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The General Overseer, The God's Glory Evangelical Ministry, Pastor Michael Agboola presesting certificate to Mrs Eunice Kemi Akinbo after she was ordained as Matron of the church. With them is her husband, Alhaji Sikiru Akinbo at Ilupeju Iloye Community, Sango Ota.

Mayor of Banjul launches REFELA in Gambia

The Mayor of Banjul, a large state in the country of Gambia was a washed with the generosity and benevolence of Rohey Lowe who recently launched the Gambian faction of REFELA, a network of women elected officials of substantial and local governments in Africa. 

According to Mayor Lowe, she is interested in the growth of women and the encouragement of the womenfolk to develop themselves globally. 

REFELA was founded in 2005 in South Africa for the reunification of three continental groups of local governments.

According to reports available to us, REFELA is the African section of the world organization, UCLG Africa with a membership of 44 national associations of local governments from all regions of Africa as well as 2000 cities that have more than 100,000 inhabitants.

Mayor Lowe emphasized further that the unification of African women is very necessary and will help propel the continent to the highest level in the nearest future. In records, REFELA has now become a fundamental part of UCLG Africa and represents locally elected women officials within the global women’s Commission of United Cities and Local Governments that is the UCLG. The highly revered Mayor of Bajul, Lowe further emphasized that the launch will mark a turning point in the aspiration of Gambian women in all areas of development and explained that REFELA is a women platform under the United Cities of Local Governments of Africa (UCLG) which is the umbrella organization and the united voice representing local governments in Africa. Mayor Lowe also stressed that the campaign to better the lives of women as advocated by REFELA took a very positive turn through her election as the first woman mayor of the Gambia’s capital city of Banjul.

In her further statement, Mayor Lowe expressed that the campaign to better the lives of women as advocated by REFELA took a very positive turn through her election as the first woman mayor of the capital city of Banjul. She then said that the situation is more challenging for rural women without active participation in the electoral processes because it will get worse. She admonished women that they should know that they constitute more than half of the country’s population and additionally they offer more than 54% of election and yet, they lack representation.

The Mayor also used the opportunity to call on Gambia’s women to get prepared for the 2021 election noting that she is ready to work with the women in actualizing that dream. She also urged women not to campaign and cheer the male folk but to focus on progressing the female contestant.

It could be recalled that the African section of the world organization of UCLG Africa has a membership of 44 national associations of local governments from all regions of the continent as well as 2000 cities that have more than 100,000 inhabitants. There is no doubting the fact that REFELA has now become a fundamental part of UCLG Africa and represents locally elected women officials within the global Women’s Commission of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG Women).

 

 

 

 

Buhari presents 2020 Budget to Legislature

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday presented the budget for the 2020 fiscal year to the joint session of the National Assembly (NASS).

The President while presenting the Budget described it as a budget of Fiscal Consolidation to strengthen Nigeria’s macroeconomic environment to be invested in critical infrastructure.

President Buhari said the 2020 budget is based on new VAT rate. The increased revenues will be used to fund education, health, and infrastructure.

The budget proposal was prepared based on the following assumptions: Benchmark of $57 per barrel, daily oil 1.86million barrel per day,

Unlike the previous year where the president was interrupted intermittently by lawmakers with jeers and cheers, he was given a warm reception by the lawmakers as given a rousing applause at the end of the budget presentation.

Public opinion supports impeachment inquiry against Trump, says U.S House Speaker, Pelosi

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said yesterday (Saturday)  that public opinion is now on the side of an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump following the release of new information about his conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski

Pelosi this week announced her support for an investigation after the surfacing of a whistleblower complaint that said Trump appeared to solicit a political favour from Ukraine’s president aimed at helping him be re-elected next year.

Pelosi for months took a cautious approach in weighing the calls of other Democratic House members to launch impeachment proceedings against Trump, which grew louder after former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testified on July 24 about his probe of Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election.  

“In the public, the tide has completely changed; it could change now - who knows - but right now after seeing the complaint and the IG (Inspector General) report and the cavalier attitude the administration had towards it, the American people are coming to a different decision,” Pelosi said at a journalism event hosted by the Texas Tribune news website.

She added that her resistance to holding an impeachment inquiry quickly evolved from urging that fellow Democrats remain cautious of the political fallout ahead of next year’s elections to full steam ahead as details emerged of Trump’s dealings with Ukraine’s leader.

“A president of the United States would withhold military assistance paid for by taxpayers to shake down the leader of another country unless he did him a political favor - that is so, so clear,” Pelosi said.

