Politics / . by Penaldo: 10:28am On Mar 08 |
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Politics / Saraki Media Office Tackles Akpabio Over Comment On 8th Senate's Projects by Penaldo: 8:02pm On Mar 07 |
The Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office today notes the news reports arising from an exchange on the floor of the Senate in which the incumbent Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio accused the leadership of the 8th Senate of not fully funding the constituency projects of members.
Our initial response was to ignore the report because Dr. Saraki believes there are more serious existential issues confronting our country and her people like hunger and extreme hardship which should keep the leaders disturbed, busier, and more focused than throwing banters.
However, he has also been persuaded by the need to explain the project funding process in the budget such that members of the public will not be misguided about the roles of the various institutions and individuals in the process.
For clarification, the Saraki Media Office will want members of the public to note that then President Muhammadu Buhari deliberately refused to approve funds for the constituency projects of members of the Eighth National Assembly obviously to punish the members for questioning some of the loan requests presented by the executive before the legislature.
Instead of viewing the legislature’s scrutiny of the loan’s request and the demand for elaborate explanations that would help in making informed decisions as democratic necessities, the Buhari government’s reaction was to be hostile and to seek to stifle the performance of the legislature.
The refusal to fund constituency projects of members of the legislature was used as one of the retaliatory instruments. That was the experience of the 8th National Assembly. Mr. Akpabio, as Senate minority leader for over three years in the four-year tenure of the 8th Senate, ought to know better and even his experience as Senate President in the last eight months also ought to have made him more informed.
Therefore, Mr. Akpabio is very well aware that the leadership of the Eighth Senate cannot be held responsible for failure to fund constituency projects. Unfortunately, he chose to play politics with facts, and as usual, make a joke and jest with serious national issues.
Signed
Yusuph Olaniyonu Head, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office https://leadership.ng/saraki-tackles-akpabio-over-comment-on-8th-senates-constituency-projects-funding/ 12 Likes 1 Share
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Politics / Senator Natasha Uduaghan: An Activist Senator Living Up To Expectations - Okai by Penaldo: 11:58am On Mar 07 |
Senator Natasha Uduaghan: An Activist Senator Living Up to Expectations
By Usman Okai Austin
Previously, many believed that we were only good at pointing out errors and criticizing those in authority, and that we would fail if given the opportunity. Today, Natasha has rewritten history, proving that political activists are not just talkers but doers, not just promise-makers but promise-keepers.
I shouldn't have penned this now, but desperation wouldn't allow me to wait. What else am I waiting for when the truth is out there, visible to the blind and loud enough for deaf ears to hear? You have been able to stand tall in the red chamber, not just as a Senator, but as one whose door is widely open not only to the central district but to all Kogites.
As a Comrade, I am not a praise singer, nor am I writing this to attract any favors. Rather, it is to inform the public that contrary to naysayers' predictions, Senator Natasha is completely different from others.
For those expecting me to list her achievements as a Senator, they will be disappointed because I am not here for that. Her achievements are well-known, and you can testify to them.
Among her numerous achievements is her interest in investigating international fraud that occurred in Ajaokuta Steel Company. This company, which the elites and some leaders conspired to destroy, has the capacity to address national unemployment, provide building materials, technology, and address many other issues. However, today it is a mere shadow of itself, courtesy of corruption and conspiracy.
Every government in power promises to actualize Ajaokuta's dream, yet it remains an annual festival designed to pump money there and divert it at the end.
The decision of the Senate to probe Ajaokuta Steel Company, NIOMCO, over alleged unlawful $496 million payment, initiated by you, is not a mere move to score political goals but one that can right wrongs and prevent further damage to the comatose steel mill.
Ajaokuta, if well-placed, will equate Kogi State with other states like Lagos, Rivers, and Kano in terms of internally generated revenue. This move will thwart future plans to use the steel as a fraudulent compound and ensure justice for those who committed crimes against the state.
As an ordinary citizen, you have led protests against the stagnant position of the steel, even within your own Kogi Central constituency. History beckons on you to ensure the company gets a facelift in collaboration with the Minister of Steel, who is also from Kogi State.
I know without being told that the cabal benefiting from the comatose status of the steel plant will want the status quo to remain, as it enables them to profit. But with your capacity as an activist and upbringing as a comrade who has investigated the steel's activity without any mandate, you can do more now that you have the mandate of your people.
The eyes are on you, and the comradeship community believes you will not fail with prayers from your people and the entire Kogites
Usman Okai Austin ,public affairs analyst writes from Abuja
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Politics / Our People Need Concrete Plans, Not Empty Slogans - Kwara PDP Slams Gov. Rahman by Penaldo: 9:01pm On Feb 24 |
As posted on X The governor's delayed response to the fuel subsidy crisis is a clear sign of misplaced priorities. Kwarans were struggling for months before a committee was even formed in August 2023. Did a few bags of rice truly make up for the hardship faced over such a long period?
Praising a committee is all well and good, but the people demand transparency. Where's the full report outlining the distribution process? How do we know this wasn't simply a way to reward political allies, especially considering the committee head's government connections?
"Fairness" and vague claims of "commendation" mean nothing without concrete evidence. We need independent assessments to prove who actually benefited or if entire communities were left behind. Palliatives are a band-aid, not a solution to the economic problems the governor's policies have helped create.
Kwarans need more than handouts. Where are the state-driven plans to reduce the cost of living, boost employment, and create long-term economic stability?
Finally, promises to "work round the clock" are worthless, bordering on insulting. Our people need concrete plans, not empty slogans. Blaming mysterious "fifth columnists" is pathetic scapegoating; we all know the real culprits of the economic hardship we are facing. 5 Likes
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Education / Happy Christmas by Penaldo: 8:51am On Dec 24, 2023 |
Seasons Greetings |
Politics / Re: Vice President Kashim Shettima Receives Traditional Title In Anambra by Penaldo: 9:42pm On Dec 23, 2023 |
Reason they don't take traditional rulers seriousl |
Family / Re: We Are Expecting A Baby But My Wife Wants Me To Buy Christmas Rice For Her Mom by Penaldo: 9:35pm On Dec 23, 2023 |
So strangers now decide what you do in your household 2 Likes 1 Share |
Politics / Bukola Saraki Plays Basketball With Youths (Pictures) by Penaldo: 3:07pm On Dec 22, 2023 |
Dr. Bukola Saraki turned 61 two days ago! 15 Likes 2 Shares
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Politics / Isiguzo Praises Seriake Dickson On Managing His Relationship With Governor Diri by Penaldo: 12:58pm On Dec 13, 2023 |
NIGERIANS beyond Bayelsa State and the Ijaw Nation have continued to applaud the maturity and leadership of former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, now a Senator, in managing the transitions in Bayelsa different from the tensions that they have raised between former Governors and their successors in other places. He has been exceptional and exemplary.
