Tag: President

President Tinubu renames airports after Buhari, Awolowo, Dan Fodio, others

The Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has officially renamed several federal airports in Nigeria in order to honor notable individuals and their enduring legacies. This announcement was made through a memo issued by the Federal Ministry of Aviation on June 1, 2023, signed by Joke Olatunji, the representative of the Director of Airport Operations.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu The renaming of these airports is part of the government’s ongoing reforms in the aviation sector and aims to pay tribute to the selected individuals who have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s development. Among the airports that have been renamed, the Maiduguri Airport in Borno State has been dedicated to the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari. The Port Harcourt Airport in Rivers State now carries the name of the late nationalist Obafemi Awolowo. Additionally, the Nasarawa Airport has been immortalized in honor of Usman Dan Fodio, the esteemed founder of the Sokoto Caliphate. The renaming initiative extends to other airports across the country as well. The Benin Airport in Edo State is now named after the late Oba Akenzua II, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the region. The Ebonyi Airport in Ebonyi State pays tribute to the late Senate President Chuba Okadigbo. The Ibadan Airport in Oyo State has been renamed after the late Premier of the old Western Region, Ladoke Akintola. Here is the full list of renamed airports: 1. Akure Airport – Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu 2. Benin Airport – Oba Akenzua II 3. Dutse Airport – Muhammad Nuhu Sanusi 4. Ebonyi Airport – Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo 5. Gombe Airport – Brigadier Zakari Maimalari 6. Ibadan Airport – Samuel Ladoke Akintola 7. Ilorin Airport – Gen. Tunde Idiagbon

“Whether you voted for me or not I am your president” – President Tinubu addresses Nigerians

Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized the need for unity in order to stabilize the nation, asserting that he is the leader of all Nigerians regardless of the political party they supported in the 2023 presidential election. According to a statement by Dele Alake, Tinubu’s special adviser on special duties, the president made these remarks during a discussion with the Nigerian diasporan community in France. Tinubu had recently traveled to France for a two-day business meeting.

Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Tinubu expressed his commitment to advancing the prosperity of Nigerians and working in their best interests. He emphasized the importance of promoting unity and stability for all citizens, irrespective of their voting preferences. He stated, “We must promote unity and stability for all. Whether you voted for me during the elections, or not, I am your President. I will work on your behalf to ensure a turning point of prosperity.” Regarding his decision to swiftly remove fuel subsidy, the president explained, “We have transport challenges, electricity challenges, infrastructural challenges and others. I let out the giant elephant of fuel subsidy without bringing down the house.” President Tinubu’s statements highlight his dedication to the welfare and progress of all Nigerians, underscoring the importance of unity and his commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges.

addresses Nigerians President TINUBU voted

How Tinubu sneaked out, begged senators to elect Akpabio as Senate President ― Ali Ndume

How Tinubu sneaked out, begged senators to vote Akpabio as Senate President ― Ali Ndume

The lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, Senator Ali Ndume has disclosed how President Bola Tinubu had to make calls, visit and beg some people for Senator Godswill Akpabio to emerge as the Senate President. Ndume said this while speaking on the role Tinubu played in ensuring the preferred candidates of the APC emerged victorious during the election of principal officers of the 10th National Assembly which took place in Abuja on Tuesday. President Tinubu, Hope Uzodinma and Godswill Akpabio Recall that Godswill Akpabio was on Tuesday elected Senate president after polling 63 votes to defeat Abdulazeez Yari, who garnered 46 votes. The lawmaker representing Zaria constituency in Kaduna, Tajudeen Abbas, was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Benjamin Kalu from Abia state, was elected deputy. Ndume while reacting to Akpabio’s victor said Tinubu is an “experienced” politician, adding that he convinced many lawmakers to support his preferred candidates. “When I contested last time (2019), everybody was on the other side because the party and president endorsed Ahmad Lawan,” he said. “It is almost a repetition of the same thing, the party and the president had a preferred candidate but this president (Tinubu) is an experienced politician who played a lot of politics. “He deployed his foot soldiers to compliment our (campaign team of Akpabio) efforts and that made a difference. The vice president assisted us. “He called some people. He even went to some people. It is politics. He sneaked out to visit some people and begged them to support. He has his reasons and they were convincing.”

