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Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates former aide

admin 0 Comment February 15, 2021

Former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has joined other well meaning Nigerians to congratulate his former aide and a brother Reno Omokri and his wife on the birth of their daughter in the early hours of today,

The baby is girl is named Ebele after the president.
In his words:

the former president thanked the omokris for bestowing to him such a great honour, for the couple to have chosen to name their daughter after him.

In his own remarks, senator Ben Murray Bruce also congratulates his bossom friend Reno omokri and his wife,

Senator Bruce extols Reno’s loyalty as a friend.
In his remarks:

“if you can find a friend as loyal as Reno you ought to be grateful,
may his child be an apple that does not fall far from the tree”.

By TOPE OSENI.

Featured/ Guest Contribution/ Slide

THE WEAPONIZATION OF POVERTY

admin 0 Comment October 26, 2020

Since the return to democracy in 1999, politicians in Nigeria have continued to cajole the electorates into giving them mandates using different exploitative cum inhuman strategies. This callous exploitation has contributed negatively to the development of democracy in Nigeria.

Politicians display lackadaisical attitudes after assuming offices only to show up during election period with huge financial war chests to take advantage of the poverty of the electorates, the politicians themselves have deliberately facilitated for such a time as the electioneering period.

The recently concluded gubernatorial election in Kogi, Bayelsa, Edo and Ondo States in Nigeria, shows a very disturbing and dangerous development where buying of votes and financial inducement right at the polling units on election day has been extolled by no other but the federal government itself, it will be recalled that few days to the Kogi state gubernatorial election the Federal government disbursed the sum of 10 billion naira to the Kogi state government in the guise of road construction reimbursement, same was replicated in Ondo state. The APC Government at all levels is responsible for impoverishing the people where a dollar that sold for 160 naira when they took over, now sells for 386 naira, a bag of rice that sold for between 7,000 naira in 2015, now sells for between 22,000 to 30,000 naira, other food commodities are also not left behind.

The federal government has made it the norm now that politicians are seen giving out monies in exchange for votes. This has been a clear case of who is offering how much as the voters now do not even care who becomes their leaders. Their primary focus now is to assuage that temporary hunger.

Unsuspecting electorates who live in abject poverty do not understand any thing that will not bring immediate relieve to their hunger infested bellies. Any true politician, regardless of how noble his intents are, becomes a noise maker before these electorates the moment it becomes clear to them that he may not meet their immediate needs of placating their hunger.

Because this hunger informed the decision of a larger chunk of the electorates, it has become a tradition among politicians to abandon the electorates to wallow in wants until election approaches so that the politicians can come back with enough money to sway minds directed by their stomachs into making favourable decision for these politicians. The trader money and other financial empowerments embarked upon by the incumbent federal government is a typical example of how poverty of the Nigerian masses was used to affect the outcome of the 2019 general elections. Funds that should have been channeled towards people orriented projects that will benefit the generality of the masses are now being used to sway unsuspecting voters to vote for the incumbent government. Poverty of the people is now a political weapon for politicians. And because poverty is a weapon, most politicians would not want to be disarmed of this weapon by ensuring the poverty among the populace is perpetrated and perpetuated. It is responsible to why the country, states and constituencies cannot enjoy sustainable developments, because development will mean disarming the politicians of the weapon of poverty.

For power to return to the people, the people must be empowered. The economy must be better.The judiciary must truly be independent. Security must be tight. And leaders will be voted based on sustainable development on rational thinking and not momentary satisfaction of hunger on stomach think.

ake the weapons from the politicians by giving power back to the people. Nigeria can be great again.

Steven Kefason is a political enthusiast and he writes from Kaduna state Nigeria.

