2019: Tinubu reportedly seals Ambode’s fate

As report of a rift between Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu continues to grow, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly given the nod for all aspirants to participate in the Lagos primary election.

Governor Ambode has declared his intention to run for a second term as governor of the state but faces competition from two formidable aspirants, Femi Hamzat and Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

 Ambode had deployed friends and associates to meet with Tinubu but the latter reportedly said he could not ask any aspirant to step down for him.

The source said: “Asiwaju has made it clear to all of them (Ambode’s emissaries) that he’s a national leader and a father figure to all, he said there’s no way he can ask other aspirants to step down for the governor when the party has made things easier for all to canvass votes directly from party members who will in turn decide who their candidate will be in a direct primary election.”

Sanwo-Olu who seems to be the governor’s biggest competitor is reportedly bolstered by the support he has received.

He said: “The truth is that I not in Ambode’s shoes right now and what has been generated is a reflection of the fact that people have come to understand and know the kind of person that I am.

“A whole lot of us had to redefine the Lagos project. This is not the forum where I will begin to roll out to you the very many firsts that people think were done by some other individuals, but there were other people behind them that brought out those ideas, policies and implementation plan.

“There are so many firsts that I can begin to attribute to myself in the 11 years that I have had to do in the public service. Like I said, I have served three different governors and in three different ministries, served twice in the governor’s office, head the biggest agency of government.

“So, the blueprint that we have been looking at since 1999 was put together by some of us. We are all friends, but it is politics.”

Meanwhile,  following his alleged rejection by the powers that be in Lagos state, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, reportedly took new stepsthat could see him winning and retaining his position during the 2019 election.

It was reported that Ambode, who recently bought the nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reached out to the presidency to intervene in the alleged friction between him and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The report added that the governor was making the move as he battles to neutralise the Mandate Group, a political machine of his godfather.

Ambode is currently battling for reelection against two powerful aspirants, Obafemi Hamzat, believed to have the support of some politicians from Abuja, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, one of the appointees of the governor, who is said to have the backing of Tinubu and his Mandate Group.

Place your adverts here call 08168603984.

Police arrest Evans' lawyer in court

Olukoya Ogungbeje, the lawyer who once represented alleged notorious billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike also known as Evans, was on Wednesday, September 12, arrested at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The police officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti arrested the lawyer this morning while he was getting ready to appear before Justice Muslim Hassan.

He was reportedly accosted as he parked his car at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi.

Ogungbeje was Evans' lawyer until June 15, 2018 when he withdrew from the case and another lawyer took over.

The reason for his arrest by the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force is unknown as at press time.

Meanwhile, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja high court, Lagos on Tuesday warned counsel to Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike alias “Evans” that no further delays would be tolerated in his ongoing trial.

Justice Oshodi gave the warning following a 30-minute verbal exchange he had with Chinonye Obiagwu, Evans’ new defence counsel, who had prayed for an adjournment to study the case file.

Place your adverts here call 08168603984.

7-year-old boy hawking bananas melts hearts of Nigerians

A young Nigerian man has provided help to a young boy he found selling bananas on the roadside. The young man shared photos he took with the 7-year-old boy on social media to share his story with the boy.

The young man identified as Sammer Time took to Facebook page Igboist group to narrate the little boy's story. He revealed that the 7-year-old was abandoned by his father after his mother passed away when he was just 3-months-old.

Sammer also identified the little boy simply as Adam. He noted that Adam is living with his aunt who is a tailor.

7-year-old Adam sells bananas on the roadside due to the fact that his aunt's profits from tailoring is unable to sustain the family.

Touching story of 7-year-old boy hawking bananas melts hearts of Nigerians Photo : Facebook Source: Igboist group

The good Samaritan further revealed that he had given twenty thousand Uganda shillings to the boy after he spotted him on Thursday, September 6, at Washing bay area in Uganda.

