Pat Utomi Has No Power To Appoint Party’s Spokesman – Publicity Secretary

August 14, 2022

The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Arabambi Abayomi, has dismissed the reports indicating that a chieftain of the party, Professor Pat Utomi has appointed Charles Okadigbo as the party’s a spokesperson.

In a statement yesterday, August 13, Arabambi Abayomi said that it is only the National Chairman, Julius Abure, that has the power, under the constitution of the party, to make such appointment.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the news intercepted through multiple news media that one Mr Charles Okadigbo has been appointed as the Spokesman of Labour Party by Prof. Pat Utomi.

”It is not undisputed that LP has not made such an appointment since Utomi who is the leader of NCF cannot usurp the function of the National Chairman.

“For the records, Utomi who is the leader of the NCF, a strong affiliate of the LP, while in a zoom meeting introduced Charles Okadigbo as the Media Head of the “Big Tent,” an acronym for the NCF and No mention of LP was made on that platform.

“All appointments by the LP are made through the office of the national chairman and announcement made by the national publicity secretary under the directive of the national chairman,” he was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria.

“According to Abayomi, for emphasis and clarity, Article 14 subsection 1(a) of the Labour Party Constitution states as follows:

”The national chairman shall give leadership to the party and shall preside over all meetings of the National Executive Council and the National Working Committee of the party.

“LP now uses this opportunity to say the LP is guided by the constitution in all its activities.

”As such, all members of the party, as well as interested members of the public presently in LP, should from here on, take serious caution that the function of the national chairman as head of LP is not in question.”

Jonathan Was “Angel” We Pushed Out Of Office, Oshiomhole Confesses

Greenbarge Reporters

August 14, 2022

Former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has described the former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as an Angel that was defeated at the polls even though he performed creditably well.

According to him, the logic of multi-party democracy is that “even an angel can be defeated. You have set a standard that none of your successors can afford to go below.”

Oshiomhole, who spoke yesterday, August 13 at the one-year memorial lecture in honour of late Captain Hosa Okunbo, in Abuja, confessed that even though the former President left good legacies, he (Oshiomhole) fought him out of office due to their differences in political interests.

“You (Jonathan) left legacies even though I had cause to fight you because it is politics. The legacy you have left, there is no successor who can afford to do less.

“Part of your (Jonathan) legacies was when you launched the almajiri school and your thought was that no Nigerian child should be left on the street and also appropriated special funds.

“These ideas are not new but what we lack is the will to transform it to practice. We never know who are our friends until when we are no more.

“No one is appreciated until he or she leaves office.”

Oshiomhole was also the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Olu of Warri and Ogiame Atuwase III, spoke at the event, condemning the glorification of stomach infrastructure in Nigeria’s political culture, among others.

They described the late Captain Hosa Okunbo as a man with a large heart, the spirit of philanthropy and ardent love for the needy.

According to them, one of his legacies that will continue to endure is that he nurtured and mentored many to become responsible members of the society.

NCC Alerts Nigerians Of Existence Of New Malware Designed To Scam Organizations

Greenbarge Reporters

August 14, 2022

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has alerted Nigerians of the existence of Ransomware, which is a malware designed to deny a user or organization access to files on their computer until they pay the attackers.

The NCC’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) has therefore, advised organisations to adopt stronger cybersecurity measures, including ensuring that employees use strong, unique passwords for every account and enabling multi-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it is supported to prevent ransomware attacks.

In a statement today, August 13, the NCC spokesman, Reuben Muoka said that organizations should ensure regular systems backup.

He said that the warning to organisations contained in the NCC-CSIRT’s advisory of August 12, 2022, adding that it came after the Yanluowang threat actors gained access to Cisco’s network, using an employee’s stolen credentials after hijacking the employee’s personal Google account containing credentials synced from their browser.

“Cisco reported the security incident on its corporate network but said it did not identify any impact on its business although the threat actors had published a list of files from this security incident on the dark web on August 10.

