₦airaland Forum

Akpan, who made this known in a letter to his ward chairman, said he defected to contest for the governorship of Akwa-Ibom State on the platform of another party.

“It is with the greatest sense of responsibility, purpose, and love for my people that I make bold this communication.

”I have been a loyal and committed member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for over 20 years and have through the platform of the party serve our people, state, and nation diligently without any blemish, and I have by the grace of God contributed positively and impactfully to the growth and development of our dear country, state, and our people in general.

”I believe as a lawmaker and a distinctive one at that must at all times advocate and pursue virtues and values that promote and sustain the effective adherence to the rule of law.

”As you are aware, my aspiration to serve our dear state in the office of the Executive Governor is not personal or selfish but rather the collective ambition of our people, based on the principles of justice and equity, to achieve a better and prosperous Akwa Ibom State.

”In the words of Jean Anouilh and I quote “The only immorality is not to do what one has to do when one has to do it”.

“Therefore, after extensive consultation with my God, family, friends, supporters, and well-meaning believers in a just and equitable Akwa Ibom State across the world, it’s obvious that these collective yearnings and aspirations cannot be actualised under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Consequently, guided by the sentiments, concerns and worries of our people so expressed on the need to take immediate steps for the actualisation of their aspirations. I am therefore compelled to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forthwith,” his statement read.

Mynd44:
If the corn is "ibe eni", it is even better

Mynd44:
Especially boiled corn and beans

Zambian President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema has honoured former President Olusegun Obasanjo with the country’s highest award of the Order of the Eagle.

Hichilema decorated Obasanjo alongside his counterparts – Liberian Ellen Sirleaf Johnson and Sierra Leonean Ernest Bai Koroma – with the most prestigious award on Thursday in Lusaka, alongside where the colourful ceremony was held.

The Special Assistant on Media to the former Nigerian President, Kehinde Akinyemi said that the honours were contained in a government official gazette, which was made available on Wednesday.

In the publication with No 7146, Vol. LVIII, No. 72, the gazette notice No.1067 of 2022 of the Constitution of Zambia notifying the public on the honours, was signed by the Acting Secretary of the Cabinet, P.K Kangwa.

According to him, “the Presidential Honours and Awards (Conferment) Notice, 2022. It is notified for public information that in exercise of the powers contained in Article 92 (2)(g) of the Constitution of Zambia, the President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, will, at the Special investiture ceremony to be held on 14th July, 2022, confer Honours and Awards specified in the schedule on the persons named in the schedule.

“The Order of the Eagle of Zambia 1st Div – Olusegun Obasanjo – Nigeria, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson – Liberia, Ernest Bai Koroma – Sierra Leone.”

Reacting on behalf of awardees, Obasanjo said the honour would serve as encouragement to do more for the continent.

“On behalf of the awardees, I wish to thank you for the honour done us.

“We take this honour as encouragement to do more. Whatever we have done for Africa and for humanity to make you honour us, we assure you we will do more.

VEHINTOLAR:
I hope those south Africans won't start using that as an excuse because I don't see them winning this tournament even with Kgatlana girl.

Felicia, the late wife of an ex-President of Nigerian Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara has been laid to rest in their Ohambele-Ndoki home, in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State.

The Governor of State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, while speaking during a funeral service at the Ikwueke Community Secondary School, Ohambele, said death is a certainty and the ultimate end for all mortals.

Ikpeazu further stated that death symbolizes the power and total authority of God over his creation and urged the family of late Wabara to be consoled as God knows all, praying that the death of Elder Mrs Felicia Wabara will further unite the Wabara family, Ndoki land and consolidate peace in Abia State.

Extolling the virtues of the deceased, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma represented by his Deputy, Professor Placid Njoku, said that Senator Wabara had served the country meritoriously in many capacities and condoled with the entire Wabara family.

Earlier in his sermon entitled “Remember Me” during the funeral service, the Primate and Head of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev. Dr Henry Ndukauba, described the deceased as a worthy pilgrim who lived a fulfilled life, spent in the service of God and humanity.

The Anglican Primate noted that death is not the end for believers but the beginning of a new phase and urged the Wabara family to bear the loss with fortitude.

