Cancelled Colloquium accentuate Tinubu’s compassion for the people – Faleke

Former governor of Lagos State and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu greatly surprised the already assembled well-wishers at the Eko Hotel for the 13th edition of its annual birthday colloquium, when he announced the cancellation of the edition to signpost his 70th birthday anniversary as mark of respect for those that died in the Abuja-Kaduna train terrorists attack.

Faleke said “we were all seated ready for the commencement of the 13th annual Colloquium to celebrate the 70th birthday of our iconic leader, after he received details about the Kaduna train attack, he decided to call off the Colloquium meant to signpost his 70th birthday, you don’t celebrate 70th twice, but a compassionate and responsive leader in reaction to the unfortunate Kaduna train attack, opted to cancel the celebration. To me, this act have accentuated how compassionate and responsive leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is”.

“We have always known him for this, that is why he has been able to groom and mentor several other leaders”

“The attack on the Abuja-Kaduna bound train was very unfortunate and I pray that God reposed the souls of those who lost their lives and grant their family the grace to bear the unfortunate loss” the federal lawmaker prayed.

The Kaduna-bound train derailed after explosives believed to be planted on the rail track went off close to Rigasa area of the state.

The train, which took off from Idu Train Station at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, hit the explosive device about 30 minutes to Rigasa train station in Kaduna at a point between Katari and Rijana

Just in: Elder Leke Abejide donates N20m, lays foundation of Okun Unity House in Kabba.

Hon. Leke Abejide MHR officially laid foundation of Okun Unity House today in Kabba. This serves as a symbol of Unity and Togetherness of Okun People both at Home and in the Diaspora.

He donated a sum of 20M Naira and Promised to do more.

Details shortly

Just in: Elder Leke Abejide lays foundation of Okun Unity House in Kabba.

Hon. Leke Abejide MHR officially laid foundation of Okun Unity House today in Kabba. This serves as a symbol of Unity and Togetherness of Okun People both at Home and in the Diaspora.

He donated a sum of 10M Naira and Promised to do more.

Details shortly

Current PenCom leadership most transparent and accountable in history, seek Redress instead of media trial, Group Urges Aggrieved South West Pensioners

Following reports of street protest that rocked Abeokuta, Ogun State on Friday by some pensioners, which led to a disruption of business and commercial activities, a media advocacy group for good governance in Africa, Africa Media Roundtable Initiative, (AMRI) has urged the affected pensioners to lodge official complaint at the National Pension Commission, PenCom, whenever they feel dissatisfied or confused about Pension administration instead of protests or media trial, expressing confidence that they would get justice under the Aisha Dahiru-Umar led PenCom

The pensioners under the aegis of Association of Contributory Pension Sector, South West Zone during their protest alleged that PenCom has frustrated efforts to make them receive their hard earned allowances after serving the country meritoriously.

AMRI urged the senior citizens to shun street protests which it says could be hijacked by the enemies of the country who wish to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens but advised that they should rather direct their energy to seeking redress under the visionary and focused leadership of the Director General of PenCom, Aisha Dahiru-Umar.

In a release on Saturday, the Executive Director of AMRI, Engr. Charles Awolowo noted that it is sad for senior citizens to be denied their gratuities under any disguise but absolved the leadership of PenCom of allegations of undermining efforts to ensure that members of Association of Contributory Pension Sector, South West Zone are paid as and when due.

Engr. Awolowo noted that since the establishment of PenCom, no leadership of the commission has demonstrated commitment to ensure that senior citizens are happy and well catered for than the current management under Aisha Dahiru-Umar. He pointed that PenCom in the last few years have been free of allegations, rancour and corruption due to sound and accountable Leadership the Pension Czar of the year has brought to bear.

"I do not agreed with our respected senior citizens that PenCom is responsible for any infraction that has caused a delay in the receipt of their gratuities as and when due. We are all witnesses to how the Director General of the Commission, Hajia Aisha Dahiru-Umar has continued to introduce innovations that will enhance the post-service life of our respected retirees and expand the solid base of the the institution for better service delivery over the recent years of her outstanding Leadership.

