The Government of Israel has said that the runaway leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not in the country.
The Spokesperson of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Emmanuel Nashon, who spoke at an interactive section with some African Journalists in Jerusalem, said that there was no evidence that the leader of IPOB was in the country of recent.
“There are no details about his (Kanu) recent visit to this country yet,” Emmanuel said adding that the pictures and videos which Kanu displayed to show that he is currently in that country could be old ones.
Kanu, last weekend, appeared in a video praying on the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. In the video, which surfaced online, the IPOB leader could be seen donning an Israeli outfit used for prayers while holding a book.
Yesterday, Sunday, Kanu addressed his supporters from his based and declared that there will be no election in South east come 2019.
The Supreme Court on Monday set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, which vacated a stay order made by a Rivers High Court, against the conduct of All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses in the state.
Delivering the ruling on the interlocutory appeal, Justice Centus Nweze, held that the decision of the Court of Appeal was in error.
Nweze said the lower court was compelled to be guided by the judgments of the apex court, adding that the panel had to follow the law before arriving on its decision.
“This court is the highest and final court of decision in Nigeria. All other courts must abide by decisions from here. Failure to do this amounts to gross misconduct by judges.
“I hereby make an order setting aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt which vacated the stay order made by a State High Court in this matter,’’ he said.
The judge held that the respondent (APC) was in contempt when some of its members invaded the court and disrupted the peace of the court during proceedings.
According to him, it is against known procedure of court for such a party to approach an appellate court to be granted any prayers in a matter for which it is in contempt.
“The action and attitudes displayed by members and agents of the respondent are complete affront on the judiciary and would not be condoned,’’ he said.
Ibrahim Umar and 12 other members of the APC had approached the apex court challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.
The appellants had initially instituted a case in the Rivers State High Court challenging their exclusion from the party congresses.
They prayed the court for a stay in the conduct of the congresses pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Aggrieved by the action, a faction of the APC approached the appellate court where the stay order was set aside, thereby giving the party the freeway to conduct the congresses.
Meanwhile, Justice Chinwendu Nworgu, on Oct.11 had delivered judgment on the substantive suit, where the court voided the list of candidates and sacked the state APC executive.
Nwogu said actions taken by the APC during the pendency of the suit had been set aside because they were illegal and unconstitutional.
The judge held that all those who purchased nomination forms for the ward congresses were entitled to contest the ward congresses of May 19, but were unjustly excluded by the party.
Nworgu also set aside all the primaries of the Rivers APC, including the indirect election that produced Mr Tonye Cole, as the governorship candidate.
It would be recalled that the suit allegedly stemmed from crisis between Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation and Senator Magnus Abe, an acclaimed governorship candidate of the party over the leadership of the party.
Whoever is celebrating Obasanjo’s comment on Atiku at their recent meeting in Abeokuta does not understand or have a good knowledge of the old fox. Doing a content and contextual analysis of his speech I find it more indicting of Atiku than exonerating. There is a lot in that speech to use as ammunition against Atiku. Judging by Atiku’s countenance from the photographs that have emerged from the meeting, I could see he was not comfortable with the presentation by his former boss. Perhaps, with the mode of conveyance. Or even with the presence of ’eminent witnesses. How could one easily stomach all that Obasanjo said of a man that proudly aspires to lead Nigeria in the full glare of the world? What kind of ‘endorsement’ was needed? What agenda on the table?
To me, the endorsement Atiku sought was served with a bag-ful of humiliation, seeing that Obasanjo carefully picked his words with telling effect. Let’s examine a few:
1. ” …my former Vice-President has re-discovered … himself
2. … it is not so much what you did against me that was the issue but what you did against the Party, the Government and the country.
3. I took the stand I had taken based on the character and attributes you exhibited in the position you found yourself. I strongly believe that I was right. It was in the overall interest of everyone and everything to take such a position.
