The Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) election that produced Comrade Olawale Ajilo a.k.a. ‘Omo Baba’ as Chairman has been condemned by the former state treasurer, Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya a.k.a. MC Oluomo.
Ajilo, believed to be a loyalist of the immediate past chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, Global Excellence Online gathered, was declared the winner of the election which was keenly contested by MC Oluomo, a member of the faction alleged controlled by Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa who emerged recently as the national chairman of the union.
Baruwa and Agbede reportedly lead the two factions in the Lagos NURTW. Both of them later contested for the national championship office. While Baruwa was declared the national chairman in an open-secret ballot replacing Alhaji Najim Yasin, Agbede was elected the national deputy chairman.
Meanwhile, while Oluomo reportedly lost out in the race, a top member of the union said to be loyal to the Agbede faction, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Adekunle Lawal a.k.a. ‘Kunle Poly’, was elected as the new treasurer of the state chapter, taking over Oluomo’s former position.
Sources regaled Global Excellence Online that the MC Oluomo faction has denounced the state election that produced Ajilo as chairman and Kunle Poly as treasurer, describing it as “a sham and an exercise that can never stand.”
Attempts made by this reporter to speak to both MC Oluomo and Kunle Poly on the matter were unsuccessful.
It is recalled that, MC Oluomo, who lead the Oshodi unit of the Lagos NURTW and Kunle Poly who headed a Lagos Island unit had constantly been at loggerheads over positions in the state union.
-Biodun Fariogun
Newly elected NURTW national chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa (right) and his deputy, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede Kunle Poly, new Lagos NURTW treasurer MC Oluomo, kicked against state election that produced Ajilo and Kunle Poly
Former Aviation minister, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, has called out Yoruba for ‘retaliation’over the reported killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, 58 yearsold daughter of the leader of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, earlier Friday evening.
Mrs Olakunrin, according to the spokesman of the Yoruba socio-political group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, was killed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen at the Ore junction in Ondo State.
Fani-Kayode, in a short Twitter message, said, “This is the final straw. Yoruba must retaliate.”
-Folorunsho Hamsat
Mrs. Olakunrin, reportedly killed by Fulani herders Mr. Fani-Kayode
Nigeria’s number one seer, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele JP, has released some of the prophecies contained in his annual prophecy book, Warnings to The Nations, due for public launch in August 2019.The famous cleric and founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church based in Oke-Afa, Ejigbo, Lagos, shared the prophetic messages during a brief chat with Global Excellence on Saturday, 13th of July, 2019. Below are excerpts from the encounter…
We have said it since 2015 that the APC chairman, Adams Oshiomhole’s godson, Governor Godwin Obaseki, would fight him dirty. This was the same way I warned that Saraki should be given the PDP presidential ticket, that he was the God-chosen candidate. If he had been given ticket, it would have been a different story for PDP now.
Criticism is normal. The more I’m criticized the more I move ahead. I do not care about criticism at all. For Obaseki, it is not going be easy to fight Oshiomhole. It is a battle for which he needs God to fight. He must seek the face of God in his battle with the godfather. Let me also warn the APC people in Edo State that they must put their house in order so that they do not to give chance for the opposition to upstage them. Obaseki should not fight the battle without involving the Lord, otherwise he would be rubbished.
On the ongoing rape saga of Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA, Primate Ayodele maintains that no one has a right to condemn the young cleric, that judgment should be left to God.
“I had spoken on the COZA pastor issue. Nobody should should wear the robe of a judgein his matter. Only God can judge right in a case that involves a manof God, not the police, not the court, even the First , Aishat Buhari should keep away from the matter. The way the matter is being handled by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) where every Tom, Dick and Harry has become the judge is refreshing Christianity. This type of thing does not happen in the Islamic organization.”
“In Kogi State, it is going to be a volatile situation if APC gives the next governorship ticket to Governor Yahaya Bello. And PDP needs an aggressive candidate if it must make any impact in the Kogi election. Yahaya Bello is not the right candidate for APC in Kogi State next election. If APC does not listen to this God’s warning, it would be very difficult for the party to win the governorship election.
I foresee a crisis-ridden election and it would be characterized by violence just like it happened in the last Kano State governorship election which we also warned against ahead. I see a government of anarchy if Yahaya Bello is given the ticket again. The PDP candidate in Kano State must still push his case and not allow it to go just like that.”
Primate Ayodele, however, advised the Kogi PDP senator, Dino Melaye, against contesting for governor at this time, saying that it is not God’s time yet.
“Dino Melaye should drop his governorship ambition. I don’t see him going too far because it is not God’s time.”
The servant of God who foretold in 2012 that the ECOWAS nations would have a single currency which has just been fulfilled in 2019, also reiterated his divine message on the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition, stressing that he must heed God’s warning and hands off the dream.
“Atiku Abubakar is just wasting his time. We have kept saying this to him as a message from God. When PDP was about giving him the ticket, we warned that he was not the God-chosen candidate. Atiku should stop wasting his money in the Supreme Court case, he cannot unseat Buhari. In 2019, Nigeria needs a man like Sarah who understands politics and governance. PDP must put him forward and give the party’s structure to him. We said it before that Saraki was the ordained candidate that could unseat Buhari from power but we were criticised.”
