News
...one suspect in police net as cleric calls for diligent investigation to unravel killers
The remains of the couple assassinated at the early hours of New Year day, Kehinde Fatinoye and Oluwabukola Fatinoye, inside Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital have been laid to mother earth, on Tuesday, twenty-four hours after the sad incident.
The burial service for the deceased, which took place at Christ Anglican Church, Iporo-Ake area of the town was conducted by Rev S.K Oyewale and was attended by families and large number of sypmphatizers, who thronged the church premises to pay their last respect.
Nigerian Newstrack reports that it was a sorrowful sight as the sympathisers could not hold back tears stating that the family who are now no more was just recovering from the loss of a child last year.
They cried bitterly during the burial service and interment, as many rained curses on the suspected arsonists who carried out the callous crime.
The deceased Kehinde Fatinoye and Oluwabukola Fayinoye, who were staffers of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal University of Agriculture (FUNNAB) Abeokuta respectively were reported to have been murdered and set ablaze in their home.
The victims were burnt beyond recognition, while their son was allegedly abducted by the suspected arsonists, who later threw him into a river along Adigbe-Obada axis of the town, and his body is yet to be recovered as at the time of filing this report
The remains of the couple put in separate white colour caskets, were after the church service transported in a white colour hearse to a cemetery in Lantoro area of Abeokuta, where they were committed to mother earth.
In his sermon, the cleric Reverend Oyewale lamented the sudden death of the couple, who before their untimely death were part of the congregation at the church for a crossover service ahead of the New Year.
The clergyman, however, called for justice and requested the authorities to conduct diligent investigation to unravel those behind the heinous crime, with conviction that God will deal appropriately with the perpetrators
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the police have arrested a suspect in the gruesome murder of the couple, adding that an investigation was ongoing to unravel the killers and their motive, affirming that it was a case of suspected assassination.
According to him, "the incident happened after 12 in the morning. It is true that a couple was killed and set ablaze at their residence in Abeokuta, shortly after they returned from Cross over Service. This is a clear case of assassination and we are not leaving any stone unturned to unravel those behind the killings".
"One person has been arrested by our operatives in connection to the incident. We will get to the root of the matter, as investigation has since begun", Oyeyemi said.
Persons suspected to be arsonists in the early hours of Sunday set a couple ablaze shortly after they returned from Cross over service in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
The sad incident, which occured at the couple's private residence, located at Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ibara in Abeokuta, had attracted many sympathizers.
The suspected arsonists believed to have trailed the couple to their private residence before setting the house ablaze, were also reported to have whisked away the son of the victims.
A source at the residence of the deceased told newsmen that, the suspected arsonists were reported to have kidnapped the son alongside the housemaid, and threw them into a river along Adigbe-Obada axis of the town.
It was reliably gathered that the husband, Kehinde Fatinoye was a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while the wife, Bukola before her gruesome death was a staff of the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNNAB), Abeokuta
The victims were burnt beyond recognition with their remains later packed by policemen and other health officials at the scene, and drove to the hospital in an ambulance, while hundreds of sympathizers at the house were seen crying over the sad development.
It was also gathered that number of church members of the couple who rushed to the house shortly after the spread of the news, confirmed that they held the crossover service together at a church located in Okejigbo area of Abeokuta.
The sympathizers from the church said they could not believe their ears on hearing the ugly development, saying they suspect that the arsonists might have trailed the couple to their home to carry out the callous crime
A cousin of the late Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official, Ambrose Somide who confirmed the sad incident, said, he could not explain what might be behind the dastardly act.
Meanwhile, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof.Olusola Babatunde Kehinde has paid a condolence visit to the Ibara GRA, Abeokuta private residence of a Fatinoyes, who were set ablaze by suspected arsonists after returning home from Cross-Over Service in the early hours of today.
Prof. Kehinde described the death of Mrs. Fatinoye, a senior staff of the University, and her husband as gruesome and a rude shock to the University community, which came at a time when the dawn of a new year is being celebrated globally.
