Contractor Fails To Deliver Items, Forces APC To Postpone Commencement Of Sale Of Forms

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April 23, 2022

Africa’s Richest Man Dangote Set To Buy French Club — Aliko Dangote

Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has assured that the Dangote Refinery will be ready for commissioning before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2023.

He gave the assurance Friday while fielding questions from State House reporters after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

Dangote, who was asked about the time when the refinery would be ready for operations, said “by the grace of God, Mr. President will come and commission before the end of his tenure”.

According to Africa richest man, when operational, the refinery would create jobs and generate more tax money, which would be used by government to develop the country further.

“In the near future, they are expect to see more employment, they are expected to see more prosperity. We keep doing new things and good things and also we keep paying our taxes, which will complement the government’s effort in providing education, good health and the rest,” he said.

Asked if he was worried about potash scarcity as a result of the Russian/Ukrainian conflict, Dangote said there was no need for worry as only 26% of the world’s potash supply comes from the two countries.

“No, we are not concerned. Well, there are some few other countries that have it, it’s not only Ukraine that has it. Yes, Ukraine and Russia have about 26% of the world’s potash, but it does not mean that you cannot source potash elsewhere. So, I’m not really very concerned, the concern is just about price,” he said.

On the reason behind the visit of his team to the State House, he said “we came here on a courtesy call and also a ‘thank you visit’, to thank him for personally coming to commission our fertilizer plant. This is just on the 22nd of March, about four weeks ago. So, I’m here with my board of directors, just to show gratitude to Mr. President and he received us very well.”

Group Urges Former Chief Of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai To Join Presidential Race

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April 23, 2022

army-chief-Lt-Gen-Tukur-Yusuf-Buratai-1 — Tukur Buratai

A Political Support and Economic Advocacy Group, Fusion 774, has called on the former Chief of Army Staff and Nigerian Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Amb. Tukur Buratai to join the 2023 presidential race.

This is just as the group vowed to purchase the #100million APC Presidental form for the retired Army General

National Coordinator of Fussion774, Mr Sediq Jikta, made the call at a news conference on Friday in Abuja noting that the call by the members of the group was borne out of the security challenges facing the country, saying the threats posed to the nation’s national security had been of immense concern.

Jikta said the 23 years of Nigeria’s democratic experiment had witnessed different threats to its survival such as civil disturbances which required experienced hands to pilot its affairs.

He said Nigeria is currently in very challenging times and it is important to decide on the right leadership, a leadership with the capacity and ability to deliver and make the country work.

The coordinator said the achievement of Buratai as service chief in the fight against insurgency was a pointer to his sterling quality and qualification to vie for the highest office in the land.

He disclosed that time of Amb. Buratai as COAS was the height of Boko-haram activities, adding that his astute leadership saw the reclaiming of overran territories from the terrorists.

Jikta also hinged the call by the group on the many achievements of Buratai in repositioning the Nigerian army for greater efficiency among other things.

According to him, experts believe that the security challenges of the future are not going to be external aggression as countries will have to contend with internal security.

His words, “During his time as COAS, he brought to an end the rampant spate of bombing in the country, hence, Nigerians could enjoy a peaceful atmosphere to carry out their daily businesses.

“Gen. Buratai also exhibited an open door policy of good governance, where private citizens with something to offer in terms of security are given a listening ear and action taken.

“With these achievements, we can see that Buratai is one courageous leader who could step in and bring the much-needed solution to the security challenge and the desired development for the country.

“We are using this opportunity to call on Buratai to come out and declare interest and contest for the office of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria.

“By this announcement, we are prepared to purchase the APC nomination form for him in the event that he declares his acceptance and readiness to contest,” he said.

Jikta said that Fusion774 was simply the unification of political strength of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria into a virile, strong and formidable political front.

He said the group was mainly driven by people from all works of life, for the interest of all, and for the common good of the country.

The coordinator said that while the group agreed with the policy of rotational governance for all regions to have a sense of belonging and participation in the governance of the country, they believed that merit should be promoted in times of national catastrophe.

According to him, the group reached a consensus that rotational governance should be suspended for a candidate with the requisite capacity to provide solutions to national security threats to emerge.

Alaafin Of Oyo Laid To Rest

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April 23, 2022

Alaafin Of Oyo Laid To Rest — Late Lamidi Adeyemi

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has been buried in the ancient town of Oyo in south-west Nigeria.

His remains were laid to rest on Saturday within the premises of the palace, barely a day after he was certified dead in a hospital in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

Following the announcement of his demise, Islamic rites were conducted on the body of late Alaafin, signalling the beginning of his final journey home.

