Eid-el-Kabir: Lagos Speaker Obasa Preaches Godliness, Perseverance, Tolerance

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Mudsashiru Obasa, has enjoined Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to imbibe spirits of Godliness, tolerance, perseverance and sacrifice as prerequisite for peaceful co-existence in the country.

Rt. Hon. Obasa stated this in his Sallah message to Nigerians in celebration of this year's Eid-il-Kabir festival. The message was signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak.

The Lagos Assembly Speaker, who is also Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, asked Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of Godliness, perseverance and tolerance displayed by Prophet Ibrahim, his son, Ismail and wife, Hajarat in their joint decision to sacrifice Ismail to keep the convenant the Prophet had with God while looking for child.

"We should imbibe the spirit of Godliness, perseverance and tolerance displayed by Prophet Ibrahim, his son, Ismail and wife, Hajarat. They did not waiver in their belief in God. They persevered in the face of the difficulty posed by the decision to sacrifice their only child. The son on his part was tolerant enough to present himself for sacrifice. These are the qualities we needed to engender peaceful co-existence in Nigeria: Godliness, perseverance and tolerance," Rt. Hon Obasa said.

“Our strength as a country is in our diversity. We are group of people with varying tribal and religious backgrounds but we are committed to achieving a common purpose which is excellence. Therefore we must eradicate every form of rancor and discord among us.

"We must understand and repsect our differences and we must tolerate one another in order to maintain peace and security of life and properties, ’’ he said

He urged Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to be thankful for life, as it is the biggest gift anyone can have.

“Let us remain thankful to Allah for good health and well being. When there is life, there is hope for a brighter future. Our challenges are surmountable and our problems have solutions.

Rt. Hon. Obasa, who noted that the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir extols the virtue of sacrifice, also enjoined Nigerians to rededicate themselves to service, adding that it is only through dedication to national service that "we can  build the desired nation".

While commending the people for supporting the All Progressives Congress  (APC) at all levels of government, the Chairman of Conference of Speakers urged them to patiently await the fulfillment of of all the promises made to them.

“The government is committed to serving the people and ensuring that everyone enjoys the dividends of democracy. We are grateful for your support and cooperation so far but I urge you not to relent in supporting government at all levels," he said.

EID EL KABIR: EMBRACE SACRIFICE, LOVE, UNITY, AMBODE URGES MUSLIMS

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday called on Muslims in Nigeria to embrace the values of sacrifice, love and continue to foster unity as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.

In his Sallah message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, Governor Ambode said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.

He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond feasting, adding that as Muslims prepare to offer animal sacrifice in the prescribed days of the festival, the real essence should be to encourage piety, self-discipline and sacrifice.

Governor Ambode therefore called on all Nigerians to exhibit these values for the good of the country and shun any act capable of heating up the polity or causing distrust among various ethnic groups in the country.

“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country”, the Governor said.

“This period requires more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all,” he said.

The Governor also thanked Lagosians for supporting his administration, assuring that the Government would continue to do its best to serve the people and promote fairness and mutual tolerance among the populace, irrespective of their ethnic religion or political affiliation.

While wishing all Lagosians, especially adherents of the Islamic faith a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Governor Ambode enjoined Nigerians in other parts of the country to continue to be their brothers’ keeper.

Yahoo Boy Attempts To Kill His Mother For Money Rituals In Lagos

The police in Lagos state have arrested 29 year old Taiwo Akinola pictured above for trying to kill his mother, Alice Akinola so as to further his cyber fraud business ( Yahoo) to the bloody or ritual level (Yahoo plus).

A statement by the police command spokesperson, CSP Chike Oti, says Taiwo who lives with his mother at No.2 Raji Ajanaku street, Alaja Road, Ayobo, Lagos, is a staunch member of the notorious Aiye confraternity.

At about 8am yesterday Sunday August 19th, Taiwo went to his mother's provision store in front of their apartment and told her to meet him inside the house for an important discussion and at same time sent his nephew, Faruk to go buy him a white handkerchief and a stick of cigarette.

As soon as his mother entered the house, the suspect attacked her, smashing her head with a plank, pressing iron and a UPS charger to ensure she didn't survive the ferocious attack.

When Faruk returned from the errand, he didn't see his grandmother in the shop so he went into the house only to see the poor woman lying in a pool of blood. Shocked by what he saw, the small boy raised the alarm which attracted neighbours to the scene.

They called the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ayobo Division who arrived the scene with his team and promptly arrested the suspect and secured the scene for further investigation by the police forensic experts attached to the Homicide section SCIID Panti, Yaba .

The victim was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment and was found to be hanging onto life. Right now, the doctors are battling to revive Mrs Alice Akinola presently unconscious Meanwhile the CP has paid the initial hospital cost which enabled the doctors to commence treatment.

During a brief interrogation, the suspect disclosed that he was asked to kill his mother in order to have more money. When his room was searched, the following exhibits were recovered in it, viz:

1. Two calabashes with one containing human skull and the other, a mixture of dark concoction;
2. A plank perforated with nails and stained with blood;
3. A pressing iron stained with blood;
4. A white handkerchief with which he wanted to scoop the victim's blood;
5. A bottle containing oil and labelled Back To Sender;

The Commissioner of Police calls on Lagosians to rise against all forms of crime and criminality. He added that the Command defeated the Badoo cult group with the help of people who provided credible and timely information to the police . He added that the time has come to root out the street cult groups. He notes that complacency is not an option in the face of threat to peace and security posed by these nefarious associations.

