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Tag: Olusegun Obasanjo

  • Obasanjo opens up on calls for secession

    Obasanjo opens up on calls for secession

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday described calls for the disintegration of Nigeria as unmindful and insensitive to the plight of the minority groups in the country.

    Obasanjo made the observation when he received the Tiv Professional Group (TPG) from Benue State, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abeokuta.

    The former president recalled a discussion between him and “a military friend” who, according to him, has described major tribes in the country as selfish and not sufficiently caring for the minority groups.
    Obasanjo, who alligned with his friend’s opinion, expressed worry over what would become of the minority groups if the major tribes decided to secede and begin to operate as separate countries.

    “If the Yoruba can stand as a country, if the Igbos and the Hausa/Fulani can stand as separate countries, where do we want the minority groups to be?

    “Now, by virtue of the present situation, they are a little bit protected, but if Nigeria breaks up, they will be oppressed and exterminated,” he said.

    He recalled the meetings he had with a number of socio-cultural organisations in September 2020 and noted that nobody at such meeting talked about disintegration or breakup, saying that “all they clamoured for was a change for good” .

    The elder statesman stressed the need for Nigerian leaders to be mindful of the ethnic diversity of the Nigerian nation, adding that the country would not make any meaningful progress without such consideration.

    Obasanjo, who expressed hope that the rough times that Nigeria was going through would not last forever, urged Nigerians to be patient while the country gathered her goodwill and moved in the right direction.

    The leader of the group, Prof. Zacharys Gundv, in a paper he presented to Obasanjo, highlighted the challenges of the nation, including insecurity, poverty religious intolerance, kidnappings and banditry, among others.

    He explained that the Tivs were worried about the skewed narrative of insecurity in Nigeria

    Proffering solution to Nigeria’s challenges, Gundv called on well meaning Nigerians to be united in serving the country.

    He called for intensified advocacy against nomadic pastoralism and an “All Nationalities Summit” to discuss and proffer solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.

  • Obasanjo lays foundation for N3.4bn flyover bridge in Sokoto

    Obasanjo lays foundation for N3.4bn flyover bridge in Sokoto

    Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has described Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State as a dynamic, talented visionary leader with a constructive mind of ensuring transformation.

    Obasanjo made the remark on Sunday in Sokoto when he laid the foundation for the construction of N3.4 billion nine-span Flyover Bridge in Sokoto metropolis.

    The former president said he was amazed by the giant strides recorded by Gov. Tambuwal administration in the areas of infrastructure development and uplifting the lives of citizens.

    “ In spite of the present situation with simultaneous and non performing economy, security challenges and effect of COVID-19 pandemic, Tambuwal is still making things go on and good, even with the low state IGR.

    “I still insist that he is a performing governor not only in the state but within the northwest especially in handling issues of insecurity.

    “He is wonderfully doing well even among his colleagues and for his party.

    “ I pray God gives him strength, wisdom and ability to do more,’’ Obasanjo said.

    He also described Tambuwal as a politician whose love for humanity goes beyond his immediate state.

    According to him, the governor is playing great role among Governors in the North West region, especially in restoring security.

    “ I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be able to accept the governor’s invitation to see at first hand the works he is doing.

    “ Within the last 24 hours in the metropolis, I have witnessed the construction of flyovers bridges and I have the opportunity of laying the foundation for one of the flyovers.

    “A simple summary of assessments indicated that Gov. Tambuwal’s achievements have outspoken his integrity and people will agree with me that Tambuwal is dynamic and transformational,’’ Obasanjo added.

  • BREAKING: 2 time Nigerian minister, Jubril Martins-Kuye is dead

    BREAKING: 2 time Nigerian minister, Jubril Martins-Kuye is dead

    Renowned politician and former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye is dead.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reliably gathered that Mr. Martins-Kuye died on Sunday morning in his hometown of Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State at the age of 78.

    Mr. Martins-Kuye was trained as a chartered accountant, practicing for several years in Lagos and oversees before moving to politics where he brought his conservative bonafides to bear.

