The 2.6km dual carriage way with a width of 10m has been dreaded by previous administrations until because of the treacherous terrain but governor Dickson promised, saw and confronted the terrain. Today, the people of Epie/Atissa in Yenagoa LGA are grateful for the courageous feat.
The Kpasia modern market which was commissioned today was equally Initiated and completed by the Dickson led Restoration Government. It was named Henry Seriake Dickson Market by a resolution reached by the council of chiefs of Kpasia Community. The Kpasia Market aka Henry Seriake Dickson Market, is equipped with 336 shops with toilet facilities, security and perimeter fence.
The Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency , Rt.Hon Seriake Dickson has Commissioned the Bayelsa State International Airport Located at Wilberforce Island Under the Chairmanship of HRM, King Alfred Diette Spiff .
The governor in his remark expressed deep gratitude to God to have given the courage to initiate the gigantic and life transforming project. He also expressed gratitude to his team for their support in the past eight years and the solidarity he has enjoyed from all strata of leadership in the state. In his words, ‘ Early last year, we witnessed the landing of two flights on this same airport and a few days ago, the airforce equally landed, marking the commencement of their operations at the airport. This commissioning is historic and will amongst other benefits, outlive us all and continue to serve the people of Bayelsa State’.
The governor used the opportunity to give credit to late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha whose government conceptualized what has come to fruition today. Dickson who throughout his government has upheld and continued to honor all Ijaw leaders both living and dead used the occasion to name the Airport Road which was equally commissioned after the Late Chief DSP Alamieyeseighs, first civilian governor of Bayelsa State.
Today, we are changing the narrative that there’s not just an airstrip in Bayelsa, the heart of Ijaw land but an International Airport. This project will continue to take our people to the world and bring the world to our people. We as a people have been neglected for too long and we are far behind others even our closest neighbours. So when we talk about building schools, hospitals and airports, some cant understand that our people have been left behind and urgently need to catch up.’
It took a year and six months to sandfill this place because our terrain is treacherous. Everything that is seen in the airport, was put together by the Bayelsa State Government. There is no single gain of Federal Government sand in this airport. The Bayelsa State Government built this airport from start to finish. The initial agreement was for theFederal Government to construct it but at the pace they were going, it would have stalled so it was agreed that the Federal Government construct and equip the terminal building while the state government, the runway. But there was a change in government in 2015 and the agreement was not observed so we took it upon ourselves to embark on the project which we are commissioning today.
Governor Dickson used the opportunity to call on the Federal Government to be alive to their responsibility and build the terminal building that was agreed upon as there was still room for a bigger one. ‘ The landing equipments are of international standard as we spared no effort nor resource in securing the best because our people deserve it.’ ‘For the records, this airport has never been flooded as critics have claimed in the past. The strategic location of the airport is such that it opens up directly to the gulf of Guinea.’ The governor used the opportunity again to call on the Federal Government and the authorities to expedite the required approvals for commercial operations to commense. He also called on Bayelsans who understand clearly the treacherous terrain Bayelsa has but feign ignorance for political reasons should desist from such and rather support the development of our state instead of engaging in the peddling of uninformed speculations. The governor also stated that his government is open to any form of scrutiny about the airport as the books are open. ‘We cannot solve all the problems but I and my team came, seen and have done our best. We leave the rest for prosterity to judge.’ ‘It is on this note, I officially unveil the Bayelsa International Airport for the use of Bayelsans, Ijaw people and the entire nation, to the glory of God almighty.’ The event was attended by Royal fathers from Ijaw speaking communities and dignitaries from across the State.
The proliferation of crime in the country has currently taken a sad turn with multiple cases of kidnapping, banditry and other vices that have turned many Nigerians away from their homes and roads. Those who couldn’t help themselves have escaped into neighbouring Niger Republic where they felt much secured.
However, the general feeling of hopelessness that comes with the state of insecurity in Nigeria meant little or nothing to the man at the helm of the country’s affair. Rather than show empathy and a strong political will to end the cruel fate Nigerians face daily, President Muhammadu Buhari preferred to crack a dry joke on the physical appearance of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, AIG Abubakar Mohammed Adamu.
Buhari threw Nigerians into disbelieve when he responded to questions from journalists on his approach to tame the wave of insecurity in the country by saying “I’ve just seen the IGP, he is losing weight, so I think he’s working hard.” But wait, how is losing weight a measure to determine someone working hard?
It was not enough that Buhari left citizens to their fate and chose to embark on a private visit to the United Kingdom when insecurity ravaged the land but upon his return chose to make jest of the plight of the people. For any government, the security and safety of citizens is a very serious business and I don’t see how such delicate task can be achieved with the country’s head of Police shedding weight but effective strategies.
Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution provides in Section 14(2b) that “The SECURITY (emphasis mine) and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”, and it is yet unclear how losing weight of someone who heads the country’s internal security structure could ensure compliance. Maybe the President is as usual unaware of this important constitutional responsibility placed on his shoulder or he was just unconcerned that Nigerians are finding it too hard to move freely on our roads and barely sleep with their two eyes closed at night.
In 2015, one of the things that endeared Buhari to a larger number of voters was his promise of ensuring security in the country. Many Nigerians, especially in the North, banked on his military background to eliminate Boko Haram menace, which was the major security threat at that particular time. They concluded that Goodluck Jonathan was indecisive and a strong man, which was the image given to Buhari then, would foster stability and peace.
But down the line, not only does the Boko Haram issue still ravage North East, security challenges such as brutal kidnappings, armed robbery, ritual killings, cult related clashes, herdsmen attacks and banditry, among other crimes have been added to the list of woes confronting the security situation in Nigeria. This has heightened fear of danger across board and the leader of the country who should offer reprieve to the public is busy passing unnecessary compliment.
It is no denying that the president can pass compliments just like every other Nigerians, but such should be observant of his citizens, who he swore to serve. Suggesting that the IGP is working hard because he is losing weight, whereas Nigerians are overwhelmed with fears of insecurity smack insensitivity. Infact, things seem to have taken an awful turn such that the hitherto untouched in the society are no longer spared.
Recently, daring armed men waylaid the board chairman of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mohammed Mahmood, along the Kaduna-Abuja Highway. His driver was not so lucky as he was shot dead while the assailants abducted the UBEC chief and his daughter, who were said to have allegedly coughed out N60m before they regained their freedom.
Few days later, similar fate befell an Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Professor, Yinka Adegbehinde, who was broached by gun wielding men near Ikire along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway and whisked away. The orthopaedic surgeon who secured his freedom after his family paid N5.045m to his abductors, rued the country’s internal security mechanism and said “The Federal Government needs to invest more in security; we need to know the identity of people coming in and going out of the town, state and the country at large.”
This is happening simultaneously with violent attacks on farming populated Benue and Plateau states by gun wielding militias, which has reduced farm outputs and resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of valuable properties. The onslaught of bandits have chased many away from their homes in Zamfara, with threatening security incidents in Sokoto and Buhari’s Katsina home state resulting in the abduction of Magaji Gari (of Daura emirate council), who is also the father-in-law to Buhari’s ADC.
Expressing his displeasure to the prevailing state of insecurity in the country, the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman said, “Every day I receive reports of kidnapping and killings from the district and village heads,” asking the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe to “Tell the president (Buhari) that we have to take care of our people, security first. All these programmes, as good as they are, cannot be (successful) without security. Security is first and fundamental.”
The statement aptly captures the terrifying security situation in the country but rather than show commitment dissipated into guaranteeing the safety of citizens, Buhari is busy complimenting the physical appearance of the Police chief, who was honest to admit that with shortage of funds, inadequate equipment and personnel, there is little or nothing the Police can do to curb the rising waves of insecurity in the country.
In essence, Buhari is either unaware of developments around him as Arthur Williams, renowned English actor, singer and playwright must have had him in mind when he concluded that “The fact is, in our society today, most people don’t know what hard work is all about.” Most Nigerians know better what hard work is and they will start to compliment IGP Adamu when they can safely move around without fear of being kidnap and no longer require to abscond from their homes for fear of attacks. That is what hard work means to Nigerians, not someone losing weight.
Oke Umurhohwo is a Political Analyst and Strategist. He tweets via @OkeStalyf and can be reached via oke.umu@gmail.com
What Trump’s Impeachment Trial could teach Nigeria
After a long wait, the jury has come out with a verdict– President Donald Trump would not be removed from office. This brings to end months of nightmares for Trump who faced a major onslaught to boot him out of office. Lucky for him, his Republican-dominated Senate acquitted him on all charges leveled against him and wrote-off his impeachment by the Democrats dominated House of Representatives.
For three weeks, the US Senate entertained fierce arguments from House of Representatives managers and Trump’s counsels on what turned out to become a divisive issue in that country politics. The Democrats are adamant that Trump “abused office and obstructed Congress” from its legitimate duty and threw its numerical advantage at the House of Representatives to impeach him from office.
But that victory was short-lived as Republicans queued behind Trump at the Senate and ensured that the president was not removed from office. It was not unexpected given the partisan line in which the votes at the House of Representatives followed. Democrats wanted Trump gone but Republicans said no, he’s staying.
