₦airaland Forum

SisterAnn:
Benuejosh your people need help.

Feldie:
Mumu liar. She doesn't know how to do transfer or what? You think this is still 1990?
You just hear of "blank cheque" and decided to make up braindead story when was the last time you saw anybody with a cheque?

Rivers crisis: Political gladiators take battle to grassroots



One thing in the minds of many keen watchers of political events in Rivers State is how the festering crisis between the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike will end. One question political observers will ask is who will laugh last?

Little did anyone know that the disagreement between them would degenerate into the current complex state of tension and uncertainty.

The nomination of the chairmen and members to serve as the caretaker committee for the 23 local government areas of the state by the governor and their subsequent screening and confirmation by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly loyal to him following the expiration of the tenure of the then-serving chairmen on June 17, 2024, set the stage for the showdown,


Before now, the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers elected when the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, held sway as the governor had vetoed the incumbent governor to amend the State Local Government Law which major provision was the extension of the tenure of the local government chairmen for six months over the failure of Fubara to conduct LG elections.

But the governor had called their bluff, refusing to utter a word over the action of the pro-Wike state lawmakers, keeping his plans to his chest and waiting to strike when the iron was hot

By Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the governor had sworn in the CTC chairmen, who in turn inaugurated their members after the state House of Assembly loyal to him (Fubara) gave them a clean bill of health ahead of Wednesday’s resumption of work after the two-day Eid-el-Kabir holidays where they would be expected to take over the various councils.

This was as 21 of the 23 local government chairmen elected under Wike, vowed not to vacate office, citing the amended local government law made by the Amaewhule-led Assembly which extended their tenure for six months.

Most of the council chairmen as it were under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria made good their vows and proceeded to their council headquarters, but little did they anticipate the level of resistance they met on Tuesday, July 18.

Not only had hundreds of Fubara’s supporters and sympathisers alike occupied the facility, but they also chased the outgone chairmen who dared to put up appearance with temerity, just as some of them escaped being attacked by the whisker.

One of the hotbeds of the melee was the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area where the chairman, Allwell Ihunda, as he then was, who doubles as the State Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, was chased by angry protesters, including members of the Ijaw Youths Congress, who hoisted the body’s flag at the entrance of the council secretariat, protesting the tenure elongation while he tried to make his way into the council premises.

It took the intervention of his security details who fired gunshots into the air to pave the way for his escape through Bank Road towards the regional CBN office in Port Harcourt. However, operatives from nearby State Police Command arrived shortly afterward, shooting live bullets and tear gas to scare away the youths, who insisted that they were there on a peaceful protest and to execute the directives of the governor for the newly sworn-in CTC chairmen to take over the affairs of the council.

Also, in Obio/Akpor, the local government of the FCT Minister, the crowd of protesting youths who made their way into the council headquarters in Rumuduomaya was overwhelming. The then LG boss, George Ariolu, was lucky as he was nowhere to be found the tension there tripled as they unleashed the anger that welled in them on one of his cars found inside the premises, smashing the windscreen and damaging other parts.

While the protest assumed a fever pitch, a group of protesters reached for a statue of the former Rivers State Governor inside the council secretariat, dragged and pulled it down, destroying it into debris.

While the youths also chased out ALGON members who they describe as stubborn from assessing the secretariat in Eleme, Ahoada East, Tai, Khana, and other LGs, the situation was extreme in Eberi-Omuma in Omuma LG of the state, as a clash between supporters of both camps turned bloody and left a policeman and member of a local vigilante group dead after they were shot.

The casualty no doubt necessitated the police takeover of LG secretariats and the subsequent directive by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, that the police barricade would remain until a court of competent jurisdiction rules on the matter of the council chairman which was already a subject of litigation.

The litigated matters are that there is a subsisting May 2024 judgment of the Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Daketima Kio which made any move to elongate the tenure of the council chairmen illegal after the declaring of the Local Government Amendment Law made by the 27 lawmakers as inconsequential with the provisions of the constitution.

Recall that a three-man Appeal Court panel had adjourned the case of the LG chairmen to June after hearing arguments from the parties.

The appellate court presided over Justice B.B Aliyu delivered the ruling after the Chairman of Opobo-Nkoro LG, Enyiada Cookey-Gam, and six others dragged Fubara and others to court. The Appellants had queried the amendment made by the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 pro-Wike lawmakers.

Also, Justice Dakatima Kio of the Rivers State High Court nullified the six-month tenure elongation for the local government chairmen granted by the Martin Amaewhule-led state legislature.

Justice Kio had on May 21 declared the local government law No. 2 of 2024 which provision extends the tenure of the local government chairmen invalid.

