₦airaland Forum

29th January 2023

By Faith Ajayi

Controversial singer and songwriter, Augustine Ahmedu, aka Blackface, has, over the years, accused other artistes of stealing his songs. The first and most high profile case was that between him and his former group mate and friend, Innocent Idibia, aka 2Baba. He had accused 2Baba of ‘stealing’ his song, African Queen, and even though the latter reportedly gave him some financial compensation, the feud between them has lingered for many years.

However, the latest artistes on Blackface’s radar include rave-of-the-moment, Asake, and pop star, Wizkid.

In an interview with Sunday Scoop, he said, “The time I released the songs (that were allegedly stolen) are online. I don’t want to trend; I just want people to stop touching my music without my permission. I am begging them to stop. I cannot be competing with myself. Many of them plan shows, and they intentionally don’t invite me. They should just give me the credit I deserve.”

The singer also stated that he was still giving the people involved some time before escalating the matter. He said, “We have to improve on what we do to get better. Some members of the public don’t take me seriously because they are not the ones that copy my songs. The ones who copy my songs are not finding it funny. I have not taken the cases to court because I’m still giving them benefit of the doubt for them to retrace their steps. If they don’t do so, I will instruct my lawyer to commence legal action against them.”

The singer added that originality and respect were important qualities for any artist to have in order to succeed.

Nigerians and other immigrant students in the United Kingdom currently face a high-risk of deportation after completion of their studies following a row between UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman and the Department of Education.

According to The Daily Mail, Braverman is currently seeking to cut down the amount of time foreign students can stay in the UK after graduation.

The PUNCH reports that currently, immigrants who travel to Britain to study can stay behind two years after graduation.

But the Department for Education is said to be resisting Braverman’s plan to cut that to just six months, after which they have to have a skilled job that makes them eligible for a work visa or leave the UK.

The Daily Mail further stated that the development is the latest twist in a long-running row over foreign student numbers.

“Braverman has committed to cut immigration and ‘substantially reduce’ the number of unskilled foreign workers coming to Britain, from 239,000 to the ‘tens of thousands’.

“As part of that, she wants to reduce the number of international students who can apply for a graduate post-study work visa, which allows any student who has passed their degree to remain and work in the UK for at least two years.

“But education officials fear this will make the UK less attractive to foreign students, who pay far more than UK students for their courses and are a major source of income for universities”, the media house stated.

The PUNCH reports that the UK is one of the choicest destinations for Nigerian students seeking to study overseas.

Recent data released by the home office of the UK revealed that the number of study visas released to Nigerians increased by 222.8 per cent, with 65,929 issued as of June 2022 as against 20,427 in the same period in 2021.

Similarly, Nigerian students and their dependents in the United Kingdom we’re said to have contributed an estimated £1.9 billion to the economy of the UK, according to an analysis by SBM intelligence.

The data which covered the 2021/2022 academic session estimated that a sum of £680,620,000 were reportedly paid as school fees with a total of £54.3m paid in taxes by working spouses of the students.

Back home, Nigeria’s tertiary education sector faces challenges ranging from poor funding, dearth of research and poor welfare for academic and non-academic staff.

A Professor of Mathematics at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Gbolahan Bolarin, notee that the government needs to dedicate more efforts to the funding of tertiary education in the country so as to prevent a total collapse of the sector.

The PUNCH reports that over $680m was released by the Central Bank of Nigeria for foreign education in the first nine months of 2022 alone.

The apex Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has appealed to the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to allow the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to address the people of South-East before the 2023 General Elections.

This was made known by the Secretary-General of the organisation, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.

Isiguzoro said the killings in the South-East would subside if Buhari allows the IPOB leader to address Nigerians.

Speaking on the activities of gunmen linked to Ekpa, the organisation’s Secretary-General reiterated his stance on a plot to destabilise the 2023 elections in the South-East using Ekpa.

According to Isiguzoro, “This madness of sit-at-home and incessant killings and insecurity we are witnessing in the Southeast can be traced to the continuous incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, which Simon Ekpa is taking undue advantage of.

“Ekpa is an opportunist, fame and fortune seeker who saw the window and lapses of Kanu’s detention as an opportunity for him to venture into his journey of amassing wealth from politicians and destroying the people of the South-East.

“The only cure to this madness of Simon Ekpa is a passionate appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to allow the leader of IPOB to address Ndigbo possibly this February before the elections, because there is a grand conspiracy by some external enemies of Ndigbo, and they are using Ekpa to shortchange and ensure that there is an election boycott in the South-East.

“The only cure to this Ekpa’s madness is for Buhari to allow Kanu, even if it’s a five-minute broadcast because Kanu has continued to say through his lawyers that these killings and insecurity in the Southeast should end.

"The activities of unknown gunmen instigated by Ekpa should end, and why there has been no effect on those messages is that the people doubt if those messages are from Nnamdi Kanu.

“So, in order to have a peaceful election, the Federal Government should give Nnamdi Kanu a five-minute broadcast to talk to the people of the Southeast; this would end Ekpa and his madness.”

EXCLUSIVE: Peter Obi may step down for Atiku, as campaign council considers option


BY WALE ADEDAYO

24 JANUARY 2023

Having realised that there is no path to victory in next month general election, the campaign council of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, is already considering how the former Anambra State Governor will step down for Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate.

Exclusive information gathered from top officials of the Peter Obi campaign team is that many of the associates of the Labour Party candidate and advisers have come to the realisation that the coming election is going to be a straight fight between APC and PDP.

Our correspondent gathered that key officers of Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council met on Monday at a top hotel in Abuja where they reviewed the state of their campaign so far and the prospect of Peter Obi following the emerging realities and lack of ground enthusiasm to Peter Obi from his campaign stops in the North and South West.

Peter Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti-Ahmed have been welcome by almost empty stadia at his rallies so far which is a clear indication that his presidential bid lacks steam with real voters. The Labour Party candidate has carried on so far largely based on social media energy of many active young people on Twitter and Facebook.

Another top source who is in the know made it clear that apart from the reality of winning the election hitting home there is serious in-fighting in Obi’s camp where many of the vocal campaign officials are all jostling for relevance and protecting their territories.

At the meeting that took place in Abuja on Monday, our source revealed that Valentine Ozigbo, PDP candidate in last Anambra State Governorship election and Peter Obi’s protege and Ndi Kato, a Spokesperson of the Labour Party Campaign Council agreed that their party and candidate do not have the number to win with a state by state analysis of the electoral map.

The meeting analysed Atiku’s chances and the relationship of the PDP candidate and Peter Obi. The Labour Party candidate was the running mate to Atiku in 2019 Presidential election won by President Muhammadu Buhari and APC.

According to our source: “Peter Obi and his people are planning to align with Atiku in the coming election.

Key officers of Peter Obi’s team met yesterday in Abuja. They were analysing Atiku’s chances. There is some realization in the Obi camp that they can’t win and want to align. They mentioned how North-East will be split, that Sokoto Governor, the Director-General of Atiku’s Campaign Council won by his own second term election with 200 votes and can’t guarantee the state Atiku the votes from Sokoto. For them it is better to work with Atiku to win instead of dissipating South East votes which Obi can get on Igbo sentiments but will not be anywhere near winning the presidential election.”

The also also revealed that Obi’s team postponed the Labour Party rally in Adamawa State which is Atiku’s home state in view of the possible alignment talks between PDP and LP.

On the in-fighting within Obi’s camp, our source said Ndi Kato and Aisha Yesufu, an activist who gained national prominence on the back of the Bring Back Our Girls Campaign and now one of Obi’s main backers don’t see eye to eye. The two women fell out over issues of money.

“Ndi and Aisha Yesufu are having very bad fight over money and some personal stuffs,” our source said.

Members of the Lagos chapter of Yam Dealers and Traders Association of Nigeria have declared their support for presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The yam dealers, in their numbers, led an endorsement rally to the Tinubu-Shettima/Sanwo-Olu-Hamzat Independent Campaign Council (ICC) office in Ikeja GRA, brandishing tubers of yam and their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

The traders were received by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and the ICC Director-General, Mr. Tayo Ayinde.

