Retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, leading the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation to Niger Republic, has conveyed optimism about a peaceful resolution to the recent coup, emphasizing dialogue over warfare.
Abubakar briefed reporters in Abuja on Tuesday after discussions at the Presidential Villa, presided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current ECOWAS Chairman.
The session also saw attendance from the ECOWAS Commission’s President, Dr Omar Touray, and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
Following his discussions with Niger’s deposed President, Mohamed Bazoum, and the junta’s leaders, Abubakar reported that he has passed on the stipulations of the Abdouramane Tchiani-led military regime to ECOWAS, marking the beginning of correspondence between the regional organization and Niger’s military.
He said the line of contact opened by ECOWAS through his appointment as envoy had been very fruitful, expressing hope that something concrete would soon come out of it.
Abubakar said, “As you are aware, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government have made me an envoy to Niger Republic and we were there over the weekend to see the military people and discussed to find a way out of the lacuna we find ourselves.
“So, that’s why I’m here this afternoon, together with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, to give a report back to Mr. President on our discussions in Niger. I must say that our visit to Niger has been very fruitful and that it has opened an avenue to start talking and hopefully, we’ll get somewhere.”
Abubakar, speaking on the differences in the opinions of ECOWAS and the Niger coup leaders about a quick return to democratic rule, said, “Well, like I said, we’ve started talking, they have made their own points and then I made my report to the Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of state and President. He will now consult with his colleagues and then we’ll get somewhere hopefully.”
Asked if there was any possibility of avoiding military action, he said “Hopefully diplomacy will see the better of this. Nobody wants to go to war, it doesn’t pay anybody, but then again, our leaders have said if all fails and I don’t think all will fail, we’ll get somewhere we’ll get out of this mess”.
INTERNATIONAL technology company, Google, through its philanthropic arm, Google.org, has announced a N1.2 billion grant to “Mind the Gap” initiative that aims to equip 20,000 Nigerian women and youths with vital digital skills.
According to an official statement released by Google, the investment aligns with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s commitment to create one million digital jobs.
The programme will offer training in diverse areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, web development and mobile app development, utilising both online and in-person delivery methods.
The digital skills opportunity is open to participants from all over Nigeria. The initiative seeks to engage those with a strong interest in digital technology, a promising academic background and a dedication to uplifting their communities.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, at the pronouncement event in Abuja, said, “We need to think outside the box and pave the way for more job opportunities. As a nation, we must walk the talk. It is straightforward to discuss ambitious plans, but the real challenge lies in bringing these ideas to life. I want to assure Google and all our partners that this administration stands ready for collaboration. Nigeria is open for business. Our current president is deeply committed to leaving a legacy that will make Nigerians proud for generations to come. We have a unique opportunity to harness the potential of our huge youth population to create millions of jobs in the digital sector.
“With a larger English-speaking populace than many countries in Africa and beyond, Nigeria stands out. We may have missed out on the agricultural and industrial revolutions, but we are now in the knowledge-driven, post-industrial age.
The potential we have is immense and we are uniquely positioned to bridge the anticipated global talent gap. Our intent to partner with Google is clear and unwavering. We seek to work hand-in-hand with you for the betterment of our nation.”
The initiative consists of three components. The first is the ‘Digital On-boarders Programmme,’ aimed at equipping 5,000 youths not in employment, education, or training with the necessary digital skills, followed by their integration into consumer-centric businesses across 12 states in Nigeria.
The ‘Arewa Tech4Ladies’ programme will provide digital learning for women in four semi-urban and rural communities in Kaduna State. Through this, 5,000 women and girls will be trained in areas such as data science and artificial intelligence. The final pillar is the ‘Engage Nigeria initiative,’ which is designed to offer training and mentorship to 10,000 prodigious young talents across the nation, supporting the growing creative industry.
Olumide Balogun, Google Nigeria’s Country Director, in his remarks at the event said, “We see immense potential in Nigeria, particularly among the youth. Digital technologies aren’t just tools, they are gateways to countless opportunities.
