Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, on Friday congratulated President Bola Tinubu over his Supreme Court victory.

Governor Eno noted that the victory has put an end to all the litigations against the President’s emergence at the February 25, 2023 elections.

The Governor who sent his congratulations at a “Thank You Meeting” by Christian Leaders in the state, on Friday, said although Akwa Ibom State is a Peoples Democratic Party state, his government would continue to align with the centre to attract developments to the state.

“I want to congratulate the president, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the supreme court. This has indeed ended all the litigations trailing the president’s emergence at the February 25, 2023 elections.”

Governor Eno noted that although the country is going through hardship occasioned by the removal of oil subsidy, his administration would make sure that every available resource is not wasted on frivolities but deployed for optimal benefits of the generality of the people

“When I say there is no money, I mean there is no money to throw around but there is money to do good things. There is money to do every good thing. Money to do investments will not be a problem in this state. Money by itself is a scarce commodity. If you throw money around like that, it will lose its value”.

He also thanked the clergymen for not allowing divisive ethnic sentiments to saturate the church community, urging them to strive to keep the church united, irrespective of political or ethnic affiliations, to be in sync with his administration’s disposition.

He reassured the group of his commitment to lead a united and prosperous Akwa Ibom State, to justify the confidence the church and entire people of the state reposed in him during the last gubernatorial election.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Christian Nyong, said the Church community was impressed with Pastor Umo Eno’s leadership strides

The CAN leader told the governor that the meeting was a representation of the various blocs that constitute the church community in the state and would engender greater support of Christians in the state toward the success of the present administration being led by one of their own.

Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has revealed he was always terrified to play against Ivory Coast legend, Didier Drogba.

Mikel Obi and Drogba played together at Chelsea in the Premier League and won many titles together.

But they faced each other a few times at the international level.

One of those came at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

In a video shared on CAF’s online social media, Mikel Obi said he was scared of Drogba because the striker is a great goal scorer.

“Obviously, the player I never wanted to meet, that I was lucky I didn’t meet quite a lot, was Didier Drogba. You know, I was always scared of meeting him. Because I knew at some point in the game he would score,” he said.

The Lagos State Government has reopened Alaba International Market and some other markets at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, on Saturday. The state government shut the markets earlier because of improper waste management and other environmental infractions.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said the markets were reopened after the environmental issues had been addressed.

Wahab dismissed claims in some quarters that political motives were behind the closure of the markets and stressed that the step was taken to ensure a clean and healthy environment around business facilities.

“I state emphatically that the closure of those markets had no ethnic or political motives as it was done to ensure cleanliness and environmental sustainability for the good of all residents. The decision to reopen the markets followed rigorous assessment and implementation of stringent environmental standards.

“These standards were set to guarantee that businesses in the state operate in a manner that is not detrimental to the environment and the well-being of the people,’’ Wahab said.

He reiterated the significance of maintaining a harmonious balance between commerce and environmental health. He said the enforcement would be continuous as the government would not hesitate to seal any market or corporate facility found wanting.

Commenting on the reopening of the markets, Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said it worked with market officials to ensure the attainment of environmental standards.

He said it was important for markets to operate in a manner that was economically viable and environmentally responsible.

“We have standards that each market in the state has to comply with to make our business environment clean and healthy for buyers and sellers. These include proper waste management, zero tolerance for open burning of waste and zero tolerance for dumping of wastes in the drainage channels.

“Others are the engagement of market policing personnel to monitor market sanitation, observance of distance from road setbacks, medians and market surroundings to avoid indiscriminate dumping. We must also ensure the eradication of street trading and trading on road medians and shoulders, which obstruct the free flow of traffic.

“Tariffs must also be fully paid as any violation of the stated regulations would attract penalties and possible subsequent closure of offending markets,’’ he said.

Gbadegesin urged users and business owners to show commitment to environmental sustainability through proper waste disposal and adherence to environmental laws to prevent market closures. (NAN)

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused Nigerians of being too docile and ready to accept anything thrown at them.

Amaechi, who was actively involved in politics from 1999 to 2023, said this when he featured as a guest speaker at the 2023 TheNiche Annual Lecture held at Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday.

Although most of the things he said at the lecture have been reported, a 4-minute video is currently trending online.

In the video, the former speaker of Rivers House of Assembly and two-term governor of Rivers State, said he had been quiet for some reasons, including the advice of his publicist.

“There are so many television houses and individuals that approached me to speak on different issues since I left office and I declined. I declined for two reasons; one, my publicist advised me not to say anything; and he is very angry as I am speaking to you.”

“Secondly, Nigerians don’t react to anything. What is new to say, Nigerians don’t react to anything. Has any politician told you he is not a thief? Which politician told you he went to university? Which politician told you she served in NYSC, and which politician told you he has certificate?

