Kogi Gov, Ohinoyi Of Ebira Land Reconcile At Funeral Of Dr. Umar Farouk

February 3, 2023

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Dr. Ado Ibrahim have settled the rift between them.
The rift began on December 29, 2022 when President Muhammadu Buhari paid an official visit to, among others, Okene to commission some landmark projects executed by the Governor. The absence of the Ohinoyi for the reception of the President and the circumstances surrounding it led to misunderstanding between the state government and the palace.
The two combatants, who exchanged letters of query and response to the query and more query, embraced peace yesterday, February 2 at the funeral of Dr. Umar Farouk Abdulazeez, a medical doctor, big time politician, philanthropist who died yesterday at age, 85.
After speaking glowingly about the deceased, the Ohinoyi, who sat next to the Governor, preached the word of forgiveness between the two of them.
“I have just had a private talks with my son seated by my side (Governor Yahaya Bello) and I let him know that as mortals, the two of us must have made mistakes in our interactions. I sought for forgiveness between us.”
The Governor, agreed before hundreds of sympathizers who turned up for the prayers for Dr. Umar Farouk that the rift between him and his father (the Ohinoyi) was over.
“It’s God who brought me out of Ebira and made me Governor, and I would not be the instrument for the destruction of Ebira land.

“I will continue to search for ways of promoting peace in Ebira land in particular and Kogi State in general.
“Ohinoyi is truly my father; God Himself offered me to him, and therefore, there can never be any conflict between me and my father. A proverb says that quarrel between son and father cannot lead to disaffection and cannot last.”
Governor Yahaya Bello whose speech was echoed by another person at the funeral, said that he was not sure if his emotion would not lead him into open shedding of tears because of his close relationship with the deceased, Dr. Umar Farouk.
The Governor was accompanied by nearly all the top members of the state government as well as his kitchen cabinet, including his Chief of Staff, Pharmacist Asuku.

Flower From Little ‘Damsel’ For Asiwaju Tinubu In Osun

Greenbarge Reporters

February 2, 2023

A little beauty, presents flower to the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he arrived in Osogbo, Osun State capital for a presidential campaign rally.

Buhari Grieves Over Death Of Dr. Farouk Abdulazeez, Political Ally Of Late Musa Yarádua

Greenbarge Reporters

February 2, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed grief over the death of Dr Umar. Farouk Abdulazeez, who was a strong political ally of the late sage, Shehu Musa Yarádua, with whom he formed the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) that later metamorphosed into Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Dr. Umar Farouk Abdulazeez, who held the traditional title of Tafidan of Ebira Land in Kogi State, died today, February 2, at the age of 85. He was born in Okene, Kogi State in August 1938.

Dr Abdulazeez, a distinguished medical practitioner, industrialist, politician and pharmaceutical manufacturer was a pioneering medical doctor and visionary entrepreneur who made a lasting impact on the lives of countless people.

He dedicated his life to improving the health and well-being of those around him.

Abdulazeez founded Biomedical Limited in the early 80s in Nigeria.

His innovative spirit and commitment to creating high-quality products that would benefit the people of Nigeria earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and employees.

He represented Adavi/Okeh Constituency in Kwara State (now Kogi State).

Dr Abdulazeez attended Government College Keffi from 1952-1957, the Nigerian College of Arts and Technology from 1958-1960, and the University of Ibadan from 1960-1965.

He later studied at the Royal College of Surgeons from 1969-1971 and at Harvard Business School from 1987-1988.

In a condolence message, President Buhari said that Dr. Farouk Abdulazeez’s sacrifices and contributions to democracy and development in the country will always be remembered.
He prayed that God will receive his soul and comfort the family, his friends, government and people of Kogi State.

My Covenant With People Of Osun – Tinubu

Editorial staff

February 2, 2023

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has rolled down things he will do for the people of Osun State if he is voted President of Nigeria in the February 25 election.

