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Stop The Rumour …Ahmed Halilu is the Right Man for The Job

A clear and meticulous choice for this sensitive position, Ahmed Halilu‘s appointment as Executive Director of The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting checks all boxes.

Considering the amount of experience he had acquired over the years, this indeed is a golden choice.

However, naysayers had taken to the hill and beyond to downplay his competence. Hoping that invented propaganda to smear his career in order to score points will overshadow everything he had done to merit this meritorious milestone.

It is unambiguous but daunting nonetheless to see the facade behind the trolls. When a son of the soil attains certain height, of course some spectators will have different views. But make no mistake, for many reasons, the former manager at Zenith Bank deserves his job at NSPM.

More than fastidious, to say the least, is to allege as well as pin a political undertone to this worthy milestone.

Mr. Halilu, a professional banker, has master’s degree in business administration from Ahmadu Bello University in 2001. He returned to the same institution in 2008 to earn another Master’s degree in international affairs and diplomacy.

He had earned several other professional and diploma certifications that proved his wealth of knowledge.

His managerial experience is not in question considering his 15 years of managerial and financial portfolio. His first working experience post-nysc in 1992 was at African International Bank at Kano State.

Ahmed Halilu would thereafter become a deputy manager in charge of Foreign Exchange department in 1998.

Furthermore, his earliest managerial position was his two-year stint at CBN Kaduna Branch as the manager in charge of Corporate Banking Loans and Advances Recovery.

A transformative and visionary leader like the fufore-born product of prestigious ABU is deserving of this job. Also, considering that he had garnered admirable and decade-long experience in the financial sector, he is a good fit.

In his long career as a financial expert, he had attended not less than 17 high-value courses. It is unfair to overlook all these achievements and focus on the fact that he is President Muhammadu Buhari’s in law, insinuating that that is the only yardstick for his appointment. Again, it is an unjust assumption which can only be purported by mischief makers.

Princess Aminat Elegushi offers free medical outreach to Eti-osa indigenes

Princess Aminat Elegushi with some recipients

In an effort to make healthcare accessible to Nigerians and improve health conditions of her immediate communities, Princess Aminat Elegushi through her non-governmental organization; PAE Foundation recently concluded a three-day free medical outreach to people living in Eti-Osa and its environs.

The medical outreach which Princess Aminat Elegushi foundation is holding in collaboration with Eti-Osa Indigenous Students Association, commenced on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at Gbara Junior Secondary School in Gbara, Eli-Osa LGA which afford residents of Eti-Osa free medical consultancy services.
At the Gbara Community School, scores of indegenes and residents were tested and checked in different areas like cancer Screening, HIV Screening/Counseling, HIV Test, Malaria Test, Hypertension Test, Hepatitis Test, Tuberculosis Test, Drugs, Covid-19 vaccines and refractive errors in the eyes.

According to the founder of the foundation and convener, Princess Aminat Elegushi who is the chief executive officer and publisher of the Eti-Osa Newspaper, a bi-monthly community magazine published solely dedicated to projecting the beauty, culture, heritage and anesthetics of the community Eti-Osa, said the aim of the medical outreach is to allow the teeming residents and indigenes receive free medical consultancies in the local government area which according to her, accounts for forty percent of revenue of entire Lagos.

Princess Elegushi said, “As a proud Indigene of this community, it pleases me to hold this medical outreach here where I am from. I salute the royal fathers, dignitaries and local government Chairman. We are rendering these medical services because health is wealth and our people deserve the best.

She announced that in addition to the free medical services available during the three-day program, a hundred persons will have the opportunity of receiving a year medical consultancy from the state clinics.

Dr. Tunde Ajayi, the Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health commended Elegushi for the initiative, saying that it would in no small way make people conscious of their health, particularly the insurance aspect of the mission.

“You see, insurance is paramount on the list of services you must subscribe to in any environment at all and bringing insurance here is an amazing thing, it’s super amazing.

“So, I would like to commend her again, more grease to her elbow, and obviously encourage more people who are able to bring innovative and key interventions like this to the community they came from,” he said.

Olasupo Adedimeji, the National President of Eti-Osa Indigenous Students’ Association, also a partner of the medical outreach, urged the people to keep their environment clean to prevent getting infected with diseases.

A beneficiary, Mr Hakeem Aribidesi commended the initiative, saying it had always been part of what the indigenes wanted. Another beneficiary, Taibat Ariyo, a petty trader, also commended the foundation and the health personnel for the free health services rendered.
Other destinations for the medical outreach are Baale of Badoore Palace and the Iru/Victoria Island LCDA, EtiOsa, Lagos.

Popular Nigerian Gospel Artist Reacts After Escaping Ghastly Motor Crash

Nigerian gospel music minister, Dunsin Oyekan, has spoken out after he and his crew came out of a car accident alive.

The crash was said to have happened along the Lagos/Ibadan expressway on Saturday.

He was on his way to Sword of the Spirit Ministries program organized in Ibadan by Bishop Francis Wale Oke.

Arriving on stage at the church, Oyekan said his escape was a miracle.

