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Nasarawa, NOA Move To Check Fake News

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ibrahim Angbolo

By Ayodele Oni

The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Ibrahim Angbolo has sought synergy with the National Orientation Agency, (NOA) to curb fake News.

Angbolo stated this while receiving the NOA, Nasarawa State Director, Dr Priscilla Gondoaluor on a courtesy call in Lafia, the Nasarawa state Capital.

He was of the view that partnership between the NOA and the Nasarawa state Government, among other things, will enhance the dissemination of accurate information to the public toward combating fake news in the state.

The commissioner described fake news as a great threat to national security and Nigeria’s unity.

Angbolo assured that the state government would not relent in the fight against fake news, as it repositioned the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS) and upgraded the state’s printing press to enhance the quarterly magazine and newsletter publication.

The Commissioner urged the NOA and relevant stakeholders to collaborate with the Nasarawa State Government in the fight against misinformation and disinformation being perpetuated by some unscrupulous elements.

Angbolo assured the NOA of the Ministry’s readiness for the partnership to educate the people of the state to keep them abreast of the government programmes and policies so as not to be misinformed.

The commissioner, while appreciating the NOA’s efforts in educating the public about the policies and programmes of the governments, thanked the Agency for promoting the cultural heritage of the people through several reorientation programmes.

While calling on the people of Nasarawa state to sustain support for the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule, the commissioner assured that the state government was committed to executing more projects that have a direct bearing on their lives.

Dr Priscilla Gondoaluor, Nasarawa State Director, NOA, said they were in the Ministry to seek a partnership to sensitize the public on the new National Anthem, as the agency did for the state anthem.

Dr Gondoaluor commended the Ministry’s effort in publishing quarterly magazines and newsletters, which have helped to inform the public about the government’s policies and programmes.

High Cost Of House Rent: Ekiti Partners FHA, Releases Land To Build Houses

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji - Ekiti State Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Government has approved for release 34 hectares of land for the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to build affordable houses, following soaring cost of house rent in the State.

The State Government is also exploring  other interventions to improve housing conditions in the state to make it affordable for the residents.

In response to the growing concerns raised by residents of the State about exorbitant house rents and outrageous increase of rents by property owners in the State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has taken decisive action to address the issue by initiating an engagement with Estate Agents in the State.

A Government delegation led by the Special Adviser on Mortgage and Housing, Dr. Gboyega Oloniyo, engaged with the leadership and members of the Estate, Rent, and Commission Agents Association of Nigeria (ERCAAN), Ekiti State chapter at their monthly meeting in Ado Ekiti to review their operations and activities.

Dr. Oloniyo expressed dissatisfaction with the high cost of living in the state, particularly the relentless hike in house rents.

According to him,“Many have attributed this to Estate Agents who acquire properties from landlords at low costs and lease them out at exorbitant rates. This deprives average citizens of access to decent housing.”

Oloniyo pointed out that agents and landlords have inflicted pains on their tenants unnecessarily noting that shelter is essential and must be available, accessible and affordable .

The Director-General of the Office of Community Communications, Mrs. Mary Oso-Omosotso, emphasized the need for guidelines and regulations to curb alleged extortion by the association, which they attributed to quacks infiltrating their ranks.

“Any business that does not solve problems is not a business,” she stressed, while urging the association to cooperate with the government to achieve the shared prosperity vision of Governor Oyebanji

The association members expressed their gratitude to the Governor for visiting them and giving them opportunity of engagement.

They acknowledged the validity of the public complaints and admitted that bad actors were operating within their ranks and would cooperate with government to flush them out.

They also pointed out that some landlords are part of the problem, as they build houses even in slums and lease them out at high prices similar to houses in more developed areas.

They expressed their readiness to work with the government to sanitize their operations and to apprehend errant members.

2027: “Sack Tinubu, Lose Nigeria” Shehu Sani Warns The North

By
Ayodele Oni
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Sani Shehu and Buhari and Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

A former Senator, Shehu Sani, has warned Northern politicians that there will be no Nigeria if Tinubu is voted out of power by the North in the 2027 Presidential Election.

