₦airaland Forum

‘120, 160, 140’ — Concerns Over JAMB’s Cut-Off Marks For Varsities In Last Six Years

On Thursday, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) officially set 140 as the cut-off mark for admission into universities in 2022.

The cut-off mark for students seeking admissions into the nation’s polytechnics and colleges was fixed at 100.

The decision was taken at the 2022 policy meeting on admissions to varsities, Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE), and National Diploma (ND) held in Abuja.

During the meeting, however, JAMB registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, said every institution has the right to fix its own cut-off mark.

At the meeting, the minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, also cautioned all levels of tertiary institutions to desist illegal means of admissions as defaulters would be sanctioned...Read more: https://www.crispng.com/120-160-140-concerns-over-jambs-cut-off-marks-for-varsities-in-last-six-years/

Peter Obi, Putin, ASUU Strike Lead Nigeria’s Top Google Searches In 1st Half Of 2022

Google has released list of top trending personalities, music, movies, high profile deaths as well as sports that trended in the first half of 2022.

In a statement on Thursday, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s communications and public relations manager in West Africa, said the first half of 2020 had been eventful with high profile deaths, politics, personalities among others.

Kola-Ogunlade said that such trends and search were as a results of happenings and events of interest that caught people’s attention.

He said the top three trending people in Nigeria in the first half of the year were Peter Obi, Putin and Bianca Ojukwu...Read more: https://www.crispng.com/peter-obi-putin-ASUU-strike-lead-nigerias-top-google-searches-in-1st-half-of-2022/

South-West Predominantly Muslims… We Make Up 65% Of Its Population, Tinubu Campaign DG Claims

The director general of Asiwaju Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organisation, Adebayo Shittu, has claimed that Muslims make up 65% of the southwestern part of Nigeria.

Shittu made the claim on Tuesday when he appeared on Focus Nigeria, an AIT show.

His comment had come amid the backlash trailing the Muslim-Muslim ticket of Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tinubu, who is a Muslim, had earlier announced Kashim Shettima, former governor of Kano state, also a Muslim, as his running mate.

The development has continued to attract intense backlash with the Christian Association of Nigerian and others kicking against the move.

But speaking on the show, Shittu dismissed the criticisms...Read more: https://www.crispng.com/south-west-predominantly-muslims-we-make-up-65-of-its-population-tinubu-campaign-dg-claims/

IGP Orders Probe Of Portable For Saying He Created ‘Ajah Boys’, ‘One Million Boys’

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered a probe of Habeeb Okikiola, the singer better known as Portable, for saying he created cult groups.

Portable had earlier claimed he founded the ‘Ajah Boys’ and ‘One Million Boys’ cult groups.

“Open your ears and listen well, have you heard about Ajah boys, One Million boys? I’m the one who founded it, go and ask,” he boasted in the Yoruba language, Read more: https://www.crispng.com/igp-orders-probe-of-portable-for-saying-he-created-ajah-boys-one-million-boys/

BNXN Is Not Better Than Me, Ruger Boasts

Ruger, the fast-rising Nigerian artiste, has dismissed claims that Daniel Benson, fellow singer better known as BNXN, is better than him.

On Thursday, Ruger held an interactive session with his fans and asked them to ask him anything.

During the session, a Twitter user claimed the ‘Bounce’ singer is no match for BNXN, formerly called Buju.

“Lol BNXN is better than you and there’s nothing you can do about it you this low budget Samuel L Jackson,” the user wrote.

But in response, Ruger wrote: “I love Buju he’s good but he’s not better than me. Everything I’ve done since the beginning was only Ruger. All my hits are just Ruger. I’m always proud going on stage...Read more: https://www.crispng.com/bnxn-is-not-better-than-me-ruger-boasts/

Baba Ijesha: Ex-Lagos Police Commissioner, Others Tried To Silence Me, Cover-Up Case, Princess Claims

Nigerian actress, Damilola Adekoya, has claimed she got death threats during the trial of Baba Ijesha, the actor, for sexual assault.

The Ikeja special offences court in Lagos had on Thursday convicted Baba Ijesha of sexually assaulting a minor, who is foster daughter to Adekoya.

The judge, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, also sentenced the actor to 16 years in prison.

Reacting to the development in an Instagram live session, Princess called out those who allegedly tried to cover-up the matter.

The actress also accused Hakeem Odumosu, former Lagos police commissioner, as well as Yomi Fabiyi and Mama Rainbow, of trying to silence her from demanding justice in the case...Read more: https://www.crispng.com/baba-ijesha-ex-lagos-police-commissioner-others-tried-to-silence-me-cover-up-case-princess-claims/

INTERVIEW: Quitting My Job For Peter Obi Sacrifice For Good Governance — I’m Not Seeking Political Appointment, Says Journalist

The decision of Favour Bassey Otu, the Nigerian journalist, to resign her job to fully support Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), ahead of 2023 election came as a surprise to many.

But for her, it was a risk worth taking.

Obi has continued to pull weight ahead of next year’s election and enjoys massive support from the youths, particularly on social media.

Favour, who resigned her job with Silverbird Television, is one of those who believe in the capacity of the LP presidential candidate to transform Nigeria.

In this interview with CRISPNG’s GENEVIEVE ANINGO, she talks about what informed her decision, criticisms, and plans...Read more: https://www.crispng.com/interview-quitting-my-job-for-peter-obi-sacrifice-for-good-governance-im-not-seeking-political-appointment-says-journalist/

Avoid South-East, There’s Plot To Assassinate You, IPOB Warns British High Commissioner


The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, to avoid visiting the south-east.

