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2023: PDP, SDP presidential candidates met with S’West stakeholders in Ibadan

By
Ola Akinola
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Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Prince Adebowale Adebayo, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), were in Ibadan on Thursday for the South West Development Stakeholders Presidential Parley.

The South West Development Stakeholders Forum was in charge of planning the event.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Atiku’s running mate, Iyorchia Ayu, Governor Emmanuel Udom, the chairman of the campaign council, Aminu Tambuwal, the director general of his campaign, as well as current and former governors and members of the National Assembly, were all in attendance.

Prince Adewole Adebayo pledged 30 million young people in his speech for Nigerian youth.

He said, “I have travelled to other region and I have confirmed that they are not afraid of a Yoruba man to lead this country, they see us as people of integrity and they want someone with that can lead right, if I’m elected, I will address poverty.”

“I will also address the issue of insecurity, infrastructure, and effective and equal justice. I want to implore us that we should vote into power people of integrity that will not embezzle our collective efforts, let us vote into power people that have the love of the masses at heart.”

“I will fully support state police, government should be accountable for the masses, an accountable government will use the resources at his disposal to create wealth and job opportunities for his people.” Adebayo said.

In his own contributions, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar promised to restructure the country if elected into power.

He said, “I’m well and strong to lead Nigerian, I don’t mind giving a private company a tax waver to construct a rail transport system from here in Ibadan to Ogbomoso to ease the ways of doing business
and this will not only boost our economy at the local and state level but also at the national level.”

“If restructuring is your priority, I will implement it, I’m far ahead of any other candidates in terms of restructuring and devolution of power.”

“I’m a private sector believer as far as our economy is concern, it is only the private sector that can bring prosperity and create jobs for our teeming youths, when I was in office as the vice president of this country, we had a successful government because it was private sector driven, so today, you have a private sector believer before you.”

“The APC government has succeeded in dividing us, they’ve divided us so much between the North and the south, they have divided us between Muslim and christians, I stand before you today and I’m promising to unite this country through balanced federal government appointment.”

“Insecurity is part of our restructuring issues, in other words, the issue of if we will have a state police or not will depend on our legislature, in united state, we have state police, local police, even regional police, and so on, I will surely propose the state police to our national assembly if elected but it depends on the national and state assemblies, that is why I’m urging you all to vite into power people that will give you good representation.” Atiku said.

Oyo Rally Confirms PDP’s Unity, Resounding Victory In Elections In February And March — Atiku

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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According to the Atiku/Okowa campaign organization, the presence of Nigerians at the PDP’s presidential rally in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday in support of Atiku Abubakar, the party’s nominee for president, confirmed reconciliations and unity within the party in preparation for a resounding victory in Oyo, the South West, and across the other five geopolitical zones of the country.

In their joint effort to ensure the party’s victory at all levels of the upcoming general elections in February and March 2023, the Atiku/Okowa campaign noted, appreciated, and commended the unity, oneness of purpose, and consensus among the ranks of leaders, important stakeholders, and teeming party members with Governor Seyi Makinde.

The campaign, in a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan said, “the unity and single-mindedness witnessed at the Oyo Rally, just like in other states of the federation, further confirms that the PDP remains one big, indissoluble and indivisible family driven by the patriotic mission to rescue and rebuild our nation with Atiku Abubakar on the saddle as President.

“The people of Oyo State, and, of course the South West, are independent-minded, insightful, egalitarian and politically astute with unparalleled nationalistic outlook that cannot be swayed by parochial and narrow-minded sentiments.

“The action of solidarity by our teeming members and supporters in Oyo State, like in other States, have sent very strong signal to the weak and scavenging political parties that the PDP remains firmly united in the South West and other parts of the country.”

The campaign once again, commended the people of Oyo State; professional groups, community leaders, faith-based groups, traditional institutions, youths and women groups, student bodies, transporters, artisans, traders and all other very important segments of the State for their unwavering support and resolve to vote Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria.

“Our Campaign urges the people of Oyo State and Nigerians across board to remain united and resolute as they come out enmasse to vote and take a firm stand, within the ambit of the law and democracy, by protecting their votes to the very end and elect Atiku Abubakar in the overall interest of our nation,” the campaign said.

IGP Gives Over $13 Billion To Families Of Deceased , Disabled Officers

By
Saladin Babagana
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Usman Alkali Baba, the IGP of the police, started handing out checks on Thursday to cover insurance benefits for officers who died while performing their duties as well as those who sustained various types of life-threatening injuries while performing their duties.

Approximately 7000 families of deceased officers and those who were hurt or rendered incapacitated in the line of duty between 2012 and 2020 received checks from the IGP totaling more than 13 billion naira during an event held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

These backlog payments were made possible through the IGP’s passionate drive to ensure that Police Officers are adequately catered for in the event of injury or permanent disability due to the risks associated with policing, and that families of deceased police officers are adequately catered for in the absence of their breadwinners.