"It is gratifying to note that the protesting retirees are drawn from federal establishments including the University College Hospital, Ibadan, University of Ibadan, University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and Lagos and Federal Medical Centre,  Abeokuta, NIPOST and others. 

"Needless to state that the federal government has been very consistent in the remittance of the monthly contributions of its employees as against the claims of the retirees that their contributions are not remitted. 

"This is a woman under whose watch the pension industry membership has grown to 9.4 million contributors as at 2021. As at today, the over 380,454 retirees who are regularly receiving pension under the Contributory Pension Scheme are happy that PenCom has reduced the burden associated with assessing the entitlements due to them. 

"Again, under the management of Mrs. Aisha Dahiru-Umar, as a deliberate effort to enhance the monthly pension benefits of retirees under the CPS, the commission initiated the pension enhancement for retirees under the Programmed Withdrawal Arrangement. This was as a result of the high returns being generated by the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) on the balances of the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of majority of retirees. 

"Consequently, the monthly pensions for over 60% of retirees receiving pension under the Programmed Withdrawal arrangement was increased. Accordingly, the PFAs commenced the enhancement of pensions of eligible retirees under this arrangement as far back as December 2017.

"AMRI is not oblivious of the fact that Pension Fund managers in Nigeria have been recording stellar performances in their various portfolios year-to-date under the supervision of PenCom, owing to their systematic investments, so as to edge other competitors in the industry. Competition in the industry has grown significantly since contributors can now easily transfer from one administrator to another, another area the current Leadership have done extremely well.

"Little wonder why Nigeria’s pension fund assets soared to over N13 trillion ($31.69 billion) in September 2021, up from N12.9 trillion recorded in August. 

"These are clear pointers that we have a robust pension regulator that is committed to ensuring that our senior citizens live a modest life after committing their youthful age in the service of their fatherland" he said. 

Engr. Awolowo while regretting the plight of the retirees on the alleged non payment of gratuities called on them to take advantage of the human and humane nature of the PenCom leadership under Dahiru-Umar to table their grievances instead of resorting to street protests that will not only endanger their lives but that of other residents especially as security concerns escalate in the region.

Tinubu Donates ₦50 Million To Victims Of Zamfara Attacks

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, announced a donation of N50 million to Zamfara communities recently attacked by bandits.

Mr Tinubu announced the donation shortly after he commiserated with Gov. Bello Matawalle in Gusau, Zamfara.

The APC national leader called for sustained prayers to overcome the insecurity situation in the state.

“I could offer prayers for the people from anywhere, but coming in person is important.

“The enemies of knowledge, Boko Haram and other criminal elements will be defeated through commitment in humanity.

“We pray for the entire country to be stable and if the enemies refuse to stop the carnage, we shall eliminate them.

“We believe in President Muhammadu Buhari’s ability to restore law and order and bring back our country to stability and tracks of development,” Mr Tinubu said.

He was accompanied on the visit to Gusau by Kashim Shettima, former Borno governor, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu and former APC national vice chairman, South-West, Pius Akinyelure.

Mr Matawalle, who received the APC leader, said that his visit would further console the bereaved communities and the entire people of the state.

“It is my pleasure to welcome His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Jagaban Borgu, who has spared time out of his tight commitments to visit the state to commiserate with our people over the recent tragic incident of banditry attacks in some communities of Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas,” Mr Matawalle said.

He described Mr Tinubu as a doyen of contemporary Nigerian politics, a dedicated leader, and a bridge-builder.

Similarly, he cited him as someone who had spent the past 23 years of the nation’s democracy fostering unity, nurturing, and raising individuals who had equally distinguished themselves in various spheres of human endeavour in contemporary Nigeria.

The governor noted that the problem of banditry in the state had persisted for over a decade.

“When I assumed office in 2019, I made it my utmost priority to address this issue as no meaningful development could be accomplished in an atmosphere of insecurity.

“Considering the reality that the conflict is tied to ethnic fault lines, I initiated a dialogue and reconciliation programme, which leaders of thought overwhelmingly accepted all over the state.

“As a result of our programme of dialogue and reconciliation, hostilities ceased for a period of over nine months.

“Hundreds of kidnapped persons were unconditionally released by their captors,” Mr Matawalle said.

