₦airaland Forum

Presidential spokesman, Bashir Ahmad, Monday night, confirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and has picked one of its presidential nomination forms.

Ahmad, who is Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on the New Media had at about 8:35pm, in a tweet on his verified Twitter handle tweeted “so Goodluck Jonathan has dumped the opposition PDP and now member of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.

Speaking in a telephone chat, in Abuja, he explained that all circumstances point to the fact that the former President would be seeking to return to office on the platform of the party that removed him from office more than seven years ago.

According to Ahmad, a political party will sell nomination and expression of interest forms to only its registered member, adding that nobody will pay so much as N100 million for a cause he is not willing to pursue.

“No one will give out N100 million to buy Presidential forms from a party he’s not a member of. The primary criterium for parties to sell their forms to you is that you must first be a registered member”, Ahmad said.

Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike has declared himself as the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party ahead of the party primaries.

The Governor made the declaration during a thanksgiving service held in Port Harcourt following the latest Supreme Court judgment ceding the 17 oil wells to Rivers state.

Governor Wike boasted that none of the aspirants of the PDP can defeat him during the primaries.
The Governor also appealed to the leaders of the Church and Rivers state to pray for him to make the right choice of the candidate to fly the governorship flag of the PDP, adding that the pressure is too much.

Speaking about the seventeen oil wells ceded to the state, the governor said he is willing to share the revenue with Imo state as good neighbors.
Governor Wike further disclosed that he hired twenty one Senior Advocates of Nigeria to prosecute the matter.

