Because of this, 1,759 candidates had their results in English Language cancelled, while 1,967 had their results in Mathematics cancelled.

NECO also affirmed that Checker Cards would no longer be used.

It advised the candidates to log on to www.neco.gov.ng and click on NECO results.

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/12084-candidates-were-involved-in.html

The former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja has been discharged and acquitted by Justice Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos today. He was initially charged with N4.7 billion fraud.

Mr Waheed Akanbi, the Commissioner for Finance during Ladoja’s tenure, was also discharged and acquitted by Justice Idris.

Akanbi was charged to Court along with Ladoja.

Justice Idris who has been promoted to the Court of Appeal, but concluded the trial on a fiat, held that the prosecution does not establish ingredients of the charge against Gov. Ladoja and Waheed Akanbi.

Gov. Ladoja and Waheed Akanbi was re-arraigned on an 11- Count Charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), charge of money laundering and conversion of N4.7billion from Oyo State treasury to his personal use.

“EFCC shielded the main culprits from prosecution and meted “absolute injustice” to the defendants."

“I must state that this country cannot sustain the fight against corruption in the manner in which this case has been prosecuted, where those that should be proper defendants to the case are shielded away from prosecution and kept away from facing the law.

“This is unacceptable; this is injustice and this court will not partake in injustice.

“There is no doubt that corruption affects us all; it threatens sustainable economic development, ethical values and justice. Corruption distabilises society and endangers the rule of law,’’ the judge said in a 250-page judgment.

Idris held that there was the need for a fair and just prosecution of criminal cases in the fight against corruption.

“Prosecutors in this fight must be committed to promoting a justice system founded on fairness, equity, compassion and responsibility.

“In the light of all I have said, I find that the prosecution has not established counts one to 11 against the defendants beyond reasonable doubts.

“I am unable, in the circumstances, to find any of the defendants guilty on any or all of the counts as charged.

“The first and second defendants are, therefore, hereby discharged and acquitted on all counts,” he held.

He added that the case of the prosecution lacked credible evidence and was full of contradictions, adding that same was poorly prosecuted.

“I have examined 914 tendered documents forensically; if I have to read the entire judgment, we will leave here by 6p.m; so I will skip some.”

The judge added that the prosecution’s evidence was full of inconsistencies.

“The prosecution was not consistent in the amount of money allegedly missing in the sale of Oyo State’s shares; these contradictions were not explained during the trial.”

According to him, EFCC’s witnesses failed to provide credible evidence in the course of trial.

“The highest burden of proof before getting to ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ is of course clear and convincing evidence; the case of the prosecution is too low on credible evidence.

“The failure on the part of the prosecution to prove even one count of several ingredients of an offence means it has failed to prove the guilt of the offence beyond all reasonable doubts,” Idris held.

He said EFCC called witnesses who ought to have been charged with the alleged offence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution called six witnesses, and defence, six.

Evidence in the trial closed on Nov. 17, 2018, while the court adjourned for adoption of addresses.

Parties adopted final addresses on Jan. 21, and the court reserved its verdict.

In the charge, Ladoja and Akanbi were alleged to have conspired to siphon and launder N4.7 billion from the coffers of Oyo State Government.

The EFCC had accused them of converting N1.9 billion belonging to the state for their personal use through the account of a company known as Heritage Apartments Ltd.

The anti-graft agency had claimed that they retained the money sometime in 2007 in spite of their knowledge that it was proceeds from a criminal activity.

Ladoja was accused of removing 600,000 pounds from the state coffers in 2007 and sent to his daughter, Bimpe, in London.

In addition, the ex-governor was accused of converting N42 million belonging to the state for his personal use and subsequently used same to purchase an armoured Land Cruiser.

The EFCC added that Ladoja converted N728 million and N77 million at different times in 2007 for his personal use and transferred same to Bistrum Investments for the purchase of a property in Ibadan.

The offences were said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 14, 16, 17 (a) and 18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, according to the EFCC

NAN reports that the charge against Ladoja was first instituted in 2008.

Justice Idris is the third judge to handle the case after Justices I. M. Sanni and A. R. Mohammed.

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/ladoja-discharged-and-acquitted-of.html

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has, yesterday, suspended the over three months-old strike it embarked upon since November 4, 2018.

The union suspended the strike after the signing of memorandum of Action, MoA, it reached with the Federal government on the revitalisation of public universities.

Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, the ASUU National President pronounced the suspension of the strike, he further stated that, the union had embarked on the strike to "stem the continued slide into rot and decay in public universities since the 1980s."

