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MKO Abiola: 27 Years After

Contributed by Dr Hafsat Abiola President KUDIRAT INITIATIVE FOR DEMOCRACY (KIND), and Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin President, Women Arise

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Today we remember MKO Abiola.

He came like a dream and lived as a legend.

Of his accomplishments, he was a marvel: a child born into poverty but surrounded by such a wealth of culture and community that, from an early age, he understood that the greatest glory came from serving people.

A prodigy of Baptist Boys High School where his identity as a muslim did not stop him from benefiting from scholarships set up by missionaries; and ultimately coming fourth in the international chartered accountancy exam in England.

MKO believed in Nigeria and in Nigerians and loved both above all else.

He would have been a success anywhere, but like many patriotic Nigerians of his time, he chose Nigeria for his stage.

And what a stage it was for much of his adult life, marked by feats of business and personal success that was matched by his prodigious philanthropy.

If there was a final test that caused a man that seemed to be an unstoppable force of nature to stumble, it was the quest to ensure that Nigerians would say farewell of poverty.

He set forth on his attempt but, alas, he did not succeed.

However, that his final chapter culminated in the pursuit of a better Nigeria for all probably defined him best.

MKO believed in Nigeria and in Nigerians and loved both above all else.

So as divided as the country may be today, fractured and riven by suspicion and fear; as dispirited as many citizens may feel when confronted by the lack of visible progress on insecurity and broader prosperity, on this 27th anniversary of MKO’s death, we would do well to remember that the unity some threaten to upend may be a pre-condition for winning the fight for our country and its future.

And that the quest to end poverty in Nigeria isn’t for one man, whether MKO or whoever leads our country, however brilliant and blessed he may be, but for us all.

Contributed by Dr Hafsat Abiola President KUDIRAT INITIATIVE FOR DEMOCRACY (KIND); Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin President, Women Arise

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Okpebholo Cracks Down on Adviser Over Unapproved Fundraising

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The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has suspended his Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, Felix Osemwengie Isere, for alleged unauthorised fundraising over an upcoming oil and has summit in the state.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, on Tuesday in Benin.

The SSG said the governor also announced the immediate halt of the planned summit, scheduled to begin on August 7.

“Due to the breach, the proposed summit is suspended, and Isere is directed to refund all monies collected from donors for the event.

“Prospective donors are hereby advised to stop all dealings with the suspended adviser,” Ikhilor said.

(NAN)

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BREAKING: Former NAFDAC DG dumps PDP, joins ADC

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Former Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signaling a major political shift in Benue State.  

In a letter addressed to the Atirkyese Council Ward Chairman in Benue State, Orhii explained that his decision followed wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders across different levels.

“After intensive consultations with my family, friends, thousands of my supporters and political associates locally, nationally and globally, I have decided to resign my membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect,” he stated.  

Dr. Orhii, who was a PDP governorship aspirant in both the 2019 and 2023 elections, added that his resignation would allow him to join the ADC’s national “rescue mission.”  

“This is to enable me join the coalition of other progressive-minded Nigerians in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on the rescue mission,” he explained.  

He expressed gratitude to the PDP for providing him a platform to serve the nation, particularly during his tenure as NAFDAC boss.

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BREAKING: SDP expels, bans El-Rufai for 30 years

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Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been expelled from the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

Announcing his expulsion from the party, SDP also imposed a 30-year ban on El-Rufai.

SDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, said the action was in line with the party’s constitution, ideology, manifesto, principles, and practices, as well as in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act pertaining to the exclusive right of a political party to determine its membership.

A statement by the party’s spokesman, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, warned members against associating with El-Rufai and those who don’t represent its interest.

Parts of the statement read: “El-Rufai is hereby banished and banned from applying for membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, symbol, mark, or any activities, organs, agencies, and institutions of the SDP or donating to, supporting, contributing to, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years effective from today.”

It would be recalled that El-Rufai joined the SDP after quiting the All Progressives Congress, APC.

However, El-Rufai is also a key member of the opposition coalition which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as its platform ahead of the 2027 election.

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