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By Ex Gov. Peter Odili
“On the 25tth October, 2007 the Supreme Court ordered the immediate swearing-in of Rotimi Amaechi as governor. Amaechi assumed office as governor with the venom of a bitter man on a vengeance mission against all perceived, real and imagined opponents, including me. The climax was the setting up of the so-called Kayode Eso “Truth and Reconciliation Commission”, clearly conceived, designed and programmed to permanently indict and incarcerate Dr Odili.”
A former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili has narrated how his former personal aide, a former speaker in the Rivers State House of Assembly and current minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi betrayed him in the course of power struggle for the office of governor of the state.
Amaechi started working with Odili in his hospital, Pamo Clinic in Port Harcourt, from where he was helped by the man to get into the house of assembly where he became speaker for eight years.
It was from that office that Odili also chose him as the preferred aspirant to contest for the office of governor, before the K-Leg controversy came up, leading to Amaechi’s replacement with Celestine Omehia as candidate of the PDP for the 2007 gubernatorial election.
Odili said in his autobiography entitled, Conscience and History, that Amaechi betrayed his confidence at a time that he had told him not to go to court over the issue of his nomination as the PDP candidate.
He said:
“I ensured that we worked hard for PDP to win the governorship election in Rivers State. If my support had gone elsewhere, PDP would not have won in Rivers State, and if PDP did not win in Rivers, Supreme Court could not have ordered Amaechi to be sworn-in as governor.
“These are all immutable facts that nothing else could therefore have changed, and nothing else could be justifiable reason for the hostility unleashed against me on the advent of Amaechi’s administration.”
He recalled how the betrayal and back-stabbing started and how his triumphed. This is Odili’s narrative, exactly the way he put it in the book:
By 2001, barely two years into my first tenure as governor of Rivers State, the subterranean scheming for who will succeed me started among the young political team I had built since 1994/5.
One of our elder statesmen [now late] one day said to me ‘Your Excellency, you have made the governance of Rivers State look so easy and sweet that some of these your young men think it’s a ”piece of cake ‘and are already positioning to succeed you. They have no idea how tough it is to govern Rivers people. It is when you leave office that people will know” – (Chief A.K Dikibo)
I finished my first term and won the election for my second term 2003 – 2007 most comfortably with minimal opposition. However, with the approach of 2007 elections, the subterranean schemes gradually came to the fore among the young men who were aspiring to succeed me. In the firm belief that power comes from God – I decided to maintain a taciturn disposition about my preference.
As time passed, the race narrowed down and front – runners began to emerge and pressure for direction from me started being mounted by the party leadership and caucus.
I sustained my resistance to be dragged into the dog-fight for primaries. After a protracted ‘ping – pong’ between me and the caucus, I decided to conduct an intelligence search, deploying the necessary tools available officially and undercover. My search narrowed down to Rotimi Ameachi, Austin Opara and Abiye Sekibo for various reasons. I presented these to the caucus of the party who still insisted that I name one person. I still held my taciturn grounds.
My intelligence further revealed that while I was being goaded to name one of them as my preferred choice, behind the scene plots by some of the members of the caucus, to skew the primaries in favour of their own choice, with the connivance of some family members and Abuja big wigs were going on. The plot was deep and had gone far before I picked it up very close to the primaries. I felt ‘betrayed’ and ‘set up’ for ridicule. I therefore decided to intervene and ensure that a transparent process that would produce a popular winner democratically, was put in place. That is how Rotimi Amaechi emerged as the flag bearer of the party for the governorship election in Rivers State.
This appeared not to have gone down well in Abuja, for a yet to be disclosed reason. Again suddenly, the EFCC came after Amaechi with all sorts of allegations, arrested him and his travel documents seized. Rotimi Amaechi was incarcerated between the 12th – 15th December, 2006 same period the spurious investigation and ‘interim report’ by the EFCC was being cooked up against me. He too, like my commissioners, was released as soon as I announced my withdrawal from the presidential primaries on the 15th December, 2006 but his travel papers were still being held by the EFCC. We agreed and I supported him to challenge his disqualification and indictment legally.
After the convention, we all went back to Port Harcourt but the battle to get him off the PDP ticket raged on till late February, 2007. I made several trips to Abuja to secure the sustenance of Amaechi’s ticket as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Rivers State. The national leadership and The Presidency were clearly bent on not allowing the Amaechi ticket to stand.
I fought back as much as I as could, EFCC was unyielding in their resolve not to allow Amaechi as the candidate for Rivers. I was asked to nominate somebody else severally, and severally I refused to do so. At a very strange meeting at the Villa one night, I was pointedly asked how come I had only one choice for my succession after 8 years in office. The last straw was the threat by Nuhu Ribadu to resign his position as EFCC Chair and apologise to Nigerians if Amaechi was allowed to be the candidate.
The shock of it all was President Obasanjo telling me that he did not want to be blackmailed so I should effect a change. I refused, and went back to Port Harcourt that night fully convinced that one had to take one’s destiny in one’s hands – Abuja was clearly not in a position to morally stand by us. The next day we started our legal battle for our defence options – ‘self protection’ is the key to survival.
My struggle to sustain Amaechi’s ticket in spite of the obvious vehemence by Abuja leadership against it, continued.
Then came the zonal rallies for the presidential campaign in Port Harcourt for the South/South. At this event the flag bearer for the various states in the zone were to be recognized by the president and national leadership of the party.
The flagbearers for Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Edo States were acknowledged and given their flags, Rivers was said to have ‘K-Leg’ and would be sorted out later.
The night preceding the rally gave birth to this ugly development when the national leadership was directed to ask me, or rather instruct me to name a replacement for Amaechi or have one named for me the next day. It became obvious that I had lost the battle to save Amaechi’s candidacy. I immediately sent for Amaechi and broke the sad news to him before anyone else could hear it. The need to constructively face the reality had arisen. We toyed with the idea of optional replacement for him. We eventually settled for Celestine Omehia – his cousin, albeit reluctantly, for reasons of peer – group and family rivalry.
I felt that the state interest should over ride other considerations. Amaechi’s reluctance was however not in doubt. Armed with this acquiescence, I started consulting widely. By the morning of the zonal rally, I had not consulted sufficiently, so could not present Omehia to the national leadership. It was indeed at the rally ground that I introduced Omehia to the party leaders without him Omehia realizing why I was doing so since I had not let him into the development.
The rally ended without a candidate for Rivers. After two days of wide consultations the State enlarged Caucus approved the Candidature of Omehia as a replacement for Amaechi. Amaechi was part of the decision at least outwardly. A delegation flew to Abuja with me to convey the decision to the party and the Presidency. Amaechi was part of this delegation and was roundly commended by the delegation that came to present Omehia as his replacement. He quietly avoided being part of the delegation to the party Chairman and the President.
On returning from Abuja, Amaechi requested to take some time off and travel to recover from the tension of the past days and events. He looked visibly shaken and distressed, understandably so. I agreed and arranged his passage to Ghana within a few days.
In the course of his absence in Ghana, my attention was drawn to the fact that Amaechi’s lawyer, in pursuing the case he instituted against the EFCC, brought in the matter of his disqualification by PDP and replacement with Omehia. I felt that was not right in the light of the consensual decision in Amaechi’s presence for Omehia’s candidacy. I spoke to Amaechi’s lawyer, Dappa Ado Esq., along this line and he explained to me that that was his brief on the instruction of his client and that he can only alter the brief on the instruction of his client. I respected his position on the matter but advised him to convey my view to his client that what I thought was appropriate at that point was the nullification of Amaechi’s supposed indictment by EFCC and not Omehia’s candidacy. Amaechi’s lawyer never got back to me on the matter and he continued his case.
From that moment on, Amaechi broke contact. I made efforts to reach him without success and asked all those I knew were in touch with him to reach him, such as Sen. Magnus Abe, who was then my commissioner for information, Chief G. U Ake, all to no avail. Trust had been threatened. The subsequent events confirmed the breach. The stage for the parting of ways was set. Amaechi continued his court case while Omehia pursued his campaign as the party’s candidate with robust opposition from Amaechi’s supporters. There was clear and palpable hostility from both parties and this resulted to the subdued polarization of the party supporters on the two divides, with each side trading accusations on each other. There was now mutual distrust
On victory at the polls and formation of Government, Omehia carried on with the exclusion of Amaechi’s supporters, against my advice, who in turn continued their support for Amaechi’s court case.
On the 25tth October, 2007 the Supreme Court ordered the immediate swearing-in of Rotimi Amaechi as governor. Amaechi assumed office as governor with the venom of a bitter man on a vengeance mission against all perceived, real and imagined opponents, including me – classic ‘misplaced aggression’. My support gave Amaechi the ticket. I did all in my power to sustain his candidature in the face of grave opposition from Abuja. He was party to the choice of Omehia as his replacement. My party loyalty and support ensured PDP victory at the election.
I ensured that we worked hard for PDP to win the the governorship election in Rivers State. If my support had gone elsewhere, PDP would not have won in Rivers State and if PDP did not win in Rivers State, Supreme Court could not have ordered Amaechi to be sworn-in as governor. These are all immutable facts. These are critical factors that nothing else could therefore have changed and nothing else could be justifiable reason for the hostility unleashed against Dr. Peter Odili on the advent of governor Amaechi’s administration.
The axioms ‘obedience is better than sacrifice’ and ‘Lex Talionis’ were both thrown overboard. Odili became the main victim of his generosity in an unprecedented manner in the annals of Rivers/Nigerian politics. All that could be done to denigrate my achievements in office was done. All known detractors of Odili were brought on board.
The climax was the setting up of the so-called Kayode Eso “Truth and Reconciliation Commission”, clearly conceived, designed and programmed to permanently indict and incarcerate Dr Odili. I was put on public trial with the live coverage paid for by Rivers State Government. Inspite of obvious bias, prejudice, malice and predetermined objective to indict, I acquitted myself creditably. Even though I was supposed to be a witness, I turned out to be trial. The panel still went ahead to indict me. I fought back and challenged the report in court. Because of the hostility of the state government, no judge wanted to touch the case and it took four court transfers before the case was heard. I finally obtained victory in Justice Ahiakwo’s court – throwing out and nullifying the report of the Kayode Eso so – called Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Attached is my presentation at the hearing and the full Court judgement on the report.
The axiom that ‘you never really know a man until he has power and money’ came truly alive since my period out of office 29th May 2007. It has been a most revealing and instructive period of my life. People one had taken from point of street – contact and made members of family; people one had employed straight from school; people who one had no sanguinal relationships with but made beneficiaries of one’s generosity in the midst of want; people who professed absolute loyalty and readiness to sacrifice anything in one’s defence; people who proclaimed that their own children could not do 10% of what Dr. Odili did in their lives – the list is inexhaustible. All these, on my exit from office, instantly turned their backs on me, denied being beneficiaries and indeed joined detractors and political opponents to castigate, denigrate, malign and condemn me. They denied being recipients of anything good from Odili’s Government. Some even joined the chorus of ‘Crucify Odili’ singers. That is the nature of man and his perfidy. ”The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 Kings James Version.
There is indeed no art of discerning who will stand with you to the end. It is also not a function of sanguinal relations or ethnicity. That is why the list is a mixed salad of ‘friends’, fraternal, religious, political, professional, colleagues turned betrayers, even extended family members are included topping the list are: those by God’s will we singlehandedly invited to occupy positions, those who could not pay school fees or transport their children to school until Odili came into their lives long before I became Governor; those who called me ‘brother’ and were called ‘best friends of Government’ on the basis of the tremendous patronages they enjoyed from my administration albeit meritoriously; those who had no leather shoes at the point of contact with me politically and who are today acclaimed success stories; those I assisted to bail out their failing businesses including banks.
People who wined and dined with me every day in office literally and were privy to most decisions and actions of my government; those whose lives were saved by our state free health care policy and direct intervention; those who held political appointments under us for the eight years I was governor and after; foot – runners who became owners of cars through our patronage and assistance. Even those weddings were sponsored and funded by us and those who received free medical treatment in our private hospital for many years. That’s how deep the betrayal was.

Congratulations! After so much hard work, here you are receiving your employment contract. Maybe this is your first job or you are an experienced professional, the excitement of a new job might cause you to skim through the contract straight to the dotted line to append your signature.

Stop right there!

Depending on the experience level and industry, your job offer may come with a lengthy employment offer. While your prospective employer might pass it off as a formality, you never want to just skim and sign anything without delving into the details.

