2023 Presidency: Obasanjo Accuses Mao Ohuabunwa Of Putting Words Into His Mouth

March 12, 2022

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has accused one of the Presidential aspirants in the 2023 general election, Mao Ohuabunwa, of putting words he never spoken of, into his mouth.

Obasanjo, who said that he never spoke about endorsing a Southeast presidency in 2023, complained that the words attributed to him, about canvassing the Southeast presidency in the 2023 election was the brainwork of Ohuabunwa.

The former President, in a statement by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, said: “if that was the way the presidential aspirant wanted to approach his ambition; such was a wrong way.

“He came here and the former President received him as a gentleman and in the spirit of his 85th birthday celebrations only for him to go and put words into his mouth. Baba is not that sort of man and if that is the way he wants to fulfill his ambition that is a wrong way.”

There were reports that the ex-President publicly declared his support for the South-East to produce Nigeria’s next leader when a presidential aspirant, Mao Ohuabunwa, visited him at his Presidential Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday, March 11.

Women Groups Honour Communications Commission Boss, Danbatta

Editorial staff

March 12, 2022

Women groups have honoured the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, with an award for his role in women empowerment in the country.

According to a statement by the Commission’s  Director of Public Affairs,  Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the award was conferred on Professor Danbatta yesterday at the celebration  of the 2022 International Women’s Day by  the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF), an umbrella body of over 200 women’s rights groups, which organized the event  in conjunction with the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies of Bayero University Kano (BUK)
The statement said that the NCC boss was scheduled to present awards to various women who have distinguished themselves in different endeavours, but was surprised that the beneficiaries of various youth entrepreneur skills and other empowerment progarmmes of both the Commission and his personal charity foundation, Danbatta Charity Foundation (NCF), ambushed him with their own prizes to him.
Professor Danbatta was also presented with another award by the Centre for Democratic Studies, Mumbayya House, even as KCSF also presented their award of recognition to him.
The statement said that Professor  Danbatta had earlier addressed the audience, saying that he is a strong believer of the potentiality of womenfolk and  that he has never hesitated to entrust responsibilities to his female colleagues because he has always found them to be very reliable when assigned with official tasks.
“I am a very, very strong believer of the tremendous potentiality of members of the womenfolk. And they do it with such finesse, not with any aggression like men do. Women, by their very nature, are tender. They attend to whatever they are doing with finesse in a very careful manner. And they deliver on targets given to them before deadlines.”
NCC Boss said that he has never given an assignment to any of the women in the Commission which was not delivered before the deadline, “to the extent that, ladies and gentlemen, I am always comfortable to have a woman chair committee, whenever there is a need.”
H e stressed that his  respect for women is natural to him, adding that it is one of the values his late mother inculcated in him.

“We now have women in every sector of the economy, in every area of human endeavour. We have them as engineers, medical doctors, seasoned administrators, name it. In the commission I am heading we have 4 female directors. The Director of Zonal Operations is a woman. The Director of Policy competition, and Economic Analysis is a woman, and also a lawyer. Equally, the Director of Legal and Regulatory Services is a woman, and lastly the Director of Projects. And I am not saying this out of any disrespect for the womenfolk. Far from that. Importantly, more than 50% of the workforce in NCC is made up of women.”

The NCC boss said that the Commission is committed to bridging the gender-oriented digital divide, which is why the NCC has put, in the front burner, the need to expose girls and young women to more opportunities in the digital ecosystem, in line with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) resolution 70, which advocates gender mainstreaming and promotion of gender equality, as well as the empowerment of women through information and communications technology (ICT).
The EVC boss later commissioned the e-library of the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, an arm of Bayero University, which was donated by the Commission in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to the promotion of digital economy programmes.

Buhari Confirms March 26 As Day For APC Convention, Warns Against Horse-Trading

Editorial staff

March 12, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed March 26 as the day for the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), even as he warned the leaders and members of the party to desist from horse-trading, name-calling and backstabbing amongst themselves.

The President asked them to remain steadfast and maintain unity in the party if it is to continue in the path of victory and its dominance at all levels throughout the country.

Buhari, who addressed the party’s stakeholders today, March 12 in London, also asked members to look at the once-powerful, ”main opposition” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now enfeebled and adrift and that that they should learn lessons in disunity, mismanagement and corruption.

”They failed in 16 years in power and a failure as opposition.

”Yes, we are entitled to our own share of dissent and intra-party discord. These are common in all parties, left and right all over the world.