Speaking in Yoruba to a mammoth crowd of people who thronged the venue of the campaign rally at Freedom Park Osogbo, Tinubu said his administration would empower the people with the skill that will make them employable while ensuring that the youth will no longer spend years in university due to lecturers’ strike action, stating that his pledge to the people will remain a biding covenant.

“I make a social covenant with you today that the unemployed among you will get job. Those with no skill will be provided the relevant skill that would put food on their table. When we get to government, we will make soft loans available for market women and business owners.”

Tinubu said that the state, which is highly blessed with diverse resources, should be a destination for business and tourism across the country, promising to help achieve this if he becomes the president.

“Osun is a beautiful state filled with virtuous, industrious and welcoming people. We will support Osun to become a manufacturing, industrial, agricultural and tourism paradise.

“You have fertile soil, abundant mineral resources, and a rich culture and history capable of attracting tourists from across the world.

“A vote for me is a vote to develop all parts of this state and this country. Rural areas will not be forgotten but will be developed to support more economic activities and create better lives for the people.

“At the same time, our growing urban population – you city boys – will enjoy decent jobs and a living wage.”

“Our farmers will be better equipped to feed the nation. In return, they will receive decent incomes with which they can better tend to their families in addition to tending to their land.

“Our educational reforms will equip talented youth with skills needed to be globally competitive. Our policies will open access to loans and business expertise to those wanting to start their own businesses.

“The bedrock of our national security shall be strengthened. We will better equip military units with tactical communications gear and all-terrain vehicles to give them greater communications and mobility to track down criminals, bandits and terrorists.

“We will upgrade our weapons systems and exploit aerial technological superiority to further identify, monitor and subdue the criminals, terrorists and bandits who would do harm to ordinary citizens.”

At the rally were Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); former governors Kayode Fayemi and Adegboyega Oyetola, as well as former APC Interim Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, APC National Women Leader, Betta Edu and other party leaders from National headquarters and South West party leaders.

Gov El-Rufai Describes Peter Obi As Nollywood Actor In 2023 Presidential Election

Editorial staff

February 2, 2023

“Peter Obi is a Nollywood actor and that’s all he will be. This election is between the APC and PDP because they have the footprint; they have the spread. Ethnicity and religious bigotry will not take you anywhere and that’s what the Labour Party campaign is about.”

These were the words of the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai when he featured in an interview on TVC today, February 2.

He said: “We (the All Progressives Congress) are the only party with a candidate with broad-based support across Nigeria, and by the grace of God, we are going to win.”

The Kaduna State Governor emphasized that Peter Obi, who is running for Presidency under the umbrella of the Labour Party (LP), cannot win in the northern part of Nigeria, saying that Obi does not stand a chance of winning the 2023 presidential election without the northern states.

“We are ahead. How can Peter Obi win any election? Peter Obi is polling one per cent in Sokoto; two per cent in Katsina; five per cent in Kano. That’s where the votes are. All states are not equal.

“The fact that you’re doing 70 per cent in Anambra state does not mean somebody doing 10 per cent in Kano is not better than you. Kano is four million votes that actually happen. The number of votes in Anambra is the size of one local government area in Kaduna state. So, all states are not equal.

“If you poll states and you make them equal, yes, Peter Obi will sweep the south-eastern states; he will do well in south-south; where else? He’s not polling well in the southwest other than a drop in the ocean in Lagos. He’s polling in the Christian enclaves in the north — he’s polling well — but how many are they?

“Peter Obi cannot win the election. He doesn’t have the number of states; he doesn’t have 25 per cent — the last time we checked — in more than 16 states. He can’t go anywhere.

I Swear We Will Fight You, El-Rufai Threatens Aso Rock ‘Cabals’ Working Against Tinubu

Editorial staff

February 2, 2023

The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai has said that he is ready to fight the ‘cabals’ in the Presidential villa, who he accused of working against the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In an interview on Channels TV, el-Rufai said: “respecting people is not fear. I swear we don’t fear anyone in this country. So we are not fearful, we respectful but if you show us you are not an elder, I swear we will fight you.”

