Buhari, Tinubu, Odigie-Oyegun, Ambode, Aregbesola on Obaseki’s victory: Edo people have made a good choice

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the government and people of Edo State on the successful conclusion of the governorship election in the state, the President’s spokesman Femi Adesina has said.
Adesina said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday that Buhari, in a telephone call to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, noted with delight the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki in the poll.
He said Buhari commended the well-articulated campaign programme of APC in the state, the doggedness of the governor, governor-elect and the party members in going round the state to reach the people with records of good governance.
The president said the outcome of the election clearly reflected the mood of the people to sustain the pedigree of responsiveness, forthrightness and diligence that Oshiohmole brought into the service of his people, Adesina explained.
“The victory is good for democracy, for Nigeria and for the people of Edo,” he quoted the president as saying.
He said the president described the victory as well deserved considering that the campaign train, which he (Buhari) joined, worked hard to sell its people-centred manifesto.
Adesina said the president applauded the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, National Youth Service Corps members and the electorate in ensuring a peaceful election in Edo.
INEC had announced that Obaseki of APC won majority of the votes cast, with a total of 319,483 votes to beat Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 253,173 votes to the second place.
Former Lagos State Governor and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, also congratulated Obaseki, for his victory in the election, saying Edo people have made their choice.
He said Obaseki is a tested technocrat who is competent and experienced to take over and continue the good work done by the outgoing governor, Oshiomhole.
The APC leader also congratulated Oshiomhole for his achievements in Edo, which helped in retaining Edo for APC.
With the election of Obaseki, Asiwaju Tinubu said Edo had taken after Lagos in the Continuity model, which has worked assiduously well for the people of Lagos State.
The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday congratulated Obaseki and his running mate, Philip Shuaibu respectively on their victory.
In a message on Thursday evening on behalf of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), Odigie-Oyegun thanked the good people of Edo State for the massive turnout during the election.
The APC National Chairman also congratulated political parties and their candidates that contested the Edo governorship election for the fair play and relatively peaceful conduct displayed during the election exercise. He called for calm and appealed to the opposition parties to accept defeat in good faith.
“The people of Edo state voted to ensure continuity and consolidation of the massive multi-faceted developments recorded under the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The Party assures that we will deliver on this expectation,” the APC National Chairman said.
Also, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, congratulated Obaseki for his victory, saying that the people of the state have made the right choice.
Ambode, in a congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the development was not just a victory for democracy but the people who he said would experience continuity in terms of dividends of democracy.
The governor, who was the Chairman, APC National Campaign Committee for the election, said the people of Edo have voted for continuity of people-friendly policies and programmes, and urged all the relevant stakeholders in the affairs of the State to accept the verdict of the people and work with Obaseki to move the State forward.
“Like I said during the grand rally of our great party – APC, at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin some few weeks back, Edo State, being the heartbeat of the South-South region, has all it takes to become another Lagos, and the decision of the people to speak with their votes in support of Obaseki is a signpost of their readiness for greatness and a testament to the monumental successes recorded in the last seven and half years by the incumbent Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
“We are enjoying the dividends of democracy in Lagos today because of the decision of the people to vote for continuity of good governance and I am glad that the people of Edo have also toed that path and the result will definitely translate to improved social services and welfare of the people,” Governor Ambode said.
The governor said judging by the antecedents of Obaseki, he was certain that Edo State is set for transformation and consolidation of the achievements of the outgoing administration in the State.
According to him, “Governor Oshiomhole has laid the right foundation for progressive governance. He has been responsive, progressive and totally committed to the needs of the people. With the decision to vote Mr Obaseki who is equally people-friendly, reliable, trustworthy, and has the fear of God, the people have made the right choice and I can only urge them to continue to support him to deliver on the campaign promises.
He also congratulated the people of Edo State for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election, while urging those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resort to self help.
From Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Governor Rauf Aregbesola congratulated APC over the outcome of the election.
In a message of goodwill to Obaseki and the APC, Aregbesola said the final result of the election was not surprising given Nigerians’ conviction that the APC has offered quality and selfless leadership at all strata where it is in control.
“Victory was not unexpected for the only party that has proved beyond doubt that selfless service to the people is weapon to kill and bury political parties that promote selfishness, greed, self aggrandizement and elevates kleptocracy as a state policy.
“As bad as the PDP brought Nigeria, it is evident the rescue mission is on course no matter what the naysayers say.
“Nigerians have rejected PDP and that is final,” he said.
Aregbesola while welcoming Obaseki to the fold, said he must be determined to ensure fulfillment of his promised programmes for the people.
“This is the hallmark of our party and we therefore congratulate our people in Edo for voting for continuity. Good governance, we are confident, will only continue.

