Wednesday March 22, 2023

After a very exhaustive campaign and election season, President-elect, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, has travelled abroad to rest and plan his transition programme ahead of May 29, 2023 inauguration.

The President-elect left the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja for Europe on Tuesday night.

The President-elect decided to take a break after the hectic campaign and election season to rest in Paris and London, preparatory to going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Lesser Hajj) and the Ramadan Fasting that begins Thursday.

While away, the President-elect will also use the opportunity to plan his transition programme.

He is expected back in the country soon.

We enjoin the media to stop publishing rumours and unsubstantiated claims and to always seek clarifications from our office.

Wednesday March 22, 2023

Thousands of residents in the home town of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Iperu-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Tuesday, trooped out to the governor an heroic welcome, over his reelection into the office of the governor.

Speaking while being received at the garage area of the town, Governor Abiodun attributed the victory at the guber poll to the Almighty God and the people for standing solidly behind him during the election.

According to Abiodun, “this election has shown that man will always be man and God will forever remain God. In the course of this election, people we thought were our friends betrayed us, people stabbed us at the back, and many disappointed us.

“I know that even those who called themselves our friends did not vote for us, but that does not matter anymore because the elections have come and gone, and God has given us victory.

“But we should not be surprised because even in the Bible, our Lord Jesus Christ was betrayed despite all the good things that he did. We should be grateful to God because despite all the betrayals and all, God still granted us victory. “

Abiodun explained that the renewal of his mandate was an indication that people appreciated what the administration has been able to achieve in less than four years in office, adding that “it is a call to work even harder for the people”.

“I therefore use this opportunity to call on all Ogun State people irrespective of their political affiliations or religion, to rally round me to build this state because it belongs to all of us,” he added

Addressing market men and women on the sideline of the reception, Abiodun thanked them for their individual and collective efforts towards the victory, saying that support and cooperation would be needed for the success of his second term in office.

The Iyaloja General of Ogun State, Alhaja Yemisi Abbas, who spoke on behalf of the market men and women, appreciated God for not putting them to shame from the outcome of the election, saying the performance of the governor in his first term led to the victory.

According to Alhaja Abbas: “You worked very hard, and this victory is the reward for that hard work. I want to assure our governor that we the market men and women of this state will support you, we will stand by you to ensure that you succeed in the second term just as you succeeded in your first term”.

Wednesday March 22, 2023

The Leader of the Southwest Zonal, People with Disability for the All Progressive Congress (APC) Comrade Mashood Erubami has congratulated Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos State over their re-election during March 18th governorship poll.

In a release through his media office, Erubami urged the two re-elected governor’s to leave no stone unturned to justify the trust and confidence reposed in them by the people which informed their election for a second term.

“Your Excellencies, congratulations on your triumphant outing in the just concluded Ogun and Lagos State governorship polls.

I congratulate you for winning the election, despite all the gang-up and challenges.

Like David in the Bible, you are indeed a strong man. You went, and you came back with your honour intact. Accept my congratulations, Sirs!

The statement said now that the people of the two states have handed over the resources of the state to the two governors for another four years with their votes, they should not let them down.

He also comm
ended people of the southwest for a peaceful all through with no serious violence in the states.

Com Erubami however expressed sadness over the loss of governorship with most assemblies seats, stating it was tragic.

He however sent a deserving prayer to those who assisted oppositions to make the candidates of the party to lose in the elections.

” Those who voted from within against the party’s candidates will reap their deserved rewards.”

The lesson from this, is to reunite our membership for progress and victory in future elections in the State.

Tuesday March 21, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari says, given the chance of a free and fair election as well as non-interference as was witnessed on February 25th and March 18th elections, Nigerians have proved to be capable of deciding who leads them without anyone telling them what to do.

President Buhari who expressed satisfaction with remarkable passion towards democracy exhibited by Nigerians through the choices they made in the Presidential, National Assembly and the subsequent Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, said Nigeria’s democracy has truly matured.

