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Atiku Picks Ex THISDAY Editor As Spokesperson For His Presidential Campaign

Kola Ologbondiyan

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has appointed a former editor of THISDAY newspaper, Kolawole Stephen Ologbondiyan as one of his spokesperson for the 2023 presidential campaign. He was, before this appointment, National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Ologbondiyan, who was at various times Assistant Politics Editor, Politics Editor, Group Politics Editor, Deputy Editor (Daily) and Digital Editor (Online) of the THISDAY Newspapers, will join other spokespersons earlier appointed by the presidential candidate to project the unique selling points of Atiku Abubakar and keep the electorate updated about goings on in the campaign.

He was also the Director of Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Council (2019 Presidential Election) and now member of National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

He was Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark (2007-2015). He is a highly experienced journalist endowed with requisite skills of communication.

He is married to Omolola Jackline and blessed with children.

The new appointment, according to a statement today, October 6, by the media adviser to Atiku, Paul Ibe, takes immediate effect.

Where Is Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi? By Fredrick Nwabufo

Could this be the eclipsing of a coruscating star? Could this be the sectioning of a gadfly? Could this be the end of a political odyssey? Could this be the domestication of the fabled Lion of Ubima? Could this be Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi’s nadir?

Amaechi’s political tapestry has been the craftwork of a benevolent fate. At 27, he was the secretary of the National Republican Convention in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers state between 1992 and 1994. He was speaker of the Rivers state house of assembly from 1999 to 2007, and governor from 2007 to 2015.

Amaechi is, perhaps, renowned for the role he played in the deracination of the Jonathan administration. Amaechi is believed to have provided the armament for the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Jonathan in the south-south. His part in the machinations is subject to mixed interpretations depending on the political divide. While some have accused him of betraying his kinsman, others say it was a question of principle for Amaechi – whether to stand on the side of a failing government or on the side of the people.

But does Amaechi have regrets? Well, becoming minister in Buhari’s government came with its own head of challenges. Although regarded as one of Buhari’s closest allies, Amaechi faced opposition and hard tackles within the government. Sources say the opposition was so stiff that it became difficult for the former minister to even push some memos through.

He was supposedly among those favoured by Buhari to succeed him but considered too temperamental and importunate by the power-connoisseurs of the villa. In the build-up to the presidential primary election of the APC in May, Amaechi purportedly secured Buhari’s endorsement. He was said to be counting largely on the president’s imprimatur to get the ticket. But it did not turn out quite the way he had expected.

A bulk of APC wirepullers resisted him. While one power bloc was working frantically for Senate President Ahmad Lawan to be the APC standard-bearer by consensus, another was working for Amaechi to become the presidential candidate by endorsement.

The third legion which comprised a good number of APC governors was insisting on going to the polls to elect the party’s presidential candidate because they believed Bola Tinubu had a chance at getting the ticket in an open contest.

The president was on tenterhooks owing to the conspiracy of interests. If he openly backs Amaechi, that will offend the governors and Tinubu who played an exceptional role in his victory in 2015. If he publicly sides with Lawan and railroad him through to get the ticket that will as well rankle other interests and rive the south-west’s support for the APC.

So, Buhari elected to be Pontius Pilate – in this instance, washing his hands off the tangled interests and asking APC governors to do as they please.

The primaries have come and gone, and Tinubu is APC presidential candidate. Where is Amaechi? Why is he not invested in the Tinubu campaign? In 2015 and 2019, Amaechi expended himself in the presidential campaigns for Buhari. What has changed?

Amaechi has been taciturn and morose. He appears not to be in campaign fervour. He has neither been seen around the planners nor has he been heard making any comment about the APC presidential campaign. His silence is perceptible.

The APC presidential campaign committee released the list of members of the campaign council a few days ago. Amaechi was obtrusively on the list. But the Lion of Ubima is showing no emotions. He appears indifferent and unperturbed.

I believe his silence could be deliberate and contrived to buy time. Tinubu’s dalliance with Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, puts him at sixes and sevens. Wike is Amaechi’s sworn adversary. But politics is unkind; Tinubu needs the support of Wike, who is a strong arm in the south-south, to win the election in the zone.

