Borno CAN chairman supports Shettima's VP candidacy

The Chairman of Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, Bishop Mohammed Naga, has applauded the choice of the former governor of the state, Senator Kashim Shettima, as the vice-presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Primerosenews had earlier reported that despite opposition to the Muslim-Muslim ticket from some quarters, the APC standard-bearer, Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, announced Shettima as his running mate.

But in what seems like great support for Shettima’s candidacy from a group outside his religion, the Borno chapter of CAN led by its chairman welcomed the selection of the former governor as Tinubu’s running mate.

Bishop Naga, in a statement on Monday, said the Christian community in Borno State has never had a better deal than under Shettima who governed the state between 2011 and 2019.

Naga, who described Shettima as a compassionate leader, said: “My brothers, those who are not from Borno State may not know, but you and I know better. In the history of Borno State, there is no Governor that has been fair to the Christian Community in this state as much as Governor Kashim Shettima. I am saying this in the presence of God Almighty and this is nothing but the truth. Governor Shettima, in the history of Borno, is the only Governor that has sponsored the highest number of Christian Pilgrims every year since 2011.

“I am speaking boldly without fear or favour because as CAN Chairman I do not receive salary or kobo from the Government or any institution, but the facts need to be told. This Governor has shown compassion to the Christian Community.

“For example, when Gwoza people were driven from their ancestral homes, they fled to Maiduguri, and the Governor personally came to CAN Centre in Jerusalem ward two times in June and July 2014. He gave N10 million for their upkeep at first instance, but the victims were not many. By the end of October 2014, the IDPs from Gwoza increased to 42,000 in that camp alone. Governor Shettima came again and gave another N10 million. He also gave an additional N5 million to Christians from Borno who fled to Cameroon to be returned home.

“He gave another N5 million to non-indigenes who fled to Cameroon to come back to Nigeria.

“The Governor even directed the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA to be supplying food directly to the IDPs under the Christian leadership. In fact, the Governor insisted that he wanted Christian IDPs to stay together with their Muslim counterparts in various designated IDP camps here in Maiduguri but we the leaders felt it wise to separate Christian IDPs to avoid friction between displaced persons dealing with trauma.

“Sincerely speaking as a Christian and a preacher, absolutely I have nothing to fear about Asiwaju’s picking a Muslim as his running mate because he’s not a religious bigot and I’m happy he has made his mind known to the public in the person of his preferred running mate.

“Seeing another Presidential candidate applauding him is a plus for him and supporters of Asiwaju.

Congratulations to the awaiting president and vice president,” Naga  concluded.

Source: The PUNCH

Court orders remand of Nigerian billionaire linked to Kyari drug deal

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Friday, remanded a Nigerian billionaire, Ukatu Mallinson, who was linked to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari’s alleged N3bn hard drug in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services.

Justice Peter Lifu ordered the remand of Mallinson alongside his accomplice, Sunday Ibekwute.

The judge remanded the two defendants after they pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

They are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, trafficking of 322 Kg of Tramadol and unlawful dealing and possession of the said banned drug levelled against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

In the charge marked FHC/L/159c/2021, the NDLEA prosecutor, Mrs Theresa Asuquo, alleged that Mallinson and Ibekwute and one Pius Enidom, who jumped bail, on May 4, 2021, conspired among themselves to commit the alleged offence.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed contravened Sections 14(b); 11 and 11(b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federal Government of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

The PUNCH reported that their counsel, Mr Emeka Opara (SAN), while moving their bail application, urged the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor opposed the bail application.

Justice Lifu, however, adjourned the matter till July 18, for ruling on the bail applications and ordered that the two defendants be remanded in NCoS’ custody.

The judge also issued a bench warrant against Pius Enidom, who had jumped bail.

Gombe to employ 440 health workers

Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has approved the recruitment of 440 health workers in the state.

A statement by the Chairman, Committee for Human Resource for Health (recruitment), Dr. James Madi, who conveyed the approval of the governor on Sunday, confirmed that the 440 officers were expected to be skilled health workers.

He revealed that the recruits would be deployed to the various primary health facilities in the 11 Local Government Areas.

Madi said the development was in line with Yahaya’s health sector reforms plan (2019- 2023) in the state, adding that it would improve healthcare services in the state.

The statement partly read, “The recruitment is informed by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s resolve to address the chronic shortage of skilled health workers needed to provide the basic minimum package of health services, especially at the primary level which is the foundation of the health system.”

