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PSC Says It Has Not Cancelled 2022 Police Recruitment Exercise

June 26, 2024

The Police Service Commission has just concluded a routine maintenance of its portal containing the list of successful candidates for the recently concluded recruitment into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Commission wishes to disown a statement circulating in social media alleging that it has succumbed to pressure and cancelled the final list of successful candidates.

The Commission has not, and will not, cancel the final list of successful candidates from the recruitment exercise which was conducted in clear adherence to relevant guidelines and provisions of the law.

The Commission is in control of the situation and has since restored the Recruitment portal with its original contents.

Successful candidates are advised to ignore this deliberate antics of desperate groups bent on destroying the good work of the Commission in giving the nation a merit based and inclusive recruitment exercise.

It notes that it will continue to ensure that Federal character, gender sensitivity and merit are the bedrock of its recruitment process.

The Commission calls on these disgruntled elements to desist further from undermining the recruitment exercise as any one caught will be dealt with.

The Commission restates that the portal is now fully functional and accessible. Candidates can now log in and access all its features without any disruptions.

The Commission regrets the hitches and assures that it has fully secured the platform.

Persons Living With Disability In Ondo Ask Governor Aiyedatiwa To Remove Agency Head

Ayodele Oni

June 25, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Persons with disability who are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state have accused their chairman of neglecting them, while allegedly diverting their entitlements.

But the State Chairperson of the Agency for People with disability, Folasade Arise has defended herself and insisted her office has not received anything from the State Government this year.

The disabled persons under

Ondo State All Progressives Congress Elders Forum of persons with disability demanded the removal of the chairperson as a pre condition for voting for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa during November poll.

The Disabled APC Elders Forum spoke during their protest to the Alagbaka governor’s office to press for the sack of Princess Folashade Arise as Chairperson of People Living with Disabilities Agency.

They asked Governor Aiyedatiwa to sack her if he wanted them to vote during the election.

The placard-carrying protesters accused Princess Arise of manipulation, deceit and neglect of responsibilities.

Chairman of the Disabled APC Elders Forum, Micheal Ben, said Arise has caused harm and suffering to the people she was supposed to serve.

Ben explained that the past seven years of Arise in the agency has been suffocating for them.

He stated that there has been an alleged diversion of funds and resources meant for the benefit of people living with disabilities.

According to him, ” We have noticed deceitful tactics to silence and intimidate critics and whistleblowers as well as neglect of duties, leading to a lack of progress and improvement in the lives of people living with disabilities.

“All the things government released to us were not given to us. We urge the Governor to take immediate action to address this situation and rescue the agency from the current leadership.

“He should appoint a new leader who is committed to serving the needs of people living with disabilities and take steps to restore the agency’s purpose and integrity.

“We will mobilize not to vote if she is not removed.”

Princess Arise while defending the allegations said the fund being referred to by the Elder’s Forum was not approved.

She explained that the agency has not received any funding since the beginning of the year.

“I have not done any programme since the beginning of this year. In our programme, I carried everybody along including the Albinos. There was no money that was embezzled or misused.”

Nigerian Customs Mourns Officer Who Collapsed And Died At NASS, Extends Condolences To Family

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 25, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, expressed deep sorrow over the death of one its officers Deputy Comptroller Etop Andrew Essien.

DC Essien, who slumped and died during a public hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts earlier of Tuesday, was until his death in charge of the reconciliation of revenue for the NCS .

In a statement issued by the National spokesperson NSC, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, the Comptroller General, CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on behalf of officers and men of the Service extended condolences to the family of the late DC Essien.

Following is the full text of the NCS statement.

It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announces the passing of Deputy Comptroller Etop Andrew Essien, who served as the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Revenue in the Account Unit of the service. Deputy Comptroller Essien, who was in charge of the reconciliation of revenue for the service, passed away on the 25th of June 2024 while making presentation before the National Assembly House Committee on Public Accounts.

During his presentation, approximately three minutes in, Deputy Comptroller Essien requested water and showed signs of discomfort. Despite immediate efforts to assist him, he unfortunately passed away.