Primate Ayodele in the latest message also foresees serious challenges for Ondo State APC governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who is seeking to have a second term. According to the cleric, “Akeredolu will face a tough battle in his reelection bid. Aggrieved power brokers within his party would come for him. He should be well prepared for the battle ahead.”
Below are some of Primate Ayodele’s fulfilled past prophecies for which he has continued to be respected among other Nigerian prophets. *Discovery of missing money in NNPC; *The reelection of Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari; *Southern Kaduna killings; *President Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term victory in Kenya; *Issuance of ECOWAS single currency; *Death of former vice president of Nigeria; Dr. Alex Ekwueme; *The loss of former vice president of Nigeria, Abubakar Atiku at the 2019 presidential poll; *Fresh outbreaks of cholera and meningitis diseases; *Defeat of PDP governorship candidate in Osun State, Demola Adeleke, by APC’s Gov. Oyetola; *Change of leadership in the ruling ANC in South Africa; *Fresh attacks on foreigners in South Africa; *Nigerian judiciary crisis; *Reelection of Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano;…and many more.
Contrary to the report on the reason for the recent purported raid by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) of a business premises reportedly owned by Senator Godswill Akpabio over alleged diversion of generators and hospital equipment, the report has been refuted in its totality by sources close to the Senator, adding that the report is totally unfounded, fabricated and baseless, as Senator Akpabio does not own any business premises in the said vicinity, or anywhere for that matter.
The fact of the matter, according to the source, is that some operatives of the ICPC led by one Mr. Tiku and the Border Community Development Agency, led by Engr. Susan, have been in communication with the contractor handling the contract for the supply of hospital equipment to Cottage Hospital, Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area, a project initiated by Senator Godswill Akpabio.
On July 9, 2019, the said officials of the ICPC and Border Community Development Agency informed an aide of Senator Akpabio that they were tracking constituency projects and would be glad to be shown to projects which Senator Akpabio has executed, a request that was received with great enthusiasm by the aide of Senator Akpabio.
Among the projects visited by the team included a fully built and completed Skills Acquisition Centre in Ikot Ekpene and the Recreation Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana. They were also shown the medical equipment and generators which were kept in a warehouse which shares the same fence with the hospital. It should, however, interest the public to know that the officials were very impressed with the execution of the projects and praised Senator Akpabio for the faithful execution of the projects, even when the full contract sums were yet to be paid. They promised to make recommendations to appropriate agency for the payment of the outstanding contract sums.
The said ICPC and Border Community Development Agency officials also visited the Cottage Hospital, Ukana where the Medical Superintendent, Dr Mary Paulinus Udoh, acknowledged receipt of the medical equipment. The Medical Superintendent, before the officials, praised Senator Akpabio for his interventions in the hospital, including the donation of a dialysis machine, and all the parties agreed that the generators should be formally handed over to the hospital on July 10,2019 by 10 am.
Senator Godswill Akpabio can hardly be faulted in the execution of constituency projects. He has initiated and completed 88 constituency projects cutting across Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and even extending the projects to the other two Senatorial Districts in Akwa Ibom State with projects in Udung Uko and Ibiono in Eket and Uyo Senatorial Districts respectively. This is unprecedented. Even though most of the projects have not been fully paid for, most of them have been completed and put to use by the benefiting communities.
The officials of the Border Community Development Agency created the impression that after the verification and tracking of the projects, they would make recommendations to appropriate agencies for the payment of the outstanding balance of the contract sums to the contractors. It therefore smacks of mischief taken too far that while the contractor as agreed by the Hospital Management was making arrangements for forklift to carry the heavy duty generators and formally hand them over to the Hospital Management, some political jobbers went to town about a purported raid and diversion of the same equipment duly acknowledged by the Management of the hospital.
The sources, therefore, urged the general public to discountenance this malicious report as fictitious, baseless and unfounded. Senator Godswill Akpabio remains committed to the welfare of the good people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District whom he had given effective representation as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the same development, it should be noted emphatically here, that constituency projects are not executed by Senators. They go through general bidding processes. Most times the Senator concerned does not even know the contractor handling any aspect of his constituency project as in the instant case. Payments are equally staggered.
The contractor used the warehouse of Senator Akpabio’s relations business premises to store the equipment pending final payment and donation by the appropriate Agency. A combined team of Border commission, ICPC and others tracking constituency projects of Senator Akpabio were shown 15kvA generating sets, one dialysis machine and accessories at the warehouse, untouched and still in crates and yet to be fully paid for. With over 60 other completed projects though huge outstanding payments, the inspectors visited only four sites and proceeded to politicize supplies not installed, but kept within a stone throw of the benefitting Cottage Hospital.
