The problem with some politicians is that they don't think before talking.

This video captured Pastor Ize-Iyamu comment on Education in Edo state, and subsequent fact by Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos State


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POUlu7xdrwQ


Mr Ize-Iyamu is the only pastor that lies so effortlessly - Oshiomole

Evil man

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has congratulated Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, over his re-election as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Ooni expressed his heartfelt joy through a statement signed by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr Moses Olafare, obtained by InformNG on Friday, in Ile-Ife.

He explained that Dr. Akinwunmi’s re-election is a product of his good character and hard work.

“Omoluabi is the name we descendants of Oduduwa call good character and it is the same way we address people like our very unique Dr. Akinwumi Adesina with such unique human quality.

“Aside from being an Omoluabi with enviable human qualities, records of the re-elected AfDB president show hard work, love for one’s country and uprightness.

“The entire Oduduwa race is indeed proud to have this gem among us; from his humble beginning as a farmer’s child to his days as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

” Dr. Adesina has been known as a man of due process and this dissolved the negative charges against him during his re-election bid.

“Rather than the probe work they were hired to do, both internal and external auditors at the AfDB ended up appraising the genuine son of Oduduwa for his blemish-free administration.

“On behalf of the entire race of Oduduwa globally, I am delighted to congratulate our good son, while I wish him a successful tenure.” Ooni Ogunwusi said.

https://www.inform.ng/post/ooni-felicitate-with-adesina-on-reelection-as-afdb-president

Golan007:
Surely you mean "brief".

Thank you

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, received Governors Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa and Simon Lalong of Plateau in a bid to unite members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo, Ogun and Oyo States.

InformNG reports that the APC recently inaugurated a five-member reconciliation committee chaired by Badaru, to reconcile aggrieved members of the party in Imo and Ogun States.

Other members of the committee are Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.

Badaru spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with the vice president.

“I met with the vice president as a party leader to discuss the assignment that the party has given to me to see how best we can unite and make the party strong in Imo, Ogun and Oyo.

“ I briefed him on what we have done so far and he gave us some suggestions on how to do the job very well.

“In addition to that, I briefed him today for the zero oil committee; we met today and we are charting our progress and a new agenda for the development of non-oil exports.

“`It is just to make sure that the party is strong and is back again and if there are ripples among members of the party; bring them together and make sure we have one strong and powerful party,’’ he said.

For his part, Lalong said that the meeting with the vice president was in continuation of the committee’s assignment to reconcile the parties.

According to the governor, the committee has started the reconciliation work concerning Imo, Ogun and Oyo states but the vice president’s input is needed.

“We need some information from him to also assist us in reconciling the parties; that was why we came here to consult him.

“As a very senior party man, he can always give advice; he gave his own advice on how to go about it because he is very much interested in reconciliation within the party; to guide us.

“ So, we have taken the advice and we are going back; especially, one of the states is his state; he is from Ogun.

“And part of the reconciliation, he is also Ogun; you cannot do reconciliation without consulting him; he knows everybody that is there; he knows part of the problems that are there; so, he can always give us advice as to how to go about it,’’ he said.

Lalong said that as the Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, consultations were being made to resolve the Southern Kaduna crisis.

He said he had issued a statement in respect to the crisis condemning the crisis and also calling for calm and proper investigation.

“What happened in Southern Kaduna also happened in Plateau State before.

“In addition to that, on my own, I had a meeting with some Southern Kaduna people and I went back to the governor.

“ Two days ago, I was in Kaduna to inform the governor that we are having meetings; that we will help him.

“After consultations, we will still come back and sit down with the governor because we must see the end of this crisis,’’ he said.

https://www.inform.ng/post/apc-governors-brief-vp-osibanjo-on-party-reconciliation

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed delight at the progress made in Nigeria-Norwegian relations in the last four years.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement on Friday.

He quoted the president as making his feelings known at a virtual farewell meeting with the out-going Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, Jens-Petter Kjemprud.

Buhari commended Kjemprud for the bilateral accomplishment in the area of oil and gas, fishing, humanitarian assistance in the Northeast and other benefits that his efforts have brought to Nigeria.

“I congratulate you on your performance and hard work and for the help in the promotion of welfare of people in the Northeast where we have problem of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and infrastructural deficit.

“We are very grateful. Thank you,” he said.

The out-going Ambassador in his speech, said his four-year tenure had grown economic relations between the two nations substantially.

He noted in particular, the presence of more than 70 Norwegian companies in the country as well as the important step by the Norwegian Sovereign Welfare Fund to invest in the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

He also cited as a very important achievement, the organisation of two donor conferences driven by Norway that raised more than one billion dollars for the development and humanitarian assistance to the Northeast.

https://www.inform.ng/post/buhari-hails-nigeria-norway-relations

The Edo state PDP campaign council has condemned assassination attempt on the life of a local government chairman in the state by suspected APC assassins.

The party, through the Chairman of Campaign Council in the state, Chief Dan Orbih, also vowed to resist killings of supporters by suspected thugs of APC.

Watch video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO502y3H29s

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed his he is “willing to resign” if Lionel Messi makes a public promise to stay at the club.

The under-fire club chief has claimed he will bow to the fans’ demands and walk away from the Nou Camp – if it keeps Messi at the club.


Messi admitted he could be tempted to stay at the Nou Camp if Bartomeu resigns from his post.

Bartomeu is entitled to stay at the club for one more year when the new presidential elections take place.


But, seemingly with Barcelona’s best interests at heart, Bartomeu has reportedly said he will quit if Messi promises to stay, according to TV3.