Deputy Comptroller Essien was born on the 16th of November 1967 and joined the Nigeria Customs Service on the 27th of November 1989 with over three decades of service to our nation. Hailing from Nsit-Ubium in Akwa Ibom State, he was known for his diligence and exceptional service record in the Accounts Unit. His role as the DC Revenue was pivotal in ensuring the accurate reconciliation of revenue, which he performed with utmost precision and dedication.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, On behalf of the entire officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Deputy Comptroller Essien. “The loss of such a dedicated and valued team member is deeply felt across the Service. We are committed to supporting and assisting his family and colleagues as they navigate this difficult period.”

The CGC stated, “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. His exemplary service and unwavering commitment to duty will be remembered and cherished by the entire NCS community. The Nigeria Customs Service will forever remember Deputy Comptroller Essien for his outstanding contributions, his exemplary service, and his dedication to the nation. We honour his memory, and his legacy will continue to inspire us all.”

Deputy Comptroller Essien is survived by his loving wife and children. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Abdullahi Maiwada

Chief Superintendent of Customs

National Public Relations Officer

For: Comptroller General of Customs

25 June 2024

Kano Emirate Crisis, Rumoured Deposition Of Sultan: “Respect Our Traditional Institutions” Atiku Urges Governors

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 25, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Amidst the festering Kano Emirate Royal Crisis, the alleged plots to unseat the Sultan of Sokoto, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the last general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called for a clear cut constitutional roles for the country’s traditional institutions.

This is even as he has appealed to State Governors to accord all the necessary respect to the offices of Traditional Institutions, much as the constitution of Nigeria does not ascribe any recognition to them.

In a statement he issued on Tuesday, June 25 ,2024, on his official site, the Waziri Adamawa, noted that the traditional institutions had been part and parcel of the governance structure in the country, even before the advent of colonialism.

Alhaji Abubakar warned that so long as traditional institutions are unstable, the task of maintaining peace and order will continue to be difficult particularly in the local communities.

He insisted that the traditional institutions must be protected from the arbitrariness of Governors, who have been threatening their stability in recent times .

“Recent developments in the country have seen a growing tendency of State Governments exerting influence in distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools.

“It is a reality that stares us in the face from every corner of the country. While it is understandable that the institutions of traditional rulership is in the exclusive purview of the State Governments, although through the Local Government Authorities, it must be established that Traditional Institutions constitute a component of our governance structure .

“And thus, traditional institutions must be protected from the arbitrariness of State Governments that threaten their stability.

“When the structure of ascension of traditional rulers is unstable, it will become equally difficult to maintain peace and orderliness in Communities.

“Although, our constitution in its current format does not ascribe any recognition to traditional institutions ,yet our experiences show clearly that they perform enormous roles in the economic life of their domain ,as well as maintenance of peace and security in communities .

“I wish to remind that the traditional institutions formed the governance structure before the advent of colonialists.

“And they governed well. Consequently, they are institutions we must protect and preserve and not destroy.

“It is, therefore, on this basis that I lean towards the advocacy that calls for constitutional reform that will not just recognize traditional institutions in our body of laws, but also define the responsibilities of their offices .

“This reform is even more important in view of the collective drive to stem the ugly tide of terrorism and sundry security challenges at the local levels” Atiku Abubakar stated.

EFCC Tenders 794 Page Bank Transactions Document As Evidence Against Willy Obiano

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 25, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

After having his no-case submission finally dismissed, the formal trial of immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Willy Obiano, over alleged corrupt activities, resumed at an Abuja High Court on Tuesday June 25, 2024.

Obiano, who presided over the affairs of Anambra State, between 2014 and 2021, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC for an alleged diversion and misappropriation of N 4 billion security vote .

Obiano had earlier entered a no-case submission, insisting that the allegations against him were not substantiated

But Justice Inyang Ekwo, while dismissing the no-case application in March 2024, held that the Court will only be able to establish if the charges against him are premised on strong evidences and/or not, when he is put on trial proper.