4. There are still areas, nationally and internationally, where you have to mend fences and make amends. You will know how to handle what is already out and what may yet be put out by the opposition
5. With Nigerians voting for you, it will mean that you secure their forgiveness and regain their confidence. It will be with the hope or assurance of a Paul on the road to Damascus Conversion. After all, change and conversion are of man. I believe that with a contrite heart, change is possible in everybody’s life and situation.”
Without any doubt, the Old Fox cleverly exonerated himself of any wrong positioning in all he ever said concerning Atiku. He firmly established his case against his former deputy, leaving the latter no room for rebuttal. He pushed Atiku’s case to the court of public opinion and, like Pontius Pilate, washed his hands clean. How peacefully Atiku slept after that visit may never be known, perhaps, until he writes his memoirs. One thing that is sure is that the sequel to Obasanjo’s trilogy – My Watch – will contain juicy details of how he exacted his pound of flesh from the man to whom he was compelled to prostrate to secure a second term in office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What is more, the Sermon on the Presidential Library, Abeokuta has further revealed the quality of trade offs that imperil the soul of our nation.
We must ask questions, for, as Pilate famously asked: ‘ What is the truth?’
So, too, must Nigerians now ask Obasanjo before they decide to cast any vote for Atiku. Let the people ask:
1. What, as Obasanjo proclaimed in his speech, did Atiku do against the country that he has to correct?What should he show contrite for?
2. What are those things he did that were not approved of by the International community, which Obasanjo wants to help him remedy? We shouldn’t accept parables in this case but a full disclosure.
3. We knew the sins of Paul before he got on the road to Damascus. What are the sins of Atiku before he got on the road to Abeokuta?
Obasanjo needs to tell us. He can only forgive Atiku for the sins committed against him and his government, certainly not the ones against the country and against Nigerians. Obasanjo should allow Nigerians to decide that.
4. In his several publications in which he indicted Atiku, Obasanjo has made public those ‘characters and attributes’ his former deputy exhibited. We are not sure a single trip to Damascus, or Abeokuta in this case, by Atiku accompanied by the Jonathan clerics could overnight have changed all that.
By the way Atiku’s ‘trip to Damascus/Abeokuta’ has revealed to us where some ‘revered’ “men of God”belong on the issues confronting our nation – especially in respect of graft.
We also now know that our erstwhile hero and Awo associate, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, was not just a worshipper at Jonathan’s altar but is a full blown PDP apologist. We are watching as the game kicks off.
May Nigeria succeed!
Senator Babafemi Ojudu is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Political Matters.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced that all workers in Nigeria will commence an indefinite nationwide strike, beginning from November 6, following the inability of the Federal Government to give definite answer to the agitation for a new minimum wage,
The position of the NLC, along with the United Labour Congress (ULC), was contained in a statement today, Sunday by President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba.
The statement said that the labour unions are unhappy over government’s claim that no amount was agreed with the labour leaders at a meeting of a tripartite committee as well as the FG’s stance that it could only increase the minimum wage from the current N18,000 to N24,000.
According to the labour unions, N30,000 was agreed during negotiation and any amount below the figure would not be accepted.
The full statement below:
“It has become imperative at this time that Nigerians recall the events that led to the last nation-wide strike which forced the federal government to return to Negotiation table that they had earlier abandoned. Nigerians should not forget the promises made by the same Government while pledging to return to the negotiation table leading to the suspension of the strike action.
“These are also within the context of the difficulties; the tortuous journey that have trailed the renegotiation of a new national minimum wage since the expiration of the last one in 2016; ranging from the refusal of the government to commit to its renegotiation even after the 16-Man technical committee had concluded its work and it became necessary to set up and inaugurate a tripartite committee to commence work on a new one. All the foot-dragging of the federal government to allow the committee to begin its work should also be remembered and the pressures that had to be brought to bear on them to allow the committee commence its work after inauguration. Every step of the way has been one pot hole or the other.
