News
Rotarian Ayodele Steven PHF, joined Hands To Combat Heat Waves And Promote Tree Planting In Gwagwalada Area Council
By Tambaya Julius
In a collective display of strong determination and a shared commitment to combat the challenging heat waves in Gwagwalada Area Council, 25 Rotary Clubs both within and beyond Abuja converged yesterday.
The concerted effort aimed to encourage the habit of tree planting, aligning with the visionary proposal put forth by the esteemed Hope President of Rotary International of Gwagwalada Rotary Club.
The visionary Rotarian Ayodele Steven PHF saw his proposed project spring to life, making a significant impact.
Gwagwalada Rotary Club, under the leadership of Rotarian Ayodele Steven PHF, opened its doors to Rotary Clubs and numerous partners, uniting in a gesture of communal love.
The focal point of this gathering was the planting of an impressive 1000 trees during a single flag-off ceremony.
This transformative event took place along Nigeria Customs College Road, Gwagwalada, marking a powerful step towards environmental preservation.
This impactful partnership was orchestrated by the adept Office of the Zone 2 District 9125 Chair of Supporting the Environment.
Collaborating seamlessly with PurpleHands Empowerment Initiative, FCTA Department of Parks and Garden, Forestry Department of the Federal Ministry of Environment, and P.I.B. Global Services, the event gained significant momentum.
Notably, P.I.B. Global Services stands as the distinguished producer of Biochar Tree organic fertilizers, contributing to the event’s sustainability.
The event garnered the esteemed presence of significant figures, including His Royal Highness, the Aguma of Gwagwalada, who holds the esteemed position of the number 1 traditional Ruler of Gwagwalada.
The event also saw the participation of key authorities such as the FCT Comptrollers of Nigeria Immigration and Correctional Services, Area Commander of NDLEA, Centre Director of the National Open University of Nigeria’s Faculty of Agriculture, Uniabuja, and the Department of Forestry from Gwagwalada Area Council.
The event was graced by numerous guests representing diverse walks of life.
During this momentous occasion, representatives from Rotary International District 9125 in Nigeria delivered insightful speeches.
The District Governor Nominee eloquently described tree planting as a spiritual act with profound medicinal benefits.
Meanwhile, Rotarian Agwu IJEOMA Joyce, President of all Club Presidents in Abuja, emphasized that tree planting is a lifestyle choice, echoing the sentiment of giving back and nurturing the environment for a better existence.
Rotarian Ayodele Steven, the President of Rotary Club of Gwagwalada FCT, addressed the press, expressing immense personal satisfaction over the resounding success of the project.
With unwavering commitment, he assured sustained efforts and the continuation of the project, promising enduring benefits for the local populace.
Aides, Allies Disown Him, Say You’re a Traitor, We’re not Leaving PDP
Barely two weeks after his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), crisis has enveloped the political camp of a member of the House of Representatives for Obokun/Oriade federal constituency in Osun State, Oluwole Oke.
Indeed, these are not the best of times for him as his defection to the APC is eliciting rejection from his close circles and constituency.
His key allies who he groomed into politics and government positions have rejected his calls on them to join him to defect to the APC.
A source said that in the last few days, key aides and allies of the lawmaker have rejected his movement to the APC, describing it as a political tragedy.
“With the way he betrayed PDP, Oluwole Oke is like the proverbial Leopard that can never change the spots on its body. He will also betray the APC. We are staying back in PDP while severing political links with him”, one of his allies, Bamidele Johnson said.
Some of his allies were said to have openly declared that the defection marks a political waterloo for the 6th term legislator.
For instance, some of Oke’s allies in his Local Government scorned his move as “a decision borne out of greed and selfishness.”
One of them described him as “an ingrate who betrayed a party on whose platform he got married in life as a lawmaker and on whose platform he gained all his material riches.”
The Northern Youths Consultative Forum for Justice (NYCJ) has urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing a complete breakdown of governance, law, and order.
In a statement issued on Monday in Kano, NYCJ President Dr Sanusi Rano described the situation in Zamfara as “organised abandonment of duty” by elected officials.
“What we are witnessing in Zamfara is not governance. It is betrayal of the people,” Rano said, pointing to the absence of a functional state House of Assembly and allegations linking officials to criminal activities.
The group highlighted the suspension of 10 lawmakers who spoke out against the deteriorating security situation, arguing that their removal has left Zamfara without a legally recognised legislative body.
“This is a dictatorship of silence,” said Rano, adding that the lack of checks and balances has deepened the state’s crisis.
“The same hands that should protect Zamfara are profiting from its destruction,” Rano stated.
Calling for decisive action, the group demanded the appointment of a non-partisan administrator to rebuild the state’s institutions.
“If this is not done now, Zamfara risks becoming a permanent state of anarchy, which threatens our democracy,” Rano warned.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, sentenced the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide resulting in the death of the deceased ( his wife) on April 8, 2022.
The judge held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022 by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge .
The charge was on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.
In the course of trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5 respectively.
The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.
The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.
Shortly before sentencing, the defendant, counsel , Reginald Nwali, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to be lenient in its judgment.
Similarly, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.
The court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imprisonment in Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively. (NAN)