Presidency: I Want Atiku To Step Down For Me — Bala Mohammed

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April 25, 2022

Human Right Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has accused President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of abandoning the anti-corruption crusade which it used to campaign to gain power.

He said granting pardon to former Governors Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye of Taraba and Plateau states indicated this.

Falana spoke with journalists at Ilawe-Ekiti, his country home, at the 10th year coronation anniversary of Oba Ajibade Alabi, the Alawe.

He said the nomination fees of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fixed at N100 million and N40 million, respectively, for the presidential seat was illegal and the highest in the world by any political party.

Falana called on the federal government to address the state of insecurity in the country.

We Must Salvage Nigeria Or Perish, Peter Obi Warns

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April 25, 2022

We Must Salvage Nigeria Or Perish, Peter Obi Warns — Peter Obi

Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PPD) presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has observed that unless critical decisions and actions are taken by Nigerians, the country is headed for a deep crisis.

He made the observation during a meeting with Ekiti State PDP stakeholders and delegates, yesterday, in the course of his consultation processes on the need to choose the right candidate for the party.

He noted that the economic crisis besetting Nigeria is humongous, warning that the country may go under if not properly managed and decried the high level of insecurity in the country, attributing it to the poor state of economy.

The former governor lamented the high rate of unemployment, unstable education sector and deplorable infrastructure in the country and remarked that the challenge is how to pull the country out of its current crisis. He bemoaned the high incidence of borrowing by the country, without much to show for it.

He vowed that his commitment is to move Nigeria from a consumer society to a productive nation. The first step in this regard, he said, is to cut the cost of governance.

Obi asked Ekiti delegates not to be swayed by material or primordial considerations at the national convention but do due diligence on those seeking their votes to know if they have the capacity and vision for the job. He warned that Nigeria would continue to lose with the present sharing culture, adding that his mission is to halt the trend.

In his address, state Chairman of the party, Lanre Omolase, lauded Obi for the good record he set while as governor of Anambra State. He described Obi as one of the best the party can offer for the presidency.

Earlier, the former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, had met with Obi where they discussed many challenges facing the nation.

Imo Rep Member, Hon. Ozurigbo Dumps APC, Joins PDP

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April 24, 2022

Imo Rep Member, Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna Dumps APC, Joins PDP — Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna (OZB)

The member representing Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba federal constituency of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo Ugonna popularly known as OZB, has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, announcing his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ABN TV reports.

He said his expulsion from the APC left him with no other option than to return to the PDP, the political party where he said he began his sojourn to lawmaking, reiterating that he will dedicate his political machinery to the advancement of the PDP.

Speaking at his Umuozu Ward where he also declared his intention to run for a second term for the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP, Hon. Ugonna said his intention to seek another term was on the basis of the huge development he has attracted to the federal constituency which he noted will even be surpassed at his second term.

Addressing the Four PDP LGA delegates at their various LGA headquarters, the lawmaker promised to do his utmost best to bring back the lost glory of PDP by ensuring the party emerges victorious at the general elections.

He noted that this would only happen if the delegates make the right decision of sending a tested and trusted candidate to represent them rather than dwelling on dismissable prejudice of sectional positioning.

Enyioha Gburugburu as he is called stated that his covenant to advance humanity through politics is what has kept him in politics and he has no reason whatsoever to relent from that mission.

A delegate, Mr. Smart Ibe while recognising OZB as a ideal representation of what a leader should be, urged him not to forget those who will put the effort and ensure his victory at the primaries when he eventually secures the ticket.

Delegates present unilaterally agreed that Hon. Ozurigbo had performed beyond expectation and would do the needful to ensure the continued development of Nwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba federal constituency.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of mobile phones and simcards to the over 200 delegates present which Rep. Ozurigbo acknowledged would act as a direct line of communication between himself and the delegates.

Present at the event where members of the OZB Compaign team, Leaders of the PDP from the four LGAs, Youths and Women Leaders and all PDP ward delegates from the constituency.

Why I Chose Building Hospital, School Over New Church Project – Sen Orji Kalu

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April 24, 2022

Why I Chose Building Hospital, School Over New Church Project - Sen Orji Kalu

Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has stated reasons he decided to donate the construction of a Hospital and school rather than a new church building to the Catholic Church in his Igbere home town, Bende LGA of Abia state.

According to the Abia North Senator, though the idea of a new church building initially proposed by the Church isn’t a bad one, a Hospital will however serve as a Maternity centre and also attend to diverse health needs of the members of the church and the community at large, including himself.

The former Abia Governor who spoke at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Igbere, on Sunday during a special Mass to mark the Mother’s Day said , the Parish priest had initially approached him for assistance in building the new church project, Kalu said that he opposed the idea saying that the Health and Education of the church members was more important.