Looking back, the disagreement between the FCT minister and Fubara, a former Accountant General of the state, which has now spiraled to the local governments, began from the state House of Assembly following an alleged attempt to replace the Amaewhule-led leadership of the Assembly and replace same with a Speaker that will be loyal to the governor, to enable him gradually build his political structure, a move that opened the floodgates of violence.

An elder statesman and pioneer spokesperson for the Pan Niger Delta Forum, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, during one of his media outings, said, “Do you know that the governor almost resigned because of the overbearing influence of the FCT minister; but for the intervention of some critical stakeholders, Governor Fubara would have left.”

“It is unfortunate, and we must tell the minister to concentrate on his job in Abuja and allow the governor to govern the state,” Sara-Igbe, who is also an activist, added.

As the cordial relationship between Wike and his godson began to sour, the Martin Amaewhule-led majority lawmakers tried to outsmart their counterparts by plotting to remove Edison Ehie, who was then the leader of the House and staunch supporter of the governor by way of suspension. They (pro-Wike lawmakers) also appointed another leader to pave the way for them to commence the impeachment process on the state chief executive.

Prior to that time, Governor Fubara had started pursuing his destiny, frolicking with perceived foes of his predecessor, namely Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his Bayelsa state counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, and the latter’s predecessor, Seriake Dickson, amongst others.

On October 30, 2023, the State House of Assembly located along Moscow Road was bombed, leaving the hallowed chamber destroyed, and the mace; the symbol of legislative authority, was carted away.

The day after, the pro-Wike lawmakers made their way into the Assembly, which was already under lock and key and manned by armed policemen. They held a plenary in one of the halls inside the complex and commenced an impeachment of the governor who they accused of incompetence and gross misconduct.

Amidst heavy security presence and barricades, the pro-Wike lawmakers afterward left the complex the same way they had entered in a long white bus escorted by armed operatives.

About an hour later, the governor, accompanied by the House Leader, Edison Ehie, some aides, and some youths walking towards the Assembly complex from the state secretariat axis were accosted by the security operatives who fired several shots into the air.

The police sprayed water on the governor but the youths that accompanied him kept shouting ‘He is the Governor of Rivers State’, just as Fubara advanced towards the complex, the youths forced the gate open, and the governor inspected the bombed facility and thereafter addressed the press. He queried the reason the 27 lawmakers wanted to impeach him.

With water dripping from his clothes, the governor even confronted a senior police officer who he alleged fired straight in his direction. A few days later, the state government ordered the demolition of the Assembly citing structural defects as a result of the explosion, even as the facility has remained shut ever since.

Following the imbroglio, the pro-Wike lawmakers during plenary at the Assembly quarters located along Aba Road, announced the suspension of Ehie as House leader and replaced him with Major Jack.

The 27 lawmakers during one of its sittings announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, even as the House became factionalized. Ehie, on his part, told newsmen that 24 of his colleagues had elected him as the new Speaker after a sitting inside the Government House in Port Harcourt, while he announced the suspension of Amaewhule and other few other colleagues.

Later, during plenary, Ehie, presiding as factional speaker, declared the seats of the 27 defected lawmakers vacant for dumping the party under which platform they were elected into the House, saying the House would write to INEC to conduct bye-elections to fill the vacant seats.

At the peak of the crisis, President Bola Tinubu intervened and invited the feuding parties to Abuja, a development that led to an eight-point peace agreement where Wike and Fubara agreed to sheathe their swords and implement the agreements.

But a few months down the line, the peace brokered by President Tinubu broke down and both parties returned to the trenches with renewed hostilities.

With the likes of the former acting national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, former Transport Minister, Dr Abiye Sekibo, and Senator Lee Maeba, joining forces with Fubara against their known political foe, the crisis assumed a new twist of realignment.

At the centre of the impasse is the control of the political structure, and by a logical extension, control of the state which clearly explains why the battle has shifted to the local government areas.

Fubara, having survived an impeachment which was gathered, followed an earlier attempt by the governor to change the leadership of the state Assembly with those who would be loyal to him rather than dining with known enemies.

Meanwhile, the governor while swearing in the CTC chairmen said they could operate from anywhere for now if they encounter any challenge, even as he urged them to maintain peace at all times.

Commenting on the takeover of the LG headquarters by the police, the President of Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, disagreed with the position of the IG that policemen would continue to man the LG secretariats.

This came as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in the State, Chief Tony Okocha, called for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the violence that greeted the tenure of the LG chairmen.

Okocha while expressing worry over the loss of lives said, “So the Federal Government should do what they should do to ensure that this state of anarchy we are heading to, does not degenerate for us to be seeing fire everywhere.

Continuing, the INC boss, Prof. Okaba said, “The IG directive that the police should be there, maybe from one point of view, you could say that the police have no business barricading the place particularly now that the governor has put in place a caretaker committee, which, though not in the constitution, is almost a norm in Nigeria; other states have done the same thing as an interim measure before elections are conducted into councils.

