The Emir of Gumel, HRH Alh. Ahmed Mohammed Sani II, has given his blessings to Prince Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

This was during Prince Adebayo’s visit to honor the invitation to the Emirate of Gumel Durbar Festival in Jigawa State on Saturday, 8th October, 2022.

The SDP presidential candidate was received by the Emir of Gumel before the Durbar Festival commenced.

In his speech, Prince Adewole noted that his visit to Gumel is an example of politics without bitterness.

He said, “When our Emir was in politics as general secretary of the GMPP, the motto of the party is politics without bitterness, and that was what the peace accord was meant to be”.

“In doing our politics, we are going to disagree on issues, but we would give no bitterness. We will compete on ideas; we will see ourselves as children of Nigeria and leaders of Nigeria. We are brothers, even if we disagree on issues we don’t disagree in persons, and our followers and supporters will know that they, too, are brothers and sisters, that election will be over and Nigeria will continue”, he said.

He noted that the SDP is committed to eradicating poverty and insecurity and this is the message of hope that has been brought to the people of Gumel in Jigawa state.

He said, “What has been slowing them down is that they need a government that is committed to eradicating security and eradicating poverty and that is what message we have brought here. By the time that we will come here next year, insha Allah we will be in government and you will see a lot of projects in this emirate”.

The Emir of Gumel, HRH Alh. Ahmed Mohammed Sani II(CON) gave his blessings, prayed for him and expressed his support for Prince Adewole Adebayo.

Prince Adewole was accompanied by his entourage made up of Sen. Alkali Baba (The Saraduna of Gumel), Alhaji Shehu Gabam(SDP National Chairman), Solomon Dalung, Godwin Osigbeme, Ali Shettima SDP Kano State Chairman and other Jigawa state party Excos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuAi1rAZ3jw

JOINT WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE BY CHAIRMEN OF NIGERIA POLITICAL PARTIES, POLITICAL LEADERS, AND HEADS OF POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS (REGISTERED AND DEREGISTERED), OPPOSITION COALITION (CUPP) COALITION OF UNITED POLITICAL PARTIES AND THE CIVIL SOCIETY ON IMMINENT THREATS TO THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION AND DEMAND FOR CREDIBLE, ACCEPTABLE FREE AND FAIR 2023 ELECTION THROUGH THE USE OF THE BVAS MACHINE AND MAINTAINING THE INDEPENDENCE OF INEC.

THERE IS A NEW ALLEGED PLOT TO STOP THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS, DEACTIVATE THE BIVAS FROM THE INEC SERVER, AND FORCE OUT INEC TOP OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN

PROTOCOLS

Let me start by welcoming the media community, members and non-members of the opposition coalition, our friends in the Civil Societies, distinguished Chairmen and representatives of Political parties, heads of different political associations here, etc.
Thank you all here for coming, and thank you all who are watching us live as we are being transmitted live by AIT, Arise TV, and numerous streaming platforms.

To save time, permit us to go straight to the point.

The Chairmen of Nigeria Political Parties, Opposition Coalition CUPP, and Heads of Political associations have intercepted intelligence of an alleged fresh plot against the 2023 election and this time being coordinated by leading figures of the ruling APC Party, APC Governors led by a South East APC Governor with controversial past and another from the North West who are working with their colleagues to perfect a plot to intimidate INEC leadership into abandoning the use of electronic transmission and uploading of election results to the INEC server, deactivation of the BIVAS machine from INEC server and the creation of crisis of confidence based on trumped up charges that will lead to the removal of top officials of the Commission including the INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood and other National Commissioners who are insisting on the use of the BIVAS for the 2023 election and the irreversible use of electronic transmission of the result.

This latest intelligence and shocking information involve the use of security agencies, the APC-controlled Senate, and the court to cause a leadership crisis and change that will see to the removal of the Commission’s top leadership led by Prof Mahmud Yakubu and the appointment of a pushover and compromised acting Chairman who will ruin the credibility of the 2023 election by deactivating the BVAS machine from INEC server, stop the use of electronic transmission of result and also ensure that the Commission’sCommission’s Resident Electoral Commissioners nominated by APC Governors are quickly approved and deployed to States where they will be of assistance to the ruling party at the expense of credible, free and fair elections.

We, the Chairmen and leaders of different political parties here (AA, LABOUR, PDP, ADC, APP ETC), candidates of different parties, CSOS, and leaders of Opposition Coalition CUPP categorically state that any plan to destabilize INEC and force the top officials of the Commission including the INEC Chairman out of office, whether with trumped-up charges, manipulated security report, instigated or coordinated parliamentary investigation, a hurriedly obtained injunction from the court, a Code of Conduct Bureau inquiry or an arrest and hurried arraignment will not be accepted. We repeat, these will not be accepted by Nigerian political parties, party leaders, civil societies, and the generality of Nigerians.

Any further actions in this direction will be playing with fire and a direct affront and challenge to Nigerian voters and the entire political parties, and it will be resisted vehemently.

Read the mind, eyes, soul, and heart and hear the voice of the opposition. It will not augur well for anyone who continues with this alleged evil plot.

We have been tipped off by our intelligence both inside APC and the camp of the Governors in the conspiracy, and we can state that the opposition is in receipt of information that the INEC leadership, especially senior officials, are being put under immense pressure to abandon the use of the BVAS machine, result transmission and in particular to deactivate the BIVAS from the server, an alleged dangerous request which if ever granted under any circumstances can throw Nigeria into pre and post-election crisis and will be unacceptable to Nigerian voters, especially the youths who have renewed confidence in the electoral process.

We are also informed that there is a plot to cause a leadership change in the Commission’s top hierarchy and cause a sweeping change with less than 140 days to the elections. The alleged plan to remove Prof. Mahmud Yakubu and top officials of INEC is a no-go area. The political parties in the county will not accept it. This alleged plot has been coordinated by some APC chieftains and Governors led by a controversial South East APC Governor. If this plot is not crushed, it can discredit our election and throw Nigeria into crisis. Our institution can’t be destroyed for one man’s quest or a group of people to keep what was hijacked from the people.

NIGERIA POLITICAL PARTIES CHAIRMEN, LEADERS, CHIEFTAINS OF OPPOSITION CUPP, AA, LABOUR PDP, APP, ADC ETC, WILL NOT ACCEPT, AND WE REPEAT, ACCEPT ANY PLAN TO STOP THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS, USE OF BIVAS. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT OR AGREE FOR ANY ELECTION TO BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS, WE WILL RESIST ANY PERSON OR PLOT TO DEACTIVATE THE BIVAS FROM THE INEC SERVER, WE WILL RESIST ANY HURRIEDLY OR ARRANGED PLOT TO FORCE, BLACKMAIL, USE TRUMP UP CHARGES, COOKED UP SECURITY REPORT OR ANY METHOD TO FORCE THE INEC CHAIRMAN OR ANY OF HIS COMMISSIONERS OUT OF OFFICE. KNOW IT TODAY, OPPOSITION AND POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS AND NIGERIAN VOTERS ARE AWARE, READY, AND UNITED TO DEFEND THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

REPEAT WITH US, NO BIVAS – NO ELECTION, NO SERVER – NO ELECTION, NO ELECTRONIC RESULT TRANSMISSION – NO ELECTION, ANY DESTABILISATION OR ILLEGAL MOVE TO FORCE COMMISSION TOP OFFICIALS, INCLUDING INEC CHAIR – NO ELECTION. THOSE WHO THINK THAT THEY CAN MANIPULATE INSTITUTIONS OF STATE, BOTH JUDICIAL AND OTHERS, TO SNEAK INTO POWER SHOULD KNOW THAT 2023 IS THE PEOPLE’S TURN, AND WE WILL DEFEND IT WITH ALL OUR HEARTS.

