BREAKING NEWS: Yes, I’m Contesting 2023 Presidency, Tinubu Opens Up

January 10, 2022

The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally admitted that he will contest the next year 2023 Presidential election.

Tinubu, who answered reporters’ questions after a private audience with President Muhammadu Buhari today, January 10, at the Presidential villa, Abuja described his decision to contest the Presidential election next year as his “lifelong ambition.”

He said that one of the vital reasons he had audience with the President was to formally inform him (the president) of his intention.

Read below, the full text of the interview:

Q: May we know why you are here?

Ans: I will not answer that question when I not lost my citizenship. I came to see the President on general issues concerning Nigeria, including our political party, APC, security issues, the achievement and the New Year Agenda. That’s all I can tell you. The new strategy that we must have party Congresses and all that.

Q: President Buhari recently said he did not want to divulge his favorite for the APC 2023 presidential ticket. Nigerians will like to know; have you informed the President about your ambition?

Ans: I answer that with categorical yes. I’ve informed the President of my intention but I have not informed Nigerians yet. I’m still consulting. And I have no problem consulting. And I’ve not set a parameter of limitation to the extent of how many people will I consult. You will soon hear. All you want to hear is the categorical declaration. You’ve gotten that truth from me that I have informed Mr. President of my ambition, and you don’t expect more answers than that.

Q: What was his response?

Ans. That’s our business. He is a Democrat. He didn’t ask me to stop. He didn’t ask me not to attempt and pursue my ambition; it is a lifelong ambition. So, why do I expect him to say more than that? You are running a democratic dispensation, and you must adopt the principles and the values and the virtues of democracy. That’s it.

Q: We have seen a number of support groups, drumming up support for your ambition, that of Vice President Osinbajo and Governor of Kogi state too. What’s your perspective of this? How do you see a potential race between you and these other persons for the APC ticket?

Ans: I don’t want to discuss individuals now. I must discuss myself. I have the confidence, the vision, the capacity to rule, (to) build on the foundation of Mr. President and turn Nigeria better. I have done that with commitment and unyielding, you know, in Lagos State. You’ve seen that experience and the capacity to turn things around and that is what we are doing. You know, the confusion, the drift of the past brought about by the PDP is being corrected. And you can’t take away from that. As we are today, go back to the data on how many barrels of oil we were producing when we first came in and what it is today. At the time we came in, we could not even pay the counterpart funds to start our rail line. Today, you enjoy the comfort of having rail from Lagos to Ibadan; you have the Kaduna and you have the one for Kano State on the aggressive pipeline. You see excellent infrastructure. I just came from Azare and I have seen good roads. The carnage of dying on motor vehicles is reducing except you know, lack of compliance with a lot of Nigerian drivers and VIOs. Let us think back; let us be intellectually inquisitive as to the past and the present and what the future holds for Nigeria.

Q: Tinubu as Nigeria’s President, what do we hope to see?

Ans: You want my manifesto now? Not yet. Not yet.

Q: I would like you to speak on the direct primaries and the convention. And secondly, what would be your response to those that say, the cap of being a kingmaker fits you more than you throwing yourself into the ring, that you should remain a kingmaker.

Ans. First of all, the National Assembly and the president must be encouraged to review and review again. Whatever they come up with, electoral amendment is what we must comply with. There is no unlimited elasticity in what we face, because we have to plan and plan well, and be able to manage the time effectively. The great roadmap to success is ability of a leader to do what he must do at the right time that it should be done. So that to me, the electoral amendment point we will still look at that collectively. And it is our country. It’s our democracy. We had adopted it and we will push it rigorously.

About the cap of king maker. I’ve never seen the cap of a king maker before. That is the truth. And I’ve never seen where it is written in the rule book anywhere in any country, that a kingmaker cannot be a king unless you commit murder. So, whatever is your attribute is your own opinion. Me, I want to pursue my ambition without the title of a kingmaker. You can write your literature and your story based upon your own perception.

Convention, it is certain that we are going to get it.

Q: When, next month?

Ans: Oh, well. I’m not a spokesperson for the party. And the President is the leader of the party. So, expect convention, maybe if that’s added to your own anxiety, or the other party’s anxiety is good for us. We get it and we’ll get it done properly.

