Senate President Bukola Saraki has an uphill battle on his hand to save his Kwara Central Senatorial seat as he faces a poll contest with 16 other candidates, four of whom are women.

According to details published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),Saraki, will fly the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party in the election. The last time he contested in 2015, he ran on the All Progressives Congress platform.

His rivals in the February 16, 2019 election will include the candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) as well as those of 14 other political parties.

The four women seeking the Kwara Central Senatorial seat with Saraki are Abubakar Khadijat Akanni of MPN, Okanlawon Adekunle Taiwo of GPN, AbdulWaheed Mariam Titilayo of ADP and AbdulSalam Kuburat of LP.

Other candidates for the seat are a former member of the State House of Assembly Dr Yahaya Oloriegbe (APC), Abdurahman Garuba (AP), Ambali Mujaheed (ACPN), Babatunde Sambo (SDP), Abdulraheem Abubakar (ADC) and Mohammed Saidu of Peoples Trust (PT).

In Kwara North, Alhaji Sodiq Umar of the APC will slug it out with Zakari Mohammed of PDP while Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of PDP and Architect Lola Ashiru of APC are the frontline candidates in Kwara South.

On the list for Oyo South Senatorial District were the incumbent, Senator Adesoji Akanbi, who is running on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who is running on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akanbi was elected on the APC platform in 2015. He defected to ADC in September when he discovered that Governor Ajimobi had obtained the form for his seat. While he hails from Ibadan North West Local Government Area, Ajimobi hails from Ibadan South West Local Government Area.

Also contending for the same seat from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is Mr Adebayo Lawal while Mr Fola Akinosun is angling for it on the platform of African Democratic Party (ADP).

In Oyo Central District, former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin of APC will slug it out with the incumbent, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu. The latter was also elected on the platform of the APC in 2015 but defected to ADC recently. Folarin picked the APC ticket this time. He defected from the PDP earlier in the year.

PDP fielded Mr Oyebisi Ilaka while ADP fielded the current member, House of Representatives for Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency, Hon. Olatoye Temitope Subaru.

In Oyo North, the incumbent, Senator Fatai Buhari of APC will slug it out with PDPs Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, ADCs Adeleke Lawal Adebayo and ADPs Ahmed Salawudeen. Akande-Adeola is a former Majority Leader, House of Representatives.

With some of the political juggernauts racing for the same seat, the 2019 senatorial election in Oyo State promises to be very interesting.

Also on the new INECs list for the senatorial race are Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West), Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (Imo West) and former Minister of State for Works Dayo Adeyeye (Ekiti South), among others.

Ekweremadus opponents in Enugu West include Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu (APC), Ken Onyekaonwu (UPP), Ozoani Chinedu (JMPP), Philomena Agu (SDP), Gbazueagu Nweke Gbazueagu (APGA), Walter Oji (ADC), Anayo Ononugbo (Green Party of Nigeria) and Charles Aninweze (NAC).

The main candidates that will battle it out in Enugu North are incumbent Senator Chuka Utazi (PDP), former Enugu State House of Assembly Speaker, Eugene Odo (APC), Hope Ubulu (UPP), Samuel Omenihu (GDPN), Nwokolo Chuka (Mega Party) and Eze Simon Chukwuma (CCPC) while former Enugu Governor Chimaroke Nnamani (PDP) will face Lawrence Eze (APC), Ibiyemi Akanji Ariyo (GDPN), Okafor Doree Ijeoma (KOWA), Eze Mark Anthony (SDP) in Enugu East.

Ekiti North Senatorial District: Olubunmi Adetunmbi (APC), Duro Faseyi (PDP).

Ekiti Central: Opeyemi Bamidele (APC), Obafemi Adewale (PDP).

Ekiti South: Dayo Adeyeye (APC), Mrs. Biodun Olujimi (PDP).