Islamic clerics led by the Chief Imam of Oyo town were joined by members of the family of the late traditional ruler and some of his chiefs to offer prayers for the repose of his soul.

After the prayers, his body was taken back to the palace where the final burial was held.

An Oyo prince and a close relative of the Alaafin, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, confirmed the burial of the monarch to Channels Television.

OUK Movement Chairman, Ojisi Ogbaja Greets Sen. Kalu At 62

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April 23, 2022

Chairman OUK Movement, Ojisi Ogbaja Greets Sen. Kalu At 62

The chairman OUK Movement in Abia State, Hon. Ojisi Ogbaja popularly known as ABNACHA has felicitated with the Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on his 62nd birthday, describing him as a quintessential leader and a passionate patriot.

He said Sen. Kalu since the early 90s when he decided to join politics has been very committed to making the lives of the people better, which he convincingly demonstrated during his tenure as governor of the state between 1999-2007.

In a birthday message on Friday, the OUK Movement chairman noted that the Senate Chief Whip has exposed the poor performances of his colleagues from Abia with the massive projects he has attracted to the people in the past three years as a Senator.

He expressed delight to associate with the Orji Uzor Kalu Movement, a grass-root political support group of Sen. Kalu.

He expressed the readiness of the Movement to continue to uphold the tenets of efficiency, integrity and honour which Sen. Kalu, founder of the Movement is known for among business and political associates.

He prayed for long life, good health, good fortunes and more divine wisdom upon Sen. Kalu.

Sen. Kalu Mourns Alaafin Of Oyo, Extols His Legacies Of Selflessness, Statesmanship

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April 23, 2022

Sen. Kalu Mourns Alaafin Of Oyo, Extols His Legacies Of Selflessness, Statesmanship — Late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi

Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Kalu has described the demise of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III as a huge loss to Nigeria.

Kalu who acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the late highly revered monarch to nation building through various platforms, stressed that the late paramount ruler will be remembered as a selfless statesman and nationalist with passion for a united and indivisible Nigeria.

The former Governor while commiserating with the government and people of Oyo state, especially the royal household in Oyo kingdom, prayed to Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the late Oba Adeyemi and grant him al-Jannah Firdaus.

The Chief Whip of the Senate in his condolence message, called on the family of the late monarch to sustain the remarkable deeds of their late patriarch, adding that the 52 year reign of the late traditional ruler was historic, remarkable and successful.

He said, “the passing of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III is a big loss to the country.

“The late monarch was an accomplished and outstanding personality, who was passionate about the progress of Oyo state and Nigeria in general.

“He played selfless and patriotic roles in the social, economic and political development of Nigeria.

“The late monarch was a strong advocate of a united and prosperous Nigeria.

“His counsel on national issues will be greatly missed.

“Nigeria has lost a rare gem”.

Kalu prayed to Allah to give the family of the late monarch the fortitude to bear the loss.

Hon. Ichita Seeks Sack Of Abia Commissioners For Health, Finance, Advises Ikpeazu To Resign For Failure To Pay Salaries

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April 23, 2022

Hon. Ichita Seeks Sack Of Abia Commissioners For Health, Finance, Advises Ikpeazu To Resign For Failure To Pay Salaries

Member representing Aba South Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita has called for immediate sack of the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Joe Osuji, his Finance counterpart Dr. Aham Uko and the Accountant General of the state over backlog of salaries owed to staff of Abia State Hospital Management Board.

This he said has led to protest by the staff, describing the non-payment of their salaries dating back to 12 months now as worrisome.

While insisting that this is too heavy to be ignored, the APGA chieftain said health is an essential service, warning that the workers in the sector should not be treated in a despicable manner that has made headline in the news media.

In a statement on Friday which he personally endorsed, the lawmaker also advised the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu to resign, accusing him of being engrossed with the 2023 election while governance suffers.

He said, “It is worrisome that such essential service providers are treated in such a despicable manner as described in the report in some national dailies, that they had to publicly protest in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

“While Abians continue to suffer the failure of Abia state government to provide basic infrastructure for the people, we can not ignore and/ or tolerate the deliberate attempt by same government to indirectly sentence the citizens to death through non payment of the salaries.

“I strongly agree with the majority of our people, who maintain that non-payment of salaries to any worker is against the biblical injunction that “…a worker deserves his wages” ( Mathew 10 Vs 10).

“Therefore, all men of good conscience must rise and demand immediate explanation from Abia state government as to why workers in the health management board and indeed in other agencies and establishments in Abia state are being owned many months of salary arrears, even as the state receives revenue from a plethora of source other than the statutory allocation from the federation account, details of which is in the Public domain.

