In a statement by the factional State Publicity Secretary of the celebration, Raphael Adeyanju, the PDP advised ‘that the Oyo State Governor to show maturity expected by someone occupying his exalted office and grow over childishness and pettiness.
The party said:” It is quite unfortunate that somebody such as Governor Makinde, that wasn’t a secure member of the PDP may use EFCC trial to mock Fayose, that had been among the last men standing for the party when it lost power in 2015. We’d have dismissed his screen of political childishness and pettiness, but by opting to go gun with his mockery of Fayose, who’s simply being persecuted for standing firmly by the PDP in its own hours of problems, Engr Seyi Makinde has revealed to the public that someone could be a governor and not be a pioneer.”
The opposition party reaffirmed Fayose as the leader of this party in south-west zone, alleging that Makinde was representative of Progressives Congress inducing destabilising from the southwest chapter.
“It isn’t written in the party constitution which if a zone has just 1 governor, that governor automatically becomes the chief of this party. We hereby challenge him to declare that two Progressives Congress (APC) governors from the South-West didn’t encourage his election.
“It’s an open secret that one particular Ayo Adegbite, aide of one of those governors was intercepted by soldiers brought money to Ibadan at a government car for him personally (Makinde).”
The celebration also alleged that Makinde was supporting the preponderance of suits against the celebration from both Ekiti and Osun States to please his paymasters as a payback to the support he obtained during his election.
He explained: “As at 2015 which PDP dropped electricity, Makinde was in Social Democratic Party (SDP). If committed leaders such as Fayose, that stood from the party had abandoned for different parties because he (Makinde) failed, the governorship ticket of the PDP would not have been appealing to him if he returned to the celebration in 2018.
Describing Conor McGregor, the very first individual to maintain titles in two weight divisions at the same time at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Arnold Schwarzenegger said the Irish were greater than a fighter’
The legendary actor retired professional Realtor, and former Governor of California both said of the former UFC’s featherweight and lightweight winner: “he is more than an athlete and over a winner.”
Maybe, if there’s another fighter inside the rank and file of this UFC that currently matches this kind of all-encompassing description, that individual is no besides Nigerian-born New Zealand-professional combined martial artist, Israel Adesanya.
Back in September, the 31-year-old Adesanya who grew up in Lagos before glancing abroad together with his parents, got the entire world talking after rapping Paulo Costa in his second-round success at UFC 253.
Victory over Costa at Abu Dhabi took Adesanya’s unbeaten streak in UFC into 20 in as many conflicts with remarkable 15 knockout successes since 2018. Obviously, champions do not arrive well than it sounds, Adesanya is unstoppable with the way he brings down competitions under his magic spell. Nevertheless, it was the way of his defeat on this dominant Costa that really brought home how great Adesanya was how better he could nevertheless be.
Inside his reportage of this UFC 235 sensational success by Adesanya, Joe Coleman of TalkSPORT painted a gripping film: “Israel Adesanya delivered a great performance on Fight Isle to knock out bitter rival Paulo Costa and keep his UFC championship. The previous Stylebender was totally perfect in Abu Dhabi, picking aside his much larger opponent before landing barbarous ground strikes at the next round.
The Brazilian simply couldn’t close the space, eating barbarous lead leg kicks, desperately swinging to attempt to land a highly effective performance.
But, Adesanya showcased his boxing and boxing expertise by using his jab and footwork to evade the onrushing’Borrachinha’.”
Really, this Adesanya is just unstoppable.
Since the middleweight winner, Adesanya is now third in the UFC Men’s pound-for-pound standing supporting Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov (Lightweight Champions and Number 1) and American Jon Jones (Light Heavyweight Champion and Number two ). His net value is allegedly in the area of $2 million.
Can Adesanya function better?
“I think he is gonna function as new Adesanya of this branch,” noted White later Adesanya performed The Eraser (Costa). “He has his own personality and his very own way. I believe he is gonna be the upcoming big star, particularly after tonight’s performance.”
It’s taken Adesanya some hard work to achieve this point and also to be hailed as one of the greatest things to have occurred to UFC, is something particular.
He allegedly started training in kickboxing if he was 18 and his curiosity was fuelled after viewing a Thai movie named Ong-Bak predicated on Muaythai game.
Then he enlisted City Kickboxing to start his professional career in 2001 after going to Auckland, New Zealand with his loved ones. There he coached himself beneath Eugene Bareman along with other recognized MMA fighters like Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France, and Alexander Volkanovski and proceeded to stockpile an excellent amateur kickboxing record with an unbeaten over 32 struggles before going to China to live and struggle.
