EFCC Intercepts N32.4m Allegedly Meant for Vote-buying in Lagos

 

The massive operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to deter vote trading and other financial malfeasance ahead of tomorrow's presidential and national assembly elections may have begun paying dividends with the interception in Lagos of the sum of N32, 400,000 (Thirty-two Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) allegedly suspected to be used for vote buying in Lagos. The recovery was made by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Commission.

The suspect involved has been taken into custody for further questioning.

 The Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa has implored all personnel of the Commission deployed for election monitoring duties to show courage and not give room for unscrupulous persons to undermine the integrity of the elections through financial inducement.

Tactical team of operatives are currently on ground in all the states of the federation and the FCT. Telephone hotlines have already been circulated through social media for members of the public to share information regarding financial malpractices with agents of the Commission. Details of the number are available on EFCC social media platforms. 

Members of the public are encouraged to report anyone trying to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting App, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on the Google Play or Apple store. 

They can also reach the Commission through EFCC social media handle, 

@officialefcc 

or by email, info@efcc.gov.ng.

Labour Party kicks as INEC omits party logo on Lagos ballot paper

The Labour Party, LP, has slammed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for omitting the party’s logo on Lagos State ballot papers for the Saturday election.

Recall that INEC had on Wednesday taken delivery of sensitive materials for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections scheduled for Saturday, February 25.

LP Chairman in the State, Dayo Ekong, who decried the exclusion of the party’s logo on Senatorial and House of Representatives ballot papers in a statement on Thursday, called on the INEC to either correct the mistakes or reschedule the National Assembly election.

While calling on INEC to either correct what she described as an anomaly, she said, ”As Nigerians prepare to go to the polls to vote a new president and members of the Senate and House of Representatives on Saturday, the LP is decrying the flagrant exclusion of its National Assembly candidates on the ballot papers.

“This malicious ‘error’ was found out in Lagos this morning during the routine inspection of election materials by my executive members. It was at inspection that it was discovered that the L P was not listed for the election for the Senate and House of Representatives. This is unacceptable and a wicked way of disenfranchising Lagos State electorates.

“It is unimaginable that the Lagos electorate will only vote for the Labour Party Presidential Candidate for the elections slated for Saturday, Feb. 25, as INEC made no provision for the election of the Party’s Senate and House of Representatives Candidates. We cannot accept this as we do not believe that INEC made a mistake but rather a deliberate, malicious and intentional act to disenfranchise our supporters from exercising their civic rights, which is unacceptable.

”Further checks on the INEC website revealed that the names of Lagos LP candidates were not uploaded even as the list and court orders for the same were duly submitted to INEC and acknowledged. We have severally pointed out the bias displayed by the State INEC REC towards our Party and his increasing attacks on our leaders.”

The party, however, called on all stakeholders, lovers of democracy, foreign observers and the international community to quickly wade in.

Oje traders drum support for Atiku & PDP

Oje traders has pledge and agreed to vote massively for His Excellency Alhaji Abubakar Atiku as Nigeria President, Mogaji Joseph Tegbe as Senator Oyo South Senatorial district and Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin as Federal rep, Ibadan North East/ Ibadan South East Federal Constituency on this week Saturday Presidential and National Assembly Poll

During some meetings facilitated by Hon. Gbenga Ayinde Adewusi (Arole) at Oje today, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ahmed Olaosebikan (Babaloja Eleso of Oje Market) said they were fully ready to follow the directions from Arole because he is the son of the soil and also he is visible to us and pledge their support for all PDP Candidate in this coming Saturday,

The Chairperson of Alaso Oke of Oje Market, Alhaja Ayetoro also spoke to our correspondence that they have been expecting this call from "Arole" since because he is always stood by them and always support them anytime any day and they are ready to vote for PDP also Alhaji Musibau Oloko, Chairman of Ifelodun butcher association Oje on his own speech said some parties has already visited and tried to canvass them but they can't support any other party except a Party that Arole direct them to vote for and pledge their support for Atiku and other PDP National Assembly Candidates .

On his remarks, Hon. Gbenga Ayinde Adewusi (Arole) appreciate them for believing in g

him and also urged them to vote for him, he further clarified it that Voting for PDP, is voting for him because he is a pioneer member of PDP and also pledge that he will not betray the trust they have in him.

Hon. Abiodun Adedoja (Ekolo), Hon. Abeeb Ogunremi, Hon. Jamba, Hon. Adekola Igbalajobi, Hon. Sulaiman Akingbeju, Engr. Femi Okunola J.P and Hon. Ifeoluwa Ayodele Ogunlola were accompanied him to the meetings.

JUST IN: #CBN Releases Guidelines For Feb 17 Deadline For Old Naira Notes—-

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has informed citizens that there will be no cash swap for old notes in any financial institution.

