The Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sewage and Drainage, Joe Igbokwe, on Thursday hinted that the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike met with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.
The APC chieftain in Lagos State in a post on his Facebook account said the presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party met with Tinubu while some people are abusing themselves on social media.
Naija News had earlier reported that the former Governor of Lagos State travelled to France.
A statement released by his media office revealed that Tinubu would hold some important political meetings while in Paris.
Governor Wike on Tuesday also stated that he is currently on vacation in Turkey.
Wike has remained silent over the runnings of the PDP after losing the vice-presidential ticket of the main opposition party to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
Igbokwe who hinted at a possible meeting further stated that people have transferred their aggression to Tinubu.
The APC chieftain in a post on his Facebook account wrote, “while they are on Social Media abusing everybody Gov Wike goes to France to meet Asiwaju. Abuse, calling names, hate and bigotry are no strategies. They hated and abused PMB since 2015 and now they have transferred the aggression to Asiwaju. We wait and see.”
Suella Braverman, the UK Attorney-General, will on July 7 determine whether the organ harvesting case filed against Ike Ekweremadu and his wife will be tried in the country or transferred to Nigeria.
The case was adjourned to July 7 after Ekweremadu, Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President, appeared before the Uxbridge Magistrate Court alongside his wife, Beatrice, on Thursday.
The prosecutor, according to Channels TV, insisted that Ukpo Nwamini David, the male alleged to have been trafficked for organ harvesting by Ekweremadu and Beatrice, is a 15-year-old.
The duo’s next appearance would be at the Westminster Magistrate Court after which a decision to try them in the UK or Nigeria would be taken.
The London Metropolitan Police had last Thursday announced the arrest and detention of the lawmaker and his wife for “conspiring to arrange the travel of a child into the UK in order to harvest organs.”
Following their arrest, Ekweremadu and his wife sued the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and two commercial banks at Federal High Court in Abuja.
They asked the court to compel the institutions to provide the Certified True Copy of the biodata of David with a view to establishing their innocence in the case.
Nigerian politician Babatunde Gbadamosi and Funke Akindele’s ex-boss has made a statement which comes after the revelation that the actress has suffered a failed marriage.
In a post shared on Instagram, the real estate developer said without mentioning any name that the masquerades have finally been unmasked.
He wrote: Breakfast is served. The launch is coming, dinner will be sumptuous. Eventually, all masquerades will finally be unmasked and served their own breakfast, launch and dinner too, at great cost to them, blogger or not.
Naija News earlier reported that JJC Skillz in the lengthy post shared on Instagram said the last two years of their marriage have been extremely difficult for them.
Skillz said he tried to fix things but he believes it’s beyond repair at the moment because Funke Akindele insisted he move out of their house.
He wrote: “Dear Friends and family I need to let you know that Funke and I have separated. While it lasted we shared a lot of things together and have created 2 beautiful children. The last two years have been extremely difficult for us. I know I have tried my best to fix things but I believe it is beyond repair now. 3 months ago and at Funkes insistence I moved out of the house and apart from AMVCA have not been able to get Funke to sit down in an amicable manner to discuss the future of our relationship.
“I’m making this announcement so that the public is clear that we both are pursuing separate lives. We still have issues that need to be addressed such as the custody and wellbeing of our children which is paramount as well as business interests which need to be disentangled but I have no doubt that these will be resolved one way or the other.”
Amidst the backslash online, veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has revealed why he is supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate Bola Tinubu.
In a post shared on his Instagram, Prince Kosoko said he has witnessed the achievement of Tinubu as a genuine leader over the years, and his support for humanity and the creative industry.
The actor said he’s convinced that Tinubu is a lover of old and new especially the youths, considering the number of people he has raised politically.
He urged his fans and followers to give Tinubu the opportunity to complete transferring the technical know-how on his God-given assignment.
He wrote: “I stand with Tinubu. I have witnessed his achievement as a Genuine Leader over the years, his support for humanity and the creative industry in particular. I am convinced he is a lover of old and new, especially the youth, considering the number he has raised politically, the Majority of who is doing well as leaders today.”
