President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the victors in the November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to prioritise the common good of the people over partisan interests in the spirit of fostering a harmonious and inclusive political landscape in their states.

While congratulating Governors Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Usman Ododo of Kogi State on their victory, the president, in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said the electorate’s participation in the process affirmed the resilience of democratic institutions and the power of the people in shaping the nation’s political landscape.

The president, who said the outcome of the elections reflected the wishes of the people, emphasised that democracy thrived when voters rewarded competence, transparency and good governance.

The president, however, stressed the need for a sustained commitment to all efforts aimed at further sanitising the electoral system and enhancing the credibility of future elections.

In his own congratulatory message, former President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement on Monday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said the victory recorded by APC candidates in Kogi and Imo re-affirmed the confidence of the people of the states in the party.

Reiterating Buhari’s statement, the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said, “What gladdens me about the victory of the APC in both Kogi and Imo stated is that Nigerians are appreciative of good governance and they want continuity in peace and sustainable growth in their states.”

On his part, the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for Kogi Governorship Election and governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described the party’s victory in Kogi as “resounding” and an affirmation of the ruling party’s dominance in the state.

Also congratulating the duo of Uzodimma and Ododo, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, described their victories as a testament to the strength of the nation’s democracy and the power of the people to make their voices heard.

Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, added that the victories were an expression of the confidence of the people of the two states in the programmes and policies of the APC.

The federal government has stated that the country would create 340,000 jobs with transition into renewable energy by 2030 and 840,000 in 2060.

Speaking during the second edition of the German-Nigerian Symposium on Green Energy, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the energy transition would result in economic and job creation with quality power supply.

Adelabu stated that the federal government is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2060 but needs to expand power generation in the country to stop the use of diesel and petrol generators.

“Nigeria is committed to deliver adequate renewable and affordable power to its citizens in a sustainable manner. The implementation of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP) will not only provide economic development but result in significant job creation with up to 340,000 jobs by the year 2030 and 840,000 by 2060.”

He noted that gas would play a critical role in the transition from fuel in Nigeria, thus, the ETP would create significant investment opportunities for establishment and expansion of industries related to solar energy, green hydrogen and electric vehicles.

He said the country currently needs $1.9tn to attain net zero emission by 2060 and has identified a $32bn investment opportunity based on current programmes and projects that are directly related to just energy transition.

“Due to insufficient generation and grid constraints, the majority of households, businesses and industries in the nation generate their electricity with diesel and petrol generators. The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Annett Günther, said, “Germany and Nigeria are both committed to driving the production and use of hydrogen.”

She also referred to the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz’s recent visit to Nigeria, in which he highlighted that the energy partnership between both nations are not only about traditional fossil fuels but also about hydrogen, the gas of the future.

The Country Director, GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, Dr. Markus Wagner, in his remarks stated that it is crucial to recognise green hydrogen has the potential to revolutionise the energy landscape as it offers a path to reducing carbon emissions, diversifying energy sources and boosting economic growth.

The number of Nigerian students studying in the United States rose to 17,640 in the 2022/2023 academic session despite rising foreign exchange scarcity in the country.

This is a 37.17 per cent increase in the number of Nigerian students in 2022/2023 from the 12,860 that moved in the 2020/2021 session, and a 22.18 per cent increase from the 14,438 that moved in the 2021/2022 session according to data from the new Open Doors Report, published by the Washington-based Institute of International Education.

The total number of international students in the US grew to 1.06 million in the academic year, which is a 12 per cent increase from the previous year. The total number of students from sub-Saharan Africa was 50,199 in the year under review.

35.14 per cent of the total population of sub-Saharan African students in the US are Nigerians. International students only make up a small percentage (5.6 per cent) of the total number of students enrolled in the US (18.96 million) as of the 2022/2023 session.

This rise in the migration of Nigerian students to the US is amidst a forex scarcity crisis in the country. According to experts, many Nigerians are leaving the country due to the challenging economic reality of the country.

Recently, an intending migrant told The PUNCH, “The day I went for my visa interview, there were about a hundred people there.”

The Founder of Travels N Tours, Biola Abimbola, further affirmed, “Yes. More people want to travel now because the state of the economy is bad and the youths are looking for where there are opportunities, especially the middle class. The problem is that more people are leaving than ever before.”

Nigerians spent about $1.01bn on foreign education in 2022 according to a The PUNCH report. This is a 40.36 per cent increase from the $720.05m that was spent in 2021

Senator Dino Melaye, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has seven days to review the Kogi State governorship election.

Melaye stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.

On Sunday the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election.

Ododo polled 446,237, while his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled 259,052 votes.

But during the interview, Melaye alleged that there were cases of mutilation, over voting, and suppression of voters in the election.

“It was based on the mutilation results that Yahaya Bello’s stooge was declared winner. INEC is aware that some local government results were written before the election.

