₦airaland Forum

In what appears to be one of her golden moments and efforts to prepare herself for national service, the pragmatic chairman of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA Abuja chapter, Halima Usman has successfully undergone an executive course in Policy, Strategy & Leadership (PSLC) at the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS located in Kuru, Jos Plateau state.

She was among the graduands in the 44th policy, strategy and leadership course. She dutifully and committedly complied with all the conditions required for the course after which she was duly certified by the institute.

Icing on the cake was her election as the Secretary General of the class Policy Strategy & Leadership Course (PSLC 44)

The course which commenced Monday, August 1 came to a close on Friday, August 26, 2022.

Describing her experience as eye-opening, Usman who successfully holds sway as second term chairman of the foremost literary body in its Abuja chapter said this is an opportunity she so much cherishes, having learned so much from the institute on policy, strategy and leadership especially in the Nigerian context.

The philanthropist, humanitarian and founder HalimaFactor Community Initiative noted that this is part of efforts to prepare herself for the future for the assignment of leadership irrespective of where she finds herself.

"Most importantly I have also learnt to grow as a person, as an individual preparing herself for the future. I don't know what the future holds for me.

"I think Nigeria is gradually coming of age that we don't just appoint people into positions for the sake of it, round peg in square hole. There is need for us a country to make changes.

"For me that was the primary reason I decided to attend this very course, to equip myself, not knowing when the opportunity will call.

"Irrespective of whatever the case is, whether you are in the lower ebb of the society, wherever you find yourself, you're a leader and you must strive to be a good one at that.

"I went there with that mindset to learn to improve myself so that whatever sphere I am working, I will prove myself to have the capacity to serve my country effectively

"It's a great opportunity, it is preparing me for the future and I am really glad I had that opportunity" she told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking on leadership recruitment in the country, the talented writer and public speaker emphasised the need for Nigeria to get it right with the right manner of individuals for various leadership positions.

She expressed dissatisfaction that the African giant has yet to attain its full potentials on the account of a faulty leadership recruitment.

"It is time to do away with people who are not properly equipped in sensitive leadership positions and get the best hands who are educated, prepared and have been nurtured.

"I use this opportunity to call on everyone, you don't necessarily need to wait for your office to train you, you should be able to train and equip yourself.

"The world is moving at a very high speed, Nigeria cannot afford to always play the catch-up role, it's time to get serious with our goals and development as a people. That involves individual capacity building and equipping ourselves to meet up with what is happening across the globe" she added.

Created by Decree number 20 of 1979, now Cap N-51 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the institute prides itself as a high-level institution with the primary objectives of serving as the nation’s foremost policy think-tank to develop a crop of top-class technocrats of high intellectual capacity, who will conceptualise and anchor the implementation of innovative and dynamic policy initiatives and strategies, critical for national development.

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Revisiting The Annals Of History?

Chidi Matthew Nwachukwu

It was the late Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, a former director general of the defunct National Security Organization (NSO), that said in 1992 that “the Muslim-Muslim ticket is impolitic and unwise.” He made the statement when asked by pressmen to give his perspective on the Abiola/Kingibe ticket of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of 1992.

Shinkafi, though a devote Muslim, was not persuaded by the idea of fielding two same-faith (Muslim-Muslim) candidates in a presidential election by a political party as popular and accepted as the SDP, and in a country with strong heterogenous religious inclinations like Nigeria. He must have felt that such a decision was nothing short of robbing the Christians (or adherents of other faiths) of proper representation at the corridors of power, and that was also how many other considerate and clear-headed Muslims of that time saw it. To them, it was an ill-conceived idea that was sure to have both intended and unintended consequences.

And gradually, the Abiola/Kingibe ticket fought off all the resistances that stood in its way and gathered an overwhelming acceptance by the people, and even went on to clinch victory at the 1993 presidential polls.

It can be imagined that at that point, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola would have taunted all those who opposed his plans and faulted his political strategy. He probably would have beaten his chest and said to anyone who cared to listen, “I told you I can pull through with this plan, and here we are!” And all those who might have warned him against making such a move would probably have withdrawn into their shells to save their face from the bashing that was sure to follow. Their only sin which was “advising MKO against toeing the path of a Muslim-Muslim ticket” might have been considered as the most unpardonable offence at that time, and had to attract very harsh condemnations.

How could anyone advise the great MKO against taking a decision that was sure to give him exactly what he wanted? How does anyone try to talk the great Bashorun out of his well-tailored, well-calculated and well-perfected plans without sounding very foolish and witless? Was anyone wittier than the almighty Bashorun who created ways where there seemed to be none and pulled the most unimaginable political stunts that there ever were? It was very clear that all those who did not agree with Abiola on his Muslim-Muslim ticket were forced to eat the humble pie and take back their words after he went on to record a resounding victory at the polls.

They must have wondered why they didn’t or couldn’t see the bigger picture of all that was possible with Abiola’s magic wand, and probably blamed themselves for not being farsighted enough.

And Abiola and his partner, Babagana Kingibe, continued to forge ahead in what seemed like a seamless, hitch-free and smooth sail to ‘Eldorado,’ without sparing any thoughts for any unfavourable happenstances. They were so sure that their ascension to power would happen against all odds, and that no force in the planet could thwart that certainty. MKO was so engrossed with his political pursuits that he didn’t for once sit down to ponder on the possibility of a sabotage by the “green boys” who appeared willing to relinquish power only at face value rather than in true intents. He just carried on with what seemed like the same enthusiasm and excitement that a young maiden would normally feel after being proposed to by her man, and that attitude of his appeared to keep his fortunes soaring. It was all going as planned, and power was soon to rest on his laps.

The permutations went on, and the horse-trading, consultations and late-night meetings continued ad infinitum. What will be the result of the long wait for the declaration of Abiola as president? Could there possibly be a last-minute reversal of the plan to hand over power to a democratically-elected government? What did the green boys have up their sleeves? Could General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida be trusted to live up to his promise of relinquishing power to a civilian government?

These and many more were some of the questions that hung in the air following that eventful election of 1993. Even Abiola himself could have sworn that his friend, the Military President, would never disappoint him and the Nigerian people who voted for him. He must have retired to his mansion to rest and wait for the glorious morning of handover when he would be sworn in as the leader of a brand-new civilian government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The hopes were indeed high, and everyone waited with bated breath for the military government to make good their promises. The National Electoral Commission (NEC), as it was then called, had done its best to ensure that the elections were free, fair and credible, and there were no doubts that MKO had met all the requirements for being returned as the duly-elected president. His victory included winning in Kano State, the very home of Alhaji Bashir Tofa who was the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC), and that, to his supporters and well-wishers, was the perfect indicator of his widespread acceptance and acceptability. It was an unprecedented happenstance, and such an occurrence, going by the views of Abiola’s followers, could never be tied to fate or luck, but to the Bashorun’s unsullied and unrestrained effort at winning the hearts and minds of everyone. Some of his admirers would have sworn that the Bashorun won the hearts of even “the friends of his foes.” It was that conclusive!

