Ace broadcaster and owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, has been released by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Hamzat was released on bail to his lawyers early this morning (Friday).
Recall that this newspaper had reported that Hamzat, who had consistently advocated for justice in a murder case involving Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife owner, Chief Rahman Adedoyin, was arrested on Thursday morning.
The police claimed that the Ibadan-based broadcaster ignored their invitation severally, stating that the broadcaster is under investigation.
Agidigbo 88.7FM and Hamzat’s supporters had complained that the media entrepreneur was whisked to Abuja by officers of the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) over his call for justice on the murder of a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke.
His arrest had elicited the #FreeOriyomiHamzat hashtag on social media.
The lawmaker representing Anambra North senatorial district, Stella Oduah, has broken her silence on the reports claiming she did not complete her National Youth Service Corps.
A group identified as Concerned Anambra North Peoples Democratic Party Stakeholders had asked NYSC to validate the former Minister of Aviation’s claim of losing her certificate.
The Director-General of the service in response to the request disclosed that Oduah was mobilised for national service in the 1982/83 service year and was deployed to Lagos State.
He, however, stated that Oduah absconded after the orientation and never completed the service.
Oduah while reacting to the scandal shared a photo of her in NYSC uniform and a letter from NECA confirming that completed her service year.
The lawmaker in a statement released through her media aide, Ezennia Nonso Chukwudebe, said she “served meritoriously at NECA in 1982 as can be confirmed from this 11th January 2017 clarification from the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association personally signed by the Director-General, O.A Oshinowo.”
The statement reads, “*RE: THE VIRAL STORY OF THE ALLEGED SENATOR STELLA ODUAH NYSC ABSCONDMENT.*
“Our attention has just been drawn to a publication that makes a most spurious claim to the effect that the Distinguished Senator representing Anambra North, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah OON, absconded from the National Youth Service Corps program.
“Ordinarily we would never dignify such antics with a response but we deemed it necessary to put out this statement for the benefit of gullible minds that are being targeted by political jobbers whose stock in trade is churning out such concocted rubbish every election cycle, especially when it is becoming glaring that they are receiving the short end of the political stick.
“The Distinguished Senator indeed served meritoriously at NECA in 1982 as can be confirmed from this 11th January 2017 clarification from the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association personally signed by the Director-General, O.A Oshinowo.
“How her opponents have suddenly resorted to circulating this story which is completely at variance with the position of the agency where she did her primary assignment, is an issue every keen mind should focus on and we are by this publication, giving the NYSC sometime to put out a disclaimer as we firmly believe this letter to be fake.
“Unfortunately we live in climes where such unsubstantiated stories travel fast and it is more worrisome that some mainstream media outlets appear to be sucked into this viral vortex of deceit.
“Senator Stella Oduah did not only serve meritoriously but would go on to work in the NNPC, a Federal Government establishment, for the next nine years!
“Nigerians need to understand that the persons behind the fake letter currently doing the rounds are desperate, despondent and out of their wits end for they instinctively appreciate the fact that the Distinguished Senator is one leader that continues to be appreciated and loved for her many people-oriented programs and no amount of sponsored media mudslinging can obliterate this fact.
“This is election season and it is expected to see such antics by weak traducers whose understanding of politicking is engaging in mindless subterfuge against aspirants rightly perceived as strong.
“Unfortunately for them, they are deploying the same failed strategy that has never managed to stop the Distinguished Senator at the polls and one would expect that they’d restrategize.
“Senator Stella Oduah remains strong, in very high spirits and is looking forward to the election proper.”
Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State on Wednesday evening declared a curfew in seven Local Government Areas of the State.
The seven Local Government includes Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Orumba North and Orumba South.
The governor made the declaration in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday.
The curfew which takes effect from Friday will be in force until normalcy returns to the affected areas.
“With effect from tomorrow, Friday, 26th May, 2022, a 6pm to 6am curfew is hereby placed on motorcycles (okada), tricycles (keke), and shuttle buses in Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Orumba North and Orumba South Local Governments until further notice.
“Also, motorcycles, keke and shuttle buses are banned from operating in these local governments on Mondays until the Sit-at-Home completely stops,” he said.
Naija News reports that Soludo declared the curfew following an increase in killings and attacks on government properties by unknown gunmen who many believe to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Senator Stella Oduah’s bid to return to the Nigerian Senate through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket may have suffered a set back.
