Global Naija Info

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has assured the people of Edo State that the Governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and the All Progressives Congress family will not betray the trust and confidence reposed in them through their mandate. Ajimobi gave the assurance through his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, in a congratulatory message to Obaseki. The governor applauded the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for entrusting the fate of the people of the state in the hands of Obaseki, whom he described as a worthy successors capable of keeping up the momentum. He thanked the people of Edo State for their resolve to keep faith with the APC, a development he attributed to the people’s appreciation of the massive socio-economic transformation the state had witnessed in the last eight years. According to him, “The outcome of the keenly-contested election is a further confirmation

Gov Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan The nation’s 56th Independence Day celebration was celebrated in a low key in Oyo State with the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Gbade Ojo representing Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the Lekan Salami Stadium, venue of the celebration. Only 52 schools in Ibadan participated in the anniversary celebration with a march pass parade and other activities while police band was on ground to add colour. In his message at the occasion, Governor Ajimobi called for sober reflection as a result of the country’s economic downturn. He enjoined Nigerians to bear with the governments at all levels as they strive to reposition the country back to greatness, adding that the Federal Government was trying its best to reverse the economic situation of the country. Also, the Chairman of All Progressives Party in the state, Chief Akin Oke assured the people of better days ahead and urged them to support the economic policies of the government. In t

The gavel of justice Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt A mild drama at the Rivers State Judiciary complex in Port Harcourt Friday when a suspect charged to court for allegedly raping his daughter tried to commit suicide within the court premises. The 38-year old man, Ibinabo Franklin, is facing a charge of sexual assault and incest before the Port Harcourt Magistrates’ Court. The accused who confessed of having carnal knowledge of his 17-year old daughter was remanded in prison custody by Chief Magistrate F.N. Amanze. Franklin admitted that he chained his daughter, raped her and left her bleeding, but claimed to have acted under certain strange influence and prayed the court to have mercy on him. Obviously feeling ashamed after coming face-to-face with his victim (daughter) and family members in the courtroom in handcuffs, Franklin went wild and tried to jump out of the window, and when he was stopped, he grabbed a piece of broken ceramic tile and tried to stab himself. It took the

Sole Administrator of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Mr. Felix Goke Olawale handing over the trophy to the team leader at the event Paul Iyoghojie As part of the activities to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence Day anniversary, the sole administrator of the Ikoyi–Obalende local council development area, Mr. Felix Goke Olawale on Saturday organised a novel games festival for pupils of the 11 primary schools in the area. The event took place at the St. Gregory’s College open field Obalende Ikoyi Lagos. Residents of Obalende, parents and guardians of the pupils, political leaders graced the occasion. Some of the dignitaries in attendance include Mr. Kaffo Rotimi, Sir Obilanu, Mrs. T.A Danso, Mrs. Arinola Oluwo, Mrs. Folake Ajaiye and Engr. Obafemi Oluwa Others include Mrs. Ayodele Oluwakemi, Mrs. Fobun Folasade, Mrs. Oladaiye Iyabo and others. The event was anchored by the information officer of Ikoyi Obalende LCDA, Mrs. Amope Jimoh. The 11 primary schools that participated in the game festi

Godwin Obaseki, Governor-Elect of Edo State Jethro Ibileke/Benin Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Governor-elect of Edo state has stated that his first assignment would be to put a team together for the purpose of preparing the 2017 appropriation budget immediately. He said the focus of his administration would not change from the incumbent in terms of infrastructure and education, but that job creation and empowerment would be added. Obaseki who spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Benin City, said he would have to prepare the budget in order to hit the ground running, noting that he has only four weeks to present the budget before the legislative arm go on recess. His words: “My first assignment is to put together a team and get appropriation for next year because we have to hit the ground running. “The focus will not change in terms of infrastructure and education. The added focus will be on job creation and empowerment. That is why I need to focus on the budget and