His distance and non-interference in the running the State’s affairs, makes Governor Douye Diri the freest Governor in Nigeria. His freedom to associate even with the political opponents of his benefactor is unusual in this clime. Against the machinations of those who do not mean well for the State, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sen Dickson mobilised his massive support that led to PDP’s landslide victory in the November 2023 governorship election.
Sen Dickson’s endorsement of Governor Diri at his country home prevented decamping and gave clear direction of where the people should vote. From that day the opposition knew that it had lost the election.
The victory confirmed Sen Dickson’s place in the people’s hearts and reaffirmed a more disturbing fact to those who oppose him – any party interested in taking Bayelsa State in an election, must resolve the Dickson question.
Four years after leaving office as Governor, Sen Dickson has remained the main issue in Bayelsa State politics with his inspirational influence anchored in the other five States where Ijaw communities benefitted from his initiatives that united the Ijaw Nation.
He has been one of the outstanding arrowheads of the Ijaw emancipation movement, following the footsteps of Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, Isaac Adaka Boro, Chief Melford Okilo, Pa Edwin Clark, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State, and others. Sen Dickson spent his eight-year tenure as the Governor in mobilising Ijaws in the six States that they are found to emphasise their issues, assert their place in Nigeria, and prepare them for leadership through education, dedication to promoting their identity with his leadership style that commanded attention and national respect.
He held the fort without compromising. Winning the elections in the State in 2015 and 2019 despite everything that the All Progressives Congress, APC, did, indicated his hold on Bayelsa State, really the people’s appreciation for his great performances in various areas that touched their lives. His strong followership testifies to the regard the people have for him. They fondly call him the Ofuruma Pepe, the Great White Shark.
Naturally, as one whose political views have decisive impact in the State, the Ijaw Nation and beyond, he has been a favourite target of those who feel he threatens their ambitions. Those who want a weakened and divided Ijaw Nation see him as a galvanizer of Ijaws, particularly now that Pa Clark is ageing. The purposes of the attacks are simple – demonise Senator Dickson, distract the Ijaws, destroy the unity that have.
No Governor of Bayelsa State has done as much as Senator Dickson did, and is still doing for the promotion of Ijaws as a people, no matter their State of origin. None has invested resources in raising the profile of Ijaws through education as he has. None has envisioned and executed the quantity and quality of programmes, policies, and projects that he established in Bayelsa State. They are still running after he left office.
Sen Dickson set Bayelsa State and Ijaws on a discernible path of self-discovery and development away from the lazy debates about which part of the Ijaw Nation one was from. He resolved that Bayelsa was the Ijaw homeland, including Ijaws in the other five States of Cross River, Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Rivers. He created the Ministry of Ijaw National Affairs. The first Commissioner of that Ministry was an Ijaw from Delta State.
Is Sen Dickson the one anyone would under any guise describe as dividing Ijaws? Did he do that by appointing more than 100 Ijaws from States outside Bayelsa into the Ministry of Ijaw National Affairs? Scholarships and employment opportunities in Bayelsa State were also available to Ijaws from those States.
The Bayelsa State flag, Coat of Arms and an anthem or state song were among Senator Dickson’s efforts at establishing the place of the Ijaws. Some States have since followed his leadership after the debates about the propriety of the flag, coat of arm, and state song.
Some of policies of the Dickson administration that lifted the Ijaw Nation were:
. The Bayelsa International Airport, the first in the Ijaw Nation which opened up the State for business.
. Ijaw National Academy, the flagship of his efforts on the intellectual front. Conceived as the premier secondary school in the Ijaw homeland, the standards were high. Excellence was a watchword and the facilities were top notch. It was aimed at breeding new Ijaw leadership by producing the next set of intellectuals under the highly competitive settings that global standards demand.
More than 1,500 students were on full scholarship. The beneficiaries were drawn from Ijaw communities of Rivers, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Ondo and Delta States. There was no discrimination against the students. They were Ijaws back to the homeland.
. He awarded thousands of scholarships at home and abroad to Ijaws to enhance their competitiveness for opportunities.
. The Ijaw National Heroes Memorial Park to honour Ijaws who have excelled in public service to Nigeria while advancing the Ijaw struggle was another of Senator Dickson’s signature projects. By May 2013, he brought back the remains of Major Isaac Adaka Boro to Bayelsa to be buried and a befitting mausoleum was built in his memory at the Park. Late General Owoye Andrew Azazi, Ijaw Nation’s first four-star military General who served Nigeria as one-time Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and National Security Adviser was also buried at the Park and has a mausoleum built in his memory. Other prominent Ijaw icons who have been laid to rest or have mausoleums built to honour them at the Ijaw National Heroes Park are Chief Melford Okilo, Harold Dappa Biriye, Gabriel Okara, Rex Jim Lawson, Rear Admiral Bossman Soroh, Ernest Okoli, Reverend Ockiya, the first man to translate the Bible into Nembe Language and other associates of Major Isaac Adaka Boro.
. Sen Dickson set up a historical committee for the Ijaw History project, co-ordinated by the State Historian to oversee and determine those eligible to be immortalised at the Ijaw National Heroes Memorial Park.
. He extended developments to several Ijaw communities outside Bayelsa, like a hospital in Arogbo, an Ijaw community in Ondo State, and rewarded others with appointments, scholarships, land allocations, in keeping with his inaugural address promise of making Bayelsa homeland of all Ijaws.
. Sen Dickson resolved problems and differences that cropped up in the Ijaw National Congress and Ijaw Youth Congress, some of which preceded his tenure as Governor.
. He completed and commissioned the Ijaw National Congress House that Governor Alamieyeseigha started.
. He commissioned the Ijaw History Project for books on key Ijaw leaders among them Chief Edwin Clark, and President Jonathan.
The choice of his Deputy Governor, Attorney-General, Commissioner for Finance from Nembe, and Secretary to the State Government from Ogbia, later Nembe, would not count for they would tell a different story. His choice and support of the current Governor and his Deputy to succeed, one of his reasons being inclusiveness, so that parts of the State that were deemed “too small” for those offices would get them, are not considered when he is accused of splitting Ijaws.
His was not a Sagbama government or one run by a Sagbama clique. Sen Dickson fought for Ijaws and treated them as the same. One more example is Chief Harold Dappa Biriye after whom the modern conference centre in Yenagoa is named. He was an Ijaw from Bonny in Rivers State.
Sen Dickson has resisted provocations to join issues with his successor. Rather, his maintenance of a strategic distance and non-interference in the State’s affairs, though available for consultation and advice, has been recommended to States blighted by governorship transition challenges.
The disappointed enemies of Bayelsa State and Ijaw Nation having failed with their baits and temptations to draw Sen Dickson to plunge Bayelsa State into a crisis elevated their propaganda to an article by Fred Itua in The Sun of 4 December 2023 to make unfounded allegations of godfatherism against Sen Dickson, whose mature, and exemplary management of his relationship with his successor has been applauded by Nigerians within and beyond Bayelsa State.