That shows the intricacies of US politics and how the two main parties are pushing hard to be at an advantage in an election. Even though the impeachment trial ended with Trump’s acquittal and continuous stay in office, the process that threatened his office offers some lessons to Nigeria.
But first, we need to go back to how it all began. It began with a whistleblower, whose identity is still largely unknown, filing a complaint against Trump concerning his interactions with Ukraine President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Probably scorned by some lines in the exchanges between the two leaders, worried about the implications on the country’s electioneering process and driven by a sense of duty, he turned in the information to his superior. Suggesting how ‘urgent’ his concerns were in “accordance with the procedures outlined in 50 U.S.C. §3033(k)(5)(A),” the whistleblower divulged to House Chairmen Richard Burr and Adam Schiff “information from multiple U.S Government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S election.”
That is something unthinkable! The whistleblower was faced with two choices– to conceal whatever he believed was an abuse of power in the conversation Trump had with his Ukrainian President or turn in the information as demanded by his oath of office– but he chose the latter.
Well, that’s not something unusual in the US, yet, it is the thing I find most interesting in the whole impeachment brouhaha. Many reasons abound for my interest and I would try to point them out bit-by-bit. The sense of duty shown by the whistleblower is encouraging and the push by Democrats, even when they are well aware they stood no chance, is another courageous move.
So true that presidents, not to talk of a US president, wields enormous power but the difference which the US has shown with the scenario that ignited the impeachment of Trump at the House of Representatives and the strong attempt for his removal at a later trial in the Senate, is their accountability mechanism.
This is a rare feature in most African countries, including Nigeria, where leadership is hardly questioned. Oftentimes, we’re treated to scenarios where those who should ensure accountability shielded elected leaders from scrutiny and make them somewhat ‘invisible’. In fact, what you consistently see here is struggle to please the president and a sharp disconnect from the duty to the country.
While a President is considered the head of a government, he’s not above board and has a set standard he must not cross. That was the understanding shown by the whistleblower when he filed a complaint against Trump. The whistleblower was convinced that Trump acted wrongly by trying to pressure a foreign country to probe a potential rival in November’s election.
That it could not result in the removal of Trump is something entirely different because the most important objective was served. The trials, right from the House of Representatives to the Senate, passed a strong message to Trump that his excesses could no longer be ignored. Even more important is that the process posed as a strong check to Trump’s mistake of immunity for ‘invisibility’.
Though Democrats failed in its objective to remove Trump, it succeeded in passing “a pretty big lesson” on the president as mentioned by Senator Susan Collins. She was certain “that the president (Trump) has learned from this case” and went on to point out that “The president has been impeached”– a development she “believes that he will be much more cautious in the future.”
From the whole episode, one thing is so clear and that’s American dedication to duty. We saw that with the whistleblower, who against all odds, fulfilled his duty by reporting the information; we saw it with Congress exerting its constitutional power to put the president on trial, and we saw it with the press dedicated their airtime to keep citizens informed.
Oke Umurhohwo is a Political Analyst and Strategist. He tweets via @OkeStalyf and can be reached via oke.umu@gmail.com
Over the last five years, Tomato Jos has run Nigeria's largest active tomato farm in Kaduna, producing 7 billion tomatoes, with yield 7x above the national average. Now they are set to build their Tomato processing factory in Kaduna to produce 10% of Nigeria's Tomato paste demand.
Contrary to the report from some sections of the media (Punch not included ) that a 26-year-old pregnant woman has died of Lassa fever at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, the hospital management has refuted the claim.
The Head of Clinical Services, FMC, Abeokuta, Dr Fedelis Ojeblenu stated this on Sunday in a reaction to the media reports quoting the Director of Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr. Segun Orisajo who reportedly confirmed that one person died as a result of Lassa fever.
Orisajo was said to have confirmed that a 26-year-old woman, Titilayo Akinsola had lost her life to the disease on Saturday.
He was also reported to have stated that Akinsola died on Saturday after failed attempts by the medical team of the hospital to save her life.
But, the Head of Clinical Services faulted the report, saying, no one died of Lassa fever in the hospital.
He, however, confirmed that there was a case of a pregnant woman who has been confirmed of having Lassa fever in the hospital.
Oblenu in a statement sent to our correspondent on Sunday, said "we have a confirmed Lassa fever case in the hospital.
He said one person died at the Accident and Emergency unit in the hospital, but, not of Lassa fever.
He said the PRO was misquoted by the media, adding that the death that was reported was as a result of Dengue fever.
According to him, the death that occurred was as a result of Dengue fever while the pregnant woman with Lassa fever case had been transferred to a specialist hospital in Irrua Teaching Hospital, Edo State.
He said " Dengue fever is one of the haemorrhagic fevers with symptoms that are similar to those of Lassa, but is quite different in so many respects.
" A pregnant lady admitted four days ago. The other suspected case that died in A/E on Thursday,23rd is dengue Fever.
"The said lady has been transferred to Irrua teaching hospital on Saturday(Initially planned for FMC Owo).
"Surveillance tracing of all possible contacts especially our staff has commenced, while appropriate measures of containment and prevention are being put in place.
"The Infection control committee has already sent out reminders on standard precautionary practices. "
Meanwhile, some patients and their relatives have expressed fear over the rumoured death of a victim of Lassa fever at the hospital.
PUNCH had exclusively reported a fresh Lassa fever outbreak in the state on Friday.
However, an early Sunday morning visit to the hospital revealed that some patients and their relatives were apprehensive over the development.
Some of the relatives who spoke with our correspondent expressed fear that they might take their ill-persons away from the hospital.
Reacting to the implication of the report, the head of clinical services, said the clarification became necessary to avoid apprehension among the people.
He said "There is need to avoid panic and anxiety amongst staff and patients while all possible contacts are enjoined to cooperate with the epidemiologists and other personnel to successfully manage the situation.
AS NUC COMMENDS GOV DICKSON FOR DEDICATION TO QUALITY EDUCATION
The Bayelsa State Medical University (BMU) has taken off with the successful matriculation of 208 students in nine academic programmes.
Speaking as the Visitor to the University on Wednesday at its maiden matriculation ceremony, Governor Dickson called on the incoming government and entire Ijaw nation to give the necessary support the BMU, the secondly public specialized medical institution in the country, for the general good.
A statement by his Chief press Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei quoted the governor as having said that the BMU was an idea that has become a soothing reality not only in Bayelsa but also the entire Ijaw nation and Nigeria.
The Governor who said that the BMU was not about him or his administration noted that it was imperative for all to support the growth of the institution in the pursuit of the realization of the great vision that inspired the BMU.
According to Governor Dickson, the vision behind the establishment of the BMU is about the long term strategic interest and future of the people of the state.
He said the rationale for establishing the institution was to produce medical manpower that would serve the needs of not only the state but also the whole country.
“We want to take over the world in the area of medical knowledge and research. We want to produce the highest number of medical doctors, pharmacists and other medical personnel.” he said
According to Governor Dickson there is no specialised medical university in the whole country and entire West Africa, with the kind of facilities of the BMU.
Congratulating the matriculating students, the governor said he was fulfilled to see the progress that had taken place in the University and expressed gratitude to parents and students for sharing in his dream.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, represented by Mr. Chris Myaki praised Governor Dickson for what he called, his audacity and uncommon zeal in providing qualitative and inclusive university education.
Prof. Rasheed saluted Governor Dickson’s courage on embarking in the establishment of an institution of medicine and medical sciences that is capital intensive and assured the BMU of the Commission’s support.
“As a Commission we salute you and we urge you to sustain the tempo. The NUC and Federal Ministry of Education are proud to be associated with the decision by your government to establish a specialized medical university which is one out of the only five specialised medical universities in the country.”
Prof. Rasheed also noted that there is an urgent need for all stakeholders to make huge investments in health education and health care services in addressing the brain-drain syndrome in the health sector.
Also in his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, Prof. Nimi Briggs, described BMU as a dream come true.
Prof. Briggs gave kudos to Governor Dickson for his foresight in setting up the institution and urged the students to seek knowledge that would improve them, their families and society.
Also, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, said on 31st of January 2018, the BMU was accorded recognition by the NUC as the 48th State University and the 170th university in the Nigerian university system.
He maintained that in July 2019, officials of the NUC visited BMU to conduct a resource verification exercise to enable the institution obtain approvals for programmes such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Engineering among others.
Prof Etebu also noted that in September 2019, the NUC approved the establishment of full-time mode of study in nine academic programmes for BMU such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics with Electronics among others.
Highpoint of the event was the commissioning of the university’s administrative building, two 72 units of Girls’ hostels, two 72 units Boys’ hostels and staff quarters with 36 units of two bedroom flats.
Others are, 24 units of three bedroom staff quarters, 4 Laboratories for Biology, chemistry, physics and bio chemistry.