Segun Arinze Some Nollywood actors have expressed sadness over the death of veteran actor, Martins Njubuigbo, popularly known as Elder Maya. The late Njubuigbo died of a liver-related ailment. Segun Arinze, popularly known as ‘Black Arrow’ on Saturday in Abuja described Njubuigbo as a great actor. “He was amiable and very jovial; we will sure miss him. “Like Shakespeare said, ‘the world is a stage’; Njubuigbo has come, done his beat and taken his exit and the curtain has fallen. “All I can say is good night elder Martins Njubuigbo; may God grant the family the heart to bear the lost,” Arinze said. Another veteran actress, Mrs Rita Edochie said he was a good artist, “too bad that it happened. “May God comfort the family and may his soul rest in perfect peace with the Almighty creator,” Edochie said. Mr Babatunde Obalana, the National President of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, said the demise of the actor was unfortunate. “He will surely be misse

The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has instructed project contractors of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to accelerate reconstruction work on the road during the independence holiday to forestall delay in completion. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Julius Berger Nig. Plc is the contractor handling section one rehabilitation/reconstruction of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project. NAN further reports that section one of the project spans from Ojota in Lagos to the Sagamu Interchange in Ogun. A statement by Mr Hakeem Bello, Special Adviser, Communications, to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said that the move was to speed up work. “In order to improve the travel experience of commuters and speed up work on the reconstruction of the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, the Ministry has told Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to work during the public holidays, Oct. 1. to Oct. 3, 2016. “We appreciate the need for speedy conclusion of the road; also than

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State The derivation revenue accrued to Bayelsa government witnessed a sharp drop from N3 billion in July 2016 to N1 billion in August 2016. According to a statement by the state government on Saturday, the attacks by militants in May and June reduced production by oilfields in the state as Shell and Agip shut down crude production and export. Niger Delta Avengers had on May 28 and May 29 blown up the Nembe Creek Trunk line and the Brass Terminal crude line, which conveyed the crude produced by Shell and Agip. “The attack which had grounded oil export from the state was responsible for the revenue drop as the derivation principle is proportionate to the volume of oil produced from the states with oil deposit,” the statement said. The derivation revenue, which is 13 percent of crude sales from the state for the month of August was N1 billion less, while proceeds from July stood at N3 billion. NAN reports that the August oil revenue disbursed

Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, has expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies for ensuring the release of his wife, Margaret, less than 24 hours after she was abducted by heavily armed men along Benin-Agbor road. Margaret Emefiele was abducted on Thursday night alongside seven others on Benin-Agbor road and was released Friday night after a massive police operation in the area. In a statement he issued in Abuja on Saturday, Emefiele said his wife was rescued on Friday night. He praised security agencies for their “gallantry” in bringing her back home within 24 hours in compliance with the directive of President Buhari. He also thanked the Delta and Edo state governments, friends and well wishers who, through their actions, prayers and goodwill, helped to bring this harrowing experience to a joyful end. The CBN governor vowed to continue serving the country “without any fear of intimidation”.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has urged Nigerians to renew their faith in the Nigerian project and be united in focus to rescue the economy from the stranglehold of recession. Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the plea at the Independence Day Parade in Lagos on Saturday to commemorate Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary. He said a diligent and united front was necessary to aggregate the peoples’ collective strength to survive the trying and challenging times in the country. “Reflecting on our journey in the last 56 years as a nation, there is every reason to give thanks to the Almighty God who has kept us together in spite of our challenges. “No doubt, we are a blessed nation with great potentials to rank among the most prosperous countries in the world. “Our resilience, resourcefulness and determination to succeed in all spheres of human endeavour is widely recognised and acknowledged across the worl

Mr Philip Shaibu, Edo Deputy Governor-elect. Mr Philip Shaibu, Edo Deputy Governor-elect, says the incoming Godwin Obaseki government of Edo, would have to build on the legacy that would be left by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole . Shaibu stated this on Saturday in Agenebode during a thank you rally to the people of Etsako West, Etsako Central and Etsako East Local Government Areas of the state. It would be recalled that the All Progressives Congress (APC), governorship candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki was declared the winner in the Sept. 28, governorship elections in Edo. Obaseki polled 319, 483 votes to beat Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 253,173 votes. Shaibu assured the people, who defied a heavy downpour to listen to his message, that they would benefit a lot from Obaseki-led government. He said that the outgoing Oshiomhole’s government had laid the foundation for good governance in the state. Shaibu said the incoming government already has a work

Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule, in a motorcade inspecting the Guard of Honour during the 56th Independence Day Parade at the Police College Ground, Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday. Kazeem Ugbodaga As Nigeria marked its 56th Independence Anniversary, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday said there was no better time for Nigerians to unite to rescue the nation’s economy from the stranglehold of recession. Ambode, who spoke at the Independence Parade held at the Police College Ground in Ikeja, said the fact that the nation has remained united despite visible challenges in the last 56 years of sovereignty was a lot to be thankful for. He said the never say die spirit of resilience, resourcefulness and determination that Nigerians display to succeed in all spheres of human endeavour was well recognised and acknowledged all over the globe, saying that the nation has great potentials to rank among the most prosperous

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Prof. Abdulwaheed Olatinwo on Saturday said the hospital would soon commence renal transplant surgery procedure. The CMD stated this when he spoke to newsmen in Ilorin. He said the hospital “is at an advanced stage of establishing a renal transplant department”, adding that the department would be ready soon. Olatinwo, however, pointed out that the major challenge facing the hospital had been paucity of fund. According to him, the hospital is paying N2 million monthly on electricity bill and N16 million monthly on diesel. Olatinwo said the hospital’s management had seen the need to embark on an aggressive drive to improve its internally generated revenue. He said that the institution has been recording high patronage since its inception. Olatinwo said that the hospital had moved to its permanent site along old Jebba road in Ilorin in March 2010. “Many thought the hospital was bound to witnes

Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church a.k.a. Winners Chapel Dr David Oyedepo, the Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, on Saturday urged Nigerian leaders to imbibe the spirit of resilience and innovation in order to tackle the current challenges in the country. The popular cleric spoke at the first edition of the David Oyedepo Leadership Symposium organised by the African Leadership Development Centre of the university. The event, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports, was held to celebrate Oyedepo’s 62nd birthday. According to Oyedepo, the ability to recover from any set back will enable a good leader to deliver good dividends of democracy to the citizenry. “Nigerian leaders need to be selfless and innovative through qualitative service delivery to the nation and this translates in touching the lives of the citizens. “Life is far more than what a leader wants, but what you can give to the people,’’ he said. Oyedepo, who stressed the need for leaders to have

NSCDC operatives The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger on Saturday said it had apprehended a suspected fake army General in Minna on Monday. Commander Philip Ayuba, Commandant of NSCDC in the state made the disclosure while presenting the suspect before newsmen in Minna. “The suspected fake army General you are seeing specialises in defrauding unemployed applicants by promising them job in either the military or paramilitary outfits in the country,’’ Ayuba said. He said the suspect, Mohammed Usman alias General Ishiaku is 41 years old and from Katcha Local Government Area of the state. Ayuba explained that the suspect was arrested by an undercover team of NSCDC in Minna metropolis after he had concluded plan to collect a balance of N450,000 bargained for a job in NSCDC. The NSCDC Commander said that the suspected accomplice of the suspect, Abubakar Ibrahim was at large. He said that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigation was comp

Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr John Gaul-Lebo. Mr John Gaul-Lebo, Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly, on Saturday in Calabar called for adequate funding for the Nigerian Army, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Gaul-Lebo told NAN that more funding for the armed forces would boost the morale of the troops by helping them to re-strategise on the fight against insurgency and other heinous crimes in the country. He used the occasion of Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary to commend the armed forces on the fight against insurgency in the North-East, noting that it was always difficult to fight a war of such magnitude. Gaul-Lebo said that though the activities of the Boko Haram sect had killed thousands of people and rendered others homeless, the Nigerian Armed Forces had been able to restore peace in the affected communities. According to him, the President Muhammdau Buhari-led administration had re-engineered the troops by giving them the

