Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has presented staff and instruments of office to the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin 1.
The governor made the presentation around 2:45 pm on Friday, during a ceremony at the frontage of Mapo Hall in Ibadan.
Makinde, while making the presentation, said, “They said they want to sabotage, they want to sabotage, we are here today at Mapo Hall.
“I, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State by the virtue of power conferred on me, hereby present the staff of office to the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“Let us say Kabiesi!”
More details later.
BREAKING: Makinde presents staff, instruments of office to 43rd Olubadan, Olakulehin
BREAKING: Makinde presents staff, instruments of office to 43rd Olubadan, Olakulehin
S’South govs absent at Niger Delta summit
As key stakeholders such as ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and some former governors were present at the ongoing Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital, some sitting governors of the South-South were missing at the event.
According Online gathered that while some key political stakeholders of Niger Delta extraction including Jonathan and President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as well as some stakeholders from other geo-political zones, such as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State were present at the summit, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State is the only South-South governor physically present as at the time of filing in this report.
Other governors of the South-South states sent in their deputies to the summit themed “Renewed Hope for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta Region”.
Former Governors Adams Oshiomhole, Edo State; Donald Duke, Cross River; and Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa were present at the time of filing this report.
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, who is the host is also represented by the Head of Service of the State, George Nwaeke.
While the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at the time of filing this report was not at the Summit, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was present at the instance of representing President Bola Tinubu.
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IPOB alleges soldiers collude with gunmen at checkpoints to kidnap passengers in the S’East
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has alleged that Nigerian soldiers collude with gunmen at military checkpoints in the South-East to intimidate, harass, extort and kidnap passengers and motorists.
The secessionist group which made the allegations in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said such atrocities usually occur at a location described as the “kill and bury” military checkpoint mounted at Ukwu Orji in the Mbaitolu Local Government Area along Owerri/Onitsha expressway in Imo State.
The statement posted on the X handle of @IPOB Central on Friday, stated that unsuspecting passengers have been “subjected to all manner of humiliation, torture and forceful disappearances at military and police checkpoints in the South-East, particularly at the military checkpoint at Ukwu Orji area.”
The group also called on the Inspector General of Police and the Defense Headquarters to immediately dismantle military and police checkpoints in the region to curb the ‘criminal activities’ of security operatives in the South-East.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu, raises alarm over the incessant military intimidation, harassment, and extortion at the “kill and bury” military checkpoint mounted at Ukwu Orji in Mbaitolu LGA along Owerri/Onitsha expressway,” the IPOB spokesman said.
“Ndigbo passengers have been subjected to all manner of humiliation, torture, and forceful disappearances at the military and police checkpoints in the Eastern Region, particularly at the “kill and bury” military checkpoint at Ukwu Orji along Owerri/Onitsha expressway.
“The soldiers at this particular checkpoint deliberately keep all the vehicles that get to the checkpoint at 10 pm to around 12 am until each vehicle pay them N5,000 before they can be allowed to pass to continue on their journey.
“Sometimes, after unnecessary delays and extortions by the soldiers at this checkpoint, the passengers are attacked and kidnapped on the way.
“The soldiers and police officers at this checkpoint are informants to kidnappers. They are professional armed robbers who use guns and uniforms issued by the Nigeria government to intimidate and force people to part with their money or be delayed till the next day or even be killed.
“Similar incidents happen in all the military, and police checkpoints scattered all over the South-East Region.
“The uncountable number of army and police checkpoints collect N5,000 or more from each vehicle in the South East Region and make persons and vehicular movements difficult and expensive.
“The militarization of the South-East Region is not only intimidating and oppressive policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria and her murderous security agencies, but it is also a plan to occupy Biafra territory.
“The security agencies of Nigeria also contraven UN human rights commission rules regularly in carrying out their evil plans in Igboland. The Nigerian government’s economic strangulation policy against Ndigbo can be felt by all inhabitants of Igbo land.
READ ALSO:IPOB warns South-East politicians against sabotaging moves to free Kanu
“The excessive extortions at these military and Police checkpoints make the cost of goods and transportation exorbitant compared to other regions of their country.