He however described the unpatriotic attitudes of some university chancellors whom he said tried to sabotage the union’s struggle towards ensuring that universities in the country are revitalised.

The full Statement is giving below;

"ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT. TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU), THURSDAY, 7TH FEBRUARY, 2019, AT NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS HEADQUARTERS, PASCAL BAFYAU HOUSE, ABUJA

Protocol

Friends and compatriots of the Press, On Sunday, 4th November, 2018, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) resumed its strike action which was conditionally suspended on 14th September, 2017.

The action of 2017 was suspended following the signing of a Memorandum of Action (MoA) in which the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) promised to address the contentious issues within a timeline that was to end in October 2017.

While announcing the suspension of the nationwide action, however, our Union made it categorically clear that “ASUU will not hesitate to review its position should government renege on the signed Memorandum of Action”.

Predictably, Government implemented the MoA in the breach, thereby forcing ASUU to resume the suspended strike action.

Comrades and compatriots, as we have always argued, the last thing ASUU members love doing is to cause disruption in smooth intellectual engagements with colleagues, friends and students right on our university campuses.

This has nothing to do with the dubious advertorial of “non-disruption of academic calendar” by proprietors and administrators of some cash-and-carry universities and other self-styled enemies of ASUU.

Rather, it is about deep-seated pains members of the Union undergo to prevent strike actions and the equally painful consequences strike situations bring to all who are genuinely averse to the mercantile disposition to university education.

Why Strike Action? The question has been asked time and time again: Why does ASUU like embarking on strike action that causes disruption and dislocation in the universities?

However, ASUU is strongly convinced that if academics fail to fight the cause of university education, the fate that befell public primary and secondary schools would soon become the lot of the public university system in Nigeria.

ASUU’s advocacy on the need to stem the continued slide into rot and decay in public universities since the 1980s has fallen on deaf ears. Our experience, as a trade union, shows that successive governments in Nigeria always entered into negotiated agreements only to placate those pleading the cause – be it education, health, transportation, employment or any other issue of meaningful living.

This proclivity of the Nigerian ruling class, irrespective of which wing of the insensitive stock they belong, must be continually be tracked, engaged and resisted by all people of goodwill.

ASUU ‘s action strike, which started on 4th November, 2018, was situated in the context of accumulated records of indifference and lackadaisical attitude of Government to negotiated agreements with the Union.

At our media interaction in University of Lagos on 23rd December, 2018, we highlighted the outstanding issues in the crisis to include the following:

– Funding for the revitalization of Public Universities based on the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2012, 2013 and the MoA of 2017

– Reconstitution of the current Government Team to allow for a leader and Chairman of the FG-ASUU Renegotiating team who has the interest of the nation and the people at heart.

– Release of the forensic audit report on Earned Academic allowances (EAA), offsetting the outstanding balance of the EAA and mainstreaming of same into the 2018 budget.

– Payment of all arrears of shortfall in all universities that have met the verification requirements of the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA)

– Provision of a platform by the federal government for ASUU to engage Governors on the proliferation of universities, underfunding of university education and undue interference in the affairs of the universities

– Release of PFA operational license to NUPEMCO

– Payment of EAA to loyal ASUU members at the University of Ilorin A new Memorandum of Action and Our Resolution To date, ASUU has had a total of ten (10) interactive meetings with representatives of FGN which have culminated into a Memorandum of Action of

2019.

Highlights of the MoA include the following:

In addition to the N20 billion for 2018, the sum of N25 billion only would be released in April/May 2019, after which government would resume full implementation of the MoU of 2013.
Part-payment of the outstanding arrears of the earned academic allowances; defraying the balance up to 2018 in 4 tranches within 36 months; and mainstreaming further payments of EAA into the annual budgets beginning from 2019 budget.
PICA verification and the release of the arrears of salary shortfall at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, not later than 15th February 2019.
Strengthening the Consultative Committee on State-owned Universities (CCSOU), inaugurated on Monday, 28th January, 2019 to look into the issues of proliferation, underfunding and governance to consistently deliver on its mandate.
Payment of the outstanding EAA arrears of all eligible staff in the University of Ilorin, especially the loyal ASUU members whose appointments were illegally terminated by today, 7th February, 2019.
Acknowledgement and appreciation of Government for facilitating the release of the final letter of approval for the granting of operational license to NUPEMCO.
Visitation to all Federal Universities would commence tentatively by 11th March, 2019.
Provision of documented guidelines on procedures and roles of parties in the process of renegotiating FGN-ASUU Agreement of 2009 which would commence not later than 18th February 2019 and end by Friday 29th March 2019.
Based on the initial proposals from Government, the Union made extensive consultations through its various organs. The final level of consultation was the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) which took place 6th-7th February 2019.

