…HAILS JUDICIARY FOR COURAGE, AND PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
The immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, has congratulated his successor, Senator Douye Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, over the verdict of the Supreme Court which affirmed him as the duly nominated candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the November 16, 2019 Governorship election in Bayelsa State.
The former Governor said said in a statement by his Media Advisor, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, on Tuesday that with the bold verdict of the Supreme Court on the pre-election matter, the Governor could now focus attention on the effective execution of the mandate given to him by the Bayelsa people without distraction.
Chief Dickson commended the five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour for being firm and courageous in defence òf the truth, justice, and democratic governance in country.
He said that the Supreme Court and the respected justices have proved beyond doubt that the apex court remains the reliable hallowed temple of justice.
The former Governor also congratulated the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party at the National and state levels and the teeming supporters for their prayers and support.
He said that the verdict at the Supreme Court was a victory for democracy, Bayelsa State and indeed the Ijaw Nation.
He called on Chief Timi Alaibe, who he described as a a brother, friend and respected leader in Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation, to join him and other leaders to galvanize support for Governor Diri to enable him to achieve his prosperity agenda for Bayelsa without any further distractions.
Chief Dickson said that powers comes only from God and Diri’s emergence and the support he received from him could only be traceable to God who is the source of political power and leadership.
He thanked the good people of Bayelsa for retaining their faith in the PDP and urged them to give the requisite support to the Diri Administration.
He said that Bayelsa remains a PDP controlled state and would continue to remain do as shown by the existing unity within the party.
He said that while it is normal to have disputes in politics, such disagreements should be resolved without bloodshed or violence in consonance with civilized practice.
The former Governor said that political disputes should come to an end after elections and urged all leaders of Bayelsa to leave distractive politics and join the miracle Governor.
He said, “Having being in the forefront of the politics of the state for over two decades and occupied sensitive positions including being the first two term governor and also being the one God used to midwife Bayelsa’s first ever transition, to select the Governor and his deputy, this historical verdict is a again a personal vindication and a another show of God’s boundless mercy and grace for me as imperfect as I am. My role from henceforth is to guide and provide advice when that advice is needed”
“I thank the leaders of the PDP and the delegates whose votes are now being vindicated today. I thank the national leadership of the party for their support. I join Governor Diri in saying there are no victors or losers. I thank the Supreme Court and their Lordships.
The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission has been inundated by enquiries from stakeholders following allegations that the expanded Interim Management Committee (IMC) misappropriated N40 billion between February 20 and May 5, 2020. Although most of our stakeholders are aware of the malevolent intentions of those making these allegations, we believe that we owe them a duty of transparency to present the true financial picture of payments by the commission during the period.
We are therefore taking the unusual step of publishing ALL payments made by the Commission between February 20, when the expanded IMC came into office and May 5 when the allegations were made. The list covers the beneficiaries of the payments, the projects which they executed and for which the commission had a contractual obligation to pay, the amount paid and the date and time of payment. The IMC has only paid out N35.3 billion to vendors and contractors within the period. The debts paid cover historical debts to vendors, some of whom have been owed between N1 million and N3 million, for up to eight years. The payments were intended to save lives and livelihoods as well as alleviate the suffering in the region.
Most of the vendors borrowed money from banks to render services to the Commission. Some became very ill and were in hospital. Some of the contractors have died waiting to be paid for jobs they executed for the Commission. There was nothing the Commission could have done than respond to what had become a humane issue. It is pertinent for the Commission to make a few points.
1. The Niger Delta Development Commission is a going concern. As a result, every management inherits both its assets and liabilities. In the case of this Interim Management Committee, it inherited liabilities of N2 trillion. These are for supplies for the running of the Commission, services provided to the people of the Niger Delta in discharge of the mandate of the Commission and projects executed in the nine states. The Commission has a duty to settle contractual claims. Failure to do this in the past has caused the Commission millions Naira in legal fees, endless time in courts and garnishee orders on its account. The mandate handed down to this IMC by Mr President through the Hon Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is that the Commission must change the ways of the past. Acting responsibly in honouring obligations is part of that change ethos.
2. The Commission carried out a verification and valuation of the debts it settled. Some of the claims were higher but at the end of verification were reduced. The Commission also refused to pay fraudulent claims even though they were pushed by powerful forces. The case of 132 claims, amounting to N6.4 billion, for skills acquisition programmes which were never executed is but one example.
3. From the list we are publishing today, no payment was made to the supervising minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio, (the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs) or any member of the IMC or any person related to them. All the payments were for debts incurred before the IMC came into office or Senator Akpabio became supervising minister. In other words, these debts cover transactions that predate the Hon Minister and the IMC. This clarification has become necessary because of the antics of chartered character assassins stomach, propagandists and voices for hire who have accused the Hon Minister and the IMC of phantom, phoney and illusory financial infractions at the Commission.
4. The IMC has not awarded any contract, since its inception, apart from the N6.25 billion COVID 19 intervention approved by Mr President. That approval saved lives in the region. The COVID contract had three components: procurement of medical equipment, supply of food palliatives and public enlightenment. The Commission procured 27 trilogy, 202 ventilators, 65 ECG Machines, 54 RT PCR Machines, 18 APC smart digital UPS 5KVA, 36 infra red thermometers, 18 double jar suction machines, 18 Fluid warmers, 18 multi parameter patient monitors, 94 standard ICU beds, 95 oxygen cylinders, 95 oxygen masks, 95 infusion pumps, 18 mobile X-ray machines, 18 mobile ultrasound machines, 18 mobile dialysis machines, 18 arterial blood gas machines, sanitizers and syringe pumps. All the procured equipment have been distributed to the nine Niger delta states and received by the state governors. Beyond COVID 19, this intervention has boosted the healthcare delivery capacity of the nine states. Food palliatives have been supplied to vulnerable people in all the states in the region. The public enlightenment campaign has been effective in creating the right awareness and changing attitudes. We are grateful to Mr President for this intervention, which have saved lives in the region.
5. As the IMC has not awarded any other contract, it means it has not paid for any contract for which it initiated.
6. The President has ordered a forensic audit on the Commission operations of the Commission for the past 18 years. That audit will value and verify all claims against the Commission. It will also bring to account those who looted the commonwealth of the people of the Niger Delta to fund their ego and inordinate greed for luxury and power. The task of the IMC is to provide the enabling environment for the exercise to succeed. This involves providing the auditors with unhindered access to project files, accounting documents and staff; security for the team in the nine states, and media/ communications/community relations support.
