Isn’t it shameful that Govrnor Sanwoolu of Lagos State rolled out drums to commission projects that were already completed as part of his achievements in 100 days in office? In the past few days, Governor Sanwoolu has been going round the state to commission projects completed by his predecessor as part of marking his 100days in office.

One of such projects that is being celebrated is the Igando Housing Estate that was 95 per cent completion as at the time the former governor left office. Specifically, media outfits quoted the former governor to have said ‘Igando Housing Scheme, Sangotedo, Others ready in six Months’ when he toured the facility in May. And now, the governor is giving that impression that he constructed the project without recourse to the former governor.

Earlier, the governor’s wife, Ibijoke stormed Oregun to commission Children Playground that was fully funded by the previous government through Laspark as part of Oregun Theatre project.

However, what perhaps called for concern was the commissioning of a healthcare centre in Lekki by the governor when in actual fact the project was handled by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Terbanacle of David Parish.

From all these, it is evident that the governor has not found his mojo on how to run the state while many are waiting for the six months deadline he promised to eradicate Apapa expressway gridlock.

Contrary to reports making rounds on social media claiming that former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode is planning to leak certain documents on his political benefactor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others in an attempt to fight back, a credible source close to the former Lagos helmsman has totally dismissed such insinuation.

The source said that the report, published by an online platform, National Daily (nationaldailyng), was a figment of the imagination of the writer as there was no truth in it, as Ambode is out of the country and at no time had any meeting with anybody on any discussion whatsoever.
“The said story is full of falsehood and mischief and a figment of the imagination of the writer with the sole aim of causing disaffection within the Lagos polity.
“Ambode is forever proud of the opportunity he was given to contribute to the development of Lagos State as governor and will never bite the fingers that fed him,” the source said.
The source also debunked the claim made by the author of the story that Ambode had a fore knowledge of the visit of officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to his homes last Tuesday, insisting that a man who served the state diligently and credibly has nothing to hide or fear.
The source said: Ambode has moved on and should be left alone to enjoy his retirement in peace.”

OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT

THE ATTEMPT OF THE EFCC OFFICIALS LED BY ROTIMI OYEDEPO, ESQ TO INCRIMINATE THE EX GOVERNOR MR AKINWUNMI AMBODE WITH FOREIGN CURRENCY; RESISTED BY YOUNG LAWYERS IN EPE.

At early hours of today, we were duly briefed that some officers of the EFCC invaded the apartment of the Former Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Akinwunmi Ambode with the intention to search the premises.

We got to the scene and met with the officials of the EFCC to inquire whether they have a search warrant to search the premises of the Ex Governor.

Having confirmed the Search Warrant, the EFCC officials told us that nobody will follow them in as they will only go in alone. We resisted as young Lawyers and stated expressly that the principle of search is that the owner of the premises of his representatives must be present to observe the search.

They succumbed to our superior argument and allowed us and the people who has the key to the Ex Governor’s house into the apartment with them. Before they entered, we searched all the officials of the EFCC who intended to go in to effect the search.

There was a blue bag which they were holding with them, we requested to see the content of the bag before they could take it in. They got angry and said we cannot see the content. Having said that, we strongly resisted them to take it in since they cant allow us to see it, which they later agreed. We later got to know that the bag contained foreign currency which they brought to plant in the house of the Ex Governor to incriminate him.

It is important to inform the public that before the entered the house, we all submitted our phones to them as they requested that the only person required to go in with phone is one of them who will record the whole process.

All documents, including the State Executive Exco Meetings Vol 1 - 16 in the personal study of the Ex Governor and His Luggage room which they intended to take along with them for further investigation was resisted by us as we told them that failure to take records of all the documents from A-Z, they cannot go out with anything and they agreed with us.

Flowing from the aforesaid, they searched the nooks and crannies of the Ex Governor’s house and they couldn’t find any incriminating documents or materials. We authoritatively assert that, they did find anything in the house and they didn’t leave the house with anything.

We followed them as they entered from one place to the other, when our presence was intimidating them, they said we should sit down while they will do the search. We resisted that we must follow them to observe every of their activities in the premises.

To our greatest consternation, the officials of EFCC led by Rotimi Oyedepo, Esq held on to our phones and told us to follow them to their office in Ikoyi to get our phones. All efforts to get back our phones was abortive as the EFCC officials led by Rotimi Oyedepo, Esq rushed into their white Hiace Bus with our phones and instructed that since we have resisted their efforts to take “the said blue bag” into the main premises of the Ex Governor, they will hold on to the phone. Thus, almost six (6) phones were forcefully taken away, iPhones inclusive.

It is our happiness as Young Lawyers in Epe to be part of the process to legally and successfully resist the EFCC from incriminating the Ex Governor with the blue bag they brought with them from an unknown destination, and we also compelled them to conduct the search within the ambit of the law. Hence, the success.

We are sincerely elated that our presence really helped a long way to legally and successfully expose the intention of the EFCC to incriminate the Ex Governor. To this end, we are ready to challenge the search as they have gone beyond standard and the search warrant in this regard successfully whisking our phones away.

Thank you for listening and God bless you.

Signed.

Fatai A. Adebanjo, Esq.



Busari M. Olanrewaju, Esq.



Samson K. Okuneye, Esq.

How he was linked with ADC plane crash that killed Sultan Maccodo

This is obviously a trying moment for Peace airline. This is because of its notoriety for tyre-related aviation accidents in the past two years.


Within this period, the ailine has recorded no fewer than four tyre burst incidents with the latest at Lagos airport last week when its aircraft crash landed after a damaged tyre burst.


Sources in the aviation industry has placed the course of the incessant problem on sharp practices on the part of the airline's procurement department and the tyre supplier for the airline.


The source who identified Peace Airline tyre supplier as Airline Management Supports Nigeria Ltd revealed how the company allegedly compromised quality in the industry.


While the company headed by Capt. Ekundayo Olubadewo is a major airline tyre supplier in Nigeria, Arik Air remains the only company that has refused to pateonise it, thus buys directly from the manufacturer.


The company according to investigation has a standing franchise holding with Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd in Birmingham, England as its representative in Nigeria.


However, it was reliably gathered that most of the tyres the company supplies to its customers were often retreaded as they ship worn out tyres to China and then bring them back as new, thereby being used for landing times as new.


"What they do is to collect all the used tyres and send them by container to Dunlop retreading factory in China where they would be re-packaged and ship back for our airlines just like tokunboh tyres. Isn't it curious that an airline will record similar accidents within months" the source explained.


News of the people exclusively gathered that one David Jones is the go-between the Airline Management Supports and Dunlop, England.

Meanwhile when News of the People contacted Dunlop headquarters in Birmingham, the head of marketing Stuart Hawker confirmed that Airline Management Support (AMS) is Dunlop’s appointed distributor in Nigeria and West Africa of many years standing.
He however declined to speak on incessant accidents involving one its end user saying 'Dunlop does not comment in public about any aspect of any commercial relationship, between it and either its customers or its operators'
Hawker further explained that the retreading of tyres for aircraft is common practice, and is subject to appropriate airworthiness approvals.

