The announcement was made on Friday in press statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

The Senate confirmed the ambassadors-designate last December.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agreement from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu.

Similarly, France has sent the agreement for Ambassador Ayo Oke.

The ministry has also conveyed the nominations of the other 62 designated envoys to all the countries concerned, including a request for their agreements in line with standard diplomatic practice.

President Tinubu has directed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately commence the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners.

The posting of non-career ambassadors/ high commissioners are as listed below:

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED

1. SENATOR GRACE BENT: LOME-TOGO
2. SEN. ITA ENANG: SOUTH AFRICA
3. IKPEAZU VICTOR: SPAIN
4. NKECHI LINDA UFOCHUKWU: TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL
5. MAHMUD YAKUBU: QATAR
6. PAUL OGA ADIKWU: THE VATICAN CITY HOLY SEE
7. VICE ADMIRAL IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS: THE PHILIPPINES
8. MR. RENO OMOKRI: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
9. HON. (ENGR.) ABASI BRAIMAH (FMHR): BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
10. MRS. ERELU ANGELA ADEBAYO: PORTUGAL
11. BARR. OLUMILUA OLUWAYIMIKA AYOTUNWA: TOKYO, JAPAN
12. RT. HON. UGWUANYI IFEANYI LAWRENCE: ATHENS, GREECE
13. BARR. CHIOMA PRISCILLA OHAKIM: WARSAW, POLAND
14. AMINU DALHATU: UNITED KINGDOM, UK
15. LT. GEN ABDULRAHMAN BELLO DAMBAZAU: BEIJING, CHINA
16. HON. TASIU MUSA MAIGARI: GAMBIA
17. OLUFEMI PEDRO: AUSTRALIA
18. BARR. MUHAMMED UBANDOMA ALIYU: ARGENTINA
19. LATEEF KAYODE ARE: USA
20. AMB. JOSEPH SOLA IJI: RUSSIA
21. SEN. JIMOH IBRAHIM: UN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
22. FEMI FANI KAYODE: GERMANY
23. PROF. ISAAK FOLORUNSO ADEWOLE: OTTAWA, CANADA
24. AJIMOBI FATIMA FLORENCE (F): AUSTRIA
25. MRS. LOLA AKANDE (F): SWEDEN
26. AYODELE OKE: FRANCE
27. YAKUBU N. GAMBO: SAUDI ARABIA
28. SENATOR PROF. NORA LADI DADUUT: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
29. BARR. ONUEZE CHUKWUJIKA JOE OKOCHA SAN: DUBLIN
30. DR. KULU HARUNA ABUBAKAR: TUNIS, TUNISIA
31. RT. HON. JERRY SAMUEL MANWE: PORT OF SPAIN, T&T

Posting of career ambassadors/ high commissioners are as listed below:

S/N   NAME                                   MISSION APPROVED

1. AMB. NWABIOLA EZENWA CHUKWUMEKA: COTE D’IV/OIRE
2. BESTO MAIMUNA IBRAHIM: NIAMEY-NIGER
3. MONICA OKWUCHUKWU ENEBECHI: SAO TOME, STP
4. AMB. MOHAMMED MAHMUD LELE: ALGIERS-ALGERIA
5. ENDONI SYNDOPH PAEBI: OUAGADOUGOU-BURKINA FASO
6. AHMED MOHAMMED MONGUNO: CAIRO EGYPT
7. AMB.JANE ADAMS (NEE OKON) MICHAEL (F): KINGSTON-JAMAICA
8. AMB. CLARK-OMERU ALEXANDRA (F): LUSAKA-ZAMBIA
9. CHIMA GEOGGREY LIOMA DAVID: BAMAKO-MALI
10. AMB. ODUMAH YVONNE EHINOSEN: MALABO –E/GUINEA
11. AMB WASA SEGUN IGE: BEIRUT, LEBANON
12. RUBEN ABIMBOLA SAMUEL (F): ROME, ITALY
13. AMB.ONAGA OGECHUKWU KINGSLEY: MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
14. AMB.MAGAJI UMAR: KINSASHA, DR CONGO
15. AMB.MUHAMMAD SAIDU DAHIRU: NEW DELHI-INDIA
16. AMB. ABDUSSALAM HABU ZAYYAD: DAKAR-SENEGAL
17. AMB SHEHU ILU BARDE: ACCRA GHANA
18. AMB.AMINU NASIR: ETHIOPIA
19. ABUBAKAR MUSA MUSA: N’DJAMENA, CHAD
20. AMB. HAIDARA MOHAMMED IDRIS: THE HAGUE-NETHERLANDS
21. AMB.BAKO ADAMU UMAR: RABAT-MOROCCO
22. AMB. SULU GAMBARI OLATUNJI AHMED: MALAYSIA
23. AMB.ROMATA MOHAMMED OMOBOLANLE (F): TANZANIA
24. AMB. SHAGA JOHN SHAMAH: BOTSWANA
25. SALAU, HAMZA MOHAMMED: TEHRAN, IRAN
26. AMB.IBRAHIM DANLAMI: KENYA
27. IBRAHIM ADEOLA MOPELOLA (F): COTONOU-BENIN
28. AMB.AYENI ADEBAYO EMMANUEL: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
29. AMB.AKANDE WAHAB ADEKOLA: BERNE-SWITZERLAND
30. AMB. AREWA (NEE ADEDOKUN) ESTHER (F): WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA
31. AMB.GERGADI JOSEPH JOHN: LIBREVILLE-GABON
32. AMB. LUTHER OGBOMODE AYO-KALATA (F): SIERRA LEONE
33. DANLADI YAKUBU NYAKU : KHARTOUM-SUDAN

34.  BELLO DOGON-DAJI HALIRU: BANGKOK, THAILAND

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The post BREAKING: Tinubu posts ambassadors (+Names and countries) appeared first on Frontpageng.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the president conveyed the message of condolence in a conversation with Mrs. Ajimobi on Thursday.

Said Onanuga: “In a poignant conversation with the bereaved mother on Thursday, President Tinubu conveyed his deep sympathy to the family during this time of profound loss, acknowledging the unexpected and heart-wrenching departure of a cherished daughter, devoted wife, and mother of three.

READ ALSO: EXTRA: That spat between Ezekwesili and Nwaebonyi…

“President Tinubu also extended his prayers and support to Mrs. Kola-Daisi’s husband, family, friends, and associates, remembering her as warm-hearted, industrious, and charitable.

“He highlighted the enduring impact of Mrs Kola-Daisi’s contributions as a successful businesswoman and a trusted public servant in an advisory capacity, whose wise counsel in budgeting and finance was invaluable.”

President Tinubu prayed for Almighty God’s grace to receive her soul and provide comfort and strength to her survivors.

The post Tinubu commiserates with Mrs Ajimobi over death of daughter appeared first on Frontpageng.

“Today, Thursday, July 16 makes it precisely three weeks that my boss and former Governor of Oyo State and the Deputy National Chairman, (South) of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abiola Ajimobi transited to eternity.

It is a reality that many of us that had been close to him are still trying to come to terms with. If anyone had said it would end, just like that, so suddenly, we would have laughed that away, not because he was not old enough at 70 being the biblically allotted time, people have died even at ages below that. Not because he had not fulfilled his dreams, aspirations and had left worthy legacies, but because of the unexpectedness of the occurrence. Not even an inkling. Even while he was sick, one felt it was just a temporary setback that he would eventually overcome.

I have always believed God watches over the affairs of men, he determines their fate. He considers all factors before taking decisions on the life of the individual. Based on that premise that my boss still had a lot of assignments, he would eventually get up from his sick bed. And what were these assignments? He was the rallying point for the APC in Oyo State. As leader of the party in the State, he was in an unassailable position of acceptability to unify the different parts and he had already embarked on that task before the sad occurrence. In spite of the different factions in the State, he was acknowledged as the only acceptable person who could still tie all the loose ends of APC. His disposition also made him an acceptable choice for the national leadership position of the party. Most importantly, the position he held as Deputy National Chairman of the party was considered a major boost for the party and its loyalists in Oyo State, he was probably the second Ibadan person to hold such a preeminent position in party politics, the other being late Chief Meredith Adisa Akinloye who was chairman of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN). A lot was expected from him by members of the party.