7. We believe that the Commission's debt mountain of N2 trillion Naira will be reduced at the end of the forensic audit exercise. The Commission has made this publication for the sake of transparency. We believe this will reassure our stakeholders of the high level of probity, integrity and sense of responsibility being brought into the running of the affairs of the Commission by the IMC. As for those who relish in making wild allegations, in the vain and unrealistic hope that they can distract the IMC to truncate the Forensic Audit exercise, we say that they have failed. Judgment day is nigh!
Signed: Charles Obi Odili Director, Corporate Affairs.
Senator Buruji Kashamu’s frivolous petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will put jobs and investments in Nigeria’s sports betting industry at risk unless regulators and the government step in immediately. As businesses globally continue to feel the pinch of COVID-19, business operations of sports betting companies have been impeded due to an ongoing EFCC investigation. The investigation, which is no more than a shakedown and an attempt to force a monopoly, was launched on the back of a petition to the anti-graft agency by former Senator Buruji Kashamu who has been linked to drug-trafficking and money laundering in the United States.
The 2019 petition, which alleged tax evasion and economic sabotage, has led to an incessant disruption of the businesses of sports betting operators and demands for payoffs by agents carrying out the investigation. Stakeholders have been put on edge and say they might have to pull out their funds from the industry which would lead to massive job losses. Nigeria’s unemployment figures continue to rise and sports betting companies have, over the years, created hundreds of thousands of jobs directly and indirectly.
Mr Kashamu had petitioned the EFCC because he is trying to gain a monopoly of the popular “Ghana Games” which is reportedly responsible for between 60% to 70% of the revenue that comes into the industry. For years, 23 other companies have been enjoying the license to the popular “Ghana games” with the market leader being Premier Lotto (Baba Ijebu), owned by Sir Kensington Adebutu but Buruji Kashamu seeing the revenues raised, set up his own company (Western Lotto) and launched a marketing campaign to position himself as the main licensee.
He, however, failed to wrestle the games from Baba Ijebu and others, so he went to Ghana to get the license to be the sole operator of Ghana Lotto in Nigeria. Having done this, he wrote to the regulators to ban others from Ghana Lotto, but his request was declined by the regulator citing the risk of creating a monopoly. Not satisfied, Kashamu approached the courts to exercise his claim and Premier Lotto and others were banned from operating Ghana Games in Nigeria.
To resolve the impasse, Sir Adebutu reached out to the regulators in Ghana and clarified that there is no sole owner of “Ghana Games” in Ghana but the Government and that Mr Kashamu’s claim that he is the sole licensee of Ghana Games in Nigeria is faulty as he only got a license from one of the operators. The move led Mr Kashamu to deploy the EFCC to go after competitors in the industry to force a monopoly on the games after his efforts were repelled by other players in the industry.
being deployed by Senator Buruji Kashamu using the EFCC could lead to chaos in the industry. “If we are going to spend all our revenue “settling” EFCC agents then there really is no incentive for us to continue running our businesses. It is getting closer to the time we will make the decision to close shop and let our workforce go in order for us to protect our investments.” He added.
In Defense of The Nigerian Woman by Chief Henry Seriake Dickson
I wish to commend President Buhari for the appointment of Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe as the Ambassadorial Nominee representing Ondo State, the state she is married to, the state of her husband and her children and the state she will spend the rest of her life in hopefully.
I condemn the voices that have risen in opposition to her nomination not on account of her competence, experience, capacity or character but only on the basis that she is parentally from Rivers State.
These are the sort of sentiments that have held our country and continent from achieving its true potentials in sourcing for leadership which is critical for national development. Except during football matches, Nigerians are hardly United about the need for quality representation in National leadership. In business, politics and even professions, primordial and ethnic sentiments override rational thinking depriving the country of its best leadership resource in critical areas at critical times.
In the case of women, our mothers, our wives, our sisters our daughters and our friends, this irrational, divisive and discriminatory syndrome takes a more ridiculous dimension. In the 21st century Nigeria, some Nigerians still hold the view that our daughters who get married to persons from states other than the states of their fathers should be penalized and should suffer discrimination even when they are qualified for positions from that state. To begin with, they have no control over the states they marry into. As women, they marry for love. They follow their hearts and that is how nature has made it and we are all products of that.
Those who constantly oppose our daughters believe that whereas their children, grandchildren and descendants can be anything in those states, the women have to go “back to sender” and cannot derive any benefit from the states of their husbands.
We must all unite against this mindset and I am glad that the President nominated Mrs Akinkugbe and has ignored all opposition to her nomination so far. I hope it remains so.
Nigerian women leaders should organize themselves for positive change and these are the sort of issues in addition to several others they should tackle with our support. The underlying mindset behind this sentiment is the idea that women are properties, ordinary chattel, things that are owned with no rights, feelings or dignity of their own as opposed to being persons with equal rights and ambition. To them, our women could have children, grandchildren, may even be breadwinners, supporting, feeding and educating families of their husbands and be sisters and mothers to them as most do yet they remain properties and chattels, after all, they are women.
This is the primitive mindset that encourages rape as well as other acts of violence against women which have become endemic. I strongly condemn this notion and this is what we must collectively challenge.
Even when our daughters are nominated from the states of their fathers, there are still voices of opposition who say “why are they taking the slots of their father’s states instead of their husband’s states?”, this is not peculiar to Ondo State. I witnessed this as Governor of Bayelsa State in the case of Diezani Allison Madueke, a Bayelsan married to a husband from Enugu. Nigerians also remember the controversy surrounding the appointment of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, from Delta State married to a husband from Abia.
There are several other instances at the national level and more at state level appointments that we may not know of.
If highly educated, enlightened women known locally and around the world can suffer this discrimination in Nigeria, then one can imagine the daily discrimination, indignity and oppression that our women who are not privileged are subjected to in their rural communities across Nigeria and in the developing world. This is the reason why people in Leadership must do more for girl child
A group of anti-corruption campaigners has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately launch a thorough investigation into allegations that its suspended acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, connived with a former senator, Buruji Kashamu, to sabotage other lottery businesses that are in competition with Kashamu’s Western Lotto.
The Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNDC) in a statement yesterday tasked the EFCC to uncover how a controversial politician and businessman like Kashamu, became an associate of its former acting head. CDNDC said the ongoing probe of Magu’s leadership at the EFCC should not be concluded without a strident scrutiny of his relationship with Kashamu.
“It is unfortunate that Magu, as a supposed anti-corruption chief, would be in bed with a tainted character like Kashamu,” Ariyo-Dare Atoye, the convener of CDNDC, said in a statement. “We want the presidential panel that is looking into Magu’s allegations to also find out what happened between him and Kashamu.”
