₦airaland Forum

•Says being governor doesn’t give him monopoly over Rivers

•Atiku, Rivers governor to meet in Paris amid rumour the latter is flirting with Tinubu

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, yesterday, dismissed the idea of reconciliation between the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar. Lamido said no one had offended the embittered governor of the oil rich state.

The former foreign affairs minister also sent a subliminal message to Wike, who often took pride in his supposed control of Rivers State, saying being governor is not an indication that he also has monopoly over the state.

Nonetheless, Atiku and Wike were set to meet in Paris, in furtherance of moves to resolve the post-presidential primary crisis rocking PDP. That was amid rumour that Wike was already frolicking with the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The former Jigawa State governor, who spoke on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, said PDP should leave Wike alone, because if anyone had offended him at all, it was the convention, and not any individual.

Describing Wike as an emperor in Rivers, Lamido said those who had so far visited the governor as part of a reconciliatory move between him and Atiku were well-wishers, who did so at their individual levels.

Lamido stated, “Listen, get this very well, those who met are simply well-wishers. They are not known from the party, but well-wishers of both Atiku and Wike.

“Now, the convention produced a candidate, who won the primaries. If there is any offence, it is the convention, who offended Wike and not Atiku, not party Chairman, not anybody.

“If he attacks the convention, which produced him as governor on two occasions, and produced his candidate for governorship and other positions in Rivers State, that means there is a problem. So, nobody has offended anybody.

“Those who are meeting with Wike are well-wishers of Atiku, who want peace in the PDP. They are not for PDP but for Atiku, as a person and not as a candidate. Wike is a PDP man and he says he wants to reconcile, reconcile with who? Who offended who?”

When asked if he was sure Wike would not leave the party or work against Atiku in next year’s election, Lamido said, “Wike is an individual, I don’t think, because he is a governor there, he has a total monopoly of the whole Rivers State.

“He was too bombastic. ‘I will not allow this, I will not allow this’, which one will he allow? Please, leave Wike alone. He has the right to do whatever he wants. He is the emperor in Rivers and is only speaking because he is a bluff.”

However, on the peace meeting between Atiku and Wike, a reliable source told THISDAY that the decision to meet in Paris was to avoid prying eyes and make the peace meeting tension-free.

It was learnt that Atiku left Nigeria yesterday, after attending the 62nd Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Lagos.

THISDAY gathered that the meeting in Paris became necessary following the deadlock on the peace talks between the camps of Atiku and Wike last Friday in Port Harcourt.

Should the meeting between Atiku and Wike hold as planned, it would be the second face-to-face meeting between the former vice president and the Rivers State governor since the crisis broke.

The disagreement followed the PDP presidential primary, which Wike believed he was poised to win, but for an alleged gang up that he thought was from the very top in the party. The first meeting was at the private residence of former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana, in Abuja.

The crisis, at the moment, seems intractable, hence the personal intervention of Atiku to attempt to reach a resolution on the main issues in dispute. It was not known if their supporters were participating in the meeting.

Wike’s team, it was gathered, insisted that the national chairman of PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, must resign as a precondition for further discussion.

Former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, had led the Wike team during the meeting, while the Atiku team was led by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State.

Speaking on the outcome of their Port Harcourt meeting held recently, a source told THISDAY, “It is already out there. Ayu must go was given as a condition precedent to settlement and parties were told to consult their principals again for further consultation.

“By implications, it simply means that the meeting is deadlocked. Although Atiku’s team promised to convey Wike’s position to their principal and revert.”

Apart from Mimiko, others at the meeting representing Wike were former governors Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, his counterpart in Cross River, Donald Duke, and former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Bello Adoke.

Fintiri, who led the Atiku camp, had on his team a former PDP governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, and former senior special assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Aliyu Ndabawa.

Speaking after the meeting, Fintiri said, “Yes, we are aware that Nigerians are anxious and waiting for us to take over in 2023. We have met as leaders and members of same political family and have open discussions. It is a work-in-progress and we will continue.”

Mimiko, on his part, said, “This is a reconciliatory process. There are issues discussed and we will further discuss.”

THISDAY gathered that the main issue on the part of the Wike camp was the question of inclusiveness. He said all his supporters should be carried along in the electioneering expected to kick off September 29.

“We are waiting for a green light from the reconciliatory camps to enable the party summon the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to approve membership of the presidential campaign council of the party,” a PDP source said.

Last Thursday, at a meeting of the PDP National Working Committee, THISDAY was told that members of the NWC asked Ayu to seek audience with Wike as a way to end the crisis.

A source at the meeting told THISDAY that some NWC members volunteered to go with Ayu to see Wike as a team, but Ayu rejected the idea of either going to see Wike or speaking to him.

A formal statement from Ayu’s media office last week had stated, “We restate, therefore, that the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has not resigned and has no plan of resigning. For clarity and emphasis, he was elected for a tenure of four years.”

The relationship between Ayu and Wike went awry after the presidential convention, when Ayu described the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, as the hero of the convention for stepping down at the last minute for Atiku, handing him victory.

SOURCE
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/08/24/lamido-no-one-has-offended-wike-no-basis-for-reconciliation/

Mooh247:
Ogbomosho is about to get a well educated monarch like Ibadan and Ile Ife

Ogbomoso got the first educated Monarch in 1955 and the immediate Late Soun of Ogbomosoland was well educated and very successful businessman that stood tall amongst his contemporaries then.

SOUN STOOL: A 60 YEARS OLD FRONTLINE PRINCE, AFOLABI GHANDI OLAOYE, AN ENTREPRENEUR WHO HAS TRAVELLED TO OVER 65 COUNTRIES, HONOURED BY OBAMA, OBASANJO.

The name Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye recently gained popularity following the vacancy created by the demise of Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, on December 12, 2021.

Ghandi Olaoye, a Prince of Olaoye Ruling House, whose family’s turn it is to produce the next Soun, like others, threw his hat in the to vie for the coveted seat. The process for the selection of a new monarch for the ancient town is still on with the battlefield now shifted to the court of the kingmakers.

Of the several contending princes, this man, Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, has shot into the limelight and has no doubt attained the status of ‘a leading candidate.’

His profile made available to ogbomosoinsightonline.com is presented below, unedited.

Ghandi Olaoye is a visionary leader, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. He is known for his immense commitment to excellence and leadership skills, Ghandi is the CEO of Peculiar People Management (PPM) and GihonRiv Limited, which are Management and Human Resource Consulting Companies based in Lagos, Nigeria and Dallas, USA.

He is the Chairman and Cofounder of Great Places to Work Institute, Nigeria, a global research and management consultancy company that recognizes the best workplaces in over 56 countries worldwide and provides premier business and advisory services.

In addition, he is the Chairman of both Quest Oil & Gas (ASCON Oil) an independent marketer of petroleum products (storage, distribution and sales) in Nigeria, and Quest Engineering Company a value-driven energy company providing eco-friendly and innovative services in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.

Ghandi served on the Board of National Council on Privatization (NCP) which is also the Board of Bureau of Public Enterprise (B.P.E) (2017-2021)
Ghandi is a member of the Board of Trustees of Strategy for Mentoring Initiative & Leadership Empowerment (S.M.I.L.E), a young entrepreneurship for development and a non-profit organization.

He serves on the board of A Smile on Their Faces Initiative (a non-profit initiative focus group for people living with disabilities).
He was a Co-Founder and Member of the Board of Directors at Adams Smith Investment & Financial Company, Ikoyi, Lagos between 1990-1994.

Ghandi was a member of the Board of Directors and Co-Founder at Touchmark Saving & Loan Lagos (1992-1995)
He was also a Co-Founder and Member of the Board of Directors at Dunamis Finance Company (1991-1995)
In January 2009, Ghandi was invited to serve as an Advisor and Council Member on the Council for New Americans by the Maryland State Governor of the United States of America, Governor Martin OMalley. While he served a four-year tenure on the council, he assisted the Governor to form policies on immigrant integration into the state of Maryland.

Ghandi served as the Chairman over a real estate development project in Floyd, Texas USA, where he oversaw the development of over 700 acres of a campus which comprised of a college, housing estate, and a 20,000 Seater Auditorium.

