Abiodun describes Okupe’s death as personal loss

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Newsaccessadmin

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has described the death of Dr Doyin Okupe as a personal loss.

Abiodun stated this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade.

The governor said that Okupe’s passing came shortly after the demise of a revered figure, the Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo.

Abiodun, who paid tribute to Okupe’s lifelong service to Nigeria, noted that he remained a patriotic statesman and a committed member of the progressive political family until his final moments.

“Receiving the news of the passing of my elder brother, Dr Doyin Okupe has left me with a profound sense of personal loss.

“Without a doubt, Okupe’s departure leaves a void that will not be easily filled.

“Beyond his political and professional engagements, Dr Okupe was an easy-going and principled individual who, despite never flaunting his credentials, played a significant role in Nigeria’s resistance to military rule.

Read Also: The life and legacy of late Dr. Doyin Okupe

“Like many other democracy advocates, he endured detention and persecution under military regimes, standing firm in his convictions,” he said.

Abiodun acknowledged Okupe’s fluid political journey, emphasising that while his affiliations changed over time, his relationships with family, friends and associates remained intact.

“Although he shifted political alliances as situations evolved, aligning with the National Republican Convention (NRC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Accord Party, and the Labour Party.

“He never severed ties with his friends across political platforms. Even after the 2023 general election, he openly admired and aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s progressive vision,” Abiodun said.

The governor concluded his tribute with a heartfelt prayer: “It is my sincere prayer that Almighty God grants his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that Okupe, from Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government area of Ogun State, died in the early hours of Friday in Lagos at the age of 72.

(NAN)

Reno Omokri challenges Natasha to lie detector test over Akpabio allegations

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Newsaccessadmin

Former presidential media aide, Reno Omokri, has urged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to undergo a lie detector test following her recent allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In a video shared on social media, Omokri recalled that Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously made similar accusations against him in 2021.

Detailing the past incident, Omokri stated: “On October 12, 2021, Natasha Akpoti had a disagreement with me and afterward, she went on social media to accuse me of sexual harassment. She claimed that during a state banquet hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan for the visiting Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, on May 6, 2014, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, I had harassed her.

Read Also: Senate suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months

“However, at that time, I was on an official assignment in the United States as a special envoy following the Chibok girls’ abduction in April 2014. I provided evidence, including my passport stamps and flight details, proving I was not in Nigeria during the period she alleged.

“After media outlets published my evidence, Natasha deleted all traces of her accusations, including a video in which she had insulted me, my wife, and my newborn daughter. Later, a prominent Christian clergyman and her now-husband, Emmanuel Oritshejolomi Uduaghan, reached out to mediate. The matter was settled out of court, and I was paid substantial damages.”

Omokri argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s past actions should not be overlooked, suggesting a pattern in her behavior.

“Now, after a dispute with the Senate President, she has made similar allegations against him. I cannot confirm whether her claims are true, but I know for a fact that she has lied before. And the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior,” he stated.

He urged Nigerians not to hastily judge Akpabio, insisting that Akpoti-Uduaghan should take a lie detector test to validate her claims.

“Let her come forward and take the test, accompanied by a senator who supports her and another neutral senator. Until she does so, the presumption is that she is following her past pattern,” he concluded.

Things to know about late PR icon mallam Kabir Dangogo

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Newsaccessadmin

Award-winning PR Practitioner and a former Scribe of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), Mallam Kabir Dangogo, is dead.

He was 76.

Sadiq Kabir Dangogo, son of the late Kabir Dangogo, confirmed his passing on Friday.

“My father died a while ago! Janaza will be at Sultan Bello Mosque Kaduna after Jumuat prayer Insha Allah,” he said.

Mallam Dangogo was a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relation (NIPR)

The deceased practised journalism at the New Nigerian newspaper, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and as Public Relations officer at the Bank of the North Limited and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.

He was also the founding president of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB).

Mallam Dangogo made Nigeria proud as the Secretary General of the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA) from 2002 to 2006.

Here are things to know about late PR icon mallam Kabir Dangogo

1. Renowned Public Relations Icon

• Mallam Kabir Dangogo was a highly respected figure in public relations across Africa. He played a crucial role in shaping the profession through ethics, mentorship, and leadership.

2. Started His Career in Journalism

• Before transitioning to PR, he worked as the Managing Editor of New Nigerian Newspaper (1988–1989) and a Senior Lecturer at Kaduna Polytechnic. He also served as Press Adviser for the U.S. Information Service in 1990.

3. Education from Prestigious Institutions

• He studied at Ohio University, USA (1981), and the University of Leicester, UK (1987), equipping himself with global expertise in media and communications.