Atoye said his group had recently caught wind of an ongoing scheme by EFCC agents to move against other lottery businesses with the hope of extracting huge financial commitment from them, saying such action should be ceased to ward off its dangerous implication on the country’s economy. “Those behind the attempt to intimidate other lottery businesses on trumped up allegations of unremitted taxes are Magu’s lackies that remained with the EFCC,” he added. “They should all be fished out, investigated and prosecuted to serve as a deterrence to other rogue law enforcement agents.” But Kashamu’s spokesperson, Austin Oniyokor, strongly denied allegations of connivance between his principal and the suspended EFCC chairman, saying it was baseless and spurious. “The people behind this allegation are being used and sponsored by other lotto operators in the country.
They are trying to destroy Kashamu’s name because he exposed them on how they have been defrauding the Federal Government, and the National Lottery Commission of billons of naira over the years. They are now paying back the money to the coffers of the government, and obviously they are not happy about it, and that’s why they are now trying to use the NGO to smear Senator Kashamu’s name, and image. I believe there are other several issues relating to governance that these people behind the allegations should concern themselves with instead of allowing themselves to be used by some criminal elements who are shortchanging the Federal Government”, he stated.
When considering the behaviour of a clever schemer like Bola Tinubu, you’ll hardly take his recent position on the 2023 presidential race so serious. Almost every newspaper went with the rider that suggests Tinubu is yet to make up his mind on whether he will contest for president in 2023 or not. Headlines like “I have not decided on the 2023 presidential race” filled the space and kept a multitude of his supporters in suspense.
Sure, Tinubu, like any Nigerian politician of his standing, will most certainly have his eyes gazed at the highest political office in the country, but there are many hurdles to cross to gain the seat. While Tinubu could be regarded as exceptional in political maneuvering and enjoys a seamless role as ‘godfather’, it is entirely a different ball but when it comes to the presidency.
And that was what played out in the recently held National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the APC, where a strong message was passed on to the former Lagos state governor. A lot has been said on NEC’s decision to adopt the proposal of President Muhammadu Buhari, especially on the dissolution of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and how it has some undertone on the 2023 presidential permutations and the bearing on Tinubu’s aspiration.
At the height of insinuations, Tinubu came out and as usual, acted as if all is well, and even distanced himself from any talk that has to do with the 2023 presidential race. The APC chieftain dismissed speculations on his presidential aspiration and noted that contrary to insinuations, he is yet to decide on whether or not he will seek the country’s top political office in 2023.
“To those who have been actively bleating on how the President’s actions and the NEC meeting have ended my purported 2023 ambitions, I seek your pity,” Tinubu noted in a statement, noting that insinuations out there painted a “colourful epitaphs to the 2023 death of an alleged political ambition that is yet even born.” Pushing hard to sell his narrative, Tinubu said his focus at the moment was on health and economic challenges facing the country and not presidential race as being speculated.
But that is not the picture that the struggle for control in APC sent out and typical of Tinubu, as I observed in a previous article entitled “2023: Tinubu and his mind game”, the former Lagos state governor seems to have masterminded the art of manipulating people’s imperfect reasoning and emotions. That is why he believes he could sell a different narrative to the public when the truth is well obvious to any discerning observer.
On the surface, the dissolution of APC’s NWC was to put an end to the confusion on who should replace Adams Oshiomole after the Court of Appeal upheld his suspension as chairman, but looking deeper will reveal a lot, and that the source of wranglings in the ruling party is linked to positioning for 2023 presidential race. Oshiomole is a known long-time ally of Tinubu, and for the entire time that his leadership of the APC lasted, most of his actions and inactions were calculated to position the former Lagos state governor in firm control of the party’s structure.
Last month, those not favourable to Oshiomole’s style of leadership saw an opportunity when an appellate court pushed him aside and capitalized on the controversy that came after it, to do away with the entire NWC, most of whom are reportedly converted Tinubu loyalists. Evident enough was Bashir El-Rufai’s tweet shortly after NEC dissolved APC’s NWC that “No sole individual should ever be allowed to control a political party that takes itself seriously.”
Bashir is not just an APC member, but one of the sons of Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna state governor, who happens to be a fierce rival of Tinubu in APC, and confirmed what many have interpreted to be the outcome of the party’s NEC meeting. Though not specific, the Director-General of the forum of APC Governors, Salihu Lukman, said Buhari’s action at NEC shows he’s in charge and “freed himself from all the leaders who were the problem.”
From every indication, the walls are closing in on Tinubu and he must be getting the message. The only question is whether he will be able to maneuver his way again and retake the control of APC, which he has strenuously disguised as the right thing for the party.
But the tide is changing faster and going by the outcome of the last NEC meeting, Tinubu is losing ground in APC and his presidential aspiration is at a distressing point. As a politician, he can pretend to make his supporters believe everything is well but that picture of resistance is nothing but imaginations. The thing, however, is that things can only get worse as days go by.
Tinubu had problems with his ambition, though, he has been doing everything to deny it. From the look of things, the former Lagos state governor has lost considerable support. The bloc in the progressive that is opposed to him turned out to be bigger forces and as now, these bigger forces would weigh on who gets the APC ticket eventually. This has left him stranded and I am sure he would have already gotten the message.
Written by Oke Umurhohwo, a Political Analyst and Strategist. He tweets via @OkeStalyf and can be reached via oke.umu@gmail.com
Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has endorsed the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, for the vacant Bayelsa West Senatorial District.
The Media Advisor to the former Governor, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, also quoted the foremost Ijaw National Leader as having called on Ijaw leaders across the country to support the ex-Governor for the vacant Senatorial slot in the collective interest of the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta.
Pa Clark said that Bayelsa and indeed the Ijaw nation was seriously in need of men of demonstrable character, courage, capacity and knowledge like Dickson to run for Senate. He said that the former Governor possesses vast experience in leadership, the political network, and the requisite knowledge to effectively tackle the critical issues of interest to the Ijaw nation such as Resource Control, True Federalism, Restructuring, Power Devolution among others.
The Elder Statesman said that Dickson should be backed for the Senatorial slot as his antecedents have rightly portrayed him as a man of immense courage, integrity and honour who has never for once succumbed to intimidation of whatever form.
Pa Clark stressed that Dickson was well equipped and prepared to defend the interest of the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta, the South-South and to collaborate with his counterparts in other parts of the country to make Nigeria a better nation.
He said that the ex-Governor left behind a record of sterling performance as a member of the House of Representatives and as Governor of Bayelsa State for eight years.
Pa Clark recalled that the former Governor declared an emergency in the education sector, established two universities, a polytechnic, several free boarding secondary schools, the Bayelsa International Airport, Roads and bridges, and several facilities in the health, agriculture, and other sectors.
