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Category: General News

  • APC’s convention sign of victory

    APC’s convention sign of victory
    APC Supporters at Convention venue in Abuja. Photo Hogan Bassey/NAN

    By Emmanuel Mogbede/Taiye Agbaje

    The conduct of the convention of All Progressives Congress (APC) with 6,800 delegates is as a sign of victory in the 2019 elections, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, has said.

    The delegates to the party convention in Abuja are from the 36 states and FCT to elect new officers into the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) whose tenure would expire on June 25.

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and other big guns were at the Eagles Square, venue of the convention.

    Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole was affirmed by the delegates as the Chairman of the party alongside some others, a situation Ajimobi sees as a sign of victory.

    “That Oshiomhole is coming as the party’s chairman is a sign that APC will win 2019 election,” he said.

    On his part, a chieftain of the party and ex-governor of Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva, said: “We are expecting a very great and successful convention.”

    Another party chieftain from Abia, Mr Emeka Nwogu, said his expectation was high and it would be met.

    “We are going to have a very beautiful convention; orderly, peaceful and a free and fair election,” he said.

    He said though some party officers would vie for election unopposed, he said there would be election in some positions that were being contested.

    Nwogu, who was a former minister of Labour and Employment, assured that the convention would make the party to come out stronger and formidable.

    “This is a convention before election and we are going to be successful with this convention,” he said.

    He advised the winners and the losers in the election to accept the outcome in good faith for the unity of the party.

    “We are going to have election in 2019 and the party is going to do better than we did in 2015,” he said.

    Musicians and traditional dancers took turns to entertain the crowd as presiding officers watched over ballot boxes for the election of the remaining seats.

    A medical booth was stationed at strategic positions to handle any emergency medical situation.

  • Full speech of President Buhari at APC National Convention

    Full Speech of President Buhari at the APC National convention in Abuja.

    ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) EAGLE SQUARE ABUJA

    JUNE 23, 2018

    PROTOCOLS

    It is my pleasure to address you today, on the occasion of our great party’s 2nd National Convention and the first since we rode on its glorious platform to a victorious political outing in 2015. Congratulations again to all who worked or contributed to our success.

    2.         I want to begin by acknowledging your presence and congratulating all our delegates who have emerged from the wards, local Governments and State congresses from the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT gathered here today as the party’s highest ranking constitutional organ, to elect and usher in a new leadership for the party at the national level.

    3.         I am also using this opportunity to thank the outgoing National Executives of the party, especially those who will not be offering themselves for re-election at today’s convention for their tireless efforts in securing victory for the party at the last elections and managing the success thereafter.

    4.         I want to assure everyone here that despite a few lingering issues with the congresses in some states, our great party will emerge stronger after this convention. The unresolved cases we have is the price we have to pay for success, as everyone wants to be associated with a winning team. I am imploring all those with grievances to keep faith with the party until we put things right.

    5.         I have been following the preparations leading to this event and I must commend this Convention Committee under the leadership  of His Excellency, Governor Badaru Abubakar for providing a level playing field and instilling confidence in both aspirants and delegates with their thorough approach and adherence to transparency.

    6.         I commend all the delegates from across the country for your sacrifice and patience, travelling all the way from your different destinations and waiting in inclement weather, as it has been raining all the day. Thank you for your commitment.

    7.         The adoption of consensus as a first option is commendable and the process has led to a lot of healing and cohesion across the states and the zones, and where elections are inevitable, I have been assured that the process adopted will result in clear and undisputed results. Again I am appealing to all contestants to keep faith with the party.

    8.         May I, therefore, appeal to all to put our great party ahead of personal considerations and to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith. You are all important to our party’s progress and all must come together to ensure success in the forthcoming polls so as to enable us to continue the good work we have been doing for our fellow Nigerians.

    9.         I thank you all for being here and congratulate the new National Executive to be elected shortly.

    God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria, God bless our Party.

    APC!

    APC!!

    APC!!

  • APC Convention quit notice to Fayose, PDP

      
    Special Adviser to the President onNational Assembly matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang
    SSA to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang

    By Taiye Agbaje/Abuja

    The Presidency says the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention holding at the Eagle Square, Abuja, would serve as a quit notice to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, gave the assurance to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing convention arena.

    Enang, who said he expected a peaceful poll at the convention, said the successful completion of the occasion would also indicate a quit notice to the Ekiti State’s incumbent governor, Ayo Fayose.

    NAN reports that the governorship election in the state, which is scheduled to hold on July 14, has the immediate-past Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, as the APC gubernatorial candidate.

