Come To Our Rescue Nigerians In Togo Prisons Beg FG

Nigerian prisoners languishing in Togo Prisons, Mr.usaid.gov Franklin Ezeona, President Global Society for Anti-Corruption (GSAC) has written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama on the unbearable condition of Nigerians in Togo Prisons. The visit, he claimed, fuelled more disappointment and hopelessness among the prisoners. Sunday Sun gathered that Okolie in his outcry alleged that the ambassador could not be trusted, insisting that he has done nothing to save them from their deplorable conditions in prisons. "When they complained about their sleeping conditions and lack of medical attention, he said that they should not expect to sleep well since they are prisoners. "They gave an instance where a Togolese was convicted of same offence but was sentenced to five years while Nigerians were given 10 years. The Togolese served three years and was released while his Nigerian counterpart is still serving his 10-year jail term. They complained to him about Nigerian prisoners in Togo lying critically ill in the hospital and Nigerians are contributing money for their treatment but the Ambassador said nothing about it than telling them he brought Paracetamol to them. "One of the women gave birth in prison but the Ambassador did not show any concern whatsoever to her plight or any of other Nigerian women prisoners. "In this regard they are begging President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian government to come to their rescue as they are dying one after the other in prison.


Vanguard recalls that the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor began the campaign against expensive burial in Anambra State and subsequently, took the crusade to the State House of Assembly. He was thereafter appointed a resource person for the bill. According to him, if it remained unchecked, expensive burials would lead people into pitiable situations and bondage. I always seize any available opportunity to speak on the dangers of wasteful burials and funerals among our people. I have insisted that what we should be talking about is how to give our people decent and befitting living and not befitting funerals by which we mean mindless display of extravagance. The money used for extravagant burils could be better applied to helping the living. The faithful already know this, and I have received countless phone calls commending the move. Wearing of mourning dresses/Asoebi has turned into a practice used for display of wealth and importance.


To be great is to be misunderstood’—Ralph Waldo Emerson in: Self Reliance & Other Essays. There is an invigorating conundrum that many politicians currently in and out of power across the country have found a hard row to hoe. That riddle is Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu - the Jagaban of Borgu land, Asiwaju of black man’s continent and former governor of Lagos State, the centre of excellence. Tomorrow, March 29th, the enigma adds another year. Despite his being misunderstood by fickle minded reactionaries, his greatness continues to soar, limitlessly. The reality- Jagaban continues to wax stronger within the nation’s political firmament. Expectedly so, this is because he remains an astute political strategist and an unfaltering torchbearer of true progressive politics.


Without sounding immodest, the reality today is that he remains the most-sought-after politician and perhaps, one of the few, if not, the most noteworthy of the progressive hue in modern-day Nigeria. At a point in the history of this country, the late sage, Pa Obafemi Awolowo, was the issue. Even after the great man’s death 32 years ago, most politicians in the southwestern part of the country still use his name to cuckold the electorate during electioneering season. Momentarily, Bashorun MKO Abiola appeared on the political horizon, but his attempted reign was short-lived by the feudal military oligarchy that denied him his electoral mandate by sending him into a contrived grave. Most politicians in contemporary Nigeria deploy the Tinubu political brand name to win grassroots support during election campaign period.


Whether in the north, east or south, the touted Tinubu support for any political candidate is a big endorsement for realising political dreams. For those that show contempt for the brand name, they remain consigned to the limbo of political abyss. For sure, Asiwaju has become such a significant issue in the nation’s political firmament that a mere mention of his name amongst friends and even political foes sends a soul riveting impact. There are empirical examples of Nigerians, irrespective of tribes and especially among the Yoruba, the man’s cradle, that have benefited immensely from his political endorsements and large-heartedness.


But sadly, these same people still hypocritically relish speaking ill of him or futilely try to bring him down. In the past or now, they has failed and even in the future, their evil plots against Asiwaju will fail. Surprisingly, Tinubu relishes welcoming such backstabbers back to his fold. Most of us see this as a weakness but he sees that to be one sacrifice of greatness that he must pay. One can only hope that this inclination of taking back backstabbers would not turn to be his undoing later in life. Whoever doubts Asiwaju’s progressive credentials needs to embark on historical excursion. The giant progressive strides that the nation is witnessing today are a consequence of Asiwaju’s political acuity.


This gives credence to Walt Whitman’s statement: ‘Produce great men, the rest follows.’ Progressivism is indeed taking firm root in the country today because of the great political mind possessed by Asiwaju. Tinubu is indeed and always politically determined to succeed. This gave birth to All Progressives Congress (APC) that today controls the seat of power in Abuja. The move at that time generated spite, covetousness as much as cynicism from those who always see impossibility rather than possibility in Tinubu’s laudable political initiatives. His often-talked-about political superiority complex does not mean haughtiness, although it might appear to be so in the eyes of the mischievous among politicians and political watchers who want to see it so. Tinubu feels a higher esteem over the obstacles he desires to surmount and he is blessed with the rare courage of overcoming them, with enough energy reserved for any eventuality.


