Home Blog Page 1151

Anambra Muslim Community Affirms Strong Bond With Peter Obi

April 4, 2024

Peter Obi at Onitsha Mosque on Easter Day

The Anambra Muslim community has expressed deep appreciation for Mr. Peter Obi’s enduring connection with them. They have come together to voice their unwavering support and heartfelt prayers for his leadership role in Nigeria’s future.

Their sentiments were echoed on two significant occasions – Saturday and Monday – when Mr. Obi graced the mosques in Onitsha and Awka, respectively, to partake in breaking the Ramadan fast alongside the communities, during which he gave them bags of rice and monetary donations.

At the Central Mosque in Awka, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, the South East Zonal Chairman of Miyetti Allah, praised Mr. Obi for his consistent presence and unwavering support. He fondly recalled Mr. Obi’s past engagements with the community, citing instances of his equal treatment, active participation in Ramadan fasts, sponsorship of pilgrimages, and assistance in mosque renovations during his tenure as Governor of Anambra State. Siddiki noted with genuine surprise and gratitude that Mr. Obi continues to extend his goodwill towards them, even long after his gubernatorial term ended.

In a similar vein, Alhaji Garba Sarki, the leader of the Awka Muslim Community, expressed their lack of surprise at Obi’s visits to Muslim communities in both Onitsha and Awka. Sarki characterized these visits as consistent with Obi’s nature and typical of his commitment to engaging with diverse communities. He emphasized that Obi’s inclusive approach and dedication to connecting with people from all backgrounds exemplify the leadership qualities needed to revitalize Nigeria. Sarki asserted that Nigeria would undergo a transformative process if Obi were to assume the presidency, citing his belief in Obi’s potential to bring about positive change and national progress.

He informed the community that Obi has honored his commitment to provide 1.5 million Naira for mosque maintenance, ensuring that the funds have been promptly deposited into their accounts.

Musa Bello Sheleng, the esteemed Sardauna of Awka kingdom, expressed his unwavering admiration for Obi, emphasizing that it was through Obi’s sponsorship that he was able to embark on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Sheleng spoke of his deep appreciation for Obi’s generosity and support, highlighting the significant impact it had on the community.

During his address, Obi underscored the imperative for all Nigerians, regardless of their tribal or religious affiliations, to unite and advocate for effective leadership. He elaborated on the detrimental impact of poor governance, emphasizing that its repercussions extend to every citizen, regardless of their background. Obi emphasized that in the sphere of governance, there is no preferential treatment based on tribe or religion, as everyone is equally affected by the consequences of inadequate leadership. He urged Nigerians to transcend divisive barriers and collectively demand accountability, transparency, and excellence in leadership to ensure the prosperity and well-being of the nation.

Expanding on his remarks, Obi passionately appealed to Muslims to seize the solemn occasion of Ramadan as an opportunity to fervently pray for Nigeria and its leaders. He implored for divine intervention, entreating that hearts be touched and minds be guided towards utilizing the state’s resources for the collective welfare of the populace. Obi stressed the importance of directing efforts towards the development of each state’s unique potential, emphasizing the significance of inclusive growth and equitable distribution of resources. He urged Muslims to embrace their role as agents of positive change, advocating for compassion, empathy, and unity in fostering a brighter future for all Nigerians.

“Now That The Exchange Rate Has Come Down, Reduce The Cost Of Your Commodities”, Senator Wamakko Urges Traders

The Source

April 4, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Kano Begins Distribution of fresh 224,000 Bags Of Rice

Former Governor of Sokoto state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, says now that the exchange rate of the Naira has considerably improved against other major currencies of the world ,it is high time traders and other business actors in the State and across the country reduced prices of essential commodities.

The Source reports that apart from the removal of petroleum products subsidies, another major reason which most business promoters have blamed for the escalation in prices is the high exchange of the country’s currency particularly against the United States of America Dollar.

But in a statement issued in Sokoto on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 by his media aide Bashar Abubakar, Wamakko, who is also the leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress APC in Sokoto, urged traders in the state ,and others in other parts of the country to align the prices of their products with the current improved exchange rate of the Naira.

