News

Drama As Minority Leader Asks Alake To Recite 2nd Stanza Of Nat’l Anthem

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2023

There was mild drama on the floor of the Senate, as the Senate Minority Leader Simon Mwadkwom took on Dele Alake, one of the ministerial nominees of President Bola Tinubu at the ongoing ministerial screening.

Mwadkwom, representing Plateau North Senatorial District, during the resumed proceeding of the screening, on Wednesday, alleged that Alake of referred to some members of an opposition party as “wild dogs.”

The senator then asked Alake to confirm if he truly made the statement, asking if he (Alake) was inspired to make the utterance and if he actually said it.

He said, “You’ve talked about social media too. I have read on social media your statement concerning other political parties. I read your statement where you label supporters of a particular presidential candidate as wild dogs. Have you come across that statement, did you say that?”

It took the intervention of the President of the Senate, Godwill Akpabio to bring the situation under control.

The Senate President and the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele raised objections to the question, adding that campaigns were over.

Akpabio called Mwadkwom to order, saying the point of order was sustained.

He said, “Minority leader two things, one day you said you will come and seat here [as senate president] and I will come and seat there [as member] you have forgotten that I sat there before I came here.

“Number two, try and avoid campaign issues, campaigns are over, we are now in governance. That is why once you pass through that door, you are coming into the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You started well by pointing out that they are not asking questions on behalf of a political party, minority or majority, they are asking questions as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“That means your question must be nationalistic and not partisan. So, because of the fact that you are a leader, the chair continues to protect you, so go on,” he said.

But, more drama ensued when the Minority Leader later asked Alake to recite the second stanza of National anthem.

He said, “Somebody that will be the image maker if you are eventually appointed by the President as information minister of the country. We know that out of patriotism, we are supposed to be conversant with our national anthem. Mr. President if you allow me, I will ask the nominee to recite the second stanza of the national anthem.”

But, Bamidele raised another point of order by stating that the question was irrelevant as he quoted a section of the rule book of the house.

He said the Minority Leader chose party politics over the custom of the screening.

News

NAS Offers Free Medical Services To Over 800 Residents In Imo Community

Published

4 hours ago

August 3, 2025

Editor

National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has provided free medical services to more than 800 residents of the Orogwe community in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State as part of the association’s humanitarian service.

The medical mission, held at the National Primary Healthcare Centre, was part of the association’s 49th National Konverge and Annual General Meeting in Owerri.

The event offered diagnosis, treatment, and essential medications to hundreds of community members, many of whom had been unable to access healthcare due to financial hardship.

NAS Cap’n, Dr Joseph Oteri, said the initiative was part of the confraternity’s broader vision to support vulnerable communities and bring healthcare directly to those most in need.

“This programme targets those who ordinarily cannot afford basic healthcare, especially treatment for non-communicable diseases,” Oteri said.

“Today, we attended to a child with a serious condition. Thankfully, we had a paediatrician on the ground who stabilised her and referred her to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri. We’ve also identified a few cases that will require surgery, and we plan to support their hospital bills.”

He emphasised that NAS, formed in 1952 by seven young idealists including Imo-born Ralph Opara, has evolved into a formidable force for social advocacy, committed to humanitarian and civic interventions.

Dispelling common misconceptions about the association, Oteri said: “We are not a cult group. We exist to protect the downtrodden and drive positive societal change.”

The association’s Chief Programme Officer, Chief Bart Akelemor, echoed this commitment, stressing that the NAS legacy is one of access, equity, and community service.

“Our mission is to promote a just society where citizens can access resources such as healthcare, education, and employment,” Akelemor said.

“With Nigeria’s growing population and the acute shortage of doctors and functioning medical facilities in rural areas, bringing this medical outreach to Orogwe is both timely and necessary.”

According to him, 41 volunteer doctors, drawn from across Nigeria and the diaspora, participated in the programme, attending to hundreds of patients with ailments ranging from malaria and hypertension to vision and dental issues.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Chizoba Igwe, who received treatment for malaria, described the initiative as a “life-saving intervention.”

“With the way things are in the country now, I couldn’t afford hospital bills or medication,” she said.

“This free treatment is a big relief. Many people here share the same feeling.”

Another resident, Mrs Mmesoma Njoku, received medicated glasses after undergoing an eye test.

“I’ve been struggling with my sight for a while, but couldn’t go to the hospital because of money. Today, I not only got tested, but they gave me glasses that now help me read tiny print. I am truly grateful,” she said.

NAS Medical Pyrate, Dr Chiazor Odoemene, confirmed that over 800 residents were treated during the outreach, with critical cases referred to public hospitals for further management.

Beyond healthcare, the association also launched an arts exhibition aimed at promoting awareness around good governance, security, poverty alleviation, and Nigeria’s path to a more prosperous future.

The medical outreach has been lauded as a meaningful complement to the efforts of the Imo State Government in improving healthcare access and delivery, particularly in underserved areas.

