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The Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi West), on Sunday raised the alarm that his life was in danger, just has he said that there was an immediate plan to murder him “extra-judicially” by his “political enemies” in collusion with men of the Kogi State Police Command.

Melaye in separate petitions to the United Nations (UN) Resident Representative, members of the diplomatic corps including the Ambassadors of the United States, Germany, Canada and the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom and the Amnesty International, Transparency International and the Human Rights Watch, however called on the intervention of the Inspector General of Police, members of the international Community and human rights bodies to save him from what he described as “willful, intentional harassment, oppression, political victimization and threat to life.”

Melaye through his lawyers, Messrs Ricky Tarfa & Co, wrote to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, urging the police boss to raise a neutral police team to investigate the allegations of “gun running” being levelled against him by the Kogi State Police Command in conspiracy with the Kogi State Government.

Melaye said: “As things stand, I live each day in constant and reasonable fear for my life, looking over my shoulders and being harassed by the named politicians. The Police are a willing tool in the hands of these politicians.

“I am a law abiding citizen who voluntarily submitted myself before the FCT High Court to answer to charges which I know are unsustainable.

“However, the situation I am in right now gives me reason to believe that the law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, are in cohorts with my political enemies and can even go to the extent of terminating my life extra-judicially.

“I therefore seek your intervention in the circumstances to ensure that my fundamental human rights which both Nigeria and your countries are party to are guaranteed and my life protected.”

Ricky Tarfa, SAN, in a similar petition to the Inspector General of Police, on behalf of Melaye, averred among others that: “The fact that our client is now the one alleged to be a gun runner by the police in Kogi state is therefore extremely suspicious and with all due respect smacks of a set up.

“Our client who is abroad on an official trip had it brought to his notice and immediately informed us yesterday that the plans to set him up and frame him on spurious gun-running charges have been perfected and that some suspects would be paraded as having named him as their sponsor yesterday.

“This is exactly what happened in Lokoja yesterday 19th March 2018, with a press briefing and parade of suspects by the Force PRO on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Sir, we urge for your urgent intervention in this matter. As we have stated, our client, convinced of his innocence is ready to submit himself for investigation and to answer any charge against his person but by police officers of whose neutrality he is confident in this matter. Police officers from Abuja.

“Our client being a prominent serving Senator…will not and cannot run from Justice, but balks at being delivered directly into the hands of people who have made public threats against his person.

“We anxiously await your intervention sir, to secure the life of our client and to avoid any breakdown of law and order.”

Melaye in his save my soul letter to the UN and members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria, traced his present ordeal to his vocal stance in the Senate.

“As a Senator, I have been vocal in my contributions to national issues and particularly so when the interest or wellbeing of the people of my constituency is concerned,” he said.

He noted that as the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the 8th Senate, he had consistently spoken out against injustice, mis-governance and acts of corruption “without mincing words or minding whose ox is gored in my quest to better the lot of the people of my constituency, my state and the nation as a whole.”

He lamented that despite being in the same political party (All Progressives Congress) with Bello, the Governor and himself have remained at logger heads “because I do not spare him where I feel he has gone wrong with respect to governance in Kogi State.”

Melaye said: “Instead of heeding my positive criticism and advice however, for the good of the State, the governor has allowed himself to become a victim of his own over-inflated ego and reportedly vowed that he would get me recalled from the Senate and deal with me.

“The recall process was illegally initiated on the governor’s instructions and is currently the subject of litigation at the High Court, FCT and Court of Appeal.

“In addition to the initiation of the recall process, the Governor, his Chief of Staff, one Mr. Edward Onoja, among other people, have been making public threats against my person at several fora in Kogi State.”

He said he attached to the petition a video recording of Onoja, where he (Onoja) boastfully threatened “to bring me down before June this year” at a public function in Kogi State. He said the following words transcribed from the video were threats from Onoja: Bello’s Chief of Staff, Onoja, was quoted to have said: “So, when we are moving, an enemy is coming, even though we do not have eyes, there is somebody looking at them (there is a local language and cheers from the crowd and rendering of Amen by all).

“There is somebody in Kogi State, he calls himself Senator Dino, and he says he will bring me and my twin brother down, if by the end of June he is not down in Kogi State, then there is no God.

“Anyone who digs a pit for you must fall inside that pit. If by the end of June and he is still standing as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it means there is no God and I know there is God. My people (local language spoken) let’s see the person who has God on his side.”

According to Melaye: “Things got to a level last year where I could only move around Kogi State at great personal risk to myself as thugs who had been commissioned to do so, were bent on attacking me at every opportunity. “Sometime last year, on April 15, 2017, to be precise, I was at my residence at Iyala, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State which is my hometown. My residence was attacked by armed gunmen who fired shots sporadically for the sole purpose of assassinating me.

