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Court Judgment Against PDP Politically Motivated, Declares Ex-VP’s Media Aide

Court Judgment Against PDP Politically Motivated, Declares Ex-VP’s Media Aide

Chuks Okocha in Abuja 

A former media adviser to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, Sani Umar, has described the recent court judgment against the party as politically motivated and biased.

Umar stated this during an interview with Arise TV, where he reacted to the ruling delivered by Justice Omotosho, which ordered the PDP to give a 21-day notice before holding its national convention.

According to him, the judgment did not reflect the facts of the case and granted reliefs that were never requested by the plaintiffs.

“The judgment of Justice Omotosho was prejudicial, premeditated, and politically motivated. 

“He gave the plaintiffs what they didn’t even ask for. The issue of a 21-day notice was not part of their prayers, yet he went ahead to include it,” he said.

He accused the judge of showing bias in his handling of cases involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whom he said has been inducing crises within the PDP.

“We know that any matter before Justice Omotosho involving Wike will not favour the PDP. He has displayed bias, and we are going to petition the National Judicial Council over this matter,” he stated.

Umar said the court ignored key issues raised by the PDP, including the question of jurisdiction, and failed to address the party’s arguments.

“We asked the court to rule on the issue of jurisdiction because the matter was an internal party affair. But the judge didn’t even touch that point. Instead, he went straight into the case and started setting aside our submissions,” Umar stated.

Speaking further on the suspension crisis rocking the PDP, Umar said the four members who claimed to have suspended the National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, lacked the power to do so, as they did not even form a quorum of the National Working Committee (NWC).

“Those who said they suspended the national chairman have no such authority. The NWC has 19 members, and only four of them cannot form a quorum to hold a valid meeting, not to talk of suspending the national chairman,” he said.

He added that the suspension announced by the group was reactionary and aimed at deceiving the public.

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  Chuks Okocha in Abuja   A former media adviser to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, Sani Umar, has described the recent court judgment against the party as politically motivated and

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London Unveiling: Asaba Massacre Film Documentary Clear Message to the World 

London Unveiling: Asaba Massacre Film Documentary Clear Message to the World 

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba 

The Asaba people of Delta State have said the unveiling last week in London of a film documentary on the Asaba Massacre has sent a firm and unambiguous message to the global community on the monumental injustice of the Nigerian state regarding the shocking massacre of hundreds of Asaba people by federal troops on October 7, 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War. 

According to Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, the Isama Ajie of Asaba, and executive producer of the film, special documentary on the Asaba massacre was formally released on Sunday, 26th October in London, in furtherance of a pledge by the peace-loving people of Asaba to counter the disturbing silence of the Nigerian government on the issue.

Nduka-Eze, a legal luminary who was the official convener of recent 58th anniversary celebration of the Massacre, told THISDAY in Asaba that the epochal event was in line with the people’s drive for justice in respect of the cold-blooded killing of the innocent citizens.

He said it was also to bring on the global space great lessons that could inspire the international peace-process in the Middle East and other areas of inter-ethnic and interracial crises in the world. 

The response of the Asaba people to the 1967 massacre has been stoic and reflective rather than bitter and confrontational, Nduka-Eze noted, saying the international community stood to learn a lot from the Asaba post-massacre experience. 

Addressing thousands of Asaba sons and daughters at the 58th anniversary of the infamous Asaba Massacre, on 7th October, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge, indicated they would leave no stone unturned until the desired justice for the victims of the meaningless bloodletting was served.

On behalf of his people, he said that a formal apology from the federal government, and a federal university established in Asaba was the least the Tinubu administration could do in that regard.

The revered monarch said, “We must have a fitting memorial for these martyrs. We have told the President that we deserve and need an apology from the Nigerian government; and, we need a federal university established here in Asaba in their memory.”

While paying glowing tribute to the resilience and commitment to peace by the Asaba people, Obi Prof. Azinge emphasised that the people of Asaba would not rest on the oars until their demand for justice was met. 

“We are prepared to take this matter wherever necessary. If Rwanda can come out of the ashes stronger, Asaba has already risen from the ashes. From the going down of the sun till morning, we will always remember them.”

Buttressing the statement of the traditional Nduka-Eze, disclosed that a recently finished film documentary on the October 1967 Asaba Massacre would premiere in London, the United Kingdom to underscore the determination to make post-Asaba Massacre a lesson for the whole world.

Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, whose biological mother was one of the victims of the Asaba Massacre for daring to tell the soldiers to halt the abominable killing of unarmed citizens, harped on the need to draw global attention to another October 7, 1967, that occurred more than 55 years before the Hamas sudden attack on Israel in Gaza last year jolted the world to the persistence of ethnic intolerance in the world.

The annual remembrance for the Asaba Massacre victims would subsequently be part of the Asaba official cultural calendar, he announced.

Nduka-Eze, who described the 2025 elaborate memorial event as a historic and necessary act of honour, gave a vivid picture of the Day, going forward: “From today henceforth, Asaba will observe a one-minute silence every October 7 at 12 noon to honour our people who were killed in the Asaba massacre. A 21-gun salute will mark the occasion as a symbol of our collective respect.

“We have been speaking about the massacre to raise awareness; and, it is now time to institutionalise this in our city’s calendar.

“When we met with the President, we raised all our concerns. Although, he was silent on the Asaba Massacre, it does not mean he is unaware. We do not remember it with anger but with reflection because it is what the living owes the dead.”

According to him, regarding to the massacre with sober reflection rather than with anger and vengeful bitterness was the way to go, hence the Middle East and the world at large have a huge lesson to learn from Asaba people, who have chosen to stoically weather the storm and make remarkable progress after the darkest moment in their history.

