Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia state chapter, Sir Johnson Onuigbo has tasked aspirants seeking for political offices in 2019 under the platform of the party to go and work for their emergence, warning that PDP tickets are not for sale.
Abia PDP Chairman disclosed this on Monday at the party Secretariat in Umuahia when he called a meeting of all the political aspirants in the state.

It would be recalled that Abia state Governor,Dr Okezie Ikpeazu had this morning issued a press statement through the Secretary to the Government,Dr Eme Okoro directed all government appointees who are seeking to contest the 2019 election to resign their appointments immediately in line with the PDP constitution and directive from the Governor.

Onuigbo further warned that there will be no impunity and imposition of candidates in 2019 tasking them to go and work for their tickets.

He added that all positions in the state will be contested for adding that the party is going to adopt the principles of internal democracy.

He further warned that anybody who thinks he will pick ticket without working for it is joking and would be disappointed at the end of the day.

The former Mayor of Umuahia North LGA who commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on the giant strides recorded by his administration so far urging the aspirants to ensure that they convinced the people on their aspirations.
He warned that the forthcoming election is not a do or die affair while expressing optimism that PDP win convincingly in the state and as well take over Aso Rock in 2019.

He noted that PDP is a disciplined party where there is orderliness and leadership in the party is trouble free unlike Abia APC where everybody is a leader and have two factions.
“What is happening today at the national level and the gale of defections from APC to PDP is a clear testimony that the ruling party hijack power in 2015 without being prepared for it” Abia PDP said.

Sir Johnson Onuigbo therefore expressed delight that PDP is bouncing back to reckoning and will capture Presidency come 2019 while commending APC for choosing a hardliner like Mohammad Buhari as its Presidential candidate in 2015 which he stressed is responsible for the crisis ridden the party is currently facing losing heavy weight Politicians who made it possible for its win 2015.

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Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has condemned the plot to destabilize Benue state through the unconstitutional move to impeach Governor Samuel Ortom by minority lawmakers.

Reacting to the siege on Benue House of Assembly, HURIWA said that the deployment of armed police operatives to the Benue State house of assembly by the Inspector General of Police is meant to scuttle democracy in Benue State because of the defection of the governor from APC to PDP.

HURIWA has condemned the politicization of the serious problems occasioned by armed Fulani attacks in Benue state even as the Rights group totally condemned the attempt at revisionism by national chairman of APC based on misplaced angst against the defection of Benue state governor to PDP.

HURIWA also warned the Presidency not to contemplate illegally reconvening the adjourned Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the subterranean plots to illegally unseat the Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki and his deputy Professor Ike Ekweremadu.

The Rights group also took a swipe at the presidency and the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr. Adams Oshomhole for politicizing the armed Fulani massacre of farmers in Benue State, and warned that there would be consequences should the popular will of Benue people be thwarted using crude police tactics to instigate the impeachment of the Benue governor.

The Rights group cautioned against forcing the people to wage violent civil disturbances to protest against perceived external interferences from the Presidency to unseat the democratically elected governor.

Relatedly, the Rights group has condemned the poor response mechanisms by the federal government towards stopping the rapidly expanding mass killings by armed bandits in Zamfara state which has so far led to the killings of thousands of peace loving people of Zamfara State.

HURIWA believes that the current national security architecture is not working even as the Rights group has asked President Buhari to respect the constitutional principle of federal character by appointing competent, efficient professionals from all parts of Nigeria to head the diverse sectors of the national security team.

“The current national security team is not representatives of the broad federal Character of Nigeria because all of them are drawn from one Ethnicity and one religion thus violating the fundamental constitutional principle and also negates merits, professionalism and competences given that the appointment of the currently serving security chiefs was based purely on nepotism and favouritism.

“This is the underlying reason behind the manipulation of the security and military institutions to protect suspected armed Fulani herdsmen who are carrying out mass murders in North Central states including Benue state just because they share same Ethno Religious interests with those who wield military and executive powers at the center now.”

Besides, the Rights group says it is not rational to employ same failed security strategies and expect a different result and asked for immediate rejiging of the nation’s internal security system.

