₦airaland Forum

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Like every other fake news report, many Nigerians woke up to a viral WhatsApp broadcast recently, claiming that steam from boiled Uda (Negro Pepper), Uziza (Benja Black Pepper), Lime and ginger can cure Coronavirus.

The broadcast has since gone beyond private messages to different WhatsApp groups targeting most people from the South-Eastern part of the country.

Although this newspaper can’t accurately predict the intentions behind the spread of this information, One can assume that the motive behind this development stems from ‘fear’ and the natural human instinct for survival amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Verification

As an independent fact-checking newspaper, POLITICS NIGERIA embarked on verifying the authenticity of the widely circulated broadcast.

This newspaper understands that people from the south-eastern part of the country use Negro pepper and Benja Black Pepper to treat various forms of ailments, conditions including post-natal care.

While there is no research that negates the claim or supports the claim, experts say COVID-19 is difficult to handle because it’s a novel virus. The World Health Organisation(WHO) has maintained that there is no approved drug or therapy that cures the disease yet.

An expert, Martins Ekor, said: “Herbs have been shown to be capable of producing a wide range of undesirable or adverse reactions some of which are capable of causing serious injuries, life-threatening conditions, and even death.”

Live Science also states that there is no known cure for the virus. “Currently, however, there is no cure for this coronavirus, and treatments are based on the kind of care given for influenza (seasonal flu) and other severe respiratory illnesses, known as “supportive care,”.

Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine claims

The Centre for disease control and prevention(CDC.gov) has stated that there is no known or tested cure for the virus. “There are no drugs or other therapeutics approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat COVID-19.”

“Current clinical management includes infection prevention and control measures and supportive care”. The CDC lists Hydroxychloroquine, Chloroquine and Remdesivir as therapeutic options that can help to ‘manage’ the virus not cure it.

Similarly, BBC health correspondent, James Gallagher, says that “Chloroquine seems to block the coronavirus in lab studies. There’s some anecdotal evidence from doctors saying it has appeared to help,”.

However, there is insufficient evidence from clinical trials to prove that Chloroquine can treat the virus.

Verdict

POLITICS NIGERIA understands that as at the time of this check, Nigeria has over 300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 already with six deaths.

Based on detailed information about the virus, the claim that Uda (Negro Pepper), Uziza (Benja Black Pepper), Lime and ginger can cure Coronavirus is not scientifically proven, hence can’t be ascertained to be a ‘cure’.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has advised against self-medication; whether through the use of drugs or herbs as such use may compound a patient’s medical history.

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Over the last 48 hours, Melinda Gates, wife of billionaire businessman, Bill Gates, has been under severe criticisms over a comment she reportedly made about 'seeing dead bodies all over Africa' in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

POLITICS NIGERIA, in its drive, to fight against 'Fake News', decided to investigate and find out if she actually made that statement.

CLAIM: Former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode quoted Melinda Gates to have said she "sees dead bodies all over Africa".

On Monday, Fani-Kayode wrote on Twitter;

"I see dead bodies all over Africa"- Melinda Gates. Horrendous vision from a horrendous lady with a horrendous husband. We reject it and return it to sender! The agenda of satan for Africa shall not stand. Those that have dug a pit for us shall fall into that pit themselves".

https://twitter.com/realFFK/status/1249348510484500483

Genesis

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

COVID-19 however, is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans until 2019.

As at the time of this report, Nigeria has 323 confirmed cases. While 85 persons had recovered, 10 persons have been confirmed dead. There are 1,870,076 confirmed cases worldwide. While 441,323 already recovered, the world has recorded 116,052 deaths.

To narrow the report to Africa, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), said there are now 13,814 confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in 52 countries across Africa. The centre on Sunday said the disease has killed 747 people while a total of 2,355 patients have recovered from the deadly disease across the continent.

South Africa has the highest country in Africa with 2,028 cases and 25 deaths, followed by Egypt with 1,939 and 146 deaths, and Algeria with 1,825 cases and 275 deaths.



Bill and Melinda Gates' Intervention

The duo on February 5, pledged to donate $100 million through their foundation to treat Coronavirus. They said the money will be used to support treatment efforts across the globe, build infrastructure to treat patients in Africa and Southern Asia, and fund the development of a vaccine.

Before then, they reportedly donated $10 million to fight the menace and they continue to warn the world against the pandemic.