Dignitaries who attended the epochal event at the African Centre, London, include the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN); Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, the Isama Ajie of Asaba who is the Executive Producer of the film documentary; Prof. Elizabeth Bird, author of the Book on the 1967 Asaba Massacre; Dr Charles Adams, Dean of Humanities at the South Florida University, Tampa, which funded research for the book; Chief Nwanze Oduah (Odogwu Ahaba); Ogbueshi Chike Ogeah, Ogbuefi Emmanuel Diali, Mrs. Nkiru Ofili.

Others are Chief (Prof) Victor Izegbu – The Ojiako of Asaba, Prof Oba Nsugbe KC – Chairman of the Africa Centre and chief host of the event, Ms Rajka Vlahovic of Eurojust; Ms Ndidi Njoku;  Dr Ify Uraiah, Chief Anthony Mordi – Ezoti of Asaba; Chief Felix Nwokolo – Akudo of Asaba and Chief of Staff to his Royal Majesty; Hon Ngozi Okolie; Member House of Representatives for Aniocha-Oshimili Costituency.

Still others included Chief Mrs. Adaora Giwa-Amu; Chief Oburota, the Eziokwu Bundu of Asaba; Ogbueshi Ken Odogwu; Dr Ify Okocha; Chief Ify Azinge – Ugegbe of Asaba; Ogbueshi Udo Chukwurah; Ogbueshi Ngozi Okotcha -Ugbade; Mrs Celestina Isama; Mr Robert Aghadiuno; Mr Stephen Kola-Balogun; Ogbueshi George Ofili; Ogbueshi Richie Omo.

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Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba  The Asaba people of Delta State have said the unveiling last week in London of a film documentary on the Asaba Massacre has sent a firm

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Suleiman Calls on Youth to Take Active Role in Governance

Suleiman Calls on Youth to Take Active Role in Governance

Sterling Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar Suleiman, has called on Nigerian youth to take a more deliberate role in shaping the country’s future through active participation in governance and nation-building.

Speaking at SMFEST Abuja 2025, themed ‘Africa Unlocked: Leading the Digital Revolution,’ Suleiman delivered a compelling presentation titled ‘Built To Last,’ emphasising that nation-building requires deliberate effort, personal sacrifice and a long-term commitment to achieve enduring institutions.

“The future of Nigeria depends largely on the willingness of young people to build legacies that outlive them,” Suleiman said. “You cannot build a nation through words alone; you must participate, contribute, and commit to building systems that serve your community.”

He outlined five principles that can help the youth drive national transformation, including cultivating a resilient mind, nurturing the body, fostering a loving community, engaging in governance, and committing to institution-building with significant personal sacrifice.

According to Suleiman, “Institutions that last are built by people that make significant sacrifices. You must first address the expectations of the community that you care about and stay committed to serving them over time.”

He added that Sterling Bank as an institution continues to live out these principles through its HEART strategy which is focused on driving innovation in the Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation sectors.

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Sterling Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar Suleiman, has called on Nigerian youth to take a more deliberate role in shaping the country’s future through active participation in governance and nation-building.

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SON Warn Manufacturers Against Fake, Substandard Products in Rivers

SON Warn Manufacturers Against Fake, Substandard Products in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has warned manufacturers and retailers in Rivers State and South South Region at large to desist from circulating fake and substandard products.

The SON gave the warning at the weekend, during a jointed stakeholders awareness walk in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, on the impact of substandard products on Nigerians.

Speaking after the awareness walk, SON Director in charge of South South Region, Mrs Esther Okon, explained that the walk was in commemoration of the World Standard Day, marked every October 14.

Okon said, “This is actually an internally day kept aside to be celebrated for the development of standard and for regulators, consumers and manufacturers to recognise them and their contribution in standard development”.

She noted the positive response of manufacturers in the past years, stressing that industries are complying to regulations.

She said, “Every year there is an increase in the number of companies that are complying to the regulation of the SON and the last two years, we have seen a high influx of the SMEs that we have actually brought into the fold to lead them in standardisation, they are working with us.”

Also speaking, SON Coordinator for Rivers State Office, Jerome, Otene Umoru, said the agency has ordered that any substandard products should not be accepted in the market as it causes serious harm on Nigerians.

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Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt  The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has warned manufacturers and retailers in Rivers State and South South Region at large to desist from circulating fake

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NAICOM, FRSC Form Committee on Enforcement of Motor Third Party Insurance 

NAICOM, FRSC Form Committee on Enforcement of Motor Third Party Insurance 

Ebere Nwoji

In a deliberate effort to reduce the number of uninsured vehicles on Nigerian roads and ensure prompt compensation and medical support for accident victims, the  National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), have inaugurated a Joint Committee on the enforcement of compulsory Third-Party Motor Insurance.

The  Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, at the inauguration held at NAICOM’s Headquarters Abuja,  said the development it marks a major step in the implementation of the provisions of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 and reinforces both institutions’ shared commitment to strengthening road safety, promoting insurance compliance, and ensuring prompt compensation for accident victims.

He commended the FRSC for its leadership and partnership in driving the initiative, noting that the collaboration would deliver concrete benefits to Nigerians through effective enforcement of compulsory Third-Party Motor Insurance.

Presenting the Joint Committee’s Terms of Reference (ToR), the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, highlighted the Committee’s primary responsibilities, among which are:  Enforce compulsory Third-Party Motor Insurance nationwide, reducing the number of uninsured vehicles in Nigeria, ensuring  prompt compensation and medical support for accident victims, Promoting awareness of the benefits and obligations of insurance and enabling real-time verification of insurance status through digital integration.

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Ebere Nwoji In a deliberate effort to reduce the number of uninsured vehicles on Nigerian roads and ensure prompt compensation and medical support for accident victims, the  National Insurance Commission