Delta State Government has taken delivery of 19,500 bags of 50 kilograms of maize and 4,700 bags of 25 kilograms of garri from the Federal government.

The food items is to cushion the impact of the current economic down turn in line with the renewed hope of President Bola Tinubu.

The Secretary to State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu who received the food items on behalf of the State Government, thanked President Tinubu for the bold step and promised to deliver it to the vulnerable groups.

Dr Emu who said the items were not enough to take care of the identified beneficiaries, disclosed that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has taken proactive steps to ameliorate the plight of Deltans since fuel subsidy was removed by Mr President on May 29, 2023.

He said over N5.6billion was paid to clear promotion arrears owed civil servants, over 2,000 teaching and non teaching staff were employed in schools, capacity development was organised for different cadres of workers in the state civil service, N1 billion for artisans and many other proactive steps.

”We thank the President for this generous gesture even though is insufficient to Nigerians, shows that he is compassionate. It is a short term measure and we are convinced that we have medium to long term interventions.

”So on behalf of the governor of Delta state, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori we like to welcome you to our state. As a state, we have done very many interventions that have touched the lives of our people because that’s what His Excellency is on oath to do as a social contract to the people.

”We paid in excess of N5.65 Billion to our esteemed civil servants as promotion arrears and recruited over 2,000 workers in our local government Areas.

”We are also looking at short courses for our artisans like barbers, bricklayers, plumbers; these are all drawn from the 25 Local Government Areas. This is to strengthen them with their working capitals because we do know that we have a hostile operating environment in the country”.

In the area of development, the SSG said the present administration has constructed roads and bridges in upland and riverine communities, created wealth to tackle the all time inflation and naira devaluation, pointing out that steps taken to combat insecurity has made Delta the safest state in the country.

On the sharing of the parliative, Dr Emu who is the chairman of the palliative committee, assured that the food items would get to the benefiting individuals and groups.

”We have zero tolerance for manipulation. In one particular local government where a Councillor decided to work on his own, he was penalised. He was brought before the governor and was made to pay back those bags of rice, even though he shared it.

”We as a committee have zero tolerance for manipulation. So we want to assure you that we will do our very best. Tell the DG when you go back that you saw a good template in Delta State, if possible, you can come and copy it”.

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar represented by Mr Brandon Ibarakumor who presented the food items said it was a way to cushion the plight of Deltans and charged the committee to ensure it got to the beneficiaries across the 25 local government areas of the state.

Mrs Umar said the food commodities were sent to the state based on the president’s directive that food items be distributed across the country from the National Strategic Reserve under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The food items are expected to be distributed to beneficiaries from the all electoral wards in the 25 local government areas of the state.

…Says resigned Commissioners were sabotaging his government

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has declared the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly as floating and non existent and as such has no valid potency to take binding legislative decisions on the state following their defection.

The Governor disclosed this while addressing a delegation of Traditional Rulers and opinion leaders from Bayelsa state, led by Senator Seriake Dickson, former governor of the state, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.

The governor pointed out that he accepted the presidential peace accord to keep them floating as the agreement has no constitutional basis but a political solution to a problem.

“I accepted it because these were people that have eaten in my house and I have assisted pay their children school fee even when I have not become the governor.”

“We may have our disagreement, but I believe that one day we could also come together, that was the reason I did it, but it was time I made a statement on this so that they understand that they are not existing.”

Sir Fubara said he made more sacrifices in the course of the crisis to ensure peace, adding that even with the peace deal his supporters are being harassed and intimidated with arrest everyday, but he has continued to show restraint as a mature leader realizing that there can be no meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancour.

“And because our intentions for Rivers State is to build on the foundation laid by our past leaders, it will be wrong for me to take the path of crisis. And that is why we are still seeing and recording the development that you are witnessing in the state.”

Governor Fubara while acknowledging the gains of his visit to the governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri sometime ago revealed that he was working virtually with enemies in his cabinet as commissioners including his Attorney-General who resigned recently were sabotaging his administration, stressing that most information being hidden from him was given to him by Gov. Diri.

The governor who thanked the Bayelsa leaders for their show of solidarity and interest in the affairs of Rivers State, assured that his administration will continue to promote the cordial relationship between the two sister states which has yielded positive results on his administration.

“There is no complete Rivers State without Bayelsa, and there’s no complete Bayelsa without Rivers State. We were separated because of political purposes to expand development, there is no need for argument over assets. Any good development in Bayelsa affects Rivers State, we have very wonderful cordial relationship.”

He assured that he will continue to act in a manner to make the people proud and work for the good of the state in order to leave an enduring legacy that posterity will be kind to him.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and former governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson has stated that the visit was to convey the goodwill and solidarity of the people of Bayelsa state, that of foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark to the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Mrs Ngozi Odu over their successful emergence as the leaders of the state at this particular time and on their Supreme Court victory.

Senator Dickson who commended Rivers people for their choice of Governor Fubara as their Governor and the overwhelming support given to his administration, said they were concerned about the disturbing political situation in Rivers State and called for peaceful resolution of the political crisis by all parties involved.

He pointed out that Rivers and Bayelsa states enjoyed an inseparable, cultural, historical and political bond which has to be built upon to promote mutual coexistence between the two states, and urged Governor Fubara to continue to work with his Bayelsa counterpart, Governor Douye Diri to achieve common objectives devoid of division.

Ahead of the forthcoming local government elections in Delta State, a retired /Director of Veterinary Services in the state, Dr. Augustine Ojogbo has formally declared interest in contesting for the Aniocha North Local Government Chairmanship position under the Labour Party (LP).

Ojogbo, a native of Idumeje-Unor in the local government area, made the declaration during a meeting with stakeholders at the LP’s Secretariat in Issele-Uku.

Addressing the party members, he said, “I am a seasoned technocrat with vast skills, knowledge, and experience to bring the most desired and deserved dividends of democracy to the citizenry of Aniocha North LGA.

His words, I want to deliver the most desired and deserved dividends of democracy to the citizenry of Aniocha North LGA, I have a well-articulated and all-encompassing five point Agenda (Mantra) known as AWELE.

” I seek your unalloyed support in this journey to becoming the Chairman as I sincerely express my interest”.

He noted that his mission and vision was to build and maintain a thriving local government area that was safe and secure for all residents by creating an inclusive environment and also ensuring economically viable and culturally-oriented communities, where people can live, work, and recreate under a secure environment.

Responding, Aniocha North Labour Party Chairman, Mr.Onyebuchi Oshukwudo, welcomed him and assured him oftransparent treatment to all the party’s local government chairmanship aspirants.

.Tasks Reps On Fairness, Justice

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the pressure mounted by the political crisis has been weathered sufficiently, giving way for his Administration to provide focused leadership and governance to the people of the State.

Governor Fubara made the assertion when he hosted on courtesy visit, members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, led by its Chairman, Hon. Mike Etaba, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Saturday night.

The Governor declared that as long as his Administration and Rivers people he is leading are concerned, there is no more political issue of note.

Making reference to a movie he had seen long time ago, Governor Fubara explained how the pressure from the unwarranted political crisis served as an enabler to strengthen his commitment to service that is now impacting lives positively.

He said, “As far as we are concerned, there are no political issues. I had seen a movie many years ago, entitled, ‘Devil’s Advocate.’ I believe some of you must have seen that movie too.

“One of the starring characters: Al Pacino said, pressure makes some people retreat or fail, and to others, it makes them to become focused to succeed. We have chosen to be focused under this pressure.

“That is why we are moving ahead. That is why we are making positive impact in the lives of our people. Governance is about the people. It is not about self.

“Governance is about touching the core needs of those people we are leading, and by the special grace of God, we are doing it.”

Governor Fubara pointed to the empowerment of about 3,066 Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) when he flagged-off the N4billion single digit loan scheme in conjunction with the Bank of Industry (BOI) Limited on Friday, as one way his Administration is improving the socio-economic dynamics of the State.

“Yesterday, by the special grace of God, we observed the credit line of over 3,066 persons empowered. You can imagine what that will do for the economy of the masses and the State.

“That is touching the lives of our people. It is not supporting them for selfish reasons. It is not giving contract because I want somebody to fight somebody in my community. No. This is empowering the economy of the masses and the State.

