Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong has described former chief judge of the state, late Justice Lazarus Dakyen, as a jurist per excellence.
Lalong made the assertion during the valedictory session in honour of Dakyen in Jos on Friday.
He said:“The valedictorysession is one of mixed feelings because we are celebrating the memory of a life well spent in judicial service on the one hand, and on the other, the painful exit of late Justice Chuatmil Dakyen, the former chief judge of Plateau State, whom we all would have wished that life blesses us with his presence the more,so we can reap greater harvest from a deeper understanding of the convictions that made him live an exemplary life as a judge.
“I know that upon his exit from service, those of us who were present at his retirement valedictory session had a lot to say about the life of this jurist of repute, who stands in the history of present Plateau State as the longest serving chief judge and the second longest servicingjudge in the history of the old Benue-Plateau State.”
He noted that for a man whose passion for the dispensation of justice saw him passionately pursuing a career in Law after his initial engagement in the core civil service, there was certainly a lot to learn from his journey of about four decades in the temple of justice.“The celebration of the qualities and core values of a judicial officer which was lived in public service to the nation and to humanity, is the essence of a valedictory session and the extent to which this has been well lived remains the size of the bouquet placed in his honour when testimonies are shared,” the governor enthused.
He added that the late Justice Dakyen was a jurist per excellence who exemplified the above-mentioned qualities in his life as a judge.
“He was a colossus of quintessential essence, and an indefatigable judge who expanded the frontiers of criminal and civil jurisprudence with the over four decades of his service in the judiciary which began in 1972 and culminated with his leadership of the third arm of government as the state chief judge.
“He held forth as the chief judge of Plateau State from 2004 t- 2014 and this length of time could not have been possible except for the spoken and unspoken acceptance by all who have worked with him and the National Judicial Council, of his record of service conforming excellently with the code of conduct for Judicial Officers as expounded in the principle of judicial conduct and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,”Lalong added.

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One lesson that history teaches mankind is to look before leaping. When extrapolated in real terms, it means that a person or group should think, strategize, and review strategy, test run, before acting or implementing. The whole idea is to avoid mistakes of the past as well as avoid being a victim of effort in futility.

This inference explains the justification why people had a good laugh when they read a story published in some dailies and social media in the second week of July 2018. The story read: “Federal Government plans to frame Atiku for Herdsmen attacks”. The name Atiku in the publications refers to the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Wazirin Adamawa and presidential hopeful of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Analysts who have been watching Atiku Abubakar’s political antecedent had a good laugh, after reading the publications on grounds that he has survived worse political ordeals, including a corruption toga which took some time to clear through favourable court judgments that gave him a clean bill.

Atiku has been a victim of herdsmen, having lost over 50 head of cattle to their rampaging activities. After searching for the cows up to Cameroon he gave up. The sad experience remains fresh in his mind. According to him, ownership of cattle has serious traditional implications because it is used to assess the worth of a man. No wonder he has promised to deal decisively with the issue of insecurity if he becomes President in 2019.

The Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Chief Osita Okechukwu, even advised Atiku to join in efforts to stop herdsmen from operating in Nigeria. He is in a subtle way, making Atiku look bad even when it is common knowledge that the present government will never listen to him. Maybe, he wants Atiku to deploy his resources to shoulder the responsibilities of government. That will be unfortunate.

To reinforce the court judgments and the confidence as a clean politician, he has several times, asked anybody who had evidence of corruption against him to tender it or keep quiet. He even went further to accuse the present administration of running the most corrupt regime in Nigeria. Up till now, nobody has raised a finger.

It was a vuvuzela, who replied from the Presidency saying that if; Atiku is not corrupt he should travel to the US, another laughable response. The response reminds one of how Adam responded to God when asked where he was,ss after eating the forbidden fruit in the garden that opened his eyes to the realization that he was naked.

Instead of saying where he was, Adam responded saying he was naked. What has going to US got to do with corruption or does it mean that Nigerians and Nigerian Government lack the skills to identify corrupt citizens. Does Atiku need to travel to US for him to become Nigeria’s President?

Since he frustrated efforts at perpetuation in office by making sure that the third term agenda flopped, all manner of blackmail, framing, allegations and mischievous claims have been deployed to pull him down as a political giant.

Journalists who covered him when he was Vice President always tell the story of how he was invited by his boss to explain how he spent money released to him for his trips abroad. This was based on observation that many of those who accompanied him on trips always came back with new shoes and clothes that made them look smarter that those working with his boss.

Unknown to his boss, the Wazirin Adamawa, who is an outstanding philanthropist, takes delight in seeing those around him looking smart and happy and that travelling out gives him an opportunity to have closure on his team as well as an opportunity to kit them better.

The reporters will also tell you that the matter died the day Atiku and his boss compared notes on how much each of them spent on foreign trips. The point is that aside from funds from the Presidential Villa, he does out of pocket expenditure on his team.

It is on record that there was a time that Atiku was accused of buying most of the government owned companies that were privatized. The allegation went viral until it was observed that nothing like that happened. The allegation came handy, simply because he was the Chairman of National Economic Council and that he mid-wifed the privatization of government owned companies. The allegation naturally fizzled out because it was found out that it lacked substance.

As a man who has assumed the posture of the proverbial “cat with nine lives”, Atiku squared up with government, when it tried to mess with IntelsLogistics Company which he co-founded with an Italian-Nigerian. The whole idea was to cripple his financial base. The company, which was developed from scratch over 30 years ago, is worth over seven billion US dollars. Financing the commencement of the company saw him and his co-owner raise money through loans from banks.