The IGP while reiterating the value of human life and wholeness, emphasized that prompt payment of insurance and other benefits due to officers who have met with some misfortunes due to the risky nature of policing in our contemporary environment and unforeseen hazards of policing, would greatly boost their morale and ensure they put in their best in service to the nation.

According to him, “On my assumption in office in April 2021, my attention was drawn to this development. Consequently, an urgent representation was made to Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari requesting for the release of funds to enable us pay all outstanding claims to the families of deceased Police Officers.

“It was with great relief that Mr. President appreciated my representation and graciously approved the release of the sum of 13,628,535,580.00k to pay the backlog of a total of 6,184 personnel that had previously fallen under the uninsured and uncovered periods of Group Life Assurance and Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, covering from Year 2012 – 2020.

“While sympathizing with the families of the deceased Officers, knowing that nothing will bring back their loved ones, I urge you all to judiciously utilize this funds in training your children and be rest assured that the Force under my leadership will continue to do more in advancing you welfare interests and that of serving personnel,” he said.

The IGP further promised better welfare packages for members of the police family either serving, retired, or slain in the line of duty, so as to cement the already existing esprit de corps amongst the components of the police family.

Suspected explosion rocks APC campaign rally in Rivers, causing panic.

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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A suspected dynamite explosion shook the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign event in Port Harcourt on Thursday, sending members of the Rivers State chapter into a state of panic.

The explosion at the well-known Igboukwu field, also known as Ojukwu Playground, the location of the APC gathering in Port Harcourt, injured some party members who were present to varying degrees.

Women were observed escorting the injured victims away from the scene of the violent incident.

Although the cause of the explosion and potential perpetrators were unknown as of press time, it was learned that there had been a fight between young people from the Rumuji village and APC, who control the Igboukwu field.

The youths  were said to have prevented the party from holding the rally at the field located at the popular Mile one area of densely populated Diobu in Port Harcourt.

The youths, it was learnt had  barricaded and shut the entrance gate of the field thereby denying the party access to the field.

A resident of the area who pleaded anoymity said, “there was an explosion suspected to be dynamite. The explosion came with a loud bang and some persons were injured. The party officials had altercation with the youths of the community over access to the venue of the rally before the explosion occured,” the source said.

Rivers State Publicity Secretary of APC , Darlington Nwauju, could not pick his several calls. But Barr Sogboye Eli, spokesman of the APC campaign council confirmed the incident, adding that “the party will issue an official statement after preliminary investigation”.

Rivers State Police Command Public Relation Officer, SP Grace Iringe Koko did not also pick her calls.

NCC extends MoU with Lottery Commission

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, (NLRC) on Wednesday in Abuja, signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding with provisions to prevent unauthorized lottery and gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing.

Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the NCC, noted that the MoU, which will have an impact on the gaming industry, is in line with the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) and is intended to promote ethical business practices for the protection of telecommunications consumers in relation to lottery and gaming activities.

According to him, the cooperation complies with the Commission’s SVP, 2021–2025, which calls for facilitating strategic partnerships and working with other organizations to improve service delivery.

He explained, “The initial MoU expired in 2022, amendments and modifications have been made since no MoU is cast in stone, especially given the industry’s dynamic nature.”

The Director General of NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila expressed confidence that the MoU will yield favourable outcomes in curbing illegal online gambling as he shared his hope that NCC and NLRC will achieve their intentions in the interest of gaming stakeholders.

He noted how unapproved lottery and gaming activities and practices undermine the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders in addition to undermining consumer confidence in these markets, hence the collaboration with the Commission to arrest such tendencies.

Earlier , the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management), Barr. Adeleke Adewolu disclosed that the MoU was designed to address recent technology information-sharing capabilities, and consumer satisfaction and to enhance areas of co-regulation in line with the Federal Government’s digital economy mandate.

The new MoU replaces one that was first signed by both organizations, which expired in 2022. It provides complementary approaches to deter unapproved lottery/gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing in recognition of how unapproved lottery and gaming activities and practices undermine the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders in addition to undermining consumer confidence in these markets.

Under the agreement, following requests from NLRC, NCC shall endeavour to block or disable illegal lottery gaming operators on the telecommunications service providers’ platform in Nigeria and NLRC

The document was developed by a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) comprising representatives of NCC and NLRC to implement the MoU and other matters that promote collaboration between both organizations in their regulatory functions.

CBN Asserts Enough New Naira Notes In Circulation.

By
Grace Itodu
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*** Claims We’ve Been pleading with Banks To Pick Up New Naira Notes

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said that they have been pleading with commercial banks to accept the new Naira notes.