EFCC Recovered N152 Billion, $386.2 Million, Others In 2021- Bawa

Editorial staff

January 10, 2022

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has said that the Commission recovered the sum of N152, 088,698,751.64 and $386,220,202.84 in 2021.

The chairman, in continuation of the review of the Commission’s operational activities for 2021, listed other recoveries as £1, 182,519.75, €156,246.76, 1,723,310.00 Saudi Riyal, 1,900.00 South African Rand and 1, 400.00 Canadian Dollar.

Bawa said that the recovery basket also included a digital currency component with 5, 36957319 Bitcoin and 0.09012 Ethereum.

According to him, the

headquarters Operation dominated the recoveries with N67, 249, 744, 994.89, $375,662,223.59 and £1,151,539.75.

“It is closely followed by the Lagos Command which led the Naira recoveries with N70, 315,611,260.52, $9,286,497.83 and £21,500.00.

“The Kaduna Zonal Command emerged third in terms of Naira recoveries with a total sum of N3, 339,405,723.93 while the Ibadan Zonal Command took the same position in terms of Dollar recoveries to the tune of $387,385.00.

The Executive Chairman of the Commission said that the monies included direct and indirect recoveries for the different tiers of government (Federal, State and Local Governments), corporate organizations and individuals (victims of crime) within the year under review.

He commended the personnel of the Commission for the performance while urging them to redouble their efforts to ensure that perpetrators of economic and financial crimes are denied the benefit of the proceeds of crime.

Babangida Aliyu Lied, We’ve Not Zoned Presidency To The North – PDP

Editorial staff

January 8, 2022

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it has not zoned its presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general elections.

This is against the statement earlier credited to the former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu to the effect that PDP has zoned the presidential ticket to the North. Babangida Aliyu spoke while receiving Atiku Abubakar‘s support group.

Reacting, the PDP said that its attention was drawn to the comments and speculations from certain individuals claiming that the Party has zoned its Presidential ticket to a particular part of the country.

In a statement by its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, the party said that the statement is completely misleading as it does not in any way represent the position of the Party.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP emphatically and unequivocally states that it has not zoned it Presidential ticket to any part of the country.

“The PDP is a political party founded on democratic principles and every action of the Party, including zoning, is based on extensive consultations, discussions and consideration of all the issues as well as the various tendencies and interests across the nation, with the main objective of ensuring that the unity, peaceful co-existence and development of our nation are reinforced and promoted.

“The PDP, therefore, urges Nigerians, our teeming members and supporters to completely disregard the unfounded zoning claims as being peddled. Our Party also cautions those behind the claims to desist forthwith.”

Banning Of Cows From North: IPOB Did Not Speak For Igbos – Ohanaeze

Editorial staff

January 8, 2022

Apex Igbo cultural organization of Igbo speaking people, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that the proscribed Igbo separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has no mandate to speak for the people of the Southeast region.

This is coming on the heels of the ban, by the IPOB, on movement of cows from the Northern part of the country to the East.

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, who was a guest on a political programme on Arise TV yesterday evening, January 7, said that though IPOB’s anger was based on the injustice against Igbos over the years, but that such situation does not give them the “mandate to speak for the entire people of the South-East.”

Obiozor, while reacting to angry and ‘inciting’ responses credited to some Northern groups over the IPOB ban, cautioned both sides to be careful in their comments so as not to throw the country into another chaotic situation.

“Take it from me and it is the right statement: IPOB doesn’t speak for Igbo and that is the truth.

“To be very candid with you, the IPOB anger is an accumulated anger based on perceived or real injustice against Ndigbo for so long.

“We understand their anger and the anger of many youths across the country.

“However, the truth of the matter is that they are not mandated to speak for Ndigbo.”

Obiozor said that the responses of some people in the North to the IPOB threats were also inciting.

Editors Lament China’s Negative Media Influence On Nigeria’s Democracy

Editorial staff

January 7, 2022

Editors and media managers have raised alarm over Chinese negative role in the Nigeria’s Democracy and media space.

