Lagos set for Asa festival 2018

Organisers have described this year’s edition of annual Asa Festival tagged Asa-Ere Osupa 2018, as one that will project the dynamic culture and hospitality of the people of Lagos State in general and Ikorodu division in particular, and linger in the memory of residents and visitors, for a long time to come. The event is one of the Lagos State government approved annual cultural events.

Speaking at a press conference to update the public about the event scheduled to take place on Saturdaay December 8, at the Ikorodu Town hall in Ikorodu, the chairman of the publicity       subcommittee for the festival, Comrade Olalekan Murisiku, stated that the event, which was first held last year, has been rebranded and repackaged to further project the uniqueness of the Asa masquerade to the world.

He described the event as part of the commitment of the State Government to use entertainment as a springboard to drive development and market the state’s potentials to domestic and foreign investors who will contribute meaningfully towards making Lagos a smart city. He said the Majority Leader of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, who initiated the festival, is still very much committed to making it a world class annual event.

According to him, “Besides entertainment and fun-making, the carnival will offer upcoming artists and tradesmen opportunities to exhibit their skills and market their products which fit into the agenda of the organizers. The Ikorodu Rennaisance Project (IREP) as well as Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, who initiated the festival, are still unrelenting in their determination to sell Asa to the world as a tourists attraction.”

Boko Haram set to deploy drones – US Intelligence

•Nigeria Air Force ramps up technology driven warfare with specialised institute in Kaduna
•Military: ‘we are with other countries in tracking them and deploying countermeasures already

Faced with increasing loss of personnel and strongholds, ISIS and operatives from its affiliates, including Boko Haram, are nearing advanced stages in turning ‘civilian’ drones into deadly weapons of warfare, expert intelligence and counter-terrorism evaluations from the United States have warned.

A global alert from the US-based Combating Terrorism Centre based in the United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York, notes that the Islamic State has effectively reached a threatening stage in the use of modified commercial drones as weapons.

The report titled, “The Islamic State and Drones: Supply, Scale and Future Threats” and made available to The Nation by a source in Abuja indicates that after recording some measure of success in deploying multitudes of drones for attacks in Syria and Iraq, ISIS and its affiliates are fine-tuning the use of drones in other places.

Citing the Saturday, August 4, 2018 attack against Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, with two drones packed with explosives, the source stated that tactically, drone assassins can be cheap, deadly, easily within the reach of anyone, including dangerous elements and capable of causing incredible destruction without the direct use of personnel.

The spokesman at Defence Headquarters, Brig-General John Agim and Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola who head Nigeria Air Force hinted of the military’s proactive measures and allayed fears.

“The military is already aware and working in concert with other nations in taking appropriate and decisive actions for the maintenance of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protection of the lives of her citizens.

“The matter you are talking about falls within the focus of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) which has continued to sustain its vital but discreet operations,” said Agim while tactically avoiding to elaborate countermeasures being worked out by DIA and United States intelligence agencies.

Although he refused to disclose classified details of the NAF’ s operational plans and strategies, NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, stated that while advances are being made in the operational use of drones against Boko Haram terrorists, other long-term plan for the deployment of technology to neutralise major security threats are being put in place under the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

The Nation gathered that part of such long-term technological warfare plans includes the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna where a limited number of specially-screened intakes are now undertaking specialised studies and research in aeronautics, aerospace engineering and avionics at diploma and postgraduate levels.

The report from the US Combating Terrorism Center, which analysed the evolving threat in ISIS and its affiliates’ deep interest in drones, notes that the terrorists have also been studying how to jam signals from American military drones.

The Islamic State is a group known for doing things a bit differently, for its capacity for innovation, and for its many ‘firsts’; two of those ‘firsts’ happened within months of each other.

“The first occurred in October 2016 when the group used a bomb-laden drone to kill, after the explosive hidden within the drone killed two Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers who were investigating the device; another ‘first’ happened in January 2017 when the Islamic State released a propaganda video that showed nearly a dozen examples of the group releasing munitions on its enemies from the air with a fair degree of accuracy via quadcopter drones it had modified,” it stated.

Cross River APC chairman killed in car crash

The Cross River State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Mathew Achigbe, was killed in an autocrash along Afikpo Road in Ebonyi State, The Nation gathered yesterday.

Even though details of the incident could not be immediately ascertained, it was learnt a couple of other people died in the crash with him.

He was travelling to his hometown in Obubra Local Government Area for a meeting when the accident occurred, it was learnt.

