News Easter: Don’t give up on your country – Jonathan tells Nigerians

Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday encouraged Nigerians not to give up on the country despite its present challenges.
In an Easter message posted on his official Facebook page, Jonathan said he still expects Nigeria to overcome its challenges no matter what evil forces may do.

“Easter is a time when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who died for the sin of the world. In this season where we mark renaissance, I believe and expect Nigeria to rise and overcome her national challenges because our shared experiences are bringing us to the conclusion that no matter what the forces of evil can do, we as Nigerians, united in doing good, can and will prevail.
“I urge all Nigerians, even if we feel that we are not in a position to do much to help Nigeria to overcome, let us at least believe that she will overcome. That is a lot. That is a lot. Happy Easter,” he wrote.

OONI OF IFE SHOWERS MULTIMILLION NAIRA SCHOLARSHIP ON 270 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SOUTH WEST

270 students shortlisted from 37 secondary schools selected across the six states of the South West have become beneficiaries of a South West Educational Scholarship scheme by The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

Coordinator of the Ooni's Save Education Project Adeyanju Olaoluwa when some of the beneficiaries and their parents paid a "thank you" visit to Ooni Ogunwusi on Wednesday, at his Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife.

Olaoluwa said that the project was entirely sponsored by Ooni, as part of his landmark achievements in the last two years on the throne of his forefathers, adding that the monarch had been paying the school fees of these less privileged.

According to him, the Ooni of Ife asked him to shortlist students that were financially constraint and they were able to shortlist students from 37 schools.

The Coordinator added that 68 students had their WAEC fees paid in 23 of the schools already visited, while 14 others would be visited soon, saying Ooni should be commended for his fatherly role in the lives of these children.

He said that so many times, the royal father had compelled some politicians to come to the aids of these students with no positive result till date.

The coordinator urged NGOs, philanthropists, politicians and meaningful Nigerians to emulate Ooni in assisting the less privileged in the society.

Responding, the Ooni returned all the glory unto Almighty God, who he said gave him the opportunity to care for the needy.

The Supreme Head of Yoruba Race worldwide called on the students to be orderly, humble and respectful, adding that they should ensure that they face their studies squarely for brighter future.

The monarch recalled that he learnt shoe making when things were tough and boasted of making his shoes by himself.

He urged them never to lose hope and advised them to be ambitious, discipline, prayerful and focus for them to get to their promised land.

Mr Yemi Opawoye-Adeagbo, the Vice-Principal, Ilobu High School, Ilobu, Osun, acknowledged the traditional ruler for assisting all and sundry including the less privileged students.

Mrs. Paulina Nwachukwu, of Saint Paulina Missionary School, Lagos, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, applauded Ooni for his good gesture towards the less privileged.

N605M Scam: EFCC DRAGS AJIMOBI’S IN-LAW, HERITAGE BANK BOSS TO COURT

It’s a persistent scandal that refused to die! In what led credence to months of denial and counter denial by the parties involved, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today Wednesday 29th March, 2018 dragged the Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo before the  Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged fraud of N605,321,051.05.



It was alleged that the banker violated section 7(1) of the Bank employees laws of the Federation of Nigeria and is liable to be punished under the law.



Also joined in the charge sheet marked FHC/C/95C/18 is a son-in-law to the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Kolapo Kola-Daisi.



The Commission alleged that Sekibo committed the crime as the Managing Director of Heritage Bank  when he acquired the sum of N180M beyond his legitimate income through Greame Properties Limited, a company he owns.



Other charges also read that the Bank Chief committed other financial misdemeanour in connivance with Mr Kolapo Kola Daisi.



Sekibo was alleged to have conspired with the Governor’s son-in-law to transfer a N300M proceeds of unlawful activityinto the accounts of Hiltrans Global Investment Limited when he knew that the fund was fraudulently withdrawn from the account of Heritage Bank in Access Bank plc.



Some months ago there was a report linking the Heritage bank, Oyo State Government and Kolapo Kola Daisi in a fraudulent financial case which the bank hurriedly dismissed.



The case in court today threw light on the financial misappropriation that links the Bank MD and the Governor’s son in-law.



It was revealed that when the EFCC first picked up Kolapo Kola Daisi, the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi called back his ex Commissioner of Finance who was holidaying in Dubai to come back home and defend the young man before he talks himself into problem.



The case was adjourned.

