APC names National Secretariat after Buhari as President approves Congresses for July By Omeiza Ajayi

The Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has renamed the national secretariat of the party on Blantyre Street in the highbrow Wuse 2 District of Abuja after President Muhammadu Buhari. National Chairman of the CECPC, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state who disclosed this on Friday in Abuja when he led the CECPC to present a progress report to the president, said henceforth the building is now to be known as “Buhari House”. “I also have the honour to inform you that in recognition of the untiring leadership role you have provided to our great party and the nation, and the democratic legacy you have put in place, the CECPC has approved to name the National Secretariat of the Party after you. The secretariat will henceforth be known as ‘BUHARI HOUSE’,” Governor Buni disclosed. Though it was initially a rented apartment, the administration of the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun had taken steps as Chairman of the party to purchase the secretariat. At the meeting, the president also approved the timelines for the conduct of Wards, local governments and states Congresses of his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as presented to him by the party’s CECPC. National Secretary of the CECPC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe disclosed this in a statement issued Friday in Abuja. He said the President granted the approval after detailed consideration of the Progress Report, the schedule of outstanding activities with regards to Congresses, the National Convention and the forthcoming Anambra Governorship election. “The President also approved the timetable for APC Ward, Local Government and State Congresses. Ward Congresses will hold 24th July, 2021 followed by Local Government Congresses on 14th August, 2021 and State Congresses on 18th September, 2021.The CECPC National Chairman and Governor of Yobe State, H.E. Mai Mala Buni on Friday presented a summary of the Committees progress report to the President at the State House, Abuja. “It could be recalled that at its last meeting the National Executive Committee (NEC) conferred on the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) the power of the National Convention which is in line with powers provided in Article 13.3 of the Party’s Constitution. “The National Chairman had the president’s approval to review the timeline available to the CECPC”, he stated. The Chairman was accompanied by other CECPC members, including Governor Isiaka Oyetola, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Sen. Ken Nnamani, Sen. Abubakar Yusuf, Hon. Akinyemi Olaide, Mrs. Stella Okotete, Dr. James Lulu, Chief David Lyon, Abba Ali, Prof. Tahir Mamman, Barr. Ismail Ahmed and the CECPC National Secretary, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe. By the approved CECPC decision, “the tenure of the caretaker committees at each level from Ward, Local Government, State and National will end immediately elections are held at their respective levels and its officers immediately take oath of office terminating with the National Convention. “At the meeting, the CECPC National Chairman expressed the profound gratitude of members of the Committee to the President and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) for the trust, confidence and the opportunity given to them to serve the party”, he stated. Governor Mai Mala Buni informed the President that the CECPC has during the period under review led the party to contest in several elections and by-elections with overall success rate of 95 per cent. On the peace and reconciliation efforts, the CECPC National Chairman informed the President that the committee commenced its assignment on a desire to foster genuine reconciliation on solid foundation, by giving all issues and every aggrieved member fair hearing and objectively placing party interests above individual interests. Vanguard

