Enugu Gets Modern Bus Shelters To Replace The Previous Ones Damaged By Hoodlums (Photos)

IgbereTV reports that the Governor Ugwuanyi-led administration of Enugu State has provided Enugu City with over 194 modern bus shelters to replace the previous ones unfortunately destroyed by hoodlums, during the hijacked #endsars protests.

Speaking to the press, the Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), Dr. Josef Umunnakwe Onoh, commended and thanked Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his resilience and expeditious approval for the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure in the state capital.

#igberetv

Obaseki Dissolves Exco, Takes Second-term Oath Today

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on Wednesday dissolved the state executive council.

The governor, who announced the dissolution at a valedictory executive council session at the Government House in Benin City, expressed appreciation to the outgoing council members for their selfless service to the state.

Obaseki said: “Since I became governor, I didn’t sack any commissioner, but rather they sacked me by resigning from my cabinet. What is important in government are the core values of truth, justice and fairness.”

Obaseki urged former members of his cabinet to continue to work and support his administration.

Meanwhile, Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, will be sworn into office for a second term on today (Thursday).

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, in Benin, on Wednesday.

He said, “The inauguration/swearing-in ceremony of Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki and Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu will hold on Thursday, November 12, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium between 11am and 1pm prompt.

“Due to the prevailing realities of the coronavirus pandemic, we would be having only 750 invited guests at the venue.

“The inauguration is strictly by invitation as crowd control measures have been adopted in line with government’s guidelines to check the spread of coronavirus.

“However, parties are to be held across the 18 local government areas of the state to celebrate the event. Party members are also expected to meet at the ward level to commemorate the event.”

#punchng

More Governors May Dump PDP With Gov Umahi – Fani-kayode

Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of aviation has warned the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the planned defection of Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

There are reports that Umahi is planning to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ruling party.

Fani-Kayode, reacting, said he is yet to confirm the news but described Umahi’s rumoured defection to APC as troubling.

According to him, other governors may join Umahi to defect to the APC which will affect the party’s chances of winning the 2023 presidential election.

The PDP Chieftain on his Twitter page wrote: “The rumour that my friend and brother Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi state is planning to leave @OfficialPDPNig and join @OfficialAPCNg is troubling.

“I am yet to confirm if it is true and I will see him in the next few days to know the true position of things but if it is then I urge the leadership of the PDP to do all they can to ensure that he stays. Not only is he a profoundly good man and an excellent Governor but his contributions to the success of the PDP over the last 20 years at various levels is immeasurable and simply extraordinary.

“ Apart from that he happens to be a good friend of mine and someone I hold in high esteem, immense respect and affection for. Unlike many he is forthright and his word is his bond. He is either with you or against you, he is fearless, bold and has the courage of his convictions.”

Fani-Kayode further called on the National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus to do everything within his power to persuade Umahi to stay at the party.

“What makes the matter worse is that other Governors may also contemplate leaving if he does because he has a lot of friends and goodwill amongst them.

“If that happens it will affect our party’s chances in the 2023 presidential election in a very significant way.

“Again I call on the National Chairman and the NWC of our great party to do all they can to keep Umahi on board.

“He is one of our brightest and best and losing him to the APC would be a monumental error and great tragedy,” he stated.

Fani-Kayode added that the PDP needs Umahi as he is a great asset to the opposition party.

“ The fact of the matter is that we need him just as we need everyone else and petty divisions and internal wranglings at this crucial time do not help us.

“Umahi is a great asset to the party and a source of strength and inspiration to the rank -‘d file right across the country,” his tweet added

Teacher Arrested For Kidnapping Former Pupil In Ogun

Police have arrested a teacher for kidnapping his eight-year-old former pupil in the Akute area of Ogun State.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the suspect – Odugbesan Ayodele, 29 – was apprehended on Wednesday last week.