Official sources were yet to comment on the incident as at press time.

I did not collect salary for eight years as governor, says Aregbesola

The outgoing Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said that he did not earn salaries throughout the eight years of his administration.

Speaking during an interactive programme tagged ‘Ogbeni Till Day Break’, the governor who is handing over to his successor Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola on November 27, said since it was the state that was feeding him, fuelling his cars and provided him with accommodation, there was no need for him to be paid.

Aregbesola also said that he did not have bank accounts where money was kept in any part of the world.

He said, “I have not collected salaries since I became the governor of the state. The state feeds me, fuels my car and provided me accommodation. With all these, I don’t need money. I have no money and bank account anywhere.

“I have no house except the one I built before I became the governor. Anyone can go out there to investigate if I have bank accounts.”

He said he would vacate the government house tomorrow adding that the decision to leave the government house earlier was to give his successor enough time to do necessary renovations.

When asked what his regrets were as a governor in the last eight years, he said he had no regrets.

He said, “If you give me another four years to rule again, I will still do what I did before and I will not do anything differently.”

On his next political plans after office, Aregbesola said he was going to rest for awhile from politics.

“I have been in politics since my secondary school days. I have been an absentee husband for many years because of politics but for now, I want to be with my wife,” Aregbesola said.

On his achievements, the governor said he was happy that his social investment programmes supported and transformed the lives of the people in the state.

He also said that the infrastructure development his administration embarked upon would continue to be a reference point in the state, adding that all the roads he built would last for the next 50 years.

Aregbesola, however described his successor as a silent achiever and a goal-getter expected to build on his legacies.

He said “Oyetola is not radical like me but he is a silent achiever. He contributed immensely to the success of my administration and I know he will do well in office.”

APC’s Olawuyi wins Kwara bye-election

The candidate of the All Progressives  Congress (APC), Raheem Olawuyi, was on Saturday declared the winner of the Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency bye-election held across the four councils in Kwara.

The Returning Officer for the election,  Prof. Abimbola Adesoji, while declaring the result at the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Omu-Aran,  said Olawuyi polled 21, 236 to emerge winner.

He defeated his closest rival, Saheed Damilare of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  who polled 18, 095.

Abimbola, who is of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said Olawuyi having scored the highest number of votes in the election was declared winner.

Other contestants in the election were Femi Ona-Ara of Labour Party, Ajadi Olayemi of Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) as well as Olaniyan Ayorinde of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

Abimbola gave the total number of total registered voters as collated as 168, 707, accredited voters as 41,185, the total valid votes as 39,599, total number of rejected votes as 1, 331 and  total number of votes cast as 40,930.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some cancellations arising from snatching of ballot boxes and over voting were reportedly experienced in three polling units in  Irepodun Local Government Area.

The affected units as listed by the Presiding Officer in charge of the council included Registration Area (RA) 02 of Esie-Ijan Ward where two ballot boxes were reportedly snatched and 955 number of registered voters lost.

Other areas were Oro Ward 1  RA 02, Polling Unit 01 where a case of ballot snatching was recorded and a total of 297 registered voters were affected and  over voting in Oro Ward 2 RA 10  Polling Unit 01 with 474 registered votes   lost.

Election cancellation was also recorded in Ile Apaasin  RA 04 Polling Unit  in Isin Local Government  where only 59 voters were accredited but turned  in 377 votes.

Some Independent National Electoral Officers were confirmed to have been attacked and had  wounds in the process.

NAN reports that the declaration of the results was witnessed by notable officials that included the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bolaji Fafowora, the Resident Electoral Commissioner  from Kwara, Malam  Garuba Madami as well as  his  Imo and Lagos counterparts,  Mr Emeka Nzeonu and Mr Sam Olumeko respectively. (NAN)

Enriching lives through youth development

This year, Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) estimated the population of the country to be about 184 million. This huge figure makes Nigeria the country with the largest population on the African continent and the world’s seventh most populous country. Figures released by the NBS last year put the country’s youth unemployment rate at 13.41 percent. This year’s figures are likely to have grown and will continue to grow if drastic measures are not taken to arrest the trend.

The soaring rate of youth unemployment, expectedly, is a source of concern for government and every Nigerian. Unemployment is a major cause of insecurity in addition to a plethora of other societal challenges, some of which have debilitating consequences.

The prevalent view is that government, all by itself, cannot successfully address the challenge of youth employment, especially now that the economic climate is inclement. Government and experts have frequently called on corporate bodies to assist the government by developing initiatives targeted at making the country’s young people gainfully employed and useful to the society. The call has been answered by some corporate bodies through development of various youth empowerment programmes as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility interventions. These programmes have attracted the attention and recognition of both the government and various professional bodies.

