Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

Ahead of the elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa, the White Witches and Wizards of Nigeria have predicted the outcome of the gubernatorial polls slated for November 11, 2023 in three states of the federation.

 

Speaking with journalists at the weekend in Lagos, Okhue Iboi, the spokesperson of the group, warned Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kogi, Dino Melaye, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva against losing their elections if they fail to heed wise counsel.

 

Iboi said there will be bloodshed in some of the polls if care is not taken.

 

In Imo, Iboi said the fight would be between the candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Athan Achonu, and the Peoples Democratic Party’s Samuel Anyanwu, contrary to speculations that the incumbency factor will favour Governor Uzodinma.

 

Oboi urged security operatives to tighten security in the politically charged and volatile states to avert a bloodbath during the poll.

 

“When we met in the coven to review the three off-cycle governorship elections, we examined all the political parties and their candidates and their chances of winning the election.

 

“We noticed that Uzodinma is terribly hated by his people. Also, remember that he’s governor not by popular will but by legal technicalities of the Supreme Court.

 

“To date, his people derisively refer to him as Supreme Court Governor. The senseless killing in the state is another albatross he is carrying.

 

“His people thought that he was the brain behind the spate of killings perpetrated by Unknown Gunmen (UGM) and the destruction of property of the people. So, the people believe he is their sponsor. This is very unfortunate anyway, but that is what we saw in the coven,” he stated.

 

In Kogi, the White Witches said the election is between the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Murtala Ajaka and PDP’s Dino Melaye, stressing that Governor Yahaya Bello had already lost over failure to field his deputy to succeed him.

 

He said, “The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is as strong as the APC and the PDP in the state. When we met in Idah, Okenne, Ankpa, and other parts of the state, Governor Yahaya Bello’s candidate would have won easily in the state, but he appeared to have shot himself in the foot by listening to wrong advice.

 

“The people that advised him not to field his deputy will cost him the election victory in the state. When we got to the coven, we were told that all his strategies of destabilizing the election by fomenting trouble would not fetch him victory. There will be a bloodbath in Kogi, but Bello will still lose the election. So, we saw the election is between PDP and SDP.

 

“For Dino Melaye, he’s very recalcitrant. We’ve invited him a couple of times for a strategic meeting, but you know, pride goes before a fall. His vain pomposity will be his undoing. And if he fails to heed our call, he will be shell-shocked about the outcome of the election.

 

“Governor Bello has already lost out of favour with his people by not fielding his deputy governor to succeed him, but preferring to field his brother.”

 

On Bayelsa poll, Iboi said Sylva would not go anywhere in the election.

 

“Recall that I had in a statement predicted that he would suffer a setback in his candidacy for the ruling APC.

 

“Now, he is fighting the battle of his life to retain the candidacy of the party, which the court had taken away from him. If he gets it, we don’t see him going far with it,” he said

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has described the appointment of Mr Bashir Adeniyi as substantive Controller General of Custom Service as a perfect decision, commending President Bola Tinubu for the step.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Sunday, the Governor commended the President for recognising Adeniyi’s capability to drive the administration’s agenda for the service.

On behalf of the good people of Osun State, I heartily rejoice with a distinguished professional, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi on his confirmation as the Comptroller-General of Customs by President Bola Tinubu,” the Governor was quoted as saying in a congratulatory note.

 

“Mr. Bashir’s confirmation is a testament to his enticing public record, competence, and devotion to the Customs service over the years. It equally underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to giving people with proven capacity increasing responsibility in the task of moving the country forward.

 

“While expressing his full confidence in Mr. Bashir to continue to serve with dedication, professionalism and integrity in his new role, the entire nation look forward to improved contribution to the country from the Customs under his leadership”, it added.

 

Similarly, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdurosheed Akanbi in a statement described Adeniyi’s confirmation as a plus to strengthen the country’s boundary and solidify the striving economy.

 

“The appointment of an Osun-born Adewale Adeniyi as the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is timely and laudable. I’ve strong hopes for his wealth of experience in strengthening the security of our border and solidifying our economy.

 

“I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a round peg in a round hole. He will reposition the service and improve the tempo of her performance.

 

“I enjoin Nigerians to drum support for the government and the service to strengthen our economy and restore the nation’s glory”, it reads

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC has said the fire at the Warri refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, WRPC will not affect ongoing rehabilitation work in the place, saying it was a minor incident.

In a statement, NNPC Limited confirmed the fire was immediately extinguished the same Friday evening.

 

It said the fire occurred in its cooling tower, saying it was due to welding activities.

 

MINOR FIRE OUTBREAK AT WARRI REFINERY CONTAINED

 

This afternoon, at about 15:02hrs, there was a minor fire incident at the cooling tower of Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited (WRPC).

 

The fire which occurred as a result of ongoing welding activity”.

Former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara will likely face a disciplinary committee to be set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State to explain some statements credited to him recently by the media.

 

Former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara will likely face a disciplinary committee to be set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State to explain some statements credited to him recently by the media.

This is according to the Vice Chairman and acting Publicity Secretary of Abia PDP, Abraham Amah, who said the committee will be inaugurated after the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) meeting.

 

Amah, who made this known in Umuahia during a live programme on Flo 94.9 FM, said that Wabara, presently the acting chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), must use the occasion to apologise to the party for making statements that could bring ‘collateral damage’ to the reputation of PDP.

This is according to the Vice Chairman and acting Publicity Secretary of Abia PDP, Abraham Amah, who said the committee will be inaugurated after the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) meeting.

