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Onyema Commissions Self-Named Edifice At UI

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The Chairman of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema, has commissioned an imposing guest house at the University of Ibadan as an alumnus of the institution, under the auspices of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association,  UIAA.

The commissioning  took place at a special ceremony organised by the UIAA at the University, last Saturday. The ceremnoy was attended by the Sultan of Sokoto and Chancellor of the University, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, Chief John Odigie, Chairman of the University Governing Council,  Professor Kayode Adebowale, Vice-chancellor of the University and chief host, and the executive members of the UIAA.

In his remarks, Onyema stressed that Nigerians should be proud of their institutions. “We need to be proud of Nigerian universities. That’s how it was in the good old days. We need to rediscover those days”, he stated.

The Air Peace boss, who was recognised with the Alumnus of the Year Award by the University in 2019, used the medium to plead with the Academic Staff Union of Universities,  ASUU,  to call off their strike for the sake of the nation and the wellbeing of the students. 

According to him, “it pains me that our children have been at home for several months. For the sake of our nation, which is passing through trying times, and for the sake of the wellbeing of our children, ASUU should, please, call off the strike. He said the Federal Government and the Union should reach an amicable decision to end the crisis in the country’s university system.

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Explaining how the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, suspended its planned shutdown of operations last Sunday, the aviator stated that the operators made sacrifices to give room for the government to solve the issue and it had done that. He asked ASUU to take a cue from what the airlines did by sacrificing for the wellbeing of Nigerian students.

The airline helmsman also harped on the need for Nigerians to leverage their diversity for national development. In his words: “Nigeria has the potential. Let’s explore this potential. The bigger Nigeria is, the stronger we should be because there’s strength in diversity”. He implored well-meaning Nigerians to inculcate the culture of giving back to their alma mater and be involved in its development. 

Lauding the UIAA President, Professor Elsie Adewoye, for her hardwork in bringing to fruition the new guest house , Onyema added that people like her should be recognised by Nigerian government. He challenged her to make good use of the influence of personalities like the Sultan and John Odigie to attract more investments to the University. 

In her speech, the President of the Alumni Association,  Professor Adewoye, narrated how Onyema emerged as the Alumnus of the Year in 2019, and donated handsomely to the Ransome Kuti Hall where he stayed during his days at the institution. She said: “As we commission this 110million naira project today, my joy knows no bounds. Onyema is simply a blessing to humanity, a blessing to Nigeria, a blessing to UI, and no wonder you were rewarded recently with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award by President Muhammadu Buhari. Thank you most exceedingly”.

Speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, charged the school management to never let the school down. “Government cannot do it all. We need to come in and help our universities and that’s why what Allen has done is commendable.  We’re here to celebrate Allen for this wonderful edifice. Allen, once  in a while,  come in and see how the guest house is doing. Let’s continue to excel and commit ourselves to excellence”, he added. 

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Similarly, Chief John Odigie, Chairman of the University Governing Council, expressed: ”Allen, we’re glad to have you as an alumnus of UI. May God bless you. If we come knocking again, please listen to us as we are already looking at having a new Senate facility”. He further emphasised that the recurrent crises in Nigeria’s university system must come to an end. 

In the same vein, the Vice-chancellor of UI, Professor Kayode Adebowale, noted that the event was significant in many ways. “Today’s event is significant and outstanding in many ways. A testimony to the generous heart of Allen Onyema. We stand here today to commission a 110million naira building by a worthy alumnus of this institution. No condition makes a true giver unable to give. 

“Barrister onyema has proven this. Even with the harsh realities of the economy, he has been generous. Today, we are witnesses to his generosity”, he stated. Thanking Onyema for being so outstanding, Adebowale cited how he deployed his aircraft to rescue stranded Nigerians from South Africa in 2019 amidst the  xenophobic onslaught and how he offered his aircraft to airlift Nigerians a couple of months back from different European countries, as the Russia-Ukraine war thickened. He also called on Onyema to consider setting up a Centre for Aviation Studies in UI.

The immediate past president of the UIAA, Dr Kemi Emina, also commended Onyema for his consistent support and cooperation.

The Air Peace boss is a proud alumnus of the University of Ibadan where he bagged an LLB Degree and has never ceased to identify with the initiatives and activities of the institution,  especially through funding of specific projects. This newly commissioned building, named ‘Allen Onyema Edifice’, is a modern multiple rooms guest house at the heart of the University. 

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Transfer: PSG to bid for Osimhen in January

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Osimhen

Ligue 1 champions, Paris Saint-Germain are still interested in Victor Osimhen.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Old Lady will bid for the Nigeria international next month.

Osimhen is presently on loan with Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray.

The striker’s release clause is €75 million, allowing him to join another team in January.

PSG were linked with a bid for the 25-year-old this summer.

Osimhen is now recovering from a muscular injury.