“Nigerians know and still vote for them, so what is your problem? I say why should I speak when already there’s nothing new? Nigerians choose who to believe and who not to believe, Nigerians choose who to vote and who not to vote. Even if you come to a Nigerian man’s house and kill his mother, the father will continue his life. Nothing bothers you, nothing, so why should I waste my time?

“When we are talking about the Buhari government there is nothing that our chairman said that is new. People have said it several times, right from the Goodluck Jonathan government to the Buhari Government that I was a part of. If I was killed, what would have happened? Nothing, so you will lead a useless life. So, I chose to stay in my house quietly. Unfortunately for me I got admission to study in the Nigerian law school. And rule number one is that you are our property. You are not allowed to go anywhere. That is the rule. So anybody who says why we don’t see you; I am a student of the Nigerian law school. Until I graduate, I can’t disobey them.

“I chose not to speak because Nigerians will do absolutely nothing. If you say it’s a lie nothing will happen. Even if you are not committing any crime, Nigeria will say you are a thief and you go to prison for nothing. It’s a hopeless situation. Is it a lie? So, I will shock you that I want to talk about the Buhari government for two reasons and the Tinubu government. What moral standing do you have to criticize the Buhari government? I was a participant. That was the argument. If I will not say anything about the Buhari government, I will also say nothing about the Tinubu government because you know the problem. Instead of Nigerians finding solutions, they are committing suicide. I am praying so that you commit suicide so that by the time I wake up, I will benefit from your death by taking justice. What others resist like going on in Ghana and Kenya is what Nigerians.. no be four years. After four years, let him go. The man won another term whether magic or crook. No be eight years, he will soon go.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated his long-time ally, friend, and confidant, His Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos State, on the monarch’s 80th birthday.

The president, in a statement on Saturday by his spokeman, Ajuri Ngelale, described the revered monarch as a fountain of wisdom, knowledge, and a staunch custodian of the rich culture and traditions of Lagos.

“Oba Akiolu and I have come a long way. He is my confidant. He is a dear friend I hold in high esteem for his integrity, honour, and forthrightness. He is always generous with his wise counsel and always willing to offer his fatherly guidance.

“Baba is a defender of the truth and his people. My achievements as Lagos State Governor are partly due to his support and counsel. His Majesty’s reign has brought peace, progress, and development to the good people of Lagos,” President Tinubu said.

The president, who thanked the Eleko of Eko for his unceasing prayers and support, recalled his interventions over the years, even in trying times.

“Today, I celebrate an extraordinary monarch whose wit and foresight are peerless. May His Majesty live long, and may his reign on the throne of his fathers continue to be prosperous,” President Tinubu prayed.

“The Oba of Lagos is a monarch of many achievements. He rose to the pinnacle of his professional career, retiring as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police. The Oba is a fellow of the Nigerian Law School,” he added.

City FM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Programme: CITY TALKS WITH REUBEN ABATI

Time: 12:00pm

Guest: Abiodun J. Owonikoko Esq., SAN

Topic: "Supreme Court affirms Tinubu's victory in Presidential election"

Date: 28th October, 2023
                         
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The presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative Steering Committee has said on Friday said 7 CNG conversation centres have been established in the country.

Mr Zacch Adedeji,the Chairman of the Committee, made this known during the launch of the much awaited CNG initiative with the handing over of 2 CNG buses to the State House, Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusesan Adebiyi, at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Adedeji, who is also the acting Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), was represented by Mr Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)

He said the establishment of the CNG conversion centres symbolised the commitment of President Bola Tinubu administration to spearhead energy revolution in the country.

Adedeji said more CNG conversion centres would be established across the country, adding that the effort was a pivotal step in the country’s journey towards a cleaner and economically sound future.

He added that the project was not only about the conversation of vehicles but also creating employment opportunities.

According to him, FIRS would waive Value Added Tax on CNG purchases and seek duty waivers for the value chain.

He said that the aim was to build a sustainable future leveraging the nation’s cheap and clean energy source.

According to him, it also demonstrates Tinubu’s commitment to environmental sustainability and economic growth.

He said, “This CNG buses to be handed over to the State House are the vanguard of a future, where energy is cleaner and more economical.’’

Adedeji appreciated the President for his support and to all those who played a part in the project.

He said, “I’m pleased to announce that there are currently seven conversion centres in Nigeria and the government is actively working to establish more of them. These plans will be rolled out, starting this afternoon, by the initiative.

“This project is not only about conversion of vehicles but also about generating employment opportunities. It demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to both environmental sustainability and economic growth.

“Moreover, it is my pleasure as your Chief Tax Officer, a position I hold alongside as Chairman of this initiative, to announce that we will be waiving the Value Added Tax on CNG purchases as well as seeking duty waivers for value-chain.

