Dele Momodu Announce Ambition For 2023 Presidency
Media mogul and publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu has announced his ambition to run for president in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Momodu disclosed the development on Thursday when he met with the PDP National Chairman, Iyiorchia Ayu, at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.
Dressed in an agbada and a cap, Momodu handed over his letter of interest to contest for presidency to Ayu.
As at the time of filing this report, Momodu was in a closed door meeting with the PDP chairman, Iyochia Ayu.
Nigeria Reports 395 Cases Of Mutant Poliovirus
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Thursday announced that Nigeria has officially reported 395 cases of the Circulating Mutant Poliovirus Type 2 (CMPV2) across 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) had on August 2020 certified Nigeria Wild poliovirus free.
But the NPHCDA in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Faisal Shuaib, said the CMPV2 outbreaks were caused by immunity gaps in children.
Shuaib said the suspension of immunisation programmes due to the COVID-19 pandemic has further created new immunity gaps which have led to new outbreaks.
“I Am Glad That The Ban Has Been Lifted” Atiku says as Buhari lifts Twitter ban
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed gladness over the lifting of the Twitter ban by the Federal Government.
Atiku, in a tweet, said the effects of the Twitter ban on small businesses in Nigeria was evident for all to see. According to him, Nigerians who are already facing challenges can now breathe fresh air.
He wrote, “The effects of the #TwitterBan, particularly on small businesses, was evident for all to see.”
“I am glad that the ban has finally been lifted, and our young people who are already dealing with the challenging business environment can now have a breath of fresh air to thrive.”
Unknown Gunmen Abduct Polytechnic Students In Plateau
Gunmen on Wednesday night invaded the main campus of the Plateau State Polytechnic in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the State. The assailants were said to have abducted two students, Bencit and Longfei.
Sources said three gunmen stormed the hostel known as ‘Plateau Embassy’ towards the end of the school fence and whisked the two girls away after shooting sporadically in the air.
FirstNigeriaTV gathered that troops of Operation Safe Haven in Jos have been mobilized to the area.
Spokesperson of the Plateau Police Command, ASP Gabriel Ubah, who confirmed the incident, said: ”It happened in Ban Village heipang. The Police and STF Immediately rushed to the scene and one suspect arrested.
“Effort is on to rescue the victims.”
Buhari Lifts Ban On Twitter Operations
President Muhammadu Buhari has lifted the ban placed on Twitter operations in Nigeria effective from 12 AM tonight, 13th January 2022.
The Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the NITDA DG, President Buhari approved the lifting of the ban following a memo written to him by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim.
In the memo, according to Abdullahi, the Minister updated and requested the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.
Collapsed Ikoyi Building: No provisional approval was given before construction started – LASBCA
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has revealed at a coroner inquest inquiring into the Nov.1 collapse of the 21-storey building at Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos that construction of the three high-rise blocks began months before provisional approval was granted.
LASBCA’s counsel at the inquest, Mr A.S Odugbemi, made this revelation while questioning Mr Muritala Olawale, the Managing Director of Prowess Engineering Nigeria Ltd.
Olawale was a former consultant structural engineer to the project. He withdrew his services via a letter dated Feb. 20, 2020, over disputes on how the project was structurally executed.
At the coroner’s proceedings, Odugbemi disputed the contents of paragraph 17 of Olawale’s Statement on Oath to the Inquest stating that late Femi Osibona, the Managing Director of Fourscore Heights Ltd, had informed his team that he had received provisional approval for the project’s construction.
FG pursue paperless government system by 2030
The Federal Government said that it was working to achieve a paperless government system by 2030.
Prof. Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said this at the Champions Day and closing of 2021 Service Wide Capacity Building Programme on e-Government at the e-Government Training Centre (e-GTC) in Abuja.
The training, held in eight batches, was facilitated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) with support from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
1,376 public servants were trained from Nov. 2020 to Dec. 2021 at the centre located in the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Abuja. The beneficiaries are expected to drive the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) to achieve change and leverage technology in building a vibrant digital economy.
Pantami recalled that from 2019 to the end of 2021 the ministry had come up with 16 policies to drive the digital economy agenda which included policies on Virtual Engagements and e-Government.
Ooni of Ife describes Shonekan’s death As a collosal loss nationawide
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has described the death of former Interim Leader of Nigeria, Chief Ernest Shonekan, as a colossal loss to Nigeria.
Ooni made this known in a statement signed by his Director of Media & Public Affairs, Mr Moses Olafare on Wednesday, in Ile-Ife.According to him, the ex-interim president who died on Monday was an illustrious descendant of Oduduwa and and great stabiliser, who contributed immeasurably to the peace and development of Nigeria and Africa at large.
The royal father noted that the elder statesman gave his best to the Oduduwa race, the country and the continent of Africa which he loved so much.
Ogunwusi has condoled with the immediate family of the former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, who during his lifetime was a Chief in the Kingdom of Ife, over the demise of the Ogbomoso-born politician.He described the late Akala as a great leader who gave his best in service to his people, adding that his departure would be missed greatly by everyone.
Makinde abruptly cancels state function over Alao-Akala’s death
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday, abruptly ended the 2022 inter-faith prayer service, organised by the state civil service, following the receipt of the news of the death of former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor, who was shocked with the sad news, did not read the speech he had prepared for the service.
Makinde, who called for a minute silence for the late politician who was governor between 2007 and 2011, after having earlier served as deputy governor from 2003 to 2007, prayed God to grant repose to his soul.
The governor condoled with the immediate family members of Alao-Akala, all residents of the state and political associates over the demise of the former governor.
2023: Akinwunmi Adesina Refutes Endorsing Tinubu For President
The Senior Advisor on communications to the president of African Development Bank (AfDB) Akinwunmi Adesina, Victor Oladokun, has described as “untrue, mischievous and fraudulent” the claims that Adesina has endorsed Bola Tinubu for president.
Victor Oladokun, while refuting the endorsement, said “For the avoidance of doubt, no such statement or endorsement has been made by the President of AfDB.”
Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had on Monday, declared his intention to contest the 2023 Presidential election. A photograph, which has been circulating on social media, contained a statement endorsing Tinubu and attributed it to Adesina. But Oladokun insisted Adesina did not issue the statement.
But Oladokun refuted the endorsement, insisting that Adesina did not issue the statement. He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, no such statement or endorsement has been made by the President of AfDB.”
APC Debunks Postponing National Convention To June
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has debunked news that it has shifted its National Convention earlier slated for February to June.
Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. He described the report as fake news, and asked the public to disregard the report.
The party’s affairs are presently being managed by the Gov. Buni-led CECPC.
Akpanudoedehe said, as a focus driven, process oriented political party, the APC CECPC under the leadership of Gov. Mai Mala Buni would not be distracted by self serving antics of these sponsors of fake news.