Where does this leave Amaechi who has given so much to the party? Does this mean he is no longer an important political utility?

Well, this is where Jagaban needs to walk the tightrope. He must show himself the master strategist he is famed to be. He must apply his much-vaunted tact to manage both interests. Amaechi should not be discarded like a soiled blanket. His political relevance should not be tied to a season.

Going by his political antecedents, I believe Amaechi has capacity for loyalty and commitment to a cause. His cup may not be empty of usefulness.

But I guess the question everyone is asking is, where does Amaechi stand?

Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist.

Namadi Sambo, Nigeria’s Ex Vice President, Loses Mobile Phone To Thief

Former Vice President, Namadi Sambo

A mobile phone belonging to former Nigerian Vice-President, Architect Namadi Sambo, has been stolen by a thief in Abuja.

Senator Shehu Sani, a former federal lawmaker, who made this known today, October 6, said that someone breached the tight security line and stole Sambo’s phone at the late Governor Solomon Lar’s book launch in Abuja.

“It’s incredible that someone can breach the tight security line and steal the phone of the former VP Sambo at the ongoing late Governor Solomon Lar Book launch in Abuja,” Sani wrote on his verified Twitter handle.

Top dignitaries across the political spectre, including ex-leaders and chieftains of political parties, business and family associates attended the event which took place at NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja FCT.

The late Lar was the founding Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He held various offices at the national level for over 50 years.

He was a member of the first national parliament when Nigeria gained independence in 1960.

He was elected governor of Plateau State on the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) platform during the Nigerian Second Republic, holding office from October 1979 until the Military coup of December 31, 1983 that brought Muhammadu Buhari to power.

He died in 2013 at the age of 80.

Source: New Telegraph.

ASUU Moves To Sue Federal Govt Over Registration Of 2 Academic Unions

AUSUU Leaders

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to sue the Federal Government at the National Industrial Court (NIC) over the registration of the two factional academic unions.

ASUU lawyer, Femi Falana said today, October 6, in a media chat: “ASUU is going to court. It is going to be the NIC.”

Falani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said that the registration of CONUA and NAMDA is illegal, adding that in the Trade Unions Act, only one union is allowed to operate in every sector.

“You can’t have two trade unions in the same sector. Only a union is allowed to be registered for all academics in Nigeria.

“That is the essence of the classification of trade unions because we used to have mushrooms in the First Republic so the government restructured the unions and grouped all academics together and all non-academics together. You can’t have two or three in one field.”

Falana said that there is a Supreme Court judgment on the proliferation of trade unions – the Erasmus Osawe V Registrar of Trade Unions.

The senior lawyer said that the apex court ruled “that your freedom of association is not totalled; it is also regulated by the Trade Unions Act so that there will be no proliferation of trade unions.”

The President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, confirmed the development in a chat with correspondent in the early hours of today.

“He (Falana) is our lawyer. So, that is correct,” Osodeke said when asked to confirm the development.

The Federal Government on Tuesday registered two factional academic unions – the Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).

The registration of the two factional unions took place as talks between ASUU and the government broke down amid the over seven-month strike by lecturers of public universities.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on Tuesday, explained that the two bodies will exist alongside ASUU, adding that the two associations will enjoy the rights and privileges accorded to other academic unions in the tertiary education system.

ASUU has been on strike since February 14, 2022, over unpaid allowances, poor welfare, and payment of software, among others.

Source: Channels Television

The Miracles Of God In Ebony State, By Gov Umahi

Ebonyi State metropolis at Night

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has described his administration’s transformational projects in the State as Miracles of God.

The Governor, who spoke today, October 6, at the 6th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), at the Sheraton hotels, Lagos, said that there are enough evidence of the power of God to perform miracles with men.

In the speech, read by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Chooks Oko, the Chief Executive said that it was beyond the ordinary for a State with one of the least federal allocations to build one of the largest and most modern International Airport, a World class shopping mall, an Olympic Sized Stadium and myriads of quality roads, flyovers and bridges which have continued to represent models across the country.

“Who could have imagined that Ebonyi State with one of the least allocations from the federal government would today house the biggest shopping Mall in Nigeria, a world class ecumenical centre and the biggest and most modern international airports which has reached 98 percent completion amongst other mind blowing projects.”

