The Editorials

OREDOLA ADEOLA | The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi II, Arole Oodua, on Saturday played host to the Oba of Benin, Uku Apolopolo, HRM Oba Ewuare II at his Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife ,Osun State. The visit was the first Oba Ewuare would pay to the present Ooni, Oba Ogunwusi, after the latter witnessed his coronation last year where Oba of declared himself as a bonafide descendant of Oduduwa. It is on record that the immediate past Ooni, late Oba Okunade Sijuade and late Oba of Benin, Oba Erediuwa both exchanged visits at different times of their reigns. The Oba of Benin's visit is coming thirty seven years after the last visit of an Oba of Benin as late Oba Of Benin Oba Ereduiwa visited Ile-Ife in 1981 to visit same Orunobado and Oranmiyan shrine. The visitation featured spectacular display of unique traditions and culture of Benin and Ile Ife Kingdoms. From music to appearance of palace messengers, it was clear that Ife and Benin Ki

OREDOLA ADEOLA The United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria has denied those whose names appeared on the looters’ list released by the Federal Government, opportunity of obtaining the country’s visa, as part of efforts to work with the Nigerian government on fight against corruption. A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Raymond Dokpesi,whose name appeared on the list was the first victim to be hammered by the sanction. The Editorials gathered that the US Embassy on March 16, 2019, informed Chief Dokpesi that his visa to the country was revoked after his name was included in the looters’ list submitted to the Embassy by the Federal Government. Consequently, the Daar Communication Chairman has sued Alh. Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, who announced the list, seeking payment of N5billion damages for alleged defamation of character. He claimed that the publication of his name as a looter was malicious, since he has not been convicted by any cour

OREDOLA ADEOLA| Recall process for the embattled Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Mr. Dino Melaye, has suffered set back as the entire exercise recorded low turnout of voters. The constituency especially in Kabba area, recorded low turnout as our sources in the state disclosed that Kabba people are solidly behind their son, whom they said had done so much for them than to be recalled. At the Ayetoro Gbede polling unit, in Senator Melaye's ward, a traditional ruler, Chief Ojo Adekunle, who led some youths to protest against the recall process, said that they were not aware of Melaye’s offence. Adekunle told the newsmen that Melaye was the best Senator Kogi West had ever produced, and urged his people not to betray their representative at this trying period. As at the time of filing this report, at polling unit 003 idoyi/iluke ward 12 in kabba Bunu local government, no single voter was seen at the verification center, except for two INEC Adhoc staff.

OREDOLA ADEOLA| The members of the Social Democratic Party( SDP) on Saturday decorated former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida as the Patron of SDP. The presentation was conducted by the National Chairman of SDP, Chief Olu Falae and was witnessed by other top party leaders. Details later

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that a key leader of the Boko Haram militants masterminded the killings in Benue state and other massacres across the North Central, this was just as the Army claimed it has arrested a Boko Haram suspect named Aminu Yaminu a.k.a. Tashaku who is believed to have masterminded most of the recent attacks in Benue State. The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 707 Special Forces Brigade in Makurdi, Major Olabisi Ayeni, said that the combined troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade, Nigeria Police and the Department of State Security Services in Makurdi effected the arrest. "Following an intelligence report, it was gathered that Aminu has concluded plans with his cohorts in Bauchi, Borno, Yobe and Nasarawa states to launch a major attack on innocent citizens in Benue State," Ayeni stated. He further reinstated the Nigerian Army's resolve to ensure that enemies of peace in the state are brought to justice and encouraged all law-abid

President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to leave Abuja on Saturday April 28, 2018, on an official working visit to the United States of America, on the invitation of President Donald Trump. Femi Adesina,Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement released on Friday. According to him, President Buhari will have bilateral meeting with President Trump and a working lunch on Monday 30th April 2018. “The meeting is to discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries and to advance shared priorities, such as: promoting economic growth, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security. “The meeting will further deepen the US-Nigeria relationship as the United States considers Nigeria’s economic growth, security and leadership in Africa to be critical aspects of their strategic partnership. “Later in the day, President Buhari will meet with a group of business persons in agriculture and agro-processing