NEC resolved that: Following a careful review of the report of engagements with the Federal Government on proposals for addressing all outstanding in the 2013 MoU and 2017 MoA, NEC resolved that the current strike action by the Union should be suspended conditionally with effect from 12.01 a.m on Friday 8th February 2019.

However, should Government fail to fulfill its part of the agreement as reflected in the 2019 Memorandum of Action, ASUU shall resume its suspended strike action as the Union deems necessary.

Conclusion

ASUU notes, with serious concern, the covert and overt roles of some vice-chancellors in the management and application of funds attracted by our Union to Nigeria’s public universities.

Consequently, we condemn, in the strongest terms, Vice-Chancellors who have made efforts to undermine and, in some cases, attempted to break our patriotic struggles for the revitalisation of public universities in Nigeria.

ASUU will not shy away from taking headlong those Vice-Chancellors who are reputed for acts of impunity, nepotism and other forms of conduct which are antithetic to university culture and the progressive development of our universities.

Our union will compile all their shenanigans and forward them to relevant authorities for further action.

Finally, ASUU acknowledges the understanding and support demonstrated by patriotic Nigerian students and their parents all through the strike period.

We equally appreciate the comradely assistance from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), represented by the newly re-elected President, Comrade Ayuba Waba, who has stood by us throughout the struggle.

We also acknowledge the solidarity of the civil society organisations, especially the Joint Action Front (JAF) and the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), and members of the progressive wing of the media who have consistently partnered with us in our mission to rescue Nigerian public universities from imminent collapse.

While we put a closure to this phase of the struggle, it is our hope and desire that the Nigerian governments (Federal and State) will play the roles expected of them in order to make the new Memorandum work.

We shall never abandon our obligation to ensure the survival of a sound university system.

For ASUU, the struggle certainly continues!

Thank you for listening.

Biodun Ogunyemi

President

7th February 2018”


Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/ASUU-gave-reason-for-calling-off-strike.html

It was an historic event yesterday when the Bayo Youth Organization Train Keep Oyo State Clean in a way of mobilizing Support for the APC Governorship Candidates and all other Candidates in the Coming Election.

The Operation Keep Oyo Clean is a umbrella under the leadership of Madam Fatima Hassan Adeleke, the Special Adviser to Governor Ajimobi on Students Affairs, the B.A.Y.O team had State Executives and Zonal Coordinators in the Political 5 Zones in Oyo State.

The masses who received the B.A.Y.O team with great joy and enthusiasm was surprised that, this is the first of its kind which took place simultaneously in all the Zones in Oyo State.

Read more on;
https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/osschallenge-bayo-team-surprises-masses.html

Douglas Costa, the Brazilian maestro who is a £54 million target for Manchester United was miraculously not injured after the incident.

According to Corriere Torino, the collision happened between Livorno Ferraris and Santhia in the province of Vercelli, on the Turin-Milan motorway.

Costa was on the trip in a Jeep Cherokee when the vehicle crashed into a Fiat Punto.

"Douglas Costa involved in an accident. Nobody got injured pic.twitter.com/1TH3zkNdxj

— The Most GuardioLa (@frankewusi123) February 4, 2019"

The driver of the Fiat, who is 47 years old was taken to Biella Hospital after suffering injuries, nevertheless the severity of his status has not been revealed.

It is not clear how the crash started, with the accident being investigated by the Novara Est traffic police.

Source: https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/photo-speaks-juventus-star-escapes.html

In its capacity to make healthcare affordable, the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, OYSHIA, yesterday, announced that it is targeting to get 450,000 residents of the state in its health insurance scheme program.

This was made known by Dr. Olusola Akande, the Executive Secretary of the agency, during the opening of a two-day media dialogue on the theme: Improving Access and Uptake of Healthcare for Children and Women through Social Insurance Scheme in Oyo State, which was organised by the state Ministry of Information in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) and OYSHIA, in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

While emphasizing the importance of the health insurance, Dr. Akande pointed out that the scheme was setting money aside to enhance the heath care delivery in the state, while one is medically okay, adding that it became important for people to visit doctors as occasion demands with the intention of determining one’s health condition.

