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Afeez Adegbola, a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, truck driver, has been arrested by the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
He was arrested for allegedly diverting 10,000 litres of petrol belonging to the company.
The state commandant of the corps, Mr Igbalawole Sotiyo, disclosed this while parading the suspect and his two motor boys on Saturday in Osogbo.
Sotiyo explained that the suspects were arrested on Friday at about 8:21 pm with the NNPCL truck.
The commandant said that the suspect loaded 40,000 litres of petrol at Pinnacle Distribution Depot in Eleko, Lagos State.
He said that the waybill indicated that the product was meant to be delivered at NNPCL Mega Station in Osogbo.
Sotiyo said that following a tip-off, officers of the command trailed the truck with registration number AGG 959 XA and discovered that only 30, 000 litres of fuel were delivered at the NNPCL filling station.
He said that the driver was arrested while discharging the remaining 10, 000 litres at the TEMPOLA filling station in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government area of the state.
The corps commandant said that the suspects had made a confessional statement that the content of 40,000 litres was meant for NNPCL mega station in Osogbo but was directed by his company to deliver only 30,000, while the remaining 10,000 should be taken to a private filling station in Ikirun.
Sotiyo described the act as economic sabotage and stealing.
“It is an act of sabotage and stealing against the state. They are saboteurs and anti-state. NSCDC is using this medium to warn all the stakeholders involved in the distribution of petroleum products nationwide that anyone caught sabotaging the government would be apprehended and prosecuted.
“NSCDC uses this medium to request NNPCL managers/supervisors nationwide to work with the NSCDC to ensure saboteurs are brought to justice,” he said.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God has given the reason for investigating the allegations of sodomy against two of its youth pastors.
The National Overseer of the church, Pastor Sunday Akande, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, said the case was unprecedented, hence the church was ready to give it the necessary attention.
Akande said a panel had been set up to investigate the allegations against the pastors, adding that appropriate action would be taken.
He said, “The reason for the suspension is to also allow persons who were said to have been molested or harassed to come forward and testify against the pastors. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has come forward yet as a victim of harassment.
“This is the first time an allegation like this has been raised against the church. If we see anything like this, the church will investigate it and see how we can address it. As far as the church is concerned, we don’t condone this kind of thing.”
A controversial news blog, Gistlovers, had last week called out two youth pastors of the church for allegedly luring teenage boys into homosexuality.
The blog also accused them of negatively influencing teenagers under their mentorship.
According to the blog, a 20-year-old boy, who requested anonymity, claimed the youth pastors “influenced many into being gay.”
“This gist is not complete without naming, a very close friend of (the youth pastor) and also a former coordinator in the teens’ church at RCCG Region 2 (they were both coordinators). He was raising young boys in his former house at U-turn and he slept with all these boys, and they were even holding fake Bible study just to create a meeting point for this brostitution,” a post by the blog read.
One of the accused, in a statement, said he had never sodomised or had sex with any male teenager.
“I have never demanded sex from any male as payment or gratification in order to give them assistance, platforms, or positions. God is the only kingmaker, the only one who can raise and erase kings, give positions, and platforms,” he stated.
On alleged screenshots of a conversation with an alleged victim, he said he asked questions “during a conversation in a male teenagers’ WhatsApp group where discussions regarding male reproductive health and self-esteem took place.”
According to him, the teenagers were taught about proper hygiene for reproductive health, the right kind of underwear to buy, and that the girth and length determine the underwear size.
“I also explained that their sizes should not affect their self-esteem and that they are perfectly and uniquely created by God.”
However, the church suspended the two men at the centre of the drama.
In a letter dated Monday, October 28, the church said the suspension was by its commitment to uphold the teachings of the Bible.
Meanwhile, the family of one of the pastors has filed a petition to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, against Gistlover for defamation of character.
The family in the petition signed by their counsel, Adekunle Adeyinka; called for the investigation of the blog, insisting that the allegations were unfounded and had caused their son “emotional trauma and has put their security at risk from attacks by these faceless individuals.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on bail.
