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Ondo: Anglican Bishop Laments Hunger In The Land, Urges President Tinubu To Address Challenges

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rev Simon Borokini

By Ayodele Oni

The Anglican Bishop of Akure Diocese, His Lordship, The Rt. Rev. Simon Borokini, has observed that hunger, occasioned by economic crisis has become household phenomenon in the country.

He told President Bola Tinubu to find ways of lessening the hardship Nigerians are currently passing through.

The Cleric spoke at the Third Session of the 14 Synod of the church held at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ijare, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Bishop noted that the state of the country’s economy has been something to worry about.

“The Nigeria economy has been subject of great concern due to its diverse and biting challenges. It is currently at its lowest ebb since independence with macroeconomic indicators moving in discouraging directions.

“Monetary policies have been inconsistent, non-supportive of economic growth, ineffective and cost push inflation has been out of control resulting in high food prices.

“Nigerians are hungry! The Standing Committee therefore calls on the government to have a rethink on its penchant for external borrowing, give proper attention to fiscal policies, and diversify its economic base by harnessing our abundant natural resources.”

Borokini also expressed concern about the spate of insecurity the country, calling on government and security agencies to rise up to their responsibilities in ensuring protection of lives and properties of the people.

According to him “The Standing Committee meeting decries the constant attacks in Plateau, Zamfara, Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, parts of Imo and Anambra States and other parts of the country.

“It therefore calls on the government and statutory security agencies to rise to their responsibilities of protection of the lives and property of the citizenry, giving heed to the call for effective community policing.

“This is in line with its constitutional obligation under section 14 (1) (b) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, which states that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

Ondo LG Poll Postponed Indefinitely As Political Parties Refuse To Comply With Guidelines

By
Ayodele Oni
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Independent National Electoral Commission - INEC

By Ayodele Oni

For the third time, Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ODIEC) has announced the postponement of the Local Government Election indefinitely.

ODIEC Chairman, Dr Joseph Aremo disclosed this at a meeting with stakeholders held at the commission’s headquarters in Akure on Monday.

Dr Aremo hinged the postponement on the non compliance of political parties with rules and regulations of the conduct of the election.

ODIEC Chairman, while lamenting that no political party submitted any candidate’s name, explained that the commission would review its activities and a new date will be communicated in due course.

He described the action of IPAC as sabotaging the efforts of the commission in the conduct of the local government election.

Reacting to the development, Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council, (IPAC), Prince Olaoluwa Adesanya said political parties deliberately boycotted the process due to the refusal of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to meet with the IPAC leadership ahead of the local government election.

Prince Adesanya noted that the State Governor had refused to meet with IPAC despite several letter written to request for a meeting.

The Council vowed not to participate in the conduct of the election until after meeting with the Governor to ascertain the level of readiness of the state government for the conduct of the council poll.

Rivers: Pro-Wike Lawmakers Resume, Give Gov Fubara Seven Days Ultimatum To Present Budget

By
Ayodele Oni
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Martin Amaewhule

By Ayodele Oni

With the Court of Appeal judgement, which set aside their earlier ban, members of the Rivers state House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget to the House.

The order follows the first sitting of the pro-Wike legislators on Monday after some months.

The other House led by Victor Oko-Jumbo also held a parallel sitting in Port Harcourt.

Fubara had earlier presented the budget to the House loyal to him when his current Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie presided as the Speaker.

Ehie and the other pro-Fubara lawmakers passed the budget estimates, and the governor signed the bill into law.

He stated that it was aimed at promoting economic development, inclusive growth, and addressing socio-economic inequality in the state.

Report stated that earlier Monday morning, the Nyesom Wike and Sim Fabura factions of the House of Assembly lawmakers were locked up in parallel sittings.

The Lawmakers had arrived at the House of Assembly Quarters amidst heavy security presence.

Kwara Police Command Arrests Suspected Ritualist

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigerian Police

By Ayodele Oni

Nemesis has caught up with a suspected ritualist in Kwara State who attempted to slaughter a 10 years old boy for ritual.

The Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the 46-year-old suspected ritualist while attempting to slaughter a 10-year-old boy hawking pepper in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

The suspect identified as Isiaka Adeniyi, according to the police, was arrested on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, at the Oke-Foma area in Ilorin West Local Government Area of the State.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, in a statement  explained that the suspect allegedly lured the hawker (name withheld) into a room under the pretext of attempting to buy pepper from him.

“According to information received from the police at the C Division, on July 2, 2024, at about 1800 hrs, a report was received from Onidoko Police Post indicating that at about 1730 hrs, an incident occurred in the  Oke-Foma area of Ilorin.

“It was reported that a 10-year-old boy (name withheld) resident of Abab area Abayawo, Ilorin, was hawking pepper when he was lured into a room by a suspect identified as Isiaka Adeniyi, aged 46, from Ifedapo Community, Oke-Foma area, Ilorin.

“The suspect allegedly lured the victim under the pretext of purchasing pepper, but instead covered the victim’s face with a cloth and attempted to slaughter him with a knife.

“Thanks to the swift action of vigilant community members, the suspect was apprehended and brought to the station.

“Preliminary investigation is underway, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, (CID) for thorough and discreet investigation.”

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, commended the proactive efforts of the community members in apprehending the suspect and ensuring that justice was served in the grievous matter.

“We urge the public to remain calm as we continue our investigation and assure them that the police will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Kwara State.”

“Your Claim Of Past  Commissioners Collecting N10 Million To Justify Your Humongous Pay False”, Oriaku Fires Back At Abia Finance Commissioner

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Obinna Oriaku and Mike Akpara

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

With the dust raised by the suspension of the  Abia State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, over alleged untidy official conduct yet to fully settle, another  top official of the Dr Alex Otti led administration is swimming in controversy .