The PDP has the following as its candidates for the House of Representatives elections: Kehinde Agboola (Ekiti North 1), Akin Awodumila (Ekiti South 2), Mr. Segun Adekola (Ekiti South 1), Mr Ayo Oladimeji (Ekiti Central), Bisi Kolawole (Ekiti Central 2) and Sola Omotoso (Ekiti North 2) while the APC will be fielding Peter Owolabi (Ekiti North 1), Ibrahim Olarewaju (Ekiti North 2), Sola Fatoba (Ekiti Central 1), Mrs. Omowumi Ogunlola (Ekiti Central 2), Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South 1) and former Ekiti House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Femi Bamisile.

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Source: NAN

By Idris Olukoya

Mr Ganiyu Balogun, Managing Director, Tarzan Boat Company Ltd, has applauded the Nigerian Marine Police for ensuring the safety of lives and properties on the waterways.

Balogun told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, on Saturday that marine policemen have devoted adequate hours policing Lagos waters towards ensuring the safety of both operators and users.

Boat operators have not lodged any complaint about stolen boats in the last few months.

There is no record of sea pirates attack in Lagos in the last one year, he said.

Balogun recalled that about 10 years ago, more than seven boats worth millions of naira were stolen by pirates.

Up till date, those boats are yet to be recovered.

Since that time up till now, I have not experience stolen boat, the marine police are on top of their duty by patrolling the waterways regularly, he said.

He, however, called for the provision of the needed facilities for marine police officers to enable them to continue to discharge their duties on waterways effectively.

Balogun said that water transportation business was a serious business that required seriousness and attention from both the government and operators.

Government should pay attention to water transportation as they take road and air transportation seriously.

For a state like Lagos, the government needs to pay attention to water transportation as an alternative means of transport to the road.

This development will help to decongest traffic on the road.

According to him, water transportation is capital intensive to maintain boats.

He equates investment in marine transport to that of air transport business, saying boat engines and other elements that go with it were very expensive to acquire.

It is almost like operating aircraft business with functional airports, just as water transportation requires functional jetties and terminals across the state.

There is a need for government to provide soft loans as incentives to operators to ease their funding challenges.

Because it is capital intensive to run a successful boat transport business.

There is the need for Public, Private, Partnership (PPP), he said.

Balogun, however, commended National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Lagos State Water Authority (LASWA) for ensuring smooth operations on the waterways.

Source: NAN

By Yemi Adeleyerrds

Leaders of Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), on Saturday said that the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari had been under-reported to the public.

The group made this known during its 3rd Annual Independence Youth Pep Talk Programme organised in partnership with the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG) held in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which brought hundreds of young Buharis supporters, was tagged: Change Mantra-Before, Now and the Future (Account of the Current Government).

In his address, Sen. Abu Ibrahim, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, NCBSG, said that the achievements of Buhari were huge in terms of infrastructure, security, transport and economy, which were not well reported in the media.

Abu, who was represented by Otunba Abiodun Ajiboye, the National Secretary of NCBSG, said that the objective of the event was to create awareness about the achievements of Buharis government.

There is no doubt that the gigantic achievements of this administration have been under-reported and as such, efforts have to be made to sound it clear into the ears of those who never want our success story.

It has become more important today than ever to focus on the achievements of this administration since the only question people ask is what are the achievements of this government?

In fairness to those in opposition and those asking such questions, politics is a game of self appraisal. After all, if you do not blow your trumpet, no one will blow it for you, he said.

The senator, who lauded Buharis achievements, said that Buharis administration had a lot to its credit.

If the ability to protect lives and property is not an achievement, then what is an achievement?

The ability to look at corruption in the face and confront it is indeed a new beginning.

It is the beginning of a new Nigeria that will lead the country into prosperity. Buhari deserves to be re-elected in 2019 and will be re-elected, Abu said.

On his part, Mr Abdulwaheed Odunuga, the Coordinator of BYO, Lagos State, noted that the media had the responsibility of informing the public about the achievements of government.

Odunuga said that inadequate information about the President achievements could affect the goodwill of the government.

According to him, the President had delivered on his three cardinal objectives which are security, economy and anti-corruption.

The National President of BYO, Malam Yusuf Nalado, reiterated that the President had improved on security, agriculture and economy with a rise in external reserves, among other achievements.