According to him, with the exchange rate now hovering between N1.200 and N1.350 against the Dollar, both at the official and parallel markets, traders and other business actors have no reason not to adjust downward prices of essential commodities.

The former Governor of Sokoto State noted that since the exchange rate has come down from N1.700 to #1,200 to a dollar the traders have no justifiable reasons to continue to keep the prices of essential commodities beyond the reach of the ordinary people,.

He, therefore, appealed to the leaderships of Sokoto traders associations and all other relevant bodies in the distribution chain,to compliment the efforts of the Government in stabilizing the economy, by reducing the prices of essential items.

Wamakko, who spoke during Iftar ( Ramadan breakfast) with Some Commissioners,top Government officials and members of the academic community at his residence in Gawon Nama area of Sokoto , frowned at the attitude of some traders who are resisting pleas to bring down the prices of their goods.

The former Governor appealed to the leaderships of the traders association especially in Sokoto state to prevail on their members in the interests of the suffering citizens and the development of the country, to lower the costs of their goods.

Meanwhile, Governor Abba kabir Yusuf of Kano state, has warned that his administration will deal decisively with any persons and or groups that are caught trying to divert palliative materials meant for the people.

The Governor issued the warning on Wednesday April 3 during the flag off of the distribution of 224 ,440 bags of 25 kg of rice to the less privileged across the 44 local councils of the state to ease the pressure of Ramadan.

He said beneficiaries of the latest Ramadan relief materials have been drawn from the entire 11,222 polling units ,and 484 wards of kano state ..

He, therefore, tasked the Palliative Distribution Compliance Committee assembled from the state ,local council and ward levels to ensue that the palliatives get to the targeted beneficiaries.

According to Governor Yusuf ,this is the fourth batch of a wider programme of palliatives distributions to the poor and vulnerable sects to ameliorate the economic hardships being faced by them.

The distribution exercise,he stated,will be conducted on senatorial bases ,starting from Kano South,then Kano North ,with Kano Central coming last .

Governor Yusuf further announced that the state has started receiving its shares of Federal government palliatives ,with distribution patterns already mapped out,.

The Governor insisted, however,that those who have already benefited, should not expect another in the interests of fairness and equity.

EKSUTH Chancellor Upbraids Students On Agriculture, Floats Fund To Boost agro Technology

Ayodele Oni

April 3, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

In a bid to boost food production and be self sufficient, undergraduates of Ekiti State University, (EKSU) have been encouraged to lease land within the campus for agricultural purposes.

Students and graduands that veer into agriculture have been assured of assistance from the one billion naira innovation fund to boost agro technology.

The Chancellor of EKSU, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe announced the fund to empower agro-technology companies founded by the latest graduands and current students of the institution.

He announced this on Wednesday in his speech at the 28th convocation ceremonies of the institution.

The Chancellor, also, announced the establishment of an endowment agenda to offer support and subsidies for up to 30 academic staff members,l pp p so as to facilitate their participation in international conferences, training sessions, and research activities.

This is in addition to the creation of a platform for 100 of the brightest students from EKSU to engage in resourceful and sustainable work for skills acquisition and development.

Olowolafe noted that it has become imperative for graduates and undergraduates in Nigeria to get actively involved in activities geared towards supporting food security, innovation and strategic entrepreneurship in the current circumstance.

“Today your excellency, the general discussion in Nigeria is about cost of living and food security. All of us eat. But many of us do not spend time to think about what we eat, how it is produced and how did it get to our table.

“My view is regardless of what we are studying at university, we must all think about how we can do our bit to produce food. This means both the academic and student faculties must come together to think and act.”

He suggested that students take land lease arrangements for agricultural purposes adding that special awards could also be given to outstanding agriculture entrepreneurs in addition to academic honours.

“This campus is located on very fertile land. Let us see how we can optimize the use of this land for agricultural purposes. Each student can lease a small plot of land for production.

“As we learn to pass our exams, we can also use these farms to eat and earn a living. There is no age or gender restriction.