“NCC-CSIRT estimated potential damage from the incident to be critical while predicting that successful exploitation of the ransomware will result in ransomware deployment to compromise computer systems, sensitive products and customers’ data theft and exposure, as well as huge financial loss to organizations by incurring significant indirect costs and could also mar their reputations.”

The statement said that the first step to preventing ransomware attacks is to ensure that employees are using strong, unique passwords for every account and enabling multi-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it’s supported.

“In response to the attack, Cisco has immediately implemented a company-wide password reset. Users of Cisco products should ensure a successful password reset.

“As a precaution, the company has also created two Clam AntiVirus signatures (Win.Exploit.Kolobko-9950675-0 and Win.Backdoor.Kolobko-9950676-0) to disinfect any potentially compromised assets. Clam AntiVirus Signatures (or ClamAV) is a multi-platform antimalware toolkit that can detect a wide range of malware and viruses.

“User education is critical in thwarting this type of attacks or any similar attacks, including ensuring that employees are aware of the legitimate channels through which support personnel will contact users, so that employees can identify fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information. Organisations should ensure regular systems backup.”

The statement said that CSIRT is the telecom sector’s cyber security incidence centre set up by the NCC to focus on incidents in the telecom sector and as they may affect telecom consumers and citizens at large.

The CSIRT, it said, also works collaboratively with the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), established by the Federal Government to reduce the volume of future computer risks incidents by preparing, protecting and securing the Nigerian cyberspace to forestall attacks, problems or related events.

I Received Letter From Ohinoyi On Ebira Involvement In Owo Church Attack – Ondo Gov

Greenbarge Reporters

August 14, 2022

The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr. Ado Ibrahim

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has said that the Ohinoyi of Ebira people worldwide has forwarded a private letter to him, expressing his embarrassment on the involvement of his subjects in the Catholic attack by terrorists in Owo in June this year.

“I also have received a letter from Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, that is the leader of Ebira in the World, commiserating again and expressing his own embarrassment on what happened.”

The Ohinoyi, 94 year old acting chairman of Kogi State Traditional Council, Alhaji, Dr. Ado Ibrahim, is the paramount first class traditional ruler of the entire Ebira nation.

Governor Akeredolu, who held a special meeting with the leaders of the Ebira community in the state at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s office, Alagbaka, Akure, today, Agust 13, called on Ebira leaders to warn their wards against venturing into the kidnapping business.

Akeredolu, who stressed that the Ebira people have lived together with the indigenes of the state for long, charged them not to deviate from the farming trade.

“We summoned the special meeting with our brothers. They are not new here but because of the recent developments that have to do with the Owo massacre and kidnappings, we have to call ourselves.

“I can assure you all that we have had a very frank discussion with ourselves and the leader of the Ebiras in Ondo State spoke on behalf of Ebiras and a few other persons

“It is clear that the message from us to them is well understood and we have assurance from the Ebiras who are living in Ondo State that they would corporate with the security agencies and that the incident in Owo was something that they themselves felt very bad about.

“So, we leave here today with the belief that our brothers, Ebira that are here, would at the least work to ensure that there is security in Ondo State and in doing that, we have charged them to discuss with all their people.”

How I Escaped Being Killed By Politicians Who Wanted Me To Bend Rules – INEC Boss

Editorial staff

August 12, 2022

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Mike Igini, has recalled how he received death threats from desperate politicians who wanted him to bend the rules to win elections.

Speaking to news men today, August 12, at the Conference Hall of the INEC Secretariat in Uyo, as he retires from active service, Barrister Mike said that despite such threats to his life, he stood his ground to reform the electoral process, which he recalled was badly battered before the 2019 polls.

According to him, his refusal to succumb to the whims and caprices of some desperate politicians in the state pitched him against some “Dinosaurs” who were not happy with him.