On his part, the Chief mourner and husband of the deceased, Senator Adolphus Wabara said his late wife died in her faith as she did not waver in the service of God and appreciated Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and other guests and sympathizers for standing by his family in his trying period.

The ceremony was graced by many personalities, including the Deputy Governor Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and several serving and former members of the National Assembly, members of the Houses of Assembly of different States, former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd), the Amayanabo of Opobo, His Majesty, King Dandeson Jaja, and Secretary General of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, Ambassador Okey Emuchay.

DAILY POST had earlier reported that Felicia Wabara died in the early hours of Sunday, 10th April, 2022, after a protracted illness at the age of 69.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reacted to Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s statement that IPOB’s agitation had slowed down since Peter Obi became Labour Party’s presidential candidate, noting IPOB does not know Peter Obi and he does not know us.

IPOB reiterated that its activities are basically to actualise a sovereign nation of Biafra away from Nigeria, adding that it has no business with Nigerian politics or Peter Obi.

The separatist group said this in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, on Wednesday.

Gumi, had posted on Facebook, Tuesday: “The IPOB rhetoric and loud voice of Biafra agitations have muffled out with the emergence of Peter Obi as the Labor Party presidential candidate.

“To them, Igbo have a platform. It’s clear now that the entire IPOB outcry was a political gimmick to get power.”

In its reaction, IPOB said: “The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been drawn to the statements from the Islamic cleric and fundamentalist Sheikh Gumi, alleging that IPOB’s agitation has slowed down in the South Eastern Region since Peter Obi picked up the tickets from Labour Party for presidential race in Nigeria.

“This purported statement shows the level of cluelessness and how uninformed he is about IPOB movement and its activities.

“Sheikh Gumi must understand that IPOB is not on the same page with him and his cohorts in the North.

“We understand that some elements in Nigeria, especially Fulani, were thinking that Peter Obi, who is among those running the race to become Nigeria’s President, would affect us or change our decisions to pursue the freedom of our dear nation Biafra.

“We are not capitulating in this fight to liberate Biafra from dungeon that British caged us with Fulani in this contraption packaged as a country Nigeria.

“Let him be informed that IPOB has engaged in world class standard freedom fighting, which has successfully brought us thus far.

“We have covered the rockiest part in this struggle and no doubt that freedom of Biafra is certain.

“IPOB does not engage with any selection process they call ‘Nigeria election’ and we are not interested in their fraudulent ways of selecting the President of Nigeria.

“We have said it before now that IPOB does not know Peter Obi and Peter Obi does not know IPOB.”

The attack on the Kuje facility is the latest in a series of attacks on prisons in Nigeria.

Between April 5, 2021, and June 5, 2022, there were at least nine reports of attacks on prisons in different parts of Nigeria.

Before the Kuje incident, there were attacks on the Owerri prison, Bauchi prison, Ubiaja prison in Edo State, Kurmawa Prison in Kano, Jos and Plateau prisons, Kabba prison in Kogi, and Abolongo prison in Oyo State.

Since its establishment in 1989, the Kuje prison has housed different categories of prisoners, from murderers to corrupt politicians.

A day after the attack on Kuje prison, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Correctional Service said none of the prominent detainees in the facility escaped.

“This is also to confirm to the general public that DCP Abba Kyari and other VIPs held in the facility did not escape. They are presently in custody, hale and hearty,” he said.

However, there are indications that some of the prominent detainees did indeed escape.

PREMIUM TIMES profiles below some of the prominent detainees at the Kuje prison during the attack.

Hamisu Bala (Wadume)
Popularly known as Wadume, Hamisu Bala was a Taraba-based kidnap kingpin who was notorious in the North-east and North-central parts of Nigeria.

After his arrest on August 6, 2019, Mr Bala, allegedly assisted by compromised soldiers, escaped when they opened fire on police officers transporting the kidnap kingpin.

https://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2019/08/ECa4WoCUYAUSR_2-768x512.jpgSuspected Taraba kidnap kingpin Hamisu Wadume.

Three police officers and two civilians were killed during the incident.

He was, however, re-arrested on August 19, 2019, in an operation led by police officer, Abba Kyari, who later became his fellow inmate in Kuje prison.

