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NTC, Obidients Regret Elected LP Lawmakers’ Stance in Party’s Trying Times, Commend Faithful Ones

June 10, 2024

The Labour Party (LP) National Transition Committee (NTC) and the obidient stakeholders have decried the position of neutrality taken by some lawmakers elected on the platform of the party since the leadership disagreement in the party began after the 2023 general elections.

The chairman of the NTC and former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, who spoke on telephone on the matter urged “all Labour Party members, especially leaders and stakeholders, not only in parliaments but everywhere across the country, to remind ourselves that building the Labour Party into a formidable winning party is the task of everyone.

“There can be no neutral household member who should feel at liberty to play fiddle when the house that gave him a pedestal is on fire or society is in conflagration. That has been the compelling situation of our party before the NLC/TUC Political Commission stepped in to the rescue,” Comrade Abdulwaheed stated.

He added: “While I wholeheartedly commend a few members of the National Assembly who have shown deference to our efforts by extending their solidarity to the NLC’s National Transition Committee, even though mostly in word without substance, those who refuse to stand with the new efforts to rebuild the party should open their eyes to the realities that we need a strong, united, and dynamic winning party going into 2027. That same 2027 has a single roof over all of us, and it is around the corner. It is indeed closer than they think.

“It is therefore incumbent and urgent upon stakeholders, including Labour Party members of our country’s national and state parliaments, and those in the few executive arms of government we presently have, to join hands with the NTC to build a strong new Labour Party; one that will emerge from our efforts to undertake a transparent, expansive, all-inclusive and integrity founded National Convention anchored on state congresses which shall have their provenance in credible all-participatory ward congresses nationwide,” Omar concluded.

Also speaking on the issue, the chairman of the Media and Publicity team of the Labour Party National Transition Committee (NTC), Comrade Tony Akeni Le Moin, noted that the leadership of the party and party supporters across the country deeply regret the position of “neutral stance” taken on the leadership crises in the party by LP members elected to the national and state assembly legislatures in the country.

On what he described as the “divisive and destructive anti-party expeditions against the party’s progress by the suspended former chairman, Mr. Julius Abure, and his mob of rebel exco renegades,” Comrade Akeni in a statement issued in Benin city, capital of Edo state, where he had joined other party leaders to grace the funeral reception honours of Late Madam Christiana Adesheila, Neé Omagbon, the mother-in-law of a frontline leader of the party, Bishop Samuel Omede, who is popularly called “Chairman of Chairmen” among the party’s leadership hierarchy.

It would be recalled that Barr. Julius Abure was suspended last May from the Labour Party by his ward, Arue, Uromi, in a letter dated May 14, 2024. Abure’s suspension was ratified by both his Local Government Area council executives of the party on May 15 and the Kelly Ogbaloi led state exco shortly after.

In a retaliatory action, Julius Abure had swiftly also announced suspension of the Ogbaloi state exco and thereafter set up a parallel exco to Ogbaloi’s, which is purportedly headed by a former speaker of the state, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie. Thus, two parallel state executive councils of the Labour Party now exist and tussle for validity and supremacy in Edo state, a Peter Obi followership stronghold which is about to go into an intimidating off-season governorship election a few months away.

In what is widely seen as a desperate flounder to cling to his embattled office and garner relevance, Abure had followed his parallel exco announcement in Edo with the setting up of a “Directorate of Obidients” by his daily dwindling faction of the party, an act which has since come under pulverizing barrage of criticism and rejection by most Labour Party faithfuls and the Peter Obi centred Obidient community across the country and Diaspora.

Weighing in on the party’s national leadership tussle in Benin at the weekend, Tony Akeni, the Media and Publicity chieftain of the Labour Party National Transition Committee explained, “It was by sheer accident of history that Mr. Julius Abure was the sitting national chairman of the Labour Party in 2023 when the floodgates for elective aspirants was opened for the present crop of Labour Party legislators. Virtually one and all of them rode on the wavecrest of Peter Obi’s talismanic popularity and the Obidients’ ballot gusto to the exalted political offices they occupy today.”

“In their actions and stance since, our party lawmakers and elected executives tend to believe that because Abure issued and signed their candidacy forms in 2023, it was Abure that made them who they are presently, not the party and the party’s voters who made their wildest dreams come true. As educated elite and, you would hope, distinctly enlightened parliamentarians who should understand better than other segments of society that power is ephemeral and Abure’s badly played time must end someday, to the contrary, instead of our lawmakers to stand up for the truth, light and the new dawn which the Labour Party’s Political Commission that midwifed the NTC represents, they openly declared to leaders of the commission during a solemn joint conclave in May that they would remain neutral and see how the fight between the NLC Political Commission and Abure for the soul of the party would end. By implication, they would chose side after the final winner emerged. This is fathomlessly scandalous, deplorable and shameful beyond any threshold words can put together,” Akeni said.

