Atiku's American Visa Status Is Confidential- U.S Tells Federal Government

The Public  Affairs Officer (PAO) of the United States of America consulate in Lagos, Mr. Brussel Brooks on Friday, said issuance of visa to Nigerians irrespective of their social standing is strictly a confidential matter.

This came barely 24 hours after the Federal Government called on the US government to be cautious about giving a US visa to Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 elections.

Brooks spoke while fielding questions from journalists seeking to know his view on the raging controversy surrounding Atiku’s application for US visa after attending a programme in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday.

He, however, called on candidates at all levels, from presidential to House of Assembly elections, to focus on issue-based campaigns instead of dwelling on things that were not important to the well-being of Nigerians.

“The position of the US Mission has remained the same throughout any discussion on this issue that visas are a confidential matter," he stated.

“We don’t discuss visa status of any person, whether it be a highly rated official, a presidential candidate or an average citizen.

“Anyone who applies for a visa should know that there will be some records that are confidential. It is classified as a private document by the United States Government, and we never discuss them in public.”

He stressed further that, "candidates in the forthcoming elections must engage in issue-based campaigns, while asking Nigerians to ask the candidates their plan to improve the education sector."

He said, “Oftentimes, unfortunately, campaigns are full of distractions; things that are not that important to the lives and welfare of average Nigerians, especially the children that are with us today. What is important is to give them (children) the opportunities to serve in order to thrive in today’s world.

“This means they need good education. The schools should be improved. When I heard about the letter from the students describing their lack of books and dearth of desks in their schools, this is very disheartening. There are things that should be corrected.

“I will also encourage parents and voters to ask the candidates what they plan to do to improve education. I think issue-based campaigns will be beneficial to all Nigerians.”

"Stop Being Mischievous, Most Voided Ballot Papers Were For Us"-Osun PDP Tells Oyetola

Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has disputed the claim by the newly sworn in governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola that a large chunk of ballot papers wrongfully voided during the last governorship election belonged to the All Progressive Congress's candidate. 

Reacting to the claim made by Oyetola in a television interview shortly after his widely-shunned inauguration, the chairman of the PDP in Osun state, Hon Soji Adagunodo said over 70% of a total of 47,800 ballot papers which were wrongfully  voided by the INEC during the last elections were valid votes of the PDP. 

Adagunodo said this was discovered during the forensic analysis carried out by experts engaged by the PDP on all ballot papers used for the September 22nd and 27th governorship election. 

He therefore described as mischievous the claim by Oyetola that he won the Osun governorship election which had been described by National and international observer groups as fraudulent and unsustainable. 

"The APC was the party in connivance with the INEC during the last election. They were the ones who got fraudulent allocation of votes. Why should Oyetola be telling such blatant lies on a matter already before the tribunal?" 

The PDP chairman asserted that the truth about the Osun governorship election could not be buried for long and that was why neither Oyetola nor his political party could openly celebrate the supposed victory at the polls just as the swearing-in ceremonies were like a graveyard party.

He added that more damming facts discovered by the PDP team of forensic, biometric  and data analysts will be presented at the Election petition tribunal in due course.

Adagunodo urged the People of Osun state to remain calm and hopeful that the mandate stolen by the interim governor and his political party would be restored to the rightful winner in due course. 

Paddypaddybet Splashes Millions On Empowerment Of Ibadan Youths

SOne of the fast-rising and fledgling sport-betting game-changers, Paddypaddybet, a popular online bookmaker, which boasts of varying ranges of sport betting via pre-match and play for mobile devices and desktops is set to host its inaugural Youth Empowerment Summit that aims to cater for 100 young entrepreneurs with great business ideas. 

The summit will feature successful young business entrepreneurs, private sector representatives and Paddypaddybet ambassadors, who will lead the process of formulating a roadmap that seeks to foster youth employability and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The 100 beneficiaries, who will be picked among the attendees at the summit, will be empowered by Paddypaddybet with N50, 000 each, amounting to a total of five (5) Million Naira to fuel their business ideas. The event, which will be held at Jogor Events Centre, 1, Harvester Close, off Liberty Stadium Road in Ibadan, Oyo State on 12th of December 2018, will witness the biggest gathering of youths ever, which is not based on entertainment but directed towards spurring the youths into action to take charge of their entrepreneurial drive. 

Paddypaddybet is giving back to the community with the recent research showing Nigeria has now taken over as the nation with the highest number of extremely poor people, according to a report by Brookings Institution. Speaking at the press conference at the company’s headquarters in Lagos, the Media Manager, Issa Ahmed, stated that ‘the Nigerian youth are facing challenges, and finding decent employment and climbing out of poverty very difficult". He went on to say "with more than 65% of the population being under the age of 35, securing employability and self-employment for young people, achieved through innovative approaches, is the best weapon, and Paddypaddybet wants to fight against poverty and the numerous associated challenges in the country.'’ 

