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First ever two term Ogun state Governor and now APC Chieftain, Otunba Gbenga Daniel felicitates with Nigerians on Easter celebration, Thecitypulsenews.

In his message, he said “The significance of the Easter celebration is about regeneration, sacrifice, penitence and repentance. All are what Nigeria needs at this point in time.

“No doubt, our great country needs a rebirth and regeneration in practically all its spheres; social, economic and political.

“We should therefore be ready to make the necessary sacrifices in great submission to the will of the Almighty for the greatness of our nation.”

These are words of encouragement by former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga in his Easter message to Nigerians on Saturday.

Otunba Daniel advised Nigerians to take note of the time that we are in, especially in strict observance to the safety and protective guidelines against Covid-19 infections so that they can keep safe.

“We should not be deceived that the pandemic has gone; it is very much here with us and as citizens, all of us still have to take responsibilities for our actions. It is therefore advised that we celebrate in moderation and keep all safety protocols.

“There is great hope for our country Nigeria, and all of us have a duty and responsibility to make all the necessary sacrifices for its greatness. There is a reason for the Easter Season and that is about sacrifice which leads to regeneration, Nigeria can greatly benefit from these great lessons.”

I am still finding it difficult to refer to the Great fighter and Leader of the masses as being of the past.

Oh no, Yinka Odumakin, the only man described as ” Solomon” by Sir Olanihun Ajayi can not be dead. He lives and will live for ever in our hearts as a revolutionary that he is/was.

The honour of “Solomon” bestowed on him by Late Sir Olanihun , the then Afenifere Leader was due to the wisdom he applied when President Goodluck Jonathan GEJ was making the final arrangement for the convocation of the National Conference. This confirms that Yinka Odumakin was/is indeed a wise man . A wise man with rare bravery.

Since after we left the final burial ceremony of Sir Olanihun Ajayi , I have been referring to him as “Solomon” Yinka Odumakin.
It never occurred to me that the day we went to visit the widow of the Best Governor ever produced in Nigeria, Late Pa Jakande as representatives of Afenifere led by Chief Supo Sonibare was the last day to chat one on one with THE SOLOMON. Though we had chats on whatsap thereafter.
As a radical, *SOLOMON ” YINKA ODUMAKIN, was a man that has never been hypocritical about his stand on any issue. No weakling can be my friend not win my heart.

He says it as he knows or believes.
It’s very sad that he left us at this critical stage in the history of Nigeria.
The roles he played in the making of a New Nigeria can never be forgotten. No doubt ,history will be good to him. In spite of ourselves ,we shall all be remembered by history.

Super Comrade “Solomon” Yinka Odumakin will live for ever in our hearts.
It will be very difficult for me to refer to him as being of the past.

Great , Super, Courageous, Dynamic and Intelligent Yinka Odumakin remains ” is” and not “was”. His indellible footprints is a confirmation that he lives.

It’s my prayer that the Lord will comfort his widow, Dr Josephine Obiagelli Odumakin,( Comrade Joe Odumakin), his family, the entire leadership and members of Afenifere Worldwide, associates, Comrades and all advocates for a better Nigeria.

Adieu DYNAMIC “SOLOMON”YINKA ODUMAKIN.

Toyin Raheem
Chairman, Afenifere , Agege LG Chapter and Chairman CACOBAG

Nigeria on Saturday April 3nd, 2021 lost three personalities to the cold hands of death, Thecitypulsenews reports.

Recall, it was reported that the former acting governor of Delta state, Rt Hon Sam Obi passed away in the early hours of Saturday. The circumstances that led to his sudden appearance are not known as they were during the press, but reliable sources confirm that his body is kept in Asaba’s morgue.

The late Sam Obi represented the northeastern state of the constituency of Ika for three terms (2003-2015) at the Delta State House and became acting governor in 2010 after a court canceled the 2007 election of former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and ordered re-election.

After his death he was the chief supervisor of the Oracle Ministry of God, Asaba.

Again, spokesperson of pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, reportedly dead on Saturday.

Odumakin’s death was confirmed by his wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, who responded to a telephone call made to her by Thecitypulsenews source.

Amidst sobbing, she said she was on her way to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, declaring repeatedly that: “Part of me is gone.”

The late spokesperson of Afenifere has been off the public glare for the past week, as he was said to be receiving treatment for some undisclosed ailments.

Also, Thecitypulsenews on Sunday reports that the member representing Jos North-Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives, Haruna Maitala passed away on Saturday due to a fatal accident.

After confirming the death, his aide Philip Adik said on Saturday afternoon that the federal deputy had died in a car accident on Abuja Jos Street.

A family member confirmed his death to our source on Saturday.

He died along with his son, driver and a security guard who were all in the vehicle, our sources said.

Until his tragic death, Hon Haruna Maitala was an extraordinary father and leader. His wisdom and vision for Nigeria made him a adored by many.

