NEWS
Adeleke’s Spokesman Tackles Omokri
The row between Dele Momodu and Reno Omokri has begun spreading, with Osun State throwing her hat into the ring.
Osun has put out a statement asserting that Omokri’s tale was not factual, and ‘laced with inaccuracies’.
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke,
Mallam Olawale Rasheed, made a strong response to Omokri in a statement share on the verified handle on X, on Friday, July 19, 2024.
Rasheed encouraged Omokri to research well, so that he would not be feeding his followers with “lie from the pit of hell”.
ALSO READ: Message To Tinubu: Momodu Bombs Busybody Reno
Recall that Omokri rose in defence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after Momodu penned an arousing open letter to the president.
Omokri had devoted portion of his to counselling Momodu to advise his friend, Gov Adeleke.
Rasheed wrote, “Dear Reno Omokri (@renoomokri)
“I read your post on Aree Dele Momodu and his writings on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State. Your piece is, however, laced with inaccuracies especially with respect to the state of staff salary and pension in Osun state.
“Extracts from your post that verges on fake news read as follows: “However, in Osun State, we read reports of half salaries, workers being owed, and other incidents of hardship on the state workers. This is despite the fact that federal allocation to Osun State has increased by at least 45% under the current administration”
“Above is a lie from the pit of hell
“A little research would have assisted you to know the true state of pensions and half salaries that were inherited by Governor Adeleke. For your information, the Government of Governor Adeleke inherited about Fifty Six Billion Naira (N56 Billion) in pension debt and almost Thirty Billion naira (N30 Billion) in half salary debt from the previous APC state government.
“From November 2022 till today, Governor Adeleke embarked on systematic payment of the inherited half salary debt with six months already paid.
“For the pension debt, Governor Adeleke has paid about Twelve Billion and Five Hundred Million Naira (N12.5 billion) in the last one and half year compared to Eleven Billion Naira plus (N11.7 Billion) paid under the 12 years of APC government in Osun State.
“Aside from gradual payment of the inherited pension and half salary debt, Governor Adeleke has ensured regular and consistent payment of monthly salary and allowances of the state workers since he assumed office.
“The Governor’s records on workers’ welfare so excited the public service unions that they gave him an award for the most Humane Governor in Osun history in December 2023. You may want to know that the first item on Governor Adeleke’s Five Point Agenda is Workers’ Welfare.
“Where you got your concoction of workers being owed salaries under Governor Adeleke is therefore puzzling. As much as I don’t want to accuse you of peddling fake news, I believe you failed to properly plan your response to Aree Momodu, hence your allusion to a non-existing wage crisis in Osun state. You owe the public and even your followers the responsibility to post truths, not baseless accusations against a performing Governor.
“And if I may comment on why many media friends write so much about Osun, it is simply because they see with fact checks the rapid progress Osun is making under Governor Adeleke. The administration enjoys so much support from the media not because of the heavy purse but rather due to professional media coverage which clearly reflects the tireless efforts of the dancing performing Governor to take Osun to new heights.”
NEWS
Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price To ₦970 per Litre For Marketers
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to ₦970 per litre for oil marketers.
This new price, effective immediately, marks a ₦20 decrease from the refinery’s previous ex-depot price of ₦990 per litre, which was set earlier this month.
In a statement released on Sunday, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, explained that the price reduction is a way for the company to express its appreciation to Nigerians for their unwavering support in making the refinery a reality.
READ MORE: NDLEA Nabs Businessman For Using Ingestion To Smuggle Cocaine
“This decision is our way of thanking Nigerians for their unwavering support in making the refinery a dream come true,” Chiejina said.
The statement also highlighted the refinery’s gratitude towards the Nigerian government, acknowledging the role of government measures in supporting domestic businesses.
“In addition, this is to thank the government for their support, as this will complement the measures put in place to encourage domestic enterprise for our collective well-being,” the statement read.
Despite the price cut, the refinery reassured consumers that there would be no compromise on the quality of its products. “While the refinery would not compromise on the quality of its petroleum products, we assure you of best quality products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable,” the statement added.
The company also committed to ramping up production to meet domestic fuel consumption and alleviate concerns over potential supply shortages.
“We are determined to keep ramping up production to meet and surpass our domestic fuel consumption; thus, dispelling any fear of a shortfall in supply,” the statement concluded.
The price reduction is expected to save marketers approximately ₦20 per litre on purchases from the refinery’s Lekki-based plant.
NEWS
I Am Just A Content Creator – Simon Ekpa Denies Biafran Leadership Role
Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent and a controversial figure in the Biafran separatist movement, has dismissed his self-styled title of “Prime Minister of Biafra” as inconsequential.
Speaking during legal proceedings at the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, Ekpa stated, “I am just a content creator; the issue of Prime Minister of Biafra is not serious.”
READ ALSO: National Assembly In Top Gear For Tinubu’s 2025 Budget Presentation
Ekpa’s statement comes in the wake of his arrest by Finnish authorities on charges related to incitement of terrorism.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has accused Ekpa of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
The arrest stems from an incident in Lahti on August 23, 2021, and officials are also seeking the detention of four other suspects linked to the case.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the NBI said in a statement.
Ekpa, who has used his social media platforms to advocate for Biafran independence, has been a divisive figure in Nigeria’s southeast region.
His rhetoric and actions, including calls for economic shutdowns through “sit-at-home” orders, have been linked to widespread unrest and disruptions in the region.
NEWS
National Assembly In Top Gear For Tinubu’s 2025 Budget Presentation
The National Assembly management team, led by Clerk Sani Magaji Tambawal, has ramped up efforts to ensure a seamless presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The event, scheduled for a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, is regarded as a significant moment in Nigeria’s legislative calendar.
Preparations include a thorough inspection of the assembly chambers to ensure all facilities are fully functional.
READ MORE: PDP Governors Probe Ondo Polls, Criticizes Edo Result
Deputy Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana, who is overseeing the technical arrangements, confirmed that key systems, including microphones, sound equipment, and other audio-visual tools, have been tested to ensure smooth communication during the session.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that the National Assembly is fully prepared to receive Mr. President and provide a conducive environment for this significant moment in our democratic process,” Ogunlana stated.
Seating arrangements are also being finalized to accommodate lawmakers, government officials, and other dignitaries expected at the session.
Security measures are being reviewed in collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of all attendees. Meanwhile, press accreditation is being managed to facilitate effective media coverage.
The 2025 budget presentation is expected to highlight the government’s economic priorities while reinforcing the partnership between the executive and legislative arms of government.
As the session approaches, the National Assembly has expressed its commitment to upholding Nigeria’s democratic values and providing a platform for transparent governance.