“Mr. Vice Chancellor sir, as we give awards to best academic students, we can also give awards to best agro entrepreneurs on campus.

“Some can do grains while others do vegetables. Some can do poultry whilst others can do fisheries. Some can even do logistics whilst others do apps.”

He urged the graduands and undergraduates to endeavour to take a needs assessment of their environments to see resources that could be tapped into emphasizing that youths need to think wider than their narrow fields of study.

“Graduands, the market is there. Agriculture cannot and will not prevent you from pursuing your dreams. As a matter of fact, it will allow you to pursue your dreams on a full stomach.

“Many Universities are seen as centres of academic learning. But they should also ‘course correct’ to be ‘life experience’ centres. It is beyond obtaining a qualification, you ought to also leave university with some experiences on how to live and be independent with little or no family support.”

Ondo Set To Promote 4,200 Civil Servants As Gov Aiyedatiwa Approves

Ayodele Oni

April 3, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

No fewer than 4,200 workers in Ondo state that are due for promotion are set to receive their letters.

The announcement came as the state government flagged off the year 2024 promotion exercise for civil servants in the state.

Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip who announced this, stated that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved the promotion of deserving officers with attendant financial benefits.

Philip, who appreciated the government for the gesture, urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate by putting in their best in their service delivery, saying to whom much is giving, much is expected.

He warned that his leadership would be aversed to a situation where officers retiring early in any particular year and are due for promotion would be made to go home without their last promotion.

The Head of Service pointed out that the promotion process for year 2025 would commence and be concluded before the end of the year, such that beneficiaries would begin to enjoy from the beginning of the year and subsequent years.

Philip, who noted that 2024 is an election year in the state, however charged the public servants to insulate themselves from partisan politics and stay clear from any form of election campaigns under any guise.

He enjoined them to sustain the integrity of the service using the newly distilled approach ‘don’t deliver short, don’t deliver late as their guilding principle.

“I must appreciate Mr Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who said, Head of Service, don’t pursue me with any file, everyone who is due for promotion, go ahead and promote them.

“The position of our governor, Aiyedatiwa is that a labourer is worthy of his wage even before his sweat will dry and an officer is worthy of his promotion as and when due.

“In Ondo State, no deserving officer has been left unpromoted and this has to be so with the goodwill of the government of Ondo State

“Therefore I want to admonish you. In your respective desk, you must not deliver short and you must not deliver late. Whatever you are to do must to be short of quality and must not be done late. Do your job as a patriotic civil servant that you are.

“I must also tell you. This is an election year. Do your job. You are civil servants and have nothing to do with partisan politics. Engage your mind more than you engage your mouth.”

Edo Deputy Governor, Shuaibu Asks Impeachment Panel To Halt Sitting, Citing Court Order

Ayodele Oni

April 3, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Deputy Governor of Edo State Philip Shaibu, has challenged the legality of the seven member investigative panel on his impending impeachment.

As the panel commenced sitting on Wednesday, the embattled deputy governor raised a point of law as regards its continued sitting.

Shuaibu, through his lawyer prayed the seven-member investigative panel, to obey an interlocutory injunction of a Federal High Court, Abuja.

The lawyer, Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, said the panel’s sitting to investigate his client would amount to a fait accompli.

He argued that there was a subsisting order of interlocutory injunction granted by an Abuja Federal High Court and further hearing had been adjourned to April 8.

Awoyale argued that with the court’s order, all parties were advised to obey the ruling.

However, counsel to the House of Assembly and Deputy Clerk, Legal Department, Joe Oaifi, argued that the panel’s sitting was supported by Section 188 (10) of the constitution which foreclosed any court from preventing the House of Assembly and the panel from discharging its constitutional responsibilities.

The State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, had constituted a panel headed by retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa.

The panel has the mandate to investigate the allegation of misconduct levelled against the deputy governor by the Edo State House of Assembly.

Names of two of the panel members that earlier announced their withdrawal have been replaced.

South East APC Recommits To Uzodimma’s Leadership; Governor says Party Cannot Afford To Fail The People

The Source

April 3, 2024

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in the South East to use their positions and influence to work in the interest of the generality of the people.

