celebrity radar - gossips
BRF: DESERVES A BRIGHTER REWARDING FUTURE?
“THE PIG STY”
Babatunde Raji Fashola is not your average “joe”. The gangly fifty-two year old Lawyer with a steely mien was Governor of Lagos State for 8 years and received critical acclaim for his performance while in office. However, recently that acclaim has begun to unravel in a most profound way.
Fashola did not become Governor strictly on the merit of any performance in the public sector, because he only served for a few years as Chief of Staff to former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He was thereafter practically installed as Governor of Lagos State by his boss who blew away a crowded field of aspirants on his behalf. So deep was the angst of the other aspirants like Hakeem Gbajabiamila, Aro Lambo etc. that many were sure that the PDP would cash in and the destroy the Action Congress (AC) in Lagos. That did not happen and the AC in Lagos under the leadership of Tinubu went from strength to strength until it morphed into APC and the rest is history.
Fashola’s reputation continued to grow under the cover of Tinubu’s protection and political statecraft but the strain of an errant protégé was beginning to unravel culminating in the “True face of Lagos” saga that tested Fashola’s real ambition to supplant his mentor. Eventually Fashola got a second term ticket and won convincingly crushing the PDP in what remains one of its most humiliating defeats in history.
In his second term BRF as he popularly called felt it was time for him to make a clear stake for his mentor’s political empire. Egged on by some young turks and sheer hubris, he began his onslaught against the Jagaban Borgu’s political structure. With the weight of his office as Governor he began to chip away at Tinubu’s political structure in a most insidious way. In the process of this assault he began to alienate the AC/APC political base and wittingly/unwittingly created an inroad for a resurgent PDP under the leadership of the deadly trio of Bode George, Musliu Obanikoro and Akin Ogunlewe.
During the APC’s first convention in Abuja it was rumoured that Fashola with the help of some Southwest renegades attempted to supplant Tinubu’s choices for the National Party positions. However he apparently lost out in that naive maneuver cementing his reputation as a “baby” politician without the deft political touch of his mentor.
“THE PIG & THE PORK”
Fashola has the gift of the garb and used it to cement his reputation as a performer in Lagos and Nigeria. He speaks ex tempore in Yoruba and English in such a manner that you are usually swayed by his logic and message. He deployed the gift effectively for his party the APC during the recent 2015 elections. He was a serious thorn in the flesh of the PDP and President Jonathan as people listened and believed when he spoke. He was thus seen as one of the promoters of Akinwunmi Ambode for Governor of Lagos State.
However the truth is that BRF did not get there willingly.
First his body language suggested that he did not support his Party’s choice to give the Governorship slot to a Christian from the Lagos east senatorial zone.
He was reported to prefer Obafemi Hamzat his Commissioner for Works who is the son of Olatunji Hamzat a powerful APC Chieftain and Ogun State traditional ruler. He was in fact seen as one of the frontrunners for the Governor slot until he committed political hara-kiri by granting an interview to the Nigerian Tribune newspaper where he stated that Tinubu only had “one vote”.
BRF however repeatedly denied supporting any aspirant instead he was heard to say that he supported a healthy contest, as it would strengthen the Party and democracy while generating excitement and activity for the electorate.
However one thing was clear that Akinwunmi Ambode was not his favoured candidate and some say he was entitled to that choice against the apparent preference of Asiwaju. After all he was a Governor for 8 years who was entitled to anoint his successor just like his predecessor had done. He refused to be cowed by the various entreaties of his mentor to adopt the Ambode project, instead he chose to deploy his considerable financial arsenal behind his “real candidate” Supo Shasore his former Attorney General and friend whom he had propped up with juicy appointments. The line was drawn for an epic battle that was to take place at the battlefield venue of the primaries called Onikan Stadium.
Arrayed on one side was Asiwaju, and his vast network of loyal field soldiers and captains and the other side was his political son BRF and some young turks and an imaginary army bent on confronting and defeating Asiwaju.
