News

APC Convention: No victor, No Vanquished – National Youth Leader

The newly-elected National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Dayo Israel, has promised to work hand-in-hand with the party members, especially the youths to ensure the greatest good for the greatest number.

Published

3 years ago

March 27, 2022

Sunday Osanyintuyi

Dayo Israel in his victory speech said there is “No Victor, No Vanquished” in the election of APC National Youth Leader at the party’s national convention, and therefore urged his co-contestants to join him in working for the “progress of our party, the youth constituency and Nigeria as a whole.”

He said: “It’s a New Dawn. Let me begin by thanking GOD, Almighty, who made the journey possible for me to emerge as the National Youth Leader of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC through your support.

“We came into the race with the sole objective to ‘spread greatness’ to all young people of our great party and Nigeria as a whole, through the office of the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Friends, it was not an easy feat, neither do I take for granted the sacrifices from everyone including my lovely wife, family, friends, party members, co-aspirants and my leaders; but I am delighted that this victory is for us all.

“Let me state very unequivocally that this race presented No Victor, No Vanquished, just a representative-a the servant leader to oversee your affairs! The party, APC belongs to all of us and I can assure you of inclusive leadership, carrying everyone along. We will work together, hand in hand to ensure the greatest good for the greatest number. This is what I will do with God on our side.”

While stressing his commitment toward working with millions of youths in APC for the progress of the ruling party, Israel said he will reach out to his co-aspirants and other stakeholders in the implementation of his agenda for the ruling party.

“Greatness is never achieved alone and it takes collective effort to experience collective growth. I have begun that step by collecting the manifestos of most of my co-aspirants and fusing them into our agenda; and by the Grace of God, I will reach out to them and other stakeholders in our implementation effort.

“In the light of the above, I call on my co-contestants, my brothers Ibrahim Alli-Balogun, Olalekan Smart Edwards, Dada Olusegun, and my sister Rinsola Abiola, all who gave a good account of themselves in the run-up to the national convention. Let’s come together because in unity we grow. We have a lot to of the fer for the progress of our party, the youth constituency and Nigeria as a whole.

“I have also set up a committee to help coordinate our first series of events and engagements with young stakeholders and I have approached most of my co-aspirants and blocs including support groups in Abuja to send a representative to serve on that committee. I would reach out to others to do the same.

“As an aspirant, I demonstrated my readiness to work with everyone by personally reaching out to all co-contestants. I held meetings with them. I also began the conversation of collaboration with them, to see how we can go into the convention with a united front. This is because I believe that collaboration is key,” he said.

Israel promised to carry the huge responsibility of this office on his shoulders with all the might in him and the support of the great youths of the ruling party.

“It is my joy to recognise that a Thank You Reception is being put together tonight in Abuja to provide an opportunity for all young delegates and stakeholders who have come from far and near to celebrate with us as we share our vision and agenda with them. We want our administration to be all-inclusive, from the bottom up, and not just reflective of Abuja. After all, it is the office of the National Youth leader, and not Lagos, Oyo, Nasarawa, Kano or Abuja youth leader.

“Finally, today is a day of history, and I feel the hand of history upon my shoulder; and without a doubt, we are on the cusp of greatness.

“Today, after all the resilience and tenacity, I am delighted to be elected as National Youth Leader of the APC, the first from the South-West of Nigeria. I recognise the huge responsibility of this office and I promise to carry them on my shoulders with all the might in me and the support of the great youths of our party. As such I covet your prayer and support, knowing fully that my success is your success.”

News

Court jails two for N22.1m fraud in Maiduguri

Published

1 hour ago

February 5, 2025

Seyi Babalola

Justices Aisha Kumaliya and Amina Ibrahim of the Borno State High Court, sitting in Maiduguri on Tuesday, convicted and sentenced two persons to three years imprisonment each for fraud.

The convicts are; Anaryu Akindaraju and Umar Alhaji Bukar who were prosecuted by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on one-count separate charges bordering on criminal misappropriation and cheating.