“The Ijaw nation today, more than ever before, needs people with strong character, to run for the Senate, to tackle the lingering issues, and the interest of the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta; such as Restructuring, True Federalism, Resource Control, and other pertinent matters in the defense of the Ijaw interest, the South-South and indeed the country.
“I make bold to declare that His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, has displayed the quintessential Ijaw virtues of honour, courage and integrity, and has never succumbed to intimidation. I believe that he would advance our cause and join other compatriots to work for a better and greater Nigeria.
“He is well versed on issues of Restructuring, True Federalism, Devolution of Power and Resource Control. He has the right language to deploy, the charisma, the right commitment and determination to achieving these objectives.
“As a former member of the House of Representatives, he has hands-on experience on legislative procedures and workings, the leadership acumen to weather through murky waters of parliamentary democracy and gymnastics. Governor Dickson has been a leading voice in the call for restructuring of this country. He makes no pretention about it.
“As the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria, we stand to gain more by working together than by singing discordant tunes. We must, therefore, settle for the best to represent our interest at the national level.” He said
Over Forty representatives, comprising of the various organs administering the Aleibiri Federated Communities have endorsed former Bayelsa state governor, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson for vacant Bayelsa West Senatorial district.
In a communique signed by leaders of the various groups in Aleibiri Kingdom, the representatives noted that the former governor, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson is the only person that can pursue the developmental interest of not only the Sagbama/Ekeremor people but entire Bayelsa and Niger-Delta.
The representatives further noted that with Dickson’s track records of transformational leadership and personal qualities, they have no doubt whatsoever that he is the number one person to represent the senatorial district.
“Nobody can intimidate or hoodwink him in the senate and anywhere else for that matter.”
“He’s experienced, exposed, eloquent, fearless, tried and trusted. With his sterling qualities, he will fight for the overall development of not only the senatorial district but the entire state, Niger-Delta and beyond”.
Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West seats in the senate became vacant following the election of former occupants, Senator Douye Diri representing Bayelsa Central and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo representing Bayelsa West as governor and deputy governor of the state respectively.
See Full Press Statement below:
Special Press Release: FROM THE PALACE OF ALEI OF ALEIBIRI KINGDOM.
A well attended meeting of over forty representatives representing the leadership of the various organs administering the Aleibiri federated communities namely, Alei council of chiefs, Aleibiri General Assembly, the community Development committee, The Women and Youth groups was held at the palace of the Alei of Aleibiri on Sunday 14th June, 2020.
After the exhaustive and fruitful deliberation, the joint meeting unanimously and unequivocally endorsed the senatorial aspiration of Tarikekere-Owei of Aleibiri, his Excellency, Chief Seriake Henry Dickson, by this endorsement, we are giving him the right of first refusal. This endorsement has no party consideration whatsoever.
The overwhelming view of the meeting was that, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson is unarguably the best person to represent the Bayelsa West in the red chambers of the National Assembly.
He’s experienced, exposed, eloquent, fearless, tried and trusted. With his sterling qualities, he will fight for the overall development of not only the senatorial district but the entire state, Niger-Delta and beyond.
He had previously served in the House of Representatives for two terms and was governor of Bayelsa for 8 solid years. He is the only person so far to serve two terms as governor of the state. He’s very bold and determined to pursue the course of the downtrodden people of the whole of Niger-Delta.
This is the person, who in-spite of the dwindling resources of the state was able to construct a road from Sagbama to Ekeremor and other countless infrastructural developments in the state. This was unbelievable as other governments right from independence thought it was impossible to construct a road through this highly challenging and debilitating environment.
He also brought tertiary institutions, the University of Africa in Toru-Orua, the Issac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama town and the much cherished Bayelsa state Polytechnic, Aleibiri.
He, therefore, brought unprecedented and unparalleled development to the area. As the wise saying goes, “Every good turn deserves another”.
With these his track records and personal qualities, we have no doubt whatsoever that he is the number one person to represent the senatorial district. Nobody can intimidate or hoodwink him in the senate and anywhere else for that matter.
We, therefore, wholeheartedly endorse Chief Henry Seriake Dickson for the Bayelsa West senatorial district.
Signed: Sir, Chief (Dr) Benedict I. Guembe The Olotu of Aleibiri Kingdom and the Chairman, Alei Council of Chiefs.
Hon. Awini Jacob President, Aleibiri General Assembly
Former Bayelsa governor, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson appoints Brian Dennis and Lawson Ayamah as New Media assistants
Former Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Chief Henry Seriake Dickson has appointed Mr Brian Jonah Dennis as his Senior Special Assistant and Mr. Lawson Ebinyo Ayamah as his Special Assistant on New Media.
Until his appointment, Brian Jonah Dennis was an independent Digital Journalist, a writer and a Strategic Communications Consultant.
Mr. Brian Jonah Dennis graduated from University of Port Harcourt with Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.
He worked as a reporter for SignalNG, an online newspaper and Ideosphere Limited as Head of Media Operations.
In the same vain, Mr. Lawson Ebinyo Ayamah, a Political Science graduate of the National Open University and an ardent member of the Bayelsa new media team of the Dickson led Restoration government is an experienced New Media strategist and avid writer.
The new aides will oversee Chief Henry Seriake Dickson’s communication on social media and related platforms as well as liaise with other social media partners.
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, PRINCE DAPO ABIODUN MFR, ON UPDATE AND EFFORTS TO COMBAT COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON FRIDAY, 19TH JUNE, 2020
My dear people of Ogun State. Let me start with the update on the current COVID-19 situation in our State as reflected in the medical statistics. As at Monday, 15th June, 2020, we have recorded a total of 586 positive cases as against a total number of316 on the 4th of June, an increase of 270 or over 85% in just 14 days. Put more succinctly, the number of cases recorded from first index case on 27thFeb to 4th June – a period of 98 days – has almost doubled in just 14 days. On the positive side, a cumulative total of 315 patients have been successfully treated and discharged, representing 54% of the total positive cases. This number stood at 168 in my last update on Friday, 5th June, indicating a discharge of 147 in the last 14 days. Within this period, we have painfully recorded an additional 6 more deaths, bringing the total to 15, an increase of over 66% compared to 9 as at the last update. We beseech God Almighty to repose the souls of the departed and grant their families the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
2.The above speaks for itself – community transmission is on the increase. And regrettably, in spite of the spirited efforts of the government to create awareness about the deadly nature of the pandemic and the guidelines in place to flatten the curve of the spread, the compliance level of our people is still very much below expectation. Many are yet to appreciate that there is a new normal that demands a new way of life that is not optional and is also an individual responsibility in the final analysis. I wish to emphasise that the figures of the dead from COVID-19 related complications or the sick may appear to many as just mere statistics, but to those who are directly impacted, these are not just numbers, but caring spouses, loving fathers or mothers, sisters, brothers and cherished relatives. The intention here is not to scare us, but to drive home the point that COVID-19 is real, and we have a collective and individual responsibility to work together to tame it – through compliance with the guidelines.
