A few days before the inauguration of the incoming administration, Nigerians have taken to social media to tell their “survival stories” during the regime of the outgoing president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd). The PUNCH reports that Buhari will handover to his successor, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress on May 29, 2023. As of press time, the hashtag #WeSurvivedBuhari has garnered thousands of tweets. The Buhari regime has been adjudged by critics to be one of the worst administrations since the return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999. For instance, the national president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke described the regime as the worst in the history of Nigeria for the poor attention paid to the education sector. Our correspondent who analysed posts on the popular microblogging site, Twitter noticed that some Nigerians also issued survivor certificates to themselves for surviving the Buhari regime. A Twitter user, @DukeofMotherland said, “This should equal GuinnessBookOfRecord. We survived 8 years of anti-people policies; 8 years of a rogue regime; 8 years of torture and misery; 8 years of persecution; 8 years of utter disregard for human rights and desecration of our court #BuhariTheDisaster #WesurvivedBuhari.” Another Twitter user, Joshua Aroke said, “We came, we saw, we survive this nonchalant of a human called Buhari, a failure who promised so much but deliver very little. We made it out alive, we deserve an accolade. #BuharitheDisaster.” Another Nigerian, Niyi Gbadamosi tweeted, “I survived the Buhari era” Did we really survive him? Many can’t eat 3 square meals a day anymore, so many lost businesses and jobs, many have left the country, many have passed their prime without any tangible achievements, etc. Did we really survive him?” Similarly, another user, @leckyrulez said, “Omo!!!! We actually survived 8 good years of Buhari. My goodness!! Lives were changed for the worse, lives were lost, families separated and we are expecting BAT. GOD HAVE MERCY.!!.” Another Twitter user, Vera Chika thanked God on behalf of her family for surviving the Buhari regime, “Just a subtle reminder fam. My family, friends, and I survived the Buhari regime…Hallelujah It’s something to brag about…We no dey beg…we aren’t destitute…what God cannot do does not exist.” Also, @Loftus77 said, “Cheers to us that survived this Buhari-led administration. It has to be the toughest ever economically, security and everything; but we survived.”