His words; I decided to build a Hospital for the parish and not a new church building because when it’s completed it will serve as a maternity centre for our women and also attend to other health issues in the community.

“The benefits of having a Hospital rather than a new church building are countless, when completed it will still be owned and managed by the Catholic Church. It will serve as a place where everyone, including myself, can go when we are sick. It’s absurd for you to travel to Umuahia whenever you’re sick when we can actually have a hospital within our locality.

“The Reverend Father asked me assist them to achieve the plan of the church to erect a new church building, I told him it’s not a bad idea but a Hospital is more important, that we can I can renovate and expand the current church building but a Hospital will serve a better purpose, because it will be more useful to all of us.

Kalu who has since embarked on the construction of the new Hospital, said when completed it will be owned and managed by the Catholic Church, he added that the current church building can be expanded and renovated, stressing that a new church building can be considered when the church’s population begins to witness an increase.

“Of course I am a practicing Christian and a proud Catholic and it’s not a bad idea to have a new church building; but we can only start considering that when the church’s population starts to increase, but for now what I believe is important is to build Hospital that will be owned and managed by the Church, this will enhance the health and also provide some level of IGR for the church”, Kalu stated.

Speaking on the newly constructed Okposi primary school structure which he facilitated within the Church’s premises, Kalu said the newly constructed school will provide more access to the educational needs of the community. He also stated that he will liaise with the next state Government Dispensation for the handover of the school ownership and management to the Catholic Church. He explained that since the new school building is located within the land of the Catholic Church it will be better managed by the Church and will also empower the church to erect more facilities like the school I.e. boarding and so on.

Earlier in his homily, parish priest Rev . Father Luke Alicho, appreciated Orji Kalu for his earlier donation of Generating Set and Cash gifts to the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) and other groups in the church. He further thanked Kalu for offsetting the payment for repairs in the church. Speaking on the Mother’s day celebration , Luke congratulated the women on their day and implored them to ensure peace in their homes. Luke urged parents to desist from engaging in domestic violence, saying that the world is in dire need of peace.

Group Set To Purchase N50m APC Governorship Nomination Form For Uche Ogah

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April 24, 2022

Group Set To Purchase N50m APC Governorship Nomination Form For Uche Ogah — Dr Uche Ogah

A group, Rescue Abia With Ogah has concluded arrangements to purchase the N50m governorship nomination and expression of interest forms for the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah to contest for the governorship of Abia State in 2023.

The group says its members have started making financial contributions to ensure that the forms are purchased this week.

The group’s spokesperson, Mr Wisdom Maduforo made this known to pressmen after its weekly meeting in Umuahia on Saturday.

He said the group which was established in 2014 as Rescue Abia Mission and later converted to Rescue Abia With Ogah by 2018 is made up of sound Abia illustrious sons and industrialists who can take up the financial implications of Dr. Ogah’s election to its logical conclusion.

He further stated that the group wants anyone interested in the leadership of Abia State to be a businessman, noting that Aba as a commercial hub of the old Eastern Region, should be brought back to its full glory

[OPINION] One Year On: Why Abia State Government Should Imortalize Late Ossy Prestige

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April 24, 2022

[OPINION] One Year On: Why Abia State Government Should Imortalize Late Ossy Prestige — Late Hon. Ossy Prestige

On April 24th 2021, what many felt was a dream proved to be real. One of Abia’s finest sons and philanthropist, Hon. Ossy Prestige was laid to rest. Truly, the people’s man had gone to rest and there was no more doubt about it, a charismatic man had gone home.

One year later, his memory has not faded from the minds of those who love him. He had unconditional love from the people and political or ethnic affiliation was not a barrier, he was indeed a shining light in Abia. It is due to this premise that the state government should do something spectacular to keep Ossy Prestige’s memory in the hearts of Abians.

It is one year on and the State Government has not done anything to remember him. This means a lot to the public because Ossy Prestige was a man who they so admired . He was and is still the name on everyone’s lips as his philanthropy cannot be forgotten by the people who he touched their lives positively; from the free school bus, the rehabilitation of rural and urban roads to the financial and economic help he provided to Abians, especially those in Aba. Not leaving out his duties as a lawmaker.

It is against this backdrop that the Abia State Government should recognise and keep his memory alive by naming a project after him. A popular road could be named after him, the Abia State Polytechnic, The School of Health or any other project at all.

This means a lot to the people as we remember the demise of a man who meant so much to them, a man who rejoices and mourns with them, a man who rose to a high position from among them and who had nothing to do with prejudice.