One of such recognition platforms is the just concluded BrandPower Golden Icons Awards, which seeks to recognize and celebrate brands that have contributed to the development of the country. At the awards ceremony, which held in Lagos on 9 November, MultiChoice emerged winner of the Youth Empowerment through Access to Information Award.

On reflection, I realized that not many corporate bodies in the country see entertainment as a means of youth empowerment. MultiChoice Nigeria, however, stands out as one. Through its DStv and GOtv platforms, MultiChoice has positioned itself an authentic voice and credible platform of expression for young Nigerians as well as one that offers them a way out of the grip of socio-economic challenges.

In his keynote address at the ceremony, entitled “Winning strategies for customer winning brands of the future”, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe, listed four crucial conditions for building a winning brand. These, he said, are consistency, commitment, authenticity and trust.

He further explained that for over two decades, MultiChoice Nigeria has provided its customers with quality local content that has resonated across the continent. And in a brief chat with Ugbe after his address, I discovered that in 2014 alone, MultiChoice Nigeria contributed N34 billion to the country’s GDP.

In the area of youth employment, MultiChoice through its GOtv Sabimen scheme, which provides participants with training in the rudiments of service activation, response to customer enquiries and resolution of issues on GOtv, has empowered over 5,000 young Nigerians and more than 10,000 dealers, retailers, installers and sales agents.

In the area of education, MultiChoice has furnished schools across the country with over 400 MultiChoice Resource Centers (MRCs). The centers are designed to grant beneficiary public schools access to the special MultiChoice Education Bouquet with the aim of integrating the programmes into the school curriculum to further enhance the teaching and learning processes in the classrooms.

Nollywood continues to feel the positive impact of MultiChoice. With the eight outstanding channels of Africa Magic, thousands of young Nigerians have been directly and indirectly employed to be in front of or behind the camera in many Africa Magic productions such as Tinsel, The Johnsons and Jara.

The Youth Empowerment through Access to Information award, which MultiChoice Nigeria won, is indeed a true attestation to several youth empowerment schemes the organization has initiated and an uncomplicated indication of that MultiChoice is committed to enriching the lives of Nigerian youth.

Katsina speaker Abubakar Kusada wins Reps bye election

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Alhaji Abubakar Kusada of the All Progressives Congress(APC) as winner of the bye-election into the House of Representatives .

The election was conducted in the Kankiya/Kusada/Ingawa Federal constituency in Katsina state on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kusada was the speaker of Katsina state House of Assembly before his  election today.

Prof Adedayo Hamza, the returning officer who announced the result on Saturday in Kankiya said Kusada scored 48,518 votes to emerge winner.

Alhaji Abdussamad Yusuf of PDP came second with 20,193 votes, while Nasiru Kankiya of the Peoples Redemption Party scored 1,810 votes as second runner-up.

Abdullahi Umar of the Yes Electorate Solidarity (YES) got 221 votes.

According to Hamza, the total number of registered voters in the constituency is 193,904, while the number of accredited voters was 74,242.

The number of valid votes cast was 70,742 and rejected votes 2,331.The total number of votes cast was 73,073.

Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner, advised political parties to intensify voter education and management of polling units.

He commended the political parties, security agencies, mediamen and other stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the bye election .NAN

FG to raise funds from capital market to fund universities

Striking university lecturers and other stakeholders in education sector were told a bitter truth yesterday: Federal government does not have the financial ability to plug funding shortfall in Nigerian universities.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who made the revelation at the convocation of the University of Ibadan which coincided with the institution’s 70th anniversary, said the federal government will therefore raise funds from the capital market to fund universities.

Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, acknowledged that university education was really being under-funded, and that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has a point for their ongoing strike, however, pleaded that the institutions should leverage on alumni and partnership with the private sector to provide the needed succour.

The university admitted a total of 371 graduates into the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the ceremony.

Osinbajo revealed that some of the options that the federal government was working on “are the details of education funding for the public universities, which will involve raising funds from the capital market to give a push to the infrastructure in our universities. The ongoing talks with the ASUU as you know are follow-up of the chequered history of negotiations concluded with the government in 2013.”

He added: “There is no question that ASUU has a point. However, we must seek to resolve amicably and with minimum disruption to the academic calendar. The issue really is that there is no doubt whatsoever that education is under-funded and we must fund it even with the best. But even with the best effort at attending to funding education from the budget, it is completely impossible to do so.