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BREAKING: NECO releases June/July 2018 SSCE results

Enyioha Opara

The National Examinations Council has released the June/July 2018 Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examination results.

Out of the 1,041,536 candidates who sat for the examinations, only 742,455 of the candidates got at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language.

A statement signed by the acting Registrar of the Council, Abubakar Gana, states that a total number of 20,181 candidates were involved in examination malpractices — less than that of 2017.

Punch
AgegePulse

Hajj climax: Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Arafat

Muslim pilgrims on Monday began ascending Mount Arafat for the climax of the annual hajj which brings together more than two million people from around the world.

A sea of worshippers scaled the rocky hill southeast of the holy city of Mecca for a day of prayers and reflection where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon.

Some of the pilgrims — men in white seamless garments and women in loose dresses — pushed elderly relatives in wheelchairs on the second day of the hajj, one of the world’s largest annual gatherings.

A hot wind blew across the hill, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), and the surrounding plain after a downpour late Sunday. Many faithful could be seen sipping from bottles of water.

After sunset, the pilgrims will leave for nearby Muzdalifah where they will gather pebbles to perform the symbolic “stoning of the devil”.

The ritual begins in earnest on Tuesday as Muslims observe the first day of Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, which marks the end of the hajj.

Muslims traditionally slaughter sheep for the three-day Eid al-Adha, a tribute to the prophet Abraham’s sacrifice of a lamb after God spared Ishmael, his son.
They will consume some of the meat and give the rest to poor people unable to buy food.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam which every Muslim is required to complete at least once in their lifetime if they are healthy enough and have the means to do so.
(AFP)
Punch
AgegePulse

Why Saraki, Tambuwal left APC – Tinubu

...Says If Saraki had remained in the APC, he would be unable to reclaim his Senate Seat

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said on Sunday that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, left the All Progressives Congress because of the party’s refusal to grant their wishes of automatic tickets for next year’s elections.

Tinubu explained that the defectors were also disappointed because the APC refused to share “national wealth and other offices and privileges.

"Tinubu said contrary to Tambuwal’s claim, the governor’s defection to the Peoples Democratic Party had nothing to with the governance of the nation.

“Governor Tambuwal’s exit can be distilled to one cause. He covets the Presidency. However, he had not the stomach to challenge President Buhari in a primary. Tambuwal felt further insulted that he would be compelled to face a direct primary just to retain the governorship nomination,” Tinubu said in a statement titled, “They go away because we go the right way,” which he personally signed.

He said Saraki, on his own, had realised that he might not even get the ticket to return to the Senate, much less become the Senate President.

Tinubu said, “Much the same for Senate President Saraki. Returning to the PDP, he harbours dreams of the presidency but Tambuwal’s ambition will dwarf Saraki’s when the two collide.

“If Saraki had remained in the APC, he would be unable to reclaim his Senate seat let alone the Senate Presidency. He thus bolted because he lusts for the presidency but was promised by the PDP, at least, a return to his position in the Senate.

“For Saraki to talk about lack of governance is for him to deny who he is and the position he holds. This man stands as Nigeria’s number three citizen. Clothed is he in ample power and influence. If he saw areas where the government and the nation needed help, he could have easily applied his energies to these areas. He could have drafted legislation and easily got laws passed.

“However, no progressive enactment bears his name for he cared not for progress. He has been more focused on changing the rules of the Senate to favour himself and changing the order of elections so as to coincide with his selfish designs.”

Tinubu said Nigeria was undergoing a historic transition, with the door steadily closing on “the old malpractices that have caused a rich nation to reside in the tenement of the global poor.”

The statement read, “The defections of some people from the APC have generated sensational headlines and exaggerated talk as to what their departures foretell for the APC, the party to which I belong.  Some have predicted the demise of the APC.  Those who hope for our decline will be disappointed by the inaccuracy of their desires. The days, months and years ahead will bury such errant forecasts for these predictions are born more of bitterness than of objective analysis.

“Much of the attention has centred on which party now controls this or that state and which party maintains a majority in the National Assembly. These considerations are important to members of the political class and the electoral calculations of the political parties. But these calculations cannot be all there is. We must be careful not to reduce our horizon to a mere accounting of elected officials moving from one party to another.

Nigeria is undergoing a historic transition. Sometimes awkwardly, tentatively, yet inexorably, we nurture political and governance reform.  We steadily close the door on the old malpractices that have caused a rich nation to reside in the tenement of the global poor. The corruption of the past is ending; for it must end if we are to fulfil our collective purpose. With this correction, less public money will be diverted to private benefit. More will be afforded to the causes of the people. The economy is being transformed so that the average person will have a better chance of finding a better life.

Punch

AgegePulse

My pains, my sweat, Yinka Ayefele laments demolition of Fresh FM

Ace gospel musician, Yinka Ayefele, has taken to his Facebook wall to lament the demolition of the Music House housing his radio station, Fresh FM.


He had lamented: “Oyo state government it did at last……my pains my sweat ….So help me God.”

3RD MAINLAND BRIDGE TO BE TEMPORARILY SHUT FOR FOUR DAYS – LASG

…Closure To Last From August 23 To 26

…Appeals For Cooperation, Understanding of Lagosians

The Lagos State Government has said that the 3rd Mainland Bridge will be temporarily shut down for four days starting from midnight of August 23 to midnight of August 26, 2018 for Investigative Maintenance Test to be carried out.



