Oyo Gov., Ajimobi Warns NURTW Members Against Violence

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has handed down a strong warning to leaders of the drivers’ unions not to allow their members to be used by politicians to cause mayhem as political parties intensify campaigns for the 2019 elections.

He gave the admonition in Egbeda, as he leads the campaign train for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and other candidates of the party in Egbeda/Ona Ara constituency, on Tuesday.

  

The governor was addressing leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and rival Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), who also attended the massive rally.

Ajimobi warned that any member of both unions caught causing trouble during the APC or any of the political party's campaign would be brought to justice.

The governor said, "We are warning the transport unions in Oyo State against infighting or inter-unions imbroglio. I am begging you to please let peace reign. But, if any of you foment trouble after this admonition, you will be suspended immediately.

"Not only that, you will face the full wrath of the constituted authority. Our administration enjoys the people's support because of the prevailing peace across the state and we will not allow you to truncate it for any reason.

“We have performed well enough in the almost eight years that we have been in the saddle and we have earned the trust and support of the good people of Oyo State in the coming elections. You are also free to support us, but don’t attack anybody.”

MultiChoice Talent Factory Masterclasses Begin Friday

The highly anticipated MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Masterclasses, the flagship Corporate Shared Value project of MultiChoice Nigeria, will begin on Friday.

This was announced in a statement by the video entertainment company.

According to the statement, the Masterclasses will present the industry with “Best in Class” workshops to increase MTF’s up-skilling outreach to established film and television industry professionals and are aimed at developing technical skills in cinematography, audio and storytelling to improve the quality of local productions. The Masterclasses will be powered by various industry partners as part of the shared value initiative’s three touch points alongside the MTF Academy and the soon-to-be launched industry networking portal.

The workshop is open to invited members of the film and television industry, who aspire to take their craft to the next level. Participants will be drawn from across the spectrum of the industry, with delegates from the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Lagos Television, independent television production companies and leading Nollywood professionals.

These will be led by well-respected experts. Among these are South African director and producer, Bobby Heaney; accomplished sound consultant from Dolby India, Vikram Joglekar; pan-African storytelling and creative consultant, Allison Triegaardt; award-winning Kenyan film producer Appie Matere; and Jonathan Kovel, the cinematographer behind the award-winning South African film Ayanda. Additionally, a special MTF Masterclass on Nollywood will be facilitated by Femi Odugbemi, Nigerian film/television expert and Academy Director for MTF Academy West Africa. 

“We are excited about the launch of this next touch point of MTF, as it reaffirms our commitment to supporting the industry and promoting sustainability  by creating shared value across the business through quality programming for our customers,’’ said John Ugbe, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria.

The MTF Masterclasses will be presented with support from Dolby Laboratories and FOX Portugal, which both play a crucial role in priming the MTF Academy students as key players in the growth and sustainability of Africa’s creative film and television industry.

Speaking about the workshop Odugbemi said: “The success of these MTF Masterclasses will, over time, deliver a more professionalized, networked film and television industry across Africa and an expanded community of highly- skilled professional who are passionate about creating quality home-grown content.”

Behold! Apostle Suleman Takes Gospel To Pakistan

Because the testimony of the Gospels provides the most reliable witness to Christ, servant of God and senior pastor at Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle (Prof.) Johnson Suleman, would be taking the evangelism to an uncommon territory this week.

The ‘Oracle of God’ who regularly travels across countries of the world in a mission to deliver God’s messages, is billed to host a two-day apostolic crusade in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, from Tuesday 15^th to Wednesday 16^th of January, 2019. Characteristics of Suleman, he would be preaching the Gospel in Pakistan, to his congregation and to Pakistanis, as it is.

Not known to soft-pedal around terminologies to please his audience, the servant of God would be clear with his message, about his beliefs and why his audience should also believe.

“The more you know about your faith, the easier it is to convince people whose lives are about to be restored,” an inside source said of the OFM team’s preparedness for the Pakistani mission.

The crusade which will hold at the Defence Marquee & Event Complex, Airport Road, Lahore Cantt, would be about preaching and winning souls, according to the source. However, the servant of God would also be empowering people as he has always done.

According to Apostle Suleman; “I have a mission to keep people out of Hell. And the only time the Gospel of Christ does not work is when we don’t use it. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Romans 1:16).