The Lagos State Government has disclosed that no fewer than 11,811 pupils of 33 public primary schools from Lagos Island were fed each, with a meal pack during first day of pilot phase of its introduced school feeding initiative which commenced on Monday in the state. https://i0.wp.com/theguildng.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/snack.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1 It said that the feeding program tagged, “Snack for Thought” is still in pilot phase and that it is expected to run for five days with continuous feeding of the stated figure of pupils from the 33 selected primary schools, daily.
As gathered, the government’s aim is to use the designed educational support initiative to empower and promote primary school education and address issues of absenteeism and other identified factors contributing to problem affecting the nation’s educational system.
It was gathered that decisions on the school feeding program pilot scheme were reached by the state government, through its Office of Civic Engagements, after considering need for Lagos State government intervention on public school welfare and that the agenda of Lagos state is to run a concurrent program alongside Federal Government school feeding program designed to cater for pupils between primaries one and three.
As listed by Lagos state government, Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Ebute-Elefun Primary School, Mattias Boys and Girls Primary School, Edwards Blyden Memorial School, Araromi Baptist Primary School, Ereko Methodist Primary School, St. Mary’s Convention Primary School, St. Mary’s Girls Primary School, St. Peter’s (Faji) Primary School and Christ Church Cathedral Primary School were among schools benefiting from the feeding program.
Others include, Anglican Girl’s SEN Primary School, Ansar-U-Deen Oke-Popo Primary School, Anwar-U Girl’s Olushi Primary School, St. Stephen’s (WAEC) Primary School, Jammaitul Islammiya Primary School, Lagos Island Local Government Primary School, Ade-Oshodi Memorial Baptist School, Fazi-o-mar Ahmadiya Primary School, Teslim Elias Primary School, Holy Trinity Primary School and Union Baptist Primary School.
The list also includes, St. Joseph Catholic Primary School, Olowogbowo Methodist School, Anwaru Islam Elegbata School, St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Zumuratul Islamiyah Primary School, St. John’s Anglican Aroloya, St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Ansar-U-Deen Alakoro Primary School and Lagos Island Montessori School.
The Special Adviser, Lagos State Office of Civic Engagements, Aderemi Adebowale, confirmed that no fewer than 11,811 pupils from 33 public primary schools were fed through the school feeding program pilot scheme being introduced by the state government and that the program was part of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, resolve to promote primary education which is the foundational rock for breeding a new and better generation.
Speaking during flag-off of the pilot of the feeding program tagged “Snack for Thoughts” at Christ Church Cathedral Primary School on Monday, in Lagos, Adebowale explained that the feeding pilot phase had commenced and that it would run for five days, and that 11,811 pupils across the 33 primary schools were expected to be fed on a daily basis for the period stated.
She disclosed that the Lagos state government had prepared meal packs containing nutritional snacks and drinks for pupils and that a pack of the meal is expected to sustain a child for period of his or her class session.
The special adviser hinted that the feeding program was being carried out as an experiment to ascertain both cost effects and value return on the pupil, and that the aim was to have conclusive plans such that could run side by side with federal government feeding plan for pupils in primaries one to three.
“Sanwo-Olu has good plans for Lagosians particularly school children and part of his plan is the pilot phase of this school feeding program. Apart from the cost implication of the feeding, the governor want know the good effect the food program will on have the children and that is the reason for the pilot scheme.
“Our governor know impact of good welfare on pupils and since Federal Government has plan to cater for primary one class to three classes of public schools across the nation, including Lagos, through its feeding program, Sanwo-Olu also felt there is need for the Lagos state government to also cater for the children of other classes including those in nursery,”
Anyone who uses Social Media in Nigeria today, and who is remotely interested in the politics of the country, will be keenly aware of the searchlight beamed on Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM) and his activities in Oyo State in the last seven months. It is the consensus that he is doing well as governor. In some quarters, he is believed to be one of the most empathetic governors in Nigeria who is responsive to the needs of his people. Some have even gone as far as naming him as one of the top four contenders for the people’s choice for Presidency in 2023.
On his part, GSM has not said anything about running for the country’s top position. In fact, he has not even pipped about a second term in office. However, his seeming nonchalance, near single-minded concentration on governance issues and rising profile has only driven the opposition, led by the leadership of the defeated All Progressives Congress (APC) against the wall. In recent times they have launched an “informal” attack on GSM, throwing dirt at him to see what will stick. They have employed the use of the label ‘audio governor’ as they compare him to any governor that as much as hints at an achievement real or imagined.
Let us take as an instance, his visit to the market after the Akesan Market inferno. Some commentators have said that it was a populist move for him to appear so despondent as the Iyaoloja cried on his shoulders. But anyone who has followed GSM from when he first expressed interest in politics will attest to his kindheartedness. In 2015, one source described him as “kind and philanthropic, building schools, health centres and borehole water for communities, as well as providing transformers and many times cash gifts to needy widows, families and indigents students.”
The angst of the opposition that leads to such labels as #AudioGovernor is simply laughable. A quick search of that phrase on Social Media will show that the instances they have used it, and the comments they have used to support it are either half-truths, complete fabrications or simply mischief. Any random person in Oyo State will be able to name at least one way that GSM has touched their life. But let us humour the naysayers and do a quick assessment of their claims.
They say he should have provided water to fight the Akesan fire instead of going to “shed tears” with market women. By reducing the issue to water, they try to make a case for the incompetence of GSM’s administration. But this is a clear case of mischief. The issue with the Fire Station beside Akesan Market was not that they did not have water. If our friends in the opposition were as interested in the progress of Oyo State as they were in spreading malicious lies, they would have found out that the fire truck had developed a mechanical fault with its gear. They would also have hidden their heads in shame and cried in self-pity because the last time a fire truck was bought in Oyo State was under the tenure of Governor Alao Akala. The Constituted Authority under Governor Abiola Ajimobi did not even bother. Interestingly, even though GSM could have pointed out this well-established fact, he chose rather to keep another campaign promise: never to pass the buck. In his words, “I take responsibility for this failing, I will make things right.” A bid for fire trucks was opened the very next day and due process for purchase is being followed. Even before this incident, GSM had already stated in his 2020 budget speech that fire trucks would be purchased under the budget.
They say he has no listable achievements. They talk about how other state Governors can list their achievements in clear terms. Where does one start to debunk this fabrication? Even after just 100 days in office, in fact, from his first day in office, GSM had already started ticking boxes in the achievement list. Is it the declaration of free education? Or the opening of the Secretariat bridge for use by the public? His wins may not make sense to the opposition; people outside Oyo State can make snide remarks about his wins not being all that compared to “developed countries”. But GSM only needs to make people of Oyo State happy. Like he did when he increased funding for education to over 20% of the entire budget for the 2020 fiscal year. Or he has done by massively investing in infrastructure rehabilitating about 80% of all roads in Ibadan. Let’s take a roll call of just seven of the several ongoing road projects in Oyo State: Expansion of Oke Adu Junction- Agodi Gate – Idi Ape Interchange Road, Ibadan Expansion of Oke Adu – Beere – Mapo – Molete Project Reconstruction/Rehabilitation of Beere – Orita Aperin -Akanran – Gbedu – Dagbolu Road Project Expansion of Oritamerin Oopo-Inalende- Mokola Project Expansion of Beere – Alekuso – Oritamerin- Agbeni – Ogunpa -Ebanon Street – Dugbe Road Project Reconstruction of Ibadan (Eleyele Junction)- Akufo Junction – Ido Eruwa Road – Akufo Junction – Ido – Eruwa Dualization of Saki Township along Oke – Ogun Poly – Ilesha Baruba Road How do you conscientiously celebrate Borno State Governor donating 70 vans to the army and police but refuse to acknowledge that GSM commissioned 100 vehicles, purpose-built with high-tech communications equipment for security in his state? You have to be high on very cheap locally made gin to refer to the purchase of fire-fighters uniform, building of pavements or replacement of conveyor belt in a heavy duty machine by the Kwara State Government as “visible” achievements while referring to the Light Up Oyo project which saw the street lights at the Ibadan toll gate come on for the first time in twenty years as “audio”!
On education, they said he refused to pay WAEC fees for SS3 students and only distributed 40 leaves exercise books to select students while tying promotion of teachers to performance of students in external exams. They also claim he promised to reduce LAUTECH fees. Half-truths and outright lies! At no time did GSM promise to reduce LAUTECH fees. In fact, as LAUTECH is co-owned with Osun State, GSM cannot unilaterally reduce fees. The moment this “Fake News” appeared on social media, his aides were quick to debunk it. The opposition knows this but they choose to keep repeating the lie. Also, he never at any time promised his administration was going to pay WAEC fees. While he is interested in students getting an education, he also wants parents/guardians and indeed the community to invest in their wards. Following the model used by Chief Bola Ige, the Oyo State Government offers free qualitative education without taking on the burden of paying external examination fees. Yes, qualitative education because contrary to what is peddled on social media, the Oyo State Government has since November 2019, approved the retraining of all teachers in Oyo State. They have also invested massively in their SS3 students, giving them extra-mural lessons, and providing them a compendium of past questions. Approval was also given for the purchase of six sixty leaves exercise books for each pupil/student in Oyo State public school. If pupils/students in any areas have not benefited from this the right thing to do would be to reach out to the authorities through the Ministry of Education’s Helplines or the @FeedbackOYSG Social Media accounts to complain. Also, state-owned schools across Oyo State are being renovated in tranches of 100 at a time, in order to provide a conducive environment for learning. Desks are also being distributed to these schools. This is in addition to model schools being built and/or completed to absorb the growing number of students who have returned to public schools after GSM declared free public education.
