Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has won the 2023 Silverbird Man of the Year award in recognition of his commitment and dedication to the socio-economic development of the gateway state.
Presenting the award to the Governor at the 19th edition of the Man of the Year award organized by Silverbird Organization in Lagos, the chief executive officer of a private airline in Nigeria, Chief Allen Onyema commended him for the accelerated development recorded in the state since his assumption of office
Congratulating the Governor, Chief Onyema noted that the award was a reflection of Governor Abiodun’s commitment to the development and fundamental changes in the affairs of the state through his administration’s “building our future together agenda”.
Speaking after receiving the award, Governor Abiodun who thanked the management of the Silverbird Organisation for the recognition, said the honour was a call to greater service to the people of the state and the nation at large
Promising that his administration would build on the successes recorded during his first term in office, the Governor noted that the current administration has constructed over five hundred kilometres of road in all the three senatorial districts, built three thousand affordable housing schemes and other infrastructural amenities for the benefit of its residents.
Governor Abiodun also used the occasion to appeal to Nigerians to remain calm in the face of the current economic challenges with an assurance that President Bola Tinubu was working round the clock to find a lasting solution to the hardship.
He dedicated the award to the people of Ogun state, the civil servants and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has well as, to those who have supported him since the inception of his administration in 2019.
Governor Seyi Makinde delivers his inaugural address at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium on May 29, 2023*
Being the Inaugural Address by His Excellency Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, on Monday, May 29, 2023, at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
Four years ago, I took an oath before God and you, the good people of Oyo State. I pledged to put aside my self-interest to serve you to the best of my ability. Today, I stand before you to renew that pledge and reaffirm these solemn words – I will always put your interests first.
And as we usher in Omituntun 2.0 on this day, I see another opportunity to reflect on our first term in office, recall our promises made and promises kept, and renew those promises you have given us another opportunity to keep.
We have worked hard to stimulate and accelerate economic and social development in Oyo State. As promised, we have extracted value from once-moribund facilities and abandoned projects in Oyo State. In 2019, just a few months after we came into office, we set our sights on reviving the Pacesetter Quarry and Asphalt Plant, Ijaiye. We have since handed it over to private investors in keeping with our mantra that the only business government should have in business is to create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.
We rehabilitated the main bowl of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba. And what a proud moment it was when our State hosted an international match at that stadium for the first time in about thirty years.
We also rehabilitated the once-moribund Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme Headquarters, Saki, the Rural Community Development Centre, Aawe, and we are on the verge of making history as we convert the Fasola Farm Settlement into a modern agribusiness industrial hub.
We have built a solid foundation for sustainable development.
Under Omituntun 1.0, we prioritised infrastructural development. We completed over 137 km of road projects, taking a top-to-bottom approach to road rehabilitations and reconstructions. We focused on interconnecting all the zones because we knew that therein lies the key to kick-starting our no zones left behind policy.
We built roads such as the 76.7 km Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin Road – a completely new road construction. No road had ever existed in that place before now. But we knew that this construction would open up the Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun Zones. Already, we have big businesses springing up on that road.
We are also constructing the 110 km Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road. We plan to complete the construction of this road with all ancillary amenities that will give our people a first-world transport experience on that route within this tenure.
Our top-to-bottom approach also means that under Omituntun 2.0, we will ensure that we complete all ongoing road projects and give priority attention to internal roads in urban areas.
We laid the groundwork for ensuring that we have a modern transportation system. We completed two bus terminals and have another two in view. We set up infrastructure that made it possible for our airport to fuel aeroplanes for the first time since the Ibadan Airport was constructed. We are upgrading this airport into an international airport that will serve as a viable alternative to the airport in Lagos.
We celebrated new milestones, such as when we got sole ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
We restored lost glories in sports. We all rejoiced when our darling Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) were reinstated into the elite division of the Nigerian football league. We plan to go a step further to see our 3SC win the league and once again compete at the regional and continental levels for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League.
We conquered at national and international sports festivals. We set a new record for Oyo State at the 21st National Sports Festival when for the first time in Oyo State history, we won 43 Gold Medals and placed fourth on the medals table.
We turned the trend of government owing workers salaries, pensions and gratuities. We paid all Oyo State workers regularly and consistently on the 25th of every month – the ‘GSM Day’ and even went a step further to pay the 13th month salary four years in a row for the first time in the history of Oyo State. We reduced the gratuities deficit of past administrations by over N16 billion and once again, put a smile on the faces of our fathers and mothers who served Oyo State in their youth.
We promise to do even more under Omituntun 2.0. We will work towards ensuring that the backlog of gratuity payments is cleared within this next four years. Of course, we will continue with the consistent payment of workers’ salaries and pensions monthly.
We mourned the tragic losses of our loved ones personally, sub-nationally and nationally. But even in those trying circumstances, we saw opportunities to bond, learn from our mistakes and forge a better tomorrow as a people.
We defied all odds, including a global pandemic and came out stronger, better.
We accomplished all of these because you, the good people of Oyo State, supported us.
We felt your support when we said, “Use your PVC, not violence”. You spoke in one voice and showed that it is possible to conduct elections in Oyo State without any bloodshed.
We felt your support when despite the actions of a few, you refused to be divided by religion, ethnicity, language or gender.