According to a reliable source, the company was allegedly culpable in the 2006 ADC plane crash that killed Sultan of Sokoto and several others as investigations by Nigerian Aviation
http://www.newsofthepeople-ng.com/real-reasons-air-peace-plane-crashed/

This Tunji Bello sef. Does he sleep and wake up with former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on his bed or sees him in his dream every night? I fear this man like I fear any former minister that will descend to pick a commissionership position just to remain on government payroll. But for Bello, it is a spectacular way of stooping low to conquer pay slips from Lagos State for yet another four years. To secure his confirmation at the house of assembly screening on Thursday, he had to diss his former boss Ambode again and rubbish the policies of the same government he served for four years just to get another opportunity to sit in the state cabinet.
But Bello did not tell the honourable members how he personally frustrated his successor at the ministry of environment, a certain Dr. Adejare who didn't allow Bello to Lord it over him as the state SSG. And he probably forgot to remind the House Committee of the reasons why the so-called PSP operators, who are supposed to have regained their prime duty of waste disposal in the metropolis since Babajide Sanwoolu emerged the guber candidate last year October, are yet to roar back to life. To admit that the issues are bigger than Baba Eto and his road sweepers is to admit that the problem he helped create is now bigger than his frail frame.
All Bello wants is to get back to office and clinch the enviable position of becoming the first Nigerian to serve a 3rd term as a commissioner in one ministry. Remember he served a full term with Asiwaju Tinubu between 2003 to 2007 after which he was downgraded to spend four years as MD of LASAA, an agency under the same ministry of Environment. He returned to serve as Commissioner for Environment again under Fashola in 2011 to 2015. His tenure as SSG, the No. 3 man in cabinet made it 16 years as a public servant. In his infamous valedictory note, he had to throw Ambode under the tyres to make a case for another appointment for himself. But Barrister Bello is not like his former cabinet members under Asiwaju who looks ahead for bigger roles.
Aregbesola his former cabinet colleague has served two terms as governor and is now a Minister. Wale Edun has not returned as a commissioner since he left with Asiwaju and holds forth as a dependable proxy manager while he hopes for a federal appointment. Even Sunday Dare, a junior colleague to Bello in journalism did not cry over his missed opportunity as Chief of Staff in Lagos. He was given a slot at the federal and today he is a Minister.
Barrister Bello is certainly not like his alter ego, Dele Alake, who served two terms as a Commissioner but chose to nominate his 33-year old son to serve in Sanwoolu's cabinet. Bello will now be sitting in council with his friend's son as a colleague praying for his memos to sail through to a man who at this time last year was sending his own files as MD of LSPDC to Ambode through Bello.
How does it ring in his ears to be addressed as a former SSG now a Commissioner,? Is he even better in environmental and waste disposal matters than Muiz Banire who was once on that seat, or what is this sit-tight syndrome on environment ministry that has suddenly seized Barrister Bello? In his former life time as a newspaper Editor, it is unlikely if he would have accepted to vacate the position of Sunday Editor of Concord and return as Political editor just because the politics pages needed vigour. But as far Lagos State cabinet is concerned, Barrister Bello would rather offer himself for a 3rd term than nominate his wife, daughter or any of the lieutenants that worked with him. If he is that good and loyal, shouldn't he have been nominated as governor or deputy or returned as SSG by the powers that be? And to imagine that this is a man that God saved from a near debilitating stroke in 2014 on the same seat that he is now desperate to return to is a lesson in human beings' fascination with the poisoned nectar.
It is his tirade against Ambode that is in the open today. The story of how he went mute and hostile on Fashola in his last one and half years as Environment commissioner is well known.
How he ends up with Sanwoolu will load at the appointed time.
For now, we should wish Mr. Third Term in Environment (fifth in Lagos appointments) good luck as we leave the Lagos garbage for Bello.

- Ahmed Sulaimon

-How he was linked with ADC plane crash that killed Sultan Maccodo

This is obviously a trying moment for Peace airline. This is because of its notoriety for tyre-related aviation accidents in the past two years. 


Within this period, the ailine has recorded no fewer than four tyre burst incidents with the latest at Lagos airport last week when its aircraft crash landed after a damaged tyre burst.


Sources in the aviation industry has placed the course of the incessant problem on sharp practices on the part of the airline's procurement department and the tyre supplier for the airline.


The source who identified Peace Airline tyre supplier as Airline Management Supports Nigeria Ltd revealed how the company allegedly compromised quality in the industry. 


While the company headed by Capt. Ekundayo Olubadewo is a major airline tyre supplier in Nigeria, Arik Air remains the only company that has refused to pateonise it, thus buys directly from the manufacturer.


The company according to investigation has a standing franchise holding with Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd in Birmingham, England as its representative in Nigeria.


However, it was reliably gathered that most of the tyres the company supplies to its customers were often retreaded as they ship worn out tyres to China and then bring them back as new, thereby being used for landing times as new.


"What they do is to collect all the used tyres and send them by container to Dunlop retreading factory in China where they would be re-packaged and ship back for our airlines just like tokunboh tyres. Isn't it curious that an airline will record similar accidents within months" the source explained. 


News of the people exclusively gathered that one David Jones is the go-between the Airline Management Supports and Dunlop, England. 

Meanwhile when News of the People contacted Dunlop headquarters in Birmingham,  the head of marketing Stuart Hawker confirmed that Airline Management Support (AMS) is Dunlop’s appointed distributor in Nigeria and West Africa of many years standing.
He however declined to speak on incessant accidents involving one its end user saying 'Dunlop does not comment in public about any aspect of any commercial relationship, between it and either its customers or its operators'
Hawker further explained that the retreading of tyres for aircraft is common practice, and is subject to appropriate airworthiness approvals.

According to a reliable source, the company was allegedly culpable in the 2006 ADC plane crash that killed Sultan of Sokoto and several others as investigations by Nigerian Aviation
http://www.newsofthepeople-ng.com/real-reasons-air-peace-plane-crashed/

BREAKING: SANWO-OLU TRANSMITS 25 NAMES OF COMMISSIONERS, SPECIAL ADVISERS TO STATE ASSEMBLY FOR SCREENING

In fulfilment of his election promise to accelerate his administration’s development agenda, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, transmitted a list of Commissioner-designates to the House of Assembly for ratification.

The list contained twenty five names, who are to assume duty as Commissioners and Special Advisers upon ratification by the legislature.

A statement by the Governor’s Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Sanwo-Olu carefully picked the nominees based on their cognate experience in their respective professions.

The list, Akosile said, comprised names of technocrats and politicians, who understand the challenges of the state, noting that the painstaking and laborious selection process was aimed at constituting the best team that will serve Lagos in line with the agenda of his administration vision of delivering a city-state that will rank among the top most liveable cities in the world.

The statement said: “We took our time to pick the best hands for the tough job Lagosians have elected us to do. The nominees for the twenty five Commissioner and Special Adviser positions include women and men who have made their mark and at the zenith of their professional callings.’’

Governor Sanwo-Olu’ media aide stated further that the current list is first batch, saying that consultation was going on with regard to the complete number of the cabinet members.

He further disclosed that the new cabinet would be unique, because of its diversity. Quoting Governor Sanwo-Olu, he said Lagos would continue to take the lead in innovation, gender-balance and youth inclusion in the administration of the State.

“We have a blend of youth who are under 40 among nominees for Commissioners and Special Advisers. Women too are well represented in the list. We believe Lagos deserves the best and we cannot give the people anything less than that,” the statement said.

Breaking down the list of nominees, there are 17 men and eight women that will be sworn in as members of the State Executive Council. Also in keeping his promise of millennial’s inclusion, Governor Sanwo-Olu included youths who are in their early and mid-thirties in the list of nominees.

The State House of Assembly is expected to carry out a screening of the nominees to set the machinery of governance in full swing.

Below are names of the nominees:



1. Mr. Rabiu Olowo Onaolapo

2. Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo

3. Prof. Akin Abayomi

4. Dr. Idris Salako

5. Mr. Tunji Bello

6. Mr. Gbenga Omotoso

7. Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka

8. Mrs. Bolaji Dada

9. Mr. Lere Odusote

10. Dr. Frederic Oladeinde

11. Mr. Gbolahan Lawal

12. Ms. Adekemi Ajayi

13. Mr. Femi George

14. Dr. Wale Ahmed

15. Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN)

16. Mr. Hakeem Fahm

17. Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle

18. Engr. Aramide Adeyoye

19. Mr. Segun Dawodu

20. Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf

21. Mr. Sam Egube

22. Ms Ruth Bisola Olusanya

23. Princess Aderemi Adebowale

24. Mr. Tunbosun Alake

25. Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo



SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

DEPUTY CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

JULY 14, 2019

When Senator Remi Tinubu slap a fellow Senator in the red chamber did she
apologized to the Senator and Nigerians at large or was she suspended to me she is
not qualify to questioned den, Elisha abbo..............

