Ondo Poll: Saraki Demands Free, Fair Process, Canvasses support for Jegede

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October 8, 2020

Immediate past Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security officials and the electorate that will participate in next Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State to ensure that the peaceful, credible, free and fair process witnessed during a similar election in nearby Edo State is not only sustained but improved upon.

Saraki, in a statement issued from his Media Office in Abuja today, advised the INEC and security officials to quickly do a comprehensive review of how it achieved the commendable process in Edo State and ensure that nothing less than that is repeated in Ondo State.

“These isolated polls as we have in Ondo State next Saturday and the last one in Edo State give us the opportunity to perfect the electoral system. We must continue to improve on the system with every one of these out-of-season elections so that the next general elections will perhaps be the best the country has witnessed in the last 60 years.

“It is a good omen that the election is coming a few days after the 60th Independence Anniversary. INEC, security officials and all individuals involved in the October 10 election in Ondo State must present a credible poll to all Nigerians as part of the Independence Anniversary gifts.

“From the Edo experience, we have seen that when the process is free and fair, the post-election contestation and the tension they usually generate are easily eliminated. The sides that do not win will be graceful in defeat while the one that is victorious will be magnanimous in victory. This is how we can build our democracy and make the system work for the benefit of the people.

“So, INEC should replicate the transparent process we saw in Edo State in which results were transmitted electronically from polling stations to the collation centers and it was possible for all interested parties to monitor the returns as they come in”, Saraki stated.

He further urged the registered voters in Ondo State to vote for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) who he described as experienced, mature, committed and brilliant professional that has the ability to think out of the box in finding solutions to the socio-economic problems confronting the state.

“I appeal to the people of Ondo State to vote for Jegede because he will faithfully fulfill all the promises he made to the people and implement the lofty programmes of the PDP. Let me also state that it is not too late for candidates of the other parties who share the same programmes, policies and plans with the PDP to drop out of the race and team up with our candidate for maximum victory and the resultant formation of an all inclusive government”, he stated.

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WTO DG: Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala Makes Final Round

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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October 8, 2020

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Zero Option for Corruption: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala — File Photo: DAVOS/SWITZERLAND, 30JAN10 - Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was Managing Director, World Bank, Washington DC; Global Agenda Council on Corruption, is captured during the session 'Zero Option for Corruption' in the Congress Centre of the Annual Meeting 2010 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 30, 2010. Copyright by World Economic Forum swiss-image.ch/Photo by Remy Steinegger

Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee, are the two candidates, out of five, who made the final round of the selection process for the top job of Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Reports stated that the trio of United Kingdom’s Liam Fox, Kenya’s Amina Chawahir Mohamed Jibril, and Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri did not secure enough support needed to scale the second round of consultations.

With two women scaling through to the final round, it is almost certain that the WTO will be led by a woman DG for the first time in the organization’s 25-year history, a report by Reuters stated.

Nigerian born Okonjo-Iweala was Nigeria’s finance minister twice, first in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration and second in the Goodluck Jonathan administration. She has experience working at international governance bodies as a former managing director of the World Bank and as a chairman at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.

Yoo has a 25-year career in government and is South Korea’s trade minister. She has helped expand her country’s trade network through bilateral accords with the U.S., China, and the U.K.

WTO General Council Chairman David Walker plans to formally announce the results to the institution’s delegates on Thursday morning in Geneva. The third and final phase of the consultation process will begin later this month and run until Nov. 6, after which the WTO will endeavor to name a consensus winner of the race.

Clouding the outlook for the selection process is the U.S. presidential election Nov. 3. The WTO makes decisions on a consensus basis, and a lack of American support for any of the finalists could mean delays in picking the new director-general.

If WTO members are unable to select a leader by consensus, a vote requiring a qualified majority could be held as a last resort, which would be an unprecedented development for the organization.

The campaign to lead the WTO during the most turbulent period of its 25-year existence is playing out against the backdrop of the pandemic, a worldwide recession, the U.S.-China battle for trade supremacy and the American election.

President Donald Trump has blasted the WTO as the worst trade deal in U.S. history and pledges to overhaul it to better suit the country’s interests.

The vacancy for the top WTO job arose when Brazil’s Roberto Azevedo decided to step down at the end of August, a year before his term was due to end.

WTO members view the race as an opportunity to reshape the organization, whose mission of economic integration is under threat from protectionist policies around the globe. Without reform, it risks being sidelined during the biggest economic crisis in a century.

PM

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Buhari Assures of Peaceful Ondo Election, Sanwo-Olu Charges Supporters to Shun Violence

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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October 8, 2020

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Buhari and Akeredolu — File Photo: Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari presents the APC party flag to Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who contested and won a second term as Governor.

