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Wike Bags Silverbird, The Sun Awards

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Nigerians again celebrated the Rivers State Governor, Chief NyesomWike over the weekend as he lifted two major national awards.
Wike was enthroned as the Silverbird Man of the Year 2017 on Friday, while on Saturday, he was also celebrated as The Sun Governor of the Year.
The events which took place at Eko Hotels in Lagos was witnessed by the creame-de-lacreame of the Nigerian society.
Former Vice President, AtikuAbubakar who presented the Silverbird award to Wike described him as a worthy leader who is laying the right foundation for the rapid development of Rivers State.
Atiku who was excited by the honour said: “ I have witnessed virtually all administrations in Rivers State. I have not seen an administration that has done so much within a short time as that of Governor Wike”, adding that the feat is a remarkable achievement which he finds difficult to locate in any part of the country.
Chairman of Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, said Wike emerged the Silverbird Man of the Year on the strength of votes by the people and his focus on the development of the state though delivery of meaningful projects and programmes.
In his response, the Rivers State Governor said: “Today, I am much honored to receive this award because it represents the very ideals that sustain my interest in public service.”
He said his commitment has been to promote, defend and advance the best interest of the state.
On the Sun Governor of the Year Award, the Governor restated his commitment to the development of the state and unity of Nigeria and promised to serve the state and win more accolades.
He thanked The Sun Publishing Limited for finding him worthy to win the award back to back and dedicated the award to the people of Rivers State and his wife.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’abba last Wednesday, described Wike as a clear example of the leader Nigeria needs for her rapaid development.
Na’abba who stated while commissioning the Edeoha-Ikata-Ochigba Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State declared: “Nigeria needs politicians like Governor Wike. With this kind of posture, one day, you will become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Should you declare for the Presidency one day, count on my support and that of those under me? What we need in this country is this kind of attitude. Attitude of friendship”.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince ChibudumNwuche noted that Wike is not just a politician but a statesman, explaining that the road that was commissioned was abandoned by former Governor of the State, ChibuikeAmaechi because of their political differences.
Wike assured that under his leadership there would be no politics of victimisation and urged all to join hands towards developing the state.
The clamour for Wike to run for a second term continued last week. The people of Rivers East Senatorial District endorsed him for another tenure in office, stressing that their move was premised on the strength of Wike’s superlative performance.
The event which took place Tuesday at General Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt attracted such personalities as Senator George Thompson Sekibo, Sir Celestine Omehia, former Governor of the state, former NBA President, Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN) House of Representatives Member, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara amongst others in the eight local government areas that make up the Senatorial District.
A youth representative, Oraye St. Franklyn said Governor Wike has no option but to contest and further develop the state.
Another major event in Government House last week was the meeting of South-South PDP leaders which resolved to unite and ensure that the party forms the next Federal Government in 2019.
Wike said PDP leaders will do everything possible to ensure that the party emerges victorious in 2019 and stressed the need for free and fair election that would enable Nigerians determine their future.
He urged PDP leaders to remain focused as they have the duty to salvage the country and set it on the part of growth.
PDP National Chairman, Prince UcheSecondus said Nigeria has collapsed with the Presidential Villa in ruins, hence it has become imperative to salvage the country in 2019.
Prominent members of the party from the six states that make up the zone attended the meeting.

 

Chris Oluoh

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Ex-Women Affairs Minister, Tallen Felicitates Tinubu’s Wife @ 63