The irony of the futile effort targeted at Atiku is that fate of the 17,000 workforce of Intels was been put on the line. Investigation shows that over 14,000 personnel of the company had been laid off.
By extrapolation, analysts say that each of the 14,000 had at least four dependents, meaning that the future of at least 56,000 Nigerians have been sacrificed in the process. Yet, this is a government that has promised to create jobs. Meanwhile, revenue being generated by the company which goes into the coffers of the federal government has dwindled drastically, but the target of the efforts has continued to wax stronger.

There is the other allegation that he used government funds to set up the American University of Nigeria. The allegation shows emptiness in thinking in the sense that: those that orchestrated the frame up never did any investigation to find out that the establishment of the institution as well as its primary and secondary school units, pre-dates his tenure as the Vice President of the country. Same goes for the establishment of Intels.

So much fuss has been made about Atiku’s return to the PDP. How many politicians in Nigeria, including the current President, have remained in a single party from the beginning of their political career to the end? As long as Nigerian political parties are not formed based on ideology, cross carpeting will continue to be the feature of alliances and coalitions.

The advice to those who wish to venture into framing Atiku is that; they should speak to the issues raised by the former Vice President and avoid discussing his person or try to paint him black. He has seen and felt it all just as Nigerians are no longer gullible to cheap blackmail. The Waziri Adamawa is interested in seeking ways to solve the myriad of problems plaguing Nigeria. He does not fancy discussing personalities but prefers to keep his eyes on the ball.

The issues of insecurity, high unemployment and poverty rates, restructuring, unity and economy which form highlights of his campaigns and lectures should be of concern to all well-meaning Nigerians, especially former leaders who failed in their bid to pull Nigeria out of the woods.

All the efforts at blackmailing and framing him has turned him into the eagle which, according to the wise, the rain that beats the bird, ends up washing its body and making it glow.

Ugoji, wrote from Abuja.

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The Second Vatican Council exalts lay faithful to be dedicated to their professional duties. They should also hold in high esteem professional competence in a civic sense, and the virtues related to social behaviour such as honesty, sense of justice, sincerity, courtesy and moral courage. Without these virtues there is no true Christian life (Lumen Gentium31). The spirituality of the lay faithful extends to the way he or she accepts his or her work. The ability to see one’s work as a vocation makes work a noble service by which one gives joy to the world. The world is an organic whole that has different parts, persons and work. Thus, to make the world a happy place, interdependence becomes the rule of life. Given that “no one is an island,” the need for cooperation and collaboration cannot be overemphasized in the exchange of goods and services.

No particular profession provides all that a person needs to be happy. The doctor depends on the farmer for food while the farmer depends on the doctor for medical care and health services. The world keeps going because of food for the nourishment of the body.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, the book of Genesis presents farming as the first profession in creation. In a world where farming is looked upon as an activity reserved for the peasants and illiterates, it could be observed that the challenges in the modern world have made many educated people return to farming, especially when the monthly salary is not enough for sustenance. The lay faithful is called upon to see farming as a noble vocation. There are countries in the world where farmers are the richest in the society. Farmers indeed give joy to the world and farming should be respected as a noble vocation. This is why the government at all levels should encourage all forms of farming just as special attention is presently being given to cattle rearing.

In the world of aesthetics, the artist adds colour to the world thus becoming a co-creator with God. The picture of creatures raises the mind to heaven to think of divine realities. The work of artists proclaims the glory of God. The portraits of Jesus, Mary, and many of the saints are made available through the craft of the artists. Michael Angelo is one of the most renowned artists the world has produced in this regard.
Good music gladdens the heart. In William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Orison, Duke of Illyria said, “If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it.” (William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act 1 Scene 1) St. Augustine affirms that he who sings well prays twice (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo). In social and cultural gatherings music adds joy to the events and activities of the day. The angels are portrayed as wonderful musicians in the Bible. Luke captures this in his narrative of the Annunciation: “And suddenly with the angels there was a great throng of the heavenly hosts, praising God and singing: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour” (Luke 2, 13). The Psalmist invites all worshippers to praise God with musical instruments (Psalm 150:3-6).

The trader enables the production of goods to reach the consumers. They render services in the distribution of consumer goods and social amenities. In the area of trade, the laity is called to be a beacon of justice and honesty. Cheating and stealing in the name of business is an abuse in the trading industry. The engineers in various fields give joy to the world. They design and produce industrial materials for the modern society. Through the services of the various engineers we have a lot of goods that give comfort and joy. We drive good cars instead of trekking long distances. We could enjoy uninterrupted power supply if the electrical engineers are giving the space to work. Civilization is the brain child of philosophers and engineers. The engineers are people of great minds who give joy to the world. The manufacturers should make their products reach the common man and woman. In this context, the lay person who is called to bring a scientific renaissance to the nation should be honest and dutiful in the exercise of duty. A reasonable government would therefore, give joy to the nation by not neglecting the engineers and technocrats.

Jesus went about healing the sick. Doctors are co-healers with God. Doctors and nurses care while God does the healing. The care of the sick is a unique vocation that doctors should never neglect. The humanitarian aspect should not be forgotten in the practice of medicine. This role is assigned to the lay faithful in the temporal affairs. That a dying patient is well again should give joy to the doctor and the nurse. This is a professional fulfillment. The world is fully aware that health is wealth hence it does not make sense for a medical doctor to abandon his or her practice after spending so many years in training, to pursue alternative careers like politics where the doctor has no sufficient acumen. Political leaders should therefore invest in the health care of the nation by engaging the available medical practitioners in the country instead of running to Europe and America for medical attention.