    ”It is a signal to PDP and Ayo Peter Fayose that we have served him quit notice and that he will quit.

    ”With the strength of APC in the Federal Government at the federal level and the strength of APC in Ekiti State, we will win Ekiti and we will sack PDP from the seat,” Enang said.

    He said he expected a fruitful and rancour-free convention.

    He urged the winners and losers in the ongoing convention to display a spirit of sportsmanship.

    ”My words for the winners today, be magnanimous in victory, and for the losers, be also accommodating. Let all those who lose also play into the party, let those who win accommodate those who may not win today,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said the convention would go well and come out successful.

    ”You can see that everybody is happy to be here. We are lucky that we have Muhammadu Buhari as our president; everybody loves him.

    ”No matter the differences or disagreement in the generality of membership, the president’s position as a beloved leader and mentor is sacrosanct. And I think that will contribute largely to the final successful outcome of this convention,” he said.

  • Obasanjo least worthy of Nigeria’s ex-leaders:Soyinka

    Obasanjo least worthy of Nigeria’s ex-leaders:  Soyinka

    Prof. Wole Soyinka: On fight against corruption
    Prof. Wole Soyinka: blasts Obasanjo as hypocrite of the highest order

    By Rotimi Ijikanmi

    Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka  said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is the least worthy of former Heads of State to champion the political recovery process of the nation”.

    He said by doing so, Obasanjo has “crossed the red line”.

    Soyinka  stated this in Abuja at a Gala Dinner and Award Night hosted by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture as part of programmes of the 67th World Congress of the International Press Institute (IPI).

    Soyinka, a Guest of Honour at the dinner, described  Obasanjo as  a “hypocrite”

    He said he would soon launch a book where he articulated his claims and also made a call on the need for the younger generation to take over the reins of the country.

    “I have brought out a publication which title is in Latin but it means “Who watches the Watchmen” .

    “That publication is coming out simply because I will like to see new blood in government in this nation.

    “I think this corrupt and hypocritical geriatrics should stop recycling themselves.

    “They should stop trying to co-opt their former cronies to take over the reins of governance in this country.

    “On July 4 at Freedom Park in Lagos, the pamphlet will be unveiled and will confront Obasanjo with his crimes of the past which incidentally are not being newly articulated.

    “I say again that people are their own greatest enemies, because they forget very fast. Obasanjo is the greatest hypocritical leader this nation has ever produced,” he said.

    The Professor of Literature and a critic said contrary to claims by some people he has “nothing personal against late Sani Abacha” a former Military Head of State.

    Soyinka was responding to a questioner who wanted to know why the Nobel Laureate always displays open hatred for Abacha.

    “You say I don’t leave Abacha alone even after death, it is not true.

    “If I am walking through the street, and I see a structure raised in honour of a torturer, a murderer and a thief so recognised by the entire world that we are still chasing his loots all over the world, I cannot keep quiet.

    “If I see a structure or monument in honour of that person, I have the responsibility to tell whoever did so that you cannot be serious with fighting corruption,” he said.

    Soyinka congratulated the Nigerian Journalists for bringing IPI congress to the country for the first time adding that the timing was remarkable.

    “The timing is remarkable in the sense that IPI is being hosted by a nation whose current President, Muhammadu Buhari, is somebody I refer to as born again Democrat.

    “Not so long ago, as a military leader, he came out openly that he will tamper with the press freedom and he matched his words with deeds.

    “He jailed a couple of journalists for sticking to the ethics of their profession

    “Here you are today, that same president is now actually trying very hard and most successfully to respect the freedom of expression.

    “It goes to show that all is not lost in this nation,” he said

    Soyinka rated the Buhari Administration 55 per cent in press freedom and freedom of speech.

    To improve on the rating, he suggested elimination of “secret, subtle and self censorship” as well as often submission to pressure.

    “For instance, we cannot continue to hide under the subtle threat of – do not heat up the polity- even when we know that the polity deserved not just to be heated up, but to be fired”.

    “If we disregard that, which is a grey area, I am optimistic that we will in a couple of years attain 75 per cent guaranteed in freedom of speech,” he said.

    He also called on journalists to continue to discharge their roles with courage and improve on investigative journalism.

    Soyinka added that the whistle blowing policy should be sustained so that the criminal elements will understand that the hiding zones are shrinking everyday.

  • Breaking: Oshiomhole, 19 others elected at APC Convention

    Breaking: Oshiomhole, 19 others elected at APC Convention

    Adams Oshiomhole and his wife arrive at the Convention

    The All Progressives Congress National Convention in Abuja has affirmed former Governor Adams Oshiohmole as the National Chairman.