He emphasized the reason behind his introduction of concrete technology in road construction which he pioneered in the country.

“Our introduction of 8 inches concrete pavement road construction technique is to beat soil adaptability problems which hitherto had shortened life span of ordinary asphalted roads in the State.

“With this innovation, roads in Ebonyi State today have the potential of lasting between 35 and 80 years without failing.

“In Ebonyi State as it is today, only unusual projects like the Iyere Bridge, the Airport, and the Olympic sized stadium, among others, are reckoned with.

“Projects such as flyovers, streetlights, roads, environmental aesthetics are no longer news, as they are what we provide for the people freely in the State. We have built over twenty standard flyovers across the state.

“We look out for miracles, where impossibilities are made possible.”

Governor Umahi said that the stimulation of economic diversification in the State through Agriculture and financial empowerment of citizens were catalysts to the level of development in the State.

“In fact, the miracle of economic diversification stimulated by Umahi’s administration in Ebonyi State was one of the key strategies that have continued to navigate Ebonyi victoriously through the recent economic crunches occasioned by high exchange rate and continuous fall in petroleum price.

“Through various financial empowerment schemes, the Governor has raised many entrepreneurs in the State who are economically viable, contributing in one way or the other to the State’s Gross domestic product.”

Umahi congratulated the guild on its conference and invited them to come over to Ebonyi and see things for themselves.

Pay Your Tax Before Demanding For Accountability Or Keep Quiet – FIRS Boss

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami has made it clear that the right of citizens to demand accountability from the leaders in government is hinged on the payment of tax as a form of civic responsibility.
Speaking today, October 6, at the unveiling of the FIRS Service Charter, Nuhammad Nami advised the citizens to be fair to the government by paying their taxes.
Delivering the opening remarks at the unveiling, which was one of the events hosted by the Service in commemoration of the 2022 Global Customer Service Week, the FIRS boss stressed that paying tax is the pathway to the country’s civilisation.
“Nigerians should be fair to the government. We must start to trust the Government. Nigerians must also understand that tax is a statutory responsibility and they should pay their taxes.”
According to Muhammad Nami: “Globally, tax is a social contract between government and its citizens. It is when citizens fulfil their obligations that they have moral rights to ask government to account for taxes they pay. “Nigerians are expected to understand that globally citizens pay for their own civilization; as most infrastructures and privileges in advanced countries are made possible by the revenue generated through the taxes their citizens pay to the government.”
The Executive Chairman appealed to governments at the Federal, State and Local Government levels to give value to citizens for the money they pay as taxes.
On the occasion of the Global Customer Service Week, Muhammad Nami said that the Week aligned with one of his four-cardinal objectives for the FIRS, which is to make the Service a “Customer-centric institution.”
According to him, the FIRS had taken steps and actions to institutionalise effective and efficient service delivery to all its stakeholders.
“For us at the FIRS, the essence of the customer service week is to further promote the culture of quality service delivery and team spirit among staff and reward them for their commitment to the mission and vision of the Service.

“The importance of efficient service cannot be relegated in a service-oriented institution like ours as quality service to our taxpayers and customers in general lead to increase in tax compliance and revenue generation, which is integral to nation building.
“The theme of this year’s celebration has been appropriately chosen: Celebrate Service! For us at FIRS, we recognize the commitment of our staff, and have every reason to celebrate them for the services they render to our customers.
“To demonstrate our commitment to quality service and a delightful customer experience, I am pleased to inform you that Management has approved a Service Charter, which will be unveiled shortly.
“The Service Charter contains the services we render, and is our service agreement, promise and commitment on how we will be rendering service to FIRS esteemed customers and our expectations from them.”
The Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli who delivered the keynote address at the unveiling, commended the FIRS for being one of the agencies of government that is committed to providing value to taxpayers.
The Global Customer Service Week is a week-long international celebration that calls attention to the importance of customer service and the people that provide it with a view to boosting morale and teamwork.

Let Us, Together, Wage Serious War On Fake News, INEC Boss Begs Online Publishers

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu has solicited the support of members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) for a serious battle against fake news.

