5 Jun 2015
I’ve forgiven you for attempting to impeach me – Fayose tells outgoing APC lawmakers
Governor Ayodele Fayose on Thursday bade farewell to the outgoing
members of the House of Assembly.
The Assembly’s tenure will expire on Friday.
The governor also stated that he had forgiven them for attempting to
impeach him.
Fayose made this known in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr.
Idowu Adelusi.
Ekiti State had been under siege for the past three days as thugs said to be
loyal to Fayose blocked all roads leading to the Assembly complex to
prevent the 19 All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers from sitting with
the aim of impeaching him.
Fayose said, “The last few months have been traumatic, especially this
week. I was not given room for concentration, but I had left the battle for
God to fight. I told those planning to impeach me that they will succeed if
they can impeach God.
“I did not bring myself
back to power; my
coming back after
eight years was
divine. I defeated the
APC totally in all the
elections, still they did
not want to concede
victory easily until
when the Ekiti people
rose to defend that
June 21 mandate.
“I will now squarely
face the business of
governance.”
Fayose also praised the people of the state for preventing the lawmakers
from gaining access to the complex and urged them to meet him at Ijigbo
junction on Friday for a ‘victory walk’ to the complex.
“The governor called on the people to gather at Ijigbo junction tomorrow
( Friday) from where he would lead them on victory walk to the state House
of Assembly for the inauguration of the new House of Assembly members,”
the statement added.
The new members are all of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
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ZARChampions League Final: Suarez’s Reunion With ‘Enemies’
Champions League Final: Suarez’s Reunion With ‘Enemies’
— Jun 5,
The Champions League final between Barcelona and Juventus tomorrow in Berlin will see the controversial Luis Suarez come up against two old enemies. The Barcelona and Uruguay striker will be in direct opposition to Giorgio Chiellini and Patrice Evra in the Juve defence as the clubs battle it out to win the greatest prize in European club football.
Suarez was banned from football for four months after biting Italy’s Chiellini during the World Cup in Brazil last year, meaning he was unable to make his debut for Barcelona until the end of October following his summer move from Liverpool.
His controversial spell with Liverpool included being found guilty by an FA panel of racially abusing Evra during a match at Anfield in 2011 when the French defender was at Manchester United.
Suarez was later handed an eight-match ban and fined £40,000 but then refused to shake hands with Evra when they met again at Old Trafford later that season.
However, Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has insisted that he has “no problem” facing the man who tried to bite a chunk out of his shoulder during the World Cup, for the first time since last summer.
“Of course I will shake hands,” said Chiellini. “I’ll hug him happily, too, there’s no problem at all. Those who know me even a bit know that’s how I truly feel. I have no problem with him and I think it’s the same for him. I have to think about him as a player, how he moves, his great skill but nothing more.”
Barcelona are the favourites to win the Champions League final in Berlin tomorrow’s night, but it could be a stressful night for Suarez, who must face more than one demon from his past.
Evra, like Chiellini, claims he has no beef with Suarez but, when asked about their meeting, commented: “I will make sure he feels me on the pitch.”
“I am proud to be what I am, I am proud about my colour and I will shake his hand, it is no problem, but I will make sure he feels my presence on the pitch,” he warned.
Juventus may have deprived the football world of the dream Champions League final between Real Madrid and Barcelona – the Ultimo Clasico – but that does not mean that the Old Lady of Turin’s date with the Catalan giants will not be without intrigue, primarily thanks to the presence of Luis Suarez in the Barca ranks.
Barcelona’s Uruguayan badboy may even have secretly been supporting Real Madrid against Juventus in the hope that he could avoid reunions with two Juve defenders, who have been his nemeses at two of his lowest points.
When the final kicks off on 6 June, Suarez is likely to be up against former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, whose allegations of racism against Uruguayan caused an ongoing feud while he was at Liverpool, and Georgio Chiellini, the Italian defender bitten by Suarez during last summer’s World Cup.
Last summer’s World Cup will be remembered for many things, among them Suarez’s bite on Italian defender Chiellini. The extraordinary incident came during a group game in Brazil when the Uruguayan lost his rag in the Italian box and sank his teeth into Chiellini’s shoulder. It was not the first time Suarez had let his teeth do the talking, a year earlier he had been banned for biting Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea.
Suarez’s most recent moment of madness came on the biggest stage of all, and while the referee missed the incident, the TV cameras and millions of fans did not. There was uproar after the match and Suarez was eventually hit with a four-month ban. Chewy Luis, as he was nicknamed, became an online phenomenon, but was hailed a hero in his homeland – international politicians were asked about the incident and sponsors rushed to distance themselves from the player.