“Holding passengers at gunpoint from 10 pm to 12 am is against fundamental human rights. All of that done in order to extort huge amounts of cash from travelers before allowing them to cross the army or police checkpoint.
“This shows that the Nigerian military is part of the criminality going on in Imo State and the entire South East Region.
“IPOB in the past has raised alarms that the military and police checkpoints in the East are part of the insecurity of kidnapping and car snatching gangs’ activities.
“The presence of these soldiers and police officers at various checkpoints has not reduced insecurity. Instead, the Nigerian soldiers at the checkpoints are humiliating, intimidating, raping our ladies, extorting money, and passing information to kidnappers.
“They are working with the kidnappers who deliver shares of ransom collected from kidnapped victims to them.
“IPOB is calling on the Nigeria Defence Headquarters and the Chief of Army Staff to withdraw and dismantle the Military checkpoints in the East particularly the checkpoint at Ukwu Orji on Owerri/Onitsha expressway if they care to maintain their remaining integrity.
“The Nigerian soldiers deployed at that checkpoint are part of the insecurity in the South East Region.
The checkpoints are meant to protect innocent civilians while checkmating the activities of criminal elements terrorizing the communities.
“Instead of stopping the insecurity, these military men and women at these checkpoints are fueling insecurity, kidnapping, angering, and frustrating the civilians on the roadways. The military checkpoints are extortion toll booths and information gathering for the kidnappers.
“Therefore, IPOB demand that the Nigerian Army and Police dismantle all the indiscriminatly positioned criminal military and police checkpoints in the South East Region and the South South Region with immediate effect.
“We believe that their personnel have turned the checkpoints into something else. These checkpoints are fueling the anger of the people. The Nigerian Army and Police in the East must not wait till the people’s anger gets to boiling point before they allow Ndigbo to breathe.
“The Nigerian Army should never underate the reactions of angry and wounded persons. Biafra people and Biafra territory have endured a lot.”
IPOB PRESS RELEASE 12/07/2024
IPOB CALLS ON IG OF POLICE & THE DEFENSE HEADQUARTERS TO DISMANTLE THE CRIMINAL MILITARY CHECKPOINTS IN THE SOUTH EAST
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu raises alarm over…
— IPOB Liverpool Central (@ipob_central) July 12, 2024
The post IPOB alleges soldiers collude with gunmen at checkpoints to kidnap passengers in the S’East appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
LG autonomy suit, Tinubu govt’s best action so far – IPAC
The Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has described the Federal Government’s legal action to liberate the local governments from state governors as the best thing the President Bola Tinubu administration has done so far.
TVN reported that the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgement on Thursday 11th July 2024,
granting financial autonomy to local governments and barring the governors from constituting Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of the third tier of government.
IPAC described the ruling as a clear victory for sustainable democracy and development in Nigeria.
IPAC hailed the Federal Government’s action in instituting the suit to liberate the 774 local governments from the clutches of the governors, describing it as the “best decision it has taken so far”.
IPAC’s national Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, stated this at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, saying,
“It is a giant step forward in revamping the economy and bolstering grassroots development across the
country.
“It is unfortunate that Governors who ought to have bolstered Local Government development in the country chose to suffocate it by retaining and utilizing funds meant for the Local Government Areas in flagrant violation of Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
“This is important as Governors who are used to diverting Local Governments funds for over two decades could seek ways to circumvent the apex court ruling by using State Houses of Assembly.
“The Supreme Court also declared that Local Governments must be governed by democratically elected officials contrary to the obnoxious appointment of Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of Councils.
This is a welcome development in the onerous task of deepening democracy and fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.
“To maximize this development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should immediately set up a monitoring team to ensure funds released to Local Governments are prudently and judiciously used for the good of the people.
“This will guard against unscrupulous elements from devising new means of siphoning the funds. There must be transparency, probity and accountability in the utilization of funds allocated to the Local Government Areas. “
LG autonomy suit, Tinubu govt’s best action so far – IPAC
Biden makes another gaffe, calls Ukraine’s Zelensky ‘President Putin’
President Joe Biden of the United States, US, has erroneously referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin”.
Biden made the gaffe on Thursday in Washington DC during the NATO summit.