There are people who make it to the peak of their career but unfortunately have to spend parts of their lives behind bars because of one allegation or the other, this is the case of R. Kelly.

Their are many top celebrities especially those in the music industry who belong to this category and some of them found themselves behind bars because of crimes linked to them.

World known successful R& B and hip hop star, R. Kelly is one of those international musicians who has been incarcerated and currently behind bars because of crimes linked to him.

Born Robert Sylvester Kelly on born January 8, 1967 in Chicago, he grew up to become a singer, songwriter and record producer.

R. Kelly started his music career in 1990 when he released his first song titled ‘ Why You Wanna Play Me’ . Since then, R. Kelly has released several albums including his hit songs such as, ” I Believe I Can Fly” and several others.

The talented American singer has earned nicknames such as King of Pop- Soul” , and the ” Pied Piper of R& B” because of his efforts to redefine R& B and hip hop music. He is also considered the most successful R& B artist in history.

Since R. Kelly started his career in 1990, he has won a total of 110 awards from 274 different nominations including three Grammy Awards. This is captured on his profile on Wikipedia.

Unfortunately, R. Kelly ran into problem when he was accused of s*xual abuse and misconduct with under age girls, a case which started in 2002. He was indicted on 14 counts charges bordering on child pornography and was then acquitted of all his charges in 2008 and freed.

However, in February 22, 2019, R. Kelly was again indicted and was then arrested on July 2019 on federal charges.

R. Kelly currently faces 22 federal counts and held behind bars at Metropolitan Correctional Centre in Chicago, United States.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru has commended the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole battling Boko Haram terrorists in the North East.

Gen Attahiru made the commendation during Easter luncheon organised to the troops of the theatre at the Lt Col BU Umar Sports Complex at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

The COAS who was represented by the theatre commander, Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya assured the troops of his commitment towards ensuring regular training, logistics as well as timely rotation as they serve their father land.

Celebrating with the troops, the COAS representative assisted by Deputy Theatre Commander and Component Commanders served lunch to the sick and wounded in action troops.

Following the announcement of the death of Ogiame Ikenwoli, the 20th Olu Of Warri, Delta State, reported to have died in December 2020 from COVID-19 complications, just a week after his fifth Coronation anniversary, a new Olu of Warri has been announced by a Palace official, Johnson Atserunreleghe.

The 37 years old was born on 2nd April, 1984 to Godwin Toritseju Emiko, the Ogiame Atuwatse II the Olu of Warri (prior to his ascending the throne) and Olori Gladys Durorike Emiko, in Warri, Nigeria.

According to a statement credited to Jefferson Uwoghiren, Tsola got his basic education from NNPC Primary school in Warri and attended secondary school at Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State during the period 1995 to 2001.

Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko got admitted to Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA where he bagged his Bachelors of Arts majoring in International Studies & Political Science, while minoring in History & Economics during the period 2002 to 2006.

“This is not the end to his educational background, to attain a top position in his field, he took it further to earn a Master’s of Science in Management, from Case Western Reserve University in 2007, Uwoghiren said.

“Putting his knowledge gained during the past years, he returned back to Nigeria for NYSC in 2008 where he served in the Public Affairs Department of National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS.

“Between 2009 – 2010 he worked as an officer as Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator, SNCFPA, and Govt Relations, Sahara Energy, 2010-2012.

“Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, a serial entrepreneur is the founder of NobleNigerian Ltd and Coral Curator Ltd. He is a Director, Ocean Marine Security Ltd and Directors, Gulf of Guinea Ltd and Vessellink Nig Ltd.

“Prince Tsola Emiko is a loving and caring husband to Mrs. Ivie Uhunoma Emiko and an inspiring father to Oritsetsemiaye, Oritsetemisan and Oritsetimeyin Emiko.

“Prince Tsola, a goal getter, loves traveling, hiking, swimming, kayaking, football, basketball & American Football. He is keen follower of history & enjoys movies. He is a follower of Christ and a nation builder.

Recall that the death of the 20th Olu Of Warri, was denied by the palace saying the monarch was indisposed and receiving medical care.

Announcing the monarch’s passage on Monday, Atserunreleghe, a palace official, said the town will go into a period of mourning.

A report by BBC, said the palace official added that there shall be no celebrations in the town for a period of three months while mourning lasts.

P+ Measurement Services, Nigeria’s leading Independent Public Relations (PR) measurement and evaluation agency, has introduced “Get-Reports” a product that allows the purchase of PR performance audit reports. It is the first of its kind in the Nigerian Public Relations industry.

The product spans across areas which includes 22 Commercial Nigerian Banks PR Performance Audit Report; Top Nigerian Insurance PR Performance Audit Report; Top Nigerian Digital Banks PR Performance Audit Report and the 22 commercial Nigerian Bank CEOs PR Performance Audit Report.