Any attempt to reenact the Onnoghen formula by a few desperate APC Leaders and Governors who know that they, as well as their sponsored candidates, are now unelectable will not work. The plan to destroy the only ray of hope for our election represented by the electronic devices that will also transmit results electronically, especially BIVAS will be resisted.

Knowing that the conspiracy against our electoral system started with the audacious compromise of the continuous voters’ registration exercise code-named Omuma magic, we applaud INEC for accepting there were issues and moving on to continue the cleaning up of the fake registrations which was of high magnitude and would have ruined the 2023 election.
The nightmare caused by the shocking uncovering of the Omuma magic, which saw foreigners, male pictures with female gender, female gender with male pic, burial pictures, and children faces with age above that of late queen Elizabeth will continue to keep Nigerians in shock for years to come.
We are not happy that those behind this audacious criminal operation have not been arrested, sacked, and prosecuted and have still been kept for likely more damage to our 2023 election.

We, therefore, call for the investigation, arrest, and trial of those who are involved in the compromise of voters’ registration called Omuma Magic and for INEC to make its internal report public and redeploy the staff responsible as a way to rebuild confidence.

We also call on President Muhammadu Buhari, if he is serious about his speech at the United Nations to ensure the 2023 election is free and credible, to keep watch on his APC Governors and some institutional heads whose alleged desperation can thwart the current electoral reform efforts and place him in a bad record. Security agencies must be neutral as 2023 is a decisive election that, if well conducted, can make Nigeria and, if not well conducted, can mar Nigeria as young Nigerians are apprehensive and ready to stand firm for a credible election.

The offensive attack on INEC staff to intimidate them into silence, submission, and allegiance pledge to APC have been launched. The political parties wish to alert the public and inform the President and heads of security agencies, assuming they are not aware and not part of it, and the Nigerian people and international community of the ongoing institutional intimidation and arrest of INEC staff at different states to intimidate them, especially Imo State where over 5 INEC staff have been taken by security operatives from the Imo DSS and without access to lawyers, doctors or families and are kept in no access confinement on the alleged, suspected influence of the State Govt who wants to intimidate them into silence to help cover the Omuma Magic compromise of the voters’ register. Nigerians, can we have a free and fair election when staff of an independent electoral body are taken away and kept in detention without access to their families, lawyers, and communication with their employer. If the intelligence that we have that innocent staff are being taken away in a bid to find out how Nigerians got to know that voter registration was compromised instead of going after those who released their password and criminally aided the fake registrations, then we boldly say Nigeria is in trouble, and 2023 is in danger. Fake registrations and manipulation of registrations are criminal offenses punishable under the electoral act with imprisonment, so coverage of such offenses is a state crime for which any officer of govt involved should be arrested for undermining the Republic. The non-arrest of the culprits and pursuit of the source of the leak that exposed the shocking Omuma magic is provocative, insulting, and an attempt to desecrate the institution of govt.

The painful cases of Felix Agu, Chidiebere Muo, and numerous other INEC staff taken by Imo DSS in Owerri to help silence the independence of the Commission must be mentioned, and the attention of the President, Muhammad Buhari and DG DSS brought to the situation that likes of Chidiebere Muo and others whose pictures I am now displaying are still in DSS cell. Our DG, take your telephone, call Owerri and find out. The integrity of the election starts with the independence of the Commission. Confidence building is important, and not only must our election be free and fair but seen to be so, and unless ongoing acts, if not stopped, can cause confidence problems that can lead to post-election disagreements.

This is to alert Nigerians that the Nigerian police, DSS, and other security agencies have not arrested those who helped to manipulate the voters’ register and released their BIVAS password with which fake registrations and the upload were made into the voters’ register, which was aimed at rigging 2023 election, rather staff are being taken to force them into silence and to find if any of them leaked the information of the criminality instead of finding and arresting the criminals. As parties, we say that arrest and public shaming of the perpetrators and their collaborators who perpetrated the voter registration fraud is non-negotiable. No matter the atmosphere, no matter who is involved, as leaders of the country’s political process and platforms, we have an equal stake and can’t be intimidated into silence. We will continue to act within the ambit of the law, but we are not going to run away or surrender to those who want to destroy what they did not build and what does not belong to them. We are ready for the election and will keep vigilance and not allow our electoral process to be derailed. We also wish to urge an end to continued arrest and denial of rights to those with opposing views to help lead us to a stable election as Nigeria belongs to us all, and even with chains on our legs, we, as opposition leaders, shall continue to fight for a better society.

Gentlemen, in view of the repeated and many failed attempts to either compromise the voters’ register Omuma Magic, arrest of INEC staff, filing of suits against electronic transmission of results, secret suits to remove INEC Chairman, trump up cases on his assets forms which the court has cleared him, and this latest fresh intelligence, we as major players in the country’s electoral process as political parties have unanimously agreed that we are proceeding to the court to seek judicial approval to restrain these alleged midnight enemies of democracy operating in the dark from causing the deactivation of the BIVAS from the server, the stoppage of use of BIVAS, the use of any method whether cooked up report, parliamentary resolution or instigated investigation, fabricated media propaganda or character blackmail, arrest on trumped up criminal allegations, investigation or charges in attempting to stop the leadership of INEC from carrying out their duties.

We are also storming the USA, UK, and other foreign embassies where we are going to submit petitions and alert them of the alleged new conspiracy which threatens the Nigerian electoral process and electoral stability. We will urge them to keep vigilant eyes on the process as development partners and ensure there is adequate vigilance and support plus pressure to ensure the right things are done in compliance with extant laws.

In conclusion, the Political parties and Opposition parties are saying that the continued stability of the INEC leadership, the electronic transmission of results, the use of BIVAS, the continued functioning of the INEC server, the stoppage of detention of INEC staff and immediate release, the non-harassment of opposition candidates, leaders and chairmen with trump up charges, arrest, etc. are non-negotiable and mandatory conditions for a free, fair and credible 2023 election.

God bless us all

As the division within the PDP continues to widen, it would seem that some strange alliances are starting to emerge.

National Politics involves a lot of horse trading. Could this be one of the master strokes ? Is it a case of an APC Senatorial Candidate supporting a PDP Presidential Candidate and a PDP Senatorial Candidate in Cross River North supporting an APC Presidential Candidate?

Interesting days ahead. One thing is certain, Senator Jarigbe is not a Politician to toy with. He has no dull moments. He is Wike’s Man to the core.

The big question is, what will this supposed alliance mean for the 2023 general elections?

Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Prof Dame Nora L Daduut has been nominated and appointed as a member of the TINUBU/SHETTIMA women Presidential Campaign team based on her political standing.

Her letter of appointment was signed by Her Excellency Distinguished Senator Dr Oluremi S. Tinubu OON, the wife of the APC Presidential flag bearer as the Chairman of the Women Presidential Campaign Team .

The campaign team was inaugurated on Monday, 10th October, 2022 at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Our correspondent reports that Senator Prof. Dame Nora L. Daduut was assigned to the strategic Planning Directorate of the Tinubu / Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team .

A statement signed by Senator Daduut and made available to newsmen in Jos reads that she eulogized the leadership virtues of the Presidential Candidate of the ruling party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu saying the country’s fortunes would be dramatically changed for the better under the command of the former Governor of Lagos State Bola Ahmed Tinubu if elected .

Daduut who renewed her faith and loyalty to her party the All Progressives Congress ,expressed optimism that Tinubu would use his vast experience for the unity and development of the country, if elected president.

