President Buhari pardons 102 Biafran Soldiers, Orders Payment Of Gratuities
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the payment of gratuities to 102 pardoned ex-Biafran Soldiers.
This was revealed by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.) on Friday. Magashi disclosed that the soldiers have been captured for payment of gratuity and other emoluments by the Military Pensions Board.
Speaking at the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja, he said; “It will interest you to know that the Military Pensions Board just concluded the documentation of ex-Biafran service personnel totalling 102 who were pardoned by Mr President.”
“The war ended 51 years ago and many of those involved are no longer alive but those with genuine complaints can come forward with their claims for consideration.”
He also said payment of pension and gratuities to retired military personnel had been prompt and regular, adding that the ministry in conjunction with the Military Pensions Board conducts regular verification exercises for military pensioners to streamline and check leakages in the system.
The national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the ongoing State Congress in Oyo State.
The order was given by the Governor of Yobe State and Chairman, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni.
It was gathered that the suspension was due to the forging of documents meant for the exercise and other irregularities.
This was made known in a statement signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen John James Akpanudoedehe, on Saturday.
According to the APC leadership, the suspension became necessary to ensure credibility of the process leading to the emergence of new leaders in Oyo State.
“It has become necessary to suspend the ongoing State Congress exercise in Oyo State due to information regarding the forging of documents meant to conduct this exercise.
“The national chairman has however ordered the Oyo State Congress Committee to return to the National Secretariat for further briefing,” the statement said.
The APC leadership maintained that the ruling party will ensure a level playing ground and justice at all times.
APC is carrying out its State Congresses in 34 states across the nation, today, Saturday 16, 2021.
Afenifere Tackles Adesina For Comparing Buhari To Awolowo, Azikiwe
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere has faulted the President’s special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina for comparing his principal, Muhammadu Buhari, to Nigeria’s Independence heroes, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Adesina was reported as saying,
“I have seen the great Obafemi Awolowo. The charismatic Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik of Africa). Shehu Shagari. Amino Kano. M.K.O Abiola. Bashir Tofa, and many others in action.
“But I have not seen anyone with the kind of attraction, magnetic pull, that Muhammadu Buhari has. And that is round the country, north, and south. People swarm round him as bees do to honey.”
In a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere described the comparison as “mischievous and mistaken”, pointing out that people are only attracted to Buhari because he is the President.
According to Ajayi, “For sure – and for various reasons – a person occupying a leadership position is always an attraction anywhere in the world.
“To use the instances cited by the spokesman to gauge the popularity of the President, we can say that those who met him at the airport on his arrival from a medical trip could be in three or more categories.
“Those who genuinely wished him well and were happy to see him back. Those who were there to be really sure that the rumour of his death they heard was not true. And those who always go to any place that people gather – especially when or where a leading figure is or will be present.
“To use the crowd that gathered where President Buhari is not only as a measure of his popularity is erroneous. Admittedly, crowd-pulling can be an indicator of popularity.
“But this is not likely now given the level of mistrust that people have in governments. The mistrust that governments created over the years through its various policies of alienation and disempowerment.
“From the foregoing, it can be stated without equivocation that the majority of the crowd the spokesman talked about would be those curious to see whether their presence and prayers could make Mr President to see that they are suffering and in need of benign policies from the government.
“Comparing President Buhari to Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe therefore is not only mistaken, it is mischievous, to say the least.”
The founder of Citadel Global Community Church (formerly Latter Rain Assembly), Pastor Tunde Bakare, is currently meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Bakare, who was the running mate of the Buhari under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011, was scheduled for a 12noon meeting with the president in his office.
Despite his previous close political affiliation with President Buhari, the fiery pastor has recently been criticizing the running of his administration.
Popular Nigerian actor, director, and producer Bob-Manuel Udokwu has explained why he is not the anchor for this year’s Gulder Ultimate Search.
The reality TV show is set to commence from this Saturday, October 16, 2021, and will run till December 19, when the grand finale will hold.
The ‘Rattlesnake’ actor revealed this while having a chat with THE WHISTLER correspondent on why he is not the anchor for this year’s season.
Udokwu explained that he anchored the programme for five different seasons making him the longest anchorman of the show.