Breaking News/ Slide

ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020

admin 0 Comment October 22, 2020

Fellow Nigerians,It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.2. I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well – intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).3. On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.4. The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.5. As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.6. On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.7. Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.8. The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.9. All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.10. The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.11. On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.12. Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is: a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises,b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission,c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; andd. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.13. These are in addition to many other initiatives such as;a. Farmermoni,b. Tradermoni,c. Marketmoni,d. N-Power,e. N-Tech andf. N-Agro.14. No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.15. With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.16. In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.17. Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.18. We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.19. We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.20. But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.21. To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.22. In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.23. For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.24. I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.25. And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.26. I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.27. This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation. Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Breaking News/ News/ Politics/ Slide

Buhari Loses One Hundred Thousand Followers on Twitter as Omokri Starts #UnFollowBuhari

admin 0 Comment October 11, 2020

At exactly 5PM GMT, Mr Omokri had tweeted via his verified Twitter handle as follows:
Dear Nigerians,
If we all mean business with this #EndSARS movement, let’s send a strong message to General @MBuhari. He has 3.5 million followers. If we all stop following him and he sees his Twitter following drop by 1 million, he will sit up. Who is with me? Let’s go there!
As at that time, President Buhari had 3.5 million followers. Three hours later, his following had reduced to 3.4 million followers.
Announcing the breakthrough, Mr Omokri, also known as #BuhariTormentor, tweeted as follows:
Dear Nigerians,
When I started the #UnfollowBuhari campaign as part of my #EndSARS protest, some laughed. Well, look. In just 1 hour, we have reduced Buhari’s following by 100,000. Never underestimate your influence. When Nigerians wake up, government will be afraid of us!
Below are before and after screenshots of President Buhari’s TL.

Politics

Press Release

admin 0 Comment September 1, 2020

Stop Blackmailing law enforcement agencies
Join to condemn violence and thuggery

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo state condemns the continued gun attacks on its members and supporters. These attacks are becoming rampant and repugnant especially as we continue to preach peace, preach against reprisals and encourage non-violence as the campaigns continue.

On Sunday, August 30th, 2020 armed men invaded the home of Hon Paul Frank Aronokhale, Secretary to Estako East Local Government Council. They beat up the gateman mercilessly and rained bullets on the building and cars parked in the compound. For over 20 minutes, they kept on shooting and spraying the property with bullets from an assortment of sophisticated weapons in their possession. This is the second time in a month that there has been an attempt on the life of the SLG by the same hoodlums suspected to be APC thugs!

In our usual tradition, we do not run to the press when there is this type of security breach and threat to life and property of our members and supporters until the matter is reported to the police and investigation has reached an advanced stage.

Contrary to the tales APC and its propaganda machinery are narrating, Engineer Abdul Ganiyu was arrested by soldiers on the Okpella-Okene expressway as he attempted to flee Okpella after he refused police invitation and refused to admit police into his residence when the DPO and his team visited him as a person of interest in the investigation after he was identified as one of those in the Sienna vehicle that invaded the residence of the SLG.

We are informed that the soldiers picked him and some of his goons and not family members at the military checkpoint at the Edo-Kogi state boundary just a few hours after he denied the police entry into his house by barricading himself in. The dutiful soldiers handed him over to the police. His goons were released as there was nothing incriminating found on them at that material time.

We must commend the security agencies and especially the police for their swift action. However, Engr Gani’s accomplices are still roaming the street and are still a threat to not just PDP members but Edo indigenes. We are informed by the victims and eye-witnesses that many of the gun men were identified and the location of the vehicle used for the dastardly act have been passed to the police.

Bringing Engr, Gani to Benin is not enough, he should be promptly charged to court along with the other two assassins that were arrested in connection with the Agbede attack.

We must at this point advice APC and its leadership to join in the condemnation of these acts of thuggery and violence. It must also show respect to the law and stop blackmailing the law enforcement agencies and making unnecessary demands that smacks of political arrogance.

The statement by Mr. John Mayaki, the Chairman of the APC media campaign council is to say the least unfortunate. The behavior of its members is reprehensible and should be condemned.

Once again, we implore our members and supporters to remain focused, calm, patient and be ready to Vote massively for PDP and Governor Obaseki on September 19, 2020.

Signed

Chris Osa Nehikhare
SPS PDP EDO STATE

Breaking News/ Featured/ Politics/ Slide

PDP Edo State Press Release

admin 0 Comment August 27, 2020

Edo 2020: APC’s ceaseless attacks on the Judiciary and Forum Shopping, portend grave danger for our Democracy and Society