“None of the universities, especially in the free world, is fully or even substantially funded by the government. The task of fund-raising is precisely what the universities are established to do; to solve problems and to create solutions that uplift the society. We can creatively address the issue looking at other solutions around the world. One of the solutions that we must explore is alumni network. There is perhaps no university in Nigeria that has the kind of alumni network today that the University of Ibadan has.”

While lauding the outstanding achievements of the University in the past 70 years with the production of many academics in various fields of study with their pioneering work in research and development, Osinbajo added that “every generation is, whether it knows it or not, equipped to deal with the challenges of its times and to hand over a legacy to enable the next generation to navigate its own journey with greater ease. University is of course a place where the direction and instruction must come.

Earlier, the Chancellor of the University, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also commended the premier university for having blazed the trail in research and teaching in virtually all branches of knowledge in the last 70 years. He said UI’s achievements are globally recognised.

While congratulating the graduands, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, reminded them that the university and society have high expectations from them, while disclosing that: “A total of 371 candidates spread over 12 faculties and five Institutes and Centres were admitted into the Doctor of Philosophy Degrees of the university with the Faculty of Arts leading the pack with 64 graduands”, he disclosed.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony include a former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; the Chancellor Nde Waklek Mutka, Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu was represented by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Isiaq Oloyede; the Vice Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Minister of Health Professor Isaac Adewole, the Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Saliu Adetunji (Aje Ogunguniso 1), and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Dr. Samson Ayokunle.

The 2018 distinguished honourary awardees in various fields for the University included: Chief Bode Akindele (industrialist, the Parakoyi of Ibadanland,), Professor Bolanle Awe (Historian and former Education Commissioner in the old Oyo State), Professor Olufunmilayo Olapade (Physician), Professor Grace Alele Williams (ex- VC, UNIBEN), Professor Akin Mabogunje, (Geographer), and Professor Omoniyi Adewoye (ex-UI VC).

Adekunle Gold to perform for three straight nights at Terra Kulture

For three consecutive nights in December, urban highlife and alternative, Adekunle Gold, will hold sway at Terra Kulture.

The iconic cultural centre in Lagos will play host to the singer as he takes the stage from December 13 to 15.

Gold, who released his latest album a few months ago, announced the upcoming shows on Saturday.

The singer explained that he chose to make it an elaborate three-part event in a bid to “challenge myself and my incredible team”.

Gold said: “I have decided to challenge myself and my incredible team to perform for 3 nights straight (Lord help us all).

“This year I want to see your face as you see mine while still giving you the most entertaining time of the season. We’ve been working and we are larger than life itself.”

The singer’s last major concert, the fourth edition of Trace Live series, was also held at Terra Kulture.

He debuted ‘About 30’, his sophomore album project, at the concert. Following the release, Gold unveiled the album in a culturally-rich sold-out concert at the Indigo O2 in London, UK.

The event, tagged ‘The About 30 concert’, saw the ‘Ire’ singer perform with his band, 79th Element.

FNB Stadium Draw: No Okowa dollars for Super Eagles

Super Eagles may have qualified for the 2019 AFCON in Cameroon, but the Ahmed Musa captained team has kissed goodbye to the $25,000 per goal promised by Delta state Governor Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

The Governor who visited the team in their Asaba camp just before departure to South Africa, had promised to dole out the largesse for every goal scored.  Unfortunately the Eagles failed to score any goal.  What would have passed as the joker failed to click after Ahmed Musa’s 84th minute goal was ruled offside.  The two goals scored for and against Nigeria were all scored by the South Africans themselves.

The Governor in a tweet dished out shortly after the match on Saturday congratulated the team for qualifying for the 2019 AFCON while promising that the people and government of Delta state will continue to pray for the team in their quest to ultimately clinch the title.

“On behalf of @dsgovernment and people of Delta State I congratulate @NGSuperEagles for qualifying for #2019AFCONQ.Delta State will continue to pray for you as you compete in the coming tournament, and we look forward to having you back in Asaba” the governor said

Some fans were seen at a viewing on Saturday arguing over whether or not the team will get the promised money if view of the result.  One of the fans sounding as if he were the spokesman of the governor said “There is no way the governor is going to give the team any money because they did not score. An own goal is just what it is an own goal it was not scored by the team so it wouldn’t count,” he submitted.

