Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Nigeria

  • Senator Amosun visits late ex-Governor Ajimobi’s widow in Ibadan

    Senator Amosun visits late ex-Governor Ajimobi’s widow in Ibadan

    Senator Ibikunle Amosun today visited the family of the late former Governor of Oyo State Senator Abiola Ajimobi who died in a Lagos Hospital last week Friday 26th June 2020.

    Senator Ibikunle Amosun and late Senator Ajimobi were good friends from the days of their association in the ANPP.

    They were also both former governors elected on the platform of ACN in 2011 and later APC in 2015.

    The former Governor of Ogun State prayed for the Ajimobi family that Almighty God will grant them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

  • Ooni adopts son of corn seller who drew his portrait, gives him scholarship

    Ooni adopts son of corn seller who drew his portrait, gives him scholarship

    Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has adopted Samuel, a 17-year-old boy, who drew his portrait with pencil.

    Oba Ogunwusi also announced that he would foot the boy’s tuition up to tertiary institution and employ him upon graduation.

    AccordIng to him, “I got tagged on Twitter a few months back from a young man who made a brilliant pencil drawing of myself, in my appreciation for his art I invited him to my palace.

    “17-year-old superlative Samuel who is just about to graduate from secondary school has been adopted by me, his fees till his tertiary education will be taken care of by me, and he will be gainfully employed right here in my palace.

    “It’s clear that if we all work together as a people, irrespective of our special positions or privileged social status, we can deliver access to sustainable socioeconomic opportunity that suit our people. It was an endless gratitude for me meeting his mother who is a corn seller and who demonstrates an incredible heart of motherhood. She reveres in awe of the Stool of Oduduwa at the sight of me.

    “I thank God for the position he has put me in. Since my ascension, my Royal Stool is dedicated to ambitious young Nigerian populations who are daily pushing hard through the barriers of economy instability and uncertainties to gain better livelihood and reconstruct the multifarious challenges that are existential to our survival as a nation.

    “I look forward to continuing in the mission of discovering beautiful souls and Samuels out there who need help and I will continue to help and support all that I can.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Ogun Government mobilises contractors back to abandoned road projects

    Ogun Government mobilises contractors back to abandoned road projects

    Construction work on the Lafenwa-Rounda Road in Abeokuta and other abandoned road projects across Ogun State has resumed.

    In a statement made available to Echotitbits by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo, the Ogun state Government said contractors have now been mobilized to resume work on the Lafenwa-Rounda Road, which was abandoned by the immediate past administration.

    “The last administration began the project but later left it uncompleted, bringing untold hardship to road users, pedestrians and residents within the axis, with regular traffic congestion, car wear and tear, and business disruption.

    “As a road connecting Abeokuta, the State Capital with some major towns in Yewa Land and neighbouring Oyo State, the Lafenwa-Rounda Road has been declared by the Government as a viable road which it is keen on completing on the shortest possible time”, the statement read.

    The state government also noted that work has equally resumed on several other roads that include Kuto Bridge and the surrounding road, Elega, Panseke-Adigbe, Adatan-Car Wash, Owode-Ilaro, among others that were started by the immediate past administration but left uncompleted.

  • We will deal decisively with bandits – Army Chief, Buratai says

    We will deal decisively with bandits – Army Chief, Buratai says

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai says the Nigerian Army will collaborate with sister agencies to bring a decisive end to armed banditry in the North-west zone of the country.

    The Army Chief stated this at the commencement of this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    General Buratai explained that the week-long event was being marked in Katsina State to boost the morale of frontline troops in the war against armed banditry in the North-west zone of the country.

    He said that President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a directive to the armed forces to extinguish the fires of banditry in the zone, through the ongoing ‘Operation Sahel Sanity’.

    He tasked the troops carrying out the operation under the ‘8 Division’ and the ’17 Brigade’ of the Nigerian Army to locate every bandits’ camp in the forest and deal with them decisively.

    The Army Chief assured communities across the five affected states that the army in collaboration with sister agencies would defeat armed banditry.

    “The troops will move into the bush and defeat them tactically, that is our mission, and that is what we want to achieve. Anything short of that will only prolong the security crises.” So we are determined to deal with them in the bush or wherever they are, even in the towns and cities. We will deal with them decisively,” Buratai reiterated.

    This year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration has the theme “Nigeria’s Territorial Defence and Sovereignty: the Imperative for Nigerian Army’s Sustained Training and Operations”.

     

  • FG increases price of petrol to N143 amidst “toxic fuel” importation claim

    FG increases price of petrol to N143 amidst “toxic fuel” importation claim

    The Federal Government has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol from N140.80 to N143.80 per litre.

    This increment was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Abdulkadir Saidu.

    “After a review of the prevailing market fundamentals in the month of June and considering marketers’ realistic operating costs, as much as practicable, we wish to advise a new PMS pump price band of N140.80 – N143.80 per litre for the month of July 2020,” the statement read.