As all actors in the October 10, 2020 Ondo Governorship election appear to be set, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians and the international community of a credible, peaceful and transparent poll.

The President gave the assurance in a video message to party supporters at the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign held in Akure on Wednesday.

According to the President, all necessary measures had been put in place to provide adequate security to forestall any breach of the peace by unscrupulous elements.

Buhari expressed confidence that the party supporters would vote according to the laws guiding the electoral process, urging the electorate to turn out en masse to vote without fear of molestation.

“I have no doubt that our candidate is a good brand for the APC to market. I am particularly delighted by his ingenious approach to governance. His performance within the limits of available resources is endearing, just as he has taken the state to an enviable level and on the path of prosperity. Having had the privilege of commissioning some of his projects, which I consider enduring legacies, I join you here today to declare that Governor Akeredolu deserves to be re-elected to consolidate the good work he commenced in his first term.

“I am not just proud of his achievements, I am confident he will enjoy the mandate of the good people of Ondo State for the second term.”

Buhari said further that he was encouraged by the large turnout at the grand finale, noting that he had keenly followed events in the state as regards the governorship election.

“I salute the courage and the demonstrated capacity of the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee under the leadership of Mai Mala Buni. I thank you for conducting a hitch-free party primary in Ondo State. I congratulate the APC family in Ondo State on this uncommon display of brotherliness, candour and doggedness.

“May I therefore salute all other governorship aspirants, who accepted the outcome of the primary election and decided to work for the success of the candidate and incumbent, Governor Akeredolu. Their patriotic and selfless conduct shall serve as an enduring reference point in party politics.”

The grand finale of the APC campaign rally was attended by Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Tayo Alasoadura; Deputy Senate Leader, Ajayi Boroffice; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Sylva Timipre and former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, among others.

Also in attendance were Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, who implored the people to cast their votes for APC to sustain the achievements recorded by the Akeredolu-led administration in the state.

Similarly, the Chairman of APC National Campaign Committee for Ondo State Election and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, counseled party supporters on the need to vote and defend their votes, adding that they should shun violence.

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Ministry of Works Effects 2day Total Shutdown of Third Mainland Bridge

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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October 8, 2020

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3rd mainland bridge — Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos

The Federal Government has announced that the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos will be totally shutdown for two days beginning from midnight on Friday to midnight on Sunday in order to carry out special repair works on the 11.8km platform.

The shutdown of the very busy bridge was made known by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola, who in a statement said that the construction had reached a stage where there should not be any form of movement or vibration on the bridge for concrete casting, hence the closure.

“The first total closure of the section of the bridge between Adekunle and Adeniji Adele will be from midnight of Friday, 9th October 2020 to midnight of Sunday, 11th October 2020 to allow the contractor complete the first stage of casting works.

“The contractor, Messrs Borini Prono & Co. (Nig.) Ltd, is nearing completion of works on the closed section of Third Mainland Bridge and requires the total closure of both bounds of the bridge between Adeniji Adele and Adekunle (i.e. in addition to the closed bound of the bridge, the other bound from Adekunle to Adeniji Adele will also be closed) to complete work.

“The total closure of this section of the bridge is to ensure that there is no vibration on the bridge during the casting in-place of the newly installed expansion joints. This is to allow for the setting of the special concrete, which allows the concrete to achieve its required compressive strength.

“Due to the number of expansion joints to be cast on the closed section of the bridge and the traffic situation in Lagos State, especially during the weekdays; the casting of the expansion joints will be in two stages to ensure that the total closure is only at the weekends when there is less traffic plying the route”, Popoola said.

As part of plan to ensure that there is a free flow of traffic on alternative routes, the controller said that adequate traffic management officials would be deployed to man the roads.

Expressing regret at regret at any inconvenience the closure might cause, Popoola added that the second total closure of the section of the bridge between Adekunle and Adeniji Adele would be communicated at a later date.

“The section of the bridge between Adekunle and Iyana – Oworo will still remain open, and traffic can move from Ebute-Metta/ Adekunle to Iyana – Oworo and vice – versa,” he said.

The Federal Ministry of Works had on July 14 effected a partial shutdown of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos for series of repairs. The repair is expected to last for six months with the construction divided into two phases of three months on each carriageway, starting with the Oworonsoki bound carriageway.

The Guardian reported that traffic was partially diverted on a stretch of 3.5km where construction is ongoing between Adeniji Adeniji Ramp and Ebute Meta, while different time belts were allotted for traffic diversions on the bridge.