The State’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ade Akinsanya, who disclosed this in a statement, said the decision was taken after due consultation with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.



The four-day closure, according to Akinsanya, will enable the contractors assess the true state of the bridge after which works would commence by the end of the year or early in 2019.



It would be recalled that the Federal Government had earlier announced plans to shut the bridge in July, but had to be shelved after due consultation with the State Government and wide deliberations with other stakeholders, who expressed concern about the indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles on other alternative routes which would have adversely affected traffic.



Subsequently, a Joint Task Force set up to remove the articulated vehicles from the highway was able to achieve tremendous success.



Justifying the need for the closure, Akinsanya said: “The 3rd Mainland Bridge which was opened about 30 years ago by the then military government has had haphazard maintenance and repairs in the past which the present Federal Government is committed to correct by carrying out proper and continuous maintenance and repairs on it.”



Consequently, the State Government appealed for the cooperation, support and understanding of all motorists and residents, advising them to minimize non-essential travel and movements during the four-day closure.



Besides, Akinsanya said all traffic management agencies including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Police, among others, have been mandated to ensure smooth flow of traffic on all the other alternative roads and traffic corridor across the metropolis to ensure free flow of traffic.   

Man sneaks into hospital ward, makes love to sick wife

Female ward. Source: Irin

A Zimbabwean man is currently under investigation for forcing his way into a female ward at Masvingo Provincial Hospital at 3am to make love to his wife, who was admitted to the hospital.

The man, who is a prominent restaurant owner in the city was reported to have argued with the hospital nurses in the middle of the night and insisted he should be allowed to see his wife in the female ward.

He eventually got in and went on to have sex with his wife, in the presence of 10 other patients in the ward.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Amadeus Shamu, confirmed the incident to iHarareand said that the hospital has since instituted investigations.

READ ALSO: Police arrest 20 suspected Zamfara bandits, recover arms

Shamu said, “It was around 3am that patients who were disturbed by the noise coming from the ecstatic couple reported to the nurses that there was sex in the ward. The nurses summoned a security guard who got the man out of the ward.”

The investigation also revealed that the wife had told the nurses that her husband was abusive and she might be beaten if she refused to accept his sexual overtures.

“I could not refuse to have sex with him because I could have been beaten in the presence of patients because he is very violent,” the woman told the nurses.

Saraki's Politics is anti-People, I can't Work With Him- Sulaiman

Founding chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, Pa Kunle Suleiman, tells SUCCESS NWOGU why he left the PDP, following the defection of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to the party

You are the founding chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State. Why did you leave the party you laboured hard to build for the All Progressives Congress?

I am not only a founding father of the PDP in Kwara State, I am one of the founding fathers of the PDP at the national level, having started from G-18 to G-36 until it transformed to the PDP.

Therefore in Kwara State, I nurtured the PDP from the scratch. It is painful that I had to leave the house I laboured hard to build. I really need to do so with pains because I cannot stay in the same political party with Bukola Saraki. At the beginning, when we had three parties including the PDP, and the Alliance for Democracy.  I deliberately went to the PDP in order to avoid being in the same party with that dynasty when late Baba Olusola Saraki was alive. We (Olusola and I) had very good working relationship, we talked and so on but I told him (Olusola Saraki) that we cannot be in the same party because their own politics is not ideology-based, and it is not geared towards the improvement of the lives of the masses, therefore we cannot co-habit in the same party; that is why I went to the PDP.

After the old man died, his son stepped into his shoes. Because he was not a politician, he merely stepped into the shoes of his late father and inherited the existing structure but he does not know how to manage it. He reduces everybody to the level of a servant. Politics is not a master-servant relationship. Those of us who have something to offer can never play that type of politics. So basically, we are just different politically. Our thoughts are not the same; our ideas are not the same. We think of the masses, Bukola thinks of what he will acquire.

Bukola does not think of the people, he thinks about himself; all others are mere instruments for him to achieve his objectives, expand his political empire and political image. If you look at what is happening, why did he leave the PDP for the APC in 2014? It was not because former President Goodluck Jonathan was not performing; it was because he felt that he had not had enough recognition.

Under President Muhammadu Buhari, his defection is not based on differences of ideology, and it is not that the masses are suffering and the government should have initiated and implemented better policies;  it is about him.  That’s why we cannot be together.

Punch

BREAKING: Oyo govt demolishes Yinka Ayefele’s Music House

Olufemi Atoyebi
The Oyo State Government early on Sunday morning stormed the Music House from which the Fresh FM belonging to artiste, Yinka Ayefele, operated.

Government bulldozers arrived the Challenge area of Ibadan where the building was located and pulled it down.e

The government carried out the demolition despite a court injunction secured by Ayefele restraining the government from carrying out the exercise.
The government said that the building contravened physical planning rules, while Ayefele claimed that all the necessary papers were obtained for the construction of the building.


Hundreds of sympathisers were seen at the scene of the demolition, with many of them crying and pleading for the station to be spared.

Punch
Agegepulse

President Buhari returns to Abuja after his 10-day vacation in London

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja after his 10-day vacation in London. The president arrived Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport on Saturday evening.



He was received by top government officials on arrival.
It was gathered that ahead of his arrival, a Guard of Honor was mounted at the airport to receive the President who departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom on August 3. Prior to his trip, President Buhari had handed over power to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in acting capacity while he was away.

