The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Oyo State chapter, has described comments credited to Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello over the present PDP government under Governor Seyi Makinde as ‘uncharitable and unfair.’ The party said his comments were inspired by the Tafseer royalty he received from organizers of the event where he made the comments, noting that everything the cleric said against the present administration was against the true teachings of Islam, the spirit of Ramadan. PDP in a statement on Thursday, by the party’s spokesperson in the state, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, said the present rapid infrastructural developments being undertaken by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration are very visible, even for the blind to see. Also read: Govt has not given up on rescue of Chibok girls, says Farouq The renowned Islamic preacher, while delivering a sermon at the first annual Abiola Ajimobi Ramadan lecture, stated that since the late former Governor Ajimobi left the saddle of governance, there has been no visible development in the state since the new government took over the reins of governance. PDP, further lambasted the Islamic scholar, saying his sermon at the event was inspired by “royalty.” The party explained that it was very unfortunate that the cleric who failed to speak up during the dark days of the state under the last administration when the 1 million boys reigned unabated, civil servants and pensioners were dying in droves due to unpaid salaries and entitlement, contractors failed to or shoddily undertake projects due to kickbacks collected by government officials has also lost his voice to speak up for the suffering of masses when the people of the state were subjected to unspeakable hardship under the last APC administration. Oyo PDP stressed that despite the absence of COVID-19, EndSARS protest, Fulani herdsmen crisis and other security health and security challenges during the last administration era, the APC government still owed not only workers but also the aged and retired workers who served the state meritoriously throughout their productive years. The party maintained that the cleric has openly abused and overstretched the privilege due to anyone called or identified as a true cleric since he preferred money by commercializing his sermon above the true gospel of Islam which preaches love, peace and truth at all times. “Our attention as a party has been drawn to some very uncharitable, unsubstantiated, unfair, and financially inspired sermon credited to Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello at the annual Abiola Ajimobi memorial Ramadan lecture which held on Wednesday 14th April in Ibadan.” “We ordinarily would not have given a reply a thought out of respect for the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan but we chose to put records in proper perspective by reacting to the commercial sermon so as to avoid the cleric creating wrong impressions in the minds of our beloved Muslim brothers based on the sensitiveness of the commercial sermon and its consumption.” “First of all, considering the Holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims all over the world are humbly observing fasting, any true cleric is charged with the duty of spreading the gospel of love, peace, and the truth will intensify sermons on lifting the already down spirits of Nigerians who have already gone through a lot under the present APC led federal government, so much that the call to divide Nigeria by some sections of the country reached its record peak.” “The good people of Oyo State who had perhaps expected to hear a soul-lifting sermon from the cleric would by now be left in serious disappointment because the present government which the Sheikh Bello tried fruitlessly to discredit was enthroned by the people who rejected APC in its entirety by not only throwing out their government and with the various heart-rending activities of herdsmen on farmers and bandits on the Nigeria people, it’s preposterous that Sheikh Muhydeen Bello has failed to call out the non-performing President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government but condemning instead of praising a super performer like Governor Seyi Makinde.” “Government is indeed continuum and as much as we are constrained to abstain from speaking at all about the dead we are compelled to make certain clarifications for the purpose of education and a better understanding of how other western countries develop.” “The present PDP government under Governor Makinde believes strongly in purposeful leadership which is why it is strategically making necessary corrections on rehabilitation and reconstruction of critical infrastructures where the last administration failed to deliver on quality and durable ones instead of abandoning them and starting up new ones to gain cheap political scores like APC would do.” “For the sake of records and emphasis, our dear Governor has attained a high level of public acceptance and street credibility as Seyi Makinde who in the midst of the youth restiveness and ravaging EndSARS protest walked confidently and boldly among the angry youths to cart way forward.” “On the issue of legacy, what tangible legacy and positive development are he ascribing to an Ajimobi administration which left the state in unprecedented debts without tangible projects to show for it?’ “Also right in the city of Ibadan, the state capital, the evidence of decay, abandoned projects and lack of foresight by the administration the sheikh was praising are more than evident.” “Which development is he talking about when the Ajimobi regime abandoned the Moniya Iseyin road, leaving farmers and farm produce from the food basket of the nation prostrate?” “On top of that, the Ajimobi led APC government awarded a failed project that wasted N2bn of Oyo’s hard-earned money.” “What positive development is in a government that abandoned Agbowo to rot away and was on the verge of converting the edifice to private use but for the providence that brought GSM?” “Despite the daily suffering of our people on that axis, did the Sheik travel on Iseyin road before making that statement. What about the abandoned onipepeye/Alaska Airport road that was abandoned in the eight years of Ajimobi?” “Will the Sheik say he didn’t see anything about junction improvement around Challenge, the Bus terminals in Iwo Road and, challenge and Ojoor. Is he blind to the light-up projects phase one and 2? The massive rehabilitation of the 299 primary health care centres and the unique initiative being displayed in the management of state finances leading to a 26% increase in IGR?” “Since Sheikh has suddenly found his voice to justify the money received from the organizers of the memorial lecture to deliver a sermon during this Holy month, we advise the commercial cleric to channel his energy to join his voice with other Nigerians clamouring for good governance from the APC led federal government before the divisive elements calling to divide Nigeria have their way because Seyi Makinde is already leading the way by exemplary leadership.” “As a cleric, using expressions such as ‘we and they’ to depict APC and PDP clearly shows the political party Sheikh Ajani Bello belongs to in principle, and the present PDP government in Oyo state will not be deterred or distracted by whatever means the rejected Oyo APC is deploying to bring down this administration by every means, be it political or religious means since these are two key sensitive areas of manipulating the unsuspecting Nigerians for cheap political gains because the masses whom the Governor serves remain resolute in their continued support.” The party, while rejoicing with Muslim faithful fasting during the beautiful and rewarding month of Ramadan, implored people in the state to shun all divisive tendencies, imbibe the spirit of Ramadan by being law-abiding, lovers of their neighbours, God-fearing and as well join hands with the Governor Makinde in making the state a greater one.
Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale
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Obasanjo, Secondus in closed-door meeting amid PDP crisi
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has met with Prince Uche Secondus, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The closed-door meeting held in Abeokuta, Ogun State also had in attendance PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC).
As at the time of filing this report, the purpose of the meeting was still unknown.
Obasanjo, a former member of PDP had years ago publicly renounced the party.
The former president had torn his membership card in public after which he stepped back from politics.
Meanwhile, there have been calls within the PDP for Secondus to resign.
Secondus was accused of failing to properly manage the affairs of the former ruling party.
Lately, the PDP had lost several chieftains who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Three state Governor, lawmakers both federal and state and a member of PDP’s Board of Trustees, BOT, had defected to the APC.
Dailypost
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JAMB Registrar bans parents from UTME venues
The Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, has ordered all CBT Centres across the country not to allow parents/guardians into the registration hall again.A statement signed by JAMB Spokesman in Ilorin Office, Hassan Lawal, quoted Oloyede as saying that the decision was made after inspecting some of the registration centres in Kwara, which were overcrowded.”The registrar said it has been discovered that the parents/guardians are always a distraction to both candidates and the centres and at the same time, congesting the halls by not following the COVID – 19 protocols,” Oloyede was quoted as saying.Oloyede also advised parents/guardians to stop pushing the education of their wards faster than necessary.“For example a 14 or 15-year-old is not matured enough to undergo the process of registration and university pressure and are vulnerable to exploitation by scammers out there,” he said.Oloyede also advised states Ministries of Education and relevant stakeholders who were saddled with the responsibility of enrollment of students into secondary schools to always ascertain the students’ true age before admittance into secondary schools.(NAN) -
Lagos govt, police order street beggars, traders to leave state
The Lagos government has ordered street beggars and traders to leave the state.