AKPABIO Ali begged elect Ndume President Senate senators sneaked TINUBU

Akpabio emerges President of the 10th Senate

Senator Godwsill Akpabio representing Akwa Ibom North-West District has won the leadership position of the 10th National Assembly. Senator Akpabio defeated his opponent Abdulaziz Yari, with votes from the lawmakers, thereby making him the Senate President. Senate Presient-elect, Godswill Akpabio His victory was announced by the clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal Magaji who said Akpabio emerged the winner with 63 votes leaving his rival with 46 votes. Akpabio is the first South-Southerner to be elected President of the Senate since Nigeria got its independence in 1960. GistReel reports that in the last general election, the APC party secured the majority of seats in the green chamber with over 170, followed by the PDP with over 100, the Labour Party with over 35, and the New Nigeria People’s Party with about 20. Many APC lawmakers expressed interest in becoming the next Speaker of the House or Senate President, including Benjamin Kalu, Ahmed Wase, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, Yusuf Gagdi, Aliyu Betara, Tajudeen Abbas, Abdulraheem Olawuyi, Sani Jaji, Princess Onuoha, Abdulaziz Yari, Orji Kalu, and Godswill Akpabio. However, the APC officially zoned the Senate President to the South-South (Akpabio), Deputy Senate President to the North-West (Barau Jibrin), Speaker position to the North-West (Abass), and Deputy Speaker to the South-East (Kalu). Some APC hopefuls rejected the party’s position and called for a review of the formula to include the North Central geopolitical zone and not give two positions to the North-West.

10th AKPABIO emerges President Senate

“Deal to make Akpabio president of senate sealed a day before APC presidential primary” ― Source

"Deal to make Akpabio president of senate sealed a day before APC presidential primaries" ― Source

Sources close to President Bola Tinubu have disclosed that the deal to make former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio president of the senate was sealed a day before the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress. GistReel reports that the presidential primary, which was held at the Eagles Square in Abuja between June 6 and 8, 2022, had Tinubu, Akpabio, Rotimi Amaechi, Yemi Osinbajo and others as aspirants.

Former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio According to Sunday PUNCH, the source said Bola Tinubu met with Akpabio a day before the primary and approached him to step down for him and said if the former governor would agree, it would send a positive signal to the audience and other aspirants since Akpabio would be the first aspirant to be invited to the podium to speak. According to the source Akpabio agreed but said he needed to know what would be his ‘gain’ since he had resigned as a minister and was not a senatorial aspirant. He further said, “Tinubu assured him that he would be supported to emerge as the President of the Senate. As they were speaking, an influential woman (name withheld) also came in. That was how the deal was sealed.”

AKPABIO APC day deal President presidential Primary sealed Senate source

Why a Christian from South should be next Senate President ― Edwin Clark

Foremost stakeholder, Chief Edwin Clark, the convener of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has given reasons why a Christian senator from the southern region of the country should be elected as the next senate president of the 10th national assembly. Edwin Clark was once a councillor in 1953 and a commissioner in the Government of the Midwest, minister under General Yakubu Gowon and senator in the Second Republic. Stating why a Christian from the South should be the next senate president, Clark said the national assembly should work to unite the country and ensure that citizens trust one another. He went on to say that it’s time to heal the land, and in so doing, what he expects of the 10th Senate is to give the position of the senate president to a Christian senator from the southern part of the country. He said, “It is your duty as the legislative arm of government to produce during your term, a united country where the citizens genuinely trust one another, and regard themselves as equal citizens and as brothers and sisters,” he said. “It is time to heal our land, and in so doing, what I expect of the 10th Senate is to give the position of the senate president to a Christian senator from the southern part of the country.” Recall that Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, was chosen by its party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be senate president but Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara, and Orji Uzor Kalu, chief whip of the senate, have insisted on contesting the position with him.