Eagles still lead the group with 10 points just a point above South Africa who will next face Libya in the last group match while Nigeria take on Seychelles at home in what some have already dubbed pre-tournament training tie.

‘Declare emergency in manufacturing sector’

The Federal Government has been called upon to declare a state of emergency in the manufacturing sector of the nation’s economy as a matter of urgency.

Delivering a 25th anniversary and 2nd distinguished lecture of Ilesa Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Managing Director of the Kresta Laurel Limited, Engr. Dideolu Falobi, said it was imperative for the FG to act fast and save the nation from impending economic doom.

Falobi said the call for state of emergency to be declared in the industrial sector is necessary because there are factual evidences to show that more than half of the 500,000 graduates being produced annually by the nation’s various tertiary institutions are unemployed.

He said it is uncomplimentary that manufacturing sector contributes only 15.62 percent of the nation’s GDP in spite of its almost 200 million population in which he noted that “54.32 percent of this population is between the ages of 15 and 64  unlike Singapore with similar GDP but a mere 6 million.”

Putting the the literacy level in Nigeria at 59.6 percent, the engineer lamented that there are a huge population of unskilled workers to be engaged by the manufacturing sector and also another huge population of skilled workers that are unemployed.

Apart from declaring a state of emergency in the manufacturing sector, he said a number of industrial bills must be sponsored at the National Assembly to move Nigeria out of the woods in certain sectors needing urgent intervention.

According to the guest lecturer, there are many benefits of industrialization for the engineers and others, which he said include employment generation directly through construction of industries, indirect employment through auxiliary services during construction activities, increased utilization of lands, increased tax revenue for the government among others.

He said: “The topic of this lecture is one that I consider most timely and very relevant in the light of our national challenges today. The country is reeling from all sorts of maladies, the most dangerous and saddening of it all being the descent of our youths into the abyss of moral decadence characterized by drug abuse, Tramadol popping, codeine sipping, 419, Yahoo-Yahoo, Yahoo Plus, area-boyish and all other crimes. It is scary fro me to watch the future generations of our beloved nation in self-destruct mode.

“Let me categorize the youths affected into two. The first group are those who, for whatever reasons, were not educated or dropped out of school at an early age. Unfortunately, they also refused to learn any trade or craft. Most of them are now in their late teens, early to late twenties, I am sure that should we take a peep outside the gate of this hall, we will find them waiting for us to come out to collect handouts which as soon as they get it will vamoose in a hail of smoke of Indian Hemp and so on.

“This category is neither employed nor employable. Some of them who learned one trade or craft have forgotten about it and their routine is to scavenge social functions from Thursday to Saturday (their peak period) looking for dole outs from celebrants and politicians who also use them as canons folder during political battles.

“The second category consists of some of the 500,000 Nigerian youths that graduate from our several tertiary institutions and are left idle because of unemployment. This group has made the advanced fee fraud in all its variants their career. Propped up by all shots of drugs  and bolstered by iniquitous herbalists (most of them, fake) that abound, these young boys and girls are almost lost. These two categories of Nigerians need industrialization. Today’s lecture is timely and relevant for them and their suffering parents.”

Buhari congratulates Super Eagles for 2019 AFCON qualification

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The team’s  1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday had secured the team the ticket.

In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President joined millions of football-loving Nigerians in commending the team for their spirited and disciplined performance against a very formidable opponent which earned them qualification with the final match against Seychelles a mere formality.

READ ALSO : Updated: Nigeria qualify for AFCON 2019

Having keenly followed the senior national football team’s progress in the qualifying stages, President Buhari was enthused by their confidence, sense of patriotism and professionalism, and recommended these attributes to other Nigerians.

He equally commended the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Supporters Club, especially Nigerians residing in South Africa who turned out in great numbers to cheer the players, for a job well-done, and assured them of the unflinching support of the Federal Government going forward.

The President wished the young Nigerian football ambassadors more successes as they prepare for the AFCON tournament in Cameroon.

Updated: Nigeria qualify for AFCON 2019

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will participate in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

They booked their place in the continent’s biggest football competition after securing a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.

Nigeria had missed out of the last two editions, after winning the title in 2013, in the FNB Stadium.

The Nigerians had highest goal scorer, Odion Ighalo and first choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho  missing on the trip to the Soccer City due to injury.

The Sper Eagles started the stronger side with a nice combination on the dge of the South Africa box and Ahmed Musa forced goalkeeper Itumeleng  Khune into a good save with a low shot.

