Tinubu cancels 70th birthday colloquium to honour Kaduna train victims
All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, cancelled his 13th Birthday Colloquium to honour the victims of Kaduna train attack.
He made the announcement at Eko Hotels in Lagos, the venue of the 13th Bola Ahmed Tinubu Colloquium with the theme, ‘Pivoting Nigeria Into The New Order’.
According to him, the attack was a “national tragedy” and over 60 persons lost their lives to the terror.
He said, “Today is supposed to be a very joyful 70th birthday of mine living on earth. I give thanks to God Almighty for being able to survive to this age…
“I have just been informed of a very sad incident in our country, very sad indeed, that over 60 people and many more were killed and bombed on a train between Kaduna and Abuja just last night. That is a very serious incident about the security of lives in this country and it calls for a very serious sober reflection.
“For me to be here celebrating, dancing and enjoying myself doesn’t show enough concern of a statesman and a senior citizen of this country.
“This event should not be holding. I have consulted with the people you see around me here and they’ve agreed with me and being a very highly committed democrat, I have given myself to their suggestion that they agreed that this event be cancelled.”
The APC leader, alongside hundreds of others at the event, observed one-minute silence for the lives lost in the spirit of “national tragedy and concern”.
Tinubu urged the two clergies at the event to pray for the soul of the departed and for relief for their bereaved family members.
Terrorists had attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday night with hundreds of passengers on board.
A former governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has defected to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Kwankwaso in a letter dated 29th March, 2022 and addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in his ward, said he was leaving due to some serious and irreconcilable differences.
The letter read, “It is with deep sense of humility that I write to notify you that, as a result of some serious and irreconcilable differences, I have reached the conclusion that my continued stay in the PDP is untenable.
“Therefore, effective from today, Tuesday the 29th of March, 2022 I have withdrawn my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party.”
Earlier, close political associates and supporters of Kwankwaso had defected to the NNPP.
The defectors include a former PDP governorship candidate in the 2019 general election, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, also known as ‘Abba Gida Gida’, as well as his deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.
THE WHISTLER had earlier reported how stakeholders in the PDP moved to withdraw the leadership of the party from Kwankwaso’s control over his ‘political romance’ with the NNPP.
The Kaduna State Government has said that passengers trapped in the Abuja-Kaduna train have been completely evacuated by Nigerian security agents.
The state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Kaduna.
Naija News earlier reported that bandit terrorists had planted explosives on the rail track which saw the Kaduna-bound train which has 970 passengers on board derail.
It was gathered that the train which took off around 6 pm from the Idu train station at the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Monday hit an explosive device about 30 minutes to Rigasa train station in Kaduna.
According to the commissioner, security operatives have rescued and evacuated the stranded passengers from forests and rocky locations close to the scene of the attack.
Aruwan disclosed that passengers who sustained injuries have been moved to hospitals and their medical bills would be footed by the state government.
The commissioner added that the state government is still liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers’ manifest for efficient tracking
He, however, disclosed that search-and-rescue operations were still ongoing in the general area as of Tuesday morning.
The statement reads: “Evacuation of passengers on the trapped Kaduna-bound train from Abuja has been concluded this morning by security forces, officials of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Nigerian Red Cross.
“Passengers who sustained injuries, and other fatalities, have been moved to hospitals.
“The passengers were evacuated from different hard-to-reach areas in forests and rocky locations in Audujongom, off the Kaduna-Abuja Road.
“As stated yesterday, the Kaduna State Government is still liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers manifest for efficient tracking.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai who commended all those who participated in the evacuation appealed to the hospitals to attend to the victims diligently.
“The Governor also directed the Ministry of Health to be in contact with the hospitals as the government will bear the cost of their treatment.
“As of the time of this update, search-and-rescue operations are in progress.”
They also praised him for helping the parliament of the State achieve financial autonomy years before the mass clamour for it by other Houses of Assembly.
The lawmakers gave accolades at a special plenary session in honour of the astute politician to commemorate his 70th birthday, which holds on March 29, 2022.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, described Asiwaju Tinubu is a benefactor, adding that the presidential aspirant had done well as a leader.