We felt your support when you spoke with one voice at the polls, and we won with a margin never before seen in the Oyo State history of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Yes, everything we accomplished in the last four years was because you, the good people of Oyo State, stood by us.
And so, as we face another four years with this mandate that you have given us, we again, in all humility, ask for your support. With your backing, we know our vision for Omituntun 2.0 will become a reality.
We have shared our plans with you in our Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023 – 2027. And we look forward to four years of sustainable development refocused on four pillars: the Economy, Education, Healthcare and Security.
These were the same four pillars we focused on in the last four years. This is why we say Omituntun 2.0 is an upgrade.
We are upgrading to Education 2.0.
Under Omituntun 1.0, we returned over 50,000 children to the classrooms. Through targeted interventions, such as maintaining the no-fees in public schools’ policy, we plan to return another 50,000 to the classroom in the next four years.
Another policy that will remain in place is the 15-20% budgetary allocation to education. We must urgently continue to reduce the infrastructure deficit in our public primary and secondary schools. So, we shall focus on building classrooms and other needed facilities in underserved areas in the State.
We are upgrading to Healthcare 2.0.
Having upgraded over 200 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) as promised under Omituntun 1.0, we will now equip these PHCs and upgrade more PHCs and other selected secondary healthcare facilities to ensure our people have even better access to quality healthcare.
We will ensure that communities without upgraded PHCs are prioritised in our quest to ensure that all 351 wards in Oyo State have an operational Tier 4 Primary Healthcare Centre.
We are upgrading to Security 2.0.
Under Omituntun 1. 0, we enjoyed a 25% drop in crime rate, making Oyo State one of the safest States to do business in the southwest zone. This was because we gave all the security agencies in Oyo State enormous support and created a 2,000-member Amotekun corps – the most incentivised corps in the zone. We used continuous communication to smoothen out relationships among all the agencies so that they all work harmoniously.
In the next four years, we shall not rest on our oars. We will continue to give the security agencies in the State the support they need to more effectively and efficiently carry out their duties and responsibilities.
We will further strengthen the State security architecture by training and retraining Oyo Amotekun corps members to be involved in intelligence gathering at the local level.
At the Federal level, we will continue to push for reforms that will strengthen local policing and ensure that our people continue to sleep with their eyes closed.
We are upgrading to Economy 2.0.
Under Omituntun 1.0, we focused on stimulating economic growth through Agribusiness and Infrastructure development. With the accelerated investments in these sectors, we moved our economy from N2.75 trillion in 2019 to N4.05 trillion as of Q3 2022 without increasing taxes. We also increased our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by over 90% in the same period.
We attracted $65 million in Foreign Direct Investments and $126 million in agribusiness from development partners’ blended finance.
Our vision is to further grow our economy by building on the gains in agribusiness. Additionally, we plan to bring in investments in Solid Minerals, Sustainable Energy and Tourism.
We are already working towards achieving this goal. Just ten days ago, we were in London to woo investors at the Oyo State International Business Summit (OYSIBS) 2023. This sets the tone for activities we will carry out in the next four years.
We will continue to be bullish about getting local and foreign direct investments into the State as we focus on youth development and creating employment opportunities for 60% of our population that form an energetic workforce.
We know we have your support as we make tough decisions and take tough actions that will lead to improving our state’s environmental and socio-political outlook.
So far, we have created the architecture required to bring sanity into the markets, transportation and waste management sectors.
We have built markets and other closed environments for our traders to carry out their business without obstructing traffic and causing mayhem on our streets. Of course, every street corner should not be converted into a marketplace.
We have built parks and other transportation hubs so transporters do not park on the roads. We are increasing the capacity of our waste managers so that our people stop seeing the medians and street corners as legal dumpsites.
We have embarked on continuous sensitisation of the people, encouraging them to adopt a lifestyle change that will make the environment more suitable for living and business.
Having created these structures, it is time to implement existing laws based on the principles of equity and fairness. Therefore, I have directed all relevant agencies to enforce existing traffic, waste management and street trading laws.
It is time to upgrade to the Omituntun 2.0 Lifestyle.
We must appreciate the link between the rule of law and sustainable development. As we all know, where there is no law, there is chaos, and where there is chaos, business and development suffer. We must never allow our communities to descend to the level of chaos that will turn away investors.
Therefore, I direct the creation of the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OMASED). This agency will be mandated to establish a public orientation and sensitisation framework into which all agencies and departments of government must key in. This framework will ensure continuous sensitisation and enlightenment using traditional, electronic and social media. I further direct that this framework should incorporate a timetable for the enforcement of all existing traffic, waste management and street trading laws.
Let me reassure the good people of Oyo State that Omituntun 2.0 will be better than 1.0. We will work even harder to ensure that the prosperity that our people have started enjoying under Omituntun 1.0 will continue for four more years.
Before I end this speech, let me once again thank the good people of Oyo State for giving us another opportunity to serve by voting for us a second time with an even bigger margin of victory than the first time. I thank our friends from South Africa and Botswana and from around the world who are here today including my brother from another mother, Nigel Pickard and his son, George. I also thank leaders, elders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and all those who worked tirelessly to make today a reality. Finally, I thank my darling wife, Mrs Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde, my children, Feyi, Tobi, Tayo, Folarin and Beeni for their support and understanding.
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup organisers, which starts in 100 days, say they are on course to sell a record 1.5 million tickets.
FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura said, “FIFA’s mission is to organise the biggest and best Women’s World Cup in history this year”.
As well as targeting 1.5m ticket sales, organisers have predicted the month-long tournament will attract a global television audience of two billion viewers.
FIFA hope more than 100,000 fans will attend the event’s opening day overall when New Zealand play 1995 winners Norway at the 50,000-capacity Eden Park in Auckland while Australia faces the Republic of Ireland at the 83,500-capacity Stadium Australia in Sydney.
32 countries will compete over 64 matches in ten different venues across nine cities in New Zealand and Australia.
Accreditation and voting commenced on schedule at various units in Oyo State.
At Dugbe axis, Ibadan Southwest, as early as half past 7 in the morning INEC officials were seen at their duty posts with few electorates.
Accreditation and voting commenced in most polling units at 8 30 in the morning at polling units 14, and 15 Open space Adebimpe and polling unit 21 anand d 22, open space Gbagi One and Two. Dugbe.
The atmosphere was calm at the polling units with security agents on the ground to maintain law and order.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria, some of the electorates expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the electoral process, expressing optimism that their preferred candidates will emerge winners.
“We are all here to exercise our civic responsibility, we are happy that INEC officials are here.”
“I believe the right candidates will emerge, we need to use our voting power to put our preferred candidates in power”
One of the party agents, who pleaded anonymity, gave kudos to INEC officials for being prompt.
At Ona Ara Local Government Area, accreditation and voting have commenced in some of the polling units.
The turnout of voters at the polling Units including Ifelajulo, Polling Unit 6, Polling Unit 3 (Olorunsogo), Polling Unit 4, ward 9 and Polling Unit 2, Ward 5, ido Ose, was impressive as they filed out to exercise their franchise.
Radio Nigeria reporter observed that the BVAS used for accreditation were functioning well while the voters had so far conducted themselves in an orderly manner as security personnel were seen at strategic positions to forestall any breakdown of law and order
At some polling units in Ido Ibarapa Local Government, accreditation and voting commenced as scheduled.
At Units 10, 11,12 and 13, Ward 6, under Ibarapa East Local Government, Our team of correspondents reports that INEC officials were sighted at various units attending to queues of voters performing their civic duty.
Same situation at Alako Open space, Unit 4, Ward 1, Ido Local Government and Ward 1, Unit 1, Ilaju Open Space, also at Ido Local Government under the watch of security personnel.
There was a massive turnout of voters at Ward 2, Units 1-4, Ibarapa East who are also casting their voters.
Chairman Ibarapa East local government, Eruwa, commended IINEC for the early arrival of election materials and the orderly manner in which the exercise was being conducted
Our correspondents also observed queues of voters the aged waiting patiently to cast their votes.
There was heavy security, as personnel of relevant agencies were stationed at strategic locations on major roads.
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the winner of the just concluded Presidential Election and Candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves’’ President Buhari noted.
“Within Nigeria, the results reveal democracy’s ripening in our country. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle. In the presidential elections, states in all regions across the nation changed colour. Some of you may have noticed my home state among them. The winning candidate did not carry his own home state either. That happens during a competitive election. Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted. Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy. There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today”. President Buhari noted.
President Buhari explained “That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with the electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure. However, none of the issues registered represents a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections”.
He called on candidates who believe they can prove the fraud they claim was committed against them, with evidence or want to challenge it, should go to the court, not to the streets.
President Buhari implored all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed before the election and not to undermine the credibility of INEC.
President said ”Let us now move forward as one. The people have spoken.”
A large turnout of voters was witnessed at Obantoko Ward 7, Unit 1 and 2, Ward 6, Unit 10 in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State as accreditation and voting took place simultaneously.
Voters, who spoke with Radio Nigeria, said the exercise had been peaceful so far and the BVAS was working effectively.
Security personnel were on the ground at all areas visited, while fewer security roadblocks were noticed around the axis.
The situation was the same at Itoku, Ward 11 Unit 19 Bata 1 and 2 in Abeokuta South, with a large turnout of voters going through accreditation and voting simultaneously while electoral officers had earlier removed some posters of political parties displayed at the polling unit.
Similarly, the turnout of voters was impressive at polling units visited in Iperu Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.
Accreditation and voting started early at Iregun Ward 3 Polling Unit 3, and Ita-Osanyin Ward 3, Polling Unit 2.
Men and officers of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, EFCC as well as the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA were seen at various polling units visited.
In the Yewa South Local Government Area of the state, the turnout of voters was impressive, but the voting witnessed a hitch due to faulty BVAS.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria, the Presiding Officer at Ward 1 Unit 9, Mr Akinniyi Abayomi said the relevant authorities had been notified to address the issue of faulty BVAS.
Some of the voters, who claimed to have been in queue very early in the morning, expressed disappointment over the delay and urged the INEC to promptly do the needful.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ogun State has reiterated the commitment of the commission in ensuring that all votes count in the ongoing general election in the State.
According to the electoral umpire, no eligible voters who have come out to cast their ballots will be disenfranchised.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Niyi Ijalaye stated this while monitoring elections at some polling units including, Ward 1, Unit 14, Egunrete, Ikenne, which is the polling booth for the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Also visited were the polling units of the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun Ita Osain Ward 3, Unit 2, Iperu Remo and Wesley School, Ward 5, Unit 4.
