Nigerian Gazette

Impeached Ekiti Former Dep.  Speaker Seeks Refugee Status In Canada Using False Claims After making over N100 million as member and Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly,  Segun Adewumi,  who represented Ekiti West Constituency 1 in the immediate past House of Assembly is now in Canada,  seeking refugee status under false claims.  As deputy speaker,  Adewumi made about N2.5 million monthly while he received about N1.8 million as member of the House of Assembly.  Adewumi,  who travelled to Toronto,  Canada immediately after his tenure as member of the 5th Assembly ended, is said to have filed claim at the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office, seeking refugee status on the ground that his life and those of his family members will not be safe if they return to Nigeria. Sources in the known revealed that Adewumi lied that his residences in Ekiti were attacked by hoodlums and that he escaped with his wife and ch...

Group Alleges Akpabio, APC Chieftains Plotting State Of Emergency In Akwa Ibom ...Recruit mercenaries from Chad to cause chaos Clandestine plots are being made by some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State to cause chaos in the State so as to actualise the planned imposition of a state of emergency, a group, the One Nigeria Movement (ONM) has alleged. The group alleged that the plots are being spearheaded by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, with support from some of his desperate APC allies in the State. In a release on Wednesday, signed by its Convener General, Ahmed Sodiq-Mugoro, the ONM said current and reliable information at its disposal indicated that the APC in Akwa Ibom State  led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, already perfected plans to bring some mercenaries from Republic of Chad into the State, with the expressed order to cause massive killings of innocent people of the State, as well as widespread kidnappings an...

Niger State Government Investment Drive Receives a Boost The effort of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to attract both local and foreign direct investments into Niger State, Tuesday, received another boost  with the signing of MOU with the Dutch Government and companies.  The event which took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, saw the Niger State Government and Royal FrieslandCampina WAMCO PLC sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on "dairy chain development" to boost dairy production in the country. Governor Abubakar Sani Bello signed the MOU on behalf of the Niger State Government, while Mr. Ben Langat, MD, Friesland Campina WAMCO Plc signed for the company. The agreement is expected to raise the state GDP by at least N45 billion through milk production, meat processing, pasture and feed production. The MOU which will create job opportunities in various strata of the agricultural sector is also aimed at boosting the economy of the state as well as finding lasting solut...

National Colloquium in Honour of First Lagos Governor, Johnson holds Thursday The Methodist Boys High School Old Students' Association in conjunction with the Department of History and International Studies, and Global Affairs for Sustainable Development, Osun State University, Osogbo has concluded the arrangements for the first National Colloquium in Honour the First Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson. The event which is scheduled to hold on Thursday, November 28th, 2019 at Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, will center on the life and legacies of the late military administrator. Speaking with newsmen, one of the conveners of the programme, Prof Siyan Oyeweso said the event will also provide an avenue for scholars to brainstorm on the challenges facing leadership and governance in the country. Oyeweso, who is a Professor of History, revealed that the Keynote Speakers are Prof. Hakeem Olumide Danmole of the Department of History and Internationa...

Ado Ekiti PDP leaders hail Bisi Kolawole's reconciliation efforts, Say "He has capacity to lead"  Leaders of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ado Local Government areas of Ekiti State  have applauded one of the party's State Chairmanship aspirants,  Hon. Bisi Kolawole for his efforts at reconciling members of the party and fostering unity among them.    Hon. Kolawole, who was in Ado Ekiti few days ago, as part of his consultation with the party stakeholders on his State Chairmanship aspiration, was described as a bridge-builder, with a the strong character and personality needed to lead the party.   The Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Yinka Olomofe, who welcomed Hon. Kolawole to caucus meeting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, said "at the appropriate time,  the party leaders in Ado Ekiti will speak unanimously on their choice for the State Chairmanship." "We have no doubt in your capacity to lead PDP to electoral victory in 2022 and 2023. Yo...

Niger state governor calls for structural adjustment in governance to boost economic growth Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has advocated the need for  structural adjustment in governance to boost  economic growth and development in the country.  Governor Sani Bello was speaking  at 3-day Executive Leadership Retreat on Administrative  Relationship, Strategic Communication and Management of Public of Finance for Economic Development organized for the newly sworn-in commissioners and other top government functionaries in the  State at the 5th Chukker Polo Country Club, Kaduna. He described the retreat as timely and informative, urging the participants to ensure they block all leakages in the system so as to improve the finances in the state. He emphasized that the future will be tougher than it is presently, hence the need for structural adjustment and  financial prudence. "The future is looking very bleak financially and things will be toug...

