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Supreme court victory:  ‘It’d be unfair not to appreciate Wike’ — Fubara

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has reacted to the supreme court judgment affirming his election.

 

On Thursday, a five-member panel of the apex court led by Ibrahim Saulawa dismissed the appeal by Tonye Cole, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 2023 elections, challenging Fubara’s election as lacking merit.

 

The supreme court held that the appellants — Cole and the APC — failed to prove the issues bordering on non-compliance with the 2022 Electoral Act in seeking the nullification of Fubara’s election.

 

Fubara thanked God for the victory shortly after the apex court delivered the judgment.

 

The governor also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his “fatherly role in every issue that concerns our state, not just the crisis but also this particular litigation”.

 

Fubara added that it “would be unfair” for him “not to appreciate” Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) and his predecessor, who he described as “oga”.

READ  2023 PRESIDENCY: Atiku begs Wike to join team, Rivers gov’s camp rebuffs pleas

 

 

“Oga” in Nigerian parlance means boss.

 

Wike and Fubara, hitherto political allies, have since fallen out after getting embroiled in a feud over the control of the Rivers state’s political structure.

 

‘WE’LL MAKE RIVERS COMPETE WITH LAGOS’ 

The governor said he is committed to serving the people of Rivers and would ensure that he is not distracted from giving them good governance.

 

“About an hour ago, the supreme court revalidated our mandate in the election. It is a victory for the entire state,” Fubara said.

 

“It is important for us to note that we need this victory to consolidate the purpose of governance. Prior, we have had a few distractions here and there.

 

“And the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing strength that will encourage us to continue the good works in governance.”

 

Fubara said his goal is to develop Rivers to be economically viable and competitive like Lagos.

READ  NLC Strike: “Arrest me if you can”: Wabba dares El-Rufai, leads protest again

 

“We have a dream of making it a highly competitive state that will measure, if not up to Lagos but close to becoming like Lagos,” he said.

 

“We can only achieve this in an atmosphere of peace. So I am calling on everyone, not just on our internal issue but those members from other parties, the issue is settled, come and let’s build the Rivers State of our dream.

 

“We will continue to protect and provide the basic needs of governance to everyone who is doing business and who lives in Rivers State.

 

“We would address our state very soon on the victory, but for now, let everybody be happy that one elephant is out of the road, the other one, by God’s help, will be resolved amicably and the family will be one.”

 

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VIDEO: Prince Harry visits Kaduna, pledges support for wounded soldiers

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The Duke of Sussex Prince Harry has visited Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as well as soldiers who were wounded in action as part of his activities while in Nigeria.

The prince who arrived at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna on Friday afternoon was accompanied by some aides and top nigerian military officers.

 

While welcoming the prince, Governor Sani commended him for identifying with the Nigerian Armed Forces and supporting soldiers who were wounded in action.

The governor noted that such visits would go a long way in lifting the spirits of the brave and resilient officers and soldiers.

According to him, Prince Harry’s visit is evidence of his commitment to inspiring recovery, supporting rehabilitation, and broadening respect for the Nigerian soldiers.

On his part, Prince Harry said he is in Nigeria to use the Invictus Games which he founded 10 years ago to put smiles on the faces of wounded Nigerian soldiers and their families.

READ  Atiku meets Wike after PDP presidential primary

 

In line with traditional hospitality, Governor Sani presented some gift items to Prince Harry and also decorated him in a traditional Hausa attire.


From the Kaduna State Government House, Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.

 

Journalists were not allowed into the hospital wards, but the Director of Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau explained that the visit would impact on the lives of the wounded soldiers and their families.

 

Nigeria is the first African country to join in the Invictus Games held in Germany last year with ten participants from the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.

 

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Tinubu receives Egyptian, Pakistan envoys, seeks collaboration to end violent extremism

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President Bola Tinubu on Friday received ambassadors from Pakistan, Greece, and Egypt posted to Nigeria.

 

While accepting their letters of credence at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu also sought the collaboration of the envoys with the Nigerian government to stop terrorism.

 

Speaking with Sohail Khan, the high commissioner of Pakistan, the president said there is a need for global cooperation in combating terrorism and violent extremism.

 

“We must do more to stop extremists. We need to enhance our collaboration and exchange of ideas and knowledge in these areas,” Tinubu told Khan, who is also a retired major-general.

 

“As a government, we will keep an open-door policy with countries and development partners on enhancing cooperation in security, economy, education, and the information and communication technology sector, where the minister is doing very well. How can we improve our bilateral relationship? We must do more.”

 

Tinubu discussed the security situation in the Sahel with Mohamed Ahmed, the Egyptian ambassador.

READ  Fubara reshuffles cabinet, redeploys Wike’s loyalists from finance, justice ministries

 

The president acknowledged Egypt’s efforts in attempting to broker a truce in Gaza and stressed the importance of stability in the region.

 

Tinubu said Nigeria and Egypt have collaborated on key international priorities, including promoting regional peace, security, and stability, since establishing diplomatic relations in 1961 and expressed optimism for stronger bilateral relations.

In a separate meeting with Athanasios Kotsionis, ambassador of Greece, Tinubu sought firmer economic ties with the European country.

 

“The economic situation in Africa and Europe is still very unbalanced. We should build on the opportunities from our challenges and strengthen relations between the two countries,” Tinubu said.

 

“What I expect is an improvement in the relationship between both countries, and I look forward to us working on that.”

 

The president said his administration is about renewed hope, adding that the country will continue to play its role as a stabiliser on the continent.

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JAMB 2024: 174 Deeper Life school students score above 300

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The management of Deeper Life High School have taken to social media to celebrate the exploits of 174 of their students who scored 300 marks and above in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.

 

The students scored between 300 and 362 marks out of possible 400.

 

The feat was disclosed in a Facebook post by the school on Friday, May 10, 2024.

 

Despite JAMB’s announcement that only around 0.5% of candidates nationwide scored 300 and above in the 2024 UTME, an astounding one hundred and seventy-four (174) students of DLHS exceeded expectations with flying colours by scoring 300 and above,” the school said in the post.

 

In another post, the school shared a video with the caption, “Behold the DLHS 2024 UTME heroes and heroines; one hundred and seventy four (174) students who scored 300 and above! Congratulations to the Champions.”

According to information from the school’s Facebook page, this year’s highest scorer, Ayeyemi Godsgift Ibukunoluwa, achieved a total score of 362 out of a possible 400 marks.

READ  2023 PRESIDENCY: Atiku begs Wike to join team, Rivers gov’s camp rebuffs pleas

 

Recall that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Monday, April 29, released the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.

 

The board announced that 1,402,490 candidates out of 1,842,464 failed to score 200 out of 400 marks.

 

It also announced the decision not to disclose the names of the highest-scoring candidates in the just-concluded UTME.

 

The statement partly reads, “It is common knowledge that the Board has, at various fora, restated its unwillingness to publish the names of its best-performing candidates, as it considers its UTME as only a ranking examination on account of the other parameters that would constitute what would later be considered the minimum admissible score for candidates seeking admission to tertiary institutions.

 

“Similarly, because of the different variables adopted by respective institutions, it might be downright impossible to arrive at a single or all-encompassing set of parameters for generating a list of candidates with the highest admissible score, as gaining admission remains the ultimate goal.

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Hence, it might be unrealistic or presumptive to say a particular candidate is the highest scorer given the fact that such a candidate may, in the final analysis, not even be admitted.”

 

 

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