Fr. Mathew Kukah, the Bishop of Sokoto diocese, was celebrated as he turned 70 on Wednesday, August 31.
A birthday celebration was held in his honor. One of the high points of the celebration was when the cleric and political commentator danced to Kizz Daniel’s hit single, ‘Buga’.
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September 1, 2022
Goodluck Jonathan
Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has warned about the country’s democracy derailing from dictatorship.
Speaking at the 70th birthday of Mathew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, in Abuja, on Wednesday August 31, Jonathan urged Nigerians not to lower their guards as this would make democracy recede into fascism.
The Ex President also called on Nigerian leaders to accommodate different views. He said;
“Obviously many people, especially our youths, are becoming increasingly disillusioned about our politics and democracy.
“However, we must remain on the democratic path because it is the only practical way of effectively managing our diversity, developing sustainably, and recording progress as a nation.
“The task before all of us is not to lower our guards lest the democracy we cherish today succumbs to threats and recedes into fascism tomorrow because there are signs.
“Looking at the states and so on, we are derailing towards quasi-fascist form of government, but democracy is not only about winning elections alone, it is about accommodation. We, as leaders at the centre and at the state levels, especially at this time when elections are coming, must accommodate different views.
“Towards this goal, we are again faced with a good opportunity of choosing our leaders as the nation prepares to go to the polls next year. Let us choose those that will take us to the desired destination and the promised land.”
Urging Nigerians not to give up, he added;
“Nigeria may not be where we want it to and should be, but we should not give up or lose hope by focusing on only the negative.
“Judging from where we are coming from since independence in 1960, we may have been moving slowly in our journey of nationhood, but it is a journey of progress, all the same.”
By Ogechi Okorie
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has extended the Ultimatum issued to organizations that operate Shelters and Homes, offering services for the purpose of the rehabilitation of trafficked persons in Nigeria to obtain operating license in accordance with the provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Control of Activities of Organisations and Centres) Regulations 2019.
In the press statement issue by the press Officer to the Agency Mr Adeyoke Vincent say the 30days extension is as a result of the intervention of a Network of Civil Society Organization Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), to allow more Organizations meet up with the deadline,
According to him,.NAPTIP had given all Tour Operators, Travel Agents and Organisations operating Shelters and Homes, for the purpose of rehabilitation of trafficked persons in Nigeria, a one-month ultimatum with effect from 29th June, 2022, to obtain clearance certificates and licenses or risk shut down and prosecution in accordance with the Agency’s extant law.
He say, the new ultimatum shall now be 60 Days with effect from Thursday 1st September, 2022 which expires on 31st October 2022.
He advise all affected persons are strongly to comply with the deadline and the Donor Community is also enjoined to take note of the extension.
Sadiya Umar Farouq
A campaign to deworm 10 million children under the school homegrown feeding programme has been kick-started by the Buhari-led federal government.
The project will be carried out by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, declared the exercise open at a training for federal and zonal officers held in Kano on Wednesday August 31.
Sadiya who was represented by the Special Assistant to the President on National Investment Programme, Muhammad Nasiru Mahmoud, said while there are 10 million beneficiaries across the 36 states, 1,225,804 Kano pupils are currently under the homegrown school feeding programme aimed at addressing the socio-economic imbalance in Nigeria through the National School Homegrown Feeding Programme.
The Minister noted that children are prone to infections, especially parasites, no matter how well a child is fed. She also said the ministry she heads in collaboration with the Ministry of Health came up with the initiative to deworm all the children under the school feeding to ensure the effectiveness of the programme.
National Social Investment Programme in Kano, Baba Aminu Zubair, on his own part said at the beginning of the programme, the number of enrollment was not so high because people were not aware but, when people saw the benefit, the numbers had increased in multitude.
He said;
“In addition, the state government is also feeding from primary four to six in the schools. From the last school census we had, we have an increase of over 700,000 pupils which currently we are working with the National Bureau for Statistics to see that this number has been translated into the programme so that they will also benefit.”