Voicing the outrage of the NLC Political Commission and the Labour Party’s National Transition Committee,

Tony Akeni expanded, “Only the child in the womb anywhere in Nigeria can claim ignorance of the devastating trails and chains of criminal financial indictments, divisive maladministration, infantile tyranny and fifth-column disintegration that Abure and his Nnewi convention coupists have fashioned for the fall and destruction of the Labour Party which is today and tomorrow Nigeria’s last redemption ship.

“Investigations have since revealed that these acts of treason by Abure and his wolf pack actually date back to the heydays of the party’s 2023 general election campaigns, and have continued unabated to this minute.

“So, for elected members of our party across the country to take a stand of aggregate indifference to the travails of the party and to actually verbalize it is extremely sad, mind congealing and regrettable.”

“When most of these members now luxuriating in today’s National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and executive arms of government came to run under the ticket of our party, they were either first-time political fingerlings and neophytes in shark waters, or previously unsuccessful ballot wannabes. They had no hope in hell of beating the rugged, rigorous and arcane Nigeria electoral system to win. At that vulnerable juncture in their political lives, the Labour Party and its Obidient tsunami did not sit on the fence or fold their arms. We did not declare that we would be neutral. The behemoth APC and PDP opponents they contested against would have defeated and swallowed them up. But the party and Obidient armies, not Julius Abure or his transactional junta of NWC merchants, who chested out in their millions to deliver their tickets and torpedoed them into political office and paradise they have found themselves today.

“It is therefore incredibly unfair and inglorious, to say the least, that when the NLC Political Commission and the preponderating millions of reforms seeking Obidients nationwide needed their support to rebuild the party, they have shown such dissonant depth of ingrate forgetfulness and smug indifference to the challenges of our party, especially those emanating from Abure’s rapacious, inordinate breaches of law and common-sense.

Akeni continued: “Neutrality is the moral dilemma of bad spectatorship. To be witness of history and take no responsibility in times of evil arises only from an aimless internally displaced conscience. Such vacancy of conscience and inaction are even more cruel than the repression and oppression of tyranny itself. In Elie Wiesel’s words, ‘We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented,'” Comrade Tony Akeni quoted.

“By the averred stand of neutral spectatorship of the majority of our Labour Party caucuses in the National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and privileged members of the executive arm, all of those who presently hold that stand-less stand above have become convicted and stripped naked in the podium of history by the words of Desmond Tutu: ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.’ In this instant case Abure,” Comrade Tony Akeni concluded.

Benue: ‘I Säcrificéd My Political Caréer To Ensuré Sécurity,” Otom Réplies Gov Alia

James Orji

June 9, 2024

Samuel Ortom, the immediate past governor of the state says he sacrificed his political career to ensure security in the North Central state.

The former governor was replying his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, who accused him of being complicit in the insecurity in the state.

Frequent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers have resulted in bloody clashes in the state.

As governor, Ortom had accused the federal government of abandoning the state, while Fulani herdsmen had a free rein.

Governor Alia, however, accused the former governor of not doing enough to tame insecurity in the state.

Reacting, former Governor Ortom said he was denied all assistance because of his stance that he would not allow the enemies of the state to take over.

The former governor who made this known in a statement by his spokesperson, Terver Akase, in Makurdi the state capital, said Governor Alia has no proof of the ‘weighty allegations” he made against him, stressing that he confronted the monster of insecurity while in office.

Otom said, “It is an incontestable fact that His Excellency Ortom was the first Benue Governor who boldly confronted the monster known as armed herdsmen attacks on Benue people, which predated his administration.

“He (Ortom) was the first governor to enact a law not only to end open grazing of livestock in all parts of the state but to also introduce ranching as the global best practice of animal husbandry.

“In his eight years as Governor, Chief Ortom never accused Benue youths of being cattle rustlers and killers of their own people.

“Instead, he encouraged youths of the state to aspire to achieve their dreams, and his administration engaged young people who were willing to complement conventional security agencies as members of the state Community Volunteer Guards.

“The Livestock Guards, whom his administration had earlier established as the enforcement agency of the law on open grazing, were also made up of hard-working and patriotic Benue youths who, for six years, did a commendable job,’ the former governor said.

