Ocean News

Owolabi Again, the two lawyers and a businessman charged with conspiracy to commit forgery and willful damage to property in suit marked LD/23611C/2024 before Justice S.I Sonaike of the Lagos High Court, TBS, have failed to appear for arraignment.   The two lawyers, Ademola Owolabi, the managing partner of Ademola Adetokunbo & Co., and Adebayo Akeju, who is a partner in a law firm called Adon Partners, Lagos, as well as a real estate developer, Alex Ochonogor, are facing the charge pressed against them by the Department of Public Prosecution of the Lagos State ministry of Justice.    Ochonogor is the owner and managing director of Bluecrest Homes Limited, where Owolabi is also the company secretary.   As a result of their consistent absence and the intervention of the state attorney general, Lawal Pedro (SAN), the court has adjourned the matter to October 21, 2024 to enable the suspects explore restorative Justice. The suspects were billed to be arraigned April 8...

Ondo Speaker, Olamide Oladiji is facing controversy for reportedly claiming that 18 lawmakers support Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s All Progressives Congress ticket bid in the upcoming November governorship election. Oladiji made this assertion during Governor Aiyedatiwa’s declaration of intent, sparking discussions on the validity of his claim. The Speaker said, “18 members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have agreed to support Aiyedatiwa. Even those who are not in the APC are with us in this struggle, and by the grace of God, we will arrive at the promised land.” Thirteen lawmakers, however, in a statement, distanced themselves from Speaker Olajidi’s claims that they have endorsed Governor Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate. The 13 lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence on Speaker Olajidi and said his declaration was untrue, misleading, un-parliamentary and ridiculous. They said no resolution was passed by the Assembly endorsing Aiyedatiwa. The statement reads, “The House of Ass...

Ahead of the inauguration of the 8th House of Assembly in Osun State next month, intense politicking has continued to take centre stage in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) controlled state. There is a scramble within the party for the office of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly.    While some are routing for newly elected members of the House to bid for the office, other chieftains of the party are insisting on ranking legislators in the House to be the next Speaker. Those backing the latter contend that leadership of a state House of Assembly demands experience and understanding of the rules and practices of the House which will only be taught to new members at inauguration. Hence, ranking members who have the required experience should be considered for the position. There are only four ranking members in the about-to-be-inaugurated Assembly. At the moment, sources say the battle for the Speakership in the state is locked between Prince Tajudeen Adeyemi, a l...

It has been brought to my notice that the campaign team of the senatorial candidate of the PDP in Ondo south senatorial district, Hon Agboola Ajayi has been spreading news that I have defected to the PDP.  Let me use this medium to dispel the news in its totality and that, I Kolawole Akinmosun has not defected to the PDP.  I remain in APC and I have no intention of joining the PDP.  (1) That all my followers in Irele and the entire southern senatorial district remain in APC and will work for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates in the senatorial district.  (2) In as much as I appreciate the eagerness of the former deputy governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi to have me and my teaming followers in PDP, I will be using this medium to call on him to prevail on his media aides to desist from joining me with such un-imaginable planned defection.  (3) That I use this medium to further reiterate my full support for the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bol...

The Member, House of Representatives, representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Hon. Tolu Akande-Sadipe has called on Nigerians not to lose hope in the Nation, despite the challenges of today. Rejoicing with Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 62nd Independence Anniversary, Akande-Sadipe said citizens should instead thank God and keep faith.  In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Olamilekan Olusada, Akande-Sadipe, who Chairs the House Committee on Diaspora expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its challenges, including insecurity. "Nigeria remains a force to reckon with in the comity of nations. I beseech us to remain steadfast and go to the polls to vote in the 2023 elections based on facts, track record and not on false sentiments and propaganda", she said  Her emotional appeal to Nigerians to be patriotic and protect their vote in 2023 was laden with love for Nigeria. She underscored the need for full participation of all Nigerian...

The former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji has disclosed how he rejected free gubernatorial tickets offered to him by different political parties in Enugu State because of his resolve to support the governorship aspiration of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Peter Mbah ahead of the 2023 general elections. Speaking in his hometown of Umuode, Nkanu East local government area, on Saturday night when Mbah paid him a courtesy visit, Nnaji said he remains a staunch supporter of the PDP gubernatorial flag-bearer, stressing that he is bound by the memorandum of understanding (MoU) he signed with Mbah and other PDP governorship aspirants before the May 25, 2022 primary election. The former minister who recalled how many political parties pestered around him, offering their governorship tickets, said he emphatically told them he would not be contesting against Peter Mbah whom he had earlier assured of his support. Citing the importance of leadership and integrity, Prof...

