2022 - Page 119 of 134 - SocietyGazette.com

Atiku Not Fit, Too Old To Become President – Bauchi Gov

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said he told former Vice President Atiku Abubakar not to contest the 2023 presidential race.
Mohammed made the submission on Friday when a Contact and Consultation Committee he set up for his presidential ambition submitted its report to him.

The Bauchi governor said Atiku is too old and tired to lead the country, asking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain to support his ambition to become President in 2023.

The governor, however, promised to support the former vice president if he emerges the party’s flagbearer and Nigerians prefer him to other aspirants.

Mohammed said he will not give the governorship seat to hold forth, saying that he will manage the presidential campaign with the running of the state.

He, therefore, opined that all the presidential aspirants from all the sections of the country are eminently qualified, so they should be left to discuss with each other.

The governor noted that his presidential ambition has caused division in the state, stressing that Bauchi can be better if he becomes the President in 2023.

He said: “I am aware that even in Bauchi, people are divided, my elder brother, Bala Hadith, had the courage to tell me that people of Bauchi don’t want me to go to the center and I appreciate him. This is because this is the opinion of Bauchi which is the appreciation of what we are doing together. Bauchi can be better if I’m at the center.

“But certainly, we have to manage the two together (Bauchi and the Presidential campaign). I told my younger brother and my colleague (deputy governor) that he should not be happy to send me forth so that he will take over the governorship, I will do the two together.

“One of my brothers, a formidable and astute politician, Matawalle Sokoto (Aminu Tambuwal) did it before, so we are going to also test it. And I will not give (the governorship seat) to hold forth, such a big man, he will not give me back when I come back, but if he will give me, I will give it to him.

“There is no need for us to be greedy; of course, my presidency will not cause division. You can see that at the heat of the time that my elder brother, Malam Adamu was going round, we invited our elder statesman, the one that we respect so much, the Waziri Adamawa (Atiku Abubakar), we named a road after him.

“We invited him to Bauchi and we interacted and I told him that in this game, I know he’s the most senior, he’s very qualified but because of his age and fatigue that he has suffered so much for Nigeria, he should allow his younger brother to be his spare tyre not to take over just like that. But if Nigerians prefer him, I will support him. I am not too desperate but he should know that Nigerians like me too. And whatever he wants, I will do it for him, so this is our agreement, he has the highest respect from me.”

DJ Cuppy Employed As BBC Radio Presenter

BBC Radio 1 last December disclosed that DJ Cuppy will join 1xtra to host the station’s brand-new weekend Breakfast Show on Sunday.

BBC Radio while announcing the development in a statement released on their Twitter account wrote, “And, congratulations to Cuppy who will join 1Xtra to host the station’s brand-new Weekend Breakfast Show on Sundays (7 am – 11 am) from Sunday 9 January 2022! Congratulations @cuppymusic and welcome to the 1Xtra family.”

DJ Cuppy, who also confirmed her appointment with BBC through her LinkedIn, shared a picture using the logo of BBC 1Xtra as a backdrop.

She captioned the picture, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Radio Presenter at BBC!”

This is coming after DJ Cuppy revealed that her decision to cut her hair has affected her relationship.

The billionaire daughter stated that one of the issues her man has with her was because she decided to cut her hair.

She explained that women often try to fit into certain boxes so they can be accepted by others and she does not want to do that any longer.

Transfer: Barcelona Considers Signing Arsenal Striker, Aubameyang

La Liga side, Barcelona and Serie A club, Juventus have indicated interest in signining Arsenal former captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabonese has not played for the Gunners since the club manager Mikel Arteta stripped him of the captaincy following disciplinary breaches.

The North London side are now trying to offload their striker, who was signed in a £56m deal from Dortmund four years ago.

The Gunners are discussing with Barcelona and Juventus as the two clubs are interested in signing the striker on loan.

Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, has also reached out to Arsenal to sign Aubameyang and they are ready to cover his £350,000-a-week salary in full, which Barcelona and Juventus might find difficult.

It is believed that Aubameyang wants to remain in Europe so as to play at the highest level.

The Gabon striker has been left out of the travelling squad to Dubai for warm-weather training.

Fuji Singer, Saheed Osupa Bags First Degree From University Of Ibadan

Fuji singer, Akorede Babatunde Okunola popularly known as Saheed Osupa has bagged his first degree from the University of Ibadan.

Naija News understands that the 52-year-old confirmed the development on his official Instagram page on Friday, January 28.

King Saheed Osupa as he is also known, shared that he bagged a Bachelors degree in Political Science from the prestigious University.

Naija News reports that fans, colleagues in the Yoruba film industry as well as in the music industry have taken to social media to felicitate with the ace Fuji singer.

Sharing his signout photos on social media, the film actor said “You don’t have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step for the best view comes after the hardest climb!

“Signing out in style. Alihamdulilai Robil Alamin. I am grateful

“BSc Political Science in the bag. University of Ibadan!

“Recté Sapere fons!”

