Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, allocated farmlands to 25 members of the state House of Assembly as parts of efforts aimed at ensuring food security and in support of the agricultural resurgence initiative of the federal government.

Prince Abiodun who presented letters of allocation to the lawmakers to commemorate the first anniversary of the 10th legislature at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the gesture was to make them contribute towards making the state the food basket of the country.

He said: “I recall that I had promised to allocate agricultural land to all the Ogun State legislators as part of our food security and agricultural resurgence initiative, which is in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Today, in fulfilment of the promise and in commemoration of your one year in office. I am glad to present to you the letters of allocation for the speaker and the 25 members of the House of Assembly, and I hope that you would take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that you begin to grow what you eat and eat what you grow. This will be your way of ensuring the fulfilment of our desire to make Ogun state the bread basket of the nation.”

Abiodun, who lauded the Assembly members for their commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the welfare of the citizens, observed that their dedication to legislative excellence has been instrumental in driving the progress and development of the state

The lawmakers, the governor emphasized, has in the last one year, passed numerous bills and resolutions aimed at improving the lives of the people, noting that their tireless efforts, unwavering integrity, and collaborative spirit with the executive has made the state one of the best in the country.

“For each of us, whether in the Executive or Legislative branch, history has presented a rare opportunity to lead and serve the people who have placed their hopes and aspirations on our ability to deliver the much-needed dividends of democracy. In doing so, we must understand and decide which side of the divide we want to be and how we wish to be remembered,” he added.

Governor Abiodun assured the lawmakers that his administration is committed to working closely with them to advance key initiatives that would further drive the state’s development just as he pledged to prioritize investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and technology, to make the state remains competitive and prosperous.

“Together, we have a great task ahead. The expectation of our people is vast. We must strive to create an inclusive society where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive,” the noted.

Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide described the last one year as turbulent and filled with tension but maintained that the desire to give the people a purposeful representation saw them through the turbulence period.

He lauded the governor for embarking on the complete renovation and restoration of the assembly complex, adding that 24 new toilets have been added while water supply has been restored in offices of the legislators in the complex.

Rt. Hon. Elemide while assuring the governor of the Assembly’s cooperation in making laws that would fast track the socio-economic development of the state, noted that members would be guided by the fact that they were in the Assembly to represent the interest of their constituents.

On Thursday, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) alerted the public to counterfeit and invalid employment letters circulating, falsely attributed to the service.

The NIS made this known in a statement by its Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Kenneth Udo, in Abuja.

Udo warned desperate job seekers to exercise caution so as not to fall victim to the fraudsters.

According to him, the fraudulent letters falsely claim that the recipients have been offered employment with the NIS.

He said “the Service categorically denies any involvement in this fraudulent scheme and refutes the misinformation being spread on social media platforms regarding an ongoing recruitment/replacement exercise.

“The NIS shall continue to ensure that any unscrupulous elements engaging in this criminality will be made to face the wrath of the law.

“The public is hereby advised to report these scammers to the nearest NIS office or law enforcement agencies.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise is exclusively advertised through reputable national dailies, television broadcasts, and our official website, http://www.immigration.gov.ng.

Udo said that the Service was resolutely committed to safeguarding the interest of Nigerians and upholding the integrity of its recruitment processes.

Asari Dokubo, a former Niger Delta militant group, has warned that no individual will be allowed to pocket Rivers State.

Dokubo said only one person can be governor of Rivers State at a time.

He spoke amid the crisis in Rivers State caused by the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen.

Dokubo charged the former Chairmen to accept the end of their three-year tenure in good faith and avoid causing a problem.

Addressing his followers in Port Harcourt, Dokubo said: “Local government tenure has expired today, June 17, 2024. They should quietly go home. If they want to seek re-election in accordance with the constitution, they should do so.

“But there is no tenure elongation in the constitution. Their position is tenure-bound and that tenure has expired. Let them not cause unnecessary problems for the people of the state. And I want to advise young people: look, don’t allow yourselves to be used.

“Only one man can be governor of Rivers State at a time. We would not have two governors at a time. The people of Rivers State are bigger than Muhajid Asari Dokubo.

“Rivers State is bigger than any individual. No individual can take Rivers State people for a ride and pocket us. It is not possible.

“The people are showing people’s power. The people have gone on their own to take over local government secretariats because it is about the people, and nobody can say that we voted for three years’ tenure for a chairman and the chairman should exceed one second of that tenure.”

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has appointed a former local government area chairman (name withheld), who was declared wanted by the police and 110 others as special advisers.

The ex-council boss was declared wanted by the police in connection with the murder of a former member of the state House of Assembly.

The governor appointed him, along with 110 others, as special advisers on Wednesday.

The deceased was abducted in Takum and killed on December 30, 2017. Since then, the former council chairman has been on the run.

The Taraba State police commissioner, Mr David Iloyanmon, told journalists in Jalingo, the state capital, on April 25, 2024, that the police had been on the trail of the fleeing ex-council boss since the state chief judge ordered his arrest.

He said, “We are looking for him. We recently gathered that he has left the state, and we have been trying to arrest him for possible prosecution; wherever he is, we must get him arrested; it’s just a matter of time.” 

Surprisingly, while announcing the new aides, the governor named the wanted man as one of the appointees.

In a press release issued by the secretary to the state government, Barr. Gibon Kataps, he announced the “approval of appointments as special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, community special assistants, boards, commissions and agencies of Taraba State government part 1.”

