Nse Ekpenyong, the legislator representing Oron Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abuja, is dead.
Oron is a coastal city and Local Government Area (LGA) in Akwa Ibom State.
This newspaper learned that Ekpenyong, who showed no sign of illness, died on Sunday. He was 58.
The deceased is a former member of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and a former deputy chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa lbom State.
Before joining politics, he was the Managing Director of Based/Investment Trust Co Nigeria Limited and later the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brule Integrated Nigeria Limited.
Messages of condolence have poured in.
Francis Otioro wrote on Facebook: “I’m just glad I was privileged enough to meet you. Deep inside my heart, my thoughts for you are stronger than death, Hon Nse Ekpenyong. May your reputation precedes you Oh Ofriyo!”
Mattello Felix wrote on Facebook: “Shocking! Rt Hon. Nse Ekpenyong?? Sad news for Oron Federal Constituency. One lost too many.”
DrDurable Osung wrote on social media: “This is a great loss to Oro Nation. But God understands! May God have His way and avenge the death of Nse Ekpenyong. Adieu my brother and friend!”
Citizens of have re-elected President Emmanuel Macron in a tightly contested presidential election.
It took Macron 58.5% votes to defeat his nationalist rival, Marine Len Pen in the runoff election on Sunday, Naija News reports.
First-round voting results between the top two contenders, Macron and Len Pen are shown below:
Emmanuel Macron of the Republic on the Move polled 9,783,058 in the first round of France’s 2022 presidential election, earning 27.8% count of the total votes.
While his major contender in the race, Marine Le Pen of the National Rally gets a total of 8,133,828 votes which stood at 23.2%.
This led to Sunday’s second-round runoff which secured Macron another tenure in leadership.
As projected by French polling agencies, 44-year-old Macron garnered between 58.5 per cent of the vote in the second-round runoff to beat down 41.4% vote for Le Pen.
The latest victory for Macron makes him the first president in France to have won re-election since Jacques Rene Chirac who served as President of the European country from 1995 to 2007.
Len Pen on the other had lost against the incumbent president for the second time, Naija News understands.
She was defeated in the 2017 France Presidential election after earning just 33.90% of the total votes, against Macron’s 66.10%.
Speaking on his latest victory, Macron acknowledged the love from his loved ones and the entire residents of France.
He vowed to improve the living standards of the less privileged.
“Many in this country voted for me not because they support my ideas but to keep out those of the far-right. I want to thank them and know I owe them a debt in the years to come,” the 44-year-old said.
He assured the people that he will address the “anger and the disagreements” that led to many French voters choosing the extreme right, saying “this will be my responsibility and that of those around me”.
“No one in France will be left by the wayside,” he continued, pledging to be a “president for all”, Macron added.
Some residents of Oyo town who thronged the Oyo Palace to mourn the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi on Saturday were stung by bees.
This happened around 10 am after Islamic clerics had arrived at the palace in preparation for the burial of Oba Adeyemi, who died on Friday night.
Our correspondent observed that to ward off the attacking bees, residents in the open space in the palace who were affected plucked tree branches and leaves to drive the unwanted creatures away.
A policeman was one of the victims and some of the mourners assisted him to drive away the bees and removed some of the insects which got stuck in his uniform.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, described the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as “a huge loss to the state, Nigeria and the Yoruba race”.
Makinde, while describing Oba Adeyemi’s death as a personal loss to him, said that he was “an ever-supportive royal father and a worthy leader, who spared nothing in trying to make Oyo State and Nigeria greater”.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, said, “Kabiyesi’s words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful”.
Makinde expressed his condolences to the Oyo State Traditional Council, the Oyomesi, Oba Adeyemi’s immediate family, the people of Oyo Kingdom and the entire Yoruba race.
The governor, however, prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of the departed traditional ruler.
According to Makinde, apart from Oyo State losing its last man standing in the rank of experienced monarchs with long years of royal leadership, it has also lost a royal institution and an authority, which Alaafin Olayiwola Adeyemi III had become by virtue of his high-octane understanding of Yoruba history, politics and national development.
He said, “I have been informed about the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
“I express heartfelt condolences to the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, which Oba Adeyemi chaired for decades, the Oyomesi and the entire people of Oyo Kingdom.
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“I equally commiserate with the Oloris, children and entire Adeyemi family on the demise of their patriarch and worthy father.