Two minutes later, Buhle Mkhwanazi scored an own goal for the Super Eagles, converting a cross from Samuel Kalu into his own net

Lebo Mothiba responded with a goal for the Bafana Bafana in the 26th minute,  scored for the Bafana Bafana after a good pass for Percy Tau that beat two Nigerian defenders

In the 71st minute  Percy Tau, who won the man of the match afterwards, troubled the Nigerian defence, dribbling past two defenders, but Jamilu Collins intercepted his attempt to score a second for South Africa.

Isaac Success later on scored a goal for Nigeria, but the bulky forward was ruled offside after the hosts’ defence was exposed.

With Nigeria through to the continental showpiece next year, the winner between South Africa and Libya will join the Super Eagles for the June/July 24-Nations competition in Cameroon. A draw however will be good enough for South Africa, who were last in the Nations Cup in 2015.

NASS bye-election peaceful in Kwara

…Lai Mohammed, REC, others hail poll conduct

The National Assembly bye-election took place in Kwara state under a

peaceful atmosphere as votes conducted themselves in an orderly

mannner.

Security personnel were stationed at various polling units and

strategic locations to monitor the conduct of the poll.

The seat of the Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Isin/Irepodun Federal Constituency of Kwara state became vacant late September this year following the death

of Princess Funke Adedoyin who represented the constituency.

There was massive turn out of voters in most polling units in communities in Oke-Ero Local Government Area.

Voters who came to polling centres with temporary voter’s cards could not however vote as card readers did not authenticate their cards.

Speaking with reporters after casting his vote at Oro ward II, Onikoyi polling unit, Oro town, minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, hailed the conduct of the election, saying that he was impressed with massive turn out.

The minister, who expressed the APC to win the election, said that people of the area were mobilized before the poll.

Also speaking at Ajase Ipo ward 1, in front of Olupo palace, the PDP stalwart and commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, who said that the election witnessed impressive turn out of voters,  however said that people complained of malfunctioning of card readers in some

areas.

Traditional ruler of Odo-Owa in Ekiti local government area of the

state, Oba Joshua Akinyemi Adimula, condemned use of only card reader

machine, saying that alternative of manual accreditation ought to be

allowed.

He said insistence on the card reader alone denied many people of the

right to vote. Chairman of the local government, Joseph Oni, who voted in his Idofin-Igbana community expressed satisfaction with turn out of voters

and the conduct of the election.

Oni, who said that there was no vote buying or any other malpractice

in the exercise, explained that replacement of the machines were made

by INEC officials where card readers were not functioning properly.

There was however a clash among party supporters in Ekan-meje community but security agents quickly came in to douse tension.

Also speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara

State, Alhaji Attahiru Madami, commended voters in the ongoing

by-election into the Irepodun/Isin/Oke Ero federal constituency of

federal House of Representatives for their peaceful conduct.

Madami, who spoke with reportes at Osi 07 Unit 0001, S.D.A school,

Osi in Ekiti local government area of the state noted that “The electoral process as been so peaceful, perfect and encouraging. In fact, I am highly impressed and it is my hope that Nigerians will emulate Kwara State in future elections.

“Card readers are functioning well and security agents are in full charge. It is my advice that politicians are to accept the outcome of the polls humbly and with the spirit of sportsmanship.”

Alsi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kwara State, Senator Simeon Ajibola, has disclosed that the outcome of the ongoing by-election in Ekiti/Irepodun/Eke Ero/Isin federal

constituency would determine its credibility.

Ajibola, a former senator representing Kwara South senatorial district in Abuja stated this while speaking journalists in Ìsapá town, Ekiti Local government area of the state.

He noted that “there was massive turnout of voters, INEC officials

arrived with the voting materials and security agencies have really

performed excellently well” even as he expressed optimism that APC will the poll.

How Ronaldo dethroned Messi as Champions League king

The argument over whether Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi or vice-versa has raged for over a decade, but there is a stage where one is the undisputed victor.

In 2012, when Messi won his fourth-straight Ballon d’Or title, it seemed inevitable that the Barcelona star would finish his career far ahead of his arch-rival, who had just one Golden Ball to his name.

But Ronaldo has since claimed four of the last five awards in the ensuing years to leave them tied on five apiece. His recent dominance of football’s most prestigious individual prize has been down to his success in the Champions League.

The 33-year-old has finished as either the tournament’s top goalscorer or joint-top scorer in each of the last six campaigns and lifted the trophy with Real Madrid on four of those occasions.

Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Ronaldo has hit a scarcely believable 83 goals in 76 games, a formidable strike-rate that has seen him become by far and away the tournament’s all-time top goalscorer.

