How Buhari Saved Me From Confusion Before APC Presidential Primary, Tinubu Tells Afenifere

October 30, 2022

Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has narrated to his kinsmen and women in Afenifere, a Pan Yoruba group how the neutral role President Muhammadu Buhari played before the party’s Presidential Primary saved him from embarrassment and confusion.

“The battle was tough and at a point I was in doubt. There were many rumours and I became confused of what to believe.”

Asiwaju Tinubu, who addressed the leadership of Afenifere today, October 30 in Akure, Ondo State capital at the residence of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, said that some people wanted President Buhari to announce someone but that the President said No.

“He insisted the process must go on democratically. The President said anyone that would mess up the APC process would see the other side of his eyes. He remained upright and saw to the process to the end.

The Presidential candidate who said that his visit to present his policy document and Action Plan for a Better Nigeria to Afenifere, in fulfillment of his promise when he visited before the primary, asked Yoruba leaders to thank President Buhari and Northern Governors for their steadfastness and for being promise-keepers.

“Northern APC Governors resolved that the Presidency must go to the South and especially South West. Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje and others supported me to the end.

“President Buhari told me I promoted his name with the way I won the primary election because the process was clean and transparent and nobody can accuse him of manipulating the process. “President Buhari said I gave him credibility and I deserved to be President.

“When I asked him to nominate the VP candidate for me, he said I should pick whoever I want and it is the reason I chose a competent man in Kashim Shettima who never lost any election and protected Christians in time of trouble in his state.”

While welcoming Tinubu and his entourage, General Secretary of Afenifere, Chief Seinde Arogbofa, charged Tinubu to be a leader that will unite Nigeria and work for the progress and development of the country.

“You are not just a Yoruba man but a Nigerian. When you become President take Nigeria into consideration in all you do but never forget home. Our demands are what you know already. Restructuring, security and fixing the economy. Our country is no longer safe. We want state police so that the country will be safe.”

Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who received Tinubu and his delegation on behalf of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, said that Ondo State people are Afenifere and will support Tinubu to win.

“Asiwaju has the reach, the competence to lead Nigeria,” the Deputy Governor said.

In his remark, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji assured the Yoruba leaders that all the governors of South West and Ekiti people are solidly behind Tinubu.

“We are happy to receive our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, today. I want to assure him and our fathers that we will support him to the end.

Former Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, and Afenifere leader charged the APC presidential flagbearer to work to fix the economy.

Chief Falae decried the falling value of the Naira, adding that he used all his life to serve Nigeria and at his old age he does not want all he used his life for to be wasted.

“When you become President please work to fix this country. We are here to offer advice. I am old and no longer looking for job. We need to fix security, fix our economy. Our naira is almost becoming useless and will soon become N1000 to a dollar.

“We must change that. I know your ability. We will always be here to support and I wish you well. We will be here when you bring the throphy home by the grace of God.

Leaders of Afenifere from the six South West State including Kwara and Kogi were present at the Akure residence of the Afenifere leader to offer support to Asiwaju Tinubu.

The roll-call of the Afenifere leaders in Akure who came to receive Asiwaju Tinubu and offer their full support included Retired Methodist Bishop, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Chief Arogbofa, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Professor Isaac Adewole, Chief Olu Falae, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, General Alani Akinrinade, General Olu Bajowa, Mr. Sola Iji, Dr Kunle Olajide, General Secretary of Yoruba Council of Elders, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Chief Bisi Akande, Dare Babarinsa, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Deputy governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal who represented Governor Seyi Makinde.

Others were Chief Segun Adesegun, representing former Governor Segun Osoba, Senator Tony Adefuye, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, State leaders of Afenifere and many others.

NUC Approves 15 New Courses For Tansian Varsity In Anambra

Editorial staff

October 29, 2022

The National University Commission (NUC) has given the go ahead for the take-off of fifteen new courses, six undergraduate and seven post-graduate in Tansian University, Umunya Anambra State, for the 2022/2023 Academic Session.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Eugene Okoye Nwadialor announced today, October 29 during the emergency meeting of the senate of the University, said that he received the approval letter from the Executive Secretary NUC Abuja, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.

