Category: cover

Buhari didn’t lose grip on national issues while in office – Garba Shehu

 

Former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu stated that Buhari remained connected and well-informed about events in Nigeria throughout his time in office.

 

In his book “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” launched on Tuesday in Abuja, Garba Shehu revealed that he invented the Villa rat invasion story to shift public focus from worries over President Buhari’s health and ability to lead.

 

During his administration from 2014 to 2023, President Buhari once responded to a security-related question in a media interview by saying, “I am not aware.”

 

This statement quickly became a defining phrase associated with him, often used by opposition figures and critics to highlight perceived gaps in his leadership.

 

However, in Chapter 6 of his book titled “The Muhammadu Buhari Persona” (page 108), Shehu noted that the former President regularly stayed informed by reading newspapers, listening to the radio, and watching television news channels every day.

 

According to Shehu in the book, “Buhari is a publicly aware person. In office, he took more than a passing interest in knowing what was happening in the country and around the globe and what was being written about his government, even if it was a paragraph in a newspaper.

“That was why he was supplied a dozen or more newspapers in the morning to start the day, even before getting to the office.

“The delivery of his newspapers early in the day was a mandatory exercise, at home in Abuja, and wherever he happened to be. A driver went on daily trips to Kano from Daura, a journey of about two hours with light traffic, to pick up newspapers for him. (Even now, out of office, that arrangement continues).

 

“He also loved listening to the radio and watching television. I had noticed his attention switching between the papers and the TV.

 

“Even then, he had a disdain for public exposure, or, perhaps, the camera-still and motion.”

We are not part of coalition – South-West PDP

 

The South-West Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Friday, distanced itself from the coalition of opposition political parties, urging all members to remain united, steadfast and continue to stand behind its leaders in the zone in navigating through all issues at both the zonal and national levels.

 

This formed part of the communique read by the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, Sanya Atofarati, after the meeting held at the PDP Zonal Secretariat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

 

PUNCH Online reports that a coalition of opposition parties in Nigeria has adopted the African Democratic Congress as its platform for the 2027 general elections.

 

The decision was made after a meeting by the opposition leaders, including former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; the 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; former Senate President, David Mark; ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola among others.

 

Atofarati declared that the party had resolved to intensify efforts to ensure the victory of PDP in the upcoming bye-elections in and Ogun State as well as the Local Government Council election in Lagos State.

 

The party commended and appreciated both Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his Osun State counterpart, Ademola Adeleke and other party leaders in the zone for their untiring roles in ensuring the stability and growth of the PDP as the prominent political party in the region.

 

He was confident that PDP, as a party of choice in the region and Nigeria at large, would record a sweeping victory in the coming elections.

The party reaffirmed its unwavering loyalty to the PDP and commitment to the unity, stability, progress and success of the party at all levels in the zone and across the country.

 

“The caucus reaffirms that the PDP in South-West is intact and urges all organs and relevant bodies of the party to remain focused and continue to work assiduously towards the successful conduct of the scheduled National Convention to further strengthen and reposition the PDP for the task ahead.

 

It read, “The caucus states that it is not part of the reported coalition and urges all members of the PDP to remain united, steadfast and continue to stand behind our leaders in the zone in navigating through all issues at the zonal and national levels. The caucus, however, supports the position of the National Working Committee that our party remains open to working with other well-meaning, like-minded citizens in the collective effort to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the All Progressives Congress.

 

“It demands that the Federal Government immediately release the withheld Osun State Local Government Allocation. The withholding of the state Local Government Allocation by the Federal Government is unconstitutional, unwarranted and a violation of the rights and well-being of the people of Osun State.

 

“We express very serious concern over the worsening insecurity and economic hardship in the country under the APC administration. The caucus reechoes the declaration of Governor Makinde that the 2027 election will be between Nigerians and the APC, with Nigerians ultimately triumphing under the banner of the PDP.”

 

The party, therefore, urges Nigerians not to lose hope but remain resolute and continue to rally with the PDP as the party leads the charge to rescue the nation from the misrule of the current administration.

Saraki commends Kwara PDP for successful membership registration

 

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has commended members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State for the successful completion of the party registration exercise, which ended last Sunday.