Agriculture Must Be Treated As A Business – Buhari
In order to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and ensure food security, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that agriculture must be treated as a business.
The president stated this in Calabar yesterday while declaring open the 55th annual general meeting of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
Buhari who was represented by the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals, Alhaji Baba-Umar Farouk, also advocated the active participation of the private sector towards developing agriculture in Nigeria.
He challenged participants at the conference to come up with useful recommendations that will advance Nigeria’s agricultural sector at the end of their deliberations.
The president said “Nigeria has huge agricultural potential with over 84 million hectares of arable land of which only 40 per cent is currently cultivated.The country has some of the richest natural resources for agricultural production in the world. The urgency of unlocking our agricultural potential is even more pertinent because Africa spends $35billion annually for food import. Agriculture must cease from being treated as development programme; agriculture must henceforth be treated as a business.”
Meanwhile, a researcher in Agricultural Science, Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, has advocated greater participation of women and Nigerian youths in agribusiness in Nigeria.
Delivering his keynote address at the occasion, Akinbamijo, who is the executive director, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), said the women in particular play a critical role in agricultural development in Nigeria.
According to him, “Women already contribute significantly to the development of households, communities and nation.
“They are the pillars of economic growth and development considering their predominant role in agriculture which is the backbone of most African economies.
“Hence, the need for NACCIMA to deliberately engage and support opportunities in Agribusiness that offers equal participation and benefits to women and youths moving forward”.
The occasion attracted Cross River State deputy governor, Prof Ivara Esu, seven past presidents of NACCIMA among other dignitaries and delegates across the nation.
1 Jun 2015
Buhari appoints Adesina , Shehu as spokesmen
President Muhammadu Buhari last night appointed his spokesmen in the
first set of appointments made by his administration .
Managing Director / Editor - in - Chief of The Sun Mr . Femi Adesina is Special
Adviser ( Media and Publicity ) . Mallam Garba Shehu is Senior Special
Assistant ( Media and Publicity ) .
The President also appointed Mallam Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure as the State
Chief of Protocol ( SCOP ) .
Adesina was re- elected President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors ( NGE )
last month after serving out a two- year first term .
He started his 28 - year career in newspapering at the Vanguard as a feature
writer before joining Con cord newspapers as a pioneer member of the
Weekend Concord team .
He also served as Editor of National Concord . He moved to The Sun where
he rose to the position of editor before being appointed managing director
and editor - in - chief . He was named the Editor of the Year 2007 by the
Nigeria Media Merit Award organisers.
Shehu served as the Director , Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential
Campaign Council . He was Editor of Kano - based Triumph newspaper and
President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors 16 years ago. He was head of
the media team of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 1999 .
Abdullahi Kazaure is a career Foreign Service official and currently serves
in Aso Rock Villa as a Special Assistant ( Presidential Matters ) .
30 May 2015
Obasanjo , the big masquerade of my re – election - Amosun
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has acknowledged the immense role
of ex – President Olusegun Obasanjo in his re – election success .
Amosun who was appreciating the people of the state for their support
that ensured the success of his first term tenure as well as the re –
election at the polls last April 11 , described Obasanjo as the “ big
masquerade ” whose support brought much goodwill to him( Amosun) .
The Governor spoke while addressing thousands of supporters at the MKO
Abiola International stadium , Abeokuta, shortly after his inauguration for
another round of four years .
He said Obasanjo deserved a special mention and commendation.
Obasanjo whose name elicited deafening ovation when Amosun mentioned
him for commendation, was not at the stadium but his wife , Mrs Bola
Obasanjo , was in attendance .
Amosun said : ” but , as Yoruba use to say , that Egun Nla lo n gbe yin Igbale
( the big masquerade is the last at the shrine ) let me specially appreciated
our Baba , former President , Baba Olusegun Obasanjo ” he could not
finished his remarks before the crowd went into frenzy .
“ He could not be here , because he is in Abuja , but , we have his wife ; our
mother with us here . I say you are recognized Mama . ”
The political relationship between Obasanjo and Amosun was rekindled
following what the former President openly admitted as the Governor ’ s
impressive performance in the areas of infrastural development , urban
renewal , palpable security, clean and safer environment of Ogun state
Also , the Director General of the Sen . Ibikunle Amosun Campaign
Organization during the 2015 electioneering period, Chief Bode Mustapha,
lauded Obasanjo for the Amosun re – election .
