In a personally signed statement released on Thursday, Daily Dates Nigeria reports that Ambode praised Hamzat’s dedication and long-standing commitment to the APC, noting that his emergence reflects years of loyalty, hard work, and service to the party.

The congratulatory message came shortly after Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship race, clearing the path for Hamzat’s consensus candidacy.

Ambode described Hamzat as a committed party man whose extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders demonstrated his alignment with the APC’s core values of unity and progress. He added that Lagos State stands to benefit significantly from Hamzat’s experience and leadership capacity.

Reaffirming his political stance, Ambode also pledged support for the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu. He emphasized that Nigeria’s economic growth and Lagos State’s continued development are closely tied to Tinubu’s leadership.

Ambode further called on APC members in Lagos and across the Southwest to mobilize support ahead of the elections, setting a target of at least three million votes for the president. He also stressed the importance of securing victories for all APC candidates, including senators and members of the House of Representatives, in the upcoming electoral cycle.

The post Ex-Governor Ambode Congratulates Hamzat On Emergence As APC Consensus Gov Candidate appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

His death was confirmed on Friday.

Details surrounding his passing remain unclear at the time of filling this report.

Okupe, 72, was Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo and Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan.

In December 2022, Okupe stepped down from Obi’s campaign after being convicted of money laundering.

He later resigned from the Labour Party following the 2023 general election fallout and later became a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, frequently engaging in political debates and commentary.

Okupe was known for his bold political stance and unfiltered opinions. His ability to navigate Nigeria’s complex political landscape made him both a respected and controversial figure.

The post Breaking: Doyin Okupe dies at 72 appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Dr. Mannir Bature, the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

According to Bature, the policy shift was conveyed by Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, during a high-level meeting with NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, and key stakeholders in the health sector.

The meeting also included leaders from the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

Bature stated that the minister confirmed the government had secured the necessary funds to pay arrears resulting from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), with disbursement set to commence soon.

Tinubu also approved the correction of consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage, with the process already at an advanced stage.

The NMA spokesperson further revealed that, following an extensive review initiated by the association, the government had also approved the implementation of new tariffs for healthcare service providers.

This decision will benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), ensuring better financial remuneration and sustainability for healthcare services nationwide.

Bature quoted Pate as appreciating the patience and collaboration of all stakeholders while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of healthcare workers.

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Who’s Kashim Ibrahim Shettima?

As governor of Borno State between 2011 and 2019, the 56 year old Kashim Ibrahim Shettima ran his government on the similar template used by Bola Tinubu in Lagos.

Despite the Book Haram insurgency, he was able to build world class schools, housing and he also tapped on Human Resources outside his state.

Among his closest aides were an Ibo Christian from Anambra State in the Southeast, an Urhobo Christian from Delta State in the South-South, a Christian from Edo State in the South-South, a Yoruba Christian from the Southwest, a Fulani man from Gombe in the northeast and a Hausa man from Zamfara State in the northwest.

He was born on the 2 September, 1966 to the family of Sir Kashim Ibrahim. He is married to Nana Shettima, and they have three children: two females and a male.

In a Wikipedia biography, Sen. Kashim attended Lamisula Primary School in Maiduguri from 1972 to 1978; Government Community Secondary School, Biu in southern part of Borno State from 1978 to 1980; transferred to Government Science Secondary School, Potiskum (now in neighbouring Yobe State) where he completed his secondary education in 1983. He studied at the University of Maiduguri and earned a Degree (BSc) in Agricultural Economics in 1989. He had his one-year compulsory membership of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, at the defunct Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative Bank, Calabar, capital of Cross River State in South-South, Nigeria, from 1989 to 1990.

He obtained a master’s degree (MSc) in Agricultural Economics in 1991 at the University of Ibadan in Southwest, Nigeria. Shettima joined the University of Maiduguri as a Lecturer with the Department of Agricultural Economics and was in the academia from 1991 to 1993.

Early career:

In 1993, he moved into the banking sector and was employed by (now defunct) Commercial Bank of Africa Limited as head of accounts unit at the bank’s office in Ikeja, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.

Shettima was there from 1993 to 1997. In 1997 he crossed over to the African International Bank Limited as a Deputy Manager and rose to become a Manager in 2001. In 2001, he moved to the Zenith Bank as head of its main branch in Maiduguri. At the Zenith Bank he rose to Senior Manager/Branch Head; Assistant General Manager (AGM)/Zonal Head (North-East), Deputy General Manager/Zonal Head (North-East) before he stepped out of the Zenith Bank as a General Manager in 2007 following his appointment as Commissioner for Finance in Borno State.