The foundation suggested that World Health Organisation (WHO) should send highly trained healthcare workers to low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Southern Asia, establishing an international database on information on the outbreak, and funding vaccine manufacturing facilities.

Verification of Fani-Kayode's claim

This newspaper carried out an independent check on the claim attributed to Mrs Gates' by FFK.

It was gathered that Mrs. gates said the following in a recent interview with CNN where she spoke about Coronavirus pandemic, she said:

"It's going to be horrible in the developing world. Part of the reasons you are seeing the case numbers still do not look very bad is because they don't have access to many tests."

"Look at what is happening in Ecuador, they are putting bodies out on the streets, you are going to see that in countries in Africa,” she said.

She disclosed that when she "saw what China had to do to isolate an enormous part of its population. My first thought was Africa. How in the world are they going to deal with this."

"I have been in townships all over Africa and slums. When we talk about physical distancing and hand-washing. If you live in slums who can't physically distance, you have to go out and get your meals. You don't have clean water to wash your hands".


Verdict

By simple interpretation, POLITICS NIGERIA can report that Mrs Gates never said she saw dead bodies all over Africa. Rather, she's urging the world to act fast to save developing countries like Africa from disaster.

Mr Fani-Kayode stripped the Mrs Gates' comment of its context. The former minister and PDP chieftain is layering his presumed refutation of Melinda Gates' argument on a “spiritual” principle which is an exaggeration of the philantropist's comments.

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At a time when misinformation spreads like wildfire and fake news is being peddled daily, POLITICS NIGERIA, in its support for accountable media, has been fact-checking controversial claims capable of misleading the public.

CLAIM: A media report claimed that Nigeria’s finance minister, Zainab Ahmed announced that the government lost 700 billion Naira earmarked as COVID-19 Relief Funds to the fire outbreak that occurred at the Office of the Accountant-General in Abuja on Wednesday.

The report was posted by a news platform, Mystatenews, on Thursday evening.

“https://mystatenews.com/700-billion-covid-19-relief-funds-to-agf-fire-outbreak-says-finance-minister/”

Quoting the medium; “According to the finance minister, She said: We’re sorry about the incident occurred on Wednesday been 8th of April 2020, the government lost 700billion naira COVID-19 Relief Funds Due to the Fire outbreak, its caused a lot of damages in the office and we’re yet to investigate on what was the cause of the fire outbreak, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the Nigerians most especially to the SouthEast and Southwest, government together we will help fight this virus,” The report stated.

The report has however generated varying comments on social media platforms and Websites.

VERIFICATION: Checks by POLITICS NIGERIA revealed that there are no records that Nigeria has received any 700 billion naira relief fund.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in its latest update, 19 billion Naira has been realised from the donations from the private sector. While it was true that fire gutted the Treasury House, the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, on Wednesday, stated that there is no official report detailing any loss of funds to the inferno.

In fact, according to the spokesperson of the OAGF, Henshaw Ogubike, normal services and official business have been restored in the office of Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) barely 24 hours after the fire accident.

Meanwhile, the ministry of finance debunked the claim, saying Mrs. Ahmed did not grant a press conference or any interviews.

“No funds were lost in the fire at the Accountant Generals Office which was contained to two rooms. Donations are under N30b to date. This is pure mischief & should be disregarded.” the ministry wrote on its official twitter handle.

https://twitter.com/FinMinNigeria/status/1248381996415377408


More so, Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, labelled it fake news.

https://twitter.com/akandeoj/status/1248634556208611328

“Seems like a deluge of Fake News. First, Finance Minister DID NOT say anything like this below & addressed no such press conference. NA FAKE O!” He posted on social media.

VERDICT: The CLAIM that the Federal government lost 700billion naira COVID-19 Relief Funds to the fire outbreak is FALSE!

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Nigeria as a country faces several problems but one that has been a scourge is that of ‘Fake News’.

The Nigerian government through its Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, over the years maintain a stance to severely punish purveyors of fake news and hate speech.

Last October, Mohammed said: “purveyors of fake news and hate speech should not expect to sleep easy”.

However, POLITICS NIGERIA understands that even government officials, including Mr Mohammed, are also guilty of spreading false information also known as ‘fake news’.

To start with the Minister of Information, Mr Mohammed in 2017 said he has never told a lie before but findings by this newspaper reveal that the claim is incorrect.

