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A statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, enumerated the new appointees as follows:

(1) Mr Fela Durotoye Senior Special Assistant to the President — National Values & Social Justice

(2) Mr Fredrick Nwabufo Senior Special Assistant to the President — Public Engagement

(3) Mrs Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe

Senior Special Assistant to the President — Strategic Communications

(4) Mr Aliyu Audu

Special Assistant to the President — Public Affairs

(5) Mr Francis Adah Abah Personal Assistant to the President — Special Duties

According to the statement, the President has further approved the secondment of Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe to serve as the Communications Adviser to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

He tasks all new appointees who are serving in the Media and Publicity Directorate to uphold the highest standards of decorum and decency in their engagements with all members of the public as they advance the President’s determined bid to renew the hope of Nigerians in a restructured economy and unified society that caters sufficiently to the needs of all.

The President reportedly followed the full tenets of Nigeria’s federal character principle and the supremacy of merit in this new appointment

Founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola has presented the  sum of N11,200,000 as empowerment for some farmers found to be most outstanding   across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

The legal icon and foremost eduprenueur presented the cheques in the Institution during the weekend at the 9th edition of the grand finale of Aare Afe Babalola Agric Expo (ABAEX), now Afe Annual Farmers Exhibition (AAFEX).

Speaking with journalists, Afe Babalola said the goal of the Initiative, since its inception in 2014, is to revive the interest of the masses, educated folks, the rich, the academics, and others to invest in agriculture.

The legal icon noted that technology has come to stay in the contemporary world, hence the need for farmers to familiarise themselves with modern technologies for mass production of farm produce for the sustainability of food security.

To achieve this, he called on the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti state to assist and advise the 16 local government areas in the state to purchase Agricultural implements for farmers to hire.

He also tasked federal government to advise Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture to assist farmer cooperative societies.

In his words: “How many of us can buy this modern equipment? The modern equipment enable rich and highly educated people to engage in large scale modern agriculture, where as in Nigeria, we continue to use cutlasses and hoes, thereby making farmers in Nigeria to continue to use cutlasses and hoes, thereby engaging in small scale farming.

“State governments should assist and advise local government to purchase Agricultural implements for farmers to hire.

“We must put pressure on government to advise Bank of Industry, and Bank of Agriculture to assist farmer cooperative societies.

“The federal government should please encourage banks to give soft loans to Agric cooperative societies.

“Farmers must form cooperative societies and use their lands as security to obtain soft loans from Bank of Agriculture. The said cooperative societies can then buy modern agricultural implements which farmers can hire to enable them engage in modern agriculture.”

Giving the breakdown of the cash prizes, each LGA in Ekiti state received total sum of N575,000, which was shared among five winners, and amounted to N9.2 million across the 16 LGs.

Meanwhile, another N2 million was presented to the overall best farmer of the year 2023, Agbemuko Abiodun Olasebikan from Ijero LG, for his outstanding performance and contribution to the agricultural sector.

Other highlights include the empowerment of 32 youths on entrepreneurial skills, presentation of awards to notable individuals, where  Afe Babalola was recognised  as an “Outstanding Farmer” for his contribution to agrarian and agroforestry farming.

In his goodwill message, the representative of Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, Abuja, Dr Olagunju Idowu hailed Afe Babalola’s giant strides towards the realisation of Social Development Goals (SDG) 2030.

He commended the legal icon for being in the forefront of eradicating hunger in Ekiti State, adding that the state has been outstanding in the whole Africa for its quest towards the eradication of hunger.

He thereby, urged the Nigerian youths to invest in agriculture as white collar jobs are no longer rampant in the country.

Some Nigerians have condemned the use of a jet in the presidential fleet by President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, to go on a private trip to Kano State to watch a polo tournament.

Polo is a ball game played on horseback, a traditional field sport and one of the world’s oldest known team sports, but is the exclusive reserve of the rich and members of the ruling class in Nigeria.

