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Peter Obi Donates N10m To School Of Nursing, Bishop Commends His Support to Society 

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Peter Obi at College of Nursing Sciences

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese and Proprietor of the College of Nursing Sciences, Adazi-Nnukwu, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has praised the firm commitment to societal development shown by the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, who, he said, has continued to advance the cause of humanity both in and outside public office.

Bishop Ezeokafor made these remarks at the College of Nursing Sciences, Adazi-Nnukw, Anambra state when Mr.  Obi visited the College and supported them with the sum of N10m for the training of more nurses and for the upgrading of their infrastructures.

Ezeokafor revealed that Obi has remained consistent in his support for societal growth. He stated that Obi’s record of investment in societal development remains unbroken. He appreciated Obi for always going out of his way to ensure the development of the nation.

Peter Obi at College of Nursing Sciences2

In her address, the Head of the Department at the College of Nursing, Mr. Mary-Michael Ezenwuba recounted past contributions from Mr. Peter Obi, including the donation of two coaster buses, an 18-seater bus, the construction of a two-story administrative building, a two-story hostel, and numerous cheques for ongoing improvements. She emphasized that Obi’s support has been unwavering from before his tenure as governor to the present. She also highlighted additional areas where they would, like Oliver Twist, gratefully seek further assistance from Mr. Obi.

In his response, Obi reiterated his firm commitment to building a better society through investment in critical areas of human development, namely education, health, and poverty alleviation.

“I have remained consistent in my advocacy for more aggressive investments in the critical areas of education and health, especially for the training of nurses, who are at the heart of our health sector. Different health organizations have continued to warn about the impending shortage of nurses on the global level. By investing in the training of nurses, we will be able to produce enough qualified nurses to fill the gaps created by the shortage,” Obi said.

Addressing the nursing students, Obi encouraged them to remain committed to their nursing education. He described nursing as a noble profession that cares for the well-being of people, nurtures the health of all, and heals the wounds, pains, and infirmities of the sick and weak in society.

In his words, “I remind you, my dear nursing students, that nursing is a noble profession in which you will find fulfillment by serving society. I wish you well and urge you to continue to work hard as nurses as we unite our efforts in building a New Nigeria.”

Obi in a brief remarks lauded the proprietor of the College, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, and the management and staff of the College for their dedication and hard work in investing in the future of nurses and, by extension, contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s health sector.

“Through many decades of producing qualified nurses and midwives, the College of Nursing Sciences, Adazi-Nnukwu, has contributed immeasurably to the growth of our health sector and the development of our human infrastructure.

“By your labors and sacrifices, you have continued to produce well-trained nurses who make positive impacts both within the nation and in the international health sector,” Obi enthused.

Absent Yourself From Work On Mondays, Forfeit Your Salary, Imo Govt Warns Civil Servants

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Hope Uzodimma

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Imo State Government has warned that it will no longer tolerate civil servants in the State who absent  themselves from work on account of the Indigenous People of Biafra-proclaimed Mondays-sit-at-home order in the Southeast region.

IPOB had, in the wake of the arrest, detention and prosecution of its leader, Nnamdi Leader, imposed a sit-at-home order in the South-east every Monday to protest his ordeal, and pressurise the Federal Government into releasing him. But the order had no positive  effect on Kanu’s situation, as the FG ignored it. Instead, it brought untold hardship, violence, death, pain, sorrow, and  the economy of the region to its knees.

Appreciating what the order has done to the region it said it is protecting, and under so much pressure from concerned South-easterners, IPOB suspended the ritual, and restricted it to only the days Kanu would appear in Court.

However, a group led by a self-proclaimed disciple of Kanu, Simon Ekpa, has since continued to enforce the order in defiance of both the stand of IPOB and Kanu. Both IPOB and Kanu have since declared him a rogue but he has continued and even promoted himself above Kanu.

Taking advantage of the order, many people, including civil servants refuse to go to work and enjoy every Monday as a work-free day  It is gradually killing the Civil Service.