Kehinde Olaosebikan, chairman of the association, said the rally was a way of conveying the yam traders’ appreciation to the APC Government in Lagos for several interventions, which, he said, had benefited the association’s members greatly.

Dr. Hamzat told the traders that the endorsement rally for the Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu tickets was first leg of their responsibility towards ensuring the success of the candidates at the polls. The second leg, the Deputy Governor said, is to galvanise all their members to vote en mass for APC at the elections.

He urged some of the association members who were yet to get their PVCs to do so within the time window announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the electorate to prepare total

Hamzat said: “The coming general elections are crucial for our party and State. We must show our strength and numbers, because we are not just going to vote; we want to humiliate the opposition parties with a very wide margin. We have over seven million voters in Lagos alone and our target is to deliver five million votes to elect our presidential candidate. By the support we have received from your association, we believe the margin is attainable.

Those contesting against Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu are political clowns who don’t understand anything about governance. We must use our votes to retire them. Tinubu is not only fit to run for president, he is the smartest political personality of this period. He is bold, intelligent and influential. We have a Governor in Lagos who is making positive impact on the lives of citizens. For us continue to see the amazing projects delivered, you must return Sanwo-Olu to power. Your endorsement is a great step, but this must be completed by voting massively for APC.”

The Deputy Governor said APC’s agricultural programmes and policies had raised the level of food security in the country, noting that the Sanwo-Olu administration had recently flagged off the construction of what would be the largest Food Security Systems and Central Logistics Park in sub-Saharan Africa.

What transpired during Tinubu's presidential campaign in Jigawa today (Video, photos)
Presidential election: Moment Tinubu stormed venue to sign Peace Accord (Photos)
Dr. Hamzat said part of the objectives of the food park, being built on 1.2 million square metres of land in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, was to reduce the loss of peasant farmers and petty traders in the value chains.

The food park, he said, is a component of an audacious five-year Agricultural and Food Systems Road Map (2021–2025) launched last year by Gov. Sanwo-Olu to enhance food sufficiency in Lagos.

Ayinde hailed the yam traders for turning out to endorse Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu, stressing that the association’s support for the APC was based on unprecedented growth in food production and security achieved in the sector.

The gesture of the yam traders, he said, would boost the support base of the party in Lagos and increase the APC’s chance in attaining victory at the presidential election.

Ayinde urged the yam traders to mobilise their members into voting all the APC candidates running for legislative seats in the State and federal elections.

Olaosebikan said it was time to pay back Tinubu, whom, he said, was the first Governor in the current republic to create a small business loan scheme for petty enterprises in the informal economy.

The yam traders’ association chairman recalled how Sanwo-Olu came through for the yam sellers when they were threatened with ejection from their depot located around Berger axis. The Governor, Olaosebikan said, had not only protected their interests, but has also sustained the loan programme for petty traders.

He said: “We have embarked on this endorsement rally in support of our father, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who saw our plights and rescued many of us from the grip of despair. Many of us could not own shops, much less stocking them with yams. Tinubu initiated a loan programme from which many of our members benefited. Some used the money to start businesses, which are still flourishing till today.

“This is a pay back time for the man who helped us. We are not in doubt that APC Government has done its best in supporting farmers and bringing about best policies to assist us. Sanwo-Olu has sustained the small business loan and we have members still benefiting from this scheme.” We are here with our PVCs to show that we have the numbers and strength to return APC to power in Lagos and at the federal level.”

REVEALED: Traditional rulers, indigenes connived with kidnappers on Igueben train station attack

January 21, 2023

By Evelyn Usman

There have been startling revelations on how armed kidnappers found their way into the Tom Ikimi train station in Igueben, Edo State, on January 7, 2023, abducting some passengers and two members of staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

This followed allegations that some youths in Esan land were paid N20,000 each and given cows to allow the kidnappers who posed as herders, access into their forests.

Also, some traditional rulers in the area were alleged to be aware of the operation of the kidnappers before they struck.

Already, the Police in Edo State have swung into action , with the arrest of some traditional rulers and youths in communities around the railway .

The connivance

Crime Guard reliably gathered that some members of Vigilante groups and hunters are also informants to these kidnappers. This was confirmed by some of the rescued victims who spoke to Crime Guard on the condition of anonymity.

One of 12 victims earlier rescued said, “ They were six armed men. They announced their presence with sporadic shootings. I was to travel by train to Warri, Delta State to see my ailing father.

Immediately they came, they started firing. The Abuja-Kaduna train attack incident came to my memory and I concluded that my end had come. “When they kidnapped us, we walked about six hours into the forest , before arriving at one of the camps, which they (kidnappers) referred to as a cell.

“While we were there, we were moved to different places because our captors were informed that the Police and Army were combing the forest for us. I understand the Hausa dialect very well and I overheard them saying one of the vigilantes told them that the Special Force would strike very early in the morning . The second time they said they (Special Force) were in the forest and that they had identified one of the camps. This second information was brought by a vigilante, while the third informant was a hunter.

“ I also heard them say they would ask one of their informants to escort them to the Delta State side of the forest where they would keep us, if security agents disturbed them further”.

Change of plan

When it became obvious that there was a mole among the rescue operators, Crime Guard reliably gathered that operatives of the Edo State Intelligence Surveillance Team with other security agencies embarked on a rescue mission on January 14,2023, without hunters and members of the vigilante group who were assumed to be conversant with the forest terrain. It was 9 pm.

Coincidentally, the kidnappers were taking four victims whose families had paid for ransom, to a designated point , from where their relatives would pick them.

Meanwhile, Crime Guard gathered that relatives of the victims were directed by the kidnappers to wait far away from where they would drop the freed persons: a male and two females.

Confusion

Then, all of a sudden , the operatives opened fire from their General Multipurpose Machine Guns , jolting the kidnappers . One of the rescued victims said , a voice , supposedly from the leader of the Police team, was heard shouting “ move to the road side and lie flat, else , you will be killed”.

However, the operatives were careful not to fire at them in order not to shoot at the kidnapped victims. The kidnappers were said to have run to the Igueben Amodekian Uromi on the Ugboha Uromi road , only to discover that they were surrounded

In the confusion, Crime Guard gathered that the kidnappers used the Railway Station Manager and another victim as shield and fled into the forest, while others were forced to leave the rest victims, from where they were picked by the operatives and taken to the Police Hospital Cottage in the Government Reserved Area , Benin City , for medical attention and rehabilitation.

The twelve rescued captives who hail from Edo, Delta, Imo and Kogi states, comprised seven females and five males among who was a teenager. They were : Julius Iyore, 25; Mowoe Marian, 42; Egwuje Precious, 28; Ann Benson ,42; Emmanuel Esieba , 67; Favour Ulugo, 18; Obehi Enaibre ,39; Christian Iyere , 33; Awolotu- Smart Faith,23; Eunice’ Esiabe , 56; Ehimena Akhere and Aguilera Beatrice.

One of the rescued victims, Julius Iyore , was discovered to have earlier been kidnapped by the same gang . He was released after 15 days in the kidnappers den , after an unspecified amount was paid as ransom

The threat

Back in their safe haven in the forest, the kidnappers put a call to families of the remaining two victims with them, accusing them of alerting the Police.

A relative of one of them said, “ They told us we would pay for the ransom they did not get from those rescued by the Police. We were negotiating for N2 million , initially. But they increased it to N20 million”.

The heat

Not done, the operatives were said to have further combed the vast forest which was discovered to link communities like Amudokhuen, Ugboha, Ilushu, Udo and Ekpoma , all in Edo State , as well as Delta and Kogi states.

Unable to withstand the heat of the operatives, the kidnappers were said to have released the railway station manager and another passenger few days after the 12 others were released.

One of them was reportedly found in Ewu area of the state.

Governor Obaseki blows hot

During his visit to the Police Cottage hospital in Benin City where the rescued victims were receiving treatment, Governor Godwin Obaseki said , “We have information that some traditional rulers in that area do not obey and respect government decision to discourage open grazing by herders in their forests.

