Category: Featured

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

The Imo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja has announced Emeka Ihedioha valid champ of Imo gubernatorial election.

The Tribunal, Saturday rejected the request recorded against Ihedioha by three ideological groups – Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Congress (APC) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The parties alongside their governorship applicants, Uche Nwosu, Hope Uzodinma and Ifeanyi Ararume had asked the tribunal to invalidate the election of Ihedioha on the ground that he was unlawfully proclaimed as the legislative head of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has finished up designs to engage 50 poverty stricken ladies in FCT through learning new skills and equipment.

The Regional Vice President, West and North Africa, FIDA, Mrs Victoria Awomolo, revealed this at a news gathering in Abuja toward its expected Africa Regional Congress planned from Oct. 11 to Oct. 15.

The subject of the meeting is: ‘The growth of women and children in Africa beyond rhetoric’

According to her, the administration at all levels are doing their best to mitigate the enduring of the majority, however more should be done.

“We are empowering them and ensuring that they are self reliant. We are not just teaching them, but providing them with start-up equipment.

“We realised that if we give them money, they will just spend the money on other expenses.

“The skills acquisition would include bead making, clothes stoning, confectioneries, soap making, making of local drinks like zobo, tiger nuts as well as preparation and packaging of plantain and potatoes chips,” Awomolo said.

She said enabling the womenfolk would make them bolster their families and train their youngsters, saying the program would affect society emphatically.

Awomolo said exercises arranged for the congress include: Thanksgiving administrations, Juma’at supplication and keynote address by a Professor of Law, University of Nigeria, Prof. Bliss Ezeilo just as entire session to proffer answers for difficulties confronting ladies and youngsters.

She said around 400 agents had demonstrated intrigue so far to go to the congress, including those from Ghana, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya and Cameroon among others.

Some secondary school students and those of the University of Abuja have called on government at all levels to take action against global warming and climate change in the country.

They made the call in Abuja at the commemoration of the Fridays For Future (FFF) Global Action Day, organised by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP).

FFF is an international movement of school students and young people demanding actions from government and multinationals in order to prevent further global warming and climate change.

Mr Aliyu Sadiq, President, Geography Students Association, University of Abuja, said that the day gave students particularly young people the opportunity to act and proffer solutions to issues of climate climate change.

“We youths are demanding that government should intensify efforts to implement policies on climate change,” Sadiq said.

Miss Iwuh Nneka, a former member of Eco Club, Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse, who described students as leaders of tomorrow, stressed the need for them to be knowledgeable on climate change issues and proffer solutions to them.

Nneka listed trees felling, indiscriminate dumping of waste and air pollution as factors responsible for climate change.

“We are using this opportunity to tell our leaders and people to take actions against these man-made activities.,” she said.

Idika Shalom, a student of Government Secondary School, Kuje, urged Nigerians to desist from cutting trees, saying tree provides shade and oxygen for human survival.

Grene Gbara, a student of Government Secondary School, Lugbe, presented a song to appeal to Nigerians not to pollute or harm the environment, adding that they should imbibe the habit of environmental cleanliness.

The Executive Director of GIFSEP, Mr David Michael, urged governments to make solar accessible and affordable to Nigerians.

“Government should stop issuing coal mining licence and end gas flaring in the country. Our energy challenge can be solved with renewable energy.

“We are happy with the effort the government has made so far with its solar energy project in Bayero University Kano and Sabo Gari Market in Kano among others.

“Government should extend it to other rural communities that don’t have electricity. We should not using generator all over polluting the environment,” he said.

Michael said that the event was to build capacities of the young ones particularly students in the FCT.

“We are delighted that for the first time students of University of Abuja also joined us.

“It is also aimed at creating awareness among the young people to continue put pressure on their parents, teachers and the society at large to take action on climate change,” he said.

According to him, government should stick to the implementation of Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

“We want government to improve on Nationally Determined Commitment to address climate change,” he said.

Mrs Rose Agbo, the Environmental Programme Assistant, Global Environmental Facility (GEF) stressed the need for the country to shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy.

Agbo, who also described herself as climate reality leader, said that Nigeria should borrow a leaf from some advanced country that we’re going into the usage of electric cars.

“Let be a shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy, we have seen a developed country is going into electric cars. Government should put a stop to the use of coal.

“We are demanding for just solutions to the climate issues we are having.

“And this is an avenue ito pass message to our leaders that renewable energy is proven successful and it is cost effective,” Agbo said. (NAN).

By Abel Leonard

The Nasarawa State Governorship Election Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate in the 2019 general election, Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu against Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Governor Abdulahi Sule and the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The Tribunal presided over by Justice Abba Bello Mohammed in eight hours judgment said, “the petition lack merit and so thereby dismissed”.