President Buhari Approves Review of CECPC Timeline, Timetable for APC Congresses

***Buni-Led CECPC Presents Progress Report To President ***APC National Secretariat now Buhari House President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved the review of the timelines available to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). The President granted the approval after detailed consideration of the Progress Report, the schedule of outstanding activities with regards to Congresses, the National Convention and the forthcoming Ananmbra Governorship election. The President also approved the timetable for APC Ward, Local Government and State Congresses. Ward Congresses will hold 24th July, 2021 followed by Local Government Congresses on 14th August, 2021 and State Congresses on 18th September, 2021. The CECPC National Chairman and Governor of Yobe State, H.E. Mai Mala Buni on Friday presented a summary of the Committees progress report to the President at the State House, Abuja. It could be recalled that at its last meeting the National Executive Committee (NEC) conferred on the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) the power of the National Convention which is in line with powers provided in Article 13.3 of the Party's Constitution. The National Chairman had the president's approval to review the timeline available to the CECPC. The Chairman was accompanied by other CECPC members, including H.E. Governor Isiaka Oyetola, H.E. Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Sen. Ken Nnamani, Sen. Abubakar Yusuf, Hon. Akinyemi Olaide, Mrs. Stella Oketete, Dr. James Lulu, Chief David Lyon, Abba Ali, Prof. Tahir Mamman, Barr. Ismail Ahmed and the CECPC National Secretary, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe. By the approved CECPC decision, the tenure of the caretaker committees at each level from Ward, Local Government, State and National will end immediately elections are held at their respective levels and its officers immediately take oath of office terminating with the National Convention. At the meeting, the CECPC National Chairman expressed the profound gratitude of members of the Committee to the President and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) for the trust, confidence and the opportunity given to them to serve the party. Governor Mai Mala Buni informed the President that the CECPC has during the period under review led the party to contest in several elections and by-elections with overall success rate of 95 per cent. On the peace and reconciliation efforts, the CECPC National Chairman informed the President that the committee commenced its assignment on a a desire to foster genuine reconciliation on solid foundation, by giving all issues and every aggrieved member fair hearing and objectively placing party interests above individual interests. Buoyed by the CECPC transparent and objective approach to the problems that bedeviled the party and the renewed confidence and trust in the Party, aggrieved individuals and groups who either left or sued the party in various courts, willingly accepted reconciliation and withdrew all litigations against the party, Governor told the Presodent. "Your Excellency, with your excellent leadership roles for the party, we are witnessing high-powered defections including serving governors from the PDP to our great party. It is also interesting that the fortune of the party in the last year has greatly improved across the country, and especially in the South-East, which has been the stronghold of the opposition. I am pleased to state that the party is now more peaceful, more accommodating, and more united with greater prospects than when we came on board," The CECPC National Chairman reported to the President while presenting the Progress Report. On the hugely successful and record setting membership registration, revalidation and register update exercise, the CECPC National Chairman told the President that as part of measures to reposition the party, the Committee found it expedient to establish the numerical strength of the party as provided by the party constitution and help strengthen the partys planning processes for congresses, conventions and general elections. "It is with a sense of satisfaction that I submit to Your Excellency that the exercise was successfully executed with a record of over 40 million members who either registered as new members or revalidated their membership with the party," the CECPC National Chairman stated. The CECPC National Chairman informed the President that the Committee has setup a Registration Appeal Committee to hear matters arising from the exercise to ensure that no member is left out. The CECPC National Chairman informed the President of newly set up committees to reposition the party including a Sensitization and Mobilisation Committee on Youth, Women and People Living With Disabilities which contributed tremendously to the success recorded in the nationwide membership registration, revalidation and update exercise. He also disclosed that a Contact and Strategy Committee was constituted with a clear mandate to meet with all party stakeholders in every state to come up with a generally acceptable and people-based template for the smooth conduct of the Congresses and Convention. On the Constitution Amendment/Review Committee constituted to look into ambiguities and loopholes to check unnecessary litigations and promote internal democracy, the CECPC National Chairman told the President that the Committee has concluded its assignment after conducting public hearings in all the six geo-political zones with 500 memoranda received from party members. He stated that plans are being made to submit the new constitution to the President before presentation to the convention for ratification. To cement the new cohesion in the party, the National Chairman reported to the President that the CECPC administration convened the first ever Conference for Youth. On the forthcoming Anambra Governorship Election, the CECPC National Chairman notified the President that 14 aspirants indicated interest to contest the election through purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms, all of whom had been cleared by the Screening Committee as eligible to contest. A Primary Election Committee has also been constituted to conduct the primary election on 26th June 2021. As a measure to provide a backup to the primary election committee, a ‘Reinforcement Committee has been constituted to ensure that the election is conducted freely, fairly, and transparently. The CECPC National Chairman stated. Among other achievements in the CECPC's administration of the party, the National Chairman informed the President that the CECPC inherited liability of unpaid legal fees to the tune of N340million, but successfully negotiated and brought down the fees to N179 million which is now fully paid. Also, with respect to court cases bordering on CECPCs legitimacy and election-related matters, the National Chairman informed the President that the party secured a judgment affirming the legality of the CECPC. *'Buhari House'* Also, the National Chairman informed the President that the CECPC has concluded payment of the outstanding balance and has taken over the ownership of the building housing the APC National Secretariat “I also have the honour to inform you that in recognition of the untiring leadership role you have provided to our great party and the nation, and the democratic legacy you have put in place, the CECPC has approved to name the National Secretariat of the Party after you. The secretariat will henceforth be known as ‘BUHARI HOUSE,” Governor Buni disclosed. The CECPC National Chairman informed the President that the Committee had been very cautious and meticulous in making arrangements to conduct credible, transparent, flawless and generally acceptable Congresses and Convention for the Party to produce a strong leadership that will enjoy the support, trust and confidence of all members. "At all times, we have enjoyed the confidence of Mr. President and enjoyed your leadership. In developing the timetable for the congresses and convention, the support to conduct a credible election cannot be overemphasized; this will also justify the successes recorded and the status of the new APC that we have all dreamt of. Your Excellency sir, once again, we appreciate the honour and confidence you and the NEC members have reposed in us and our ability to execute this very important assignment." The CECPC National stated. SIGNED: *Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe Ph.D.* National Secretary Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) All Progressives Congress (APC) 25th June, 2021