Former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio Clark also condemned Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna over his comment that the APC used religion to win the presidential election. Clark said, “The insensitive, irresponsible, uncouth and arrogant statement credited to Nasir El-Rufai, on his plan to impose the Islamic religion on the country, lasting for the next 20 years, is still causing bad blood,” he added. “It is unthinkable how someone who describes himself as a leader, could utter such a statement, except to cause confusion, which is very obvious that he benefits from such confusion. Because there is no other way of explaining such crass behaviour and statement.” A few days ago, el-Rufai came under fire for saying that religion was used to win the 2023 presidential election and God made Asiwaju victorious. Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state The former governor said, “Religion was used, God made Asiwaju victorious. What we did in Kaduna has now been done in the country. No liar who is going to contest using the politics of Christianity will ever win any election again. Peter Obi tried and see how he ended. We’ve tackled it. “Since Asiwaju won the election CAN has been quiet. That is how there will be peace in the country. If this is done again and again and again everything will….. wallahi (swearing) that was what we did. And myself and others, we think we have done our part, Asiwaju has won the election, so our job is done. Our appeal to you is to pray for him to find good people to work with him.”

Christian Clark Edwin President Senate South

Pastors, Bishops endorse Yari for Senate President, Ignore Akpabio

A group of pastors and bishops have endorsed Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara state, for the position of senate president, ignoring Senator Godswill Akpabio who’s a Christian. The Pastors and Bishops under the umbrella of the Christian Organisation of Nigeria (CON), said Yari has the capacity to be the senate president adding that they are yet to see a senate president hopeful like Yari.

Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara state Addressing a press conference in Abuja on behalf of the group, on Thursday, Blessing Fashola, a bishop of the Celestial Church, said a Christian must not be nominated as senate president because no Christian from the lot contesting is capable. He said, “The hallowed chambers of the senate is where Nigeria must speak as one united and indivisible entity, hence every religious, ethnic and racial division must be highly discouraged,” he said. “After a critical assessment of all the contestants irrespective of their religious divide, we have chosen to endorse Abdulaziz Yari because he is the most capable. “CON is apolitical and does not share the myopic reasoning that a Christian must be endorsed because we do not see any Christian from the lot contesting that is more capable than Sen Yari. “We must admit that what the country needs at this point are leaders with capacity, regardless of ethnic and religious affiliations. Nigeria needs leaders that understand the dynamic nature of the country, which can only be brought about through hands-on experience in governance. “Senator Yari’s credentials speak volumes of a man on a mission to contribute to sustainable growth and development. He has demonstrated competence and capacity and has built bridges across the divide.”

AKPABIO Bishops endorse Ignore Pastors President Senate Yari

Nigeria is ripe for female President

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made a case for a female president to preside over the affairs of Nigeria. Obasanjo shared his thoughts about Nigeria having a female president at the 5th edition of the Egba Dialect Debate and Choral Competition for Secondary Schools in Ogun Central Senatorial District, in Abeokuta. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Source: Web The event which was organized by the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr. Lanre Tejuoso, featured a debate session with the theme: “Nigeria is ripe for a female president”. Giving a speech at the event, the former President said when power is being passed and shared equally among both genders, the country will stand strong again and develop. He said; “From my own view, if we want the country to grow, we should consider both genders, because a hand can’t carry a load to the head alone. “You can do it as you want, but it should be done as it is supposed to be. We can gain experience from both genders. What’s the difference between the genders? Only the female can get pregnant for nine months and a male can’t. That’s the only difference between us.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo speaking at an event. Source: Web “As for me, there’s nothing preventing the female gender from becoming the President of our country.” Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Naimot Salako-Oyedele who backed Obasanjo on his stance of a female President, said; “We can’t give someone power, it has to be fought for, and we have to start bringing female into politics, even if it’s from the grassroot level, so that they can gain enough experience to lead the country. “If she can start from being a councillor and we see that she’s capable, then, she can move to the next level. “In Ogun state, we have 236 councillors but only 18 are females, we have 20 Chairmen, only two are females among them, we have 26 seats in the house of Assembly, only two are females, house of representatives, we have nine, one is female, we have three senators, no female and we have the deputy governor who is also a female.”

