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Folarin Kehinde

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APC: Party To Hold Convention In February

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The All Progressive Congress, APC, has announced that its national convention will take place in February 2022.

Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, and governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this to State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The APC Governors forum chairman was in the company of the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman and governor of Yobe State, Mai Malla Buni and the governor of Jigawa State, Abubakar Badaru.

This is coming after disagreement ensued at the Progressives Governor’s Forum meeting held yesterday night.

The forum was unable to agree on some issues and came out from the meeting saying only President Buhari could sort out sticky areas that emerged during the meeting.

It was gathered that the President said February was sacrosanct due to preparation for election of candidate for primary.

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Female Air Force Personnel Dies After Snake Bite From Toilet Seat

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A Nigerian Air Force personnel identified as Lance Corporal Becky has reportedly died due to complications from a snake bite.

Becky died in Abuja on Sunday after being bitten by a snake that hid itself in a toilet seat.

A viral social media video showed the moment the huge snake was removed from the toilet seat.

The late Becky’s friend, Aleeza Ayomide wrote on Facebook: “Rememberering everything we spoke about yesterday morning makes me find it so hard to believe you’re no more haaaa…. No o Bercy is this really true?

“My heart bleeds. Please be very cautious of your home and environment… LCPL Bercy was bitten by a snake in her Water Cistern Toilet. (WC).”

When contacted Ayomide for more details about the incident, she is yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.

Snake bites from toilet bowls are not uncommon, a phenomenon experts attribute to openings in the soak away exhaust pipes.

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FG Establishes First Poultry Cottage in FCT, move to mitigate Demand Gap

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Muhammed Abubakar on Monday established the first poultry cottage in the Livestock International Market Deidei in the Federal Capital Territory.

Abubakar while speaking at the commissioning of the poultry cottage lamented the supply gap of poultry meat of 529,000MT which he described as worrisome.

According to Abubakar, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, puts 2019 projection of poultry meat output and demand put the National output at 551,000 MT and demand at 1,080,000 MT.

He further explained that Nigeria is the largest annual egg producer with the second largest chicken population in Africa amounting to about 180 million birds in which about 44% are raised in extensive systems, 33% in semi-intensive and 23% in intensive systems.

Abubakar noted that over 85 million Nigerians are currently involved in one form of poultry business or the other making intervention in the poultry sector imperative for the job creation and income generation for farmers, processors and marketers as well as for the country.

The Minister noted that the establishment of the cottage poultry processing facility which is in line with the Federal Government effort desire at transforming the livestock industry is to bring best practices closer to the beneficiaries and the market community at large.

He added that the facility will also provide a prototype for others to emulate which would be utilized for training and empowerment of other poultry processors within and outside the market.

Chairman, House Committee on Agric Institute and Colleges, Hon. Dan Agundi, noted that the cottage poultry will create lots of opportunities for producers of poultry birds that will be produced and processed in an hygiene manner.

Director, Livestock, FMARD, Mrs Winnie Sholarin on her part noted that the establishment of the cottage is a dream come true considering the foot dragging process of the establishment of the cottage.

Sholarin commended the transformation by the FMARD for the establishment of the cottage, the first in the Federal Capital Territory.

The District Head, Dei-Dei International Livestock Market, Alu Kusada commended the federal government’s initiative on the provision of the cottage and requested that more facilities in such regard should be provided.

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BREAKING: Ace Yoruba comic actor, Baba Suwe is dead

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Ace Yoruba comic actor, Babatunde Omidina better known as Baba Suwe is dead.

The announcement was made a few minutes ago when his son, Adesola Morenikeji Omidina took to his Instagram page to announce the sad news.

He was born on August 22, 1958, in Inabere Street in Lagos Island where he grew up but hails from Ikorodu local government area of Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria.

Omidina had his primary education at Jamaitul Islamial Primary School in Lagos and Children Boarding School, Osogbo before he proceeded to Adekanbi Commercial High School in Mile 12, Lagos state but obtained the West African School Certificate from Ifeoluwa Grammar School in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

Omidina began acting in 1971 but came into the limelight after he featured in a movie titled, Omolasan, a film produced by Obalende.

He became more popular after he featured in Iru Esin, produced by Olaiya Igwe in 1997. He had featured and produced several Nigerian movies such as Baba Jaiye jaiye, a movie that featured Funke Akindele and Femi Adebayo, the son of the veteran actor Adebayo Salami.