Even though 2027 is three years away, politicians are already meeting and planning ahead. And according to Senator Sani,

Northern politicians are seriously regrouping with a view to wrestling power from President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

He, however has a warning for them: Abandon the plans to evict President Tinubu from office in the 2027 Presidential elections.

Apparently, Shehu Sani’s view, which he had earlier made a few days ago in an X post,  may not be unconnected with recent series of meetings some top Northern political leaders have been having woth former President Muhammadu Buhari. The meetings have sparked speculations that their meetings were centred on the 2027 election.

Sani, in an interview with Arise TV, said the move to unseat Tinubu in the next election will negatively affect the unity of Nigeria.

The former Senator advised Northern leaders to plug into the policies and programmes of Tinubu’s administration that will benefit the Northern part of Nigeria, which has been grappling with insecurity and poverty, amongst other problems, instead of trying to gain more political power.

He said: “There is evidence of rallying of forces, regrouping of forces- political forces from the North- trying to use former President Buhari as a rallying point in order to evict the government of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

“They hope to resurrect his political chance in the house of the masses and portray the government as one that has been undermining the North and one that has not been living up to its campaign promises to the region being that it has its highest votes from there. And I must warn that attempts to do that can create a serious problem for our country.

“Buhari has been in power for eight years and there has never been any serious Southerner that challenged his own government in terms of trying to remove him out of office.

“And secondly, we should know that before you think of power, we should think of the whole country. We should be thinking of a united country, a peaceful country. Nigeria is still a fragile nation.

“What will happen if Southern politicians decide to also form the idea of uniting themselves and making a position that this is their stand? There will be no Nigeria.”

Rivers Crisis: “Don’t Hold Unto Power Once Your Tenure Expires” – Mrs Goodluck-Jonathan

By
The Source
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Patience Jonathan and Fubara and Wike

By Charles Igbo

“…holding unto power after expiration of your tenure is an invitation to violence and anarchy” – Mrs Jonathan.

For the first time since the Rivers State political crisis began, former Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck-Jonathan, has weighed in with a solution.

The State has been engulfed in crisis for about nine months and counting following a serious disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Wike was instrumental to the occupation, by Fubara, of the Governor’s office. But the two fell out, allegedly, over Wike’s desire to completely control the Governor to the extent that Fubara had no right to appoint anybody into any office in the State.

Things have since got to a head between the two, and a once-caged Fubara, now free, has found his feet, and is stumping them gradually but steadily.

However, a relentless Wike who still has his imprint on every aspect of Governance in the State – House of Assembly, Local Government Council Members – is, allegedly, using his foot soldiers to oil the crisis.

For instance, to keep his influence at the LG level intact, Wike’s loyalists who are in the majority in the House of Assembly, decided,  unconstitutionally, to extend the three-year tenure of the Council Chairmen and Councillors by six months.

However, a Court had since declared it unconstitutional and Governor Fubara has appointed Caretaker Committee Members to run the LGAs until an election is held.

But the former Council Members refused to leave office. Flushed out by angry youths, the Police moved in,  occupied the Headquarters of the LGAs, thus, denying  the Caretaker Committee Members access to their offices. The result is the protests and counter protests in the State, sprinkled with a dose of violence in some areas. A couple of deaths, including two Policemen has been recorded, and this order day, there was a blast from an explosive in front of Hotel Presidential while a pro- Police occupation of LGA Headquarters protest was going on.

Weighing in on the situation which threatens to worsen, unless a decisive action is taken to stem the tide, Mrs Jonathan, a proud daughter of the State, has pleaded with both Governor Fubara and Minister Wike to sheat the swords and allow peace to reign. “It is time for governance”, she advised because “election is over”.

In what can be interpreted as a rebuke of Wike and the LGA Council Members, Mrs Jonathan said that continuing to stay in office after the expiration of one’s tenure is an invitation to “violence and anarchy.”