This is coming as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says the lawmaker representing Anambra-North senatorial district did not complete the mandatory one-year NYSC programme.
The NYSC in a letter marked NYSC/DHQ/PPRU/783/Vol III by the Director-General of the NYSC which was signed on his behalf by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, said Oduah commenced her NYSC programme in 1982 but absconded.
According to The PUNCH, the letter was in response to an inquiry by a group known as the Concerned Anambra North PDP Stakeholders.
The group had in a previous letter written to the NYSC accused some of its officials of colluding with Oduah to hide the truth.
In its response, titled, ‘Re: Doubtful NYSC Participation Collusion of Some Unscrupulous Staff of NYSC Concerning Stella Adaeze Oduah (Senator), Save the Image and Reputation of the Scheme’, the NYSC denied colluding with Oduah to hide the truth.
The letter read in part, “In response to your request, we wish to state that the facts of the matter remain as follows: Stella Adaeze Oduah was mobilised for national service in 1982/1983 service year and deployed to Lagos State.
“After the orientation course, she absconded and never completed the national service. The consequence of this is that she is not qualified for the issuance of the certificate of national service.”
Section 2 (1) of the NYSC Act makes it obligatory for every Nigerian who graduates to “make himself available for service for a continuous period of one year from the date specified in the call-up instrument served upon him.”
According to the NYSC Act, the four categories of individuals exempted from the national service are those who graduated above the age of 30, those who have served in the Armed Forces or the Nigeria Police for a period of more than nine months; those who served in intelligence organisations and individuals who bagged national honours before graduation.
It remains unclear how Oduah’s failure to complete her NYSC escaped the scrutiny of agencies like the Department of State Services which usually vet ministerial nominees.
In her form CF001 forms submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission in 2019, Oduah claimed that she completed her NYSC but her certificate was missing along with other credentials.
An affidavit she deposed to read in part, “Sometime in 2010 while in transit from Akili Ozizor in Ogbaru local government area to Abuja, I discovered that some of my personal belongings were missing.
“The missing documents are the originals of my West African School Certificate of 1978 from Zixon Secondary School Ozubulu, First School Leaving Certificate from St. John Odoakpu Onitsha; Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Certificate 1982 from St. Paul’s College Lawrence Virginia USA; National Youth Service Corps certificate 1983, national identity card, United States of America Social Security card with numbers in it.”
Oduah had served as Minister of Aviation before she was relieved of her duties by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The PUNCH reports that the group, Concerned Anambra North PDP Stakeholders had petitioned the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
The group asked the PDP to disqualify Oduah who has been screened to contest in the primary.
The group in a letter dated April 26, 2022, attached all necessary evidence to the party. However, there had been no response.
Maverick Entertainer and activist, Charly Boy has slammed the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for forcefully entering the Abuja residence of the former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
Naija News earlier reported that EFCC operatives on Tuesday laid siege on the private residence of Okorocha who is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
In the viral video, officials of the EFCC could be seen forcefully breaking through the ceiling of the two-time governor whose house is located at No 3, Nyasa Close, Off Ontario Street, Abuja.
Reacting to the development, Charly Boy condemned the breaking into the home of the former governor by officials of the anti-graph agency.
According to the controversial media personality, the EFCC is wrong to forcefully gain entrance into the home of Okorocha in the way they did.
He added that even though there is no love between the politician and himself, Okorocha can’t be compared with other Nigerian politicians.
In his own words; “There is no love lost between me and Rochas Okorocha, I cant stand him along with most Nigerian Politicians. But dis is wrong, dis is jungle. No be the same Efcc we know.😏
What’s all dis kinda over-gallantry. Only in Nigerian.”