And what about the payment of N500,000 each as bursary for 120 Oyo State indigenes in the Nigerian Law School, is that not an audio promise, they ask? How completely vacuous does anyone need to be to, on the one hand, congratulate one governor for giving 179 persons N100,000 each as law school bursary while, on the other hand, refusing to acknowledge another who gave over one hundred persons half a million Naira each? Indeed, 120 students that belong to the 2019/2020 (backlog) set of the Nigerian Law School were paid the bursary. They acknowledged publicly through their representative, Mr. Olaniyi Adisa Ogunlade, that they were paid. The only issue that came up later was that the 2018/2019 set had somehow been delayed and were also in school during that time and so they also wanted to benefit from the largesse. In his usual quarterly media chat, GSM openly apologised to them for the mix-up and promised that the Scholarship and Bursary Board would handle the disbursements in future to avoid such mix-ups. In which universe does the fact that the 2018/2019 set were not paid mean that the 2019/2020 set were also not paid? This is purely a case of selective amnesia resulting from repeated exposure to the opposition Kool Aid!
The fact remains that the opposition is simply afraid of GSM. If the noise is this loud when “he has not done anything” what will then happen when the seeds that are germinating flourish and bear fruit? I wonder what they will do when his agricultural reforms take effect. When the Eruwa and Akufo Farm Estate Public Private Development Partnership (PPDP) pilot schemes are established and become functional? Will they still have words when the Moniya-Iseyin Road is completed at the end of 2020? Will there still be tears left to cry when the proposed Health Intervention Programme takes medical services to the nooks and crannies of Oyo State? Or when the IGR of Oyo State rises to Twenty Billion Naira in 2023 without any increase in taxes?
An African proverb aptly says, “the man that kills with the knife is always afraid when he sees someone approaching him with a knife.” So, we understand your fears, Dear APC. But the GSM we have come to know is not anything like what you are projecting. He does good because he is good and he will not stop doing good because you choose not to be good. The people of Oyo State stood by him and defended his mandate in 2019. Even with the “little” he has done in these past seven months, I can say that they will stand by him again, should he choose to run in 2023. And this is not me flying a kite, this is the voice of the people.
National Commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu (r) presents the Certificate of Return to the New Governor-Elect of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodinma, following the Supreme Court Judgment of 14th January 2020. https:///fBuoH96WX5
Open Letter to The Chairman, Board of Trustees, People’s Democratic Party,
Wike’s Anti-Party activities and a call to action.
We write to draw the attention of the leadership of our great party to the inordinate, selfish political ambition and reckless activities of Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike that has brought a series of internal crises to our great party which as you know has led to the departure of aggrieved members and more planning to leave.
You would recall Mr. Chairman, that the implosion of our party in 2014 was as a result of governor Wike’s political ambition to become governor at all cost that made former governor of Rivers and current Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and four other governors to leave our party for the newly formed All Progressives Congress. The G5 governors that would eventually move to APC in 2014 and cost us the presidency in 2015 would not have left if Wike had not hoodwinked former President Goodluck Jonathan into a needless political tussle with the then governor of Rivers State. The PDP lost Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto) to the APC and this eventually shifted the tide to the APC’s Favour. The other agrieved governors who stayed back in the PDP stayed only to work against the party in the 2015 general elections.
Nyesom Wike’s sins are many. He fueled and instigated crises in Rivers State faction of the PDP, with the aide of Patience Jonathan and the loud silence of President Jonathan, he hijacked the party structure from his former boss Chibuike Amaechi. This internal crisis that GEJ failed to resolve to the benefit of Nyesom Wike enabled Wike to win Rivers state even as it violated political equity and fairness as it would mean that another Ikwerre man would be in power for a prospective 8 years.
Wike swam on the blood of over 200 people to the Government House of Rivers State in an election marred by violence and killings motivated by Wike’s desperate ambition.
Wike exchanged the Presidency for his own governorship ambition and manipulated the Jonathans to further his own ambition and not to advance their own.
The Chairmanship Tussle
The PDP had lost the presidential election and suffered several defections and internal wranglings but the membership was determined to rebuild and prepare its house for 2019 and several other upcoming local elections.
Nyesom Wike struck again, this time, in furtherance of his selfish political ambition, collaborated with former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose to bring a known affiliate of the APC and in- law of President Buhari , Ali Modu Sherrif to head the PDP. The leadership and other Governors immediately resisted the idea as Sheriff’s antecedents were publicly known. The Chairmanship office was too sensitive to be given to someone of Sheriff’s pedigree but Wike and Fayose rejected all advice and counsel of the party leadership and went ahead to name Sheriff Chairman in the hopes that he would be a tool for them to further their individual agendas in 2019, a move that backfired and eventually created a lingering crisis in the party that lasted for over a year.
We have it on good record that Governor Wike is working closely with the cabal and had the clearance and backing of Aso Rock to bring in Sheriff in order to weaken the party. Wike’s game plan was to have Sheriff handpick his (Wike’s) preferred Presidential candidate and himself (Wike) as running mate in 2019. When they (Fayose and Wike) realized that Sheriff had his own agenda and would not play ball, Wike and Fayose immediately plotted to remove him. This led to the long sheriff – Makarfi factions in PDP structures nationwide. Wike himself brought Makarfi to wrestle the party away from Sheriff and promised the latter that he would support him for President when the internal crisis of the party had been resolved. Makarfi himself, became a victim of Wike’s scheming when Wike failed to support his Presidential ambition and claimed to have paid him off when Makarfi sought his support.
After a long battle in the high court, appeal court and Supreme Court, the PDP was finally able to get rid of Sheriff but had lost Edo and Ondo Gubernatorial elections because of the factional war within the party structure in those states. All of which could have been avoided if Wike put the party before his ambitions.
Mr Chairman, Governor Wike’s loud, boastful character and arrogance as he is known, began to brag after Sheriff was sacked from the PDP that he (Wike) had the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen in his pocket.
It was Wike’s irresponsibility that led the country and Wike’s South South Zone to lose the CJN.
We do not believe that the CJN was under the control of Wike, however this was the irresponsible boast of Wike in private meetings with close political associates, where a very drunk Wike made the careless and boastful statement to the amazement of his guests. This would eventually leak out to the presidency and coupled with the judgements on the Rivers State Governorship Election, the PDP Chairmanship tussle and other election cases at the time, naturally, it alarmed the powers that be in Aso Rock. There are also claims in the security circles that they have Wike on tape boasting about his control of the Judiciary. This made the presidency to be alarmed in an election year, and out of self preservation embarked on steps to remove the CJN Walter Onnoghen for the first time in the history of the country, in the way and manner that it happened .
We condemn it totally, but history should note that it was Wike’s recklessness that lit the flames which burnt Onnoghen.
The PDP Chairmanship
It is also pertinent to note Mr. chairman, that governor Wike’s inability to honor a simple gentle man agreement in the zoning arrangement of the position of chairman of our party to the SouthWest, also contributed to the crisis that nearly consumed our party and inevitably led to the loss of the Presidential elections in 2019.
While the party had micro zoned the office of the Chairman to the South West to give the zone a sense of belonging as Presidency and Vice Presidency had been zoned to the North and South East respectively, several South West PDP leaders were already in the race for Chairmanship and it was looking to be an interesting elective convention when Wike’s ambition struck again. This time, in the image and form of Uche Secondus, a fellow Rivers man and of course from the South South. Wike manipulated Makarfi to deny micro zoning and rather open it up to the entire south instead of the earlier agreement to micro zone, thereby allowing Wike’s candidate Prince Uche Secondus to enter the contest which he eventually won by a landslide.
Wike’s Machiavellian politics saw him agree a closed door deal with Bola Tinubu to ensure that the PDP did not have a South Western Chairman so that Tinubu’s grip on the South West would not be challenged while he (Wike) could now also further his agenda of becoming a Vice Presidential Candidate.
Wike’s ultimate goal was to continue the plan initially agreed with Sheriff, he wanted to be Vice President to his preferred Presidential Candidate and Prince Uche Secondus would facilitate his ambition as Chairman of the party. This fall in the agreement, you would recall, Mr Chairman led to the massive exodus of several PDP leaders like Professor Jerry Gana and Professor Adeniran including others.
2019 General Elections
History should note that Wike almost scuttled the PDP presidential primaries of our party because of his ambition. He threatened the party that was preparing for Primaries in opposition and forced the party to hold its convention in Portharcourt which he had arranged with the Villa. The home advantage he (Wike) thought, would give him the advantage to produce a weaker candidate for the opposition party in the 2019 election.
