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Don’t turn Nigeria to a banana republic, Obanikoro warns protesters.

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Lagos, April 2, 2023 (NAN) A former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, says those protesting and kicking against the inauguration of the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on May 29, should not turn the country into a “banana republic”.

 

Obanikoro, who is also a former Ambassador of Nigeria to Ghana, made the remark while speaking with journalists on the sideline of the 9th Ramadan Lecture of Anwar-Ul Islam College, Agege, Old Students’ Association (ACAOSA), on Saturday in Lagos.

 

The Ramadan Lecture had in attendance various alumni of the school including Obanikoro; Alhaji Tunde Balogun, former Lagos APC Chairman; civil servants, technocrats; entrepreneurs; legal practitioners and academics.

 

The lecture was titled, “Islamic Perspective of a Good Governance: Any Lesson for Nigeria?”

 

Obanikoro said: “They are daydreaming. There is no perfect election anywhere in the world.

 

“For anyone that is not satisfied, what is next is to go through the judiciary. If you feel aggrieved, go to the court.

 

“We cannot turn Nigeria into a banana republic.

 

“Our system is not perfect, it is a work in progress, we have to continue to work at it until we get to a situation that all of us will be comfortable with.”

 

Describing as sad and unfortunate the calls by some people for Interim National Government, Obanikoro said that those calling for it showed that they did not appreciate democracy, hence not qualified to lead such government.

 

“It sounds crazy to me,” he added.

 

On the Ramadan Lecture, Obanikoro, who described good governance as teaching of God in Quran and Bible, said that governance should be about putting people first.

 

“The idea is to help the vulnerable among us and create a society where we will be our brother’s keepers.

 

“That is the essence of governance, and that is what the religion of Islam or Christianity is preaching almost on a daily basis,” he said.

 

Obanikoro, was presented an award by ACAOSA for his contributions to the school through the association, said it was a privilege to give back to the school that had given them so much.

 

“Giving back comes naturally. I commend the ACAOSA for honouring us and we shall do more.

 

Anytime you are recognised by your peers for doing something special, you have to appreciate it because you are not the only one, there are others too,” he said.

 

Commending the organisers for their tenacity, Obanikoro said that the association would continue to do more for the college.

 

Similarly, Alhaji Lawal Pedro (SAN), the President General, ACAOSA, also told those protesting against the May 29 inauguration of Tinubu were not democrats, saying “they are people who do not mean well for the country”.

 

Maintaining that the election was relatively free and fair considering the number of states each of the major contenders won, Pedro urged those who lost to plan for the next electoral cycle.

 

“These people should not be tolerated, in fact the necessary authorities should go after them. If they have evidence of being rigged, they should take it to the court rather can constituting nuisance,” he said.

 

Also, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, former Lagos APC Chairman, another recipient of ACAOSA Life Time Award, said that the college had done a lot of positive things for him in life.

 

“My life was shaped and given foundation by this college. I came into this school at age 14 and left when I was an adult.

 

“It is was a great privilege for this school to have helped me in building my character and preparing me for what I do now,” the former Senior Prefect Boy of the college said.

 

The Chairman of the day, Alhaji Fola Adeola, said that the school had produced so many great personalities in Nigeria.

 

Adeola, who was represented Mr Yinka Adeola, his brother, noted that the association was proud of the feats of the college in the area of academics, sports and others.

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We Don’t Have Enough Crude Oil For Dangote – Oyedele

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Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has said Nigeria does not currently have enough crude oil to supply the Dangote Petroleum Refinery with its daily requirement of 700,000 barrels.

Oyedele explained that the country was yet to reach a production level that would enable it to meet the refinery’s entire crude oil demand while also satisfying other domestic and export commitments.

“We (Nigeria) are still not at the point where we can give Dangote Refinery 700,000 barrels of crude oil; we don’t have enough to service Dangote Refinery,” he said.

The minister spoke on Friday while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

His comments come amid ongoing concerns over Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity and the supply of crude to the Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train refinery, which has a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

The development also comes as the Federal Government has announced a 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) filling stations, a move aimed at providing temporary relief to motorists and other fuel consumers amid the high cost of petroleum products.

The government said the temporary discount would run for 30 days, raising questions about how the measure would affect pump prices and whether consumers would experience significant relief from the persistent rise in transportation and living costs.

The initiative has also drawn reactions from opposition figures, who have questioned its timing and sustainability, arguing that a short-term price reduction may not address the underlying challenges in the downstream petroleum sector.

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Abducted Kogi Councillor Dies In Captivity

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Suspected kidnappers have reportedly killed a councillor representing Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Rosemary Adukwu, days after her abduction.

 

Hon. Adukwu was said to be on her way to Onitsha market on 30th September 2026, when the kidnappers intercepted the commercial vehicle she boarded around Oji River axis, between Enugu and Anambra states.

The assailants reportedly dragged the councillor out of the vehicle and whisked her to their hideout in the forest.

A week after the abduction, the Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Dr. Ameh Williams, announced her death in a statement on Friday.

The statement read, “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden demise of our dear sister and colleague, Hon. Mrs. Rosemary Adukwu, the honourable councillor representing the good people of Ogugu Ward III in the eighth Olamaboro Legislative Council.”

The Chairman said the death was confirmed on Thursday while she was still in captivity.

However, the family of the deceased raised concerns over the circumstances of the incident, alleging that the kidnappers singled out the councillor, left other passengers untouched, and did not contact the family for ransom until her death was announced.

A family source said that it was while tracking the victim’s cellphone number that a receiver disclosed she had died in captivity.

The source said, “Hon. Rosemary Adukwu used to board this particular driver’s vehicle to Onitsha market to restock her business. On 30th September, she left for Onitsha after confirming from her usual driver that the market would hold on 1st October.

“At the boundary community between Enugu and Anambra states, precisely around Oji River, their vehicle ran into a barricade mounted by some people. Thereafter, the hoodlums dragged only her out of the vehicle and took her to an unknown destination. The other passengers continued their journey untouched.

“Her abductors did not contact the family for ransom for almost a week. Confused, the family contacted security operatives who tracked her cellphone . On Thursday, a voice announced while receiving the call that the owner of the phone is dead.”

According to the source, the driver of the vehicle and the person who received the victim’s cellphone call had been arrested and were assisting operatives with investigation.

Meanwhile, the President-General and the National Executive of Ogugu District Union (ODU), Deacon Samuel Ige Agada, condemned the “kidnapping and brutal killing” of the councillor, describing it as barbaric.

Agada said, “Hon. Adukwu was a dedicated grassroots leader, a hardworking businesswoman and a devoted mother and wife who was only striving to earn a living for her family. This is a painful loss not only to her family and Ogugu Ward III, but to UBELE District, Ogugu Chiefdom, Olamaboro LGA and Kogi State at large. We condemn this barbaric act in its totality.”

Reports indicated that Hon. Rosemary Adukwu was buried around 1 p.m. on Friday at her family compound in Ogugu Centre.

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Gunmen Abduct 3 Staff At Cocoa Research Institute Ibadan

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Three staff of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, in Ibadan, have been kidnapped.

 

The victims were reportedly snatched from a farm within the premises of the institute while inspecting crops.

Public Relations Officer of the Oyo Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade confirmed the abduction, noting investigations have already commenced.

He urged members of the public who have necessary information to assist the command in the rescue operation.

“The Oyo State Police Command confirms a kidnapping incident involving three staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), who were abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises.

“Upon receiving the report, the command immediately commenced intensive efforts to secure the safe rescue of the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.”

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