Nigerian Newspapers
Eminent Nigerians Mourn Odunewu
TRIBUTES have been pouring in for the veteran journalist, Alade Odunewu who bid farewell to the world on Thursday night.
Odunewu passed away four months shy of his 86th birthday.
Meanwhile, prominent Nigerians have begun mourning Odunewu whom many regard as a quintessential media professional and a role model to many Nigerian journalists.
Odunewu’s Place Among The Greats Of Nigerian Journalism Is Assured, Says Jonathan
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has, on behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, condoled with the family of the late foremost journalist, AlhajiAlade Odunewu who passed away Thursday’s night at the age of 85.
In a statement by Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Reuben Abati, Jonathan joins the Odunewu family and all who knew “Allah De” as he was popularly known in mourning the veteran journalist who attained national fame with his popular and widely read satirical newspaper columns with which he entertained, educated and edified the public.
According to Abati, the President believes that as Odunewu is laid to rest in Lagos today, his family, relatives, associates, admirers and the many media professionals for whom he was an inspiring mentor and role model should be comforted by the knowledge that his place alongside the greats of Nigerian journalism is assured.
President Jonathan said the veteran journalist would be eternally remembered and honoured as a nationalist and patriot whose notable contributions to national development extended well beyond his chosen profession of journalism to the public service of his state and Nigeria where he served with distinction as Commissioner, member of the Federal Electoral Commission and Chairman of the Nigerian Press Council.
The President therefore urges the present generation of Nigerian journalists to strive to emulate Odunewu’s exemplary craftsmanship, courage, forthrightness, fairness, patriotism, honesty and moral rectitude which were most apparent in his life and also evident in ‘Winner Takes All’, the collection of writings which he has bequeathed to posterity.
Alade Odunewu, A Journalism Giant, True Nationalist – Tinubu
THE demise of veteran journalism icon, Hadj Alade Idowu Odunewu has been described as the exit of journalism great by former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
For Tinubu, the death of Odunewu perhaps draws the curtain on the generation of journalists who took the profession to an enviable and reputable status. Remembering his sojourn and stewardship at Daily Times with great pride and nostalgia, Tinubu said “ Odunewu’s death is like the vanishing of that lone shining star that serves as guide to others. An icon and a journalist per excellence, hardly can anyone in the journalism firmament of our country contest this position with him. He brought to journalism finesse, intellectualism, humour and a rare sense of patriotism.
“If there was ever a Nigerian Journalism Hall of Fame, Odunewu’s banner must rise above all others because of his commitment to journalism and service to country”.
Allah De Was a Man Of Uncommon Talent – Atiku
FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the death of the veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Idowu Odunewu at the age of 85, would create a big vacuum in journalism for many years to come.
Popularly known as Allah De in his celebrated column in the Daily Times, the former Vice President recalled, “his sense of humour gave his writing style a unique and inimitable quality and class.”
According to Atiku, journalists had a lot to learn from the extraordinary talent of the late Odunewu whose column became so popular like a hot cake because of its satirical and humorous style.
However, the former Vice President reminded Nigerians that the late Odunewu should not only be celebrated for his sense of humour, also because of his integrity.
“From the accounts of the man I have read and from what I have heard about him, I am convinced the late veteran journalist deserves all the accolades being to his memory.
His Death Deletes Media Think Tanks – Aregbesola
THE Governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, has described the death of the veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, popularly known as Allah De, as a huge loss to the nation and the pen profession.
Aregbesola said Odunewu’s death signals the end of several decades of service to fatherland and the mankind.
In a statement by the Director Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola affirmed that the octogenarian’s death further deletes the media think tanks.
The Governor said Odunewu, a prominent Nigerian journalist, who became famous for his satirical essays and his ‘Allah De’ columns in Daily Times of Nigeria, has contributed to the development of journalism and progress of the nation.
“The death of Alhaji Odunewu brings to mind the transient nature of man’s sojourn on earth.