On the morning of October 7th , Governor Wike walked out on the party in the full glare of the world at the PDP Presidential Primaries when it was discovered that his preferred candidate Governor Aminu Tambuwal was losing. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar eventually emerged as PDP’s Presidential Candidate and was never congratulated by Wike who had previously made it clear that he was not going to support Atiku since his own candidate lost.
Wike’s plan was for Governor Aminu Tambuwal to emerge as Presidential Candidate and pick him (Wike) as Vice President while also having the ticket as Guber Candidate under Rivers PDP. The Presidential elections would ultimately hold before Gubernatorial elections and the outcome would have seen him either abandon his Gubernatorial return if PDP won the Presidency or return back to contest for Governor of Rivers State if the party failed to win the Presidency.
Wike planned a win -win situation – made sure the APC did not have a candidate in Rivers State, become Vice Presidential Candidate and Gubernatorial Candidate in Rivers State and would face little resistance if he returned back as Guber candidate as the APC had no candidate, luckily, the PDP was able to resist his antics in the Port Harcourt Presidential Primaries.
It took the dexterity of the party chairman and the political experience of the presidential candidate to manage Wike and get him to play some roles in the PDP presidential campaign which he reluctantly agreed after months of dilly-dally. He never campaigned with Atiku publicly except when the latter visited Rivers State.
We have it on good authority that while he pretended to fund the PDP candidate Atiku, Wike through a former senator also contributed ₦5bn to the APC Presidential campaign in order for him to retain Rivers State.
The events that took place in Rivers state where APC did not have a Gubernatorial candidate was Wike’s prize for his role in weakening the national PDP structure via a South South Chairman as opposed to a South West Chairman which would have destabilized the electoral balance for the APC in the South West.
Wike currently has a marriage of convenience with the cabal and is solely committed to neutralize Amaechi’s political influence in Rivers state and the South-South in general.
To concretize his arrangement with the cabal, Wike was the only PDP governor to publicly congratulate president Muhammadu Buhari even when our party and its candidate were challenging the outcome of the 2019 election. He was also the only PDP governor at the Airport to welcome President Buhari on his return from medical vacation in the UK. While we do not see anything wrong with the show of empathy towards the president, if it were to be another PDP governor or party person, Wike would have been the first person to publicly brand the person as a pro Buhari supporter.
Wike’s other Anti Party activities
Wike’s desperate desire to control the affairs of the PDP, even in states where PDP governors are holding sway is another indication of his Machiavellian and dirty politics. Instead of supporting and encouraging his colleagues (other Governors) Wike has sponsored several PDP aspirants while also funding their APC counterparts secretly. It is a public secret that Wike sponsored litigations up to the supreme court against Governor Ben Ayade to have him replaced with his friend, Mr. Joe Agi SAN. It took frantic effort on the part of Governor Ayade to survive the legal onslaught sponsored from a fellow PDP governor.
In 2018, Governor Wike traveled to Anambra for the PDP Guber primaries and bastardized the process, organised a primaries that disgraced the democratic character of the PDP just so he could impose his candidate Oseloka Obaze on the party, this clear violations of the democratic character of the party in the primaries saw a lot of aggrieved aspirants including Stella Oduah and Ifeanyi Ubah who abandoned the party and supported/worked for APGA to retain the seat as revenge on PDP.
Wike while also pretending to be a friend to Emeka Ihedioha, governor of Imo state, sponsored Senator Sam Anyanwu against Ihedioha. A move that destabilized the PDP in Imo state. It took a concerted effort from the party leaders and the grace of God for Emeka Ihedioha to survive the political onslaught. Wike believes that Emeka Ihedioha is a frontline contender to be PDP’s Vice President running mate in 2023 to their mutual friend Governor Aminu Tambuwal who is a strong contender for the PDP Presidential ticket in 2023.
Wike’s tribalistic politics has also crippled the democratic potential of the PDP. He is more bothered about raising his tribesmen than protecting the interest of the party. Last year, he displayed his tribalistic politics by trying to impose his brother, a man from the same LGA as him – Hon Kingsley Chinda on the PDP faction of the House of Reps as House Minority Leader. We are grateful, Mr. Chairman that the Board of Trustees did the right thing and resisted Wike’s antics even after he supported the illegal announcement of Kingsley Chinda as Minority Leader.
We have it on record that Wike resorted to blackmailing the party and threatening to leave the party because the Board of Trustees and most PDP House of Rep Members endorsed Hon Ndudi Elumelu as House Minority Leader.
Wike also insulted the members of the Board of Trustees and alleged that they are corrupt, he also accused them of sharing money and buying House of Rep members into their agenda for Ndudi Elumelu. Meanwhile, Mr Chairman, it was he (Wike) who went around Abuja bribing several PDP house of Rep members to support Kingsley Chinda. Wike’s dirty politics is eating deeply into the foundations of unity, transparency and integrity that our party is known for and it should not be allowed to continue.
We also condemn Wike’s recent anti party activities in Bayelsa state where he worked assiduously with former president Jonathan and his wife to bring in an APC member, Timi Alaibe few months to the governorship election and built a national coalition for him without regard to the implication of that on the party cohesion and unity back home.
Wike’s agenda is to have a friendly governor in Bayelsa who is also close to his anointed Rivers PDP Guber candidate in 2023, Austin Opara, another Ikwerre man.
Wike knows that Timi Alaibe will not pose any challenge to the Austin Opara-Ikwerre agenda as they are friends. This agenda is parallel to governor Dickson’s pro Ijaw tendencies and would pose to be a major problem for the Ikwerre agenda because of the interconnectivity of the two states which were previously one.
Aftermath of Timi Alaibe’s PDP guber primary loss, Governor Wike desperately pitched with The Jonathans to fund and support the APC candidate in Bayelsa in order to weaken governor Dickson’s influence after the completion of his tenure.
It is well known that Rivers State was the coordinating center that was used by Security agents, APC governors and INEC officials to write fake election results. These fake results were only escorted to Bayelsa for onward announcement with the support of Wike.
If Wike was truly a party man, he would not have been a megaphone for the APC by legitimizing and rationalizing the apparent rape of the electoral process in Bayelsa state. There are reports that the APC leaders also called him to interfere in the Bayelsa state elections related court cases.
His Anti Democratic Behavior.
It is also worthy of note that governor Wike has never spoken up on the issues of restructuring and resource control, rather, he opposes and attacks the proponents of these ideals such as PANDEF, Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Middle Belt Forum as against the beliefs of our party which stands for an equitable country that works for all on the tenets of unity, fairness and justice.
Governor Nyesom Wike’s divisive politics in profiling Christians and Muslims by demolishing mosque and declaring Rivers state as a Christian state is one that fans the embers of disunity and religious intolerance in not just South-South but Nigeria at large.
Mr Chairman, it is very clear that if the PDP must rebuild and regain the trust and confidence of its members and Nigerians at large, the Party cannot continue to accommodate Governor Nyesom Wike and his excesses. Governor Wike has continuously tried to turn Africa’s largest political party to be a personal vehicle for his political agenda. He lashes out at dissenting voices that seek to protect the party’s interest instead of his and accuses them of anti party activities thereby creating unneeded tension and disparity.
Governor Wike has reduced PDP’s National potential and appeal via his imposition, political recklessness and unintelligent machinations that seek only to advance his ambitions instead of the party.
We ask, Mr Chairman, that Nyesom Wike be cautioned, suspended and if possible expelled from the party so he can finally join the APC where we believe he has been secretly working with since 2015. With Wike’s exit, the PDP can finally put its house in order and begin the long journey of reconciliation, rebuilding and restrategizing for the 2023 General Elections.
The Reno 2F is the second device in the Reno 2 line up and in this video, I share all the details about it, mainly my experience after using it for over a month. The Reno 2F is 50,000 Naira cheaper than the Reno 2 and you get a tradeoff with the rear cameras, the pop up camera and processing power.
The Reno 2F also has a 48MP sensor which is pretty cool considering the price difference and it runs on Mediatek's Helio P70 platform. Here are my thoughts on the #Oppo #Reno2F.
CROSS-OVER NIGHT: ENUGU GOVT BANS BURNING OF TYRES ON ROADS
The Enugu State government has advised residents of the state to desist from burning tyres and other inflammable items on the roads during this night’s New Year cross-over celebration.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, the state government stated that such acts, usually carried out on the eve of New Year, destroy the roads it spent huge amount of money to construct and rehabilitate.
Engr. Nnaji, who reemphasized the need for residents of the state to protect the existing road infrastructure during this festive season and beyond, disclosed that “our people will move round to apprehend those who will violate this directive”.
He, therefore, called on the security agencies to take adequate steps to ensure strict compliance with the ban in line with the state government’s commitment towards the provision of sustainable infrastructure in the state for the wellbeing of the people.
The Oppo Reno 2 has been my daily driver for over a month and in this video, I talk about all the features, pros and cons, of using this device. The #Oppo #Reno2 is one of two releases and it is priced at 179,000 Naira. Here are my thoughts about it.