“We think that the central government headed by President Buhari has substantially failed Nigerians by not effectively putting in place fool proof methods of combating the widening spectre of terror attacks and armed Fulani violence all around Nigeria. The ongoing propaganda and manipulative use of security forces to conceal and fail to arrest and prosecute the real armed Fulani herdsmen responsible for the attacks is a major act of treachery and treasonable.”

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National leader of Hope Democratic Party, HDP, High Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru has once again declared his resolve to redirect Nigeria and Nigerians to the part of sustainable growth and prosperity if elected president.

Chief Owuru, a British trained constitutional lawyer, while making his intention known, vowed through a statement tagged ‘A Wind of Hope: For A New and Greater Nigeria,’ and made available to Nigerian Pilot, vowed to fight the hydra-headed poverty ravaging Nigerian homes.
The presidential hopeful also restated his resolve to “restructure National security, disband the present police and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and create a new order.”

The Rivers State-born chief, who also flagged the flag of the HDP in the 2011 and 2015 presidential elections, equally frowned at the economy of the nation which has depended on a single sector for decades, promising to “industrialise and diversify the economy.”

“My government will leave no space in evenly redistributing the wealth of this so blessed country amongst the citizens. The fact that successive governments in this nation had shunned severally is that when you meet the aspirations of majority of the citizens, give every segment of this country the reason to believe they’re well accommodated in the scheme of things, the cry of marginalisation will become a history.

“Industrialisation is the way to go if this country must take its due place among the comity of respected nations. My government will eliminate and prohibit corrupt practices in the land with good welfare policies and well-paid jobs,” Chief Owuru declared.

On the deficient state of healthcare delivery, Owuru reiterated his stance on free healthcare, just as he also assured of revamp the education sector, with a promise to also promulgate sound policies for affordable housing for all.
To put a check on the trending security challenge in the country, the presidential candidate vowed to rebuild and unify the nation “in love under one God.”

Owuru has never deviated from his political belief that power to oversee the affairs of the people precipitate from the mandate given by the people, and therefore the power belongs to the people.

It would be recalled that in the build-up to the 2015 presidential election, the HDP national leader maintained that his government would provide sound leadership with major focus on the welfare of the citizens.
“I am running as presidential candidate and a leader of an idea – welfarist party. We want to promote welfarism as an idea. Now we are at auto pilot, moving to nowhere and the corruption is free wheel and everywhere. Is that what we want as a people? We need leadership,” he said.

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A CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Commissioner for Land and Survey in Oyo State , Mr Isaac Ajibola Omodewu over the weekend said that defection of some politicians ,particularly in National Assembly, to another parties cannot affect the fortunes of the party in 2019 general elections.

He said that the defection of the NASS members from the party is like a case of’ “soldier go, soldier come, barracks remain,” stressing that as some people are defecting from the party people from other political parties were joining the APC too.

Omodewu noted that “some of the members that had defected had even retraced their steps back to the party and before the end of the year many people from other parties would have joined APC.”

Mr. Omodewu made the clarification at the Guest Forum of organized the Nigerian Union of Journalist , NUJ, Correspondents’ Chapel in Ibadan where he made his intension to contest as governor of the state in 2019.

He stated that “among the people aspiring to be governor of this state, I am the most qualified person. To start with, I am the most experienced among them because I have been in government with ‘Oga’ as commissioner for the past seven years. Secondly, I have been in politics since I was a toddler. My daddy was a follower of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and late Chief Bola Ige during Action Group party and The Unity Party of Nigeria ,UPN.

“I sincerely believe that this is the time for us in Oyo to copy Lagos state. If you can all remember, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the current political dispensation laid the foundation of the modern Lagos state when he contested and won under the Alliance for Democracy, AD, which is a progressive party. He was succeeded by another progressive man, Barrister Babatunde Fasola and Akinwumi Ambode another progressive man succeeded Fasola. Lagos is a role model of states including the federal government today in Nigeria. ”

Omodewu emphasized that he will build on the achievements of Senator Ajimobi in development of the state within the six months if he gets elected.

The governorship aspirant promised to improve on internal generated revenue for easy development of the state.

According to Omodewu “all of you will remember what happened during the regime of Baba Obasanjo, how he denied Lagos state her monthly allocation from the federal government for years. Our leader ,Asiwaju Tinubu expanded the opportunity for IGR at the end Lagos became financial sufficient and independent .”

