The kinsmen of Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola from Gbagura in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have urged President Bola Tinubu to declare the late politician a democratically elected president.
The kinsmen from the Tobade Progressive Club of Gbagura stated this on Wednesday, in a statement signed by its president, Chief Shamwill Keshinro.
They stressed the need to revisit the 1993 presidential election, adding that the late MKO Abiola and hundreds of Nigerians had sacrificed greatly for the return of democracy in 1999.
According to the statement: “Tobade Progressive Club of Gbagura, which is populated with kinsmen and kinswomen of Chief MKO Abiola in Gbagura, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, is therefore asking the Federal Government to invoke the Doctrine of Necessity to begin the political and legal process of declaring Chief MKO Abiola, a democratically-elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The Buhari administration had conferred posthumously on MKO Abiola the highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR.
Chief Keshinro, however, stressed that the move by former President Muhammadu Buhari suggested a political journey to pronounce and swear in posthumously, Chief MKO Abiola, as the democratically-elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, they commended the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, on the renovation of MKO Abiola’s family house at Oja Agbo, Oke-Iddo, Gbagura, Abeokuta.
Declare Abiola president – MKO’s kinsmen urge Tinubu
Declare Abiola president – MKO’s kinsmen urge Tinubu
IG’s residence secured against breaches — Force spokesperson
The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday said the residence of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is fortified, safe, and secure against security breaches and criminal occurrences.
The police high command was reacting to a report by an online platform that the residence of the IG was robbed.
However, the police in a statement by the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, refuted the report.
Adejobi boasted that the IG residence was structured such that no robber, burglar, or thief could come close to the building.
The statement partly read, “It is pertinent to note that the above are the facts of this matter which have been deliberately distorted by a media platform either at the instance of some of the suspects who are currently fleeing from the law, or those suspects who are lawfully detained or out of mischief, where they alleged that the said robbery occurred at the residence of the Inspector General of Police. We wish to place it on record that the robbery or any burglary or theft never took place in the IGP’s residence or any of the official facilities of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Those purporting the robbery, burglary or theft to have taken place in the residence of the IG do not know what the residence of the IG looks like, otherwise they would have known that no robber, burglar or thief can get close to the residence of the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria and current chairman of the committee of West Africa Chiefs of Police.”
He added that if the report were to be true, many policemen guarding the residence would have been detained.
Adejobi said, “Assuming, in the most unlikely event such robbery, burglary, or theft occurred at the residence of the IGP, we should be talking about the number of policemen in detention and not this ring of armed robbers. For emphasis, the entire neighbourhood of IG residence is fortified, safe, and secure against such security breaches and criminal occurrences. ”
Explaining what transpired, Adejobi said the armed robbery incident happened at a police officer’s residence, on April 28, 2024.
He added that the officer who is attached to the Force Headquarters was nearly killed while a safe containing jewellery, money, academic certificates, documents, phones, and other valuable properties belonging to various residents in the compound were carted away.
Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force has successfully dismantled a cartel dealing in jewellery worth billions of Naira obtained from armed robbery operations in Abuja and its environs.
“On April 28, 2024, an armed robbery incident occurred at the residence of a police officer, attached to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory. During the incident, the officer was nearly smothered, while a secured safe containing jewellery, money, academic certificates, documents, phones, and other valuable properties belonging to various residents in the compound were carted away. CCTV footage captured the suspect at the crime scene, which has been helpful in our forensic investigations in the case so far.”
Adejobi noted that investigations traced the stolen items to Wuse Market, where they were allegedly purchased by one Alhaji Auwal.
He added that over 26 suspects have been arrested in connection with the case and were being detained following a court order.
Adejobi said, “Despite police warnings to the FCT Gold Dealers Association to avoid purchasing the stolen gold via their joint WhatsApp platform, Alhaji Auwal facilitated its purchase and instructed his associates on how to handle it.
“Further investigations by the Force Intelligence Department revealed that Alhaji Auwal, his sons, and other associates are part of a cartel involved in dealing in stolen pieces of jewellery. This group has been linked to previous similar cases under police investigations at various formations within the FCT.
“The 26 suspects arrested in connection with the case and many others, who are currently in custody, are being detained legally under a court order and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations, contrary to the news making rounds.”
Apple surpasses Microsoft as world’s most valuable company
Apple on Wednesday reclaimed its berth as the world’s biggest company when measured by stock price, taking back the top position from Microsoft.