News

2027: Otuaro Urges N’Delta Youth To Resist Politicians’ Ploy To Destabilise Region

Published

5 hours ago

August 3, 2025

Editor

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has warned ex-agitators in the Niger Delta to resist being manipulated by desperate politicians plotting to destabilise peace in the Niger Delta, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of a three-day strategic Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation training organised by the PAP in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, Otuaro expressed concern over the recent rise in politically-charged rhetoric and some politicians’ coordinated attempt to pit ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the programme against the Federal Government.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Sunday, he added that such moves were “reckless and unnecessary,” especially in light of President Bola Tinubu’s demonstrable commitment to the region.

“There is no basis for anyone to cause destabilisation. We can all see the commitment of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to the Presidential Amnesty Programme. Ex-agitators and beneficiaries in general should not be deceived and distracted by some politicians,” Otuaro told the ex-agitators and stakeholders.

He cautioned that any calls for confrontation or disaffection at this time were “not only misplaced but also harmful to the gains we have recorded,” urging stakeholders to focus on peace, stability, and progress in the region.

According to Otuaro, the Tinubu administration has backed its support with tangible action.

“Be assured that nobody will do it better than President Tinubu. As Niger Delta people, we have to thank the President for his genuine love for the Presidential Amnesty Programme and our region as a whole.

“The President has expanded the budget of the programme, allowing us to reach more beneficiaries and strengthen our reintegration and rehabilitation initiatives,” he stated.

He also pointed out that the inclusion of Niger Delta citizens in key federal positions was further evidence of Tinubu’s goodwill.

“Furthermore, Niger Deltans have been appointed to strategic positions in key ministries and agencies. This level of inclusion is unprecedented and deserves acknowledgement. All we need to do is to be united for the President,” Otuaro declared.

The PAP boss, who presented certificates to participants of the training and later hosted them at a reception at the PAP headquarters, reiterated his commitment to sustaining peace and building human capital in the region.

He further called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to keep sensitising the youth to reject political manipulation, stating that “Lasting progress can only be achieved through cooperation, not conflict.”

News

Afenifere Hails UN For Declaring July 7 World Amotekun Day

Published

6 hours ago

August 3, 2025

Editor

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Sunday, commended the United Nations following its declaration of July 7 of every year as “World Amotekun Day.”

Afenifere’s position was contained in a statement released by its national publicity secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

It would be recalled that Amotekun’s formal recognition by the UN was made public last week by the President of the World Peace, Ambassador Peer Stafsen, while presenting the certificate of affiliation to the Commandant of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, in Akure, the state capital.

Represented by the Director of Information and Communications of the association, Ambassador Markwili Mgbara, Stafsen said the recognition was due to the activities of Amotekun corps in “promoting safety and protecting lives and property across Nigeria’s South-West region.”

The affiliation certificate was issued under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the International Association of World Peace Advocacy.

Afenifere’s statement said the recognition of Amotekun by the UN was unprecedented in this part of the globe.

“Amotekun’s invitation to attend meetings of the body’s affiliates on security and human rights is a big morale booster.

“It is also a testament that those who brought it about and have been sustaining it were exemplary, as further attested to by some states in Nigeria who have shown interest in replicating the concept in their respective areas.

“The World Peace is part of the global body, the UN. Ondo State is significant on the issue of Amotekun as its former Governor, late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), was pivotal in the establishment of the corps.

“With this recognition, the South-West Security Network (Amotekun) will now be officially attending the United Nations’ annual general meeting starting with the one coming up in New York, United States of America, on September 22, 2025, which will mark the 80th anniversary of the global body,” the statement partly read.

Afenifere said the certification of the security outfit confirmed the affiliation of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps as a trained security unit recognised by the UN.

Ajayi also lauded the late former Governor Akeredolu, who, along with his fellow governors in the South-West, then were steadfast in ensuring that the security outfit took off and was sustained, in spite of the obstacles placed on its ways in various guises.

“Amotekun was launched on January 9, 2020, in Ibadan, Oyo State, by the governors of the South West, i.e. Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States.

“The establishment of the security outfit emanated from the regional security summit that took place in Ibadan in June 2019 under the auspices of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission,” Ajayi stated.

Afenifere’s spokesperson submitted that the formal invitation to attend annual security meeting is a clear indication that the establishment of the outfit was a very good step to take.

He recalled that Amotekun, in its early formation, faced a lot of avoidable challenges, especially from the Federal Government then led by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ajayi praised the governors in the region for not succumbing to intimidation then.

In his words, “Their not succumbing to intimidation has helped greatly in checking crimes in the region and in reducing the menace of armed bandits, including unscrupulous Fulani herders who are making going to farms perilous.”

The national publicity secretary then called on the governments of the southwestern states to leverage on the latest international recognition.

“We seize this opportunity to also call for an expeditious action on the establishment of state police and the provision of all that is needed to ensure that crime and banditry are reduced to the barest minimum,” he added.