4. Pioneer in Banking Public Relations

• He worked as a Public Relations Officer at Bank of the North and Union Bank of Nigeria. He also co-founded the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), setting PR standards in Nigeria’s banking sector.

5. Leader in African and Global PR Bodies

• He served as the Secretary-General of the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA, now APRA) and as the Chairman of the Nigerian Chapter of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) between 2002 and 2006.

6. Recipient of Numerous Awards

• His contributions were recognized with multiple awards, including:

 Fellow, International Radio and Television Society (IRTS), New York (1981)

 NIPR President’s Award for Excellence in Public Relations (1996)

 Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) (2000)

 Fellow, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON)

 NIPR Lagos Chapter Award for Excellence in Public Relations (2005)

7. Established a PR Training School

• After retiring from Union Bank in 2005, he founded Timex Communications, a PR firm and training school that mentored the next generation of communication professionals.

8. Mentor to Many PR Professionals

• He was deeply committed to grooming young PR practitioners, often emphasizing the importance of ethics, professionalism, and integrity in the field.

9. Honored with a Surprise 70th Birthday Celebration

• On February 21, 2019, his colleagues and mentees at the PRNigeria Centre organized a surprise birthday celebration, which was attended by top PR figures across Africa, including APRA and NIPR presidents.

10. A Life Dedicated to PR and Communications

• With over three decades of experience, Mallam Kabir Dangogo left an indelible mark on public relations, shaping industry standards and inspiring future professionals.

Senate suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Newsaccessadmin

The Senate, on Thursday, suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged misconduct during plenary sessions.

The decision followed the Senate’s consideration and adoption of the report from the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, which was presented by the committee’s Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen.

During the session, the Senate also issued a warning to the Kogi Central lawmaker, urging her to refrain from violating the upper chamber’s standing rules.

The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, raised concerns about Akpoti-Uduaghan’s repeated refusal to stand whenever Senate President Godswill Akpabio led the procession to commence plenary. He stated that her actions directly violated Senate Standing Orders 55(1).

Monguno emphasized that while she often invoked Senate Order 10 to express her views, she could not selectively follow the rules while disregarding others.

Read Also: Senate Committee proposes six-month suspension for Natasha

“Senator Natasha has been consistently and persistently in breach of this rule,” Monguno stated.

“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

“If you are seeking refuge always under Order 10, you cannot approbate and reprobate.

“We urge her to study the rules and ensure compliance rather than breaching them,” he added.

In a related development, Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted another petition to the Senate on Thursday, alleging sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She stated that the petition was signed by one of her constituents.

Akpabio, after confirming that the matter was not currently in court, referred the petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions for review, with a directive to report back within four weeks.

This was not the first time Akpoti-Uduaghan had brought up the issue. On Wednesday, she submitted a similar petition, but the Senate rejected it on the grounds that it violated Order 40(4), which prohibits a senator from presenting a petition signed by themselves.

Senate Committee proposes six-month suspension for Natasha

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Newsaccessadmin

The Senate is considering a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following an investigation by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct. The committee accused her of violating Senate rules and recommended disciplinary action.

According to the report presented by the committee’s Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, the suspension is set to begin on March 6, 2025. As part of the sanctions, her office will be sealed, and she will be restricted from entering the National Assembly premises. Additionally, both her salary and those of her legislative aides will be withheld.

The committee further recommended that she be prohibited from representing Nigeria in any official capacity as a senator during the suspension. However, she may submit a written apology, which the Senate could consider in reviewing her suspension.

Read Also: Akpabio denies sexual harassment allegations by Natasha

The Senate will vote on the recommendation, and if approved, Senator Natasha will lose all legislative privileges for the duration of the suspension.

This development is the latest in an ongoing dispute between Senator Natasha and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The conflict initially stemmed from a seating arrangement disagreement but later escalated when Natasha accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

On Wednesday, the same committee dismissed her petition alleging abuse of office, sexual harassment, and obstruction of legislative duties. Senator Imasuen, who represents Edo South, declared that the petition was “dead on arrival” and would not be considered by the Senate, despite being signed by her constituents.

Undeterred, Senator Natasha resubmitted the petition during Thursday’s plenary session. When asked whether the case was already in court, she responded in the negative. She was then instructed to submit the petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for further investigation.

The committee is expected to review the matter over the next four weeks and present its findings to the Senate.

Soludo gives roadside traders two-week ultimatum to vacate Ekwulobia flyover

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Newsaccessadmin

Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, has given roadside traders operating around the newly constructed Ekwulobia Fly-over bridge in Aguata Local Government Area a two-week ultimatum to vacate the area.

Soludo gave the ultimatum on Thursday, while inspecting an ongoing project around the area.

He directed the traders to relocate and make use of the new market which had been constructed by the government to accommodate them.