Mr Bala was detained in Kuje prison where he is awaiting trial for crimes bordering on terrorism, murder, kidnapping and possession of illegal arms.

He is believed to be among the over 400 inmates who are still at large.

Abba Kyari
A decorated police officer, Mr Kyari slipped into infamy in early 2022 when he was arrested for aiding and abetting drug pushing.

His celebrity status was first brought under public scrutiny in July 2021 when the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation linked him to $1.1 million internet fraud perpetrated by a popular Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi.

https://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2021/08/Abba-Kyari-750x437.jpgSuspended and embattled police officer, DCP Abba Kyari.
Suspended and embattled police officer, DCP Abba Kyari.
While Nigerian authorities said they were investigating the U.S. indictment, Mr Kyari was declared wanted in February by the NDLEA for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

Justice Emeka Nite of the Abuja Federal High Court, in June, sentenced Mr Kyari’s partners, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwane, to six years imprisonment for drug trafficking.

The trial of the ex-deputy commissioner of police, kept in Kuje prison, has subsequently been fixed for July 18, 19 and 20.

Kabiru Dikko (Kabiru Sokoto)
Notorious for the 2011 Christmas Day bombing in Madalla, Niger State, many were relieved when police announced the eventual arrest of Kabiru Dikko, largely known as Kabiru Sokoto.

He masterminded the attack on the St Theresa Roman Catholic Church, which killed at least 37 persons and injured many others.


https://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/banners/Boko_Haram_Escapee_Kabiru_Sokoto.7_590189038.jpgKabiru Sokoto
Mr Dikko, a member of Boko Haram, was arrested in early 2012 and was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2013.

Believed to be among the Kuje inmates, his name was, however, not among the 68 Boko Haram suspects declared wanted by Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).

Peter Nwachukwu
Peter Nwachukwu was given a criminal status following the death of a popular gospel artiste, Osinachi Nwachukwu.

The gospel artiste was initially reported to have died a normal death on April 8 until her younger brother filed a complaint of possible homicide against Mr Nwachukwu, the husband of late singer.

https://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2022/07/Peter-Nwachukwu-e1657695764169.pngPeter Nwachukwu
Justice N.K. Nwosu-Iheme of the FCT High Court, in June, ordered that Mr Nwachukwu be remanded at the Kuje prison pending the hearing of the matter.

He did not escape during the attack on the prison.

Farouk Lawan
Once a vocal voice on the floor of Nigeria House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan ended up committing a crime in a matter he was appointed to investigate.

As the chairman of the ad-hoc committee investigating the fraud around the fuel subsidy regime, Mr Lawan was caught on camera collecting a $500,000 bribe from Femi Otedola, a Nigerian billionaire and oil mogul in 2012.

https://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2021/06/former-federal-lawmaker-Farouk-Lawan-e1624463040337.jpgFormer federal lawmaker, Farouk Lawan
Former federal lawmaker, Farouk Lawan
The money was a payment to erase the name of Mr Otedola’s oil company, Zenon Oil and Gas, from the list of firms indicted for fraud during the fuel subsidy regime.

He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, last month and he was to be held in Kuje prison.

He also did not escape during the attack on the prison.

Abdulrasheed Maina
Rather than cleaning the rot in the country’s pension system, Abdulrasheed Maina did more damage to the same system.

https://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2021/11/Abdulrasheed-Maina-750x563.jpgAbdulrasheed Maina
Mr Maina was appointed in 2010 as the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force but got dismissed from the seat following an allegation of embezzlement of funds.

He was alleged to have embezzled billions of pensioners’ funds before going into hiding to escape the wrath of the law.

Mr Maina was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for money laundering offences involving N2 billion of pension funds.

Mr Maina did not escape from prison during attack.

According to one Yusuf Abubakar, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed is not proud of his religion and tribe, saying that for him to warn that he won’t accept to be referred to as a Muslim or northerner means he is ungrateful to the Almighty.

“If he has publicly said that he does not support tribalism, then nobody would comment on that because tribalism can destroy the entire country,” he added.

Another person who granted an interview to DAILY POST, Babangida Ahmed, said that Baba-Ahmed has destroyed his political career in the north, saying that with such utterances, northerners may not cast their votes for Labour Party in 2023.