“People are realising their power. Given the chance of a free and fair vote, nobody can tell them what to do. I am unhappy that some candidates lost in the election. But I am inspired by the fact that voters were able to make their own decision, to decide who won and who lost. With the currency change, there was no money to spread around but even then, I told voters to take the money and vote according to their consciences.”

President Buhari who was speaking at a farewell meeting with the outgoing United States Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard at the State House in Abuja, said he was completely satisfied with his own role in the election process staying above it, without meddlesomeness or any form of interference.

The President commended the outgoing Ambassador for the enormous achievements recorded in Nigeria-US relations in the three-and-half years she had been here.

He chronicled a number of challenges faced by Nigeria as the country strives to unite our diverse communities and achieve national development and expressed his appreciation of the way the United States is able to hold together as a nation. He expressed the hope that Nigeria will continue to make progress in building a nation out of our different and competitive communities. He added that he enjoyed working with the Ambassador and wished that she had more time to serve here.

In an answer to a question posed by Ambassador Leonard, President Buhari said he planned to be a “big landlord” back at home, working his farms and tending his more than 300 animals. “I am eager to go,” said the President.

In her remarks, the American Ambassador said she was happy with the progress made in Nigeria-US relations in these three-and –half years, specifically citing the recent institution of a five-year visa regime between the two countries; active collaboration in security and the supply of military hardware including war planes and the soon-to-come fighter helicopters; and also cooperation in the health sector to fight HIV and Covid response, giving assurances that US will continue to assist in the strengthening of Nigeria’s health sector.

Ambassador Leonard expressed her gratitude and that of the US government in the continuing role of the President in ensuring regional security and strengthening of democracy as a system of government, citing his strong response against the recent surge of coups-d’état in West Africa as worthy of commendation.

She expressed hope that even as he is preparing to leave, there are still a few more things the President could do, among which she mentioned, the urgent need to remove fuel subsidy.

Tuesday March 21, 2023

The National leadership of the All Progressive Congress Grassroot Movement (APCGM) has congratulated the Assistant Director General, APC Campaign Council in Oyo State, Hon Kehinde Subair on the occasion of his birthday.

In a message of felicitation on behalf of the group by it’s Director of Media and Publicity, Apostle Segun Tanimowo, the described Subair as a true party man whose confidence in the party never shaken.

Hon Subair who was the majority leader during the eighth assembly was also described as an intelligent and hardworking man.

The statement said the celebrant with others presided over the affairs of APC Campaign Council during the 2023 general election without blemish in any form.

In wishing Hon Subair a happy birthday, the group prayed God for more blessings upon him and his
endeavours.

Tuesday March 21, 2023

The University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, has reacted to an online report on total blackout and blood bank downward trend by some online news outlets, saying there is no such report recorded in the hospital.

Speaking with journalists, on Tuesday, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee and Director of Clinical Services, Dr. Abiodun Moshood Adeoye, said there is no record of any negative blood transfusion or reaction as reported.

He urged journalists to always approach the hospital to seek clarification on issues, adding that the hospital will be glad to address any request seeking clarification or reaction.

His words: “Concerning the report, I can tell you that we are surprised because as the Director, Clinical Services, I am not aware of such. Immediately I heard about the report, what I did was to call the Head of Department and she confirmed there was no such issue. We called the Engineering Department as well to confirm but they said they were also surprised that something like that was reported.

“We called our assistants and others who worked with us and they told us it was not true. We all found out that the information could not be true. We don’t know maybe some certain people are not happy with the progress we are making, though we cannot be perfect hundred per cent.

“So, we would have loved a situation where if the reporter had some issues and wanted clarifications, he or she should have approached us to ask questions, and we would have been very glad to address whatever the case may be, but this caught us by surprise. We are not aware of such and the report is not correct.

“As far as I am concerned as Director, Clinical Services, I don’t have any report on any blood transfusion we had that is viewed as bad transfusion. If the person can come up with more specific evidence on what he has seen, we can take it up from there. But as far as we are concerned, there is no such report. We have gone round and still doing our investigation, and if there is any report of such, I should have the report.”

