The General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said that he will never call the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, his president.
The cleric and politician, during a webinar on Saturday, alleged a series of malpractices during the 2023 elections, saying INEC made a mess of the electioneering process.
He said these while responding during a Question and Answer session after delivering his speech on the Zoom programme titled, ‘Building the New Nigeria: The Role of the Diaspora’.
While speaking earlier during the programme, he said the 2023 elections were below acceptable standards.
He said that at “any public lecture anywhere, before this mess is cleared off, I will address Asiwaju as a President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but I will never call him my president.” He said he didn’t participate in the elections, and therefore, no one could say he lost in the exercise.
The Irate youths besieged the Amuludun 99.1 FM early this morning Sunday May 28 wanting to take over the running of the radio station before security agencies intervened.
The radio station which is located at Moniya in Ibadan,in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo state.
An investigation by our correspondent revealed that the stern-looking security operatives have demobilised and chased them out of the station.
The radio station, which was located at J&P Bus-stop, Moniya in Ibadan, Akinyele Local Government Area of the state, was established on October 10, 2007, and commenced transmission in pure and undiluted Yoruba language on October 22, the same year.
FAREWELL SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
My fellow Nigerian brothers, sisters and friends of Nigeria.
I address you today, in my last assignment as a democratically elected President of our great and well-endowed nation, with a deep sense of gratitude to God, a great deal of appreciation to the Nigerian people and a modest sense of fulfilment.
Today we mark and celebrate another peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another in our steady march to improve and sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
This year we witnessed the most keenly contested Presidential Elections since the first Republic and this demonstrates that our democracy is getting better and more entrenched with each election.
We must as a nation improve and sustain gains we make in the electoral process, on an incremental basis for Nigeria to take its rightful place among Nations.
Our democracy provides for, allows and encourages seeking redress for perceived injustices, enabling some candidates and political parties that did not agree with the results to go to court.
Irrespective of the outcome of the various cases, I urge all parties involved to accept the decision of our courts and join hands to build a better Nigeria.
I salute the doggedness and resilience of all the Presidential Candidates and their political parties for believing in our judicial system by taking their grievances with the election results to court.
In the course of the campaigns, we had argued and disagreed on how to make Nigeria better but we never disagreed or had any doubts that Nigeria has to be better.
As your President, I call on all of us to bring to bear the strength of our individualism, the power of our unity, the convictions of our beliefs to make Nigeria work better and together with one spirit and one purpose.
To my brother, friend and fellow worker in the political terrain for the past ten years – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu -, I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world.
You have indeed worked for this day and God has crowned your efforts. I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under God’s guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher that I am leaving.
You are the best candidate among all the contestants and Nigerians have chosen well.
The last eight years have been an exciting experience in my desire and commitment to see a Nigeria in which public goods and services are available, and accessible within a united, peaceful and secure nation.
Fellow Nigerians, on the strength of your overwhelming support for me and my political party, I started this journey with a great deal of promise and expectation from you. I never intended to be just politically correct but to do the correct things that will make meaningful impact on the lives of the common Nigerian.
This high expectation was not misplaced because, like the ordinary Nigerian, I had grown tired of watching the country progressively moving away from the path of correctness.
To ensure that our democracy remains resilient and our elected representatives remain accountable to the people, I am leaving behind an electoral process which guarantees that votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent and the influence of money in politics reduced to the barest minimum. And Nigerians can elect leaders of their choice.
We are already seeing the outcome of this process as it provided an even playing field where persons without any political God-Father or access to money defeated other well-resourced candidates.
The Nigerian economy has become more resilient due to the various strategies put in place to ensure that our economy remained afloat during cases of global economic downturns.
You would all recall the supply chain disruptions and economic downturn that the world witnessed between 2020 and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice.
Furthermore, we increased the ability of the poor and rural Nigerians to earn a living, provided more food for millions in our villages and gave our women opportunities to earn a living.
Young men and women in urban centres were also supported to put their skills into productive use. Our administration also provided an enabling environment for the private sector to engage in businesses for which their return on investments is guaranteed.
The private sector proved a strong partner in our drive to build a resilient and sustainable economy as evidenced by the growing number of turn-key projects in various sectors of the economy.
In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results. Some of the measures led to temporary pain and suffering for which I sincerely apologised to my fellow countrymen, but the measures were taken for the over-all good of the country.
