Osun State Government on Thursday told staff and students of the State Polytechnic, Iree, to proceed on a two-week break, citing the resumption of the suspended Rector, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo, as the reason for its action. Odetayo was suspended in July by the State Government on account of alleged financial recklessness and abuse of office and was subsequently replaced with Mr. Kehinde Adeyemi in an Acting capacity, while a committee was constituted to investigate allegations against him But Odetayo on Thursday returned to the institution and resumed in his office. Although the whereabouts of Adeyemi, the acting rector was not known as of the time Odetayo arrived at the campus of the polytechnic, a very reliable source in the institution said he was already on his way to work, when information got to him about the presence of Odetayo, forcing him to make a detour. Odetayo’s return followed the decision of the Lagos Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which granted an interim order restraining Governor Ademola Adeleke and 14 others from appointing a rector for the institution. Led into the premises by operatives of the Department of State Security, Odetayo was also accompanied by some associates and staff members, as he resumed in his office after prayers were offered by staff of the institution. Addressing those who received him, Odetayo, who expressed surprise that he was suspended without being queried, said he returned to the school having secured an order of the court that restrained the governor from appointing another rector. I was really surprised when my suspension letter came in because prior to that, I didn’t receive any query or called for any meeting. “I am resuming back to office because the court has given an injunction on the matter and there is a stay of execution. I know our governor is a listening person and I want to appreciate him for allowing the rule of law to take its course. I am back to continue working towards moving the polytechnic forward,” Odetayo said. But the Acting Rector of the institution, Adeyemi, in a statement called for calm, describing Odetayo’s return as a ‘forceful invasion.’ The statement further read in parts, “Following the forceful invasion of the office of the Osun State Polytechnic Iree’s Rector, by the suspended Rector of the institution, as the Acting Rector of the Polytechnic, I appeal to members of the Polytechnic Community to remain calm. “I urge you to remain calm and go about your normal duties without any protest. The government has taken steps to ensure that normalcy returns.” Meanwhile, the state government shut down the institution for two weeks. Announcing the closure in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, said, “This is to inform the general public, particularly members of staff and students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, to proceed on two (2) weeks break with immediate effect. “The immediate break is a necessary action to maintain peace in the institution following the forceful return of the suspended Rector, Dr. T.A. Odetayo. “The general public should also note that school accounts have been frozen with immediate effect, and it is imperative that everyone cooperates fully and adheres to these directives.”

  Gabon’s military rulers on Thursday appointed Raymond Ndong Sima, a prominent opponent to ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba, as interim prime minister following the country’s coup on August 30, state TV announced. Ndong Sima, a 68-year-old economist, served as prime minister under Bongo from 2012 to 2014 before becoming a critic and eventually challenging him in elections in 2016 and 2023. His appointment was made in a decree by the new strongman, General Brice Oligui Nguema, who was sworn in as interim president on Monday after the coup. In his inauguration speech, Oligui vowed to hold “free, transparent and credible elections” to restore civilian rule, although he did not give a timeframe. He also said he would shortly announce an inclusive transitional government drawing on figures from across the political spectrum. Bongo, 64, took office in 2009 on the death of his father Omar, who ruled the central African state with an iron fist for more than 40 years, gaining a reputation as a kleptocrat. He was re-elected by a wafer-thin margin in 2016, according to bitterly disputed official results, but two years later suffered a stroke that weakened his grip on power. On August 30, soldiers led by Oligui, head of the elite Republic Guard, detained Bongo, his wife and son shortly after election overseers declared him victor in a presidential ballot four days earlier. Post-coup developments in Gabon are being anxiously followed in central Africa and beyond. The oil-rich state joins Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Niger among African countries that have undergone coups in the last three years.