In a July 25 telephone call between Trump and Zelenskiy, the U.S. leader asked his counterpart to launch an investigation of Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, who had served on the board of a Ukrainian energy company.

Both Bidens have denied any wrongdoing.

Trump has blasted the impeachment inquiry, arguing that he did nothing wrong and accusing Democrats of launching a politically motivated “witch hunt.”

Lawmakers in the Democratic-led House of Representatives are investigating concerns that Trump’s actions have jeopardized national security and the integrity of U.S. elections.

The impeachment inquiry has cast a new pall over Trump’s presidency just months after he emerged from the shadow cast by Mueller’s investigation.

“If the facts are persuasive to the American people, they may be to some Republicans,” Pelosi said during the event.

Pelosi would not forecast how long it may take for the House to complete any possible impeachment proceedings against Trump.

“It will take as long as the Intelligence Committee needs to follow all the facts,” she said.

Several Democratic presidential candidates attended the three-day event in Austin, including Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Representative Beto O’Rourke, Senator Amy Klobuchar and former Housing Secretary Julian Castro, all of whom agreed with Pelosi that the campaign to push Trump from office must focus on policies and not impeachment.

While some polls have shown Americans are split on supporting impeachment, Castro, who served under former President Barack Obama, said he thinks the public will increasingly back the inquiry.

“Like in Watergate, after more evidence gets out there ... you’ll see more people of different political stripes start to support it,” Castro said at the event, referring to moves in 1974 to impeach former President Richard Nixon.

Nixon resigned before impeachment proceedings were launched.

 

@Reuters. 

Nigeria bans group from feeding terrorists such as Boko Haram

Nigeria’s army has ordered for the closure of the offices of non-profit Action Against Hunger, accusing it on Thursday of aiding terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State.

The international aid agency said it was ordered to close its main office in Maiduguri, Borno state, on Wednesday.

Colonel Ado Isa, the deputy director of army public relations, said Action Against Hunger was warned several times that it was “aiding and abetting terrorists” by supplying food and drugs.

“Consequently, the AAH has been declared persona (non) grata,” Isa said.

The humanitarian group, which focuses on providing water, food and healthcare, particularly in areas plagued by conflict and famine, called on “competent authorities” to let it continue its work.

“This decision, without notice and without any explanation, jeopardizes the assistance Action Against Hunger provides to the most vulnerable people in Borno State and halts, with immediate effect, the assistance Action Against Hunger provides to millions of people in Maiduguri, Monguno, and Damasak,” the group said in a statement.

In July, an Action Against Hunger staff member and five others traveling with her were kidnapped by Islamic State’s West Africa branch.

In total, around 30,000 people have been killed, and more than two million forced to flee their homes, in the decade-long insurgency led by Islamist militant group Boko Haram. Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) split from Boko Haram in 2016.

The United Nations has said that 7.1 million people still need humanitarian assistance in the region.

Coup Attempt Foils in Ghana

Ghana’s information ministry on Monday said security operatives had foiled a coup plot, and arrested the masterminds.

In a brief statement Ghana’s government said the plot that was targeting the presidency, had “the ultimate aim of destabilising the country”.Twitter Ads info and privacy

The statement added that government had monitored activities of the plotters for 15 months, culminating in the arrest of three plotters and seizure of weapons last Friday.

What was being plotted

According to the Ghanaian government, a group known as Take Action Ghana (TAG), was working to recruit and radicalise a base of young people against the political authorities, under the guise of “nation-building”.

The government statement said it had arrested the group’s leaders, identified as Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, Ezor Kafui and Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu.

The government claims the group was plotting with serving military officials procure weapons, take over key installations and secure funding, with an aim of taking over government.

What was recovered

During the seizure, overnment says it was able to recover a stash of weapons including, six pistols, three smoke grenades, 22 IEDs, two AK47 magazines, computer equipment and one long knife.

Ghanaians react

News of the coup plot has been met with mixed reactions as some Ghanaians doubted the capacity of the arrested individuals could pull off such a mission, and others condemned any non-democratic means of changing government.

Ghana’s president Nana Afuko-Addo was elected in 2016, and will be seeking a second term next year.

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US: House Democrats begins President Trump's impeachment investigation

(Reuters)Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives plunge into a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump on Wednesday,(today) a move that could dramatically change the 2020 presidential race.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had for months resisted calls inside her party for Trump’s impeachment, announced her decision after meeting with members of her party on Tuesday.

In a brief, nationally televised statement, Pelosi accused Trump of seeking Ukraine’s help to smear Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election.