Rivers Crîsis: “I Wîll Not Apologisé To Wike” – Clark; Jonathan, Odili Now Shün Hîm

James Orji

June 9, 2024

The immediate past Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike no longer have a relationship with former President Goodluck Jonathan and some leaders of thought from the oil rich state.

Apart from the former president who is no longer in talking terms with the former governor, those no longer in talking terms with him include, former governor Peter Odili, his successor, Rotimi Amaechi, amongst others.

This revelation was made by Pa Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF and an elder statesman.

The magazine reported that Wike has been at logger head with his successor, Simi Fubara, a former political ally who was made governor by the former, but has now charted his own course.

Former President Jonthan recently called on both parties to close ranks for the good of the oil-bearing state, while Amaechi has disclosed that he will not take side with any of the feuding parties.

According to Clark, in an open letter to Rivers politician, Senator George Sekibo, the former minister said Ijaw people and other leaders from the state supported Wike to become governor, debunking the claim by Sekibo that Ijaw want the former governor to bow to them.

Governor Fubara is Ijaw.

Calrk stated that he will only fight for what “is true, right and just” in his commitment to ensure justice in the state.

He said, “In my over 70 years in public life. I have been a crusader for what is true, right and just. It is too late for me at this stage to withdraw from my commitment and will continue to fight for justice and the rule of law in Rivers State.

“I would therefore advise you as a politician still in your prime to learn to follow the right causes and learn from history.

“If anything, Wike owes his political life to about four people. Sen. John Mbata and Sen. Andrew Uchendu (who recommended him to Sir Peter Odili to be made Local Government Chairman), Sir Peter Odili, Chief Rotimi Amaechi and above all these people, Mrs. Patience Jonathan and her husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

“Unfortunately, today, all of these eminent persons that fed him are no longer on talking terms with him.”

He said further:: “My dear son, the Ijaws have made sacrifices for the survival of, and growth of all tribes in Rivers State, including Barr. Nyesom Wike, without expecting the beneficiaries of such Ijaw kind gestures to be excessively sublime towards them, or expect them to lay on the ground for Ijaws to step on them.

“Nyesom Wike knows, that aside from God, the biggest players who have supported him to rise to his political level today, are the Ijaws, including myself.

“I am sure he knows the roles I have played in his political ascendency. There is, therefore, no need to be apologetic to Barr. Nyesom Wike, when there is no offence.”

CBN: Cardoso Späres South West, Säcks Employées Mostly From Southeast, North Central- Group

James Orji

June 9, 2024

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, employees sacked recently by the Yemi Cardoso-led bank say their removal did not follow due process. The sack has now resulted in untold hardship for some of them, they said.

According to the aggrieved former employees of Nigeria’s apex bank, some of them were on the verge of retirement before they were forcefully removed by the new CBN management.

Their outburst was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Jos, Plateau State capital, by the North Central Coordinator of the Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Communities Development Association Youth Wing, Paul Dekete.

The group demand the immediate reinstatement of the sacked employee, describing their dismissal as injustice.

Dekete pointed out that most of those affected by the sack were majorly from the south east and North central, stressing that the CBN action violated the federal character which demand equitable sharing of positions among Nigerians.

The statement read, “The purge wasn’t limited to high-level executives. It extended far beyond directors, impacting Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors who formed the backbone of departmental operations. These were not junior staff; they were seasoned professionals with deep institutional knowledge.

“For example, the Director of Information Technology was overseeing crucial projects on the very day they were terminated, including efforts to secure international information security certifications for the bank.

“In a particularly egregious case, a Director on special assignment, tasked with leading the bank’s efforts to secure an ISO certification for information security, was sacked on the very day the bank successfully achieved this crucial milestone.

“Central banking relies heavily on robust cybersecurity measures, and this certification is a testament to the Director’s competence and the bank’s commitment to financial security. This abrupt dismissal, on the day of a major accomplishment, raises serious questions about the planning and rationale behind the mass layoffs.”

The statement further said, “The mass sack violated the bank’s own HR policy, which mandates board approval for executive terminations.

“This blatant disregard for due process has raised serious questions about transparency. The CBN, a federal institution, must adhere to public service rules. This dismissal exercise, carried out without board approval, lacks a solid legal foundation.

“Making matters worse, the bank offered no clear criteria for the mass sacking. This is a stark departure from their established culture of clear communication with staff during downsizing exercises.”