Brig. Gen. Victor Ezugwu, GOC, 7 Division of Nigerian Army The Nigerian Army has handed over 348 detainees to the Borno Government after they had been cleared of belonging to the Boko Haram terrorist group. The Nigerian Army had earlier released 565 women comprising 366 breastfeeding babies, 149 mothers and 62 under-aged children evacuated by the Nigerian Army from camps operated by Boko Haram insurgents in different parts of Borno Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army handed over the detainees to Gov. Kashim Shettima at a ceremony in Maiduguri on Saturday Ezugwu explained that the detainees were arrested in various anti-terrorism operations of the Nigerian Army in Borno. He said that they were being handed over after a painstaking process to ensure that they had no relationship with the terrorist group. “The review of the cases of terrorist suspects in our custody involves a painstaking and continuous process as directed

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Abuja said his administration was committed to the revival of Lake Chad and improvement of the hydrology and ecology basin. Buhari made this known in a nationwide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary. According to him, this is tune with efforts to rehabilitate the 30 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad basin countries. He disclosed that Federal Government would revive all the 12 River Basin Authorities to boost agricultural activities across the country. The affected River Basin Authorities, include Anambra-Imo, Benin- Owena, Chad Basin, Cross River, Hadejia-Jama’are, Lower Benue and Lower Niger. Others are Niger Delta; Ogun – Osun; Sokoto – Rima; Upper Benue and Upper Niger Basin Authorities. He said that the revival of the authorities was meant to fully commercialise them to better support crop production, aquaculture and ac

Kola Oluwawole, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly The Speaker of Ekiti House of Assembly, Mr Kola Oluwawole on Saturday expressed the hope that Nigeria will still be great, irrespective of its present challenges. Oluwawole, therefore, called on Ekiti residents in particular and Nigerians in general, not to lose hope in the country as everything would turn around for better. The speaker gave the assurance in his message on the 20th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti and the 56th independence anniversary of Nigeria, through his media aide, Mr Stephen Gbadamosi, in Ado-Ekiti. “We might be facing challenges right now as a nation, I tell you, there is hope for a better tomorrow. “God has brought us this far as a state, that is Ekiti and as a nation; we may not have gotten to where we desire to be, but there is hope for a better future,” Oluwawole said. He, however, urged government at all levels to endeavour to assist the poor masses they govern. He said, “The suffering in t

President Muhammadu Buhari Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari has outlined steps on how his administration would take the nation out of recession. In his speech marking the nation’s 56th Independence anniversary, Buhari admitted that the Nigerian masses were suffering but added that there is hope in the tunnel as the current economic recession would not last. Read Buhari’s full Speech: Today – 1st October is a day of celebration for us Nigerians. On this day, 56 years ago our people achieved the most important of all human desires – freedom and independence. We should all therefore give thanks and pray for our founding fathers without whose efforts and toil we would not reap the bounties of today. 2. I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis. The recession for many individuals and families is real. For some It means not being able to pay school fees, for others it’s not being able to afford the high cost of food (rice and millet) or the high cost of loca

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said Nigeria would be saving 10 billion Dollars annually from importation of petroleum products as the nation’s four refineries would soon be fully repaired. The president disclosed this in a nationwide broadcast to mark the nation’s 56th Independence Anniversary on Saturday. The President frowned at the situation where half of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings were being spent on importation of petroleum and food items. He attributed the current socio-economic hardship being experienced in the country to inability of the previous administrations to save for the “rainy days’’. “Historically about half our dollar export earnings go to importation of petroleum and food products, Nothing was saved for the rainy days during the periods of prosperity. “We are now reaping the whirlwinds of corruption, recklessness and impunity. “There are no easy solutions, but there are solutions nonetheless and government is pu

Dana Air on Saturday said it would explore the Customer Service Week to reward all its passengers and members of its frequent flyer program – Dana Miles. The airline, in a statement signed by its Communications Manager, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, said this was in furtherance of its vision to be recognised and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Customer Service Week is celebrated annually in the first week of October. It is usually a period set aside to appreciate patronage by rolling out activities to celebrate customers. Ezenwa said all passengers flying Dana Air during the week would get instant miles and also stand a chance of getting a spot upgrade from Economy Class to Business Class, among other rewards. He said:”The theme of this year’s celebration is ”Service Champions,” and we are more than ever committed to underscore our vision with these initiatives. “At Dana Air, every day is a

