Minister of Sports Dare lauds Brume’s Exploits at World Athletics Indoor Championships

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has expressed his excitement on long jumper Ese Brume, who made Nigeria proud by winning a silver medal at the just concluded World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Ese Brume extremely excited finishing second at World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade Serbia

“We, as a Sports Ministry, are proud of her. She is an epitome of humility, hardwork and the Nigerian attitude that never gives up,” Dare concluded.

Brume leapt a distance of 6.85m to finish second in the long jump event behind Ivana Vuleta from Serbia who won gold with 7.06m.

Ruth Usoro also set her new personal season’s best with a spring of 6.69m to place eighth in the event.

Athletics is gradually rediscovering it’s feet as many sports loving Nigerians clamour for more.

Brume’s silver medal is Nigeria’s first podium finish at the indoor championships in 14 years.

Super Eagles Brace Up for a Do or Die Playoff against Blackstars of Ghana.

All is set for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup play-offs between the Blackstars of Ghana and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Super Eagles interim technical adviser, Augustine Eguavoen, said they are aware of the enormous task bestowed on them to ensure Super Eagles will be in Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

“I will not accept any atom of complacency from my players, everyone is aware of the expectations,I promise,we will not disappoint football loving Nigerians”

Meanwhile,Black Stars head coach Otto Addo is looking forward to a difficult challenge from the Super Eagles, but expects Ghana to emerge victorious.

“We’re only a few days away from playing our crucial match against our rivals Nigeria, we all expect Ghana to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, but that won’t be easy as we need to do our best to make it to this tournament,”says Coach Addo.

The two West African giants will clash in a two-legged playoffs on 25th and 29th of March.

The first leg will take place on Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi,Ghana.

While the reverse fixture is billed for the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja,on Tuesday 29th March.

The result of the first leg playoff in Kumasi will to a large extent determine the country between Nigeria and Ghana who will represent West Africa in Qatar.

Nigeria has been at the World Cup six times,while Ghana has been there just three times.

Three PDP Presidential Aspirants Meet In Bauchi, Agree To Step Down For One Person (Photos)

Three PDP Presidential Aspirants Meet In Bauchi, Agree To Step Down For One Person (Photos)

Abuja (Nigeria) – Three presidential aspirants under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday met in Bauchi and have agreed to achieve a consensus amongst them.

The three aspirant are the immediate past president of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and Governors of Bauchi and Sokoto states, Senator Bala Mohammed and Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal respectively.

The trio while reaching the agreement said though each of them has indicated an interest in becoming the next President of Nigeria, but also believe this is the time to place the interest of millions of Nigerians above personal interest.

President of the 8th Senate, Bukola Saraki disclosed this on Sunday in a statement he released via his Facebook page.

The statement reads in full:

This afternoon, I was in Bauchi State to meet with my brothers, the Governors of Bauchi and Sokoto States, Sen. Bala Mohammed and Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to discuss the state of the nation and deliberate on what our joint response should be on the search for solutions as we approach 2023.

We agreed that our country is in a very dicey situation and that we should work together to provide good leadership. We believe that the ruling party which is so embroiled in crisis and is unable to manage its affairs, cannot effectively administer the country. Therefore, going forward, Nigerians are eagerly looking towards the PDP to bail out the country. We believe this is the time to place the interest of millions of Nigerians above personal interest.

Therefore, even though each of us has indicated an interest in becoming the next President of Nigeria, the three of us have resolved to achieve a consensus amongst us, as a first step, and then hold further discussions with others within the party. We will continue to update party members and the public on further developments as we hold more meetings. This is a process that we are determined to follow to a successful conclusion.

I thank my brothers, Governors Mohammed and Tambuwal for their patriotism and sincerity.

We will continue to give hope to our people and work in the interest of our dear country. May Allah help us.

Recall that Governor Bala Mohammed who declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election when he paid a visit to former President Goodluck Jonathan in company of Prof Udenta Udenta last month, assured Jonathan that he will only not contest if he (Jonathan) decides to contest under any political platform.

Political pundits are of the view that with the agreed consensus kick-started by these three aspirants and their intention to hold further discussions with other aspirants within the party, the PDP may in the final analysis, adopt consensus option as the best method to select flag-bearer in the 2023 general election.

Ugwanyi @58: Agric Entrepreneur Advises S/East Governors To Adopt Enugu Blueprint

Ugwanyi @58: Agric Entrepreneur Advises S/East Governors To Adopt Enugu Blueprint

Abuja (Nigeria) – An Enugu born agriculture entrepreneur, Hon. (Amb.) Peace Patrick, has enjoined governors from the south east region of Nigeria, to emulate the security, green revolution and other agricultural policies of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwanyi of Enugu State.

