In its resolve to build a sustainable economic growth in Africa, a world class infrastructure building giant, International Service Group (ISG) has vowed to empower Africans and enhance economic advancement, as it promises to collaborate and finance any willing government in Africa to fund projects that will boost the economy of the nation.
In the organization’s New Year package for the Continent of Africa aptly tagged ”Vision 2020”, ISG detailed its projection on how it intends to finance willing African governments to create economic growth in their countries by improving, renewing and adjusting the infrastructure.
Chief Executive Officer of the International Service Group (ISG), Mr. Steven Tuinstra.i
In a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the International Service Group (ISG), Mr. Steven Tuinstra, the organization believes that if Africa concentrates on the development of Infrastructure and fights corruption, the continent is capable of ruling the World.
ISG, according to Tuinstra, in its Vision 2020 package for Africa is committed to providing funding for any country that is ready to develop their country to a higher level, declaring that the organization has projected billions of dollars to render Financing to any country on the continent that is willing to embark on capital projects that will enhance development and job creation for the citizens.
Tuinstra mentioned further that, the areas of Interest for the organization in building infrastructure in Africa include roads, railway, airports, ports, bridges, and electricity to improve power amongst others, as he assured ISG’s total financing of projects in the one specified areas.
He pointed out that his experience in Africa has exposed him to the fact that even though Africa is rich on resources, people are very poor with no jobs for the citizens.
According to the ISG boss, traveling across Africa and seeing people suffering in spite of the enormous wealth in resources calls for concern. He thus vowed that ISG through its unique funding model that connects all of the dots is now ready to make the necessary financing available, which has been the main issue of the African nation to improve lives for African citizens.
Tuinstra, in the statement disclosed that ISG is currently financing projects all over Africa, ISG has among others signed agreement to build an Olympic Village in Ivory Coast towards the successful hosting of CAF 2023, while Plans are in top gear to finance the construction of 100,000 low cost housing unit in Ghana and the construction of Railway throughout West Africa.
He concluded that the infrastructure building giant would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Africa realizes its potentials.
Meanwhile, the Organization has appointed a Nigerian International Journalist, Moses Owopade as its Media & Publicity Adviser.
A N20m fundamental human rights suit has been filed against Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and six others over allegations of unlawful detention, torture and inhuman treatment of a Lagos-based businessman, Akinfolabi Akindele,
The case was filed before a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, has as co- respondents, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force CID, Alagbon, Lagos; Assistant Inspector General of Police Force, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos; Lagos State Commissioner of Police; Deputy Commissioner of Police State CID Panti, Lagos; Alhaji Azeez Ashiru, and Sergeant Adeyinka Adekunle
The applicant in the suit accused the Inspector General of Police and other respondents, of violating his fundamental human rights by arresting and detaining him in a brutal manner, sometime in February, 2019.
Akindele, who is also the Managing Director of Adamakin Investment, in the suit marked as TEMP/49826/2020 filed through his Lawyer, Idris Mohammed Doko, stated that at the behest of Alhaji Azeez Ashiru (the sixth respondent), sometime in February 2019, he was arrested, brutalised, detained and without being allowed to legal representation, compelled to make statements on each occasion of his arrest and detention without arraignment before any court of law till date.
He prayed the court to declare that the humiliating and brutal arrest and detention constitute a violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of the human person, guaranteed under Sections 34 and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Article 3 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
He further asked the court to declare that the fresh invitation sent to him on a matter that has already been investigated and concluded by the Deputy Commissioner of Police State CID Panti, for the purpose of restricting his movement, personal liberty and freedom, constitute violation of his rights under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
Also, he is asking the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves or their officers, agents or representatives, from further harassing, intimidating, and or arresting him, or interfering in respect of the facts or transactions in the case, or any fact relating to the management of Estate of Madam Iyabode Efunroye Tinubu, for which the Respondents have been harassing, arresting and detaining him.
In addition, he asked the court for an order directing the respondents to jointly and severally pay him the sum of N20 million, as damages for violation of his fundamental rights.
