Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the Nigerian Senate the list of 11 new Supreme Court justices cleared by the National Judicial Council (NJC) so that the legislators can screen and confirm the judges.

 

SaharaReporters had reported that the National Judicial Council (NJC) on December 6 recommended the appointment of 11 justices to the Supreme Court.

A statement by the apex court’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, said the recommendation was made at the 104th meeting of the council in Abuja on Wednesday.

 

With this appointment, the apex court will have the full complement of 21 justices, as envisaged by the Constitution.

 

Those recommended for appointment to the Supreme Court are:

Hon. Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey, OFR

 

Hon. Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa

 

Hon. Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme

 

Hon. Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani

 

Hon. Justice Moore Aseimo A. Adumein

 

Hon. Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya

 

Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah Adah

 

Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale O. Abiru

 

Hon. Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur

 

Hon. Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar

 

Hon. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris

The Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, has explained why the Federal Government is embracing Islamic Finance.

 

The minister said the world can no longer afford the “elevated high levels” of interest-based financing.

Edun stated this at a programme organised in Abuja by the Security Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB).

 

The minister noted that man-made and natural shocks that have pushed rates sky-high, adding that development is also constrained by the soaring cost of borrowing.

 

Edun stressed the detrimental impact of high interest rates, saying, “make it impossible to access the funds needed for development, infrastructure, and even social services.”

 

Highlighting the crippling effect, he listed infrastructure, education and healthcare as some of the vital areas suffering under the burden of exorbitant borrowing costs.

 

Offering a potential alternative, Edun drew attention to a recent $30 million grant from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dedicated to climate action and adaptation in Nigeria.

 

He said, “Notably, this grant was funded through Islamic finance principles, hinting at a shift in the landscape of available resources. Clearly, funds these days are with those who practice Islamic finance. You better follow the money.”

 

He urged deeper understanding and utilisation of Islamic finance, calling it “a veritable tool for financing development” endorsed by the IFSB.

Edun stressed the imperative of harnessing the potential of Islamic finance as a viable tool for financing development.

 

With Nigeria’s objective of achieving rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, the minister emphasized the importance of learning from the IFSB and educating oneself to make optimal use of this financing tool,” he said.

 

According to Edun, Islamic finance provides an additional avenue through which Nigeria can propel critical economic growth.

 

The minister of Finance recognises the significance of tapping into Islamic finance to fuel the economy effectively.

 

Edun’s address shed light on the potential advantages of Islamic finance, encouraging stakeholders to explore this alternative financing model to bolster economic growth in Nigeria.

 

The minister’s stance shows a commitment to expanding opportunities for sustainable development in Nigeria through innovative financial techniques.

President Bola Tinubu has approved a 50 percent cut in land transportation fares from December 21 to January 4, 2024, across the country.

The President has also approved zero fare for train transportation in all the states of the federation within the same period.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

 

He said that all the logistics for the implementation have been worked out between the Minister of Transportation, the transport unions and luxury buses owners.

 

According to him, “This presidential initiative is to give succor to the masses.

 

“It is on record that the masses don’t patronise airport travel. This programme is not beyond the affordability of the government.”

 

The 1983 set of Ede Muslim Grammar School (EMGS) Ede, Osun State recently donated some office and education equipment to the school to mark its 40th anniversary of graduation.

 

The equipment donated included the multipurpose machine that can scan, photocopy and print; Laptop; Toner for the machine, and A4 printing papers.

 

Presenting the equipment on behalf of the 1983 graduands, the Senior Prefect (Boy) of the set, Mr. Bisiriyu Olaoye, explained that the donation was not only in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the graduation of the set but also for the benefits of both students and staff of the school.

 

At the presentation ceremony held at the school premises were the two Principals, Mr. Moshood Adesokan and Alhaji Kabeer Adekomi; the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Imam Ibrahim Adekilekun (Mualim Dende), who is also the Chief Imam, Ansar-udeen Central Mosque, Ede; Chairlady, Alhaja Muibat Ajileye; Chairman, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Alhaji (Hon.) Tajudeen Salau; some invited former teachers, Dr. Adie, former Medical Director, Federal Polytechnic, Ede; Dr. M. B. A. Ogunsola; Alhaji Mojeed Adekunle Lawal of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree; and former President, Old Students Association of the School, Alhaji Muniru Akinola.