APC governorship aspirant said he will like to invest more on education, health; transportation, especially railroad for easy transportation of farm produce; industry and agriculture.

Omodewu noted that in Oyo there is a lot of land for mechanize farming and if properly utilized, the state can produce the food that can feed the Country.

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Abducts 8 day-old baby, two nursing mothers

Again, communities of Unguwar Dan-Baki, Sabon-Layi village in Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State, were yesterday attacked by armed bandits, less than a week after a similar attack in the area.

The armed bandits stormed the village around 7.30pm, killing three people, abducting two nursing mothers, one of them with an infant of eight days old, in addition to five men.

An eye witness, Garba Tanko said: “We were attacked as we are about joining Maghreb (evening) prayers congregation”

A release issued and signed by Ibrahim Abubakar Nagwari, Chairman, Birnin-Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance, dated 30th July 2018, stated that the attackers had a field day and carted away cattle used for Animal Traction by the villagers in their farms.

The attackers it is believed are using the corridor of Kamuku Forest and Kuyambana Forest in Zamfara State to terrorize farming communities in Birnin-Gwari local government territories, in Kaduna.

“As the military and police personnel are advancing to secure many parts of our territories from armed bandits and kidnappers especially along Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna road as well as Birnin-Gwari-Funtua road, we are calling on the Federal Government to deploy more security forces to Birnin-Gwari to prevent influx of armed bandits escaping military onslaught in Zamfara State to Birnin-Gwari.”

Contacted on phone, the Commissioner of police Kaduna state command Mr. Austin Iwar told journalists that he is not around and therefore did not know anything about it at all.

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Coalition Of Anambra Youth For Buhari (CAYB) has expressed gratitude to Senator Andy Uba (APC, Anambra South) for facilitating the release of N37.95billion out of the N43billion owed the state for the repair of and rehabilitation of federal roads and other intervention funds on federal government projects in the state by president Muhammadu Buhari led government.

This was made known by (CAYB) chairman Martin Chukwu through a press release obtained exclusively by yans.ng.

Mr Chukwu noted that the amount which will go a long way in improving the living standard and wellbeing of the people further demonstrates the fact that president Muhammadu Buhari means well for the people of the region.

“Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the South East has suffered neglect in the area of road construction and other infrastructural development, despite huge budgetary allocations to the region,” he said.

“Ever since President Muhammadu Buhari came on board in 2015, he has demonstrated that he has no negative intentions towards the South-Eastern part of Nigeria as wrongly insinuated.

“With the release of N37.95billion for the rehabilitation of federal roads in Anambra State by the federal government, the current Buhari led government has further endeared itself to the youths and people of the state.

“The CAYB wish to assure the president that the youths of the region are ready to give him all the support needed to move the region and the entire nation forward.”

On Andy Uba’s effort towards facilitating the release, Chukwu added that Uba remains the best senator in the history of Anambra state.

He added: “Words alone cannot express our gratitude to Senator Uba for facilitating the release of the funds by the federal government.

“It is on record that the senator remains the best federal lawmaker to have ever come out from Anambra state. His track records through numerous constituency projects are a testament of his goodwill for the people of the state.”

The CAYB further assured the senator that the youths and good people of Anambra South will continue to support him in the years ahead so as to attract more development in the state and the region

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The Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki officially dumps All Progressives Congress ( APC).

Senator Bukola Saraki who announced via his verified Twitter handle @bukolasaraki, “I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.

The Senate President’s Tweet

Senator, representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray Bruce was one to hurriedly welcome the Senate President “home” as he tweeted some minutes ago on twitter.

Ben Murray Bruce’s Tweet

Ben Murray Bruce wasn’t the only Senator to comment on the announcement as Senator Ahmed Ogembe also tweeted.

Senator Ahmed Ogembe’s Tweet

This announcement by the Senate president also spiked a lot of mixed reaction from Nigerian twitter users.

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INTER Party Advisory Council (IPAC) South South/South East zones has called on the Federal Government to stop witch-hunting indigenes, especially politicians, from the South South and South East zones.

It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure free and fair elections while condemning in strong terms vote buying and other forms of electoral malpractices allegedly witnessed in some states in previous election.