The previous N200, N500, and N1000 notes will no longer be considered legal tender after January 31 according to the apex bank.

With fewer than two weeks to the deadline, there have been worries about this, though.

The CBN used several measures, such as prohibiting over-the-counter payment using the new notes, to control the scarcity.

The issue remained despite the top bank’s instructions to commercial banks to stock their ATMs with the new currency.

At a sensitization programme in Lagos, Kofo Salam-Alada, Head of legal department of the apex bank, said the CBN will go tough on banks that continue to fill their ATM machines with old naira notes as the deadline to phase out the notes nears.

He said, “I can tell you today that the CBN on a daily basis issues new notes. As we speak, banks are with the CBN taking money. We are actually begging banks to come and take money from the Central Bank. We have these new naira notes in our vaults and we are begging banks to come and take it.

“We found out that a lot of things are happening that we need to checkmate, so we stopped withdrawal of new notes over the counter to ensure that everyone can have access to it and not one chief who is known to the manager, walks in, and carts away all the new notes in a particular branch. That is why we said it should be in the ATMs which cannot distinguish people.

“We also have monitors going around banks now. I have been to some ATMs this morning and I have done the reports. We are not mobilising the masses against the banks because the banks are there to serve you, but be rest assured that they will serve you now that they know that the CBN is on them to serve you with the new naira notes.”

I’ll Take Your Restructuring Calls, Atiku Makes S/West State Promises

By
Ola Akinola
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Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, said that if he were to become the nation’s next leader, he would undertake the extensive restructuring that the people of the country’s south-west geopolitical zone have been calling for.

Atiku made the statement on Thursday while speaking to a crowd of thousands of Oyo state residents and party leaders who had gathered in front of Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the state’s capital, for his presidential campaign rally.

While lamenting the neglect of the south west, which has long called for restructuring, the former vice president promised that the country would undergo the restructuring that the people have been calling for would be implemented when he gets to power in May this year.

Atiku alleged that the current government at the federal level has failed to restructure the country, despite the fact that the people of the region have been clamouring for it over the years.

While pledging the people that his administration would implement what the current government has failed to do, Atiku noted that his administration will give more powers to states and local government areas.

He added that restructuring of the country will be one of the cardinal points of his administration.

According to him, “I will restructure Nigeria. Restructuring of the country will be achieved during my time. By restructuring, we mean giving more powers and autonomy to the states and local government areas.

“It will be one of the pillars of my government. They have failed to implement it. Vote them out. Vote them out completely.

“From top to bottom, vote for PDP, from bottom to top, vote for PDP. We thank you very much. Vote for PDP so that together, we can match to progress”.

Some of the chieftains of the party who were at the PDP campaign in the state included the Vice Presidential candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, PDP National Chairman, Iyorcha Ayu, his predecessor, Prince Uche Secondus, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state and his counterpart from Balyesa, Douye Diri, former governor of Kogi and Osun states; Idris Wada and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola respectively and Mrs. Titi Abubakar Atiku.

Others are Senator Dino Melaye, former Vice President, Architect Nnamadi Sambo, former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, Hon. Indidi Elumelu, Abdul Ningi, former governor of Adamawa state, Bonie Haruna, former governor of Cross River, Lyel Imoke, former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Senator Philip Aduda, Chief Wole Oyelese, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Hazeem Gbolarumi, Prof Abiodun Raufu and others.

Lagos Will Control Actions Major, Independent Petroleum Marketers.

By
Roland Edet
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The State Government of Lagos has started to take action to regulate the activities of major and Independent Petroleum Marketers operating along major roads and traffic-prone areas within the State in light of the persistent fuel shortage that has persisted throughout the Country and has continued to affect the free flow of traffic in Lagos.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Transportation, the action is necessary to curb the indiscriminate actions of drivers waiting in lines to buy gasoline who frequently park irresponsibly on roads and bridges, obstructing the free flow of traffic.

The announcement also revealed that big and Independent Petroleum Marketers, whose filling stations are located on important highways and locations vulnerable to traffic, will henceforth be allowed to operate only between the hours of 9am to 4pm daily, pending when the fuel shortage crisis subsides.

It added that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Transport Operations Compliance Unit (TOCU) and other Law Enforcement Agencies have been charged to ensure seamless flow of traffic across the State, while admonishing all major and Independent Petroleum Marketers to comply with this directive or be sanctioned.

Lagos 2023: Akindele Campaigns In Major Markets In Obalende, Ajah

By
Roland Edet
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Funke Akindele, the Lagos State Peoples Party (PDP) Deputy Governorship Candidate, visited significant marketplaces in Lagos Island and asked vendors to cast their ballots for the main opposition party in the general elections of 2023.

The PDP candidate for governor in the upcoming general elections, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran, also known as Jandor, and Nollywood star Akindele gave the traders the assurance that only the PDP will end their suffering in the markets and the state.