 

Earlier in his welcome address, the ’83 set coordinator, Alhaji Mukaila Adeyemi, lauded the efforts of some former teachers of the school for the roles played on the graduands, praying God to give them long life and sound health to reap the fruits of their labour.

 

Congratulating the school for having one of its products as the present Governor of Osun State, in the person of Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, Adeyemi said: “We pray that Osun State will continue to know peace and progress during his tenure as Governor of the state, wishing him success in ll his undertakings”.

 

Awards of recognition were presented to the Chairman of the occasion, the former teachers present.

 

Some former invited seniors of the school were also recognized with awards. They included: Dr. Mahboob Jimoh of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), who is also the Governing Board Chairman of the school; Hon. Kamorudeen Debo Akanbi; and Alhaji Imran Kolawole Bushra.

 

In their remarks, the awardees appreciated the ’83 set’s gesture and prayed for the success of the members in their various endeavours.

 

Mr. Adesokan, the first Principal, in his remarks, who said: “Am the happiest man on earth today”, appreciated the gesture of the 1983 set.

 

Stating what other sets have done for the progress nd development of the school, Mr. Adesokan stated: “This presentation of these equipment by the ’83 set will further galvanize other sets to do more”.

 

The 2nd Principal, Alhaji Adekomi Kabeer, also appreciated the ’83 set’s gesture, adding that this will go a long way in helping the students and staff of the school.

 

He prayed for the progress of members of the set, wishing them journey mercies to their various destinations.

 

Ni his own remarks, the PTA Chairman of the school, Hon. Salau, thanked the ’83 set members for the presentation and assured them and those present that the school (EMGS) has transformed from being labelled ‘bad’.

 

The PTA Chairman also assured both the ’83 graduands and others present on the occasion that the school would continue to excel academically and stand out among the comity of secondary schools not only in Osun State but in Nigeria as whole.

 

The Chairman of the occasion, Imam Ibrahim Adekilekun (Mualim Dende), advised the old students of the school to always remember their alma mater and contribute to its growth and development.

 

Mualim Dende said: “You should remember the school and contribute your quota towards its development and growth”.

 

Narrating how the school was established, Mualim Dende, who was the Secretary of Ede Muslim Council, appreciated the award given to him by the ’83 set and prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed.

 

The ceremony featured traditional poem rendition by the Ewi exponent, Prince Kola Yekeen Laoye, a presenter at Osun State Broadcasting Service (OSBC).

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has advised princes who instituted court cases against the new Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye to withdraw the cases with immediate effect

Makinde declared that he will join the fight to ensure peace and tranquility in the city if those who instituted the court cases failed to withdraw them without a short time.

 

The governor made these declarations during the presentations of staff and instruments of office to the new monarch on Tuesday.

The event was attended by former Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun.

 

DAILY POST reports that some princes within the Olaoye family in Ogbomoso instituted court cases against the nomination and confirmation of Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso.

 

But Makinde advised those who are still contesting the stool to withdraw the cases immediately.

The other thing I want to say is about the people who also contested the throne with Oba Ghandi. As of last week, some of you were still in court.

 

“What I can say is that contesting for the throne is behind us and I look forward to them withdrawing the cases in court by the end of this week as a show of love for Ogbomosoland.

 

“So, the people fighting should stop forthwith but if they fail to stop, as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, I will join the fight to ensure peace and progress of Ogbomosoland.

“I believe in constitutional roles for our traditional rulers and there is a new authority in Oyo State called the Rule of Law Enforcement Authority. It is with the House of Assembly and it will soon be passed into law and I want your support and that of other traditional rulers in the state.

 

“On behalf of the Ogbomoso sons and daughters and the good people of Oyo State, I wish Kabiyesi a long, peaceful and successful reign.”

In a statement made available to journalists, yesterday, HRH Eze Charles Nnajiemere (Eze Udo II of Amurie Omanze) stated that the decision to end these cultural practices was made in agreement with several key community leaders, including village heads, kindred chairmen, town union representatives, religious clergy, and foreign union representatives, all of whom signed the abrogation document.