Mindful of the need to ensure adequate infrastructure to drive economic growth, we completed age-long projects and processes notably amongst which are the Petroleum Industry Act, completion of some power projects, completion of the second Niger bridge and various important roads linking cities and states.
Our battle to ensure that all Nigerians live in a safe and secure environment has achieved considerable results. As I complete my term in office, we have been able to reduce the incidences of banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other criminal activities considerably.
To sustain the gains made so far, I call on all Nigerians to be more vigilant and support the security agencies by ensuring that our values defined by being your brothers’ keeper govern our actions.
Up-till now, I still grieve for our children still in captivity, mourn with parents, friends and relatives of all those that lost loved ones in the days of the senseless brigandage and carnage. For all those under unlawful captivity our Security Agencies are working round the clock to secure their release unharmed.
Fellow Nigerians, you know how dear the desire in my heart is, to rid the country of corrupt practices that had consistently diminished our efforts to be a great country.
I did pursue this commitment relentlessly, in spite of the expected push back. I am happy that considerable progress had been made in repatriating huge sums of money back to the country and also taken over properties illegally acquired from our common wealth.
To improve service delivery, we began the implementation of a number of reforms aimed at producing an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-oriented (EPIC) Federal Civil Service and the results are beginning to show.
On the international scene, Nigeria’s influence continues to grow as exemplified by notable Nigerians occupying headship and leadership positions in renowned global bodies.
Our democracy is built on and continues to thrive on the principles of separation of powers. The leadership and members of the National Assembly deserve my appreciation for their patriotism which did not detract from their roles as a check to the executive arm.
I also want to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to a good number of Nigerians who provided their support and encouragement to help me navigate the exciting journey in moving Nigeria forward.
I cannot and will not forget the millions who prayed for me during my illness in my first term of office. I am constantly praying for you and for Nigeria to thrive in peace.
As I retire home to Daura, Katsina State, I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria Re-Birth by taking the initial critical steps and I am convinced the in-coming administration will quicken the pace of this walk to see a Nigeria that fulfils its destiny to be a great nation.
I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015.
I thank you all. And may God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Obafemi Awolowo University Chapter of the Federation of Oyo State Student Union successfully organized its third edition of the Pace Setter Summit on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The summit, which aimed to empower youth leaders and build sustainable communities in Oyo State, attracted a significant turnout.
Over 520 Oyo State students, as well as students from other states, gathered for this momentous event. The summit took place at the ICT Hall, Faculty of Technology, OAU, and was skillfully hosted by two capable MCs, Marshal and his co-host.
Distinguished guests graced the occasion, including Senator Gbenga Babalola, the former senator representing Oyo North, who served as the guest speaker. Dr. Debo Akande, the Director General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, Ibadan, was also in attendance, represented by Dr. Dayo Shosina from the agency. Furthermore, notable members of the academic staff, such as Prof. Gbadamosi and Prof. Y.K Yusuf, lent their presence to the event.
The executive members of the association worked diligently to ensure the success of this remarkable gathering. President Babatunde Bori demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in organizing this epoch-making event.
During his speech, Senator Gbenga Babalola encouraged all attendees to invest in themselves and contribute to their communities in order to foster balanced development within Oyo State. Dr. Adesina elaborated on the theme of “Empowering Youth Leaders and Building Sustainable Communities in Oyo State.” His lecture emphasized the concept of empowerment and its potential benefits for the youth in the 21st century. Dr. Adesina discussed the Oyo State government’s efforts to drive agribusiness through innovation, technology, and industrialization. He also highlighted the vision and mission of turning the state into a modern agribusiness hub, aiming to stimulate economic growth and encourage young agripreneurs to invest in agriculture as a means of youth empowerment.
The summit also showcased the talents of Oyo State students at OAU campus. Notable performances included Ayanseyi, a young lady who expressed our cultural heritage through the enchanting sounds of the talking drum, and The Chants, who delighted the audience with their constructive and beautiful use of the Yoruba language to convey important values and morals. The event concluded around 4:00 PM, with attendees treated to a delicious serving of Amala and Abula, a traditional Yoruba cuisine.
The Pace Setter Summit provided an invaluable platform for Oyo State students to gather, learn, and empower themselves as future leaders while fostering sustainable development in their communities.
The Police in Lagos state has arrested and paraded two suspected killers of a former Ogun State Permanent Secretary, Femi Egbeoluwa, and his wife, Funmi, who were murdered in their Ikeja residence on March 19, 2023.