At Tuesday’s hearing, the anti graft agency presented two witnesses, Mrs Chinwe Patricia Egbunna an Onitsha based business woman and a banker, Tochukwu Aloysius .

Bank transactions documents totaling about 794 pages were also tendered by the lead prosecution counsel Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, as evidence and subsequently admitted as Exhibit PW-1.

Also tendered were another set of documents detailing the debts incurred on the various accounts allegedly used to launder the N4 billion.

However, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, the Defence Counsel said his client will, during the final part of his address, raise objections to the Exhibits tendered and admitted.

In the nine count charge ,the EFCC alleged among others that Obiano, while holding sway as the Governor illegally withdrew the sum of N4 billion from the Anambra State Government account, which was converted to foreign currencies and handed over to him personally.

Most of the transactions were allegedly effected from the office of the state’s Accountant General ,with a substantial part of the funds coming the internally generated revenue IGR of the state

Hearing on the matter will continue on Wednesday June 26, 2024.

“Re-acquire Heritage Bank”, Afenifere Tells Ondo State Government

Ayodele Oni

June 25, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Chapter of the Pan Yoruba Socio-political Organisation, Afenifere, has charged Ondo State Government to spare no effort to re-acquire Heritage Bank, which has been liquidated and currently being run by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

The Group also urged the Federal Government to intervene by mandating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reverse recent suspension of Heritage Bank licence.

Afenifere, Ondo State chapter, described the former Owena Bank and now Heritage bank as one of the economic legacies of first Civilian Governor of Ondo state, late Pa Adekunle Ajasin,

The group took the decision at its periodic meeting held in Akure, and was presided over by the State Chairman, Chief Korede Duyile and attended by chieftains of the organisation.

Reading the meeting’s Communique to newsmen, the State Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr Eric Oluwole, said Ondo State Chapter of Afenifere also said, that “the Ondo State Government should liase with the Federal Government to revive all the economic legacies floated by the Adekunle Ajasin administration, while the State should take necessary action towards the acquisition of heritage bank.

“The legacies include the license of the Heritage Bank and we advise the Ondo State Government to reverse it to its original founding fathers that is the Ondo State Government.

“Other industries include ceramic industry, Okitipupa Oil company, and others. Afenifere commended the state government for not relenting its effort on the security especially the Amotekun outfit floated by the former Governor of Ondo State, late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“Afenifere advises the Government to adopt as part of its education policies, the Yoruba language and history as compulsory subjects to be taught at the primary and secondary schools.

“Afenifere urges the people of the state to massively return to the farm and embark on aggressive planting in order to address high rate of food shortage facing the state.”

Nigeria Army Speaks On Recruitment Of Islamic Fundamentalists, Says No Religious Bigotry In Military

Ayodele Oni

June 25, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigerian Army (NA) says it remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and impartiality as an institution devoid of ethnic and religious bigotry.

Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated this on Tuesday, while reacting to an audio visual recording purportedly showing a misleading report suggesting that the Nigerian Army is recruiting Islamic fundamentalists and jihadists.

Nwachukwu, in the statement, revealed that the footage also falsely portrayed an officer calling on Muslim young men to join the military to protect and propagate Islam.

“Considering the gravity of these falsehood, the NA wishes to clearly state that the narrative depicted in the footage is not in any instance a reflection of the true values and standards of the NA.

“It is targeted at sparking palpable anxiety and fear, sowing discord and mistrust amongst our personnel, eroding public confidence in the integrity of the NA, particularly among Christian and non-Muslim communities, who might feel their lives and faith are under threat, and ultimately engender religious crisis in the country.

“The Nigerian Army, NA remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and impartiality as an institution devoid of ethnic and religious bigotry.

“Our operational and administrative processes and actions are guided by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not ethnicity or religious sentiments.

“We, therefore, urge the public to dismiss this misleading report, which evidently stems from a misconception and lack of understanding about NA’s Standing Operating Procedures (SOP).

