Headline

Tinubu, Akande, Govs Endorse Oshiomhole as National Chairman

Published

8 years ago

June 13, 2018

Eric

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, ex-interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande and governors on the party’s platform, have endorsed former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, for the position of the national chairman of the party.

This followed visits to Oshiomhole’s campaign office located at Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Apart from Tinubu and Akande, some of the governors who were at the facility to meet with Oshiomhole include: Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Rotimi Akeredolu SAN (Ondo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Tanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano).

Others were: Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

Tinubu, who spoke to reporters shortly after he and Akande met with Oshiomhole behind closed doors, said his visit was meant to show solidarity with the former Edo State governor as well as to further strengthen the party to work for Nigeria’s progress.

He said, “My visit symbolises solidarity and unity of purpose to continue to bring a progressive party that will carry Nigeria in a progressive manner, (to bring about) good governance with courage and commitment.”

In a response to a direct question as to whether his visit was an endorsement of Oshiomhole’s aspirations, he said, “There is no doubt. I have worked with him, why should I have any doubt? The stuff of this game (politics) is that you win. Have you seen a democrat who is ready to lose? Just accept it, it is about choice.”

At this point, Chief Akande said, “Democracy is a matter of choice; you would want somebody who is competent enough to do it (the job) and you allow him to do it.”

On the job of his reconciliation committee, Tinubu said his visit to Oshiomhole’s office was part of his reconciliatory efforts.

In response to a question on the parallel congress held in Lagos, Tinubu said, “Anybody can get a branch of a bank anywhere but check whether your (Automated Teller Machine) card will work.”

Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, told journalists that all the governors on the party’s platform were looking forward to Oshiomhole’s chairmanship.

Asked how many governors were on board, he said, “All of us. Our party is looking forward to the chairmanship of Adams Oshiomhole.”

Bagudu said though he was not the chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, “I can tell you that Adams Oshiomhole is my candidate as a governor and all the governors I know. He is the candidate for the chairmanship.

In a separate interview, the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, said, “He (Oshiomhole) is one of us. That is why we had to come and identify with him here and you know what that means.

“You know he is running for the office of the chairman of the party, so we have to come and identify with him.

“I know for me and for us in Ogun state, we are supporting him.”

Also speaking in a similar vein, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, stated, “You know Kano state has the largest number of delegates to the national convention and by seeing me here, it means all the votes from Kano State will go to the former governor of Edo State.

On his part, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akerodolu SAN, said, “Speaking for Ondo State, it’s so clear even to a blind person to know that we don’t really have a contest for the office of the chairman. Be that as it is, I believe that when we come in full force, you will see where our votes are; that is if there is ever any contest.”

This came at a time one of the chairmanship aspirants, Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire, announced his withdrawal from the race and declared his support for Oshiomhole.

Emokpaire, who appeared at a joint press conference with Oshiomhole, said, “My decision (to withdraw) was taken after due consultations with members of my family, my political associates, leaders of our great party and admirers. I have decided, as a loyal party member and a leader of our great party, to withdraw my nomination in order to unite our party and join forces with our amiable leader, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to move our party forward.”

The Punch

Headline

Gunmen Abduct Ex-Power Minister Adelabu’s Sister, Her Two Sons in Ibadan

Published

4 days ago

June 3, 2026

Eric

Suspected gunmen have abducted the sister of a former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The family of former minister and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) confirmed the abduction, disclosing that Mrs. Olaide John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons were kidnapped by the gunmen on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

According to a statement issued by Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, the victims were kidnapped at about 7:30am while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school.

Mrs. John-Paul, the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu, reportedly retired voluntarily from her career at First Bank Pension Custodian in 2025 before relocating to Ibadan with her children.

She was said to be making arrangements to join her husband, who had earlier relocated to the US.

The family expressed deep concern over the development but stated that security agencies had already commenced efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.

“We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest,” the statement partly read.

While appealing for calm, the family urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing rescue operations.

“We are deeply distressed by this unfortunate incident, but remain hopeful that the victims will be rescued safely. We appeal to the public to remain calm, avoid speculation and support ongoing efforts with prayers,” the statement added.

The family also called on anyone with useful information that could aid the rescue operation to promptly share such intelligence with security agencies through the appropriate channels.

It assured that it would continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities and provide updates as investigations and rescue efforts progress.

Headline

Adeboye Proposes 90 Days Ultimatum for Security Chiefs to Eradicate Terrorism or Resign

Published

4 days ago

June 3, 2026

Eric

The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on the Federal government to issue a 90-day ultimatum to security chiefs to end terrorism in Nigeria or step aside.

Adeboye made the appeal in a video shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, expressing deep concern over the country’s deteriorating security situation.

