Chairman emeritus of DAAR Communication, owner of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower Radio, Chief Raymond Dopkesi has sent season’s greeting cards to President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Dokpesi is currently on bail in the sum of N200 Million, having been charged by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission on a six-count of alleged money laundering.

The giant cards bearing goodwill messages on Eid el Maulud, Christmas and New Year was delivered today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, by a team led by the communication outfit’s Chairman, Mr. Raymond Dokpesi Jnr.

Others on the delegation were the Managing Director, Mr. Tony Akiotu; Managing Director, DAAR News Services, Imoni Amarere; Head, Human Resource, Paulyn Ugbodaga; and Head, Corporate Communications, Kunle Onime.

They were received on behalf of the President by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who was joined by a Director of Information, Mr. Justin Abuah.

The message on the giant card read: “The chairman, Board of Directors, Management and staff of DAAR Communications Plc, proprietors and operators of Raypower FM, Africa Independent Television and Faaji FM, most heartily felicitate with Your Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR and family on the occasions of Eid Maulud, Christmas and New Year 2016.”

The delegation also moved to the Vice President’s office where they were received by his Senior Special Assistant Documentation, Mr. Sesan Adeboyejo.

Adeboyejo received the giant card on behalf of his boss and posed for photographs with members of the delegation. [myad]

A foremost traditional ruler in Nigeria, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has conferred on the Governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, a traditional title of “Omoluabi of Yoruband.”
The Monarch who comferred that title on the governor today at the Government House Osogbo, said that the Osun governor has always been at the forefront of projecting the “Omoluabi ethos” which the yoruba race has been preaching.
He said that he has been monitored the administrative and leadership style of the governor since inception of he came to power and that Ogbeni Aregbesola has shown that he is really “Omoluabi.
“The Yorubas are a tribe that always instill in their children and the youths all the characters of a responsible and well brought up individual, I have studied the leadership style of Aregbesola among all the governors in the country and have discovered that he is the only one who has through his leadership style projected the “Omoluabi ethos” of the Youruba race.
“Aregbesola is a man that breathes responsibility at all times. We have been hearing of an Omoluabi for a long time and am so happy that we now have a Governor who is leading by example.”
The royal father used the opportunity to call on the people of Osun state to support the government of the day by paying their taxes regularly, stressing that taxation is the most efficient and sure way to give the people good government.
Oba Adeyemi who lamented the dwindling nature of the federal allocation, pointed out that the only way out of the economic logjam is for the people to carry out their civic responsibilities as individuals.
He added that if the people support the government of Aregbesola with their taxes, his present administration will find it easier to fulfill its obligations such as prompt payment of salaries and adequate provision of infrastructure, health care facilities and security.
“All over the world, taxation is the way out, for government to be able to conveniently provide for all the amenities and pay salaries conveniently, the people must endeavour to pay their taxes regularly.
“I want to urge the people of Osun to assist the present administration with the payment of their taxes, the present administration has done so much in terms of provision of social amenities such as construction of good roads, provision of affordable health care facilities, assistance for the aged.
“I also know that the Aregbesola administration has been providing free school uniforms as well as feeding the school pupils, something which no government has ever done, not even the federal government.
“If such a government now demands for a tax of just one thousand five hundred naira per individual in a year, I don’t think its too much.
“We need to realise that it has come to a stage where government can no longer do it alone, Osun allocation has dropped drastically and government may not be able to pay salaries and provide other amenities again except we show our support through the regular payment of our taxes.”
Responding, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said that the reign of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has been very peaceful and fruitful, even as he prayed that God should make the royal father’s resign more peaceful and eventful. [myad]

In keeping with his promise to accord priority to the welfare of workers, the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, has promised to pay workers’ January salaries on the 15.
Umahi spoke today in his country home,  Uburu when the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) paid him New Year homage.
The governor said that he had to step down some projects last December to give junior workers 100 percent extra salary and 50 percent to senior workers, adding: “in the next 13 days
workers will receive salary for January.”
He said that the initial misunderstanding he had with the organized labour in the state “was brought by God himself because it made us to be on our toes.”
Umahi attributed the success so far recorded by his administration to God’s instruction, and promised workers of better welfare this New Year.
“There is no how we will implement an N101 billion budget without the lives of workers changing, absolutely, no how.”
The governor said that he is committed to implementing the 2016 budget 100 percent, even as he assured that his fight against corruption in the state would be total.
Governir Umahi told the leadership of the organized labour that after the festive period, “we will try to organize properly and move together as a people.
“I won’t forget your labour of love; I won’t forget your commitment and I won’t forget all the struggles. We do remember.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor, said the delegation identified with the governor in this season of the Yuletide.
“Labour cannot afford to celebrate this Christmas and New Year without coming to identify with this government and to pray that this year will be a better year for the government and workers of Ebonyi State.”
Meanwhile, Umahi has appealed to the people of Ohaozara Local Government Area to unite to attain greater heights this year.
Speaking when the stakeholders of Okposi Okwu and Mgbom Okposi autonomous
communities visited him, the governor regretted that the seed of disunity caused   by some disgruntled politicians had robbed the area of meaningful progress.
Umahi informed the stakeholders that the street light project of the state government would be extended to Okposi while the Okposi-Ugwulangwu- Ukawu road would be constructed.
He stressed the intention of his administration to develop the salt deposits in the area into modern salt factories as soon as the necessary tests were carried out to ascertain their quantity and quality.
The governor also announced that all issues relating to “Ezeship” of Okposi Okwu has been put on hold pending the burial of a former Minister of Education, the late  Dr.Igwe Aja Nwachukwu.
He warned the youth against cultism, stressing that his administration would not fail to prosecute anyone found to be involved in activities that negated the peace of the area. [myad]

President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with the Government and the people of Kogi State over the death of the former Nigerian Permanent Secretary in the Northern Region’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Abdul I. Atta.

In a statement by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said that Dr. Atta will always be remembered as an illustrious civil servant who served his region and country very well with his remarkable medical and administrative skills.

The President recalls that Dr. Atta treated his patients with great care and compassion, and also administered the Ministries of Health in Northern Nigeria and the old North Central State with exemplary efficiency.

President Buhari urges all who mourn the late doctor and administrator to be comforted by the knowledge that he lived a long, worthy and fulfilled life of service to his country.

He prays that God Almighty will receive Dr. Atta’s soul and grant him peaceful rest. [myad]

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has promised to engage no fewer than 3,000 youths at the ongoing project site in Ile-Ife.

In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Moses Olafare, the Ooni said that he has dedicated the new year 2016 to turn around the fortunes of the youth by unfolding a new vista of hope in terms of gainful employment.

The Arole Oodua felicitated with the people of Ile-Ife, Osun state and Nigeria in general for the New Year 2016.

“No fewer than 3,000 youths would be engaged at ongoing project site of Ife Grand Resort, spanning over 1000 hectares of land to provide job opportunities for the people.”

He said that his focus and target are beyond the shores of Ile-Ife as critical arrangements have reached advanced stage to take the unemployed youths off the streets, with a view to check mating the growing crime rate in our society. [myad]