    He was first elected to the Nigerian Senate in the truncated Third Republic. When democracy returned in 1999, he ran unsuccessfully for governor as PDP candidate against Olusegun Osoba in Ogun State.

    He was subsequently appointed Minister of State for Finance by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, remaining in the cabinet until 2003.

    Between 2010 and 2011, former President Goodluck Jonathan tapped Mr. Martins-Kuye as his commerce and industry minister while completing the remaining tenure of departed President Umar Yar-Adua.

    Mr. Martins-Kuye will be buried shortly after 4:00 p.m. based on Islamic rites in his country home in Ago-Iwoye, family sources said without elaborating on the ailments that preceded his demise.

    He left behind his two wives and children.

  • Islamic group calls out Obasanjo, slams Bishop Kukah for challenging Buhari

    Islamic group calls out Obasanjo, slams Bishop Kukah for challenging Buhari

    An Islamic group known as Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has come hard on the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr. Matthew Hassan Kukah for daring to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari over the state of the nation, Nigeria.

    Bishop Kukah had suggested that with the current state of affairs in the country, there would have been a coup if it were a Southerner that is occupying the seat of the president.

    However, irked by Kukah’s comments, MURIC in a statement released by its founder and Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola described the bishop as a first class blackmailer.

    In the statement, the Islamic group also called out former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    MURIC’s statement reads:

    “We are shocked to our marrows by the vitriolic attack launched yesterday by Rev. Hasan Kukah against Islam as a religion. The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese referred to Islam as a violent religion. He also surreptitiously called for a coup against a democratically elected government of President Muhammadu Buhari whom he falsely accused of nepotism.

    “According to him, ‘…There is no way any non-Northern Muslim President could have done a fraction of what President Buhari has done by his nepotism and gotten away with it. There would have been a military coup…’ In other words there could have been a coup if a non-Northerner had practised nepotism like Buhari.

    “This is a most irresponsible pronouncement and we will not allow it to go unchallenged. Kukah’s statement is reckless, inflammatory and unguarded. It is the most egregious, luciferous, serpentine and diabolical statement of the year 2020. Hasan Mathew Kukah is ululating from the wrong side of the pulpit. Kukah is in the habit of demonizing and demarketing any president who happens to be a Muslim. In particular, we are most disappointed that such a heavily prejudiced and explosive statement is coming from the secretary of Nigeria’s Peace Committee. His behavior is consistently inconsistent with his status.

    “Kukah referred to Islam as violent but his fellow faithful, Gana, has been training terrorists and killing Muslims in Benue for years. Kukah is fully aware of the creed of those who waylay travellers in the Plateau region, killing all Muslims among them and dumping them in the numerous ponds and wells of the Plateau landscape, never to be seen again. We would never have kno wn but for the General Alkali affair. How can those who train and arm cold-blooded killers turn around to call Islam a violent religion?

    “Kukah lives in the heart of Islam and he has never been attacked. Kukah also knows how generous and charitable the people of Sokoto have been to him. Had it not been you had been good. This kind of allegation should have come from someone else, from somewhere else. Kukah has bitten the finger that fed him.

    “But how dare you mock the North? Are you not part of that geographical entity? Is this the same man who claimed he wanted to rescue 10 million almajiris? Thank God we stopped your circus show. You deride the North but pretend you want to ‘rescue’ Northern children. You have demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that you have a disabled sense of belonging.

    “We can understand Kukah’s frustration. Import duty waivers on every imported good, including private jets, are no longer available. Neither are billion naira contracts at the snap of a finger. A new Sheriff is in town. This is why Kukah has turned to a blackmailer nulli secundus.

    “Kukah calls for a coup because blackmail is not working with Buhari. But is Kukah aware that it will be a Christian-inspired forceful change of government? What was the result of the first of such in the country? Even Nzeogwu will turn in his grave at the very thought of a church-motivated coup.