The result was predictable. BRF was crushed in most heinous way by a political machine that had been honed and tested over time. Ambode scored 3,735 votes and Supo Shasore scored 121 votes. Long before the final counting had started Supo Shasore slunk out of the stadium with an air of defeat swirling around him.
BRF sensing that the game was up reluctantly signed up and began to deploy his support for Akinwunmi Ambode’s quest to be Governor. However there were still unfounded rumours of him hobnobbing with the enemies to snooker his mentor. It was rumoured that he was even plotting an unholy alliance with the PDP to give a last minute checkmate to Asiwaju’s machine. This was however dismissed by political watchers as unlikely given that Lagos PDP was too desperate and would likely renege on any sinister plot no matter how profitable.
On April 11 2015 history was made and Akinwunmi Ambode a civil servant with 27 years experience in the Local and State Government Administration was elected Governor of Lagos State.
“LETS GET PIGGY”
People love the underdog or should I say the “underpig”? The recent attacks against BRF by various groups have elicited both sympathy and scorn from Nigerians. Some have said that the attacks were baseless and only designed to disenfranchise him from consideration as a top aide of President Buhari. Others have insisted that the attacks had merit as BRF had skeletons in his closet and had questions to answer.
BRF was clearly irritated by these attacks and issued his now infamous press statement castigating the “dirty wrestling pigs” and “mud merchants”. Rather than silence the attacks it invigorated a legion of enemies who opened up a fully volley of attacks on him. The mud began to fly and the APC faithful even chose to stay away from his recent book launch to avoid being stained.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode apparently chose to ignore the unfounded whispers that he and Asiwaju were behind the attacks against BRF. Instead he appeared to concentrate on fulfilling the promises he made to Lagosians but apparently did BRF a favour by yanking the revealing procurement website that he himself had created before he left office in his avowed quest for transparency.
Asiwaju followed suit with a terse statement condemning the attacks on BRF and warned the mud merchants to leave his political son alone. He blamed the opposition PDP for being behind the attacks.
The Lagos APC also followed with a tacit support statement for the former Governor.
That timely statement from Asiwaju appeared to have doused the raging attacks and also served to check serial mud merchants like Femi Fani-Kayode and Gani Adams who were cashing in on the controversy.
It would appear BRF himself has learnt his lesson and steered clear from making any controversial statements recently. Hopefully unfolding events will show that old animosities have now been forgiven and possibly forgotten.
I think its time to bury the “dirty pig” and wash our “muddy hands” so that BRF can begin to enjoy a brighter rewarding future. Time will tell whether he truly deserves that rewarding future.
Obafemi Atobatele
celebrity radar - gossips
Call EFCC to order, Nigeria is not a lawless country – Yahaya Bello Media Office
Call EFCC to order, Nigeria is not a lawless country – Yahaya Bello Media Office
About 9:30 am today, the 17th day of April 2024, persons who described themselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrived the Wuse Zone 4 Residence of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to effect his arrest.
This is despite a subsisting Order of injunction granted on 9th February 2024 by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.
The EFCC was duly served with that Order on 12th February 2024 and on 26th February 2024; the EFCC filed an Appeal (Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said Order to the Court of Appeal Abuja division. The Appeal was accompanied by a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Order of the High Court which the Court of Appeal adjourned for hearing till the 22nd day of April 2024.
Furthermore, Judgment in the substantive case between Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the EFCC is to be delivered at 12 Noon today in Lokoja.
Contrary to all of the above, the EFCC has now laid siege to the home of H.E Yahaya Bello seeking to arrest him in contravention of the extant orders!
It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order by taking actions contrary to the reliefs granted.
We are aware of the total commitment of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the rule of law and can say categorically that the leadership of the EFCC might have offered the agency on a platter of gold to desperate politicians to convert to their score settling tool without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria as regards the rule of law.
A situation where law enforcers disregard the rule of law is a definite recipe for anarchy, which will adversely affect every aspect of the nation’s economy.
Nigerians have perceived the desperation of the anti-graft agency to embarrass and harass the former Governor by all means through spurious allegations, especially the latest one dating back to September 2015, way before he assumed office.