I urge you to remain focus and resolute as 2019 elections approach. Our youths should not be deceived with money.

Nigerian youths should be focused and reject money bags who might want to use them. They should not yield to the temptation of vote buyers.

God has helped Nigeria by giving us somebody like President Buhari who is a man of integrity and ho will not loot the treasury. We have to make sure we support him, Nalado said.

He urged members of the BYO to remain committed toward re-electing Buhari and prevent the main opposition party, PDP, from making a come-back to government.

The Keynote Speaker, Mr Ife Adebayo, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said that President Buharis achievements in energy, agriculture and youth empowerment were huge.

Adebayo recalled that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday also inaugurated another power project in Lagos to show the commitment of the government to energy, among others, to ease business.

Chief Yetunde Babajide, South-West Woman Leader, National Committee of Buhari Support Group (BSG), said that the President had brought positive changes to the country and should be allowed to consolidate on his achievements by re-electing him in 2019 elections.

Babajide said that the youth, the old, the women, had felt good governance in Buhari-led administration in the last three years.

She advised Nigerians to bring Buhari back in 2019 elections for the country to continue to enjoy peace and progress. (NAN)

Source: NAN

At least four people were killed and 12 shot and three officers injured responding to an active shooting incident at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday, local media and CNN reported.

There are fatalities, an emergency responder said on local television station KDKA. The conditions of the officers were not immediately known.

A bearded heavy-set white male was in custody, KDKA said, adding that responding officers received fire.

The suspect is in custody, said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, who was at the scene of the shooting according to local media. We are providing local first responders with whatever help they need, Wolf said on Twitter.

Earlier, a police commander said the shooting resulted in multiple casualties. Police surrounded the Tree of Life synagogue after reports of an active shooter at the building in the citys Squirrel Hill neighborhood, local TV news images showed.

Do not come out of your home right now, it is not safe, Pittsburgh police Commander Jason Lando warned local residents, in an impromptu news conference at the scene.

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Source: NAN

By Felicia Imohimi

The Advocacy for Development, Health and Environmental Sustainability, an NGO, has urged the government and other policy makers to fulfil their promises to eradicate poverty.

Mr Adah Shem, Executive Director of the organisation, made the plea during an Awareness Campaign on Psycho-Social, Maternal Healthcare Assistance Programme (PMH) held in Abuja on Saturday.

The PMH programme is an initiative of the Advocacy for Support of Community Needs and Development Initiatives,an NGO, meant to provide indigent children with free access to primary healthcare, academic grants, food, shelter and psycho-social counseling.

Shem said that such collaborative measure was key in reducing poverty, maternal and newborn deaths as well as achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

He suggested that challenges like lack of food, lack of access to primary healthcare, schools and social amenities and infrastructure development like potable water, among others, should be addressed.

Shem said that, Ifchildren and women are empowered academically and with entrepreneurial skills, they will be self reliant and this will reduce street hawking, begging, among others.

Children need to be in school and that orphan needs proper care.

One of the key issues bedeviling development, particularly in developing countries is project implementation; be it from the start, planning stage to the implementation and monitoring.

So, we must collaborate in the area of advocacy. We want accountability of the little resources we have.

We want to see transparency in management of funds and fulfilment of promises made during electioneering processes.

If we say we want to eradicate poverty, we must be serious about it. Stakeholders, CSOs must join forces so that we can achieve results.

Whatever any stakeholder is doing is geared toward SDGs; so we are calling for more hands, more people, more actors to support in the actualisation of SDGs.

No one organisation can achieve it all and neither can government be able to drive it all. So everybody must be transparent, responsible and accountable in whatever he or she is doing to enable us meet SDGs target by 2030, he said.

Mr Adedamola Adediran, President and Founder of Advocacy for Support of Community Needs and Development Initiatives, said the group would collaborate with other NGOs, institutions to improve the lives of the people and ensure better life for the vulnerable group.

According to him, the objective of the PMH campaign was to chart a course to eradicate poverty.

The PMH was initiated because of inequality, deprivation, child poverty, because women and children are most affected by poverty in the country.

