NBA Writes NERC, Wants The Electricity Regulatory Body To Compel DISCOs To Set Up Public Complaints Units

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May 22, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Concerned about the absence of appropriate channels for the ventilation of complaints arising from poor service delivery, arbitrary estimated billing, and other unwholesome activities by power consumers, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Aba Branch, has called on the industry regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC to set up a Forum within the Aba metropolis for the purpose of entertaining customers complaints.

The Forum to be sited to serve the nine Local Councils under the operational jurisdiction of the Aba Power Limited, the distribution arm of the Power Generating outfit, Geometric Power Plant, otherwise known as Aba Ring Fence, the NBA noted, is in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the industry.

The Aba NBA in the letter dated May 20, 2024, addressed to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NERC, and made available to The Source on Wednesday May 22, argued that the establishment of a forum within the operational area of APL will minimize the risk of traveling to Umuahia, the State Capital by aggrieved customers, save man-hours for APL and its customers, as well as ensure that complaints are not escalated, but resolved amicably.

The NBA letter jointly signed by Innocent Egwu and K.C. Okoro, Chairman and Secretary respectively, also requested the regulatory agency to mandate APL to publish on its website, print and distribute free of charge to its customers the extant subsidiary regulations guiding the industry as made by the NERC so as to appraise them of their rights and obligations.

“We, as public interest and advocacy group, hereby bring to your notice the urgent need to establish a Forum in the Area of operations of Aba Power Limited which is the distribution licensee in charge of nine Local Governments of Abia State, inclusive of Aba, the Headquarters of APL, which is the commercial nerve centre of Abia state .

“It is instructive to note that the nine Local Governments of Abia State, inclusive Aba, which constitute the area of operation of APL, were hitheto under the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company EEDC and

and the Forum located in Umuahia the state capital.

“As the nine Local Governments inclusive Aba are now within the area of operation of APL and outside the jurisdiction of EEDC, there is an urgent need to establish a Forum within the area of operation of APL as required under your regulations namely, the customer complaint handling,standards and procedures,( see article 1 page 7) of the regulations which requires that the Commission shall establish a Forum for hearing and resolving of customers complaints in the operational areas of any distribution licensee at a date set out in the order of the Commission.

“It is apposite to note that the above provision of your regulations is mandatory and the importance of establishing a Forum within the area of operation of each distribution licensee can not be overemphasized.

“The establishment of a Forum within the APL operational areas will minimize the risk of traveling to Umuahia by aggrieved customers,save man-hours for APL and its customers and ensure that complaints are not escalated ,but resolved amicably and expeditiously which will in turn promote cordial relationships between APL and its customers ” part of the NBA letter reads

Female Soldier Steals N35m Wristwatch, Paraded, Dismissed

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The Source

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May 22, 2024

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Jonah Comfort - Female Solider that stole Wristwatch

By Gideon Njoku

In a very sad, shameful incident, a female soldier, identified as Lance Cpl Jonah Comfort, 15NA/74/4422 has been dismissed from the Nigeria Army for stealing.

Dismissed Lance Cpl Jonah was said to have stolen a gold wristwatch which worth was put at N35million.

The gold wristwatch belong to the wife of an unnamed senior Army Officer who Jonah was attached to, and working for.

It is not known what pushed her, or if she knew the worth of the wristwatch, but she sold it to one of those “Mallams” who buy gold within, crush, and sell outside the Country. She sold it for the sum of N35million. The make of the wristwatch also remain unknown.

Her fate was sealed when, while looking for, and tracking how the wristwatch got missing, it was traced to the Mallam.

On arrest, the Mallam confessed that he bought the wristwatch for the sum of five million Naira from Jonah.

She was, thereafter, accosted, arrested, tried and dismissed on 17th May 2024.

Her family, friends and colleagues are still in shock that she could engage in such criminality. A couple of them insist that “something must have gone wrong somewhere.”

President Tinubu’s Loyalist Faults Appointments Of Governing Councils Members For Tertiary Institutions

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Ayodele Oni

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May 22, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

The Global Chairman Nigeria and Diaspora, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Solidarity Vanguard, (BATSV) Dare Owotomobi, has described as lopsided, appointments of members of Governing Councils for Universities and Polytechnics.