In this report, we looked at notable public officials and politicians with a past of disseminating false information:

1. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

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On Wednesday, 8th April 2020, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala posted a fake picture on Twitter to salute Rwandan President, Paul Kagame for sharing food items to low-income households in the country to fight Coronavirus.

Meanwhile, a Google reverse image search later revealed that the picture was taken long ago in 2019 and not even in Rwanda.

The image was part of photographs taken of a Gambian Islamic leader who shared food items to Muslim Faithful last year.

Defending her action, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said that a friend sent her the picture claiming it was from Rwanda.

2. Femi Fani-Kayode

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In 2018, Former aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode wrote on Twitter that Nigeria was no longer among the top 10 biggest economies in Africa.

According to his Twitter post, Ghana followed by Ethiopia and Cote d’Ivoire had all surpassed Nigeria – even South Africa, according to him, was no longer among the top three biggest African economies.

Meanwhile, a check proved him wrong. Nigeria, according to Forbes, has a GDP of $405bn with a GDP growth rate of 1.6%. Egypt is in the second spot with $332bn GDP and GDP growth rate of 4.3% while South Africa occupies the third spot with South Africa with a GDP $295bn and GDP growth rate of 0.3%.

Going by the ranking, the claim by Fani-Kayode that Nigeria was no longer among the top 10 biggest economies in Africa is FALSE.

3. Lai Mohammed

https://politicsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Lai-Mohammed.jpg

On February 8, 2017, while speaking on President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence, Mr Mohammed said despite seeking an extended medical vacation, the president was not sick.

“I can say without any hesitation that Mr President is well, is hale and hearty. No question about that.”

Meanwhile, Jibrilla Bindow – the former governor of Adamawa confirmed the president’s health status as he asked Nigerians to pray for a sick Mr Buhari.

Upon his return, the president admitted that he had never experienced such an Illness since he was young.

4. Garba Shehu

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When Nigeria recorded its first case of Coronavirus, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, stated that Nigerian newspapers were ‘over-reporting’ on the Coronavirus rather than malaria that kills 822 people on a daily basis.

Unfortunately for Mr Shehu, the World Health Organisation (WHO) data indicates that malaria fatality rates are three times lower than that put forward by the presidential spokesperson.

5. Orji Uzor Kalu

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Now in prison for embezzlement and fraud while serving as a governor, the former Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, in July 2019, said President Muhammadu Buhari is the only Head of State without houses in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

This is false. Mr Buhari himself in a statement used to declare his asset form to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) disclosed that he has five properties located in Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

The statement was signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, on September 3, 2015.

6. Chris Ngige

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The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on 24th of April, 2019 said Nigeria has surplus doctors, hence, medical doctors are free to vacate the country.

He said this while speaking on Channels TV Sunrise Daily programme.

Meanwhile, a recommendation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) negated Mr Ngige’s claim. Adedayo Faduyile, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) President was surprised at the Minister’s statement. He explained that Nigeria suffers from an acute shortage of doctors.

7. Adebayo Shittu

https://politicsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/adebayoo-shittu.jpg

Nigeria’s former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, once claimed that his service as an elected member of the old Oyo State House of Assembly, in the defunct Second Republic, was equivalent to the compulsory one year National Youth Service Corps scheme.

This was at the height of an inquiry into reports that he did not have an authentic NYSC certificate, a compulsory requirement to hold public office in the country.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the NYSC, Adenike Adeyemi said a political office has nothing to do with compulsory service.

She explained that one can only skip the scheme when one graduates after the age of 30.

8. Festus Keyamo

https://politicsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/festus-keyamo-768x431.jpeg

In 2018, Festus Keyamo while serving as the spokesman for President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organization said Forbes rated Nigeria as having the best economy in Africa.

He made the statement in his appearance on Sunrise Daily programme on Channels Television.

Truly, Forbes in 2018 released the best economy ranking and Nigeria was not even rated top in Africa.

Nigeria was ranked 3rd best in Africa in terms of “investor protection”. Rwanda and South Africa were rated above Nigeria on the African continent, and Nigeria was ranked as 115th best country to do business in the world in a total of 153 countries that were surveyed.

9. Sabo Nanono

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The current Minister for Agriculture, Sabo Nanono while addressing Journalists in an event celebrating the international World Food Day last October said there is no hunger in the country but inconveniences.

