News
It was a ground breaking operation for two medical graduates of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Bamidele Adebayo and Adetunbi Babatunde when they set a milestone record for successfully carrying out a 12 hour brain tumor surgery which was first of its kind in Ogun state.
The operation, which was conducted at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba in Abeokuta removed completely the tumor in a 57-year old transporter who reportedly has brain disorder due to self-medication.
It was gathered that the surgery which was led by the two neuro-surgeon consultants was a 12 hour marathon operation where series of brain tumors were removed from the patient.
Speaking with the two neuro-surgeon consultants after the successful operation of the brain, they described the experience as daunting, but, rewarding.
They added that the successful brain-open surgery was effected because of the facilities the hospital has provided for brain surgery operations.
The consultants however promised to do more of such operations in the nearest future, saying "the medical centre is a promising hospital for brain surgery operation".
According to Adebayo, "It is a daunting experience, but, also rewarding, daunting in the sense that being the first brain tumor surgery in this hospital, it took a lot of organization and jumping a lot of hurdles before we were able to achieve that".
“The fact that the theater staff are doing that for the very first time was a brilliant task, there were times we felt like oh why did we do this and all other issues were there, but, by and large we were able to get the tumor out".
“We were exhausted, but, we are happy that we were able to get the tumor out completely, and the patient has improved significantly after the surgery".
“The scan we did after the surgery showed that there is no little of the tumor in the brain, he is very fine, I feel happy and fulfilled".
“I will say that the MD, Prof. Musa Olomu is a very loving and caring person who has made a lot of changes in this hospital and I would say that this is a very promising hospital and we hope a lot of things will happen here since we are strategically located”.
Also, his partner, Adetunbi advised the people to restrain from self-medication and treatment.
He urged the public to always consult medical practitioners before taking drugs or injection when they are sick.
He said, “I would advise people to refrain from self-medication and self-treatment, they should try to see their general practitioner who will direct them to the appropriate specialist.
“It was a cool experience, we are used to it, we are used to 18, 24 hours operations, but, it is quite interesting in operating 12 hours in Abeokuta for the first time.
“We have actually been operating brain patient in Abeokuta, but, this will be the first brain tumor that would be done and it is quite interesting that it was done successfully.
“I feel good and I feel we can do more if we get more, I want the federal government to put more resources in treatment of patient so as to achieve best result.”
Meanwhile, the 57-year old transporter, Sunday Ogunkola commended the Neuro-surgeons and the management of FMC Abeokuta for ensuing that the tumor was removed from his brain.
Ogunkola claimed that self-medication and treatment led to the tumor, urging the people to desist from it.
He added, “I don’t know how I got here, but, I want to appreciate God for a successful operation. God used his hand through the surgeons to remove the turmoil from my brain and I commend the surgeons for a successful operation.
“You cannot be wiser than the medical practitioners, when you have problem with you brain, you must ensure you consult them.
“I am appealing to the people to desist from self-medication and treatment because the damages it is causing to our health might be beyond control”.
Officers of State Security Service (SSS) on Wednesday stopped a gathering organised by Yoruba Summit Group in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The group, an amalgamation of sociocultural and self-determination groups in Southwest including Afenifere, Yoruba Council of Elders, Yoruba Koya Movement, Yoruba Unity Forum, Oodua Peoples Congress, Atayese and Voice of Reason, had converged to discuss insecurity in the country and especially in the region.
The summit was billed to take place at Agodi Government arcade before it was stopped by the secret security outfit.
Security operatives in about five buses and clad in a black uniform had arrived around 7 a.m. and cordoned off the area.
Three people, including the sound system operator engaged for the event, were whisked away to DSS office at Alesinloye headquarters of the agency.
A public affairs analyst and state coordinator of Oodua Coalition Against Insurgency and Kidnapping in Yorubaland, Mr Tunde Hamzat, and a woman activist simply identified as Ms Oyeronke were among those arrested.