Madi added that the employment was in collaboration with the Primary Healthcare Development and a partner organisation, stressing that it would boost delivery across facilities in the state.

“Accordingly, the Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation GAVI,” the statement added.

Osun 2022: Widows declare support for Accord Party candidate

A group of widows, known as O-widow, has thrown weight behind the Accord Party governorship candidate, Akin Ogunbiyi, saying he is the only candidate who has the ability to turn things around in Osun State.

In a letter signed by three of its executive members – Mrs. Modupe Olawumi-Oyewole (Leader), Mrs. Oladunmomi Oseni and Mrs. Taibat Kasali, noted that Ogunbiyi’s manifesto clearly paved the way for good governance.

According to them, many of their late husbands were retirees who were not paid their entitlements until death, leaving them lonely and wallowing in abject poverty.

The letter reads: “We have carefully studied the manifesto of all the candidates and we can see clearly that only the Accord candidate has something good to offer our women.

“Two of these programmes are the plan to give women interest-free loans, and the plan to pay gratuities of all retired public servants between six and nine months. For this reason, about 1,500 of our members across the state are in one accord to vote for Accord party. We are also mobilising across the state, and we are sure Dr. Ogunbiyi will win the election.”

O-widow pledged they will resist and pray against anyone who plans to cause trouble during the election, and advised the people to shun ‘blood money’ to be shared by some politicians before and during the election.

Osun 2022: APC will record landslide victory – Oyetola

The All Progressive Congress governorship candidate in the July 16 election and the incumbent governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola has said that victory for the All Progressives Congress in the July 16 governorship election in the state would enable him to consolidate on the achievements he had so far recorded since assuming leadership of the state.

The governor also expressed optimism that from all indications, APC would record a landslide victory in the poll.

Oyetola said this during a meeting with the Osun chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), on Sunday in Osogbo.

Governor Oyetola who spoke through his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, appealed to electorate not to be deceived by desperate politicians.

He noted that he had been serving the state diligently since the beginning of his administration, saying those who lacked administrative capacity must not be allowed to truncate the development the state is currently witnessing.

Oyetola also appealed to the electorate to resist the temptation of selling their votes, adding that they should not allow those who have declared to win the election with dollars and euros, disrupt steady growth Osun is recording.

“My desire is to win the July 16 election with a wide margin. The electorate are on my side, my achievements are there to speak for me and God is willing to crown my efforts.

“I want to appeal to the electorate to resist the temptation of selling their votes to desperate politicians.

“Osun is not for sale, neither are the people of the state for sale. Those who are bragging around with dollars to win the election have nothing to offer,” he said.

The governor also warned politicians against involvement in violence, adding that the election should not be seen as a do-or-die affair.

Oyetola said that anyone caught perpetrating violence before, during and after the election will be dealt with in line with the law.

The governor, however, pledged that his administration would continue to support the farmers with necessary farm inputs and implements.

Osun 2022: IGP deploys DIG, four AIGs, redeploys CP

The Inspector-General of Police,  Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the deployment of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department and the supervisory DIG for the South-West Geo-Political Zone, DIG Johnson Kokumo,  for the Osun State governorship election.

Also deployed to the state are; 4 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, 4 Commissioners of Police, 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police, and 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police.

The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Sunday, said adequate police personnel of the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police and below have equally been deployed for the election.

He also announced that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, who had been enmeshed in controversies has been temporarily moved to the Force Headquarters until the conclusion of the election.

The statement added, “DIG Kokumo is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Operation Order evolved from the Election Security Threat Assessment, to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment devoid of violence and to guarantee law-abiding citizens in the state of a secured space to freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation. Other Senior Officers deployed are tasked with coordinating human and other operational deployments in the three Senatorial Districts; 30 Local Government Areas and the 3,753 polling units in Osun State.

“The IGP ordered the deployment of the Commissioner of Police and Provost Marshall at the Force Headquarters, CP Julius Alawari to Osun State for the election, while CP Olokode  Olawale, the Osun State Commissioner of Police has been temporarily moved to the Force Headquarters until the conclusion of the election.”

Adejobi also said five Armored Personnel Carriers for patrol as well as three helicopters and six Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for aerial surveillance among other operational assets had been deployed.

He stated that deployments are part of actions aimed at creating an enabling environment that would guarantee peaceful election in Osun.

