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Metele; ‘Buhari’s Absence At Soldiers Burial Is Sad’ -Atiku

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday, described the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari or any high-powered Federal Government delegation at the burial of officers and men of the 157 Task Force slain by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Metele, Borno State, as “sad and totally unacceptable.”

Atiku had in a statement commiserated with the families of the fallen soldiers and the armed forces, praying God to grant them the fortitude to bear the losses.

He, however, carpeted President Buhari for failing to honour the “men of honour and valour” by taking a day to attend their funeral and fulfil his role as head of state, saying that the president by hosting Nollywood stars at the Villa a day before but refused to attend the funeral did not send the right signals.

“I appreciate Nollywood and I have personally done a lot, both in my private capacity and when I was vice president, to promote that vitally important industry. However, it does not send a right message to the men and women who are fighting for Nigeria if you can attend a get together of entertainers but you cannot find the time to honour those who make the peace we are benefitting from possible.

“I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to learn from French President, Emmanuel Macron, who on March 28, 2018 took a whole day off to attend the funeral of Lt Col Arnaud Beltrame, who was killed by a terrorist after a March 24, 2018 terror attack in the South of France.

“I am in deep mourning and my grief is further compounded by the fact that the Federal Government ignored my advice to them to declare a few days of national mourning so that the nation could pay its respects to these men who gave so much that we may have peace. But it is never too late to honour those who died for Nigeria,” Atiku said.

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Oyo Speaker, Debo Ogundoyin Fuels Guber Ambition Talks (begins consultation)

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There are whispers around Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State regarding the ambition of the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin to take over from the Governor, Seyi Makinde in 2027.

 

Those in the know claimed Debo, one of the sons of late socialites, Tina Ogundoyin is hinging his hopes in his cordial relationship with Governor Seyi Makinde and some other stakeholders in the State to achieve his ambition.

 

The Oyo Speaker, 36 is said to have began consultations towards this amidst his calculations of leveraging on his influence within the PDP and his hold on the Assembly.

 

Pundits had predicted a narrow chance for the young politician, putting down likely names of the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu and FIRS boss, Zaccheus Adedeji as better contenders in the APC than the youthful Speaker.

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Parrot Xtra Publisher Celebrates Hassan Fatungase At 60

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 Publisher of Parrot Xtra Magazine/PMParrot.com, Olayinka Agboola has sent out expressive greetings to his long-time friend and brother, Alhaji Hassan Taiwo Fatungase, former Bakers’ World, Ikeja, Lagos Director on the occasion of his 60th birthday anniversary.

 

In a statement  personally signed by Agboola, former Nigeria Coordinator for Ovation International Magazine described Alhaji Hassan Fatungase as the most selfless Nigerian he has ever encountered.

Agboola continued, “Hassan is not only selfless, he is intelligent, forward looking, hard-working, vibrant, resourceful, compassionate and above all, very God-fearing.”

The Ibadan-based media entrepreneur then went ahead to submit that the astute technocrat is a man who appreciates human beings and the value of friendship.

“Those who attended the University of Lagos with him in those days will attest to it that ‘Fatuu’, as he used to be called then would sacrifice anything to keep a working-relationship.

 

“Even when he joined one of the five-star hotels in Abuja in the early 90s, it did not take long before he was promoted to become the very first African to occupy a managerial position before he joined the Bakers’ World family business in Lagos. His records are still there till today.

Feats At Bakers’ World

“While running Bakers’ World located on Allen Avenue in Ikeja, Lagos, journalists, broadcasters, creative young Nigerians and others were encouraged by him. The records are also there for people to verify. There is almost no big name in the entertainment/media industry in Nigeria today that has not directly and/or indirectly benefitted from Hassan’s large-heartedness. As a matter of fact, he used to settle quarrels when differences and ‘head-on-collisions’ were reported to him!”

Agboola also went ahead to describe how the celebrant of the day has been faring since he became the chairman of Abimbola Awoliyi Estate, Oko-Oba in Lagos where he presently lives.

“Hassan is team-player and a man who keeps improving in good-naturedness even as a semi-retired bureaucrat. Residents of Awoniyi Estate will tell his story better. Since he became the chairman some three years ago, living standards have since improved.

“Together with other executive members, the Estate has been winning awards as one of the best in the whole of Lagos State. Solar lights, good roads, fibre-optic-source of internet, faultless security architecture and enhanced sociability…and other achievements have been recorded by the Fatungase-led team.”

Agboola, who was also a pioneer staff at Thisday Newspaper concluded “Dear friends and colleagues, please join me to pray for this quintessential lover of fairness and equity. May Allah continue to be with him, grant him sound health, more prosperity, divine protection and long life. May his wonderful family comprised of ‘Iyalaje’ Doyinsola and the children- Tomisin, Ahmed, Ibrahim and Idris continue to enjoy divine grace too. Happy birthday to our Director at Parrot Xtra Media Network, many happy returns of this day, September 26.”

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‘our silence is not an act of cowardice’ Olugbon Replies Obasanjo

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-Ayotunde Ayanda
The Olugbon of Ile-Ogbon, Oba Francis Alao has reacted to the recent public ridicule where former President Olusegun Obasanjo ordered some Oyo monarchs to stand up.
Some people interpreted it as a reprisal of an attack from the Olugbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao against the former President in a radio interview where the monarch condemned Chief Obasanjo for opposing the ambition of President Bola Tinubu.
Chief Obasanjo was unapologetic as he defended his actions claiming the monarchs disrespected the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
The Olugbon in  his response  called  it  an internal issue and hinted it will be addressed in the Oyo Council of  Obas next meeting.
Below is the message from the Olugbon’s palace…
The outburst of former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo against traditional rulers in attendance at the inauguration of the Iseyin Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) on Friday September 15  has generated anger and varied responses from true sons and daughters of Oduduwa in all sections of the society.
First and foremost, I will like to emphasize that the inauguration ceremony was a huge success while the road and campus projects represent another milestone in the development strides of Governor Seyi Makinde who has been working hard to take Oyo State to the next level of development.
All the royal fathers involved understand the pain caused by the incident and appreciate the well-placed reactions.
I wish to state that the incident is an internal affair which will be properly reviewed at the next meeting of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
Let me assure all Yoruba, and other well-meaning Nigerians who have respect for the traditional institution, and who feel concerned about the incident that our silence since Friday is not an act of cowardice. When we sit down with the Governor, and hold our next meeting, we will review and respond appropriately.
Our Governor respects us, and traditional rulers in Oyo State also hold him in high esteem.
I, therefore, sue for calm over this issue.
We want everybody to apply decorum in line with the Omoluwabi ethos for which Yoruba are greatly respected. Ile Yoruba land shall remain peaceful. Our unity is sacrosanct. These ethos must reflect in our day-to-day activities.
Let it, however, be well noted that traditional rulers in Oyo State have no regret in supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in the last election, and will be willing to support them even in the future.
This is the clear position of monarchs in Oyo State. Any other information from anywhere that is contrary to this should be disregarded.
E-signed:
Oba Francis Olushola Alao
Olugbon of Orile-Igbon
Deputy Chairman,
Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs
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