The posers her are: Why try to damage or link none supply to an excellent performer, Godswill Akpabio? Why not ask ICPC the balance of the supply contract sum? Why only Akpabio out of 109 Senators? Is the timing linked to political struggle for appointments? Let them speak to the contractor and let Senator Akpabio alone. As a Senator, he has done marvelously well, just as he did when he was a Governor!! It was even just heard that the first tranche of the payment, being 70%, was made in 2018.
Moreover, it is the job of the contractor and the Agency that awarded the job to present or donate the procured items to the beneficiaries. The Senator may or may not be invited. This is simply a case of mischief being taken too far.
The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria has rescheduled its 46th AGM/Congress scheduled to hold between Thursday, 11 July to Saturday, 13 July in Asaba, Delta State.
This decision to reschedule the programme was reached, following a near-plane crash experienced by members of the Association travelling to Asaba.
The flight, operated by Air Peace Airlines, had on board over 40 members of the Association, including industry leaders, when it took off from Lagos on Thursday, but could not land at the Asaba Airport due to the weather and other logistic issues, compelling a return to Lagos. The airline subsequently cancelled flight operations to Asaba on Thursday.
AAAN President, Mr. Ikechi Odigbo, stated that more than half of the expected delegates were on the flight, adding that the postponement of the AGM/Congress was unavoidable because the Association’s Constitution stipulates that two-thirds of members must be present for an AGM to hold. In addition, he said members had been traumatized by their experience during the aborted flight.
Mr. Odigbo said the new date and venue of the AGM/Congress the will be communicated.
Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, says it has received information that Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere chairman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has been killed by persons suspected to be herdsmen.
The spokesman for Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said this in a terse message sent to on Friday.
According to Odumakin, the 58-year-old woman was heading to Ore Junction from Akure, Ondo State, when she was attacked and shot by the herdsmen.
He said, “We have confirmed the death of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin (58), daughter of our leader, Chief Fasoranti.
“Eyewitness accounts say she died of gunshots from Fulani herdsmen who shot her at Ore junction in Ondo State earlier today.
“She was coming from Akure when the armed Fulani herdsmen came from the bush to attack her and other vehicles.
“Her domestic staff in the car with her also sustained gunshots.
“This is one death too many and a clear we-can-take-it-no-more death.”
Olufunke is the second child of 94-year-old Fasoranti to die. The elder statesman had also lost a daughter, Bunmi, some years ago.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national of leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says those blaming herdsmen for the death of Funke Olakurin, daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, do not have evidence.
Speaking when he paid a condolence visit to the family of Fasoranti in Akure, Ondo state capital, the APC leader said kidnapping is not peculiar to any ethnic group or a particular set of people.
Asked to react to the allegation that herdsmen were behind the attack, he said: “I am extremely concerned about security but I don’t want stigma. I can go through history of kidnapping and we know how it started, where it all started, there are lot of copycats, how many years ago have we faced insecurity in this country and cases of kidnapping? Is Evans a herdsman?”
Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, suspected kidnapper better known as Evans, was arrested by the police in 2017. He is still under trial.
A young Yoruba man, Adeyinka Grandson, leader of The Young Yorubas for Freedom, has said that the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, daughter of nonagenarian Afenifere leader, Pa Fasoranti, was done by a gang of assassins of Igbo extraction not Fulani herders as erouneously believed.
Adeyinka’s group is in the forefront of agitation that the Yoruba are no longer interested in the restructuring of Nigeria but seccesion.
The Young Yorubas for Freedom is an affiliate of Movement for Oduduwa Republic as well as Yoruba Liberation Command.
In a Twitter post earlier Sunday morning, Adeyinka writes; “The daughter of the Liberal Wing of the Afenifere was killed by the Igbo and not by the Fulani. An Igbo criminal gang assassinated her and blame it on the Fulani as a way to distract the Yoruba nation from the need to either return Nigeria back to the regional government or break up the country. Fasoranti’s daughter was killed by an Igbo gang and not the Fulani herdsmen. You can shout from now till tomorrow, but the solution to the incessant killings of the Yoruba citizens by the Igbo and the Fulani shall continue until we either take the Yoruba nation out of Nigeria and into the Oduduwa Republic or a return to the regional government.” -Biodun Fariogun
In fulfilment of his election promise to accelerate his administration’s development agenda, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, transmitted a list of Commissioner-designates to the House of Assembly for ratification.
The list contained twenty five names, who are to assume duty as Commissioners and Special Advisers upon ratification by the legislature.
A statement by the Governor’s Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Sanwo-Olu carefully picked the nominees based on their cognate experience in their respective professions.
The list, Akosile said, comprised names of technocrats and politicians, who understand the challenges of the state, noting that the painstaking and laborious selection process was aimed at constituting the best team that will serve Lagos in line with the agenda of his administration vision of delivering a city-state that will rank among the top most liveable cities in the world.
The statement said: “We took our time to pick the best hands for the tough job Lagosians have elected us to do. The nominees for the twenty five Commissioner and Special Adviser positions include women and men who have made their mark and at the zenith of their professional callings.’’
Governor Sanwo-Olu’ media aide stated further that the current list is first batch, saying that consultation was going on with regard to the complete number of the cabinet members.