    Gentlemen of the Press,

We members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called this press conference, today, Thursday August 27,2020, to bring to the attention of the public the ceaseless attacks on the Judiciary, the last hope of the common man.
On Monday, August 24, 2020, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho granted the application filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the transfer of five cases bordering on the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo State, which have been running in the Benin Division of the Federal High Court.
The transfer of the cases followed a request by the APC, in which the party alleged that Justices in the entire Benin Division of the Federal High Court have shown bias against the party (APC), and the party said it would not get justice from these respected Judges.
With this singular action of the APC, the party has denigrated the entire judiciary, attacked its integrity and independence to do its job, scandalised and vilified the respected Judges in these courts.
The APC also made wild and unsubstantiated allegations of bias against Justice M. G. Umar of the Federal High Court Benin and Justice Taiwo Taiwo in Abuja, and assaulted their character.
After a careful appraisal of this development, we have come to the conclusion that the APC is out on a mission to pick and choose which court will hear their cases, a dangerous practice where litigants select the particular courts that they want their cases heard, and which they believe will give them favorable judgments.
Is the APC telling Nigerians that the party has some courts that will give them favourable judgments, and another set of courts that shows bias against them? This portends great danger to our fledgling democracy and society, and an attempt by the APC to arm-twist the judiciary and force judges to bow to their tune.
The APC also alleged insecurity in Edo State even when the facts on ground show clearly that the state is secure.
In fact, the few pockets of unrest we have witnessed in the state were orchestrated by the APC leaders and their proxies, and we can deduce that APC leaders may have instigated the unrest to serve as alibi for the transfer application of their cases, which the party has now secured.

Breaking News/ Diaspora News/ Featured/ World

Hushpuppi and Woodberry face US charges over online fraud worth ‘hundreds of millions’

admin 0 Comment July 5, 2020

US law enforcement is cracking down on a pair of alleged online fraudsters that appear to have been wildly successful. The United Arab Emirates has sent the US two Nigerian nationals, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas and Olakean Jacob Ponle, to face charges relating to large “business email compromise” scams. Abbas is accused of money laundering in schemes meant to pull in “hundreds of millions of dollars,” according to the Justice Department. He reportedly helped with a plan to launder $14.7 million stolen from a “foreign financial institution,” helped take nearly $923,000 from a New York law firm and was even involved in a plot to steal roughly $124 million from an English Premier League club.

Ponle, meanwhile, allegedly participated in several 2019 fraud campaigns that were worth “tens of millions of dollars,” including one Chicago-based company that sen a total of $15.2 million. According to the claim, Ponle had victims wire funds to money mules who converted the gains to Bitcoin and sent them to a digital wallet the mastermind controlled.

Both Abbas and Ponle could serve up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

US attorney Nick Hanna saw the move as evidence the US could hold online fraud perpetrators responsible “no matter where they live.” However, this is is also an illustration of how difficult it is to halt internet scams. American officials have been identifying foreign fraud campaigns for years, and they only sometimes lead to arrests. Although these moves could send a message to scammers who think they can escape without penalty, they might not serve as practical deterrents.

Courtesy:www.engadget.com

Breaking News/ News

Sanwo-Olu: Churches, Mosques to Remain Shut in Lagos

admin 0 Comment July 4, 2020

•Cases hit 27,564, with 11,069 discharged and 628 deaths
•FAAN rolls out guidelines for air travellers

By Segun James and Chinedu Eze (THISDAY NEWSPAPPERS)

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, yesterday dashed the hope of religious leaders in the state, when he announced that places of worship would remain closed until further notice, even as he disclosed that schools would resume on August 3 for graduating students.

The governor, who made this known during his 16th coronavirus briefing as Incident Commander, also said all public events remained suspended.

Meanwhile, the 454 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Nigeria yesterday have taken the tally to 27,564, with 11,069 discharged and 628 deaths.

Sanwo-Olu’s decision is coming on the heels of calls by religious leaders that places of worship should be considered essential services and should be allowed to re-open.

According to him, all social and events centres and social clubs will also remain closed, for now, even as he warned that only social clubs in possession of a valid Provisional Safety Clearance Letter from the Safety Commission would be permitted to open.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu has fixed August 3 for the re-opening of schools for graduating students.

The Governor said students in transitional classes, who have mandatory public exams ahead, are the ones permitted to resume as only day schools, as soon as possible for revision classes and examination.

He stated that students in Junior Secondary three would resume one week after the assessment of Senior Secondary three students.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, students impacted by this directive are those in primary 6; J.S.3 and S.S.3. Commencement dates for this opening will be announced after such schools have met the required guidelines and protocols and provision of essentials for both students and teachers alike. Our Tertiary Institutions are to continue their online academic activities which are at various advanced stages.”

