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2019 Elections: Oyo State Stands Still For PMB, Osinbajo

Published

6 years ago

January 26, 2019

Eniola Olayemi

Ibadan, the Oyo state capital on Saturday stood still to receive President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who were in the state on a campaign tour.

This is coming even as the President solicited for the support and understanding of the traditional rulers and people of the state in his bid to take the country to its next level of development.

The two-legged event which started with a consultative meeting with traditional rulers from across the pacesetter state ended up with a presidential campaign rally at the famous Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

No fewer than 103 traditional rulers from Oyo state led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi met the President, the Vice President and other top party leaders at the consultative meeting which held at the House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

Addressing the traditional rulers, President Buhari who said he was in the state to meet the traditional rulers to thank them for the support his administration has enjoyed so far since assumption of office in 2015 recounting his attempts at winning earlier in 2003, 2007 and 2011 but not until 2015 when he won.

Noting how his administration had faired since 2015, the President said the 16 years of the People’s Democratic Party’s rule could be likened to torment to the people with a dearth of infrastructures despite the availability of immense fund.

The President added that his administration had laid the foundation for the development of the nation with physical infrastructures like the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the light rail from Ibadan to Lagos which was nearing completion among other projects in the pipeline.

He said “I am here to warn you to please reflect on the conditions we met this country in 2015, where we are now and what we are able to do even with the little available resources to us. I keep on repeating this just as a reminder and I challenge any Nigeria to go to Europe, United States and Asia and check for the 16 years of PDP rule; I know you (traditional rulers) are supposed to be apolitical.

“I challenge anybody to go and check, that for the 16 years of PDP, Nigeria was earning good money and the state of our infrastructure and of our people were worse when we came, the road, the rail were in decay and there was no power. Along the line, some of them admitted that they spent 16 million dollars on power and yet to no avail.

“Once the roads are good, the rail is working and there is power, most Nigerians would mind their own business, they won’t even care about who is in government. But when there is no infrastructure, everybody will sit at home and curse the government.

“I assure you that our plan is to secure the country and improve on the economy and things that will rub on the life of the people. You all know these things more than I do because you sit more around your people day-in and day-out.

“So, please we need you and your constituencies, we appeal for your support and understanding. We assure you that we will not abuse the trust and we will not spare anybody who abuses the trust.”

Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Alaafin appealed to the President to give Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state the needed support for him to emerge the next Senate president, saying the governor has indeed transformed the state from been known as a garrison command to a modern state upon the assumption of office in 2011.

While addressing the thousands of party supporters who had thronged the Mapo rally venue, APC National leader and Co-Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu warned the people not to be deceived with the lies of those he described as greedy looters.

He pointed out that only the main opposition party is planning to rig election but that members of the ruling party must ensure that they troop out on February 16th to celebrate the final burial of the opposition and send some political opponents to their political retirement.

Tinubu said, “Don’t let looters and greedy people lie to you and deceive you again. Have you been hearing that they have been threatening that they will rig the election? Will we still rig election with this huge population of supporters? Are they not the ones without members anymore? They are the ones without people. We are not going backwards again.

“I won’t mention anybody’s name but I want to say that if they cannot vote or do politics again, let them go and throw in the towel. I implore you all to go out on the day of the election, don’t just say we have won already; you still need to go and vote because we need to prove that we have the number to win the election. President Muhammadu Buhari is the only choice.”

He urged the people to keep their PVCs intact and ensure they vote all the APC candidates in the spirit of the true progressives.

In his charge to the party members, APC National chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said the opposition killed themselves with their deeds in the last 16years.

“All the things that they have done in their 16years rule is now standing against them. They are the ones dead and on the 16th of February we will bury them all. What killed them is your PVC. I can assure you that on February 16th, some of them will indeed die politically. I am so happy because we have done what is right.

“I will tell you the difference between the progressives and the conservatives. In the past, the PDP philosophy is just about sharing the money. They only share what belongs to everybody to the rich. But now President Muhammadu Buhari has come in and said no more stealing from the government treasury to be shared by the rich for the rich.”