He has scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 13 appearances across all competitions for Galatasaray.

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Tinubu’s Tax Reform bills not withdrawn, Senate can’t be intimidated – Akpabio

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Akpabio

The Nigerian Senate has dismissed reports of its plenary on Wednesday that Tax Reform Bills have been suspended, saying that the bills are alive and in progress.

Akpabio said the Tax Reform bills have not been withdrawn by the Senate because it’s an executive bill.

He spoke against the backdrop of a point of order raised by the Senate leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi that the proceedings of the Chamber were misreported particularly on the controversial Tax Reform Bills.

Expressing his discontent over reports in the media, he said: “I watched Arise television news and what was reported was that this hallowed chamber had suspended further consideration of the tax reform bills before the Senate.

“The reporter even invited the governor of Nasarawa State and pointedly told the governor that now that the Senate had withdrawn, he used the word withdrawn.”

Opeyemi said the report suggested that Senators were confused and the only option was the suspension of the Bills. Quoting the conversation between the reporter and the Governor of Nasarawa State, he said: “Arise news described them as pony drums suggesting that they were confusing. They were problematic. What would you say Mr governor? Are you happy that these bills have been withdrawn, the governor said I am not just happy.”

Opeyemi said, Senators do not move from one television station to another trying to correct misinformation but could only deliberate on issues on the floor of the Senate, urging the Senate to be clear on the Tax Reform Bill now that the public has been misinformed.

“They understand the legislative process that we have to follow. They understand our role in the Constitution. Any attempt from any quarter, to intimidate the Parliament, will be undemocratic, and will not allow ourselves to be distracted.

“But we will encourage consensus. We will encourage discussions and engagement at all levels. But we will not, we cannot be bullied into adopting a certain procedure.

“As far as we are concerned, the tax reform bills are alive in this hallowed chamber, they are receiving consideration at various levels and we are open to discussions to negotiations to interface.

“Let it not be said anywhere that we suspended further consideration of these bills and also it will be laughable for anybody to also think or say or report that the bills were withdrawn.

“Like I said there are executive bills that can only be withdrawn by the executive and there’s no reason to do so because these bills we believe are in overriding public interest.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that across geopolitical interests I mean political parties, across religious interests, everybody that has concern, civil society everybody that has concern is given a chance to contribute to the passage of these laws.”

Reacting, the Senate President thanked the Committee Chairman, Senator Abba Moro for having commenced sitting as soon as the Committee was announced yesterday.

“And I want to almost thank the senior senator, Abba Moro, the chairman of the committee, because as soon as that announcement was made yesterday, immediately started consultation.

“In fact, he has a meeting today that he has set up to enable him to abstract the process so that the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and members of the committee can commence public hearings either next week or as soon as practicable.

“Therefore, your point of order clearly demonstrates that this is a very important issue.

“And the item to be explained is that the bills are live, have not been suspended, the actions have not been suspended, the bills have not been withdrawn and the bills have passed second reading in the Senate and further legislative actions are taking place. All those points are hereby sustained.”

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Okpebholo gives council chairmen 48-hours to submit statements of account to Assets Verification Committee

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Okpebholo

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the 18 local government council chairmen in the state to submit their statements of account.

Gatekeeper reports that the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.

Okpebholo directed the council chairmen to submit the statements to the Assets Verification Committee, through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG.

He said the statement of accounts should be effective from September 4, 2023 till date.

He said the statements of account would help and enable the Assets Verification Committee do its job effectively and efficiently.

The governor, at a meeting with the councils’ chairmen at Government House, however, promised to work closely with them for a better Edo state.

He was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.

“I have listened to you keenly, the ALGON Chairman. The Governor is a leader of all of us. Election has come and gone and we are all one family. The Governor has asked me to assure you that we are one family.

“He has also asked me to tell you that we will work closely together. I guess you are aware that a few weeks ago, the Assets Verification Committee was constituted.

“Mr. Governor is committed to transparency and accountability in this Government and that Committee would not have the resources to go across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State.

“The Governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from 4th of September 2023, to date, to the Assets Verification Committee within the next 48 hours (2 days), as that would help and enable the Committee to do its job effectively and efficiently.

“The statement of accounts should be sent through the office of the Secretary to the State Government to the Assets Verification Committee. The Governor thanks you for your time,” he said.

Earlier, Newman Ugiagbe, chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area and also the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), who led the 18 local government chairmen on the courtesy visit, pledged their loyalty to Governor Monday Okpebholo and promised to collaborate with him to ensure that the administration succeeds.

“We are here to congratulate the Governor and the Deputy on the mandate the Edo people gave them and here to pledge our loyalty to your administration.

“Our doors are open to your instructions, policies and programmes, as we are ready to bring your policies down to the grassroots to enable our people to benefit from the dividends of democracy as we will work to ensure your administration succeeds”, he stated.

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