Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, went back on his God will not forgive me vows on Thursday and pledged to support Atiku Abubakars presidential bid, as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Obasanjo declared his support for Atiku while addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting with Atiku, some prominent PDP members and some other prominent Nigerians.

Some of the people at the meeting were the National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Uche Secondus, former governor of Cross Rivers state, Liyel Imoke, Chief Bode George, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Solo, Rev. Matthew Kukah.

Others are the Pastor and presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo and a Kaduna- based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and Ayo Adebanjo, who represented his faction of Yoruba group, Afenifere.

Atiku emerged on Sunday in Port Harcourt, as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)after the partys presidential primaries held in Port-Harcort.

Obasanjo hinged his support on the fact that he and Atiku had reviewed what went wrong and he believed that the former Vice-President had re-discovered and re-positioned himself.

He said his prior position concerning Atiku was not personal but based on what he had done against the PDP and the country.

Obasanjo had accused Atiku of corruption and once said that God would not forgive him if he ever supported Atiku. Now he has eaten his words.

The elder statesman, however, said Atiku had apologised and he had forgiven him.

From what transpired in the last couple of hours, you have shown remorse, you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons

You have also promised to mend fences and make amends as necessary and as desirable.

Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for Gods forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you.

Obviously, you have mended fences with the Party and fully reconciled with the Party.

Thats why today, you are the Presidential Candidate of the Party, he said.

Obasanjo advised Atiku to appreciate all that the PDP had done for him and also work together with all other presidential aspirants as a campaign team.

The former president noted that there were both national and international fences for Atiku to mend.

I am convinced that if you continue with the attitude that brought you here with these distinguished leaders of goodwill, with remorse and contrite heart, the rest of the coast within and outside the country can be cleared.

And if there is anything I can do and you want me to do in that respect, I will do.

I am sure with the right attitude for change where necessary, and by putting lessons learned by you to work, you will get the understanding, cooperation, support and mandate of Nigerians.

With Nigerians voting for you, it will mean that you secure their forgiveness and regain their confidence.

It will be with the hope or assurance of a Paul on the road to Damascus Conversion. After all, change and conversion are of man and I believe that with a contrite heart, change is possible in everybodys life and situation.

Obasanjo noted that beyond other PDP presidential aspirants, Atiku possessed, for me, relatively and of all the aspirants the widest and greatest exposure, experience, outreach and possibly the best machinery and preparation for seeing the tough and likely dirty campaign ahead through.

He claimed Atiku has a better understanding of the economy than President Muhammad Buhari.

You surely understand the economy better and you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs.

You have better outreach nationally and internationally and that can translate to better management of foreign affairs.

You are more accessible and less inflexible and more open to all parts of the country in many ways, he said.

Obasanjo advised Atiku to run an inclusive government where merit and performance count more than blood relationship, friendship or kith and kin like they both did between 1999 and 2007

Please uphold truth, integrity, principles, morality and fight corruption, crimes and insurgency.

The fundamental law of the land, our constitution must be scrupulously defended.

I make one demand and one demand on you today, I need you to say before God and man that you will always remain irrevocably committed to upholding all the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the whole country will remain your single indivisible constituency.

Constitutionalism, popular participation and inclusiveness are pre-conditions for reversing the deficits of the past three and half years.

They will ensure abiding faith in our indivisibility, oneness and faith in the survival of all against none.

The fundamentals for our development, economic growth and progress are hard and soft infrastructure.

Remember to always give adequate places in your administration to our youth and women.

All the authorities involved with the preparation, all processes and conduct of the election must ensure that the election is free, fair and credible, he said.

Atiku in his opening remarks had described the meeting as historic for him and Obasanjo as well as for Nigeria.

He reiterated that he could not have become relevant without the training and tutelage from Obasanjos leadership.

Atiku who described the day as one of the happiest days in his life said it was time for well-meaning Nigerians to come together so that the country could be repositioned on the path of unity and prosperity.

He pledged to dedicate and commit his tenure, if elected as president, to the continuation of the Olusegun Obasanjo- led administration.