Read post below:

"God bless you Mr Sammér Timé For what you did to this little young boy ........here this story

Meet my new friend, his name is Adam. I met this determined hard working boy on Thursday morning at a Washing bay in my area, he had a basket of yellow bananas which he sells for a living, being a little boy that he is I got interested in knowing why he was selling bananas at the age of 7yrs because I had a sense that he is quite young to be doing this. He told me his story:

His mother died when he was 3 months old, after the mother's death, his father disappeared and abandoned him completely, the family members took him to the village to live with his grandmother, it was at the age of 4 that his grandmother opened up to him about his mother's passing. When he made 5yrs, the situation became so hard in the village and his Aunty picked him up and brought him to her residence in Ndeeba. The Aunty told him to sell bananas as a source of income to raise money for his school fees, he has to work every single day during the holidays to secure fees for every term. When I saw him yesterday, I gave him 20,000 and told him to go back home and rest because he was looking so tired and exhausted. When he reached home he put 5k into his private wooden money tin and handed over 15k to his Aunty as the yield for the day. Yesterday I told him to come and meet me up today at the same location where we met, he had to get there at 10am this morning but he made it at 8:30am. We have spent the whole day together, took him to town for shopping, had breakfast and lunch together, took him to my place and he showered very well, then went to meet his Aunty at their residence, the Aunty is a tailor and doesn't gain much from her job and can't afford the basics of life. I can't share what she told me about her struggles because it is so emotional and heartbreaking. I have paid his school fees until 2021(I have left the fees with the Aunty). When i was leaving him he said "Today is the best day of my life". He cried and I too broke down because the moment has been over sentimental and the day has been emotional all through.

Note: This post is not a show off and I know I can't take all the kids off the road because this boy is just one out of the many but one day God will see us through.

May God bless you as you too help somebody in your own capacity. Blessings."

The good Samaritan helped the boy Photo : Facebook Source: Igboist group

Place your adverts here call 08168603984.

INEC threatens to suspend 2019 general election over political tension

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has reportedly hinted that the body might be forced to suspend the 2019 general election following threats to violence by some politicians in the country.

Yakubu, a professor, stated this in reaction to some disturbing videos of political campaigns in the social media in which some politicians are seen threatening to shed blood.

Yakubu who reportedly spoke when he received briefing from the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun state on the progress and the preparedness of the forthcoming governorship election, noted that recent developments and signs in the country’s political landscape calls for greater vigilance.

He asked politicians to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner.

The INEC chairman further observed that election can only hold when there is a secured environment.

“In fact, the electoral act, especially section 26, empowers the commission to suspend election on account of violence or threat of violence.

“So, we will continue to partner and continue to work with the security agencies as we approach the 2019 general election.

“Our meetings are going to become more frequent and regular,” he said while explaining that the synergy between the electoral body and security agencies is crucial for the 2019 polls in order to secure the environment for the conduct of the elections.

“Elections cannot be conducted in an atmosphere of rancor. So, we share this great responsibility with the security agencies. Good election is good for this country. Bad election is a recipe for disaster; we don’t pray for it.

“So, let us continue to work together to anticipate the challenges and address the challenges because we have the capacity to do so.

“The nation expects we should do so and once we do so, there will be fewer problems during elections.

“We see statements by some of the political actors captured and circulated nationwide via social media platforms. It is something that the security agencies need to put an eye on because if we allow this to pester, it will encourage those who may wish to do some destructive actions or feel encouraged to do so.

“But if we take immediate action, I think we may be able to stop them and further secure the environment for us to conduct free, fair and credible elections,” he added.

Place your adverts here call 08168603984.

Serena Williams backed over umpire sexism claim after $17k fine

Image:Serena Williams gestures to umpire Carlos Ramos at the US Open.

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has backed Serena Williams after she was hit with a $17,000 (£13,100) fine over her conduct during the US Open final.

Williams received three code violations during her defeat to Japanese star Naomi Osaka on Saturday - one for coaching from the stands ($4,000/£3,100), one for throwing her racket down in anger ($3,000/£2,300), and another for calling umpire Carlos Ramos a "liar" and a "thief" ($10,000/£7,700).

The 23-time grand slam singles champion - who earned $1.86m (£1.43m) for reaching the final at Flushing Meadows - launched an explosive tirade towards the Portuguese, claiming she was being treated differently to how a man would be in such circumstances.

Image:The largest portion of Serena Williams's fine was the result of her row with Mr Ramos

She has received plenty of support from across the tennis world, including from Billie Jean King, and has now been backed up by WTA chief executive Steve Simon.

In a statement, Mr Simon hailed Osaka as a "deserving new champion" but said Williams was right to suggest that she had been on the receiving end of sexism by Mr Ramos, who has previously attracted the umbrage of other tennis stars, including Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.