Here are 5 things to know before you sign:

Job title and duties – Before you read any further, are you signing up for the role you applied for? This may seem silly, but many employers call the same job different things internally and externally. For example, a Lead and a Manager might sound the same however the job description is different. If the title has changed since your interview, ensure the job description is familiar. Your new job title should reflect the role you’re taking on. If it’s vague, ask your employer to clarify your responsibilities and how you’ll work within your team. You don’t want to overestimate or underestimate your new role in the company.


Salary, benefits, and bonus – How much are you really getting paid? What’s the gross and what are you going home with at the end of every month? Most people confuse the gross salary for the net and are left pondering where the difference disappeared to when they get their first paycheck.

Also, some companies provide comprehensive benefits packages for their permanent employees. Some of the benefits you might be entitled to in this instance include a pension, HMO, and other diverse benefits. You might also be eligible for bonuses as part of your new role. Always ask where you are not specific and ensure that all benefits are stated on your contract

Start date, probation period, and working hours – Most employers usually just copy and paste this section, so you might want just to skim. It is important to note your start date and how long you will be on probation. Most employers use this probation period to decide if you are the right fit for the company and you also are given a chance to decide if the company is right for you.

Also, ensure that your contract lays out the terms of your work hours, will you be working the proverbial nine to five? Or is it eight a.m to six p.m? It’s normal to take on a few extra hours at your discretion but on the whole, you shouldn’t be working much more than what you’re contractually obliged to. And if you do, you need to know you’ll be compensated for your effort (or not)

Leave Allowance and other forms of leave besides annual – Everyone deserves a break so make sure that in addition to knowing your annual leave allowance, you should also know other forms of leave such as sick, casual, or study leaves. Look out for any restrictions such as particular times in the year you can’t take time off or limitations on the length of your leave. Read through your contract to know if you can roll over your leave and if your employer pays an allowance if you work during your leave.

Nondisclosure, non-circumvention, and when it’s time to go – Restrictive clauses, usually don’t apply during your time with an employer but only take effect after you choose to leave or you are terminated. However, you need to be aware of the stipulated terms before signing the contract. Will you be able to work with a competitor? Can you work for a company that does work for other competitors? How many years before you can mention the details of the projects you worked on while with your employer? And finally, how long should your notice period be before you can leave?

There are reports that Pastor Tonye Cole has emerged Rivers APC preferred/consensus gubernatorial aspirant.
Although no official statement has been released to that effect from the party but many APC chieftains in the state including the party leader in Tai local government area Kate sam ngbor have already posted his emergence on their social media handles.

Our correspondent gathered that the emergence of Tonye Cole as the preferred candidate was agreed by the ten APC governorship aspirants at a meeting held Friday night in port Harcourt.
We shall bring you More details on this report in our subsequent bulletins.

If the EFCC knows its job and is unbiased, anyone in government, from Osinbajo, to Amaechi, to Ngige, to Yahaya Bello, to Umahi, that pays ₦100 million for a nomination form, should be answering questions about living above their means and income. If they see a young man driving a Range Rover, they arrest him on suspicion of Yahoo. What about this? Is this not more obvious corruption?

Any government official that pays the ₦100 million APC Presidential nomination price tag is likely corrupt. There is no way they can afford that on their legitimate salary. And they are not allowed to run side businesses while in office. And no support group will pay ₦100 million without some quid pro quo, or receiving the money from them from behind.
#TableShaker

Na all these small pin charger when dey charge iphone and laptop aka pino pino dem

Nksleek:
Police Raid Hotel Where Underaged Girls Trafficked From Rivers State Are Used As Sex Slaves In Delta

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command has raided Fagboma Hotel where underage girls trafficked from Rivers State are used as sex slaves and rescued the victims.

Focus Naija can report that the sting operation was carried out on Friday, 15th April, 2022, after the command received information that the hotel located at Aragba in Otokutu Town, Ughelli South, Delta State was been used as a brothel for underaged prostitution.

According to the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Ari Mohammed Ali during a press briefing at the Command’s Headquarter in Asaba, investigations revealed that a woman simply identified as Joy trafficked the victims from Rivers, took them to Patani to forcefully swear an oath then brought them to Otu-Jeremi and handed them over to the owner of the brothel by name, Edwin Etareri.

He said that the owner of the hotel is currently at large but his wife, Grace Etareri is currently in custody alongside ten men and ten suspected prostitutes that were arrested during the raid.

The press briefing goes thus;

“On 15/4/2022 at about 2330hrs, the Command received information that Fagoma Hotel located at Aragba in Otokutu in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State is being used as a brothel where underage children are trafficked and used as sex slave. The command upon receiving this disturbing information raided the brothel and the following underage girls were rescued:

1.Happiness Johnson ‘f’ age 13yrs
2.Esther Godspower ‘f’ age 21yrs
3.Angel John ‘f’ age 22yrs
4.Miracle Bishop ‘f’ age 19yrs
5.Happiness Isreal ‘f’ 19yrs

“Investigations revealed that one Joy ‘f’ surname unknown now at large trafficked the underage girls from Rivers State took them to Patani where they were forced into taking an oath before they were brought to Otu-Jeremi and harbored by one Edwin Etareri the owner of the said brothel and his wife one Mrs Grace Etariri currently in custody. Ten other male suspects and ten female suspected prostitutes were also arrested during the raid. Investigation is ongoing.”

Source: https://www.facebook.com/100041566351018/posts/838414320887439/?d=n

Pastor Daere Akobo is a Physicist,Philanthropist, Business Mogul, Chairman PANA Holdings, CEO PE Energy Ltd and Kari Care Technology.
Fellow of the Institute of Directors of London, member Nigerian Society of Engineers,member Nigerian Gas Association, member Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, and life member Nigeria Institute of Directors.
Born on Saturday May 12th 1973 In Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria. Engineer Daere Akobo attended Rivers State University Of Science and Technology ( now Rivers State University) were he obtained a BSc degree in Applied Physics, He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
He started his career in January 1998, with the International Petroleum Company of Nigeria (IPCO), as an Electrical /Instrumentation Engineer.
By June of 2004 he moved to TOTAL E&P (formerly Elf petroleum) to work as a Stock Control technical assistant in the Procurement Department. He later went on to GE, where he became the first African ultrasonic flowmeter specialist with GE Panametrics and GE Bently Nevada in Nigeria.
During his career, Engineer Akobo commissioned ultrasonic flowmeters, vibration and condition monitoring instruments to Oil and Gas Power generating plants cutting across ALGERIA, EGYPT, ANGOLA, TUNISIA, QATAR, BAHRAIN and GERMANY, as well as several offshore locations in Nigeria.
In September of 2009, Pastor Akobo established PE Energy Limited, (formerly known as Plant Engineering Nigeria Limited) with the vision of bridging the service gap among multinational oil field tools & equipment manufacturing companies, international oil exploration and production companies, engineering, procurement and construction companies and other related service companies.
The excellent services and strong alliances of his companies and businesses have continued to pull in a steady stream of global clients from leading and world-renowned organizations like Shell, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Total, Agip, NLNG, Saipem, Daewoo, Hyundai, just to name a few.
The company has also extended its borders across Ghana by establishing PE Prime Ghana Limited in 2017.
Pastor Akobo is also holding the position of Chairman at PANA Holdings, a multi-industry conglomerate. As a business platform that has set sail to become a reference point of unmatched enterprise standards, PANA Holdings identifies, scrutinizes and rates potential investment opportunities across different sectors of business. Its area of involvement includes inter alia industries such as Healthcare, Real Estate, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Energy, Telecoms/IT, Marine and Environment.
Engineer Daere Akobo is among 60 notable Nigerians recognized by Africa Forbes Nigeria on October 1st 2020 as Nigeria commemorates her 60th independence anniversary.
Pastor Akobo serves as Pastor in Salvation Ministries, he describes David Ibiyeomie as his prophetic mentor, and credits his achievements in business and career to the instrumentality of God's grace on Pastor David Ibiyeomie.
Pastor Akobo is obsessed with building churches, which he calls his kingdom dream. This could be the secret behind the prosperity of the 48 years old billionaire.
Congratulations Pastor Daere Akobo
#PentecostalBulletin