    “It is unimaginable that such venom is being emited during Christmas when all are expected to give love. Nigerians can see what is happening. We send messages of love to Bishop Kukah at Christmas. He responds with pent-up anger, contempt and hate-filled emotion. Is this proper?

    “Kukah’s allegation of nepotism against PMB holds no water. Buhari’s appointments by geo-political zone as published by a leading online newspaper has debunked Kukah’s verbal halitosis. The analysis showed that Buhari’s North West got 37 appointments, North East received 29, North Central secured 21, South West had 63, South East received 25 while South South got 24. South West benefited most. But is Buhari a Yoruba man? He gave the South West almost double what he gave his own North West. Is that nepotism? We challenge Kukah and his merchants of falsehood to provide their own data.

    “This means that the North as a whole which Kukah accused of hegemony and for which reason Buhari is being accused of nepotism, got 87 appointments while the South received 112. All the false propaganda and allegation of nepotism against Buhari fell like a pack of cards with this analysis. Kukah’s diatribe is therefore sheer tramadolised religiousity. His allegations are as unfounded as they are baseless.

    “It further goes to prove that allegations of northern hegemony, caliphate domination, Islamisation and fulanisation are not more than a myth, a mirage, a phantom. They are mere slogans adopted by political shenanigans, ethnic charlatans and religious demagogues to deceive gullible Nigerians.

    “Kukah knows those who engage in favouritism but he has chosen to be a pot calling the kettle black. Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) inadvertently revealed the special favours rendered by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to Christians when he was president. The revelation was made at Orita Mefa Baptist Church, Ibadan, on Saturday, November 21, 2020 during the funeral service of Obasanjo’s two-term Pastor, Rev. S. T. Ola Akande.

    “The CAN president poured encomiums on Obasanjo for favouring Christians during his regime. Among the special favours mentioned were the mass land allocation to the Baptist mission at Kubwa, Abuja; another land allocation to the Baptist in Festac town, Lagos; yet another land allocation to the church in Satellite town and another at highbrow Ikoyi, also for the church. No Muslim leader or Islamic organization has accused Obasanjo of favouritism to date. Perhaps Kukah thinks God was asleep during the regime of Obasanjo. But the garrulous bishop now has the temerity to remind Nigerians that God does not sleep.

    “Certain people are unhappy with a situation whereby they can no longer walk freely into Aso Rock for the low-hanging apples. They therefore want a forceful change of government. But rather than wait on the straight for the next election as democrats, they prefer to take the bend. #EndSARS has failed. They must blackmail the president into submission.

    “Kukah’s reference to a coup is a Satanic innuendo. We are aware that civilians have always been involved in coups in the past. Kukah’s interest is therefore not something new. But why is Kukah just inciting it? He should be man enough to spearhead it. Go ahead, Kukah, plan a coup. Who knows? You can be vice president. Dare to struggle. Dare to win”.

  • #EndSARS: What former Nigerian leaders told Buhari

    #EndSARS: What former Nigerian leaders told Buhari

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described as a welcome development the Thursday broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari on the ENDSARS protests in some parts of the country.

    Obasanjo made the commendation during a virtual meeting between Buhari and former Nigerian leaders on Friday.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesman, confirmed this development in a statement in Abuja.

    Obasanjo said: ”I commend the speech of last night. The nation had been waiting. You made points that I believe need to be commended.

    “Peaceful demonstration is part of democratic practice. The demands of the genuine protesters were accepted, and you are working on implementation. We commend you.’’

    Adesina said the former heads of state were unanimous in their view that generation of employment and growing the economy including through direct foreign investments were critical to checking youth restiveness.

    They also expressed their condolences to the bereaved families of civilians, policemen and soldiers killed as a result of the violent protest.

    The former Nigerian leaders reaffirmed the commitment to respect the fundamental rights of citizens, including for peaceful protest as enshrined in the Constitution.

    “They also condemned the divisive and inciting pronouncements of separatists, and were of the opinion that such acts should be stopped.