“Our focus is that, no matter what anybody is doing anywhere, we are not going to lose focus. We want to leave here better than we had met it. And we want to also leave here without fear of anything.”

Governor Fubara said, it is more desirable for a public leader to relish in the accolades from the majority of the people, who by exploring the conducive climate that is provided, could feed themselves and pay school fees of their children.

The Governor emphatically said: “That is what we want to hear, so that when before our children, our names are mentioned when we are no more, they will say: ‘that man is a good man’.

“We will not oppress anybody. We will not force anybody against their will. We will not intimidate anybody, because intimidation has a time it expires.

“When the time of intimidation expires, even as recorded of Pharaoh in the Bible, who intimidated the children of Israel, but it got to a time that the intimidation no longer worked.

“So, any bad thing that has a beginning, will have an end. So, that is why I said we don’t have any problem. We have put that crisis behind us. We are looking ahead.”

Governor Fubara, who reiterated that Rivers State is peaceful, said it takes a peaceful leader to bring about such aura of peace to the State and its people.

The Governor told his guests to dismiss the negative social media reports that tended to portray the State as a place immersed in uncontrollable violence, and juxtapose it with what they have personally witnessed so that they can be better ambassadors of the State.

“Leadership and respect in leadership is not earned by force. It is your style that brings respect and love. And what we are doing is to respect our people, and in turn, our people are giving us that support for leadership.

“So, I am happy that you are here, and when you go back, tell others your own side of the story: that Rivers State is moving forward. Forget about what you see in the social media, there is progress everywhere here. There is light everywhere.”

Governor Fubara further told the committee members to note that it is normal for people to seek redress when they feel that their right had been trampled upon.

But he advised that when such complains come to them, they should be thorough with their investigation, be fair and make their resolutions devoid of bias.

He said, “Some of these people who write these petitions to you, I can say it, some of them are not even genuine. They believe that it is also a way to extort money from most of these companies that are doing business around us.

“So, I will urge you to do your investigation properly and let your finding be as a result of proper and diligent investigation,” he added.

Governor Fubara also said: “You mentioned something about the petition against Indorama Petrochemical and Fertiliser Company Limited, we are already aware of it.

“Funny enough, the Indorama’s case was even reported by Indorama itself. It is unfortunate that a particular person who got the privileged information went behind to use that information against the company.

“I just need to let you know that, just in case when you will be treating the case, you could factor this information. Those people can’t come to us because they know we will look at them in the face, and tell them the truth.

“Ordinarily, they ought to have come to us. They need to make the complain first to the State Ministry of Environment before going ahead.

“So, you can see the kind of society that we find ourselves. But, God has placed you in this position today. It is for a purpose. So, use it to defend the oppressed people possibly in the course of justice. Defend them. Defend what is right. When it is wrong, say it with boldness,” the Governor added.

In his address, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, Hon. Mike Etaba, explained that they came into Port Harcourt on the basis of a petition that is before the House and referred to the Committee.

He mentioned the petitioner as “Bridge Gap Initiative”, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in respect to some of the companies operating in the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout of Rivers State.

He said, “These companies are Schlumberger, Halliburton, Coca Cola and International Breweries. We have met with these companies that were able to oblige us their time.

“We went round to look at the issues that made us to come, especially the pollution of the water around Oginigba River. The companies were accused of discharging dangerous effluent into the river, and also polluting the environment. That is the reason we came, and we have finished our assignment.”

Hon. Etaba used the opportunity to commend Governor Fubara on how he had handled the political crisis that erupted in the State, praising him for not allowing it degenerate into violent physical clashes.

He said, “Because you see, the battle of leadership comes from God Almighty. Nobody gives power. Power comes from God. If God uses any man to give you power, and that man arrogates power to himself, that man will be doing himself a disservice.

“So far, you have carried yourself as a man that has wisdom, dignity, and you are doing well. Your Excellency, don’t be distracted, what you owe dearly is to hold unto God strongly.

The Lord is your strength, and you will succeed in every decision that you take. Ask Him for wisdom, He will direct you,” he added.

He pledged the committee’s support, and urged all people of goodwill in the State to rally support and remain strong in their tenacious loyalty to the Governor to enable him succeed in delivering good governance and quality leadership to Rivers people.

Signed

Nelson Chukwudi

Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor

Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has frowned at the nonchalance with which the contractor handling the Bori Internal Roads project had approached the work after more than 80 per cent of the agreed contractual terms had been paid.

The Governor, who said the contractor’s approach was unacceptable, ordered him to return to site and complete the project, or face severe consequences.

Governor Fubara gave the order when he visited the project site in Bori Town, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday.

A statement signed by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Saturday, May 4, 2024, reads:

The Governor explained: “This project was awarded before my assumption of office. But I have made two payments for this project. The total value of this project is over N6billion.

“In the month of June, 2023, I paid the first N2billion, and in December, 2023, I also released another N2billion, making about 80 percent of the project value.

“So, I am surprised that somebody will say that we are not interested in completing this project that is in my Senatorial District,” the Governor said.

Governor Fubara said it is even more worrisome that after those payments were made, the contractor refused to move men and equipment to site.

The Governor pointed to a very disturbing incident where the contractor sacked his front desk officer for receiving a letter sent by the Ministry of Works to demand for an update on the Bori internal roads project.

“I came here this afternoon to inspect the Bori internal roads under construction. And, honestly speaking, my major reason of coming here is because we got a very disturbing propaganda.

“Some persons were circulating negative reports on social media that we deliberately abandoned the continuation of Bori Internal Roads project. Maybe, the persons have political reason.

“It is very unfortunate that everytime we find ourselves in this kind of situation. So, my coming here today is to let the world know of the situation.

“I don’t want to mention the name of the contractor, let it not be that I am being personal. But the contractor knows himself.

“He should better go back to site or I will do something that will embarrass him as a person,” he added.

The Governor also assured the residents of the area who came out in their numbers to cheer him, singing his praises, that the road will be completed to ease movement of the people.

He said, “I can assure you that this road project will be completed. You are my people, and there is no way I can abandon a project designed to serve my people, and give them a sense of belonging. So, be rest assured that this road will be completed for your use,” the Governor added.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has won the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ Good Governance Award 2024 on education.

At the event, which was tagged “NUJ Press Freedom and Governance Award”, 18 journalists and public servants who have distinguished themselves in their careers were honoured.

Presenting the award to Zulum, at an event held at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, on Saturday, the National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, noted that the award was in recognition of Governor Zulum’s laudable achievements in the development of the educational sector and good governance he has provided for the people of Borno.

According to the NUJ President, Zulum has over the years, embarked on innovative intervention and aggressive investment in the education sector of Borno State

The statement said Zulum has since 2019 executed 124 projects in the education sector, including the construction of over 30 new mega schools and the rehabilitation of 1,087 classrooms in several schools across the state.

Zulum has recruited over 4,000 new teachers, deployed strategies to reduce out-of-school children from 2 million children to 800,000 in 2024 and has approved over N4 billion as scholarship for local and foreign education to Borno indigenes.

Responding after receiving the award, Zulum, who was represented by the Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, expressed appreciation to the organisers for finding him worthy of the award.

He said: ” It is amazing to be rewarded for managing a crisis and rebuilding a state like Borno State, which is coming out of a decade-long violent insurgency. The Borno restoration project focuses on bold and sustained investment in all sectors of society.

“Press Freedom constitutes an important booster of the Building Borno Back and Better initiative. In Borno State, journalists are granted free space and access to information to carry out their duties and write stories that will enlighten society and influence public policy,” Zulum said.

The event was attended by the Governor of Benue State, Rev Hyacinth Alia, the Speaker of Federal House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas was represented by Chairman House Committee on Information and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris

Also present are Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission Abuja, Ms Gill Lever, DG VON; Mr Bernabas Gemade and Major Gen Lawrence Onoja.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have smashed an international drug syndicate with networks in parts of Nigeria, South Africa and Thailand.

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, no fewer than five members of the cartel were arrested in a two-weeks intelligence led operations in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states following the seizure of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

He said the unravelling of the drug cartel started on Sunday 20th April when their cargo of four big suitcases arrived the NAHCO shed on an Air Peace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa.