“I have instructed that those traditional rulers should be investigated and anyone found to be harbouring the criminal herders will have questions to answer because that was what led to this incident. Communities that obeyed don’t have such incidents in their domain”.

While he applauded the security agents in the state for proving themselves to be formidable , he however frowned at the deployment of only one policeman at the train station, considering the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, last year.

Anambra sextuplets: Residents carpet Obi, Ekwunife, Uba, others for abandoning couple

Anambra State residents have chided the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi for his alleged non-challant attitude to the plight of the family whose member was delivered of a set of sextuplets.
The Obijackson Women and Children’s Hospital in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area where the sextuplets were delivered have threatened to stop medication if the family fails to cough out N19 million.

Many residents are of the opinion that public spirited people like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Femi Otedola would have come to the family’s aide if the babies were delivered in the Southwest part of the country.

They also flayed other notable politicians like Senator Uche Ekwunife, Hon. Chris Azubogu, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Chief Chris Uba and Senator Andy Uba, among others, for failing to show concern for the babies and their mother.

Chika, a trader, who spoke with our correspondent on Friday, expressed her anger with Prince Arthur Eze, who she said was in the habit of doling out money to politicians but decided to keep quiet in respect of the bundles of joy.

She said: “Imagine all the appeals that have been made but these selfish people would not come to the rescue of the poor couple. They will later come around to look for people that would vote for them during elections

“Ekwunife, Ubah and Azubogu will be sharing wrappers or what looks like one cup of rice for people to vote for them, but they would not render help in this matter.”

Another resident, Mr Jideofor Okeke, said it was disheartening watching so called billionaires like Peter Obi canvassing for votes without looking the way of the couple delivered of seven babies.

“Yet some people are campaigning for him because he wants to be President. Is that not how he will abandon the people if elected?

“He will travel to Kenya, Botswana, Mauritania and Jamaica to donate millions of dollars, but to help the poor people here, he and his cohorts will not,” Okeke said

Mrs Ngozi Uzodike, a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, was last Sunday delivered of a set of sextuplets.

Our correspondent gathered that some individual donations ranging between N5,000 and N20,000 had been received by the family since the news of the newborn babies broke, but the sum so far realised was still a far cry from the sum needed.

Ngozi’s husband, Mr Celestine Uzodike, told The Nation that his only regret was that his wife had not been paid since she was engaged at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in 2020.

He appealed to the federal and state governments, corporate organisations and individuals to come to their aid, adding that they had already lost one of the babies.

He commended the management of the hospital for taking good care of his wife and the surviving babies, adding that with God on their side, they would raise the needed amount.

The Healthcare Manager of the hospital, Chika Ndu -Okonkwo, told The Nation that the huge sum was needed because of oxygen.

She said although it is not easy to take care of the babies, the hospital would do everything it can to keep them alive.

She said each of the babies would stay up to eight weeks in the hospital and each of the babies would gulp around three million naira, adding that they weighed only 1KG each.

Ndu -Okonkwo, said that it was the time those who had money in the State and government should step in and save the lives of the children, adding that everything was not politics

It was learnt Friday, that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in the State, through it’s Commissioner, Ify Obinabo, had reached the couple, assuring them of assistance.

A group of traders in Anambra has expressed concern over the activities of illegal revenue collectors in different parts of Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra.

The group, operating under the aegis of the Concerned Anambra Traders’ Association, made the remark at a news briefing in Onitsha on Wednesday.

The group’s Chairman, Mr Gabriel Okeke, described the extortion of Onitsha traders allegedly by touts as condemnable and unacceptable.

Okeke regretted that holidaymakers and travellers passing through Onitsha and its environs were being subjected to harassment, assault and extortion on a daily basis by touts on the road.

“The touts, who have returned to the state after their sack by Gov. Charles Soludo, openly stationed themselves at some strategic areas of Onitsha.

Okeke listed the areas to include the Upper Iweka axis, Bida Road, Nkpor Junction, St. Anthony Church on the Old Road and Owerri Road.

Others are Iweka (down flyover), Ugwu Nwasike Junction, Building Material Market, Bridgehead, amongst others.

He said that the touts were operating with audacity without the fear of arrest by security agencies.

As Nigerians join other Christian faithful globally to celebrate this year’s Christmas, President Muhammadu Buhari has implored the citizens to vote for a candidate that would sustain his legacy by maintaining the momentum his administration has created for the greater good of the country in the 2023 polls.

He said the advances his administration has made so far on the economic front, especially in infrastructure, food security, anti-corruption, security, energy sufficiency, among others, will need to be built on.

In his Christmas message to Nigerians, the president said the 2023 general election is an opportunity for Nigeria to show the world that it has consolidated on its democratic principles.

He expressed hope that the peace and joy of the Christmas season will continue to the elections and beyond.

Buhari said, “This joyous season has coincided with the period of campaigns to usher in a new administration. I urge you to be circumspect and vote for those that will maintain the momentum we have created for the greater good of the country.

“It is another opportunity to show the rest of the world that Nigeria is indeed ready to consolidate its democratic credentials as has been noted in international circles.

“Let the peace and joy that pervade this period continue well into the new year up to the elections in February and beyond.”

President Buhari also assured Nigerians that those who violently seek to disrupt the peace of the nation have lost the battle.

“Our country is blessed with a wealth of human and material resources. Let’s celebrate our blessings this season with the trust that a better dawn awaits Nigeria.

“I heartily rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters on the occasion of this year’s Christmas,” he stated.

The president added that many Nigerians look forward to the festive season as a time to travel, share gifts, spend quality time with family and friends, attend special carols and events, and generally relive the good moments of the year.

As such, he said, “In whatever circumstances we find ourselves, Buhari said Christmas is a period when we come together to rejoice and set aside our differences.

“For me and my family, this year’s celebration is unique. It is my last as your elected President. Twenty-two weeks from now, this administration will hand over to another.

“In the last seven years, I have had the privilege of receiving members of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) community on Christmas homage, except the year the COVID-19 pandemic denied us that opportunity. I will fondly remember them as my benevolent landlords and friendly neighbours.

“It is crucial that I remember this about my closest neighbours because there is no better way for us to celebrate Christmas as a people than showing genuine love, care, compassion and empathy for one another.

“We must never lose sight of the symbiotic relationship between Christmas and hope; Jesus Christ and humility, Christianity and grace.

In this season of love, joy and peace, let us not fail to remember those who really wish to celebrate but are constrained in one way or the other by reaching out to them.

“Together we can make this celebration a spectacular one by renewing our pledge and common resolve to work for the unity and prosperity of our dear country.”

The president pledged that until his last day in office, he will continue to provide political and material support to sub-national governments, the Armed Forces, institutions and individuals working wholeheartedly for the peace, unity, stability and progress of Nigeria.

Let’s Move Nigeria Forward, Says Tinubu

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urged Nigerians to join him in moving the country forward irrespective of political affiliation.

In a Christmas message he personally signed, Tinubu prayed that the hope symbolised by the season of celebration will herald renewed hope in Nigeria the citizens have been dreaming of.

The former Lagos governor said, “On this special day, I stretch forth my hand in fraternal affection and great joy to Christians and all who join in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

“On this special day, I stretch forth my hand in fraternal affection and great joy to Christians and all who join in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Christmas is a period of spiritual uplift as both Christians and non-Christians are moved to reflect upon God’s love for mankind and what, truly, it means to love your God, your neighbour and yourself.

“Thus, I say merry Christmas to the farmer, the student, the labourer, the artisan, the professional, the entertainer, the teacher, the police officer, the market women, the soldier and to all Nigerians.

“I also extend my wishes for a good and happy Christmas to my political opponents. No matter our political differences, we are all Nigerians and we must move this nation forward. Thus, let the hope symbolised by this season of celebration also herald our renewed hope in the Nigeria of our dreams.

“May the joy and great gift of this Christmas be the renewed hope that we can and will forge a better Nigeria with the help and guidance of Almighty God above.”