Governor Uzodimma spoke on a day the who is who in APC in the South East met in Owerri, the Imo State capital, to recommit themselves and the Party to his leadership following his recent appointment as the leader of the APC in the zone.

In the Governor’s remarks after listening to different leaders in APC from the zone cutting across those holding executive and legislative positions, Senator Uzodimma called on the stakeholders to open their hands and use their positions to help other Party members and the society at large.

Besides, Governor Uzodimma appealed to the APC faithful from the five States that make up the South East to “come together to serve the people of the zone and avoid the pull him down syndrome which is common among politicians.”

He expressed gratitude to the organisers of the Zonal stakeholders meeting, describing it as not only strategic but symbolic.

The Governor said that he was delighted over the turnout of the Party members to the meeting, saying it “shows new attitude and incremental awareness on the political demands of the zone.”

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for understanding the precarious situation of the South East as a marginalised zone and for working with stakeholders to de-marginalise the zone.

The Governor said there is only one road to be part of what is happening at the Central Government, “which is the need to support Mr. President and his programmes,” adding that, “in other words, there is every need to stand behind President Ahmed Tinubu and the Party APC.”

Governor Uzodimma commended the new attitude and understanding on the need to integrate the South East into the National Political grid, noting that “Nigeria is practising partisan democracy, so to win an election and be in position, you must use a Political Party and the Party the South East needs now is All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Governor Uzodimma added that “what the South East requires is the support of the bigger zones and for the stakeholders to achieve that, they have to develop the spirit of togetherness, forgive each other to assure the future of our children and generation yet unborn. This requires our being our brother’s keeper.”

He pointed out that the Federal Government under the APC has supported State Governments substantially, especially through the palliatives and other supports.

He commended the contributions of members of the National Assembly from the zone, the ministers and other political office holders and emphasised the need for all to work as a team and join forces to achieve a greater South East.

On the prospects of the APC in the South East, the Governor informed that soon a Technical Committee will be set up whereby leaders will go round the five States to interface with all Party faithful, reconcile everyone and collectively embark on E-registration of old and additional members.

Governor Uzodimma commended the current leadership of the Party in the zone for achieving so much without much provisions and assured them of better encouragement and necessary support going forward.

As the leader and coordinator of APC in the South East, Governor Uzodimma assured that he will not allow the zone to languish because of anyone or gossips.

He insisted that the South East must “help Nigeria for Nigeria to help her,” reiterating that to be “a President from South East other zones must know you and trust you.”

Governor Uzodimma however bemoaned the sit-at-home order that has kept the South East economy and people on perpetual hardship and difficulty and urged the stakeholders to open their eyes to the realities on ground.

Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru whose message was delivered by the Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obilar emphasised that APC needs one voice, needs to be focused and should be a team of brothers to achieve de-marginalisation.

She said that APC in the South East and the stakeholders need to put their houses in order and be their brother’s keeper, assuring that the women are ready to take over.

She added that Ebonyi State is committed to continue to support APC and the leaders in the South East.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benajamin Okezie Kalu who was also represented told the audience that President Tinubu, from available data and statistics, has done well with his programmes.

He highlighted the passage of the South East Development Commission Bill as an achievement of South East leaders in the National Assembly and commended the able leadership of Governor Uzodimma in the Party.

The Deputy National Chairman South, Emma Enukwu, who also represented the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Ganduje, informed that the National Chairman sent his goodwill messages and congratulations to the Governor of Imo State on his untiring efforts aimed at stabilising APC in the South East and ensuring that the zone is integrated into the National Political grid.

He said that the National Chairman has directed that the E-registration of APC members in all the States of the Federation, and that the Party should have offices in all the Local Governments and INEC wards in the country just as the stakeholders should embark on reconciliations for all hands to be on deck to win more States in the future elections.

On his own part, Enukwu expressed his gratitude and that of his National Working Committee members to Governor Uzodimma for all his assistance to the Party.

