Oluwasegun Adesuyi, Author at SocietyGazette.com

Why APC needs to see Rauf Aregbesola as a better option Over Tinubu In 2023

2023 is two years after now but the preparations and works going on ahead of the year makes it feel like we are moving into it next week especially for politicians.

For political leaders and parties, 2023 is not just any other year, it’s a very significant year because that is when Nigeria will be holding her next presidential election.

Leading parties, APC and PDP have been trying to test the popularity of some certain individuals to know how their acceptance feel like by the party members and the general public.

One of the parties that have been excellently doing this is the All Progressive Congress (APC), with the presentation of the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the likely candidate for the presidency in 2023.

Tinubu has also been making some moves to register his name in the minds of the crowd most especially in the northern part of Nigeria where most of the votes comes from. He held his annual colloquial lecture in Kano, was in Benue for a honorary degree, Gave huge amount of money to marketers who lost their goods to inferno in Katsina, to mention a few.

In the PDP too, Olubukola Saraki has been seen making moves to reconcile aggrieved members and leaders of the party, he has been to former President Goodluck Jonathan, the national leadership of the party, and all that. These are ways to test popularity ahead of 2023.

However, for the APC, It is a known fact that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed’s possible candidacy in 2023 has been rejected by some powerful people, He won’t be needing the acceptance of the party members alone, he needs the general public too but does he have the support of the public? I doubt this.

He has been accused of several things just because he wants to contest, and for real, some of this allegations have iota of truth in them, this ambition of his will continue to open rooms for accusations against him which might be true at the end of the day.

Tinubu, no doubt is blessed with men, He has helped people to be in power and due to this, He even has control over them, it is enough for him, why not look for another trusted fellow like him in the party? Someone who doesn’t have bad records, and one who has administrative experience?

In APC, Rauf Aregbesola is the next after Tinubu, who also has the political structure and sagacity, He has also been a governor, senator, he is a serving minister, so he has the experiences needed, just like Tinubu. Infact, I would say He has more experience in Governance that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Apart from his experiences, Rauf Aregbesola is almost a clean politician, no one can accuse him of any unpleasant thing. Why can’t the APC look at this man instead of the national leader?

Just In: NDLEA Arrest Popular Lagos Politician With Cocaine At Lagos Airport

A popular lagos politician, Asekun Kehinde Sakiru has been arrested by the NDLEA with cocaine at the muritala muhammed International airport, Lagos.

The anti-narcotics agency said the suspect had been on its wanted list following the recent arrest of some traffickers and drug seizures linked to him.

“The long arm of the law however caught up with the wanted baron at about 9.40 pm on Friday 7th May 2021 while trying to board a Virgin Atlantic airline flight to London, the United Kingdom at the Lagos airport,” the statement partly read.

“At the point of his arrest, Asekun was caught with a kilogramme of cocaine concealed in five pairs of palm slippers packed inside his suitcase.

“He has been on the wanted list of the MMIA Command of the Agency in connection to a case involving one Azeez Adeniyi Ibrahim, who was arrested with 6.45kg of cocaine in December 2020.”

According to the agency, preliminary investigation revealed that the London-based suspected drug baron is a seasoned politician.

He was at different times between 2004 and 2014 the vice-chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA. He had also contested and lost elections for the House of Representatives in 2007 and Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015.

NDLEA added, “Although he claims to be an international businessman who deals in automobiles, the investigation is yet to confirm that to be the source of his acquired wealth.

“In the course of tracking him, the sum of N131million was seized from his account and another N14 million also blocked in the account of one of his traffickers, Azeez Adeniyi Ibrahim, bringing the total sum so far recovered from him to N145 million.”

Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the MMIA Command of the Agency for resilience and dedication to duty.

Yomi Fabiyi Slams Iyabo Ojo for Slamming Him With N100M Law Suit

It was gathered that actor, Yomi Fabiyi has once again embarrassed actress, Iyabo Ojo moments after she slammed him with a N100 Million lawsuit for defamation.

Iyabo Ojo sued him because He spoke ill against her during the protest the actor organized yesterday for the release of Baba Ijesha, a veteran actor in the police net for defiling a minor.

In the placards, Yomi Fabiyi specifically told the police not to allow Iyabo Ojo and others dictate to them what they should do and that they should follow the law and release Baba Ijesha on bail.

On seeing this, Iyabo Ojo reacted with a N100 Million lawsuit against the actor who has also replied the actress.