You Won’t Spend Next Christmas On Petrol Queues, Atiku Tells Citizens

On his part, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, assured that Nigerians will not spend their next Christmas queuing for petrol at filling stations if he wins the 2023 presidential election.

Atiku, in his Christmas message signed by his special assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, also said the APC administration has set a new record of the longest petrol scarcity in the history of Nigeria.

The PDP candidate recalled that the petrol scarcity started in January 2022 on account of the importation of dirty petrol high in methanol.

He noted: “With the fuel scarcity now continuing till December, the government has run out of excuses even as most Nigerians are now at the mercy of black marketers who sell petrol as high as N500 per litre. The NNPC which is the sole importer of petrol has failed to live up to its duties, clear evidence that its privatisation is merely cosmetic.

“But the biggest culprit in this mess is President Muhammadu Buhari who is the minister of petroleum. It is saddening that he has failed to bring succour to Nigerians who are suffering from the worsening inflation, unemployment and insecurity.”

He alleged that the APC which is running for a third term through the person of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now promising renewed hope after dashing the hopes of millions of Nigerians for the last eight years.

“It is exasperating that Tinubu is promising to remove petrol subsidy when his party has retained it for the last seven years and spent billions of dollars subsidising criminality. It is obvious that Tinubu’s statement is an indictment on Buhari.

“Nigerians have suffered too much in these last seven years. A country which has been unable to meet its OPEC quota at a time of oil boom is now witnessing an unprecedented petrol scarcity that has brought economic activities to its knees across the country.

“Atiku Abubakar hereby promises Nigerians that this will be their last Christmas that will be spent at a filling station queuing for petrol. Voting APC in February will be a reinforcement of failure which could push Nigeria into an existential crisis. To Nigerians, we say the ability to change your destiny lies in your hands. Merry Christmas,” he said.

Governors, SGF, CAN, Others Preach Peace, Unity

Meanwhile, as Christians join their counterpart the world over to celebrate this year’s Christmas, state governors, secretary to government of the federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and others have implored Nigerians to maintain peace and unity across the country.

Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, charged Christian faithful to use the period to pray for the state and the country against socio-economic and security challenges.

In a message of felicitation released by his director general of Press Affairs, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor enjoined the Christians to sustain their abiding faith in God and maintain peace, unity and virtues that promote the progress of the state and the country.

Governor Inuwa charged them to rededicate themselves and remain steadfast in prayers, which he said have an immense impact on the peace, unity and stability of the society.

He said, “On this significant occasion of Christmas, I extend my best wishes to the Christian community and all citizens of the country. This period reminds us of the need to uphold the virtues of love, selflessness and tolerance.

“I call on all of us, to reflect on the lessons of the season which presents an opportunity to love and to share”.

Assuring of his administration’s commitment to continue to initiate and execute policies and programmes that will promote unity and peaceful coexistence, the governor urged the people to also use the period to pray for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

Also, Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, charged Christians to use the opportunity of the Christmas celebration to reaffirm their love and compassion towards one another.

Ayade urged them to reflect on the import of the birth of the saviour, Jesus Christ, and its redemptive hope to billions of Christians around the world and reignite the flame of love exemplified in Christ’s birth.

In a special goodwill message signed by his special adviser on Media, Barrister Christian Ita, Governor Ayade asked Christians to rededicate themselves to the values of love, peace, sacrifice and tolerance as necessary ingredients for a peaceful coexistence.

“Christmas underpins the redemptive role of Christ to mankind, just as it stresses the pivotal place of sacrifice, necessary for peaceful and harmonious world. So, as Christians, we must remind ourselves that love is the first requirement for a better and peaceful world,” he stated

Governor Ayade maintained that Nigeria was now at that bend when love was needed as a balm to heal and bind us as a people.

Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, also felicitated with Christians in Kogi State and around the world on the Christmas celebrations, saying as the season signifies the coming of hope for mankind, citizens should remain positive.

He urged them to believe that the current distress which has persisted among the nations of the world and which is also being felt acutely in Nigeria would soon ease.

In a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Onogwu Mohammed, the governor urged citizens to emulate God’s love for mankind by replicating the same to their neighbours during this season through acts of generosity towards the less-privileged citizens.

Governor Bello also noted that the holiday was perfect for spending quality time with family, friends and loved ones.

On his part, Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, congratulated Nigerians, especially Christian faithful, as they celebrate this year’s Christmas, urging them to celebrate in moderation and reach out to the less privileged.

The governor added that the season is another opportunity to show gratitude to God for the outgoing year and pray for a more prosperous new year, especially as the country prepares for the 2023 general elections.

Governor Oyebanji, in a goodwill message, signed by his special adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, urged Christians in the state and Nigeria at large to embrace peace, love, harmony and tolerance in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ now and beyond the yuletide season.

He said, “Christmas explains the depth of God’s love for mankind and exemplary sacrifice that we should emulate in our daily relationship with our neighbours. It avails us an opportunity to increase and spread our acts of kindness and touch the less privileged in our society. This Christmas, therefore, means so much more than just mere festivity but an avenue to share love with the less privileged in the society”.

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, called on Christians to reflect on the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ as they celebrate the 2022 Christmas.

The governor, in a Christmas message, observed that love, compassion, sacrifice, selflessness, and forgiveness among others are the hallmarks of Christmas celebrations.

He enjoined the people to appropriate the love and hope that comes with Christmas and reinvest trust in his administration’s determination and unwavering commitment to restoring peace, security, and prosperity to the State.

“I celebrate with all Christians on this joyous occasion of commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Love, compassion, sacrifice, selflessness, and forgiveness are the basis for the celebration so I urge all Nigerlites to use this period to reflect and practice these principles for a better society”, he said.

For his part, secretary to government of the federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, felicitated with Christians, describing Christmas as the manifestation of God’s greatest love to redeem and reconcile mankind through the birth of Jesus Christ.

The SGF in a statement by his media office urged Christ’s followers to embrace and internalize the teachings of Jesus Christ as exemplified in the display of love, humility, forgiveness, generosity and above all continuous reflection on God’s superlative qualities.

Mustapha further urged Christians to use the holidays to collect their PVC’s while intensifying prayers towards the success of next year’s general election in the country.

He prayed for peace and harmonious co-existence between individuals, communities and ethnic groups, and enjoined all Nigerians to eschew divisive tendencies and bigotry.

Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) called on political leaders, especially those jostling for the presidency in 2023, to use the Christmas season to reflect on the words of Jesus Christ to be prepared to ensure justice by insisting that the resources and positions in governance are shared equitably among people of all regions and tribes.

CAN president, Daniel Okoh, in his Christmas message, said equitable distribution of positions will help Nigerians to harness the abundance of potential in their country for national development.

Okoh lamented that Nigerians are celebrating Christmas amidst uncertainty, fear, untold suffering, hardship, and pain in the face of a harsh economy, record inflation figures, worsening poverty situation, and a weakened security system due to bad governance.

He said that this precarious situation in the country can be likened to the sufferings, helplessness, and hopelessness of the Israelites as a result of the decisions of their leaders to forsake God and pursue after their bellies which they have made into gods through greed, selfishness, and blatant corruption.

“Nevertheless, the message of Christmas informs us that God will not abandon us, rather, He will continue to intervene in the affairs of mankind through Jesus Christ, the Messiah He sent to save the world.

“We should resist the temptation to speak the language of despair and division over our lives and our nation. Let the story of Christmas inspire us to speak the language of peace to our neighbours regardless of differences in religion, ethnicity, or political leanings,” he said.

Similarly, the PDP urged Nigerians not to succumb to misery in spite of the hardship and agony they face under the APC administration.

The opposition party however charged Nigerians to use the occasion of Christmas, the celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ, to strengthen their hope for a brighter future for the nation.

The PDP, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said it is saddened that millions of Nigerians cannot afford the necessities to celebrate.

He said many Nigerians could not travel to meet with their loved ones due to economic hardship and those who did are facing harrowing life-discounting experiences, “with several families stranded on the highways on account of dilapidated roads and worsening insecurity under the suffocating APC government.

