Senator Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party ((PDP) has been declared winner of the Kogi West Senatorial election held on Feb. 23.

Smart Adeyemi is a former Senator who once represented Kogi West constituency of Kogi State, elected to the Senate in April 2007. He is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but later defected to APC in a plot to unseat “stubborn” Dino who had also defected from the APC to PDP.

Smart was national president of NUJ from 1999 to 2006.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Emmanuel Bala announced in the early hours of Monday in Lokoja that Melaye polled 85, 395 votes to defeat Sen. Smart Adeyemi of the APC who scored 66, 901 votes.

Also, Alhaji Abdulkarim Isah – Wambai of the APC has been declared winner of the House of Representatives election for Lokoja-Koto federal constituency.

The returning officer, Prof. Muhammed Suleiman said that Wambai scored 37, 656 votes to beat Mr Shaba Ibrahim of PDP who polled 33,662 votes.

Ifeanyi Ubah, the chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, has emerged the first elected senator for the Young Progresives Party (YPP) in Nigeria, beating the Uba brothers, Andy and Chris.


Ubah polled 87, 081 votes to emerge winner of the Anambra South Senatorial District In the February 23 election.

The result was announced early Monday morning at Uruagu Nnewi North Council headquarters.


His closest rival, Chief Chris Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and younger brother of the incumbent Senator for the area, Sen. Andy Uba got 62,462 votes.


Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 51,269 votes while Sen. Andy Uba, the incumbent and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate got 13,245 votes.


Mr M.N. Umenweke, the returning officer, who declared the results said Ubah emerged the winner among the 26 candidates, who contested for Anambra South Senatorial District ticket.


“Mr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah of the YPP having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and returned elected as the senator representing Anambra South,” he said.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ubah’s election victory had ended years of domination of the Anambra South Senatorial District by the Uba brothers from Uga in Aguata area of the state.


Sen. Ugochukwu Uba most senior brother of Sen. Andy held the Anambra South Senatorial District between 2003 and 2007, while his younger brother and incumbent Senator Andy Uba held the position from 2011 to date. 
 


Deltans have continued to count their losses through alleged denial of their legitimate civic duties by the Nigerian military during last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly polls.

More than 400 electorates were allegedly disenfranchised at ward 13 unit 3 of Owhelogbo in Isoko North local government area of Delta State by the Nigeria Army deployed to the area to maintain peace during the Presidential and National assembly election.
Speaking to newsmen at the polling station, Prince Godwin Ogorugba, Chairman Peoples Democratic Party Isoko North decried the manner soldiers on patrol prevented electorates from voting at 2.30pm. Ogorugba said, voting materials arrived at the unit by 10.am while accreditation and voting commenced at 12.pm.
He stated that the smart card readers malfunctioned during accreditation which according to him delayed the voting process. Prince Ogorugba said, at 2.30pm while the electorates queued to vote under the sun with their PVC, the soldiers came and stopped the people from voting, saying voting time is over. 
He maintained that all efforts to persuade the soldiers to allow extra time was resisted and the electorates went back home disappointed.
Similarly at Emede ward 05 unit 3, were hon. Joel Thomas Onowakpor, candidate for Isoko federal house of representatives under the All Progressive Congress voted, bemoan late arrival of materials at 2.pm even as the card readers failed to accredit him and other eligible voters over one hour. 
Onowakpor described the situation as embarrassment culpable of causing apprehension to the electorates which he said could  disenfranchise eligible voters. He urged INEC to be more transparent and train the adhoc staff to avoid same problem during subsequent election even as he promise to calm eligible voters standing under the sun.
At Olomoro ward 06, election voting materials arrived at 1.30pm but expected ballot papers for House of Representatives numbering 11,032 falls short to 9,500 and were rejected.
 Party agents insisted on going ahead with the Presidential and senate election and asked the INEC official to return the materials and postpone that election to another date.
The election was however peaceful at Uzere, Enwhe, Okpolo – Enwhe, Oleh, Irri and other communities of Isoko South except for the initial card reader failure. Chief Iduh Amadhe, president general of Isoko development union, Chief Bashorun Askia Ogieh, director finance and administration DESOPADEC commended INEC for the conduct of peaceful election at ward 04 Uzere community.
 The chairman of Isoko North local government area, hon Emmanuel Egbabor said, the election was peaceful in all the units of Ozoro ward 03 and information at his disposal reveals that the election was also peaceful at Ofagbe, Iyede, Okpe, Otibio,Ozoro ward 02 and other communities in Isoko North except for the card reader and network failure that delayed the process.
He urged INCE to improve on the smart card reader and organize more training for the adhoc staff for subsequent election.
 Egbabor commended the security agents, noting that there was no incident of fight at the time of filing the report.

BY SUNNY A. DAVID / NNEWI

Tragedy struck at Nnewi on Thursday morning as eight (8) people were in the early hours of the day lost their lives in a fatal accident which happened along Oba-Okigwe Road.

An Eye witness told our correspondent that a soak away truck while trying to avoid a trailer parked along the road ran into a tricycles and a motorcycle conveying children to school.

The parked trailer according to our source is owned by a popular Nnewi importer.

Efforts by men and Officers of FRSC to rescue the victims did not yield any positive dividend as they died on the spot.

Irate mob immediately after the accident set the trailer which was fully loaded with beer ablaze as well as the soak away truck.

Another eye witness who identified herself as Ngozi told our correspondent that the most pathetic of all was the poor woman who was taking her children to school only for her and children to meet an untimely death.

She claimed that depot located at point of the road has caused a lot of accident in the area.

As at the time of filing this report, people were still seeing rushing to the scene of the accident to behold the morning disaster.

-By Albert OGRAKA:

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state, Bashorun (Hon.) Askia Ogieh JP, has called on Deltans to put the disappointment of the postponement of the general elections behind them and respond to the call to patriotism by exercising their legitimate franchise on the new election dates.

Bashorun Askia, who made the call during an exclusive interview with Blank NEWS Online, said the only way Deltans can ensure a steady and unhindered democracy is for them to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has brought democratic dividends to bear in the state.

He encouraged Delta electorates not to be deterred by the postponement and the attendant criticism but to turn the despair to defense of democracy by coming out enmasse to vote out the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) who are bent on frustrating the electoral and democratic process.

He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible elections, if the Muhammadu Buhari’s APC government do not interfere in the process.

According to him, the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has every reason to emerge victorious to secure his second mandate of governance, in which he has preformed exceedingly well by ensuring peace and security in Delta state, youth empowerment, sports development, as well as infrastructure development, especially road construction, even in riverine communities, earning him the name “Roadmaster”.

He explained that such development prowess and strides abounds only among the PDP controlled states, saying that PDP’s victory across boards was the only noticeable light at the end of the tunnel.

While appealing to Deltans to entrench peaceful conduct, devoid of violence during the February 23 and March 09 elections, Bashorun Askia assured victory for all PDP candidates for the Presidency, Governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats across the country, including Delta state.

The Isoko National Youth Council (INYC), a body of Isoko youths has endorsed the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a second term in office

The Isoko National Youth Council (INYC), a body of Isoko youths which cuts across the 19 clans of the Isoko Nation, has endorsed the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a second term in office.

National President of INYC, Comrade Utomudo Fidelis Obokparo, during an enlarged meeting of the youths, encouraged all the youths of Isoko at home and in the Diaspora to come out enmasse during the general elections to vote for all the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates to sustain the development process in Isoko Nation.

The National President lauded the efforts of the governor in his human capital development, youth engagement and empowerment across the state, adding that his people oriented projects, especially in the area of roads, has earned the governor the accolade of “Road Master.”

He noted that the INYC is a peaceful body of youths with positive and growth attitude aimed at ensuring sustainable and peaceful environment for development in Isoko land.

He said that the Isoko youths will not relent in their determination to ensure the victory of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s, come March 09, 2019.

He appealed to the Isoko youths to shun all acts of violence but defend and protect their votes for a sustained dividends of democracy under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Reports say that security agencies have discovered the plan by opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to deploy $3million (N1.8billion) to each state to induce voters.

The party is reported to have also co-opted former members of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recruit loyal ad hoc staff for the elections.

Also, a member of the National Peace Committee, a body headed by former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, was also discovered to be in the work plan of PDP.

The Nation reported that the cash was remitted before last Saturday’s postponement elections.