He further stated that the human cost of the sack is very enormous, with serious implications for the country’s apex bank because most of the sacked employees are highly professionals who have contributed to the bank.

He also lamented the effect of the mas sack on staff morale.

He said, “The human cost of this heartless exercise is staggering. Many staff members had used their salaries as collateral for loans tied to their remaining years of service at the CBN. With their abrupt termination, these loans were immediately deducted from their final paychecks, leaving some with nothing and others still indebted to the bank. The impact on these individuals and their families is devastating, with their dreams and financial security shattered in an instant.

“The CBN’s purge extended beyond individual hardship, raising serious concerns about ethnic bias. Reports indicate that some states saw over 80% of their executive staff removed, with North Central and South Eastern regions disproportionately affected. This blatant disregard for the principle of federal character raises troubling questions about the bank’s commitment to national unity.

“Staff morale has plummeted, with a pervasive sense of fear and uncertainty gripping the institution. Every Friday is met with dread, as rumours swirl of another list of targeted employees. The reported use of an external consultant, seemingly unfamiliar with the bank’s HR policies and civil service regulations, only exacerbates the lack of trust and transparency.”

The magazine reported that over 200 workers were recently relieved of their appointment in a major downsizing by the bank. The bank had earlier in March axed 117 workers cutting across the middle and senior levels, bringing the total to close to 400 employees who have now been sent home.

Nigeria Air Fôrce Strikés In Imo, Destrôys Illégal Refinéries

Ayodele Oni

June 9, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, has destroyed two Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) situated along the banks of Imo River.

The air strike was coming barely hours after the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, conferred with Governor Alex Otti on the setting up of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Abia State,

Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, in a press statement, revealed that the illegal sites, located near Obiaku and in close proximity to the Imo/Abia/Rivers States borders, consisted of two tanks and a reservoir in one location and three tanks and two reservoirs in another location along the Imo Riverbank.

He observed that these sites were active, and authorization was sought and received for air strikes on the targets.

“Subsequently, air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe were conducted, which destroyed the two sites, as well as the surface tanks and reservoirs.

“Building on these successes, air operations under Operation Delta Safe will be intensified especially within the areas of interest in efforts at curtailing the activities of criminal elements.

“The successes recorded in destroying these IRS brings to fore the necessity of a NAF Base in Abia State, which Governor Otti and Air Marshal Abubakar both agreed was long overdue.

“The NAF’s continued efforts in all ongoing operations, yet again, underscore its commitment to maintaining aerial dominance over the Nigerian skies, while collaborating with surface forces towards the safety and security of Nigeria and its citizenry.”

Côrruption Everywhére, As Kano Anti Graft Agéncy Séek To Unmäsk Thosé Béhind Fleécing Of Empôwerment Béneficiaries

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 9, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State anti graft Commission has said that a full scale investigation into allegations of corruption against officials assigned the task of disbursing the state Government’s palliative measure to street hawkers has been launched.

The Source reports that on Friday June 7, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, had in bid to take the hawkers of the streets and improve their wellbeing announced an empowerment package of N50,000 each for about 465 street hawkers .

But a video clip widely in circulation has since unearthed a cesspool of corrupt activities by the disbursing officials who are alleged to be coercing some of the beneficiaries to forfeit nearly 80% of the sum.

One of the beneficiaries in the video, stated that disbursing officials cornered them in batches ,cajoling and coercing them to forfeit N45 ,000 out of the donated N50,000.

“We are 100 in our batch that were cornered by the officials under a strict watch of their “boys” to comply in our own interest” Nura Isa one of the beneficiaries stated in the video.

In other cases of alleged under hand dealings disbursing officials were accused of denying some of the beneficiaries access to the disbursement venue,while lining up their cronies in place of the actual beneficiaries.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado warned that the anti corruption agency will not spare any one found culpable in the alleged fleecing of the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme ,no matter how highly placed..

The Chairman of the Kano State anti-corruption commission ,further insisted that, they will not allow some unscrupulous characters to undermine the integrity of the Government.

Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf has stated that for the timely intervention of his administration in offsetting about a N1.3 billion debt the states candidates in last year’s NECO and NBAIS examinations would not have accessed their results.

In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Sanusi Bature, on Sunday, Governor Yusuf informed that the failure of the immediate past regime to pay N1.3 billion NECO and NBAIS fees grossly affected the education growth of thousands of kano students.

“Last year when Governor Yusuf took over ,he discovered with nostalgia that students who sat for the NBAIS Examination from 2021-2023 could not access their results because of the failure of the previous administration to pay the relevant agency what was due to them.