Speaking further Ahmed, expatiated on how to participate in the empowerment; he said ‘to partake in the empowerment summit, you must be between the ages of 18-35, and would need to register online (http://registration.paddypaddyblog.com/) to attend the Paddypaddybet Inaugural Youth Empowerment Summit and follow the instructions with terms and condition. 

Paddypaddybet is a Nigeria-based sports betting operator and seeks to gain recognition in the sports betting category, with a high competitive edge, state of the art solutions that cater for the immediate needs of punters in this region and beyond. The sport-betting company covers all the major sporting events across Europe and the world with great odds, and welcome bonus and also the cash-out option.

Akwa Ibom's Overrated Young Politicians and The Burden of Governance

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy"- 2 Timothy 3:1-2.

The holy Bible is an encyclopedia of knowledge and true reference to our past, present and future. 

When you look at the above verse , You will agree with me  that the ugly events that enveloped Akwa Ibom State in the last two weeks can be attributed to the youthful exuberance of the state governor and his lieutenants.That is the catastrophic result of promoting an individual above his competence. When something goes wrong, you do not rush to blame others.  Maturity is the ability to think, speak and act your feelings within the bounds of dignity.

When Governor Udom Emmanuel threw decorum to the gutters by referring to his former boss, Senator Godswill Akpabio  as a man of no second address, one needs to ask him how come Senator Akpabio has no second address after holding a  commissionership position for 6 years and being Governor  for 8 years? Interestingly, the man he described as a man of no second address has been Senator for three and a half  years, solicitor and advocate for 31years. 

Haba! One begins to wonder if it is only former staff of Mr Jim Ovia of the Zenith Bank fame that have second addresses in Nigeria. 

In Yorubaland , we believe that  the boss is not always right, but he is always the boss. 

Have you ever seen Governor Ambode of Lagos abusing Asiwaju Bola Tinubu publicly like Udom did to Senator Akpabio last week? 

Our orientation and training in Yorubaland will not allow us to descend that low.   

This clearly shows Udom Emmanuel's naivety as well as his being unworthy of the executive office he presently occupies.  

You can only see people's true colours when they think you are no longer beneficial to their lives. 

Isn't it pathetic how we waste so much time on certain people and in the end they prove that  they weren't even worth a second of it? 

How fast people misbehave towards their mentors when they assume they have grown in importance! Power indeed intoxicates.

-Wole Arisekola

Why Nigerians Are Eager To Elect Atiku - PDP As More Northern Groups Back Candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says Nigerians are eager to elect its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as next President of the country because he has demonstrated that the essence of leadership lies in applying its powers and privileges for the good of others rather than self.

The party said "unlike President Buhari, who has been rejected by Nigerians as a self-centered, uncaring, divisive and incompetent leader, whose administration relishes in inflicting pain, sorrow and hardship on others, Atiku Abubakar is generally accepted as a unifier, a broad-minded leader, who is committed to the welfare and uplifting of living standard of the citizens".

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated the position of the party while receiving leaders of coalition of youth groups from Kano, Katsina and Kaduna states, who were at the PDP National Secretariat on Wednesday to register their decampment from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their support for Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Ologbondiyan said "since the popular emergence of Atiku Abubakar as PDP Presidential candidate, the Buhari camp has continued to deplete in millions, adding that very soon President Buhari will find himself a general without a troop, as Nigerians are no longer willing to blindly follow an incompetent leader, who thrives only on false promises, propaganda and procured endorsements.

"Nigerians have reached a consensus to rally with Atiku Abubakar, because unlike President Buhari, whose administration represents, hunger, starvation, violence, oppression and general national misfortune, Atiku Abubakar embodies a hope of national rebirth; it embodies democracy, unity and constitutional order; it embodies wealth creation, youth empowerment and that aspiration for a prosperous nation, where all are free.

“Nigerians know that unlike President Buhari, who cannot point to any contribution to our national economy, has not been able to successfully manage any enterprise and has no future blueprint for our nation. Atiku Abubakar is a world class entrepreneur, widely accepted as epitome of wealth creation and youth empowerment and whose policy direction provides practical answers to the challenges confronting our nation today. That is why Nigerians are eager to go to the polls. That is why they want to elect him as their next President”, Ologbondiyan said.

Speaking earlier, the Coordinator of the coalition, Mallam Yusuf Maikano, described President Buhari’s election in 2015 as “a huge mistake for which the nation has already paid dearly”, adding that “there is no way the nation can survive if President Buhari is allowed to lead for another four years”.

Maikano bemoaned that the Buhari administration has brought untold hardship to Nigerians, particularly in the north, who he said, “feel hugely betrayed by President Buhari’s failure to fulfill his 2015 campaign promises and now angered by his current posturing with false performance claims and list of fresh promises, instead of apologizing for his flops.”

Senator Akpabio Has No Hand In Akwa Ibom State Assembly Crisis-Aide

The attention of the Senator, representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Godswill Akpabio, has been drawn to a statement credited to the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, alleging the involvement of the former Senate Minority Leader in the ongoing crisis in the state House of Assembly.

