Davron Online

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and 17 other ministerial nominees as ministers. Also confirmed on Thursday are – Barr. Adebayo Shittu, Prof. Isaac Adewole, Adijat Abba Ibrahim, Heineken Lokpobiri, Prof. Claudius Omoleye Daramola, Shehuri Mustapha, Ocholi James, Bawa Bwari, Geoffrey Onyeama, Hajia Zainab Ahmed and Monsur Mohammed Dan’Ali. Pastor Usani Usani Uguru, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, Prof. Anwuka Anthony, Mohammed Musa Bello,  Adamu Adamu and Aisha Abubakar completed the list. With the confirmation of the 18 nominees today, it brings the number of ministers-designate to 36, whose names were submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari. Meanwhile, the confirmation of Amaechi, whose name appeared at the extreme of the list of nominees to be confirmed, encountered a hiccup due to the delay in the presentation of the Senate committee on the allegations leveled against the ex-governor.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators held a crucial secret meeting on Wednesday to take a position on the confirmation of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and 17 others as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The confirmation of 18 outstanding ministerial nominees including Amaechi has been slated for Thursday. Senate President, Bukola Saraki, deferred confirmation of the nominees after the Senate screened five more nominees on Wednesday. Those screened on Wednesday included Mr. Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah (Abia), Prof. Anthony Anwukah (Imo), Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa), Adamu Adamu(Bauchi) and Ms. Aisha Bello (Sokoto). The PDP Senators launched into the closed door meeting at Senate Hearing Room 1, immediately after Saraki adjourned plenary. Insiders said the meeting was specifically to enable the opposition lawmakers take position on some of the nominees. A competent source who attended the meeting said “you know we have just concluded the screeni...

Security operatives armed to the teeth have been stationed at the High Court, Iyaganku, Ibadan  and adjoining roads as the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivers judgment today. Also Vehicular and pedestrians movements were fenced off the area while all residential buildings within 60 meters radius of the Isabo high court, the venue of the Tribunal sitting, were also taken over by armed security agents in bids to ensure adequate security around the Court. Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of Security Service (DSS), including those on an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) are on ground to maintain law and order. In the petition, the governorship candidate of Accord, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja is challenging the election of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of All Progressives Congress (APC). Ladoja is challenging the April 11 governorship election in the state in a suit number EPT/IB/Gov/22/2015. The th...

Follow @davidblawal The Supreme Court has on Tuesday morning, dismissed a suit filled by the embattled governor of Rivers State, Nyeson Wike challenging the jurisdiction of the Rivers State Elections Tribunal. In the suit, Wike opined that the tribunal does not have a jurisdiction over the affairs of the state from Abuja. Details shortly...

Follow @davidblawal   Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday congratulated the newly selected Ooni of Ife-designate, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and advised him to concentrate on further solidifying the role of the Yoruba people in national unity. Saraki , in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, wished the Ooni-elect a long and peaceful reign, sound health and many years of service to his people. According to the Senate President, the Ooni-elect has so many things in common with the immediate past  Ooni , which include but not limited to being widely travelled, exposed, versatile, well-informed and somebody devoted to community service. He noted that the appointment of Prince Ogunwusi could not have come at a better time. Saraki  said: "I am particularly delighted that the approval of your appointment by the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, came at a time when the youthful zest, experie...

Follow @davidblawal 1. Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of the Giesi Ruling House, attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy. 2. He was responsible for the establishment of the Association for International Business (AIB) in Nigeria. 3.  The new Ooni of Ife has employed over 300 youth at the Inagbe Cocowood Factory and has over 450 direct employees in his various companies. 4. Prince Adeyeye is the founder of Essential Homes, a real estate project that delivers affordable upscale homes to the middle and low income earners. Prince Ogunwusi has been involved in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) in Nigeria, and internationally for over 12 years. He is directly involved in the development of over 2,500 housing units in Nigeria, over the last 8 years. 5. The new Ooni led the Government delegation team to Canada in 2002 for strategic alliances and partnership with Ondo ...