Based on this, the Imo State Government, like other South-east Governments, especially Anambra and Enugu, has decided to finally put a stop to it.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba,  directed that any member of the State workforce that absents themselves from their duty posts  on account of the observation of the sit-at -home order should not be paid at the end of the month.

Furthermore, the statement noted that the State Government will, henceforth, treat such absenteeism as a direct confrontation with duly constituted authorities in  the State .

Reads the statement, “The Government of Imo State has observed with dismay that some civil servants, for inexplicable reasons, absent themselves from duties especially on Mondays .

“This is totally unacceptable, moreover since such civil servants neither obtained permission nor have authorization of their superiors to abstain from duty, thereby making their conducts illegal and unprofessional.

“Consequently, the  Government will henceforth view  such rascally conduct as a direct challenge to its authority, which will attract sanctions.

Going forward, His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State,  has directed that any civil servant who absents himself /herself from duty on Mondays and or any other days for that matter,  will lose his/ her salary in addition to other punishments that may be recommended against him/her.”

To ensure a strict implementation of the policy, the state Government has directed all Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Parastatals and other relevant officials to closely monitor the work attendance rate of staffers under them.

“Don’t Test Our Resolve”, Customs Warn Smugglers, Seizes Three Billion Naira Worth Of Donkey products

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Customs Officers and Donkey products

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In a bold move to crackdown on the importation, exportation, and general trading in  animals classified as endangered species, the Federal Operation Unit, FOU, Zone B, Kaduna, on Tuesday May 21, 2024, announced the seizure of  over three billion Naira worth of donkey and other products.

The Comptroller, Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, who made the disclosure at a press  briefing in Kaduna said the products which were intercepted along Sokoto/Gusau road in Zamfara were being exported by those he described as unscrupulous elements with no regard for the lives and preservation of endangered species like donkey which is nearing extinction.

He said: “On April 25, 2024,  operatives of the Unit, acting on credible intelligence,  intercepted one (1) truck with registration number GGE 526XL along Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State conveying illicit goods which were brought to Kaduna for further examination.

“Upon careful examination, the truck was discovered to be conveying 750 sacks of donkey bones. The DPV for the donkey bones was estimated at  two billion ,three hundred and sixty three million, five hundred thousand Naira (N 2,363,500,000)

“It will interest you to know that one (1) suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure . Again, on May 5, 2024, the operatives of the Unit intercepted Two Canter Trucks carrying dried donkey meat along Kontagora-Tegina road in Niger state.

“After 100%  physical examinations, the trucks were found to contain 860 sacks of dried donkey meat . Three suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.

“The above illegal trading clearly contravenes Section 55 (1) paragraph c and i (1) of the NCS Act 2023, which says that ‘imports and exports shall, where applicable, be  subject to prohibitions and restrictions relating to the protection of the health and life of humans, animals,or plants; controlled goods imported or exported in line with relevant international laws ,conventions on international Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),” Shauibu stated

The Comptroller noted that Government is deeply concerned that the unpatriotic and illegal activities of some people, particularly smugglers are driving donkeys considered as a rare animal into complete extinction.

Comptroller Shuaibu emphasised that Nigeria being a signatory to the international convention on the protection of rare animal species is under obligation to prevent the endangering of these. species.

“Therefore ,the Unit ,and in deed the Nigerian Customs Service, will not, and cannot fold their hands and allow this illegal trade to continue to take place.”

The Comptroller said the Unit between April 17 and   May 17 2024 made seizures worth over three billion Naira, adding that the feat was made possible by the officers and men of the Unit.

“Let me, at this point, say that the officers and men of the Unit are focused, committed, and prepared to continue to carry out their assignments with utmost sense of courtesy and unwavering professionalism .

“Those who wish to try our resolve should have a rethink as we shall be unsparing in implementing the laws and policy directives of the Federal Government as directed by the Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management.

Anti- Smuggling initiatives are fast going beyond old traditional physical measures

“The NCS has sharpened its skills in intelligence- gathering through improved information technology kits”, Shuaibu noted .