Senator Akpabio has however distanced self from the said crisis rocking the state assembly. This was made known through information made avalable to newsmen by Akpabio's spokesperson, Anietie Ekong.

"Ordinarily, the distinguished Senator wouldn't have bothered to respond to the spurious allegation because it is contrived to malign his integrity and stands logic on its head.

However, it follows a clear pattern of crying wolf by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since the Senator who was the live wire of the party in the State  left the party to join the All Progressives Congress (APC.) The strategy by the PDP and its chieftains is that anything and everything must be pinned on Senator Akpabio. 

In his desperation to shop for who to blame and pass the buck, Governor Udom Emmanuel has blamed the security agencies in the State and Senator Akpabio has only become his latest victim. How can a state Governor accuse Senator Akpabio of being the brain behind the crisis, and at the same time declared that "the police should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state and not any other person." Does it add up?

It beats the  imagination of right thinking individuals that a Governor could spew outright lies and falsehood in the face of the crisis in which he is a major sponsor. It is on record that the Governor personally led his security aides and thugs to the House of Assembly and supervised the manhandling of some members of the House of Assembly who were performing their constitutional duties.

The brazen act of lawlessness by the Governor is responsible for the crisis. In justifying this meddlesomeness and interference in the functions of a separate arm of government, the Commissioner for Information of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Charles Udoh said he went to the House of Assembly as the Chief Security Officer of the State!

It is instructive that Senator Akpabio was never at the scene of the fracas neither has anyone any evidence of his involvement, except the oft repeated strategy of blaming anyhing that is wrong in the State on Senator Akpabio. 

Akwa Ibom people have a right to determine who leads them. The choice will be based on performance and not on sentiments.

We therefore advice Governor Emmanuel to brace up and face the challenges of his office, instead of looking for who to blame for his lacklustre performance in the last three and half years which have made Akwa Ibom people determined to democratically vote him and his party out in the election next year," Ekong stated.

PDP Refutes Fake Presidential Campaign Timetable

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has described as false a purported presidential campaign time table in the circulation.

The party made this known in a press release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan on Tuesday.

"The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a phony post circulating on the social media, purported to be the PDP Presidential campaign timetable.

The fabricators of the post even went further to allocate venues and dates for zonal rallies, which they claimed to have emanated from the PDP Presidential campaign council.

For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP clarifies that it has not yet released any timetable or timelines for our Presidential campaigns. Similarly, our party has not yet allotted any dates or venues for our campaigns.

The leadership of the PDP therefore urges all our members and supporters across board to completely disregard the said timetable on the social media, as it did not emanate from the PDP.

The PDP Presidential Campaign Council led by His Excellency, Senator Bukola Saraki, will soon make public the authentic timetable for our Presidential campaign and such information will have the full seal of our party and disseminated through PDP official handles," Ologbodiyan disclosed.

"You Are An Interim Governor, Lacking Legitimacy"-Osun PDP Tells Oyetola

The Peoples Democratic Party has described the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Mr Gboyega Oyetola who was declared winner of the September governorship election in Osun state as an interim Governor whose legitimacy is questionable in the eyes of the public.

The State chairman of the PDP, Hon Soji Adagunodo stated this in release issued on the occasion of the swearing in of Oyetola at the expiration of Ogbeni Aregbesolas tenure as Osun state governor.

The PDP said the process which led to the declaration of the APC candidate as winner of the Osun governorship election by INEC, was riddled with  the most brazen form of electoral robbery ever witnessed since the return of democratic rule in Nigeria.

According to the Party, the shameful conduct of the supposed electoral umpire and security agents especially during the supplementary election held on the 27th of September leaves a sour taste in the mouth of everyone with  conscience and has remained a talking point in local and global political discourse.

The PDP said what further makes the legitimacy of the man being sworn in as governor  stand on a shaky ground are the myriad of damming reports issued by a combination of local and foreign observers, the Nigeria Bar Association, the US, UK and EU missions and several others who witnessed the horrendous brutalisation of voters, harassment of journalists, open display of bias by electoral and security officials as well as other infractions committed against the people of Osun state during the so-called supplementary election.

The Party said while the court of public opinion has affirmatively and loudly decided on who truly won the Osun governorship election, it is hopeful that the court of law will soon do justice on the matter and restore the mandate to the PDP candidate, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke.

Adagunodo advised Mr Gboyega Oyetola to tread very cautiously and act responsibly while he temporarily presides over the affairs of the state in order to avoid worsening the already battered condition of the economy occasioned by the wide spread corruption and profligacy of the Aregbesola administration.

BREAKING: GOV EMMANUEL LEADS ASSAULT ON STATE ASSEMBLY

Unprecedented assault on democracy happened this morning in Akwa Ibom State when the state governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel personally led thugs to invade the State House of Assembly in attempt to disrupt proceedings in the House.