Any request by Buhari to National Assembly, good for Nigeria — Lawan The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday said any request from President Muhammadu Buhari would make Nigeria a better place, and such would be acted on “expeditiously.” Lawan spoke when the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Itse Sagay visited him in his office on Thursday. Sagay had called for the timely passage of the Special Criminal Court and other similar bills, saying such would  help the anti-corruption war and ensure that the fight was successfully won with speed and energy. He also appealed to the Senate to consider the confirmation of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu. Responding, Lawan said, “This is a new Senate. Going by our rules and I believe that goes for the House of Reps too, any issue that was not concluded in the last National Assembly, will have to start all over again. “So, as far as we are concerned, thos...

Kolawole storms Ijero, urges PDP members to close ranks Immediate past commissioner for environment and former lawmaker representing Efon Constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Bisi Kolawole has charged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State to come together for the utmost purpose of wresting power from those currently holding fort in the state. Kolawole, a foremost contender for the party's state chairmanship said he was best positioned to bring together all the tendencies in the party if allowed to lead the party. "The situation at hand calls for an individual who is politically deep, courageous and has the ability to reach out to all tendencies in our party. Such a person must have the persuasive magic to bring home, even all that have left our party, at one time or the other, for whatever reason", he said. "This is because no faction can do it alone. I want to assure you, therefore, that I am in...

Appeal court ruling: How Akpabio indicted himself by parading fake result By Ufom Bassey One of the laughable narratives being pushed out by Akpabio’s media hirelings centres on the allegation of vote tampering.  It is laughable because Akpabio himself is the one that tampered with votes. He has been telling the world he won the election with over 61,000 votes.   Meanwhile,  the total number of accredited voters in his Local Government area was 19, 455. According to analysts, Akpabio has actually, by parading fake result, indicted himself bordering on votes tampering.  He knows he did not get anything close to 61,000 votes he has been parading. He knows he was the one who tampered with votes when he unleashed thugs and hooligans on INEC staff and caused widespread mayhem.  How did Akpabio get 61,000 votes when the total number of accredited voters was 19, 455 according to INEC?  It is very obvious that Akpabio perpetrated votes tampering.  Meanwhi...

Attack on media, part of third term agenda – Falana A human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has said the attack on free press in the country is over a third term agenda being nursed by the Federal Government. Falana spoke in Lagos on Thursday at the public presentation of a book, Testimony to Courage, essays in honour of Premium Times publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi. He also accused Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Abuja Federal High Court of bias against his client, Omoyele Sowore, saying the online news publisher had been convicted without trial. Falana, who was the chairman on the occasion, noted that he had decided not to return to the Justice Ojukwu-led court. He stated, “Nobody has been given the kind of bail (condition) Sowore was given. All those who looted the treasury have never had  their movement restricted.  Sowore has been granted bail, but his movement has been restricted to Abuja. His family is in America. He does not live in Abuja. He has no house in Abuja. Yet, he ha...

BREAKING: Boko Haram attacks Damaturu, NAF jets to the rescue Members of the Boko Haram terrorist group has attacked Damaturu, the Yobe State capital at about 4.55 pm local time today. A resident of Damaturu, Malama Fatsuma Dada who spoke to Neptune Prime said residents of Government Secondary School, Damaturu and residents leaving along Gashua Road had to run into town as a result of the attack. It is believed that the terrorists came to Damaturu through Sasawa and Damniya which are on a forest belt that connects to northern Borno where the boko Haram terrorists have turned into a base. Malam Muhammadu Ahmed, another resident, disclosed to our reporter that two fighter jets from the Nigeria Airforce had to be scrambled to come to the defence of the town. The situation has been controlled as at the time of filing this report.

Adeyeye’s Ouster, Part Of Sacrifice For Nation-Building ― Fayemi ⦁ I will work with Adeyeye for development of Ekiti South ― Olujimi The governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has described Wednesday’s ruling of the Court of Appeal that nullified the election of  Senator representing Ekiti South, Prince Dayo Adeyeye as painful, saying it was part one of the sacrifices needed for nation-building. Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, on Thursday urged Adeyeye to remain calm despite what he described disturbing judicial pronouncement, saying that the ruling, “though shocking and unexpected, is not the end of his political career nor his public service”. He described the former Senate spokesman as a dogged fighter and a politician of repute who is loved by his people, adding that he would bounce back and play more significant roles in the nation’s politics. “As we continue to deepen our democratic culture, we cannot but witness occasional setbacks of t...

Appeal Court’s verdict on Adeyeye’s election painful – Fayemi The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has described Wednesday’s ruling of the Court of Appeal that quashed the election of the Senator representing Ekiti South, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, as a very painful experience. The appellate court had on Wednesday upheld the verdict of the National and State Assemblies Election Petition Tribunal which had earlier nullified Adeyeye’s election and declared Abiodun Olujimi as duly elected senator from the senatorial district. Fayemi said it was more painful because the appellate court’s decision was the final on that matter. He urged Adeyeye to remain calm despite the judicial pronouncement, saying the ruling, though shocking and unexpected, is not the end of his political career or his public service. The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday, described Adeyeye as a dogged fighter and a politician of repute who is l...