There is no peace without justice. The lawyer is specially called to give justice to the world so that the world can be at peace. If you doubt whether lawyers can become saints, examine the life of St. Thomas Moore who was a lawyer. The police are also called to be servants who should give joy to the world by making sure that there is order in the society. The police should be a friend who ensures that there is security for the citizens of the nation. They should not prey on the citizens. However, for the Police to be a friend of the citizens, the government should review the salaries of the police. Many people are of the opinion that a just remuneration could stop the police and all security agents from harassing innocent citizens and provide security to the nation.

The soldier is called to defend the nation. Today the army has become politicized. The soldier should feel called to save life akin to God in carrying out their primary assignments. This dedication alone can give the citizens a sense of security. The citizens will derive joy in seeing soldiers as friends not as dictators and terrorists. Let the army defend the nation. The civil servants can also give joy to the world by enhancing the dignity of the human person. The smooth running of the nation depends on the Civil Servants. The civil servant is called to be a light to the people by practicing honesty and justice. They are witnesses in various capacities to the love of Christ, who offered his life as a ransom for many. The teacher is invited to present the values of Christ to the pupils and students.

The danger in our world today is that most people look at politics as the only career where happiness is achieved whereas money which has become the oxygen of politics does not always provide the joy that come from real contentment. Today, to be a politician is seen as the road to becoming a billionaire. The joy that the different professions ought to give to the world has been submerged in the greed for power and wealth.

The reality before us today shows that the only reason why the world needs political leadership is the provision of good governance for the sake of the common good, otherwise, it profits nothing if one gains the whole world at the expense of one’s soul. I pray that the world should wake up to the reality that political governance is a career out of the many professions that can give fulfillment to humanity and the society.

Fr. Omonokhu contributed this piece from Abuja

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Nigeria U20 Women Team, the Falconets has vowed that they will not want to be expelled from the ongoing FIFA World Cup in France at the group stage by declaring readiness to beat arch rival China and move to the knock-out stage.
Midfielder, Mary Saiki fired the warning to China ahead of the side’s group game clash on Monday.
Saiki, 18, said after the team’s Nigeria’s 1-0 victory against a hard-fighting Haiti; a win that saw the Falconets pick their first points in the competition and set up a mouthwatering clash against the Asian side.
Although both countries are tied on points, the Christopher Danjuma’s tutored teams are in second place with a superior goal difference following China’s 2-0 defeat to group leaders, Germany.
Nigerian Pilot Weekend Sports gathered that the stage is high for the August 13 game and Saiki understands only one team will be left standing.
Saiki said the team had put the win against Haiti behind them and are determined to “take China down”.
Also confident ahead of the last group games against China is Falconets head Coach Chris Danjuma who said that the ladies will progress in competition after an unimpressive win over the Haitians on Thursday.
The Falconets needed a win to keep their hopes of a qualification to the knockout stage, and that they did when stand-in captain Rasheedat Ajibade netted from the penalty spot after Anam Imo was fouled in the box in the 36th minute of the encounter.
The Haitians improved at the beginning of the second half but were contained by the Falconets who were hell-bent on getting all three points at stake.
Danjuma said that he remain confident the girls stand the chances of claiming the needed result to against China and progress to the knock out round of the ongoing FIFA U20 women world cup in France. Nigeria is bidding to reach the final of the competition again, after previously finishing as runners up in 2010 and 2014.
There are four groups of four with the top two teams progressing to the quarter-final stage.
Ghana’s hopes of qualifying to the last eight were dashed with a 4-0 defeat to the Netherlands.

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Labaran Tijani, Lokoja.

Kogi state police command has said two people were killed during the bye-election in Lokoja-Kogi Federal constituency in kogi state.

The Police Public Relations Officer,(PPRO) DSP Williams Aya disclosed this in Lokoja on Saturday, saying that the two persons were killed in the capital city, Lokoja yesterday as they invaded the polling units during the voting and removed the ballot boxes.

He confirmed that one died at NEPA polling unit in Lokoja while the second person whom many said is a son of a Director in Lokoja local government was killed at a polling unit at Angwa power infront of Magairi of Lokoja office.

According to PPRO, the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.

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Kogi state Lokoja-Kogi House of Representatives bye- election has been trailed by violence, voting buying and thuggry activities.

The election which started peacefully at the early hours of the day in some polling units in Lokoja ran into hitches towards noon as thugs invaded most of the polling stations and disrupted the on-going election.

The voters were ambushed by a particular members of the party and given between #2000 to #5000 to vote a particular candidate in the said rerun election.

It was being carried out freely in the presence of security operatives, virtually in all the polling units in the capital city.

It was gathered that the electorate turned out enmasse in the two local government areas of the state which makes the federal constituency, with the electorate conducted themselves in a peaceful manner.

As the process of the voting gathers momentum, heavily armed thugs invaded ward B at Paparanda polling unit in Lokoja 1, and distrupted electoral process, carting away the election materials.

As this was happening, some other suspected thugs invaded the polling units simultaneously and forced the electoral officers, party agents of a particular party out of the polling units. Some were even taken away by people wearing police uniform.

It was also gathered that shortly after voting, thugs started going round polling units, snatching ballot boxes with reckless abandon.