The activists dispersed only to reconvene at another location a few hours later where they addressed a press conference on the state of the nation.
Spokesperson of Odua Peoples Congress (New Era), Adesina Akinpelu, confirmed the arrest. “We got all the necessary approval but we were surprised to see men of the SSS arriving much earlier, even before the coalition members, with the intent to stop the rally.”
He said the security officials are still on looking for other leaders of the coalition.
Akinpelu said the botched rally was tagged “O to Ge’ to commemorate June 12.
“It was called to address the issue of insecurity in the land and safeguard Yoruba people who are becoming endangered in the land through incessant kidnappings and wanton attacks on their farmlands.
“We don’t want to take laws into our hands and that’s why we called the meeting to drum it to the hearing of President Muhammadu Buhari that aside declaring June 12 democracy day, he should also tackle the issue of insecurity in our land.”
PT
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to take 100 million Nigerians from poverty to prosperity in the next 10 years.
Mr Buhari made this promise in his speech at the inaugural June 12 Democracy Day celebration on Wednesday in Abuja.
The president said his administration would ensure rapid and positive growth in the economy to move Nigeria away from poverty.
“Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 2.7 per cent this year.
“Our external reserve has risen to 45 billion dollars, enough to finance over nine months of current equal commitments.”
Buhari said his administration has laid a foundation of taking bold steps in transforming the country and delivering the people from shackles of poverty.
“First we will take steps in integrating the rural economy to national economic grade by extending access to input to rural farmers as well as credit to rural micro businesses and opening up many critical feeder roads,” he said.
“Second, all small scale enterprises in towns and cities would share facilities currently available so that we can continue to encourage and support domestic production of basic goods to improve our lives.’’
The president added that in the next four years his administration would remain positive to improving the lives of people by consolidating on efforts to address many issues.
NAN
Former Nigerian heads of state and presidents were absent at the venue of 2019 Democracy Day celebrations on Wednesday.
The former leaders including Messers Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, among others, were absent at the event which held at Eagles’ Square in Abuja.
Former military leaders Messers Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalam Abubakar were also absent.
President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier declared June 12 Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
The inaugural celebration, which took place Wednesday, had in attendance numerous pro-June 12 supporters.
The government’s decision was in recognition of the place of late Moshood Abiola in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Mr Abiola is believed to have won the June 12 1993 elections, widely adjudged Nigeria’s freest election in history. The election was however annulled by Babangida.
Upon return to democracy in 1999, May 29 was adopted as Nigeria’s Democracy Day as it was the day Obasanjo took over the reins of power from Abubakar.
Between 1999 and 2007 when Obasanjo held sway as president, federal government did not recognise June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, amidst calls from June 12 supporters and civil society organisations.
Obasanjo was absent at the event on Wednesday.
A strong critic of Buhari, the former president had thrown his weight behind Atiku Abubakar of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of 2019 general elections.
Gowon on his part was also absent on Wednesday although he had earlier attended the May 29 swearing-in ceremony held last month.
No reasons have been given for the conspicuous absent of the former leaders.
PT
As Nigeria celebrates the June 12 Democracy day, an Ogun State House of Assembly candidate on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the last election, Mr Bisi Oyedele has urged the newly inaugurated Ogun Assembly to work hard on motions and bills that would have direct impact on the lives of residents of the State.
Oyedele who contested to represent the Ipokia/Idiroko state constituency said this in a statement made available to Nigerian Newstrack in Abeokuta, the State capital.
He observed that there are high expectations from the current legislature, adding that it is the responsibility of the lawmakers to live above board in delivering to the people, the dividends of democracy noting that the late MKO Abiola sacrificed his life to usher in the democracy we are enjoying today.
While bemoaning the neglect and perceived marginalization of Ogun West senatorial district, he appealed to the 9th legislature to "do their part in ensuring an even spread of development across the State."
