A former Governor of Zamfara State, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle has warned his political enemies to stop sponsoring a wanted bandit, Bello Turji, to be damaging his name and reputation.
This was contained in a statement from the office of the Minister, State, Ministry of Defense, issued on Sunday.
Matawalle blamed some elements within the Zamfara State government of skewing the narrative of insecurity challenges in the state against him.
The statement was reacting to a viral video clip on social media platforms, linking him with banditry in Zamfara State.
According to the statement, the Minister specifically accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led administration in the State of the plot to tarnish his name, claiming that his hands were clean.
“Bello Turji’s audio was unprofessionally synchronised with his video to accuse the former governor of injustice in the conduct of the reconciliation by the then Zamfara State government.
“However, the video/audio editor unprofessionally disqualified his work so much that one can vividly notice the failure of the audio and video clips to simultaneously synchronise,” he said.
He blamed the development on the plans of those he described as enemies of Zamfara and Nigeria’s progress, claiming that the same people opposed his ministerial nomination by President Bola Tinubu.
He further stated that he got the required security clearance from relevant security agencies before the confirmation of his ministerial appointment.
According to him, he led Zamfara State as Governor with all sense of humility, honesty, and justice, reiterating that the audio-visual in question was unprofessionally concocted and poorly produced to tarnish his image, hence it should be disregarded by the public.
Bandit video: Political opponents framing me up – Matawalle
Bandit video: Political opponents framing me up – Matawalle
Economic challenges: Gov Adeleke insists on power devolution
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has advocated for a devolution of power and financing to the state governments as a means of finding lasting solutions to the challenges of economic hardships, unemployment and hyperinflation facing the nation.
This suggestion formed part of Governor Adeleke’s remark at the convocation ceremony of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State on Sunday.
While stating that the solution was devolution rather than centralisation of governance powers and responsibilities, Governor Adeleke called for more focus on economic federalism.
He added that it would deepen subnational prosperity and create an enabling environment for job creation and boost local capacity across the sectors.
“At the National Economic Council meetings, both the federal and the state governments regularly brainstorm on finding solutions to the economic hardship, unemployment, and hyperinflation facing the nation. Several options are being experimented on.
“For us as a state, we believe the solution lies in the devolution of powers and financing to the state governments.
“So the solution is more devolution rather than more centralisation of governance powers and responsibilities.”
While admitting that the graduates were leaving school at a turbulent economic period in the life of the nation, he advised them to take the crisis as an opportunity.
He also assured that the government was not resting on its oars but was working to address the parlous state of the economy.
He said, “You are to take the crisis as an opportunity. As challenging as Nigeria is today, it presents multiple options for those with entrepreneurial mindset.
“I task you to be innovative and enterprising. We must tap into the turbulence to build a future of prosperity.
“You may also want to note that governments at levels are working hard to address the parlous state of the economy.”
He added that, “we must continue to maintain national stability and unity. We can not escape the several issues facing us as a nation unless we harness our potential across the regions. But only when there is peace can we resolve the economic question.”
The Governor added that his administration would continue to support President Bola Tinubu as all levels of government grapple with the crisis at the moment.
Addressing the graduates, the Pro Chancellor of Adeleke University, Dr Deji Adeleke tasked them to sustain hope in the time tested reality that hard times would surely pass.
Adeleke warned that under no circumstances should they lose hope of a better tomorrow.
Economic challenges: Gov Adeleke insists on power devolution
“Trump will bury her” – Fani-Kayode on Joe Biden’s endorsement of Deputy, Kamala
Former Nigerian Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has expressed confidence that the erstwhile President of the United States, US, Donald Trump would beat the incumbent Vice President, Kamala Harris in the forthcoming presidential election.
Fani-Kayode stated this in a post on his official X microblogging handle while reacting to President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the US presidential race.
TVN had reported that Biden on Sunday, announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election.
The US president subsequently endorsed his deputy, Kamala as his preferred presidential nominee for the Democratic Party.
Reacting, FFK in a post on Monday said Trump of the Republican Party would defeat Kamala at the polls.
He wrote, “Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump) will bury her at the polls and this will represent the final triumph of the forces of light over the forces of darkness in the raging battle for the soul of America”.
“Trump will bury her” – Fani-Kayode on Joe Biden’s endorsement of Deputy, Kamala
Press Secretary of President Albert Yaloke Mokpem speaks out on Figueira spy case, condemns illegal NGOs in CAR
At a press briefing he held on July 19, 2024 with representatives of the media, the Press Secretary of the President of the Republic Albert Yaloke Mokpem touched on several relevant and important topics, such as the investigation of the U.S. spy Martin Joseph Figueira, prison conditions and the questionable enforcement of Central African laws by some international NGOs.