Before the start of 2011, when he broke double figures in the competition for the first time, it was Messi who shone brightest on that stage. The Argentine finishedtop scorer in the competition four years running between 2008 and 2012, coinciding with his run of four straight Ballon d’Or titles.

By the end of that fourth year, Messi had 51 Champions League goals compared to Ronaldo’s 38, a healthy lead of 13.

But the tide began to turn in 2012-13 when Ronaldo ended Messi’s run as both the Champions League top-scorer and Ballon d’Or winner. He scored 12 goals in Europe compared to Messi’s eight and won his second Golden Ball with 27.99 per cent of the votes.

Ronaldo’s rise to becoming a Champions League specialist has coincided with both Messi and Barcelona struggling to assert themselves like before in Europe. They have failed to make it to the semi-finals in each of the last three seasons with Messi scoring 23 goals.

TRENDING: I Paid Billions To Campaign For Buhari In 30 States In 2015, Says Saraki

"Up till the time election held in 2015, as at Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday till when elections were conducted on Saturday, out of the 36 states, I paid for campaigns in 30 states. There were payments of N400million, N300million, and the like. The only six states I knew nothing about were the six states in the South-West. Aside these six states, for all other states, right from my phone, I was contacting the banks on what to do. The consolation for spending this amount was that when the administration won, when it was time for appointments — remember I used to tell majority of those in the state that we were all going to Abuja — some of our people would be in Road Maintenance, NPA, among others, because I know that even if it's just one Kwara person who is the DG of UBEC, we know what he can do with his position," Saraki was quoted as saying.
In an audio clip that has gone viral on social media, Senate President Bukola Saraki has said he paid billions to campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari in 30 states of the federation.

The audio clip was posted on Twitter by Kayode Ogundamisi, a social commentator, on Friday.

From the 33-minute clip, it appeared Saraki was in a political meeting with youth, judging from the details of the conversation and the response from the crowd.

He listed reasons he eventually left the All Progressives Congress (APC), premising his decision on the fact that his people were not allocated slots when it came to positions within parastatals of the federation.

His words: "From the top, use me as an example. Between 2014 and 2015 when we left the PDP, that we took charge of the campaign for the APC, we went round all the states. There was no state in Nigeria that I did not campaign for Buhari. Up till the time election held in 2015, as at Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday till when elections were conducted on Saturday, out of the 36 states, I paid for campaigns in 30 states. There were payments of N400million, N300million, and the like. The only six states I knew nothing about were the six states in the South-West. Aside these six states, for all other states, right from my phone, I was contacting the banks on what to do.

"The consolation for spending this amount was that when the administration won, when it was time for appointments — remember I used to tell majority of those in the state that we were all going to Abuja — some of our people would be in Road Maintenance, NPA, among others, because I know that even if it's just one Kwara person who is the DG of UBEC, we know what he can do with his position; even if it's one million or two million.

"How can one go through so much 'wahala' and spend billions and when they get there... Even if you don't want to give us positions, there are other offers. The point I'm making is not that I want to make trouble or it is my intention for the youth to go through what they are going through. That's why I'm very pained. As it affects you, it also affects me. That's why I said it's not possible for me to work with those people again. It's not about me. What do they want to offer me?

"It's a risk to challenge the government. It's better one just maintains peace. It's not easy to challenge the government of the day. But, my point is that I cannot do it because I have an agreement that I would not deceive you. We did so much. When it was 2018, I came and told you that I was no longer with the APC, I'm sure some of you would have wondered why. However, I'm sure with what you have seen in the last one, two months, I'm not a politician who likes trouble, because for the other side, their politics is to make trouble with me."

INTERVIEW: My academic credentials authentic, I’ll win Kaduna governorship – PDP candidate Isa Ashiru

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State in this interview denies he submitted fake credentials to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as alleged by his critics, including members of his party.
He also denies he signed any political ‘agreement’ with other PDP aspirants during the party’s governorship primary in Kaduna.

Mr Ashiru denies he signed any document issued by the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) before they voted for him at the primary election. He then speaks on how he hopes to defeat Governor Nasir El-Rufai in the 2019 election.

Excerpts:

PT: A gubernatorial aspirant in the last PDP primaries recently accused you of not honoring an agreement you all ‘agreed’ to before he reportedly withdrew for you during the primary. Was there any agreement?