"I would like to congratulate members of the 9th legislature in our dear State, but at the same time appeal to them, never to forget that they were entrusted with the mandate of the good people of this State to play a crucial role in taking Ogun State to greater heights via people-centred legislation."
"It is my wish that our new lawmakers would sponsor bills and motions that will address the infrastructural deficit in the State, especially in Ogun West. They should not pay lip services and shun unequal development," he said.
Oyedele added that a harmonious working relationship between the executive and legislative arms is key to promoting good governance, but cautioned that the lawmakers must not be a rubber stamp or shy away from their oversight functions.
He thanked the people of Ipokia/Idiroko State constituency for supporting him at the keenly contested election, promising to stay committed to looking after the interests of the constituency, despite not winning at the polls.
His words, "I want to reiterate that in my personal capacity, I would continue to create and facilitate diverse opportunities for my people in the areas of youth development, women economic emancipation and empowerment of the rural poor."
President Muhammadu Buhari has renamed the National Stadium in Abuja to Moshood Abiola Stadium as a mark of honour to the late winner of June 12 1993, Presidential Election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
This was announced by the president while delivering his 2019 June 12 Democracy Day celebration at the Eagles Square, Abuja today.
More details soon..
Agency Report
Former President , Olusegun Obasanjo said this in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES at his Ibogun Olaogun ancestral home in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, last month.
The interview is part of a special magazine publication by PREMIUM TIMES, put together to commemorate Nigeria’s 20 years of democracy since 1999.
The former president fell apart with Mr Buhari ahead of the 2019 general elections and endorsed the president’s closest rival and his estranged vice president, Mr Atiku Abubakar.
Abubakar, who served as vice president to Mr Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007, was the flagbearer of opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election.
Speaking during the interview, Obasanjo noted that although the country has made considerable progress since the new dispensation began in 1999, the pace at which it is currently moving shows the nation may be inching towards disaster and instability.
“I think we have no choice but to be on the path for sustainable development,” Obasanjo said.
“The progress we are making may be questionable - Is it fast enough? Is it steady enough? Is it stable enough? Are we taking two steps forward and one step back or one step side-way?
“You can question that, but we have no choice but to be on (the) path for sustainable development. Any other thing will be a disaster. In fact, the pace at which we are going now is tending more and more toward disaster and instability and unsustainability.”
‘No Confidence in the Economy’
The former president argued that there is no confidence in the Nigerian economy today. Rather, he said, the gains recorded in the past have been frittered away over the years. Speaking on what went wrong, the former president explained that Nigeria has failed to do what is right to instill confidence in domestic and foreign investors.
The ripple effect of the nation’s indecision, he said, manifests in the state of the economy.
Nigeria slipped into recession in 2016 after several contractions in the economy, amidst an unstable naira and rising inflation rates. By the second quarter of 2017, the nation slipped out of recession. Although the government claims that the nation has been put on the path of sustainable growth, unemployment figures have also ballooned within the period.
“The problem is that we are just not doing what we should be doing,” said Obasanjo, who supported Buhari of All Progressives Congress when the retired general contested against former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
“Nobody has that confidence, and we cannot develop Nigeria without that confidence in our economy. Both for domestic investors and foreign investors.” ‘Anti-graft institutions have been corrupted’ Speaking further on the state of the nation, Obasanjo argued that the present government that claims to be fighting corruption has “corrupted” the anti-graft agencies his government put in place. He claimed that between 1999 and 2007 when he held sway as president, his government “reasonably achieved” all the things he promised to achieve, including fighting corruption.
“I set up two (anti-corruption) institutions,” he said.
“I came with two laws that were not there before, to fight corruption. And those who claim they are fighting corruption today have not brought in anything different. If anything, they have corrupted those two institutions.
“And the institutions were open and independent. I never, never, as president had to say to either the head of ICPC or EFCC: ‘Oh, chase this person’.