Youssou Ndour headlines UBA Africa Conversations 2022: Panellists Celebrate Continent’s Success Stories, Seek Collaboration to Bridge Culture Gap
l-r: Company Secretary, United Bank for Africa(UBA), Bili Odum; Executive Director, UBA, Chukwuma Nweke; Fashion Designer and Panelist, Kenneth Ize; High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria and Panelist, Humphrey Geiseb; Deputy Managing Director, United Bank for Africa(UBA) , Oliver Alawuba; Culture and Entertainment Commentator and Panelist, Steve Ayorinde; Ghanaian Actress and Panelist, Lydia Forson; Executive Director, UBA, Chiugo Ndubisi; Nigerian Journalist and Moderator, Laila Johnson-Salami and Group Head, Human Resources, UBA, Patricia Aderibigbe ; at the 4th UBA Africa Conversations, themed, The Importance of Reflecting Our African Culture in Global Success Stories, organised by UBA Group in commemoration of Africa Day 2022, held at the UBA House , Marina, Lagos on Tuesday
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, celebrated this year’s Africa Day in commemoration of African unity with the fourth edition of its annual UBA Africa Conversations which was held at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheater at the UBA House in Lagos on Tuesday, May 24th, 2022.
The UBA Africa Conversations was established in May 2019 as a hallmark initiative in a series of celebrations for Africa Day. The conversations provide a platform for African and global audiences to connect with global thought leaders both in the private and public sectors, on their African journey, in a quest to change the narrative on Africa from desolate to successful.
This year’s conversation was themed ‘The importance of reflecting our African culture in global success stories’ and underscores the tremendous shift in Africa’s cultural influence – from Afrobeat to African films; Big African fashion labels and African authors; entertainment and culture. The African continent is creating positive impact globally.
UBA’s Deputy Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, who welcomed the panellists and the guests to the event stated that as Africa’s global bank, UBA remains at the forefront of supporting businesses across the continent. He said, “It is from Africa that UBA Africa was set up. UBA has invested so much in Africa. We are in 20 African countries and 4 countries outside Africa; Our focus has always been on driving investments into Africa, through conversations such as this.
As always, UBA brought together a rich and diverse panel including Legendary African musician and Songwriter, Youssou Madjiguène Ndour, who gave the keynote address at the event, speaking on the need for collaboration to boost the continent’s fortunes. “Young people in Africa have a lot of questions and we have to listen to them and see how together we can be a solution for Africa. We need to understand that there is a lot to do. Together we can make it,” Ndour said.
The Namibian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Humphrey Desmond Geiseb talked about how globalisation has been good for Africa. He said, “Of course, there are still some gaps, there are still a lot of things about Africa that is not known, and I believe that culture and Arts can help to get it right for us.” He added that UBA’s foray as an African bank into the United States of America is a testament to this fact.
The Former Commissioner for Tourism, Lagos State, Steve Ayorinde who also sat on the panel pointed out that the liberalisation of the Media and digital content is helping to improve the African narrative. “As Africans, we are at the point where no one denigrates the African culture anymore. Indeed there is still a gap, but we are bridging that gap,” he said.
l-r: Fashion Designer and Panelist, Kenneth Ize; Nigerian Journalist and Moderator, Laila Johnson-Salami; High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria and Panelist, Humphrey Geiseb; Deputy Managing Director, United Bank for Africa(UBA), Oliver Alawuba; Ghanaian Actress and Panelist, Lydia Forson; and Culture and Entertainment Commentator and Panelist, Steve Ayorinde; at the 4th UBA Africa Conversations, themed, The Importance of Reflecting Our African Culture in Global Success Stories, organised by UBA Group in commemoration of Africa Day 2022, held at the UBA House , Marina, Lagos on Tuesday
African Movie Academy Award Winning Ghanaian Actress, Lydia Forson, who appreciated UBA’s contribution towards changing the African narrative, spoke to how the African culture is now more widely accepted around the world. “It is great to see a bank like UBA being intentional about promoting Africa. Now, the world gets to see more of us, because, we have started to tell our own stories’.
On his part, young talented Fashion Designer, Kenneth Ize, said that the continent holds a lot of potential that we are yet to tap into. “Africa is our home, our culture, and we have to do everything to preserve our culture,” he said.
Television Anchor and jorunalist, Laila Salami-Johnson, who moderated the panel emphasised “Our creativity is really putting Africa on the map.”