He emphasized the need for urgent and decisive action, stressing that security chiefs must be held accountable for tangible results in the fight against terrorism.

According to him, while citizens can only advise the Commander-in-Chief, it is within the government’s power to set clear expectations and timelines for security leaders.

“If I were to make a suggestion, I would say the government should act swiftly and direct the service chiefs to eradicate terrorists within 90 days or resign,” he said.

The cleric also urged authorities to go beyond targeting terrorists alone, insisting that their sponsors must equally be identified and dealt with, regardless of their social or political influence.

“When issuing directives, it should be made clear that both terrorists and their sponsors must be eliminated, no matter how powerful they are,” he added.

Adeboye recalled that a former Nigerian president had once issued a similar three-month directive to security chiefs to end the Boko Haram insurgency but failed to enforce the order after the deadline expired.

Reflecting on his interaction with the late president, Adeboye noted that although initial efforts were made, the lack of follow-through undermined the directive’s effectiveness.

He maintained that his current recommendation is informed by that experience, urging the government to ensure strict enforcement if such a timeline is adopted.

His comments come amid renewed concerns over persistent terrorist attacks, banditry, and kidnappings across the country, with increasing public pressure on authorities to take stronger action against insecurity.

Headline

TAS Pushes Sustainability Training Drive to Bridge Africa’s ESG Implementation Gap

Published

4 days ago

June 3, 2026

Admin

As global conversations around sustainability, governance and responsible development continue to intensify, attention is increasingly turning to Africa’s need for practical capacity building to translate environmental, social and governance (ESG) awareness into measurable action.

This was the central focus of Train Africans on Sustainability (TAS), an initiative founded by Dr. Orlando Odejide, which is working to equip Africans with the knowledge, skills and tools required to actively participate in the global sustainability agenda.

According to sustainability professionals involved in the programme, TAS was created in response to a growing gap across the continent between awareness and implementation of sustainability principles. While understanding of ESG frameworks and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has expanded in recent years, many individuals and organisations still face challenges in applying these concepts due to limited access to structured, practical training.

The initiative is designed to close that gap by shifting participants from awareness to action through hands-on, context-driven sustainability education. At the core of the programme is Odejide’s vision of training 50,000 Africans, aimed at building a new generation of sustainability-focused leaders and professionals capable of driving long-term change across the continent.

TAS operates as a capacity-building platform focused on sustainability, ESG principles and SDG implementation. It targets a wide audience, including young professionals, corporate organisations, public sector institutions and individuals seeking to strengthen their understanding of sustainability and its real-world application.

A defining feature of the programme is its emphasis on practical implementation. Participants are exposed to how sustainability functions within organisations, how ESG frameworks can be integrated into business operations and how sustainability performance can be measured and reported. The training is also tailored to African contexts, ensuring that global sustainability concepts are adapted to local economic, environmental and institutional realities.

The importance of such education has become increasingly evident as Africa faces mounting environmental, social and economic pressures alongside rapid population growth and development demands. Decisions made today, stakeholders note, will have long-term implications for future generations.

Sustainability education, therefore, is seen as a critical tool for balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social inclusion. It helps translate broad global frameworks into practical approaches for decision-making, innovation and long-term planning. Industry practitioners associated with TAS say one of the key barriers to sustainability adoption is not lack of interest, but uncertainty about implementation, a gap the programme aims to address through structured learning and practical guidance.

Since its launch, TAS has recorded steady participation, with 548 registered participants and 212 individuals certified as 2030 Agenda for SDGs and ESG (IWA48) Champions. Beyond certification, many participants are applying their learning within their workplaces and communities.

Some graduates are now leading sustainability-focused discussions within organisations, while others are aligning projects and initiatives with the SDGs. This shift from passive awareness to active engagement is viewed as a key indicator of the programme’s growing influence. Reports of participant-led initiatives and awareness campaigns are increasingly visible across professional platforms, particularly LinkedIn.

Looking ahead, TAS is focused on expanding its reach across more African countries, strengthening partnerships and improving the quality and depth of its training programmes. The long-term ambition is to establish the initiative as a leading sustainability capacity-building platform across the continent through collaboration with private sector organisations, government institutions and development partners.

The programme also provides multiple avenues for participation. Individuals can enrol to build sustainability competencies and join a growing professional network focused on sustainable development, while organisations can partner to train employees, sponsor access programmes or collaborate on ESG-related projects.

Through this collaborative approach, TAS aims to bring together stakeholders across sectors in support of a shared goal: advancing sustainable development across Africa. By prioritising education, capacity building and practical implementation, the initiative is positioning itself as a driver of sustainability transformation on the continent.