Hon. Patrick, in a massage of congratulations on the ocassion of the birthday of Governor Ugwanyi on Sunday, said the people of Enugu were satisfied with the leadership qualities of the Governor, especially in the area of agriculture and security.

Governor Ugwanyi celebrated his 58th birthday on Sunday.

Hon. Patrick, who is the Head of Partnership and External Relationship of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous agriculture technology promoter, Agrichainx Innovative Technology; lauded Governor Ugwanyi for his record-breaking interventions in the agricultural sector, which has made farming attractive to everyone in Enugu State.

“The primary aim of every government is to protect lives and property of the citizenry. This is what Governor Ifeanyi Ugwanyi has done. You will never see or hear of those crime and banditry that have been ravaging some communities in other states.

“This has also given the rural dwellers confidence to access their farms and cultivate their farm produce without fear of any attack. This is in addition to other agricultural policies of the Governor and many interventions like distribution of fertilizer, hybrids and encouragement of mechanized farming in the state.

“This is worthy of commendations and I urge other governors, especially the Ndigbo, to emulate Governor Ugwanyi and make the entire South East an agricultural hub of Nigeria”, she said.

While wishing the Governor a happy prosperous birthday celebration, Hon. Patrick, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), assured Ugwanyi of her continued support in his government and future endeavours.

Ortom denies alleged move to defect to APC

Ortom denies alleged move to defect to APC

…says he has never met Philip Agbese

Abuja – Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has dismissed claims by one Philip Agbese that he would  return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) soon, insisting that, “I have never met that young man  in my life.” 

One Philip Agbese had claimed in a newspaper report that Governor Ortom confided in him to plead with the wife of an APC leader in Makurdi that he (Ortom) be accepted back into the APC fold. 

Ortom’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur made available to Peionews on Sunday in Abuja.

According to the Governor, “I have never met that young man who calls himself Philip Agbese, so there is no way I would have whispered to him on any issue. Not to talk of returning to the APC. And why should I return to the APC? What will I be doing in a party that has destroyed Benue, wrecked Nigeria to its knees. In any case, why should I confide or whisper to someone I have never met?” 

He went on: “If that young man wants to use my name to climb to wherever he wants to go, then he has failed. I am an enigma. I cannot condescend to the level of engaging with people who are going about looking for crumbs just to fill their stomach against the general well being of the people.” 

Governor emphasised; “That young man is a serial liar who wants to draw attention to himself using my name. There is no truth in that claim. Whoever thinks that I Governor Samuel Ortom will dump the Peoples Democratic Party now when I am part of the leadership of the party mapping up plans to rescue Nigeria from the APC led by General Muhammadu Buhari administration must be joking.” 

“Let me make it clear. I am not contemplating of rejoining the APC at any time. I am in the forefront, working with other leaders of the PDP to ensure that the party rescues Nigeria from the cluelessness of the APC to win the presidency and other states as well as retains power here in the state”.

2023: Atiku to declare for Presidency Wednesday, writes political leaders

2023: Atiku to declare for Presidency Wednesday, writes political leaders

Abuja – Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2019 general election and former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has written to political leaders in Nigeria informing that he will on Wednesday, 23rd March, 2022 declare formally for 2023 presidential race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His formal declaration is at the backdrop of wide consultations with all relevant stakeholders within and outside the party on his intention to contest.

In a letter which was sent to political leaders and sighted by newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, the declaration event has been slated for Wednesday, 23rd day of March, 2022 in Abuja at 11.00am.

The ex-Vice President is currently the leading presidential aspirant in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

The letter which was signed by the chairman, Technical Committee of the Atiku 2023 Presidential Project, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, reads in part:

“It is with great delight and respect that the Technical Committee, TEECOM cordially invites you to the official declaration for the Office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2023 by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, GCON, Wazirin Adamawa, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999-2007).

“The historic event will hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 11AM. Your presence will certainly add colour to the event as we expect your presence at the ceremony.”

It would be recalled that a few hours after the Office of the National Organizing Secretary of the PDP, commenced sale of nomination forms for all elective offices in the 2023 general election last week, a group, North-East Business Forum, stormed the party’s secretariat and obtained the Presidential expression of interest and nomination forms for the former Vice President at a combined sum of N40 million.