According to him, the petitioner who supposed to proof his case beyond reasonable doubt for alleged over voting, disruption of votes, fortifications of results among others.

He said, petition was not in compliance with the provision of the 2010 electoral Act, so failed to established facts for his claimed.

The Judge further added that none of the witnesses testified for the petitioner were able to established facts or any tendered documents that can substantial the allegations made, as many of them are party agents from the wards and state level which supposed to come from the polling units, hence failed to discharge its contents proof.

Reacting to the tribunal judgement, counsel to the Petitioner, Affiku Gambo, said they will make consultation before taking any further decision.

Also speaking on behalf of the State Governor, the Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe, commended the tribunal for the judgement, stressing that the ruling has affirmed the people votes count.

By Dauda R Pam MAIDUGURI

A former Social Democratic Party,SDP,house of assembly candidate for Hawul state constituency in the 2019 elections in Borno state, Engr. Ishaku Ibrahim Mshelizza, has paid glowing tribute to governor Babagana Umara Zulum over achievements recorded in his first 100 days in office.

Addressing newsmen on Saturday in Maiduguri , the SDP Chieftain, said Borno under Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has witnessed tremendous developmental strides, which, if sustained will not only take the state to greater heights, but will overtake most Northern States.

He said, of particular interest to him was the unprecedented development which southern Borno has witnessed within this short period as 43 projects have been executed with some at completion level stressing, that Prof. Zulum does not only site projects at will but ensures that all projects have direct bearings to the need of the rural communities.



On the Deputy Governor,the SDP Chieftain acknowledged the sterling leadership qualities of Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur,who has, has single handedly eliminated opposition and rancour within the political class.

He said : ” Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur,has single handedly united all political fronts in Southern Borno through his leadership of accommodation to all.



“I will be surprised if any political party will still be in existence in Southern Borno by 2023 because of the way the Deputy Governor is conducting his affairs”and used the occasion to congratulate the Governor and his Deputy on their 100 days in office and prayed for more success to the APC led administration in Borno state.

Dauda R Pam Maiduguri

The Borno state Police Command has arrested 74 persons including some bokoharam criminals,in it’s efforts to rid the state of various offences in continuation of Operation Puff Adder exercise,launched in May 2019 by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

Addressing the press at the Police Command headquarters,Maiduguri,Friday, the state commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Ndatsu said, “You may recall that in the past months, we paraded suspects for different crimes in the state in line with the initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu,code-named “Operations Puff Adder” which the Command implemented in May, 2019.
The strategies put in place have again yielded results as 74 suspects were arrested for different offences as follows: ”

“ACT OF TERRORISM: On 29/8/2019 at about 0800hrs, one Adamu Ali alias Awari ‘m’ of Biu town, a cattle dealer, was arrested by the command operatives at Biu, while in possession of one cow which was among the over three hundred cows rustled from one Ali Muhammadu by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect between July/August 2017 in Damboa LGA. While two other were later arrested in connection to the said offence.they are Adamu Ali Alias Awari ‘m’ of B, Isa Umar ‘m’, sa Gubdo ‘m’”, CP Ndatsu said.

He further said “also ACT OF TERRORISM:, on 12/9/2019 at about 1600hrs, one Abubakar Mustapha ‘m’ of Bulabulin Ngarnam strongly suspected to be a member of the Boko Haram sect was arrested by the command operatives behind maximum security correctional home Maiduguri(spying on same) for possible attack by the terrorists. Investigation is progress”

The CP,said “CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, ACT DONE WITH INTENT TO PREVENT CHILD BORN ALIVE OR TO CAUSE IT TO DIE AFTER BIRTH: On 27/8/2019 at about 2130hrs, a group of persons connived and aborted a seven months old pregnancy. They were arrested by the command operatives following report by one Zanna Alh. Hassan ‘m’ of College of Legal and Islamic studies, Maiduguri.. The suspects are Mustapha bukar ‘m’ 59yrs, Abdulkarim shattima ‘m’ 16yrAisha ibrahim ‘f’ 13yr Newly born baby boy

He said the following exhibits were recovered, three injection of depoprover, Eighteen sachet of postino tablets, Two satchet of chloroquine tablets, and Empty vile of chloroquine injection

“CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND ARMED ROBBERY: On 5/9/2019 at about 0900hrs, one Adamu Sulaiman ‘m’ of Bayo LGA, was arrested by the command operatives, after he (suspect) and five others at large invaded the house of one Mallam Isiaka at Gaidam village in Bayo LGA on 5/8/2019 at about 2100hrs and robbed him of the sum of fifty thousand naira (N50, 000) cash and a techno handset valued ten thousand naira (N10, 000), while armed with a double barrel gun, a locally made pistol and sticks. Suspect confessed to the crime and mentioned accomplices (at large).SUSPECT(S), Adamu Sulaiman ‘m’ of Bayo”, the CP added.