“ In Yorubaland , we always respect and appreciate elders who stand and
hold on to the truth . Despite being in different political party , Baba never
hidden his admiration for the wonderful performance of the governor.
“ He is not sentimental about the positive rebuilding mission in the state ,
and that is Obasanjo for you . So , for the people of Ogun state to have
given him that cheers , it is a lesson for all that there is always reward for
everything , ” Mustapha said .
of ex – President Olusegun Obasanjo in his re – election success .
Amosun who was appreciating the people of the state for their support
that ensured the success of his first term tenure as well as the re –
election at the polls last April 11 , described Obasanjo as the “ big
masquerade ” whose support brought much goodwill to him( Amosun) .
The Governor spoke while addressing thousands of supporters at the MKO
Abiola International stadium , Abeokuta, shortly after his inauguration for
another round of four years .
He said Obasanjo deserved a special mention and commendation.
Obasanjo whose name elicited deafening ovation when Amosun mentioned
him for commendation, was not at the stadium but his wife , Mrs Bola
Obasanjo , was in attendance .
Amosun said : ” but , as Yoruba use to say , that Egun Nla lo n gbe yin Igbale
( the big masquerade is the last at the shrine ) let me specially appreciated
our Baba , former President , Baba Olusegun Obasanjo ” he could not
finished his remarks before the crowd went into frenzy .
“ He could not be here , because he is in Abuja , but , we have his wife ; our
mother with us here . I say you are recognized Mama . ”
The political relationship between Obasanjo and Amosun was rekindled
following what the former President openly admitted as the Governor ’ s
impressive performance in the areas of infrastural development , urban
renewal , palpable security, clean and safer environment of Ogun state
Also , the Director General of the Sen . Ibikunle Amosun Campaign
Organization during the 2015 electioneering period, Chief Bode Mustapha,
lauded Obasanjo for the Amosun re – election .
“ In Yorubaland , we always respect and appreciate elders who stand and
hold on to the truth . Despite being in different political party , Baba never
hidden his admiration for the wonderful performance of the governor.
“ He is not sentimental about the positive rebuilding mission in the state ,
and that is Obasanjo for you . So , for the people of Ogun state to have
given him that cheers , it is a lesson for all that there is always reward for
everything , ” Mustapha said .
Nigeria has entered a new dispensation; no more business as usual – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his willingness to work
with any leader of the National Assembly that the process throws up,
irrespective of what part of the country he or she comes from.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Mr. Buhari said that this has
become necessary in view of the continued name-dropping in some circles
linking his name to some candidates.
“I am prepared to work with any leaders that the House or Senate selects,”
Mr. Buhari said in the earlier statement two weeks ago. “It doesn’t matter
who the person is or where he or she is from.”
He added: “there is due process for the selection of leaders of the National
Assembly, and I will not interfere in that process”.
The has been controversy over the election of new leaders of the Senate
and House of Representatives, as the All Progressives Congress which has
the majority seats has failed so far to allocate the offices to different regions of
the country.
Sources in the party say the delay is apparently because Mr. Buhari has refused to approve any formula for the election.
Leaders of the party say the APC will not jettison zoning, but add that the
party will consider merit first.
The president-elect has insisted he will not back any candidate.
In his statement Wednesday, Mr. Buhari said the media and the public
should begin to get used to no more “business as usual”.
“Nigeria has indeed entered a new dispensation,” he said. “My
administration does not intend to repeat the same mistakes made by
previous governments.”
with any leader of the National Assembly that the process throws up,
irrespective of what part of the country he or she comes from.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Mr. Buhari said that this has
become necessary in view of the continued name-dropping in some circles
linking his name to some candidates.
“I am prepared to work with any leaders that the House or Senate selects,”
Mr. Buhari said in the earlier statement two weeks ago. “It doesn’t matter
who the person is or where he or she is from.”
He added: “there is due process for the selection of leaders of the National
Assembly, and I will not interfere in that process”.
The has been controversy over the election of new leaders of the Senate
and House of Representatives, as the All Progressives Congress which has
the majority seats has failed so far to allocate the offices to different regions of
the country.
Sources in the party say the delay is apparently because Mr. Buhari has refused to approve any formula for the election.
Leaders of the party say the APC will not jettison zoning, but add that the
party will consider merit first.
The president-elect has insisted he will not back any candidate.
In his statement Wednesday, Mr. Buhari said the media and the public
should begin to get used to no more “business as usual”.
“Nigeria has indeed entered a new dispensation,” he said. “My
administration does not intend to repeat the same mistakes made by
previous governments.”
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