The embattled cross-dresser was stopped and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos late Thursday night while attempting to leave the country for London, the United Kingdom.
He quickly alerted his followers on social media about the arrest, stating that he sustained injuries during the process.
Bobrisky wrote, “Nigerians, help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.”
He was subsequently flown to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja, where he was interrogated on his bribery allegations against the commission.
In a voice note shared by a controversial social critic, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky allegedly said he bribed EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that Bobrisky perfected his bail late Friday night and was subsequently released.
The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale confirmed Bobrisky’s release on Saturday but declined further comments.
However, a source familiar with the matter said the cross-dresser denied bribing the EFCC in his confessional statement made at the commission’s headquarters.
The source added that the cross-dresser challenged the person who posted the voice note to defend it.
“He denied everything about releasing money to any official as a bribe to drop the money laundering charges against him. He denied it in his statement. He said the fellow who posted the voice note should come over to justify it. He said nobody requested money from him in the EFCC and he didn’t give anyone anything”, said the source.
Leading gynaecologists have said aside from issues with a woman’s reproductive organs and non-viable sperm, sexual positions can’t impact conception.
While they acknowledged that there were claims that specific sexual positions could make conception easier and faster, the maternal health experts confirmed that there was no scientific basis for such.
Online checks by PUNCH Healthwise revealed claims that sex positions such as missionary, dog style and spoon, among others could increase conception rates.
Their argument was based on the premise that such styles brought the penis closer to the cervix, creating easy access for the sperm to flow directly into the fallopian tubes, leading to pregnancy.
However, the gynaecologists noted that all things being equal, once a healthy sperm reaches the vagina and could swim to the cervix, a woman would conceive regardless of the sex position.
The physicians further asserted that a sex position was only medically considered during sex selection.
Providing expert advice on the issue, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Ernest Orji, stated that although the myth exists, there was no scientific basis for it.
He said, “There is no sexual position that a woman takes that she won’t get pregnant. None is easier or faster than the other one. Sometimes, the man can ejaculate on the woman’s thigh and she will still get pregnant. Once sperm enters into the vagina, anyhow, the woman can get pregnant.
“We know that the womb can sometimes be introverted but sperm moves freely. Unless the cervix is blocked and prevents the sperm from entering, no position makes getting pregnant better or faster. If every other thing is normal with the sperm and the woman, once the sperm enters into the vagina, the woman can get pregnant.”
The researcher on Reproductive and Feto-maternal Health further clarified that on the other hand, no sexual position could reduce the chances of getting pregnant.
The don added, “A lot of time, some people would think that since there was no deep penetration during sex, there wouldn’t be pregnancy. But if there was ejaculation, the woman would get pregnant.”
Also, a Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr Stanley Egbogu, stated that sex position was only significant during sex or gender selection of a child.
He also affirmed that the position assumed during sex had no impact on the possibility of conception.
“Anytime there is difficulty in conceiving, we don’t look at the position. Position does not mean anything,” Egbogu said.
He further reaffirmed his position, mentioning that even those who relied on the withdrawal method as a means of contraception could still get pregnant because the pre-ejaculatory fluid, which would have been released before withdrawal, has been tested to contain some sperm.
“Position will play less or no part because if you have good quality sperm and eggs, whether it’s missionary, lateral or dog style, they can get pregnant. So, we don’t bother about positioning when we talk about people trying to conceive. It is when we want to talk about sex formation that is when we talk about the positioning, that is the posterior side, meeting the woman on the day of her release of egg and alkalinisation,” the gynaecologist said.
He further clarified that no sex position could reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or serve as an effective method of avoiding it.