    The convention also affirmed the election of 19 other officers.

    Details soon

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  • Jubilation hits the roof over Eagles’ win

    Thrilled by Friday’s performance of Nigeria’s national team in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other leaders have urged the Super Eagles to sustain their winning momentum.

    The national team which lost its first leg to Croatia is paired with Argentina, next week.

    Buhari, who congratulated the young players on their 2-0 victory over Iceland said he believed that “with determination, nothing is impossible”.

    The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Buhari, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the president was particularly delighted at the confidence, discipline, team-work and indomitable spirit displayed by the players.

    He urged them to believe in themselves and give their best in their next match.

    Also Osinbajo and Senate President Bukola Saraki joined Nigerians to congratulate the Super Eagles on their first victory at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

    In a tweet by Osinbajo’s spokesman, Mr.Laolu Akande Verified account @akandeoj the Vice President said: Congrats Nigeria!

    He said the Osinbajo found time earlier today, while in transit between events in Lagos, to catch up on the Nigeria-Iceland match. Hope restored. Up Nigeria. Photo: Novo Isioro

    The Eagles secured a crucial 2-0 win over Iceland on Friday evening after the Icelanders missed a penalty, losing their chances of forcing Nigeria to a draw.

    Ahmed Musa struck twice to become the first Nigerian to score at two World Cups and to ignite the Eagles’ hope of securing a spot in the knockout stage if they beat Argentina on Tuesday.

    Last week, Nigeria lost their opening match to Croatia 2-0 while Argentina and Iceland played 1-1.

    The Croats continued their winning streak yesterday when they beat Lionel Messi led Argentina team 3-0 to dominate the group.

    A draw would be enough to eliminate the Argentines but would leave Nigeria’s fate hinging on the outcome of Iceland’s game against Croatia.

    Saraki, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, are among other Nigerians that commended the Super Eagles.

    Great win by our @NGSuperEagles. Let us continue to show that discipline and preparation brings results. #NGAISL #SoarSuperEagles #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/mUqgKqM2fg — Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) June 22, 2018

    Congratulations @NGSuperEagles. Indeed a delightful evening of quality football. When we stand united, victory is assured. #NGAISL pic.twitter.com/zZSQUpiz5J — Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) June 22, 2018

    Well deserved for Ahmed Musa. Man of the match! pic.twitter.com/nZkfEfTqCF

    Congratulations @NGSuperEagles! What a game! #SoarSuperEagles #NGAISL #NGA #WorldCup

    — Sen. Lanre Tejuoso (@lanretejuoso) June 22, 2018

    Great game @NGSuperEagles and well deserved victory. I am excited at the confidence and ball play exhibited today, indeed what we need to go through to the group stages. #NGAISL #WorldCup

    — Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 22, 2018

    What I saw with this team tonight….. My God! That thing we call the Nigerian spirit, it is real and alive. Whenever we put our minds to do something, amazing things happen. Well done to the @NGSuperEagles #NGAISL

    — Hon Chidi Nwogu (@NwoguHon) June 22, 2018

    Ahmed musa has become the first African player to ever score multiple goals in consecutive World Cups. ?????? #NGAISL pic.twitter.com/BcmKy716ES

    — SUPER EAGLES (@supereagles9ja1) June 22, 2018

    So I woke to the last 5 minutes of the @NGSuperEagles game. The Sound of victory, the Sight of victory, the Feeling of victory – thank you #SuperEagles for giving Nigerians the triple effect tonight! Indeed, a piece of world class football that was. #NGAICE #NGAISL #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/2l6XjT7ShO

    — EEU. ?? (@royaltyuso) June 22, 2018

    Ahmed Musa once again proved that talents abound in all parts of Nigeria and that no part of Nigeria will lose out if we restructure and replace ethnicity with merit. If not for this Northerner, Nigeria would have had little hope in this #RussiaWorldCup2018. All Nigerians matter

    — Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 22, 2018

    ‘God Bless Super Eagles’: Osinbajo, , Others React To Nigeria’s First Win

  • Law school clears Hijab wearing lawyer

    The Social Media is agog with reports of the decision of the Nigerian Law School to formally Call to Bar, a hijab wearing Firdausi Amasa, who was denied the honour last year.

    The young female lawyer from University of Ilorin was disallowed to perform the ceremony because she refused to remove her hijab.

    “She will now be given her certificate; a thing of joy, victory to justice, fairness to humanity, Yushua Abdul tweeted.

