Saturday, March 7

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BREAKING NEWS: Alayede Of Ayede Ogbese, Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede Is Dead
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BREAKING NEWS: Alayede Of Ayede Ogbese, Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede Is Dead

The Alayede of Ayede Ogbese in Akure North local government area of Ondo State, Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede Ise-Oluwa II, is dead. He died at the age of 65. The monarch according to palace sources died in United States of America, where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. According to palace sources, Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede Ise-Oluwa II, joined his ancestors last Friday and the news of his death would be announced traditionally by 9:am today in Ayede Ogbese, Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State. The late Monarch, Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede Ise-Oluwa II, was born in 1958. He ascended the throne of his forefathers on December 18, 2021. The staff of office and instrument of appointment were handed over to him by the late Governor of Ondo St...
Vigilantes Rescue 134 Victims Kidnapped From FCT Councils
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Vigilantes Rescue 134 Victims Kidnapped From FCT Councils

Vigilantes in Kogi State have rescued 134 victims who were abducted from various parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The victims were rescued during the recent operations of the Kogi vigilantes in forests located in the state and some parts of Nasarawa State, a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kogi State, Onogwu Muhammed, said on Monday. The vigilantes were said to have stormed the hideouts of kidnappers in the Odullo forest of Kogi and Sardauna in Nasarawa State, rescuing victims who were abducted from Abaji, Kuje, and Kwali in FCT, as well as Toto council area of Nasarawa. Chairman of the Kogi/Koton Karfe Local Government Area, Dauda Aliyu, who received the rescued victims, commended the vigilantes for their bravery. He also acknowle...
Workers’ Day: We Paid N13b from Global Deductions to Workforce -Abiodun
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Workers’ Day: We Paid N13b from Global Deductions to Workforce -Abiodun

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has disclosed that his administration paid N13b out of the N19b global deductions owed to the public servants in the state. The governor, who equally disclosed that his administration had paid N88.92b as pension for the state and local government retirees till date, assured that the outstanding of N6bn global deductions would be paid in the coming months The governor gave this disclosure while addressing workers and members of trade unions at the celebration of the 2023 Workers' Day held at the M.K. O Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta. Emphasising on the theme of the event "Workers' Rights and Social Economic Rights", Abiodun noted that his administration understood workers' plight and was working towards addressing them. He said that his gover...
New Naira Notes: Group Flays FG’s Disobedience to Supreme Court Order
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New Naira Notes: Group Flays FG’s Disobedience to Supreme Court Order

A socio-political organisation, Social Rehabilitation Gruppe (SRG), has frowned on what it describes as the reluctance of the federal government to obey the order of the Supreme Court, declaring old Naira notes of N200, N500 and N1000 as legal tenders. A seven-member panel of the apex court led by Hon. Justice John Okoro, unanimously directed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must continue to receive the old notes from Nigerians. The court also held that the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari for the redesign of the new notes and withdrawal of the old notes without due consultation is invalid. Reacting however, the SRG, in a statement by its Convener/ National Coordinator, Dr. Marindoti Oludare, said it marvelled to find that 48 hours after the Supreme Court's judgement...
PRESS RELEASE: Obasanjo Planning Another Annulment Saga, Group Alerts
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PRESS RELEASE: Obasanjo Planning Another Annulment Saga, Group Alerts

A socio-political organisation, Social Rehabilitation Gruppe (SRG) has expressed concern that former President Olusegun Obasanjo's Monday call for the cancellation of this year's presidential election is another plot to re-enact the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The group, in a statement by its Convener/National Coordinator, Dr. Marindoti Oludare, described Obasanjo’s description of ongoing electoral process as fraudulent, saying it was as a figment of his imagination and a clear coup against democracy. In the statement titled, "Annulment guru? From June 12 1993 to February 25, 2023", Oludare stated that Obasanjo's "supplications should be derided, his advice unheeded, as his name recedes into the abyss of history along with the other villains of Nigeria’s de...
Tinubu To Supporters: Don’t Attack Igbos; Election Is About Winning Some And Losing Some
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Tinubu To Supporters: Don’t Attack Igbos; Election Is About Winning Some And Losing Some

By Alaba Abdulrazak The All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has appealed to the people of Lagos State to be calm and eschew any act that can lead to breakdown of law and order. Tinubu said the outcome of the election in Lagos where Labour Party won the presidential election should not be a source of provocation saying that the beauty of democracy is that people have a right to vote for the candidate of their choice. The APC candidate further said that as a democrat he is bound to accept the outcome of any election whether favourable or not. In a statement released Monday by the Presidential Campaign Council signed by Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed serious concern over reports of violence in parts of ...
Elections: Obi Dethrones Tinubu In Lagos, Atiku Leads In Adamawa
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Elections: Obi Dethrones Tinubu In Lagos, Atiku Leads In Adamawa