While speaking on electricity supply at the hospital, Dr Adeoye said despite the very low supply these days, the hospital has relied on generating set to complement the supply.

He said that the hospital has a lot of generating sets but because of cost implication, the hospital is making use of over 40 generating set. He added that the service areas like Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Accident and Emergency and others are being run on inverters.

Adeoye said the Blood bank, which the report said is experiencing downward trend, has two functioning generating sets, adding that it is the next on the line to get inverters.

He concluded that the hospital is also looking at generating power through the Independent Power Project (IPP) adding that power outage will soon become a thing of the past in the hospital.

He called on well-to-do Nigerians who can assist the hospital to come forward like some philanthropists have done in the past.

“Yes, I want to commend the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, which has prioritised power supply for the UCH. We have up to 20 hours per day and we complement with our generators. But when they have problem, we rely solely on our generators. In all our service areas including Intensive Care Unit ICU, Accident and Emergency and others, we run them on inverters. We have some of our machines that are on UPS that can run for many hours when there is power outage. We have a lot of generators but because of the cost implication, we only make use of over 40, which are currently running as we speak.

“We use to make sure that we rationalise our service areas are not affected when there is power outage. We deprive some offices because of the comfort of ourselves or that of the Chief Executives as we can bare it. But our priority is the patients in the hospital.

“Hardly will we have this kind of crisis if not about three weeks ago that there was a major problem with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, and they are working on it. So, as we are, we are running generator.

“Specifically, for the Blood Bank, a philanthropist donated a new generating set to the unit October, 2022 but we have a permanent solution we are looking at. We want to increase the presence of inverters in all these service areas and the Blood Bank is among. As a matter of fact the Blood Bank is the next on the line to get these inverters. We are also looking at the Independent Power Project IPP. We have invited some companies and interviewed them. I believe they will come up very soon and all these issues of power outage will become a thing of the past in UCH.”

Our correspondent was conducted round the Blood Bank building of the hospital including the Blood component room, laboratories and the power house where the generators are installed.

Tuesday March 21, 2023

A former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde over his reelection for another term of four years.

In a congratulatory message already sent to Gov Makinde, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland prayed to God to help Makinde succeed in meeting people’s expectations.

The text of the message goes thus:

My dear governor. Congratulations on your reelection for another term of four years. 

By now
the campaigns are over
the outbursts are over 
the various lies are over
the abuses are over
the curses are over
the deliberate misinterpretations are over
the jostlings for spaces are over. 

All the dramatis personae have quit the stage with their laurels and bruises leaving you alone. 

What are now left are your promises and stark realities. 

 May God help you succeed to the people’s expectation, your satisfaction and fulfillment in this selfless job before you. 

 With my best regards, 
Senator R. A. Ladoja FNSE
The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Tuesday March 21, 2023

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Adamawa State governorship election inconclusive.

As at the time the election was declared inconclusive by INEC’s Returning Officer, the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri had polled 421,524 votes to lead Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, who got 390,275 votes.

The declaration of the election inconclusive elicited serious brawl at the State Collation Centre, as agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) protested the decision.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Adamawa governorship election inconclusive.
The collation officer said a winner could not be declared because the number of collected PVCs at over 37,000 is more than the margin of lead by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri over his challenger Aishatu Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tuesday March 21, 2023

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to make good his declaration last week regarding the Supreme Court pronouncement on the circulation of naira notes.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the organization, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere stated that reports from various parts of the country are indicating that people are still finding it very difficult to obtain cash from banks and related spots such as Deposit Monetary Banks. “This is making life very difficult for our people just as the situation is forcing many businesses to go under, especially small and medium scale businesses.”

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement issued on his behalf by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, declared that he did not stop either the Central Bank Governor or the Attorney General of the Federation from complying with the order of the apex court. The apex court had, earlier this month, ordered that both the old and the new Naira notes should remain in circulation as legal tenders until December 31, 2023.

It also stated that the ceiling put on the amount of money a customer can withdraw from his or her bank account is an infringement on the customer’s rights. And that it should be stopped forthwith.

