Nollywood star, Funke Akindele also known as Jenifa has been confirmed as the 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Lagos governorship race.
Her candidacy was confirmed on Tuesday by the Lagos governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Olajide Adediran aka Jandor in a sponsored advert.
Naija News understands Akindele defeated other aspirants including former Governorship aspirant Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour; former Senatorial candidate for Lagos East, Yeye Shobajo, another governorship aspirant, David Kolawole Vaughan known as Dakova and Engr. Teslim Balogun to clinch the slot.
It is understood that the decision was reached based on the fact that Funke Akindlele is from Ikorodu and Lagos East Senatorial District like the incumbent Deputy Governor and would be able to use her popularity to pull votes for the PDP.
Confirming the development, Akindele also posted a video on her verified Instagram page where she disclosed why she accepted the role.
“I saw it as an opportunity to help liberate and improve the wellbeing of our people, particularly the deprived youth, women and the girl child.
“My decision is not just to accept this huge responsibility but to also work tirelessly and complement Jandor’s burning desire to see our dear Lagos live up to its full potential,” she said.
Akindele will be officially unveiled as running mate to Jandor in Ikorodu later today.
The event is scheduled to hold at the residence of the apex leader of Lagos4Lagos Movement, late Mrs Adenrele Ogunsanya, Ikorodu, by 11 am.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are currently in Osogbo, the Osun State capital for the mega rally of the ruling party ahead of Saturday¡¯s governorship election.
APC governors and other party leaders are in the state to campaign for Governor Gboyega Oyetola¡¯s reelection.
The rally is scheduled to hold at the Osogbo Township Stadium.
In a statement on Monday, the Grand Rally Reception Planning Committee, Funke Egbemode, said the rally was not just a gathering of party faithful, but also of lovers of democracy and good governance.
The statement reads in part: ¡°Leaders and chieftains of the APC, including the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, members of the central working committee, national campaign council, APC governors and other national and regional structures of the party are expected at the rally in support of Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the party¡¯s candidate in the Osun governorship election.
¡°We trust that members of the APC will show the formidable strength and decorum the party is known for, even as we implore all residents and citizens of Osun to come out en-masse and in public acclamation of their overwhelming support for the APC candidate.¡±
Oyetola will on Saturday battle Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party and Hon. Yusuf Lasun of Labour Party and others in the election.
Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, one of Africa’s largest foods, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure companies, has been re-appointed as President of the France Nigeria Business Council by President Emmanuel Macron of France.
This was announced at the July 2022 Meeting of the France Nigeria Business Council held in Paris. Addressing the council, Abdul Samad Rabiu thanked members for coming and remarked that it was a personal honour for him to be a part of the France Nigeria Business Council, and also a privilege to serve as the pioneer President of the Council which was inaugurated just over a year ago and now, be reappointed as President.
He also thanked President Macron for his support and, for reappointing him as well as Jean Haas of Relais (France) as President of the Council, and Head of the Secretariat respectively.The France Nigeria Business Council brings together the top businesses in Nigeria and France with a goal of improving business relations between Nigeria and France whilst ensuring routine cooperation that will bring about immense economic benefits for both countries. French members of the council include the Global Chief Executives of Total Energies, Dassault, Axens, Accor, CMA, amongst others and on the Nigerian side, Dr Mike Adenuga of Globacom & Conoil, Jim Ovia of Zenith Bank, Gilbert Chagoury of Chagoury Group, Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group, Tony Elumelu of UBA, Heirs Holdings and Tony Elumelu Foundation, Dr. Herbert Wigwe of Access Bank Group, Dr. Philip Mshelbila of NLNG, Sen. Daisy Danjuma of Sapetro and May & Baker, and Abdul Samad Rabiu of BUA Group & the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) who is the current president. Speaking further, Abdul Samad Rabiu praised the progress that has been made by the France Nigeria Business Council since its inauguration and the commitment of members – despite slow global recovery, in pushing forward with various partnerships. These include plans by some of Nigeria’s biggest banks to set up subsidiaries in France, and BUA’s partnership with Axens of France to build a 200,000bpd refinery in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria amongst other key projects by members. Abdul Samad also encouraged members of this council to keep seeking for partnership opportunities, whilst planning, working together and adding value to each other so that successes already being created can be escalated for the mutual economic benefit of Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy and, France – a global economic leader. It is also expected that Rabiu’s current tenure will see the creation of working sub-committees and sectoral groups to enhance the council’s effectiveness.