Peionews recalls that Atiku Abubakar who is well known across political parties as a master-political strategist and political heavyweight came a narrow second behind the incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari who won the 2019 presidential election.

I’ve No Intention To Contest For Political Office – ITF DG, Ari says

I’ve No Intention To Contest For Political Office – ITF DG, Ari says

Abuja –  Director General Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari, has said he has no political future ambition to contest for any political office in the future.

Dr. Ari also called the attention of security operatives to what he called attempts by opposition party and disgruntled elements to smear his image.

Peionews recalls that there have been insinuation and rumors that Sir Joseph Ari, was warming up to run for elective office in plateau state.

The DG in a statement he read while briefing newsmen over the weekend, described the insinuation as not only ” false ” but as ” part of the series of attempts to distract him from carrying out his mandate as the Director General of ITF.

The statement reads in full:

TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE BY SIR JOSEPH N. ARI, KSM, KSS, DIRECTOR-GENERAL/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND (ITF), ON SATURDAY, 19TH MARCH, 2022 AT THE NIGERIAN UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) PRESS CENTRE, JOS.

PROTOCOL
I am very delighted to meet with you today, in order to shed light on matters of great concern for me as an individual and in my capacity as the Director-General/ Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
Ladies and Gentlemen, since my appointment as the Director-General/ Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), I have invested all energies in ensuring that the institution achieves the vision and aspirations of its founding fathers. Therefore, under my watch, the Industrial Training Fund has hit lofty heights, fulfilling its onerous mandate of developing the Nation’s human resource, while also partnering the Federal Government to actualize the objectives of the President Buhari Administration especially with regard to poverty reduction, job and wealth creation.
Under my leadership, the ITF has been at the forefront of instilling in Nigerians the need for the country, like other developed nations of the world, to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a real alternative to paper qualification and white-collar jobs, and the most sustainable solution to the seemingly intractable problem of unemployment and poverty. In doing this, our efforts have received plaudits and commendations of governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Gentlemen of the press, although Warren Buffett may not have thought of my current experiences when he said “Greatness inspires envy; envy engenders spite; spite spawns lies,” his expression aptly captures what has transpired in the last few days. As journalists, some of you may perhaps, be aware of the activities of unscrupulous elements that are bent on pulling me down. What has come to my attention is that in their desperate attempts, they have printed campaign posters suggesting that I am aspiring for an elective position, and also canvassing support for the aspirations of some candidates that are vying for elective positions in our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) in upcoming APC National Convention. I have also been reliably informed that these disgruntled elements plot to flood the convention venue with these posters in order to breed mistrust and disharmony and thereby generate rancor for their own selfish purposes as I have never contemplated and not contemplating on vying for any elective position in the nearest future, as I am presently busy and fully engaged with the onerous responsibility of deploying the mandate of the ITF to equip Nigerians with skills for employability and entrepreneurship.
To this end, the public is therefore, advised to disregard any campaign poster to the effect that I, Sir Joseph N. Ari, is running for any elective positon, or in support of the ambition of any candidate during the upcoming APC convention as it is false, unfounded and not deserving of any attention. I have, therefore, reported the matter to the security agencies for their further necessary action.
In conclusion, my advice to the mischief-makers is for them to heed the words of Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu in his homily of Friday, 18th March, 2022: “If you do not celebrate the gifts of others; no one will celebrate yours. If you try to pull people down, you will forever remain down. None of us is cheated by God. No human being is without special gifts and abilities. God has planted a vineyard in you and He expects to see your fruits. Watch out when you begin to criticize others continuously, you may simply be playing out your envy.”
On a final note, I have taken the pains to bring what has transpired to the public glare, as it will be difficult to convince anyone after the deed has been done.
I, appreciate you all for honouring our invitation in spite of the short notice and for your unflinching support and collaboration always.
Thank you for listening and God bless us all

How Lagos Police Boss Averted Crisis At Trade Fair Complex

How Lagos Police Boss Averted Crisis At Trade Fair Complex

By Chibuike Nwabuko

Abuja – What would have led to a major crisis at the ever busy, Balogun Business Association, (BBA) International Center for Commerce(ICC) at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Lagos was recently averted.
This was sequel to the wisdom and professionalism which the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Mr Abiodun Alabi deployed to douse the brewing tension created by a factional group of Balogun Business Association led by one Chief Okechukwu Ezeibe,a former President of the association.

The ICC is run by Balogun Business Association, (BBA) which was incorporated in 1990 under the leadership of its first President,Chief Leonard Ogbonnia,and subsequently registered with the Corporate Affairs with a Board of Trustees currently led by Tony Obi.