“Meaning he believes so much in youth as leaders of tomorrow as in today. Please give him the opportunity to complete transferring the technical know-how on his God-choosing assignment. ignore hate speeches by opponents and enemies. HONESTLY, WE NEED HIM. Let it not be another best president we would not have. Arise larika, arika baba iregun.”
One Amira Safiyanu will spend one year in psychiatric care after pleading guilty on Wednesday to posting false information about her kidnap thereby misleading the public and the police.
She admitted to the offence on Wednesday upon her arraignment by the Nigeria police, before the Magistrate court Wuse, Abuja.
After pleading guilty, the Police counsel, James Idachaba, urged the court to give the suspect non-custodial imprisonment, in line with Section 44 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Idachaba held that a medical report obtained by the police showed she had a mental illness as at the time she shared her fake kidnap story on June 14 through her Twitter page.
The prosecution counsel further prayed the court to put the lady under police supervision for now.
Her lawyer did not oppose the submission of the prosecution.
Subsequently, Magistrate Chukwuemeka Nweke ordered that she should be released conditionally to a probation officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Hauwa Ibrahim, for 12-month psychiatric care.
Recall that Sufiyanu on June 14 tweeted about her alleged kidnap, and gave live coordinates suggesting the movement of her captors.
She was subsequently found in Lagos by security operatives, and detained by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command for proper investigation.
The police said Sufiyanu while in custody had access to medical examinations.
The ruling of the court, however, further confirms the report by this website that Safiyanu may have misled the public due to her mental challenge.
THE WHISTLER had observed that a month before the false alarm, her tweets suggested that she may have been grappling with her mental health.
This is despite describing herself on her Twitter handle , @Ameera_Sufyan, as a psychotherapist.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police on Wednesday said the outcome of her medical evaluation will be made available to the public.
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday went into a closed-door session over the organ harvest controversy involving the erstwhile deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu.
While the Federal Government has defended the issuance of visa and other required documents to the alleged victim, David Ukpo, the Senate has moved a stepped further to identify with one of its own.
Ekweremadu, who is serving a fourth time in the Senate, was incarcerated in the UK last week on allegation of trying to illegally obtained body organ from David, who has been deemed to be underaged.
Announcing the decision of the Senate after emerging from the closed-door session, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, disclosed that the delegation comprised of members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The delegation, according to him, will leave for London on Friday.
He mandated the committee to engage the British High Commission in Nigeria to get more details on the case before jetting out.
Lawan revealed that the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has been engaged for necessary diplomatic support to Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.
He however said not much could be discussed on the matter as it was already in court, assuring Ekweremadu’s family and Nigerians that the Senate will continue to engage the Foreign ministry and Nigerian High Commission in London on the case.
While urging all relevant government institutions, including the foreign ministry, to continue to provide the required support to the former Deputy Senate President and his wife, he promised that there will be justice and fairness in the end.
Ekweremadu and his wife have been remanded till July 7, their next day to appear in court while David has been placed in protective custody.
Sterling Bank, NHEA recognize Nigeria’s Healthcare Champions
L-R : Head, Health Sector Finance, Sterling Bank Plc, Adewale Adebowale; Project Director, Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards 2022, Dr. Wale Alabi and Group Head, Health Finance, Sterling Bank Plc, Ibironke Akinmade at the 8th Annual Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards in Lagos over the weekend.
Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading commercial bank, has given special recognition awards to healthcare providers who played leading roles in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The awards were given to selected recipients at the 8th annual Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA), which held in Lagos over the weekend under the theme of: Innovative Healthcare Services in the Era of Change.
NHEA is an initiative of Global Health Projects and Resources in collaboration with Anadach Group of the United States of America. It is a yearly event where individuals and organisations are recognized and celebrated for their exceptional contributions to the healthcare sector.