Staff of the Atiku Abubakar-owned TV and radio station, GOTEL Communications, have lamented the non-payment of their salaries since September.
Gotel is the largest media organisation in Mr Abubakar’s group of companies.
It operates television, radio, and other multimedia platforms, covering largely the northern parts of the country
Mr Abubakar is considered the second-highest employer of labour in Adamawa after the state government.
Apart from Gotel Communications and Adama Beverage, the former vice president also owns the American University of Nigeria and Rico Gado feed mill factory.
Prior to September, the workers groaned under hardship after three months (July, August and September) of non-payment of salaries.
Gotel Communications, which is the only private radio and television station in north-east Nigeria, retrenched about 50 per cent of its staff at the peak of Nigeria’s economic recession in 2016.
Some members of staff who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday said since the first rationalisation in 2016, no new condition of service was introduced at the station.
They said the station is yet to be restructured, the reason the Gotel Restructuring Committee gave for laying off staff in 2016.
“Staff are in limbo as to what condition of service is applicable. Are they going to rely on the old one or what? The staff that were retained (after the rationalisation) were not paid their entitlements) to date.
“There has not been a single promotion since the establishment of the organisation. The majority of the workforce had no single promotion since they accepted an appointment with the organisation. No, career development courses for operational staff, etc. Of all Atiku’s businesses, Gotel Communications Limited is the only one passing through such difficulty,” said the sources who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation.
They also said the current pattern of salary payment is not palatable to staff.
“You don’t know when the next salary will come, hence, staff cannot plan. Staff of Gotel Communications Limited are being owed October, November, and December salaries,” they said.
“The founder of Gotel Communications Limited, Alh Atiku Abubakar, has done his best for the station, as the station has been single-handedly financed by him 100 per cent. However, the latest developments cannot be determined by the staff of the organisation. Is the station winding down? The staff need to know their fate.”
A top management staff told this newspaper on Monday that the payment of two months’ salary arrears were made (on Friday), while the other months will be made in January.
But the workers discountenanced his claims, saying they were yet to receive their salaries as at press time Monday afternoon.
Paul Ibe, the Media Adviser to Mr Abubakar, told this newspaper that he could not comment on the issue because he is no longer on the board of Gotel.
Meanwhile, repeated calls and messages to the MD of Gotel Communications Limited, Mohammed Elyakub, were unanswered.
FIREBOY DML TREATS FANS TO AN EXCITING BUS PARTY EXPERIENCE IN LAGOS
Coming off the success of the release of his debut album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, Fireboy DML took time out to appreciate his loyal fans at a private rendezvous where fans had to come to meet Fireboy, have tete a tetes, share hugs, Karaokes and more.
The rendezvous which was put together by Estol Africa @estolafrica peaked when the Fireboy party bus pulled up as everyone couldn’t wait to get on the bus that had everyone on a mini-tour on Lagos Island.
At the arrival of the bus, he thanked everyone for coming out to meet with him and for being patient with him as they anticipated the arrival of the bus.
The night ended with performances by Fireboy DML leaving fans and onlookers with an experience to cherish and remember.
After using the Oppo A9 2020 for over a month, here are My thoughts about the device. In this video, I shared my experience using the A9 2020 from Oppo along with a few tests as well as the pros and cons of using it.
Body: Polycarbonate; Screen: 6.5-inch, 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, waterdrop notch, IPS LCD screen with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 protection against scratches and drops. Rear Camera: quad camera – 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP, auto-focus; LED flash; up to 4K@30fps video recording with EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization). Front Camera: 16MP, f/2.0 aperture, up to 1080p video recording Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, octa-core CPU clocked at 2.0 GHz with Game Boost 2.0, Adreno 610 GPU Memory: 8GB RAM / 128 GB storage, plus dedicated microSD slot for up to 256GB expansion OS: Android 9 Pie + ColorOS 6.0.1. Battery: non-removable 5,000mAh with 18W fast charging. Connectivity: Dual SIM (4G), Bluetooth 5.0, GPS/A-GPS/GLONASS/BDS, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, FM radio, microUSB 2.0 Type-C Colors: Blue-violet gradient. Misc: Reverse charging; Stereo speakers.
Gov. Ugwuanyi @ Enugu women prayer rally amid jubilation
...Thanks them for prayerful support
Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Monday, joined women in the state in their monthly prayer rally at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, amid cheers and excitement.
Speaking on behalf of his wife, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, who was unaviodably absent at the event, Gov. Ugwuanyi profoundly thanked the women for the prayers they have been offering for him and the state.
The governor who was received by a large crowd also expressed gratitude to the women for their prayers and support during the elections, which he said ended in praise.
He added that their unceasing prayers made it possible that the state is peaceful and making steady progress, saying: " I came to say Thank-you".
It was indeed a pleasant surprise for the women when the people's governor arrived the venue at the peak of the prayer rally, which marks the last session for the year 2019.
Internal Crisis hits Bayelsa APC as Party chieftains kick against @GEJonathan’s overbearing influence on transition committee
We can authoritatively report that there is trouble in paradise between The Jonathans and the Bayelsa chapter of the All Progressives Congress, the APC as party chieftains and politicians loyal to the newly elected governor, David Lyon have kicked against the overbearing influence of Patience Jonathan, the wife of former Nigerian President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Trouble started, when it was discovered that the former President and his wife submitted 9 names in the transition committee that was recently announced by the Governor-Elect, David Lyon. The APC stalwarts have accused the former first lady of trying to hijack the transition committee by implanting many of their loyalists, who recently decamped from the the PDP on the list.
A chieftian of the party who preferred not to be named, told our correspondent that minister of Petroleum, Timipre Sylva is to be blamed for all the post election internal wrangling bedeviling the party in the state. “I blame the honorable minister. I honestly don’t like the dimension that this is going. Some of us laboured and campaigned vigorously for Lyon’s victory. Why must Patience be allowed to wield such amount of influence on the transition committee? Apart from making available her hotel, Aridolf Hotels and Spa, of what benefit was she to our party that she would have such level of control on who becomes a member of the transition committee? This is not right”.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has since the emergence of David Lyon as newly elected governor of Bayelsa state been under fire from PDP leaders and youths online for betraying the party for the wife’s freedom and the Malabu oil scandal hanging around his neck.
Some leaders of the party have threatened to suspend the former president for working against the party in his state for ‘obvious selfish reasons’. The leaders have alleged that the APC used Jonathan to validate and legitimize the electoral fraud that was carried out in the oil rich Bayelsa state. And to add a bit of spice, David Lyon and some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress were at the country home of the former president to pay him homage and thank him immensely for the help rendered to them during the election hours after INEC’s results were announced.
A source close to the former president confirmed that the former first lady, Patience Jonathan could not contain her joy when the news of David Lyon victory started filtering the media.
In another news, the former governor of Jigawa State and founding member of the peoples Democratic party, Dr. Sule Lamido has accused the former president Goodluck Jonathan of betraying the party that helped him reach the pinaccle of his career.
Lamido in an undiluted and fearless interview with The Sun newspaper alleged that Jonathan betrayed the PDP in Bayelsa because the federal government was “blackmailing him” over malabu issue.
The former governor said, “I can’t imagine a former president selling his own state to the opposition — to the very party which called him names, which demonized him. “ They are holding him by the balls. Because Jonathan sure knows his problem with Buhari and with this government. And the issue of Malabu, I think, played a key role, I said so. So, the elections were won and lost by PDP. PDP history, PDP tradition and Jonathan were behind him. That I can say anywhere because the issue of Malabo is an issue I know very well. I had cause to discuss it with him. “While he was the president and I was in office, I went and told him about it. I told him and I also gave a radio interview to an FM in Abuja, which Daily Triumph picked, where they said a minister under Jonathan got almost 150 million dollars Malabu scam— Governor Lamido. And when Reuben Abati came to debunk it or to abuse me, I went to Reuben Abati, I know what I am saying, can we go to the Villa, I discussed this with Jonathan. I told him about it. Let us go. “What I am saying is that obviously because the leadership of the APC and the government are blackmailing Jonathan and I think I can say it anywhere that he traded this for his own freedom.”
Another source close to the Governor Elect also revealed that they are planning on curtailing the excesses of the former first lady and that of Sylva. The source said: “We are taking steps in ensuring that Lyon succeed. We won’t allow Patience and Sylva to ruin his administration. We will do everything possible to shield him from them”. Indeed, there is trouble in paradise.
Consequently, some of Jonathan’s loyalists and kinsmen on the transition committee are as follows: Prof Seiyefa Brisibe Rt Hon Claudius Enegesi, Chief Eboroh E. K Edeba, Hon. Nadu karibo Hon Ebianga Egain Oboma Engr Mike Ogiasa Sen. Barigha Nimi Amange Chief Moses Otazi Amb. Augustus Osuomo Further investigation by our correspondent revealed that Chief Moses Otazi, a member of the transition committee is local paramount chief in Goodluck
What do Tiwa Savage, Genevieve, D’banj, Davido, Toke Makinwa, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu all have in common? Besides their multi-million- naira worth of Social Media followers, and numerous endorsement deals? You guessed right, none of them need an introduction.