 

However, the attack failed and the assembly continued with the business of the day. In the sitting the house led by Speaker Nse Ntuen suspended the former speaker, Onofiok Luke and other members of the house.

 

In angry reaction, the state government has led thugs to lay siege to the house.

 

There is sporadic shooting around the assembly complex at the time of this report. There is tension everywhere.

Source: apcnewspaper.com

Breaking! Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Reconvenes, Suspends 11 Lawmakers .Standing Committees Dissolved

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly led by the New Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Sir) Nse Ntuen reconvened today. Members of the house who were at the plenary condemned the impunity unleashed by the former speaker, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke last week Monday. 

The house moved a motion to suspend the following lawmakers: Onofiok Luke, Udo Kerian Akpan, Felicia Bassey, Nse Essien, Lawrence Udofia, Usoro Akpanusoh, Ime Okon, Friday Iwok, Asuquo Archibong, Mark Esset, Emmanuel Ekpenyong, Aniekan Uko till further notice.

The house also dissolved all standing committees constituted illegally by the former speaker. Committees to be reconstituted headed by the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Nse Ntuen and adjourned till Tuesday 4th, December, 2018.

“Service Chiefs Attended Buhari’s Campaign While Boko Haram Killed Nigerian Soldiers”- Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has averred that Nigeria’s Service Chiefs were withdrawn from the battle front for the commencement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 presidential election campaign while Boko Haram killed several soldiers.

Abubakar made this known via a statement on Monday in response to the accusation by the All Progressives Congress that he exhibited selfishness and mercantilism in the countdown to the 2019 presidential election.

In the statement by the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, Abubakar said: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the All Progressives Congress casting aspersions on Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party on the day of his birthday and turbaning as Waziri Adamawa.

“Incidentally, the APC’s statement accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of ‘selfishness’ and ‘mercantilism’ which is very curious as the Waziri dedicated his birthday, not to himself, but to celebrating the 100 or so heroes of the 157 Task Force Battalion of the Nigerian Army who lost their lives to Boko Haram at Metele in Borno State.

“That the Waziri Adamawa asked for anyone who wished to give him birthday gifts to instead endow such on the families of the slain heroes is the opposite of selfishness.

“Ironically, the All Progressives Congress that is now accusing Atiku Abubakar, has not seen fit to pay tribute to these gallant men who gave their lives in order to secure the lives of others. As a party, they have not issued even one statement condoling with the slain or their families, neither have they offered any tangible support to the families of these fallen heroes. Yet, they are accusing the Waziri, who has shown commitment to honouring these heroes, of selfishness.

“As a matter of fact, we now know through Premium Times report, that these real Nigerian heroes were killed on November 18, 2018 which was the exact time that the candidate of the APC, Muhammadu Buhari, invited the service chiefs to attend the launch of the plagiarised #NextLevel launch at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa.

“The nation can only wonder if the Metele massacre could have been avoided if the APC and President Buhari had allowed the service chiefs to focus on their core duties, rather than on his ill fated re-election campaign.

“We at the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation commend the service chiefs for beating a hasty retreat from the event as soon as they discovered that President Buhari was trying to hoodwink them.

“It took Waziri Atiku Abubakar only a few hours to respond to the incident and express support, while it took the APC’s President Buhari a whole week to express ‘shock’. We therefore wonder who is truly ‘selfish’.

“It is left to Nigerians to compare and contrast who is a leader and who is a follower based on the conduct of these two parties.

“In any case, we would like to inform the APC of Waziri Atiku Abubakar’s call for financial support from well meaning individuals and Institutions for the survivors of the Metele massacre, and indeed for all who paid the supreme sacrifice in the frontlines for us to be safe. Seeing as the APC spent N100 million to buy front page advertorials in all the papers on that fateful day of November 18, 2018, we appeal to them to consider donating even 10% of that amount to the endowment for the families of our heroes as proposed by Atiku Abubakar.

“If they can spend N100 million to promote fraud, they should be able to spare at least N10 million to promote patriotism.”

"I Am Determined To Do More For The Society"- Oyo First Lady, Florence Ajimobi Speaks As She Wins City People Award

Chief (Mrs.) Dr Florence Ajimobi, the Oyo State First Lady, has restated her commitment to do more for Women, Children and the society at large in Oyo State, even against all odds. She made this known while receiving City People Service-To-Humanity Award last week Tuesday, 20th November 2018.

Why did the leading celebrity journal in Nigeria today, City People Magazine honoured the beautiful wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi with the Service-To-Humanity award? City People Publisher Seye Kehinde explained it at the event.  This award, according to the Publisher of the magazine, was as a result of Mrs. Ajimobi’s immense contributions to the development, of her immediate environment through her pet project and all the different initiatives she has embarked on over the last 7 years. The award presentation took place inside the beautiful Oyo State Government House, at Agodi in Ibadan, as Mrs. Florence Ajimobi and her  husband, His Excellency Senator Abiola Ajimobi played host to the City People team led by the Publisher, Dr. Seye Kehinde and made up of Assisatnt Editor Sunday Adigun; City People Ibadan Correspondent, Dare Adeniran and photo journalist, Wale Osanyintola.