REMI TINUBU VS Sen Ishaku Abbo
f anyone will be a member of the panel that Investigates Elisha, Mrs Tinubu is
not qualified to be among the panel . This is a woman who once slapped a male
distinguished Senator in the hallowed chamber to the extent that the man was
bleeding through the nose and she was not queried.
I’ve watched a longer video of the exchange between Remi Tinubu and Elisha
Abbo. I get that Abbo is “underserving” of too much respect and has anger
problem, but Senator Tinubu was unnecessarily condescending. At a point she
sounded as though she’s addressing a school kid, not colleague.
Its not like we're surprised Elisha Abbo is questioned by the senate but Remi
Tinubu saying they can protect him from persecution is the scariest thing in that
video. Thesame way, they protected Ganduje I guess? Is she expecting him to lick
her toes or decamp to APC so that his sins will be forgiven?
This is where we'll never get it right. Our institutions are getting weaker while
powerful politicians are getting stronger. Everything is politicized. It's a pity
We demand justice YES but the right people, under the right circumstance should
probe him

The Peoples Democratic Party, Lagos State Chapter, has lambasted the lagos state governor Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, for leaving the state at this time to go watch AFCON currently going on in Egypt. According to the PDP, the rumored sum of about $470M has been withdrawn by the governor to take himself and some persons including APC chieftains to make the trip and the LAHA must probe this.
Criticizing the governor’s leisure trip at this time, the PDP expected Mr governor to pay visits to the innocent persons who are now victims of obvious government neglect and lackadaisical attitudes, thus described it as prodigal, misappropriation and show of insensitivity to lagosians at this time that the state witnessed disasters which include boat mishap, flooding, building collapses, fuel pipeline explosions which have led to many deaths and loss of property.
Pictures of mr sanwoolu currently at the AFCON competition in Egypt have gone viral on social media thus provoking reactions from various quarters.
“whilst we are not condemning the gesture of the governor to go watch AFCON and support the Super Eagles, we are indeed disappointed and shocked that a whooping sum of $470m could be committed to the said trip whereas the state presently has been left unattended to by the combined neglect of the governor to: constitute the state cabinet and boards; commence repairs of potholes on roads; visit the victims of recent disasters in the hospitals and in fact to undertake their medical bills; visit the sites of such monumental disasters; visit the homes of the dead innocent victims of the disasters to condole & console.
The gesture by the governor in far away Egypt is therefore lousy and reflects the governor as disillusioned, misunderstanding the priorities in governance. He should return home immediately to do the needful, this state is presently held down by his style of governance”

Signed
TAOFIK GANI
Lagos state PDP

Governor Sanwo-Olu did not withdraw $470m to fund FG delegation to AFCON


Out attention has been drawn to a press statement by Lagos State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) claiming that the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu withdrew the sum of $470m to take himself and some persons including APC Chieftains to watch the Nigeria-Cameroon match at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON).


There is nothing farther to the truth than this statement, which follows the same pattern of falsehoods usually dished out to the public by the PDP and its mouthpiece.


For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu did not make any withrawal for the purpose of attending the AFCON in Egypt.

It is a public knowledge that Mr. Sanwo-Olu was named among some other digitaries to attend the ongoing African football fiesta in Egypt.


Members of the Federal Government delegation to AFCON 2019 are Dr. Ahmed Lawan, as leader of the delegation, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.


Governors nominated and approved by President Muhammadu Buhari are His Excellency Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.


Also on the list are Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Mr. Habu Gumel, and a Representative of the Presidency; Captain Hosa Okunbo.


The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Olusade Adesola, and Muhammad Gambo, the ministry’s Director of Facilities, are also members of the delegation, which include a former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, to complete the 11-man list.

Is it not laughable therefore that PDP will resort to issuing press statements based on fake news on social media? Does it not stand logic on its head to allege that Governor Sanwo-Olu spent $470m to fund a trip that he was nominated as a delegate?

As we have always stated, we will again suggest to the Lagos state PDP and her spokesman to always fact check before putting pen on paper. Opposition politics is not built on lies and fake news.


GBOYEGA AKOSILE
DEPUTY CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
TO THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE

The Peoples Democratic Party, Lagos State Chapter, has lambasted the lagos state governor Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, for leaving the state at this time to go watch AFCON currently going on in Egypt. According to the PDP, the rumored sum of about $470M has been withdrawn by the governor to take himself and some persons including APC chieftains to make the trip and the LAHA must probe this.
Criticizing the governor’s leisure trip at this time, the PDP expected Mr governor to pay visits to the innocent persons who are now victims of obvious government neglect and lackadaisical attitudes, thus described it as prodigal, misappropriation and show of insensitivity to lagosians at this time that the state witnessed disasters which include boat mishap, flooding, building collapses, fuel pipeline explosions which have led to many deaths and loss of property.
Pictures of mr sanwoolu currently at the AFCON competition in Egypt have gone viral on social media thus provoking reactions from various quarters.
“whilst we are not condemning the gesture of the governor to go watch AFCON and support the Super Eagles, we are indeed disappointed and shocked that a whooping sum of $470m could be committed to the said trip whereas the state presently has been left unattended to by the combined neglect of the governor to: constitute the state cabinet and boards; commence repairs of potholes on roads; visit the victims of recent disasters in the hospitals and in fact to undertake their medical bills; visit the sites of such monumental disasters; visit the homes of the dead innocent victims of the disasters to condole & console.
The gesture by the governor in far away Egypt is therefore lousy and reflects the governor as disillusioned, misunderstanding the priorities in governance. He should return home immediately to do the needful, this state is presently held down by his style of governance”

Signed
TAOFIK GANI
Lagos state PDP

Sanwo-Olu 's charity begins at Egypt

By Joel Nwokeoma

The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was reported to have doled out 5,000 dollars each to players of the Super Eagles for the Round of 16 football match victory over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the ongoing All African Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt on Saturday.

That translates to some $115,000 assuming he gave it to just 23 players of the team excluding the technical crew and support staff.

At the current official exchange rate of 305 naira to one dollar, that amounts to some N35,075,000. That's some N35m public funds thrown away just like that without legislative appropriation and approval.

With that sum, the potholes on the Okota Road or those on the Agege Motor Road by Mushin could be filled with asphalt. If billions are needed to fix the Lagos-Badagry road in complete degradation, a couple of millions only, the type Sanwo-Olu threw at the Eagles for winning a game they will already be paid winning bonus, are needed to fix the bad portions on some inner city roads. The roads in Ajao Estate or Ejigbo will smile if such money is spent on them by the Alausa occupier.

Shouldn't our charity begin on Eko roads?

According to a report, Activities grounded at Ikorodu Garage Round about owing to demonstration of LASPOTECH students due to management fracas and lock down of their institution.

They needed BRT busses to convey them to State House, Alausa but Primero is not ready to grant them the usage of their buses.

Passengers are deprived and hooked at the terminal the early hours of this morning.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=365852370786984&id=164513630920860

As part of activities to mark the Democracy Day, Kaduna State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has honoured three eminent Nigerians for their contributions to sustaining democracy and good governance

The ceremony held at Arewa House ,Kaduna was attended by labour Union, security agencies, politicians and other dignitaries and members of NUJ .