An Associate of the International Third World Leaders Association (ITWLA) chaired by the late Dr Myles Munroe, a forum created for the exchange of cross-cultural ideas globally. He represented Myles Munroe international in Nigeria for over 10 years.

Mr. Olaoye is an influential community leader recognized both in Nigeria by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2001 and in the United States of America by President Barack Obama in 2011.

He is the recipient of various awards which include the Youth Empowerment and Positive Mentoring of Africans in the Diaspora Award which was conferred by the African Business Roundtable in December 2008.

He has been featured in many newspapers and electronic media.

He graduated in 1982 from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria (formerly known as University of Ife) with a BA Honors in English and Literary Studies; he holds a Masters degree (MILR) in Industrial and Labor Relations with emphasis on Human Resource Management from Nigerias premiere University, University of Ibadan (1987).

Ghandi was born on August 23rd 1961, he enjoys traveling and has been to over 65 countries in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Pacific Islands and Africa. His other interests include: swimming and playing scrabble.
Ghandi Olaoye is an ordained minister, and he is married with two children.

Femi Ogunlana
Ogbomosoinsight

ogbomosoinsightonline.com

CBDC:
Please I need your fervent, prayers help and suggestions.

I am battling with weak errection and low sperm. My sperm is not thick and the color is very different from what sperm color should be.

Please what drugs or treatment can you suggest. Please help a bro.

You need to go for a test. Then don't be panicked...you just need to go for a test at a reputable hospital that will refer you to a reputable lab

slimfit1:
Complete waste of money

Why and How please?

[quote author=NwaNimo1 post=103757881][/quote]Like Father Like son...same stup*dity like El-rufai son (Bello)

Abacha didn't die from eating poisoned apple from prostitutes - Former Chief Security Officer, Major Al-Mustapha narrates how Abacha died

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd), former Chief Security Officer (CSO) of late Head of State General Sani Abacha, has debunked popular claim of his former principal dying from eating a poisoned apple from prostitutes.

Al-Mustapha who narrated how his late boss died in an interview with ThisDay, said the sudden collapse of the health system of Abacha started on June 7, 1998, right from the Abuja International Airport, immediately after one of the security personnel who accompanied President Yasser Arafat of Palestine shook hands with him.

Narrating how Abacha died, the former CSO said;

“Shortly after the hand shake, I noticed the change in the countenance of the late Commander-in-Chief, and I immediately informed the Aide-de-Camp, Lt. Col. Abdallah, who advised that we keep a close watch on him.

“Later in the evening of June 8, 1998, around 6 p.m., his doctor came around and administered an injection to stabilise him. He was advised to have a short rest.

“Happily enough, by 9p.m., he was bouncing and receiving visitors until much later when General Jeremiah Useni, the then minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), came to see him. He was fond of the Head of State. They were very good friends. They stayed and chatted together till about 3.35a.m.

“A friend of the house was with me in my office and as he was bidding me farewell, he came back to inform me that the FCT Minister, Useni, was out of the Head of State’s Guest House within the Villa. I then decided to inform the ADC and other security guards that I would be on my way home to prepare for the early morning event at the International Conference Centre.

“At about 5 a.m., the security guards ran to my quarters to inform me that Abacha was very unstable. At first, I thought it was a coup attempt. Immediately I prepared myself fully for any eventuality.

“As an intelligence officer and the Chief Security Officer to the Head of State for that matter, I devised some means of diverting the attention of the security boys from my escape route by asking my wife to continue chatting with them at the door. She was in the house while the boys were outside. From there, I got to the Guest House of the Head of State before them.

“When I got to the bedside of the Head of State, he was already gasping. Ordinarily, I could not just touch him. It was not allowed in our job. But under the situation, I knelt close to him and shouted: ‘General Sani Abacha, Sir, please grant me permission to touch and carry you.

“I again knocked at the stool beside the bed and shouted in the same manner, yet he did not respond. I then realised that there was a danger. I immediately called the Head of State’s personal physician, Dr. Wali, who arrived in the place in eight minutes from his house. He immediately gave oga (Abacha) two doses of injection, one at the heart and another close to his neck. This did not work apparently as the Head of State had turned very cold.

“He then told me that the Head of State was dead, and that nothing could be done after all. So I asked the personal physician to remain with the dead body while I dashed home to be fully prepared for the problems that might arise from the incident.

“As soon as I informed my wife, she collapsed and burst into tears. I secured my house and ran back to where Abacha was. At that point, the Aide-de-Camp had been contacted by me, and we decided that great caution must be taken in handling the grave situation.

“Again, I must reiterate that the issue of my boss dying on women was a great lie just as the insinuation that Abacha ate and died of poisoned apple was equally a wicked lie.

“It was at this point that I used our special communication gadgets to diplomatically invite the Service Chiefs, military governors and some few elements purportedly to a meeting with the Head of State by 9 a.m. at the Council Chamber.

“That completed, I also decided to talk to some former Nigerian leaders to inform them that Abacha would like to meet them by 9 a.m.

“The situation became charged when one of the Service Chiefs, Lieutenant General Ishaya Rizi Bamaiyi (rtd), who pretended to be with us, suggested he be made the new Head of State after we had quietly informed him of the death of Abacha. He even suggested we should allow him access to Chief MKO Abiola.

“We smelt a rat, and other heads of security agencies, on hearing this, advised I move Abiola to a safer place. I managed to do this in spite of the fact that I had been terribly overwhelmed with the crisis at hand.

“But then, when some junior officers over heard the suggestion of one of the Service Chiefs earlier mentioned, it was suggested to me that we should finish all the members of the Provisional Ruling Council and give the public an excuse that there was a meeting of the PRC during which a shoot-out occurred between some members of the Provisional Ruling Council and the body guards to the Head of State.

“When I sensed that we would be contending with far more delicate issues than the one on ground, I talked to Generals Buba Marwa and Ibrahim Sabo (all retired), who both promptly advised us-the junior officers- against any bloodshed. They advised we contact General Ibrahim Babangida, who equally advised against any bloodshed, but that we should support the most senior officer in the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) to be the new Head of State.

“Since the words of our elders are words of wisdom, we agreed to support General Jeremiah Useni. Along the line, Bamaiyi lampooned me, saying: ‘Can’t you put two and two together to be four? Has it not occurred to you that Useni, who was the last man with the Head of State, might have poisoned him, knowing well that he was the most senior officer in the PRC?”

https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2021/6/abacha-didnt-die-from-eating-poisoned-apple-from-prostitutes-former-chief-security-officer-major-al-mustapha-narrates-how-abacha-died.html

The battle is of the Lord and you shall be conqueror. Throughout and after the surgery GOD shall be with you and you shall be more stronger.

Trust Me, Something Fishy is Going On - PENDULUM BY DELE MOMODU

Fellow Nigerians let me start by saying that I hate conspiracy theories generally. The reason is simple. They are like superstitions. They are not capable of any logical, rational, scientific analysis or basis yet people have wholesale beliefs in them. They consider them to be true, even though they know they are stranger than fiction. It is almost impossible not to engage in all manner of guesswork, speculation and conjecture in Nigeria. The rumour-mill is one of the most vibrant, and sometimes lucrative, pastimes in our clime. Indeed, rumour mongering is a national pastime at which Nigerians excel and shine in all their glory. Nigeria is a country where all tales are believable, no matter how improbable!

Please, forgive me because I’m about to indulge in some high-level conspiracy theories myself. These particular theories have risen above the realm of mere conjecture to attain the level of first faction and then reality, because of the many times they have been avowed and disavowed and the blurring of falsehood, fake news and truth that has thus been occasioned. By the time I’m done, I’m sure you will understand my predicament and appreciate my acute frustration.

Just as much as the allegations of massive corruption levelled against the Jonathan government, the other major reason he was sacked as President was the spate of rising insecurity, insurgency and banditry in most parts of the country. The abduction of the young and innocent Chibok girls from their secondary school and the way they literally vamoosed from the surface of the earth was like the last straw that broke the camel’s back and it obviously helped to quicken the downfall of that government at the polls. It was impossible not to view the government as irredeemably clueless from that moment onwards. The hype and media frenzy generated by the incident, and the blame and guilt laid at the doorstep of the forlorn, gormless and doomed government, was so huge that it soon became a global fad, with national and international celebrities and human rights activists falling over themselves to show solidarity for the plight of the girls and their helpless and hapless families.