“Again, this is why we have been talking about the independence of the police. The constitution says the governor is the Chief Security Officer of the place. The Commissioner of Police should have taken orders from the governor. Now he is taking orders from the IG which again defines the kind of democracy and separation of powers we operate in this country.

“So, in all, it is a misnomer, which is almost becoming a norm in the country we find ourselves in. I feel we should be very careful with what is going on.

“It is very provocative if not properly managed can lead to bloodshed and all of that, and those are the things I have warned against. So, it is now left for stakeholders at the state, and federal levels to sit down together and look for a way out of all of this mess. I call it a very messy situation,” he said, even as he called on the President to intervene in the crisis rocking the state.

On his part, the Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation, Enefaa Georgewill, said the stance of the IG showed that “the police have already put themselves in the arena by trying to be an interpreter of court judgments.”

He said, “We would want to warn that the police shouldn’t create situations where civil organizations like ours and other interest groups would have to move into the streets to demand that the police remove themselves from the political arena of Rivers state and obey a subsisting court judgment and equally respect our constitution that says that every local government chairman is supposed to stay for three years. Anything outside this, we will be left with no choice than to begin to mobilise our affiliates and other interest groups and to move to the streets of Port Harcourt and Abuja.”

Similarly, the River State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees said it had issued a four-day ultimatum for the police to vacate the LGA secretariats, saying its members would be forced to take to the streets afterward.

The state NULGE President, Clifford Paul, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on the telephone, said, “We have made a statement asking the Rivers State Police Command to reopen the gates for the workers because after the dissolution of the LG councils by the executive governor of the state, since then, all the gates of the 23 LG councils have been and there is no way my workers will be outside or will be absenting themselves from work.

“So, we are requesting that the needful has to be done. They should vacate the gates so that we can access our premises. We are giving them a four-day ultimatum, and after the four days, as a union, I will reserve that comment.”

Nigerians can vote out underperforming elected leaders: INEC

The INEC official said it was unproductive and irresponsible to stay indoors during elections after criticising an under-performing politician.



Gabriel Yomere, the resident electoral commissioner in Cross River, says Nigerians reserve the right to vote out underperforming political leaders.

Mr Yomere stated this at Friday’s second quarter consultative meeting of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and leaders of civil society organisations in Calabar.

He said that Nigerians should refuse to accept the notion that every politician must serve two terms irrespective of their performance.

The INEC official said it was unproductive and irresponsible to stay indoors during elections after criticising an under-performing politician.

“After assuming duty as the REC in Cross River in 2022, I went through the records and saw that the 2019 election turnout was extremely poor. I became very worried and decided to do something about it. But after the 2023 election, the outcome remained poor,” he said.

Mr Yomere said that one reason for meeting with civil society organisations was to seek their support for citizens’ participation in the electoral process.

“Civil society organisations are critical stakeholders in the electoral process. They need to work with INEC and security agencies to achieve results,” he said.

The REC, who said that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise would soon commence, urged civil society groups to participate in mobilising residents.

Nsikak Ikpeme, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (Calabar chapter), said that the 2023 governorship election in Cross River witnessed apathy because the electorate was dissatisfied with the electoral process.

Mr Ikpeme said that INEC should be willing to adopt technology to ensure a credible electoral process, saying, “This will rebuild confidence and trust in the system.”

Abdulkadir Ibrahim, NASFAT commissioner in Cross River, commended INEC for the meeting and appealed for such meetings to be held more frequently.

Julie Agbor, the president of the National Council of Women Society, urged the commission to involve more women groups in its activities to deepen grassroots mobilisation.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle deny associating with fugitive Allen Onyema, say Tinubu’s CDS organised Nigerian tour

“Onyema allegedly leveraged his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive while using falsified documents to commit fraud,”

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have set the record straight, stating that their visit to Nigeria was to honour an invitation by Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa and insisting that it had nothing to do with U.S. fugitive Allen Onyema, who volunteered his airplane as a ride for the couple to tour Nigeria in April.

Sources close to the couple issued the rebuttal to Daily Beast after British media linked the ex-royals Nigerian visit to Mr Onyema who was embroiled in money-laundering allegations going as high as $20 million in the U.S.

The sources, seeking to protect the reputation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, noted that Air Peace was a leading airline in Nigeria and West Africa that daily flew commercial planes to the UK’s Gatwick airport. This was done in an attempt to water down any perceived relationship between the couple and Mr Onyema.

Mr Onyema was not a stranger to criminal allegations as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Georgia charged him with “bank fraud and money laundering for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents” in 2019.

“Onyema allegedly leveraged his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive while using falsified documents to commit fraud,” U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak said in the indictment sheet.