Biden introduced Zelensky as “President Putin”, mistakenly referring to him as Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is waging a war against Ukraine that began in 2022.
But the US President quickly corrected himself, while Zelensky replied to Biden’s gaffe in a joking manner, saying, “I’m better than Putin”.
“You are a hell of a lot better,” Biden replied Zelensky after correcting himself.
He blamed his mistake on being “so focused on beating Putin”.
This is coming after Biden was asked to withdraw from the US presidential race as concerns mount regarding his mental acuity and chances of defeating former President Donald Trump.
Similarly, Biden had mistakenly called Trump Vice President while referring to Kamala Harris.
Biden makes another gaffe, calls Ukraine’s Zelensky ‘President Putin’
LGA autonomy: IPAC wants state electoral commissions scrapped
The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has called for immediate scrapping of the State Independent Electoral Commissions, SIECS.
Making the advocacy during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, IPAC’s national Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, said the SIECs have proven to be incompetent and incapable of conducting free, fair, credible,
transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections.
According to him, the states electoral bodies have become mere appendages of various government houses.
“SIECs do not have voter registers, BVAS, IReV portals, ballot boxes, etc, essential in conducting credible polls.
“INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu rightly described Local Government elections as coronation of candidates of the ruling political parties.
“The State Independent Electoral Commission is a dent on the nation’s hard-earned democracy. It is time to stop the charade called SIEC elections if we
are serious and determined to deepen democracy in Nigeria.
“To restore confidence in the electoral process, INEC should be empowered and mandated to conduct all the Local Governments elections in Nigeria.
“Politics is local, citizens should be encouraged to
actively participate in grassroots politics and contribute in building a better society. Nigerians desire and deserve credible elections as sovereignty resides in the people.”
IPAC called for the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court judgment, and also charged local government chairmen to reciprocate the gesture by the judicious utilization of the resources to deal with issues confronting Nigerians at the grassroots.
LGA autonomy: IPAC wants state electoral commissions scrapped
Nursing mother joins parliamentary race in Rwanda
Her three-month-old daughter swaddled on her back, Jeanne d’Arc Nyiramahirwe is determined to make her voice heard as she runs for a parliamentary seat in Rwanda’s elections.
She is among 199 women campaigning for a place in parliament, which reserves 24 out of 80 seats in the lower house for female candidates.
Rwanda holds legislative and presidential elections next week, with long-time leader Paul Kagame widely expected to extend his iron grip on the Great Lakes nation.
Despite rights groups raising alarm bells over political repression ahead of the polls, first-time candidate Nyiramahirwe — among 33 women competing for four seats in northern Burera District — was sure she would make her presence felt.
“Politics is not a specialty for the wealthy. In Rwanda, it is for everyone,” she told AFP in the capital Kigali in May, having made the two-hour journey from her hometown to register her candidacy.
There, the 38-year-old told a small gathering she will “preserve President Kagame’s achievements” — echoing other candidates who are careful to steer clear of criticising government policies.
Colourful if tightly controlled campaigning has seen huge crowds supporting Kagame’s Rwandan Patriotic Front party, while independent candidates have scrabbled along as best they can.
Nyiramahirwe, a math teacher for 15 years and a farmer, is a member of the RPF but is running as an independent — a requirement for anyone vying for seats under the women’s quota.
While the main polls are on Monday, the vote for the reserved women’s seats will take place on Tuesday with candidates elected by regional and municipal councillors.
* ‘Break the cycle’ –
Nyiramahirwe said she was an avid backer of women’s rights — an objective supported by the RPF, which maintains tight control over the political agenda — and has been setting a hectic pace during her bid to be a lawmaker.
“I will advocate for good agricultural practices, female education, and to educate residents about important laws,” Nyiramahirwe said.
The mother-of-four — two sons, two daughters — holds a degree in science and technology and said education for girls was a cornerstone of her campaign.
“Educating girls is not just about giving them knowledge, it’s about empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and become leaders in their communities,” she said.
But, baby-in-tow, Nyiramahirwe was adamant that “going to parliament does not take away my responsibilities as a mother”.
“The youngest is three months old, so I have to continue breastfeeding her even when I win a seat.”