3.The challenge posed by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic is multi-faceted. Apart from the generally known facts that there are no vaccine or cure yet, the trajectory of the spread of the virus is also a moving target, despite the best efforts at arresting the spread of this highly infectious and deadly enemy.
4.It is with this consideration in mind that our approach in Ogun State has been cautious, deliberate, methodical, and guided by data analysis, feedback from the field, and expert opinions of medical scientists. Underpinning our approach also, is continuous review of the situation and curtailment efforts, engagement with stakeholders and regular update of the public. Since COVID-19 is a global challenge, we also stay tuned to COVID-19 related developments both in other States within our shores and also around the world. One key lesson is that those who relaxed the restrictions too early are paying dearly and hurriedly re-imposing even tougher measures than those lifted prematurely. Unfortunately, the consequences for the hasty decision are human lives that could have been saved or ailments that could have been avoided.
5.In my last briefing, we were considering a tentative date of Friday, 19th June, 2020 to further ease the restrictions and allow gradual opening of places of worship on Fridays and Sundays. Towards this end, we have had robust engagements with the religious leaders – Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams and Alfas. I must thank them for their forthrightness, cooperation and even appreciation that the curve of the spread of the pandemic is worsening and that places of worship represent most potent fertile grounds for the spread of the deadly virus.
6.After a careful review of the data, feedback from the field, expert opinions, and lessons from far and near, two major conclusions are very clear and obvious to all: first, the COVID-19 situation in Ogun State and indeed in the country as a whole has not improved since the last update; secondly, there are dire consequences in loss of human lives for premature relaxation of the guidelines, necessitating a rollback of the relaxation in a number of states and countries. Unfortunately, guidelines may be rolled back, the lost human lives cannot be rolled back.
7.Consequently, we are confronted with two choices – yield to the demand of those who want the restrictions to be further relaxed or even completely removed, even if this is at variance with the dictates of incontrovertible data analysis and scientific opinion; or tow the path that preserves public health and safety, even if not so popular. As a responsible Administration, we choose life and the wellbeing of our citizens and aretherefore constrained to take the painful but necessary decision to maintain the current regime of eased lockdown in the meantime. We are consequently suspending our initially slated reopening of places of worship. Let me thank some of our religious leaders who by themselves advised us that this is the best decision that we should take at this time in the best interest of all of us. This is not an easy decision, but we are confident that the wisdom and scientific basis for this decision will become clearer to those who may have initial misgivings about it. Since the advent of this pandemic in our State, our cautious, methodical, data-driven and scientifically supported approach has ensured not only comparably superior outcomes, we have also not had reasons to reverse our decisions, because our decisions are usually well thought out.
8.For clarity, the existing guidelines to combat COVID-19 in the State that will continue in the meantime are:
• All 5 working days in the week (Monday to Friday) are still opened for businesses and other economic transactions with only Saturday and Sunday as lockdown days;
• Observation of dusk-to-dawn curfew as directed by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) i.e. between 10.00pm and 4.00am daily;
• Restrictions on Interstate travel are still in force;
• Wearing of face masks in the public is still mandatory;
• Only one passenger is still allowed for motorcycles and two passengers only for tricycles. We observed that Okada motorcycles are breaking this law and we will not hesitate to ban all Okada motorcycles from operating in our State if our resolve is further put to test.
• Taxi cabs and buses still have 60% limitation on their carrying capacity and the measure to arrest and impound any driver that contravenes this in our State is still in force;
• The COVID-19 Task Force in markets must continue to ensure physical distancing, availability of hand washing facilities, and use of gloves and facemasks for traders;
• Decontamination will continue in our markets and other public places;
• Limitation of all gatherings to a maximum number of 20, is still in effect;
• Gyms, event centres, cinemas, arcades, bars, casinos, nightclubs, swimming pools, barber-shops, spas, beauty Salons, and all public parks, including those in private residential estates, are still not allowed to operate;
• Restaurants are permitted to provide only take-away services and should also ensure that there are no more than 10-15 customers at a time with physical distancing measures in place. Guidelines for eat-in services are still being fine-tuned;
• All industries in Ogun State must continue to comply with the “Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Workplaces in Ogun State to Combat COVID-19” as issued by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments. Therefore, testing of staff for COVID-19 in all industries in the State must be sustained;
• The Task Force set up to conduct random spot checks on the premises of the industries, restaurants and other business enterprises to confirm compliance is still in operation.
9.As usual, we will continue to monitor the situation and developments and will not hesitate to review and adjust the guidelines accordingly, as may be required. Our objective is to preserve the welfare and wellbeing of our people at all times, afterall that is the primary reason for the existence of government in the first place. In doing this, it will require tough decisions. I have no doubt that we can continue to count on the understanding and support of our people in this joint war against an invisible enemy which turn wives to widows and children to orphans. In this task, we are confident that we will prevail – through the benevolence of God Almighty and the resilience of the human spirit.
10.I cannot end this address without specially thanking all our frontline workers – doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical lab scientists, supporting personnel and indeed all health workers. I commend the patriotism and commitment of security personnel, journalists and other essential workers for their cooperation in the efforts to flatten the curve of COVID-19. Our efforts will not be in vain, together, we will defeat COVID-19.
11.I thank you all for listening and God bless.
Igbega Ipinle Ogun, ajose gbogbo wa ni o. Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR, Governor of Ogun State, Nigeria. Thursday, 18th June, 2020
I've had the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo for some weeks now and in this video, I share all my thoughts about it as well as the pros, cons and my recommendation. Should you buy the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo? Watch this video for my full experience with this device. Do let me know your thoughts and questions in the replies below. Some of the Specifications to note:
- Dual High Resolution 4K Displays - NVIDIA RTX 2060 - Intel Core i9-9980HK - 256, 512, 1TB SSD Storage - 8GB, 16GB & 32GB RAM - Ergonomic Hinge and Backlit Keyboard - Face Unlock - TrackPad which is a NumberPad - Sound by Harman Kardon - Price is 1.4M Globally but from N1,115,500 by the Official ASUS in Nigeria
We condemn in its entirety, the arrest and detention of Nastura Sherif who led a protest against the insecurity bedeviling Northern Nigeria and the inability of the government to halt the killings by the bandits.
As a group, we are deeply concerned that dissenting voices are being silenced and critics hounded by the Nigerian government.
The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gives citizens rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The actions of Nastura and others against the incessant killings in their region is a justified one.