Leading Reporters learnt that Seyi embarked on the trip along with his friends on Sunday to watch a polo tournament in Kano and they were welcomed on arrival to the ancient city by the state government official

Leading Reporters learnt that Seyi Tinubu was likely attending the finals of the 2023 NPA Kano International Polo Tournament scheduled for Sunday at the Usman Dantata Polo Ground in Kano.

The Dangote Cup final between Golden Ranch and Agad/Rumbu was started by 3.30 pm on Sunday while the Muhammadu Sanusi Cup final between the ‘winners’ and the ‘rest of the team’ was scheduled for 4.30 pm.

Seyi Tinubu’s reckless private trip using taxpayers’ money amid hardship in Nigeria mirrors what happened in January 2020 when then-President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Hanan, took a private photography trip to Bauchi State on a presidential jet.

Jaafar Jaafar, a Nigerian journalist from Kano State and the founder of Daily Nigerian, wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, “Here’s Tinubu’s golden child, Seyi, traveling in a presidential jet to watch polo in Kano. But this trend did not start today.

“Buhari set the bad example when he allowed his daughter Hanan to travel in a presidential jet for a photo tour in Bauchi. Even if our laws are vague on this, one thing is clear. This is an offence to the moral code of leadership.”

Another user, @belloinuwa, who also spoke on the misuse of special forces units in the country said, “What about the misuse of a special forces unit as his bodyguards? See them in the pictures.

“The other day he went skateboarding in Abuja with them running by his side. This is just a continuation of the culture of impunity from the previous government, perhaps on an even grander scale this time.”

Another X user, @HGBashar wrote, “Buhari merely sought the title of ‘President’ without understanding or respecting the sanctity of the office.

“The audacity to let his daughter, Hanan, use a presidential jet for a mere photo tour in Bauchi was the beginning of this mockery. Now we see Tinubu’s protege, Seyi, hopping on the same jet for a polo match in Kano.

“It’s not just about the laws, it’s about ethics, morals, and respect for the position. Our leaders must do more than just occupy an office; they must uphold its dignity.”

Also, @EIderstateman said, “Gone are those days when public employees could confront political leaders without fear or favour and be reprimanded if they disregarded established processes, norms, and regulations. My Dad once sent a bill to Sir Ahmadu Bello for using an official plane for an unofficial trip.”

Seyi Tinubu in November 2022 in the build-up to the 2023 general elections attracted public outrage when he flew to Kano in a private jet to lead a rally in support of his father in the presidential election.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze and thunderstorms from Monday to Wednesday across the nation.

Local Lawmaker begs corps members to be patriotic and stop changing postings

NiMet’s Weather Outlook released on Sunday in Abuja predicted dust haze with visibility range of 1km to 3km and localised visibility of less than or equal to 1, 000m was anticipated over the northern region on Monday.

“There is prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba state later in the day. Thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Niger states in the morning while visibility values are expected to be between 2km to 5 km over the North Central states due to the dust in suspension.

“Thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa and Benue states in the afternoon and evening

“Thunderstorms are expected over parts of Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Cross River, Rivers, Lagos, Delta and Akwa Ibom states during the morning hours,” it said.

The agency envisaged thunderstorms with rains over parts of Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Imo Oyo, Imo, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Lagos States later in the day.

The agency said that moderate dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km and localised visibility of less than or equal to 1,000m was expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Tuesday.

It forecasted hazy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine over the North Central region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Benue.

The agency envisaged thunderstorms over parts of Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Benue and Kwara states later in the day.

“Cloudy morning is expected over the Southern region with prospects of thunderstorms and rains over parts of Ogun, Ondo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Delta, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states during the morning hours.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Ogun, Edo, Oyo, Delta, Osun, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Lagos states,” it said.

NiMet anticipated moderate dust haze on Wednesday with visibility range of 2km to 5km over the North throughout the forecast period.

It predicted cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine over North central region during the morning hours.

“In the afternoon and evening hours, thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kwara, Benue and Nasarawa states. Cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are anticipated over the Southern region in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Enugu, Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Lagos and Bayelsa states,” it said.

The agency said that moderate to heavy rainfall can lead to flash floods. The public was advised to take necessary caution, avoid driving and walking through flood waters.