”But parties splintered by competing egos destine themselves to the worst possible fate,” the President warned.

”As the country prepares for the long run up to the 2023 presidential election, we all expect a robust debate on the issues that matter and what is going in the APC should be a reflection of this, not the infighting we are seeing. There must be no more distractions ahead of the convention to choose new leaders.”

The President recalled that the APC started out with a confidence of victory and that today it still enjoys the same confidence in nearly two-thirds of our 36 states.

According to him, the party which has been in existence barely for eight years, has become the dominant party because it has thrown open its doors to defectors from other parties, big and small.

‘We didn’t start on the note of arrogance of power, nor see government as a vehicle for self-aggrandizement, to be held at all costs, but a vehicle to bring development to all without discrimination-political, ethnic or regional to our dear country made this success possible.”

He said that the party is proud of the fact that in its short period of existence, it has won two general elections decisively and despite losing a few states in 2019, it steadfastly expanded its pan-Nigerian outlook with significant defections of the opposition Governors and parliamentarians into its fold.

”Given all that is at a stake, we can expect contests into offices as we are now faced with to be heated although candidates and their promoters for party offices are not so much debating policy differences but differences of management, personality, character, and suitability for the most important leadership roles in our country and therefore the continent.”

“It is equally clear that over the last week or so, the internal management affairs of the APC have been afforded generous media coverage – over and above its importance to the voters of Nigeria.

“It is important to ask what benefits the poor are getting during the period of intense negative coverage.

“When precisely the party’s convention is held and who is the party’s chairman is hardly a matter for the average voter: vastly more important is who convention delegates will elect as the party’s flagbearer in the coming weeks to take forward the party’s platform to the people in the general election in February next year.

“It is therefore important for the media to put such matters into perspective. No one is debating policy differences here. That is for the general election. None of the declared aspirants and any of those that may step forward will change because of who may be in the party in the chairman’s seat. It is essentially the same party.

“Of course the media are welcome to comment on the content of the character of the potential APC candidates; discuss their suitability for leadership; scrutinize their offer to the membership. But to focus on the routine internal divisions and magnify them into what they have become today is a waste of everyone’s time, amounting to no more than a discussion over seating arrangements.

“This is not what Nigerians talk of in their communities. They have an inclination only for things that matter.”

First Rain In 2022 Soaks Abuja

Greenbarge Reporters

March 12, 2022

The first rain in 2022 poured down heavily at the midnight, soaking the environment.

The rain which came pouring down in most parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja started at about 12 midnight today, March 12.

The rain came after a strong wind that threatened most of the weak structures. Reports said that the rain was heavy in mainly Lugbe, Gwagwalada, Chibiri, Kuje and other areas around the Notheast of Abuja.
In some places, the rain reduced to drizzling upto 4am after the concentrative one hour heavy downpour.

Defection: We’ve Captured Ebony, Next Are Zamfara, Cross River, PDP Boasts

Editorial staff

March 11, 2022

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed optimism that a governor on its platform would be sworn-in in Ebonyi state following a Federal High Court judgement in Abuja which sacked Governor David Umahi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Umahi’s sack followed PDP’s suit challenging his defection from the party having been elected on its platform.

Though the governor has appealed the judgement, but the PDP still refers to Umahi as “a former governor of Ebonyi state.”

The National chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, during a PDP rally in his hounor in Benin city, Edo state capital, said: “we have won our first governor under this National Working Committee (NWC)… In Ebonyi, we fought for it.

“If a thief take your thing and run away, you pursue him, beat and take your thing back. Is it wrong?

“We won; and today, I hope and pray our new governor (nominee) Hon. Iduma Igariwey will be sworn-in in Ebonyi to replace former governor Umahi.

“And we will go after all those who went away with our mandates. We will go after Ayade. We will go after the one in Zamfara (Bello Matawalle).

“We shall take back our stolen property. Nobody voted for an independent candidate. People voted for the party.”

Ayu said that his visit to the state was to unite warring groups in the party because “we cannot talk about winning 2023 election when the states chapters are not united.”

Osinbajo Describes Ibadan As One Of The Political Centres Of Gravity, Written In Stars

Editorial staff

March 11, 2022

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described Ibadan, capital of Oyo State as one of the political centres of gravity in our nation that was practically written in stars.