Korra Obidi, a Nigerian dancer-cum-musician has revealed that she may not be entering another romantic relationship soon.
Recall that the dancer divorced her husband Justin Dean in early 2022, with her husband alleging that she verbally abused their first child.
During a Facebook live video few days ago, she said she was back in the market while hinting at the qualities her new man must possess; one of which she said is a good sense of humor due to her job and her behavior.
Korra claimed that her doctor examined and informed her that her body is in perfect shape for an amorous relationship.
However, days after making this disclosure, the 28 year old has seemingly made a U-turn.
In a question and answer session, Korra was asked whether she would start dating soon and she gave NO as an answer.
The fan asked: “ARE YOU GOING TO START DATING ANYTIME SOON”
Replying, she wrote “NO”
Man Who Allegedly Burnt Twin Sons With Hot Knife In Delta has been Arrested By The Police
by Edit
written by Edit
A man known as Emeka Richard, has been apprehended by men of the Agbarho Division in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State for allegedly inflicting injuries on his twin sons with a hot knife in the community.
Emeka Richard was arrested on Wednesday evening.
He is currently being detained at the police station and is yet to speak.
The Delta State Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, Comrade Israel, disclosed this in a chat with our correspondent in Warri.
The middle aged man fled after he allegedly burnt his seven-year-old twin sons with a hot knife just as he attempted the murder of his ten-year-old daughter at Agbarho Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on August 29.
The popular Afrobeat artiste and songwriter, Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, who is also known as Adekunle Gold, has spoken to youths.
The singer urged young people to live their lives beautifully and responsibly.
In an interview with BBC, Adekunle said that saying life is short is flawed because it is actually long and any bad decision today would leave one with deep regrets.
He said a 20 -year- old person would have to spend 10 years before he or she reaches the age of 30, and any wrong decision made would be one they would live to regret.
The Headies Award winner said that youths should endeavour not to make crazy decisions even as they are exploring the beauty life has to offer.
The artiste went further to state that they should make the best out of their situations while living carefully.
No Going Back On Okada Ban, Violators Risks 3-years Jail Term – Government Of Lagos State
by Edit
written by Edit
The Lagos state government has stated that the ban on activities of commercial motorcyclists, (Okada riders) in some local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state has been stamped and would be fully implemented.
Speaking, during a press briefing, organised by the inter-ministerial committee on Okada ban at Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, August 31, Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, directed law enforcement agencies and security personnel to ensure the total compliance of the ban.
The commissioner said both the rider and passenger are liable to three years in prison if prosecuted, while their motorcycles will be impounded and crushed in the public view, in line with the provision of Section 46, Sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.
Oladeinde said: “Before the last briefing, we had earlier reviewed the achievements and challenges encountered by the state government through public engagement at a stakeholders forum tagged: “Okada Ban: What Next?” which was held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022.
“In line with these developments, the ministerial committee on Okada is here again to further re-emphasise, on the need for total compliance with the Okada ban as the commencement date of September 1, 2022 draws near.
“As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers who patronise these okadas stranded without any viable means of transportation, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation such as the First and Last Mile Bus Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE) and other acceptable modes of transportation to go about their daily activities.”
Recall that on August 18, 2022, the state government extended the ban on commercial motorcycles to four LGAs and five LCDAs.
The pronouncement came about three months after the governor had earlier ordered a total restriction on okada in six LGAs, including Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Apapa, as well as LCDAs under them.
The latest order on the operations of the commercial motorcyclists affects the following LGAs: Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu and Mushin, and LCDAs: Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Bariga and Odi-Olowo
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike supporters, have clapped back at the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu.
Ayu had made a statement saying Wike was a child when he and others formed the PDP.
Ayu spoke on Wednesday.
Recall that Ayu on Wednesday warned that they won’t allow children to destroy the main opposition party over their call for his resignation.
The camp of Governor Wike has been calling for Ayu’s resignation as a condition to support the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.
