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Military-like honour on Seyi Tinubu not constitutional breach – Balami

Comrade Isaac Balami, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has dismissed concerns raised by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the military-like guard of honour accorded to Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The event which sparked public debate saw a cadet group perform a parade in honour of Seyi Tinubu.
Military-like honour on Seyi Tinubu not constitutional breach – Balami

Comrade Isaac Balami, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has dismissed concerns raised by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the military-like guard of honour accorded to Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The event which sparked public debate saw a cadet group perform a parade in honour of Seyi Tinubu.

Atiku had described the gesture as a “gross violation” of the constitution and called for an investigation to uncover its justification.

Reacting during a media briefing on Monday, Balami, a former National Deputy Campaign Manager for the Obi/Datti presidential campaign, said the criticisms were unwarranted and misplaced.

Balami argued that the gesture was standard practice in many parts of the world and did not breach the nation’s laws, clariying that the group involved was the Cadet Network, a body of young individuals seeking mentorship and aspiring to be future leaders.

“The dust raised due to the homage paid to Seyi Tinubu by the cadet group is completely a misplaced priority.

“We should be engaged in a more robust national discourse against dwelling on things that pose no threat to our growth as a nation. Issues of Boko Haram, kidnapping and other insecurity challenges bedevilling us as a nation should be the focal point of our discourse against taking on individuals with good intentions for the country. The group is clearly nationalistic and nothing more.

“My take is simply that this group of young men called the Cadet Network are young individuals being mentored as future leaders who believe they share a similar philosophy or ideology with Mr Seyi Tinubu.

“These are patriotic Nigerians who have continued to place the country above all forms of tribal and political sentiments.” The spokesman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, said

He described the cadet group’s actions as a display of national pride and solidarity, emphasizing that their homage was unrelated to Seyi’s familial ties to the presidency.

“These young individuals, much like the Man O’ War, Boys Scouts, or Brigade, chose to honour Seyi Tinubu based on shared ideologies and his humanitarian contributions.

“It was not about his father being president but about his personal efforts in nation-building,” Balami said.

Balami also noted that Seyi Tinubu has long been involved in philanthropic activities and initiatives that transcend tribal and political divides, asserting that the honour was an acknowledgement of his contributions.

He questioned the basis of Atiku’s call for an investigation, suggesting that the former Vice President’s media handlers failed to properly consult or analyze the situation before issuing statements.

“This act does not violate the constitution in any way. Politicizing such acts of patriotism or solidarity is counterproductive to our national progress. Seyi Tinubu represents unity and nationalistic ideals, and the group’s parade was a reflection of their shared vision,” he said.

Balami concluded by urging Nigerians to encourage acts of patriotism and solidarity while focusing on issues that contribute to the country’s growth and stability.

Military-like honour on Seyi Tinubu not constitutional breach – Balami

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Tinubu didn’t hire anybody to insult El-Rufai – Onoh

President Bola Tinubu’s former spokesman in the South East, Denge Josef Onoh has come hard on various individuals insulting a former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai on social media. El-Rufai came under heavy criticism over comments he made about President Tinubu’s railway project in Lagos. The former governor had remarked that “two wrongs
Tinubu didn’t hire anybody to insult El-Rufai – Onoh

President Bola Tinubu’s former spokesman in the South East, Denge Josef Onoh has come hard on various individuals insulting a former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai on social media.

El-Rufai came under heavy criticism over comments he made about President Tinubu’s railway project in Lagos.

The former governor had remarked that “two wrongs do not make a right. Sensible inclusion always trumps arrogant exclusion.”

He spoke while sharing an article by a United States-based Nigerian professor of journalism,
Farooq Kperogi’s allegations of ethnic favouritism in President Bola Tinubu’s appointments

Kperogi, in an article titled, ‘Tinubu’s Buharisation of the NNPC’, accused the President Tinubu of appointing Yoruba people to key positions at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

Senator Shehu Sani who represented Kaduna Central in the eighth Assembly, while reacting, accused El-Rufai of whining because President Tinubu’s appointments into key federal positions doidn’t not favour him.

Sani slammed his northern counterpart in a post on X on Sunday, accusing him of being silent about the nepotistic appointments under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“There were people who were silent when Buhari was fielding political offices with his kinsmen and have found their voice to speak out when the equation doesn’t favour them,” Sani wrote.

