LAGOS STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FELICITATES WITH PRINCE RABIU ADIO OLUWA, ONE OF LAGOS STATE G.A.C MEMBERS ON HIS BIRTH ANNIVERSAY.
…………..Recounts Him As One The Brain Boxes Of All Progressives Congress In Lagos State……..
……………..Beseeches God For Longetivity Of Life And sound Health For Him………………
……………..Describes Him As A Mentor And Leader Worthy Of Celebration And Emulation………….
“The joy of every business owner is to see the business thriving. The joy of every teacher is to see the students become successful. The joy of every parent is to see the child growing to become somebody in life.
On the other hand, in replication, It is also a thing of joy seeing one’s teacher, leader, guardian, director, adviser, educator and mentor being celebrated on a special day like today.
“Whatever ways people have been describing Prince Rabiu Adio Oluwa, a worthy member of Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the Apex Leader of APC Lagos West Senatorial District he befittingly deserves the accolades showered on him as a proven Progressive, a Leader, a Mentor, a Grassrooter Mayor, a Visionary Personality, a Solid Mobilizer, a Stabilizer, a Socialite and Political Strategist”~ Lagos State Executive Council.
“Indeed you have proven yourself as a bulwark of democracy, a quintessential leader, a true servant of the people, a role model, particularly to all young progressive politicians in Lagos State and in Nigeria.
Through clear actions and deeds, you have unambiguously demonstrated high values and contributed immensely to the development/stability of our noble party and Lagos State”, they extol the diehard progressive leader.
Today is not only special for you, but also for everyone you’ve touched through your many acts of exemplary and fatherly leadership.
Our prayer from the #GreaterLagos team, ably led by the workaholic Captain, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu for you on this auspicious occasion of your birth anniversary is that God Almighty grant you long life in good health and happiness, protect you against all evils, uplift you in all facets of life, above all, take you to the very peak of your heart desire (Amen).
May this day mark the beginning of greater exploits to come in your life Sir.
Lagos State Government has expressed displeasure with the promoters of the “Gangs of Lagos” film/series over what it described as “cultural misrepresentation” as well as portraying the culture of the state in a derogatory manner.
In a reaction by the state government, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said the Ministry, being the regulatory body and custodian of the culture of Lagos State, viewed the film/series as a mockery of the Heritage of Lagos.
Earlier, Prince Uthman Shodipe-Dosunmu, the Apesinọla Ẹyọ Ọba Alakẹtẹ Pupa Ọkalaba Ẹkun, a cultural group, had condemned the film, calling for an immediate withdrawal.
Shodipe-Dosunmu described the film as “ethnic profiling, sacrilegious and outrageous trash.”
Meanwhile, the commissioner expressed her disappointment with the promoters of the film, Jade Osiberu and Kemi Akindoju, for portraying the Eyo Masquerade as a gun-wielding villain while adorning the full traditional regalia.
Instructively, the Eyo Festival is rarely observed and only comes up as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered Chiefs and eminent Lagos Indigenes while the Eyo Madquerade is used as a symbol of honour for such personalities and remarkable historical events.
According to Akinbile-Yussuf, “We are of the opinion that the production of the film ‘The Gang of Lagos’ is very unprofessional and misleading while its content is derogatory of our culture, with the intention to desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos.
“It is an unjust profiling of a people and culture as being barbaric and nefarious. It depicts a gang of murderers rampaging across the State”.
The state government maintained that “the Adamu Orisha, popularly known as the Eyo Festival, is rarely observed and only comes up as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered Chiefs and eminent Lagosians.”
Akinbile-Yussuf stressed that “the Eyo Masquerade is equally used as a symbol of honour for remarkable historical events.
“It signifies a sweeping renewal, a purification ritual to usher in a new beginning, a beckoning of new light, acknowledging the blessings of the ancestors of Lagosians.”