According to him, any trader found operating around this fly-over bridge after this two weeks ultimatum will be arrested and prosecuted.

Read Also: Akpabio denies sexual harassment allegations by Natasha

“Go and register for free at the Aguata LGA, if you want a shop in the newly constructed market. Every trader should move to the new market.

”Also commercial vehicles loading passengers around the fly-over bridge should move to the new site.”

The governor said that the directive was borne out of the need to address concerns regarding traffic congestion, safety hazards, and the overall aesthetics of the newly completed structure.

According to him, the government cannot allow the vibrant urban landscape to be marred by unregulated trading activities that pose safety risks and undermine the project’s integrity.

(NAN)

Alleged sexual harassment: Senate refers Natasha’s petition to Ethics Committee

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Newsaccessadmin

The Senate has referred the alleged sexual harassment petition filed by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP) against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had during Wednesday’s plenary, stood up and stated that she had a petition, read it out aloud, and submitted it.

The petition read: “I have a petition against the President of the Nigerian Senate. His Excellency Sen. Godswill Akpabio for sexual harassment, abuse of office and malicious obstruction of my legislative functions.

“You may recall, sir, that on Friday, on Arise TV, I did make some statements. And I have decided to narrow the statements in a formal petition against the President of this Senate.

“So if it may please you, so if it pleases you, I will humbly step forward and lay this petition”.

However, a heated session ensued when Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Mohammed Monguno, citing Order 40(4), argued that Senate rules must be strictly adhered to.

Order 40 (4) reads: “No senator may present to the Senate a petition signed by himself”.

He warned that any deviation to these rules could lead to “chaos and anarchy” as such the Senate would protect the sacred provisions of the rules.

Monguno further noted that the matter was sub judiced. “The petitioner, Sen. Natasha, has gone to court in respect of this matter.

“The wife of the Senate President has equally gone to court in respect of this matter. So, this matter is sub judiced. And therefore, the Senate does not have to do anything to entertain this matter,” he said.

He advised that the matter should be referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, rejected Monguno’s argument.

She said that the ongoing court case was a N100 billion defamation lawsuit she filed against Patrick Mfon, a special assistant to the Senate President on social media and not against Akpabio.

Read Also: Akpabio denies sexual harassment allegations by Natasha

Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that her sexual harassment claims were not the subject of any legal action, contradicting the basis for rejecting her petition.

“This matter is not in court. The matter before the court is on defamation and cyber bullying statements by the senate president’s special assistant on social media, Patrick Mfon, who accused me of dressing indecently to the senate.

“Mr President, your denial and refusal to accept and treat my petition before the committee on Ethics, this matter is not sub judiced; it’s not before the court,” she said.

On his part, the Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele also corroborated Sen. Monguno’s position.

He said: “Order 40(4) says no senator bringing a petition shall be the author.

“Mr president, I sympathise with you as a man being accused of sexual harassment.

“I won’t comment on that because there will be an ample opportunity for the relevant committee to deal with that.

“It is important that the public should know and our observers should note that as political as this can be, we cannot be emotional about it.

“We are guided by rules and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended,” Bamidele said.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio said “the Senate actually referred her matter not because I’m not aware of the provisions of the rules.

“It is because when people are watching from outside, they may not know we are guided by rules”.(NAN)

Drama as senate rejects Natasha’s ‘sexual harassment’ petition

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Newsaccessadmin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central, has tendered a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the floor of the upper legislative chamber.

Rising under order 40 of the senate rules, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had made some comments on Arise TV bordering on alleged sexual harassment by Akpabio, and had decided to table same as a petition before the senate.

Akpabio asked the senator to proceed with the submission of the petition — which she did.

“Distinguished colleagues, this petition is hereby referred to the committee on code of conduct, ethics and public petitions, which should revert to the senate as soon as practicable,” Akpabio said.

However, the chief whip of the senate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, raised an objection against the submission of the petition, arguing that the senate cannot entertain Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition because the case is in court.

Quoting order 40, rule 7, he said “senate should not receive or deliberate on any matter to which actions are pending in the court of law”.

Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected Monguno’s point, arguing that he had got the sequence of events wrong.

Read Also: Tinubu seeks senate confirmation of Oluyede as COAS

“This matter is not in court. The matter in court is a defamation against the senate president’s special assistant on social media, Patrick Mfon, who accused me of dressing indecently to the senate,” the Kogi lawmaker said.

Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader, also debated against the submission of the petition.

“We cannot relax our rules. This petition cannot stand. It is in court. It is defective. There is no way we can accept this petition,” Bamidele hollered.

The senate leader then moved that the senate goes into a closed session.

A brief rowdy session ensued before calm was restored.

The senate thereafter proceeded with the business of the day, with Akpoti-Uduaghan staging a walkout.