He added that after days of close monitoring and investigation, the first suspect, Umeh Chisom was arrested on Wednesday 24th April after he showed up to pick two of the suitcases
containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis owned by a Thailand based member of the syndicate, Obum Michael.

Babafemi disclosed that the consignment of four parcels was concealed in false bottoms of the two suitcases, while the four suitcases contain a total of 17.6 kilogrammes Loud and drug candies.

He also said another member of the syndicate, Mrs. Chiwendu Ugbe whose South Africa based husband, Aloytus Ugbe sent some of the consignments, was traced to Anambra state where NDLEA officers arrested her on Saturday 27th April while attempting to collect the drug parcels sent to her by her husband.

He said two other suspects: Onyejakor Chimezie and Naaji Chukwukere, with links to the cartel were also arrested in parts of Lagos on Last Monday, with their arrest leading to another operation in Abia state where Mrs. Chinazo Osigwe was arrested when she was to pick up some of the parcels containing Loud and drug candies sent by her husband, Chidiebere Osigwe
who is equally operating from South Africa.

In other clampdowns, NDLEA operatives on stop and search operation along Abuja-Abaji highway on Wednesday 1st May intercepted a 40-feet gas tanker marked RBC 77XG and upon a thorough search discovered 511 jumbo sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 4,752 kilogrammes concealed in the gas tank compartment of the truck.

Babafemi said the consignment was loaded into the tanker in Ondo state and meant to be delivered in Abuja for further distribution. He disclosed that four suspects: Efe Abel, 39; Ebigide Cyril, 29; Ejechi Monday, 41; and Friday Chukwudi, 39, were arrested in connection with the seizure.

The spokesman said while two suspects: Aminu Umar, 25, and Anas Umar, 22, were arrested with 207.1 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in their house at Unguwan Rimi, Basawa, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna state last Monday, Bashir Umar, 35, was nabbed at Ladanai, Hotoro area of Kano last Friday with 194 bottles of codeine syrup.

In Osun state, NDLEA operatives last Wednesday arrested an ex-convict, 51-year-old Suleiman Usman, who is currently facing trial for another drug offence at the Federal High Court Osogbo. At the time of his latest arrest at Okinni town, Suleiman was found in possession of 4.4 grammes of Cocaine, 28.5 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, 20 tabs of rophynol weighing 6.2 grammes and 812 pills of tramadol.

The following day, last Thursday, NDLEA operatives at Agbara checkpoint, Seme border, Badagry, Lagos State intercepted a Toyota Camry car marked KJA 825 FT conveying 113 jumbo parcels of cannabis with a total weight of 64 kilogrammes. The driver, Charles Amoni, 45, was promptly arrested.

In Bauchi state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Bauchi-Jos road last Monday arrested Clement Chukwuka, 39, with 595 bottles of codeine; 38,260 pills of opioids such as tramadol, rohypnol and diazepam, while another suspect, Friday Ibochi was nabbed at NDLEA check point, Aloma junction, Otukpa, Benue state last Tuesday with 66 blocks of cannabis weighing 33 kilogrammes. Also, 42-year-old Ifeanyi Stanley was arrested with 12kg of same substance at Swali Jetty, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.

Babafemi said with the same vigour, the various commands of the agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign in the past week.

Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of the MMIA, FCT, Kano, Kaduna, Osun, Seme, Bayelsa, Bauchi, and Benue commands of the agency for their outstanding feats in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) equally applauded their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures.

A Ukrainian company, EDS, has started the move to invest in Nigerian energy sector.

The Director of the company, Zapyshynyi Olexandr, addressing a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, said the company was already mapping out strategies on how to go about the project.

Olexandr while noting that the project will combine solar, wind and hydro energies, said it will begin in the FCT and Lagos before cascading to other states.

He said: “We are looking at mini-grids because we realised that that is where the energy problem is in Nigeria.”

He revealed that: “How successful the first project is will determine how much investment we will bring in.”

He said Nigeria should expect more investments from Ukraine, for the country is moving towards investing in Africa.

Olexandr said the President of Ukraine has given the go ahead for Ukrainian companies to invest in Africa.

Also speaking at the press conference, President of the Ukraine-Nigeria Business Council, Ben Gbade Ojo, said: “Today, we are pleased to present to Nigerians the EDS Ukraine Power and Engineering, a Ukrainian company that has all it takes to turn around the electric power fortunes of Nigeria and help transform Nigeria into a power-efficient nation.

“We welcome the EDS to Nigeria and urge all Nigerians to take advantage of their immense capabilities for sustainable power sector efficiency in Nigeria.”

He said the prime objective of this press conference was to avail the government and Nigerians of the vast opportunities available for the sustainable development and maximal performance of Nigeria’s troubled electric power sector, through a partnership with the people of the Republic of Ukraine.

The Electricity Act of 2023, signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2023, and the Amended Act, signed into law this year by President Bola Tinubu permit private participation across all levels of the electricity supply chain, provided such private entities obtain the appropriate licence (s).

Based on the amendment, Nigerians can now participate in the electricity supply business, which was previously the exclusive preserve of the federal government, as administered by the sector regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. (NERC).

With the constitution amended, and the National Assembly having passed a law for the electricity sector in line with the amendment and having become an Act, the states will now proceed to establish their power sector laws and regulations.

The 2023 Electricity Act, by virtue, allows anyone to construct, own, or operate a business for generating electricity exceeding one megawatt in aggregate at a site.

Ojo also said the Ukrainian-Nigerian Business Council had fully mobilised to help the federal and state governments and all-electric power sector players and stakeholders benefit maximally from this revolutionary Electricity Power Act.

-From Pst. Joseph Obaro Ikupa

The Congree of the Ambrose Alli University Alumni Association, Lagos branch has passed a Vote of Confidence on the Worldwide President of the Association, Dr. Clifford Imade Omozeghian. This is contained in a release by the Lagos branch Publicity Secretary, Rufus Alele.

According to the release, the branch held a special historic session on Sunday 28th April 2024, where the esteemed members of the AAU Alumni Association, Lagos Chapter, convened to acknowledge and celebrate the exemplary leadership of Clifford Omozeghian⁩. In his words, “with unwavering commitment and tireless dedication Clifford Omozeghian⁩ has demonstrated his remarkable capacity to lead and unite alumni worldwide.
After careful consideration and unanimous agreement, Congress hereby formally recognizes Clifford Omozeghian as the worldwide president of the AAU Alumni Association.”

“His vision, integrity, and passion for advancing the mission of our alma mater have earned him the trust and respect of alumni across the globe.”

The release further stated that under his guidance, the chapter pledges her full support and cooperation.

In his words, “under his guidance we pledge our full support and cooperation to further strengthen the bonds of our community, foster collaboration, and promote the values of excellence, integrity, and service that define the AAU Alumni Association.”

This vote of confidence, support, and loyalty by the Lagos branch has put paid to alleged unhealthy relationships between the Worldwide President and the Lagos branch. The Alumni Association has in Lagos State both Ikeja and Lagos branches all loyal to the Worldwide President, Dr. Clifford Imade Omozeghian.

Present at the historic meeting were the immediate past president, Chris Iyere, an Ex-Officio member of the Worldwide Executive Committee, Comrade Oloni, among other distinguished members of the association.

…Promises to remain upright no matter the challenges

…Says his administration improved IGR from N12 billion to N27billion, executes project without borrowing

…Commends Reps members for acknowledging his work, peace in Rivers

…Says RS civil servants were stagnated for 11 years without promotion

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has assured that his administration will apply funds from the state’s internally generated revenue on areas that will bring positive changes to the people.

He specifically emphasized the priority areas to include education, healthcare and agriculture adding that the effort will not preclude road infrastructure.

Governor Fubara made this known when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, led by its chairman, Hon. Bamidele Salam was on a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.

The governor noted that deploying the resources for the well-being of the people is what is more important to his government so as to reduce hardship and other societal ills which include cultism.

“No matter the challenges we are facing today, our eyes will still be on the ball. We will not lose focus. We have promised our people that our government will be a government of the people. We care for the people as they are the most important thing to us.”

Sir Fubara revealed that his government inherited the challenges of non-promotion of the state’s civil servants for 11 years with a workforce of about 52,000 and a wage bill of over N5.3 billion, stressing that on assumption he promoted the workforce and the wage bill increased to over N8billion.