Ayo Adebanjo to reveal all in new autobiography, ‘Telling It As It Is"

Elder statesman and one of Nigeria’s leading voices, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, is set to unveil his thought-provoking autobiography titled ‘Telling It As It Is’.

The 24-chapter book which will be launched at a symposium on Tuesday, 3 April, 2018 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos is the expression of Chief Adebanjo’s inner thoughts, experiences and the aspirations and challenges of the ‘Awoist’ philosophy.

It represents the 90th birthday celebration of the political activist and close associate of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The symposium will also feature a panel session with the former chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega; the chief executive officer of RED, Adebola Williams, and group company secretary, Bank of Industry, Saadat Aliyu.

In a statement, Chief Ayo Adebanjo explains that the book reflects stories that have been told in response to pressures and requests by contemporaries, friends, and younger Nigerians – a narrative about growing up in a world of struggles, determination, perseverance and persistence.

“I have had the grace and privilege of experiences from the past 89 years and those years have taught me lessons worth sharing. These years have taught me significant lessons; chief of which are loyalty to a leader and commitment to a cause. And for me, loyalty is not blind, even though it has been total and undiluted. The book is about a life of travails and triumphs; an admixture of failures and successes –  so no embellishments, no cover-ups, no exaggerations and superlatives, and no concoctions,” he said.

The author also explained that the book traverses several phases in the evolution and development of Nigeria, the political infrastructure in a nation struggling to establish itself, and the roles of several individuals and leaders who have been part of the country’s historic evolution.

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, one of Nigeria’s great nationalists, has been actively involved in politics since 1951 with the formation of the Action Group Youth Wing. He has dedicated his life to fighting for a better Nigeria, establishment of true federalism, and national restructuring.

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About Chief Ayo Adebanjo

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, 89, is a renowned lawyer and politician. He was born in Ijebu Ogbu Oke in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State on April 10, 1928. His parents were Chief Joel Adedairo Adebanjo and Salawatu Anomo Adebanjo. He started his education at Saint Saviours Primary School, Elegbaata in Lagos, between 1934 and 1935. From there, proceeded to Holy Trinity School, Ebute Ero in 1937. He was there till 1941 when he proceeded to Cathedral School in Lagos till 1943.



He worked in the Ministry of Health in Lagos briefly before his appointment was terminated. He also worked briefly in Ikorodu trading company under the employment of late Chief S.E Gbadamosi. From there he joined the Nigerian Tribune as a journalist under the late Olabisi Onabanjo. It was there that he was recruited into the Action Group as pioneer organizing secretary. He held the position from 1947 to 1953 when I proceeded to the United Kingdom to read Law.



He entered the Council of Legal Education and was called to the Bar in Lincocin City in 1961. He then joined Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s chambers as a practicing lawyer until the crisis of the Action Group in 1966



He then went to Ghana on exile from 1966 to 1967. Thereafter, he was released by the General Yakubu Gowon government. He then joined Chief Awolowo again to form the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). After which, he went into full legal practice. He was in the UPN mobilization group as a professional. He was made to stay in Borno State for a whole year to campaign for the party. His candidate then was Paul Bassey, who is still alive. They were together in the 2014 National Conference because he belongs to minority in the North.