She expressed her Joy to the wife of the Presidential Candidate of the APC Senator Remi Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress ,the Director General of the Campaign Council Barrister Simon Lalong for finding her worthy to serve the party during the electioneering period .

Senator Daduut pledged to work for the success of the APC at all levels in the general elections.

The Senator who again hailed the appointment of the Plateau state governor Simon Lalong as the Director General for the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 campaign council said she would always work with Governor Lalong and support his political aspiration at all times .

She said Tinubu who is a crowd puller in every part of Nigeria has taken a good decision in the choice of Lalong as the Director General and that is a sure key to victory of the party in the presidential election in 2023.

” I urge citizens of the country especially those from Plateau South Senatorial district to work for the victory of the All Progressives Congress at all level in the forthcoming general election .she added .

A close and cross examination of the list shows that 60 to 70 percent of the recipients have not critically impacted the country, whether in economy, politics, or what have you, to deserve such prestigious glorification.

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Government had fixed October 11, 2022 to hold a posh event at the State House, Abuja, to confer National Awards on hundreds of Nigerians. A leaked list which the Presidency dismissed, detailed that 437 persons had been shortlisted for the awards, which is traditional for every Nigerian leader to confer on deserving citizens who have distinguished themselves in service to nation building.

While the Federal Government had treated the widely circulated list as “fake news”, and said that it was working to amend it, Nigerians did not fail to decode its shortcomings. A close and cross examination of the list shows that 60 to 70 percent of the recipients have not critically impacted the country, whether in economy, politics, or what have you, to deserve such prestigious glorification. Many have questioned the criteria for which the names were arrived at.

The ‘debunked’ list had already steered mixed reactions on social media as many Nigerians tagged the development as “an award of failure, incompetence and corruption”. When the Government would later release the ‘official’ list on Monday, it eventually turned out not to be different from the list already circulating on social media. The initial list contained the same number of names (437) as the official list released by the Special Assistant on Digital Communications to President Buhari.

With little consideration to merit and capacity, majority of the recipients typifies individuals who are in the list because they are in the good books of the current administration, or probably because of they share the same bloodline with the President, justifying the phrase ‘blood is thicker than water’. According to the list, politicians, public officers, security officers, businessmen, traditional rulers, members of the academia, retired public officers, religious leaders and musical artistes are among the classes of Nigerians that will be awarded.

The categories include: Order of the Federal Republic, consisting of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). Also, in the Order of the Niger, are Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

Notable Names Missing Out

Conspicuously, credible names are missing on the list. How did the name of Udom Emmanuel, the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State miss the list? His capacity and tenacity in driving Industrialisation, Infrastructural and human capacity development in the state remains unmatched in Nigeria. The said list did not also include Lieutenant Colonel Abu Ali, the Commanding Officer of the 272 Task Force Tank Battalion who led other gallant troops to recapture Baga town in Borno State from Boko Haram in one of the most fiercest battles with insurgents in 2015. Until his death in 2016, he was nicknamed “BK Killer” by his men owing to his successes against the insurgents.

A posthumous award was not also considered for Tolulope Arotile, the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force, who was said to have died from a head injury sustained in a car accident just inside the Air Force base in Kaduna. Two years into her career, Arotile had acquired 460 hours of helicopter flight, which was an outstanding performance for a combat pilot. She was a five-star pilot who massively bombed insurgents in the North West and North East regions of Nigeria.

In the Energy sector, names of professionals whose visionary leadership has improved the local capacity of Nigeria in the Oil and Gas Industry were left out. A certain Ms Chantelle Abdul, CEO of Mojec Power and MOJEC Meter Company, a key power sector stakeholder and serial entrepreneur whose experience and reach has metered the homes of millions of Nigerians, was ignored. Ms Abdul led the growth of a small family business into one of the most iconic brands in the Nigerian Power Sector today, as well as the largest Smart Meter Manufacturer in West Africa, and possibly Sub-Saharan Africa. One of her first achievements as the newly installed CEO of MOJEC International, was to raise millions of dollars to build one of Nigeria’s largest state-of-the-art Smart Meter Assembly Facility with an installed capacity of over 1.2 million meters, annually.

Surprisingly, for the first time in Nigeria’s socio-political history, President Buhari, jettisoned the known convention and practice by excluding a former President of the Nigerian Senate- Bukola Saraki, who led the National Assembly from 2015 to 2019, from the national honours. Even with pleas from concerned stakeholders, Buhari who is not short of knowledge that Saraki is worthy of the award, deliberately left him out, maybe, because of their political rivalry. It has always been the convention and practice that a Vice President, Senate President, and CJN be given the title either on the assumption of office or when national awards were being generally bestowed on recipients.

In Nigeria’s Aviation industry, there is an unsung hero. Dr. Benard Olumuyiwa Aliu was the fifth and past President of Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Ottawa, Canada He did a lot for the Nigerian aviation sector. Between 2014 – 2019, he was the number one aviation personality in the world. While Buhari ignored him, he has been bestowed with numerous honours and awards globally for his achievements and contributions to the development of International Civil Aviation. The ICAO Museum was named after him.

Rewarding Incompetence

Nigeria’s Senate President who has been labelled by opposition as “rubber stamp”, leads the pack of recipients which also has relations of the President put up for awards. Many of the recipients have been considered by critics as praise singers and loyalists of the President, who have contributed nothing tangible to nation building, except that they have strong relationship with the Villa. Many have wondered how the names of persons who have not completed a single national project of interest have their names on the list.

Other surprising names listed by Buhari for conferment of the national honours were his nephew, Mamman Daura; his personal assistant, Sabiu Yusuf (Tunde); in-law, the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasir Bayero. His spokesman, Femi Adesina who does nothing other than paint the President in many false colours to edify him, was also listed. Others close to Buhari, who were nominated for the award, include State House Chief of Protocol, Lawal Kazaure; the president’s aide on domestic affairs, Sarki Abba; personal physician, Sanusi Rafindadi; and State House Administrative Officer, Abubakar Maikano. His late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari who was once considered to be one of the big guns of the Villa ‘Cabal’, was listed for posthumous award.

For someone supervising the Education Ministry in the face of a long-standing faceoff between striking Varsity lecturers and the Federal Government, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Nigeria’s Education Minister also made the cut. Under his watch, infrastructure and standards of education have fallen across the country. The education sector came out of recession in the second quarter of 2021, after contracting for five consecutive quarters since Q2 2020. The sector recorded a contraction of 0.75 percent in 2021 compared to a contraction of 13.57 percent in 2020. A statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Giwa Temitope, on Monday, said it was an insult to the collective intelligence of Nigerian students who had been locked out of schools for close to eight months due to the ongoing strike action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which Adamu had failed to resolve.

For the name of the DG of NIMASA who has made little or no impact at all in the Maritime sector to considered was further worrying. In Nigeria’s Maritime sector, there is a Dr Vicky Haastrup, a leading female force to reckon with in the industry. She is the Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman of ENL Consortium Limited, the entity that manages the operations of Terminals C& of the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa. With a robust 23-year working experience with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, she was able to deal with the challenge of operating one of the most strategic terminals at the Lagos Port Complex.

The 437 names have again brought to the fore, Buhari’s preference for Nepotism over merit, capacity and Federal Character. Owing to their exploits at recent international outings, nobody would question why Ese Brume, Tobi Amusan, Blessing Okorodudu, and others got national awards. Their achievements speaks volumes. This should be the standards for giving national honours. Anything short of such standards will only be interpreted as political compensation. It is because of these shortcomings that some distinguished Nigerians like Professor Chinua Achebe rejected national honours.