“It is distressing that while people in other parts of the world where governments care for citizens, are celebrating with joy, Nigerians are marking Christmas in utter despondency under the APC and its corrupt leaders”, the party added.

The opposition party urged Nigerians not to lose hope but use the occasion of Christmas, “to rekindle their resolve for a new dawn under a purposeful, caring and affectionate PDP leadership, come May 29, 2023.”

Kwara APC Felicitates With Christians, Offers Assurances Of Greater 2023

Also, immediate past governor of Ekiti State and president of the Forum of the Regions of Africa (FORAF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, wished Nigerians peaceful and joyous Christmas celebrations, that typify the birth of Jesus Christ.

In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja, Fayemi said, “As we celebrate, I urge Nigerians to use this season to show love, to help the needy and the sick. Nothing demonstrates the true spirit and essence of Christmas more than helping those less fortunate than ourselves. That is the example of Christ and what he would expect from us today.’’

CHAIRMAN of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has warned those agitating for Oodua Nation to perish the thought, saying many lives have been laid down for the unity of the country.

Akeredolu stated this on Friday in Akure at the flag-off of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, warned that states in the South-West would not allow any agitation that could scuttle the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes.

The governor stated that a repeat of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the south-eastern part of the country would not be tolerated in Yorubaland, declaring that no sit-at-home order would be tolerated in any state in the region.

He said: “Those clamouring for Oodua Nation will not succeed. People have not laid down their lives for this coun- try for unscrupulous individu- als to scuttle it. This country is very important to some of us.

“We recognise the right of the people to protest or agi- tate. But if the police feel your actions are treasonable, they will arrest and prosecute you.

“It is not at this stage in the history of this country that we will repeat IPOB in Yorubal- and. Opportunity beacons at us. We cannot afford to throw away that opportunity.

“We must work to ensure that there is power shift. The opportunity for presidency to come to the south, especially the Southwest, is around the corner.

“We will not sit down and support anyone clamouring for Oodua nation. We will not support it. We have fought for this with everything we had. Nigeria will be good.

“The security agencies will checkmate these unscrupu- lous enemies embarking on such frivolous activities.

“We have responsibilities now to soberly reflect on the plight of those who have laid down their lives and those who are still laying down their lives for the unity and peace of this country.”

Akeredolu saluted the self- less service of the heroes who laid down their lives in wars and peacekeeping missions around the world and those currently serving, day and night, to guarantee the peace and unity of the country.

According to the governor, special recognition must be accorded the gallant military men who have been involved in the war against all forms of terrorist activities in the North East, North-West and other parts of the country and who have, in the process, paid the supreme sacrifice.

He reiterated that his admin- istration will continue to work with governmental and non- governmental organisations, as well as officers and men of the Armed Forces and the Le- gion to ensure improved wel- fare for legionnaires, widows and dependants of departed ones in the state.

He commended the Nigerian Legion for their steadfastness, perseverance and exemplary conducts as they continue to contribute to the growth and development of the country, particularly in the area of security.

The governor disclosed that the current posture of the enemies of the country, which has cost the nation the lives of “many of our gallant sol- diers, is highly condemnable,” stressing that the sustained effort of the officers and men has checked the threat by “the unscrupulous elements.”

He said: “Without the sac- rifice and commitment of these officers and men of the Armed Forces, it would have been a matter of time before the whole country is overrun.
“The month-long Armed Forces Remembrance Day cel- ebration is, therefore, a golden opportunity for government and the society at large to em- pathise and associate with wid-ows and relations of our fallen heroes, especially those that were cut down in their prime.

“The onus is on us to soberly reflect on the plight of these categories of people and re- solve to ensure that they live socially acceptable lives.

“It should be noted that the major reason for the Emblem Appeal Fund is to provide financial and material sup- port to families of the fallen heroes as well as veterans who survived various military operations with some sustain- ing varying degrees of injuries that had rendered them inca- pacitated.

“There is nothing too good or too much that we can offer that could replace the precious lives lost or remedy the deprivations and untold hardship suffered by the de- pendants of these heroes.”

RECEIVING INT'L REMITTANCES

Household, %
1 �Edo — 25.3%
2 �Oyo — 14.2%
3 �Imo — 12.9%
4 �Ogun — 11.9%
5 �Lagos — 11.5%
6 �Ondo — 9.4%
7 �Delta — 9.3%
8 �Ekiti — 8.7%
9 �Abia — 7.3%
10 �Osun — 6.3%

�South East �South South �South West

#StatiSense
(NLSS, 2018/19)

15th December 2022

By Christopher Oji

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has arrested a fake traffic officer around the Lekki area of the state. The suspect has confessed that he was making an average of N40,000 daily.

In a statement by Director, Public Affairs Department of LASTMA Mr. Adebayo Taofiq quoted the General Manager Mr. Bolaji Oreagba who confirmed that the suspect was nabbed by the Agency’s patrol team while on duty monitoring and controlling traffic around the Lekki axis.

“Priliminary investigations conducted by the Agency revealed that the suspect belonged to a criminal gang that has been extorting huge sum of money from innocent motorists apprehended for various traffic offences ranging from seat-belt, obstructions, illegal over-taking, and One-way at different locations of the State.

According to Mr. Oreagba, “the suspect was apprehended after our patrol team sighted him fully kitted with LASTMA uniform on a black jean collecting money from different commercial bus drivers who were illegally dropping and picking passengers under the Lekki bridge.

“It is disheartening to see some unscrupulous elements impersonating as LASTMA Officials and extorting money from innocent motorists thereby denting the good image of the Agency before the public”.

Mr.Oreagba urged motorists to be wary of fake officers demanding money from them stating that the Agency operates a cashless policy as any violators apprehended are charged to court with a ‘Referral Notice’
He, however,warned impersonators to desist from such illegal acts as more surveillance personnel have been deployed to strategic locations to hunt for those extorting innocent motorists.

The suspect, David Oluchkwu,27, allegedly confessed to have been impersonating as a LASTMA official and extorting money from different motorists ,particularly commercial bus drivers apprehended for violating traffic laws across the State.

Mr. Oluchkwu who hailed from Anambra State confessed further to be making an average of N40,000 everyday from the illegal traffic business.

“Any motorists I caught driving against traffic (One-way) paid a minimum of N50,000 while other traffic violators were charged different fines”.

The suspect with no any fixed address,however appealed to the government to temper justice with mercy.
Meanwhile, the Director, Legal Department LATSMA Barr. Akerele Kehinde,said that the suspect would be charged to court today (Thursday, 15th of December, 2022) in accordance with the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.

Some unidentified gunmen have allegedly attacked a maternity hospital in Nkpologwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, taking away four newborn babies.

The motive for the attack has not yet being ascertained, but a source in the area confirmed the incident to journalists on Wednesday.

Although, details of the incident are still sketchy, the source in the community disclosed that the incident happened late on Tuesday but was made known to members of the community on Wednesday.

The source said, “It happened in our community on Tuesday night and people have been discussing it since Wednesday morning. They said some gunmen stormed the hospital (name withheld) and took away four babies from the hospital.

“From the information we got from the residents around the community, no one was injured, and no one was killed in the attack too. The motive for the invasion of the hospital is not known to anyone.

“Some people said they could have taken the babies to sell them to childless individuals, but others are saying it could be for ritual purposes.”

When contacted, the Anambra State Police spokesman, DSP said the command was not aware of the incident yet but would make enquiries and get back.

Ikenga said, “I don’t have such report before me now but I will make findings and get back please.”

ANAMBRA State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has urged the church to confront the common enemy of idolatry which he described as the fastest growing religion in the state.

Speaking at a religious function in Onitsha, Soludo said he had declared war on criminals, their shrines and priests and burnt down their idols since he became the governor of the state.

The governor said: “They can come with whatever they want to, but with the bible in our right hand, we shall prevail.

“Anambra is in the hands of God, but we must continue to pray, to take back our state from criminals, touts and lawlessness.

“Idolatry is the fastest growing religion in the state and we must not take it for granted.

“If we bond together, we will survive collectively, but if we go separately, we will die separately. This land is our own, we must not give up on this”.