The iPhone juggernaut is on a Wall Street tear following its announcements of AI features at its annual developers conference on Monday.
Apple, which had taken its time to draw up its AI strategy, lost the top spot in January as investors rewarded Microsoft’s unabashed rollout of new generative AI products under its Copilot brand.
At 1530 GMT, Apple’s market capitalization stood at $3.33 trillion compared to Microsoft’s $3.26 trillion. Both shares are traded on the Nasdaq exchange in New York.
Apple has unveiled a new AI platform called Apple Intelligence that will be gradually added to a new version of the iOS 18 operating system.
The technology will only be available on Apple’s highest-end hardware, forcing interested customers to pay premium prices to enjoy the AI.
Analysts, while lukewarm at first, have grown to believe that the iPhone’s new powers will motivate the company’s 1.5 billion strong user base to update their phones in order to take advantage of the AI powers.
“The delayed positive reaction from the Street on the Apple Intelligence news was investors starting to fully digest that the AI revolution will come through the consumer with an Apple device over the coming year,” said Wedbush Securities senior analyst Daniel Ives.
AFP
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Obaseki to pay salaries on June 14
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government will pay government workers salaries on June 14 ahead of the Sallah celebrations.
The governor said this during the unveiling of the State Secretariat Complex on Wednesday, in Benin City, the state capital.
He said, “I have heard all the accolades about the minimum wage. I assure the workers that it is not a fluke. We are a very deliberate government that sits back to do our work. You know that for the seven and half years since we came into office, we have paid salaries on the 26th of every month.
“In cases where we have holidays, we pay our workers before the holidays so they have money to celebrate. In that same guise, we will be paying the salaries for June on Friday 14th of June ahead of the Salah celebration to enable you to have a good Sallah.”
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Democracy Day: Nigerians deserve to celebrate — Gov Oborevwori
Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has stated that Nigerians deserve to celebrate despite the numerous challenges bedevilling the country.
In a statement released by Oborevwori’s chief press secretary, Festus Ahon, in Asaba, the governor congratulated Deltans and other Nigerians on this year’s Democracy Day, June 12.
Oborevwori said: “I extend warm congratulations to all Nigerians, especially the people of Delta State and its residents, as we commemorate 2024 Democracy Day and mark the first anniversary of this administration. Over the past 25 years, we have embarked on an uninterrupted democratic voyage.
“While we have faced challenges as a nation, my administration acknowledges and empathises with the difficulties our citizens are currently enduring. Nevertheless, amidst adversity, there is always hope. Let us remain optimistic that our future will be brighter than our present.
“We are grateful that, since 1999, Nigeria has experienced a continuous period of democratic governance, allowing citizens to freely choose their leaders and enjoy the benefits of good governance for the past 25 years, marking a significant milestone in our nation’s history.
“Building on the progress made by previous administrations, our government is committed to further enhancing the infrastructure and human capital of our state, as outlined in our MORE Agenda, ensuring continued growth and development for the benefit of all citizens.
“I encourage all citizens of Delta State and Nigeria to remain optimistic and steadfast, as our nation will overcome its current challenges through collective efforts, prayers, cooperation, and a shared vision among leaders and the led, leading to a brighter future for all.”
Democracy Day: Nigerians deserve to celebrate — Gov Oborevwori
NLC insists on N250K minimum wage
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday vowed to continue with the push for N250,000 minimum wage in the country.
The Acting President of NLC, Mr. Adewale Adeyanju, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
He was reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day address in Abuja.
The president had in the address promised to send an executive bill on the minimum wage to the National Assembly.
The Federal Government had offered N62,000 as the new national minimum wage at the end of the tripartite committee meeting involving the Organised Private Sector (OPS).
However, the NLC commended the president’s commitment to the fine democratic ideals which allowed the work of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee to proceed unhindered despite some hiccups.
Adeyanju said: “Our demand remains N250,000 only and we have not been given any compelling reasons to change this position which we consider a great concession by Nigerian workers during the tripartite negotiation process.
“We are, therefore, surprised at the submission of Mr. President over a supposed agreement.
“We believe that he may have been misled into believing that there was an agreement with the NLC and TUC.
“There was none and we must let the President, Nigerians, and other national stakeholders understand this immediately to avoid a mix-up in the ongoing conversation around the national minimum wage.”