    “All marketers are advised to operate within the indicative prices as advised by the PPPRA.”

    In April, the Federal Government had announced a reduction of the petrol pump to N123.50 per litre.

    This upward review in petrol price comes only hours after a UK based newspaper, The Guardian revealed that the petrol that Nigeria buys from Europe is dirty and harmful.

    According to laboratory analysis: “Black market fuel made from stolen oil in rudimentary “bush” refineries hidden deep in the creeks and swamps of the Niger Delta is less polluting than the highly toxic diesel and petrol that Europe exports to Nigeria”, the newspaper reported.

  • Buhari Nominates Ademola Seriki, Sarafa Ishola, Others as Ambassadors

    Buhari Nominates Ademola Seriki, Sarafa Ishola, Others as Ambassadors

    President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday nominated 41 non-career ambassadors-designate.

    Buhari, in a letter addressed to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, requested the lawmakers to confirm the nominees.

    The President also nominated one career ambassador-designate, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The nominees are: Engr. Umar Suleiman (Adamawa); L.S. Mandama (Adamawa); Oboro Effiong Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Chief Elejah Onyeagba (Anambra); Abubakar D. Ibrahim Siyi (Bauchi); Philip K. Ikurusi (Bayelsa); Hon. Tarzcor Terhemen (Benue); Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue); Al-Bishir Ibrahim Al-Hussain (Borno); Brig Gen. Bwala Yusuf Bukar (Borno); Prof. Monique Ekpong (Cross River); Oma Djebah (Delta); Ominyi N. Eze (Ebonyi); Yamah Mohammed Musa (Edo); Maj. Gen. C. O. Ugwu (Enugu); and Dr. Hajara I. Salim (Gombe).

    Others are: Obiezu Ijeoma Chinyerem (Imo); Ali M. Magashi (Jigawa); Prof. M. A. Makarfi (Kaduna); Hamisu Umar Takalmawa (Kano); Imam Galandanci (Kano); Amina Ado Kurawa (Kano); Amb. Yahaya Lawal (Katsina); Dare Sunday Awoniyi (Kogi); Ibrahim Kayode Laaro (Kwara), Abioye Bello (Kwara); Zara Maazu Umar (Kwara); Ademola Seriki (Lagos); Henry John Omaku (Nasarawa); Chief Sarafa Tunji Ishola (Ogun); Mrs. Nimi Akinkube (Ondo); Adejaba Bello (Osun); Adeshina Alege (Oyo); Debo Adesina (Oyo); Ms. Folakemi Akinyele (Oyo); Shehu Abdullahi Yibaikwai (Plateau); Hon. Maureen Tamuno (Rivers); Faruk Yabo (Sokoto); Adamu M. Hassan (Taraba); Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed (Yobe); and Abubakar Moriki (Zamfara).

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • NAPAC NJ Drums Supports for Black Lives Matter, Condemns Horrible Treatment of African Americans

    NAPAC NJ Drums Supports for Black Lives Matter, Condemns Horrible Treatment of African Americans

    Idowu Sowunmi

    The Nigeria American Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC) in New Jersey, the United States of America has expressed support towards the “Black Lives Matter” movement, saying it could no longer keep quiet in the face of oppression.

    While noting that Blacks are Blacks everywhere in the world, NAPAC condemned in strong words the horrible and partial treatment being meted out to the Black people in the USA.

    NAPAC NJ, in a statement by its Chairperson, Amb. Hon. Olamide Davies Talabi, denounced the one per cent Candace in the USA, explaining that this category of people does not represent the Blacks’ collective views.

    Talabi added that the Black community has lost so many people to senseless police brutality, including Chinedu Okobi (Nigerian); Momodu Lamin Sisay (Gambian); Matthew Ajibade (Nigerian); George Floyd; Breonna Taylor; and others.

    According to her, “NAPAC NJ proudly supports Black Lives Matter and the fight against injustice.

    “A mentor once told me: ‘You are either on the left or on the right side, try not to be neutral on important issues.’

    “As Africans, we have picked a side which is on the right side of history to call out racism and the ill treatment of blacks in the USA.

    “We denounce the one per cent Candace amongst us. They do not represent us or our collective views. We can no longer stay silent in the midst of oppression. As a community we know that our African American brothers and sisters paved the way for the freedom African immigrants are enjoying in this country.

    “We know that Blacks are Blacks everywhere in the world; we are one.

    “We strongly condemn in strong words the horrible and partial treatment given to Black people in the USA. As a community we have lost so many people to senseless police brutality.

    “May the souls of Chinedu Okobi (Nigerian); Momodu Lamin Sisay (Gambian); Matthew Ajibade (Nigerian); George Floyd; Breonna Taylor; and many more that we don’t know due to lack of footage continue to rest in peace.”