MELAYE: Senator's Absence Stalls Trial

The absence of Dino Melaye in court on Monday stalled his trial in the ongoing alleged false information case before Justice Olasunmbo Goodluck of an Abuja Federal High Court.

Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, is facing a two-count charge bordering on giving false information to the police.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Shuaib Labaran, had arraigned Melaye, alleging that the defendant had sometime in April, 2017 deliberately given false information to the police.

Labaran alleged that Melaye had deliberately volunteered information that incriminated David Onoja, Chief of Staff to the Kogi State governor as the mastermind of an assassination attempt on him.

The prosecution counsel further alleged that Melaye had in April, 2017, given false statement of facts during a phone conversation with Mr Mohammed Abubakar, son of the late former governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu.

The senator, however, denied committing the offence which contravened Sections 140 and 393 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.

On resumption of hearing on Monday, Labaran, told the court that Malaye was absent from court but that his Counsel, Mr Olusegun Jolaawo, had explained the circumstance of his absence to him.

The prosecuting counsel informed the court that Jalaawo had appealed to him to agree to his request for adjournment since the court had initially given two different days for continuation of hearing in the case.

Labaran then informed the court that he was not opposed to the defendant’s counsel’s request for an adjournment.

Jolaawo informed the court that Melaye was absent in court because he was in custody of the police.

“Because the court does not take to speculation, the defence team had obtained a certified copy order of the FCT High Court by Justice Yusuf Halilu on Jan. 9, ordering the remand of the senator in police custody.’’

He said the defence team had tendered before the court, a filed application for enforcement of Melaye’s right, filed by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) before Halilu.

The counsel informed the court the date the remand order would expire, which consequently made Justice Goodluck, to adjourned the case until Jan. 28 for continuation of hearing. 

-NAN

CCT: "I Was Not Properly Served" Justice Onnoghen

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Samuel has denied receiving proper service to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to face trial over alleged false asset declaration.

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) filed a six-count charge against the CJN over alleged failure to declare his asset upon assumption of office as provided in Section 15 (1) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act C15, punishable under Section 23 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the same Act.

Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who is leading the defence team, argued that Section 123 (a) and 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) mandated personal service of the defendant in criminal matters.

Olanipekun also challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter, adding that the defendant was not served with leave of court containing the date for the arraignment.

“Our appearance here is on protest. We are not yet at the stage of trial,” he said.

Following the submission, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar asked the court registrar for the report of service of summons on the CJN.

The registrar informed the court that the CJN, on Friday, directed him to serve his personal secretary with the summons on his behalf.

A mild drama ensued when the chairman of the tribunal said the rule allows service on the defendant’s next door neighbour.

But Olanipekun expressed surprise that service in a criminal matter can be served on a neighbour without an order of court for substituted service to that effect.

Prosecution counsel, Aliyu Umar asked the court to order the trial of the defendant before any objection can be raised.

“We concede that personal service is mandatory in criminal matters under Section 123 of the ACJA, however arraignment has to be made before any objection,” he said.

He however, suggested an adjournment to allow for fresh service to be personally served on the CJN.

Apostle Suleman Becomes JMI Foundation Ambassador

A fresh honour has been added to the success feathers of servant of God and senior pastor at Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle (Prof.) Johnson Suleman, as the Adeagbo Johnfred Adewale led JMI Foundation in France, just endowed him with the '2019 Ambassador Award'.


The Foundation noted for its philanthropic gesture, said it honoured Apostle Suleman for his continuous positive impact on individuals, nations and the globe at large.

 

According to the founder of the prestigious organisation, Suleman was particularly singles out for his exemplary lifestyle both within and outside the pulpit.

The Edo State born respected clergy has bagged several Awards of excellence from within and outside the shores of Africa.


The team plans to present him with the award plaque soon.

Massive Turnout As Aisha Buhari Flags Off Women Campaign for Buhari's 2nd Term

There was massive turnout of APC supporters today in Kano, as wife of the president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, flagged off the campaign for the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The campaign which took place at the Sani Abacha Stadium was graced by party bigwigs which include the Kano State governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, General Buba Marwa, Dame Pauline Tallen, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman  Dambazau, and many other personalities.

Below are pictures from the event.