While Mr Nanono did not make reference to any evidence, the Global Hunger Index (GHI) negated his claim.

GHI is a tool used to measure, track and raise awareness and understanding about hunger across global, regional and national levels. Recently, it ranked Nigeria – 93 out of 117 – with a score of 27.9; meaning the country is in serious hunger.

10. Audu Ogbeh

https://politicsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Audu-Ogbeh.jpg

In March 2019, the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, while defending his ministry’s budget at the National Assembly, decried Nigerians’ taste for foreign goods.

He said Nigerians use their cell phones to import pizza from London.

Meanwhile, Pizza outlets in London all request for a London address for the delivery of any ordered Pizza.

A spokesperson for Skyway Aviation Cargo Handling Company says it is against aviation rule to bring or take cooked food into/outside the country; except you’re a passenger on a private jet in which case you will still need a certification for it from the quarantine department.

In a bid to hold government officials and public officers accountable, POLITICS NIGERIA in the next series will compile another list of other top fake news purveyors.

This, we are doing in line with section 22 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which mandates the press to hold authority accountable.

BUA has today, redeemed its pledge of N1billion to the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria by way of a confirmed funds transfer to the COVID-19 relief fund account with the Central Bank of Nigeria. In addition, the company also announced another donation of N300million to Sokoto, Edo and Ogun States to assist in galvanizing a coordinated response and adequate preparedness in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in these states.

The donations to Sokoto and Edo States were on behalf of its Cement subsidiary, BUA Cement which has its major operations in those states whilst Ogun was also selected as a beneficiary due to its proximity to Lagos which had been the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria.

This development comes exactly a day after the Chairman of the Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, announced a cash donation of N1billion to Nigeria’s response to the virus and also, another donation to 9 states of medical and emergency kits and supplies including face masks, testing kits, safety goggles, gloves, personal protective gear – which have already been ordered and should be delivered soon.

In his comments on the additional donation of N300million to Edo, Sokoto and Ogun States, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group said that although these states have been identified for this intervention in the first instance, “BUA is monitoring the situation closely and is also looking at other states that may need additional help. We will continue engaging with these states and relevant partners including the NCDC in the areas where they need support to win this fight against COVID-19.”, Rabiu added.

Rabiu also urged other well-meaning Nigerians – individuals and corporates alike, to join hands in supporting the efforts to put the virus in check in Nigeria, financially and otherwise. “Our country needs us now more than ever. This is the time to come together and support.”

The CEO of FirstBank, Dr Adesola Adeduntan has announced that the Bank in partnership with government and other stakeholders is extending its attention to immediate needs in our society in the face of the widespread COVID-19 by putting in place complementary efforts in education to support students and minimize the disruption to education resulting from schools’ closure.

This is following the activation of the Bank’s Business Continuity Process and subsequent deployment of safety initiatives and measures implemented across its business outlets nationwide, to help flatten the curve and ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff customers and other stakeholders.

Dr Adeduntan explained that many parents are concerned about children and wards whose education is truncated by the current crisis and are particularly worried about keeping children at home idle as all schools from primary through to tertiary institutions are closed across the nation.

Emphasising the urgent need to ensure that our children are not disadvantaged, remain engaged and stay safe during this period, he announced the Bank has concluded plans with the necessary authorities to enable as many children as possible access e-learning.

Speaking on the initiative to enable as many children to move on to safe e-learning, Dr Adeduntan said “we are warmed by the fact that different organizations have risen to the various challenges and are supporting in areas such as health and welfare, and we feel the peculiar needs of our children and youth must not be left out and have therefore elected to focus on contributing to solving the current education challenge.

Education remains the bedrock of any society and we believe that when we educate our children we enable our nation and produce global citizens who provide groundbreaking solutions for the continent and the world at large. So, building educational partnerships is an avenue to support our children to remain resourceful and fully engaged at this time so they can compete favourably with their peers internationally. It’s a responsible approach to empower them given that they are our future and the foundation to build our country to greatness. By partnering on this we are solving a problem for families and for our future.”

To this end, we are working with the States; United Nations Global Compact; innovative technology firms such as Robert & John to provide e-learning solution with the Government approved curriculum for students across the country. The rollout begins first week in April starting with Lagos State where FirstBank will support the roll-out of Roducate which has been adjudged a best-fit solution by educators, teachers and all necessary authorities. This solution has the full curriculum on both the online and offline versions with the offline version of particular interest as it eliminates the challenge posed by data affordability.