She described the Republican president’s behavior as a “betrayal of his oath of office, betrayal of our national security and betrayal of the integrity of our elections.”

Trump fired back quickly on Twitter, calling the inquiry “Witch Hunt garbage.”

Even if the Democratic-controlled House ultimately voted to impeach Trump, it is unlikely to lead to his removal from office. Republicans hold a slim majority in the Senate, where an impeachment ruling would need a two-thirds majority to pass.

But the process could damage the president’s image as he vies for re-election, with only about 45% of Americans approving of his performance as president, especially if damaging information comes out during public hearings.

It could also boost Trump if Americans believe Democrats are unfairly targeting the president.

The S&P 500 closed down 0.84% on Tuesday, hurt partly by the anticipation of Pelosi’s announcement, and Asian shares were weaker on Wednesday because of the possibility of political uncertainty in the world’s largest economy. The dollar nursed losses against most major currencies.

Pelosi’s change of heart followed reports that Trump had pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July 25 telephone call to investigate Biden, the former U.S. vice president, and his son Hunter, who had worked for a company drilling for gas in Ukraine.

Trump has admitted that he discussed Biden and his son in the call, but denied putting any pressure on the Ukrainian leader despite his administration’s withholding of nearly $400 million in military aid approved for Kiev by Congress.

Support from House members for impeachment has surged in recent days, fueled by anger over the Trump administration’s refusal to comply with a law requiring the release of a whistleblower’s complaint over the discussions with Ukraine.

Democratic Rep. John Yarmuth said that when Pelosi mentioned her phone call with Trump today, she said Trump had told her that “he’d like to figure this out,” and Pelosi responded to Trump by saying, “Tell your people to obey the law.”

The U.S. Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday, with no objections from Trump’s fellow Republicans, for a resolution calling for the whistleblower’s report to be sent to Congress.

The House is due to vote on a similar non-binding resolution on Wednesday.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announces the House of Representatives will launch a formal inquiry to investigate whether to impeach U.S. President Donald Trump following a closed House Democratic caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., September 24, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin LamarqueREPUBLICAN SUPPORT

The White House had refused to hand over the whistleblower’s complaint to Congress but an administration official said late on Tuesday it was now preparing to release it by the end of the week and would most likely allow the whistleblower to meet with congressional investigators.

Trump’s approval among Republicans remains strong. A Sept. 16-20 Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 82% of registered Republicans approved of his job performance.

Kevin McCarthy, the party’s leader in the House, accused Democrats of seeking to overturn the 2016 election. “This is all about politics. Not about facts,” he said.

Pelosi had considered creating a select committee to lead the impeachment inquiry, but instead opted to rely on the House Judiciary, Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and other committees already conducting probes of the Trump administration.

Those investigations will continue and committee leaders will decide whether to hold public hearings.

Separately, Trump announced on Twitter on Tuesday that he would release a transcript of his telephone call with Zelenskiy.House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said his panel was communicating with an attorney representing the whistleblower and that the individual would like to testify this week.

There will be a burst of hearings this week but lawmakers then leave Washington for two weeks and will not return until after the Oct. 14 Columbus Day holiday.

Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Susan Cornwell, Richard Cowan and David Morgan in Washington and Steve Holland at the United Nations; editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan

OPC NATIONAL COORDINATOR COMMENDS YORUBA MONARCHS... Berates division amongst Afenifere

Monarchs in Yoruba land have been commended their coming together in the defence of the race in the face of safety and security threats.

The commendation was given by the National Coordinator of Oodua People's Congress (OPC), Comrade Odunayo Ogunmoye at the weekend after the inauguration of the new national executive council members by the Worldwide President of the Congress, Prince Osibote Oodua in Lagos.

Comrade Odunayo urged the Obas and other Royal fothers to continue to forge ahead with unity of purpose in the defence of the interest of the race at home and in the diaspora.

In defending the race, he admonished them not to play politics with their esteemed position and speak with one voice, unlike members of Afenifere who are neck deep in politics and betrayed the cause of the race.

Comrade Odunayo said:" This is  why we call them 'Afenifapo'  for self aggrandizement and not for the positive development of the Yoruba race".

 He said it was a shame that the once united and vibrant Afenifere could  descend and get divided into factions due to politics.

He noted that while other ethnic groups in the country like Arewa, O'haneze Ndigbo and many others remained focused and undivided, asking:" Why is Afenifere, who called themselves the voice of Yoruba race disgracing themselves ? This is not to cast aspersion on members of the group, but to say the truth as it is".