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, had in a statement on August 1 notified Nigerians that the President would be away for 10 working days.

His statement further noted that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo would be the Acting President during the period.

Sallah: Hon Osolana Launches Obasa Cares Initiative

...Donates Sallah Foodstuff in Agege

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa campaign group, Obasa Movement witnessed another great dimension at the meeting held in 20 centres of four Wards, Ward A-D of Agege Constituency 01 yesterday.


This was because the Supervisory Councilor, Works & Housing Agege LGA, Hon. Sola Osolana stormed four out of the twenty centers yesterday when strategic discussions on the reelection of Hon. Obasa was going on.

Osolana's presence at the centres was a blessing to some politicians and host communities of various centers yesterday as the philanthropist cum politician distributed pack of rice on behalf of the speaker.


Agegepulse reliably gathered that the initiative tagged "Obasa Cares" was designed as a relief measure to support the people and Muslim faithfuls at large towards the celebration of Eid il-Kabir slated for next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Recall, the soft spoken philanthropist donated cash gifts worth Million of Naira last year to the 7 wards chairmen and 175 excos of Agege local government last prior to the celebration.

Osolana who has always taken welfare as paramount on his mind for the people of Agege, noted that "Obasa Cares" is part of his effort to support the number three man in Lagos State for his reelection bid, sighting the speaker's influence on the enormous developmental efforts going on across Agege.

A member of the monitoring team of Obasa Movement, Hon. Ajala Omotosho told Agegepulse that the meeting was held simultaneously at about twenty centres across four wards in Agege which include Capitol Road, Isale Oja, Ogeretedo Aluminum Village, Surulere amongst others.


Hon. Rasheed Osanyinpeju Aroko, Alhaji Moroofdeen Omodele and Alhaja Aminat Aramide who are also members of the monitoring team thanked leaders and members of APC for the mobilisation efforts towards encouraging the people of Agege to collect their PVC.


Also, they appreciated Hon. Sola Osolana for his zeal to bring smile to the faces of the people with the Obasa Cares Initiative.

#Agege Pulse

Breaking: Former UN Secretary General Koffi Anna Dies

The Ghanaian former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness.

Detail shortly.

AgegePulse

Obasa tasks APC members on PVC Collection

 Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has appealed to members of All Progress Congress, APC, in Agege and Orile-Agege areas of the state to actively participate in the ongoing voter’s registration and ensure collection of their Permanent Voters Card(PVC).

 Obasa made this charge on Thursday at his constituency office in Oyewole where he alongside other APC chieftains in the area including, Hon. Samuel Babatunde Adejare, Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu, Prof. Babatunde Samuel, Chief Safari Adisa Adaranijo, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, Hon. Babatunde Johnson, and Mr. Tunde Aazeez, Alh Salau Olaniyi , Hon Gbenga Abiola, Hon James Agboola, Hon Tunde Alao, Alh Owolabi Dada Amet with the party faithful in the areas.

 The Speaker urged members having frosty relationships to close ranks while calling on the excos at all levels to step up their games and ensure smooth coordination of the members and the party activities.

 He enjoined councillors and supervisors to demonstrate sense of kindness to members in the grassroots.

Pilgrims descend on Mecca for ‘smart hajj’

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Two million Muslims gather in Saudi Arabia this week for the hajj as the annual pilgrimage becomes increasingly hi-tech with apps to help the faithful navigate Islam’s holiest sites.

This year the hajj comes with the ultra-conservative kingdom witnessing an unprecedented pace of change, finally ending a ban on women driving while remaining firm in the face of any dissent.

One of the five pillars of the world’s fastest-growing religion, the hajj is expected to draw two million people from around the globe this year.

By Thursday, more than 1.6 million people had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, which runs from Sunday to Friday.
Thousands could be seen arriving in Mecca, with groups from different countries wearing distinct colours to set them apart.

Some pilgrims pushed their elderly relatives on wheelchairs while others stopped to call family members back home on video chat or buy ice cream as temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

For many, it is their first time away from home.
Every Muslim is required to complete the hajj at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to do so.

– ‘Smart hajj’ –
Many were visibly moved to be so close to Islam’s holiest site — the Kaaba, a black masonry cube in the centre of Mecca’s Grand Mosque.

"I feel as light as a feather,” said Senegalese Fame Diouf, who travelled from Amsterdam. Laughing, she recounted the story of how she couldn’t stop crying near the Kaaba.

“This was my dream from childhood,” said Raja Amjad Hussein, who made the trip to Mecca from Pakistan.



“I can’t explain. I have no words,” the 40-year-old told AFP.
“For many Muslims this is the big, the biggest, dream of life, to see Kaaba and pray for yourself and the whole Muslim nation.”

No matter their race or nationality, for every pilgrim hajj begins with “ihram”, the donning of an all-white outfit.
For men, this is a seamless tunic worn over baggy pants; for women, a loose dress with only the face and hands exposed.

Pilgrims then perform rituals around the Kaaba and on the Mount Arafat plain east of Mecca.
The hajj ends with Eid al-Adha, a three-day feast which starts with the “stoning of the devil”.
Eid al-Adha also includes the slaughter of sheep, with the meat distributed to Muslims in need. The ritual symbolises Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, on the order of God.