The awardees were : Chairman,/CEO Pinnacles Communications, Sir Lucky Omoluwa, CEO of Enviplan Interntional, Engineer Musa Nimrod and Founder Deservation.org, Dr. Sani Adamu who were honoured for their contributions to democracy and good governance.
Sir Lucky Omoluwa was awarded Icon of Broadcast Media Development in Nigeria, prominently for his role in connecting millions of grassroots viewers to digital satellite television among other feats.
Engineer Musa Nimrod, bagged the Icon Of Youth Empowerment Award for his tremendous contributions to uplifting the standards of youths economically and through sports in the country.
Dr. Sani Adamu, was awarded in recognition of his contributions to democracy through effective mobilisation of youth to actively participate in politics. He was presented with the Young Democratic Icon Award.
In his remarks, NUJ Kaduna Chairman, Comrade Adamu Yusuf congratulated the recipients for being the nominees for the maiden edition of the awards.
In an interview after the presentation, Engineer Nimrod said he was grateful to NUJ for identifying him for the prestigious award.
“I am happy that the little we do for society is been recognised. The fact remains that if we don’t impact positively on the youth, when we are old and rely on walking stick to walk, who would help us? It us still the same youth of today that we have empowered.
Sir Omoluwa, who was unavoidably absent, was represented by his Media Consultant, Alhaji Abdulhameed Babatunde

In a matter of hours the curtains will fall on the first tenure of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration, as we are ushered into a new dispensation that promises Nigeria a better deal and an accelerated improvement on the masterly successes recorded in the last four years.

The Team that will work with the President in the coming dispensation will determine greatly the pace of progress Nigeria will record in the next four years. It is therefore of prime importance that these individuals be finely selected to reflect the sterling attributes of incorruptibility, proficiency, altruism and above all patriotism which President Muhammadu Buhari espouses.

One of the most sensitive of these appointments which require thorough scrutiny and conscionable assessment of the pedigree, character and proven credentials of the appointee to be so appointed is that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation is expected to “ensure the effective coordination and monitoring of the implementation of government policies and programmes for the overall development of the country” and is saddled amongst others with the following critical responsibilities;
i. Coordinating policy design and formulation by Ministries, Departments and Agencies for approval by Government;
ii. Serving as Secretary to the Council of State, the Federal Executive Council and other
Constitutional Councils, which are chaired by the President;
iii. Coordinating the activities of Ministries and Government Agencies on the implementation of Government decisions, policies and programmes
iv) Dealing with constitutional, political and socio-economic matters as may be referred to the Presidency;
v. Coordinating the appointments to Headship of Statutory Bodies, Commissions and Agencies by the President;
vi) Liaison with Secretaries to State Governments; et al.

To underscore the significance of this critical office, nations always put forward their best when it comes to selection and appointment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or Secretary of State as most nations choose to refer. If the right parameters are to be adopted in the appointment of a new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, only a minuscule few will meet up the set standards.

A meticulous search through the gallery of leaders and public servants has revealed one such patriot with towering antecedents, pedigree, immutable character and astounding credentials in the person of Dame Pauline Kedem Tallen. Rising from humble beginnings as a class teacher to the zenith of political leadership as one of the first female Ministers at the dawn of democracy in 1999 and first female Deputy Governor from Northern Nigeria, her leadership/stewardship odyssey has seen her rise steadily and meteorically all at once as a fulfilled public servant whose career is laden with a plethora of sterling achievements traversing education, politics, administration, human development, women empowerment and peace building. In 1986, she was elected as Councillor from where her lustre of excellence shone bright to elicit her appointment as Commissioner in the Plateau State Ministry of Social Development, Youth, Sports and Culture, and later Commissioner in the Ministry of Health. She served as a member of the Presidential Inauguration Committee where she still exhibited the rare streak of diligence she is known for. Thus leading to her appointment as Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, from 1999 to 2003. In 2005, she served as Chairman Governing Board, Raw Materials Research and Development (RMRDC). In the same year, 2005, her infectious patriotism merited her conferment with the priceless Award of National Honors of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), by His Excellency, President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR in appreciation of her unwavering and invaluable contribution to national development.
By dint of hardwork, sheer commitment, proven track records and an unquenchable desire to better the lot of her people, she was elected as Deputy Governor of Plateau from 2007 to 2011 making her the first ever female Deputy Governor in Northern Nigeria. In recognition of her vast political touch across the nation, she was appointed National Adviser of The National Campaign Women Council APC under the Chairperson of Mrs. Aisha Buhari, as well as Member Board of Trustees of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2015. She is presently the Chairman, Governing Board of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).

It is noteworthy to emphasise that throughout her leadership sojourn from the grassroots to the national level she has maintained fervid and unbroken incorruptibility fused with her excellent performance record which earned her a presidential commendation. She continues to maintain a steadfast walk on the almost solitary pathway of integrity, hard work, discipline, decorum, respect for work ethics/ rules, adherence to due process and above all maintaining a finely trained skill for inclusive leadership that addresses the felt needs of the Masses. A renowned nationalist, detribalized Nigerian and highly revered global citizen, she is famously quoted to have said “You know me well. I am not a tribalist. I do not treat people based on sentiments. I believe in fairness to all". Indeed these are exceptional qualities a candidate for appointment as Secretary to the Government of the Federation should possess.


It is also worthy of note to emphasise the calm mien of this altruistic patriot with a controlled temperament, composure, exposure and religious tolerance which qualifies her for the job. She is also widely travelled with vast diplomatic reach which will help strengthen multilateral and bilateral relationships with other nations. We must reiterate that In all her Public life she has never been associated with corruption. She is known for selfless service and humanitarian endeavors. She has always been a Mother to the poor, widows, women and youths irrespective of where they come from. She will therefore add value to President Buhari's government in her capacity as Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Another plus is her fervid knack for quality education which spurred her on as the first female to establish a private nursery and primary school in Plateau state - Shendam Private School - which has produced a lot of innovative front liners in the medical profession, law, engineering and several other critical sectors. It is no strange fact that there exists a strong nexus between quality education and development. It is therefore empirical to decipher the fact that Dame Pauline Tallen will contribute greatly in redirecting our national educational policy for the "town to meet the gown" on a trajectory of innovative development.

Finally, it is important to draw attention to the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has promised inclusive governance and involvement of women in the top hierarchy of national leadership. This is clearly in consonance with global trends where women have been appointed/elected to top positions where they performed creditably well. Women such as Angela Merkel, German Chancellor; Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Jacinda Arden, Prime Minister of New Zealand; and Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, President of Croatia - whose display of support for her national team at the 2018 FIFA world cup set a shining example for world leaders and inspired the Team to the finals of the competition; have all left indelible marks on the world leadership arena. In the United States of America, Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton respectively served as Secretary of State at various times and impacted positively on governance and policy matters.

Undoubtedly, posterity has thrown up Dame Pauline Kedem Tallen as that woman who will give the required Filip to the good intentions of Mr. President (as Secretary to the Government of the Federation) in the coming administration, measure up to and even surpass the achievements of other female world leaders and strengthen efficiency, transparency, prudence, rapid development and good governance for the accelerated forward voyage of our dear nation Nigeria. The best times are surely here for Nigerians as President Muhammadu Buhari is poised to work with an incorruptible and roundly competent Team.

God bless Nigeria!