“In a fertile person, even the pre-ejaculation fluid can make the person pregnant, much less the semen. If you don’t want to get pregnant, there are laid down rules, we have our guidelines, which is family planning. We have emergency contraception, the normal family planning method of contraception that we use- we have condoms, cervical caps, oral contraceptive pills that a woman can swallow once every day for 30 days, we have Progesterone-only contraceptive pills, injectables, implants and intrauterine contraceptive device.
“We methods of preventing pregnancy and sexual position are not methods. Withdrawal method is a method of family planning but it has a high failure rate. So, there is no sexual position that is used as a family planning method,” the gynaecologist said.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has initiated steps to withdraw charges against 32 minors recently arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement released late Friday, hours after the arraignment, Fagbemi expressed his intent to assume control of the case from the Inspector General of Police, citing a need to review specific issues related to the matter.
“There are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me to make an informed decision,” he stated.
Fagbemi added that, although he cannot modify the court’s decision to remand the minors in detention centers and set the trial date to January, he had directed the police to transfer the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) for an immediate review.
“I have further directed the DPPF to immediately initiate steps to request an earlier adjournment date,” Fagbemi said.
A source within the Federal Ministry of Justice who spoke with Punch confirmed that the Inspector General of Police had promptly submitted the case file to the AGF’s office, and plans are underway to expedite proceedings to withdraw charges.
The source noted that efforts are being made for the court to reconvene this week, ahead of the previously set January 24, 2025 date.
“The police have submitted the case file, and the parties are working together. The court will reconvene early this week,” the source said.
Also, the defence counsel for all 119 defendants, Marshall Abubakar, confirmed to the platform that steps were being taken to drop the charges against the children this week, especially since the AGF had requested the transfer of the case file.
“The government has been calling; the AGF has called. I think, most likely, by next week (this week), we will get the charges thrown out,” Abubakar said.
He also confirmed that the minors among the 119 remanded protesters were in the custody of the SARS IRT, adding that they were kept in a large hall as the purported Borstal system for juvenile detention was non-existent.
Abubakar further stated, “The children were taken to IRT SARS. There is a big hall there where they are kept because there is actually no Borstal Centre.”
Another source knowledgeable about the case told Punch on Saturday that the AGF’s office was considering filing an affidavit of urgency and an application on Monday before the court.
The source said, “This means if the application is granted, the case will come up on Tuesday. Hopefully, the case will be discontinued.”
The Director-General of the Tinubu-Shettima Ambassadors, a campaign group that advocated for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections, Oladele Oyelude, has downplayed attempts to use opposition to the tax reforms bill to create discord between the North and President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
Oyelude, an All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in Osun State, emphasized that those opposed to the bill should work with their National Assembly representatives to address any concerns rather than stirring up regional tensions.
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Saturday, he noted that the bill would prompt governors to focus on revenue generation, which would ultimately aid national development.
He said, “The National Assembly will look at the bill in a way that it won’t lead to disintegration. The reform in the tax system will affect the name and a few other things about the tax system. It won’t be in the best interest of the country for the National Assembly to throw out the Tax Reform Bill.
“I believe North won’t oppose Tinubu’s reelection because of the tax reform bill. A northerner is the Vice President, so they can’t go against Tinubu based on the bill. The fate of the bill will be decided by the National Assembly.
“If the North feels the bill is not good enough, they should pass their resolution against it through their House of Representatives members and their Senators.”
Minister of works Dave Umahi has raised an alarm over defective bridges in the country.
He said they may collapse if the federal government fails to address their deteriorating state, having been built over 53 years ago.
Umahi spoke yesterday while inspecting projects in Lagos where he was joined by the National Assembly Joint Committee Members on Works.
He highlighted the need for urgent intervention to rehabilitate defective bridges while advocating for the declaration of state of emergency on the Third Mainland and Carter bridge axis to fast-track essential underwater repairs to prevent further deterioration of road and marine infrastructure.
He warned on the huge financial and safety risks posed by continued delay of rehabilitation and repairs, adding that delay to take quick actions would cost the federal government over N30 trillion to rebuild Carter and Third Mainland Bridges.
