Ex-Oyo Gov Alao-Akala Dies at 71
A former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala is dead.
His Media aide, Tolu Mustapha confirmed the development. He said, “Yes. It has happened. It has happened”. However, a source familiar with the development said the chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), died in the early hours of Wednesday in Ogbomoso.
“It is true that Oga is dead. He died in the early hours of Wednesday in his room in Ogbomoso. He was full of life last night. In fact, I heard he was playing with his children before he went to bed. We are in a mourning mood now”, the source said.
Akala was governor of Oyo state between 2007 and 2011. He was also a deputy governor under former governor, Rashidi Ladoja between 2003 and 2006, when Chief Ladoja was impeached and consequently became the acting governor for eleven months.
UAE Opens Visa Application Centre In Lagos
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has inaugurated a visa application and document attestation centre at the office of the UAE Consulate General in Lagos.
A statement by the office of the UAE Consulate, said the event, held on Tuesday was led by its Consul General, Dr Abdulla Al Mandoos.
Dignitaries at the event included the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Solape Hammond; Comptroller General of Immigration for Lagos State, Ahmed Aliyu; Country Manager of Emirates Airlines, Paulos Legesse; Vice President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gbenga Ismail; Head of UAE Visa Centre, Abdulla Alqahtani and several media houses. Leading the dignitaries on a tour of the centre, Mandoos reaffirmed that the UAE had worked towards fostering its bilateral relations with Nigeria.
With this new development, we anticipate that the people of Lagos and neighbouring states no longer feel compelled to travel to Abuja to process visas and attest their documents as they can now achieve all that in Lagos State.”
Ogun Closes Down Major Roads For Buhari’s Visit
The Ogun State Government has announced the closure of some roads while advising motorists to make use of alternative routes to get to their destinations.
The development is part of preparations put in place by the State Government for the official visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the State on Thursday. President Buhari will on Thursday, visit Ogun State to commission some projects of Governor Dapo Abiodun, while also using the opportunity to meet with some stakeholders.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement (TRACE) Corps, said, “the newly reconstructed Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagamu Interchange will be closed to traffic from 0600hrs (6 am) – 1600hrs (4 pm), while the Ijebu/Ode-Mojoda-Epe Expressway, will be closed to traffic from 0600hrs (6 am) – 1300hrs (1 pm).”
TRACE Corps spokesman, Babatunde Akinbiyi, also added that “adjoining/feeder highways from Siun-Iperu Remo and vice versa, as well as, Siun-Owode Egba-Ofada-Mowe-Ibafo and vice versa along the Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagamu Interchange will also be closed to traffic.”
Bandits Abduct Mother of Kano State Assembly Minority Leader
Bandits have abducted the mother of the Minority Leader, Kano State House of Assembly, Isiyaku Ali Danja.
Sources say the armed men numbering over 10, stormed the residence of Zainab Danja in Gezawa Local Government Area, around 1:00 pm with sophisticated weapons before whisking her away to an unknown destination.
The lawmaker, Isiyaku Danja confirmed the abduction to journalists on Wednesday, noting that the abductors are yet to establish communication with the family. Danja, who was a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, currently represents Gezawa constituency in the State
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, said efforts were being intensified with a view to rescuing the victim and arresting the perpetrators.
FG Orders National Flag To Fly At Half-Mast To Pay Respect To Shonekan
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast, effective from Wednesday, January 12 to Friday, 14 as a mark of respect for the former Head of the Interim Government, Late Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
Shonekan died on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the age of 85. Shonekan was the interim head of the Nigerian Government between August 26 and November 17, 1993 when he was ousted in a coup led by late General Sani Abacha.
The statement by the SGF read: “Following the death of the former Head of the Interim Government, late Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan, President Muhammadu Buhari, has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast, effective from Wednesday 12th – Friday 14th, January 2022 as a mark of respect for the former Head of State who died on Tuesday 11th January 2022 at the age of 85.”
Buhari Praises Amina Mohammed On Re-Appointment As UN Deputy SG
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday congratulated the UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, on her re-appointment for a second term.