“The unknown gunmen were heard chanting that they were going to kill me by all means. They mentioned the names of some people, saying that I cannot go scot free after humiliating such people.

“I was lucky to escape unhurt and in genuine fear for my life and that of the members of my household, I reported the incident to the Nigeria Police Force. I made a statement to the Police and made mention of all the names of the people the unknown gunmen chanted during the attack.

“I further stated that the said people which include the Governor of Kogi State, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, one Mr. Edward Onoja, amongst others, had earlier made threats against my person and my life.

“All complaints were made in good faith and there was no motive to destroy the image of anyone. Based on the complaints, the Police commenced investigation and made some arrests.

“On the 29th of April, 2017, the Police, represented by one CSP (Chief Superintendent of Police) Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations Officer, addressed a press conference at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, wherein the general public were informed on the progress made in the investigation of the assassination attempt on my life.”

Melaye quoted Jimoh Moshood as saying in a video record from the press conference said to have been attached to the petition that: “After 10 days of painstaking and sustained surveillance – that is between 16th April, 2017 – 25th April 2017 – (we) successfully arrested six members of the vicious and notorious hired assassins gang responsible for the attack and attempted assassination on the life of Senator Dino Melaye which was carried out on the 15th April, 2017 at his residence in Iyala, Ijumu Local Government of Kogi State.

“Taofeek Isah (one of the suspects) is the Chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State where Senator Dino Melaye comes from. According to investigation so far, he was discovered to be the mastermind that executed the attempted assassination on Senator Dino Melaye.

“He was alleged to have directed one Abdul Mumini, aka Iron, now at large who was his personal assistant…”

Melaye added: “As we speak, some of the arrested people have been charged and are currently standing trial at the Kabba High Court, Kogi State.

“I was bewildered when I got wind of the fact that the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the police, filed a two count charge, with charge No: CR/106/18, dated the 31st of January 2018, accusing me of allegedly deliberately giving false information with intent to mislead the police and for making false statement of facts.”

He said following the development, he briefed his lawyers who accompanied him to court and secured his bail after he was arraigned on March 1, 2018, before Justice Goodluck at the FCT Court 5, Maitama, Abuja.

He added: “When I was ready to leave the court premises, upon the successful grant of my bail…I was shocked to discover that the entire court premises was surrounded by armed men, suspected to be members of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force, acting on the instructions of the Governor of Kogi State and his cohorts to unlawfully arrest me and infringe on my right to personal liberty.”

He however said he was able to leave the court premises unnoticed by the SARS men. Besides, he stated that it has since come to his knowledge that plans have been finalized in Kogi State to parade some hardened criminals in the media “who have been tutored to claim that I sponsored them and provided them with weapons and I instructed them to assassinate certain people. I will then be arrested and made to face trumped up charges.”

He added: “As things stand, I live each day in constant and reasonable fear for my life, looking over my shoulders and being harassed by the named politicians. The Police are a willing tool in the hands of these politicians.

“I am a law abiding citizen who voluntarily submitted myself before the FCT High Court to answer to charges which I know are unsustainable.

“However, the situation I am in right now gives me reason to believe that the law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, are in cohorts with my political enemies and can even go to the extent of terminating my life extra judicially.

“I therefore seek your intervention in the circumstances to ensure that my fundamental human rights which both Nigeria and your countries are party to are guaranteed and my life protected.”

BIG STORY

Adron Homes Welcomes New Executive, Emphasizing Commitment To Professional Excellence

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In a strategic move to foster growth and elevate the quality of service delivery, the Management of Adron Homes and Properties is thrilled to announce the appointment of exceptional staff members who have exemplified remarkable professionalism and have significantly contributed to the advancement of the Adron brand. We proudly introduce our newly appointed leaders: Adenike Ajobo as Managing Director, Olubunmi Akinfe as Deputy Managing Director, Ihuoma Azuru as Assistant Managing Director of Sales and Marketing (Lagos Nigeria), Barbie Ette as Assistant Managing Director of Sales and Marketing (Northern Nigeria), Odunola Ogundapo as Assistant Managing Director of Sales and Marketing (Western Nigeria), Olasumbo Oguntoye as Assistant Managing Director of Housing Nigeria, and Haastrup as Director General of Customer Service. Together, they will drive our mission forward and ensure continued excellence at Adron Homes.

Aare Adetola Emmanuel King, the Chairman and Group Managing Director of Adron Homes, has issued an important directive to the newly appointed directors of the company. He emphasized the critical need for quality delivery in all aspects of their work. Aare King highlighted that each director must align their actions and decisions with the overarching vision and mission of the organization. He urged them to remain committed to the company’s goals and to foster a culture of excellence, ensuring that their contributions not only meet but exceed the expectations set forth by Adron Homes.