Moreover, we call on the Police and other relevant security agencies to ensure that Nigerians are safe. The government should look for best possible solutions to the issues being raised by Nastura rather than arresting and detaining him.
The former Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, has expressed deep sadness and grief over the death of celebrated banker and foremost political leader, Chief Francis Doukpola.
Governor Dickson described Doukpola as a rare gem, a man òf high integrity, an exemplary Bayelsan citizen of honour and great lover of the Ijaw nation.
The former Governor said in a statement on Wednesday that the late Chief Francis Doukpola lived a lifetime of dedicated commitment and service to God and man.
Chief Dickson said further that the late Political leader would be remembered for his wonderful services as a banker of repute to the good people of Rivers and Bayelsa.
He said that Chief Doukpola was a role model who was indeed a major pillar of support to him throughout his eight years as Governor of Bayelsa State.
He lamented that Bayelsa lost a dependable and humble leader who was readily available to provide stability in the state through rendering the needed guidance and support at all time as he did during his period as Governor.
He said, “My family and I received the news of the death of our leader, Chief Francis Doukpola, with great shock and pain.
“Bayelsa State and indeed the Ijaw nation have lost a great son, brother and leader who put years of dedicated commitment to the service of humanity.
“He was one elder and leader who was always present to give quality advice and was indeed a stabilizing force throughout my two tenures as Governor of Bayelsa State.
“As a man of proven integrity and accountability, I did not hesitate for one minute before entrusting sensitive responsibilities to him and he never failed.
“While we are pained, we should be consoled by the fact that he lived a great life worthy of emulation.
“I pray for the eternal repose of the soul of this great Ijaw son and for God to give his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Signed: His Excellency, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson Former Governor of Bayelsa State
*WAR AGAINST COVID-19 RECEIVES BOOST AS SIR. EMEKA OFFOR FOUNDATION DONATES MEDICAL EQUIPMENTS TO FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER JALINGO AND UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN TEACHING HOSPITAL*
As part of Sir. Emeka Offor’s commitment to bridge the gap that exists in the African developmental hemisphere by promoting qualitative education and public health, his foundation; Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF) in support of Future assured has donated healthcare and educational equipments worth billions of Naira to Federal Medical Center in Jalingo and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital(UITH). This is in line with the foundation’s core vision of improving the quality of life of Africans by supporting health and educational interventions.
The foundation donated 100 hospital beds, mattresses and other medical accessories to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) as part of its contribution to the hospital to mitigate the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic. SEOF also donated $380,000 worth of medical equipment to the management of the hospital to strengthen the health care programme in the tertiary hospital.
The 40-feet container load of medical equipments was presented to the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Professor Abdullahi Yussuf, by the Chief of Staff to Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, AIG Chris Ezike (Rtd.)
In his remarks Ezike stated that its partner, Savannah Center for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD) nominated UITH as a beneficiary of the medical equipment distribution programme, highlighting that the consignment is not to be sold, resold or exchanged for profit or gain.
The Chief of staff noted that the Public Health Consultant of the Foundation, Dr. Tanko Yakasai would engage in post donation visits to the hospital to ensure compliance with the rules of corporate governance on the facilities
When I tweeted on the sad incident of the rape and murder of Vera Uwala Omozuwa in a Benin church last week, I did so for many reasons. First, it was the right thing to do as these incidents of violence against our women are becoming too frequent. Second, it was out of conviction that we all need to stand up and fight this dangerous trend depicting the new low that our country has sunk.
Third, I ruminated over the Uwa case and the question came to my mind: What else could a functional society have expected from that young lady? Instead of wasting the period of this lockdown on frivolities and immoral practices, she chose to reinforce her academic intellect by being busy with her books. With the assurance of a safe space of physical and spiritual protection, she chose to study inside a church auditorium. Yet, our society failed her innocent choice, fatally.
Now, since the Uwa case occurred and got so much public attention, many more sordid cases had been reported. There had been the case of 18-year-old Barakat Bello in Ibadan who was also raped to death, the 12-year-old girl in Jigawa raped by 12 men including a 67-year old man, the 13-year-old Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje who was a victim of her guardian’s criminal tendency. The Daily Trust edition of June 6, 2020 stated that 65 cases of rape had been reported between January and the first week of June 2020.
The recent gory details of shocking dehumanisation and violence against the female gender compels sombre reflection on these incidents: and questions worth asking, and answering on whether this is how our society should be?
The swift reaction of the police to the case in Benin is encouraging and should be sustained and spread to all the other cases. Anti-social and heinous crimes occur and prevail because after the initial noise, everything dies down, lacking diligent follow up to ensure a satisfactorily punitive, deterrent and rehabilitative final resolution.
There is no doubt that justice delayed is justice denied – thus delays in investigative and forensic processes, along with judicial delays do indirectly encourage criminals – and damage the innocent. There are many instances of the haphazard handling of investigation, prosecution and final resolution of crimes. A question worth asking is what legislative measures exist to prevent sexual and gender based violence, and govern the conduct of agencies charged with the protection of law and order, and citizens? As the 13th President of the Senate for four years, the lawmakers encountered this same problem of the constant violence against the Nigerian female gender and our responses were swift. On May 23rd, 2017, we debated a motion titled “The Urgent need to investigate the alarming rate of rape and sexual assault against women, children and vulnerable people across the country.”
In our resolution, we urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and all security agencies to establish help desks to provide increased support for the victims. We also called on government to immediately activate the administration and implementation of the provisions of the Violence Against Persons and Property Act
Knowing the importance of frontline community audits and learning, we created a platform of formal engagement with Civil Society Organisations. One such CSO groups was the Women Arise for Change Initiative led by Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin. During one of the meetings with her organisation, I remember my assurance to her that “The Eighth Senate is in total support of your activities and you can take us as partners in this process of reducing Gender Based Violence. To us, it is a big NO to gender based violence”.
The Eighth Senate passed the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institution Bill 2016. This bill inspired our stern response to the case of sex-for-marks complaint raised by Miss Monica Osage, a student of the Obafemi Awolowo University against one of her professors. We directed our committees on tertiary education and women affairs to follow up with the University’s Senate, Governing Council and Federal Ministry of Education to ensure the lady in question got justice. It is a good thing that the professor was used to teach other randy lecturers a lesson. And since then, one can observe that sanity is reportedly returning into the university system in the area of lecturers – female student relationship.
While these legislative milestones may not have been front-page news, due to the appetite of the media for sensational and salacious news stories from the legislature rather that the catalytic debates on substantial issues of national development, they represented a new way of parliamentary workings, to put our citizens needs, and protections first.