“His death however affects us all for he has impacted on just as he has served humanity with his pen.
“A consummate and top-on-the- self journalist, Odunewu wrote with passion and uncommon vigour.
“The media world has certainly lost a gem, gifted and experienced writer and information disseminator per excellence.
“On behalf of myself, government and the people of Osun, I condole with the immediate and extended families of the deceased and the Nigerian Union of Journalists. May Allah bless him with Aljana Firdaus,” Aregbesola said.
He Was Icon Of Journalism, Says Amosun
OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has described the late veteran journalist and former chairman of the Nigeria Press Council, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, as an icon of journalism.
The governor commiserated with the media community in Nigeria on the loss of the frontline journalist and renowned columnist.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, Amosun described Odunewu as a cerebral writer and satirist extraordinaire.
“Allah De, as he was fondly called, left indelible prints as a columnist, editor of Daily Times and chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Media Merit Award. The nation has truly lost a patriotic opinion moulder, educator and builder of men,” the governor said.
His Death… End of Another Phase of Our Public Life, Says Maduka
“ODUNEWU’S passage is a great loss to the entire country. As my predecessor, he played his part effectively demonstrating high leadership quality with a first class view on media matters. He retired as Chairman of NMMA Board of Trustees last year and I took over from him, the same way he succeeded Alhaji Babatunde Jose some few years ago. Both of them took NMMA to an enviable position. Those working with them benefitted from their leadership. Succeeding him is a challenge for me. It would have been good to have him around and draw from his wealth of experience. His death marks an end of another phase of our public life.”
Chairman, NMMA Board of Trustees, Vincent Maduka
His Legacy Will Live For Long – Maida
“THE death of Odunewu is a great loss to Journalism and Nigeria. “Odunewu was our chairman at Nigeria Press Council and Nigeria Media Merit Award where I served as member for a very long time. He was my pillar when I served as President of Nigeria Guild of Editors. Odunewu was a professional to the core who combined experience and appreciation of the modern trends in journalism practice. Allah-De left but his legacies in our profession will live for a very long time.” Former Managing Director, NAN, Wada Maida.
He Was Passionate About Journalism – Oyo
I had the privilege of drinking from his deep well of wisdom for more than two decades especially during her tenures as president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. “He was passionate about journalism and worked very hard to ensure adherence to the ethics of the profession. His warm smile, his sterling qualities will be sorely missed.” Former MD (NAN), Mrs. Olurem? Oyo.
ODUNEWU was a thoroughbred professional journalist who wrote incisively and delivered his messages in elegant style.
He never shared from public debates on what should be the role of the media in the society and especially under a democratic dispensation. In particular he was always quick to draw attention to journalistic excesses.
irector, International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade
Big Fish Out Of Waters – Adesina
I can tell you in popular street lingo that Odunewu was ‘fada before fada.’ Nigerian journalism just got a very big fish swimming out of its waters. He will be sorely missed, but we shall have good memories of him. He lived well, practiced well, and also died well. May he rest well?
President Nigerian Guild of Editors, Femi Adesina.
Odunewu, The Last of The Best, Says Oso
“He taught many of us to appreciate journalism especially the columnist and the power of the word. He was probably the last of the best of his generation, those who gave Nigerian journalism its enviable & defining character. The Dean, School of Communication, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. La? Oso.
His Death, A Great Loss To Journalism – Elumoye
Chairman, Lagos State NUJ, Deji Elumoye said Alhaji Odunewu’s death is a great loss not only to journalism profession, but the nation at large. He was a foremost and thoroughbred journalist who rose through the rank from a roving reporter to the pinnacle of the profession. A foremost columnist whose column, ‘Allah De’ was must read. He was so passionate about journalism profession that he vowed at public forum recently that if he were to come back to this world, he would surely love to be journalist. He would always encourage the up and coming journalists to strive very hard and to practice the profession according to the code of ethics.