Stanley Olisa, a communications lead at Air Peace, parroted Mr Onyema’s generosity to Sussexs’ explaining that they flew on chartered planes at no cost and were given preferential treatment given their ties to the British monarchy.

“The chairman of Air Peace gave Prince Harry and his wonderful wife Meghan free flights to Lagos and back as part of his contribution to the successful hosting of the couple,” Mr Olisa told UK’s Mirror in May.

“The planes were chartered. It was just the royals and their entourage. They were not flying with other passengers. We understand that they are royals so we gave them top-tier treatment on board,” Mr Olisa said. “They were given everything they wanted. It was an exclusive experience. And we flew them back to Abuja in the evening. Everything was complimentary.”

An Official Vehicle Of The Police Affairs Ministry Has Been St0Ien In Abuja

rumu3485:
Very gone.
The ogboni thug has been demystified. Good riddance 💯
But fools like whalis are still having wet dreams... 😂🤣

Justiceganduje:
He still won't use it.

Kogi govt threatens to pull down houses, hotels occupied by Yahoo Boys

The Kogi State Government has threatened to demolish houses occupied by internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys in the state.

The State Security Adviser, retired Commander, Jerry Omodara gave the warning when he appeared on Monday’s edition of the “State of Kogi” a Radio Kogi Audience Participatory programme which was monitored by DAILY POST in Lokoja.

Omodara said the government needed the assistance of the public in the Area of provision of information to arrest internet fraudsters in the state.

He said security agencies will soon go after hotels used by yahoo boys to perpetrate crime. ”It should be noted that appropriate sanctions will be handed to those harbouring the fraudsters”.

The State Security Adviser cautioned landlords against giving their houses to “Yahoo Boys”, pointing out that such structures will also be pulled down.

According to him, the government in partnership with security agencies have identified houses built with proceeds of criminal activities and those housing men of the underworld would soon be demolished.

He stated that Security Agencies and local hunters have been directed to arrest or gun down anyone carrying arms in the forest.

The Security Adviser while commending the effort of Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo in tackling insecurity, called on companies and well-to-do individuals to assist the government by donating to the State Security Trust Fund.

DAILY POST gathered that the activities of internet fraudsters in Kogi State have been on the rise, prompting the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, to arrest many earlier this year.

Police rescue three abducted Fouani brothers, others

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the abducted Fouani brothers and two others have been rescued.

The spokesperson for the command, Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known via a text message to our correspondent on Tuesday.

According to him, the brothers identified as Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani, who were abducted on June 14 around 6pm in Lagos were rescued last night in Orugbo Iddo by men of the Marine Police.

One of the brothers is the Managing Director of Fouani Nigeria Limited that specialises in electronics and is the sole distributor of LG, Hisense, and Maxi products in Nigeria.

The three brothers were said to have been returning from their factory by boat when they were abducted.

A source familiar with the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to its sensitive nature, told our correspondent that the kidnappers contacted the victims’ families, demanding ransom.

However, Hundeyin confirmed they have been rescued and reunited with their family.

He said, “Yes five of them were rescued. Three Lebanese, the boat captain and his assistant.

“They were rescued late last night in Orugbo Iddo. Our Marine Police, with the support of the Nigerian Navy, brought them to shore.

“Thereafter, our tactical team in the area took them home on Banana Island in the early hours of today.”

Two mansions belonging to former Chelsea and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien are reportedly set for auction following a court order from the Accra High Court.

The sale was ordered by the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court (Commercial Division) on June 12, 2024, following a recent court ruling against the former midfielder.

The Daily Guide reports that the properties are located at Stephen Quarshie Crescent, East Legon, House Number 9 and House Number 204/205, Trassaco (Phase 2), Adjiringano, all in Accra.

The report also mentioned that one of the properties is valued between $20 million and $30 million.

Essien’s current financial troubles are due to large loans he took from different banks and financial institutions in Ghana, according to Africa Soccer.

During his playing days, 41-year-old Essien played for top clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Lyon.

Some Of My Siblings, MKO Abiola's Children Who Couldn't Afford Drugs Have Died In Last 30 Years – Abdulmumuni Abiola Laments

Abdulmumuni Abiola, one of the sons of late Chief MKO Abiola, has berated his elder brother, Kola Abiola, over the alleged mismanagement of their late father's wealth and throwing the rest of the siblings into abject poverty.

Speaking in a podcast on Mic On with Seun Okinbaloye, Abdulmumuni lamented that Kola had mismanaged their late father's wealth and sidelined him and other members of the family to the extent that in the last 30 years, some of Abiola's children had died because they could not afford to buy medicine to treat and take care of themselves.

Asked if he blamed Kola for the manner in which things had gone and whether he believed the legacy of Abiola would have been properly sustained rather than it was now, Mumuni said, "I definitely do because he was in a better position, especially after the whole crisis.”