The family of late Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and comedian, Sound Sultan, have announced their plan to release the last album the singer was working on before he was taken by death.
Recall that Olanrewaju Fasasi (Sound Sultan) died on July 11, 2022, in the United States. The entertainer who was regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern Hip hop music in Nigeria passed on at the age of 44 after a battle with throat cancer.
Today, however, marked Sound Sultan’s first anniversary since his departure from the earth and his family has decided to commemorate the event by releasing the last project he was working on before his sad departure.
Naija News understands that the listening party for the album, Reality CHQ, was held across three cities on Sunday night.
A part of the event was held in New York, London while another was held in the Victoria Island area of Lagos, Nigeria.
Giving an update on the events, Sound Sultan’s brother, Baba Dee in a video on the late singer’s Instagram page said the album was a special project.
“LONDON VENUE …Reality Chq album listening and 1st-year remembrance of SOUND SULTAN. Come and listen to Sultans conscious music and pay tribute to our legendary icon,” Baba Dee wrote in one of the posts.
He said in another, “We are having the one-year remembrance of Sound Sultan, the great iconic Nigerian singer and we are having his official listening party for the album, Reality CHQ.
“This was the album Sound Sultan was working on before he answered the call of the Almighty. This is a very special project.
“I promised myself this project will come out and people will get to hear the voice of Sound Sultan and it’s coming out on the 11th of July.”
Prominent lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has rejected the selection of former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima as the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice-presidential candidate.
Adegoruwa in a statement on Sunday was reacting to the announcement of Shettima as the running mate to the APC presidential flagbearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is fuel for Boko Haram and an incentive for the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.
He added that the ticket is a call for terrorism to thrive more in the country, describing it as a terrible choice and a way to insult the citizens’ sensibilities.
Adegboruwa, however, called on Nigerians in respect of their faith to reject APC with their votes in the 2023 presidential election.
He said: “Nigerians, whether Muslims, Christians, Traditionalists, should reject APC with their votes come 2023 because a Muslim-Muslim ticket in present-day Nigeria is fuel for Boko Haram, the incentive for ISWAP and a call for terrorism to thrive more.
“Unless of course, those parading the ticket are themselves complicit. There is no better way to insult our sensibilities. I pray it is not true.”
Meanwhile, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has said the selection of former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shatimma as Bola Tinubu’s running mate, will guarantee the victory of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the 2023 general elections.
Despite being among those who the APC Southern governors had nominated for the VP slot, Ganduje congratulated Senator Shetima for clinching the position of the vice-presidential candidate of the party.
Ganduje in a statement issued by the commissioner for information, Malam Muhammad Garba, described Shettima as highly quick-witted and prepared for the office of the vice president.
He noted that Shettima played a significant role in bringing attention to his qualification, ability, and expertise during the pre-presidential primary campaign because they share common experiences.
The Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr Matthew Kukah, has reacted after the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu picked Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Tinubu had on Sunday confirmed the selection of the former Governor of Borno as his running mate during an interview with journalists after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.
Naija News understands that the announcement was received with a barrage of reactions as Tinubu chose to go with a Muslim-Muslim ticket despite several admonitions by concerned bodies to consider a Muslim-Christian ticket.
Prior to the development, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had vehemently rejected the idea of a single-faith-ticket, urging political parties to focus more on competence than sentiment.
Tinubu, who ended with a Muslim-Muslim ticket has, however, defended his reasons for not picking a Christian as his running mate.
Speaking on the development in an interview with The Punch, Kukah stated that Tinubu chose Shettima because he thinks the lawmaker will give him a fair chance in the 2023 presidential election.