He explained that as the disarmament process progressed; the glorious era of brotherly love, and mutual coexistence among segments of the Zamfara communities returned.

According to him, for the first time in more than a decade, the annual Fulani festival of ‘Sharu’ was held in Gusau in 2019.

He, however, expressed sadness that the achievement became bad news for some “self-serving politicians in the state.

“They, therefore, perfected plans to sabotage the peace process. In some cases, security reports fingered them as having direct involvement in the planning and execution of kidnapping, ostensibly to embarrass the government.

“For instance, based on the figures confirmed by the affected community leaders when I visited the communities after the recent attacks, a total of 58 people lost their lives in contrast to the outrageous figures being published in the media,” he stated.

Mr Matawalle said that his government had in addition to the dialogue, committed enormous resources in the provision of logistics and allowances for security forces deployed to the state.

In 2019 alone, he said that his government procured and distributed 200 brand new Hilux pickups for the security forces in the state.

The Governor added that his administration would continue to do everything within its power to bring an end to the menace of banditry in the state.

“As we get closer to 2023 general elections, we will be more vigilant and proactive, knowing that these destabilising forces are not likely to tone down their antics.

“They may continue to plot nefarious schemes in order to obtain political gains,” Mr Matawalle said.

He thanked the APC leader for taking time out to visit and commiserate with the government and people of the state.

“May Allah richly reward you and fulfil your desire of building a strong bond among Nigerians across all the divides.”

TINUBU 2023: IKEJA APC HELD SPECIAL PRAYER SESSIONS FOR ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU PRESIDENTIAL BID

Sequel to *Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu's* expression of interest to President Buhari to contest for the office of the  President come 202, the All progressive Congress (APC)  in Ikeja LGA  held a special prayer session to seek the face of God in ensuring the success of the Presidential ambition of the  *APC National leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu*. 

The Prayer session was held at the LTV 8 Blue roof arena, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos on January 12, 2022.

The special prayer session which was facilitated and led by the Federal House of Representatives member representing Ikeja Federal constituency, *Rt. Hon. (High Chief) James Abiodun Faleke, the Atunlushe-Akorede of Ikeja Land*, had both Christian and Islamic clergy men and women prepared alters of prayers for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Following the prayer sessions, musical performances filled the ears of everyone in attendance as Gospel juju music artist, Yinka Ayefele and the popular Islamic melodious singer, Alhaji Abiodun Abdul Azeez (Saoti Arewa) both performed melodious rhythms.

Present at the special prayer sessions are some top APC party leaders and major stakeholders in Ikeja Federal Constituency, and the list includes: Rt. Hon. (High Chief) James Abiodun Faleke, Chief Mathew Adesanya Olusola, Mayor Alani Okikioposu, Alhaja Ogun, Alhaja Olusola Kokumo, the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government Engr. Mojeed Alabi Balogun, the Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA Hon. Dotun Olakanle, the Vice Chairman of Ojodu LCDA Hon. Bunmi Oluyadi, the APC party Chairmen; Ikeja LGA Alhaji Dally Adeokun, Ojodu LCDA Comrade Kayode Ajakaiye, and Onigbongbo LCDA Alhaji Kehinde Onifade respectively, present and past Councillors/political appointees in Ikeja, Ojodu and Onigbongbo LCDA,Mallam Moyosore Jaji, Hon. Yomi Balogun, Barrister Yomi Tijani amongst several others.

The colourful event witnessed a massive turn out of  party faithfuls in Ikeja federal constituency.

Group Hails Tinubu's Declaration for Presidency

The Tinubulate Nigeria Agenda(TINA), a pro Tinubu 2023 Presidency support group , on Tuesday hailed the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring interest to contest in the 2023 Presidential Election.

Mr. Alamoh Kehinde Samuel on behalf of the group, disclosed the group’s stance on the development.

Alamoh said Tinubu had demonstrated that he had the needed integrity, capacity, courage and political will to lead the nation to its promised land.

He urged well-meaning Nigerians to rally round Asiwaju and give him the required support to succeed President Buhari.