On the arrest of a notorious CRIMINAL trailing bank customers, CP Ndatsu said :”On 13/9/2019 at about 1420hrs, one Yusuf Tanimu ‘m’ of Katsina Metropolis who is notorious in trailing, breaking into Bank customers vehicles and stealing huge amount of money withdrawn was arrested by the command operatives when he attempted to break into a Toyota corolla LE vehicle of a UBA Bank manager Mohammed Shuaibu who parked same in a location and went for prayers.”

“You will recall that on 10/9/2019, the Command issued a press statement on the emerging activities of hoodlums who trail the cars of bank customers (who withdraw money) and when such cars are parked, these hoodlums then break into the car and remove the money therein. However, Yusuf Tanimu ran out of luck this time and the Command delivered on its promise.,suspect:, Yusuf Tanimu ‘m’ of Katsina Metropolis” he further stressed.

The Cp said “In line with the IGP’s directive to curb the menace of hard-drugs intake, the Command has been consistently conducing raids on black spots within the metro. This has resulted in the arrest of 39 suspects with exhibits recovered from them as follows:, Indian help, Tramadol and Exol among others”

While appealing to parent to advised their children and ward on.dsnger of hard drugs, the Police Boss said “We are not unmindful of the fact that constitutionally, such suspects ought to have been taken court within 48 hours, however it is in the best interest of public peace and order to parade them so that parents will be aware of the seriousness of the offence and others will be deterred from indulging in drugs. Through this medium,

Others also arrested for criminal conspiracy and causing grievous hurt, criminal conspiracy and possession of counterfeit currency,, criminal conspiracy and intimidation, fraudsters, house breaking among.

The Arena belonged to Ike last night as he was victorious in the Games.

Clad in their capes (which reminded us of Superman), the Pepper Dem Housemates played a game of superheroes and villains which saw Ike become the superhero of tonight’s Arena Games. Omashola wasn’t left out as he came second, leaving the Arena with 200 Bet9ja Coins.

The sudden frenzy to use the shopping cart didn’t go unnoticed by Biggie as it has been reopened for business. Now, Housemates can freely order any item from the cart and even items not on the shopping list. There was a subtle restriction attached to this though. The Housemates were to stick to ordering simple things. Before Frodd starts to jubilate, Big Brother has removed certain items from the table. Immunity, Head of House and Veto Power are no longer available. Well, the days of grace are clearly gone.

With a straw provided, the Housemates were to stack up seven bolts to build a tower. In doing this, they must ensure that their fingers do not cross the line on the straw at any time. Failure to keep to this instruction will attract a penalty. That was what happened to Seyi, Elozonam, Frodd, Diane, Mike and Omashola as they got an additional 30 seconds added to their time for allowing their fingers to cross the marked line on the straw.

For this challenge, the Housemates must first blow up a balloon then use a bit of tape to stick the balloon to a small pipe on a string. Very simple right? Let’s see, with the right volume of air the balloon is expected to fly to the other end of the string. What happens if it doesn’t? The Housemate gets penalized.

The third challenge they had to overcome was the mystery superhero on a seat. Sitting on a simple office chair, the Housemates had to move from one end of the line to the other end of the zig-zag line. They had fun on this one as they all swivelled on the zig-zag line.

Equipped with a power hammer, the Pepper Dem Gang all became Thor as they aimed for a web box. They had to stand on a marked spot to make their throw. Well, they all found that it wasn’t an easy feat to make a successful throw as some of them had to repeat the challenge a few times.

As the Pepper Dem season draws to a close, we look forward to seeing the Housemate that will win the Bet9ja prize money.

On the subject of carelessness and disregard for the Veto Power Box, Cindy, Diane and Elozonam were issued a Strike each.

On Sunday, the Housemates were presented with the Ultimate Veto Box. Along with the Red Box came the instruction to guide, protect and watch over the box as if their stay in the House depended on it. In other news, the House was warned never to lose sight of the box, damage or lose it.

As the Housemates responsible for the protection of the Reb Box (following their schedule), Elozonam and Diane received a Strike each from Biggie.

They both failed to dispatch this duty by leaving the box outside the House and therefore, had to be held accountable for their deed.

In her case, Cindy picked the box from where it was kept, held the box and dropped it on the floor. Yet, when it was time to leave the Arena, she conveniently forgot the box. Just maybe, she should have done better and carried the box along with her to the House.