He said that the elements in the Presidency had a preferred presidential who was defeated by Tinubu at the primary last year, adding that they are still hiding behind President Muhammadu Buhari to pursue their grievances.

“I believe there are elements in the villa who want us to lose the election because they didn’t get their way; they had their candidate. Their candidate did not win the primaries.

“They are trying to get us to lose the election, and they are hiding behind the president’s desire to do what he thinks is right.”

The Kaduna State Governor, in a yet-to-be-fully released interview with BBC Hausa today, February 2, said that he and his group are not afraid of the powers in the Aso Rock.

You’ve Instituted Transparency, Accountability, Buhari Hails FIRS Boss

Editorial staff

February 2, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has given the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Mamman Nami a pass mark for his ability to institute far more transparency, accountability and effectiveness in the Service.

Such new attitude in the running of public institution, the President said, has in turn translated into the increased capacity to deliver on mandate with results manifestly seen.

In a message by a Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, addressed to Nami as he marks his 55^th birthday today, February 2, the President thumbed up for him for making commendable efforts to raise government revenues, especially at this time of great need.

According to President Buhari, the leadership and guidance of Nami has repositioned operations and staff of the agency, using technological tools.

He commended the Executive Chairman for bringing many years of experience in financial services to bear on the foremost tax regulator, with a growing impact on the economy, especially as the government expands and prioritizes infrastructure development.

Clark Accuses Gov Okowa Of Betrayal, Asks Him To Dump Atiku As Running Mate

Editorial staff

February 2, 2023

Elder statesman and former federal commissioner for information, Edwin Clark, has accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, the running mate to the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar of betrayal, and asked him to immediately stop the move.

Speaking today, February 2, at a media briefing in Abuja, Edwin Clark said that Governor Okowa’s decision to be the running mate as the PDP Vice Presidential candidate, is contrary to the resolution of the ‘South-south Forum’ that the presidency must shift from the North to South in 2023.

“Mr Okowa has betrayed his colleagues in the Southern Governors Forum and the south generally.

“This man has betrayed us by accepting to be the running mate of Atiku. Without me, it would have been difficult for him to become governor of Delta.

“What shocked me was that our governor without discussing with anyone of us was working with a presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, without our knowing.

“This man has betrayed us. We all agreed, we held a series of meetings that this man had betrayed us. We can no longer trust him,” he said.

Edwin Clark, who is the Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), said in a letter to Okowa, dated 2 February, said that the governor and Atiku will lose the presidential election.

He accused the governor of using the money belonging to the state to fund the PDP campaign and asked him to publicly apologise to the entire people of southern Nigeria.

“Today, I say with certainty that you are more dictatorial than any other military administrator that has administered Delta State since its creation in 1991.

“I can therefore understand why you have deliberately and immorally betrayed your colleagues of Southern Nigeria and the people for your own selfish ambition by wanting to land on safer ground by accepting to serve as running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

“No, by God’s grace your prayer will not be answered. Perhaps, you have forgotten the gravity of the offence you have committed against the people of Southern Nigeria.

“In order to cover your nefarious plot, you voluntarily induced everyone to host a meeting of the 17 Southern governors in Government House Asaba on Tuesday 11th May 2021. You gave them a very good reception and provided them a secretariat that drafted the communique under your supervision, which was read by the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.

“It was indeed a bombshell, as you collectively demanded for the Southern Presidency and insisted that none of you should accept to be a Vice President.

“Shortly afterwards, the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), which I lead, gave the governors declaration 100% support and declared that no Southern serving governor, legislators or politicians should accept to be running mate, particularly to Atiku Abubakar.

“The 17 governors later met again in Lagos and Enugu to affirm the decision taken in your Government House Asaba. Little did we know that you were using this to perfect your secret plan to be running mate to Atiku Abubakar from the very beginning.

“We are therefore not surprised that you directed all the delegates from Delta State not to vote for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State or Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State who are your neighbours but instead, they voted massively for Atiku Abubakar during the PDP Presidential Primaries last year.