It advised citizens to take necessary safety precautions as strong winds were likely to precede and accompany the thunderstorms.

“Disaster risk managers, agencies and individuals should be proactive, to avert loss of lives and property during the rainy season.

“All airline operators are advised to avail themselves of weather reports and alerts periodically from NiMet for effective planning for their operations,” it said

Sunday Igboho praises Obasanjo, Soyinka, others after his release from Beninese custody

Sunday Igboho  Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, has regained freedom after two years of trial by the Beninese government.

Igboho who confirmed his release in a statement he read on his Instagram handle titled, “My Release in Benin Republic”, praised former president Olusegun Obasanjo; nobel laureate Wole Soyinka; Professor Banji Akintoye; Ayo Adebanjo and several traditional rulers for the roles they played in securing his release.

Igboho was arrested on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, the Republic of Benin on his way to Germany.

President Bola Tinubu has declared that with the hitherto abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex now nearing completion, the project would have the capacity to employ 500,000 Nigerians once designated as a free trade zone.

The president further promised to fully harness the potential of the infrastructure once it was completed, as it would boost Nigeria’s foreign direct investment and provide avenue for the creation of the much-needed conducive business environment for all sectors to thrive.Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President, made this known yesterday, at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

The governorship poll in the state is slated for November 11.Addressing a mammoth crowd in Lokoja, Shettima also noted that the President remained committed to completing the constructions of the River Niger, the Kabba-Lokoja and the Abuja-Lokoja roads.

According to the vice president, Tinubu remains a man of many ideas who was determined to reposition the nation in its rightful place, especially as it borders on restructuring and stimulating the Nigerian economy.“Given Mr. President’s commitment to the development of Kogi State and indeed the entirety of Nigeria, Kogi in particular being a confluence state, cannot afford to have a governor who is hostile to the center. We must be partners in progress and work hand in hand to develop this great nation,” Shettima said.He further hinted about plans by the Tinubu’s administration to make the Itakpe crop processing project a dream come true, just as he promised jobs and affordable education under the present government.

Stressing that the welfare of the citizenry would never be willfully compromised, the vice president called on Kogi citizens to come out en masse on November 11, to vote for the candidate of the APC, Ahmed Usman Ododo, in order to consolidate on the achievements of the APC government in the state.He added that the natural endowments of Kogi State would be harnessed for the development of the state and the nation at large, adding that Tinubu had further given his nod for the rehabilitation of Obajana-Okene road in Kogi State.

Speaking earlier, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, thanked Tinubu for accepting to flag off the governorship campaign in his state, disclosing that his administration has achieved a lot, and it is time for consolidation in order to move the state forward.His words: “We have done a lot in the area of security, education and health, among others. We want to consolidate on that. I am, therefore, calling on the people of our dear state to vote for our candidate in order to move Kogi State forward”.

Also speaking, APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, said because Bello has provided good governance to the people of Kogi, the state cannot afford to be left behind by giving power to another party different from the one at the center.

On his part, Chairman of the APC Campaign Council for Kogi State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, enjoined the people of Kogi State to clean up their voter cards and turn out in numbers to vote for the candidate of the APC in the November 11 governorship election.In his remarks, Kogi State APC governorship candidate, Ahmed Ododo, pledged to carry the people of the state along if elected, saying he remained committed to the development agenda of Kogi State.

“We will build on the legacies of my mentor, Governor Yahaya Bello. We will give attention to security, education, agriculture and health. Our women will also be empowered,” he said.The vice president’s engagements in Kogi had started with an audience with traditional rulers and other stakeholders of the state ahead of the November 11 governorship election.At the audience with the stakeholders, Shettima also solicited support for the APC candidate in the forthcoming election.Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the President, Kogi State Traditional Council and the Attah of Igala, HRH Mathew Ipaluwa, pledged their support for President Bola Tinubu.The royal father commended the state governor, Yahaya Bello, for working hard in addressing security challenges in the state.

As Nigerian joins the world to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Girl-Child, the Chief Executive Office and Founder, Health Aid for All Initiative (HAFAI) Dr. Ugochi Ohajuruka has task the federal government to start implementing, prosecuting and convicting anyone violating the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) act 2015.

