The immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep pain on the death of his minister of Science and Technology when in government, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. In a condolence message today, April 11 by his spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, the former President described the deceased who died at 72 in an Abuja hospital today as “a notable politician.” He said said that the nation has lost “one of its most outstanding scientific minds and intellectuals. He was an intellectual giant.” Buhari said that late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the first civilian governor of Abia state was an innovative minister under his administration. Late Onu was chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) which once fielded Buhari as a presidential candidate. The former President sent his sympathy to the family of the deceased, the government and people of Abia State and the country at large. “May his soul rest in peace.”
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who resigned from the President Muhammadu Buhari administration as minister of science and technology to contest the presidential primaries in 2022, is dead. His death was announced today, April 11, in BBC Igbo, which said that he died at a hospital in Abuja, aged 72. Ogbonnaya Onu, who was American trained scientist, was a graduate of the University of Lagos with First Class Degree in Chemical Engineering, and obtained Doctor of Philosophy Degree in the same field. He was the first governor of Abia state. He served as a lecturer at University of Port Harcourt where he became a pioneer Head of Department of Chemical Engineering, before he made a foray into National Politics during the scuttled transition to civilian rule of former president Ibrahim Babangida from 1991 to 1993. He was elected governor in 1991 and served till the late Sani Abacha overthrew Ernest Shonekan’s administration in 1994. Onu remained in politics and made a few attempts to run for President, including 1999 when he ran for Presidency on the platform of the All Peoples Party (APP), which was later known as All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
A budding Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, cried himself out to death in a boat mishap in Anam River, Anambra State yesterday, April 10. In a video clip trending on social media, the deceased was seen talking to someone on his mobile as the boat was over speeding on the sea. He was shouting: “I beg ooh, I’m the only son of my mother oh, I have three kids that I’m taking care of ooh, I don’t want to die oh.” Not quite long after, the boat capsized. Here are his exact words in pidgin English: “Abeg No Vex, Na Only Me They Born, O Boy You Dey Run.. I Get Three Children And Na Me Go Raise Them, Oh Jesus…What is This.. O boy Abeg take am easy..!!!” The late actor and three of his colleagues were coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into the deep sea with no lifejackets on them. Formally announcing their death, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, through his instagram page today, April 11, wrote, “It is so so sad that our joy was shortlived. “My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail. “God knows the best. We finally lost him. Mr. Friday’s corpse has been identified but three other corpses are yet to be found..” Junior Pope, in 2006, joined the Nollywood industry and started attending movie auditions and acting as a minor character in movies. He usually played the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant, and servant in movies. In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere. He acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include: “Secret Adventures,” “Mad sex,” “Bitter Generation,” “Vengeance of Bullet,” “The Cat,” “The Generals,” “Wrong Initiation” among others. In 2010, he won the award for Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Entertainment Factory Awards. He was s known for acting criminal, villain, armed robber, militant and hitman roles in movies alongside Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku, Jerry Amilo. Other awards he won include Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Best Actor of the Year at the Africa Movie Academy Awards among others. Meanwhile, the Guild has declared today as “No Shoot Day” for all Nollywood filmmakers, following the death of actor Junior Pope and three other crew members who died in a boat mishap on Anam River in Anambra yesterday. Emeka Rollas, National President of AGN, in a statement, said that this happened on a movie set titled: ‘’The other side of Life,” produced by Adamma Luke. “Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members at waterside of River Niger Cable point Asaba on 10th of April, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding is hereby suspended indefinitely. “No Shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, 11th April 2024 and the film titled “The other side of Life” is suspended indefinitely. “Also, no actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice, while we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons. “May their souls rest in peace,” he said. Source: NAN.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has warned schools, supermarkets, hotels and others against charging for services in the country in dollar or any other foreign currency. The Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in the latest edition of the commission’s monthly e-magazine, released yesterday, April 10, threatened to jail anyone found dollarising the Nigeria’s economy. The EFCC boss said that anyone caught collecting dollar for services or goods would be treated as a criminal in accordance with relevant Nigerian laws. He said that the commission would go after schools, supermarkets, hotels, estate developers and business operators that used the dollar for transaction instead of naira. “We have also started securing convictions. Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area. “Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not, you will get that. “But (you must) document it properly, as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange. It is illegal. “Our law does not allow for that. And we have also effected some arrests.”
President Bola Tinubu has advised Nigerians to continue to hope, without which “there is no life.” Speaking to newsmen shortly after observing two Rakah prayer of Eid in Lagos yesterday, April 10, to mark the end of the 30-day Ramadan Fasting, Tinubu said: “Nigerians should continue to be very hopeful.