According to him, Obi is proud to be a Catholic even with the verbal attacks of Rev. Mbaka. Obi openly stated that he remains loyal to the Church and he has never disowned his identity as an Igbo man.

“Does this mean some of us are not comfortable or feel ashamed to be associated with our blessed religion of Islam or our noble background as people from Northern Nigeria?

“I hope he was misquoted out of context, otherwise he better look for supporters elsewhere,” he said.

Recall that the embattled Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate recently granted an interview to BBC News where he allegedly made the comments.

All is now set for the 2023 presidential election with the emergence of Kashim Shettima as the running mate of Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate.

Tinubu officially announced Shettima, a former Governor of Borno State as his running mate on Sunday.

DAILY POST observed that Shettima’s emergence negates the call by many political stakeholders in the country, who are agitating for a Northern Christian presidential running mate.

Rather than bend to the call, Tinubu opted for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

While Tinubu opted for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, other presidential candidates like Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, settled for what could be termed a balanced ticket.

Atiku, a Northern Muslim, picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State – a Christian, while Obi picked a Northern Muslim as his running mate.

Deji Adeyanju, an Abuja-based socio-political commentator, spoke on how these running mates would make or mar the chances of their respective candidates.

Tinubu: Shettima’s strength:

Adeyanju said: “From a religious point of view, Shettima is a strong pick, though he has a lot of issues hanging on his neck like that of Chibok. Many believed he staged the Chibok issue; he has Boko Haram questions hanging around his neck; he once said if he speaks about Boko Haram, the country would explode. He is yet to speak even when many of us have begged him to speak.

“However, looking at voting patterns in the country, it’s a given that he is going to deliver Borno. Because of such considerations, I think he strengthens Tinubu’s ticket because he has a lot of friends in the North who are politicians. Politics is about reaching out and negotiating with people, and he has it.”

Shettima’s Weakness

Pointing out Shettima’s weakness, he said: “Ideally, if this was a country where people’s perception is taken to the polling units, Shettima would mar Tinubu’s presidential bid due to his several remarks in the past. The audio of him and Amosun is online, where he was completely condemning the Igbos and saying derogatory things against them. We can’t have such a person as a Vice President, but such things don’t matter; anybody can be president. Look at the kind of thing Buhari said before he became president; he was against delisting Boko Haram as a terrorist group and spoke about the Islamization of Nigeria, but he became president. We have not elevated political conversations to that level where things like that will make or mar candidates, and it’s unfortunate that we are not yet there.”

Atiku: Okowa’s strength

Like Shettima, Adeyanju said Okowa “will deliver Delta State to Atiku because that is where he comes from and the South-south has that sympathy for the ticket. I believe he would make the ticket progressive in that region of the country.”

Okowa’s weakness

He said: “Because of the friction in PDP over the running mate issue, and to a larger extent, the party is still unable to get their acts together after the primaries, as a fall out of the VP pick, this may work against Atiku in the Southern part.”

Peter Obi: Datti Baba-Ahmed’s strength

The rights activist said Baba-Ahmed is a good pick for Obi’s ticket.

He, however, said the accomplished academic lacks the political sagacity to help Obi win the 2023 presidential election.

“He is a fantastic intellectual and is somebody who will make a good minister of education considering what he has done in his private practice and personal life.

Weakness
“However, he is not a good pick for Vice President because, politically speaking, he comes from a State where he can’t deliver his local government to Peter Obi. Obi is not a strong candidate in the race; as an underdog coming on the platform of an unknown party without structure, they needed to do a strong pick like Kwankwaso, who has a State like Kano. That was why I was disappointed when they couldn’t reach a consensus. Politically speaking, I don’t see the ticket as being strong; the Datti Baba-Ahmed ticket is a weak one in my view,” he said.

“Datti Baba-Ahmed is a weak candidate, he is not bringing much to the table,” he added.

On its part, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, alleged discrimination against Christians.

Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Media Assistant to the CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, said the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket was a slap on Christians in the country.

Speaking with DAILY POST, Oladeji lamented that APC’s choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket was an indication that Christians are incompetent to be Vice President.