Parading the suspects before newsmen on Thursday, May 25, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the suspects were the slain couple’s former driver, Wale Adeyemo, and his accomplice, Kingsley Chibueze. He said Adeyemo resigned as the couple’s driver during the naira scarcity period and was paid off. The PPRO said after squandering the money in less than two weeks, Adeyemo approached 26-year-old Chibueze and conspired with him to attack the couple.
“You will recall that on “March 19, 2023, in Ikeja, an elderly couple were m¥rdered in their house and the m¥rderers stole lots of valuables, phones, and money. We were yet to ascertain the exact amounts they stole but they are in dollars and naira. Based on our intelligence and our investigation, we have been able to arrest Wale Adeyemo and Kingsley Chibueze.
Wale was the driver of the couple, and during the cash crunch, the driver approached the elderly couple and requested to be paid off, he said he was no longer interested in working for them. The elderly couple paid him off. But in less than two weeks, he had squandered the money and being an insider who knows their movements and everything about the house, he recruited Kingsley Chibueze and they stormed the couple’s house, murdered them and also attacked the housemaid. From the attack, it was obvious their intent was also to kill her but she survived.”Hundeyin said
He further stated that Adeyemo and Chibueze would be prosecuted as soon as possible, while efforts are being made to apprehend the third suspect.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has said his administration is committed to programs and policies that will secure the lives and future of Children in the State.
Governor Akeredolu, in his 2023 Children’s Day message, said deliberate investment in Education, Health, and Infrastructure will have fruitful effects on future generations.
The Governor, who said his administration is committed to massive investment in the children’s future, noted that his government had recorded huge investment in Education, Health, and Infrastructure.
“In our six years in the saddle, we have reconstructed and renovated over 800 Public Primary Schools. We understand the importance of building a formidable foundation for our Children, especially at the Basic Education Level.
“In view of this, we didn’t only reconstruct blocks of classroom; we also constructed perimeter fence for the security of our Children. Our Public Schools are equipped with new ICT centre, playground equipment and modern toilets.
“We also employed qualified teachers through the State Universal Basic Education Board to bridge the long-time shortage of teachers in our schools.
“We put all these in place to create a conducive learning environment for our Children and nurture their quest for a better education and good living. Our administration is determined to commit more resources to this vision.
“Our Primary Health Care delivery service has since received a major boost. Only recently, the Ondo State Primary Health Development Agency won the Best Leadership Challenge Award in the South West with a Cash Award of Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($500,000).
“The Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge Fund is a flagship programme of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to revamp the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy in the country by maximising the commitment of state Governors to promoting a progressive increase in PHC funding, and ensuring all primary healthcare centres have the requisite human resource capacity.
“The Challenge is a joint project of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the Dangote Foundation and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).
“Ondo State emerged first in the Southwest with a Cash Award of Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($500,000). This attested to our commitment in investing in the Primary Health Care service for our Pregnant women and Children.
“Aside, our administration has put in place the Abiyamo Maternal & Child Health Insurance Scheme (AMCHIS) as a State Equity Scheme for two sets of Vulnerables – Pregnant women and Under-5 children. This program is fully funded by the State Government.
“We have also continued to build infrastructure that will serve the next generation and sustain the economy and development of our dear State. These and more we are doing, bearing in mind that the future of our Children is the most important investment.” The Governor said.
While describing the Children as precious gifts from God and future leaders, the Governor assured that his administration will continue to give special attention to issues concerning children.
He charged the Children to always be of good character and shun bad company, adding that their studies should be the most important to them.
Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Ooni Babatunde Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi,CFR, Ojaja II has called on the Afro-Brazilians to synergise adequately with Africa for the enhancement of the Back-To-Root movement.
The African foremost monarch made this assertion through his Queen, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi during the opening ceremony of the African Fashion Week Brazil holding at Expo Center Norte, 1000 – Villa Guilherme, Sao Paulo on Thursday.
Queen Aderonke explained the aim of the event is to create more synergies in terms of culture and fashion between Africa, Afro-Brazilians and Brazil.
She said her husband, the Ooni of Ife is determined to seeing very strong synergies between African designers and Afrobrazilian designers in the bid to strengthen the economic and cultural bond of the Africans and Africans in diaspora.
The Ooni’s Queen noted that the Ooni’s recent visit to Brazil hosted president LULA for African Traditional Religion Day and the legislative approval for Twin City status between The City of Ife and some cities in Brazil were in in fulfillment of his dream to get the Afro-Brazilians connected to their home continent of Africa.