Buhari allocates houses to Super Eagles AFCON ’94 team by Stephen Angbulu

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has approved the allocation of three-bedroomed flats to the Super Eagles Squad who won the African Cup of Nations in Tunis, Tunisia, in 1994. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday titled ‘President Buhari allocates houses to 1994 Super Eagles squad, winners of the African Cup of Nations.’ The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved allocation of three-bedroom houses to the Super Eagles squad that won the African Cup of Nations in Tunis, Tunisia, in 1994, making real a promise by the Federal Government. “Following a memo by Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, the President approved the allocations in their states of preference, noting that six players and three technical crews received their houses already. “The players are Peter Rufai, Alloy Agu, Ike Shorounmu, Uche Okechukwu, Samson Siasia, Efan Ekoku, Sunday Oliseh, Benedict Iroha, Isaac Semitoje, Mutiu Adepoju, Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba, Austin Eguavoen and Wilfred Agbonavbare (Deceased). “Others are Uche Okafor (Deceased), Thompson Oliha (Deceased), Stephen Keshi (Deceased), Christian Chukwu, Dr Akin Amao, Stephen Edema, Col. A Asielue and B. Aromasodun.”

More than a year after abrupt cancellation, UNILAG set to hold 51st convocation.By Mojeed Alabi

A pre-convocation press briefing to be addressed by the vice-chancellor, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, would hold on June 30. More than one year after the hopes of 13,489 fresh graduates of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, to receive their honours were abruptly dashed as a result of the cancellation of the institution’s 51st convocation ceremonies, the institution has announced new dates for the ceremonies. The cancellation, which followed the directive of the National Universities Commission (NUC) based on an instruction by the minister of education, Adamu Adamu, was announced on March 5, 2020. The announcement came just 24 hours after the university’s vice-chancellor, flanked by the members of the management and senate of the institution, addressed a press briefing to announce the schedules of activities to mark the ceremonies. The decision, which attracted public condemnation, was the climax of the frosty relationship between the Ogundipe-led university management and the governing council which was chaired by Wale Babalakin, an alumnus of the university and a lawyer. But a notice issued on Wednesday by a principal registrar, corporate affairs office at the communication unit of the office of the vice-chancellor. Nonye Oguama, noted that a pre-convocation press briefing to be addressed by the vice-chancellor, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, would hold on June 30, 2021. Convocation cancellation Since 2017 when Mr Ogundipe assumed office as the university’s 12th substantive vice-chancellor, the relationship between his management and the governing council led by Mr Babala has been frosty. The relationship peaked in May, 2019, when the governing council set up an investigative committee to probe allegations of financial mismanagement, among others, against Mr Ogundipe. There were queries and counter-queries between the two quarters leading to peaceful protests by workers’ unions on the campus. The climax was when Mr Babalakin complained to the minister that the scheduled convocation ceremonies did not receive his blessings and urged the minister to halt the process. But the university management said the same governing council approved the N70 million budget for the ceremonies, and countered the claim that it wasn’t carried along. The workers’ unions on the campus, and particularly the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) also intervened and argued that the law governing the university puts the matter of convocation under the purview of the university senate, the management and the chancellor. The union said the pro-chancellor, who is the governing council chairman, has no role to play in matters of convocation. But in his reaction to Mr Babalakin’s complaint, the minister through the ministry’s permanent secretary, Sonny Echonu, wrote to the NUC, as the regulatory agency, to inform the university of its suspension order. The university, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, received a memo from the NUC on March 3, less than 24 hours after the VC’s pre-convocation press briefing, confirming the decision of the minister. Many graduands, parents and well-wishers who had arrived Lagos from far