Comrade Odunayo reminiscensce that when late Abraham Adesanya and Pa Adekunle Ajasin were alive, Afenifere was united and spoke with one voice and urged the present Afenifere to come together like the founding fathers and speak with one voice and also shun politics.

He noted that in 2015, a faction of Afenifere supported ex-president Goodluck Jonathan and kept quiet about what they benefited nor their mission and that Goodluck and his party won in Ekiti State due to the division and the influence of Ago Fayose on a faction of Afenifere.

In 2019, he added they were further divided with a faction supporting Atiku Abubakar and the other siding with President Buhari and forgetting that are not politicians.

To further showcase the deep seated division amongst the Afenifere, he said recently Professor Akintoye was proclaimed the leader of Yoruba, three days after, the other faction disagreed with the choice. 

It was the united Afenifere spoke with one voice some years ago which gave "birth" to NADECO, OPC and AD, even if some powerful people connived and hijacked the AD and infiltrated OPC.

Comrade Odunayo concluded: " See how Yoruba Monarchs are cooperating to fight for the cause of the race. A word is enough for the wise".

OPC President, Prince Osibote inaugurate a new 24-Member National Executive Council

Story by Latest Lawal-

The President of Oodua People's Congress (OPC), Prince Osibote O'odua has constituted a new 24-member National Executive Council to administer the organization.

In addition, all the States Executive Council and all the Local Government

Councils have equally been dissolved.

Prince Osibote made this known at a briefing of selected members of OPC from the Southwest and the North.

He listed the new National Executives headed by him as President as follows:

Alhaji Abdulsalam Ambali-National Leader; Comrade Odunayo Ogunmoye- National Coordinator; Alhaji Lateef Lawal- National Secretary General; Alhaji Mudashiru Adeniji-" Eni Olorunda"- National Organising; Comrade Ademola Balogun (aka Arojah) General Officer Commanding (GOC); Alhaji Kazeem Lawal- Public Relations Officer; Comrade Olojongbodu Waheed-National Treasurer and Kazeem Aiyemojuba- Second General Secretary.

Others are: Comrade Kamoru Olamoyegun; Shehu Tijani- Head of Protocol; Comrade Mutiu Adegboye- National Monitoring Commander; Adebayo Olanrewaju- Auditor General; Ajagunna Adeshina- Chief Whip; Ajayi Oludare- Assistant Treasurer; Comrade Sunday Fatula- Special Adviser on Mobilisation; Mrs Taiwo Adeaga- National Welfare; Mrs Sherifat Lawal- National Women Leader and Mrs Oluremi Omotayo- Second Welfare.

The OPC President, Prince Osibote also appointed four National Governing Council Members. They are Comrade Ariyo Abdulrafiu, Comrade Oseni Sikiru Alabi, Alhaja Musimatu Musa and Mrs Toyin Surutu while Comrade Ishaq Olorunkemi is the Northern Region Coordinator.

While addressing the new executives and members present at the Century Hotel, Okota in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government area, Lagos, Prince Osibote said the inauguration of the new national executive officers of OPC " marks a watershed in the annals of the great platform for the Yoruba nationality in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. It denotes a new chapter in the copious and rich past of a race with famed nobility, service and wisdom ".

He added :" Accordingly, this inauguration comes with a very huge responsibility on the shoulders of all of us and an obligation to exhibit the minimum standard of behavior and conduct of the typical Yoruba in all circumstances and places". 

Prince Osibote further charged the new executives to: " As a people known for patriotism, discipline, bravery and honesty, it behoves on each and every one of us to lead by example, as well as showcase the zeal of enterprise and hard work that complement the virtuous character of the Yoruba".

" Because we are an ethnic nationality with an immense sense of history, other ethnic groups, nationalities and race look on to the Yoruba for pacesetting and progressive agenda. So, we have been handed over the banner of sustaining the spirit behind the acknowledging the Yoruba as the number one in progressive ideas and ideals. Note that the OPC was establish based on that vision. We owe the human race the enormous duty of protecting and upholding strongly that vision"

" In as much as I want to congratulate all of us for having the rare privilege to lead the Yoruba as pathfinders now, you must realize that there are thousands of others, who are eminently qualified, competent and pious that serve in similar capacities. You are torchbearers. You must show the way".

Prince Osibote further charged them to see themselves ad having the privilege and honour to be counted and selected to lead at this period in the chequered history of the OPC, adding:" You must therefore carve a nich for yourself individually and collectively as having served diligently, conscientiously and faithfully our great people of Yorubaland when you were given the rare opportunity.