In 2016, in addition, he won the Glory 34 middleweight competition championship in Denver. Although he couldn’t win the championship, this game made people watch him among the greatest boxers on the planet. In 2017, Adesanya defeated veteran Melvin Guillard and declared his 10th success in addition to the Australian Fighting Championship Middleweight belt.
However, The previous Stylebender since Adesanya is nicknamed finished his kickboxing career with two losses; he’s turned winning to art because he made his debut in UFC in February 2018.
The 39th international convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) which held in Ilorin, Kwara State, during penultimate week, also provided authors, young and old, the chance to recreate an atmosphere for federal discourse on literature, national growth, creativity, and more. Edozie Udeze was at the convention
THE function of a writer in a society that’s ready to tow the line of growth can never be disputed. Surprisingly, the convention came against all odds. Nobody ever believed whatsoever that Nigerian authors could withstand the massive economic hardship and other societal hazards occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic to arrange such a massive and most successful convention.
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But that’s the spirit of writers-resilient, dogged, resolute, irrepressible, undaunted, even if every expectation of success looms and seems utopian, the writer tries to proceed. And so the same soul performed in Ilorin as the various places scattered in different areas of the city wore the toga of ANA. The banner it clearly: In quest of a greater world; the role of the author. Even if the hope of tomorrow does not seem to be in the offing, the author finds a way to allow it to be attainable, realizable, surmountable.
On the banner were images of those long time ANA patriarchs and matriarchs who’ve given their all to ensure constant progress for Nigerian literature. They included Professors Akachi Adimora — Ezeigbo, Femi Osofisan, Olu Obafemi, Sunny Ododo, Remi Raji, Raheem A. Lawal, and more. As delegates arrived from various parts of Nigeria into the place at the Peoples Hall of Mustapha Akanbi Foundation, GRA, Ilorin, written on their faces were broad smiles of a brighter ANA, a more combined body.
Some delegates came late because of bad roads, long distances, name it. This never discouraged them because of the literary problems of a nation at a crossroad predominated. The executive led by Camillus Ukah squared around the event. Accommodation hiccups never turned into a problem. Ilorin has quite enough hotels to select from and writers quickly settled ahead of this evening of festivals to unwind and place their minds for the literary discussions forthwith.
The opening service was grand. The bigwigs were there, keen to set the ball rolling. The hall quickly came alive as audio oozed out in torrents of joy. From the Nigerian Copyright Commission arrived its D.G. John Aisien and Dr. Wale Okediran a former president of ANA, but today the executive secretary of Pan African Writers headquartered in Accra, Ghana.
Chairman of Kwara ANA Mallam Ade praised the congress for its capacity to collect at short notice. What we’re experiencing in the world now is enough to stop the convention, nevertheless, we stated no. We, therefore, commend ourselves for this rare accomplishment, this gold success. This is remarkable and we thank God for it. Literature has to reside; Nigerian authors must proceed even as we exceeded all chances to be here”.
As he talked, people sat to the covid-19 states with face masks. Social distancing was duly observed. At the entrance have been plain water to wash hands, sufficient sanitizers along with the checking of fever. She said”ANA has a part to play to enhance the condition of the market through literature. Reading culture is nose-diving within our society. Now, it’s the function of ANA to offer new methods of hope, approaches to lead us from the forests. For all of us, we know that a reader is a pioneer. If it’s possible to catch up with what’s going on in our society through your functions, our society is the better for it”.
They need to learn how to read, the way to lead. This will help for the enormous social growth of Kwara State. There’s plenty to learn from good books. That is precisely why we will always support ANA” she explained.
Okediran came with packages of goodwill against Ghana. He was full of enthusiasm the annual convention finally held. He said”I’m pleased to be here. I commend the state government for its advocacy to use literature to raise society. The following year, ANA will probably be 40 years, a fantastic minute to increase the bets of literature beyond these shores. We need to expand our frontiers to the Pan African Writers Association whose members were grateful to have Nigeria since the biggest concentration of authors in Africa.
“The covid-19 requirements are observed and I am happy about this. This is a serious pandemic although we are a bit lucky here in Africa. It is good also that despite that ANA is thriving. After the surface of the world opens I will invite members of ANA to Accra to groove with Pan African authors over there. This is why they sent you a goodwill message to show their solidarity with Nigerian writers”. Okediran who has assumed this portfolio as a complete time job was all to smile to see African American literature increase to its crescendo.
John Aisien of NCC was glad to be in the middle of writers, although he arrived with a sterner message for ANA. “We will continue to collaborate with ANA on copyright issues. The following year, I will lobby for copyright issues for Nigerian writers. But we need collaboration in the publisher’s institution to be able to achieve this. Nigerian writers also have to create use of the Nigeria Copyright Commission to conquer piracy and restore the dignity of writers”.