The outcome of the 2019 general elections underscored this fact. Despite the sleaze of political mudslinging by mostly beneficiaries of his political large-heartedness, Tinubu’s democratic scorecard remains very glittering and unassailable. Like Awolowo during his lifetime, Tinubu has, in contemporary Nigerian politics, become a thorn in the flesh of conservative/reactionary/progressive politicians with lesser candour. This unjustifiable kvetching syndrome by some of the current political elite class against Tinubu has become a catalyst that gives him more inspiration to surpass his present enviable feat. This writer wholeheartedly wishes Asiwaju, the hubby of adorable Yeye-Asiwaju/Senator Oluremi Tinubu, plenteous happy returns of today in sound health and continuing political relevance. Happy birthday to you sir. And as the Yoruba would pray: Igba Odun, Odun kan! Sanusi is MD/CEO of LASAA.


The List of Lagos State Model Colleges and the common entrance examination date for 2019/2020 academic session. Below is the list of fifteen (15) Lagos State model colleges out of the sixteen (16) Colleges. 10. Lagos State Model Junior College, Agbowa. The Lagos State Examinations Board has commenced the sale of Screening Test forms for Primary Six (6) Pupils seeking admission into Lagos State Junior Model Colleges and/or Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools with Boarding Facilities in the State. It, therefore, implored parents and guardians of interested candidates, Headteachers, Proprietors and Proprietresses of schools to contact the Accounts Department of the Lagos State Examinations Board for the payment N10,000 for registration and collection of forms. Late registration, the statement added, would attract an additional fee of N5,000.


Abia State Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr.Kennedy Njoku has resigned from his office today. Politicstoday gathered that, Mr. Kennedy Njoku has resigned just few hours after being sworn in as Speaker of the House Assembly. Mr.Njoku was elected on Thursday after the impeachment of Martins Azubuike for alleged mismanagement of funds by the House of Assembly members. House Akpulonu Solomon in an interview with Channels Television states that, he was displaced of his position because of his inability to carry the members of the House along. However,Hon.Chikwendu Kalu representing Isialangwa South Constituency, has been sworn in to replace the speaker of the House after the majority leader of the House of Assembly has moved a motion for the vacant seat to be replaced.


A commentator, Debo Ayoade, examines the implications of the Osun West senatorial by-election for the next year’s governorship election in the State of Living Springs. On Saturday, July 8, the electorate in Osun West Senatorial District will go to the poll in a by-election to fill the vacant seat of the Late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke. Osun State has being a two party State since the inception of this Republic. Otunba Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke of the PDP and Senator Mudasiru Oyetunde Husain of the APC personify the proverbial "two horse race". The issues likely to come up during the campaign are multifarious. 1. Will there be sympathy votes for Otunba Adeleke in view of the fact that his elder brother Senator Isiaka Adeleke just died?


2. Will the votes of Ede, the town where the Adelekes hail be sufficient to deliver the senatorial district for PDP? 4. Will the issue of the negative reportage of the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola affect the fortunes of Senator Husain? 5. Will party loyalty prevail in APC despite rumblings within the ranks of some party leaders personally close to the Governor? 6. And will the senatorial by-election affect the 2018 governorship race? Unlike other States where either by-election or general election has taken place in recent times, PDP is not divided on the candidature of Otunba Adeleke. He is more or less a consensus candidate. The reason is not far-fetched. Senator Iyiola Omisore being a smart politician used the opportunity of the candidature of Otunba Adeleke to close ranks with the Adeleke family and with the Sheriff Faction, which is obviously more on ground in Osun.


He belongs to the Makarfi Faction. He also had brouhaha with the Late Senator Adeleke, who was reportedly rough-handled by Senator Omisore’s pal and former Minister for Police Affairs Jelili Adesiyan in 2014 at Ideal Nest Hotel, Osogbo during the PDP governorship election screening and primaries. In the up coming election, Ede will definitely vote for theirs, as they did for the elder brother. My prediction however is that even in Ede, the victory will not be landslide. There are already complaints and anxieties among the elites of Ede and even in the camp of Senator Isiaka Adeleke about attempt to turn Ede into "Kwara". While Senator Husain from Ejigbo was serving, the lot fell on an Ede man to become the Honourable Member, House of Representatives.