Lagosians are not Gangsters-Says Eyo custodian,Shodipe-Dosunmu
In an earlier reaction via a statement, Shodipe-Dosunmu, described the film as reckless, disgusting distortion of the sacred illustration of Lagos culture.
According to him, “There is a film presently being promoted by one Jade Osiberu and another character called Kemi Akindoju. The so called movie is an ugly, hate filled mockery of the Lagosian heritage.
“In their reckless, disgusting distortion of the sacred illustration of the Lagosian culture the film makers reduced the Eyo masquerade into a gun toting killing machine, clothing their misfit actors in the full regalia of the Eyo and with the Aga depicting some Conclaves.
“This is a total abomination. It is not only a distortion of our culture, it is a dark insidious profiling of our people as criminals and murderers rampaging across Lagos.
“The Adamu Orisha is a treasured cleansing ritual, a sacred rite performed on the passage of an Oba or for their coronation.
“It is also used to honor distinguished Lagosians as their final rite of transition.
“Since Ejilu and Malakin, the brothers of Olori Olugbani first initiated the Eyo rite in celebration of Oba Ado Keme, the Adamu Orisha has become a sacred ancestral heritage celebrated with awe and deserving adoration.
“It signifies a sweeping renewal, a purificational ritual to usher in a new beginning, a beckoning of new light, acknowledging the blessings of our ancestors.
“To use the sacred Adamu Orisha Masquerade as an object of terror and loose criminality is to savage and despoil the Lagosian tradition.
“It is vile, evil, perverse; an utterly sadistic mangling of who we are as peace loving, accommodating and enlightened people.
“We demand an immediate withdrawal of this sacrilegious and outrageous trash.
“We demand that the National Film and Video Censors Board and all appropriate authorities to ban this blatant mockery disguising as cinematography and impose the most punitive sanctions on the sponsors of this venomous ethnic profiling.
We also appeal to the Lagos State Government, the Oba of Lagos Alayeluwa Oba Rilwan Akinolu, all the custodians of our tradition including the Alaworo of Adamu Orisha and Akinsiku Chief Ademola Dosunmu to rouse up in protective defense of our tradition against the ravages of these agents of condemnable pollution of all that we cherish in this sacred soil of Oba Ado Keme.
“Ethnic profiling is recognized as a crime against humanity by the International Court of Justice.
“This provision can also be invoked against these sacrilegious hate baiters.”
Every year, there is always a movie that leaves viewers wanting more, be it a sequel or a series. Although it might seem too early to conclude which of Nollywood’s 2023 releases has managed to capture viewers’ hearts, it’s undoubtedly that Gangs of Lagos falls into the list of contenders.
The movie’s plot revolves around a group of friends to a life of crime in the famous and daunting streets of Isale Eko. After losing loved ones, they set out on a quest for vengeance to right the wrongs of the gangs on the road.
The Kosoko Royal family position.
Adamu Orisa, Eyo Are Used In Promoting Lagos Heritage, Culture, Not Gangsterism – Oloja of Lagos-Elect
Kunle Adelabu.
The King Kosoko Royal Family and Oloja Chieftaincy Family of Lagos, have condemned in totality what it termed as gross misrepresentation of the culture and heritage of Lagosians – Adamu Orisa and Eyo, in a film titled, ‘The Gang of Lagos’.
In a statement by Prince Abiola Olojo – Kosoko, the family vehemently opposed and took exception to the portrayer of the Adamu Orisa and Eyo as gun – wielding and violent deities, and means of forcefully acquiring power and control in the society.
The Oloja – elect, who issued the statement on Thursday, in support of the steps so far taken by the Aloworo of Eyo who is the Akinsinku of Lagos, elders and entire Lagosians, pledged the palace continuous support for the redress of the wrong done and more importantly, the desecration of the culture of the people of Lagos.
“The King Kosoko Royal Family and the Oloja Chieftaincy Family of Lagos, condemn in totality the movie called, ‘the Gang of Lagos’, for using the Adamu of Orisa and the Eyo paraphernalia in a way that does not depict the true history and spirit behind Eyo Play”, Prince Kosoko said.