Today, I’m now reasonably convinced that the entire melodrama was meticulously planned and masterfully executed in order for some people to paint President Goodluck Jonathan as pathetically incompetent, and the reason his government must be sacked urgently. I confess to believing the full narrative at the time, like most Nigerians, hence my almost fanatical support for Major General Muhammadu Buhari, in that sad period of our nascent democracy. I wish to express my sincere apologies once again for believing that tale by moonlight and for being amongst those who plunged Nigeria into this unmitigated disaster from which we may not fully recover in decades to come unless God decides to deliver us miraculously.

In 2015, when President Buhari assumed power, the insecurity was largely limited to the North East, around Borno/Adamawa axis. Of course, there were kidnappings, militancy and oil theft in the South South and South East, but these were not as bad as what was unfolding in the North East. If, at that time we thought that there was insecurity, it has certainly become child’s play when compared to what obtains today. Those who stoked and fanned the embers of insecurity in the North East for their nefarious political ends now realise that they have bitten more than they can chew. There is an Australian boomerang effect, and the plot and gambit has turned full circle. We are now in the situation where people are running with the hare and hunting with the hounds in order to curry the favour of the Government which seems to be shielding the bandits, insurgents and terrorists and things are simply just falling apart. It is now so bad that nobody can tell the difference as to who is chasing who, because these bandits and terrorists seem far better organised, disciplined and equipped than the Nigerian military.

As I write this, terrorists, insurgents and bandits have encircled Nigeria. While Boko Haram continues to wreak havoc with mathematical precision, in its traditional domains of the North East, other terrorists, warlords and supporters of APC have emerged in the Northwest and there are bandits in nearly every zone. They operate with so much confidence and gusto. They dare the authorities to come after them knowing, each time that there is a clash, it is the Nigerian military that is worse off with its nose proverbially bloodied!

The latest chapter of this macabre theatre, and most sordid period of our history, is that, under the nose and eyes of President Buhari, Boko Haram, has been elevated to the level of the Ijaw militants who were fighting to avenge the despoliation of their environment by the oil corporations. At least we knew what they were fighting for, just as we know what IPBO is fighting for even if we still have some flicker of hope in Nigeria. The difference with Boko Haram is that no one has explained their grievances to us. Rather, we are told and forced to treat them with the same awe and trepidation we accorded the Niger Delta militants without anyone detailing what Nigerians owed them in reality and imagination. The cheeky suggestion that the fight is against western education is absolute hogwash, and it just won’t wash!

This dangerous development of political machination and manipulation has been festering and engendered slowly, but surely and steadily, by using all manner of subterfuge to catch most of us unaware. Lately it has taken on frightening proportions whilst still being painted as if they are minor inconsequential skirmishes with an economic bias that we need not pay much heed to. Thus, in Zamfara, we were told it was a war for gold rush. In North Central, around Benue in particular, we were told it was a clash between farmers and Herdsmen. Many lives were wasted while the criminals easily bolted away, like artful dodgers. The Federal Government showed little or no empathy. Seeing the share number of the dead made my intestines spin around and I was dazed and dizzy as if in a tizzy.

In the meantime, we all buried our heads in the sand, telling ourselves, all of this was confined to the North and they dared not bring their wahala down south. We should have known better! Give anybody an inch and they will take a mile. Give this lot a little and they want all, because they know that they have the full and wholehearted support of the Presidency, in whose hands they are well protected.

Very soon though, from the Middlebelt, the insecurity navigated its way Southwards. If we thought it was a joke initially, the bandits left no one in doubt of their determination to show how ready they were to spread their campaign of hate and terror to every part of Nigeria. As terrible as the situation was, our President appeared unruffled and unfazed. Even when it became apparent that our security forces were failing spectacularly and falling catastrophically in the battlefield as if they were being struck down by daemons President Buhari still did not bat an eyelid. Truth be told, our military had fallen on bad times, and there was nobody at the helm, no Commander-in-Chief to give a rallying cry to the troops and be their focal point. Simply put the leadership had gone AWOL too! Despite the hues and cries of generality of Nigerians, the President blatantly refused to retire or sack his service chiefs, who had not only outlasted their tenures, but they had also outlived their usefulness. We wondered what the unholy pact was between them that made it impossible for the Commander-in-Chief to whip them into shape and line. That there is some kind of unholy covenant, a secret concordat between the Presidency and the erstwhile service chiefs is given fillip by the aberrant decision to give them a golden handshake by offering them ambassadorial postings as compensation for incredible failure.

As days climbed over months and months climbed over years, the situation deteriorated. And all we got for the unabated sorrows was the automated condolence message and futile promises that government was trying hard to fix the problems. But nothing was fixed. As we stand today, virtually all major tribes in Nigeria, minus, maybe, the Hausa/Fulani, are clamouring for self-determination, self-governance and, in extreme cases, their own stand-alone nations. The Igbo people of South East Nigeria are mostly united in their quest for a Biafra country, including those who do not share the same ideology with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. You can’t blame them. President Buhari has shown them no mercy. At every opportunity, he sends his security forces with clear mandate and directive to crush any act of perceived, purported rebellion. Bizarre animalistic and reptilian names were given to the various military exercises that the armed forces used in terrorising and subjugating the people of this region. A true parody of the inhumane maltreatment of the people of the region. This would probably have been accepted, tolerated and endured if the attitude were the same elsewhere.

In the last few weeks, and as recent as two days ago, the Muslim cleric, Sheikh Gumi, has been seen strolling in and out of the forests where the bandits are comfortably ensconced, without any fear of attack or antagonism. In fact, the visits are now televised, and many are wondering what’s going on! In this same country, those who have not carried machine guns, Kalashnikovs and other weapons of mass destruction have been promptly declared persona non grata and dangerous criminals and terrorists by the Inspector General of Police and the Governor of the Central Bank, whose business it has now become to police the bank accounts of innocent protesters. Just imagine for a second a Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye entering a forest to negotiate with terrorists and the uproar it would generate worldwide.

So, some powerful, untouchable, inviolable Nigerians actually know the location of the terrorists. And the security forces also know the forests they reside in. I’ve been wondering what happened to our Air Force. Meaning, it is not that our own hawks can no longer capture chickens but some powerful people in government are not allowing them swing into action. It is well!

Can Sheikh Gumi do us a big favour please? Sir help us find out what would appease the bandits and terrorists so that we can get the sacrifice ready for the gods with feet of clay. Terrorism has become a competition here apparently. Many personalities now liken them to the Niger Delta militants. And since we set up an Amnesty Commission for them, let’s humbly do the same now and do so with immediate alacrity. Hopefully, this would calm the insurgents and terrorists down and protect the defenceless school kids who are being subjected to constant and incessant harassment by these hoodlums and bandits clothed in the false garb of devoted and devout jihadists, but who know nothing about the mission they profess to be carrying out.

As for the herdsmen, I don’t know if another Amnesty can be graciously arranged for them. And let them be banished to their Northern Nigeria where many are already accustomed to the itinerant tradition and custom. Too many problems have been generated by them while traveling long distances in the forests. The time has come to put a permanent stop to this archaic system of cattle rearing. I commend Governor Nasir El Rufai for embracing modern methods of cattle rearing. The budget for these herdsmen won’t be too different from the fertilizer bazaar, import duty waiver and oil subsidy bonanza that some influential Nigerians used to enjoy in the past. We can call it “herdsmen subsidy” for want of a better expression. In moments of dangerous madness, human lives must be protected with everything at our disposal. I suppose the Presidency will be extremely happy to extend the principle of federal character and proportionate distribution of the nation’s resources to assuage the feelings of these ill-judged innocent kinsmen of Mr President.

It is obvious to me that our security forces are not hopelessly lazy. They are only hampered, hindered and handicapped by circumstances beyond their control, but within the control of powerful others within the corridors of power.
My conspiracy theory is that some powerful people see the bandits as their own kindred spirit and would rather protect them than have them maligned, traduced and destroyed for the vermin that they represent to those whom they pillage, rape, destroy, maim and kill. The body language is unarguably easy to decipher. Let’s stop pretending not to know how to smell the fish. This cesspit smells and stinks to high heavens.
Nigeria is in bigger trouble than we are willing to admit. Who will bell the cat? After all, for whom does the bell toll? It tolls for us all, at some time or the other!