“This is what happened across the local government. Seventeen local governments in Kogi State have over voting.

“We have submitted our petitions to INEC with evidences this afternoon. Our next line of action is that INEC has seven days to review petitions. We are going to see what they would do. In a just society silence is a crime.”

Melaye added that INEC must cancel election in five local government areas of the state.

He said, “INEC must cancel the election in the five local governments of Kogi central. The election in Okene, Okehi, Ajaoukuta, Adavi, and Ogori/Mangogo is a scam coordinated from the highest level of INEC.”

The enemy cannot resist the Blood of Jesus, especially when it comes from the mouth of a believer. When I gave my life to Christ newly, this was one of the first practical lessons that God taught me. He made me to know that the blood of Jesus Christ is a shield to the believer and that no agent of Satan or demon can withstand it. I was in a trance that particular day and I suddenly saw two agents of darkness appear in my room. And immediately the doors and windows of the room were sealed up. Each of these demonic beings held each of my hands. They said that they were sent from the dark kingdom to arrest me. And immediately, I shouted the blood of Jesus! Do you know what happened? Their hands were forcefully removed from mine and a powerful force suddenly emerged and began to lift me off the room through the roof. Great! I want to believe that you know what a trance is? It is not just a dream.

    I was being elevated upwards like a rocket until I vanished from the place. Truly, there is power in the blood of Jesus. We must always use it in confronting the powers of darkness. Plead the blood to repel satanic attacks while going to bed. Plead it before you leave your house each day. Plead it on your children. Cover you food and drinks with the blood. Use it to nullify those bad dreams and plans of the enemy. Plead the blood wherever and whenever you sense the presence of demonic spirit or you find yourself in any danger. Use it in spiritual warfare and in prayers. It is very powerful and effective. It does not fail. Satan and his dark agents will always flee from it. Plead the blood to attract the presence and favour of God to you and yours. Truly, no power can face the blood of Jesus in combat!

Listen again to Emmanuel Eni:

    “It’s about a Christian who boarded the same taxi with me. He was very zealous and started distributing gospel tracts inside the taxi.  When he gave me the tract I rejected it.  He started preaching, so I became disturbed and knocked him with the ring in my finger.  That was to kill him.  And the boy shouted: ‘The blood of Jesus!’  Immediately, lightening and fire and an angel appeared. A strong wind again removed me with great force out of the taxi and into the thick jungle.  Had it not been that I was a man backed by evil powers, I would have got lost in that jungle. Sure, the Christian did not know the war that went on his behalf.  All he knew including the other passengers was that I had disappeared from the taxi!  The name of Jesus or the blood of Jesus in [from] the mouth of a believer sends out fire, etc.”

    Great! Did you hear that? There is tremendous power in the blood and the name of Jesus Christ. Get my book Power of Midnight Prayer to read more on this. Begin today to use them and you will have victory. Use them against to witches, those agents of Satan, enemies, stubborn problems and sicknesses, etc. We are are saved and protected by his blood. No power can challenge them in the whole universe. Share this message. God bless!

Commuters were left stranded across various bus stops in Lagos State on Monday following a protest by commercial bus drivers over alleged arbitrary arrest and extortion by officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the drivers who also frowned upon the activities of officials of the Lagos State Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit withdrew their services thereby forcing the workers to trek long distances.

The protest took effect in most parts of the states, including areas such as Egbeda, Ikeja, Iyana Ipaja, Agege, Yaba and Iyana-Iba.

Our correspondents who monitored the event observed how the transport workers embarked on a procession at their respective locations across the states.

Along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, the protesters were seen marching from the Abule Egba area and headed towards the Ile-Zik section of the road.

Trouble however started when the protesters met a resistance by some police officers who fired teargas canisters at them at the Mangoro end of the road. One of the cans of the tear gas also caused damage to the eye of a commuter.

It was also learnt that some of the protesting drivers forced passengers out of some buses whose drivers were not participating in the protest.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Monday, some commuters lamented their plight of having stayed at the bus stop for longer hours.

A commuter who identified himself only as Moses said the protest had led to a hike in the price of transport fares.

He said, “We have not seen a bus since morning. I had to trek from Egbeda this morning because of the protest. When I finally got to Mangoro, we were told by the conductor to get down from the bus after collecting twice the normal fare. Since then, I have been standing at the bus stop for over an hour and still haven’t got a bus and it is very frustrating.”

Another commuter, Bolaji Rasaq, said the protest had caused him to miss an appointment.

He said, “You cannot imagine what I have faced this morning. We didn’t know they were going to protest this morning. I had an appointment this morning but I missed it. The government needs to do something about this because we are the ones at the receiving end.”

The protesting drivers who chanted different songs to press home their demand said the protest would continue until there was a lasting solution to the way they were being harassed by state officials.