In 2011, he was accused of cocaine trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, an allegation that was described as false and defamatory by the ruling of the Lagos high court of law.

His solicitor was the late Bamidele Aturu, a Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist.

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Over 27 million Nigerians living with disabilities — DG NCWD

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development, NCWD, Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir, Friday, disclosed that there are over 27 million Nigerians living with disabilities.

She made this known on the occasion of the closing ceremony of a 5-day Information Communication and Technology, ICT and entrepreneurial training for the blind, deaf and hard of hearing, in Abuja.

The training which has 65 participants consisting of 30 blinds and 35 deaf and hard of hearing individuals, is aimed at exposing the participants to various ICT applications, tools and techniques which have the potential to make significant improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities, allowing them to enhance their social, cultural, political and economic integration in communities by enlarging the scope of activities available to them.

In her remarks, the NCWD DG said the training and economic empowerment for women is critical to the realization of the mission of the Centre, adding that the focus is to improve the lives of women, especially those in rural areas through sustainable developmental programs, so that they can become more productive and self-reliant.

She stated: “As at 2020, there are reportedly over 27 million Nigerians living with some form of disability. All hands must be on deck to support and integrate this significant group to the society so that they can build practical life skills that lead to enhanced independence and provides a path to recovery for those who feel isolated.

“NCWD is also committed to the implementation of Plan of Action adopted by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which includes two important areas for persons with disabilities, namely access to information and knowledge and capacity building.

“We will continue to advocates the rights and needs of persons with disabilities and fosters the effective use of ICTs that are accessible, adaptive and affordable.”

Bashir maintained that “ICT has now been recognized as the driving force and primary gadget for almost all progressive knowledge-based and skills-oriented development activities and initiatives in all spheres of human endeavor.

“ICT is the catalysts for change in working conditions, handling and exchanging of information, teaching methods, learning approaches, scientific research, and in accessing information. Just like other segments of the population, Persons with disabilities have the right to expect the same standard of education.

“Indeed, they also have the right to access and use mainstream educational tools, including ICT-based which are tools for fostering education and accessing productive information for economic growth & well-being.

“As a way to motivate all the participants, a brand-new laptop, Certificate of Participant and stipend for transportation will be given to all the participants. It is our hope that the system will be put to best use. We will continue to support and track the progress of all the participants to ensure they succeed in their chosen fields.”
On his part, Director ICT

Department, NCWD, Mr. Morrison Udobong, explained that increasing access to information and support, training and empowerment, connectivity, accessibility and investment in ICT sector will help to reduce gender based violence and position the country on the path for great things.

His words, “As we all know information is power, so a well informed mind is a catalyst for growth and development. The benefits of ICT are both individual and collective the individual benefits increased self esteem and reduced isolation, while the collective benefits include, economic growth and capacity building.

“National blindness and visual impairment survey in Nigeria conducted between 2005 – 2007 showed that 4.25 million Nigerians aged 40 are visually impaired or blind. The figures for the blind and deaf are significantly higher today and have impacted negatively the country’s workforce.

“ICT as a strategic option has the capacity to enable persons with disability take advantage of the educational system, entrepreneurship and job opportunities available in the country.”

Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, charged all the participants to show appreciation for this training by going out there with the skills they have received and be examples to others.

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Why US removed Nigeria from religious violators’ list

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The United States has removed Nigeria from its list of religious violators, even as it blacklisted Russia, China and eight other countries “as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated ‘systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made this known in a statement on Wednesday titled, ‘Religious Freedom Designations’.

While the US had in 2020 placed Nigeria and six other countries on its special watch list of states that had engaged in or tolerated the severe violation of religious freedom, Nigeria was missing from the list of countries designated in the 2021 list for religious violations.

Blinken, who is currently in East African nation Kenya on an official visit, is scheduled to physically visit Nigeria this week and meet with the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and other members of his cabinet.

The US Secretary of State, in his statement on Wednesday, said,

“The United States will not waiver in its commitment to advocate for freedom of religion or belief for all and in every country. In far too many places around the world, we continue to see governments harass, arrest, threaten, jail, and kill individuals simply for seeking to live their lives in accordance with their beliefs.

This Administration is committed to supporting every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right.