They have mastered the art of Personal branding, an ongoing process of prescribing an image or impression in the minds of people. It is not just about being famous for your talents, but also for the values, attributes and ideas you represent.
Tiwa Savage for instance combines beauty, talent and business, to create a powerful brand. Even in a male dominated industry, she has garnered a cult following of over 10 million people across social platforms.
I remember one of my conversations with Tiwa Savage, taking on the African market, she was intentional, intentional with plans, intentional with executions, even with what she puts out and it's very visible everywhere down to her social pages especially Instagram.
If you want to be seen as more than just a kiosk or one minute wonder, pay attention to these key annotations below:
1. Define your brand. Teddy A didn't become famous just because of Big Brother Nigeria, he put in efforts into defining his brand for himself (as opposed to letting others define them). To define your own personal brand, you need to know yourself. What do you want to be known for? What do you value? What are you passionate about? The answers to these questions will help you shape your path.
2. Offer something unique. Simi, asides her sonorous voice is also known for her dynamic stage performances, song writer, producer, sound engineer and actor. She offers something that redefines the business of music. What makes you stand out?
3. Perfect your craft. This is probably the first rule in branding. Don't try to be everything to everyone. She may have multi-million-naira endorsement deals, a book, a side gig and more, but Toke Makinwa started out as an On Air Personality. Only after she established herself and gained credibility in the industry did she launch her Vlogging, book and other business ventures. Pick one thing you want to be known for and focus on being the best at that first.
4. Create opportunitie seess for yourself. In addition to starring in movies, hosting talk shows or dropping albums, Tiwa Savage has remained relevant through carefully selected affiliation with brands to promote/market their products; from feminine care products to beverages, telecoms, baby care products to even alcohol, First African artiste to join Pepsi.
You should be finding ways to broaden your exposure to different audiences. Start a blog or offer to guest blog on someone else's. Apply to be a speaker at industry events. Write a book. Start a podcast. Do anything you can (that is true to your brand) to get your name out there and further establish yourself as an expert in your field. Leverage what you have.
5. Maintain quality social capital. Banky W has Tunde Demuren, Wizkid has Tiwa Savage, Femi Otedola has Dangote, Omoni Oboli has Uche Jumbo, Ufoma McDermott, Chioma Chukuwka, BamBam has Teddy A. Celebrities with powerful personal brands surround themselves with other powerful celebrities.
The lesson? Build your network with professionals you admire and whose level of success you aspire to. Of course, this is easier said than done, as making connections and building relationships take time and effort - not to mention the relationship should be mutually beneficial.
6. Be Intentional about social media. Social Media is only as useful as what you make out of it, that’s why we have a lot of content creators these days who have become celebrities in their own right. They have active followers on social media, but they are also strategic about what they choose to put out into the world. They know how they want to be perceived and structure their posts accordingly, with a set pattern. Consider doing the same with your own social media accounts. Talk to people when they talk to you. Interact with people who care about the same things you do—the same rules of face-to-face etiquette applies to social networks.
The next time you post, link, upload or tweet, really think about what you are putting out there, and what you are presenting to the world in general (and potential employers in particular). If it doesn’t match your personal brand, don’t post it
7. Be Original. While you want to stand out, you also don't want to try to be something you're not. People can spot inauthenticity a mile away, and the minute they sense it in you, you will lose their trust.
8. Be patient. You can't create a personal brand overnight. It takes time and continuous effort to build it.
A person’s reputation often rests in their own fragile hands. Sometimes, they can use that power to their advantage; other times, it can destroy them altogether.
Now that I have placed the cards in front of you, choose your game.
Written by Adekeye Esther Tosin Media Professional and Chief Disruptor Estol Africa Social handle: @cutekimani
Justice Christopher Balogun of the State High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Onikan, Lagos, on Wednesday, remanded Abubakar Peters, Chairman, Nadabo Energy Limited, in prison for plotting to evade trial and abscond from the country.
Mr Peters is standing trial on a 27-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, forgery and use of forged documents to the tune of N978 million (N978, 401, 732, 09) brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The defendant allegedly defrauded the federal government of the said sum of money by supplying 6, 505,140. 04 litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS, instead of 19,488, 992 litres, being the quantity he was contracted to supply.
The defendant also allegedly forged the documents that were used to procure the product in order to conceal the exact amount he paid for it and receive in excess money for the product supplied.
At the resumed sitting today, the defence counsel, Emefo Etudo, sought to withdraw from the case on the grounds that his client was planning to jeopardize the case and abscond from the country.
Mr Etudo, in a sworn affidavit, also told the court he urged his client to pay back the money upon realizing that he had defrauded the federal government.
“My Lord, he agreed to pay the money and subsequently made some payments.
“He, however, stopped at some point.
“He also informed me of his plans to abscond from the country without paying back in full the money he obtained under false pretence,” Mr Etudo stated.
The defence counsel, in his further submission, told the court that his client was planning to frustrate a similar case after receiving money from parties involved.
“My Lord, my client forged his signature on the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, documents and gave damaging false information about me and other lawyers involved in the case.
“He is involved in three oil subsidy cases, although the EFCC is only aware of two of them.
“The total money belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria, which was siphoned abroad, is about N2billion,” he further told the court.
The defence counsel, therefore, urged the court to permit him to withdraw from the case, saying “the defendant is a threat to national security and will abscond if he continues on the bail he was granted by the court.”
The prosecution counsel, S.K. Atteh, did not oppose the prayers of the defence counsel.
Justice Balogun granted the defence counsel leave to withdraw from the case based on the serious allegations levelled against his client.
The judge also vacated all the undertakings made on behalf of the defendant by the counsel’s law firm since he could no longer assure the court that he is in a position to produce the defendant at his trial.
Consequently, Justice Balogun remanded the defendant in prison custody and adjourned the case to October 15, 2019, for the continuation of hearing.
Nigerian Navy (NN) says it has arrested 26 crew and confiscated two fishing trawlers belonging to a Nigerian Company, (ORC fishing and food processing Limited) for illegal fishing activities.
The Operation Commander, Operation FORMOSO, Suleiman Ibrahim, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his men also arrested four foreigners for illegal fishing activities within the restricted distance of five nautical miles off the Nigerian coastline.
He named the confiscated vessels as ORC 5 and CYNTHIA.
The Navy handed over the vessels, and their contents, with all 26 crew to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Commanding Base Officer, FORMOSO, in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
Mr Ibrahim, a captain, said the Navy detected the illegal activities of the vessels with the use of maritime domain awareness equipment trawling within the five nautical miles restricted zones, adding that they thereafter deployed its operatives to intercept them.
He noted that the area was designated for the use of local fishermen and not bigger vessels with monitoring to avoid conflicts.
He said the crew, which were aware of the regulations, intentionally violated the law, and hence must face the consequences.
The Assistant Director, Monitoring Control and Surveillance unit, of the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Paul Opoama, confirmed receipt of the two vessels and crew arrested by the Navy for onward investigation.
Mr Opoama noted that collaboration between FORMOSO and the Navy, would curtail illegal activities within the Nigerian territorial waters.
The captain of the ORC 5 vessel, Olayeye Ejagbomo, and his counterpart, with vessel CYNTHIA, Ayemobuma Omosuyi, confirmed their alleged illegal fishing activities in the restricted area.
Mr Omosuyi, who has two additional crew on board with no official documentation and means of identification, was silent on every allegation.
He however claimed to have lost communication signals with his company on complaints of slow speed hence he moved within the illegal area.
He however, could not give satisfactory reason why he had two additional crew and some with no means of identification.
A Psychiatrist, Oluyomi Esan, says mental disorders and suicide rate are higher among medical practitioners than in any other profession.
Mr Esan of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, made the assertion on Wednesday at a public lecture organised by the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), University College Hospital (UCH) Chapter, Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was tagged: “Mental Health and Health Workers”.
It was organised as part of the activities to mark the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the MDCAN-UCH Chapter.
Mr Esan said some mental health problems in the healthcare professionals were often as a result of work-related stress and problems associated with long working hours.
He said signs of mental disorders in doctors include: medical errors, decreased performance and productivity, and negative impact on patients’ health.
According to him, common psychiatric disorders in medical practitioners include: burnout, depression, anxiety disorders and suicidal thoughts.
“A recent survey of over 600 health workers revealed that 85 per cent have experienced mental health issues including stress, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression.
“A 2016 Report of the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) revealed that globally, 27 per cent of medical students are depressed, while 12 per cent have experienced suicidal thoughts at one point in time.
“The global prevalence rate of depression among doctors is up to 43.2 per cent,” he said.
Mr Esan, also quoting the report, said about 28 to 40 in a hundred thousand doctors commit suicides, adding “it is higher than the 12.3 per 100,000 in the general population’’.
According to him, depression affects an estimated 12 per cent and 19. 5 per cent of male and female doctors respectively.
