Category: General News

FRESH details on the reasons President Bola Tinubu appointed former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, as Chief of Staff, CoS, from a retinue of interested and qualified associates of his, have emerged.

 

Shedding more light on the “meticulous process ” behind his choice of CoS, sources close to President Tinubu, said he had articulated his vision for the ideal Chief of Staff before publicly declaring his interest to run. “He was determined to select an individual who possessed a unique blend of qualities to navigate the complexities of Nigerian politics successfully.”

Tinubu’s knack for selecting capable individuals for key positions has been widely praised.

 

Tinubu’s knack for selecting capable individuals for key positions has been widely praised.

 

One of the sources disclosed that President Tinubu had recognized the significance of the role of Chief of Staff in his administration.

 

“He was keenly aware of the intricate terrain of Nigerian politics, particularly after the late Abba Kyari’s ‘influential tenure’ in the position.

 

Tinubu, also known for his decisiveness and thorough consideration of key appointments, “was seeking a Chief of Staff with a specific set of qualities. Experience and a proven track record were non-negotiable criteria. He had no intention of entering the presidency with a Chief of Staff who was still learning the ropes of how to support a President in running a nation,” source said, adding that Tinubu closely observed the performance of Femi Gbajabiamila during his tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives.” The source continued: “Gbajabiamila’s experience in managing various national challenges, including handling national strikes and negotiating with unions, made him stand out among contenders for the role.

 

“None of the other contenders came close to the level of nation-building experience that Gbajabiamila had acquired during his time as the No. 4 man in the country.

 

“President Tinubu was not swayed by how long someone has been around him but rather focused on capacity, posture, and competence when selecting his Chief of Staff. This commitment to competence and experience showcased his determination to hit the ground running and effectively lead Nigeria.”

 

The conversations regarding the Chief of Staff appointment reportedly gained momentum after the removal of the fuel subsidy, a move that initially stirred concerns about national stability, and the President’s resolve to find a perfect fit became more urgent as he needed someone that is both loyal and is also able to support the president in maintaining calm and peace during this challenging time.

 

Two other factors that Presidential Villa sources disclosed influenced the decision was hardwork and ability to use government resources to support the people.

The sources said Gbajabiamila was always with the President during the campaign, many times travelling late at nights putting in a lot of hard work during what was a dicey campaign.

 

According to them, President Tinubu was impressed by the timing of the Students Loan Bill which he signed to the applause of many in the country because of the wide appeal for the legislation by many Nigerians. The signing of that bill orchestrated by Gbajabiamila gave huge political capital to the President.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has shunned the reconciliatory meeting called by the Federal Government.

 

The last-minute reconciliatory meeting was convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.

 

The purpose of the meeting was to avert the two-day warning strike.

The NLC had declared a two-day warning strike to begin on Tuesday.

 

However, the Festus Osifo-led Trade Union Congress (TUC) was said to have shown up for the meeting.

 

 

 

By Biola Lawal

Abuja: (Flowerbudnews): The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu has warned motorists across the country against Overspeeding to prevent loss of lives and injury on the roads.

The Corps Marshal made call while reacting to a fatal road accident along Obajana- Lokoja road in Kogi state which claimed 12 lives, a statement by ACM Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, disclosed.

The FRSC Boss called on fleet and other commercial vehicle operators, as well as private vehicle owners to avoid driving against stipulated speed limit on all roads. This is to eradicate all incidences of mishap resulting from speed violation on our roads, the statement added.

The caution came following a fatal crash that occured at line three, Obajana cement factory, on the Obajana-Lokoja expressway, in Kogi State on 3 September, 2023 at 2230HRS.

The dual crash involved a Toyota Hiace Bus with registration number MKA515ZD and a Sono Truck.

A total of 18 people were involved, all male adult. Out of this number, 06 people got injured, while 12 people were killed.

The main cause of the crash have been identified to be speed violation, which resulted to loss of control (Flowerbudnews)

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, says there is need for immediate rehabilitation of the critical infrastructure at the Apapa and Tincan Island ports

 

Oyetola said this during his maiden visit to the Tincan and Apapa Ports on Monday in Lagos.

 

The minister also urged terminal operators to support the Federal Government in the rehabilitation of the ports.

 

According to Oyetola, the rehabilitation of the port is going to be a collaboration between government and the terminal operators.

 

“My coming out today is to see things for myself. I have seen the challenges, the need to actually do a lot of things about our port.

 

“Infrastructure are almost collapsing from what I have seen, so a major rehabilitation has to be carried out.

 

“I am looking forward to the terminal managers beginning to contribute to the rehabilitation of the port.

 

“Its important and if they do that, they will make more money for themselves,” he said.