So, the long wait endured, and anxiety and tension became palpable in the air. Days ran into months and a whole year went by, and nothing was heard from the people who promised to hand over power to the winner of the election.

Abiola, upon becoming very restless and desperate, began to consult widely. He sought opinions from his advisers and allies on what next to do. He could not afford to be hoodwinked at this point in his political career and entire life. The thoughts of being jeered at and mocked by those who had never believed in his strategy made him even more restless, and with each passing day, became even more anxious and desperate.

Restlessness became his constant mien, and no kind of tea (the Bashorun loved tea a lot), no matter where it was brought from and how well-prepared it was, could calm his frayed nerves. What would he do to redeem such an important time in his life? Would he be acting desperately if he came out to declare himself as president? Would it be out of place to ignite a protest and carry his supporters and the electorate that voted for him along in his quest? What? Just what would he have to do to salvage the situation?

It was in the wake of his realizing that the Babangida government did not have any intentions of handing over power to him that he took the bold step to declare himself as president. He was subsequently arrested, and the rest like they say is history.

And in what appears to be a recurrence of history, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a Muslim by religion, picked Alhaji Kashim Shettima, a former governor of Borno State and a Muslim too, as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election. Tinubu chose Shettima as running mate in 2022 ahead of the 2023 election in a manner that is reminiscent of Abiola’s picking of Kingibe as running mate in 1992 (some 30 years ago), ahead of the 1993 election. Apart from this historical coincidence, Shettima happens to hail from Borno State which incidentally is the home state of Kingibe, and they are both of the Kanuri extraction. The similarities between Tinubu’s circumstances and Abiola’s are very striking, but will the denouement of Tinubu’s pursuit also turn out to be like that of Abiola’s? This is one question that pundits cannot yet conclude on.

There are already over a million opinions on Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, and there are ‘interestingly’ those who have summarily consigned Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim arrangement to the same trash bin that they also did Abiola’s. They are just very vehement in their opinion that a Muslim-Muslim ticket will never succeed in a country like Nigeria. They believe that for anyone to emerge as president of the most populous Black nation of the world, they must curry an admixture of the supports of both the Muslims, Christians and adherents of all the other faiths that exist in Nigeria, and they are strongly opinionated in this regard despite knowing that the Abiola/Kingibe ticket did actually meander through the labyrinth of obstacles that stood in its way, but only came a cropper when the Babangida Junta reneged on its promise of ceding power to a civilian government.

As it stands now, Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket is already receiving a cornucopia of criticisms and backlash, and many public affairs analysts and opinion-holders have quickly concluded that it will not see the light of day as did Abiola’s, and that whatever jinxed the 1992 Muslim-Muslim ticket will also jinx this one. They strongly feel that there are mysterious angles to why a Muslim-Muslim ticket, or a Christian-Christian ticket, or any other “same-faith ticket” can never work in Nigeria. They are therefore certain that Tinubu’s attempt at repeating the ‘Abiola’s formula’ will only culminate in the same rueful denouement as Abiola’s.

There are those who choose to believe that the circumstances surrounding the two issues (Abiola’s and Tinubu’s) are not the same and for which reason the Tinubu/Shettima ticket will ‘never’ succeed. They claim that in the Abiola/Kingibe’s case, the odds of their winning that election were very high due to the fact that at the time the Babangida government gave out the impression that it wanted to hand over power to a civilian regime, Nigerians were already fed up with everything that the military stood for and were just willing to try out something new and different, irrespective of its configuration or composition.

This same school of thoughts is of the opinion that the Abiola persona was a larger-than-life figure that everyone at that time found congenial and trustworthy, and that there were no doubts about Abiola’s sincerity of purpose and willingness to serve the people. So, they try to juxtapose Tinubu with Abiola in a way as to comparatively analyze the two characters and prove that there is no basis for comparison between the great Bashorun and the Jagaban of Borgu.

They further argue that the Bashorun was a business mogul who acquired his stupendous wealth through shear hard work and consistency, unlike the Jagaban who latched onto state’s resources and built his empire. It is noteworthy that this argument has been found by many to be very credible.
Still looking at the reasons for which the 1992 SDP same faith ticket was widely accepted and a repeat of which may never be accepted again (the APC ticket of 2022), some political pundits have argued that a lot has changed between then and now, and that there is now more division and disharmony in the country than there ever was. They further argue that the people are today, more polarized (along religious and ethnic lines) than they ever were, and that the government of the day has a lot to do with this anomaly. They have blamed the Muhammadu Buhari government for some of its actions and inactions that have directly or indirectly pitched the citizens against themselves. This too, is an argument that many find very credible.

Then, there is even another stronger angle to this entire discourse, and it is the perception of the people about the All Progressives Congress, APC, as both a political party and a government. Nigerians have been languishing under what many will prefer to call “the disastrous and backward government of the APC,” a fact that cannot be refuted even by the APC itself. In spite of the poor management of the country under the Buhari-led government, Tinubu has promised on different occasions to continue from where Buhari will stop. What pundits are saying about this promise of Tinubu’s is that no right-thinking person would want to vote for anyone whose intention of coming to power is to perpetuate the disgusting and unpalatable legacy of the Buhari administration. But whether Tinubu agrees with their views or not, is not as important as whether their assertions are true or untrue.

Many of those who are opposed to a Tinubu presidency may not have been opposed to it if the Jagaban had simply opted for a Christian as his running mate. The bone of contention here is just his choice of a fellow Muslim as ticket-sharer. What is Tinubu trying to prove? Is he trying to say that he could not find a single Christian from the north who would run with him?

In addressing the above questions, Tinubu had said that it was on the basis of competence and dependability that he chose Shettima. But his response, rather than quell the pandemonium over his choice of the former Borno governor, stirred even more disaffection and dissatisfaction among his critics. For them, he had no justifiable reason for toeing the path of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Then, there are those who feel that Tinubu should never be allowed to ascend the throne of governance since he already feels that the right to rule the country is his inheritance and cannot be denied him. They compare Tinubu’s claim on the soul of Nigeria to the claim a prince would have on the throne of his ancestors, and loathe him very much for being that over-ambitious. Even while they loathe him and wish for his quest to elude him, they still habour the fears that Tinubu might ultimately clinch the Golden Fleece, since it is in record that the Jagaban has never put his mind to any task and failed to accomplish it.
So, it is only a matter of time before the mystery hanging over Asiwaju’s choice of a fellow Muslim as running mate (in the same fashion as the late MKO Abiola) is demystified. In no time, all the arguments – whether in favour of or against Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket – will be either upheld or discredited. The 2023 election is surely going to be a tough one, but it will definitely throw up a winner.

Whether Nigerians will throw caution to the wind and institutionalize ‘same-faith ticket’ politics in 2023 is left for the future to decide.