“I hope you listened to Alhaji Abubakar Atiku interview in Lagos who said if you make mistake to elect ‘those who are dead’, that he will sell everything that is owned by the government and that he will enrich his friend. Does Atiku know you? Is he your friend?

“He did not say he will enrich Nigerians, he did not say he will empower Nigerians, he did not say he will support the youths, he said he will enrich his friends. Are you going to vote for a man who has told you his agenda to enrich his friends?

“The partnership between a trader who doesn’t care about who is stealing the good from the store and the man who says he will enrich his friends through public treasure is a partnership in death politically and I know that all of you in Oyo state on February 16 will open and shine our eyes to vote them out and vote Buhari in.

Reacting to the sudden change of tune by Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to declare support to his former Vice as the PDP presidential candidate, the APC national chairman said, “you know in Yoruba land, we respect elders but when someone is old and also lies in the morning, noon and evening, such an old man doesn’t deserve our respect because respect begets respect.

“So, that man who said Atiku is a thief. He said it in the morning, he said it in the afternoon and even wrote about it in his book and only came back to say he (Obasanjo) has forgiven him (Atiku), is he (Obasanjo) equivalent to Nigeria? I think that is very insulting for anyone who has been outsmarting as that old age cheating farmer, who has governed Nigeria for about eleven and half years to say that once he forgives, what was stolen, all Nigeria must forgive, is to assume that he is equivalent to Nigeria, that is not the tradition, even in Yorubaland.

“So, I ask you all to recognize that it is not over until he is over, so, you come out and vote against privatisation of Nigeria. Vote against the auctioning of our national asset. Vote against the enriching of the friends of Atiku.”

In his welcome remarks, the host governor Ajimobi said “I am appealing to you that this election is between the following: this election is between the progressives and the retrogressive, it is between development with healing and development with stealing.

“It is between security of looting and security of saving. It is between integrity and decadence. It is between nobility of character and ignobility of character. It is between rectitude and dishonesty. It is between accountability and impunity. It is between corruptibility and incorruptibility. It is between APC and headache. It is between APC and dane guns, it is between daylight and darkness. It is between ‘we are dead’ and we are not dead.

“And I want to say this, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo met Nigeria in bricks, in broken bricks, they have moved it to marble, the next level is granite and they want to move it to granite level.”

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Union Bank Rewards Customers with Motorcycles, Cash Prizes in 3rd Save and Win Palli Promo 4 Monthly Draw

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2025

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Union Bank Rewards Customers with Motorcycles, Cash Prizes in 3rd Save and Win Palli Promo 4 Monthly Draw

Union Bank of Nigeria has rewarded another set of customers in the ongoing Save and Win Palli Promo 4 campaign. Six lucky customers each won a brand-new motorcycle, and 120 additional winners won cash prizes.

The third monthly hybrid live draws were transparently conducted at the Bank’s Sabo, Yaba Branch in Lagos under the supervision of relevant regulatory institutions.

For integrity purposes, some of the winners were contacted to congratulate and remind them that the Bank will never call to request or confirm their confidential banking details such as BVN, date of birth, pins, or passwords.

Save & Win Palli Promo 4 is a nationwide campaign designed to reward both new and existing customers with cash prizes and other exciting gifts worth N131,000,000.

This initiative aims to support them in achieving their savings goals while getting rewarded at the same time.

To stand a chance to win, customers can continue to top up their savings in multiples of N10,000 or more and perform a minimum of five transactions a month to increase their chances of winning in the draws.

This promo is open to new and existing savings and current account holders.
Prospective customers can download the UnionMobile app on their smartphones to open accounts or walk into any Union Bank branch. Returning customers can call the 24-hour Contact Centre on 07007007000 or visit any Union Bank branch nationwide to reactivate dormant accounts.

About Union Bank Plc:
Established in 1917 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1971, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. is a household name and one of Nigeria’s long-standing and most respected financial institutions.