The Acting Vice Chancellor who was visibly disturbed and pale described Mrs.Fatinoye as a committed staff, easy going, and friendly.
Prof. Kehinde urged security agencies to as a matter of urgency unravel and bring perpetrators of the dastard act to justice as soon as possible.
He prayed to God to give the relations and the entire members of the University community that the deceased left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Confirming the incident in a telephone conversation with Vanguard, the Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi said it was a pure case of assassination.
He said, "when the couple were killed, their remains were equally set ablaze".
"After the dastard act, the couple's son and their housemaid were kidnapped and threw them into a river. Though, the housemaid has been rescued alive, but we are yet to see the son".
While confirming that one person has been arrested in connection with the incident, Oyeyemi assured that those behind the dastardly act would be arrested and brought to book.
He added that investigation is in progress on the matter.
Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died Thursday. He was 82.
The standard-bearer of “the beautiful game” had undergone treatment for colon cancer since 2021. The medical center where he had been hospitalized for the last month said he died of multiple organ failure as a result of the cancer.
“All that we are is thanks to you,” his daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram. “We love you endlessly. Rest in peace.”
His agent, Joe Fraga, confirmed his death: “The king has passed.”
Widely regarded as one of soccer’s greatest players, Pelé spent nearly two decades enchanting fans and dazzling opponents as the game’s most prolific scorer with Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team.
His grace, athleticism and mesmerizing moves transfixed players and fans. He orchestrated a fast, fluid style that revolutionized the sport — a samba-like flair that personified his country’s elegance on the field.
He carried Brazil to soccer’s heights and became a global ambassador for his sport in a journey that began on the streets of Sao Paulo state, where he would kick a sock stuffed with newspapers or rags.
In the conversation about soccer’s greatest players, only the late Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are mentioned alongside Pelé.
Different sources, counting different sets of games, list Pelé’s goal totals anywhere between 650 (league matches) and 1,281 (all senior matches, some against low-level competition.)
The player who would be dubbed “The King” was introduced to the world at 17 at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, the youngest player ever at the tournament. He was carried off the field on teammates’ shoulders after scoring two goals in Brazil’s 5-2 victory over the host country in the final.
Injury limited him to just two games when Brazil retained the world title in 1962, but Pelé was the emblem of his country’s World Cup triumph of 1970 in Mexico. He scored in the final and set up Carlos Alberto with a nonchalant pass for the last goal in a 4-1 victory over Italy.
The image of Pelé in a bright, yellow Brazil jersey, with the No. 10 stamped on the back, remains alive with soccer fans everywhere. As does his trademark goal celebration -- a leap with a right fist thrust high above his head.
Pelé’s fame was such that in 1967 factions of a civil war in Nigeria agreed to a brief cease-fire so he could play an exhibition match in the country. He was knighted by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in 1997. When he visited Washington to help popularize the game in North America, it was the U.S. president who stuck out his hand first.
“My name is Ronald Reagan, I’m the president of the United States of America,” the host said to his visitor. “But you don’t need to introduce yourself because everyone knows who Pelé is.”
Pelé was Brazil’s first modern Black national hero but rarely spoke about racism in a country where the rich and powerful tend to hail from the white minority.
Opposing fans taunted Pelé with monkey chants at home and all over the world.
“He said that he would never play if he had to stop every time he heard those chants,” said Angelica Basthi, one of Pelé’s biographers. “He is key for Black people’s pride in Brazil, but never wanted to be a flagbearer.”
Pelé’s life after soccer took many forms. He was a politician -- Brazil’s Extraordinary Minister for Sport -- a wealthy businessman, and an ambassador for UNESCO and the United Nations.
He had roles in movies, soap operas and even composed songs and recorded CDs of popular Brazilian music.
As his health deteriorated, his travels and appearances became less frequent. He was often seen in a wheelchair during his final years and did not attend a ceremony to unveil a statue of him representing Brazil’s 1970 World Cup team. Pelé spent his 80th birthday isolated with a few family members at a beach home.
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, in the small city of Tres Coracoes in the interior of Minas Gerais state on Oct. 23, 1940, Pelé grew up shining shoes to buy his modest soccer gear.