“The goal is to build a sustainable future, leveraging our own cheap and clean energy source; gas.’’

[Newsguru]

THE National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no favoured candidates in next month’s off-season governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.

Ribadu made the declaration on Friday while speaking with newsmen after a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) comprising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the service chiefs.

Ribadu, who noted that the November election would be the first to be conducted on Tinubu’s watch, said his principal was determined to conduct free and transparent elections.

He said: “We are prepared and will be with you 100 percent and will work to meet the standard that you want us to meet.  There is nothing as important as free and fair election in a democracy. This government is interested in that and Mr President has directed that he wants to see a free, fair and credible election.  This is the first election that is going to be held under his watch.

“He said everything possible should be done to ensure that Nigerians witness free and fair elections. I want to assure Nigerians that these elections will be better than the previous ones.  These elections are going to be without violence and a litmus test for us.”

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, revealed that certain candidates planning to instigate violence during and after the elections are under security watch and would be dealt with except they shelve their plot.

Egbetokun said: “We have just concluded the ICCES meeting with INEC. These elections are off-season elections and we are committed to making them free and fair elections. The security agencies are ready for these elections. We have received all necessary information from INEC which has informed us where to deploy to during these elections.

“We have carried out our threat assessment and that has informed us where to allocate our resources and the deployment of our men. All the security agencies are collaborating seriously to ensure that these elections are violence-free.

“My appeal to people who want to come out and make trouble during these elections is for them to stay away from the elections because there will be no place for them to operate.

“We are aware of mobilisation by supporters of some candidates. We are already monitoring them and we are ready for them during these elections. I appeal to those who just want to come out and disrupt these elections to stay away.

“I appeal to the electorate to come out en masse to cast their votes during these elections. We are committed to a peaceful election and there is no going back on that.”

The IGP, who said the security agencies took a position on volatile zones, was however silent on deployment.

“We have our figures and we are not going to make it public. We have given the detail of deployment at the meeting, but it is not for the media.

“All the states have challenges and we are taking care of the challenges,” he said.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Chris Musa, offered a clarification that other security agencies would only be on ground to assist the police to deliver credible elections.

He said: “We are here fully to show collaboration, cooperation and support for the police who are the lead agency in election security.

“The armed forces are going to provide full, comprehensive support to ensure that the police are able to do their job without any interference.”

[Tribune]

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the sole responsibility of determining the winners of elections in Nigeria and not the judiciary.

Falana stated this while answering questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday night.

His comments come a day after the Supreme Court upheld the election of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 general election.

The apex court threw out the petitions from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

Falana has, however, noted that the country is yet to maintain a strong footing in the conduct of elections that are devoid of acrimony.

He said, “No doubt, the judgement of the Supreme Court ascended the electoral contestation as far as the presidential election conducted in February this year is concerned, but for sure, it is not a judicial endorsement of the conduct of the election by INEC.

“What I mean is that, even with the judgement, it is very clear that Nigeria has a long way to go in terms of ensuring that credible elections are conducted, elections that will be devoid of acrimony, elections that all of us will be proud of, but we are still a long way from there even with the judgement.

“Yes, for now, the presidential election is concluded; it should have been concluded in February, but it has just been concluded by the Supreme Court and it should not be so. The judiciary should not determine the winners of elections.”

[NewsPot]

Nigerian sprinter, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha has been banned for three years for doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Friday, October 27.

Nwokocha who won gold in the 4x100m relay at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, tested positive for Ostarine and Ligandrol in a sample collected on 3 August 2022.

She has reportedly admitted to the doping violation and accepted the sanction of a three-year ban. She has also been stripped of her gold medal from the Commonwealth Games.

The statement by the AIU reads: “The AIU, the Athlete and the World Anti-Doping Agency (“the Parties”) subsequently entered into a Case Resolution Agreement in accordance with Rule 10.8.2 ADR pursuant to which the Athlete acknowledges that she has been found to have committed ADRVs under Rule 2.1 and Rule 2.2 of the CGF ADR (and the ADR) by virtue of the CGF Decision, which is final and binding upon her;

“The Athlete agrees to be sanctioned with a period of Ineligibility of three (3) years; the Parties agree that taking into consideration the criteria in Rule 10.8.2 of the ADR, the period of Ineligibility shall commence on the date of Sample collection, i.e., 3 August 2022. Therefore, the period of Ineligibility shall be in effect until, and including, 2 August 2025; and in accordance with Rule 10.10 of the ADR (and to the extent that any results are not already disqualified by operation of the CGF Decision), the Athlete’s competitive results from 3 August 2022 until the date of the Provisional Suspension imposed by the AIU viz. 2 September 2022 are Disqualified with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prize money/prizes.”

[OpinionNigeria]