Describing health insurance as guide against financial hazards, spreading of risks and pooling of risk to ensure that people remain healthy with little financial resources, the executive secretary upheld that healthcare was not curative alone, but also preventive, adding that health insurance changes the health-seeking habit of an individual.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. (Mrs) Adebola, the Health Specialist of United Nation International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, Akure Field Office, expressed sadness that the state has only 22 medical doctors engaged by the Oyo state government.

She noted that the state has 248 nurses/midwives, 166 community health workers, 922 community health extension workers and 747 health assistants, emphasizing that no child should be left in increasing access to healthcare.

Source: https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/oyo-health-insurance-scheme-450000-to.html

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday refuted claims that it has called off the ongoing strike.

ASUU stated this while urging the public to “ignore any announcement” that the industrial action has been called off.

A Twitter user @Buiketalk had stated: “After @officialEFCC that year, @ASUUNGR is becoming my favourite public service twitter handle.”

Responding to the tweet through its official Twitter handle, ASUU made open that its resolution after the last meeting with representatives of the Federal Government will be made public on Thursday.

“We pray it remains so after the union calls off this industrial action.

“Meanwhile, ignore any announcements as to @ASUUNGR calling off the strike today.

“Our response to the delegation of @SenChrisNgige will be made available on Thursday, 7th February 2019,” ASUU tweeted.

This is coming after the speech made by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu who gave assurance that the ongoing industrial action will be called off before Monday, today.

He made the statement on Saturday to the pressmen.

Source: https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/ASUU-promise-major-announcement-on.html

No fewer than two people died in a bloody clash between suspected political hoodlums at an All Progressives’ Congress, APC, campaign rally in Igboora area of Oyo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the incident occurred immediately after the rally held at the old motor park in Igboora on Saturday evening.

NAN reports that the campaign train, led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, had commenced with a road show from Lanlate through Igboora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa and Igangan before the ralies at Igboora, Eruwa and Omi-Adio.

It was a peaceful rally which saw the governor and the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, acknowledging cheers from supporters who had thronged the streets to show solidarity for the party.

Trouble, however, started immediately after the rally in Igboora as suspected political hoodlums engaged in a bloody clash which left one dead.

NAN reports that another innocent resident, identified to be a younger brother to an APC leader in the community, was hit by a stray bullet and eventually gave up the ghost.

How crisis started

Eyewitnesses told NAN that some suspected hoodlums had accosted the APC governorship candidate to demand for money but were blocked by another group of hoodlums.

This, witnesses said, resulted in heated arguments which later led to the free for all.

The incident had since resulted in counter allegations and reactions from political parties and residents.

While APC accused opposition parties of being behind the mayhem, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, asked APC to look inwards for the perpetrators.

In a statement, the APC Communication team said: “Guns were freely displayed by thugs alleged to have been arranged and sponsored by the PDP and some other parties to carry out the dastardly act.

“The mayhem eventually cost two lives. One of which is a younger brother to the leader of our party, Alhaji Olayide Abas. We hereby charge security agencies to investigate and unravel the killers of the deceased.

“It is important to note that the PDP has continually incited the people to cause trouble, having realised that the game is over. The PDP is among the parties that masterminded the mayhem.”

Some opposition party members, who spoke to NAN, described the incident as very pathetic, saying the APC should investigate itself on the mayhem.

They said that several other opposition parties in the state had visited the community to campaign without violence or bloodshed.

Also, some residents of the community frowned at the sorrowful incident, describing it as a return of thuggery and brigandage to the state.

They told NAN that the people of the community were not desperate people and have always lived peacefully with each other, irrespective of political affiliations.

Spokesman for Oyo State Police Command, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, did not respond to NAN calls and text messages at the time of filing this report.

Source: https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/oyo-apc-rally-two-dead-several-injured.html

A peace deal between the government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and 14 rebel groups in the region has been struck after talks in Sudan, this was announced by the officials.

The deal was pronounced by the UN mission in Central African Republic, known as Minusca, and the African Union (AU), which both sponsored the talks in Khartoum.

"This is a great day for Central African Republic and all its people," Smail Chergui, the AU Commisioner said.

The government said the peace deal will soon be signed in Bangui.

The details of the agreement have not been released and analysts caution because all the former peace deals have all collapsed.

Central African Republic, which is not stable since gaining independence from France in 1960, was plunged into turmoil in 2013 when Muslim rebels from the Seleka umbrella group grabbed power in the majority-Christian country.