The hajj presents the Saudi authorities with major logistical challenges.
The Pew Research Center says the number of Muslims in the world is expected to rise from 1.8 billion in 2015 to three billion in 2060.

This year, the Saudis have launched a “smart hajj” initiative, with apps to help pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care.

Asefny, for example, is an app launched by Saudi Arabia’s Red Crescent to help pilgrims request emergency medical attention.
Authorities are able to locate those in need through the app.

The Saudi hajj ministry also runs the Manasikana app, which provides translation for pilgrims who do not speak Arabic or English.
(AFP)

AgegePulse Magazine

We were not elected to only pay salaries, governors declare

• Resign if you can’t pay, workers tell govs

Olusola Fabiyi and Eniola Akinkuotu

Governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, have said that they are not elected to only pay salaries of civil servants.

They argued they were also elected to provide good roads, electricity, education and other necessary amenities for the people.

They said there was no way they could perform magic if there were no funds to work with.

They therefore called for the examination of the national income in the last 14 years to enable them to agree on the contentious issue of minimum wage implementation.

Chairman of the NGF, who is also the Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, made their position known to journalists after the meeting of the governors in Abuja on Wednesday night.

One of our correspondents reports that the committee working on the minimum wage is almost concluding negotiations on the matter.

The Federal Government had set a September date to roll out a new minimum wage for workers.

The Nigeria Labour Congress is proposing a minimum wage of N65,000 for workers, but the governors are insisting on the gradual implementation of the new wage,  if eventually approved.

Yari said it was a pity that state governors had been limited to the payment of salaries alone in their respective states.

He said the lack of funds had hindered them from carrying out their responsibilities in other sectors such as health, electricity, education, roads, among others.

On minimum wage, he said, “We have a committee of six which represents us in discussions in the committee headed by the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige.

“The committee has yet to give us the final report. They have given us an interim report that at the Federal Government level, over 82 per cent is being spent on overheads which cannot move the country forward in terms of infrastructure development and development that we need now.

“So, on our own part, we are saying we are going to look at how our income is taken from our final account from 14 years ago so that we can come up and stay in the middle.”

Eid-el-Kabir: FG declares Tuesday, Wednesday public holidays

The federal government has declared Tuesday, August 21, and Wednesday, August 22 as public holidays to celebrate the 2018 Eid-el-Kabir.

The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration on Thursday in Abuja in a statement issued by Mohammed Umar, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

While wishing Nigerians a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Mr Dambazau, a retired lieutenant general, enjoined the citizens to use the period to embrace the virtues of love and sacrifice for the unity and development of the country.

He urged Nigerians both at home and abroad to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in its determination to foster a peaceful and united Nigeria.

NAN
Premium Times
AgegePulse

LAGOS DEBUNKS ALLEGED ANTI-IGBO MOVES BY AMBODE

…Says Claim Figment Of Imagination Of Unscrupulous Persons

…Urges Security Agencies To Investigate Source, Prosecute Culprit

AgegePulse

The Lagos State Government on Thursday totally played down a report on social media alleging that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was making some moves against non-indigenes especially Igbos in the State, saying the report was baseless, mischievous and irresponsible.



Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan in a statement, said the claims in the said report were nothing but absolute falsehood and a mere figment of the imagination of unscrupulous persons who concocted it.



The report had alleged that the Governor had outlawed the position of Eze Ndi-Igbo in Lagos and was making other moves against non-indigenes.



The report, which did not state the event where the Governor allegedly made such pronouncements, also quoted the Governor as saying that Lagos was not a colonial settlement, but owned by the Yorubas.



Describing the contents of the alleged report as laughable and ridiculous, Bamigbetan said Governor Ambode had clearly emphasised at the inception of his administration that he would run a government of inclusion regardless of tribe, colour or creed, which he had not only adhered to, but also sustained it.



“While we would have opted to totally ignore such crass report, we have chosen to set the records straight for unsuspecting members of the public who might be tempted to believe such falsehood.



“For emphasis, there is no record anywhere of the Governor making such remarks and we dare the faceless authors to come out with any evidence otherwise. This is certainly the handiwork of enemies of Lagos State whose sole aim is to distort the existing harmonious relationship among ethnic groups in the State.



“They have totally failed in this attempt. Besides, in this season of politics, it is expected that those seeking to gain mileage would stop at nothing and cling to any straw just to score cheap points.



“Indeed, the Governor, precisely in his inauguration speech had stated emphatically that ‘I shall run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind.  No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other Status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos work for you.’ The Governor has not only lived up to that, but has also sustained it and every Lagosian can attest to it,” Bamigbetan said.



While urging members of the public to disregard the report in its entirety, the Commissioner also urged security agencies to go all out and investigate the mischief makers behind it and mete out appropriate sanctions on them in accordance with the law.

Premium Times reporter violated official secret Act, Police allege

Adelani Adepegba, Abuja

The police have alleged that the Premium Times Security reporter, Samuel Ogundipe, violated the Official Secret Act and the Cyber Crime Act, adding that he was also being tried for theft of classified document.
The Force insisted that Ogundipe’s action was “detrimental to national security,” noting that it could jeopardise peace and was capable of causing crisis in the country.

Ogundipe was arrested on Tuesday by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad operatives over the publication of the report of Police investigation into the invasion of the National Assembly by the Department of State Services, and a Kubwa magistrate court had ordered he be remanded in Police custody till August 20.