He further disclosed that the new cabinet would be unique, because of its diversity. Quoting Governor Sanwo-Olu, he said Lagos would continue to take the lead in innovation, gender-balance and youth inclusion in the administration of the State.
“We have a blend of youth who are under 40 among nominees for Commissioners and Special Advisers. Women too are well represented in the list. We believe Lagos deserves the best and we cannot give the people anything less than that,” the statement said.
Breaking down the list of nominees, there are 17 men and eight women that will be sworn in as members of the State Executive Council. Also in keeping his promise of millennial’s inclusion, Governor Sanwo-Olu included youths who are in their early and mid-thirties in the list of nominees.
The State House of Assembly is expected to carry out a screening of the nominees to set the machinery of governance in full swing.
Prophet Samuel Abiara has advised members of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), to stand by their Pastor, Fatoyinbo amid the rape allegation against him by Busola Dakolo.
The founder of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Agbala Itura Lagos, in his statement said the COZA Founder will overcome the rape allegation and controversy it came with if he goes before God. Prophet Abiara also warned all accusers against the body of Christ and Pastor Fatoyinbo to be careful not to be judgmental and allow God to intervene Himself.
He said “Fatoyinbo will overcome if he goes before God and iron things out. I believe God will talk to him and restore him. My advice to Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo is to go to the presence of God and believe this time will pass, you will overcome.
“To his accusers, I want everybody to be very careful because God is the all- knowing. He is the true witness of what actually happened between them. The word of God says we must not judge anybody.
“This issue is not good news at all for the body of Christ. As human being, some people will be rejoicing because of this allegation. It is nothing to rejoice about. Indeed it is very sad news for all true ministers of the Gospel.
“All accusers against the body of Christ and the man of God must be careful not to be judgmental. Let God himself intervene. All accusers and those that carry fake news on social media, you must be very careful not to cause havoc in the body of Christ and the ministry of men of God.
“This is not the time to leave the church or abandon the man of God because of the entire allegations against your pastor. It is time to bring to memory how his life and ministry has been a blessing to many lives. Though it is very cloudy and stormy, I promise that the storm will soon be over. It is good to stand by your Pastor.”
Star Nigerian rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, has lost his mother, Alhaja Safurat Ajoke Ajenifuja. The deceased passed on Friday, 12th of July, 2019 at the age of 96.
In a touching tribute to his late mum who died on Friday, Eedris wrote;
“My mother, confidante, role model and prayer warrior, Alhaja Safurat Ajoke Ajenifuja has joined the saints.
One of the most indelible marks of attachment and bond between me and my mother happened while I was very young! We had a neighbour in whose house we used to watch television, which was a rare sight those days in my neighbourhood!
Late Alhaja Ajenifuja (left) and her son, Eedris
One fateful day, the owners of the house chastised me in strong words, telling me to go home and tell my father to buy a television set: I ran home feeling humiliated and abused. After a while, I ask my mother about my father whom I didn’t know, my mum burst out crying in The course of explaining this to me. I felt that I have caused my mother some untold pains and involuntarily joined her in crying!”
My mother, confidante, role model and prayer warrior, Alhaja Safurat Ajoke Ajenifuja has joined the saints.
A virtuous, prayerful, compassionate and caring Mother, a mother of all Seasons and a mother of all is gone. Alhaja transitioned into glory on Friday, July 12, 2019 at exactly 10:35 pm, aged 96.
An Abeokuta, Ogun State born and bred Amazon who teamed with the legendary Fumnilayo Anikulapo Kuti in the struggles and sexiest tax regimes of the day that necessitated the abdication of the Egba Throne by the then Oba Adewole the 2nd in 1949, Alhaja was a collosus in the areas of human rights activism and the fight for the betterment of the society!
A philanthropist of no mean repute who spent most of her life in the ancient city of Kano where she became a caring Mother to so many indigent children!
My mother who vehemently refused to be cowed by the vagaries and vicissitudes of life, having lost eight (8) out of her ten (10) biological sons, trudged on despite all in order to make me the man I am today.
She taught humility without foolishness, truthfulness without fear or favour, charitable and communal living devoid of aloofness and self adulation, unfettered love of All human kind irrespective of religious, tribal and political leanings.
My mother was a woman amongst women! She was my Pathfinder, strength and solace in the times of trouble.
When it became difficult at a point for me to continue my education, Alhaja resorted to selling pepper soup so as to aid my education; I started Soaring early enough because of her support and training.
People talk about my Fearlessness and activism without knowing that most of these attributes are in born, I practically inherited most of my legendary steadfastness from my dependable and incorruptible Mother, who was the also the most prayerful person I have ever met my life.
Alhaja, an Egba thoroughbred from Abeokuta, Ogun State, was buried according to Islamic rites on Saturday at Atan Cemetery, Akoka, Lagos State, amidst family, friends, well wishers and the clergy amongst others.
As we give thanks and Praises for a worthy life well lived to the Glory of God, I want to use this opportunity to thank and appreciate the numerous family and friends who trooped out to give my mother and rock, Alhaja Ajenifuja a worthy farewell!
