₦airaland Forum

I’ve no personal grudges against Buhari, says Ortom


Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Wednesday said that he has no personal grudges against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ortom, who has defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was at the Nigerian Air Force base, Makurdi to receive President Buhari, whose plane landed at the base around 10.37 am.

According to him, Mr. President is beyond parties as he has made adequate security arrangement for his visit to Benue state.

Speaking with journalists shortly before the President’s plane landed, Ortom said “Mr President is beyond party, he is the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and whatever he is doing, it is our responsibility to give him adequate protocol.

“He is our President, and he is beyond party and so I am doing all the needful.

Read Also: Ortom has no business seeking second term – APC
“There is no special thing in what I am doing, it is what I am supposed to do as governor of Benue State irrespective of party because he remains my President and I respect him.

“I have no personal issues with him; we talk about policies and issues there is no personal grudge.

“So, I am here to receive him, and I have made adequate arrangement. This State belongs to Mr President. So he has access, he can be here and do whatever he wants.” he stated.

TINUBU: PTDF CASH STOLEN UNDER OBASANJO, ATIKU:


Nigerians were yesterday urged to remove the cancer of corruption from Nigeria by renewing the mandate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for another four years.

The counsel was given by APC leaders during the party’s campaign rallies in Ekiti and Ondo states.

At the rallies were President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Co-chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, governors, including Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and nonagenarian Second Republic Senator Ayo Fansanmi, among others.

They told Nigerians why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar should not be trusted to steer the country’s affairs.

Tinubu, who took a swipe at Atiku and his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for running the nation’s economy aground when they held the forte, said the country deserved a leader like Buhari, who has used the nation’s resources for the common good in the past three years and seven months.

According to the APC chieftain, former President Obasanjo and former vice president Atiku owe Nigerians an explanation on what happened to the Petroleum Trust Development Funds (PTDF).

The PTDF was managed by the Office of the Vice President during the Obasanjo administration from 1999 – 2007.

Cautioning the electorate against making the mistake of returning the PDP to power on February 16, Tinubu urged Nigerians to reject the PDP and its candidate. He said they had nothing to offer but to auction the nation’s commonwealth.

In a sarcastic manner, he said: “People’s Destruction Party (PDP) has come again from all the nooks and crannies to lie to you. Poverty Development Party (PDP) is here again to tell you lies.

“One who is always busy with contentious business says he is running it. What does he know? What he has propagated is their container economy.

“They want to come back and sell our commonwealth. They promised to create two million jobs for you and nobody has asked them how.

“The questions we should ask are: When they were there with Obasanjo, how many jobs did they create? How many times did Obasanjo say Atiku stole PTDF’s money? The answer he always gave was that his former boss too stole money. Is this the kind of person you want to vote for?” Tinubu asked rhetorically.

He said that the PDP was responsible for fake tariff and estimated billing.

“Their actions to share the electricity company into GenCos and DisCos caused the hike in tariff and estimated billing,” he said, adding: “What is Atiku’s response and PDP’s? He said, ‘what is wrong if I share Nigeria’s resources with my friends?’ Is that what you want them to come back to do?”

On why Nigerians should re-elect Buhari, Tinubu said the President revived the agriculture sector and introduced the Anchored Borrowers’ Scheme, noting that both programmes generated over 5.8 million jobs.

He urged the Ekiti people to vote massively for Buhari on February 16 to enjoy more benefits of good governance.

Buhari also addressed the crowd of supporters and residents who thronged the 12,000-capacity Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, the state capital. He renewed his promise to take Nigeria to loftier heights.

Admitting that fighting corruption has been difficult, the President vowed not to be dissuaded to rid the nation of graft in line with the promise he made in 2015.

Buhari said he was quite conscious of the promises he made while contesting four years ago, particularly the ones that had to do with corruption, insecurity and resuscitation of the economy.

The President said: “We are fighting corruption but it has not been easy. But we told the security agencies to keep watch and ensure that those who have cases to answer do not escape justice.

“As part of our promises, we are building roads, rail lines, fighting corruption. We introduced the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and increased power supply, so Nigerians can have their own businesses.

“I want to be grateful to Ekiti voters because the two times I came here, I achieved success. I came here in 2014 and I also came here to campaign for Fayemi; he won the governorship election. So, I’m here today to campaign for myself. I believed you are going to give us the vote to consolidate on our laudable and people-oriented projects.”

He sought the support of royal fathers for sustainable peace in Ekiti State and beyond.

To Oshiomole, Buhari remains the candidate to beat, owing to his achievements since 2015 in security, economy diversification, anti-corruption battles, job creation, agriculture and infrastructure among others.

The APC chair said: “Atiku has told us that if Nigerians mistakenly elect him, he would put Nigeria on sale. I believe Nigerians have made up their minds to return President Buhari, who they can trust, not the one whose business partners are in prison. William Jefferson, Atiku’s business partner is in prison for corruption charges …

FG extends rail line to Akure

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the East West railway line be extended to Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The President gave the directive yesterday while addressing a mammoth crowd of party faithful who thronged the MKO Abiola Democracy Park in continuation of his re-election bid as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Buhari obviously elated by the huge crowd at the campaign venue said his campaign against corruption would receive a new impetus at the next level of his tenure.

Also speaking, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said the federal government schools feeding programme would be stepped up from the present 9.2million children to 13 million during the next level of the APC led Federal government.

According to him, at present, the federal government home grown school feeding programme is feeding 9.2 million primary school children daily in 26 states and this would be increased to 13 million school children daily in all the 36 states across the federation during the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

He also disclosed that the N-power programme would create more employments to 1.5 million unemployed youths during the APC second term, as against the present 500,000.

Osinbajo who stated this yesterday during the APC presidential campaign rally held at the Democracy Park, Akure, the Ondo State capital, equally added that 6.8 million eggs are needed weekly to feed the school pupils under the school feeding programme, the development which has provided jobs and revenues for poultry farmers and other farmers in the affected states.

The vice president noted that all the N-Power beneficiaries would also be provided with tablets with equipped with necessary training facilities.

Osinbajo said the federal government would build rail way in Akure and step up the construction of federal roads during the APC next level, stressing that more jobs would be provided for the people of the state through the projects.

Apart from all these, the Vice president added that there would be stable electricity to create jobs and improve the economy of the country during the second term of the APC led government, saying that more companies would be licensed to generate power in the country.

He noted that Federal Government has started working to ensure all remaining towns in the Ondo Southern Senatorial district are reconnected back to the National Grid to improve the socioeconomic development in the affected areas.

He explained that federal government is partnering Brazilian government to provide farming equipments for youths in agriculture in the country to ease farming activities and ensure food sufficiency.

Osinbajo further disclosed that apart from the Tradermoni initiated by the federal government, another programme called ‘Peoples Moni’ would be initiated to provide soft loans for all categories of traders.

He described corruption as bane of development in the country, just as he assured that the ongoing Lagos/Ibadan express road would soon be completed, while Lagos -Abeokuta-Ibadan rail way would be commissioned by February.

He said three out of the four refineries in the country were built during the then Buhari’s administration, arguing that Buhari would do more if elected for a second term.

Osinbajo urged the people of the country to vote massively for APC in the February 16 poll to ensure continuity of good governance.

FG extends rail line to Akure ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/FG-extends-rail-line-to-Akure

Buhari Remains The Right President for Nigeria.

Is obvious that some Nigerians has failed to see the good in President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration in less than four years in office, this administration has done notably well in different sectors of the government which in turn has corrected some of the degradation caused by PDP 16 years led administration.
On the basis of Buhari’s tract record, Agriculture has gained a new turn, it booms as Nigeria now exports more than they import. From statistics, agriculture earns the government about $85 Billion annually.
Buhari’s administration launched 4 initiative under the special intervention programme;
“School Feeding”, 9 million children from 49 different public schools has be fed under this initiative. More so, they bought the food from local farmers to help promote local business.
An interest free loan of 30 thousand naira with the name “TraderMoni” were given to traders and Artisans, which increases as they pay back to collect more till it reaches the limit of one million Naira. Also “N-Power”; which is aimed at curbing unemployment, attracts #30,000 every month for unemployed graduates, some were given Laptops and IPad. So far this initiative has alleviated 200,000 unemployed graduate from poverty. More to this, a conditional cash transfer were made to less privilege, most vulnerable in the society, it is paid every 2 months, beneficiaries get #10,000 each time and 400 thousand households has benefitted from this initiative.
Presently, the federal government is working on producing 10 large scale rice processing plats in Bayelsa, Benue, Anambra, Ogun, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi and Zamfara State, to help grow and consume our local rice, the government binds the importation of rice, as they also gave out Fertilizer to farmers.
This administration, also completed and commissioned Airports abandoned by the former government. Needless to say, work is on going at the second Niger Bridge, the Yenegoa Oloibiri road wher the former President hails from has witnessed the touch of this administration.
On the bid to get the youths into government, Buhari signed a “Bill of Not Too Young To Run” which allows the youths to vie for any political position in Nigeria, this was not considered by the previous administration
Buhari still remains the right President for Nigeria especially now that he is trying hard to erase the fabrics of corruption that has eaten deep this country and at such deserves your votes.
#CitadelTower
#OndoForBuhari
#OndoStateNextLevelCampaignRally

President Buhari, VP Osinbajo rocks The Sunshine State

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday arrived in Akure, the Ondo State capital, amidst heavy security on a campaign visit to Ondo and Ekiti states for the 2019 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buhari and Vice President started their campaign from Ekiti to seek re-election to their offices as candidates of the All Progressives Congress.