Umahi also recommended swift repair of national bridges along geopolitical zones which he said would cost N341 billion to avoid looming disasters.
He said to avert catastrophe, N341 billion would be needed for repair of bridges nationwide.
Umahi further pointed out that the reinforcement of chlorination, carbonisation and marine attacks on the piles of the bridge had further weakened the structural elements of the bridges even as he stressed that illegal mining activities and excavation of sands along the shorelines had also paved way for the deterioration of the piles and pier caps.
He pointed out that the deterioration of the bridges’ pillars was due to illegal sand mining, natural underwater currents, and the rusting of the steel casings.
“When you construct shorelines with steel, over the years there will be attacks from water leading to carbonization and chlorination of critical infrastructure,” he added.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Works, Sen. Barinada Mpigi, applauded Umahi’s efforts to engage with the Senate House Committee on Works to tackle infrastructure deficit in the country.
He highlighted the significant financial burden that would fall on the federal government for the reconstruction of the Third Mainland and Carter bridges if they do not take swift action to rehabilitate the bridge.
Mpigi acknowledged the National Assembly’s readiness to back the Works Minister in declaring a state of emergency for the two bridges in Lagos.
Mpigi called for a state of emergency on the Carter and Third Mainland Bridge, adding that it was of urgent public importance.
[Leadership]
Guinea’s coup leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, has promoted himself to the rank of Army General as the West African country marked the creation of its armed forces.
Doumbouya, 43, seized power in September 2021 by overthrowing former president Alpha Conde who had placed the then-colonel in charge of an elite force tasked with protecting him.
AFP reports that in a decree on Friday evening, Doumbouya — whose supporters have urged him to run for president when the junta does cede the reins — was also awarded the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Colatier, the country’s highest honour.
This was for “his constant efforts to promote social cohesion and cooperation between peoples”.
Doumbouya is one of several officers who have seized power in West Africa since 2020, along with fellow military leaders in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
He has presided over an ongoing crackdown on dissent, with many opposition leaders detained, brought before the courts or forced into exile.
AFP
History was made yesterday as the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party announced the election of Kemi Badenoch as its leader ahead of her closest rival, Robert Jenrick.
Badenoch, who received 53,806 votes to defeat Robert Jenrick who got 41,388, succeeds Rishi Sunak as leader of the opposition party.
Speaking on the significance of her victory and her ambitions for the party, she said her first responsibility is to hold the Labour Party’s government to account, while the second is to prepare for the next few years for the government.
The former British Business Secretary is the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK and takes charge of a Conservative Party reeling from its worst-ever election defeat.
Born in Wimbledon, London, on January 2, 1980, to Nigerian parents, she spent her childhood in Lagos and the United States until she returned to the UK at the age of 16.
Badenoch is also the first Black woman to head a party that has had three other female leaders – Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May, and Liz Truss.
During her campaign, Badenoch pledged to return the Conservatives to “first principles” and launch a series of reviews in the coming months to shape a new policy platform.
The North West Essex MP is also the sixth Tory leader in less than eight and a half years and faces the challenge of uniting a fractured party.
“The time has come to tell the truth,” Badenoch declared to supporters at the final count of the leadership contest, which ended yesterday.
“It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew.”
The charismatic, fire-brand right-wing leader succeeds Sunak, who became the first non-white British Prime Minister after taking over the Tories, Britain’s oldest party, in 2022.
“It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew.”
The charismatic, fire-brand right-wing leader succeeds Sunak, who became the first non-white British Prime Minister after taking over the Tories, Britain’s oldest party, in 2022.
“It is the most enormous honour to be elected to this role, to lead the party that I love, the party that has given me so much,” a smiling Badenoch said to a group of Conservative Party members after being announced the winner.
“I hope that I will be able to repay that debt,” she added.
The Labour Party’s landslide victory gave it a huge majority in Parliament and the Tories face at least four years in opposition before the next election is due.