There is growing disquiet in the Lagos Judiciary as outgoing CJ of Lagos Honourable Justice Opeyemi Oke seeks to maintain control over the judiciary from retirement.
Usually reliable sources have stated that the newly established Lagos judicial institute is to serve as her control base. Oke has reportedly appointed a crony to oversee the institute but intends to operate as a Consultant on a very juicy contract. The judicial institute was recently launched with fanfare at the Judiciary recreation club in Ikeja GRA which has been hastily converted into a temporary site by the CJ.
Some senior members of the Ikeja Bar who have been in a war of attrition with Oke over recent steps she had taken on Court rules claimed that they were aware of the developments and would take appropriate action in due course to expose any underhand deals.
Oke was appointed Chief Judge in 2017 and is due to retire on 10th June 2019 when she would have attained the statutory age of 65 . She had reportedly nursed intentions to elongate her term but that ambition was frustrated by the sudden removal of former CJN Onoghen who was one of her ardent supporters.

BADOO: Isuti-Egan Community Turned to Ghost Town - http://megalagos.org/news/badoo-isuti-egan-community-turned-to-ghost-town/

The business empire of Jite Okoloko, one of the alleged strong allies of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, and a big beneficiary of the nation’s economic patrimony under the sixteen years of the Peoples Democratic Party’s administration that ended in 2015, appears to be heading for difficult times, if the unsavoury news filtering out of Eroton, Midwestern Oil and Gas as well as Notore Chemicals, the three diamonds of the empire, is anything to go by.
 
Sources disclosed that Notore Chemicals has been battling with operational challenges in the aftermath of its largely undersubscribed attempt to raise fresh working capital from the Stock Exchange last year. The firm, sources said, has had to review its ambitious expansion and diversification plans it hoped to fund with the expected fresh capital injection that did not materialize. It is also said to be battling with huge cash calls occasioned by its liabilities while several contracts and junior non-contract staff are said to have been laid off between December 2018 and end of Q1 2019 due to poor returns.

 
On its part, Eroton has enough headache worrying about the fate that awaits its business structure and fortune that is tied to Oil Mining Licence OML18 which knowledgeable oil industry sources said might not be renewed after its expiry date of 2020. Currently, Eroton is the operator of OML 18 which has more than 576 million barrels of oil and approximately 4.2 trillion cubic feet of gas. Eroton owns 27% of OML 18 while Sahara Field Production owns 15% and NNPC 55%.
 
Sensing the need to re-evaluate his political standing as a means of salvaging his economic interest in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, Jjite Okoloko was alleged to have been trying to warm up to the presidency and APC since 2017 but with little or no success. For instance, he was alleged to be one of the silent financiers of the Senatorial bid of ex-governor Emmanuel Uduaghan while also heavily backing the 2nd term bid of Governor Okowa. Unconfirmed sources, however, said Okoloko’s hand of warmth was also extended to the APC candidate in the March governorship election, Chief Great Ogboru. This, the sources said, was to ensure that he had allies across the major political parties to push his case to the president’s ear. However, how successful the strategy would be remains to be seen.
 
But the Eroton 27% stake in OML 18 is currently the subject of a messy suit FHC/L/CS/793/2018 instituted by SunTrust Oil Company Nigeria Limited against Midwestern Oil and Gas and six other defendants. In the suit before the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, Sun Trust Oil Company has preferred a case of Breach of Shareholder Agreement against the defendants as pertains to 50% of Eroton’s issued share capital owned by Martwestern Energy Limited which is a special purpose company jointly set up by Midwestern Oil and Gas and Mart Resources Limited to hold and manage 50% stake of Eroton. The other 50% Eroton stake is owned by Bilton Energy Limited. Sun Trust owns 20% stake in Martwestern and consequently, 10% of the entire Eroton shares and 2.7% of OML 18.
Sun Trust is alleging illegal conversion and transfer of a substantial part of the Martwestern shares to some other companies purportedly brought in as shareholders outside the framework of the existing Shareholder Agreement between it and the other two original shareholders of Midwestern, without its (Sun Trust) knowledge and input.
 
While hearing in the Sun Trust matter continues, a Delta State High Court sitting at Sapele, Southern Nigeria, has struck out the “Stakeholder Interpleader” Suit jointly filed before the Court by two law firms, Perchstone & Graeys and Templars, led by Messrs Folabi Kuti and Godwin Omoaka respectively, on behalf of Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Limited against three Respondents, namely Seistech Energy Limited, Sapele Power  Plc and the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company Ltd/GTE, to forestall the enforcement against it of a consent Judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, in a previous Suit between the Company and Seistech Energy  Limited.
In his ruling striking out the Suit, the Presiding Judge, Justice A.O Omamogho, said: “the filing of this Suit amounted to an abuse of court process having regards to the various definitions of what amount to an abuse of court process, and the facts that this court is being vested with the power that it does not possess to review the consent judgment. The only course open to this court is to strike out the suit in the circumstances, this case being herein struck out with the cost of N200,000 to each set of Defendants in this case”
Justice Omamogho further said Seistech and Midwestern had amicably settled a Winding-up Suit instituted by Seistech against Midwestern in the Federal High Court, in Lagos on the 12th day of February, 2018, as a result of which the Terms of Settlement drawn up and executed by both parties and counter-signed by their lawyers was entered as Consent Judgment by the presiding Judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi.
Justice Omamogho said by the terms of the Consent Judgment, Midwestern was to evacuate its crude oil from Seistech’s storage within a particular period and pay storage fees at a particular rate. It was also agreed that if Midwestern failed to evacuate its crude within the specified period, it would then be liable for a higher storage fee until the evacuation.
The judge noted that Midwestern failed to evacuate the crude within the stipulated timeline and storage fees accrued, as per the Consent Judgment, to over US$3Million, as at the date of Midwestern’s filing of its Stakeholder Interpleader Summons in the Sapele High Court.
The Sapele Court said in order to avoid its mounting obligations under the Consent Judgment, Midwestern Oil and Gas, through the law firms of Perchstone and Graeys and Templars, instituted another Suit in the court against Seistech and two other parties, in order to limit its period of liability for storage fees while claiming it did not know which of the three (3) Defendants to pay the reduced storage fees to.
 
In filing this action, the court ruled, Midwestern concealed the fact that there was a subsisting Consent Judgment over the issue of payment of storage fees while Midwestern then sought injunctive orders against the Defendants, including Seistech, which would have had the effect of completely varying the terms of the Consent Judgment if granted.
The defendants, Seistech, Sapele Power PLC and Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company Ltd/GTE opposed the so-called “Stakeholder Interpleader” suit.
 
Seistech was represented by Fidel Albert Esq. of the Lagos-based firm of Aes Triplex LP, Sapele Power PLC which was sued as the second Defendant, was represented by Emmanuel Egwuagu of Obla & Co while the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company Ltd/GTE, sued as the third  Defendant, was represented by  Bashiru Ramoni of SimmonsCooper Partners.
 
 
Counsel for Seustech, Mr. Fidel Albert, objected to the Suit as being grossly inappropriate and incompetent in the circumstances, arguing that the suit is an abuse of court process. He further argued that Midwestern is bound by the Consent Judgement and must not be permitted to use a so-called “Stakeholder Interpleader” to vary or subvert the terms of the Consent Judgment.
 
In agreeing with Counsel for Seistech, Justice Omamogho held that it was clear in the Consent Judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos, that storage fees is to be paid to Seistech and that it seemed clear that the stakeholder Interpleader Summons was instituted by Midwestern in bad faith to prevent Seistech from executing Judgment in Suit No: FHC/L/CP/1955/2017 filed in Lagos.
 
The Judge further held that the “Stakeholder Interpleader” Suit filed on 24th of September, 2018 amounts to re-litigating the same issue all over in another guise but that the Court cannot afford to accept the generous donation of power to it for Midwestern to alter the Consent Judgment by his learned Brother in the Suit filed in Lagos.
 