These were contained in a communiqué read at the end of a two day conference by IPAC south south/south east zones with the theme ”strengthening regional democracy through inter-party dialogue” held in Uyo

The conference also condemned the infiltration in the zones by the marauding herdsmen calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently find a lasting solution to the menace.

‘We call on the federal government to desist from the prevailed political witch-hunting of the worthy sons and daughters of the zone.’’

”Also killings in Nigeria is not only concentrated in the middle belt but in the South South/ South East. Many parts of the zones have been overtaken by these armed men who have continued to maim lives and destroy properties of people.

“We urge the president as a matter of urgency to look into the matter and put a stop to this menace. Sometimes they say the herdsmen are from Lybia and outside the country, our question is; what is the immigration doing to checkmate the infiltration of these hooligans and killers?

”The conference also condemns in entirety and warns against any form of political thuggery, vote buying, ballot box snatching, and all forms of electoral malpractices being perpetrated in the zones,” it said.

The chairman of the communiqué drafting committee Dr Anthony Clarke who read the communiqué said the conference has resolved to institutionalize inter-party dialogue in the two zones to secure sustainability as well as strengthen democracy between the two zones.

The conference further advocated for restructuring of the country and the entrenchment of true federalism in the nation adding that people in the south south/south east zones were mostly affected in the present structure of Nigeria.

The conference also expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged inequitable distributions of democratic dividends and the decay of critical federal infrastructure in the zones.

‘’Now in the area of infrastructure, the two geo political zones are not fairly treated in the distribution of infrastructure in Nigeria. For instance, the east-west road which is critical to the economic buoyancy of the zones have been politicized, from Benin to Calabar, the state of work there is very abysmal, then you talk about other federal roads in the South South and South East, they are in the state of disrepair: Umuahia Ikot-Ekpene, Aba Ikot-Ekpene, Enugu Portharcout Expressway,’’ it concluded.

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Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong on Tuesday swore in Mallam Hudu Musa Sarki as the newly appointed Management committee chairman of Kanam local government area of the state.

Speaking at the occasion in Jos Lalong directed the new chairman to justify his appointment despite the limited resources available to the council.

“Let me first and foremost use this opportunity to congratulate Mallam Hudu Musa Sarki for being found worthy to assume the position of the Management Committee Chairman of Kanam Local Government Council.

“The New Management Committee Chairman having satisfied the requirement of community acceptability and inclusive representation, in line with the Change mantra of our rescue administration in the State, was presented to the Plateau State House of Assembly and had his appointment confirmed by the resolution of the House.

“Our rescue administration is mindful of the limited time at her disposal as against the great expectation of the people of Plateau State.

“You are therefore coming in at a very critical period for immediate service delivery to the people of Kanam in particular and the State in general. I expect therefore that you will hit the ground running, with practical solutions that will sustain the confidence of citizens in Government, by closing up the socio-economic gap in Kanam Local Government Area within your limited time in office.

“I must reiterate as always that this is a period for quick fixes, as we deliver on our promise of good governance in meeting the social welfare needs of our people. Your responsibility is to reinforce this commitment with efficient service delivery and to ensure that all components of our five policy thrust are given effect within the shortest possible time.

“I am sure you have familiarized yourself with the policy direction of our Government and you are fully prepared to drive the process of its realization within your Local Government Area.

“Let me quickly remind you that with your Oath of Office, the opportunity to inscribe your name in gold on the honor list of meritorious service has been given to you. You must strive to be just, fair and to deal equitably with all manner of persons.

“In this season of the conscious campaign for probity and accountability, you must avoid the temptation to compromise on your integrity; strive to be incorruptible and to maintain the highest level of discipline, work ethics and responsible management of resources, so that you can better the lot of our people as part of your value addition to good governance.

“I charge you to see this appointment as a call to service for which you must make a difference in the life of the people of Kanam Local Government Area, despite the challenges of the dwindling economic fortunes confronting us.

“I am confident that you have a clear understanding of the great confidence reposed in you by Stakeholders in your Local Government, which led to my endorsement and subsequent presentation of your name to the House of Assembly. This I believe will make you sacrificially commit yourself to delivering on the responsibilities of your office so you prove your appointment right.

“Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the cooperation we have received from the people of Kanam and to particularly thank the community leadership for their peace building efforts in the Local Government Area.