We realised that the only way to alleviate these problems and meet 2030 SDGs target is to create programmes to cater for the need of children and women, Adediran said.

Source: NAN

The National Leadership of Intellectual Think Tank For Atiku (ITTA), a foremost campaign organisation has reiterated its commitment to rally support for the PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar in the 774 Local Government Areas.

Evang. Theophilus Ohuoba, National Chairman, ITTA, who made the pledge during a courtesy call on Chief Mrs Amina Titi Abubakar, at her Maitama residence in Abuja on Thursday said the group was already mobilizing for the poll.

Ohuoba said the essence of the visit was to congratulate and celebrate with her on the peaceful and transparent conduct of the PDP Presidential primaries which saw her husband Atiku emerge as presidential candidate.

The National Chairman said members of the group would work in all the wards nationwide to ensure Atikus victory as the President and commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2019 general election.

He lauded Titi for her unrelenting support for her husband which showed she was indeed a good wife and pillar behind the successful political carrier of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar .

Ohuoba also commended her motherly role among Nigerians irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation.

The national chairman enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for long life and good health for Atiku and his entire family and also reminded the Nation that a vote for Atikuobi 2019 would be a vote for Economic growth and prosperity.

He said job creation for our teaming youth, Security of lives and Properties of Citizens would be guaranteed.

Restructuring of Nigeria, unifying the nation by running an all-inclusive government, ensuring the rule of law prevails and the supremacy of the constitution, in effect is a vote to get Nigeria working again, he said.

In her remark, Titi welcomed the National chairman and expressed her appreciation to ITTA for the visit.

She urged the group to work towards its vision for a better Nigeria.

Titi used the opportunity to thank ITTA for all the nationwide support it had galvanised towards the realisation of her husbands ambition of assuming the office of the President in the 2019 Presidential election.

She further called for prayers for the peace and unity of the nation as the 2019 general elections approached.

ITTA is a national political campaign organisation working for the actualisation of the ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 Presidential election.

Source: NAN

A committee of the Kano State House of Assembly today opened investigations into the allegations of bribery involving the State Governor, Umar Abdullahi Ganduje.

DailyNigerian.com had published a video showing Ganduje collecting several bundles of dollar bills and tucking some in his babaringa.

The online newspaper claimed the money was collected as kickback from a contractor.

Government claimed the video was doctored and vowed to sue the newspaper and its publisher for blackmail.

The newspapers publisher, Jafar Jafar, who had been in hiding since the video was published emerged today at the Assembly premises, to meet protests by school children. One of the placards, carried by the kids said, Jafar, your video will not stop us from voting Ganduje.

*Details later.

Source: NAN

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, believed to be a multi-billionaire has declared a paltry yearly personal income of N20 million.

The shocking revelation was contained in the credentials that Atiku filed with the the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The PDP candidate, who prides himself as a businessman and job creator said he earned only N60.2 million in three years and paid a paltry N10.8 million tax between 2015 and 2017.

Some reports have estimated Atikus wealth at about $1.4 billion.

In 2014, Atiku boasted that he was the greatest employer of labour in Nigeria, with about 50,000 Nigerians on his payroll.

As an individual, I believe my record in employing young Nigerians is unrivalled by any single private investor in Nigeria, the former vice president said.

He has investments in media, shipping, education, and other sectors. One of the companies, where he has substantial interest is Intels, which recently ran into trouble with the Nigerian government for not remitting revenue due to the Nigerian treasury.

He is also the founder of American University in Yola and has a chain of schools under ABTI brand.

He owns Prodeco, a property development company and Prodeco International, operating in Oil

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the $600 million Port Harcourt International Airport terminal funded by the Export-Import Bank of China and the Nigerian Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the terminal was constructed by China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC).

The company is also constructing new terminals in Abuja, Kano and Lagos International Airports..

Buhari said the new international terminal would address the increasing international air travel needs of the country, adding that the increase in population had also added impetus.

He said that since the existing terminals in all the major airports in the country were opened in late 1970s and early 1980s, not much had been done to increase their handling capacities by successive administrations

The president said that the completion of the project was in line with his administrations commitment to completing all ongoing projects initiated by his predecessors in the transport sector.