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UAE Begins Visa Issuance to Nigerians

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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October 7, 2020

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Baring any unforeseen circumstance, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would commence issuance of visas to Nigerians from tomorrow (October 8).

This was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

According to him, “UAE confirmed that they will begin issuance of visas from 8th of October, 2020.

“Travellers to have a return ticket, hotel booking, negative PCR result and a Health insurance (similar to Schengen requirement).

“Health insurance can be paid through travel agents/airline.”

It would be recalled that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government had six days ago lifted suspension placed on Emirates Airline from flying into Nigeria on agreement that UAE would reciprocate with issuance of visa to willing travellers from Nigeria.

Idowu Sowunmi

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President Buhari to Present Abridged Budget Proposal at COVID-19 Compliant Presentation – Gbajabiamila

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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October 7, 2020

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Femi-Gbajabiamila-680x430 — Nigeria's Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila

The 2021 budget expected to be presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday will be COVID-19 compliant.

This was disclosed by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila when he read a letter from the President proposing budget presentation, during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Speaker noted that the budget presentation by President Buhari, to a joint session of both the Senate and House at 11am on Oct. 8, will be in full compliance to COVID-19 protocol.

Gbajabiamila said that members would be mandated to wear their face masks as part of compliance to COVID-19 protocol.

An abridged version of the budget would be presented by the President in order to limit the session to a hour, the Speakers said.

Similarly, the Speaker noted that his speech and that of the Senate President would be abridged so as to further reduce presentation time due to COVID-19.

According to him, the budget presentation will not be the usual annual presentation, it will be abridged because of the need to comply with COVID-19 guidelines.

Gbajabiamila added that the presentation, billed to commence at 11am, will adhere to social distancing rules as members would be allowed to sit in the gallery.

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2021 Budget Presentation: Senate Reduces Buhari’s Entourage to Observe Social Distancing

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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October 7, 2020

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The Senate on Wednesday says only officials involved in budget preparation would be allowed to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly for his presentation scheduled to hold on Thursday.

This was confirmed on Wednesday by the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, who equally noted that the presentation of the 2021 national budget would take place for just one hour.

The decision of the Senate was to ensure COVID-19 measures are adhered to including social distancing.

Members of the red chamber were informed at the plenary that the 2021 budget presentation would be held in the green chamber of the House of Representatives.

‘This time around because of the situation of COVID-19 pandemic, we have made arrangements to observe social distancing in the chamber.

“We also have to wear or face masks mandatorily. We are going to also abridge the entire event because we will be many there.

“So the entire event will last just about an hour. From the entry of the President into the chamber and addresses and the presentation and laying will be just an hour event.

“This is done so that we would be able to comply with the requirements of the COvID-19 protocol.

“Mr. President this time around will not be accompanied by many people on the entourage.

“Only a few people, very key and relevant to the budget will accompany Mr. President into the chamber.

”I think by the arrangement those of them that have little to do with the budget will join virtually what will happen,” Senate President Lawan said.

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Sanwo-Olu’s Govt Rallies Support for Epileptic Patients

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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October 7, 2020

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Sanwo-Olu-3-e1599755173984 — File Photo of Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government has charged the general public to give necessary support to persons suffering from epilepsy and desist from the act of discriminating against people with hereditary medical conditions, especially diseases that are not self-imposed.

Sanwo-Olu, who stated this through Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Segun Dawodu, explained that people with epileptic diseases suffer much stigma and discrimination, hence the need for a change of mindset towards them.

The commissioner made the call while declaring open a virtual training programme organised by the ministry for social workers and caregivers themed: “Sensitisation and Training the Trainers on Epilepsy and Its Management.”

Dawodu said it’s a well-known fact that epilepsy is like any other hereditary disease that affects people of all ages, noting that it’s not infectious but called for a stop to the stigmatisation and discrimination against victims of the terrible ailment.

He noted that the virtual training was designed to create awareness and also train social workers and caregivers on how to handle people suffering from epilepsy, adding that this was necessary because of their huge roles in managing and caring for sufferers.

Dawodu, therefore, urged the participants to make judicious use of the training opportunity, describing the facilitators selected for the programme as specialists in their field with years of experience about the disease.

In her contribution at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Yewande Falugba, stated that the awareness programme was to further enhance the knowledge of social workers and caregivers for proper handling of epileptic cases.

Affirming that the wellbeing of citizens is vital for improved productivity, Falugba maintained that the virtual training programme would be rewarding to participants as seasoned experts in the field of neuropsychology discussed important issues about epilepsy.