We call on well-meaning organisations and individuals to join us and collectively rise to address the challenges this current pandemic presents to our children and youth and are reaching out to other organisations with complementary solutions to also partner on this initiative for the youth who are our future. They must not be lost in this pandemic’.

To strengthen national response to COVID-19 in Nigeria, Industrialist and Founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu has announced a donation of 1 billion naira cash through the BUA Foundation and has also placed an order for an additional donation of equipment and medical supplies including testing kits and medical protective gear to 9 states in Nigeria. These medical supplies are being airfreighted and will arrive Nigeria as soon as possible. States to benefit include Lagos, Kano, Adamawa, Edo, Kwara, Rivers, Abia, Akwa-Ibom and Sokoto.

Speaking on the donation, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group said that it was very important for the private sector to support the government’s effort to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic whilst also adding that the N1billion donation will be done through the Central Bank of Nigeria Led “Private Sector Coalition Committee against COVID-19”.

“This donation will not only provide additional needed funds to the government and NCDC’s efforts but will also serve to protect healthcare and medical workers on the frontlines of fighting the pandemic.”

“In addition to donating the ordered medical supplies and equipment to the two most populated states in Northern and Southern Nigeria, we have also selected 7 states across all geopolitical regions in Nigeria where significant members of the BUA workforce and their families are situated to help preparedness and response to the challenges posed by the pandemic.”

“Each of these 9 states will receive about 100,000 protective facemasks, 1000 high-grade medical protection and isolation gear, 2000 protective goggles, 1000 gloves and 1000 testing kits amongst other things.” Rabiu added.

I have repeatedly expressed the opinion that the tendency of APC members to always rush to file lawsuits in the Court whenever they disagree with one other or aggrieved over a decision taken by the Party hierarchy is wrong. These spates of litigations are disruptive of good Party administration. It smacks of indiscipline and portrays the Party as disorderly and in disarray.

Disagreement arising from diverse tendencies or varied opinions is bound to happen in any organization. It is a natural course of event expected in any political party or community. However, when such disagree occur the political party should be the first port of call for any aggrieved member to settle such disagreement amicably.

It should not be the Court of Law. Ordinary Courts should not assume jurisdiction to settle political disputes. This is because the Court of Law is not the ideal place for the settlement of political disputes. This is because political disputes are political disputes, not legal disputes.

When the political dispute is legally settled they are festering sore. Court decisions or judgments are one-sided; it is the winner takes all. But political settlements are ideal to settle political disputes.

This is why when we were writing the APC Constitution during the Merger Talk in 2013, we inserted Article 21 (D) (iv) of the APC Constitution, 2013 (as amended) barring any Member of the Party from filing an action in court without first exploring and exhausting the avenues for redress provided in the Constitution

Accordingly, Article 21 (D) (iv) of the Constitution stipulates that any member who rushes to court without availing himself or herself of this conflict resolution mechanisms provided in the Constitution shall be automatically expelled from the Party.

A Political Party is a voluntary association. So when you join a Political Party and subscribe to its membership, you have surrendered or subsume your rights to the Party and it is, therefore, required that you will subject yourself to the dictates of such a party including accepting majority decisions handed down by the Party (no matter how unpalatable).

This is precisely what Chief Bisi Akande, Chairman of APC National Reconciliation Committee is talking about in his Statement which is reproduced below. Members should avail themselves the opportunity provided by the Committee to go there and table their grievances. Members are encouraged to submit a memorandum on how disputes at the Ward, Local Government Area, State and National should be settled. I have accordingly submitted a memorandum on the crisis that has torn apart the Cross River State Chapter of the Party, since 2015.

I have said in my memorandum that the appointments into Government of half-hearted or opportunistic members over hardworking dedicated and committed members should stop. Hardworking and dedicated party men and women must be rewarded with an appointment, and they shouldn’t be sidelined under any guise.

Okoi Obono-Obla
19 March, 2020

A lecturer of Obafemi Awolowo University was caught on camera assaulting a student after a brief disagreement.

It was a cool and breezy morning on Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, campus, on March 6th, one of those days that students visit the Automobile Teller Machine (ATM) for a cash withdrawal before going for classes.