As things stand, Midwestern Oil and Gas will have to cough out funds above $3million to offset its storage fees indebtedness to Seistech. This fee will continue to rise until Midwestern evacuates its crude in Seistech’s storage facility as
http://www.newsofthepeople-ng.com/jite-okolokos-business-empire-in-disarray/

Apparently irked by the widespread speculation that APC national leader is behind Senator Ahmed Lawan aspiration of becoming Senate president, a civil society Civil Society for Better  Political Practice (CSBPP) has debunked the insinuation terming it as unfounded. 

The organisation insists that Senator Lawan is a man of his own mind who is a detribalised Nigerian has the capacity to work with every Senators across the country. 

According to them, Asiwaju Tinubu's pretence to support Senator Lawan is a clandestine decoy for Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila whom he prefered as house of assembly speaker. 

The civil Society group argued in it's press release signed by Comrade Salisu Shuaib that Tinubu has never supported Lawan neither has he lobbied for his aspiration,  rather he's been busy campaigning for Hon. Gbajabiamila.

Shuaib explained that all senators need to support Lawan for equity and justice because the senator has the experience and the acumen to take the 9th Assembly to the next level. 

'Nigeria belongs to us all and we must work very hard to ensure that somebody who is urbane, exposed and nationalistic should be made the Senate president and Sen. Lawan is an appropriate person' the statement said.

He concluded that Senator Lawan is the man that fit the job and must be supported to become the next Senate president.

An interesting scenario is unfolding between Senator Olalekan Solomon popularly known as YAYI and the Managing Director of Lagos Signage and Advertising Agency, LASAA, Bolaji Sanusi.

Sources close to the Senator disclosed to this platform how Sanusi has grown wings and become power drunk to ridicule the distinguished senator over a polite official request.

It was gathered that Yayi had approached the agency for an approval to keep its political billboards accross the state for further use which incurred the anger of Sanusi thereby wrote a stinkeras a reply to the request.

In the view of our source, LASAA boss replied the Senator in a manner that suggests he has a matter to grind with him.

The letter, it was gathered lambasted Yayi of being ignorant of Lagos state law on Advertising while his request could be termed as an abuse of privilege.

Our source particularly pointed out a paragraph from the letter that was considered very insulting to the popular senator which reads 'most shocking to us is your request, despite being a senator of the federation, seeking for our approval 'to retain' these illegal outdoor structure 'for business purposes' on your official personal letter head and endorsed by your esteemed self"

Apparently shocked by the letter, the senator was quoted to have threatened to go into battle with the agency saying things will sort out itself when the governor elect resumes.

Interestingly, the agency noted that the governor elect through its campaign office complied with all the rules as stipulated, wondering why the Senator shouldn't.

However, LASAA advised Senator Yayi to immediately begin removal of the illegal billboards within 7 days to save the state of expending further resources to clean up the mess created by such illegal structures.

"These structures remain what they are -illegal deployment and a request for them to remain standing smacks of impunity" Sanusi noted.

Our source however disagreed with the position of LASAA, saying the senator is a critical stakeholder in the state and he should be accorded with some courtesies.

All efforts to reach the LASAA boss proved abortive as his number was switched off.

Funke Philips, media strategist to Lagos governor elect, Babajide Sanwoolu who allegedly jumped court trial for drug trafficking is back on the radar of anti narcotics agency.
As it was gathered, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, is putting its papers together to declare Ms Funke Phillips wanted for jumping bail in 2007 after she was arrested for being in possession of 3.14 kilograms of cocaine.
It has been revealed that the NDLEA Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Mr. Sunday Mboma, has already begun working on how to track Ms Phillips down after the news broke.
Olufunke Phillips, who worked as a digital manager for the Lagos State governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, absconded from justice having been http://weekender.com.ng/cocaine-scandal-ndlea-to-declare-sanwoolus-digital-strategist-wanted/

What is Tinubu doing in Ogbomoso?

It's a known fact that the generality of Oyo state voters have rejected APC and its ignoble politics. But the hawks from Lagos are trying to scuttle the will of the people. Bola Tinubu who voted in Lagos in the morning has suddenly relocated to Ogbomoso with the sole aim of rigging the guber election for the rejected Bayo Adelabu. He is working in tandem with Alao-Akala, the self-acclaimed Lord of Ogbomoso politics who couldn't even deliver his polling unit for Adelabu. Oyo State voters have spoken loud and clear and their choice is Seyi Makinde. Any attempt to subvert the will of the people is an invitation for trouble.
Let the whole world ask Tinubu what he is doing on the night of election day in Ogbomoso. Are the stooges he imposed in Osun and Oyo not sufficient for him? Ajise bi Oyo laari o, Oyo ko ni foribale fun Iragbiji!

Director General of Buhari Movement.com, Mohammed Lawal has said that the leaders of ethnic groups, Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Afenifere, Ohanaeze, PANDEF and Middle Belt Forum are not strategic politicians for them to have thought that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was going to win the presidential election.
Speaking with the Sun newspaper, the former Deputy Director of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, asked Atiku to honour the Peace Accord he signed.