Activities at the complex were peaceful until sometimes in 2021 when Chief Okey Ezeibe who was the second President of the association with his group attempted to forcefully take over the leadership of the complex with his cronies contrary to the Constitution of the association and subsisting judgments and decisions of both the Federal High Court and the Lagos State High Courts.

It was reliably gathered through our sources that he had allegedly tried to use the police to install a new leadership for the association last year which caused severe tension in the ICC. A similar use by him of the police during another crisis some years ago led to casualties.

Presently the Board of Trustees led by Tony Orbih and the Caretaker Committee of the association under the leadership of Honourable Anselm Dunu have secured several judgments and decisions of the courts against Chief Ezeibe and a few members of the Association that are behind him.

The Inspector-General of police and other top ranking police officers including the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Corporate Affairs Commission are parties to some of the lawsuits, judgments and decisions of the courts.

The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja directed the Inspector-General of Police and all the officers joined in the case including the Commissioner of Police Lagos Command to stay clear from further harassment and intimidation of the officials of the association.

The court equally stressed the need for all the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit to avoid breakdown of law and order in the premises.

Chief Ezeibe’s group again sought to drag the Police into a collision course with the courts by seeking the help of the Police to illegally install his cronies as new executive officers of the association. The group had purportedly claimed that new officers had emerged in an illegal election held in contravention of the judgments and orders of both the Lagos State High Court and the Federal High Court in a hotel outside the association’s ICC premises.

They did not bring to the attention of the new Commissioner of Police of Lagos State command the existence of these judgments,decisions and order of the courts but instead tried to mislead the new Police Commissioner of Lagos State, Mr Alabi by asking for police protection from the command to help them swear-in those of their men purportedly elected in the illegal election that violated judgments,orders and decisions of the courts.
They told the commissioner that certain individuals who lost out in the election were bent on stopping their so called newly elected officials from assuming office.

Unfortunately for them, the Commissioner of Police allowed wisdom to prevail by choosing to invite all the parties to a meeting during which he advised them to be guided by the pronouncements of the courts on the matter pending the final determination of the suits.

He warned them of the consequences of resorting to self help adding that since all of them had access to judiciary, they should wait for the outcome of the pending suits.

The results of sampling of the opinions of a wide range of the membership of the association showed that the members were satisfied with the position taken by the State Command of the police and they generally lauded the wisdom and professionalism of the Lagos State Police boss in calming the tension at the complex and averting crisis.

President Buhari Warns APC Leaders Against Ego, Competition by Ada Nkong


 
President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the leaders (and membership) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from name-calling and backstabbing ahead of the oncoming March 26 Convention.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu Senior special assistant Media and publicity, the President urged them to remain steadfast and maintain its unity if the party is to continue in the path of victory and its dominance at all levels throughout the country.
 
Shehu says President Buhari asked the members to look at the once-powerful, ”main opposition” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now enfeebled and adrift and learn lessons in disunity, mismanagement and corruption.
 
”They failed in 16 years in power and a failure as opposition.
 
”Yes, we are entitled to our own share of dissent and intra-party discord. These are common in all parties, left and right all over the world.
 
”But parties splintered by competing egos destine themselves to the worst possible fate,” the President warned.
 
”As the country prepares for the long run up to the 2023 presidential election, we all expect a robust debate on the issues that matter and what is going in the APC should be a reflection of this, not the infighting we are seeing. There must be no more distractions ahead of the convention to choose new leaders.”
 
He added that President Buhari recalled that the APC started out with a confidence of victory and the party today enjoys that confidence in nearly two-thirds of our 36 states.
 
Yet, he noted, this is a party that has been in existence barely for eight years, becoming the dominant party because it has thrown open its doors to defectors from other parties, big and small.
 
This alone, addition to the fact ”we didn’t start on the note of arrogance of power, nor see government as a vehicle for self-aggrandizement, to be held at all costs, but a vehicle to bring development to all without discrimination-political, ethnic or regional to our dear country made this success possible.”
 
The party, he went on to note, is proud of the fact that in its short period of existence, it has won two general elections decisively and despite losing a few states in 2019, it steadfastly expanded its pan-Nigerian outlook with significant defections of the opposition Governors and parliamentarians into its fold.
 
”Given all that is at a stake, we can expect contests into offices as we are now faced with to be heated although candidates and their promoters for party offices are not so much debating policy differences but differences of management, personality, character, and suitability for the most important leadership roles in our country and therefore the continent.”
 