We are aware that there are clandestine moves to correct the error, but with even more questionable allegations, which would embarrass the Commission and Nigeria more than the initial one.
It is unfortunate that an agency that is supposed to enforce the law is now the first culprit with respect to disobedience of court orders.
This is a big dent on the fight against corruption. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the EFCC to order in the interest of legal sanity.
MEDIA OFFICE
HE YAHAYA BELLO
celebrity radar - gossips
Sen Moallayidi: The untold story of Adamawa born politician who introduced Facility Management course in ABU By Dr Salihu Mohammed Lawal
Sen Moallayidi: The untold story of Adamawa born politician who introduced Facility Management course in ABU
By
Dr Salihu Mohammed Lawal
In the different spheres of life there exist quintessential Nigerians who have silently achieved fame and glory without making noise about such feat; rather preferring to remain silent while still creating waves and continuing to bestrode the landscape with ingenuity that breaks new grounds.
Sen. Ahmad Abubakar MoAllahyidi is one of such great Nigerians, who represented Adamawa southern Senatorial District in the Senate between 2015-2019 comes readily to mind. A fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, a Certified Public Private Partnership Professional (IP3,Washington DC) also holds a Facility Management Professional (FMP) of (IFMA,USA). Moallayidi is a 1980 graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Quantity Surveying and an Masters Degree in Construction Management.
This amiable gentleman in the year 2010, pioneered the designed and institutionalization of a facility management course in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU). He single handedly served as the sole lecturer for it (Post graduate studies in Facility Management ABU). His pioneering efforts were the basis for having facility management courses in Nigerian Universities.
The None serving Senator is an accomplished professional in managing facilities, resources and humanity is leading the private company called Integrated Facility Management Services Ltd among other endeavors that handled some of the most complex facility management services in Nigeria. These facilities include; Management and improvement of the Abuja International Conference Center (ICC) Management of Eagle Square Abuja Kaduna International Trade & Investment Centre, Kaduna (1997-2010). Murtala Mohammed Square Kaduna,and Nigerian Export and Import Bank, Abuja. He also managed Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) Headquarters & Residential Quarters in Abuja, Presidential Complexes in Lagos (Dodan Barracks and State House, (Marina) and Nigerian Army Strategic Bulk Storage Facility in Enugu.
The Rehabilitation and start-up operations of Health and Medical Industries Jos, a company specializes in the manufacture of cotton wool, bandages and gauge.
MOALLAYIDI AS A MEMBER OF VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS
Senator Moallayidi is an acumen of managing facilities was the pioneer President of International Facility Management Association in Nigeria (Abuja City-based Chapter) IFMA and is a Fellow Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, a Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Management Consultants (NIMC) and a Fellow Association of Facility Management Practitioners of Nigeria (AFMPN).
He participated in the Technical Committee on Commercialization and Privatization T.C.P.C. that commercialized government companies for improved performance.
This is the highly revered personality that is leading the management of the Abuja International Conference Center as the Managing Director of integrated Facility Management Services Ltd for which he has set an unprecedented record of upgrading the ICC to global standard in the management and improvement contract after the noticeable failure over the years before the coming of IFMSL.
MOALLAYIDI AS A POLITICIAN
The political journey of this personality of unique humble character, Senator MoAllahyidi is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Legacy Party. He contested and won the Senatorial election and represented Adamawa South Senatorial District and sworn-in as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015. MoAllayidi while in the Senate, he distinguished himself as a vocal Senator in the red chambers and served as a Vice Chairman/Member of various standing and Ad-hoc committees.
Some of the communities is belonged to were; Vice Chairman Committee on Oil & Gas, Vice Chairman Culture and Tourism, Member Banking and Other Financial Institutions, Member Education (Basic & Secondary), Member Legislative Compliance and Member Federal Character and Inter Governmental affairs.
Other committees he belonged to were Member Committee on Bureaus of Public Procurement (BPP), Member ECOWAS Parliament and also held strategic positions where he played critical leadership roles for the APC such as: 2015 Senatorial Candidate (APC), Adamawa Southern Zone, 2014 Secretary APC Reconciliation Committee North Eastern Zone, 2014 Member of APC Congress Committee, Yobe State
(2014).