Speaking today, October 6, at the 6th Annual Conference of the Guild in Lagos, Professor Mahmoud described fake news as “a threat to national security and all hands must be on deck to check it.

“GOCOP must lead a network or alliance of stakeholders to curb fake news engineered by unpatriotic individuals.”

The INEC commended members of the Guild for so far steered clear of fake news, adding: “we urge you to do more. GOCOP should come out strongly in the battle against fake news which is clearly a challenge to the electoral process going forward.

“We are happy to note that you have your peer review mechanism using your leaders to regularly remind every member of the need for credible journalism.

“This is highly commendable. We urge you extend this beyond GOCOP to serve as a bulwark against the menace of fake news.

“I wish to assure you that for us at INEC, the national interest comes first. We shall not pander to any partisan whims and caprices.

“We pledge to discharge our duties with the highest sense of responsibility and integrity.”

On the 2023 general elections, Professor Mahmoud reiterated that INEC would strictly monitor the campaigns by the political parties to ensure compliance with the laws.

“The Commission will pay particular attention to the conduct of parties, candidates and their supporters. As a regulator, the Commission will play its role to ensure compliance with the provision of the law as well as our guidelines and regulations.

“We will pay particular attention to peaceful campaign devoid of abusive, intemperate and slanderous language as well as the use of innuendoes or insinuations likely to provoke a counter-reaction resulting in the breach of the peace.

“Similarly, we will pay special attention to the observance of limits on party and candidate finance. I urge political parties and candidates to carefully study the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and familiarise themselves with their obligations as well as the penalties under the law.

“As you are aware, election is a multi-stakeholder activity. As the Commission is doing its best to ensure a credible process, we also appeal to the media for continuous partnership. Managing the electoral process for credible outcome is the responsibility of all of us. As campaign activities get underway, the media will continue to play an important role. A lot of the activities will take place in the media of which the new media is a critical player. We must continue to work together against the spread of fake new, misinformation and disinformation that seek to create or exacerbate tension or de-legitimise processes and outcomes.”

Professor Mahmoud said that the Commission cherished the support of the online media.

“We do not take our partnership with GOCOP for granted as a stakeholder and dependable ally in sustaining and deepening our democracy.”

Tinubu Walking Into Nigeria From London

Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stepping into the soil of Nigeria from London, where he had been for a couple days now. He arrived today, October 6, 2022.

What It Takes For Me To Be Buhari’s Wife, Aisha Narrates

The First Lady, Aisha, has narrated what it has been like being the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari from the time she married him at the age of 19.

“It is a reality that soldiers and military families have to live with challenge, despite its negative consequences.

“Being a soldier’s wife or a retired soldier’s wife and a wellness expert, I understand the challenges associated with PTSD and its impact on military families and the nation.

“My husband served the Nigerian Army for 27 years before he was overthrown in a coup d’état. He fought civil war for 30 months without rehabilitation; he ruled Nigeria for 20 months and was detained for 40 months without disclosing the nature of his offence.

“One year after he came out from detention, we were married, I clocked 19 years in his house as his wife, legitimately. I suffered the consequences of PTSD, because having gone through all these, and at the age of 19, to handle somebody, who was a former Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, to tell him that he is wrong is the first mistake you will make.”

“I want to thank DEPOWA for this foresighted vision of establishing a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Centre for our soldiers. Indeed, PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by terrifying events.

Aisha spoke yesterday, October 4, as a special guest of honour at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Armed Forces Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Centre (AFPTSDC), initiated by the Mrs. Lucky Irabor-led Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).

Aisha said that she suffered the consequences of PSTD at an early stage in her marriage to the president.

“So, at the age of 19, I had to figure out how to tell somebody of his calibre that he was wrong or right and that was the beginning of my offence in his house, and contesting elections in 2003 and failed, 2007, failed and 2011, the same thing – all without rehabilitation – I became a physiotherapist.

“Finally, the whole nation rose against the misuse of power and bad governance. He only succeeded when it became a movement and here we are today. He ruled Nigeria before and he is ruling Nigeria now and this is the last time and final.