“All these are clearly not pointers to a party whose negotiation motives are in good faith but expressly demonstrate to all Nigerians that this party was unfortunately willing from beginning to play games on a life and death issue like a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
“Thus far, the path to a new national minimum wage has been expectedly littered with betrayal, resistance, half-truths and now almost outright sabotage. That is why it has become urgent that Nigerians are informed of the insistence of the federal government to deliberately create confusion and make the negotiations for a new national minimum wage inconclusive as usual.
“It is not true that we proposed N30,000 as the new national minimum wage. It is also not true that the committee did not agree on a figure during its last sitting. We accepted N30,000 as a compromise to demonstrate the willingness of Nigerian workers to make sacrifices towards nation building.
“Anything to the contrary no matter the quantum and character of the din or how well couched it may appear cannot be true. Resorting to Goebbelsianism at this time of national emergency which requires men and women of integrity is rather unfortunate and cannot suddenly make the brazen falsehoods truths.
“We believe that it has become necessary for the Organised Private Sector (OPS) as represented in the Tripartite Committee to speak up on this matter. Keeping silent in the face of this apparent mischief does our nation no good. It can only help mischief, dishonesty and impunity to grow. At this time the OPS does not have any other choice but to rise to the occasion by telling Nigerians what transpired in the meeting.
“They should tell Nigerians whether: there was a motion that was seconded on a final figure; whether there was a document signaling this agreement that had already been signed by some parties?; whether the N30,000 figure was ours or a compromise figure based on proposed scenarios?
“As far as Nigerian workers are concerned and as represented by us, we shall no longer negotiate on a figure for the new minimum wage having reached an agreement on this during the last sitting of the tripartite committee. We cannot continue discussing a figure that has already been agreed procedurally within the committee.
“What we are waiting for is for the federal Government to immediately set in motion the necessary machinery for turning the agreement into a Bill for onward submission to the NASS where we expect the Presidency to work together with the Legislators to make it a law so that it can be implemented.quickly.
“We are not amused by the feeble and laughable attempt the federal government is making to intimidate and cow the trade union movement and its leadership in the country all in a bid to subjugate the will of Nigerian workers over the national minimum wage.
“The pronouncements of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as it concern trade union operations in the country are very unfortunate. We see it as another step down the road to fascism as this Government continues to demonstrate high-handedness and rabid insensitivity to the plight of the citizens and any other opposing views.
“A nation where governments owe its workforce several months in arrears of unpaid salaries has not sought ways to eliminate it is rather seeking ways to gag same workers from protesting this crime against them and their families. It is akin to ‘’beating a child and denying him the right to cry’’ Has the Government considered ‘’No Pay, No Work’?’ Has it considered criminalizing non-payment of workers; salaries? Has it considered paying arrears of salaries with interests? Of course, it has not! They are only interested in “No Work, No Pay” Seekiing ways to constantly gag and put workers in a strait jacket has always been their pastime.
“The trade union movement in Nigeria is one of the most policed and governed sectors in Nigeria and has sets of laws and conventions that govern its operation. We are sure that the Minister of labour understands this and we are also sure that he understands the implications and wretchedness of those statements in the light of these.
“We have been law abiding and will remain law abiding despite these provocation by the honourable minister of labour. He should remember that we have a very deep history of attempts by past administrations to suppress and castrate the trade union movement but we have remained strong. Just like the others failed, this one will also fail.
“We are worried that instead of the minister of Labour being more concerned with the welfare of Nigerian workers and making enabling laws that would guarantee safety and a dignified workplace, he is focused more on seeking ways of emasculating workers and their organisations. We had thought that the FEC and the ministry of Labour would have been more concerned about the huge Job losses being experienced in the country thus seek ways to create jobs but they are shamelessly seeking ways to impoverish and pauperize the remaining workforce. We had thought that a responsible government would seek to work for the people.