The need to improve the performance of the Police led us into enacting the Nigeria Police Reforms Act which aims to amend and update the 77-year old Police Act which governs their operations. In working on this law, we benefited from contributions from the Police, our development partners and many experienced individuals. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives was not able to conclude deliberations on the Bill before the eighth National Assembly adjourned sine die.
However, we successfully enacted the Police Trust Fund which aims to create alternative ways of funding the police, apart from budgetary allocation. The law provides that 0.5 per cent of the national gross income and .005 percentage of profits made by companies operating in Nigeria will go into a fund that will be used for equipping, training and welfare of police officers. This Bill had been in circulation since my period as Governor in 2007 when the idea was first presented before the National Council of States. It is to the credit of the eighth National Assembly that 11 years later, the Bill was given life and passed. One is happy that this law has been signed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the board to administer the fund has been inaugurated.
It is one thing to have the laws made by the legislature. It is another kettle of fish to get the presidential assent to them or even get the executive arm to implement the provision of the laws. That is why I believe that preventing and curbing violence against persons will require better co-operation between the legislature, executive, the civil society and the general public.
The co-operation between ordinary citizens and those they elected to bring about changes or resolve social welfare problems as evidenced by the public outcry and initiatives on these recent cases of rape excites me. We must have social justice in our society. And it is important we all commit and make a pledge to work against the evil perpetrated by some of our fellow citizens.
I am particularly encouraged to see that some public spirited youths are leading the on-going campaign against rape and other violence against the female gender. I saw the raw energy being put into the campaigns by youths who want results and desire positive action from the authority. The recent initiatives by these young people who are raising funds to help provide financial succour to the families of victims are good. I congratulate them for their sacrifice and selfless action which are good omen that the future of Nigeria remains bright.
My advice is that the rest of us should not limit our activism on these important issues to just press releases, tweets and Facebook posts. We should walk the talk. All of us – the President, legislators, governors, former public office holders, clergies and other opinion leaders – who have used the social media to express our outrage at the heinous crime against women must now play more active roles. The legislators must look at what laws need to be newly enacted, amended or repealed to deal with the current challenges. The technocrats in the executive must go beyond waiting to pick holes in the bills passed by the legislature and seeking to give reasons why the laws should be denied presidential assent. They must co-operate with the lawmakers to ensure the bills are signed into law and full implementation commences in earnest.
The tendency is always for these anger to be expressed over a period of time and then we move on, behaving as if nothing has happened. Those campaigning against these social vices should stay on the course and ensure positive changes are effected. The end is to see justice served to the victims, the accused persons and the traumatised society.
We need the Police Reforms Bill to be enacted into law without delay by the current National Assembly. Both chambers should dust up the old bill and work on it. The emphasis of the police needs to shift to forensic investigation and necessary equipment must be provided to this end. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) should be equipped to take up cases on behalf of victims of violence. Ensuring justice for the victims of violence in the shortest possible time should now be their watchword.
With COVID-19 and the resultant budget deficit, fall in the price of oil and the value of naira, it is obvious the government can no longer meet its target on provision of infrastructure. However, there is still the easy objective that can be met. That is ensuring justice for all victims of violent attacks. Unlike construction of roads, building of power stations and other key infrastructure, the actions needed to redress these wrongs and send strong signals to rapists and violent predators among us do not require oil prices to rise or dollar exchange rate to the Naira to be lower. The issue of addressing injustice presents us with a low hanging fruit that we can quickly harvest. After all, what is needed is the commitment on the part of everybody to faithfully and conscientiously play their part.
What constitutes a good society is that it must be built on justice, law and order and protection of the weak from the indiscretion of the strong. We can start from these recent cases of Omozuwa, Barakat, Elizabeth and others to ensure all outstanding cases are swiftly concluded and justice served to all concerned. It is never too late. Even, in America, the George Floyd case has proved that the super power country is still grappling with the challenge of dealing with issues of violence against innocent citizens.
It is my belief that these recent sad occurrences present us with the opportunity, as a society, to make life better for all. The actions required need to be taken up by both the leaders and the followers. The followers must demand for these actions, canvass and agitate for them through lawful means. They must become more critical, discerning and thorough in electing leaders at all levels who have that respect and recognition for rights and social protections as a core compass guiding the courage to address endemic national malaise. Only then will we build a safe society for all citizens.
• Saraki, Board Chair, The Africa Politeia Institute, was the 13th President of the Senate
Sources gathered that Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu is in the habit of resorting to self help, harassment and other unlawful means to effect wrongful eviction on her husband’s (Prince Mustapha Audu Abubakar) tenants. The self acclaimed activist for political change has severally barred entry of tenants into their premises, harassed and verbally assaulted her tenants.
Recently, our sources gathered that she unlawfully locked out a tenant from her premises. All efforts to mediate by neighbour and law enforcement officers proved abortive as she adamantly insisted on proving the extent of her political power and influence.
The tenant in question approached the Court and a Court Order was granted restraining Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu from disturbing the tenant’s peaceable and quiet enjoyment of the property, but Princess Zahrah who considers herself to be above the law had the Court Order torn off the gate. She flagrantly and contemptuously disregarded the Court Order and even went ahead to break into the tenants’ house. She had the tenants’ properties damaged and thrown out of the house.
Several valuables including appointment and promotion letters, land documents,diamond engagement ring and gold Jewelleries belonging to the tenant are currently nowhere to be found. In all these, she is said to have consistently bragged about her relationship with the Inspector General of police which leaves Nigerians wondering if the IGP would condone such lawlessness.
It is astoundingly hypocritical that Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu who has recently berated business mogul Aliko Dangote for unethical behavior and threatened to sue him will resort to this kind of behavior
Princess Zahrah has been in the limelight in the past as we recall that she was charged for committing crimes as she was accused of allegedly defrauding one Nike Kolawole of the sum of 18 million Naira. Our office is currently unable to confirm if the said criminal case is pending, if she has been acquitted or found guilty
Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia state, has tested positive for COVID-19.
John Okiyi Kalu, commissioner of information in the state, announced the case in a statement on Monday.
He said the governor had gone into isolation before his result returned positive, and that he has directed the deputy governor to act on his behalf pending the time he resumes duty.
”Recall that on Saturday, 30th May, 2020, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu volunteered his sample for COVID-19 test and subsequently directed members of the state Executive Council (EXCO) and those of the inter ministerial committee on COVID-19 to submit themselves for the same test. On Tuesday, 2nd June, 2020. Tthe result of Governor Ikpeazu’s test returned negative,” he said.
”On Thursday, 4th June, 2020, the Governor submitted another sample at NCDC laboratory for confirmation and the result returned positive.
”As a result, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has gone into isolation, as required by relevant NCDC protocols, and he is being managed by a competent team of medical practitioners with a view to nursing him back to good health.
