Popular Celebrity designer and stylist, Toyin Lawani, has revealed that actress Toyin Abraham paid for the wedding dress of her colleague, Adebimpe Oyebade.
Lawani took to her Instagram page on Friday where she shared beautiful photos of the dress while appreciating Toyin Abraham.
Adebimpe got married to Nollywood actor, Adedimeji Lateef last Wednesday in a star-studded event in Lagos.
Talking about the dress, Lawani said, “@mo_bimpe Nikai wedding dress, designed by the fashion goddess via @elegantebytiannah styling courtesy of @toyin_abraham.
“I was just randomly discussing with her that I was making three dresses for Bimpe and I was so busy this time.”
“Next thing she said, ‘she’s my God Daughter o, let me pay for her wedding dress,’ and you know I charge millions.
“So, she did the transfer boom! and I made this masterpiece happen. Thanks, Toyin, you are a wonderful friend. Well, everyone say thank you to @toyin_abraham. God bless you.”
Activist and Publisher, Omoyele Sowore on Friday criticised former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), for endorsing Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to contest for the office of president in the 2023 general elections.
POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that Babangida had on Thursday expressed his support for Osinbajo when a pressure group, Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation (OGO), paid him a courtesy visit at his Hilltop Residence in Minna, Niger State.
“I know the vice president very well. He is a good man. I have spoken with him a couple of times; he is a good person. We need a good man like Osinbajo at the helm of affairs of this country – someone people can learn from; someone people of goodwill share a common conviction with. He has this great passion for the country and I want other Nigerians to emulate his passion for the good of our country,” Babangida had said.
Reacting, staunch government critic, Sowore fired Nigeria’s past and present rulers.
“Retired, Sick and Tired Babangida “endorses” cowardly Baba Kekere Professor Yemi Osinbajo and he’s jumping all over the place. Why not ask IBB why he couldn’t even get to two PDP party primaries? Jokers!” he wrote on his verified Facebook page.
The federal government on Friday, announced that there will free train services from between December 24 and January 4, 2022.
The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) Spokesperson, Mr. Mahmood Yakub, disclosed this in a statement.
The free train services are between the routes of Abuja-Kaduna , Lagos-Ibadan , Warri-Itakpe, Kano-Lagos; Minna-Kaduna and Aba-Port Harcourt.
The NRC Managing Director, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, urged Nigerians to maximize the opportunity while urging them to observe covid-19 protocol.
“The decision which was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, is to ease movement of citizens during the yuletide.
“This is to help ease the cost of transportation and enable citizens move easily enjoy the festive period.
“Passengers are, however, advised to ensure they obtain their tickets from appropriate quarters at no cost, to enable them gain access and enter the trains.
“All passengers are also enjoined to observe and obey COVID-19 rules by wearing of face mask, washing and sanitising of hands,” he said.
Nollywood veteran actor, Chiwetalu Agu who was arrested by the Department of State Service, DSS, for donning a Biafran outfit has unveiled his new rising sun outfit.
Naija News recalls that the 65-year-old actor was arrested in Upper Iweka Bridge by soldiers in October while carrying out a charity activity, for wearing a Biafra-themed outfit, in Onitsha, Anambra State.
He was, however, released but rearrested by the Department of State Services.
The actor who promised to make a new outfit of the rising sun was seen with a new attire with the inscription ‘Rising sun’.
It would be recalled that the comic actor revealed that the soldiers and DSS operatives treated him with respect while in detention.
He said: “It didn’t start well but God took control. I was only buying bread for the poor. Soldiers came in and started scattering things. They said they are calling me in the office but they did not tell me my offence. Because they did not tell me my offence, I refused to follow them.
“That drama that took place was important so that they will know that Igbo are here. That moment of Upper Iweka till the time we got to the army barracks close to Zik Mausoleum, to 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and to DSS office in Abuja, nobody touched me. They treated me with respect.
“Every officer wanted to be involved in the case so that they can have the opportunity to interact with Chinwetalu Agu.”
DSS released him following the intervention of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN.
The loan is meant to ensure speedy completion of projects like the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
The approval was granted at a sitting presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, after a report on the loan request was laid and presented by the chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Hon. Rotimi Olowo.
Giving further information on the report, Hon. Olowo told his colleagues that the loan facility comes with an interest rate of five percent in the first two years and nine percent in subsequent years, with a two-year moratorium.
Many of the lawmakers who contributed to the debate supported that the facility be approved as it would further help the State sustain its mega-city status.
They commended the State Government for its proactiveness, saying that the loan will bring immense infrastructural benefits to Lagos.
They further said that the loan was favourable considering the conditions that come with it.
In his contribution, the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Setonji David, noted that the loan has a single-digit interest rate with a repayment period of 30 years.
He said the project for which the loan was being sought would drive sustainable economic growth and development in the State.
Speaker Obasa, after a voice vote of the lawmakers in support of the approval, directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, to send a clean copy of the approval to the Governor.