A Special Task Force has been established. The authorities say criminals hide under such acts to attack motorists and residents.
Commissioners for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu; Information, Gbenga Omotoso; Police, Hakeem Odumosu addressed a joint briefing at Alausa.
Dawodu explained that the task force became necessary to sanitise the society and restore the dignity of beggars and hawkers.
The special team will commence operations next week to stop those using dangerous weapons to assault and rob people after disguising.
The government will deploy human and material resources towards enlightenment and sensitisation.
Dawodu said it was high time the laws of Lagos are enforced for sanity to reign.
He advised individuals and companies to donate to registered homes, orphanages, rehabilitation and faith-based organisations instead of roadside alms seekers.
“Street begging is a social vice that we cannot afford to watch until it attains an uncontrollable level. Otherwise, all the good plans and programmes would be adversely affected. The same goes for street hawking.
“This has become big business. Our investigation revealed that beggars and hawkers are transported regularly from other parts of the country to Lagos with the sole aim of doing this odious business.”
In his remarks, Odumosu declared that the era of condoning trading and alms begging on Lagos roads was over.d
DAILYPOST
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BREAKING: EFCC arrests ex-Abia gov, detains him, son in Abuja
A former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Orji, who is a sitting Senator was arrested on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while trying to board a flight.
Operatives of the anti-graft agency took him straight to their headquarters in Abuja for questioning.
Following his arrest, Orji’s son, Chinedu turned himself in after he learnt of his father’s arrest.
Chinedu, who is the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly is currently detained and undergoing questioning.
The former governor, alongside his two sons, Chinedu and Ogbonna, have been under EFCC radar over alleged misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.
Orji was accused of allegedly receiving N500 million monthly as a security vote for eight years as governor between 2007 and 2015.
Other allegations against him concerned the alleged mismanagement of N2 billion Ecological Fund and the mismanagement of Sure-P funds.
EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the detention of the former governor and his Speaker son. Mr Uwujaren, however, declined further comments.
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NAFDAC shuts down spices company for revalidating expired products –Official
NAFDAC- The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has shutdown every warehouse and factory of Rose Ltd., a manufacturing company that produces Somgeo Brand of spices, for revalidating already expired products.The warehouses, which were shutdown, are located at Petu Village, Cele 2, Bus Stop Off Ibeju-Lekki, and No. 23, Tunji Lekki, Bello Street, Penuncular Stream 2, Lekki, Lagos.A statement signed and issued by NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant in Abuja, on Sunday, Mr Olusayo Akintola, identified the revalidated expired products as Curry and Thyme spices.Akintola said shutting down of the warehouse followed a tip-off, which made operatives of investigation and enforcement directorate of the agency to swoop into action.According to Akintola, sequel to the raid of the warehouse and factory by NAFDAC officials, it was discovered that large quantities of expired Curry and Thyme spices were stored in the warehouse with packaging materials.He said the packaging materials included labels as well as stamps that were being used to illegally revalidate the already expired products.NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, had expressed her displeasure over the incident and had pledged to sanction the company for endangering public health.Adeyeye warned that there was no hiding place for unscrupulous manufacturers and marketers, who had turned themselves to merchants of death with a view to making illicit money, stressing that unscrupulous manufacturers had sent unsuspecting Nigerian consumers to their early graves through production and sale of falsified and revalidated expired products.The agency would stop at nothing to track down the illicit merchants wherever they are within the country, in its renewed efforts to rid the country of unwholesome foods, the director general said.‘’We are ready to eliminate the incidence of falsified products in our markets or bring it down to the minimum to safeguard the health of our people,” she also said.Meanwhile, Akintola says the company staff found revalidating the expired products at the factory had been apprehended and taken to NAFDAC investigation and enforcementoffice for further interrogation, although the business owner, a lady, (names withheld) remained at large.From NAFDAC’s records, the head office of the company was located at 19, Adelajo Ojo Crescent, Magodo, Lagos, with registration for 16 different products for listing, under the brand name, Somgeo.Other products in the brand name included, somgeo ginger powder, somgeo garlic powder, somgeo thyme leaves and somgeo mixed spices powder amongst others, he also said, adding that the company’s registration had expired since Dec. 5, 2017. (NAN)AG/CHOM/MMA -
NAFDAC warns bakers using potassium bromate, arrests offenders
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned bakers who use potassium bromate as improvers, saying it is dangerous to health.