Badenoch has served as shadow Business and Trade Secretary since the Conservative Party lost the general election in July and Rishi Sunak said he would stand down as leader, triggering the campaign.
Her campaign was called Renewal 2030 and has targeted the next election for the Tories to return to power.
Badenoch has been criticised at times for her outspoken approach, with opponents jumping on comments she had made about subjects such as maternity pay, gender equality, and net zero.
But she has long been popular among the party membership and previously ran to be leader in 2022.
It is not clear who her shadow cabinet will be made up of, but she had suggested that all those who ran to be leaders against her should be involved.
Her campaign was called Renewal 2030 and has targeted the next election for the Tories to return to power.
Badenoch has been criticised at times for her outspoken approach, with opponents jumping on comments she had made about subjects such as maternity pay, gender equality, and net zero.
But she has long been popular among the party membership and previously ran to be leader in 2022.
It is not clear who her shadow cabinet will be made up of, but she had suggested that all those who ran to be leaders against her should be involved.
However, James Cleverly revealed the day before the results that he would be returning to the backbenches.
Badenoch has vowed to rebuild the Tory Party on more authentically conservative foundations, saying her training as a computer engineer had taught her how to fix problems.
She spoke often of “first principles” like freedom and individual responsibility.
And she has not hesitated to wade into thorny issues like transgender rights or Britain’s colonial legacy, deploring “woke” ideology and “nasty identity politics.”
Despite the challenges, Badenoch’s no-nonsense approach has earned her a loyal base among the Conservatives.
Known for her outspoken positions on identity politics and her desire to reduce state influence, she appeals to a faction within the party that believes a decisive rightward turn is necessary to reconnect with disillusioned voters.
She has a history of tense interactions with media figures, celebrities, and even some government officials during her time as a trade minister, but this has only bolstered her support among members who are wary of institutional and media influences.
Speaking on the significance of her win and her ambitions for the party, she commented: “The task that stands before us is tough but simple. Our first responsibility as His Majesty’s loyal opposition is to hold this Labour government to account. Our second is no less important; it is to prepare for the next few years for the government.”
Congratulating Badenoch on her victory, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Congratulations, Kemi Badenoch, on becoming the Conservative Party’s new leader.
Congratulating Badenoch on her victory, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Congratulations, Kemi Badenoch, on becoming the Conservative Party’s new leader.
“The first black leader of a Westminster party is a proud moment for our country.
“I look forward to working with you and your party in the interests of the British people.”
Ellie Reeves, who is chair of the Labour Party, delivered a more political attack: “It’s been a summer of yet more Conservative chaos and division.
“They could have spent the past four months listening to the public, taking responsibility for the mess they made, and changing their party.
“Instead, Kemi Badenoch’s election as leader shows they’re incapable of change.
“Meanwhile, the Labour Government is getting on with fixing the foundations of our economy and cleaning up the mess the Tories left behind.”
The combative former equalities minister now faces the daunting task of reuniting a divided and weakened party that was emphatically ousted from power in July after 14 years in charge.
Badenoch will become the official leader of the opposition and face off against Labour’s Starmer in the House of Commons every Wednesday for the traditional Prime Minister’s Questions.
However, she will be leading a much-reduced cohort of Tory MPs in the chamber following the party’s dismal election showing.
She must plot a strategy to regain public trust while stemming the flow of support to the right-wing Reform UK party, led by Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage.
Having campaigned on a right-wing platform, she also faces the prospect of future difficulties within the ranks of Tory lawmakers, which includes many centrists.
Badenoch, born in London to Nigerian parents and raised in Lagos, has called for a return to conservative values, accusing her party of having become increasingly liberal on societal issues such as gender identity.
Having campaigned on a right-wing platform, she also faces the prospect of future difficulties within the ranks of Tory lawmakers, which includes many centrists.