On Sunday, June 28, ‘HE’, as we all fondly called him, was committed to mother earth, like all mortals. The journey began that early morning from the TOS funeral home, Ikeja, Lagos. By some minutes after 9am, his remains  had arrived his Oluyole residence in a TOS funeral home Mercedes hearse, into the waiting arms of  Islamic clerics he held in regards. I know he especially had a soft spot for Sheik Muideen Bello. I recall that his last public appearance in Ibadan was with and at the instigation of Sheik Bello at the annual Splash FM Ramadan lecture. The Sheik was the guest lecturer while he was chairman of the event.

He wondered why people were afraid of death, especially if you were a Muslim since you would be met at the gate of paradise by seven virgins. His conclusion was that fear of death is just the fear of the unknown.

Prior to the event, he had said he would not be able to attend the lecture. Around the same time he had given me the task of drawing up a list of major radio stations in the State that had been promoting the Covid-19 protocol. He wanted to encourage them by defraying the cost of adverts and promo they had been putting on air. That was to be done after his return from the Abuja trip. That is another of his character that may not be too obvious to people-thoughtfulness and consideration.

As the hearse conveying his remains rolled into the street, it was met by wailing and tears by all that had gathered knowing his remains would arrive that morning. They had come to bid him farewell, it was a tearful farewell, indeed.  It was also when reality dawned on all that truly, the boss had passed on.

Though he has transited into eternity, the people of Oyo State will also gradually start knowing his worth. He was not ordinary. He was a special being. He was gifted with the gift of the gab. His words were prophetic. A video had gone viral about how he spoke about death on many occasions, he was always quick to regale us either in public or private about his initial desire to be 70 years old because no male in his family had clocked that age. He said he now shifted that because on clocking that age, he was not yet done. He still spoke of this at his last public outing. No one knew his clock was on countdown. At his birthday in December, he said the same thing and furthered it by saying that no one should weep for him in death. He was probably being prescient knowing that his death would be a devastating blow to his many followers and mentees.

Few weeks before he travelled, we had all sat down in the office discussing death and the thereafter. He had raised the topic. He wanted us to discuss what would happen after death. What happens to the soul? It was a robust debate with everyone contributing from the religious to the secular. He wondered why people were afraid of death, especially if you were a Muslim since you would be met at the gate of paradise by seven virgins. His conclusion was that fear of death is just the fear of the unknown.  He ended jocularly by saying he had the Quran on his side of the bed while there is also a Bible at the other side. ‘Which ever gives entry into paradise, I am covered’.

He once said, he would not mind to take up the whole of the city once he felt that course of action was right.

His love for Oyo State and the need to take governance to a higher level was important to him. He had always told that story of his desire. He would tell us of how he desired to be governor whenever he was coming into Ibadan from Lagos, his prayer was always that God should make it possible in order for him to further develop the State. He was never satisfied by the fact of the nearness of Lagos to Ibadan which was not commensurate with the development in Oyo State. He was prepared for governance. With limited resources, he embarked on road constructions the likes of which had never been done by any administration in modern time. The roads were constructed to standards obtainable anywhere.

He gave Oyo State, especially Ibadan a new look as the political capital of the South West. He ensured that all access and exit of the major towns in Oyo State had dual carriage ways. He rightly deserved the sobriquet of the father of modern Oyo State, politics apart.

More importantly is his power of conviction. Once he is set on a course of action that he felt was the best, after the robust debates that accompany such, he would pursue that course of action to a logical conclusion irrespective of what anyone would say. He was fond of and believed so much in the quotation attributed to America’s former first lady, Rosalynn Carter, ‘a leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be’. He was courageous and was never afraid to fight for his conviction. He once said, he would not mind to take up the whole of the city once he felt that course of action was right.

As the reality of his death dawns gradually, I will just say, Good night, Sir.”

*TUNJI was the media aide to the late Abiola Ajimobi, former governor of Oyo State.

The post Ajimobi… Just like that! By Bolaji Tunji appeared first on Frontpageng.

Ajimobi’s former media aide, Bolaji Tunji, said this in a statement issued in Ibadan on behalf of the family.

The family on Sunday held the eight-day prayer for the late two-time governor who died on June 25.