Buhari was received by Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, his Deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, and Chief Olusola Oke, Director of Buhari Campaign Organisation in the South West.

Others include Sen. Tayo Alasoadura, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North Senatorial District and Mr Olaide Adelami, State Coordinator, Presidential Support Committee in Ondo State.

Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transport, Chief Bola Tinubu, the Head of the Presidential Campaign and Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s National Chairman, also arrived after the president and vice president.

NAN also reports that the men of the Nigerian Police were led by Mr Gbenga Adeyanju, Commissioner of Police in the state.

Other security agencies include men of the Nigerian Immigration Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), among others.

Ondo Locked Down For Buhari

This is the MKO Abiola Democracy Park, Akure , the Venue of the Presidential Campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Presidential candidate of the APC, Muhammadu Buhari is not in Ondo state but this crowd is patiently waiting for him. This massive show of love and support is overwhelming. Indeed, #Ondo4Buhari #Aketi4PMB #Nextlevel

Ondo State says welcome to PMB. as he arrives Ondo State for The Next Level Campaign Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Aketi

#NextlevelCampaign
#OndoforBuhari

Obasanjo campaigns for Muhammadu Buhari in U.S

The re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari got a boost on Monday when Mr Olujonwo Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, stormed the United States to galvanise Nigerians to support Buhari for the Feb. 16 presidential election.

Obasanjo, who is the President, The Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), said he was in the United States to solicit support for Buhari’s re-election among Nigerian in the diaspora and other members of the international community.

He explained that his support for the re-election of the president was due to his focus on youth empowerment and securing the future of the country for the Nigerian youth.

Obasanjo said while in the United States, he participated in several activities aimed to project the positive image of the administration and Nigeria to the international community.

“I participated at the United Nations International Day for Education, promoted by the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the Nigerian Government.

“Education is one of the tenets of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, focusing on youth empowerment, youth participation and securing a better future for our generation and the generations to come.

“I also participated at the Nigerian American Business Forum where I met with many Nigerian professionals and their American counterparts. I went to Atlanta to visit our sister organisations there and to inaugurate many of our organisations.

“I also went to Detroit where we inaugurated some of the organisations. We also have many Buhari support organisations in New York as well. “We have Buharists in the United States and all over the world. So I am here to encourage them and to support them in every way we can,” he said. He said his support for Buhari was because he stood out among other presidential candidates because of his determination to bequeath a secured future for the youth of Nigeria.

“President Buhari has opened up the space for the youth of the country to participate politically, economically, and all other areas of the economy. “Recently, there was the women and youth campaign wing that was inaugurated by the president, which showed that he wants to ensure that the youth and the women have a strong voice in his re-election campaign.

“We believe that by doing that, Mr president wants us to be part of his administration going forward. Mr President is one who has made us believe again in our country, who has made us proud of our country.

“At the international stage, we are not being looked upon like a pariah nation. So I believe for Nigerians at home and Nigerians in the diaspora, they have seen that Mr president is the best candidate.’’

Mr Haruna Madisca, Organising Secretary of The Buhari Youth Organisation, also said Buhari was a man of integrity and the fear of God, which Nigeria needed at this time. He said Nigerians could not trust Atiku, saying his plan to sell the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) if elected was questionable. He added that Buhari had provided enabling environment for small businesses to thrive.

Madisca, who is President, Goron Oil and Gas Limited, said through the NNPC Renewable Energy Department, there is a $25 million investment in cassava in Kogi that would be producing 40,000 litres of bio-ethanol per day.

“The investment start-up on a turnkey basis is $25 million. The plant will employ over 2,500 people on a full time basis,” he said, saying such investment was at risk should NNPC be sold to private investors.

Helicopter crash: AIB sends investigators to site, Osinbajo says God, Adeboye’s prayers delivered him


The Accident Investigation Bureau has said it has deployed its investigators to the site of the helicopter crash involving the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Kabba, Kogi State on Saturday.

One of our correspondents gathered that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had officially informed the AIB to investigate the incident.



The General Manager, Public Relations, AIB, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, told one of our correspondents on Sunday that preliminary investigation had commenced.

Oketunbi said, “Investigation is ongoing, we have deployed safety investigators to the site for onsite investigation and they have carried out the process as they are trained to do.

“We are interviewing the crew and all the relevant personnel. We will also carry out other investigations as required.

“The preliminary report will be published as soon as possible in line with Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.”

Also, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Sunday confirmed that investigation had started into Saturday’s crash.

The agency’s General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, said the investigation was being conducted by the AIB, the statutory agency saddled with the task of investigating such accidents.

Also confirming the development, Caverton Helicopters, in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Capt. Josiah Choms, said the relevant aviation agencies had been informed about the incident.

Choms said, “The relevant authorities have been duly informed and an investigation into the incident has commenced. We will, of course, support the authorities as required.



“We wish to reassure the public and our various stakeholders of our unwavering commitment to safety in all our operations.”

Osinbajo says God, Adeboye’s prayers delivered him

Meanwhile, Osinbajo on Sunday said God’s mercy and the special prayer of protection that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, prayed for him last Friday were responsible for his escape in the helicopter crash.

Osinbajo said this on Sunday at a thanksgiving service held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Phase 11, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

The Vice-President, who escaped unhurt in a helicopter crash on Saturday said, “I was at the Redemption Camp last Friday although I came late, after the vigil, Papa Adeboye called me and asked how the campaign was going and I told him, it was going well. He then prayed for me and specifically said ‘God, you know how dear this my son is to me, please protect him.’

“He said the prayers continuously for more than five times. I believe God must have listened and decided to save my life and those in my entourage.”

Osinbajo said he believed that God and Adeboye’s prayers were responsible for his escape last Saturday.

He urged the members of the congregation to believe in the efficacy of prayers.

“Whether or not the devil likes it, we are moving to the next level,” he added.

Osinbajo added that no amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving his life and nine others in Saturday’s helicopter crash.

“Only God can take the glory for saving my life and those of the others on board,” he said.

The Vice-President said it would have been breaking news on local and international media that he and others had died in the crash but God did not allow such to happen.

“No amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving my life and nine others on board. God is the one, who can do all things, and only Him can take the glory; we return the glory to Him.

“We are here to say thank you. Thank you, Jesus. We bless His name forever and ever,” he said.

He prayed God to bless all the people that had celebrated with him in Kogi State, the nation and the world at large.

“All I have to say is that we are grateful and we are moving to the next level; the Lord will uphold us to the next level and Kogi will be number one,” Osinbajo said.

Dignitaries who attended the thanksgiving service included the Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole; Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr Ayoade Arike; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Jerry Omodara; commissioners and Senator Smart Adeyemi.

Adeboye leads thanksgiving service for Osinbajo

In Lagos, Adeboye led the congregation at the headquarters of the church at Ebute Metta, Lagos to thank God for saving Osinbajo in a helicopter crash on Saturday.

Adeboye, during the service, recalled that a word of prophecy came during the church’s Holy Ghost Service on Friday that no matter how hard the enemy would try, there would be no mourning in “our families this year.”

Addressing the congregation, he stated, “Would you please join me in thanking God that there is no mourning in our family this morning.”

On Friday night, he had said, “The Lord has asked me to tell someone tonight that it doesn’t matter what the enemy might try, there would be no mourning in your family this year.”

He asked the congregation to give glory to God for saving Osinbajo’s life.

According to Adeboye, the devil wanted to take Osinbajo’s life but God put the devil to shame.

He, therefore, asked the congregation to specially appreciate God on behalf of the Vice-President and all those onboard the ill-fated helicopter, for his supernatural protection, saying Nigeria would not mourn.

In his sermon, entitled, “Carriers of Glory,” Adeboye said for anybody to carry God’s glory, he must be a true child of God and live a life of holiness.

Taking his lesson from the book of Matthew 5: 14-15 in the Bible, he said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Adeboye added, “As a carrier of God’s glory, anywhere you arrive, darkness will automatically disappear. When God begins to use you, the glory belongs to God, so you must learn to always give glory to God. Do not take the glory to yourself because it is not yours, it belongs to God.”