In a statement by Emma Powerful, its spokesperson, the proscribed group claimed there’s plot to kill Laing and blame IPOB for her death...Read more: https://www.crispng.com/avoid-south-east-theres-plot-to-assassinate-you-ipob-warns-british-high-commissioner/

Lady: I Almost Killed Myself When Man I Met In Church Jilted Me After 15 Abortions

Lara Kudayisi, the Nigerian entrepreneur and relationship expert, has revealed how her former lover jilted her after she had 15 abortions for him.

The businesswoman and author disclosed this in a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, the media entrepreneur.

Kudayisi said she had met the man, who was preparing to become a pastor at the time, in church and they got along thereafter.

The entrepreneur said because she already had a child out of wedlock before meeting the undisclosed man...Read more: https://www.crispng.com/lady-i-almost-killed-myself-when-man-i-met-in-church-jilted-me-after-15-abortions/

When it pours, we lament: Tackling flood menace in Nigeria


Join us this Saturday on Twitter as we discuss solutions to the persistent issue of flood in the country.

~ Crisp Nigeria

Meet Aguba, The ‘Homeless’ Actor Turned Viral Sensation Seeking ‘Virgin From Israel’ As Wife

Kenneth Jideofor, the actor better known as Aguba, isn’t a new name in the Nollywood industry.

But his popularity swelled recently after a disturbing picture of him surfaced online.

The actor was seen in a filthy environment and was said to be homeless. Shortly after his photo found its way online, he became a viral sensation.

FOUND GOLD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Aguba has laboured for years as an actor.

He dazzled in several roles and graced the screens of many families with premium entertainment. However, it seemed there is little to show for his years of hard work.

To buttress the penury state of his career, the film star recently revealed that was even paid a meager sum of N5,000 in...Read more: https://www.crispng.com/meet-aguba-the-homeless-actor-turned-viral-sensation-seeking-virgin-from-israel-as-wife/

Moneybags Politics And Nigeria’s ‘Rule Of Money’ Democracy

When Nigeria transited to democracy and embraced the presidential system of government in 1999, it marked the transfer of sovereignty from authoritarian leaders to the people. Nigerians were presented with the opportunity to elect their president and other political leaders every four years.

But, the democratic system of governance, all over the world is expensive, and the cost of conducting elections vary from country to country depending on the prevailing socio-political situation and nation’s social classification either as underdeveloped, developing and developed nation. Likewise, the cost of conducting elections in established and stable democracies differs from what is obtainable in transitional, and indeed restive / post-conflict societies.

Over the last two election cycles in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly expended the sum of N108.8B and N189B in 2015 and 2019 respectively... Read more: https://www.crispng.com/moneybags-politics-and-nigerias-rule-of-money-democracy/

Soludo Only Needs Time

One of the greatest challenges of good leadership is pressure. No good leader has been able to comprehensively overwhelm the itches and burns that come with the threatening word. But, in the real sense of it, pressure is an important variable that drives leadership, and even other human vocations. Calm under pressure is a remarkable mentality. The ability to defy this particular fearsome formula, and emerge successful is what separates a failure from a success story. Suffice to say that pressure, sometimes and however adversarial, is the grand determinant of top-class performances.

The administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo is not exonerated from this fact. It is close to hundred and fifteen days since the official inauguration of the present government in Anambra State. The pressure is already on and burning. But that is not unexpected — the current administration rode to power on massive expectations. That enthusiastic belief... Read more: https://www.crispng.com/soludo-only-needs-time/

‘APC Paid Me To Support Tinubu’ — Portable Flaunts Cash

Habeeb Okikiola, the Nigerian singer popularly known as Portable, has claimed the All Progressives Congress (APC) paid him to support its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

He made the claim in a video shared via his Instagram page on Wednesday.

The ‘Zazoo Zeh’ crooner had earlier endorsed Gboyega Oyetola, governor of Osun state, for re-election in Osogbo... Read more: https://www.crispng.com/apc-paid-me-to-support-to-support-tinubu-portable-flaunts-cash/

By Samson Ezea

It is indeed another year of stock taking of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s seven years of good governance and people-oriented programmes in Enugu state that has endeared him and his administration to the people of the state.

These seven years which include four years of his first term and three years of his four years second term have
been eventful, challenging, developmental, peaceful and inclusive.

Within this period, Enugu people have witnessed massive infrastructural development, absolute peace, security, social justice, social services, good governance and employment generation which were among Ugwuanyi administration’s four-point agenda unveiled to Ndi Enugu during his first term swearing-in at Okpara Square, Independence Layout Enugu in 2015.

No doubt, Ugwuanyi’s administration has recorded remarkable achievements, despite the fact that on assumption of office, he was confronted with myriad of daunting challenges that included recessed economy, paucity of funds, backlog of unpaid workers’ salaries, arrears of pensioners, infrastructural deficits especially in rural areas, unemployment and others.

Apart from these aforementioned challenges, Ugwuanyi’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has been in power at the centre and state with enormous goodwill and ample opportunities, for the first time since 1999 lost power to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre in 2015.
Not deterred by these obvious discouraging and enormous challenges, Ugwuanyi in his inaugural speech, committed the affairs of the state to God Almighty with the slogan “Enugu State Is In The Hands Of God.”