  About 17.7 million Nigerians are hungry, and the number could increase to 25 million, if nothing is done urgently to salvage the situation. Of the figure, about one million suffer from acute food insecurity, a term describing people who are hungry but do not know how the next meal will come. Nkeiru Enwelum, Nutrition Officer for United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) made the disclosure, yesterday, at a two-day media dialogue on nutrition financing in Nigeria, organised by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in collaboration with UNICEF She also noted that Lagos, Borno, Katsina and Kano have the highest number of food-insecure people in the country, even as she lamented widespread malnutrition in Nigeria. She observed that the country might likely achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target on exclusive breastfeeding by 2030 but remains off-track in achieving SDG2 on zero hunger. Enwelum said, currently, about 35 million children in Nigeria are malnourished, with the country having the highest number of affected children in Africa, and the second highest in the world. “About 35 million of under-five children in Nigeria are malnourished. And out of this, 12 million are stunted,” she said. She attributed the high burden of malnutrition in the country to poverty, ignorance, and inadequate budgetary allocation for nutrition. Earlier, UNICEF Communication Specialist, Geoffrey Njoku, lamented that federal and state governments don’t budget enough funds to tackle increasing levels of malnutrition in the country. He added that the malnutrition figure in Nigeria is high; hence the need to close funding gaps through local resource mobilisation and increased awareness by the media.

  Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, has appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray for the current administration, particularly those at the helms of nation’s security. Badaru, who made the appeal at his office in Abuja when he received a delegation from his State, Jigawa led by the governor, Malam Umar Namadi, said with the complex nature of security challenges and other aspects of national development, “one could only but ask for prayers to succeed.” According to him, though the task before them was enormous, they were determined to surmount the challenges, urging Nigerians to support them in all ramifications including their prayers in order to entrench peace and stability in the country. Speaking earlier, the Jigawa State governor, Namadi, who led traditional rulers, religious leaders, the business community and public office holders from the state, said that the visit was to congratulate the minister and assure him of their support at all times. He stated, “It is not only to say congratulations, but also to pray for you. We know how you succeed as the governor of our state, we also pray for you to achieve same or even more in this new task as the Minister of Defence.” Namadi reminded the minister that Nigerians have high expectations that he would priotise and deal with insecurity in the country, adding “once you can do this, it covers every aspect of the nation”. “We are lucky that we are peaceful in Jigawa, but that does not mean that we don’t need your assistance, we also need your assistance as you help other states,” he added.

  The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says Nigeria recorded a N2.22 trillion trade surplus between January and June of 2023. The bureau stated this in its recent foreign trade report for the second quarter (Q2) of 2023. In the first half of the year, according to the bureau, Nigeria’s exports totalled N13.5 trillion and total imports stood at N11.3 trillion — which gives a trade surplus of N2.22 trillion. A trade surplus is an economic indicator of a positive trade balance in which the exports of a nation outweigh its imports. On foreign trade for Q1 2023, the NBS said total exports were N6.49 trillion, and imports value was N5.56 trillion. The nation’s total trade was N12.05 trillion in Q1 — higher than the value (N7.86 trillion) recorded in the corresponding period (Q1) of 2022. In Q2 2023, the country’s entire trade stood at N12.7 trillion. This is 5.3 percent higher than the value recorded in the previous quarter, with total exports at N7.02 trillion and imports amounting to N5.73 trillion. ‘Total exports increased by 8.15% when compared to the amount recorded in the first quarter of 2023 (N6,487.04 billion) but declined by 5.20% compared to the corresponding quarter in 2022 (N7,400.89 billion),” the report reads. “Likewise, in the period under review, total imports increased by 2.99% compared to the value recorded in the first quarter of 2023 (N5,559.88 billion) but declined by 10.37% when compared to the value recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022 (N6,388.51 billion).” The NBS said the balance of trade in Q2 2023 was N1.29 trillion. A breakdown of the agency’s report shows that the top five export destinations in Q2, 2023 were the Netherlands with N788.85 billion (11.24 percent), and the United States of America attracting N718.63 billion (10.24 percent). Indonesia followed with a share of N550.18 billion (7.84 percent), France got N540.73 billion (7.71 percent) and Spain attracted N504.45 billion (7.19 percent) of total exports. “Altogether, exports to the top five countries amounted to 44.23% of the total value of exports,” the NBS added. “The largest export value in the second quarter of 2023 was ‘Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude’ with N5,586.29 billion representing 79.63% this was followed by ‘Natural gas, liquefied’ with N639.37 billion accounting for 9.11%, and ‘Urea, whether or not in aqueous solution’ with N81.21 billion or 1.16% of total exports.” In terms of imports in Q2 2023, the top five partner countries of origin to Nigeria were “China N1.3 trillion billion (22.17 %), the United States of America N921.45 billion (16.09 %), Belgium N460.43 billion (8.04%), India N417.77 billion ( 7.30 %) and The Netherlands N369.69 billion (6.46 %)”. The bureau stated that the value of imports from the top five countries amounted to N3.44 trillion representing a share of 60.05 percent of total imports. NBS added that “the commodities with the largest values of imported products” were motor spirit ordinary (N1.23 trillion or 21.50 percent), used vehicles, with diesel or semi-diesel engine, of cylinder capacity >2500cc (N733.92 billion or 12.82 percent) and gas oil (N230.83 billion or 4.03 percent).