Reactions

Speaking on the nominations, President of YIAGA Foundation, Samson Itodo noted that: “Those given these awards, ideally, should be icons that people see and revere and want to emulate those qualities that they have. But if you give these awards to people who, morally, don’t have the capital to hold those awards, Nigerians would not recognise or take those seriously.”

“It constitutes an insult on the collective intelligence of Nigerian students both home and in the diaspora that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu under whose nose University students have been home for close to 8 months is to be awarded the National Honours of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON). This singular act of the Buhari’s administration is a clear pointer to the fact that Nigerian students have been taken for a ride,” NANS said.

itel has launched the itel S18 series smartphones for Nigerians who love short videos. itel was recently ranked as Africa’s 15th Most Admired Brand earlier this year and has been the recipient of several awards for their reliable and affordable products. The brand is also the number one smartphone brand under 70,000 naira globally. A feat many applaud as the brand’s mission is for everyone to Enjoy Better Life. It comes as no wonder that the brand has announced the itel S18 series as the best selfie vlog smartphone for Nigerians.

With users’ wants and needs in a phone constantly changing, the itel S18 series was designed as a response to these needs. Appropriately tagged, ‘Made for Selfie Vlog’, the itel S18 series offers users the chance to be more creative and share their videos and pictures with the world at an affordable price tag.



Short videos are the trending thing and the itel S18 is equipped with an 8MP AI selfie camera for clear videos. The camera’s high-definition pixels have been paired with video beauty mode to give users the perfect version of themselves. The front camera flashlight guarantees clear selfie vlogs even in lowlight. Users are free to paint their stories in incredible and creative detail whenever they use the itel S18.

Impressive 3D AR stickers come preinstalled with the camera and give users customized and fun selfies. The video beauty mode feature then gives them the self-confidence to share their creativity with their loved ones and communities.

The itel S18’s 64GB large storage can store more than 10,000 photos and 5,000 songs. There is 2GB of RAM which users can extend to 4GB with the Memory Fusion feature on the smartphone. The body of the itel S18 has a stereoscopic pattern tailored for trendy users. The smartphone is 8.7mm slim with a straight edge design and comfortable grip. You can get the itel S18 in 3 colours, Mint Green, Digital Silver, and Midnight Black in itel authorized phone stores nationwide or on Jumia and Xpark.

Great Display, Strong Battery, Efficient Operations

itel S18 has a 6.6’-inch HD+ waterdrop FullScreen with 720*1612 screen resolution. Pictures, videos, and every detail is much more vivid and clearer. The 5000mAh long-lasting battery of the smartphone is another major satisfaction point. A fully charged itel S18 will support 20 hours of browsing, 15 hours of playing videos, and 24 hours of music playback time.

The itel S18 runs on 4G and the itel 0S 8.6 system. There is also the iboost 1.0 for all-round enhanced performance and increased apps stability.



Where Can I Buy The itel S18?

The itel S18 is now available in authorized phone retail stores nationwide for purchase and on itel’s Jumia

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has said that in finding solutions to the problems of Nigeria, Nigerians must trust God to use ordinary people.

The presidential hopeful said this on Sunday while speaking during the send forth programme for Bishop Dr John Eze at the Liberation Methodist Church, in Gwarinpa Abuja, where he was invited as a guest speaker.

Prince Adebayo said God does not work through people of physical majesty, but with people of humble hearts and diligence to serve.

“God does not work through men of valor, men who think they’re big, or people of physical majesty. He works with people with humble heart and diligence to serve”; and one of the problems we’ve being facing in this country is that we do not trust in God, we trust in men.” he said.

Prince Adebayo while commenting on the send forth of Bishop John Eze to Nsukka, described it as an opportunity to celebrate, because it is a fresh chance to spread the gospel.

“The way John Eze, bishop elect is going to Nsukka where there is no cathedral; it is just a fresh ground to spread the gospel. That was how the Methodist Church came to Nigeria.” Prince Adebayo said.

The SDP presidential candidate was accompanied by Pst Ade Alabi, Hon. Richard Oriri, Chief Godwin Osigbeme, Dr. Osaro Iredia and Amb. (Dr) Odion C. Okpebholo, Convener/National Coordinator UPPG.

Senator representing Plateau South In the National assembly Prof Nora Ladi Daduut,at the weekend was honoured with an Award ,the prestigious Thomas Sankara Pan African Leadership Prize for Excellence as the Pan African Woman of Courage 2022 .

YOUPAD is a Pan-African Organisation with headquarters in Kigali with the vision to equip youths with leadership and entrepreneurship skills towards building an Africa with intellectually equipped youths that will represent a dynamic youth force in the global space.

A statement made available to newsmen in Jos said that the delegation comprised of the President, Comr. Coulibally Hameed from Ivory Coast, the secretary, Comr. Donald Kewul Daniel from Ghana, Comr. Pemambu Brenda from Cameroon and the Nigerian co-ordinator, Comr. Nwankwo Henry Nkem.

The leader of the group Hammed lauded Senator Prof. Dame Nora Daduut for the good works she is doing at her Senatorial District since she got elected into the National Assembly.

He said that the award is in recognition of Senator Daduut’s giant strides in community development and empowerment as well as her outstanding service to humanity in her constituency and the nation at large .

The President of the group described Senator Daduut as a dogged politician who is passionate about the development of the society, stressing that she has given special consideration to youths and women who are often victims of societal mishaps.

They added that Sen. Prof. Nora Daduut has distinguished herself as a selfless leader of astute, erudition, outstanding, understanding and articulate attribute and that she is one of such rare prominent African women that is writing her names on the very heart of history as a matter of dedicated service to God, humanity and country which is in line with Thomas Sankara’s ideology.”

“Our terms of reference for conferring this honour to your esteem person includes but not limited to your hard work and dedication to National service via academia and politics, high administrative acumen and selfless leadership ideology, positive transformation of the Plateau South Senatorial District sine your assumption of office as a Senator.”

Speaking in her response, the Awardee Dist. Senator Daduut expressed her joy and gratitude to YOUPAD and the delegation for their important and prestigious International Award.

She said that she was humbled by the accolades as well as charitable words of encouragement by the President and that she was surprised and marvelled at how YOUPAD was able to identify her for the Award.

Senator Daduut said that her focus is certainly on the Youths and women.

” My desire Is to empower women and youths towards developing their capacity in skills acquisition, self-reliance business, building both in public and Private sectors.

Senator Daduut commended YOUPAD for their wonderful programme ‘’Africa for Africans added that she totally subscribes to promoting the zeal in the YOUPAD to inspire African leaders to join hands in the struggle to revive and revamp the values of African youths for better development.

” This award will no doubt encourage me to continue to do what I know best, contribute to the development of our Nation and Africa .

The Reintegration Department of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, has a new head, Mr. Wilfred Musa Oyarebu.

Oyarebu was appointed by the new Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd).

The appointment takes immediate effect.

With the new assignment, Oyarebu is expected to coordinate the holistic re-engineering of the implementation process associated with the PAP’s Reintegration Phase.

Mr. Oyarebu acted as the Head of Reintegration between March and June 2021.

His last position before his elevation was Special Assistant, Research & Documentation from June 2021 to September 2022.

Mr Oyarebu, a son of the Niger-Delta, is from Etsako-East LGA, of Edo State.

He has speciality in project management before joining PAP in April 2010.

As a pioneer staff, he was party to the expert team that designed and implemented the blue print of the PAP, when they set the structure of the DDR model (2010-2012).

He was also among the professional team that gave birth and nursed the formation of the Reintegration phase of the Programme.

His strong points include change management, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, Logistics and programs deployment, research and planning, systems optimization, organizational transformation, etc.