Source: NAN

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has officially endorsed former vice President Atiku Abubakar to run for the Presidency of Nigeria come 2019.

Obasanjo disclosed this while briefing newsmen after a meeting with Atiku, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others key stakeholders in his country home in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo said that he was giving his blessings to Atiku because he (Atiku) had re-discovered and re-positioned himselfand as such had earned his (Obasanjos) forgiveness.

He said that Atiku had re positioned himself enough to now enjoy his support in the next election, adding that Atiku is the the next President of Nigeria.

Read full text below:

Let me start by congratulating President-to-be, Atiku Abubakar, for his success at the recent PDP Primary and I took note of his gracious remarks in his acceptance speech that it all started here.

Yes, when it started, it was meant for Atiku to succeed Obasanjo. In the presence of these distinguished leaders of goodwill today, let me say it openly that we have reviewed what went wrong on the side of Atiku.

And in all honesty, my former Vice-President has re-discovered and re-positioned himself. As I have repeatedly said, it is not so much what you did against me that was the issue but what you did against the Party, the Government and the country.

I took the stand I had taken based on the character and attributes you exhibited in the position you found yourself.

I strongly believe that I was right. It was in the overall interest of everyone and everything to take such a position.

From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences and make amends as necessary and as desirable.

Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for Gods forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you.

Obviously, you have mended fences with the Party and fully reconciled with the Party.

Thats why today, you are the Presidential Candidate of the Party. In addition to appreciating all that the Party has done for you, may I advise you to work together with all those who contested for the Partys flag with you as a team for your campaign.

There are still areas, nationally and internationally, where you have to mend fences and make amends. You will know how to handle what is already out and what may yet be put out by the opposition. But, I am convinced that if you continue with the attitude that brought you here with these distinguished leaders of goodwill, with remorse and contrite heart, the rest of the coast within and outside the country can be cleared. And if there is anything I can do and you want me to do in that respect, I will do.

I am sure with the right attitude for change where necessary, and by putting lessons learned by you to work, you will get the understanding, cooperation, support and mandate all at the national level.

With Nigerians voting for you, it will mean that you secure their forgiveness and regain their confidence. It will be with the hope or assurance of a Paul on the road to Damascus Conversion. After all, change and conversion are of man. I believe that with a contrite heart, change is possible in everybodys life and situation.

For me, relatively and of all the aspirants in the PDP, you have the widest and greatest exposure, experience, outreach and possibly the best machinery and preparation for seeing the tough and likely dirty campaign ahead through. From what I personally know of you, you have capacity to perform better than the incumbent. You surely understand the economy better; you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs.

You have better outreach nationally and internationally and that can translate to better management of foreign affairs. You are more accessible and less inflexible and more open to all parts of the country in many ways. As Pastor Bakare, one-time running mate of the incumbent President said, You are a wazobia man. And that should help you in confronting the confrontable and shunning nepotism.

As you know, along the road to where you are today, many leaders and ordinary people cooperated and overtly and covertly worked hard. On your behalf, I thank them all. May their coast continue to be expanded. And when you become Nigerian President which, insha-Allah, you will be, remember what we did together in government we ran an administration by Nigerians for all Nigerians where merit and performance count more than blood relationship, friendship or kith and kin. Although some time and ground have been lost, you should endeavour to start from where we stopped and recover some lost ground, if not time.

Please uphold truth, integrity, principles, morality and fight corruption, crimes and insurgency. The fundamental law of the land, our constitution must be scrupulously defended. I make one demand and one demand on you today, I need you to say before God and man that you will always remain irrevocably committed to upholding ALL the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the whole country will remain your single indivisible constituency.

Constitutionalism, popular participation and inclusiveness are pre-conditions for reversing the deficits of the past three and half years. They will ensure abiding faith in our indivisibility, oneness and faith in the survival of all against none.

The fundamentals for our development, economic growth and progress are hard and soft infrastructure. Remember to always give adequate places in your administration to our youth and women.

All the authorities involved with the preparation, all processes and conduct of the election must ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.

Once again, congratulations and I wish you well. My distinguished brothers and leaders of goodwill, thank you for making this happen. I will now count on you to encourage all hands to be on the deck to take Nigeria to the level God has created it to be autopilot level.