It reported that most state chapters were finding it difficult to change the dollars to naira because of the surveillance on Bureau De Change operators by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Also, the agencies have intercepted alleged compromise of some officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), policemen and other security agents in some states.

The intelligence report, including the alleged implication of a former top official of INEC, may be presented to the chairman of the electoral commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, by the security agencies.

Meanwhile, the major opposition PDP is yet to react to the allegation.

-NAN

-By Chris Okobah PhD

Nigeria’s democracy is in crisis. The 16th of February 2019 botched elections was supposed to move the country to a higher rung on the democratisation ladder, create a more conducive environment to resolve its many internal conflicts and strengthen its credentials as a leading peacemaker, but instead generated serious new problems that may be pushing it further towards the status of a failed state. The ruling APC are beginning to pad themselves with less legitimacy than any previously elected administration and so with less capacity to moderate and resolve its violent domestic conflicts. This botched election was supposed to heal wounds, redress electoral injustice and punish the most grievous voting frauds, including those by officials of the agencies directly involved in administering the elections in relation to what happened in Edo states, Ekiti, Oshun, and to salvage this government’s legitimacy, they need to pursue inclusiveness and restraint in relation to the opposition, create an open democratic practice in the country and they must ensure that the country is not destroyed by their inordinate power ambition .
This president had already pressed the warning button by refusing to sign any electoral amendment bill into law .The elections, in the view of Nigerians and the many international observers alike, was the most poorly prepared , the poor organization has given rooms to massive rigging . In a bitterly contentious environment, President Muhamadu Buhari and his APC acted with unbridled desperation to ensure sweeping, winner-take-all victories, not only in the presidency and federal legislature but also in state governorships and assemblies. Characterized as a “do or die” battle by APC,
Their has been rumors of impending widespread electoral malpractices and plans for staggering scale of falsified results by APC and this could only be possible because of serious shortcomings within the regulatory agencies, most notably the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Vigorously manipulated by the presidency, INEC virtually abdicated its responsibility as impartial umpire. Inefficient and non-transparent in its operations, it has become an accessory to active rigging , they are also used as accessory and in some cases helped in, the brazen falsification of results.
INEC must not push the country further towards a one-party state and diminished citizen confidence in electoral institutions and processes. Most ominously, to undermined Nigeria’s capacity to manage its internal conflicts, deepening already violent tensions in the Niger Delta and refuelling Biafran separatism in the ethnically Ibo south east. It must not damage the country’s international image by this irresponsible and unapologetic election canceling .

-Chris Okobah PhD Tweeter handle @chris-okobah

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has allegedly survived an assassination attempt which was allegedly masterminded by his kinsmen in his home place.

According to reports, some hoodlums who were allegedly hired to assassinate the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, have been apprehended.

It was gathered that the thugs were nabbed over the weekend in Alor community in Anambra state (the minister’s hometown) following the elections which was postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by one week.

The suspects have since been transferred from Alor community to the state CID for further interrogation.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, may have perfected plans for President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, having accused him of colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in taking the decision to postpone the elections.

Oshiomhole, at the caucus parley on Monday in Abuja said “Whatever information INEC conveyed to PDP, they ought to have conveyed it to us.

“What INEC is doing in collusion with PDP is to get PDP to be shouting ‘they want INEC chairman removed. The more I listened to the explanation from INEC chairman, the more disgusted I was. If it was just about disgust, I can manage my feelings; it raises my suspicion about who is behind this agenda.

“The more explanations INEC chairman did, the more questions that were left unanswered. I think INEC deserves to make explanation to us, not because we a are a governing party but because we are a major player.

“Our commitment to democracy is non-negotiable; our people’s determination to elect Mr President is not at the mercy of any institution, including INEC.

“If you ask me, I will say as APC chairman too, I second (PDP National Chairman) Uche Secondus. I have no difficulty in seconding Secondus to have a new INEC chairman if that is what it takes to have a credible election.”

BY MICHAEL EKOKORUWE

Formal commissioner of education Delta State Professor Chief Abednego Eloghene Ekoko, has reiterated the victory of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the forthcoming 2019 general election. Professor Ekoko made the statement during the inauguration of campaign canvassers at Uzere, Isoko South local government area of Delta State.

The formal commissioner and passed sole administrator of Delta State University said, to fast track the process of victory for the People’s Democratic party (PDP) in the coming elections, he is inundated at spicing up the efforts of existing party structures as his contribution to ensure absolute victory at the polls.

The canvassers which according to professor Ekoko shall be known as EKOKO CANVASSERS FOR OKOWA, MANAGER AND OKUWEH (ECOMO 2019), were drawn from all the wards of Isoko South local government area of the state. Those inaugurated were mobilized to start work immediately.

Ekoko sued for peaceful conduct before and during the conduct of the elections even as he charged the canvassers to move round entire Isoko South local government area and campaign for votes in accordance with the party candidates issue based manifestos.

In attendance was senator James O. Manager, candidate for Delta South Senatorial District, Mr. Raphael Odorewu, chairman PDP Isoko South and party stalwarts from the area. Also members of political labour congress known as Frontier Interest Group, an umbrella body of the working class, professional, organized labour and associate institutions attended the ceremony.

In another development, professor Abenego Ekoko hinted on the symposium organized by the forum of intellectuals of Delta State for good governance on the theme “ Consolidating Democracy and the imperative for good governance” held at Isoko development union secretariat Oleh recently.

He posited that the performing candidates could be returned for another term while non performing candidates should be voted out. Ekoko called on the electorates to collect their PVC and value them even as he stated that Nigeria need people who can govern well and unite the people and not to divide the people.

Professor Ekoko added that the three tiers of government are equally important and the separation of powers operates within their limits. He noted that due process be applied in discharge and upholding the law of electoral processes. He condemned the acts of rigging elections through the importation of unqualified and sponsored voters.

Ekoko called on INEC to be seen to be fair and transparent in the discharge of their duties, noting that the component parts of governance where an all inclusive participatory and obedience / conformity to rule of law be embedded. Electorate should be properly and continually indoctrinated in voter’s education prior during and after elections by the elites and academics, he said.

The Secretary, VOTE OKOWA AGAIN (VOA) Aniocha South, the Coordinator Door to Door for Elumelu and Secretary, Nsukwa Clan Mandate, Hon. Chidi Chinedu Tugwa, has passionately appealed to youths of Ewulu to come out en-masse to vote Governor Okowa back to power come March 2nd 2019.

He made this call at Ewulu during a one-day sensitization campaign ahead of the 2019 general election, starting from February 16th to March 2nd 2019.

Hon. Chidi noted that the essence of the sensitization was borne out of the fact due mainly to the recent pockets of clashes between APC and PDP members in Ethiope East (Abraka), Uvwie, and Ughelli South with scores of persons feared dead and several others injured.

Chidi, a youth mobilizer for Okowa’s re-election, specifically encouraged the Ewulu people to vote for Hon.Godwin Elumelu and Hon. Austine Chikezie, while calling on every eligible voter in Anioma to vote for PDP all the way.

He affirmed that Elumelu and Chikezie have proven worthy of the offices they are vying for, thereby appealing to the good people of Ewulu and Aniocha South in general to vote them into office.

He equally assured them that Governor Okowa would transform Delta State into a paradise on earth when voted back to power.

Admonishing Ewulu youths to shun all forms of violence prior, during and after the elections.

He also informed them that the community would witness visible development when they vote Okowa back into power.

Hon. Chidi who used the opportunity to appeal to our amiable Governor, the ‘Road Master’ to listen to the cry of Ewulu people and give attention to the deplorable condition of Ewulu road, now and in his second term.

The high point of the one-day sensitization campaign focused on operation show your PVC, which is the only tool that guarantees the progress of the people, including productive engagement of the youths.

In addition, the peoples honorable encouraged them to vote massively for PDP during the elections and to also guard their PVC/Votes jealously while ensuring that the votes are counted at the respective polling units, before moving to the local government collation centre.

The sensitization witnessed a crowd of youths drawn from the various quarters that make up Ewulu community, other neighboring communities, and members of Door to Door in attendance.

AFOKOBAH CELESTINE
REPORTING

National Old Boys’ Association of St Patrick’s College Asaba (SPC), is set for a grand 75 years anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of their Alma Mater and to rebrand the institution for academic excellence in line with global best practices.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Asaba as part of activities preceding the anniversary, the National President of the association, Prof Epiphany Azinge (Okilolo Ahaba), said that the institution which was established in 1945 by the Catholic Mission has maintained a long history of academic excellence.

