News
Abati Clears Air On Begging Wike For Money
Published
1 month agoon
By
Editor
Veteran journalist and Arise News TV anchor, Dr. Reuben Abati, has broken his silence following scathing remarks by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, during a controversial appearance on The Morning Show last Friday that included claims that he begged Wike for money.
Olayinka, speaking live on the Arise News flagship programme, had, besides claiming that Abati begged Wike for money, also accused the TV anchor of partisanship, claiming he had become the unofficial spokesperson of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
He also questioned Abati’s absence from the studio that day, implying it was a calculated move to avoid accountability.
“I wasn’t expecting him to be here. He has taken the position of special assistant on media to Rotimi Amaechi.”
READ ALSO: I Don’t Want To Join Issues With Children, Amaechi Hits Back At Wike
The fiery exchange srtems from a recent comment made by Amaechi during his 60th birthday celebration, where he declared himself “hungry” — a statement widely seen as a veiled criticism of the current administration. Wike, his political rival, dismissed the remarks and questioned the credibility of a man who had held multiple top political roles to claim hunger.
Abati, reacting on Arise News, criticized Wike’s response as “rude and disrespectful,” especially coming from someone whose political rise was closely tied to Amaechi. This opinion apparently struck a nerve with Olayinka, prompting his Friday outburst.
In a swift and pointed response issued over the weekend, Abati, according to GWG, Dr. Abati dismissed Olayinka’s claims as baseless and defamatory.
He categorically denied ever aligning with Amaechi or seeking favours from Minister Wike.
READ ALSO: Wike, Fubara To Begin Dialogue After Osoba’s Mediation
“I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I have his phone number. That’s a fabrication.”
He further explained that his absence from Friday’s show was due to a prior intellectual engagement — a book review for “Oprah Benson – Live and Legend,” authored by Dr. Udu Yakubu — and not an attempt to dodge any confrontation
Abati also clarified a claim Olayinka made regarding an alleged probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to the broadcaster, his interaction with the EFCC was a routine and procedural invitation — not a criminal investigation. He added that the agency under its former chairman, Ibrahim Magu, later issued a formal apology to him.
Taking a swipe at Olayinka’s use of the word “hubris” during the interview, Abati suggested the media aide had misused the term and lacked the intellectual depth to warrant further engagement.
READ ALSO: Remains My Political Son Despite Rift — Wike
Despite the attacks, Abati stood firmly by his earlier criticism of Minister Wike, arguing that public officials must always be subject to public scrutiny.
Abati besides dismissing Olayinka’s claims that he begged Wike for money also addressed the media aide’s attempt to resurrect old allegations against the late Senator Buruji Kashamu, insisting that no court ever convicted the deceased, either in Nigeria or abroad.
Closing his statement, Abati expressed deep gratitude to his co-hosts, especially Rufai Oseni and Vimbai, for their professionalism during the episode. He also thanked his wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, for her unwavering support.
“Your strength remains my anchor,” he wrote.
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News
“May May The South Of Former President Bola…,” Uzodinma Trends After Public Gaffe
Published
5 hours agoon
July 22, 2025By
Editor
The Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma is currently trending on Social Media over a gaffe he made while eulogizing late Ex-President, Muhammadu Buhari.
It was learned that Uzodinma, while speaking at the Constitution Review Zonal Public Hearings in Owerri Center for Imo and Abia State on Saturday, made the error during a prayer for late Buhari.
READ ALSO:Nigeria’s Economy Grew By 3.13% In Q1 2025 — NBS
The Governor said;” May the Soul of Former President Bola (pauses)…..Former President Muhammadu Buhari and the souls of all the departed through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace”
Watch the Video Below:
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News
Ex-Lagos Governor Fashola Gets International Appointment
Published
5 hours agoon
July 22, 2025By
Editor
Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Resolve to Save Lives Nigeria (RTSL Nigeria), an international public health organization.
The appointment was announced on Friday by RTSL Nigeria, a health-focused body working to prevent cardiovascular diseases and epidemics.