He emphasized that with the increase his administration had to also rejig the internally generated revenue mechanism and that led to an improvement from previous of between N12billion and N13billion to between N26billion and N27billion.

“What we were paying before I came in was an average of N5.3billion, let us even say 25% of it across board, it can’t be anything less than N8billion. That is what we started paying.”

“So, we have to think outside the box, and rejigged our internally generated revenue and I can tell you today that all the projects we are doing, we are not borrowing.”

“We are very transparent, we are not hiding anything. That is why I can boldly say it. The least we get this period is between N26billion and N27billion. The highest they were doing before was between the N12billion and N13billion.”

Governor Fubara restated his commitment to continue to be upright as the virtue that even led to his emergence as the governor, and further assured that his government will be prudent in the management of the state’s resources for the development of the state.

“I can boldly say without fear, nobody can take it away from me. And if there is anything that made me win this position in the heart of even those that are fighting me, it is because I was upright.”

“So, if I were upright at that time and helped me to be where I am through God, although, they say it is them, but nothing happens without God.”

“Therefore, if I could be upright then, why won’t I be more upright now? I assure you that that aspect of my life, no matter the challenges, I will not throw it to the dustbin.”

He appreciated the Committee for the honour of choosing Rivers State for the retreat as it significantly shows that Rivers State is peaceful and that the government is working.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Bamidele Salam commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for being conscious in his determination to serve the people and not being distracted by challenges.

He said the peaceful nature of the state and the governor being a driver of good governance made the Committee choose the state for the retreat to serve as a template to other states.

.Says We’ll Sustain People First Policies

.Days Of Delayed Payments Of Retirement Benefits Over

.As Labour Honours Gov With Champion Awards

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured of implementing the salary increase recently approved by the Federal Government for workers in the State as soon as the parameters are made available.

Goveenor Fubara gave the assurance at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, where activities to commemorate the 2024 International Workers Day, with the theme: ‘People First’, took place on Wednesday.

The Governor stated how concerned his Administration is about the poor state of the nation’s economy, with the attendant rising inflation, which has impacted adversely on the purchasing power and well-being of the average workers and their families.

Governor Fubara, therefore, said: “Let me assure you that we are going to work with the Federal Government to implement necessary measures, including the continuation of the free bus services and the provision of necessary palliatives to ameliorate the current hardship faced by ordinary citizens.

“We are also committed to implementing the increase in workers’ salaries recently approved by the Federal Government as soon as the parameters are made available.

“We are a listening Government, and we have heard the common concerns and demands of labour on the urgency of stimulating economic growth and improving the living conditions of our people.”

Governor Fubara acknowledged workers as critical human resource that have continued to contribute immensely to the sustained long-term economic growth of the State.

The Governor noted that workers are indispensable, from the production lines of small and big factories to Government offices and institutions.

They also play critical roles, he said, in the vast oil and gas fields, to the movement of goods and services, where they ensure service delivery, wealth creation, and the advancement of human civilization.

Governor Fubara, categorically said: “Rivers State is what it is, economically strong, resilient, and vibrant because of our workers. Our local governments and communities are what they are because workers are doing their jobs.

“Our nation is the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa only because of the commitment, efforts, and achievements of our workers.

“What this means is that there can be no nation-building or progress in society without the input, effort, and sacrifice of the workforce.”

The Governor gave the assurance that: “As a Government, we recognize the roles, importance, and relevance of our workers to the implementation of our policy agenda for economic growth, provision of infrastructure, social progress and advancing the welfare and well-being of citizens.

“This is the reason we are here, not only to celebrate with you, but also to reiterate, reinforce, and reassure us of the inseparable bonds we have with organised labour as partners in progress.

“We may have reasonable causes to disagree, which is normal in every social relationship. But we cannot afford to be at each other’s throats and neglect our common responsibilities to advance the peace, security, and progress of our State.

“Less we forget that the social contract binds not only the Government; it applies to the workers as much as patriots.”

Governor Fubara recalled his promise made in his inaugural speech, where he proudly reiterated the fact that labour that is his primary constituency will remain so despite the fact that he has become a Governor.

“I stand by this statement even now and for as long as I remain in office as the Governor of Rivers State. I will not disappoint you. I will continue to govern with the fear of God and carry everyone, including labour, along.

” We promised not to neglect the interest and well-being of our workers within the limits of available resources, and we have not faltered on this promise.

“On the 1st of June, 2023, barely three days after the assumption of office, I visited the State Secretariat Complex to see its dilapidated state and take immediate measures to improve the poor working environment of our workers.

“Since then, we have reactivated and restored some facilities and services in the Secretariat Complex, including the water system, elevators, leaking roofs, and improved electricity supply.

“In addition, we have also commissioned a reputable international company to scope the entire complex and advise on the cost of a comprehensive rehabilitation of the Secretariat Complex, which we intend to carry out in phases as available finances will allow.”

Governor Fubara said he implemented promotion of staff stagnated over a decade with financial benefits, and approved the recruitment of 1,000 doctors and other medical personnel to strengthen the State’s healthcare delivery system.

Also, he said, the State’s Contributory Healthcare Insurance Scheme has commenced, urging all workers to take advantage of the benefits of the scheme, adding that the Government was clearing the backlog of gratuities to retired civil servants while ensuring the prompt enrolment and payment of pensions.

“I can assure you that the days of delayed payments of retirement benefits to civil servants are over under our watch.

“We appointed 16 Permanent Secretaries based on merit and equitable spread to local government areas that were hitherto not represented at that level to strengthen the civil service for effective implementation of government policies and optimal delivery of services to our people.

“Few weeks ago, we directed and ensured the implementation of the minimum wage and promotion of our workers in the local government service.

“We have approved and released a grant of N250million only for the completion of the secretariat building of the Nigerian Union of Teachers,” he added.

He assured the workers thst no smount of intimidation, harassment and sabotage will make his Government to change focus, adding that his policy thrusts will continue to be driven by the interest and needs of the people.

The Governor also announced the donation of N100million to assuage the sacrifices of the workers who turned up at the stadium for the celebration of the 2024 May Day.

In his address, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Alex Agwanwor, said the theme of 2024 International Labour Day, ‘People First’, reflects the leadership direction of Governor Fubara, who has continued to prioritise the welfare of workers in the State.

Comrade Agwanwor stated that the Governor implemented promotion for state and local government workers with consequential financial benefits.

Also implemented, he said, were payment of N30,000.00 minimum wage to LG workers, N100,000.00 Christmas bonus across board to all workers, constitution of governing councils, boards and commissions of government agencies, institutions for effective service delivery, restored functionality of basic utilities at the State Secretariat, and reopened Rivers State Transport Company (RTC).

All of these, he noted, have further motivated workers, and emboldened them to remain unfettered in their support to the success of the Governor Fubara-led Administration while increasing their productivity.

“For us as Rivers State workers, we make bold to state without fear, or favour that, the present Administration of Your Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is aptly a reflection of the year 2024 theme of Workers Day celebration.

“We acknowledge consistently, the demonstration of Your Excellency’s confession of purpose and value driven leadership and administration in thoughts, deeds, and actions, and as critical stakeholders in Rivers State project and beneficiaries of Your Excellency’s humane disposition, we offer to journey with you on the quest to positively impact on the lives of Rivers people.”

He commended the Governor for making efforts to revamp the abandoned Songhai Integrated Farms at Bunu Tai, and listed other agricultural initiatives such as Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and C-4 programmes, Delta Rubber Company, among others, as areas the Government must focus on to enhance food sufficiency and security, while taming hunger and raising job creation opportunities in the State.

Also speaking, the Rivers State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Okechukwu Onyefuru, expressed delight over recent feat of Governor Fubara by increasing the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N11billion to N27billion.

Comrade Onyefuru advised that with items like railways and building of refineries moved to the Concurrent List, the State Government should take advantage of this new legal framework, to further grow the State’s IGR and create more jobs for the youths.

The TUC chairman also appealed to Governor Fubara to use his good offices to compel International Oil Companies (OICs) not to move their headquarters out of the State, while also thanking him for mediating in the industrial dispute in Indorama Petrochemical and Fertiliser Company Limited at Eleme.