First of all, the minister said that the case of Martin Figueira, a Belgian-Portuguese arrested in May who worked for the U.S. NGO FHI 360, is moving forward. Figueira is charged with various crimes such as conspiracy and espionage, and could be sentenced to life in prison and forced labor when proven guilty.
It was recently revealed that the prisoner has started a hunger strike. Some unreliable sources are using false information to manipulate public opinion about Figueira’s poor conditions and his innocence. However, according to the Press Secretary of the President, there is in fact strong evidence against him, including audio recordings and written evidence showing financial transactions and arms transfers to the militants.
Next, the minister touched on the topic of prisons. He noted that conditions of detention depend on available resources. At the moment, the UN mission in CAR is responsible for monitoring and improving conditions.
Mokpem warned against those who might use human rights arguments as a pretext to destabilize the country and called for the attentiveness of all citizens of the Central African Republic.
Finally, with regard to international NGOs that do not fulfill their obligations, the minister expressed the need to tighten control over their activities, arguing that many of them do not submit reports on their work as required by CAR rules.
“The allegations have been made for years. There are certain NGOs in CAR that exist in name only. We don’t know what they do, they present other activities to the authorities who give them accreditation, and that’s not how things work in the country, especially in the interior. And these accusations have always been made without knowing how to get evidence. Today we have the means to find evidence against these NGOs. These NGOs working in CAR never send reports of their activities to the ministerial department. So, we have to reorient ourselves,” he said.
Mokpem said foreign workers of NGOs engaged in illegal activities in CAR will be held accountable for their actions. This is not the time for manipulation because the people of the Central African Republic are ready to defend their sovereignty and order in the country.
Press Secretary of President Albert Yaloke Mokpem speaks out on Figueira spy case, condemns illegal NGOs in CAR
Abia: 43 years after, Akwete-Ndoki crowns new monarch
Forty-three years after the demise of Onyenweala VI, King (Eze) Truman Wabara Akpara, the people of Umuihueze Akwete autonomous community in Ukwa East LGA of Abia State, over the weekend, crowned King Augustine Enyinna Ogbulu Opiah Agbara, the Onyenweala VII.
The coronation, which took place at the community’s ancient square, was conducted by the Regent, Gabriel Okerenta Chuta – Ekeke Agbara.
In his post-coronation remarks, the Palace Secretary, Mr. Ogbonna Chijiuche, thanked the Abia State government, through the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu whom he said, granted them the approval for coronation.
Chijiuche, who also thanked God for the successful coronation of their traditional ruler, blamed kingship tussle for the delayed coronation.
He explained that in 1975, at the selection of King Trueman Esiuka Akpara Agbara, it was agreed that Opiah would take the next turn.
He revealed that Opiah nominated King Augustine Ogbulu as the Mbichiriezi of Opiah and Onyenweala-elect of Akwete ancient Kingdom since the year 2000 in line with their customs, culture and traditions.
Contributing, the community woman leader, Madam Ezihe Owowo, thanked God for the successful coronation of King Ogbulu as the Onyenweala VII after 43 years of waiting, expressing hope that the development would usher in unity and progress in the community.
She described King Ogbulu as a man of great repute and pledged that women and youth would support the newly-crowned monarch.
King Augustine Enyinna Ogbulu Opiah was born in August 26, 1956, to the family of late Chief Ephraim Ekekenta Opiah Agbara and Madam (Lolo) Nma Ephraim Ogbulu Opiah of the Opiah lineage of Agbara Akunwata Otuji in Akwete ancient Kingdom.
The traditional Ikoro drum was sounded to signify the dawn of a new era.
Abia: 43 years after, Akwete-Ndoki crowns new monarch
US presidency: Resign now, you’re unfit to have nuclear code – Richard Hudson to Biden
Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, NRCC, Richard Hudson, has described Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 US presidential race as “a scandal of historic proportions.”
Hudson wonders if Biden, who, according to him, was not mentally fit to campaign, can remain as the President.
“If the president is mentally unfit to campaign, he is mentally unfit to have the nuclear codes,” he said on X.
“Judgment day is coming in November.”
TVN reported on Sunday that President Biden announced his withdrawal from the United States November presidential election.
Biden took the decision following mounting pressure from his Democratic colleagues on Capitol Hill, top donors and Hollywood stars after a disastrous debate performance last month.
Increasing number of Democrat lawmakers had publicly called for Biden to step aside.
US presidency: Resign now, you’re unfit to have nuclear code – Richard Hudson to Biden