Assuring of the prayers and support of Nigerians, especially the Federal Executive Council, where she served for some years, the President in a statement issued on Tuesday, sent his deepest appreciation to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for the confidence reposed on the former Minister of Environment, giving her another opportunity to serve the global body and humanity, which further enhances the voice and presence of Nigeria.
Buhari “notes that Mohammed’s dedication to duty has always been exceptional, and her interest in improving the livelihood of people, through personal and institutional efforts, continues to stand her out, affirming that the UN Deputy Secretary General remains an inspiration to many women in Nigeria, Africa and the global community”.
He joined family, friends and associates of the renowned technocrat and diplomat in “celebrating the well-deserved re-appointment, wishing her all the best on the next rung of the leadership ladder.”
JusticeforSylvester: Femi Falana Says They Have Enough Evidence To Rubbish Cover up
Renowned lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN has said there’s more than enough to rubbish cover up on the death of Sylvester Oromoni, student of Dowen college.
Falana, who is the counsel to the Oromoni family, stated this last Monday during an interview on Channels TV.
The activist lawyer said:“We are going to establish evidence of a massive cover-up,” he said. “You say there wasn’t evidence that there was a secret society. How?
Falana insisted that the state government did not have a Director of Public Prosecution on January 4 when the report was issued. “From the press conference of the Commissioner of Police and from the legal advice that hoods out of the Ministry of Justice that was alleged to be issued by the Director of Public Prosecution, the Lagos State government did not have a Director of Public Prosecution on January 4 when that report came out of the ministry,” he said.
Obasanjo Mourns Shonekan, Calls His Interim Government Outstanding
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday described the three months period of late Chief Ernest Shonekan, as the former Head of the Interim National Government (ING) an outstanding service to the nation.
He equally called the former Nigeria leader, who succeeded the junta of General Ibrahim Babangida, a unifying force that contributed to the growth and development of Nigeria’s democracy.
Obasanjo disclosed this in a condolence letter to his wife, Mrs Margaret Shonekan which was contained in a press release by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
He said that Shonekan’s interim government in 1993, though short-lived by the coup of General Sani Abacha, performed outstanding service to the people of the country.
Wife of Plateau Deputy Chief Of Staff, Health Director Regain Freedom
The Nigerian Police has confirmed the release of Dorcas Vem, the wife of Silas Vem, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plateau Government House, who was kidnapped by gunmen.
Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Ubah Ogaba, who confirmed Dorcas release also disclosed that Dr Samuel Audu, a Director in the Plateau State Ministry of Health who was abducted by gunmen has equally regained his freedom.
FirstNigeriaTv had reported the abduction of the two persons in separate operations by gunmen. While the wife of the Deputy Chief of Staff was kidnapped near their Little Rayfield residence in Jos on Sunday, the gunmen abducted the Health Director in front of his Barki Ladi residence on Monday night.
The Police Spokesman who confirmed the release of the two persons said their freedom was made possible through the combined efforts of security agents.
World Bank Forecasts Decline In Global Economic Prospects
After a strong rebound in 2021, the global economy will experience “a pronounced slowdown” this year amid fresh threats from Covid-19 variants and a rise in inflation, debt, and income inequality, the World Bank has warned.
In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the Washington-based institution said the rapid spread of the Omicron variant indicates that the pandemic is far from over and is likely to continue to disrupt economic activity in the near term.
It also warned that surging inflation rates meant many countries were withdrawing policy support “well before” the recovery was complete.
In its report, the World Bank said it expected global growth to slow from 5.5 percent in 2021 to 4.1 percent this year and to 3.2 percent in 2023 “as pent-up demand dissipates and as fiscal and monetary support is unwound across the world.”
Nigerian Dancer, Kaffy seperates from husband
Popular Nigerian dancer, Kafayat Shafau, popularly known as Kaffy had separated from her husband of several years, Joseph Ameh, a music director and former drummer for singing twin brothers, P-Square.
The mother of two recently opened up on the state of her marriage saying that marriage which is supposed to be an alignment of destinies is unfortunately not the case with her union.
Kaffy noted that divorce or separation was not supposed to be toxic or bitter.
She said, “Marriage is supposed to be an alignment of destinies driving towards a place God wants for them. And mine didn’t really work out that way.