“If you saw the accident scene that I came out of, you can never believe that I walked out of that alive. The jeep must have gone under the trailer; so if you are looking for a miracle, this is a miracle standing here!”

Taking to his Facebook page on Saturday, Oyekan told his fans that he was perfectly okay.

Yemi Osinbajo Meets U.S. VP Kamala Harris

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday met with his counterpart from the United States, Kamala Harris, at the White House in Washington D.C.
Both leaders met to discuss on mutual interests of the two countries.

Speaking at the parley, Osinbajo said both countries must continue to work together at the bilateral and multilateral levels to address common global challenges, promote peace and security, tackle pandemics, climate change, and economic adversity.

“It was truly a pleasure to meet with Vice-President Kamala Harris to discuss Nigeria’s #EnergyTransition Plan and other interests between our governments,” Osinbajo

“In addition to a shared commitment to democracy, both countries must continue to work together at the bilateral and multilateral levels to address common global challenges, promote peace and security, tackle pandemics, climate change, and economic adversity. Thank you for receiving me at the @whitehouse.”

On her part, Kamala Harris stated that African leadership, and in particular, Nigeria’s leadership was key to confronting regional and global challenges.

“It was great to meet with Vice President Osinbajo of Nigeria today to discuss strengthening the relationship between the United States and Nigeria,” she added.

She commended Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plaan (ETP) under Osinbajo’s leadership, saying “I have no question that they-ETP goals-would be achieved,” Harris said.

We Brought You From Gutter To Be PDP Chairman – Wike Replies Ayu

In his usual style, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has come down hard on the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, warning the former Senate President not be an ingrate as he was brought from the gutter to become the party’s National Chairman.

Wike was speaking on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

What Ayu Said

Ayu, who many political analysts have described as “a spent force who was in political limbo” had granted an interview to BBC Hausa on Wednesday after the reception for former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekau, who re-joined the PDP.

He had emerged Chairman after a long absence from the political space. Wike was credited with his emergence after an official visit to the state when it was concluded that Uche Secondus would go as the party’s National Chairman.

He alongside the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, pushed for his emergence, which worked.

Ayu said, “When we started the PDP journey, we did not see these children. They are children who do not know why we established this party,” he had said.

“We will not allow one person to come and destroy our party.”

Wike’s Reply

But as he is wont to do, the governor replied Ayu while inaugurating roads in Ikwerre LGA of the state, warning Ayu that he should not be an ingrate.

“You can imagine what power can do. You can imagine how ingratitude — how people can be ingrates in their lives,” Wike said.

“I thought as a chairman of a party who wants to win elections, your business is to bring peace to your party; your business is not to divide your party. Your business is not to show arrogance to your party.

“Yes, the children brought you to be chairman of the party. The children brought you from the gutter to make you chairman.

“Ayu, you were impeached as senate president. Ayu, you were sacked by Obasanjo in his administration. Arrogance cannot take you anywhere.

“Now, we have seen that you don’t want the party to win the election. We will help you.

“These children — these people you call boys — brought you from nothing.”

He accused Ayu of sitting pretty as chairman because of the billions of naira in the PDP coffers which were made from the sale of forms during the party’s primary elections.

PDP Crisis

The crisis in the PDP began after the conclusion of the presidential primary election and the selection of Vice Presidential Candidate.

While Wike had emerged second to the presidential standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar, in the May election, he expected to be chosen as the running mate.

Atiku settled for Ifeanyi Okowa, the Delta State governor, by overruling the decision of the selection committee set up by the party.

The crisis has festered with war of words complicating the already difficult situation, which has stopped the setting up of the PDP Campaign Council.

Gospel Singer, Yinka Ayefele Allegedly Punched By NSCDC Officer

Popular Nigerian gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele has been allegedly assaulted by an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ekiti State.

Ayefele was said to have been punched on his lips by a yet-to-be-identified officer during an altercation between them.

Sources told journalists in Ado Ekiti, that the security agent also threatened to shoot the Ipoti Ekiti-born singer after resisting his forceful attempt to take money from Ayefele’s car.

One of the eyewitnesses said, “The incident occurred in Iloro Ekiti, where he (Ayefele) came to entertain guests at an event. The officer had made an attempt to take money from his car but when Ayefele resisted him, he thereafter punched the singer in the mouth.

“When the singer called his security detail to stop him he also threatened to shoot him before the intervention of his colleagues.

“This assault on the highly respected music producer is condemnable, the matter should be investigated and justice served”.

When contacted, Mr Ayefele confirmed the physical assault on him by the NSCDC officer.

The founder of Fresh FM Nigeria said, “I was moving out in my car after entertaining guests, the officer suddenly dipped his hand into my car to take my money but I resisted him and told him what he did was very wrong.

“That was how he gave me a punch on my mouth, I had cut on my lips and blood started gushing out. When I called my security detail to hold him he stood in the front of my car corking his rifle and threatening to shoot me.

“At that point, his colleagues came and I explained what he did to them. While trying to shield him, they also accused me of fighting them, that I am a public figure and I don’t want to give them something? I said if I didn’t want to give him something, I wouldn’t have stopped, wind down my car. I have settled the area boys and others. I wept profusely, because they did this to me because I am physically challenged.