While it was a nice outing for many, it was otherwise for Adeleye Dolapo, a final year student of the department of English who was openly assaulted by one of the institution’s lecturers.

The student was on a queue trying to make a withdrawal from the UBA ATM at White House, Faculty of Science around 11 am when a lecturer of Atmospheric Physics, A. I. Ajao pounced on him.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that the queue at the ATM was long and students had to take the pain of lining up on the road. Trouble started when Mr Ajao who was driving by, suddenly challenged the students for obstructing vehicular movement.

Dolapo, who was on the queue proceeded to explain the situation of things to the lecturer. A visibly incensed Mr Ajao alighted from his car and charged at the student.

Speaking on the incident, Dolapo said; “We had an encounter when he asked every student to leave the road. He came down from his car to threaten me but I never took him seriously because no one bullies another on OAU campus”.

“In the blink of an eye, he already hit me. My phone fell and blood came out of my nose”, the attacked student said.

Uproar

Following Mr Ajao’s actions, Dolapo called on other students to express his displeasure over the incident.

Not pleased with all that played out, the students stormed the embattled lecturer’s office to question him and asked for his side of the story. In his office, Mr Ajao made a confession that he truly assaulted the student. He, however, said this act was done out of ‘annoyance’.

“I did not just slap him because I wanted to slap him. I slapped him when he was becoming rude to me. He was closed to me with pride, raising his voice at me and then I slapped him out of annoyance,” he said.

POLITICS NIGERIA is in possession of a video of his confession.

Kazeem Olalekan, a student leader who was there to moderate the matter alongside other colleagues, expressed shock and disappointment at the lecturer’s actions.

“You have done what OAU students and management do not condone and as such you will be brought to book”, the student said.

Intervention

Following the uproar, Mr Ajao called the university security accusing the students of disrespecting “constituted authority”. When the school security officials arrived, they listened to the matter and agreed that the lecturer was guilty of assault. He was thereafter, arrested and made to write a statement at the security unit.

When contacted, the chief security officer of the school, Babatunde Oyatokun told POLITICS NIGERIA that the security had informed university management about the issue.

“The university is aware of the conduct of the lecturer. We will file our report and we can assure you that proper action would be taken”.

When asked if the lecturer would be punished or not, Mr Oyatokun simply said: “nobody is above the law”.
Watch the Videos here:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3S0aY9_aYM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--hySnrL_WA

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

Following the sanction of sixteen monarchs by the Ekiti state government, Governor Kayode Fayemi has called for a meeting with major stakeholders, POLITICS NIGERIA can authoritatively report.

The meeting, which was scheduled for Monday, will be attended by group leaders and paramount Yoruba rulers including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Enitan, representatives of the Afenifere group and the embattled Ekiti monarchs.

POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported how Mr Fayemi issued a query to the monarchs over their absence at a meeting of the Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Also, this paper reported the intervention of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who wrote Mr Fayemi, advising that he tread softly and treat the traditional institutions with respect.

The foremost traditional ruler, who wrote on behalf of other royal fathers in Yoruba Land, condemned the composition of Council of Obas and Chiefs in the state.

“Your Excellency’s neglect of the hierarchical order by appointing a subordinate Oba as the Chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the State over and above the recognized order It was therefore with total displeasure and indeed total discomfort that we learnt of,” a copy of the letter obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA read.

It should be noted that the composition of the council has been contested in court by the aggrieved monarchs. Alaafin also urged Mr Fayemi to await the court’s verdict before taking any action.

Meanwhile, when our correspondent reached out to the spokesperson of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, he announced that a meeting between the state government and the traditional rulers will hold on Monday and promised to make the stance of the socio-cultural group known after the meeting.

“When I spoke with the Governor yesterday, he told me that there would be a meeting of the traditional rulers on Monday. We will release our stance after the meeting,” He told this newspaper on Saturday.

Nevertheless, the spokesperson of Mr Fayemi, Yinka Oyebode, declined comments when POLITICS NIGERIA requested his reactions to the letter on Saturday morning.

“I cannot comment on a social media letter. From my knowledge of administration, if a letter is written to the Governor or Presidency, it is delivered to the registrar and the submitted to the appropriate quarters.”

When asked if the letter is not original or yet to be received by the Governor, he responded; “I’m not saying it is fake but I prefer seeing the hardcopy of the letter. Moreover, I don’t think I want to talk about the matter since it is in court.”