“I urge you to maintain this and to keep an abiding faith with Government in the efforts being made to accelerate the socio economic development of the State.

“I further call on all the people of Kanam, to cooperate with the new Chairman and his team, as they make conscious and concerted efforts to move Kanam Local Government to greater height.”

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The Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed has officially dumped All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Governor defection was announced via his verified Twitter handle which read “Following consultations and in response to calls by major stakeholders in the state, I have moved to the PDP as APC can longer serve as a platform for achieving the aspirations and expectations of my people”

The Governor’s Tweet

This announcement was made almost immediately after Senator Bukola Saraki announced via his verified Twitter handle @bukolasaraki, that ”he left APC”.

The Senate President’s Tweet

The announcement by the Governor also spiked a lot of mixed reaction from Nigerian twitter users.

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…APC Spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, abandons office

 Gale of defection hitting the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, nationwide continued yesterday as the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, finally bid farewell to the ruling party.

Saraki, announced on his Twitter handle that he is leaving the APC, but was silent on which political party he will be pitching his tent with.

However, the Senate President is largely expected to return to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, especially after all the federal lawmakers from his Kwara State left the APC last week.

“I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC).” he wrote on his Twitter handle.

Similarly, the Kwara State governor, Alhaji Ahmed announced his defection to the PDP through a one paragraph statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr Muyideen Akorode.

The governors said he was defecting in response to calls by major stakeholder groups in his state and added that All Progressive Congress can longer serve as a platform for achieving the aspirations and expectations of his people.

The statement read: “Following due consultations with the people and in response to calls by major stakeholder groups in the state, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed today defected to the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), having realized that the All Progressive Congress (APC) can longer serve as a platform for achieving the aspirations and expectations of his people.”

The Senate President has been having running battle with the leadership of the APC and the Presidency since June 2015 when he clinched the senate presidency against the wishes of leaders of the party.

Meanwhile, there are indications that the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi may also kiss the party goodbye any moment from now.

Mallam Abdullahi, an indigene of Kwara state, is an acolyte of Dr. Saraki.

Checks by the Nigerian Pilot indicate that the ruling party’s Spokesman has practically abandoned his duties as the mouth-piece of the APC and has not been reporting for work at the national secretariat of the party in the last three weeks.

It was gathered that he has even removed his personal belongings from his office more than a week before the gale of defection of federal lawmakers from the APC to the PDP.

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Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund PTDF Dr Bello Aliyu Gusau, has disclosed that the Fund’s scholarships for Nigerian Universities would possibly commence by the end of this month.

Gusau, who gave the hint during the induction programme for the beneficiaries of the 2018/2019 Overseas Scholarship Scheme OSS yesterday in Abuja, noted that the number of scholars that would benefit from the scholarship in local universities are expected to be higher than that of foreign scholars.

“We are going to commence scholarships for Nigerian Universities possibly by the end of this month and we expect the number to be higher than all the foreign scholarships. We shall possibly double that number” he said.

The PTDF boss warned beneficiaries of the 2018/2019 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) to work hard to complete their studies within the stipulated period of their study, saying the Fund will not tolerate extension.

He warned that the PTDF will not be liable for stay beyond the stipulated period of the scholarship award, except in extenuating circumstances.

According to him, the scholarship commences effective September 2018 and sponsorship for the duration of the study which ranges between 12 and 18 months, adding that the scholarship covers only the scholar.

He charged the beneficiaries to focus on studies aimed at solving challenges specific to Nigerian oil and gas industry, adding that the scholarship has primary focus on Engineering, Geological Sciences, Environmental and Energy studies both at the MSc and PhD levels.

He expressed optimism that the beneficiaries shall fit directly into the oil and gas and the academia when they complete their various programme.

According to him, in this strategic partnership with the United Kingdom, the choices of university of study have been trimmed down to 15 unlike in the past when scholars are allowed to choose from any university of their choice within the UK.

Gusau said that the decision to trim down the schools was basically to get greater value for money, stressing that the PTDF selects 15 best universities, and can also negotiate discounts for the tuition fees with the selected universities.

He said the OSS has recorded enormous impact as there has been increased number of Nigerians taking over operations in the nation’s oil and gas industry over the years.