By Alaba AbdulrazakA major upset has occurred in Lagos State, as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has defeated the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Obi defeated Tinubu after the votes were calculated from all the 20 LGAs in the state. Lagos, historically is the stronghold of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. APC got 572, 606, LP secured 582, 354, NNPP got 8442, PDP: 75 750 and SDP got 772. Similarly, Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is leading in the presidential election in Adamawa state. The former vice-president has so far won 11 of the 21 LGAs announced by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Bola Tinubu of the All Progress...
Conduct Yourselves With Decorum, Stop Overheating The Polity, Tinubu Cautions Opposition
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Conduct Yourselves With Decorum, Stop Overheating The Polity, Tinubu Cautions Opposition

BY ALABA ABDULRAZAK The Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council has warned opposition parties to conduct themselves with decorum and desist from overheating the polity. The Council in a press release signed by Festus Keyamo accused the opposition of making incendiary comments regarding the yet-to-be-announced results of the elections that was held yesterday. "Our attention has been drawn to some incendiary comments by spokespersons of the opposition parties, notably the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) regarding the yet-to-be-announced results of the elections that held yesterday. Some of them have threatened fire and brimstone if their own version of some concocted results are not announced in a bid to be the judge, jury and executioner in this elec...
Elections: Expect Speedy Release of Results, INEC Tells Nigerians
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Elections: Expect Speedy Release of Results, INEC Tells Nigerians

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured that the results of tomorrow, Saturday’s presidential election will be declared as speedily as possible. The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance during a media briefing in Abuja on Friday. Recall that it took the Commission over two days to declare the winner of the 2019 presidential election. However, Yakubu said the Commission would accelerate the process of declaring this year’s presidential result. “I just want to say that we will ensure that it (result declaration) will be done speedily. I can’t put a finger on the number of days or number of hours it will take, but it will be done speedily. We are aware of the anxiety and the need for us to conclude the process quickly, it will be con...
General Election: Group Condemns Deployment of Troops
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General Election: Group Condemns Deployment of Troops

A socio-political organisation, Social Rehabilitation Gruppe (SRG) has condemned federal government 's deployment of military troops to Nigerian cities ahead of Saturday’s general elections, describing it as "unnecessary overkill, sheer intimidation and an anti-democratic move". In a statement by the SRG Convener/National Coordinator, Dr. Marindoti Oludare, the group demurred, saying the action had only portrayed Nigeria before the international community as a society at war with itself. It said the President had erred "in this anti-democratic decision" and that the court should hold him responsible once his immunity is over. "We view with concern, the deployment of military troops to cities in the different states of the federation as if the states are war zones. "Yes, Nigeri...
New Naira notes: Federal High Court waits on Supreme Court, adjourns suit
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New Naira notes: Federal High Court waits on Supreme Court, adjourns suit

A Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday resolved to wait on the Supreme Court, as it adjourned hearing in a suit brought against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by a group, Social Rehabilitation Grace and Supportive Initiative (SRG), challenging the CBN over the voiding of old N200, N500 and N1000 Naira notes within a period considered too short. When the matter was mentioned, the trial judge, Hon. Justice T. B Adegoke, said it was improper for her court to commence trial as the suit is similar to the one pending before the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the land. At the mentioning of the case, counsel to the SRG, Mrs L.E Ukpabi-Owolabi, said the group had brought a motion on notice to amend its originating summons, and also a second motion on ...
Retaining Old Naira Notes Will Encourage Vote-buying, CBN Argues in Suit
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Retaining Old Naira Notes Will Encourage Vote-buying, CBN Argues in Suit

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the weekend justified its reluctance to extend the expiry date for the old Naira notes on the need to save Nigeria's democracy by forestalling vote-buying in the coming presidential election. The apex bank gave the reason, among others, in a counter-affidavit to a suit filed against it by a group, Social Rehabilitation Grace and Supportive Initiative (SRG) led by a Nigeria-born United States medical practitioner, Dr. Marindoti Oludare. The SRG, code-named Social Rehabilitation Gruppe, was launched amid pomp and ceremony in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the weekend. Reacting to the group's suit before a Federal High Court sitting in Akure, in which it asked the court to compel the CBN to extend the expiry date for the old Naira notes by six...
Group to Emefiele: You Must Obey S’Court Order
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Group to Emefiele: You Must Obey S’Court Order

Sequel to Wednesday's ruling of the Supreme Court restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), from enforcing its February 10 deadline on the expiration of some old Naira notes, a group has warned the apex bank and its Governor, Mr. Goodwin Emefiele, to comply or face the wrath of the law. The body, Social Rehabilitation Gruppe (SRG), in a statement by its Convener/National Coordinator, Dr Marindoti Oludare, hailed the ruling, saying the rule of law had prevailed over self-aggradisement. "This is the time for Emefiele to prove to Nigeria that he is a respecter of law or a breaker of same law. "While I know of a fact that the CBN has the right to demobilise the Naira, it has no right to erase the value acquired by individuals," he quipped. Oludare, appraising the ruling, ...
New Naira Notes: Group Drags CBN to Court
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New Naira Notes: Group Drags CBN to Court

A socio-political group, Social Rehabilitation Grace and Supportive Initiative (SRG) has dragged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to court, asking the court to compel the apex bank to extend the expiry date for the old naira notes by six months. The SRG is convened by a Nigeria-born United States medical doctor, Dr. Marindoti Oludare. In the suit filed before a Federal High Court, sitting in Akure, Ondo State, the applicants, Dr. Marindoti Oludare, the Social Rehabilitation Grace and Supportive Initiative (SRG), and Omoyele Ishola, are asking the court to extend the February 10, 2023 for the expiration of the old naira notes by six months. The applicants are seeking, among others, an interim injunction restraining "the respondents and her priciest from, agent, or servants from e...
Economic hardship in Nigeria: Inflation or Emefieletion?
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Economic hardship in Nigeria: Inflation or Emefieletion?