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Rev. Matthew Kukah,  Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese,   on Tuesday identified the distortion of nationhood as the main problem confronting Nigeria as a country. The Bishop said this on Tuesday while delivering the 3rd convocation lecture of the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti,  titled: “Education and Leadership Recruitment for a Plural Society: A Case of Nigeria” . According to him, getting it right in the education sector will help in the transformation of values and a positive generational change capable of launching Nigeria into the league of most developed nations of the world. The lecture was chaired by the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega and was attended by the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, ABUAD Founder, Aare Afe Babalola and other dignitaries. Kukah said Nigeria must learn to manage her diversity and maximize it to meet its goals of sustainable development. He further urg...

The office of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa has been accused by the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over what the party described as undue interference in ongoing election petition cases. According to the party, reports emanating from Justice Bulkachuwa's office indicated that there were moves to sway judgments against PDP candidates at the various election petition tribunals and other judicial cases. In a statement released on Monday by Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP's National Publicity Secretary, the party cautioned against attempts to detract from the sanctity of the judiciary just to  favour  candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The statement reads: "While we would not want to believe that the President of the Court of Appeal is so involved, given the sensitivity of her office, we wish to caution in very strong terms, that such is completely unacceptable as it principally detracts from the sancti...

The Nigeria Police Force has reiterated its against the use of all forms of firearms and firecrackers during the forthcoming Yuletide. The Police said this on Monday in a statement signed by the Assistant Commissioner of police (ACP) Olabisi Kolawole, Force Public Relations Officer. "It has come to the knowledge of the Nigeria Police Force that some Nigerians have started using fireworks and firecrackers in anticipation of the Yuletide celebrations. "With the present security situation, occasioned by the recent bombings in parts of the country, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon E.  Arase ,  fdc , NPM, is advising Nigerians to desist from using fireworks, otherwise called “knock out” as the ban on it is still in force.   "This warning becomes crucial as there are reports that  hoodlums  are now using fireworks to confuse Nigerians in order to carry out their nefarious activities," the statement reads. The Police, howev...

Follow @davidblawal   Dele Momodu, Publisher of Ovation Magazine was on Monday attacked by Nigerians for a series of post that allegedly came from his Social Media handle, Twitter and Instagram. In the posts, Momodu said that if he was President Muhammadu Buhari, he would ensure that the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, is cleared of all corruption charges and forthwith screened and confirmed as a minister. The posts: The more they come out the more obvious it is that the pro-Amaechi group is doing great; let's stay stronger than pre-election time! — Dele Momodu (@DeleMomodu) October 19, 2015 Those who could not bully Nigerians when they were in power should not think of bullying us when out of power! — Dele Momodu (@DeleMomodu) October 19, 2015 You played your part well and we shall always remember... pic.twitter.com/6UJdEIVub9 — Dele Momodu (@DeleMomodu) October 19, 2015 That's the man of courage Amaechi working hard against...

Follow @davidblawal The   Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sonny  Echono , has said that the  Federal  Government is set to introduce a homegrown National School Feeding programme . According to Echono, the initiative is meant to  encourage  enrollment in schools and to  address poverty, malnutrition and stunted growth. Speaking with newsmen as part of activities commemorating  the 35th World Food Day celebration in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary stressed the need to create business opportunities in the rural areas and stimulate the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Emphasising the need to improve the incomes of farmers, he said: “All players in the agricultural sector must re-double efforts by taking advantage provided for massive food production.” He further noted that social protection exists when government develop policies and programmes to address economic, environ...

Follow @davidblawal Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Friday arrested an officer of the Federal Road Safety (FRSC) in Ikere Ekiti for driving against traffic.  The governor arrested the FRSC officer while on his way to the flag off of the dualization of the Ado-Ikere-Ondo State boundary road and commissioning of some projects in Ikere town as part of activities marking the first anniversary of his administration. The FRSC officer, whose name was given as Adeola Alabi left the bad portion of the road for the other lane and drove against traffic to avoid potholes and reconnect the lane ahead.  The incident, which happened at Sawmill area of Ikere Ekiti, caused traffic gridlock as some residents came out to watch the drama.  After the arrest, the FRSC personnel prostrated before Fayose, begging the governor to have mercy on him, but Fayose was too infuriated that he immediately ordered the security operatives in his convoy to ensure the road saf...