Ayu in an interview with BBC Hausa described people calling for his resignation as children.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, on Wednesday warned that the ‘children’ will punish Ayu and the party in 2023.
Nwuke while speaking with Leadership noted that this might happen if Ayu fails to obey the constitution of the party.
According to Nwuke, Ayu knows that he should step down with the presidential candidate of the party emerging from his zone.
Nwuke said, “There are over 40 million youths who are going to vote in the 2023 election and those are the people Ayu is calling children. It means that children will vote in this election and children may punish people like him for not keeping to the rules of engagement.
“It is amazing that a national chairman of a political party such as the PDP will make such an unguarded comment. It is a shame; it shows you how power-drunk some of these people are.
“Now, Ayu claims that he won an election, nobody is going to argue with that. He won based on the party’s constitution. What does the constitution say? I think Ayu is just trying to be clever by half. He won based on power rotation.
“I don’t know why it is difficult for him to make the sacrifice that the PDP needs now to move forward.”
The speaker of the Ogun state house of assembly, Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Oluomo was arrested at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos at about 9am, Thursday.
His arrest was in connection of financial crime surrounding the state house of assembly, which has been in the commission books for some time.
The leadership of the Commission has however kept mum over the arrest but they are expected to issue a statement shortly.
But a source within the Commission admitted that the Ogun State Speaker had been invited by the EFCC several times but failed to honour the invitations.
Oluomo has been taken to the EFCC’s Lagos office for further questioning.
Delta state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa Tuesday night said the decision by the ruling party to float a faith-based ticket for 2023 presidential election amid current challenges in the country was a betrayal of trust.
Okowa who spoke with newsmen in Kano explained that Muslim Muslim ticket should not be the way out “in a country that you have a shaky foundation, where people are getting sensitive to issues.
He said “It is unfortunate what we see in Nigerian politics today because there are so many conversations out there, people are not really looking at the reality that we have in this country, but the question is, in a fractured country where you have voices of dissent, people don’t seem to trust each other any more .”
The PDP Presidential running mate stressed:
“In a country that you have a shaky foundation, where people are getting sensitive to issues because of high level of failure of trust , if you go for a Muslim Muslim ticket that trust deficit becomes more pronounced, so there are issues”
The soft spoken Delta born politician lamented that “Unfortunately, people are just hanging on anything, they want to reach out because they want votes, even at the detriment of their faith. I don’t believe that is the right way to go.”
The Delta governor said “In a country where every man in the south east is looking at different directions, the man in the north is looking at different directions, people from the south west have a voice of their own, when you put these together, we don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that something is really wrong.”
Okowa said there are so many voices of anger expressed in several ways and distortions on the foundation, and a fraction of the foundation that hold the country together, when you see such a thing you should be frightened for Nigeria. “
The PDP stalwart who described his emergence as running mate to Atiku Abubakar as “an act of God” said, “Unfortunately, many politicians pretend to speak the truth because they want to play politics. On my part , I try not to play much politics, I try to discuss issues.”
He however cautioned politicians thus: “When you play politics you need to be cautious”.
Dr. Okowa said Atiku’s stay at the Presidency for eight years has put him ahead of others, adding that the former Vice President pocesses the right qualities to move the country forward.
He said “Atiku is somebody who has the capacity,experience, calmness, wisdom and reac across Nigeria to be able to bring people to the table, gather a team together from day one and begin to proffer solutions to issues and build confidence to restart the country again.”
He posited that “Many of those who are currently jostling for the number one job can’t fit into this because, it requires some level of experience.”
Transfer deadline: What’ll happen to me if Ronaldo remains at Man Utd – Paul Merson
written by Arabella Zikora
Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has said that he would be ‘shocked’ if Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, remains at the club beyond this summer transfer window.
Merson stated this ahead of Man United’s Premier League tie with Leicester City on Thursday.
Ronaldo, 37, is still linked with a move away from Man United as the summer transfer window approaches its end.