Adenike Abosede Ajobo stands out as a highly regarded authority in the fields of corporate branding, public relations, business repositioning, and organizational strategy. She holds a degree in Linguistics from the prestigious University of Ibadan and has further enhanced her expertise with an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Marketing from The Polytechnic of Ibadan.

Her dedication to professional growth is reflected in her memberships with esteemed organizations, including the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (MNIMN), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the Nigeria Institute of Personality Development and Customer Relationship Management (NIPD-CRM-dsgnt). These affiliations illustrate her unwavering commitment to continuous learning and excellence within her industry.

Adenike’s professional journey with Adron Homes commenced in January 2024 when she took on the role of Group Company Secretary. Her exceptional leadership skills and strategic vision quickly propelled her up the ranks, and she soon became the Deputy Managing Director of Southern Nigeria. Her impressive performance has now garnered her a well-deserved promotion to the position of Managing Director at Adron Homes, where she is set to steer the company toward a promising future, leveraging her insights and experience to craft innovative strategies for growth and development.

Akinfe Olubunmi Omolara is an esteemed leader and achiever, recognized for her dedication to maximizing her potential in every role she undertakes. She is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-Ife, Osun State, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. Her career journey at Adron Homes and Properties, reflects her remarkable growth and commitment to excellence. She has progressed through a range of pivotal roles, from Deputy Group Sales Manager, District Sales Manager, and Deputy District Sales Manager to Deputy Group Customer Relations Officer, Regional Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. Her leadership and strategic acumen continued to shine through her promotions as the Director of Sales and Marketer and later promoted as the Director General of Sales and Marketing. She has now been promoted to the position of Deputy Managing Director , where she will drive growth and operational efficiency for Adron Homes.

Ihuoma Udodirim Azuru’s journey is a testament to exceptional leadership and dedication. Her academic prowess shines through with a B.Sc in Accounting, M.Sc in Business Management, MBA in Human Resources and currently studying Law at the Leadership City University, underscoring her commitment to ongoing personal and professional development. Her career with the company began as Group Head Admin and HR, where she showcased her adaptive leadership style. Subsequently, she transitioned to the role of Director of Sales and Marketing (Southwest). Moreover, she was promoted to the prestigious role of Director General for Sales and Marketing at Adron Homes. Her exceptional leadership, dedication, and strategic vision within the organization leads to her appointment as the Assistant Managing Director Lagos Nigeria.

Odunola Ogundapo is a highly regarded sales and marketing professional, celebrated for her steadfast dedication and strategic insight, which have contributed to her impressive track record of success in the industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Olabisi Onabanjo University, where she developed a strong foundational knowledge of earth sciences. Further enhancing her expertise, she earned a Master’s degree in Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology from the prestigious University of Lagos, a program renowned for its rigorous approach and focus on the energy sector. This combination of academic credentials allows Odunola to meld deep scientific understanding with strategic business acumen, enabling her to deliver exceptional results in her professional endeavors.

Odunola embarked on her career in 2017 at Adron Homes and Properties Ltd, starting as a Business Executive. In this role, she quickly demonstrated her innate talents and passion for sales and marketing, employing a goal-driven approach that not only set her apart but also paved the way for her rapid advancement within the company. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to forge strong relationships with clients and stakeholders led to her recognition as a rising star in the organization.

Currently serving as the Assistant Managing Director, Odunola plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing innovative strategies aimed at driving growth and enhancing the company’s market position. Her forward-thinking mindset and comprehensive understanding of market dynamics allow her to identify and seize new opportunities effectively. Under her leadership, the team is not only motivated but also encouraged to think creatively and push boundaries, resulting in increased productivity and morale.

Odunola’s leadership style is characterized by a unique blend of optimism and resilience, which fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment. She prioritizes the development of her team members, nurturing their potential and empowering them to become future leaders in the organization. This commitment to mentorship and professional growth among her staff has created a culture of excellence that thrives on teamwork and innovation, ensuring that everyone is aligned with the company’s vision and goals. Through her unwavering dedication to her work and her ability to inspire those around her, Odunola Ogundapo continues to make a significant impact in the sales and marketing realm.

Aminat Olaniyan Haastrup is an inspirational customer service specialist, deeply committed to creating exceptional service experiences. With a strong educational background in Estate Management and Customer Experience, she earned her degree from Yaba College of Technology. An Associate Member of The Association of Business Practitioners (ABP) in the UK and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Customer Relationship Management, Aminat’s journey began as the Director of Customer Services. Renowned for her dedication to customer-centric strategies, she passionately pursues unparalleled service excellence. Through transformative initiatives across the company’s customer relations landscape, Aminat has inspired those around her and achieved her new role as the Director General of Customer Service.