He clarified the real gist of the fight to safeguard authors’ rights and loyalties. “In the 40 years anniversary next year, we expect to intensify this level of advocacy to raise the fortunes of ANA. Really ANA was one of the bodies that asked that NCC be established and we’ll continue to respect that”.
Sunny Ododo, the G.M of all National Theatre, Lagos, believed it was like a minute of home coming for him. “ANA has given me the essential stage to know who I am now as a writer. It was the first significant tool that helped me to hone my writing profession. I was when the vice-president. I also have won ANA literary prizes in the past. It was here in Ilorin I became a part 32 decades ago”.
Olu Obafemi in his speech tracked the way in 1995 if Ken Saro-wiwa was killed and no one had been bold enough to host ANA. “We chose the boldness and hosted on ANA”, he recalled. “Today we don’t require crisis in ANA. Most bodies do not survive a catastrophe when it starts. Literature is the voice of the people.
President of ANA, Camillus Ukah in his welcome speech, noted that”creative literature is also an important tool for national growth. Yesas always, creativity and its intellectual capital are essential to development. This assertion derives from the fact that evolution, of any sort, starts from the mind…”
Nonetheless, he had been thankful to country’s chapters for the honor done ANA by their existence. “We are thankful to our elders, resource persons, et al, to be here today with this 39th convention…”
ANA didn’t neglect to announce winners of various categories of prizes. James Eze, press secretary to the Anambra State governor, won the trophy for poetry with his group Dispossessed. Other classes were a play, prose, kids’ literature.
Over twenty states chapters were in attendance which established that ANA is on the go.
Ultimus Holdings to Increase Property with $400m in a Decade
The managing of Ultimus Holdings, a Pan-African investment firm has hinted of plans to spend over $40m in property within the following 10m decades.
The President/Chief Executive Officer of Ultimus Holdings, Dr. Ifeanyi Odii made this revelation during the official compilation of a few of its subsidiaries, The Classroom, a lavish showroom in Lagos from the Commissioner for Physical preparation, Lagos state, Tpl Idris Salako.
While covering a few newsmen through the official unveiling, Odii demonstrated the new subsidiary is set to redefine house décor.
The Classroom, that intends to spread its own footprints to 10 African countries in ten decades, is a brand new first-of-its-kind ambiance fitting showroom situated in Victoria Island, Lagos.
He clarified that the Classroom’ provides a superb mixture of lifestyle options all produced in partnership leading international brands.
Justifying the demand for your new offering, Odii stated, “It is about taking their distance on infinite rides of adventures by defining lighting for a disposition of trendy glamour or turning their walls to some canvass of self-expression or altering their kitchen to some culinary stadium and their toilet, a monument to each eye.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Vice President, Ultimus Holdings, David Ewemie further clarified that the organization’s enthusiasm for attractive spaces is motivated by a desire to never sell products but offer ambience fitting options within an experiential manner.
“Having the perfect place to store from a vast selection of premium quality and fashionable ambiance fittings alternatives to fit your personality is the very essence of what makes us tick. We offer clients with bits which are lasting and reflect their character,” he added.
He revealed that the firm has built a solid partnership with international brands like Adell, Metsan lightning, Dr SMART, Ahsapsan, Kale, and Avonni in various regions of interior decoration and design to provide an attractive design that satisfies the expectation of its customers or customers.
Also speaking, the Assistant General Manager, The Classroom from Ultimus, Nnamdi Azike revealed the firm boasts of a strong product portfolio which cut architectural coating, toilet fittings, kitchen cabinetry & cabinet, lighting, wardrobe & doorways, and tiles.
“During our strategic brand ventures we birthed our distinctive brands under the umbrella of The Classroom by Ultimus,” Azike explained.
These manufacturers pride themselves on supplying just high-quality products with cutting edge layouts in kitchen, light, and toilet accessories.
THE strategic stakeholders of the economy have cried out that the 3 tiers of government should grant them tax vacation as it would help the ailing sector to heave a sigh of relief against the catastrophic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In his speech, Mr. Mallinson Afam Ukatu, Chairman, Non-Metallic Mining, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), regretted that the Nigerian business environment is growing more aggressive and excruciating, coupled with all forms of levy and multiplicity of taxes.
Ukatu stressed that the hostile business environment has been compounded with the escalating exchange rates and forex deficiency combined with all the Covid-19 pandemic.