Ronaldo, 37, is still linked with a move away from Man United as the summer transfer window approaches its end.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is keen to compete in the UEFA Champions League, a competition Man United cannot give him this season after the Red Devils finished in the sixth position on the Premier League table last season.
The Portugal captain has recently been linked with a move to Napoli and AC Milan, respectively.
“Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t start the last two games and Manchester United have won, so I expect him to be on the bench this time around as well,” Merson said as quoted by Sportskeeda.
“His future is still not sorted and I’d be shocked if he stays at the club beyond the transfer window.”
Sky Bet Championship club Birmingham City are set to sign Nigeria forward Josh Maja from Girondins Bordeaux on a permanent deal.
Maja, according to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, will pen a five-year contract with the Blues.
The 23-year-old missed the first half of last season as a result of injury.
The Nigerian however spent the second half of the campaign with another Sky Bet Championship club, Stoke City.
Maja also once had a stint with Premier League club, Fulham.
The striker joined Bordeaux from Sunderland in 2019.
He has been capped once at the international level by Nigeria.
2023: Obi Vows To Leave Presidency If He Fails To Increase Electricity Generation
by Edit
written by Edit
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, has said he will step down as President if he fails to increase electricity generation if he wins in 2023.
He made the vow while addressing his supporters at the Beverly Hilton Los Angeles flag-off during his US speaking tour.
The Labour Party flag bearer listed countries that had doubled their power supply in a few years to include Egypt, which he recently went to understudy.
He lamented that even the president of South Africa, which produces 50,000 megawatts of electricity, had just declared a state of emergency in the sector for being too little but Nigeria, which produces a paltry 4,000 megawatts for over 200 million people, has not.
“I will increase power generation in four years. This is not a guarantee. I am saying if I don’t do it, I will leave the office,” Obi said.
The former governor of Anambra state condemned the fact that no one was held accountable, insisting that when they entered office, they reneged on what they had promised, claiming they didn’t know what it entailed.
He added that “in Nigeria, people don’t do what is expected; people do what is inspected!” He called on Nigerians in America to hold him accountable if he reneges on any of his promises.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions has disclosed that according to an investigation they carried out, there is more corruption in the civil service than in other sectors.
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Ayo Akinyelure (PDP, Ondo) while speaking in Abuja on Wednesday August 31, at a two-day workshop on Governance, Accountability, Ethics and Due Process in Public and Private Sector Establishments in Nigeria, said that civil servants are more corrupt than the political class.
Senator Akinyelure averred that for the Buhari-led administration to win its anti-graft war, it must first get rid of corruption in the civil service.
He also said that public servants spend more years in service than politicians which is why “corruption persists in the public sector.”
Akinyelure said;
“Civil servants are the masters of (governance) procedures. They spend 35 years in service; while legislators and other politicians seek for votes every four years from the people to renew their mandates.
“The contemporary Nigerian society appears to have been plague-ridden with divergent problems varying from fraud, corruption, failed contracts, failed banks, insurgency and high level of insecurity.”
Presidency reacts to Ortom’s claim that Buhari ordered Fulani herdsmen protection
written by Arabella Zikora
The presidency has reacted to Governor Samuel Ortom’s latest comment about the insecurity in Nigeria.
The Benue helmsman said a top security official informed him that President Muhammadu Buhari warned security forces not to move against violent Fulani herdsmen.
A statement on Wednesday by presidential spokesman Garba Shehu called the ridiculous claims “patently untrue”.
“If he is as brave as he claims to be, let him name names. Let him name the military personnel who told him this story’, he noted.
Shehu said despite describing himself as a child of God who believes in being lawful and respects the constitution, Ortom spread “a divisive lie”.
The presidency advised political leaders to work to bring citizens together, not risking further violence by promoting ethnic or religious division.
“The cheap, dog whistle politics behind Ortom’s falsehood are plain for all to see.”
Shehu added that Ortom is not the first politician who has attempted to sow discord amongst the people in the run-up to an election.
The aide told the governor that Nigerians do not believe his claim that top security personnel shared high-level confidential information with him.
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