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EFCC Probes Viral Video Of Chinese Allegedly Tearing Naira Note

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed it is investigating an incident involving a Chinese national who tore Naira notes in Lagos.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, provided confirmation of this development to our correspondent on Friday.

Reports indicate that the incident took place at a Chinese-owned company along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, when Lagos State Government officials arrived to seal the premises over alleged regulatory violations.

A viral video captured the Chinese national resisting the officials’ attempts to shut down the company. During the confrontation, he pulled Naira notes from his bag and tore them, igniting widespread outrage on social media.

At the scene, some individuals believed to be Nigerian workers at the company appeared to shield the man from being apprehended by the Lagos State officials.

The incident has sparked significant reactions, with many Nigerians calling for the immediate arrest of the individual involved.

Social media users have expressed their anger, urging the authorities to take swift action.

Controversial social media influencer Daniel Regha posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, “The EFCC should arrest this man and charge him to court for committing a punishable offense. However, my concern is how selectively justice is applied in Nigeria. If this were a high-ranking politician or their associates, the case would likely go nowhere.”

Another user, @Qladele, wrote, “The Chinese man who disrespected Nigerian currency should be arrested. The company involved should also be permanently shut down. Disrespecting your host country should have consequences. Those who obstructed justice should also face the law.”

Similarly, @Dele93748586 shared a similar sentiment, stating, “The person who insulted the Nigerian currency should be arrested, and the location sealed permanently. There must be consequences for this disrespect, and the security personnel who hindered justice should be detained.”

“Imagine if a Nigerian went to China and tore the Chinese Yuan after the Chinese government sealed his business. This is a huge blow to Nigeria. Even though I don’t support the Tinubu-led government, this is an insult to our country and government!” said @PureStanley1.

Another user, @OyinAtiBode, remarked, “Those protecting this man should face consequences, and the disrespectful foreigner should be severely punished—arrested, jailed, deported, and permanently banned from returning to Nigeria.”

Legal practitioner Tolu Babaleye, speaking (with Saturday Punch), stated that the Chinese national should be subjected to Nigerian law, as long as he was not a diplomat.

“He can be arrested, tried, and if convicted, sentenced for mutilating Naira notes, as this is an offense under Nigerian law,” Babaleye said.

Asked if the EFCC had taken action on the matter, Oyewale, the spokesperson for the commission, responded in a message (to Saturday Punch), saying, “The EFCC is looking into the issue, please.”

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BON Awards Release Line-Up Of Activities Ahead Of November 24

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  • Kwara First Lady To Join Segun Arinze, Wole Ojo Others For Book-Reading

As the Nigerian film industry gets set for the annual pan-Nigerian Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, scheduled to be held on Sunday, November 24, at the Sugar Factory in Ilorin, Kwara State, the organisers of the travelling awards have released a line-up of activities, alongside other highlights of the 16th edition.

This year’s event is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience, featuring a variety of engaging activities, including a book reading session and the unveiling of new award categories.

A key highlight of the pre-award festivities will be the welcome party scheduled for Saturday, November 23rd in Ilorin. This will be followed by the Book of the Year reading on the morning of November 24, showcasing “Do As You Are Told, Bani” by the acclaimed author Lola Shoneyin.

Esteemed personalities, including the First Lady of Kwara State and well-known Nollywood actors like Segun Arinze, Wole Ojo, Kemi Adekomi, Cynthia Clarke, and Chioma Okafor, will participate in the reading. This session aims to inspire and engage the youths, specifically a select number of school children from Ilorin, Kwara State.

Also, the 2024 BON Awards has been revealed that four of its major award categories have been endowed by notable figures and organisations. The endowed categories include:

Best Indigenous Movie – Endowed by Oba Saheed Eleguishi, a distinguished traditional ruler and arts patron. Best Use of Food – Endowed by Abundish Limited, an agricultural product wholesaler cum grocery market in Lekki, Lagos.

The Best Actress category is also endowed by the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Moji Ojora, a well-known philanthropist and public servant dedicated to women’s empowerment. While the movie with the Best Social Message is endowed by Hon. Toke Benson, the Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, and a prominent advocate for social issues.

According to the founder of the Best of Nollywood Awards, these new endowments promise to enhance the awards’ prestige by taking it to the next level and also offer greater recognition for excellence in these fields.

As the seven-day countdown to the 2024 BON Awards begins, and the excitement is building, Feranmi Olaoye, the Executive Director of the awards has promised that this year is not just another gala night but a getaway weekend for hardworking Nollywood practitioners, and others within the Nollywood community.

With the awards’ unique blend of celebrity-filled events and meaningful high-impact initiatives, this year’s ceremony is poised to leave a significant mark on the entertainment industry and the wider Nigerian cultural scene.

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