OTEDEOLA BRIDGE: RRS NAB 3 SUSPECTED ROBBERS WITH MASTER KEY

Three suspected robbers who have been terrorising passers-by broken down vehicle owners and other road users around Otedola Bridge in Lagos have been arrested by the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command just as they recovered two master keys from them.
The suspects, Chima Joseph (24), Hassan Adamu (34) and Ibietan Oluwaseyi (41) were arrested after dragging their victim from the Expressway into the bush and dispossessed him of all his belongings.
The victim, Idi Musa, who was in Lagos for the first time, said he was on his way to Apapa from Borno State to meet his brother.
According to him, "I alighted at Ojodu Berger to walk from the Bus Stop to Ojota. As I walked down the road towards the bridge (Otedola), I heard somebody called out from the bush, Aboki! Aboki!!, zo mana (come).
 I ignored the call because I didn’t know them. Before now, I have been warned to mind my business when in Lagos.

As I continued my journey, two of them (pointing to Chima and Adamu) ran after me, dragged me with my trousers into the bush, beat me several times before searching my pockets and luggage. They took N3, 000 from me".
"After collecting my money, one of them (pointing to Hassan Adamu) threatened me that he was a Lagos State Government official and that if I ever come back there, they would arrest me and send me back to my village.
They then released me to go. As I descended the slope towards the bridge, I spotted an RRS vehicle. I went to the officers, narrated all that happened to me.
At their office, three teams of officers were drafted to comb the Bush properly. It was in the process that they arrested the other two that dragged me from the road into the bush before collecting my money".
It was gathered that RRS's surveillance team have been on the lookout for the robber`s terrorising people during traffic congestion in that area.
It was further learnt that more than four people have been arrested for robbing road users while two additional cases of robbery linked to the suspects have been reported to RRS's operatives.
One of the suspects, Chima Joseph, from whom the master keys were recovered, stated that he found the keys on the ground, adding that he was looking for a place to put it for people to see.
It was revealed that the key, when tested open the doors of 2 Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla and one Honda (End of Discussion).
He confessed that they dragged Musa into the bush, ransacked him and collected his N3, 000.
"My friends and I sleep in the shed in the bush beside the expressway. What we do is to assist people on the highway", he added.
As at the time of filling this report, RRS's Investigators were still questioning the suspected robbers to establish if they have a link to car-stealing gang around popular Fela's Shrine.
They are expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning.
Confirming the arrest, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police, SP Dolapo Badmos, stated that the police are keeping an eagle eye on all the black spots in the state particularly as the year draws to an end.‎

THE SUPREME PROPHET, DR. CHRIS OKAFOR, LIGHT UP THE STAGE FOR ANOTHER ‘ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING’ ---D-day is (Friday September 30th 2016 at TBS.)

 The atmosphere is already turbo charged, the frenzy is infections, while the bug is fast-catching on everyone about the fast approaching defining moment in Christendom, Tagged ‘One Night With The King’ the heavenly and spiritually-endowed programme is the well-articulated salvation, healing, divine lifting and breakthrough encounter with the King of All Kings, at the instance of the indefatigable supreme prophet of All Times, Dr. Chris Okafor. This year’s edition, the second to be precise, and  an annual one for that matter, has been specifically packaged and designed to supersede the maiden edition, which from all intents and purposes, was a glorifying and edifying success in all its ramification.

          In essence, Christian faithful and non-faithful alike are in for an unequalled and unprecedented outpouring of grace, mercies, miracles, signs, wonders, deliverances, healings, uplifting and supernatural promotions in all their spheres of endeavour. The supreme Prophet, Dr. Chris Okafor, is known for many mouth-gaping and astounding signs, wonders and accurate prophesy, this year’s edition of ‘One Night With The King’ will yet again prove his symbolic manifestation of his endowment as a unique vessel of God, through which the Almighty God has been using to set the captive free. Symbolically, ‘One Night With The King’ is a well-thought-out and divinely inspired yearly programme where at the instance of Dr. Chris Okafor, under the auction of God, will set the medium for attendees from all over the world, irrespective of their faith and religion to meet God one-on-one as the King of all Kings; which by inference means that when you meet the ultimate King in such an auspicious and hallowed atmosphere, one can make request(s) with Him, and such will be granted, with your faith and belief intact. Testimonies and miracles of last year’s edition abound and are still trickling in, as to the efficacy and authenticity of this carnival-like event, that always shaken the entire Christendom across the world to its very foundation; all thanks to the divine leading and grace of the supreme Prophet, Dr. Chris Okafor, the General Overseer of the Liberation City Ministries Worldwide, whose many prophecies and foretelling, more often than not, have come to pass, and this is without any iota of exaggeration or praise singing. Dr. Chris Okafor, has over the years been dead on target and accurately justified by his predictions and prophecies-notably that of the passing on of the last Ooni of Ife, HRM, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the tragic helicopter crash on the 3^rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos and many more too numerous to mention, not forgetting the quantum of healings and deliverances he has braved all odds of the Satan to unleash. The Oracle of God, as he is also fondly called, is again, as ever before, set to roll out the drums to further elicit to the world that ‘One Night With The King’  is another unique opportunity for the children of God to have a divine encounter with their creator and share a glorious moment with the King of Kings, culminating in their supernatural beholding of the King Himself and by extension getting more blessed and having all their fears, tribulations, problems and hurdles overcome by the Lord of Hosts and universal saviors of mankind.

