Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa his won his polling unit with 128 votes.
His opponent, Agboola Ajayi, polled three votes.
Aiyedatiwa voted at Unit 5 Ward 4, Obenla , Ilaje Local Government area.
The Appeal Court in Abuja has announced Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as the lawful President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
It can be recalled that Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, was days ago inaugurated as NURTW president.
The recent decision came after the court reviewed and upheld an earlier ruling by the National Industrial Court.
The initial judgment, delivered on March 11, 2024, recognized Baruwa as the rightful president of the union. However, an appeal was filed by Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, and their supporters. They argued against the Industrial Court’s decision but were unsuccessful in convincing the appellate court.
A three-member panel of justices, Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, ruled that the appeal lacked merit. The court declared Baruwa as the elected leader of NURTW and dismissed the challenge brought forward by MC Oluomo’s faction.
In addition to confirming Baruwa’s position, the Appeal Court ordered the appellants, who are supporters of MC Oluomo, to pay N100,000 as damages to the respondents.
There is nothing wrong with Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Tony Okocha has said.
Okocha made the disclosure following reports on social media that Wike is sick.
Many Nigerians took to social media especially X to point out that Wike looks frail and has lost so much weight. They claimed that the minister’s appearance might be due to some form of ailment.
Others also pointed out that Wike, 56, is looking very much older than his age.
However, in his reaction, the APC Rivers chairman said the former governor is not sick but only watching his weight.
Okocha, a loyalist to Wike described the reports as untrue and unfounded.
He said, “The stories being peddled about his state of health are not true. How is he sick? Has anybody seen him falling or slump?
“The man is not sick. He is very agile and does what he was appointed to do. Do you even know if he is watching his weight?” Okocha queried.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu.
In its latest report on the economic outlook for sub-Saharan Africa, the IMF revealed that Nigeria is struggling to achieve significant progress 18 months after implementing key reforms.
Nigeria is grappling with its worst economic crisis in nearly 30 years. In May last year, the president announced the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy. Subsequently, he unified the exchange rates among other economic policies implementation.
The recent report by IMF, presented on Friday at the Lagos Business School by Catherine Patillo, IMF Deputy Director, highlighted successes in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Zambia. Unfortunately, Nigeria was notably absent from the list of nations demonstrating positive outcomes from reform efforts.
The report projected an average economic growth rate of 3.6% for sub-Saharan Africa in 2024. However, Nigeria’s growth rate is expected to lag at 3.19%, placing the country below the regional average. The IMF noted that while many African nations are reducing macroeconomic imbalances, Nigeria remains an outlier in its struggle to stabilize its economy.
Inflation remains a pressing issue in Nigeria. Although there was a brief slowdown in July and August, inflation resumed its climb in September and October, reaching 33.8%. This figure is far above the 21% target set for 2024, and analysts expect further increases before the year ends.
The IMF also pointed out Nigeria’s exchange rate instability as a significant challenge. Unlike other nations in the region that have reduced foreign exchange pressures.
Another major issue highlighted in the report is Nigeria’s heavy debt servicing burden. The IMF revealed that Nigeria, alongside Angola, Ghana, and Zambia, spends an alarming 15% of total revenue on interest payments. This high level of debt servicing limits the country’s ability to invest in critical areas such as infrastructure and social programs.
The IMF has advised Nigeria to rethink its approach to reforms. Recommendations include improving communication, offering compensatory measures to ease the impact of reforms, and designing policies that address public concerns.
“This will require greater attention to communication and engagement strategies, reform design, compensatory measures, and rebuilding trust in public institutions,” the report advised.
The top Customs’ hierarchy has expressed grave concerns about what it described as unprecedented rate of leadership transition that has hit the service in recent years.
This accelerated exit of top management staff through retirement has evidently created a gap in the top echelon cadre of the service which the leadership has swiftly moved to address.
Raising this alarm on Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 at Abuja during the ongoing Comptroller General of Customs conference.
The helmsman of the service, Adewale Adeniyi expressed anxiety at the phenomenal which he said the management has taken proactive steps to address.
“A significant internal challenge we must address transparently is the unprecedented rate of leadership transitions within our Service.
“The statistics tell a compelling story: we saw 60% of our management team exit in 2022, 36% in 2023, and this year, we will experience a 76% change in our management composition.
