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2023: Jos community throws weight behind Bello for President
The University of Jos, Alumni have added her voice to the continued call on the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to run for President of the nation in 2023 noting that he had the needed criteria, describing him as a wind of welcome change
The UJ Alumni made this known on Saturday through its National President, Pastor Johnson Nuhu Sani at the grand reception dinner in honour of Mr. Muhammed Onogwu, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Yahaya Bello.
The National President expressed that his tenure as the Executive Governor of Kogi Stata has ushered in a dispensation of general development as he has justified the confidence of the people who elected him into leadership position.
He added that Governor Bello has carved a good image for himself as a successful Governor who believed in selfless service to humanity and more specifically his numerous landmark infrastructural development which he has evenly spread across the three senatorial district of the state.
In his word “The Governor has distinguished himself as the most female gender sensitive and has surpassed the 35% female gender inclusiveness in government. The appointment of women as his Secretary to the State Government, Head of service and other very key department or agencies of government has affirmed this claim
“Governor Bello also extended his women inclusiveness to the grass root where as the Party leader he gave a nod for a Woman Vice Chairmanship ticket across the 21 LGA of the State and also the leadership of the legislative arm of the local government. It is vital to also note that at every local government between 3 – 4 women are elected as councilors and in all, the government of Kogi state have over 200 women in either elective or appointive position at all levels”
Pastor Nuhu noted that the Governor has excelled at securing the lives and properties of the people of Kogi State adding that not only does persons within and outside Kogi state could attest to the very reliable security architecture in the state but many institutions have attested that Kogi State was the safest in the country noting that despite being boarded by 10 states, the confluence state has been relatively peaceful
He asserted that “As a Nationalist, Governor Yahaya Bello has taken a lead role in his believe in a one united indivisible Nigeria and often times because of his good reputation as a man who is honest and dependable, he has waded into certain lingering crisis which had the tendency to plunge our edgy nation into mayhem”
The National President alluded that his antecedents have thus become the song of the lips of all and sundry, hence he is being sought after nationally as we clamour for a reinvigorated Nigeria.
Kogi State Governor in his remarks after being decorated by the Alumni and presented an award as “a friend of the institution” thanked the Alumni for the good gestures and encomium poured on him adding that he remained committed to sustaining all the good virtues which they have eschewed
He lauded the Alumni for projecting a peace frontier despite their diversity adding that the University has produced renowned and resound individuals many of whom have added value to the State in his government top amongst which was the Deputy Governor, Dr. Edward Onoja, the celebrant and many others.
A Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso has been acquitted of rape after spending eight years in prison in South Africa.
Trouble started when the televangelist was accused of raping young women from his South African church, an accusation he denied when he was arrested eight years ago.
His trial was aired live I South Africa and gained interest across the country, but insisted that he was not guiltynof 32-count charges against him.
In 2018, one witness told the court she had been raped by the pastor – who ran a church in the city of Port Elizabeth – when she was 14 years old.
The presiding judge on Wednesday 1st April, 2025 delivered judgement, saying Pastor Timothy Omotoso has not bèn found guilty over this case because prosecutors had mishandled the case.
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) shared a similar assessment, saying that “former prosecutors in the case acted improperly and the accused were not sufficiently cross-examined by the state”.
The NPA said it will now “consider its legal options”.
For his part, Mr Omotoso told the media he thanked God for the verdict.
His co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho, were also found not guilty.
Mr Omotoso was dramatically arrested at an airport in 2017 as he sought to leave the country.
His trial was the first prominent rape case to be broadcast live in a country where sexual violence is rampant.
The hearings attracted huge interest, and raised difficult questions about victims’ rights, impartiality and whether justice is best served by having television cameras in courtrooms.
Following Wednesday’s verdict, Mr Omotoso will be deported to Nigeria, South African media outlet News24 reported.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
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