The Bank is a trusted and recognisable brand with an extensive network of over 300 branches across Nigeria.

The Bank currently offers a variety of banking services to both individual and corporate clients, including current, savings, and deposit account services, funds transfer, foreign currency domiciliation, loans, overdrafts, equipment leasing, and trade finance.

The Bank also offers customers convenient electronic banking channels and products, including Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Debit Cards, ATMs, and POS Systems.

More information can be found at: www.unionbankng.com
Media Enquiries:
Favour Ayeni
+234 0201 2716800
Email: mediarelations@unionbankng.com

Business

Zuriel Oduwole, Sterling One Foundation, Sanwo-Olu Harp on Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment

Published

1 month ago

March 20, 2025

august24admin

Zuriel Oduwole, Sterling One Foundation, Sanwo-Olu Harp on Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Nobel Peace Prize nominee Zuriel Oduwole and Sterling One Foundation have emphasized the need for gender equality and youth empowerment during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor’s Office, where discussions focused on sustained action in creating opportunities for young leaders.

L-R: Moyo Akinyosoye, Business Executive, Institutional Banking, Sterling Bank; Zuriel Oduwole, Youth Envoy/Nobel Peace Prize Nominee; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor, Lagos State; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; and Ifeoluwa Elegbede, Communication Lead, Sterling One Foundation, during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor’s Office to discuss youth empowerment, gender equality, and the need for sustained action in creating opportunities for young leaders.

At just 22 years old, Oduwole is the youngest Nigerian ever nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and the first to be recognized in this category. Her global advocacy in education, gender equality, and youth inclusion has influenced policies and engaged key decision-makers across multiple countries.

Sterling One Foundation, through its investment in social impact across critical sectors, has mainstreamed gender equality and women’s empowerment across all its initiatives, ensuring that young women and girls have access to the resources, platforms, and opportunities needed to thrive.

Speaking on the Foundation’s commitment to gender equality and women empowerment, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation, highlighted the importance of telling African stories and driving impact through intentional programming, while also reflecting on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action.
“At Sterling One Foundation, we are intentional about telling African stories that reflect the strength and potential of our people. This is evident in our focus areas and programming, where we have deliberately mainstreamed gender equality and women’s empowerment.

This aligns with the call to ‘Accelerate Action’ this International Women’s Day, reinforcing the urgency of breaking barriers for women and girls.

We are proud of Zuriel Oduwole for amplifying these values on the global stage, and we remain committed to creating an environment where young changemakers, especially women and girls, have the support and opportunities they need to lead and succeed.”

During the visit, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recognized Oduwole’s contributions and her historic Nobel Peace Prize nomination, describing it as a milestone for Nigeria and the African continent.

“This achievement reflects the resilience and determination of our people. In the past five years, we have faced COVID-19, economic challenges, and instability, yet we have continued to create opportunities for young Nigerians in technology, finance, and entertainment.

The THEMES Plus agenda reinforces our commitment to inclusion and youth empowerment. Lagos is proud to support Zuriel’s journey and work with the Sterling One Foundation to expand opportunities for the next generation.”

Oduwole also emphasized the power of storytelling in driving social change:
“I have seen the power of storytelling in changing perceptions and opening doors for young people. When we share our stories, we inspire action. I am grateful to our partners for amplifying young voices and creating opportunities that make a real difference.”

Her remarks highlight the role of storytelling in influencing narratives that drive meaningful change. By amplifying diverse voices and ensuring that young people, especially women and girls, have platforms to be heard, storytelling becomes a powerful tool for influencing policies, shifting mindsets, and creating lasting impact in communities. The need for sustained efforts to support and invest in these platforms has never been more critical.