Akindele in the affidavit in support of the motion, averred the that on August 27, 2012, the head of Tinubu family, other accredited representatives of the family, as well as the Trustee of the Estate of Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu, gave him the Power of attorney dated August 27, 2012.
“By virtue of the said power of attorney, I was saddled with responsibility of managing or administering the entire Estate of Madam Iyalode Efunnroye Tinubu as Chairman and Managing Director of the company, which comprises of vast expanses of land across Lagos and Ogun State known as Ewe-Agbibo and Iwaya Farm Land, covered by the survey plan drawn by late Herbert Macaulay with registered title No. 45 at page 45 in volume 2212, comprising about 4.5 miles as delineated in the upgraded survey plan. Attached and marked Exhibit AD2, is the copy of the survey plan.
“That the various portions of the said expanse of land is occupied by known and unknown persons, as delineated in several survey diagrams exhibited in this affidavit and marked Exhibit AD3. “On becoming aware of the illegal or unauthorised occupation of the lands, I instituted an action against unknown persons in this court, in Suit No. LD/1604LM/17 currently pending before Hon. Justice Pedro sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, challenging the adverse claim of the ownership of any potion of land belonging or forming part of Madam Iyalode Estate.
“Alhaji Adio Lumosa is currently in Court in respect of same issues reported above, and had also earlier reported the same matter to Efcc for investigation, where it was established that the allegations were not only baseless, but false.
“Notwithstanding the fact that the matter had already been investigated by the EFCC, they did not bother to get in touch with the EFCC for the outcome of the investigation, nor confirm from the court in Lagos and Ogun State, where the matter was instituted by Alhaji Lumosa in suit no Temp/41292/2018, Alhaji Adio Kazeem Lumosa & 2 Ors v Akinfolabi Akindele, Suit No. AB/243/52019 High Court Abeokuta, Suit No. ID/6319GCM/2019 at the High Court Ikeja, but kept me in detention for well over one week.
“In fact, they transferred me from their cells at Obalende to the Anti-cult unit of the Police at Gbagada, Lagos, where I was put in the cell with some hardened criminals who continued to beat me mercilessly, until I was later separated by the station officer, upon my cry for help and made a manhunt for the lawyers representing me in the defence and prosecution of these matters, at various courts in Lagos and Ogn State.
“In fact, Mr Kunle Awoma Esq, my Lawyer, who was invited to come for my bail at their office in Obalende, Lagos, was also arrested and detained with me till we were moved to the office of the IGP in Abuja, before we were granted bail,” he averred
The former Vice Chancellor of Osun State University and Provost of the ICPC Anti-Corruption Academy, Professor Sola Akinrinade, has joined the Board of Trustees of the Akin Fadeyi Foundation.
In a statement by the Foundation’s Board Chairman and Publisher of the Cable Online News, Mr. Simon Kolawole, “AFF is indeed excited to have Professor Sola Akinrinade onboard. Professor Akinrinade comes with a rich and diverse track record of academic excellence, towering development sector expertise and an impeccable grasp of international diplomacy. His addition to the Board brings the strategic perspectives required to consolidate on AFF’s milestones in the anti-corruption space, while also charting new paths in the driving of initiatives that fits into our overall agenda for a better world”.
Professor Sola Akinrinade is the pioneer Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, the research and training arm of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC. He holds the Bachelor of Art and Master Art degrees in History from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, and PhD in International Relations
from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of London. He is a Professor of African Diplomatic History and International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he has produced several graduates and Dons in over three decades.
He was Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University (2003 – 2007), and Chairman of the Committee of Deans, (2006 – 2007). He served as the foundation Vice-Chancellor of the Osun State University, from 2007 to 2012. Experienced academic, historian, biographer, documentarist, public servant and administrator and Consultant to various national and international organizations with interest and capacity in public policy, human capacity development, higher education capacity building, good governance, anti-corruption, ethics and integrity.