Also, speaking Bala Shafii, a staff of PTDF explained that the Fund’s responsibilities, among other things, includes facilitating admission and placement of scholars, payment of fees and allowances, obtaining results and performance updates from the universities, accommodation, living and utility allowances are paid by annually by the Fund.

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A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili could not hide her joy over the defection of Senate President, Bukola Saraki to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ezekwesili writing on her Twitter page described Saraki’s defection as an end to a political era in Nigeria.

According to her, this signals the end to political class of PDP and APC, whom she referred to as ‘Siamese-Twins Parties’

A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili has expressed gladness over the defection of Senate President, Bukola Saraki to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ezekwesili writing on her Twitter page described Saraki’s defection as an end to a political era in Nigeria.

According to her, this signals the end to political class of PDP and APC, whom she referred to as ‘Siamese-Twins Parties’

She tweeted: “Red Card to APC and PDP. We know that 2018 is indeed the year of the office of the citizen to usher in 2019 which will mark the END OF ERA of the Political Class dominated by the Siamese-Twins Parties.

“We the RedCard movement are happy to see you all validate our red cards to ALL OF YOU.”

Saraki had on Tuesday evening announced his defection to APC after extensive consultations.

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Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said the end of APC has come.

He said When the person elected to defend and promote a ruling party chooses to dump the party for the main opposition party, such a party has ended.

Fayose made the comment via his twitter handle

When the person elected to defend and promote a ruling party chooses to dump the party for the main opposition party, such a party has ended.

More to come.

We must collectively rescue Nigeria and its people from these tyrants.

— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) July 31, 2018

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Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed speculations that he has resigned his membership of the party.

He told newsmen at the APC secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday that report of his resignation trending in the media was not true.

He added that “there is no iota of truth in the report.”

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As the survivors of Kastina State flood disaster continues to leek their wounds at the uninhabitable Internally Displaced Persons camp with little relief from relevant authorities, LINUS ALEKE examines NAF’s medical intervention in providing succour to the flood victims.

Recently, the Nigerian military came under severe attack, misrepresented by criticism over alleged human right abuse and sexual exploitation of victims of crisis at Internally Displaced Persons camps in the North-eastern part of Nigeria. This was as a result of consistent allegations by the international right watchdogs, Amnesty International and Transparency International.

While the AI and TI’s allegations were well contested by the Defence headquarters, many Nigerians feel that the military has been unfairly judged from the outside. Or that its immense contributions to the restoration of peace and order in troubled Nigeria’s international boundaries and communities, especially the fight against insurgency, it’s numerous humanitarian interventions at conflict or disaster areas, are grossly under reported. It is important to equally emphasise that the Nigeria Air Force has been very active in these regards.

The Nigerian military has been at the forefront of defending Nigeria’s international boundaries and plays supportive roles in protecting the civil populace. For instance, only recently, the Nigeria Air Force made critical intervention in Kastina State where flood disaster orchestrated by a heavy down pour killed over hundred persons, destroyed property worth millions of naira and displaced several hundreds.

As usual, state government, corporate bodies, nongovernmental organisations and National Emergency Management Agency came to their immediate rescue by providing relieve materials for them to keep body and soul together while they bemoan their pitiable condition.
But contrary to the news of military personnel abusing and sexually exploiting displaced persons in camps, the Nigerian Air Force NAF was in Kastina state to attend to the medical need of the flood victims.

This humanitarian exercise christened ‘NAF Medical Outreach’ had further dispelled the allegation of human right abuse by officers and men of Nigerian military, some observers opined.
They said that while others attend to the victims other material needs, the military were concerned with their health conditions, noting that health is wealth.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) treated two thousand Kastina flood victims who are currently sheltered at an Internally Displaced Persons camp located at Jibia Central Primary School in Jibia local government area of the State.
The NAF’s 3-days medical outreach, which was aimed at attending to the medical needs of flood victims who were displaced from their homes, was an initiative of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

A statement signed by Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal, Olatokunbo Adesanya and made available to newsmen also added that out of the 2000 beneficiary of the free medical outreach, 40 undergo different degree of surgeries.

The statement said, “This is part of NAF’s humanitarian efforts at mitigating the plights of the victims affected by the recent flood that ravaged some parts of Katsina State and rendered thousands of residents homeless.