The opposition is kicking against the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying last Saturday’s election was a fraudulent exercise. What’s your view?
In a political contest, especially the presidential election in Nigeria, it is not easy for a party that lost to accept immediately simply because a lot of efforts, time and goodwill were put in place. The 2019 election has its own dynamics, which are very critical for the survival of this country and even for the survival of many of us – the common people, the Talakawas, and the elite. I don’t want to go back to the rigmarole towards the build up to the election, but just to mention it for the sake of history.
Some of our elite gathered and swore that they would kick out Buhari out of Aso Rock Villa and they did all that were humanly possible; they put a lot at stake, but power is from God. He is the owner of the dominion; He just gave a bit of it to us in trust so that we can discharge the responsibilities that are under our care.
Leadership is a very serious matter and that is why many people run away from it, but from observation, if you see somebody fighting and struggling for leadership, don’t give it to him because he is going to betray the trust.
I understand the concern, frustration and what the opposition is saying. In an earlier interview, I said Buhari was going to win with about 15 million votes, and that he was going to extend hands of friendship to all Nigerians. In his first speech after collecting his Certificate of Returns, he is extending hands of friendship to all Nigerians including, Atiku for them to come and help build Nigeria.
He has to leave a legacy; four years is just like four days. I remember in 2015, he was sworn in and when we started campaigning for 2019, it was just like four days to me. There is a lot of work to be done in the country, and if truly we are Nigerians, we should join hands with him to take Nigeria to a greater height. The problem of this country is so enormous, and I don’t want to go back to what PDP did in 16 years or what the military did in those days, but the fact remains that this country has been bastardised; the resources have been plundered. Our resources that have gone illegally can make Nigeria look like America, but we need all hands to be on deck, and with peace and unity, we can take Nigeria higher than even the next level we were talking about during our campaign.
The president understood this, and that is why his first message was peace; come let us build this country. He meant it with all sincerity. Anybody in his position will know that this is his last four years, and a lasting legacy should be left behind so that all the people that died because of him, all the people that struggled because of him will have something to beat their chest that this is what we struggled for, and many of the young ones would say, yes, this is what we fought for, that what he left, is what we are here to reap. That is what is behind his mind, we are not talking about the PDP days; we are talking of moving forward.
The opposition are asking questions why Borno and Yobe states that were under Boko Haram attack on the election day recorded more turnout than areas that are very peaceful.
I have been in this game for over 25 years. I started politics since 1992, with the late Umaru Shinkafi, my brother who was the presidential candidate of NRC. I come from Zamfara State, and I head an organisation, Buhari Movement.com, and we give strategic reports and political information and intellectual analysis even to the presidential council and other Buhari support groups toward where and how to mobilise for votes.
We give reports concerning areas like Borno, Yobe and even Zamfara, where about 10 local governments are under attacks by bandits. I have been in Zamfara for the past one month, and just left on Thursday. In our reports, we called for INEC to shift the polling units that are very close to danger areas and move them to safer areas and to cordon all the corridors that the attackers usually come from. That was done in Borno and Yobe states You heard even before the aborted February 16 election, the Minister of Interior, Dambazau said the borders between Borno, Yobe and Chad, Niger, Cameroun were airtight, not even a fly or a goat was allowed to cross.
We did our homework; we made sure that the voting areas were airtight, security wise, so the people were at home. I made radio jingles in Zamfara State informing people to come out vote and that their units were well secure.
I have never heard in my lifetime where UK and US were hailing the Nigeria military. Several other observers independently were hailing our military for making sure that there was no violence, especially from the areas we are talking about, which would have prevented the people from going to exercise their franchise.
That was the reason why the election was successful in Borno, Yobe and Zamfara states. Adamu Adamu is my living witness; I spoke with him and gave him a memo on how we are going to do the election because of the security challenge. In Zamfara, if you add our figures with PDP, it is up to a million.
So, there was nothing like padding of figures as alleged by PDP. In some states, we had expected a higher figure, but it wasn’t so, as the votes were down, especially in Lagos State.
So, the election has been won, and the best thing we should do is to see how to salvage this country.
The regional organisations, NEF, Afenifere, Ohanaeze, PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum say, they are disappointed over the outcome of the election. What is your take?
They are disappointed because of their standing before the election. They miscalculated. They are elder statesmen with verse experience, but in the case of Buhari, they miscalculated because of sentiments, some pittance, some economic considerations, and other altruistic considerations.
When Buhari came, it was not business as usual; no money to share and some people had jets and were flying from Abuja to different parts of the country, and foreign countries, and they have houses in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, America, UK, France, etc. You know, the more money you have the more trouble you have to maintain the assets, and if the money is not coming the way it used to come, then maintaining the assets becomes a huge problem. So, this 2019 gave many elitesthe opportunity to fight to return to those days of business as usual.
People have gone to any level in order to promote their selfish interest. Look at this issue of herdsmen, before you knew it, the media is awash with hate speech over Fulani herdsmen in order to promote personal agenda, and it seemed that Nigeria was going to break up into millions.
Like I said earlier, a simple statement by the Obi of Onitsha would diminish whatever position Ohanaeze had taken against Buhari. Look at APC’s performance in the South East.
Look at Bayelsa, how APC performed in spite of all the talks by PANDEF and Edwin Clark. In Bayelsa, we are having one senator and two House of Representatives members. These leaders are not strategic politicians. I told you that Balarabe Musa’s statement nullifies 20 statements by Ango Abdullahi that Buhari would lose and they were supporting Atiku. They supported Atiku because they thought he would win, they were not strategic politicians, else they would have known that the former vice president didn’t have any chance.          Like Buhari has told us, we shouldn’t put them to shame; we shouldn’t annoy them; he said that we should calm them in the interest of the nation. I like opposition to thrive so that they can put the ruling party on its toes to deliver good governance.
Atiku has refused to accept defeat, what does this portend?
Atiku should recall that he signed the Peace Accord twice at the instance of the committee, also at his own instance because he thought that he was going to win the election. When he was signing that Peace Accord, he was signing it with the hope that he would have peace after his election. He should know that there can’t be two presidents.
That Peace Committee headed by Abdulsalami and Kukah, everybody knows where Kukah is in this country, also everybody knows where Abdulsalami is vaccilating towards in this country. I’m not blaming Atiku for not accepting the result; I’m blaming that committee for not prevailing on Atiku to accept the result because it was what they agreed, what they discussed, which he signed.
If Abdulsalami, Kukah, Onaiyekan were sincere and not that they wanted peace only if Atiku won, they would have told Atiku to accept the result unless they wanted peace only if Atiku won the election. Even though we know they were partisan, we know what Kukah was saying, we know what Onaiyekan has been telling Christians that Buhari was not their candidate that they shouldn’t support him as he didn’t mean well for the country, but God has done His will. They should go for peace now that Atiku has lost.
Some say that Buhari’s reelection wasn’t because of his performance, but because of cult followership in the North?
If it is because of performance, Atiku said he can perform better than Buhari, he can provide jobs better than Buhari, and he can enrich his family better than Buhari. The day Buhari was announced winner, the social media became so quiet, and I couldn’t see any voice in the social media in this country because Atiku’s social media warriors decided to keep quiet.
There are many ingredients that make a good politician loved and adored by people.
Look at the demography of Nigeria; Buhari won everywhere. South East, it is because of obvious reason of Obi, IPOB, but he didn’t perform badly.
It is not a question of cult and non-performance, but let us look at non-performance; he is bringing an internationally acceptable road from Lagos to Ibadan; is it by non-performance that he is bringing a railway track from Lagos to Abeokuta within a period of one year; is it by non-performance that he is bringing about 10 roads in each of the geo-political zones; is it by non-performance that what you see in Borno compared to when Buhari came in, one third of the state was occupied by Boko Haram, and today those local governments have been liberated; is  it by non-performance that churches in Madela, Head quarters of the United Nations and Police headquarters, were bombed by Boko Haram before Buhari came; is it by non-performance that before now, Boko Haram bombed Kano, killed many others in other cites in the North and Buhari halted all these.
Is it by non-performance that primary school pupils are fed on daily basis? Is it by non-performance that youths are being trained to acquire skills?
Yes, he has cult followership; did he charm them to follow him? This followership cuts across the country, look at the demography of voters turn out. In 2015, what Buhari had in South East is not up to one quarter of what he has now, do you call that non- performance. Look at Bayelsa, in 2015, Buhari didn’t have a seat in the state House of Assembly, but today, we have one senator and hoping for one more, and we have two House of Representatives seats. In Rivers State, there is an appreciable performance, don’t  forget Amaechi, he came to join from PDP, and Abe too.
Buhari has followership across the country, and he would use the resources of the nation to the benefit of everyone. He is not an angel, he has his shortcoming, and only God is 100 per cent perfect. He is a work in progress; look at his background, it is different from any of former or aspiring head of state in this country. He did it three times, he couldn’t get it and there was a gang up against him, but God has always been on his side.
Last time, you said Buhari was going to score about 15 million votes, how did you come about the figure?
I’m an engineer by profession, and very proud of it. The language we speak in engineering is mathematics. For some months before the election, I have been collecting data, information and the likely outcome of the votes and the number of votes cast in the election. I used what we called, statistical correlation to arrive at some figures with simple algorithm. I wanted to know what would happen for APC and PDP in the presidential election. I designed a modem through algorithm and that will take you close to what may likely happen. Within the margin of five per cent plus or minus, I got 15 million votes.
Even though I belong to APC, but my quest for data made me designed questionnaires, which I administered to people in other parties across the country and insisted on objectivity in their responses.  The analyses helped to arrive at the figure

Reeling in the mood of victory of President Buhari’s re-election, the director General of BuhariMovement.com Mallam Mohammed Lawal today in Zamfara throws a traditional wolimat celebration in Zamfara state.
Joining in the celebration are coordinators of the movement in Zamfara from different local government areas.