“We had thought that FEC should devote more time to grapple with the wanton poverty that has reduced Nigerians to hunger and suffering in their own nation. We had felt that the FEC should tell us about how to get this nation out of the specter of squalor and granting Nigerians more access to nutrition and public utilities rather they waste public resources in a meeting to make pronouncements directed at shackling the citizens especially Nigerian workers from expressing their democratic and fundamental rights.
“It is indeed a shame that the FEC will seek to muzzle freedom of expression and democratic dissent as a weapon for governance in a democracy. We had expected the Government to have respect and honour for dialogue rather than its continued show of disdain and contempt for civil conversations. Resorting to the use of power as a means of relating with the citizenry has a deep and dangerous portend not just for Industrial relations in Nigeria but for government’s tolerance of opposing views and democratic norms. This leaves us worried about government’s thinking and mindset towards the 2019 general elections.
“Nigerians are no longer surprised why governance in the nation seems to have become a huge joke if this is how they tackle other serious national issues. Imagine Governors forum that has 6 representatives in the tripartite committee jumping in to make excuses after its representatives had made their submissions in the committee! We shall consider any Governor saying that he is unable to pay as unpatriotic and, an enemy of Nigerian workers and masses. We shall vote them out in 2019.
“We the organized labour in Nigeria having not seen any sign that this government is willing to demonstrate honour and integrity in relating with Nigerian workers and masses have resolved to as follows:
“Organise a A day of National Outrage and mourning which will be used to sensitize Nigerians on our plight and on the issues at stake. This shall take place in all states of the federation including Abuja on Tuesday, the 30th day of October, 2018
“A meeting of various organs of the Unions will hold as appropriate
“On Friday, the 2nd day of November, 2018, a Joint Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of all the Labour Centres in Nigeria shall hold to receive reports and make final preparations for our ultimate engagement with the federal government on this matter. This is the first time in the history of this nation in recent times that such meeting will take place and this goes a long way to show the seriousness with which Nigerian workers and its leadership hold this matter
“If nothing is responsibly done by the federal government to meet our demands, on Monday, the 6th day of November, we shall embark on a nation-wide strike to compel this government to show more sensitivity to the plight of Nigerians and the suffering that is decimating our people on daily basis.
“We urge all Nigerians and workers not to be discouraged as it has become obvious that this government does not care neither for the workers nor for the citizenry. It would always prefer the use of force to silence and subdue our cries of anguish rather than show feelings of brotherhood especially when our strength of logic and argument has overwhelmed their feeble attempts and propaganda. Let us today remember those who deny us and let us collectively demonstrate our position at next year’s polls.
“Let us all gird our loins to assist this government correct its ways so that our nation would be more inclusive where majority of the citizenry will find space to freely unleash their creative potentials and reap the reward of their labour because we truly deserve the reward of our labour.” [myad]
Governor Nasiru Ahmed el-Rufai of Kaduna state has imposed a 24 hour curfew on the state following the escalation of communal conflict that has claimed many lives and resulted in the loss of property worth millions of naira.
A tweet from official and verified Twitter Handle of Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Elrufai @govkaduna said: “this is a notice of a 24-hour curfew imposed on Kaduna town and environs, with immediate effect. Residents are advised to comply by this directive.
“The decision has been taken in the best interest of the state.”
This was even as the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has announced the deployment of top police officers to the affected areas even as he said that 22 suspects who were directly involved in the conflict have been arrested and being detained.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, the police force said that the Inspector General has deployed the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 7 Headquarters in charge of Kaduna State, Niger State and the FCT to lead the Police Special Intervention Force, comprising Four Units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) specially trained Anti Riot Policemen, Counter Terrorism Unit, Conventional Policemen, Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), detachment of EOD, Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), and are already on ground at Kasuwar Magani, Kajuru, Kaduna State.