  Friday 26 May 2023 Chrisland: How Snapchat group revealed Whitney was electrocuted – Father May 29: Tinubu gets transition report, vows to tackle insecurity, power crisis Seun Kuti’s travel lawful, won’t jump bail – Counsels May 29: Police Deploy Personnel To Protect Aso Villa, Eagle Square Osinbajo Takes Shettima On Aso Rock Tour ‘Depositors’ Fund Well-Secured’, Microfinance Banks React To CBN’s Revocation Reps Meet Malami Over Missing $2.4bn Crude Oil Sale Ex-Presidential Candidate Fined N40m For Seeking To Stop Tinubu’s Inauguration Nigerians United Abroad But Something Else At Home – Obasanjo Ninth National Assembly One Of The Most Productive, Says Buhari Kano Govt Clears Ado Doguwa Of Homicide Charges UK Varsities Fault Ban On Foreign Students’ Families Rescind $800m Loan Request, Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Tell FG Falana Sues Army Staff, Others Over Extra-Judicial Killing Of Police Officer Female Officer, Lagos Police Command Disagree Over Resignation I Will Not Disappoint, Tinubu Promises Nigerians 2023: Buhari Hands Over Transition Documents To Tinubu Ahead Of May 29 JOHESU Begins Indefinite Strike Biden Nominates Black Air Force General To Head US Military Rate of killings worrisome —Southern, M-Belt Leaders We’ll award contracts, borrow till May 28 midnight – Fashola Rate of killings worrisome —Southern, M-Belt Leaders Soludo writes Buhari on Nnamdi Kanu’s release Osinbajo to lead Commonwealth group to observe Sierra Leone election June 24 Falana sues army chief over extra-judicial ‘killing’ of police officer, seeks N300m compensation for family 3 Days To Go: Nigerians Knock APC On Campaign Promises Bad Governance Worsening Nigeria’s Insecurity — Jega Airline Operators Kick Against Move To Start Nigeria Air Imo Monarch Shot Dead, Corpse Burnt To Ashes Lack Of Trust Breaking Up Nigeria — Edwin Clark Remaining 2 Abducted FGC Yauri Girls Released 707 Days After MURIC Backs Minister On Removing Sex Education From BEC Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The Federal government has replied critics over the unending award of contracts and external borrowing, a few days before the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, declared that the Muhammadu Buhari administration will award contracts by midnight of May 28. Fashola said this in Akure, the Ondo state capital, while flagging off the N 90 billion dualisation of the 49km dilapidated Akure/Ado-Ekiti highway. According to him, People are asking why we are still awarding contracts when we have just a few days to go. Should we stop this road now and wait for the next government? ” It is a juvenile conversation. They forgot, among other things, that the term of this administration ends at midnight on May 28. “This road really represents the paradox of governance, about roads, and about public debts. This is the real story. ” The work looks easy from the outside, but one decision leads to other consequences. But we have now given you contractors who have worked with you. “All kinds of stories have been told about me, but none of them bother me. They just dedicate me to my job and tell me to do it as best I can. “All lies have been published that Fashola does not like Ekiti and Ondo States. That is absolute nonsense. “There were suggestions that we should asphalt and rehabilitate the road, and I said no, that we will dualize the road and we are going to reconstruct. “Before we could do that, we had to first do the design, which took some time. But many were ignorant about this. It is not as easy as it looks. Fashola who pointed out that infrastructural development can only be actualised through borrowing or taxation, said that the project, which will cost N90 billion, will be taken care of by NNPCL through the tax credit policy of the federal government. According to him the project awarded to Samchase Nigeria Ltd. and Kopeck Construction Company is slated for completion within the next 24 months. Speaking on the procurement act, the Minister asked the 10th National Assembly to amend it, noting that the law was slowing down the country’s development. “There is a law passed by the National Assembly called the Procurement Act; if you don’t follow it, they will call you a thief. “That procurement law and the processes that it prescribes are not consistent with the hurry that Nigeria is in for development. And I hope the 10th National Assembly will look at that procurement law and make adjustments. Its intention is good, but the processes slow down the country. “They forget that you, the people, through your representatives, have passed a budget for us to implement. It is a law. The people then ask, “Why is the government borrowing?” “The easiest thing to do in government is to say that our revenue is N10 and our work is N10, but that means that nobody should ask for a road. “If you want development and you have chosen infrastructure—a road, school, bridge, pipeline, refinery—who is going to pay for it?” It is going to come at a cost. “So that is why the first thing you will see when government, whether at the state, local, or federal level, responds to the needs of the people is an expenditure that exceeds the revenue; that is when you have what is called a deficit. Someone has to pay for that deficit. ” In this next dispensation, I want us to have a real conversation, not imaginary issues. Elevated and mature conversation, not juvenile conversation. ” If you don’t want to borrow and you don’t want tax, So where do you want the government to get money from, because that is how it is done everywhere in the world? “The road will cost $90 billion. You want the road, and you will say that Buhari is borrowing too much money. This road is not funded by debt but through tax credits. “We will be leaving the sustainable development goal because, whether we are in office or not, this road will be completed. Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of State for Transport, Ademola Adegoroye, lauded Fashola for his efforts towards ensuring that the construction of the dualized road commenced. Adegoroye said that “Akure-Ado Road is one that is important to our people because Ekiti and Ondo State people are one. “Many people work in Akure and live in Ado, and many also work in Ikere and Ado but live in Akure. The road will create good commerce. This project will not stop until it is commissioned because it will be handled by the same government.” Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by his Infrastructure, lands and Housing Commissioner, Raimi Aminu, called on the residents to give maximum support to the contractors to complete the project in record time while his Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji who spoke the Head of Service, Dele Agbede, described the moment as historic for the people of Ekiti and Ondo States. Vanguard gathered that the first section of the road project on the Ondo side was awarded to two construction companies at the cost of N46.6 billion. The remaining balance of N49.2 billion would be expended on the second section of the project from the Ekiti State border. ” section two of that road was awarded to Messrs Kopek Construction Limited at the cost of N49,295,088,593.98, with a completion period of 30 months. It showed that one of the contractors will start work from the Ekiti State border, while the other one will start from the Ondo Stateside.

  Hoodlums have killed the traditional ruler of Orsu Obodo in Oguta local government area of Imo State, HRH Eze Victor Ijioma. It was gathered the Isama of Mgbele( the traditional prime minister) of Mgbele community in the same Oguta LGA was also killed by the unknown hoodlums. It also was learnt that the two leaders were killed in separate attacks in different locations on Thursday. Sources said the Orsu Obodo monarch was ambushed at Umuamaka Junction in the neighbouring Izombe town, where he was killed inside his car. It was further learned that the assailants, who were not satisfied with his death, went ahead to set his corpse ablaze inside his car. However, the Mgbele community leader was said to have been killed in his town. Village sources told our correspondent that military and other security operatives have increased their presence in Izombe, Mgbele and the communities around the area in their bid to to fish out the perpetrators, who now have resorted to hit and run tactics. One of the sources said: “The Eze Igwe of Orsu Obodo was accosted while he was driving at Umuakama Junction in the afternoon. “They shot him, and they set him ablaze inside his car and left the scene. “As I am talking to you now, soldiers and other security operatives are currently combing the villages in search of the assailants”. As at time of  filling this report, Police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, could not be reached for comments on the incident.

  Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed worry that Nigerians in Diaspora are always united, but turn to something else in their home country. He also noted that Nigerians abroad always make the country proud due to their sterling performance in their different areas of endeavour. A statement signed by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, quoted the former President to have spoken at a reception in the United States of America. Obasanjo spoke on behalf of a delegation of eminent traditional leaders and academics that included the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, at an Evening Reception, held at New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.   Obasanjo said to be impressed by the unity exhibited among themselves in far away USA, urged the Nigerians in the Diaspora to reciprocrate such togetherness when back in their home-country. He told the gathering that Nigerians in the Diaspora are making the country proud in their different areas of endeavour and urged them to be good citizens of wherever they are domiciled. “Nigerian nationals are often very united when they are abroad but something else when they return to the country, therefore, I want to urge all to be good citizens, not only where you are, but when also you come home to Nigeria,” Obasanjo was quoted to have said. Obasanjo, the Balogun (Prime Minister) of Owu Kingdom however thanked the Rutgers University management for the warm reception accorded the delegation and for the far-reaching engagements. The event was put together by the Center for African Studies, Rutgers University, New Jersey, headed by Professor Bode Ibironke and was attended by the leadership of the university, the representative of Nigeria at the United Nations (UN ) Ambassador (Prof.) Tijanni Muhammed-Bande, top academics from other institutions, including Prof. Akil Khalfani, Director of the Africana Institute of Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey and Prof. Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede. The delegation held meetings and engagements in Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania with the aim of signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and forging partnerships and alliances between universities in the United States of America (USA) and some of their counterparts in Nigeria.

Fauzziyah Isiak, a female police officer, has cried out on social media, accusing the Force of detaining her after she tendered her resignation. Isiak, a Corporal with the Lagos Police Command, narrated her ordeal in a series of tweets on Thursday. She said after she submitted her resignation letter after working for six years, but the resignation had not been accepted. The officer said when she was called for an interview, she thought the police had finally accepted to let her go, only for her be detained. She wrote: “I never saw this coming. I have never thought I’ll be put in detention without interrogation. All I did was try to resign. I have been trying to resign from the Police since last year but my letters were not approved. “My boss had called me to show up yesterday 24th of May to meet the Deputy Commissioner for an interview. I thought they were finally going to approve my resignation but the only words I heard was that I should be detained to be tried and dismissed. Due to the shock, I couldn’t say anything as the officer led me away “Later, I heard that I should have begged and cried but my lack of reaction worsened the matter. I cried a river after it all dawned on me. I have not taken my clothes and shoes off since yesterday. I can’t even change my sanitary pad. My migraine is throbbing at full speed and my head is about to explode from exhaustion. “My mother has called that she has been advised to come and plead that I will continue working. I have been working for 6 years and I think it is fair to let someone go and aid them to leave if they do not want to stay anymore. “I have been very easygoing since I was born, this is my first time in this kind of situation. I have always worked in the administrative department, in fact, the religious department of the Nigeria Police. I believe in pursuing everything with passion, I always remove myself whenever I think i am no longer giving full attention to a job or career.” The aggrieved officer narrated the condition in which she was, saying her mother was traumatised. “I don’t know how long I’ll be here for but I really need to sleep. If the women at the provost office had not given me some Paracetamol yesterday afternoon, I may not have survived until now. I don’t know how long I will be here for butI’ll appreciate a blanket with sanitary pad.” “The Cold is about to snuff my life out. As I sit here through the night and the mosquitos hum in my ears. I keep talking to them to ask them why someone who could have stamped my letter and put me through on what to do will have me held down and humiliated instead. I can’t imagine what my mother will be going through now to hear that her daughter is being detained and she has to come to Ikeja to plead on her behalf. My mother has never had to worry over me before and she has to do it without my dad. “I wonder what my dad would have thought if he were alive. He was such a calm person. He always knew what to say. I really want to go home. I don’t know who will read this. My phone will die soon. This is a cry for help. I want to go home. Find me please Fauzziyah Ebunoluwa Isiak.” But in response, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that working with the Nigerian Police is not like working in the private sector where resignation is quickly processed. He said this while responding to a flurry of social media comments. Hundeyin also accused the officer of absconding from duty, saying she has questions to answer over such. “SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT: It is one thing to turn in your resignation. It is another thing for the application to be processed, upon which you receive your discharge certificate.” “Till you get the discharge certificate, you remain a serving member of the Force, bound by all extant rules and regulation of service. “@PoliceNG, absence from duty for twenty-one days without leave or permission automatically results in your being declared a deserter. Every serving member knows this. “Corporal Fauzziyah Isiak, who serves in the office of the Imam of the Command, without leave, permission or discharge from service, absconded from duty for over a month, in flagrant disregard for the conditions of service she willingly signed to. “For this offence against discipline, she was detained yesterday for the commencement of her orderly room trial today. “Secondly, she has maliciously brought the name of the Force into disrepute by distorting/misrepresenting facts – a discreditable conduct that amounts to another disciplinary offence. “Nevertheless, she would have an opportunity to explain herself at the trial, after which a decision will be made.”