We were lucky helicopter didn’t burst into flames – Ojudu

Meanwhile, one of Osinbajo’s aides, Babafemi Ojudu, who was on board the crashed helicopter, said they were lucky that the helicopter did not burst into flames.

Ojudu, who took to his Facebook page to narrate his ordeal during the incident, added that the seat belts helped them while their ordeal lasted.

He wrote, “To family, friends and associates, thank you all for your concern and show of love and affection. I can’t thank you enough. It was a miracle we survived.

“The seat belts did a marvelous job and so were the security men on the ground, who quickly pulled us out of the wreckage not minding their own safety. We were also calm all through the ordeal. There was no panic of any kind.

“The immediate concern of all of us was the safety of our principal (Osinbajo). We ensured he got out first. He too ensured we were all out before going into a vehicle. When we were all safely in the bus he insisted the assignment must go on and we drove to the palace of the Obaro of Kabba.


“The Kabba people gave us a warm welcome and showered us with prayers. We thank them all. Above all, God must be praised for providing us that umbrella of protection and preventing the helicopter from exploding in flames.”

Buhari salutes Osinbajo’s spiritual strength after crash

Also, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended Osinbajo for his “resilience” over how he handled the helicopter crash.

According to a statement from Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesman, Buhari called the Vice-President on phone and praised him for continuing with campaign activities despite the crash.

Buhari said it “takes tenacious spirit and amazing spiritual strength to survive a helicopter crash without being paralysed by its impact.”

Shehu quoted the President as telling Osinbajo during the phone call that, “We give glory to the Almighty God for sparing your life. I’m impressed by your tenacious spirit which enabled you to continue on your campaign engagement, despite the shock of the crash.

“I’m proud of our partnership and your unalloyed loyalty and your commitment to the service of Nigeria.

“That you proceeded with your engagements, despite the accident, is a testimony to your passion for service to country and a reflection of your admirable spiritual fervour.

“May God continue to protect you and all those on board with you, bless your lives and grant you good health and long life to serve our country even more.”

Crashed helicopter not ours, says NAF

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has said the Augusta AW139 Helicopter, which was involved in the crash “neither belongs to NAF nor part of the 011 Presidential Air Fleet.”

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, in Abuja, on Sunday.

Daramola said, “NAF wishes to state categorically that the helicopter that crashed in Kabba does not belong to NAF or 011 PAF. The owners/operators of the civilian helicopter, Messrs Caverton Helicopters, have already issued a statement on the matter.

“In addition, the military Dauphin Helicopter, painted in desert camouflage colour, seen in the video circulating on social media does not belong to NAF and should not be misrepresented as belonging to NAF. Accordingly, the general public is advised to disregard such erroneous information and the misleading video.”

CAN felicitates with Osinbajo

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria on Sunday felicitated with Osinbajo for surviving the helicopter crash.

The CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, in a statement in Abuja issued by his Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, also appreciated God for Osinbajo’s safety.

“The leadership of CAN is grateful to God and rejoices with the Federal Government and Osinbajo. We give glory to God for sparing the life of the Vice-President and his team from the helicopter crash while mobilising support for his party in preparations for the coming general elections,” he said.

The cleric recalled that the Vice-President had a similar experience in 2018 while visiting the Nigeria Customs College in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

“It is our prayers that God will continue to watch over him and other top government functionaries in Jesus’ name,” he said.

Ayokunle urged the technical team or those responsible for the certification of the aircraft and helicopters in the country used by government’s officials to be more meticulous so as to avoid putting their lives in danger.

Okowa, Ife monarch rejoice with Osinbajo

Meanwhile, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, have rejoiced with the Vice-President and others for surviving the helicopter crash .

Okowa in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, in Asaba, said, “I rejoice with Mr President, President Muhammadu Buhari, the entire Federal Executive Council and the generality of Nigerians because, we would have been thrown into a national mourning if the devil had prevailed in his evil enterprise.”

The governor called on relevant stakeholders to ensure adequate maintenance and global best practices in the aviation sector to prevent deaths occasioned by such negative occurrences.

The Ife monarch in a statement signed by Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Mr Moses Olafare, on Sunday, glorified God for saving Osinbajo and his aides who were involved in the crash.

Oba Ogunwusi said he rejoiced with all the survivors, their families, the government and Nigerians over the rescue of the Vice-President and his aides.

He urged all the politicians to remain unshaken by the incident, adding that they should continue with their electioneering ahead of the February 16 and March 2 general elections.

Buhari, Osinbajo, Tinubu, other APC leaders for Ondo rally tomorrow:


President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, are expected tomorrow in Akure, the Ondo State capital, for the state’s presidential campaign rally.

Already, Akure streets have been adorned with President Buhari’s posters and billboards – from the Airport, Eleyewo, running through Oba-Ile dual carriageway to Akure metropolis.

Intermittent radio jingles and television advertisement by various groups and individuals have been running to educate the residents on the President’s visit.

President Buhari is expected to address APC faithful and his admirers at a campaign rally scheduled for MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure, the state capital.

The visit is in continuation of President Buhari’s campaign for a second term in office.

Ondo State Governor Oluwatotimi Akeredolu is expected to receive the President and his entourage in the town.

During the visit, the President is expected to pay homage to the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladewusi, at his palace and meet with some top party members.

Also expected in the entourage of the President are: Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Gboyega Oyetola (Osun).

Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Director of Buhari Campaign Organisation in the Southwest, Chief Olusola Oke, the Minister of State for Niger Delta Development, Prof. Cladius Daramola, are among other dignitaries expected to join the President.
[11:00 AM, 2/4/2019] Dammyz: Helicopter crash: AIB sends investigators to site, Osinbajo says God, Adeboye’s prayers delivered him


The Accident Investigation Bureau has said it has deployed its investigators to the site of the helicopter crash involving the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Kabba, Kogi State on Saturday.

One of our correspondents gathered that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had officially informed the AIB to investigate the incident.



The General Manager, Public Relations, AIB, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, told one of our correspondents on Sunday that preliminary investigation had commenced.

Oketunbi said, “Investigation is ongoing, we have deployed safety investigators to the site for onsite investigation and they have carried out the process as they are trained to do.

“We are interviewing the crew and all the relevant personnel. We will also carry out other investigations as required.

“The preliminary report will be published as soon as possible in line with Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.”

Also, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Sunday confirmed that investigation had started into Saturday’s crash.

The agency’s General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, said the investigation was being conducted by the AIB, the statutory agency saddled with the task of investigating such accidents.

Also confirming the development, Caverton Helicopters, in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Capt. Josiah Choms, said the relevant aviation agencies had been informed about the incident.

Choms said, “The relevant authorities have been duly informed and an investigation into the incident has commenced. We will, of course, support the authorities as required.



“We wish to reassure the public and our various stakeholders of our unwavering commitment to safety in all our operations.”

Osinbajo says God, Adeboye’s prayers delivered him

Meanwhile, Osinbajo on Sunday said God’s mercy and the special prayer of protection that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, prayed for him last Friday were responsible for his escape in the helicopter crash.

Osinbajo said this on Sunday at a thanksgiving service held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Phase 11, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

The Vice-President, who escaped unhurt in a helicopter crash on Saturday said, “I was at the Redemption Camp last Friday although I came late, after the vigil, Papa Adeboye called me and asked how the campaign was going and I told him, it was going well. He then prayed for me and specifically said ‘God, you know how dear this my son is to me, please protect him.’

“He said the prayers continuously for more than five times. I believe God must have listened and decided to save my life and those in my entourage.”

Osinbajo said he believed that God and Adeboye’s prayers were responsible for his escape last Saturday.

He urged the members of the congregation to believe in the efficacy of prayers.

“Whether or not the devil likes it, we are moving to the next level,” he added.

Osinbajo added that no amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving his life and nine others in Saturday’s helicopter crash.

“Only God can take the glory for saving my life and those of the others on board,” he said.

The Vice-President said it would have been breaking news on local and international media that he and others had died in the crash but God did not allow such to happen.

“No amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving my life and nine others on board. God is the one, who can do all things, and only Him can take the glory; we return the glory to Him.

“We are here to say thank you. Thank you, Jesus. We bless His name forever and ever,” he said.

He prayed God to bless all the people that had celebrated with him in Kogi State, the nation and the world at large.

“All I have to say is that we are grateful and we are moving to the next level; the Lord will uphold us to the next level and Kogi will be number one,” Osinbajo said.

Dignitaries who attended the thanksgiving service included the Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole; Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr Ayoade Arike; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Jerry Omodara; commissioners and Senator Smart Adeyemi.

Adeboye leads thanksgiving service for Osinbajo

In Lagos, Adeboye led the congregation at the headquarters of the church at Ebute Metta, Lagos to thank God for saving Osinbajo in a helicopter crash on Saturday.

Adeboye, during the service, recalled that a word of prophecy came during the church’s Holy Ghost Service on Friday that no matter how hard the enemy would try, there would be no mourning in “our families this year.”