Mr Ijalaye commended the people of the state for comporting themselves in an orderly manner while casting their votes, especially giving special consideration to pregnant women, the Elderly and people living with a disability.
In Ogun State, today’s election is expected to produce 3 senators and 9 members of the House of Representatives.
Media professionals covering Saturday Presidential and National Assembly Elections have been advised to be objective and neutral in their reportage.
The Deputy Director, New Media, Ibadan Zonal Station of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Dr Sola Agboola gave the advice while training staff of Paramount FM Abeokuta in preparation of the coverage of the Country’s Elections.
Dr Agboola urged the journalists to study their environment, be safety conscious while carrying out their tasks during the election and avoid using provocative language that could trigger violence.
He also appealed to journalists to facts check stories in order to maintain the ethics of the profession, avoid spreading unfounded stories and ensure accuracy in every story to maintain the dignity of the pen profession.
The General Manager Paramount Fm Abeokuta, Mr Akinyinka Akintola who appreciated Dr Agboola for training the staff on effective coverage of the 2023 elections, promised to prioritize the welfare of members covering the general election.
Ahead of the February 25 General election, the Joint Security Task Force, JSTF, in Oyo State has assured residents of the state of a violence-free electoral exercise.
The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Mechanised Nigerian Army, Odogbo, Ibadan, Major General Mohammed Usman gave the assurance at a joint security show of force exercise in Ibadan.
The General Officer Commanding 2 Division, who was represented by Brigadier General Kingsley Nwoko told mischief makers to rethink as security agents would clamp down on them.
Also addressing journalist, the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Security, Fatai Owoseni, who urged residents in the state to follow laid down rules as regards the election, stressed the need for people to desist from spreading information aimed at causing panic.
The show of force by the Joint Security Task Force was to assure residents in the state of their safety before, during and after the Elections in 2023.
Barely six days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has urged residents of the state to go about their lawful businesses peacefully without fear.
Governor Adeleke made the call at a closed-door meeting with representatives of security agencies including the Army, Air-Eorce, Navy, Police, NSCDC, Immigration, Customs, FRSC, Corrections, DSS, NDLEA and Amotekun.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting which lasted for hours, the Governor said the meeting, which was strategic in view of the general election, identified all flashpoint areas and mapped out relevant security strategies to combat any possible breakdown of law and order.
He, therefore, called on the people of the state to come out en masse on the day of the election to exercise their franchise, saying that there would be adequate security before, during and after the election.
Speaking on behalf of the Security Chiefs, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kehinde Longe said the command and all other security agencies had resolved to nip any crisis in the bud.
He assured residents of the state of adequate protection before during and after the polls.
Come February 25 this year, the Nigerian electorate go to the poll to elect a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, who ceases to pilot the affairs of the country after May 29, as well as National Assembly lawmakers, while governorship and state assembly candidates know their fate on March 11.
Candidates slugging it out for the hot seat in Aso Rock have been on the campaign trail selling their agenda to the Nigerian public.
Political and international relations expert, Dr Moses Duruji, in this interview with Simeon Ugbodovon, scrutinizes the political landscape.
In less than two weeks, Nigerians are heading to the poll, what makes this year’s election significant?
Thank you for that question. The 2023 General Election scheduled for February 25 and March 1i 2023, is the seventh in the series under the 4th Republic dispensation. It is going to be significant because, unlike previous elections, the Nigerian electorate has woken from their slumber and the indicators are right there for everyone to see. Nigerians now believe in the power of their votes to determine those who occupy public offices and leadership positions at different levels. Thanks to the newly amended 2022 Electoral Act which has inspired confidence in Nigerians that this time, their votes will count in the coming elections.
Do you see the electorate as being enlightened enough to wield the power of their voter card, what percentage is this?
Yes, feelers from the streets across the length and breadth of the country show that the Nigerian electorate is upbeat to vote on February 25 and March 14 this year. So we are going to witness an unprecedented turnout of voters in significant proportion compared to previous elections where apathy was the order of the day. We saw signs in the surge of eligible Nigerians during the exercise of continuous voter registration (CVR) and the high turnout in the collection of Permanent voters cards (PVC). We saw unprecedented campaigns by civil society groups, churches, market groups, and youths, urging people to go out and register as well as collect their PVCs and how the calls were heeded. This is unlike previous years when voters feel unconcerned about these exercises.
Are there factors that weaken the remaining percentage of uninformed voters predisposing them to manipulation?
Definitely, there are factors hindering voters – mainly from the part of the election management body the INEC which continues to show inefficiencies in carrying out their mandate, particularly in their handling of the CVR and collection of PVCs. So many Nigerians got frustrated and withdrew quietly. The idea of centralizing these exercises at the 774 Local Government headquarters imposed untold high financial cost, time and inconvenience on eligible Nigerians.
Secondly, there are still some Nigerians who believe that their votes will not count as was the case in the past. So the heightened voter enlightenment campaigns fall on deaf ears – more so the performance of elected politicians in the past does not inspire these ones to queue into the wave of enthusiasm right now. They see all politicians as the same who make promises that they fail to deliver in the end.
Let’s come to the election umpire, INEC do you see it poised to deliver a credible election, and are there indices to indicate INEC’s preparedness or otherwise?
