Politics

Lawan slams Buhari’s ministers, advisers for mis-advising President to reject NASS bills

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Ahmad Lawan, the Senate President, on Wednesday, March 31, criticised the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari over the rejection of some National Assembly bills.

Lawan made this disclosure at a public hearing organised in Abuja by the Senate Committee on Health to deliberate on three bills.

The proposed bills are:

• The National University of Health and Medical Sciences, Suleja, Niger State (Establishment) Bill 2021, sponsored by Senator Sani Musa.

• The Federal University of Medical Sciences Abeokuta, Ogun State (Establishment) Bill 2021, sponsored by Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

The bill for an Act to amend the Orthopedic Hospital Management Board Act No. 21 of 1979 to provide for the establishment of the Federal Orthopedic Hospital, Kuta (Niger State), Bill 2021, also sponsored by Senator Musa.

During the session, Lawan bemoaned the absence of the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, and the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunmibe Mamora, or any representatives.

Lawan explained that the development was responsible for situations where bills passed by the National Assembly were denied assent by Buhari, adding that the President sometimes acted on wrong advice from ministry officials.

The Senate President said, “I have a written speech for this event, but before then, where is the Minister of Health or Minister of State Health? Or is there anyone representing the Ministry of Health?

This is an anomaly and we don’t take it kindly because sometimes, the National Assembly will process a bill and the bill will be taken to Mr. President for assent and somebody will just go round and mis-advise that the bill should not be assented to.

“This is done mostly by ministry officials. So, it is always in the interest of government and good governance that when there is a public hearing – the ministry, government officials, the technical people – should be around to hear the views of the people.

“If they have any objection, they should say so in the presence of everyone, so that they listen to arguments.

Therefore, it is sad that neither the minister, nor the minister of state, or anyone from the Federal Ministry of Health is here to attend this particular public hearing and I think it is sad. And nothing should happen to our bills.”

Politics

Reps scrutinise bill seeking powers to summon president, governor

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A bill for an Act to alter the 1999 Constitution to grant the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly powers to summon the President and Governors has scaled second reading at the House of Reps.

Rep. Sergius Ogun (PDP–Edo) who sponsored the bill in his argument on Tuesday, March 16, in Abuja said the doctrine of separation of power must be upheld.

He said that the basic doctrine closely related to the exercise of legislative powers in a democracy was the doctrine of separation of powers.

Ogun said that such law would help to invite the President and Governors to answer questions on issues of national security.

He added that it would help them to also answer questions on any matter whatsoever, over which the national assembly and states houses of assembly have powers to make laws.

“You will recall what happened in January when the House summoned President Muhammadu Buhari but he failed to honour the invitation,” he said.

He said that part of the reasons adduced for the President’s non appearance was that the House had no constitutional power to invite him.

He said that such invitations to the president was not expressly stated in Nigerian laws, adding that the lawmakers must give it Constitutional backing to be able to summon the president and state governors.

Speaker of the House Femi Gbajabiamila however, referred the bill to the house ad hoc committee on the review of 1999 Constitution.

Entertainment, Politics

Actor Yul Edochie aims to become the best president in Nigeria’s history

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Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, the son of veteran thespian, Pete Edochie Tuesday, revealed that he still aims to serve the people.

This time, he declared that he will be the best president to ever emerge in Nigeria’s history.

Taking to his Twitter platform, Yul stated that he wants to see Nigerians reach their optimum potential; both the current generation and the future generation.

Yul Edochie who has since shown interest to run for President in 2023, says he will be the best President Nigeria has ever had.

He shared this on his social media handles this afternoon.
Read what he published on social media;

”I will be the best President Nigeria has ever had. YUL EDOCHIE 2023. #givetheyouthsachance”

Football

Meet the President of Barcelona FC

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Joan Laporta has been named as Barcelona president for a second time after winning the club’s election.

Laporta, whose central pledge was to keep Lionel Messi at the club, won more than 54% of the vote.

The 58-year-old, who oversaw the appointment of Pep Guardiola as head coach in his previous spell at the club between 2003-2010, succeeds Josep Maria Bartomeu who resigned in October.