Amah, who made this known in Umuahia during a live programme on Flo 94.9 FM, said that Wabara, presently the acting chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), must use the occasion to apologise to the party for making statements that could bring ‘collateral damage’ to the reputation of PDP.

The PDP Vice Chairman, who said that the former Senate President was at liberty to make personal statements on governance in the state and the country at large, however, said that such expression should not bring damage to the party.

 

“In a few days’ time, the State Working Committee is meeting; in that meeting, we are setting up a disciplinary committee. He has to face the disciplinary committee,” Amah vowed.

 

He further avowed that Wabara could only be forgiven by the party if he apologised to the disciplinary committee for his alleged unguarded utterances.

According to him, the claim by the former Senate President that he was misquoted by the media was not acceptable to the Abia PDP until he appeared before the disciplinary committee to explain himself and offer the necessary apologies.

 

Abia PDP recently issued a statement in which it disowned the former Senate President’s alleged endorsement of Governor Alex Otti for a second term in office.

 

On the Abia State government’s recent directive that the Lokpanta Cattle Market in Umuchieze, Umunnochi LGA, should operate as a daily market, Abraham Amah commended Governor Alex Otti for taking the step. He, however, added that the past PDP administration of Okezie Ikpeazu should also be acknowledged for bringing up the daily market template.

He also advised Governor Alex Otti to conduct local government elections in the 17 LGAs, rather than appointing mayors for the councils, as rumoured in the media

 

In a poignant and heart-wrenching moment, a Palestinian mother bids a final farewell to her child who lost their life as a martyr. The image captures the depth of grief and love as the mother embraces her departed child, a testament to the profound sacrifices made in the ongoing conflicts.

 

The photo serves as a stark reminder of the human toll in regions marked by conflict and underscores the resilience and strength of families in the face of unimaginable loss. It is a poignant symbol of the enduring pain experienced by countless families in regions affected by long-standing conflicts.

 

The world watches with heavy hearts as stories of resilience, loss, and love continue to emerge from areas marked by ongoing strife, emphasizing the urgent need for lasting peace and resolution to such conflicts.

 

Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedies and loss in these conflict-stricken areas.

The Ambassador of Nigeria to Togo, Julius Adebowale Adesina, is preparing to leave the country after a two-year mission.

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday, he bid farewell to the Prime Minister, Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé.

The visit was marked by an update on cooperation between Lomé and Abuja, and a review of the diplomat’s activities.

Julius Adebowale Adesina expressed his satisfaction at a mission well fulfulfilled, and his fond memories of Togo

I worked to promote cooperation between Nigeria and Togo, so I really enjoyed what we did here together. What I particularly remember is how hardworking the Togolese are”, said the Ambassador.

Ambassador Julius Adebowale Adesina was posted to Togo on 28th May 2021. Prior to his appointment, he was Editor-in-Chief of the independent Nigerian daily “The Guardian

 

Togo and Nigeria enjoy excellent cooperative relations, particularly in the fields of economics, trade, energy and education

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In a surprise move on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu, directed the withdrawal of the nomination of Engr Imam Kashim Imam.

Imam was earlier appointed to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

 

A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Media Aide to the President, announced the withdrawal of Imam with immediate effect.

 

Ajuri noted that all other appointments to the board and executive management team of FERMA are not affected by this directive.

 

Recall that there had been backlash on the Federal Government for appointing Imam, believed to be 24 years old, into the board of FERMA.

 

There was no specific reasons he presidency ordered the withdrawal of the nomination

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday sacked the heads of some government agencies under the Ministry of Information.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced this in a statement.

 

Those newly-appointed are

(1) National Orientation Agency (NOA) — Director-General/CEO — Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu

 

(2) Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) — Director-General / CEO — Mr. Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos

 

(3) Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) — Director-General / CEO — Dr. Muhammed Bulama

 

(4) National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) — Director-General / CEO — Mr. Charles Ebuebu

 

(5) Voice of Nigeria (VON) — Director-General / CEO — Mr. Jibrin Baba Ndace

 

(6) Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) — Director-General / CEO — Dr. Lekan Fadolapo.

(7) News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) — Managing Director / CEO — Mr. Ali Muhammed Ali

 

(8) Nigerian Press Council (NPC) — Executive Secretary / CEO — Mr. Dili Ezughah

 

According to the statement, the president tasks the newly entrusted leadership in these important sub-sectors to innovate and create new opportunities for Nigerians to leverage upon through the effective reform of these key institutions of government which function to unify our people, reshape mindsets, and showcase this great nation to the rest of the world.

 

The statement added that the above-listed appointments take immediate effect

A former Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation and economist, Bode Agusto, has passed away at the age of 68.

 

He was the founder of Agusto & Co., Nigeria’s first credit rating agency.

The news of Agusto’s passing was announced by the Chief Executive Officer, Founder, and Chairman of Proshare Nigeria, Olufemi Awoyemi, Thursday, via his X handle.

He tweeted: “@bodeagusto, the founder of @agustoandco, was the pioneer who taught us all how to respect facts and data in our engagements.

 

“A great human being and a fabulous teacher you were. Your teachings, delivered with conviction, will always be with all of us; our career paths were impacted by you.

 

“I pray to Almighty God to give enough strength to his family members to overcome this loss, and may his soul rest in peace.”

 

He obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Lagos from 1974 to 1977 and became a Fellow of the Institute at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria in 1981