According to the Head of Media and Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, Akindaraju was convicted by Justice Kumaliya while Bukar was jailed by Justice Ibrahim.

The charge against Akindaraju reads: “That you, Anaryu Akindaraju, sometime in March, 2022 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced Alhaji Tijjani Muhammad to deliver to you the sum of N15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira) via your account number 0241908016 domiciled with FCMB, and vide your account number 0060784408 domiciled with Access Bank respectively, while some of the monies were transferred to you vide the account number 1010381257 bearing Abubakar Musa domiciled with UBA under the guise that the said amount represents payment for a purchase of three bed room flat situated at House of Assembly Quarters Maiduguri, Borno State, which you are yet to deliver and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 (a) and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Cap. 102 Laws of Borno State”

That of Bukar reads: “That you, Umar Alhaji Bukar with National Identification Number 86732517860, sometimes in 2013 at Maiduguri Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly misappropriated the aggregate sum of N6,736,000.00 and a house estimated at N450,000.00 belonging to late Alhaji Bukar Fannami for the benefit of Aisha Bukar Fannami and Hauwa Buakr Fannami and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 308 and 309 of the Penal Code Law of Borno State Cap. 102 Vol. 3 of 1994 respectively.”

Oyewale said they all pleaded guilty to the charges when read to them and counsel for the prosecution Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, Faruk Muhammad and Abdulmalik D. Aliyu went ahead and prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

“Justice Kumaliya convicted and sentenced Akindaraju to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.00 while Justice Ibrahim convicted and sentenced Bukar to one year imprisonment or an option of fine of N100,000.00.

“The convicts’ road to the Correctional Centre began when Akindaraju received payment for a purchase of a three bed room flat without delivering the property to the victim or returning the money to him.

“Bukar, on his own, dishonestly misappropriated an inheritance property and converted it to his use”.

News

Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo orders investigation of alleged criminal activities at Delta correctional centre

Published

3 hours ago

February 5, 2025

Seyi Babalola

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into allegations of criminal activities within the Okere Correctional Centre in Warri, Delta State.

A recent armed robbery incident in Delta State was allegedly traced to inmates of the correctional centre.

Tunji-Ojo’s directive was contained in a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Babatunde Alao, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The minister strongly condemned the alleged reprehensible behaviour, stressing that any form of indiscipline or misconduct would be met with severe consequences.

He reiterated his commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the administration of justice within the correctional service system.

“I will not allow indiscipline to fester under my watch. Any officer found wanting will face the full weight of the law. The leadership of the Nigerian Correctional Service must provide explanations.

“We take these allegations seriously and will not tolerate any form of misconduct within our correctional facilities,” he stated.

The minister urged the general public to provide any relevant information that may aid the investigation.

Politics

‘You’re backing Tinubu for personal gains’ — El-Rufai slams Kaduna Gov Sani

Published

3 hours ago

February 5, 2025

Seyi Babalola

The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has criticised his successor, Governor Uba Sani, for supporting President Bola Tinubu, alleging that it is for personal gain.

In a post on X, El-Rufai claimed that Sani’s unwavering support for Tinubu was linked to over N150 billion in federal reimbursements received by Kaduna State in the past 18 months.

“Every day I see this governor embarrassingly and sycophantically rambling, I used to wonder why. However, confirming that Federal Government ‘reimbursements, interventions, and grants’ in excess of N150bn have been given selectively to Kaduna by Tinubu in the last 18 months now explains everything.

“By all means, defend Asiwaju for the conditional cash transfer. Asiwaju has earned it, coming from you. The people of Kaduna State will judge at the right time and place. Have a nice day,” El-Rufai wrote.

The former governor’s criticism comes in the wake of Sani’s remarks during a news interview on Monday, where he expressed surprise at the growing criticism of Tinubu’s administration from some founding members of the All Progressives Congress.