“The first day of the programme attracted a large turnout of beneficiaries who expressed satisfaction with the medical services received from the NAF Medical Team. The people also expressed their gratitude to the NAF for the humanitarian gesture and for remembering them in their time of need. The medical services provided during the first day of the outreach included mass de-worming of children, medical checkups, distribution of treated mosquito nets, eye glasses and drugs while patients with surgical cases were also operated upon”.

Speaking during the event, the Director of Public Health and Humanitarian Services, NAF Headquarters, Group Captain Azubuike Chukwuka, said that NAF was in Katsina to provide humanitarian services for the victims of the recent flood.
According to him, “Following the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff to extend our humanitarian services to the persons affected by the recent flood by bringing medical team to attend to them, we intend to be here for three days and we hope to attend to 2,000 patients and perform about 40 surgeries”.

However, trilled by this milk of kindness and humanitarian act, the head of the local government administration in the state, Alhaji Almustapha Idris Dan-Musa, appreciated NAF authority for the kind gesture and the provision of free healthcare for the people of Jibia, especially the displaced persons who were forced out of their homes by natural disaster.

Dan-Musa said that the medical outreach was a great relief to his people who had lost lives and properties to the flood, adding ‘It would be recalled that NAF recently had a 3-day special surgical intervention and medical outreach for IDPs and residents of Barkin Ladi in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State following the violence in the area’.

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Nigeria, Nigerian IPOB, herdsmen and the Nigerian nation have experienced three systems of government; parliamentary, military and democracy. One is good, one is hard and the third is worst. Other systems in the world are: socialist, autocracy, communism, etc. No doubt, each nation has reasons why they chose any of the above systems. At the start of the Nigerian nation, we were colonised by Britain under parliamentary system, we to change the system to presidential, which is alien to us and since over 50 years ago, we have refused to practise the system successfully.

The presidential system is a capitalist system of government which any poor country cannot practise successfully. Nigeria is sick. Let me say here that we need to change many things in this nation. Our name (Nigeria) has no prestige all over the world despite the bread and honey God gave us free of charge in this country; they all fall into the hands of cows and hyenas, it is a pity for Nigeria. We have fallen into the hands of Satan.

What causes untold problems in our country today is money because God blessed us and Satan poked his nose into it, making us to be unfair to ourselves. The European country that colonised us has great love for their citizens because they know that God is love and they established the love within themselves.
They equally colonised United States of America who understands their own system.

At this juncture, let me suggest that we go back to parliamentary system of government because it is cheap and gives power to the region. It does not involve costly houses, the senate alone is gulping alarming percentage of our yearly revenue, talk less of the house of representatives of over 300 members earning fabulous salaries and a lot of other allowances. Each senator’s constituency allowance is well over N20,000,000.00 monthly, which does not reflect in the supposed constituencies.

Fellow Nigerians, this is why majority of our politicians are getting there by do or die, let their money be reduced to just allowance per sitting, they will find other works to do. This is a sane solution to curb the voracity of politicians in this country. Nigeria needs every change; our name, political system, mutual characters, religious tolerance and spiritual rebirth.
Let me conclude from where I started, that presidential system of government has failed in Nigeria, let us quickly go back to our former parliamentary system.

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Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala has urged the Super Falconets to be focused as they prepare for the Women U-20 World Cup in France later this month.

Falconets will begin their campaign at the World Cup with a game against European power house, Germany before meeting China and Haiti in their other Group matches and Oshoala believes that it is only when the team is focused that they can qualify from the group of death.
Speaking with Nigerian Pilot Sports in Lagos, the Dalian Quanjian of China player stated that she is happy with the team’s preparations and the outcome of their friendly matches in Austria which she said will have a positive impact as they prepare to face the rest of the World in France.

“I’m happy with the preparations of the team ahead of the World Cup. The good results they have posted in friendlies in Austria is an indication that the team is ready to go but it must be sustained for them to have a good outing at the competition.. But I don’t want them to be carried away by those results because the World Cup is a different ball game.. Am sure that if they remain focused, they will not only qualify from the group but go far in the competition’ stated the former Liverpool and Arsenal Ladies player.