Meanwhile, Speaker Obasa has described Nigeria as a blessed nation loved by God in a message released by his media office in commemoration of the 2021 Christmas celebration.
Dr. Obasa urged Christians and other Nigerians to continue to replicate this love from God in their daily activities as love is what the country needs at this phase of its journey to greatness.
“Jesus Christ, the celebrated face of the Christians around the world, preached and taught love as one of the greatest commandments from God.
“If we think deeply, we will understand that love is an ultimate solution to the many challenges facing mankind.
“All the commandments that God handed man can be summarised into the need to love Him and love our neighbours.
“There is, therefore, no gainsaying that if we maintain our resolve, individually and collectively, to love one another as emphasised by Jesus, the world would be a better place,” the Speaker said.
While urging Christians not to relent in their prayers for Nigeria, he advised Lagosians and other citizens of the country to ensure a peaceful celebration, remain conscious of their environment and continue to adhere to COVID-19 rules.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Seplat Energy sacks Austin Avuru over ‘breach’ of company policies
Seplat Energy Plc says it has terminated the appointment of Austin Avuru as a non-executive director of the company.
Edith Onwuchekwa, director, legal and company secretary at Seplat, announced this in a corporate filing on Thursday.
This is coming a month after Bryant Orjiako, chairman of Seplat Energy Plc, said he will step down from his position in 2022.
Onwuchekwa said the board approved Avuru’s termination on Wednesday due to “breaches of the company’s corporate governance policies and his fiduciary duties”.
The statement further added that Platform Petroleum Limited, which operates as an integrated oil and gas production, processing, and marketing chain, would nominate a candidate that will serve in his stead.
“In line with Seplat Energy’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, Platform Petroleum Limited has been asked to nominate a candidate for his replacement on the board, and a further announcement will be made in due course,” the statement reads.
Austin Avuru had retired as founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc on July 31, 2020, but had remained on the board as a non-executive director.
He was the pioneer managing director of Seplat before he moved to become the CEO.
It’s no longer news that Queen Naomi who has a one-year-old child with Ooni Of Ife, King Ogunwusi took to her social media account on Instagram to announce that she shouldn’t longer be considered as a Queen in the palace of Ooni.
She added that she is no longer a slave to perfection and she has endured a lot until this moment but it seems that this will not be the end of it as Ooni Of Ife Media Director, Moses Olafare debunks the rumors.
As reported by Punch Newspaper News Outlet a few minutes ago, Moses Olafare revealed that Queen Naomi and the Ooni Of Ife slept together as couples on Wednesday night and they are currently investigating a possible hacking of Queen Naomi Instagram account.
They were born just like any other person. They have fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, wives, children, just like the next man or woman. They pound their beats, in thunder, lightning or rain. The sun beats them till their eyes almost pop out of the sockets. But we accord them no respect, we esteem them as men of sorrow, acquainted with grief. They are policemen, and must be treated like something the cat dragged in, article of no commercial value.
During the EndSARS protests of October 2020, see what happened to our cops: 39 were killed, with one roasted and eaten, 210 injured, their stations and barracks worth N11.6 billion were burnt, along with 198 police vehicles, 9 Armoured Personnel Cars. Also razed were Police Communication Equipment worth N5.8 billion, and 422 exhibit vehicles valued at N5.5 billion.
The police were the main reason the protests took place in the first instance, but then, do you first annihilate an institution that needs reforms? They had their excesses, but is decapitation the cure for headache?
President Muhammadu Buhari in the wake of the EndSARS protests promised to reform the police, including looking into their welfare and enhancing their status. It is now promise made, and promise kept, as the Federal Executive Council unfolded a new deal for the police. It is like a Christmas bonus, which came at the end of the year.
Following the promise of the President in 2020, probe panels were instituted by states to look into the excesses of the police, and recommend sanctions and compensations where necessary, while a stakeholders committee was also set up to look into the welfare of the police.
See the parlous conditions of members of an institution we gave arms and ammunition to, and we asked to protect us.
*At least 1,898 personnel were not paid outstanding insurance benefits for the period of 2013 to 2020.
*Death benefits were not paid to families of 5,472 personnel, who died on active duty between 2013 and 2021.
*Financial claims amounted to N1,128, 174, 150.00 in respect of the 1,898 uninsured personnel.
Read Also: We’re not all gloom and doom, are we?, by Femi Adesina
*Death benefits amounted to N13,127,197,269.48, while burial expenses amounted to N1,234,520.000.00, for personnel who died between 2012 and 2021.
A working group set up at the instance of President Buhari, came up with recommendations, which have now been approved by the Federal Executive Council. They include:
*The release of over one billion, one hundred and twenty-eight million for the payment of outstanding benefits to 1,898 personnel for the period 2013 to 2020.
*The release of over 13 billion for the payment of outstanding death benefits.
*Tax waiver in the sum of over N18 billion per annum for all junior personnel in order to increase their take-home emoluments.
*Increase of rent subsidy from 15-20% to 40% of the Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS).