A commercial driver who refused to disclose his identity claimed that the Lagos State Task Force and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority extorted commercial bus drivers daily.

“We are tired of LASTMA and the Lagos State task force. The annoying part of them extorting us is that they always make it look like it is their right but it is not. They keep extorting us daily and it is becoming unbearable. They think they are powerful because everyone has been quiet about the rubbish they keep doing.

“We have had enough of their bullying. Even military men do not behave like that but they keep behaving like they are the most powerful body in Lagos State and it must end. We came out for a peaceful protest but the police just kept firing teargas everywhere and shooting to scare us away. We want all this rubbish to end,” he lamented.

Another commercial bus driver, Saheed, said, “LASTMA has killed our boss, they have given our boss a stroke. Please, help us appeal to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to help us and save us because the corruption is too much for us to bear. They keep bragging and making life uncomfortable for everyone on the road, especially commercial drivers and it does not make any sense.”

The spokesperson for LASTMA, Taofiq Adebayo, and its task force counterpart could not be reached as calls made to their phones were not answered. Text messages sent to them were yet to be responded to as of the time this report was filed.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has assured that it will continue to partner with commercial bus operators to improve commuting services within the State while promoting safety on the road.

In a statement made available to PUNCH Metro by the spokesperson of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, explained that enforcement of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018 amended will not be suspended for any reason as it was designed to sanitize the roads and promote good road etiquette amongst Motorists. He appealed to the operators to adhere to the law and avoid apprehension.

In a significant move towards restoring political tranquillity in Ondo State, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, OON, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), has applauded the wisdom demonstrated by Ondo State elders.

Ajulo said the State has, again, demonstrated its resourcefulness in the area of politics, governance and human development. He said "Ondo elders have demonstrated the uniqueness of the Omoluabis we are known for and it is commendable"

The state has been grappling with a political crisis, exacerbated by the absence of Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and the contentious impeachment process of Deputy Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

At a pivotal meeting hosted at the residence of Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti on Monday, Ondo State Elders and Leaders Forum converged on the residence of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti to discuss the peace and development of the State amidst current political turbulence.

Egalitarian Mission for Africa, a not-for-profit international Organisation, which Ajulo is the Chairman, amid the continued unrest, had on 16th October in a widely publicised press statement urged the State elders to intervene in the crisis which has generated unwarranted enmity among political players and their followers in the State and indirectly disrupted smooth governance. He made phone contact with some of the elders concerning the matter.

In the statement, Ajulo speaking for the Organisation expressed optimism in Ondo State's ability to address its challenges independently without external intervention.

He eulogised the elders for heeding the call and rising to help Ondo State in navigating its political challenges, saying "nothing is more crucial than such a meeting at this time"

The lawyer also expressed gratitude to the Leaders and Elders of Ondo State, using Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Bashoun Seinde Arogbofa as points of contact. He appreciated the royal fathers and religious leaders present at the meeting for heeding the call for peace.

"Again, I want to call on other Ondo State leaders absent from the meeting to unite for the benefit of the State and its people; Chief Olu Falae, General Bajowa, Prince Adetokubo Kayode SAN, former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, former Deputy Governors, former Speakers of the House of Assembly as well as Chief Judge and head of the State judiciary.

Also, I call on Senators representing Ondo State at the National Assembly, using Senator Niyi Adegbomire, SAN as a point of contact, Ondo State Representatives members, other traditional rulers using the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo as contact, and religious heads with the Archbishop of Ondo Diocese of Anglican Communion, Bishop Simeon Borokini and Chief Imam of Akure, Alhaji Abdulmalik Yayi-Akorede as contacts respectively to join this noble cause." He said.

Ajulo expressed that the assignment is a joint effort, saying "the collective efforts of everyone are important in fostering a harmonious and progressive Ondo State."

National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has attributed the current financial distress being faced in the country to bankruptcy inherited by the administration led by President Bola Tinubu.

Ribadu, however, said despite the financial constraint that has affected budgetary allocations, the federal government would do everything within its power to ensure that there is a robust and viable defence management and apparatus in the country.

The NSA stated these in Abuja when he spoke at the Chief of Defence Intelligence Annual Conference 2023 themed: “Leveraging Defence Diplomacy, and Effective Regional Collaboration for Enhanced National Security”.

Daily Trust reports that the conference, which held in Abuja, was attended by Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Minister of State, Bello Matawalle; Permanent Secretary in the defence ministry, Ibrahim Kana; the Chief of Defence Staff, and other service chiefs.

“I assure you that the federal government will not rest on its oars in ensuring a robust and viable defence management and security apparatus to address contemporary challenges even in the face of enormous budgetary constraints.

“Yes, we’re facing budgetary constraints. It is okay for me to tell you. Fine, it is important for you to know that we have inherited a very difficult situation, literally a bankrupt country, no money, to a point where we can say that all the money we’re getting now, we’re paying back what was taken. It is serious!