          The all-embracing and ground breaking event will as usual come up on the 30^th of September 2016, Friday at the expansive Tafawa Balewa Square in Onikan, Lagos. Of course, the Supreme Prophet, Dr. Chris Okafor will be in his element to take all through with his special anointing and prophectic ministrations, while soul-lifting, inspirational and motivational gospel song ministrations will be spiritually rendered by the likes of Joe Praise, Eben, Monique, Gozie Okeke, Amaka Joel Samuel Otu, just to mention a few.

Admission is free, and all you need to come with is your faith and total submission to the King Himself, and the way you came, fully healed and spiritually equipped to confront any evil machination in your life.

          Towards this divine encounter with the King, the Oracle of God has been pulling all stunts, via intensive fasting and prayers, to ensure yet another awesome sight in His presence, with a committal to further take evangelism and souls-saving to over 35 countries this year alone, casting our demons and several deadly diseases like the Zika virus and the likes. Many have since been jostling  to partake in this all-important life saving crusade that has gripped the entire Christendom like a whirlwind, and to be left out of it, is like losing a golden opportunity to have a dinner with the King Himself. Come and you will truly be blessed.

To ensure easy to and fro passage to the venue, free transportation has been provided for all at strategic places all over the vicinity, and the song in town now is all about ‘One Night With The King’ and inimitable license to Eternal life of prosperity, miracles, good health, promotions and above all, a well-secured place in the high heavens of Paradise.

It will surely be a night to remember for everyone. The Supreme Prophet and Oracle of God, Dr. Chris Okafor has assured that the all-conquering crusade will mark a turning point in the lifes of those who will be privileged to partake in the programme, by the special Grace of Almighty God. Shallom. Maximum security is Guaranteed Throughout The Night.

New Telegraph’s Shadare bags media award

Aviation Editor, New Telegraph Newspapers, Wole Shadare has been named Aviation Writer of The Year at the 10^th edition of the Nigeria Media Nite-Out Awards (NMNA) 2016.

At the award ceremony held on Sunday at Time Square Event Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, and attended by corporate industry players, state governors who were represented by their aides, journalists, the award-winners and their colleagues, Shadare was announced Aviation Writer of the Year ahead of Comfort Oseghale (Punch), Olusegun Koiki (Mirror), Loius Ibah (Sun) and Kelvin Osa Okunbor of The Nation.

Speaking at the event, founder of NMNA, Sola Olagbemiro, said the NMNA is a child born out of the necessity to recognise excellence, distinction and achievements by media practitioners in virtually all the major categories and sub-sectors.

He further stated that if members of the fourth estate of the realm could go out of the way to fish out and recognise individuals in other sectors of the economy, “Why then can’t we, the veritable source of gauging achievement and excellence in the society, do same to ourselves.”

Olagbemiro said it is for this sole reason the NMNA launched out ten years ago to fill this yawning gap.

He advised the awardees not to rest on their oars because henceforth, the beam- light would be trained on them to assess whether they truly and meritoriously deserve the awards or not, adding that it is left to them to prove the organisers right for selecting them out of a handful of their colleagues.

 A member of the jury revealed that the criteria for selecting the rewarded journalists were originality, accuracy, fairness in reporting, objectivity, depth of writing, conformity with ethics of the profession, currency of the report and the social responsibility.

Best Television Station of the Year went to Television Continental (TVC), while Best Radio Programme of the Year was won by Radio Continental with its programme Kubanji Direct.

On Air Personality of the Year Award went to Joshua Morakinyo of Silverbird Television while On Air Personality of The Year (Radio) was won by Olayemi Ogunwole of Radio Continental.

Other awardees were Maureen Ihua Maduenyi of Punch Newspapers who won in the Business Writer of the Year category. Oladeru Emmanuel of The Nation came top in the Writer of the Year (Politics) category, while photo journalist of the year award went to Akeem Salau of Vanguard Newspapers.

Ikem Okuhu of Brandish won Brand Writer of the year award; Society Writer of The Year Award went to Juliet Ebirim of Vanguard, Kunle Akinriade of The Nation won Crime Writer of the Year award while Tade Asfat won Editor of the Year (Soft Sell).

Receiving his award, Wole Shadare dedicated it to his family, New Telegraph for providing him the platform to win the award and to the families of ‘Chibok girls’.