“The benefits of the African Fashion week holding in Brazil are huge if there’s a synergy between you and designers in Africa.
“The aim of the project is to create more synergies in terms of culture and fashion between Africa, Afrobrazilians and Brazil which is already happening through the efforts of my husband.
“Creating African designers and Afrobrazilian designers in the bid to strengthen our economic and cultural bond is also a good strategy. The twin cities arrangement backed up with Brazilian legislative law that was recently passed the parliaments of Rio and Bahia states here in Brazil which my husband and other traditional emissaries and business tycoons from Africa came to celebrate and his meeting the President of Brazil last some 2 months ago was to ensure a robust relationship between you all and your home continent of Africa”. The Queen said.
Also, while answering questions from journalists after the event, Queen Aderonke further stated the characteristics of African Fashion in terms of beauty, colour, boldness, uniqueness, royalty as what to be showcased to the world. She lauded the Models that came for the event and describing them as phenomenal, amazing, wonderful and professional partners.
She gave the brief historical background of how Africa Fashion week started 14 years ago in London and later metamorphosed the one that held in Nigeria and the one that is holding presently in Brazil, saying that Africa continent is full of about 3000 tribes part of which have different fashion and cultural values inspired and influenced by the historical and traditional set up of each tribes particularly in the Oduduwa race.
The Ooni’s beautiful wife who is also a great granddaughter Ooni Ademiluyi Ajagun, the 48th Ooni of Ife led a team of Nigeria designers and her Adire Oodua Textile Hub a part of cultural and economic section of the Ooni’s House of Oduduwa Foundation to Sao Paulo in Brazil to show case they beauty of the African people through Fashion in the ongoing Africa Fashion Week Brazil participated by designers and their models from Brazil, Ghana, United Kingdom, Mozambique, America, France and Nigeria.
Four persons have been reported dead in a crash that occurred opposite Mountain Top University along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
According to Florence Okpe, Spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps Ogun command, the crash occurred in the early hours of today involving a LEXUS RX350 SUV with registration number KTU738HM and a MACK TRUCK T21024LA.
Six male adults in total were involved in the collision, of which four died and two others sustained minor injuries.
Okpe attributed the likely causes of the crash to excessive speed and use of phone while driving, which resulted in the Lexus driver losing control and crashing into the moving truck.
She further stated that the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Real Divine Hospital mortuary in Ibafo.
While commiserating with the victims’ families, FRSC Ogun Sector Commander CC Ahmed Umar warned motorists about the hazards of using a phone while driving.
He also recommended them to get in touch with the FRSC IBAFO OUT POST for more information on the crash.
Hilda Baci, the 27-year-old Nigerian chef, has stated that her culinary skills were ordained from above.
Baci garnered huge support from Nigerians and those in the diaspora after she cooked for 100 hours, beating the previous record of 87 hours and 45 minutes, set by Indian chef, Lata Tondon.
In her interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the culinary expert stated that cooking has always been a hobby she holds dear.
The young chef said, “So, even when I was a TV presenter — and that’s not to say I’m no longer a [TV] host because I’m still very capable of doing those things, it’s more, I chose to apply myself more here because I needed to focus on this aspect of my life and the business aspect, to basically build a system.
“Even when I was on TV, what I did was host a cooking show and a cooking segment on a breakfast show. So, somehow, even in the other aspects of my career, cooking still pretty much shines out the best, and I would say it’s what God wants me to do.”
She further stressed that the success of her cooking business, MyFood by Hilda, was a sign that she had found her calling.
“The minute I started my business, the response to it was amazing.
The response to it has been amazing, and that’s just a testament to show that this is what I’m meant to do and I love doing it. So, for the most part, it doesn’t feel like work,” Baci said.
The senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Smart Adeyemi, has suggested that the president-elect, Bola Tinubu should question the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, when he assumes office.
The lawmaker, who stated this in an interview with Channels Television, alleged that the CBN’s policy to redesign Naira notes was a calculated attempt to frustrate Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
He said the apex bank’s governor should be made to explain the real motives behind the policy that caused controversy in the country earlier in the year. He said, “The calculated attempt then, was to stop APC from winning the election. They said they were redesigning the Naira, so where are the redesigned notes?
“Gradually, they are out of circulation. If the judiciary had kept quiet, Nigeria would have gone into chaos. “If I were Tinubu, when I assume office, I will call in Emefiele and others to come and explain what happened and what was the reason behind the redesigning of Naira notes”.