Professor Akinrinade joined the ICPC on 1 October 2014, as Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria. As Provost, he serves as the Head of the Academy and provides academic and administrative leadership. He is responsible for the growth and development of the Academy’s academic and human resources. The Academy currently works with several organisations and governmental agencies with on good governance, accountability, transparency, integrity, ethics and other issues relating to anti-corruption and corrupt practices.
A Certified Management Consultant, Professor Akinrinade is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, FNAL, the apex body for humanities scholarship in Nigeria, and of several other professional bodies including the Historical Society of Nigeria, FHSN, the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (fspsp), and the Institute of Management Consultants, FIMC.
The Akin Fadeyi Foundation Board of Trustees led by the Board Chair, Simon Kolawole is comprised of experts in Legal, Media Communication, Public policy and Development Sector credentials.
Established in 2016., the Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF) is a registered Not-For-Profit that works to ensure that Nigerians live fulfilling lives where they can use their human and social capital to the full extent. Since inception, AFF has focused on the following key areas: Anti-corruption, Socio-economic development, Poverty relief, Environmental protection and preservation. The Foundation’s flagship project is ‘Corruption Not in my country’, a radio and TV drama skit currently broadcast. The foundation is also behind the Flag’It App initiative, a mobile and webbased App developed, developed with support from MacAuthur Foundation, and which empowers citizens to report corruption, demand for accountability and excellent service delivery from government institutions.
(L-R) M&E Officer, Akin Fadeyi Foundation, Osemudiame Enaholo, Accounts Officer, Akin Fadeyi Fadeyi Foundation, Ernest Momoh, Corp Marshal, FRSC. Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Head of Programs, Akin Fadeyi Foundation, Ekenem Ugede, Corp Public Education Officer, FRSC. Bisi Kazeem, Programs Officer, Akin Fadeyi Foundation, Simon Adole at a review report meeting on FlagIt App, FRSC headquarters, Abuja
Atlanta, GA. USA. Monday January 20, 2020: The US-Nigeria Trade Council, a body that specializes in facilitating trade and investments between the United States and Nigeria, on behalf of Nigerians in the diaspora (United States) hereby endorses the Flag’It App, a mobile technology Application Portal recently launched by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation for reporting corruption. We enjoin Nigerians in the diaspora to download the App as they would find it valuable in reporting encounters of corruption whenever they travel to Nigeria.
We express delight and declare this initiative as indication that Nigeria is fast moving in the direction of accountability and transparency. We congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari for lending his weight behind the Flag’It App, especially as the Presidency and other major government agencies were well represented at the launching which took place at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja recently. Evidently, no serious-minded government would sit pretty and allow corruption to fester. We commend the Akin Fadeyi Foundation for developing such innovative app, and thereby, empowering Nigerians to confront the endemic corruption in our social milieu. The “the Flag’It” App which empowers Nigerians to report corruption is a commendable national reset agenda capable of bringing about a radical change that will enable the ease of doing business in Nigeria once citizens can report public officials who abuse their positions and also constitute a stumbling block within the process chain.
We congratulate the Akin Fadeyi Foundation on the scores of milestones recorded from its ‘Corruption Not in My Country’ drama skits, an initiative which has gained traction with huge impact of the project on citizens within and outside Nigeria. These dramatizations and the messaging style are appropriate for the fight against petty and retail corruption because it challenges our normative culture of impudence and endemic corruption.
The Trade Council commend the FRSC Corp Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, for buying into the vision of the Flag’It App and for being the first government agency to come onboard the App. This action is a bold gesture and a clear commitment of his leadership at the FRSC to transparency, accountability and excellent service delivery”. We hereby urge the President to direct other federal government institutions to begin onboarding the FlagIt App as this would signal to the global community that Nigeria was indeed serious and irrevocably committed to its fight against institutional corruption in the country. For us at the Trade Council, the FlagIt App is a robust complement to the existing national anti-corruption efforts of the Buhari administration and we call on this government to tap into the opportunities, the Flag’It App offers especially in its continued drive for more foreign investment.