He noted that the NLC had not seen a copy of the document submitted to President Tinubu and would not accept any doctored document.
He, however, reaffirmed the union’s belief that the president on whose table the tripartite committee’s report presently resides would prepare an Executive Bill whose content would reflect the true demand of Nigerian workers.
“We think that this is an opportunity for him to demonstrate his love for Nigerian workers and masses.
“That is by shunning the pieces of advice that may be coming from those whose intentions are continuously focused on hurting the poor and struggling workers of Nigeria.
“Mr. President should not allow these individuals and groups to sabotage his promise of lifting Nigerian workers out of poverty.
“The president’s advisers did not tell him the truth that the leaders of the trade unions were intimidated and harassed.
“It is, therefore, important that Mr. President understands that we were threatened severally by his operatives perhaps without his consent.
“Series of media propaganda calculated to intimidate and harass us were, and, are still being waged against the trade unions by senior officials of this government.
“Fully armed soldiers surrounded us while we were in a negotiation with the government,” the NLC chief stated.
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Police bust stolen jewellery dealers cartel in Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has busted a cartel dealing in jewelry worth billions of Naira obtained from armed robbery operations in Abuja and its environs.
The Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the cartel was busted after a police officer, attached to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, was robbed at his residence on April 28, 2024.
According to him, the officer was nearly smothered, while a secured safe containing jewelry, money, academic certificates, documents, phones, and other valuable properties belonging to various residents in the compound were carted away.
Adejobi, in a statement, said CCTV footage captured the suspect at the crime scene, adding that the clip had been helpful in forensic investigations in the case.
The Force spokesman explained that the jewelry was traced to Alhaji Auwal, who is a member of the FCT Gold Dealers Association, adding that 26 suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.
The statement read, “Subsequent investigations traced the stolen items to Wuse Market, where they were allegedly purchased by one Alhaji Auwal. Despite police warnings to the FCT Gold Dealers Association to avoid purchasing the stolen gold via their joint WhatsApp platform, Alhaji Auwal facilitated its purchase and instructed his associates on how to handle it.
“Further investigations by the Force Intelligence Department revealed that Alhaji Auwal, his sons, and other associates are part of a cartel involved in dealing in stolen jewelleries. This group has been linked to previous similar cases under police investigations at various formations within the FCT. The 26 suspects arrested in connection with the case and many others, who are currently in custody, are being detained legally under a court order and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations.”
The police spokesperson clarified that contrary to reports, the robbery did not occur at the residence of the Inspector General of Police
He said, “We wish to place it on record that the robbery or any burglary or theft never took place in the IGP’s residence nor in any of the official facilities of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Those purporting the robbery, burglary or theft to have taken place in the residence of the IG obviously do not know what the residence of the IG looks like, otherwise they would have known that no robber, burglar or thief can get close to the residence of the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria and current chairman of the committee of West Africa Chiefs of Police.
“Assuming, in the most unlikely event such robbery, burglary, or theft occurred at the residence of the IGP, we should be talking about the number of policemen in detention and not this ring of armed robbers. For emphasis, the entire neighbourhood of IG residence is fortified, safe, and secure against such security breaches and criminal occurrences.”
EFCC receives 14,000 petitions in one year — Olukoyede
Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ola Olukoyede, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, disclosed that the Commission had received 14,000 (Fourteen Thousand) petitions from members of the public in the last one year.
The EFCC boss stated this in Abuja when the Special Envoy for West Africa, Dr. Charles Omini paid him a courtesy visit at the corporate headquarters of the Commission.
Olukoyede stated that the Commission’s efforts in ridding the country of all forms of economic and financial crimes were geared towards ensuring that Nigerians have a taste of good governance.
“What we are doing is about this country, there is nothing personal in it, we are passionate about giving Nigerians a taste of good governance for once in their lifetime. In the last one year, we have received over fourteen thousand petitions, credible petitions, fourteen thousand, within the space of twelve months”, he said.
Continuing, he stressed “Nigerians have no business being poor, if we manage our resources and are accountable, if we do the right things, by now we should be at par with America. There is nowhere in Nigeria that you dig, and you won’t see natural resources or mineral resources. The forest alone can make us in the class of advanced countries. There is no region in Nigeria that does not have tourist attractions”.