“Having boldly declared his intentions to Mr. President to be on the ballot in 2023, it's obvious that Asiwaju has the widespread popularity and national acceptance from Nigerians.

It took the emergence of a disciplined, determined and focused leader like Asiwaju to lift the nation out of the precipice.

“So, it is against this backdrop and other obvious reasons that we and numerous other support groups are deeply elated over the president’s decision to contest in the forthcoming election.

“We are convinced that a Tinubu in office will help consolidate on the uncommon transformation and gains which the Party APC has recorded in every sector, across the country.

Signed

Alamoh Kehinde Samuel

For TINUBULATE NIGERIA AGENDA 2023.

I will run for Presidency, Tinubu informed President Buhari

The National Leader of the All progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, says he has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to contest the presidential election in 2023*.

He, however, declared that he has yet to inform Nigerians of his intention to succeed the President.

Tinubu stated this on Monday while briefing State House correspondents after he met with President Buhari at the Aso Villa in Abuja.

According to him, the President is a democrat and therefore, has not asked him to stop the pursuit of his ambition which for him is life-long.

The APC leader and former governor of Lagos State stressed that he has the confidence, vision, and capacity to build on the foundation laid by President Buhari to turn around the fortunes of the country.

Ikeja agog as coalition of Obas coronate Honorable Faleke and wife(PHOTOS)

Lagos- Yesterday January 7, witness an historic event as it hosts eminent men and women from all walks of life stormed the Nigerian Police College Ikeja for the formal installation and coronation of His Excellency, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke and wife as the Atunluse-Akorede and Yeye Atunluse-Akorede of Ikeja respectively.

At a colourful ceremony held first at the palace of Awise of Onigbongbon, Oba Saibu Hakeem Agbaosi alongside other two Obas, Oba Olusegun Adeyemi Ajasa, Ewe Obaja 1 of Aguda and Oba Dr. Olukunmi Olusesan Akingbola, Olu of Iregun installed Hon. James Abidoun Faleke and wife as the Atunluse-Akorede and Yeye Atunluse-Akorede of Ikeja land saying the event heralded era of more prosperity and development to Ikeja.

The choice of Hon. Faleke was well received by all kingmakers, chiefs and citizens of the kingdom whom were entertained by the music legend King Sunny Ade.

In his remarks, Chief Faleke expressed gratitude to God, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, traditional rulers in the state and all the people of the kingdom, saying he would continue to do more and strive for the progress and development of the kingdom.

Important dignitaries who witnessed the coronation included the Speaker of HOR, Rt. Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila, Senator Olamilekan Yayi, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akinolu, music legend King Sunny Ade, Movie Star, Jide Kosoko, members of the state executive council, members of the state House of Assembly, former and serving members of the National Assembly, Muslims and Christian clerics.

More photos:

Faleke, wife to be conferred with Atunluse-Akorede of Ikeja chieftaincy title Dec. 24

Nigerian entrepreneur, politician, bussinessman, and a third term member of the 9th National Assembly, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke and as well as his amiable wife, will be conferred with the titles of Atunluse-Akorede and Yeye Atunluse-Akorede of Ikeja Land respectively on Friday 24 December 2021 by His Royal Majesties, Oba Salihu Hakeem Agbaosi of Aguda, Oba Olusegun Adeyemi Ajasa of Onigbongbon and Oba Dr. Olukunmi Olusegun Akingbola of Oregun Kingdom.

The conferment will hold at the Nigerian Police College Ground GRA Ikeja.

The chieftaincy titles conferment event is anticipated to be graced and attract well-meaning Nigerians, notable dignitaries, politicians, business partners, friends, and families of recipients of the titles such as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Speaker HOR Femi Gbajabiamila, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu and Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson etc. The evergreen Yinka Ayefele will provide music.

The chieftaincy tittle Atunluse-Akorede which means "the one that brings development and blessings to the community" is one of it's kind in Lagos Ikeja.

Both recipients of the revered chieftaincy titles have distinguished themselves in their respective careers and have brought tremendous honour to the Ikeja land in particular and Nigeria in general.

Honorable Faleke after the chieftaincy title ceremony is also expected to celebrate his birthday the next day which is the 25th Christmas day in Ikeja.