distances including overseas ahead of the ceremonies, were disappointed by the last-minute action, and heaped the blame on the governing council. Some national dailies including The Guardian, wrote editorials on the development, analysing the possible consequences of the action on the image and branding of the ivory tower. The crisis eventually consumed the university’s governing council as President Muhammadu Buhari, in November, 2020, announced its dissolution and reinstated the then suspended vice-chancellor. Varsity sends results to graduands As a damage control measure, the university opted to send to each of the graduands a soft copy of the statement of results. The decision, which was endorsed by the university’s senate, was aimed at assuaging the angry graduands and offered them an opportunity to own a document that could help in their career or further academic pursuits. New date set Apparently following the constitution of a new governing council, the university has said it is committed to covering the lost grounds. “The coronavirus pandemic did a huge blow too, but without letting down the guard, we are prepared to reclaim the glory and return the university to the right path to excellence,” Mr Ogundipe said recently. The university has, therefore, lined up series of activities to mark the aborted 51st ceremony, including exhibition and convocation lectures. According to the notice by Mrs Oguama, the governor of the central bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, will on July 5, deliver the convocation lecture. The event is scheduled to be chaired by the overseer of citadel global community church, Tunde Bakare. “The congregation for the award of first degrees, diplomas, certificates and prizes to graduating students of the faculties of education, social sciences, arts, environmental sciences and science will take place in the morning and afternoon sessions on Tuesday, July 6,” the notice states in part. The event is scheduled to end on July 8 with the congregation for the award of PhD, degrees and best PhD award of the school of postgraduate studies and conferment of honorary doctorate degrees, emeritus professorship and distinguished professorship.

Who is Evelyn Joshua who is to succeed Nigeria's televangelist TB Joshua? By Michael Oduor

The wife of the late Nigerian pastor and founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Evelyn Joshua, is poised to become the head of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). The church's elders met recently and declared Everlyn as the successor to the Nigerian televangelist TB Joshua. “Someone must take charge immediately and give spiritual direction on the mode of service continuity. So much spiritual and financial efforts went into building SCOAN and it cannot just waste away,’’ a top aide said. Evelyn met the late pastor in 1990 when she had traveled Egbe to visit her sister. The two were married for 25 years and they had three children. It was further reported that she had gone to meet him for counseling and spiritual guidance. TB Joshua proposed to her on the same day they first met after a 45-minute session. Evelyn would later marry the self-proclaimed prophet to become second in command of the Synagogue, Church of All Nations. Local Nigerian media estimate TB Joshua's networth at $10million, placing him among the top richest pastors on the continent. Apart from preaching, Evelyn also offers counseling among the church followers. The two were married for 31 years and have three children until his death on June 5, 2021. Family sources say the leader will be at his church in Ikotun, Lagos state. Initial reports indicated that the pastor will be buried in his at his church in Ikotun, Lagos state. The church elders and family members later intervened and decided that the pastor will be buried in Lagos. TB Joshua's method of preaching and practice was more or less the same as other churches in Nigeria where the sick got cured, problems addressed among other issues. Although the religious leader boasted an avid following, Prophet T.B. Joshua also had his share of critics who dismissed him as a charlatan and fraudster. There are many others within Nigeria and in the international community who condemned the -- both beloved and controversial, prophet's position on the matter as a human rights issue. Some individuals cast doubts over his ‘miracle powers’ that saw him attract mammoth crowds whenever he had a mega rally. Through his touch, congregants would fall down in what he described as casting out demons from the inflicted. Non-believers have termed his work as a ‘sham’ and even called him a ‘fake’ preacher.