    “Equally, the former Leaders commended the actions taken by state Governors to address the demands of the #ENDSARS protesters, and their efforts to check the excesses of those who perpetrated violent acts and conduct.

    “Finally, they called on youths to pursue peaceful means, in seeking redress through engagement with government and encouraged further conversation with the youths and other stakeholders in the country,’’ the presidential aide revealed.

    Those at the virtual meeting included all living past leaders, namely; Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, Abulsalami Abubakar, and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

  • Nigeria @60: Obasanjo gets encomium for bringing GSM to Nigeria

    Nigeria @60: Obasanjo gets encomium for bringing GSM to Nigeria

    Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, President National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has commended the growth of the telecommunication sector in Nigeria.

    Highlighting the benefits and challenges in the Nigerian telecoms sector, Ogunbanjo poured encomium on former President Olusegun Obasanjo for bringing the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) to the country in his time.

    He recalled the mobile network journey from 2001, stressing that the Obasanjo’s administration did well to ensure that the country went through the telecommunication process.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ogunbanjo made the commendation as key players in the telecommunication industry say Nigeria can attain greater height in digital penetration if it can increase its broadband.

    The key players in different interviews on Wednesday in Lagos, were x-raying the achievements of the country in the last 60 years of her independence.

    The NATCOMS president, however, said that there was room for improvement, advancement and sustainability in the operation of the telecommunication sector to meet up with the global practice.

    “The phone is now a companion; it is also for making money; it is what gives the daily meal to many, the OBJ administration did well to ensure that we went through the telecommunication process.

    “However, there is need to now start deploying more base stations and broadband to expand concentration of the technology, especially to the rural areas,’’ he told NAN in the interview.

    He suggested that the government should formulate a policy to dedicate a certain percentage of base stations and radio equipment for broadband penetration or internet usage, especially in rural communities or underserved areas.

    “Internet service should be extended to the underserved areas of Nigeria to encourage commercial engagement and business growth.’’

    Ogunbanjo said that there was a need to educate and allow rural dwellers to engage fully in the telecommunication sector, as the internet is famous for the ability to spread information.

    He noted that since the primary use of the internet is communication, it would aid the frequency and quality of interpersonal communication among people.

    The telecom expert also reflected on innovative ideas taking place in the telecommunications sector as part of the nine-point agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    He said that the presidency started well by creating awareness and renaming the Communications Ministry as the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

    “The president has shown the importance of the technology sector, which is quite commendable.

    “It means that that sector’s effect is obviously showcasing and touching on all the sectors positively.

    Ogunbanjo also commended the efforts of Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta for pledging to promote and facilitate the expansion of robust broadband and information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure across the country.

    Another key player in the sector, Mr Olusola Teniola, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) suggested that the government could improve on the technology sector to help drive all the nine-point agenda.

    Teniola told NAN that this is possible through the introduction of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based curricula into our education system.

    He said that such an idea should form the basis of producing a workforce of the future that will create the technology needed to prepare the youth for the fourth Industrial Revolution.

    He suggested that there should be collaboration among the Ministries of Science and Technology, Communications and Digital Economy and other government agencies like the National University Commission to provide a platform to build, promote and commercialise innovation into economic value.

    He rated Nigeria as a consumer of technology, rather than being a producer of technology.

    “There are vast opportunities for Nigeria to add value to the technology supply chain and create value-added solutions.

    “Gradually we can move up the chain by developing technology start-ups in an incubation process,’’ Teniola said.

    The ATCON president called on the federal government to do more by promotes innovations and taps into the talent base in the nation’s youth demography.

    “Running hackathons is a good starting point, like MTN.

    “However, more sustainable programmes that identify talents from a younger age and provide scholarships where necessary and support are needed to fuel the engine of innovation.’’

    He said that there was an opportunity to create the Nigerian version of online virtual meeting applications and not having to rely on applications that are not built for our local realities.