A band of mostly Christian militias, called the anti-Balaka, arose to counter the Seleka.

Thousands have lost their life due to the violence and over one million internally displaced. An estimated 570,000 people have fled abroad.

"We have finalised a peace agreement in Khartoum, enabling the people of Central African Republic to embark on a path of reconciliation, agreement and development," This was tweeted by Mr Chergui yesterday.

"#Centrafrique: I am humbled to announce that with the exemplary cooperation I received from both the Government of the CAR(@GouvCF) and the 14 armed groups, we have secured a #peace agreement today in the interest of the people of #CAR. #AfricanInitiative https:///depHqmN8n5"


The government of President Faustin-Archange Touadera also made the confirmation of the agreement on Twitter.

"This agreement should be initialled tomorrow (Sunday) and its signing will take place in Bangui in a few days," the tweet stated.

A spokesperson for the FPRC armed faction said consensus had been reached on sticking points which included an amnesty for militia fighters and an inclusive government.

"We were able to agree on what is essential for the Central African Republic - peace. We hope this agreement will bring back social cohesion to the country," Abakar Sabom stated.

Source: https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/central-african-republic-approve-peace.html

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of Nigeria, spoke to Nigerians following his ghastly air accident.

The Vice President whose accident came as a shock to many people and threw Nigerians into a confused psychological state, thanked the almighty God for delivering him and boasted that his party, All Progressives Congress, APC, will continue with their ‘Next Level’ engagements and plans for Kogi State.

Read more on:
https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/osinbajo-speaks-after-chopper-crash.html

The Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday morning arrested 19 suspected internet swindlers in Ologuneru and Akobo areas of Ibadan, Oyo State.

It was made known by Tony Orilade, the commission’s acting Head, Media and Publicity in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

With respect to him, 15 of the suspects were nabbed at Ologuneru area while the remaining 4 were arrested at Akobo area.

"All the suspects who are between the ages of 21 and 35 were arrested at their hideout in the early hours of Friday.

"The commission got wind of their activities following series of intelligence report.

"Which alleged that they engage in various fraudulent activities ranging from obtaining money by false pretences through sending of scam emails to unsuspecting victims.

"Some are engaged in romance scam on several dating sites.

"Among the things recovered from the suspects included four exotic cars, five laptops, 20 telephones, including 10 iPhones and one small bag containing items suspected to be fetish objects.

"Others are several documents, including international passports and ATM cards.

"SIM cards, one exotic car, laptops, telephones, female under-wears and four bags of fetish objects were recovered from four of the suspects arrested for cyber crimes at Akobo area.

"The suspects are: Babatunde Afeez, Akorede Olalekan, Adeleye Damilola and Moshod Richard.

"Others are Bamidele Samson, Bamidele Philip, Tunji Sowale, Bololaji Olalekan and Abdulrauf Abiodun, Olaleye Pelumi and Anuokuwapo Olanrewaju.

"The remaining ones are: Paul Damilola, Olateye Tobi, Arewa Ibrahim, Oyesanmi Oluwaseun, Olaleye Israel, Adediran Kemisola, Omobolade Alarape and Olowolusi Oluwatomisin," he stated.

He further Said that, all the Suspects will soon be charged to the Court.

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/19-yahoo-boys-arrested-in-ibadan-by.html

Suspected herdsmen, have shot dead, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, at Umuachi-Afor community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State.

It was learned that the police officer, who, until his death, was attached to the Ashaka police divisional headquarters, had led a team of police officers in search of the herdsmen who had been terrorizing the area with kidnapping activities when he met with his untimely death yesterday.

Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, while confirming the incident, said: “We had a situation where someone was abducted and that took our men into the bush in search of the hoodlums.

“On their way, they were ambushed by the armed herdsmen who, in fact, opened fire on the police rescue team. In the process, the ASP was hit by bullets.

Aniamaka, nevertheless, refused to disclose the identity of the deceased police officer, saying “His family is not yet aware of the development.” He said the officer died in the hospital where he was rushed to for treatment.

With respect to him, “There is reinforcement into the bush and we are getting support from the local vigilante team.”

Source:
https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/02/herdsmen-attack-police-rescue-team-kill.html

The Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, announced that its operatives had apprehended a 45-year-old man, Idowu Owolabi, for supposedly raping his 21 years old daughter.

Idowu Owolabi, who has three wives, was alleged of having carnal knowledge of his daughter since a year ago.

Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state Police Public Relations Officer, said this in a statement made available to reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.