 

Saraki, in a statement signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, on Friday, noted that the seven-week exercise started on a very low pace but gained momentum that it surprised its handlers as to the huge number of people who came out to register in the 193 wards in the state.

 

“My commendation goes to all the members of our parties who came out to make this idea a success.

 

“They demonstrated boldly that they are proud members of the great PDP, a party whose platform remains the best through which good governance can be provided for the people.

“I also appreciate the young men and women who were in charge of the registration exercise, the volunteers who mobilised old and new members, the local party leaders, and others who worked day and night to ensure the process improved every day until the end. I thank all of you.

 

“Today, the Kwara PDP is perhaps the only state branch in and outside the fold in the country that has an accurate record of its membership and can therefore project its growth over the coming months leading to the election. This is a good development for us as a party.

 

“Incidentally, this is a local initiative, and it has become successful because the people wanted it and also made it possible. In Kwara PDP, we have set a good example for the other state branches to emulate. I am proud of our people,” he stated.

 

He further urged the people to keep up the spirit and take it into the 2027 elections, where they should work to win the elections and give the people a new lease of life.

Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, a scam – Babachir Lawal

 

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project as a “scam,” accusing the Bola Tinubu-led administration of lacking tangible projects that benefit Nigerians.

 

Lawal made the remarks during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, aired on Channels Television on Friday.

 

“If you ask me, ‘What projects has this government implemented so far that are visible to Nigerians and have impacted their lives?’ I cannot see any.

 

“At least in northern Nigeria, where I am a frequent traveller, I don’t see any road that they are constructing or rehabilitating. In the South-West, I don’t think there is any,” he claimed.

 

He also criticised the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project, claiming successive governments have used it as a political talking point without completing it.

 

“They are still talking about the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which it appears every government talks about and votes money for, and it never goes anywhere.

“Their so-called coastal road is just a scam. Every Nigerian knows it is a scam. Even before they started, we knew it would be a scam, and it has become a scam,” he said.

 

Tinubu had, in May, flagged off the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway — a 30-kilometre stretch from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Eleko Village area in Lekki, Lagos.

 

But Lawal dismissed the development, questioning its relevance in the face of mounting public debt.

 

“You borrow money from Europe, and before it comes, it is spent over there. So, I don’t understand. What can Nigerians see?

 

“It has become such that the President can go and commission 30 kilometres of a 700km road — which has even become a source of controversy. So, what are they doing with our money?” he asked.

Bangladesh bans use of ‘sir’ for women officials

 

Bangladesh’s caretaker government has overturned a long-standing protocol requiring women officials to be addressed as “sir”, calling it an “odd” relic of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina’s regime.

The interim administration, headed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, took office last year after former prime minister Hasina was overthrown by a student-led uprising, forcing her to flee to neighbouring India.

A statement issued by the press wing of the caretaker government late Thursday said the directive mandating the use of “sir” for women in official roles had been “annulled”.

“During Sheikh Hasina’s nearly 16-year-long autocratic rule, a directive was reportedly issued requiring public officials to address her as ‘sir’,” it said.

“This practice extended to other high-ranking women officials, who were – and still are – being called ‘sir’, which is clearly odd.”

A new committee has been formed to revise other protocol-related directives, the statement added.

A woman bureaucrat told AFP that the caretaker government took the call without consulting women officials.

 

“The tradition began during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, but many women officers supported it, finding the address gender-neutral,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

 

Hasina, 77, who has defied orders to return to Dhaka, faces several charges at Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal for alleged crimes committed during a crackdown on the protests that led to her toppling.

 

Up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024, according to the United Nations.

 

Prosecutors say that Hasina held overall command responsibility for the violence.

 

AFP

Zamfara unveils school feeding programme to tackle hunger, boost enrollment

 

In a move to combat child hunger, boost school enrollment, and reduce the number of out-of-school children, the Governor of Zamfara state, Dauda Lawal has officially launched the Zamfara State Pilot School Feeding Programme.

 

According to a statement by the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on School Feeding on Friday, the milestone was made possible through the coordination of Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding.

 

“This program is not only about feeding children—it’s about restoring dignity, improving access to education, and fighting poverty.

 

“We are proud to be working with visionary leaders like Dr. Yetunde Adeniji to deliver on our shared promise,” Lawal declared.