And while she navigates the capital’s political landscape, she promises to remain deeply connected to her community in Burera.
“I will not forget you once I go to parliament in Kigali. I will always be available,” she told a gathering in her home area.
“I’ll jump on a bike and come listen to your problems whenever I must.”
AFP
BREAKING: Olakulehin becomes 43rd Olubadan
Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin has been crowned as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He was crowned at the Labosinde compound, the family whose right is to crown any Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The ceremony took place on Friday.
Our correspondent reports that immediately after the crowning, the new Olubadan moved to Ile Osemeji at Oja, Oba area.
Ile Osemeji is regarded as the place where the divination on the future of Ibadan was revealed.
TVN correspondent who is currently monitoring the coronation process reports that the new Olubadan is currently at Ile Osemeji.
The new Olubadan is expected to move from Ile Osemeji to the frontage of Mapo Hall.
He is also expected to receive the staff of office and other instruments of office from the state governor, Seyi Makinde, any moment form now.
BREAKING: Olakulehin becomes 43rd Olubadan
Presidency seeks Kaduna’s support on school feeding scheme
The Presidency has solicited the support of the Kaduna State government towards the successful implementation of the school feeding programme.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding, Dr Yetunde Adeniji, made this known during a meeting with the state deputy governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, and the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna Inland Revenue Services, Jerry Adam, according to a statement released by her office on Friday.
Adeniji described the visit to Kaduna as a move to flag- off the first phase of the Value for Money Study, in partnership with GAIN.
“We explored collaborative opportunities to advance educational initiatives and ensure sustainable progress in the school feeding program across the state.
“The visit which marks the second stage of the nationwide Value for Money (VFM) study underscores the presidency’s commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation for the benefit of every child in Kaduna,” Adeniji said.
Recall that the launch of the VFM Research Program kicked off in Osun state in May 2024. The project aims to ensure the program delivers maximum impact for schoolchildren and ensure that optimum return on investment is delivered to the Government.
At the parley with the Executive Chairman of the KADIRS, Jerry Adam, along with Executive Directors and key officials, the deliberations focused on exploring avenues for synergy and cooperation to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the school feeding program.
“Together, we are working towards a future where every child has access to quality education and nutritional support,” she noted while underlining the essence of her working visit to Kaduna state.
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Divisions deepen in Zamfara APC as new faction emerges
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party in Zamfara State is facing renewed turmoil following the emergence of another faction. This development comes amid ongoing disagreements within the state chapter of the party.
The new faction is led by Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji federal constituency. Jaji’s group held a press conference at the party secretariat on Thursday, announcing their decision to form a separate faction.
The leader of the Jaji-led faction, Aminu Abubakar, blamed the state’s party executives for failing to foster unity among members. He accused them of prioritizing selfish interests over the party’s well-being, leading to disunity and the formation of multiple factions. Abubakar claimed his group had previously attempted to address these concerns with the leadership but were ignored.
He said, “Those calling themselves party leaders have failed to unite the members of the party due to their selfish interest.
“We did our best to draw their attention to the dangers of disunity within our great party, but unfortunately, they refused to listen to us.
“If Honourable Sani Jaji is not a stakeholder of the APC in Zamfara State, who else can we call a stakeholder?
Read Also: Police dismisses corporal nine years after he rejected transfer
“This is a calculated attempt by some people who call themselves leaders of the state APC to finally kill the party.
“For this reason, we have decided to open a new APC Secretariat in the state and we appointed the Vice chairman of the party and the assistant secretary to take charge until after the election of the new executive members.”
This latest development deepens the crisis within the Zamfara APC. The party has been grappling with internal divisions for some time, and efforts to achieve reconciliation appear to have failed.
The reasons behind these divisions are not entirely clear from news reports, but Abubake’s comments suggest a power struggle within the party and potential dissatisfaction with the current leadership.
The emergence of a new faction could have significant implications for the APC’s performance in upcoming elections. A divided party presents a weaker front to the opposition and could lead to voter dissatisfaction.
It remains to be seen how the national leadership of the APC will respond to this latest crisis. Whether they can intervene and bring about reconciliation, or if the Zamfara chapter fragments further, will likely determine the party’s future prospects in the state.
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