File Photo: Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, and former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.
President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday sent warm felicitations to former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), on his 79th birthday, August 17, 2020, joining family, friends and associates to celebrate with the elder statesman.
Buhari said as the former military leader turns a new age, his “services to the country will always be remembered.”
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, prayed God to continually strengthen Babangida, grant him good health and longer life.
“His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace,” the President added.
Donald Trump had reportedly visited his younger brother in hospital on Friday, after it was revealed he had been “very ill.”
SkyNews says cause of death has not been disclosed, however the businessman reportedly spent at least 10 days in June in the neurosciences intensive care unit at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.
After he left hospital he sued his and the President’s niece, Mary Trump, over her plan to publish a book about the Trump family.
However, Robert failed in several court actions to stop publication of the book, which is called Too Much And Never Enough: How My Family Created The World’s Most Dangerous Man.
Robert argued that Mary Trump had violated a non-disclosure agreement she signed with him, the president and their sister, retired federal appeals court judge Maryanne Trump Barry.
Mary Trump and her brother allegedly signed the agreement with their uncles and aunt over their share of the estate of Fred Trump Senior, the president and Robert Trump’s father, and Mary’s grandfather.
Mary’s father, the late Fred Trump Junior, died in 1981.
Despite their different personalities, the president was said to be very close to Robert, calling him “much quieter and easy-going than I am” and “the only guy in my life whom I ever call ‘honey.'”
Robert had run some of Mr Trump’s projects in the 1980s, and managed his family’s real estate portfolio. He was also part of New York’s social scene.
A collage of Late Chief Lanre Rasaq, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have expressed sadness over the death of a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of Lagos State APC, Lanre Razaq, who passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 74 after a brief illness.
Sanwo-Olu, who described late Razaq’s death as a rude shock, said the deceased was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses oriented programmes.
Tinubu also described the passing of prominent politician, businessman and APC chieftain in Lagos State as a big loss to the state.
Razaq, Balogun of Epe, died on Saturday at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after a brief illness.
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Gboyega Akosile, said the deceased, in his lifetime stood for what is right, always championing policies that would lift the lot of the poor masses.
The governor added that late Razaq, popularly called KLM did not hide his love and support of his administration especially the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda.
“I am saddened by the death of one of our political leaders in Lagos APC, Chief Lanre Razaq. He was a loyal party man and committed democrat, with a deep understanding of the state’s political landscape. He was an extremely loyal politician, who did his best for our party, the All Progressives Congress.
“Chief Razaq served his people and Lagos State passionately as Chairman of Epe Local Government Area and Commissioner of Public Transportation. He brought a lot of development to Epe as a council boss and also made a lot of positive contributions to turn around public transportation in Lagos during his tenure as member of the State Executive Council.
“Chief Razaq was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses oriented programmes. His support for our T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda was exemplary. He always propelled us to do more for the people of Lagos State.
“There is no doubting the fact that he would be missed by the entire political class, particularly the people of Epe, the Lagos East Senatorial District and the atate as a whole,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor also condoled with the immediate family of the departed, Tinubu, other GAC members, Lagos State APC and the entire people of Epe, praying God to grant the soul of the beloved Razaq eternal rest in Aljannah firdaus.
On his part, Tinubu said Rasaq was a grassroots politician, party loyalist and believer in the progressive cause.
Tinubu, in a condolence message issued by his Media Office and signed by his Media Aide, Tunde Rahman, said: “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Lanre Rasaq, a grassroots politician, well-known ally and a defender of the progressive cause.
“A member of our Governor’s Advisory Council in Lagos and one of the apex leaders in Lagos East, Chief Rasaq is an important part of our political movement.
“He was a loyal and energetic party man who did a lot for APC, Lagos State and his Epe hometown.
“Since he joined politics to meaningfully contribute his quota to the development of the people and betterment of the society, Chief Rasaq had had his hand on the plough and never to look back.
“He served Epe and Lagos State in various capacities including as Chairman of Epe Local Government Area and later Commissioner for Public Transportation in the state.
“So influential is Rasaq in his hometown that he was gifted the traditional title of Balogun of Epe. His death is a big loss to Lagos and Epe town. Lagos APC and members of the progressive family across the country will deeply miss him.
“I mourn with his wife and children and the entire Rasaq family. May Almighty Allah give them the strength to live after their father and patriarch.
“I commiserate with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the government and people of the state, particularly the entire people of Epe for the loss of an illustrious son.