Special recognition awards were given to Medbury Medical Services as the Most Responsive COVID-19 Testing Company of the Year and Seven-UP Bottling Company Plc as the Most Outstanding COVID-19 Consumables Manufacturer of the Year. Other recipients were African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemers University in Ede, Osun State as the Most Outstanding Genomic Laboratory of the Year and Nassarawa State as the Most Outstanding State for COVID-19 Vaccination.
Speaking on the awards, Group Head, Health Finance with Sterling Bank, Ibironke Akinmade said the bank recognized and honored the champions of COVID-19 pandemic because of the excellent services they rendered while the pandemic was raging in a bid to spur them to do more.
She said, “Sterling Bank is committed to improving access to healthcare for every Nigerian and our flagship offering – digitisation of State Health Insurance Platform – prefers 360-degree solution to help states bring healthcare to every citizen as well as provide wealth of data to inform policies, planning and strategy, at no initial investment.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Health, Professor Ehanire Osagie, commended the organizers of the awards which held post the different variants of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restoration of the economy to normalcy again.
The minister who was represented by Managing Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Adedamola Dada, remarked that the purpose of recognizing and rewarding healthcare professionals that contributed to efficient and quality healthcare services is to foster excellence and sustain the quality.“Good healthcare delivery is a key objective of this present administration,” Professor Osagie said.
Chairman of the Advisory Board of NHEA, Dr. Anthony Omolola said, “Over the years, NHEA has continued to strive to deliver new and creative ways to honor excellence across the healthcare space. This year’s is not different at all. At these awards, we are paying attention to those who pioneered innovative healthcare services in the era of change.”
Sterling Bank’s Divisional Head, Business Growth and Transaction Banking, Mr. Obinna Ukachukwu, had observed that the bank recognized the role that NHEA is playing in the health sector by rewarding excellence and promoting positive outcomes in the sector.
He noted that Sterling Bank, a leading player in the financing of the health sector, decided to come on board to further support excellence and growth of the sector.
NHEA Executive Secretary, Vivian Alkali, expressed the confidence that with Sterling Bank’s partnership and support, subsequent editions of NHEA will meet with greater success.
The NHEA initiative, through its eminent team’s research and innovation, has continued to encourage improvements and focus on the quality and standard of service provided by various stakeholders in the industry.
Sekibo, Obi, others harp on security, leadership for economic prosperity
L-R: Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo; Coordinator of the Nigerian Association of Constitutional Law (NACL); Dr. Oruene Finebone – Secretary, Mediacal Women Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Branch; Barrister Sotonye Inyeinengi-Etomi, President of the Men’s League of Christ Church Port Harcourt; Very Rev. (Dr), Ivan Ekong, Asst. Resident Minister, Christ Church Port Harcourt; Figbene Briggs, Regional Head, South South 1 & 2 Zone; Dr. (Amb.) Victoria Ekhomu, Group MD/CEO of Trans-World Security Systems Ltd.; Very Rev. Jonathan Udofia; Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Trinity House, International Christian Worship Center; Elder (Engr.) Stanford Tassie and Alabo (Arc) Duboye Donald Graham-Douglas, during the 2nd Edition 2022 Forum, one-day International Colloquium organized by The Men’s League of Christ Church Port Harcourt, tagged, “What do Nigerians Want?”, held in Port Harcourt.
The MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo and other notable Nigerians have affirmed that the apt way to boost economic prosperity and peace in the country is to start addressing leadership challenges and insecurity.
Sekibo and other notable Nigerians like the Presidential aspirant of Labour Party, Peter Obi, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, Dr. Victoria Ekhomu and Barrister Sotonye Inyeinengi-Etomi, during the 2nd Edition 2022 Forum, one-day International
Colloquium organized by The Men’s League of Christ Church Port Harcourt, tagged, “What do Nigerians Want?”, extensively brainstormed on the kind of leadership the country needs and how to rescue the country from its current debacle.
Speaking on the topic, “The Economy Nigeria Needs to Break Forth,” Sekibo stressed that of important to achieving the transformation the country needs, there was urgent need to address insecurity, which according to him, is the foundation of prosperity, as no nation can achieve much where the is no peace.
