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Tinubu Presses Panic Button, Summons Govs To Aso Rock

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The twin evils of economic hardship and insecurity threatening Nigeria appear to have moved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into panic mode.

He has summoned an emergency meeting with the governors, in Aso Rock, on Thursday before departing for Ethiopia for the African Union (AU) meeting.

Biztellers reports that the meeting is coming on heels of continuous outcry from relevant quarters including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, being chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhi Muhammad Abubakar lll.

The Sultan, who is also the leader of the Muslim in Nigeria, lamented that despite the President Tinubu administration being a continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party governance, the hardship had gotten worse, breeding national anger induced by hunger.

He said, “To me, this government is a continuation of the former government; it is the same party. So, what really is the problem? I think that is one of the reasons we are here to talk to ourselves.

“We owe it a duty to the teeming millions of people that believe in the traditional institution to bring solutions to the various problems facing them. We will not fail in doing that. We will do our best.’’

He was addressing a gathering, which could be described as a mini national summit of the northern Nigeria in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Among the Sultan’s audience were prominent citizens and leaders including top members of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) as well as the representatives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Iyerste, other traditional rulers, and citizens.

He challenged his audience to come up with ideas that could address the twin challenges of poverty and insecurity confronting the northern region.

This would have prompted President Tinubu to summon today’s meeting.

It was gathered that the Vice President Kashim Shettima would meet President Tinubu at the Council Chamber as a prelude to the meeting with the governors.

Shettima would go on to preside over the 139th session of the National Economic Council (NEC), the first in 2024, with the President set to depart for Ethiopia later in the day to participate in the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU.

Aside what is in public space – economic hardship and insecurity, not much is known of the agenda, but the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga had expressed the opinion that attention for solution should also be focused on the state governors and Local Government Chairmen.

He took to his verified X handle on Wednesday to assert that they should “wake up to their responsibilities” and resolve the food crisis and hardship in Nigeria.

He wrote, “The Federal Government is not the only actor in town. You have your duties cut out for you. Imagine each state making efforts to boost food production in its domain, build one world-class hospital, good roads, good schools etc. Imagine what our country would have become.’’

The ruling APC, the Presidency and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been trading blames on the crisis confronting Nigeria.

Governors elected on the platform of the PDP had expressed concern that the ship of state was drifting uncontrollably.

They compared Nigeria’s economic situation to that of Venezuela, a South American country in the throes of hyperinflation, escalating starvation, disease, crime, and high mortality rates.

To this, the Presidency fired back, pointing to the poor performance of the governors, including their failure to pay salaries, pensions, and the N30,000 minimum wage.

Recall that hardship induced protests had broken out in different parts of Nigeria including Niger, Kano, Kogi, Ondo, and other states.

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Wike’s Wife, CJN’s Daughter-in-Law Nominated For Judicial Position

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The Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Mrs. Justice Nyesom-Wike Suzzette, wife of the Federal Capital Territory’s Minister, Nyesom Wike, for a position on the Court of Appeal.

Suzzette, a former First Lady of Rivers State and currently a judge at the Rivers State High Court, is among 21 candidates proposed for elevation to the appellate court.

Additionally, Ariwoola Oluwemi Victoria, theP daughter-in-law of Niygeria’s Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has been recommended for a promotion to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

She is one of 12 judges selected for advancement to this court.

Justice Ariwoola is expected to bow out of Nigeria’s judiciary in August this year.The NJC, at the same meeting, barred two judges, Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court and Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court, from elevation to the Appeal Court for two to three years and issued them warning letters.

Justice Ekwo was reprimanded for the abuse of discretionary power by wrongly granting an ex-parte order in Suit No FHC/ABJ/C/626/2023 Juliet Ebere Nwadi Gbaka & 2 others Vs Seplat Energy Plc & 12 others.

He was barred from elevation for two years.

Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi received a warning letter for failing to deliver judgment within the stipulated period in Joseph Anene Okafor Vs Skye Bank, suit No A/94/2010, after parties had filed and adopted their final written addresses.

He will not be elevated to a higher bench for three years.

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LSFRS, NNPC Ltd Sing Discordant Tunes Over Lagos Depot Fire

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A tank farm in the Apapa area of Lagos State went up in flames in the early hours of Friday.

A viral video of the sad incident, now making the rounds on social media platforms indicates that it is the property of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).

The video was being traced to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS).

However, the NNPC Ltd has denied that none of its facilities in the location was affected, it posited that the fire incident, from a pipeline, affected a farm tank belonging to Honeywell Oil and Gas.

Director, Public Affairs, LSFRS, Amodu Shakiru, has confirmed the incident, and that firefighting operations were ongoing as at the time of going to press.

Shakira said, “Yes, we just received a call from that area and the call came in at 11:27am.

“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is attending to a fire outbreak at the new NNPC Terminal, formerly OVH, Kayode Street, Marine Beach, Apapa.

“The fire resulted from a spillage of petroleum products within the perimeter of the tank farm”.

In the same vein, Director and Chief Executive Officer, LSFRS, Margaret Adeseye, said concerted efforts with various emergency responders within the oil and gas industry were being made to contain the situation.

“The public is hereby assured that the emergency operations are under control from escalating further,” Adeseye stated.

However, the Punch cited Spokesperson, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, as saying that the fire was not from the company’s depot but from HOGL.

“It is not at the NNPC, but at HOGL. The fire is at a pipeline at HOGL. The fire has since been extinguished. It’s at the Honeywell depot but it has now been extinguished. Not NNPC,” Soneye said.

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Alakija Hails Gov Adeleke

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The Chancellor of Osun State University and Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil Limited, Folorunso Alakija has described Governor Ademola Adeleke as “an action Governor who is delivering good governance to the good people of Osun state”.

She bared her mind, while hosting Gov Adeleke at the Ikoyi headquarters of Famfa Oil Limited.

According to her, she she has been following activities of Gov Adeleke since he assumed office, and commended him for setting a good leadership example.

The billionaire businesswoman on the occasion flanked by two of her directors, Ladi and Folarin Alakija, noted that the Osun State Governor has been demonstrating strong passion for public service and pursuing a big agenda for the state.

She prayed to God Almighty to strengthen the Governor for a second term in office, as in her opinion, four years were not enough for an action governor like Gov Adeleke to deliver fully on his ambitious agenda for the state.

Reviewing her tenure as the Chancellor of the Osun State University, the Famfa boss recalled the conception and stages of completion of the UNIOSUN Medical Research and Training Hospital which she wholly donated and financed.

She pointed out that the project which is 95 percent completed was designed to serve the health needs of patients from far and near and elevate service to humanity to a higher level.

Earlier, Governor Adeleke, accompanied by the Vice Chancellor of the Osun State University, Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye and other state officials, said he was ‘on a thank you visit to the business mogul to appreciate her huge contributions to the growth and development of the state university’.

Gov Adeleke expressed appreciation for the massive multi-billion naira Medical Research and Training hospital that Apostle Dr Alakija was building at the State university, describing Famfa boss as “a commendable role model in the field of philanthropy.

“We are here as a government to appreciate you. You are uncommon and rare in your love for service to humanity.”

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