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/20/trust-me-something-fishy-is-going-on/

Robbers Attack Female Football Team FC Robo Players Along Benin- Ore Road

Players and some management staff of FC Robo queens today became of victims of high way robbery along Benin- Ore express road.

Privately owned FC Robo produced international female soccer star like Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and others

The players were on their way to Delta to play Delta Queen FC in the ongoing NWFL premier league

The Lagos based team is the only female football team in Lagos playing at the NFWL premiership

Nobody was injured but cash and other valuables were carted by the Robbers

https://nationalinsightnews.com/robbers-attack-female-football-team-fc-robo-players-along-benin-ore-road/

Ishaq and his co-travellers should be told that Nigeria is a Federal Republic not an Islamic republic or a Christian republic...They should stay off this Islamic or Christianity superiority...They should allow us to live in peace. Afterall...only Ilorin in looks like what he wants to be claiming, other cities, towns and villages doesn't even look as such. He should please thread softly

Nemere2020:
https://ishaqakintola.com/will-not-allow-persecution-muslim-students-kwara/

The question is, who approved the construction in the first place or did they just do this without an approval from the government?

TMSMedia:
https://igberetvnews.com/1382048/lagos-state-govt-demolish-properties-banana-island-flouting-building-laws-photos/

Folarin’s wife makes case for Private school teachers, donates food items, cash worth N2million


The wife of Senator Teslim Folarin, Barrister Angela Folarin through Sidikat Abebi Foundation, has donated food items and cash worth N2million to some selected private school teachers and accident victims in Oyo Central Senatorial District.

As part of activities to mark her birthday anniversary, the lawmaker’s wife said the charity foundation was reaching out to accident victims and selected private school teachers in Oyo Central Senatorial District who were neither reliefed by the government nor paid salaries by their school managements during months of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barrister Angela’s delegation assembled selected private school teachers at Abimbola Excel College – Ona-ara and Zenith Kiddies Nursery/Primary school for the distribution of cash gifts. The team also visited Best Tradomedical Centre Ibadan to donate raw foods and cash gifts to accident victims. Apart from food items, each beneficiary was given N5000.

Mrs. Folarin said the foundation would direct positive energy in favour of people living with disabilities, accident victims, sick people, youths and women empowerments, capacity building and poverty alleviation amongst others.

”What better way does one celebrates his birthday other than putting smiles in the faces of the people considering the present situation of the country as a result of the the deadly COVID-19 virus,” she stressed.

”Today, I am deeply glad that I have been able to reach out to many private school teachers and accident victims. I therefore call on philanthropic groups, public office holders, government at all levels, companies and philanthropists in Oyo State to supports our private school teachers who are badly hit by the economic hardships occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic” she said.

The delegation included Mr. Afolabi Kunle Lege, Hon. Aderibigbe Suraj (Adex), Mr. Ramon Saheed, Mr. Dawood Kolawole, Mr. Peter Damilare, Mr. Abiola Adeweso and Mr. Anifowose Adebukola.

https://newscarrierng./2020/07/22/folarins-wife-makes-case-for-private-school-teachers-donates-food-items-cash-worth-n2million/

Gov Makinde‘s Spokesman, UCH PRO Fight Dirty On Live Radio Over COVID-19 Money


The claim by the Oyo State Government that it disbursed N118 Million to the University College Hospital (UCH) has led to a serious altercation as the premier medical institution insisted that it did not receive any money from the state government.

Officials of the Oyo State Government subsequently came out to explain that they didn’t actually give money to UCH, but that rather they gave medical equipments and assistance worth that amount to the institution.

That matter appeared to have died down, until Wednesday, July 1, 2020, when the spokesman for UCH, Mr Toye Akinrinola, was featured on a live interview programme anchored by Isaac Brown.

While answering questions, Mr Toye berated officials of the state government ‘for trying to play smart’, and their inability to differentiate between the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and the University College Hospital (UCH).

Things however, got more interesting when Governor Makinde‘s Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa called live into the programme to tackle the UCH PRO.

Mr Akinrinola of the UCH had earlier said that the state government was not sincere on the issue of assistance to the institution.

According to him, though the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde claimed to have given equipments worth over N25m to them, nothing close to such was received by the hospital.

Akinrinola listed items so far received from the state government to include: 250 face shields, 25 reusable gowns, 10 overalls, and a few other items. He further claimed that immediately after UCH released a rebuttal against the government statement, three prominent politicians called the UCH CMD, asking the CMD to come and receive the N5m which the government announced that it had already given to UCH.

He added that: “After the CMD got those calls, he was advised against going to the Ministry of Finance because, it was thought that the government was trying to be too clever. How do you announce to the whole world that you have given money to somebody, but days after, the person denied receiving any money, then you now ask the person (through other people) to come and collect the money?”

The UCH PRO also disclosed that after announcement was made by the Ministry of Finance to the effect that monies had been disbursed to the UCH, Mr Akinrinola said he immediately put a call through to the Governor‘s CPS, Taiwo Adisa, to express displeasure, and to tell him that the statement released by Oyo state Commissioner of Finance was incorrect and unfair.

According to him, the CPS’s response was that the commissioner couldn’t have made the release if he didn’t have his facts right.

It was at this point that the programme anchor, Isaac Brown, announced that Governor Makinde‘s Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, was live on phone to explain government‘s side of the argument. Asked to respond, Taiwo Adisa confirmed receiving a call from Akinrinola, and that all what the UCH spokesman said were all correct.

He continued by saying, although UCH was yet to receive the equipments as promised, the money had already been disbursed to government suppliers, according to records at the Oyo state Ministry of Finance. He explained that maybe the government suppliers were having logistical challenges in delivering the items.

According to him, Governor Makinde wouldn’t release monies directly to UCH because the government doesn’t want to take chances with regards to having equipments stuck in transit, as a result of lockdowns.

He said that Governor Makinde had previously given money to the institution, but that management of UCH complained that it couldn’t access the funds, due to complications occasioned by Treasury Single Account, TSA. He advised UCH to be patient with Oyo state government’s supplier.

The UCH spokesman was apparently not satisfied with Adisa’s explanations.

Asked to respond, Akinrinola again berated the government for not stating clearly in its press release that it ordered for equipment for UCH, instead of claiming that it released monies to the institution. The interview hereafter, took a dramatic turn when Mr Akinrinola said:

“They claimed to have already supplied the Virology Department of the UCH with equipments worth N25m. However the worth of everything we’ve gotten from them so far, according to their own claim, is N2m. I can confirm to you that the items supplied to us, which I listed earlier, is much less than N2m.

“Besides, I wonder where they buy their own equipments, but I believe that we all buy from the same market. And based on that, I can tell you authoritatively that those items cost much less than the N2m that they claim.

“The government has work to do, because, when you give contracts out for construction or supplies, you have to do oversight in order to make sure that the contractor delivers to specifications, and not rip you off.”

At this point, Taiwo Adisa got offended and thrown courtesy to the wind. Because rather than address the substance of Akinrinola’s accusations, his next response bordered more on emotions.

He said: “Let UCH mind their own business. Oyo State Government is not on the same level, we’re not at par with the UCH, and so, we do not have to join issues or exchange words with them.

“The Oyo State Government is the owner of every square inch of land in this entire state. UCH is just one of many other health facilities and institutions within the state. Let them mind their business of treating patients under the mandate of the federal government.

“They should better leave governance to those elected to do so,” he concluded.

The matter has since become a subject of debate as people wondered why officials of the two institutions would come to the public to tackle one another over a matter they said should have been secretly solved amicably

The signing of the Nigerian Local Content Act into law by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2010 was greeted with much applause. Although this was limited to the oil and gas industry, the law saw an increased local participation in the oil and gas industry as well as enhanced knowledge transfer in the industry.

Ten years after, and in view of the lessons that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us as a people, it is high time we started to think and look inwards. While we cannot boast of self-sufficiency or even isolate the country from trading with other countries, we cannot in the same vein shy away from the need for us to promote our drive towards self-sufficiency. This has become very necessary if we must redress the persistent trade imbalance the country battles with.

