In response to mounting allegations of forgery surrounding his Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) certificate, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has offered an explanation.
Atiku Abubakar’s clarification was communicated via his aide, Dele Momodu, who shared the statement on the candidate’s social media platform, X, on Tuesday.
The controversy had arisen due to concerns raised by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the name “Sadiq Abubakar” appearing on Atiku’s WAEC certificate, which seemed inconsistent with his other credentials.
However, Atiku Abubakar’s response to the allegations provides clarity.
According to Momodu’s statement, Atiku confirmed, “Yes, I used Sadiq Abubakar to sit for my WAEC, and after passing my exams, I went to swear an affidavit to say I am the same person as ATIKU Abubakar. I went to ABU as Atiku Abubakar and passed my exams as Atiku Abubakar. Interviewed as Atiku Abubakar by the Federal Civil Service Commission and hired into the Customs Service as Atiku Abubakar. So where is forgery there?”
Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been released from custody in Cotonou, Benin Republic, after nearly two years.
Igboho, in a statement, confirmed his freedom and stated that he can now return to Nigeria and travel worldwide as he has met all legal bail conditions.
However, he did not specify when he plans to return to Nigeria.
He expressed his gratitude to President Talon of Benin Republic, Professor Banji Akintoye, Professor Wole Soyinka, and various Yoruba indigenes, politicians, media, academia, and monarchs for their unwavering support during his trial period in Cotonou.
Igboho also extended his thanks to religious leaders, traditional worshippers, and others who prayed for his release.
While acknowledging the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Baba Ayo Adebanjo, Igboho emphasized the importance of unity among Yoruba leaders and urged political figures and monarchs to work together for the betterment of Yoruba land.
Igboho was initially arrested on July 20, 2021, in Benin Republic while attempting to travel to Germany.
Former presidential spokesperson and renowned journalist, Reuben Abati, has raised a pertinent question regarding the whereabouts of Nigerian President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Abati’s keen observation highlights that President Tinubu has been conspicuously absent from the public eye for several days, with no official statement clarifying his location, consequently sparking concerns about his well-being.
In his inquiry, Abati directed attention to the President’s handlers, emphasizing the need for transparency and regular updates to keep the citizens informed about their leader’s activities.
Abati underscored that the last public sighting of Tinubu was during the nation’s 63rd independence anniversary celebrations on October 1, shortly after his return from an extended trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The President’s whereabouts remained unknown until his return to Nigeria on the night of September 29, despite unconfirmed reports suggesting he might have flown to Paris from New York.
During his appearance on the Arsie TV Morning Show, Abati pointed out the absence of key government activities, such as council meetings, the inauguration of recently screened Ministers, and the timely execution of essential government functions.
Additionally, Abati noted that President Tinubu has not been participating in official functions nor receiving guests at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
Instead, Vice President Kashim Shettima has been representing the government in various public engagements.
Former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and gubernatorial aspirant, Olumide Akpata, has shared his inspiring journey as a cancer survivor during his 51st birthday celebration in Benin on Sunday.
Akpata revealed that he miraculously overcame stage three cancer a decade ago after multiple surgeries, and he has remained cancer-free for the past five years.
Expressing his gratitude for life, Akpata said, “It is a miracle that I am still standing,” while dancing with thanksgiving.
He also reflected on the loss of his mother at a young age, emphasizing that God’s blessings and mercies have shaped his life positively.
Akpata, a member of the Labour Party (LP), discussed his political aspirations, stating that the party had warmly welcomed him and expressed confidence in winning the 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
He conveyed his determination to become the next governor of the state.
The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, Commissioner for Information, Chris Nehikhare, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Edo State, Oluwole Uzi, and other prominent figures from the legal and political spheres.
In response to the threat made by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to ban the movement of cows within the Nigerian capital, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has issued a statement dismissing the minister’s warning as inconsequential.
Saleh Alhassan Kubah, the National Secretary of the organization, expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of such a ban.
Kubah stated, “Where is the grazing land in Abuja? Is it inside the building they will graze? The thing is, Wike is not consequential. We have seen Ortom come and go.”
He further highlighted that many of the cattle in Abuja belong to the elite and suggested that Minister Wike should find a way to accommodate them.
He also called for the development of the city, addressing the needs of neglected indigenous people, and focusing on rural areas and satellite towns.
Kubah concluded by saying, “No matter how it is, he will leave very soon. We can’t engage him. He can’t get new information from us. He’s an attention seeker. Is there any grazing land around the Villa?”
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has put forth an urgent appeal to the government for permission to carry firearms.
The request comes in the light of increasing concerns about the safety of its personnel, who often face attacks from road users and criminals while performing their duties.
Corps Marshal Dauda Biu conveyed this plea during the inauguration of 1,762 newly trained FRSC personnel in Kontagora, Niger State, on Saturday.
Represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal Shehu Zaki, Biu stressed the necessity of arming FRSC members to ensure their protection amidst the current security challenges in the country.
The FRSC has been pursuing approval to bear arms since 1992, and the rising insecurity in Nigeria has amplified the urgency of this request.
Biu emphasized, “Right now, looking at the level of insecurity in the country, it is not out of place for the FRSC to start using arms to enable us to protect ourselves when the need arises.”