May Allah reward you all with unalloyed love and guidance for standing with me and my family in this trying times.”
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo, in this open letter sent in by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, warned President Muhammadu Buhari against his perceived lackof will to deal with rising security situation in the country.
“Dear President and General Buhari,
I am constrained to write to you this open letter. I decided to make it an open letter because the issue is very weighty and must be greatly worrisome to all concerned Nigerians and that means all right-thinking Nigerians and those resident in Nigeria. Since the issue is of momentous concern to all well-meaning and all right-thinking Nigerians, it must be of great concern to you, and collective thinking and dialoguing is the best way of finding an appropriate and adequate solution to the problem. The contents of this letter, therefore, should be available to all those who can help in proffering effective solutions for the problem of insecurity in the land.
One of the spinoffs and accelerants is the misinformation and disinformation through the use of fake news. A number of articles, in recent days, have been attributed to me by some people who I believe may be seeking added credence and an attentive audience for their opinions and view-points. As you know very well, I will always boldly own what I say and disown what is put into my mouth. But the issue I am addressing here is very serious; it is the issue of life and death for all of us and for our dear country, Nigeria. This issue can no longer be ignored, treated with nonchalance, swept under the carpet or treated with cuddling glove. The issue is hitting at the foundation of our existence as Nigerians and fast eroding the root of our Nigerian community. I am very much worried and afraid that we are on the precipice and dangerously reaching a tipping point where it may no longer be possible to hold danger at bay. Without being immodest, as a Nigerian who still bears the scar of the Nigerian civil war on my body and with a son who bears the scar of fighting Boko Haram on his body, you can understand, I hope, why I am so concerned. When people are desperate and feel that they cannot have confidence in the ability of government to provide security for their lives and properties, they will take recourse to anything and everything that can guarantee their security individually and collectively.
For over ten years, for four of which you have been the captain of the ship, Boko Haram has menacingly ravaged the land and in spite of government’s claim of victory over Boko Haram, the potency and the activities of Boko Haram, where they are active, remain undiminished, putting lie to government’s claim. The recent explanation of the Chief of Army Staff for non-victory due to lack of commitment and lack of motivation on the part of troops bordering on sabotage speaks for itself. Say what you will, Boko Haram is still a daily issue of insecurity for those who are victimised, killed, maimed, kidnapped, raped, sold into slavery and forced into marriage and for children forcibly recruited into carrying bombs on them to detonate among crowds of people to cause maximum destructions and damage. And Boko Haram will not go away on the basis of sticks alone, carrots must overweigh sticks. How else do you deal with issues such as only about 50% literacy in North-East with over 70% unemployment?
Herdsmen/farmers crises and menace started with government treating the issue with cuddling glove instead of hammer. It has festered and spread. Today, it has developed into banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and killings all over the country. The unfortunate situation is that the criminality is being perceived as a ‘Fulani’ menace unleashed by Fulani elite in the different parts of the country for a number of reasons but even more unfortunately, many Nigerians and non-Nigerians who are friends of Nigeria attach vicarious responsibility to you as a Fulani elite and the current captain of the Nigeria ship. Perception may be as potent as reality at times. Whatever may be the grievances of Fulanis, if any, they need to be put out in the open and their grievances, if legitimate, be addressed; and if other ethnic groups have grievances, let them also be brought out in the open and addressed through debate and dialogue.
The main issue, if I may dare say, is poor management or mismanagement of diversity which, on the other hand, is one of our greatest and most important assets. As a result, very onerous cloud is gathering. And rain of destruction, violence, disaster and disunity can only be the outcome. Nothing should be taken for granted, the clock is ticking with the cacophony of dissatisfaction and disaffection everywhere in and outside the country. The Presidency and the Congress in the US have signalled to us to put our house in order. The House of Lords in the UK had debated the Nigerian security situation. We must understand and appreciate the significance, implication and likely consequences of such concerns and deliberations.
No one can stop hate speech, violent agitation and smouldering violent agitation if he fans the embers of hatred, disaffection and violence. It will continue to snowball until it is out of control. A stich in time saves nine, goes the old wise saying.
With the death of Funke, Chief Fasoranti’s daughter, some sympathetic Nigerian groups are saying “enough is enough”. Prof. Anya, a distinguished Nigerian merit Laureate, has this to say “We can no longer say with certainty that we have a nation”. Niger-Delta leaders, South-Eastern leaders, Middle-Belt leaders and Northern Elders Forum have not remained quiet. Different ordinary Nigerians at home and abroad are calling for different measures to address or ameliorate the situation. All the calls and cries can only continue to be ignored at the expense of Nigerian unity, if not its continued existence.
To be explicit and without equivocation, Mr. President and General, I am deeply worried about four avoidable calamities:
abandoning Nigeria into the hands of criminals who are all being suspected, rightly or wrongly, as Fulanis and terrorists of Boko Haram type;
spontaneous or planned reprisal attacks against Fulanis which may inadvertently or advertently mushroom into pogrom or Rwanda-type genocide that we did not believe could happen and yet it happened.
similar attacks against any other tribe or ethnic group anywhere in the country initiated by rumours, fears, intimidation and revenge capable of leading to pogrom;
violent uprising beginning from one section of the country and spreading quickly to other areas and leading to dismemberment of the country.