Speaking further, Abdulmumuni said, "First of all, if he listens to what my father said in the Will and does what he is supposed to do like every other one has done, there wouldn't be a problem.

"We have lost so much. There are so much properties my father has in this country that we can never get by because people sit on it and they are using it to take care of their own families. The issue is, who is losing?

"It is our money that they used to buy those things. Those properties now cannot be bought with the same amount, with the kind of money that would be spent today. I'm talking about the silo in Lafia Agil in Kwara State - 20,000 metric tonnes Silo with 10,000 hectares of land. How much would be paid for that land now?

"It is so sad that your father was rich to a certain level and you cannot continue from where he stopped. I would like him to explain to me why exactly he has gone with this direction. It is like going down the deadened road and you are seeing the signs but you are still going.

"This is 30 years down the line. It is not like I waited for a year after my father died and started making these accusations. Abiola's children who could not buy medicine to take care of themselves have died in this 30 years. This is sad and I'm sure my father will not be pleased about it. So, I am not pleased.”

He added, "I wake up in the morning and my phone is inundated with text messages of people who ask for help. How many people can I help? If I want to help somebody, I need to first help myself. It is important we do things the right way."

Asked if he has spoken with Kola about his grievances, Mumuni said he is talking about the properties in Nigeria only.

He said, "You must understand that I'm talking about their properties in Nigeria only. This is not where Abiola has his wealth. Abiola had those companies in Nigeria just to help Nigerian people.

"They were losing money and they were building money. But he did this (established companies in Nigeria) because he knew they needed something to do so that they don't pick up guns. He (Abiola) understood that.

"Abiola's wealth was from outside this country. He was an accountant and when he was the state director of ITT, there was money that owed the company, when he was able to retrieve the money from the military government then, he went back to his masters in England.

"They wanted to offer commission but he asked them to give him shares. So, my father has shares.

"I told brother Kola when I got back that I don't want to disturb him about the money outside Nigeria. That it is for him, he should do whatever he wants with it. But the ones in Nigeria, we will die there."

Abdulmumuni said he had taken over Concord Newspaper but "at the time we took it, he took me to Kabiyesi Akiolu's Palace to tell me why I should leave the place."

helinues:
The initial video of Sani dent the whole video. Starting the video with fabricated story..

There is no proof of any of those arrested during the end SARS protest still being in detention .

Lyrically and rhythm, no consistency

Btw, some people's button was pressed to promote the song... Too Emotional things now

When is the ideal time to wear this and under what circumstances...

Tug boat piloting barge load of containers sinks at Tin-can port

… As rescue efforts on Thursday failed


A tug boat piloting a barge loaded with containers have sank at berth 10 of Tin-can Island port, with the pilot of the tug boat said to have escape death by the winkers.

The berth is operated by Five Star Logistics Nigeria Limited while the tug boat belongs to Medlog, said to be the logistics aim of one of the multinational shipping lines.

On the reason for the sinking of the tug boat over a week ago, Vanguard gathered that there are conflicting reasons. While a dockworker said the crane hook which was to discharge the containers had fallen on the tug boat causing rapture that result in it taking in water rapidly; a staff of the Five Star Logistics said that the tug boat in its effort to berth the barge had rammed into the quay apron causing a rapture that resulted in the barge in taking water.

The dockworker who said that the incident occurred on Thursday last week, further disclosed that the tug boat sank shortly after before efforts to rescue it could be done.

When Vanguard visited the site of the incident Thursday, efforts were on by the terminal operators to savage the vessel. Two heavy duty barge cranes were on down, with divers trying to connect both hooks of the cranes to the vessel under the water.

A such at the terminal told Vanguard that the rescue effort was unsuccessful as cable of the two cranes snapped just as the tug boat was being pulled out of the water.

Vanguard had earlier gone to the Apapa office of Comet Shipping Line, the parent company of Five Star Logistics where our correspondent met with Mr. Kingsley of the Shipping department who directed Vanguard to Five Star Logistics office at the port.

At the Tin-can island office of Five Star Logistics, Vanguard was informed that the General Manager was not around and that there was no one to speak on the issue. Similarly, efforts to speak with the Port Manager of Tin-can Island Port, Sylvester Egede, proved abortive as he neither picked his calls nor respond to a text message sent to him.

Kano residents applaud calm as Sanusi, Bayero lead Sallah prayers

Kano residents on Sunday lauded the peaceful atmosphere that greeted the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir in the town despite the ongoing emirate crisis.

This was as the police command expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and orderly manner the Sallah prayers across the state were conducted.

The state Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Gumel, who had just been promoted to Assistant Inspector-General, lauded the residents for their orderly conduct at various prayer grounds, both within and outside the Kano metropolis.

According to reports from all the 44 local government areas, the festivities were celebrated in a peaceful atmosphere, devoid of rancour.