  • Obasanjo: How Carrington advised me not to return to Nigeria during Abacha’s dark days

    Obasanjo: How Carrington advised me not to return to Nigeria during Abacha’s dark days

    Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how the late former American Ambassador in Nigeria, Amb. Walter Carrington offered him political asylum in US during the dark days of the late junta, Gen. Sani Abacha in 1995.

    Obasanjo remarked that during his tenure as Ambassador, Carrington helped in easing the move to democratic rule in the country, having met Nigeria under the military rule, which had run consecutively for over a decade and bred a culture of arbitrariness, flagrant abuse of human rights and disdain for the rule of law all of which relegated our dear country, Nigeria, to the unenviable league of pariah states in the comity of nations.

    These attributes were contained in a condolence letter to the wife of the late Ambassador, Mrs. Arese Carrington, copy which was made available to newsmen, by Special Assistant (Media) to the former President, Kehinde Akinyemi, in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

    According to Obasanjo, Carrington was one of the responsible, mature and respected voices to take Nigeria out of the unwholesome situation it had found itself – permanently in crisis, regularly threatened with disintegration, prolongingly devoid of democracy, and economically plundered and mismanaged.

    The former President stated that he however turned down the asylum offer, despite its tempting and assuring nature.

    “Indeed, I recall, sometime in 1995, that on one of my trips to Copenhagen to attend World Social Summit as Human Development Ambassador of the United Nations Development Programme, I received the most touching of the warnings, pieces of advice and offers to me from Amb. Carrington. He called me in Copenhagen and told me categorically that I was going to be arrested on returning home and, therefore, advised me not to return home.

    “But he did not stop it there, he offered me political asylum by his government in the US. That was both touching and assuring, but I decided that, tempting and assuring as the offer was, I would not take it. I came back and was arrested and imprisoned by Abacha. No doubt, his generous assistance to my family while I was a political prisoner makes me forever indebted to him.

    “When I was in prison, he was one of the few foreign Ambassadors who regularly visited my wife to encourage her and to find out how I was doing in prison. I can proudly say he was a true friend and brother.

    READ CONDOLENCE MESSAGE BELOW:

    I write to convey, on behalf of my family and on my own behalf, our profound sympathy and solidarity with you over the death of your beloved husband and one of the most outstanding diplomats of our time in the world, Amb. Walter Carrington. I must say I received the news of the demise of this great brother and friend with mixed feelings of sadness and gratitude to God. I was sad because we will miss his contribution to the building of a new world of his dream and an Africa of our joint dream but I am grateful to God for his life well spent in the service of God and humanity.

    Throughout his spectacular life, Amb. Carrington was devoted to something greater than he was. He was committed to improving humankind through the fairness, kindness, optimism and intelligence he brought to bear on all his undertakings, and through the righteousness, humanness and harmony he promoted in the US as a human rights activist and indeed across the world.

    Walter wasn’t just a pride to America and Americans, he was also a pride to all the people of African descent. His involvement in the many causes in Africa cannot be over-emphasised. He was always looking out for his kinsfolk both at home and abroad. Walter Carrington was the initiator of many wide-ranging diplomatic operations, particularly during his tenures as the US Ambassador to Senegal from 1980-1981and Nigeria from 1993 to 1997. He engendered policies that strengthened political and economic ties between these two countries and America. Indeed, Africa gained a friend who cared about its well-being. He was such a committed humanitarian who did not just talk about peace-building but lived his life building peace and trying to make the world more wholesome.

    Throughout his tenure as an American Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Carrington helped in easing the move to democratic rule in the country. He met Nigeria under the military rule which had run consecutively for over a decade and bred a culture of arbitrariness, flagrant abuse of human rights and disdain for the rule of law all of which relegated our dear country, Nigeria, to the unenviable league of pariah states in the comity of nations. His was one of the responsible, mature and respected voices to take Nigeria out of the unwholesome situation it had found itself-permanently in crisis, regularly threatened with disintegration, prolongingly devoid of democracy, and economically plundered and mismanaged. As one of the few credible voices, several attempts were made to silence me. I was harassed and threatened.