It happened to Yugoslavia not too long ago. If we do not act now, one or all of these scenarios may happen. We must pray and take effective actions at the same time. The initiative is in the hands of the President of the nation, but he cannot do it alone. In my part of the world, if you are sharpening your cutlass and a mad man comes from behind to take the cutlass from you, you need other people’s assistance to have your cutlass back without being harmed. The mad men with serious criminal intent and terrorism as core value have taken cutlass of security. The need for assistance to regain control is obviously compelling and must be embraced now.
A couple of weeks ago at a public lecture, I had said, among other things, that:
“In all these issues of mobilisation for national unity, stability, security, cooperation, development, growth and progress, there is no consensus. Like in the issue of security, government should open up discussion, debate and dialogue as part of consultation at different levels and the outcome of such deliberations should be collated to form inputs into a national conference to come up with the solution that will effectively deal with the issues and lead to rapid development, growth and progress which will give us a wholesome society and enhanced living standard and livelihood in an inclusive and shared society. It will be a national programme. We need unity of purpose and nationally accepted strategic roadmap that will not change with whims and caprices of any government. It must be owned by the citizens, people’s policy and strategy implemented by the government no matter its colour and leaning.
Some of the groups that I will suggest to be contacted are: traditional rulers, past heads of service (no matter how competent or incompetent they have been and how much they have contributed to the mess we are in), past heads of para-military organisations, private sector, civil society, community leaders particularly in the most affected areas, present and past governors, present and past local government leaders, religious leaders, past Heads of State, past intelligence chiefs, past Heads of Civil Service and relevant current and retired diplomats, members of opposition and any groups that may be deemed relevant.”
The President must be seen to be addressing this issue with utmost seriousness and with maximum dispatch and getting all hands on deck to help. If there is failure, the principal responsibility will be that of the President and no one else. We need cohesion and concentration of effort and maximum force – political, economic, social, psychological and military – to deal successfully with the menace of criminality and terrorism separately and together. Blame game among own forces must be avoided. It is debilitating and only helpful to our adversary. We cannot dither anymore. It is time to confront this threat headlong and in a manner that is holistic, inclusive and purposeful.
For the sake of Nigeria and Nigerians, I pray that God may grant you, as our President, the wisdom, the understanding, the political will and the courage to do what is right when it is right and without fear or favour. May God save, secure, protect and bless Nigeria. May He open to us a window of opportunity that we can still use to prevent the worst happening. As we say in my village, “May God forbid bad thing”.
The founder and spiritual head at INRI Evangelical Church of Christ, Ejigbo, Lagos State, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, has warned that Nigeria may not have peace unless the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly take urgent steps to arrest the situation.
The famous cleric, in a statement made available to Global Excellence on Monday morning, rebuked what he called the ‘i-don’t-care posture’ of the Buhari-led administration towards the actions of Fulani herders who attack their host communities, kill and maim with impunity, especially in the Southwest axis.
“I had warned about two years ago among other things that Buhari would fail in the area of security and that insecurity would weaken his government and make his government become unpopular among the people. I had foreseen that Nigerians were going to see hell during Buhari’s second term which are things that are happening now.
Speaking on way forward, the servant of God who foretold accurately that Nigeria’s Super Eagles team would not qualify for the final in the ongoing AFCON matches, said peace would continue to elude Nigeria under Buhari ‘except the National Assembly led by Ahmed Lawan and Gbajabiamila who are members of Buhari’s political party, APC, passed a Bill to back instant justice on these evil Fulani herdsmen and kidnappers.”
“If the Lawan senate is truly not a rubber-stamp assembly with the House of Representatives, they should pass a Bill urgently to support instant justice on Fulani attackers caught with evidence. Any kidnapper and rapist also caught, there should be an urgent law backing death sentence on them all. There must be a law to back death sentence on these evil people irrespective of whether Buhari changes his service chiefs or not. It makes one to think the government is part of this otherwise they would have taken a drastic action against it,” Ayodele stresses, warning that any other steps by the government that do not support this recommendation would only spell doom for the country.
Primate Ayodele, warns government must deal with insecurity in Nigeria or else…
The National Old Student Association of Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo has on Monday condemn the incessant killing of their fellow Olivetian, Late. Mrs Olufunke Olakunrin who was suspectedly killed by Fulani Herdsmen.
It could be recalled that the Nigeria nation received a solemn message of the death of a daughter of the Yoruba Sociocultural Group leader Pa. Reuben Fasoranti who was suspectly killed by killer herdmens in a cold blooded manner when the deceased was passing through the Benin – Ore road last week.