Adejobi said, “The IGP further noted that the personnel, comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Disposal Unit, Force Intelligence Bureau, INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit, Police Airwing, Public Relations Department, as well as Police Medical Teams, will be on ground to guarantee free, fair, credible and acceptable election.”

He said the IGP  is scheduled to meet with stakeholders in Osogbo on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.

Source: The PUNCH

Okorocha accuses Imo govt of auctioning his personal cars

A former governor of Imo State and senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, has accused the Hope Uzodinma led-government in the state of auctioning his private vehicles, those belonging to his aides and Rochas Foundation Colleges.

Okorocha, in a statement issued in Owerri, on Sunday, on his behalf by his spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo, accused governor Uzodinma of engaging in tyranny.

The statement disclosed that the vehicles in question were impounded on February 21, 2021, at Royal Spring Palm Estate in Owerri, when Okorocha, his aides and government officials clashed at the estate, which led to the arrest of the former governor.

The statement said that they had evidence that the state government had begun the auctioning of the vehicles, including bank payments.

Part of the statement read, “Okorocha was taken to the Police Headquarters to meet with the CP, according to the police officers on the operation.

“Others arrested were detained for weeks before fourteen of them were arraigned at Magistrate Court 4 and charges levelled against them. They were granted bail after three sittings by the court and the matter has been going on.

“The expectation was that, the Police who carried out the operation, must have taken into custody, all the vehicles recovered at the scene of the attack or incident, including buses belonging to ROCHAS FOUNDATION COLLEGE, and taken them to the Police Headquarters and not to the Government House.

“Or, the cars would have been taken to the court, where some of the owners of the Cars recovered at the Hotel, have been standing trial, especially when the Vehicles may be tendered as exhibits in the course of the trial .

“Unfortunately, the vehicles were taken to the Government House and not to either the Police Headquarters or the Court where some of the owners of the Vehicles have been standing trial.

“The government has gone ahead to auction the private cars of the former governor of the state, those of his security personnel, those of his aides, political associates, those of Rochas Foundation College and so on, who were with him on the day the attack at Royal Palm Hotel took place. In doing that , they had thrown caution to the wind. And you ask, on what ground were the vehicles auctioned?

“ln all the cases involving Okorocha and the lmo State Government, including the one decided by Justice Njemanze (rtd), which is now at the Appeal Court, the government never mentioned Okorocha’s personal cars and those of his aides, associates, his security details, Rochas Foundation College, et al , for any reason. Why auctioning his vehicles and those of others?

“Aside these vehicles, there are valuable materials and documents in some of them, including lnternational Passports, and one had expected that the police would have taken all those items or materials and documents into their custody.

“And if the government could auction the private vehicles of the former governor and his aides and associates, it means they must have also shared the important materials and documents we are talking about among themselves.

“They must have also disposed of other assets with cases on them, either at the High court or the Appeal Court.”

When contacted for Imo state government’s reaction, the Commissioner for information and strategy, Declan Emelumba, said that Okorocha’s spokesperson was misleading the public.

Source: The PUNCH

Gunmen abduct Baptist Church women leader in Owerri

There was a palpable fear in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Sunday, after gunmen stormed First Baptist Church located on Wetheral Road, and abducted one of the women leaders, Biola Abeoye.

Mrs Abeoye is the wife of the General Manager of the Owerri Zoological Garden at Nekede.

One of the officials of the church, who wants to be anonymous because he was not authorised to speak, recalled that the daredevil suspects stormed the church in a Toyota vehicle.

He said the kidnappers waited till the church service came to an end before they struck.

The source noted that the manner the kidnappers operated showed that they came for the victim.

According to him, the suspects fired gunshots in the air, which pierced the walls of the church building, before they zoomed off with their victim.

He said “Some group of gun-wilding men operating in a camera Toyota vehicle came to our church premises and parked. At first we thought that they were security men, so we didn’t bother. They waited till the church service dismissed before they struck.

“They had somebody in their car who identified the woman before they forced her into their vehicle. They shot at our church building. It was so terrible. The woman is the wife of the General Manager of Imo Zoological Garden at Nekede. Her husband is out of the state. He travelled. We have reported the incident at the police station.”

The PUNCH reported that police spokesperson for the state, Micheal Abattam, had yet to respond to the incident at the time of filing the report.