He concluded: " I implore you to display integrity; be men and women of honour. We should not be carried away by the spur of the moment. We should not deviate or allowed to be distracted by scoundrels from the vision of the founding father of the OPC, Dr Frederick Fasehun".

Gani Adams & other interlopers cannot honour Dr Fasehun who they rebel against till death.

Full text of the President-General of Oodua People's Congress on the illegal activities of Gani Adams and other interlopers who are dancing on the grave of the founder and late President of OPC, Dr Frederick Isiotan Fasehun to the media on Wednesday, 28,August, 2019

Good morning distinguished gentlemen of the press, esteemed guests and my fellow dedicated OPC members. I welcome you all to this press briefing.

I would like to start by paying special tribute and eulogies to our inimitable founder, father figure and enigma, Dr. Fasehun iseotan Fasehun.

I am proud that as a people, we celebrate this visionary leader, charismatic, quintessential democrat, pathfinder, philanthropist and author everyday of our being. 

He lives on with his unimpeachable legacies of service to mankind, Spartan lifestyle, erudition and philosophy, coupled with his indelible footprints on ancestral annals and nation building. He was a rare star in the sky of the Yoruba Nation.

A man with a humble beginning, Dr. Fasehun rose to the zenith of every endeavor by a dint of hard work, resilience and devotion. As a student, he showed and twinkled like the little star in the sky. 

As a politician, Dr Fredrick Fasehun towered above his peers and contemporaries. As a statesman, he never waived nor hesitated to speak the truth to the authorities even at the risk of his life.

As a professional, he carved a niche for himself and demonstrated capacity to break new grounds and set a good example.

As a philanthropist, Dr Fasehun set the precept, touching lives of the high and low; the strong and the weak, the rich and the poor; artisans, traders, farmers, children, students and other proletariats.

As a labour leader, he was totally uncompromising on the welfare and wellbeing of workers. His record in that regard remains unassailable in the public space. As an activist, he was conscientious, steadfast and undiluted in his ideological battle and direction.

In some situation, he had to pay the price in various shades and shapes. As an ideologue, he championed the crusade that the people must take ownership of their common patrimony, dispensed it for the common good of everybody.

As a leader, Dr. Fasehun was neither assuaged nor persuaded by privilege to promote a class culture or elitism; rather, he was detribalized, dispensing favour to the man on the street and taking the battle against injustice to the doorsteps of oppressors, bigots and fascists.

Perhaps, his most striking feature as a Yoruba man was that he was passionate about the pioneering spirit of the Yoruba, their rich cultural heritage, and penchant for industry.

OPC as mustard seed

History was made 25 years ago; Precisely, tomorrow, August 29, 1994 when Dr. Fasehun founded Oodua Peoples Congress. 

The OPC, founded like the Biblical mustard seed has today grown into an oak tree. He was clear in his vision, mission and how to nurture it to an institution that will outlive generations yet unborn.

Like any good and great institution with well-defined purpose, direction and aim, the OPC had its own share of human frailties; but it rose gingerly to such challenges and remained focused on its primary ideals and goal of articulating, projecting, and defending the interest of the Yoruba Nation in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

Till date, the OPC under my watch and leadership remains constant, unshaken and unwavering in devious manipulations of the Fifth Columnists, who like serpents, vampires and hyenas are constantly trying to undermine the rights and will of the Yoruba nation.

Interlopers on the prowl

Emphatically, nothing can ever bring down OPC because it is an institution anchored on the Yoruba nation as the pillars.  It was conceived in truth, delivered on truth and nurtured by truth. It is an establishment whose ownership is hinged on the people.

The OPC has no room for imposters. The OPC has no place for the feeble minded who will claim to be a servant of the people in the day but would collude with vampires and hyenas in the night to undermine the interest of the Yoruba Nation.

A bunch of interlopers are on the prowl again. They are desperate to reap where they never sowed. Like land grabbers, they are effortlessly trying to deface history books, dishing out tissues of lies from the pit of hell. 

They are fabricating lies on the story of the birth and dramatis personae behind the OPC.

When Fasehun toiled to found OPC, he was dehumanized and almost killed by agents of the state for insisting on the rights of the Yoruba. 

Where were these vampires and locusts currently bent on appropriating OPC for selfish and myopic reasons?

While the founder was hounded and caged in Ikoyi prison in a grand design to weaken, damage and break his soul and flesh through solitary confinement; where were these usurpers and traitors?  

When Dr. Fasehun faced the worst humiliation by a fascist regime that consigned him to the dark alley of the wizards and witches of the Ikoyi cemetery, where were these crooks bent on appropriating vision and legacy bequeathed to the Yoruba and posterity? 