“They later brought the guy who came to collect money for the area boys who was said to have been beaten while trying to take the money away. He told me how he was beaten and attacked with sharp objects just to frame me up but I have put my lawyer in the know”.

BREAKING! EFCC Arrests Ogun State House Of Assembly Speaker

Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, has been arrested by the anti-graft agency, the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over allegations of offences bordering on financial crimes.
He was picked up this morning at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by operatives following a tip off.

At press time, he was undergoing further grilling in the custody of the agency.

A source at the EFCC said he had been invited several times but failed to honour the invitation

Details soon…

Kwankwaso Disgraced With Sachets Of Water In Kogi

Suspected hoodlums on Wednesday pelted the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, with sachets of water while on a visit to Kogi State.

Kwankwaso was in Lokoja, the state capital to inaugurate the party’s secretariat and his campaign offices.

On getting to a popular hotel where he was meant to address his supporters, suspected hoodlums invaded the venue and started throwing sachets of water at the candidate.

Kwankwaso had earlier visited Ogbonicha, the country home of late Abubakar Audu, where a similar scenario played out.

He was accused of trying to hide under the canopy of the late ex-governor to woo supporters of the All Progressives Congress.

A media aide of the presidential candidate, who identified himself as Musa Yunusa, described the action of the supporters as normal in politics, describing Kogi as home to Kwankwaso. Continue reading

Done Deal: Chelsea Completes Signing Of Wesley Fofana From Leicester

English Premier League club, Chelsea have completed the signing of Wesley Fofana from Leicester City.
Chelsea confirmed the signing of the 21-year-old player today on its official website and social media platforms

The Blues have won only two out of five matches in the ongoing campaign. They lost a match and drew one, relaxing presently with seven points on the league table.

Though Chelsea had strengthened the defensive line ahead of the 2022/23 season following the arrivals of Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella earlier in the summer, adding Fofana to the list will be a great plus.

Fofana reportedly penned a seven-year deal with the Blues. His contract will last through 2029.

On completing his signing, Fofana said: “The two last days have been really big days for me and I’m very happy. I trained this morning with the team and it’s a dream for me. I’m very excited to start playing games for the fans and the club.

‘I’m here to win trophies – the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, everything. I came here to win and the club is built to win trophies so I’m here to continue that.”

The young star has had an impressive performance for his home national team, France.

Fofana enjoyed two seasons at Leicester and was considered one of the best young players in the English league.

Atiku’s Loyalists Kick As Wike’s Comments Put PDP Presidential Candidate On Edge

Loyalists of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, are reportedly applying pressure on him to call the bluff of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Naija News reports that both Atiku and Wike are at loggerheads over moves to oust the party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, and the aftermath of the PDP presidential primary.

Although the duo had agreed to desist from making inflammatory remarks, divisive comments are still being made to journalists.

While reconciliation has kicked off between both camps, Atiku’s men have faulted comments made by the governor, saying they appeared deliberately skewed to keep everyone guessing.

Atiku’s loyalists want the former vice president to cut his losses, “move on and concentrate on building the party ahead of the 2023 elections.”

Speaking to Vanguard, a party leader said: “It is heart-wrenching that this matter has dragged this long.

“It was agreed the last time that all parties desist from further making inflammatory remarks.

“It was borne out of this that Atiku caused a statement to be issued by his media team urging his supporters to bridle their tongues, but this act of goodwill is not being returned in kind. This is quite unfortunate.

“I must say at this point that Governor Wike has made up his mind about what he wants to do. Bending over backwards to accede to everything he has asked for will be shooting ourselves in the foot.

“Personally, I rather we cut our losses, move on, and concentrate on building the party ahead of the 2023 elections.

“We made significant inroads in Kano with the defection of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and his teeming supporters. These are the kinds of things we should be celebrating.”

Another party source said: “My reading of the situation is that there are other local issues in Rivers politics that are being elevated to the national.

“Comments being made by the governor, with due respect to him, appear deliberately skewed to keep everyone guessing. The truth is we cannot wait forever, something has to give.

“The truth is that whichever decision you take in politics, not everyone will be happy or accept it for one reason or another. Our presidential candidate has demonstrated good faith.

“However, it will be disastrous for anyone to contemplate a leadership change at this time, the issue of anyone removing Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman before the election does not arise.”

Another PDP stated that Governor Wike’s recent comments are putting the former vice president on edge, which is not going down well with the latter’s loyalists.

The source, a former member of the National Working Committee, NWC, said: “Wike is giving them (Atiku’s camp) signs that he will work against him. Wike is getting feelers that some interests around Atiku do not want the PDP presidential candidate to give in to his demands.

“Wike also has some people within Atiku’s camp, especially in the NWC. The anger with the Atiku camp is that Wike cannot be seen to be controlling the party. Also, Wike is expecting Atiku to give him an update on what was discussed at their London meeting but Atiku is yet to call him. That is why you hear Wike making those comments.”