“May Almighty Allah forgive the late politician of his shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljanna Fridaus. Amin.”
According to her, “Hello all, I know most of you have been wondering where I’ve been.
“Well, I contracted COVID-19. I have been ill and now getting better. More on the details of this soon.”
She, however, took out time to also make comments on recent deaths in the country, most especially that of an Assistant Manager at Cold Stone Creamery, Immaculate Okochu, who was reportedly crushed to death by a truck in Lagos.
Jalade-Ekeinde said: “I have been reading on the devastating news of how our youths are needlessly dying getting crushed by trailers/containers! This is disheartening and has made my heart really troubled!
File: A photo collage President Muhammadu Buhari lifting the hand of APC's Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State at a campaign rally in 2016; and a campaign rally of PDP's Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State recently.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is concerned about the tendency for voter apathy during the forthcoming Edo and Ondo states governorship elections.
This concern was expressed by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, during a virtual workshop on the commission’s communication policy.
The National commissioner noted that INEC fears that there might be difficulties to get voters focus on electoral matters due to uncertainty surrounding Coronavirus pandemic.
Okoye stated further that the fears of the electoral commission is that the nation is at a time when the dominant issues people are paying attention to is the Coronavirus and the protocols on how to manage it.
“It is difficult communicating internally and externally, when individuals and groups are facing existential challenges occasioned by a pandemic. It is difficult getting individuals, groups and organisations to focus on the conduct and management of elections in a period of fear, anxiety or worse.
“It is difficult getting people to focus on elections and electoral matters, when there is looming danger that they may be out of job or already out of work or are in Internally Displaced Persons Camps or in a period of uncertainty. Communicating what people may see as non-essential service in a period of a pandemic or uncertainty requires a new form of capacity and skill. It requires new thinking and new methodologies and strategy”, he said.
Okoye however assured that INEC is committed to deepening the use of technology in the electoral process, which is why the commission introduced the INEC party nomination portal; election observer accreditation portal and media accreditation portal.
He explained further that that with a view on transparency as per result transmission process, the commission has developed and deployed the INEC result-viewing portal containing Forms EC8A uploaded for the public to view.
“We at the Commission will continue to deepen our knowledge of global trends in election management and communication. We will continue to enhance our knowledge of electoral issues and processes. We urge the media, civil society groups and relevant stakeholders to join in deepening the use of technology in the electoral process,” Okoye added.
File: A model of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail. Photo- NAN
Funds are not a challenge – Rotimi Amaechi
Borrowing for infrastructure is not bad – Lai Mohammed
Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has assured that the delay in the competition of the $1.6 billion Lagos-Ibadan rail project was not due to a challenge of fund.
According to a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Transportation, Eric Ojiekwe, Amaechi gave this explanation on Saturday during an inspection tour of the project, in company of Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed.
stating that the delay was rather due to lack of workers on site.
Amaechi clarified that rather than a fund problem, the delay was due to lack of workers on site.
Echotitbits gathered from the Ministry’s statement that the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria caused the over one billion dollar project to pause.
The minister, was however said to have tasked the contractor handling the -Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail, Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), to complete the project within five months.
The minister, who reckoned that COVID-19 had come to stay, urged the contractor to develop measures such as making personal protective equipment for their workers so as to complete the project within the stipulated time frame.
He added that safety measures such as compulsory use of masks and safety shields should be provided for the workers across the sites of the project.
Also stated was the reason why the Ibadan-Kano $5.6 billion rail was yet to commence. The minister, assuring that the project remained a priority of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, stated that a loan facility from China Export-Import Bank, meant to commence the project was yet to be processed by the Federal Government.
Ameachi’s co-minister in the Ministry of Information and Culture, Mohammed, commended efforts made so far on the project: “I am very impressed. This is the reason why we are borrowing the money so that Nigerians can travel in dignity and comfort”.
Reacting to public outcry over government’s borrowings over the months, Mohammed explained that monies borrowed were not for grandiose display nor for overhead or running costs for the nation but rather for capital projects which on completion would create jobs and provide needed infrastructure for Nigerians.
Mohammed added that borrowing for infrastructure and improved service delivery for the people isn’t bad.
While also urging the contractor, CCECC not to disappoint on the project, Mohammed commended Amaechi for driving the project with passion.
Also, the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, revealed that the corporation was already working out modalities so as to commence operations on the Lagos-Ibadan and the Itakpe-Warri rail corridor in September.