Also speaking at the training programme, a leading Consultant Neurologist in the state, Seyi Roberts, applauded Lagos State Government for its efforts in creating awareness about the disease, noting that it would go a long way in erasing all erroneous beliefs and misconceptions people have about the disease.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mary Special Needs Foundation, Adedoyin Oseni, expressed optimism that participants would benefit from the experience garnered by her organisation through its dedication to creating awareness on the causes, prevention and management of epilepsy, among others.

Idowu Showunmi

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Unstable Economy Due to Lack of Seasoned Economists in Buhari’s Cabinet – NES

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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October 7, 2020

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img_1602050351438_1602050735963 — [File Photo] (L) Senator representing Abia South, also Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; (R) President of Nigeria Economic Society (NES), Professor Sarah Anyanwu.

The Nigeria Economic Society (NES) has accused the Muhamadu Buhari-led government of lacking seasoned economists which has led the nation into an unstable state of the economy.

The claim was made on Tuesday by the President of Nigeria Economic Society (NES), Professor Sarah Anyanwu, during a courtesy visit on the senator representing Abia South and Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe.

The leader of the body of professional economists in her remark stated that the unsavoury state of the economy was due to the exclusion of NES members from National Economic Management Team.

“Members of the Nigeria Economic Society (NES) had in the past been included in the National Economic Management Team for the required professional advice and guidance on whatever economic policy to be adopted by the federal government.

“The practice assisted the past government in making sound economic policies required by circumstances or situations on the ground.

“But the exclusion of economists in the National Economic Team under the present administration has glaringly shown the adverse effects on the economy which by those who can read the indices and indicators correctly, is nose-diving.

“Our exclusion from the NEMT is seriously making the Nation’s economy to be unstable and somewhat directionless.”

Responding to Prof. Anyanwu’s remark, Senator Abaribe assured that the National Assembly would give expeditious passage to the Bill.

“We are not surprised that the economy went into recession and moving towards that direction again, since as disclosed here, required knowledge from the experts are not even sought for.”

Members of the NES visiting team include Professors Peter Shibayan of the Department of Economics, University of Abuja; Eyilola Olaniyi also from the same Department, University of Abuja, amongst others.

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Ogun Gov Appoints BBNaija Winner, Laycon, Youth Ambassador, Gifts him ₦5m, 3Bedroom Apartment

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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October 7, 2020

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images (19) — Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun appoints Big Brother Naija Lockdown Edition Winner as Youth Ambassador, at the Governor's Office, Abeokuta, the State Capital, Tuesday 6th October, 2020.

Winner of the Big Brother Naija Lockdown edition, Olamilekan Agbeleshe, popularly known as Laycon, has been appointed youth ambassador by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

The appointment was made known by the governor when he played host to the 26year old BBN winner at the executive chamber of the governor’s office in Abẹokuta, the state capital.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun appoints Big Brother Naija Lockdown Edition Winner as Youth Ambassador, at the Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, the State Capital, Tuesday 6th October, 2020.

Prince Abiodun also disclosed that the reality show winner received a three bedroom apartment and N5million gifts.

“Once again, I congratulate you and on this note, I hereby appoint you as Youth Ambassador of Ogun State. I look forward to working with you to be a model of good character, excellence, good virtues, calmness, integrity that are general attributes of Ogun State, and in fact, your homestead, Odeda.

“We believe that you will help inspire our teeming youths to channel their energies towards positive engagements and shun vices such as robbery, drug abuse, cultism, advanced fee fraud, cybercrimes and kidnapping amongst other negative tendencies,” the governor announced.

Further in his remark, Governor Abiodun revealed that his administration plans to establish an entertainment village for the purpose of nursing budding talents in the state.

“On behalf of the Government and good people of Ogun State, I join your fans across the world to welcome you to your Home State.

“I also want to congratulate you on your success after 71 days as a housemate at the Year 2020 Big Brother Naija, Lockdown Edition.”

While praising his guest for his good behaviour in the BBN House, Governor Abiodun diẹ not hesitate to note that young Nigerians can learn from Laycon’s demeanor based on how he related well with the other 19 housemates from different backgrounds.

Governor Abiodun said Laycon, “demonstrated the Omoluabi component which is the primary ingredient of an Ogun State-born Nigerian. Despite all the odds, temptations, and provocations in the House, I am proud that you came out unscathed and uninvolved in any scandal or immoral act.

“You have also demonstrated with the way you carried out your assigned tasks in the House with comportment; intellectual responses to questions and; your spirit of fair-play, that your academic achievement at the University of Lagos was earned. This has also shown that our Universities can and still produce graduates that are found worthy in character and good learning”, Governor Abiodun said.

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