Today's Headlines: Obasanjo Disowns Wife, Says She's An Impostor; OAUTH gets new CMD

Obasanjo disowns wife, says she's 'an impostor

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disowned his wife, Taiwo Obasan, barely 24 hours after she pleaded with all Yoruba worldwide to forgive him over his statement at Iseyin, Oyo state during Friday's inauguration of projects executed by the state Governor, Seyi Makinde

Taiwo in a report titled, "Oyo Kings: A plea for forgiveness", begged "for permanent and eternal forgiveness and pardon from all Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide, fathers and mothers, youths, teenagers and children, Christians, Muslims, traditional worshippers, all leaders in Yoruba land and the Council of Kings in Yoruba land."

Reacting to the development, Obasanjo said Taiwo is neither his wife nor a member of Obasanjo's family but rather an impostor despite having two children with him.

The former President, however, said he stood firmly, unapologetically and uncompromisingly on the position that a governor holds the highest office in the state and should therefore be given the due respect as enshrined in the constitution.

OAUTH gets new CMD

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Prof John Okeniyi, as Chief Medical Director of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The appointment was disclosed in a press statement signed by the Director of Information at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Patricia Deworitshe, on Monday.

The statement noted that Prof Okeniyi's appointment is for an initial term of four years with effect from August 24, 2023.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, who presented the letter on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof Ali Pate, reminded him of the responsibility of the office and the yearnings of the Nigerian people for an effective and responsive healthcare delivery system.

My administration is committed to fiscal discipline - Oborevwori

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Monday, said his administration was irrevocably committed to fiscal discipline, honesty, prudence, and transparency in government.

Governor Oborevwori stated this at the Delta State Governance and Policy Direction Conversation organised by the African College of Governance, an Institute of the Revive Africa Initiative held in Asaba on Monday.

The theme of the discussion is "More Agenda: Economic Dynamics of Policy Direction, Open Governance and the Youth Inclusivity Question" also featured a book presentation on "The Thoughts and Perspectives of Rt. Hon. Ben Rollands Igbakpa on Leadership and Governance".

The Governor who said the theme of the conversation was apt, commended the group for the gesture, adding that his administration in the past three months focused on ensuring fiscal responsibility and judicious resource allocation in completing ongoing projects as well as youth inclusivity in governance.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Johnson Erijo, Gov. Oborevwori said, with the goal of advancing Delta, the M.O.R.E agenda covers policy thrusts for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and private sector job creation, stronger human capital, accelerated infrastructural development and more efficient and effective governance and accountability systems.

Bayelsa PDP youth leader, Diri's top aides join APC.

The camp of the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, was depleted on Monday as some of his principal aides and the state youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Nunieh Odede, dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva.

Odede announced his resignation from the PDP in a handwritten letter while the governor's top aides formally vacated their offices to campaign for Sylva ahead of the November 11 polls.

A statement signed by Sylva's Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru, confirmed that Odede and the other defectors had held a meeting with the APC flagbearer.

It listed the aides who abandoned Diri to pitch tent with Sylva as a director in the state environmental sanitation authority, Abiah Oyisor; three of the governor's special advisers on special duties, Itu Goodluck, Timipa Ile and Olali Suwofien as well as his special representative in Yenagoa LGA, Ayaye Obuma.

Odede in the meeting, said, "We have spent years with the PDP and we built the party to where it is. We must move on now in the light of what is happening in the state.

"Bayelsa is in a comatose state and we cannot keep doing the old things and expect to get it right. Our resignations from the PDP, honestly, is to save our dear state from further ruin."