See more photos below:

Meanwhile, Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus is currently under fire for campaigning for the All Progressives Congress chieftain and presidential aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This is coming after the 40-year-old actress via her Snap chat shared a campaign photo of Bola Tinubu with the theme; ‘The ABAT Movement’

Naija News understands that Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor and APC leader, recently declared his presidential ambitions.

Barely a month after the public declaration, the actress has however begun her campaign for him.

Disappointed by the move, Nigerians on social media have stormed the social media page of the actress, slamming her over her choice candidate.

We Are Committed To Safety And Security In Maritime Operations – NIMASA Boss

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has reassured stakeholders and players in the maritime corridor of his commitment to concrete safety and security in the nation’s maritime industry.

Speaking to a group of journalists in Lagos on Friday, including representatives of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, Dr. Jamoh disclosed that the apex maritime regulatory agency’s commitment to safety and security were the reasons inspection of ships, which is in accordance with the safety requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, increased in 2021 by 43.6 percent.

“We have an administrative routine of surveying ships every month. It is all part of our commitment to safety and security. In year 2020, we surveyed 276 ships. But in 2021, the figures doubled. We surveyed 489 ships,” the agency boss stated.

According to the DG, the routine survey is an indication of management’s seriousness to ensure that each vessel maintains safety, pollution standards while in the ports and waters.

Dr. Jamoh added that plans are in place for the privatisation of the modular floating dockyard which has not been put into use saying that the agency would execute the privatization using the instrumentality of Public-Private Partnership, PPP. He however assured that the floating dock will be operational before the end of first quarter of 2022. He emphasized that the Nigerian Ports Authority is a co-partner in the process, with the provision of its Continental Shipyard.

“We have been undergoing this process, and the DG ICRC was here for the first certificate, telling us that privatisation of the floating dock is profitable, doable and they gave us the go-ahead to do that.

“We have also gone ahead with the Managing Partner and co partner, which is the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, with the provision of Continental Shipyard,” the maritime regulatory body said.

Ekiti 2022: Coalition Warns APC, PDP Against Unethical Standards

A coalition of Civil Society Organizations based in Ekiti State, Ekiti Democratic Movement (EDM), has warned political gladiators in the State not to be reckless as they jostle for the governorship of the State owing to the violence that erupted before and during the conduct of the primary elections of the two dominant parties in the State, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a press release issued on Thursday and signed by the Convener of the coalition, Comrade Akinola Busuyi, it stated that apart from the violence that characterized the gubernatorial primaries of the PDP on Wednesday, 26th January, 2022, the planned APC governorship primaries of Thursday, 27th January, 2022 also failed woefully in complying with democratic norms.

According to the group, “It has been reported that Governor Kayode Fayemi in his desperate bid to impose an unpopular candidate on APC members, bought over the Governorship Primary Electoral Committee led by Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State and has also used top Government functionaries to hijack the exercise”.

It was made known that contrary to democratic standards, Governor Fayemi insisted on using Government functionaries and appointees as returning officers for the election in the 16 Local Government Areas and 177 Wards across the State.

While the coalition rightly commends the APC National leadership for the adoption of direct mode of primary for governorship aspirants in Ekiti State, “we seriously take exception to the ways and manners that the process is being characterized with politics of bitterness and acrimony, violence brigandage, arson, unlawful abduction of perceived opponents, killings, maiming and undue harassment of innocent party members as well as the heating up of the polity in the desperation to get the guber ticket of the party by the gladiators.

“In his words “we make bold to say that these dastardly activities are critically threatening the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria, to the extent that the gains of the nation’s democracy may be eroded if proper care is not taken. Moreso, it is quite worrisome that Governor Kayode Fayemi who had a robust background in human rights and pro-democracy activism could perpetrate the brazen contravention of democratic principles and the ideals of fairplay and social justice despite his promises to provide a level playing field for all the contestants.

“Finally,the coalition therefore calls on the leadership of both APC and PDP, and especially the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State to ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, transparent, fair and devoid of manipulation and violence so that the popular decision of the parties are upheld.

Lagos New CP Tasks Senior Officers On Success Story

The new Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Abiodun Alabi, has charged Area Commanders, DPOs/HODs and tactical commanders to translate their long-time relationship with him to success in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Command’s spokesman, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu and made available to NAOSRE on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the new CP, Alabi charged the officers during his maiden meeting with them shortly after taking over the mantle of leadership as Commissioner of Police in the state at a brief ceremony held on 24th January, 2022 at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

The warning was informed by the believe that some officers he has known for some time now may take an undue advantage of their familiarity with him, take things for granted and abdicate their statutory duties.

The new CP said that although he cherished friendship but such friendship must not be at the detriment of diligence, result-oriented policing and quality service delivery to the people.

The CP also directed the Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to constantly engage and partner with critical stakeholders in their areas of responsibilities for effective policing.

Speaking further, the Commissioner of Police warned officers against corruption and infringement on fundamental human rights of Nigerians.

He, however, assured that he would always provide good leadership that would help them succeed in the discharge of their duties.