Morocco 2022: Super Falcons beat Burundi 4-0 to secure quarter-finals with Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon

Cup holders Nigeria must overcome the challenge of the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals, following the quarter-final pairings that emerged on Sunday night after the Super Falcons thrashed Burundi 4-0 in their final match of Group C.

The win took the champions to six points and five goals advantage, but South Africa’s 1-0 win over Botswana meant the Banyana Banyana finished on maximum nine points and topped the group, setting up a clash with Tunisia in the last eight.

Nigeria dominated the match and should have been ahead by two goals before Rasheedat Ajibade won and scored a penalty in the 25th minute after she was upended by onrushing goalkeeper Jeanine Irakoze.

Earlier, the very busy Ifeoma Onumonu shot over the sticks when clear on goal in the second minute and Peace Efih had an opportunity to rifle into the net four minutes later but opted to pass, which effort was cut off.

Four minutes after Ajibade scored from six yards, Peace Efih scored from a goalmouth melee after another dashing run and cross into the box by Ajibade.

Less than 60 seconds after, Nigeria were 3-0 up after Ajibade hugged the byeline and threaded the ball into the box for advancing Uchenna Kanu to hook into an empty net.

Kanu thought she had made it four in the 38th minute but her effort was ruled offside, and then came very close in the 40th and 43rd minutes only to miss from close range.

In the second half, the Falcons started the way they left off in the first period, with Ajibade lifting the ball into the box for Kanu to rifle past substitute goalkeeper Amissa Inarukundo with only 22 seconds gone.

The Falcons then took their feet off the pedal as the match puttered and petered out, even as Christy Ucheibe’s rasping drive was finger-tipped to the upright by Inarukundo in the 56th minute and Macleans Chinonyerem made a hash of a great pass from Gift Monday with five minutes left.

Tinubu wants Nigerians to place competence in governance above religious sentiment

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu has impressed on Nigerians to prioritise national growth and development above “religious sentiments”

He made this known on Sunday while he was given reasons for picking former Governor of Borno State, Kasim Shettima, as his running mate despite agitations against Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Primerosenews had earlier reported agitations against Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket by the Christian Association of Nigeria and some prominent Nigerians and other prominent Nigerians.

The Christian group, had on Sunday fumed that Christians lives and properties are not guaranteed under Muslim-Muslim government owing to the current killings of Christians in Nigeria even with a Pentecostal pastor as vice president.

But Tinubu explained that if Nigerians truly understood the challenges upon them, they would place competence in governance above religious sentiment.

He said Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that “he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all important electoral victory”.

The APC presidential candidate recalled that in 1993, Nigerians embraced Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, in “one of our fairest elections ever held”.

“The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023,” he added.

Part of the statement read, “I have never been an indecisive man and have no present intention to become one.

“Having now listened to the sage, careful advice of a broad section of the party and of the nation, there are a few points I feel I must make about the exceptional and extraordinary person with whom I will share the APC ticket and the principles of open and good governance that informed this choice.

“I am mindful of the energetic discourse concerning the possible religion of my running mate. Just and noble people have talked to me about this. Some have counselled that I should select a Christian to please the Christian community. Other have said I should pick a Muslim to appeal to the Muslim community. Clearly, I cannot do both.

“Both sides of the debate have impressive reason and passionate arguments supporting their position. Both arguments are right in their own way. But neither is right in the way that Nigeria needs at the moment. As president, I hope to govern this nation toward uncommon progress. This will require innovation. It will require steps never before taken. It will also require decisions that are politically difficult and rare.

“If I am to be that type of President, I must begin by being that type of candidate. Let me make the bold and innovative decision not to win political points but to move the nation and our party’s campaign closer to the greatness that we were meant to achieve.

“Today, I announce my selection with pride because I have made it not based on religion or to please one community or the other. I made this choice because I believe this is the man who can help me bring the best governance to all Nigerians, period, regardless of their religious affiliation or considerations of ethnicity or region.

“May I say this to all of you, especially to those who will be disappointed in my selection based on religious considerations. I will not and cannot ignore the religious concerns and ethnic sensitivities of our people.

Taking them into due consideration is an important part of good and able governance. But religion, ethnicity and region cannot always and fully determine our path. To forge ahead as a nation toward development and prosperity, we must break free of old binds. We must recalibrate our political calculations to where competence and fairness matter more than reductive demographics.”

Tinubu noted that he chose Shettima as his partner and running mate in a bid to advance and reclaim the fortunes of Nigeria and the hopes of its people.