Nigeria is not the only country that has initiated a Local Content Act. In neighbouring Ghana, there is also the Ghanaian Local Content Act. In the case of Ghana, their local content law aims at promoting the maximization of value addition and job creation through the use of local expertise, goods and services, business and financing in the petroleum sector. Other African countries such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Rwanda did not limit its promotion of local content to the oil and gas industry alone. The Local Content Unit in Rwanda has been expanded to every sector of the economy so as to promote local production, attract investors, and encourage knowledge transfer from expatriates to the citizens.

Thus is where the move by Senator Teslim Folarin becomes laudable, the Senator, who represents Oyo Central Senatorial District and also doubles as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Contents saw his bill pass a second reading. The bill seeks to provide for the development, regulation, and enforcement of Nigerian Contents in all sectors of the Nigerian Economy as well as review some of the lacunas in the Nigerian Local Content Act 2010 as complained by the operators in the sector. One may not fully appreciate the implication of a smooth sailing of this bill unless one looks at our import-export performance.

You will be appalled to discover that even in areas where Nigeria is expected to have a comparative advantage over other countries, the sheer low patronage of our local producers has made it a terrible story. It has been a case of selling to buy again or buying what we produce or can produce.
Let us also look at our performance in the area of leather for example. It is important to note that Nigeria is a consistent supplier of leather to both European and Asian markets and our leather ranks amongst the highest quality globally. Our leather is sought globally because the free-range system of rearing cattle confers toughness on the hides and skins gotten from our cattle and Nigeria is home to the unique and much sought-after Red Sokoto goat skin leather. Italy and Spain are the largest destinations of Nigerian leather as they take over 71% of total Nigerian exports on leather. India and China is the largest destination of Nigerian leather in Asia. The records have it that Nigeria makes an average of US $600m to US $800m annually. That should call for joy but wait for it. The Aba shoe market imports much of its leather from China whereas we tan about 50m skin annually. In fact, we are an import destination for leather/shoes from Turkey, China, Spain, and Italy. So while we sell our skins to Italy at a near pittance and starve our FLPs, Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton returns it to our bourgeoning populace at a price beyond the reach of the populace. Of course we must not shy away from the danger that our love for ponmo poses to the gains we could garner from the leather industry.

The tale is not different when we look at our balance of trade in fish production as well. According to records from Fishstat Plus, between 2006 and 2011 alone, Nigeria alone imports around $1,245,394 while the trade deficit was higher than US $750million. In fact Nigeria ranks as the second biggest cultured fish producer with much of our imports supplied by USA, Chile, and Albania. Based on the Nigeria Fisheries Statistics Report, our annual fish demand is estimated at 3.32million metric tonnes while our domestic production is pegged at just about 1.12million metric tonnes, leaving a deficit of 2.2million metric tonnes. The deficit is made up for through importation in spite of Nigeria’s natural blessing of having a coastline of 853kilometres bordering the Atlantic Ocean viz-a-viz an abundance of creeks, coastal rivers, fresh and mangrove swamps, near and offshore waters, bays, and estuaries. It is even more worrisome that the domestic production comes primarily from artisanal fishing practices and aquaculture and not industrial fishing as it is the practice in countries that have attained a level of self-sufficiency in fishing.

So why are we having very little contribution from industrial fishing? The answer is not far-fetched. Asides the issue of ocean pollution and cost of procuring fishing vessels and trawlers, the fear of not getting the needed market has discouraged many an investor.

Will this bill, when enacted into law, be a silver bullet that cures all? Definitely not! However, it will set the pace for more local participation in the various industries in our economy since investors know that the market is there for them to thrive. In a time as this where the revenue from oil is taking a serious nosedive, the promotion of local contents in every sector of our economy will be the needed lubricant to oil the wheel of the economy which oil can no longer oil. With the needed contributions from the participators in various industries to the bill, one only hopes that bill will be critically x-rayed and enjoy a speedy passage. Beyond passage, it is also expected that the Folarin-led Senate Committee will work assiduously to ensure that the bill, when it becomes a law, is implemented.

The world is evolving a post-COVID 19 reality and that is aimed at promoting sufficiency. Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind. We must, in our quest to trade with the outside world, work towards reducing our vulnerability to external shocks by boosting our balance of trade and further market integration.

Amuda, Mosigbodi B. (Plato) writes in from Ibadan. He can be reached via mail on platothelaw2000@yahoo.com or on twitter on @platodele.

http://timelinedaily..com/2020/06/the-time-to-review-our-local-content.html

Senator FOLARIN's Legislative Accomplishments in 365 days

The Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District at the floor of the Nigerian National Assembly, Oloye Teslim Kolawole Folarin rolls out his achievements in the last 365 days to mark his first year as people's representative in the 9th assembly.

According to the document obtained by Timeline Daily from the distinguished senator through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Comrade Y.S.O Olaniyi ELODYPER tagged Senator TKF's Legislative Accomplishments in 365days, the followings are enumerated


THE RETURN TO THE NIGERIA SENATE

Senator Teslim Kolawole officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday, 16th of December 2017. The former senate leader was received by the national leader of the party, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Hammed Tinubu, the then National Chairman of the party, His Excellency Chief John Odigie Oyegun; former Oyo State Governor and now Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party- His Excellency Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi; former Governor of Osun State and now Federal Minister of Interior - His Excellency Ogbeni Abdulrauf Aregbesola; Ondo State Governor - His Excellency Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu; former Ogun State Governor - Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and other political heavyweights. The historic defection took place at the ancient Mapo Hall in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Oloye Teslim Folarin picked the senatorial nomination form of the APC for Oyo Central Senatorial District, and was elected as the party’s candidate in September 2018.

The National Assembly elections that was held on February 23, 2019, produced Oloye Folarin as the winner. The INEC returning officer, Professor Idowu Peter Farai, declared 91,080 votes in favour of Oloye Folarin.

He received his certificate of return as a senator-elect from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 14 March 2019 and assumed office on 11th June 2019 following the inauguration of the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He was subsequently appointed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Contents and he is also a member of the following Senate Committees: National Security and Intelligence, Finance, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Inter-parliamentary, Constitutional Amendment, Airforce and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

THE LAST 365 DAYS AS SENATOR

Here is the account of stewardship of Distinguished Senator Folarin in the last 365 days. This is to review performance and analyse his strengths with a view to charting a new course in this new legislative year.


SPONSORED BILLS

SB 363: Federal University (Special) Oyo Town, Oyo State (Est.etc) Bill, 2020
Status: Second Reading

SB 417: Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (Amendment) Bill, 2020
Status: Public Hearing

SB 418: Nigerian Local Content Development Regulation Bill, 2020
Status: Public Hearing



MOTIONS MOVED

1. Urgent need to reduce accidents involving trucks and articulated lorries on our Highways - Sponsor

2. Upgrade of Ibadan Airport to international airport with modern facilities - Co-sponsor

3. Need to Review the Act establishing the NYSC to make graduates more resourceful- Sponsor

4. Urgent call for FG support for devastated areas in Obia Nkor communities in Anambra State and other communities.- Co-sponsor.

5. Need to make developmental Aids more effective to work for Nigerians- Co-Sponsor



EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FACILITATED


*National Assembly- Two (2)

*National Assembly Service Commission- Five (5)

*Nigerian Police Force- Three (3)

*Federal Capital Territory Authority- One (1)

*National Space Research Agency- One (1)

*National Agency Quarantine Services- One (1)

*Nigerian Institute of Social & Economic Research (NISER) - One (1)

*Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) - One (1)


PROJECTS FACILITATED


1. Construction of two blocks of four classrooms at Methodist Primary School Gangansi, Ona-Ara Local Government Area

2. Construction of a block of nine classrooms at Aiyepe community school, Egbeda Local Government Area

3. Construction of two blocks of four classrooms at Ogbongan in Akinyele Local Government Area.

4. Construction of a block of six classrooms at L.A School Bola I, II and III, Oyo West Local Government Area


SOLAR SECURITY LIGHTS


*Five (5) solar stands at Olode village in Surulere Local Government Area

*Two (2) Solar stands at Alagba Village at Surulere Local Government Area

*Three (3) Solar stands at Monijuku at Surulere Local Government Area

*Two (2) Solar stands at Elewuro in Surulere Local Government Area

*Seven (7) Solar stands at Ayede village at Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area



EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES


1. Training and supply of grain grinding machines for women and youths in selected LGAs of Oyo Central, organized by Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos.