“This is an opportunity for us to recognise all that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for us as a leader. In the face of opposition, he resolved and insisted on being on the opposition against against the Federal government.
“It is better to celebrate people that have contributed immensely to the development of the society.
“This Assembly has distinguished itself in all areas. This House has been running independently of the executive arm with financial autonomy through the help of Asiwaju. When he came in as the governor, he increased the IGR of the state,” Dr. Obasa said.
The Speaker added that the special plenary was to show respect and honour for a deserving Lagosian who had contributed immensely to the progress of the State.
Contributing, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, said Tinubu had done a lot for democracy since he joined politics.
“It was easy for him to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but he refused and focused on building a progressive party. We call on him to continue his ambition to become the President of Nigeria,” he added.
On his part, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, who represents Eti-Osa 2, described Tinubu as a man with a large heart and one who easily forgives.
He said: “Beyond the intimidating credentials of Tinubu, he’s a forgiving man with a large heart. He’s extraordinary. I salute him. He is the Asiwaju of everything that is good. I wish him long live.”
Hon. Victor Akande, who represents Ojo1, used the opportunity to address the critics of Tinubu’s ambition.
He those threatening to leave the country if Tinubu becomes president to start gathering their things because he was optimistic that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will lead the country.
He described Tinubu as a political colossus, political mathematician and doyen of modern day Nigeria.
Also speaking, Hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) described Asiwaju Tinubu as a respected politician, promise keeper, bridge builder and lover of Nigeria, adding that he would be l supported on his ambition to be the President of Nigeria in 2023.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, described Asiwaju Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian, a leader of the people, and politician with a difference.
According to Hon. Rotimi Abiru (Shomolu 2), Tinubu “is a man of many parts, a true leader and the Mungo Park of our time. He laid the template for modern Lagos and he created agencies such as LASTMA, LAWMA, Office of Public Defender (OPD and others.”
Other lawmakers spoke glowingly about Asiwaju Tinubu, who they said had been able to build several leaders that have taken important positions in the country.
Meanwhile, the House also held a mini-lecture with the theme The Youth: Economic Challenges, Democracy and The Future with speakers including Adepeju Olukokun of Kokun Foundation, Shola Ladoja of Simply Green Limited, Eilen Sobanjo, and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji of Future Africa.
Others who spoke included AbdulGaniyu Obasa, Head of Performance Management and Strategy at Parallex Bank, Dr. Biola Eshinlokun, a medical doctor, Olusegun Osundairo, CEO of Arc-View Investments Limited, and the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, who was represented, Hon. Seyi Adisa.
Popular American actor, rapper, and film producer, Willard Carroll Smith, has apologised after he slapped Chris Rock for making a bad joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, during the 2022 Academy Awards.
The Fresh Prince, as he is fondly called, had taken to the podium to smack Rock while making his jokes during the 94th Oscar awards.
The comedian made a joke about Jada’s baldhead, which she had shaved as a result of ‘Alopecia areata’ which is a health condition that causes sudden hair loss.
Smith had won his first Oscar in the best actor category for his role in “King Richard” after the incident with Rock.
After the awards, Smith took to his Instagram to publicly apologise to Rock, the producers of the Oscar Award, and his family for his misconduct during the Sunday ceremony.
He wrote, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted
emotionally.
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.
“I would also like to apologize to the
Academy, the producers of the show,
all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”
Jada had announced in December last year that she was shaving her head because she has Alopecia.
The Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was poisoned along with Ukrainian negotiators, it has been claimed.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Vladimir Putin ally and Chelsea FC owner – who has been sanctioned by the UK government – was hit by symptoms after a suspected poisoning at a meeting in Kyiv earlier this month.
Abramovich, and at least two senior Ukrainian officials, are said to have developed peeling skin on their faces and hands, red eyes, and constant and painful tearing, the paper reported.
Quoting ‘people familiar with the matter’, it added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has met with Abramovich, was not been affected.
The lives of the Chelsea owner and negotiators are not thought to be in danger.
