TheNewsGuru

Tag: Pressure

  • No group can hold us to ransom, Akinjo tells Arogbo/Ijaw

    No group can hold us to ransom, Akinjo tells Arogbo/Ijaw

    A pro-PDP pressure group in Ilaje Local Government Area, Ilaje Mandate Voice For Akinjo has described the third term bid Hon Kolade Akinjo as divinely ordained that cannot be threatened by faceless bodies.

    The group was reacting to a report monitored on some WhatsApp platforms by the Akinjo Team Akure wherein they warned former chairman of Ilaje local government, Hon Banji Okunomo of uncomplimentary remarks about Arogbo-Ijaw people.

    Okunomo, a former governorship aspirant of the PDP was said to have described Arogbo-Ijaw people as interlopers, a statement he had denied severally, saying it lacked basis.

    Even with the denial, Akinjo Team Akure, reportedly made up of Arogbo-Ijaw indigenes frowned at the statement and threatened to truncate Akinjo’s ambition.

    But while reacting to the development, the Ilaje Mandate Voice For Akinjo dismissed the threat.

    The statement in full: “No group can hold Ilaje interest on ransom because we are not fools-Akinjo group tackles Ijaw allies

    “We are very disturbed that some unscrupulous elements who are planted within the PDP especially pretending to be supporters of our ever-performing and ranking Hon Victor Kolade Akinjo for the third term agenda to continue the good work he started since 2015 are beginning to sabotage our plans.

    “They hide under the false accusation that our foremost leader Hon. Banji Okunomo alleged the Ijaw Arogbo people are called interlopers and that Ilaje and Apoi will not allow them to test the House of Representatives seat come 2023. But he has even denied the statement on many occasions and even in the Awawa Radio where he explains his own side of the story.

    “But to our surprise, a so-called Akinjo Team based in Akure made up of our Ijaw Arogbo that does not going to the grassroots has been issuing threats upon threats that Ijaws cannot be cowed. Who is cowing Ijaw people? We are disappointed that the group did not know that it is APC that is trying to cause confusion among us and they are not wise. What we are saying is that even without any group, Akinjo and Agboola Ajayi will win their election very well.

    “After all Arogbo votes are not more than the majority of Mahin Ilaje and Apoi altogether. So we are not afraid of any group. They are betrayals. Afterall Hon. Akinjo contested the primary and the same Arogbo people voted for him in our party so why now the complain is coming very strongly that somebody say something against Ijaw Arogbo.

    “Nobody forced the ticket from anybody and Akinjo only contested because the Arogbo PDP leaders said they don’t have anyone who can contest the seat. Nobody should blame anyone that way.

    “We are one people. But what we are saying is that Akinjo third term ambition is Ilaje interest and no one can hold Ilaje interest on ransom. Even though we are one. The Ilaje and Apoi cannot leave the Rep and spoil the senate whereby Ilaje will not be at the Rep, Apoi will not be there, and only Ijaw who are not Yoruba to be there to represent our interest.

    “We are not fools because when D. I Kekemeke was SSG, we did not say anything, when Kingsley Kuku was raining, we did not say anything and even now, Chief Shoot Aside is controlling Surveillant. Ilaje and and Apoi will not leave these two National Assembly positions for Ijaw people. Period!”

  • Intense pressure can make Man Utd better team, embattled Solskjaer says

    Intense pressure can make Man Utd better team, embattled Solskjaer says

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the intense pressure he and his struggling stars are under can make Manchester United a better team as they seek to rescue their faltering season.

    United travel to Watford on Saturday licking their wounds after four defeats in their past six Premier League matches, including chastening home losses to Liverpool and Manchester City.

    They are sixth in the table, five points adrift of the top four and nine points behind leaders Chelsea.

    “We know the poor run of form puts ourselves under pressure but that pressure should be a joy, it should be something that makes us a better team and makes every player perform at their best level,” Solskjaer said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

    The Norwegian was asked directly if he felt safe in his job as action resumes following the international break.