Kukah asserted that he is not worried over the choice of the former Borno Governor as the vice presidential candidate of the ruling party, adding that Tinubu was free to pick whoever he wanted.
He stated that it was up to Nigerians to decide if they want a Muslim-Muslim President and Vice-President or not.
He said, “This is what you call team selection and everybody will choose depending on what they think will give them a fair chance. So people will take responsibility for the choices they have made. For me, it is not something to lose sleep over.
“If people feel unhappy with the kind of choices that have been made, that is why we are democrats, you can’t force it. We outsiders cannot force a choice of any candidate. It is now left for you to look at the choices that have been made. And there is no guarantee that all Christians will vote for Christians and all Muslims will vote for Muslims.”
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu confirmed former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2023 election.
A source had confidentially confirmed to Vanguard earlier that Tinubu ahead of the Friday deadline by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu resolved to pick Senator Shettima to run a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Naija News reports that Tinubu had earlier submitted the name of Alhaji Kabiru Masari to INEC as a placeholder. There has been pressure since then on the former governor of Lagos State to consider picking a Christian as his running mate.
Speculations, however, ended on Sunday (today) after Tinubu arrived in Daura, Katsina State to pay homage to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Tinubu while briefing the press upon his arrival, said Masari has agreed to step down and Shettima is now confirmed as his standard-running-mate.
Naija News understands that President Buhari has been in Daura since Friday to celebrate the 2022 Eid-el Kabir festive with his extended family.
Eid el Kabir: Lagos Remains Safe, Speaker Obasa Says
– Promises more laws to protect residents
– Preaches love, religious tolerance among Lagosians
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa of the Lagos State House of Assembly has described the State as the relatively safest part of Nigeria adding that this feat was recorded following conscious steps by successive governments since 1999.
Dr Obasa said this on Friday in a congratulatory message to Muslims as they mark this year’s Eid-el Kabir.
The Speaker noted that the celebration affords Muslims a conscious effort to show love, sacrifice for one another and ensure a peaceful environment that should continue even after the period.
According to the Speaker, the peace enjoyed by Lagos residents and investors is the result of the passion of those in government to make the state habitable at all times.
“In relation to safety of lives and property, Lagos remains a shinning light, a good example of a government that works for its people. With all the arms of governmeent working together, we have achieved great feats in the area of security.
“Your representatives at the House of Assembly have never shied away from the task of making our dear state attractive and better for its residents. We have made laws and passed resolutions that have helped in this regard.
“The creation of the Neighborhood Safety Corps and other related agencies, the anti-kidnapping and the anti-cultism laws which prescribe serious punishments as well as our review of the criminal justice law of the State are perfect examples of our resolve to always ensure pro-people activities at the House.
“We are encouraged by the feedbacks we constantly receive from both residents of our state and our colleagues in many parts of Africa. We will continue to make Lagos a success,” Obasa said in the statement released by Eromosele Ebhomele, his Chief Press Secretary.
Thanking the residents of the State for being tolerant of one another irrespective of individual religious beliefs, he urged them not to relent in spreading love.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
AIG Assures Hitch Free Sallah Celebrations As NAOSRE President Scores Military Low On Security
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, comprising Lagos and Ogun States, AIG Adeleke Adeyinka Bode, has charged Commissioners of Police in-charge of the two States to be proactive in the discharge of their duties in the protection of life and property during and after the 2022 Eid-el- Kabir celebrations
The instruction is contained in a statement signed by SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu, Zone 2 Police Public Relations Officer which was made available to the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE.
The statement added that the Zone 2 AIG has also deployed officers and men of Anti-Cultism Section (ACS), Rapid Response Squad (RRS),Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), Quick Intervention Unit (QIU), Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD),Counter Terrorists Unit (CTU),Police Mobile Force (PMF),Special Protection Unit (SPU),State/Divisional Motor Traffic Department (MTD) including Safer Highway Operatives and all patrol and guard officers to beef up security around worship centres, market places, business plazas, highways, relaxation centres, amusement parks, motor parks, shopping malls, recreation centres, remote and rural areas to ensure free flow of traffic as well as safer environment for the celebrations.