Prof Azinge said that the secondary school has also distinguished itself in the area of moral rectitude as proven in the character of its alumni, stressing that since the takeover of the school by the Church, the poor standards as a result of government interregnum has been boosted.

“On 17, March 2019, we will have to roll out the drums to celebrate 75 years. The institution is planning a 3-day ceremony and the Old Boys’ Association are keying to it. As the present Executive, we have been doing so much under our watch even though we just came on board last year. We are committed to ensuring that we do the best we can to uplift the image of the school.

The basis of any Old Boy Association is to give back to that institution that helped you at your formative stage and helped to groom and nurture you to the stage you have found yourself. We are more or less the ambassadors of the institution because we offer the much needed inspiration to those who are still there”

Corroborating Prof Azinge, the National Secretary, Engr Tony Odiadi, gave a breakdown of activities marking the Diamond Jubilee to include Poetry, Dance, Music and Cultural Presentation by students on Friday 15, March 2019, followed the next day (March 16) with an Alumni Lecture themed “Entrepreneurship in a Challenging Environment”.

He added that after the lectures and at sundown, there will be a Gala to be hosted by the National President while activities will be concluded with a High Mass on March 17 (Feast of St Patrick) by His Grace, the Catholic Bishop of Issle-Uku Dioceses, Most Rev (Dr) Michael Odogwu Elue and thereafter, inspection of ongoing projects in the school.

“Afterward, we will then begin to look at what else we have to do in the year. We will have the grand alumni reunion and lunching of funds because this administration has done a comprehensive NEEDS assessment of what the school need and where we can intervene accordingly” he added.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, held its monthly congress on Thursday, 7th February, 2019 at its temporary Secretariat, Labour House, Asaba. The well attended congress deliberated on sundry issues affecting the welfare of its members, professional practice and the state of Delta and the nation, among others. As part of decisions made, the congress came up with the following as a communiqué where the following resolutions were reached.   

Politicians at both national and state levels have been admonished to be mindful of their utterances in order not to pass the wrong messages to their followers and further heat up the polity.

The call is contained in a seven-point communiqué issued by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, at its monthly congress held last Thursday, February 7, 2019 in Asaba.

The NUJ said the call had become necessary in view of the preponderance at which some people react in line with the body language and utterances of their political leaders to cause mayhem and unleash hardship on innocent citizens.

The NUJ in the communiqué signed by the Council Chairman, Michael Ikeogwu and Secretary, Churchill Oyowe, condemned in strong term, the political violence which it said had resulted in killings in Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state and disturbances of peaceful coexistence in places such as Abraka and Ughelli.

The union called on political leaders to always have their followers in check to nip in the bud any act that might cause breakdown of law and order or endanger lives and properties.

The congress also called on both politicians and the electorate to shun and discourage any act of vote buying in order to ensure free, fair and transparent election, expressing the belief that such would bring about electing credible leaders that would not mortgage the dividends of democracy.

It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be an unbiased umpire and intensify voters’ education and availability of permanent voters cards (PVCs) to enable the electorate exercise their franchise and make the electoral process credible.

While charging security agencies to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring fair play and neutrality before, during and after the general elections, the congress emphasized the need for security agencies to be civil and eschew overzealous tendencies in their dealings with journalist and election observers, even as its charged journalists and election observers to be professional in carryingout their responsibility.

The union called on the Delta State Government to as a matter of urgency, address the challenges  of reckless parking of articulated vehicles along Umunede and Ubolo-Okiti axis of the Benin/Asaba Express Road, NPA Express Way, Warri and the Sapele/Oghara axis of the Warri/Sapel/Benin Express Road explaining that they posed serious threat to life.

From SUNNY A. DAVID / AWKA 
Residents of Asaba, capital city of Delta State and their counterparts in Awka, Anambra state are now living in fear over raging bloody cult mayhems that have claimed lives in both cities.Orient Daily gathered that no less than 10 persons have been allegedly murdered in the last two weeks in parts of Asaba while about six youths have equally been gunned down in Awka over the last week in the wake of the latest cult clashes in both cities.This paper learnt that the killings in Asaba are perpetuated by two cult groups, the Vickings and Eiye confraternities who are locked in a supremacy battle while that of Awka is reportedly a bloody battle between the Vikings and Black Axe over control of two motor parks along Enugu/Onitsha expressway.It was gathered that the cult groups have allegedly killed their targeted persons in Isieke quarters, Umuagu quarters, Summit area, Bonssac quarters, Okwe and Oduke community and other affected areas in Asaba in the day time, leaving the victims in pools of their blood.According to a reliable source, the Awka mayhems have also recorded some murders, three of which were reported at Ezejiaku, Amikwo village, near Glory of Yahweh Sabbath Church, Awka while the other three were gunned down at Umuonaga village, Awka. “The battle is a continuation of the Imo Oka 2018 festival clash which led to the killing of over 20 people last year before police intervened. From what we gathered, these two groups are still fighting over control of two motor parks before and after Sinai Petrol Station, Onitsha-Enugu expressway, Awka”, the source said.Another source who gave her identity simply as Angel, told this paper how two of the murdered cultists ran into their compound in search of escape route moments before they were gunned down. “We were inside our house and, all of a sudden, two strange-looking boys ran into our compound and begging us to show them an escape route and that some people were after them. As they tried to escape through the other gate, we started hearing heavy gunshots and ran inside. By the time the gun fire stopped and we came out, we saw their lifeless bodies.She disclosed that efforts by residents of the area to reach police during the melee proved abortive, while adding that there had been increase in insecurity in the state even as she appealed that the state government do something urgent about such incidence.Anambra state police public relations officer, SP Haruna Mohammed, told Orient Daily that investigation was ongoing to uncover the facts behind the latest clashes and apprehend the suspects. He disclosed that ‘intensive raid is ongoing’ and that residents of the affected areas “should not relent in their efforts to provide us with useful information that could help us arrest the misguided elements.”
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, however, denied knowledge of the cult killings, but assured of the police continued protection of lives and properties in the state.“Though I am not aware of any killings, except few suspected hoodlums that are killing themselves, the police are doing everything possible to strengthen the 24-hour patrol teams of the police that will ensure the evil perpetrators are brought to book, the police are not relenting in doing this as well as maintaining law and order in the State”, Aniamaka said.Their modus operandi, further investigation revealed, is in most cases, executed in disguised manners of being masked, giving credence to the fact that they are cultists and after their evil execution, don’t take away any belongings from their victims but ensure dead.Only recently, these suspected cultists killed a bread seller around Ibusa Asaba Junction after he was said to have been severally shot on his head and stomach before jumping into a stationary vehicle without plate numbers.A resident of the area, Margaret Molokwu who spoke to journalists said,” Cultists have been terriorising Asaba, and killing their targets, Business is no longer moving because everyone is living in fear. They have taken over everywhere in Asaba and kill every day. The police seem not to be doing anything about it. Thank God for the soldiers who have been positioned everywhere, especially at Ibusa Junction where the cultists killed the bread seller”

BY SUNNY A. DAVID / ENUGU

The Enugu State Police Command have arrested a 56-years-old woman, one Edith Ewulu, for allegedly buying a five-years-old child stolen from her parents.

Our Correspondent learnt that the woman, who resides in Enugu State, bought the baby from one Chioma who claimed to be operating a social home in Abia State.

A statement by the spokesman of the Enugu State Police, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said the woman was arrested at a new generation church where she took the child for Thanksgiving and Dedication as her daughter.

“A 56-year-old woman identified as one Edith Ewulu from Enugu Agidi in Anambra State but said to be residing in Emene Enugu State was arrested by the operatives of the Emene Police Division of the Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Command for allegedly being in possession of a five year old baby stolen from the mother on 6th of February, 2019 at Emene Enugu,” Mr. Amaraizu said.

“She was arrested at one of the New generation churches located at Emene Enugu where she took the child for Thanksgiving and dedication as her daughter after changing the name of the stolen child from little Miss Felicia as named by her parents”.

The spokesman said the suspect on interrogation confessed to the crime.

“The suspect confessed that she bought the said child from one Chioma, who claimed to be running a social home in Aba, Abia state, at the sum of N470,000”

According to the spokesman, the suspect further said she bought the baby on February 7, 2019 from the seller at a renowned hospital in Umuahia which made her believe that the business was genuine.

On her part, the biological mother of the child, Philomena Godwin, said that her baby was stolen on February 6, 2019 at Emene, Enugu.