Ironically, those pretending to be friends of the current Governor are the same people who fought him politically and legally up to the Supreme Court. They did not want him to succeed Sen. Dickson.
Many recall with admiration how Sen Dickson through his temperament and political management, engagement with the youth, and legislations that empowered the enforcement of law and order restored stability to Bayelsa, and most of the Niger Delta. Operation Doo-Akpo (Peaceful Life), the State’s security outfit, and the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps had sophisticated equipment and operational facilities for security operations all over the State. They worked with national security agencies to secure the State. Before his administration, cultism, political restiveness, violence, communal clashes, banishments, militancy and insecurity were central to life and politics in Bayelsa State.
Political instability in Bayelsa was well-known. There was turmoil in the State House of Assembly where Speakers were changed constantly, a practice that spread to the leadership of the ruling PDP. Governor Dickson worked out stability that has outlived his tenure.
As Governor, Sen Dickson used his powers for peace and to protect the people, including opposition parties for their political campaigns. His deft management of the power play from Abuja and in Bayelsa doused tensions, while President Goodluck Jonathan was in power, and rallying the people for Jonathan after he lost power, were outcomes even outsiders noticed.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a 2016 visit to Bayelsa State wondered how Governor Dickson was able to end the militancy that made the State the epicentre of the unrest in the Niger Delta and caused losses worth billions of Naira to the national economy.
This ideological politician held his ground without compromising or negotiating away his party as many Governors do these days. His 2015 re-election was tough, the first election that PDP won after losing power at the centre. He has won several other battles by mobilising his political base in a non-violent manner and sticking to his ideological principles. People know him as a politician you can be sure of his stand.
His steadfastness and loyalty to friendship has won him friends across political lines all over Nigeria. His simple lifestyle, sincere and genuine friendship has earned him the admiration and respect of associates. His legendary capacity for managing people is only matched by his knack for picking out talents and mentoring them to super stars. He disagrees with people’s ideas without disagreeing with the owners of the ideas.
His political philosophy steadfastness, and loyaty to the party, issues and people saw him resist the pressures to leave the PDP at a time the party lost power at the centre. He places service for the common good, loyalty, and issues of the environment, Ijaw Nation, Niger Delta, and Nigeria above personal comfort and aggrandizement. His politics is about service, higher values, and commitment to the people and their welfare. He attends to countless number of people daily at his residences in Abuja and Bayelsa.
With a profile that reflects the depth of his political roots, Sen Dickson was State Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy, AD in 1999, and face of the opposition in Bayelsa, National Legal Adviser of Ijaw National Congress, and National Legal Adviser of AD, concurrently in 2000, appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice 2005, elected Member, House of Representatives in 2007, re-elected in 2011, elected Governor in 2012, re-elected in 2015, first Governor to complete eight years in the history of Bayelsa State, and handed over to a successor his team selected. He was elected to the Senate in a 2020 bye-election for Bayelsa West and re-elected for a full term in 2023.
His record as the one who laid the foundation for the new Bayelsa with legacies in every sphere is evident. The Governor and his team, who were members of the Dickson’s Restoration Administration continue to enjoy the benefits of Sen Dickson’s pioneering and visionary leadership.
Sen Dickson through mega projects, programmes, and policies gave the Ijaw Nation a new reason to be better people. In his entire political life, he has given his best to Bayelsa, the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta and Nigeria. His comportment and temperament invite people to aspire to a new paradigm of selfless and visionary service in politics. It is time Sen Dickson told the story.
https://dailypost.ng/2023/12/13/ikeddy-isiguzo-all-hail-the-ofuruma-pepe-nigerians-applaud-sen-dicksons-leadership/ 1 Like
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Travel / Re: Safe Roads: FRSC And Pernod Ricard Kicks Off Yuletide Road Safety Campaign by Penaldo: 5:32pm On Dec 08, 2023 |
IMG_6802 : L-R: Chief Route Commander, Paul Abiti CRC SDER (Special Duties and External Relations); Head of Transformation Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Barong Asiodu; Sector Public Education Officer, Superintendent Route Commander Olabisi Sonusi; Sector Commander FRSC Lagos State, Corps Commander Babatunde O. Farinloye; Managing Director , Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Sola Oke; Deputy Corps Commander Operations, Lucas Oguntade and Head of Human Resources, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Dolapo Onasanya at the Pernod Ricard courtesy visit to FRSC Office to kick off the Safe Roads campaign. IMG_6812: L-R: Sector Commander FRSC Lagos State, Corps Commander Babatunde O. Farinloye and the Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Sola Oke at the courtesy visit to FRSC Office to kick off Safe Roads campaign on Tuesday. IMG_6779: L-R: Nnenna Duru, Office Manager, Pernod Ricard Nigeria; Sector Commander FRSC Lagos State, Corps Commander Babatunde O. Farinloye; Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Sola Oke; Special Marshal Vinod Kaurani; Deputy Corps Commander Operations, Lucas Oguntade at the courtesy visit to FRSC Office to kick off the Safe Roads campaign.
IMG_6774: L-R: Sector Commander FRSC Lagos State, Corps Commander Babatunde O. Farinloye, A Special Marshall, Special Marshal Vinod Kaurani, and the Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Sola Oke symbolic handover of traffic stands and reflective jackets during courtesy visit to FRSC to kick off Safe Roads campaign. 1 Like
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Travel / Safe Roads: FRSC And Pernod Ricard Kicks Off Yuletide Road Safety Campaign by Penaldo: 5:31pm On Dec 08, 2023 |
Lagos, December 5, 2023 – Pernod Ricard, a distinguished global leader in wines and spirits, marks the launch of its "Safe Roads" campaign with a pivotal visit to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). This initiative underscores Pernod Ricard's enduring commitment to cultivating a culture of responsible drinking and fortifying road safety measures, extending well beyond the festive season.
During the visit, Sola Oke, the Managing Director of Pernod Ricard in Nigeria, emphasized the imperative of collaboration with the FRSC to foster customer awareness regarding responsible drinking and the perils associated with alcohol misuse. Oke stated, "Our aim is to ensure people enjoy and celebrate responsibly all through the year but most specifically during this period. Our focus on commercial drivers is paramount due to the lives entrusted in their hands. With your invaluable support, our ongoing sensitization efforts strive to deter drink-driving. To date, we've sensitized through education over 3,000 commercial drivers."
The "Safe Roads" campaign, initiated in 2021 in Nigeria, aligns with Pernod Ricard's responsible hosting pillar within its Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap, in harmony with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 – ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. Pernod Ricard's outreach spans various motor parks, airwaves, and communities, conducting compelling campaigns every Easter and December, extending critical messages about the dangers of alcohol misuse but ensure responsible drinking. Hosting the executives of Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Babatunde O. Farinloye, the Sector Commander FRSC Lagos State, expressed gratitude for the broader outreach facilitated by Pernod Ricard in conveying vital messages. He reiterated the necessity for responsible drinking, stating, "Your involvement is instrumental in our collective efforts.