Officials of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies, EFCC and ICPC, say their morale and commitment to work have been affected by the controversial presidential pardon of Jolly Nyame, former governor of Taraba State, and Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau State. Both men had been convicted and jailed for stealing state funds.

The officials of the two institutions, in separate interviews with PREMIUM TIMES, lamented the pardon and accused President Muhammadu Buhari of sabotaging the anti-corruption fight.

The officials asked not to be named for fear of victimisation.
“We used to say our problem in our work against corruption is the judiciary but we see a lack of political will by the president,” one EFCC official said.
Messrs Nyame and Dariye were pardoned by Mr Buhari despite still serving their jail terms.
Mr Dariye, 64, and Mr Nyame, 66, were convicted for mismanaging and stealing public funds while they were governors of their states.

But on Thursday, at the National Council of State’s meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Mr Buhari granted pardon to the two former governors, as well as 157 others, on the grounds of health and age.
By granting them pardon, insiders told PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Buhari — who rode to power on the campaign of fighting corruption — has dampened the morale of the officials of the anti-graft agencies.

“We used to say our problem in our work against corruption is the judiciary but we see a lack of political will by the president”
One official said the anti-graft officers would now merely attend work to earn their salaries without passion.
“People will be taunting us now that a president can pardon a big thief whom we seriously try to prosecute,” the official said.

The official lamented that the prosecutions of the two former governors took up to 10 years and their eventual convictions were a high point of their work.
“Staff are angrier because the two former governors were tried for over a decade and got convicted. They are saying that the corrupt public servants even made appeals but their conviction was affirmed by Nigeria’s apex court,” the official said.

The official added that some members of staff are querying their moral ground to go pursue other cases of corruption.

Another official said he doubts Mr Buhari reviewed the implication of his actions on operatives of the anti-graft agencies.
“People risked their lives and friendships to investigate the ex-governors. They refused to be compromised. Now it appears all the efforts were in vain,” the anti-corruption investigator said.

Meanwhile, some non-governmental organisations such as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and Transparency International (TI) also condemned the pardon granted to the corrupt politicians convicted by the Nigerian courts.

The civil society organisations are worried about what they called “the effect such ill-thought political pardon will have on the anti-corruption efforts, which constitutes the major agenda and commitment of the current administration”.

“We sincerely hope the processes and objectives of such Presidential pardon will be re-examined and made transparent to avoid bad precedence, especially as the nation moves towards a political transition in the 2023 general elections,” a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa, read in parts.

Mike Ozekhome, a human rights lawyer and activist, said the official pardon is a major setback to Nigeria’s fight against corruption. Mr Ozekhome argued that pardoning the corrupt politicians has only validated the public perception of Mr Buhari’s administration’s lop-sided corruption fight.

“This move goes further to demoralize our anti-corruption agencies who are already facing challenges prosecuting high profile cases of corruption,” Mr Ozekhome said in a statement. “Some of these cases took over ten years to conclude and with lots of resources committed.”

He also said: “In one case, for example, a witness had to be flown from the United Kingdom to Nigeria at different times with funds from taxpayers. Furthermore, operatives of anti-corruption agencies had to put their lives at risk even to the point of facing physical attacks while these cases were on and suddenly, we read that these individuals have been pardoned.”

In its statement, on Sunday, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use his “good offices to urgently review and withdraw the pardon granted to former governors of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye, and Taraba State, Rev Jolly Nyame who are serving jail terms for corruption.”

“Presidential pardon for corruption cases is inconsistent with the rule of law, and the public interest, as it undermines the principle of equality before the law. It will undermine public confidence in your government’s fight against corruption, and the justice system,” the group wrote, quoting a letter it said it wrote to President Buhari.

Residents of Ikenne Remo, headquarters of Ikenne Local Government area of Ogun State, yesterday trooped out in their hundreds during a solidarity walk organised by the town’s development association, youth association and market women in the town in support of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for 2023 Presidential election.


The residents, who first gathered in front of the Ikenne Security Council office before moving to the palace of Alakenne of Ikenne, Oba Adeyinka Onakade, where market women had also gathered, to seek prayers for Osinbajo’s ambition.

Addressing the supporters led by the Iyaloja General of Remoland, Mrs. Mercy Owolana and others who carried placards of various inscriptions eulogising the Vice President, Oba Onakade, described Osinbajo as a competent, knowledgeable, experienced and ideal person that Nigeria needs at this time.

The monarch said reports reaching him on the ambition of Osinbajo, clearly showed that the vice president was acceptable to most Nigerians.

He therefore enjoined the indigenes of Remoland both home and abroad to embark on an aggressive campaign and see themselves as one on the Osinbajo’s presidential project.

The Osinbajo’s supporters later moved from the monarch’s palace and embarked on a solidarity walk through Tai Solarin’s Way singing and dancing.

Some of the placards carried by the youths and market women read: ‘Osinbajo is Most Experienced’; ‘Osinbajo’s Presidency will Bring Progress’; ‘Osinbajo 2023 Is Sure’; ‘Ikenne Remo Market Women Support Osinbajo’; ‘Ikenne Youths For Osinbajo’, among others.

While addressing the supporters, the President of Ikenne Development Association (IDA), Comrade Adedoyin Adesina, said Osinbajo, among the aspirants campaigning for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the most competent, experienced in terms of governance at the Presidential level.

According to Adesina, Osinbajo had demonstrated his competence during the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari when he acted.

The IDA president therefore advised Nigerians to avoid making another mistake, saying moneybags would soon be trying to lure delegates.

He advised that Nigerians should vote according to their conscience by looking at the past record of Osinbajo for a better Nigeria.

Also addressing the gathering, the President of Ikenne Youth Association, Arowolo Oluwafemi, said all youths in Remoland were ready to work assiduously in order to realise the presidential ambition of Osinbajo. Buttressing the position of the IDA president, Oluwafemi said Nigerians should consider competence and capability when casting their votes in the forthcoming election.

He called on APC delegates to shun money bags, who may want to buy their conscience with money and later throw the country into another problem.