While making this appeal, Biu also called on the newly trained personnel to exhibit unwavering dedication, discipline, honour, integrity, accountability, transparency, courtesy, confidentiality, decency, loyalty, and team spirit in the performance of their duties.
Furthermore, he expressed gratitude to Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, for granting the FRSC access to the training facility and commended the army trainers for their crucial role in ensuring the success of the training exercise.
Two band members of renowned Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as ‘K1 De Ultimate’, have reportedly gone missing in the United Kingdom (UK).
The musicians were en route to a performance at an event in the UK when they mysteriously disappeared.
Nigerian journalist, Seun Oloketuyi broke the news, revealing that the lead guitarist and the keyboardist of K1’s band are currently on the run after their entry into the UK.
The incident has raised concerns within the music community.
Seun Oloketuyi shared a photo of the missing band members on social media, stating, “Two of K1 band members have absconded without a trace in the UK. The lead guitarist, pictured, and the keyboardist are on the run. It is quite sad, I learned he has reported the absconders.”
The West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) has taken a decisive stance on candidates with seized or withheld results from the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.
These decisions were reached during the 76th meeting of the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC) of WAEC, held from October 3rd to 4th, 2023.
WAEC has announced that the entire results of candidates found to have engaged in examination malpractice, warranting the penalty of Cancellation of Entire Results (CER), will be nullified.
Likewise, the subject results of candidates involved in examination malpractice, attracting the penalty of Cancellation of Subject Results (CSR), will also be cancelled.
For candidates cleared of any wrongdoing by the Committee, their results will be promptly released.
WAEC has assured that these directives will be put into effect as soon as possible, with notifications sent to affected candidates and schools.
The official statement from WAEC, shared via their X platform (formerly known as Twitter), reads:
“The Committee directed that the entire results of candidates proven to have been involved in examination malpractice, which attract the penalty of Cancellation of Entire Results (CER), be cancelled. Similarly, subject results of candidates proven to have been involved in examination malpractice, which attract the penalty of Cancellation of Subject Results (CSR), be cancelled.”
In addition to these decisions, the Committee also urged State Ministries of Education and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to strictly adhere to the registration deadline for WASSCE for School Candidates’ examination diets.
The Committee, serving as the highest decision-making body for WAEC’s examination-related matters in Nigeria, convenes biannually to address issues related to the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for both School and Private Candidates.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, disclosed that the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, began experiencing severe health issues after being injected three times by a nurse, Feyisayo Ogedemgbe, on September 12, 2023.
During a press briefing held at the state Command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, CP Owohunwa provided preliminary findings from an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s untimely demise.
“As of today, a total of 26 witnesses have been interviewed,” stated the CP, revealing that those questioned include Mohbad’s family members, including his father, mother, sisters, brother, wife, and manager, among others.
According to CP Owohunwa, Mohbad was brought to the hospital already deceased, and doctors on duty confirmed his death on September 12.
The shocking revelation is that nurse Feyisayo Ogedemgbe, who was invited to Mohbad’s residence by his friend, Ayobami Sodiq (known as Spending), administered three injections that seemingly triggered a series of adverse reactions ultimately leading to the singer’s tragic death.
“Mohbad began vomiting and developed goosebumps shortly after the injections,” Owohunwa disclosed.
Mohbad had sought medical attention for an ear infection, but the situation took a devastating turn after he received an anti-tetanus injection from Nurse Feyisayo Ogedemgbe.
This treatment came after reports that the singer had suffered injuries from an assault in Lagos.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, regarding his plans to partner with Israeli security experts.
This warning came through a statement released by MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, in Abuja on Thursday.
In the statement, Prof Akintola highlighted Wike’s announcement of a prospective collaboration with Israeli security experts to enhance security measures in Abuja.
MURIC, however, voiced apprehensions regarding this potential partnership.
“We like to warn that such collaboration with the state of Israel will exacerbate Nigeria’s security problems by escalating it from a local crisis to an international fracas engineered by MOSSAD (Israel’s secret spies) with the likelihood of Nigeria becoming the centre of rivalry for global espionage outfits like the American CIA and the Russian SVR and FSB,” the statement read.
Furthermore, MURIC expressed concerns about misconceptions surrounding Israel’s religious identity, asserting that Israel predominantly recognizes and respects Judaism.
The statement also referred to recent incidents in which religious tensions were reported in Israel.
“We believe that Wike is now courting the Israelis because, like most Nigerian Christians, he holds the wrong notion that Israel is a Christian state whereas the reverse is the case. Several instances confirm that the only religion Israel recognises and respects is Judaism,” Prof Akintola stated.
He continued, “Just yesterday, on Wednesday, September 4, Jews spit on Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem and Christians are under constant attacks in Israel.”
The MURIC executive director emphasized the need for caution, citing Israel’s history of disregarding United Nations resolutions and its contentious stance on several international issues.
“To cap the edifice, Israel’s arrogant posture at the United Nations as it shuns the latter’s resolutions is legendary. At least 45 UN resolutions have condemned Israel’s aggression against Palestinians,” he pointed out.
In conclusion, Prof Akintola stated, “A terrorist state cannot be the ideal security partner for us in Nigeria. Wike should take the Israelis to Rivers State. Israel constitutes an existential threat to both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.”
Minister Nyesom Wike’s office has yet to respond to MURIC’s cautionary statement, leaving the fate of the proposed security partnership uncertain.
