PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 6. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, President of the Senate Dr Ahmad Lawan, Speaker Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Gen Yakubu Gowon, Former Head odf State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, former CJN Hoj Justice Belgore during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently chairing a meeting of Council of State at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ABN TV reports.
PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 9. L-R; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Mrs Folasahde Yemi-Esan, SGF Mr Boss Mustaha, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN, President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, President of the Senate Dr Ahmad Lawan, Speaker Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 7A&B. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, President of the Senate Dr Ahmad Lawan, Speaker Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Gen Yakubu Gowon, Former Head odf State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, former CJN Hoj Justice Belgore during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023
The meeting which started at 10:12am after the rendition of the national anthem is being attended by former heads of state and presidents, including Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) and Goodluck Jonathan. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, joined online.
Others who join virtually include Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Abubakar Bagudu, Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, of Northern States Governors Forum, Simon Lalong.
The rest are governors David Umahi, Ebonyi, Yahaya Bello, Kogi, Ademola Adeleke, Osun, Abubakar Badaru, Jigawa, Dapo Abiodun, Ogun as well as Benue State deputy governors Benson Abounu, Nasarawa, Emmanuel Akabe, and Enugu Deputy governor.
Two former Chief Justices of the Federation, Alfa Belgore and Mahmud Muhammad are in attendance.
In attendance physically are Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan
The National Council of State is an organ of the Nigerian government whose functions include advising the executive on policy making.
The meeting is expected to discuss national crises including petrol and naira scarcity, insecurity and others, ahead of the general elections.
Also present and awaiting their turn to brief the council are Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba, Commandant General, Nigerian Security, and Civil Defence Corps, Hammed Audi and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele on the preparation for the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections as well as March 11 governorship and state houses of assembly polls and new Naira notes respectively.
PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 3B. L-R; Former President Dr Goodluck Jinathan, Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and President Muhammadu Buhari during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 1A&B. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, Former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan and Former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 00A&B. L-R; Former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, Former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon. and President Muhammadu Buhari during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 0A&B. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, Former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan and Former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023
PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING 1A&B. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, Former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Former President, Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan and Former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER COUNCIL OF STATE MEETING AB. L-R; Former President Dr Goodluck Jinathan, Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and President Muhammadu Buhari during the Council of State Meeting Head at the Council Chambers State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. FEB 10TH 2023
On May 26, the APC declared Emenike the winner of the governorship primary in the state.
On November 11, Binta Nyako, a federal high court judge, sacked Emenike and ordered INEC to recognise Ogah as the party’s governorship candidate in the state.
Both APC and Emenike had filed separate appeals challenging the verdict delivered by Nyako.
Dan Eke, another aspirant, also filed an appeal challenging the judgment of the trial judge that recognised Ogah’s candidacy.
In December 2022, the court of appeal sitting in Abuja affirmed Emenike as the party’s candidate.
In the unanimous verdict, Olabisi Ige, who led the appeal court panel, read out the names of the party members sent by the APC national secretariat to conduct the governorship primary that produced Emenike, affirming that the exercise was valid.
Another candidate, Dan Eke, also filed an appeal in which he contested the trial judge’s decision to recognize Ogah’s candidacy.
The court of appeal in Abuja confirmed Emenike as the party’s nominee in December 2022.
Olabisi Ige, who presided over the appeal court panel, read aloud the names of the party members appointed by the APC national headquarters to oversee the governorship primary that produced Emenike and affirmed the validity of the process in the unanimous decision.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would decide his fate come the 2027 general elections.
He said that it was too early to decide whether he would vie for the presidency in the forthcoming elections.
In an interview with the BBC yesterday, Atiku, who was the presidential candidate for the opposition PDP in the 2023 general elections, said his recent meeting with the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, could be a signal to a possible in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
Atiku Abubakar had met with the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election Peter Obi, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido in separate visits earlier last week.
He said their meeting augured well for democratic governance in Nigeria while implying a possible alliance between the opposition parties. He also dispelled claims that they couldn’t produce a consensus candidate.
According to him, should the PDP members unanimously agree on zoning PDP’s presidential candidate to South East, he will abide by it.
“I’ve made it clear since last elections that if our party members had a consensus that southeast should produce the candidate, we would all agree. And if our parties also had a similar agreement, then so be it,’’ Atiku said.
However, Atiku confirmed the opposition parties’ possible alliance ahead of the 2027 elections but couldn’t provide details as to when they would seal the alliance.