According to it, as part of its efforts to curb the menace of importation, sales and distribution of counterfeit/fake regulated products and ensuring that only wholesome, safe, quality and efficacious products are imported, manufactured, distributed, sold and used by the Nigerians, it has stepped up efforts to raid defaulters.
The Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Monica Eimunjeze, at a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday explained that potassium bromate is a banned flour improver and a known cancer-causing agent.
According to her, potassium bromate has been found to cause kidney failure among other ailments.
“Potassium bromate, popularly known as tablets in the black economy, is always attractive to merchants of death who want to make outrageous profit at the expense of citizens’ wellbeing.
“Bakers use potassium bromate because it helps to improve the texture of bread as well as increases its volume and it is relatively cheap.
“NAFDAC wishes to state that there are recommended healthy flour improvers approved by the Agency.’’
She disclosed that reiterating its resolve to reprimand offenders, operatives of NAFDAC raided and arrested suspects in connection with various fraudulent activities.
“A warehouse containing potassium bromate tablets and unregistered imported EDC – 2000 BREAD IMPROVER was raided by NAFDAC operatives on Dec. 7, 2022.
“ NAFDAC officers raided the warehouse located in Apongbon area of Lagos Island in Lagos where they found 115 cartons of potassium bromate tablets.
“The tablets have a street value of twenty eight million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N28,750,000:00).
“The seized tablets could be used with three hundred thousand (300,000) bags of 50kg flour to produce about thirty (30) million family-sized loaves of bread bread.
“Also found in the warehouse were counterfeit EDC Bread Improver, packed in sachets with a fake NAFDAC registration number 01-4242, worth three hundred thousand naira (N300,000:00).
“One Rapoluchukwu Joseph was arrested as the importer during the operation.’’
She explained that apart from improving the texture of a loaf, potassium bromate also increases its volume and it is relatively cheap.
Ejimunjeze said that other counterfeit products found in the warehouse included 400 cartons of counterfeit super delicious cooking margarine with fake NAFDAC registration number:- (a1-2508) and Manufactured date:- 25/01/2022, Expiry date:- 25/01/2024 with various batch numbers.
She further disclosed that the NAFDAC had since Sept. 9, 2022, commenced an investigation which led its operatives to a long span of operations at states including Kano, Kaduna, Delta, Abia and Lagos States.
“After rigorous and painstaking efforts, the Agency’s operatives traced and arrested one Owerekwe Obinna Michael ‘male’ 46 years of 12 Boundry Street, Aba, Abia State as the importer of the counterfeit product.
“At the point of his arrest, the suspect upon sighting the operatives completely destroyed his mobile phone so that the evidence will not be traced to him. He also fought the operatives but was instantly overpowered, arrested and taken into custody.
“He confirmed that he actually imported four hundred (400) cartons of the product with the above details from Dubai through groupage and cleared at Onne Port, Port Harcourt.
“He claimed that the shipment was delivered to him by a clearing Agent, whose name he did not yet disclose He also admitted to distributing the product to markets across the country.
“Preliminary examination of the product showed that the actual manufacturer’s name was not written, but produced for a company in Indonesia.”
2508) and Manufactured date:- 25/01/2022, Expiry date:- 25/01/2024 with various batch numbers.
She further disclosed that the NAFDAC had since Sept. 9, 2022, commenced an investigation which led its operatives to a long span of operations at states including Kano, Kaduna, Delta, Abia and Lagos States.