Badenoch, born in London to Nigerian parents and raised in Lagos, has called for a return to conservative values, accusing her party of having become increasingly liberal on societal issues such as gender identity.
She describes herself as a straight-talker, a trait that has caused controversy on the campaign trail.
When addressing immigration, Badenoch said that “not all cultures are equally valid” when deciding who should be allowed to live in the UK.
She was widely criticised after suggesting that statutory maternity pay on small businesses was “excessive” and sparked a further furore when she joked that up to 10 per cent of Britain’s half a million civil servants were so bad that they “should be in prison.”
Naija News reports that May made this revelation in an interview with Nigerian comedian, Ayo Makun, better known as AY, on his podcast.
May said she has been turning down several movie roles for the past three years.
The businesswoman cum social media influencer added that she does not want to be an actress, even though she is a jack of all trades.
She said, “Omoni said she doesn’t know how I am going to do it, I can’t tell her No. I told her that for the past 3 years, I had gotten script and movie roles, and people were willing to pay mouthwatering amounts. You know, producers have been calling, directors have been calling, some familiar faces have called, and I have rejected everything.
“I said I didn’t want to be an actor or actress. I know that I am this kind of jack of all trades, master of all kinds, type of person. There are a whole lot of things I can do if I set my mind on it.”
[NaijaNews]
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The Presidency has denied the allegation that the current administration is favouring the South West at the expense of other regions in terms of appointments in the security sector.
After the appointment of Major General Olufemi Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff, many persons, especially on Social Media, accused President Bola Tinubu of “Yorubanisation”, a term which losely interprets as favouring the Yoruba.
Oluyede was appointed to stand in for General Tahoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, who has been away from the country treating an undisclosed ailment.
Some Nigerian had argued that there were equally competent generals who could stand in for Lagbaja other than another person from the South West.
Apparently weighing into the conversation, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications and Orientation, shared a list of the heads of security agencies appointed by Tinubu.
According to the list, the North West has the highest appointees (eight), followed by the South West (five) and North Central (four).
North East has three appointees, according to the presidential aide’s list, while South South and South East have one each.
“Facts do not lie. Below we see laid bare the facts about the regional outlook of President Tinubu’s appointments within 20 security agencies. The label of him favouring Yorubas in the Security set up does not fit. Nigeria we hail thee!,” Dare captioned the post.
[DailyTrust]
Dangote Refinery on Saturday tagged as fake the allegation that it sells petrol between N1, 015 and N1, 028/litre.
Some oil marketers had reportedly on Friday said the price of petrol, produced by the Dangote Refinery stood between N1, 015 and N1, 028/litre.
They said it would be reasonable to import the product from the international market as the landing cost stood at N978.01/litre as of October 31, 2024.
Reacting to the development, Dangote Group on its X handle dismissed the allegation as ‘fake news’.
DAILY POST reported that the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, had claimed that the price of fuel from Dangote Refinery, as of last week, was higher than in other places.
Yakubu Suleiman, National Assistant Secretary of IPMAN stated this on Friday while fielding questions on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme.
Suleiman said IPMAN members would go where the price is lower and where they get profit, adding that they have to pity Nigerians.
[DailyPost]
The Securities and Exchange Commission has postponed its Third Quarter Capital Market Committee meeting.
According to a statement by the SEC on Saturday, the meeting earlier fixed for November 14, 2024, was postponed to allow the commission to attend to urgent regulatory commitments.
The CMC is an industry-wide body comprising the SEC, capital market operators, trade groups, and other stakeholders.
It serves as a pivotal platform for dialogue, facilitates the exchange of ideas, addresses key issues affecting market growth and organisation, and collaborates on shaping the market’s future.
The committee was established primarily as a means for stakeholders to exchange ideas and provide feedback to the SEC, aiding in the continuous improvement of market operations and regulatory frameworks.
The meeting draws CEOs from all registered capital market firms, including brokers/dealers, investment advisers, custodians, fund/portfolio managers, and more.