“With these platforms, our dynamic youth can step forth, becoming pivotal players in the digital economy. Our grant from Google.org is not only an investment but a testament to our belief in Nigeria’s bright future. We are honoured to support the Federal Government’s admirable goal of creating one million digital jobs and will continue to be steadfast partners in this transformative journey.”
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz to commence on 90-day pre-retirement leave with effect from August 24, 2023, leading to his eventual retirement from service on November 24, 2023.
The President has also approved the appointment of Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote to serve as the Acting Director-General/CEO of NIMC for a 90-day period, with effect from August 24, 2023, after which, a full term of four years will begin as the substantive NIMC Director-General/CEO, beginning on November 24, 2023.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajiri Ngelale.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub to serve as the Director/CEO of the Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC).
This follows the recent expiration of tenure of the former DTAC Director/CEO, Dr. Pius Osunyikanmi.
According to the statement, the appointment takes immediate effect.
The Canadian Housing Minister, Sean Fraiser, has said Canada is currently faced with the increasing cost of accommodation and the government might limit international students visas which have skyrocketed in recent years.
Fraiser made this known to reporters on Monday, on the sidelines of a cabinet retreat in the Atlantic province of Prince Edward Island, Reuters said.
When asked if the Canadian government could consider imposition on the number of students, Fraiser said, “I think that is one of the options that we ought to consider.”
“We’ve got temporary immigration programs that were never designed to see such explosive growth in such a short period of time,” he added.
There were more than 800,000 foreign students with active visas in 2022, up from 275,000 in 2012, as Canada has become a popular destination for international students since it is relatively easy to obtain a work permit.
Fraser, who was immigration minister before taking up his job last month, said the sharp rise in the number of students was putting pronounced pressure on some housing markets.
The official opposition Conservative Party, ahead in the polls of a federal election that must be held by October 2025, said the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not doing enough to address the housing issue.
Canada, which has a population of around 39.5 million people, plans to take in a record 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025. Fraser said limiting the number of newcomers was not the answer, according to Reuters.
The African Union has announced the suspension of Niger Republic over the toppling of the democratically elected government by a military junta.
The continental body made the announcement on Tuesday.
It disclosed that the suspension will remain in place until civilian rule is restored in the sahel nation.
The union also said it would assess the implications of any armed intervention in the beleaguered West Africa nation.
The Peace and Security Council “requests the AU Commission to undertake an assessment of the economic, social and security implications of deploying a standby force in Niger and report back to Council,” the bloc said, following strong differences on the matter.
Army officers had ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, prompting the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to threaten to use force to reinstate him.
The Economic Community of West African States — agreed to activate a “standby force” as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger.
It has said it is ready to act, even as it continues to pursue hopes for a diplomatic solution.
The AU last week held a meeting on the political impasse against a backdrop of differing views within the bloc over any military intervention.
The coup has ramped up international concerns over the Sahel, which faces growing jihadist insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
Niger is the fourth nation in West Africa since 2020 to suffer a coup, following Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali.
The juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali have said that any military intervention in their neighbour would be considered a “declaration of war” against their countries.
The coup is the fifth in Niger’s history since the poor landlocked state gained independence from France in 1960.
Bauoum’s election in 2021 was a landmark, opening the way to the country’s first peaceful transition of power.
He has been held with his family at the president’s official residence since the coup, with growing international concern over his conditions in detention
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to meet its demands or risk “industrial disharmony.”
MDCAN made this known in a communique signed by its President, Dr Victor Makanjuola, and Secretary-General, Dr Yemi Raji on Tuesday at the end of its extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which was held virtually.
The NEC said it was displeased by the non-implementation of the jointly agreed upward review of CONMESS and the introduction of Accoutrement allowance with the Nigerian Medical Association, as the released circular only captured the percentage increase on the basic salary, as against applying it to both the basic salaries and all allowances except hazard allowance.
The statement noted that the error in the review has resulted in the clinical lecturers (Honorary Consultants) being completely barred from benefiting from the upward review.