The statement by the police spokesman quoted Mrs. Godwin as stating that she was having a headache on the said day and decided to go inside her room to have a nap while her baby was outside playing.

“But when she woke up, she could no longer see her baby and various attempt made to get her proved abortive hence she reported to the police.”

She also appreciated the prompt action of the police that led to the recovery of her baby and the arrest of the alleged buyer.

Mr. Amaraizu said the recovered baby has been reunited with her parents while investigations are on to arrest members of the syndicate.

He advised parents and guardians to always be security conscious about their wards to avoid running into the hands of such mischief makers.

“The command also advises members of the public to promptly report any suspicious movement within their environment to the police for prompt necessary action,” he said.

One of the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been gutted by fire.

The incident occurred on Saturday night while the office was completely burnt down with all its content comprising ballot boxes, generators filled with fuel, cubicles, newly printed electronic and manual Voters Register were destroyed, among others.

The fire also destroyed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) yet to be collected by residents and other materials yet to be identified.

INEC Voter Education and Publicity Officer in Plateau State, Osaretim Imaehorobo, who confirmed on Sunday that burnt INEC office is in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, said “A drunken security man was said to have caused the fire outbreak,”

The incident has allegedly caused a setback in the preparation for the general elections in the area.

From SUNNY A. DAVID / AWKA:

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Senatorial candidate for Anambra South Senatorial District in the forthcoming February 16 general elections, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu has won his appeal filed against the earlier verdict of an Abuja High court which had invalidated the party’s Senatorial Primary conducted last October.

The Appeal Court affirmed him the party’s Senatorial Candidate for Anambra South coming on a date he rounded off tours of the one hundred and nineteen electoral Wards within the Senatorial District.It ruled that the Apo High court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter and that it was also filed out of time.

Prince Ukachukwu had a landslide victory of the APGA primary election for the Anambra South Senatorial District which was held at the Ekwulobia Township stadium with two hundred and eleven votes.

He defeated his closest rival, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu who polled one hundred and seventy-seven votes while Dr. Anslem Enyimba and Chief Ikenna Mbazulike-Amechi scored two votes each.

Another aspirant, an American-based professional, Dr. Okey Chidolue who was reportedly among those who joyously congratulated Ukachukwu that night later took him and the party to court, protesting the outcome.

Dr. Chidolue had polled only one vote, and prayed the Apo High Court, Abuja presided over by Hon Justice Valentine Ashi to upturn the primary which was adjudged by all to be very smooth, free and transparent, to his favour.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Thursday suspended its nationwide strike after three months.

ASUU National President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, who announced the suspension of the individual strike action at a press conference in Abuja, the nation’s capital, disclosed that the Federal government has met with the union’s eight standard demands.

The union suspended the industrial action following its latest meeting with representatives of the Federal Government led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Nigige.

Read the full statement issued by the ASUU President below;

ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT. TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU), THURSDAY, 7TH FEBRUARY, 2019, AT NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS HEADQUARTERS, PASCAL BAFYAU HOUSE, ABUJA

Protocol

Friends and compatriots of the Press, On Sunday, 4th November, 2018, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) resumed its strike action which was conditionally suspended on 14th September, 2017.

The action of 2017 was suspended following the signing of a Memorandum of Action (MoA) in which the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) promised to address the contentious issues within a timeline that was to end in October 2017.

While announcing the suspension of the nationwide action, however, our Union made it categorically clear that “ASUU will not hesitate to review its position should government renege on the signed Memorandum of Action”.

Predictably, Government implemented the MoA in the breach, thereby forcing ASUU to resume the suspended strike action.

Comrades and compatriots, as we have always argued, the last thing ASUU members love doing is to cause disruption in smooth intellectual engagements with colleagues, friends andstudents right on our university campuses.

This has nothing to do with the dubious advertorial of “non-disruption of academic calendar” by proprietors and administrators of some cash-and-carry universities and other self-styled enemies of ASUU.

Rather, it is about deep-seated pains members of the Union undergo to prevent strike actions and the equally painful consequences strike situations bring to all who are genuinely averse to the mercantile disposition to university education.

Why Strike Action? The question has been asked time and time again: Why does ASUU like embarking on strike action that causes disruption and dislocation in the universities?

However, ASUU is strongly convinced that if academics fail to fight the cause of university education, the fate that befell public primary and secondary schools would soon become the lot of the public university system in Nigeria.

ASUU’s advocacy on the need to stem the continued slide into rot and decay in public universities since the 1980s has fallen on deaf ears. Our experience, as a trade union, shows that successive governments in Nigeria always entered into negotiated agreements only to placate those pleading the cause – be it education, health, transportation, employment or any other issue of meaningful living.

This proclivity of the Nigerian ruling class, irrespective of which wing of the insensitive stock they belong, must be continually be tracked, engaged and resisted by all people of goodwill.

ASUU ‘s action strike, which started on 4th November, 2018, was situated in the context of accumulated records of indifference and lackadaisical attitude of Government to negotiated agreements with the Union.

At our media interaction in University of Lagos on 23rd  December, 2018, we highlighted the outstanding issues in the crisis to include the following:

– Funding for the revitalization of Public Universities based on the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2012, 2013 and the MoA  of 2017

– Reconstitution of the current Government Team to allow for a leader and Chairman of the FG-ASUU Renegotiating team who has the interest of the nation and the people at heart.

– Release of the forensic audit report on Earned Academic allowances (EAA), offsetting the outstanding balance of the EAA and mainstreaming of same into the 2018 budget.

– Payment of all arrears of shortfall in all universities that have met the verification requirements of the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA)

– Provision of a platform by the federal government for ASUU to engage Governors on the proliferation of universities, underfunding of university education and undue interference in the affairs of the universities

– Release of PFA operational license to NUPEMCO

– Payment of EAA to loyal ASUU members at the University of Ilorin A new Memorandum of Action and Our Resolution To date, ASUU has had a total of ten (10) interactive meetings with representatives of FGN which have culminated into a Memorandum of Action of

2019.

Highlights of the MoA include the following:

1. In addition to the N20 billion for 2018, the sum of N25 billion only would be released in April/May 2019, after which government would resume full implementation of the MoU of 2013.
2. Part-payment of the outstanding arrears of the earned academic allowances; defraying the balance up to 2018 in 4 tranches within 36 months; and mainstreaming further payments of EAA into the annual budgets beginning from 2019 budget.
3. PICA verification and the release of the arrears of salary shortfall at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, not later than 15th February 2019.
4. Strengthening the Consultative Committee on State-owned Universities (CCSOU), inaugurated on Monday, 28th January, 2019 to look into the issues of proliferation, underfunding and governance to consistently deliver on its mandate.
5. Payment of the outstanding EAA arrears of all eligible staff in the University of Ilorin, especially the loyal ASUU members whose appointments were illegally terminated by today, 7th February, 2019.
6. Acknowledgement and appreciation of Government for facilitating the release of the final letter of approval for the granting of operationallicense to NUPEMCO.
7. Visitation to all Federal Universities would commence tentatively by 11th March, 2019.
8. Provision of documented guidelines on procedures and roles of parties in the process of renegotiating FGN-ASUU Agreement of 2009 which would commence not later than 18th February 2019 and end by Friday 29th March 2019.

Based on the initial proposals from Government, the Union made extensive consultations through its various organs. The final level of consultation was the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) which took place 6th-7th February 2019.

NEC resolved that: Following a careful review of the report of engagements with the Federal Government on proposals for addressing all outstanding in the 2013 MoU and 2017 MoA, NEC resolved that the current strike action by the Union should be suspended conditionally with effect from 12.01 a.m on Friday 8th February 2019.

However, should Government fail to fulfill its part of the agreement as reflected in the 2019 Memorandum of Action, ASUU shall resume its suspended strike action as the Union deems necessary.

Conclusion

ASUU notes, with serious concern, the covert and overt roles of some vice-chancellors in the management and application of funds attracted by our Union to Nigeria’s public universities.

Consequently, we condemn, in the strongest terms, Vice-Chancellors who have made efforts to undermine and, in some cases, attempted to break our patriotic struggles for the revitalisation of public universities in Nigeria.

ASUU will not shy away from taking headlong those Vice-Chancellors who are reputed for acts of impunity, nepotism and other forms of conduct which are antithetic to university culture and the progressive development of our universities.

Our union will compile all their shenanigans and forward them to relevant authorities for further action.