“The administration met a backlog of liabilities of examination fees to the tune of N1.3 billion which have been paid and got Kano state students registered for NECO and NBAIS.

“In the year 2024, the State Government has approved for the payments of NECO and NBAIS registration fees to the tune of over N2.9 billion for 121,597 students that have credits in their qualifying examinations in public schools” the statement noted.

Kîlling Of Soldîers In Abia: Mîlitary Invädes Suspécted IPŐB/ESN Arochukwu Strông Hôlds, Kîll Six, Déstroy Cämps

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 9, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In keeping with its vow to go after suspected killers of five Soldiers on May 30, 2024, at a Military checkpoint at Obikabia junction near Aba the commercial hub of Abia state, the Joint Taskforce, Operation Udoka on Sunday June 9, announced the neutralization of no fewer than, alleged, six foot-soldiers of the militant arm of the Indigenous peoples of Biafra IPOB, the Eastern Security Network ESN.

This is even as it has appealed to the good people of Abia state to continue to cooperate with Security Agencies in the fight to rid the State and Southeast region of criminal elements .

The announcement which was made on the official site of the military, noted that the operation which was conducted in the Igboro Forest Arochukwu Local Council Operational base of the IPOB/ESN terrorists was targeted at fishing out the suspected masterminds of the gruesome attack and killing of five soldiers during the Biafra Day sit-at-home on May 30 .

“During the intelligence led operation ,troops encountered improvised Explosives Devices along their advance route, resulting in minor injuries to one soldier from fragment impacts .

“The terrorists feeble firefights were adequately subdued with superior firepower that led to the neutralization of 6 members of the criminal terrorists group,while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds as blood stains were seen along their escape routes .

“The gallant troops recovered three locally fabricated Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers ,two locally fabricated Artillery guns with tripod and its bombs.

“Other items recovered include dane guns,Biafra flags ,as well as Toyota Tundra and Hilux vehicles that were burnt at the site. Also all of their camps with different inscriptions were destroyed.”

The Source reports that in the wake of the killings of the five soldiers ,the military high command had maintained that the military will retaliate against the heinous development,in full measure.

In a statement issued by its Spokesperson , Edward Buba ,a Major General,the Nigerian Military had said inter alia: “Accordingly, it is absolutely imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops.

“The Military would be fierce in its response .We would bring overwhelming pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat”

Agboola Ajayi, Ondo PDP Gov Candidate, Picks Reps Member, Akingbaso, As Running Mate

Ayodele Oni

June 9, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidate in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, has named member representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Festus Akingbaso as Deputy Governorship candidate in Ondo November 2024 Governorship election.

Akingbaso, a former Ondo State House of Assembly member was named as running mate to replace Sam Ogunmusi, Media Aide to Ajayi, whose name was earlier forwarded as a place holder to beat deadline by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Akingbaso, from central senatorial district, was unveiled on Sunday by the PDP candidate after thorough scrutiny of names and credentials of prospective aspirants for the number two citizen slot.

Agboola/Akingbaso will face Ondo State Governor, Aiyedatiwa and others during Ondo 2024 poll slated for November.

PDP Deputy Governorship candidate for Ondo 2024 hails from Idanre local government regarded as the PDP domain in the state and one of the places that record huge votes during election.

Ondo NNPP Gov Cändidate, Edema Says States Häve Turnéd LGs’ Fund For Personäl Usé

Ayodele Oni

June 9, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Governorship Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Olugbenga Edema, has faulted the position of the Ondo State Government in opposing the suit filed by the Federal Government on the Local Government autonomy at the Supreme Court.

Edema said the autonomy of the Local Government Council would bring development to the grassroots and enable the third tier of government to perform its constitutional roles as guaranteed under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kayode Ajulo, SAN had on behalf of the Ondo state government filed a reply against the suit on the local government instituted by the Federal Government pending at the Supreme Court.

However, Edema said the state government under the All Progressives Congress, (APC) has crippled development at the grassroots by using the funds accruable to the third tier of government for personal aggrandizement.

The former lawmaker said he would grant local government full autonomy when he assumes office as the governor of the state on the platform of NNPP come 24th February 2025.

According to him, the governors who are against the local government autonomy have seen the funds at the local government as a way of stealing public funds and using such funds for purposes that are against the law of the land.

His words ” When elected under the platform of NNPP, I will ensure full local government autonomy and ensure the return of all markets to the Local governments.