The commencement date for the new circular was agreed to be January 1, 2023, rather than June 1, 2023.
The Association said, “We believe this error will be corrected without delay. The recent upward review of CONMESS did not take into consideration the consequences of the fuel subsidy removal and exponential inflation that has pervaded our socio-economic space in the past three months.”
Despite the association’s decision to continue engagement and negotiations with the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWS) for over two years regarding the correction of shortfalls in remuneration for Clinical Lecturers (Honorary Consultants), the issue has yet to be addressed conclusively by the Federal Government, the statement lamented.
The council stated that it observed the non-universal adoption of CONMESS for all medical and dental doctors regardless of which government agencies they work with.
Furthermore, the council lamented the failure of the government to appreciate the magnitude of the impacts of brain drain in the health sector, as exhibited by the refusal of the National Council on Establishment to approve the Federal Ministry of Health’s proposal on the upward review of the age of retirement for the Medical and Dental Consultants and other health workers.
The council also stressed the failure of the government to resolve the ongoing disputes with the National Association of Residents Doctors and its attendant impacts on access to health care by Nigerians, and the kidnapping of doctors in the country.
The consultants however, said they are demanding the immediate review of the newly revised CONMESS circular and issuance of a new circular that would reflect the agreed percentage on both the Basic Salary and other allowances, apart from hazard allowance, adding that the review will ensure that the clinical lecturers will benefit from the upward review.
It said other demands include, “A call for the correction of the error of commencement of the implementation of the upward review of CONMESS from June 1, 2023, to January 1, 2023.
“The upward review of the CONMESS should take into consideration the impacts of the fuel subsidy removal and the high inflationary trend that is currently being experienced.
“Demand for the immediate implementation and circularisation of the agreed modalities for correcting the shortfalls in remunerations of Clinical Lecturers (Honorary Consultants).
“An appeal for the universal applicability of CONMESS to all medical and dental doctors, particularly those in public universities,” it added.
Furthermore, the medical workers said, “The attention of the government is once again called to the impact of brain drain in the health sector, which is contributing to burnout among our members and inadequate healthcare workforce to cater to the health of Nigerians.
“We, therefore, demand the immediate implementation of the upward review of retirement age to 70 years for Consultants and 65 years for other Health workers, as an immediate measure to bridge the ongoing massive brain drain.
“We appeal to the government to as a matter of urgency resolve all the contending issues with NARD, to ensure that the government hospitals return to normal operation for optimal healthcare delivery immediately.
“We call on the government at all levels, as well as the security agencies to do all within their powers, to ensure the safety of our members and other Nigerians while effecting the immediate and safe release of those currently held captive by kidnappers.
“The NEC hopes that all these issues will be satisfactorily resolved within the next 21 days, failing which it can no longer guarantee the present relative industrial harmony within the government hospitals and our medical schools”, it said.
The Minister of Defence, Muhammed Abubakar has requested for a scheduled timeline from the service chiefs to curb the worrisome situation of insecurity across the country.
The new ministers stated this on Tuesday while addressing journalists on the occasion of the assumption of office at the Ship House, Ministry of Defence, Abuja, barely 24 hours after being sworn in as cabinet members.
Badaru assured the public that for the sake of the country, he and the minister of state could not afford to betray the trust given to them by President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister noted that the president demands the restoration of peace and safety across the country, and such would be demanded from the service chiefs.
“The president is a goal setter, an achiever, and a thinker. The president is a macro manager, and he would be on our necks to deliver on security, and I will do the same. As time goes on, I will engage you as individuals and groups. The president is ready to give us all the support to do this.
“From now on, I will ask the service chiefs to give me a timeline and requirements on how we will begin to solve this problem of insecurity.
“He will be monitoring us, and he doesn’t have the patience to work with lazy people. So, all our jobs are at stake, we must therefore deliver for the country,” he said.
The Minister stressed the necessity to deliver the task, noting that security was imperative for the economic growth of the country.
Reacting, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle said the Ministry would closely work with international partners to acquire technology and expertise to enhance the defence capabilities.