While presenting the award, the City People Publisher, described Mrs. Florence Ajimmobi as a woman with a larger heart; somebody whose interest in Human Capital Development is commendable.”There is no doubt in the fact that you have been a good ambassador of women and hope of the less-privileged and voice of the voiceless in your immediate environment. We have also witnessed what you have been able to achieve in the last seven years, through your differient initiatives and we felt it would be good of us to appreciate and encourage you in our own little way, to say Thank you for the wonderful job you have been doing in these past years. That is why we have decided to honour you this evening  with this special award of Service-To-Humanity,’’ he noted.

In her acceptance speech after the presentation of the award plaque, Mrs. Ajimobi said she was so elated to have been honoured by City People. She said it is quite encouraging to know that somebody somewhere is able to recognise what you have been doing and deemed it fit for you to be appreciated. In her words, ‘’let me first of all say Thank you, on behalf of the Women of Oyo State to whom I am going to dedicate this award because without them I don’t think I can achieve what I have been able to achieve in the last 7 years. I want to say thank you to City People for honouring me and for recognizing my efforts in giving back to society. It always gladdens my heart when you are appreciated. In the midst of a political era, different activities will happen. You will find people appreciating you. You will also find people condemning you. But once in a while when you get people to appreciate you, it makes you happy. For me, this is to challenge you to forge on. It is on this note I want to sincerely, from the depth of my heart, appreciate this award. I must confess that I have always been a friend of City People right from the days of my little sister, Bola Davies of blessed memory. She was a good ambassador of City People. City People Magazine is the only celebrity magazine that I read. Why do I read it? I do because it has interesting stories. When you look at what is going on in the social media today, you will find out that there is a lot of mix up, misconception, misinformation being dished out  to the people. But I must say with all sense of sincerity that City People is one of the celebrity magazines and social media platforms that give people the right information, accurate information without malice. And I will say that even when sometimes you do make mistakes you are always quick to correct it, because I know you made a mistake in the past with my family, you took it upon yourself to apologise. We didn’t argue about it. There are so many magazines or social media platforms that have made mistakes and I had taken them to court. We didn’t have to get to that stage. We all make mistakes in life and going by the nature of your job, you get information from people. Sometimes your reporters don’t find out the truth about whatever information they have been given. But I commend you that when that happened you were quick to correct your mistake. So, that is one of the things that endeared you to my heart and I will always be a friend of City People,’’Mrs. Ajimobi explained.

Moving forward in her speech, the First Lady of the pacesetter state also used the opportunity to call on other media practitioners, especially those who run the social media platforms to be of good ambassadors of the Journalism profession, by always verifying whatever information they have at their disposal. ‘’I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the media people out there, especially the social media, that we should stop being malicious. We should try and give the right information to the people. We can’t do without you because you are the source of information to the people. But in the course of giving information to people I just want to implore you that you should make sure, even when the information comes to you, when a story comes to you, take a few minutes to find out the truth of that story, the authenticity of the story. Because a lot of stories, by the time they get out there, a lot of damage must have been done. I could remember an incident that happened to me 4 years ago when it was all over the social media that Florence Ajimobi had been arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London. Meanwhile I was in my house. I was sitting down watching T.V and I looked at myself and asked myself:‘’but is this not me now?’. How many people do I want to go to and tell that the story is not true? How many people do I want to go to debunk that story. The harm had been done.”

“So, please appeal to your fellow media men, people in the social media, they should try and make sure that whatever story they are dishing out have truth in them. And when we are reading we will have confidence in them. Because of the lies online, I don’t even go on facebook again, because half of the time, there are so much lies in the stories. You even find individuals opening pages on behalf of other people without any truth in it.

But City People has been able to stand out amongst others. So therefore, I dedicate this award to all the women in Oyo State, my mothers, my sisters, my friends, my children, the youths, the aged, the widows, because without them there will be no Florence Ajimobi. I am happy that in my own little way, I have been able to give back to society and my prayer is that I will be able to do more. ‘’With this recognition, I know I will do more. I am determined to do more. It is very good for me because you know that at least out there; there are people that appreciate you. Even if out of 10 million people just 5 hundred appreciate you, its ok. What does that do? It gives you the urge to forge on. So, therefore I want to sincerely appreciate you once again. Thanks for this honour and I pray that as you had honoured me, the good God will continue to honour you and your establishment will continue to prosper even in the midst of all odds. Because no matter what, when you are telling the truth you will always stand out. God detests lies, insincerity, malice which has become the normal practice in the social media world today. I commend your leadership and I pray that God will continue to be with you and prosper your establishment,’ she concluded.

Those who also witnessed the event include SSG, Alhaji Ismael Olalekan Alli; gubernatorial candidate of APC in Oyo State, Chief Bayo Adelabu; former Commisioner of Finance in the state, Mr. Zacheus Adelabu; APC House of Reps candidate for Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal constituency, Mr. Shina Peller; some members of the kitchen cabinet of Governor Ajimobi; women leaders among others.