In their message of appreciation, members of the National Assembly through their spokesperson, Senator Osita Izunaso, and Ministers of the South East extraction through their spokesperson, Dr. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha (Minister for Labour and Employment) also expressed their gratitude to the Governor of Imo State for his leadership role in zone.

Izunaso underlined the fact that APC is the leading Party in the South East today with seven Senators out of 15 Senators from the five States of the South East while Onyejiocha, speaking on behalf of the Ministers from the South East, assured that they will not do any anti-Party activities or disappoint the stakeholders expectations.

In their messages the APC Chairmen of the five South East States–Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo – expressed confidence in a brighter future for Party in the zone.

Though the Chairman of Abia State lamented backbiting by supposed stakeholders in the State as a challenge his colleague from Anambra State painted a picture of a future that guarantees APC taking over in the State in 2025.

Enugu State Chairman said APC has come alive and that the Party is completely sanitised in Enugu while that of Ebonyi State assured that with the firm taproot of their Governor in Ebonyi the sky is the limit of the APC.

Imo State APC Chairman, MacDonald Ebere was full of thanks and appreciation to Governor Uzodimma whom he said his fatherly role in the Party in Imo State is second to none.

Ebere had earlier in his welcome remarks lauded the reason for the meeting and expressed satisfaction over the level of progress the APC has made both national, regional and in his State.

He thanked President Tinubu and the leadership of the APC for recognising the limitless capacity in Governor Uzodimma and said that the future of the Party in the zone looks very bright with Governor Uzodimma on the driving seat in the South East.

The National Vice Chairman South East, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu in his opening address said that the Party has done well so far under their watch and congratulated Governor Uzodimma for his appointment as the Coordinator of APC in the South East.

He informed that the South East APC has made a lot of successes in the areas of Party discipline and supremacy.

He also thanked the Governor for all his assistance in funding the Party and highlighted that the South East zonal executive office is functioning with an annual operational deficit of N65 million and solicited assistance to off-set the bill.

Arodiogbu noted that the APC has high hopes in the off-season election coming up in Anambra in 2025 and that the zone has concluded arrangement to be part of the electronic registration planned for her members.

He then urged the stakeholders of the zone to remain steadfast in their support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the APC administration and assured that President Tinubu’s policies are the right thing to do about the Nigerian economy.

Former APC National Auditor, Mr. Paul Chukwuma who spoke for the private sector said the economy is about stabilising with the dollar coming down and President Tinubu working tirelessly to achieve a better economy for the country.

Mr Chukwuma said that APC has all it takes to turn around the fortunes of the country and urged the South East faithful to be committed to the efforts to be the change agents the people require.

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation and the recognition of those who decamped from other political parties to APC in the zone.

Body Demands Swift Action Amidst Allegation Of Zamfara Mosque Abduction, Police Refutes Story, Govt Imposes Curfew

The Source

April 3, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The International Human Rights Advocacy and Awareness Centre IHRAAC has called on all relevant authorities to deploy all necessary steps to rescue several worshipers alleged to have been abducted early Tuesday morning at a mosque in Gusau the capital of Zamfara State.

In yet another display of braggadocio and unbridled audacity some elements suspected to be bandits had on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, allegedly stormed a Gusau popular Mosque at about 2 am and abducted a large number of Muslim faithful, observing the tahajjud ( midnight) prayers, a development which has since heightened tension, anxiety and security concerns in the already beleaguered state.

But it is an incident the Zamfara State Police Command has dismissed as not true.

Although efforts are said to be ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims, the IHRAAC has demanded an urgent action from authorities at all levels to secure the safe release of the worshipers.

This is even as the international human rights body has strongly condemned the abduction which it descrbed as barbaric and inhuman.

In a statement on its official site ,IHAAC called on the Government to swiftly deploy security and other relevant personnel to free the kidnapped victims.

It also demanded heightened security measures around worship centres, schools, public institutions and other vulnerable spots in the country,with a view to halting the spate of attacks and abductions of innocent people.