*Payment of additional 6% shift duty allowance.
*Payment of 20% of COMPOSS as peculiar allowance to boost morale and take-home pay of the police.
All these, and more, are to take effect from the 2022 appropriation act, thus improving the welfare of our police personnel.
Will it automatically translate to better behavior, and elimination of bribery and corruption? Not by the waving of a wand. But it would signpost the beginning of caring for the police. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
History will record President Buhari as the man who began to take practical steps in repositioning the welfare of the police. They would no longer be regarded as scum, and would earn respect from a society that loves to look down on them. I tell you, this President cares.
*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity
Former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has endorsed the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo to take over power in 2023.
Babangida endorsed the Vice President when he was visited by the Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger capital, on Thursday.
The elder statesman while speaking during the visit charged Osinbajo to be resilient and contest in the 2023 general elections.
He said, “I know the Vice-president very well. He is a good man. A man who has conviction about Nigeria; a man who can communicate with the country and inspire people. Such a man is a worthy person to work with. We need a good man to lead Nigeria.
“A man who has a passion for this country. Nigeria is a good country; the people of Nigeria are good. You must learn to understand people and constant discussion is key.
“I want to convey my best wishes to the Vice-president through you. And I want you to tell him to stay on the cause. I know it’s not easy but he has the conviction. I wish him the best.”
According to Babangida, he accepted to speak with the group because he knows the Vice President has the quality of a good leader.
The National Convener of the Organisation, Ojo Foluso, in his response to the statement of the former military president said they are happy with IBB’s endorsement.
He said, “We came to consult the Oracle and the Oracle has spoken. General IBB is an oracle because he understands Nigeria.”
He said they would continue to mount pressure on Osibanjo to pick interest in the 2023 race.
Pen for Hire! OSMOSERVE Rubbishes Blogger’s Attempt To Tarnish Company, MD’s Reputation
Necessity is the regular excuse of rapscallions. It is the mephistophelean plea used to legitimize devilish deeds, like the willful maligning of upright men by a hack writer, like Jackson Ude, the owner of Pointblankblog.com
Ude recently embarked on a mission to malign patriotic and industrious businessman, Scott Tommey, whose exploits in the business sector have become a source of worry and sleepless nights to Ude and perhaps, his sponsors.
Ude in a manner unbecoming of a journalist launched an attack against the businessman, writing to harass the latter with trumped-up allegations fed to him by his malefic cohorts.
In the performance of his hatchet work, he contacted the illustrious businessman, quoting slanted facts and outright lies, in the purported discharge of his journalistic role.
But since he has deemed it fit to whore himself out to corrupt and faceless elements with destructive intent, the Media Consultant to Osmoserve Global Limited, Obafemi Ajayi, has slammed the controversy-prone blogger, over his story in which he imputed wrong and malicious motives into the business transactions of the Managing Director, Scott Tommey.
In the latest tirade tweeted by one Jackson Ude, whose stock-in-trade has been to fabricate utter falsehood, and disseminate same via multiple social media platforms, the pen-for-hire writer alluded that Scott Tommey is fronting for the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Godswill Akpabio.
In all ramifications, Tommey possesses home-grown intelligence that complements his sophistication. A shrewd manager of resources and a billionaire with benevolent mien, Tommey’s journey to the summit of entrepreneurial success is strewn with tales of struggles, determination and destiny.
Tommey has done extraordinarily well to have built a world class multi-billion business enterprise in the mould of Osmoserve, whose specialty has brought physical infrastructural transformation to the Niger-Delta region. In his bid to play down his ingenuity and business savvy, Ajayi attributes Osmoserve’s climb to the pinnacle of entrepreneurial success to sheer determination, providence and God’s grace. He is not anybody’s bagman.
Debunking the story as utter lies, Prince Obafemi Ajayi, considers “very laughable the fact that Ude and his sponsors, as well as those mischievously escalating the fake news, were so blinded by mischief and pull-him-down syndrome that they could see the clear holes in their fabrication. Mr Scott Tommey is well respected businessman and he is not Akpabio or anyone’s front. The assertion is not true”.
Ajayi explained that Jackson Ude “is in the trade of tarnishing Nigerian brands with unsubstantiated contents. He pointed to the petition of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the Inspector-General Police, demanding a thorough investigation of the blogger after publishing malicious story, in which he alleged that the suspended acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, facing a presidential probe, told the investigative panel that he gave N4bn to Osinbajo. Not only has Magu debunked the claim; the panel has also released statement putting a lie to Ude’s allegation.
“This is calling on unsuspecting public to be wary of Ude’s shenanigans, as we also wish to sound a note of warning to all those who have made it their pastime to sponsor malicious write-ups, tweets and online publications against Osmoserve Global and our MD, that their day of reckoning is not far away,” Ajayi expressed.
“We have put our legal team on notice to deal with such malicious write-ups. We also urge the general public to kindly disregard the Ude mischievous tweets and similar others, for what they are: blatantly false and malicious,” he advised.