The approved six new undergraduate courses, according to the Vice Chancellor are Medical Laboratory, Radiograph/Medical Imaging and Public Health.

He said that other undergraduate courses approved are International Relations/Diplomacy, Public Administration/Policy Studies and Information Communication Technology (ICT).

The Vice Chancellor said that the seven approved post-graduate courses cover Post-Graduate Diplomas. (PGD), Masters of Science (MSC) and Doctorate (PhD) degrees.

He said that the courses are Accounting, Business Administration, Philosophy and Political Science. The other post-graduate courses, the VC further said including Microbiology, Bio-Chemistry, Computer Science, Journalism/ Media Studies as well as Broadcasting.

A statement by the institution’s spokesman, Bony Amalu, recalled that a team of experts from NUC had last September, visited Tansian University, to assess the institution’s readiness for the six new undergraduate and seven post-graduate courses.

The statement said that the Vice Chancellor gave the glory to the Chancellor of the University, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpalaeke, the Board of Trustees, Management and Staff of the University for the achievement.

Ex CBN Chieftain, Moghalu, Hails Planned Redesign Of Naira, Suggests 90-Day Window

Editorial staff

October 29, 2022

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu, has commended the apex bank on its ongoing process to redesign the N200, N500 and N1000 notes.

In a statement today, October 29, Moghalu suggested a 90-day window for implementation.

“I fully support the Central Bank of Nigeria in redesigning of the Naira. If 80 percent of bank notes in circulation are outside the banks, that is troubling.

“The CBN obviously wants to force all those notes back into the banking system. Those with the notes must surrender them to get new ones or else it becomes illegal tender after Jan. 31 2023.

“This is also a way to withdraw currency from circulation, an unorthodox way of tightening the money supply since the country is battling high inflation.

“The flip side is that people who are holding huge amounts of cash outside the banking system for nefarious reasons will go to the parallel forex market to buy hard currency, putting further downward pressure on the value of the Naira as too much Naira will be chasing too few dollars.”

Moghalu, said that the plan has become necessary for national security but that the window for implementation is too short.

“This will put a lot of operational pressure on commercial banks and the financial system in general. A 90-day window will have been better, but one can understand the need to avoid interfering with the elections.”

Moghalu expressed doubt that the step would solve inflation, “because there also are other major reasons for inflation such as the forex crisis, which this new move can exacerbate, as well as the impact of the security crisis on food price inflation.”

I’ll End Floods, Insecurity If I’m Elected President – Peter Obi, Flags Off Campaigns

Editorial staff

October 29, 2022

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has promised to end flood and insecurity in Nigeria as well as provide abundant jobs for the youths if he is elected in the 2023 election.

“I maintain that the Labour party has an array of candidates who are qualified and competent to address the issue of floods, end insecurity and provide the youth with stable and sustainable livelihood.”

Peter Obi, who spoke today, October 29, at the official flag off of his Presidential campaigns in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, said that his mission of becoming the president of Nigeria is to fix the problems confronting the country and its citizens.

He vowed to change the negative narrative of the country, saying that he would provide the leadership with productive ideas and pull the people out of poverty.

“Nigeria is insecure, Nigeria is unproductive and a country being threatened and on the verge of collapse.

“Going by the enormity of Nigeria’s problems, our mission is to solve the problems. The firm duty of a leader is to be a problem solver.

The Labour party flag bearer assured Nigerians that if he is elected, prudent management of the nation’s resources would be the main focus of his administration.
He said that agriculture would be given the desired attention and that the unity of Nigeria would be rekindled.

Source: Vanguard

UBA Announces Opening For Business On Saturdays

Editorial staff

October 29, 2022

One of the leading commercial banks in Nigeria, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), has announced that it would henceforth be opening for business on Saturdays.

The bank posted this information today, October 28, on its email message to customers.

It said however that it would entertain only customers that turn up for deposit, in line with the introduction of the new naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

World Richest Man, Elon Musk, Finally Takes Possession Of Twitter

Editorial staff

October 28, 2022

The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has finally taken over the ownership of social media service, Twitter, by closing a $44 billion (£38.1 billion) deal.