Mrs. Ajimobi is the initiator of many human capital development projects which include Access to Basic medical Care (ABC) Foundation aimed at providing easy access to Basic medical Care. She has also created Mini Clinics for Widows and the Aged, not to talk of the establishment of ICT Center for Women in Public Service and monthly food provision support programme called ‘Ajumose Food Bank’; Provision of educational materials for the indigent children under Educate A Rural Child project just to mention but a few out of her several other poverty-eradication projects. She complements her husband excellently well in providing humanity service to the society.

No wonder her husband, His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi was made the ‘Aare Atunluse’ of Ibadan land and Mrs. Ajimobi the ‘Yeye Aare Atunluse’ of Ibadan land. They are a wonderful couple, great parents to their children and good companion to their close friends and acquaintances. There has never been a dull moment with them; They laugh, joke but at the same time highly disciplined and extremely blunt, which perhaps is why they are often times misunderstood.

-City People Magazine.

Again, Obasanjo Endorses Atiku, Newly Turbaned Wazirin Adamawa

For former Vice President and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Saturday, 25th November, 2018 marked yet another day of glory. Not only did he turn 72, the Adamawa Emirate Council turbaned him as the Wazirin Adamawa.

One of the major attractions at the turbaning was the presence of two former Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. In his speech, Chief Obasanjo reminisced on his days at the Yola Prison, when he was incarcerated by the General Sani Abacha regime. Obasanjo pointed out that the prison and the Lamido’s palace were separated by a wall.

The former President went on to endorse Alhaji Atiku as he told the Lamido of Adamawa that “Atiku will not disappoint when he becomes President”. He also said during his speech that “Atiku will do his job with dignity, integrity and honour”.

In a personal message, the newly turbaned Wazirin Adamawa described the day as one he will never forget in a hurry. “I’m humbled by the support from far and near. May Allah bless you all for making it a truly special day for me and my family”.

While appreciating former President Obasanjo, Atiku tweeted “I’m also grateful to my former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, who not only came, but made a very moving speech to honour me”.

Garlands For Atiku at 72- Paul Ibe

Over the past few weeks, Atiku Abubakar has become the man whom Nigerians and others around the world recognise as the leading opponent in next year’s presidential elections, the man to beat President Muhammadu Buhari in the polls and rescue Nigeria from the clutches of a heartless cabal.

But to many of us who have known him over the past years, he is much more than what the campaign media teams or the global newspaper headlines can ever portray effectively, no matter how well meaning they might be. And I speak as someone who has experienced on a personal basis the fullness of who Abubakar is and what he represents, which have nothing to do with whether or not the cameras are rolling or whether a microphone is thrust in his face, or whether there is an election to be won.

I’d like to share some of those personal experiences with you and the world as Atiku celebrates his 72nd birthday on November 25, the same day that he is being elevated from the title of Turaki Adamawa to Waziri Adamawa, in a ceremony taking place in his hometown of Yola.

Atiku Abubakar’s rags to riches story has been in the public domain especially since his days as Nigeria’s Vice President. Much has been told and written about his rise from herdsboy to headsman; of the boy who hardly knew his father before his demise; who sold firewood, herded cattle for wealthy neighbours, receiving payment in the form of grains which his family subsisted on. At the age of 15, he had saved enough to buy his mother a mud house. Of course, he went on to acquire an education, occupy senior positions in the civil service, launch groundbreaking businesses, even before he was elected as Vice President in 1999. The trajectory of his life shows clearly that hard work pays. But, there is still so much missing from these popular stories.

I was employed in Atiku’s media office in 2010. In 2015, I stepped into the daunting role of head of the Atiku Media Office, thus becoming Atiku’s spokesperson and one of his most visible staff. At first, I expected this to be nothing more than a job that came with heavy responsibilities, which I determined to dispatch with excellence and without reproach. But, before long, Atiku began to show me that I was more to him than just someone on his payroll. He showed me what it was like to work for a boss who cared for human beings, who was interested in the rise and comfort of those below him, who considered their issues as his own issues. I didn’t tell Atiku when my parents were ill but he found out and phoned me to find out how they were doing. Each time he saw me, he first asked details about my family’s welfare before he raised any pending or urgent work matters. Whenever I did anything he approved of, he expressed deep gratitude as if I had done him a personal favour, when I was merely doing my job. Anyone who has worked in our country knows how widely this differs from the typical Nigerian boss.

Atiku constantly reminded me to ensure that his media office reflected who he is, meaning that I should accommodate the rainbow colours of our national diversity. In the past few years, the media office’s staff has comprised and still comprises people from the southeast, southsouth, southwest, north central, northwest, and the northeast. Anybody who doubts this can research the names of past and present staff on the roll of the office. During Atiku’s 70th birthday two years ago, the AMO staff were determined to get him a gift. But then, what do you buy for a man who pays your salary, who buys you rams during Sallah and bags of rice during Christmas, who can afford everything that you can afford? Still, we were determined to seize the opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the best boss that one can ask for. In the end, we settled on a painting of his portrait. He grinned from ear to ear when we presented it to him. A plaque we also presented to him currently occupies pride of place in his living room. He didn’t disdain our humble gift of love.