The group, which opened an office in Abuja in 2022, partners with governments and communities to tackle some of the world’s deadliest health threats.
READ ALSO:FG Arraigns Man Who Accused Fashola Of Writing Presidential Tribunal Judgment
Reacting to the appointment, Dr. Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Fashola to the RTSL Nigeria Board of Directors. He has demonstrated a commitment to improving lives and livelihoods in Nigeria through more than two decades of public service.”
Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), previously served as Minister of Power, Works and Housing under President Muhammadu Buhari. He was also the Chief of Staff in Lagos State before becoming governor from 2007 to 2015.
During his tenure, Fashola was instrumental in managing Nigeria’s response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak, earning him international recognition, including the Stephen J. Solarz Award from the International Crisis Group.
READ ALSO:Lagos LG Poll: Fashola Absent At Polling Unit
In his acceptance remarks, Fashola said he was honoured to join the board and pledged to support the organization’s mission.
“I look forward to helping continue the progress in stopping preventable deaths from cardiovascular diseases and infectious disease outbreaks,” he said.
Ibrahim Abubakar, a fellow board member and Dean at the University College London Faculty of Population Health Sciences, described Fashola’s inclusion as a valuable asset, citing his governance experience and leadership during health crises.
News
ICRC Warns Of Rising Malnutrition As North-East Faces Food Shortages
Published
6 hours agoon
July 21, 2025By
Editor
As food insecurity deepens across North-East Nigeria, farmers in conflict-affected areas are battling hunger, displacement, and limited access to land—all while striving to feed their families and communities.
This is according to a press statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which was obtained on Monday.
The ICRC also said more than 3.7 million people in the region are currently facing food insecurity. Many of them are farmers who have lost access to their farmlands due to persistent violence and displacement.
Speaking, according to the statement, Modu Umar, a community leader in Dikwa, said, “Right now, we face severe food shortages. Some families are forced to walk long distances every day to collect firewood just to sell and buy food. Farming is the only solution to hunger.”
Also, a 70-year-old farmer, Churi Ibrahim from Gajibo, noted that insecurity has drastically limited movement in rural areas, with many farmers trekking for hours to access their fields under the threat of attack.
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“Some people trek three hours to reach their farms. By the time you reach your farm, you’re already exhausted, and when you return home, it’s late. For a large family like mine, sometimes, we don’t even get one meal a day,” Gajibo said.
Despite the danger and fatigue, many continue farming out of sheer necessity. “Even when you’re afraid, you have to go. If you don’t farm during the rainy season, you’ll have nothing to eat,” said Bintu Konto, a mother of five.
As the lean season begins—a time when food stocks run low and prices rise—households are under growing pressure. “This is when households must start purchasing food, but many conflict-affected families can’t afford much. They’re forced to drastically limit their intake,” Head of the ICRC Office in Maiduguri, Diana Japaridze, said.
The statement also said, ”The food crisis is also fuelling rising levels of malnutrition, particularly among children under five and pregnant or breastfeeding women. In response, the ICRC is supporting malnutrition stabilisation centres and conducting community education to help families care for vulnerable children.
READ ALSO:27-year-old Delta Man Nabbed For Lover’s Death
”To build resilience and support long-term recovery, the ICRC has launched an agricultural assistance programme targeting both rainy and dry seasons. This year alone, over 21,000 farming households have received seeds tailored to local conditions, along with planting tools designed to reduce labour and increase efficiency.
”The support includes staple crops like rice and maize as well as vegetables such as tomato and okra, helping to improve dietary diversity and nutrition. Farmers are also receiving training in sustainable agricultural practices to help them maintain production beyond the lifespan of ICRC’s support.
”At the national level, the ICRC has partnered with the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) to complete repairs on a vital water source. This facility now ensures uninterrupted water supply for NASC’s seed testing and greenhouse operations, a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s broader agricultural system.
“Still, the lean season remains a painful period for many farmers who simply cannot grow enough to meet their families’ needs.
“For many of us, it’s not just about farming—it’s about survival,” said Churi Ibrahim. “When you can’t feed your children, every day becomes a struggle.”
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