" Obasanjo also said that despite the challenges faced upon the departure of the military, he tried to lay a solid foundation for the country upon taking over government in May 1999.
He said: “Nigeria was a pariah state. Within the first four years (1999-2003)… we actually hosted the commonwealth. And Nigeria which was kicked out of the Commonwealth became the host of a Commonwealth Head of Governments Meeting (CHOGOM). We became the darling of almost all nations. The economy started doing well.
“I remember on one occasion one day or one week, Mr Chukwuma Soludo (then governor of Central Bank of Nigeria) phoned me and said: “Sir, in one day, we had an inflow of $80 million”. From foreign direct flow; not money from our oil export or cocoa export. Just direct! And he (Soludo) said to me: “Sir, this is almost unbelievable.”
“I said we were not where I want us to be yet. I want us to be $100 million per day. That means in five working days, that will be half a billion dollars. If we are making half a billion dollars a week of five working days; in 52 weeks, it will be $26 billion. It is possible. I got debt relief.”
The former president, however, expressed worry about the present leadership arrangement in the country today, saying the composition sends a disturbing signal in a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria.
“I think there is a presumption in our constitution that our system will bring out competent leaders devoid of extremism, religious or tribal bigotry. Leaders who understand what it takes to hold the country together and put it in high gear for development, unity and an inclusive and shared society.
“These are assumptions. And if these assumptions come true, what is meant to be achieved in our country will be achieved. But the kind of situation you have now cannot allow those assumptions to become reality. Now you have a situation where three top officials of government will be from only two northern zones. Ahmed Lawan (who has been elected Senate President) is from North-East, the acting chief justice of Nigeria is from the north-east, The President of the country is from the north-west. They are all from what we call the core north. How can you have that kind of arrangement and then be absolutely insensitive to it (lack of geographical diversity)?
“So the prescription that our constitution makes of the kind of leadership that should emerge, we have failed to achieve that with the present leadership we have in place. The Constitution expects the executive to care for the welfare and security of every Nigerian. But in the present situation, they don’t seem to care.”
PT
The decision to contest for Deputy Senate President was in protest of the 2018 invasion of the Senate, Enugu West Senator, Ike Ekweremadu, has said.
Mr Ekweremadu said it is ’embarrassing’ for the Senate to have as it’s Deputy Senate President a lawmaker who led thugs to the chamber. This, he said, informed his decision to contest for the position.
Mr Ekweremadu polled just 37 votes losing to Mr Omo-Agege who had 68.
Mr Omo-Agege allegedly led thugs to invade the senate chamber in April, last year, and forcefully remove the mace.
Speaking to journalists after his loss on Tuesday, Mr Ekweremadu said his failure to clinch the deputy senate president position again does not matter.
“I believe there must be a referendum,” he said.
“Look at what happened on a day I was presiding and chambers invaded. It is embarrassing that someone who led that operation will take a bow and is endorsed and we all walk home like it doesn’t matter. I wanted a situation where we could present a referendum in respect of what transpired.”
Mr Ekweremadu said he did not contest to win. He said the decision was only taken a few hours to the election.
“Early this morning, we were not minded to run for any office, we thought that our friends in APC in consensus candidate that we can all be proud of, we don’t want a situation where we will say what happened here and you came and endorsed same person Deputy President of the Senate. We need to exonerate ourselves. It was not a contest to win or lose, I wanted to make a statement.”
Mr Ekweremadu was first elected Senator in 2003 and has since continued to win re-election.
In 2007, he emerged the Deputy Senate President, a position he held till a few days ago.
A Yobe High Court on Tuesday sentenced an applicant, Muhammed Adamu, to death by hanging for killing his girlfriend, Hauwa Muhammad, 24.
Delivering judgment, Justice A. Jauro, held that he found him guilty of murder under Section 221 of the Penal Code.
