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2023: Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Obadara Rally Support For Tinubu-Shettima Ticket

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Former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and one-time senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Senator Olugbenga Obadara at the weekend jointly expressed optimism on the prospect of a more economically vibrant and equitable Nigeria under the presidency of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima of the ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (APC).

Speaking at the maiden brainstorming session of the Ogun State Chapter of the Tinubu – Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (TSGICC), both party leaders described the Tinubu-Shettima Ticket as iron – cast, dependable and reassuring based on the antecedents of both candidates in public office at different times since the beginning of the fourth republic.

Daniel, who is Joint State Coordinator, Ogun State Chapter of TSGICC, announced that the body already hit the ground running in Ogun State with a highly strategic, multi-level engagements with the grassroots voters, youths and elderly citizens in various communities of the state.

“The 2023 election is going to be different in all shapes and forms. Campaigns can no longer be mere singing, dancing and colourful regalia. It’s work and work deep down into the consciousness of young and down-trodden voters at the grassroots. As a veteran and master strategist, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands this, hence his charge to the various state chapters of the ICCG to focus on rural communication, with the flotsams and jetsams of our communities nationwide.”

Senator Obadara, in his address, spoke of the need for all stakeholders of the party to come together and work as one unit. “From the get-go, our focus shall be on the party, APC and its candidates in all elections all over the state. Asiwaju and Shettima remain the core agenda. But our deployment strategy would be all embracing when we roll out fully. We shall be engaging all residents in all parts of Ogun State. From the Presidential to the state assembly slots, APC is one and we shall work as one to record 100 percent results come February 2023”, he said.

In attendance at the meeting held at the conference hotel Abeokuta secretariat of the Ogun State Tinubu-Shettima ICCG were prominent party leaders from across different areas of the State. They include Rt. Hon. Titi Oseri, former speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly; Mrs. Jokotade Odebunmi, former commissioner, Women Affairs, Ogun State; Otunba Fatai Sowe-mo, former commissioner for youth & sports, Ogun State; Hon. John Obafemi; General Olumuyiwa Okunowo (rtd); Alhaji Adewale Adeogun; Hon. Kazeem Salako; and Mr. Soji Bankole.

BIG STORY

Forgive Fubara Like Sanwo-Olu, Reinstate Him In The Spirit Of June 12 — Bode George To Tinubu

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Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to “reinstate Siminalayi Fubara,” the “suspended governor of Rivers,” in the “spirit of the June 12 celebrations.”

In an open letter addressed to Tinubu, George said since the president recently “forgave Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” governor of Lagos, the “same gesture should be extended to Fubara.”

George, a former PDP deputy national chairman (south-west), said the president should “reinstate Fubara” to “honor the memory of the June 12 struggles.”

“If Tinubu could forgive Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, then he should extend the same gesture to Fubara,” he was quoted as saying by NAN.

“On June 12, we will be celebrating Democracy Day. This is a reminder of the true meaning of democracy — the will of the people.

“Since Tinubu has forgiven Sanwo-Olu, then it makes a lot of sense, spiritually, to also forgive Fubara and let him return to office. I am talking as an elder.

“He (Tinubu) later joined NADECO to fight for democracy. Some of those who fought alongside him for democracy have died. It is not of his making that he is alive today.

“So, he should thank God, honour the memory of those who fought alongside him for democracy and return Fubara to office immediately.

“I also appeal to him, in the spirit of my maternal grand uncle who founded the first political party in Nigeria in 1922, Herbert Macaulay, to please reinstate Fubara.

“Tinubu should listen to and honour this appeal in memory of all those who died in the journey to our democracy.”

On “June 8,” during a “meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and other Lagos stakeholders,” Tinubu said he had “forgiven Sanwo-Olu.”

“June 12” has been declared as a day to “commemorate democracy in Nigeria” to “posthumously honor MKO Abiola,” presumed winner of the “June 12, 1993, presidential election.”

BACKGROUND

On “March 18,” Tinubu declared “emergency rule” in the “oil-rich Rivers” over the “political crisis and instability” in the state.

He also “suspended Fubara,” his “deputy, Ngozi Odu,” and “all members of the Rivers assembly” for an “initial period of six months.”

The president immediately appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a “retired naval chief,” as the “state’s sole administrator.”

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BIG STORY

NIHOTOUR Calls For Calm Engagement After Field Officer Provoked During Lagos Compliance Exercise

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On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during a “scheduled compliance and standardization exercise” by the “National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)” at the “Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos,” a “moment of tension arose” between a “hotel staff member” and a “law enforcement officer” attached to the NIHOTOUR delegation who was “striped off his uniform” by the hotel staff.

The misunderstanding—which “does not reflect the tone of the broader engagement”—escalated when a “hotel staff physically confronted the officer,” resulting in “damage and striping of his official police uniform.”

The officer, “caught off guard” and “naked with only his pants trousers,” got “visibly provoked” and responded with a “slap,” which made “direct contact with the staff member’s face.”

While the incident is “regrettable and avoidable,” it serves as a “sober reminder” of the importance of “composure, clarity, and professionalism” during such exercises.

The Institute reiterates that its mandate is anchored on “collaboration, capacity enhancement, and stakeholder engagement”—”not hostility or confrontation.”

Commenting on the situation, NIHOTOUR’s Director of Inspection and Enforcement, Barrister Chike Ukuekwe, urged practitioners and operators in the industry to “shun aggressive and combative engagement” when officers of the law arrive at their premises for a “compliance exercise.”

He further emphasized the “need for mutual understanding” and a “professional approach to enforcement efforts.”

“Our collective mission is the upliftment of Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism, and travel sectors through standardization and compliance. These exercises are not meant to antagonize operators but to align practices with national expectations and global standards,” he said.

“We commend establishments like Eko Hotel, Sojourner Hotel, Marriot Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel VI, Black Diamond Hotel, Four Points By Sheraton and others that open their doors to these engagements, and we urge all stakeholders to embrace dialogue, not disruption. It would interest you to know that most of the hotels visited, the compliance issues were resolved within the premises of most hotels, and our team left peacefully after assurances were made by most management of those hotels to comply within 7 days’ time.”

As “Nigeria’s lead institution” for the “standardization of the hospitality, tourism, and travel industry practice,” NIHOTOUR remains “committed to ensuring a professional and safe operational environment.”

“Initiatives such as the ongoing national compliance drive” are designed to “reinforce quality, ethics, and service excellence” across the board.

Moving forward, NIHOTOUR is taking “deliberate steps” to “enhance communication protocols” and “on-site preparedness” during field exercises, ensuring “clarity of purpose and mutual respect” among all parties involved.

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BIG STORY

Democracy Day: President Tinubu To Address Nigerians At 7am Tomorrow

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To commemorate the 2025 Democracy Day, President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to deliver a nationwide broadcast on Thursday at 7am.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Democracy Day.

Abdulhakeem Adeoye, who signed the statement on behalf of the committee’s Director, Information & Public Relations, stated that following the address, the president will participate in a joint session of the National Assembly at noon.

The session is expected to include speeches about the State of the Nation, reflections on Nigeria’s democratic evolution, and calls for greater unity and reform across the country.

Later in the evening, a public lecture titled “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms” is set to take place at 4pm at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

In contrast to previous celebrations, there will be no Democracy Day parade this year.

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