On Wednesday night, angry fans broke through the Nou Camp gates as protests against Bartomeu continued into a second night.

Manchester City have emerged as favourites to beat PSG and Inter Milan to his signature but it is all is likely to depend on Messi’s contract debacle at Barca.

Messi’s current package at the Nou Camp, in basic wages, bonuses and image rights, is worth around £100m a year.


City are not prepared to fork out such a fee but are ready to offer him a lucrative wage should the Argentine superstar become available for nothing.

https://www.inform.ng/post/ill-resign-if-that-will-make-messi-remain-in-barcelona-club-president-bartomeu

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with past presidents in the Council of State’s meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Past president at the ongoing meeting include, ex-Presidents Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, Abdulsalami Abubakar,and Goodluck Jonathan.

Also present is former Chief Justice of the Federation, CJN, Walter Onnoghen and the current CJN, Mahmood Mohammed.

However, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo was noticeably absent.



https://www.inform.ng/post/obasanjo-shuns-council-of-state-meeting

Ize-Iyamu is just another fake Pastor

In the first part of this video, Ize-Iyamu mentioned that Governor Godwin Obaseki has not done "anything" for Edo state. But as a typical liar, the subsequent parts of the video showed the selected achievement of the Governor.

Watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJ_46JJxIM

A foremost southeast think-tank group, the Oganiru Leadership Network, has condemned the crackdown of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra by security forces in Emene, Enugu state.

The Network made this known through a statement by its president, Mazi Nnamdi Iroegbu, which was released on Monday.

The group advised the federal government to engage IPOB leaders and other stakeholders of the southeast geopolitical zone in holistic dialogue to resolve various fundamental issues. 

Find below the full statement as released;

PRESS RELEASE:

The Oganiru Leadership Network is a think-tank network and sociopolitical group advocating for the interest of the Southeast geopolitical zone and the Igbo nation.

As an organisation, we are not unaware of the various development that affects the Igbo, and we therefore wish to make known our positions;

1. Although the Oganiru Leadership Network, being an affiliate of Southeast 2023 Presidency, believes that Nigeria State can be salvaged if the fundamental issues that gave rise to the agitation for an independent Biafra State by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB are addressed.

2. We hold the view that the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB is a peaceful organisation seeking for Justice, Equity & Fairness. They are not a terrorist organization that seeks for the oppression of citizens of Nigeria and destruction of the Republic. Therefore, we frown at the classification of IPOB as a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government of Nigeria; and we demand its de-proscription, and adopt dialogue mechanism to conflict resolutions.

3. We condemn the crackdown and extra judicial killing of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra by security operatives in Emene, Enugu state, on Sunday, August 23, 2020. We demand that the federal government engage in productive dialogue with leaders of IPOB and other stakeholders of the Igbo ethnic group to address some of the fundamental issues raised in their agitations. The era where government would employ the barrel of the gun to force people into submission is long gone, and should be stopped forthwith.

4. We are in receipt of the apology tendered by the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, through its national president, Mallam Yerima Shetima, on the ill-informed quit notice that the group issued to citizens of Nigeria of Igbo extraction in 2017 to vacate the northern Nigeria. Although we congratulate Mallam Shetima and the entire members of the Arewa group for finally towing the path of reasoning through their public apology, we however REJECT the rhetorical apology.

5. The apology of AYCF shall only be accepted on condition that the group joins the noble agitation for the Southeast geopolitical zone, being the only zone in Southern Nigeria that is yet to produce the President of Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999, to produce the successor of President Muhammadu Buhari when his tenure elapses in 2023.

6. While we are aware that the Igbo ethnic nationals are peaceful group of people that believe in peaceful coexistence with other ethnic nationalities, and also believe in healthy competition for a better society, we also recognize that the Igbo ethnic group has been the poster child for ill-treatment and oppression by the Nigerian State.

7. We believe that the year 2023 will be a year that will afford the Nigerian State the rare opportunity to right all her wrongs. This can only be achieved when other geopolitical zones embrace the noble demand for the next President of Nigeria that would emerge in the year 2023 to be from the Southeast extraction.

We Believe Nigeria Will Flourish Again In Our Time.


Signed:

Mazi Nnamdi Iroegbu, DGN
for Oganiru Leadership Network

24/08/2020

https://www.inform.ng/post/only-dialogue-can-address-ipob-agitation-think-tank-tells-fg

The junta that seized power in Mali wants a military-led transitional body to rule for three years and has agreed to release the ousted president, a source in a visiting West African delegation and the rebel soldiers said Sunday.


Last week’s coup — Mali’s second in eight years — followed months of protests calling for Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to resign as public discontent with the government grew over the collapsing economy and a brutal Islamist insurgency.

“The junta has affirmed that it wants a three-year transition to review the foundations of the Malian state. This transition will be directed by a body led by a soldier, who will also be head of state,” a source in the ECOWAS delegation told AFP after talks with the junta.

“The government will also be predominantly composed of soldiers” under the proposal, the source said on condition of anonymity.

A junta official confirmed to AFP that “the three-year transition would have a military president and a government mostly composed of soldiers”.

The source and the official added that the soldiers have agreed to free Keita, detained along with other political leaders since the coup on Tuesday, and he would be able to return to his home in the capital Bamako.

“And if he wants to travel abroad for (medical) treatment, that is not a problem,” said the source from ECOWAS, which stands for the Economic Community of West African

Prime minister Boubou Cisse, who has been held with Keita at a military base outside the capital where the coup began, would be moved to a secure residence in the city.