He hinted that Christians may vote against APC during the presidential election.

Oladeji said: “We are being discriminated against, it’s a slap and a slight on us; telling us that there is no competent person among the Christians for the role of the VP.

“In the Northern States, we have former Head of States, former Ministers, former governors, those who have held key posts in this country and have never failed. We have SGF, serving and former.

“And they are telling us that we are not competent with all these calibre of people? This is our concern. We need a leader that will promote peace and unity in our country.

“If you say we are not competent to be number two, then our votes are not competent for you.”

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo Agege has proved beyond every reasonable doubt that he is a man of his word.

It was a thing of joy to see one of our alumni make good his promise to the people of Ndokwa nation and Delta State at large on the ground breaking ceremony held on 5th July at St. George’s College, Obinomba.

Our highly rated senator Omo-Agege who promised his alma mater on 20th November 2021 when the school held her 60 years anniversary that he would re-position the school that brought him to limelight.

He also used the benevolent advantage to call all the old student to come to the aid and to bring unity among themselves.

This kind gesture demonstrated by our amiable senator representing Delta Central and also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Delta State.

We are overwhelmed that the promised he made has come to fruition by laying the modern e-Library structure; 100 beds of male hostel;100 beds of female hostel as well as renovation of the school refectory, a story building of 12 class room and administrative block.

As a Georgian, I want to thank His Excellency for his magnanimity shown to the people of Ndokwa nation, especially Ukwani local government and the entire Georgian’s (SAGOBA). We believe that this act will extend to every school in Delta State.

I therefore use this medium to call on all our old alma mater of St George’s to rally round Senator Omo Agege on is governorship aspiration come 2023 as Georgians.

•Mr Chime, an alumnus of St. George’s College, Obinomba, writes from Delta State.

Mynd44:
We have seen that there is a difference between what you see and voting patterns. The state's political structure does not favor NNPP and this is why almost everyone is calling the state. No one is spending too much energy analysing that state

Mynd44:
I disagree on some parts.

I think Tinubu will win Niger state. I guess almost everyone agrees with that except you.

Kebbi is a toss-up
I think Akwa Ibom and Taraba will go to Atiku

Imo will go PDP too

Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu has reportedly escaped prison, DAILY POST gathered.

Recall that a High Court in Abuja on June 3 remanded Nwachukwu at the Kuje Correctional facility, pending the hearing and determination of the homicide-related suit against him by the Attorney General of the Federation.

But our correspondent gathered that Nwachukwu was one of the suspects who escaped the facility during a terrorist attack last week Tuesday.

Terrorists suspected to be Boko Haram members had on July 6, attacked the medium correctional centre, and killed at least two persons while over 800 inmates were freed.

A source from Dunamis International Gospel Center, Osinachi’s former Church, told DAILY POST on Tuesday that he could not be found in the prison since the attack happened.

According to him, a manhunt has been launched by security operatives in search of the suspect

“The day we heard of the prison break, we called the prison authorities to know the state of Mr. Nwachukwu but they were initially not forthcoming with the true situation.

“But it was confirmed on Sunday that the man truly escaped from prison custody.

“Manhunt has been launched on him at the moment. Security agencies have been briefed.

“They are also monitoring his bank account to see if there would be any transaction.”

Osinachi, the Ekwueme crooner died on April 8 and was buried on June 25 at her home town Isochi Umunneochi in Abia State.

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has slammed Nigerian politicians over the continued strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.https://cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/23104117/Ahmed-Musa.jpgMusa slammed the politicians on his Instagram handle on Tuesday and asked how they felt when they travelled abroad to visit their children’s schools, while Nigerian students were stuck at home.

The PUNCH reports the ASUU strike has entered its fifth month, with resumption not in sight as the lecturers are yet to change demands to the Federal Government.

On Monday, during his visit to Daura, Katsina State, for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), bemoaned the strike action saying enough is enough for keeping students at home.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, however, took a swipe at youths who sing praises of the politicians despite being away from their studies due to the strike.

“To our political office holders whose children school abroad. How do you feel visiting your children abroad, taking pictures in their schools and posting it online while ASUU is on strike.

“Like seriously, how is it okay to you? You are running a system you don’t even believe in.