 

The minister pointed out that he was impressed with the management of the ports so far, adding that he would support them.

 

As regards the quay wall, he noted that he had asked NPA for a report of what they had carried out so far, adding that they need to know the numbers to be able to sort them out to get the president’s approval.

 

Oyetola said he believes that the blue economy is a sector that will generate revenue for government, adding that the country needs the infrastructure to balance up.

 

“If we have the right infrastructure in place, it will be a way of domestication of the economy.

 

“We rely so much on oil. So a lot of other opportunities have been untapped for so many years. I think we must commend the president for taking this initiative, I believe we can do it.

 

“To address the collapse of the port, there is need to rehabilitate the port as a matter of urgency, dredging has to continue,” he said.

 

The minister added that as regards access road, it would be looked into it and he would engage the Minsters of Works and Transportation to see what they could do together.

 

“I have discussed with the Minister of Transportation in respect of the rails. With all these things in place, I think we are good to go.

 

“On issues at the other ports like the eastern one, it will also be addressed. We are looking at the totality of the port,” he said.

 

On his part, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) commended the minister for visiting the port and for supporting the agency.

 

He assured the minister of the agency’s support in line with the Federal Government’s agenda

The Court of Appeal Headquarters on Monday said the presidential tribunal judgement on the petitions before it would be aired live.

 

The court said this was to promote, transparency and openness and for Nigerians to watch.

 

The Chief Registrar, Court of Appeal HQ, Umar Bangari, stated this in a statement while disclosing the date for the judgment on the matter.

 

He said the date for the judgement had been fixed for September 6, 2023.

It read, “The Court of Appeal wishes to inform the General Public that judgment in the following petitions before the Presidential Election Petition Court will be delivered on Wednesday 6th September 2023: CA/PEPC/03/2023 between Mr. Peter Gregory Obi & Anor VS. Independent National Electoral Commission & 3 Ors.

CA/PEPC/04/2023 between Allied Peoples Movement VS. Independent National Electoral Commission & 4 Ors. CA/PEPC/05/2023 between Abubakar Atiku & Anor VS. Independent National Electoral Commission & 2 Ors. In a bid to promote transparency and openness, these judgments will be televised live by interested Television Stations for the public to follow.”

 

He also said only accredited persons, including counsel and representatives of political parties, would be granted access to the courtroom on judgment day.

 

“Access to the Court premises will be strictly on accreditation. Only accredited individuals, including Counsel and representatives of Political Parties, will be granted access to the courtroom. Interested members of the public are advised to watch proceedings from their television sets. We appeal for the maximum cooperation of the general public to ensure a hitch-free exercise, please,” the statement added.

 

By Thompson Yamput

Lokoja:   Dr Allen Onyema, Air Peace Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Oba Dr Moshood Olalekan-Balogun, Olubadan of Ibadan and others have been nominated for the prestigious Afro Awards 2023 for their humanitarian services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Annual Afro Awards is a. non-profit event that honors outstanding individuals and organizations for their significant contributions across various fields, with the aim of establishing a unique Afro-centric excellence award.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday by Mr Taiwo Oduala, Founder and Executive Producer of `The Afro Awards’.

He said that Onyema and Olalekan-Balogun are among numerous Africans and Americans to be honoured at the Afro Award 2023 billed for Sept. 16 in Los Angeles, California.

Oduala, who is a Film Director, based in U.S., said, “the awardees are among Africans and Americans, who have not only distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavours, but have touched lives and transformed economies of nations.”

“People like Ifechukwu-Onyema of Air Peace Airline, have made impact in the lives of many with his free evacuation philosophy just as the Olubadan of Ibadan, who have distinguished himself as Royal Father.

“Nigeria, as a nation, has produced men and women of high degree of patriotism and impact, both in and outside the country.

“Also, there is Monica Swaida, known as Monicazation, a Nigerian/American singer, actress, movie producer and CEO of an insurance company,’’ he said.

According to him, Air Peace Airline has painstakingly evacuated Nigerians from South Africa during the Xenophobia, Sudan and China besides Indians and Chinese evacuated from Nigeria back to their countries.

He explained that the main focus of the award was to demonstrate Afro Awards’ recognition and support to people, who have shown exceptional humanitarian excellence in various fields and endeavours.

The film director said that since inception, the Afro Awards has hosted and honored more than 5,000 individuals at the core front of humanitarianism and philanthropy in American and African communities.

He further disclosed that some of 2023 Awardees to include Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, and an American hip hop iconic/legend, Calvin Cordozar-Broadus Jr, also known as Snoop Dogg.

Also to be honoured are Africa Magic TV Network (Multichoice Nigeria Limited), Chief Diran Alabi
(Agic Energy North America/ TAG The Agic Group Holdings),Ose Oyamendan (Founder/CEO Nollywood in Hollywood) and Innocent Ekakitie (Nigerian/American kid star actor).