The Federal Government had, last week, named 555 persons as Governing Council Members for Universities, Colleges of education and Polytechnics.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, Owotomobi stated that such appointments ought to have reflected national character.

He flayed a situation whereby some states like Ekiti, got just four nominees while others like Adamawa and Osun got as many as 32 slots.

“Ekiti State was relegated to the back burner in the allocation of slots into these Governing Councils, despite their contribution in the 2023 Presidential Elections.

“This is grossly inadequate and makes the reward system not encouraging at all. For instance, the slots given to other states like Adamawa and Osun, that worked against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, during the election.

“32 Adamawa State indigenes were appointed by President Tinubu as Chairmen and Members of Governing Councils of different Polytechnics, Universities, Colleges of Education, etc.”

He pointed out that the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, SAN, ought to have gone through the list to ensure equity, fairplay and federal character were considered in preparing the list.

According to him, Adamawa, a State that delivered PDP in 2023 presidential election got many appointees while states like Niger where APC got the highest votes in the 2023 Presidential election from North Central has only four members on the list.

“Kwara State has five and Osun State 22. In Cross River State only six people were considered for the appointment.”

He, also, observed that most of these schools have no representation from the host communities, as stipulated by law, which is a gross violation of the extant laws establishing them.

Border Policing: “We Have Peculiar Border Situations Between Ondo, Edo, Others” – Ondo Governor

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Ayodele Oni

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May 22, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said on Wednesday that the State Government relies more on soldiers to guard its borders with neighbouring states.

“We have some peculiar situations in the State, especially our borders with Edo and others. The Army has always been there to support us anytime there are kidnappings because the police alone cannot do the job.

“We will continue to encourage and support synergy of the military, police, civil defence and our own home grown security outfit, Amotekun Corps to enhance our security and protect our borders.”

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan said Aiyedatiwa stated this while playing host to Military personnel led by the General Officer, Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Obinna Godwin Onuborgu, in his office, in Akure.

The Governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to the primary mandate of providing maximum security of lives and properties of the people in the State.

The Governor highlighted the efforts of his administration toward ensuring optimal security through the support of the conventional security agencies, including the Army.

He said: “Thank you for stopping over and we appreciate your men for providing security to the people. We have been enjoying that support from your men in Ondo State.”

The Governor also pleaded with the Military and other security agencies to ensure maximum security during the November 16 Governorship election in the State.

Speaking earlier, Major General Obinna Godwin Onuborgu said he took over the Division on March 13, covering seven States, including Kwara, Kogi, Edo, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo.

“I am here to see my troop across the length and breadth of Ondo State, to encourage them and to access the security situation in the State. I have been well briefed by the Brigade Commander and other security agencies.”

Major General Onuborgu lauded Governor Aiyedatiwa for his support to the Army and other security agencies towards sustaining the status of Ondo as one of the most peaceful States in the country.

Three Siblings Still In Abductors Den 12 Days After Abduction, Gov Otti Issues Marching Orders To Security Agencies

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 22, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

As the riddle sorrounding the sudden and shocking disappearance of three children of same parents in Amaoba, Oboro, Ikwuano Local Council of Abia State ,continue to confound watchers, State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has called on Security Agencies in Abia State and beyond to take all necessary steps to locate and return them unhurt to their parents.

Gideon Osinachi, 8, Divine Osinachi, 6, and Isreal Osinachi, 4, were reported to have gone missing on Friday May 10 2024,while returning from school.

They were said to have been taken away by a commercial motorcyclist after their grandmother had boarded them on the said motorcycle for a return home from school.

Since then, not only have they failed to return home,but also no one has been able to provide an inkling about their whereabouts and condition.

The fate that has befallen the three innocent souls, expectedly, has provoked and continued to elicit wide indignation, and palpable apprehension among many Abians as efforts to track them so far have all been futile .

But rising from an Executive Council meeting on Tuesday May 21, Governor Otti called on security agencies and other relevant bodies to ensure the location and safe return of the three abducted siblings.