The new Head of Reintegration has a track record of successfully building human capacity in the areas related to vocational skills, micro-enterprise development, and the formal education space.

His appointment was partly a product of the vast institutional knowledge of the workings and dynamics of the PAP.

These qualities earned him several commendations and awards as a change-agent with proven history of optimizing human capital performance and developing their capacities to greater heights.

He is Associate and member of the International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDRI), including other professional and international bodies were he also received membership, awards and certifications.

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has expressed commitment in recovering all Crude Oil funds allegedly stolen by the president Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government when elected president in 2023.

The presidential candidate, who disclosed this while addressing party leaders in Oginibo, Ughelli south local government area of Delta State during an interactive session, said corrupt officials and fraudsters in Nigeria would not be spared as culprits would be severely punished to serve as deterrence to others.

He alleged that the government is working with International Oil Companies (IOCs) to loot the common patrimony of Nigerians who by birth, are born into millions and affluence.

He exonerated people from the Niger Delta region, whom the Buhari administration has accused of stealing the oil, saying official of Buhari government are collaborating with international criminals to milk the country.

He said his administration was committed to reforming all the sectors of the economy and would do all in its power in creating 30 million jobs for the unemployed youth across the country.

The international lawyer, reiterated this position when he appeared live on Plus Africa TV, on a live interview in their Plus Politics Programme recently.

Hear him: “As soon as we come in, you will know how much money you have, where is it, what has been taken and who took. You will know all of that. I know more about what is happening in government more than Buhari who is there now.

“If president Buhari knows what I know, he will run out of the Villa and run to the police station and go and report himself. We know what is happening there. All these that are happening about Oil Companies in the high sea, I started talking about it five months ago.

“And people in government said how can he be saying this? It because they don’t know. We know the quantity of Crude oil that they are stealing. This is not about militants because the ship they are using to steal, is as big as this compound, no militant has that kind of ship.

“And where they are taking it to, I know the place, it is in Europe. And I talk to them there and there are no militants there and the account in which they are paying the money, is not a militant account.

“It is essentially your government that is stealing your money because before, they use to steal the money through NNPC but since my friend Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, started making noise that over $20 billion was not remitted, they started hiding, selling the crude on the sea without putting the money in NNPC.

“So, there are people in Buhari’s government who are richer than Delta State, one person. What they want to do with the money, I don’t know.

“But when we come to government, you will know where you money is. Just as they are recovering Abacha’s money now, that is how we will be recovering Buhari’s money when we come there. We will say we are recovering Buhari’s oil money”, he announced.

In one of his newsletters, Atiku Abubakar made a clear statement on what exactly the 2023 presidential election is about. “The 2023 election is neither about me not any of the other candidates we are contesting with– or their agents,” the message in the newsletter reads in part, adding that “It is about the pathway that our dear country, Nigeria, must chart into a brighter and more prosperous future.”

To be candid, Atiku’s message was right. The 2023 presidential election is not just the usual election, but a chance to undo the errors of the past and chart a brighter and more prosperous future. As we all know, Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of resources, but the problem with the country, however, is having a leadership that can put them to benefit all.

I have been greatly impressed by how Atiku has shown interest in correcting this deficiency. Atiku’s practical and detailed plans on confronting the many challenges facing the country project a man who has a great understanding of the demand for leadership and can make a difference for Nigerians.

At this most perilous moment in Nigeria’s history, I find Atiku as the right man to lead the country. There has never been a candidate more qualified for our nation’s highest office than Atiku. He has proven time and time again that his competence and capability to turn a hopeless situation around can not be underestimated.

As Vice President between 1999 and 2007, Atiku played a crucial role in upturning the damages of the military regimes on the country, accomplishing a lot, some of which include overseeing the process that paved the way for the liberalization of the telecommunication sector. During that time, Atiku gained wide experience– many of which would come in handy in the job of fixing Nigeria.

Atiku’s vision for building an economy that is strong and not reliant on oil derivation makes so much sense. Not only does Atiku have a plan to encourage active participation of the private sector in the growth of Nigeria’s economy, but he also has a plan to make sure it produced the trickle-down benefits enjoyed in many other parts of the world which does the same.

And assuring about Atiku is the fact that his ideas for Nigeria are not made in vague terms or failed promises, rather they are what has worked elsewhere and can work here too. His policy document in circulation showed he listens to the issues facing every average Nigerian and is ready to do something about them.

Atiku has promised a real effort to unite the country– the kind that will ensure “all Nigerians are equal and should be seen and treated equally.” This is reflected in his campaign theme of “ONE COUNTRY”, a clear commitment to bringing everyone together as ‘ONE PEOPLE’, making it impossible for the proponent of division to make any headway.

This is not just some campaign rhetoric– this is who Atiku is. This is more reason why Atiku is seen as a unifier. He has done it right in his home and can do it for Nigeria. The incentive for a united Nigeria is peace and stability, which are the core ingredients for the development and growth of any nation. The APC has mismanaged our diversity and Atiku is capable of keeping the country as one.

More is the promise of drafting as many as 40 percent of young people into his cabinet, providing them the needed exposure and experience in governance to take over from him. This will be a major shift in the country’s governance template, and one in the right direction, because for the very first time, we will have a president who truly understands the value of young people and does not only believe they are leaders of today but prepared to make it so.

With Atiku in the Aso Rock, we won’t have to wake up every morning worrying about policy inconsistencies and the attendant impact on our lives, nor will we have the fear that he will make decisions based on sentiments. Having Atiku as president will be having a man that knows the problem and has the right plans to address it. Nigeria will be a better place with Atiku as president.

Oke Umurhohwo, national leader of Atikowa Movement 2023, writes from Ughelli, Delta State

The veteran public Speaker, erudite scholar and noted Yoruba leader, Ambassador Yemi Faronbi has endorsed the SDP Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, saying he is the best of them all.

Dr Faronbi who was the Chairman at the closing event of the South West Summit for Critical Stakeholders of SDP at Premier Hotel made this remark. He affirms there is no interview or speech by Prince Adewole Adebayo that he has not listened to and he believes he excels other candidates in how he provides solutions to the problems bedeviling the country.

According to Ambassador Faronbi; "Prince Adewole Adebayo is young, vibrant, intelligent and inspirational. I have weighed his options to the Nigeria problems that they are reasonable and practicable because it's not enough to claim to know the solution but they must be workable?" Dr Faronbi said.

The Nigeria of our dreams is possible but we must look beyond experience to inspirational leaders who are unblemished, love the people sincerely and are ready to serve in honesty. Inspiration is always superior to experience in leadership.

Other dignitaries at the SDP South West Summit are; Dr Olu Agunloye, the National Secretary of SDP, Engr Segun Oni the Gubernatorial candidate for Ekiti state, Rt Hon Mulikat Akande Adeola the former majority leader of the Federal House of Representatives who is also the Oyo North senatorial candidate of the party, all the Southwest Candidates of SDP and the principal State Excos who are the delegates at the Summit.

Rotimi Johnson Ojasope
Candidate for Reps & Ag Publicity Secretary

Indeed, Nigerians are not dummies and agree or not, politicians are very smart and are always looking for ways to outsmart not only their opponents, but even their constituents, resorting to breaching established protocols in order to get their way is not prohibitive to them, as long as the end justifies the means.

Believing that a loud-mouthed and self-praising politician is working in your interest when he tells you so, is akin to believing a trader who claims to have sold you a good product at a loss to himself, it simply doesn’t happen.

The recent drama playing out in the PDP today with the Governor Nyesom Wike’s led camp and the rest of the party, when well interrogated, will uncover a well-orchestrated and deceptive script authored by Wike to breach established protocol and occupy Aso Rock unchallenged and in dissonance with democratic tenets.