However, luck ran out of the one that carried out operation at NEPA polling unit, as youths resisted and descended on him , and unfortunately, a gone in his pocket triggered off and hit him by his stomach, killing him immediately .

Hard hit of the issue of ballot boxes snatching areas, includes, Crowther polling units, St Luke Primary School Andakolo , Felele primary school polling stations and many others in the city and its suburb.

Speaking earlier, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP House of Representatives candidate, Mallam Bashir Abubarka Gegu berated the ruling All Progressive Congress for unleashing rain of terror on the electorate.

Gegu explained that the process is peaceful in his area , alleged that some suspected thugs who came to the town were chased away .

Also condemning the act of intimidation allegedly introduced by the ruling party ,the former House of Representatives member and ex- SSG, Alhaji Musa Ahmadu lamented impunity posture of the country’s leadership under APC.

Ahamadu stated that PDP candidate will win the bye- election, stressing that no amount of intimidation will deter electorate in the two local government areas.

Also, the Admnistrstor of Kogi Local Government area of the state, Mallam Tanko Musa Mohammed said the process of election in his area was peaceful, assuring that APC candidate will come out victorious .

In the same vein, the Social Democratic Party candidate, Umar Immam, immediate past speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly lamented that reports from Polling units are that of snatching ballot boxes and vote buying.

He decried the treatment meted out to his brother and other agents, stressing that thugs have been harassing innocent people during the exercise .

However, National Electoral Commissioner,North Central Zone , Mallam Haruna Mohammed said where there is violence or proven irregularities , the INEC will apply the electoral rules strictly .

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday challenged the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to end its silence and speak out on their evident complicity in the corrupt amassing of the N21bn, guns and thousands of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) allegedly found in the residence of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ally, the sacked Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura.

The party said through its Spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan that the discovery has not only exposed the shameless hypocrisy of the Buhari Presidency, but also stripped it of all integrity and brought its deceptive saintly posturing to a disgraceful end.

‘The world can now see that the PDP has not been raising a false alarm when it alerts that the Buhari Presidency has been using its much hyped fight against corruption and sustained harassment of opposition as a cover to divert public attention from the humongous stealing going on under President Buhari’s official cover.

‘Nigerians have now seen that while the Buhari Presidency and the APC have been hounding and harassing opposition members with trumped-up corruption charges to create an impression of integrity and fight against corruption, their agents have been busy frittering away, and warehousing trillions of naira, ostensibly for their 2019 re-election and service their wasteful lifestyles, while millions of compatriots wallow in abject poverty across the nation.

“Today, the sneaky ways of this Presidency have further been exposed and it must not in any way seek to disown the sacked DSS DG as Nigerians already know that he was merely one out of the numerous agents being used by the APC and Presidency cabal in their nefarious activities, including warehousing money, fake PVCs and weapons to be
unleashed during the 2019 elections.

“What the APC and the Buhari Presidency should note is the eternal reality that though the truth may be suppressed for a while, it always has a way of showing itself to light at the end.

“Nigerians are already aware of the leaked memo detailing alleged underhand oil contracts to the tune of N9 trillion at the NNPC and the
Ministry of Petroleum Resources, which are under the direct supervision of Mr. President.

‘They are already aware of the alleged stealing of over N25 billion, meant for the health needs of the people, from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and how the indicted and suspended Executive Secretary was recalled by Mr. President.

“They are aware of the alleged diversion of crude oil worth N1.1tr, using 18 unregistered companies; the diversion of N18 billion Internally
Displaced Person (IDP) funds and billions of unremitted revenue from sale of crude for which there have been deadlock at the Federal
Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), all of which are being swept under the carpet by the Buhari Presidency.”

PDP further edges than the time is ripe for the Buhari Presidency and its disintegrating APC to tell the nation how these corruption acts were allegedly perpetrated under an administration that lay claim to integrity.

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…Wants Senator Adeyemi, Gov Bello’s aides arrested for electoral fraud

Kogi elders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have jointly called for the cancellation of the result of the bye-election into the vacant Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, Kogi State over alleged electoral fraud and vote buying by the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared that APC winner of the bye-election with 26,860 votes with PDP polling 14,845 votes while a total of 19,760 registered votes were cancelled.

Addressing a joint press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the groups said through Engineer Sam Ohuetu that the election was characterized by “violence, snatching of ballot boxes, brazen impunity, coercion, intimidation and vote buying” and that the election has “sent Kogi State and Nigeria backwards by nothing less than 20 years.

They declared that appointees and key officials of the Kogi State Government who were not indigenes or voters in the Federal Constituency were seen intimidating and harassing the electorates with armed thugs and officers of SARS and the Nigerian Police.

“Accredited voters were not allowed to vote, as armed thugs shot sporadically into the air after accreditation, forcing the electorates to flee for their lives, for instance this was widespread in Osuku in Kotonkarfe Area of the Federal Constituency.

They alleged that thugs and hoodlums were imported into the constituency ahead of the election and were lodged at various times in Hotels and at the Presidential Lodge behind the Kogi State Government House, Lokoja.

“In the early hours of Saturday 11th August 2018, these thugs were mobilized to all polling ‘units in the two Local Governments (at least three to four armed thugs were mobilized to each polling unit under police supervision), some were dressed in Mufti, others in brand new Uniforms with “Special Force” encrypted and engraved on their shirts and on the caps. others were seen in white hooded caps and fully armed.