But then, the 2023 presidential election will be the final decider of whether or not “a Muslim-Muslim ticket is unwise and impolitic” as was postulated by the late Dr. Umaru Shikaffi.

The stage is set for yet another historical play about one of Nigeria’s international music legend, Evangelist Ebenezer Fabiyi-Obey, MFR.

As part of the months-long activities marking the 80th birthday of the Juju artist turned Evangelist, a 3-city theatrical tour with the play, Chief Commander: A child of Destiny is in the offing.

Written by the accomplished playwright, Makinde Adeniran, fta and produced and directed by the veteran theatre maker, Israel Eboh, fta; the musical which is scheduled to take Nigeria by storm throughout the month of October in Abuja, Abeokuta and Lagos, was auditioned for on Friday and Monday (August 19 & 22) at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

“It’s a massive project. With the auditions, attended by over 200 artistes, concluded; rehearsals would commence in earnest, to deliver a worldclass musical theatre that is complementary to the image of the legendary icon, Ebenezer Obey. Just watch out and save up, as we look forward to seeing you either in Abuja, Lagos or Abeokuta.” Charles Ukpong, fta, the Production Manager of the Obey @80 project reveals.

He went further to add that the project, which is in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) and a host of other partners that would be unveiled soon, is the initiative of Fezi Productions under its Legends and Stars initiative which is geared towards honouring and celebrating the achievements of Nigerian Legends in Entertainment and Sports and their contributions to national development.

Fezi Productions, set up in 1990 by Israel Eboh, fta, is a leading proudly Nigeria theatre company.

Source:- https://equitynews.ng/2022/08/29/ebenezer-obey-80-audition-for-the-play-chief-commander-concluded-as-theatrical-tour-set-to-commence/

Interesting

Powerful

Secretary to Gombe State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi has applauded a non-governmental, humanitarian organisation with special focus on education, health and environment, HalimaFactor Community Initiative for completing the renovation of classroom blocks, perimeter fencing as well as provision of modern toilet facilities at the Mallam Umaru Titi Tsangaya Qur'anic school located at Ajiya ward in Gombe.

This he said is a significant boost in the efforts of government towards providing critical infrastructure to enhance the development of education in the state.

The SSG made this commendation during the official commissioning of the renovated and newly constructed facilities at the weekend in Gombe.

Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Alhaji Dahiru Kalla, the SSG applauded HalimaFactor Community Initiative for tailoring its objectives towards enhancing teaching and learning as well as creating conducive and healthy environment for children in the state to acquire education.

He further charged good-spirited individuals, corporate and other non-governmental organisations to take a cue from HalimaFactor Community Initiative which he described as exemplary.

Prof. Njodi expressed the willingness of the state government to partner with similar organisations in making life more liveable for indigenes and residents of Gombe across board, adding that government alone cannot shoulder the huge responsibilities owing to the lean resources at its disposal.

Applauding the proprietor and management of Tsangaya school for cooperating with HalimaFactor Community Initiative while the renovation and the construction of the modern toilet facilities lasted, the SSG commended the Initiative for going beyond providing conducive teaching and learning atmosphere for the almajiris to paying attention to their health, necessitating into the donation of detergents and toiletries.

In their goodwill messages, representative of Industrial Training Fund ITF, Engr. Ibrahim Yusuf, Mallam Nazir Bashir, and the Co-ordinator BESDA Dr. Abdullahi Garkuwa appreciated HalimaFactor for working tirelessly towards supporting government’s effort to reduce illiteracy rate in the state.

In her remarks, the founder HalimaFactor Community Initiative, Halima Usman expressed the willingness of her organisation to continually investing in children's education, health and clean environment, adding that the Initiative's 'Feed and Read' programme is targeted at assisting the government in reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state and beyond.

Under her 'Feed and Read' programme, no fewer than 20 almajiri children have undergone a 3-month basic literacy class where they were also provided with sanitary wares to enhance their hygiene.

She stressed the need for other non-governmental organisations to support the development of education across Nigeria, maintaining that all hands must be on deck to protect the future of young citizens.

Also speaking, the head of the Tsangaya Qur'anic school, Mallam Abdullahi Umar Titi, who traced the establishment of the academic institution to over 70 years ago noted that the kind gesture by HalimaFactor Community Initiative will make education more attractive to the almajiri children.

While pledging a good maintenance culture on the facilities, Mallam Abdullahi Umar Titi also thanked all those who have contributed in one way or the other in sustaining to school in the past seven decades.

Source: https://abntv.com.ng/news/gombe-ssg-commends-halimafactor-initiative-on-renovation-of-tsangaya-quranic-school

ANAN doing us proud

As part of activities marking the 2022 ANAN week, members of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria Abuja, FCT 1 branch have visited internally displaced persons camp and school for the blind to show a shoulder of love to these vulnerable members of the society.

At the visits which is in advancement of the branch's corporate social responsibility, pupils of Sharing Prosperity Nursery & Primary school which serves children of the IDPs were treated to exciting moment as they smiled home with study materials and relief items.

Their parents at the Tuesday visit were also not left out as the accountants extended their handshake of love by donating textile materials, food items and other relief materials to make life more liveable for them.

Head Teacher of Sharing Prosperity Nursery & Primary School, Mr. Luka Yaduma expressed gratitude to ANAN Abuja FCT 1 members, saying visits like this gives the pupils and their parents a sense of love, having been displaced from their ancestral homes.

He said the school constructed by a non-governmental organisation has been dependent on the good will of the public for survival.

Yaduma applauded members of the accounting profession for choosing the camp as a place of choice to invest in pursuit of their corporate social responsibility, stating that the seed of love will remain evergreen in their memory.

At the School for the Blind in the Jabi area of Abuja, ANAN Abuja FCT 1 members also doled out educational material and relief items to the students.

Chairman of the branch, Mr. Wahab Shina Omoniyi noted that as an education friendly association, the branch is committed to demonstrating responsible and responsive leadership by paying adequate attention to the future of the vulnerable children.

"As a professional organisation, we feel that it is important to demonstrate what we are preaching and what we expect our leaders to do.

"This is our way of giving back to the society what we have benefitted and we tasked all out members to contribute in cash and in kind to enable us alleviate the sufferings of these vulnerable members.

"This is not the first time we are embarking on a CSR. We have pupils under our scholarship programme. We take the educational development of our young people with utmost seriousness. We want to ensure that as much as our capacity can permit, more children will be given access to decent education" he said.

The ANAN Week 2022 has as the theme, "Sustaining The Accounting Legacy Through Social Security and Inclusive Governance: Panacea for Sustainable Development".

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/07/anan-abuja-fct-1-takes-succour-to-idps-school-for-the-blind/

Excellent leadership choice by ICAN Abuja

All the best to the new leadership

Congratulations to them

The Chairman Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN FCT 1, Abuja, Wahab Shina Omoniyi, FCNA has congratulated Mr. Oduwa Joseph Izekor FCA on his investiture as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN Abuja and District Society 12th Chairman, describing him as a seasoned professional with lots of experience.