  The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has vowed not to back down in seeking justice as he said he would appeal the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal delivered on Wednesday. Obi said this on Thursday at a press conference in Onitsha, Anambra state, while reacting to the five-man panel judgment led by Justice Haruna Tsammani which upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu. The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has vowed not to back down in seeking justice as he said he would appeal the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal delivered on Wednesday. Obi said this on Thursday at a press conference in Onitsha, Anambra state, while reacting to the five-man panel judgment led by Justice Haruna Tsammani which upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu. Obi said, “Yesterday, 6 September 2023, the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) finally delivered its long-awaited judgments on the Petitions challenging the outcome of the presidential election held on 25 February 2023. This judgment was delivered within the statutory time frame under the extant statutes. We acknowledge the Court’s contributions to due process and the seeming attempt to strengthen our democracy. “As petitioners in this case, we respect the views and rulings of the Court, but we disagree with the Court’s reasoning and conclusions in the judgment it delivered. It is my intention as a presidential candidate and the intention of the Labour Party to challenge this judgment by way of appeal immediately, as allowed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “The PEPC has rendered its judgment, but that esteemed body is not the final arbiter. The responsibility now falls on the Supreme Court. I do know that judgment is not coterminous with justice. I implore Nigerians to remain focused, steadfast, and peaceful; abide by the rule of law, and understand that this matter has not reached its logical conclusion. “Our legal team has already received our firm instruction to file an appeal against the decision. I shall not relent in the quest for justice, not necessarily for myself but indeed for our teeming supporters all over the country whose mandate to us at the polls was regrettably truncated by INEC. “The strength and value of our democracy reside in solid national institutions and our confidence in them. Electoral litigations will be almost unnecessary and nonexistent if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discharges its statutory functions creditably, transparently, and with discernible fairness. When that body fails, as it did recently, thus subverting the will of Nigerian voters, the recourse to the judiciary becomes imperative, as is now the case. “I thank every Nigerian who has supported our cause and campaign for a New Nigeria characterized by fairness, equity, justice, the rule of law, peace, prosperity, inclusiveness, sustainable growth, and development. A New Nigeria is possible and achievable. I especially thank our legal team, the Labour Party and Obidient Family, and all those who showed up daily during the court trials. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Earlier the LP rejected the verdict in a statement made by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, on Wednesday. Ifoh said, “The Labour Party watched with dismay and trepidation the dismissal of petitions by the five-man panel of the Presidential Election Petition Court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani today and we reject the outcome of the judgment in its entirety because justice was not served and it did not reflect the law and the desire of the people. “Nigerians were witnesses to the electoral robbery that took place on February 25, 2023, which was globally condemned but the Tribunal in its wisdom refused to accept the obvious. “What is at stake is democracy and we will not relent until the people will prevail. We salute the doggedness of our team of lawyers who fearlessly exposed the wrath in our system. We can only weep for democracy in Nigeria but we refuse to give up on Nigeria.”

  Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has returned to the country from his three months medical vacation. Akeredolu traveled to Germany for medical attention after falling sick.   Reliable government source told vanguard that he arrived his lbadan, Oyo state, residence yesterday ( Thursday). Vanguard gathered that members of the state Executive Council and top party Chieftains have been directed to meet with him in his lbadan residence today – Friday. Akeredolu is expected to receive briefing from members of his cabinet led by the acting governor, Hon Lucky Ayedatiwa. Sources said that the governor would stay in lbadan for some weeks before resuming fully for work. Recall that the governor, began his medical leave in June and it was extended following doctors advise and it was approved by the state House of Assembly. A viral picture of the Governor inside the aeroplane he boarded has surfaced online. The first lady Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu also on his Face book page, announced that they are homebound. A top government source confirmed to vanguard that the governor has arrived the country and would meet with his EXCO members on Friday in lbadan.   According to the source” yes I can confirm to you that the Eagle has landed and his executive members are meeting with him on Friday at his residence in lbadan. ” The governor would received briefing from them led by his deputy ,Hon Lucky Ayedatiwa. ” He would be staying for some time in lbadan before resuming fully for work. “The governor would write to the state House of Assembly before resuming from duties. Meanwhile, Governor, Akeredolu, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the verdict of Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), which upheld his victory in the February 25 Presidential Election. Akeredolu also congratulated his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on the victory. He described the PEPT judgement as a revalidation of the people’s mandate and the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde in Akure, said that “This judgement has again deepened our nation’s jurisprudence and solidified our commitment to democratic values. “As true democrats, we must embrace the tents of democracy which also encompass post election litigations. “Our struggle for service must also fuel our reverence for democratic values. “The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has dispensed Justice. Now is the time to come together and build our nation. Akeredolu said that “The renewed hope drive of President Tinubu is anchored on assurance of a paradigm shift. “The result of the February 25 Presidential poll, upheld by the Tribunal, represents the will of majority of Nigerians who voted massively for the APC. “Our Judiciary has again lived up to expectations. It has reaffirmed our belief that it remains the last hope of the masses. “We must collectively commend the pivotal role our Judiciary has played in enriching our democracy and upholding justice. “Notwithstanding our days in court, we urge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party Candidate, Mr Peter Obi to sheath their swords and join hands with the President to develop the country. “The Tribunal verdict should be accepted in good faith by all lovers of democracy. Our commitment to advancing the national project must be built on national interest which prioritises the good of the people above personal victory. “Since our collective vision is shaped by our passion for a prosperous nation, let us, therefore, embrace the will of the people and support the President in delivering on his Renewed Hope agenda.” Akeredolu called on Nigerians to also desist from divisive politics and comments, adding that election matters should not hurt the nation’s unity.

  The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin, Edo State capital, has affirmed Omoruyi Osaro of the Labour Party as the winner of the February 25, 2023, Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency election in Edo. The court dismissed the two separate petitions filed by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Okhuarobo Osuede of the PDP and Hon. Crosby Eribo of the All Progressives Congress, challenging the qualification of Osaro and the outcome of the National Assembly poll. In a unanimous judgement by the three-member panel of the tribunal led by Justice O. A. Chijioke, the court dismissed the petitions marked EPT/ED/HR/06/ 2023 and EPT/ED/HR/08/2023 for lack of merits The tribunal held that the two petitioners could not prove a case of non-compliance with the electoral act, corrupt practices and non-qualification allegations against the LP candidate in the election. Delivering the unanimous judgements, Justice O.A. Chijioke held that the petitioners failed to prove their case, and thereby dismissed the petition for lack of merit. We hold that the petitioners failed to prove any of the grounds raised in the petitions and the petitions are hereby dismissed for lack of merits,” the tribunal ruled The petitioners, Osamuede and Eribo, through their separate petitions, had approached the tribunal to challenge the election of Osaro on the grounds that he (Osaro) was not qualified to contest the election. Eribo also accused the LP candidate of being a citizen of the United States of America and thereby negated the provision of section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2022 as amended as well as Section 66 of the constitution of Nigeria. He also contended that Osaro was not validly nominated by the Labour Party for the election, which Eribo consequently maintained that by inference, LP had no candidate in the election. However, Justice Chijioke-led election panel resolved all the grounds against Okhuarobo and Eribo and averred that the petitioners merely dumped documents on the tribunal without any probative value.