Contrary to the speculations that the Total Value Integrated Limited (developer), National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW and Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Authority, connived to drive traders out of the popular Ile-Epo market which led to the demolition exercise, the developer disclosed that the market was demolished in order to give the market a befitting look deserving of mega city like Lagos State. Mr. Chris Onyekachi, Managing Director, Total Value Integrated Limited, told newsmen on Friday while the demolition was going on. According to him, the traders were given 18 months notice to vacate the market for redevelopment. He revealed that some traders left the market, while others refused to act. He said, “We gave them 18 months notice to leave the market. Many of them have packed out while some remained. We came here around 7:30am on Friday for the demolition at the termination of the ultimatum guven. We have given them alternative places within the m

Janahiza Prayers was held for the late Special Adviser Media to Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Mallam Imam Imam at Al-Noor Mosque in Abuja after Jumaat prayer on Friday. The Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Aminu Tambuwal and other mourners joined in prayer. Recall that this newspaper reported that the deceased died at about 3am on Friday at the Nizamieye Turkish Hospital in Abuja, where he was diagnosed of pneumonia. Imam who was the former Political editor of ThisDay newspaper, studied Mass Communication at Kaduna Polytechnic. He started his career in journalism with Millennium Weekly newspaper in 2000. He also had a stint  with the New Nigerian Newspaper. Imam had earlier served as Tambuwal’s spokesman between 2011 and 2015 when he was speaker of the House of Representatives, he was later appointed as Special Adviser on media and public affairs to Sokoto State Governor. The Taraba born journalist and Public Relations expert, was a member of

OREDOLA ADEOLA| The popular Ile Epo Market in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, in Alimosho, Lagos is being demolished as at the time of filing this report, by the Lagos State Taskforce officials from Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. The Agbado Okeodo LCDA authorised the demolition exercise, and was supervised by the Lagos State Environmental Safety Agency. At the  moment, pail loaders and other heavy equipment are being used to carry out the demolition exercise. While traders at the market are making last minutes effort to evacuate their wares. The Editorials gathered that the demolition was in view of the planned redevelopment of the popular Ile-Epo Market into a modern market befitting a mega city. The new design proposed to gulp N2.6 billion, was awarded to Total Value Integrated Limited. The company is expected to redevelop the market within 12 months from the date of commencement of construction. The redevelopment of the market was awarded by the Agbado Oke-Od

Imam Imam, the Spokesperson to Governor Aminu Tanbuwal of Sokoto State has been confirmed dead. His younger brother Abubakar Imam who announced his death to pressmen on Friday morning disclosed that the deceased passed on at about 3am on Friday at the Nizamieye Turkish Hospital in Abuja, where he was diagnosed of pneumonia. Imam, 41, was scheduled to be buried later in the day after Jummat prayers at the Al-Nur mosque, in Sokoto, according to Muslim rite. Imam who was the former Political editor of ThisDay newspaper, studied Mass Communication at Kaduna Polytechnic. He began his career in journalism with Millennium Weekly newspaper in 2000. He also had a stint  with the New Nigerian Newspapers. Imam had earlier served as Tambuwal’s spokesman between 2011 and 2015 when he was speaker of the House of Representatives, he was later appointed as Special Adviser on media and public affairs to Sokoto State Governor. The Taraba born journalist and Public Relations expert, was a m

About 22 soldiers have lost their lives while 75 soldiers injured during various operations to clear the Lake Chad Basin N’djamena, Chad of Boko Haram terrorists.This was confirmed by  Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Lucky Irabor on Thursday during a press briefing. Major General Lucky Irabor disclosed that about 59 terrorists have been killed in Action, while 5 of the terrorists were captured and 3 suicide bombers killed. In a statement signed by Colonel Timothy Antigha, Chief Military Public Information of the MNJTF N'Djamena, he stated that other items recovered from the suspects include 3 Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices which were destroyed. Others include one each of 81 and 82mm mortars and bombs which was captured, one 122mm Artillery gun and its prime MoBoko Haram militants kill 22, injure 75 soldiers in lake Chad basin dver captured, 6 Gun Trucks which was destroyed. "Fuel dump, food stores and communicatio