”Consequent on the above, the Governor has directed his Deputy, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf pending his full resumption of duties.
”We wish to urge all Abians to take the fight against COVID-19 serious as the disease is real but not a death sentence. Our state has the resources to manage patients back to good health.”
Ikpeazu is the fourth governor to contract the coronavirus – after Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi.
In March, the governor said COVID-19 would not afflict Abia because the state is mentioned in the Bible.
“Abia is the only state that is mentioned in the Bible. We have a promise from God that none of these diseases will touch God’s people. And I hold on to God’s promise,” he said.
“We saw Ebola, it did not get to us. We saw monkey pox, it didn’t get to us. Even this one (coronavirus) will also pass us by.”
The commissioner of environment in the state had died, though it was not confirmed he died of COVID-19. But some members of the immediate family of the deceased commissioner tested positive for the disease.
Other members of the crew were Sergeant Njoku Patience as the Airborne Tactical Observation System mission operator and Lance Corporal Shawulu Godiya as the onboard technician. https:///U15lXi6GUF
The crew had Flying Officers Oluwabunmi Ijelu, the first female officer to become a captain on an aircraft and Genevieve Nwaogwugwu as Co-Pilot. https:///j6TbekukGh
Meet the NAF all female ISR crew. On May 28, 2020, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) performed Its First All-Female crew Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission using Beechcraft KingAir aircraft. https:///cxJzzHuHM1
A STEP FASTER: itel MOBILE LAUNCHES ITEL P36 AND P36 PRO IN FIRST VIRTUAL PRODUCT LAUNCH
itel Mobile, Africa’s leading consumer-centric smartphone brand, has introduced cutting edge additions to its flagship power series, itel P36 and P36 Pro LTE at her first ever virtual product launch in Lagos.
The P36 series consolidates the smartphone for everyone brand’s investments in mobile communication offerings that are budget-friendly, durable, and reliable. The series advances the legacy of long-lasting battery performance with a 72-hour battery life and internet connectivity upgrades.
Prior to the unveiling, itel Mobile narrated a compelling growth story. Through detailed understanding of the consumer, the brand has satisfied mobile communication needs and earned significant recognition over the years. In 2019, the International Data Corporation (IDC) ranked itel Mobile as one of the top 4 smartphone players in the Middle East and Africa. It is also the global no. 1 feature phone player according to another 2019 report from the IDC.
First of Its Kind https://ourdailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Itel-new-1.png Sustaining a well-established culture of providing innovative mobile communications offerings to everyone, the itel P36 Pro LTE is fitted with 4G LTE, the first of its kind on the series. It’s a premium offering that delivers superfast internet connection without buffers. It’s 8 times faster than the itel P33 Plus launched last year. This amazing speed ensures fast uploads, downloads, and smooth play of HD videos.
The introduction of the itel P36 series aligns with the expansion drive of the brand, from mobile products to consumer electronics. There is itel TV comprising S and A series, and itel smartphone accessories – power banks, smart fitness bands, and Bluetooth earphones which have been introduced to provide more budget-friendly options in these categories.
With the recent signing on of Afro-pop star, Olamide Adedeji as brand ambassador in Nigeria, itel Mobile initiates a mutual partnership for improved engagements with consumers. Both brands share similar values – they serve the mass markets. itel Mobile is a leader in the smartphone mass market in Nigeria offering reliable and affordable smartphones for everyone, while Olamide makes popular music for the streets, rolling out frequent hits they can relate with.
The Superfast Advantage Enabled by a 5000mAh battery, the series comes with a 5V, 2A, 10W fast charge feature. This means 10 minutes charging gives the user 1 hour for phone calls. To get the series to full charge, it takes just 3 hours and 25 minutes- two times up from the 7 hours, 50 minutes obtainable on the regular 5000mAh battery. And the battery can last 72 hours.
The series has an impressive 6.5” HD+ Waterproof Fullscreen display and 8.6mm slim body design set-up. Also, itel has equipped the series with the i-Cast feature to project the smartphone screen on itel TV for bigger viewing experience. itel P36 and P36 Pro LTE sport dual security – face unlock & a multi-functional fingerprint sensor to protect and guarantee privacy for users
“The introduction of itel P36 and P36 Pro LTE affirms itel Mobile’s sustained push towards innovative and stylish smartphone offerings at a budget-friendly price. It’s also about value creation for the consumer with major improvement on features and specifications that surpass what is obtainable in the market. The brand is keen on sustaining this momentum for the ultimate goal of satisfying our consumers.” said Oke Umurhohwo, Marketing Communications Manager (West Africa), itel Mobile at the launch of the series.
The itel P36 and P36 Pro LTE are available nationwide from June 6th, 2020. With itel P36 series, itel sets a new innovation and growth record in her quest to rank among the top-three mobile brands globally.
One of the prominent politicians in Imo state, Chief Sam Ejiogu, popularly known as Akaraka, has said that credit should be given to multi billionaire businessman, Myke Ikoku whom he said facilitated the mass defection of former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members into the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Imo state. Akaraka said the defected members had gone into several meetings at the instance of Ikoku where they were lobbied into the progressive’s family.
Recall that on Thursday last week, former Chairman of Imo PDP, Chief Barr Charles Babatunde Ezekwem and eleven other former state working Committee members of PDP, two former South-East Zonal officers of PDP, 12 former LGA Chairmen of PDP among other leaders defected to the APC. This was described as a welcome development by progressive’s party members hence, the insistence by Akaraka that credit be given to Ikoku.
In a chat, Chief Akaraka revealed that the credit of the success of the defection should go directly to no other person than Evang Myke Ikoku whom he said effected the defection but decided to be behind the scene. Chief Akaraka thanked Myke Ikoku and Chief Rex Anunobi (Sokom) “for all their efforts and several meetings they called that finally led to the actualisation of the defection that took place on Thursday at the APC office, Owerri” which he said started since late February this year, adding that “Evang Ikoku has actually demonstrated that he is a go-getter and a man who loves Governor Hope Uzodinma and wants his government to succeed.” He said the defection has given a defeating blow to the PDP in the state, noting that “henceforth, nobody can take him for a ride in Imo state politics.” “I want to personally thank Evang. Myke Ikoku and Bar Rex Anunobi for a job well done,” he said.
During this unprecedented time, Flour Mills Nigeria’s 60 year-long commitment to feeding the nation everyday, and enhancing the quality of Nigerian lives is now more important than ever.
Watch to learn how we have been mobilising our resources to help Nigeria manage the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Phones › WhatsApp Is Down All Over The World by AnonPoet(op): 9:26pm On Jul 14, 2020