With the stepping down of Senator Husain in 2015 and the emergence of Senator Isiaka Adeleke from Ede however, the lot correspondingly fell on an Ejigbo man as Honourable Member, House of Representatives. There is no visible indication at the moment that where Senator Husain comes from would matter in this election. It may one more time be an acid test of the robust, matured and enlightened politics of South Western Nigeria. The Osun State APC Reactionary Forces recently emerged. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Honourable Lasun Yussuff represents one fold. He hitherto belonged to Aregbesola’s kitchen cabinet and was highly favoured by Ogbeni Aregbesola. They however fell apart on June 9, 2015 when Honourable Lasun Yusuf decided to disobey the southwest leadership of the party’s decision to support Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila’s ambition to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives.


He chose to run instead as the Deputy Speaker. He has obviously lost favour of the party leadership in the state and in southwest. No party leader is known to be supporting his bid to be governor. The second fold of reactionary forces within Osun APC are Alhaji Fatai Diekola and Honourable SundayAkere, who was the erstwhile Commissioner for Information and Strategy. They fell out with the Governor for a plethora of reasons. Chiefly among these are their claim that the Governor was running the state government alone, without a cabinet and without consulting party leaders and stakeholders, before decisions are taken. The variables to the query relating to the consequence of the outcome of the 2017 senatorial by-election vis a vis the 2018 governorship election in Osun State are too numerous. APC, judging from all the previous elections in the state, is clearly the party to beat.


Will the party-faithfuls tow the party line and vote according to party dictate? Are there intra-party squabbles that have not reared its ugly head? It is difficult to see if peradventure Otunba Ademola Adeleke wins the election, he will desire to run for governorship. He seems too green and unprepared for this. He may however be relevant when PDP is choosing who will run as running mate to the gubernatorial candidate, if the PDP governorship candidate is not from Osun West. If he loses the election on the other hand, it will amount to a short journey to "neverland". It will most likely be one of the shortest political careers in history. It will also be a severe blow for the ego of his family. It is sufficient to say at the moment that in PDP, Senator Iyiola Omisore is trying his possible best to mend fences with Sheriff’s faction.


He is from Ile-Ife and contested the 2014 governorship election against Governor Aregbesola. He is obviously warming up. He has been delivering lectures and repackaging himself. He also has financial muscle to flex; this will matter as PDP is no longer in power. During the 2014 governorship election he chose Rt. Hon. Adejare Bello from Ede as his running mate, he may consider picking Otunba Ademola Adeleke, if the latter becomes a Senator. Since Senator Iyiola Omisore is just mending fence with the ‘recognised’ PDP, others who are interested and eminently qualified may shut him out. They must however speak in unison and be resolute, which however is almost impossible in politics. Otherwise, he still seems to be the most potent force in PDP.


1. Alhaji Fatai Akinbade (Ogbagba, Osun West). 2. Chief Lere Oyewumi (Ikire, Osun West). 3. Rt. Hon. Adejare Bello (Ede, Osun West). 7. Chief Gbenga Owolabi (Ile-Ife, Osun East). Former Chairman, Ife East Local Government. Since Aregbesola is from Osun East senatorial district, will Senator Omisore still run for the governorship seat? The politics of zoning in Osun State is very interesting. Osun like every other state has three senatorial districts; West, Central and East. Osun also has nine federal constituencies, each senatorial district having three constituencies each. West - Iwo, Ikire, Ede; Central - Osogbo, Ikirun, Ila; and East - Ife, Ijesa South, Ijesa North.


Whereas in the first republic, the entire Osun State as it is now has six Administrative Divisions, coincidentally, there are two each in every senatorial districts. West - Iwo and Ede, Central - Osogbo and Ila; and East - Ife and Ijesa. There are five sub-ethnic groups in Osun - Igbomina Osun, Osun Osun, Oyo Osun, Ife Osun and Ijesa Osun. All the military administrators were not from Osun State, meanwhile, there have been four civilian governors in the state. 4. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2010 - till date). Osun East, Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Ijesa Division, Ijesa Osun. Whilst it is obvious that at no point did Osun people sat to decide on zoning, it is only fair that geographical spread principle are adopted.


Osun West have argued that it has been long the governorship came to their senatorial district, the Iwo bloc have maintained that if it has to come to West, it should be Iwo Division. The Osogbo Division argues that they are equally entitled, since their divisions have also been eluded. The Ife people have additionally indicated that although Aregbesola is from their senatorial district, he is not only from another Division but also from another sub-ethnic group. Stating that all other sub-ethnic groups have been opportune to produce governor except Ife. 1. Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (Iragbiji, Osun Central). 2. Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (Iwo, Osun West).