“It would be recalled in 2007, that Delta State finances were used in funding part of the election of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua through the directive of President Olusegun Obasanjo. We were therefore not surprised when you too have decided to finance Atiku Abubakar with Delta people’s money because; there is nobody to challenge you. I repeat, you will not succeed.

“It is therefore in your own interest to openly apologise to your colleagues of both APC and PDP whom you deceived in taking a decision you never believed in. After your unreserved apology to your people and Southern Nigeria, you should step down your ambition of becoming Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP. There your honour lies.”

Source: PREMIUM TIMES

We Won’t Obstruct 2023 Elections, IPOB Pledges

Editorial staff

February 2, 2023

File photo: Members of IPOB during protest in Anambra

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has pledged not to disrupt this year’s general elections, which start with Presidential election on February 25 across the country.

“IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has never forcefully obstructed the election process in Nigeria. Rather, we once called Biafrans to boycott elections, which was later called off.”

In a statement today, February 2, IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said that the group has no interest in Nigeria’s election but is focused on the release of Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, who is in detention.

“IPOB has no plan or intention to order any sit-at-home during the election period,” it said.

“We have maintained that we don’t have any interest in the Nigeria shambolic political selection process called Nigeria elections scheduled for February 2023.

“Our interest and focus is the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the date for Biafra referendum for Biafrans to determine their political future in or outside Nigeria.”

The group warned another group known as Pan Nigeria President of Igbo Extraction Coalition (PANPIEC) to stop linking it to criminal gang issuing and enforcing sit-at-home orders to blackmail IPOB and ESN.

“It’s on record and in the public domain that IPOB has not called for any sit-at-home during February elections. It’s also obvious that IPOB and ESN do not have any faction or splinter groups,” it added.

“IPOB remains peaceful and indivisible under one command for the liberation of Biafra Nation from the damnable Republic called Nigeria.”

It added that any group claiming to be IPOB and ordering sit-at-home is criminal and be regarded as a “sponsored” agent.

Source: TheCable.

CBN Vows To Prosecute Those Selling New Notes; To End Queues At ATMs Soon

Greenbarge Reporters

February 2, 2023

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed, with grave concern, the activities of persons who sell the newly redesigned banknotes and those who flagrantly abuse the legal tender by hurling wads of Naira notes in the air and stamping on the currency at social functions.
The apex bank also expressed worry over the queues at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across the country and an upward trend in the cases of people stocking and aggregating the newly introduced banknotes they serially obtain from ATMs for reasons best known to them.
“Also worrisome are the reported cases of unregistered persons and non-bank officials swapping banknotes for members of the public, purportedly on behalf of the CBN.”
A statement today, February 2, by the Director, Corporate Communications of CBN, Osita Nwanisobi, said that contrary to the practice of these unpatriotic persons, it is unlawful to sell the Naira, hurl (spray), or stamp on the currency under any circumstance whatsoever.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (As amended) stipulates that “spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under the law by fines or imprisonment or both.”
“Similarly, Section 21(4) states: “It shall also be an offence punishable under Sub-section (1) of this section for any person to hawk, sell or otherwise trade in the Naira notes, coins or any other note issued by the Bank.”
The statement said that the CBN, collaborating with the Nigeria Police, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has taken steps to address the unpatriotic practice.
“We, therefore, warn Nigerians, particularly those at social functions such as birthdays, weddings and funerals, to desist from disrespecting the Naira or risk being arrested by law enforcement agencies. While reiterating our commitment to Nigerians to ensure the effective distribution of the newly introduced Naira banknotes, we urge them to exercise patience as the CBN is working assiduously to address the challenge of queues at ATMs.
“In line with this resolve, the Govenor, Godwin Emefiele, has directed deposit money banks (DMBs) to commence the payment of the redesigned Naira notes over the counter, subject to a maximum daily payout limit of N20,000. “We also admonish members of the public to embrace and adopt other payment channels for their transactions.
“The Naira is our legal tender and symbol of national pride.
“Therefore, let us respect it and handle it with care.”

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