In a statement in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, also stated that the accused journalist had volunteered statements and he is standing trial.

It said, “The Force is categorically stating that Ogundipe is being investigated and prosecuted for the offences of theft and unlawful possession of restricted and classified documents inimical to State/National Security that can jeopardise peace, breakdown of law and order capable of precipitating crisis in the country.

“Ogundipe is also being investigated and prosecuted under other offences which violate Official Secret Act, Cyber Crime Act, and the Penal Code for which he has volunteered statements and is standing trial.”

Moshood stated that Ogundipe was arraigned in court in less than 24 hours of his arrest, adding that the police “as a law abiding organization will continue to ensure that the Rule of Law and its supremacy which are essentials of democracy prevail at all times.”

“The Nigeria Police Force and the media are veritable partners in ensuring peace, law and order in the country, but the Force will not compromise or allow an offender to go scot free or pervert the end of justice,” he added.

A coalition of civil society groups, #OurMumuDondo, had earlier in the morning stormed the force headquarters, Abuja to demand the release of the Premium Times reporter.
Led by popular musician, Charlie boy, the protesters insisted on the release of the reporter, noting that they would not leave until he is freed.

The activists briefly barricaded the Shehu Shagari Way, forcing motorists to ply alternative routes.
Presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, knocked the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris for pressurizing Ogundipe to disclose his source.
Another activist, Ralph Adebayo described the IG as “ignorant,” noting that “he has been transmitting confusion since he became the police boss, stumbling from one controversy to another.”

The convener, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju said the group would continue to besiege the police headquarters daily until their demand is met.
Addressing the protesters, Moshood said the detention of the journalist was not a punishment, a claim that annoyed the campaigners who objected loudly.

Asked why Ogundipe’s bank account was frozen,the force spokesman said,

“It is part of investigation; We should try to educate ourselves. The Judges’ rule permit the police if an offence is committed in Abuja to go far to Lagos to get anywhere to get evidence in resolution of the matter.”

Punch

Saraki’s agents still in Kwara APC’

A political group, Ilorin Emirate for Buhari (IEB), has said loyalists of Senate President Bukola Saraki are still members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.

The group is campaigning for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in Ilorin Emirate, which comprises Kwara Central and a part of Kwara North.

A statement by its Director of Publicity, Mr. Rotimi Sulyman, urged those opposed to Saraki’s hegemony, and desire Buhari’s re-election, to be cautious when relating politically with such people.

According to him, some party chieftains have a long history of closeness to Saraki, casting doubts on their loyalty to APC.

The statement reads: “We have witnessed with mixed feelings events in Kwara APC on whose platform we are campaigning for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, particularly as regards the make-up of members.

“We are convinced that Senate President Bukola Saraki does not have the traction of President Muhammadu Buhari in Kwara, and the Saraki’s yoke will be broken in 2019.

“But we have well-founded suspicion that some Kwara APC chieftains may not be committed to Buhari’s re-election, but ensure the people miss out on witnessing the curtain falling on the Sarakis’ dominance of the state politics in 2019.”

The group berated Saraki’s visit to former Head of State Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), in Minna, Niger State, saying his action and statement underlined his alleged hatred for Kwara and its people.

“The expression ‘show me your friends and I will tell you who you are’ holds true of the romance between Saraki and Babangida. Saraki threw bile at Buhari, who had a hand in the making of our son, the late Maj.-General Tunde Idiagbon, as chief of staff between 1983-1985.

“Babangida overthrew the government that was more or less led by a Kwaran, given that it was the only military regime where the No.2 man was as prominent as his boss. To add insult to our injury, Babangida ceded Kanji dam, which was under Kwara State, to his home state of Niger.

“The same Babangida also robbed Kwara of the Upper and Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority to pay Minna. It was during his time as military leader that the Ilorin headquarter of the Federal Government agency was relocated to Minna, to the displeasure of Kwarans.

“It is not so difficult to understand why Saraki is full of disdain for Buhari but lionises and fetes Babangida. It is because both are alike in their streak of hatred for Kwara and its people.”

Lagos Police sacks eight officers for ‘very serious criminal offences,’ disciplines 108 others

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, on Wednesday said eight officers were dismissed over “very serious criminal offences,” while six others were demoted in ranks.
Edgal, also said that 108 officers were disciplined for various offences from January to July, 2018 in the Lagos State Command.

He made the disclosure at a Stakeholders’ Forum on “Police Accountability and Presentation of Advocacy Materials at the command’s headquarters, Ikeja.

The police chief said that 58 other officers recorded major entries, six officers reprimanded, 28 officers got warning motors, four officers had extra fatigue, while five others were discharged for lack of evidences against them.

“The days of police officers receiving slaps on the wrist for offences are gone. When you performed excellently well, you will receive a CP’s Commendation Letter.
“I am not happy punishing any officer, but that does not mean we should overlook unprofessional conducts. When I resumed as CP Lagos, I discovered that the public had lost confidence in the police.

“I set up a Citizen Complaint Hot Centre with 10 mobile phone lines through which people can complain about the wrongs of our men. I have received many complaints.
“However, there is no way I would know all that my men are doing if nobody complained,” he said.

Edgal called on people in Lagos to continue to assist the police with information and other assistance, stressing that the 28,000 officers and men in Lagos were inadequate to police the state.
According to him, community policing in the state is working as it had reduced crimes by 35 per cent.
Commending the forum organised by the civil society groups, he said that it would also assist the police to perform better.