Ashiru: I promised never to speak on this issue but let me speak now. One aspirant who recently left the PDP raised two issues. I was told that he said we had an agreement, myself, himself and Senator Ahmed Makarfi before the primaries and that was what necessitated his withdrawal from the contest.

I want to tell you now that I have never sat with anybody to write an agreement. We were 11 in the contest before his withdrawal. I can’t sit with one out of 11 to write an agreement even though I do not know what was the content of the agreement he was talking about. I don’t know if he has availed you the opportunity to see the agreement.



There was no agreement, if you are supposed go into any agreement with an aspirant, the party needs to be involved. What I know is that I met with him and Senator Makarfi and (he) agreed that he is going to withdraw for me at the primaries and that is because he has seen clearly that I am ahead of him.
He has been relating very well with Senator Makarfi and that was why the senator brought us together for the brief meeting so we can ‘understand’ ourselves and if subsequently we triumph at the general election and form a government, we should understand each other.

That was what we discussed but there was nothing like signing an agreement at the meeting. He is entitled to his own opinion and he has his reasons. He is not the only politician that left the PDP. Sagir Takai from Kano and Abubakar Hafiz also left. Sani has his personal reasons for doing what he did.

PT: Are you also aware of the attack coming from some politicians including Sani Bello that your educational qualifications are not authentic, that you submitted a fake WAEC certificate. Did you submit a fake certificate?

Ashiru: All my educational results and certificates are authentic. There is no single one that I have doubt about. I wrote my WAEC and got into the polytechnic in Katsina. I did my HND in Kaduna Polytechnic afterwards. I also did my PGD (post-graduate studies), in Kaduna Polytechnic and participated in the mandatory NYSC. I served in Borno State. I also got my master’s degree from Bayero University Kano. I worked in Kaduna civil service at the Ministry of Trade and Tourism. I retired in 1997 and right now, I am a pensioner.



PT: Back to Kaduna, if you win, what are you bringing to the state?

Ashiru: I was elected member representing Kudan constituency in the state House of Assembly for seven years, from 1999 to 2007 and later elected House of Representatives member and I served two terms. Re-uniting our people is my priority.


El-Rufai has destroyed the civil service. We don’t have a civil service in Kaduna State anymore. Kaduna was a point of reference before we left in 2007. People come to Kaduna to seek for guidance when it comes to administration. That is not what we have now in Kaduna. All the inherited asset were sold by this government, but let me tell you, it is just a matter of time. By the grace of God we will be there and we will bring our people together.

PT: You decamped from PDP in 2015 to the APC and not quite long you moved back to the PDP, what went wrong?


Ashiru: Same thing that made me decamp from the PDP to the APC made me move back to the PDP again. At first, in 2015 some people hijacked the party and did not allow some of us to participate as members of the party. We were denied every opportunity to participate then, so we left and joined the APC.

I participated in the governorship primaries with Governor Nasir El-Rufai and when they say I did not win, I joined hands with him to deliver Kaduna to the APC. But later everything changed. The system became a master-servant relationship, we then formed the APC Akida so we can salvage the party in the state but it did not work out so I and other aggrieved loyal party members sought for option elsewhere. I returned to the PDP. The impunity that is in APC is greater than what people say PDP did. I still feel PDP is the only way to go in the state.


PT: What is your view of El-Rufai’s 2019 Muslim- Muslim ticket and choice of a woman?

Ashiru: It is quite unfortunate that he had to go that way thinking that he will have his way. Whether we like it or not, we must live together as one in the state. We are destined to come from same geographical entity and we must live together as one. It is only fair that one does the right thing.

He thinks even after what he did to Kaduna people, he can manipulate his way by bringing in a woman as his running mate and win. Kaduna people have not forgetten what he did to them and time will tell.


PT: Was it also true that you signed an agreement with Southern Kaduna elite that when you win you will share equally responsibilities of the state with them and give them ‘juicy’ appointments?

Ashiru: That is absolutely not true. I heard that too but let me tell you what happened. I met with some leaders of the Southern Kaduna groups including SOKAPU leaders and in the course of our discussion we rubbed minds and I told them that I will surely be a governor for everybody in the state notwithstanding which part you come from. I told them I will make right decisions for the best interest of everyone in the state. But there was no signing of agreements.


PT: Do you think you can defeat El-Rufai in 2019?

Ashiru: Power belongs to Almighty Allah. If Nasir can be governor in Kaduna, I can also be governor of Kaduna. But by the special grace of Allah, with what is on ground, surely we (are) beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We shall triumph and everybody in the state will be happy with us.