Victor Font was second with 30% of the vote, with Toni Freixa a distant third.

Barcelona said 55,611 of its 109,531 eligible members voted in the election, which was postponed from January because of coronavirus restrictions in Catalonia.

Laporta signed the likes of Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho and former Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o in his first stint as president, with the club winning the Champions League twice, four La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey.

Messi also emerged as a world star during that period and was among several current Barca players to vote in the election.

Amid champagne celebrations on Sunday evening, Laporta shouted: “Now let’s go to Paris and see if we can make another ‘remontada’ [comeback] happen!

“Seeing Leo [Messi] go to vote, the best player in the world, voting with his son, for me, this shows what we’ve said all along, that Leo loves Barca, that we are all a big family. Hopefully that helps him to stay which is what we all want.”

Barcelona face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in the Champions League last 16, with a 4-1 deficit to make up from the opening leg.

Longer term, Laporta’s task will be to rebuild a club in crisis, with crippling debts exacerbated by the pandemic and Messi considering leaving for free when his contract expires this summer.

Laporta With Ronaldinho during the first tenure

Politics

MURIC backs Tinubu for president, says he’s a candidate with ‘impeccable pedigree’

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The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has thrown its weight behind Bola Tinubu for the 2023 presidency, stating that the former Lagos State governor has ‘impeccable pedigree’.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday night by the Director, MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, who said that Yoruba do not have to search too far as the leader of the ruling party has shown interest.

Akintola further added that the best thing Yoruba people can do for the region is to rally behind Tinubu and ensure that he clinches power in 2023.

According to Akintola, the South-West has a big opportunity of gaining political power in the year 2023.

He said; “Fortunately the Yoruba do not have to search too far as a former governor of Lagos State and leader of the ruling party has shown interest. Here is a candidate that brandishes impeccable pedigree.

“Nobody can deny his political dexterity. He is known to have fought and won several political battles. The best the Yoruba people can do for the region is to rally behind this candidate and ensure that he clinches power in 2023,” Akintola added.

He further noted in the statement that any tribe seeking to rule in the year 2023 must be seen to be accommodating, tolerant and resilient.

“Power shift to the South has become mandatory as President Muhammadu Buhari would have spent eight complete years by 2023 and all eyes are presently on the South-West.

“Therefore the region cannot afford to lose the opportunity due to restlessness, recklessness, unnecessary protests, issuance of quit notices to other ethnicities and a general lack of stability”, he added.

Politics

Niger Assembly backs Bello for president, says it’s turn of North-Central

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The Presidential ambition of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State got a boost on Thursday as the Niger State House of Assembly endorsed him.

The Niger State lawmakers also said it was the turn of the North Central geopolitical zone to produce the next President of the country come 2023.

The assembly made the endorsement during a visit by the 25 members of the Kogi State House of Assembly led by their Speaker, Matthew Kolawole to the Assembly, to solicit support for Bello.

According to the lawmakers, it was time for the zone to come together to support Bello’s ambition, adding that as a young and vibrant governor, and with the ‘not too young to run bill’ already assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, he remains the best candidate for the number one position in 2023.

With all the state lawmakers making contributions in support of Bello’s ambition, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Bawa Wuse, said: “We must come together from the North Central states to support this laudable and worthy project for the benefit of the people of the North Central and Nigeria in general.

“We need somebody from the North Central for the Presidency in 2023, so since Governor Yahaya Bello has come out for now, he has our support, he has our endorsement and we will support him.”

Politics, World News

‘We did what we came here to do. No US president matched my achievement,’ Trump boasts in farewell address

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The outgoing United States President, Donald Trump, said on Tuesday his team did what Americans elected him to do about five years ago.

Trump, who was elected in 2016, lost his re-election bid after he was defeated by Joe Biden in last year’s presidential election in the US.

His tenure officially ends on Wednesday with Biden expected to take over as the country’s 46th president later in the day.

In a farewell address released on Tuesday, Trump celebrated his legacy in the four years he was in power, saying no president achieved what he was able to achieve.