On COVID-19 testing, the governor said: “We are also constantly reviewing our Testing Strategy, to adapt to the evolving nature of the pandemic. Going forward, there will be two categories of people who qualify for testing for COVID-19 in Lagos State.

“The first category will be those who need to be tested; who fit the case definition for testing and therefore actually require testing. This category of people will continue to be tested free of charge by the State Government through our public laboratories, and everyone who meets the case definition for COVID-19 will be tested.

“What this means is that if you’re showing symptoms of the infection, or you have had contact with a confirmed case, or have been exposed to a location where confirmed cases have been reported, you are entitled to free testing by the Lagos State Government.

“The second category will be those who do not meet the case definition for COVID-19, but want to test for COVID-19 simply to fulfil their curiosity, or to meet requirements to travel, or to return to work, or fulfill some other regulatory requirement. This category of people will have access to testing by newly-accredited private labs, but this will be at a cost that will be duly communicated by the Laboratories. The State Government will exercise strict oversight and control, to ensure that standards are maintained and consumers are not exploited.”

Sanwo-Olu made it clear that testing by non-accredited facilities was prohibited, adding that the government will bring the full weight of the law to bear on any Laboratory found to be violating this directive.

“We are similarly scaling up the capacity of our Isolation Centers. On Sunday June 28, 2020, Lagos State opened a new 150-bed Isolation Centre at the Mainland Infectious Diseases Hospital in Yaba, donated by the private sector-led Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID). This new Center brings to seven the number of publicly-managed COVID-19 Isolation Centres in Lagos State.

“Let me assure you that more centers are underway, through various collaborations with the Federal Government and the private sector. We want to ensure that we have more than enough capacity to manage and treat all of the new cases that will inevitably emerge from the increase in testing. We thank the coalition for their efforts in this regard.

“All bars, day and night clubs, cinemas, games arcades, beaches and beach fronts, gyms and spas continue to remain closed. Eateries and restaurants are to continue to open as normal for takeout only. In-dining is still prohibited and a few defaulters in this regard will be shut down and prosecuted.”

FAAN Rolls Out New Guidelines for Air Travellers

Following the approval that flight operations recommence gradually at the nation’s airports effective July 8, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has released new procedural guidelines for air travellers and other airport users.

The agency said the new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) “is aimed at protecting all stakeholders and preventing further spread of theCovid-19 virus while travelling by air.”

In a statement signed by the agency’s spokesperson, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, FAAN said: “Departing passengers must comply with the following guidelines, which include that all passengers must arrive the airport properly kitted with their face masks on; they must also ensure a minimum of one point five meters (1.5m) physical distancing and disclosed that passengers would be inspected by aviation/port health personnel to ensure that every passenger abides by the rules.

“Those travelling with pets must get necessary clearance from Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services. All passengers’ luggage would be disinfected before entry into the departure halls.

Passengers are required to wash their hands as often as possible, hand sanitizer would be provided for passengers before entrance, at the waiting halls/lounges and pre boarding gates, All footwear would be disinfected/ sanitized by foot mats placed at all entrances to the terminal building, amongst others.

FAAN said for arriving passengers, on arrival, passengers would observe physical distancing as they board the Co-Buses. Hand sanitizer would be provided in the buses.

“Physical distancing protocols must be observed at the baggage claim area, where hand sanitizer is also provided. Disinfected trolleys would be made available for passengers, All Covid-19 protocols must be observed while undergoing customs check, passengers would exit the halls and head straight to the car park for pick up, If you speak to anyone around, please speak to a properly tagged Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer, physical distancing would be maintained while waiting to be screened by personnel of port health service, amongst others,” FAAN also said.

In addition to the above guidelines, the agency said passengers are required to make use of the floor markings at the security screening area.

EU Approves Use of Remdesivir

The European Union has approved the use of remdesivir to treat severe cases of Coronavirus.

The announcement was made yesterday; days after the US effectively stockpiled the world’s entire supply of the antiviral medication. Its approval came after two major US studies showed that remdesivir can reduce the duration of hospital stay for COVID-19 patients.