At a training workshop for journalists today, January 7 in Abuja, as part of the unveiling a literacy guidebook on the China’s importation of some authoritarian ideologies into Nigerian Media space, guest speakers and participants described the guidebook as an eye opener.

The guidebook exposes unnoticed Chinese infiltration of Nigerian media space, in alleged pursuit of asserting its ideological agenda on Nigeria.

The organisers of the event, Sahel Standard Media, in a statement by the Project Manager, Farouk Mohammed described the guidebook as “the first of its kind in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa, aimed at studying and identifying how China deploys sharp practices to Nigerian Media Space and how such practice had impacted on the democratic life of Nigeria.

“The guidebook identifies key tactics that Chinese operatives deploy in media influencing operations and also included strategies and means of countering such Maligning Influences. The guidebook also included long list of negative impact of such Chinese practices on Nigerian democracy.

“The guidebook is a goldmine of previously unpublished and unarticulated reality of China’s media influence. We expect this guidebook to empower journalists and media operatives to protect free press and democratic norms and practices,” Mohammed said.

In a paper presented by Dr. Anule Emmanuel titled: “Tracking and Countering Maligning Influences in News Rooms” he stressed the urgent need for Nigerian journalists, as watchdogs, to checkmate such antics by China.

He said that to counter maligning influences in the news rooms “we must be inquisitive and have investigative spirit, analytical mind, courage, integrity and patriotic.

“With good combination of our watchdog roles as the fourth estate of the realm and taking responsibilities of putting government in constant check, reveal abuse of state authority and protect the constitutional rights of citizens, it is possible to detect, track and counter maligning influences in our news room.”

This was even as the Deputy President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Danlami Nmodu, mni in his paper: “Democracy, Authoritarianism and Media: Choice for Free Press” advised Nigerians to strive to protect their democracy, adding that people have paid the price to ensure that democracy stands.

According to him, even though “Nigeria’s democracy is not perfect, but let us guard it jealously.”

Nmodu also advised stakeholders to establish Foundation to support independent journalism, even as he said that such foundations should encourage journalists to carry out independent investigations on issues bordering all sectors of Nigeria’s society.

Government, he said, must strategically engage with the media in the national interest, calling for an end to the hide and seek relationship between government and the media.

“The press which has constitutional role has always been under all manner of threats all through history. Let us help make the press free to serve the national interest better and to ensure robust debate.

“In fact, it is in the interest of the people, elite and all, for the press to remain free. We all need it always and especially at most critical junctures. Let us continue to nourish free press,” Nmodu said.

A PhD Student in Media Arts at the University of Abuja, Martins Odeh, in his paper: “Chinese Influence and Democracy: The Growing Threat” said: “we must at this stage clear the illusion about dividends of democracy.”

He argued that the dividends of democracy are not all about full employment, food on the table, light in the homes and working telephones.

“The truth, however, is that democracy has more to offer than food and good things of life.

“Democracy is democracy because of freedom of expression and liberty and the vehicle for measuring the quantum of freedom and liberty in any climes is the media of mass communication which do not exist in a vacuum.”

He added that the objectives of the paper is to expose participants to the realities of the negative entreaties of China to Nigeria and to strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian Journalists to be smart so that they can easily decipher and counter those measures.

Buhari Acknowledges Integrity, Visionary Leadership Of FCT Minister, Musa Bello

Editorial staff

January 7, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has openly acknowledged the integrity and visionary leadership of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.

In a message Congratulating the Minister on his 63rd birthday, which comes up tomorrow, January 8, Buhari said that the Minister’s visionary leadership could not be overemphasized.

According to the President, Muhammad Musa Bello’s unassuming personality, cordiality and sincerity had continued to win friends for the administration and the country.

Such personal qualities, he said, had also provided a level playing ground for indigenes and settlers in the development of the FCT, and make the city one of the most attractive places for business and leisure.

Buhari said that Muhammad Musa Bello, who is former banker and administrator, had recorded many notable achievements, particularly in repositioning the capital city.

The President acknowledged the efforts of the Minister at several reforms, ensuring compliance and more decency in allocations.

The President described FCT as a place that hosts the seat of government, diplomatic missions, multilateral institutions, headquarters of businesses and hospitality homes.