Gov. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, not Buhari, not FG, will in a matter of months, send portable water to all the kitchens/homes in Port Harcourt City.
We can already see elevated water tanks in Rumuola, Diobu & Borokiri. Modern treatment/chlorination plants and extensive citywide reticulation. This project is part of Mr. Project's Urban ReNEWal programme in Rivers State and is expected to be delivered in few months time.
Kudos to Port Harcourt Water Corporation, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja for working tirelessly to make sure this project is completed as scheduled. Rivers State Govt led by the indefatigable Gov. Wike has the biggest water project in Nigeria.
Rivers State Government led by Gov. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike understands that it's important for you to enter your kitchen, on your tap and drink from it. That is why the Government is not relenting in making sure the good people of Port Harcourt and Rivers State enjoy basic Amenities such as quality roads, flyovers, bridges, portable water in the kitchen, security, electricity, education, health etc.

Forget about how a man talks, not all men are gifted with oratory prowess. Focus on a man who brings results, brings about positive change to his environment and a man who is determined to serve his people, alleviate the suffering of his people and has the will to bring about positive change.
Nigeria is screaming to have Gov. Wike as the next President.

Yes, that is why every church today have a cell fellowship(house fellowship), the reasons been that not every matter you have to take the church, if your cell fellowship cannot help you, then you take it to the church.

Michelle70:
Rubbish.
A church that u will meet for help and they will tell u to bring letter from ur district pastor.

Meaning if u are not from that church, no help for u.

God bless prophet TB Joshua, he was the only one close to what Christianity should feel like

It was indeed a joyful moment in the 25th anniversary celebration as Pastor(Mrs) Peace Ibiyeomie, Pastor Charles Alikor, Pastor Abiye David Daniel and Pastor Samson Michael were each given a property in the location of their choice. David Ibiyeomie, while presenting the official documents to prove their ownership, stated that giving them the properties was in recognition of their many years of diligent, faithful and loyal service and their unwavering commitment through thick and thin.
All the glory be to God!

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has submitted his filled and completed presidential nomination form.
Governor Wike’s form was submitted to the National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Umar Bature by Senator Sulieman Nazif at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Friday.
Speaking on behalf the delegation that submitted the form, Senator George Sekibo assured Nigerians that if Governor Wike is elected president of Nigeria, he will expeditiously tackle the protracted insecurity, economic and infrastructural challenges facing the country.
Senator Sekibo, who represents Rivers East senatorial district in the National Assembly, said since assumption of office in 2015, Governor Wike has been able to transform the infrastructural landscape of Rivers state.
“For us from Rivers state, we are proud to say that Governor Nyesom Wike has served diligently, has served very well. And we are sure he will bring that same service and extend it to this country. Just as he has eliminated issue of security in Rivers state, issue of security in Nigeria will be eliminated. Just as he has brought infrastructural revolution in Rivers, bad roads will be eliminated in Nigeria.”
He further added: “We believe that when Nigerians give him (Wike) that opportunity to serve them as the president, he is going to replicate what he has done in Rivers State and much more in the entire country. We have our confidence in him. This is a testimony from us from Rivers State that he can serve Nigeria, and we believe most of the woes we are crying about every day by the grace of God when Nyesom Wike becomes the president of the country will be drastically reduced and eliminated.”
Senator Sekibo, who described the Rivers state governor as a bridge builder, explained that he is resolute about his presidential ambition and has been travelling to various states of the federation to consult with critical stakeholders.
“Virtually every day he is one state or the other state consulting every person who manners. And we believe that with that level of consultation Nigerians are buying into the project. We also believe that before it will be the date of the primary, virtually every Nigerian will buy into this project. Why did I say so, he is a bridge builder.
Similarly, Senator Lado Danmarke, who was among those who purchased the form for Governor Wike, said they took the decision because the Rivers state governor has competence and capability to restore the lost glory of the country.
“And we believe that he (Wike) will make us proud. We believe that he will make Nigeria proud. He has the capacity, he has the competence to restore the lost glory of our dear country. That is why we believe in him, that is why we are committed to this rescue mission. We believe he will take us to the promise land.”
On his part, the National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Umar Bature, gave assurance the party will give all presidential aspirants a level playing field.
“We wish him (Wike) the very best in this contest and we believe the party will benefit from the process of selecting our presidential candidate. And as we said from the beginning that everybody will be given a level playing field to exhibit the potential they have for the country and Nigeria.
“We believe that Governor Wike is one of our candidate that have those qualities to lead Nigeria. And that is why we wish him well and we also thank you for coming to submit this form.”

Thanks

sharpyoung:
Amazon ships to home address. Whether DHL, Aramex, UPS. The money you paid covered for the item and shipping. Make sure you add correct address and zip code

Please guys and trying to buy a system from amazon. But i was told by a friend that when it is been shipped that i have to pay extra ship fee to Nipost. Please how true is this?
Does amazon ship items to Nigeria home addresses?

Permanent voter’s card is a legitimate, invaluable right of every citizen in Nigeria who has attained the age of 18 years.

It is therefore a pertinent instrument for participating in choice of elections to determine the order and structure of which party and the particular individual feature by the party to govern a particular enclave or state, country, local government as the case may be.

It is the fundamental requirement all over the world for the citizen to register as a prospective voter to participate in an election.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been magnanimous to every Nigerian to register for the election for over two months now but many Nigerians have no time.

Some are not even mindful of it, some Nigerians are showing aparthy, some even believe it is not their business but when the few citizens who register would ultimately vote, they will impose a poor imperceptible leader who will not perform.

Those of us who are complaining now that they have no time will have cause to lose some volume of business.

The groups that are showing aparthy now will have to embrace bad governance because they have given opportunity to a mediocrity in a position of authority. Registration of permanent voter’s card is the journey to enthroning a good government.

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It is pertinent to note that the fundamental indices of underdevelopment in Nigeria; lack of adequate electricity, water supply, bad roads, lack of health care and deprepit educational infrastructure are as a result of this willful disenfranchisment (self disenfranchisment).

The gory statistics from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last week that about six million people registered in the entire South/East, eight million people in south west and over 14 million people in the North is to say the least disturbing.

It is predictable that such people will be able to influence the decision of determining who will emerge as leaders.

It is paradoxical that the same people who will be complaining that there is no good governance, no facilities are now sleeping, showing aparthy. The first rudimentary and legitimate thing is for every eligible voter to go and register.

It is important to come out for registration.

There should be concerted efforts for every eligible person to register. The Imams in the mosques should help to drive home the message to the worshippers.

The churches should do the same. People should use every available opportunity to preach this important message. The citizens should also go a step further to go to the polls when the election period comes.

It will not only end there, they should be able to guard and defend their votes, one man, one vote. It is when the generality of the entire citizenry that participate in the election that it could be said to be inclusive.

It is only the true leaders that emerge from such elections that are actually democratic. I believe that INEC is putting their machinery in order to be able to meet the exigencies of the moment.

An Independent Electoral Commission should be truly independent and fair. Let it be that apparent justice and fairness seem to be done.