He said, “His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the governor of Taraba State, has approved the appointment of the following to occupy the above offices, departments and agencies in the first instance.”

The appointment of the fleeing suspect has generated anger among the family members of the deceased, who expressed shock at the decision of the governor.

A family member who spoke to LEADERSHIP Friday on condition of anonymity for security reasons urged the governor to reverse the appointment and allow the suspect to face trial in a court of law.

Donald Trump said he wants to grant green cards to foreign graduates from US colleges, in an apparent softening of his typically hard-line view on immigration, a key election issue.

The Republican candidate made the remarks in a podcast published Thursday, days after President Joe Biden announced a citizenship pathway for immigrants married to US nationals, counterbalancing his recent crackdown on illegal border crossings.

“What I want to do and what I will do is, you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in this country,” Trump told the All-In podcast.

A green card is the commonly used name for a permanent resident card in the United States and a step toward citizenship.

Trump said this should include “anybody who graduates from a college,” including those who complete two-year programs, known as junior colleges, and doctoral graduates.

Asked initially on the podcast if he would promise to help import the “best and the brightest around the world to America,” Trump replied: “I do promise.”

He added: “I know of stories where people graduated from a top college, or from a college, and they desperately want to stay here… and they can’t.

“They go back to India, they go back to China. They do the same basic company in those places and they become multi billionaires employing thousands and thousands of people,” Trump said.

He also said that US companies need “smart people,” adding “they can’t even make a deal with a company because they don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in the country.”

“That is going to end on day one,” Trump added.

During Trump’s 2017-2021 presidency, he ordered construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border and implemented a travel ban on people from mostly Muslim countries.

His comments came after Democrat opponent Biden on Tuesday relaxed visa rules for around half a million spouses of US nationals, making it easier for them to obtain citizenship.

The president also simplified the process for migrants who came to the United States illegally as children — known as “Dreamers” — to get work visas if they’ve graduated college and have a “high-skilled job offer.”

Biden — often accused of being soft on immigration by Republicans — earlier in June signed an executive order barring migrants who enter the United States illegally from claiming asylum when numbers surge past 2,500 in a day.

Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus popularly known as Portable has vehemently criticized media personality Isaac Fayose, alleging hypocrisy and insincere displays of love.

The “Zazoo” coroner took to his Instagram DMs to lambast Fayose in a tirade laced with heavy Yoruba expressions.

The conflict began when Fayose criticized Portable in a public comment section, prompting an outraged response from the singer.

Portable accused Fayose of privately expressing admiration for him in direct messages while publicly speaking ill of him.

“Why are you talking bad about me, now you’re telling me in my DM you love me. Love yourself, no use your love spoil love for me,” Portable said partly in the video.

The singer went on to mock Fayose, asserting that he is not as famous as he believes and dismissing him as not being on the same celebrity level.

This incident has stirred reactions from fans and followers with many expressing their opinions.

Nigerian singer, Anthony Ebuka Victor, popularly known as Victony says rapper Olamide, inspired him to make his forthcoming project ‘Stubborn’ an album.

The singer spoke about his encounter with Olamide at a listening party for the project scheduled for a June 28 release.

The ‘Soweto’ hitmaker revealed that the YBNL label chief executive encouraged him to make ‘Stubborn’ an album.

Victony said the rapper, fondly called Baddo, told him he needed to put out an album “when the fans are yearning for it”.

He added that Olamide’s backing prompted his decision to make ‘Stubborn’ an album instead of an extended play as announced. Victony who recently revealed qualities of his ideal woman said:

“Stubborn was supposed to be an EP. I felt like I was not album-ready.”

“Before the release of the single ‘Stubborn’, I went to Baddo’s house to seek advice like my big brother.

“The meeting had a different outcome. I went there with my guys, just discussing with Baddo. He told me, ‘Look, you do not want to put out a body of work when your fans are no longer yearning for it.’

“That hit me because I feel like I am a project artiste and that is how people understand me best. I thought about it and I am like, ‘Why not? What is holding me back?’ And then I tweeted a picture with Baddo.

“That very day was the day we decided to make this an album. I had announced Stubborn as my next project but as an EP.”

Born Anthony Victor, Victony rose to fame a few years ago after collaborating with Mayorkun for ‘Holy Father’.

He is signed to Mainland Block Party, a record label owned by the Nigerian music executive Tobi Mohammed.

In May, Victony released ‘Stubborn’ a track off the forthcoming debut album.

Victony’s 14-track album features Asake, Shallipopi, Shorae Moore, Saint Jhn, and Teezo Touchdown.

Popular Twitter influencer Danny Walter has ignited a heated debate on social media by declaring that his success in life is not attributable to God.

In a viral video, Walter, who has a reputation for criticizing religious figures on Twitter, openly stated his disbelief in the existence of God and dismissed the notion that the Almighty played a role in his achievements.

“I hustled my way to the top,” Walter said in the viral video. 

He went on to challenge the idea of divine help, suggesting that if God indeed helps people, He should redirect His focus to aiding the poor and those in need of favors.

Walter’s comments have stirred significant controversy, drawing mixed reactions from the public.

Reacting to the backlash that trailed his statement, Danny posted:

“Can’t believe you guys are mad at me for saying God should not help me but help poor people. Don’t you want God to help poor people abi what’s the problem??!”

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