Olukoyede reiterated that fighting corruption was winnable if all Nigerians come together and join hands with the EFCC to ensure good governance and a better country for all. “The war is winnable, there are some countries where their own cases were even worse than our own. Our associates in Singapore, Hongkong told us they used to be worse than Nigeria, but we have gotten to that point where everyone will say let us come back to the discussion table and do the right thing. Everybody is now realizing that we have done ourselves so much evil. If all of us can come together, we will overwhelm them,” he said.
He charged the Envoy to strengthen the anti-corruption fight more by making Nigerians realise that corruption is robbing them of their rights to good life and good governance. “Let people know that their rights have been violated, it is not about EFCC, it is about every one of us, let us collaborate more.
On his part, Dr. Charles Omini stated that his team was at the EFCC to appreciate the efforts of the Commission in its efforts towards ridding Nigeria of corruption, economic and financial crimes.
“We have seen the level of impact. You stood very well to make sure corruption in Nigeria is reduced at all levels. Our first phase of partnership that has brought us here is for our strategic and technical team, the crusade you are carrying on, we are going to partner with you and make sure we take this crusade at every level to every Nigerian and beyond Nigeria”, he said.
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Sallah durbar: Emir Bayero requests special security from police
Aminu Ado-Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, has written to the Commissioner of Police in the state, requesting special security arrangements ahead of the Sallah festivities.
The request was contained in a letter dated June 10, 2024, signed by a private secretary to the emir.
TVN recalls that the emir had on Tuesday invited all district heads and traditional leaders in the state for durbar, a traditional event held in commemoration of Sallah.
According to the letter obtained by journalists on Wednesday, the emir thanked the police for ensuring peace in the state following the crisis that followed the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi Lamido.
The letter reads: “His Highness instructed me to request special security arrangements for the conduct of Sallah festivities (Eid-El Kabir) in Kano, which commences on Sunday 16th of May 2024 to Thursday 20th of May 2024. All activities will emanate from Nassarawa Mini Palace in Kano.
“These festivities are significant cultural and religious events that attract a large number of participants and spectators from within and outside of Kano.
“In the light of the importance of maintaining peace, order, and security during these celebrations, we kindly request the support and assistance of your esteemed agency towards the successful accomplishment of the events.”
Sallah durbar: Emir Bayero requests special security from police
Some governors are encouraging criminals because of politics
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, said some state governors were encouraging criminals for the purpose of using them during elections.
He urged them to emulate the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is promoting and encouraging the best brains through his automatic employment of first-class graduates in the state.
Jonathan said this at the commissioning of the renovated Edo State Civil Service Secretariat Complex in Benin City.
“Let me also join the Head of Service, the young First Class graduate you employed, we thank you. When the Head of Service mentioned that in his speech, I was quite pleased. In fact, if you go to some states, governors are busy encouraging criminals because of politics, people that will rig elections for them, carry ballot boxes, carry knives and cutlasses to pursue people, but you are encouraging the brains.
“The brains don’t come from one political party. The brains come from all political parties. The brains come from those who are supporting all candidates. So you are not supporting these brains because you want to win an election but because you want to build a state, and for you to build a state, you have to build the people”, he said.
The former president also commended the state governor for improving the welfare and providing a conducive working environment for the civil servants in the state.
“Let me also join the civil servants to thank you for improving their welfare. Of course, before this time, civil servants have been going home with salaries that cannot take them home, now, you are paying them salaries that can take them home.
“When I read in the newspapers that he is going to start paying N70,000 minimum wage, I was worried and expressed I hope that he can pay. A political leader must be somebody who has a vision and not someone who just wants to get to office and doesn’t know what to do when he gets there.
“If you have a vision, no matter the challenges, you must find a way to perform,” Jonathan added.
On his part, Obaseki said the Civil Service Secretariat Complex was the first place he visited when he assumed office as the governor of the state.
He said that the complex was in a very sorry state, he promised to revamp it and make it conducive for workers to carry out their jobs in the belief that a conducive working environment would always lead to a workforce that can boost productivity.
Also speaking, the state Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, thanked the state governor for revolutionizing and digitalizing the state civil service.
He stated that the governor has provided a conducive environment for the state workers to be effective in their day-to-day assignments.
Okungbowa said that the state is the only one paying its workers the highest minimum wage when other states are making excuses and can’t raise their own to that amount of money.
He added that the state is the only one that offers automatic employment to first-class graduates of Edo origin from any of the universities in the country.