Speaking today, March 11, at the official coronation of the new Olubadan, Oba Dr. Senator Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Ali-Iwo, Alli Okunmade II, Professor Osinbajo said that it is Ibadan that the call for Nigeria’s independence from British rule first resounded.

According to him, Ibadan is land of ancient renown and high achievements, saying that the city is at the heart of the history of the Yoruba people and Nigeria.

“This is after all a town unlike none other, founded and shaped by defiant non-conformists, warriors of major Yoruba subgroups from Oyo, Ife, Ijebu, Egba, and it would become the largest indigenous city in Africa and the intellectual hub of the modern Nigerian state.
“The people of Ibadan bore witness to the exploits of iconic nationalists and leaders such as Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, our country’s first President and the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was Premier of the Western Region for a time that is widely regarded as the region’s golden age.

“Ibadan became the hub of politics in the then nascent nation and the capital of the Western Region. It was and is still acknowledged as the political headquarters of the entire South-West Nigeria.
“Ibadan was and has always been a city on a hill, a place of refuge and a realm in which individuals could rise by the grace of their talents, on merit and their diligence.

“It embodies the values of openness, diversity and high achievement. It is therefore not surprising that Ibadan is a city of many firsts.
“It is home to the first indigenous TV station in Africa, it is also the home of the Shooting Stars Sports Football Club (3SC) – the first Nigerian club to win an international trophy – the African Winners Cup in 1976.
“This is the home of the first university in Nigeria, (the University of Ibadan), and for many years the iconic Cocoa House was the tallest building in Nigeria standing as a towering edifice dominating the city’s skyline – a powerful visual reminder that Ibadan ceaselessly inspires us to strive for greater heights in every endeavour.
“Even in the management of its traditional institution, Ibadan is unerringly unique. As we all know whoever would become an Olubadan must climb 23 chieftaincy steps from either of two lines: the Civilian and the Military. But it is its predictability and orderliness that ranks it among the most peaceful and unique ascension protocols anywhere.”
Vice President Osinbajo said that it is the custodianship of this illustrious heritage and proud tradition that the new Olubadan has been initiated into today.

“And it is therefore your Royal Majesty, a heavy obligation of history that the privilege of your ascension to the throne of your fathers now places upon your shoulders.
“But your shoulders are broad and sturdy as you come into this office better prepared than probably any monarch anywhere, with a PhD, a background in economic and social research, scholar, with an intellectual sympathy for Marxist dialectic, university teacher, former Senator of the Federal Republic, and a champion of indigenous culture and community empowerment.
“Everything in your remarkable life and times; your abiding dedication and love for the people of Ibadan, your breadth of intellect, the openness of mind and largeness of heart has inexorably led to this auspicious day of your crowning as the Olubadan of Ibadan. I am sure this will serve you well on the throne.”

Veteran Journalist, Editor, Emmanuel Yawe, Dies At 65

Editorial staff

March 11, 2022

A veteran Journalist, editor and national publicity secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Emmanuel Yawe is dead. He died today, March 11 in Abuja at the age of 65 after a protracted illness.

Former Secretary-General of the Forum, Chief Anthony Sani confirmed the incident to The Nation.

He said: “it is sad, I just read it on the ACF platform now that he is dead.”

Also the Forum’s Secretary General, Murtala Aliyu wrote: “It is with heavy heart that I bring to your notice the passing (away) of our Publicity Secretary Chief EMMANUEL YAWE this morning.

“I have intimated the Chairman Audu Ogbeh and he instructed that I should bring it to the notice of members. We will be visiting the family and will keep you informed about the burial arrangements. May his gentle soul Rest In Peace.”

Yawe, born on October 21, 1956, died at 65.

Yawe, an alumnus of University of Ibadan, Ibadan, was a Member of the Editorial Board of Advisers of The Point Newspaper: Editorial Board Member, Peoples Daily Newspaper: Managing Editor, New Sentinel Newspaper: Editor, Crystal International News Magazine and President, World Vision Communications.

He was also Managing Director of the Gongola Press Ltd between 1988 and 1992; Director General, Governor’s Office, Gongola State 1987 to 1988; Editor, Sunday Triumph Newspapers 1984 to 1987; Chief Press Secretary, Governor’s Office, Gongola State 1983 to1983; Editorial Board Member, New Nigerian Newspapers 1982 to 1983 and Correspondent, News Agency of Nigeria, 1980 to 1982.