The CBN already declared the old N200, N500 and N1000 are no longer recognized as legal tender, despite a Supreme Court ruling.

The apex bank on Tuesday released the guidelines for deposit of old notes at any of its branches across the country from February 15 and 17.

CBN explained that in exchange for the old notes, the bank account provided by the depositor will be credited after scrutiny.

“You will not be issued new notes; instead your bank account will be credited after your account is validated by law enforcement,” it said.

Noting that the process may take up to four weeks, the guideline said the deposited notes will be withheld if validation of the owner’s account turns out negative.

Also, deposits by a third party are not allowed; the account information provided must be that of the depositor.

Account owners are required to complete an online application form and generate a reference number before heading to the CBN.

In a case where a customer did not pre-fill their form, he/she will be given the opportunity to fill the form at the branch.

Requirements are the reference code generated from the CBN portal, an active bank account, Bank Verification Number, BVN, and a valid government identity card.

The advice added that the Cash Deposit Window is open to the public from today until Friday between 9am to 2pm daily.

CYCLING: THREE NIGERIAN CYCLISTS WIN GOLD MEDALS IN GHANA

     Three cyclists that participated in the on going I9th CAC African Road and Paracycling Championship taking place at Olebu, Ablekuma, Pokuase Route, Accra in Ghana won  three  gold medals in various categories..

   The duo of Victoria Lawal and  Peace Olawale from Oyo State  won gold in the female Youth Category while  Olawale Peace of Oyo State and Eze Ukpeseraye from Delta State also clinched Gold in the road race.

  The first edition of the tournament which commenced on February 8 will terminate on 17 February 2023. Nineteen countries of Africa participated actively in the competition under the auspices of Union Cycliste Internationale ( UCI), The Ministry of  Youth and Sports, The Ghana Cycling Federation ( G C F), National Sports Authority (NSA) as well as Ghana Olympics Committee.

  Cycling is one of the 24 medal sports on the programme for Accra 2023 African Games.

 

CREDIT SOURCE:

  TUNDE AJIBIKE

     D ( Media and Communications)

Posterity 'll Be Kind To You For Standing By Truth, Equity, Good Governance–Oyo PDP Laud Adanla, Ibadan Mogajis

.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state has lauded Mogajis Adanla, Engr. Abduljeleel Adekunle Kareem and all the Ibadan Mogajis for their open show of support and endorsement of Governor Seyi Makinde for another term of office.

This was as the party noted that posterity will be kind to the traditional leaders of various compounds in Ibadan for standing on the side of truth, equity, and good governance under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde.

The Oyo state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Akeem Olatunji, in a press statement on Tuesday (today) said the position of the Ibadan Mogajis on Makinde's reelection reflects the true position of every sons and daughters of Ibadanland with genuine desires for the city to become economically and commercially competitive as other fast developing states across Africa.

Recall that the Ibadan Mogajis led by Mogajis Abduljelyl Karheem Mogaji Adanla as their Coordinator and Spokesperson last Saturday held a press briefing where the body openly endorsed the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde for a second term of office while calling on his two main contenders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord, Senator Teslim Folarin and Bayo Adelabu respectively to wait for 2027 for a shot at the number one office in the state.

Mogajis Adanla who addressed journalists on behalf of his other colleagues premised their decision on Makinde's sterling performance in less than four years and the need to allow him complete various ongoing infrastructural projects spread across the state.

Impressed by the endorsement, the ruling PDP in the state commended the Mogajis for the open show of love and support for the PDP government and governor Makinde saying Ibadan has now been added to other parts of the state where Makinde's votes would be delivered in bloc form.

Buttressing one of the assertions of the Mogajis, Olatunji maintained that there is no place in the world where people change a performing governor except the lifespan of such government constitutionally expired while reiterating optimism and confidence that Makinde's 2023 election victory will be greater than 2019.

"We want to as the ruling party in Oyo state commend Mogaji Adanla, the

Turaki adini of oyo state 

Wakil faido Tijaniya of Yorubaland, edo and delta and the entire body of Mogajis in Ibadanland for their open display of love and support for the present administration under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde and their endorsement for his second term reelection bid.

"Truly, their position reflects the genuine spirit of Ibadanland which detests ungratefulness. It further affirms that Ibadan is a rewarder of good deeds from time immemorial. The position of these traditional heads of each and every compound in Ibadanland clearly indicates that this is an already locked down territory for Governor Makinde and we're indeed appreciative of that.

"Ibadan being the capital city of the political headquaters of the entire south western region will no longer be allowed to slide into the hands of charlatans and mediocre on ground of their lying prowess and deception nor be allowed to be governed by those whose primary aim for seeking the number one office is to expand the size of their private pockets at the detriment of the people.