Widespread reports have previously suggested Russian forces are attempting to assassinate Zelensky, but it is unclear who the target of the alleged poisoning would have been.
Russia has been widely blamed for a series of poisonings around the world, including a Novichok incident in Salisbury, Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko and opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
The investigative media group Bellingcat said the incident took place overnight from March 3 to 4, with three people experiencing ‘symptoms consistent with poisoning with chemical weapons’ including Abramovich.
‘Abramovich, along with another Russian entrepreneur, had taken part in the negotiations alongside Ukraine’s MP Rustem Umerov’, it tweeted.
‘The negotiation round on the afternoon of 3 March took place on Ukrainian territory and lasted until about 10 pm.
‘Three members of the negotiating team retreated to an apartment in Kyiv later that night and felt initial symptoms – including eye and skin inflammation and piercing pain in the eyes – later that night.
Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola also known as Portable has announced to the general public that he has relieved his manager, DJ and promoter of their duties.
The zazoo crooner insisted via a video posted on his Instagram handle that his manager, show promoter and DJ does not do anything in building his career and he feels cheated because he pays them.
He maintained that he also wanted other people to have a taste of his money therefore the need for new set of people.
Portable who is known to be erratic and quite controversial recently bagged a whopping N50m endorsement deal.
The singer took to his Instagram account to announce that he had signed an endorsement deal of N50m as the brand ambassador of a bitters drink.
He thanked Obi Cubana for giving him the opportunity to market the product.
He wrote: “obi_cubana don show love ooo. 50 million kwen don zeh for my Aza ooo. Official Ambassador @odogwu_bitters of Africa”. Read more
No fewer than eight persons have been reportedly killed during another phase of the supremacy battle between Eiye and Aiye confraternities in Sagamu, Ogun State.
The fresh killings occurred on Sunday, a few days after seven persons were killed in different parts of Abeokuta, the state capital.
Our correspondent gathered that 15 persons had been killed in less than two weeks in Abeokuta and Sagamu.
The clash between the rival cults got to its peak following the gruesome murder of a lout popularly known as Tommy in Oluwo, Abeokuta.
Our correspondent learnt that as of Sunday evening, residents in Panseke, Onikolobo, Oluwo and Adigbe fled for their lives as gunshots rent the air.
Though the police said 18 persons were arrested, calm seemed not to have returned as the crisis escalated to Sagamu, Remo axis of Ogun State.
As early as 7am on Sunday, sources said some young men stormed some places in Sagamu and killed their targets.
A source said the bodies of the victims were picked up by the police; others were said to have been taken away by their parents.
According to the source, an electrician, identified only as Akeem, was killed in the Ajegunle area of Sagamu.
“Akeem did not die immediately; but when they were rushing him to a hospital, another motorcycle hit them and he fell. That was how he died eventually. His intestines were coming out because he was shot in the stomach,” he added.
It was also gathered that some of the victims were murdered in Soyindo, Ijagba, Ajegunle and Sabo, all in Sagamu.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, promised to find out and revert.
He had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
As part of measures to mobilize support for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the federal government has directed all public offices to be closed by 1pm
The Office of the Head of Service gave this directive in a circular to all Permanent Secretaries on Monday.
The circular reads, “As you are aware, the Super Eagles of Nigeria wil be meeting the Black Stars of Ghana in continuation of the 2022 FIFA Word-Cup Qualifier, Playoff.
“There is a need to mobilise support for the Nigerian Team Consequently, I am directed to inform you that all offices wil be closed at 1:00pm on Tuesday, 29 March, 2022.
“Permanent Secretaries are requested to give this circular wide publicity to achieve the desired result.”
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will on Tuesday meet with Ghana’s Black Stars for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff duel .
The Super Eagles players have said they are determined to put up a performance that will earn Nigeria a seventh appearance at the World Cup.
Both countries were last involved in a FIFA World Cup qualifier game in 2001, when they finished 0-0 in Accra.
Meanwhile the federal government has bought 20,000 tickets for Nigerians to watch the match.