Sekibo, represented by the Divisional Head, Strategy & Business Solutions, Segun Akanji emphasized that for security purposes, there must be an established functional and value adding identity system in place.
“On a higher note, I think one of the things that we need to achieve as a country is the issue of functional and value adding identity management, which is still far away from us, although, some people know that we have BVN, NIMC and a few other identity capture systems but they have not been as functional and value adding, like the social security number that most people in advanced economies carry,” he stated.
Sekibo further explained that to achieve a prosperous economy, Nigeria needs to find ways and means by policies to build dual circulation economy which thrives on three pillars.
According to him, we need to focus on building dual circulation economy where we can expand domestic production and demand by making sure that the masses are employed.
“We need to make our people are productive and stop putting subsidy in unproductive zones. When you give subsidy to people with inadequate or no income, they really cannot add value to the economy, and money has a way of flowing away due to import of consumables from other countries and because of this, a larger portion of every consumption or cash given as subsidy gets out of the country,” said Sekibo.
The bank’s helmsman further explained that to expand the domestic production, government must give the private sector support to drive employment creation, technology, which is riding on innovation and manufacturing must be in place and, the population which is an added advantage must be well educated.
He highlighted the need to examine how the country could add value to primary production for global export, emphasizing on reduction of over dependence on foreign markets but rather increase local production for export, whilst also increasing demand on local products.
Sekibo further affirmed that if states could function as proper federating units and take the lead of the competitive comparative advantages therein, wealth creation would be achieved that would bring about the desired changes.
The former governor of Anambra state and presidential aspirant, Peter Obi lamented the huge indebtedness of the country, which he blamed on unproductivity due to the inimical situation of high unemployment rate resulting to over 80million Nigerians being jobless.
He blamed the cumulative failure of government over the years on insecurity, failure to migrate from sharing formula to production formula and lack of will to transform the power sector and the need to focus and support the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In his paper titled, “The President Nigeria Needs”, Pastor Ighodalo harped on the need for leadership change.
He argued that what the country needs now are leaders who have vision and are ready to sacrifice for the common man, stating, “things must be done differently”.
Ighodalo believed leadership remains the bane of Nigeria’s transformation, stressing that once we get good leadership other things will fall in place.
Prof. Oyewo while speaking on the topic “Restructuring and True Federalism” was of the view that some responsibilities need to be decentralized like the police, power provision and railway.
Once there is decentralization, he believes that the state will have less dependence on the centre, “rebalancing of the constitution in terms of power and security. So, there is reason for state police.”
Oyewo maintained that regions are closer to the people, thus it will boost security, the economy and sense of belonging by the populace.
He also identified data and planning as key factors in ensuring that programmes are tailored towards the people.
The Nigerian Army has described as untrue, reports from certain quarters that some officers and soldiers are planning to storm Abuja in protest of their poor working conditions, non-payment of entitlements and other issues.
The Army in a statement on Wednesday signed by its spokesperson, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu said the allegations could have been ignored but the clarification became necessary because of the weighty nature of the claims made and the need to tell Nigerians the truth.
He told members of the public to ignore the reports of any planned protest.
Nwachukwu in debunking the report, argued that the Nigerian Army has never had it this good in terms of welfare and equipment for the personnel which has in no small way contributed to the victories recorded against bandits, terrorists and other criminals.
He said generally, working conditions have improved while new measures are constantly being introduced to make life easier for the soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Army under the current leadership of Lt. Gen Farouk Yahaya.
According to him, some faceless persons who want to cause disaffection are the ones behind the reports of a planned protest.
The Army statement titled ‘PHANTOM REPORT ON PURPORTED DISQUIET IN THE NA OVER POOR EQUIPMENT, WELFARE, A FAILED ATTEMPT AT INSTITUTIONAL BLACKMAIL’ reads in full: “The attention of the Nigerian Army(NA) has been drawn to yet another mischievous report peddled by some online media, alleging serving officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army are planning to storm Abuja, to protest over unpaid emoluments, poor working conditions and other unsubstantiated allegations.