Source:

Source: NAN

The Presidency has dismissed the endorsement given by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to his former lieutenant, Atiku Abubakar as a non-event, saying it was least surprised by Obasanjos somersault and U-turn.

In a statement, the Presidents SSA media, Garba Shehu said the endorsement in Abeokuta at a press conference was a well-rehearsed theatre.

They will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and I know it all character of Chief Obasanjo, Shehu said.

In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former President advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time.

It also betrayed a lack of understanding of todays politics which is about good governance.

The country voted for change in 2015 and a leader that ensures good governance which only President Buhari and the APC can provide.

Bent on these laudable goals, we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.

We are busy on various national issues including the restructuring and the diversification of the economy, fighting corruption, terrorism and other threats to national security; increasing the availability of electric power, improving education, health, and providing long-delayed infrastructure roads, rail, airports and so forth.

Many governments have come and gone, but they did not care about some of these projects.

We were talking about these things for sixteen years under the PDP and nothing was done.

President Buhari is proud of his record because his achievements are verifiable, while that of the PDP is manifested by the devastating social and economic impact of large scale corruption during their governance.

The President will not relent in the war against corruption because the ordinary people are the ultimate victims if we surrender to corruption and let its perpetrators go unpunished.

Abandoning the war against corruption is not an option. President Buhari is in this battle against graft because he cannot allow a few, rapacious, and selfish class of the elite to divert the resources meant for the well-being of the ordinary people to their private pockets.

Nigerians trust President Buhari in this effort because they are convinced he is not in government for personal financial benefits, or for an ego trip. It is just eleven years ago that the former President and Vice President in their ugly fight for power accused each other of corruption. Nigerians are yet to forget all that.

Source: NAN

By Felicia Imohimi

Prof. Titus Ibekwe, the National Secretary of the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria, has been electedVice-Chairman of the International Advisory Board (IAB) of the American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAOHNSF).

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Ibekwewas elected at the ongoing World Congress of the AAOHNSF in Georgia, Atlanta and he becomes the first Nigerian to be elected into IAB since the inception of the academy 122 years ago.

NAN also reports that Ibekwe, who is currently the Head of Department, Otorhinolaryngology (ENT, Head and Neck) University of Abuja and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Member-Board of the University College Hospital (UCH)Ibadan, is also a member of the Governing Board of the Academy.

Otorhinolaryngology is a surgical sub-specialty within medicine that deals with conditions of the ear, nose and throat (ENT) and related structures of the head and neck.

Speaking in a telephoneinterview with NAN he stated that Nigeria is being represented for the first time at the American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Foundation (AAOHNSF) Board of Directors since its inception 122 years ago.

This is the first time a black African is elected into the board of the academy. So it is a great honour and accolade for the country and Africa, he said

The election, according to him, featured more than 70 member countries of the association.

The ENT surgeon explained that the board serves as an avenue of communication between AAOHNSF membership and International otolaryngology-head and neck surgery organisations/societies worldwide.

Ibekwe noted that this would further and solidify a shared global commitment to excellence demonstrated by the members of the specialty.

According to him, the board also makes recommendations regarding the programmes and policies of the AAOHNSF that foster a global otolaryngology communication and promote the highest standards in clinical care through communications, education, research and collaboration.

IAB strengthens and enhances informationexchange among all ENT societies and the AAOHNSF. It also supports the general good of patients,specialty and the medical profession, he explained.

Source: NAN

Officials of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) have arrived in Benin City to inspect facilities at the AMES-Edo Dry Port that would enable a smooth take-off of the port.

The port, NSC said, would make Edo the desired business hub in the South South region.

Mr Lekan Adekanbi, Chairman, Project Monitoring Committee, Nigerian Shippers Council, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that Edo would get an uplift with the multiplier effects the import and export activities of AMES-Edo Dry Port would bring.

Adekanbi said he and his team were in the State for an on the spot inspection of facilities on ground for the commencement of operations at the port in December.