He said, “You mentioned that I’m always involved in Gulder Ultimate Search but not in this year’s show. Let set the record straight. GUS started in 2004. I became the anchor of the show in Season 4 in 2007 and anchored it for 5 out of a total of 10 years. (2004 – 2013), thus making me the longest anchorman of the show. The show is coming back this year, after seven years break.”
He explained that the organisers decided to make some changes in the presentation of the show by introducing a Task Master along with the Anchor.
However, Udokwu said that he is not totally out of the show as he will be making ‘celebrity appearances’.
“The organizers decided to make some changes in the presentation of the show by introducing a Task Master along with the Anchor. I am playing non of the roles above but I will be making celebrity appearances in this year’s show as a mark of honour. So, I’m not totally out of Gulder Ultimate Search.”
The first edition of the show was held in 2004 and it has run for eleven seasons with a celebrity edition that was aired in 2010.
The GUS series is also the very first local content reality TV program in Nigeria, and it is a survival-type reality show format where the contestants struggle against each other in the harsh terrain of the jungle in which they are camped with a balance of wits and strength.
Meanwhile, Udokwu has caused reaction among fans, after he took to his Instagram page @bobmanueludokwuofficial to post a picture of himself standing at GUS stage.
@chachukwuoma said, “Bravo, my best reality show ever no other can beat Gulder Ultimate Search for life.”
@ogemia said, “Wow, can’t wait, was thinking it was only Toke.”
“I can wait again, I love this program more than the so called BBN,” @victoriaoluchiogbonna said.
@ugbede_onuche also said, “Wow that’s interesting, sir is there any live channel for GUS?”
@ruthbrown_wills said, “Our Bobby’ is back. I’ve missed you.”
“Wow! Can’t wait to hear your voice,” @hardeyhardey_04 said.
COVID-19: Zimbabwe bans unvaccinated civil servants from work
Zimbabwe will bar unvaccinated government workers from reporting for duty from Monday as part of efforts to fight COVID-19, an official circular showed.
The southern African country has, as of Oct. 14, recorded 4,655 COVID-19-related deaths from 132,251 infections since March 2020.
Although the country was one of the first on the continent to vaccinate against COVID-19, less than 2.5 million people out of its 15 million population have been fully vaccinated.
The vaccination rate has slowed down in recent weeks, as infections decline, with the government saying it has adequate doses in store.
On Sept. 14 President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabinet ordered all government workers to get vaccinated, giving them a month to comply. Those barred from work will not get paid, according to the cabinet directive.
Coronavirus: Zimbabwe arrests 105,000 for violations of guidelines
“Please note that members who fail to produce the vaccination certificates shall not be allowed to report for duty, in an endeavour to implement (the) government’s thrust of minimising the spread and effect of the novel COVID-19 pandemic,” the Oct. 14 circular said. It was signed by health permanent secretary Jasper Chimedza and was distributed to heads of government departments and shared with reporters.
“Those who will not attend to their daily duties due to non-compliance shall be deemed to be absent from work and consequential action will be taken,” it said, referring to no pay and potential disciplinary action.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the country’s main labour body, has gone to court to challenge the government’s compulsory vaccination drive, which has also been adopted by some private businesses.
‘Leave A Legacy like Legendary Lateef Jakande’ – Nigerians slam Sanwo-Olu over costly Lagos estates
Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been advised to leave a legacy of affordable houses like the legendary Lateef Jakande.
The late journalist, an Obafemi Awolowo disciple, governed the state from 1979 to 1983 and served as Works Minister under the Sani Abacha regime.
Fondly called LKJ or Baba Kekere, he implemented free education; increased the number of primary schools from 605 to 812; secondary schools from 105 to 223; constructed Gbagada, Ikorodu General Hospitals and 20 Health Centres.
Jakande further wrote his name in gold with the construction of more than 30,000 units in 16 Low-Cost Estates in different parts of Lagos.
DAILY POST findings show the locations are in Abesan, Abule Nla, Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Dolphin, Ejigbo, Epe, Iba, Ijaiye, Ije, Iponri, Ipaja, Ikorodu, Isolo, Oke-Afa and Surulere.
After Jakande’s passing in February, Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader declared that nobody could match his record.
Thousands of citizens benefitted from Jakande’s housing infrastructure which till date provides income for the owners and shelter for accommodation seekers.
But the Lagos Building Investment Corporation (LBIC) continues to shun the maintenance of the estates which provided succor to middle and low-income earners.
Instead, successive administrations build fancy estates sold/selling for tens of millions of Naira, rates way out of reach of struggling Nigerians.