He also refuted claims that he would relinquish from active politics after the 2023 polls adding, “We fiercely fought even the military governments; let alone the civilian administrations. So, if you’re thinking otherwise, you might be dreaming. We would never retrace from fighting injustice, and bad governance. I am not yet tired of the political activism.’’
Atiku added that his not retiring from active politics does not in any way block the chances of fresh blood to have their shots.
Asked if his recent talks with topnotch politicians across the country might be a litmus test for eyeing up towards 2027 polls, he said, “We are in a democratic system and don’t forget that we are those who fought for its entrenchment. So, we are going to continue entrenching good governance and a sound democratic system. We would never fold our arms watching things deteriorating.”
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has conferred the honorary citizenship of Abuja on the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Wike who received the Senegalese President on Thursday on his arrival at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also presented the symbolic key to the city to Faye.
Faye is in Nigeria on an official visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the Wike, the key conferred on the Senegalese President all the rights and privileges of a citizen.
It also served as a mark of respect for the strong friendship and cordial relationship between Nigeria and Senegal.
Earlier, Faye met with President Tinubu, who serves as the chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
His visit to Nigeria on Thursday was a historic moment as it t marked his first visit to Nigeria since he assumed office as the youngest president in Senegalese history in April.
The sleepy town of Uwala Abaka, Ukehe, in Nsukka, Igboetiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, was enveloped by sadness and grief, as the remains of one of their illustrious sons, actor John Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope was laid to rest.
The burial rites commenced at 10 am with a commendation mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Ukehe, and lying-in-state at his father’s compound, where family members, well-wishers, colleagues, and friends had the final glimpse of the late actor before the body was moved to a private venue for internment at about 1.30 pm.
The atmosphere at the burial ceremony was somber as colleagues and fans gathered to pay their final respects to the late actor.
The late actor’s wife, Jennifer Awele couldn’t back tears as she was sighted weeping profusely at the commencement of the final funeral procession.
Her first son, who was trying to console his mother by wiping the tears off her face, equally broke down in tears. Unfortunately, some of the A-list actors and actresses, including the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, were visibly missing at the burial ceremony.
The 43-year-old actor died alongside four other people on April 10, after their boat capsized in the Anam River, in Anambra State, while returning from a movie shoot.
Speaking at the burial ceremony, veteran actress Rita Edochie said that she was heartbroken when she heard the sad news of Junior Pope’s death.
Junior Pope’s legacy lives on through his contributions to the Nigerian film industry, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.
Kwara State Police Command has arrested five health workers over alleged mysterious disappearance of umbilical cord and placenta of a newly born baby in Oke-Ero local government area.
It was gathered that the incident happened at the cottage hospital in Iloffa last Sunday.
The suspects, who are currently being detained in Ilorin after interrogation on Thursday include one Dr Ajibola, nurses Rukayat Adeloye, Aishat Awolusi, Peace Alabi and Toyin Adewunmi, a ward attendant.
Sources said it took efforts from elders of Odo-Owa community to prevent the restive youths from torching the hospital over the incident.
Speaking on the issue on Friday, the traumatised mother of the baby who teaches English language in Orofa High School,Odo-Owa, Mrs C.B Williams, said she raised the alarm after the doctor and nurses who delivered the baby failed to produce the placenta and umbilical cord.
“Some of their staff started telling me they’re sorry that there was a mistake. The attendant said she had thrown the placenta inside a pit but they could not find it suggesting a dog might have eaten it.
“That was When I flared up with some members of my church who were also present that it’s not possible that they just have to present the placenta”.
Mrs Williams’ father, Mr Rufus Sanya, said he suspected foul play.
“How could an umbilical cord and a placenta of a new baby be missing when we all know the implication?
“I urge the police to do a thorough investigation and unravel the mystery behind this disappearance.That is only when justice would be said to have been served and we would be at peace with ourselves,”he said.
Contacted on Friday, spokeswoman of police command, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, confirmed the incident, adding that operatives have commenced a discreet investigation into the matter.
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, says contrary to what many people have been saying, his administration has achieved a lot silently without blowing trumpet.
Fubara said this on Friday during the inauguration of Emohua/Kalabari Tema Junction Road in Rivers State.
Explaining details of the project, the governor said it is “for those who said that we have not been doing anything to know that we have been doing a lot silently, not with noise or media exaggeration.
“Let me assure our people, as I have said before, this government is a government this is focused, this government is a government that wants the forgotten people to feel the impact of governance.”
According to him, the total budget for the project is N21.2 billion of which the previous administration committed N6 billion while the current administration completed the balance of N15.2 billion.