Businessman sues Eko Hotels, seeks reassignment of Judge

An international businessman, Chief Solomon Nwadiogbu, has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to reassign his case against management of the Eko Hotel and Suites from Justice S. Saidu, over alleged bias and lack of confidence.

Nwadiogbu told reporters in Lagos at the weekend the suit he filed against the Eko Hotel and Suites over the illegal seizure of his personal belongings valued at about N400m is about to be frustrated by Justice Saidu, who has allegedly refused to hear the case after almost a year of being assigned the case.

According to Nwadiogbu, who is the claimant in suit No. FHC/L/CS/630/2019 between him and Eko Hotels and Suites, the judge has been doling out different excuses and demands before he can even hear the case, talk less of arriving at when he would deliver judgment.

The businessman is locked in a legal battle with the Lagos hotel over the seizure of his personal belongings worth almost N400m.

“But it is surprising that nearly one year of filing the suit at the Federal High Court and the reassignment of the case to Justice Saidu, the judge has been making different efforts to frustrate the case by not hearing and even making outrageous demands that has nothing to do with the case.

“All we hear whenever we go to court is excuses from Justice Saidu that he is not happy because he is retiring soon and has no money and that he is overworked, and all sorts.”

“When he (the judge) saw my first petition that he should excuse himself from the case and assign to another judge, he reached out to me through his registrar, Onome.

“The said Onome has visited my house four times for this same matter. On getting to me he handed me the phone to speak with the judge through a WhatsApp call and the Judge told me that the petition I wrote to the Admin Judge cannot have any “effect,” adding that the Admin Judge is not the Chief Justice. He finalized by saying that I was running away from doing the ‘needful,” Nwadiogbu alleged.

According to Nwadiogbu, the judge openly told his counsel in court that he has three judgements to write and he was planning his son’s wedding but has no money.

Upon the deliberate delays, the businessman said he wrote a letter to the Federal High Court, Lagos, asking that his case be transferred to another judge.

He even wrote a reminder before the date of hearing to the judge and on the date for the hearing, the judge was confirmed to be absent.

“My cause for concern is as to why the case has been delayed as all the papers of both parties in this said case have been before the judge since June 2019 ,” he said.

His media adviser, Mr Fidelis Chukwuma, explained what transpired between his principal and the hotel.

According to him, the businessman was a long permanent guest at the Eko Hotel and Suites for six years between 2013 and 2019.

He occupied a permanent suite in the guest house located in the heart of Victoria Island.

“Being a man of means and people,” he said the billionaire businessman expectedly made his permanent suite a place where he hosted friends, clients, business partners and for six years he was said to have paid his bills as and when due.

“He (Nwadiogbu) is a reputable businessman, who is a well-known philanthropist with a passion for the poor, considering how he has been putting food on the table of hundreds of less privileged on daily basis, was a reliable and trusted customer of Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos for six solid years between 2013 and 2019.

“The billionaire philanthropist due to the nature of his business and hosting of many of his clients, partners and staff, as well as the business relationship with the expatriates, had a permanent suite in Eko Hotel for about six years, paying for his bills regularly.

“This development without any iota of doubt made him perhaps the longest permanent guest in the highbrow hotel. Prior to his stay in Eko Hotels and Suites, this international businessman had also had permanent suits in different hotels in Lagos and outside the Centre of Excellence for months between 2010 and 2013. And in all the hotels, he paid his bills to the last kobo without any records of indebtedness.

“But regardless of his commitment to the hotel, some of the staff and management team of the hotels wanted to cut corners through him by offering the ‘special guest’ deals that is injurious to the hotel, which the international businessman evidently turned down because he is an honest man.

“Curiously, the officials went behind Nwadiogbu and dubiously opened a lot of PM accounts in the businessman’s name and subsequently checked people in into the hotel without his knowledge and thereby using him to commit fraud within the hotel.”

When he found out, the businessman, it was learnt, frowned against the development because he doesn’t want to abuse privileges and won’t be happy and comfortable if his workers do the same thing to him.

“At a point, the businessman had a health challenge which affected his system while in the hotel and he was rushed to a hospital where it was later discovered that his food in the hotel was poisoned. He was moved from the hotel to three different hospitals and his medical bills gulped millions for treatments.”