“But this administration is doing its best to meet our requirements, particularly the armed forces, and I believe that you leaders will be able to testify to that,” the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told the gathering.

According to him, the armed forces under the current leadership has shown serious commitment in addressing the prevailing security challenges bedeviling the country, adding that there were positive changes and improvements both in and outside Nigeria.

“Let us come together as one and continue to support our armed forces and other security agencies with this work of securing our country for peace and stability.

“They have done an amazingly good job without talking and I believe that with the support and the resolve of the leadership we have today in our country, things will only be better.

“We are just four or five months old, but certainly things have changed and we believe that what they are doing, they are doing it right. We want to encourage them, stand by them and support them 100 per cent and hopefully this country will be okay in a short time,” he said.

The NSA added that the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea had led to sudden reversal of democratic fortunes in those countries.

He noted that the essence of defence diplomacy was to pursue strategic engagement with allies and partners at bilateral and multilateral levels while ensuring the attainment of national security objectives.

On his part, the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, said the agency was determined to harness the capabilities of the defence attaché system for the attainment of national security objectives.

Undiandeye said the current and emerging threats facing Nigeria were numerous, complex, integrated, multifaceted and diverse in nature with attendant security implications for national security.

These threats, according to him, have both internal and external perspective, and range from terrorism, high force secessionist agitation, armed mandatory kidnapping, herders-farmers clashes and cyber threat

The Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Simon Lalong, has convened a meeting with labour leaders as the nationwide strike begins.

Our correspondent learnt that leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress are expected at the meeting holding on Tuesday (today).

A source familiar with the matter disclosed this to our correspondent on Monday night.

“The minister has convened a meeting with the Labour leaders for Tuesday,” the source simply said.

The labour unions had, on Monday, ordered their affiliates to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight on November 14, 2023.

TUC President, Festus Osifo, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja..

Osifo said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

The strike is also to protest the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and some other executives of the congress in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1, as well as the pending labour issues in Imo State.

Ajaero was arrested by the police ahead of a state-wide protest in Imo, as disclosed by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah.

Although the police denied arresting Ajaero, stating that he was merely taken into protective custody to prevent a mob attack, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused the labour leader of meddling in the political affairs of the state.

The NLC and TUC later wrote their affiliates such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, National Union of Electricity Employees, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics among others ahead of the nationwide strike.

The letter to the affiliates was jointly signed by the National Secretary, NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, Nuhu Toro.

The letter read, “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12 midnight today, November 13, 2023.

“Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and WC Whatsapp platforms.

“While we shall update you with developments as they unfold, do remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people.”

Meanwhile, the Presidency has described the planned strike as an attempt to blackmail the government.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Monday said the planned action is an abuse of privilege and one that contravenes a restraining order by the Industrial Court against the strike.

He noted that Ajaero’s assault in Imo though condemnable is a personal issue that shouldn’t force the whole country into punishment.

The statement read, “This decision by the NLC and TUC other than being an ego-tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC.

“We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike.

“While the Federal government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of his or her social and economic status, it is on record that the Inspector General of Police has ordered an investigation into what happened to Ajaero while the Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened has been transferred out of the state.

“Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege. Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest.”

The statement added that the strike action is a sinister move to cause further hardship on the masses, noting that the labour movement should not be seen as one that shows disdain against the rule of law.

“Our national economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interest of any labour leader.

“This flagrant disobedience to a court order and lack of respect for the judiciary should not be what the organised Labour would champion.

“The labour movement has always been a champion of the rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for the court orders.

“We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible. What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and civil disturbance in our country. This is unacceptable,” it concluded.

The Nigerian government on Monday said it is investigating the cancellation of visas of all the 264 passengers, who were airlifted to Jeddah from Lagos and Kano on Sunday, by the Saudi Arabian Authorities.

The Nigerian citizens aboard Air Peace were denied entrance into Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now investigating the matter to see if any consular or aviation rules have been flouted, said Alkasim Abdulkadir, a media aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, in a statement on Monday.

“Nigeria has just participated in the Saudi-Africa Summit where bilateral discussions covering several sectors of the economy and mutually beneficial commitments were made.

“The Ministry will ensure such actions that impact the welfare of Nigerian citizens are mitigated in the future in line with the 4 Ds strategy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement said.

The flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos via the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Sunday night and landed at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

But to the consternation of the airline staff, the Saudi Arabian authorities announced that all the passengers’ visas had been cancelled.

This was despite the fact that the passengers went through the Advanced Passengers Information System (APIS) during the check-in formalities in Nigeria which was also monitored by the Saudi authorities.

It was learnt that it was when the Nigerian embassy waded in that Saudi authorities reduced the number of passengers that would be returned to 177 from 264.