He said, “Senator Kasim Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all important electoral victory, but, also, step into the shoes of the Vice President. As a man with the talent, maturity, strength of character, and patriotism he has my implicit confidence and faith.

“I am aware that many will continue focus on a particular detail, the question of his faith.

“However, if we truly understand the challenges upon us a nation, then we must also see the imperative of placing competence in governance above religious sentiment.

“In 1993, Nigerians embrace Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe in one of our fairest elections ever held.

“The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023.

“As such, the ticket we present today represents a milestone in our political history. It symbolizes our party’s determination to be a leading light among political parties in Africa. “

Security of Christians’ lives are not guaranteed under a Muslim-Muslim govt – CAN fumes

The Christian Association of Nigeria has expressed displeasure on the selection of former governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima as the running mate to the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu had during a visit to president Muhammadu Buhari in Daura on Sunday announced Shettima, a Muslim, as his running mate.

Before now, there had been warnings from CAN, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Civil Society Organisations against fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday, CAN’s spokesperson, Adebayo Oladeji, said making such a decision in a polarised country was a wrong move.

He stated that if having a pastor as the vice president of the country and Christian clerics and worshipers are being killed , the security of lives and properties of Christians under a Muslim-Muslim could not be guaranteed.

Oladeji, however, warned that Nigerians should be ready to face the consequences of their actions if they endorsed and vote for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

He said, “We knew this was what he was going to do and we have warned against it. It is up to Nigerians to decide on what they want.

“You are all alive when we warned Buhari not to allow Muslims to dominate the security architecture of the country and he did it. I think we can see the way the criminals are operating with impunity.

“So, if Tinubu says he is opting for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a polarised country like ours , if Nigerians endorse him and vote for him, whatever happens, Nigerians will face the consequences.

“If you have a government where a pastor is a vice president and pastors and worshipers are being killed you can imagine what will happen when we have a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“It is left to Nigerians to make their choice, let them vote them in and we will all face the consequences together.

“We are raising our alarm. It is an irony that Buhari they regarded as an extremist when we raised an alarm to warn him against a Muslim-Muslim ticket, he heeded and opted for a christian as his vice presidential candidate. ”

Landlords bemoan ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Onitsha

Some affected house owners in the ongoing demolition of illegal buildings in Onitsha, Anambra State have lamented and recounted their losses as the exercise continues.

The demolition, which began on Thursday, generated some ripples between the Pastor of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanemere, also known as Odumeje, and some members of the Anambra State Task Force in charge of the exercise.

Some members of the task force had a faceoff with the pastor as they demolished some parts of the church’s building that encroached on the water channel.

When our correspondent visited the area on Sunday, he observed that some portions of another church, St Dominic Catholic Church, had been touched.

The PUNCH gathered that the perimeter fence, toilet building and few other make-shift structures were pulled down by the task force.

However, the church building was not touched, but there is fear that the demolition will continue tomorrow, according to inside church sources.

When contacted, the Parish Priest, Rev. Father Evaristus Nwagbara, confirmed the demolition, saying, “They said that they would continue the demolition in the church premises tomorrow, being Monday.

“So, on Monday we will know what they are up to again, but some structures were touched already. Like the toilet, fence of the church and even that of the grotto.”

Another landlord in Bida Road, Fegge, who identified himself as Titus Oyendi, whose structure was also marked for demolition, expressed deep concern that the three months notice was too short as they were caught unawares.

Oyendi said his late father built the house for over 20 years ago and has since been living there with other tenants before he passed on.

He lamented that they paid huge sum of money to acquire the land and other necessary documentations, which, according to him, were given approval by an agency of government.

He urged the relevant agencies to look into the matter with a view to sanctioning the “government workers and agencies who gave the approval” in the first place.

Another affected landlord, Sunday Ijenwa, said no one could stop the government from carrying out the exercise as it was targeted towards developing and giving the area a modern look, but the government should consider those that might be rendered homeless and see what it could do about it.

Ijenwa urged the state government to look into the plight of those that might be displaced as a result of the “sudden” exercise.

“Although notices were served and meetings held, the three months notice was definitely too short. Since they have started the exercise, there is nothing one can do, we just wait till the end and see if there is anything left for us,” he added.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, said there was no compensation for illegal structures.

Five quick facts to know about APC vice presidential candidate, Shettima

Ex-Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima has been announced as the running mate of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.