Said the former First Lady: “We, at this point plead that election has come and gone, and now is the time for governance.

“As a peace advocate, I will like to call on the warring parties in Rivers State to sheath their swords and give peace a chance knowing fully that no development can take place in an atmosphere of chaos.

“As a political office holder, remember that power is transient, and it will end someday.

“Therefore, holding unto power after expiration of your tenure is an invitation to violence and anarchy.”

For the records, as Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Jonathan was one of those who propelled Wike to the office of the Governor of Rivers State.

We Will Work Towards Rejigging NDPHC For  Sustainable Solutions To Power Challenges – Gov Radda Pledges

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Umar Dikko Radda - Governor of Katstina State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Katsina State Governor, Umar Dikko  Radda, has expressed the optimism that his appointment to the Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company NDPHC alongside five other Governors will assist in repositioning the outfit and improve power supply situation in the country.

This is even as he lauded President Bola Tinubu for his foresight in making the appointments.

The President on Thursday June 27 ,appointed six State Governors to serve on the Board of the power generating giant to help in rejigging its fortunes.

Other Governors appointed to represent their various geo-political zones are Hope Uzodinma, Imo, Prof Babagana Zulum Borno, Biodun Oyebanji, Ekiti, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Kwara, and Pastor Umo Eno Akwa Ibom State.

The appointments which were approved by the National Economic Council, NEC, at its meeting on Thursday, June 27, 2024, is part of a strategic move to strengthen the power company’s leadership and enhance its operational effectiveness, according to a statement issued by the Katsina State Governor’s spokesperson ,Ibrahim Kaula Mohemmed on Friday June 28.

Governor Radda pledged to bring his wealth of experience and understanding of the unique power needs of the Northwest region to bear on his new role.

While assuring of working towards sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s power sector, Governor Radda noted that the appointments underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the country’s power challenges,through a collaborative approach  leveraging expertise and regional insights of state Governors .

” I am deeply honoured by this appointment and the trust reposed in me by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu .This role presents an opportunity to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s power sector and,by extension ,our national development.

“I am committed to working diligently with my fellow Board Members to advance the objectives of the NDPHC and improve power supply across our nation .

“The inclusion of State Governors on the Board demonstrates the president’s commitment to collaborative governance and his recognition of the crucial roles states play in national development.

“I assure all Nigerians that we will work tirelessly to deliver on the Renewed Hope Mandate for our collective benefits.” the Katsina State Governor stated.

Family Of  Shuaibu, Allegedly, Tortured To Death At Airforce  Reference Hospital, Demands  N550 Million Compensation

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Yusuf Shuaibu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The family  members of  Yusuf Shuaibu, allegedly  killed by a Nigerian Airforce, NAF, personnel have slammed a N550 million suit against his suspected killer and the NAF .

The Source reports that Shuaibu, 23, a casual employee of the Nigerian Airforce Reference Hospital Kano died on May 1, 2024 after he was, allegedly, severely  tortured by one Sergeant Aminu Ibrahim.

In an originating summon filed at the National Industrial Court, Kano Division, the deceased family is seeking a declaration by the Court that “the severe physical assault, battery and torture of Yusuf Shuaibu by Sergeant Ibrahim, in the course of of Shuaibu’s employment on May 1,  2024,  at 465 NAF Hospital Kano  by several punches ,head-butting and marching him to unconsciousness, actions  medically established to have caused traumatic blunt head injury ,cerebral oedemic and diffuse axonal injury, thereby leading to the deceased’s untimely death constitute a violation of the deceased’s fundamental rights to life as guaranteed under section  33 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended).”

In the originating summon filed by A. A. Hakima and Co. the deceased family is  also seeking a declaration that the Respondents’ act of forcefully subjecting the deceased to compulsory duty/work at the 465 NAF Hospital Kano after the deceased’s working hours amounted to forced labour outlawed by section 34 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended).

