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Yunusa Tanko, national coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, says the group will explore a new path outside the Labour Party (LP) if the internal crisis persists.
Tanko told Arise News on Tuesday that the movement is ready to mobilise and extend its reach, following the setbacks of the 2023 general election.
“It’s clear to us that there are challenges within the Labour Party. The Obidient Movement is bigger than the Labour Party. We have them everywhere, academicians, traders, some members of other political parties,” he said.
“When it becomes inevitable that the Labour Party is not ready to assimilate the idea of good governance, we will have to look for another opportunity.
“During the 2023 general elections, we were accused, rightly so, that we do not have structures in all of the polling units.”
He noted that 1,760 polling units were not won by LP, with the Obidient movement now aiming to establish a “solid foundation” across the country.
Tanko said the movement has expanded beyond the influence of Peter Obi, LP’s presidential candidate in 2023, gaining support across Nigeria, including in the northern region.
“We are getting prepared and we are ready to face the challenges,” he said.
“Where you thought we don’t have them; we are now having them. Even in regions with religious sensitivities, young people are pushing for change.”
In response to growing disappointment among Nigerians regarding LP lawmakers elected with Obi’s influence, Tanko emphasised the importance of strengthening the movement’s structure to address public dissatisfaction.
“What we have in position now is that as the national coordinator, we are going to have zonal coordinators, state coordinators, local government coordinators and unit commanders,” he said.
“There is going to be a direction with a concept we have already put in place, and I can assure you it will galvanise everybody into place so that all of these particular issues that you raised will not rear their heads. Because if there is no direction, we can’t hold anybody responsible.”
Tanko also noted that a formal registration system will soon enable easy identification of members across the country.
“The data will be so coordinated (so that) you can easily identify an Obidient where he resides and the voting point,” he said.
Speaking on potential alliances with other political figures, Tanko affirmed that the movement is open to discussions while harping on the need build “a strong, independent platform”.
“That is the reason we are independently building the Obidient Movement to show our strength,” he added.
Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, has surged to a fresh record high of $89,000.
The price of the cryptocurrency traded 9.6 percent higher on Tuesday morning, reaching $89,360, according to data obtained from coinmarketcap.com.
The digital currency has continued to rally since the conclusion of the United States presidential election.
Bitcoin started climbing on November 6, when Donald Trump, a Republican Party candidate, won the US presidential election. The digital asset reached $75,000 on that day.
On November 10, the cryptocurrency crossed $80,000.
Since the US elections, bitcoin has seen a bullish run, with the crypto market adding nearly $500 billion to its total value in less than a week.
The total cryptocurrency market capitalisation currently stands at $3.16 trillion, according to coinmarketcap.com.
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, also surged to $3,392 on Wednesday — up from the $3,220 traded on Sunday.
In May 2024, the Trump campaign announced that supporters could make donations in crypto, including bitcoin, ether, and dogecoin. The statement had signalled his support for digital currencies.
In October, the former US president began promoting World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture set up by his longtime business partners and others, according to the Financial Times.
World Liberty began selling its token to qualified investors to raise $300 million.
‘Cost Of Production Is Now Less Than ₦600’ – Oil Marketers Tackle Dangote Refinery Over Fuel Price
AFOLABI
Oil marketers in the country have demanded a reduction in the price of petrol coming from Dangote Refinery.
According to the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), the cost of production is now less than ₦600, so petrol from Dangote Refinery should also reflect the new price.
Kyari disclosed that the NNPC would no longer import fuel, as it now buys it from local refineries.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has alleged that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are actively working to weaken Nigeria’s public school system.
This claim was raised as the union voiced its anger over the extended delay in reaching a new agreement with the federal government, which was supposed to be renegotiated in 2009.
Despite several agreements and action plans, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, lamented the fact that no deal has been finalized.
During the Heroes Day ceremony for the 2024-2025 academic year in Abuja, Osodeke pointed out other issues of concern, such as the mandatory implementation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and the delay in paying ASUU members’ salaries for over three months.
ASUU also revealed the distribution of doctoral scholarships amounting to ₦500,000 each to chosen members after thorough review of their proposals.
Osodeke praised the members for their perseverance in protecting Nigeria’s public university system and showed support for ASUU members who are struggling at universities in Kogi State, Lagos, Ebonyi, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
The Heroes Day ceremony is a tribute to past and present members for their efforts in advancing public education.
Osodeke mentioned the late Prof. Festus Iyayi, a former ASUU leader, and others who have made significant contributions to ASUU’s goals.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released a data review for the second quarter debt portfolio of the country, which showed that the debt owed by every Nigerian on average stood at N619,501.