We advocate for a Nigerian road safety vision where accidents, even if they occur, do not claim lives. Your visit today resonates with our emphasis on responsible drinking. One of the leading causes of road accidents, apart from speeding, is driving under the influence."
Dolapo Onasanya, Human Resources Director at Pernod Ricard Nigeria, highlighted, "Our courtesy visit to the FRSC epitomizes Pernod Ricard Nigeria's unwavering commitment to societal welfare. We eagerly anticipate sustained collaboration with the government and stakeholders to significantly foster a culture of moderation and safer celebrations."
The visit culminated in the donation of 100 reflective jackets and ten traffic stands by the Pernod Ricard team to the FRSC, reaffirming the company's steadfast dedication to social responsibility and its proactive role in nurturing a safer and more conscientious driving culture in Nigeria.
Previous editions of the 'Safe Roads' campaign garnered substantial support from various government bodies, including the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). The campaign was lauded for curtailing irresponsible drinking among public transport drivers preceding the Christmas celebrations in 2021 and 2022.
This year's campaign will encompass amongst others, a radio campaign featuring lively jingles tailored for commercial drivers across Lagos, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt, advocating responsible drinking and ensuring safer roads throughout the festive season. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid032KiJxUgCydcz4VYCYArZctoNax2o3EKEMKe6QehgtJQ9xn5kVYGH26gv8gsYMgoCl&id=100066870875467&mibextid=CDWPTG 1 Like
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Family / Re: My Wife Of About 4 Years Blames Me After I Caught Her Cheating by Penaldo: 2:19pm On Dec 07, 2023 |
Gaspardd:
My nature of work requires I travel to diff states, currently I'm in the North while she manages her thriving biz in Lagos.
Although it wasn't like that from d start. We both used to be jobless love birds staying at home 24/7. That's not marriage man |
Politics / Alternative Medicine: Senator Natasha Seeks Collaboration Between NCDMB, NAFDAC by Penaldo: 6:44pm On Dec 05, 2023 |
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central has promised to foster collaboration between Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to strengthen the complimentary medicine-local content industry sector.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha disclosed this on Tuesday during oversight visits to some MDAs by the Senate Committee on Health.
The collaboration, she said, would facilitate the development of high-tech laboratories for the furtherance of research in alternative medicine and pharmaceutical products; and also support the growth of indigenous start-ups in medical fields.
"Israel amongst other countries, especially America has taken huge interest in alternative medicine and it will interest you to know that some of the raw materials they use are being outsourced from a number of African countries including Nigeria.
"So, if our raw materials can be taken out of here (Nigeria) into Israel or America and developed into clinically proven drugs, we should be able to invest resources to develop the best products to tackle health challenges right in our localities.
"The Local Content is ready for collaboration and I believe funding won't be an issue because we already have funds with CBN and even Bank of Industry and we would be able to work towards developing a collaboration between NAFDAC and NCDMB to convert existing structures the one of the NOGAPS Industrial Parks into medical high-tech hubs so empirical and clinical research can be conducted and monitored, " she stated.
Responding, the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Moji Adeyeye complained about lack of support from the federal government towards the development of the alternative medicine sector adding that more clinical research is required as that will help in regulating the practitioners and their products in the country.
Arogbonlo Israel Chief Press Secretary to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan December 5, 2023. https://observerstimes.com/alternative-medicine-senator-natasha-seeks-collaboration-between-ncdmb-nafdac/
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Travel / Re: Canadian Student Visa Thread Part 23 by Penaldo: 12:59am On Aug 29, 2023 |
Oluwaloniglory7:
Please I need a clarification on this question below:-
I'm going for 2 years course which will ended in August 2025 and my passport will expire in March 2025, now my study visa as been approved but till validity of my passport in March 2025 instead of August 2025.
I know I will extend my study permit when I enter Canada but what about my spouse and kids that their passport still valid for 5 years? are they going to issue their visa according to my own validity or they will get their visa completely? Bro you don't have a problem. Congratulations |
Politics / PDP Rejects Yahaya Bello’s Obnoxious Ban On Campaign, Signages by Penaldo: 3:33pm On Aug 28, 2023 |
Press Statement
August 28, 2023
…Says It Will Never Subject To Rules Contrary To laws of Nigeria
The campaign decrees recently issued under the guise of guidelines for the use of campaign materials by the administration of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Yahaya Bello in Kogi State is a vexatious, undemocratic and unrealistic attempt to evade contest, constrain the democratic field and stir-fry other political parties out of visibility before the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election in Kogi State.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) summarily rejects the repugnant, pugnacious, and unlawful guidelines of Bello and urges other parties as well as democratic lovers and institutions to reject these wicked rules.
The illegal, unacceptable and impractical exclusion of certain Local Government Areas and towns, known to be the strongholds of the PDP, including, Ijumu and Ankpa Local Government Areas where the PDP candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, and his running mate, Hon Habibat Mohammed Deen, hail from respectively further exposes Yahaya Bello’s desperation in the face of soaring popularity of our candidates.
Such feeble and childish attempt by Yahaya Bello to close the campaign field against the PDP in the State further reveals that the APC has reached its wits end, having become deflated by the crushing rejection of the people ahead of the election.
Moreover, the PDP rejects the obnoxious and draconian imposition of a general payment of N5,000,000 (five million naira) for outdoor campaign materials, N2,000,000 (two million naira) for every billboard, N1,000,000 (one million naira) for every banner deployed and another N50,000,000 (fifty million naira) to be deposited as caution security. Our party insists that such devìse is a calculated attempt by the weakened APC administration in Kogi State to defraud the opposition in the State.
Under the inoperable, illegal guidelines, the PDP, which has deployed over 50 banners in each of the 21 Local Government Areas of the State, will be expected to pay N1,050,000,000 (one billion and fifty million naira) as signage fees alone. It is laughable that this figure already exceeds the entire expenditure threshold of N1b (one billion naira) prescribed for Gubernatorial election under Section 88 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the good people of Nigeria are invited to note that the campaign decrees of APC and Governor Yahaya Bello are being rolled out two months after INEC had announced the lifting of the ban on political campaigns.
It is also instructive to note that our party has since deployed our regenerative campaign materials, making the purported guidelines retroactive, inapplicable, and inappropriate.
The terms of the guidelines by the Bello administration are, to say the least, restrictive, unimaginative, and clandestine.
Contrary to the provisions of Section 95 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022 that no state apparatus, including the media, should be used to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election, Governor Yahaya Bello has employed the KOSSA to prescribe ridiculous, untenable, and unreasonable fees for campaign materials, including an obnoxious caution deposit.
What Bello seeks to achieve is to acquire an illegal authority to vandalise campaign materials, having realized that his Party and his handpicked candidate have neither the record nor a demonstrable performance to display or any electoral value to be canvassed on billboards and banners.
The laws of Nigeria allow candidates of all parties to campaign freely without any hindrance. In view of its illegality, incompetence as well as the conflict with the provisions of the electoral Act 2022 and its retroactive emergence, the guidelines for campaign materials issued by the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency is recommended for thrashing in the garbage bin where it belongs.