The former lawmaker further alleged that El-Rufai’s administration marginalised Southern Kaduna, adding that the former governor made life unbearable to many people during his two-term reign.

Presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga had responded in his X handle that “Senator Shehu Sani responds to El-Rufai’s cheap shot against President Tinubu” and was followed up with the likes of Reno Omokri and some other APC supporters.

In his swift response, Onoh said that Bayo Onanuga’s personal response to Sani’s post should not be misconstrued to mean that the president has asked anyone to disrespect Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

He equally said Onanuga’s comment does not amount to any form of disrespect from him.

“He Onanuga has his right to comment on any topic and also share his views like anyone else. Being appointed by the President doesn’t rob him of his personal liberties.

“The president holds Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in the highest esteem, in politics we have no personal enemies but interest,” Onoh stated.

He stressed that the relationship between the president and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai goes beyond politics and it will be stupid for anyone to attempt to undermine it by going to social media and think that disrespecting him will grant such a person any special privilege in the eyes of the President.

“The administration will always acknowledge with respect the immense contributions of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai prior and during the campaign. His selfless service, commitment and dedication to the renew hope vision remains unparalleled.

“Like him or hate him, he has carved his name in the anals of Nigeria politics and his unapologetic support for a Southern president against his northern political class still distinguishes him till date.

“I personally recall his support and encouragement during the campaign when attempts to use the CBN as a political tool aimed at political strangulation of the Tinubu presidential bid, using the Naira currency change. while few of us were bold enough to voice out against the actions of the then government of the day.

“It was same El-Rufai that gave us courage by lending his voice while all those who are now forming lions of today were goats of yesterday. I personally hold him in the highest esteem.

“Mr. President is preoccupied with stabilising the economy and development across every state of the regions and one of such is his consent to a proposal to establish a federal university in Southern Kaduna. Also there are ongoing discussions to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan, Kaduna State.

“Huge commendation goes to the President as this will ensure that our most respected and distinguished Senator Shehu Sani can find closure on his recollection of nepotism that marginalised Southern Kaduna for eight years.

“One can say that the President has truly brought renewed hope to Southern Kaduna and Senator Shehu Sani is one of the last vocal voices from the last crusade. He is entitled to his opinion as a watch dog and one of the guardians of democracy, hence his comments can’t in any way be taken as that of a political jobber and it’s the responsibility of any respectable government to take corrections from any constructive criticism.

“I urge all political actors to refrain from attacks on the person of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and stop attempts to use the most distinguished Senator Shehu Sani’s statement as a boarding pass with hope they will find reward in the eyes of Mr. President because one who disrespects El-Rufai today is likely to disrespect the President tomorrow.

“No one remembers El-Rufai’s post few days ago in support of the focused leadership of Dr. Zaccheus
Adedeji, in FIRS, his support for the Nigerian customs recruitment exercise, and many other positive contributions. Same El-Rufai has shown support for the current government while political jobbers are now hovering from all angles to create discord.

“At no time did Bayo Onanuga insult Mallam Nasir El-Rufai hence any attempt to distort the narrative is an exercise in futility. Nasir El-Rufai, is a man blessed in building and supporting anyone he deems a friend even at the detriment of his life but few ever return to thank him. Like every human, he has his faults and he who is without a fault I dare to cast the first stone.

“Irrespective of all this drama, he remains a true friend of the President and a true friend is one who sees you through when others have failed.

“True friendship isn’t earned by appointments from the President, nor becoming an attack dog, or propaganda rather it’s a bond forged in shared vision, commitment, sincerity of purpose and the ability to tell your friend the truth when he’s surrounded by sycophants and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai isn’t a sycophant neither is Sen. Shehu Sani.

“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s friendship with the president is forged beyond politics and only the president can respond to his friend in a language only both of them understand and anyone who attempts to get in between them will surely sink even if your wearing a life vest,” he further stated.