It has also called for the institutionalization of a robust intelligence gathering network ,comprehensive support for victims of abduction, and strengthening of the country’s security architecture as some of the veritable means of curtailing the activities of bandits ,kidnappers and other criminal elements ,who are strongly believed to be at the root of the upsurge in insecurity particularly in the Northern Region of Nigeria.

While standing in solidarity with Zamfara people, families and loved ones of the victims,IHAAC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the safety and rights of the people.

But in a swift reaction, the Zamfara Police Command said that reports of a purported abduction of Muslim worshipers at a Mosque in Gusau, the state Capital ,early Tuesday morning are false.

Earlier reports had suggested the kidnap of a large number of Muslim faithful observing Tahajjud ( midnight prayers ) at about 2am on Tuesday April 2 2024 at a popular Mosque in the state capital by suspected bandits .

But a statement issued by the Command Spokesperson Yazid Abubakar, ASP, the Police said that the bandits rather came to kidnap one Ashiru, a businessman resident in the area, who was later killed by the suspected bandits for resisting to be abducted.

According to the Zamfara Police, the deceased’s wife and a male neighbour of Ashiru were taken away by the suspected bandits to an unknown destination.

The Police said although worshipers were not the target and were never attacked, they scampered to safety due to sporadic gunshots ,adding that many worshipers ran and escaped through various directions.

The Police authorities however, said they have commenced moves to track down the perpetrators ,and to ensure the rescue of the two kidnapped victims,

The Police also cautioned the people against the dissemination of fake news ,which it said tends to escalate the security challenges in the state.

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Government has imposed a partial curfew on some parts of the State to stem the rising tide in abductions and other criminal activities.

Alhaji Manir Haidara the state commissioner of Information, on Tuesday said movements, particularly, travels along the state borders with Katsina and sokoto states will be restricted from 7.00 pm to 6.00 am .

This, he said, is to curtail high incidences of kidnappings within the Yankara border with Katsina and Bimasa border with Sokoto state .

The Commissioner who spoke after the State’s Security Council Meeting further noted that the move is to check abductions and kidnappings of travelers along Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua highway.

Kano Assembly Confirms Kwankwaso’s Son ,Three Others As Commissioners

The Source

April 3, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday, April 2, screened and confirmed as Commissioners Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,son of the Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP during the 2023 general elections and three others .

The Source reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ,a protege of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso himself a former Governor of Kano, had earlier last week nominated the younger Musa Kwankwaso along side three others as Commissioner designate, a development which elicited mix reactions from kano residents and across the entire country.

Not a few condemned the action of Governor Yusuf ,who is widely believed to owe his office to the political machine of the National Leader of the NNPP,.

Many described the nomination of the younger Musa Kwankwaso as a gross act of nepotism..

While conveying the request for the confirmation of Mustapha Kwankwaso and the three others as commissioner, Governor had also requested for the approval of the legislative body for establishment of four new ministries ,namely – Humanitarian and Poverty Eradication, Solid Minerals Resources ,Power and Renewable Energy and Internal Security and Special Services.

The Majority Leader of the House ,while addressing the press shortly after the screening exercise, noted that Mustapha Kwankwaso, Adamu Aliyu, Abduljabar Umar Garko ,and Shehu Usman Aliyu have been found worthy and qualified to be appointed as commissioners ,have consequently been confirmed.

Resident Doctors In Ondo Teaching Hospital Protest Non Payment Of Entitlements

Ayodele Oni

April 3, 2024

Resident Doctors In Ondo Teaching Hospital

By Ayodele Oni

Just as Ondo State Government began recruitment of medical personnel to fill existing vacancies, members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, (UNIMEDTH) commenced 14 days warning strike action over non-payment of seven months salaries.

It was gathered that those being owed are newly recruited medical personnel. The striking ARD members staged a peaceful protest to press home their demands.

They carried placards with various inscriptions and vowed to ground activities at the hospital if their demands were not met.

President of the UNIMEDTH ARD, Dr. John Matthew, who spoke to journalists, said their members who joined the were yet to be paid.

Other reasons for the warning strike, according to Dr. Matthew, were non-payment of palliative to House officers since February, non-payment of February hazard allowance despite promise by the state government to pay two months, dearth of staff Due resignation of doctors from the institution.