Based on the ugly incident, an agreement was said to been reached between the industrialist and the hotel that he should be cooking his food and on the strength of this, he employed his cook and he stopped eating from the hotel’s services.

“It was also learnt that the perpetrators of the alleged fraud went on to crash the systems to avoid the businessman from reporting the fraud to the new helmsman in charge of Eko Hotel.

“But little did they know that the diligence in the businessman has made him keep all shreds of evidence of payments he made while staying in the hotel.

“Based on the alleged dubious nature of the hotel managers, the businessmen decided to quit his stay in the hotel because he felt that he cannot continue to put up with the mess going on there.

“But to his chagrin, he was accused of not paying his bills on foods in the hotel for six years. He subsequently issued a cheque of N20million and told them that he needs proof of their claims.

“But after two days, his cheque was returned back to him on account that he should not bother himself with the allegation. And to date, there was no proof that he owes the hotels.

“But to his surprise when he decided to move his cars out from the hotel premises, the hotel management prevented him from doing, thereby stalling the removal of four cars belonging to his company and other properties worth over N400million on the account that he owed the hotel N18million.

“Irked by the development, the businessman, who has high regards for the rule of law, approached a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos and filed his case with all documented pieces of evidence.

“But amusingly, since April 2019 till date, the case with Suit No. FHC/L/CS/630/2019 has not been put up for hearing and has continued to suffer several baseless adjournments by the assigned Judge for the case. For instance, when the case was called in June 2019, it was surprisingly adjourned to November 2019.”

Chukwuma said: “it is not only Chief Nwadiogbu that is calling for the reassignment of this case but knowledgeable members of the public are also seeking that as it has become a public issue.

“This is so because tongues are wagging in the country on why a hotel facility will treat his customer of six years in such a manner by withholding his properties of over N400m in lieu of a phantom N18million debt that supposedly didn’t exist. Nigerians are watching. “

The Standard Organization of Nigeria today, Wednesday, February 12th 2020, presented the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certification to Nigeria first indigenous vehicle manufacturing company, Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing. The MANCAP certificate was presented to the Chairman/CEO of Innoson Vehicles, Chief Dr. Innocent Chukwuma OFR by the Director-General of Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, Osita Aboloma Esq.

Delivering his Keynote Address, Osita Aboloma said that the award certificate to Innoson Vehicles shows that the company went through rigorous process of inspections and quality assurance in the last five years or even more and also demonstrated compliance to the relevant product standards and is providing products that meet consumer expectations and offer value for money among other benefits.

Stating further, he said "with the award of MANCAP's certificate to Innoson brand of vehicles, we are demonstrating how standardization and conformance to standard offer strategic opportunities for increased efficiency, set bench marks and help promote Made-In-Nigeria products to the international market, as this award will boost Innoson's brand across borders. We are in effect saying that Innoson brand is fit to be used in Nigeria and beyond.

In his Goodwill message, the National President of Nigerian Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Hajiya Saratu Iya Aliyu and who was represented its National Vice President, Mr Humphrey Ngonadi noted that for Innoson Vehicles to receive the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) means that it met the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and it is a "confirmation of the capacity of our industry". The NACCIMA President assured Innoson Vehicles of the continuous support of NACCIMA to his company.

Giving his remarks, the Innoson Vehicle Boss, Chief Chukwuma gave the assurance that Innoson Vehicles will continue to employ international best practices in the production of its vehicles so that they can compare favorably in terms of durability, fuel economy and safety. He stated further that the company is now producing affordable cars that an average Nigerian worker can purchase easily.

The SON's mission is to promote consumer confidence and global competitiveness of Made-in-Nigeria products and services through Standardization and Quality Assurance. SON established the Mandatory product certification scheme (MANCAP) to ensure that locally manufactured products provide the required degree of satisfaction to consumers through compliance with applicable standards and government policies on standardization and conformity assessment.

A major attendant benefit of the SON certification to Innoson Vehicles is hitch-free exportations to other countries and mostly the African Countries.

A combined team of security operatives invaded the venue of IPOB gathering in Ebonyi and opened fire on innocent citizens. Early reports indicate many are seriously injured with some in critical condition. @AmnestyNigeria @CFR_org @marcorubio @chriscoons pic.twitter.com/0nbyJXV3h1

— Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (@MaziNnamdiKanu) October 27, 2019