In his response, He told Iyabo Ojo that she will not get any penny from him, and that she should rather save her money to eat and buy tiktok costumes else Lawyers will only extort her.

See his responses below

Osinbajo launch smart card factory in Lagos, first in sub-Saharan Africa

“We are rethinking our tax regimes, sorting out external and internal trade issues, getting our regulatory authorities; SON, NAFDAC, and even Customs, to see their roles more as business facilitators.”
It’s the first in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the three such cutting-edge facilities on the continent, with top prime global certifications for smart card manufacturing and it is based in Lagos, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo relished yesterday afternoon while touring SecureID company’s premises, and affirmed Nigeria’s extremely bright economic future, which he said cannot be aborted despite current challenges.

According to him, “the economic future of our nation is extremely bright. Yes, we have challenges today and they may look daunting. But let me assure you that these issues will be resolved. The march of this nation to its manifest destiny as Africa’s leading economic power will not be aborted. We are more than able to overcome.”

An impressed Mr Osinbajo said the Buhari administration in “following the recommendation of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, has determined that manufacturing will be our main focus in bringing about dynamic growth, jobs and exports. This will mean retooling our business environment for greater competitiveness, especially with the take off of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.

“We are rethinking our tax regimes, sorting out external and internal trade issues, getting our regulatory authorities; SON, NAFDAC, and even Customs, to see their roles more as business facilitators rather than policemen or revenue generators. Our environment must be friendly for local businesses first, foreign investments will follow enthusiastically.”

Commenting on the efforts of the administration to position the country as a leading economic beacon on the continent, the VP also stated that the Buhari administration was ramping up efforts in improving the country’s infrastructure and digital space.

He said, “aside from the work we are doing with other infrastructure such as rail, roads and power we are committed to a plan of democratizing broad band connectivity. Our programme, which we have reiterated in our Economic Sustainability Plan, is broadband connectivity for all by 2023.

“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy launched the National Broadband Plan which is designed to deliver data download speeds across Nigeria of a minimum 25mbps in urban areas and 10mbps in rural areas, with effective coverage available to at least 90% of the population at affordable prices by the target date. Broadband connectivity is as important as electricity in the digital age unlike electricity we do not have to make several mistakes before getting it right.”

While commending the efforts of the founder and Managing Director of SecureID, Kofo Akinkugbe, Mr Osinbajo described SecureID facility as a place of history, innovation and creativity.

He said, “This world-class manufacturing facility is reputed to be the first certified smartcard manufacturing plant in sub-Saharan Africa, the only smart card production and personalization plant in West Africa and one of only six on the continent and one of only 80 in the world.

ministers, VIPs stripped of police escort in Southeast, Southsouth

Ministers, National Assembly members, federal appointees and other Very Important Personalities (VIPs) from the Southeast and Southsouth may be stripped of police escort when travelling home due to rising attacks on security agents.

Police authorities have endorsed a signal to that effect.

The signal, which emanated from the Delta State Police Command, advised officers and men not to accompany their principals to Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states until the security situation improves.

Many police stations have come under attacks and many policemen killed.

Last weekend, gunmen killed no fewer than 12 policemen in five attacks across Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

Also last week, gunmen killed two police inspectors in Obosi police station, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, and a policeman in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

There have been other attacks on security operatives and formations in the Southeast and parts of Southsouth zones by gunmen.

The wireless message, with the reference CB: 0900/DTS/DOPS/VOL.47/812X, is entitled: “Attack on policemen, snatching of rifles by IPOB”.

The police copied the Chief Security Officer, Government House; Chief Superintendent of Police, Department of Operations, Delta Oil Producing Areas Development Commission; Delta House of Assembly; Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) annexe, among others.

The wireless message read: “Sequel to the incessant attacks on policemen and snatching of arms and ammunition by the proscribed IPOB/ESN (Eastern Security Network) elements in the Eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo States and Rivers State, COMPOL DOPS directs you warn personnel that escort of their principals to the six eastern states is suspended forthwith until the security situation improves. Ensure strict compliance, please.”

Force Public Relation Officer, Frank Mba, told our correspondent that the step was taken to save the lives of the officers and their principals from the gunmen.

Infant, Two Others Die In Ogun Gas Explosion

Three persons including an infant on Wednesday died in a gas explosion that occurred in Abeokuta, Ogun.

It was gathered that the incident occurred about 3p.m at Oke-Egunya, along NTA Road in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of the state.

According to an eyewitness account, the incident occurred when a technician was topping up gas of a faulty refrigerator at a residence in the area.