While the coup was met with international condemnation, thousands of opposition supporters celebrated the president’s ouster in the streets of Bamako.

– Talks in Bamako –

The junta has said it “completed the work” of the protesters and has vowed to stage elections “within a reasonable time”.

However, Mali’s neighbours have called for Keita to be reinstated, saying the purpose of the visit by the delegation from the regional ECOWAS bloc was to help “ensure the immediate return of constitutional order”.

Tuesday’s coup has heightened concern over regional stability as Mali’s jihadist insurgency now threatens neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso.

The ECOWAS talks are set to resume in Bamako on Monday after two days of negotiations with the junta.

“We have reached a number of agreements but we have not reached agreement on all the issues,” Nigerian ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, head of the delegation, told reporters as Sunday’s discussions drew to a close.


Both the regional delegation and the military officers “want the country to move on” after the coup, he said. “We are just discussing the way forward.”

Jonathan met Keita on Saturday and said that he seemed “very fine”.

Keita won an election in a landslide in 2013, presenting himself as a unifying figure in a fractured country, and was re-elected in 2018 for another five-year term.

But he failed to make headway against the jihadist revolt that has left swathes of the country in the hands of armed Islamists and ignited ethnic violence in the country’s volatile centre.

ECOWAS Commission chief Jean-Claude Kassi Brou expressed hope over the weekend that it would be possible to “finalise everything” on Monday, underlining the military’s “strong will to move forward”.

“We need results, because on August 26, the ECOWAS heads of state meet to say whether they will strengthen sanctions against the junta, or if the grip on them will be loosened,” said a member of the delegation.
.

https://www.inform.ng/post/mali-junta-demands-three-year-military-rule-agrees-to-free-president

*PRESS STATEMENT BY NZUKO UMUNNA ON EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS AT EMENE, ENUGU STATE*

1. Nzuko Umunna views with shock and deep concern the extra-judicial killings that occurred on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at Emene, Enugu State involving members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and operatives of the Nigerian Police, Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigerian Army.

2. We commiserate with all the families that lost their loved ones in the latest bloodletting.

3. Nzuko Umunna notes that there are widespread reports that the extra-judicial killings took place when security operatives invaded a peaceful meeting of the pro-Biafra group, while the Enugu State Commissioner of Police Ahmed Abdurahman conceded that “Many of the IPOB members also escaped with bullet wound and police have started tracing them.”

4. We note with grave concern the constant bloodletting following clashes between security operatives and IPOB members. This is unacceptable and must stop.

5. In relation to the latest extra-judicial killings, we urge restraint on all sides. We urge the security operatives and the IPOB leadership to refrain from retaliatory attacks.

6. Nzuko Umunna commends Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his prompt visit to the scene of the extra-judicial killings. In particular, we urge the Governor to ensure a full-scale investigation of these extra-judicial killings in line with the extant laws of the State and with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice.

7. It is noteworthy that extra-judicial killings are a violation of the right to life as enshrined in Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

8. Nzuko Umunna therefore requests the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Honourable Justice Priscilla Emehelu to urgently convene a coroner’s inquest to determine the cause of these extra-judicial killings.

9. In finding a sustainable framework towards resolving the longstanding security challenges and extra-judicial killings in the region, we urge the South East Governors Forum (SEGF) to urgently activate its resolution to unveil the long-awaited regional security network as restated in their recent virtual meeting. This is bound to obviate non-State actors from taking steps to safeguard lives and property.

SIGNED
Ngozi Odumuko
Coordinator

Paschal Mbanefo
Secretary

ABOUT NZUKO UMUNNA
Nzuko Umunna is an Igbo socio-cultural think tank with members both in Nigeria and the diaspora.


https://www.inform.ng/post/ipob-igbo-sociocultural-group-slams-security-forces-for-extra-judicial-killing

Sam Omatseye

THIS is not the time to hold grudges against Malam Nasir El-Rufai. It is not the time to say he, like Napoleon, suffers a small man’s syndrome, or that he pulled down the homes of rivals. It is not the time to say his mind has not grown above his height, and that he does not deserve to speak about who is a Nigerian.

So, some avatars of liberty will say the Nigerian Bar Association railed against the three Johns of thinkers: Locke, Mill, Rousseau. They invited him to their conference only to disinvite him. The man salivated over an empty table. They probably did that because the man has a sour tongue, a fratricidal impulse, pitches tribe against tribe and, in the vexed issue of southern Kaduna, El-Rufai has taken sides, and has anointed violence against peace.

If anything, the man on the democratic throne in Kaduna is a Nigerian. He is Nigerian enough to confess that he is Fulani, and he is honest enough to say that he wants to go after the Christian leaders in southern Kaduna who have lashed him over his sectarian furies.

We can also forgive him for poor memory. Maybe he forgot that when the region raged a few years ago, he confessed he paid Fulani hordes to silence them. He paid with the nation’s taxpayer’s money. He confessed they were the goons of evil, the machete-happy brutes whose eyes blared with human blood. Like harmattan fires, they brushed through the homesteads and farms of their quarries. They barbequed fathers, roasted mothers, turned farms into a dark, frescoed mural of bonfires. They haunted huts, glamorised houses in smoulders, prostrated schools, littered a litany of streets with disembodied limbs. In echoes of the 1960’s pogrom, they grinned so others may scream; maniacal glee over gleams of blood.