Shettima worked with the Commercial Bank of Africa as an Agricultural Economist at its Ikeja Office, Lagos State (1993-1997). He then became a deputy manager, later manager, at the African International Bank Limited, Kaduna Branch (1997–2001), and was appointed Deputy Manager/Branch Head of the Zenith Bank’s Maiduguri Office in 2001, becoming General Manager five years later. In mid-2007, Shettima was appointed Commissioner of the Borno State Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Later he became Commissioner in the Ministries of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Education, Agriculture and later Health under his predecessor as Borno Governor Ali Modu Sheriff.

Political career:

From 2007 to 2011, he served as Commissioner in 5 Ministries. In the January 2011 ANPP primaries, Engineer Modu Fannami Gubio was selected as candidate for the governorship. However, Gubio was later shot dead by gunmen, and Shettima was selected in a second primary in February 2011.

In the 26 April 2011 elections, Shettima won with 531,147 votes while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Muhammed Goni, gained 450,140 votes.

He won reelection in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress, APC and was unambiguously chosen as Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, an umbrella body of Governors in the 19 States located in northern Nigeria. He has so far been driving key changes in the affairs of the forum with focus on promoting northern unity and reviving ailing industries belonging to northern States.

As Governor of Borno State, he efficiently managed challenges arising from the Boko Haram insurgency which he inherited in 2011. With the approval of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Army in 2013, his government formalised establishment of youth volunteers called the Civilian JTF.

Senator Kashim Shettima’s leadership credentials have attracted positive recognition within and outside Nigeria. Governor Shettima emerged the 2014 Governor of the Year (Leadership Newspapers), Governor of the Year, 2015, (Nigeria Union of Journalists, national body); Governor of the Year, 2015 (NewsWatchTimes Newspapers); Governor of the Year, 2015 (Vanguard Newspapers); Governor of the Year, 2016 (Tell Magazine); 2017 Zik Prize for Leadership; Kaduna NUJ Award for courage and exceptional leadership (2017), FCT NUJ Merit Award for exceptional Leadership, 2017.

In February, 2019 he became the winner of the Borno Central Senatorial District election, thereby replacing Senator Babakaka Bashir.

Borno Central Senatorial District comprises eight local government areas: Maiduguri, Jere, Konduga, Bama, Mafa, Dikwa, Ngala and Kala Balge.

The post Who’s Kashim Ibrahim Shettima, Tinubu’s Running Mate? appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Media Adviser to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tunde Rahman has denied rumour of the demise of Tinubu.

He said it’s a fake news and handiwork of mischievous people, Daily Dates Nigeria reports.

Rahman In a statement said:“His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is fine. He is hale and hearty. He is not in any hospital.

“He has no medical problem that would require hospitalization. Yes, he is out of the country at the moment. He will be back shortly.

“Anytime he travels out of the country, the next thing some mischievous people would say is he is sick, hospitalized or has died.

“It is shameful that perpetrators of this evil are not deterred by the fact that each time this fake news has been propagated, they have been proven wrong.

“Who really is afraid of Asiwaju Tinubu? Those wishing Asiwaju Tinubu evil or dead should be careful. They should know the matter of life and death is in the hand of only God Almighty.”

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On Monday during his 12th colloquium in Kano State, North-West Nigeria, Tinubu said the nation is ‘under policed and urged the Government to “recruit 50 million youths into the army. What they will eat? Cassava, corn, yam in the afternoon… it is grown here.”

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said the statement was an “accidental verbal mistake.”

Retracting his statement on Tuesday, Tinubu in a press release signed by his spokesperson, Tunde Rahman, said he wanted to say 50 thousand not 50 million.

The statement reads: “Asiwaju seeks the expansion of security personnel by 50,000 for the armed forces, not the 50 million that was mentioned in error.

“It was an accidental verbal mistake of which we all commit from time to time especially when reciting a series of large numerical figures. He did not mean 50 million, which is almost a quarter of our total population.

“The crucial matter is that Asiwaju rightly observed that such strong recruitment would serve the twin-purpose of helping to tackle unemployment while at the same time enhancing the security of every Nigerian.

“Please forgive any confusion due to this innocent error. The most vital thing is that he set forth a wise and timely approach that would help us face two of today’s stiffest challenges.

“Asiwaju Tinubu canvassed the urgent need to combine employment and national security policy by the recruitment of five million youths in all aspects of nation-building, ranging from infrastructural development to agricultural modernization.

“He believes that the more job opportunities are presented to our youth the less some of them will be tempted into illegal and dangerous activities.