The political time table albeit the electoral time table will not be tailored or skewed in such a way that some parties will have upper hand. Remember, that INEC is an essential part of a good democratic system.

If INEC and the notorious party members are partisan, because of particular pecunia benefits, hence we elect candidates that don’t have something to offer, we are drawing back the hand and scope of development of the country to the 18 century.

The unpatriotic business of registering under age in a particular section of the country to control the machinary of governance is an abomination.

It is not just enough for INEC to deny it, but they have to investigate the matter. It starts from registration.

If INEC is not involved or collaborates with desperate political office seekers/parties, such incident will not be accommodated.

A special court should be constituted to try such persons involved in such cases. Disciplinary measures should be meted out to such officers (INEC) who are culprits.

It is possible to change the party and government in power through the administration of permanent voter’s card. The country will be sixty in two years time, the various politicians who have been practising politics cannot be said to have moved the country forward.

According to the former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, in Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, Perspectives on Nigerian Foreign Policy and Diplomacy, 2014. P.90. Democracies don’t attack each other.

Irrespective of the parties in power, what should be the ultimate is to advance the course of democracy, the level and standard of living should be better than the previous administration.

It is on the basis of this that development should be cumulative. Successive administration should add to the existing developmental progress not retardation.

The dividend of democracy should be felt in all the nook and crannies of this country. The seven hundred and seventy four local councils should feel the impact of democracy.

The paradox of living in poverty in the midst of abundance should be reversed.

God has blessed this country with enough natural, human and other resources. We are not supposed to live in poverty but we missed it because of wrong choice of people to govern us.

Hence, this is a clarion call on and sundry eligible voters to go and register for the elections.

It will not be out of place if INEC could extend the period to a considerable length of time to enable prospectiive voters to register, if possible the Federal Government could borrow a leaf from the Kano State Government where, public holidays were declared in Kano last year to enable workers to register and vote for the candidates of their choice.

Those from across the Niger, some people from the midwest and south-south who are lukewarm about participation should rise up and go for registration now.

It is a vital instrument for determining the choice of government. There is no gain saying the fact to lament over a spilled milk.

The level of political consciousness will be high and participation will be inclusive. It is only by so doing that democracy will bring desired dividends and foods on the table of Nigerians.

God bless Nigeria and all who are committed to promoting democracy in Nigeria.

I am today, with utmost humility formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of APC.

At the direction of Mr. President, I have represented our country in several international engagements. I have been in markets, factories, schools, and farms. I have visited our gallant troops in the North-East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps.

I believe that the very reason why the Almighty God gave me these experiences, these insights and these opportunities, is that they must be put to the use of our country and its great peoples.

The latest decision of Rotimi Amaechi to contest for the presidency might become the end of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s ambition. Rotimi Amaechi has an upper hand in the political corridors currently over Bola Tinubu because he has various support from people in power. Rotimi Amaechi claims he is an Ikwerre man that comes from the south-south and that automatically gives him complete votes from the south-south if he scales the APC’s primary election.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s secret candidate seems to be Rotimi Amaechi because he is a loyalist to Buhari. This implies that another humongous amount of votes will come from the northeast for Buhari’s candidate Rotimi Amaechi because Buhari has the highest amount of supporters in the northeast whose loyalty remains with Buhari.

Rotimi Amaechi will also get support from the southeast if he comes out because he will be the only alternative for a southern candidate to emerge as president, this automatically gives him an upper hand over Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who is solely depending on the northeast. Northern rulership will automatically be cut short because Nigerians are no longer in support of a northern candidate because of Buhari’s mal-administration.

Rotimi Amaechi seems to be the perfect candidate that will completely pull down Tinubu’s stronghold in APC and the northeast. In one of his visits to the northeast, he pulled one of the highest crowds any politician has commanded during a visit to the north which implies support for him.

A photo which is circulating on social media shows a Kogi man being given a wheelbarrow as part of the state government’s youth empowerment programme.

The beneficiary who resides in Olamaboro, Kogi state wore a T-shirt that says “I Pity The Fool” while receiving the wheelbarrow from the Local Government Chairman.According to SaharaReporters, it is part of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello’s Youth Empowerment Program which was introduced in 2021.

PHOTONEWS: Olamaboro Resident Wearing Tshirt That Says “I Pity The Fool” Receives Wheel Barrow Being Distributed By Local Government Chairman As Part Of Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello’s Youth Empowerment Program
@OfficialGYBKogi

https://twitter.com/SaharaReporters/status/1511615315276439557?t=QkSkzprdDE-JwgbvWwrYNg&s=19

We can all agree with Tom Peters that, “The simple act of paying positive attention to people has a great deal to do with productivity.” Everyone loves being appreciated for the work they do, the value they bring to the table or just for their presence.
The first Friday in the month of March is celebrated globally as Employee Appreciation Day. If you’re still on the fence about whether or not to celebrate, here are some reasons for you to do so:
Appreciation improves productivity
It’s been proven several times that when employees know that their hard work is recognized or appreciated, it motivates them to improve and perform better at their job.
Employees feel valued
Some people are not motivated by money but by the little things that make them feel appreciated. This can create a ripple effect in the workplace because an employee that feels appreciated will likely show appreciation to their colleagues and to customers.
It builds staff loyalty and a strong company culture
Employees would be quite reluctant to leave a company that appreciates them often, is kind and increases morale. This would reflect in their commitment to the organization and reduce attrition rate too.

4 GREAT WAYS TO RECOGNIZE EMPOLYEES

As an employer, you do not need to break the bank to appreciate your employees, we have curated a short list of ways you can appreciate your employees today:
Praise them at work
It’s quite simple — words of appreciation would go a long way. A few words of praise, a simple thank you to show that you are recognizing their efforts for a job well done. Appreciate an employee by mentioning his/her specific actions and emphasizing that you found it admirable. This personalized action will go a long way in increasing his/her morale and efficiency.
Implement a shout-out channel
With most teams online, consider creating a shoutout channel. The shoutout channel is where staff can make shoutouts to other staff members that helped them with a difficult task, shared their workload or showed kindness. After setting up the channel, let your team members know what the channel is for and how they can use it. If you want to take it a step further, consider offering a reward for those who get mentioned to incentivise good behaviour.
Create an employee recognition plan
An employee recognition plan will allow you to outline objectives and criteria for showing appreciation to your staff. You can create a reward system, a point system or customize one to suit your organization’s needs.
Surprise your team with treats
Instead of traditional rewards like a mug or pen, try giving them time-off, a late start or a gift card for them to shop or have lunch at their favourite restaurant. You can send electronic gift cards to all your employees today via SureGifts Business with as little as N500 only.

Ahead of next year’s general election, an Abuja-based pro-democracy and good governance advocacy group has asked former President Goodluck Jonathan to close ranks with President Muhammadu Buhari and join the ruling All Progressives Congress APC with a view to getting the party’s presidential ticket.

The Citizens Network for Peace and Development gave the charge Sunday in Abuja at a media parley on the state of the nation.