3. Rt. Hon. Nojeem Salaam (Ejigbo, Osun West). 4. Elder Peter Babalola (Ikire, Osun West). Former Commissioner and Chief of Staff. 5. Barrister Kunle Adegoke (Osogbo, Osun Central). 6. Senator Babajide Omoworare (Ile-Ife, Osun East). 8. Hon. Mojeed Alabi (Ejigbo, Osun West). 9. Mr. Bola Oyebamiji (Ikire, Osun West). Former Managing Director, Osun State Investment Company, currently Finance Commissioner. As a sidekick, I think I should mention that in spite of the fact that generally speaking, religion does not make any difference in Osun State, nay, the whole of South Western Nigeria. The Osun State Governor seems to have up the ante in this regard that the Christians are clamouring for the governorship.


If I may ask rhetorically, why would Otunba Ademola Adeleke change his middle name with which he registered as a voter overnight from "Jackson" to "Nurudeen"? Ede is predominantly Muslim, Otunba Adeleke’s father’s religion; but he obviously hitherto practised his mother’s religion, Christianity. In conclusion, it is not clear whether zoning would be adopted or not. In view of its "triple barrel effect" it is also not clear what effect the victory of Senator Mudasiru Husain at the 8th July election may potential have on zoning in Osun State. Not with standing that it is on everyone’s tongue that the Governor and some leaders already have a favourite, it may be a hoax and some under dogs among the potentials may actually be supported.


Yes, Nigeria is now a hotbed of terrorism; marinate on that for a minute. There appears to be many groups that could at a moment’s notice visit unspeakable cruelty to the minority in the north. By minority, I mean Christians, Southerners or perhaps members of the National Youth Service Corps that hail from southern states. Of the lot, one has managed to come to the fore by the sheer ‘success’ of their frontal assault on not just the minorities in the North, but also visible symbols of state or federal administrative power.who.int This group is known as Boko Haram. First of all, it would be necessary at this point to remind non-Nigerians about the tenuous nature of Nigeria’s constitution. Nigeria is roughly divided along religious lines into 2—the predominantly Christian South and the predominantly Muslim North.


This does not to suggest however that there are no Muslims in the South or Christians in the North; indeed as the case may be, there is a healthy 10% of Nigerians who are adherents of indigenous pagan religions. As the case may be, the North decided that it was not going to recognize the secular Nigerian constitution as the final arbiter on matters of justice. As if to give weight to that general sentiment, as far back as the first term of President Olusegun Obasanjo, 13 core Northern states in the Nigerian Federation unilaterally chose Sharia law as the preeminent law in these states.who.int ] unity of the federation. Suffice it to say that the Obasanjo administration did nothing to rein in these excesses with catastrophic consequences to the religious and cultural minorities in Northern Sharia states.


What followed was a season of anomie as people genuinely wrestled with Sharia’s prescribed punitive measures for crimes like petty theft and adultery. The world watched in horror as the predominantly Christian south railed at Sharia’s requirement of amputations for petty theft and stoning for adultery. This only consolidated the xenophobic attitudes of many extremist Northerners who chose to see the outrage as a direct attack on Islam and their religious identity. This gave rise to many resistance groups like Boko Haram, who swore to remove or kill the pesky Christians and Southerners and vestiges of Western education and civilization from core Northern states.


That struggle, to sanitize the North as it were, and rid it of the non-Muslims opposed to the dictates of the Quran, goes on to this day. It is against this backdrop that one has to now weigh the escalating terrorist activity of Boko Haram at this time. One thing is undeniable though: they have managed to grab not only the attention of the present occupant of Aso Rock but former occupants as well. As a matter of fact, people who were formerly complacent about the ugly menace of terrorism are beginning to wake up to the fact that Boko Haram really means its sinister business.


So, we are no longer just talking of routine massacres of innocent North-bound southern travelers who are waylaid, ordered off their luxurious buses, robbed at gun or machete point and then eventually slaughtered or set ablaze.youtube.com No, our homegrown terrorists are now going after big game. The time has come for all peace-loving Nigerians to wake up and smell the coffee and denounce Boko Haram and all her sister terrorist outfits. If Nigerians do not want the country to become another Pakistan or Afghanistan, paralyzed and ruled by discrepant extremist guerilla groups, the time for concerted and brave action is now.


We are talking about a well-funded terrorist network in Boko Haram. I am not normally in favor of governments turning their country’s military loose upon the local population, but Nigeria presents a unique case. The Nigerian military is perhaps the only organized force with the adequate firepower and training required to stake out Boko Haram hideouts and defeat them in any ensuing firefight. Down with Boko Haram and all their diabolical, murderous accomplices! The sooner this is nipped in the bud, the better for everyone.saharareporters.com It is regrettable to read or listen to commentary which amount to nothing more that cuddling and pacifying brazen killers.