Without hesitation, Ugwuanyi’s administration hit the ground running, by bringing to bear the governor’s financial prowess and prudence in reforming, rejigging and repositioning the state’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) system for better performance and improved revenue generation.

This singular action improved significantly the states’ Internally Generated Revenue from N14b in 2016 to N18.4b in the first ten months of 2017 and now 31billion, thereby placing the state in a good financial stead, even without the monthly federation allocation as revealed by The Economic Confidential in its 2018 Annual States Viability Index (ASVI).
Also introduced in the day-to-day running of the government by Ugwuanyi were good governance, equity, fiscal discipline, accountability and transparency.

Since then, governance in the state took a new direction geared towards peaceful co-existence, integration, and even development across the state. Ugwuanyi’s leadership style has decidedly remained inclusive, progressive, eclectic and unprecedented in the state’s leadership history.

Within his first term in office, Ugwuanyi administration's presence and footprints prefaced virtually all the 450 autonomous communities, 17 local councils and three senatorial zones in the state.

All the sectors of the state economy witnessed his government’s interventions with rural development, education, health, infrastructure, security, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment, taking the lead.

Across the state, roads like Opi-Nsukka dual carriage way, Obechara Road Junction-Umuakashi Mechanic village-Ikenga Hotels Junction-Enugu Road Nsukka Junction and Umuezebi-Nru Junction have been completed. Others include extension of Agbani-AforAmurri Road, the extension of Ituku Road, the construction of Ogonogoeji- Ndi Akpugo Road ( Atavu Bailey Bridge-AforOnovo) the construction of the 42-metre span Bailey Bridge and road works across River Nyama to Amichi, linking Umuogo and Umuagba Amaechi Uno/ Obinagu community, all in Nkanu West LGA.

Of note is that the Agbani-Amurri Road was constructed for a community that had never witnessed any form of development or government presence on its land in the past 100 years plus. In the same vein, the Ogonogoeji-Ndiagu-Akpugo Road from Atavu Bailey Bridge to Afor Onovo is the first state government road in the entire Akpugo land since the creation of the Enugu State.

Not left out is the popular and historic Milliken Hill Road, Ngwo, constructed in 1909, but was abandoned for several decades before Ugwuanyi’s administration reconstructed it with streetlight. The three-kilometre road is part of the 12-kilometre 9th Mile-Ekochin-Ngwo- Miliken Hill-New Market federal road which state government rehabilitated to serve as alternative route for commuters and motorists plying Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

Also within the state capital, Ugwuanyi’s administration has executed numerous road projects at Holy Trinity Street and Bishop Michael Eneje Street, Nawfia Street, Ibuza Street, Isi-Uzo Street all in Independence Layout Enugu. Also asphalted are Mount Crescent, GRA Enugu, Dental School-Tipper Garage Road, Trans Ekulu, Enugu; Loma Linda-Timber Shed Road and many others. In his first four years Ugwuanyi’s administration spent not less than N45b on road construction and reconstruction across the state.

These are not inclusive of the numerous road projects awarded by Ugwuanyi’s administration close to his reelection that have been completed and are in use now.
In the education sector, through the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Enugu is among the states that have consistently paid their counterpart fund making it possible for them to access the Federal Government Universal Basic Education fund.
With this, ENSUBEB has built and renovated more than 480 primary school classrooms, provided learning and teaching facilities and recruited more than 3500 teachers. Also recruited through the Post Primary Schools Management Board ( PPSMB) were more than 1200 secondary teachers in addition to the 857 volunteer teachers( engaged during the past administration) but were not regularised as permanent staff.

Of great emphasis is the fact that Ugwuanyi’s administration has equitably distributed developmental projects and appointments across the state in spirit of unity, equity and fairness to the admiration and happiness of all in the state. This is a clear departure from the winner takes all practice of the past that created bad blood among political stakeholders in three senatorial zones of the state. Ugwuanyi has not only continued to maintain the infrastructure he met on ground, he has built new ones, completed and still completing the abandoned ones across the state.

After many decades without any national or international trophy in its kit, the state-owned Rangers International Club with the massive support of Ugwuanyi’s administration had won the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League and the 2018 Federation Cup.

Notwithstanding that his administration inherited backlog of salary of workers and arrears of pensioners, Ugwuanyi never engaged in buckpassing or blame game for one day. His government boldly took the bull by the horn by clearing the outstanding salaries, promotion and introduced prompt payment of workers.

Since then, workers in the state receive their salaries every 21st of the month and 13 month in December as bonus until recently that financial constraints hit government at all levels. The gesture to workers is the first of its kind in any state in Southeast zone. This is despite the fact that Enugu State is not an oil producing state and is almost at the bottom in the cadre of monthly Federation allocation.
The gesture made the national leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and workers in the state to confer on Ugwuanyi the award of Most Workers’ Friendly Governor in Nigeria.

Despite paucity of fund, Ugwuanyi’s administration is gradually attending to arrears of pensioners that have piled up for years due to inability of the past governments to clear it.

Under Ugwuanyi’s administration, Enugu State has recorded the lowest crime rate, even in the face of the resurgence of criminal activities across the country. This milestone which brought about the peacefulness of the state was once attested to by the leadership of Police Service Commission.

This was responsible for the prevailing peace in the state, till date and the award of the most peaceful Governor in Nigeria to Gov. Ugwuanyi by Nigerian Peace Ambassadors International.

