Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has described Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the biggest problem of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Naija News reports that since Kwankwaso joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) from the PDP, the party has gained popularity.
Speaking to Channels Television on Monday night, Orji Uzor Kalu stated that the too major political parties must be aware of the threat posed by the NNPP.
He stated that if any of the major parties zone its presidential ticket to the South, they should forget about producing Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.
Kalu said, “Let me tell you that whether in APC or PDP, the problem we have now is Kwankwaso. Our problem is not APC or PDP. Because Kwankwaso is already a presidential candidate we are in problem.
“We are forcing every party – that is what I saw – to pull out. Because of Kwankwaso if you give me the ticket from the South East, I will lose and it would not be good for us.
“Kwankwaso left PDP and went to NNPP and if PDP or APC zone its presidential ticket to a candidate in the southern Nigeria, then Kwankwaso is a president in waiting. I can assure you that knowing the mentality on the ground, unless we are telling ourselves lies.
“I cannot lie to myself; I’m a student of realism. So Kwankwaso is the problem because if PDP goes to North and the APC goes to south it’s as well telling myself to pack my luggage and go. I’ll not have a job in the National Assembly or the federal government of Nigeria. That’s the truth. Whether you want to believe it or not, Kwankwaso has changed the dynamics.”
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reportedly quizzed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.
Naija News learned that the AGF was arrested on Monday over the diversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N80 billion.
In a statement on Monday signed by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC said Idris was arrested after failing to honour its several invitations.
The anti-graft agency accused the AGF of laundering the funds through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.
According to the commission, Idris raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.
“The Commission’s verified intelligence showed that the AGF raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.
“Mr. Idris was arrested after failing to honour invitations by the EFCC to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent acts,” the statement read in part.
The death has been reported by an All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Bauchi State.
The deceased who was the chairman of Bauchi Local Government Area, Husseini Musa Gwabba, was found lifeless in a hotel room in the state capital, Naija News learnt.
The cause of his death is yet to be determined but the state police command has ordered an autopsy.
Gwabba according to SaharaReporters, was found lifeless in a hotel room Saturday morning in Bauchi, the state capital.
The politician was said to have received a series of death threats from some persons suspected to be high-ranking members of the party who saw his emergence to the position as a threat to their survival in the party
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the police in the state, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, said a thorough autopsy will be conducted on the remains of the politician to ascertain the cause of his death.
“The result of the autopsy as being awaited will be made public, please.
“Three suspects have been arrested in connection to the death of Gwabba and are being interrogated by the police,” Wakil said.
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has lost his Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Hon Tony Otokhine, in a fatal motor accident.
The sad development was confirmed in a Facebook post on Sunday evening by Governor Okowa’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ossai Ovie Success, Naija News understands.
The government official disclosed with regret that Otokhine died in a ghastly crash while returning to Asaba after attending the traditional wedding of Nigeria Bar Association President, Olumide Akpata, on Saturday, May 14, in Benin City.
Success recalled their last conversation at the wedding event. He described the deceased as a humble and nice person to be with.
ISSAN Forum: Experts Raises Alarm Over Brain Drain Of Digital Skills In Africa
Experts have raised concerns over the growing shortage of general digital skills occasioned by the brain drain in Africa, stating that such development would further lead to rise in cyber-attacks and crimes with catastrophic consequences for businesses, governments, and citizens. This was the consensus of panelists that facilitated at the April edition of The Information Security Society of Africa – Nigeria (ISSAN) monthly meeting themed: ‘Addressing the Cybersecurity Skills Quagmire’. They opined that African countries must as a matter of urgency start Intentional development of digital skills at all levels, smart technology support, collaboration with the Diaspora and strategic supply of digital skills to Africa. Key speakers included President, ISSAN, Dr. David Isiavwe; Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Digital Jewels, Mrs. Doyin Odunfa; Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Stanbic IBTC, Abumere Igboa; CISO, Heritage Bank, Eduje Ighoakpo; CISO, First Bank, Harrison Nnaji; CISO, Standard Chartered Bank, Oghenefovie Oyawari and Tokunbo Taiwo, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Digital Jewels amongst several other speakers.