Respondents’ act of preventing the deceased from leaving and exiting the premises of the 465 NAF Hospital Kano ,after the deceased’s working hours amounted to a flagrant violation of the deceased’s right to freedom of movement protected by sections 35 and 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended).

Based on the above reasons, the deceased’s family is, therefore, seeking”  an order of the Court awarding it the sum of  N5 ,000,000( five hundred million ) payable by the Respondents jointly and severally as compensation and damages for the violation of the deceased’s rights as enshrined in sections 33,34,and 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999( as amended).

“An order directing the Respondents jointly and severally to pay the sum of N50 million as exemplary damages to deter similar acts of violence and abuse of power in the future by the Respondents .

“An order directing the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) to subject the 1st Respondent to disciplinary action in strict accordance with the laws and regulations governing the 1st Respondent’s instant action.

“An order directing the Respondents to issue a public apology to the deceased’s family, and any further order as the Honourable Court may deem fit to grant in the interest of justice”.

Supreme Court Affirms Francis Atuche’s Conviction Over N29.5bn Fraud

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Francis Atuche

By Akinwale Kasali

After years of trial,  the Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB Plc, Francis Atuche, over a-N25.7 billion fraud.

In a unanimous decision, the Apex Court held that Atuche, the Appellant, failed to dislodge the finding of the trial Court which convicted him and the Court of Appeal which affirmed the conviction.

The verdict of the Supreme Court brings the criminal charge to finality after over a decade.

Justice M.A.A. Adumein, who gave the lead judgment stated that the Supreme Court relied on its previous decisions that where the judgment of a trial Court on the demeanour of a party or witness is supported by the documentary evidence tendered, an Appellate Court has no business in tampering with the decision of the Court.

In conclusion, the Court held that the Appellant did not give it any reason to tamper with the concurrent finding of the two lower courts.

Atuche, his wife, Elizabeth, and the bank’s former Chief Financial Officer, Ugo Anyanwu, were in 2011 arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Okunnu of the High Court of Lagos State

They were prosecuted by EFCC prosecutor, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) on a 27-count amended information for their involvement in a N25.7 billion fraud.

The fraudulent activities of Atuche and Bank PHB was exposed by former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, during the N25 Billion recapitalization of Banks in Nigeria.

This also led to the sack of Erastus Akingbola as MD of defunct Intercontinental Bank and Cecilia Ibru, MD of defunct Oceanic Bank.

Anambra: Pastor Defiles 7-Year Old House Help

By
Ayodele Oni
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Francis Ogwu - General Overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church in Awka

By Ayodele Oni

Anambra state government has confirmed the arrest of a pastor and General Overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church in Awka, Francis Ogwu, for allegedly defiling his seven-year-old house help.

It was gathered that the General Overseer was arrested following an alarm raised by concerned residents of Awka.

The media aide to Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

Ikeanyionwu explained that the pastor, who hails from Imo State, has been living in Anambra State with his wife and children for over 30 years.

She stated that Ogwu confessed to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, that he “just fingered the girl once”.

The General Overseer was said to have denied allegations of penetration as against what the seven-year-old victim said.

Ogwu attributed his action to temptation, saying his wife usually denied him sex and that she made excuses of fasting whenever he desired her.

The seven-year-old girl, who narrated her side of the story, said the pastor had carnal knowledge of her over three times.

She informed the commissioner that Ogwu usually gave her money ranging from N500 to N1,000 after each experience saying at some point, she was accused by the pastor’s wife of snatching the pastor from her.

The girl noted that what prompted her to leave was the beating she got by the suspect’s daughter at any slightest mistake.

Speaking, the mother of the victim, a native of Awka, Destiny Nwabueze, stated that she handed the daughter over to the General Overseer’s family due to their cordial relationship over time.

Nwabueze said she was shocked when her daughter returned and told her of the alleged defilement.

She revealed that she quickly called the pastor, who upon arrival denied the allegations, which prompted her to involve other people by raising the alarm.