“With projections indicating another 40% of our management staff retiring in 2024, we recognize the urgent need for strategic intervention” he bemoaned.
He however said the leadership of the service has risen to the challenge to plug the gaps created by their rapid exit of senior officers through what he described as accelerated career progression in terms of rapid promoting of deserving officers.
“In response, we have launched an ambitious Human Resource Development Plan that addresses both immediate and long-term needs.
“This includes accelerated career progression opportunities for deserving officers, ensuring that talent and dedication are appropriately rewarded.
“Most significantly, we are making a historic investment in human capital infrastructure through the establishment of a Customs University – a testament to our commitment to building a knowledge driven service.
“These initiatives, aligned with the World Customs Organization’s focus on youth leadership development, complement our comprehensive talent management program that identifies and prepares promising officers for leadership roles, ensuring the Service’s continued stability and effectiveness”
He said the period of leadership transition presents an opportunities for the service to reshare its future.
Meanwhile, the service has projected a reduction in physical examination of goods at the nation’s ports in 2025.
According to the CGC, the physical interaction shall be scaled down while the use of technology and other tools of trade facilitation such as Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) will be enhanced to maximize revenue collection.
” Looking ahead to 2025, we have crafted ambitious yet attainable goals that build on our current momentum.
We aim to dramatically reduce physical inspection rates through enhanced risk management systems, fully deploy our e-customs infrastructure, and expand our Authorized Economic Operator program.
“Our focus extends to strengthening regional integration through improved border cooperation and deepening stakeholder engagement through regular consultative forums.
“These objectives are not just operational targets; they are our vision for a modern customs administration that effectively balances trade facilitation, revenue collection, and security.
“The achievement of these goals, particularly during this period of leadership transition, will require even stronger partnerships with all stakeholders – from government agencies to private sector operators” the Customs chief declared.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters in Ondo State of its preparedness for the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024.
Speaking on Politics Today, a program aired by Channels Television, INEC National Commissioner overseeing Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, Professor Kunle Ajayi, pledged that the commission would not disappoint the electorate as they head to the polls to choose a new governor.
“We have done our own work, we are proud of what we have done, and we will not disappoint the people of Ondo State,” Ajayi stated during the interview held in Akure, the state capital, on Friday.
INEC began distributing sensitive election materials to the 18 local government areas of Ondo State on Thursday. The process, conducted at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) premises in Alagbaka, Akure, was monitored by party agents, security personnel, and officials. The commission also deployed several commercial buses to aid logistics.
Unlike the September 21 Edo State governorship election, Ajayi noted, all registered areas (RAs) in Ondo State had received their sensitive materials ahead of the election.
“As of 3 p.m. today [Friday], all the registered areas have received their sensitive materials. The next step is to move these materials to the polling units. I visited some of the RAs this afternoon, and everything is on track,” Ajayi confirmed.
The governorship election will determine the leader who will oversee the state’s affairs for the next four years.
Appeal Court Annuls MC Oluomo’s Appointment as NURTW President
The Court of Appeal has nullified the appointment of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The judgment affirmed a previous ruling by the National Industrial Court, which recognized Tajudeen Baruwa as the legitimate leader of the union.
MC Oluomo had been elected last week by the NURTW Southwest Zone during its Quadrennial Delegate Conference held in Osogbo, Osun State. However, the appellate court, in a ruling delivered by a three-member panel, dismissed the appeal filed by MC Oluomo’s faction.
The court imposed a fine of ₦100,000 on the appellants and upheld Baruwa’s re-election as the union’s president.
The judgment, read by the appellate court, stated:
“This is an appeal against the judgment/decision of the National Industrial Court Sitting in Abuja, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023 delivered on the 11th March, 2024 by Justice O. O. Oyewumi.
“Upon Reading the Record of Appeal compiled and transmitted before this court together with the respective briefs of argument;
“And After Hearing, O. I. Olorundare, SAN with F.T Sotikare, Esq), Jimoh Balogun, Esq, O. D. Emole, Esq, I. Yunanah, Esq) for the Appellants;
“Tolu Babaleye, Esq, with Adeniyi Adejoke, Esq, Maku Oluwatoyin, Esq, B. T Ataine, Esq for the Respondents; it is hereby ordered that:
“This Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed.”