CBN Shatters Expectations, Hikes Interest Rate Again

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Yemi Cardoso - CBN Governor

Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor Yemi Cardoso has shattered the expectations of financial sector experts who predicted a possible retention of the interest rate at 24. 75 percent.

The magazine reported that the CBN governor told the Financial Times last week that the rate will remain high until “inflation comes down,”

The CBN “will continue to do what has to be done to ensure that inflation comes down.

“Let’s face it: for a long period of time, the CBN did not embrace orthodox monetary policies.

“We want to go back to using an orthodox method, and it will take us to where we want to go,” he stated ahead the MPC meeting.

During the ongoing Monetary Policy Meeting, MPC, meeting in Abuja, the Cardoso-led CBN raised the rate by 150 basis point from 24.75 percent to 26.25 percent.

The MPC had during its last meeting in April raised the benchmark monetary rate by 200 basic points from 22. 75 percent.

“The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) held its 295th meeting on the 20th and 21st of May 2024 to review recent economic and financial developments and assess risks to the outlook,” the CBN Governor said on Tuesday.

“Decisions of the MPC. The committee’s decisions are as follows: 1. Raise the MPR by 150 basis points to 26. 25 per cent from 24.75 per cent,” he further stated, indicating that the CBN under him has raised the rate for a third consecutive time since Cardoso came to office last year.

The decision to hike the rate has come as a huge surprise to analysts in the financial and business sectors of the economy, who had predicted that the last rate will be retained because of the suggestion that higher interest rate is strangulating investment.

“When interest rate is high investors are discouraged to borrow from banks and non -financial institutions to set up businesses. Besides, the MPC rate is the benchmark considering that the lending institutions have their own rates for investors who needs capital to set up,” Deji Roberts, a financial expert said.

What this means, he said, is that investment “will slow down at a very critical moment that the country’s economy needs local and foreign capital to boost production.”

On the other hand, sources in the CBN said the decision to further hike interest rate was taken to roll back soaring inflation.

There has been suggestion that the prices of goods and commodities are gradually moderating to the monetary regulations after several months of continuous rise in their prices.

But this is still very premature, according to experts, who insist that the prices of commodities, particularly essential household’s goods are still exceptionally high in the market.

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, NBS, put the headline inflation rate in the country at over 33.96 percent for the month of April.

Kano Assembly’s Move To Merge Five Emirate Councils, Triggers Rumours Of Sanusi’s Return As Emir

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By Ayodele Oni

In conformity with a pledge by the present administration in Kano State to review  some policies and actions of the immediate past administration led by Umar Ganduje, the State House of Assembly is set to review some laws associated with Kano Emirate Council.

The Assembly, during plenary on Tuesday, presided by the Speaker, Jibril  Falgore, agreed to recall the Kano State Emirate Council law 2019 and Kano State Emirate amendment law 2023 for amendment.

This followed a motion for urgent and public importance moved by the Majority Leader of the Assembly and also a member representing Dala Constituency, Lawan Hussaini.

The Majority Leader sought the approval of the Lawmakers to call the laws for amendment, and was seconded by member representing Dawakin Kudu Constituency Shu’aibu Rabi’u.

This law was first amended in 2019 amidst tension between the then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and deposed Emir Muhammadu Sanusi.

The amendment led to the fragmentation of the Emirate into five distinct Emirates, namely Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi, with the appointment of First Class Emirs to head these newly established Regions.

This reorganization ultimately resulted in the deposition of Emir Sanusi.

The recent electoral victory of Governor Abba Yusuf, who campaigned on the promise to restore the traditional  Emirate system, has revived rumour on efforts to reinstate Emir Sanusi.

One month before Governor Yusuf took office, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), the ruling party in Kano, indicated that the issue of the Emirates would be revisited.

During a public statement, Kwankwaso emphasized the party’s commitment to reviewing the changes made to the emirate structure:

“We campaigned and we are well-known in Nigeria, especially in  Kano. What we showed the people is by God’s grace all the good projects we started when we were in government. This governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf and his team will pick up from where we left off.”