He said Mr. Izekor is a dexterous administrator who is armed with knowledge of new trends in the accounting profession which will be of immense value in efforts to build public confidence in the profession.

Mr. Izekor FCA was along with his executive members inaugurated in Abuja on Sunday where he pledged commitment to bring to bear his expertise in building a robust ICAN Abuja and District Society.

Mr. Omoniyi in a congratulatory message on Sunday urged the new leadership of ICAN in Abuja and District Society for create a forum for inter-association collaboration that will further strengthen the existing mutual relations between ANAN and ICAN.

"I felicitate with the new leadership of ICAN Abuja, District Society. I am particularly excited with the caliber of individuals who make up this exco, ably led by no less a professional than Mr. Oduwa Joseph Izekor FCA.

"At a point when public confidence is rapidly eroding in the accounting profession, we need individuals of like minds to once again position the profession as the conscience of the masses with utmost regard for ethical values, integrity service to nation.

"I therefore appeal to the new leadership to not only maintain the existing mutual relationship ANAN enjoys with ICAN but ensure that an opportunity for knowledge sharing is created.

"I congratulate Mr. Izekor FCA and his exco, wishing them well in this very demanding journey", he said.

Source: https://abntv.com.ng/news/anan-abuja-chairman-omoniyi-felicitates-oduwa-izekor-investiture-ican-abuja-district-society-chairman/

Very interesting

Members of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA Abuja chapter in what has been described as first of its kind, on Saturday held a gym day tagged, "Read, Write & Keep Fit".

The campaign seeks to bring to fore the need for writers to keep physical fitness even in their tight schedules of research, reading and writing so as to maintain a healthy living.

At the gym day which took place at a facility in the Garki 2 Area of Abuja, members of the association had a field day as the fitness instructors took time to guide them through the use of the equipment even as they sweat it out in the most relaxed atmosphere.

Chairman of ANA Abuja, Halima Usman said the leadership of the chapter came up with the idea of physical exercise for members as an opportunity to keep the entire body fit, emphasising that as authors, members sometimes pay a lot of attention to mental fitness through reading, researching, writing without considering the need to strike a balance between the mental and general body fitness.

"For the brain to function well, for you to be able to produce more quality intellectual works, you need to keep the entirety of your body safe and sound, you, need to be well and healthy. This is why we came up with event like this where member will come out to participate in various games, including cycling, trade milling, tennis, weight-lifting, and others

"Beyond just gyming, we have also had time to socialise, talk, laugh and play and enjoy one another's presence without the usual tense ambience of being very serious.

"This is a very good thing and it is the first time something like this is happening in ANA Abuja, and possibly at the national level.

"We are taking the lead as usual, to ensure that our members stay healthy, stay fit and continue to bring out quality intellectual properties in any of the literary genres; poetry, prose and play" she said.

She also encouraged other bodies and the general public to take a cue from ANA Abuja to strike a balance between their work and health.

One of the participants and a member of ANA Abuja, Lady Flora Destiny Ihekweazu while describing the exercise as one of its kind commended the leadership of ANA Abuja for creating such opportunity to enhance healthy living among members.

She expressed hope that similar opportunity will be created to enable members keep fit, healthy and strong.

The Legal Adviser of ANA Abuja, Barr. Charles Iwuchukwu and the immediate past Secretary of the chapter, Jerry Om'Oba Adesewo also tried their might in the game of table tennis to the admiration of all.

The event was in collaboration with non-governmental organisation, HalimaFactor Community Initiative.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Bege Mayamba Daniel noted that the physical fitness of the body plays a great role in making the mind of the intellectuals to be sharp as well.

She said the ambience of the physical exercise provides a new and fresh outlook to what the foremost authors' body ANA is known for over the years, expressing gladness that the health benefits of the exercise to members is enormous, even as she applauds the turnout.

Source: https://abntv.com.ng/news/ana-abuja-holds-first-gym-day-harps-fitness-authors-others/

Hundreds of protesters comprising youths from Taraba state and civil society organisations on Tuesday stormed the national secretariat of the ruling APC in Abuja, demanding the adoption of David Sabo Kente, popularly known as DSK as the consensus governorship candidate of the party in the state.

This is also as the protesters warned the Senator representing Taraba South and former Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Emmanuel Bwacha to stop parading himself as the governorship candidate of the party in Taraba.

They wielded placards inscriptions such as 'We need David Sabo Kente as our governor', 'David Sabo Kente is our choice' and others.

Addressing newsmen at the venue, the Director General of Pragmatic Elite for Asiwaju, Lady Rizqua Aduola said it is laughable that Sen. Bwacha is parading himself as the governorship candidate when primary election has not taken place.

She therefore urged the national and state leadership of the party to ensure that a credible and fair primary election is held to produce the party's candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections.

While decrying that the state has not enjoyed dividends of democracy, Lady Aduola urged that David Sabo Kente be adopted to fly the flag of the party, adding that he has done a lot in human capital development projects, infrastructure and other developmental projects to affect the people's lives.

She also added that DSK has laboured tirelessly for the growth of the party more than any other contestant seeking election as governor on the platform of All Progressives Congress in the state.

In his comment, the Coordinator Coalition of Civil Society for democracy, Comrade Richard Leke said his group is in support of the call for a free and fair process to elect the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress APC in Taraba.

According to him, the chances of APC will be jeopardized in the state if the most popular candidate does not emerge through an acceptable primary.

He therefore cautioned that those parading as the candidate of APC in Taraba should desist from stoking the embers of suspicion and submit to the right process so that the party will decide on who flies its flag.

Comrade Leke maintained that no governorship primary election has been conducted in Taraba, urging that David Kente whom he described as the most popular and acceptable among the aspirants be adopted as the consensus candidate.

Source: https://abntv.com.ng/news/posters-storm-apc-national-secretariat-demand-adoption-david-kente-taraba-guber-candidate/

A good governance advocate and the Executive Director New Era for Sustainable Leadership and Accountability Initiative, NESLAI, Edwin Olorunfemi has advised the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress APC and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to think of life after here instead of causing confusion with his intention to become the country's president in 2023.

Olorunfemi also wondered who told the national leader of APC that ticket to heaven is domiciled in Aso Rock, the nation's seat of power.

The advocate who stated this on Saturday in a social media post maintained that Tinubu can enjoy his life as a senior citizen without necessarily occupying the number one office in the land.

He also accused Tinubu of arm-twisting the ruling APC.

"I wouldn't know who told BAT that being Nigeria president is the only way to heaven or that ticket to kingdom of God is gotten from the Villa.

"Somebody that ought to be thinking of life after here is causing confusion with his so called "lifetime ambition" having armtwisted the party."

Tinubu, a septuagenarian last week won the presidential ticket of his party the APC in what many stakeholders believe was a heavily monetised primary election.