Abimbola Oyeyemi said both the suspect and the victim were residents of the Papa Olosun area of Oja-Odan in the Yewa South Local Government Area of the state.

Abimbola Oyeyemi, the PPRO explained that Owolabi was arrested on January 28, 2019, after a complaint by the victim at the Oja-Odan Divisional Police Headquarters.

He said, “The victim reported that she followed her father to the farm at Fagboun village and the said father forcefully had carnal knowledge of her right there on the farm sometime in March 2018.

“She stated further that since then, her father had continuously been having unlawful carnal knowledge of her with a threat that he would kill her if she dared tell anybody about it.

“Upon the report, the DPO Oja-Odan, CSP Olayemi Jacob, led his detectives to the suspect’s residence, where he was promptly arrested.

“On interrogation, the suspect, who was said to be married to three different women, confessed to the crime but blamed it on the devil.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation and possible prosecution of the suspect.”

Source:
https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/01/shocking-man-with-three-wives-rapes.html

In the August Visit of the Vice President wife, Her Excellency, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo which was represented in Ibarapa Central.

Hon. Yusuff Olatunji has disclosed that, prior to unfounding rumors being spread by the opposition Parties in the Local Government, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is busy canvassing throughout the Federation to have People's support.

The Excerpt of his statement was giving below;

"The 'rigging' plan of the APC has been uncovered in Ibarapa Central LGA as Her Excellency, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo (ably represented) parleyed market men and women at Oja - Oba, Igboora. A multimodal analysis of the photographs attached to this post will succinctly reveal the open-secret of the 'rigging' plan. Don't let me leave you guessing;

INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN that showcases the achievements of the APC led government is the plan. The turnout at all local events of the APC in the LG shows that the party has wormed itself into the hearts of people; and this has endeared them to the ruling party. No shaking, people are ready to move to the NEXT LEVEL!" He concluded.

Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/01/hon-yusuff-olatunji-azeez-mocks.html

Almost 5,000 low-paid Bangladeshi garment workers sewing clothes for global brands have been sacked by factory bosses for being part of the strike over wages earlier this month that turned violent.

Thousands of labourers walked out of factory floors throughout the country in days-long protests that disrupted the $30bn industry and saw police fire tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters.

More than 50 injured in clashes in Ashulia and one worker was killed, a key industrial town outside Dhaka where clothes are sewn for retail giants H&M, Walmart and many others.

Police reported that, thousands of factory workers accused of vandalism and looting during the demonstrations have been fired, but unions have alleged the industry of intimidation and a crackdown.

"So far the factories have dismissed 4,899 workers due to the unrest," a senior police officer told the reporters on condition of anonymity.

Source:
https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/01/nearly-5000-bangladeshi-garment-workers.html

The main opposition Party in Nigeria, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday alerted of moves by certain agents of the Federal Government to supposedly bribe Senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defend President Muhammadu Buhari from inevitable parliamentary sanctions for gross misconduct and constitutional breaches.

Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP spokesperson, in a statement said intelligence available to the party “shows that this is the reason the Presidency summoned all APC senators to a clandestine meeting on Monday night, ahead of the Senate’s resumption on Tuesday.”

He said the PDP have been told of how the Buhari Presidency has been unsettled after the international and national outcry over his constitutional breaches, especially the assault on the judiciary in his attempt to forcefully remove the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen and impose a pliable CJN to do his command.

The statement stated: “President Buhari is not only apprehensive that the Senate might sanction him for violating the constitution and usurping its statutory duties regarding the handling of issues related to a CJN, the parliament might also open an inquest into how President Buhari, who parades as Mr. Integrity, allegedly procured an Order from the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) upon which he announced the illegal suspension of the CJN.

“There are reports that the said order is suspicious and subject to investigation, being not argued or issued in the open court; following which a distressed Buhari Presidency now seeks to corrupt and undermine the Senate.

“The PDP has been made aware of how money has been moved from the coffers of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to bribe the APC senators, as well as how each APC senator has been offered huge sums of money in foreign currency to engage in heckling during the session, particularly when the matter is raised.

“However, the PDP wants the APC senators to note that the issue at hand is not partisan; it is not even about Justice Walter Onnoghen, but about nationhood, as well as the protection of our democracy and constitution from despotism.

“The Buhari Presidency is bent on corrupting our democratic institutions but Nigerians are watching the action of our lawmakers at this critical time.”


Source:

https://www.adekkatv.com/2019/01/onnoghen-pdp-discloses-what-apc-buhari.html