NTDC Workers Stage Protest, Wants Folly Coker Fired

On Wednesday, November 29, 2017, workers of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) shut down the Abuja headquarters of the tourism agency to demand the sack of its Director-General, Mr Foluronsho Folarin Coker, fondly called Folly Coker.
The aggrieved employees of the NTDC accused the DG of high-handedness and poor welfare of workers.
They claimed he was not competent to occupy the position, calling on the Federal Government to remove him immediately.
The demonstrators carried placards conveying different messages including ‘NTDC staff not animals,’ and ‘MTDC staff says no to oppressor.’
Others are ‘DG Mr Folunrusho Coker, we are tired of your insults, we are not your slaves,’ ‘Coker, give us our job, we want to work,’ ‘Coker needs management training,’ ‘Coker, stop all impunity and financial recklessness in NTDC,’ ‘NTDC staff are not animals, treat us like human beings,’ ‘Special assistant is not a full time employment,’ ‘Let the staff work, what kind of a leader is Coker,’ ‘Seven months after assumption of duty, no meeting with staff,’ ‘Coker said Buhari has not been able to achieve anything in two years and so NTDC staff should not expect him to do magic,’ ‘Folunrunsho Coker lacks human relations, he is a bully,’ ‘PMB, as a matter of urgency, should sack Foluronsho Coker,’ ‘Only Coker attends foreign exhibition,’ among others.
They noted that Mr Coker set up a project unit which is not part of the NTDC nomenclature, but a conduit pipe to syphon money out of the NTDC.
The workers lamented that the DG has not been able to achieve anything since taking over NTDC barely eight months ago.
They expressed disappointment over what they called his poor leadership style and lack of respect for the workers.
Meanwhile, the management of NTDC has promised to respond appropriately to all the issues raised by the workers.
In recent years, NTDC has been dogged by controversies, staff protests and low workers’ morale, occasioned by poor leadership style, which started with Sally Mbanefo, the immediate past DG.
Stakeholders in the industry had a high expectation that Mr Coker will re-position NTDC by taking the corporation to a higher height, but with the recent protest by the workers, all that may now seem to be a mirage.
Mr Coker was appointed about seven months ago to help revive the dwindling fortunes of the Nigerian tourism industry, having served briefly in the same capacity as a Commissioner for Tourism and culture in Lagos state, where he was removed unceremoniously.

Boundary Dispute: Oyo, Ogun Govts Call For Peace

The governments of Oyo and Ogun States have appealed to the affected local government councils and respective traditional institutions of border communities to continue to ensure peaceful co-existence amongst themselves pending the conclusion of actions on the interstate boundary.

The two governments made the appeal in a communiqué issued at the end of a joint meeting of officials of Oyo/Ogun Interstate boundary held in Ibadan last week.

The communiqué signed by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State who was represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, DR. Olumide Ayeni and the Director, Internal Boundaries, Surv. Adamu A. Adaji assured that the two state governments will investigate the reported incidences of vandalization of the boundary pillars at the Bakatari and Eruwa sectors and take appropriate action to ensure continued peace.

The communiqué noted that the National Boundary Commission and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the federation together with the Surveyors-General and Attorneys-General of the two states to examine amongst others the discrepancies not later than the first quarter of 2018.

It stated that the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation shall ascertain the work done so far on the boundary and the required pillars of the remaining sector for possible award of contract by the Federal Government.

The communiqué also stressed that the Joint Technical Committee would be encouraged to have regular bilateral meetings to discuss issues relating to the boundary and douse tension to ensure continued peace amongst the border communities and report their findings submitted to National Boundary Commission.

Who Will Save Folly Coker From Gov Ambode? (unveiling the many wars between Tinubu’s godsons

There is no love lost between the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode and the frontman of NTDC, Mr Folly Coker.
As much as the duo who had loved to conceal the hatred for each other, their difference has deepened to the point that the politicians are tearing at each other at any given opportunity.
Those in the know claimed the two Lagos politicians who ere both proteges of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu have had been at each other’s throat for a long time.
Sources revealed that Governor Ambode had long had the opinion that Folly Coker had been using his closeness to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to secure appointments.
He was said to have officially lamented to confidant how Folly was imposed on him and he had to show evidence of his recklessness to Tinubu before he got the approval to sack him from his cabinet.
Folly was said to have taken the sack personal and had since been a critic of all the policies of the Lagos State government before he was later appointed the boss of the NTDC.
The feud deepened when Lagos State published an advertorial in the papers with claims that the government had succeeded in flushing out all the bad eggs in Ambode’s government.
The Lagos State government was also alleged to have sponsored the recent protest by some NTDC staffers who demonstrated and asked for the sack of Folly Coker as their Director General.
Folly was said to have reported to Tinubu, but he met a brickwall as the top politician told him his issue with Governor Ambode was a personal one he should be able to handle.
Folly was said to have fought back and he was alleged to be the sponsor of an incident where a lady claimed she was raped at the Lagos carnival by officials of the event.
Folly claimed the One Lagos project was his initiative and he wasn’t happy the State continues the project after his sack.
Sources revealed that the owner of the Browns cafe is about launching a counter project named ‘ONE NIGERIA’ to counter the Lagos State project.
It was also said that the war had spread amongst the aides of the two gladiators.
An encounter played out at this year’s Nottinghill Carnival in London where he Lagos State’s Commissioner of Information, Steve Ayorinde prevented the recognition of the NTDC boss, Folly Coker at the event.