Jauro held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that Hauwa was intentionally killed by the convict,
The judge ruled, ”by virtues of section 273 Criminal Procedural Code, when a person is sentenced to death, he be hanged by the neck to death.
“I therefore sentence you that Muhammed Adamu to die by hanging. May God have mercy on you”, said Jauro.
Speaking to newsmen after the judgment, defence counsel, Mr M. Dauda, said that he would carefully study the verdict and possibly file an appeal.
Also speaking to newsmen, the convict said:” I have been praying to God for the best judgment. ”I believe that it is the will of God for me and I believe this verdict is God’s choice. I whole heatedly accept it”.
NAN reports that on June 5, 2018, the Police in Yobe alleged that Adamu killed his girlfriend, Hauwa, on May 29, 2018, during an altercation.
(NAN)
Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, says suspected kidnappers targeted his convoy on the Akure-Ibadan road which links different states in the South-West.
Akeredolu, who did not mention the exact date of the incident, said the suspects ran into the bush when security men attached to him opened fire.
Several kidnappings have been recorded on the road despite the heavy presence of security men on the highway.
Recently, two officials of Federal Road Safety Corps were abducted. Musibau Adetunmbi, an Ibadan-based lawyer, and Adeyinka Adegbehingbe, a professor of orthopaedic surgery at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, also suffered a similar fate.
Speaking on a live television programme on Sunday, Akeredolu said he and his colleagues were working towards ending the “siege to the South-West.”
He said, “I have encountered them (kidnappers) before; so security issue is not limited to the masses alone.”
“My convoy was targeted but my security people shot into the air to scare them away. They fled into the bush on Akure-Ibadan road. We, as governors, will do something about the issue. We are discussing with the Federal Government. It is real that travellers are not safe on the road.
“It looks like it’s only the masses that are affected as big men are enjoying themselves as they drive in convoy. Is that so?”
Asked if he was afraid of being kidnapped, the governor said, “Nobody can kidnap me, I have passed that stage.”
Punch
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Some media chiefs have intervened in the crisis between the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC and Daar Communications, the operator of Raypower/AIT, after the suspension by the regulatory body to find amicable solution.
Below is a press release issued after the meeting ...
PRESS RELEASE
Following the suspension of the Broadcast License of DAAR Communications Plc., owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM by the National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ), President of the Nigerian Press Organisation ( NPO ) comprising of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria ( BON ), Nigerian Guild of Editors ( NGE) and Nigerian Union of Journalists ( NUJ), convened a meeting of all parties to resolve the issues in the national interest.
The meeting hosted at 8PM, on Sunday 9th of June, 2019, by elders and patrons of NPO, Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua and Uncle Sam Amuka, had the following in attendance:
1. Ishaq Modibbo -Kawu - Director General & CEO, NBC;
2. High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, DAAR Communications Plc;
3. Raymond Dokpesi, jnr, Chairman of the Board, DAAR Communications PLC;
4. Mr Tony Akiotu, GMD, DAAR Communications Plc;
5. Mrs Tosin Dokpesi , MD, AIT;
6. Barrister Donatus Anopuo - Company Secretary DAAR Communications PLC;
7. Mr Sam Amuka, Publisher, VANGUARD Group;
8. Mr Ismaila Isa, Patron NPAN and
9. Mr Nduka Obaigbena, President NPAN and President NPO.
At the meeting, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) restated their commitments to freedom of expression and the constitutionally guaranteed role of the media under sections 22 and 39 to hold governments accountable, which states amongst others that the press, radio, television and other agencies of mass media are to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in the 1999 constitution and ensure the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.
NBC also raised concerns about the non-adherence of DAAR Communications group (AIT/Ray Power) to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, despite repeated interactions on same;
NBC then cited lack of editorial balance by DAAR Communications as well as the lingering issue of non-payment of national network license fees by DAAR Communications.
DAAR Communications Plc. defended its position saying it gives its team freedom to make editorial commentary on issues of the day relying on Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution guaranteeing freedom of Expression, freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas without interference.