Finally, ASUU acknowledges the understanding and support demonstrated by patriotic Nigerian students and their parents all through the strike period.

We equally appreciate the comradely assistance from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), represented by the newly re-elected President, Comrade Ayuba Waba, who has stood by us throughout the struggle.

We also acknowledge the solidarity of the civil society organisations, especially the Joint Action Front (JAF) and the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), and members of the progressive wing of the media who have consistently partnered with us in our mission to rescue Nigerian public universities from imminent collapse.

While we put a closure to this phase of the struggle, it is our hope and desire that the Nigerian governments (Federal and State) will play the roles expected of them in order to make the new Memorandum work.

We shall never abandon our obligation to ensure the survival of a sound university system.

For ASUU, the struggle certainly continues!

Thank you for listening.

Biodun Ogunyemi

President

7th February 2018

Ahead of the March 2019 governorship polls date, three gubernatorial candidates in Delta state, on Thursday failed to attend the debate hosted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Africa.

Without reasonable excuses, the trio of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (PDP), Great Ogboru (APC) and John Akwara (SDP) did not show up at the exciting debate which held at the Orchid Hotel in Asaba, Delta state capital.

Frank Esanubi (AAC), Brando Omu (AGAP) and Odiakpo Obire (PPA) were however on ground to whet the people’s appetite and anxiety during the debate.

Most Deltans, who attended the successful debate were unhappy that some governorship candidates failed to appear, saying that such disappointment clearly shows the poor attitude of the candidates in relating and interacting with people they intended to govern.

Meanwhile, a tip off from Government House, disclosed to Blank NEWS Online that Governor Okowa held his Security Council meeting at same time of the debate.

The BBC Governorship Debate was to enable the governorship candidates sell their manifestoes to the people in Pidgin English. The debate stretch was to see political candidates questioned on issues around economy, education, health, Infrastructure and creation of jobs in the state.

Recall that the Head of BBC West Africa, Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, had disclosed that the debate aims to bring governance closer to the people by engaging audiences, clarifying the issues as well as bridge the gap between candidates and the electorate.

The Delta state Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one Chief Festus Idele Akinima, who allegedly defiled an under aged teenager and got her pregnant. She has been having long sessions of unprotected sexual inter-course with the old man.

Little Miss Ijeoma Ishima, a 13 year old groundnut hawker and JSS 1 student in one of the Secondary Schools in Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State was a victim of child abuse, one of the gravest ills in today’s Nigeria.

In recent times, cases of child defilement, child abuse, rape and dangerous (illegal) abortion, had been a recurrent issue, plaguing our society. And experts in social psychology have attributed the vices to the rising case of poverty, and lack of parental control.

As a child born to parents of poor background Ijeoma, treks every nook and corner of Obiaruku to hawk groundnut everyday, as soon as she returns from school. This micro – enterprise was necessary to supplement her father’s okada riding venture and her mother’s petty trading, to enable the family ere out a living.

It was this unfortunate circumstance of little Ijeoma’s life that a shameless and morally depraved Chief Festus Idele Akinima took undue advantage of and lured the little innocent girl into unwholesome sexual escapades on several occasions and the cat was let out of the bag when Chief Akinima got her pregnant. The pregnancy was five (5) months old when it was discovered by her mother.

Miss Ijeoma’s ordeal started sometime in late July 2018, while walking across the compound of Chief Idele Akinima at Wire Road, Obiaruku.

After patronizing the little girl, Chief Akinima, who developed a lust full interest in her, told her to come and sell groundnuts to him at home everyday because he loves eating groundnuts, unsuspecting Ijeoma was ecstatic with joy as she felt that a big customer had placed an order for daily supplies, unknown to her that Chief Akinima had an evil plan to steal her virginity.

Blank NEWS Online reporter gathered that Chief Akinima skillfully established a relationship with the small girl by giving her the impression that he was going to empower her through his patronage and that therefore positioned him to have easy access to the girl’s sexuality. This was how the unholy affair between Chief Akinima, a 69 year old man, with a 13 year old, J.S.S. 1 student began.

The cat was let out of the bag when Ijeoma’s mother, Mrs. Ishima, started noticing signs of pregnancy in her daughter’s body. According to her, she observed Ijeoma’s enlarged boobs, protruding stomach and weight gain and the signs forced her to question the girl closely before she confessed that she has been having long sessions of unprotected sexual inter-course with the old man.

Mrs. Ishima could not contain the unholy discovery alone. She told her husband who was immediately consumed by anger and immediately, the young man sharpened his cutlass and went after Chief Akinima.

It’s only the good God that saved what could have resulted to jungle justice and murder that fateful day of early January, 2019.

Blank NEWS Online gathered that when Ijeoma’s father got to Chief Akinima’s house, he met his absence and that saved the day.

Subsequently, Chief Akinima, knowing that his bedroom evil deeds had been exposed, began under-ground moves to settle the issue with the family of the defiled girl.

It was however, at this point that a human rights activists (names withheld), reported the matter at the Police Station, Obiaruku. The Police at Obiaruku immediately went into action and invited the victim, Ijeoma and her mother to the Station for interrogation.

The victim, at that time, had been pressured by the accused, Chief Akinima and his cohorts to commit an illegal abortion to terminate the pregnancy and she opened up to the police all transpired.

Blank NEWS Online was reliably informed that one Samuel, who is a brother to the victim’s father, was the man Chief Akinima used to intervene on his behalf on the matter. It was the said Samuel who then appeased the anger of Ijeoma’s parents and got them to cooperate and get the pregnancy aborted.

Thereafter, with funds obtained from Chief Akinima, the team of Samuel and Ijeoma’s mom took Ijeoma to one of the private hospital at Obiaruku on their bid to terminate the pregnancy.

Blank NEWS Online reporter was also reliably informed that doctors at the hospital, after conducting necessary tests, discovered that the that the pregnancy was already five months and therefore refused to carry out the abortion. They instead, advised Samuel and the girl’s mother to desist from carrying out the abortion because it was illegal and that the life of the little girl may be put in danger if they go ahead to do it.

However, while the girl and her mom, along with Samuel, were going from the hospital, an auxiliary nurse/ward attendant cornered them a few meters away from the hospital and told them that she could handle the illegal abortion.

The party subsequently assigned the job to her and she gave them an appointment for the abortion to take place somewhere in Abraka, the neighbouring community, after the deal was struck.

Blank NEWS Online was reliably informed that the auxiliary nurse subsequently gave Ijeoma a cocktail of tablets which the little girl was pressurized to swallow and the following day, she developed several complications arising from the abortion.

When her health condition worsened and she was at the point of death as a result of the unwholesome effects of the abortion drugs, she was rushed to another private clinic, opposite Rain Oil Filling Station, Obiaruku, owned by Head of Department, Primary Health Care, Ukuwnai Local Government Area, Dr. Edwin Igwale, who quickly carried out a life-saving medical treatment on her by cleaning the young girl’s womb of the dead fetus and in the process, saved her life.

Following the confessional statement of Ijeoma and her mother, the Police made several efforts to arrest Chief Akinima without successes as he was said to have evaded police arrest on several occasions.

On the first occasion, he was invited on an appointment and he failed to honour the invitation. On a second instance, police got information that he was in a meeting with other Onotu-Ukus at Chief Dickson Odogwu’s house, the Onotu-Uku General of Obiaruku. When they (police) got to Chief Odogwu’s compound, he (Chief Akinima) on sighting them, escaped into one of the adjoining rooms in Chief Odogwu’s house. The Police had to honour the intervention of the chiefs and later sent a letter to Chief Odogwu to produce him within 24 hours.

Blank NEWS Online learnt that two days later, Chief Akinima was escorted to submit himself to the Police by Chief Andrew Nwabueze, his close friend.

When the victim (Ijeoma) was invited to identify her abuser, she quickly identified Chief Akinima as the randy old man who impregnated her, and of course, the day was saved as Chief Akinima didn’t deny as he accepted responsibility for his sexual assault on the underage girl (Ijeoma).

Equally, little Ijeoma also implicated Chief Andrew Nwabueze as the one who told Chief Akinima to abort the pregnancy and this led to his detention along with Chief Akinima by the police.

Efforts are been made by Chief Akinima to kill the matter and reconcile with the family of the victim.

Blank NEWS Online gathered that Chief Akinima and the victim’s family had already reached an agreement where Chief Akinima hd agreed to pay the sum of two hundred thousand naira (N200,000.00) to the family of the girl, to settle the matter. The agreement was said to have been written by a lawyer (name withheld).

However, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Obiaruku Police Station, Sp Isaac Ogbodu was to be uncomfortable with the scenario whereby the case was not treated with the severity and justice it deserves. The DPO therefore refused to be compromised, as he is known to be a highly disciplined and upright police officer committed to the dispensation of justice wherever the need arises. He was said to therefore, promptly transferred the case to the State CID, police Headquarters, Asaba and subsequently transferred the criminal who could not control his high libido to Asaba, in pursuit of justice. Chief Akinima was however, said to been detained for almost three days at the Police Headquarters, Asaba, before he was released on bail.

Blank NEWS Online is however, yet to find out what will be the outcome of Police headquarters involvement in the matter; whether the police would charge the case to court or not.

When Blank NEWS Online contacted the Police Headquarters at Asaba, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident and said “The DPO did the right thing by transferring the case to the State CID for discrete investigation, pls!.”

However, the human right activists, (names withheld) had vowed to pursue the case to its logical conclusion in his determined bid to ensure that Chief Akinima is made to face the full force of the law, for justice to be done.

-BY SUNNY A. DAVID / NNEWI:

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a thirty five year old woman for allegedly stealing a five day old twin baby boy.

A statement endorsed by the State Public Relations Officer of the Command SP Haruna Mohammed said the suspect  Dorathy Sunday from  Izzi, Ebonyi State allegedly sneaked into the Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi and stole  the Baby Boy at the maternity ward of the hospital when the mother of the baby one Mmadu Happiness Miracle  of  Uruagu, Nnewi went to the hospital compound to wash her clothes.

It stated that luck ran out of the suspect when Nurses at the hospital gate saw her in a suspicious manner and raised alarm which led to her arrest. 

The statement explained that the stolen baby was recovered in good condition and the case is under investigation after which the suspect would be charged to court for prosecution. 

-BY SUNNY A. DAVID / AWKA:

In a bid to meet Governor Willie Obiano’s monthly target of five billion naira revenue generation, the Anambra State Internally Generated Revenue Service says it has concluded plans to explore modern ways of tax drive in the State.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Board of Internally Generated Revenue Service, Dr. David Nzekwu stated this while exchanging views with newsmen in Awka.

According to Dr. Nzekwu, the Service is working to automate the system and ensure that every taxable adult are brought into the tax net, stressing that they will engage the public by embarking on massive tax education exercise in the coming weeks, as the people that pay tax is still low.

Dr. Nzekwu, while pointing out that about two billion naira improvement on tax generation monthly is a clear indication that more Ndi Anambra are voluntarily coming to pay their taxes, revealed that they are adopting the strategy of enumeration of people and assets to create an automated billing system.

He further said that they will increase their conduct of periodic audit of agencies in the State as part of their mandate, calling on the public to reach out to them when in doubt or report suspicious and fraudulent agents to them for clarification, insisting that the proper channel for all tax related issues are their offices.

It would be recalled that during a recent IGR Retreat at the Gold Tulip Hotels, Agulu Lake, stakeholders in revenue generation and collection brainstormed to review and look at ways to improve the drive process.

During the retreat, Governor Obiano stressed that the State is underperforming in terms of revenue drive, and gave stakeholders a five billion naira monthly target.

Ethiopian Athlete, Sintayehu Legese, has won the 2019 edition of the Lagos City Marathon.

Legese who finished the race with a time of 2:17:26 will be winning the grand prize of $50,000.

The second runner up, Joshua Kipkorir from Kenya had a finish time of 2: 18:16 while the third runner up William Yegon also from Kenya had a finish time of 2: 19: 04.

Both second and third placed runners are expected to go home with $40, 000 and $30, 000.

BY SUNNY A. DAVID / AWKA

The Commissioner for Trade, Market and Wealth Creation, Dr. Christian Madubuko, says the state is losing over six billion naira to revenue extortioners yearly.

Dr. Mmadubuko, disclosed this in Awka when his men apprehended some illegal revenue collectors at Afor-Igwe Market Umudioka, Dunukofia Council Area.

The Commissioner who decried the ugly activities of illegal revenue collectors despite warnings from the government, said through internal generated revenue, government will continue improve the lives of the citizenry .

He said that the present administration has sensitized some stakeholders on the dangers of illegal collectors but alleged that some Presidents General of communities were deeply involved in sending their boys to markets for revenue drive without remitting same to the government.

Dr. Madubuko stated that it will no longer be business as usual stressing that those apprehended will be dealt with to serve as deterrent to others.

The Commissioner maintained that his Ministry this year, will expand and develop markets, increase IGR to the best of their ability even as he said, they will relate cordially with Ndi Anambra in such a way that the traders will be happy with the present administration.

Dr Mmadubuko stated that more measures would be put in place to discourage diversion of revenue urging traders to be alive to their responsibilities.

Those apprehended are cooling off at the State Police Command, Awka.

By  SUNNY A. DAVID AWKA

The Anambra State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has secured four convictions in the month of January.

They are James Odili male twenty-six who was arrested with one point-one-five-zero kilogram of cannabis sativa and sentenced to two years imprisonment while Paul Odah male twenty-one arrested with three point-five kilogram of cannabis sativa was also sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Others are Ugochukwu Okafor male twenty-eight years, arrested with two point-eight kilogram of cannabis sativa and Ugochukwu Onuchekwa thirty-five years arrested with one point eight grams of methamphetamine, and one point-seven grams of cocaine both were sentenced to two years imprisonment respectively.

In a release issued by the Public Relations Officer, Charles Efosa Odigie, the judgment was delivered by Justice I.B. Gafai, at the Federal High Court in Awka.

Meanwhile the NDLEA Anambra state commander, Mr. Sule Momodu has warned drug traffickers and peddlers to put a stop to their illicit trade, or relocate elsewhere outside the state, because according to him, Anambra will be too hot for them to stay.

-By Omoshola Deji

Nigerian is reminiscent of someone destined to be king, but becomes a slave in the king’s palace. The nation’s situation chronicles the life of Wazobia: a boy destined to be a lawyer, but grows up to become a roadside mechanic. Wazobia is blessed with the qualities of a legal luminary. He is a smooth-talker, provides a well-articulated defense, good at arguments, and his favorite colors are white and black. These qualities manifests so much that people nicknamed him “D law”. Despite Wazobia’s abilities, the truth remains that he is a mechanic, not a lawyer. Why is Wazobia a roadside mechanic despite his potentials?

Wazobia’s parent may be illiterates who neither value education nor make effort to get him schooled. His parents may have the will, but lack the wherewithal. Wazobia may have lost his parents and got nurtured by an uncaring guardian. Life may have been so unfair to Wazobia that he had no opportunity to become a lawyer. But that is not the case.

Wazobia failed to discover himself and underutilized his potentials. He has all it takes to be a lawyer, but had mismanaged his life, time and resources. He lavished his school fees on show-offs and spent his time partying, snap-chatting and twittering, when his mates were studying. Sadly, Wazobia is not the only one suffering for his misdeeds and lack of foresight. The people he should be defending as a lawyer are being disrespected, cheated and jailed. His entire household that should be enjoying are terribly suffering. Of what gain is Wazobia? He has failed. The character Wazobia is the Nigerian State.

Nigeria is blessed with enormous human and natural resources, but majority of her population suffers amidst surplus. The oil rich nation cannot boast of any meaningful achievement after 58 years of independence. Successive leaders were visionless, clueless and unbothered about development. They built personal empires instead of infrastructure. Basic amenities are either unavailable or dysfunctional. In the 21st century, Nigerian campaign manifestos are still based on promises of providing the essentials when other nations are making giant strides in technology and inventions.

Nigerians are forced to seek greener pastures in nations that once ran to them for help. The then apartheid ridden South-Africa that Nigeria assisted is now better off. Nigerians now go there to hustle at the risk of losing their lives to xenophobic attacks. Sometimes ago, Nigerians said “Ghana must go”, but today, a significant portion of our population are leaving Nigeria to seek opportunities in Ghana. Prominent figures such as Dele Momodu lives in Ghana. Asari Dokubo is a naturalized Beninese.