“Judging by the unprofessional and irresponsible manner in which the release was made, citing faceless persons, it could have been ignored. However, the weighty nature of the claims demands some clarification for the sake of well meaning Nigerians.
“It is on record that officers and soldiers of the NA under the leadership of Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, like never before, have witnessed exceptional positive changes in the moral and physical components of the force. It is, therefore, crucial to state in very clear terms, that the NA has never had it so good, given the quantum of combat and logistics equipment that have been injected into the theatres of operations, a circumstance that has evidently turned the tide against the complex array of threats facing the nation. This is in addition to welfare packages introduced by the current leadership of the NA.
“More also, aside prompt payment of salaries and operational allowances, welfare flights have been inaugurated, which significantly reduced the burden of troops travelling in and out of the theatres to see their loved ones. This is also in addition to huge commitment on the medical needs of wounded-in-action officers and soldiers and the barracks communities. Scholarships are also being awarded to children of officers and soldiers killed in action in the ongoing operations.
“It is worthy of note, that across all NA Barracks there are deliberate efforts at providing conducive working and living conditions for troops and their families. These interventions in the form of massive barracks construction and renovation works, with visible footprints are bringing succour to NA personnel nationwide.
“The desperate effort by the authors of this unpatriotic report to give ethnic and religious coloration to the activities of the NA, is nothing but an inglorious attempt to woo unsuspecting members of the public with bigotry bargains, laced heavily with evil intent. It must be made crystal clear that the NA remains a symbol of national unity and therefore cannot afford to be divided along ethnic or religious lines.
“Suffice to state that the NA under the current leadership has remained resolute in carrying out its constitutional role and will vigorously continue to implement welfare programs for the benefit of all personnel. Troops deployed in ongoing operational engagements are putting in their best for the nation and should be encouraged, rather than plotting disaffection amongst them. All personnel are urged to remain steadfast and unswayed by the antics of unpatriotic elements, who for selfish gains want to plunge the nation into chaos.”
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has said his directive to residents to acquire weapons was for self-defense.
In a statement on Tuesday by his media aide, Jamilu Magaji, the governor made the remark while inaugurating some security committees in Gusau, the state capital.
The governor disclosed that his directive is backed by extant legislation, adding that his government was aware of the misgivings expressed in some quarters regarding the new measure.
Matawalle added that his directive was part of the administration’s efforts to tackle protracted security challenges in the State, stating that his government had explored all options to address the issue to no avail.
He added that the measure was meant to encourage the communities suffering almost daily from the inhuman aggressions from the bandits to acquire firearms to defend their communities.
The governor said: “Self-defence is a natural instinct and has always been part of human survival strategy.
“As those entrusted with the safety of lives and property of the people, we will do everything possible to uphold this responsibility within the ambit of the law.
“We are also aware that the security forces are doing their best to combat this formidable challenge.
“Their efforts are, however, hampered by the lack of adequate modern warfare equipment and the dearth of personnel.
“Our decision to mobilise people to secure their communities is, therefore, for the people to complement the efforts of the conventional security forces in dealing with banditry and fishing out informants
“The acquisition and usage of firearms by the public, who desire to do so, would be governed by the Nigeria Firearms Act.”
The governor explained that apart from dialogue, reconciliation, and disarmament, his government regularly engaged with Federal Government and neighboring states.
Matawalle added that the mobile telecommunication networks were shut down to give security forces the leeway to take the battle directly to the bandits.
The governor further said that his administration had provided modern RUGA settlement for nomads and logistics support to security agencies, including vehicles and drones.
He said that in recent weeks, the state has witnessed increased attacks in some parts of Gusau, Bukkuyum, and Gummi Local Government Areas.
Matawalle said that the government had provided 20 new Hilux Vans and 1,500 motorcycles to the committee on security to commence operation.