Pelé’s talent drew attention when he was 11, and a local professional player brought him to Santos’ youth squads. It didn’t take long for him to make it to the senior squad.
Despite his youth and 5-foot-8 frame, he scored against grown men with the same ease he displayed against friends back home. He debuted with the Brazilian club at 16 in 1956, and the club quickly gained worldwide recognition.
The name Pelé came from him mispronouncing the name of a player called Bilé.
He went to the 1958 World Cup as a reserve but became a key player for his country’s championship team. His first goal, in which he flicked the ball over the head of a defender and raced around him to volley it home, was voted as one of the best in World Cup history.
The 1966 World Cup in England -- won by the hosts -- was a bitter one for Pelé, by then already considered the world’s top player. Brazil was knocked out in the group stage and Pelé, angry at the rough treatment, swore it was his last World Cup.
He changed his mind and was rejuvenated in the 1970 World Cup. In a game against England, he struck a header for a certain score, but the great goalkeeper Gordon Banks flipped the ball over the bar in an astonishing move. Pelé likened the save — one of the best in World Cup history — to a “salmon climbing up a waterfall.” Later, he scored the opening goal in the final against Italy, his last World Cup match.
In all, Pelé played 114 matches with Brazil, scoring a record 95 goals, including 77 in official matches.
His run with Santos stretched over three decades until he went into semi-retirement after the 1972 season. Wealthy European clubs tried to sign him, but the Brazilian government intervened to keep him from being sold, declaring him a national treasure.
On the field, Pelé’s energy, vision and imagination drove a gifted Brazilian national team with a fast, fluid style of play that exemplified “O Jogo Bonito” -- Portuguese for “The Beautiful Game.” His 1977 autobiography, “My Life and the Beautiful Game,” made the phrase part of soccer’s lexicon.
In 1975, he joined the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League. Although 34 and past his prime, Pelé gave soccer a higher profile in North America. He led the Cosmos to the 1977 league title and scored 64 goals in three seasons.
Pelé ended his career on Oct. 1, 1977, in an exhibition between the Cosmos and Santos before a crowd in New Jersey of some 77,000. He played half the game with each club. Among the dignitaries on hand was perhaps the only other athlete whose renown spanned the globe — Muhammad Ali.
Pelé would endure difficult times in his personal life, especially when his son Edinho was arrested on drug-related charges. Pelé had two daughters out of wedlock and five children from his first two marriages, to Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi and Assiria Seixas Lemos. He later married businesswoman Marcia Cibele Aoki.
A candidate of the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP vying to represent Odogbolu State Constituency at the Ogun State House of Assembly in the 2023 elections, Honourable Lukmon Adeleye has berated Governor Dapo Abiodun over his negligence to repair the Agoro -Okun Owa axis of the old Lagos-Benin Road which has now become a den for criminals, killing innocent road users passing the route.
Hon Adeleye who condemned the avoidable loss of lives on the road was reacting to the recent gruesome murder of Amos Oyemachi in Odogbolu, by yet-to-be-identified persons.
Amos Oyemachi, a member of the Kajola fish farm cluster of the Yemule-Ikangba-Agoro Fish Farmers Association was reportedly killed on Monday, 12th of December, while his tricycle and other belongings were taken away and his mutilated body was discovered on the evening of the next day less than 200 meters from the main road.
Hon. Adeleye assured the fish farmers and the communities on the axis of urgent State intervention as soon as the PDP government is enthroned come 2023.
In his words, "our party is aware of the urgent need to fix this road from Odogbolu to Obalende, in Ijebu Ode. It is also necessary to put in place a dam to restrict the flow of the flood that has been ravaging the business of fish farmers in the last decades. All these we would do as a responsive government".
Hon. Adeleye said many others had fallen victim to the robbers who take advantage of the bad road to perpetrate their evil acts.
According to him, "a motorcycle rider was reportedly killed on that same route last month and he was dispossessed of his Bajaj Motorcycle with other belongings.