Malaysia’s economy was on the verge of collapse after Singapore seceded decades ago. The nation had almost nothing. Malaysians had to come to Nigeria to negotiate the importation of palm seedling to their country. Malaysia is now making substantial earnings from the exportation of crude and processed palm-oil, while the Nigerian agricultural sector is unyielding. Front to back, Nigerians are now trooping into Malaysia for tourism and study. Nigerian Government spends millions of dollars – under the Tertiary Education Trust (TET) Fund scheme – sponsoring her lecturers to study in Malaysia.

Sadly, the Nigerian education sector remains undeveloped, underfunded, and runs archaic curriculums that produces unemployable graduates. Even the firms that could have hired the graduates and youths are either collapsed or nonexistent. What is being Nigerian to students unable to study because of strike, while the children of politicians are studying at the best universities abroad?

Look at yourself and look around you. The only stumbling block to some person’s progress is being Nigerian. People are configured to fail by default. There is no pathway to success and the system is unrewarding. Famous political thug, MC Oluomo is living large and well-connected than most Professors. Inventions and brilliancy do not often get patronized or celebrated. Frustration has turned many university graduates into motorcycle riders, prostitutes, kidnappers and fraudsters. The billions of dollars government failed to invest on the youths is now being used to fight crimes committed by the youths. The ruling elites’ greed and incompetence is impeding national growth, crushing creativities, burying potentials, and changing destinies.

Oh poverty and underdevelopment, why hast thou made Nigeria thy dwelling place? Pastors have cast and bind thee, Imams have recited the Quran against thee, Herbalists have cast out thy spirit, but thou hath refused to depart Nigeria. This is because thy antidote is not prayer. Other nations conquered thee by properly utilizing their human, material and natural resources. We are praying rather than working, when the principles of success says work (first) and pray.

The gap between the rulers and the ruled in Nigeria is as wide as that between the ground and the sky. The ruling elites live like they are more Nigerian than we the masses. They are under heavy security, we are insecure. We die on bad roads, they fly in the sky. They waste food and resources, we are starving. They have all, we have nothing. Yet we are not united. We allow them set us against ourselves and divide us along political, ethnic and religious lines. They feast on our disunity. Our pain is their gain.

Other nations are progressing while Nigeria is retrogressing. Why is our yesterday better than today? Some years ago, electricity was constant than it is now, the roads were better, foreign exchange rate was lower, and getting a visa was easier than it is now. Bombing was alien to us, kidnapping was a taboo, and Nigerians were more united. Disheartening, we are now more dependent than we were during independence. We cherish anything west; commend them as original while Aba made goods are derided as artificial.

Successive Nigerian rulers were bad managers and the current set of politicians in the ruling and main opposition party are middlebrow men. They lack the ideas and commitment to move Nigeria forward. US President Donald Trump allegedly called President Buhari “lifeless” not because he is old. Trump too is a septuagenarian. His comment is apparently based on President Buhari’s inability to stand up to him during diplomatic talks. While that is unfortunate for Nigeria, there is really no single way of measuring intelligence. In effect, Trump’s intelligence assessment is based on the extent of his own intelligence. One may also rate Trump as unintelligent because he speaks uncouthly.

But if truth be told, most Nigerian leaders lack foresight and intellectual insight. The drastic turnaround the nation needs is not within their faculty. Their major concern is retaining or regaining power; the efficient running of the country is secondary. The only barrier between most people and their success is being Nigerian. Else, why do Nigerians fail at home but succeed abroad? Being Nigerian is nothing other than a misfortune to many. You may be one of the few privileged individuals not so affected, but before you discard this, think: What is being Nigerian to those pushed into the sea while migrating to Europe and those being sold as slaves in Libya because of their nationality?

What is being Nigerian to the agrarian Ogoni populace whose land and marines have been degraded by oil spills, denied resource control, and abandoned by the government? What is being Nigerian to the fallen soldiers whose government failed to provide adequate weapons to fight Boko-Haram, but paid the terrorists to ceasefire and release abductees?

What is being Nigerian to citizens whose government spent $16billion on providing power, but still lives in darkness? What is being Nigerian to the poor and uninfluential persons being harassed, extorted, maimed and unjustly killed by the police, but never gets justice?

Does Ibrahim El Zakzaky – the Shia Muslim cleric who was granted bail, but detained by government – feels fortunate to be the citizen of a country that violates human rights, disregard the rule of law, and disobey court orders? What is being Nigerian to MKO Abiola who won a free and fair presidential election, but denied the right to rule by the Babangida led military regime? Buhari recently honored Abiola and apologized on behalf of Nigeria, but with their irrecoverable loss, can the Abiola family ever feel fortunate being Nigerians?

What is being Nigerian to the unarmed IPOB members that were declared terrorists and killed for demanding secession while murderous Fulani herdsmen operate unchecked? What is being Nigerian to citizens whose government vows to fight corruption, but protects corrupt politicians working for the President’s reelection?

What is being Nigerian to poor honest persons when then President Jonathan said stealing is not corruption? What is being Nigerian to the hardworking youths seeking opportunities abroad when President Buhari told world leaders that they are lazy? Which country will issue visa, scholarships or employ youths confirmed lazy by their President?

What is being Nigerian to Sambo Dasuki, the former national security adviser who was arraigned for mismanaging public funds, granted bail by several courts, but still being denied freedom by government? Does Dasuki and millions of people whose rights are being violated daily feels fortunate to be a Nigerian?

Be that as it may, Nigeria is not all about misfortune and downs. There are quite a number of things and people that still makes one proud of being a Nigerian. World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua is making many proud of being Nigerian. Welterweight Boxing Champion, Larry Ekundayo is also making Nigeria proud. Dr Oluyinka Olutoye, a Nigerian, who delivered the baby that was born twice in the United States made us proud. Olutoye removed the baby from her mother’s womb at 23 weeks, performed an operation, returned her to the womb, and delivered her at 36 weeks without any complication.

Five students from Regina Pacis Model Secondary School, Anambra State also made Nigeria proud by winning the 2018 Global Technology Challenge in the US. Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Novelist Chimamanda Adiche have also projected Nigeria positively to the world. While these persons signify that Nigerians are blessed and a blessing to nations, it is unfortunate that the Nigerian government virtually contributed nothing to their success. Most of them fought their way to the top independently. What is being Nigerian to the son of a taxi driver who is losing the fight to become a doctor because he could not afford the school fees or get an education loan? For every Soyinka you see, thousands of similar potentials has been wasted.

God has been kind to Nigeria, but Nigerians are a problem to themselves. The nation’s problems are man-made. Nigeria is not troubled by natural disasters such as earthquake, volcanic eruption, cyclonic storm, avalanche or tsunami. The flood we’re experiencing is the aftereffect of an inefficient waste disposal mechanism. The nation became the world poverty capital on account of the leaders’ mismanagement and corruption. PDP squandered the treasury while the APC that promised change changed the promise after winning election. It is a misfortune that a blessed nation like Nigeria has been successively led by middlebrow men. Nigeria keeps falling because the leaders keep failing. The electorates need to stop reinforcing failure with their votes. Nigerians would work for all when the leaders lead well and the citizens act right.

*Omoshola Deji is a political and public affairs analyst. He wrote in via moshdeji@yahoo.com

-BY SUNNY A. DAVID / AWKA:

With less than sixteen days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, has restated commitment to partnering with Journalists in order to conduct credible elections that meet international standards.

The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Anambra, Enugu and Benue States and Chairman of INEC Information and Voter Education, Barrister Festus Okoye, restated this commitment while addressing senior media practitioners at the Sensitization Forum for Media organizations in South East and South South Zones of the country on the 2019 General Elections.

The forum which is part of the Commission’s timeline of engaging critical stakeholders in the electoral process, was to address the challenges and other matters in the pre, during and post election periods.

Reiterating the commission’s determination to deliver free, fair, and credible polls, the INEC National Commissioner, Barrister Okoye, enumerated the steps already taken by the commission in line with electoral provisions and the 1999 Constitution of the country.

Barrister Okoye sought for collaboration of the media to deliver and meet international best practices while cautioning against illegal and unauthorized announcement or publication of results by media organizations or by their personnel.

Expanding on the roles of the media, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, represented by the Administrative Secretary of the Commission in the State, Mr. Charles Mbanaja, called on media practitioners to ensure they avoid being used to disseminate false news or propagate hate speeches.

The Deputy Director of INEC Information and Voter Education, Mr. Victor Aluko, also explained the Commission’s provisions for people living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to give them easy access to participate actively in the entire process.

Participants at the programme also made contributions on other matters affecting coverage of elections and proferred ways for better working relationships between the media, INEC, security agents and other stakeholders in the electoral process.