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Former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, has felicitated First Lady, Sen. Remi Tinubu on the occasion of her 63rd birthday.
Tallen, who congratulated the President’s wife in a statement on Friday in Abuja, eulogised the First Lady, who she described as “a rare gem and rare gift to the nation.”
She prayed for more years of God’s exceeding grace on Mrs Tinubu, describing her as extremely humane, an epitome of humility and an indispensable strong pillar of support to her husband.
Tallen said, “Your Excellency, on this milestone and auspicious occasion of your 63rd birthday, I join millions of your well-wishers across the globe, especially the womenfolk, to celebrate with you, while thanking God for His exceeding grace upon you, while wishing you the best that life can offer in the many decades ahead.
“As a wife, mother, fervent preacher of the gospel, as well as an iconic political leader, who exemplifies the struggle for women in politics, you will remain a veritable source of inspiration and pride for women for generations yet unborn.
“Indeed, we could not have asked God for a better First Lady at this time, considering your rare track record of achievements, as your life has been a gift, not just to Nigerian women after your breaking of many barriers for women and setting a perfect example for young girls over the years.”
The former Deputy Governor of Plateau and one-time Minister of State, Science and Technology, said that the people of Plateau would remain eternally grateful to Mrs Tinubu, particularly for her recent visit to the state and donation of a whooping sum of N500 million to families of crisis victims in the state.
She said that through her Renewed Hope Initiative, as Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Tinubu has demonstrated her empathy, humanity and philanthropic gesture by pursuing the well-being of others with unquantifiable compassion and zeal to help the less privileged, the challenged and those in need.
Tallen, therefore, prayed for long life, good health, increased grace and wisdom for the First Lady and her entire family.

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Tani Olorun Not Against Out-Of-Court Settlement, Says Lawyer

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The legal team of embattled Isese advocate in Ilorin, Kwara State, Abdulazeez Adegbola, alias Tani Olorun, has said they are open to an out-of-court settlement of the case of criminal defamation brought against him by the police.
Tani Olorun’s lead counsel, Ademola Bank, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide source.
Tani Olorun is standing trial on five counts of alleged criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbance, disturbance of public peace, criminal defamation of character, and intentional insult before a Kwara Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin.
In a separate case, he is also standing trial before the Kwara Upper Area Court sitting in Ilorin, alongside the Oluwo Nla of Tede, Chief Ademola Olawoore.
The offence, according to the prosecution, was contrary to sections 97, 210, 392, and 114 of the Penal Code Law of Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with our source in Ilorin on Saturday, Tani Olorun’s lead counsel, Bank, said, “If an agreement for an out-of-court settlement comes up, why are we not to agree? The court allows it, the law allows it, and wisdom allows it. The law does not frown on it, the court does not frown on it, and wisdom does not frown on it. Parties can agree to an out-of-court settlement at any time. If it comes, so be it, if the situation allows it.”
He was, however, silent on whether the agreement for an out-of-court settlement would come from the defendant, saying, “It is the situation that dictates it. If it comes from the parties, we will not stand against it. The lawyer will not stand against it. No lawyer will oppose any bid for settlement by parties; it is for peace to reign.”

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I’m Not Afraid Of Appeal – Gawuna

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 18 governorship election in Kano State, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, has said he is unafraid of the appeal challenging his victory at the tribunal.
The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had, last Wednesday, declared the APC candidate winner of the election and sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The three-man panel ordered a certificate of return to be issued to Gawuna and the withdrawal of a certificate of return presented to Yusuf.
The court noted that ballot papers of 165,663 votes were not stamped or signed and, therefore, were invalid and deducted the 165,663 votes from Yusuf’s total.
Speaking with BBC Hausa in an interview while commenting on the tribunal judgment, Gawuna said, “I am grateful to Allah for our victory in the Kano State election, which was affirmed by the court today (Wednesday). I thank Him for His will, which chose us to lead. I also thank our lawyers and the general public for their prayers and support.”
He noted that the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) was initially declared the winner of the election but believed that Allah had already decided the outcome, saying they had the right to challenge the results in court, and they did so.
Gawuna said that anyone who believes that nothing happens without Allah’s will will never worry or take governance as a do-or-die affair, stressing that whatever happens to them, they believe it is the will of Allah.
According to him, “We are not intimidated or afraid, because we know that whatever happens is for the best. Allah never makes mistakes.”

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