National Coordinator of the network, Okorie ‘Ohamadike’ Raphael who spoke on behalf of the group noted that Nigeria deserves a leader who is respected even beyond her borders and who is convinced that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

According to him, Jonathan’s bloodless ambition puts him in a vantage position over and above those who see politics as a do or die affair.

He said; “The 2023 elections in our opinion, is not about the politicians. It is about the citizenry, the Nigerian people! It is about us and our desire for continuity and sustainability of the democratic gains.

“This briefing is not for lamentations, nor is it centred on disparaging the image of any Nigerian. However, in the past few days, a few personages have indicated interest in running for the Office of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023.

“Over the years, it has been an all-comers affair. The process of election or is it ‘selection’ of our leaders past has glaringly never really been based on the will of the people; rather it has been mostly predicated on the design of the elites whose motive is targeted at manipulating the system personal benefit or that of their minions. Such though is the game of politics but I dare say that we have all had enough of that.
“Having carefully scanned the political firmament in search of a credible, knowledgeable, selfless, trusted and patriotic candidate to occupy the exalted position of President of Nigeria. It is not in doubt that Nigeria is at a crossroads between discontent, fear and suspicion and the propensity for peace, reconciliation and hope. Our searchlight has fallen on none other than former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR. His antecedents speak volumes. His compassion and passion for peace and Nigeria’s development cannot be overlooked.

“Those who vigorously criticized his administration and misunderstood his conciliatory and transformative approach to governance have soon realized that his patriotism and love for Nigeria is unflinching. For President Goodluck Jonathan he has shown that the interest of the Nigeria comes first. This was demonstrated by his actions during and in the aftermath of the 2015 Elections, specifically the historic phone call he made to President Mohammadu Buhari. He has indeed proven to be a peace maker and patriotic. He epitomises a true defender of democracy. His exemplary display of political solidarity and commitment to the progress of Nigeria has earned him crucial international roles as special envoy, mediator and resource person in global governance and security. He has also represented the African Union, ECOWAS and other global organizations in political matters especially election monitoring, reconciliation and peacemaking across the continent. This can be attributed to his sterling leadership qualities and character.

“Looking closer home, Goodluck Jonathan’s track record as an achiever, nationalist and visionary leader are clearly evident around us. A good number of megaprojects initiated by his administration litter the horizon and though quite a number stand today in credit to the present administration in the spirit of continuity, the fact remains that he has left indelible footprints in the sands of time.

“Presently, the distrust in the polity requires a tested Nigerian like Jonathan to bridge the gap and foreclose any suspicion as is the case with some of those that have indicated interest in occupying Aso Rock come 2023. We do not need a leader who is coming onboard with hangers-on who at best will constitute themselves into a nuisance and unwanted distraction. We do not need a leader whose history is chequered with more questions than answers and we certainly do not need a leader whose ambition is just to be President and nothing more”, he added.

Telecom Company, MTN, has hinted on rebranding from a telco to a full technology company.

The company made this known in a teaser made available to Vanguard, yesterday. The telco says the plan forms part of its ‘Ambition 2025’ strategy, aimed at harmonising all its leading digital platforms for Africa’s progress.

According to the teaser: “MTN Group’s Ambition 2025, aimed at ‘Leading digital platforms for Africa’s progress’, has ushered in a new look that is aligned to our evolution from a telecommunications company to a technology company underpinned by one simple, consistent, yet striking brand. Our commitment and focus to accelerate Africa’s progress sees MTN revealing a refreshed brand identity and campaign from February 27.”

To that effect, it has changed its former logo to a new one, which Vanguard gathered authoritatively would reflect its journey from just voice to other digital platforms like financial technology, artificial intelligence, big data, among a host of others.
Vanguard gathered that already, the former logo with the red, white and blue letters was replaced with a new one, having all blue letters surrounded by an oval. The new logo is now conspicuously dotting the signage at the head office in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In the new design, the word ‘Y’ello’ is emphasised in white below the MTN logo.

Stuart Attwell’s name will not be quickly forgotten by Arsenal fans after his performance in their game against Manchester City on New Year’s Day, but did you know he was previously removed from the Premier League for four years after making some pretty spectacular mistakes?

Arsenal fans can point to a host of decisions made by Stuart Attwell in their game against Manchester City that could hint at a problem for the referee when it comes to keeping up with the pace of the Premier League, to put it politely.

That’s before you even factor in that he didn’t think an Everton player stomping on Takehiro Tomiyasu’s face earlier this season was anything to bother with.

But the 39-year-old referee from Warwickshire, who was once promoted to the Premier League as the youngest official, was kicked out of it for being so bad – an exile that lasted four years.

Just one month after he was promoted to the Select Group, Attwell awarded a goal to Reading, despite the ball (maybe) going out for a corner rather than over the goal line.He then sent off the Watford manager for complaining.

Attwell also awarded Liverpool a goal against Sunderland when the Black Cats were under the impression the ball was dead.

Sunderland had been given a free-kick and Michael Turner backheeled the ball to his goalkeeper for him to take it.

Attwell, however, ruled the ball live, allowing Dirk Kuyt to score.

Stuart Attwell’s name will not be quickly forgotten by Arsenal fans after his performance in their game against Manchester City on New Year’s Day, but did you know he was previously removed from the Premier League for four years after making some pretty spectacular mistakes?
Arsenal's English defender Rob Holding (L) is shown a yellow card during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 1, 2022. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal’s English defender Rob Holding (L) is shown a yellow card during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 1, 2022. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal fans can point to a host of decisions made by Stuart Attwell in their game against Manchester City that could hint at a problem for the referee when it comes to keeping up with the pace of the Premier League, to put it politely.



That’s before you even factor in that he didn’t think an Everton player stomping on Takehiro Tomiyasu’s face earlier this season was anything to bother with.

But the 39-year-old referee from Warwickshire, who was once promoted to the Premier League as the youngest official, was kicked out of it for being so bad – an exile that lasted four years.

Just one month after he was promoted to the Select Group, Attwell awarded a goal to Reading, despite the ball (maybe) going out for a corner rather than over the goal line.

He then sent off the Watford manager for complaining.



Attwell also awarded Liverpool a goal against Sunderland when the Black Cats were under the impression the ball was dead.

Sunderland had been given a free-kick and Michael Turner backheeled the ball to his goalkeeper for him to take it.

Attwell, however, ruled the ball live, allowing Dirk Kuyt to score.



Even the commentator in that video mentions that these ‘sorts of mistakes’ tend to ‘follow him around’.

Attwell also reached for a red card to send Wigan’s Gary Cahill off for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity against Spurs, despite the foul taking place on the half-way line.

The red card was later rescinded, but not until after it had helped Spurs.

In 2010, Roberto Martinez accused Attwell of lying about his reasons for sending Gary Caldwell off while Stoke’s Danny Higginbotham claimed Attwell could be too easily influenced by players.

The ref was also accused of ‘losing control’ of a game between Derby and Nottingham Forest when he disallowed two Derby goals late in the game, having to book two players and send off Forest’s Lewis McGugan.