He coasted to victory when several aspirants in the race, including governor of Ekiti State, John Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio and others stepped down and canvassed for support for him.

Some stakeholders have been critical of the health status of Tinubu which may not be unconnected with his age.

Last year, his hospital bed in London where he had gone to treat knee injury became a Mecca of sort as several top leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari paid him a visit.

Ever since the campaign for the APC primary election began, Jagaban as he is popularly called among supporters had insisted that he does not need to be as physically strong as the renowned footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo to be Nigerian president.

He is expected to square it out at the polls next year with the likes of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, Peter Obi the Labour Party presidential candidate, Alhaji Musa Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People's Party, NNPP presidential candidate among others.

Late night of Wednesday 11th May, 2023 witnessed an unprecedentedly sad occurrence, one that left and still leaves the people of the ancient city terrifyingly perplexed, unusually disturbed and permanently create fear and terror in the heart and mind of the entire populace and the neighboring communities.

By the early hours of Thursday the following day, both social and conventional media was already full with different account of same story with different numbers of casualties from one news platform to another, though generally believed to be an explosion. However the one issue that have remained the same is the question of who could be the masterminds of the ugly incident.

Some accounts including that of the Charman of Kabba/Bunu LGA, Hon Moses Olorunleke says it was a gas explosion, but up till now no one has seen a remnant of the cylinder that exploded just as there is no kitchen around the area to suggest whether it was from there. Another account suggested that it was a bomb blast, a believe many have dispelled, given the nature and manner bomb explosions take which is obviously different from what was the injuries sustained by the victims. However days after the occurrence, emerging facts have suggested that it was one of the many explosives procured by a yet to be identified House of Representatives Aspirant and kept by someone close to the scene of the blast but accidentally discharged, killing yet to be identified number of victims.

While the information gotten from the grapevine appears to be closer to the truth, analysts are of the opinion that truth of the matter will become public in days to come. While the owner of the Ladi Cool spot, the location of the bomb blast have since been alleged to have mentioned a serving Councilor of Alewa Ward of Kabba/Bunu LGA, Hon Emmanuel Iyedite, as a suspect in the unfortunate blast. Mr Ladi according to the statement made accused Mr Emmanuel as being the only person he previously had quarrels with, then he suspected Emmanuel.

We gathered that Mr Ladi who owns the cool spot is a cousin of the Speaker of Kogi state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mathew Kolawole, who is gunning for House of Representatives ticket of the All Progressives Congress and also a fellow member of APC just like the accused person (Mr Emmanuel) Mr Emmanuel who was elected on the platform of APC as Councilor is said to be a former staff of the Speaker who is currently not in the same political camp with the Speaker, a ruffled relationship that is said to be currently very bitter because Hon Emmanuel is a staunch opponent of the Speaker's House of Representatives ambition.

According to the account of Mr Ladi who owns the cool spot while being interviewed by the NTA, he claimed he just moved his wife and kids away to the house from the location some minutes before the bomb blast happened, an act that was narrated to be unusual by reliable source. Mr Ladi is said to always close from the spot whenever the shop will close for the day, mostly very late hours, but for whatever reason he left the place earlier on the fateful day. After receiving the news of the bomb blast from a yet to be identified person, he said he rushed to the scene only to meet it in ruins. Mr Ladi didn't mince words to immediately conclude and hastily too, that it was the man whom he had altercation with, at party meeting that must have committed the act. Fact check suggested that Hon Emmanuel was not anywhere close to the scene of the bomb blast and phone conversations he had around that time didn't suggest familiar conversation or something close to it.

The question on the lips of every member of the community is why the matter was not officially reported to the Kabba Police authority under an Area Commander and also the swiftness, hastiness and personal interest with which the Rt. Hon Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly rushed to Kabba on Thursday, picked up the owner of the cool spot who is his own Cousin and took him to Police State Command at Lokoja to report and a team of Policemen were already assembled same moment, got warrant of arrest in another town different from where the incident occured and executed the arrest within hours. The most astonishing aspect was that when the suspect arrived Lokoja Police Command, he met on ground, Rt Hon Speaker of the state House of Assembly, APC State Chairman, Alh Abdul Dollar, Director General of Kogi Community Social Development Agency, Hon Ralph Okomoda who is known to be an ex detaineein Lagos for years, Political Adviser to the Speaker, Hon Gabriel Ojo, Legal Adviser to the Speaker, Hon Bolu Emmanuel and other personal aides of the Speaker. Party Officials at the Local Government have been asking questions why the combination, why the hasty arrest and why was the matter not reported at Kabba Police office.

In the midst of all the drama going on, more questions are still propping up, but the good news is that an arrest has been made, and whether negatively or positively, the arrest of a serving Councilor will obviously lead to unraveling the truth behind the blast that have claimed lives of people, another good news is that this will be an indelible pointer to what political parties should expect as they approach their primary elections, parties must have behind their consciousness that anybody may want to cause mayhem during the primary elections and political activities leading to the general election by way of use of explosive to kill and maim.

The other side of the matter is that the Police and DSS must make assiduous efforts to conduct search of the remaining explosive devices procured for the wicked act as our findings shows clearly that there are more of such hidden in the ancient town of Kabba. We also wish to counsel the Nigeria Police Commissioner in Kogi state to resist influence of known political figures as investigation is conducted on the bomb blast incident. The truth is already open to the public hence, the Police is advised to either release Hon Emmanuel Iyedite or charge him to court immediately where people are ready to come and give credible evidence of what truly happened leading to the bomb explosion.

We are also informed that there is a fresh plan to implicate another APC Aspirant from Okekoko Ward because he is seen to be critically opposed to the ambition of the mastermind of the arrest of Hon Emmanuel Iyedite. It is also advisable that the Police complete their investigation before all the unnecessary and influenced arrest currently going on.

From
VANGUARD FOR TRUTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Hon. Ari Abdulmumin: I'm Still In APC, Online Publication Falsehood, Malicious

Member representing the peace loving people of Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State Hon. Ari Abdulmumin Mohammed Ari has dissociated himself from online publication with the headline, "2023: BREAKING; HON. ARI PLANS TO DECAMP TO SDP, SAYS HE WILL RUN IN THE NEW PLATFORM" describing it as false and misleading publication.

The lawmaker further described the publication as malicious and an attempt by what he called political interests to pitch him against the good people of Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency.

In a Press Statement signed by his Media Strategist, Babangida Fahad on Monday, 9th May, 2022 Hon. Ari called on the general public and the good people of the constituency to ignore the report which he said is a tissue of lie that never emanated from his office as the people's representative.

"Our attention has been drawn to an online publication in which the name of our Principal, Hon. Ari Abdulmumin Mohammed representing the good peace loving people of Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency was mentioned.

"For the avoidance of doubt, our Principal as always is deeply with the APC and has no second thought of joining any political party, he is concentrated in discharging his mandate for the good people of his constituency who graciously chose him to represent them under the APC.

