Top Lawyer, Kabir Shote, Emerges Ijebu Central House of Reps Candidate

prominent lawyer, Taiwo Kabir Shote, has emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ijebu Central Federal constituency in the 2019 general elections.

The primaries for the House of Representatives seat were held peacefully today (Wednesday). He is expected to slug it out with candidates from other political parties in the next election.

Following his victory, Barr Shote expressed his appreciation to the party leaders, elders and delegates who trooped out in large number for the event.

He commended all the stakeholders for their perseverance, orderly and peaceful conduct that led to a successful primary.

In his own words, "I am indeed humbled by my emergence as the flag bearer of our party in Ijebu Central Federal Constituency for the 2019 House of Representatives election, but I will like to state that this is our collective victory. The primary was only the first step in our match to victory and the Green Chamber in Abuja. 

"As a party, we must continue to work as a team to deliver victory at next year's general election. You, my dear leaders and elders, who constitute the delegates, endured the long hours, the pushing and shoving and the scorching sun to elect me to represent you and our party at the general election. For all these, I will remain always indebted and committed to you.

Barrister Shote, added,"I intend to run a vibrant, open, inclusive and issues-based campaign. A campaign that will have the input of all our Stakeholders. A campaign that will accommodate all interests and tendencies within the PDP family.

“I appeal to all PDP members in Ijebu Central Federal Constituency to rally behind me and all other PDP candidates for various positions, towards ensuring that the party records wide-ranging and resounding victory in the 2019 general election.

“It is time for all of us to unite and forge ahead together as a people with a common destiny. It is only as one big family that we can achieve the desires of the long suffering people of Ogun State."

Mosseri Takes Over As Instagram Head

Following the resignation of Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Facebook has appointed Instagram’s Vice President of Product to become head of the photo-sharing social network.

While the official story remains that Systrom and Krieger resigned to take some time off to explore their curiosity and creativity again, and possibly to pursue building a new start-up from scratch, inside sources insist the real reason Systrom and Krieger departed was disagreements with Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg over the direction of the app.

Their departure was months after the resignation of co-founder and CEO of WhatsApp, Jan Koum. Koum quit Facebook in April over disagreements about data privacy, advertising and encryption.

The story of Mosseri taking over was sold to the public as a means to pursue continuity to Instagram. Systrom and Krieger who broke the news of his appointment wrote in a blog post, “Since we announced our departure, many people have asked us what we hope for the future of Instagram. To us, the most important thing is keeping our community — all of you — front and centre in all that Instagram does. We believe that Adam will hold true to these values and that Instagram will continue to thrive.”

Adam is also perceived by many to be close to Zuckerberg, and getting the job as a result of that, but Systrom and Krieger are sure Instagram is in safe hands with Mosseri.

Amosun Commissions Gateway Polytechnic Apps Devt. Centre

Determined to ensure that Nigerian youths explore the opportunities that abound in the information, Communication and technology sector, Ogun state governor,  Ibikunle Amosun has commissioned the Gateway ICT Polytechnic apps development centre.

The centre which focuses in software and mobile application developments was commissioned at the 2nd Convocation Ceremony of the institution.

Representing the governor,  Commissioner for Education, Modupe Mujota said the government will work to ensure the institution partners with global players on sustainable development in apps development.

Her words " I am looking forward to a lot of creativity,  we are also going to be trying to connect the school with global players,  who knows the likes of Google and a lot may take a look at what we are doing here,  but indeed is a great work"

Speaking on what necessitated the centre,  Rector Gateway ICT Polytechnic,  Dr. Isaiah Oyeyinka said the aim is to train undergraduates that will be independent,  imbibe the entrepreneurial spirit and be self-sustaining in a country that is relatively dependent on oil.

His words, "not only that we will train people on apps development,  we will also do technology incubation,  we will nourish their company to grow before we release them to the society. We took the cue from places like America where they incubate their technology and that is why you see great things coming forward from such a place. 

Dr. Oyeyinka said the polytechnic is committed to continue in its determination to provide qualitative programmes in Engineering,  Science and Technology,  ICT within the mandate of the National Policy on Education and subject to regulations of the National Board for Technical Education.

"Don't Increase Tuition Fees" ...ASUU Warns

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday raised the alarm over the alleged plan by the Federal Government to increase tuition fees to N350,000 in universities.