EU Health Commissioner, Stella Kyriakides said: “Today’s authorisation of a first medicine to treat COVID-19 is an important step forward in the fight against this virus. We are granting this authorisation less than a month after the application was submitted, showing clearly the EU’s determination to respond quickly whenever new treatments become available.”

Remdesivir which is the only anti-coronavirus medication to be given the green light in the EU, was originally intended as a treatment for Ebola. It was approved in UK at the end of May, with health officials outlining that it would only be used to treat the sickest patients. It is one of two drugs approved in Britain to treat COVID-19, the other being a cheap steroid called dexamethasone.

Breaking News/ Featured/ News/ Politics/ Slide

Wike Leads PDP Campaign in Edo State

admin 0 Comment July 4, 2020

•Wike: I’m fully prepared for the job; my task is to ensure APC fails
•PDP claims APC planning to use Ganduje, Uzodinma, Bello to derail election
•APC: PDP intimidated by our formidable campaign structure

By Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale( THISDAY NEWSPAPPERS)

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday appointed Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State as the Chairman of its Edo State Governorship Campaign Council, with Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State as his deputy.

Wike, who spoke to THISDAY last night, expressed appreciation to the party for selecting him to lead the Edo campaign and said he was fully prepared for the job.

The governor declared: “I have accepted the job given to me by my party and I am fully prepared for the task. I have a mandate to ensure that PDP wins the governorship election. I must defend what is right. I am waiting for the council to be inaugurated before unveiling our plans.”

The PDP Edo Campaign Council has 76 members with Dr. Agbo Emmanuel as secretary.

All the other PDP governors are on the 76-man campaign council, which also has the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former Vice President, Nnamadi Sambo; former senate presidents Bukola Saraki; David Mark; former deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu; former speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; and former governor Peter Obi.

The committee will be inaugurated on July 7 at the PDP National secretariat in Abuja.

Recall that the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had on Thursday announced Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as chairman of a 49-member National Campaign Council for the Edo State governorship election.

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma was appointed Deputy Chairman and Abbas Braimoh as Secretary.

PDP, APC Spat over Edo Election

The PDP yesterday claimed the APC was planning to use Ganduje, Uzodinma and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to derail the September 19 Edo State governorship election.

A statement by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said the party and, indeed, the people of Edo State were already aware that the three governors were selected by the APC to lead its campaign so as to force a combined formula of Kano and Kogi electoral violence, as well as Imo State mandate robbery to subvert the will of the people of Edo State in the election.

The PDP said it was pathetic that APC only had a person who suffered international shame after being seen in a viral video stuffing his robe with gratification, in foreign currency, to serve as chairman of its Edo State governorship campaign council.

He said, “It is equally contemptuous that such a person is being deputized by another individual, who has become a metaphor of electoral manipulation, after being so docketed by a judgment of the Supreme Court.

“It is also disgusting that a governor who deployed a Police helicopter to scare voters on Election Day has been mandated to deploy thugs and dangerous weapons through the northern borderlines of Edo State ahead of the election.

“Part of APC’s plot is to import election mercenaries as observers to attempt to scare the people of Edo state, suppress them and steal their mandate,” the PDP spokesperson stated. .

According to PDP, “Whereas our candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki, enjoys the overwhelming support of Edo people due to his enthusing track record of personal character and performance in office for which even APC leaders have praises for him, the APC candidate has nothing to present to the people.

“Our party, in the strongest terms, cautions the APC to note that the ‘Gandollar, Supreme Court Governor and helicopter shooting’ formulas cannot work in this election as the people of Edo State have never been intimidated, suppressed, subjugated or overpowered by external political influences.”

PDP said that the APC should also note that the people of Edo State would spare nothing within the law in firmly resisting any attempt by anybody to import violence or try to manipulate the Edo election in any way.

PDP Intimidated by Our Formidable Campaign Structure, Says APC

In reaction to the PDP allegations, APC said PDP was intimidated by its formidable campaign structure put in place to ensure the success of the party and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the forthcoming September 19, Edo State governorship election.

The ruling party said that the PDP was “up to its usual, diversionary, baseless and theatrical allegations,” but added that it had no interest in rolling in the mud with the party and engaging the party in its “senseless” and “drunken tirade.”

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement, noted that APC “is a party that fiercely advocates, practices and defends the principle of one person, one vote”, adding that come September 19 every valid vote must count.