Despite summiting a name already, APC Presidential flagbearer in the 2023 general election, Bola Tinubu, has declared that he is still in search of a running mate. Tinubu said this while speaking at a book launch to celebrate the 60th birthday party of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, that held on Sunday, June 26. Showering encomiums on Gbajabiamila, Tinubu said; “As a Minority Leader, he consulted wide and he’s always there to see the thinking of opposition that we must bring a revolution to the House to be able to beat the PDP. And then, he will brainstorm for any length of time about political strategy. When he was challenged for the position of the speaker, I think after our merger he worked with me tirelessly. Femi is a workaholic. The problem of failure stared him at the face. He lost the election to become the Speaker. I was close to tears. Stamping my foot to the ground I said ‘we will win again. Femi keep up. Pick yourself up.’ I am very proud of...

It is true that humans wants are insatiable. The means to satisfy them is limited due to paucity of fund and lean resources. This is natural and the reality of economics of life and wants.  In Enugu North Senatorial zone (Nsukka ) narcissists have grown in leaps and bounds since their brother, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi became  Governor of Enugu State in 20I5 amidst daunting challenges occasioned by the sudden crash in the price of crude oil that drastically affected government's revenue and economy.  Their sense of entitlements and expectations, without considering the availability of funds and consequences of their actions is shocking and baffling. That is why they are not appreciative or enthusiastic of Governor Ugwuanyi's giant strides in Enugu state, especially in  Enugu North Senatorial zone, where his footprints are visible and daring.  They are among the professionals, academics and illiterates. They are few in number and known. They have no political...

The New Nigeria People's Party NNPP has denied rumors that its presidential flagbearer, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has agreed to be the running mate for the Labor party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Recall that Kwankwaso recently granted an interview with BBC Hausa where he confirmed the party is in talks with the Labor party for them to form a merger for the 2023 presidential election. The debate of who will be the presidential and vice-presidential candidate if both parties merge has been on the lips of many Nigerians. Earlier today, the rumor mill was agog with claims that Kwankwaso has agreed to be Obi's running mate. The party has now come out to debunk the claim.  Tweets from the party below:

Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have recommended Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ex-Transportation Minister, Rotimi Ameachi, Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) as possible consensus candidates. Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong disclosed this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, saying the APC is looking at the possibility of a consensus candidate. “From our own recommendations, as of this morning, we recommended five people. In alphabetical order, we said Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, John Kayode Fayemi, David Umahi and Professor Yemi Osinbajo. Those are the ones we made recommendations and we said we should put them forward,” he stated. “Consensus is possible. Right from yesterday up till today, we have been doing consultations like Mr President said, ‘I give you the opportunity, work on it.’ “The governors and the National Working Committee...

Trending video showing the moment EFCC operatives gained access into the Abuja residence of Senator Rochas Okorocha through the ceiling before arresting him this evening May 24, has been shared online. Video below: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cd86NX_ot6E/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

  The beautiful children of Enugu State have composed an emotional tribute to Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as his tenure gradually comes to an end as the Governor of Enugu state. In a one minute and fifty five seconds video that is currently trending online, two brilliant kids could be heard questioning each other on what their fate would be, when Ugwuanyi eventually leaves office in 2023. The two smart kids ended their tribute by saying; Barr. Peter Ndubisi Mbah is the only one they have confidence in, that can sustain the current energy, peace and development in Enugu State. In their words; "As his Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi's uncommon leadership style gradually comes to an end in office in 2023 and as it ushers in a new political dispensation, we are moved to ask; "Who will give us unfiltered access to Enugu Government house and guarantee a sense of belonging for Ndi Enugu like Governor Ugwuanyi has given  in the last seven years?" They further asked; ...

In the thick and thin of the upcoming party primaries to herald the 2023 elections, the unfolding scenario for the politicians appear to be anchored on the same old order, but the background expectations of the citizenry seem to suggest the opposite. Representative democracy is important because it gathers the constituent representation of the entire citizenry. However, when representative democracy takes precedence in the functioning of the other power blocks, especially the ‘executive’; it often times creates knowledge gaps in the specific technical areas of function. Technocracy comes in handy to fill the void. There is little doubt that the Nigerian society has gone rudderless in the execution of tasks and clearly devoid of any modicum of technocratic input. Deliberately making wrong choices in fitting candidates for most sensitive positions. Even where the technical depth exists, factors such as sectionalism, religion, clannish instincts and tokenism have not helped matters. A cur...

I read with dismay, the irritating write-ups on the Enugu State governorship candidature of Peter Mbah dotting some of our WhatsApp fora. The attacks and vituperations on this candidate are becoming as nauseating as the shallow thought processes instigating the write-ups. I hate to say that it gives a below average impression of the level of awareness of Ndi-Enugu in the political process. I am constrained to make this piece because I strongly believe that elections are won on aggressive grassroots buildup and not on energy dissipation on twitter and WhatsApp but often we are pushed to join in the stubbornness of the political arguments even in the face of facts. That much is the problem of Nd’Igbo even at the national levels. Peter Obi is easily the most deserving of the presidency in the minds of Nd’Igbo come 2023 and they are unrelenting in dissipating every energy in the social media about it. The north appears calm, surreptitiously watching events and planning their grassroots’ st...