2. Training and supply of farm inputs, seeds and agro-chemicals for rural farmers in selected LGAs of Oyo Central, organized by Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR)

3. Training and supply of farm implements and seedlings for rural farmers in selected LGAs of Oyo Central, organized by Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR)

4. Provision of grants for selected rural farmers in selected LGAs of Oyo Central, organized by Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR)


NOMINATED CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS FOR 2020


In this year 2020, Distinguished Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin nominated the following three Zonal Intervention Projects


*N100 million for empowerment of cooperatives


*N100 million for the empowerment of youth, women and vulnerable people in the industrial business environment of the district, and


*N50 million for the supply of empowerment items to constituents


He has also facilitated into the 2020 budget:


*Nine (9) ICT Centres across the senatorial District

*One (1) Oil and Gas Advanced Training Centre at a federal university

*Blocks of classrooms at eight ( different schools

*Four (4) health centres across the district

*Boreholes across the district

*Training programmes

*N120million for youth empowerment programmes

The above are to be directly executed by various Federal government agencies and parastatals



COVID-19 INTERVENTIONS


1. Senator Folarin distributed N5million cash and N25million worth of food items to his constituents so as to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown.

2. Additional giveaway cash via a phone-in radio programmes


*Fresh FM Ibadan: Let’s Talk About It co-anchored by Yinka Ayefele and Enitan Bamidele; Gbarada co-anchored by Aare Olalomi Amole and Chief Komolafe Olaiya; Eku iyanju by Enitan Bamidele; and Oyin Ado co-anchored by Aare Olalomi Amole and Chief Komolafe Olaiya


*Lagelu FM Ibadan: Erebente Extra anchored by Temitayo Oyeladun; Leyin Iroyin co-anchored by Titilayo Akinsola and Kola Oladapo (Mr. Nice Guy); and Balelayo anchored by Otunba Kola Ladoke


3. Relief Packages for Vulnerable Women and less privileged on Lagelu FM Ibadan, Atelewo Eni co-anchored by Adeosun Kayode and Abolore Salami

4. Continuous sensitization of the constituents in the eleven LGAs of the district on the dangers of the novel coronavirus

5. Continuous distributions of sanitizers across the Senatorial district

6. Continuous distribution of cash relief and food palliatives to the most vulnerable constituents.


REMARKS!


Distinguished Senator Teslim Folarin THANKS the people of Oyo Central, traditional rulers, opinion leaders, stakeholders and the APC family for their supports thus far. Oloye Folarin reiterates his commitment to qualitative representation of the people of Oyo Central Senatorial District. He assures that our people in Oyo Central will witness more constituency projects and other meaningful dividends of democracy in 2020 and beyond.


Com. Y.S.O Olaniyi is the Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to Distinguished Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin and Coordinator, TKF Media Resource Centre


Facebook: YSO Olaniyi ELODYPER

Twitter: @yso_olaniyi

Instagram: @yso.olaniyi

Email: yso.olaniyi@yahoo.com/abdulahoreoluwa@gmail.com


https://timelinedaily..com/2020/06/senator-folarins-legislative.html

NIGERIA DEMOCRACY IN THE WHEEL OF DESPOTIC LEADER

Democracy may be a word familiar to most, but it is a concept still misunderstood and misused in a time when totalitarian regimes and military dictatorships alike have attempted to claim popular support by pinning democratic labels upon themselves; Democracy is more than a set of constitutional rules and procedures that determine how a government functions. In a democracy, government is only one element coexisting in a social fabric of many and varied institutions, political parties, organisations, and voluntary associations.

In the phrase of Abraham Lincoln (1861), democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Ever since Nigeria got her independence from the British in 1960, there has been a kind of 'juginho to Rudiger' pass of power. The soldiers that go are still the soldier that return in agabda and that is why our barrack remains the same. The same set of people are playing a soccer of power with Nigerians, even till when Nigeria start to be called a democratic state which, one can only infer that Nigeria only operate democracy on paper and not in real sense. From 1960 till date Nigeria as a country has experienced four republics, of all the countries in the Africa, Nigeria's situation has been described as different because the country has been under the control of despotic and autocratic leaders due to the unethical practice of democracy. Our government is so pathetically dysfunctional that at the lower level institutions of government, government affairs matter little, only few individuals are truly concerned with government matters. A fearless and effective watchdog is so critical in a fledging democracy like ours, where institutions remain very weak.

The history of constitutional democracy in Nigeria has been that of controversies which the responsibility of the failure of operating and practicing a real democracy lay mostly with the political actors which, has painstakingly revealed their sheer incompetency and how they have confiscated and converted the country's wealth into their personal property and corrupted the system absolutely.

Arguably one of the greatest place on earth today (Dubai for instance) was nowhere to be found among the good countries of the world some few years ago. They are blessed with reasonable and reliable leaders who transformed their country within a short period of time to what it is today. The mindset of corruption in our leaders is not but a problem for us, about all states of the federation are in serious and severe problem. The death of slightly corrupt free personnel among them was said to be good news when announced to their hearing which will give room to their dubious acts.

Nigeria over the years has not been practising rule of law which is one of the pillars of democracy. Late President Musa Yar'adua opined that "it is the rule of law that will anchor good governance and progress in the country."

A nation where counted votes don't count and, where there is no supremacy of law, No equality before the law, our actions are not according to law, there is no respect for the decision of the court, and there is no respect for human rights...Can we say such a Nation is practising the Democratic system of government ?

The rule of law has now turn to be the rule of Man where godfatherism issues have made effective governance practically impossible, where the senior cabinet ministers or senior technocrats and top bureaucrats in government do not necessarily have any control over their assigned portfolio. The lowliest functionary in the pecking order could, entirely on the basis of his or her closeness to the president, make decisions with a potentially seismic impact on the country.

In Nigeria, democracy is still alien to us because we are still subjected to the leadership and rule by despotic leaders. As a result of this, development is very far from the country. It is obvious that the present crooks in form of Nigeria's leaders are not the desired saviours. It is said that we have become people living in a society which has no glorious past to cherish, no prosperous present to hold on to, and worst still, no promising future to look forward to in our country.

Democratic government should be receptive to criticism as democracy is the institutionalization of freedom, people shouldn't be denied the right to freedom of speech and press as expression of fascist tendencies.

No doubt, the very survival of Nigeria as a cooperate entity depend on making our leaders adhere to the rule of law. Democracy grows and only thrives on the observance of the rule of law and popular participation for peace, justice and development to be entrenched in our society.

The youth of this millennium should be informed that at the Age of 25 to 40, this set of despotic Nigeria leader, the like of Abacha, IBB, Obasanjo and others were intelligently planning to seize the whole Nation. But what has become the plan of the youth of this generation "Malians and planning to impress slay Queen". Forgetting that youth are known to be critical in the growth and development of any Nation.

Our so called political elite should orientate our youth, lay a new foundation for democracy and rule of law in the country and desist from illegality and stand up to challenge the despotic leaders to give room for genuine democracy so that there will be positive change in economic and political development of the country. As a people we all have crucial roles to play in a functioning democracy, as the government is the reflection of individual character, we must all stand up and be counted as we work towards the actualisation of the aspirations and expectations of Nigerians from the government. We must cease being a thermometer that justifies neo- libera ideals of government but morph into a thermostat and revolutionise Nigeria.

ADESINA JULIUS. O
A Public Administration Student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
adesinajulius5@gmail.com
08154560309.

https://timelinedaily..com/2020/06/nigeria-democracy-in-wheel-of-despotic.html

JUST IN: Folarin’s Local Content Bill Passes Second Reading in the Senate

A Bill for an Act to enact the Nigerian Local Content Act to provide for the Development, Regulation and Enforcement of Nigerian Content in all sectors of the Nigerian economy except in Oil and Gas Sector and other matters related therewith, 2020 (SB. 419) passed the second reading in the Nigeria Senate on Tuesday.

The passage was sequel to a presentation of the bill by the sponsor, Senator Teslim Folarin of Oyo Central Senatorial District at plenary.