    In another, “JUST IN’’ by Abubakar Usman said: “Nigerian Law School: Body Of Benchers Approves Use Of Hijab, Invites Amara Firdaus.

    “The Body of Benchers has approved the use of hijab during Call to Bar ceremony of young lawyers and that Firdaus Amasa.’’

    Muhammed Ayuba tweeted: “Nigeria Law school approved the use of hijab during call to bar and call Amasa Firdous to bar…..Alhamdulillah for this great news.’’

    Another tweet by A. A. Sanyaolu ? @AAsanyaolu, said: “Hijab approved at law schools in Nigeria, you dey jubilate. That was expected because no such law against it but law school code of conduct. Don’t be too religious about it.’’

    Abu Abdullah@mubarakdanyaro

    Firdausi Amasa is a hero, when history is been related her name will be written in Gold,her resoluteness to stand for what she believe has paved way for other Muslim female students to wear their Hijab during their call to bar.

    Twitter Ads info and privacy

    According to DawahNigeria @dawahnigeria, News reaching the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on Thursday, 21st of June, 2018 says that Firdaus Amasa, the University of Ilorin Law graduate whose call to bar was denied due to her use of hijab has now been invited to attend the July 2018 call to bar.

    MURIC took over the young lawyer’s case since last year when she was turned down by authorities of the Law School for the her Call to Bar because was refused to removed her hijab.

    According to the reports, she would be admitted along with other young lawyers in July in Abuja.

  • Breaking: DSS arrests Sen. Abaribe

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested 63-year-old Senator representing Abia South in the Senate, Eyinnaya Abaribe.

    The senator was a former Deputy Governor in his state.

    He is one of the those who bailed runaway leader of proscribed IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently facing trial for alleged treason.

    Details later ……

  •  

    APC Convention; Police deploys 5,000 personnel

     Abuja:     Police Authorities have announced security measures for the ruling All Progrssive Congress (APC) national convention with 5,000 policemen, two helicopters and six Armoured Personnel Carriers deployed for safeguarding. 

    Force Spokesman, DCP Jmioh Moshood, said that diversion of traffic from the Eagle Square venue of the convention would be effected from 2200Hrs of today, 22nd June, 2018 till the end of the convention.

    Below is the full statement:

    SECURITY ARRANGEMENT FOR THE ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (APC) NATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY 23RD JUNE, 2018 AT EAGLE SQUARE, ABUJA.

    ·        Police deploys 5000 personnel, two (2) helicopters and Six (6) Armoured Personnel Carriers for security of the convention

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) National Convention is scheduled to hold on 23rd June, 2018, at Eagle Square, Abuja, to this end, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni, has directed the implementation of a robust Security Arrangement to ensure a secured and hitch-free convention.

     

    2.   A total number of Five Thousand (5000) Police Personnel comprising, the Police Mobile Force (PMF), the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), the Police Mounted Troop, The Dog Section (K9), the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), The Police Air-wing and the Force Armament Unit have been deployed under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations, to ensure adequate security for all the accredited participants at the convention. Security coverage have been provided also at all the accreditation centres.

     

    3.   In addition, two (2) Police Helicopters, Six (6) Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) are already deployed for the security of the convention. Personnel of other security and safety agencies are also being deployed to complement the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring adequate security and a hitch-free convention.

     

    4.    Only accredited delegates accredited party officials bearing the APC clearance/identification tags will be allowed into the venue. Personnel of all Security and Safety agencies deployed for the security of the convention must also wear the certified identification tag conspicuously at the venue. Only one (1) aide will be allowed to follow their principals into the venue of the convention.

     

    5.    The Nigeria Police Force hereby warns all unauthorised individual(s) and group(s) who have no business with the convention to steer clear of the venue. The full weight of the law will be applied on any person or group of persons who try to disrupt the orderliness and conduct of the convention.

     

    6.   The Personnel deployed are under strict instruction to be civil, polite but strict and firm in the discharge of their duties during the convention.

     

    7.    There will be diversion of traffic from all the routes to the Eagle Square from Ahmadu Bello Way, Shehu Shagari Way and other Roads leading to the venue of the convention. Road users and other members of the Public are advised to use alternative routes. The diversion of traffic will take effect from 2200Hrs of 22nd of June, 2018 till the end of the convention.

     

    8.   Any member of the public with complaint or observation on security issue can call the following numbers 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 for immediate response.

     

    Ag. DCP JIMOH MOSHOOD

    FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

    FORCE HEADQUARTERS,

    ABUJA.