Well INEC the election umpire as always have kept assuring Nigerians and the International community that they are fully prepared to conduct hitch-free elections though they are expressing concerns with the security situation and fuel scarcity persisting in the country which is out of their control.
But INEC preparedness will be tested on a national scale on February 25th and March 14th this year. In the past, we saw logistic problems overwhelming INEC despite assurances and leading to postponement and other chaos that marred those elections. Even though INEC has improved with their recent outings in the Anambra, Ondo and Osun Gubernatorial elections as well as reforms in the system including the introduction of technology such as the Bimordal Voter Accreditation System BVAS and Electronic transmission of Results to INEC server and the INEC Results viewing portal IREV, all of which will be tested on the national scale come February 25th and March 11th, unlike the isolated exercises in few states warranting full concentration of INEC officials.
Another disturbing concern is the recent ruling of the Osun state Election Tribunal that annulled the result declared by INEC citing overvoting in about 744 Polling Units (PUs). Though disputed as that is the ruling of the court of first instance as appeals are allowed up to Supreme Court questions of how are being asked by Nigerians. How reliable are INEC servers? How prepared are INEC staff and are they adequately trained to handle their assignments and resist temptation from desperate politicians? But in all, BVAS and Electronic transmission of Results have come to stay and Nigerians are counting down to February 25th.
The International Monetary Fund has said, the UK economy will shrink and perform worse than other advanced economies, including Russia, as the cost of living continues to hit households.
According to IMF, the economy will contract by 0.6% in 2023, rather than grow slightly as previously predicted, as the IMF also said, it thinks the UK is now “on the right track”.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the UK outperformed many forecasts last year.
But shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the figures showed the UK “lagging behind our peers”.
The IMF, which works to stabilize economic growth, said it had downgraded its forecast for the UK because of its high energy prices, rising mortgage costs and increased taxes, as well as persistent worker shortages. It did not mention Brexit in its report as a factor for the UK not performing as well as others. Today marks three years since the UK left the EU.
The UK is expected to be the only country to shrink next year across all the advanced and emerging economies. Even sanctions-hit Russia is now forecast to grow this year.
If a country’s economy shrinks, typically this means companies make less money and the number of people unemployed rises.
IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told the BBC that last year, the UK had “one of the strongest growth numbers in Europe”, having expanded by 4.1%.
Figures released on Tuesday indicated that the Eurozone grew by 3.5% in 2022, while the economy of the whole European Union expanded by 3.6%.
Mr Gourinchas said this year’s forecast for the UK reflected its “high dependence” on expensive liquid natural gas, which had driven up the cost of living.
He said the government plans since November when it set out its spending plans in the Autumn Statement showed the UK was “certainly trying to carefully navigate these different challenges and we think that they are on the right track”.
When we went through the calendar, we also counted how many times Sunday appeared in each month of 2023. Below is a list showing you how many Sundays there are in each month in 2023.
January 2023: 5 Sundays
February 2023: 4 Sundays
March 2023: 4 Sundays
April 2023: 5 Sundays
May 2023: 4 Sundays
June 2023: 4 Sundays
July 2023: 5 Sundays
August 2023: 4 Sundays
September 2023: 4 Sundays
October 2023: 5 Sundays
November 2023: 4 Sundays
December 2023: 5 Sundays
From the data above, there are 53 Sundays in 2023. The first Sunday in 2023 is on January 1, 2023 and the last Sunday of 2023 is on December 31, 2023. So, 2023 could be described as a unique year. Here are the dates of all the Sundays in 2023:
Nigerians should raise prayers for this nation as elections draw near.
The Reverend kehinde Alabi of Molete Baptist church challenge Ibadan stated this in a message to usher in the new.
The Reverend Alabi believed that with fervent prayers good leaders would emerge. Prayers for the nation was raised by members of the church.
In a related development, Pastor Adesoji Adeniji of Christ life Church, loyola ibadan,says 2023 will be a year of great turning around for Nigeria.
Pastor Adeniji stated this in a new year message, explained that the nation would overcome challenges faced,noted that the glory of God would prevail in the country . The Cleric expressed joy that Nigeria would rise again, appealed to people to love one another irrespective of differences in tribe, religion,politics as well as social class.
Also, Reverend Ademola Mabawonko of Agodi Baptist Church Ibadan has admonished Nigerians to hold on and put on trust in God alone to give his blessings.
Reverend Mabawonko enjoined citizens to vote according to God’s direction and not to sell their votes,urged politicians to be godly and show good leadership.
The Accord Governorship Candidate for the 2023 election in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu says a better package awaits monarchs and chiefs in the state if elected.
Chief Adelabu who made this known in Igboora during his ongoing consultations across the zones in the state, assured monarchs of adequate welfare by ensuring the prompt release of five per cent that was allocated to them adding that there would be more welfare package for the monarchs and chiefs.
“I solicit your support by voting for All Accord candidates in Oyo state in the February and March 11 governorship election to correct the anomalies in the present administration in the State and to bring good governance to the people of Oyo.”
I urged you to use your vote to elect me as Governor of Oyo State come 2023 and shun violence before during and after the election”, Adelabu said
Chief Adelabu who expressed disappointment that the Local Government administration had performed below expectations since they were elected over 18 months ago, promised to support local government autonomy to drive rapid development in the grassroots.
He also met with traders and artisans in Igboora where he promised to support them through free loans to boost their trades.