In fact, there is nothing empathetic or pro-south about Wike’s presidential aspiration, it is on record that he rancorously decimated the party, losing two performing governors in the south – a move which can now be seen in hindsight as not accidental by any stretch, as they could have been potential hurdles to his personal agenda if the ticket was to be zoned to the south in his calculation.

Again, the enfant terrible of the party, ferociously led an attack to sack Uche Secondus a southerner as party chairman and vehemently pushed for the emergence of Dr Iyorchia Ayu – a northerner, against another southerner why? He simply was playing a game of draught with the party, so that the presidential ticket will be foreclosed to the north.

With his so-called influence in the party, is it not astonishing that no Rivers indigene occupy any position of relevance in the party’s national executive? Because that would inimically minimise the (his) chances for negotiating the juiciest position when the time came, wouldn’t it? So, he wasn’t having it.

Early this morning, my attention was drawn to a news clip in which several very senior and influential members of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), addressed the press and, amongst other things, declared that they are withdrawing, forthwith, from the Presidential Campaign Council set up by our party to judiciously plan and prosecute the general elections set to hold in February and March 2023, on the one hand; and reiterated their earlier calls for the resignation or removal from office of the national chairman of our party, Senator Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, on the other hand.

The people that addressed the press must have their reasons for withdrawing from the Presidential Campaign Council, and I will not speculate as to what those reasons may be. Personally, I am quite surprised with this withdrawal because, as I have been informed by officials of our party, apart from the Rivers State chapter of the PDP, all the remaining states of the federation submitted names of people who they wanted included in the Presidential Campaign Council.

On the calls for the resignation or removal from office of our national chairman, however, I must reiterate what I have said severally in public and in private; the decision for Dr. Iyorchia Ayu to resign from office is personal to Dr. Ayu and, neither I nor anyone else can make that decision for him. As to the calls for the removal of Dr. Ayu from office, however, I will state that, as a committed democrat and firm believer in the rule of law and democratic tenets, and our party being one set up, organized and regulated by law and our constitution, it is my absolute belief that every thing that we do in our party must be done in accordance with, and conformity to, the law and our constitution. If Dr. Ayu is to be removed from office, it must be done in accordance with the laws that set out the basis for such removal. In any event, you will all recall that the very body that is empowered by law to initiate this removal from office, has already passed a vote of confidence in him.

Now, our nation is currently in the throes of a multidimensional crisis encompassing insecurity, economic meltdown, disunity and mutual mistrust and educational dislocations, to mention a few. I have a plan to address these issues and I have, graciously, been given the ticket to lead our great party in next year’s presidential elections, with the singular mandate to come and lead the efforts to cure these ills. It is in this light that I have reached out to every single member of our great party to join me in the massive undertaking required to reset the ship of state, and help rebuild our country. Every single person who loves this country, as I do, is needed for the arduous tasks that face us ahead as a nation, and this includes every member of the PDP. And it is my fervent hope and prayer that every man and woman of goodwill will join hands with us to help rebuild and reposition our beloved country. In this light, therefore, I will urge those members of our party that have stated their resolve to withdraw from the Presidential Campaign Council to have a rethink, retrace their steps, and join us in these efforts.

The above notwithstanding, and for the sake of our country, our children, and those yet unborn, we must not, for one minute, shirk in our responsibilities to rebuild this beloved country of ours.

Accordingly, we must forge on with the task and the mandate that we have been bestowed with. It is time, therefore, to move on with the formidable tasks of nation building ahead of us.

May God guide us all, and may God soothe our great party, and our dear country.

Atiku Abubakar (GCON)
Waziri Adamawa
Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party

Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial district in the National Assembly Prof Nora Ladi Daduut , has rejoiced with the Senator Representing Lagos Central, Senator Oluremi Tinubu who is the wife of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC in the forthcoming general elections on her 62nd birthday.

Prof Nora Daduut in a statement on Wednesday in Jos expressed happiness that Senator Oluremi Tinubu has made her mark over the years and would play a major role in ensuring victory for the APC Presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming elections .

Daduut who is the first female Senator from Plateau noted that women constitute a large voting force in Nigeria and many of them are passionate about the APC and its Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima who have over the years invested so much resources, time and programmes to empower women.

The statement further described Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a stabilising force and strong pillar of support to her husband and the APC at large.

She commended Senator Remi Tinubu for her impactful and visionary leadership, which she said has led to political stability and development of not only her constitueny Lagos Central Senatorial District but also that of Lagos State, the South West and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in general.

Prof Nora Daduut commended Oluremi for coming up with various people-oriented programmes for her senatorial district as well as when she was first lady of Lagos state which she said have attracted a lot of beneficiaries over the years.

She wished Senator Oluremi Tinubu God’s continuous protection and guidance and prayed that the Almighty God would grant her more years in good health.

“As Senator representing Plateau South ,I would work with you my future first lady of our Federation to ensure victory at the forthcoming Presidential election as well as other forthcoming election ” Prof Daduut further added .

Spectacle as Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide whooped up support for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at the Southwest stakeholders meeting.

It was meant to be an ordinary flying visit to Oyo State to avail the Southwest Stakeholders of his noble strides and further curry their support towards the 2023 presidential elections, but it turned out spectacular with the ensemble of people from different strata that joyfully welcomed the PDP presidential candidate to the event .

The colourful atmosphere paraded both men and women who gave the candidate a heroic welcome at the event that took place at professor Ogunlesi Hall of UCH in Ibadan on 14th of September 2022.

The jubilant crowd were at the instance of the former Minister of state for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide who had tirelessly ensured the mobilisation of party members from different local governments under the auspices of the Atiku Support group in the State named “National Mandate Group, Oyo state chapter”.

Expectedly When contacted by the press for the reason behind her throwing support to the Candidate, Oloye Akinjide extolled the character and Excellence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a prudent man who never fudges on his goals of putting Nigeria on the global recognition. The former Minister described Atiku as “a statesman who thinks of the next generation, taking bold steps in the race to secure people’s mandates to lead the country out of the wilderness.”

The euphoric crowd, over 600 in number, spotting red gele or white caps based on their gender were drawn all 33 Local Governments across Oyo state to register their interests in Atiku winning come 2023.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who was feasibly elated by the massive turnout promised never to betray the people of Southwest and Nigerians at large if he is eventually voted in as president in the forthcoming election .

The Ijaw Patriotic League (IPL) has declared support for the Federal Government not to revoke the oil pipeline protection contract awarded to a company in which High Chief Ekpemupolo Tompolo has interest.

The National Coordinator of the IPL, Jasper Eritei described the decision of the Federal Government to engage a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to assist in securing the nation’s outrageously violated pipelines as well thought out and in the public good.

The group noted that it is the responsibility of government to make critical decisions to ensure that the overall interest of the society is protected.

The National Coordinator said in a statement on Friday that the condemnation and protests that have followed the award of the contract to the particular company should alert the Federal Government and indeed the NNPC that the right decision has been made to prevent oil theft in the Niger Delta.

The theft of the nation’s oil resources, according to Eritei, has assumed a startling dimension at a time government is borrowing to run the country and should be rightly tackled just as the Government is doing.

He stressed that the massively wealthy criminals running the multibillion Naira oil theft rings will go through proxies to prevent any serious solution.

He stated further that the attacks on the contract should not surprise the government as oil thieves who have deployed billions of oil Naira on tankers and personnel, to criminally plunder the country’s oil resources will not back off without a fight.

He noted that the orchestrated blackmail is just the first show of desperation by the this deadly oil cabal.