Even when there was some security lapses across the country after the 2019 elections of which some parts of Enugu were affected, Ugwuanyi quickly rose to the occasion by rejigging the security architecture of the state, established and equipped Forest Guard in the state. The Enugu Forest Guard is first of its kind in the country. Ugwuanyi’s administration also appointed former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonnia Onovo as the State Security Consultant.

The overwhelming support Ugwuanyi’s administration enjoyed during his first term and his resounding victory in his reelection was a clear testimony of his outstanding performance in office and style of leadership that gives everyone, irrespective of religion, tribe, status and party affiliation sense of belonging in the affairs of the state. That is why from Enugu West, East to North, among the artisans, Christians, Muslims,workers, youths, adults, residents, visitors, religious groups and others, Ugwuanyi is the man of the people, father and governor of all.

It is also for this reason and others that Ugwuanyi’s chieftancy title, Gburugburu has remained a brand, movement and household name in the state and beyond today. His style of politics is emulative and tolerant. Unlike most political leaders, Ugwuanyi has used political power as shield to protect and unite the people, instead of the usual sword, political office holders often use it to divide and oppress the people, especially perceived enemies.

After being overwhelmingly reelected for a second term with 95. 5 plus percent votes by Ndi Enugu, many had thought or expected that Ugwuanyi would rest on his oars and give good governance a back seat. That was not the case. Knowing full well that to whom much is given, much is expected and that the reward for hardwork is more work, just like in his first term, Ugwuanyi hit the ground running after being sworn-in for second term in office.

He proved the cynics and sceptics, who had always believed that elected political office holders, especially governors do not perform in their second term wrong with his developmental and progressive actions since his reelection.

In line with his avowals, assurances and promises in his reelection acceptance speech that he and his team will continue to serve the state with fear of God, humility and unwavering commitment to improving lives and lifting the state to unprecedented heights, Ugwuanyi has been living by his words and walking the talk with the construction of the 22.443km Neke- Mbu-Ogbodu Aba-Obollo Etiti Inter-community road linking Isi Uzo LGA with Udenu LGA, 26.665km Ukpabi- Nimo-Ugbene Ajima-Eziani road targetted at opening up the agrarian communities of Uzo-Uwani LGA, and the 10.5km Nike Junction-Harmony Estate- Amorji Nike- Adoration Pilgrimage Centre road that serves as bypass to everbusy Nike road and a link between the densely populated Abakpa-Nike and the suburb of Emene Enugu and others.

Works have been completed at the first Enugu State flyover at the popular T-junction along Nike road that was awarded by Ugwuanyi’s administration. The flyover has been put to use. It has reduced completely the traffic snarl along the Nike Lake road and its environs.

With the approval of minimum wage for Nigerian workers, Ugwuanyi was among the first governor in Nigeria to approve minimum wage for workers, after working out the consequential adjustment with labour union leaders in the state.

Also with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in the country, Ugwuanyi was among the first governors that took proactive and precautionary measures by buliding and equipping Isolation centres, approving life assurance for health workers and embarking on aggressive sensitisation campaign alongside all the relevant stakeholders in the state.

These efforts were appreciated and acknowledged by the health workers. They include the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association of Nigeria that honoured him in Abuja with COVID-19 Response Champion and National Association of Resident Doctors ESUT Parklane Hospital Chapter, who commended him for being outstanding in handling the pandemic in the state.

In line with his administration’s flair for genuine peace, Ugwuanyi has not only settled some knotty and age-long communal crisis that have defied settlement before now. He also set up a Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee headed by Dr. Uche Ogbu with former members of House of Assembly and National Assembly as members.

Consolidating and expanding vigorously on its first term’s giant strides, Ugwuanyi’s administration has opened up the rural areas to reduce urban migration, created jobs, provided good governance, maintained and sustained peace and security as major policy thrust. Enugu State is indeed in the hands of God.

As Ugwuanyi's government enters its last lap, the 5,000 seat capacity Township stadium at Nsukka, awarded by his administration is almost completed with the successful installation of Astro Turf, Tartan , Tracks, Seats and flood light stands as well as pavement.

Also adjacent to the Enugu State Secretariat Annex Ede Oballa built by Ugwuanyi's administration is newly constructed befitting conference centre comprising multiple halls, other indoor activity hubs and recreation facilities such as adult and children swimming pools and lawn tennis court being constructed by Ugwuanyi's government.

Nearing completion and set for approval by National Universities Commission (NUC) is the massive State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) at Igbo Eno Enugu State.

The health facilities which was initiated and being executed by Ugwuanyi's administration is made up of two sections of a teaching hospital sitting on two floors (the outpatient department of seven sections and in patient department with 200 bed ward.

At the old Enugu Government Lodge, Ugwuanyi's government is about to complete 600 seater state- of-art banquet hall with basement offices, meeting rooms and retaining walls.

Already completed there are 10 units of executive guest houses and 24 unit of guest flats with Dinning hall for routine guests of government, a standard lawn tennis court and others.

With the above mentioned signature projects and people- oriented programmes of Ugwuanyi's administration in the face of daunting challenges, which are evidenced and experienced in the last seven years in Enugu state, Ugwuanyi has written his name in gold.

His administration will surely be remembered, not only for the numerous developmental projects it did across the state, but for the political stability, peace and security it brought and sustained in the state for the good of all.