Why did they stabbed him in the back and tried vainly to destroy his resolve to fight for the people and preserve their integrity?

We have resolved and agreed to take OPC back to the people through a sweeping, well calculated and deliberate restructuring to make it bolster, stronger and better for its primary goal. 

This resolve should not be taken for granted and perceived as a sign of weakness. That we have resolved to preserve the legacy of cultured behaviour of discipline and the principle of Omoluabi should not be regarded as a sign of lack of capacity, ability and capability to bite where and when necessary.

We remain law-abiding people and not vagabonds and gangsters notorious for subterfuge and intellectual theft and roguery. It is time to say it how it is, having resolved to chase out these vampires and hyenas and maggots desperate to appropriate the OPC, twist history, feed the public with falsehood and lies from the pit of hell because Fasehun is no longer with us in flesh and body.

They have forgotten that the dogged fighter remains with us in spirit. They have easily forgotten that Fasehun only transited and is watching patiently those who would want to come and dance on his earthly grave after they failed to kill the dream that has grown to an institution.

For the purpose of emphasis, I state without equivocation, that nobody can turn, obliterate and twist the history of the formation, journey from the cradle to grace and the real dramatis personae of OPC. 

OPC is one and united on the cardinal goal and dream of the visioner and founder. OPC is under one structure; it has neither splinter group nor any other leadership structure than I represent and lead.

Any other one is fake, imaginary, imposturous and delusionary. If they desire institutions similar to the status and pedigree of the OPC, let them adopt a different nomenclature and embrace the Spartan lifestyle of Dr. Fasehun and the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo that enabled them to carve a niche for themselves, in place of trying to turn logic on its head. I repeat, we have laid our hands on the plough; we are not going to look back. 

Those planning to test our will and resolve to stick to the ideals and goals of OPC from inception should quickly have a rethink. They should retrace their steps.  They should go back to the gutter where they belong because we will hit the iron when it is hot.

Enough is enough; nobody should taunt the OPC because he is seeking a credible platform to wet his gluttonous appetite and drive.

All serpents and vampires and hyenas must leave OPC alone. If they think they can appropriate OPC because Fasehun is no longer with the Yoruba physical, they better have a rethink.

All available records since the inception of the OPC strongly corroborate the painstaking account given by Dr. Fasehun on the chequered history of the organization.  In one of his books titled: “OPC: our history, our mission”, Dr. Fasehun states on pages 13 and 14, “August 29, 1994. Venue was a flat on the first floor of a two-story building. No. 110 Palm Avenue in the Mushin area of Lagos. 

This rented apartment had housed a company called Health Vouchers. A limited liability company, Health Vouchers had been owned by me. It was in this office that I invited three people---two men and one woman. All three were notable grassroots mobilisers in the area

They bought my idea of an organization to be called the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), dedicated to salvaging our race from the cesspool disgrace into which the annulment of June 12 had collectively cast the children of Ooduduwa.

The period of mourning of our indefatigable founder will soon be over. Even though he has fully immortalized, the process of broadening the scope of his prestige and honour is at pace.

It bewilders us that a child who did recognize his father while he was alive and does not know the tombstone will want to rise to celebrate him. We must be conscious of the consequences of desecrating the dead.

Nobody can delude the Yoruba people with hypocritical honourary award after such individual and his coterie of jesters had despised, abused and attempted to kill the man and his lofty dream of restoring the dignity of a race famous for valour and setting the pace and records in all human endeavours. Nigerians should discountenance such deceitful honourary gesture. It is another Greek gift.

Thank you for coming.  Ooduduwa a gbewa o, ase !

Signed: Aare Prince OSIBOTE

National President General,

Oodua People's Congress

(OPC).

PDP BREAKS UP IN BAYELSA STATE.....OVER 2000 DEFECTS TO APC

The PDP in Bayelsa is bleeding currently. A founding member and 2500 others just flocked out of the party to join in the APC as the state gets ready for its guber election.

Hon. Waribugo Worikuma led the defecting members of the party from Nembe Constituency 3 to the APC.

The defecting PDP members said one of the major reasons why they were defecting was the inability of the ruling party to include youths of the state in its programmes and policies.

The PDP leaders in the state hve been at war over presenting candidates.

While former President Goodluck Jonathan wants his man Timi Alaibe, a former NDDC  boss and perennial contestant, to get the party ticket, Gov Seriake Dickson want somebody from within his government.

And the governor’s camp has insisted on letting Jonathan know Dickson conrols the party.