"Oke-ogun has spoken, Ibarapa, Ogbomosho, Oyo zones and now Ibadan have all spoken very clearly and we can affirm that we heard you very loud and clear. We will as the ruling party continue to place Oyo state ahead of all other interests and put our people at the every centre of all our government policies and programs until the very last minute of our days in office come 2027." Olatunji said

Old Naira notes: no more legal tender in Nigeria – CBN declares

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has 2 that the old Naira Notes of N200, N500 and N1000 have ceased to be legal tender in Nigeria since the 10th of February, 2023.

The declaration was made by the Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bauchi, Haladu Idris Andaza while briefing Journalists on Monday at the CBN, branch in Bauchi.

He said that “In the last 24 hours, we have been inundated by questions from various angles of the general public about our operational guidelines on the old currency notes, be that as it may, there are so many questions here and there which people have been asking about.”

According to him, “So for the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that CBN is ready and is opened to receive all of those old notes based on certain conditions and criteria.”

“Customers are free to come to the Bank and deposit which they cannot do at the Commercial Banks anymore because the currency has seized to be a legal tender since the 10th of this month.

“Consequently, the management of the CBN decided that those customers will have a sigh of relief by coming to the offices of the CBN in all the 36 states in the Federation including FCT to deposit their money.

Christland School in news again as parents cry out over mysterious death of their daughter

 

Remember Christland School was in the news over s£xt@pe of 10-year-old girl known as Bhadgurl4k on Likee whose video went viral on popular social networking sites.

This time, One Michael Adeniran, the father of a 12-year-old Chrisland International School student, Opebi branch, has taken to social media to cry out over the death of his daughter, Whitney Adeniran, who allegedly died during the school’s inter-house sports activities.

According to posts making the rounds on social media on Saturday night, Adeniran said his daughter died on Thursday at the Agege Stadium, where the school used for its sporting activities.

Watch Whitney Adeniran’s mother giving account of how she found her daughter dead during the inter-house activities

According to him, the child had no health condition or sickness as at when the school bus picked her up for the event

Adeniran, who also said that there was no explanation given to himself and his wife from the school, added that his wife was present at the stadium, but the school did not call her attention to the incident immediately.

He has subsequently called on the Lagos State Government and the police to look into the matter and get justice for his slain child.

Adeniran wrote, “To the biggest shock of my life by 1 pm in the afternoon, I got a call from my wife that she was informed that our daughter slumped at the inter-house sport and she was rushed to the clinic.

“My wife was at the venue even before the event started. She was never informed or called until they have conveyed our child out of the venue before they informed her. On arrival of my wife at the health center where they took my daughter. my daughter was lying dead with her lips black and her tongue black.

“My wife called me urgently, I left my office to the place and found my 12year old daughter lying dead on the ground. I asked questions about what happened to my daughter and the school authority could not get me any information as to what happened to my child in their care.

“I gave Chrisland school a healthy vibrant young girl what Chrisland returned to me is a dead child. My entire family is in deep sorrow but the school Authority claimed they know nothing about my daughter’s death and all they know is that my daughter slumped and died.”

Adeniran further said the school had no ambulance or paramedics at the event, except for a nurse he described as a “quack,” who he said later confessed that the child died at the stadium

He added that, “My question is what happened to my daughter at Agege stadium? As a father, I demand answers from Chrisland International High School. I am in deep pain and sorrow right now. If you are a father you will understand my pain. My daughter is highly loved by us. We cherished her existence and we can never allow an institution to gloss over the death of our daughter.

“Since we started asking this question. The school has been asking us to back down from the autopsy and I know they know their way into the system. I am calling on the pathology department of @lasuth to please be honest with their result. Lagos State government, Nigerian Government, please intervene.”

Many Nigerians have taken to social media to demand justice for the dead child, calling on the government and the police to intervene.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached as at the time of filing this report as he did not pick calls or respond to text messages sent to him by our correspondent.

Also Chrisland school could not be reached as at the time of filing this report to comment on the matter, as calls to their administrative lines were unanswered.

COACH MOHAMMED ABDULAZEEZ RESIGNS AND KWARA UNITED ANNOUNCES KABIR DOGO AS ABDULAZEEZ' S REPLACEMENT

  

Kwara United Football Club has announced former Wikki Tourists of Bauchi handler, Coach Kabir Sulaiman Dogo as the club's new Technical Adviser,  replacing Coach Abdulazeez Mohammed who resigned from the position this evening.

The appointment, according to the club, is with immediate effect.

A message to the Media Team by the Club's Chairman, Kumbi Titiloye said that its very necessary to name another coach, as leaving the vacuum will not argur well for the club, describing the moment as crucial.