“One of the most challenging is the dilemma of border closed, which is yet to be suitably addressed as well as the elimination of payment of numerous taxes which we’ve been searching for. For the nation to come out of recession as a country, the government must get rid of all multiple taxes levied on producers, and all the ministries that are visiting factories with all forms of charges should be cautioned. The government should encourage producers manner of formulating policies that are investment-friendly. The government should grant tax holidays to manufacturers during this period of general economic hardship when we have to come of a downturn. They ought to think of incentives to producers rather than exploiting or punishing them with levies and taxation. The government should make low single payment loans accessible with less bureaucracy if the country must experience growth. Lifting tax burden of the producers will help in creating more employment, thus raising jobless youths from the street,” he stressed.
Adebayo said,’Nigeria has been reported to be at risk of a significant demand-supply crisis and faces possible domestic shortage and loss of N2.27 billion at the trade from its top five import countries. Four of Nigeria’s top trading partners and export resources including China, USA, Spain, and Netherlands that account for 45 percent of Nigeria’s imports, are all battling Covid-19 and strategising solutions to recover their badly hit markets.”
In his remarks, the President of the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, has emphasized measures to achieve a virile real industry growth in Nigeria, saying that the Nigerian business environment is becoming more hostile and unbeatable.
Gwadabe claimed the horrible business environment has been compounded with the escalating exchange rates and forex deficiency combined with all the Covid-19 pandemic.
He pointed out that for Nigeria to emerge out of recession, the government should remove all multiple taxes levied on producers, advising that the economic managers also encourage producers by way of formulating investment policies that are friendly.
“The government must grant tax holiday to manufacturers in this period of overall economic hardship if we must come of recession. They should consider incentives to producers and not exploiting or penalizing them with levies and taxes. The authorities must make low single payment loans available with less bureaucracy if the country must experience expansion,” he advocated.
Reacting, the Acting Director-General of MAN, Ambrose Oruche, stated the policies devised to drive production in the nation aren’t supportive, expressing his uncertainty if the sector would be out of the doldrums by the 1st quarter of 2021.
He pointed out that using a penchant for overseas goods would make locally made products struggle the moment the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) kicks off next year.
He said the unemployment record of the 2nd quarter, 2020, showed that 21.8million Nigerians were unemployed, out of a labour force of 80.2 million Nigerians.
He said policies must be implemented to improve ease of doing business and reducing the cost of doing business, especially for SMEs
Troops of Forward Operating Base Shinkafi, while on night patrol have killed an armed bandit and arrested two others after coming in contact with at Bakinruwa Riverside in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Accordingly, troops engaged the criminals who fled in disarray due to troops’ overwhelming superior firepower. During the encounter, one of the armed bandits was neutralized, while 2 of them were arrested. One AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine were also recovered from the criminals. The Defence Headquarters said on Saturday.
In a related development, on 18 December 2020, troops deployed at Shinkafi arrested one Zainab at Shinkafi town in Shinkafi Local Government of Zamfara State.
The suspect was found roaming the town in police uniform. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is from Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of the State and has been involved in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.
All arrested suspects have been handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency for necessary action.
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with all the family members and friends of Military Governor of the defunct North-Western State, Alhaji Usman Faruk, over his passing.
“President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with all the family, associates, and friends of the First Military Governor of North-Western State, Alhaji Usman Faruk, over the departure of this retired Commissioner of Police.
“The President also extends condolences to the government and individuals of Gombe State, celebrating their distinguished son and Jarman Gombe, committed his energy and life into the unity of the nation.
“President Buhari additionally notes Alhaji Faruk’s devotion to the evolution of his community after retirement, stressing that he stayed an epitome of kindness and humility.
“Since the remains of the previous crack police officers and writer will be interred Friday, the President prays that Allah will comfort all who mourn the octogenarian statesman and accept his own spirit,” the announcement said.
Ebonyi State Government has directed that all religious worship centers must be restricted to a maximum period of two hours.
The state Governor, David Umahi, who announced this on Friday, said the decision followed the second wave of the CoronaVirus pandemic in the country.
He noted that apart from the restriction of religious worship, all large gatherings are also banned in the state.
The Ebonyi State Governor also directed the State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, and the State COVID-19 team to ensure massive sensitization and public enlightenment campaign to get the people to embrace the COVID-19 protocols.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 has nominated the governor as COVID-19 National Champion.
The nomination was announced in a letter to the governor by the National Coordinator of the Task Force, Dr. Sani Aliyu.
As a tenet of its false constituted ideology and business model, the insurgents had taken thousands of young Nigerians, many of whom were raped or conscripted as fighters. Most of these abductions went unnoticed, and it took the security forces unaware. For long, this name has always send shivers down everyone’s spine, whenever Boko haram is being mentioned.