    Indeed, I recall, sometime in 1995, that on one of my trips to Copenhagen to attend World Social Summit as Human Development Ambassador of the United Nations Development Programme, I received the most touching of the warnings, pieces of advice and offers to me from Amb. Carrington. He called me in Copenhagen and told me categorically that I was going to be arrested on returning home and, therefore, advised me not to return home. But he did not stop it there, he offered me political asylum by his government in the US. That was both touching and assuring, but I decided that, tempting and assuring as the offer was, I would not take it. I came back and was arrested and imprisoned by Abacha. No doubt, his generous assistance to my family while I was a political prisoner makes me forever indebted to him. When I was in prison, he was one of the few foreign Ambassadors who regularly visited my wife to encourage her and to find out how I was doing in prison. I can proudly say he was a true friend and brother. He came to Nigeria with love, ate and drank Nigerian delicacies and drinks, showed a significant demonstration of oneness by walking the aisle to tie the nuptial knot outside nationality bounds with one of our illustrious daughters and that is you, and he was loved and appreciated by the people through giving him a Yoruba name “Omowale” and naming a street after him in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    I have always known Amb. Carrington to execute his duties with panache and grace as he addressed the most complicated international crises. He played a key role in the actualization of the objectives of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for which Nigeria enjoyed the support of Gates Foundation who made available funds that could be used to support its AIDS programme sometime in 2000. His works, values, and principles have had and will continue to have a great influence and impact in Africa and beyond.

    It is right that people from around the world at this point in time have been generously pouring encomiums on your late husband. I am, therefore, using this medium to add my voice to theirs in recognizing his outstanding commitment and devotion to the advancement of humanity. We celebrate his life well spent in the service of humanity and we will continue to project his principles and values in contributing to governance, security and sustainable development of the African continent. His legacies will live on and continue to touch many lives and generations to come. Indeed, it gladdens my heart to know not only Nigeria and Africa, but many nations around the world had a friend in him.

    Life is not about how long you spend but how well you live to serve humanity, Amb. Carrington lived well and successfully by making unique contributions to make the world a better place than he met it.

    I pray that the Almighty will grant you and the entire members of his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

    OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

  • BREAKING: Obasanjo confirms COVID-19 status

    BREAKING: Obasanjo confirms COVID-19 status

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has on Sunday confirmed testing negative to the dreadful Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    The media aide of the former President, Kehinde Akinyemi made this known in a statement, revealing he was tested for COVID-19 on Friday at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Pent House residence, Okemosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

    According to Akinyemi, Dr. Olukunle Oluwasemowo of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory 54gene, Lagos collected the sample for the test.

    “The laboratory is one of the accredited laboratories approved by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to conduct the crucial Covid-19 test on both asymptomatic and symptomatic Nigerians,” the statement reads.

    He added that the test result returned negative on Saturday.

  • Kashamu’s death: Nigerians will watch out for Obasanjo’s own end – Fayose

    Kashamu’s death: Nigerians will watch out for Obasanjo’s own end – Fayose

    Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose had condemned comments made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the death of Senator Buruji Kashamu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Fayose as saying Obasanjo should stop forming saint and that he should remember that his own end will come too.

    Recall that Obasanjo had in a letter to Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, stated that while Kashamu’s death was “sad”, his life and history left “lessons for those of all us on this side of the veil.”

    Obasanjo, however, in the letter, supposedly condolence one, further stated that Kashamu in his lifetime used the maneuver of law and politics to escape from facing justice on alleged criminal offence in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.

    “But no legal, political, cultural, social, or even medical maneuver could stop the cold hand of death when the Creator of all of us decides that the time is up.

    “May Allah forgive his sin and accept his soul into Aljanah, and may God grant his family and friends fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Obasanjo added.

    Reacting, Fayose stated that it was regrettable that Obasanjo could say what he said about Kashamu after his death and when he can no longer question him.