Also Congratulating the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Kedem Tallen, on her 63rd birthdays too, tomorrow, January 8, the President extolled her courage, forthrightness and vision in driving affirmation of women in governance and education of children.

He praised her for paying more attention to the girl-child, with her notable scores as first female Deputy Governor in the North and Minister of State, Science and Technology.

He also recognized the steadfastness and commitment of Dame Tallen to the betterment of the nation, with over 45 years in politics, starting out as clerical officer at Shendam local government council in 1976, then later Ministry of Local Government Affairs, commissioner and working very hard in contesting the governorship of her state, leaving an inspiration for women.

The President prayed for the wellbeing of the two ministers.

Buhari Gives Marching Order To New NNPC Board Members To Focus On Profitability, Others

Editorial staff

January 7, 2022

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is mandated to focus on profitability and continuous value creation beyond the simple fulfilment of legal and regulatory requirements.”

This is the charge by President Muhammadu Buhari to the new Board members of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, when he inaugurated them today, January 7, at the Presidential villa, Abuja.

The President reminded the Board members that they came on board as a result of the reforms put forward by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which seeks to reposition the Nigerian petroleum industry to a commercially viable and competitive industry in line with global business dynamics and best practices.

“I expect the NNPC Limited to be mindful of our commitments to our net carbon zero aspirations and to ensure total alignment with the global energy transition realities,” he said.

”NNPC Limited is expected to operate at par with its industry peers across the world, while acting as Enabler Company that will foster the development of other sectors of our Economy.

”The inauguration of this Board is a major step in the ongoing transition to a more viable petroleum industry that will attract investment to support our economic growth and generate employment to millions of our people.

President Buhari, who emphasized the need for the Board members to ensure strict compliance with Corporate Governance principles that place premium on doing business with the highest ethical standards, integrity, and transparency, emphasized the need to

focus on profitability and to operate at par with its industry peers across the world.

President Buhari stressed that there should be full alignment and synergy between NNPC Limited, the Upstream Regulatory Commission and the Midstream & Downstream Regulatory Authority in compliance with the provisions of the law in all respects to deliver the onerous reforms envisaged for the energy industry.

”NNPC Limited is expected to operate at par with its industry peers elsewhere in the world, while acting as Enabler Company that will foster the development of other sectors of our Economy.”

The President thanked the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their seamless support in the journey towards a viable, accountable and transparent energy industry, adding that he would count on the professional insights and ethical conduct of the Board members to ensure the delivery of his administration’s promises to Nigerians.

This was even as the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said that under the present administration a lot has been achieved in the petroleum industry, including the signing of the PIA, the registration of NNPC Limited as a CAMA company and the inauguration of the Board of the NNPC Limited.

”Mr. President this is history in the making because this is the first time any President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is inaugurating an independent board of an independent NNPC Limited. This, however, puts a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of those inaugurated and those of us in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.”

Inaugurated Board members are

Senator Margery Chuba Okadigbo as Chairman:, Mele Kolo Kyari as Chief Executive Officer; Umar I. Ajiya as Chief Financial Officer.

Others are Dr Tajudeen Umar (North East), Mrs. Lami O. Ahmed (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North West), Engr. Henry Obih (South East), Barrister Constance Harry Marshal (South South), Chief Pius Akinyelure (South West), Dr Nasir Sani Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Aliyu Ahmed, Permanent Secretary, Minister, Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Bauchi Charges Ex Reps Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, Others, With Culpable Homicide

Editorial staff

January 7, 2022

Bauchi State Government has charged former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and 28 others to court, slamming them with culpable homicide, in respect of the violence that occurred during the 21st memorial anniversary of Sayawa nation leader and crusader, Peter Gonto, in Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa local government areas.

The government filed an 1-count charge against them bordering on conspiracy, disturbing public peace, mischief by fire and culpable homicide at the State High Court.

“….that you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence of culpable homicide during the 21 year memorial anniversary and book launch of late Baba Peter Gonto at Bogoro town and that you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State.”

Reports had said that about three persons died in the incident while property were burnt.

Yakubu Dogara, who represents Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa federal constituency in the House of Representatives, had allegedly written to the director-general of Department of State Security (DSS) and the inspector general of police, warning of an impending security threat if the anniversary was allowed to hold.