The governor has many matters on his mind, so he could not remember. Hence he says he will unveil the leaders who begged to swap gift for peace in southern Kaduna. His morality may not be balanced because his power of revenge dwarfs his power of recall. He read law, and maybe his history is famished. Something foul happened to his mnemonic faculty. When he was minister, he said he knew the marauders. Now, he says he is gathering material on rampaging Christians. How time flies from memory. He has lost the power of the past. He is obliterating his own past. Maybe he did not want to forget. Fate tampered with his cerebellum.

If the Christian leaders want money, does that cancel the carnage going on? Is he not saying Christian leaders set their own people on fire? He has no evidence. He said it for the headline. He craves public spotlight. Hence he is bitter that the NBA disinvited him. No need to fume with the man. El-Rufai is at war with El-Rufai.

He loves attention, and does he not deserve it? Nothing wrong with vanity. After all, one of the world’s great actors, Al Pacino, says, “vanity is my favorite sin.” Except that El-Rufai can never admit it is a sin.

He won governorship election twice. The people must love him. He is so democratic that he loves one set of people against another. One plus one equals one, apology to Dostoyevsky’s novel of ideas, Man from the Underground. For him, it means Fulani plus Fulani equals Kaduna State. Or Fulani plus Muslim equals Kaduna State. So, for him, Kaduna is one, and it is Fulani. One is majority. Of what use are the over 30 nationalities in southern Kaduna? They may be many but less than one and Kaduna is just one. Maybe 30 are like the Biblical tower of babel, and his tribe bestows peace to his ears than the cacophony of variety.

Recently he said the presidency should go south. He who damned the south of Kaduna and dispensed with the Christians for reelection? He said he wanted a Muslim/Fulani as deputy and implied the Christians could go to hell. The fires of hell are alive in southern Kaduna.

His ticket went to heaven and won. So the same man wants presidency to go south, and anyone is taking him seriously? He is a closet comedian. If he cannot accept Non-Fulani on his ticket at home, why would he want it in Nigeria? So, when the NBA says they don’t want him to define who a Nigerian is, we deprived him a good platform to amuse us.

Theorists of liberty often clash with the concept of decency. It’s like Paul’s assertion, “Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound?” Shall we allow El-Rufai to defile decency, so free speech may abound? The NBA says, Nigeria forbid. The thing is, he is immune to Lai Mohammed’s hate speech law.

But El-Rufai wanted NBA as a way to push for balance, to confess Nigeria, but act Fulani. The classic hypocrite. The hegemonist as inclusionist. The people of southern Kaduna want to be at peace. They may not always be innocent when the settlers lay claim to their own soils. But they should not be displaced because a governor separates memory from peace. He should not be a rabble-rouser as leader when the rabble has lost its temper. Men like him give peaceful Fulani-Muslims a bad name.

El-Rufai backs a southern president in order to be vice president. If the ticket wins, he may not wait three months to toss hot coal under the president’s seat and whip up headlines.

His concept of society is caste. He does not want equality. He touts it until he flouts it. He wanted a Christian beside him in the first term and Muslim afterwards. He remembered he gave money to appease the plunderers before he forgot.

He is like what Historian Isabel Wilkerson is saying in her new book, Caste: the origins of our discontent. It looks at how racism in America is like a caste system. That is how El-Rufai is looking at the folks in southern Kaduna. He is saying to the over 30 tribes to “keep to your caste,” in the words of Emile Bronte in Jane Eyre. That is his concept of who is a Nigerian.

He should know we run a republican constitution, and he may sit on the governor’s throne today. But as Victor Hugo quips in his novel, Les Miserables, “A chair is not a caste".


https://www.inform.ng/post/elrufai-is-at-war-with-himself

...‘We Need More Righteous Men In Politics To Drive Positive Change’

The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Sept 19 Edo Governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, declared has declared that Nigeria needs more righteous men in politics to drive positive change and bring joy to the people.

Ize-Iyamu was responding to a question as to whether he has been able to keep fidelity with his Christian faith as a politician and frontline leader in Edo State’s “cloak-and-dagger politics”.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, the APC Edo Governorship candidate said magisterially: “Politics is my mission field.”

Citing Proverbs 29 verse 2, which says “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn,” Ize-Iyamu said he was on a mission to bring joy back to lives of the people of Edo State.

He stressed: “My calling, as a minister of God, is intact. I am a senior pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I still preach every Sunday.”

Ize-Iyamu said that conscious effort must be made to encourage good people to be involved in politics.

“Politics should not be left in the hands of criminals; otherwise there will be no hope for Nigeria,” he declared.

He appealed to Edo electorate to go out in their thousands on September 19 to vote, encouraging them not to be frightened by the violent conduct being exhibited in the electioneering of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to him, “If the good people of Edo State troop out to the polling booths to cast their votes and keep eternal vigilance, it would be difficult for those plotting to rig to write fake election results.”

He adverted attention to the statement by the State Governor and candidate of the PDP, Godwin Obaseki that his deputy and himself were the only ones who enjoyed immunity in the State, saying that should not make them foment trouble by encouraging thuggery during the election.

He said: “Without a doubt, the governor and his deputy governor enjoy immunity; but the thugs do not enjoy immunity. Therefore, if anybody is arrested in connection with violence and thuggery, the security agencies should let us know whether the arrested thugs are members of the APC or the PDP.”

Ize-Iyamu said in response to another question that if he lost the election, the worst he would do was to head to the tribunal, adding, however, that he had appealed to his supporters to shun violence and avoid bloodshed.

He said he was still worried over the continued destruction of his campaign billboards in Benin City and other parts of the State, stressing, “I find it disturbing that they sponsor violence and shift it to the doorsteps of the APC.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/i-am-still-a-senior-pastor-with-rccg-ize-iyamu

Three years after a quit notice order issued to Igbo in the northern part of the country, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) yesterday tendered apology to Ndigbo over their earlier eject order.