There is no further demonstration to bolster the confidence of Investors than opening your public institutions processes to accountability, transparency and excellent service delivery.
The US-Nigeria Trade council also commended the MacArthur Foundation for supporting this initiative and for lending its weight behind creative social change programs globally to ensure the enthronement of transparency and the stamping out of corruption.
The Flag’IT App is a mobile and web-based App developed by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation which empowers citizens to report corruption, demand for accountability and excellent service delivery from government institutions. It was launched on the 10th of October, 2019 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja at an event that was attended by dignitaries from the civil society, government agencies and the Media. Nigerians have since begun to download the App, with 14 reported cases and 7 already treated.
World richest man and founder of Amazon in one of his famous quotes said, “Work hard, have fun, make history”. These will best be used to described the trend at which young and hardworking Chairman of Loatsad Promomedia, Seyi Tinubu is living.
Seyi who is known for his hard working and his fun loving lifestyle has recently been making history by the number of awards that are trailing him, recently, Chartered Institute of Public Resources Managers and Politics, an organisatuion based in Ghana decided to honour the humble but hard-working man by inducting him into 2020 Fellowship Hall of Fame of the organization.
The delegation headed by Dr. Richard Kpoku-Aquarte in his speech described the Loatsad Chairman as a man of an uncommon professional of excellence in a class of his own, he also address his as a pace-setter media innovator, a multi-dimensional business executive of unparalleled distinction and a boardroom strategist.
Dr. Kpoku-Aquarte explained further that the Fellowship is to honour people from all nations especially those those who have proven themselves as embodiments of Integrity, Transparency and Accountability in their various leadership positions. He also listed Otunba Gbenga Daniel (former Governor of Ogun State), Mr. Stephen Onasanya (former M.D. of First Bank of Nig Plc), Barrister Adebayo Shittu (former Nigerian Minister of Communications), Prof. Abdil Kareem Age Sulyman (VC University of Ilorin) and many more important dignitaries as some individuals that has been inducted into the Fellowship in the past.
In the same vein another organization, Avance Media, a Public Relations & Rating company that has for some times been honouring young Africans that are making positive impact in their different countries to encourage them to do more, recognizes his contribution and has since nominated him for the annual honor.
Announcing the nomination on his Instagram page, Seyi Tinubu attributed his nomination to the hard work and dedication of the Loatsad Promomedia team and his partner Denrele Olusoga, in the message he stated “Congratulations to the @loatsad_promomedia team, this is an affirmation of their hard work which has led to my nomination for @avance_media‘s 2019 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians in Business. It’s been a collective effort and journey so credit must be given to my team and partners”.
The list which is being compiled and voted for yearly started about five years ago and has had names of influential Nigerian young men and women like; Davido, Wizkid, DJ Xclusive, Funke Akindele, Kelechi Anyikude, Amaka Osakwe, DJ Cuppy, John Obi Mikel, Linda Ikeji, IK Osakioduwa, Toke Makinwa and many more young Nigerians.
The list according to the organisers headed by Prince Akpah is to “serve as an encouragement to young Nigerians who are accomplished in their industries and continue to build distinguished brands for themselves and influence over others. The list also urged those honoured to continue striving harder so that their story can inspire other young people to also contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria and the continent of Africa.”
Barrister Femi Mokikan, President, Okun Development Association
The national executive of Okun Development Association (ODA) has distanced itself from a group named Okun Development Association, South West Branch.
The National Executive of ODA, the umbrella body representing the Yoruba people of Kogi State, rose from its quarterly meeting of 18th January 2020 held in Isanlu, Yagba East LG, with some far reaching decisions.
In a communiqué released in Kogi State after the meeting, and signed by the National President, Barrister Femi Mokikan, the National Secretary, Pst Ayo Abereoran and the National Legal Adviser, Barrister Abimbola, the association stated that:
1) Legal, civil and criminal actions will be taken against anybody or group of persons parading themselves as representing the Association at National or Branch levels in any manner outside the provisions of the constitution of the Association.