It is equally clear that over the last week or so, the internal management affairs of the APC have been afforded generous media coverage – over and above its importance to the voters of Nigeria.


 He further said it is important to ask what benefits the poor are getting during the period of intense negative coverage.
 
When precisely the party’s convention is held and who is the party’s chairman is hardly a matter for the average voter: vastly more important is who convention delegates will elect as the party’s flagbearer in the coming weeks to take forward the party’s platform to the people in the general election in February next year.
 
It is therefore important for the media to put such matters into perspective. No one is debating policy differences here. That is for the general election. None of the declared aspirants and any of those that may step forward will change because of who may be in the party in the chairman’s seat. It is essentially the same.

He said the media are welcome to comment on the content of the character of the potential APC candidates; discuss their suitability for leadership; scrutinize their offer to the membership. But to focus on the routine internal divisions and magnify them into what they have become today is a waste of everyone’s time, amounting to no more than a discussion over seating arrangements.
 
This is not what Nigerians talk of in their communities. They have an inclination only for things that matter.
 

Stop backstabbing your colleague, Buhari warns APC Governors

Stop backstabbing your colleague, Buhari warns APC Governors

Abuja (Nigeria) – President Muhammadu Buhari has cautioned the Progressive Governors and other leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) against backstabbing their Colleague, ahead of the March 26 national convention.

The President was apparently referring to the recent outing in the media by some Governors, who resorted to name calling and use of ungentlemanly words against one of their own, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.

Buni is the current Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), who is being embattle by his colleagues.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, had on Wednesday, during a Channel Television program, lambasted Buni for working to scuttle the proposed national convention of the party.

Arakunri Rotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State also took his turn, referring to some Governors and other supporters of Buni as “Yahoo Yahoo Boys”.

In a strong worded statement through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu, on Saturday, Buhari warned of the consequences of such outing in the media by leaders of the party.

“President Muhammad Buhari warns the leaders (and membership) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from name-calling and backstabbing ahead of the oncoming March 26 Convention, remain steadfast and maintain its unity if the party is to continue in the path of victory and its dominance at all levels throughout the country”, the statement reads in part.

Buhari drew the attention of the Governors to the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was in power for 16 years, to learn from their activities.

“President Buhari asks the members to look at the once-powerful, ”main opposition” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now enfeebled and adrift and learn lessons in disunity, mismanagement and corruption”, it said.

The President also warned that, “parties splintered by competing egos destine themselves to the worst possible fate”.

He recalled that the APC started out with a confidence of victory and the party today enjoys that confidence in nearly two-thirds of the 36 states.

Yet, he noted, “this is a party that has been in existence barely for eight years, becoming the dominant party because it has thrown open its doors to defectors from other parties, big and small.

“This alone, addition to the fact we didn’t start on the note of arrogance of power, nor see government as a vehicle for self-aggrandizement, to be held at all costs, but a vehicle to bring development to all without discrimination-political, ethnic or regional to our dear country made this success possible”.

The party, he went on to note, “is proud of the fact that in its short period of existence, it has won two general elections decisively and despite losing a few states in 2019, it steadfastly expanded its pan-Nigerian outlook with significant defections of the opposition Governors and parliamentarians into its fold.

”Given all that is at a stake, we can expect contests into offices as we are now faced with to be heated although candidates and their promoters for party offices are not so much debating policy differences but differences of management, personality, character, and suitability for the most important leadership roles in our country and therefore the continent.’

“It is equally clear that over the last week or so, the internal management affairs of the APC have been afforded generous media coverage – over and above its importance to the voters of Nigeria.

“It is important to ask what benefits the poor are getting during the period of intense negative coverage.

“When precisely the party’s convention is held and who is the party’s chairman is hardly a matter for the average voter: vastly more important is who convention delegates will elect as the party’s flagbearer in the coming weeks to take forward the party’s platform to the people in the general election in February next year.

“It is therefore important for the media to put such matters into perspective. No one is debating policy differences here. That is for the general election. None of the declared aspirants and any of those that may step forward will change because of who may be in the party in the chairman’s seat. It is essentially the same party.

“Of course the media are welcome to comment on the content of the character of the potential APC candidates; discuss their suitability for leadership; scrutinize their offer to the membership. But to focus on the routine internal divisions and magnify them into what they have become today is a waste of everyone’s time, amounting to no more than a discussion over seating arrangements”.

This is not what Nigerians talk of in their communities. They have an inclination only for things that matter.