Christians have been urged to give issues of the kingdom of God priority at all times and ensure they make soul-winning their lifestyle.
The Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, the Most Reverend Dr Joseph Akinfenwa stated this at the Advent Carol of Nine Lessons and Songs held at All Souls Church, Bodija Ibadan.
While emphasising that the present world was full of evil and absurdities and would soon come to an end, the Most Reverend Akinfenwa challenged Christians to be watchful and prayerful while awaiting the Lord’s return.
The Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese harped on the need to utilise the Advent season which was meant for penance to reflect on the threats and dangers being experienced in the world and the place of Christians in all these.
“Advent is an age-long tradition of rejoicing. Advent Sunday is a very significant Sunday in the Christian Calendar and in the Church of God. Advent connotes the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, so we celebrate and look forward to that coming again as a Judge and not as a babe in Bethlehem”.
Advent which is synonymous with the Anglican Church signifies the beginning of the new Church Year and the season lasts for between four and six weeks.
On the 2023 elections, The Most Reverend Akinfenwa enjoined politicians to deal truthfully and with the fear of God in order to have a better society.
“Our message to the nation is that everyone should be honest with God. If you’re honest with God, It will be simple for them to be honest with man. Let our leaders and politicians be honest, let them say the truth, and let them stop deceiving us because there is a lot of deceit. We don’t have manifestos again, It’s all slogans to deceive the masses”
The service which was broadcast live on Premier FM 93.5 featured the singing of hymns, songs and anthems by the choir, clergy and women’s organizations in the Diocese.
Everyone present at the service was given a candle to light which symbolises the essence of Jesus Christ as the light of the world.
Peace has been identified as a basic requirement for a nation’s democracy to flourish.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Chris Isiguzo made the remark at the opening of a two-day capacity building for journalists and Civil Society Organizations in the South West on conflict-sensitive reporting, the 2023 general election and countering fake news.
At the event holding in Lagos, Mr Isiguzo said deliberate efforts should be made towards conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo
He, therefore, suggested peace-journalism as an instrument to promote peace and reduce conflicts to the barest minimum especially as the general elections draw nearer.
“The media have a vital role to play in nation-building, by being active partners in the implementation of the development processes. They are veritable instruments and are therefore central to any input-output functions of any political system. However, there may be constraints of the media in this regard which among others include lack of conducive working environment, mass poverty, poor remuneration and lack of adequate training.” The NUJ President highlighted.
He charged journalists to brace up for the challenges ahead by providing a positive and participatory forum for the exchange of ideas, democracy and nation-building.
Cross-section of participants
Cross-section of participants
He, however, cautioned them against deviating from the ethics of the profession.
“The NUJ is committed to improving the ethical standard of news reportage during elections. We are keen on ensuring that Nigerian Journalists undertake their professional duties within the ambit of the Electoral Law and other regulations. Professionally, we desire to improve the news judgment of the journalist as it affects elections and election-related issues“. He assured.
The NUJ President condemned the attitudes of some candidates and parties who decline to participate in a debate with others, he said it should have been an avenue to market their candidacy as it is a veritable means through which voters can have ideas on where to cast their votes.
Earlier the Director of Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD-West Africa, Idayat Hassan represented by Mr Austin Aigbe said the members of the public trust the media more than the government hence the need for the media to give out reports that promote peaceful co-existence.
Rep.Director CDD- Austin Aigbe
Hassan said any implication of conflict in Nigeria would have a snowball effect on other countries in the West Africa sub-region because it is almost half of the sub-region’s population.
She said, “we are there at CDD to help in fact-checking any information” to assist the journalists in detecting fake news before publishing“.
The capacity building is being organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, in conjunction with INEC and NUJ.
The Senate Committee on Electoral Matters has reiterated that the Electoral Act 2022 would ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2023 in Nigeria.
The vice chairman of the committee, Olalekan Mustapha said this when he led other members of the committee on a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Senator Mustapha stated that the committee was in the state on a zonal sensitization exercise on the electoral act 2022, adding that, there would be no deviation from what happened in the Ekiti and Osun Governorship elections, where the new electoral act was adhered to.
Responding, Governor Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Bayo Lawal declared absolute support for the Electoral Act, 2022 as it would bring sanity to the electoral process in the country for the forthcoming 2023 general election.
Governor Makinde while lauding the committee for the sensitization exercise, enjoined political parties, politicians and other stakeholders to embark on a series of enlightenment for the people on the importance of the new Electoral Act.
Popular Nollywood Actress, Funke Akindele, says the need to bring positive change to women, youth and children informed her acceptance to be the 2023 running mate to Lagos Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governorship Candidate, Dr Olajide Adediran.
Akindele, who was unveiled by the Lagos state PDP on Tuesday at a carnival-like event that had the party’s candidates, leaders and members in attendance at Ikorodu, said her decision to join Adediran, popularly known as ‘Jandor’ was a huge sacrifice.
“So, I am going to put aside my career now, I am coming out for the women, the youths, we have talents in Nigeria, we need to explore what we have.”
“We should build a state where our children can live rather than running and staying abroad.”
”I am joining Jandor to bring a breath of fresh air to Ikorodu and Lagos,” she said.
Akindele, who noted that she initially ran away when nominated for the ticket, said God and the people promised to be behind her.