“These Youths and fearful looking able bodied men were in the company of Security operatives, especially “the SARS” and were conveyed to their various operation theatres in Kogi State Government House Vehicles. These “Special Forces” and hoodlums became the instrument used by the Kogi State Government under the instructions and supervision of its principal officials to unleash violence, snatch ballot boxes, drive away voters and opposition party agents in a desperate bid to swing the House of Representatives Bye Election in the favour of the Ruling APC.

“Whilst in some Polling Units, elections were going on in a seemingly peaceful manner, albeit with vote merchandise by the APC in collaboration with INEC ‘ and the Security operatives, these thugs invaded the said polling units and threatened the PDP and other opposition party faithful, unleashed violence on them and snatched away ballot materials to the Government House, snuffed it with votes in favour of the ruling party’s candidate and returned it back to the already compromised Electoral body in a desperate and barbaric bid to secure the votes in their favour. “

“The State Government had mapped out areas and apportioned territories within the Federal Constituency to its key officials, who would lead these thugs like battalion commanders to the polling units within their ‘territories’ and words in a bid to unleash terror, coerce the electorates, snatch ballot boxes and rig the election in favour of the Government and the ruling party’s Candidate.

“Chief amongst whom are Mr. Edward Onoja, Chief of Staff to the Governor, who supervised the violence and rigging in Ward A, Senator Smart Adeyemi who supervised the unscrupulous activities in Word B, Hon. Kolawole Mattew who mobilized armed thugs and hoodlums to Obajana and other parts of Oworo land. All these persons are not voters in the Federal Constituency neither were they indigenes thereof, they had no business in the Constituency on the day of the election, their actions and presence was in flagrant breach of the Electoral Act 2010(as amended).”

While demanding for the “outright cancellation’ of the bye election they said the 19,760 void votes most probably were for PDP which could have swayed the final outcome of the result.

They also demanded that Senator Adeyemi, Mr. Edward Onoia, Hon. Mattew Kolawole and other should be prosecuted for electoral offences.

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Notting captures the absurdities of Nigerian politics and politicians more than last week’s defection of Senator Goodwill Akpabio from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the mainstream All Progressive Congress, APC.
When rumours of the defection first filtered out, the dominant view was that it was an impossibility, another tale from the endless rumour mill of the social media. Then events unfolded in quick succession, Godswill Akpabio, visited the Leader of the APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu in his Abuja residence, while weary observers were trying to make meaning out of the visit to Tinubu, pictures surfaced barely two days later of his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhar, in his vacation home in London. The deal was done and Akpabio the face of the PDP’s 16 years “misrule” became the new bride of the APC.
While it must be conceded that it is within his rights to associate or disassociate with any political party, group or individual he so chooses, it’s however the absurdities surrounding the defection and the reasons offered by Akpabio for his defection and the attempt by the garrulous garrison commander of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to rewrite recent history and whitewash Akpabio that I find disheartening and troubling.
That Akpabio can actually pitch his political tent with the APC, be received with accolades and commendation from his new bed fellows is a demonstration of how low politics in Nigerian has become. It amply demonstrates the kind of politics we play in Nigeria. one without honour, integrity, ideology or a binding philosophy. It is politics of perpetuation and perpetual self-interest, world without end amen!

Graciously Akpabio has offered his reasons for leaving the PDP.
At the Ikot Ekpene township stadium, he told the mammoth crowd that came to witness his defection that he decided to join APC because he recently, discovered that President Muhammadu Buhari, a man that has been in the saddle for over three years and the corridors of power before he was born, “is a man of integrity and a nationalist’’. Akpabio also said that he decided to join a party that would sweep away poverty and impunity. He said that he joined APC to help salvage the country, a feat he could not achieve as governor of the state for eight solid years, with unprecedented revenue running into trillions flowing into the state. He also want to join in the war to root out Boko Haram and other killer gangs running amok all over the country. “The country is at war and all the hands must be on deck to salvage the situation and not to aggravate it. “As keepers of national emergency, everyone should put heads together. I decided to join to emancipate the people and provide succour for the people.’’ He also said that the PDP has no vision and the leadership is replete with arrogance.

It is also worthy of note that Akpabio remarked that he wants to leave a united Nigeria for his 9 year old son. That he has only one son and some of you have many but he has only one son. It is but good that he brought his 9 years old child into the equation. Like many of us who have children, we no longer worry about ourselves we worry about the future of a country we are bequeathing to our children. Let him not deceive himself his young child today would be a man tommorow would he be proud of the decision of his father today? The time would come and he better be prepared to answer questions from his son on the decisions he takes today