    “The players, the staff, myself, and the club, we are all working towards one goal and that’s for this team to improve and get better results,” Solskjaer said.

    “The fans are still supporting the team and the club. They’ve been through this period and backed this team through the rebuild.

    “You know when you lose a game you’re always disappointed and under pressure. We’ve communicated well and openly and honestly.

    “There’s one game now that matters but also there’s what goes on after that. We’re all refreshed, this week has been really good in training and we’re ready for tomorrow.”

    Responding to reports that Jesse Lingard’s contract talks had broken down, with the England midfielder looking to leave United, Solskjaer said: “Jesse is training really hard, really well, and he’s ready and available for me. Definitely, he’s disappointed he hasn’t played more of course.

    “With regards to his contract situation and the talks, I’ve not been in those very closely. For me, Jesse is still part of this squad, an important part, and he gives energy and quality to the group every day.”

  • I sometimes feel pressure of being in limelight- Jide Awobona

    I sometimes feel pressure of being in limelight- Jide Awobona

    Actor, Jide Awobona has said he sometimes feel the pressure of being in limelight.

    The versatile role interpreter who is popular for his role as Sam in the popular television series, Jenifa’s Diary, in an interview with TheNewsGuru(TNG) said: “There are certain expectations from we actors or entertainers that are already in the limelight. Sincerely I feel pressured sometimes, but I have a way of calling back myself.

     

    “You can’t blame the audience from expecting so much from us .Expecting our lifestyle to be topnotch, expecting us to be perfect in every way. People say we don’t have two heads.Some people unconsciously idolize us, we are role models to a lot of people, we help in shaping the lives of so many with our craft unknowingly”.

     

    Speaking further, Awobona noted that actors are more than what they think they are.

    “We educate, we inform, we minister, we are more than what we even think we are. When you compare entertainers here to those in some other parts of the world, you can tell the difference, that doesn’t mean we don’t have some of us doing exceptionally well, all thanks to brand endorsements, bigger gigs, love from fans and family. Some of us also venture into others things, not necessarily to meet up with audience expectations, but at least to enjoy the privileges of being a celebrity”.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • No amount of pressure will stop us from ‘rightsizing’ civil servants in Kaduna, El-Rufai insists

    No amount of pressure will stop us from ‘rightsizing’ civil servants in Kaduna, El-Rufai insists

    Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-rufai has insisted that his government will not be pressurised by Labour or any other group to suspend the sack of civil servants which her termed as an act of rightsizing the state’s workforce.

    The governor disclosed this in a state-wide broadcast on Friday.

    According to governor El-rufai, the state cannot continue to use 84% to 96% of its revenues to pay salaries of less than 1% of the population.

    The governor who gave himself a pass mark on his handling of workers’ welfare condemned the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) shutting down of the state who he described as criminal and an act of economic sabotage.

    “Persons on strike can withdraw from the facilities where they are working, but they are not allowed to stop those facilities from functioning….As your government, we will pursue accountability for the crimes that have been committed and seek remedies for our people.” The governor said.

    “We cannot continue to use 84% to 96% of our revenues to pay salaries of less than 1% of the population. The rest of our people, all 99% of them, need better schools, hospitals, water supply, roads, markets and support for agriculture to make a living outside government.”

    “We will uphold our oath of office to promote the welfare and progress of 10m citizens and we will not spend all or most government resources on the less than 100,000 persons that are public servants. Everyone can see how our urban renewal programme is changing Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan for the better. Even our adversaries admit that our social services have improved, and jobs are being created by the private sector due to a conducive economic environment.”

    “Therefore, we will rightsize the public service in the interest of the state. In shrinking the public service, we will reduce the number of political appointees and civil servants. We are verifying personnel records to remove staff without the required qualifications or with fake qualifications. While we exit unqualified and poorly skilled people, we continue to recruit more teachers, health workers and other professionals for our agencies.”

    “In 2017, we offered land for farming to the unqualified teachers that were disengaged. Not many took up the offer, but it is still available, along with access to concessionary funding for SMEs….”

  • Pressure like Oxygen to me – Jose Mourinho

    Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says he lives and breathes for pressure.