The statement said that the IGP is concerned with the unfortunate attack and killings of Fifty-Five innocent people, mayhem and the resultant disturbance of public peace that occurred in Kasuwar Magani, Kajuru, Kaduna State on the 18th of October, 2018 which also resulted in destruction of property worth Millions of Naira.
It said that operations to put an end to this crisis have been designed to cover the entire Kasuwar Magani and environs, and other flash/trouble spots in Kaduna State.
“The Police Special Intervention Forces will be working in synergy with the Kaduna State Police Command to ensure that total peace and normalcy are restored and sustained in Kasuwar Magani and environs.
“To achieve success in the operations, the Force will be proactive and strict in the enforcement of its mandates, Police standard operations procedures and rules of engagement. The Force will ensure the full enforcement of the curfew imposed on Kasuwar Magani and environs by the Kaduna State Government. The personnel of the Police special Intervention Force will carry out twenty four (24) hours surveillance and patrol, stop and search; continuous raids of identified criminal hideouts and black spots, with a view to arrest promptly trouble makers, their sponsors and nip in the bud any further attempt to cause violence and other criminality in the area. The deployment of the personnel will equally cover communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, Government and private infrastructures and facilities in Kasuwar Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area and environs.
“Traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, parents and guardians are hereby called upon to prevail on their subjects, supporters, children and wards to support the personnel of the Police Special Intervention Force in the discharge of their responsibilities, and propagate peace, demonstrate love, and tolerance to promote harmonious coexistence with their fellow citizens, irrespective of religious, ethnic inclinations and differences.”
Veteran actors, Richard Mofe-Damijo, has emerged the overall best actor of the year, going home with the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Kigali, Rwanda.
Mofe-Damijo, popularly called RMD, won the award in his Leading Role, for his role in Cross Roads.
Africa Movie Academy Awards was established in 2005 and is aimed at facilitating the development and relevance of African film and cinema by providing a reward and recognition platform for film makers on the continent.
Another Nigerian that won an award for the role she played in home movie is Joke Silva who emerged as the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award for her character in Potato Potahto.
Dakore Egbuson and others were similarly awarded. They are
Gideon Okeke- Cross Roads (Nigeria): Best actor in Supporting Role
Michael Mathew- Five Fingers of Marseille: Best 1st Feature film by a Director
Frank Rajah Arase- In my country (Nigeria): Best director..
President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians to work hard for a just society the same way Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi and Hamma Tukru did before they died during the weekend.
Hamma Tukur, who was the former the Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), died yesterday, Saturday, Idris Kutigi, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), died today, Sunday.
President Buhari, who sympathized with members of the judiciary and legal profession, the government and people of Niger State on the death of Kutigi who he described as eminent jurist that was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1992 and named as Chief Justice in 2007, said that he would be long remembered and honoured for his visionary roles and contributions in the advances Nigeria has made towards building a strong, independent and impartial judiciary, which is sine qua non for democracy to thrive.
“Throughout his career in the apex court, the former CJN’s bold and articulate judicial decisions, advocacies on access to justice for all and protection of judicial independence are extant signposts for the advancement of the noble profession in the country and beyond.”
The President advised those who mourn the late jurist to honour his memory by working for a better and just society, in addition to upholding the virtues associated with him during his lifetime of long and dedicated service to the nation.
President Buhari also expressed “profound sadness’’ over the death of Engineer Hamman Tukur, who he said, was credited with the introduction of monetization policy in government, a scheme that substantially streamlined and brought down the cost of governance in Nigeria.
He described Tukur as a dedicated, disciplined, decent and credible public servant who served Nigeria with an untainted record.
“Tukur’s passion for service should remind us that a good name is by far more important than illegal accumulation of wealth,’’ President Buhari said, adding that “History and posterity will judge everyone based on their character.”
Buhari said that the former Chairman of RMAFC was focused and courageous in all his national assignments, which includes working with the Ministry of Mines, Power and Steel and the Ministry of Petroleum before chairing the RMAFC.