    “Why didn’t he say that when Kashamu was alive? Can Obasanjo say in good conscience that he did not at some point collaborated with Kashamu and most of the things he (Kashamu) did politically were not with his collaboration?

    “Nigerians will watch out for Obasanjo’s own end. He should stop forming saint because he is not. He should also remember that his own end will come too and nobody knows how the end will be,” stated the former Governor of Ekiti State.

  • TNG COVID-19 WATCH 9: Alarming development in Nigeria, as Obasanjo donates mansion

    TNG COVID-19 WATCH 9: Alarming development in Nigeria, as Obasanjo donates mansion

    Good day welcome to TNG’s Covid-19 watch as we on a daily basis bring up to date developments on the pandemic in Nigeria and across the globe in snipets.

    Emman Ovuakporie, Regional Editor, TNG.

    The most alarming development in Nigeria in the last 24hours is the information from the Health Commissioner of Lagos, Prof. Akin Abayomi.

    He simply told Nigerians what they least prayed to hear when he said in the coming weeks 39,000 people could test positive to Covid-19.

    Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi, at a news conference disclosed that about 3,000 primary contacts of those infected with the disease were being traced on a daily basis.

    This is truly alarming as the world stands still over this scourge.

    Obj’s beautiful donation

    Elder statesman and former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has donated his hilltop mansion in Ogun state to isolate people feared to have contracted Covid-19.

    A nice one tfrom the former two time head of state of Nigeria.

    WHO’s warning to Nigeria

    A stitch in time saves nine as WHO insists Nigeria must quickly curb the spread of Covid-19 before is too late.

    Speaking on Friday from WHO heaquarters in Geneva, DG of the World body Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said Nigeria needs to act fast and quickly curb the spread across the country.

    This warning is timely as corporate bodies and well meaning Nigerians are already generously donating to help combat the pandemic.

    Davido’s fiancee

    After arriving from a foreign trip Nigeria’s music maestro David Adeleke popularly known as Davido tested negative but his fiancee, Chioma caught it. We at TNG wish his fiancee a rapid recovery.

    List of donors

    Donation from captains of industries is commendable to the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria

    1. Aliko Dangote – 1Billion naira
    2. Abdulsamad Rabiu – 1Billion naira
    3. Femi Otedola – 1Billion naira
    4. Tony O Elumelu – 1Billion naira
    5. Herbert O. Wigwe – 1Billion naira
    6. Segun Agbaje -. 1Billion naira
    7. Jim Ovia – 1Billion naira

    Corporate organisations:

    1. Access Bank – 1Billion naira
    2. GT Bank – 1Billion naira
    3. Zenith Banks – 1Billion naira
    4. NNPC (under FG) -. 11 Billion naira

    The donation from the below is highly commendable too:

    1. Atiku Abubakar – 50million naira
    2. TuFace Idibia. – 10million naira

    Federal Government donated N10 billion to Lagos State Government.

    Sanwo-Olu’s relief package for 200,000 households

    This is about the most heart warming development in the last 24hours in Nigeria since the outbreak of the scourge.

    The Lagos State governor won the heart of many Nigerians with this wonderful move as 200,000 households in Lagos will benefit from this pilot scheme that will soon go round.

    Covid-19: Gale of shut downs in Nigeria (updates)

    Rivers, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Edo and Kogi states lockdown over fear of Covid-19 in Nigeria.

    This is just as Federal Capital Territory, FCT and former capital city Lagos gradually lockdown.

    From all indications if the toll continues to increase Nigeria is bound to finally lockdown by next week.

    Massively produce sachet water

    A member of the House of Representatives, Hon Uzoma Nkem-Abonta has advised the Federal Government to empower rural dwellers to go into massive production of sachet water.

    According to the fourth timer, this will further empower Nigerians and give free access to water during the sit at home period.

    He also advocated that food banks should be created across the country as lack of food may push Nigerians out of their houses.