Addressing the congregation, he stated, “Would you please join me in thanking God that there is no mourning in our family this morning.”

On Friday night, he had said, “The Lord has asked me to tell someone tonight that it doesn’t matter what the enemy might try, there would be no mourning in your family this year.”

He asked the congregation to give glory to God for saving Osinbajo’s life.

According to Adeboye, the devil wanted to take Osinbajo’s life but God put the devil to shame.

He, therefore, asked the congregation to specially appreciate God on behalf of the Vice-President and all those onboard the ill-fated helicopter, for his supernatural protection, saying Nigeria would not mourn.

In his sermon, entitled, “Carriers of Glory,” Adeboye said for anybody to carry God’s glory, he must be a true child of God and live a life of holiness.

Taking his lesson from the book of Matthew 5: 14-15 in the Bible, he said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Adeboye added, “As a carrier of God’s glory, anywhere you arrive, darkness will automatically disappear. When God begins to use you, the glory belongs to God, so you must learn to always give glory to God. Do not take the glory to yourself because it is not yours, it belongs to God.”

We were lucky helicopter didn’t burst into flames – Ojudu

Meanwhile, one of Osinbajo’s aides, Babafemi Ojudu, who was on board the crashed helicopter, said they were lucky that the helicopter did not burst into flames.

Ojudu, who took to his Facebook page to narrate his ordeal during the incident, added that the seat belts helped them while their ordeal lasted.

He wrote, “To family, friends and associates, thank you all for your concern and show of love and affection. I can’t thank you enough. It was a miracle we survived.

“The seat belts did a marvelous job and so were the security men on the ground, who quickly pulled us out of the wreckage not minding their own safety. We were also calm all through the ordeal. There was no panic of any kind.

“The immediate concern of all of us was the safety of our principal (Osinbajo). We ensured he got out first. He too ensured we were all out before going into a vehicle. When we were all safely in the bus he insisted the assignment must go on and we drove to the palace of the Obaro of Kabba.


“The Kabba people gave us a warm welcome and showered us with prayers. We thank them all. Above all, God must be praised for providing us that umbrella of protection and preventing the helicopter from exploding in flames.”

Buhari salutes Osinbajo’s spiritual strength after crash

Also, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended Osinbajo for his “resilience” over how he handled the helicopter crash.

According to a statement from Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesman, Buhari called the Vice-President on phone and praised him for continuing with campaign activities despite the crash.

Buhari said it “takes tenacious spirit and amazing spiritual strength to survive a helicopter crash without being paralysed by its impact.”

Shehu quoted the President as telling Osinbajo during the phone call that, “We give glory to the Almighty God for sparing your life. I’m impressed by your tenacious spirit which enabled you to continue on your campaign engagement, despite the shock of the crash.

“I’m proud of our partnership and your unalloyed loyalty and your commitment to the service of Nigeria.

“That you proceeded with your engagements, despite the accident, is a testimony to your passion for service to country and a reflection of your admirable spiritual fervour.

“May God continue to protect you and all those on board with you, bless your lives and grant you good health and long life to serve our country even more.”

Crashed helicopter not ours, says NAF

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has said the Augusta AW139 Helicopter, which was involved in the crash “neither belongs to NAF nor part of the 011 Presidential Air Fleet.”

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, in Abuja, on Sunday.

Daramola said, “NAF wishes to state categorically that the helicopter that crashed in Kabba does not belong to NAF or 011 PAF. The owners/operators of the civilian helicopter, Messrs Caverton Helicopters, have already issued a statement on the matter.

“In addition, the military Dauphin Helicopter, painted in desert camouflage colour, seen in the video circulating on social media does not belong to NAF and should not be misrepresented as belonging to NAF. Accordingly, the general public is advised to disregard such erroneous information and the misleading video.”

CAN felicitates with Osinbajo

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria on Sunday felicitated with Osinbajo for surviving the helicopter crash.

The CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, in a statement in Abuja issued by his Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, also appreciated God for Osinbajo’s safety.

“The leadership of CAN is grateful to God and rejoices with the Federal Government and Osinbajo. We give glory to God for sparing the life of the Vice-President and his team from the helicopter crash while mobilising support for his party in preparations for the coming general elections,” he said.

The cleric recalled that the Vice-President had a similar experience in 2018 while visiting the Nigeria Customs College in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

“It is our prayers that God will continue to watch over him and other top government functionaries in Jesus’ name,” he said.

Ayokunle urged the technical team or those responsible for the certification of the aircraft and helicopters in the country used by government’s officials to be more meticulous so as to avoid putting their lives in danger.

Okowa, Ife monarch rejoice with Osinbajo

Meanwhile, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, have rejoiced with the Vice-President and others for surviving the helicopter crash .

Okowa in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, in Asaba, said, “I rejoice with Mr President, President Muhammadu Buhari, the entire Federal Executive Council and the generality of Nigerians because, we would have been thrown into a national mourning if the devil had prevailed in his evil enterprise.”

The governor called on relevant stakeholders to ensure adequate maintenance and global best practices in the aviation sector to prevent deaths occasioned by such negative occurrences.

The Ife monarch in a statement signed by Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Mr Moses Olafare, on Sunday, glorified God for saving Osinbajo and his aides who were involved in the crash.

Oba Ogunwusi said he rejoiced with all the survivors, their families, the government and Nigerians over the rescue of the Vice-President and his aides.

He urged all the politicians to remain unshaken by the incident, adding that they should continue with their electioneering ahead of the February 16 and March 2 general elections.

Osinbajo: we can’t thank God enough for our lives:


I’m proud of our partnership and your unalloyed loyalty and your commitment to the service of Nigeria.” These were the words of President Muhammadu Buhari to his deputy Prof Yemi Osinbajo, whose aircraft crash landed in Kabba, Kogi State, at the weekend.

It was a phone conversation between the two leaders, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu yesterday.

The statement reported the President as praising Osinbajo for his “resilience”.

Shehu said the President praised the vice president for continuing with campaign activities despite the crash.

“It is tenacious spirit and amazing spiritual strength to survive a helicopter crash without being paralysed by its impact,” the President was quoted as saying.

According to Shehu, the President told Osinbajo during the phone call: “We give glory to Almighty God for sparing your life. I’m impressed by your tenacious spirit which enabled you to continue on your campaign engagement, despite the shock of the crash.

“I’m proud of our partnership and your unalloyed loyalty and your commitment to the service of Nigeria.

“That you proceeded with your engagements, despite the accident, is a testimony of your passion for service to country and a reflection of your admirable spiritual fervour.

“May God continue to protect you and all those on board with you, bless your lives and grant you more good health and long life to serve our country even more.”

Speaking at a thanksgiving service yesterday, Prof Osinbajo said that no amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving his life and nine others in Saturday’s helicopter crash.

The Caverton Helicopter, marked Augusta AW139, conveying the vice president and others, crash landed in Kabba, Kogi State, at the weekend.

Osinbajo, who spoke during a thanksgiving service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of Grace, Lokoja, capital of the Confluence State, said: “Only God can take the glory for saving my life and that of the nine crew members on board.”

He went on: “It would have been breaking news on local and international media that Vice President Osinbajo and nine crew members died in a helicopter crash, but God did not allow such to happen.

“No amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving my life and nine crew on board. God is the one, who can do all things, and only Him can take the glory; we return the glory to Him.

“We are here to say thank you, thank you Jesus. We bless His name forever and ever,” he said.

Praying God to bless all the people who celebrated with him, the vice president said: “All I have to say is that we are grateful and we are moving to the next level; the Lord will uphold us to the next level and Kogi will be number one.”

In a live telecast from the RCCG headquarters, Lagos, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, asked the congregation to rise and give glory to God for saving Osinbajo’s life.

According to Adeboye, the devil wanted to take Osinabjo’s life, but God put the devil to shame.

He asked the congregation to specially appreciate God on behalf of the vice president and all the crew member for His supernatural protection, saying Nigeria would not mourn.

In his sermon, titled: “Carriers of God’s glory”, Pastor Adeboye said for anybody to carry the glory of God, such a person must be a true child of God and live a life of holiness.

ODIEC ‘ll conduct LG polls soon – Prof Dinakin



The chairman, Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, ODIEC, Prof Yomi Dinakin, said the commission would soon conduct elections into Local Government Chairmanship and Councillorship positions in the 18 councils.



He disclosed this while speaking with journalists shortly after defending the commission’s budget for 2019 before the House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

According to him, budgetary provision has been made for the conduct of the council polls



The Chairman said he would soon call a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss the modality for the conduct of the local government election this year as soon as possible.

Prof Dinakin had last year November announced the indefinite postponement of the chairmanship/councillorship polls earlier fixed for December 1, 2018.

He cited failure of the INEC in the state to provide the commission with the updated version of the voters’ register as main reason for the postponement.