He said he has already set electoral standards in the state and that his exit will not change the template.

“INEC in Akwa Ibom State under my watch is very clear on the conduct of elections as directed by INEC at the national level and we are poised to deal with historical challenges as it concerns electoral matters.

“Politicians in Akwa Ibom State are used to rigging but i have said no, that is why the ‘Dinosaurs’ are angry. Some believe that they can buy all the people all the time because of permanent interest but Mike Igini has vowed that I can’t be bought with money.

“INEC in the state will continue to serve the people even at the risk of their lives because they are doing the right thing. Democracy will have no meaning if the rule of law is not totally embrace.

“All elements who acted contrary to the rule of Electoral law in 2019 were duly punished including INEC Staff.INEC has built electoral fireworks in Akwa Ibom State so that electoral template can be maintained.”

Barrister Mike Igini recalled that in 2019, about 23 illegal polling units were discovered in the homes of some politicians in the state, adding his quarrels with politicians started when he ordered that those polling units be relocated to open places.

“In 2019, some illegal polling units were identified in the homes of politicians in the State and I directed that such polling units be relocated to open places where people can vote under a conducive atmosphere.”

All Rent Seekers Milling Around Atiku Will Make Him To Lose 2023 Presidency – Gov Wike

Editorial staff

August 12, 2022

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said that people around the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar may hinder him from winning the 2023 election.

Governor Wike, who spoke today, August 12 in Port Harcourt during the commissioning of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters built by his administration, said that the people who always want to be seen around Atiku in Abuja may eventually cost him the presidential election because they are going about it the wrong way.

He said that instead of milling around the PDP candidate in Abuja, they need to go to their respective states and sell the candidature of Atiku to their people, calling on Atiku to send them all back to their respective states.

Governor who said that he had already made his mind known to Atiku about those around him and how their activities may eventually cost him the presidential election if he doesn’t do the needful quickly, said: “I have told the candidate, you will win or lose this election because of people around you.

“This should be the focus of all true lovers of PDP who want electoral victory. You’re supposed to be talking about how you will win election. All these rent seekers around him (Atiku) are not doing him any favour. Rather they are trying to make him not to win election. But if that is what they wish, I wish them good luck.”

“You see that I am not talking. I am doing my work, so leave me to do my work. Those concocting ideas every day in social media cannot make you win election. Election is about the people and by the people. Those in Abuja with you (Atiku), tell them to go home and campaign for you to win election. Leave Wike alone, enough is enough.”

Source: NaijaNews.

Reps Speaker, Gbajabiamila Still Bitter With Sokoto Gov. For Working Against Him

Editorial staff

August 12, 2022

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, is still bitter with the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, in a veiled reference to him.

He told Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State that Tambuwal and others, including governor Wike who plotted against him for the speakership of the house of Reps in 2015, were the same that also worked against him (Wike) at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary recently.

The Speaker, at the inauguration of the official quarters of the Rivers House of Assembly today, August 12, said: “let me start by thanking the Governor, my friend and brother that a confession that has been known to all forever that you plotted against me.

“It is the irony of life and indeed very interesting, the twist of fate, that those who he sat with to plot against me are the same people who sat together at your primary to plot against you. So, plotting is not necessarily a new thing in politics but what is constant is that in politics, there are no permanent enemies, there are no permanent friends but what you have is permanent interest. “And by God’s grace this one that you have started, the journey that you have started that you and I both know shall be permanent. Please choke them. I said choke them.”

After his failed speakership bid in 2015, Gbajabiamila had accused Tambuwal of betraying him.

“I feel disappointed that a speaker to whom much had been given would chop down the issue of leadership and competence to the issue of procurement. That is the last thing I would expect him to say,” Gbaja had said on the defunct Straight Talk with Kadaria.

“To seat here and say there is no sense of betrayal would be lying. Of course, there is a sense of betrayal, but it’s not something I dwell on. Betrayal unfortunately happens to be the order of the day in politics – particularly in Nigeria. So do I feel betrayed? Yes.