In his goodwill message, the president, National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, Comrade Femi Oyewale rejoiced with Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-al-Adha celebrations, urging Nigerians to continue on the path of spirituality and peaceful co-existence.
He explained that the commitment of NAOSRE members at ensuring cordiality between security agencies and citizens, using their various blogs to publicize the activities of security operatives has be encouraging.
He therefore urged excos and members of the frontline security media association to imbibe the lessons of the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim and work for the unity, peace and security of Nigeria.
“This Islamic festival is a symbolic reminder to us that there will always be great rewards when we have abiding faith and patience in our beloved country Nigeria.
“Therefore, we must always strive to imbibe the patience and perseverance of Prophet Ibrahim, who held on tenaciously to his faith in Allah despite difficulties,” the NAOSRE President advised.
Oyewale however, frowns at the recurring phenomenon of insecurity that threatens and undeservingly plagues Nigeria into disquiet.
He noted that the issue of insecurity in Nigeria has become something of grave concern to all well-meaning citizens most of who continue to wonder how the country arrived at such a dastardly situation where no one is safe.
He expressed concerns that rather than abate, the problem is escalating and now totally out of control despite NAOSRE’s patriotic efforts at shoring citizens’ confidence in security operatives.
Oyewale wondered about the continued loss of confidence in Nigeria by investors who are denied exercising the constitutional privileges of going about their lawful business pursuits on daily basis.
“Across the 36 States in Nigeria, armed robbery, kidnapping, domestic crime, extrajudicial killings, herder-farmer conflicts, ritual killings and banditry have supported the growing level of insecurity and consequently retarded the country’s economic growth in the long and short terms overview.
“For the avoidance of doubt, about 1,743 Nigerians have been killed in Q1 of 2022 with Niger and Zamfara States topping the list of victims.
“Besides, as of June 1, 2022, the records of NAOSRE’s Intelligent and Research Unit, IRU, indicate that more than 35,000 human beings, residing in Nigeria have been killed since 2009 when Boko Haram launched its insurgency aimed at overthrowing Nigeria’s secular government and establishing an Islamic state.
“Yet, here is a country with about 223,000 active personnel in its Armed Forces. In addition to this statistics is the annual Global Firepower, GFP 2022 reports which ranks Nigeria, in its Power Index {PwrIndx} as 35 out of the 142 countries. The reports rated Nigeria on its 0.5745 scores which is considered good,” Oyewale stated.
But the NAOSRE President noted that in the face of all this, the country is structurally enmeshed in both vertical and horizontal crises of insecurity saying that the sheer audacity of untrained bandits to always overrun trained military personnel is worrisome.
Specifically, Oyewale emphasized that the unchallenged attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria on July 5, in which about 879 inmates reportedly escaped is the final statement that military operatives’ intervention and rescue duties have nosedived and Nigeria’s security system is all-time low.
“It makes mockery of military operatives’ celebrated gallantry at combating insurgency. This development has jeopardized the country’s economy even with approved 2022 budgetary spending of a whopping N1.52 billion on security operations,” Oyewale lamented.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, and other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday paid a visit to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State was among the APC leaders that visited the governor, with former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose also present.
The APC leaders met with Wike at the private residence of the Rivers State governor in Port Harcourt.
The details of the closed-door meeting are not yet known, but it may not be unconnected with the 2023 presidential election.
Wike and his allies have been at loggerheads with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the decision to pick Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as the running mate of the party¡¯s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Following that decision, Wike and his loyalists, which include Governor Samuel Ortom, Governor Seyi Makinde, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Jonah Jang, and others, have called for the resignation of the PDP national chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Executive Governor of Rivers State just received Gov. Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Gov. Akeredolu of Ondo State, Gov. Fayemi of Ekiti State and other APC Chieftains for a meeting at his country home in Rumuepirikom, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. pic.twitter.com/FddKCMG4St
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