Akpabio had also complained of the absence of a reward system in the PDP. Whatever that means can only be left to conjecture. However, the distinguished senator should be reminded that he had been a primary beneficiary of the distortion of the Senate rules. The rules with the connivance of his then party, the PDP were held in abeyance for him, then a first time Senator to become the Minority Leader, when the likes of James Manager representing Delta state South senatorial zone ought to have clinched the top position having been in the Senate for over 12 years.
James Manager was beaten to the position not because Akpabio had any value which he was bringing to the table but as a result of the financial firepower of the former governor, and the twisted reward system of the party where he once held sway and helped to nourish for 19 years. To hear Akpabio talking about the lack of a reward system in the PDP speaks volume of the contradictions of Nigerian politicians.
The absurdity of it all is that Akpabio as the poster boy of the PDP has also been one of its greatest beneficiaries. He was a Commissioner under the administration of Obong Victor Attah for eight years from where he rose to become the governor of Akwa Ibom for another eight years before becoming a Senator and Minority Leader in the last three years, all under the platform of the PDP, a party he now demonises.
He says he has come to liberate Akwa Ibom youths from years of PDP suffering and misrule. What a sardonic humour, who has held these youths down for the last 19 years if he now agrees that they have been held down?
Certainly Akpabio is an uncommon politician, but is he fooling the rest of us or just being a useful idiot of the APC?
What perhaps was most striking during the grand ceremony was the vive and theatrics of the chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole as he pranced and romp round the stage with characteristic energy.
His excitement knew no bound as he verbally pummelled the PDP’s 16 years of misrule in Akwa Ibom. Ironically, the poster boy of those years is the new face of change who now finds refuge in the APC family.
An old woman they say is uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a parable. Akpabio, if there is any honour left in him should have been uneasy at the wit and sarcasm of Oshiomhole as he accused the PDP of robbing the people of Akwa Ibom during its 16 years in power.
Addressing Akwa Ibom people at the rally, Oshiomhole said: “I ask you, if a seasoned notorious armed robber who has been robbing you for 16 years; they tripled the robbery, they digitised the robbery… When you kick them out of office, they sponsor confusion here and there. But the people are saying no matter how you sponsor, we can see behind the facts.” Who are the robbers, the digital robbers and sponsors of confusion Oshiomhole was referring to here?

At some point during the rally one really felt sorry for Akpabio, luckily he covered his face with very dark glasses to cover his embarrassment all through the ceremony.

Oshiomhole was unrelenting in his acerbic and sardonic mockery of Akpabio in the name of celebration, “you have shown by example that there are indeed many distinguished senators who are actually distinguished in every sense of the word…somebody asked me what was I going to do in Akwa Ibom, and I said I was going to receive an uncommon defector”.

Indeed Akpabio has proven to be distinguished and an uncommon defector; however rather than assail our sensibility with the absurdities and contradictions that have become the hallmark of politics and politicians in Nigeria, he should allow us some peace and enjoy his defection in peace, because some of us know the real reason behind his new found love.

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In order for them to have a total victory in the forthcoming September 22nd governorship election in Osun State, the Ileri-Oluwa Campaign Organization has put in place a Peace and Reconciliation Committee.

The Committee according to a reliable source is headed by a former Deputy Governor in the state, Sooko Adeleke Adewoyin.

The committee which has already commenced its constituency visits from Osogbo and Olorunda local governments area of the state is expected to ensure that warring factions within the party are brought together.

The committee which is working for the emergence of the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola as the next governor of the state, will reach out to all stakeholders in building a consensus among the people.

Nigerian Pilot gathered that, the committee having realized that for any peace and reconciliation to succeed, the people of the entire state must have the zeal and will to forgive the past and resolve to live in absolute peace and tranquillity.

No amount of security presence will guarantee peace if the people are not willing to embrace peace, hence the need for the committee to go round the state and embrace the aggrieved members in the party.

According to the source, it is the cardinal objective of the committee to engage the people through dialogue, advocacy and sensitization for them to achieve their goal towards the election.

Among other members of the committee according to the source are; Pa Kunle Odeyemi, some top political office holders and chieftains of the party in the state.

The committee would be visiting Obokun local government area of the state today and Tomorrow, Ijesa zone while on Wednesday Ife zone.

Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola who is currently the Chief of Staff to the State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has decided to take over from his boss come the election period in September for him to consolidate on the achievements of the incumbent administration in the state.

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The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday ordered a stop on execution of the arrest warrant issued against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu.

Justice Abdul Aboki, who gave the stay of execution order on Monday also adjourned the hearing of the suit filed by the INEC Chairman to September 17, 2018.

Justice Stephen Pam of a Federal High Court in Abuja had issued the arrest warrant on Wednesday after the INEC chairman failed to appear before him on three occasions.

More details shortly…….

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Nigeria Firstlady Aisha Buhari, has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree.

She was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (Honoris Causa) at the Sun Moon University, South Korea on Monday.

The President’s wife, while sharing photos of her conferment ceremony on Instagram, however wrote:

“With gratitude to God for an honour done to me by the governing Council of Sun Moon University, South Korea for being decorated today with a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (Honoris Causa).

”My gratitude goes to the President of the University, Dr. Sun-Jo Hwang and the entire (sic) for this honour.

I dedicate this honour to all Nigerian women and children.”

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, researchers have allegedly revealed when the world will end.

According to the Express, MIT disclosed that its developed computer has predicted that the world will end in the year 2040.

According to the algorithm predictions of the computer software, omen of doom has resurfaced of an imminent apocalypse.

The report analyzed trends such as pollution levels, population growth and the depletion of natural resources as a sign that the end was near.

“At around 2020, the condition of the planet becomes highly critical.

“If we do nothing about it, the quality of life goes down to zero. Pollution becomes so seriously it will start to kill people.

“Which in turn will cause the population to diminish, lower than it was in 1900.

“At this stage, around 2040 to 2050, civilized life as we know it on this planet will cease to exist.

“The model is already proving accurate because it forecast a slowdown in the growth of living standards.”

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Banky W celebrates his parents’ anniversary in grand style, he took to his verified Instagram handle today to celebrate their 40 years anniversary.

