2021: Ogun residents to get Identification Cards as Amotekun kicks off

 

All residents of Ogun State are to obtain identification cards in this new year, DAILY POST has learnt.

This is as the Ogun State Amotekun Corps begins operations in January.

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun disclosed this in his New Year broadcast on Friday.

According to the Governor, implementing the Residents Identification Cards and and the takeoff of the Amotekun corps are parts of the programmes to ensure social wellbeing that will be intensified in the new year.

Abiodun stated that the identification cards will provide a reliable database of people living in Ogun.

On the Amotekun corps, he said the security outfit will complement efforts of other security agencies including the community policing of the Nigeria Police.

It was also disclosed that a retired Commissioner of Police has been appointed to serve as the Commandant, adding that the recruitment process of personnel has started.

“Other programmes to ensure social wellbeing that will be intensified in 2021 are the implementation of the Residents Identification Cards to provide a reliable database of people living in Ogun State.

“Our Amotekun Security Network will also take off this month to complement the efforts of other security agencies including the community policing of the Nigeria Police. An experienced and reputable retired Commissioner of Police has been appointed as the Commandant, and the recruitment of personnel is ongoing,” he said.

- DAILY POST

ASUU chairman in Ebonyi goes into hiding, accuses Umahi of hunting him

 

Ikechuku Igwenyi, acting chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU) chapter, has alleged that David Umahi, governor of the state, is after him.

Igwenyi, on Thursday, claimed that suspected hoodlums led by some of the governor’s aides invaded his family compound at Mebi-Owa Okposi in Ohaozara local government area of the state around 3pm on Thursday.

The ASUU chairman, who is reportedly in hiding, also alleged that “another batch of youths” headed to his Abakaliki residence on the orders of Umahi.

“As political allies to the Governor of Ebonyi State in Ohaozara are planning to occupy Comrade Igwenyi’s home and expel his family from the community, one pertinent question is how Comrade Ikechuku Igwenyi has become a threat to peace in the University and Ebonyi State that the Governor is mobilizing 1000 youths against him,” the statement read.

“On this note, it has become imperative that the life of Comrade Ikechuku Okorie Igwenyi and family is under intense threat and should anything happen to Comrade Igwenyi and family, every one now knows who to hold responsible.”

Umahi and the leadership of Ebonyi ASUU have been at loggerheads in recent times, over payment of salaries and certain directives from the governor.

In October during the ASUU strike, Umahi ordered the immediate resumption of academic and non-academic activities in the institution, an order that was rejected by Igwenyi.

In the statement, Umahi was quoted to have said that there is no peace in the state and university because of the Ebonyi ASUU chairman, asking youth to occupy his residence, when he was visited by Ohaozara stakeholders in Uhuru, his country home, on December 28, 2020.

“He claimed Comrade Igwenyi is playing double standards and MUST be made to leave the University by all means,” the statement read.

“He stated that Comrade Igwenyi is the the reason there is no peace in the State and in the University and requested the people of Ohaozara to raise 1000 youths and occupy the residence of Comrade Ikechuku Igwenyi at Abakaliki for seven days.

“After which his parents will be apprehended and family home at Okposi will be occupied for another seven days.”

When contacted by TheCable, Francis Nwaze, special assistant to Umahi on media and publicity, told Igwenyi to address the “masses” who he alleged are after him and not drag the name of the governor.

“If the masses are after him as he alleged, I think it is democratic and he should be able to address them and not the other way round,” Francis told TheCable via WhatsApp.

When asked if Umahi sent hoodlums to the residence of the Ebonyi ASUU chairman, as alleged, he responded: “Sent hoodlums? How? Where? and When?”

Nwaze asked Igwenyi to “use this crossover night to re-examine himself to know what is actually after him” and stop “dragging” the name of the governor.

“The said ASUU should use this crossover night to re-examine himself to know what is actually after him and not trying to sell his market by dragging the name of the Governor to his misfortune (if he feels that he has any),” he said.

“Governor David Umahi is very focused on delivering dividends of democracy to the good people of Ebonyi State and does not waste time on people who are afraid of their shadow.

“The modest achievements of the Governor within the few years he has been on the saddle have kept on encouraging him to do more and he is of the firm belief that Ebonyi will soon be greater.”

- THECABLE

2021: Your speech lifeless, no hope – Nigerians attack Buhari

 

Nigerians on social media have reacted to the nationwide speech delivered to Nigerians by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday to mark the beginning of the Year 2021.