Ezea, writes from Independence Layout Enugu

SKI International Hotel, situated in Bogije, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, is a reputable Hospitality Organization with world class hotel facilities.
Our attention has been drawn to a malicious publication against SKI International Hotel, Lekki, being circulated on social media and authored by one Mr. Adeoba Shedrach; a one-night guest who stayed in our hotel at Bogije, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, on the 11th of April, 2022. 

The Management of SKI International Hotel, Ibeju-Lekkki, Lagos is very surprised that a simple incident of mistaken room identity by another guest, which was promptly addressed and resolved, was maliciously used as a tool for defaming our esteemed hotel, in an attempt to tarnish the reputation which we have built with the highest level of hoteling services over the years.

The use of the social media comes with high responsibilies and they are not for the purposes of spreading falsehood, malice, running down the business of fellow citizens and causing damages to hard earned respect and reputation of others as being perpetrated by Mr. Adeoba Shedrach.

To set the records right: At about 12 midnight on Monday, April 11, 2022, Mr. Adeoba Shedrack, booked into two rooms in our hotel with some accompanying persons. 

At precisely 1:47 A.M., he called to say that there has been a knock on the door of his room and that the person said he was coming from the reception. According to him, he did not open the door. Mr. Adeoba said that he immediately called the receptionist who said that she was not aware of the development. Furthermore, Mr. Adeoba called the contact phone numbers provided by the hotel for enquiries, which was promptly answered inspite of the fact that it was very late into the night.
Upon the complaint by Mr. Adeoba, SKI International Hotel swung into action immediately, and through a remote online review of our CCTV footage, was able to identify that a guest had knocked on Mr. Adeoba’s door.

When the guest was questioned, he said that having gone down from his floor to look for a phone charger at the reception, he came back up and knocked on the door of Mr. Adeoba’s room; thinking that it was his room because they were at about the same location, but at different floors; he mistook the floor for his. He also added  that he was expecting his partner, who was in the room, to open the door for him but when a strange voice answered him, he walked away, knowing that he has knocked on a wrong door (we have the CCTV footage).

The hotel management, being aware of the current security situation in the country, did not leave the matter at that but went further and immediately embarked on full scale security check in and around the hotel premises; but there was no apparent threat. Our security personnel who were on duty were all mobilized on this task.
To allay Mr. Adeoba’s apprehension, we deployed one of the security personnel to mount guard PERMANENTLY in front of Mr. Adeoba’s door till break of day (Mr. Shedrack Adeoba acknowledged this).

While we understand the security apprehension in the country, it is unfair to blackmail a fellow citizen or business with insinuations that cause harm to their good image and integrity among members of the public. Despite all our efforts to assuage the concerns of Mr. Shedrach Adeoba, and having resolved his complaints, we were shocked to see the falsehood authored by him in the social media.

We hereby emphatically state that the insecurity insinuated in the message against SKI International Hotel, Bogije, Lagos, is false. It is also very clear that Mr. Adeoba was out to deliberately tarnish our image when he stated in a video he circulated that the hotel was dark and CCTV not working. It is strange how a guest could just conclude that our CCTV was not working. As evident in the CCTV footage we have, it is clear that our lighting and CCTV are efficiently working as against his statement (all CCTV footages for that night are available).
Mr Adeoba also insinuated that he and his team were the only guests in the hotel for the night. That was a blatant lie as can be inferred from the foregoing explanations and the available CCTV footages.

We call on our esteemed customers and the general public to, kindly, disregard the harmful publication against SKI International Hotel, Bogije, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
Being a responsible and responsive organization which continuously hosts many guests and events, we assure our customers and the general public of our firm commitment to continue to render topnotch professional hospitality services at all times.
God bless Nigeria!

Signed:
Management
SKI International Hotel, Bogije, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

....."They Are Sabotuers"

By Chike Omenkpa (Enugu)

Ahead of 2023 governorship election in Enugu state, investigations have revealed that the ex-deputy senate and Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial zone, Senator Ike Ekweremadu in his usual inordinate ambition to contest the governorship seat against the traditional zoning of the governorship seat has concluded arrangement to meet with a few compromised Nsukka professors among others from elsewhere to be led by a professor from Edem Ani in his house in Enugu on Sunday November 28, 2021.

One of the professors who was approached, but declined disclosed that Ekweremadu has through one Professor from Edem approached him with financial gratification and promise of contracts and appointment, which he declined.

"I told Ekweremadu and my colleague that brought him to me that I am not a cheap academic that can easily be deceived with false promises and pretences from a desperate politician that is desirous of creating political confusion in the state for selfish reason."

"The professor from Edem who is the arrowhead of the proposed Sunday meeting with Ekweremadu in Enugu is counting on Ekweremadu's unrestrained but unrealistic promise to lift him up with a Federal appointment.

In the same vein, a non-teaching highly placed administrative staff of the university of Nigeria Nsukka who got wind of the ill-fated move, described the professor behind the meeting as a saboteur and as an undiscerning greedy, academic and unbefitting of a true son of Nsukka.

"These are shameless people, who are ready to sell their conscience for a peanut. How can a professor who is inclined to methodology and order fall prey to a desperate politician who is eager to destroy the traditional zoning of governorship seat in the state that has brought peace for his selfish pecuniary interest."