“Show me one oyibo leader whose child is schooling in Nigeria. E no dey touch una?

“And when you return Nigerian youths will still gather and sing praises for una,” Musa wrote.

Mourners lined the streets of central Tokyo on Tuesday to bid farewell to assassinated former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, as his hearse was driven past political landmarks after a private funeral.

The country’s longest-serving prime minister was gunned down on Friday while campaigning, in a crime that rattled Japan and prompted an outpouring of international condemnation and grief.

His funeral was held at Tokyo’s Zojoji temple on Tuesday, with relatives and close acquaintances in attendance.

But elsewhere in the temple compound, thousands of well-wishers lined up in the humid heat to pay their respects before a photo of the late leader, who held office until 2020.

“I can’t get over my sadness, so I came here to lay flowers and say a prayer,” consultant Tsukasa Yokawa, 41, told AFP, describing Abe as “a great prime minister who did a lot to elevate Japan’s presence” on the global stage.

After the service, a hearse carrying Abe’s body departed for a final tour of some of the political landmarks he served in throughout his career: the parliament, prime minister’s office, and headquarters of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Outside each, staff and officials including ministers and senior LDP figures stood sombrely. They pressed their hands together and bowed their heads in respect as the car arrived.

Abe’s widow Akie sat in the front of the hearse, carrying her husband’s mortuary tablet inscribed with his posthumous Buddhist name, and bowed back.

Along the route from the temple to the site, residents gathered to offer prayers and take photographs of the former leader’s last procession.

Security flaws
Abe was campaigning in the western city of Nara when he was shot.

The murder suspect, 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, is in custody and has told police he targeted Abe because he believed the politician was linked to an organisation he resented.

Yamagami approached him from behind in broad daylight, in circumstances that have raised questions about security.

Police searches of the suspect’s home have found pellets and other possible components for building a gun like the crude weapon used in the attack, Japanese media reported Tuesday, citing unnamed investigative sources.

Yamagami spent three years in Japan’s navy and reportedly told investigators that his mother’s large donations to a religious organisation had caused the family financial troubles.

The Unification Church, a global religious movement founded in Korea in the 1950s, said on Monday that Yamagami’s mother was a member, but did not comment on any donations she may have made.

Condolences pour in
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tuesday that more than 1,700 condolence messages had been received from 259 countries, territories and international bodies.

On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a previously unscheduled stop in Tokyo to pay tribute to Abe, describing him as a “man of vision.”

And Taiwanese Vice President William Lai was also in Tokyo for a surprise trip, Taiwanese media said.

The visit has the potential to anger Beijing, though Hayashi said Lai was travelling in a private capacity and there was no change to Japan’s policy on non-governmental working relations with Taiwan.

Public memorials for Abe are expected to be held at a later date.

Abe was the scion of a political family and became the country’s youngest post-war prime minister when he took power for the first time in 2006, aged 52.

He resigned two years ago at the end of his second stint after suffering health problems.

His hawkish, nationalist views were divisive, particularly his desire to reform the pacifist constitution, and he weathered a series of scandals, including allegations of cronyism.

But he was lauded by others for his economic strategy, dubbed “Abenomics”, and his efforts to put Japan firmly on the world stage, including by cultivating close ties with former US president Donald Trump.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, lampooned the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, for being adamant and not calling off the lingering strike, saying enough is enough of keeping students at home.

President Buhari, who said he hoped ASUU will sympathise with the people, advised the university lecturers not to hurt the next generation.

The President stated this when he received some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), legislators and political leaders at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.

He called on ASUU to reconsider its position on the prolonged strike, expressing worry that the hiatus will have generational consequences on families, the educational system and future development of the country.

The President said the strike had already taken a toll on the psychology of parents, students and other stakeholders, throwing up many moral issues that are already begging for attention.

He noted that the future of the country rests on the quality of educational institutions and education, while assuring that the government understands their position, and negotiations should continue, with students in lecture halls.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as saying, “We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike.

“Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake.”

The President called on all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those close to the leaders and members of the association, to intervene in persuading the lecturers to reconsider their position, and the ripple effect on an entire generation and the nation.