Tinubu didn’t hire anybody to insult El-Rufai – Onoh

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Warri refinery restoration, New Year gift to Nigerians – Okpebholo

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, described the restoration of the Warri Refinery as a significant breakthrough for the nation’s petroleum industry and a New Year gift to Nigerians. Okpebholo also congratulated President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for the successful restart of the 125,000 barrels per day (bpd)
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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, described the restoration of the Warri Refinery as a significant breakthrough for the nation’s petroleum industry and a New Year gift to Nigerians. Okpebholo also congratulated President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for the successful restart of the 125,000 barrels per day (bpd)

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Plymouth Argyle sack Rooney after season’s dismal start

Wayne Rooney’s stint as Plymouth Argyle’s head coach has ended following a dismal nine-match winless streak. The Manchester United legend departs the Pilgrims with the team languishing at the bottom of the Championship table, four points adrift of safety. Plymouth announced the decision on Monday, confirming that Rooney’s departure was a mutual agreement with the
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Wayne Rooney’s stint as Plymouth Argyle’s head coach has ended following a dismal nine-match winless streak. The Manchester United legend departs the Pilgrims with the team languishing at the bottom of the Championship table, four points adrift of safety. Plymouth announced the decision on Monday, confirming that Rooney’s departure was a mutual agreement with the

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VIDEO: Singles flock Lege Miami’s matchmaking event in Lagos

Nigerian actor and singer, Adams Kehinde, popularly known as Lege Miami, on Sunday, hosted a ‘Singles Hookup Matchmaking End-of-the-year Party’ at the Raddison Blu Hotel, in the GRA Ikeja area of Lagos State. The free-entry event saw a large turnout of singles eager to mingle and potentially find a connection as the year came to
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Nigerian actor and singer, Adams Kehinde, popularly known as Lege Miami, on Sunday, hosted a ‘Singles Hookup Matchmaking End-of-the-year Party’ at the Raddison Blu Hotel, in the GRA Ikeja area of Lagos State. The free-entry event saw a large turnout of singles eager to mingle and potentially find a connection as the year came to

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Benue Governor signs N550.1bn 2025 budget into law

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has signed the 2025 budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security, and the Digital Economy, estimated at N550,112,988,930.45, into law. Recall that the Benue State House of Assembly had earlier, on Monday, December 30, 2024, passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill into law during a plenary session presided over
Benue Governor signs N550.1bn 2025 budget into law

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has signed the 2025 budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security, and the Digital Economy, estimated at N550,112,988,930.45, into law.

Recall that the Benue State House of Assembly had earlier, on Monday, December 30, 2024, passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill into law during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh.

Governor Alia performed the ceremony on Monday at the Benue State Government House, Makurdi.

He described the event as a pivotal moment in his efforts to ensure a brighter, more prosperous future for the state.

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula.

“The signing into law of the 2025 budget, the formal launch of the 10-year Development Plan, and these critical policies mark the beginning of a new chapter in our state’s story. We are laying the groundwork for a future where every citizen has the opportunity to succeed, live in dignity, and contribute to the growth of our state.

“Our work is not finished today; it is just the beginning. Together, we will build a brighter, more resilient future for ourselves and for generations to come.”

He said the budget provides the framework for expanding access to quality education, improving healthcare services, and fostering lifelong learning.

Governor Alia added that his government is committed to equipping every citizen, both young and old, with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to thrive in a fast-evolving world.

Speaking on the digital economy, the governor described it as the future, saying he is committed to leading that charge.

“This budget allocates significant resources to the digital transformation of our economy while investing in digital infrastructure, internet access, and innovation hubs to foster an environment where entrepreneurs and businesses can flourish, digital literacy is enhanced, jobs are created, and new opportunities emerge,” he said.

He added that the budget addresses the growing challenges of malnutrition, obesity, and diet-related diseases, emphasizing that the policy is committed to ensuring that Benue citizens, especially children, have access to nutritious, affordable, and safe food.

Governor Alia further disclosed that the launch of the Social Protection Policy signifies his administration’s commitment to creating a safety net for the most vulnerable members of the Benue society. He described the policy as one designed to provide support for those in need, offering financial assistance, healthcare, education, and job training opportunities. He insisted it is a testament to his government’s resolve to protect every citizen, regardless of their circumstances.

He appreciated the Benue State House of Assembly for passing the Appropriation Bill into law, as well as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for facilitating some of the critical policies, saying the collective efforts will bring about positive change and lasting prosperity in the state.

Benue Governor signs N550.1bn 2025 budget into law