But Waribugo made a case for young blood, while presenting aggrieved members to the state Chairman of the party, Hon. Jothan Amos, on Wednesday at the APC secretariat in Yenagoa.

‘We are in APC today because of their believe in the youths, but in PDP the only believe is rotating the older people in position of power and that is why the state has remained backward, Waribugo.

“Our future was almost lost but thank God we have follow the glory to this great and progressive party. We are influential and that is the reason we always trouble this party during elections but now we will use it to the advantage of the APC.

“We are not here to deceive anybody, our body and soul is here now, and we want to assure the progressive family that the take over mission has started.”

Responding, the state chairman, Hon. Jothan Amos commended them for their courage in joining the progressive party rather than the party where everyone is self-centred.

He disclosed that a later date will be announced for the public ceremony for more defectors, adding that other major stakeholders in the PDP will soon decamp to the party.

In his brief remark, Hon. Orusakwe Aseimiegha said this marks another milestone in the pursuit to dislodge the draconian government in the state, adding that another reason is the poverty and darkness that has taken over the state.

He said the strategy to actualise the political missionary mission will be persuasion, adding that there’s need for every Bayelsan to tell other members of the party of the takeover campaign.

@N/Agency.

Over 6,000 Nigerian are languishing in various detention cells in South Africa over crimes

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Kabir Bala, has said that over 6,000 Nigerians were being investigated for various crimes in the country.

Bala disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview with Channels Television in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He explained that the crimes range from drug-related offences to murder, fraud and armed robbery.

Noting that the statistics were from the South African Police Service, the envoy said: “We have to look at it from a proper perspective so that we don’t tilt the balance. And then we overlook the fact that some of our nationals engage in things that are not legal here.

“We have 6,089 of them having cases that are being concluded or investigated and some of them in prison, we have them.”

The diplomat, however, explained that the accused persons, whether Nigerians or other nationals, have the right to fair trial before being convicted if found guilty in line with the laws.

Quincy Ayodele, Amb. Ashabi, K1 De Ultimate Endorse The 2nd Edition Of High Celebrity Squard Int. Magazine

When Abdul-Quadri Olowolagba sets out to publish the High Celebrity Squard Magazine in addition to his media outfit years back, he thought the journey would be so tough and somehow rough to venture into. 

He, however took it as a responsibility to start as a young man and stand firm on his own in the pursuit of climbing the ladder of success in life.

 

Although, the journey was not filled with roses nor the road painted in golden colours, Quadri has to go through thick and thin in realizing his ultimate goals of being one of Nigeria’s youngest and most sought-after media practitioners in town. 

As a man with passion for journalism and a professional multi-media practitioner, Quadri began what is today one of the countries widely read, highly circulated, educative and enthralling celebrity journals, the High Celebrity Squard Magazine which entered its second edition. 

The beautifully and graphically designed magazine with colorful illustrations was recently endorsed by top Nigerian celebrities and dignitaries. 

Top on the list of these successful humans are the founder and Chairman of Quincy Herbal Products International, Chief Mrs. Quincy Ayodele, Yoruba cultural ambassador (Asoju Asa-Ile Oodua), Amb. Morounranti Ashabi and King of Fuji Music K1 De Ultimate who endorsed and launched the magazine at the recently.

 

It was indeed fascinating and reminiscing moments for the young and upwardly mobile publisher and media entrepreneur who is a friend to top Nigerian celebrities due to his hardwork, transparency and loyalty to all and sundry. 

The High Celebrity Squard Magazine is already making waves in the events coverage arm of the Nigerian prints industry and a market leader cum readers’ favorite of all times.

 

Airport Car Hire Driver returns $24,000 forgotten in his car by a passenger

One of the drivers of Airport Car Hire Association of Nigeria (ACHAN), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Mr. Adeniyi Olayinka has returned a sum of N888, 000 and an international passport forgotten by a passenger in his car to the owner.

Olayinka told journalists at the airport that he discovered the items in an envelope left behind by the passenger on the back seat of the car shortly after he returned to the airport from Ibese Ikorodu, destination of the passenger.

The driver who doesn’t have a car of his own, but works as commissioned driver to another member of the association, said it never crossed his mind to covert another person’s belonging to his, because it would put another family in sorrow and it is against the orientation given to every member of ACHAN in the airport.

 “Though it could be tempting to some people to see such money and pocket it,  especially when their income is very poor. As for me, it never crossed my mind to do so. Because it would create sorrow in another family and also such idea is against the orientation we are
given at ACHAN by our leaders,” he said.