The State Commissioner of Information, Prince Okey Kalu, who briefed the Media after the Council Meeting, also, noted that the Governor has reached out to the family members of the abducted children, and assured them of the safe return of their wards.

He, however, cautioned parents and guardians against entrusting their children in the hands of strangers

Governor Otti, according to the Commissioner, also, expressed his solidarity and support to the Amaoba Community and residents of Ikwuano Local Council as they battle with the pains and agony of the abduction of the children.

He promised that all necessary efforts are being made to rescue the siblings unhurt.

Earlier, the Mayor of Ikwuano Local Council, Osinachi Nwaka, had mobilised security operatives ,together with local vigilante groups to locate and rescue the missing children.

But twelve days on, their efforts are yet to yield the expected results, as the abducted children continue to remain in the den of the abductors.

Meanwhile, as efforts are being intensified to track down the abductors and also rescue the missing children, Mayor Nwaka has appealed to individuals with any relevant clue and/or information that may assist in the location and rescue of the abducted children to report to the nearest security formations and/or contact: 08034270914, 08037978707 and 08062598068.

As at the time of reporting, the mother of the missing children is still being attended to at a medical facility in the state for shock-induced ailments.

President Tinubu’s First Year Anniversary Will Be Low Key – Information Minister

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Ayodele Oni

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May 22, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

To reflect the mood of the nation occasioned by the high cost of living, the Federal Government has announced that the ceremony marking the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration will be low-key.

Inaugurated on May 29, 2023, the present administration announced withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum products and since then, cost of goods and services has been skyrocketed.

Despite various measures such as palliatives, provision of mass transit buses introduced to cushioned effects of the subsidy withdrawal, Nigerians continue to groan, while the price of petrol continue to soar.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced on Wednesday in Abuja that the day would be marked without much funfare.

It is, however, not clear if the Government intends to hold the ceremony on 12th June, the day officially recognized as Democracy Day or May 29.

Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration was being held on May 29 before President Mohammadu Buhari changed it to 12th June in commemoration of the 1993, presidential election annulled by the Military Government.

Election data showed Moshood Abiola won the polls but he was never formally declared winner and was not sworn into office by the military government of Ibrahim Babangida.

Details of the one year anniversary still remain sketchy as the Minister did not elaborate on the programme.

Imo Governorship Election: Uzodinma Knows Fate As Election Tribunal Delivers Judgement

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The Source

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May 22, 2024

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By Gideon Njoku

To stay in office or not? That is the question on the lips of many Imolites as the Imo State Governorship Election Tribunal delivers judgement in the case filed against Governor Hope Uzodinma, separately, by the Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, aka, Sam Daddy, and that of the Labour Party, LP, Senator Athan Achonu.

The Judgement will be delivered on Friday, May 24, 2024, by the Tribunal which has been sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory since it was constituted by 9.00am

Governor Uzodinma had defeated both Candidates and others in a landslide and was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which conducted the Election on November 11, 2023. He won in all the 27 Local Government Areas of the State, and left the other Candidates empty handed. He was sworn into office for his second term in office in January 2024.

While Uzodinma has been treating the case as nothing, preferring to focus on his job, both Anyanwu and Achonu have each been boasting of victory on May 24.

Already, tension is running high in the State as thousands of Imolites await the outcome.

In anticipation of the judgement, hundreds of Party faithful from the APC, PDP and LP have emptied into Abuja.

Whatever, losers are likely to proceed to the Appeal Court.

Cross River Assembly Lawmakers Sack Speaker

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Ayodele Oni

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May 22, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

The power tussle at the Cross River State House of Assembly has consumed its first casualty. Speaker Elvert Anyambem has been impeached.

Ayambem was impeached in the early hours of Wednesday by his colleagues over alleged gross misconduct and administrative high handedness.

Ayambem represents Ikom 2 State Constituency. He was elected Speaker of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly in June 2023.

It was gathered that the plot to remove Anyambem has been on for over months as members have been expressing misgivings at his conduct.

As at Wednesday, over 20 members had signed up for his impeachment and the motion for his removal was moved on the floor of the House by member representing Calabar South 1, Hon. Effiong Ekarika and seconded by Charles Omang.