The programme is supported by key development partners including the World Bank, UNICEF, International Center for Economic Development, FINPACT Development Foundation

 

Yetunde who identified out-of-school children in 14 local councils of the state, she assured that through sustainable pilot interventions, the collaboration will mark a turning point in Zamfara’s education sector.

 

“Together, we are ensuring that no child is left behind — nourishing minds and bodies one plate at a time. This is what impact looks like. This is Renewed Hope in Action,” she stressed.

Two die, 10 injured in Jigawa auto crash

 

The Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed two persons dead and 10 injured in an auto crash that occurred along Ringim-Kano Road, in the Ringim Local Government Area of the state.

 

The FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Umar Mas’ud, told newsmen in Dutse, the state capital, on Friday that the incident, which involved two Volkswagen cars, was caused by overspeeding and wrongful overtaking.

 

Mas’ud said that 13 persons were involved in the incident, which occurred at about 10:40 a.m. on Thursday.

 

The sector commander added that all 13 persons involved are from Bareda village in the Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

 

Mas’ud further stated that the Corps recovered N2.1 million belonging to one of the deceased victims and one survivor.

 

Mas’udu said the money had since been handed over to the victims’ relatives in the presence of the area’s Divisional Police Officer (DPO), ASP Abdullahi Ibrahim.

He commended the Corps’ Unit Command in charge of the area for their transparency and diligence in recovering and returning the money.

 

Mas’ud said, “It is my pleasure to inform the general public that our personnel were involved in a rescue operation in the Ringim area on Thursday, and during the exercise, the sum of N2,166,700 was recovered.

 

“After a thorough investigation with the support of the police in the area, all the money recovered was handed over to relatives of the victims.”

 

The sector commander was further reassured of the Corp’s commitment to integrity and its mandate to serve the public with compassion and transparency.

 

Mas’udu advised motorists to desist from overspeeding, wrongful overtaking, and other acts capable of causing road crashes under whatever circumstances.

 

(NAN)

Naval chief rallies support for civil-military cooperation 11th July 2025

 

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has called for continued support for the Nigerian Navy’s Civil-Military Cooperation initiative, as well as the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

Ogalla made the call on Thursday during the commissioning of a Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project in Agbor, Delta State.

 

The project involved the renovation of Igue Primary School, Ime-Obi, including the perimeter fencing, provision of a borehole, and construction of a security gatehouse, among other improvements.

 

Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Oluwole Fadeyi, Ogalla highlighted the importance of CIMIC, describing it as “a key principle consistently emphasised by the CNS in strengthening military-community relations.”

 

According to the CNS, the renovation of the primary school, originally built in 1945, had become imperative to provide a more conducive learning environment.

 

He explained that the CNS-QIP was launched to implement projects that enhance the Nigerian Navy’s Civil-Military Cooperation across the country, adding that “this particular project was facilitated by Rear Admiral E.O. Nmoyem as a way of giving back to his roots and improving the lives of people in the community.”

 

Ogalla further stated, “CIMIC includes activities and interactions between the military and civil society geared towards accomplishing military missions and strategic objectives.

“These projects serve not only to honour distinguished senior officers of the Nigerian Navy but also demonstrate the Navy’s broader commitment to serving Nigerians beyond its core mandate of securing lives and property in the maritime environment.

 

“Today’s commissioning of the Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project, undertaken by an illustrious son of Agbor, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogboi Nmoyem, is yet another watershed in the Nigerian Navy’s civil-military cooperation efforts.”

 

In his remarks, Rear Admiral Nmoyem expressed profound gratitude to the CNS “for the invaluable opportunity to execute such a meaningful project in Agbor, Delta State.”

 

He described the initiative as “a testament to the CNS’s visionary leadership and commitment to community development, with the Igue community being a major beneficiary.”

 

Nmoyem expressed hope that “the project would significantly improve the standard of learning for pupils of the school.”

 

Also speaking at the event, which drew a large crowd of military personnel, security officials, and community stakeholders, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I; the Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Hon. Jerry Ehiwariyo; and the Head Teacher of Igue Primary School all expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerian Navy for extending its developmental impact to the Agbor community.