Describing Anambra as God’s own state, Soludo said there is need for all denominations to unite as one body in Christ, adding that denomination is merely a mode of worship, faith and dogma.

On his eight months in office, the governor observed that while many governments usually grapple with setting up their cabinets, his administration could account for what it had achieved everyday within the period.

He also vowed that the issue of insecurity would not disappear overnight, expressing optimism that steady and surely, his administration will restore peace and tranquillity to the land.

“Our benchmark actually is that in our first 24 months, we will be able to deliver over 230Km of roads and the quality of roads we are delivering have never been seen in the state before,” he said.

Soludo assured the people of the state that he remained committed to identifying with all genuine religious groups and appoint people based on merit.

“Coincidentally, our Commissioner for Works was selected on the basis of his competence and integrity. He also happens to be a Pentecostal.

“I have known him for years, but never knew if he was a Christian or not. When I was selecting him, I had no idea of his religion. It was later I discovered he was a Pentecostal.

“Our main aim is to get people who would deliver- a round peg in a round hole.

“Let us all be the change that we want to see. Anambra will continue to rise,” Soludo added.

November 29, 2022

By Elizabeth Osayande

The Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Internal Revenue Service, Dr, Nimibofa Ayawei, yesterday said only Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna states generate internal revenue, otherwise known as Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, above allocation received from the Federal Account Allocation Commission, FAAC.

Dr Ayawei who disclosed this at the 47th induction ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, noted that the other states solely depend on FAAC to meet their responsibilities to their citizens, stressing the states need to do more to boost IGR.

The guest lecturer among others, said: “We all know that the major sources of revenue to states have been from Federal Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, and Internal Generated Revenue, IGR. Generally, government has the responsibility to provide infrastructures, security, health, and education. Each tier of government meeting these responsibilities are subject to availability of resources, which require revenue. Incidentally, the number one source of revenue in the state is dwindling.

“We get more money from FAAC, and the basis of FAAC is oil. FAAC is almost becoming a spent-thrift. Therefore, the need to look inwards becomes necessary, which is IGR. Enhancing and sustaining IGR has been a major task for the states. There is always need to bridge the gap between revenue resources and budgetary by boosting IGRs at state levels.

"If you look at the figures of Nigerian governors’ forum, only about three states are able to generate IGR more than their FAAC allocations. These include Lagos, N554billion as against N253bilion from FAAC, Ogun State, N100billion as against N1.6billion from FAAC, and Kaduna N89 billion as against N79 billion from FAAC. All the other states rely heavily on FAAC. While IGR become the panacea to infrastructural development and funding of public services, the challenges behove on tax collections by the states.

“Bridging the gap involves looking at these areas. The most important untapped area is the informal sector. It is very large but is not taxed. So, looking inwards will involve looking at the informal sector which requires enlightenment on the part of tax practitioners. There are also many rich people in Nigeria who are not paying adequate taxes. Imagine somebody who buys a G-wagon, and pays tax of N35, 000 a year or even N200, 000 a year. You know that something is wrong somewhere.

Earlier, CITN President, Mr. Adesina Adedayo, in his welcome address, said “It is a given that, taxation in the 21st Century 4th Industrial Revolution era has transformed significantly. The digital economy has grown dramatically worldwide, leading to the growth in e-commerce and online transactions. Despite the advantages linked to the expansion of the digital economy, several challenges have also originated. In the midst of this challenges, tax implications of the digitalised economy are perhaps the most urgent that bedevils revenue authorities, policymakers of governments, international organisations and tax professionals.

November 28, 2022

Soni Daniel, Abuja

The Nigerian government on Monday morning issued a travel adviroy to its citizens travelling to the United States and Europe.

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said at a news conference in Abuja that the advisory was prompted by attack on Nigerians in London and the stealing of their belongings, including passports.

Muhammed said, “It has come to the attention of the government that Nigerian travelers to the United States and some countries in Europe are having their belongings, especially, money and international passports, stolen at an increasingly high rate.

“The most recent victims of this are travelers to the UK, most of whom were dispossessed of their belongings at high brow shops, particularly in the high street of Oxford.

“We have therefore decided to advise Nigerians travelling to Europe and the United States to take extra precaution to avoid being dispossessed of their belongings.

“This is not your typical travel advisory. Issuing such is the prerogative of our embassies/high commissions as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is merely a piece of advice to Nigerians who may be visiting the affected parts of the world,” the minister said.

November 26, 2022

By Biodun Busari

A mega furniture company, United Furniture Industries (UFI) in North Carolina, Mississippi and California have sacked about 2,700 members of its staff, New York Post reports.

The workers received their sack messages via texts and emails early Wednesday morning before they could prepare for the day’s job.

UFI which makes budget-friendly sofas and loungers for Simmons Upholstery left thousands of employees including truck drivers and factory workers in these three US cities unemployed just two days before Thanksgiving.

The company revealed that the unforeseen business circumstances were a reason for the decision of laying off nearly 3000 workers in a day.

“At the instruction of the board of directors…we regret to inform you that due to unforeseen business circumstances, the company has been forced to make the difficult decision to terminate the employment of all its employees, effective immediately, on November 21,” UFI said in messages to employees.

“With the exception of over-the-road drivers that are out on delivery. Your layoff from the company is expected to be permanent and all benefits will be terminated immediately without provision of COBRA.”

The NYP reported that drivers were told they would be paid for the remainder of the week and that they should immediately “return equipment, inventory and delivery documents.”

Meanwhile, a UFI truck driver was arrested in Monroe County, Mississippi, on the notion of taking furniture off of a truck after he was laid off by the company.

Justice O.A. Okunuga of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Tope Peter Obi to one-year imprisonment for possession of fraudulent documents.

A statement released by the EFCC says the convict was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents, an offence contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.


The count reads;

That you, Tope Peter Obi, sometime on the 8th day of July, 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession documents wherein you fraudulently represented yourself as Chris Lane, an American to one Hewitt, a representation of which from the circumstance of this case you knew or reasonably ought to know to be false."

He pleaded "guilty" to the one-count charge.

In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, G.C. Akaogu, gave a review of the facts, detailing how intelligence reports had linked the defendant to the alleged crime, upon which he was arrested and subjected to further investigation.

The statements of the defendant and the items recovered from him were also tendered in evidence by the prosecution.

Following the guilty plea of the defendant and the evidence presented before the court, the trial Judge found him guilty as charged.

The defence counsel, Bisola Oshundunmade, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.


After reviewing all the evidence and submissions of both parties, Justice Okunuga sentenced the defendant to one-year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N500,000.

Items recovered from him, including iPhone X, were forfeited to the Federal Government.

The defendant was also ordered to sign an undertaking with the EFCC to be of good behaviour and never to engage in any form of economic and financial crimes within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has uneveiled his agenda to the leadership of the socio-political group, New Afenifere, in Lagos, seeking its support ahead of the 2023 presidential election scheduled to hold in February.

Kwankwaso sought the support when he met the leadership at a strategic meeting on Sunday at Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

Recall that Afenifere was formed as a socio-cultural organization for the Yoruba people of Nigeria, with Chief Abraham Adesanya as its pioneer leader and Chief Bola Ige as deputy leader.

Other founding members were Pa Onasanya, Reuben Fasoranti, Adegbonmire, Okurounmu Femi, Ganiyu Dawodu, Olanihun Ajayi, Olu Falae, Adebayo Adefarati, Alhaji Adeyemo and Ayo Adebanjo.

When the Alliance for Democracy, AD, political party was formed in 1998, it took the Afenifere agenda as its official manifesto.

Earlier in 2022, Afenifere led by Pa Ayo Adebanjo, endorsed the candidature of the presidential standard-bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, saying it was based on national interest and the decision remains sacrosanct.

Subsequently, the topmost leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Reuben Fasoranti, declared that the group had never endorsed Obi for the 2023 presidential election as its preferred candidate.

Fasoranti stated this when he blessed and endorsed All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu for the elections when the latter paid him a visit at his Akure residence, Ondo State, recently.