Follow @davidblawal Mr. Babatunde Fashola, former Governor of Lagos State has said he did not corruptly enrich himself during his tenure in office as governor of the state. Fashola said this while responding to questions on the controversial N78 million personal website deal executed under his administration, from Senators at the Nigerian Senate chamber in Abuja. According to him, even his critics did not accuse him of corruptly enriching himself in the controversial deal. "I don't award contracts because there is a tenders board in place. They do market survey to get the price benchmark for these things. There is a process and we have consultants who check these things periodically. Nobody has alleged that I have corruptly enriched myself." Explaining further on the controversy, Fashola said suspicion arises wherever money is involved, even among brothers. Asked to state his concept of loyalty, the former governor described loyalty as a strange concept, s...

23-year old  Oseikhuemen Ojie   has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court for belonging to an unlawful society. Police Prosecutor, ASP Sylvester Omor, told the court that the accused and others at large belonged to the Vikings secret cult. He said the offence contrary to Section 3 (1) (c) and Section 3 (1) (a) of the secret cult prohibition Laws No. 8 of 2000 of Edo. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and engaging in cult related activities. Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. C.A. Nwoha , held that the court lacks jurisdiction to admit the accused to bail.

The La Casera Company, makers of La Casera Apple drink, has announced resumption of full scale operations with immediate effect. The company which was previously enmeshed in a dispute with labour a few weeks ago disclosed that it had resolved all the lingering issues that led to the shutdown of its activities. According to a statement signed by management, the company disclosed that a  full scale production has re-commenced at its factory located in Apapa, Lagos. The statement further indicated that all disputes with labour and other stakeholders of the company have been resolved amicably. “The La Casera Company (TLCC) is delighted to announce the full resumption of all its activities with immediate effect. "The dispute that had affected its operations over the last 2 weeks has now been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.  Consequently, full scale production has re-commenced at its large factory on the Apapa - Oshodi Expressway near Mile 2. “We would lik...

Follow @davidblawal The election of Senator Buruji Kashamu was on Friday nullified by the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. The tribunal also delivered judgments on 12 pending petitions before it. The election result of Senator Kashamu,  representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun East Senatorial District at the red chamber, was challenged by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dapo Abiodun in the last election. Similarly, the APC challenged the result of the House of Representatives election of Ijebu-East/Ijebu-North/Ogun Waterside, which returned Adesegun Adekoya of the PDP as against Biyi Ismail of the APC. The three man Tribunal headed by Justice Ebiowei Tobi, is also looking at the r esults of ten seats in the Ogun State House of Assembly, for which the tribunal had reserved judgments since August 3, when all Counsels adopted their written addresses.

Follow  @davidblawal   According to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the 2015 Nobel Prize for chemistry has been jointly awarded to three scientists for their "mechanistic studies of DNA repair". Tomas Lindahl, Paul Modrich and Aziz Sancar won "for having mapped, at a molecular level, how cells repair damaged DNA and safeguard the genetic information.Their work has provided fundamental knowledge of how a living cell functions and is, for instance, used for the development of new cancer treatments," the academy said. Lindahl, a Swedish scientist, showed that "DNA decays at a rate that ought to have made the development of life on Earth impossible. This insight led him to discover a molecular machinery, base excision repair, which constantly counteracts the collapse of our DNA", the academy stated. Modrich, an American, showed how a cell corrects errors that occur when DNA is replicated during cell division. "This mechanism, mismatch re...

Follow  @davidblawal   Says Lagos Committed to Improving Ease of Doing Business  Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Tuesday received members of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), led by its Chairman, Perre Gattaz, on a courtesy visit. Ambode reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to be fully committed to improving economic bi-lateral relations hitherto in existence between Nigeria and France. The Governor, who received the envoy, accompanied by the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, in his office in Alausa, Ikeja, said the visit of the team was so important to him because of the realization that both countries share many things in common. According to him, there are several economic opportunities that could be mutually beneficial to both countries, adding that language and cultural differences must not be allowed to hamper the relationship. “Your visit at this period is also important, because of the fact that our co...

Follow @davidblawal Governor of Kogi state , Idris Wada, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)   on Wednesday   urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure a level playing field in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in the state. Addressing newsmen after a meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Governor said that his performance in office in the last three and half years will speak for him. Stressing that preparations for the elections are in top gear, Wada said that he is working to ensure adequate security and transparent poll, which he believed Buhari would also support. "In terms of preparation, we are working hard. I am also working with security agencies to ensure that there is a secure and safe environment for our people in the course of the campaign and during the election. "I will tell the people of the state to keep faith because we have a transparent President. "Provided a level playing field is cre...