There had been palpable fears that skirmishes might mar the Sallah celebrations, especially given the lingering emirship tussle in the state.

The state police command, on Thursday, banned the Kano Durbar, following a clash of orders over the celebration.

The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi and the deposed Emir Ado Bayero had asked the police for security during the celebration of the Durbar after the Eid-el-Kabir, a decision the police command viewed might lead to anarchy.

There had been a royal crisis in the ancient city following the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano, after the state House of Assembly repealed the Kano Emirate Law 2019 and enacted the Kano Emirate Law 2024 on May 23, 2024.

Governor Abba Yusuf, while signing the new bill into law on May 24, 2024, announced the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi, and had since recognised his authority on the emirate, while he sacked the rulers of five emirates – Kano, Bichi, Karaye, Gaya and Rano – earlier formed by ex-Governor Umar Ganduje.

Following the order banning the Durbar and that contending emirs should pray at different mosques, Bayero was at the Nassarawa Mosque while Sanusi prayed at Sheikh Tijjani Mosque at Kofar Mata, Kano.

The PUNCH observed that the governor and some dignitaries in the town joined Sanusi for the prayers.

Sanusi, during his sermon after leading the Eid prayers, stressed the importance of following Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, which emphasised helping the needy, especially during Eid-al-Adha celebrations.

The residents were happy the celebration was incident-free in the town.

Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar from Tauroni Local Government praised the peaceful conduct of the prayers and commended the police and security agencies for ensuring the sustenance of a peaceful atmosphere.

Alhaji Isa Musa from the Charanchi area, however, called for continued security presence beyond the Sallah celebrations.

Alhaji Kabiru Danlami from Dorayi quarters urged residents to support efforts by the security agents by providing information on suspicious individuals, to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Meanwhile, a group, the Arewa Youth Advancement Forum, in a felicitation message to Bayero on Sunday, urged him to forgive his enemies.

In a statement issued by its President, Nuhu Magaji, it saluted the monarch’s commitment to the progress and development of the state, even in the face of adversity and commended him for his unwavering dedication to the peace and progress of the state.

“As the Muslim Ummah celebrates the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Adha, the Arewa Youth Advancement Forum wishes to extend its warmest felicitations to His Highness, Emir Ado Bayero.

“Despite the recent unfortunate events, we stand in solidarity with Emir Bayero, a symbol of peace, progress, and stability. His wise leadership and vision have been a shining example to our generation.

“Emir Bayero’s dedication to the emirate and the state is unwavering, and his legacy continues to inspire us. We recognise his tireless efforts to promote unity, understanding, and progress in Kano and beyond. His door has always been open to the people, offering guidance and support in times of need,” the statement noted.

It called on Kano residents to remain peaceful and united, working together for the greater good of the state.

Tinubu Inherited Dead Economy – Presidency Replies New York Times


The Presidency has reacted to a report published in the New York Times criticising the Nigerian economy as facing the worst trajectory in a generation.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, responded on Sunday to the report by Ruth Maclean and Ismail Auwal.

According to the Presidency, the feature story, titled ‘Nigeria Confronts Its Worst Economic Crisis in a Generation’ and published on June 11, reflected the typical predetermined, reductionist, derogatory, and denigrating way foreign media establishments have reported on African countries for decades.

Onanuga stated that due to the ‘misleading’ slant of the report, the government needed to clear up some misconceptions conveyed by the reporters regarding the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which took office at the end of May 2023.


He noted that the report painted a dire picture of some Nigerians’ experiences amid the inflationary spiral of the last year and unfairly blamed it all on the new administration’s policies.

He argued that the report, based on several interviews, is at best jaundiced, portraying all gloom and doom without mentioning the positive aspects of the economy or the amelioration policies being implemented by the central and state governments.

Onanuga emphasized that Tinubu did not create the economic problems Nigeria faces today but inherited them.

“As a respected economist in our country once put it, Tinubu inherited a dead economy.

“The economy was bleeding and needed quick surgery to avoid being plunged into the abyss, as happened in Zimbabwe and Venezuela,” he noted.

He explained that this context led to the policy direction taken by the government in May/June 2023, including the abrogation of the fuel subsidy regime and the unification of the multiple exchange rates.

Onanuga highlighted that Nigeria had maintained a fuel subsidy regime for decades, which consumed $84.39 billion between 2005 and 2022 from the public treasury, in a country with significant infrastructural deficits and a high need for better social services.

He also alleged that the state oil firm, NNPCL, had accumulated trillions of Naira in debts due to unsustainable subsidy payments.

“The budget itself had a striking feature: it planned to spend 97 per cent of revenue servicing debt, with little left for recurrent or capital expenditure. The previous government had resorted to massive borrowing to cover such costs.”