Others are Yung Muusik (Recording artiste /Singer/ Song writer /Model/Actor, Danielle Crawley (Casting Director), ISO Kenny (Artiste/ Song writer/ Perfomer), 19 Keys (Community Activist/ Global Though Leader and Tarek Stevenson, Entertainment Executive/ Influencer Oscar Brunch among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Afro Awards 2023 is the 2nd edition with the 1st successfully held last September with Gov Ademola Adeleke, Davido and the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Mrs Fatima Maada among others were awarded.

The event, which will be held at Prestigious Directors Guild of America (DGA), 7920 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046, U. S. will kick-start with a twi-day Pre-event.

While Afro Awards Conference Experience would on Sept. 14, Afro Awards Fashion Show and Gala Night would be on Sept. 15.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

Lagos State Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, has assured the parents and concerned citizens over the case of a 12-year-old boy, Adebola Akin-Bright’s missing intestines at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja.

 

Sanwo-Olu, gave the assurance on Sunday, when he visited the victim with the parents in attendance at LASUTH, Ikeja.

The governor announced that the state government would take over all the expenses for the operation to ensure the boy’s life was saved.

 

Earlier, the management of LASUTH had absolved itself of the allegation that it was culpable in the case of the 12-year-old boy’s missing intestines.

 

Recall that the boy’s mother, Deborah Abiodun, had told journalists that her son’s small intestines were missing.

 

In a message to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, she begged him to, as a matter of urgency, probe the mysterious disappearance of her 12-year-old son, Adebola Akin-Bright’s small intestines, which she claimed occurred while he was receiving treatment at the LASUTH.

 

According to her, she was thrown into confusion when surgeons at LASUTH informed her that her son’s small intestines were missing after a corrective surgery was performed on him on July 14, 2023.

 

She added that her son was referred to LASUTH from a private hospital, Obitoks Medical Centre, located at Ile-epo in the Alimosho local government area of Lagos State on June 17, after complications from surgery to correct intestinal obstruction.

 

But management of LASUTH, subsequently, came out to affirm that they did not wilfully remove any organ or structure from Abiodun’s body while performing the corrective surgery.

The management stressed that the hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, and highly knowledgeable, skilled and professional medical consultants who would never make such medical errors.

The statement reads; “Once again, the hospital management needs to clarify issues on the insinuations being made by a mother in a viral video that the alleged loss of her son’s intestines after surgery is a matter between a private hospital and LASUTH. Our hospital is an excellent tertiary institution with highly knowledgeable and skilled medical consultants.

 

“We are also equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. The patient in question was referred to our hospital after having two surgeries carried out in a private hospital.”

 

The management also noted that besides the surgery being carried out by an experienced paediatric surgeon and supported by her team of professionals, video clips of the surgery were available for further clarification and avoidance of doubts.

 

“He required extensive optimisation in our facility before a corrective surgery could be carried out. At the surgery, which was carried out by an experienced pediatric surgeon and her team certain strange findings were discovered. There is a video clip of these intraoperative findings. The mother was informed about these findings but she appeared to be in denial.

 

The hospital is in possession of a comprehensive report of the findings by a high-powered panel that it quickly set up to look into all ramifications of this case.

 

“Clearly, our hospital carried out a corrective surgery and did not wilfully remove any organ or structure. We empathise with the family of the patient. We believe that financial assistance from any quarters will be in order but we do not think that a blackmail of the state government via social media is the best approach.

 

“The hospital management is cooperating with the state agency which is already investigating this rather unfortunate case

The Rivers State Government has shut down the operations of Africa Independent Television and Raypower FM in Port Harcourt.

 

According to a report on the media organisation’s website, the operations were shut down by telecommunications engineers contracted by the State Government who were accompanied by armed security operatives.

 

PUNCH also observed a live broadcast on the TV channel where the alleged contractors were seen disconnecting the wave guard from the antenna on the mast while riggers were seen dismantling the mast.

 

The statement reads, “Meanwhile, bulldozers were also deployed by the Rivers State Government to demolish the Transmitter Complex at the DAAR Communications PLC Broadcast Centre in Port Harcourt.

Management of the Company has been taken by surprise following the sudden turn of events as efforts were in top gear to resolve issues with the State Government amicably but the no notice incident is a heavy source of concern.

 

“Some officials of the telecommunications contractor told AIT that they were working on a directive from above to start demolition on Sunday despite the heavy rains as against a later date.”

 

PUNCH reported in March that the land on which the AIT/RayPower Radio station built its transmission station has been a subject of dispute between the state government and Daar Communications, Plc.