After the Arsenal game game, Albert Stuivenberg said of the penalties and sending off, “Of course, there are some moments in the game that I think decided the game.

“You had the first moment with Odegaard in the first half which I think is a clear penalty, but at least a moment for the referee to check, and then it happened in the second half for their penalty which is not really consistent.

“Then of course the sending off was an important moment after that, but to be fair, we still had a very good performance against a very strong team in how we defended with 10 players. To end up in the last moment with zero points is very frustrating.”

Stuivenberg then asked reporters if they knew why Gabriel had received his first yellow because it wasn’t for scuffing the penalty spot. “That’s not what the players are telling me.

“He made a remark to the referee and also other players confirmed that, it was just a normal comment and he gave a yellow card, but it doesn’t matter in the end because if you have a yellow card you must control your emotions a little bit better.”

STUART ATTWELL HAS BEEN VAR FOR 8 ARSENAL MATCHES, MORE THAN ANY OTHER SIDE. ARSENAL HAVE WON 3 OF THEM AND RECEIVED 3 RED CARDS IN THOSE GAMES.

ONLY 1 OTHER RED HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH HIM ON VAR [TOTAL].

BUT THIS NEXT STAT IS GONNA TICKLE YOU…

— DAILY CANNON (@DAILYCANNON) JANUARY 1, 2022

AS REFEREE OR VAR, STUART ATTWELL HAS DONE 25 ARSENAL GAMES,. ARSENAL HAVE WON 9 AND RECEIVED 4 RED CARDS.

— DAILY CANNON (@DAILYCANNON) JANUARY 1, 2022

Tino Livramento, Southampton

Saints may not be enjoying the best form at the moment, but the signing of Tino Livramento was a coup.

At just £5m, the 19-year-old arrived from Chelsea in the summer and was thrown into the fold instantly, playing all but four minutes in Saints' Premier League campaign.

The energetic right-back has been one of Southampton's best players, mature beyond his years without the ball, and direct with it.

Among defenders in the Premier League, he ranks top for fouls won, third highest for duels won, second for dribbles attempted, second for recoveries and second for possession won.

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted to Sky Sports in November that they had to beat off competition from elsewhere to sign Livramento, but the promise of first-team football swayed it.

"He is a serious player," Hasenhuttl said. "He's well developed, I know his father and his mother are taking care of him, and we only got him because we told them what plans we have for him."

On the surface, it may look like Chelsea have let a gem go cheap, but a reported buy-back clause of £38m is also looking good value.
Gerard Brand

Emmanuel Dennis, Watford

It's interesting that many of the most expensive or high-profile signings of the summer haven't made it onto this list and Emmanuel Dennis at Watford is another example of a smart piece of scouting and a bargain buy that's paying off.

The Nigerian only cost Watford £3.5m from Club Brugge, according to his agent, but with seven goals and five Premier League assists, only Mohamed Salah has more goal contributions so far this season. With key man Ismaila Sarr out injured, Dennis has stepped up.

His goals against Manchester United, Leicester and Chelsea underline his appetite for the big stage and, speaking to Sky Sports earlier this month, boss Claudio Ranieri tipped the pacey, direct 24-year-old forward - who has previously been linked with United and Arsenal - for the top.

A goal and an assist on the opening weekend against Aston Villa caught the eye but his emphatic form in recent weeks suggests Dennis is now fully up to speed.

With key, winnable fixtures coming up for Ranieri's relegation-threatened Watford, the hope will be Dennis can prove to be an even better buy in the second half of the campaign to pull the Hornets away from danger. But his value is already on the rise.
Peter Smith

Takehiro Tomiyasu, Arsenal

There was plenty of criticism of Arsenal's summer business in the days and weeks after the transfer window closed, but the Gunners' performances so far this season have shown it was a very good window for Mikel Arteta and his side.

And the signing that typifies that is Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Arsenal's move for the Japan international, who moved to north London from Bologna for £19.8m on Deadline Day, was questioned, but he has hardly put a foot wrong since his arrival at the club.

The 23-year-old has made the right-back position his own with his physical, no-nonsense style, his decision making under pressure and his ability in the air, making 15 appearances in the Premier League.

His performances have stood out in an Arsenal side that have improved no end since losing their opening three games of the season to Brentford, Chelsea and Man City. The improvements in the Gunners defence is also clear for all to see with Tomiyasu impressing alongside goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and defenders Ben White, Gabriel and either Kieran Tierney or Nuno Tavares.

His contribution was even pointed out by Sky Sports' Gary Neville during Arsenal's 4-1 win over Leeds, and the former Manchester United right-back mentioned the improvements in White's game since Tomiyasu's arrival. "I like him," Neville said. "He has made a big difference to Ben White at right centre-back."
Oliver Yew

Conor Gallagher, Crystal Palace

With the new year fast approaching, Conor Gallagher can look back on a breakout 2021.

His summer loan move to Crystal Palace has continued to bring out the best of the midfielder. Those who have followed his career at Chelsea or in temporary spells at Charlton Athletic, Swansea and then West Brom on loan will not be overly surprised.

The 21-year-old has shined in most games for Palace, and he tops the charts in most attacking areas. He ranks first in the squad for goals (six), assists (three), shots on target (14) and chances created (29).

While there is plenty of focus on his attacking play, he is not afraid to make those key tackles and contribute defensively. He is second in the Crystal Palace team for total tackles (44) and fifth for interceptions (13).

He is everywhere, all the time. It's perfect for Crystal Palace, who have been crying out for youth and creativity in their midfield. He also seems to have that boundless 21-year-old energy, making him an overall nightmare for opponents.

Given that Patrick Vieira was one of the best midfielders of his generation, it only makes sense that Gallagher is consistently improving under his guidance. Much like his manager, Gallagher has all the makings to be the best midfielder of the current young generation of stars.
Charlotte Marsh

Aaron Ramsdale, Arsenal

Aaron Ramsdale's £30m arrival at Arsenal was met with widespread scepticism following back-to-back relegations with Sheffield United and Bournemouth but his doubters are quiet now.

The 23-year-old has been outstanding since ousting Bernd Leno as Mikel Arteta's first-choice goalkeeper, helping the Gunners turn their season around following the three-game losing streak which threatened to plunge the club into crisis back in August.
Since his debut, in a 1-0 win over Norwich later that month, he has kept eight clean sheets in 15 Premier League appearances - a total second to only Manchester City's Ederson in the division.

There have been sensational saves - such as his acrobatic stop from James Maddison against Leicester in October - and dazzling passes too. Indeed, as well as providing a formidable last line of defence, Ramsdale has transformed Arsenal's build-up play.
Opta's expected goals model shows he has prevented more goals than any other Premier League goalkeeper this season and then there are the intangibles of leadership and character.

In more ways than one, Ramsdale has given Arsenal exactly what they needed.
Nick Wright

SEE ABIA STATE SELF..............HQ FOR DIRTY

OreMI22:
Why focus on Ogun state alone?

Ogun state has not borrowed as much as many other states in Nigeria that borrowed massively and yet no projects to show for all the money!

We MUST probe all these loans taken by both Federal and State governments!