Onanuga further explained that like oil, the exchange rate was also subsidized by the government, with an estimated $1.5 billion spent monthly by the CBN to defend the currency against the unquenchable demand for the dollar.

“This low rate led to arbitrage and failures to fulfil remittance obligations to airlines and other foreign businesses, drying up foreign direct investment and investments in the oil sector.

“To address these issues, Tinubu rolled back the subsidy regime and floated the naira on his first day”, Onanuga said.

Despite initial challenges, Onanuga noted that some stability is being restored, with the exchange rate now below N1500 to the dollar and prospects for further appreciation.

He cited a trade surplus of N6.52 trillion in Q1, as opposed to a deficit of N1.4 trillion in Q4 of 2023, and renewed interest from portfolio investors as indicators of improving economic confidence. Loans from the World Bank, AfDB, and Afreximbank are also contributing to Nigeria’s renewed bankability.

Onanuga highlighted efforts to control inflation, especially food inflation, through increased agricultural production and state-led initiatives to sell food at lower prices.

“The Tinubu administration has invested heavily in dry-season farming and provided incentives to farmers.”

He concluded by comparing Nigeria’s economic challenges with those faced by the USA and Europe, emphasizing that the Tinubu administration is working hard to overcome these difficulties.

“Our country faced economic difficulties in the past, an experience captured in folk songs. Just like we overcame then, we shall overcome our present difficulties very soon.”

ceejay80s:
Crook

ceejay80s:
U thief my thread come enter front page.
Nigerians are not innovative, they only steal from u to become rich

https://www.nairaland.com/8119585/hetty-green-most-stingy-woman

RCCG Member Kicks Over Iluyomade’s Resignation


Following the recent resignation of one of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Trinity Towers’ Senior pastors, Idowu Iluyomade, a church member, Funsho Olufemi, who resides in Lagos has expressed his displeasure towards the development.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Olufemi noted that the Iluyomades have done so much to build the church of God and to strengthen Christianity in Nigeria, hence they should be reconsidered.

He, however, cautioned the church to desist from politicking which he assumed forced Iluyomade out of RCCG.

He stated, “I wish to make it crystal clear that this use and dump system did not start today. What happened to the Iluyomades is a culture in RCCG. The RCCG has long been rewarding its good and diligent members with frustration and punishment. Those who helped the church to grow are cast away like worthless orange peels.”

He buttressed, “I will give some indisputable examples among many. The first is the case of Pastor Tony Rapu, who pastor This Present House presently.

However, further checks, however, revealed that Pastor Tunde Bakare (now of the Citadel Global Community Church) pioneered the model Parish of the RCCG in 1988, before Pastor Rapu was seconded to assist him.


The RCCG member remarked that past pastors had gone through the phase the Iloyomades are currently experiencing.

He noted, “I heard that Pastor Rapu’s successor Pastor Agu Irukwu is facing the same fate today. He is the son of the late insurance mogul, Prof. Joe Irukwu. Pastor Agu as he is popularly known, built Redeemed church into the second biggest and most influential church in London, so big that the current King of England, King Charles III worships there occasionally and even celebrated his birthday at the church. But how was Pastor Irukwu rewarded?

“He was allegedly forced to step aside last year and a young Pastor of Yoruba extraction was used to replace him. This made some members to start saying that it was because both Pastors, Rapu and Agu were Igbos and that Redeemed church under Pastor Adeboye is Yoruba in heart and mind.

“But if you perceived tribal sentiment in their ouster, what about Pastor Ituah Ighodalo? He is practically Yoruba even though hd hail from Edo state.

“Though, his mum is Yoruba and some say she was even related to the G.O. Once Ituah, a most likable Pastor turned Christ Church parish of RCCG at Gbagada into a celebrity and youthful parish, the RCCG hawks from the Camp came after him, as the Governing Council, doing a hatchet job, said he was divorced and so should not head a parish.”

Olufemi further stated, “Idowu Iluyomade whose leadership of City of David has made RCCG a truly global church, especially because of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) which cuts across many countries.

“How can a Pastor build a structure like Trinity Towers, RCCG’s best building in the world and the best way to appreciate his effort is to force him out of the church in a deceitful manner that seeks to humiliate him and his wife? With a lame reason that his wife had a birthday party after the death of a member of the church, although very sad, as an excuse to force them out.”

He queried, “Where is God in all these acts of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man? Why is RCCG looking so political, so devoid of soul and human feeling?”

He added, ”It is true that Herbert Wigwe’s death was tragic and painful. But nobody talks about the fact that the same Pastor Iluyomade-led COD held two special services in his honour, two services fully dedicated to the memory of Wigwe.

“Pastor Iluyomade and his wife wept endlessly over his passing. But all that we read was about how the late banker donated so much money to the ‘ungrateful church’

“The hard truth that must be told here is that Wigwe indeed raised a significant sum with his friends during fundraising for the Trinity Towers which he chaired.