“We are youths, we can run, we have energy to fix Lagos state. For my Ikorodu people, I thank you, I will not put you to shame. PDP is taking over,” Akindele added.
Presenting the flag of the party to Akindele, Mr Philip Aivoji, the Lagos PDP Chairman, said it was time for PDP to take over leadership in the state.
“When the time of a thing has come, no one can cover it. By the power of God, we have come to light up Ikorodu and all parts of Lagos state.”
“By the Grace of God, victory is ours and it is certain in 2023,” Aivoji said.
Speaking, the 44-year-old PDP governorship candidate, Dr Olajide Adediran said his running mate was his age mate who has passion to improve the condition of lives of Lagosians.
Dr Adediran said both of them were already accomplished in their careers and had managed businesses and human beings before agreeing to bring a positive change to the people of the state.
“We have brought a breath of fresh air to the people of Lagos. My deputy is a brand that will connect to both the grassroots and the people in the cyber space.”
“Formally, I want to present to you what we have Christened a Breath of Fresh Air. It is a clear departure from the norm,” Adediran said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in spite of the persistent rainfall, a huge number of PDP stalwarts and members gathered at the venue to unveil the star actress.
A one-time senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ayo Adeseun has said the 2023 general elections should be focused on personalities and not political parties.
He stated this in a chat with Radio Nigeria in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
Senator Adeseun who said political parties were mere labels under which people hid to commit havoc, atrocities, and send people into penury, submitted that it was time more priority was given to personalities with laudable qualities.
“There was a time in Yorubaland when Afenifere was the inward in politics, all manners of crooks hid under the Afenifere banner to milk the resources of our nation. This 2023 election, we are going to vote for people and not for political party labels. You find some people who are terrible in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, some who are worse in the All Progressives Congress, APC and some who are even much worse in other parties formations. So, we will look at people who have track records and have proven themselves to be people-oriented, willing to serve to help our community to develop,” he said.
Senator Adeseun, while reeling out his plans for the 2023 general elections, pledged to support the APC’s Presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Adebayo Adelabu of Accord Party as the governorship candidate in Oyo State.
“For the 2023 general elections, I will be supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the APC for two reasons. One is the fact that I am a Yoruba man and I think this time, a Yoruba man ought to be given a shot at it because of his contribution to get President Buhari’s administration into place. I also believe Tinubu has a record of picking those who are gifted and capable and he has shown that over and over again. He was Governor of Lagos State for eight years and he turned the state around to the extent that he ran Lagos state without Federal subvention. That tells you that the man is a genius, He also brought out Fasola and imagine what Fasola did in Lagos. One of the hallmarks of a good leader is the ability to identify quality people and put them into appropriate positions. At the state level, I am absolutely convinced that there are some people whom are not worthy of being allowed to sit at the helms of affairs in our state. Having seen all of the people that have been offering themselves for the leadership at the state level, I am absolutely convinced that Chief Adebayo Adelabu is shoulders and heads above any of those other ones who are competing. He has a track of absolute performance at every level of engagement. Penkelemes has proven himself to be capable. He is an investor who has created employment opportunities for the people of the state.” Adeseun opined.
On the state of the nation, Senator Adeseun decried the spate of insecurity which he noted had affected the national economy.
While blaming leadership at various levels for the decay on the nation’s fabrics, the former senator described the recent attack on the Kuje Correctional Service as barbaric and a bad omen.
“A lot of the blame must be placed on the doorstep of our leadership. By leadership, I am also included. None of us can escape taking responsibility. Just a few days ago, some miscreants went to Kuje Prisons and bombed their way into that facility, releasing hundreds of terrible Boko haram suspects, with some of them being convicts. How do you explain that in a nation such as ours? The information we get is that they came in their hundreds with weapons that outmatched that of our security personnel ,which is a sad commentary on all of us.”
“ How could thugs come in such numbers without anybody seeing them or raising alarm. We can’t say a serious nation should find itself in such a quagmire.”
“The leadership has to be up and doing, even the followership ought to be blamed, a hundred men came on either bus or motorcycle and nobody cared to raise an alarm, something is wrong with us also”, the former senator submitted.
On the way out of the security challenges, Senator Adeseun advocated recruitment of more police officers to meet the needs of the public expressing the view that the country was under-policed.
“Nigeria has a population of about two hundred million, you can’t have a police force of five hundred thousand to police that number, coupled with the fact that some were attached to VIPs while some others are assigned to guard public facilities. Those who are left are around two hundred and fifty thousand, there is the need to increase the personnel components and they must be properly equipped and remunerated to be able to deliver their duties“. He added
Senator Adeseun urged authorities to be holistic in assessing the nation’s situation and put the necessary machineries in place, adding that results may not come immediately.
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Chief Adebayo Adelabu says his time to govern Oyo State has come.
He stated this at his official declaration to contest the Oyo State governorship seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2023 general elections.
Chief Adelabu, who was the party’s governorship flagbearer in the 2019 general elections, said he is confident that 2023 had been ordained for him to take over the helms of affairs in Oyo State.
“Adebayo Adelabu Penkelemes is coming back to take over the rein of government from Seyi Makinde in 2023 in Oyo State by the grace of God. We contested in 2019, we got very good votes but due to coalition we could not make it. We know that it was the will of Almighty Allah which we cannot contest. But this time, we are ready to take over the machinery of power from Seyi Makinde”.