The family’s reaction followed reports that a delegation of the state government led by the deputy governor was  barred from entering the venue of the event.

But Tunji, in the statement, said the family had no such plan to bar the government delegation.

He said the family was not aware that the deputy governor would attend the event, adding that neither the advance team nor the protocol unit informed the family.

The event, he added,  was held in compliance with COVID-19 protocols established by NCDC, noting that not more than 30 people were allowed at the venue.

Tunji added that the seats were arranged according to the number after which the gate to the premises was shut.

He said when the family got the information that the deputy governor had arrived, aides rushed to the gate to usher him into the sitting room only to learn he had gone.

The statement said in part: “There is the need to clarify the believed presence of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, at the 8th day prayer of HE Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the immediate past governor of Oyo State.

“The Deputy Governor arrived after the prayer had started. The event was strictly a family affair.

“There was a need to comply with the Covid-19 protocol as established by NCDC- Social distancing, not more than 30 people in a place and seats arranged, accordingly after which the gate was shut.

“No one was aware that the Deputy Governor was coming as neither the advance team nor the protocol informed us.

“By the time we got to the gate to usher him into the sitting room, he had left. Everything happened within a spate of 10 minutes.”

Tunji said efforts were made through a serving senator and a former attorney general to get in touch with him.

He maintained that the incident was not meant as a slight to the deputy governor as he could sit in a private sitting room provided by the family.

Tunji, who described the incident as unfortunate, however, apologised to the deputy governor.

Source: NAN

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A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the insinuations amounted to a wicked lie.

The statement reads: “In view of the intense enquiries from news media organisations regarding the perceived delay in burying the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Oyo State Government wishes to place on record that there is no truth in the rumour making the rounds that the burial is being delayed by the state government.

“The rumour, which is being deliberately spread to give the state government a bad name and to play undue politics with the dead, initially came by the way of social media gossip, which gained traction to attract the attention of traditional media outfits.

“Several media outfits reached out to the Media Office of the Governor of Oyo State to make enquiries on this barefaced lie on Saturday.

“Let it be stated clearly that the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has played no role at all in causing any delay whatsoever regarding the burial of his immediate predecessor, Senator Ajimobi.

“The truth of the matter is that the family, through a proxy, approached the state government and sought approval to bury the late governor on a plot of land at Agodi GRA, which is currently under litigation.

“Incidentally, it was the same former Governor Ajimobi who instituted the legal action.

“Governor Seyi Makinde had no choice than to state the facts as they are to the emissaries and turn down the request.

“Governor Makinde, however, against the established land use rule in Oyo State, gave approval that the family can bury the late governor in his Oluyole Estate residence.

“It is to be noted that the rules guiding land use in Government Reservation Areas (GRA) forbid the burial of bodies in such locations as Oluyole Estate and Agodi GRA.

“Let us also put on record that whereas the family did not follow the laid down protocols in passing information on the sickness and eventual demise of  Senator Ajimobi, Governor Makinde overlooked all that and directed the full cooperation of the government with the family on this matter.

“It can only amount to a wicked lie to insinuate that the incumbent government in Oyo State attempted to obstruct the burial of the immediate past governor.”

The post Delay in Ajimobi’s burial: Our side of the story –Oyo govt appeared first on Frontpageng.

In a statement issued in Ibadan on Friday, Tunji said the date was chosen after a consultation held by the family of the deceased with Lagos and Oyo State governments.

His words: “In close consultation with the governments of Lagos and Oyo States, the date for the burial ceremony has been announced. Barring any changes, his body will be interred at the Senator Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi Central Mosque at Oke Ado, Ibadan at 12noon on Sunday, the 28th of June, 2020, after the traditional Muslim prayers.”

Tunji added: “To ensure that strict COVID-19 protocols are adhered to and in light of the current circumstances of our national health challenges, the family appeals to the public to observe strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols in their participation.

“Furthermore, details of the live media coverage of the funeral ceremony will be made public by tomorrow (Saturday).

“In the near future, details of a larger funeral gathering will be announced where a lot more of his well wishers will have the opportunity to pay him their respect.”

Ajimobi died in an hospital in Lagos where he was being treated for COVID-19.