  • Abia Govt. to EFCC – Unseal state PPP properties in 7 days

    Abia Govt. to EFCC – Unseal state PPP properties in 7 days

    Abia State government has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seven days ultimatum to remove all the offensive notices placed on some assets and estates of Abia State government.

    The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Abia State, Chief Uche Ihediwa gave the ultimatum while briefing news men on the recent development in the State, where the EFCC sealed off some properties purported to belong to a highly placed politician in the State. Chief Ihediwa demanded the EFCC to tender an unreserved apology to the State within seven days in view of the inconvenience its action has caused the State, failure of which the State would take appropriate redress in court.

    He explained that those assets marked by the EFCC belong to the State government, also that Abia government duly entered into partnership arrangements with credible investors for the development of those properties under public private partnerships while the reversionary interest in the properties still resides in the State government.

    Chief Ihediwa informed that the law establishing the EFCC makes it clear that the Commission can only seal property of persons under investigation and noted that ownership of the property in question is not under investigation. He recalled that in 2016, the same EFCC investigated the ownership of most of those property and the certificates of occupancy and public private partnership agreements between the State government and investors of the various assets.

    The Commissioner described the action of the EFCC as unwarranted and unlawful, regretting why the agency did not write the State government to find out the ownership of the said property whose title documents are domiciled in the State Ministry of Lands. He stated that the action of the EFCC has caused harm to the State economy by scaring investors from the State.

    The assets sealed by the EFCC include; The Abia Mall, the Adelabu Housing Estate, the former township main market at Ogwumabiri, the Millenium Luxury Apartment, Abia hotels and Linto estate, Old Timber Market, all in Umuahia.

  • Video: Remains of late Ajimobi now buried at his Oluyole Estate residence

    Video: Remains of late Ajimobi now buried at his Oluyole Estate residence

    The remains of the late ex-Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajiimobi has Sunday arrived his Oluyole Estate residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital where here has now been buried..

    In the last 48 hours, the final resting place of late Ajimobi became controversial as rumour filled the air that the Oyo State Government was delaying the burial because of its refusal to approve a land in the Agodi Garden area for the ceremony.

    In another disclosure, a statement by the Chairman, Muslim Community in Oyo State, Alhaji Sanni, stated how it was ‘unislamic’ to bury Ajimobi in a Mosque, an arrangement that was meant to be a plan B after the family’s initial Agodi Garden plan was purportedly disapproved by the Oyo State Government.

    Below: Video of late Abiola Ajimobi arriving his Oluyole Estate residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

    Pictures:

     

  • Ajimobi: Oyo Government denies delaying burial of ex-Governor

    Ajimobi: Oyo Government denies delaying burial of ex-Governor

    Amidst the controversy surrounding where to bury ex-governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Governor Seyi Makinde-led Government has strongly denied allegations that it is behind the delay of burial ceremony for the late ex-Governor of the state.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Taiwo Adisa, who indicated that the insinuations amounted to a wicked lie.

    The statement read: “In view of the intense enquiries from news media organisations regarding the perceived delay in burying the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Oyo State Government wishes to place on record that there is no truth in the rumour making the rounds that the burial is being delayed by the state government.

    READ ALSO: Revealed: Why Ajimobi’s now controversial burial was delayed – cleric-accuses-‘constituted-authority’

    “The rumour, which is being deliberately spread to give the state government a bad name and to play undue politics with the dead, initially came by the way of social media gossip, which gained traction to attract the attention of traditional media outfits.

    “Several media outfits reached out to the Media Office of the Governor of Oyo State to make enquiries on this barefaced lie on Saturday.

    “Let it be stated clearly that the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has played no role at all in causing any delay whatsoever regarding the burial of his immediate predecessor, Senator Ajimobi.

    “The truth of the matter is that the family, through a proxy, approached the state government and sought approval to bury the late governor on a plot of land at Agodi GRA, which is currently under litigation.

    READ ALSO: Updated: Late Ajimobi journeys ‘home’ Sunday, family provides link to watch online

    “Incidentally, it was the same former Governor Ajimobi who instituted the legal action.
    “Governor Seyi Makinde had no choice than to state the facts as they are to the emissaries and turn down the request.

    “Governor Makinde, however, against the established land use rule in Oyo State, gave approval that the family can bury the late governor in his Oluyole Estate residence.
    “It is to be noted that the rules guiding land use in Government Reservation Areas (GRA) forbid the burial of bodies in such locations as Oluyole Estate and Agodi GRA.

    “Let us also put on record that whereas the family did not follow the laid down protocols in passing information on the sickness and eventual demise of Senator Ajimobi, Governor Makinde overlooked all that and directed the full cooperation of the government with the family on this matter.

    “It can only amount to a wicked lie to insinuate that the incumbent government in Oyo State attempted to obstruct the burial of the immediate past governor”, Adisa said.