2) No organisation or individuals shall henceforth undertake any event or function, for commercial or non commercial purposes, using the Okun name without the written approval of the National Executive Committee of ODA.
3) That the security situation in Okunland is still of serious concern. We commend the efforts of the State Government, other security agencies in the State, our Hunters and individuals who have collaborated with us in addressing the challenges we are often confronted with.
4) To further enhance the effectiveness of our efforts, we believe the time has come for us to set up our own Okun Security Trust Fund (OSTF). Towards this end, a committee is working on the details and other modalities and the outcome will be announced as soon as their report is approved.
5) We received with excitement the creation of the AMOTEKUN Security outfit at inter governmental level to address the security challenges of the SW States. This provides us in ODA an opportunity to explore the possibility of raising our security collaboration with the SW Yorubas to another level. We shall not relent.
6) As part of possible measures to reduce unemployment, we appeal to Okun Sons and Daughters with means and the entrepreneurial profile to come home and establish businesses with potentials to absorb people into paid employment.
7) The presence of a Community Radio is a powerful means of social and cultural reengineering in any community. The ODA will explore every opportunity/possibility, through appropriate individuals, to ensure that Okun Radio becomes a reality.
8) To further give teeth to the ODA, the Okun Council of Elders is to be reconstituted within the shortest possible time. We, on behalf of all Okun people thank our fathers and mothers who have served meritoriously on the Council
9) We appeal to our politicians to stop meddling with the affairs of the National Association of Okun Students so as to permanently put an end to the divisive tendencies that continue to plague the body. What we need is unity at all levels.
10) That the Miss Okun Pageant is a proprietary asset of the Okun people.
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Therefore the process of selecting the successful candidate to wear the Miss Okun Crown will henceforth be under the umbrella of ODA. This is without prejudice to any groups or individuals that may wish to initiate, organize and own their own beauty pageants, provided the word Okun is not reflected in the appellation of such pageant.
11) Meanwhile, ODA has announced that election will be held into various offices of the Lagos branch of the association before the end of Februa 2020. The Executive offices to be filled shalll be contested by individuals from Ijumu Local Government, Yagba West Local Government, Mopa Amuro Local Government, Yagba East Local Government, Oworo/Lokoja Local Government and Kabba/Bunu Local Government.
12) Ijumu Local Government will produce the Chairman of the Branch, while the Vice-Chairman will be produced by Oworo in Lokoja Local Government, the office of the Secretary has been zoned to Yagba West, while the Financial Secretary will be produced by Mopa Amuro. The post of Public Relation Officer (PRO) and Treasurer will come from Yagba East and Kabba/Bunu Local Government respectively.
Speaking further on the Communique, the National President, Barrister Femi Mokikan, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently rebuild all the federal roads in Okunland that are in a deplorable condition. The association President said most Okun communities are now “landlocked”.
Nigeria-based foreigners who’re contributing to the nation’s economy in terms of visible investments and employment generation will be honoured and celebrated during the Ethnic Business Awards (www.theethnicbusinessawards.com) on Valentine’s day, February 14th, 2020 at the prestigious Oriental hotel Lagos.
These diaspora foreigners who have chosen Nigeria as home despite the stormy waters, according to the organizers of the epoch making event deserve more than celebration and will be honoured in different categories such as Ethnic Man of The Year, Woman of The Year, Entrepreneur of The Year, CSR Brand, Beauty Brand, Financial Institution to mention but a few.
On the Ethnic Man of The Year category are revered international business tycoon such Alli Mousalli of Cool FM, Allon Nelken, (Mega Plaza), Benoy Berry (Contec Group), Robert Tung (Wempco), Mann Lababidi of Crown Flour Mills to mention but a few while the nominees for Ethnic Woman of The Year are Diana Chan (GAC Motors), Kavita Chellaram (ArtHouse Contemporary) and Caterina Bortolussi of Kinabuti Fashions.
Other interesting categories are the Ethnic Financial Institutions where the likes of Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered and Citi Bank are being nominated.