“The King Kosoko Royal Family and the Oloja of Lagos Chieftaincy Families, will join hands with the entire people of Lagos whose pride and heritage have been desecrated, to fight with all legal and traditional means to call those involved to order.
“The Aloworo of Eyo, who is the Akinsinku of Lagos, and all the other elders in Lagos State have been responding to the gross misrepresentation and they are waiting to take other necessary steps which have been put together by the entire Lagosians whose heritage has been given a bad name.
The Kosoko palace and family are fully with them in this regard ”, the Oloja – elect assured. Putting the record straight, Prince Kosoko said that Adamu Orisa is only staged to traditionally usher departed souls into the realm of the dead and not for social engagements.
“There is nowhere in the history of Lagos where Eyo is seen carrying a gun or machete. The only object that Eyo carries is Opambata, the beautiful white regalia to cover its body and the Aga (hat), all of which made it a special deity with reference point which Lagos State as a whole is known with as an insignia to promote culture and tradition.
Unfortunately, somebody has come to use it to promote gangsterism. We would fight and prevent this from continuing”, he said.
“We are not saying that we are against what they are doing, rather, what we are saying is that they should consult with the people in charge of such heritage.
Adamu Orisa and Eyo are not for celebrations of birthdays and other social engagements that celebrate people that are still alive. It is being used to celebrate the dead and ushering their spirits for a better continuous existence in the realm of the dead.
“It is for cleansing. The process that is involved takes a minimum of three months. The ritual rites and necessary procedures must be performed”. He also cautioned and called for the constitution of an special agency of the government that would be saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the culture and tradition of the people, adding that those that will be in charge of such agency must be people that have the full grasp of the task being given to them.
“The Lagos State Censor Board and the National Census Film Censor Board cannot be blamed much, because there is problem of not putting the right people in the right place. You cannot in any way put outsiders in charge of censoring the culture and tradition of a place they know little or nothing about, because such people would not know or even perceive any wrongdoing when such culture and tradition are desecrated”, he said.
“My advice to the film boards is that any movie that has to do with culture and tradition, the producers of such movies should be asked to bring letter of clearance from traditional bodies in charge of such culture or tradition, so that there won’t be any legal issue or problem like we are facing now, and which may adversely affect the success of the Nigerian movie industry.
TINUBU, BIDEN MAKES LIST AS WORLDS MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE, AS FOREIGN MEDIA EXTOLS TINUBU’S VIRTUES
From movie stars and athletes to CEOs and politicians, members of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world for 2023 are forces to be reckoned with.
American magazine, Time, has named President-elect, Bola Tinubu, among the 100 most influential persons across the world in 2023.
Speaking on how Tinubu merited the list, the magazine stated, “Winning an election in Africa’s most populous country is no easy feat. But Nigeria’s newly elected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has had nearly two decades to prepare.
“Called Jagaban, or “leader of the warriors,” by his supporters, the now 71-year-old ran in a presidential election for the first time this March. His campaign slogan, “It’s my turn,” was a nod to his role as a longtime political power broker.”
Time, further delved into the past how the former Lagos governor fought military regimes to return democracy. Tinubu helped restore the country’s democracy in 1999 after fighting military rule and then served two consecutive terms as governor of Lagos,” it added.
Among top world figures that made the list is the President of the United States, Joe Biden. Also, both Paris Saint-Germain stars of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe made the list among sportsmen.
Each year our TIME 100 list lets us step back and measure the forces that move us. Which is more powerful, hope or proof? Ambition or altruism? The lessons of the past or the lure of the future? The people we spotlight range from the globally famous to the literally anonymous—we leave it to you to guess the true identity of author Elena Ferrante.
There are world leaders and local activists, artists and athletes, scientists, moguls and a number of people who are running for President of the United States.