“As part of this overall approach, he believes that eligible youth should be recruited into the armed forces, police and other security agencies to augment the functional capacity of our security apparatus thus ensuring the better security and safety of our people.

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The government caterwauled over how the Jonathan administration magicked the public treasury into exclusive pockets. The biggest news headline at the time was — STOLEN $2.1 BILLION ARMS FUND.

Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), was the first casualty of the Buhari anti-corruption blitz. I witnessed how security operatives converged on his residence in July 2015; the intrigues, and his subsequent arrest.

The government accused him of being the wheel from where corruption in the Jonathan administration gyrated. His office was accused of diverting $2.1 billion earmarked for arms purchase.

I followed Dasuki’s case at the court when the government still fancied having him tried judicially. I was present at all the sittings – I witnessed the hooplas and the hooties. The government soon afterwards jettisoned the law and went on vengeful rampage. It incarcerated Dasuki illegally, denying him the right to defend himself in court. And days segued into months and months into years – they held him.

It became clear that the administration’s war was not against corruption but against perceived adversaries. It also became obvious that the anti-corruption crusade was only to excite Nigerians and to deflect interrogation from the government’s lachrymal failings. In the case of Dasuki, who now appears to be over the hump, it is difficult to convince anyone that his incarceration was not a pursuit of vengeance. Subsequent events have ratified this position.

Also, as those accused of partaking in the general sleaze under Jonathan were put in the dock, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Ibrahim Magu, dispatched its utilities to securing conviction in the media instead of the court. The arraignment of ex-public officers was well noised to whet the appetite of Nigerians who were hungry to see those who stole from them chalk up time and penitence in jail. But it ended there – just noise. Some of the ex-military officers whom the anti-graft agency charged for allegedly tucking into the $2.1 billion arms ‘scam’ are free men today, and with their cases sputtering in court.

The so-called recovered loot is now reported re-looted by the same agency hunting looters of the $2.1 billion and other sums. On Thursday night, the offices of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) were vandalised after the presidential panel probing Magu requested the transaction history of a Kaduna-based bureau de change (BDC). The panel was told that the BDC, which allegedly has links to the suspended acting chairman of the EFCC, has recently transacted businesses worth over N500 billion in different currencies — N336 billion, $435 million and €14 million, according to TheCable. Painful but not surprising.

We exist in a Dickensian society. Those entrusted with securing citizens against public theft are themselves crooks in Messianic raiment. The watchdogs are themselves bloodhounds and vampires.

Let me also add: Where is Babachir Lawal? Yes. The case of the former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) has been sputtering in court this despite his indictment by the government he served.

Also, I recall there is a petition against Bola Tinubu, national leader of the APC, for alleged money laundering at the EFCC – filed by Concerned Nigerians led by Deji Adeyanju. Tinubu himself admitted transporting cash in bullion vans on the eve of the 2019 election to his house. But the anti-graft agency under Magu did not move a muscle to investigate the allegation.

In fact, when Magu was asked about the petition against Jagaban by a journalist, he snubbed the inquiry, and said ‘’next question, please?’’ And there are other members of the APC and those in the Buhari fraternity who have corruption allegations hanging on their necks, but the EFCC under the suspended acting chairman did not crack up a case against them.

At this point, Nigerians need to ask, what happened to the $2.1 billion arms probe? How much has been recovered? How many persons have been convicted in connection to the sleaze?

They deserve to know.

Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist.

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Tinubu said in a statement on Sunday that it was unfortunate that these individuals had in their desperation for power orchestrated the suspension of the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.

He said, “While coronavirus has been presently contained in Nigeria, we must be alert to another sickness that seems rampant within a certain segment of society. That sickness is old Ambition-virus 2023. This illness afflicts many in the political class along with their allies in the media.

“Those touched by this malady find that their ability to tell time and discern the difference between the present and the future has been strongly impaired. The carriers of this sickness are confused as to the very season our nation now finds itself.

They conflate things, which no sensible person would conflate. The primary symptom of their malady is the driving tendency to believe the events of 2023 will be decided before we even exit the year 2020.”

The former governor of Lagos State said, unfortunately, the biggest casualty in the struggle for 2023 was the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

He said, “In a broader context, those afflicted with the 2023 virus do a grave disservice to President Buhari and his administration. They should be trying their best to help the President. Instead of seeing President Buhari as our present leader and commander-in-chief, their sole contemplation is upon his eventual exit.

“Yet, not even a full year has passed since his second inaugural. How can they be committed to helping him realise his mandate when the fullness of their gaze is affixed to seizing this very mandate for themselves?”

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