He advised Nigerians to emulate late Tukur’s enviable good record of serving the country without blemish and living a life of sacrifice.
A Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the background of the recently condcuted governorship primary of the party in the State.
The group appealed to the President to call the Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to order by refraining from meddling in the election of candidates in Zamfara State and allow the state APC conduct its own affairs.
In a statement today, Sunday, the CLO also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to disenfranchise eligible voters in Zamfara state for no fault of theirs in the 2019 general elections.
According to the CLO, “Political leaders in the APC, especially President Buhari must step forward and call erring officials in his party to order irrespective of their positions. If this is not done, it would be a great injustice to the APC supporters in Zamfara state who are now grappling with the threat of being excluded from participating in the 2019 election because some people have vested interests. If the threat by INEC is allowed to stand, the CLO believes this will be a huge setback for many Nigerians who are fighting hard to entrench a virile and robust democratic culture in the country.
“As a Civil Society Organisation, we do not wish to take side by commending or condemning any party in the lingering dispute over what happened but we are greatly concerned about the decision to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of eligible voters in Zamfara state in 2019 over no fault of theirs.”
In a statement signed by the president of the CLO, Igho Akeregha, the organization maintained that participation in an election is a constitutional responsibility of every eligible citizen, including the people of Zamfara state noting that “It is their right to vote and be voted for in any election and it would amount to great injustice and infringement on their constitutional rights if they are deprived of voting in 2019 because of the greed and interference by some individuals in and outside the state.
The foremost human rights group cautioned Oshiomhole and the NWC and other vested external interests to steer clear of the internal politics of Zamfara State and allow only the political decisions and choices of the people in the state to count. The CLO noted that the business of which candidate gets what in the lists that would be used for the 2019 general elections in the state is a matter to be decided by only Zamfarans.
“We are appealing to INEC, the National headquarters of the APC and the Judiciary to do the needful by resolving this crisis in the interest of the people of Zamfara state. APC Zamfara state should be allowed to conduct its own business of deciding who vote and is voted for since it is their business to do so. We frown at a situation where those who are outside the state are fuelling disaffection by imposing candidates on the majority of the people. This is not what is contemplated in a modern democratic culture.”
CLO attributed the origin of the crisis to the unguarded statement and militancy in the leadership style of the party chairman, Comrade Oshiomhole which we believe is capable of reversing the gains and dividends of democracy that has been painstakingly built in over two decades.
The CLO said that the statement from the Commission has led to unnecessary verbal contest by both the ruling APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which at this time in the run up to the 2019 election has the possibility of further heating up the polity. CLO is therefore calling on both parties to refrain from utterances that are inflammatory and are likely to pitch supporters of both parties against one another.
The CLO called on all those that are affected by the Commission’s position to duly reflect on what transpired and let there be genuine attempt at resolving it in a way that will strengthen our democratic process and uphold the rule of law which is a prerequisite for the success of any democratic rule.
“Rather than take the law into their hands, the CLO commended politicians in the state and Zamfara APC for resorting to the court to get justice, saying, “posterity would not forgive those who ordinarily should speak up for the gross injustice being done to the people of Zamfara but have deliberately elected to keep mute because of personal interests or inducements.”
The CLO contends that simply because the outcome of the primary that produced one Mukhtar Idris and others against the preferred candidates of some powerful individuals did not favour them, the APC is claiming to have annulled the primaries. The group expressed worry that this undemocratic behaviour is capable of causing disaffection warning the ruling party to respect the political leaders chosen by Zamfara people and allow their wish to prevail.
The Organization condemned the spoiler attitude of some politicians in the state whose filthy political philosophy is, “if I don’t get it nobody else gets it’ attitude and enjoined all political actors in the state to work together to promote peace and harmony among the people.
The group counseled: “whatever arrangements that are being made to resolve the crisis should be done quickly and in the interests of the people of Zamfara State. The intervention should be sincere and not that which promotes individualism or the interests of a group purely for selfish purposes.