DAAR stated it had made some payments on account to the NBC but acknowledged that there were some defaults in the payment plan they submitted to NBC, and explained that the defaults were due to decisions jointly reached at BON meetings by all broadcasters to engage and renegotiate the cost of license fees with NBC, in view of the current difficult economic realities affecting the industry.
But NBC insists that license fees are statutory and thus non-negotiable.
After an exhaustive dialogue, all parties RESOLVED as follows:
1. DAAR Communications Plc. will work out a new realistic payment plan with National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and ensure prompt payments in accordance with the new plan;
2. DAAR Communications Plc. will appoint an Ombudsman to ensure balance in its news coverage especially political commentary; it will also take full editorial responsibility for the use of content sourced from social media outlets;
3. Following this NPO statement, NBC will immediately lift the suspension of the broadcast license of DAAR Communications Plc;
4. DAAR Communications Plc. will withdraw its case in court, against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and;
5. All parties will take necessary steps to work together to build confidence in the public interest.
Very Many Thanks!
Nduka Obaigbena Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, THISDAY/ARISE Group,
President NPAN,
President, NPO.
www.thisdaylive.com www.arise.tv
Ten traditional wedding guests were yesterday killed at Umuomumu in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State by generator fume in the house of the host of the marriage ceremony.
The affected victims said to be 50 in number had stayed back after the traditional wedding ceremony of Favour and Ifeanyi Nzegbu to savour the joy of the moment and had gone to bed while an electricity generator was on inside part of the house they were sleeping.
It was further gathered that a brother to one of the victims, who was worried that he had not come back, called his brother’s phone repeatedly without response.
When he got no response, he decided to go to the house to check out. When all the other doors were forced open, the victims were brought outside one after the other by wailing neighbours.
Four persons were said to have died on the spot. An eyewitness and leader of the community, Mr. Martins Ezuruike, said when his attention was drawn to the incident, he rushed there to observe the evacuation of the victims to the hospital.
Some were rushed to Ikeduru Hospital, while others were taken to Nworieubi Health Centre in the state.
Ezuruike said he had to release his car to assist in the evacuation of the victims before the arrival of policemen.
Ikeduru Hospital Administrator, Mr Austine Agbahiwe, said 20 people were rushed to the hospital. He said some people were brought in dead while 17 regained consciousness and were being treated with life support machines.
According to him, “We were able to revive 17 people out of the 20 people brought to the hospital, while three were brought in dead.
The survivors are on oxygen and are responding well to treatment. “We are now battling to ensure that the survivors come out of coma and are stable.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Orlando Ikeokwu, said: “At about 0800hrs of today (yesterday) one Herbert Uzoegbu reported that his brother Raymond hosted the traditional wedding of his daughter the previous day, which eventually lasted till late at night, and that he went to check on his brother in the morning (Monday) around 0700hrs only to discover that they were still indoors.
“He knocked but no one answered, he broke into the house and discovered that everyone in the house was unconscious, and consequently alerted the police. A team of policemen led by CSP Godwin Udom arrived at the scene and evacuated all the victims to the hospital, and was discovered that six had already died with about 23 people unconscious.”
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police has ordered a full scale investigation into the incident with a view to unravel the mystery behind the tragedy.
Thisday
President of Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, says the availability of consumer credit facility is an important option in fighting corruption in the country.
Dangote said this on Saturday in Lagos at a consultative roundtable titled, “Going for Growth” with some economic stakeholders.
He said that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks should develop consumer credit products to encourage low-income earners to engage in loan taking.
He also identified a lack of policy implementation as the biggest challenge in the country.
“How do you have economic growth without power? So, no power, no growth because without power there can’t be growth.
“Egypt increased its electricity by 10 gigawatts, which is equivalent to 10,000 megawatts in 18 months.