Musk had tweeted: “The bird is freed,” an apparent reference to the deal.

Also, the U.S. media and an investor in the firm confirmed the development today, October 28. A number of top executives, including the boss, Parag Agrawal, have reportedly been fired.

Agrawal and two other executives were escorted out of Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters on Thursday evening

The completion of the deal brought to an end, months of legal wrangling, but the deal has prompted questions over the platform’s future direction.

Chief financial officer, Ned Segal, and the firm’s top legal and policy executive, Vijaya Gadde, are leaving alongside Agrawal, according to US media reports.

Musk, a self-styled “free speech absolutist,” has been critical of Twitter’s management and its moderation policies.

They clashed over the terms of the takeover, with Musk, accusing Twitter of providing misleading information about the firm’s user numbers.

He has also said that he would reverse bans on suspended users, which could include former US President, Donald Trump, who was excluded following the Capitol riot in January 2021.

Twitter said that there was a risk that Trump would incite further violence. But Musk described the ban as “foolish.”

It is not clear yet whether the clear out of senior management is the forerunner to company-wide job cuts.

Earlier reports suggested 75 percent of staff at the social media company were set to lose their jobs, but those reports were “inaccurate,” Ross Gerber, president and chief executive of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, and a shareholder in both Twitter and Musk’s other company Tesla, told the BBC.

Source: Persecond.

Security Operatives Arrest 35 Suspected ISWAP Fighters In Abuja, Amidst US Security Alerts

Editorial staff

October 28, 2022

Five Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders and 30 fighters have been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the police and other security agencies.

A joint operation was launched by the security operatives who successfully dismantled a terror cell and arrested the 35 ISWAP terrorists.

Information reaching us said that the terror suspects were apprehended at their hideouts in different locations in Abuja, Mararaba and other satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The suspects are being held at a DSS facility.

The arrests were made amid heightened tension in the nation’s capital as the popular Jabi Lake Mall shut its doors to shoppers and visitors on Thursday, citing the security situation.

To discourage criminal activities, the FCT Administration demolished shanties on Law School land, saying it was part of security measures.

It was learnt that the intelligence agencies had been on the trail of the insurgents before the US and the British High Commissions issued security alerts last Sunday, warning their citizens about impending terrorist attacks.

The US Embassy in Abuja had issued an alert for “an elevated risk of terror attacks” in the city, saying that possible targets include government buildings, places of worship and other public places.

Security sources explained that the ISWAP members relocated to the FCT following the heavy bombardment of their enclaves and camps in the North-West by the Nigerian Air Force.

Giving more insight into the ongoing counter-intelligence operations, a security source revealed that the terror suspects were planning a big attack in Abuja before they were nabbed.

The source disclosed that the detained fighters are already providing useful information which had led to the arrest of some of their members masquerading as artisans, cart pushers and security guards in the city.

A senior officer stated: “A massive counter-intelligence operation is going on to disrupt, neutralise and destroy the ISWAP terrorists in the FCT. Many commanders and their foot soldiers have been arrested and they are currently helping us in our investigations. About five commanders and 30 fighters have been apprehended but we expect to capture more suspects as we widen our dragnet.”

Meanwhile Residents within the FCT have been advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence and persons to the Police through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.

The Inspector General of Police issued a statement allaying the fear of residents in the FCT and asked them to go about their lawful businesses and normal social lives/engagements as all hands are on deck to nip any security threat in the bud and respond to distress calls promptly.”

Source: The PUNCH.

Buhari: US Security Alert Does Not Mean Attack Is Imminent In Abuja; “Don’t Panic”

Editorial staff

October 28, 2022

President Muhammadu has cautioned Nigerians that travel advice from the United States and the United Kingdom governments should not be a cause for panic, even as he asked the nation’s security establishment and citizens to continue being vigilant and careful with security.

In a statement today, October 28 by a presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, the President called on the citizens to remain calm, saying: “it does not mean an attack in Abuja is imminent. Since the July prison raid, security measures have been reinforced in and around the FCT.

“Heightened monitoring and interception of terrorist communications ensure potential threats are caught further upstream.”

