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Senator Austin Akobundu Commends President Tinubu over Conferment of CON on Prof. Humphrey Nwosu

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…describes it as victory for robust legislative engagement

Senator Austin Akobundu has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for conferring a posthumous National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on the late Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.

Recall that Prof. Humphrey Nwosu’s NEC conducted the June 12, 1993 elections widely acknowledged as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria to date. The election was supposed to have ushered in Chief MKO Abiola as President having scored a majority of the votes but was annulled by the then military junta headed by General Ibrahim Babangida.

In honour of the day, Nigeria declared June 12 of every year as Democracy Day.

In view of the need to honour Prof. Humphrey Nwosu who conducted the election, the Senate on March 27, 2025 debated a motion on the subject and even though some of the senators argued vehemently against and rejected the idea, Senator Austin Akobundu, among few others, stood his ground and strongly canvassed reasons why the former NEC Chairman must be honoured by the nation.

While further contributing to the debate, Senator Akobundu described as “very uncharitable” the attempt by some of his colleagues to downplay the works and courage displayed by Prof. Nwosu in the face of imminent risks to his life as he dared the military junta over conduct of the election. The Abia Central Senator went ahead to remind those arguing against honouring the late Professor that, “Recently, the former president, Ibrahim Babangida, owned up to his mistakes. If Humphrey Nwosu did not conduct a credible election, how would Abiola’s election be validated? So, it was a validation (of the election),” he declared.

Speaking further on the matter, Akobundu said, “I was in service (during the June 12 saga) and I know a whole lot about the doggedness, the courage that Humphrey Nwosu demonstrated up to the point he was stopped from continuing with the results. To stay here and not acknowledge that Humphrey was a fighter who stood his ground against the military leadership to ensure that democracy was enthroned, is most uncharitable.

“It is very uncharitable to say that when he (Nwosu) was alive, he didn’t do anything. Let me bring it out that Humphrey Nwosu published a book where he detailed all that happened including the results that validated Abiola’s election.

“Humphrey Nwosu remains a great man in our hearts and should be given his rightful place in the hall of honour in this country,” Akobundu concluded.

The issue became so heated that Akobundu and a caucus of senators staged a walkout on the floor of the senate over the issue.

However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu listened to the voice of reason and conferred the honour of CON on the former NEC Chairman during his Democracy Day address to a joint session of the NationalAssembly today, an act for which Senator Akobundu commended the President, describing it as “victory for robust legislative engagements by those who aligned themselves with the right side of history.”

Finally, Senator Austin Akobundu and his colleagues have been justified in their courageous, forthright and tenacious pursuit of the Prof. Humphrey Nwosu’s cause for a formal national recognition.

Congratulations to the late erudite Professor!

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NATIONAL NEWS

Erondu Hails Tinubu Over Appointment to 2027 Campaign Organisation, Commends Benjamin Kalu for Transforming Abia APC

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Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr., Esq., Member representing Obingwa West (Uhie) State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him as a member of his 2027 campaign organisation, describing the appointment as a call to greater service and an opportunity to contribute to the President’s re-election bid.

Erondu, who is also the House Chairman committee on Public Service matters, Abia State House of Assembly expressed gratitude to the President for the confidence reposed in him, pledging his commitment to mobilising support for the Renewed Hope Agenda and working towards the APC’s success in the 2027 general elections.

The lawmaker commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, HE Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for what he described as his “immense and immeasurable contributions to the development of the APC in Abia State.”

Erondu noted that Kalu’s leadership, dedication to party building and commitment to reconciliation have contributed significantly to strengthening the APC’s structure, fostering unity among stakeholders and driving visible progress within the party across the state.

He said, “I sincerely appreciate HE Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu for his immense and immeasurable contributions to the development of our great party, the APC, in Abia State. His efforts have helped to promote unity, strengthen our party structure and ensure visible progress. His commitment to bringing party leaders and members together remains commendable, and I urge all stakeholders to sustain this spirit of cooperation for the overall success of our party.”

Erondu further extended special greetings and appreciation to HE Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for his continued support for the APC, acknowledging his contributions to the party and the broader efforts to strengthen its political presence.

He also commended H E, Comrade Chris Akomas, former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, the Abia State Chairman, APC for their steadfastness and dedication to the party, while recognising the contributions of former Minister of Labour, Hon. Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, and other leaders and stakeholders working to advance the party’s interests.

According to the lawmaker, the progress recorded by the APC in Abia reflects the importance of collective leadership, mutual understanding and a shared commitment to the party’s growth beyond individual interests.

He called on party leaders, stakeholders and members to sustain the prevailing spirit of unity and cooperation as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections, stressing that a united and well-organised APC would be better positioned to expand its grassroots support and secure victory at the polls.

Erondu reaffirmed his readiness to work with President Tinubu’s campaign organisation, party leaders and stakeholders across Abia State and beyond to promote the Renewed Hope Agenda and strengthen the APC’s electoral prospects.

He expressed optimism that with purposeful leadership, sustained mobilisation and the collective commitment of party faithful, the APC would consolidate its gains and emerge stronger in the 2027 general elections.

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Streams Of Joy International Reverses Erroneous Transaction Following Viral Video

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SOJ has confirmed the successful reversal of an erroneous transaction involving a woman whose complaint was recently shared in a viral video.

In a statement, the Streams of Joy International said its direct-message channels and official contact lines remain open to members of the public for reporting transaction-related concerns.

SOJ explained that it routinely receives, investigates and resolves reports of erroneous transactions through an established verification process.

According to the statement, no call, email, direct message or formal complaint had been received from the woman before the video was published.

However, upon becoming aware of the video, streams of Joy international said it immediately attempted to contact her using the phone number provided and through direct message.

The woman has since responded, and following the necessary investigation and confirmation, the transaction was successfully reversed.

SOJ reaffirmed its commitment to addressing genuine complaints promptly, transparently and responsibly through its official communication channels.

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Controlling Roaming Cows in Abuja Not Our Responsibility – Police

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The Nigeria Police Force has said it is not responsible for controlling roaming cattle in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, stating that its intervention would only become necessary when the animals are linked to an offence.

The police spokesperson, CSP Ani Iniedu, made this known on Tuesday during a joint security spokespersons’ briefing while responding to concerns over the increasing presence of cows on Abuja roads and other public spaces.

According to Iniedu, the responsibility for controlling animals, including cattle, lies with the relevant environmental authorities.

“The responsibility for the control of animals is the Ministry or Department of the Environment. Where we come in is if the cow has committed an offence or the cow is involved in the destruction of your property or trespassing your property.

“If that is the case, it is reported to the nearest police station,” he said.

He added that the police would investigate any formal complaint involving offences allegedly committed by roaming cattle.

“We will commence investigation immediately. That is if a complaint was made. If it is going out to look for cows, it is not one of our responsibilities,” Iniedu stated.

The clarification followed growing concerns over cattle roaming freely on major roads and in other parts of Abuja, with residents raising fears about traffic disruptions, public safety and possible damage to property.

Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had earlier declined to comment extensively on the issue, saying it was connected to national security.

Wike said, “I have the capacity to deal with cow grazing in Abuja, but I won’t talk about it because it’s national security. Go to the NSA and the DSS DG. You know why I can’t touch it.”

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