Below are five quick facts you should know about Shettima:

1. Shettima was born on September 2nd, 1966.

2. He is a two-term former governor of Borno State between 2011 and 2019 and serving senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Borno Central.

3. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maiduguri in Agricultural Economics and a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.

4. Shettima was a banker, worked with the Commercial Bank of Africa as an Agricultural Economist at its Ikeja Office, Lagos State between 1993 and 19967 between he joined active politics.

5. He is married to Nana Shettima and they have three children: two females and a male.

Women lawyers lament increasing rate of GBV in Ekiti

Despite efforts to curb Gender-based violence in Ekiti state, much was still needed to be done to halt the social menace. The Chairperson of the International Lawyers, Ekiti State chapter, Mrs Oyinade Olatunbosun has said.

Olatunbosun who spoke on Sunday at Ilawe-Ekiti and Erinmope-Ekiti during separate GBV sensitisation rallies to boost residents’ awareness, said, FIDA was making frantic efforts including rendering free legal services to secure justice for victims of rape, domestic violence, child trafficking and other GBV acts in the state.

She enjoined people of the state to encourage victims of GBV to speak up so that there could be justice for perpetrators would largely help the fight.

FIDA boss said, “We received 78 GBV cases from December 2021 to February 2022. While some are concluded, a substantial part of the cases are still pending with interventions, mediations and litigations ongoing.

“These cases confirmed that GBV is high in Ekiti and we have a lot of work to do. The first thing is for our people to speak up. Anybody that is experiencing any of these violent cases should report to the committees and we will take it up.

“We offer free legal services. We have to join hands together to fight rapists, female genital mutilators, child traffickers, wife beaters, oppressors of widows and gender inequality perpetrators. All these affect female majorly.

“We have handled several cases for women who were neglected by their husbands. Through our interventions, those men have now taken up their responsibilities.

“Many girls and women who were raped have had their cases taken to court. Justice will be done in those cases. If you see any case, don’t hesitate to tell us, we will fight for you and perpetrators will be punished,” she said.

Olatunbosun charged parents to protect their children against societal evils to prevent their future from being derailed.

The GBV Committee leaders in Erinmope and Ilawe-Ekiti, Chiefs Michael Awoyemi and Maurice Adaramodu respectively, lauded FIDA for its giant strides in confronting oppression of the female gender, adding that anyone engaging in slavery, forced marriage, rape, keeping children of school age away from school, was liable in the face of the law.

BREAKING: Buhari hosts Tinubu, Gov. Masari behind closed door

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in a private meeting with the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari is also at the closed-door meeting, which is holding at the Daura private residence of the President.

The APC presidential candidate, along with Governor Masari, drove in to the President’s residence few minutes after 2pm.

Tinubu had earlier arrived the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina at 1:15 pm Sunday from where he joined Governor Masari for about an hour drive to Daura.

Meeting still in session as at the time when this report was filed.

Tinubu had reportedly picked former Borno  State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima as his vice presidential candidate.

He had earlier submitted the name of Kabiru Masari to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as his place holder.

My decision to run with Obi borne out of commitment to rescuing Nigeria - Baba-Ahmed

The Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has explained why he accepted his nomination as the running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, unveiled Baba-Ahmed as his running mate in Abuja on Friday.

The 46-year-old Baba-Ahmed is the founder of Baze University, Abuja, and former Senator represented Kaduna North District.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Baba-Ahmed said his decision to accept the nomination was borne out of his commitment to rescuing Nigeria.

He said, “The undeniable and unchallengeable fundamental reason for being on this ticket is to rescue Nigeria.”

Ten things to know about LP's vice presidential candidate, Baba-Ahmed

The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, unveiled Datti Baba-Ahmed as his running mate Friday morning.

This came shortly after the running mate “place holder”, Doyin Okupe, withdrew from the race.

Below are ten things to know about Peter Obi's running mate in the 2023 general election:

1 – Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed was born to the Baba-Ahmed family in Zaria, Kaduna State, in 1975/1976

2 – He is among the thirty-three children of his father, Baba Ahmed, who was an Arab cattle-trader from modern day Mauritania, who later became a notable professor and expert on Islamic jurisprudence.

3 – Baba-Ahmed has a BSc and MSc in Economics from the University of Maiduguri in Borno State.

4 – He worked in the security Printing and Minting, Lagos before entering into politics.