EFCC re-arraigns three FIRS directors, six others over alleged N4.5b fraud By Matthew Ogune, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, re-arraigned Peter Hena, former Coordinating Director of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and eight other officers of the agency before Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The others are Mohammed Bello Auta (Director of Finance), Amina Sidi (Finance and Account Department), Umar Aliyu Aduka (Internal Audit), Mbura Mustapha (Deputy Manager), Obi Okeke Malachy (Services Group), Obaje Napoleon Adofu (Head of Budget), Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred (Officer II) and Benjamin Jiya (Assistant Director). The defendants however pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Their re-arraignment followed the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu. The defendants were docked on a 42-count charge bordering on corruption, fraud and criminal misappropriation of N4,558,160,676.9 (four billion, five hundred and fifty-eight million, one hundred and sixty thousand, six hundred and seventy-six naira, nine kobo). Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Peter Hena, Mohammed Bello Auta, Amina Sidi, Umar Aliyu Aduka, Mbura, Mustapha, Obi Okeke Malachy, Obaje Napoleon Adofu, Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred and Benjamin Jiya, while being staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Services between January 2017 and December 2018 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired together with the other officials of FIRS to conceal funds which are proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: corruption, fraud and criminal misappropriation of funds and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 and punishable under Section 15(2) (a) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 ( as amended by Act No. 1 of 2021).”

Court sets July 21 hearing date for suit seeking Buhari’s sack from office By Ameh Ochojila Abuja

The federal high court in Abuja has fixed July 21 for hearing of a suit instituted against President Muhammadu Buhari by a former presidential candidate Ambrose Albert Owuru seeking court order to declare the presidential seat vacant. The date has been communicated to parties in the suit through hearing notices served on them by the court bailiff. The Chief Judge of the Federal high court, Justice John Tsoho, assigned the case to Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo for adjudication. Apart from President Buhari, other defendants in the suit with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/480/2021 are the Attorney General of the Federation and the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC as first, second and third defendants respectfully. Owuru dragged President Buhari before the court praying it for an order to declare the presidency vacant on the ground that Buhari was not the winner of the February 2019 presidential election. The suit is coming more than two years after the conduct of the presidential election,. Owuru, a British trained constitutional lawyer and called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, is asking the court to declare Buhari as illegally occupying the presidential seat. The plaintiff, who stood for the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Hope Democratic Party, wants the court to declare him as the authentic winner of the poll and another order of the court directing his immediate inauguration to take over from Buhari. In the suit he instituted on June 16. 2021, Owuru claimed that he won the February 16. 2019 Presidential election and that his suit against Buhari at the Supreme Court was inconclusive due to errors on adjourned date. He sought a declaration by the federal high court that he is entitled to serve out a tenure of 4 years after his formal inauguration. Among other reliefs , the ex presidential candidate wants Buhari removed from office with immediate effect and also be ordered to refund all salaries allowances and emoluments he collected while being unlawfully in office as President. Owuru pleaded with the court to give order that salaries, allowances and emoluments be paid to him from May 29. 2019 when he ought to have been sworn in till date. The plaintiff further applied for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Buhari, Attorney General of the Federation and Independent National Electoral Commission INEC from further organizing and conducting any Presidential election in 2023 so as to enable him complete his 4 year term when inaugurated.