National President of the group, Alhaji Shettima Yerima tendered the apology when he led a group of Northern youth leaders on a visit to Mr Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafran Independent Movement (BIM) in Owerri on Friday. Yerima said he came to sue for peace among the Igbo and Northerners, so that the two tribes can live in harmony any where in the country.
While explaining further on the quit notice, Yerima said the group regretted the inconveniences the order caused the Igbo living in the North during the period.

He however revealed that the intention of the quit notice was to expose corrupt Igbo leaders and not to instigate crises among the two ethnic groups. Yerima said henceforth, AYCF would protect the interest and security of the Igbo in the North.
“Some elements are working against the unity of Igbo in the North that is why we issued the quit order, but now we want to prove to the world that the two races are still together.

“I came to preach peace and unity and peaceful coexistence between the Igbo and
Northerners because we see everybody in the country as one.

“Our earlier position on Igbo in the North is regretted, we are suing for peace that will usher in peaceful coexistence and I guarantee security of Igbo in the North.

His host, Uwazuruike in his speech commended Yerima for the bold step he took to sue for peace.

He said he would ensure that Northerners are not harassed or intimidated in Imo and warned that any attack on the Northerners in Imo will be repealed.

Recall that Arewa youths had in 2017 issued a quit notice order for Igbo living in the North to vacate the area.

https://www.inform.ng/post/2017-quit-notice-order-areas-youths-beg-ndiigbo

If ECOWAS leaders want to restore democracy in Mali, the man they need to woo is Imam Mahmoud Dicko, the mullah who led the two month revolt against President Boubacar Keita.

But for now, he appears solidly in support of the coup plotters who have taken control of the country.

Dicko is the Malian version of Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran, who led the revolt against the Shah of Iran in 1979.

Malian opposition to Keita’s government calls Dicko ‘the religious guide’. And like Ayatollah, he is a cleric and also a politician.

On Friday, he led the M5-RFP leaders to a rally at Independence Square in Bamako, in support of the armed forces and the Colonel Assimi Goita-led CNSP. It was also a rally of celebration of victory against Keita.

The M5-RFP leaders at the rally in Bamako Mali on Friday

Thousands of Malians were at the rally, reported L’Essor, the country’s main newspaper.

The prominent politicians, leaders of the protest movement, present at the rally were Choguel Kokalla Maiga, Montaga Tall and Cheick Oumar Sissoko .

During the rally, the movement welcomed the resignation of President Keita and his regime.

The leaders also castigated the ECOWAS leaders for adopting severe economic sanctions against the country.

Kokalla Maiga, one of the leaders, said it was wrong for ECOWAS to close the borders against the country.

According to him, international conventions prohibit the closure of borders to a landlocked country.

Imam Dicko, who also spoke at the rally regretted the acts of vandalism and looting.

“Mali is not a country of revenge. But a country of understanding, ”said the imam.

Throughout his speech, Dicko advocated non-violence against revenge.

“We must come together today in order to drive out the demon of division and hatred. It’s time”

The religious guide also asked his supporters to forgive President Keita.

To the military, Dicko asked them to respect their oath and their commitment to the people.

A delegation of the military committee led by Colonel-Major Ismaël Wagué, spokesperson and Colonel Malick Diaw, deputy president of CNSP joined the rally.

“We are happy to be with you this afternoon. We thank the Malian people. Our job has been to complete your fight ”, declared CNSP spokesperson Col-major Ismaël Wagué.

Tuesday’s coup in Mali followed two months of unrelenting protest against Keita.

Now the movement that toppled him, along with Dicko and the soldiers, believes that the fight has been won.

On Tuesday, a group of soldiers, from the Kati garrison, mutinied, deposed Keita and his government and arrested him and his Prime Minister Boubou Cissé, as well as some other ministers.

The arrests are continuing, according to local media.

What may cause a showdown between Dicko and the M5-RFP on one hand and the military on the other, is if they fail to announce a credible transition programme.

This was made clear at the Independence Square rally, when Kokalla Maiga, speaking for all the other politicians called for an urgent “ civil transition” for “a new Mali”.

https://www.inform.ng/post/meet-imam-dikko-the-islamic-cleric-behind-malis-revolution

The Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmed has urged Nigerians to disregard reports that President Muhammadu Buhari’s Nephew, Mamman Daura had been flown to London for urgent medical attention.

Daura, who is a close confidant of Buhari was reportedly flown abroad for medical care last week.

He was alleged to have renal problems. 

Reacting in a tweet on Saturday, Bashir said there was no iota of truth in the report as Daura is hale and hearty.

Alongside a video of Daura, Bashir wrote, “No iota of truth in the earlier story that Mallam Mamman Daura was flown to London for an emergency medical attention.

“He is hale and hearty. Nigerians should disregard that story.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/mamman-daura-presidency-speaks-on-health-of-buharis-nephew

IamWonderful:
Mischievous PDP instead of them to campaign, they busy editing video

Stop sounding like one that didn't go to school

There is confusion in the camp of the enemies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oltiFyvhO48

The Nigerian Bar Association, Dutse, Jigawa Branch, has threatened not to participate in the Virtual Annual General Conference of the NBA following the withdrawal of invitation earlier sent to Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el- Rufai.
This was made known in a statement on Friday by Chairman of NBA Dutse, Garba Abubakar.

The group described as “frivolous” the allegations levelled against Governor el-Rufai, accusing the NBA of not giving him the opportunity to defend himself.