The Sterling One Foundation remains committed to driving sustainable change through strategic interventions that create lasting impact in gender equality, youth empowerment, and About Sterling One Foundation.
Sterling One Foundation (SOF) is a registered non-profit focused on tackling the root causes of poverty in Nigeria, and Africa through interventions and social impact programmes across five critical sectors namely: climate action, health, education and youth development, gender equality and empowerment, and food security. The Foundation’s programmes adopt a central theme of prioritizing partnerships for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more information visit onefoundation.ng

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Nigeria Takes Bold Steps to Bridge the Gender Digital Divide at the United Nations CSW69

Published

1 month ago

March 20, 2025

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

n a resounding commitment to bridging gender digital divide, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), has taken a decisive step toward closing the gender digital divide by presenting the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) at the United Nations 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).

Esther Eghobamien-Mshelis – President of UN CEDAW
⁠Iklima Musa – Special Assistant to the Director General of NITDA
⁠Noimot Salako – Deputy Governor Ogun state
⁠Maryam Ciroma – former minster of women affairs
⁠Imaan Sulaiman- Minister of Women Affairs
⁠Josephine Anenih – former Minister of women affairs
⁠Dr Maryam Keshinro – Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Women Affairs

Themed “Digital Harmony: Advancing Gender Inclusion by Empowering Women and Children for a Secure Digital Future,” the high-level event reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to fostering equitable access to digital technology, online safety, and economic empowerment for women and children.

Speaking at the event, Iklima Musa Salihu, Special Assistant to the Director General on Strategic Partnerships, presented the strategy, emphasizing NITDA’s role in driving digital transformation and creating opportunities for women and girls to actively participate in the digital economy. The NGDIS, developed in alignment with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 and 8, seeks to remove barriers to digital inclusion by expanding access to digital skills training, infrastructure, and mentorship opportunities for women and girls. The Director General of NITDA Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE as represented by the SA, in his special remarks reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s digital transformation is inclusive and equitable, highlighting NGDIS as a game-changer in achieving gender parity in the digital space. He noted that the framework prioritizes digital literacy, entrepreneurship, safety, and gender-responsive policies to accelerate women’s participation in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

DG, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, represented by Mrs Iklima Musa Salihu, SA to the DG on Strategic Partnerships

The NGDIS is built on five core pillars that will drive women’s access, participation, and leadership in the digital ecosystem. It seeks to expand digital literacy and skills by ensuring at least 40% female participation in all national training initiatives. Recognizing the role of women in Nigeria’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape, the strategy emphasizes access to funding, mentorship, and technical assistance for female-led startups, leveraging the Nigeria Startup Act to increase financial and institutional support for women in the tech ecosystem. With 58% of young women globally experiencing online harassment, the NGDIS prioritizes online safety and cybersecurity awareness.

Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Honourable Imaan Sulaiman, FSI, underscored the urgent need for action in tackling gender disparities in digital access. She revealed alarming statistics that demonstrate the stark reality of the digital divide in Nigeria, highlighting that 68% of Nigerian women do not own smartphones, making it difficult for them to access online services and economic opportunities. She stressed that this divide extends beyond access, as women and children face significant online risks, including cyber harassment, digital gender-based violence, and exclusion from the rapidly growing tech-driven economy.

She called for the swift implementation of the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) 2024-2027, which seeks to remove the structural barriers that prevent women from fully engaging in the digital economy. She emphasized the need for strong legal frameworks that would accelerate action in promoting digital literacy, providing safe online spaces, and empowering women to thrive in technology-driven industries. She reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is committed to creating an inclusive digital future where no woman or child is left behind. She urged all stakeholders to work together to transform digital access and security for women and children, making technology a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion.

As the world embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution, NITDA in collaboration with stakeholders is taking bold and strategic steps to ensure that women and girls are not only participants but also leaders in the digital transformation journey. The National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy is a blueprint for action, providing a clear framework for accelerating digital inclusion, fostering entrepreneurship, and strengthening online safety for Nigerian women and children. The side event at CSW69 ended with a resounding call to action, urging stakeholders to work collectively to bridge the gender digital divide, expand opportunities for women in technology, and create a safe, inclusive, and thriving digital ecosystem for