He emphasised that INEC refused to provide updated version of the voters’ register despite continued requests for it by ODIEC, saying that the commission could not go on with the election with incomplete voters’ register released by INEC earlier last year.

He assured that the election would be held very soon at a date to be announced by the commission.

“If you would recall I told Ondo State people last year that our major problem was with respect to voters’ register. Last year, we were working to conduct the election but when it became obvious that in terms of time frame certain supporting information and things were not forthcoming, that was why we had to postpone the election”, the chairman stressed.

The ODIEC boss disclosed that the commission would redesign its time-table and proceed to conduct the election as soon as possible this year.

Ondo State Govt seeks stakeholders’ assistance in tackling Lassa Fever



In its effort to tackle Lassa Fever headlong, the Ondo State Government has sought the assistance of stakeholders.



The Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro sought this assistance at an emergency stakeholders meeting held in Akure.

According to him, Lassa Fever is now endemic in the state and it calls for serious combined effort of stakeholders as the state cannot bear the burden alone.

He disclosed that the treatment of a Lassa patient costs at least N1.2m which he said is beyond what the State Government alone can handle considering the number of people infected. Hence he has called on Chairmen of affected Local Government Areas, security agencies, development Partners and other stakeholders to brainstorm and come up with strategies to tackle it and put it permanently at bay.

The Health Commissioner who disclosed that the Emergency Operating Center (EOC) was inaugurated the previous day and an Epidemiologist appointment, commended the National Center for Disease Control and other Development Partner for their efforts at putting the outbreak under control.

Adegbenro appealed to security agencies to ensure people adhere to rulers and regulations of operations as rights of individuals are suspended during outbreak.

He called on residents of the state to maintain personal and environmental hygiene, keep their foods covered in containers, eliminate rats around them and visit the hospital immediately they notice any feverish condition.

The Health Commissioner enjoined Health Workers to embrace universal protection and take serious precaution when attending to patients so that they do not become victims.

Presenting a situation report, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Stephen Fagbemi said there was a war against Lassa Fever and the state should be in a war mood.

He recalled that about 27 States were affected with Lassa last year and Ondo and Edo topped the list as they accounted for about 80 percent of those affected including mortality.



Dr Fagbemi also notified the house that while the state is still grappling with the issue of Lassa, there is also out break of Yellow Fever in the state.

Dr Olalekan Ojo of the Federal Medical Center Owo said the State is seeing more Lassa patients than any other states of the federation and the whole budget of the state cannot cover the eradication of the disease.

The Team Lead National Center for Disease Control, Dr Gbenga Akinbiyi said due to the deadly nature of Lassa, it needs the combined concerted efforts of stakeholders while promising the support of NCDC to curtail the outbreak.

The Chairman Akoko S/W, Mr Oloruntegbe Augustine who spoke on behalf of other local government chairmen promised that he and his colleagues would explore all avenues to get funds to support the fight, ensure environmental sanitation and carry out sensitisation in their domains.

The State Chairman Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Olawale Oke commiserated with families of those who lost their relatives to Lassa, urging the government to declare a state of emergency in the health sector.

The General Manager Waste Management Board, Mrs Bola Akinyanmi complained that most Local government areas do not have dumpsite making waste disposal in those areas difficult and embarrassing.

The Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr Dipo Durojaye lent his voice to solving the problem of waste disposal and change of attitude of our people. The information industry and environment should be at the forefront of the campaign.

Akeredolu calls for investment in capital market in Ondo

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, said he would provide an enabling environment for capital market to thrive in the state, with a view to developing the nation’s capital market sector.

Akeredolu said an enabling environment was necessary in the state to encourage people to invest “when there is economic growth in the land.”



Akeredolu stated this in Akure, Ondo State, while declaring open a one-day enlightenment programme organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The programme was themed ‘E-dividend and investment initiative at developing the Nigeria capital market.’

The participants were drawn from major stakeholders in the capital market comprising civil servants, representatives of investment companies, representatives of the Ondo State Chamber of Commerce and Industry and representatives of Ondo State Cooperative Thrifts.

The governor, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, said the political climate would remain stable enough in the state to enable stakeholders recover their investment within a reasonable period.

He said, “As we are all aware, investors’ interests are being centred on three broad objectives, ― income, growth and safety. We will ensure these three objectives are not missing in our state.

“The objective of this enlightenment programme is to give alternate economic condition to civil servants and other stakeholders to decide the best time to buy or sell shares/securities.”

He explained that the enlightenment campaign would also provide an opportunity to prospective investors to be acquainted with the general principle and policy of “buy low and sell high.”

“I will like to appeal to you all to give this short enlightenment campaign the serious attention it deserves so that we will have an improved, effective and quality investment initiatives in the state.



“It will also give us the opportunity to put in our best to make sure that state derives maximum benefits from investment opportunities in Nigeria,” Akeredolu added.

The Zonal Director, SEC, Mr Edward Okolo, explained that the essence of the programme was to enlighten the people of Ondo State on e-dividend processes and the opportunities in the capital market.

According to him, the e-dividend will afford people of the state the opportunity to bring their moribund companies into the market and revive it, which will then provide employment for the teeming population of unemployed youths in the state.

He noted that the programme would not only afford participants the opportunity to be well informed about investment in shares and stocks, but would also help individuals to do the needful whenever opportunity opened for investment.

Buhari hosts APC Senators, candidates to a dinner at Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday hosted All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators and candidates to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the dinner, the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiohmole, described the event as a “nice meeting”. He said the event had provided an opportunity for the president to meet with the caucus of the senate and the “incoming senators’’ (APC Senatorial candidates).

Oshiohmole expressed the hope that Nigerians would give the APC a comfortable majority in both Senate and the House of Representatives based on the tenet of `one-man, one-vote’.

He said: “Basically, the meeting was for the President to meet with the caucus of the Senate and the incoming senators by the grace of God.

“The whole idea is for the president to have a direct interaction with the senators and the senatorial candidates of the APC so that they will work hard and ensure that on the basis of one-man, one-vote, the outcome of the 2019 elections will be in our favour.

“This is an opportunity for some of the senatorial candidates to meet with the president for the first time.’’

According to him, the meeting also enables the president and the senators and party’s senatorial candidates to compare and share notes on the campaigns of each of the senatorial district.

On the reactions of international community to the suspension of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, Oshiohmole dismissed any form of foreign outcry against the action taken on CJN’s case, saying that Nigeria was not a colony.

He said Nigerians must defend the supremacy of the country, adding that corrupt justices were being prosecuted across the world.

Also speaking on the suspension of the CJN, Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan, said it was wrong for the senate to reconvene over the matter as there were many cases in courts challenging or supporting the suspension.

He, however, stated that the senate could reconvene to consider the 2019 budget proposal and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategic Paper. (NAN)

NDDC chief: Buhari loves Niger Delta:


ACTING Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Prof. Nelson Brambaifa has said President Muhammadu Buhari loves Niger Delta.

Brambaifa, who spoke at the inaugural meeting of the new NDDC management in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, confirmed the Federal Government was refunding over N1.3 trillion owed the commission.

He said the management was a response to discontent over the government’s non-commitment to Niger Delta.

The NDDC chief said the Niger Delta had suffered, but the President was taking action to redress the situation.

Brambaifa reiterated that President Buhari had ensured the Federal Government met its statutory financial obligations to the commission in full.

He hinted that the President also ensured that other statutory contributors met their obligations, noting that the President worked to restore peace and security in Niger Delta by tackling grievances.

Brambaifa said the appointment was another step to give hope to Niger Delta people and restore their confidence and faith he would rebuild the region.

He pledged to respect and implement the commission’s mandate, which, according to him, would facilitate the development of Niger Delta into a region to be socially stable, economically prosperous, politically peaceful and ecologically regenerative.

The Bayelsa First Initiative (BFI) has praised the President for appointing Prof Brambaifa as the acting managing director of NDDC.

A statement by the group’s Secretary, Mekunisi Aworabi, described the appointment as a right step based on Brambaifa’s experience and background as an academic and former representative of Bayelsa State in the last board.

Aworabi thanked Buhari for sustaining the rotational principle in the appointment of chief executives for the commission in line with the NDDC Act.

He hoped Brambaifa would bring his experience in academia and management to bear in the commission’s leadership.

Aworabi condemned reported moves by aggrieved Bayelsans to petition President Buhari on the appointment, saying such acts would only lead to Ijaw disunity and self-destruction.

Buhari to traditional rulers: ensure peace during polls:


President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday tasked traditional rulers in the country to ensure peace and security in their domains during the 2019 general election.

He spoke through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the 10th General Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, NCTRN, in Abuja.

He said, “Given the activities of unscrupulous individuals who use the election season to forment trouble and disturb the electoral process, the role of security agencies is particularly crucial.

“But the backbone of effective security is quality intelligence and the most trusted repository of local intelligence is of course the royal father in his domain, and we encourage the security agencies to work closely with you in this enormous task.