He explained that the arrest followed a complaint lodged at Ajuwon Police Divisional Headquarters by the mother of the victim, Fatimat Akeeb, that her son went to school at the Arifanla area of Akute but had yet to return at about 6pm.

According to Oyeyemi, the victim’s mother received a phone call from an unknown person who asked her to be ready to pay N200,000 if she wishes to see her son alive.

She stated that the caller told her that the boy was brought to him by someone and would not release him until the said amount was paid.

“Upon the report, the DPO Ajuwon Division, SP Andrew Akinseye, directed his detectives to embark on a technical and intelligence-based investigation which led to the discovery of the suspect’s hideout.

“In order not to harm the victim, the suspect was lured out with part payment of his demanded ransom and he was subsequently apprehended and he took the police detectives to where he kept the victim and the victim was rescued unhurt.

“On interrogation, he confessed to committing the crime but blamed it on the devil,” the statement said.

In his reaction, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Edward Ajogun, ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and prosecution.

He also appealed to parents to always be mindful of their children’s movement to and from school so as not to make them easy prey to criminals.


#channelstv

Deji Adeyanju Drags Kenechukwu Okeke Before Disciplinary Panel

One of the prominent faces of the #endsars movement, Deji Adeyanju, has filed a complaint against a lawyer, Kenechukwu Okeke, before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for “acts unbecoming of a legal practitioner.”

The petition dated November 11, 2020, was also supported by an affidavit filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Abuja.

The action against Okeke was sequel to the criminal complaint he filed against 50 #endsars campaigners before a Chief Magistrates Court in Abuja, for their alleged roles in the protests, which he said resulted in the looting and destruction of property.

In the case instituted on Monday pursuant to sections 88, 109(a), 110(1)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Okeke listed prominent persons including entertainers and social media influencers as the defendants.

The lawyer alleged that his properties were destroyed during the riot, noting that the defendants should be brought to justice over his loss.

Those listed as defendants include musician Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido, Folarin Falana, aka Falz; social media comedians, Debo Adebayo aka Mr Macaroni, and Maryam Akpaokagi aka Taoma.

He also listed some activists, including Adeyanju, Aisha Yesufu, Feyikemi Abudu, Olorunrinu Oduala, Pamilerin Adegoke, Japhet Omojuwa, Ayo Sogunro and others.

Following Adeyanju’s petition, the LPDC said, “Okeke of Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, is required to answer to the allegations contained in the statement/affidavit which accompanies this application and that such order be made as the committee shall think right.”

If found guilty, the LPDC may suspend the lawyer from the bar for at least one year.

#nairaland

Pastor Ashimolowo Hosts Bishop Oyedepo At His Palatial Lagos Home (Photos)

Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) in London Matthew Ashimolowo has shared pictures on social media of the visit of the presiding bishop of Living Faith Church International David Oyedepo to his abode in Lagos, Igbere TV reports.

Ashimolowo, 68, said in an Instagram post on Tuesday that it was a pleasure being with Oyedepo, 66, whom he has known for 33 years.

Oyedepo’s wife Faith accompanied her husband to the meeting which also had in attendance Hakeem Ogunniran chairman of the board of directors, Lagos Investment Co Plc (LBIC).

“Great fellowship with @davidoyedepomin @officialfaithoyedepo born out of 33 years friendship,” Ashimolowo said.

He captioned his other Instagram post on Wednesday: “A time of fellowship, fun, food and friendship with @davidoyedepomin @officialfaithoyedepo @hakeemogunniran at the Lagos palatial home of the Ashimolowo’s.”

#

Joe Biden Appoints Ron Klain As White House Chief Of Staff

Joseph R. Biden Jr. named Ron Klain, a veteran Democratic operative and a decades-long confidant, to be his White House chief of staff Wednesday evening, the first step toward putting in place his administration’s senior leadership.