“Kabiyesi’s departure is a huge loss not only to Oyo State, to which he committed 52 years of his life as the Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom, but also to Nigeria and the entire Yoruba race.”
According to him, Oba Adeyemi was our last man standing in the rank of most eminent royal fathers with long years of leadership.
“He became a golden king, an institution and an authority rolled into one by virtue of his immense experience, wisdom and understanding of Yoruba history, royalty and politics.
“Oba Adeyemi, not only elevated the Alaafin throne with his knowledge and wisdom, he became a worthy exemplar for royal leadership in Africa and brought glory to Oyo State and Nigeria.
“Kabiyesi never spared anything in his strive to make Oyo State greater and to bring about the Nigeria of everyone’s collective dream.
“Personally, Kabiyesi’s death is a great loss to me, because he proved to be a worthy father and had been ever so supportive of our government.
“His words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful.
“It is my prayer that God accepts Kabiyesi’s soul into Aljanah Firdaus and uphold everyone and everything he left behind. Good night, Iku Baba Yeye !”
Former Vice President and Presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
It was earlier reported that Oba Adeyemi had died on Friday night in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital after a brief illness.
It was gathered that the Yoruba traditional ruler was reportedly receiving treatment at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti where he later died.
It was disclosed that the rites of passage have started for Alaafin who reigned for 52 years.
Reacting in a statement by his spokesperson Paul Ibe, Atiku stated that the Alaafin was a worthy ambassador of Yoruba culture.
While describing his death as a great loss for Nigeria and Africa culture at large, the PDP chieftain said that the late Oba Adeyemi was a worthy ambassador of Yoruba culture and royal elegance.
Atiku recalled that his last encounter with Oba Adeyemi was in Ibadan during the coronation of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun.
“I admired the royal splendour of Oba Adeyemi and the fact that he remains the longest serving Alaafin means that Oyo and indeed Nigerians will not forget his reign,” the Waziri of Adamawa said.
Atiku noted that he is deeply touched by the news of Oba Adeyemi’s demise, sending his condolences to the immediate family, Governor Seyi Makinde and the people and government of Oyo State.
He prayed to Allah to grant the soul of the late king a gentle repose and to give his immediate family and the people of Oyo Kingdom the fortitude to bear the loss of a great monarch.
Top Yoruba traditional ruler, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has been confirmed dead.
Naija News understands that the longest-reigning Alaafin died at age 83.
Oba Adeyemi has served as Alaafin of Oyo for 52 years.
The monarch who is said to be the third from the Alowodu Ruling House passed on on Friday night at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
An insider from the palace had told Premium Times that Alaafin’s corpse was brought to Oyo town, the Oyo State capital, very early on Saturday and that traditional rites have since begun.
Alaafin is said to have been seriously sick and a plan had been made to fly him abroad before he gave up the ghost last night.
A source who confided in the news platform revealed on Saturday morning that Oba Lamidi’s travel tickets and those of some of his few wives were already procured before the monarch suddenly went to meet his ancestors.
Naija News understands that Alaafin’s death is coming a few months after the two other senior Oyo State monarchs – the Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi had died.
The State has witnessed the death of its top monarchs just in less than five months.
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, is, however, yet to make an official statement on Alaafin of Oyo’s demise, Naija News reports.
As it stands, the Bashorun of Oyo, Yusuf Akinade, the head of the ‘Oyo Mesi’ is expected to now assume the leadership of Oyo town prior to when a new Alaafin would be installed.
The Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen has visited the force headquarters with the children of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu to seek clarification on the rumored release of her husband, Peter Nwachukwu.
In a statement released by Director Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Olujimi Oyetomi, Tallen demanded that adequate punishment be meted on the suspect to serve as a lesson for men who are in the habit of constantly assaulting women.
She also stated that she would be enlisting the support of the Governor of Abia state as well as the representatives of the constituency where the late Osinachi hails from, and the assistance of the governor of Enugu state and his wife to give psycho-social support to the children.
She said: “We would pursue justice for the late singer and her family. The alleged killer must not go unpunished to serve as deterrence to other men who are in the habit of beating women.
“The four children of the deceased singer are on second term holiday from their school in Abuja and may be relocating to Enugu to join their grandmother until the present travail is sorted
“I strongly rebuke those who were in the know of the suffering of the late Osinachi without coming out with what they know. Although we are crying over spilled milk, we will pursue this matter to ensure that justice is done to that late singer’s family and to ensure deterrence to others, so that nothing like this will ever happen.”