Meanwhile, the INEC National Commissioner, Barrister Okoye says Non sensitive materials for elections have been sent to the various local government INEC offices while sensitive materials are already being deposited at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

° Gathering to coincide with historic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Dr Ahmad At-Tayyeb, The Grand Imam of Al Azhar
° Event to consolidate UAE’s status as global centre of tolerance
° Conference to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence among nations

Abu Dhabi, United Emirates:
The Global Conference of Human Fraternity will convene prominent international religious, intellectual and media personalities, event organiser, the Muslim Council of Elders, today revealed. The Council is an Abu Dhabi-based independent international organisation chaired by His Eminence Dr Ahmad At-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif.
The event will run from 3 to 4 February at Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Aimed at consolidating the UAE’s status as a global centre of tolerance, the gathering will coincide with the historic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State and His Eminence Dr Ahmad At-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders to the country.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance, will open the conference proceedings. Headline speakers will include His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League, His Excellency Dr Yusuf bin Ahmed Al Uthaymeen, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, His Beatitude Cardinal Bechara Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Dr James Zogby, Founder and President of the Arab American Institute, His Beatitude Bishop Yulius, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Reverend Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, and His Eminence Ali Al-Amin, Member of the Muslim Council of Elders. The event will draw the participation of leading intellectual and media personalities shaping the fabric of international human fraternity.
Dr Sultan Faisal Al Remeithi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders, said: “Through hosting this constellation of eminent international speakers and participants spanning diverse faiths, we seek to uphold the values ​​of tolerance and love among mankind as the optimal tools to achieve peaceful coexistence.”
He added: “The conference will provide an ideal platform to reiterate the significance of tolerance and harmony in heralding a new era of human fraternity, mutual acceptance, moderation, and countering the culture of hatred that disrupts peace and security.”
The agenda will feature knowledge sessions focusing on a wide spectrum of themes related to human fraternity, aimed at stimulating discussions on promoting a culture of peace as an alternative to violence and conflicts based on ideological and ethnic differences. The event will reinforce citizenship as an overarching concept, recognised by all religions and human charters, that places the nation above all considerations while combating religious extremism that encourages isolation and hatred instead of peaceful coexistence and dialogue.
The conference will also examine ways to strengthen cooperation between East and West to achieve global peace, as well as the responsibility of international humanitarian organisations to maintain harmony and security. Its sessions will highlight the role of religious, educational, cultural and media organisations in raising awareness of the importance of human fraternity in society.
Furthermore, attendees will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing human fraternity, outlining a course of action to leverage human conscience and religious ethics to address the underlying causes of violence, such as selfishness, intolerance and hatred.

*Source: AETOSWire

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will probe the TraderMoni micro-credit scheme of the Federal Government.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this to reporters on Thursday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

While the preparations for the coming elections were taking shape, the INEC chairman raised several concerns about vote buying by some politicians.

He said the electoral body was aware of the controversy trailing the TraderMoni, stressing that they would investigate the scheme for possible violation of campaign finance laws.

Professor Yakubu explained that the commission would study public comments on the scheme and assess whether or not the government violated the campaign finance laws.

According to him, INEC has a mechanism for tracking campaign finance violations by the candidates and various political parties in the country.

This comes amid accusations by individuals and groups, including civil society organisations who described the scheme as a form of vote-buying.

Earlier, the INEC chairman addressed senior officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at a strategy meeting which focussed on the general elections.

In his presentation, he highlighted 10 areas of collaboration between the electoral body and the FRSC to ensure the success of the polls.

FRSC Corps Marshall and Chief Executive, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, on his part revealed that the Corps was already designing strategies and guidelines for officials during the elections.

He informed the INEC boss that a total of 20,000 officials would be deployed for the polls across the country.

Oyeyemi said the FRSC has slated February 5 as commencement date to certify the vehicles that would be used in conveying sensitive election materials.

-Channels Television

PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has promised to revive all the sea ports in Delta State and complete the second Niger Bridge when he emerges as President.

Alhaji Abubakar gave the promise on Thursday (31/01/19) during the Presidential Campaign rally of the party in Asaba. Thousands of Deltans took over all available space at the Stephen Keshi Stadium and spilled through miles on Nnebisi road, Asaba in solidarity with the PDP.

Excited with the huge turnout of people, Alhaji Abubakar commended Governor Okowa for improving on the fortunes of the PDP assuring, “I will reactivate all the sea ports in Delta State and you know that my wife is from Onitsha, so, we won’t have any option than to complete the second Niger Bridge.”

“I promise you that our elections, all the infrastructure projects that have been abandoned by the Federal Government will be completed; the All Progressive Congress (APC) has failed to deliver; for you to continue reaping the benefits of good governance, continue to vote for PDP; we are all members of the PDP family, no space for APC.”

He continued, “your Governor, Senator Okowa is one of the best Governors this country has produced, we are grateful to Deltans for being loyal to the PDP since 1999; the roads that you have in the state came through the PDP, most of the development in the state were done by the PDP, so, why will Deltans not vote for PDP?”

Governor Okowa at the rally, stated that Deltans are peace-loving and his administration has built bridges of unity among the people which Alhaji Abubakar will replicate once he emerges as President by uniting all Nigerians and making them to live in peace.

The governor listed the achievements of his administration in the health sector, job creation, health, road construction and summed it up by calling on all Nigerians to vote for the PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections as such would attract development to the country.

“The most important thing to us as a people is that we are seeing the future, a future which the PDP will bring peace to our entire country; we are prepared for the elections and from the crowd we have today, you (Alhaji Abubakar) will be encouraged to know that Deltans will vote PDP in large numbers, and we will defend our votes,” the governor said.

Director-General of the Campaign Organisation, Senator Bukola Saraki, who danced to the admiration of the people, congratulated Governor Okowa for his developmental efforts, especially, for constructing the Stephen Keshi Stadium, noting that the governor “understands the act of governance.”

Saraki who is the President of the Senate said it was important for Nigerians to vote for Alhaji Abubakar because, such will boost the confidence of investors, boost the economy and create job opportunities for the people.

“Investors do not go to countries where there is no rule of law, countries where security of lives and property is not guaranteed; don’t waste your votes for the APC, don’t be afraid, we will monitor the votes so that they cannot rig, a vote for Alhaji Abubakar is a vote to boost our economy, provide jobs for our people; vote for the PDP,” Senator Saraki said while the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus warned that any attempt to rig the elections would be resisted and spell doom for the country.

“We are aware that there are patriotic Nigerians in INEC, if the election is rigged, there will be war because, everybody is ready for the elections; the security agencies should obey the constitution and be neutral or else, there will be crisis,” Prince Secondus said, adding, “Nigerians should come out and vote and defend their votes because, the votes must count so that we can vote out someone who has brought disgrace to the nation.”

He continued, “we need digital President and Atiku is that digital President; Alhaji Abubakar can interact and engage the youths, he will be in charge and the government would not be in the hands of cabals.”

Others who spoke at the rally include, Chief Benjamin Elue, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, and Senator Stella Omu.

-BY MICHAEL EKOKORUWE:

Isoko development union women wing through its president Chief Mrs. Felicia Suleiman, has commended Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State for prompt response to the pregnant woman who delivered a baby girl during the state PDP campaign rally at Isiokolo, Ethiope East local government area of Delta State.

Chief Mrs. Suleiman overwhelmed by the immediate donation of N2 million by governor Okowa to Mrs. Odiri Benjamin of ward 10 unit 7, Ekaka village Kokori who delivered a baby girl at the campaign ground said, Okowa has displayed the spirit of sportsmanship to the plight of womanhood in Delta State.

She noted that with so much assistance given to widows in Delta State, youth empowerment and other wealth creation programmes by the Okowa administration, the governor in his magnanimity has shown his ability to do more and better the lives of the women if re-elected as governor of state.

Mrs. Suleiman while felicitating with Mrs. Odiri Benjamin for the bouncing baby girl, urged Isoko women and other women in Delta State to key into the Smart Agenda of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa even as he has transformed the state and deserves to complete two terms in line with the rotation principles of the PDP and consolidate on the developmental strides in the state.

She also commended governor Okowa for Isoko unity house, the 250 KVA generator and ongoing construction of the shopping mall at the secretariat of Isoko development union, noting that the massive crowd at different campaign rallies in Delta State shows Okowa’s doggedness and ingenuity towards the development of Delta State.