“In Nigeria, we have been struggling for 18 years without adding 1,000 megawatts and we have spent about three times above Egypt, why?
“So, I think we all need to be concerned about that.”
Dangote advised that the country needed to promote import substitution for foreign exchange accumulation through proceeds from exports.
He called for a public-private partnership to boost the non-oil sector of the economy and added that Nigerians should invest in the development of the non-oil sector which had been left in the hands of foreigners.
“Government needs to encourage non-oil sector growth rather than depending on proceeds from crude oil to pay salaries.
“Proceeds from crude oil sale should be for major investment in the country,” he added.
He urged federal government to improve more on the power sector, saying “no business will thrive with business owners generating powers themselves.”
Dangote said that all stakeholders must come together and support the government in finding a solution to power challenges in the country. Apart from power, Dangote suggested that government focuses more on three areas which include finance, manufacturing and agriculture.
According to him, Asian Tigers concentrated on these three sectors for them to be where they are.
He further urged the government to focus more on the fiscal policies for the country to move to the next level.
The business mogul said by next year, the country would have exported eight million tonnes of cement to African countries from the present six million tonnes.
Dangote added that Nigeria would also be the biggest exporter of fertilizers in Sub-Sahara Africa.
Also speaking, Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia, noted that government policies had supported production of petroleum, cement and fertilizers.
Mr Ovia commended the government on broadband penetration in the country, saying it had boosted banking activities.
He supported Dangote on the need for consumer credit and said banks were doing their best on it.
Ovia, however. noted that the process had been slow because of the challenges associated with people given accurate data for Know-Your Customers (KYC) process.
Also, former Managing Director of Stanbic IBTC, Mr Atedo Peterside, urged CBN to continue with efforts taken in reducing inflation rate from 18 per cent to as low as 11.37 per cent as at April 2019.
Peterside said CBN should use the same pace to bring the country’s inflation rate to a single digit.
NAN
For declaring himself as traditional ruler of Iresa-adu, a community in Oyo state, which led to crisis in the ancient town last Wednesday, counsel to the Emiolu royal family, Mr. Abiodun Julius, has threatened to drag a member of one of the ruling houses, Mr Adeyeye Oyerinde, to court for contempt of court.
Julius who spoke with journalists in Ibadan, said by forcefully trying to impose himself as monarch, Oyerinde's action has violated existing court order on the matter as well as all known principles for the installation of monarch in the town.
It would be recalled that Oyerinde had last Wednesday, unilaterally declared himself as the next Aresa-adu of Iresa-adu without approval of kingmakers or any of the heads of the two royal families, an action which allegedly violated the Aresa-adu Chieftaincy declaration as approved by the laws of Oyo state.
His declaration was however, resisted by people of the town, both old and young, including family members, who all trooped out to the streets in protest against his action which they considered as sacrilege to the Aresa-adu throne.
The protesters barricaded the roads, burning disused tyres and also vandalised two vehicles to show their displeasure over the matter.
According to Julius, the failed attempt by Oyerinde to install himself as the Aresa using his brother as kingmaker was "a clear disobedience to a subsisting court order", declaring that it was an affront on a subsisting court order in suit no: HCI/04/2019, which restrained all the parties concern from going ahead with processes leading to the nomination, installation or otherwise of the next monarch for the town.
He expressed happiness that the whole town including all members of the Oshunbiyi ruling house where Oyerinde hails from resisted his action, stating that he has obtained the approval of the Emiolu royal family to initiate "Contempt of Court" proceeding against Oyerinde.
He further disclosed that Oyerinde had earlier written an undertaking with the police at Ogbomoso Area Command, where he promised not to parade himself as Aresa or embark on any other act capable of disrupting the peace in Iresa'du.
The legal practitioner also added that kingmakers of the town have also instructed their lawyers to follow suit so as to restore sanity and correct the wrong notion which Oyerinde has painted the entire town through his ambition.
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