Comrade Onyefuru said Nigerian workers condemned and rejected the recent increase of electricity tariffs, describing it as draconian and anti-people.

The TUC chairman also requested that the salary of primary healthcare workers be moved to the Primary Healthcare Management Board, where he said, they feel better protected.

At the event, the State Civil Service offered the Governor gift of a Bible and portrait while the organised labour honoured him with the Labour Champion of Rivers State award for being the most labour-friendly Governor.

Signed

Nelson Chukwudi

Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor

Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

By Austen Akhagbeme

The Governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in the upcoming election in Edo State, Dr Azemhe Azena has sent a congratulatory message to the resilient workers in the state on the ocassion of the celebration of the International Workers Day today, May 1st.

In a message made available to the press by his media team in Benin city, the ebullient Televangelist and popular politician appreciated the commitment, resilience and dedication to service by the average Nigerian worker despite the prevailing economic conditions.

Dr Azemhe Azena, however called for a peaceful, reasonable and amicable resolution, as it regards the ongoing minimum wage negotiations between Government and workers in the nation.

The Governorship candidate used the occasion “to call on Edo Workers not to give attention to those who have deceived them with unfulfilled promises in the past, as the elections draws near” while assuring them of better days “in the nearest foreseeable future” he said.

The International Workers Day is a day set aside annually on May 1st, to recognize, celebrate and honour the significant contribution of workers all over the world. It is also used to promote a sustainable future for all by calling for improve working conditions and workers rights.

Summit seeks reduction of CJN’s powers
Federal Ministry of Justice, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and other stakeholders in the nation’s judiciary have made far reaching recommendations that will address the issues of judicial appointment process, funding and eradicating delays in the administration of justice in Nigeria, at the just concluded two-day National Summit on Justice 2024.
The event was organised by the Federal Government in collaboration with the European Union funded RoLAC II Programme of the International IDEA.
In a communique issued at the end of the summit at the weekend, it was noted that the National Policy on Justice 2024 to 2028, will now serve as a roadmap, paving the way for a more efficient, equitable and responsive justice system for all Nigerians. 
Chairman, Joint Planning Committee of the Justice Summit, Dr Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, who read the communique, said the summit had three technical sessions.
Ajibade stated that the general consensus reached at the summit was that the role of the National Judicial Council in discharging its responsibility for judicial appointments into the Superior Court of record required significant review.
The stakeholders expressed concern about the fact that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is the chairman of the NJC is also the chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission, the body that initially reviews proposals or lists of candidates by appointment into judicial office. 
The summit pointed out the seeming inconsistency between the CJN playing both roles, as it would appear that he is recommending candidates to himself being chairman of both bodies, and being the person who appoints a significant number of the members of both bodies other than those who are statutory members.
There’s a general consensus by the summit on the need to reconstitute or propose  reconstitution of both the NJC and the FJSC. 
On the role of the State Judicial Service Commission in judicial appointmens, the summit concluded that there was a significant need to ensure that composition of the SJSC is more diverse, that it reflects the interests of the users of the justice sector. 
Stakeholders noted the fact that the current NJC guidelines may have subverted the intent of the constitutional provision, empowering the SJSC to make judicial appointments, because the NJC guidelines, rather than authorising the SJSC to prepare a shortlist of potential candidates for judicial appointments, appear to address that responsibility solely in the Chairman (Chief Judges of States). 
The summit therefore called for an amendment of the  aspect of the NJC guidelines to make clear that the development or preparation of shortlist of candidates for judicial appointments is something that is to be done by the Commissions as a whole and not just by the Chief Judges.
On the general approach that ought to be taken to reforming the judicial appointments process, the summit stressed that focus should be on increased transparency in the appointment process,  meritocracy and on meaningful performance evaluations of those who seek judicial office.
Also, it was recommended that Nigeria should consider the model that is currently being used in Kenya. 
There was a consensus on the need to codify the judicial appointments process, such that the discretion that is currently witnessed in the appointments process is reduced to the barest minimum. 
On funding, budgeting and administration for the judiciary, the summit resolved
that the current process for funding the courts was totally deficient as it was evident that the provisions of the Constitution as amended by the Fifth Amendment, authorising that funding for the State courts should be a joint effort carried out by the executive and the judiciary was not being implemented in any shape or form in the majority of the states. 
Clear recommendations were made that this was something that needed to be pursued and dealt with decisively, as the summit stated that funding of the judiciary at the federal level is much better than what obtains in the States of the Federation.
More so, the summit observed the need to professionalise the administration of the courts, as well as to appoint persons with clear administrative experience to be selected through a transparent process to administer the courts, and to separate the administration of the courts from the administration of justice. 
On eradicating delays in the administration of justice agenda for leveraging the rules of procedure and effective case management in Nigeria, the panel considered the importance of limiting the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and ensuring that matters that would go to the Supreme Court would only be matters of significant national importance. 
The summit held that before a matter goes to apex court, it would only be by the leave of the Supreme Court, and that the automatic right of appeal to the will be severely curtailed and will be limited only to matters relating to the office and the election into the office of the president of the federation, Vice President and, and Governors of the States. 

Two notorious drug kingpins: Uwaezuoke Ikenna and Agbo Chidike have been sentenced to life imprisonments for drug trafficking offenses.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi the two criminals would now spend the rest of their lives in jail, “bringing an end to their years of criminal enterprise of exporting cocaine across continents following their arrest and diligent prosecution by NDLEA.”

Babafemi said for 43-year-old businessman Uwaezuoke, his journey to a lifetime in jail began when he was first arrested by NDLEA operatives on 19th March 2022 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia after he was found to have ingested 100 big wraps of cocaine weighing 2.243 kilogrammes.

Uwaezuoke was subsequently arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2022 and was granted bail on certain conditions after he pleaded not guilty. He thereafter absconded, leading the court to revoke his bail and issue an arrest warrant against him.

“In a curious twist, Uwaezuoke was again arrested by NDLEA operatives on 1st August 2023, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos while attempting to export 1.822 kilogrammes of cocaine to India through ingestion using a different passport and under a different name, Ilonzeh Onyebuchi.

“He was again arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division in charge number FHC/L/554C/2023. He pleaded guilty to the two counts charge and was convicted and sentenced on 18th October 2023 to a total term of seven years of imprisonment or a fine of ₦1, 500,000.00. He paid the fine and was transferred to Abuja to face the importation case pending against him.

“He was re-arraigned on 20th March 2024 at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2022 before Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik, where he pleaded guilty again. Despite his plea, the court, noting his lack of remorse, the seriousness of drug-related offences and the fact that he is a repeated offender, convicted and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
In the case of 42-year-old Agbo Chidike Prince, he was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja during the outward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight to Hong Kong on 21st October 2023 for ingesting 49 wraps of cocaine weighing 998.73 grammes.

“Upon his arraignment before Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, the defendant pleaded guilty to the one count charge, prompting the prosecution to present evidence and review the facts of the case.
Despite the plea of allocutus by the defendant’s counsel, the court, noting the nature of the case and the commercial quantity of the drug, emphasized the seriousness of drug-related offences, convicted and sentenced the defendant on 15th April, 2024 to life imprisonment.”

Meanwhile, NDLEA officers at the Gate C Departure Hall of the Lagos airport last Friday arrested a passenger, Yahaya Oturah, while attempting to export 4,000 pills of tramadol 225mg to Malpensa, Italy on an Ethiopian Airline flight.

The psychoactive substance was found concealed in women wears and granulated melon packed in the suspect’s backpack and another bag containing food items. In his statement, Oturah who is a frequent flyer confessed he was hired to courier the drug for 700 Euros on successful delivery of the consignment in Italy.

In Bayelsa, NDLEA operatives last Wednesday arrested 28-year-old Jennifer Iliya at Amarata area of Yenagoa for producing and distributing cakes laced with illicit drugs especially cannabis sativa. At the time of her arrest, substantial number of the drugged cakes weighing 1.5 kilogrammes were recovered from her. A 20-year-old hair stylist, Josephine Odunu and a dispatch rider, Edesemi Ikporo, 30, had been arrested on Sunday 10th March by NDLEA operatives for in Yenagoa for a similar offence.