Odunewu Was a Scooper Of The Scoop, Akinfeleye
“What a big calamity for the 4th Estate of the Realm in Nigeria, and NMMA. He was an excellent professional a good mentor and a scooper of the scoop! May his soul continue to rest in Perfect peace.” Chairman, Mass Communication Department, Unilag and Radio Unilag Rad?o, Prof Ralph Ak?nfeleye.
Allah De… A Guru, Moral Icon, Says Shehu
THE death of Alhaji Alade Odunewu in the Holy month of Ramadan leaves a huge vacuum in the Nigerian media space that is hard to fill. But it is also instructive he lived all his life for the media, a community that revered him and treated him as a guru and a moral icon. He preached ethics and practised journalism ethics as he taught them. He was an example to all in his writings and preachments.
His death is a personal loss to me. From the moment I met him about 20 years ago, he showed an interest in my professional career. He mentored me and without him, my little stride in journalism would have come short of what it is. My relationship with him was like father to a son. He gave me advice whether I asked for it or not.
May Allah forgive all his sins and reward him with Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
Media Aide to the former Vice President Atiku Abubakra and Former President, Nigeria Guild of Editors
Momoh Wishes Him Journey Mercy
When we come, we must go. Only Allah determines the time to go, says Prince Tony Momoh. “I wish him journey mercy over there. We were close since 70s; I was sort of being the right hand man to him. When he was President of Nigeria Guild of Editors, I was the Secretary. When he was Editor-in Chief of Daily Times, and later General Manager Publication Division, I was the editor of the paper. CPC Chairman, Prince Tony Momoh
He Left Indelible Marks – Omisore
I received the death of Alhaji Alade Odunewu, popularly known as Allah De at the ripe age of 85 years with rude shock.
He bequeathed a good legacy and left an indelible mark for those who have chosen the noble profession as members of the fourth Estate of the realm.
His contribution to the journalism profession, which spans over five decades, was phenomenal.
Alhaji Odunewu bestrode the journalism profession like a Collosus; and as thorough bred professional who knows his onions, his steadfastness, dedication and commitment to the pen profession would remain evergreen. Senator Iyiola Omisore
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•Deploy more personnel as army chief vows to wipe out terror group
•Security beefed up at N’Assembly
Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, is under a massive security cordon following threats of attacks by insurgents and the increasing wave of banditry in the contiguous states of Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.
There has been a wave of kidnappings in the outskirts of the federal capital, notably Pegi, Tuganmaje and Kuje among others, which the police have battled in recent times.
The security situation in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was heightened by the pronouncement of the Niger State Governor, Mr. Sani Bello, that Boko Haram fighters who he said sacked 50 villages in the state and hoisted the terror group’s flag, were about two hours drive away from the FCT.
Security has also been beefed up at the National Assembly as operatives, yesterday, thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The deteriorating security situation nationwide prompted the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, to warn that the 2023 general election may not hold, demanding the declaration of a state of emergency as well as the convocation of a national conference.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday restated the Nigerian Army’s determination to annihilate Boko Haram.
But the Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Bello Masari, cautioned against declaring a state of emergency, saying doing so isn’t the solution to combat the security challenges facing the country.
The security of the nation’s airports was also in focus yesterday as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said there was no threat to them.
THISDAY’s investigations showed increased presence of troops, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and intelligence operatives at the three strategic entrances to the city notably, Keffi, Zuba and Gwagwalada.
More checkpoints were also mounted around Gwagwalada and Keffi.
THISDAY also observed increased intelligence deployment at the entrance and the borders of FCT with contiguous states.
Beyond the borders, there were more deployments and police patrols inside the city and increased intelligence deployments as well.
Security sources told THISDAY: “There are deployments here and there but they are routine. Alertness is key to a secure environment.”
It was also learnt that security agencies were involved in frenzied meetings throughout yesterday.
The meetings, coordinated by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff under the new joint operational strategy of the armed forces, were aimed at coordinating a joint response to possible threats of attack to the FCT.