Among the charges obtained by the news media today, January 7, the state government alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to cause bodily harm to people in the area in order to frustrate the progress of the memorial anniversary.

Some of the charges read: “That you Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara — on or about the 29th, 30 and/or 31st day of December 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to incite the youths of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro towns to disturb public peace by burning people’s houses, blocking access roads, physically attacking invited guests and other participants attending the 21 year memorial anniversary and book launch of late Baba Peter Gonto at Bogoro town and destroy and burn all facilities provided for the occasion, thereby committed offence contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State.

“On or about the 29th, 30th and/or 31st day of December 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence mischief by fire by burning people’s houses in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro To during the 21″year memorial anniversary and book launch of late Baba Peter Gonto at Bogoro town and to destroy and burn all facilities provided for the occasion, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State.

“On or about the 29th,30th and/or 31st day of December 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence of culpable homicide during the 21 year memorial anniversary and book launch of late Baba Peter Gonto at Bogoro town and that you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State.”

Kogi Accountant General Loses Mother, Hajara

Greenbarge Reporters

January 6, 2022

Mrs. Hajara Momoh Akata, 78 years old Mother of the Kogi State Accountant General, Alhaji Jubril Momoh is dead. She died today, January 6 at Nagazi quarters in Adavi local government area of the state after a brief illness.
The son, Jubril Momoh, who announced the death, said: “it is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing unto glory of our Mother, Aunt, Sister and grandmother, Hajiya Hajara Momoh Akata, mother of kogi state Accountant General. She passed on today after a brief illness at her residence in Nagazi.
“May Almighty Allah comfort her family during this trying Time and May Her gentle soul rest in peace, Aamen.”
In a condolence message, the Governor of the State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello described the death of Madam Hajara as a sad development.
In a letter of condolence signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu, the governor said that the death of the mother of the accountant general was a sorrowful experience which cut deep into the heart.
The Governor said that although mama lived a very fulfilled life, it would still be painful, knowing that one could no longer share her physical company, counselling and prayers but only just memories, adding that death was surely an inevitable destiny of every human.
He attested that Hajiya Momoh dedicated her life as a woman of virtue, a prayerful mother and dedicated wife whose interest was solely to raising her children to become useful and responsible contributors to the society.
Governor Bello said that it was obvious that Hajiya succeeded in her earthly assignment, seeing the quality of children she had raised and also that Mama lived a life that touched other’s positively
While praying to God to grant the repose of Hajiya Momoh eternal rest, he also asked God to give those grieving over her passing the fortitude to bear the loss.

Progress Of Dry Season Wheat Farming In Gombe Excites NALDA

Editorial staff

January 6, 2022

The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress made so far in Dry Season Wheat Farming in Gombe State.

The head of NALDA Inspection team, Alhaji Umar Yuguda, who spoke today, January 6, during an assessment visit to the100 hectares dry season farming site in Papa area of Nafada Local Government Area, said that Gombe State was selected among the nine pilot states to kick-start the programme because of the enormous agricultural potentials of the state and the commitment of the state government under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya towards revamping the Agricultural Sector.

“We are in Gombe to assess the level of progress made so far in wheat production, the programme which was inaugurated by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya about a month ago on Dogon Ruwa.

“We are very much satisfied with the level of progress made so far. The state government and of course the farmers are doing a great job.”

He assured the state government and the farmers of NALDA’s continued support and interventions into the agricultural value chain to stimulate the economy and create wealth for the the state and the nation at large. In his response, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Muhammad Magaji Gettado said that Gombe State Government, in Collaboration with NALDA, supported more than 200 farmers with all the needed inputs for the success of the programme in Papa alone.

He said that the state government will continue to collaborate with NALDA and any development partner that can help in unlocking the potentials and improve the well-being of the people.

NALDA had, in collaboration with Gombe State Government, embarked on dry season wheat cultivation on 200 hectares of land in Papa and Dogon Ruwa areas of Nafada and Kaltungo Local Governments respectively.

The programme is aimed at creating jobs, filling deficit in the demand of wheat and boosting the economy as encapsulated in President Muhammadu Buhari’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

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