Long before he declared his intention to contest for the 2019 elections and before he was overwhelmingly elected to represent the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku shared profound thoughts with me about his concern for Nigeria. Despite being from northern Nigeria, he was worried by President Buhari’s lopsided appointments. He was alarmed at the rise of the Boko Haram insurgency, despite the government’s loud proclamations that the group had been defeated. He was embarrassed by the series of gaffes President Buhari made each time he stood on the world stage, especially one that disdained his wife and women in general. He found it incredible that the government appeared more bent on finding a variety of excuses for the farmer-herdsmen clashes than they were about bringing the carnage to an end. When I arrived to attend a meeting with him sometime last year and noticed Atiku looking sad and sorrowful, I asked him if all was well. “In all my life, especially since the civil war, I have never been this worried for our nation,” he replied. The period under reference was the era of quit notices and counter quit notices.

Being right there in Port Harcourt to watch Atiku receive the resounding support of the PDP brought to me a joy that transcends my position in his team. Knowing that he will have the opportunity to effect his humanity and hardwork on a national scale is evidence to me that God definitely has Nigeria on his mind. My prayer is that Atiku’s elevation as Waziri and the celebration that will attend his official turbaning on Sunday will be a sign of the good things to come when he eventually mounts the saddle as President of Nigeria in 2019. May the celebrations of Sunday, November 25, be a snapshot of the future that millions of Nigerians from the North, South, East and West are currently looking forward to, as they support Atiku Abubakar to Get Nigeria Working Again.

Mazi Ibe is Media Adviser to His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 election.

‘Terrorists, Criminals Shouldn’t Be Better Equipped Than Our Military’- Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has called for increased funding and better equipping of Nigeria’s Armed Forces. The former Vice President made the call while stating that it is unacceptable that criminals and terrorists are better equipped than the country’s Armed Forces.

These were contained in a statement he personally signed on Thursday against the backdrop of the killing of military men in the North East by Boko Haram Terrorists and the North Central by criminal elements.

The statement reads inter alia: “With the rising spate of terror activities in the Middle Belt and the North East, I urgently call for increased funding for our military so that they are equipped and their morale boosted enough to contain and then defeat insecurity in Nigeria.

“It is unacceptable that terrorists and criminals are frequently better equipped than members of our armed forces. It is the duty of the political elite to put aside any political differences and take a United stand to put an end to this.

“The increasing deaths of our servicemen at the hand of terrorists and criminals, especially in the Northeast and Middle Belt, is a clear sign that our troops need to be better funded and better equipped. It is true that funds are scarce, but this is an emergency and if we do not take care of an emergency, it becomes a crisis which can lead to a total breakdown of law and order – anarchy in essence.

“I have been traveling all over Nigeria and I meet with both Muslim and Christian clerics who tell me that in the Northeast and Middle Belt, they now officiate over more funerals than they do marriages and child dedications. This is heartbreaking and we must do something immediately to change the situation.

“Apart from funding, I advise the Federal Government to review its policy of releasing so called ‘repentant’ terrorists. To think that the government can de-radicalise these individuals in so short a time is wishful thinking. Many people, myself included, think that the upsurge in terror activities coming after the release of such detainees, is not coincidental.

“Finally, I urge the National Assembly to suo moto, take action to appropriate funds for our military on a fast-track basis. These are desperate times for Nigeria and desperate times call for dedication to duty of all concerned.

“I am tired of issuing condolences for unnecessary deaths. I prefer to make a difference and prevent unnecessary deaths amongst the gallant men and women of our armed forces and the civilian population they took an oath to protect.”

WHY PARENTS TAKE THEIR WARDS TO TENNYTAN NURSERY & PRIMARY SCHOOL IN ABEOKUTA

According to the lateSouth Africa  President Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. It is the key to eliminating gender inequality, to reducing poverty, to creating a sustainable planet, to preventing needless deaths and illness, and to fostering peace.”

The above quote must have prompted Chief (Mrs.) Funmi Lawson to establish TennyTan Group of Schools some years back.

Apart from detailed professionalism which is their watch word, what stands TennyTan School out is their clear vision of providing a clean, conducive learning environment for the students. Their  core value is to instil morals, discipline, the fear of God, acedemic exellence, honesty, humility, integrity and respect for one another.