The guidelines were conceived in bad faith and out of tune with contemporary democratic ethos. It is another anti-people design by the failed administration of Yahaya Bello. The PDP, as a lawful Party, will not subject itself to any rule that is contrary to the laws of the Federation.
Signed:
*Sen. Dino Melaye Media Team* |
Politics / Photo: LASG Fires LAWMA CEO Unceremoniously by Penaldo: 3:08pm On Jul 08, 2023 |
According to a letter addressed to the Lagos Waste Management Authority CEO by the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ibrahim Odunbomi is asked to step down as Head of LAWMA with immediate effect.
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Politics / Only Equity, Justice And Fairness Will Yield True Reconciliation- PDP Youths by Penaldo: 9:10pm On Jun 23, 2023 |
PDP Young Integrity Group National Secretariat Wuse 2, FCT Abuja. June 22, 2023 Press Release
No doubt, the protracted PDP crisis, hopefully, which is beginning to abate by the recent thoughts and talks of reconciliation, all started by the
conceited violation of the Section 7(3)(c) of the PDP constitution which states that the party shall pursue these aims and objectives by adhering to the policy of the rotation and zoning of all elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness.
PDP came into turmoil and has been deeply enmeshed in it when its rules of engagement were put to test by the uncanny incident of death of a sitting PDP president, late President Umaru Yar’Adua in May 5, 2010. Then, there was nothing in the PDP books that could suffice to salvage this sorry state and eventually to dictate the next steps of action.
PDP became void and vulnerable and was tossed around by the unfettered avarice of accidental politicians. Here, PDP couldn’t ascertain the proper route to resolve a conundrum. Till date this culture persists.
Not withstanding, the puzzling opening became naturally occupied with no much recourse to political considerations, and President Goodluck Jonathan stepped in. But this later became a tug of war to the party.
The emergence of President Jonathan to continue the tenure of the late, with no accurate laid down interpretation from PDP constitution to guide, exposed the limitations of man, and the PDP forebears in particular, in a political calculation. Then, keeping to equity here will become discretionary since one has two constitutions ; Nigeria and PDP, to contend with. For Mr Jonathan, he was serving out the tenure of his late boss, hoping to commence his, afresh thereafter. But for the PDP faithfuls from the North, President Goodluck Jonathan was completing his own first term in office by the virtue of his joint ticket with President Yar’Adua. Thus, when time came for the big sacrifice of political understanding, owing to the exigency of the time, President Goodluck Jonathan chose to become apolitical. Finding a permanent solution to PDP crisis means reworking the PDP constitution through amendments. Some things must be spelt out.
Then, PDP stakeholders were quoting PDP constitution, and Mr Jonathan was quoting the Nigerian constitution, asserting his right to two terms in office. But he never said anything about the two years he gulped from the Yar’Adua’s tenure. For this reason, the North ganged up against the perceived impudence from President Jonathan.
The wounds that came with the 2015 PDP presidential primary debacle are still very fresh with some people. They are not yet healed.
On this background, the young people of PDP in their soul searching to rescue PDP discovered that the trouble of PDP is Lack of Sacrifice for the party. Till date, nobody cares about the party. All love for the party is lost. So bad, this development is beginning to pose an existential threat to the party – PDP.
It is against this anomaly that PDP YOUNG INTEGRITY GROUP is intervening with the primary objective to persuade the party to respect the principle of equity,justice and fairness as contained in section 7(3) C of the PDP constitution.
This inherent threat to PDP, arising from 2015 general elections was supposedly to have been put to rest by the Senator Ike Ekweremadu committee, set up to assess and address the fallouts. The Ekweremadu report highlighted the importance of zoning and rotation of power between North and South. And to correct the errors of 2015 general elections, the PDP presidential ticket was eventually zoned to the North as a result.
For this decision, PDP got a big respite; it was like a magic when peace and unity reigned abundantly in PDP. Ceding the PDP presidential ticket to the North in 2019 presidential election at a time when APC was also preparing to field an incumbent, a northerner. It was a wonderful calculation done by the Sen Ekweremadu team.
Consequently, the 2019 PDP political events of the presidential election was beautiful and promising, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, returning from the APC to pick the PDP presidential ticket. The PDP southern political stakeholders stayed out of the race in regard for the zoning arrangement. Again, each of the PDP southern stakeholders didn’t buy nomination form to contest, rather picked and supported the all Northern PDP presidential aspirants.
For instance, Chief Nyesom Wike supported Alh.Aminu Tambuwal. And when Tambuwal couldn’t make it at the presidential primary, Nyesom Wike and Tambuwal shifted their support to the party candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Mr Wike gave Atiku big support both in logistics and funding. This is the kind of PDP that members always dream of. Politics without bitterness.
But, this peace experienced in PDP became short lived when the party set up a committee headed by Sen Bala Mohammed, to basically review the 2019 general elections and recommend the way forward.
The Senator Bala Mohammed committee ought to have built on the spirit and gains of the the recommendation of Senator Ike Ekweremadu committee that was decisive about the zoning of 2019 PDP presidential ticket, by courageously recommending that the PDP presidential ticket be zoned to the North, to move the party forward. Rather the Sen. Bala Mohammed committee came up with some three key recommendations that informed the setting up of Gov Samuel Ortom's zoning committee that should not have been necessary if the committee was decisive and sincere. Part of the three recommendations of that committee that unsettled the party were: one, to micro zone the party's presidential ticket to the Southeast and Northeast, two, the committee introduced a strange political lexicon into the party affairs known as winnerability ie that the party should adopt the presidential aspirant with the most electable potential. Three, the committee also suggested that the PDP presidential ticket be left open.
The controversy generated from the Sen Bala Mohammed committee report gave rise to the Gov Samuel Ortom zoning committee. The committee could not do much because the presidential election forms were already on sale and one of the leading presidential aspirants had purchased one.The committee among other reasons had to abandon the zoning arrangement as a political solution to avert a likely implosion in the party, and decided to throw the contest open. These events actually formed the nexus that the preceding internal party crisis was built upon.
PDP YOUNG INTEGRITY GROUP haven keenly watched and studied the lines of politics in the PDP and the country, have decided to insist on the advancement of the principle of equity, justice and fairness as the sure way to restore the party on the path to rebuild and genuinely reconcile all interest in the party.
Our mission as a group is to dispassionately seek that the party is redirected and repositioned internally and externally as the leading opposition political party in Nigeria. Our members are willing to directly and indirectly serve as the vanguard of pushing initiatives for the amicable resolution of all issues while encouraging the critical party stakeholders to entrench justice to allow peace reign again.
Since the 2023 general elections, our group has consistently advocated for genuine reconciliation purposely to situate the party appropriately to win elections, now and in future.