Kwankwaso
Meanwhile, while unveiling his agenda before the group, the NNPP presidential candidate promised to run an inclusive governance, stressing that his party would salvage the country from the challenges bedevelling it.

According Kwankwaso: “Let me on behalf of the members of our party, NNPP, thank the leadership of the new Afenifere for finding us worthy of this endorsement.

“I am not suprised that these young men have decided to endorse us because even in Kano, North West, South, we have young men and women who are supporting this course.

“I believe NNPP is for the young people, world and everybody, so I want to thank you for the foresight and for doing the right.

“And I want to assure you that our party will carry each and everyone you along at national level , zone, state and even at grassroots.

“Everybody knows where we are today in this country.

“The two parties have failed in our opinion. PDP was the first to fail, then we thought another progressive party in the name of APC will save this country.

“But many people are of the opinion that even PDP was better than the APC because of where we have found ourselves in term of security, economy, dilapidated infrastructure and so on.

“Our young men cannot go to school, either because of the strike, insecurity or money to buy forms or to maintain themselves in schools.

“But our party has come out to ensure that every child have access to education, not minding the economic status.”

Afenifere
Earlier, the Coordinator of New Afenifere, Ajibade Adeyeye stressed that his group has chosen to identify with the NNPP presidential candidate because of his track record.

According to Adeyeye: “The new Afenifere hereby state that we as concerned socio-political umbrella known as New Afenifere and I have decided to take our future in our hands to prepare for the upcoming 2023 election.

“We have called on our elder statesmen not to impose on us anymore, but to allow us to choose our preferred presidential candidate because we believe we are old enough to make decision for ourselves and for our future.

“So, on behalf of the New Afenifere, we have decided to forge ahead and endorse the candidature of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, together with his running mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa to see toward a new nigeria.

“Therefore, I beseech all Yoruba race, all Afenifere lover, who truly want true democracy to continue to exist in Nigeria, to join hands together with us by endorsing once again.

“As we know, he has antecedents, track records; it is just quite unfortunate that we Nigerians don’t follow quality.

“Otherwise if we keep on recycling all these old politicians, it is like recycling old wines in new bottle.

“Let’s trust him as we have trusted others. If he decides to fail us, it depends on him, but I know Engr. Musa Kwankwaso will perform,” he said.

Published on November 17, 2022

By Clement Chinedu

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has appealed to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike to allow him to win Rivers State in the presidential election while the Labour Party will support PDP in the governorship election.

Obi made the appeal during the commissioning of Nkpolu Oroworukwo flyover on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

Obi said he will not challenge the governor over the governorship seat in the state but Governor Wike should also leave the federal election for him.

According to Obi, the interest of Rivers State will be adequately protected when he becomes president.

Obi said: ” I will talk to my people and we will negotiate. If we leave the state for him (Wike) he will leave the centre for us. We will negotiate it.”

Referring to Wike, Obi continued: “We will not quarrel with you. Please give us this one (centre) and collect the other one (state). I will accommodate them ( Rivers state) in the other one.” Remember this agreement today. I’m kneeling down and begging, take this one (state) give me this one (centre). I assure you the one I will take, I will use it to make sure Rivers State becomes better and better.”

Obi at the beginning of his speech had referred to the governorship candidate of the PDP in Rivers State as the “incoming governor.”

Some alleged members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have threatened to force Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo to resign through killings

They warned that since he has decided to use police and military to hunt them, they will make the State ungovernable for him.

A voice-mail by one of the leaders, who identified himself as ‘Okwute’ (Awka North and South Commander) of ESN obtained by The Nation threatened to continue killings in the State.

The ESN leader threatened they will visit the hospital of a medical doctor and kill anybody there if he fails to cooperate with them.

He claimed to have monitored the doctor and his activities in the town, adding that he had not supported their Biafra project.

According to him: “Do you believe in Biafra? How much have you put in the project since we started this cause? Some of you are sabotaging what we’re doing in Igboland.

“How much are you willing to pay to support our mission? We will send an account where you will pay N500,000 or forget it.”

When the acclaimed doctor promised to pay N20,000 into their account, the angry ESN Commander, threatened to shut down his hospital.

"Since Governor Soludo has vowed to hunt us with Police and Army in this state, we’re going to make Anambra ungovernable for him and he will be forced to resign,” the voice said


But Anambra Police spokesman , Ikenga Tochukwu, who requested to listen to the voicemail, advised the voicemail should be reported to any of the nearby station.

The report, according to the PPRO, would enable the Command to carry out proper investigations.

The Delta State Governor Special Assistant on Media Mr. Ossai Ovie Success has said that the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party Mr. Peter Obi has been abandoned by Nigeria youths.

According to Ossai on his Facebook page, Nigerian youths are no longer talking about Peter Obi because they know he doesn’t have the capacity of leading Nigeria.

“I was in a ceremony recently and the Master of Ceremony shouted PETER OBI thinking the crowd will start expressing their happiness with ovation but it was shocking to the MC after realizing that people are no longer happy with that name.

”Few days later, I was telling my friends about what happened and they said that was the same thing they experienced in some parts of Enugu.

“It was at this point I noticed Peter Obi has been abandoned by the youths .”

“I also took out time to study Peter Obi’s Popularity online and I noticed it has reduced drastically.

“This is a clear indication that the youths are now wiser toward the 2023 general elections.

By Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) and Odita Sunday (Abuja)
05 November 2022 | 4:38 am

• Blame The Situation On Hoarding Of Information By Authorities Concerned — Uwazurike
• Officials To Interact With Enugu Stakeholders Today
• HURIWA, CLO, Security Experts Adduce Reasons For Apathy
• Seek Equal Opportunities For All Regions In Nation’s Security Agencies

Fear of ethnic and religious prejudices, inadequate equipment to prosecute assignments and hoarding of vacancies have been blamed for the inability of the South-East geo-political zone to meet its quota in the ongoing recruitment exercise in the Nigerian Army.

The Enugu State government had yesterday morning expressed worries over the inability of the state to fill its quota in previous recruitment exercises.

The government, while announcing the expected visit of a team from the Army Headquarters to the state, urged Enugu youths to take advantage of the ongoing recruitment exercise to be enrolled into the army.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Steve Oruruo, urged those interested to seize the opportunity and register.

The statement reads: “Sequel to the opening of the online application portal for the Nigerian Army (NA) Recruitment Exercise for the 84 Regular Recruits intake, which commenced on October 10, 2022, a team from the Nigeria Army Headquarters is slated to visit the government and people of Enugu State from November 5, 2022.

“The visit is to confer and interact with the political leadership and various stakeholders of our state regarding the observed apathy of the young men and women of our state with regard to the previously conducted recruitment exercises. Unfortunately, this has become an appalling and recurring issue adversely affecting Enugu State’s representation in the Nigerian Army according to the data emanating from the Federal Character Commission.

“Regrettably, during the recruitment exercise for the 82 and 83 Regular intakes, Enugu State contingents were only 73 and 49 people respectively as opposed to the 150 slots reserved for the state on each occasion based on the quota system.

“The consequence of today’s inaction is that in time, our dear state would obviously be unevenly represented when other personnel recruited would have progressed in service. Uninformed observers could erroneously misinterpret this scenario in future as marginalisation and imbalance in the federal character.

“To reverse this retrogressive trend therefore, a team from Army Headquarters is billed to meet with the Government of the State, the leadership of various youth organisations, socio-economic and political stakeholders, traditional rulers, town union presidents and the clergy, in order to forge a way forward to educate and enlighten the teeming youths of the state on the merits and prospects of serving the nation through the Nigerian Army.

“It is in this light that the state government hereby enjoins the good people of the state, especially our vibrant and teeming youths, to seize this golden opportunity to be recruited into the prestigious and resilient Nigerian Army. All interested persons are encouraged to speedily proceed to the Nigerian Army Recruitment Portal to submit their applications.”

It would be recalled that in January this year, a similar situation forced the Nigeria Police to extend its recruitment exercise for another 10 days in the Southeast, following the inability of the region to meet its quota.