....."They Are Sabotuers"

By Chike Omenkpa (Enugu)

Ahead of 2023 governorship election in Enugu state, investigations have revealed that the ex-deputy senate and Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial zone, Senator Ike Ekweremadu in his usual inordinate ambition to contest the governorship seat against the traditional zoning of the governorship seat has concluded arrangement to meet with a few compromised Nsukka professors among others from elsewhere to be led by a professor from Edem Ani in his house in Enugu on Sunday November 28, 2021.

One of the professors who was approached, but declined disclosed that Ekweremadu has through one Professor from Edem approached him with financial gratification and promise of contracts and appointment, which he declined.

"I told Ekweremadu and my colleague that brought him to me that I am not a cheap academic that can easily be deceived with false promises and pretences from a desperate politician that is desirous of creating political confusion in the state for selfish reason."

"The professor from Edem who is the arrowhead of the proposed Sunday meeting with Ekweremadu in Enugu is counting on Ekweremadu's unrestrained but unrealistic promise to lift him up with a Federal appointment.

In the same vein, a non-teaching highly placed administrative staff of the university of Nigeria Nsukka who got wind of the ill-fated move, described the professor behind the meeting as a saboteur and as an undiscerning greedy, academic and unbefitting of a true son of Nsukka.

"These are shameless people, who are ready to sell their conscience for a peanut. How can a professor who is inclined to methodology and order fall prey to a desperate politician who is eager to destroy the traditional zoning of governorship seat in the state that has brought peace for his selfish pecuniary interest."

From James Takwa,
(Abuja )

It is no longer news that ahead of 2023 governorship election in Enugu state, where the odds favour Enugu East Senatorial zone to produce the next Governor, ex-deputy Senate President and the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial zone, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who has been covertly desperate and clandestinely scheming to alter the entrenched and established zoning of the governorship seat in the state which is not in his favour and that of his zone, had been making frantic moves to join the ruling, All Progressives Congress (APC )

Investigations revealed that after the just concluded and hitch-free Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP)national convention, where the PDP governors played key roles in the emergence of national party officers, it dawned on Ekweremadu and his supporters that his 2023 governorship ambition may not see the light of the day in PDP. Ekweremadu who had made moves to join APC before 2019 but was rejected, commenced another desperate moves to join APC with the hope of securing the party's governorship ticket and rely on federal might to win the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.

Presidency source disclosed that after several failed attempts to have audience with President Muhammadu Buhari and APC national leadership on his desperate plan, Ekweremadu flew to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change at Glasgow uninvited to see if he can have audience with President Buhari who attended the conference and delivered paper.

A close aide of President Buhari, who pleaded anonymity revealed that the President was not disposed to see or talk or do anything with Ekweremadu, because of his desperation and corruption charges hanging on his neck. Besides, the APC national leadership is aware of the entrenched zoning of governorship seat in Enugu State which is not in favor of Ekweremadu's Enugu West Zone

"President Buhari rebuffed all entreaties to see or discuss with Ekweremadu at the Glasgow Climate Change Summit.

"The president and the party National leadership are not disposed to Ekweremadu defecting to APC, considering the corruption baggages he carries and for the fact that the likes of former Senate President Ken Nnamani and other political bigwigs from the state are in APC.

"If Ekweremadu sincerely wants to defect, he should go to his ward and state chapter of APC and not coming to Presidency. It is wrong. Ekweremadu was seen complaining to whoever cares to listen at the Glasgow Conference that President Buhari is not treating him well," the president aide disclosed.

Efforts to reach Senator Ekweremadu on phone proved abortive, but one of his close aides who pleaded anonymity said that there is nothing wrong in their boss's political moves.

"We are aware of the move. That is politics. Our worry is that APC has no stronghold in the Southeast region. Anambra governorship election which we would have leveraged on as a boost didn't help our situation ".

We hear ‘’strong man’’, and the visage of a rotund, bumbling African dictator in Khaki and jackboots comes to mind. But permit me to appropriate the word and re-contextualise it for the purpose of this column. In my context, a ‘’strong man’’ embodies discipline, audacity, courage, and character. Nigeria needs a ‘’strong man’’ as president in 2023 – one who is not afraid to be unpopular by taking critical reformist decisions and actions.

Read more here: https://www.crispng.com/nigeria-needs-a-strong-man-as-president/

Paraphrasing the words of Lianas and Nina, the media play an important role in society. They report current events, provide frameworks for interpretation, and mobilize citizens with regard to various issues, produce predominant culture in the society, and entertain.

Read more via the link below:

https://www.crispng.com/gender-disparity-in-nigeria-the-demand-for-media-attention/

Sustainable Initiatives for Nurturing Growth (SING), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has demanded the prosecution of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, and others who facilitated shooting of #EndSARS protesters in October last year.

The group's response had come following report of the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the Lekki shootings, which was released on Monday.

Read more via this link:
https://www.crispng.com/endsars-panel-report-sing-nigeria-demands-prosecution-of-sanwo-olu-key-actors/

By Kenechi Ogwu

In his known unstable attitude of always being controversial, dubious mischievous and economical with the truth whenever he is caught in a mess, the embattled ex- Enugu State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Dr. Victor Nnam, has resorted to using proxies and hirelings to polish his character and reputation on social media.

This is an attempt to launder his already dented and questionable image and cover up his misdeeds in office as Commissioner.

His adoption of this crude approach of using proxies and pawns to fight on social media which is typical of him is not unconnected with his sudden realisation that his afterthought and preemptive exit and sins have continued to hunt him.