Some of them described the speech as lifeless, while some others believe it is filled with empty promises.

In some comments collated by DAILY POST from Twitter, Nigerians feel the government has nothing more to offer them.

@Ositadimma01, “Only on the radio and on social media. Abeg let me pass joor, this is a new year o! I don’t want empty promises again it’s too early for that i rest my case.”

@rmd_muruako, “Who are the youths? The ones you kill with all sorts everyday or the ones your celebrated bandits kidnapped to enrol in nokoharam while you return alimajiri? In fact I did not even see this?”

@dan_jaja, “Why re the flags not moving ? Is there no fan or A/c in the room?
Who ordered the shooting at Lekki till-gate?”

@princeizu12, “Same youth your government murdered just because they asked for better governance…”

@GreggAdie, “I’m not willing to start my year listening to empty promises…, this year i would enjoy it without feeling your absence.”

@Favoureg01, “Entrepreneurial superiority is so hard for my president to say in his recorded speech. Dude is so empty and lifeless. Let this man rest in Gods name.”

@Ajoshy_u, “No specifics. Just general talks as usual. No data to back up promises. Speech full of blame. Maybe someone can help explain better. Please.”

@Jajil_inton, “Many promises, since 1960, and what basic amenity do Nigerians enjoy? is it constant power? or good intra state roads, let alone interstate roads, is it the high tax on the economy? VAT 7.5%, is it poor public education system or poor health system financing? only hope is left.”

@Abu_muhd130, “The best Buhari can do to reclaim his integrity is to remove the Supreme Court government in #Imo state and bring back the duly elected one, allow the #Kano state house of Assembly, security and the judiciary to sincerely investigate Gandollar and then bring back the mandate of #Kano people.

@moses_real, “See who want to secure future for them. You failed in securing yesterday and now you are planning future. I know who I am and who to secure my future I know too.”

@AriyoAyodeji, “Like he promised us next level, abeg no secure future for us, who knows maybe is war on youth he declare like that…..enough ooooo. We just want to breathe.”

- DAILY POST

Jay Jay Okocha speaks on business with Nwankwo-Kujah

 

Former Super Eagles’ captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, has spoken about his business relationship with Friday Nwankwo-Kujah and why they fell apart.

Nwankwo-Kujah had alleged that Okocha, along with his wife, took over a Bureau de Change business they owned together.

But Okocha has debunked the allegation, in an interview with The Guardian.

“I don’t want to join issues with Friday Kujah because I see him as ungrateful fellow,” Okocha told The Guardian.

“So many ex-players no longer want to have anything to do with Kujah because of what he did to me. I took him as a friend, and decided to do business with him on trust. But look at the way he is trying to scandalise my name. I won’t fail to his blackmail,” he stated.

: “I was playing in Qatar preparing for my retirement from active football when Friday Kujah called me one early morning on phone to suggest that he and one Israelis had a business idea. I told him to wait.

“But some few days later, Kujah went to meet my wife. I was surprised when my wife called to say that Friday Kujah was in my house. To cut long story short, Kujah said he wants us to start a Bureau de change business. He brought the Israelis from a Mega Plaza.

“I asked both of them how much they would contribute for the business to commence, but they replied that they don’t have any money. They said that their contribution was the ‘business idea’ from their head. I decided to flow along with them based on the trust I had on Friday Kujah.

“I told them that since they were not contributing any cash into the business, I would only pay them percentage based on money generated. Thereafter, he (Kujah) told me to send $300,000, which I did. He went and registered the company in his name.

“The business was not yielding any positive result, rather, they kept asking me for more money. And I had already retired from active football. When I returned from Qatar, Friday Kujah couldn’t render anything in terms of profit from the business. Things were going from bad to worse.

“They took loan from Access bank, yet they couldn’t pay for the house rent, and debts were piling up. It got to a stage the owner of the building could not take it. He took us to the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and I had to settle the debt.

“One day, the Israeli, who was the Operations Manager, walked up to me to say that I had to give them another $1million for the business to survive. I was sensing great danger ahead. Should I continue to invest my retirement money into such business, when there is no hope of getting profit?. I quickly recalled how some of my teammates in the Super Eagles, and some others before us fell into some wrong hands after their retirement from football.