The decision solidifies Baruwa’s position as the president of the NURTW, countering recent moves to unseat him.
As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration ‘s commitment towards providing a conducive environment for learning and carrying out research for students and staff members, the Federal Government is committed to building mini grids in some higher institutions in the country.
This is also to reduce cost of electricity consumption by the institutions.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu on Thursday, November 14, 2024, when he inspected the Advanced Solar Micro grid project, being built at the University of Abuja. The project is about 95 percent completed.
He said the university solar project would be replicated in other universities, tertiary institutions and Teaching Hospitals across the country and it will shield those institutions from the high cost of electricity.
According to him, President Tinubu’s love and believe in education, as the bedrock of economic growth and industrial development, informed the decision to provide alternative sources of energy for the institutions.
“I am delighted to be here today to inspect this project. As you know, no critical sector can perform optimally without stability, functionality, reliability and affordability of energy. Energy is like the blood that every sector needs to perform optimally, which is the reason why President Tinubu has prioritise power as a sector, which will drive the other critical sectors.
“The backbone of economic growth and sustainable long time human capacity and human development lies on education, which is why we have focused on our tertiary institution and teaching hospital facilities, to ensure that they are shielded from the high cost of energy”, the Minister said.
He also added that the solar project would reduce the reliance of the recipient institutions on the grid.
Adelabu equally called on the University of Abuja authorities to ensure adequate, regular maintenance and protection of the grid.
“We want to replicate what we have here in other institutions. We believe that this will be sustainable.
We need the support and co-operation of the beneficiary institutions for it to work and provide the needed service to the students and the university community at large. We will hand over the responsibility and sustainability to the management of the university and I believe you are more than capable to sustain the project. We need your cooperation so that we can replicate it in other locations. With this, we are sure that all the hues and cry about the high cost of energy in these institutions will come to an end.
“You cannot have a sound education without electricity. This is why we have prioritised this one that is located in the Federal Capital. The administration of President Tinubu loves education and also believes that it is the bedrock of economic growth and industrial development. This is one of benefits of our democracy”,
Adelabu said as he was taken round and shown all the components of the solar energy project.
He announced that the project would be commissioned by President Tinubu himself in December.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi, while welcoming the Minister, informed him that the issue of electricity was a major challenge to the institution and the solar project would be a major relieve to the entire university community.
“This visit means a lot to us, as we have been looking forward to it. As you, know electricity is very critical to us. The cost of running our generators is so high because of the high cost of diesel. I often get calls and text messages from our students that there is no light. But this is a big relief to us. University of Abuja is very strategic and everyone in the FCT has interest in the university, because it is the only one with a Federal mandate in Abuja. We are happy, we are delighted with it and we promise that it will be well protected and maintained”, the Vice Chancellor said.
The solar energy project is being handled by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP) and Energising Education Programme (EEP).
Several individuals were injured, seven vehicles damaged, and two houses destroyed following an explosion involving a truck transporting gas cylinders in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State on Friday.
Although no lives were lost, the cause of the explosion remains unknown, according to a local source who spoke to reporters. The truck was reportedly transporting gas cylinders from the neighboring Niger Republic to Magamar Jibia when the incident occurred.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement by its spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq. He revealed that the explosion happened around 8:45 a.m., prompting an immediate response from police operatives at the Jibia Divisional Headquarters.
The Divisional Police Officer, in collaboration with military personnel, led a team to the scene and discovered the truck engulfed in flames at the Tamal Filling Station along the Kagadama–Magamar Jibia Road.
Sadiq stated that preventive measures were swiftly deployed to extinguish the fire, limiting further damage and preventing loss of life.
“Six motor vehicles were significantly affected by the fire incident, but fortunately, no lives were lost,” Sadiq said.
He added that the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday conferred a post-homous award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
He made the declaration during the interment in honour of the late warrior at the National Cemetery in Mogadishu, Abuja.
The President extoled the virtues of the late warrior, eulogising his contributions to national security.
According to Tinubu, the appointment of Lagbaja as the COAS was one of his finest made so far.
The event had in attendance Vice President Kashima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Defence Minister, governors and top military officials.
Last week, Tinubu announced Lagbaja’s death, saying the late warrior passed away in Lagos after a period of illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months. President Tinubu appointed him to the role in June 2023.
He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.