The zonal chairman of the union, Dr. Ade Adejumo, told newsmen in Ibadan that that was the position of Federal Government’s team led by Dr Wale Babalakin when the team visited the union at the University of of Ibadan, Oyo State.

He said the union was also kicking against government’s plan to establish education bank where students would seek loans to go attend public universities.

Adejumo warned that unless the government honoured the memorandum of action it signed with the union in 2017, it could not guarantee industrial peace and harmony on university campuses.

He listed the issues in the memorandum, which according to him could cause an industrial action, as including “collapse of the renegotiation of 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, non-release of over two trillion naira meant for the revitalization of decayed infrastructure in public varsities (2014-2018), failure to release the forensic audit on the disbursement of Earned Academic Allowances covering 2009 to 2017, failure to pay arrears of shortfall in accrued salaries in Universities that have been verified under PICA, failure to release operational license of NUPEMCO, and needless proliferation of state universities.”

Nwosu, Uzodinma Claim Victory In Imo Senatorial Primary

The ruling APC in Imo State is embroiled in confusion following the declaration of two aspirants – Uche Nwosu and Senator Hope Uzodinma – as winners of its gubernatorial ticket.

While Uzodinma was declared winner by the chairman of Imo State governorship primary electoral committee, Ahmed Gulak, nine members of the committee disowned him and declared Uche Nwosu as winner.

According to the result declared by Gulak, Uzodinma polled 423,895 votes to beat his closet rival, the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Prince Eze Madumere, who polled 128,325 votes.

Nwosu scored 10,329 votes while Sir George Eche was said to have scored 16,597 votes. Engr. Chuks Ololo got 13,645; Sir Jude Ejiogu, 12,369; Peter Gbujie, 12,329; Barr. Chima Anozie, 11, 071; and Chris Nlemoha, 9, 253 votes.

But in a dramatic twist, Nwosu the favourite in-law of Governor Rochas Okorocha, was declared winner by eight out of the 12 members of the committee.Meanwhile, a statement by the national spokesman of APC, Yekini Nabena, has cancelled the primaries but did not give any reason.

In Ekiti, Thunder Strikes, Kills 23 Cows

At least 23 cows have been killed in Ekiti State following the deafening thunder which was accompanied by a downpour recorded in parts of the state in last couple of days.

The incident, which occurred at Okeowa Eluju, a farmstead in Iloro-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the state, has caused apprehension among local residents.

While confirming the incident, a Fulani herder and owner of the dead cows, Abdulkadri Kadiri, said he was devastated by the development. According to NAN, Kadiri described the incident as a strange occurrence.

“I went to farm after about six hours heavy downpour on Monday morning, only to discover that 23 of my cows had died. After careful observation, I found that there was no trace of bodily injuries on the dead cows. I want to believe it is an act of God since I did not offend or quarrel with anyone,” he said.

Kadiri, however, said he had not experienced such incident in his 35 years of business. The Regent of the community, Joseph Alofe, who also confirmed the incident, described the victim as a gentle and peace loving herder.

The community leader, who also described the incident as strange to the village, called on government and well-meaning individuals to assist the herder, to revive his business.

Anambra Senatorial Primaries: Ifeanyi Ubah Loses To Bianca Ojukwu

The All Progressives Grand Alliance has disqualified oil magnate, Ifeanyi Ubah, from the senatorial race of Anambra South district.

In a publication signed by the National Chairman of APGA, Dr Victor Oye, the party disqualified Ubah for not obtaining waiver to contest the election.

It was gathered that Ubah contested the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 18 , 2017 poll in the state.

Shortly after the poll, he dumped the PDP and joined forces with the state governor , Willie Obiano , to win the election for APGA .

A few days ago, Ubah allegedly published a video on the Internet claiming that Obiano promised him the Senate seat of Anambra South district in the buildup to the November governorship race.

The developed pit him against the hierarchy of the party which saw the act as insubordination.

In the publication on Tuesday , APGA said the businessman was disqualified because he did not obtain a waiver that would have qualified him to contest election on its platform.

The party cleared Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, Nicholas Ukachuwu , Ikenna Mbazuluike- Amaechi and Anselm Enyimba for Anambra South district.

The incumbent Senator for Anambra Central , Chief Victor Umeh , was cleared as the sole aspirant for the district.

In the Anambra - North senatorial district, a former deputy governor of the state , Chinedu Emeka, was also cleared as the sole aspirant in the area.

The APGA senatorial primaries are expected to hold on Wednesday.