“A recent large survey of doctors in Britain shows that many doctors of all ages and gender regret ever becoming doctors.
“A Mayo Clinic 2014 Report stated that 54 per cent of doctors said they are burned out and a 2015 Survey of Vital Work-life says 88 per cent of doctors are moderately to severely stressed.
“The Jackson Healthcare 2013 Physician Outlook and Practice Trends revealed that up to 59 per cent of doctors would not recommend a career in medicine to their children,” he said.
NAN also reports that the American Psychiatric Association stated at its 2018 Annual Meeting that one doctor commits suicide in the United States of America everyday.
The psychiatrist said high patient demand, staff shortages, poor and inadequate facilities and infrastructure were some of the factors that contributed to the higher rate of mental disorders among physicians.
“Our government’s current hardliner attitude to doctors have also contributed to a feeling of being underappreciated and our medical associations are not supportive.
“Two fifths of the doctors who killed themselves had been dependent on drugs and failed to seek help because of fear of stigma.
“Doctors’ obsessional traits and guilt and lack of personal control over their works have contributed to the feelings of inadequacies,” Mr Esan said.
He advised health workers to be proactive in seeking medical assistance and immediate treatment on mental health illness that might arise due to work load associated with the profession.
Mr Esan also urged the three tiers of government and other stakeholders, including the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), to be proactive in providing the necessary and needed support for all physicians.
He said: “Such support must include provision of more mental health support for doctors from recruitment to retirement.
“Preventive strategies must also include flexible working hours and conditions; reduced hours of work; planned career breaks and being able to take time off when necessary.
“There is also a need to change in attitude because doctors who become ill merit as much vigilance and compassion from their colleagues as other patients.
“Doctors must also take responsibility for their personal health and wellbeing; let us build a life outside medicine and help one another as confidants by providing complete confidentiality when consulted by peers,” he said.
In his remarks, the MDCAN Chairman, Dare Olulana, said that health workers must take cognizance of mental health illnesses and seek treatment once diagnosed.
READ ALSO: INTERNATIONAL SUICIDE DAY: WHO URGES COUNTRIES TO BAN HAZARDOUS PESTICIDES Mr Olulana pleaded with members of the society to support health workers in order to reduce the stress associated with their line of duty.
“A lot is expected of medical doctors, for example, you are expected to be above board all the time, you must be prompt in your service and you must deliver the service as expected.
“So, if you find yourself failing in these responsibilities, one way or the other, you will feel like a failure and star going through stages of psychiatric disorders.
“Ironically, many people in this part of the world tend to thinks that doctors and other health workers are excluded from mental health illnesses due to their profession, but this is wrong.
“We are also humans and doctors should begin to look out for each other and the society too must show support in order to reverse this trend of high rate of suicide among physicians,” he said.
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The PDP Southeast Interactive Session and Stakeholders Meeting, Anambra State Chapter was held yesterday in Awka to strategize and chart a path forward for the party in the state as it officially begins work towards the next gubernatorial election in the state. Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (Enyioha), a frontline grassroots politician in Anambra and former governorship aspirant of the party threw his hat into the ring as he officially declared his intention to run once more for the number one position in the state.
Speaking after the declaration, Enyioha urges Ndi-Anambra to keep their hopes burning in spite of the ruinous cloud of bad governance that has enveloped the state over the past few years, leaving critical infrastructure in tatters and rural communities in adverse neglect,that the state can still be redeemed.
“Perhaps there has never been anytime in the history of this state that the consequences of our decision to choose who to lead us as governor will be weightier, more dramatic and consequential. Our State is standing on the threshold of history, we are on the verge and all socioeconomic indicators have taken a huge plunge amidst the huge potentials our State is endowed with”.
Chief Ugochukwu said that the decision on who will fly PDP’s flag in the governorship contest on the backdrop of the underperforming incumbent government is critical. “We cannot afford to gamble with the choice of who picks the ticket of our party as the task of redeeming our State from the present quagmire is an arduous one. It therefore behooves on our party to build a workable consensus and effective synergy to tackle the chronic leadership failure that has befallen us.
Enyioha insists that though Ndi-Anambra have reposed a lot of confidence in PDP and consider them as the best alternative, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Anambra State must unify its various interests, and join hands with sincerity of purpose and unwavering faith to ensure that it delivers on the mandate of the masses.
Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (Enyioha), is an accomplished businessman and philanthropist, and a very committed and dedicated party man who hails from Ihiala LGA of Anambra South Senatorial district.
Mobile phones were designed to make communication easier. From calls, to text messages, pictures and files, whatever the communication, mobile phones are designed to make it easier to share.
With advancement in technology and the internet, mobile phones have become smarter, hence the increased need to transfer information and communication of different types. At the early stages, multimedia files and documents were being transferred using removable memory sticks of different sizes and also through USB (Universal Serial Bus) drives.
Then came the infrared and Bluetooth short-range wireless communications technologies. Though this was much more comfortable for users, as it eliminated the hassle of having to open up phones to remove memory sticks or transfer files using cords, both, however, came with one challenge - speed. The speed of transferring a file was dependent on its size. In some cases, sending a file as small as 20MB could take up to 10-15 minutes.
In 2011, Xender was introduced into the scene and instantly became one of the world’s leading applications for file transfer and sharing. It was much faster to transfer files of any size compared to its predecessors. Although some smartphone companies created file transfer features within smartphones of their brand, it was a well-known consensus that Xender was still the faster means of file transfer.
It basically seemed impossible for any in-built smartphone file transfer feature to be faster than Xender, until the advert of the OPPO Share.
The invention of the OPPO share by OPPO mobile took the smartphone file transfer game to a whole new level. The OPPO share is an in-built, exclusive feature in OPPO smartphones that enables users transfer files among themselves, seamlessly and efficiently.
The OPPO share comes with ultra-fast speed that makes the seemingly fast transfer with Xender, look like snail speed. With the OPPO share, files are transferred in a matter of seconds, leaving room only enough for you to be in awe. Not only is it very fast, the range of the OPPO share is so wide that it is able to identify devices that are far of, unlike the challenge that is sometimes faced with Xender.
OPPO Share eliminates the unnecessary time used to discover nearby devices, it’s much more secure for file share because it doesn’t belong to a third party, it doesn’t require mobile data or WiFi to function and it preserves the maximum quality of files transferred through it.
Finally the reign of the Xender has come to an end, all hail the new king of file transfer, all hail OPPO share.
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, IKERE-EKITI: WHO GOT WHAT, WHEN AND HOW? For College of Education Ikere-Ekiti, the battle for the Provost of the institution has been won and lost with the announcement of Prof Adeoluwa Olufemi Victor as the new Provost by the government of Ekiti state last week. It was however, gathered that many stakeholders, including students, parents and lecturers showed more than a passing interest in the process leading to the emergence of the new provost with a view to ensuring that laid down procedures were followed. According to documents, the new Provost was picked from among seven contestants for the coveted post.
*OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS/JOINT CAMPUS COMMITTEE (NANS/JCC), EKITI STATE.*
Our attention has been drawn to the press text released by one Mr Adeyemi Azeez, a self acclaimed PRO of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) declaring the wife of Ekiti State Governor Erelu Bisi Fayemi personal non grata 50 meters to any university campus.
While we cry and mourn the sudden death of two (2) of our members arising from the recklessness of some trigger happy policemen, we condemn in totality the efforts by some rent seekers to turn the story upside down to score cheap political point and blackmail the wife of the governor in order to cash out on the death of our members.
While the event that led to the death of our members from the Federal University of Oye Ekiti is worrisome and has thrown the entire students movement in the state into mourning, it is imperative to state that the version of the story been promoted by the self acclaimed PRO of NANS is nothing but a mere conjunction of poorly package lies and blackmail by some rent seekers who derive pleasure in cashing out from Nigerian students woes.
It is instructive to state that up to the time of going to the press, no national leadership of NANS has called the leadership of the State Joint Campus Committee to commemorate with us, mourn with us or seek to know the true story surrounding the death of our students. It is pertinent to state that the said PRO of NANS who is from Ogun State, a less than 3hours journey to Ekiti State neither visited us to solidarize with us at this trying time but went ahead to publish falsehood to further charge the already charged atmosphere in the state to cause more damage while they smile to the bank.
While we call on the inspector general of police to fish out the killers of two of our members and bring them to book without any further delay, we warn in very clear terms that neither the PRO of NANS nor the National President should contemplate visiting Ekiti State during this period of mourning as we can not guarantee their safety since they have decided to use the death of our members to further enrich themselves. We also wish to state irrevocably that the press text by the self acclaimed PRO of NANS do not in anyway represent the incident resulting to the death of our members and the public is advised to discard such cheap blackmail.
For the avoidance of doubt, we will resist any attempt by some fifth columnist to turn this ugly and very regrettable recklessness of the Nigerian Police to political instrument of blackmail or a pay cheque for rent seekers.
Politics › Dickson Unveils 2.6km Dual Carriage Kpansia Road And Kpansia Market In Yenagoa by AnonPoet(op): 5:52pm On Feb 12, 2020