Exposed: Governor Bello seals deal with INEC's North Central Commissioner, Alh. Mohammed Kudu Haruna The supervising commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) North Central zone and also the Chairman, INEC Equipment Acquisition Committee, Alh. Mohammed Kudu Haruna, has allegedly concluded rigging plans with Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and APC candidate in November 16 gubernatorial election. Sources confided in our reporter that compromised Card Readers with pseudo codes by Lebanese experts have been kept in a hotel in Maitama area of Abuja,  ahead of the elections for deployment in Kogi East and some part of Kogi West, Lokoja and Ogori in Kogi Central. The plan is to make no incident forms available in some strategic Polling Units.  "Also in Polling Units where this plot fails, signals will be sent for thugs to invade such unit - these were same strategy used in Kwara and Nassarawa states in the last general elections," a source...

Olujimi vs Adeyeye: Conference of PDP HoA  candidates congratulates Olujimi The conference of People's Democratic Party 2019 House of Assembly candidates in Ekiti state has congratulated Senator Biodun Olujimi, the senator representing Ekiti South senatorial district on her appeal court victory against Prince Adedayo Adeyeye of APC. The Conference on the mandate of which her Director of Information and Strategy; Otunba Omolade Bolarinwa spoke today Wednesday 6th 2019, said inter alia: (1)That Senator Biodun Olujimi's victory today at the Appeal Court is a morale booster for Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party as it would stand the Party in a vantage position and signalling the beginning of reclaiming power back in Ekiti State by the Peoples Democratic Party; in 2022; ipso facto .  (2)By this ,the conference averred, It is a joyous occasion for the Party,every faithful of the Party and we are all jubilant. (3) The Conference commends the doggedness and ruggedness of the amiabl...

Niger Gov Sani Bello invites EFCC to investigate $181m Islamic bank loan A few weeks after former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu alleged that Islamic Development Bank had released a $181m loan to the All Progressives Congress-led administration to fix Minna-Bida Road, the State Governor, Abubakar Bello has invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (EFCC) to determine if the money has been released or not. Bello insisted that it is only the EFCC that can come in to clear the air about the issue. Aliyu had accused the government of not utilizing the $181 million IDB loan which had entered into the government’s account after he had left the office. The former governor stated that the loan was meant for the dualization of the Minna-Bida Road and wondered why the government did not utilise the money for the purpose it was meant for urging the people to demand that the government give an account of the money and the purpose it was expended on. In reaction, Bello sai...

Path To A Niger Of Our Dream By Mary Noel Berje Just like the saying that “a tree cannot make a forest,” no single individual or group can wroth the needed development of any society. Similarly, a stick of broom cannot do much, but if tied together in a bunch, it makes a lot of difference. So is societal development. One of the most potent forces of development throughout the history of human civilisation is ‘PEACE’ and elite consensus. Any race, culture or civilization, where the leading lights and elites are not on the same page on issues will hardly develop.      In a nutshell, when men and women of good character work towards the promotion of peace, it can serve as a catalyst for the growth and development in any society and a positive instrument for the improvement of the socio-economic life of citizens and the state at large. Alas, despite the indispensability of peace to state and national development and progress, many communities in parts of the world are engulfe...

New dawn in Odo-Oro Ekiti as Oba Aladesodedero 1 receives instrument of office It was a dawn of a new era in Odo-Oro Ekiti on Saturday as the newly appointed monarch of the town, Oba Babatunde Adebayo Jemilehin, Aladesodedero 1, the Onise of Odo-Oro Ekiti, was given his Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office by Governor John Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi. At the coronation ceremony held at the playing field of Odo-Oro High School, colourfully dressed sons and daughters of the ancient town trooped out in their thousands to witness the epoch making ceremony. Various traditional groups and age grades joined in the fanfare. Speaking while presenting the Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office to the new Onise, Chief Egbeyemi expressed confidence that with the legal background of the new monarch, "it would not be difficult  for the Oba to foster cooperation an unity among your people to elevate your community to an enviable status...

Though Sowore has blackmailed me before, I might stand as surety for him —Apostle Suleman   President, Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has indicated interest in standing as surety for Convener, #RevolutionNow, Mr. Omoyele Sowore. Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the February 2019 presidential election and founder of an online news agency Sahara Reporters, was arrested by the Department of Security Services on August 3, 2019 for alleged treason after calling for a protest tagged #RevolutionNow Taking to his verified Twitter handle @APOSTLESULEMAN on Monday, Suleman expressed concerns that though Sowore had hurt many people in the past — including Suleman himself — he is of the opinion that Sowore should not be allowed to “rot where he is.” “In a situation like this, what will Christ do?” Suleman asked; adding, “am ‘considering’ standing bail for him.”