    The Portuguese’s future at Spurs has come under scrutiny, with a run of five defeats in six Premier League games leaving them ninth in the table.

    Mourinho said the last time he “felt in trouble” was when he was out of work for almost a year before taking the Spurs job in November 2019.

    “The problem is if you don’t have pressure,” he said. “It comes like oxygen, it is our life.”

    Talking before Sunday’s home game against Burnley, the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss added: “I don’t think there is any coach in the world without objectives or any kind of pressure.

    “You just get used to it and also used to the way the press is at the time, you just have to adapt to it.”

    Spurs’ recent poor league form leaves them nine points adrift of the top four and a spot in next season’s Champions League.

    They can also qualify for Europe’s premier competition by winning the Europa League this season, and face Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb in the last 16.

    “When you are in this competition and you get to this stage you don’t get easy clubs,” Mourinho said.

    “Croatian football is Croatian football, lots of talent. It’s a football country. [It’s] not a very difficult flight, not too far, I feel very positive things but the most important thing is that we get to the quarter-finals.”

    BBC

  • MTN bows to pressure, orders workers to stay at home

    MTN Nigeria has directed its workers to stay at home in view of the ongoing attacks against South African companies operating in Nigeria.

    The telecom company also directed all its stores and service centres to be closed as a precaution until further notice.

    A spokesperson in the company confirmed to newsmen that none of them went to work today as some of their facilities were attacked on Tuesday in Ibadan.

    The company said it would continue to provide uninterrupted services as it was concerned about the safety and security of its customers, members of staff and partners.

    It was gathered that security operatives stood guard at the head office of the company on Wednesday to avert the destruction of the company’s property.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, the CEO, MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, said the company was against all forms violence and xenophobia against people.

    “MTN Nigeria strongly condemns hate, prejudice and xenophobia and reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of all violence. We seek to connect people, bring people together and provide a platform for everyone’s voice to be heard. We are against all forms of bigotry and discrimination; they should have no place in society,” he added.

  • Supplementary polls: Buhari rejects party pressures, advises voters to elect leaders of their choice

    Supplementary polls: Buhari rejects party pressures, advises voters to elect leaders of their choice

    President Muhammadu Buhari says he believes in the will of the people and cannot put pressure on voters to elect leaders they do not like.

    Buhari in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Friday, dismissed insinuations that he was forcing voters to elect candidates other than those they preferred during the supplementary elections scheduled for 17 states on March 23.

    The president said at no time did he give instructions that the electorate should vote particular candidates.

    The President assured Nigerians that he was ready to work with elected representatives of the people regardless of party platforms on which they were elected.

    President Buhari said he would work in the best interest of the country and democracy.

    President Buhari, who thanked voters for re-electing him for a second term in office, said he would never forget their sacrifices in defying harsh weather conditions to vote for him.

    He said: ‘‘I was deeply overwhelmed by your show of incredible confidence in me, and I will never let you down.

    “Thank you for your sincere show of support for me.’’

    President Buhari, however, appealed to voters not to get tired of coming out to vote in the supplementary elections, adding ‘‘these elections are no less important than others before them.’’

    He appealed to voters to vote for the candidates they believed would deliver on promises because “it is your constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights.

    President Buhari also called on INEC and security agencies to ensure that the supplementary elections are conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law and constitution.

    He, therefore, called on the electorate to come out and participate in the supplementary elections.

  • Naira withstands pressure, appreciates against dollar at most market segments

    Naira withstands pressure, appreciates against dollar at most market segments

    It was a sterling performance for the Naira against the United States Dollar at the foreign exchange (forex) market last week.

    This was despite huge pressure the local currency came under in the build up to the rescheduled presidential and parliamentary elections, which took place on Saturday, February 23, 2019.

    Recall that a recent glitch at popular search engine, Google on Friday evening exchanged the dollar for N184, N54 and N28.

    However, at the Investors & Exporters (I&E) forex window, the local currency appreciated by 0.04 percent to close at N361.49 to a Dollar.