One way or another they each embody a breakthrough: they broke the rules, broke the record, broke the silence, broke the boundaries to reveal what we’re capable of. They are seekers, with a fearless willingness to be surprised by what they find.
As Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose musical Hamilton just won the Pulitzer Prize, puts it, “What’s the thing that’s not in the world that should be in the world?
History is made as Amuwo-Odofin, a community in Lagos State officially unveiled an Oba-elect to the public after 1000 years the stool has been vacant.
The Oba-elect, Prince Kazeem Olawale Adewusi from the Erogun family of the Amuwo-Odofin royal family, according to the head of the royal family, Alhaji Saheed Kazeem, was chosen following an intensive consultation of the Ifa oracle.
Despite the nomination of an Oba-Elect since 2022, the indigenous people of Amuwo Odofin LGA still awaits the formal inauguration and ceremonies that accompanies such royal stool from the Lagos State Government.
The aborigines have expressed concerns particularly as the traditional artifacts and historic customs of the people are been daily eroded due to the infliterations of non-indigeneous persons through political interference in the customary activities of Amuwo Odofin LGA.
A call has also been made to the relevant authorities towards addressing these gaps and to ensure that the people are not denied their king and the generic roles of traditional rulers are not eroded.
Push News 24 International reported that …Speaking during the official presentation held at the Amuwo-Odofin royal town hall, Kazeem said, “For over 1000 years, Amuwo-Odofin town has been headed by Baales.
He stated that the Ifa oracle chose Adewusi as the first Oba-elect out of the three contestants, each from a different branch of the Erogun royal family.
From L-R: Head of the family, Amuwo Odofin Royal Family, Lagos State, Alhaji Kazeem Onípélé; General Secretary, Alhaji Saheed Balogun, Oba-elect of Amuwo Odofin Land, Prince Kazeem Olawale Adewusi and Alhaja Sidikat Afinowi during the official presentation of Prince Adewusi to public as the Oba-elect in Amuwo Odofin .
In August 2022, we were at the Lagos state House of Assembly for a matter that concerns the rulership of our town, Amuwo-Odofin, where the leadership of the House advised us to have a king.
They said as much as other neighbouring towns such as Kuje-Amuwo, Abule Ado, Imore, Itire and others would boast of having their kings, we too should not be left out.
This calls for concern; however, when there was an imperative yearning by the native inhabitants of our town to demand a traditional ruler, we then convoked a meeting to discuss the process of choosing a King for the town.”
Speaking further on the mode of selection, General Secretary, Amuwo-Odofin royal family, Alhaji Mutiu Basorun, said the kingmakers consulted the oracle on September 1st, 2022, after which two candidates made it to the final stage.
He said, “All the five ruling houses comprising Ijaoye, Idewu, Omola, Amogun and Erogun of the royal family decided that the emergence of a traditional ruler must be in accordance with the tradition and culture of the land.
The choice of Prince Kazeem Olawale Adewusi was made possible by the intensive consultation of the Ifa Oracle carried out by the town’s kingmakers on September 1st, 2022, after which three contestants initially showed interest in contesting for the vacant royal stool but two of them eventually made it to the final stage.
The three contestants were Prince Habib Adewusi, Prince Toyin Adewusi and Prince Kazeen Olawale Adewusi, all from the Erogun family branch of the Amuwo Odofin royal family.
Adewuusi has the best Ifa corpus hence he was chosen as the Oba-elect. The emphatic revelations and interpretations of the diviners were also acknowledged by the selection committee and emissaries on the mission.
It is therefore worthy of mention that the kingmakers painstakingly and conscientiously went through the process that produced Prince Kazeem Olawale Adewusi as our Oba-elect.
And this has brought about peace, love and mutual understanding, especially among the royal family.
We, however, immensely thank all the inhabitants of our town and other major stakeholders for their patience, love and mutual understanding over the years. It is our hope that the reign of our king would usher in peace, tranquillity and economic boom.”