"He is not ready to be distracted but concerned on how to raise the bar of effective representation with the opportunity given to him by the people" Mr. Babangida said.

He also called on his constituents and teaming supporters to remain calm and continue to support the administration of His Excellency, Governor A.A Sule and the APC for a better Nasarawa State

Coalition Urges PDP To Cancel Akwa Ibom PDP 3-Man Adhoc delegate election

As the race for 2023 general elections draw nearer, Coalition of Ibom Political Groups, Abuja has appealed to the National Working Committee, NWC of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to immediately order the cancellation of the April 30, 2022 ad-hoc delegate election in Akwa Ibom.

It says the election was not conducted according to the Party Electoral Guidelines and does not reflect the will of the people.

The Coalition says out of the 329 wards in the state, the 3-man ad-hoc delegate election took place in only a few wards, including Awa ward 1 in Onna local government area, ward of the governor, Udom Emmanuel.

While insisting that the ad-hoc delegate election never took place state-wide as being claimed by the state government, the coalition while staging a peaceful rally at the Wadata House national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Abuja on Thursday accused the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel of stoking serious political tension in the state with his decision to unilaterally adopt and anointed candidate to succeed him in 2023.

Members of the the coalition numbering over 500 wielded placards with inscriptions such as, 'We say no to non compliance to party guidelines during the ad-hoc delegates election in Akwa Ibom', 'On equity and justice we stand', 'National chairman you are the only hope for PDP in Akwa Ibom State', 'National Working Committee please act now and safe PDP in Akwa Ibom State', 'We stand on the supremacy of the party constitution' and others.

Chairman of the Coalition, Mr. Otuekong Francis Ekanem ​says eminent collapse stares as Akwa Ibom PDP which may cause the party to lose the state to the opposition, noting that the PDP delegate election never happened, calling on the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu and the NWC to order a fresh delegate election in the state.

Mr. Ekanem threatened that if urgent steps are not taken to allow a level playing field for all aspirants in the state from State/National Assembly Seats to governorship, the coalition will consider a legal action to stop the governorship primary election of the PDP in Akwa Ibom, accusing the governor of perpetrating illegality to favour a hand-picked candidate.

He said, "The election materials meant for the conduct of the Ad-hoc Elections in the entire State were hijacked at the PDP State Party Secretariat at Atan Offot, Uyo LGA by government officials suspected to be loyal and working for the Preferred/Anointed Governorship Aspirant of the State Governor.

"Party faithful, including those who bought forms to contest the 3-man Adhoc delegates elections and other qualified aspirants were left stranded in their respective Political Wards in over 90% out of the 329 Political Wards of the State.

"We are aware of their sinister plan to manufacture and publish in the media fictitious or ready-made list/names of Adhoc Delegates accross the 329 Political Wards of the State from an exercise that was not duly conducted which contravenes Part 1 sub-section 2 of the Peoples Democratic Party Electoral Guidelines [Regarding Mode of election of ad-hoc delegates.

"Consequently, the Coalition is humbly calling for an outright cancellation of the purported 3-Man Adhoc Delegates Election exercise in Akwa Ibom State.

"This is because the hijacking of the Adhoc Delegates election by the State government and her apparatus loyal to the preferred governorship aspirant of the State Governor is a signal that the motive is wrong and cannot guarantee fairness, equity, justice and credibility for all aspirants for Governorship and other seats in the rescheduled Party Primaries if the sham and scam exercise is allowed to prevail."

7-Year-Old Ihechukwu Adiele Seeks Assistance To Undergo Surgery After A Fuel Explosion That Led To Huge Keloid (See Document)

A 7-year-old boy, Ihechukwu Delight Adiele, resident in Mgbarakuma, Ubakala in Umuahia South local government area of Abia State is seeking assistance to undergo surgery from a huge keloid in his abdominal area.

The growth which started as a result of fuel explosion is said to have progressed in the past one year since the incident took place.

His plight was brought to public attention by a good Samarithan and anti-cult campaigner, Emmanuel Uche Obasi during one of his campaigns in young Mr. Adiele's school, Mgbarakuma Community Primary School, Mgbarakuma Ubakala, Umuahia.

Obasi had taken Mr. Adiele to Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia for treatment.

He was however referred to National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu for plastic surgery.

Adiele's grandmother, Mrs. Comfort Adiele who she lives with has however not been able to raise resources to take him to National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu for proper medical care as recommended by FMC Umuahia.

In addition to the pain he is passing through, young Adiele told ABN TV that he is usually restless whenever he experiences scratch from the keloid.

While the cost of his medical bill cannot be ascertained, the young Adiele is calling on well meaning Nigerians, Abians and kindhearted individuals to come to his aid as the keloid increases in size by the day.

Assistance can reach him through:
Mrs. Comfort Adiele: 0808 339 2470
Obasi Emmanuel Uche: 08130265921

2023 Guber: Group stages peaceful rally at PDP Headquarters, cautions against imposition of candidates in Akwa Ibom

A political pressure group, Coalition of Ibom Political Groups, Abuja chapter has staged a peaceful protest at the Wadata House of the National Secretariat of the People's Democratic Party PDP, calling on the party to ensure transparency and fairness for all aspirants in Akwa Ibom in the upcoming primary election of the party ahead of 2023 general elections.

This is even as the group cautions that PDP may lose Akwa Ibom State if unpopular candidate emerges the flag bearer of the party urging the national leadership of the party to intervene and ensure that no candidate is imposed on the people at the primaries.

Speaking on Thursday at Wadata House, Chairman of the Coalition of Ibom Political Groups, Mr. Otuekong Francis I. Ekanem ​emphasized that PDP has been the governing party in Akwa since return of democracy in 1999, warning that the most popular candidate should be allowed to emerge as its guber candidate at the primaries.

Members of the Coalition numbering over 300 were seen displaying placards with inscriptions such as, 'We say no to political witch hunting of aspirants in Akwa Ibom State', 'We say no to imposition of unpopular candidate during Akwa Ibom State PDP primaries', 'Please let section 84, Sub 3 of the electoral Act (As Amended) be respected', 'We are asking for justice to all aspirants in Akwa Ibom State PDP primaries', 'We are asking for equity to all aspirants in Akwa Ibom State PDP primaries' and many more, the coalition said it is willing to support anyone who emerges the governorship candidate of the party in the state provided the process is free, fair, transparent and credible, warning that imposition will lead to protest votes against the party.

"With utmost respect to our National Chairman and the National Working Committee of our great Party - PDP, we are here to publicly and humbly appeal to you to use your good office to kindly intervene in the ongoing undemocratic political development in our dear State, occasioned by the announcement, anointing of a preferred Governorship Aspirant by the State Governor as well as serial commercialization of adoption by some individuals in favour of a particular aspirant, which has generated serious political tension in the State, which may lead to destabilization of the party and thereby giving room to losing power to another political party in the forthcoming general elections.