“Without hope, there is no salvation. Without hope, there is no development. Without hope, there is no life.” According to the President, the Renewed Hope Agenda of his government is alive, well and fine. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to continue to have faith in his government and remain patriotic citizens. The President explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda is aimed at bringing prosperity to Nigerians even as he encouraged Muslims to extend the values of sacrifice and resilience beyond the fasting period. President Tinubu stressed the need for Nigerians to prioritize the exhibition of love for the country. ”The resilience and sacrifice that we have shown and made during these months should be preserved. Be a kind and cheerful giver. We must love our country more than any other country, because that is the only one we have. ”We must continue to protect the integrity of our government and leadership.” The Eid prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, who called on Nigerians to shun all acts of violence, ensure peaceful co-existence and continue to have faith in the country. He asked those in leadership positions to remain faithful to their oaths of office and work towards alleviating the suffering of the less privileged. ‘‘Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Gaza and other areas of conflict,’’ the Chief Imam said. He offered prayers of God’s guidance, wisdom and protection for President Tinubu and the Lagos State government, as well as for peace and stability in the country.
Immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari has said that long after leaving office, he is enjoying the company of the people in his immediate country home, Daura and Katsina State in general. Buhari, who was roundly welcome by his people during Eid-el-Fitr prayer to mark the end of 30-day Fasting yesterday, April 10, expressed his happiness at being in the midst of his people after he finished his term as President. Garba Shehu, his spokesperson while in office, quoted him as further expressing his appreciation to the people of Daura, his hometown, and Katsina State in general for according him a warm welcome as indicated by the massive crowd at the Eid prayer ground. The former President seized the opportunity of the Sallah celebration to advise Nigerians to continue to support the leaders across board to enable the country navigate “this crucial juncture of our democracy.” Buhari congratulated fellow Muslims on the successful completion of the 30-day Ramadan fasting and the performance of the Eid, even as he emphasized the need for all citizens to support the leaders from the local government level to the highest level “in their efforts to transform the development landscape of the nation. “Support for our leaders is a vote for a better tomorrow. It is imperative that we stand united in safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of our nation.” He called on contestants to political offices in elections “to always ensure a smooth succession from one administration to another without stoking communal tensions and obstructing development, irrespective of political party affiliation.”
The Nigeria’s senior female football sensation, the Super Falcons, have brushed aside, their South African counterpart, the Bayana Bayana, to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Paris, France. The Super Falcons played a draw with the Banyana Banyana in the second leg fixture of the Olympics qualifiers today, April 9, after defeating them with a lone goal in Abuja, Nigeria, last week. The game was played at the Loftus Versfeld stadium, Pretoria in South Africa. The second leg fixture saw both sides attempting very few scoring chances, but it was Nigeria’s defence and goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie who kept the hosts at bay. Efforts by captain Thembi Kgatlana to open scoring for the hosts in the second half proved abortive as Nigeria’s wall stood tall to defend their lead on the day. Super Falcons’ victory opened a new chapter in the continent’s Olympic games after 16 years as onlookers. Meanwhile, Nigeria is in Group C alongside World Cup champions Spain, Japan and Brazil in the Games that is scheduled for July 26 to August 11 in France.
The immediate past governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, along with his wife, son, and five others, will face court charges on April 17.
The charges against them include allegations of bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira.
Following a writ of summon issued by the Kano State High Court, the Ganduje family, along with the other defendants, are set to face eight-count charges related to bribery involving dollars, as well as financial malfeasance during Ganduje’s tenure as governor.
The Kano State government initiated the legal action, presenting a fresh charge against the former governor, his family members, and six others. Among the accusations are the diversion of substantial sums of public funds and involvement in corrupt practices.
With the court date approaching, attention is focused on the legal proceedings, which hold significant implications for the accused and the broader political landscape of Kano State.
As Muslims prepare to observe the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations nationwide, the Department of State Services (DSS) has issued counsel for heightened security consciousness at prayer grounds.
With the Eid prayers scheduled for Wednesday, the secret police urge Muslim faithful to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agents.
In a statement today, April 9, the DSS emphasizes its collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure a peaceful and secure celebration. The agency underscores the importance of celebrating responsibly and fostering peaceful coexistence among all citizens.
Recognizing the core values of the Eid festival, including love, mercy, and compassion, the DSS encourages Nigerians to embody these principles and promote unity and goodwill.
As the nation marks this auspicious occasion, the DSS extends its best wishes for a peaceful and joyous celebration to all.
A Nigerian pastor, Prophet Daniel Akpata has confessed that it is a life of falsehood to cling to one wife. According to him, marrying two wives is a fulfillment of his religious belief, saying that it is biblical. Speaking in an interview with The Punch, Akpata emphasized that living a falsehood is not an option, as he is conscious that one woman would not suffice to satisfy him. During the interview, his wife expressed admiration for their husband’s sincerity towards himself.
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The immediate past governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, along with his wife, son, and five others, will face court charges on April 17.