“Each year the Secretary of State has the responsibility to identify governments and non-state actors, who, because of their religious freedom violations, merit designation under the International Religious Freedom Act.

“I am designating Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

“I am also placing Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom.

” Finally, I am designating al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern.

“The challenges to religious freedom in the world today are structural, systemic, and deeply entrenched. They exist in every country.

They demand sustained global commitment from all who are unwilling to accept hatred, intolerance, and persecution as the status quo. They require the international community’s urgent attention.

“We will continue to press all governments to remedy shortcomings in their laws and practices, and to promote accountability for those responsible for abuses.

The United States remains committed to working with governments, civil society organizations, and members of religious communities to advance religious freedom around the world and address the plight of individuals and communities facing abuse, harassment, and discrimination on account of what they believe, or what they do not believe.”

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Exposed: How IPOB’s Last Minute Reversal of “Sit-At-Home Spelt Doom for APC’s Senator Andy Uba

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Senator Andy Uba never saw it coming. His abysmal political outing in the just concluded Anambra State Governorship Election was never envisaged by the ruling party’s governorship flag bearer, who according to LeadingReporters investigation depended heavily on the IPOB’s ‘No Election in Anambra State” as his prime strategy.

Uba and his Abuja cohorts had planned to cash in on the tension and uncertainty that would have been created by IPOB’s “No Election” stance before the group’s last minute move directing that those who want to vote in Anambra State election can vote.

A source who spoke to this news platform on condition of anonymity revealed that Andy Senator Uba depended on the promises of those who decamped from APGA, the ruling party at the national level, the security echelons and the financial backings of his allies in the financial sector, especially a new generation bank where Andy Uba is said to have a major stake.

“The whole plan bordered on IPOB’s “No Election” stance. We had planned to cash in on that.

Furthermore, there was strong financial support from a new generation bank CEO. So, we felt with these, we were good to go. No one envisaged a reversal of IPOB’s position going by the fact that they have never be seen to have reversed itself on its “sit at home” or “Ghost Town” stance.

The plan was that with the “no election” stance of IPOB, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC would, by all means find a way to conduct the scheduled election. It is expected that there was going to be voting apathy created by fear of IPOB’s “No Election” stance.

We had planned to cash in, with the support of the security agencies. We have mobilized our agents to get votes from all the pooling units by all means.

The number may be small but the spread is what is needed. This way, INEC can declare our candidate, Senator Andy Uba the winner.
“Frankly, we miscalculated. Truth be told, there was no grassroots preparation.

We only depended on Abuja connection and the vacuum to be created by IPOB’s sit-at-home. We were taken off balance.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, further claimed that APC in Anambra State was deeply infiltrated with foes who came with the faces of friends.

He said that Senator Andy Uba was swimming with sharks from the other parties who claimed to have decamped to APC, only to work against him in the pooling units.

They just needed his money and they got it.

“There was glaring infiltration. All those who flooded APC before the election came to spy on our strategy.

I raised the issue, but it was not taken seriously. We did not take a lot into consideration. We were swayed by the assurances we had from Abuja. None of these worked. It is a bitter lesson that we have learnt the hard way.

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Honey : Nigeria Loses $10 Billion Annually on Poor Quality

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council,(NEPC) Mr. Segun Awolowo has said that improvement in quality of honey produced in Nigeria is capable of generating at least $10 billion annually from the trading of honey and its by-products.

Representing the CEO, Assistant Chief Trading Officer, Mrs Onu Leticia while speaking at a one-day capacity building workshop on improving the quality of Nigerian honey and its by-products in Nassarawa stated that improvement of quality, compliance of food safety standards and fulfilment of 3rd country Listing Certification to ease market access will make Nigeria achieve earn the feat.

“Industry experts posits that Nigeria is capable of generating at least $10 billion annually from the trading of honey and beehive products if there is an improvement of quality”.

Mr. Segun further noted that Nigeria honey remain dormant as most beekeepers in the rural areas still engages the use of outdated techniques in production couple with absence of necessary legislation guiding honey production, quality assurance and trade.

He opined that action is needed to stimulate the apiculture subsector with regard to opening up of domestic, regional and international market

Mr. Segun however assured that through the NEPC, in the next few years, honey production in Nigeria will not only be able to meet local demand, but the country will be able to export honey in substantial quantities to the European Union, America and other countries, apart from those in West Africa sub-region.