He stressed that with Tompolo’s track record in NIMASS where a company in which he had interest secured the water ways, the People behind the massive sabotage of the Nigerian economy will not be comfortable.

The group wondered why out of five firms that were engaged, only the one by this particular firm is generating condemnation?

He stressed further that the same pipeline protection contract had been handled by firms belonging to a traditional ruler in Delta and his late in-law from Edo State with no protest from any where.

The group noted that in spite of the fact that both companies operated in the Niger Delta, Chief Tompolo neither complained nor interfered in their operations.

The statement commended the position of the NNPC that it has no regrets engaging former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Government Ekpemupolo, otherwise known as Tompolo, to guard its oil pipeline network.

He said the decision to engage private contractors to fight the menace of oil theft and pipeline vandalism cannot be faulted, and engaging a firm in which Tompolo has interest cannot make it bad.

[b]“We have watched with surprise and indeed consternation the attacks, deliberately put together to blackmail the Federal Government to cancel the pipeline surveillance and protection contract awarded to a firm in which Tompolo has interest.

We believe that the Federal Government and indeed the NNPC have acted positively to promote the common good by embarking on this deliberate master stroke of a step to counter the mind boggling theft of the nation’s disappearing resources.

Logically, those feeding fat on odious money from stolen crude resources will not welcome the Government’s action without a fight. It is expected that they will commit huge resources to sabotage it.

It is on this basis that we call on the Federal Government and the NNPC to be resolute and dismiss this call for cancellation of the contract awarded to Tompolo.

We also commend the NNPC for insisting on doing the right thing and staying with the action in spite of the mostly sponsored attacks on the Government.

We are of the view that the contract promises to be a great leap in the right direction and the Managing Director of the NNPC is right when he declared that the corporation has no regret with the decision.[/b]

Finally we call on Tompolo to carry out his promise to reach out to various interest groups in the Niger Delta in the interest of a conducive atmosphere for the company’s critical operations.

An Elder stateman and founding chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Olu Falae has urged party members to move to the grassroots to canvass votes for the party to enable it win the presidential ticket in the 2023 elections.

Chief Falae stated this at the inauguration of the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja .

He explained that with the Technology in place to transmit election results there won’t be room for rigging in the 2023 general electionns.

According to Falae, when they decided to revive the SDP some people thought it was going to be impossible but they did it without litigation.

“We have a good Presidential Candidate in the person of Adewole Adebayo who did not only show the knowledge of law but history, anthropology, architecture and other fields, the party may not have a governor today, may not be in Aso rock, but the SDP is getting there” he added.

“Nigeria today is bedevilled with many challenges, You can’t move without being kidnapped. I have been kidnapped for four days in my own farm, as a young man I traveled to Lagos on foot without being kidnapped. But at 77, I was kidnapped”

“Controlling government is not controlling party. Ask the parties, what is their philosophy, they don’t know it, they don’t have a plan, that’s why things are getting worse, SDP is the only party that can restructure and revive Nigeria. More people will leave the country if things are not put right, more doctors are leaving” Falae stressed.

In his remark, Former Liaison Officer to President Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai represented by the SDP gubernatorial candidate in Adamawa State, Dr Umar Ardo said the electoral act has made it impossible for anyone to rig the election.

On his part the Presidential Candidate of the SDP, Prince Adewole Adebayo said what SDP is bringing to Nigerians is victory and prosperity.

“Because poverty is ungodly and unnatural. If we don’t fight poverty, it will produce children which is insecurity.

“We are back, 30 years later, to open this office for truth, justice and farewell to poverty.

“If you want to know if I will be a better president, I’ve chosen SDP as a platform and not as a money bag for political parties.I chose a youth, a banker, Yusuf Salisu Buhari as my running mate.

“SDP has a young person as the national chairman and I am telling Nigerians that the opportunity you have been looking for is here.

The event was graced by Chairmen from the thirty-six states and the FCT and the Women as well as youth wing of the party from across the country.

Victory in sight for the Nigerian people as SDP opens its National Secretariat ahead of the 2023 presidential election. By the power of our votes, poverty and insecurity shall vanish from our land. #HopeAgain2023

A group of visionary Nigerians led by Mr Moses Siloko Siasia, Chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) have extolled the legacies of Queen Elizabeth II who passed away recently on September 8, 2022.

Mr Siasia who led a team of young professionals to pay a condolence visit to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs Catriona Laing on Thursday, said her “unique” legacies will remain fresh in the minds of Nigerians and the entire Commonwealth Countries for a lifetime.

The NYPF Boss restated that some of the Queen’s legacies which includes recognizing young outstanding leaders within the Commonwealth countries, and honouring them with awards, will not be forgotten.

He also eulogized the late monarch for institutionalizing the Commonwealth Youth Council, and being a strong advocate for women inclusion in decision making in the society.

While noting that the Queen also worked to strengthen and uphold the ideals of the Commonwealth through strategic engagement of young people across Commonwealth nations, he added that her recognition of young people further strengthened their activities in creating sustainable livelihood for young people.

Mr Siasia recalled that the late Queen always reiterated that the Commonwealth can only flourish if its ideas and ideals continue to be young and fresh and relevant to all generations.

“She will be remembered for some of these legacies that we experienced in our lifetime,” he said, as he further congratulated King Charles III on his ascension unto the throne as the new King of England.

In her response, the British High Commissioner thanked the team for the visit. She noted that she has been receiving a lot of people from Nigeria, but the visit of the NYPF Team, was the first time she received young professionals who are good at what they do.
Mrs Laing thus promised to work with young Nigerians to ensure that the ideals which Britain stands for are maintained.

She further showed her commitment to the activities of young people, and promised to maintain a strategic relationship with young people especially those who are innovative.

Other Executive Members of the team on the courtesy visit were: Hamzat B. Lawal, Chief Executive of Connected Development (CODE); Hauwa Abbas, Chief Oversight Officer of Silver Lining for the Needy Initiative (SLNI); Aisha Shuaibu, President of SWA Sports and Ibukun Olayiwola, Business Executive of Heritage Times HT

The NYPF boss also signed the condolence register in honour of the late Queen.

Late Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years, serving as a beacon of light, stability and a constant guide during a period of radical shifts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebYCqlZx89s

Chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) Mr Moses Siloko Siasia has commended the CEO of Access Bank, Dr Herbert Wigwe on his proposed plans to build a world-class University in Isiokpo Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria.

In a statement issued over the weekend in Abuja, the NYPF Chief lauded Dr. Herbert’s decision to set up a University in his hometown. He affirmed that the feat is a very uncommon decision taken by one those who are the big wigs from the oil-rich Niger Delta Region.

Mr Siasia commended the Access Bank CEO for choosing to invest in the education sector which he said, will improve the human and educational capacity of those from the region and Nigeria at large.

While he urged other elites from the region to emulate the initiative, Siasia noted that “education is the best investment that anyone can have in life”. “If others are doing the same thing, the region would have been more advanced than what it is today,” he added.

According to Siaisia, the proposed University will further help in reducing the activities of youth restiveness, oil theft, militancy, and other social vices that the region’s youths engage in.

“One cannot dispute the enormous economic activity that educational investment will bring to the ancient community of Isokpo,” Mr Siasia stated.

ODW reports that the Access Bank Chief recently informed that the inaugural academic session of the University will begin in September 2024. He also noted that once the institution is fully operational, residents around the University and its environs will enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply.

Dr Herbert’s investment in the education sector comes amidst a longstanding face-off between the Nigerian Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which has kept students at home for over six months.