“Tambuwal was one of my closest friends when he ran for speaker; I think I single-handedly pushed his speakership bid. But again, he must have reasons why he did what he did. That must be respected; I just wished he had made that known.”

Asked if he had spoken with Tambuwal since the election, he said: “No I have not, I am not crossing paths with him, he is in Sokoto, I’m in Abuja; you might want to direct that question to him. Who do you think should be reaching out to who?

“When it was clear we were going to win, the other side walked out. Tambuwal, who is my friend, did not call once to congratulate me, he never sent a message, and I haven’t spoken to him since then.”

Governor Wike had contested the presidential ticket of the party but lost to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who was among the presidential aspirants, had stepped down for Atiku during the primaries.

Many attributed the victory of Atiku to the act of Tambuwal, who was speaker when Gbajabiamila was majority leader of the lower legislative chamber of the National Assembly.

Although the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership had tipped Gbajabiamila as Tambuwal’s successor, Yakubu Dogara was elected speaker.

Source: Daily Trust.

I’m Not A Kid To File Suit Against Atiku’s Candidacy About 2 Months After Primary – Wike

Editorial staff

August 12, 2022

Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State has made it clear that he didn’t know anything about a suit challenging the position of Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to which he belongs.

In reaction to the news which trended in media today, August 12, Governor Wike described the suit as the handiwork of mischief makers who merely want to use him to score cheap political points.

“I don’t know anything about the so called suit. I did not ask anyone to file any suit for me. I don’t know the lawyers..

“Am I a kid to be filing a suit at this time. I had 14 days after the primary within which to have filed any suit. I didn’t do that then, is it two months after primary I will file a suit?”

This was even as the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, accused the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) of being behind the suit.

Speaking at the International Commemoration of United Nations International Youths Day 2022 celebration of the PDP in Abuja, today, Iyorcha Ayu said: Wike never took the party to court. It’s APC that puts the case. The first man on that case is a coordinator for the presidential candidate of the APC.”

The PDP boss, who did not mention any particular name, added that: “We know very well that they don’t believe they can win any election. They are trying to divide you. Don’t let any APC manipulation divide you. They are the one sponsoring stories of crisis in the PDP.”

“There is no crisis in PDP. PDP has no crisis. It’s a united political party. Anybody who thinks he can come and do crisis, they should wait for us next year February, we will show them that they are the ones who have a crisis.

“So, I want to make it clear because people will start saying that Wike took the party to court. Wike is a strong party man and I’m happy he came out immediately and denied that he never took the party to court.

“And very soon, it will be revealed that the coordinator of the Presidential candidate of the APC was the one that put Wike’s name. And that is a criminal thing.”

Earlier today, news broke out that Governor Wike had instituted a suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, dated June 6, 2022, at the Federal High Abuja challenging the candidacy of Atiku, claiming that he was the rightful candidate of the PDP in the June primary of the party in Abuja..

How We Use Pen To Open Cars, Steal Laptops, Others – Abuja Robbery Gang

Editorial staff

August 12, 2022

A 35-year-old convict native of Borno State and graduate of the University of Maiduguri, Shettima Abubakar, known for stealing laptops from cars within the Central Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has revealed his mode of operation.

According to him, he uses a pen to interrupt the lock system of vehicles, especially from unsuspecting victims using remote keys.

Abubakar had confessed to his crime after he was paraded alongside five others at the Central Police Station, located at the Federal Secretariat area of the FCT.

The other suspects include the one who unlocks the laptops after being stolen; the one who sells the laptops and the unsuspecting end buyer of the laptop.

Abubakar, who answered questions from newsmen explained how he operated until his arrest.

“If you come with your vehicle and I am close to it before you press the remote of your vehicle, I will follow the other passenger side, and open it and insert a pen there.