5 – Baba-Ahmed was elected as House of Representatives member for Zaria Federal Constituency on the platform of All Nigeria People’s Party in 2003.

6 – While in the position, he became known for speaking out against corruption and the Third Term Agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

7 – In 2006, while a Federal representative, he earned the title of Doctor of Philosophy when he completed his PhD studies at the University of Westminster.

8 – Baba-Ahmed was founder and Pro-Chancellor of Baze University, an independent university located in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. which opened in April 2011.

9 – In the April 2011 elections, Baba-Ahmed polled 366,398 votes in the contest for Senator and won the senator seat for Kaduna North from 2011 to 2012.

10 – Baba-Ahmed was officially unveiled as the running mate of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2023 general election on Friday, July 8, 2022.

PDP Chairman, Ayu returns to Nigeria

The National Chairman of the opposition’s Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom after a brief vacation.

The former Senator arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Friday.

Ayu jetted out of Nigeria on June 21, 2022, for a brief vacation after the busy party primaries.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Simon Imobo-Tswam, stated that Ayu transferred the interim leadership of the party to the highest-ranked member of the National Working Committee, Amb. Umar Damagum, the Deputy National Chairman, North, before the vacation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission was also put on notice of the interim leadership of Damagum for the brief vacation.

The statement reads in part, “Before travelling out, the PDP National Chairman had handed over to the most senior member of the party’s National Working Committee, i.e. Amb. Umar Damagun, who is the Deputy National Chairman, North.

“Besides handing over to the deputy chairman North, Ayu also notified the Independent National Electoral Commission of his brief vacation and the temporary handover to Amb. Damagun in an acting capacity”.

Ayu applauded the unrelenting effort that the acting chairman exercised during his absence and the support party members gave him.

Group calls for Aregbesola's sack over incessant jailbreaks

A Civil rights advocacy group under the aegis of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has impressed on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, with immediate effect over the alarming attacks on correctional facilities in Nigeria. 

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Emmanuel Onwubiko on Thursday and available to the press, HURIWA condemned the incessant jailbreaks under Aregbesola’s watch.

The group noted that, in the last five years, there have been over 15 jailbreaks under the former Osun State governor while over 3,000 inmates have escaped from custody.

HURIWA’s outburst is coming hours after attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja on Tuesday night, where heavily armed with explosives, led to the loss of lives.

During the attack, the terrorists reportedly freed over 600 inmates, including 64 suspected Boko Haram members who were held in custody.

HURIWA also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to quit asking rhetorical questions on how the intelligence system of the country failed to detect Tuesday’s attack at Kuje prison in Abuja on social media.

The group demanded the President immediately set up a judicial panel of inquiry on prison attacks in the country and ensure that such assaults on the entire security apparatus of Nigeria do not recur.

The statement reads in part, “The spate of jailbreaks under President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, is alarming and condemnable. Even under then-President Goodluck Jonathan, who had no military experience or background, jailbreaks weren’t as rampant as what Nigerians see these days.

“The frequent and recurring jailbreaks show the inefficiency of all those President Buhari appointed into office and his unwillingness to sack them show also that the President tacitly want the situation to continue to fester.

“HURIWA demands the sacking of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and his Defence counterpart, Bashir Magashi; for perpetual incompetence. We also call for a broad-based judicial panel of inquiry on prison breaks in Nigeria to be constituted.”

Oni files 1,095-page petition against Oyebanji’s victory at Tribunal

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, has filed a 1,095-page petition before the Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal.

Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, shortly after his legal team submitted the petition, Oni said he was challenging the election outcome at the tribunal in view of the fact that he allegedly defeated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Biodun Oyebanji, who was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

INEC had, in the early hours of June 19, declared Oyebanji of the APC winner of the gubernatorial election with 187,057 votes against Oni of the SDP who polled 82,209 votes to come second among the 16 candidates that participated in the election.

The former Ekiti state governor said he submitted the petition in accordance with the law and doing that to defend the sanctity of the system, adding that he’s challenging the election result because he believe that he won.

The SDP candidate had disclosed to newsmen last week that he could not congratulate Oyebanji because he did not believe the person declared governor-elect won the June I8 election.

Oni’s lawyer, Obafemi Adewale, SAN, who said there was more to the election, said, “If my client had believed the governorship election was free, fair, and credible, he would not have challenged the outcome.”

Adewale said that his client also believed that “the person declared by INEC as the winner did not win with lawful votes.”