Responding, IGP Usman Alkali, ordered that the suspect be brought in and paraded before the minister, children and others to assure that he was still in the custody of the police.
He said: “Police will investigate this matter with all alacrity and responsibility. In all cases such as this, expert opinions on cause of death are sought. We have enlisted National Hospital, Abuja and as soon as the outcome is received, we will charge the suspect to Court. It will be swift as much as possible. We just want to assure the public that the suspect is in our custody.”
The visiting family includes the twin sister of the late Osinachi, Eze Grace Amarachi, the brother, the late singer’s children (Three boys and a girl) as well as two other females which include Deborah Rukop who was simply described as a close friend to the family.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has appointed the Senator representing Kano South in the National Assembly, Kabiru Gaya, as the head of his presidential campaign council.
Gaya confirmed his appointment at a press conference on Thursday during his assumption as the Chairman of The Progressive Project (TPP), an umbrella body of support groups for Osinbajo’s presidential campaign.
The lawmaker expressed confidence that the vice president will emerge as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate and go ahead to win the 2023 election.
Senator Gaya pointed out that Osinbajo has the qualities and competence to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, adding that his presidential declaration showed his brilliance.
He asserted that his principal’s ambition is not personal but a response to the call of the people to serve and defend the honour of the country.
“Without an iota of doubt, I am certain that all the knowledgeable people here can attest to the qualities and competence of Professor Yemi Osinbajo,” Senator Gaya said.
He said: “You will also agree with me that his chosen method redefines presidential declarations in Nigeria; he has clearly signalled that noble citizens have no need to descend into gutters – no touts were hired by anyone and his message effectively reverberated across the entire country and the diaspora.
“Globally, climate change, insecurity, drug trafficking, economic problems such as unemployment and inflation along with many other challenges have worsened and all these impact Nigeria and many other countries.
“However, by electing someone of Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s pedigree who has direct insight into the depth of our challenges as well as current strategies and tactics being laid out to tackle them, we have a great chance to move ahead without much waste of time.
“I have total confidence that by the power of the Almighty and the electoral power of millions of Nigerian citizens across the six geo-political zones, Yemi Osinbajo will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari on May 20, 2023.”
Speaking on the N100 million for the party’s presidential nomination form, Gaya said: “Just one youth group with TPP says that they can raise N100m with rough voluntary contributions of N10, 000 each by 10, 000 of their supporters who are keen about seeing a better future.
“Our populist mathematics is flawless and very strong; moneybags within or outside APC will only lose their dollars in any contest against the people’s will.”
Manchester United has appointed former Ajax boss, Erik ten Hag, as new United manager.
Dutchman will replaces Ralf Rangnick as the manager.
Official statement by Manchester United and Ajax confirms the agreement had been sealed.
Based on the deal, Hag will stay at Oldtrafford until June 2025 and an option to extend till June 2026.
United said the 52-year-old Dutch will become the manager at the end of the 2021/22 season.
United said, “The evolution in Ten Hag’s reputation has been meticulous, mirroring a rise which has been methodical rather than meteoric. A sharp, ball-playing central defender in his playing days, Erik spent the majority of his career spread across three stints with FC Twente, with whom he won the KNVB Cup in 2001.
“After hanging up his boots, a steady ascent up the coaching ladder began, inevitably within the familiar ranks at Twente. When former Reds no.2 Steve McClaren was made manager in 2008, Erik stepped up to become assistant manager and made an immediate impression.”
Social Critic and Ex-Presidential media aide, Reno Omokri has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to investigate Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo if he pays for the APC Presidential nomination form.
The party made headlines on Wednesday after it announced that Presidential Nomination forms will cost N100 million. Omokri, on Thursday, in a statement via social media, said that the VP, going by his annual salary, should not be able to afford it.
“VP Osunbade’s salary is ₦12 million per annum. Ministers earn half of that. By law, they can’t have side businesses.”
“So if he, or Amaechi, or Ngige, or any government official buys that ₦100 million form, EFCC has to investigate them, or apologise to Obi Cubana!”
“If any group should say they are donating the ₦100 million that VP Osunbade, Amaechi, and Ngige, or any government official uses to buy that form, such groups should be prosecuted by INEC for going above the individual financial limits set for campaign donation!”, he wrote.