He also disclosed that the Edo Government was in a Public Private Partnership agreement (PPP) with Atlantique Marine and Engineering Services (AMES), promoters of the project.

He also said that the project had the support of the Federal Government.

He told NAN that the objective of the project was to bring shipping activities closer to manufacturers as well as drive industrialisation in state and neighbouring states.

I am pleased with the work going on here, they have told me their challenges and weaknesses.

This project is a gigantic one, which in some years time will import and export goods all over the world.

The only difference between this port and the port in Ikeja is water,this is a dry pot, he said.

Adekanbi further said that he was impressed with the work done in the dry port considering the short timing when the project commenced. (NAN)

Source: NAN

No fewer than 42 people have been reported killed by cholera, acute watery diarrhea (AWD), in war-torn Somalia since December 2017,

The country which has also been battling hunger and malnutrition is in dire following the outbreak of cholera.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said in its latest report on the AWD/cholera that the Somalis health ministry also announced 29 new cases of cholera between Sept. 24 and 30.

It said that 45 per cent of the new cases involved five years old and below.

The cumulative total of cases is 6,423, including 42 associated deaths, since the beginning of the current outbreak in December 2017.

Cholera is a gastrointestinal disease, usually spread by contaminated water and food, and can cause severe diarrhea that, in extreme cases, can lead to fatal dehydration and kidney failure within hours.

According to WHO, there has been a downward trend in newly reported cases over the past six weeks.

The UN health agency has called for robust investments in Somalias fragile health care infrastructure as a means to accelerate the countrys reconstruction after two and a half decades of civil strife.

WHO, which has been training health workers in Somalia to help cope with the diseases, also urged greater investments in surveillance infrastructure to enhance timely response to disease outbreaks in Somalia.

Source: NAN

Flood has destroyed 280 hectares of rice farm in Iguoriakhi and Iguomo in Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West local government areas of Edo.

The state Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Mr Dirisu Abdulsalam, said in Benin that farmers close to the riverine areas in the state were worst hit by the flood.

He appealed to government to assist the farmers who had been devastated following the destruction of thousands of hectares of their rice farmlands by flood in Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South.

Abdulsalam noted that the flooding would negatively affect governments drive at sufficiency in rice production in the country.

He said that the association was evolving modalities to ensure the farmers were ready for dry season farming, to make up for the destruction.

The association will be sensitising rice farmers for dry season farming to make up for the shortfall occasioned by the destruction of rice fields by flood.

There are many problems in rice production and the worst of it at the moment is that flood has eroded or washed away crops and even submerged some of our members houses.

Therefore, we appeal for assistance from government and international donors so that our farmers will not go and commit suicide, he said.

According to him, flooding will reduce rice production chain in the state, adding that the affected farmers have lost millions of Naira investment.

He, therefore, appealed to the state government to make tractors available to rice farmers, noting that the state had no single tractor.

Abdulsalam said Edo was one of the major rice producing states in the country.

He expressed regrets that the state government was not giving priority to rice farmers in terms of provision of certified seedlings and funding.(NAN)

Source: NAN

Flight operations and businesses on Friday resumed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Lagos following the suspension by aviation unions of the industrial action against the terminal owners.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unions had on Thursday night called off their two-day industrial action against Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) following the signing of an agreement.

The agreement was brokered by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airport security agencies who intervened in the dispute between the two parties.

A copy of the agreement which was signed by Mr Ola Azeez, Group Head, Human Resources and Mr Rodger Whittle, Group Executive Director, on behalf of BASL, showed that the company acceded to the demands of the unions.

Staff of BASL are free (as they have always been) to exercise their right at association by indicating their willingness to join any of the aviation unions.

The management shall deduct and remit check-off dues as required by law.

The 27 members of the union who were laid off shall be recalled without loss of pay or service and deployed to where their services are required within the Resort Group.

Thereafter the company intends to declare them redundant and is willing to discuss their redundancy benefits with the unions in accordance with Section 20 of the Labour Act.

We hope that the union shall appreciate the olive leaf being offered by BASL and accept same with a view to ending this imbroglio, BASL said in the document obtained by NAN.