“As a nation with diverse norms, cultures, traditions, ethnic nationalities and religions we have witnessed various degrees of conflicts and violence during elections in the past borne out of irresponsible utterances, hate speech, designed to incite and provoke disturbances.

“We must not tolerate this dangerous behavior. Your positions as traditional heads of your communities accord you considerable influence and the respect of your subjects.”

According to him, the general assembly of the traditional rulers came at the right time when Nigerians are preparing to vote in new leaders.

He urged the royal fathers to build synergies that are important in assuring free, fair and peaceful elections to enable them to contribute to voter education.

This, he said, would ensure that the electorate understands the processes to undergo during the election.

“Coming at this time, this annual gathering of the royal heads of our traditional institutions is indeed a blessing and the theme most appropriate.

“This is because the role of your royal majesties and traditional institutions are crucial for connecting the people of your kingdoms and domains to the federal and state agencies responsible for the conduct of elections.

“The major purpose of establishing that link is to educate the local electorate or reinforce information that they may have about electoral processes as laid down by INEC.

“For example, INEC has said that in the forthcoming polls, voters will be accredited and then vote immediately after accreditation.

And we expect that INEC will be working in close collaboration with all of our royal fathers in your various domains to ensure that not are you adequately informed but also that your people are also adequately informed.” he said

The President also restated the commitment of the Nigerian government to deliver a transparent, free and fair, credible and peaceful election this year.

He said the security agencies have been directed to maintain peace and order and provide security during elections, warning that “any attempt to cause mayhem and undermine the electoral process would be met with the full force of the law.”

Feb. Polls : We’ll not tolerate reckless speeches designed to provoke disturbances – Buhari

AHEAD of the forthcoming elections, President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday tasked the security agencies to work closely with the traditional rulers in the country to ensure a peaceful and credible election.

President Buhari who was speaking at the 10th General Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, NCTRN, in Abuja Monday warned that the government will not tolerate reckless speeches designed to provoke disturbances by what he described as activities of unscrupulous individuals that use election to cause crisis in the polity.

He challenged traditional rulers in the country to bring their positions to bear on peace and security in their domains during the 2019 general election in the country.

According to him, “Given the activities of unscrupulous individuals who use the election season to foment trouble and disturb the electoral process, the role of security agencies is particularly crucial.

“But the backbone of effective security is quality intelligence and the most trusted repository of local intelligence is of course the royal father in his domain, and we encourage the security agencies to work closely with you in this enormous task.

“As a nation with diverse norms, cultures, traditions, ethnic nationalities and religions we have witnessed various degrees of conflicts and violence during elections in the past borne out of irresponsible utterances, hate speech, designed to incite and provoke disturbances.

“We must not tolerate this dangerous behavior. Your positions as traditional heads of your communities accord you considerable influence and the respect of your subjects.”

President Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the general assembly of the traditional rulers came at the right time when Nigerians are preparing to vote in new leaders.

He urged the royal fathers to build synergies important in assuring free, fair and peaceful elections to enable them to contribute to voter education.

According to him this would ensure that the electorate understands the processes to undergo during the election.

He said, “Coming at this time, this annual gathering of the royal heads of our traditional institutions is indeed a blessing and the theme most appropriate.

“This is because the role of your royal majesties and traditional institutions are crucial for connecting the people of your kingdoms and domains to the federal and state agencies responsible for the conduct of elections.

“The major purpose of establishing that link is to educate the local electorate or reinforce information that they may have about electoral processes as laid down by INEC.

“For example, INEC has said that in the forthcoming polls, voters will be accredited and then vote immediately after accreditation.

“This is different from the old method of accreditation first and then coming back hours later to vote. This must be well disseminated to all.

“Similarly, the use of card readers, the role of party agents and other electoral actors will require some explanation and some dissemination, especially where the rules have changed.

“And we expect that INEC will be working in close collaboration with all of our royal fathers in your various domains to ensure that not are you adequately informed but also that your people are also adequately informed.”

The president restated the commitment of the Nigerian government to deliver a transparent, free and fair, credible and peaceful election this year.

He said the security agencies have been directed to maintain peace and order and provide security during elections, warning that “any attempt to cause mayhem and undermine the electoral process would be met with the full force of the law.”

According to the president, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is properly equipped and free to conduct the election

Ondo First Lady Donates Gift Items to Triplets in Owo


The family of Mr. & Mrs. Ogwuche parents of the Triplet born on 19th January, 2019 yesterday received three envelopes each containing N50,000 totalling N150,000, 3 packs of Pampers and 3 cartons of NAN baby food.

Chairperson of Owo Local government; Mrs. Folashade Adebayo presented the gifts on behalf of Her Excellency, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu.


Present at the presentation of gift are the HOD information dept, Owo local govt, well wishers from the neighborhood and Hon. Aderibigbe Alexander Supervising Councillor representing Isaipen Ward 8 where the triplets were delivered.


Speaking on behalf of the family of the Ogwuche, Mr Ogwuche Peter thanked Her Excellency for the cash gift. Saying its an uncommon thing for a government to remember the non-indigene, he further expressd his appreciation to Arakunrin and Arabinrin Akeredolu.

Osinbajo, APC South-West woo voters for Buhari

The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and the Director, Presidential
Campaign Council, South West zone, Chief Oluwole Oke, have urged voters in Oyo State and other South-West states to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 election.

At separate meetings, Osinbajo and Oke listed the achievements of the President with a promise that Buhari would do more for South-West if re-elected.



At the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Osinbajo promised that the Ogbomoso/Oyo road would be completed, and that a federal polytechnic would be established in the town.

Addressing residents in Soun Ogunlola town hall, the vice-president said, “We currently have 500,000 people captured in N-Power but we will increase them to one million.”

He assured traders in Ogbomoso that they would soon receive TraderMoni to grow their businesses.

Oke, addressing journalists at Agodi, called on the electorate to support the re-election of the President.

He said, “Today our people are currently heading key ministries like the power, works and housing; communications, health and so on. The feat which brought the APC to power was led by our highly revered leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and a host of other leaders in Yoruba land.

“We want to sustain these positions in the next level in a way that the gains recorded by the President too on the fight against corruption will not be reversible. Corruption is giving way to era of accountability, transparency and probity in governance.

“The struggle of the Yoruba has always been that those in government must be accountable and that was also what Abiola stood for, that those in government must be responsible to the masses. Mr President has honoured the late MKO Abiola by recognising his electoral victory and setting aside June 12 as Democracy Day.”

He also said the President’s actions were in line with the vision of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and consistent with the philosophy of Yoruba people for a leader to be accountable and uphold integrity.

EXPECT MORE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS – AKEREDOLU:

The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Saturday said the ongoing renovations and construction of over 400 new schools in the state is just a tip of an iceberg.


He said more schools in the state would soon witness such capital projects to bridge the infrastructure gap that had been making learning not conducive in our various schools.

Akeredolu disclosed this at the Centenary Celebration of the Ondo Boys’ High School, Ondo West Local government area of the state.

The Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to the infrastructure development of schools in the state.

He expressed delight on the level of work done on the ongoing road network project in the school that was approved by the state government, adding that his government would continue to support other stakeholders in their efforts to contribute towards the school development.

While noting that the school had produced many accomplished individuals in various fields of human endeavour, Akeredolu, called on the old students association not to relent in their efforts but continue to complemenr the efforts of government so that the school would attain desired height.

The governor also promised to ensure that modern computers and other necessary facilities are provided to boost ICT studies in schools.

Appreciating the organizers of the event, the governor called on other old students associations to emulate the good gesture by giving back to the schools that made them.

Also speaking at the event, an old student and donor of a ten million naira worth science laboratory for the school, Dr. Olu Akinkugbe stressed the important of collaboration of well meaning individuals to school development.

He attributed his success in life to the virtues instilled in him in his days in the school.

Ondo Security Summit

ONDO State Government penultimate weeks ago played host to a day security summit.

OBJECTIVE of the summit as outlined by the government was to appraise the current security architecture in the state with a view to design appropriate funding arrangement and produce suitable policy document.

OTHER highlights included funding security in Ondo State, criminal justice system and the current security realities, cybercrimes as well as information management system, marine crimes, youth restiveness, herdsmen and farmers’ clashes, arms proliferation and inter communal clashes kidnapping among others.

THE Summit, first of its kind by any Government in the state was apparently in response to recent “spikes” in new or emergent patterns of criminality in the State.

WE recall before the summit the state was almost overwhelmed with criminal activities of some unscrupulous elements in the state. For example, the Akure- Owo , Owo- Ikare, Akure -Ikere, Akure -Ondo, Benin-Ore Lagos roads were almost taken over by the criminal activities of these hoodlums.

HARDLY could a week pass without these men of shady characters robbing or kidnapping innocent motorists on the axis.