By Marindoti Oludare For the past eight years, Nigeria has been on a rollercoaster ride of economic uncertainty. Prices have risen astronomically and the people’s purchasing power had dipped dramatically. One should not be remiss to mention that owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, prices have significantly gone up globally. However, this pales in comparison to the rate of hike in price in Nigeria since 2014. We all know that Nigeria has implemented some questionable economic policies since the oil price crash in the fourth quarter of 2014, which happened to coincide with the nascent ascension of Godwin Emefiele as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (in office since 3rd June 2014). One may want to ask; what percentage of this hardship was...
Nullify Appointment of Monarchs in Ikirun, Iree, Group Urges Adeleke
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Nullify Appointment of Monarchs in Ikirun, Iree, Group Urges Adeleke

A pressure group, Osun Youth Vanguard (OYF) has urged newly inaugurated Governor Ademola Adeleke, to reverse the last-minute appointment of traditional rulers by his predecessor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola. The group, in a congratulatory statement issued through its president, Comrade John Akinde, and secretary, Comrade Tajudeen Akinyemi, observed that Oyetola made the appointments solely to create chaos in communities so as to make the state ungovernable for Adeleke. "We congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke on his well- deserved victory at the poll and subsequent inauguration as the Executive Governor of our dear State, Osun. "While assuming office, we urge the governor to first of all nullify all appointments of new traditional rulers by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola at the twil...
How Fayemi Orchestrated A Coup That Led To The Removal Of Aribisogan As Ekiti Assembly Speaker
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How Fayemi Orchestrated A Coup That Led To The Removal Of Aribisogan As Ekiti Assembly Speaker

It may no longer be a news that the Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Gboyega Aribisogan elected last week has been impeached. What is however generating reaction is the way and manner, Aribisogan who is representing Ikole Constituency 1 was removed from office by what many believed to be a 'coup' orchestrated by former governor of the State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. Aribisogan was removed from his position and suspended indefinitely by 17 out of the 25 members of the assembly who voted in favour of his removal. After Aribisogan's removal, the lawmakers elected Olubunmi Adelugba as the new speaker. The development came hours after Aribisogan had accused Kayode Fayemi, immediate past governor of the state, of masterminding a plot to impeach him. He said Fayemi was colluding with...
Buhari Congratulates FBN on 40 Years of Cross-Border Banking in UK
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Buhari Congratulates FBN on 40 Years of Cross-Border Banking in UK

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Board, Management, and Staff of First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) for cross-border services through FBNBank UK in the United Kingdom for 40 years, sharing almost 130 years of banking experience. In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari noted the competence and professionalism that have become the hallmark of the Bank for many years. This includes winning and retaining the trust of customers in Nigeria, and beyond, like in the United Kingdom, and successfully consolidating on its benchmark of reliability and professionalism. “As the FBN, United Kingdom celebrates 40 years anniversary, the President believes the strength and buoyancy of any country depend lar...
Jailbreaks: Aregbesola reworks security architecture for prisons, aide reveals
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Jailbreaks: Aregbesola reworks security architecture for prisons, aide reveals

The Interior Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has now put in place some fresh security measures aimed at forestalling any incidence of jailbreak in the Nigeria Correctional Centres. This was disclosed to our correspondent on Tuesday by the Special Consultant to the Minister on Security Matters, Dr. Oladipupo Okeyomi. Okeyomi, who would not expatiate on the measures on security grounds, noted that there had been series of collaborative efforts with virtually all the security agencies in the country, for which intelligence gathering, whistle-blowing incentive, requisite surveillance, and reinforcement were taken into consideration. "While I would not divulge the nitty-gritty of the water-tight security devices initiated by the Honorable Minister to forestall recurrence of jailbrea...
2023: Nigerian Voters Undergoing Reformation, Says Cleric
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2023: Nigerian Voters Undergoing Reformation, Says Cleric

By Kayode Fasua Ahead of the 2023 elections, politicians have been warned not to underrate the ongoing "reformation of heart" among many Nigerian masses, "who are ready to downplay money and act in accordance with their conscience". The words of caution came on Saturday from Lagos cleric, Prophet Lai Bamidele, in a chat with our correspondent. Bamidele, who is General Overseer of Christ Glorious End-Time Evangelical Church with headquarters in Lagos, said several years of failed promises and dashed hopes from elected politicians had made the people to learn their lessons in a hard way, and were now ready to make amends. "We have never had it so bad in the life of this country, as many of our elected representatives and governors cutting across all political parties have let do...