“These incidents have become a recurring decimal along that route, and nothing has been done to arrest and checkmate this ugly trend by the security operatives.
Hon Adeleye alleged that this was due to the failure of the State government in securing its citizens, saying "there have been several calls to Governor Abiodun to repair the damaged portion of the road and put security measures in the area, all to no avail.
He said, "since we have appealed to the state government severally to consider the lives of the citizens in the area and come to their rescue as no responsible Government would toil with the lives of the people and nothing has been done, the PDP would do the needful as soon as we get to Oke-imosan government office".
The mother of Bolanle Raheem, a lawyer who was shot dead in an incident involving a police officer in Lagos, says the deceased was pregnant with twins.
The deceased’s mother said this on Tuesday while speaking with Abiodun Alabi, Lagos police commissioner, during a condolence visit by the latter.
BACKGROUND
On Sunday, Raheem was shot dead when she and her family were returning home after a Christmas service.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism, while the Lagos police command disclosed that the officer in question is currently in detention.
Usman Baba, inspector-general of police, has ordered a speedy investigation and prosecution of the officer involved in the incident.
Also, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, has promised that justice will be served.
‘I HAWKED ORANGES TO SEND HER TO SCHOOL’
Speaking during the condolence visit, the deceased’s mother said she hawked oranges to ensure that Raheem studied law in the university.
‘I cannot see my ‘The Law’ again. People usually call her ‘The Law’. She was taken away from me. She was pregnant with twins,” Raheem’s mother said.
“She died with her glory. She left a five-year-old daughter behind. And they took her away.
“On Monday, my granddaughter came to me and said ‘Grandma Iju Ishaga, I saw you yesterday when you were crying; you were shouting; is it because of my mummy?’ And I said ‘yes’.
“Then she came again and told me, ‘Pastor Jerry said what God cannot do does not exist; so, grandma, stop crying’. And she kissed me on the cheek.
“Just like that, she was taken away from me. Oluwagbenga (referring to the deceased’s husband), you won’t see your love.
“It is not easy. A child that I have been training since childhood. I suffered over her. I hawked oranges; there is nothing I did not do.”
Elder statesman and renowned business mogul, Aminu Dantata, has revealed that he no longer enjoyed life and he is hoping to depart this world in good faith.
Dantata, 91, disclosed this when he received the Vice Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim Shettima.
He said from a youthful age, he had the privilege of meeting many people and had engaged in friendship in all states of Nigeria but could hardly call out 10 who are still alive.
“I have travelled to all the states in Nigeria and I have done things with people across all states, many were friends but sadly, all the people I know, I hardly can call out 10 that are still alive.
“Honestly, as I am right now, I am just waiting for my time. I no longer enjoy life anymore. I hope I depart this world in good faith.
“I hope I did not offend anyone in life. If I offended anyone, I hope they find it in their hearts to forgive me. If anybody has offended me, I have forgiven them.
“I am now the only one left in my family living with grandchildren.”
Dantata, while expressing joy and appreciation for the visit, prayed for Nigeria for everlasting peace and harmony.
“May God not leave us with our efforts alone, we pray for his continued guidance and protection,” he added.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has listed for auction 144 luxury houses and lands seized from convicted politicians, public servants, business moguls and internet fraudsters as proceeds of their corrupt practices ranging from money laundering and fraud to misappropriation of funds and fraudulent diversion, among others.
According to documents exclusively obtained, 58 of the houses and lands are in Lagos State; 39 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; 19 in Rivers State; seven in Kwara State; six in Anambra State; four in Oyo State; three in Edo; two in Kaduna; two in Cross River, and one each in Ebonyi, Gombe, Delta, and Osun States.
Some of the properties include a three-bedroom apartment unit with a one-room boys’ quarters located at Foreshore Estate off Onikoyi Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, and Flat 1, Heritage Court Estate, Rivers State, among others.
When contacted for the names of the owners, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren, said he had no such information.
“I don’t have the names of the owners,” Uwujaren simply said.
It was, however, gathered that some of the houses belonged to some ex-governors, ministers, government contractors and notorious internet fraudsters.
