Connect with us

NEWS

Kwara govt reacts to fake video on AbdulRazaq, calls it ‘throwback to Kwara’s dark age’

Published

on

Kwara govt reacts to fake video on AbdulRazaq, calls it 'throwback'

Kwara State government has reacted to a trending video where some people disrupted an event Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq attended in 2018 when he was not a governor but which was posted as a recent occurrence.

A statement issued by Alhaji Bashir Adigun who is Special Adviser to the governor alleged that loyalists of former Senate President, Bukola Saraki were behind the video. But in a quick reaction, the spokesman of Saraki, Yusuf Olaniyan said that the former Senate President ‘would not want to be dragged into their local politics,’ saying that it was wrong to allege that the mischief came from them. ‘Anybody could have done that, even within their party, it’s possible,’ Olaniyan said, adding that the Saraki group had been victims of such mischief in the past. ‘We don’t want to be involved as we don’t know anything about it,’ he said with some finality. The statement from Bashir Adigun read thus:

”Yesterday afternoon, August 7, 2022, some opposition figures sought to trend a video in which thugs and supporters of former Senate President Bukola Saraki threw caution to the wind and disrupted an event held on 26th December 2018 by the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) at the Emir of Ilorins Palace. This video showed the Saraki crowd, known in those years for intimidating people, heckling the then governorship candidate of APC AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as he gave his remarks at the community event in the presence of the Emir and dignitaries from the Emirate.

Attached to the video (they tried to trend now) is a caption that the Governor was booed at Kwara State Polytechnic. It is false. No event took place in Kwara Polytechnic yesterday, August 7, 2022, to warrant the Governor being there. The video was taken in 2018 at the annual event organised by Ilorin Emirate’s apex sociocultural body, the IEDPU. The Governor who was a candidate then, attended the event as a special guest of his home community association. It is well known that this riotous  and disrespectful action by Saraki supporters and thugs was the last straw that caused the Saraki’s loss of every single elective seat in Kwara at the 2019 General Elections.

Those who trended the video desperately meant to send the signal that an incumbent Governor was being booed. That probably misled the wrong audience. For the Kwara audience, however, the video did the opposite. It reminded them of the terrible old days when anyone who held different views was treated with contempt and harassed with thugs loyal to the deposed dynasty. The video reminds them of the dreaded dark days when respected Royalty and elders of the community were humiliated for daring to differ. The video brought back memories of when opposition leaders were denied access to public places.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Army neutralises bandits, apprehend notorious kidnappers, robbers

But the fake video came at a wrong moment in history.  Over the last three years of the AbdulRazaq Administration, Kwara has enjoyed unprecedented peace and security. Scheduled flights to the city of Ilorin have quadrupled. Less than a month ago, this conducive environment allowed all Ilorin sons and daughters and residents of the capital city to enjoy  a very peaceful Eid as well as a joyous Durbar at which the Governor and other dignitaries rode on horseback along with the Emir amidst a cheering tumultuous crowd. Such events were never held peacefully in those dark years.

It was a video that retold the story of the horrors of those years, in contrast with the convivial atmosphere that the same man they harassed in the old video has now created in Kwara State. It is a rude awakening of Kwarans to the ugly past administrations and a time call for them to exercise their imminent civic duty of voting to permanently bury the bad old days and its ruthless rulers.

While the Governor represents a bright new dawn of free speech, those behind the video are purveyors of fake news reminiscent of the old order.

Certainly, no reasonable Kwaran wishes a return of those years where to hold a contrary view earns you jeers, indignation and violence.

Members of the public are kindly urged to ignore the old video clip which is clearly one propaganda gone awry.”

NEWS

Tinubu To Attend Africa Heads of State Energy Summit In Tanzania

Published

on

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.

Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.

READ MORE: Tinubu Appoints Ganduje, Ajibola, Others As Heads Of Federal Agencies

The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.

According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.

The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.

On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.

President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.

He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.

Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.

President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Italy Collaborates With Edo To Combat Irregular Migration

Published

on

 

The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.

The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.

He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.

ALSO READ: Terrorism: Police Neutralises ESN Kingpins, Destroys Camps In Imo

It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.

Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.

The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.

In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”

On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.

“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.

“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.

Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.

“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.

Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.

He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”

Continue Reading

NEWS

JUST IN: Security Beefed Up As Obasa’s Supporters Occupy Speaker’s Lodge

Published

on

Lagos Assembly Passes DNA Bill for Criminal Investigation

Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.

The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.

According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.

READ MORE: 9mobile Commends NCC For 50% Tariff Adjustment To Boost Telecom Sector

Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.

The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.

A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”

Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.

As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.