“After rigorous and painstaking efforts, the Agency’s operatives traced and arrested one Owerekwe Obinna Michael ‘male’ 46 years of 12 Boundry Street, Aba, Abia State as the importer of the counterfeit product.
“At the point of his arrest, the suspect upon sighting the operatives completely destroyed his mobile phone so that the evidence will not be traced to him. He also fought the operatives but was instantly overpowered, arrested and taken into custody.
“He confirmed that he actually imported four hundred (400) cartons of the product with the above details from Dubai through groupage and cleared at Onne Port, Port Harcourt.
“He claimed that the shipment was delivered to him by a clearing Agent, whose name he did not yet disclose He also admitted to distributing the product to markets across the country.
“Preliminary examination of the product showed that the actual manufacturer’s name was not written, but produced for a company in Indonesia.”
Ejimunjeze enjoined Nigerians to watch out for these injurious products anywhere in the country and report same or any suspected fake/counterfeit or unwholesome product to any nearest NAFDAC Office.(NAN
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NAFDAC approves first alternative herbal supplements to vaccine, antibiotics for Poultry
National Drug Administration and Food Control, NAFDAC has approved the first indigenous Alternative Herbal Supplements to vaccine, Antibiotics for Poultry in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Herbal Supplements has provided succour to 1, 468 farms centers in Nigeria who were faced with threat from varous diseases affecting their birds on the farm .
The Co – Founder and Managing Director of Ehibaghe Organic System, the manufacturer of the herbal product, Mr. Adedeji Babatunde, who said this in a statement in Calabar, stated said the management of the company is grateful to NAFDAC for recognising the product as herbal supplements that will serve as alternative to vaccines for poultry in Nigeria.
He said the herbal supplements fight bacteria, fungi and viral infection and improve microbes that help plays crucial role in Poultry birds productivity and health .
Adedeji further explained that over the years , the health of birds and productive status of farms that patronize the supplements has drasrically improved and the death rate due to sickness reduced.
- The managing director assured that the company intend to expand its product to enable it cater more for many farms in Nigeria in few months time after it is officially launched
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JUST IN: NAFDAC Begins Testing Of Indomie Noodles, Gives Reason
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Nigeria said it would commence the random sampling of Indomie noodles, including the seasoning from the production facilities and the markets tomorrow (Tuesday).
NAFDAC also said the importation of Indomie noodles into Nigeria had been banned for many years and the products were on the prohibition list.
This is following the detection of a compound called ethylene oxide, a potentially cancer-causing substance in Indomie’s “special chicken” flavour noodles by health officials in Malaysia and Taiwan.
Both Malaysia and Taiwan have recalled the product.
Meanwhile, the makers of Indomie noodles, Indofod, defended the safety of its products, saying all instant noodles produced by the ICBP in Indonesia were processed in compliance with the food safety standards from the Codex Standard for Instant Noodles and standards set by the Indonesian National Agency for Drug and Food Control.
“ICBP has exported instant noodles to various countries around the world for more than 30 years.
The company continuously ensures that all of its products are in compliance with the applicable food safety regulations and guidelines in Indonesia as well as other countries where the ICBP’s instant noodles are marketed,” a press statement by Indofood read in part.
According to the National Cancer Institute, ethylene oxide is a flammable colourless gas with a sweet odour at room temperature
It is used primarily to produce other chemicals, including antifreeze. In smaller amounts, ethylene oxide is used as a pesticide and a sterilising agent. The ability of ethylene oxide to damage DNA makes it an effective sterilising agent but also accounts for its cancer-causing activity,” the institute said.
Indomie is a brand of instant noodles produced by the Indonesian company, Indofood and Nigeria is one of the biggest consumers of instant noodles.
Indomie is also exported to more than 90 countries around the world.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye told The PUNCH on Monday that the agency has started investigating and responding immediately to the news of the recalled Indomie noodles by Taiwan and Malaysia authori
ties.