The singer posted a video of his parents dancing on a dance floor at what we assumed to be the anniversary celebration and captioned:

“August 12th marked the 40th anniversary of my parents. Thankful that God kept them together through it all. It’s hard enough finding love in this world. It’s even harder to keep it. Yesterday was a good day.”

August 12th marked the 40th anniversary of my parents. Thankful that God kept them together through it all. It's hard enough finding love in this world. It's even harder to keep it. Yesterday was a good day.

A post shared by Banky W. (@bankywellington) on Aug 13, 2018 at 8:05am PDT

The video has had 16,379 views since it was posted some minutes ago.

Apparently, the Wellingtons are ready to give us a run for our money, as they didn’t disappoint at the dance floor, Banky’s dad was one to teach even young folks how to dance, now we know where the singer got his dance moves.

Olubankole Wellington who was born on 27 March 1981, also known by the stage name Banky W, and credited in film as Banky Wellington, is a Nigerian singer, rapper and actor.

It will be recalled that Banky W had a successful skin cancer surgery on his shoulder in 2017 before getting married to his sweetheart, Adesua Etomi traditionally on 19 November 2017 and subsequently did his white wedding in South Africa on 25 November 2017.

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Senatorial aspirant for Enugu North Senatorial Zone under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Chinedu Eya has attributed his father’s kidnap to his ambition to contest the 2019 senatorial seat with the incumbent, Senator Chukwuka Utazi.

Pa. Chukwuemeka Eya, Chinedu’s father was kidnapped on July 16 but has been released. His captors demanded N15 million ransom.

Eya, who made this known while addressing newsmen in Enug, said that the kidnappers recently threatened his father to tell him to withdraw from the race.

He said that no matter the amount of threat or pressure to quit, he would not drop his ambition, saying that he has decided to serve his people.

“Kidnapping of my father is political. My father has lived in Kogi town for 41 years and we have been father and son for 38 years. We have not heard such. Now because am contesting for senatorial seat they kidnapped my father and told me to drop my political ambition. Few days ago, my father told me that they were complaining that I was showing myself too much and urged me to drop the ambition.

“I can’t drop my political ambition for any threat. I prayed and asked God to use me because I have made myself available to serve and liberate my people from chain,” he said.

Mr. Eya who disclosed that his aspiration would be a motivation to youths for governance if they have something to offer, promised to sponsor a bill that would proscribe money politics if elected to allow youths participate in politics.

He also disclosed that his aim to go to the federal legislature is to complete his mission which when completed would leave the seat for another person to continue from there.

Eya, who commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on his good leadership in the state, stated that he needed a complementary entity in the zone to allow him develop the area as planned.

“I may not stay four years in the Senate. I am going there to complete a mission and liberate my people. I will step down, if I lay a foundation which others have failed for another person to continue and the zone will start enjoying the dividend of democracy,” Eya disclosed.

He pointed out that after his four years in the chamber heart would relinquish the seat to governor Ugwuanyi to continue his good work in the zone.

Asked about the recent massive defections from the rulling All Progressive Congress, APC to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Eya said that the defections indicate that the PDP at the centre did better than APC.

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Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has charged all state government institutions and staff to support Open Government Partnership, OGP, initiative to ensure that the objective of signing on to OGP is achieved.

OGP is an international multi-stakeholder initiative, focused on improving governance through transparency, citizen engagement and harnessing of new technologies.

Ugwuanyi gave the charge Monday while declaring open a 2-day training workshop for government institutions and officials, the civil society and private sector on operationalizing OGP initiative in the state and its implications to the government and the people.

Represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the governor explained that his administration signed to be admitted as a member of OGP because it represents what his government stands for which according to him are; “good and inclusive governance, citizen participation, responsive public service, transparency and accountability.

“These principles have been vigorously pursued by our government even prior to joining the OGP, which include: due process in public procurement, public consultation in medium term sector strategy development, citizens involvement in planning and budget development and implementation, through the Visit Every Community, VEC, initiative, establishment of the SERVICOM office and use of service charters to ensure transparency in service delivery, and use of technology to improve access to information especially procurement information.

“Our government is committed to using the OGP platform to work together with the private sector, the civil society and development partners to secure long term sustainable development based on peace and inclusion in Enugu state,” he said.

While commending the OGP National secretariat, DFID PERL and other development partners for resolving to support the state government, the governor said, “Our membership of OGP provides the state an opportunity to strengthen and enhance these good governance practices in line with global standards”.

Earlier in a remark, the OGP National Coordinator and Special Adviser to the President on Justice Reform, Mrs Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu commended, the state government for the bold step to sign into OGP especially in this era where transparency is difficult, stressing that it has shown that Enugu State government is committed to transparency and accountability in government businesses.

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Nigeria’s female U-20 team, the Falconets yesterday booked a place in the quarterfinals of the ongoing FIFA Women World Cup in France.

Rasheedat Ajibade equalized for Nigeria in injury time equalizer.

Nigeria needed a draw to move to the next stage of  the championship and skipper Ajibade save the day by scoring the vital goal with less than a minute to the end of the encounter.

Falconets began the game on a promising note forcing their opponets, China  into their half but were unable to cash in on the opportunity that came their way.

The Nigerians came close to scoring as early as the 4th and 6th minutes of the game but the Chinese goalkeeper HUAN X stood between them and goal.

The Chinese later come out of their shell taking the game back to the Nigerian half,  but their efforts were   effectively checked by Falconets goalie Chiamaka Nnadodzie who warded off the pressure.

The game later became a ding dong affair with China rattling  the crossbar in the 25th minute of the explosive tie.