“I will also make sure that tenement rate, vehicle stamps, market rates and all such legitimate rates due to the local governments, are collected and utilized by them.

“I don’t understand why the states see local government funds as a way to enrich themselves and render the council chairmen and appointees useless at the third tier of government by taking over their roles and funds.

“Many of the staff of the local governments in Ondo State no longer go to work because all their roles have been taken over by the State Government, contrary to the spirit and letter of the constitution which guarantee the existence of the local government.”

Edema said the people of the state should not allow Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to use the money meant for the development of the local government for election purposes.

“Ayedatiwa should direct the Attorney General of Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, to immediately withdraw the opposition to the Federal Government’s case before the Supreme Court on the Local government autonomy. That is what the people of Ondo State want.”

How Ferdinand Agu Diéd In His Sleép Without A Whimpér, Anyim Appéals To God, Laménts

The Source

June 9, 2024

By Charles Igbo

“God, please, change your mind and send him back. What is the meaning of cardiac arrest? What is the problem?” – Anyim

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, has one request from God. It is for God to bring back Ferdinand Agu to life, send him back to mother-earth, to the warm embrace of his family and friends.

Agu, a former Director General of the defunct Nigerian Maritime Authority, NMA, 2000- 2005, now renamed Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency, NIMASA, after it was merged with the, also, defunct Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council, JOMALIC in 2006, suddenly passed in the morning of Friday, June 7, 2024.

A shattered Anyim, who was, also, a former Senate President, is, like most people who knew Agu, finding it difficult to absorb and/or accept the finality of Agu’s passing. So, he has appealed to God for reversal, and queries the possible cause of Agu’s death – cardiac arrest. “What is cardiac arrest?”, Anyim asks nobody in particular.

The disbelief is not surprising, given the circumstances of Agu’s passing as gathered by this medium.

On the Friday Agu passed on, he was at a traditional wedding in Abuja where he chatted as usual with people. He was, or so everybody thought, strong, hale and hearty. He never complained of any pains or headache. No sign of any ill-health.

Agu left the venue of the wedding at about 9.00pm back to his home in Abuja. He, as usual, with his wife and other family members retired to bed.

According to a family source, at about 3.00am, he and his wife were up and discussed this and that, then, slept off again. Then, the unbelievable.

By about 6.00am when his wife woke up, her husband was not up. She thought that was unusual, and decided to wake him up instead. To her uncomfortable surprise, he did not respond. At once, confusion and shock set in. She raised an alarm and her beloved husband was rushed to hospital. She did not envisage that could be the end. But it was. For, at the hospital, Agu was declared dead.

A mourning Senator Anyim described his reaction when he got that usually dreaded early morning call which broke the news of Agu’s passing to him in a statement he personally signed, released on Saturday.

Anyim said he did not believe it because it was like a malaria-induced dream.

So, his first action was to call the Clinic where he was told Agu was rushed to. He spoke to the Medical Doctor who confirmed Agu’s passing. Yet, Anyim was not convinced. He told the Doctor: “It may not be our own Ferdinand.”

So, Anyim jumped out of bed and rushed to the Clinic “only to behold my most dependable ally lying lifeless.” Anyim added: “The most traumatic moment was to watch the ambulance move to the morgue.”

Following is Anyim’s full statement.

I LOST A PILLAR AND A BROTHER: MR. FERDINAND AGU, MFR

“It was like a malaria induced dream. An early morning call came in to break the news. Obviously, I did not believe it. So I sought the phone number of the doctor at the clinic he was taken to, and he confirmed it. But I responded, ‘It may not be our own Ferdinand.’ I jumped out of bed to the clinic to behold my most dependable ally, lying lifeless. The most traumatic moment was to watch the ambulance move to the morgue.

“Mr. Fredinand Agu is the most intelligent man I have met in the whole stretch of my public service. He is most dependable and available at any point of need. Ferdinand, you think for me, you write for me and you advise me. What would happen to that body of knowledge, brilliance, and candour. What is life all about? You were not sick for one day. What is the meaning of cardiac arrest? What is the problem? Why now when the nation needs you most?

“God, please change your mind and send him back, for he has many set goals yet to accomplish and so much more to offer humanity.

“God, have mercy.

“Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON”

Ferdinand Agu, hailed from Enugu State. An Architect by training, Agu was an all-rounder in every subject. A working encyclopedia, Agu was a Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, attached to the office of the SGF.

A very inspiring character, Agu was the Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences.

In his 60’s at death, Agu held the National Honour of Member of the Federal Republic, MFR.

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