Breaking: Former SSG, Biodun Oyebanji Wins Ekiti APC Primary Election With Over 100,000 Votes

Mr Biodun Oyebanji has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Ekiti state.
APC conducted its primary elections in the state today to produce a flag bearer ahead of the June governorship election in the state.

Oyebanji polled 101,703 votes, while his closest challengers; Ojo Kayode had 767, Opeyemi Bamidele had 760 and Dayo Adeyeye polled 691 votes.

The results of the primary election from all the 16 LGAs in Ekiti state were announced by Governor Mohammed Badaru, chairman of the election committee, who declared Biodun Oyebanji as the winner.

Having defeated other challengers to emerge winner of the primary election, the former secretary to the state government (SSG), will be the APC’s flag bearer in the June 18 governorship election to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Naija News understands that Oyebanji has served in at least three governments since Ekiti was created in 1996 by the late Sani Abacha.

Oyebanji served as the special adviser on parliamentary affairs in the administration of Niyi Adebayo, a former governor of Ekiti.

He was chief of staff to Kayode Fayemi, the incumbent governor, in his first term.

Man Bags Life Sentence For Impregnating 15-Year-Old Daughter

The Lagos State Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on Thursday convicted and sentenced a 42-year-old man Ekpo Lawrence to life imprisonment for defiling and impregnating his 15-year-old daughter.

Justice Abiola Soladoye sentenced Lawrence after she held that the prosecution proved the ingredients of the charge of defilement beyond a reasonable doubt.

The state government had told the court that the convict committed the offence between December 2018 and June 2019 at his home in the Agege area of the state.

The prosecution had told the court that the convict, who was 39 years old when the offence was committed, defiled his 15-year-old daughter by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

In handing down her judgment, Justice Soladoye held that the evidence given by the prosecution was consistent while that of the defendant was inconsistent and manifestly unreliable, adding that the convict’s denial of the allegations was a calculated attempt to mislead the court.

“The immoral behaviour of having sex with his biological daughter is toxic, absolutely disgraceful, and an abomination contrary to the law of nature. It is morally reprehensible as it is incest,” she said.

“Where is the self-respect of this defendant? How bizarre! Having sex with his daughter obviously took away his ability to make rational decisions. He foolishly tampered with the purity and self-esteem of his child.

“I pray for inner peace for the victim to relieve her of fear and hatred for her father who sexually molested her several times so that she can deal with her pains, trials, and tribulations and go on to live a purpose-driven life.

“A father should be a trusted person in the life of a child. He was supposed to keep his child safe but betrayed her sexually; he ripped purity off her body and her soul. This is taboo and he must no doubt face the music for his morbid, sordid sexual misconduct.

“For the above-stated reasons, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment with no option of fine,” the judge held.

Justice Soladoye further directed that the convict’s name should be registered in the Sex Offenders Register as maintained by the Lagos State Government.

During the course of the trial, four witnesses, including the survivor, a medical doctor, a social worker, and a police officer testified for the prosecution while Lawrence testified solely in his defence.

The survivor, who was 17-year-old when she gave her evidence in court, said her father had on numerous occasions defiled her whenever her stepmother travels.

She said the incest came to light when she confided in a social worker in her school about her father’s actions.

Dr Maria Fadaka, of the Mirabel Center (a Sexual Assault Referral Center), said that after examining the survivor, her findings had revealed evidence of vaginal penetration and early pregnancy.

Lawrence had denied having sexual intercourse with his child claiming he was at work when the defilements allegedly took place.

Breaking: Court sends ‘Kunle Poly’, Lagos NURTW Executives To Prison

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos State, has ordered an executive of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Azeez Adekunle Lawal, popularly known as Kunle Poly, and two others to be remanded in the facility of the Nigeria Police Zonal Monitoring Unit, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan-Lagos,

The Chief Magistrate, Linda Balogun on Thursday ordered that Kunle Poly, Prince Idowu Onikoyi Johnson and Agboola Akeem Kosoko should be remanded for 30 days over the last Thursday Idumota mayhem.

The executives of the NURTW were remanded after the police’s application for remand was moved by Barrister Morufu Animashaun.

Barrister Animashaun, while urging the court to remand the three, said the application is pursuant to sections 264(1), (2), (3), (4) and (6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2021 (as amended); Section 4 and 10 of the Police Act, 2020, and sections 6(c), 35(1)(C)(5) and (7)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 199 (as amended).

He further stated that the application sought, is to enable the police to conclude an investigation of a case of threat to life and property, violence, cultism, mayhem, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, unlawful possession of firearms, conspiracy and murder against the three men.

Barrister Animashaun supported the remand application with an affidavit of 14 paragraphs, deposed to by inspector Monday Ohion.

Chief Magistrate Balogun, after listening to the submission of Barrister Animashaun, held that: “I have listened to the submission of the counsel, as well as perused the application for remand and the attached affidavit.

“I found merit in the application and it is accordingly granted. The three defendants are to be remanded in the facility of the Nigeria Police Zonal Monitoring Unit, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan-Lagos, for the next 30 days, to enable to police conclude investigation”.