What made Biggie rather curious was that when all the chips came down, she was caught wondering who kept the box under the table. It was her all along!

For this, she was also given a Strike alongside Diane and Elozonam as she was also to be held responsible for abandoning the Red Box.

Biggie always keeps to his rules and for flouting them, the Housemates will be given a collective punishment. The House failed to watch over the box with a collective effort and that moment earned them a reward of Biggie’s punishment.

Fortunately, or unfortunately for them, this punishment will be issued on Monday morning. According to Biggie. the only thing that will come in between a Housemate and the punishment will be Eviction on Sunday. Well, unknown to them, this week is Eviction-free.

In addition to the punishment, Biggie banned his guests from takeaway packs when they are given treats. In essence, no more packing of food and drinks to the House and the Housemates are only allowed to eat what they can and leave the rest of the food or treats alone.

Clearly, they can’t seem to behave themselves whenever food is involved. With Strikes involved, will the Pepper Dem Gang learn the virtue of being accountable?

Source: BBN

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has urged his rival in the March 9 gubernatorial election, Chief Great Ogboru of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to join hands with his administration in building a stronger state.

The governor made the call on Friday at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service shortly after the reaffirmation of his electoral victory by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which sat in Asaba.

“I appeal to my brother, Ogboru, that the time has come to stop fighting; it is time to partner together to do the best that we can for our people.

“I appeal that enough is enough; it is time to build Delta State together for the good of our people.

“I ask for the hands of the opposition, because Delta State is for all of us; we cannot do it alone and I want to thank our supporters and all Deltans for praying for us.

“We require the assistance of all in prayer and in human partnership.

“We must continue to pray for our state and our country, because we believe that our prayer will save our country.

“As Deltans, we must hold firmly to the Lord, because Delta State will continue to remain peaceful and united as we will prosper together,” Okowa said.

The governor thanked his legal team and former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, who attended the service in company with his wife.

He assured Deltans that the next four years would be more fruitful than his first tenure.

Earlier in his sermon, the Government House Chaplain, Venerable Charles Osemenem, said that God rules the affairs of men.

According to him, because God is interested in the affairs of man, we should be careful and mindful of what we do.

“Let us acknowledge God in all our ways because our God never fails.

“When He opens a door, nobody can close it,” the chaplain said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor’s wife, Dame Edith Okowa; the Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro; Sen. James Manager; House of Representatives member, Ndudi Elumelu; Speaker, Delta House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborovweri, were among dignitaries at the service.(NAN)

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

In the midst of political theories against 2023 elections, Governor Udom Emmanuel has denied claims of securing plan to look for third term utilizing a surrogate as a successor.

The Governor cleared the air while interacting with the leadership and some members of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, foremost socio cultural organization of the Ibibio youths, that stormed Government House gate to herald his arrival following his victory at the Governorship petitions tribunal.

“I usually hear people saying he has anointed someone who will take over from him so that he can be able to manipulate the person to do his bidding after leaving office, I want to assure you that it is not true”

“As I Speak, it is only God who knows who my successor will be. When He presents him, we will support him to also succeed,” the Governor said.

He used the opportunity to commend Mboho for the role it has played in maintaining peace in our dear state. The peace of Akwa Ibom State will never be shaken” Mr. Emmanuel added

Mr. Emmanuel whose arrival from Abuja was greeted by different crowds of supporters right from the airport through to the city center, thanked all Akwa Ibomites and the Association for their surprise welcome

He appreciated the Mboho for uniting in support to him, despite all odds, during the election, and urged them to continue supporting his administration to achieve the completion agenda.

Earlier, the President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akpawara Patrick Edwin Udofia said the association came to register their goodwill to the State Chief Executive on his second term confirmation by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

Meanwhile, thousands of youths, women groups, members of the political class and the state executive council members thronged the Victor Attah International Airport to celebrate with the Governor on the victory at the Election petition Tribunal.

Among the dignitaries to receive the Governor who arrived the state from an official function in Abuja, were the Deputy Governor Mr Moses Ekpo, the chairman PDP Obong Paul Ekpo,Secretary to state govt. Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Head of service, Elder Effiong Essien among other Exco members.

Reacting to the verdict, Governor Emmanuel dedicated the Victory to Only God and Akwa Ibom people for the love demonstrated at the polls and affirmed by the Judiciary.

He said that his administration is committed to deliver on the Campaign promise of an economic and socially viable state bonded in love and unity.

The State chief executive said he is passionate about youth employment, industrialization, Education and infrastructure across the length and breadth of the state.
He thanked the people for the show of love and the judiciary for being the last hope of the common man by upholding the Truth.