Critical among factors that are standing on the way of entrenching genuine reconciliation among party leaders and the party is the lack of political inclusiveness that gave rise to the call for the campaign for equity, Justice and fairness. For us that is the precursor to the build-up towards true reconciliation in PDP.
The present composition of the PDP national leadership structure is not only flawed but betrays the actual pillar in the party constitution that bothers on power rotation. For instance, the Acting National Chairman of PDP, Amb. Umar Damagum is from the North, the PDP presidential candidate is from the North, the Chairman of PDP Governors’s Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed is also from the North among others. We wish to use this avenue to appeal to the patriotic leaders in our party to sacrifice convenience for PDP to live.
As conveyors and proponents of integrity in PDP and Nigeria at large, we will work assiduously to correct these obvious defects in our party structure and across her organs. We hope to convey credible updates of the party to all the party faithful across the country in a bid to resonate hope and faith in the party once more.
We are determined to report about PDP accounts and it's financial books. We will expose all culprits and reward leaders with integrity, to assert our voluntary mission in PDP.
The reconciliation that we seek shall be established on the premises of equity and justice. By October 31, 2023, the present NWC members would have spent two years in office, considering when they were elected into office, and that will qualify the party for a midterm convention as provided in our party constitution.
Section 47(3)(4) of the PDP constitution provides that a midterm convention be conducted to enable the party congress assess and pass a vote or no vote of confidence on the national executive members of the party..
The midterm convention or congress will also serve as a medium to constitutionally address the lopsidedness in the PDP leadership nationwide.
Owing to the fact that the PDP presidential ticket resides in the North, it is only fair and just to work and support the balance in the leadership structure of the party without reservations.
The PDP Young Integrity Group will not rest on its oars while pointing out the injustices in PDP, and be at alert to defend PDP always. To all PDP family, we encourage you to never give up on our party. PDP is the only National political party in Nigeria with the most credible intention to transform Nigeria. The struggle to restore our party on the path of equity, justice and fairness should be the primary task of all patriotic members of the PDP.
Long live PDP Long live Nigeria *Signed* :
1. Ochachangolo Armstrong Adah National Leader
2. Bamidele Seyi Abiola Deputy National Leader
3 Johnson Adamu Spokesperson
4. Bod' Oriade National Secretary
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Politics / Some Questions To Ponder On The 2023 Election by Penaldo: 8:15pm On Feb 28, 2023 |
Scene 1: INEC contracted an Asian IT firm to supply BVAS and build a data aggregator website etc.
Scene 2: APC tracked the company to their country and hired them to create a similar website, Civichive.
Scene 3: APC strategically outlined the States it needs to win to secure victory.
Scene 4: The APC team was given a marching order with billions to compromise INEC Returning Officers of these States, including its governors.
Scene 5: On February 18, APC simulated the results of the elections based on the States it needs to win.
Scene 6: On February 20, APC uploaded the results on its secret website, Civichive and it went live on the 25th.
Scene 7: On the election day, INEC website was taken offline by the same firm INEC hired.
Scene 8: INEC contacted the IT firm to bring its website online, and they sat on it.
Scene 9: Even though, INEC's website was offline, Civichive started displaying election results in real-time.
Scene 10: The IT firm INEC hired brought the website back online having created API and integrated it with Civichive.
Scene 11: Every result accessed via INEC's website was supplied via a backdoor from Civichive.
Scene 12: It took time for the uncompromised INEC Officials to notice this and they switched ro manual collation.
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Politics / PDP Campaign Council Ask Nigerians To Save Nigeria From "Current Drift" by Penaldo: 10:55pm On Feb 19, 2023 |
The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization has called on Nigerians, all lovers of democracy and believers in our nationhood to join forces with its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar and running mate, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to save our country from its current drift by coming out enmasse to elect the duo on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
The Campaign salutes Nigerians for their overwhelming support for Atiku Abubakar and the PDP as being demonstrated by the unprecedented overflowing crowd at our campaign rallies, deluge of goodwill, prayers and solidarity in all our engagements across the six Geo-Political Zones ahead of the election.
Such massive support and organic followership not only point to the confidence and trust Nigerians across board has in Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, but also show that the APC and its deflated Presidential Candidate have no foothold in any part of the country.
The candidature of Atiku Abubakar is a national project firmly built on equity, fairness, justice and which enjoys the acceptance and support of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity and creed, in the collective resolve to rescue our nation from the woes of the harrowing misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is because Atiku Abubakar stands out as the candidate with the blueprint, most preferred programs and a readiness to lead our nation to the path of unity, national stability and economic recovery
Atiku in his Marshall Plan has showcased the readiness to unify our nation, guarantee her security, revive the economy and steer her away from the looming danger of crisis, brawling and rioting into which she has been sunk by the APC
The Atiku/Okowa Campaign urges Nigerians to rekindle their hopes in line with the Atiku Call for a Government of National Unity (GNU) under his leadership as the elected President so as to revamp our national productivity, restore our dignity and take back our pride of place in the comity of nation as one of the largest and strongest economies of the world.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan Spokesperson Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organisation https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02pYDnECK5XoH2ps6EJNqSnm3ph2VxihRVPRLV9bCZi9y6EAUdTqzyTFRVredjYo9Nl&id=100044700335638&mibextid=Nif5oz 4 Likes
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Politics / Naira Scarcity: Shun Violence, Take Your Hunger, Anger To The Polls - IPN by Penaldo: 11:17am On Feb 17, 2023 |
Naira Scarcity: Shun Violence, Take Your Hunger, Anger To The Polls To Liberate Yourself - Indigenous People of Nigeria (IPN) Urges NigeriansPress Statement 18th February, 2023 The Nigerian people have for years been under the slavish mechanisation of the political slave masters. Time came, time went when the masses suffered various degrees of hardship without the interventions of these political slave masters. Whether it is executive, legislative or judiciary, government policies have been unfair and unjust to Nigerians who could not but bear the brunt.
When on 20th October 2020, Nigerian youths were forced to rise against sundry police brutality, the government were quick to visit the protest venues with guns and bullets. When the COVID-19 lockdown hit the world, government hoarded palliatives supplied to ameliorate public sufferings. The government nonchalant attitude was not different to the many months of ASUU strike, including scarcity of petrol.
Again, there has been high rate of thuggery, banditry, and robbery amounting to huge insecurity in the land, yet the government was not forthcoming with any assurance.
Today, as the time comes for the indigenous people of Nigeria to take back Nigeria from their political slave masters, there are indications of unsettled political hijackers. They have resorted to all sorts of lobbying to disrupt a timely monetary policy designed to curb among others, the vote buying culture that continues to mar our electoral value and enthrone misfits.
They have instigated hunger and anger to forment danger in Nigeria. Apparently, the aim is to cause violence and ultimate cancellation of the forthcoming election.
Nigerian Youths and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians are by this press conference called to shun any form of violence and embrace the present CBN policy which targets the sanitisation of politics in our polity. Regrettably, the policy is being sabotaged by the banks in collision with their corrupt transactional politicians. Needless to say that although the policy may be sudden and tasking, the merits are far more than the seeming inconveniences.