"Again, the constitution of the People’s Democratic Party does not give anybody including the Governor of any state the powers to unilaterally announce his ANOINTED SUCCESSOR and present same to the Party" Mr. Ekanem said.

The Coalition appealed to the National Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu and the National Working Committee of the party to intervene by calling on the leader of the Party in Akwa Ibom State and the Executive Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel to allow other aspirants in the race across board to freely pursue their political aspirations without intimidation.

It also called on the National leadership of the PDP to checkmate the State Working Committee of the Party and ensure an enabling environment for all aspirants to enjoy a free, fair, credible, transparent, just and an acceptable process before, during and after the Party Primaries in the State.

At the end of the peaceful rally, the group later presented their prayers in a letter signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Coalition.

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action changes the world.

Today, after a long journey with my leader, my mentor; Alahji Yahaya Adoza Bello from the days of AYB2GYB where I opened his first campaign office in Kabba, and now Insha Allah, it is GYB2PYB. We have since put action to our vision to serve the people and to better the country with my leader (Alahji Yahaya Adoza Bello) and under our great party, the All Progressive Party (APC). The GYB2PYB journey also began with a few visionaries which I was one and have been a fervent believer in his aspiration, his vision, his mission and his agenda for the country. All these motivated me to further open a campaign office for the “GYB2PYB agenda” again. The journey has been that of a father and his trusted son just as it exists between my leader and PMB, whom by 2023 he shall succeed.

Without being unclear, I have been an ardent and unrepentant disciple of his excellency, and I have been inspired by his leadership and commitment. His commitment to humanity and rule of law has been my motivation and the reason I have taken this great step to serve my people and do great things for the KBI constituency.

Without playing to the gallery, I believe that if a level playing ground is allowed in our primaries in line with the principle of our party and the directive of the president that “THE MOST POPULAR AND ACCEPTABLE ASPIRANT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO EMERGE THROUGH A FREE,FAIR AND LEVEL PLAYING GROUND”. I shall emerge victorious and shall lead our party to victory in the general election.

This was a vision, now it is a mission and together, we shall deliver KBI for our party. For a A NEW BREED, A RENEWED HOPE, A BREATH OF FRESH AIR and A NEW KBI…….. LOOK NO FURTHER….. LOOK TO SOS.

Pastor Anoro Goddy Congratulates Deltans, Isoko South/Isoko North, Isoko Federal Constituents At Easter, Preaches Unity, Sacrifice

A front runner House of Representatives aspirant for Isoko Federal Constituency of Delta State, Pastor Anoro Goddy has congratulated the people of the constituency, Deltans and the Christian community in general at the occasion of 2022 Easter celebration, calling on citizens to abide by the teachings of Jesus Christ the pillar of the faith by fostering unity and living a sacrificial life.

The House of Representatives member hopeful said the period offers the people ample opportunity to reflect on their life journey and chart a new developmental course for a more engaging and profitable future that will be a watershed for an improved living standard.

In a felicitation message on Sunday, the cleric and philanthropist urged the people of Isoko to be more tactical and strategic in making a decision about their future especially as the opportunity of the 2023 general elections calls, noting that the people should no more remain in one place in the scheme of affairs in the nation's political equation.

He also called on political leaders and their supporters to shun inflammatory utterances that can stoke the embers of hate but live in unity and make sacrifices that will bring hope and happiness to fellow citizens, which Jesus Christ demonstrated by offering His life for the sake of those he loves.

He also prayed God to rain the blessings of Easter on all Deltans at home and abroad and cause a supernatural prosperity in their lives.

The chairman of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN Abuja FCT 1, Mr. Wahab Shina Omoniyi has been conferred with the prestigious award of Peace Ambassador by Arewa Peace Ambassadors Forum.

The group made up of students from Northern Nigeria says the award is in recognition of his contributions to the development of humans in the society which they say is the backbone of peace.

Led by its president Nura Ali Abubakar to a visit in his office on Tuesday where the award was presented, Arewa Peace Ambassadors Forum thanked Mr. Omoniyi for being outstanding in the service of humanity, urging him to do more.

While noting that the prestigious award is reserved for those who have demonstrated selflessness, zeal and vigour in the service of humanity and society, Abubakar added that it also seeks to encourage effective service delivery among those in positions of authority in the public and private sector to foster peace.

In his response, the awardee, Mr. Omoniyi while thanking the group for the honour encouraged them to be real ambassadors of peace not only in the Northern part of Nigeria but everywhere they find themselves.

He also urged them to see education beyond acquisition of certificates but skills and empowerment as a means to compete favourably in the labour market.

While urging them to remain examplary among young people especially in doing away with social vices and youth exuberance, the ANAN Abuja FCT 1 chairman also enjoined the students to educate fellow youths on the need for peaceful co-existence as a way of moving the country forward.

It is often said that the golden fish has no hiding place. This saying makes so much meaning in today's Nigeria where the dearth of leadership has been attributed to the perennial under-development that has for decades held the country by the jugular.

Hardly is there any part of the country not affected by the common challenges of insecurity, unemployment, growing poverty, dilapidation in infrastructure and generally depleting system.

It is gratifying to note that Kogi State under the leadership of a young, dynamic and visionary leader, Alhaji Yahaya Bello is setting the pace and redefining true leadership in all parts of the state and different sectors.

There is no gainsaying that the efforts of the governor deserves as much support as it can get for sustainability and continuity. This is why a true son of the land, a loyal party man, a committed youth and outstanding entrepreneurs, Segun Olobatoke has come in to be the bridge the people of Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State are yearning for.

The people have for long regaled in poor, ineffectual and selfish representation, making it the mockery of others. The people are craving for a man who understands where the shoe pinches, a man who is in touch with his constituents and a man who has a good track record of mutual relationship with the people.

Segun Olobatoke stands out as a bridge builder and an ambassador of fresh ideas that will accelerate development in Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu. He is unique and different. He radiates honour, integrity, empathy and productivity.

He does not dine in the same table with those who have frittered the people's good will away, betrayed their trust and have only their own personal interests met. It is laughable that the same agents of backwardness and harbingers of darkness who have been on the corridor of power for dunkey years without any scintilla of achievement to show for it are still lurking around, attempting to deceive the people, as it is their stock in trade.

One man stands tall who will not joke with the massive empowerment of our young people in a way that will not only improve their living standards but reduce crime and criminality in our land.

One man stands tall who will be the mouthpiece of the people of Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu federal constituency at the hallowed chamber of the House of Representatives, not for his interest and that of his cronies but for the overall benefit of the people he so loves and makes sacrifices for.

It is often said that one requires no mirror to have a full glare of a ring won in the hand. No further conviction is required to prove to anyone about his enviable credentials to bring prosperity to the people.

A builder and creator of wealth who has through God's mercy and grace carved a niche for himself as an entrepreneur with a visible means of livelihood and not those whose entire life is riddled with unanswered questions of shenanigans.