Mr. Klain, a lawyer with deep experience on Capitol Hill, with advising President Barack Obama and in corporate board rooms, served as Mr. Biden’s chief of staff when he was vice president and has been seen for months as the likeliest choice to manage his team in the White House. Known for steady nerves, he also has a fierce wit, which he has frequently unleashed on President Trump on Twitter.

He was particularly critical of Mr. Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, having served as the “Ebola czar” under Mr. Obama during an outbreak of the deadly disease in his second term. A video of Mr. Klain lecturing Mr. Trump about the pandemic was widely seen during the campaign.

In a statement, Mr. Biden called Mr. Klain an “invaluable” adviser, noting in particular the work they did together during the economic crisis in 2009 and the Ebola outbreak in 2014.

#uselection

I Felt Pressured To Marry Chioma - Davido Reveals

Nigerian Afro Beats Super Star, David Adeleke, alias Davido has revealed he felt pressured to marry his fiance Chioma after she got pregnant.

In an interview with Ndani Tv, the singer who is scheduled to drop his 'A Better Time' album this month, has said after Chioma got pregnant, he felt like he was under pressure to marry her, the artiste who recently unveiled the album art for his upcoming album which features Ifeanyi, the baby who came out of his relationship with Chioma, said he was once stopped by a woman somewhere in Barcelona who warned him to make sure he marries Chioma.

He revealed he wishes to marry the Chef one day, but not anytime soon.

#davido

Timi Frank Condemns Suit Against Yesufu, Davido, Falz, Tiwa Savage, Banky-W

...Says hold Buhari, DSS responsible for any harm that befalls Nigerian celebrities

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Wednesday, condemned, in its entirety, the suit purportedly filed by an activist against 50 prominent members of the #endsars protesters at a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja.

Frank in a statement in Abuja, insisted that while the plaintiff claimed to be an activist, he has credible intelligence that the APC’s administration is behind the suit which aims to indict the peaceful protesters and pave way for their unlawful incarceration.

He called on Nigerians to hold President Muhammadu Buhari and the Department of State Services (DSS) responsible over any harm that may befall any member of the #endsars protesters, including activists and celebrities now listed in the proxy suit.

He said that the Buhari’s regime has perfected the filing of court processes by proxy by engaging gullible quasi activists as fronts to move against perceived opposition elements as evident in a similar petition to the Code of Conduct Tribunal that led to the illegal removal of the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) from office.

Nevertheless, he called on Aisha Yesufu, Folarin Falana (Falz), David Adeleke (Davido), Bankole Wellington (Banky W), Tiwa Savage, Nwankwo Kanu and Sam Adeyemi, and 43 other #endsars protesters not to be intimidated by the shenanigans of the Federal Government through the kangaroo suit.

He urged them to remain resolute in their quest to end brutality and impunity in the governance of the country, as no victory comes cheap and easy.

He urged Nigerians to pray for all #endsars protesters so as to thwart the evil machinations of the Federal Government against them.

He urged the Federal Government as they embark on this vindictive and frivolous voyage of prosecution of #endsars protesters to be mindful of recent uprisings in Mali and Sudan where security forces, backed by government, killed and arrested scores of protesters but at the end of the day the will of the people prevailed.

He wondered why the Buhari’s regime would seek to prosecute peaceful protesters who were demanding for their rights to be safe from harassment, torture and brutality in the hands of the recently disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police while killer Fulani herdsmen, bandits and Boko Haram insurgents are not being prosecuted with similar zeal.

He said that it was ironic that while the Lagos State Government has ordered the unconditional release of over 250 persons believed to have hijacked the #endsars protests to perpetrate criminal activities, the Federal Government is moving against those who protested peacefully.

According to the Bayelsa-born political activist, majority of present APC leaders including Buhari protested against the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 and 2015 but the government did not attack, harass, intimidate, arrest nor prosecute any of them like they are presently doing to peaceful #endsars protesters.

He declared that members of the Buhari administration would not escape justice at the international community even if they cloak themselves with official power to hide their excesses.