Engr. Beloved-Dan Obinna Anike is a man after my own heart. Here is a man, who has stood for his generation, not because he was looking forward to leading on the big stage, but because of sheer love for humanity. He is a Christian in the true sense of a Pastor, who is a shepherd of the people. When I think of Engr. Beloved-Dan Obinna Anike, there are certain words that easily come to mind: thoughtful, brilliant, selfless, sympathetic, public-spirited and gentle. Leadership sits so comfortably on Obinna Anike. Twenty-two years ago, he was voted the Student Union Leader of Nnmadi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK). He was probably the youngest Student Union Leader UNIZIK has ever produced, yet he engendered a Revolution in the lives of the students. Obinna Anike pioneered the Students’ Welfare Scheme and the Work and Study Scheme at UNIZIK. He led a successful struggle for the transformation of UNIZIK from a non-residential to a residential campus. As the community leader and organiser, h...

Ekiti State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi will formally declare his intention to run for the position of President of the country on Wednesday in Abuja. His Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, made this known in a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday. According to him, Wednesday’s declaration, tagged, ‘Unveiling My Nigeria Agenda’, would lay to rest speculations on whether Fayemi would run for the Presidency or not. Oyebode said his principal had discussed his plan to run for the number one office with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), traditional rulers and political leaders across states in the Federation. The statement was titled, ‘2023: Fayemi Joins Presidential Race, Unfolds Agenda After Nationwide Consultations With Leaders’. It partly read, “Dr Fayemi’s engagements with political and traditional leaders went on side by side with consultations with his colleague governors, especially those elected on the platform of the...

I read with great concern the write-up ascribed to Ohaneze Youths about Ugwuanyi not lending his full support to the struggle for 2023 Igbo Presidency. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has had to endure a barrage of unfair attacks, but I really think this is the most unjustified. Is it the same Ugwuanyi that has participated and represented the interest of the South-East in all the meetings convened by Southern Governors towards the actualisation of a President of Southern origin? Is it the same Ugwuanyi that kept faith in the forum of Southern Governors even when other Igbo Governors disappeared from the scene? Ugwuanyi was in Lagos and Delta and then hosted the meeting himself. Can people be more unfair to one man? I have enormous respect for Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi: he is calm, collected, solid and politically savvy. When he is attacked I feel personally pained. I know this is a man who would always want the best for his people. In January 2022 when Ugwuanyi hosted some Igbo-Haitians who had traced their ...

Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on New Media, Oladipupo Okunniga ( Bombay ), has expressed optimism that All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Ode Aye in Okitipupa Local Government is the darling Party of the ancient community, as he enjoined members of the party not to relent in mobilizing for more people in the town to join the ruling party. The APC Chieftain equally charged the new leadership of his ward to brace up for the challenge of making the party to be more formidable as we approach 2023 elections. He made these charges at APC Aye ward 1 meeting held at Okerisha Quarter, in Ode Aye on Sunday. Okunniga said he was keen to ensure peace in APC in the ward. “There’s the need for all members to work as a family to win elections”, he said. “As a Political Party, a lot of our members are aggrieved, we need to reconcile them and that should be our primary focus, to make sure that everybody works together as a family”. “We are consolidating on our winning party, we need everybod...

Former Super Eagles player, Kanu Nwankwo, has explained his reasons for participating in the activities lined up to celebrate the 70th birthday of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu. Kanu and other former players' visit to Tinubu on Saturday had sparked reactions on social media. Addressing the concerns, Kanu said, "People are talking, please pay attention. I'm not a politician, I'm a footballer and a proud one, I'm a legend. I know what is good and what is not good. 22 years ago, Kanu heart Foundation was looking people to help us. We got only three governors. Ahmed Tinubu was one of them. He gave the Foundation money to start up. He supported us. And now, it's his 70th birthday. Why not, we also have to come and support him."  

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over his alleged presidential ambition. Reacting, MURIC informed Osinbajo, who is an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), that it was the turn of Muslims in the South-West to rule Nigeria and not Christians. MURIC’s director, Ishaq Akintola, said in a statement: "Three Yoruba Christians (Obasanjo, Shonekan and Osinbajo himself) have occupied the presidency whereas no single Yoruba Muslim has been either military head of state, president or vice president of Nigeria. “This factor has given Yoruba Christians both political and economic edges and subjected Yoruba Muslims to political marginalisation, social segregation and gross economic disadvantage leading to abject penury among Muslims in the sub-region. “Muslims in the South-West will no longer remain onlookers in matters affecting our welfare and our collective destiny. Any Yoruba Christian or Muslim candidate seeking office will...