“Consequently, the Commissioner for health, the commissioner for finance as well as the accountant general of Abia State should be relieved of their positions by the state Governor.

“This is because health workers are essential service providers, hence effort must be sustained at all times to ensure that the health of the citizens are not jeopardized in any manner form or shape. It follows that the condition of service of essential workers should always receive priority attention from any responsible government.”

According to Hon. Ichita, the state government has demonstrated ineptitude by its failure to pay the staff of the State Hospital Management Board in the last 12 months.

He accused the governor, Okezie Ikpeazu of not being willing to do the needful and instill sanity in the health sector for the over all health of Abians.

He therefore called on the people of the state to vote out the government of PDP in the upcoming election for its inability to provide governance.

“That the salaries of these staffers have not been paid in the last 12 months is not only a demonstration of gross administrative ineptitude, it is a sin before God.

“If the Governor of Abia State for any reason, is not willing and ready to do the needful by instilling sanity in the health sector in our dear state, then the Governor, his deputy and other political office holder, who watched in silence while this gross negligence and inhuman treatment of health care workers in Abia continued, should resign.

“But we know that like all known oppressors recorded in history, they will not accept this honest advice, the best thing is for the masses to force them out using our votes when the time comes. The people of Abia state must take back our state

“The government of Abia state has literarily abandoned its duty pf protection of lives and properties but is fixated on the politics of 2023.

“The 2023 election in Abia will be a referendum: The people will make a choice: Bad governance vs Good governance.”

Lagos Govt Reopens Chrisland Schools

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April 23, 2022

The Lagos State Government has ordered the reopening of all Chrisland Schools.

The schools were shut over alleged gang-sex but some pupils of the Lekki branch at the World School Games in Dubai in March.

The “immoral act” generated social media outrage and sparked conversations around parenting.

Following the incident, the school authorities suspended a female student indefinitely, stating that she was “a major actor” in an “immoral act”.

But her mother claimed she was drugged and raped by some male students of the school.

The State Government shut the schools on April 18 shortly after the news circulated.

A statement on Saturday signed by Commissioner of Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, said the reopening directive is based on the ongoing administrative investigation into the incident.

It reads: “The Lagos State Ministry of Education has directed that all Chrisland Schools shut for alleged misconduct of some students in Dubai be reopened from Monday, April 25th, 2022.

“The directive follows a review of the ongoing administrative investigation into the incident. Besides, it is to ensure that students are not denied access to learning when the new term begins on Monday 25th April 2022.

“The State Government shut the schools for the safety of students and the staff and to ensure unhindered investigation of the incident.

“The Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies of the State, in conjunction with the school’s Parent Teachers Association, will be working on scheduled psychosocial support for the students.

“An extensive assessment of the school’s procedure, especially on external trips and excursions, is being made to identify safety gaps and prevent such incidents.

“Besides, the Ministry will launch the reviewed guidelines/protocols governing private and public schools across the state within the next one month.

Femi Adesina Tackles Obasanjo For Advocating State Police, Says He Did Nothing As President

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April 23, 2022

WhatsApp-Image-2020-06-12-at-22.12.24 — Femi Adesina

Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has taken a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over what he believes to be the poor handling of the security challenges of the country under his administration.

On Wednesday, the former President had suggested that amid growing insecurity in the country, the creation of state police would be a better option than community policing.

Obasanjo made the suggestion when the leadership of the National Association of Ex-local government chairmen in Nigeria paid him a courtesy visit in Abeokuta.

But Adesina criticized Obasanjo, insisting that when he had the opportunity to restructure the security architecture of the country, he failed to do so.

“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has a right to hold a different opinion from what he held in the past but I recall that under him, restructuring of the federation was a key issue that Afenifere fought for, and then there was the issue of state police which also resonated loudly under him but he didn’t do anything in eight years. Like I said, he has a right to change his mind now but it doesn’t change the fact that he had the opportunity to do something about it and did not”.

When asked of the major obstacle of President Buhari’s execution of the restructuring, Adesina explained that the executive is not the custodian of political will.

Over the years, many have called for restructuring, with a firm belief that it is a viable solution to the myriad of challenges the country is facing.

One of those who have made that call is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Afe Babalola.

On Monday he called for an Interim National Government after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure that would pave way for a new constitution for the country.

But reacting to this, Adesina, said: “to the best of my unlearned knowledge, it is not in our cConstitution for an interim government to be set up”.

Channels TV

Lagos State Government Reopens Chrisland Schools

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April 23, 2022