While the children of majority of political officers in Nigeria school abroad, ASUU has embarked on 16 strikes in the last 23 years

The InnerCity Mission for Children has commissioned its 11th tuition-free school for vulnerable children at Ewu in Edo state.

The mission, under the auspices of the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International, commissioned the largest School within its network of Schools on September 9.
According to Pastor Omoh Alabi, the Executive Director, the InnerCity Mission’s Network of Schools provide quality, tuition-free education, along with free scholastic supplies and School Meals all through the primary education journey of the pupils enrolled.

She further stated that “The InnerCity Mission School, Ewu, is a representation of the continued commitment of its Founder- Rev Dr. Chris Oyakhilome to education, community development, and nation-building,”

Pastor Omoh Alabi emphasized that through this newly commissioned school, the foundation is giving the children in Edo a platform, equipping them with tools that would help them grow to become adults who will be actively involved in the development of their communities and nation.

“With our humanitarian footprints in over 89 countries Particularly in Nigeria, The InnerCity Mission under the auspices of the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International has been working towards creating an enabling environment where every child survives, and lives above poverty irrespective of race, color, religion, or gender. We are able to achieve this through our interconnected programs cutting across Education, Healthcare, Food, Livelihood, Shelter, Advocacy, and Humanitarian aid programs,” She added.

Present at the commissioning were government representatives, community leaders, key stakeholders from various sectors, donors and partners, and newsmen.
The mission, founded in 2006, has been serving communities in Nigeria and other African countries, and many in Asia.

Pastor Yemisi Kudehibu who spoke on behalf of partners of the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International, in her comment recapped how the first school was launched at Ikeja, Lagos.

“Presently, the Mission has established 10 tuition free schools distributed in the following locations: three schools in Lagos State; one in Ogun State; one in Adamawa State; one in Taraba State, one in Imo State, one in Abia State, one in Cambodia and one in India,” she said.

“Education is very critical to the overall development of a child, particularly the indigent child. A child denied education would be forced to deal with lifelong struggles and is at greater risk of becoming an adult who is a burden to society, She posited.

Kudehinbu added: “In Nigeria, the number of children who are out of school remains unacceptably high. The InnerCity Mission School, Ewu is a representation of the continued commitment of Rev Dr. Chris Oyakhilome to education, community development, and nation-building. Through this School, we are giving the children in Edo State a platform and equipping them with tools that would help them grow to become adults who will be actively involved in the development of their communities and nation.”
“The InnerCity Mission School, Ewu is an investment in the community, the State, and Nigeria as a country. This school is the first of its kind in Ewu community and also the whole of Edo State. Moreso, it is the biggest School so far in the InnerCity Mission’s network of Schools. The InnerCity Mission School, Ewu will provide uninterrupted access to 6 years of rich educational content to children from households who are financially constrained and unable to support the education of these children.”

“The School is fully equipped with classrooms, restrooms, a play area, a dispensary, pipe-borne water, and a kitchen that will serve free meals daily to the pupils. The InnerCity Mission School, Ewu will give children access to an innovative academic curriculum, psychosocial support, skills acquisition, and spiritual development. Our goal is that by the time the children would graduate from this School they would have been empowered to become adults who would contribute to, rather than task society.”

More than 2000 beneficiaries are on full scholarship to complete their primary education in these schools.

In his remarks the traditional ruler of the Ewu Community HRH Zaiki Razak Isesele III, the Onogie of Ewu said: “Ewu is a community that has benefitted extensively from the magnanimity of Pst Chris Oyakhilome.”

He added: “When this project started some of us thought it was just like some white elephant project but as we saw the development massive, we began to wonder if it is true that this project is actually taking off and at this pace but suffice to say that today we are all witnesses to the commissioning.”

“I want to again thank Pastor Chris Oyakhilome for this noble project and other projects that we are still seeing in the community, I want to appeal to the government that education should not be taken for granted. A people without good education is a future disaster waiting to happen,” he concluded.

Women and Youth groups in Plateau South Senatorial zone on Tuesday extolled the leadership virtues of their Senator ,Professor Nora Ladi Dadu’ut for her support to them since she got elected to the National Assembly .

They further passed a vote of confidence on Senator Daduut for her legislative prowess since she got elected about 19 months ago .

The group was reacting to a press release issued by a group operating under the aegis of Plateau South Youths United For
Democracy and Development which threatened to initiate the recall of Senator Prof Nora Ladi Daduut for allegedly neglecting the people of the Senatorial district .

They also added that so far Daduut has
empowered over thousands of constituents who are now economically self reliant and would continue to do more before she leaves office in June 2023 .

“Within the short period of time in office as a senator, she has done well in terms of legislation and the provision of democratic dividends. ”

“Her most significant achievements is the fact that she has moved several motions in the areas of transportation, education and agriculture, and she is currently sponsoring a bill in the area of agricultural research in which has reached the second reading.

In the area of empowerment she has provided skill acquisition programs to youths and women, provision of farming inputs, training programs for youth and women, cash grants for small businesses for women and youths, as well as provision of laptops to youths in addition to this ,she has provided physical infrastructures across the six local government areas of her Senatorial district ,for example ,about 100 solar streets lights ,several boreholes ,classroom blocks ,motorised bore holes and several other items .

As a legislator, her duty is to make laws for good governance and she is doing excellently well .

She remains a faithful party member of APC and has contributed to the development of the party in the state ,she has never failed to support the party since she got elected and recently met with the state Party Executive members of the Southern Zone to discuss the way forward on the forthcoming general elections.

They further called on Dadu’ut not to be distracted but to continue to provide quality legislation to the good people of the Senatorial Zone .

The group in a statement signed by Juliana Nanjul their spokesperson ,and made available to newsmen in Jos, said ” we find the press release of the group as laughable calling for her recall as the handiwork of detractors stressing that we would use this opportunity to thank our senator for the good works she has been doing in our constituency since she got elected .”

The group Specifically commended Senator Daduut for her efforts at empowering women in the zone saying that she recently bagged the Nigerian Women Exemplary Leadership Award, Medal of Honour by the Nigerian women international Magazine.

Our Senator has offered quality legislation and has done well in empowering youths and women in her constituency and her projects are scattered all over the 6 local government councils of the zone .


The statement reads that Daduut is a Politician that has the interest of the people of her zone ,Plateau and Nigeria at heart .


They lauded the Senator for her courage, patriotism and commitment to nation building as well as her quest to better the wellbeing of women and youths in her consistency .

The statement further reads that “We have noticed your quest to improve the standard of living of women and the aged in the society .”

“Prof Nora who is the first female Senator from Plateau state has so far proven that she is delivering her campaign promises .”

” We are confident that you would work for the betterment of our Senatorial zone , Plateau and Nigeria in General .”

“We call on our Senator not to be distracted,but to continue to do your good works ,we the women of the zone are behind you ,they added

They called on people of the zone to rally round Prof Nora and ensure that she continues her good works .

On the flooding in Quanpan and other parts of the Southern Zone ,the group added that Senator Daduut is working to ensure that agencies saddled with the responsibility of providing succour to affected communities in the district is contacted in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people of communities affected ,she is also working with security operatives and traditional rulers to tackle insecurity in the district .

In a related development , another Youth group operating under the aegis of inspired Southern Zone Youths lauded Professor Nora Daduut for the good works she is doing in her district .

They further said that the Senator has done well and that those calling for her recall are ignorant of what she has been doing in the Zone and still doing .

The group in a statement signed by Miss Angela Barde disclosed that Prof Nora is synonymous with excellence, “she is not only a hard worker but a master planner ..

The group further drummed support for the Senatorial bid of Governor Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress APC saying that Senator Daduut is fully behind the aspiration.