Image:She was also fined for racket abuse

"The WTA believes there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men versus women and is committed to working with the sport to ensure that all players are treated the same," he said.

"We do not believe that this was done last night."

The US Tennis Association, which issued the fines, has not responded to the comments by Mr Simon, which were made after Novak Djokovic won the men's final against Martin del Potro.

Image:Williams asked for the judge's supervisor to intervene after the points were docked

Djokovic said he had sympathy for Williams and Osaka, who became the first Japanese player to win a grand slam, but did not agree that Mr Ramos had been sexist.

"I have my personal opinion that maybe the chair umpire should not have pushed Serena to the limit, especially in a grand slam final - he did change the course of the match," the Serb said.

"We all go through our emotions, especially when you're fighting for a grand slam trophy.

"But I don't see things as Mr Simon does. I really don't. I think men and women are treated in this way or the other way depending on the situation. It's hard to generalise things. I don't see it's necessary really to debate that."

Image:Serena Williams was tearful during the presentation

The arguments between Williams and Mr Ramos cast a shadow over the final, which ended with Osaka being booed by some of the crowd.

Williams had accused Mr Ramos of being a liar when he penalised her for cheating, saying she would rather lose than cheat to win and telling him he would "never, ever be on another court of mine".

In a press conference after the match, Williams, 36, said she was "fighting for women's rights" and for equality on the tennis court.

Image:Naomi Osaka of Japan holds the US Open trophy after beating Serena Williams

She said: "I've seen other men call other umpires several things. I'm here fighting for women's rights and for women's equality and for all kinds of stuff.

"For me to say 'thief' and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark. He's never taken a game from a man because they said 'thief'. It blows my mind."

Although she drew criticism, there were many who supported Williams, including Andy Roddick and Sue Barker.

Image:Williams said she felt there was sexism at play in the dispute

Former French Open winner Barker said: "Serena in some ways has a point in the fact that I've sat court-side watching the men ranting at umpires and (they) haven't been given a violation.

"Serena is saying the male players can say what they like to an umpire.

"Also, earlier in the tournament we saw Alize Cornet being given a code violation for changing her shirt on court.

"Then, in the same tournament, Mohamed Lahyani gets off the umpires' chair to talk to Nick Kyrgios and persuade him not to give up on a match.

"So I think they have to look at the rules of what is allowed and what isn't, because I just think he was following the rules absolutely by the book, but sometimes the book has to be re-written - you can't have one rule for some players, and some umpires don't adhere to it and allow players to get away with things."

Image:Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams hug at the end of the match

Roddick tweeted it was the "worst refereeing" he had ever seen, and Victoria Azarenka said she did not believe the same decisions would have been made in a men's match.

Billie Jean King, who won 39 grand slam titles during her career, also came to the defence of Williams.

"Several things went very wrong during the @usopen Women's Finals today," she said on Twitter.

"Coaching on every point should be allowed in tennis. It isn't, and as a result, a player was penalized for the actions of her coach. This should not happen.

"When a woman is emotional, she's "hysterical" and she's penalized for it. When a man does the same, he's "outspoken" & and there are no repercussions.

"Thank you, @serenawilliams, for calling out this double standard. More voices are needed to do the same."

Posted in:

 

• SERENA WILLIAMS

NANS splits as group returns to NUNS

The umberella body of students in the country, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has split, with the splinter group returning to the defunct National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS). 

NUNS, proscribed by the federal military government led by Olusegun Obasanjo in April 1978, was resuscitated after the election of its national executives at the Kaduna Polytechnic over the weekend.

The executives are led by Comrade Salaudeen Lukman, a student of Geology and Mineral Science from Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin.

They include Faruk Isah, vice president, National Affairs, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho; Abdulazeez Musa Alhassan, vice-president, External Affairs; Abdulazeez Musa Alhassan from Bayero University Kano.

Others are Okonkwo Collins, vice-president, special duties Uni Uli, Anambra state and Odugbemi Olohunfemi Ojotina, public relations officer, Kogi State University, among others.

The president of second republic of the NUNS, Comrade Lukman, said: “NUNS is a child of necessity to salvage a recurring problem of loss of ideology, political hijack, display of hooliganism/thuggery and mass domination of non-students in the existing apex students’ body,

“Hence we shall not deviate from the core values and principle of operation in constructive alutarism with diplomacy.”