Matawalle added that the ministry would address the root causes of conflicts, promote social cohesion, and foster economic growth.
“We must address development. By investing in education, healthcare, job creation, and infrastructure development, we can create an environment where extremism finds no fertile ground to thrive.
“We will collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to implement programs that address the socio-economic disparities that often fuel conflicts,” he said.
On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa expressed the willingness of the armed forces to partner with the ministers in their tour of duties.
Lagos Bars Commissioners, Special Advisers From Appointing Personal Assistants From Outside Public Service
AdminThe Lagos State government has banned commissioners and special assistants from appointing personal assistants from outside the state’s public service.
The state noted that appointments of personal assistants are not in consonance with the structure of the state’s public service.
This was disclosed in a circular with reference number 070, dated August 18, 2023, and signed by the state Head of Service (HOS), Hakeem Muri-Okunola, which was obtained by THE WHISTLER on Tuesday.
“It is hereby notified for general information that appointments of Personal Assistants from outside the State Public Service by the Honourable Commissioners and Special Advisers, (Cabinet & Non Cabinet Rank) in the discharge of their day to day functions is not in line with the structure in the State Public Service as they will not be allowed any privileges nor permitted to view official documents,” Muri-Okunola said.
While acknowledging the important role personal assistants play in supporting political appointees towards effective service delivery, Muri-Okunola stated that the support staff could be internally sourced from Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) in the state by ensuring that qualified and competent officers were assigned to commissioners and special assistants, so as not to increase the wage bill of the government.
The Head of Service advised political appointees requesting personal assistants to liaise with the accounting officer of affected MDAs.
“Consequently, political appointees requesting the need of personal assistants are hereby enjoined to liaise with the accounting officer of affected MDAs and subsequently forward the officer’s name to the Public Service Office for deployment.
“Accordingly, accounting officers are enjoined to note the contents of this circular and give it the deserved service wide publicity,” he said.
Separation in gas, petroleum call for anarchy, stakeholders say
Nigeria heading in direction of Venezuela, experts insist
Bassey: Priorities on gas without ministry of environment, renewable disastrous
Nigeria’s bleeding oil and gas sector, which is gasping for fresh breath after eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s poor handling, may be heading for a final collapse if President Bola Tinubu follows the path of his predecessor by reserving the ministry for himself, stakeholders have warned.
With crude oil production failing from about two million barrels in 2014 to about 900,000 barrels a day in 2022, revenue plummeted to a historic low starving the economy of the needed foreign exchange (FX) with consequences seen in falling external reserves and exhausted excess crude account.
Stakeholders told The Guardian, at the weekend, that any attempt by Tinubu to retain the office of the Minister of Petroleum Resources would amount to an invitation to catastrophe.
They insisted that Tinubu had already shot himself in the foot with the appointment of separate ministers of state for gas and petroleum, adding that only an ill-advised president would have made such a mistake, especially with the operators already struggling with the two regulators.
A few years before Buhari assigned himself the position, oil revenues were buoyant. Oil revenue was $68.44 billion in 2011 while it was $62.84 billion in 2012. It was $58 billion in 2013, $54 billion in 2014 but went nosedived to $24.79 billion in 2015.
In 2016, it was a meagre $17 billion before hitting $20.98 billion in 2017 and $32.62 billion in 2018. It was $34.21 billion in 2019. The total revenue received from the sector was $20.43 billion in 2020.
While Nigeria collected N21 trillion ($45.6 billion) from the sale of crude oil in 2022, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), remittances to Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) were scanty as the government sustained borrowing to sustain fuel subsidy.
Sadly, the leadership issue in the oil sector comes at a time when Nigeria and other African countries are projected to record $6.7 trillion loss in stranded fossil fuel assets due to pressure from the energy transition.
Recall that investment into the sector has plunged just as crude oil reserves have stagnated at about 37 million barrels for over a decade even as religious and regional sentiments escalated in the eight years of Buhari as the petroleum minister.