Explaining how he found the money and the passport, Adeniyi who has been operating in the airport for fifteen years said: “At about 1:30 am on Monday  I met  this passenger on arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. I negotiated with him and we agreed on N6000 to transport him to his destination at Ikorodu. I returned to the airport immediately I dropped him at his house. But no sooner I arrived and parked my car at the airport I discovered that an enveloped had been left behind on the back seat of my car. I picked
the envelope and opened it. What I saw was his international passport.
I looked further into the envelope and discovered there was another
white envelope inside. I opened the second envelope only to discover that something was wrapped in it. When I removed the wrapper I discovered it contained mint fresh notes of US currency. They were in $100 denomination. I counted and they were 24 in number totaling $2,400.  When converted at prevailing rate of N370 as at Monday morning, it amounted to N888, 000. Based on the orientation and instructions we received from the leadership of ACHAN on weekly basis, I reported the findings to the officer on duty at the arrival car park of the airport. I was instructed to drop the parcel and its contents at our secretariat at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Since I didn’t have the passenger’s phone contact, I had to go to his the place where I dropped him to inform him or his family member of the discovery. But by the time I got to the passenger’s home at Ibese - Ikorodu, I was told he had returned to the airport to look for the lost parcel. As I was leaving the house in Ikorodu, I got the call from our secretariat that the passenger was already in the airport to
report the loss”.

Speaking on the recovery, the passenger, Engr. Dele Ayeni who said he was a living testimony to the advantages of taking cabs from registered point at airports, believed "there is hope for Nigeria in many ways."

" I arrived Lagos, Nigeria from Cairo on July 29, 2019 at about 1:30 am on Monday. My intention when I arrived was to call an Uber operator to
pick me home as soon as step out of the terminal building. But as I was coming out of the terminal, I met this polite driver who agreed to
take me to my destination at Ikorodu at an agreed price of N6000. While on the way, I decided to drop my jacket on the floor  of the car to avoid been notice  as a very important man sitting in the rear seat of the car.  Immediately we got to my house in Ikorodu; I removed my jacket from where I had kept it and also my luggage, without noticing that the envelope in the jacket had dropped on the back seat of the car. Unfortunate enough, I didn’t open my luggage to bring out what I had for my family members until after I woke up in the noon. That was when I discovered that the envelope was missing in my jacket. I exclaimed. I said all my suffering during the trip has resulted to total loss. My wife began to calm me down. She advised that we should look around  the compound to see if it dropped in the compound, but I said no that if it had dropped in the compound I would had seen it as I was bringing in my luggage. I insisted that it didn’t drop in the premises but in the cab. My wife then asked me of where I took the cab; I told her it was in the airport and she advised that I should go to the airport to inquire if it has been found. I told her I didn’t know the name of the driver or the vehicle number.  However, with her encouragement I came to the airport and went to the car park where I boarded the cab. Immediately I approached and complained to one of the drivers, who happened to be the duty officer for that shift. He asked me for my name and I told him. The next thing I noticed on his face was a broad smile; he then told me that the envelope was found in the car and has been deposited at their secretariat. And that the driver who took me home, had gone to my house again to inform me of the discovery. This is a living testimony that Nigeria has hope. We are
not all bad people. I have started campaigning to people via social media to always patronize airport registered cabs. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. The registered airport cab may charge higher than Uber or Kabukabu but you are sure that if you forget anything in the airport cab, you would surely see it again.  I want to thank ACHAN for having this type of arrangement in Nigerian airports.
It is wonderful."

Speaking while handling the items recovered in the car to the owner, the Chairman ACHAN MMIA, Lagos Elder Olubi Ojo said Engr. Ayeni’s case was just one of the many cases the association handles on regular
basis.

Elder Ojo who recalled that one of his members once returned $15,000 left by a passenger in his car, urged Nigerian passengers to place the
safety and security of their lives and properties above any  amount they may be charged by the registered airport cab operators because
the benefits far outweighs the money paid.

“This is a regular occurrence in this airport, passengers forget many things such as passports, money and other personal belongings in our cabs, but they are very sure of finding them if truly the items are left in any of our cabs. We give regular orientation on why they should return to the secretariat any item found to have been left behind by passengers in their vehicles,” Elder Ojo said.

 L-R: Chairman ACHAN MMIA, Elder Olubi Ojo, the ACHAN driver who discovered and returning the money , Mr. Adeniyi Olatinka  ACHAN
officer on Duty Mr. Soele and the passenger Engr. Dele Ayeni   at the ACHAN secretariat  where he took possession of  the money left in the airport cab on Monday.