Meanwhile, the commission has urged Nigerians to bid for the properties, which have been forfeited to the Federal Government.
The anti-graft agency said interested individuals and corporate organisations must not have been prosecuted by the EFCC.
Reports have it that bid forms have been uploaded and can be downloaded from the EFCC website.
Seven people were killed and 29 injured at Calabar Carnival on Tuesday when a car lost control and rammed into a crowd of onlookers, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said.
Sector Commander of the Corps, Maikano Hassan, confirmed the number of casualties.
He said the incident occurred in front of the Jumat Mosque in Bogobiri, Calabar, during the Bikers Carnival activity, which is part of the carnival.
Hassan listed the number of injured to include 21 male adults, three women, two male children and three female children.
He said the injured were rushed to the naval hospital and the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
He said the remains of the dead had been deposited in the two hospitals in Calabar.
The incident, according to him, occurred when a Toyota Camry car lost control and rammed into a crowd of onlookers during the carnival.
Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, was already seated with other dignitaries when the accident occurred. The incident brought the day five activities to a sudden end.
It would be recalled that the annual carnival which started during the administration of Donald Duke, did not hold for the past two years.
The carnival was suspended in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. No reason was, however, given for the carnival not being held in 2021.
TheI Nigeria Immigration Service has generated N438.78bn as revenue from 2017 to date.
This came as the Internally Generated Revenue by the agency almost doubled from N38.53bn in 2017 to N74.69 (budgeted IGR) in 2022.
In 2017, 2018 and 2019, NIS raked in N38.5bn, N39bn and N61bn, respectively.
However, the service’s IGR suffered a 19 percent drop to N49.9bn in 2020 largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2021, the revenue rose by about 44 per cent amounting to N71.7bn. Its proposed revenue for the 2022 fiscal year is N74.6bn.
$230.63m (N103.01bn) offshore revenue was generated by the agency between 2017 and 2022.
A breakdown showed that $31.6m, $36.91m and $41.8m were generated in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively.
In 2020, 2021 and 2022, the service generated $20.07m, $40.33m and $39.90m respectively.
Meanwhile, the budgetary allocation for the immigration service rose by at least 20.23 per cent in the fiscal years from 2018 to 2022.
Speaking, the Global Spokesperson of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, Luka Biniyat, said the rising revenue from passport issuance might be not be unconnected with the rising rate of relocation of Nigerians to other parts of the world in search of greener pastures. This increasing quest of Nigerians to leave the country is called ‘Japa’ in street parlance.
He cited an earlier report by this newspaper which revealed that the number of passports issued by the NIS rose from 767,164 to 1,059,607 between 2020 and 2021. That is about 2,081 and 2,853 passports issued every 24 hours in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
“This is connected with the fact that Nigerians are in a hell of a hurry to rush out of this country. Let’s say that Kaduna State is issued with 200 passports, and then you have about 5,000 persons applying for 200 passports.
As of the time of filing this report, spokesperson for the NIS, was not reachable as calls made to his mobile line went unanswered.
However, in its seven-year scorecard for the Buhari regime, the Presidency had argued the FG was working to reposition the NIS to satisfy global standards and adhere to global best practices.
Citing border security efforts, the report issued by the President’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, said “The Nigerian Immigration Service is deploying a Migration Information and Data Analysis System at five international airports. MIDAS is a global real-time border management system developed by International Organization for Migration and is linked to INTERPOL & other watch-lists.
“The implementation of MIDAS at the International Airport in Abuja was described by the IOM as “the largest deployment of MIDAS at any airport globally, to date.”
League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State have asked all female muslim students in public schools in the state to start using hijab when school resumes next year for new session.
Rising from its December meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, the Islamic leaders on Tuesday said the declaration for the use of Hijab in public schools in the state’s public schools followed the meeting they had with the state government on the matter.
And in a statement issued and signed by its Secretary General, Sheikh Tajudeen Adewunmi on the matter, they said the commencement of the usage of hijab starts January 9, 2023 when the students resume for their second term.