Other government functionaries who participated in the inspection tour are the inspection tour included Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman, the Board Chairman, NRC, Mr Ibrahim Alhassan Musa, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello, among others.
A collage of ex-Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and the late US Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington.
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, who died last Wednesday as a citizen of one nation, son of two.
In a special tribute to the late ambassador, Tinubu said Carrington came to Nigeria on a diplomatic assignment “but his true mission was even more sublime. Walter was both an African and an American. This identity he knew full well for it shaped who he was and guided what he did.”
The former Lagos State governor, who collaborated with Carrington in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria commended the late ambassador, saying he lent himself to the fight against repressive government in Nigeria.
“He openly and unconditionally championed the advent of democratic freedom and constitutional governance in the country,” he said.
Tinubu’s emotional tribute to the late US Envoy titled: “Ambassador Walter Carrington – Citizen of One Nation, Son of Two” reads: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington. We thank God for giving Ambassador Carrington a long life of 90 years full of exemplary deeds and the best of human achievement.
“We thank God for giving Nigeria Walter Carrington when He did. Ambassador Carrington came to Nigeria on a diplomatic assignment but his true mission was even more sublime. Walter was both an African and an American. This identity he knew full well for it shaped who he was and guided what he did. The best of both worlds was evident in him. This man may have been the citizen of one country but he was surely the brave and passionate son of two nations.
“Last month, I penned a tribute to Ambassador Carrington as Nigeria joined him in celebrating his 90th birthday. Little did any of us know that we would so soon have to say farewell to this outstanding example of courage amidst humility, of intellect teamed with compassion. Walter Carrington was a renowned scholar, author, and astute, innovative diplomat. These things are excellent but they don’t tell the full picture. He was much more than that. He was a proud and noble black man who stood up for his convictions when it would have been easier to simply turn and look the other way.
“As American Ambassador to Nigeria (1993-1997), Carrington lived with us during a troubled and uncertain time. We were in the clutches of an epic battle between democracy and dictatorship, between freedom and oppression, between enlightened progress and authoritarian reaction. Carrington could have maintained a diplomatic distance. He could have acted cozily with the Abacha regime. His life would have been less difficult and safer. But he eschewed personal comfort for the higher prize of a greater mission. He lent himself to the fight against repressive government. He openly and unconditionally championed the advent of democratic freedom and constitutional governance.
“Without the courage and contributions of Walter Carrington, democracy might not have come when, and as it did. Certainly, more of our democracy activists would have suffered and perhaps lost their lives but for his extraordinary intervention. In helping to secure the blossom of democracy, he became a thorn in the side of the regime and of those who simply cannot stand a good democracy or people being free.
“Among the many foreign friends Nigeria has known over the years, Carrington was the most selfless. He was also the foreigner who contributed the most to the end of military rule in our land. As such, he acted far beyond the call of duty. He acted as the rare human being he was – the son of two nations. To paraphrase the title of his book, he refused to remain silent in a time of tyranny. He refused to be wined and dined while others were being jailed. He refused to be feted while others were being beaten. He refused to say all was well when so many were undergoing all manner of indignity and improper danger.
“Ambassador Carrington was a rare breed. He demonstrated the power and progress that could happen if only Africa and Black America recognized that bond that exists between them. He saw and nurtured it. That bond is what led him to do for us as a brother, not just an Ambassador, would do. For this, he was to face danger and attempts against him in Nigeria.
“What many of you did not know is that he was also to pay a price in America. Many did not like the unabashed stand he took as a black man standing up for a black nation. They sought to hurt and impede him professionally, he knew this was the danger he would face yet he marched onward. He knew the path he chose was not the easy one but it was truly the right one and thus it was the only path a man such as he was bound to take.
“As such, he was a man of character and high principle. Hounded and hunted, Carrington stood undaunted. He refused to do less than what was right for America and for Nigeria. We can never forget Ambassador Carrington. To forget him would be a shameless act like forgetting one’s older brother. Instead, we honor him. His name shall take its rightful and good place in the annals of this nation. The principled manner in which he lived should be taught in to our children.
“We should duly honor this black man who return to us from across the ocean to prove that neither the passage of time nor great distance can break the familial ties between us. We thank Walter Carrington for his love of us, and his special contributions to this country. May I offer condolences to his loving wife and our sister, Arese, who was such a wonderful partner to Walter.