Chief Adelabu said if given the opportunity to govern the state, his administration would spread developmental projects across all zones, as well as, provide adequate job opportunities for the youths.
He claimed that the present administration in the state had failed in the areas of education, security, agriculture and environment.
Chief Adelabu, however, said he was the chosen one to right all the wrongs of the present administration.
The APC governorship aspirant urged the party’s delegates to ensure that he emerged as the governorship candidate at the party’s primaries next week.
In a goodwill message, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adeyemo said the experience Bayo Adelabu garnered during his years in the banking sector had given him the edge over other governorship aspirants.
Also speaking, former Senator, Oyo Central, Ayo Adeseun expressed confident that Adelabu would emerge as the flagbearer of the party at the coming governorship primary.
Senator Adeseun added that if Adelabu was given the opportunity to govern, Oyo State would be better.
Other leaders of the APC present at the event were former speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Olagunju Ojo, former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli, Alhaji Akinade Fijabi, Bolaji Repete and Rotimi Ajanaku.
Our correspondent reports that popular fuji musician, Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere and Alhaji Musuliu Haruna-Ishola were on ground to thrill the crowd with music.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he has no link to the northern coalition that purchased the presidential nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for him.
Earlier on Monday, the coalition procured the forms for Jonathan from the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
But in a statement issued on Monday night by Ikechukwu Eze, his spokesman, the former president said he didn’t authorise the purchase.
“It has come to our notice that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the name of former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,” the statement reads.
“We wish to categorically state that Dr Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorise it.
“We want to state that if the former President wanted to contest an election, he would make his intentions clear to the public and will not enter through the back door.
“While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross section of Nigerians for Dr Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 presidential election, we wish to state that he has not, in anyway, committed himself to this request.
“Buying a presidential aspiration form in the name of Dr Jonathan without his consent, knowing the position he had held in this country, is considered an insult to his person. The general public is therefore advised to disregard it”.
Jonathan, who lost the 2015 presidential election as a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is also yet to officially declare his interest in contesting the presidency in the 2023 poll.
In a two-in-one event similar to using one stone to kill two birds, Senator Teslim Folarin, lawmaker representing Oyo central, will be declaring his gubernatorial bid while his colleague in Oyo south, Kola Balogun, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, will be formalizing it.
At an event coming up tomorrow at the party secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Senator Folarin would be unveiling his ambition to be Governor in the presence of party faithful, supporters and lovers who have been mobilized for the event.
After submitting his letter, close associates of Folarin, who once contested the governorship under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015, would visit his local government of Ona Ara to also brief party leaders.
The Ibadan senior chief, who will soon be elevated from his Ayingun Olubadan to a bigger title, is one of the 6 APC governorship aspirants who have bought the party’s interest of expression and nomination forms.
Also, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Kola Balogun will also be publicly announcing his defection into the APC having bid his former party PDP farewell.
”Fortunately, though unknown to the two senators, they have chosen the same day. That is why we are a doing a two-in-one event tomorrow. Folarin will be declaring his guber bid officially while Balogun will be making his first public appearance as an APC member tomorrow,” a party source who didn’t want name in print told OYOINSIGHT.COM.
His defection comes two weeks after Muraina Ajibola, Remi Oseni, Yemi Aderibigbe, Demola Omotoso Adekola Adeoye joined the APC from the PDP.
He will be battling the likes of Adesoji Akanbi, Kolapo Kola-Daisi, Adegoke Adegboyega, Remi Oseni, Bimbo Adekanmbi and host of others who may still obtain the senatorial forms in Oyo south. Oyoinsight/Taiwo Akinola
The Governor of Ekiti State and former Minister of Mines and Steel, Dr Kayode Fayemi has declared his intention to run for the seat of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2023 elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Dr Fayemi made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja while unveiling his agenda for the country. He said, after consideration of where the nation was, he believed his entry into the race would rebirth a new Nigeria. The governor said it has been his singular honour to have been an active part at various times with other committed compatriots labouring from various works of life, labouring with determination towards rapid and sustained national progress. The former Minister said the decision to run was not one he took lightly but had made several consultations before arriving making his intentions known.
Ekiti State Governor, and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi will formally declare his intention to run for the position of President of the country tomorrow in Abuja.
His Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode made this known in a statement in Ado Ekiti.
According to Mr Oyebode, Wednesday’s declaration, tagged “Unveiling My Nigeria Agenda”, is the climax of the Governor’s extensive consultations across the geo-political zones in the last six weeks which will lay to rest speculations on whether he would run for the Presidency or not.
Mr Oyebode said the Ekiti State helmsman had after discussing his plan to run for the number One office with President Mohammadu Buhari last month, sought counsel, guidance and support from traditional and political leaders across states in the federation.
He explained that Governor Fayemi kick-started the consultation in Ondo State, where he met with traditional rulers and other eminent personalities, and also visited traditional rulers as well as other critical stakeholders across the Southwest.
Mr Oyebode said further that his Principal also extended handshake across the Southeast and North where he met with monarchs and Emirs as well as other important personalities.
He added that Governor Fayemi also consulted other governors, especially those on the platform of the All Progressives Congress intimating them with his ambition.
Mr Oyebode added that the aggregate opinion, counsel and goodwill received during the consultation period form the crux of Governor Fayemi’s declaration on Wednesday in Abuja.