According to the data published by the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s public debt stood at N134.297 trillion as of the second quarter of 2024 (June, 2024).
With the National Bureau of Statistics putting the country’s population at 216.7 million persons, it would mean that debt per capita stands at N619,501 based on the latest debt figure released by the DMO.
The data from DMO stated that, "The total Public debt is N134tn. This is for public debt stock – external and domestic debt of the FGN (Federal Government of Nigeria), states, and FCT (Federal Capital Territory) as of June 30, 2024."
The debt data further shows that domestic debt stands at N71.2trillion, while external debt stands at N63 trillion.
Of the amount owed, States owe N7.1 trillion externally while the federal government owes N55.8 trillion externally.
States owe N4.2 trillion domestically while federal government owes N66.9 trillion.
The new debt figure of the country put at N134 trillion is a N13 trillion increase from the N121 trillion recorded as of March 2024.
The development is amid clamour for less reliance on loans by the Nigerian government.
Popular Nigerian gospel singer, Dare Melody has spoken about how his deceased wife, Adedoyin, was mistreated by his family members.
Recall that Adedoyin died in October at the age of 47.
In a viral video online, Melody said despite the ill-treatment from his family to his wife, he always assured her to be at rest.
The singer praised Adedoyin’s unwavering support during his career setbacks, especially when a music promoter blacklisted him for four years.
The singer said as a token of gratitude for Adedoyin’s loyalty, he built her a house.
He said, “My family frustrated Adedoyin, I will hold her and say, ‘Adedoyin, I am the one you married, and whenever you see me, put your mind at rest.’ She was there for me, whether we had food to eat or not.
“I remember one day when one promoter who took me out and acted like a human being by saying none of my songs should be played on the radio or printed for almost four years. I could not do anything, but my late wife stood by me.
“When people celebrated the New Year, I ate biscuits with her and our one-year-old daughter. I told the Lord, ‘If truly you are the one who called me, let people know you did.’ God told me I would release a record in 2010, which became ‘Goodness and Mercy’.
“That record revived my career, and people started to recognise me. God opened the way for me, and I began building a house. A friend called me and said, ‘This woman stood by you, let’s build a house for her’, and I said, ‘Everything I have is for her’.”
The Government of Equatorial Guinea has filed a lawsuit against the former Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency, Baltasar Engonga.
Engonga was accused of misconduct following his alleged involvement in a s3x tape scandal.
The government claims that Engonga’s actions are an affront to the nation’s values.
Jerónimo Osa Osa, the Minister of Information, Press, and Culture, made the announcement over the weekend, condemning Engonga’s alleged conduct.
“The actions of the ex-anti-graft agency chief violate the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society,” Osa Osa stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to upholding high moral standards.
The Minister further disclosed that the Equatorial Guinean Government, through the State Attorney General’s Office, would conduct a thorough investigation to address Engonga’s alleged violations.
Local media, Ahora EG reported, “This decision comes after several videos went viral in which Ebang Engonga is seen having s3xual relations with multiple women, some of whom are married.”
The government reacted on Friday in an official statement, condemning these acts as “violations of the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society.”
The government has consequently announced the initiation of legal proceedings against Ebang Engonga and his accomplices through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, aiming to hold them accountable before the law.
“In light of these serious events, which severely undermine family and social cohesion, and considering the negative impact that this situation has on the good image of our country, tarnishing its reputation, the government, through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, has commenced a thorough investigation to establish responsibilities at the administrative, civil, and criminal levels, given the possibility of a public health impact,” reported the government spokesperson.
The government further stated it would assess various parameters, such as the distinction between personal and private spheres, prior consent (explicit or implicit), violations of privacy, damage to individuals’ honour and prestige, and the rights of those harmed by these events, including the state itself.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called on Nigerian youths to wake up.
According to him, bad leaders will continue to occupy the political space in the country if the youth continue to shun politics.
Makinde said this during the third convocation ceremony of Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, on Monday.
The governor said there was the need for more ethical people to be involved in governance in the country.
Makinde, speaking on the topic “Faith, Leadership and Governance: Preparing the Next Generation for Ethical Leadership in Nigeria,” explained that the more unethical people continued to be in politics, the more the country would experience unethical governance.
He then used the opportunity to charge the graduating students to learn the ways of ethical leadership.
He said, “Most of you, because of what they have deposited in you, don’t want to stain your white garments and you want to avoid politics.