    Also, the Naira Dollar exchange rate at improved by 0.04 percent to close at N356.97/$ amid weekly injections of $210 million by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) into the foreign exchange market via the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS).

    A breakdown of this intervention showed that $100 million was allocated to Wholesale SMIS, $55 million was allocated to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and another $55 million was sold for invisibles.

    According to Cowry Asset, at the parallel market and Bureau De Change (BDC) market segments last week, Naira appreciated by 0.55 percent and 0.56 percent to close at N360/$ and N357/$ respectively.

    Meanwhile, the Naira/Dollar exchange rate sustained gains for most of the foreign exchange forward contracts – 1 month, 2 months and 3 months rates moderated by 0.16 percent, 0.16 percent and 0.06 percent respectively to close at N364.07/$, N367.06/$ and N370.47/$ respectively.

    However, the Naira/Dollar exchange rate performance badly for spot rate and 12 months forward contracts, declining by 0.02 percent and 0.03 percent to close at N306.80/$ and N412.66/$ respectively.

     

  • Letter: INEC replies Obasanjo, says we’re not under pressure to compromise polls

    The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), Mahmoud Yakubu, said that the commission was not under pressure to do what was wrong.

    A former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, had on Sunday, expressed doubt about INEC’s integrity to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

    Obasanjo had also attacked President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing him of plotting to rig the general elections.

    Buhari is seeking re-election on the platform of his party, the ruling APC.

    In an open letter titled “Point for Concern and Action” which he distributed to journalists at a press conference held at his house at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Mr Obasanjo also alleged that the president was acting like a former military dictator, Sani Abacha.

    “Buhari has succeeded in deceiving us the first time and we will be fools to allow ourselves to be deceived the second time,” Mr Obasanjo wrote inter alia.

    Yakubu, in obvious reference to the concerns, made the clarification at a meeting with the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and other senior police officers on Monday in Abuja.

    “This is to be expected in an election year when people make all sorts of insinuations.

    “I want to tell you that we as a commission have never been under any pressure to do what is wrong.

    “We will never compromise our integrity to do what the law says that we shouldn’t and for the 2019 general elections, I want to assure and reassure Nigerians that votes and nothing but votes will count.

    “With this level of cooperation from the security agencies, I want to assure you that Nigerians will have a pleasant voting experience in 2019,” he said.

    He said that the nation was looking forward to INEC and the Nigeria Police Force to conduct credible elections.

    Yakubu said that the media would be provided unimpeded access to the commission during the elections.

    He called for a close working relationship between the commission and the police at all levels.

    “The more we collaborate with the police, the easier the prosecution of election offenders.

    “We are going to consult the security agencies for the deployment of personnel for the elections.

    “We must work in partnership to give Nigerians a pleasant election in the upcoming elections, our responsibility is to serve the Nigerian people,” he said.

    Earlier, the Acting IGP said that the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), has been directed to set up special investigation teams.

    He said that the teams would take into custody and undertake detailed investigation of all arrested electoral offenders across the country.

    Adamu said the teams shall liaise with INEC towards the prompt processing of the case files of the offenders for prosecution.

    He said that the police would respect and protect the rights of all citizens of the country regardless of their socio-economic status.

    The presidential and National Assembly elections come up on February 16, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will hold on March 2.

     

  • Gaffes: Presidency cabals putting Buhari under pressure despite ‘incompetence’ – PDP

    Major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday accused some cabals within the presidency of unnecessarily subjecting President Muhammadu Buhari to pressure for their selfish gains.

    The party insisted that despite the fact that the president had at different times displayed that he was not capable of leading the country, the cabals keep pushing him forward to actualise their selfish gains.

    Speaking on behalf of the party, the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus also called on ruling All Progressives Congress not to kill Buhari with undue pressure.

    Secondus, who spoke while inaugurating 27 Presidential election campaign committees at the party’s Campaign office in Abuja, on Friday, said that from what Nigerians and the international community are witnessing around the President lately, it was apparent that “he is tired and incapable but they would not let him.”

    Details soon…