Deeper Life church rejects ₦10m compensation, wants relocation after Lagos demolition

 

The Deeper Life Bible Church has sought what it called a commensurate compensation for the demolition of its church building on 36 Aina St, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos State.

 

The church also sought protection for its members while carrying out lawful activities on the land, pending when the demolition case would be resolved.

 

The spokesperson for the church, Mr Taiwo Kupolati, made this known on Friday in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

 

Kupolati said that the church building was pulled down on May 27 by the Lagos State Building Control Agency.

 

“Our members are raising questions on the legality of the action.

 

“For commensurate compensation to be made, the church wants proper valuation of the property,” he said.

 

The spokesperson said that the church rejected a ₦10 million compensation earlier given to it by the Surulere Local Government.

 

“Alternatively, the church demands that it should be relocated to another land within the vicinity to enable its members to continue their worship,” he said.

He said that the church had reported the case to the acting inspector-general of police in charge of Zone Two of the Nigeria Police Force, seeking protection of its members from harassment or intimidation while worshipping on the land pending resolution of the case.

 

Kupolati said that as a peaceful organisation, the church chose the legal route to settle the matter.

 

“We were told that LASBCA acted on its own. But we know the local government had earlier indicated interest in the land,” he stated.

 

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, has said that the state government had no issues with the church and had no hand in the demolition.

 

“Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration has always promoted fairness. We hold Deeper Life Church in high regard. The state government did not order the demolition,” he said.

 

According to him, the demolition was a local government matter.

“We have begun talks with representatives of the church. The governor’s Special Adviser on Religious Matters (Christian) is engaging with them,” the commissioner said.

 

NAN

Okpebholo’s S’Court victory, a moment of renewal for Edo – Imasuen

 

The member representing Edo South in the Senate, Neda Imasuen, has described the Supreme Court judgement upholding the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo as a moment of renewal in the state.

 

He called on well-meaning citizens of the state to join hands with the governor as he steers the ship of the state towards greater heights.

 

PUNCH Online reports that on Thursday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, in the lead judgment delivered by Justice Lawal Garba, held that the Candidate of the People Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo, failed to prove allegations of over-voting, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and other infractions cited as grounds to challenge Okpebholo’s electoral victory.

 

In a unanimous judgment, the court ruled that based on the evidence before it, Ighodalo was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast.

 

Specifically, the court noted that the PDP candidate failed to substantiate claims of non-compliance, having only challenged the results in 395 out of the 4,519 polling units where elections were conducted.

 

The panel of justices further held that the 19 witnesses called during the trial were not sufficient to help the case of the appellant in challenging the outcome of the election.

 

The panel also held that it found no reason to set aside the previous judgments of the lower courts, noting that the appellant failed to prove, without doubt, admissible evidence to the claim that the election was marred by irregularities and over-voting.

 

However, in a statement on Friday, Imasuen said that judgment not only affirms the will of the people but also reinforces the collective belief in the sanctity of democracy and the rule of law.

 

The statement read, “I warmly congratulate Senator Monday Okpebholo on his resounding and well-deserved victory at the Supreme Court on Thursday, which has finally brought an end to the long and strenuous legal contest surrounding the Edo State governorship election.

“This is a moment of renewal, and I urge all well-meaning sons and daughters of Edo State to join hands with the Governor as he steers the ship of our great State towards greater heights.

 

“The Supreme Court’s landmark judgement not only affirms the will of the people, but also reinforces our collective belief in the sanctity of democracy and the rule of law.

 

“By dismissing the petition and holding that the claims against the election lacked substance, the apex court has now drawn a clear line under the matter, allowing us to fully focus on the task of governance and development.”

 

Imasuen said that the victory is not just personal to Governor Okpebholo, but a triumph for the entire people of Edo State who deserve peace, stability and purposeful leadership.

 

He stated that the time for politicking is over, adding that it is time for healing, unity, and rebuilding trust in the promise of democracy.

He added, “As the Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, I restate my unwavering commitment to working hand-in-hand with Governor Okpebholo to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. T

 

“Together, we must channel our collective energies into the pursuit of good governance, infrastructural development, youth empowerment, education, security, and economic progress for every Edo citizen.

 

“Once again, congratulations, Senator Monday Okpebholo. The victory is for all of us.”

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