But, according to Ajayi, as at the beginning of this week when this statement was being issued, currency notes are not only hard to come by, banks still put a limit on the amount a customer can withdraw. Even then, it was not all the banks that are giving out cash as many are still complaining of scarcity of either the old or the new notes.

Afenifere asserted that if this trend continues, the country and the citizens “are in for serious economic and social upheavals”.

Afenifere spokesman cited the warning last Thursday by Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) which lamented the high rate of inflation that is complicating “business climate and deepened challenges facing small scale businesses”. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its latest report disclosed that the inflation rate in the country was 21.91 in February – an increase of 0.09 per cent from the 21.82 that it was in January 2023.

To Ajayi “this disclosure by ACCI along with that of bankers which warned of the possible collapse of banks as a result of cash crunch, is in sharp contrast with the affirmation by President Buhari that his administration has done a lot to ensure the growth of small and medium scale businsesses.

The President, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, has claimed that his administration, in spite of “difficult times brought upon us by a variety of external shocks, done much to ensure survival and development of SMEs”.

The president said this while playing host to the Governing Council of the Institute of Directors led by its Chairman, Dr. (Mrs) Ije Jidenma that visited him in the Villa, Abuja.
“Right thinking Nigerians never cease to be amazed by disclosures from the Presidency which seem to fly against the reality of what is happening in the country. At the moment, everybody knows that not only are businesses under serious strain, Nigerians are finding it difficult to maintain what they have. Besides that, millions of people are finding it difficult to stay afloat as their means of livelihood are experiencing a lot of setbacks.

It is therefore surprising to hear voices from the seat of power asserting that businesses are growing”.

To further underscore the predicament being faced by Nigerians, Afenifere spokesman pointed to the report of Hamonise Cadre (HC) released last week Thursday which indicated that Naira redesign was one of the key inducers of social and economic crises as the withdrawal of the old naira notes from circulation “created a serious bottleneck to the households’ ability to access cash and food commodities”.

Hamonise Cadre (HC) is an early warning tool to prevent and manage food and nutrition crises. The process which is led by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Nigeria got technical and financial supports from the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), UNICEF, Save the Children, Mercy Corps etc.

The HC report which covered 24 of the country’s 36 states, indicated that “food consumption levels had remained inadequate and below the desired threshold across most of the states”. It went further to state that “most households had irreversibly disposed of their livelihood assets to meet their food and non-food needs”.

In conclusion, Afenifere which congratulated the government and Nigerians on the just concluded elections, called on President Buhari to prevail on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company to ensure that petroleum products are widely available just as he should order Mr. Godwin Emefiele of the Central Bank to supply commercial banks with both the old and new naira notes adequately.

Monday March 20, 2023

I Congratulate Governor Seyi Makinde and Appreciate Oyo State Voters, APC Members & Other Supportive Stakeholders

All Glories and Adorations are due to Almighty God for His Grace and for preserving our lives throughout the 2023 electioneering process.

I would like to express my sincere appreciations to Oyo State electorates for their support for all APC candidates on March 18th elections. May God Bless you all.

To whom much is given, much is expected. It is on this note that I am offering my solemn gratitude to leaders and members of our great party – APC; the coalition parties, candidates of other political parties that worked for us, volunteers, the press as well as individuals that contributed to the Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo 2023 project.

Furthermore, I give kudos to members of 2023 Oyo State APC Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council for the best-ever issue-based campaigns. Thank you for your absolute loyalty, dedication and commitment to the struggle.

I also laud the overwhelming support from my friends and political allies across the country. Thanks for being there always.

To our teeming party members and support groups, I appeal to you to remain calm as we study the results of the just concluded Governorship and House of Assembly elections held on Saturday, March 18th 2023.

It is God that Gives Power and Takes Power! May Oyo State and our people continue to prosper.

In conclusion, in line with the official pronouncement of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I hereby congratulate Engr. Seyi Makinde. Long live Oyo State! Long live APC!!