The two ministers of state who served during the tenure, Ibe Kachikwu and Timipre Sylva were constantly at loggerheads with northerners dominating management of the state oil firm, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, even as decision-making favoured those who had access to the then unavailable petroleum minister.
Renowned energy expert, Prof. Wunmi Iledare, who believes that Nigeria is deliberately pushing its way to the Venezuela situation, urged Tinubu to perish the idea of making himself the Petroleum Minister.
The President, according to him, should avoid adding complex responsibilities to the enormous task of governing a complex nation, stressing: “Perhaps he has not been properly briefed about the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) institutions.”
While the Nigerian economy is on crutches with oil and gas still a major revenue earner, Iledare noted that Venezuela offers Nigeria a great lesson on what not to do concerning managing the oil and gas sector in a petroleum-dependent economy.
“The last eight years under Buhari as the Minister of Petroleum left much to be desired. The mandates in the PIA for the Minister of Petroleum are very tasking and the responsibilities are daunting.
Buhari
The institution, if moved to the presidency as was the case under Buhari, may become weaker and perhaps lead Nigeria to follow the Venezuela experience, which will mean the collapse of the oil and gas industry,” Iledare said.
He said even if the President eventually comes to terms with the complexity of the Nigerian Republic, the complexity of managing petroleum resources and the development process is not child’s play and is global in scope and structurally conservative.
Regarding two ministers of state to manage the petroleum policy anchor institution in the PIA, Iledare said he was baffled at those advising Tinubu, adding that gas resources in whatever forms are part and parcel of Petroleum Resources.
“I am shocked at the designation of a separate Minister of State for Gas Resources and another Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. Honestly, this is erroneous and perhaps, a good reflection of the lack of proper understanding of gas as a secondary energy and natural gas resources as a primary energy source. And decoupling the upstream aspect of crude oil and gas development is not recommended. It is understandable, however, if the present concern of the President is to unlock the midstream and downstream of gas. Then he must define the responsibility carefully to avoid a tug of war in the ministry. Thus, there has to be a rethinking and these are my recommendations.
“First, I still don’t understand the reasoning for separating gas resources and petroleum resources functionally. As I said earlier, petroleum is not crude oil alone. It is inclusive of liquid petroleum and gas resources as well as shale oil, shale gas, gas shale and oil shale resources to manage upstream together,” Iledare said.
The professor noted that there could be a Ministry of Petroleum and Energy with a Minister of State for Power, one for gas and another for petroleum.
He noted that the first two would be dealing with gas and power as secondary energy sources while the Minister for State for Petroleum in the Ministry of petroleum would be responsible for primary petroleum resources and crude oil value chain mandates, adding there is a lesson to learn from OBJ, who eventually surrendered the portfolio.
Iledare said a Coordinating Minister for Petroleum and Energy could then serve as the clearing and consolidating agent of ideas for connectivity concerning petroleum and energy matters in general, but stressed that this cannot be Tinubu.
The Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey is also unsettled with the development, especially the separation between petroleum and gas.
The lineup of Tinubu’s ministries remained a grave danger to the environment, Bassey said as he added that three of the announced ministries, the Ministry of Gas Resources, and the Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy raise special concerns at this time of our history.
“It is shocking to see that the Environment has no minister. Not appointing a minister for the environment sends a signal to Nigerians about the concern of the president for a sector that is so fundamental to their survival.
“While we have continued to raise concerns about the degraded environment, creating a Ministry of Gas Resources would only give license to the continuous gas emissions which are a major cause of climate change and attendant problems faced by our communities,” Bassey said.
He insisted that placing a special focus and promoting the gas industry, would inexorably discourage the development of cleaner and more sustainable energy alternatives thereby further creating a long-term dependency on fossil fuels, at a time when all efforts should be made to “depetrolize” the economy.
A former Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Joseph Nwakwue said it would be difficult to justify that Tinubu would retain the Petroleum Minister position.
“We have tried that without much success,” Nwakwue said, stressing that it would have been better to appoint an oil and gas technocrat, which the country has in excess to drive growth in the sector.