According to Senator Folarin, “the proposed Bill is to strengthen the progress made in the local content Bill earlier passed and Implemented”. He said the executive arm recognizes the importance of local content and the Bill is divided into 13 parts.

Senator Ajibola Basiru in his contribution says the Bill is a good one especially as we need to protect our resources which are filtered away as a result of lack of local content.

Senator Ajayi Boroffice says he supports the Bill particularly because it will take care of the transfer of technology. He said the Bill will ensure that we become a productive economy.

Senator Binos Yaroe says he supports the Bill because there is need to extend the enforcement of local content to all sectors of the economy. He says if we do not take steps to safeguard our industries, we are going to have problems. He cited the example of the agricultural sector where foreigners come in with their own workers and take control.

Senator Ibrahim Gobir says he is supporting the Bill because of its importance. He says if the Bill becomes law, the Nigerian engineers that are being shortchanged will have a better deal and that the bill will ensure employment generation.

Senator Degi Bio Barakuma commends the Committee on local content saying that the Bill is so timely.  He says it is a practical steps to ensure that other sectors other than the oil and gas sector are developed and that he is happy because we are not lumping other sectors up with the oil and gas sector.

FOLARIN MOURNS APC CHIEFTAIN, PA FARINU

The Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial district, Oloye Teslim Folarin, mourns the passing away of ex State Chairman of defunct Action Congress (AC), defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Pa Samuel Farinu.

In a condolence statement made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity - Com. YSO Olaniyi, Oloye Folarin conveyed his heartfelt condolences to late Pa Farinu's families, people of the ancient town of Oyo and the APC family.

Part of the statement reads: "As we mourn the passing away of our great leader, I urge the APC family worldwide and the immediate family of our Papa to be comforted by the knowledge that the late Farinu lived a very fulfilled and accomplished life".

"Papa was extremely loyal, committed, dedicated and thoroughbred progressive. By his demise, another vacuum has been created in the rank and file of the Progressives family in Nigeria".

"So sad that his departure comes at a time when Oyo APC would need his wealth of knowledge as an elder statesman in our reconciliation agenda" Senator lamented.

He prayed that God Almighty would grant his soul eternal rest in Paradise.

The Oyo-born great politician died at age 93

Insecurity: Folarin lauds security agencies, calls for people's cooperation


The Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial district, Oloye Teslim Folarin, has commended Nigeria security agencies for taking various proactive and strategic steps that would help unravel perpetrators of incessant killings and rape incidents in Akinyele Local Area of Oyo State.


Folarin, who on last week Thursday lamented the breakdown of security architecture in Oyo State, lauded the new Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Nwachukwu Enwonwu, for relocating his office to Moniya in Akinyele LGA following the killing of 18-year-old Barakat Bello and a 29-year-old Azeezat Somuyiwa in the area.


The Deputy Commissioner (Operations) and Deputy Commissioner (Criminal Investigation Department) among other top officers had also relocated to the area on Friday.


A statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan by Senator Folarin's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Com. YSO Olaniyi, urged all the security agencies in the state to double their efforts and bring an end to the rising insecurity in Oyo State especially Akinyele LGA. He said adequate security of lives and properties of the people was very sacrosanct to peaceful coexistence and meaningful developments.


Part of the statement reads: "I am worried and pained by the renewed and escalated magnitude of insecurity in the country generally and the Oyo State in particular, through the wanton destruction of lives and property, rapings, rampant kidnappings, armed robbery, brigandage and the menace of drug abuse".


"I am working with Nigeria Security agencies to bring an ultimate end to sequence of attacks and security breaches in Oyo Central Senatorial district. I commend all the security agencies in the state for their efforts, zeal and commitment in curtailing insecurity in our dear state in particular and the country at large. I urged the Oyo Police Command and other sister agencies to sustain the tempo in order to arrest the perpetrators of the killings in Akinyele" Folarin said.


The former Senate leader therefore called on the traditional rulers, religious leaders and the citizens of Oyo State especially in Akinyele to cooperate with the security agencies as they carryout their duties.
Senator Teslim Folarin's delegation, on Sunday, paid a condolence visit to the  family of Miss Bello Barakat who was gang-raped and subsequently murdered by unknown persons. The delegation included Alhaji Yinka Folarin, Chairman APC in Akinyele LG, the party's local Women Leader, l Hon. Kunmi Osuntoki, Prince Sulaiman Ajibade and Otunba Waheed Olawale
[09/06, 9:35 am] YSO Olaniyi: Insecurity: Folarin lauds security agencies, calls for citizen's cooperation


The Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial district, Oloye Teslim Folarin, has commended Nigeria security agencies for taking proactive steps that would help unravel the perpetrators of the incessant killings and rape incidents in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.


Folarin, who last week Thursday lamented the poor security situation in Oyo State, lauded the new Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Nwachukwu Enwonwu, for relocating his office temporarily to Moniya in Akinyele LGA following the killing of 18-year-old Barakat Bello and 29-year-old Azeezat Somuyiwa in the same area.


The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Criminal Investigation Department) among other top officers have also relocated to the area on Friday.


A statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan by Senator Folarin's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Com. YSO Olaniyi, urged all the security agencies in the state to double their efforts and bring an end to the rising spate of insecurity in Oyo State especially Akinyele LGA. He said adequate security of lives and properties of the people is important to peaceful coexistence and meaningful developments.


Part of the statement reads: "I am worried and pained by the renewed and escalated magnitude of insecurity in the country generally and Oyo State in particular, through the wanton destruction of lives and property, rape cases, kidnappings, armed robbery, brigandage and the menace of drug abuse."


"I am working with Nigeria Security agencies to bring an ultimate end to the sequence of attacks and security breaches in Oyo Central Senatorial district. I commend all the security agencies in the State for their efforts, zeal and commitment in curtailing insecurity in our dear state in particular and the country at large. I urge the Oyo Police Command and other sister agencies to sustain the tempo in order to arrest the perpetrators of the killings in Akinyele" Folarin said.


The former Senate leader therefore called on the traditional rulers, religious leaders and the citizens of Oyo State especially in Akinyele to cooperate with the security agencies as they carryout their duties.
Senator Teslim Folarin's delegation, on Sunday, paid a condolence visit to the  family of Miss Bello Barakat who was gang-raped and subsequently murdered by unknown persons. The delegation included Alhaji Yinka Folarin, Chairman APC in Akinyele LG, the party's local Women Leader, Hon. Kunmi Osuntoki, Prince Sulaiman Ajibade and Otunba Waheed Olawale.

http://pacesetternews.com.ng/insecurity-folarin-lauds-security-agencies-calls-for-citizens-cooperation/

#JusticeforBarakat: Folarin Condemns Ibadan Student's Murder, Promises to Seek Justice for the victim

The Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Oloye Teslim Folarin, has expressed rude shock over alleged rape and gruesome killing of a constituent, Miss. Bello Barakat, a student of Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training, Moor Plantation Ibadan, Oyo State. He therefore called on relevant security agencies to speedily investigate the crimes with a view to bringing the culprits to book in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

On Monday June 1, 2020, Barakat was allegedly attacked by unknown person(s) who stabbed her to death at the back of the home she shared with her family in Akinyele area of Ibadan by criminal(s) who suspected robbers. The 19 year-old victim was described by family friends as nice and easy-going girl. Her rape and murder is the latest in a string of high-profile sexual crimes that have gained national outrage.

Senator Folarin, in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Com. YSO Olaniyi, described the incident as horrific, barbaric and shocking.

The statement reads: “I was shocked to receive the news of Miss Bello Barakat being gang-raped and subsequently murdered by the agents of darkness. I am deeply concerned about increasing cases of rape and brutality against the girl child in Nigeria. Baraka’s gruesome killing is a one death too many, therefore the nonsensical act of raping must stop in Nigeria”

“The rape and murder of Barakat is nothing short of horrific. I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim. As the Senator representing Akinyele and other ten local government areas of Oyo Central, I will seek justice for late Barakat Bello. By God’s Grace, I will ensure that all the culprits responsible for this barbaric act are swiftly brought to justice.”

Oloye Folarin while expressing his worries over high rate of crimes in Oyo State, called on the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), to ensure speedy and thorough investigation on the case.