Many have since come to terms with the truth that his hurried exit from office has a lot to with the fraudulent deals that was his lot in the office. This is following the shocking disclosures of his illicit activities at the Ministry of Lands which has shown that his holier- than-thou exit is a fluke and fake.

As a drowning man that will not like to go down alone, some of his hired hirelings have been belabouring to present his hurried exit as heroic, uncommon and altruistic. Unfortunately for them, the more they push the false narrative, the more it backfires.

As a drowning man that is already down, but will never like to go down alone, he has changed tactics. In order to attract undue sympathy for him, his plebeians want to drag Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his siblings into his self-inflicted predicament.

In an article published in a psuedo online media- Champion Newspaper with the titled "Deconstructing Ugwuanyi's Government In Three Paragraphs" which has no byline or writer's name, the article tried to interrogate Ugwuanyi's innate taciturnity and humility, which he has been known with from birth.

That Ugwuanyi is not loquacious, lousy and noisy is not a weak point. That has been his strength and unique attribute. He has achieved a lot without being noisy.

That he is not talking at all times and on all issues of public interest does mean that he is not decisive, assertive and proactive. He is and has steered the ship of leadership in Enugu to the good, wellbeing and joy of the people. Ugwuanyi's taciturnity is not a thing of today. It has been there. He is not expected to start learning left hand at old age, just to please Nnam's pawns. It is not possible.

Have Nnam's social media jobbers forgotten the saying that empty vessel makes the greatest noise? Ugwuanyi is not empty and cannot be noisy about his government and its activities. His works and deeds speak for him and are staring at the faces of Ndi Enugu. They enjoy, acknowledge and appreciate it. That is why they have remained cooperative and supportive of him and his government.

Many leaders and people have said so many things right, but done majority things wrong. What makes a man is what he does right and not just what he says right.

Ugwuanyi is and has been mindful of this in his political leadership career right from his days in the House of Representatives, where he effectively represented his constituents and constituency for 12 years before becoming Governor in 2015. He achieved these leadership exploits and giant strides without blowing his own trumpet or being a swashbuckling.

The office of the Governor is an exalted office that deserves respect and honour. It is not a motorpark or market where noise is the order of the day. Great leaders are not known for being loquacious and noisy. Action speaks louder than voice. Ugwuanyi is a man of action and little words. The style has worked for him and still working.

Nnam and his social media spin doctors or anybody shouldn't expect Ugwuanyi to mount podium to speak on Nnam's preemptive exit, when there are other pressing and urgent state matters Ugwuanyi is attending to. Nnam's controversial and hasty exit as Commissioner for Lands is the least of the things people expected Ugwuanyi to speak on.

This is especially when Nnam's stewardship is being investigated by appropriate and relevant authorities. Government is an institution and there are procedures and processes of doing things. Ugwuanyi speaking on Nnam's exit will amount to undermining his government and demeaning his exalted office.

Nnam's statement on his hurried exit that he proposed for GIPS reforms in lands, but was not allowed to carry it out is laughable and hypocritical of him.

This is the same Nnam who after after his failed attempt to blackmail Enugu State House of Assembly members on social media went to them on his bended knees in a recorded video session, pleading and recanting that he never said he was stopped from implementing GIPS reforms in the ministry.

He rather said the GIPS reforms could not be implemented by government due to lack of funds as a result of the dwindling government revenue. How do people believe a questionable character like Nnam that is vacillating and double speaking consistently.

On Nnam's spurious claim that he resigned because workers in his Ministry were redeployed. It is quite unfortunate and disappointing that a man of Nnam's academic qualifications and exposure does know the simple rules of civil service.

Is it not a case of procuring academic
certificates without the simple, required and common knowledge of civil service legal rules? Who does know that civil servants are redeployed from ministry to ministry from time to time by the government? Who does know that it is within the constitutional powers of a Governor to appoint, redeploy and sack an appointee including a commissioner whose office or appointment is not tenured constitutionally? When did it become the right of a Commissioner to choose the civil servants he or she will like to work with as wanted in Enugu by Dr. Nnam?

Where did a Commissioner derives such power and what motivates a Commissioner to push for such if not for a planned, deliberative, collaborative, entrenched and conspiratorial fraud against the people, government and the state? Is Nnam's baseless, careless and spurious outburst in that direction not a clear case of self-indictment and display of outright ignorance?
Nnam and his collaborators should wait patiently for the outcome of the investigation being carried on their activities in the ministry.

When the ongoing investigation by Enugu state government is concluded and made public, Nigerians will know where to place Dr. Nnam and his afterthought resignation.
No amount of social media laundering of Dr. Nnam's battered image and name calling of Governor Ugwuanyi and his government will not save or prevent Dr. Nnam from being properly investigated and unveiled.

The Enugu state government we know will provide him a level playing ground to account for his stewardship. Instead of engaging in a wild goose on social media platforms, he should quietly go and account for his deeds in office with incontrovertible evidences to buttress his infantile claims.

By Obum Eze

It is gladdening moving around Enugu metropolis and seeing that Enugu State Government under Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has in its usual, traditional and habitual policy of continous maintenance of existing basic infrastructure and construction of new ones in the state, commenced massive rehabilitation of dilapidated sections of roads across the metropolis.

The project which commenced since the rainy season subsided is ongoing in major roads and streets across the state capital and its environs.