“So, even when you lock it with the remote, it will show you a sign that you locked it with its lock pattern. Then after you go, I will come back and open the vehicle.

“So, anything that looks like a bag inside a car, I try to see what is in it and when there is a laptop, I take it and leave the rest.”

The FCT Police Spokesperson, DSP Josephine Adeh, while addressing the news men said that Abubakar, the two-time convict alongside the other suspects were arrested between August 5 and 10 after a painstaking investigation by operatives of the Central Police.

“The suspects specialize in stealing laptops, Ipads and others. Out of the six, three are suspects – those who steal laptops and the other three are receivers and they have been terrorizing the central area.”

Adeh advised residents to be vigilant and ensure they utilise various tools in safeguarding their cars.

But Abubakar, the gang leader of the syndicate had more on what residents should do.

“My advice for people that have vehicles is that they should be assured that if someone was using a key to lock his/her vehicle it will be hard for someone else to open the car because you are standing by your vehicle.

“People who use remotes to lock their cars with pride should stop it, especially those who move a bit of a distance before locking their cars. If you want to lock your vehicle, ensure it is locked before leaving there, else someone will have access to it.”

Meanwhile, the police urged residents with missing laptops report to the command or the central police station to reclaim their belongings. The command paraded about 200 laptops, allegedly stolen by the suspects.

But another suspect, Kabiru Useni, from Kogi State who was arrested for his complicity, claimed innocence after accusing the police of seizing laptops from his store in Wuse zone 3, upon his arrest.

The police arrested him for having identified his role in unlocking stolen laptops as well as buying the carcass of condemned laptops. But Useni feigned ignorance of the circumstances surrounding the laptops brought to him.

He said out of the laptops displayed as an exhibits, at least 20 belonged to his clients. The police, however, revealed that investigation has shown that Useni bought a laptop from Abubakar for at least N100,000.

Ignore Media View, Nigerian Govt Supports One China Policy, Presidency Assures Ambassador

Greenbarge Reporters

August 12, 2022

The Presidency has assured the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, CUI Jianchun and the new Deputy Chief of Mission/Ministerial Councilor, Zhang Yi that Nigerian government recognizes and supports China One Policy.

“The things you read in the press (Nigerian) concerning One China Policy are not a representation of the Federal Government policy on One China policy.

“Nigeria’s Constitution is written in a way that allows freedom of expression in the Media.”

Receiving the Chinese Ambassador at the Presidential villa today, August 12, Malam Garba Shehu along with Femi Adesina; the two spokesmen of President Muhammadu Buhari described misrepresentation of One China policy in some section of the Nigerian Media as wrong.

Garba Shehu stressed that what is important in the Nigeria-China relations is that Nigerian government recognize and support the One China policy.

This was even as Femi Adesina said that when the history of the Buhari Administration’s efforts to reverse Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is written, the role of China will not be forgotten.

According to Adesina, Chinese government had sustained efforts to improve Nigeria’s infrastructure development in several areas, including power, rail, and aviation, among others.

“President Buhari has very great respect for China. Many times he has spoken about the support from China and he deeply appreciates it. President Buhari and President Xi Jinping share respect and friendship.

“Nigeria appreciates the mutual cooperation with China and we pray that diplomatic relations will continue to be strong and mutually beneficial. President Buhari has visited China twice and also participated in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting in South Africa.”

The Ambassador explained his 5GOAL NIGERIA-CHINA GDP STRATEGY, pegged around political consonance, economic cooperation, military collaboration, international coordination and people communication.

Jianchun, who has spent 17 months in Nigeria, pledged that China would continue to prioritize investments in railway, road, ports, electricity, ICT, oil and gas, agriculture, mining, among others, across the country.

On the 700MW Zungeru hydroelectric power plant under construction in Niger State, the Chinese Ambassador said his government is deeply committed to its completion and operationalization soon.

1...474475476...2,507 Page 475 of 2,507