Following the directives given by President Donald Trump, of the United States on October 26, 2017, the US National Archives on Thursday, released 19,045 documents to the public, subject to the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (JFK Act). Recall that former US President , John F Kennedy, was shot dead in Dallas in 1963 and one, Mr. Lee Harvey Oswald was named the killer in the official version of events. John F Kennedy, credit: Getty Despite several revelations made in the past, the murder has been shrouded in mystery with conspiracy theories casting doubt over the true sequence of events. In the released documents, there were details about a man called Vincent Theodore Lee, who was in charge of the Fair Play for Cuba campaign, which Lee Harvey Oswald was a part of. In the revelation, there was a fascinating document - entirely in Spanish - documenting Oswald’s movements while he was in Mexico in 1963. He may not have been - as some b

OREDOLA ADEOLA | Former Vice President and a presidential hopeful , Alh. Atiku Abubakar, at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) in the United Kingdom on Wednesday April 25, 2018, disclosed that between 1999-2007, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo under whom he served as Vice President, provided the leadership that paid off Nigeria’s entire foreign debt of $32 billion in one fell swoop. Speaking on the topic: “The Importance of Strengthening State Economic Management Systems”, Atiku disclosed that Nigeria has the potential to make that leap from third world to first that Singapore, under Lee Kuan Yew, made. He noted that the country has the human and material resources required to make the leap, adding that  many Nigerians have helped other nations make that transition. Interrogating  why Nigeria is not living up to the promise of her potentials, the former Vice President said, “More specifically, Nigeria is saddled with a heavy and almos

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that he gave approval for the withdrawal of $462 million from Excess Crude Account (ECA) because he believed the National Assembly would have no objection to his action.  President Buhari's explanation was conveyed in a letter read during the plenary session of the Senate on Wednesday. A copy of the letter had earlier been sent to the House of Representatives. The President was reacting to the controversy that the proposed procurement of 12 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States, generated after the payment were made without the legislative approval. President Buhari's letter reads in part:  “I wish to draw the attention of the Senate to the ongoing security emergencies in the nation. These challenges were discussed with the state governors and subsequently at the meeting ot the National Economic Council on the 14th of December 2017 where a resolution was passed with the council approving that up to $1 billion may

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that he gave approval for withdrawal of $462 million from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) because he believed the National Assembly would have no objection to his action.  President Buhari's explanation was conveyed in a letter read during the plenary session of the Senate on Wednesday. A copy of the letter had earlier been sent to the House of Representatives. The President was reacting to the controversy that the proposed procurement of 12 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States, generated after the payment were made without the legislative approval. President Buhari's letter reads in part:  “I wish to draw the attention of the Senate to the ongoing security emergencies in the nation. These challenges were discussed with the state governors and subsequently at the meeting ot the National Economic Council on the 14th of December 2017 where a resolution was passed with the council approving that up to $1 billion may be r

Senator Bukola Saraki at the National Hospital in Abuja revealed that Senator Dino Melaye who was admitted to the hospital following his arrest by the Police authorities, was in a stable condition. He observed that Senator Dino has not taken a meal since Tuesday, when he was arrested. Senator Saraki disclosed this on Wednesday when he joined  a special delegation led by Deputy Senate Leader, which included Senator Bala Na'Allah, Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena, Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha and Deputy Chief of Staff to Senate President, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola to the National Hospital, Abuja to pay Senator Melaye a solidarity visit following his arrest on Tuesday. Recall that the Senate had earlier adjourned Wednesday plenary over the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye who was later admitted at the intensive care unit of the National Hospital, Abuja. Bala Na’Allah, Deputy Leader of the Senate, and other members of the Senate delegation, were on

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared Sunday, 29 April, 2018, as a National Day of Protest against unending killings in the country, this was in reaction to the killing of two priests and 17 worshippers of St. Ignatius Catholic church, Mbalom, Gwer East LGA of Benue State. Late Rev. Fr. Joseph Gor (left) and Rev. Fr. Felix Tyolaha, both killed in Benue attacks. In a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, media &communications, to the CAN President, HE Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, on Wednesday, CAN challenged Christians in the country to hold peaceful protest on the set aside date, in the premises of their churches asking the Federal Government and the security agencies to stop the unending killings and bloodshed in the country. The statement also dedicates same day for prayers for the freedom and liberty of Leah Sharibu, the remaining Chibok Girls and others still in captivity of the Boko Haram terrorists. We are already at a b