It would be recalled that some sections of the roads developed potholes at the peak of rainy season and became a source of stress and worry to road users and residents of the state. Some who were critical of government for not fixing these potholes forgot that it would be tantamount to waste of scarce resources attending to the problem during rainy season.

Although, it was observed that the state government carried out some urgent and remedial works on some of the portions that were too bad and inaccessible during the rainy season to assuage the difficulties being faced by the people.

While the ongoing massive road rehabilitation is creating some traffic snarls and challenges across the city, the beauty of it is that the work is being carried out properly and the contractor is working diurnally and nocturnally to complete the work in time. Enugu remains in the hands of God.

By Charly Onah

As mischief makers and hired social media urchins, working for desperate politicians ahead of 2023 elections in Enugu try to misinform or hoodwink people that the recent approved N15b loan by the Enugu State House of Assembly for Enugu State Government is to mortgage the future of the state, findings have since revealed that the loan is being taken by all the state governments across the country.

1) It would be recalled that in 2015 the Federal Government gave state governments across the country bailout funds to enable them stay afloat financially, following the economic recession that hit the country, due to the crash in the price of crude, which led to massive loss of revenue by governments at all levels.
At a point, the Federal Government started deducting the bailout funds repayment from the state governments'monthly allocations at the source. This development took a heavy toll on some state governments as they struggle to pay salaries and meet up with their other financial obligations. This is unlike Enugu state government that has been paying salaries promptly and regularly, executing capital projects and still meeting up with her other financial obligations due to Governor Ugwuanyi's prudent and transparent management of the state resources. That does not mean that the state does not need more funds to carry out her financial obligations. It needs.
2) In order to ameliorate the financial challenges faced by state governments across the country, following the bailout fund deductions and to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and people of the states, the Federal Government arranged and facilitated another loan for all the states.

3) The loan has a moratorium of 2 years and repayment period of 30 years. It is a single digit interest loan.

4) While most state governments have taken their own, Enugu is among the last states that applied for it after it was approved by the Enugu State House of Assembly. It is public knowledge that Ugwuanyi's government inherited N68, 855, 130, 073 from the successive governments in the state. Most of these loans were taken when there was financial fluidity in the system, unlike since Ugwuanyi's government assumed office and has been battling financial challenges due to poor economy and effects of COVID-19 pandemic. These facts are sacred and can be verified from Debt Management Office and Federal Government's relevant agencies. There is nothing secret or bad about the loan. The truth is that the loan is not peculiar to Enugu State as being erroneously, ignorantly and mischievously peddled on social media platforms by paid agents and enemies of the state.

5) It is an axiomatic fact that the N15b loan is the first Ugwuanyi's administration is taking since it assumed office amidst obvious, daunting and prevailing financial cum economic challenges. It is known that Ugwuanyi's administration has not been on borrowing spree like other state governments. Governor Ugwuanyi has judiciously and fiscally managed the lean financial resources of the state to the surprise and commendations of many, especially those who know and understand the state of the economy when he came into office and how he has been able to keep the state afloat financially without borrowing until now.

6) If other states have taken and still taking the loan, there is nothing wrong in Enugu state government taking it. After all, the Federal Government will not stop deducting the bailout fund given to Enugu state in 2015 from their monthly allocation if the state government refuses to take the loan like their counterparts across the country. Besides, Enugu State needs the loan to enable the government complete ongoing capital projects across the length and breadth of the state and initiate new ones. The loan repayment period is okay and the digit is favourable.

Read more here:
https://www.crispng.com/enugu-govts-n15b-loan-and-social-media-mischief-makers/

Contrary to the spurious claims by the resigned Enugu State Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Victor Nnam that he resigned his position because workers in the ministry were sacked by the state government for doing their work, investigations revealed that no worker was sacked by the government.

A worker in the Ministry who pleaded anonymity disclosed that there was a petition to the Department of State Security (DSS) and Enugu State House of Assembly by some workers indicting some workers in the Ministry, who were collaborating with the Commissioner to perpetrate land revocations, racketeering and grabbing.

“Worried by the sharp practices in the Ministry under Dr.Nnam’s watch, which is capable of giving the government bad name and image , the concerned workers petitioned the security agents and House of Assembly, threatening to embark on street protest if they are not investigated and brought to book before it becomes too late.

“It was on the strength of the petition that the affected workers in the Ministry were redeployed to other ministries and parastatals by the state government. No worker was sacked by state government as claimed by the Commissioner in his sudden resignation letter. The Commissioner before his resignation was under investigation. He was with us in Government House Enugu on Wednesday,” the worker stated.

It would be recalled that some weeks ago, the Enugu State House of Assembly invited the Commissioner, but instead of honouring the invitation as required and expected of him, he took to the social media and disparaging and maligning the House of Assembly members for inviting him to the House.

He later swallowed pride and appeared before the House of Assembly members on his bended knees, pleading profusely on camera that he should be forgiven of his sins. He made it clear that he was overwhelmed with the magnitude of job in the Ministry which has made him to be in and out of hospital often.

It was also disclosed that the House of Assembly had after his appearance on the floor recommended to the Governor in writing to sack him, but immediately he got the hint of his impending sack, he hurriedly resigned and made the resignation letter public.

A source in Government House, disclosed that his sudden resignation will not stop the ongoing investigations of his activities and that of the redeployed workers from Ministry who collaborated with him.