It is no longer news that the houses are mostly purchased by government officials or their fronts, businessmen/women and firms who resell or lease for a period of time.
At the commissioning of 100 units at Ikate Elegushi on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu said the project was part of measures to “increase access to the stock of available houses”.
The Bayview Estate, a joint venture between Lagos State Development and Property Corporation and Misa Limited, is situated behind Enyo Filling Station and beside Stillwaters Garden.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that it consists 68 terraces of 4 bedrooms and 32 flats of 3 bedrooms on a total land area of 23,000sqm.
“We made a promise to partner with the private sector to deliver good houses to Lagos. Bayview Estate is a further demonstration of our consistency in keeping to our promises”, he said.
Reacting to the governor’s Facebook post, citizens accused the Lagos authorities of building houses only wealthy people can afford.
Adewale Omotosho: “(The government) collect tax from the poor and build for the rich. Well done all of una!”
“God bless you sir for this affordable housing. N50m/flat. It is not too bad especially now that things have gone up”, Engr UC wrote sarcastically.
Obuh Nelson: “The elites will buy some of these structures and resell to commoners who even make an attempt to buy. When you wish to do the next one Mr Governor, let it be affordable to minimum wage earners. Then we will know you have delivered dividends of democracy like Alhaji Jakande did.”
Richard Alaribe: “Houses within and around that area is not affordable and it’s not for the masses. How could you build such houses and say you are providing affordable houses to the masses?”
Jide Mackson: “You remind us of Jakande’s sterling qualities. But, these houses are for the elites and those political class. The middle class does not have access to them.”
Adesuwa Favour: “Is it affordable to low income earners? It’s well.”
Ikay Fezzas: “The amount involved has made the houses impossible to be affordable by the low-income earners. Which promise has been fulfilled, when the middle class cannot afford it? Was the promise made to the electorates or the elites? Needless of making the commissioning public when the elites will still have it, while the electorates remain in their impoverished condition.”
Kazeem Ijaola: “Only for the rich because a civil servant earning minimum wage will never be able to afford this.”
Temitayo Badmus: “Houses you’re talking about are too high for civil servants or small shop businesses in Lagos. You’re yet to build houses for the low-income like 70,000 per month. Think about those people and stop thinking about contractors.”
Sunday Benedict: “Only for the rich people. Especially politician. When we say that we want to make things affordable, it should be in such a way that low income earners can partake.”
Seyi Ogunronbi: “They are renting the 4-bedroom in this Estate (for) N5m. How does that make it affordable housing? The people that subscribe to it are not common people.”
Ono Eme: “Can you make it affordable for a civil servant to purchase it as mortgage, not commissioning it for the rich men.”
Nwudu Austin: “Houses that government officials will buy up by themselves and be selling to the public in exorbitant prices. Same happened at Fashola estate, Igando.”
Babalola Imoleaye: “Someone said in the comment that each apartment goes for 50 million Naira. People living at Ajegunle, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu, Epe and Ilaje, who are bricklayers, electricians, welders, carpenters and teachers can now afford these affordables. When we’re through deceiving ourselves in this country, we will sit and have a rethink.”
Imoleaye advised politicians to “remember that no matter how long it takes, we will each stand before GOD to give account of how we lived on earth!”
Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi; Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal, among other dignitaries attended the Bayview Estate opening.
In May 2020, Sanwo-Olu commissioned Courtland Luxury Villas, another pricey estate also in Lagos
Hide Your Wives, Sisters, Boma BB Naija Warns As He Resorts To Live Up To His Infamous Reputation
Former BB Naija housemate and self-acclaimed Okroking, Boma Akpore has asked everyone to hide their wives, girlfriends, sisters, and even grandmas.
Boma made the statement on Instagram via a video he posted.
Recall that Naija News had reported that Boma had a fling in the house with Tega, a married woman which did not sit well with many Nigerians. Most people had condemned Boma’s actions, one of them being Cubana Chief Priest.
After leaving the house Boma had complained that he was receiving death threats and also insisted that the hatred was quite intense. However, Boma apologized to Tega’s husband and her family for the way he treated her.
The heat has not been on Boma alone as Tega had earlier cried out that she was being bullied online while also stating that she was not perfect. Few hours after making this post, Tega deactivated her Instagram account.