According to Mrs. Odunfa, the shortage of general digital skills at all levels is expected to become more critical as economies grows, noting that supply of digitally skilled labour must also increase to meet anticipated labour market needs. She observed that highly skilled African professionals have been emigrating African countries to pursue lucrative cultural and socio-economic opportunities on other continents leading to brain drain and skills gap on the continent. Whilst proffering solutions, she went further to recommend intentional development of digital skills at all levels, smart technology support, collaboration with the Diaspora and strategic supply to Africa and Western economies. “These young Africans are looking for higher-paying jobs outside Africa to escape socio-economic limitations such as poverty, limited infrastructure, and rudimentary jobs. They look for enabling environments in developed countries that provide rewarding businesses and obtain lucrative jobs, matching skilled individuals’ aspirations and expected socio-economic recompense. Many highly talented African students that obtain opportunities and scholarships of training abroad do not return home after completing studies.”
In his welcome address, President, ISSAN, Dr. David Isiavwe, said the brain drain in Africa as well as the digital skills shortage currently being experienced around the world calls for concern. According to him, “The cyberthreat landscape is still evolving. Cybersecurity space keeps getting very busy by the day. We have seen how daring cybercriminals can be, targeting both national assets and that of highly reputable firms. Even individuals are not left out. Consequently, it becomes imperative that organizations never relent in upholding and reinforcing information security best practices.”
The Information Security Society of Africa – Nigeria (ISSAN) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection of Nigeria’s cyberspace. They are significantly involved in ensuring the security of Banking Systems and applications, ATMs, e-government systems, and the entire cyberspace in Nigeria. ISSAN also seek to achieve its objectives through awareness heightening measures including the promotion of appropriate legislation and best practices. Membership cuts across both public and private sectors of the economy including Banks, Telecommunications Operators, Government parastatals, switching companies, IT and IT Security Consultancies, Legal Practitioners with a keen interest in cyber-related matters, Regulators.
ISSAN, which has existed for over 10 years in Nigeria, has proven to be a veritable platform for collaboration and exchange of ideas by members of the Banking and e-commerce public especially regarding safekeeping of PINS, controls over passwords, access to the internet as well as steps organizations should take to always keep their systems healthy and safe. ISSAN, therefore, performs a critical role in ensuring that Information Security professionals find their voice on matters of Information Security and that all stakeholders are duly informed of the steps to take to contribute their little quota towards ensuring a safe society for us all.
Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has declared that he is not in the presidential race to align with Chief Bola Tinubu or any other aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former governor also said he did not obtain the APC senatorial form, neither did he attend the screening exercise organised for APC senatorial aspirants, as being peddled by some individuals.
TRIXX NG recalls that some media houses over the weekend reported that there were rumours that Amosun had agreed to step down for Tinubu, having been screened and cleared for the Ogun Central senatorial race.
But, in a swift reaction, Amosun debunked the rumour spreading on social media, saying the “two news stories are false.”
According to a statement signed by his media aide, Bola Adeyemi, he said that the Ogun Central Senator “procured only the forms for the presidential ticket of the APC and did not attend the screening exercise for Senatorial aspirants because he is not one.”
While urging Nigerians to dismiss the “false news”, Adeyemi maintained that “Amosun is in the race for the presidential ticket of the APC and has no plans to align with any politician in the race.”
Zahra Buhari, daughter of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has advised Muslims on the way to act when faced with a blasphemous individual.
The mother of two took to her Instagram story to share a video of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem teaching Muslims on how to respond when people insult the prophet.
He said: “This depends if you are in a Muslim country. This is a major offence that requires the intervention of the Muslim ruler. You simply report these individuals to the court or to the Muslim ruler.
“It’s the duty of the Muslim ruler to execute after going through the legistrative processes and going in front of panel of judges.
“You must not take matters into your own hands because this will turn the community into a jungle.”