Nabena stated: “Edo State is not dubbed the Heartbeat of the Nation for nothing. The Edo electorate is sensible, sophisticated and progressive. The focus of the APC is to display to the Edo electorate our pro-people credentials, infrastructure/development track record, social investments, wealth creation initiatives, among others, which are being replicated across APC states.

“We urge the PDP to concentrate on their deadbeat and empty campaign instead of the comic it has turned itself to. Edo is proudly an APC state.”

Meanwhile, ahead of July 20 governorship primary election in Ondo state, 11 aspirants are jostling to unseat the incumbent governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

The submission of governorship forms ended on Thursday, with 12 aspirants, including the governor, battle ready to slug it out.

The aspirants are: Akeredolu, Joseph Olusola Iji, Odimayo Okunjimi, Olayide Adelami, Kekemeke Duerimini, Olusola Oke, lfeoluwa Oyedele, Olajumoke Anifowoshe, Mr. Awodeyi Akinsehinwa, Olubukola Adetula, Dr.Abraham Michael and Dr. Nathaniel Adojutelegan.

PDP Disqualifies Two Aspirants in Ondo

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Ondo State governorship screening committee of PDP, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday said two out of the nine governorship aspirants screened by his committee, were disqualified, but refused to disclose the names of those disqualified.

While briefing reporters on the outcome of the screening, Dogara said, “We analytically looked at all the claims made. All the documents submitted to us and I’m happy to announce to you that we have completed the assignment and provisional certificate of clearance has been signed by the committee.”

Dogara said the two governorship aspirants who failed the process of screening could appeal and state their case afresh.

Breaking News/ Diaspora News/ Health/ News/ Slide

Nigerians in Diaspora COVID-19 support group donates N48m PPE to PTF

admin 0 Comment July 4, 2020

By Maureen Okon :NAN

Nigerians in Diaspora Support Group has donated Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) worth N48 million to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF).

Amb. Zubairu Dada, the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, alongside Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, CEO/Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), presented the items on behalf of the group to the task force in Abuja.

Receiving the PPE, the PTF Chairman, Mr Boss Mustapha, who was represented by Mr Olusegun Adeyemi, the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, applauded NiDCOM Chief for spearheading the galvanisation of the donation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PPE included re-useable coveralls with shoe cover, face masks, face shields, hand glovers, gowns, N95 masks, aprons and masks.

Dada said that the donation was made to support the Federal Government efforts by the Nigerians Diaspora COVID-19 Support Group.

He added that the group was made up of well-meaning Nigerians living abroad from “Africa, Europe, United States, Canada and Asia”.

He acknowledged the contributions made by the Nigerians in Diaspora, urging them never to forget home.

According to him, the aim of the group is to provide a platform for Nigerians in Diaspora, irrespective of their diaspora affiliation in order to develop appropriate strategic areas of diaspora interventions, during pandemic or human crises in Nigeria.

“They, therefore, decided to come together to mobilise funds to procure PPE for frontline medical and paramedical staff at the Federal Teaching Hospitals across the 36 States and FCT.

“Also in a state where there is no federal teaching hospital to donate to the federal medical centr in the state will get the donation.

“The most exciting aspect of the donations made by the support group is that all items are of world class high quality, durable, re-usable and are all made in Nigeria.

“The items donated are: 1,036 Re-usable Coveralls with Shoe Cover, 3,700 Face Masks, 3,700 Face Shields, 18,500 Hand Gloves,’’ he said.

He also said that PPE’s donated by The Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas are: Gowns 3,600, N95 Masks 3,500, Aprons 5,000, Masks 3,000, Face Shields 1,000 and Gloves 3,000.

The PPE donated by Nigerians in Diaspora Organisations -Americas (NIDOA) are 2,000 face masks and 1,500 hand sanitisers.

He added that 5,000 hand sanitisers were donated by NIDO China, of which 4,000 have been delivered to Lagos State Government to support frontline health workers in the fight against COVID-19.

He said that the 53,036 items donated were valued at N48 million.

Also speaking, Dabiri-Erewa said that all 36 states including the FCT were captured in the distribution of the PPE for frontline health workers and para-medical staff in teaching hospitals.

The PTF National Coordinator, Dr Sani Aliyu, said that the donation would escalate areas of coverage especially for the frontline workers, adding that more Nigerians needed to be involved in the fight against the pandemic.

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