They Chinese however scored first in the 41st through the effort of L.Y. ZHANG who strike sailed into the yawning net.

Nigeria’s Coach Chris Danjuma sensing trouble,  brought in Imo Anam for Monday Gift in the 44th minute to add some sparks to his attack, but the Chinese ensured a clean slate till the end of the first half.

The Falconets came back stronger in the second half dictating the pace and putting their opponents under pressure but their efforts failed to yield any goal.

The Germans at the other hand defeated Haiti 3-2 to record a maximum 9 points to top the group and followed by Nigeria with 4 points same as China, but Nigeria are through to the next round on goal difference.

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Plateau state government yesterday lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for fulfilling the promises he made to the Nigerian electorate.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Communication, Yakubu Dati, said Plateau State is indeed a testimony of Mr. President’s integrity as his word is his bond.

“Government and people of Plateau State with a deep sense of appreciation salute the President, Commander in Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, for fulfilling promises made to the Nigerian electorate.

“We specifically thank President Buhari for the ongoing road projects in Pankshin, Taphin, Tambar Sara-kal, Gindiri road. Also under construction is the Sharam, Ballang road linking Plateau with Bauchi state through Tafawa Balewa.

“Barely a fortnight ago, FEC approved N192 million for the completion of the Mangu regional water scheme.” He said

The statement further noted that Governor Simon Lalong’s strategic engagement with the Federal Government and its agencies is yielding the desired dividends.

“Mr. President, by your actions, the government and people of Plateau state reaffirm their unalloyed loyalty and support to the success your administration.”

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In preparation for the forthcoming presidential election next year, a political support group under the aegis of Atiku Leadership Development Initiative, ALDI, yesterday said that it has widened its scope of campaign team to Nigerians resident in Spain.

Addressing group members during the inauguration of its National Executive and Spain Coordinator in Awka, the Director General of ALDI, Hon. Dominic Nwuzor said they were compelled to establish a coordinating link with brothers and sisters over there who demanded to be associated with Atiku Abubakar’s aspiration.

He said that Atiku should be given the opportunity to clean up the Augean Stable of Nigeria due to he had been fighting the forces of darkness behind the scenes for true entrenchment of sustainable democracy.

According to him, “Because of tribalism, there is no true spirit of competition, and so, Nigeria can never attain her full potential in anything that strenghtens institutions of government.

“Sensitive appointments are given to the wrong people for all the wrong reasons that try to justify the unjustifiable.

“Atiku has consumingpassion and vision of a greater Nigeria that can unchain the entire nation from the manacles of local apartheid and tyranny of poverty of ideas in governance.

“He is the ultimate navigator and survivor of Nigeria’s deadliest political landmines and opprobrious inquisition. The greatest apostle of Nigeria’s restructuring from the North.”

In his earlier address, the Anambra State Co-ordinator, Hon. Ozor Okonkwo regretted that Nigeria has been a nation that has a surfeit of natural resources, human and material but the wealth subjected to frivolity of extravagant proportions.

“We choose to remain divided in Nigeria just to massage the ego of a few local tyrants who have coveted and seized the power and wealth of the nation to the preclusion of the vast majority already wallowing in the cesspit of abject poverty.” He stated.

Okonkwo further advised that Nigerians should deconstruct and de- emphasize tribalism in a plural society like ours in order to achieve the Nigeria of our collective dream.

The Spain Co- ordinator of ALDI, Emmanuel Ani pledged his determination to sensitise all Nigerians based in Spain to rally round and support this political platform which, according to him, would ensure the victory of Atiku in next year presidential election.

Kate Okafor, the National Women Leader reassured that Atiku’s victory in the next year election would usher in 30% women participation in Nigeria political appointments.

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As part of efforts geared towards implementation of a strategy to establish digital education and provide smart learning classrooms across the country, acting President Yemi Osinbajo will officially launch digitalized classrooms today in Abuja.

While disclosing this yesterday in Abuja, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, also stated the smart classrooms and digital education initiative, which will be implemented in partnership with a Chinese Digital Technology giant, NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited, was in line with the government’s resolve to ensure provision of quality education to Nigerian children as stipulated in Goal 4 of the SDGs.

According to the Federal Government, the initiative apart from serving as a model technology-based classroom, the package is also designed to facilitate investment in the ICT industry by building IT incubators, digital studios and software outsourcing and training hubs, which will further help in creating new jobs in the area of technology and innovation.

Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire noted that in the first phase of the project, her office would collaborate with NetDragon to provide a smart classroom to Pilot Science Nursery/Primary School in the Federal Capital Territory, adding that as part of the formal launch, an Agreement of Cooperation, AoC, will be signed between the federal government and NetDragon.

“The Initiative of Digital Education in Africa, IDEA was initiated by the Nigerian government and NetDragon through the Public Private Partnership and direct Foreign Investment that will facilitate the setting up the National Education Resource Public Service Platform, National Education Community Network Platform, National Digital Talent Training Platform, and National Future Education Experience Centre.

“With the initiative, our aim is to use technology to drive the realisation of the SDGs 4, 8 and 9 regarding quality education, economic growth as well as industry & innovation, thereby creating jobs through the e-learning platforms, educational software and Apps as well as other innovations.

“By 2030, we want to ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.” Orelope-Adefulire added.

She further noted that the talent training platform will carry out lifelong skills training and intelligent management of talents in Nigeria to help harness, sustain and upgrade them

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