Africa Day has been celebrated every May 25th, since 1963, across the African continent and worldwide. The day was inaugurated by the Organisation of African Unity, in celebration of the unity, diversity and beauty of Africa and its people. UBA, one of Africa’s leading financial services institutions, with a pan-African footprint spanning 20 African countries and globally in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and France, is fully committed to unifying Africa and continues to lead the narrative focused on the development, growth, and unity of Africa.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than twenty-five (25) million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris, and an operating license in Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail; commercial and corporate banking; innovative cross-border payments and remittances; trade finance and ancillary banking services. UBA is Africa’s global bank.
l-r: Panelists – Fashion Designer, Kenneth Ize; High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria, Humphrey Geiseb; Ghanaian Actress, Lydia Forson; Culture and Entertainment Commentator, Steve Ayorinde; and Nigerian Journalist and Moderator, Laila Johnson- Salami at the 4th UBA Africa Conversations, themed The Importance of Reflecting Our African Culture in Global Success Stories, organised by UBA Group in commemoration of Africa Day 2022, held at the UBA House , Marina, Lagos on Tuesday
Senator Dino Melaye has finally lost out in the race to clinch the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the 2023 Kogi West Senatorial election.
This comes as Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf, a three-time House of Representatives member, has been declared winner of Tuesday’s primary rerun conducted to elect PDP’s candidate for the Kogi West senatorial poll in 2023.
Both aspirants had earlier scored 88 votes each during the party’s primary election that was held at the weekend, prompting the conduct of the rerun.
But Yusuf stopped Melaye’s bid to return to the Senate by scoring a total of 163 votes against the latter’s 99 votes.
Yusuf is said to be supported by Rivers State Governor and 2023 PDP presidential aspirant, Nyesom Wike, while Melaye has the backing of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is also running for president on the platform of the party.
Reacting to the outcome of the rerun on Tuesday evening, Melaye alleged ‘unimaginable gang up’ against him at the poll.
“The Primary has been fought and won. I congratulate Hon. T.J YUSUF and thank all those who voted in the first and second ballot for me. The Gang up is unimaginable but l give God praise. God bless you all,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given reasons why its operatives invaded Senator Rochas Okorocha’s Abuja residence on Tuesday.
EFCC Operatives were reported to have stormed the house of the former governor of Imo State on Tuesday.
Explaining the operation, the EFCC said in a statement that it filed a 17-count charges against the senator on January 24th, 2022.
The charges border on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9 billion.
The statement further revealed that the case was assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
EFCC said all attempts to arraign Okorocha were fruitless as he allegedly evaded the service processes.
His allleged refusal to honour the agency’s invitation after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him was responsible for the invasion of his residence.
According to the agency, Justice Ekwo had on March 28th warned after adjourning the case that it was going to be “the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter.”
The Commission said it had no other option than to arrest Okorocha and bring him to trial.
Meanwhile, Senator Okorocha had in the early hours of today, raised an alarm that EFCC had invaded his home without a warrant of arrest.
The former Acting Register of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Dr Saleh Abubakar is dead.
A family member of the deceased, Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa, who is also the Special Adviser to Gov Darius Ishaku on Press Affairs, confirmed the news.
He revealed that Abubakar died at a Kaduna hospital at the aged 74 years after a protracted illness.
He added that the deceased hailed from Jalingo in Taraba State and has been a resident of Kaduna state over the years before his death.
The remains of the deceased who is survived by one wife, 12 children and 11 grandchildren have since been buried in Kaduna by Islamic Injunctions.
A 1973 graduate of history from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Abubakar was a member of the Nigerian National Constitutional Conference under Gen. Abacha’s regime from 1994-to 1995.
Before joining JAMB in 1996 as Director of Admissions, he was a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) for 19 years and was also the Chief Executive Officer of the College of Preliminary Studies (CPS) Yola in the defunct Gongola State and later he headed the College of Education, Jalingo, Taraba.
The emergence of Nigerian singer, Bankole Wellington alias Banky W, as a candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 House of Representatives election has excited his fellow musicians and other entertainers.
Wellington, at the just concluded House of Representatives and State Assembly primaries of the PDP, won the party’s ticket to contest the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat.
He clinched 28 of the 31 votes cast by delegates at the primary election.
Fellow singer, Davido, while congratulating Banky W in a tweet, said: “Congrats @BankyW! You have my support! Don’t sit at home and complain, get up and make a change.”
Obi Cubana, DJ Neptune, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, and MI Abaga, amongst others, also congratulated the singer for his victory on social media.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu wrote: “One building block at a time. Congrats @BankyW! Time to prepare even harder bro.”
“Congratulations @BankyW on securing PDP Primaries ticket for House Of Representatives,” businessman, Obi Cubana, tweeted.
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