He said there were only 26 members of ARD in the hospital against 150 members few months ago.

According to him: “We demand full payment of the arrears of salaries owed to our members and payment of February 2024 palliative to our House officers.

“Management should pay February hazard allowance to our members and urgently address the severe clinical manpower shortage in the institution. Our members work everyday. There are no staff due to japa syndrome.”

Pan Yoruba Group Says Attack On South East Bound Bus Was Allegedly Carried Out By Herdsmen

Akinwale Kasali

April 3, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Pan Yoruba Group, Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, has alleged that the attack and burning of a Luxurious Bus travelling from Lagos to Eastern Nigeria may not be unconnected with armed herdsmen operating in Yoruba territories.

The Group said that the attack may have been designed to score political goals being part of a grand plot to stir conflict between Yoruba people and the South East.

The Bus, Ifesinachi Transport Limited, had left Lagos on Saturday but was attacked around Ijebu-Mushin in Ogun State.

The passengers were stripped naked, robbed while the Bus was set ablaze.

In a statement AYDM, a coalition of 130 Yoruba and Itsekiri community based groups, asked the Police to extend its dragnet to the armed herdsmen operating in South West forests.

In the statement signed by General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi the Group said while robbery is not alien to the South West, attacking Luxurious Buses and burning down the bus after looting the vehicle and stealing from the passengers are very strange.

The AYDM warned that more horrific attacks driven by vested political interests to destabilise the country may occur in the future unless effects are made to identify the sponsors and deal decisively with them.

Ajayi said, “We suspect this is the handiwork of an organised crime with political motives. That is the only thing we can read to the burning of the vehicle after looting and stealing of propery” AYDM said

The coalition said the burning down of the vehicle raises the prospect of political motives.

AYDM said Armed Herdsmen continue to operate in forests across the South West warning that the Yoruba State Governors appear not to realise the grave dangers their control of the forest pose to regional and national security.

“We hope it was not politically motivated as part of the plot to destabilise Nigeria and in pursuant of the agenda of a bloc from President Bola Tinubu’s successor, in collaboration with others, who reluctantly handed over and have been looking for ways and means to bring the government down or set Nigerian ethnic groups against each other in order to upturn the country.

Popoola said Nigeria has seen politically motivated crimes in recent months, recalling the kidnap of 280 children in Kaduna State, the kidnap of children of Apostolic School in Ekiti State and the killing of three Yoruba traditional rulers.

It added that the savage attack on a bus going from Lagos to Eastern Nigeria is unacceptable.

“These are very suspicious developments that may not be isolated from the plot of some politically exposed persons.”

He said the choice of a South East bus being attacked on Yoruba territory is suspicious more importantly that the bus was burnt down.

“This might be a conscious attempt to create conflict among ethnic groups in the South. This is why it is very important for the police to do diligent work to expose and punish the criminals.”

Speaking on the incidence, the Ogun State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola said “It happened in Oke Ado junction at Ijebu Mushin. A luxury Mercedes Benz bus was burnt down. The vehicle was coming from Maza Maza before it encountered the hoodlums. No reference to gun was made.They (the hoodlums) wielded cutlasses.”

Chude Nnamdi, a passenger in the bus said

“Ifesinachi Motors, we were travelling in the night to come back to the East for Easter celebration, and criminals attacked us in Ijebu Ode along Ore-Benin Expressway.

“They robbed us of everything we had, some they stripped half-naked. They locked us inside the 59-seater luxury bus and set it ablaze. We thank God that we later escaped; nobody died, but everything we had was collected.

“We thank God that we didn’t lose anyone but we lost everything we were travelling with and some sustained injuries.

“This is Ifesinachi Motors that we are travelling with on Friday night and this attack happened around 2am.

“They stripped us half-naked. You can see it; the people in the vehicle are completely stranded. There are some people who were macheted and some who broke their legs. We have children among us”, he recalled.

1...1,1501,1511,152...2,901 Page 1,151 of 2,901