“Everything I did with Friday Kujah was based on trust. I even borrowed him the money he used for his accommodation. When it became clear that my business with Friday Kujah was not heading any good direction, I left him and registered my company, Jay Jay Okocha Bureau de change.

“So, in what way have I shortchanged or owe Friday Kujah money? He is going about scandalising my name, and reporting me to EFCC, but I won’t join issues with him. God has rescued me from his hand, and I have moved on.

“As I said, I won’t succumb to his cheap blackmail. And I am sure the present crop of Super Eagles players will learn a lot of lesions from this. They must not put their trust on people, especially when it comes to investing their hard earned money on businesses,” Okocha stated.

- PM NEWS

‘He broke my heart in 1000 pieces’ — lady alleges dating Dangote

 A lady identified as Bea Lewis has claimed she had dated Aliko Dangote, a Nigerian businessman.

She took to her Instagram page on Thursday to recount how the billionaire “broke my heart in 1000 pieces” long after their romantic escapade.

In the post which appeared to be a reflection of the year 2020, Lewis shared pictures of herself, which included a photo that showed her caressing Dangote on his left chin.

The lady — with the Instagram handle (@Iambealewis) — said that dating Africa’s richest man earned her a consistent fitness regime and had her become vegan.

Lewis added that being with Dangote also got her a profitable stock portfolio, changed her perspective on work ethics, and upped her overall financial portfolio.

“I dated the richest black man in the world. He broke my heart in 1000 pieces. I learned more from him than any person I’ve ever met. Communicating with a billionaire daily makes you see the world differently,” she wrote.

“I became more organized and finally am able to step away from the daily kitchen operations. I learned love without strings. Give your best without expectations. Nothing is forever.

“I realized a half a million-dollar restaurant project was a bad investment. I purchased two properties. I started a consistent fitness regime. Became vegan. Obtained a profitable stock portfolio.

“He changed my perspective on work ethic and patience. Once my mindset changed the universe gravitated me to people that uplifted me and increased my net worth mentally and financially. To 2021 and powerful encounters.”

Lewis also went ahead to share what appeared to be a stock certificate alongside videos of herself in the gym.

Some Nigerians have taken to Twitter to react as words of Lewis’ claims of dating Dangote continue to spread.

- THECABLESTYLE

Scotland tells EU it is coming back soon

 

Scotland, a part of the United Kingdom, is insisting it is not part of Brexit, which officially begins today.

“Scotland will be back soon, Europe. Keep the light on,” Nicola Sturgeon, who also heads the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP), tweeted on Friday.

Her tweet concluded with emojis of the Scottish and European Union flags and hearts.

In the photo, a projection against the Berlaymont building in Brussels, Belgium, home to the European Commission, the words “Europe” and “Scotland” intersect over a heart.

In the 2016 referendum that saw the United Kingdom vote to leave the European Union, every single constituency in Scotland voted to remain in the politico-economic bloc.

On Wednesday, when Johnson signed a new post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, members of the devolved Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh voted to “refuse consent” to the deal.

The Scottish Parliament said it “would cause severe damage to Scotland’s environmental, economy and social interests.”

In 2014, Scotland voted to remain in the United Kingdom in a historic vote on independence from London.

However, continuing opposition to the Conservative government’s Brexit plan by the SNP has seen growing calls for a new independence referendum for Scotland – something Sturgeon has pushed for in recent months.

In November, she hinted at potential legal action if London attempts to block a new referendum in 2021.

Since 2014, opinions about remaining in the UK have shifted in Scotland, whose head of state has been united with the English crown since 1707.

Polls since August have shown a majority now support separation from London – a trend only helped by Johnson’s insistence that Scottish autonomy has been a “disaster” and former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s “biggest mistake.”

*With reports by Sputnik

2021: NLC to embark on strike over unpaid new minimum wage

 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on industrial action in states that are yet to implement the new minimum wage and those owing workers salaries.

This was contained in its New Year message signed by its president, Ayuba Wabba.

Wabba noted that up till now, some states have refused to pay the new national minimum wage.

“Accordingly, we call on all our state councils still struggling with their state governments on the payment of the national minimum wage and consequential salary increase and those whose state governments have unilaterally cut wages and are owing workers salary arrears to prepare for mass industrial action and protests this New Year,” the statement said.

The NLC also called on the federal government to “make possible the enabling environment that would foster job creation and full employment.”

According to Wabba, unemployment and poverty are perfect recipes for the breakdown of law and order.

- DAILY POST