It would be recall that VAPP was enacted in 2013 and passed by the House of Representatives (Nigeria) on May 14, 2015 and finally passed by the Senate of Nigeria May 14, 2015, the VAPP act aim eliminating violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders; and for related matters.

Meanwhile, Dr.Ohajuruka while speaking in Abuja over the weekend explained that it is time government implement laws, follow through the policies and let people know that wrong is wrong and right is right.

“We want to see perpetrators going to jail because they cut their daughters for nothing that they know nothing about.”

Dr.Ohajuruka revealed that lack of menstrual solutions is part of why girls don’t stay in school or even engage in class and sport activities, hence HAFAI gives sanitary supplies to these girls, while advocating against harmful barbaric activities.

“We say the law has been passed and these practices have to be abandoned and we are happy that our organization is making lots of milestone in these regards.”

She however advised parents to be hands on and be more open and accessible to their children so that they will be able to confide in them when they are faced with challenges.

“Charity begins at home, the foundation of anybody’s life starts from the home that is why when we run community engagement program we discuss with religious and traditional leaders who are parents and parents of the girls as well that they should be more involved in the lives of their girls.”

One of the girls, Adamu Hauwa on her part charged the government to
create more organizations like Global Glow and HAFIA in empowering and mentoring girls, teaching them to build self-esteem and leadership skills.

Hauwa added that government should provide scholarship opportunities for girls because many of them lack access to basic education.

The theme of the 2023 International Day of the Girl-Child is ‘Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, the 2023 event aims to unite adolescent girls with advocates for their rights, including UN leaders, NGOs, businesses, and governments.

HAFAI promotes the rights of girls/women to education and safe reproductive healthcare choices using a holistic approach to behavioral change; and sustainable menstrual hygiene management solutions.

HAFAI works to reduce maternal and infant mortality through disease control, immunization against common childhood diseases and population management.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for peaceful negotiations with the Nigerian government

LEADING REPORTERS gathered that the separatist group in Nigeria, on Saturday, requested a peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a United Nations-supervised referendum.

IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful said in a press statement that the group has lost over 5,000 members and properties worth over $1 billion as a result of the extreme use of force by the Nigerian security forces.

“IPOB stands for peace. We stand for dialogue, and we stand for discussions. The cardinal rule under which IPOB was formed is to lead the way to a peaceful separation of Biafra from Nigeria,” Powerful said.

The statement read, “We the global family and movement of IPOB wish to reiterate once again that IPOB remains peaceful and open for negotiations and dialogue on the peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a UN-supervised Referendum.

“IPOB’s peaceful agitation for Biafra Independence started in 2012. Never has IPOB been associated with violence or criminality in all our years of rallies and protests. Nevertheless, the Federal Government, through its security forces, has levied war against IPOB. Our members have been brutally attacked while on a peaceful protest by the Nigerian security forces at many locations in Biafra Land.

“As a result of these unwarranted attacks, many IPOB members have been murdered in cold blood, some have been permanently handicapped, some forcefully taken away by the security forces whereas some are still illegally detained in various detention facilities across Nigeria.

“Many IPOB members and sympathisers have had their houses and businesses burnt by the Nigeria security forces. IPOB has lost over 5,000 members with properties worth over $1bn as a result of the extreme use of force by the Nigeria Security Forces. Irrespective of all the provocations, IPOB has never retaliated nor have we taken up arms against the Nigerian State.

“IPOB stands for peace. We stand for dialogue, and we stand for discussions. The cardinal rule under which IPOB was formed is to lead the way to a peaceful separation of Biafra from Nigeria. Biafra and Nigeria are two different nations.

“The events from 1948 to 2023 have shown that it is practically impossible for Biafra and Nigeria to coexist as one nation. IPOB has been calling on the Nigeria State for discussions on a peaceful referendum date, but the Nigeria State always returns the peaceful call with violent suppression.

“We have always maintained that self-determination is our inalienable right according to the UN laws.”