“A section of the country cannot therefore take us for a ride as we all have a fair understanding of the law.

“On the strength of this therefore, we call on the national body under President Paul Usoro (SAN) to reverse the decision with immediate effect else the Nigerian Bar Association Dutse branch will boycott the Virtual Annual General Conference taking place in a few days to come.”

Several Nigerian lawyers had in the past days registered their discontent over the decision of the leadership of the NBA to include Governor el-Rufai as a guest speaker in the conference.

In response to the outcry, the Nigerian Bar Association on Thursday withdrew its invitation to el-Rufai to speak at the association’s annual general conference.

The Kaduna governor described the move as bias in his reaction.

https://www.inform.ng/post/conference-jigawa-nba-disagrees-with-national-body-insist-on-elrufais-participation

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Thursday rejected the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, saying it is “unacceptable, ungodly and a declaration of war on the church.”

The association also described the law as: “a time bomb’’ whose explosion would not only ”snuff life out of the church’’ but rank it (church) as “a secular institution under secular control.”


The Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) however welcomed the law but with a proviso: the spiritual roles of mosques and churches should not be tampered with.


CAN, in a statement on Thursday by Bayo Oladeji, special assistant (Media and Communications) to its President, Rev Samson Ayokunle, therefore called on the government to steer clear off church matters because it lacked the technical expertise to handle things of the spirit.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on August 7 signed into law, the Companies and Allied Matters bill . The new law replaces the 1990 CAMA.

CAN specifically criticised Section 839 (1) and (2) of the law as “satanic.” The section empowers the supervising minister: “to suspend trustees of an association (in this case, the church) and appoint interim managers to run its affairs for some given reasons.”

Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Dr. David Oyedepo, had last Sunday kicked against the law and called on the Federal Government to expunge the section.


The statement titled: ‘Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) rejects CAMA Completely,’ reads in part: “The leadership of CAN rejects outrightly, the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 that was assented to by the President recently.

“The law, to say the least, is unacceptable, ungodly, reprehensible, and an ill-wind that blows no one any good. It is a time bomb waiting to explode.

“We recall that during the first term of the President, there was a public hearing conducted by the National Assembly on the Non- Governmental Organisations Bill tagged ‘Bill for an Act To Provide For The Establishment Of The Non-Governmental Organizations Regulatory Commission For The Supervision, Co-ordination And Monitoring Of Non-Governmental Organisations’ which was attended by CAN and many NGOs.

“At the public hearing, the bill that sought to bring the religious organisations and NGOs under the control and influence of the government was totally rejected because it would snuff life out of the church and rank the church as a secular institution under secular control.

“We thought it was all over until we heard of the CAMA that was assented to by the President, making the rejected bill a law.

“The satanic section of the controversial and ungodly law is Section 839 (1) &(2) which empowers the commission to suspend trustees of an association (in this case, the church) and appoint interim managers to manage the affairs of the association for some given reasons.

“While we are not against the government fighting corruption wherever it may be found, yet we completely reject the idea of bringing the church, which is technically grouped among the NGOs, under control of the government.

“The church cannot be controlled by the government because of its spiritual responsibilities and obligations. This is why we are calling on the Federal Government to stop the implementation of the obnoxious and ungodly law until the religious institutions are exempted from it.”

Asking the President to “urgently return the law to the National Assembly for immediate amendment,” it stated that “Nigeria should not be compared with any other nation when it comes to the relationship between religious institutions and the government.”

It argued that “in Nigeria, people’s religions are tied to their humanity and of course, their life.”

CAN then went on to ask:

“How can the government sack the trustee of a church which it contributed no dime to establish?

“How can a secular and political minister be the final authority on the affairs and management of another institution which is not political? For example, how can a non-Christian head of a government ministry be the one to determine the running of the church?

It warned that CAMA amounted to an “invitation of trouble that the government does not have power to manage”.

CAN consequently advised the government to “focus on the provision of better health , food, education, adequate security, employment, etcetera” instead of turning itself into “a busy body in a matter that does not belong to it.”

The association added: “The government does not have the technical expertise to run the church of God because of its spiritual nature.

“If the government is bent on imposing a law on us which the entire church in Nigeria is against, then, they have declared war on Christianity and the agenda to destroy the church which we have spoken against before now is coming to the open more clearly.

“If you cannot give us good amenities of life, we would not allow you to take away our liberty to worship our maker.

“Are we not running a democracy which is a government of the people by the people and for the people? Is this not gradually becoming a dictatorship?”

Also, the National Publicity Secretary of NASFAT, Mr. Hakeem Yusuf, said he does not believe that the government intention was to regulate churches and mosques.

He however kicked against the section of the law that allows the Registrar-General to appoint trustees for religious organisations .

Yusuf argued that people would only suspect foul play if the desire of the government “is to get their own cut from the house of God.”

Yusuf, who spoke with The Nation said: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s not as if they’re regulating mosques, because the mosques and churches are still in charge of the spiritual aspect. But when it comes to the financial aspect of it, I don’t see anything wrong in being regulated. If we are true to the divinity, nobody should be afraid of being checked.

“But I won’t support excesses. If the intention of the law is for government to get their own cut from the house of God, that is when people can be suspecting some foul play but if the intention is for transparency and effective management of resources, I don’t see anything wrong in that.

“But it is not duty of the government to nominate board of trustees members for any religious group If that happens, it’s an automatic takeover. It is not the government that will nominate me to the board to manage the house of God.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/can-labels-cama-amendment-as-war-against-church-nasfat-disagrees

Former Lagos Assembly member Lanre Odesanya has stepped down for a senatorial aspirant, Tokunbo Abiru, who has been endorsed by Lagos East stakeholders.