The three time Women African footballer of the years was also optimistic that the team will not be intimidated by large crowd at the Mundial saying that all the players are professionals who are used to such crowds at big events.

” I don’t think the Falconets would be intimidated by large crowd because any player who is 18 years and above is a professional and as such should be more composed on the field of play and only concerned with what to do with the ball at any given time not minding the antics of the fans.

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…Says action an afterthought

CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, has said that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki does not need to answer a query that has become redundant and overtaken by events. It was issued to him by the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a press statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Abuja, the lawmaker described the query issued after Saraki had announced his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as an afterthought and an academic exercise.

Ibrahim, who represents Kwara South Senatorial District, is one the 14 senators that recently dumped the APC for PDP via a joint letter read by Saraki on the floor of the upper legislative chamber.

The lawmaker said in the statement that “it is pertinent to state that the issues raised in the query were in conflict with and complete violation of our constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association”.

“All Senators who have defected from APC did so on their own free will. As matured men and women, we took the decision to leave the APC by ourselves. We did so because we felt that the party no longer represents the ideals that we once fought for. The Senators are political leaders in their own rights and they represent their different senatorial districts.

“So, it is preposterous for the APC leadership to be writing that Dr. Saraki should be held responsible for the decision of my colleagues concerning their political careers.

“Is it Saraki that caused the antagonism between Senstor Suleiman Hunkuyi and Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai which led the Senator to defect? Is it Saraki that caused the problem between Kogi governor and Senator Dino Melaye when the party appeared helpless in calling the governor to order as he moves to annihilate the senator who contributed so much to his election?

“Is it Saraki that compelled a man of Senator Abdullahi Danbaba of Sokoto’s standing to defect? Is it Saraki who forced Senator Monsurat Sunmonu from Oyo State to defect? Can Saraki be blamed for Senator Abdulazeez Murtala Nyako’s defection after the Senator had complained about the lack of equity and inclusiveness in the APC in Adamawa State?

“One can give so many examples to demonstrate how the non-commital leadership of the APC looked on, without taking action to stop the sorry state of affairs that made the gale of defections inevitable.

“So, nobody can blame the Senate President for any decision taken by the whole house. It is a collective decision.”

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Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has commissioned the outdoor small arms shooting range and other projects recently executed by the NAF at its base in Bauchi.

Other projects also commissioned by Chief of Air Staff included 2 blocks of Commanders’ Quarters, one block of 6 x 2 bedroom Married Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ Accommodation, one block of 10 single room Non-Commissioned Officers’ Accommodation as well as the Quarter Guard, entrance way and Gate of Headquarters Special Operations Command, SOC.

A statement from NAF headquarters also added that a historical photo gallery building constructed by the Commander 251 Base Services Group was also commissioned by the Air Chief.

The Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, also donated land within the Lame and Bura Forests to the Service for the establishment of an Air Range, as part of the state government’s contribution to human capacity building in the Nigerian Air Force, NAF.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Bauchi State Governor, who was the Special Guest of Honour, said that NAF had done remarkably well in dealing with most of the security challenges confronting the nation, adding that NAF had always demonstrated professionalism and discipline in the conduct of its operations while making invaluable sacrifices to ensure peace and security in the country.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, expressed immense gratitude to the people of Bauchi State for their hospitality and support to NAF.

He noted that the asymmetric challenges facing the nation had necessitated the establishment of the SOC, and units under its command, in order to sharpen NAF’s response capability in Internal Security and counterinsurgency operations.

Air Marshal Abubakar noted that NAF had trained over 2,000 Special Forces personnel to bridge the gap between force projection and force protection, with 1,000 of these personnel deployed, along with air assets, alongside other security agencies in the North East, North Central, South-South, South East and the North West

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Air Officer Commanding SOC, Air Vice Marshal Ismaila Kaita, said NAF had undergone unprecedented transformation in terms of expansion and capacity building under the current leadership.

He noted that the shooting range and the residential buildings being commissioned were only a fraction of the positive developments taking place in the Service, which had spurred NAF personnel towards the effective performance of their duties.

Highlight of the occasion was a special range classification exercise at the shooting range, where the SGOH and other dignitaries tested their marksmanship ability using the Tavor assault rifle and the FN Browning pistol at 50m and 25m ranges respectively.

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