He said that 70 per cent of the job was done by his administration and therefore he can boldly say that the project was delivered by his administration.
The governor said that the success of the administration should not be ascribed to another administration, as government is a continuous process.
Fubara assured the people of Rivers that the government would continue to carry out its function without entertaining sycophants.
The governor also announced that he has directed the permanent secretary in the ministry of works to immediately commence the process of extending the road project from Tema Junction to Abonnema, eliciting a rousing joyful noise from the crowd.
Former governor of Bayelsa State, SeriakeDickson, was a special guest of honour at the road inauguration which had in attendance other political leaders in the state as well as traditional rulers.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti along with his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu are set the grace the quinquennial conference of Ohafia Traditional Rulers Council as Chief Guest of Honour and Guest of Honour respectively.
The conference which comes every five years is being organised in conjunction with Ohafia Chamber of Commerce will also have in attendance the Chairman of the event HRH Ezie Ukoha Kalu Ukoha (JP), members of National Assembly from Ohafia, Abia Assembly members from Ohafia, Mayor of Ohafia and other prominent sons and daughters of Ohafia.
The conference, themed “SOLUTIONS, SOLUTIONS, SOLUTIONS,” will focus on finding solutions to challenges facing Ohafia, including infrastructure development, economic growth, and social welfare.
The theme is guided by questions such as:
1) What can I do for the Government?
2) What can I do for the Community?
3) What can I do for myself?
4) What can the Government do for me?
His Royal Highness, Eze Igwe Ojike told ABN TV on Friday that the conference is an opportunity to review the progress of the council which is devoted to advancing the infrastructure of Ohafia.
According to him, it is also an opportunity to proffer solutions to challenges facing Ohafia and not just a talk shop.
The conference holds at Garden of Heavenly Peace and Tranquility at 9 ,Ojike Crescent, Nkwebi Ohafia. On Saturday 18th May 2024, Time is 12noon.
Some of the issues expected to be discussed at this conference include, the Establishment of Register of Town and Village Unions in Ohafia, Establishment of Register of Diaspora population, Compendium of the BRAIN POWER of our ANCESTORS, The Dredging of Uduma River, Establishment of Ohafia Hydroelectric POWER Plant, Ohafia Regional Market, Ohafia Medical Consortium and Ohafia Natural Medicine Centre.
Others are, Ohafia Masterplan and Drainage System, Agricultural business, particularly exports and preservation of agricultural produce, The Cement Industry, The Garment Industry using locally available raw materials, The Roofing sheets Industry, Collective Investment, Policies ie Limited Liability Companies, Project Financing and Any other Business.
The Ohafia Traditional Rulers Council and Ohafia Chamber of Commerce have extended an invitation to the public to attend this significant event.
The Event will be streamed LIVE On ABN TV social Media Handles (Facebook Page , YouTube Channel) and Zoom)
The United States has announced the unveiling of an Air Transport Agreement with Nigeria.
The Public Diplomacy Department of the US Mission in Nigeria, which disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, said the agreement had provisionally been applied since 2000.
The bilateral agreement establishes a modern civil aviation relationship between the two countries.
The mission said that the agreement was consistent with the US Open Skies international aviation policy with commitments to high standards of aviation safety and security.
“This agreement with Nigeria is a step forward in liberalizing the international civil aviation sector in Africa.
“It further expands our strong economic and commercial partnership, promotes people-to-people ties, and creates new opportunities for airlines, travel companies and customers.
“The agreement includes provisions that allow for unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, a liberal charter regime and open code-sharing opportunities.
“With this agreement, air carriers can provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travelers and shippers, which in turn promotes tourism and commerce.”
It recalled that the US Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, had earlier in April, held a meeting with Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar.
The mission said the duo reiterated their commitment to a vibrant partnership to build a prosperous future for both nations.
It quoted Department of State Spokesman, Matthew Miller, as saying: “On May 14, Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar in Washington.
“On the heels of their engagement during a successful US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission(BNC) in Abuja last month, the Deputy Secretary and Foreign Minister made progress toward implementing mutual economic, governance, and security priorities.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Campbell had, during his visit to Nigeria, co-chaired the sixth US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission with Tuggar.
He also held discussions with senior government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives on partnerships, shared prosperity, democracy, governance and accountability, movement of people, among others.