President Buhari said that Nigeria is no exception in having terror threats listed in foreign government’s travel advice to their citizens.

“UK and US travel advisories also state there is a high likelihood of terror attacks in many Western European nations.

“Indeed, the UK and US advice to their respective citizens for travel to one another’s countries contain the same warning. Unfortunately, terror is a reality the world over.”

The President said that attacks are being foiled everyday and that security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe.

“Much of their work unseen and necessarily confidential,” Buhari said, assuring: Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of government. Security services are working around the clock to keep harm at bay.

The President gives assurances that the government is on top of the security situation in country.

Buhari said that security threats are real and have been with us for a long, saying that the nation’s military, the police and other security agencies have shown a capability to deal with it, “as is evident from the fact that a majority of our partners, including the United Nations agencies in our midst have not seen the threat as being sufficient to warrant any form of panic or order citizen evacuations.”

The President stressed that while being security conscious, being alert and careful is crucial, it is also important that responsible members of the society do not create situations leading to unnecessary panic.

President Buhari commended the military and other security agencies for the recent turn around in the nation’s security, and directed that additional precautionary measures be put in place immediately.

President Buhari expressed optimism that given the on-going efforts on the part of the military and other security and intelligence agencies with the active support of the civilian population, the nation will emerge victorious against the current challenges facing it.

I’m Not Aware Of CBN’s Plan To Redesign Naira, Finance Minister, Zainab, Says

Editorial staff

October 28, 2022

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmad has said that she was not consulted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before announcing the plan to redesign Naira, with effect from December 15 this year.

The minister, who spoke on the CBN policy, in response to a question raised by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during the 2023 budget defence session, said: ”Distinguished senators , we were not consulted at the Ministry of Finance by CBN on the planned Naira redesigning and cannot comment on it as regards merits or otherwise.

“To me , the policy may be a well conceived one , but the timing going by realities on ground , is very wrong as the Naira may fall to as low as N1,000 to a US dollar before January 31, 2023 fixed for full implementation of the policy.”

“However, as a Nigerian privileged to be at the top of Nigeria’s fiscal management, the policy as rolled out at this time, portends serious consequences on value of Naira to other foreign currencies.

“I will however, appeal to this committee to invite the CBN governor for required explanations as regards merits of the planned policy and rightness or otherwise of its implementation now.”

Senator Bamidele who had in his question told the Finance Minister that barely two days after announcement of the policy by CBN, repercussion of it on the value of Naira to US dollar was being felt, said:”just two days after announcement of the policy, value of Naira to a US dollar has risen from N740 to N788 to a US dollar due to rush in exchange of starched Naira Notes for foreign currencies, particularly dollar.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele had, on October 26, announced at a media briefing in Abuja that the apex bank would redesign the country’s currency from 200 Naira denomination to N1,000 notes .

Emefiele said that the action was taken in order to take control of the currency in circulation, saying that the bulk of the nation’s currency notes were outside bank vaults and that the CBN would not allow the situation to continue.

According to him, the planned policy was in line with Sections 19, Subsections a and b of the CBN Act 2007, upon which the Management of the CBN sought and obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to redesign, produce, and circulate new series of banknotes at N200, N500, and N1,000 notes.

Atiku Goes To US To Set Pace For Building Stronger Economy, Secured Nigeria

Editorial staff

October 28, 2022

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has landed in Washington DC, United States to begin the process of setting pace for building an economically stronger and more secured Nigeria

A statement today, October 28, by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, stressed that the visit would afford the PDP presidential candidate the opportunity of high-level engagements, aimed at setting the pace for building an economically stronger and more secure Nigeria,.

According to the statement, Atiku, who arrived in the United States yesterday, October 27, will remain there for a week, during which time he would go into a long engagement that will be an opportunity for him to share his vision for Nigeria with US business communities and young Nigerian professionals in North America.
The statement said that the delegation of Atiku, who is former Vice President of Nigeria, was made up of senior members of the PDP presidential campaign council, personal aides and other members of the PDP.
They include the Director-General of the PDP presidential campaign council and governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former governor of Imo, Emeka Ihedioha and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, among others.

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