During her social media break, she had a sit-down with Chude Jidenowo and once again apologized for her actions in the house while maintaining that Boma and she had simply shared kisses and there was no sex involved.
With the video posted on Instagram Boma seems to have accepted how Nigerians see him and has decided to live up to his infamous reputation.
18-year-old girl made Commissioner of Information in Rivers
An 18-year old girl, Miss Sophia Oyibo Awajibene, was appointed as the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication on Tuesday.
Miss Oyibo was honoured with the position after she was declared the winner of an intensive essay competition in the state.
Sophia defeated fourteen other contestants to rise to the top of the competition.
She was subsequently declared an Ambassador of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communication.
Miss Oyibo was presented with a cash prize of N60,000 and a plaque.
The incumbent Commissioner of Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim, who vacated the seat for the secondary school leaver for 30 minutes, stated that it was imperative to encourage young people, that they can become famous and earn good reputations through hard work, honesty and integrity and not just via ‘Big Brother Nigeria’.
Nsirim said: “I got feedback that made me feel very bad about the prizes we were to give the winners. People asked, why would the prizes for an intellectual competition be N50,000, N30,000 and N20,000.
“They said, didn’t I see how much they are getting in Big Brother but that is a sad commentary about our country today, everything is monetised.”
Nsirim, however, said the ministry intends to inculcate the right values through essay competition and also showcase to the world that the right values can make someone become famous and a model to others.
Sophia Oyibo was made the Rivers state Commissioner for Information and Communication
The State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku and his Youths Development Counterpart, Prince Ohia, expressed delight at the performance of the winner, stating that education remains the bedrock of any society that desires advancement.
You Can’t Win 2023 Presidency With A Northern Candidate – Momodu Tells PDP
The founder of Ovation Media Group, Dele Momodu, says the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has a better chance of winning the 2023 presidency if it picks its presidential candidate from the South.
In a recent interview, Momodu noted that the opposition party cannot reclaim the Presidency if it fields a Northerner as its presidential candidate in 2023.
Momodu stated that the North will never get anybody who is as popular as President Muhammadu Buhari that can conveniently win elections in a long time to come.
The former presidential candidate also appealed to former vice president Atiku Abubakar not to contest in the 2023 general elections due to his age.
He said: “By 2023, Atiku would have been contesting for 30 years. I love him. He is a businessman; among all of them, he has been able to run his business successfully. But are we going to leave Buhari who is almost 80 and go to someone who is almost 80? The reason I think PDP has a better chance is that anyone who can pick a candidate from the South will definitely win.
“Contrary to the boastfulness of the northern politicians, they will never get anybody from the North who is as popular as Buhari in a long time to come. Buhari contested three times and twice he was defeated by southerners: first by Obasanjo and later by Jonathan. This is because the North’s catchment area is between North-West and North-East.
“If they say that power will not leave the North, it means that they have edged out Tinubu, they have edged out Osinbajo, they have edged out all those who rushed from their parties because they were hoping that the mantle might fall on them. You have the governor from Ebonyi, you have the governor from Cross River who jumped ship and joined the APC recently.
“My thinking is that if there will be elections, I have told my friends (Kingsley Moghalu, Omoyele Sowore) that it would take a miracle for a third force to win election in a country that is as complex and complicated as Nigeria.
“We are left with only one option. If APC is so bad that you don’t want to touch it, the only other option, for now, will be PDP, unless the party breaks up and you have a new re-alliance as it happened with the APC. Anything other than that, the two formidable parties at the national level will be APC and PDP.”
He stated that the ruling APC should be punished for mismanaging the country and creating division among the regions that make up Nigeria since taking over power in 2015.
The media mogul asked Nigerians not to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) nor any of its candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Momodu blamed President Buhari and the ruling party for the current security challenges facing the country and the economic hardship experienced by the citizens.
He said: “APC should be punished for the mismanagement of Nigeria in the last six and half years. If you fail an exam, you do not get promoted. If you fail, sometimes you can get rusticated if your results are so bad and the school gives up on you. The way Nigeria is today, we are just on the brink of collapse. Buhari has led us to the Golgotha.
“The greatest party in Nigeria is neither the APC nor the PDP. They are just formidable because they are the ones who practice politicking.
“What is needed now is someone who can bring the floaters party on board. Those are the youths. Many people don’t vote. This is because the people do not find anybody whose message resonates with them, whose face is familiar to them.“