Though he wished the new administration of Biden and his Vice Kamala Harris success in the years ahead, he did so without acknowledging his successor by name.

Before a sudden change of heart, the president had refused to offer a full concession to Biden who secured 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232.

In a recorded address, he said:

“We did what we came here to do, and so much more. I took on the tough battles, the hardest fights, the most difficult choices, because that’s what you elected me to do.

“This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous.

“We extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck – a very important word.

“The greatest danger we face is a loss of confidence in ourselves, a loss of confidence in our national greatness.”

While also taking on Twitter and other social media platforms for suspending his accounts following the January 6 Capitol Building insurrection, Trump added:

“Shutting down free and open debate violates our core values and most enduring traditions

“America is not a timid nation of tame souls who need to be sheltered and protected from those with whom we disagree.”

The outgoing president also had strong words for China with whom he was involved in a long-drawn war all through his four years in the White House.

He also noted that the Middle East peace deals his administration brokered helped in a great way to bring peace to the region

“We revitalized our alliances and rallied the nations of the world to stand up to China like never before.

“I am especially proud to be the first president in decades who has started no new wars.

“Now, as I prepare to hand power over to a new administration at noon on Wednesday, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning.

“I go from this majestic place with a loyal and joyful heart and optimistic spirit, and a supreme confidence that for our country and for our children, the best is yet to come,” Trump concluded.

Politics

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Faction Asks Court to Restrain Obiozor from Parading Self as President

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The Uche Okwukwu-led faction of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has asked a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Bwari Abuja to restrain Professor George Obiozor, who was elected to succeed the Nnia Nwodo-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo from parading himself as the President General of the apex Igbo socio-political association.

Obiozor, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Israel and Cyprus, was on January 10 declared President of the group after an election held at Dan Anyim Stadium in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

However, in a motion on notice number FCT/HC/BIU/M/14/21 brought against him and the Incorporated Trustees of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the applicants sought an order restraining the former envoy and his proxies or any other parading himself pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The suit, which has Chief Uche Okwukwu and Prince Richard Ozuobu as the 1st and 2nd claimants respectively, also has the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Incorporated Trustees of Ohanaeze Ndigbo as 1st and 2nd defendants.

The claimants wants the court to make an order restraining the defendants, its agents and servants from further holding or summoning any meeting whatsoever of Ohanaeze Ndigbo without consultation with the Secretary General as the constitution demands.

They are also asking for an order restraining Professor Obiozor from parading himself as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

In their estimation, Obiozor is a product of an illegal election held in Owerri on January 10, 2021.

Similarly, in their originating summons, the Okwukwu faction is asking for the interpretations of articles 10, 11, 14 and 21 of Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, brought pursuant to Order 2 Rules 1, 3 and 4 of the Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Civil Procedure) Rules 2018 and Section 6(6B) of the 1999 Constitution.

The matter comes up on January 21, 2021.

Politics

Obiozor emerges new Ohaneze Nidigbo President

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A former Nigerian ambassador to the United States of America, George Obiozor, has emerged as the new President-General of Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanézè Ndígbo.

He defeated four other candidates to emerge victorious in the delegates election on Sunday.

The election took place at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, capital of Imo State.

Mr Obiozor polled a total of 304 votes to win the election.

Three of his opponents had announced that they were stepping down for him at the venue before voting commenced.

Mr Obiozor takes over from John Nwodo as the president-general of the organization following the expiration of the tenure of the Nwodo-led leadership.

Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abịa), David Umahi (Ebonyi) and Hope Uzodinma(Imo) attended the election.

Politics

45-year-old Civil Servant Emerges NANS President.

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The election which took place on Thursday, was disrupted by violence.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has elected Sunday Asefon as its new President amid chaos and violence that characterised its convention at the old parade ground, Abuja on Thursday.

Asefon, a civil servant with the Ekiti State Government, got 155 votes to defeat his closest rival, Olushola Oladoja, who scored 100 votes.

Sunday Asefon, the 45-year old, reported to be a student of  Ekiti State University, replaced Bamidele Akpan.The election was, on Thursday, disrupted by violence.