Kwankwaso further noted the complexities of the situation, acknowledging that the division of the emirates would also be subject to review.

“Those who God made leaders will now decide on the next step and decision to take. They will review it and determine what is the right thing to be done.

“Apart from the issue of changing the emir, the emirates have now been divided into five. All of that will be reviewed too.”

He expressed confidence that Governor Yusuf would address these challenges effectively:

“We are confident God will give the Governor the wisdom to come and resolve the challenges planted in  the state so that everyone will live peacefully in the State.”

Port Harcourt Refinery “99 Percent” Ready, Says IPMAN

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Heineken-Lokpobiri Minister of State For Petroleum

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has assured that the Port Harcourt refinery may begin production in July this year.

Ukadike Chinedu, the Spokesman of the Association told journalists that the management of the refinery has assured them that it’s ready to take off.

The 210,000 barrel per day refinery, when fully operational, is expected to reduce gasoline importation into the country.

But many assurances by governments in the past that the refinery would become operational had ended in disappointment.

Speaking, Chinedu stated that the refinery is now “99 percent” complete, and expected to begin production in two months.

He explained that the refinery would also reduce the price of fuel in the country when it eventually rolls into production, adding that there’s no room for further delay.

According to him, ……..”the MD told us that the refinery was almost ready and by the end of July, they would start producing. It has been turned into a new one they changed all the armoured cable to brand new and everything there is almost like a brand-new refinery.”

“The turnaround on maintenance is very massive and the job is being done day and night. All hands are on deck to make sure that they meet that target. By ending of July the refinery should be ready.

“What we want is competition. I am very sure that with the two refineries, the price of petrol will be reduced. Dangote is coming soon and the Port Harcourt refinery is almost ready too and that is very good. We need that competition for the benefit of the nation,” he said.

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has also promised to ensure that the Kaduna refinery bounces back to work as part of the petroleum sector reform, even though many Nigerians have doubts considering that such assurance in the past have failed.

Plateau: Over 40 Killed In Ex-Deputy Speaker, Wase Community By Bandits

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Suspected bandits have killed over 40 people in Wase Local government area of Plateau state, Nigerian Tribune reports.

Many other residents of the community were also believed to have sustained serious injuries in the wake of the attack, including several buildings razed by the criminals

The development is the latest in the recurrent attacks on the state by the bandits, whose operations have left many residents homeless.

Tribune Online learned that bandits armed with sophisticated weapons at about 7:00 p.m. on Monday attacked Zurak village on motorcycles and opened fire on everyone on site.

An eyewitness, Abdullahi Musa, who escaped the attack narrated that the attack was unexpected, adding that the vigilantes in the community who tried to wade off the attack were subdued by the superior force of the marauders.

“The attack came to us as a surprise because we have no issue with them. They came in large numbers and opened fire on the residents at random, killing more than 40 people. The majority of those killed were vigilantes.

“Several houses were equally burned in the course of the deadly operation. We could not alert security agencies on time because of a bad communication network, so it took several hours before they could come to our aid.”

The attack lasted for more than an hour with some residents of the community, mostly women, injured and receiving treatment at the nearby hospital.

However, a youth leader in the area, Mallam Sahpi’i Sambo, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits arrived at the community on motorcycles and killed more than 40 people, leaving many others injured.

It was also learned that the community is now deserted, as the inhabitants have run for cover in the neighboring communities and the capital of the local government area.

Recall that no fewer than 145 persons were reported killed in bandits’ attacks on 23 villages in Plateau State last December.

Barely a month after in January this year the suspected bandits returned to attack the same community killing 15 persons.

The people of the community appear to have lost the confidence in the government to protect them from the invaders, close watchers of the Governor  Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang-led state said.

FCT: How Police Commissioner Led Men To Rescue Abducted Residents From Bandits

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Kayode Egbetokun - IGP

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Commissioner of Police Benneth Igweh has led his men to rescue some Abuja residents abducted from their homes by bandits.