Two suspects: Joseph Dadik, 47, and Bensha Yari, 32, were arrested with 24,180 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 135.5 kilogrammes at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, while Adamu Umar, 18, was nabbed with 20.7 kilogrammes cannabis when his house in Shuware area of Mubi, Adamawa state was raided on Friday 26th April.

In another incident, no less than 310.7 kilogrammes cannabis was recovered last Thursday when NDLEA operatives raided parts of Mushin in Lagos state. While 300 kilogrammes was seized at Olatunji Street, Mushin, 10.7 kilogrammes of same substance was retrieved from two suspects: Tijani Wasiu and Suleiman Aisha
at Anifowose, Mushin.

A suspect, Stanley Chukwudi, 43, was arrested with 5,900 ampoules of pentazocine injection at Sabon Gari area of Kano State last Thursday and a couple, Fredrick Odion, 53, and Gladys Odion, 52, were nabbed with 50 kilogrammes cannabis at Iruekpen, Esan West local government area, Edo state by NDLEA officers last Wednesday.

Babafemi said with the same zeal, the various commands of the agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign in the past week.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), while commending the officers and men of the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services of the Agency for the diligent prosecution of Uwazuoke and Agbo cases, said the success rate of cases prosecuted by the agency has shown that there’s no escape route for those involved in the illicit trade of drug trafficking.

He equally applauded those of MMIA, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Edo, Adamawa and Bayelsa Commands as well as their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their drug supply and drug demand reduction activities.

Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum has approved the employment of 15 people with disability with bachelor’s degree certificates, NCEs, diplomas and vocational training certificates.

The governor gave the approval in Maiduguri on Friday night at the Government House.

He said: “I am delighted to note that despite your disability, you people are not lazy; you decided to pursue your education, and for this, I want to commend you.

“I directed the Commissioner of Education to process your application for employment for my approval immediately. Therefore, I want to bring to your kind notice that you should be on the payroll of Borno State Government effective 1st May, 2024, in sha Allah.”

He directed the commissioner of education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, to review the activities of all the blind schools in Borno State in order to train more people with disability.

Zulum also ordered the Ministry of Education to work out modalities for introducing the teaching of special education courses at the College of Education in Bama.

“I am happy that they have obtained their qualifications in different specialisations. Let’s strengthen the College of Education in Bama to start delivering courses on special education,” Zulum ordered.

Earlier in his address, Borno State Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Association of the Blind, Mohammed Mustapha, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for approving employment for his members.

Four Chinese have been arrested by the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at an illegal mining site where Lithium is sold at Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

A statement on Saturday by the spokesman of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi read that: “Following the Commissioning of some specially trained NSCDC Personnel as Federal Government Mining Marshals; the Team has intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal miners sabotaging the economy of the nation.

“The Mining Marshall with a renewed vigour swung into action following credible intelligence and uncovered an illegal mining site where Lithium is sold at Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

“During the sting operation, the Squad arrested four (4) Chinese nationals who through preliminary investigation admitted that they were running an illegal site used for selling lithium.”

The spokesman said: “While speaking with the Mining Marshall Commander; ACC. Attah John Onoja hinted that the minerals were seized under section 146 (b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and that the arrest followed the suspect’s refusal to honour the command invitation for questioning.”

He added that an application would be lodged in Court for forfeiture of the impounded lithium minerals while the proceeds would be remitted to the Federal Government.

He said preliminary investigations have unearthed where the minerals were being disposed of without the required license.

He said: “The arrested suspects have confessed to the crime; admitting that they held no certificate or license to deal in the solid minerals. The suspects are running a business venture identified as HOSAN AGRO-ALLIED COMPANY LTD which was registered to deal in agricultural-related activities.

The Federal had vowed to stamp out illegal mining activities across the country and to end the menace of mineral theft plaguing the Solid Minerals sector of the nation’s economy.

Meanwhile, the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi has charged the Mining Marshals to work assiduously to rid the Country of illegal miners. He added that in pursuit of this mandate, the Corps will stop at nothing to ensure that all illegal mining activities are stopped nationwide, while perpetrators would be brought to book after a thorough investigation under the full weight of the law, no matter how highly placed.

Aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress under the aegis of Ondo APC youths on Thursday protested the outcome of Saturday’s primary election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner at the party secretariat in Abuja.

The young demonstrators, who came in four luxury buses, were however dispersed by security operatives mounted at the entrance of the national headquarters.

Barely an hour later, the defiant young protesters regrouped a few blocks from the secretariat by the popular Barcelona Hotel, shouting ‘Aluta Continua.’

While displaying placards and banners that read ‘Ondo APC rejects Kangaroo primary election’, ‘No primary held in Ondo’ and ‘We want a fresh election,’ they threatened to march into the party secretariat again.

Their demonstration took place almost the same time the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and members of the National Working Committee were placating the aggrieved aspirants to bury the hatchet and support Aiyedatiwa ahead of the governorship election in November.

Addressing newsmen, the leader of the demonstrators who is also a party youth leader in Akure South, Kolawole Johnson, described the primary as a sham and declared that only a rerun election can pacify their people back home in Ondo.

Johnson also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders of the party to prevail on the NWC to inaugurate a new election committee chairman to oversee the fresh poll.

He said, “How can you say you want to ratify the outcome of a primary and you declared a candidate? It shows there is foul play. Ondo is APC and APC is Ondo State. We won’t fold our hands and allow opposition parties to snatch Ondo from us.

“That is why we are calling on the party to cancel the primary. There should be a rerun and we want a new person to head the committee that will supervise us. What they did is not a primary election. It is selling the APC ticket. We want a rerun because we are not impressed with the poll.

“We, therefore, invite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look into this. We don’t want opposition to take over Ondo State.”

•To adopt National Justice Policy 
•Targets enhanced justice delivery in Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu,  Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola and stakeholders within Nigeria’s justice system are gearing up for a pivotal summit aimed at adopting the National Policy on Justice 2024. The two-day summit policy, which starts on Wednesday and is titled “Enhancing Justice Delivery in Nigeria,”  serves as a guiding roadmap for government, civil society, and donor interventions in the realm of justice delivery across the nation. 
Spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and other key development partners, the National Justice Summit seeks to catalyse dialogue and reimagine the landscape of justice delivery in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Project Manager, Component 1 – Criminal Justice Reform of the RoLAC II Programme, International IDEA, Mr. Badejogbin Oluwatoyin.
According to the statement, the Summit will highlight the critical role of the justice system in upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding citizens’ rights, the summit aims to address persistent challenges such as trial delays and prison congestion. Despite commendable progress in strengthening access to justice, certain segments of the population, including women, children, and persons with disabilities, still face barriers to effective justice.
The inaugural summit held in 2017 resulted in the adoption of Nigeria’s pioneering National Policy on Justice (NPJ) 2017, a robust framework designed to tackle the myriad issues plaguing the country’s justice sector. With a focus on achieving equitable, fair, and efficient administration of justice, NPJ 2017 aims to enhance access to justice, promote transparency, strengthen legal protections, and ensure the timely delivery of justice.
Distinguished attendees at the forthcoming summit, scheduled for April 24-25, 2024, will include Chief Judges, Attorneys-General, and Solicitors-General from Nigeria’s 36 states, convened under the esteemed Chairmanship of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola. The event will be inaugurated by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will see the participation of prominent figures from the legal fraternity, the legislative branch, and beyond.

International IDEA is the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, which is funded by the European Union. The RoLAC II Programme aims to contribute to the consolidation of rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. With a focus on enhancing the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery, the Programme promotes transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the Nigerian justice sector. Building on the achievements of the previous RoLAC I Programme, RoLAC II aligns with the objectives of the EU – Federal Republic of Nigeria Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2022-2027. It aims to further consolidate the justice sector and anti-corruption reforms, reduce gender-based violence, and promote respect for human rights.

The Federal Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International DEA) and other development partners, convened a National Justice Summit to foster dialogue and reimagine justice delivery in Nigeria.

The justice system in Nigeria has continued to play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding citizens’ rights. Nigeria has made commendable progress to strengthen access to justice, but challenges that include trial delays, and prison congestion persist, with several, especially women, children and persons with disability not enjoying effective access to justice.

To address these issues and drive comprehensive reform was the reason for the convocation of the National Justice Summit, which is a gathering of key stakeholders in Nigeria’s justice system. The first summit held in 2017 and resulted in the adoption of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Justice (NPJ), a well thought out response to myriad problems that bedeviled Nigeria’s justice sector.

