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SUPER EXCLUSIVE: Adams Oshiomhole Plots To Replace Odigie-Oyegun As APC Chairman

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By Michael Effiong

With the agreement reached yesterday by the Progressive Governors Forum (All Governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari on the tenure elongation of the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC), and other executives across the 36 states, it seems the months of plotting by some party chieftains to foist former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as Chairman has reached the zenith.

Sources revealed to The Boss that for the past few months, the former Edo State Governor has been lobbying key stakeholders of the APC, including Senator Bola Tinubu with the sole motive of dislodging Odigie-Oyegun, whom he refers to as weak, uncompromising and with little political capital in his homestead.

We have it on good authority that many Edo APC Members are not in support of this move by the former Comrade Governor, as they believe it is likely to cause a lot of disaffection and rancour within the ranks of the party in Edo State and other states where the leadership is not in agreement with Oshiomhole’s kind of politics.

Again they argued that Oshiomhole still has a lot of explaining to do concerning his tenure as Governor. They want him to explain how he left a mountain of debt and where he got the fund to build an eye-popping mansion and of course, clear his certificate palaver.

The Boss can authoritatively reveal that there are at least twelve petitions before the EFCC and ICPC against the former Unionist turned politician.

On the certificate issue, it will be recalled that in 2012, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd.), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate wanted Oshiomhole’s election disqualified because his certificates where allegedly forged.

According to the PDP candidate “A closer look at Governor Oshiomhole’s credentials showed that though he claimed to have attended Iyamoh Primary School, Iyamoh, in the then Midwest state from 1957-1962, his claim is contrary to an investigation by the Edo State Ministry of Education which revealed that Iyamoh Primary School was founded in 1963, a year after the governor said he graduated from it. His name was said not to be in the Class Register nor among the graduating class of the Blessed Martins Secondary Modern School that he claimed to have graduated from in 1965.

If he was born in 1953 and graduated from a secondary school in 1965, as declared under oath, could it be correct that he completed secondary school at the age of 12?”

“Curiously, the name on Oshiomhole’s primary and secondary school certificates simply bore Adams Aliyu, and his Ahmadu Bello University Adult Education certificate submitted to INEC, bore Adams O. Aliyu, while subsequent certificates bore his current name Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole. This disconnect in his names was made evident when the comrade governor in a handwritten affidavit, that he personally deposed to INEC, stated that he had no previous names other than Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole. The discrepancy in Oshiomhole’s stated dates, names and schools belie the veracity of his claim and may be considered as perjury”

The PDP’s candidate argued that in line with the provisions of the constitution, he was not eligible to stand as a candidate in the election.

The Boss can report that Gen Airhiavbere lost the case because the court said that the issue of certificate falsification was a pre election matter. The danger in the interpretation is that Oshiomhole still has explanations to give on the mysterious nature of his certificate whenever he is challenged.

Therefore, the Edo APC members who are against Oshiomhole’s ambition to become Chairman believe that these negatives would be a distraction as the party heads to a defining election in 2019.

Indeed, we gathered that the plot was for Odigie-Oyegun and the entire NWC to be dissolved and replaced with a Caretaker Committee headed by Governor Oshiomhole but there was intense lobbying against this move by some governors who see Odigie-Oyegun as a principled and untainted politician that should not be so rubbished.

Since the day in February this year, when Governor Yahaya Bello announced at the NEC meeting attended by President Muhammadu Buhari that “the party has extended the tenure of its National Working Committee (NWC) and other executives by one year”, noting that the extension will be effective from June 20, 2018 when the current tenure of all party officers at National and State level was to end. It seemed peace would reign, but the reverse has been the case.

We gathered that the former Governor rather upped the ante and secured the backing of the party’s National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who also found Oyegun’s seeming loyalty to President Mohammed Buhari a bit unsettling.

Our source further explained that despite being in the room when the extension was granted, President Buhari changed his mind after being convinced by his close allies.

We were told that it was because of this seeming backing given Oshiomhole that so angered Odigie-Oyegun and made him shun the 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium held at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos.His NWC members were also conspicuously absent.

The Boss can confirm that majority of the governors want the status quo to remain regarding the operations of the NWC. They are of the view that history has shown that no major party goes through a Convention without major cracks.

For example, they assert that if there will be party congresses and convention in July like it is becoming apparent, how will the party manage the battle between Senators Sulieman Hunkuyi and Shehu Sani against Governor Nasir El Rufai; what of Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in Kano, or Rotimi Amaechi, Dakuku Peterside and Senator Magnus Abe in Rivers as well as Governor Rochas Okorocha and the entire Imo APC over choice of next governor and then the current turf war between Senator Dino Melaye and Governor Yahaya Bello.

Even in Oyegun’s home state, Edo, it will be recalled that President Buhari lost the state to Ex President Jonathan (48% to 52%) as a result of what we learnt was protest votes against Oshiomhole.

They wanted Odigie-Oyegun’s NWC to continue until after the election when frayed nerves would have been calmed but with this latest move supposedly orchestrated by Oshiomhole, the party may just implode.

Odigie-Oyegun, we are told has been expecting this latest move, in fact he had been contemplating not re-contesting but his loyalist insisted and prevailed on him to perish the thought, they believe they can muster enough votes nationwide to defeat Oshiomhole at the Convention grounds if the latter chooses to join the contest.

From all the feelers we are getting, if the APC Convention holds in July, 2018, it will be a fierce battle between Oshiomhole and Odigie-Oyegun on one side, the Governors and some party big wigs on the other.

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KFC Reacts As FAAN Shuts Down Its Operations in Lagos Airport

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The Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, for violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.

“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

KFC had during the week, denied Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, access to their facility at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport  because of his disability.

Daniel had recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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