Foreign entertainers who’re making waves in the Nigerian showbiz industry will also be honoured in the catrgories itemized as Cross-Over Actors, Actress and Musician of The Year. Prominent African stars such as Juliet Ibrahim (Ghana), Princess Shyngle (Gambia), Cynthia Emade (Cameroun), Ela Mensah (Ghana), Okawa Shaznay among others.
The Ethnic Business Awards is aimed at recognizing and appreciating the outstanding contributions of foreign businesses, organisations, individuals and communities to corporate Nigeria, “this is like thinking outside the box, the awards is designed to reward and encourage innovations and excellence among Nigeria-based foreigners in enterprise”.
Inspired by the growing population of foreign investors, organisations, individuals and migrants communities who have impressed with remarkable inputs into the growth of the Nigerian economy, the Ethnic Business Awards [EBA] seeks to reward the best practices in commerce, international diplomacy and excellence across other industries.
Nigeria became Africa’s largest economy for the second year in a row according to a multinational professional services network, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in 2019. Beyond doubts, this feat would have been impossible without the faith reposed in her by men and women of other nationalities who have defied doom prediction to swarm Nigeria to grow her commerce.
The EBA (www.theethnicbusinessawards.com) pays very special attention to promising and established foreign companies, missions, communities, organisations and individuals of sterling qualities all of whom have been identified and grouped into different categories following a public opinion poll and wide consultations with some of the industry’s finest experts.
The event holds on St. Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2020 at the prestigious Oriental hotel Lagos.
Alli Mousalli of Cool FMDiana Chan of GAC MotorsKavita Chellaram of ArtHouse Contemporary
+ How Dr. Toyin Aborisade Coughed out $5000 for their release by Oluwaseun
A mother of two, Mrs Taiwo who was stranded in Lebanon, has been rescued after the homemade video went viral in the social media. In the video, she had disclosed her identity and revealed her hometown to be ‘Erukucity’ in Kwara State.
The video, which circulated for days, caught the attention of the CEO of Phemmick Life Support, Network Dr. Toyin Aborisade, coincidentally an indigene of Erukucity, who sprang into action and set the tone for the eventual rescue of Mrs Taiwo.
It was learnt that Dr. Toyin Aborisade, after watching the viral video and found out the woman is an indigene of his hometown ‘Erukucity’, quickly sent messages to some Erukuans who live in Kwara to inquire if anyone could identify her and as luck would have it, she was identified by Mr. Olasunkanmi Ayeni, the PRO of NSCDC Kwara State who he even traced Taiwo’s compound to Erukucity.
Her twin sister, Kehinde was contacted and it was she who gave an insight into the whole scenario. According to her, a Lebanese who lives in Ilorin had cajoled Taiwo with a promise of a teaching job in Lebanon not knowing that the man had other plans of luring her into the hands of another Lebanese agent in Lebanon for slavery.
When a call was put across to Phemnick Life Support boss, Dr. Toyin Aborisade, he said it took God’s intervention and the efforts of Ayeni Olasunkanmi NSCDC Kwara State PRO; Mr. Harry Ilori, EPU Financial Secretary; Mr. Sola Daniel EPU President, Phemnick Life Support staffers and NSCDC Kwara State who wholeheartedly made every effort to get the Nigerian-based Lebanese agent arrested and instructed him to put a call to his partner in Lebanon on how to secure Mrs Taiwo’s release.
The Lebanese agent demanded for $2000 to be paid into her account before Taiwo could be released. Without hesitations, Phemnick boss Dr. Toyin Aborisade transfered $2500 to Mr. Harry Ilori who paid the money to the Lebanese.
As at the time of filing this report Taiwo had arrived Nigeria and was received by Phemnick Life Support staffers and Nigeria Civil Defense, Kwara State Squad.
Meanwhile, another victim, a single mother identified as Omolola, a native of Osun State has cried out to Phemnick Life Support,Network and a leading travel agent in Nigeria to also come to her rescue.
A reliable source has confirmed that Phemnick Life support boss has also paid $2500 for her immediate release from Lebanon.