Numbering 20, those rescued by the police were reported to have been kidnapped on Sunday by the criminals in Dawaki, a community near Kubwa, FCT suburb.

According to the report, the bandits had raided houses on Frank Opara Street, abducting many people including men and women.

Tunde Abdulrahman, the Chairman of Dawaki Rock Heaven Community, said the gun men numbering over 50 launched the attack on around 8 pm on Sunday.

Abdulrahim said the armed men, numbering about 50, invaded the community and broke into about six houses.

On learning about the attack through a distress call placed to the command by some well-meaning residents, Igwe was said to have led some of his men to the area.

The spokesman of the command, Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police said the commissioner engaged the criminals in a gun battle on arrival at the community.

He said Igweh and his men displayed “remarkable bravery and coordination” which led to the rescue of the abductees.

The statement: “In an immediate and strategic response to a distress call on the attack by unknown gunmen in Dawaki on May 19, 2024, at about 11.30pm, the operatives of the FCT Police Command, led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Igweh, himself, swiftly mobilised to the scene.

“Displaying remarkable bravery and coordination, the police, in synergy with local hunters, advanced on the assailants, tactically ambushing them at Ushafa Hill via Bwari and Shishipe Hills via Mpape.

“While one of the rescued victims is still in the hospital receiving medical attention, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, reaffirms the command’s steadfast dedication to maintaining peace and security in the territory, as search operations are ongoing to rescue other hostages who fled the scene during the shootout.”

Following the decision of the FCDA to step up security in and around the nation’s capital following repeated bandits attacks early this year, close watchers of the city insist that the problem of kidnapping has drastically reduced.

Ondo 29 Years Obaship Tussle: Court Dethrones Monarch

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Law and Court

By Ayodele Oni

Justice Ademola Enikuomehin of Owo High Court one, in Ondo State has dethroned a First Class Monarch, the Olute of Ute, Oba Michael Adetunji Oluwole, from the throne.

Oluwole is a retired army officer of the rank of Major.

The judgment followed a  29-year old prolonged Chieftaincy tussle between the Olule Omoloja Ruling House and the dethroned Oba Oluwole.

The Chieftaincy case, which has been taken to the Appellate and Supreme Courts levels was referred back to the Owo High Court for continuation.

Justice Enikuomehin ruled that Adetunji Oluwole should stop parading himself as Olute and ordered fresh selection process from within the Olule Omoloja ruling house lineage.

The Court also affirmed that the retired army officer has no right to the throne, being a member of the Kingmakers and should not make himself King.

The Court, thereafter, awarded damages against the dethroned Monarch in favour of the claimants.

Speaking on the judgment, Counsel to the Claimant, Mr Adewumi Fabuluje said it was victory at last for the Olule Omolaja ruling house for a case that started in 1995 and traversed all Courts.

On his part, State Counsel, FK Salami noted that the judgment would be reviewed and necessary action taken.

In their responses, Princes Boboye,  Omoloja and Chief Leke Obabumoye described the judgment as a relief from long suffering from their original entitlement, which they claimed was hijacked by a stranger.

Police Retirees Demand Urgent Payment Of Entitlements, Protest At National Assembly

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Police Retirees Protest

By Ayodele Oni

After endless wait for their entitlements, retired Police officers on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly, Abuja, to protest their unpaid pensions.

The protesters who represented various state chapters, lamented the severe hardships faced due to the failure of the National Pension Commission to pay their entitlements.

They appealed to the Federal Government to remove them from the contributory pension scheme.

This is not the first time Police Retirees have protested.

In September 2021, retired officers from 27 states stormed the National Assembly to demand for their pension payments.

During the 2021 protest, they displayed placards with messages such as ‘NPF pension defrauding Police retirees, SOS,’ ‘Police officers are dying in penury under the contributory pension scheme,’ and ‘CPS is a death sentence against police!’

The affected retirees had also written letters to the Pension Commission on the need to settle their entitlements.

In one of the letters, they listed names of some of their colleagues who died while waiting for their entitlements.