  The Lagos State House of Assembly, on Thursday, confirmed 15 out of the second list of 18 nominees sent by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for ratification and confirmation. Among those confirmed by the Assembly are the immediate-past Commissioners for Health and Information and Strategy, Professor Akin Abayomi and Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, respectively, who were rejected by the Assembly during the first screening. Among those rejected on Thursday are former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube, who was also rejected in the first list presented by Sanwo-Olu. Also, former Commissioner for Energy, Engr. Olalere Odusote was rejected for the second time by the Assembly. However, the House resolved to step down the confirmation of a new nominee, Tolani Akibu. Details later…

  Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday rejected the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal judgement that affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25, 2023, presidential election. He said the tribunal judgement failed to restore confidence. “Though the judgement of yesterday is respected, it is a judgement I refused to accept. I refused to accept the judgement because I believe it is bereft of substantial justice,” Atiku said while addressing a world press conference at the PDP headquarters in Abuja. The PUNCH reports the tribunal threw out the case of Atiku, who is the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, and upheld the victory of Tinubu. Both Atiku and Obi rejected Wednesday’s judgment of the tribunal affirming the election of Tinubu. The Legal Adviser to the Labour Party, Kehinde Edun, vowed to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court. Also, Atiku’s Lead Counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, said he had received instructions from his client to file an appeal at the Supreme Court. He said “The judgment has been delivered but we have not received justice. Luckily, the law has given us leverage to go on appeal to the Supreme Court. We have instructions from our clients to go to the Supreme Court. The struggle continues.” The PEPT which began sitting at 9.40am at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, ruled that the petition filed by Atiku and Obi and their parties had no merit and unanimously upheld Tinubu’s electoral victory in the February 25 presidential election. The five-member panel took turns to dismiss the petitions presented by Atiku and Obi against the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission on March 1, 2023. The judgment was delivered by the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Haruna Tsammani, assisted by other members of the panel-Justices Stephen Adah, Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf, Moses Ugo, and Abba Mohammed. But addressing a press conference on Thursday, Atiku said he was not new to legal battle and he would continue to explore the judiciary for respite. “However, the disappointment in the verdict of the court can never destroy my confidence in the judiciary. “Consequently, I have asked my lawyers to activate my constitutionally guaranteed rights of appeal to the higher court, which in this instance, is the Supreme Court of Nigeria.” He added, “My decision to go to court is anchored in my belief that the court is the sanctuary of justice. The journey of my political career, as you know, holds so much to the courage and fearless decisions of our judiciary. “Indeed, I am no stranger to legal battles, and I can say that I have a fair idea of how the court system works. All through my career as a politician, I have been a fighter, and I must say that I have found the judiciary as a worthy pillar to rest on in the pursuit of justice. “The last presidential election in our country and the way it was managed by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, leaves behind unenviable precedents, which I believe the courts have a duty to redress. “Our gains in ensuring transparent elections through the deployment of technology was heavily compromised by INEC in the way it managed the last presidential election, and I am afraid that the judgement of the court as rendered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal yesterday, failed to restore confidence in our dreams of free and fair elections devoid of human manipulations. “Like I did say at the beginning of this legal battle when I instructed my lawyers to file my petition challenging the outcome of the presidential election, my ultimate goal in this pursuit is to ensure that democracy is further strengthened through the principles and processes of fair hearing.”