National Old Student Association of Olivet Baptist High School while reacting to the sad development through their President, Mr. Gbolahan Edward Labinjo regards the incident as a “sad loss” and express their condolences for their Ex Principal, Chief Reuben Fasoranti and the entire family. He said;
“On behalf of all Olivetians near and far we commiserate with our Ex Principal Chief Fasoranti and family on the untimely death of our Daughter, Sister and Class mate Funke Fasoranti, a great Olivetian. We are deeply saddened on our loss.
Words cannot express our disbelief for this loss. A vibrant Olivetian taken away at this time in very cowardly way. May Funke’s soul rest in peace.”
The association President further appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to find a lasting solution to the security issues in Nigeria and find a way to end various insurgencies occurring in the country.
“We equally take the time of our loss to appeal to the government to actively do something to diffuse the insecurity in our land , her untimely death is unwarranted in a safe secured nation.
Wether it is armed robbers or Fulani rouges, her death is uncalled for and our government from Local government , state and Federal must keep us safe.
Our appeal to President Buhari, is that it will be impossible to govern when citizens do not feel safe, and he should address the issue with Fulani herdsmen or armed robbers with a sense of purpose and urgently.
Funke we will miss you, Adieu Our dear Sister and a true Olivetian! Baba may the lord comfort you and the entire Fasoranti family”
The Access Bank UK used its’ annual Access Bank Polo Day at Guards Polo Club Windsor on Saturday 13 July to post results showing another year of outstanding international business growth. 2018 was the year that it joined the three key UK clearing systems, and collected the best African Trade Finance Bank Awards from both International Finance and CFI. All four strategic business units returned double digit growth and in only its second year of operations the importance of its investment in Dubai was demonstrated by a 200 per cent increase in income. For the eleventh year running it was able to report having no ‘non-performing loans.’
With Corporate Responsibility and exemplary Corporate Governance playing a key role in the growth of the Bank, the Polo day is the culmination of a yearlong programme, with part of its fund raising in partnership with UNICEF for education projects in northern Nigeria in particular.
A total of N350 Million was pledged during the day to build and equip 70 new classrooms, for children’s education in Northern Nigeria. Since the UNICEF/Access Bank initiative was started in 2005 it has built schools in Kaduna and, kept more than 8,000 students in continuous education.
At the same time new school blocks and a computer literacy building all in a more secure and friendly school environment have been developed. The communities surrounding the schools are being supported with bore-holes for water, and sewing and grinding machines to secure employment and stimulate economic and social development. Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai is committed to match the building programme which will see another 70 class rooms built in the coming year and another 2500 children in education.
The annual event is the climax to the high-profile Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament, and celebrates reaching out to and highlighting the plight of vulnerable children and orphans and internally displaced persons. In partnership with 5th Chukker and based in Kaduna, Nigeria, the tournament is the biggest charity polo tournament in Africa and generates funds and stimulates support for the work of the UNICEF/Access Bank initiative across Africa.
According to the Managing Director, Access Bank UK, Jamie Simmonds “we are a bank where our growth has been fueled by the strength of customer relationships. It enables us to develop innovative products and financial solutions with rather than just for our customers.
“Becoming a UK clearer is a major landmark for us and differentiates us from many of our competitors in the market place. We also manage our retail deposit offering in-house for greater control with both initiatives forming part of our strategy to future proof the bank.”
“We have offices here in the heart of the City of London, Dubai and Lagos and are building our presence in China through a representative office there.” “We invest significantly in attracting, retaining and developing professional staff in order to ensure customers always deal with an expert who is familiar with their business and personal financial needs.”
Herbert Wigwe, Chairman of The Access Bank UK Ltd, says “the successes in completing the first decade of trading for ACCESS Bank UK has been a major milestone. Growth has been sustained at the same time as earning a reputation for innovation and flexibility.”
“Together our continuing support for the Fifth Chukker -UNICEF initiative is predicated on our view of our role as a change agent in Nigeria and Africa that can help institute socio-economic development through responsible business practice, social initiatives and environmental consideration.” Wigwe added “we continue to look for ways through which more resources can be pooled towards supporting the children. We are part of the community and as such should support its wellbeing.”
Popular Nigerian actor Sam Uche-Anyamele is set to host Mykmary Fashion Show 2019. Come Saturday the 31st of August 2019, the actor will join Nigerian actress and movie producer Maureen Okpoko to co-host Mykmary fashion show taking place at Sweet Sensation Banquet Hall, Opebi roundabout, Ikeja, Lagos.
Other special guests set for Mykmary Fashion Show includes Moji Oyetayo aka Mama Ajasco, Christian Paul, Veteran Actor Hakeem Rahman, Mazi Emeka Okoye, Nollywood Actor Uncle Tommy Oyewole among others.
About Sam Uche-Anyamele, host for Mykmary Fashion Show 2019
Mazi Sam Uche-Anyamele is an award-winning actor and producer. He was in the race as the 2019 governorship candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Lagos State.
Another actor of vast credit, who in the early 2000s met most television viewers in their living room and warmed his way effortlessly into their hearts with his convincing acting run every other week as lead actor of No pain, No gain series, this Abia State-born actor said he would unleash an inclusive Lagos State development roadmap if elected into office.