The statement read, “The Commission is constrained to postpone the forthcoming Capital Market Committee meeting to allow the Commission to attend to urgent regulatory commitments.
“We will communicate the new date in the coming days. We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences caused by the postponement.”
The CMC was primarily established to serve as a medium for the exchange of ideas among market stakeholders as well as an avenue for providing feedback to the SEC on how to continuously address challenges, improve market operations and enhance the regulatory framework.
It is an industry-wide committee comprising members of the SEC, representatives of capital market operators and trade groups and other stakeholders. The CMC meets every quarter.
[Punch]
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has declared that the 2027 election will be a decisive moment for the Nigerian populace, stating it will be a choice between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the citizens themselves.
He stated this on Saturday, during the commissioning of the newly built ultra-modern Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest zonal secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo State, which was named in honour of the late Soji Adagunodo, a former Southwest Chairman of the PDP.
Makinde criticised the APC’s governance, asserting that the party has failed to deliver on its promises.
“The APC has been at the helm of affairs in this country, and they have woefully failed us. The people of Nigeria must now decide whether to retain them in power or vote them out,” he stated.
Emphasising the urgency of the situation, he added, “Nigerians are suffering, and there must be an end to it. We need to unite and push for change.”
He stressed that the forthcoming election will not merely be a contest between the APC and the PDP, but rather a referendum on the APC’s governance, with the Nigerian populace at the center of this decision-making process.
In addressing the internal conflicts within the PDP, Makinde called on the party’s leadership to take decisive action, adding, “The enemies of the party are within, not the opposition parties,” urging members to work together to heal the rifts.
He insisted that the party must maintain its unity in the Southwest, saying, “We must not allow the ruling party to disrupt the peace we have worked hard to create.”
Regarding his potential presidential aspirations, Makinde remarked, “I am old enough to make my own decisions about contesting or not. The current realities in the country will guide my choices.”
His comments reflect a thoughtful consideration of the political landscape as the 2027 election approaches.
In a related development, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke advocated deeper introspection within the PDP to find lasting solutions to its internal conflicts.
“We must engage in honest discussions and reflections to heal our party and move forward together,” he noted, emphasising the need for unity and collaboration among party members.
“Our strength lies in our ability to come together as one. It is time to build bridges, not walls, within our party.”
He further called for a commitment to the party’s foundational values, remarking, “We must remember why we are here, to serve the people and uphold democracy.”
While addressing the gathering, PDP’s acting national chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagum, extended his congratulations to all PDP governors for their commendable representation in their respective states, stating, “Our governors are the backbone of our party, showcasing the values we stand for across the nation.”
In his address of welcome, PDP zonal chairman Bar. Kamorudeen Ajisafe, represented by Zonal Secretary Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, acknowledged the significant efforts of party leaders and elders in restoring peace within the party.
“It is imperative that we channel our collective strength towards unseating the ruling party to ensure a better democracy for our people,” he urged.
In his remarks, one of the sons of the deceased, Soji Adagunodo Jr., expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed upon his father.
Adagunodo Jr. encouraged the PDP leadership to leverage this new space as a “solution house” for the party and the country, saying, “Let this edifice inspire us to seek real solutions for the myriad issues confronting our people and the nation.”
The commissioning event was attended by notable figures including state’s deputy governor, Adebayo Lawal; 2023 Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Chief Ladi Adebutu, Ondo State PDP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi and several other party officials, such as Zonal Organizing Secretary Hon. Benson Aruwa and Zonal Women Leader Chief Mrs. Bosede Adedibu.
Former Governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Samuel Ortom, along with PDP National Vice Chairman for the South, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, and former National Vice Chairman for the South, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, were also present, underscoring the PDP’s unity and strength in the Southwest region.
Notable senators and local representatives, including Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and Senator Gbenga Babalola, were also present to commemorate the occasion, highlighting the unity and strength of the PDP in the southwest region.
[Vanguard]