Others are the Top Nigerian Insurance CEOs PR Performance Audit Report and Top Nigerian Digital Bank CEOs PR Performance Audit Report.

In the area of the Nigerian Digital Bank CEOs media Performance Audit Report, a total of four Digital Bank CEOs in the country were sampled, while the number of sample will be populated as the demand increases.

On it, the PR Performance Audit Report will deliver deep insights of CEOs for four Digital Banks in Nigeria, using the P+ Measurement Media Content Analysis (P+MCA) methodology in accordance with the Barcelona Principles 3.0; highlights Nigerian Digital Bank CEOs with the most favourable and unfavourable media reputation; and analyse the overall competitive share exposure of the four Digital Bank CEOs sampled.

It will also explore top four CEOs in the Nigerian Digital Banking industry with most interviews, as well as partnership/sponsorship, CSR/CSI, product launch, promotion and fintech media activities.

Commenting on it, the Company’s Chief Insights Officer, Philip Odiakose, pointed out the product is with 5 per cent error margin and 95 per cent confidence level, and has passed through high-quality checks and audit processes, by well-trained media and data analysts, with exceptional skills in media monitoring, media research, data gathering, analysis as well as evaluation.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday announced DIG Usman Alkali Baba as acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

According to the Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, the appointment takes immediate effect.

The Yobe born Police chief has held several strategic positions in the past.

Here are few things to know about the acting IGP:

1. Usman Alkali was born on 1st March, 1963.

2. He hails from Geidam in Yobe State and has had meritorious years in the force.

3. He has also served in various capacities such as DIG Force CID and was also the Force Secretary at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

4. He has served in various commands including Kaduna as the Deputy Commissioner, Administration; He was in FCT as the Deputy Commissioner, Investigation and was also in the staff college as a directing staff.

5. He was in Ilorin as an Area Commander. He was the second-in-command in Ebonyi, He was also an Assistant Commissioner, CID in Kaduna and before then was DPO (Divisional Police Officer) in various places like Yola, Gombe, Kaduna, and Jos.

6. He holds a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) Degree from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State 1997 and a BA (ED) Political Science from Bayero University, Kano State as well as Professional Courses/Workshop Institution.

7. Alkali was a member of Course 22/2014 2014, National Defence College (NDC)

8. He is a member of the International Association of Police and also a fellow of the International War College.

…To Award Warri, Kaduna Refineries Rehab EPC in June

The drive by the Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to boost in-country refining capacity was bolstered on Tuesday with the signing of the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) contract for the rehabilitation of the 210,000 barrels per day capacity Port Harcourt Refinery in Alesa-Eleme, Rivers State.

The rehabilitation project which has a completion timeline of between 18 and 44 months under a three-phase arrangement was awarded to Milan based Tecnimont SpA at a lump sum contract price of US$1.5 billion, inclusive of VAT and other statutory payments.

An elated Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, described the PHRC rehabilitation project as a dream come true, noting that the project was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to the Nigerian people to make the refineries work.

Mallam Kyari reiterated that in arriving at the choice of Tecnimont SpA, the Corporation embarked on a transparent tender process which can withstand any forensic audit, noting that NNPC was ready and open to answer any question pertaining to the project.

He assured that the same transparent process has been emplaced for the rehabilitation of the Warri and Kaduna Refineries whose EPCIC contracts would be awarded in June 2021.

Left-Right: Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa Region of Tecnimont SpA, Davide Pelizzolam Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari and Engr. Ahmed Dikko, Managing Director, Port Harcourt Refining Company at the signing ceremony of $1.5billion PHRC Rehabilitation project.

The GMD explained that the rehabilitation exercise was very different from a routine Turn-Around Maintenance as it would entail a total retrofitting of the plant with major part and equipment replaced with new ones.

Providing further insight into the project, Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Engr. Ahmed Dikko, explained that Phases 1 and 2 of the project would get the refinery ready to receive hydrocarbon, while Phase 3 will focus on the start-up the refinery for operation, stressing that the entire work shall be delivered in 44 months from today.

In his remarks, Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa Region of Tecnimont SpA, Davide Pelizzola, pledged the readiness of his company to work assiduously with the NNPC to comply with the terms and obligations of the contract.

The signing ceremony of the PHRC rehabilitation project was witnessed by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG amongst others.

The trio of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and Yahaya Bello of Kogi States are among the top dignitaries expected to attend this year’s Annual International Symposium to celebrate the 50th birthday of former Niger Delta freedom fighter, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.

The event billed to hold at the Warri Township Stadium Monday, April 12, 2021 will attract dignitaries from across the country to celebrate the golden jubilee of the former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

In a statement jointly issued on Tuesday by the National Coordinator of the Tompolo Annual International Symposium/Celebration, Mr. Jacob Abai; Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mr. Michael Tonlagha, and Comrade Fiyebo Eperetei, Secretary LOC, said the event will anniversary lecture, cultural activities/performances and many more.