Edgal, while appointing a senior police officer, SP Abubakar Aliyah from the X-Squad, as member of the forum, promised to monitor the activities of the forum,

Also, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, the National Coordinator, Network For Police Reform In Nigeria (NOPRIN) and Chairman of the forum, spoke on “Toward Sustained Community Partnership with the Lagos State Police”.

AgegePulse Headline News

*NEWS HEADLINES FOR THURSDAY 16TH AUGUST 2018.*



*PUNCH*


Aregbesola begins payment of full salaries

2019: Saraki mulls presidential bid, promises change

Ortom kicks as EFCC demands minutes of Benue State Security Council meetings

N189.2bn polls budget: Reps, Senate panels grill INEC chair

Sallah: Ogun pays August salary, Kwara to begin payment

N22tn debt: Buhari, APC have wrecked Nigeria, says PDP

We lost 73 people in one month, say Taraba Christians

SERAP sues NYSC DG over Adeosuns exemption certificate

120 monarchs to attend Olubadans 90th birthday

Gov el-Rufai presents N155bn budget for 2019


*VANGUARD*


Uproar as EFCC seeks minutes of Benue's security meetings

Firs shuts down Tinapa over alleged tax evasion

Voters registration: Delta declares Thursday, Friday work-free days

IPMAN calls off solidarity strike

Onu tasks pharmacists on local production of drugs

Ebonyi 2019: Bickering'll not stop us against Umahi ' APC, publicity scribe

PTDF to tackle refineries' challenges, halt import of catalysts

Landlord leads gang of robbers to neighbour's house in Ogun

Orbih urges PDP presidential aspirants to focus on issues

Senator c'ttee on transport lauded on rail projects


*THE NATION*


Lawmakers consider INECs N189.2b elections budget

MTN seals N200b deal with 12 lenders

Saraki: Im considering running for president

Ayefele in battle to save his Music House building from demolition

NIMASA: floating dockyard to save N36b

PDP senators keeping vigil at National

 Assembly over Saraki
Buhari fully committed to use of PVCs, card readers, says Presidency

I am under pressure to run for president, says Tambuwal

Lagos partners MultiChoice for 2018 AMVCAs

Serial governorship candidates warming up for 2019


*THISDAY*


US Embassy Suspends Consular Services in Abuja

TCN Allays Fear of Blackout over Labour Protest

N'Assembly Committees Begin Consideration of INEC Budget

MTN Secures N200bn Loan from 12 Nigerian Banks

Kaduna Assembly's Speaker Declares Seats of Defected Members Vacant

APC Alerts INEC, Security Agencies on PDP's Threat against Osun Election

Envoy: India's Investment in Nigeria Hits $10bn

You Are too Old to Govern Nigeria, Tambuwal Tells Buhari

FG to Disburse $124m CVFF to Nigerian Ship Owners in 2019

Oil Price Slumps to $70 Per Barrel as US Crude Inventories Jump Unexpectedly


*THE SUN*


ESTHER EDET 07035120125

Ayogu Eze, ex- Enugu senator, defects to APC

Lagos APC: How I survived power play, intrigues ' Ajomale

2019 : APC aspirant vows to attract projects, infrastructure for constituency development.

Victor Moses quits Super Eagles @ 27

Messi eyes Champions League glory

Omeruo joins CD Leganes on a season loan deal from Chelsea

IAAF Continental Cup: IAAF Licensed Manager urges representatives to showcase Africa's talent

Enugu Govt. inaugurates Taekwondo Association Board

MTN signs N200bn medium term loan facility with 12 banks


*GUARDIAN*


Importers, ministry officials are killing local fish industry, says CAFFAN

Federal Executive Council okays N15.73 billion for Enugu highway

Buhari will exceed his 2015 vote tally, say aides

Old boys pledge to tackle dwindling fortunes of Kings College

Security expert, NDA registrar differ over alleged military's poor handling of insurgency

U.S. embassy suspends Abuja services for 'reasons beyond control
Party people

FCT deploys EOC to check cholera spread

NIMASA laments pirate attacks on Nigerian waters


*DAILY TRUST*


Revival of Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line

Group calls for peaceful conduct ahead of 2019

2019: Jigawa Dep Gov submits letter of intent

Youths advise PDP on presidential candidate nomination

Buhari, Lalong will win in 2019 Plateau Speaker

How I plan to take Nasarawa to next level

No merger, faction in ACPN, says Galadima

PDP senators vigilance group to resist Sarakis impeachment

I wear Army uniform to evade paying transport fare

Assassins collected handsets, car key before killing Ojo


*TRIBUNE*


Why candidates' performance in WASSCE 2018 dropped ' WAEC, Okebukola, others

Edo SUBEB trains 5000 teachers on tech-based teaching

Scrapping of teachers' training colleges killed Nigeria's education 'Onigbinde

Winners emerge in Mike Okonkwo national essay competition

While the waiting game continues for former Nigeria Airways workers

Our aim is to have at least 5% foreign students and staff in each of our departments 'Professor Ayorinde, KDU VC