“May God give her the solace and comfort that can come only from His hand. May God’s tenderest mercies be with their children and the entire Carrington family over the loss of their father and patriarch. We must all honor Walter by honoring the laudable ideals for which he stood. This man became a bridge between Africa and the African-American. Let us continue his legacy by expanding and strengthening that bridge for the benefit of our race. Ambassador Carrington has gone to be with God. But before he left, he taught us by example what it means to be pan-Africanist. Now we must follow. Well done Ambassador Carrington. Extremely well done!”
President Muhammadu Buhari has warmly felicitated with former Chairman of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Sam Ohuabunwa, on his 70th birthday on August 16, joining friends and family members to celebrate the visionary leader, whose competence and influence have greatly impacted on the Nigerian economy and beyond.
Buhari congratulated Ohuabunwa, who is currently President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, for many years of service to the nation, starting out early as staff of Pfizer, and phenomenally rising to become Chairman/CEO of the pharmaceutical company within 15 years, and leading a management team to buy over Pfizer Inc shares after four years at the helm of affairs.
The President believed “Ohuabunwa’s contributions in the private sector greatly shaped and transformed the Nigerian economy, especially the leading role he played as NESG Chairman, a think-tank that periodically sets development targets for the private and public sectors, and works diligently to harmonise their energy for measurable results.”
Buhari affirmed that “the recognitions and awards given to the entrepreneur over the years, home and abroad, are well deserved, commending his pivotal leadership in the country, which include President, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association; Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Ikeja; President of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce and founding of Sam Ohuabunwa Foundation for Economic Empowerment.”
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, prayed God to greatly increase the wisdom of Ohuabunwa, who is also a Knight of Saint Christopher of the Anglican Communion, and bless his family.
A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Lanre Razak, and a member of Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAC), the highest decision-making body in Lagos State, has died of complications arising from the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Razaq, sources said, died early Saturday morning.
The Epe-born politician was said to have taken ill some days ago now.
Information had it that he was already recovering only for him to pass on today at the age of 74.
Announcing his obituary, Bayo Osiyemi said Razaq died of COVID-19.
Osiyemi wrote: “Lagos State boisterous politician and the Balogun of Epe, Chief Lanre Rasaq is dead.
“He succumbed to the coronavirus pandemic on Lagos after a long battle with it.
“Chief Rasaq was a member of the state’s Governors Advisory Council (GAC) and was a one-time chairman of Epe local government before he was elevated to becoming the state commissioner for transportation in the military administration of Col Olagunsòyè Oyinlola.
“Bìg and burly, KLM, as he was widely known, was a member of several social organisations.
File Photo: Headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, Nigeria.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has been told by Trademore International Holding Limited to order the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to unseal properties belonging to it.
Trademore, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/696/2020, had taken EFCC to court challenging the sealing of its building and asking that it be unsealed.
In an ex parte order granted July 20 by Justice I. E. Ekwo, the court restrained the anti-graft and its agents from further interrogating, harassing or arresting Trademore boss or any other staff of the company pending final determination of the suit.
A copy of the ex parte order was addressed to EFCC Acting Chairman by the court after counsel to the plaintiff (Trademore), N. J. Kalu, Esq., alleged that the defendant (EFCC) had refused service.
Amongst other prayers, the plaintiff (Trademore) was asking the court for an order declaring that the defendant unlawfully trespassed into the plaintiff estates located within Abia State, including a luxury apartment estate located on Akanu Ibiam Street along bank road, Umuahia, MIllenium apartment located along Finbars Street Umuahia, Ogwumabiri event centre located along Okpara Square, Umuahia, Trademore estate located between Ngwu (Bende Local Government Area of Abia State) and Ubani Ibeku (Umuahia North Local Government Area).
Others are: declaring the sealing and taking over of the plaintiff estates located within Abia State as unlawful and illegal, declaring that all sealed estate is owned by Trademore and notes placed on the properties be removed.
He also prayed that the agency should write a letter of apology to Trademore for the wrongful sealing and taking over possession of the properties and declaring that none of the plaintiff estates sealed and taken over by the defendant belongs to the former governor.
EFCC operatives had sometime in July sealed off Trademore company over alleged links to a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu
In spite of the glaring evidence that the property under dispute has no direct links to the former governor, it was gathered that the estates located in Abia State had remained sealed till date.
Meanwhile, Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers, Legal Practitioners and Notaries Public, solicitors to the Trademore’s chairman, has written a Caveat Emptor Notice to the general public published on a national daily, insisting that Trademore International Holding Limited is the real owners of the property sealed by the EFCC.
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