Gov Sani Bello’s CECPC Surrenders, Says Mala Buni Is Still In Charge

Editorial staff

March 11, 2022

The Governor Sani Bello-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC, has surrendered to the leadership of the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, as the substantive chairman of the party.

Speaking at a press conference at the national secretariat of the party, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, Caretaker Committee member representing the Youth, said that the position of Governor Buni, as the chairman of the CECPC is incontrovertible, emphasising that Governor Bello is only on acting capacity.

“Somebody asks, what is the position of Governor Mai Mala Buni in the party, I think it’s pretty simple. I don’t know why this is a complicated process for a lot of people not to understand. Since the inception of this CECPC on June 25, 2020, whenever the chairman is not around and Governor Sani Bello is around, he acts on behalf of all as the Chairman.

“It has always been the case that has never changed. It has always been the case. Now, we have a convention on March 26. The chairman wrote a letter and transmitted power to Governor Bello to enable him go for medical treatment. “Those are two emergencies. He has a medical emergency, that cannot wait for Convention. We have a convention that cannot wait for him to be healthy.

“So, one has to leave for the other, whichever, he has transmitted a letter and Governor Sani Bello has been acting appropriately. Why is it so difficult for people to understand that? Why, why is it so difficult for people to simply understand? I cannot understand why people are making this allegation.

“So, Governor Sani Bello is acting the full authority of the Caretaker Committee and with the full authority of the stakeholders and with the full consent of Governor Mai Mala Buni. It is very clear and simple. If anybody has issues with any of our decisions can head to court. For now, we are doing it with the full backing of the law. So, there is no ambiguity on this, absolutely none,” he thundered.”

The new spokesperson of the ruling party further insisted that the March 26 proposed national convention of the party is sacrosanct despite the misunderstanding trailing the correspondence with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stopping the emergency virtual NationalExecutiveCommittee (NEC) meeting scheduled for March 17, 2022.

Agitation For Oduduwa Republic: Igboho Repents, Goes For Dialogue

Editorial staff

March 11, 2022

Erstwhile Yoruba Nation war-monger, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, has repented and preferred dialogue in the quest for the Southwest agitation for Oduduwa Republic and self-determination.

In a statement issued on his behalf by his lead counsel, Yomi Alliyu (SAN), Igboho said that it is only dialogue that would lead to the actualization of the Yoruba nation, begging his kinsmen and women to shun violence and embrace dialogue.

Igboho was recently released from prison in Benin Republic on health grounds.

He said that the ambition of self-determination can be achieved without firing a bullet or heating up the fragile situation in Nigeria.

“Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has implored all his supporters, especially his kinsmen at home and in the Diaspora, to embrace dialogue in their quest for self-determination without heating up the fragile situation in Nigeria,” Alliyu said.

“The Yourba Nation activist said that he would continue to preach against war, considering what was happening in Ukraine and some parts of Igboland in Nigeria.

“He expressed his believes that the ambition for self-determination of Yorubaland could be achieved without firing a bullet.

“Igboho assured all those in support of peaceful self-determination, through referendum, that the struggle continues, adding that he would not relent in his efforts in that regard.

“He thanked all his supporters, especially his leaders, Prof. Banji Akintoye and Prof. Wale Adeniran and all Nigerians, especially his people in Ilana Oodua and Affiliates, seeking self-determination.

“Igboho also thanked the President of Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon, for releasing him from prison with a view to uniting him with members of his immediate family in spite of the fact that he would only stay in Cotonou for the time being.”

2023: Obasanjo Prefers Igbo Presidency

Editorial staff

March 11, 2022

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has declares his preference for an Igbo Presidency in 2023 general election.

Obasanjo, who spoke when he hosted a 2023 Presidential aspirant, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa at his country home in Abeokuta, Ogun Staate, said that the time has come to bring total reconciliation to Nigeria by supporting a president of Southeast extraction to emerge in 2023.

The former president said that there are a lot of things that South-easterners can bring on the table, saying: “beyond bringing unity to Nigeria or being the cement that holds the country together, I believe that Southeasterners can model hard work and entrepreneurship. That will help in wealth creation and fight against poverty, which is ravaging Nigeria.”

He told Ohuabunwa that running for the office of the president of Nigeria is a tough job and that he is looking forward to the final realization of his vision to see Nigeria fully united.

Ohuabunwa, in response, commended Obasanjo for showing the highest level of not only detribalization also fairness and equity as he didn’t discriminate during his time in power.

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