This is coming two days after the gruesome murder of a female student, Deborah Samuel in Sokoto for alleged blasphemy.
Meanwhile, Deborah Samuel’s parents have described her death as tragic and heartbreaking, stating they have left her killers to God.
Deborah’s corpse was laid to rest in her birthplace of Tungan Magajiya in Niger State’s Rijau Local Government Area on Saturday evening.
Naija News recall her classmates stoned her to death and set her ablaze on Thursday for reportedly making a derogatory statement about Prophet Mohammed on a WhatsApp group.
In response to their daughter’s death, the heartbroken parents stated that they had nothing to say or do about it and that they have opted to put everything in God’s hands. Read more
Jose Peseiro has been named as the Super Eagles head coach, months after his initial deal with Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) collapsed.
An NFF statement on Sunday said the appointment is “with immediate effect, subject to the signing of agreed terms” between the football body and the Portuguese.
“Peseiro is expected to lead out the Super Eagles for the first time during the upcoming tour of the United States of America, during which the three-time African champions will slug it out with Mexico and Ecuador ‘A’ Teams in prestige friendlies,” the statement added.
“The Eagles will tango with the El Tri at the AT & T Stadium in Dallas, State of Texas on Saturday, 28th May before flying to New Jersey to confront Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on Thursday, 2nd June.”
Auditions have commenced for season seven of the popular reality tv show, Big Brother Naija as eligible Nigerians have been called to participate in the auditioning process.
The announcement of the auditioning for the BB Naija Season 7 which commenced on Sunday, 15th May, 2022 was done on the official Twitter page of the reality TV show.
Naija News reports the auditions close on May 30, 2022.
Announcing the commencement of auditions, the organizers wrote: “Biggie is calling you back home.
“#BBNaija Season 7 auditions are officially open, are you the next Efe, Miracle, Mercy, Laycon or Whitemoney?
“This is your time to show Biggie what you’re all about”
1. Log on to the audition website by clicking on this link and follow the instructions.
2. Create a profile on the site by filling in the form.
3. Upload a three-minute video explaining why you should be chosen including who you are, how you grew up, likes, dislikes, and unique things about you.
4. Finish by submitting your video.
Watch the official video below.
Biggie is calling you back home 🙌🏾#BBNaija Season 7 auditions are officially open, are you the next Efe, Miracle, Mercy, Laycon or Whitemoney?
This is your time to show Biggie what you’re all about 😉 audition here: https://t.co/0bTxRmotUw
For the APC, the 2023 presidential elections present a real test of its ability to survive and forge a unified front as a political organisation. The Buhari era is about to end, and the hitherto unifying figure of a Buhari that appears to have glued the disparate tendencies in the party together will no longer be there. Already, the commencement of the process of picking the party’s candidate for the 2023 contest has shown glaringly that the contest will be brutal and acidic, unless a miracle happens. Since the party’s initial objective of booting out PDP and gaining power has been achieved in the Buhari two-term presidency, 2023 will signal for the party the real wheeling and dealing of ruthless ambition driven by self-aggrandizement among its contending power blocs.
Even now, allegations of betrayal, vociferous proclamation of personal ambitions and dirty innuendoes about imposition of candidates have started reaching an uncomfortable level in the party.
Regardless of the drama and subplots that have started unfolding, it is for the party and Nigerians generally to zero in on a candidate that has the right mix of persona, charisma, vision, discipline, awareness and courage to keep the party and the country in good shape post 2023.
The task may be daunting but what the party needs to do is clear cut. This is because the problems a post Buhari president will confront are already here with us now.
One, with continuous fall in oil prices and a general lull in business activity since the outbreak of COVID-19, the economic realities have been worsened by the growing poverty and unemployment which has made upward social mobility unachievable for the wider population. The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics has continued to record staggering inflation rates, with food inflation and general cost of living growing out of hand and, according to the World Poverty Clock, nearly half of the Nigerian population currently subsist in extreme poverty. In fact, the Brookings Institute has predicted the figure to rise to 110 million by 2030.