Meanwhile the NANS has cautioned students against using the social media to spread falsehood and informationcapable of causing disaffection.

NANS national public relations officer, Bestman Okereafor, stated this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

Okereafor said students should desist from spreading false information through the social media on incidences that do not exist, as the practice was capable of endangering the relative peace being enjoyed in the country.

Place your adverts here call08168603984call08168603984.

Mass Communication student gets yam tuber, live chicken as best graduating student in Anambra University

The Best Graduating Student of Mass Communication, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Best Somadina Nwabuwa, has been honoured for his outstanding performance.

Nwabuwa who is the best graduating student of the 2018 set was honoured on Friday, September 7 at the Francis Oladele stand, on Igbariam campus of the institution.

He was given an undisclosed cash price as well as a live chicken and yam tuber which are traditional gifts.

Reacting to the award, Nwabuwa thanked the team for the honour and promised to do the department proud in the field.

Still in the mood of celebration, 10 students of the department were given awards as outstanding IT students in 2018.

Meanwhile, an inspiring photo of a senior high school graduate Theresa Frimpong had gone viral on social media. It was reported that the the young lady performed very well in the 2018 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Her picture was seen on the Facebook profile of one Charles Mogxy, who aptly captioned it: “We must commend hardwork.”

Theresa scored AI (the highest score) in seven subjects at the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination.

Place your adverts here call 08168603984,

2019:Adebayo Shittu Allegedly Shut out as Ajimobi adopts indirect primaries for Oyo APC Aspirants

Controversy has reportedly greeted the adoption of indirect primaries to pick Oyo state governorship candidate and other candidates for state and National Assemblies under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2019 general elections.

Our correspondence also reports that after two days of protracted meetings with 25 governorship aspirants under the platform of All Progressives Congress(APC) and aspirants to the state and national Assemblies, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of on Sunday, September 9, announced the option of indirect primary election to pick the party's candidates.

It was gathered that the Sunday's meeting offered a cosmetic resolution to the controversy on either the direct or indirect primary would be adopted for the party.

Though there appeared to be a consensus on the part of about 25 governorship, the minister of communications, Adebayo Shittu, who has been at loggerheads with the state governor since he became a governor kept away from the meeting.

Transview magazine reliably learnt that the minister was not invited because of an alleged anti party activities against him

It was reported that Sunday's meeting was also the climax of the party's position, though no communique was issued to the press as the governor spoke off hand with a directive that all political office holders insisting on taking part in the indirect primary must resign their appointment on Monday, September 10.

The Sunday's meeting was said to have dwelt more on candidates for states and National Assemblies election while that of Saturday, September 8, was exclusively for the 25 governorship aspirants with the exception of Adebayo Shittu who had earlier threatened that the party would lose the gubernatorial election if he was not picked.

Ajimobi, however, recalled the life time of late Ibadan politician, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and the former governor of the state, late Lam Adesina who would pick candidates for the party without any aspirant raising any eye brow.

He said that the aspirants should appreciate that he was a democrat by his choice of indirect primary which would come out with the best and unite the party for the coming elections.

It was gathered that the governorship aspirants had earlier stormed the Agodi Government House as early as 8 ‘o clock in the morning on Sunday, September 9, following the governor’s call to have a closed-door meeting with them and the party leadership in the state.

Describing the meeting as cordial, Ajimobi hinted that the meeting provided an opportunity to rub minds with the aspirants as one family in determining the fate of who would emerge as the party’s standard bearer.

He said: “It was a family meeting and spoke frankly with ourselves on the need to for unity and the progress of the party.”

“We also express appreciation to the commitment of the aspirants in galvanising the party; in expanding our horizon, in making sure that through the show of force, as they will say in the military, we have been able to establish that APC is the only party in Oyo state.

"Therefore, when you have this position, there is the tendency for people to begin to fight for offices and we now appeal to all of them that we should work as one family.

“Whatever they prefer either direct or indirect primaries or consensus, the leadership of the party is ready to accept. It is a democracy and we want to ensure that we practise democracy in the truest sense of the word.

The governor added that: “I must report back to you that we are happy about the response we got from our people (aspirants). They are very happy with us and they all agreed that we should all come together and have indirect primaries. And for me, that spirit of brotherhood was very pronounced in the meeting.

Place your adverts here call 08168603984.