He described Abiru, a native of Ikorodu and Polaris Bank Managing Director, as a consensus candidate.

Odesanya, in a statement, described the consensus that produced the eminent banker as a watershed.

He said: “If you may recall, I was emphatic on consensus. It is not antithetical to democracy. On this note, I humbly commend the wisdom applied by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).

“Indeed, it is epochal and shall remain a watershed in the annals of our political history as a Centre of Excellence.

‘’I heartily congratulate our own amiable son of the soil, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru, on his emergence as the flag bearer.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/lagos-east-poll-odesanya-steps-down-for-abiru

President Muhammadu Buhari has named former Super Eagles forward Daniel Amokachi as his special adviser on sports, officials disclosed. 

According to his letter of appointment dated August 17, 2020, and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha stated,




“I am pleased to inform you that Mohammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved your appointment as Special Assistant on Sports.

“The appointment takes effect from the 11th of August, 2020.”

As Special Assistant on Sports, Amokachi is expected to advise the President on all sports matters.

The Former Everton of England player was earlier in the year named Nigeria’s Football Ambassador. Although a ceremonial role, as Ambassador he is expected to mentor youngsters.

Amokachi a.k.a ‘Da Bull’ began his career in Kaduna with Ranchers Bees, played for Club Brugge of Belgium, Besiktas of Turkey, Everton of England and Colorado Rapids.

He played in three World Cup finals, won two Africa Cup of Nations as both player and Assistant Coach, to Stephen Keshi, Austin Eguavoen, Samson Siasia, and Lars Largerback.

Amokachi also won Gold in the football event of the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Since his career was truncated by injury, he has coached the U-23 National Team, served as Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles and coached Nasarawa United.

https://www.inform.ng/post/buhari-appoints-ex-super-eagles-international-daniel-amokachi

…1st suspect, Nehemiah Adejor to be arraigned for culpable homicide 3rd of September



It was a huge sigh of relief for friends and relations as 2 of the 3 suspected killers of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, were set free by the Kaduna State Magistrate Court 1.

However, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Muhammad Jalige said, based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution, the 1st suspect, Nehemiah Adejor is going to be arraigned at the State High Court for culpable homicide not punishable with death on the 3rd of September, 2020.

The first suspect, Nehemiah Adejor, drove the car that killed Arotile. Folorunsho Igbekele Faith and Gbayegun Deji who were passengers in the vehicle that was driven by Nehemiah were released.

When the case came up at the Magistrate Court 1 on Thursday, the prosecution Counsel, DSP Martins D. Leo, prayed the Court to discharge the 2nd and 3rd suspects, as their investigation did not find them wanting.

Magistrate Benjamin Hassan had discharged 2nd and 3rd suspects, Folorunsho Igbekele Faith and Gbayegun Deji, based on the Police investigation, which did not find them wanting and the legal advice from the state’s Director of Public Prosecution Bayero Dari Esq, that they have no case to answer.

According to the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, read in the open court, there is no premeditation in the death of the Flying Officer Arotile, but there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the 1st suspect, Nehemiah Adejor for culpable homicide not punishable with death.

The legal advice was read that, “on the 14th day of July 2020′ the suspect all male of Auta Alkali Farin Gida, Mando Kaduna inside a Kia Sorento with Registration. No AZ 478 MKA Kaduna being driven by the 1st suspect sited the deceased (NAF/4512F Flying officer Tolulope Arotile) at NAF Base Kawo, Kaduna, whom they identified as their school mate at Air force Secondary school, Kaduna.

“The 1st suspect, full of enthusiasm, recklessly reversed the car in order to meet the deceased and in the process ran over her consequent upon which the deceased lay unconsciously on the ground. The deceased was rushed to NAFX64 Base Hospitàl-for- medical attention but was later pronounced dead by the medical doctors at the Hospital.

“The suspects were arrested and taken to 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for toxicology test and results were all negative. They were later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Kaduna on the 24th day of July 2020 for further discreet investigation.

“Police investigation revealed that all the suspects attended the same secondary school with the deceased and upon sighting her the 1st suspect recklessly reversed the car and eventually ran over the deceased which led to her untimely death.

“The 1st suspect admitted in his cautionary statement that on the 14th day of July 2020 he was together with the two other suspects in a car KIA Sorento he was driving, when he saw the deceased walking along the roadside of the Air force Base.

“He informed the other suspects who screamed enthusiastically after which he stopped and started reversing the car in order to meet the deceased and exchange pleasantries. In the process of which he mistakenly ran over her and she later died. He denied having any premeditated plan to kill her.”

“The 2nd suspect also stated in his cautionary statement that on that fateful day he along with the 1st and 3rd suspect went on hangout and on their way back the 1st suspect cited the deceased whom they later saw and became extensively happy. That the 1st suspect stopped the car and began to reverse the same in order to meet up with the deceased and exchange greetings since they have not met a long time. ”

“That when he noticed the 1st suspect was driving speedily off the road he cautioned him, but unfortunately he got confused and ran over the deceased. He outrightly denied any arrangement to cause the death of the deceased.”

“He added that being a trained nurse, he assisted in resuscitating the deceased at the hospital but all attempt proved abortive until she was pronounced clinically dead.

“In his cautionary statement, the 3rd suspect corroborated the statement of the 2nd suspect in all material particulars as to the events of the 14th day of July 2020, as it relates to the death of Flying Officer Tolutope Arotile at NAF Base Kaduna.