Unlike the tragic abduction of the 276 teenage Chibok girls, which took place on April 14, 2014, that sparked a global outrage with sequential futile effort in rescuing all of them but could only get a handful number after rigorous negotiations that went back and forth, President Muhammadu Buhari sprang into action on hearing of the abduction of hundreds of children by gunmen from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, on December 11.
Muhammadu Buhari had strongly condemned the attack on the school in Kankara and charged the military and the police to go after the attackers to ensure that no student was missing or harmed. Knowing that authority and responsibility goes together, the President also directed the reinforcement of security at all schools in line with the safe schools policy of the administration.
In a joint effort to secure the safe release of the students, and to prevent imminent occurrence, the Governor of the state, Aminu Masari, also ordered the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools in the state and pleaded with parents to remain calm as efforts were being made by the government to ensure the safe return of the students.
These students were delivered in Tsafe, Zamfara State, and transported back home.
Despite this successful news that deserves a great applause from home and diaspora, and with the risk taken by the Nigeria armed forces, by putting their lives on line in battlefield just to rescue these boys, I am still struggling to come to terms that some disgruntled elements would even be angry that the kankara boys were released, and there abduction was in the disguise of transferring money secretly. We need not to look further in search of those that have inhumane heart for this country. We can easily pick all these dissenters and antagonists.
The governors of Katsina and Zamfara states have affirmed and maintained their stand that no money exchanged hands to secure the release of these students on Thursday, which now raised the question of whether the kidnappers suddenly became charitable in the course of their modus operandi that we have always known them with.
Buhari is the president. If he wants to fund terrorist or bandits, all he has to do is transfer money to them from the treasury accounts via some secret transaction, or through any of his aids. Why would he need to go through all these public and international embarrassment of kidnapping 300 kids from one school in order to pay terrorists a ransom of whatever peanuts was supposedly given? There is no iota of wisdom in that.
Abubakar Shekau had suffered lots of casualties in the past during their confrontation with the Nigeria armed forces on many occasions. This has laid their camps desolate, and they were not ready to lose the few they have left. This is also the more reason why they orchestrated the abduction of the boys, to gather fund and increase their war hands.
Meanwhile, in a video of the school children released by the Abubakar Shekau-led Boko Haram faction, one of the schoolboys urged the government to pay their abductors a ransom and stop military rescue efforts so they could be released. It was the only request that was publicised by the terror group. They tried using his emotional manipulation as bait for the armed forces, so that they can get away easily, but they never fell for it.
In their wiles, they made the abducted boys to do video that reveals they were being held by Boko Haram. Unfortunately, the military had rounded up the bandits and the only thing left was to release the boys to government, which would allow them escape.
In my considered opinion, I believed that intelligence reached them that, the well-trained military men under President Buhari’s order, have been closing up on them very fast, and they needed to resort to using another tactic in buying more time to abscond. It is so unfortunate that the ever knowing Boko Haram right handed man, Ahmad Salkida, who claimed to also have the interest of the country at heart still could not prove his patriotism by exposing this one, but remained blind to giving any report or intelligence as regards the abduction. This further proves that he has been a tool for siphoning vital information for Boko Haram insurgents. Boko Haram had to contact untrained bandits to carry out their dirty jobs for them. Even Shekau has remained in his hiding chamber, and therefore, has been speaking from his shadow ever since.
With these steps taken, it shows that the president has the passion and commitment for the vigorous fight against this abduction, and also ready to rescue the country from what can be described as malady. President Buhari has shown his capability for rapid response improvement on security challenges facing our dear Nation, Nigeria. What we are witnessing in recent times, is as a result of the act of politicians with greed for money and power; people that are not ready to see beyond the immediate, but only care and seek after their own self-gratification.
I urge everyone to dismiss the reported claim by the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau that the school children were abducted by his men, observing that it is the usual propaganda of the terrorist group, they like to take credit of every notable attacks perpetuated to cause distress and unrest in the country. They have failed once again, and are brutally defeated in their bid to cause trepidation in the heart of the citizenry.
I will tell you this; “a fight against corruption is not a one stakeholder’s affair.” We need to work together to fight insurgency and banditry. We refuse to be defrauded by this cheap tactics. Boko Haram is defeated and gone forever.
I stand with President Buhari to say that “We have a lot of work ahead of us and some of the things not said is to not compromise the security and the efforts being put by the law enforcement agencies. But, really, we are acutely aware of our responsibilities. Our responsibility is to secure the country, so we have a lot of work to do.
Ainoko is a public affairs analyst based in Kaduna.