When we do not recognize our past heroes, we would lose our history and that would have a bad effect on current or aspiring heroes. The up-and-coming heroes would not have been encouraged because past heroes were not honoured, and this could deprive parents the opportunity to tell their children about heroes who played a part in their existence

This would be a consolation to the public and the project would always remind young and old the importance of making a positive impact in the lives of people around us.

The recognition will also stand as a beacon to all politicians across political parties, reminding them that service to the people should be a priority in any political endeavor and that political parties are vehicles to power, not hindrance to peace among brothers. These are what Ossy Prestige showed in his lifetime and this endeared him to people. A people-loving government would keep the man whom the people loved, alive in their memory.

Ossy’s legacies live on, his love for his people, his reliability, his honesty, his love for peace and his humility, these all live on. It is time for the Abia State Government to play their part–to name a project after the man whom the people loved.

Nna Henry Ngenyechike
SSA on Media and Publicity to late Hon. Ossy Prestige

Insecurity: Group Urges Buhari To Sign Hunters Council Establishment Bill

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April 24, 2022

Nigerian Hunters and Forests Security Service, aka, Hunters Group of Nigeria, HGN, on Friday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure a speedy ascent of a bill seeking the Establishment of Hunters Council, 2020 to tackle insecurity in the country.

The council who made the appeal in Enugu during a rally said the bill has gone through first, second and third readings and was recently passed into law by the Senate.

Therefore embarking on a peaceful rally in appreciation to Senate for signing their bill into law on Friday in Enugu, The Hunters Group, Enugu State Chapter, sued President Buhari to make haste and assent to the bill which was sponsored by Sen. Abiodu Olujimi into law.

Addressing the rally before moving into the streets of Enugu, the Enugu State Commander, Dr. Anselem Onyibor, said that they were a paramilitary group who are out to complement the existing security agencies with a view to ridding communities of crimes and criminalities by providing Intel to them.

“We are a paramilitary group that was set up to tackle insecurity in our various communities, in our bushes and forests to make a safe haven for our people in our communities.

“We provide Intel to all the security agencies in the state – the police, Civil Defence and other security agencies. We work hand in hand with them to carry out our duties in the state. We are in all the 36 States and the FCT, Abuja,” he explained.

Explaining why they embarked on the rally, Commander Onyibor said. “We are here today for a rally to appreciate the 9th Assembly, the Senate for passing our bill into law and we are also here to solicit the attention of President Mohammadu Buhari, for him to sign our bill into law so that we can complement the existing security structure in the country,” he said.

Onyibor noted that when the bill must have been signed into law and gazetted, “we shall be equipped like other security agencies.”

The rally took off from Okpara Square through other major avenues in the state capital.

We’re Responsible For Killing Of Policemen In Kogi — ISWAP

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April 24, 2022

The Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for the attack on a police station in Adavi, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Gunmen had invaded the station in the early hours of Saturday.

William Aya, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kogi, said the attackers, who struck from the opposite direction, shot sporadically.

He said while the command lost three of its officers during the gun duel, the hoodlums fled with gunshot wounds as they could not get access to the station.

Aya said the state’s commissioner of police, CP Edward Egbuka, deployed a team of tactical operatives in the area to restore normalcy.

In a report, the Voice of America said ISWAP released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack.

“The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility in a statement on Telegram,” VOA said in a report.

“Soldiers of the Caliphate attacked a police station,” it said, adding that five people were killed in the raid.”

Although there is a high level of insecurity in Kogi, where bandits and kidnappers have been operating in recent months, the state is not known for ISWAP attacks, as the sect operates mainly in the North East.

ISWAP had also claimed responsibility for a bomb attack which killed Taraba residents last week.

Earlier in the month, Jihad Analytics, a consultancy company which processes data on global and cyber jihad, said Nigeria now has the highest number of attacks by the Islamic State (IS).

According the report, half of the attacks claimed by IS since the beginning of 2022 were in Africa, while ISWAP, an affiliate of IS, is now more active in Nigeria.

Data by Jihad Analytics showed that while Nigeria has recorded a total of 162 IS operations since January 2022, Iraq has recorded 120.

“For the first time in the history of the jihadi group, Iraq is no longer the country where #IS claims the highest number of operations: the group #ISWAP is now more active in Nigeria,” it said.

In 2015, the late Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, pledged allegiance to IS, whose fighters killed him six years after.

The attack on Kogi police station happened 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari charged security agencies to be tougher on groups behind the attacks across the country.

Daily Trust

Adopt Women As Running Mates, Aisha Buhari Begs Presidential Aspirants, Others

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April 24, 2022