We are committed to repositioning NIMASA 'Peterside

Congo deploys experimental Ebola treatment as cases rise

Somali-American woman wins US House primary

Transgender woman wins Democratic nomination for Vermont governor


*LEADERSHIP*


Victor Moses Stuns Nigerians, Quits Super Eagles

A Disaster Foretold
Abacha Loot: How Not To Cater For The Poor

GMO: Court Quashes Suit Against NBMA, NABDA

Peace Corps: Lawyer Petitions Osinbajo Over Flouting Of Court Orders

Staff Protest Poor Training, Welfare Package In HoS' Office

Ex-Police Boss Advocates Better Welfare For Officers

Adventist Church Protests Holding Elections, Exams On Saturdays

Autocrash Kills 10 Die In Katsina

Kaduna Assembly Declares Seat Of Ex-deputy Speaker, Member Vacant


*DAILY INDEPENDENT*


Judge Receives Death Threats After Granting Bail To Muslim Compound Members

YPG Kills 10 In Targeted Bombing Of Militant Group In Afrin City Center

Controversy Trails Vote Of No Confidence In Reps' Minority Leader

NASS Invasion: Whose Script Did Daura Act

X-raying Ali Ahmad's Leadership Style In Kwara Assembly

2019: N242.9b For INEC Is Ridiculous ' Doherty
EFCC Not Fighting Corruption ' Al Mustapha

Nigeria's Leadership Missing Link Of Africa's Greatness ' Prof. Lomumba

PDP, CUPP Demand Release Of Premium Times Reporter

We'll Resist Any Attempt To Illegally Impeach Saraki' Senator Gyunka


*BUSINESSDAY*


MTN in data push, pumps N200bn into network expansion

2019 election plot thickens as Saraki considers PDP Presidential ticket

Yuan weakening set to boost Nigerian imports from China

N76.9bn disbursed from N220bn MSMED fund in 2017

FG appoints Adeosun board chairman of Nigerian Bulk Trading Company

Abuja, Bayelsa, Imo top food inflation list for July, 2018

CBN, banks, extends SANEF project to 25 States

Nestl Nigeria Plc surmounts economic headwinds with significant revenue growth

NIMASA floating dockyard to save Nigeria N36bn annually ' Peterside

Africa Prudential earnings spike on growth in investment income

Copied

Landlord taught neighbour to drive, leads robbery gang to snatch car

Samuel Awoyinfa, Abeokuta

The Ogun State Police Command has nabbed a landlord, Adegbite Taoreed, who allegedly led a four-man robbery gang to his neighbour’s house and ordered him at gunpoint to surrender his car key.

The hoodlums reportedly made away with the car, a Rover saloon.

The suspect was said to be the one who taught the victim, Wale Okeyungbo, how to drive when he bought the car, and it was gathered that their houses were two buildings away from each other.

Taoreed reportedly led the gang to Okeyungbo’s house at Oke Odo Soyoye area in Rounder, Abeokuta North Local Government, around 4pm on Wednesday , and started firing gunshots repeatedly into the air.

The victim, who was said to have been roused from sleep, jumped out of the bed and demanded what was happening.

He was said to have been ordered to surrender the car key, and Taorreed was said to have taken the car key through the window, and the gang later took the car away.

The robbers were said to have also brought petrol in a jerrycan, in case there was no enough petrol in the tank of the car.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, paraded the suspects around 1pm on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad at Magbon, Abeokuta.

He disclosed that the victim made a distress call to Divisional Police headquarters at Lafenwa about the incident and policemen went after the hoodlums, and caught up with them at Oke Ata area, Abeokuta.

Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the hoodlums engaged the policemen in gun battle, and at the end of it, two of them(hoodlums) were arrested, while two others escaped.

Taoreed was one of those arrested, but he suffered bullet wounds in the gun battle with the Police, and the other was Taiwo Raheem.

During the parade, the suspect was too weak to speak to journalists.

Oyeyemi said the suspects would be charged to court after the necessary investigations must have been concluded.

Punch

Saraki will win 2019 presidential election, cleric predicts

The founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has said the Senate President Bukola Saraki will win the 2019 presidential election if he grabs the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He, however, warned that the 2019 election will be tougher than that of 2015.

The cleric said he saw storms that period but was quick to add that the country would still survive the period.
He warned that the raging National Assembly crisis might lead to the collapse of democracy in Nigeria if not well handled.

Ayodele spoke on Wednesday in Ikere-Ekiti at an empowerment programme he organised in memory of his late father, Elder Olalekan Ayodele, who died 15 years ago.

He donated cash and foodstuff to hundreds of widows and orphans at the event which he said was a means of giving them succour and a sense of belonging.
Ayodele also advised the Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to listen to the people for him to succeed in his administration.

He advised the All Progressives Congress to put its house in order in Osun State to achieve victory at the September 22 governorship election.
On the National Assembly crisis, he said: “Whatever they are doing in the Senate or in government, that is their own problem.

“I have said that nobody can remove Saraki, I don’t know Saraki, I have not met Saraki and I don’t know (Godswill) Akpabio. The issue of Saraki, I am not interested because I am not a politician.

"Who is that politician that is not corrupt and who is that politician that does not steal money? Saraki is one of the anointed persons in this country. I don’t see Atiku going too far.


“I am not defending Saraki but if Saraki is removed, PDP will sink and if PDP wants to move forward and Saraki having the ticket, PDP will win.”

Punch

BREAKING: Victor Moses retires from international football

Super Eagles player, Victor Moses, has announced his retirement from international football.

Moses made the announcement on his Instagram page.

He went on to reveal the reasons for his retirement: “However I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as to allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and to flourish.”

Punch