He was governor of Oyo State from 2011 to 2019.

The post Ajimobi for burial Sunday, other plans announced appeared first on Frontpageng.

Ajimobi died receiving treatment for coronavirus.

The condolence message of the association was issued by its president, Dr. Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, in a statement signed by his media aide, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji.

CAN, in the message, commiserated with the family of Ajimobi, Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State, saying that the death was painful.

The statement reads in part: “We could recollect that the late Governor Ajimobi transformed the landscape of Oyo State in his eight years of leadership of the state, especially in the area of road construction in some cities of the state. He would equally be remembered for allowing religious bodies to peacefully co-exist in the state.

“Though a Muslim, he gave the Christian body in the state the opportunity of contributing to the progress of Oyo State, most especially by permitting the Christian women in the state to organise regular prayers in the state and allowing it to be covered live by both the Radio and Television arms of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo, (BCOS).

“Additionally, he did not only allow Christmas Carols to be organised by the state every year and covered live, he equally attended himself. He thus made the event an opportunity to be in touch in large number, with the Christian community of the State. Though he was not an angel just like all of us, he did his best for the people of Oyo State, ensuring that peace reigned throughout his two terms.

“The world is a stage where God gives each of us the platform to do our best and then leave the stage. Our prayer is that each of us would do our best to serve our generation according to the will of God before we are called home.

“Once again, we pray for the family of the late governor, the government and people of Oyo State that God would grant you all the fortitude to bear the loss in Jesus’ name.”

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“The death of Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi is a huge loss to the family, the governing APC, and to the entire people of Oyo State and Nigeria. Senator Ajimobi was a great patriot who could rightly lay claim to being a ‘Nigerian’ in the true sense of the word. He was an outstanding oil industry technocrat who opted out to serve his people, leaving indelible footprints in the socio-economic terrain of Oyo State.  Sen. Ajimobi cultivated friends and built bridges across every divide of our country,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye.

“Senator Ajimobi was a dear brother and close family-friend whose wise counsel and guidance l will forever uphold and cherish. My family has indeed lost a great friend and ‘egbon’; we send forth our deepest condolences to the Ajimobis and the entire people of Oyo State.

“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Kwara State, I also commiserate with Mr President, the Governor of Oyo State, and members and leadership of our party, the All Progressives Congress. May the Almighty Allah give the family the fortitude to bear this loss and repose the soul of a man who left a lasting legacy as the first two-term Governor of Oyo State.”

The post Abiola Ajimobi was a true patriot —Kwara gov appeared first on Frontpageng.

Lawan said Abiola Ajimobi, who once represented Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate before he was elected to two consecutive terms as governor, would be missed by the people of Oyo State and the progressives political family throughout Nigeria.

The Senate President said Oyo State would always remember him for his numerous achievements over which the people rewarded him as the first governor to be re-elected in the history of the politically sophisticated state.

Lawan said his death would also be felt by the ruling All Progressives Congress especially at a time the party was calling all hands to the deck to steady its sail.

“We, at the Senate, mourn Senator Ajimobi who also served with merit at the upper legislative chamber between 2003 and 2007 during which time he was the Deputy Senate Minority Leader,” Lawan said.

Lawan expressed his condolences to the family, friends and political associates of the departed former governor and prayed for Allah to comfort them.

The Senate President also prayed for the repose of Ajimobi’s soul in Aljannat firdaus.

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Ajimobi’s death came a few days after the death of Senator Sikiru Adebayo Osinowo from Lagos State.

Obasa, in his condolence message released by his media office on Friday, said he was particularly pained about the death of the former governor.

He said he died at a time his experience was seriously needed by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC,  through which he governed Oyo State.

He described Ajimobi as a consummate politician who would be greatly missed by the country and its people including those he served as governor.

“Senator Ajimobi was one of the few Nigerian politicians who transversed  both the corporate and political world and made success of both.

“He died at a time the country and the APC needed his wealth of experience and  wisdom from both worlds,” Obasa said.

“I pray the Almighty Allah grant him aljarnah firdaus and give his family the fortitude to bear this huge loss,” the Speaker prayed.

The post Ajimobi died at the time we needed him most –Obasa appeared first on Frontpageng.