“As we call on both parties to eschew bitterness in the search for solutions to this new trend in our democratic experience, we also call on the Federal government to look at the issue with amindset that this is a litmus test of our democracy that should be dealt with impartially for the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
The CLO called on all stakeholders including men and women of goodwill to join hands in providing fruitful solutions for the issue in Zamfara. We are aware that it is happening in Zamfara state, but the echoes will ring across Nigeria when the dust of the crisis would settle at the end of the day. No efforts will be too much to invest in keeping democracy well and alive in Nigeria, as no efforts will be too much to invest in keeping democracy well and alive in Nigeria.
Presidential Candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has described the Minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed as chief apostle of fake news.
Reacting to what he called a sponsored news story on Vanguardnewspapers of Saturday October 20, 2018, with the headline ‘2019: International media query emergence of Atiku over suspicious source of wealth,’ Atiku said that If Lai Mohammed can lie openly at Chatham House in front of the international press and diplomatic corps, “is it a big thing for him to lie about his accounts with the international media?”
Atiku’s reaction, which is contained in a statement by his Presidential Campaign Organization, noted that in the report, not one international media was quoted.
“Rather, it was the notoriously dishonest All Progressives Congress minister of information, Lai Mohammed, who was quoted alleging that that was what the international media told him.
“The minister said: “One curious issue that kept occurring was that anytime I spoke about how we have waged war against corruption, the journalists kept asking me a question. “They asked me: How can you claim to have succeeded in waging war against corruption, when one of the major contestants in the 2019 general elections is actually a man with stupendous wealth but cannot explain the source of his wealth?
How anyone would take the word of a confirmed liar, as Lai Mohammed, for the Gospel truth is beyond us.
“To show you how unreliable Lai Mohammed is, at the lecture in the Royal Institute for International Affairs (Chatham House) with the topic, “Nigeria’s National Unity: Towards Participation and Shared Values”, which was his main reason for going to London, Lai Mohammed said: “we do not need to do anything extra because we have delivered on all our promises and Nigerians are quite happy and satisfied with the government”.
“How the minister of information of a government that has turned Nigeria into the world headquarters for extreme poverty can say that is beyond imagination. Is Mr. Mohammed claiming that his party promised and delivered poverty and Nigerians are satisfied with this world record poverty?”
Atiku said that the true position of things is that ever since his emergence as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party after the elective congress of the party on October 6-7, the international media has been agog with praise him and hope for a new dawn in Nigeria.
“Reuters praised Atiku as having “long enjoyed support from the business elite in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos for his conservative-capitalist ideals”. They went on to further give him kudos for his record in office by saying “as vice president in a PDP administration from 1999-2007, (he) implemented a programme of liberalisation in areas including the telecoms sector.”
“The number one policy magazine in the world, The Economist, described His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, “as a business-friendly candidate who will get Nigeria’s economy going.”
“Not one single international paper, magazine, TV station or website has had anything negative to say about the Waziri Adamawa’s emergence. That lie only exists in the fallacious imagination of Lai Mohammed.
“On the contrary, international media and even reputable global financial institutions have predicted doom for Nigeria should Muhammadu Buhari be re-elected.
“According to one of the world’s largest banks, HSBC, “a second term for Mr Buhari however raises the risk of limited economic progress and further fiscal deterioration, prolonging the stagnation of his first term, particularly if there is no move towards completing reform of the exchange rate system or fiscal adjustments that diversify government revenues away from oil.”
“On its own part, The Economist wrote off the Buhari administration as a failure, saying “The 2019 elections will be a close contest between the ruling APC and the PDP. We expect the PDP presidential candidate to win.”
“Nigerians can no longer be hoodwinked by the Orwellian propaganda that is the signature of this administration.