“It is clear also from the investigation done; the 2nd and 3rd suspects were passengers and friends of the 1st suspect who was driving the vehicle.

“From the foregoing, there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the 1st suspect for the offence of Culpable Homicide not punishable with death contrary to Section 191 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 as there is no premeditation in the death of the deceased.

“There is however insufficient evidence against the 2nd and 3rd suspects as the entire investigation did not disclose any offence against them other than being passengers in the vehicle of the 1st suspect.

“To prosecute them, therefore, will be embarking on an evidential conjuncture totally unknown to our Criminal Justice System, they can be discharged

accordingly pursuant to Section 125 (6) (e) of the Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017 and thereafter be used as prosecution witnesses in the trial of the 1st suspect,” the legal advice stated.


https://www.inform.ng/post/kaduna-court-frees-2-suspected-killers-of-pilot-arotile

Presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, has responded to the presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church, David Oyedepo, over the comments he made regarding the new Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.

CAMA, which was recently assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, had introduced new regulations for religious institutions in the country.

Its provisions include that religious and charity organisations would henceforth be regulated by a supervising minister and the registrar-general of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Oyedepo had cautioned the federal government against meddling in the affairs of churches, saying “don’t try it when this crude prophet is alive”.

The fiery Preacher, during his sermon on Sunday, expressed concern that the government could someday appoint occultists into those positions to oversee church affairs.


But responding in a tweet on Monday, Buhari’s media aide, Onochie, said it’s either Oyedepo lived by the laws governing the country or he should create his own country.


“Oyedepo will have to manufacture his own country and live by his own laws.


“As long as he lives and operates within the entity called Nigeria, he will live by Nigerian rules and laws. He will do as he’s told by the law. Enough of lawlessness,” said the presidential aide..

https://www.inform.ng/post/cama-presidency-replies-oyedepo

The West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) has debunked report of a leaked mathematics examination question paper.

INFORM NG reports that WAEC starts its Senior School Certificate Examination, today, Aug. 17 and it will go on till Sept. 7.

However, a leaked mathematics question paper circulated on social media, Sunday night. 


Reacting, WAEC told a concerned Nigerian who alerted them on Twitter that the leaked paper was fake.




The Nigerian @iotama22, wrote, “WAEC maths paper scheduled for today has leaked since weekend according to sources.

“What kind of a country is this for God’s sake? I hope the people responsible will be investigated and punished as appropriate.”

Responding, WAEC said, “This is fake. Scammers do this every year. Only gullible candidates fall prey.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/waec-leaked-question-paper-for-2020-wassceas-fake

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed to a Spanish radio station that Barcelona boss Quique Setien will be sacked, with Lionel Messi reportedly ready to force through a transfer away this summer.

Barca were humiliated and embarrassed on Friday night as they suffered an 8-2 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich to exit the Champions League.



It was also the worst defeat of Messi’s illustrious career and images after the game showed how the loss was playing on his mind.


The Argentina international had reportedly already been considering his future after a disappointing domestic campaign.

But Barcelona are ready to act fast to put this season behind them.

An emergency meeting has been called to take place today and Bartomeu confirmed to COPE on Sunday night “Setien is out”.

Mauricio Pochettino, Ronald Koeman and Xavi are all being considered to take over at the Nou Camp this summer.


But Barcelona could have a bigger problem on their hands with Messi reportedly telling the club hierarchy that he wants to leave this summer.

The 33-year-old has just one year left on his contract and had been expected to sign an extension.

But Esporte Interativo broke the news on Sunday night that the Barcelona talisman had demanded an immediate exit from the club.

His current buyout clause sits at an eye-watering £635million.

https://www.inform.ng/post/messi-wants-move-away-from-barcelona-club-president-confirms

Bayelsa state governorship election tribunal has nullified the gubernatorial the election of Bayelsa state that was held in November 2019.

The tribunal took the decision after it agreed with the candidate of Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party that it was unlawful for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to exclude the party from participating in the election.

The court ordered for a fresh election within 90 days.

More details later

https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-tribunal-sacks-governor-diri-orders-fresh-poll

Critical Infrastructure and Energy

Governor Obaseki with his #MEGA manifesto, is determined to do a lot and improve the State of Edo once he emerges as the winner of the forthcoming election. One item on his #MEGA manifesto is to develop the critical infrastructure and energy in Edo State.

Consequently, during his current administration, he pioneered the creation and improvement of infrastructures in the state, therefore, it is expected that he will do more if he gets elected as the next governor.

Below are some of his achievements in the Infrastructure and Energy Sector:

• Completion of more than 800 roads which stretch for about 2000km, with at least a road project in each of the 192 wards in the state. The Ministry of Infrastructure has constructed about 400 roads, while the Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR) PLUS and other partners have constructed 400 roads.

• Development of extensive broadband infrastructure into the road infrastructure and transportation network to build a more virile and mobile business and learning environment. Tech folks, get in here! Edo is open for business!!

• With the support of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), there is an ongoing flood control and gulley erosion projects management across the State, including Ekehuan, Auchi, Ibore, Upper Adesuwa, GRA, among others.

• The Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) has been revamped.

• The Edo Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited in Auchi was revamped in partnership with WACOT Plc and is now functional.

• The first phase of the 55MWCCTEC-Ossiomo electricity project has been completed.

• The Edo Production Centre, along Sapele Road, Benin City, is in operation and remains one of the success stories in liberating small and medium enterprising in the state.

Looking at all these achievements and the ones Governor Obaseki is set to do, voting him as the governor during the forthcoming election is the best you can do.