The former senate leader has directed his team to pay condolence visit to the bereaved family pending his arrival from Abuja. “I will personally visit the bereaved family. I have commenced seeking justice for Barakat right here in Abuja; I am already reaching out to the top echelons of Nigeria security agencies. I assure late Barakat’s family my full supports in this trying time” Folarin stressed.

Barakat’s death came in the wake of the rape and murder of Uwa, a 22-year-old student of the University of Benin, on May 27, 2020. Also, it will be recalled that the 2years old twins of Ibadan-based Islamic scholar were kidnapped in Akinyele LGA sometimes in May.

http://pacesetternews.com.ng/justiceforbarakat-folarin-condemns-ibadan-students-murder-promises-to-seek-justice-for-the-victim/

FOLARIN Nominates Constituency Projects Worth N500m, Facilitates Rehabilitations of bad roads

Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Oloye Teslim Folarin, said he has nominated constituency projects worth Five Hundred Million Naira (N500m) between 2019 and 2020. He has equally facilitated the inclusion of some dilapidated roads in the State for rehabilitation.

The federal lawmaker made the disclosure on Tuesday while reacting to the sorry state of roads at Gbaremu-Idi-Obi and Odo-Omi Olosun Bridge. Oloye Folarin said, “I am aware the roads in question have caused a series of accidents leading to deaths. The painful experience of drivers and other road users along that axis necessitated the inclusion of the roads as part of those to be fixed by the Ecological Funds office.

In fact, Engineers from the Federal Ministry of Works have done the necessary documentations but the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down the process of rehabilitation.

Oloye Folarin clarified that the roads at Gbaremu-Idi-Obi and Odo-Omi Olosun Bridge fall under Oyo State Government but they have been neglected. Pending the approval by the Presidency, Senator Folarin promised to reach out to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and other relevant authorities for temporary fixing of the dilapidated roads.

The three-term Senator further stated that he has nominated Zonal Intervention Projects worth of N500m for his district for years 2019 and 2020.

According to Folarin, considering the agrarian nature of Oyo Central, he has nominated five projects in 2019 under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development. These include supply of grain grinding machines for women and youths; procurement of farm Implements and seedlings for rural farmers; supply of farm inputs and seeds for rural farmers; provision of grants for selected rural farmers; and purchase of solar street lights. Each of the five projects to gulp N50million”.

“In this year 2020, I nominated three constituency projects, which include N100 million for empowerment of cooperatives, N100 million for the empowerment of youth, women and vulnerable people in the industrial business environment of the district, and N50 million for the supply of empowerment items to constituents” he declared.

Senator Folarin while promising his constituents full implementation of the N500m worth of projects, said he would give account of his legislative activities, employment opportunities secured for constituents and projects executed so far on June 12, 2020, which marks his 365 days in the red chamber.


http://pacesetternews.com.ng/folarin-nominates-constituency-projects-worth-n500m-facilitates-rehabilitations-of-bad-roads/

Saudi King Gives Rare Public Address on Kingdom’s Virus Response

Saudi Arabia’s elderly monarch made a rare public appearance Thursday, addressing a period of unprecedented turmoil for the kingdom and the royal family and telling citizens that his administration was doing everything it could to confront the coronavirus pandemic.

“Saudi Arabia is continuing to take all the precautionary measures to face this,” King Salman, 84, said in a brief address broadcast to the nation on Thursday night. “We are passing through a difficult stage, part of what the whole world is passing through.”

Saudi Arabia has shut all its borders for at least two weeks and closed most public venues including restaurants, cafes, gyms, and even mosques, a controversial measure that’s stirred emotions in the birthplace of Islam. The king’s son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has at the same time entered into an oil war with Russia, driving down the price of oil, a development that could have severe economic implications for Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter.

Salman didn’t address the price war or economic prospects for the kingdom, but told citizens: “The coming stage will be more difficult.”

The king’s speech came weeks after the detention of high-ranking royal family members including his own brother, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, and the former crown prince, Mohammed bin Nayef.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-19/saudi-king-gives-rare-public-address-on-kingdom-s-virus-response

AREAS WITH THEIR PECULIARITIES IN LAGOS

Ikeja - computer/ accessories hub
Somolu - Printing hub
Jibowu - Transport hub
Lagos Island - Market hub
Alaba - Electronics hub
GRA Ikeja - Hotel/Eatery/entertainment hub
Lekki Phase 1 - Eatery/Entertainment/Business hub
Yaba - Fintech hub
Mushin Ojuwoye - Beverages/provison hub
Mile 12- Food stuff hub
Katangwa - Thrift hub
Iponri - Interior decoration hub
Oshodi - Transportation hub
Lawanson - Kitchen équipment hub
Victory Island - Corporate hub
Ikoyi - Luxury hub

Mushin Wey Street - Leather hub
Mushin Amu - Plank/building materials hub
Makoko - Plank hub
Oríle - Marble/tiles/iron rod hub
Dopemu - Aluminium hub
Ladipo - Automobile Spare part hub
Owode Onírin - scrap hub
Ikorodu - Quarry hub

Alaba Rago - Cow/Ram hub
Apapa - Importers/Exporters hub
Surulere - Night clubs/Bar hub
Trade fair - Cosmetics hub
Agege - Agro allied hub
Tejuosho - Fabrics /cosmetics hub
Yaba - Akube hub
Ojuelegba - Sporting equipments/materials hub

Ago Palace way - Bars and Joints hub
Ilupeju - Industrial hub
Agbara - Industrial Hub
Badagry - Tourists hub and border town
Lekki peninsulas - Tourists hub
Ogba - Industrial Hub

Victoria Island - Entertainment hub
Berger Mile 2 - Tokunbo Cars hub
Sangotèdó to Ibeju Lekki - Land Selling hub
Ojota - Chemical hub
Yaba Akoka - Educational hub
Ikeja - Administrative hub

CHINESE HUB - IKEJA
INDIAN HUB - ILUPEJU
LEBANESE HUB - LEKKI & VI


TELL ME YOURS...

BREAKING: Buhari ordered Ganduje to dethrone Emir Sanusi – Kwankwaso alleges

Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State, on Wednesday alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the removal of Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano.

Kwankwaso made the allegation while describing the removal of Sanusi as a sad incident to both Kano State and Nigeria in general.

Speaking with BBC Hausa, the former governor who appointed Sanusi as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2014 said contrary to claims Buhari had intervened in the Kano emirate crisis.

He said: “We believe here in Kano that Buhari interferes where he wishes.

“Kano state government officials have been saying they were directed to dethrone Mr Sanusi ll. Buhari instructed them.”

The former governor stated that Buhari “doesn’t interfere where his intervention is needed, but interferes on issues he is supposed to be neutral about.”

Eulogizing the dethroned monarch, Kwankwaso said: “the emir (Sanusi) is a global citizen.”

The Kano State Government had on Monday dethroned Sanusi as the former Emir Kano.

Following his removal, the state government immediately named one of the sons of late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, Aminu Ado Bayero the 15th Fulani Emir of the state.

https://dailypost.ng/2020/03/11/breaking-buhari-ordered-ganduje-to-dethrone-emir-sanusi-kwankwaso-alleges/

Good

GOFRONT:
Last time, It was about the Oldest Gorilla who passed away in UNN....And now a 344 year old Toroise......

Only when they die, That's when we hear about their existence....

The story of ALAGBA tortoise has been in the public space now not 30 years...and everyone that travels to Ogbomoso and have opportunity to visit the Ogbomosoland palace always see and snap with it. just google Ogbomoso tortoise and you will see series of stories about it in the tabloids, blogs etc

A 344 - year old tortoise popularly known as ALAGBA (The elderly one) in the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso has passed on.

The sacred tortoise which was the oldest in Africa was sick for few days before her demise on Thursday october 3, 2019.

The tortoise became a popular breed upon ascension of the throne of the current Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III.

https://www.nairaland.com/3016036/meet-alagba-330-year-old-tortoise-found

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ogbomoso-myth-of-the-324-year-old-tortoise.html

https://naijagists.com/new-photos-of-alagba-the-oldest-tortoise-in-the-world-living-at-soun-of-ogbomoso-palace-in-oyo-state-nigeria/