Obviously no serious minded government, not even the one changing the face of the state and making it investments haven would fold its hands and allow criminals overrun it.

This must have prompted government to organise the summit, This is because Security and development are Siamese twins. They are fundamental to the socio-contractual responsibilities of any government to its citizens. As a matter of fact security directly or indirectly affects everybody. For an optimum development-output a solid security apparatus are needed to stimulate development.

THE reality on ground is that the present administration of Ondo state is embarking on ambitious programme of massive infrastructural development to create an enabling environment that will transform the state to an industrial hub. .

AT the event Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu assured of his administration’s readiness to adopt recommendations raised from the Security Summit to save lives and property as well as scale up ease of doing business in the state. He emphasized that every patriotic citizen should be concerned in addressing all security challenges confronting the nation, that his government is committed to maximum protection of lives and property in the state. He submitted that there can be no development without peace.

WE commend government for hosting the summit taken into consideration the fact that no development can take place in a place where the security of lives and property cannot be guaranteed.

WE appeal to the government to take seriously the recommendations emanating from the summit with a view to tackling security challenges frontally.

frontally.

WE recommend the establishment of an alternative to the conventional police as a panacea for tackling the growing security challenges in the country nay Ondo state.

The government can establish the native Police, otherwise referred to as ‘Friday Police’ in the old Western Region of Nigeria. To do this, the government can engage the services of current Traffic Corps in the state.

TO us, they could serve as the fulcrum of the state police. Our Position is that they are no doubt indigenes of the state drawn from the nooks and crannies of the communities. They are obviously not new to what transpires in their various domains. Thus, If employed they could serve as intelligence hub for the police to act for the smooth running of their operations. We believe that the Corps have gone through various security trainings and better placed for the assignment.

WE equally enjoin the government to critically look into the suggestion of holding court sessions in the evenings and weekends as proposed by one of the facilitators as a good measure towards giving speedy hearings to voluminous court cases on those awaiting trials and eventually decongest the prisons in the state.

ALSO, we wish a think-tank committee be inaugurated up to look into issues raised at the Summit and bring up implementable ideas which the government should give priority attention and forge ahead with.

WE appreciate the government’s concern that there should be leverage between development and security because of the new status of the state as an industrial hub; this undoubtedly should attract all manners of people, ideas, interests etc. We therefore suggest that the governor should quickly address these issues in order to maintain adequate peace sustenance in the state.

Owo to celebrate 1000 years of existence

Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government area of Ondo State will celebrate its 1000 years of existence this year.

The Olowo of Owo, Oba Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III, made this disclosure during the visit of Nigera’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to his palace.

Oba Folagbade said Owo was founded some one thousand years ago and hopefully, this will be celebrated this year.

“Owo is an ancient city. It is now 1000 years. Hopefully, this year, we would celebrate the 1000 years”.

The monarch disclosed that the town was pronounced a native authority in 1918 during the last year of the amalgamation period.

According to him, the town shared boundary with Akure, Kabba and Benin which spanned nine local governments if this measure should be used then.

” In 1918, there was an ordinance, that made Owo a single Native Authority sharing boundaries with Akure, Kabba and Benin, spanning eight or nine local governments if this measure should be used, but today, we are only left with two local governments, Owo and Ose”.

“Owo is very remarkable, Action Group was founded here by our remarkable leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, our own remarkable son, late Pa Adekunle Ajasin and another remarkable leader who was a member of the Action Group”.

The Olowo appealed to the Federal Government to make good its pronouncement that made the palace of Olowo a national monument.

” The palace of Olowo has been pronounced a national monument by the Federal Government. We want this to be made a reality, so that it becomes a national monument “.

Similarly, Oba Folagbade called for the establishment of a Federal Technical University in Owo, since the only federal government presence in the town is the Federal Medical Centre (FMC).

FG targets N850m for Ondo women, youths

In continuation of its efforts to eradicate poverty and make youths self-reliant, the Federal Government has revealed that it is targeting N850m to alleviate poverty being experienced by women and youths in Ondo State.

Director General (DG), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr Nasir Argungu, made the disclosure during the empowerment of 6,800 women and youths in Ondo State, held at the Adegbemile Cultural Center in Akure.

This is in addition to the Federal Government’s Social Intervention Programmes (SIP), under which thousands of graduates and the unemployed youths have been fully engaged.

Schemes under the SIP in Ondo State include; Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) for primary school pupils; the N-Power volunteer Corps for university graduates and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), which is essentially a loan scheme being handled by the Bank of Industry.

Argungu explained that 6,800 unemployed women and youths were empowered initially, but due to the zeal displayed, the figure would be increased to 10,000 beneficiaries.

“For a start, 300 of them, with effect from today, are going to enjoy micro enhancement loan of N10,000 direct cash disbursement.

“Another 1,500 young men and women will be trained in various trades, while 5,000 will have certificates that would guarantee them easy access to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loans.

“The loan alone is N750 million, but if every thing is added together, we are targeting N850 million for Ondo,” he said.

The Director-General further advised the beneficiaries to utilise the loans judiciously and ensure that poverty is kicked out permanently in their midst, saying government is ever ready to do more to comfort them.

Earlier, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led admnistration for his commitment in empowering the youths through various interventions.

He explained that most of the people being empowered did not have a start-up capital to run their trades, hence the importance of the loan.

He implored the beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously in order to profit from their trades, become self-reliant and employers of labour.

Akeredolu explained that certificates of training would be issued to the beneficiaries for easy access to the loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Coordinator of unemployed graduates in Ondo State, Mr. Olanrewaju Sunday, thanked the government for the gesture and urged them to sustain the scheme to include more unemployed youths.

Some beneficiaries of the empowerment loan from across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State who included, Mrs Idiat Adesina, Toyin Adebisi, Miss Onome Joy, Miss Folake Ojo and Mrs Fauzat Momoh, commended the Federal Government’s intervention.

While describing the Buhari-led admnistration as that which keeps promises, the women pledged to preach the reality of the programme to others and mobilise their family members to massively vote for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming general elections.

They assured that the fund given them would be invested in profitable businesses.

"Expect more Infrastructure development in our schools" -Akeredolu

The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Saturday said the ongoing renovations and construction of over 400 new schools in the state is just a tip of an iceberg.

He said more schools in the state would soon witness such capital projects to bridge the infrastructure gap that had been making learning not conducive in our various schools.

Akeredolu disclosed this at the Centenary Celebration of the Ondo Boys' High School, Ondo West Local government area of the state.

The Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to the infrastructure development of schools in the state.

He expressed delight on the level of work done on the ongoing road network project in the school that was approved by the state government, adding that his government would continue to support other stakeholders in their efforts to contribute towards the school development.

While noting that the school had produced many accomplished individuals in various fields of human endeavour, Akeredolu, called on the old students association not to relent in their efforts but continue to complemenr the efforts of government so that the school would attain desired height.

The governor also promised to ensure that modern computers and other necessary facilities are provided to boost ICT studies in schools.

Appreciating the organizers of the event, the governor called on other old students associations to emulate the good gesture by giving back to the schools that made them.

Also speaking at the event, an old student and donor of a ten million naira worth science laboratory for the school, Dr. Olu Akinkugbe stressed the important of collaboration of well meaning individuals to school development.

He attributed his success in life to the virtues instilled in him in his days in the school.

End

Traders Assure Buhari of 10 Million Votes

Nigerian Traders, under the auspices of Nigerian Traders For PMB, has vowed to mobilize over 10 million votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential election in appreciation for his achievement so far.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Prince Paul Ikonne, the Group said: “by standing by his words at all times as we find it difficult to comprehend the position of the former president concerning the wellbeing of Nigerians.”

The group sad further that “Having told Nigerians consistently how well he knows Atiku and why Nigerians should not trust Atiku, why this dance in the market place? We, therefore, urge former President Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo to please speak so that we can listen.”

The group asked its members to mobilise their households, neighbours, and friends to support and vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential elections in order to exceed the 10 million vote target.

Food security: ODSG partners foreign firm




In pursuant its efforts aimed at ensuring that foods are secured for consumption and numerous jobs are created through agriculture, Ondo State Government has expressed its readiness to partner a foreign firm, Bosman Van Zaal from the Netherlands on Green House Project.



The State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu made the disclosure while receiving members of the group who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Akure, yesterday.

Governor Akeredolu stated that the state was prepared to encourage the company to develop a veritable Green House Project that will impact positively on agriculture, by making the sector creatively attractive to young school leavers, ensure food security and encourage export in profitable magnitude.

He explained that the project was a major dividend of one of the foreign trips that President Muhammadu Buhari made last year, during which he was on the President’s entourage, and expressed the hope that the project would soon begin to manifest in diverse folds on the Ondo State economy.

While expressing the willingness of the State Government to do business with the Dutch firm, he described as fascinating, the exchange programmes available for youths to study in one of the Universities in the Netherlands, which is the best in the world in Agricultural studies.