The Nigerian Police authorities have explained the circumstances leading to Tuesday’s failed escape of Senator Dino Melaye, the Senator representing Kogi West. Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations Officer, told newsmen at the premises of Zanklin hospital, where the Senator was receiving treatment after the incident. The FPRO disclosed that Sen. Dino jumped down from the vehicle conveying him around Area 1 area of the Federal Capital Territory, when men in Two (2) Toyota Hilux vehicles, believed to be working for him got wind of the police movement and waylaid the police vehicle carrying him to Lokoja, Kogi State for possible parade and subsequent arraignment in court. Moshood disclosed that a middle-aged woman was wounded in the process by the vehicle used by the Senator’s men. He explained that the Police team re-enforced and trailed Senator Dino Melaye to Zankli Hospital, Abuja where he was re-arrested. He noted that the police had since set up machineries to invest

OREDOLA ADEOLA | The Lagos state Government has indicated plans to come hard on property owners in the state who are converting their residential buildings into religious centres in order to avoid paying the Land Use Charge, as a result of waiver given to religious bodies on LUC. This was disclosed by  Commissioner for Home Affairs , Dr  Abdulhakeen Abdulateef, on Monday at the annual ministerial press briefing to mark the third years in office of Governor Ambode’s administration, in Ikeja, Lagos. The Commissioner however warned those indulging in such to desist, saying that it was important for all to operate within the ambit of the law. He said: “Do not convert your residential premises to religious premises. Many do that for the sake of being protected from paying their Land Use Charge and that will not be tolerated. Whatever we want to do, let us keep ourselves within the ambit of the law. “As for those who are combining their residences with mosque or church, w

By Sonala Olumhense Finally, President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed what has been known to many for nearly three years: he wants to remain in power for four more years.  According to Mr. Buhari, this decision is owed not to his personal desire, but to popular clamour.  It is always amusing when people who seek office, or want to cling to it, cite popular pressure. The truth is that only Buhari’s circle of loyalists wants him back. No Nigerian whose desire or interest is leadership rather than power, does. I am not necessarily saying Buhari will not win the re-election contest, but if he does, it will not be because he deserves it. To begin with, voter turnout was high for him when he won in 2015, hope in full bloom. In 2019, betrayed Nigerian voters may revert to indifference. Already, it is curious that mountains of voters’ cards are being ignored by their owners nationwide. Otherwise, as a referendum on Buhari’s atrocious performance, 2019 ought to see him suffer

Unlike his predecessors who spent average of N1.5billion annually to sponsor pilgrimages free of charge to Israel and Saudi Arabia, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state has saved a total of N4.5billion in the last three years by putting a stop to the programme. Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef (2nd left), Special Adviser to the Governor on Information & Strategy, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku (right); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Mrs. Kofoworola Awobamise (2nd right) and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs. Toyin Awoseyi (left) This was disclosed by Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdulhakeem Abdullateef, on Monday at the annual ministerial press briefing to mark the third year in office of Governor Ambode’s administration, in Alausa, Lagos. The Commissioner further revealed that the funds allocated for that purpose was diverted by the Ambode's administration into the constructio

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged  the National Assembly to commence constitutional processes against President Muhammadu Buhari for illegally withdrawing and spending $I billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) without the legislative appropriation. This was contained in a statement released on Monday by Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP National Publicity Secretary. The opposition party alleged that President Buhari is aware that his unilateral spending of $496 million (N151.374 billion) from the ECA, without recourse to the legislative approval of the National Assembly, is a gross violation of the laws and constitution of Nigerian and a direct affront to our statutory order as a democratic state. The statement said, “President Buhari has technically suspended the 1999 Constitution (as amended), plundered the inherent powers of the National Assembly as the principal institution of democratic rule, while re-enacting a sole administratorship in governance as if our natio

Ogundipe Adekunle Investigations have shown that snatching of mace, the symbol of authority in the Nigerian lawmaking institutions as witnessed yesterday at the National Assembly had a root in First Republic's wester region(1965) following the crisis that ensued between the leadership of the defunct Action Group (AG) and the premier of the western region. Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo led some members of the Western Assembly to remove the premier, Chief Samuel Akintola and the governor of the region. Consequently, the development split the lawmakers into two factions thereby leading to a mild drama on the floor of the House; and in the process a member representing Badagry east, Mr Ebubedike snatched the mace and made away with it. In a related development, a year after the return of democracy from decades of military dictatorship, Nigeria witnessed a second incident of mace snatching at the National Assembly in Abuja. Just like the case in the western region but thi