Nigerians are advised to exercise a little bit more of perseverance as the appointed moment of deliverance is right at hand.
The best before us is to let the hunger and anger trigger the much desired ballot revolution in our dear motherland, and we dare conclude by saying, let the ballot banga quench the hunger and anger.
Mazi Nnamdi Dickson Iroegbu Convener: Indigenous People of Nigeria (IPN)
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Politics / Re: Pictures As PDP Youths Hold NorthWest Town Hall Meeting In Kano by Penaldo: 8:11pm On Feb 14, 2023 |
At the Town Hall, the Kano State Students Association endorsed Atiku Abubakar for President. The group also presented award of excellence to the PDP Youth Leader.
Kano Students also burnt the broom - a symbol of the outgoing APC 1 Like 1 Share
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Politics / Pictures As PDP Youths Hold NorthWest Town Hall Meeting In Kano by Penaldo: 8:01pm On Feb 14, 2023 |
Images from the just concluded PDP Youths and Students Engagement/Townhall meeting that held in Kano.
The Town Hall was organised by the PDP National Youth Campaign Council and is to hold across the six zones.
The Northeast zone was held in Gombe last Friday, Lagos hosted the Southwest... Kano is the third in the series. 3 Likes 2 Shares
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Politics / Attacking Nigerians In Lagos, Other States, Won’t Help You - PDPCO To Tinubu by Penaldo: 8:34pm On Feb 13, 2023 |
The Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization, in the strongest term, condemns the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resort to violent attacks against innocent Nigerians especially in Lagos State just because they are not supporting his ill-fated and elusive life ambition of becoming the President of Nigeria.
Our Campaign describes the attack as an inexcusable act of cowardice that can only come from a deflated Presidential candidate of the APC who is now clutching at straws.
The campaign notes with pains the alarm raised by Nigerians, particularly women, over vicious physical attacks unleashed on them by Tinubu agents in Lagos State just because they are members as well as supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
It is appalling that instead of humbly accepting his rejection by Nigerians across the country given his baggage of incapacities, the APC Presidential Candidate had resorted to venting his frustrations by unleashing violence on innocent Nigerians.
Nigerians are shocked by the viral video showing victims of Tinubu’s agent's crying and calling for help over their destroyed property and means of livelihood in Lagos State just because they have chosen to support Atiku Abubakar, who embodies the hope of Nigerians for a better nation.
The public is invited to note the eye witness account of the involvement of Tinubu’s agents including the “SA to the Governor of Lagos State, Hadji Awondu; Jamiu Erin, Muri Bebe; Saheed Leader among others in the violent attack.
The Atiku/ Okowa Campaign is however not surprised that Tinubu would descend this low given the evidence of his proclivity for brawling and thuggery as well as sustained incitement of his followers for insurrection, in his desperation to derail our electoral process because he has been rejected.
It is clear that the purpose of this attack is to instill fear, foist a siege mentality on Nigerians and create voter apathy by making our nation to appear unsafe for Nigerians to come out and vote.
This further explains why Tinubu refused to sign the first National Peace Accord and why he established a militia code-named Jagaban Army; which is now being armed to unbridle violence on Nigerians and disrupt the 2023 general elections.
In any case, our campaign wants Tinubu to know that recruitment of thugs to engage in wanton destruction of the property and businesses of Nigerians in Lagos and other states will not yield him electoral victory on February 25.
Our campaign salutes the courage exhibited by Lagosians in resisting Tinubu in his resort to violence.
Such courage shows that Nigerians have made up their minds to vote for Atiku Abubakar and not even the resort to violence by an individual reportedly convicted for trafficking in narcotics can deter them.
The Atiku/Okowa Campaign calls on security agencies to go after the perpetrators of this cowardly act especially the said SA to the Governor; Hadji Awondu; Jamiu Erin; Muri Bebe; Saheed leader among others.
The security agencies should take urgent steps to protect Nigerians from being attacked by Tinubu and his agents just because they prefer Atiku Abubakar and not him (Tinubu) as the next President of Nigeria.
Furthermore, in our stand with Nigerians, we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately call the APC Presidential Candidate to order and take immediate steps to stop him (Tinubu) in his plots to derail our democratic process.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan Spokesperson Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization |
Politics / Re: Live Pictures From Pdp Youth Campaign Townhall In Gombe by Penaldo: 2:24pm On Feb 11, 2023 |
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Politics / Re: Live Pictures From Pdp Youth Campaign Townhall In Gombe by Penaldo: 2:19pm On Feb 11, 2023 |
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Politics / Live Pictures From Pdp Youth Campaign Townhall In Gombe by Penaldo: 2:14pm On Feb 11, 2023 |
PDP Youth Campaign Council holds Northeast Youths and Students Stakeholders Engagement/Townhall in Gombe 2023: PDP Youths Holds Northeast Town Hall, NANS Endorse Atiku Abubakar For President
The Northeast Zonal Chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, has endorsed the candidacy of the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party for the February 25 Presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
This was made known by Comrade Alhassan Adam, the NANS Zone E Coordinator (Northeast) in Gombe State at the PDP Youths and Students Stakeholders Engagement/Townhall organised by the PDP National Youth Campaign Council on Saturday.
At the event, the PDP National Youth Leader, Prince Muhammed Kadade, stated that Northeast Youths should not waste this golden opportunity of electing their own as President.
Kadad3 also said that Atiku Abubakar is the only mam that understands Nigeria and has capacity to address them.
Present at the event are: Muhammed Kadade, the National Youth Leader of PDP, Hon. Timothy Osadolo, the Deputy Youth Leader, Ada Fredrick Okwori, the Deputy Youth Director (female), other Deputy Directors, Leaders of Youth Groups and Youths of Gombe State
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Politics / Re: PDP Unveils Voter Educational Video Ahead Of Elections by Penaldo: 2:06pm On Feb 11, 2023 |
APC will nor be allowed to derail Nigeria 2 Likes |
Politics / The APC Love For Nigerians By (abasifreke Micah Odion) by Penaldo: 12:15pm On Feb 09, 2023 |
102 people killed in Katsina this week
Fuel scarcity from October 2022 till now
Bandits kidnapped train passengers in March, 2022( Chinelo was killed)
More than 603 people died and 1.3 million displaced in Nigeria by flood
Protesters were killed at Lekki Gate
One thing these sad incidents share in common is, they all occured in Nigeria, can you guess the other thing they share in common?
No APC governor made any reasonable attempt to solve the situation or provide a solution
These events that got Nigerians in tears, in pains
In agony, were not addressed by these Governors. It is on record that Tinubu's solution to the killings at the Toll gate was to ask
"Why were protesters there, what were they doing there?"