“It is crucial to reiterate that any deviation from the NA’s SOP is met with appropriate disciplinary action, regardless of the personnel’s religious affiliation.

“We call on all citizens to rise above these divisive tactics and stand united. The strength of Nigeria lies in her unity in diversity, and it is this unique national strength and trait that the NA seeks to protect while carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

“We will remain undaunted in upholding these principles in the face of any challenge.

“The NA remains committed to serving and protecting all Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations. Let us work together to maintain the peace and unity of our great nation.”

Breaking: Tragedy Hits NASS As Customs Comptroller Slumps, Dies

Tosin Olatokunbo

June 25, 2024

Tragedy struck the National Assembly, NASS, on Tuesday as a Deputy Controller of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, died while fielding questions from lawmakers.

The deceased, Esien Etop Andrew, until his demise was the deputy comptroller of finance administration and technical service at NCS.

Sources in NASS informed the magazine that Andrew was fielding questions from members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Account when he suddenly coughed and fell down from his seat.

He was immediately rushed to NASS clinic where he later gave up the ghost.

Authorities in Wale Adeniyi-led NCS told the magazine that the cause of his death has yet to be known.

Update: Nigerian Customs Mourns Officer Who Collapsed And Died At NASS, Extends Condolences To Family

Abia: ABSUTH Staff Protest 21 Months Salary Arrears, Plus Non Payment of April/May Wages, Say: We Are Hungry”

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 25, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Medical and Health Workers at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, embarked on a protest march, to press home their request for the payment of their April and May salaries.

They also demanded the payments of their accumulated 21 months’ Salary arrears.

The Source reports that Governor Alex Otti of Abia State had, during his regular Media chat on Friday, June 21, 2024, informed that all segments of the State workforce are up to date in the payment of their salaries.

Governor Otti also noted that since mounting the saddle in May 2023, his administration has been paying salaries of workers promptly and regularly.

However, his claims were disputed on Saturday, June 22, by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, of the State-owned University in Uturu.

In a statement jointly issued by Dr Chidi Mba and Dr Victor Obisike Chairman and Secretary, respectively, ASUU- ABSU noted that the reality on ground is different from the impression being created by the Governor.

The Union, therefore, called on the Government to refrain from politicizing the issue of salary payments at ABSU as peoples health, family needs and other critical issues like workers productivity are dependent on it.

The ABSUTH workers who trooped out in their numbers, blocked the Hospital entrance gate ,and marched round the hospital premises ,chanting; “Governor Otti pay us our April and May salaries, pay us our 21 months salary arrears; what you are doing now is not what you promised us during the electioneering campaign etc”

Addressing the Media on behalf of the protesting health workers, the Abia State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association NMA, Dr Isaiah Abali, expressed regrets over the non payment of salaries of the workers particularly their April and May 2024 salaries.

“The most important thing you can do for workers all over the world is to pay them their wages as at and when due. Once, they have performed their jobs, there should be no reason why they should not be paid. People in the private sector of the economy don’t sleep once the month is ending until they pay their workers the little they could.

“We believe Government can do better in that regard. Our people are suffering. ABSUTH workers are hungry high and low, and all of us are saying that Government should let the workers breath .

“We are calling on our amiable Governor to attend to us.We have seen his giant strides in the area of infrastructural renewal,but we are pleading that the renewal process should also be extended to the welfare of ABSUTH workers.

“It does not make sense for workers to trek along well reconstructed roads to and from work, because of lack of transport fares.

“So we are appealing to the Government to come to the aid of the workers who are currently very hungry .

“We have been trying to hold back the workers. But if you push people hard to the wall, you can envisage what will happen. That is how revolution starts. But, we don’t want revolution now.

“We want peace, and we want the workers to get their salaries. Whatever be the glitches besetting their payment module should not be our concern. We should not be made to suffer ,for what does not concern us .

“If they (Government) are having issues with its new payment arrangements, they should pay us with the old module.

“Majority of our workers watch their children sent out of schools,due to their inability to pay their school fees. We can’t pay for our utility bills .