Is Governor Akinwunmi Ambode's life in danger? This is the billion naira question as Nigeria inches closer to what many now consider a make or mar general elections with the race, in different states, getting keener and the stakes getting higher by the day.
Fresh revelations unearthed early this week showed that beyond muted allegations and subtle threats of impeachment against him that have refused to go away, Akinwunmi Ambode might indeed be the target of a possible attack being planned by a few powerful forces in Lagos politics who appear to still have a bone to pick with the outgoing governor.
Findings show that exactly one week ago, unbeknown to many who had gone to Ibadan to celebrate Chief Bisi Akande in whose honour a colloquium was organised for his 80th birthday, a major clandestine meeting actually took place on the side lines of the event.
There was only one agenda, according to a reliable source - the political developments in Lagos State, which have continued to generate issues since the last primary elections and how "silencing the Governor permanently" may be the best option that is preferred to the aggrieved powerful stakeholders.
No fresh allegations as such was levelled against Ambode, according to a reliable eye witness, other than the old rehashed fear that his silence was pregnant and that he could not be totally trusted not to want to hurt the chances of his own party at the governorship election on account of being denied the opportunity to contest for a second term.
It was reliably gathered that among those that attended the clandestine meeting in Ibadan were a former governor in the South-West; a former Commissioner to a former Lagos governor and a former Chief Detail. The plan according to this very reliable source is not just about why Ambode must not go unpunished. But to also consider a permanent option that goes beyond him losing his job.
Curiously, Ambode was not at the Ibadan event to honour Baba Akande at 80. However, it was gathered that in the last one week, security around him has been unusually beefed up while the Police and the DSS are said to have been formally notified of the fresh plot to either physically inflict harm on Ambode or to totally eliminate him.
It was gathered that the heightened security around the Governor might be borne out of the concern that certain security aides that worked with top government functionaries when the late opposition candidate, Engr Funsho Williams was assassinated in his home in Lagos are still around; have indeed risen in service and are being recommended for very top positions in security service of Lagos State.
Although close aides of the governor said the Epe-born Accountant has put his fate in the hand of God, he is not taking any chances at all.

It was an ecstatic moment in Lagos for the fast rising Buhari Movement dot com as the group stormed Surulere area of the state in a warm embrace of Lagosians.

At a stakeholder meeting in Surulere, thousands of people trooped out to be part of the historic re-election process of President Buhari being promoted throughthe group.

While the enthusiastic crowd were showing the sign of the popular four fingers of 4 + 4, the shout of 'Baba Lo Le Se o' (It's Baba that can do it) soon rented the air and chorused throughout the stakeholders engagement.

Speaking at the occasion, the zonal cordinator of the movement, Alhaji Nasiru Kaka re-emphasised the objective of the initiative, saying 'it our duty to reach out to the old and the young in all the nooks and crannies of the state in our mobilisation project for President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, President Buhari is a good product to market based on his integrity and level of his performance with the available resources at his disposal, therefore we must ensure that he is re-elected to continue with the good work that will take Nigeria to the next level.

Alhaji Kaka used the occasion to thank the stakeholders for sharing the vision, urging them to guard their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and also mobilise people to collect their PVCs in readiness to vote for President Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo on February 16.


He charged all the clausters established to begin the house-to-house mobilisation with immediate effect in Surulere and environs while the next point of call for the mobilisation shall be in Epe division.

Also speaking at the event Alhaji Shittu Omoonibaba commended the initiative as wonderful way of reaching the grassroots and youths at the local level saying that his take-away campaign slogan is 'Baba lo le se o'

In an apparent move to drive the younger population into the President Buhari's re-election,  a new  organisation known as Buhari Movement dot Com has berthed. 


The movement which is already in Lagos with intention to cover Benin, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Benin is to engage people mostly youths in a campaign strategy that include voters education through the use of social media.


In a statement made available to journalists in Lagos, the Executive Director of the movement,  Mallam Muhammed Lawal noted that all the social media platforms of the movement like Instagram,  twitter, Facebook,  telegram et al have all gone live with enthusiastic acceptance by the populace. 


He noted with pleasure of responses from the youths of their resolve and belief to vote President Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo in February presidential election.


According to feedback received,  the mobilised youths are eagerly waiting to receive the President in Lagos to express their appreciation and commitments to assure the President of his re-election and to continue his good work in moving the country to the next level.


Mallam Lawal assured  members that distribution of publicity materials that will identify them as Buhari Ambassadors will commence next week.


With a tone of total commitment,  he said that the next point of call will be Kwara, Plateau and Kaduna next week adding " our determination to use the social media is to target a very crucial important segment of the population in a unique way"


The response has been very encouraging and the love expressed toward Mr President is unimaginable, specifically they are yearning that the second term would definitely take our country to the next level " he said


"In this digital age where engagement of potential electorates is in real time,  one cannot afford to be complacent and we have all seen how the western democracies have leveraged on the use of the social medial for a comparative advantage " the statement concluded.

Until sometime last year that they disappeared, Mikano branded traffic warden booths were common sight at different junctions and roundabouts around Lagos metropolis. The booths where traffic wardens consisting of police personnel and LASTMA officials do take cover to prevent sun and sometime rest, when the arises, used to be supplied by Mikano International Limited. The generator dealing company, according to findings also provided money in the tune of several millions of naira for maintenance purposes of these booths all as a form of their own Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR.
http://justnews.com.ng/2019/01/act-of-a-prodigal-how-lasaa-bossmobolaji-sanusi-wasted-lagos-fund-to-power-intoxication/

Senior citizen Sir Victor Olaiya needs the help of Nigerians, and it's very real. This is as a result of threats being metted out to the legendary highlife musician by the chairman of Coker Aguda Local Council Development Authority Akinyemi Obe.

According to a reliable source, the LCDA chairman has been threatening elder Olaiya for months over a street named after the musician, saying the musician must pay a staggering amount if the name of the street should remain as it was even before Obe was born.

Insiders say Obe is executing a clandestine agenda to remain the street with a friend of his who has promised to make a huge payment.

Flashy Obe, who is a notorious home breaker but was not born when Olaiya started singing once told some people that she does not care about the age of the man in question.

To carry out her threat, the chairman ordered his staff to execute the notice from Coker Aguda LCDA to be pasted on Sir Victor Olaiya's house on Victor Olaiya Street Aguda Surulere.

The notice is threatening to revoke street named after the musical legend and reallocate to any other interested and paying resident on the street except the Olaiya family pays up.

As a follow up to the threat, one Hon Foaud kept calling from the LCDA on the instruction of Mrs Akinyemi Obe making threats just before new year.

Meanwhile Sir Victor Olaiya who will be 90 this year is a recluse in his house, bed ridden and rarely sees sunlight.

Concerned residents told this morning that Obe is insensitive and ot is unfortunate that a senior citizen in tye person of Olaiya could be treated in such manner.

Meanwhile it was gathered that musicians are planning a walk against her at an LCDA that is slipping away from APC. And election is less that 2 months

The formal presentation of Lagos State 2019 budget is experiencing unusual delay as the formal laying of the budget before the House of Assembly original slated for December 24 2019 was put off because the House of Assembly could not form a quorum for that purpose, reliable sources have revealed.

As year 2018 draws a close with the slight change of the budget being presented again this year, findings showed that work on 2019 budget actually started in June 2018 with stakeholders engagement and preparation of Medium Term Expenditure Framework (2019-2021) which has been approved by the State Executive Committee.
It was gathered that this was followed by the bilateral meetings of various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to defend their estimates based on the policy direction of government for 2019.

Sources confirmed that the bilateral meetings of various MDAs were concluded in November 2018 and the State Treasury Board approved the budget for presentation to the State Executive Committee thereafter. However, it was gathered that the budget which has since been ready for presentation to the House of Assembly since December 19, 2018 could not be presented due to the feedback from the Assembly indicating that the House members were busy with their holidays and electioneering process, hence could not form a quorum to formally receive the budget.

It was gathered that the seeming power play between the executive and legislators and the continuous use of the House to checkmate the executive by “powers that be” may be largely responsible for this unusual delay in presenting the budget.

Scores of Lagos residents and stakeholders are appealing to the executive and Legislature to close ranks for the formal presentation and quick passage of the 2019 budget for the overall good of Lagos State and its teeming resident.

Time for EFCC to investigate the hunter

A federal high court judge, Justice Babatunde Olaide Quadri is alleged to be at the centre of a property deal gone-sour in London.

The