This is coming few minutes after the resignation of Coach Abdulazeez Mohammed, after the 2-0 bashing from Nasarawa United FC at the New Jos Stadium this evening, in the Matchday Seven NPFL encounter.

Under Coach Abdulazeez,  Kwara United won just a match so far, against Akwa United FC, drew two, against Gombe United and Shooting Stars Sports Club,  and lost the four otbers, in the Matcday Seven old Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

According to Coach Abdulazeez, "I have to step aside in view of the consistent run of poor results. The potentials are there for us to do well, but its unfortunate that things are going the wrong way. 

"I am stepping aside. I wish the club the best of luck in the ongoing season.

Kumbi Titiloye said that since the club has accepted his resignation, there would be no need to allow for a vacuum, hence the engagement of Coach Dogo, who also just resigned as the handler of Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi.

"We have accepted his resignation, as he has accepted full responsibility for the club's poor run. We cannot continue like this, despite the commitment of the government, the management and stakeholders.

 

Coach Abdulazeez Mohammed was engaged on an interim bases with 12 matches to end the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, following the relocation of Coach Usman Abdullahi Biffo to the USA, after the expiration of his three year contract.

Kwara United FC unveiled him as the new Technical  Adviser after the 2021/2022 season. Mohammed berthed on the Nigerian coaching scene in 2020 with Katsina United, securing their status in the NPFL before leaving the team.

He was in charge of the CAF Confederation Cup competition involving Kwara United FC, and immediately after the club's elimination, began preparations for the ongoing NPFL season.

OYO STATE GOVERNMENT REWARDS ATHELETES FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

                                           

   

             With in the next two weeks Oyo State government will reward the proficient and skillful athletes that won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the last 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES (BIRMINGHAM 2022), NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL (ASABA 2022), FIRST PARA GAMES (ABUJA 2022) and AFRICAN CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP (TRACK) 2022 held in Abuja.

         The Executive Governor of the Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde made this disclosure today at the Executive Chambers of the office of governor while hosting the athletes that represented the state in all the four tournaments that took place in the year 2022.

         While addressing the Athletes, Coaches and other Stakeholders at the forum. Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed further that the Gold medalist will be rewarded with One million naira each, while silver medalists will be offered Five hundred thousand each and the Bronze medalists will be given Three hundred and fifty thousand naira each, adding that the participants who did not win medals will be given two hundred and fifty thousand naira each.

         The exhilarated Governor of Oyo State commended the three weightlifter who represented Nigeria for their exceptional and brilliant performances at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham United Kingdom. The Governor remarked that Rafiat Lawal who won Gold will be compensated with 10,000 US Dollars while Liadi Taiwo will be offered 7,500 US Dollars and the third person, Osijo Mary Taiwo will be given 5,000 Us Dollars.

        He stated further that the athletes that represented Oyo state at the African Cycling Championship (Track) in the year 2022 will be given 3,500 US Dollars and 1,500 US Dollars for Silver and bronzes respectively.

           Governor Makinde said that it should be placed on reward that Oyo State team came first in the National Sports Festival amongst the states in the South -West geo -political zone stressing that Lagos state was defeated for the first time.

          The Governor said further “Oyo State bided for the hosting of the next bi – annual National Sports Festival stated for 2024 but we lost to Ogun State. I promised that they gave us more ample time to complete the ongoing rehabilitation of our sporting facilities. We will still bid after Ogun state in 2024”.

         He explained further that “ Oyo State Government submitted letter to the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to acquire the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke ado, Ibadan. “The Stadium will be renovated and the state of arts facilities will be provided, that means Oyo State will have two World Class Sports Facilities”.

           While responding to the request of the Oyo State Sports Council, the Governor pledged that Lekan Salami and other sports facilities across the state will be completed before the end of the year.

         Earlier, the Oyo state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Asiwaju Seun Fakorede commended the magnanimous gesture of the Governor which has been yielding a positive result, adding that the scintillating performances of Oyo state in both the National and International competition was as a result of the numerous supports extended to the sports sector.

        The Commissioner said “The Governor said we should win 100 Gold medal. Though this fit could not be achieved due to some variables of unforeseen circumstances. However, against all odds we fought hard to clinched 4th position, a position Oyo State occupied 43 years ago. Hence at the 2022 National Sports Festival we won 50 Gold, 61 silver and 62 Bronze medals in the 21st National Sports Festival”

       The Governor promised that the state Government will recruit more Athletes, Coaches and Sports officers and procure more State of the arts facilities to enhance the performance of the Athletes in the State.

CREDIT SOURCE

‘TUNDE AJIBIKE

 D (M&C).