After impeaching him, the mace was taken away by the members.

Onyeagucha, Imo’s Former SSG, Resigns From PDP

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The Source

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May 22, 2024

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By Charles Igbo

Honourable Uche Onyeagucha, Lawyer and former Secretary to the Imo State Government, SSG, under the short-lived administration of the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Onyeagucha, a former member of the House of Representatives, resigned from the PDP in a letter dated May 20, 2024, addressed to the Chairman of his Obinze Ward, Owerri West Local Government Area.

Titled LETTER OF RESIGNATION OF MY MEMBERSHIP OF PDP, Onyeagucha wrote: “In furtherance of the exercise of my Fundamental Right to Freedom of Association, I write to inform you that I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party and hereby request that my name be struck out from the membership records of the Party with immediate effect.

“I wish you and the party well in future endeavors.”

Onyeagucha’s resignation is a continuation of the run in the embattled Imo State Chapter of the PDP since the resignation of Ihedioha from the Party.

Ihedioha’s resignation triggered an unprecedented mass resignation of Party members from the Party, including every who-is-who and members in whole Local Government Areas

It is not known where Onyeagucha and others are headed to, but it is believed they are waiting for Ihedioha to make a decision on which Party they would empty into. For now, Ihedioha and his loyalists are operating under the fledging Rebuild Imo Forum.

There are strong speculations that they could be headed to the LP while others say APC.

However, unconfirmed sources insist they would empty into a new Mega Party allegedly being midwifed by a number of who-is-who in the PDP, LP, APGA and some other mushroom political parties.

Onyeagucha was the Candidate of the PDP for the Owerri Senatorial District during the 2023 General Elections. He was defeated by Senator Ezinwa Onyewuchi of the Labour Party, the man he forced to quit the PDP for the LP.

Onyewuchi was poised to contest for a second term to the Senate, but Onyeagucha suddenly declared interest and defeated Onyewuchi in the PDP Senatorial Primary, a defeat which Onyewuchi turned into joy by defeating Onyeagucha in main election.

Since his defeat by Onyewuchi for the Senatorial seat, nothing much has been heard of/from the fiery Onyeagucha, politically, until his resignation, now, from the PDP.

“My Visit To LP HQs Reconciliatory, Not Endorsement Of Anybody Or Group, I Also Met With NLC/TUC Political Arm” – Peter Obi

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Adesina Soyooye

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May 22, 2024

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By Adesina Soyooye

Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election has debunked the story which made the rounds on Tuesday that he has endorsed Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Party.

Obi was at the Party Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, his first since the controversial and much condemned National Convention of the Party held in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Obi was absent at the Convention during which Abure was reelected as the Chairman, and so was the only LP Governor, Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State, and some other Party stalwarts and partners, including the Nigerian Labour Congress. The NLC had asked for the cancellation of the Convention and the removal of Abure as Chairman of the Party.

Since then, the Party has been experiencing internal crisis.

Contrary to the belief of an endorsement of Abure and the NWC, Obi said his visit to the Labour Party headquarters in” Abuja on Tuesday was a reconciliatory move not to endorse any group interest in the party.”

A statement signed on his behalf by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Spokesperson for his Media Office, noted that “Obi

had repeatedly maintained that his interest was to carry everybody along into one strong family and not to endorse anyone’s interest.

“The visit was part of the consultations Obi has been embarking on in search of peace in the party.

“In line with this, he also met with the political arm of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC Trade Union Congress, and TUC, on Wednesday in continuation of his search for peace in the party.

“At his meeting with the workers’ union, the leadership of the NLC/TUC political commission led by comrade Titus Amba and comrade Chris Uyot was also disposed to peace in the party.

“At the meeting, he clearly made the point that the party needed to reconcile all various positions in a peaceful atmosphere to have a united house that should be all-inclusive.

“He thanked the leadership of the political commission for their understanding and expressed the hope for a good working relationship very shortly.

“The LP standards bearer also plans to meet with other critical stakeholders like the Obidient to have an qall-inclusive political family with a common dream of rescuing Nigeria.”

Details of Obi’s discussion with the groups have not been made people.