MoAllayi Joined APC as a result of the merger of CPC, ACN and ANPP (Legacy party) in 2011 Joined CPC and Contested for Adamawa South Senatorial Seat, 2007 he was the Director of Logistics of ANPP Presidential Campaign. While in 2003 the Man MoAllayi was the Director of Logistics ANPP Presidential Campaign.
His political might grew mightier for having a stronger voice for a common Man. in June (2022) the Senator convened the setting up of Arewa New Agenda (ANA) a Pan Northern socio-political organization with the aim and objectives as follows :
Setting up an agenda for the continuing relevance of the North in Nigerian Governance. It is to harmonize and project Northern positions on critical national issues. And to protect Northern interest in the Nigerian Political discourse and evolution.
ANA is an umbrella organization comprising of over 126 network affiliate groups across the 19 Northern States and FCT which Moallayidi became its extended leader as its Patron of Fulbe United for Peace and Development. It’s
the association of over 33,360 Ardos (The Fulbe Umbrella group) leaders across Nigeria.
The distinguished Senator was honored with the respected commander of Nigerian Students (CNS), an award by National Association of Nigerian Student NANS
Dr. Salisu Mohammed Lawal
Writes from Zangon Kataf, Kaduna State
And be reached through this means; emeles20o1@yahoo.com
- Y'Africa, the TV show that showcases African talent: Orange announces a third season dedicated to the continent's athletes April 18, 2024
- 52 Players from 11 Countries to Compete in Basketball Africa League Nile Conference in Egypt April 18, 2024
- Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) contributes to Acre Impact Capital’s $100 million private debt fund for climate-aligned infrastructure projects across Africa April 18, 2024
- TelCables’ Partner Program is shaping the future of digital connectivity in West Africa April 18, 2024
- Professor Asutay Wins 2024 Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Prize for Impactful Achievement in Islamic Economics April 18, 2024
- Driving efficiency and productivity in Africa’s agriculture sectors requires strategic partnerships, greater investments, and the power of digital technologies April 18, 2024
- Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and GE HealthCare bring Advanced Mammography Technology to Tanzania to Improve Access and help Address Breast Cancer Mortality Rate April 18, 2024
- Towards a certified electronic signature in West Africa April 18, 2024
- Uganda: Members of Parliament (MPs) endorse quota system for student loan scheme April 18, 2024
- Uganda: Plant trees in memory of fallen Ex - National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Boss, Among urges public April 18, 2024
- Y'Africa, the TV show that showcases African talent: Orange announces a third season dedicated to the continent's athletes April 18, 2024
- 52 Players from 11 Countries to Compete in Basketball Africa League Nile Conference in Egypt April 18, 2024
- Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) contributes to Acre Impact Capital’s $100 million private debt fund for climate-aligned infrastructure projects across Africa April 18, 2024
- TelCables’ Partner Program is shaping the future of digital connectivity in West Africa April 18, 2024
- Professor Asutay Wins 2024 Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Prize for Impactful Achievement in Islamic Economics April 18, 2024
- Driving efficiency and productivity in Africa’s agriculture sectors requires strategic partnerships, greater investments, and the power of digital technologies April 18, 2024
- Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and GE HealthCare bring Advanced Mammography Technology to Tanzania to Improve Access and help Address Breast Cancer Mortality Rate April 18, 2024
-
Business6 months agoLeading Financial Platform, AAS Bounces Back Stronger, Better With Global Coin
-
celebrity radar - gossips4 months agoTripple Celebration, As AAS CEO, Jesam Micheal Emerges Fintech Expert of The Year, Launches Lounge
-
celebrity radar - gossips4 months agoJesam Micheal the philanthropist, Clears the Hospital Bills of UGEP Patients, Put Smiles On Faces Of Orphanages, Police (video)
-
Business3 months agoFintech Guru, Jesam Micheal Opens Biggest Apple Store In Africa, Reveals Why
You must be logged in to post a comment Login