According to him, this broad consensus was achieved after a comprehensive campaign involving individual and village-to-village consultations.

 

He also acknowledged the persistent advocacy by various organisations and community stakeholders, stating that the formal abrogation event would mark an important milestone in the community’s progress toward a more inclusive and fair society.

 

“For the past three years, our community has been embroiled in unnecessary conflicts and skirmishes over whether to abolish these discriminatory cultural practices. They are remnants of stone-age practices that are an affront to the 21st-century global social order,” lamented Eze Nnajiemere.

 

The royal father disclosed that an Abolition Committee, which was constituted three years ago, has been instrumental in driving this change.

The Leadership of Ede Muslim Grammar School Old Students Association says the outstanding achievements recorded by Osun State Government under Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke have direct and immediate positive impacts in the lives of the residents of Osun State.

 

This is contained in a release issued by the President of the Association, Alhaji Rasaq Olatunde Bello and the Secretary, Alhaji Olalekan Ismail.

 

The Old Students Association says it is not surprised by the sterling performance of Governor Adeleke considering his antecedents in both public and private endeavours saying the Governor as pioneer President of the Old Students Association of Ede Muslim Grammar School build a solid foundation for the alumni body.

 

The association listed Road infrastructure, Healthcare, agriculture, environment and climate change, education and sports development as some of the areas where senator Adeleke performed wonderfully.

 

Other sectors listed on the release include restoration of Local Government Administration for grassroots development, priority attention being given to Science, Innovation and Technology, culture and tourism, water provision among others in just one year in office.

 

The Old Students Association of Ede Muslim Grammar School said by the time current administration will complete it’s first term of 4 years, Osun would have become reference point for other states not only in the Southwest region but in the whole of Nigeria.

 

The President especially thanked the Governor for choosing Ede Muslim Grammar School as one of the School that will benefit from total renovation in the 100 billion Infrastructure Plan that’s expectedly starting in the 2024 fiscal year saying the state of affairs of the School has become worrisome to both parents and the association.

 

They therefore prayed that God will grant the Governor sustained wisdom to continue to take Osun State to an enviable height of his dream.

 

They equally pledged their unalloyed supports for the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke in his quest to deliver good governance to the people of Osun State

 

E-Signed:

Abdulraheem Adekilekun

PRO, for the Association

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has issued an order freezing the accounts of the Oyo State Government in 10 commercial banks in the country.

The order was issued by Justice Anitte Ebong in a ruling on a garnishee proceeding initiated by ex-council chiefs in Oyo State, sacked on May 29, 2019, by Governor Seyi Makinde, and who in 2021 got a N4.9bn judgement against Makinde and other officials and agencies of the state.

 

The garnishee proceeding is intended by the ex-council chiefs, led by Bashorun Majeed Ajuwon, to recover the balance of N3.5bn which is outstanding from the actual judgement sum, from which Makinde paid only N1.5bn in 2022.

 

The banks in which the Oyo State Government’s accounts are blocked are Zenith Bank, United Bank of Africa (UBA), Wema Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Ecobank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, Polaris Bank, Jaiz Bank and Union Bank.

 

In a ruling, Justice Ebong ordered the banks to file affidavits and attend the court on the next adjourned date to show cause why the garnishee orders nisi hereby granted should not be made absolute.

The judge awarded N300,000.00 as a cost against the judgement debtors and ordered that a copy of the order be served on Makinde and others and adjourned till January 5 next year for hearing.

 

On May 7, 2021, when the Supreme Court gave judgement, voiding Makinde’s sack of elected Local Government Chairmen and Councillors in Oyo State, the apex court gave a similar judgement in respect of Katsina State and ordered both states to pay the salaries and allowances of the effected ex-council chiefs.

 

Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgment in the Oyo State case, condemned the decision by Makinde to unlawfully sack the elected council chiefs before the end of their tenure.

 

While the Katsina State Government has since paid its ex-council chiefs, who were unlawfully sacked, the Oyo State Government, under Makinde has failed to pay the ex-council chiefs he sacked before the end of their tenure, and which sack the Supreme Court voided in its May 7, 2021 judgement.