“This sector is bleeding badly and gasping for air. The Nigerian economy is hugely dependent on this sector. To reverse our dwindling fortunes, nothing but a competent and tested professional would work,” Nwakwue said.
He also insisted that the separation of gas from Petroleum is ill-advised.
Former management staff at Shell, Madaki Ameh noted that the prevailing development showed that the country is headed for another incompetent handling of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu
Ameh said: “Tinubu does not know the Oil and Gas Industry to opt to be the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources. We will see another period of cluelessness and ineptitude in the running of the Petroleum Industry. These initiatives are going to implement the Petroleum Industry Act even more tenuous and duplicative.”
Ameh rejected the separation of the Minister of State for Oil from the Minister of State for Gas, stating that if the intention was to focus on Gas, it would only increase the level of red tape around the running of the industry, thereby increasing the cost of governance.
A renowned energy scholar at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, believes that Tinubu may be able to handle the petroleum industry better and differently than Buhari.
According to him, it has the advantage that the sector would attract the highest level of attention.
“I think the personalities of Buhari and Tinubu are different. It may not be right to use the same brush to paint them. You can infer that in the way and manner labour strikes have been addressed under the two presidents,” he noted.
Adenikinju, however, said the separation of gas from petroleum with a separate minister of state may further complicate the operations of the petroleum sector if not properly managed.
“Operators are already finding it difficult with the two regulators in the petroleum sector. There are overlaps of functions and undercurrent competition between the two regulators,” he noted.
Noting that although the arrangement could have some merits, a lot of work must be done to ensure that lines of responsibilities and jurisdictions are clearly defined.
Director at the Centre for Transparency, Faith Nwadishi, said although the President has not publicly declared himself as the minister of petroleum, such development must not happen.
“If that happens, it will be business as usual because the President is very busy handling the country and ECOWAS chair. Taking over petroleum would be back to square one.
Nwadishi lauded the gas plan, saying that a state of emergency should be declared on gas for the projected plan to be achieved.
She however warned that separating the roles and ensuring that the development does not create further instability is sacrosanct.
Court nullifies El-Rufai's sack and banishment of Arak monarch - Orders payment of N5m damages
AdminKaduna State High Court sitting in Kafanchan has nullified the state government’s order banishing and restricting the Etum Arak of Arak Chiefdom, Gen. Iliya Yammah (rtd), from having access to his family, farms and people.
In a judgment delivered, yesterday, Justice John Ambi declared that Section 11(3) of Kaduna State Traditional Institution Law 2021 applied on Arak chiefdom in Sanga Local Council was inconsistent with the provisions of Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and, therefore, null and void.
He issued: “An order compelling the respondents (Kaduna State Governor, Attorney General and Ministry of Local Government Affairs) to tender apology to the applicant (Arak chief) in two widely-circulated national dailies for infringement of his fundamental right to liberty.
“An order compelling the respondents to pay the applicant N5 millage damages for breach of his right.”
In April 2023, Governor Nasir el-Rufai sacked and banished the monarch over allegations of insubordination and non-residency in domain.
Counsel to the petitioner, Garba Pwul (SAN) and Y. Kyauta, commended the judge for the judiciary’s courage to ensure that rights of citizens were protected in the country.
Kyauta noted that the judgment nullified Section 11(3) of Kaduna State Traditional Institution Law 2021 and granted the chief of Arak freedom to move freely everywhere in the country, including Arak chiefdom.
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There are strong feelers that the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, and the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) may return to the party.
Recall that the duo of Mr Peter Obi and Chief Chekwas Okorie were members of APGA before joining other political parties after serving as governor and National Chairman respectively.
Disclosing this to reporters the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA Bar Sylvester Ezeokenwa said that Mr Peter Obi would surely return to the party’s fold of noting that it is only in the party that he would actualize whatever ambition that he has.