Anchored on efficient and effective leadership, action, grassroots opportunities and security, Sam, an alumnus of the University of Lagos, where he is also a doctoral student, said part of his mission is to drive innovation-led economic growth to reduce the burden of taxation on Lagosians.
Born and bred in Lagos, Sam is the first of a family of six, who left Isolo Grammar School as male senior prefect. Currently the National Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Sam combines filmmaking with being an Adjunct Lecturer at the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos.
He is also the Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the institution’s Alumni Association.
About Maureen Okpoko, co-host for Mykmary Fashion Show 2019
Maureen Okpoko is a Nigerian actress and movie producer known for her role in the movie “Golden Egg” alongside Justus Esiri. Okpoko is a native of Anambra State of Nigerian and Jamaican descent.
Her father is a British trained Nigerian lawyer and judge while her mother is a British trained Jamaican nurse. She is a multi-lingual actress, she can speak English, Igbo and Patwa. She’s quite talented having served movie lovers more than enough exciting roles
Herdsmen under Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called for the immediate arrest of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
The demand of the pastoralists is in response to the open letter of the former president wherein President Muhammadu Buhari was called upon to decisively tackle the insecurity bedeviling the nation.
In his epistle, Mr Obasanjo also called for a national dialogue where ethnic groups can be open about their grievances that have led to the insecurity in the country.
In reaction, the National Secretary of the Miyetti Allah, Alhassan Saleh, called for the arrest of the former Nigerian leader saying any group which has grievances against the Nigerian State should approach the National Assembly.
Mr Saleh also said the Fulani extraction, which are often accused of spearheading insecurity, should not be blamed for unabated criminal activities.
Servant of God and senior pastor at Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle (Prof.) Johnson Suleman, has arrived Makurdi, Benue State capital city for a two-day apostolic conference.
The crusade tagged ‘Open Heavens’ is billed to hold between Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th July, 2019, and already the city is agog in anticipation of Suleman’s visit.
There are many reasons for Benue to rejoice over the servant of God’s prophetic call. First is, the fact that the cleric’s wife, Reverend Lizzy Suleman, hails from the state. Also, during the herders/farmers crisis of 2018 which left a number of its citizens displaced and at the mercy of government, Suleman remembered the state in his humanitarian activities by complementing the state government’s efforts with a donation of N5 million.
On arrival at the state, the cleric,his wife and the entourage paid a courtesy call on the governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom at the government house where he hailed the governor’s performance and endorsed his governance style of putting the people first, an attribute he says is ‘very rare among leaders in the world.’
“Many leaders would prefer to defend their seats and positions at the expense of their people in time of challenges, but you never bothered as you stood by your people. That path you took was capable of costing you a second term in office but you stood your ground,” the cleric declares, pointing out that if there was anytime Benue people needed to appreciate the governor, it is now, and he was proud of the governor and would continue to support him and people of the state through prayers and other forms of support.
Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom (second from left) receiving Apostle Suleman and wife at the government house, Makurdi
Federal Public Service workers currently earning below N30,000 will now begin to earn the new national minimum wage.
This is because President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate implementation of N30,000 for workers in that category.
The Personal Assistant to the President on New Media, Mr. Bashir Ahmad, disclosed this in a series of tweets on Tuesday evening.
According to him, Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Richard Egbule, made the announcement while addressing reporters in Abuja, on the implementation of the new national minimum wage.
Mr. Egbule explained that the commencement of the approved payment would be determined by the office of the Accountant-General.
He added that it would be backdated to when the President signed the agreement.
Mr. Egbule said the approval would take effect from April 18, 2018, and would affect the salary of government agencies under five salary structures.
President Buhari gave the approval about three months after he signed the Minimum Wage Repeal and Re-Enactment Act, 2019 into law.
His assent came barely three weeks after he received the report of the Presidential Technical Advisory Committee on the Implementation of the National Minimum Wage (PTAC).
The report was presented to the President on March 25, 2019, by the chairman of the committee and economist, Mr Bismarck Rewane.
The Act makes it compulsory for all employers across the country to pay workers a minimum of N30,000.
It, however, excludes persons employing less than 25 workers or persons in other kinds of regulated employment.
The Act gives workers the right to sue an employer to recover the balance or authorize the Minister of Labour to take action against such an employer in the event of a refusal to pay the stipulated wage.
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The confirmation follows a screening session that lasted from 11:43am to 1:18pm with senators grilling the nominee on various judicial matters and topical issues.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) had, on July 10, this year, recommended the appointment of Justice Muhammad as substantive CJN to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Following the NJC’s recommendation, President Buhari forwarded a letter, last week, to the Senate, requesting for Muhammad’s confirmation.
In the letter, titled: Appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria”, the president said the request was in accordance with Section 231 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended. Muhammad had been serving as acting CJN since January 25 this year when the then Chief Justice of Nigeria , Justice Walter Onnoghen was suspended, following false asset declaration allegation.
President Buhari, in April, extended Muhammad’s appointment as the acting CJN by three months.