  Kano State Ministry of Justice has exonerated House leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa from charges of culpable homicide and mischief by fire levelled against him. The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Musa Abdullahi Lawan, made this known while briefing journalists in Kano on Thursday. He said, “Based on the foregoing facts and observations, we cannot substantiate charges of criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and culpable homicide against Doguwa. “We cannot find sufficient evidence to link him with the said offences considering that we are faced with so many inculpatory and exculpatory evidence for and against him.   “The statements of those that implicated Doguwa were full of contradictions and could not find medical evidence to prove the death of the victims. “The law is clear that the allegations that Doguwa killed people cannot be substantiated.” According to him, the eight to 12 suspects arrested would be charged with mischief by fire under Section 336 of the Penal Code (as amended).

  Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, a professor and vice-chancellor of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom state, has held a clear-the-air meeting with officials of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja over the Umo Eno certificate saga, TheCable understands. Eno, the Akwa Ibom governor-elect, was allegedly expelled from UNIUYO over a West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate forgery, according to the election petition filed by Albert Bassey, candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP). Bassey claimed that Eno was one of the students expelled from the university in 2005 for obtaining admission with a fake WAEC/Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) certificate. In the petition marked AKW/GOV/01/2023, Bassey, through his lawyers, asked the tribunal to nullify the declaration and return of Eno as the winner of the governorship election in the state.   Bassey alleged that Eno was not at the time of the election qualified to contest because he presented a forged WAEC June 1981 certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during his nomination by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Both Eno and the university have denied the allegation. However, the denial by UNIUYO led to a flurry of petitions to the NUC, which regulates university education in the country.   Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, a professor and executive secretary of the commission, demanded an explanation from Ndaeyo because of the petitions and negative media reports, sources in the know informed TheCable. Ndaeyo offered to go to Abuja for a face-to-face with the ES, although TheCable understands he is currently out of the country. However, Ndaeyo met with senior officials of the NUC on Wednesday where the issue was discussed at length, although TheCable could not confirm the resolution of the meeting. A senior NUC official, who did not volunteer much information, said the commission was worried about the mixing of education with politics and would not want anything that would tarnish the image of the university. Credit: TheCable

  International Monetary Fund executives have approved a $3.5 billion loan agreement for Ivory Coast to help the country tackle financial challenges and assist with its economic transformation, the fund announced Wednesday.   Getting the loan in full will be contingent on the West African nation making structural changes to its economy, which is squeezed by a global downturn and the ripple effects of the war in Ukraine. The 40-month arrangement will “help support the country’s transformation towards upper-middle income status” over the medium term while preserving macroeconomic stability, the IMF said in a statement. “Consecutive global shocks have strained Cote d’Ivoire’s public finances as well as regional reserves,” IMF Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura said in a statement, referring to the country by its francophone name. The program will help the country tackle the “triple shocks” of the Covid-19 pandemic, global monetary tightening, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the statement from the IMF. The key target of the program’s reform agenda, meanwhile, is domestic revenue mobilization, which the IMF said was central to preserving fiscal and debt sustainability, and would help generate the “fiscal space” needed to allow for deeper economic transformation. The first tranche of the loan worth close to $500 million will be made immediately available to the Ivorian authorities to support the budget, the IMF said. AFP