At TennyTan School,they are exceptionally committed to providing fair and equal educationalopportunities to all children regardless of tribe, religion, nationality,gender, disability or social status. TennyTan Schools, comprise of TennyTanKindergarten (Daycare setting) for babies whose parents are at work, providing an environment where they play with educational toys as part of building the skills in them), Nursery and Primary School and TennyTan Model College, started in Ibadan in June 1st, 2014, at College Crescent area of Ibadan as KindercareInternational Kiddies Arena. But the name was changed to TennyTan, an acronym coined from the founder’s sons’ names, Teniola and Enitan, after the establishment of Abeokuta, Ogun State wing in 2016.

The school is located at 2, Olusoji Idowu Avenue, Ile-ise Awo, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Another major selling point of the school, according to Mrs. Lawson, comes in the area of first-class facilities being put in place not only for the mental development of their students but also for intellectual, moral and physical development. When asked how she managed to establish schools without pre-knowledge of the education sector? She explained that she has all the tools to reach her target market with her educational background. According to her, she only employ professionals to teach the pupils and also get 100% support from her brother who is an Educationist.

“It is our aim to provide a balanced approach to learning while giving you the peace of mind that your child will have fun as he/she develops physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually. Our students will get the tools to become confident and self reliant. We have excellent, qualified and passionate team of teachers that would give every child endless opportunity to grow and learn in a caring atmosphere. We teach life skills that are beyond writing, maths and reading. Aspart of life skills teaching, playing with educational toys helps to develop motor skills and children learn the act of sharing as they pass the toys among themselves. Children learn various songs while doing role plays of housecleaning and self-hygiene. Our mission is to provide excellent care to our children and ensure their health and safety while in our care. To provide fun and loving atmosphere where they can learn and grow.

Our facilities include school buses for easy transportation of our students to and from school with well-trained drivers with valid driver’s license and they are subjected to further training for the purpose of carefully handling the children and for careful and mindful driving. There is also a Computer Section to provide Information and communication technology training for the children. The school advocates towards the productive and efficient use of computer as well as cutting-edge technologies for the attainment of the vision of the school. We also have Sick Bay with the purpose of providing first aid treatment to school related injuries. Our Library is well equipped  too.

All these coupled with many other things are the reasons people respect us in the sector,” Mrs. Lawson stated.

Mrs. Funmi Lawson was born into the family of Pa Folarin and Mosunmola Akinremi  (both deceased) some 56 years ago. She has a double major degree in Advertising Technology and Web Design from the Central Ohio Technical College Columbus, Ohio in the USA. She is also Currently studying for another degree in Advertising in Franklin University, Ohio.

Phone: 09036411754, 08069204351, 08090783693.

-City People Magazine

Oyo First Lady, Florence Ajimobi Sets To Host OYSOWA 2018

Wife of the Executive governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs.) Dr. Florence Ajimobi is set to host another edition of Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association (OYSOWA) annual conference.

This year edition, tagged 'Against All Odds', promises to be more greater than the previous ones judging by the kind of A-list celebrity women expected at the event. The likes of movie industry queen Joke Silver, Adenike Oyetunde, Adeola Faleye, top entrepreneurs as well as wives of governors across the state in the country.

The 2018 edition of women’s annual conference will hold from November 28-30, 2018, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

OYSOWA, an initiative of the Oyo First Lady, Chief (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, is aimed to discuss issues capable of advancing the course of women; their role in politics and the society generally. This year will be the 7th edition of the summit.

Since the idea of the summit was berth seven years ago by Mrs. Ajimobi,  over 10,000 women had been empowered with life-changing business ideas, knowledge and financial support. 

About 21 wives of the governors from the states of the federation, a former Liberia First Lady,  Sen. (Dr.) Jewel Howard-Taylor, and a former Vice President of Zimbabwe, Mrs. Joice Mujuru, governors and several other top celebrities from all walks of life graced the 2017 edition. 

The initiative is also part of Dr. Florence Ajimobi's many efforts in complimenting her husband as the Executive governor.

She is also the brain behind ‘Ajumose Food Basket', 'Access to Basic Medical Care Foundation’ (ABC), 'Educate A Rural Child Foundation’s just to mention but few out of her many pet projects. 

Ekiti State Exco Approves SDG, Property Protection Bills

Ekiti State Executive Council on Wednesday aproved the enactment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) bill and the Ekiti State Property Protection ( Anti Land Grabbing) bill. 

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) bill is to mainstream sustainable development goals across the workings of government and to raise awareness of sustainable development goals and practices across Ekiti State.

The Property Protection bill seeks to prohibit forceful entry, illegal occupation of landed property, violent and fraudulent conduct in relation to landed properties in Ekiti State.

The purpose of the bills, we gathered, is to strengthen good governance and enhance rapid socio-economic development in Ekiti State.

#2.1b Fraud Allegation: You Have A Case To Answer- Court Tells Dokpesi

Justice John Tsoho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has today ruled that Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communication Plc, has a case to answer in the alleged #2.1b fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC. 

The  Anti graft commission made the disclosure through its Twitter handle (@officialEFCC).

Recall Mr. Dokpesi had earlier been accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of using Daar Communications Limited to divert N2.1 billion from the account of the office of the NSA then occupied by Sambo Dasuki.