“In the process of topping up gas into the refrigerator, there was an attraction of fire from someone cooking with firewood and there came an explosion,” an eyewitness said.

Confirming the incident, the Director of Fire Service in the state, Mr. Fatai Adefala, said after receiving the distress call, his men rushed to the scene.

According to him, upon getting to the scene, we discovered it was gas explosion.

He confirmed three were burnt to death as they were caught up with the explosion.

“We received a distress call at 3:15p.m at Oke-Igbore. We learnt it was a spark of fire. On getting there, we discovered it was a gas explosion.

“What really happened was that they were cooking outside with fire and unfortunately the gas exploded.

“They were trying to top the gas in the fridge, in the process, it exploded.

“Three lives were lost, one infant was among them. For now, the bodies are still lying there. You know it was those who are living in that house that were affected. It is an ancient building,” he said.

Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, Spokesperson, Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), also confirmed the incident.

Yomi Fabiyi storms police station, gives police ultimatum to release alleged paedophile, Baba Ijesha.

Nollywood movie producer and actor, Yomi Fabiyi has stormed Panti Police station, Yaba, Lagos State to demand the release of alleged pedophile, Baba Ijesha.

Fabiyi had earlier vowed to carry out a protest if the embattled actor, Baba Ijesha real name Olanrewaju Omiyinka was not released before the early hours of today, Wednesday, May 12.

In a series of videos and photos shared via his Instagram page, the actor and a handful of protesters were spotted with placards.

According to the actor who has remained sympathetic towards Baba Ijesha since his arrest, everyone in the country deserves a fair trial.

He said the denial of any bailable offense is a violation of one’s human rights.

Baba Ijesha was arrested a couple of weeks ago for allegedly sexually molesting a minor, who is the foster daughter of his colleague, Princess.

Singer, Sound Sultan Reportedly Battles Throat Cancer

Nigerian legendary singer, Sound Sultan, is reportedly battling with a horrible disease, known as, Throat cancer. He’s currently in the US receiving treatment.

Nigerian rapper, Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan is currently battling with throat cancer in the United States of America, Sahara Reporters is reporting.

It was gathered that the artist has commenced chemotherapy in one of the hospitals in the country.

BREAKING: Two Feared Dead As Unknown Gunmen Attack Two Police Stations In Akwa Ibom

According to information gathered, the gunmen also razed Ika police station.

Two people have been feared dead after unidentified gunmen attacked a police station in Iwukem, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.

It was gathered that the gunmen also razed Ika police station.

During the two attacks, different facilities, vehicles, and other valuables were destroyed by the gunmen.

The incident comes four days after six persons — five officers and the wife of a policeman were killed following an attack on the divisional headquarters in the Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.

During the attack which took place on Saturday, vehicles were also set ablaze.

Police facilities in at least five LGAs – Essien Udim, Ika, Ini, Ikono, and now Abak – have been attacked so far in the state.

There has been a spate of attacks on security agencies in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones, which has compounded the security challenges in the two regions.

Eid-Al-Fitr: Buhari calls for joint prayers against tragic incidents of kidnapping, banditry

President Muhammadu Buhari sends his best wishes to all Nigerians and Muslims across the globe as they mark the Eid-Al-Fitr following the completion of a month of fasting.

Buhari in a message signed by him said: “On this blessed occasion, I wish that the Eid festival brings with it peace, safety, security, brotherhood and love amongst all.

“Unity and solidarity among all citizens, Muslims and Christians are imperative especially at a time when our country is faced with multiple challenges which are surmountable only when we come together as one.

“It is important that we remember how we share, through our faiths, common bonds that should serve to unite us and not allow ourselves to succumb to those who seek to divide us, using our two great religions, for their own selfish advantages.

“We should jointly pray against the tragic incidents of kidnapping and banditry and the desperate quest for political power expressed through blackmail against the existence of our country as a united entity.

“We must resist the temptation to retreat into our communities. I urge our political and religious leaders, as well as, traditional rulers to encourage our citizens to turn towards one another in love and compassion.”

According to the President, it is noteworthy and delightful to see Christians breaking fast and in some instances, extending goodwill and gifts to Muslim faithful during Ramadan.

“This model also shone through with Muslim groups joining Christian festivities. These are practices that promote brotherhood and forgiveness,” he said.

President Buhari also urges Nigerians to continue to observe all COVID-19 prevention measures and celebrate responsibly during the holidays.