Rivers Assembly gives Fubara 48 hours to re-present 2025 Appropriation Bill

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Newsaccessadmin

The Rivers House of Assembly has written to Gov. Siminalay Fubara, urging him to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.

The House made this known in a five-point resolution by Mr Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly at plenary on Monday in Port-Harcourt.

The Amaewhule-led members of the assembly resumed on Monday, following a Supreme Court order on Feb. 28, which stopped federal allocations to Rivers until the state government recognised the Amaewhule-led members of the assembly.

By the Supreme Court directive, the N1.1 trillion appropriation bill presented by a rival Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, to the governor for assent in January was also nullified.

Amaewhule said the governor’s quick response to the resolution was urgent to enable the state tackle impending financial crisis following the halt of statutory federal allocations to the state by the Supreme Court.

The plenary also deliberated on the annulled local government election by the Supreme Court.

Read Also: Fubara prays Appeal Court to vacate order stopping Rivers’ allocations

The letter to the governor read in part;

”That pursuant to the order of the Supreme Court in suit no: SC/CV/1174/2024 for the stoppage of statutory federal allocations to the Rivers government and halting spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state, pending the passage of an Appropriation Bill:

”You are requested to present the 2025 appropriation bill to the House in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“That the House expects you to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.”

The House, also in its letter, announced readiness to commence the process of amending the Rivers Local Government Law and the State Independent Electoral Commission law to pave way for a fresh local government elections.

The House also drew his attention to the 2023 amendment to the constitution, which prohibited Heads of Local Government Administrators (HLGAs) or individuals other than democratically elected persons to head local government administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Fubara, in response to the nullification of the local government election by the Supreme court, had ordered HLGAs in the 23 local government areas to immediately assume office as administrators of the local councils.

(NAN)

Nigeria’s inflation rate reduces to 24.48% in January- NBS

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Newsaccessadmin

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 24.48 per cent in January 2025,

This is contained in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rebased results released in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the headline inflation rate for December 2024 was 34.80 per cent.

The Statistician-General (S-G) of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, made the announcement at a news briefing on the CPI Rebased Results.

The CPI is a key macroeconomic indicator that reflects the movement of aggregate price levels in a country and is expected to be rebased every five years.

However, in Nigeria, the last CPI rebasing was conducted in 2009.

Adeniran emphasised the importance of rebasing the CPI regularly due to changes in consumption patterns over time, which necessitated an update of the items in the CPI basket.

He said the rebasing was designed to ensure that Nigeria’s economic indicators accurately reflect the current structure of the economy, incorporating new and emerging sectors, updating consumption baskets, and refining data collection methods.

Adeniran said part of the process of rebasing the CPI included bringing the base year closer to the current period, from 2009 to 2024.

The S-G gave a breakdown of the rebased CPI as follows.

The All-Items Index, which is used to measure headline inflation for January 2025, was 110.7, resulting in a headline inflation rate of 24.48 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

He said the increase was mainly driven by Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages, Restaurants and Accommodation Services and Transport.

The Food Index for January 2025 was 110.03, which resulted in a food inflation rate of 26.08 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

Core Index, which is All-Items less farm produce and energy for January 2025, was 110.7, which gave rise to a core Inflation rate of 22.59 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

Read Also: Food prices rose in October – NBS

The urban inflation rate for January 2025 was 26.09 per cent, while the rural inflation rate was 22.15 per cent.

Adeniran clarified that the CPI results do not indicate a reduction in the prices of goods and services in the market but rather measure the rate at which those prices were decreasing.

“The policies of the government targeted to reduce inflation rate are still there. The government is committed to ensuring food is available to the populace and the purchasing power of citizens is enhanced.

“So, the result is not saying prices of goods and services have come down in the market but the rate of change between January 2024 and January 2025 is what inflation rate is all about.”

He assured Nigerians that the results of the rebasing reflected the current inflationary pressures and recent household consumption patterns in the country.

The S-G listed some CPI improvements and introduction to the methodology to include the transition to the latest version of the classification method.

He said the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP) 2018 version was used, departing from the 1999 version of COICOP.

According to him, the new version has 13 divisions, as against 12, bringing in household expenditure on Insurance and Financial Services, which now has a weight of 0.5 per cent relative to the total household expenditure.

Adeniran said another improvement was the exclusion of own-production, imputed rents, and gifted items from the aggregates used to come up with the weights.

“This is because CPI is a monetary phenomenon, hence the computations should only include monetary expenditure.

“Also implemented under this rebasing is the movement of expenditures on meals away from home to the appropriate divisional class.

“These changes are quite significant and appropriately align expenditures to their respective classes, enabling price changes to be measured properly.”

(NAN)