The league also said only, “desiring and willing female Muslim students could adorn white colour shoulder length cape hijab as they resume for the second term of the 2022/2023 academic session on Monday 9th January, 2023 and henceforth without any fear of molestation or punishment.”
The statement reads in part, “as a critical stakeholder in Ogun State and the country at large, and on behalf of Muslims in Ogun state (the Muslim Ummah) and as leaders of a people, we have the responsibility to respond to their legitimate concerns.
“At the end of our December 2022 general meeting where many issues bothering on the welfare of the Ummah were discussed, we resolved to express the opinion of the Muslim community (the Ummah) in the state as it concerns the following issues:
“Many female muslim students in Nigeria, and Ogun State in particular have continued to feature unnecessarily in many protracted cases of infringements on their rights in their quest to practice their religion especially as regards the use of hijab in schools.
“However, all doubts or controversies on the matter have been put to rest by the pronouncement of the Honourable Justices of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which reaffirmed the rights of Muslim students in Nigerian Schools to use hijab as they so wished.
“It should also be put on record that many agencies of the Ogun state government have always expressed that there is no law whatsoever that prevented female Muslim students from the use of hijab in spite of the fact that Muslim students who put on hijab have always been beaten, embarrassed or/and humiliated in many ways over the years.
“God’s given rights and freedom that are also guaranteed by the law of the land do not require any formality or approval.”
The league however pleaded with the state government to warn teachers and school heads to desist from depriving Muslim female students their human rights and accept the approval of the use of hijab in schools.
The statement further read “We request the state government to warn overzealous and religious intolerant individuals among school heads and teachers as well as others who might want to take laws into their own hands by preventing Muslim students who are willing to express their fundamental human right.
“The Muslim Community had noted the previous intolerance and disdain from non Muslim teachers and heads of schools against Muslim students on this matter, which include (but not limited to) molestation, affliction of physical injury and many forms of harassment.
“The hitherto tolerance from Muslims has been taken for granted and the Muslim community will not hesitate to take necessary actions against any individual that could frustrate the desire and the efforts in the exercise of the rights of any Muslim in any form or guise.”
The religious leaders also frowned at the dearth of Islamic Religious Knowledge teachers in public schools in the state.
Citing section 38(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) , the religious leaders said “no person attending any place of education shall be required to receive religious instruction or to take part in or attend any religious ceremony or observance if such instruction ceremony or observance relates to a religion other than his own, or religion not approved by his parent or guardian.
“Apart from the fact that Muslims students were deprived of the opportunity to learn Islamic Studies in many Schools in the state, it is more unfortunate, disheartening and in fact illegal (in the spirit and intent of the aforementioned provision of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) that Muslim students in some government owned schools in Ogun State are being compelled to offer Christian Religious Knowledge as a subject in the schools.
“We use this opportunity to call on the state government and in particular, the Honourable State Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology to, as a matter of urgency, correct the anomaly through recruitment and deployment of Islamic Studies teachers to schools across the state to teach the subject.
“We appeal to the state government to follow this up with necessary instructions to the heads of schools to make them understand that Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution identifies no state religion and as such they should all desist from any act(s) that could create religious animosity in the state.
“The League of Imams and Alfas and the entire Ummah in Ogun State appreciate and respect other religions and their adherents and will continue to do so for our peaceful coexistence and stable religious atmosphere in Ogun State especially because there is no compulsion in religion. Together we can sustain the state in its stead as a model among the comity of states in the country.”
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in the state, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu could not be reached as of the time of filing this report to confirm the statement .
Several calls made to his phone lines were also not answered.
More...
.. Reps candidate assures of better governance under PDP
Nigerians, especially Abeokuta South residents in Ogun State have been urged not to loose hope or despair but use the occasion of Christmas to rekindle their resolve for a new dawn under a purposeful, caring and affectionate Peoples Democratic Party, PDP leadership, come May 29, 2023.