The NPJ 2017 offered a comprehensive framework for achieving equitable, fair and efficient administration of Justice. Its aim was to enhance access to justice for all, promote transparency, strengthen legal protections and ensure timely delivery of justice.

Five years later, the NPJ is now undergoing revision. Under the banner of the National Justice Summit 2024, Chief Judges, Attorneys-General, Solicitors-General from Nigeria’s 36 states will convene under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, to adopt the revised National Policy on Justice 2024. The Summit, which will hold on April 24-25, 2024, will be declared open by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will have the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and members of the legal fraternity among others in attendance.

RoLAC II’s contributions to the National Policy on Justice aim to improve the legal framework for criminal justice delivery in Nigeria, move state interventions in the criminal justice sector towards resolving perennial trial delays and prison congestion in a sustainable manner, and access to justice for women, children, and persons with disabilities. Once adopted, the National Policy on Justice will be the roadmap that guides government, civil society and donor interventions for justice delivery in Nigeria.

International IDEA is the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, which is funded by the European Union. The RoLAC II Programme aims to contribute to the consolidation of rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. With a focus on enhancing the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery, the Programme promotes transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the Nigerian justice sector. Building on the achievements of the previous RoLAC I Programme, RoLAC II aligns with the objectives of the EU – Federal Republic of Nigeria Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2022-2027. It aims to further consolidate the justice sector and anti-corruption reforms, reduce gender-based violence, and promote respect for human rights.

Amidst the legal fireworks on the warrant of arrest on former Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, and the restraining order issued by the Kogi State High Court, a coalition of anti-corruption groups led by the Anti-Corruption and Research-Based Data Initiative (ARDI) have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to follow due process in the prosecution of the former governor.

Bello is under investigation over alleged embezzlement of N80.2 billion.

On Tuesday, a judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered the EFCC to serve the money laundering charges against the former governor through his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed.

Nwite, relying on section 382(4) and (5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), also ordered Mr Mohammed, having announced an unconditional appearance for the former governor, to accept service on behalf of the defendant.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the publicity director of the Anti-corruption and Research-based Initiative (ARDI), Mr Nwabueze Anyanwu, who led a coalition of CSOs, said the groups had, over the last few weeks, followed with keen interest the current impasse between the EFCC and Bello, which culminated in the raid on his private residence in Abuja.

He said the Coalition’s “concern hinges on the need for both parties to work within the ambit of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to avoid subjecting the War on Corruption in this country to further odium in the eyes of right-thinking people, as well as do our bit to avert the ongoing and needless overheating of our polity.”

The coalition claimed that the anti-graft agency has not extended to Bello the customary investigation to visit her offices for the purposes of assisting her in any investigations

It stressed that it could not also find evidence anywhere, no matter how remote, where the Commission has asserted that she did extend such an invitation to him.

Ozugbi said the coalition knows that the Commission would usually send an invitation letter, and often several reminders, to a respondent in any petition before even seeking warrants of arrest, and certainly long before taking drastic actions like the raid it conducted last Thursday.

He added: “The attempt by officers of the EFCC to arrest Alhaji Yahaya Bello is in flagrant disregard of a subsisting court order that comprehensively bars her from doing so based on a determination that their actions in the entire circumstances of the case amount to actual and threatened breach of all of his fundamental human rights

“The EFCC is currently at the Appeal Court to challenge that subsisting order of the High Court of Kogi State and the Appellate Court has insisted that parties should maintain the status quo pending determination of the appeal. We are convinced that the EFCC has breached both the principles of the sanctity of court orders and the pendency of suits by her subsequent actions.

“This informs our conclusion that the EFCC’s raid on Yahaya Bello’s Residence at No. 9 Benghazi Street, Zone 4, Wuse, Abuja, on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, is in disobedience of subsisting orders of courts and practice procedure, making it both regrettable and an aberration under the Rule of Law.”

It further recalled that EFCC, under the leadership of Abdul Rasheed Bawa, had previously accused Bello of hiding the sum of $20 billion as bail-out money due to Kogi State in a Sterling Bank account and for his own aggrandisement and personal enrichment

It said that from 2022, when it first became breaking news at the instance of the EFCC, till today, the agency could not substantiate that particular allegation against Bello in any court of law with the same energy with which it tried and found him guilty of it in the media.
“The sundry allegations of embezzlement of a whopping sum of N80.2bn by EFCC against Alhaji Yahaya Bello is poorly presented and appear to be politically motivated

“The EFCC, under the leadership of Abdul Rasheed Bawa (former Chairman of the Commission), had previously accused Alhaji Yahaya Bello of hiding a whooping sum of N20billion being bail-out money due to Kogi State in a Sterling Bank account, and for his own aggrandisement and personal enrichment

“From 2022, when it first became breaking news at the instance of the EFCC, till today, the agency could not substantiate that particular allegation against Alhaji Yahaya Bello in any court of law with the same energy with which it tried and found him guilty of it in the media. As it is, those allegations seem to have evaporated with the exit of Bawa as chairman, while new allegations have surfaced under the newest leadership.

“The EFCC originally alleged that the N80.2bn embezzlement occurred in September 2015, except that will put the alleged offence several months before Alhaji Yahaya Bello assumed office for the first time as Kogi State Governor, having not been an official or servant of the Kogi State Government in any capacity prior to then.

“Perhaps, confronted with the incongruity of that accusation, the Commission later amended the date to February 2016, that is, just 3 weeks after he assumed office, and by which time the records show that his administration was yet to collect its first federal allocation. The Anti-Corruption Coalition will really appreciate deeper insight from the Anti-Corruption agency on the mechanics of these charges.

“The inconsistencies in the allegations by the EFCC against Alhaji Yahaya Bello clearly show that the allegations lack substance. Moreover, the EFCC has continued a sensational media trial of Alhaji Yahaya Bello with media releases in a staccato fashion that call to question how they serve the interests of justice in the matter.”

The United States Government has criticized the arbitrary arrests of Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by security personnel in Nigeria.

In its ‘2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria,’ published Tuesday on the U.S. Department of State’s website, the U.S. highlighted concerns about lengthy pre-trial detention, denying detainees access to court, and frustrating the country’s judicial system.

The report revealed that in the prosecution of corruption cases, law enforcement and intelligence agencies did not always follow due process, resulting in the arrest of suspects without appropriate arrest and search warrants.

Regarding Emefiele’s case, the report detailed that he was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) “for investigative reasons” on June 10. 

Although a Federal High Court in Lagos granted him bail on July 25, ordering him to be held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until bail was made, the DSS attempted to arrest him again, leading to a confrontation between DSS agents and Nigerian Correctional Service officers.

Similarly, Nnamdi Kanu, designated as a leader of a government-designated terrorist organization, IPOB, was detained by the DSS on national security grounds. 

Despite being charged with treason, terrorism, and illegal possession of firearms, Kanu fled abroad in 2017 after skipping bail, only to be arrested and returned to Nigeria in 2021.

In 2022, an appeal court in Abuja dropped all charges against Kanu and ordered his release, but the federal government appealed. 

The Supreme Court overturned the appeals court ruling on December 15, stating that Kanu faced terrorism charges despite acknowledging rights violations during his arrest and extradition. Kanu remained incarcerated at the year’s end.

The report also highlighted challenges within Nigeria’s judicial system, including a shortage of trial judges, trial backlogs, endemic corruption, bureaucratic inertia, and undue political influence. 

It said delays in cases were exacerbated by logistical issues, such as the need for more vehicles to transport detainees to court and authorities losing case files.

Overall, the U.S. expressed concerns about Nigeria’s judicial system’s inadequacies, emphasizing the need for fair and transparent legal processes to uphold human rights.

Source: PoliticsNigeria

By Austen Akhagbeme

The Deputy Governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in the September 21st election in Edo State, Hon Edith Ihueghian Isokpan was on Wednesday presented to the national leadership of the Party in Abuja by the Governorship Candidate, Dr Azemhe Azena.

The leadership of the Party, led by the party leader and former Governor of Kano State, Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, applaud the choice of Hon Isokpan which, according to him, portrays the true gender-sensitive nature of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP.