He added that to achieve this feat, the NEPC has put up series of activities aimed at enhancing know-how and skills of honey value chain actors to produce quality honey for the global market.

Managing Director, NICERT LTD, Annabel Kamuche on her part noted that the Africa Free Trade Agreement can be counterproductive for Nigeria as especially for people in the Apiculture space if Nigeria refuses improve on the quality, standard and compliance to meet international standards of her products and other honey by-product that we have within the Nigeria space today.

Kamuche however opined that it is time stakeholders in the Apiculture subsector begin to comply with international standards in terms of residual level, and other kind of compliance so as to able to compete with products that are coming from other parts of the world to ensure that our product is competitive and acceptable globally.

Trade Promotion Advisory Head, Lafia Export Assistant Officer, Mrs Amina Tumba noted that the workshop aim at providing beekeepers on how to learn and improve the quality of honey to meet international best practices through confirming and certification through best practices with modern processing and production for honey to get more value leading to higher price produce which will in turn boost Nigeria’s price export.

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Obi Cubana: EFCC Places 5 other Young Igbo Billionaires under watchlist

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Aside From Obi Cubana, Udemba Williams, Destiny Etiko, Other Young Igbo Billionaires May Be On EFCC Radar Watch

Information uncovered by LeadingReporters revealed that there may be no fewer than five young Igbo billionaires that are currently placed on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC watch list, aside from Obi Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana.

Obi Cubana is currently under investigation by the anti-corruption agency over allegations of tax related crimes an money laundering.

While Obi Cubana was recently a guest in EFCC office over alleged tax related crimes and money- laundering, actor cum philanthropist, Williams Udemba, Destiny Etiko, Zubby Michael are allegedly being monitored by EFCC, according to a source who spoke to this news platform on condition of anonymity.

The source said that EFCC was surprised at the level of cash spree and ostentatious display of wealth that greeted Obi Cubana mother’s burial, among some young Igbo entrepreneurs, especially those within the entertainment industry.

The source said that such ostentatious lifestyle may influence other youths from other part of the country to resort to crime as a way of coming to social limelight.

While the source claimed that Williams Udemba has been previously invited by EFCC, he however said that the commission is not satisfied with the explanation given by Williams Udemba on how he comes about the monies with which he does his philanthropic work.

“The commission still believes that some of these guys use entertainment as a cover and may be doing other secret businesses that may be illegal to mine the millions they showcase and entice other youths with.

However, criticisms have continued to trail the anti-corruption agency, EFCC over its selective prosecution. Most Nigerian youths believe that the real criminals and culprits within the corridors of power are not unknown to EFCC.

All efforts to confirm the allegation from the anti-corruption agency was unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.

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Death Trap: AA Rano Petrol Station Damaged FCT Road, Ignore Repair

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

For what many road users especially motorists plying Dape Old Karmo Road would describe as an eye sore, the deplorable state of the Road that accommodates over a thousand cars and Keke napep on daily basis could best be described as a death trap.

The Old Karmo Road, Dape has been in good shape before events turns negative owing to the construction of AA Rano filling station that serves the Dape Community and its environs.

The sloppy flooring of the petrol station resulted in the accumulation of water in the middle of the road, thus, causing motorists to either park for the water to give way or a heavy and terrible traffic that would last hours most especially at night during the rainy season.

The disturbing situation however did not bother the management of AA Rano rather continued in their business activities, however, the last straw that broke the camel’s back occured on Friday night when a jeep sank into the ditch and damaged the car.

The owner of the Jeep, Mr Tony Ibanueke in an interview with LEADING REPORTERS lamented the ignored the deplorable state of the road by AA Rano and the damaged caused to his car.

Narrating his ordeal, Tony said “As I was coming the road looks smooth like other places, I didn’t know that the underneath is bad, while still on the road, my car sunk into it”

“The construction of AA Rano filing station condemned the road, they didn’t make arrangement for normal water channel, they should have provision for a culvert, so that the accumulated water from the filing station will pass”.

“But look at what they have done, here nobody from the management of the filing station has come to see the extent of damage”.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Manager, AA Rano Dape, Mr. Mustapha Abubakar declined speaking on the issue but directed comment to the Human Resource Manager of the filing station whose name is unknown to him and his contact unreachable as at the time of filing this report.

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