He said students from Nigerian universities will be faced with the challenge of competing with others in a highly connected and technology-driven work space, and that keeping them at home only deprives them of time, skill and opportunities to be relevant on the global stage.

According to him, “Colonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there.

“Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education.

“Through technology we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs.”

President Buhari said resources should be channeled more into building infrastructure and operations of the health and educational sector, not to expand the bureaucracy to create job opportunities.

“By this time next year, I would have made the most out of the two terms, and the remaining months I will do my best,” the President noted.

He urged those in political positions and places of privilege to be mindful in helping the many Nigerians that were looking for opportunities.

“If you are greedy, you won’t look around to see what is happening with those who are less endowed,’’ he said.

The President told the governors and political leaders that he had not been to his house in Daura for close to a year due to the demands of office.

“The observation that I abandoned my base was made by the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk, at the eid prayer ground.

“He held the microphone and told everyone that the last time I was in Daura was during the Eid-el-Kabir of 2021,” he added.

President Buhari said he would retire to Daura, not Kaduna, where he had a better house.

“In 10 to 11 months time, I will come here. I have a better house in Kaduna, but it is too close to Abuja,’’ he said.

The President explained that the schedule of work was much, saying he recently had to sympathise with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, who had to be away most of the time from his family.

He urged the APC stalwarts to keep working for the good of the people and the country, noting that “We are a lucky people, and we need to reflect more on where we are coming from.”

The President said relative to the resources available, and compared to the last administration, the government had done well in many areas, particularly in infrastructure.

“I wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” he said.

On security, the President said the North West had posed more challenges, and some success had been recorded in other regions – North East and South South.

President Buhari advised some indigenes in the South South to stop hurting national assets, which also affect their livelihood.

“I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough. I am grateful to God that people appreciate the personal sacrifices we have been making,” he added.

In his remarks at the meeting, the Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, thanked the President for his leadership roles in improving the economy of the nation and the many successes recorded at the APC, which include two conventions to produce the party leadership and the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“We will work hard to ensure the success of our party. We have reasons to work very hard,” he added.

Bagudu, who is the Governor of Kebbi State, said the favorable seasons supported the vision of ensuring food production and making agriculture a priority, with clear results in rice pyramids in various states.

“In spite of the attacks by the renegades, our country remains self-sufficient in food production. We have seen investments that were not there before you came into power.

“Not less than 20 states now have agriculture process zones. We have rice pyramid in Ekiti, Gombe and Niger, while maize pyramids were revived in Katsina and Kano states,” he said.

He said more than 54 rice meals were commissioned in various states, and 57 fertiliser plants were revived, or built afresh.

“All these were achieved because of your commitment and patriotism,” the governor told the President.

Bagudu also appreciated the President for providing ease of access to governors and political leaders, noting that the opening of the National Economic Council for more fluid exchange of ideas greatly helped in improving the economy.

APC Governors at the lunch with the President; Katsina State, Rt Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Ekiti State, Dr Fayemi Kayode, Plateau State, Simon Lalong and Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

PastorFire:
Same with ours (Oshola). Doesn't change much. They have a replacement as we do.

PastorFire:
South African won't beat Tunisia. Mark it.

Drfernandez:
Dirige tu estúpida pregunta a tu estúpido padre.

LienwaltAbel:
Dunno about you oh, but if I be that woman, I for tell am make e commot if e no get job to give me. Sha marriage isn't really bliss. Human beings can be horrible.

Some victims and staff of a Hotel in the Ikorodu are of Lagos State, narrate how officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission invaded and tortured Guests of the Hotel.

A victim, Okunyinka Oladapo, said an operative named Olumide collected his phone while others were breaking down room doors and ordering the occupant's out of the room. Oladapo likened the incident to that of an arm robbery.

CheapHomes1:
What did this woman and her daughter on their legs?

Jordan Nyesom-Wike , son of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has graduated from nthe University of Exeter,nin the United Kingdom.

Jordan graduated with Second Class Honours, Upper Division in Law from the afroesaid University.

Governor Wike's family alongside some PDP Governor's attended the graduation as seen in a photo obtained by vanguard on Monday

Those at Jordans graduation event captured in the photo include, Wike; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Wike's wife, Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike and his daughter, Jasmine Nyesom-Wike