“The 2019 presidential election will be determined by Nigerian voters and not by political soothsayers. Nigerians will make a determination whether to settle for incompetence versus competence; cluelessness versus knowhow; joblessness versus employment; restiveness versus engagement; divisiveness versus unity; nepotism versus merit and bigotry versus inclusiveness.”
The International Public Relations Association (IPRA) has conferred 2018 Golden World Awards (GWA) on Nigeria’s public Relations expert and founder of PRNigeria media platform, Yushau A. Shuaib as well as the President of Barcelona, known as Barça Football Club, Josep Maria Bartomeu.
The occasion was held on Friday at in Barcelona, Spain. The Barca President received IPRA’s President Award for outstanding contribution of Barcelona Foundation to better world understanding through sports.
He was honoured for leading the club to put into practice values of teamwork, empathy, and respect while providing places for reflection and peaceful coexistence. The IPRA also recognized the foundation for its humanitarian assistance to refugees all over the world.
The Founder of PRNigeria, Yushau A. Shuaib received the Global PR Award for his book: “Boko Haram Media War: An Encounter with the Spymaster.”
The book provides crisis communication strategies for counter-terrorism campaigns and highlights the accomplishments of the Nigeria military in tackling the menace.
He also received another award on Crisis Management for a campaign on Prison decongestion executed for the Nigerian Prison Service.
The PR Campaigns for two awards received by Nigeria at the event were executed by a leading PR firm in West Africa, Image Merchants Promotion Limited which was managed by Shuaib. The campaigns were executed during the sudden five-year retirement of Shuaib from the public service before his recent reinstatement by a court.
Since 2016, Image Merchants Promotion Limited has consistently won the IPRA awards, especially in Crisis Management Category. It was the only African PR agency to receive two awards at the 2018 International PR event in Barcelona.
Yushau Shuaib has led the PR firm in winning several regional and global awards since 2013 including African PR Excellence Awards in South-Africa, SABRE PR Awards by African Public Relations Association (APRA) in Morocco and Botswana and Golden World Awards in Qatar and Bulgaria among others.
Other top winners at 2018 PR Awards included in-house and PR Agencies from 30 countries across the continents, including Russia, Japan, Turkey, United States of America, United Kingdom, Spain, South Africa, The Netherland, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Indonesia, Republic of Germany, China, Argentina and Philippines.
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The Government of Israel has said that the runaway leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not in the country.
The Supreme Court on Monday set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, which vacated a stay order made by a Rivers High Court, against the conduct of All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses in the state.
Governor Nasiru Ahmed el-Rufai of Kaduna state has imposed a 24 hour curfew on the state following the escalation of communal conflict that has claimed many lives and resulted in the loss of property worth millions of naira.
Veteran actors, Richard Mofe-Damijo, has emerged the overall best actor of the year, going home with the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Kigali, Rwanda.
President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians to work hard for a just society the same way Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi and Hamma Tukru did before they died during the weekend.
The International Public Relations Association (IPRA) has conferred 2018 Golden World Awards (GWA) on Nigeria’s public Relations expert and founder of PRNigeria media platform, Yushau A. Shuaib as well as the President of Barcelona, known as Barça Football Club, Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Atiku’s Road To Abeokuta And The Pranks of The Old Fox, By Babafemi Ojudu
Whoever is celebrating Obasanjo’s comment on Atiku at their recent meeting in Abeokuta does not understand or have a good knowledge of the old fox. Doing a content and contextual analysis of his speech I find it more indicting of Atiku than exonerating. There is a lot in that speech to use as ammunition against Atiku. Judging by Atiku’s countenance from the photographs that have emerged from the meeting, I could see he was not comfortable with the presentation by his former boss. Perhaps, with the mode of conveyance. Or even with the presence of ’eminent witnesses. How could one easily stomach all that Obasanjo said of a man that proudly aspires to lead Nigeria in the full glare of the world? What kind of ‘endorsement’ was needed? What agenda on the table?