The candidate of the PDP vying to represent Abeokuta South Federal Constituency at the lower Chambers of the national assembly, Chief Toyin Amuzu, TA stated this in his Christmas message to the people, advising Nigerians not to succumb to misery and poverty in spite of the hardship and agony they face under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
The Egba born Chief, who is the Asiwaju-Leragun of Egbaland enjoined Ogun people to use the occasion of Christmas, which marks the celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ to strengthen their hope for a brighter future for our nation.
According to him, "it is distressing that while people in other parts of the world where governments care for citizens, are celebrating with joy, Nigerians are marking Christmas in utter despondency under the APC and its corrupt leaders".
Chief Amuzu said, "the PDP is saddened that millions of Nigerians cannot afford the necessities to celebrate, while many could not travel to meet their loved ones due to economic hardship".
"Those travelling are facing harrowing life-discounting experiences, with several families stranded on the highways on account of dilapidated roads and worsening insecurity under the suffocating APC government" he said.
Chief Amuzu noted that "more heartbreaking is the fact that Nigerians watch in despair as their purchasing power constantly fall due to the anti-people economic policies of the APC administration resulting in hyper-inflation and rapidly depreciating currency"
He said "the APC has succeeded in turning our nation, once reputed as a country of world’s happiest people and one of the fastest growing economies into the poverty capital of the world and one of the most insecure places to live in".
The PDP Reps hopeful advised Nigerians to leverage on the message of hope and God’s undying love which Christmas brings to bond together despite the nation's challenges and show love as well as share with one another to maintain a united front in the mission to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the APC.
He assured Nigerians of a responsible and responsive government under the PDP which he said has garnered experience in governance, stressing that the PDP was well equipped to improve the security, economy and the well-being of the people.
Chief Toyin Amuzu felicitated with Nigerians and wished all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year ahead.
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, yesterday, lashed out at President Muhammadu Buhari for failing to fulfil his campaign promises, saying the president would be leaving Nigerians by May 2023 more vulnerable than when he took over in 2015.
The cleric in his Christmas message, yesterday, described Nigeria as being “in severe distress” claiming the president, who has barely six months to leave office, had failed to tackle corruption, insecurity, poverty, joblessness, fix the rot in the healthcare sector, unify the country, honour and adhere to the federal character provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, even as he has plunged the country into more internal and external debts, among others.
Kukah said despite constant attacks by the president’s spokespersons, it was obvious Nigeria had lost its once cherished glory among the comity of nations.
He also accused the political class of enriching themselves to the detriment of the majority of the masses and thus creating a caste class in the country.
“A caste system has emerged in our country. It has consolidated its hold and blunted the cutting edge of all institutions. A majority of its children are swimming against the tide for survival with no support while the other caste smiles in the comfort of their life jackets. How did caste emerge in our country?”
He said the country required honest and courageous leaders to fix its numerous challenges.
Part of the message read: “Mr. President Sir, a merry Christmas to you and your entire family. I speak for myself and Nigerians when I say, we thank God that He mercifully restored you to good health. We know that you are healthier now than you were before. We can see it in the spring in your steps, the thousands of miles you have continued to cover as you travel abroad. May God give you more years of good health. However, I also wish that millions of our citizens had a chance to enjoy just a fraction of your own health by a measurable improvement in the quality of health care in our country.
“It is sad that despite your lofty promises, you are leaving us far more vulnerable than when you came, that the corruption we thought would be fought has become a leviathan and sadly, a consequence of a government marked by nepotism.
“In my Christmas Message last year, I pointed out the fact that you had breached the Constitution by your failure to honour and adhere to the federal character provisions of our Constitution. The evidence is all before us all.
“The important thing is that none of my critics has quarrelled with my facts. If they accuse me of stating inconvenient facts/truths, then, they can at least give the facts their interpretations. For example, who will quarrel with the fact that our glory has departed as a country? Where is our voice respected today even within the African continent which looks up to us for leadership? Unless we count lining up behind others for handshakes across Europe and America as achievements, we will be remiss not to worry about our declining global influence. Is being the poverty capital of the world and one of the most violent states in the world an achievement? And our suffocating internal and international debts? And you do not think our glory has departed?