“The problem we have is that the less good people are trying to walk into governance, the more unethical people will continue to thrive. This is because nature would not allow a vacuum. If the good ones are not coming into that space, the space would be filled with unethical people.
“You need to decide the kind of leader you want to be and look around you for good examples of such leadership. Start imitating their ways and actions, which is very key. Also, while surrounding yourselves with quality people, you should learn to listen to good advice. You must have the capacity to listen.
“Ethical leaders know what true leadership means. They know it is about responsibility towards the broader community. That is why Oyo State will always put the people first”.
The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has called out President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku accused Tinubu of playing politics with insecurity by appointing his kinsmen to top security positions.
Atiku was reacting to the emergence of a new terrorist organization, Lakurawa, in the Northwestern part of Nigeria.
He said that with the recurrent grid collapse in the North due to criminal activities, Tinubu should focus more on improving security, which is a “sine qua non for investments.”
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described as “unfortunate” the announcement by the military authorities on the emergence of a new terror organization known as Lakurawa.
He noted that “the President had decided to play politics with security by appointing his kinsmen in top security and economic positions.”
“Even on the economy, he put his kinsmen in every key position, beginning from finance minister, trade and investment, CBN, customs, and FIRS. Even President Muhammadu Buhari was not this brazen. Unlike Tinubu, Atiku is not a bigot. He has also not refunded money to the United States for alleged drug trafficking.
“Despite a huge revenue challenge, Tinubu commits over $13bn to the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, rendering scores of Lagos residents homeless just to please his associates while other pressing matters are starved of funds.”
Atiku advised the president to “make hay while the sun shines,” as Nigerians are tired of his administration.
Mr Demola Lagbaja, the head of Lagbaja Family of Ilobu Kingdom in Osun State, has revealed that the deceased Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoheed Lagbaja, did not enjoy life outside the military.
The family head spoke on Monday while receiving the St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, Old Boys Association, who paid a condolence visit to the Lagbaja family house in Ibadan on Monday.
He said that the family expected that their late son would, after serving his tenure, retire to enjoy the fruit of his labour.
Lagbaja said the family had submitted to the will of God following the incident, saying that “some tears will never dry.”
He noted that the late Chief of Army Staff had all his active years in the military, having completed his A-level at the Polytechnic.
“That was our wish, which never came. What happened has happened. We have to submit to the will of God, but we are very proud of our son, for he made us proud. All we can wish him is to rest in peace,” Lagbaja said.
The head of the Lagbaja family appreciated the association for the visit, adding that their late son had been well spoken of since his demise.
Speaking earlier, the delegation led by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the school, Mr Sola Omopo, on behalf of members of the Ibadan branch of the association, presented a condolence letter to the family.
Omopo eulogised the deceased, saying he had done well for the school and was a proud and financial member until he passed on.
“He was building a very standard project of about N550m for the school, which is about 80 per cent completion.
“When we heard the news, it was very shocking for all of us both in Nigeria and the diaspora, hence the decision to pay a condolences visit to the family,” he said.
Recall that the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoheed Lagbaja died on November 5 at the age of 56.
(NAN)
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Tinubu’s Representation at Arab-Islamic Summit Offensive, Impeachable Offense – APC Chieftain
AFOLABI
President Bola Tinubu has been faulted for attending the Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia.
Charles Udeogaranya, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant described Tinubu's attendance at the meeting as a gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has secured an agreement with Dangote Petroleum Refinery to lift products directly.
This, according to the association, will ensure the availability of petroleum to Nigerians at a cheaper rate.
I Have Forgiven Everyone Who Offended Me – MC Oluomo Pens Heartfelt Note Online After Becoming NURTW Chairman
AFOLABI
Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo, the newly appointed chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW has celebrated his new position.
He took to social media to make promises and also forgive those who wronged him.
Recall that MC Oluomo was over the weekend announced as the new chairman of the transport union in Nigeria.
In an Instagram post, he expressed profound gratitude to God for the achievement.
Reality star, Tacha has corrected a fan who stated that men are easy to get.
In an exchange on X, Tacha agreed that men may be easy to get, but a good man is hard to come by.
The lady had claimed, "Being single is a choice for women, there's no such thing as she can't get a man.
A man is by far the easiest thing to get.?"
Reacting, Tacha wrote:
"Got you, but yea finding a good man isn’t as simple as some make it seem, but being single is deff a choice. It’s not that a woman ‘can’t’ get a man—come on, men are everywhere! But a man who genuinely adds value? Now that’s different. Women know their worth, and sometimes, staying single is the best way to keep our standards where they should be."
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