EASTER: PLS GREETS AMUWO ODOFIN CHRISTIANS, CALLS FOR PRAYERS FOR NIGERIA
APC Chieftain and House of Representative Candidate of the All Progressives Congress Candidate (APC), Prince Lanre Sanusi (PLS) has congratulated Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency Christians across Nigeria and the world on the successful completion of this year’s 2023 Lent period and the subsequent Good Friday and Easter celebrations which symbolize the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In a message from his Media Office in FESTAC, Sanusi urged the indigenous people Christians and residents of Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency to pray for peace, security, sustainable development, and unity in the country as well as among the citizens.
The Awori born Prince urged Christians to return to the teachings of Jesus Christ who as ‘the reason for the season’ represents religious tolerance, peaceful co-existence, good faith, truth, demonstration of the fear of and belief in God, empathy for the less privileged, and patriotism to one’s country.
“It is not just a mere coincidence that while the Lent fasting was on, the Muslim Ramadan also commenced and this translates to a very substantial percentage of the national population fasting in the past two weeks. This is a design by Almighty God to teach us the lesson that no matter how we worship Him, whatever language we adopt in worshipping Him, or what name we call Him, we are all creations of one God.
“Therefore, we should all live, work and aspire together as brothers and sisters in the interest of our dear country, demonstrate the fear of God in all we do, and develop our country for the benefit of all. We should stop allowing religion, ethnicity, or difference in language to divide us. It is time we all bound together to salvage our country and restore her lost glory” Sanusi said
“This Easter period which also coincides with the ongoing Ramadan fasting should be used by Nigerians to pray for their country, to rededicate ourselves to the promotion of national interest above personal interest, ponder about the challenges facing the country, and for each individual to take a vow to be part of the solution to the problems.
“It is my prayer that Almighty God will intervene and heal our country in all areas while also giving us victory over those misguided elements who are waging wars against the country. May the protection of God be on all members of the security agencies who are on the frontlines fighting to defend our country. I wish all our Christian brothers and sisters a happy celebration of Good Friday and Easter”, Sanusi stated.
Donald J. Trump pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, all of which are tied to the former president’s role in a hush-money payment to a porn star, Stormy Daniels.But prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney’s office accused Mr.
Trump of orchestrating a broader scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election by purchasing damaging stories about him to keep them under wraps.
“The defendant, Donald J. Trump, falsified New York business records in order to conceal an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 presidential election,” one of the prosecutors, Chris Conroy, said at Mr. Trump’s arraignment.
Here are answers to some key questions that have arisen from Tuesday’s events:
What Is Mr. Trump Accused of?
The charges trace back to a $130,000 hush-money payment that Mr. Trump’s fixer, Michael D. Cohen, made to the porn star, Stormy Daniels, in the final days of the 2016 campaign. The payment, which Mr. Cohen said he made at Mr. Trump’s direction, suppressed her story of a sexual liaison she says she had with Mr. Trump.
While serving as the commander in chief, Mr. Trump reimbursed Mr. Cohen, and that’s where the fraud kicked in, prosecutors say.In internal records, Mr. Trump’s company classified the repayment to Mr. Cohen as legal expenses, citing a retainer agreement. Yet there were no such expenses, the prosecutors say, and the retainer agreement was fictional as well.Those records underpin the 34 counts of falsifying business records: 11 counts involve the checks, 11 center on monthly invoices Mr. Cohen submitted to the company, and 12 involve entries in the general ledger for Mr. Trump’s trust.
Why is that a felony?
Falsifying business records can be charged as a misdemeanor offense. To elevate it to a felony, the district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg must prove that Mr. Trump’s “intent to defraud” was in service of a second crime.In this case, it is unclear whether Mr. Bragg has settled on the specifics of that second crime. During a news conference after the arraignment, Mr. Bragg mentioned a number of potential underlying crimes, most prominently a violation of a state election law that bars any conspiracy to promote “the election of a person to public office by unlawful means.
Do prosecutors need to convict Mr. Trump of a second crime?