About 20 members of the association, who gathered at the old parade ground in Abuja for the convention, sustained wounds from gunshots and machete after thugs loyal to a factional coordinator of the association in Zone D (Southwest) began attacking delegates.
SEE ALSOUPDATED: Violence Rocks NANS Convention As DSS Arrests PRO, Others With Guns0 Comments13 Hours Ago
The thugs, numbering over 20, stormed the venue with dangerous weapons while accreditation of Students Union Government (SUG) Presidents under NANS Zone B and Zone D was in progress.

DSS operatives allegedly arrested the National Public Relations Officer of the association, Azeez Adeyemi, after guns and ammunition were found in a bus belonging to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY).
The security agency also arrested other occupiers of the bus who are students’ leaders from Ogun State.

Politics

Becoming Nigeria’s President my next ambition –Fayose

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Ayodele Fayose, the former Governor of Ekiti State, has said that his major ambition in life was to become Nigeria’s President one day, or to become a Pastor.

Fayose who clocked 60 years on Saturday, November 14, said he was waiting for God’s time to actualize his dreams and when he finally gets the mandate, he will come out and let Nigerians know.

While featuring in a live radio programme on People’s FM, an Ado-Ekiti-based station, Fayose noted that God had been so kind to him in his journeys through life and the best way to appreciate the Almighty was to work for him and by serving humanity.

Fayose also said that “a good number of his most dependable and trusted followers, whom he lifted up from nothing, had either deserted him or teemed up with his political foes” to fight him after realizing he was no longer in power, but that he has forgiven them.

“I have forgiven all the people who have offended me and I ask for forgiveness from those I may have offended too,” Fayose said.

He, however, debunked rumours that he was nursing the ambition of becoming a Senator, saying he hates being a “Senator who would be making laws that the executive would not have the courage to implement.”

“I am eminently qualified to become Nigeria’s president if people like Olusegun Obasasnjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari could be so graced to be presidents,” he insisted.

According to the former Governor, his popularity, courageous spirit, unique contributions to the upliftment of Ekiti State and other remarkable contributions to lifting different categories of people with no hope of becoming anything in life across the country, were enough credentials to make him become Nigeria’s president.”

Lifestyle

South Sudan President invites T.B. Joshua again

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SOUTH Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has re-invited the General Overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) Prophet T.B Joshua to the East-Central African country.

Mayardit said Joshua’s November 12, 2019 prophecy on the country’s unity had come to pass and RSS was now at peace under the terms of a revitalised peace agreement that came into effect on February 22, this year.

During his first visit to the world’s newest sovereign state last year, Joshua was personally received by Mayardit and he led the president and government officials in a prayer for peace

“Time has come for us to put our differences behind us,” Joshua told the thousands of South Sudanese, who gathered to hear his message.

“This is the voice of God. Our leaders should overcome their division and agree to work together for the good of the country,” he insisted in the address, which was televised live on South Sudan’s official broadcasting channel SSBC.

In the invitation letter, the President noted that global organisation’s tried but failed to negotiate peace in Sudan, but God intervened.

He explained that the invitation would enable Joshua “to harvest what you planted”, adding that the entire nation of South Sudan is ready to receive the Nigerian once again.

Mayardit said: “With due respect and honour, I am privileged to write to your highly prophetic esteemed office in reference to the above mentioned subject.

“First, I would like to thank you, humble servant of the most high God and the higher grace and anointing upon your life.

“And for your love and humility by coming on your prophetic and historic visit on 12th November 2019, when the nation was in a desperate situation, whereby the country was experiencing civil war violence for many years.

“The world organisation tried to negotiate peace but where human wisdom failed, God has the final answer.

“As you have prophesied that, it shall be a new beginning for the nation and we the leaders should overcome our divisions and our differences and come back to develop our youngest nation in the world.

“Hence we, the government and the opposition have come together to implement the revitalised Peace Agreement and now the nation is at peace followed by the formation of Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGONU), which signifies a new beginning indeed.”

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