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that his administration will ensure lasting peace in the troubled Niger Delta region. The president made the pledge in Abuja on Saturday in a nationwide broadcast to mark the country’s 56th Independence Anniversary. He said that already, the Federal Government had commenced dialogue with all groups and leaders of thought in the region to achieve lasting peace in the area. The president, however, warned that “no group can unlawfully challenge the authority of the Federal Government and succeed.” “A new insurgency has reared up its head in the shape of blowing up gas and oil pipelines by groups of Niger Delta Militants. “This administration will not allow these mindless groups to hold the country to ransom. “What sense is there to damage a gas line as a result of which many towns in the country, including their own town or village, is put in darkness as a result? “What logic is there in blowing up an export pipe

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration is trying to do the right things in addressing the economic recession. The president made the statement in a nationwide broadcast to mark the country’s 56th Independence Anniversary on Saturday. Buhari, who acknowledged that recession for many individuals and families was real, gave an assurance that the situation would not last long, He commended all Nigerians for making “incredible sacrifices.” “I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis. “The recession for many individuals and families is real. “For some, it means not being able to pay school fees, for others it’s not being able to afford the high cost of food (rice and millet) or the high cost of local or international travel, and for many of our young people the recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or polytechnic. “I know how difficult things are and how rough business is. “All

President Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said Nigeria would be self-sufficient in the production of rice, millet, sorghum, maize and soybean by 2019. Buhari said this in a nationwide broadcast on the occasion of Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary in Abuja. The president said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had been mobilised to achieve the target through the Anchor Borrowers Scheme. He said through the scheme, production of staple crops was on the increase in 13 states, adding that that Kebbi alone was expected to produce one million tonnes of rice this year. Buhari said Nigeria spent two billion Dollars on rice importation, stressing the need for the country to be self-sufficient in staple crop production. He said the foreign exchange that would be saved could be used for industrial revival, importation of essential raw materials and spare parts. The president said in recognition of the need to reinvi

President Muhammadu Buhari BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI ON OCTOBER 1ST 2016 TO MARK NIGERIA’S 56TH ANNIVERSARY Today – 1st October is a day of celebration for us Nigerians. On this day, 56 years ago our people achieved the most important of all human desires – freedom and independence. We should all therefore give thanks and pray for our founding fathers without whose efforts and toil we would not reap the bounties of today. 2. I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis. The recession for many individuals and families is real. For some It means not being able to pay school fees, for others it’s not being able to afford the high cost of food (rice and millet) or the high cost of local or international travel, and for many of our young people the recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or polytechnic. 3. I know how difficult things are, and how rough business is. All my adult life I have always earned a salary and I k

Some Nigerian judges Three Nigerian judges who delivered controversial rulings and took bribe in the course of their adjudicating in cases brought before them have been suspended by the National Judicial Council (NJC). The suspended judges, including a Court of Appeal justice, were also recommended for immediate retirement and dismissal for fraud and gross misconduct during the 78th meeting of the NJC which held on Thursday September 29. The affected judges are Ladan Tsamiya of the Illorin division of the Court of Appeal, I. A. Umezulike of the Enugu High Court and Kabiru Auta of Kano State Federal High Court. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and chairman of the NJC, Mahmud Mohammed, had earlier stated that all judges involved in giving conflicting rulings in various suits that caused the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be adequately sanctioned. The suspension of the judges was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director of Informati

Prof Grace Alele-Williams Professor Grace Alele-Williams and four others were on Friday conferred with chieftaincy tittles by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli. This was the first conferment of chieftaincy titles performed by the monarch since his enthronement in 2015. Alele-Williams, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin and a Professor of Mathematics, was conferred with the title: Utienyin Iwere of Warri, a.k.a Oluebeje. Addressing the gathering at the Palace, the monarch said the five titles given out were just the beginning. He said more titles would be given to other deserving persons in subsequent weeks till November as part of the celebrations of his one year anniversary. “Before now, people have been coming to me and talking eagerly of chieftaincy titles. ‘“I told them I was just settling down and titles will come at the right time. “What you are witnessing today is the result of the work that the committee set up has done. ‘“From now till end of Novembe