“I understand the security teams have been meeting for some days now and if you look around you, you will notice that there are increasing patrols and numbers of security personnel. The threats are not been taken lightly,” a source said.
National Assembly workers, lawmakers and visitors also had a harrowing experience accessing the legislative complex due to heightened security in the area.
Security operatives thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja, impeding both human and vehicular traffic.
The Sergeant-at-arm of the National Assembly and other security agencies supervised the operations, leading to huge traffic build-up inside the complex.
Legislative staff, visitors and lawmakers were seen patiently waiting for their cars to be searched so that they could go ahead with the business of the day.
Some staff and visitors at some point got tired of waiting and were seen alighting from their cars to trek from the gate to the complex.
Meanwhile, the ONSA has said there is no threat to the nation’s airports.
A statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Zachari Usman, said the reports of threats to the airports were an internal correspondence of security threat assessment misconstrued as security threat to the airports.
PDP Demands State of Emergency
In a related development, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday demanded the declaration of a state of emergency, warning that the 2023 general election might not hold if the federal government failed to tackle insecurity.
He called on the federal government to summon a national conference to address the spike in insecurity.
Secondus added that the national caucus of the party will meet today to discuss the state of the nation.
Addressing members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, Secondus said: “We are worried Abuja is not even safe. It is no longer politics. We got alert of plots to bomb and burn down our airports.
“We urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency in security. There is the need to call a national conference to discuss the insecurity in the country.
“There may not be any election in 2023 in Nigeria due to insecurity. This government must listen to the people. The Buhari government should call a national confab to discuss security and state of the nation. It is no longer politics. This time we are not playing politics. Let’s keep politics aside and move the nation forward.”
He said the country had been grounded, regretting that there had been no matching response from the federal government.
Secondus said in the past, terrorism in the North was confined to the North-east, but with the report of Boko Haram occupying villages in Niger State, terrorism had spread to the North-central
“Herdsmen are also menacing in the West; gunmen causing havoc in the East; and the militants in the South; all killing, looting, raping, maiming and burning down homes. The situation is bad; Nigerians all over are living in fear,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the problem of Nigeria was outside of the PDP headquarters, while pledging the support of the Senate to the declaration of state of emergency in security.
Abaribe said he deliberately decided not to speak on the floor of the Senate but to allow the APC senators to speak so as to avoid being accused of giving a partisan colouration to the issue of insecurity.
He stated that only electoral reforms would give victory to the opposition party in the 2023 general election and ensure a democratic defeat of the APC-led federal government.
Also, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, commended the NEC and the PDP leadership for their collective efforts at resolving the House leadership crisis.
The NEC meeting adopted the position of Secondus, calling on the federal government to convoke a national conference to discuss the state of insecurity in the country, according to a communiqué read by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.
Army Chief Vows to Wipe Out Boko Haram
The army yesterday reiterated its commitment to wipe out Boko Haram.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, told reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State that Boko Haram had been defeated in many encounters and would continue to be defeated until it’s annihilated from Nigeria.
“We will take on Boko Haram decisively, and we are committed to the focus of the operations, which is the total annihilation of Boko Haram from Nigeria,” he said.
The COAS, who was visiting the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri for the fifth time since his appointment four months ago, said the visit was to boost the morale of the troops, reassure them and listen to any issues affecting them.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Farouq Yahaya, lauded the visit, which he said had continued to boost the morale of the troops.
“We are honoured, we are grateful, we are encouraged by those visits. You provided us guidance, logistics and other things we required. We are most grateful for those visits,” Yahaya said.
State of Emergency Won’t Solve Security Challenges, Says Masari
Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, has, however, said declaration of a state of emergency won’t solve the security challenges facing the nation.
Masari, who spoke yesterday with journalists after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the State House, Abuja stated that he was against the recent call by the House of Representatives for the declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector as it would not solve the problem.
