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When politicians, public office holders weep in public

May 29, 2020May 28, 2020 WALE ELEGBEDE

Sights of politicians breaking down in tears in public always make the headlines. The latest in a line of politicians seen in this art while speaking in public is Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State over the taxation burden on the poor in the state. WALE ELEGBEDE chronicles other public figures that have openly expressed their emotions On a good day, Prof. Ben Ayade, the governor of Cross River State is a usually steely leader. He is bold, erudite and sophisticated. On and off his duties as governor,…

Benue: 2023 ‘unites’ Ortom, Akume

May 29, 2020May 28, 2020 Cephas Iorhemen

Cephas Iorhemen reports on the intrigues behind the purported move by Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, to reconcile with his estranged political godfather, ex-Governor George Akume Benue people are likely to witness another political drama as Governor Samuel Ortom is said to be planning to mend the broken political nexus between him and his estranged political godfather, ex-Governor George Akume. The move, sources close to the governor said is to enable him actualize his senatorial ambition after he would have served out his second term in 2023. As a…

E-voting’ll make our electoral process participatory – Okorie

May 28, 2020May 27, 2020 FELIX NWANERI

A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Chekwas Okorie, in this interview with Felix Nwaneri, speaks on the resolve by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt electronic voting from 2021 and the recent appointment of a new Chief of Staff by President Muhammadu Buhari What is your reaction to the recent disclosure by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it will adopt electronic voting from 2021? I feel vindicated and I am happy that the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has been compelled by circumstances to listen…

Umahi has taken Ebonyi beyond NBS rating – Ezeali

May 28, 2020May 27, 2020 Uchenna Inya,

Chief Ukie Ezeali is Ebonyi State Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation. In this interview with UCHENNA INYA, he speaks on the recent report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which placed Ebonyi as the 4th poorest state in Nigeria, among other issues What is your take on the recent report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report which placed Ebonyi State as the 4th poorest state in Nigeria? Politics is an all-comers game, but visionary leadership is not. When political office holders, especially…

Community policing’ll address security challenges – Akinosun

May 28, 2020May 27, 2020 TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

Mr. Dapo Akinosun, a lawyer, speaks on COVID-19 pandemic, 21 years of uninterrupted civilian administration in Nigeria, restructuring and forthcoming elections, among other issues. TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE reports What are your expectations from government and individuals in ensuring that the nation and Nigerians recover very fast from the COVID-19 pandemic? My expectation from the government is to make people sit at home. They should also try to figure out a way out of the social unrest that will come from it. It is difficult to tell people…

Plateau: I’ll reconcile Jang, Useni, others for PDP victory in 2023 – Hon. Zang

May 27, 2020 Musa Pam

The Chairmanship aspiration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Plateau State, Hon. Aminu Zang has said he would reconcile all aggrieved factions and unite with Senator Jonah David Jang, Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd) and former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu and other stakeholders to bring the party back to power in 2023. He described himself as a neutral force who desires to lead the party to power if entrusted the leadership of the party. Hon. Zang, who stated this Wednesday during a briefing with journalists in Jos, said Jang…

APC candidate for Edo guber election can’t emerge in Abuja – Obaseki’s aide

May 27, 2020 Correspondents

Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, has dismissed reports that the Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) had in a meeting in Abuja chosen a consensus candidate to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state. In a statement, Osagie said the responsibility for selecting the gubernatorial candidate for the party resides with the Edo State chapter of the APC while liaising with relevant national structure of the party, and as such a consensus…

Ize-Iyamu emerges Edo APC consensus candidate

May 27, 2020 Correspondents

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has emerged the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) faction believed to be loyal to National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Ize-Iyamu, a former Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), emerged on Tuesday night in Abuja. He is expected to slug it out with Governor Godwin Obaseki for the direct primary of the party slated for June 22. He was presented by chairman of the screening committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena, the representative of Edo North Senatorial District. Other members of the screening…

COVID-19: Reps’ quest for N15bn fund for varsities

May 27, 2020May 25, 2020 PHILIP NYAM reviews

The House of Representatives recently passed a resolution mandating the executive to institute a N15 billion emergency fund for Nigerian universities, PHILIP NYAM reviews the deliberation O ne sector, which has remained problematic in Nigeria for decades, is education. Tertiary education specifically has suffered untold setbacks since the 80’s. Incessant strikes by the various unions in Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of educations have never assuaged matters in the sector. Of course, this has adversely affected the standard of education in the country. The resolution Armed…

Power sector probe: Senate in another circus show

May 27, 2020May 25, 2020 CHUKWU DAVID reports

CHUKWU DAVID reports that the Senate has resolved to probe the utilisation of N1.532 trillion intervention fund injected into the power sector from 2013 to date as well as to look into previous investigations carried out on the sector by the National Assembly since the country’s return to civil governance in 1999 I nvestigation into issues concerning the power sector by the National Assembly has become a sessional routine. Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, several probes have been done on the sector by the country’s apex…