We have seen one of the most disruptive strike in the history of Nigerian University
Not a single governor sympathize and the lives of students were disrupted for 2 years, not a word of sympathy or support from these Governors . Today the masses have said no to Apc, the entire country is waiting for the 25th where they can say no to these greedy shylocks
It is quite surprising and baffling that these same shylocks that had not for once sympathize with the common Nigerian, on issues faced over the years....would rise up in arms against a policy that was set to prevent Vote buying
These Apc governors have read the room
They understand that Nigerians have rejected them at all level...and the only way they stand a chance is to weaponize the hunger they have inflicted on citizens
These are the same people that hoard palliatives that was meant for the ordinary man in the street
I find it very amusing that these same shylocks in government, that have no sympathy, that can go as far as stealing food meant for you and I.
I find it amusing that are fighting the new naira policy simply because they are sacred it would affect their vote buying agenda
These same shylocks that never for once cared about Nigerians, are now claiming to be fighting for Nigerians . We should come out and oppose these shylocks in all force, they cannot abandon us all these while and try to buy or conscience now
I invite all Nigerians to oppose the APC government and it's plan to buy our votes, they are bullying every decent institution that is against vote buying....I implore on the 25th, we go out there and vote them out
They have failed us from day one Vote out Apc #Safechoice 141 Likes 15 Shares
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Politics / The Road To Recover Nigeria From Our Number One Problem - Oyewole Michael by Penaldo: 11:58am On Dec 12, 2022 |
Oyewole Michael
“The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”
Section 14(2) (b), Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended.
Nigeria is in a very bad. I repeat, Nigeria is in a terribly bad shape.
This year, 2022, the Multidimensional Poverty Index survey reveal that: 63% of persons living within Nigeria (133 million people) are multidimensionally poor. To assert the credibility of this statistics, it is important to state that the quoted start above was a collaborative effort between the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office, NASSCO, the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, OPHI. Nigerians are historically poorer than ever.
What does all these mean? It means, there is fire on the mountain. Wait, in practical terms, let me elucidate some of the metrics highlighted above to something we all can relate to.
A bag of rice was sold in 2015 for #8,000, now it is #42,000. A litre of PMS sold in 2015 for #87, now it is #191. One dollar exchanged in 2015 for #199, now it is #800. Coke was sold in 2015 for #60, now it is #200. A sachet of tomato paste in 2015 was sold for #40, now it is #120. A bottle of groundnut oil in 2015 was sold for #400, now it is #1,200. A bag of sachet water in 2015 was sold for #80, now it is between #200 and #300. Nigerians can no longer go about their legitimate businesses for fear of being killed or kidnapped. Bandits are now so emboldened that they collect taxes from Nigerians. Nigerians have abandoned their ancestral homes as a measure to live another day.
This year, 2022, between 1st January 1 and 29th July, about 7,222 Nigerians have been killed and 3,823 abducted. There are over 2, 840 incidents of insecurity was witnessed in the Country. Nigeria Security Incidents Tracker revealed this. For the first half of 2021, according to SBM Intelligence, about 2,371 people were kidnapped in the country. Over one billion Naira has been paid as ransom. Sadly, between January and December 7, 2022, a total of 598 Local Government Areas have experienced serious attacks and killings. Only 176 Local Government Areas have yet to experience attacks and killings. More so, between January and December this year, 10,873 people have been killed and another 5,693 kidnapped.
Since the APC took over power in 2015, the Country has experienced a recessed economy three times. Today, Nigeria is the second highest on Global list indices as regards unemployment rate. In 2021, Nigeria’s unemployment rate rose to 33.3% — highest in over 13 years. Sadly, the unemployment rate in 2022 will be much more higher. Statista has projected the unemployment rate in Nigeria to reach 33 per cent this year, 2022. What this means is that, over 50 million people from the active population of the Country will be unemployed. In September 2022, Nigeria's inflation rate hits a new 17-year high of 20.77%.
For the 7 plus years of the APC regime, Nigeria’s external debt increased by 291 percent while domestic debt grew by 86 percent. So, as at June 2022, the APC regime has sunk the Country into a debt burden of #30.72 trillion, and plans to borrow an additional #8.4 trillion. Presently, we are running a deficit budgetary system; we’re borrowing to fund our budget.
According Transparency International’s report, Nigeria ranks 154 out of 180 countries in Corruption Perceptions Index. The trajectory in decline is consistent; 136th in 2016, 144th in 2018, 146th in 2018, 149th in 2020, and now 154 in 2021. Nigeria is the second most corrupt Country in West Africa. Instructively, the APC regime’s intentional appointments into public office people undergoing trial lowers the bar in the drive for anti-corruption, probity, and transparency in administration. Many of those appointed by the APC still have an open file with the EFCC, including the party’s National chairman and other NWC members. The much touted fight against corruption is merely a façade.
The “Hon. off your mic…” scenario is still fresh in my mind. The grass cutting former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, is still a free man. 523 million Naira was said to have been expended to feed Children during the 2020 lockdown. The forensic audit of the NDDC is hidden in the Presidency. The panel set up to try the immediate past EFCC chair, Ibrahim Magu, has become a supremely guileful exercise despite the overwhelming evidence to support the allegation of corrupt practices and breach of public trust. Funnily, Magu got promoted. The allegations of financial mismanagement, financial recklessness, breach of financial regulations, and suppression of information that rocked the NHIS has been swept under the carpet. Sahara Reporters did an exclusive on the multi-billion Naira financial fraud that happened in NEMA. Till date, not one single person has been prosecuted. This year, petroleum products with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification were imported into the country. Was anyone held responsible? Millions of Naira was lost to car repairs, damages, etc. Truth is, the list is endless. APC = unprecedented corruption.
No wonder the former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole said: “Once you have joined APC all your sins are forgiven.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has gone on cumulative strike days of 584 days in this APC regime. This is the longest ever since the creation of Nigeria. Also, for the first time ever, university lecturers were paid in pro rata. Shamefully, the APC regime has the least budgetary allocations for Education (Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary). These are testaments to the fact that the APC places no value whatsoever on Education. It is pertinent that I emphasis on this; the APC regime’s 2022 budgetary allocation to education is 5.39 percent. From all available data, this is the lowest percentage ever allocated to Education by the in the last ten years.
The more reason why we must collectively unite to recover Nigeria. I hope patriotic Nigerians will yield to this clarion call. We must ensure this inept and inutile APC is rejected at the polls, resoundingly.
Who will lead Nigerians to Recover Nigeria?
Enter Atiku Abubakar/ Ifeanyi Okowa… Enter Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid023ZvA7UmVsxSNjqJpHjGkZ1Nd5dBegJteYnBidie2pjvevsY5auficQawc6te68j1l&id=1120227750 9 Likes 8 Shares
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Politics / Re: How APC Polluted Nigeria by Penaldo: 10:06am On Nov 21, 2022 |
All
Peoples
Calamity 7 Likes 2 Shares |
Education / Re: Think Canada Fair To Hold In October by Penaldo: 5:48pm On Sep 25, 2022 |
Great though I've passed the age and I am broke |
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