NAN observed that staffers of airlines, banks, food court as well as travellers were seen carrying out their businesses without any harassment from union members.

Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, Media and Communications Manager, Dana Air, also confirmed the airlines resumption of flights at the MMA2, which is Nigerias only privately owned terminal.

Ezenwa said: We have resumed flights from MMA2 following the agreement reached by MMA2 and the aviation unions.

We thank the management of BASL, operators of MMA2 for considering the economic implications and for putting national interest first in resolving the industrial action.

We also wish to thank our teeming guests for their total understanding and cooperation in the course of our temporary relocation to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) and we hope to continue offering the best of our services which we have come to be known for.

NAN reports the unions had since the early hours of Wednesday embarked on the protest over the alleged sack of 27 employees who indicated interest to unionise by BASL.

The unions were: The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

Despite a subsisting court order issued by Justice I. N Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos restraining them from the action, the unions had shutdown flights and business activities at the MMA2.

Airlines affected by the action included Arik Air, Medview Airline, Azman Air, Max Air, Dana Air and Aero Contractors who operate flights from the terminal.

The airlines were forced to temporarily move their passenger boarding and processing to the GAT, operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during the 2-day protest by union.

Source: NAN

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the recent violent clashes in Kogi state has identified 115 responsible for the violence.

Violent clashes recently engulfed Dekina, Omala and Bassa Local Government areas of Kogi State.

The Chairman of the Commission, Justice Josiah Mejabi, said while presenting its report to Gov. Yahaya Bello on Thursday evening in Lokoja.

Mejabi did not disclose the identities of the persons.

He, however, told the governor that the bloody clashes which left several people dead in Orokwo and Orokwo Bassa communities in Bassa Local Government communities in May this year involved Igala and Bassa tribes.

He also said that the violent crises that occurred in Ogane-Nigwu, Iyade, Ojuwo Ajimadi, Agbenema-Ife and Agabifor in Dekina and Omala local government areas were caused by herdsmen and farmers.

Mejabi said that the commission was able to establish those during its visits and public hearings into the crises.

He urged government to prevail on the warring factions to maintain the status quo pending the time it would issue a white paper on the report.

The commission also advised government to assist victims of the violent clashes in all the affected communities to enable them to start life afresh.

Receiving the report, Bello promised to ensure justice by bringing the perpetrators to book.

The governor promised not to play politics with the report of the commission, saying that government would continue to ensure security of lives and property of citizens at all times.

According to him, government will hunt down the perpetrators of the crises wherever they may be with a view to bringing them to justice.

We will hunt you down, we will come after you, you may be able to run but you cannot hide, we will smoke you out.

We wont play politics with the lives of the people, he said.

The State Security Adviser, Navy Cmdr Jerry Omodara (rtd), also called on the Nigerian Navy to establish an outpost at Nkende to further enhance the security in the area.

He promised that the recommendations of the commission would be implemented to bring a lasting peace to the affected communities.

Omodara expressed regret that in spite of spirited efforts by government, violent clashes still persisted in Bassa Local Government.

Source: NAN

Ace Nigerian singer Davidos hit single IF has emerged number one on the New York Shazam chart for songs that listeners in the United States city have searched for its identity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shazam is a popular app used by millions of music lovers around the globe each month to identify a song that is playing at each moment.

The app also provides details such as the artists name and title of the particular song playing at the time.

As at Thursday October 11, the song stands at number one on the Shazams chart above Lil Waynes hit Uproar, Travis Scotts Sicko Mode and Backin It Up by Pardison Fontaine featuring Cardi B, among others.

This makes Davido the first Nigerian artist ever to be number one on the charts in the US .

In a swift reaction, elated Davido took to his Instagram page to express delight over the report.

He wrote: We got the most Shazam song in New York!!! Its Lit!!

My old records Just breaking , imagine what the new ones will do !

This feat has added another accolade to Davidos richly adorned cap, especially in recent times.

Earlier in the year, he clinched the Best International Act trophy at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.

The Assurance Crooner was also recently nominated, alongside Nigerian female music sensation Tiwa Savage for the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMAs) in the Best African Act category.

Source: NAN