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2023 Presidency: Akpabio lobbies Oyo APC delegates, restates commitment to Nigeria’s transformation

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A Presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has restated his commitment to transform Nigeria to enviable heights if given the mandate as the president.

The former Governor of Akwa Ibom and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, stated this on Friday in Ibadan, while wooing Oyo State party delegates for their votes ahead of next week’s convention and primary.

Akpabio was received by Sen. Teslim Folarin representing Oyo Central Senatorial District and the state Governorship candidate of the party and the state executive members led by Hon. Isaac Omodewu.

Addressing the delegates, the former minister said his little effort transformed Akwa-Ibom into an enviable state, noting that such was his vision for a greater and better Nigeria.

Recounting his achievements as the governor of Akwa-Ibom and Minister of Niger Delta, he assured that replication of such in Nigeria would put the country in good stead.

Akpabio said, “My little effort in Akwa-Ibom as a governor transformed the state into an enviable state among states in Nigeria. These efforts in Akwa-Ibom cut across all sectors.

“I followed the footprint of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo on education by declaring free education in Akwa-Ibom.

“I spent N100 per term per child in the primary and N300 per term per child in the secondary”.

The former governor while acknowledging the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration on security, also promised to tackle insecurity.

He continued, “I will involve the traditional institution and other relevant stakeholders in achieving this.

“We must give traditional rulers and other stakeholders roles to play in tackling insecurity.

The presidential hopeful said he would ensure national integration and promotion of moral ethos toward fostering unity, as well as discipline in the country.

“I remain a Nigerian and hope to bequeath Nigeria to my children”.

Akpabio who is putting finishing touches to his first phase of campaigns by intensifying his lobby for the delegates’ votes as the deadline for the conduct of APC primaries inch closer, however, urged the Oyo delegates to consider integrity, credentials, antecedents, and achievements in picking the party’s presidential candidate.

Also speaking, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), noted that the choice of who becomes the president of the country was very important.

According to Modibbo, it was important because “there is the need to enthrone people with electoral value and vast experience like Akpabio”.

He added that Akpabio was one of the most experienced of the aspirants, having served as the Commissioner, Senator, Minister, and Governor.

In his remarks, Folarin said he had asked Akpabio to visit Oyo State delegates in Ibadan.

“We have 99 delegates, the third-highest in the country, so those who need our votes come here to see us.

“For us, those aspirants who are wooing delegates through newspapers are not serious.

“Among all the aspirants from outside South-West who have visited us, we will support you,” the Oyo APC governorship nominee said

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Oyo Rep, Oseni Pays APC Secretariat Staff Salaries, Donates N10m to Boost Party Operations

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File photo of Hon. Aderemi Oseni

House of Representatives member and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has fulfilled his pledge to support the welfare of the All Progressives Congress (APC) staff in Oyo State.

In a gesture highlighting his commitment, the lawmaker personally funded the salaries of staff at the APC’s Oke Ado Secretariat in Ibadan, reinforcing his dedication to the smooth operation of the party’s activities in the state.

Representing the Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oseni recently visited the secretariat, where he expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their contributions.

As a further commitment to the smooth operation of the party’s activities, the lawmaker generously donated ten million naira (N10,000,000) as an allowance to enhance the secretariat’s functions.

In a statement released Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker extended appreciation to the secretariat staff, whom he described as the backbone of the party’s daily functions.

He lauded their dedication, noting their essential role in advancing the party’s goals.

“Leadership is about service, and service begins with supporting those who make the party function from within,” Oseni remarked.

“I am proud to honour this commitment to our staff, as they play a crucial role in making our political structures work effectively. This is my way of showing appreciation for their unwavering dedication”, he added.

 

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Oseni Salutes Senator Folarin’s Decades of Service at 61

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Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has paid tribute to former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, on his 61st birthday, celebrating his decades of dedicated service and contributions to Oyo State and Nigeria at large.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, Oseni, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), lauded Folarin’s unwavering commitment to leadership and the well-being of the people.

Highlighting the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial nominee in the 2023 elections for three terms in the Senate, the lawmaker noted that Folarin’s legacy of service continues to be a guiding light for emerging leaders and a source of inspiration for countless individuals across the state.

“Senator Folarin has built an admirable legacy through years of selfless public service, consistently advocating for progress and unity,” remarked Oseni.

Reflecting on Folarin’s role as the Ikolaba Olubadan of Ibadanland, the lawmaker commended his leadership approach, which has bridged divides, fostered coalitions, and promoted initiatives aimed at stabilising democracy.

“Senator Folarin’s career is an example of visionary leadership,” he added, “and his commitment to public service will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

As Senator Folarin marks this milestone, Oseni extended warm wishes for his continued health and success, expressing hope that his exemplary life of service will keep inspiring positive change across the nation.

 

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Ugandan Court Hands Ex-LRA Commander 40-Year Sentence

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In a historic ruling, a Ugandan court on Friday sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison.

This landmark decision, marking the first time a member of the notorious LRA has faced trial for war crimes in a Ugandan court, follows the group’s brutal two-decade insurgency against the Ugandan government.

Kwoyelo, who was convicted in August on 44 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, faced charges including murder, rape, torture, pillaging, abduction, and the destruction of settlements for internally displaced people.

(FILES) Thomas Kwoyelo a commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion blamed for brutal civilian murders during a 20-year war in the north of the country is brought into a courthouse in the northern Ugandan town of Gulu on July 25, 2011. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by MICHELE SIBOLINI / AFP)

Michael Elubu, lead judge of the case at the International Crimes Division (ICD) of Uganda’s High Court, delivered the sentence in the northern city of Gulu, underscoring a rare moment of accountability in the decades-long history of the LRA’s violence.

Judge Elubu stated that Kwoyelo retains the right to appeal both his conviction and sentence within 14 days.

Kwoyelo, who was abducted by the LRA at the age of 12 and later rose to a low-level command position within the organization, denied all charges brought against him.

(FILES) Suspected LRA (Lords Resistance Army) member Thomas Kwoyelo is pictured during a pre-trial session at the High Court in Kampala on Februay 1, 2017. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by GAEL GRILHOT / AFP)

The Lord’s Resistance Army, founded by Joseph Kony in the 1980s, sought to establish a regime based on the Ten Commandments. Under Kony’s leadership, the group unleashed widespread terror across Uganda and neighboring regions, resulting in over 100,000 deaths and the abduction of 60,000 children.

The violence eventually spread to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic.

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