Reacting to the incident, Obinabo said she would ensure the seven-year-old gets justice.

The commissioner advised women to always be vigilant over their husbands’ behaviours.

She also enjoined women to stop starving their husbands sex, saying that could lead to bad behaviour for some men.

Obinabo, who urged women to always protect their girl child at all costs, noted that defilement was no longer an excuse in Anambra State.

JAMB Releases Results Of 28,835, Candidates

By
Ayodele Oni
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JAMB Students

By Ayodele Oni

Candidates that were biometrically shut out and those caught cheating during the unified examination of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB ) in April now have cause to smile.

The students, numbering 28,835 were unable to write the qualifying examination for admission into tertiary institutions, as they failed the biometric test of the body.

They were however offered another opportunity by JAMB to sit for their examination last week.

JAMB has released the results of candidates, who participated in the supplementary Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted between Friday, 21st and Saturday, 22nd June, 2024.

A statement signed by spokesman of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, on Friday, said the supplementary examination was conducted for 28,835 candidates, who were unable to be biometrically verified during the main 2024 UTME and were, therefore, unable to take their examination.

Similarly, the other category of candidates were those suspected to have been involved in examination malpractices during the main UTME, but who were given a second chance to sit the examination.

The exercise, which recorded a huge success nationwide, was marked by heightened security measures put in place by the Board to preclude any instance of examination infractions.

“As such, some nefarious characters, who had attempted to impersonate bona fide candidates were apprehended and handed over to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and prosecution.”

The examination body assured of its readiness to ensure that no candidate benefit from any acts of infractions through the deployment of state-of-the-art technology before, during and after its examinations.

“Candidates are, therefore, urged in their own interest to refrain from engaging in any form of irregularities during their examinations.

“They are also enjoined to desist from soliciting score upgrade from fraudsters or engage in the mutilation of their result sheets while trying to generate fake result sheets with higher scores.”

Cholera Outbreak: Rivers State Records Two Deaths, 16 Survivors, Currently, No New Cases – Dr Oreh

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Dr Adaeze Oreh - Rivers Commissioner for Health

By Akinwale Kasali

Rivers State Government has announced the death of two people as a result of cholera outbreak in the country.

Dr Adaeze Oreh, the State Commissioner for Health, in a  Press Statement she personally signed  clarified that two people were confirmed dead, while 16  survived the recent cholera outbreak in parts of Rivers State.

Oreh added that at the moment, there were no cases of cholera in the State.

She explained that the incident in the State was recorded in three communities within Andoni Local Government Area, and stated  that the two people died of symptoms suspicious of cholera.

The Health Commissioner stated that all the cases were recorded within the past four weeks while the ailment was ravaging other states of the nation, adding that two people tested positive for the ailment.

She said: “Cholera remains a major public health concern, particularly in sub–Saharan Africa. Nigeria, and indeed, Rivers State, have not been spared from sporadic cases of, especially, short-lived rural outbreaks.

“Regarding the past four weeks in the State, we have had about 16 suspected cases of acute watery diarrhoea across three communities in coastal areas of Andoni Local Government Area, with two associated deaths.

“The scenario was rapidly resolved, and two samples tested positive for cholera by screening tool with a rapid diagnostic test (not confirmed by culture).”

Oreh opined that currently there are no known active cases of cholera in the State, but urged residents  to maintain good hygiene.

She said, “So far, there are currently no active cases or any outbreak of cholera or acute water diarrhoea in the State. Using seasonal outbreak modelling, we have pre-positioned commodities around historical hot spots, built capacity of health personnel, and commenced community health education for safe hygienic practices.

“State surveillance is at an all high for triggers and suspected cases. The infectious disease treatment centre at Rivers State University, which is marked for upgrade to an Infectious Disease Institute, is ready and able to manage cases in the case of any eventuality.

“Let me assure you of the State Government’s  commitment to adequately support, respond to, and contain these priority diseases”, she stated.

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