The traders flocked and thronged about the actress in awe as she toured Mami Market, Obada Obalende, Obalende Ijeh Market, Ajah Market, and other significant markets in the region.

In each of the markets visited, Akindele assured the traders that the PDP government would alleviate their plights, provide enabling environment, social amenities and soft loans for them to run their businesses.

According to her:” The PDP government would not let them down but would empower them and ensure free and compulsory education for their children with free school uniforms and at least a meal per day.

“The sufferings and hardship in Lagos state is too much. It is time for a real change in our condition and the change  is in your hands. 

“It is your right to have better Lagos where you have enabling environment for you businesses. Your fate is in your hands, the power is in your hand to rescue the state using your PVCs. 

She added, “When we say fight for Lagos, we are not saying you should bring out cutlasses and knives but to bring out your PVCs and use it to install a better governance for yourself and your children.

“I bring a good news to you women that Jandor (Adediran) has made provision for women, children and people living with disabilities,” she said.

Akindele said that the next government would be for women, men, children, old, young and special children.

She urged the traders to go and pick up their Permabent Boters Cards (PVCs) and vote for PDP candidates in all the elections to bring relief to their hardship in the state

Akindele said that: “I will never represent bad deal and that is why I am standing with Jandor (Adediran). We want to take over Lagos state so that we can give you a better Lagos.

“Go and collect your PVCs if you have yours already, please on election day, come out and vote PDP. 

“We need a change. The one APC did is enough, we must do another party. Vote all PDP candidates, I beg.”

Akindele, who urged marketers to troop out en mass to vote PDP, assuring them that she would not let the people of the state down.

“I will not disappoint you, we shall protect you and your children as well as the physically challenged people. Let us try PDP and bring in fresh air. We won’t let you down. 

“The time has come for a turnaround in the state.  We will not renege on promises. We shall reform and turnaround Lagos with the huge wealth in the state. 

“We shall build modern markers, provide soft loans, fire service and mobile health care close to markets. Lagos has money to do these.

‘”We will make sure we protect our youths, we will empower them. We will make a change,” she assured.

In an interactive session with Market leaders at Ajah Market, Akindele said that with PDP at the helms of affairs in Lagos State, many of the tears of the traders would be wiped away.

Won’t Go Low, Join Fights With Enemies With Character Flaws – Atiku

By
Ola Akinola
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0

I

Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, has stated that he will not descend to the low level of personal attacks and lies being spread by his opponents, nor will he join arguments with those who, in an effort to hide their character flaws, use mudslinging and foul language to disparage their fellow candidates.

Atiku stated that he would rather take the high road of decency and statesmanship to continue advancing his manifesto, adding that he is absolutely committed to his contract with Nigeria.

Atiku, in a statement said: “I have since resolved not to descend to the low level of personal attacks and lies being peddled by my opponents. Nor will I join issues with those who, in an attempt to cover their character deficiencies, resort to mudslinging and gutter language, in a desperate attempt to disparage their fellow contestants.

“I’d rather take the high road of dignity and statesmanship to continue to advance our manifesto, as we continue to inform the Nigerian people of how the Atiku-Okowa government intends to stop the slip into the abyss by a country that is so blessed with human and natural resources.

“I will remind them about our past success when I served Nigeria meritoriously as the Vice President in the government that has been adjudged as the best so far since our return to democracy in 1999.

“I want to share our dreams and achievable development plans for our today and our future.”

He promised what he will do when elected as the President, adding, “we shall assemble a team of some of the brightest and best Nigerians that abound within the country and in the Diaspora to assist in rebuilding our country. This is my commitment and my contract with the Nigerian people.

“To this end, my priorities shall include but not limited to unifying the nation to give every citizen that is a Nigerian, every state and every gender, religion and ethnicity a sense of justice, inclusion, equity and trust.”

Atiku further explained that he will ensure that the nation is safe and secure in the country, adding that he government will be preoccupied with resetting the nation’s battered economy.

He said: “We shall not only ensure that all Nigerians are treated equally, but that they feel safe and secure as opposed to the regime of pervasive insecurity that has gripped the entire country for too long.

“We shall also be preoccupied with resetting Nigeria’s battered economy, especially finding sustainable solutions to the recurring issues of debt management, deficits, subsidies and the flagging value of the Naira.

“The boosting of crude oil production, stoppage of oil theft and ramping up of non-oil exports to improve earnings are also top on my priorities.

“The reset of our education, to drive our development agenda, and the restructuring of our socio-economic and political structures will be defining efforts of my administration.

“In addition, Diaspora remittances will be given serious attention, particularly now that it has exceeded Nigeria’s earnings from crude oil to shore up our much-needed foreign exchange needs.”

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