According to him, declaring a state of emergency will not achieve the desired effect as the security structure and personnel to be used to execute the emergency are already overstretched in a bid to safeguard lives and property.
Sourced From: THISDAYLIVE
Tribune Online
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 165,110. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Friday. “55 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-21, Yobe-19, Ogun-6, Akwa Ibom-3, Kaduna-2, Plateau-2, FCT-1, Rivers-1.” YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE COVID-19: Nigeria Recorded […]
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Tribune Online
Sourced From: Tribune Online
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The people of the South East region have been urged to explore the power of negotiation and mutual settlement in the face of ongoing killings and security challenges in the zone because the east can not afford another war at present.
Stakeholders from the South-East geo-political zone made the remark on Thursday, at the unveiling of the book, “Igbo, 50 years after Biafra,” written by Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainage Services, Joe Igbokwe, held at Ikeja G.R.A.
Speaking at the unveiling of the book, the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Cutis Adigba,
urged the people of the South-East to learn to build bridges across the country, so that they can realise their ambition of producing the next president of Nigeria.
Adigba urged leaders from the zone to discourage the move and agitation by some youths in the South East to go to war and secede out of Nigeria.
Also read: Banditry: Disregard viral video, Niger State gov’t urges residents
He said that Igbo have always found it difficult to rule Nigeria because they refused to build bridges across the six geo-political zones that made up Nigeria.
While describing the agitation as uncalled for, Adigba noted that after two decades that Nigeria returned to civil rule, the Igbo has predominantly identified with only one political party.
He maintained that remaining in one party can not advance the cause of the people of South East and cannot make them realise their objective of producing an Igbo man as president.
He maintained that the publisher of the book, Igbokwe played politics outside his state, so that the Igbo race can be integrated with one another race.
Adigba said the failure of the Igbo to reintegrate with other ethnic nationalities politically was responsible for the retrogression of the race in Nigerian politics.
Igbokwe, also addressing guests on the occasion, maintained that the Igbo are not advancing politically because they refused to be integrated into National politics, lamenting that, despite their success in business, they are not successful in playing politics at the national level.
Corroborating Dimgba, Igbokwe noted that there was the need for the Igbo people to stand up and build bridges so that their objective of producing the next president of Nigeria could be realised.
According to him: “I have decided to raise my voice, I hope my people will hear me while trying to quell the effect of the war, our people are spoiling for another war, mayhem is being unleashed in Igbo land, and there is palpable fear.
“Those who could speak have lost their voice, mindful of the consequences of their actions, I am calling on all Igbo leaders to speak up because all actions carry consequences, consequences of the silence will be too dastardly to sustain.
“Those silently supporting the wild wind should be careful or else they hand over to their children,” he said.
Igbokwe urged those spoiling for war to jettison their plan and embrace dialogue, urging them to learn from the South West region that despite the challenges faced after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, they did not go to war, and the region had the opportunity of producing two of her sons for presidential position in 1999.
“You have to build bridges to become president of Nigeria, but it is unfortunate the Igbo are burning bridges.”
Speaking at the event, Chief Uche Dimgba who is the coordinator of Igbo in All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos, described Igbokwe as “a Frank, fearless and reliable leader, who based his views on issues and stand by his opinions, and we the Igbo have confidence in him and believe he can lead us aright.”
“He is a leader we Igbo believe in and we will follow him. If he can serve all the governors produced in Lagos State since 1999, he is a better man to follow because he possesses all the experience that can be of benefit to Igbo both at home and in the diaspora.”
The post Attacks on S’East: We must explore all options of negotiation — Stakeholders urge Igbo appeared first on Vanguard News.
Sourced From: Vanguard News
The government said that no worker should stay back beyond 6:00 p.m. within premises of buildings undergoing construction.
The post Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
Sourced From: Premium Times Nigeria
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Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Military, Police Ring Abuja to Forestall Boko Haram Attack
UFC: Usman gets N584m after beating Masvidal
Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings
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