“Now that they have taken over Trinity Towers, can they now leave the man and his wife at peace while they celebrate their unkind and temporal victory?

“Hence, the discontent in the church presently is sizzling. It is easy to see.

“The disillusionment in RCCG in general is worsening. People who love Pastor ID and his wife, other Pastors who have been oppressed and suppressed and their voices silent, are bracing up to challenge this cruel determination to humiliate Pastor Idowu Iluyomade and his wife, Pastor Siju Iluyomade because they see it as an opportunity to speak out. And there are many of them,” Olufemi averred.

Anambra offers appointment to rehabilitated Tennis star, Tania Okpala

The Anambra State Government has offered the rehabilitated Tennis star, Tania Okpala, an immediate appointment as a Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Works in the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.

The wife of the state governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, disclosed this to journalists at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka, on Friday, adding that Tania is expected to use her life’s story to educate the younger ones and offer her best to social interventions and helping humanity.

Tania was seen in a viral video that circulated on social media in January roaming and wandering the streets of Awka and her deplorable condition captured the attention of the state government and other Nigerians a former tennis champion.

After the video went viral, Tania was thereafter taken to a rehabilitation centre by the state government through the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare.

Speaking while presenting the new-look Tania to her family members in the presence of her father, Joel Okpala, Soludo stated that the state government made arrangements for the best rehabilitation facility in the state, moved her there and made sure she received the optimum care in a private ward.

Soludo said, “I’m super grateful to God for today. Around six months ago, precisely on January 28, 2024, when I came across the viral amateur video of Tania Okpala on social media, I immediately called the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, to search for her and began immediate processes for her rehabilitation. I took a passionate interest in Tania’s case because I saw a pretty woman in need of help.

“I saw a resilient soul clamouring for dire assistance. At that moment, I discussed it with my husband, Mr Governor, and we came to an agreement that the government would cater to Tania’s rehabilitation and onward integration into a fresh society.

“We made arrangements for the best rehabilitation facility in the state, moved her there and made sure she received the optimum care in a private ward. Thanks to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, who was consistently following up on her treatments and recovery.

“Though I wasn’t in the country at the time, I spoke with her often and made sure she got everything that she needed to be in the right shape. I arrived in Anambra State in the afternoon of February 23, 2024, and in the evening of that same day, I headed off to General Hospital, Awkuzu, where Tania was already recovering. We chatted, and I was impressed with the speed of her recovery.

“We took a list of other things that she needed, including books and sports gadgets, and I immediately asked my Personal Assistant to buy them that day. The next day, I asked that Tania join me in the Sunday Mass at the Governor’s Official Residence. Afterwards, we shared the dining table and chatted on a few things. She needed that motherly closure, and I was committed to supporting her through the whole recovery journey.

“After she was certified fit to leave by her private doctor, I thought of the best place to keep her so we don’t end up going back to the same old story. I got suggestions to get her a house, pay for the rent, as well as her caregiver. I wasn’t comfortable with that idea. I needed my eyes to be on her on a daily basis, and the only way to achieve that was to keep her close to me. So we got her an accommodation in one of the private staff quarters in the Governor’s Official Residence.

“Because of her love for lawn tennis, we enrolled her into a tennis club close to the governor’s residence, got her a coach, and all the gadgets needed for the sport. We felt that could help her recovery. We also got her personal psychologist who gave her routine counselling. While we were sure that she was back to her feet, we made arrangements for her admission into the university where she opted to study Psychology.”

The governor’s wife said Tania is presently studying Psychology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka under the watchful eyes of routine psychological evaluations, ensuring that she takes her medications at the right time.

She added that Tania’s recovery is a miraculous story, revealing that her story of resilience and tenacity is one to inspire everyone.


“Today, I’m proud to say that Tania Okpala is back. God did it. We give Him all the glory. Having done our part as an administration that thinks humanity first and in fulfilment of the government’s pledge to see Tania through recovery and give her everything she needed to become a valuable addition, the Anambra State Government has decided to offer her an appointment as a Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Works.

“She will work with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare and will use her life story to educate the younger ones and offer her best to social interventions and helping humanity.

“We’re motivated by Tania’s energy and zeal. Personally, I admire her intelligence and positive approach to things. I strongly believe that she can use that to bring great impact to this new task.

“As we hand her over to her family, it is our firm belief that she will use her story to redefine the world around her. I have no doubt about that as I wish this beautiful woman all the best. Thank you all, and may God bless you.”

Tania’s father, Joel, while appreciating the kind gestures of the state government, said his daughter became devastated and started wandering about shortly after her mother passed away.

He said, “Tania loved her mother so much that when the mother died, it dealt a heavy blow to her. We thank the Anambra State government for what they have done in rehabilitating her and bringing her back to life.”