An Ijaw think-tank group, the Ijaw Integrity Group, IIG, has urged the Nigerian military to withdraw troops from Igbomotoru town in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Chairman of the group, Walter Moneyman, made the call while reacting to reports of the withdrawal of troops from Okuama in Delta State, where several soldiers on a peaceful mission were killed.
Moneyman hailed the military for hearing the voice of reason to vacate Okuama, which he stated had reduced the tension that hitherto pervaded the area.
He asserted that the withdrawal of the soldiers from Okuama should be replicated in Igbomotoru town in Bayelsa State, which shares no boundary with Okuama.
According to him, the people of Igbomotoru had borne a greater brunt of the incident that occurred at Okuama with people living in fear of reprisals from the military under the guise of tracking down the fleeing masterminds of the Okuama incident.
Moneyman noted that life had become a big torment for the people of Igbomotoru due to the presence of soldiers in the community, stressing that the withdrawal of the military would return life to normal and create room for the children to go to school as they are not at ease seeing the gun-trotting soldiers around them.
He advised the military to be professional with a human face in future operations in order to avoid collateral damage to innocent citizens.
Moneyman urged the people of Igbomotoru to be peaceful, law abiding and obey constituted authority in order to maintain peace in the community.
Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a bail application filed by the detained Executive of Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan, saying he could be a flight risk.
The court presided over just Justice Emeka Nwite held that Gambaryan is likely to jump bail if bail is granted to him.
Another executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan who is a regional manager for Africa, had in March fled Nigeria.
Anjarwalla escaped from lawful custody and was arrested days after by Kenyan authorities.
Since his escape, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) the International Criminal Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Kenyan Police Service have been in talks to extradite him back to Nigeria.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), had classified cryptocurrency trading as a national security issue.
The company and its executives are facing trial on a five-count charge bordering on money laundering.
Both Defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Moving an application, Counsel to Gambaryan, Mark Mordi, argued that the court had the power to grant bail to the defendant and impose conditions to ensure his presence in court.
The Prosecution Counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, however opposed the bail application, stating that the defendant was a flight risk.
He argued that the defendant attempted to obtain a new passport which he claimed was stolen, and this was a suspicious act given the proximity to his colleague’s escape from custody.
He further stated that the court cannot risk granting him bail, especially since he is not attached to any community in Nigeria.
“The fact that the passport of the defendant is with the complainant does not guarantee that he will remain in Nigeria because the defendant is not only an American citizen but also an Armenian citizen by birth”, the prosecution argued.
He urged the court to refuse the application and instead remand him in EFCC custody to ensure his safety and prevent potential flight risk.
Delivering ruling, the judge said several factors including the nature of offence and its severity must be considered when trying to decide whether or not bail should be granted to the defendant applicant.
Justice Nwite agreed with the depositions made by prosecution and was of the view that the applicant could jump bail if bail is granted to him.
Authorities in Nigeria had launched a clampdown on cryptocurrency in an effort to shore up the value of local currency, Naira which has in recent times witnessed a rapid depreciation.
The bill to address wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction passed second reading in the House of Representatives at Thursday’s plenary.
Sponsor of the bill and member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, while explaining the general principles of the bill, said the wildlife trade and trafficking was assuming a very dangerous dimension, hence, there was need to halt the menace through a legislative framework.
Ugbo, who is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Environment, insisted that the 10th National Assembly lawmakers must rise to the occasion of pressing challenges such as illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss and the decline of Nigeria’s unique wildlife populations and reposition it in accordance with the global best practices.
He said the legal framework of wildlife in Nigeria must be reviewed to enable effective handling of poachers and traffickers who pose a major challenge in the industry.
He said: “The Bill seeks to improve the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, give investigators more powers to look into financial matters and conduct operations guided by intelligence, and enable judges to speed up wildlife cases and recover assets.
“Additionally, it aligns with international treaties, encourages global cooperation and introduces strict penalties for poachers and traffickers.
“Today, we take a bold stand against all illegal activities targeting our wildlife and forests by protecting our wildlife, we protect our own future and this bill signifies our collective commitment to turn the tide against the use of our borders to traffic illegal wildlife products such as pangolin scales and elephant ivory.
“A combination of lack of public awareness, weak legislation and minimal enforcement has hindered efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and biodiversity loss in Nigeria.
“As a result, Nigeria’s wildlife has declined massively, with species like lions, elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees driven to the verge of extinction”, he said.
After members contributed to the bill, saying that the protection of endangered species was in consonance with the international treaties, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu passed it for a second reading after putting it to vote.
He referred it to the House Committee on Environment and tasked them to turn in their report in two weeks’ time.