The Nigerian-based Lebanese agent is cooling off in the custody of NSCDC while investigations are on.
One of the leading groups of journalists and media practitioners; AMPON (Association of Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria) has assured Nigerians that their optimism on the emergence of a better Nigeria is not in any way misplaced. This was contained in a Christmas message.
In the association goodwill message, made available said that every citizen of the great nation, Nigeria needs to imbibe the lessons of harmonious coexistence to engender development across the states of the nation.
In the statement, signed on behalf of its Chairman, Wole Arisekola by the Acting Secretary, Olugbenga Bada, the Association urged the Federal Government to reflect on the Christmas season and provide Nigerians with the kind of selfless leadership that Christ exemplified. “What Nigerians need from the government at all levels is selfless leadership as exemplified by Jesus Christ, who loved his friends so much that he gave his life for them”.
The statement also read in part; “our leaders should use the end of the year as a period of introspection. The same court orders that could not be obeyed for reasons known to the Major General Buhari administration were eventually obeyed after the United States waded in. Sadly, barely days before then, Major General Buhari’s handlers had given reasons for not obeying the order and had gone as far as reminding the United States Government that it has not been officially appointed ‘policeman of the world’. While it is shameful that the government refused to yield to the cries of Nigerians to obey the judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man, it is even more painful that it took only a letter from the United States to change the situation and secure the release of Col. Sambo Dasuki after four years in detention”.
The statement went further that “if we don’t give up and we collectively demand our rights, Nigeria will eventually, become a better place and not only will we have the ears of our leaders, we will eventually have a government we can truly be proud of”.
Lending its voice to the debate on the ‘Social Media Bill’, the Association described it as a ploy to gag the media. “Let it be known that AMPON will join Nigerians to resist every move to gag the media and subtly remove the freedom of the press. Nigerians have the right to express themselves and no government will be allowed to take that away from them”.
As every Nigerians look forward to a prosperous 2020, the group; AMPON urged its fellow citizen to let’s all love one another and be brothers keepers, and pray that the Almighty would touch the hearts of some persons who take joy in inflicting pains on the hapless common man.
Just few weeks after Prophet TB Joshua’s prophetic visit to South Sudan, what has never happened has occurred.
The President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar on Monday agreed talks on all the outstanding issues to go underway after Christmas and New Year holidays.
The decision by the two principles to press ahead with more talks comes amid growing international pressure as a deadline looms in February for them to form a unity government.
Tut Gatluak, Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs, told reporters after the meeting at the Presidential Palace that the two leaders agreed that face-to-face meetings will continue after Christmas and New Year holidays.
He pointed out that Kiir and Machar discussed “the implementation of the peace agreement and agreed to maintain communication on pending issues.”
“Dr. Machar is expected to travel to Khartoum on Tuesday, but he will come back to Juba after the holiday season,” Tut said.
According to the presidential adviser, the two principles reaffirmed their commitment to ensure that lasting peace is achieved in South Sudan.
“President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Dr. Riek have wished the people of South Sudan a happy holiday. We want to assure the public that next year will be a year of peace and tranquillity,” he said.
Last week, Kiir and Machar ended days of meetings without breaking a deadlock over the number of states and their boundaries.
Both sides however expressed hope that South Africa’s Deputy President David Mabuza, who mediates the talks on the number of states and their boundaries, could play a big role in bridging the divergent viewpoints of the rival parties in January.
It would be recalled that The President of Sudan had earlier invited Prophet TB Joshua for prayers for peace in the nation on November 12, which he honoured.
Temitope Balogun Joshua also known as T. B. Joshua is a Nigerian pastor, televangelist, and philanthropist. He founded The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, and owns the Christian television network Emmanuel TV.
It should also be noted that TB Joshua gained prominence in South Sudan for his alleged prophecy of a failed coup attempt against President Salva Kiir before the conflict erupted in 2013. And since his visits to South Sudan since November 2019, chains of positive reactions have been an occurrence in the country .