The governor charged the State Technical Committee on Green House Project to expedite actions on the proposal of Bosman to accelerate the take-off of the technologically inspired mode of agriculture in the state.

Technical Officer of the firm, Mr. Robert Van Donk, while introducing the company, said Bosman has the capacity to carry out mono-disciplinary projects that are fully automated for the production of agricultural materials suitable for harsh climatic conditions.

He added that the Green House firm was reputed in food, ornamental plants and plants for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

“We have seen in Nigeria, a great need for fresh produce because there are lots of processed tomatoes around used for cooking and proffering solutions to that for a healthy living, this is why we are here.

“Green House technology, otherwise known as smart agriculture entails growing more produce with less input which provides you with a controlled atmosphere in which you don’t depend on the weather outside, but you create the weather inside by good management and that gives you a secured food production and safety.



“It is a year-round and weekly production that is continuous, using less chemicals with high production and biological control, rather than chemical controls”,he said.

Also, a Bosman Economist, Mr Nico de Groot, noted that the astronomical growth in agricultural and horticultural products have necessitated the need for innovation.

He said Bosman has been reputed for enhancing the world in a smart, efficient and valuable manner.

He hinted that the Green House Project, apart from creating more job opportunities using high technology, enhances food security, changes the agricultural education system and pay more attention to horticulture as well as developing a kind of research institute where youths can excel.

“We want to live longer and healthy and especially the younger population are looking for safety through the food being consumed and are expecting government to take care of that and also ensure that foods bought in the market are safe for consumption”, he said.

An official of the Nigeria-Netherland Business Association, Mr Eric Okunde expressed happiness that Ondo State was exploring the Green House Project with one of the global leaders in the sector.

He assured that the business deal would be beneficial to the state and the investing firm.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Agric and Agribusiness, Pastor Akin Olotu explained that the Green House technology is the way to the future in agriculture, adding that it enables farmers to condition their crops, use less water, less labour, get higher yields and be able to guide against pest infestation.

Olotu who added that the project is mainly about food and nutritional safety, stressed that government is looking at the gap between supply and demand in the country in terms of tomato and pepper considering the upsurge in global population.

He maintained that Agriculture is the only surest means of reducing unemployment, guaranteeing food sufficiency as well as engaging the youth productively, saying the state will continue to be on the path of greatness through the enhancement of agricultural activities.

#RoadTo2019

President Buhari receives in Audience European Union Election Observation Mission in State House on 22nd Jan 2019

EU Monitoring: President Buhari with R-L: Chief Observer EU EOM Ms. Maria Arena, Deputy Chief Observer Ms. Hannah Roberts, Head of EU Delegation Amb. Ketil Karisen and Political Analyst EU EOM Dominic Howell as he receives in Audience European Union Election Observation Mission in State House on 22nd Jan 2019

#NextLevelEngagements

Obasanjo, Buhari in friendly mood at Council of State meeting A meeting of the Council of State has opened at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who, only on Sunday, heavily criticised the Buhari administration’s policies and alleged plans to rig the February polls, is attending the closed-door meeting.



It was Obasanjo who said the Christian prayers before the meeting went into closed-doors. A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais, said the Muslim prayers.

Aside from Obasanjo, other former leaders at the meeting were former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Yakubu Gowon were absent as of 11am.

The Council of State comprises the President, Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, former presidents and heads of State, Chief Justices of Nigeria, State Governors, among others.

Among the governors who had arrived were those of Osun, Kebbi, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Niger, Borno, Ogun, Ekiti and Kogi states.

The key issues on the agenda are said to be the National Minimum Wage and the February general elections.

More details coming..

Osinbajo Replies Obasanjo Over Attack On Buhari, TraderMoni :


Nigeria‘s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has described the criticism of the TraderMoni microcredit scheme by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an “absurdity”.

Osinbajo said to label such “people-friendly” scheme as “idiotic” is also an affront to the sensibilities of hardworking Nigerians who are beneficiaries of the micro-credit scheme.

Naija News reports that Osinbajo made this statement in a rejoinder issued on Monday night by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.

This online news platform recalls that Obasanjo had berated Osinbajo over the “suspect timing” of the implementation of the Trader Moni scheme in an open letter titled “Point for Concern and Action”.

The former president had said Osinbajo’s action, shows that the Vice President must have gone for, “if you can’t beat them, join them”.

Reacting on Monday night Osinbajo’s spokesman noted that “it is either that the former leader is ignorant of the true workings of Trader Moni and the role of the Vice President in its implementation or perhaps he is on a mischievous mission.”


Akande said the former President has demonstrated “a surprising but complete misunderstanding of the workings of TraderMoni, that is if we assume there is no mischief intended.”

He said: “Firstly, the Vice President does not personally distribute money during his visits to the markets. He goes there to assess the progress of the implementation and to create awareness for a programme designed to meet the financing need of 2 million petty traders across the country in the first instance.

“Secondly, while one will not bother to further address the issue of timing of the implementation since such issues are now known to be political posturing, it is important to note that TraderMoni is being actively implemented across all states of the federation and the FCT. It is not only Lagos and Abuja as was insinuated.

“These petty traders at the bottom of the economic ladder, with an inventory often less than N5,000, are beneficiaries of the TraderMoni scheme which provides N10,000 collateral/interest-free loans to them, empowerment that improves their small businesses, their families, while also contributing significantly to the economy.

“Thirdly, in what is certainly a curious comment, the former President has also been quoted as describing the TraderMoni scheme as idiotic. To label such people-friendly scheme as idiotic is not only an absurdity, it is also an affront to the sensibilities of these hard working Nigerians, the beneficiaries of the micro-credit scheme.

‘Buhari has already won February election’ The All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in the 2017 election in Anambra State, Dr Tony Nwoye, on Monday said President Muhammadu Buhari had already won the February 16 presidential election.

He said Nigerians were only waiting for official result confirming the victory.



Nwoye, who is the Chairman, Youth Mobilisation and Strategy of the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Council, said the President had done well for the country.

He cited the ongoing war against corruption as one of the President’s achievements.

He spoke while Anambra youths from three political parties -the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Peoples Democratic Party and APC- who said they had decided to unite for Buhari.

Nwoye said Buhari would win the election comfortably in Anambra and other states in the South-East.

President Buhari Promises Youths Ministerial Slot If Re-elected.


Tony Nwoye, Director of Youth Mobilisation, All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Council, says youths will be heads of Ministries and Prastatals if President Muhammadu Buhari is re-elected.

Mr Nwoye stated this on Monday in Abuja at a news conference to launch a nationwide campaign for Buhari’s re-election in Abuja.



He said the nationwide youth mobilisation campaign was targeted at convincing Nigerian youths and students that they could trust Buhari.

This, he said, was especially so, based on the positive youth development credentials of President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to date.

Mr Nwonye, who is also a member of the House of Representatives, said he had secured the commitment of President Buhari to change the involvement of youths in his administration when re-elected.

He further said that youths in the country were committed to mobilising and giving President Buhari over 20 million votes in the coming elections.

This, he said, would ensure a landslide victory for Buhari in the presidential election slated for Feb. 16.

The director also said that he had embarked on a nationwide consultation with youths, engaging them on the need to vote massively for Buhari in the coming election.

“During the over one week of non-stop nationwide consultations that l spearheaded, I became convinced that Nigerian youths deeply appreciate the improved regime of youth development and empowerment under Buhari from 2015.

“The polity is ready for Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 if only the leadership team is ready to take its youth development programme to the Next Level of higher youth inclusion in leadership and the economy.

“Upon this realisation, I and my assistants and deputies came back to Abuja to consult with President Buhari,“he said.

He added that he got the commitment of the president after consulting with him for two days.

Mr Nwonye stressed that President Buhari was poised to take his youth development programmes to the `Next Level’ of higher youth inclusion in leadership.

This, he said, the president would do through: ” a youth quota in the headship of Ministries, Departments, Agencies and other policies.”

“After extracting these commitments from Mr President, the

directorate quickly reverted to the leadership of Nigerian youths and had regional consultations and engagements.

“There upon, the youths and students of Nigeria and the directorate agreed that Nigerian youths will deliver an avalanche of over 20 million votes to Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,” he said.

He maintained that youths had resolved to support Buhari despite attempts by some would be detractors to blackmail his administration based on sentiments that had no grounding in our national reality.

He noted that the record of visible and impactful poverty alleviation strategies, such as the Traders’ Money Scheme which had empowered over 350,000 Medium and Small Scale Businesses across the country was enormous.

He listed the national School Feeding Programme, the Anchor Borrowers Programme which had added over three million metric tonnes to annual food supply as some other achievements of the Buhari administration.

Others he said were the N-Power Volunteers Scheme which had recruited 500,000 graduates and the N-Build category which had so far trained over 10,000 non-graduates in vocational skills in 23 states of the federation.