Out of the 81,005 applications received nationwide as of January 7, 2022, 1,404 applications – less than two per cent of the total applications – were received from the five states in the South East, with Anambra State having the least figure of 158 applicants.

Lamenting the development, the Enugu State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general election, Dr. John Nwobodo said: “It may not be unconnected to fear of ethnic and religious prejudices, which might influence the posting of recruits to areas highly vulnerable to insurgency.

“Again, the revelations in the past that Nigerian Army is not adequately equipped in terms of military hardware, arms and ammunition thereby exposing the soldiers to high risk of casualties could be a factor.”

Former Emeritus President General of Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, however, blamed the situation on hoarding of information by the authorities concerned.

“It is simply preposterous. Most government officials hoard information about recruitment. Let me challenge the Enugu State government to put up a radio announcement that they want to fill the state’s quota and you will see what will happen. There are so many jobless youths on the streets of the South East, who are looking for what to do. So, they should stop saying those lies. Let them accept my challenge and see what will happen. History will someday expose all these lies against the people,” he said.

Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Ibuchukwu Ezike, said the situation was borne by “the official ethnic cleansing in the Armed Forces, including Police and DSS targeted against the Igbo.”

He added: “In the fight against Boko Haram terrorism in the North East, many young officers of Igbo extraction mostly soldiers and mobile policemen were posted to the region. Over 70 per cent of these young officers were killed in suspicious circumstances. Some of the escaped officers told terrifying stories of how senior military Fulani officers connived with Boko Haram insurgents who laid ambush against these young, gallant Igbo officers.

“There were many cases where these officers were killed in their hundreds and their families invited to the North East region to see the corpses of their husbands, relations and friends. They were not allowed to take their corpses home to be buried in the excuse that they died in active force in the defence of their fatherland. As a tradition, Ndigbo are hardly ever content with burying their own outside their territory because it is a sacrilege.”

Ezike also noted that the people of the South East have disdain for corruption, abuse of due process and the rule of law that seriously injure justice and equity.

“The boys allege that Ndigbo are not justly and fairly treated in Nigeria in the recruitment, promotion and granting of justice in the country. The case in point is the current situation in the case between the Federal Government and Onyendu Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), where the Appeal Court has discharged and acquitted Kanu of all the spurious allegations by the Federal Government but he is still held in DSS custody in total disobedience to the court order. The implication of this ugly narrative is the loss of confidence and hope in Nigeria at the moment by Igbo youths and even some elders,” he said.

For Mr. Frank Oshanugor, a security expert, “the apathy amongst South East youths in joining the military is obviously precipitated by the experience of how the south easterners in the military and other security agencies have been marginalised over the years. They do not seem to have the belief that the situation would change anytime soon.”

National Coordinator of Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, also said: “The reason is simple! The systematic sidelining of South East, since eight years now from any sort of positions to head any of the segments of the nation’s security agencies by President Muhammadu Buhari has created wide chasm between the youths of South East and the military institutions.

“People of South East and especially the youngsters have deep rooted perception that Igbos are really not wanted in Nigeria and that President Buhari has done massive damage to Igbos by marginalising them beyond any rational limits.

“Secondly, the failure of the Nigerian State to locate any strategic military assets in the South East and the siting of over 75 per cent of the nation’s very critical assets in the North West has succeeded in creating the impression that only the Muslim North are entitled to hold important command positions in the Nigerian Army.

“A lot would have to be done to debunk these impressions and the President is responsible for these perceptions. Sadly, the Army is not doing anything to bridge the gap between the youths of South East of Nigeria and the military. The gross abuses of the fundamental human rights of Igbo youths by security forces must change as a formal step towards winning hearts and minds of the people.”

“My general advice to Igbo youths is that they should not despair, but be optimistic because the regime of President Buhari will come to an end imminently and if a good leader emerges then the Armed Forces will truly be reformed and restructured to become truly nationalistic and not tribalistic as this current administration has tainted and mismanaged the military.”

Also weighing in on the issue, another security expert, Christopher Oji, said his findings showed that youths of the zone were afraid of being used to wage war against terrorism.

“It is not only in the military; the situation is the same even in the Police. Recently, former Police Service Commission (PSC) chairman, IGP Musiliu Smith (rtd) was on tour to the East and West, begging people to join the Force. I tried to find out why youths have refused to join the armed forces, especially the military.

“In my findings, they told me unequivocally that this is not the best time to be patriotic and die in the hands terrorists who are wasting the military away. They alleged that commanders, who are majorly from the North, deliberately send people from the East and West to the war to die.

“They claimed that those commanders from the North hate their colleagues from the West and were killing them by sending them to the war front to die. They also believe that there is serious discrimination in the Armed Forces and the Police where less educated colleagues are always given special promotion ahead of them because of quota system.
“The reintegration of repentant insurgents who have killed many soldiers into the Army is pointer that the government is deliberately slaughtering the troops who are always at the mercy of the insurgents. An average easterner is very intelligent and he or she analyses the trend of things and is calculating how many of their people in the Army were brought home for burial and how many that have been declared missing while fighting the insurgents. So, it will be difficult for them to join the military when they know that the repentant insurgents who are in the Army are sabotaging the military,” Oji said.

raumdeuter:
Since Obi has 70m youths in support why does he need all those places? One third of those 70m I'd enough to make him president

Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has declared that there are no Obidients as supporters of Labour Party’s Presidential candidate Peter Obi are popularly called in the State.

Akeredolu, who was represented by his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, spoke in Akure when presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Afenifere leaders to present and explain his manifesto to them.

The Ondo Governor said the State was ready to deliver owing to his stand that power must shift to the South.

He said the power shift must be to the Southwest region.

TRADITIONAL rulers in Idemili North and South Local Government Area of Anambra State, over the weekend, says they are comfortable supporting the Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, in 2023 general election. 

The monarchs, said they are behind Atiku and his party, PDP because of the continued support they are enjoying from Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, who is the Director of the People Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council and a Chieftain of the party in the state.

According to the chairman, Idemili North and South Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe CC Agbala, who spoke on behalf of the Council, during an interactive meeting held at Ogidi, the Headquarters of Idemili North, with Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, the support is for the interest of Ndi-Igbo too. 

“For Okonkwo, “We have no doubts about your pedigree, capacity, and leadership contribution, as demonstrated in your submission. You’re our son and will always enjoy our support. 

“The interest we have is the interest of Ndi Igbo, and we have seen you have such an interest too. We can no longer continue in opposition as a region; we have endured enough and must get our region back to National politics. We have resolved that our votes in Idemili must be strategic and we will use them where it will bring us political relevance. You’ve got our support and blessings. 

“You have our unalloyed support and blessings. “With you, we are comfortable supporting Atiku Abubakar’s Presidency knowing that you have a record of always standing in the line of progress, development, and stability.

“We will queue behind you to give the necessary support and hope that his (Atiku), victory will bring prosperity to the South East. 

Prof Okonkwo, while addressing the traditional rulers, assured them that Atiku, will restructure Nigeria if elected in the 2023 Presidential election. 

He enumerated to them why he had accepted the appointment given to him by Atiku and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, noting that Atiku is best positioned to salvage, unify and restructure the country. 

Okonkwo stated that, of all the presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar understands Nigeria’s political composition the best and is the only one who has Ndi-Igbo’s best interests at heart and has been vocal about restructuring. 

“The primary needs of the Igbo man today in Nigeria are the restructuring and devolution of power, which will automatically impact on the lives of every South Easterner owing to our commerce and business mindset. 

“During Nigeria’s first republic, the Igbos were leading in commerce and paramilitary; that was possible because power was devolved for regions to grow and develop themselves; so far, only Atiku Abubakar has shown a serious interest in the development of the South East, with restructuring at the top of his campaign manifesto. 

“Since he has always preferred an alliance with Ndi-Igbo since 1993, Atiku Abubakar is the only person who can pay close attention to the needs and aspirations of the South East. He is liberal, educated, and has built bridges across all the regions in Nigeria. He is also a member of a party with members and supporters in all the wards in Nigeria.”