He revealed that following the ongoing witch hunt of #endsars protesters, Nigerians in Diaspora have set up a 14 member committee to identify and document properties owned by present government officials.

He said after the collation, the list would be attached to petition to the Governments of countries where such properties are located.

He said such governments would be expected to probe the sources of funding for the properties and to call for the forfeiture of those acquired illegally.

He called on Nigerians to be firm in their resolve to end looting, corruption, cruelty and impunity in the country irrespective of any act of aggression against them by the present administration.

END

Signed:
Comrade Timi Frank
Political Activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

ASSU/FG Impasse: NANS To Protest Nationwide, To Take Court Action

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has resolved to organise a nationwide mass protest to press home its demand for the immediate reopening of all universities across the country.

This is part of resolutions reached in a communique issued on Wednesday in Enugu after NANS Students’ Leaders Emergency Virtual Meeting held on Nov. 9.

The communiqué said that the continued strike was an organized crime against students’ career and educational pursuits.

It said that NANS with no hesitation declares 14-day Ultimatum for both parties (ASUU and FG) to resolve their impasse for campuses to re-open or risk Mass Protest.

According to the statement, the #endasuustrike protest will have an economic shut down as the major target.

The statement reads in part: That NANS declares the necessity of a minimum of two academic session school fees waiver for Nigerian students in both state and federal institutions in the spirit of COVID-19 palliative to ameliorate the economic effects of the lockdown occasioned by the global pandemic.

“This is to avert mass drop out of students which may increase crime and criminality among youths in the country.

“That the government has failed to prioritize education, hence the failure to deploy necessary funds for a complete overhauling of the education sector and total revitalization of university education in Nigeria.

The association noted that governments had not earmarked meaningful budgetary allocation to the sector in line with the recommendation of UNESCO 26 percent educational budgetary allocation.

According to the student body, this can be traced as the root cause of incessant strike by the Academic Staff Unions in all Nigeria tertiary institutions.

“That NANS has affirmed the perpetual and continued industrial actions by ASUU as the only tool to press home her demands as an organized crime against students’ career and educational pursuits.

“Consequently, NANS with no hesitation declares 14 days Ultimatum for both ASUU and FG to resolve their impasse for our campuses to re-open or risk Mass Protest tagged #endasuustrike Nationwide – with economic shut down as the major target.

“That while both Government and ASUU lose nothing at the end of every strike, both salaries, promotions and other emoluments among others flows uninterrupted;

“Nigerian students are the greatest losers as their career are delayed, stay on campus extended, house rent/hostel fee incurred, NYSC age limit exceeded, Federal/state job age requirement exceeded among other negative effects and impacts on general life plan of an average Nigerian student.

which are considered an act of deliberate wickedness.

“That NANS, on behalf of Nigerian students shall approach the Federal High Court to seek legal redress on ASUU and FG in demand for compensation/damages for Nigerians students’ time wastage, life plan disruption, and career delay.

“These shall include; mandatory alternative modalities for ASUU to press home her members’ demand without interrupting academic calendar.

“NYSC age limit extension, mandatory removal of age limit for Federal and State job employment, unconditional two academic sessions, school fees waiver among others respectively’’.

The statement said that the leadership of NANS, led by Comrade Chidi Ilogebe would proceed to have a press conference to address Nigeria students, the Federal Government, and ASUU on our positions and next line of action as resolved therein.

The communiqué was jointly signed by the communique drafting committee led by Mr. Salahudeen Lukman as Chairman, from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Mr. Danladi Jonah from Modibo Adama Federal University Yola, Adamawa State.

Others are Mr. Ogunsanya Rasheed, JCC Chairman Lagos, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija-Epe, Lagos State, and Mr. Nwafor Joshua, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

The rest are Mr. Adai Pius, SUG President, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), Benue State, and Rukkayya Yusuf, ABU Zaria, Kaduna State.

#asuustrike