female Nigeria President ripe

How I will move Nigeria forward as Senate President ― Yari

The former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator-elect, Abdulaziz Yari, APC, Zamfara West declared on Wednesday that if elected as the Senate President, he would join forces with President Bola Tinubu to move Nigeria forward. The inauguration of the 10th National Assembly will take place June 13, and Yari who is a strong contender alongside Senator Godswill Akpabio for the position of President of the 10th Senate promises that if given the opportunity to serve as Senate President, he would ensure that Nigeria comes first while the interest of the party comes second. Speaking on behalf of the Senate Presidential hopeful, former Deputy Majority leader, Senator-elect, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, PDP, Bauchi Central who addressed journalists in Abuja noted that Yari wishes to achieve this by having a stable Senate and a stable National Assembly. According to Ningi, there are at least 67 senators-elect who have thrown their weight behind Abdulaziz Yari to occupy the office of the Senate President, with more on their way. Speaking on how he would help move Nigeria forward, Yari said, “Under my leadership, the 10th Senate will have a cordial and purposeful relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver his vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria. “I and President Tinubu have come a long way and understand each other, I promise to at all times give President Tinubu helping hands in moving this country forward. “I will aggregate opinions to ensure that Nigeria comes first and party come second,” he said. Yari further noted that he possesses the requisite experience and quality to lead the National Assembly to achieve cordial and complementary relationships with other arms of government, particularly, the Executive. Speaking further on his sterling qualities, Yari said “I have strong connections across the 36 states and understand the nuances of the nation. “I am assuring you that I have what it takes to make a difference . We will build constant synergy to unify our nation”.

Move Nigeria President Senate Yari

Messi’s father meets with Barcelona President ahead of possible return

Lionel Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, has been spotted having a meeting with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, amid speculation of his son’s possible return to the Spanish club. Messi had confirmed he would be leaving PSG at the end of the season after two years with the French side, and played his last game for the club on Saturday in a 3-2 defeat to Clermont which saw the World Cup-winning captain booed by his own fans.

Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge Messi. Source: Getty There has been heavy interest in his next move, with former side Barcelona, Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal – who could offer a deal worth £2 billion and Inter Miami among the favorites to secure his signature. Messi’s father held a meeting with the Barcelona President shortly after La Liga reportedly gave the club the green light to do some important transfer business in the summer. The club is expected to make Messi an official contract offer once they sell one big player.

Barcelona President Joan Laporta. Source: Getty Jorge Messi briefly answered questions from reporters after meeting with Joan Laporta. The player’s father sidestepped most questions but acknowledged that Messi “would like to return” to the club where he spent most of his career. When asked if he believed his son could be back, he said “Yes.” “It depends on lots of things. I don’t know anything,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.” 💣💣EXCLUSIVA💣💣 Ahora mismo, reunión en casa de JOAN LAPORTA entre el presidente del Barça y JORGE MESSI para tratar el posible regreso del jugador argentino. pic.twitter.com/dYVu16QTz8 — Toni Juanmartí (@tjuanmarti) June 5, 2023 Messi left Barcelona in 2021, signing for PSG on a two-year deal. A move to the Ligue 1 champions happened after his former employers were unable to afford a deal under LaLiga’s financial fair play rules. During his time with Barca, he netted a record 672 goals in 778 matches for the club he joined as a 13-year-old. Now it looks as though an emotional return to the Spanish club is likely. A deal would see Messi return to the club he called home for 17 years, giving the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner what would likely be a fairytale ending to his career.

AHEAD Barcelona father meets Messis President return