No. They must only show that there was intent to “commit or conceal” a second crime. Prosecutors do not have to charge Mr. Trump with any secondary crime, or prove that he committed it. But prosecutors have not yet said definitively what crime or crimes they intend to rely on to escalate the charges to a felony level.
Why did prosecutors cite other hush money payments?Mr. Bragg’s office linked Mr. Trump to three hush money deals.
While the indictment mentions only the deal with Ms. Daniels, the prosecutors likely mentioned the other deals to begin the work of proving that Mr. Trump intended to conceal a second crime.
In addition to the indictment, the prosecutors filed a so-called statement of facts that referenced the other payoffs.That document, which is common in complex white-collar cases, provides something of a road map for what the prosecutors could reveal at trial. And based on evidence presented to the grand jury, it details the two hush-money deals involving the National Enquirer, which has longstanding ties to Mr. Trump.The first involved the tabloid paying $30,000 to a former Trump Tower doorman who claimed to know that Mr. Trump had fathered a child out of wedlock. The publication later determined the claim was untrue.The National Enquirer also made a payment to Karen McDougal, Playboy’s playmate of the year in 1998, who wanted to sell her story of an affair with Mr. Trump during the 2016 campaign. She reached a $150,000 agreement with the tabloid, which bought the rights to her story to suppress it — a practice known as “catch and kill.”The deals suggest that the payment to Ms. Daniels was not an isolated incident but rather part of a broader strategy to influence the election.
What is the maximum sentence if Mr. Trump is convicted?
The charges against Mr. Trump are all Class E felonies, which are the lowest category of felony offense in New York and carry a maximum prison sentence of four years per count, though if he were convicted a judge could sentence him to probation.
The Indictment of Donald Trump in New York
A Test for Democracy: For more than two centuries, American presidents were effectively shielded from indictment. The case against Donald Trump breaks that taboo and sets a new precedent.
Reviving the Case: A year ago, the Manhattan district attorney’s investigation into Trump appeared to be over. But a series of crucial turning points led to the former president’s indictment.
A Predictable Strategy: Across many court cases over the decades, Trump has regularly leaned on two tactics: attack and delay. Now facing criminal charges in Manhattan, the attacks have already begun.
Trump’s Scandalous Past:
The indictment’s salacious nature resurrects Trump’s playboy persona, which existed well before his presidency and has repeatedly come back to haunt him.
The Other Inquiries: The Manhattan case may not even be the biggest legal threat facing Trump. Here’s a look at the other three criminal investigations of the former president.
US: 43 YEARS OLD FOUNDER OF CASH APP, BOB LEE STABBED TO DEATH
Tech executive and investor Bob Lee, who helped create Android and Cash app, has been stabbed to death in San Francisco, officials and co-workers have said.
Lee, who was 43-years-old, was killed at 2:35am on Tuesday when officials were called to the 300 block of Main Street near the entrance of a high-rise.
Upon arrival, the officials found him suffering from apparent stab wounds.
Officers rendered aid and summoned medics to the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries,’ police said in a statement.
‘Despite efforts by first responders and medical personnel, the victim succumbed to his injuries.’
Police said no arrests had been made in connection to Lee’s murder, and urged anyone with information to come forward by calling the SFPD tip-line 415-575-4444.
‘My heart is broken tonight,’ said Joshua Goldbard, the founder of cryptocurrency and payments firm MobileCoin, where Lee had served as chief product officer since November 2021.
Lee had formerly been chief technology officer at Square – which has recently renamed itself to Block – when it had developed and launched Square Cash in 2013.
Since that time, the brand has grown into Cash App, with tens of millions of users in the US and the UK.
Prior to that, Lee had worked as a software engineer at Google from 2004 to 2010, where he helped design the core library for Android.
Lee, or ‘Crazy Bob’, as he sometimes called himself, was an active investor in numerous companies, such as SpaceX, Clubhouse and Figma.
On Tuesday evening, numerous colleagues and some close to Lee took to Twitter to eulogize him.