“We are pleading so that the whole thing will not snowball into unnecessary bitterness .We are not politicians.We are only saying: pay us our salary ” the NMA Chairman stated

Also Speaking, Chairman of ABSUTH Medical and Health Workers Union, Emeka Ariwodo, urged the Government to keep faith with its electioneering promise of paying the workers their 21 months salary areas, as well as their April and May 2024 salaries.

“If by the end of today, Government fails to pay us this protest march will continue until such a time they pay us .

Prof. Ijeoma Nduka the Chief Medical Director, CMD, of ABSUTH was conspicuously absent. during the protest. Efforts to reach her were unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.

Sokoto Govt. No Plans To Depose Sultan, Dismisses MURIC’s Alarm As Fabricated, Malicious, Irresponsible

Akinwale Kasali

June 25, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC’s accusation of the Sokoto State Government plot to dethrone His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has been debunked and termed false by the Government.

The Sokoto State Government said it is baffled by such malicious and fabricated publication credited to MURIC. It stressed that the State Government wondered how a responsible body like MURIC, claiming to be protecting the rights of the Muslims would descend so low and cheaply as to join hands with deluded mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate such a false and unsubstantiated story.

Abubakar Bawa, Press Secretary to Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, in a statement said: “We believe that MURIC is not the type that will be dancing to the tunes of enemies and mischief makers who are trying to take away the attention of the good people of Sokoto state and Nigerians on the transformative initiatives taking place in Sokoto State over the last one year”.

“We also like to assure MURIC that the present administration just like the previous administrations in the state cherishes and respects the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established.

“The Sultanate Council, which has a long standing historical importance is so reverred to all the people of Sokoto State, therefore we still hold the institution in very high regards and esteem”.

“This is not the first time stories such as this were fabricated to show that all is not well between the state government and the Sultanate Council, as some few months back we had a similar obnoxious story which the state government categorically condemned and denied in whole”.

“From the look of things,those nefarious detractors and distracting enemies of progress have not relented in their failed efforts to smear the cordial relationship existing between the state government and the Sultanate Council.

“MURIC should have cared to find out if there was ever any query, warning or any threatening documents served on the sultan by the state government.”

Bawa added that the allegation was just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.

The statement further reads, “We equally like to remind MURIC that promoting Islamic affairs is the second item on the Ahmed Aliyu’s nine-point Smart Agenda,therefore Islam means so much to the present administration, coupled with the fact that Sokoto being the Seat of the Caliphate, is a 100 per cent Muslim-dominated society.”

“It is on record that no administration in the history of Sokoto State has done to Islam what the present administration has done in just one year. This we say without any fear of contradictions”.

Bawa said for any one to think that the present administration could engage in acts or actions that could jeopardize the development of Islam is not only unfair but unjustifiable.

He said to put the records straight, we would like to tell the world that the relationship between the Ahmed Aliyu-led administration and the Sultanate Council under the leadership of our most respected monarch, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has been very cordial.

Bawa also noted that this present administration always consulted with His Eminence, the Sultan on issues affecting the state, and his invaluable contributions and inputs are always respected and included in policy implementation.

Commenting on the issue of sacking and transfer of some District Heads in Sokoto State, Bawa said MURIC should know that the affected District Heads were accused of some unbecoming behaviours, such as land racketeering, aiding insecurity as well as insurbodination to the constituted authority.

He stated that to give give fair hearing a committee set up by the State Government summoned all the affected District Heads, after which it came up with a whitepaper report, advising government on what to do.

“And it was based on the report and in the public interest that the state government acted in conformity with the recommendations made by the whitepaper committee.

” It is equally important for MURIC to note that nobody is above the law, therefore,the sacked District Heads are just reaping what they saw, and that the action taken by the Sokoto State Government was indisputably in the best public interest.”

For the records, on Monday, Vice President Kashim Shettima asked the Sokoto State Government to treat the Sultan with reverence and described him as an icon and a National treasure.

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