What else? God has given him all that he needs but he is deeply touched by the fact that he can touch more lives with a larger platform, he has made himself available to be sent as the representative of his people of Kabba-Bunu federal constituency of Kogi State.

A good product needs no advert. Segun Olobatoke's works in his personal capacity as a fulfilled man who has enjoyed God's abundant grace and a servant who has as a private individual been a champion of development in his community is there for all to see.

This is why the call must be reiterated that as the race for who represents the people at the House of Representatives gradually takes its full swing, delegates of the APC must be part and parcel of that new idea that will make Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu the envy of other constituencies in the country.

God will use them to bring that permanent turnaround our people have for so long yearned for. They must be that very vessel to be used to elect a credible and trusted flag bearer who will stand as candidate of the party in the upcoming election in the federal constituency.

A man who will not toy with the future of our children by creating an enabling environment for their study, a man who will take the security of his people with utmost seriousness, a man who understands the value of infrastructure in economic development, a man whose word is his bond.

A delegate vote for Olobatoke is a vote for trust, transparency and responsible representation. Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu, let's take our constituency back. Let's reset it and put it in the path of progress and prosperity of the people.

The time for a new constituency we will all be proud of is now.

Vote Segun Olobatoke for Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu Federal Constituency.

A cleric and marriage counsellor, Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi has said inability of spouses to conduct adequate due diligence on their partners to be, particularly with regards to domestic violence before walking into marriage is responsible for growing deaths arising from spousal battery.

He said a lot of persons who go into marriage do so with so much emotions, sentiments often mistaken as love, desperation, and sometimes greed, insisting that these factors blur their sound reasoning to decipher when a partner exhibits traits of violence in a marriage.

Reacting to the recent death of a gospel singer, Osinachi popularly known for her song Ekwueme, Omoluabi in a Facebook post on Sunday maintained that it is a falsehood to say would-be partners hide their characters within their periods of courtship, adding that it is an excuse adduced for one's inability to do a proper check before marriage.

Omoluabi, a Special Adviser to Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State further cautioned that those intending going into marriage must avoid the mistake of settling for anyone but rather locate a partner whose lifestyle and temperament suits theirs, emphasising that there is a partner created for everyone.

He said, "I've always insisted that it is wrong to begin to discuss issues like this after marriage, for me this is an issue that should be meticulously settled before you say I do. I'm aware most people who go into marriage approach the decision from the angle of endemic emotions and sentiment, and once this is the case, ability to properly x-ray the partner becomes blurred and biased.

"I've heard many people say women/men can be pretentious before marriage, I honestly haven't agreed with this and will never do, I think most people cover their inadequacies on how to do fact check with that fake statement. Before going into marriage, it's impossible for the guy/lady not to have shown signs, especially that of VIOLENCE, but carelessness, lack of discernment, emotions(imaginary love) desires to get married quickly and sometimes greed have so enveloped them that they ignore such important signs.

"Another factor that makes men/women not to see these signs is the fact that they are also products of same marriage, abusive, violent or bad marriage, once they grow up seeing their parents exhibit such, they tend to see it as normal. For instance my parents, by the grace of God will be 52 years in marriage by December this year and I'm proud and also grateful to God to say that I have never seen or heard them throw hard words at each other, let alone go violent. This became a Strong factor for me while I was preparing for marriage, to the Glory of God, I will be 12 years in marriage by October and I'm bold, proud and confident to say that my marriage have only followed the pattern of my parents.

"The truth is that for every man, there is a woman created to match him, the important thing now is your ability to locate the man/woman whose idiosyncrasies, whose temperament, whose emotions and style fits yours, until you get this, don't settle for just anyone all because you want to marry."

While advising those in abusive marriage already to explore the option of separation, Omoluabi noted that it will not be ideal for people to lose their lives in the name of marriage which he described as an earthly affair.

He therefore called on those intending to get married to make frantic efforts to improve on their attitudes and learn the very essence of marriage, urging parents to do more to not only teach their children what a healthy marriage entails but practice same at all times.

"For those already in it and are not enjoying it, you must first admit that your selection process was faulty, then begin to work on it depending on the degree of the incompatibility. However, I must say that if it has gone so irreconcilable or violent that it has become life threatening, separation for a while isn't a bad option, God is not against separation, it is not same as divorce. We must all know that marriage is an earthly affair and will end here on earth, don't be too spiritual to the point of risking your life in the name of marriage, it is only the living that can marry.

"Above all, let all unmarried begin to deliberately work on themselves, change bad attitude, learn the essence of marriage, just as parents should henceforth deliberately teach their children the values of a good home, instill in them the right attitudes that makes marriage to work, be practical on your approach, behave to your wife/husband the way you will want your children treated in marriage. Above all, always have it at the back of your mind that Marriage is to be enjoyed and not to be endured" he concluded.

Kogi 2023: Segun Olobatoke, champion Of Philanthropy, Embodiment Of Good Heart and APC's winning stroke for 2023 — Youth Group, Drums Support

A youth group, Vanguard For KBI Renaissance, VKR has applauded a House of Representatives aspirant, Segun Olobatoke for his numerous humanitarian outreaches and philanthropic activities in Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu federal constituency, noting that the people are craving for a leader who is in touch with the people even as 2023 election gradually gathers momentum.

They say the APC chieftain has over the years demonstrated good heart and love for the people, even long before he aspired to represent Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu federal constituency, popularly called KBI at the National Assembly, maintaining that time to reciprocate this gesture is now.

VKR consisting of youth leaders in various communities in the two local governments that make up the constituency said time has come for young people and indeed all indigenes of conscience to give support to those who have demonstrated capacity to offer effective representation when given a larger platform.

Addressing newsmen in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital on Friday shortly after an expanded meeting of the group, the Lead Coordinator of Vanguard for KBI Renaissance, Comrade Alegbemi Abayomi observed that Segun Olobatoke wields the heart and capacity to turn around what he called years of locust in the constituency, urging for a support for him.

"It is on record, that today several of our patriots across various academic institutions in the country are on the scholarship scheme of Segun Olobatoke just as many widows are enjoying his monthly upkeep support.

"This is in addition to the massive empowerment he has carried out in our constituency, taking a lot of young people out of unemployment market.

"He has offered shelter to several persons which we are all witnesses to. He has brought hope to the hopeless, comfort to the troubled and succour to the injured" Comrade Abayomi noted.

He insisted that the people are not ready to back those who have consistently frittered away goodwill with visionless service, adding that the upcoming election will present the people opportunity to choose between trusted capacity and betrayed trust.

The group called on APC delegates to make the general election easy for the party by voting Hon Segun as their candidate. They also admonish the party leader to resist the temptation of imposition of unpopular candidate, noting that it will pose great threat to the fortune of the party in the general election. The group thank the Governor of the state Alh Yahaya Bello for appointing Hon Segun at various times into different offices, saying such appointment is a proof of his capacity and competence in holding political offices