I am very pleased to formally commission the new international terminal of the Port Harcourt Airport, Omagwa today.

This ceremony represents a significant landmark for international air travellers, especially from the South-South region and the entire country.

You will recall that after the opening of the major airport terminals in the country in the late 70s and early 1980s, not too much was added to increase the passenger handling capacity by successive administrations.

Following the large increase in the number of passengers and air passenger travel, the terminal became grossly inadequate to cater for the increasing passenger travel.

Today I commissioned the new International Terminal of the Port Harcourt Airport. A significant landmark for International air travellers, not just from the South South region, but also the entire Country.
We will continue to upgrade Nigeria’s transport and power infrastructure. https://t.co/lFMhI2Dneg

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) October 25, 2018

Although, palliative measures were periodically carried out on facilities to repair the wear and tear.

The Federal Government is responding to global trend of which aviation has become a catalyst for economic growth and facilitates the movement of persons, he said.

Buhari said the construction of four international terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano were embarked upon by the Federal Government with a view to modernising the aging airport infrastructure, maintaining the global aviation standard and improved service delivery in tandem with international best practices.

He expressed confidence that the new terminal would help to enhance the economic activities in the state and commended the people of the state for their patience during the construction period.

President Buhari also tweeted about the great occasion:

Today I commissioned the new International Terminal of the Port Harcourt Airport. A significant landmark for International air travellers, not just from the South South region, but also the entire Country. We will continue to upgrade Nigerias transport and power infrastructure.

Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari)

In his remarks, Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, said the people of the state and the entire Niger Delta region were happy that the project was completed and inaugurated.

According to Wike, what has happened today shows that the state is safe for people to come and invest.

He said the state government was ready to partner with the Federal Government to develop transport infrastructure in the state.

Wike commended the Federal Government for the completion of the new terminal building.

The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, said the project was executed in partnership with the Chinese Government involving 500 million dollars loan from China Exim Bank and 100 million dollars counterpart funding from the Nigerian government.

Sirika said the airport had the capacity to process seven million passengers annually, bigger than what Ghana could process annually.

He said the project was expected to be delivered within a period of two years, adding that as at the time the present administration came on board, the level of work was below 30 per cent.

He added that the project was also bedevilled with various technical challenges which included foundation design change, inaccessibility to apron, inadequate apron, master plan distortion, water and sewage provision, litigation and inadequate power supply.

According to him, the administration has achieved a milestone in the implementation of its aviation road map.

Source: NAN

By Aderogba George

A Federal High Court, Abuja, has vacated the interim order, directing that about N1.4billion in an Access Bank account, belonging to late Chief Dike Udensi be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The forfeiture suit was filed by the Federal Governments, Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, headed by Mr Okoi Obno-Obla.

In her ruling, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, said that in view of the absence of the whistle-blower to substantiate his claims, the order of interim forfeiture granted on April 10, is hereby vacated and subsequently struck out.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that a motion challenging the forfeiture order, was filed by Mr Mike Orjiako, counsel to the respondent.

Orjiako led other counsel, which included Henry Iheanacho, Orjiako Precious and Orjiako Unique-Mike for the respondents.

Orjiako, after the ruling, said that the whistle-blower be charged to court because the reputation of Dike Udensis family had been smeared, maligned and disparaged before the public.

The applicant`s counsel, Celsius Ukpong, had earlier told the court to vacate the order, adding that the whistle-blower had gone underground and had failed to give correct information to substantiate his claims.

He had claimed that the amount in question was proceeds from oil bunkering.

The court had directed that a report of settlement be reached by the both parties and should be filed before the court on June 12.

Mr Ukpong had earlier informed the court that the presidential panel could not produce a report of settlement involving the parties contrary to the court directives.

Ukpong also pleaded with the court to withdraw the matter since the whistle-blower who informed the government about the cash had gone underground.

He also informed the court that the matter was generated by a family feud which the investigation panel did not intend to pursue.

Source: NAN