“Clearly, in almost every department and with all indicators, our nation has become a tale of two cities. We have wars between the rich and the poor, men and women, across generations, along party lines, social classes, religion, ethnicity and so on.
“The centre has given up in almost every department. Fixing our country and getting it back requires courage, honesty, truth, humility, trust and firm commitment. Lies and blackmail are no substitute…
“To all the members of the political class a happy Christmas. You are seeking power at a time that the nation is in severe distress. You must demonstrate that you grasp the length and breathe of the problems that our country faces. We have heard your promises, but we do know that promises before elections are sweet, but actions after elections are often bitter. … Seek to create a vision that can unite our country. Learn the mistakes of the past especially in the areas of managing our diversity and designing and effective mechanism for power sharing. Nepotism is a cancer which has consumed us in the last few years. We have paid the price of nepotism entrusting power into the hands of mediocre who operate as a cult and see power purely as an extension of the family heirloom.”
Some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiites, on Sunday, attended a church service in Kaduna state to celebrate Christmas with their Christian counterparts.
The prayer session was held at the Church of Brethren in Nigeria, Sabon Gari, Zaria.
The group also presented a gift to the church to further show love and boost religious tolerance between the two faiths.
Speaking after the service, Isah Mshelgaru, leader of the group, said the essence of attending the service was to rejoice with Christians on the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
He said the visit was to rekindle and cement the existing relationship between the two faiths, adding that the move was a sign of love and efforts to strengthen religious tolerance.
“Islam says if someone is not your brother in faith, he is your brother in humanity and we share this humanity with everybody, either Muslim, Christian or whatever,’’ Mshelgaru said.
“We decided to attend this church service because today is Christmas day, a day that the birth of Jesus Christ is being celebrated over the globe and we feel that we also have our concern to share with them, the feelings of the day Jesus was born.
“The coming of Jesus to this world is a blessing to everybody, so we wish that we should come and celebrate this glorious day with them.”
Mshelgaru said that as Muslims, they considered Christians as their brothers and sisters in humanity.
He further said the essence of the visit was to “clear all the unnecessary imaginary boundaries that have been created between Muslims and Christians”.
“This is important now that the country is facing multiple security challenges that require all hands to be on deck in order to overcome them,” he said.
Mshelgaru advised Nigerians to come together irrespective of religious, tribal or political divide to save the nation.
Doyin Okupe, director-general of the Peter Obi presidential campaign council, has paid N13 million as fine for breaching the Money Laundering Act.
Okupe was found guilty of 26 out of a 59-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Earlier on Monday, Ijeoma Ojukwu, the presiding judge of an Abuja federal high court, sentenced Okupe to two years imprisonment with the option to pay N500,000 fine on each of the counts — totalling N13 million.
There was a condition that the fine must be paid before 4:30pm on Monday.
Checks at the court on Monday evening showed that Okupe had paid the fine.
The former senior special assistant on public affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have received cash from the office of the national security adviser (NSA) while Sambo Dasuki, the NSA at the time, was in office.
Ojukwu found Okupe guilty of contravening sections 16(1)&(2) of the Money Laundering Act by accepting cash payments in excess of the threshold allowed under the Act, without going through a financial institution.
The judge said the NSA is not a financial institution and although the former president allegedly authorised the funds, he did not specify a cash payment in violation of the Money Laundering Act.
“I find the first defendant, Doyin Okupe, guilty on counts 34, 35, 36, to 59,” the court ruled.
Meanwhile, speaking during an interaction with journalists in Akwa Ibom, Peter Obi, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, said the conviction of Okupe will not affect his campaign.
“I am hearing about it (the conviction) just like you. I am still studying what is coming out of the court and everything. I believe in the rule of law. It is not going to demoralise me,” Obi said.
“Today, when I arrived Akwa Ibom, somebody asked me why I haven’t been using my aircraft because it has been grounded and all that, and I said to him that nothing demoralises me.
“In my life, I have never stayed where they dropped me. Otherwise, I would have been where they dropped me before. This election, if they like, let them do anything about people who are around me, I will get there.”