“Peter Obi going to come back to APGA and that is his home and that is the only vehicle that will take him to his destination ”
“He attended the APGA Institute of Good Governance of which I am a student now and I tell you he would return to the party”
Ezeokenwa further announced that he has been in touch with the founding National Chairman of APGA Chief Chekwas Okorie noting that through Chekwas Okorie and other party members, the party would be able to win more states in the country”
“I am going to visit Chief Chekwas Okorie and in fact, I have spoken to him to come back to APGA because it is his home and a house he built from the foundation”
“He is like a father and he started this APGA and I told him that he cannot finish building a house and abandon it and whatever may have been his reasons he will return to APGA and together we shall rebuild the party and win other states ”
Ezeokenwa however contended that those ascribing the success of Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party to the Labour Party is wrong adding that the Labour Party cannot take the glory of APGA.
“The whole frenzy of the Labour Party or the Obidient Movement is an accolade for the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA and whatever achievements that he recorded was because of the ideology and manifesto of APGA ”
“Labor Party cannot take the glory of APGA and if Labor Party wants to campaign for its party the party should talk about the former Ondo state governor Chief Mimiko and not Peter Obi who was a member of APGA and all those achievements were when he was in our party,” he said.
The son of the chairman of Globacom Mike Adenuga, Paddy has revealed that he cooks and cleans.
The 39-year-old via his Twitter page on Monday made this known to prospective single women who’d be interested in him.
Paddy, who is yet to be married, advised unmarried women to take note of this fact about himself.
He wrote: “Ladies..just letting y’all know that I cook & clean, so have no worries – I have that taken care of also.
“Just advertising part of my CV…,”
His tweet gained a little traction, with many women commenting, and even men saying, when he is ready to pick a wife, they can introduce their sisters or female friends to him.
”you want to cause problem in ur DM today?”, one Jide Flash warned him.
”When you are ready for marriage please let me know I have beautiful sisters and female friends I can introduce to you. This your CV is giving husband material vibes.”, Sazee told him
Meanwhile, Paddy, last month, said the cost of divorce scares him.
He said that the fact that lawyers advise one to sign prenup documents before getting married takes love out of the conversation.
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, has explained the reasons behind his appointment into the ministry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which stirred controversies. Alake highlighted his sense of responsibility, expertise and track record as what propelled Tinubu’s decision. He clarified that the president decided to shock Nigerians by not appointing him to the information ministry, which he has a background in.
He said: “My portfolio has upset the entire cabinet, because given my antecedents, exposure and experience in the area of perception, information management, and the likes so most people have pigeon-hole me into information and so we decided to shock everybody. “Now if you all can sit down to analyse the global trend of economic development, you would note that the hydrocarbon that is the oil is fading out and the world is moving towards alternatives like gas, electric cars and the rest. So what is the next economic growth factor? It is a solid mineral.”
…Says demolition of illegal structures inevitable
The newly sworn-in Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike on Monday said he is not in Abuja to fly the party flag, but to work hard and deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
Wike who resumed at the FCTA alongside the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, immediately after the oath-taking ceremony at the Presidential Villa, also vowed to demolish all illegal structures that contravene the Abuja Master Plan.
Wike’s reaction about which party’s flag his official vehicle will fly has further heightened speculations on his party membership status.
According to him, his tenure as Minister of FCT will give special attention to issues that will restore the glory of the nation’s capital, to conform with the founding father’s dream.
He further warned that land racketeering would be a thing of the past, as those who speculate in the land will meet stiff resistance.
“We will bring FCT back to where it ought to be. So many people have complained that this is not the FCT of the founding fathers. We must tackle the issue of security. FCT should be where people come for holidays.”
He warned that the Administration under his leadership will not take excuses from security agencies as they will be provided with the required tools to work as the issue of security is germane.
The minister also disclosed that he will sanitize the city and end the rise of slums and shanties across the city. Abuja has turned into a slum city. Sanitation is bad with refuse everywhere. We cannot allow that. We will look at issues of waste disposals.”
“If you know you have built where it’s not supposed to build, it will go down. Our green areas and parks must come back
“Land racketeering days are over. Those who refuse to develop turning to land speculators will loo their lands. All these are our short-term deliverables so as to bring back people’s confidence in Government.”