News
Osun Lawmaker, Ex-BoT Member Dump APC For PDP …As Gov’s Appointee Resigns
A member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Ila State Constituency in Osun State House of Assembly, Clement Akanni, yesterday, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Akanni, while narrating the rationale behind his defection at the palace of Orangun of Ila, said he was forced out of the APC by those he considered as political adversaries, accusing the party of reneging in all its promises to his community.
According to him “Our College of Education used to have 33,000 students, it now has less than 2,000. APC promised to upgrade our institution to university all to no avail.
“Rather than upgrading the institution, the current government, through it’s policies is gradually killing the institution.
“Can you believe that when government wanted to downsize the workforce in the state-owned higher institutions, 73 names were selected from College of Education, Ila, while 38 names were pencilled down for retrenchment from Ilesha College of Education?”
“I vehemently resisted this. I told my colleagues in the House of Assembly that Ilesha College has more staffers than lla, yet has lesser number of staffers that would be retrenched.
“Whenever I tried to positively influence government policies to favour my constituents, some people in APC would say no. Two of my followers were killed through fetish means. I can’t continue with a party full of devilish officials,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Chief Ejemu of Ila, Paul Ogunrinade, demanded upgrade of Ila College of Education to university, urging the PDP flag-bearer, Ademola Adeleke, to pay attention to all the challenges in the community if elected governor.
Meanwhile, the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC), Chief Sam Nkire, has joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former member of APC Board of Trustees (BoT) made the announcement in a statement in Umuahia, yesterday.
Nkire explained that he decided to join forces with the PDP both at the state and federal levels ahead of the 2019 general election because he was convinced that Nigerians wanted the party back to serve them better.
He noted that he had no regrets leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the rAPC, and now PDP, adding that it was regrettable to note that the APC had left the country worse than it met it.
Nkire asked all his loyalists, followers and associates who had been asking him for political direction, especially in Abia State, to defect with him, saying, “PDP is now a new, reformed and restructured party ready to serve Nigerians better”.
According to the former national chairman of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), the Peoples Democratic Party was the only hope Nigeria has to solve the numerous security, economic and political problems bedevilling the country today.
Nkire, who was until recently the Caucus Leader of the APC in Abia State, admitted that he would miss his brothers, associates and friends who may choose to remain, adding that “brothers will always be brothers no matter what party they belonged.”
He said he was sure that PDP had learnt from its past mistakes and appealed to every Nigerian of voting age who is yet to get a voter’s card to endeavour to get one, “to ensure that we are governed by those we can trust.”
Similarly, the Chairman, Osun Local Government Service Commission, and a chieftain of APC in the state, Elder Peter Babalola, has reportedly resigned his position.
Babalola, who was one of the aspirants that contested APC governorship ticket in which Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola eventually emerged winner, explained in a letter addressed to Governor Rauf Aregbesola that he resigned to pursue other endeavours.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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