President-elect Asíwájú Tinubu calls for prayers, thanksgiving to mark 71st birthday
To mark his 71st birthday, President-elect Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that special prayers and thanksgiving service be held on Wednesday March 29, 2023, instead of the yearly birthday colloquium.
The special prayers will be held in Lagos and in other parts of the country.
A statement from his office on Monday indicated that for the main event in Lagos special prayers will be offered at the Central Mosque in each of the five divisions in the state including the Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja.
During the prayer sessions, special prayers will be offered for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.
Also to receive prayers among others are President Muhammadu Buhari and First Lady Aisha Buhari, President-elect Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shettima and Hajia Nana Shettima, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu, other state governors as well as members of National and State Houses of Assembly.
According to an announcement by the organisers of the prayer sessions issued by Imam Akeem Kosoko, the session at Alausa Central Mosque will begin at 10am on Wednesday and will include delivery of sermons and reading from the Holy Quran.
This year will be the third in recent times the birthday colloquium will not hold in deference to developments in the country.
In 2020, the 12th edition of the colloquium marking Asíwájú’s 68th birthday was put off to empathize with those who lost their lives or affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
And last year, the birthday symposium was also called off by Asíwájú Tinubu right at the venue of the event when news emerged of the terror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train in which several persons died and many others abducted. The Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos venue was already filled to capacity with dignitaries to celebrate the birthday when Asíwájú took to the podium to announce the cancellation of the event. The former Governor of Lagos had said it would not be proper for him as a statesman to be celebrating when such a tragedy had befallen the nation.
“For me to be here celebrating, dancing and enjoying myself, does not speak of me as a senior citizen of this country. I asked that the cleric should rather engage in prayers. This event should not be holding,” Tinubu had said on the occasion.
This year, the president-elect said the date, which falls within the holy month of Ramadan, should be dedicated to prayers and seeking God’s guidance for him and the country as he prepares to take the reins of leadership.
Office of the President-elect, Tunde Rahman March 27, 2023.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION FACES SETBACK AS US FINALLY CONCLUDES TO BAN TIKTOK DUE TO FEAR INVASION
More bad news for TikTok, with the US House Foreign Affairs Committee today voting to give President Joe Biden the power to ban the Chinese-owned app, if he deems such a move necessary, amid ongoing security discussions around its potential connection to the CCP.
The White House has already announced a full ban of TikTok on government-owned devices, following similar moves in over 30 US states. EU and Canadian officials have also followed suit, banning the app on all official devices, as tensions between China and the west continue to simmer, largely tied back to the Ukraine conflict.
Earlier this month, the US ordered a Chinese balloon to be shot down, amid concerns that it was being used to spy on the US and Canada, while rumors of China’s continued support for Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have also put it on a collision course with western governments.
Within this, TikTok has become a bigger focus. And while the app has been under CFIUS review for almost two years, discussions around its future are now accelerating, which could see it banned outright in the US sometime soon.
TikTok responded to the news with this statement:
Today’s announcement doesn’t give Biden the full green light to ban the app, with the US Senate still required to give sign-off before a ban could be implemented. But it’s another step towards that next stage, which increasingly feels like it will lead to a TikTok ban, or at the least, a significant change in direction for the app.
Former US President Donald Trump ordered TikTok to be sold to a US company in 2020, or face a full ban in the region. That option may still be another way to go, which could eventually see TikTok under new management, as opposed to going dark in the US.
But then again, a lot now depends on China’s next moves, and whether it continues to clash with the US.
The spy balloon incident feels like a turning point, of sorts, in this push, and it may be that relations between the two economic superpowers have now deteriorated to the point where the US feels compelled to act.
Clearly, security officials have major concerns, and if that extends to government employees, it stands to reason that the same logic could apply to regular citizens as well.
China insisted Friday it does not ask companies to hand over data gathered overseas, as the Chinese-owned TikTok faces mounting calls for a ban in the United States.