“Failing election for three times was a big blow to every contestant but those that have contested for just yesterday, a simple primary election, they are still living in a traumatic condition, I tried to console them, I tried to talk to them, some of them have switched off their phones up till today, just because of a primary election.

“You can imagine myself at 19 years, handling somebody that went to war, suffered coup d’état, then lost several elections, and, finally, getting to the Villa in the 2015. Also, for a woman to tell them that this is wrong or right in Nigeria and Africa is a problem.”

She commended the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces and their contributions to nation building, saying: “In that case, I want to use this opportunity to appreciate members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their sacrifices and contributions to nation building.

“The fallen Heroes remain evergreen in our minds and many with us are wounded physically and mentally. I want to appreciate their wives and families; I want to let them know that the whole nation is with them.”

Aisha said that the PTSD centre was important to members of the armed forces and beyond, stressing that soldiers were the primary victims.

“This centre is timely, as PTSD is a problem that really deserved solution of this nature, and providing facilities for treatment and rehabilitation of patients is key.

“Therefore, fund raising is not the solution, the solution is the federal government that sent them to war front to take responsibility in taking care of the mental health of returnees from war front. PTSD cuts across all ages.”

The president’s wife, then, halted the scheduled fund raising for the project and pledged that the presidency and the armed forces would take it over.

“I thank DEPOWA for this initiative and the military establishment for supporting them. I call on them to ensure that this centre provides quality and sustained care for soldiers that suffer from PTSD.

“It is the responsibility of the whole armed forces to extract from their budget and build this centre. Mrs Irabor, it is no longer your project; it is my project and the project of Mr. President, we are going to work round the clock to make sure that it is completed and commissioned before we leave office.”

President of DEPOWA, Mrs. Vickie Irabor, said the centre was born out of compassion for families of soldiers and research conducted by the association.

“We have identified the extraordinary challenges being faced by officers and soldiers on the frontlines in securing our nation by fighting terrorism, banditry, and other societal ills. Some of these challenges range from physical injuries, mental health issues, and sometimes, sadly, paying the supreme price in the defence of our dear nation Nigeria.

“While we have hospitals to take care of physical injuries, we have realised that there is a huge gap in mental health responses globally, including Nigeria, especially, in the treatment, management, and rehabilitation of PTSD, faced by families in the armed forces.

“In response to these issues, DEPOWA, under my leadership, decided to pursue the implementation of a novel, first-of-its-kind, Legacy-based Armed Forces PTSD Centre. When completed, the centre will help evaluate, counsel, and provide adequate support to personnel and, by extension, their families before reintegration from conflict zones.

“It will also help to enhance national, regional, and global stability, as well as help, boost military capability to continue to deal with all forms of insecurity. I believe that establishing this facility will be a step in ensuring the stability of military families post-conflict engagements and encouragement to officers and soldiers that help is available should they need it after assignments. The facility will also serve as a repository for future research on mental health challenges in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

The event was attended by former President of Malawi, Dr Joyce Banda; Vice President of Liberia, Dr Jewel Howard-Taylor; Member, UK House of Lords, Baroness Sandy Verma; Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd); Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor; and the service chiefs.

Source: THISDAY.

I Feel Sorry For Igbos For Presenting Peter Obi As Their Best – Asari Dokubo

“Presenting Obi as a (Presidential) candidate (of the Labour Party (LP) is what any rational human being should not even think about.

“Presenting Obi as a candidate; a man who failed in Anambra. Nothing to show for in Anambra and that is the best Igbos can present. I feel sorry for Igbos.”

These were the words of the former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo while reacting to members of Peter Obi Movement that threatened him.

He said: “anybody who talks you abuse them…you can’t abuse me. You can’t do me anything. If you come I go pursue you. Me na Tinubu I dey o. Na Tinubu go win this election o. Obi self no go carry third. I be coward? I dey here.

“Obi is going nowhere. This your Obi movement is a joke.”

According to Dokubo, Peter Obi should be in jail for investing the funds of the Anambra State government while he was a Governor.

He queried Obi’s movement on claim of staging two million-man match in a fifteen thousand capacity Jos stadium.

“In fifteen thousand capacity stadium and you held a 2 million-man match? You people should stop lying.”

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