The National leadership, however, discussed extensively the readiness of the Party to flag off her campaign in Edo State as Wednesday marks the official kickoff of campaigns by political parties according to the INEC guidelines.

Hon Edith Isokpan who was recently chosen as the running mate to the esteemed Dr Azemhe Azena by the party leadership in Edo State, was elated and expressed her readiness to join forces with the Governorship candidate to secure victory at the upcoming polls.

The young female politician is a thoroughbred grassroots mobilizer and popular philanthropist in Edo State.

By Austen Akhagbeme

The Governorship Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party NNPP, in the September 21st election in Edo state, Dr Azemhe Azena has Commiserated with the victims of the fire incident near Eki Osa market in Benin City.

Speaking in a statement made available to the press by his media team, the popular Televangelist berated the PDP government in Edo State for failing to give the necessary attention to the fire department in the state which has resulted in a huge loss to victims of these frequent fire incidents in the state in recent time.

The Gubernatorial aspirant recalls that “despite the huge loss recorded in the recent Eki Osa market and the unfulfilled promise of the government to compensate victims, it is most painful that this incident has added to the economic hardship of the people in the state “

Dr Azemhe Azena added that such a critical department as the fire service deserves frequent attention and upgrades of fire-fighting equipment to meet public demand. He promised to look into the challenges of the fire service department when voted into power in the upcoming governorship election in the state.

The Federal Government has announced the appointment of five new Chargé D’affaires and 12 Consuls General to the country’s mission to some countries…

The Federal Government has announced the appointment of five new Chargé D’affaires and 12 Consuls General to some of the country’s mission

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, charged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria in their new roles.

Tuggar, while noting that they were pivotal to the economic drive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressed that as seasoned career diplomats, they should shun the act of politicking and recommit themselves to their calling of diplomacy for the collective interest and development of Nigeria.

Reacting on behalf of the new appointees, the newly appointed Consul General for the Consulate in New York, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, reiterated the commitment of his colleagues to uphold the ethos of the profession and pledged to bring the much-needed investments to the country.

Jidda thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the confidence reposed in them.

The new appointees are to resume immediately.

S/N
NAME OF CHARGÉ
D’AFFAIRES (EN TITRE)
MISSION POSTED
1.
Amb. Saidu Mohammed DODO
Damascus, Syria
2.
Amb. Patrick Imoudu
IMOLOGHOME
Pyongyang, Democratic Peoples’
Republic of Korea
3.
Amb. Francisca Kemi OMAYULI
Singapore, Singapore
4.
Amb. Babagana AHMADU
Bangui, Central African Republic
5.
Amb. Mohammed MOHAMMED
Tripoli, Libya

S/N
NAME OF CONSUL GENERAL
CONUSLATE
1.
Amb. Auwalu Jega NAMADINA
Atlanta, USA
2.
Amb. Nnamdi Okechukwu NZE
Bata, Equatorial Guinea
3.
Amb. Francis Ntui ENYA
Douala, Cameroon
4.
Amb. Gbadebo AFOLABI
Shanghai, China
5.
Amb. Oludare Ezekiel FOLOWOSELE
Hong Kong, China
6.
Amb. Abubakar JIDDA
New York, USA
7.
Amb. Yakubu Audu DADU
Frankfurt, Germany
8.
Amb. Taofik Obasanjo Coker
Buea, Cameroon
9.
Amb. George Collins ONWUEKWE
Guangzhou, China
10.
Amb. Umar Ibrahim BASHIR
Johannesburg, South Africa
11.
Amb. Zayyan IBRAHIM
Dubai, UAE
12.
Amb. Muazam Ibrahim Jibrin NAYAYA
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Tuesday, charged the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to complete all ongoing and abandoned projects in the region for the benefit of the people.

Governor Oborevwori gave the charge in Asaba at the 6th Meeting of the National Council of Niger Delta (NCND) with Theme: “Stimulating Strategies For Economic Growth and Development in the Niger Delta Region”.

He said that the intervention of the agency was crucial in facilitating urban-rural integration, creating employment opportunities for the people and enabling regional economic growth.

He further remarked that the “forum is a strategic platform for states in the Niger Delta region to focus on issues and challenges of common interest, create a more dynamic and equitable arrangement for regional prosperity, and deepen our collaboration for using the region’s natural resources for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

“Let me appeal to the NDDC to take steps to urgently complete all ongoing and abandoned projects in the region.

“Indeed, the existence of the National Council on Niger Delta recognizes the interdependent nature of economic and political systems and the value of regional approach to economic development.

“Economic diversification is key to our growth aspirations. Hence, I welcome ideas on how we can reposition our agricultural economies and invest massively in critical social and economic infrastructure.

“I also expect this meeting to develop the blueprint for a more robust and effective public-private partnership to accelerate industrialisation in our various states.”

Oborevwori stressed that urgent steps needed to be taken in addressing the protracted problems of poverty, unemployment, and inequality in the region.

“By far the biggest challenge confronting us is the ugly spectre of youth unemployment, with the attendant effect of youth restiveness. The region boasts of a vast army of jobless young graduates, a clear and present danger to our collective peace and security.

“Urgent interventions are, therefore, needed to get the youth productively engaged. While the various states in the region have embarked on youth entrepreneurship development programmes, there is a compelling need for the Federal Government to work closely with the states to develop sustainable youth engagement programmes.

“Here in Delta State, the services sector accounts for over fifty percent of the non-oil economy, followed by agriculture twenty-seven per cent, and manufacturing nineteen per cent to the State’s GDP.

“Thus, we are equipping our youths not only with employability skills but also with the technical and vocational skills to participate in business, trade, and commerce.

“As we navigate our way through the current national economic crisis, it behoves on us to prioritize the development of agricultural value chains in our areas of comparative advantage, notably aquaculture, oil palm, cassava, rice, and maize.

“It is my considered view that these are areas needing urgent attention and follow-up for our dreams for the economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region to become reality,” the Governor added.

In his remarks, President Bola Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, said the focus of the Council was in tandem with his administration’s objectives in the renewed hope agenda.

He said the renewed hope agenda is focused on bringing hope to all Nigerians in the trying period. He appealed to the people of the region to be patient on the infrastructural development of the region, adding that his administration had developed a holistic plan for the overall development of the oil rich region.

Chairman Progressives Governor’s Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma called for ideological based conversation on the overall development of the region and urged the NDDC to call a meeting of Governors of the nine states of the Niger Delta to discuss the way forward on Niger Delta Development.

Earlier, Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh thanked Governor Oborevwori for hosting the National Council meeting, adding that the Council was working assiduously with other stakeholders to improve on infrastructural development and human capital development in the region in line with President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

While heeding to Gov. Oborevwori’s advise, the Minister assured that the Ministry would work with the NDDC to complete all ongoing and abandoned projects across the region.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intercepted in Abuja 10 suspected victims of human trafficking, purportedly being sponsored for illegal migration abroad.

The victims were accosted at Zuba motor park, Abuja, by officers of the FCT command of the NSCDC, following a tip off on their return from Minna, Niger State, where they had gone to process their International passport as directed by their sponsor.

The victims whose age bracket was between 24 and 34 years, consisted of a male and nine females, and all claimed to be indigenes of Ondo State.

It was gathered that each of them paid N80,000 to facilitate the procurement of the International passport.

According to a statement on Monday by the spokesman of the FCT Command of the NSCDC, Samuel Idoko, the intercepted persons also confessed to being promised migration abroad to undertake ready made jobs, especially in North Africa and Canada by a yet to be identified sponsor who according to them, resides in Okitipupa, Ondo state.

While handing over the 10 suspected victims to the Nigeria Agency for the prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP), the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, warned Nigerians on the dangers of illegal migration abroad.

He said: “Be careful of the types of people that are promising you a better future abroad, don’t be desperate because, some of them end up ruining your lives .

“They deceive you and collect huge sums of money from you that there are ready made jobs, whereas, you may end up in slavery or forced to be sex workers.

“If you must travel abroad, follow the right channel that’ll give you rest of mind, don’t allow somebody to seize your international passport abroad, and place you under an oath that you’ll regret.”

The Commandant further stated that, the victims were handed over to NAPTIP being the agency in charge of human trafficking to carry out further investigations and actions within the ambit of the law.