Mike Akpara, the  Commissioner for Finance in the last one week has been on the focus over his humongous monthly emoluments which not a few Abians have come to see as not reflecting the austere situation in the country.

On a Flo FM radio programme a few days back, Akpara had officially confirmed that he goes home monthly with N10 million as entitlements.

Before then, the alarm raised in some quarters concerning the outrageous take home pay had been dismissed as neither here nor there.

Instructively, while responding to the issue of the huge monthly payments to his office during the live Radio programme, the Commissioner claimed that  he is only following the foot steps of his predecessors in office.

But reacting to Akpara’s claim on Sunday July,7 2024, Obinna Oriaku, former Commissioner for Finance ,between 2015 and 2019, described Akpara’s claim as false and misleading.

Hon Oriaku in a statement, while commending his successor for making out time to publicly clear the air on the vexatious issue and others, however, disputed the claim that all past Commissioners for Finance in  the State collected N10 million as monthly payments.

He said: “Since I left Government as a Commissioner of Finance, I have cultivated the penchant of monitoring interviews of State Officials when I have the time which always comes at a cost to my other schedules.

“This I do, either directly or indirectly for two reasons:

  1. To follow up with the developments in governance in a State I am a stakeholder in.
  1. To review engagement as to ensure I am not in any way implicated for what should ordinarily not have my name anywhere miles around such conversations.

“The above reasons suffice in explaining how the interview session with Mr. Mike Akpara, the current Commissioner For Finance,   hosted by Love FM Umuahia on 4th July 2024 became of interest to me.

“As much as I commend the Honorable Commissioner for coming on air to provide answers to  some questions bordering on salaries, Pension and the humongous entitlements of his office, I however wish to place on record without fear of contradiction that his receipt of 10million naira monthly entitlement is in line with past traditions in the office of Finance commissioners, is to all intents and purposes, misleading as I Obinna Oriaku who served between June 2015 to June 2019 is an exception and the reasons are self evident.

*1. I offered pro bono Service to Abia State.

“What that means is that throughout my four years in office as an appointee of the Government, I did not receive a salary from the Abia State government.

“I was on secondment from First Bank Ltd., which continued to pay my monthly salary while I served as Commissioner.

“2. I was the mastermind of Cost Reduction Measures akin to that era.

“Upon assumption of office, in line with our philosophy of disruptive change, I reduced the cost of attending monthly FAAC meetings in Abuja from N1.6 million to N500,000 over four years.

“Note, the disruption was not only for my office then but across board including monthly salary of the Governor that was reduced by 50%

“3. Commissioners’ Salaries:

The salary for commissioners remained at N196,000 until 2023.

“Additionally, the Executive Council (Exco) allowance was reduced from N1 million to N500,000, reflecting the economic realities of the recession at the time.

“This Exco allowance albeit irregular, was sustained even till I left in June 2019.

“It is, therefore, preposterous and absolutely misleading, to make a  claim, that his N10 million monthly  salary is in line with the tradition he inherited from past  Commissioners of Finance.

“From such a claim I completely exonerate myself and State unequivocally that I was not part of it .

“I would go further by  imploring him to call up files relating to payments made during my stay in that office  to verify my claims.

“I can assure Mr Akpara that his investigations will reveal that there were no such claims.

“In addition, no monthly overhead was approved for my office; expenses on my driver and police escorts, entertainment of visitors, and the fueling and maintenance of my car were personally borne by me.

“It is, therefore, both unconscionable and provocative to justify the current N10 million per month even with an intention for a review, when night and traveling allowances for top civil servants in Abia state and salary have remained what it has been for the past years regardless of attendant inflationary trends .

“While I sympathize with the current administration for their peculiar economic challenges, I urge Mr. Akpara to desist from the culture of generalisation, that seeks to paint all past commissioners with the same brush, as he might inadvertently burn his fingers irredeemably by doing such.

“For whoever cares to know, the administration of  former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, particularly from 2015 to 2017, was populated with selfless individuals who served sacrificially to reposition the state.

“Lastly, it’s essential and advisable to maintain transparency and integrity in public office in order  to earn and retain the trust of the people.

“Misrepresenting the past for pecuniary reasons will  only deepen mistrust and hinder progress towards a more equitable and just governance.

“Again, what is ‘new’ in the acclaimed ‘New Abia’ if we constantly imitate the ‘old’ ways inappropriate actions and inactions” part of the statement reads:

Yahaya Bello vs EFCC:  Agency Alerts African Countries Of Ex-Gov Plan To Escape

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Yahaya Bello and EFCC Officials

Ahead the July 17 appearance of former governor of Kogi state,  Yahaya Bello in court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has put some African countries on high alert over alleged plan by the former governor to escape the country.

According to sources, the anti-graft agency is weighing the possibility of ensuring that the former governor appears in court on that date, following his failure to do so on several occasions.

The magazine reported that former governor Bello has become a fugitive of the law after his failure to present himself in court to face charges that he embezzled over N80 billion belonging to the Confluence State as Kogi is widely known.

Recall that the former governor, had in March this year, escaped from the EFCC  allegedly with the assistance of Governor Usman Ododo, his successor in office after the agency’s operatives laid siege in his Abuja home.

The commission has however declared him wanted.

It’s widely believed that the former state helmsman is currently hiding in the state government house.

Since he narrowly made that escape, all efforts to bring him to justice have proved abortive while calls continue among not a few Nigerians that he must face the law for allegedly involving in massive financial corruption while he preside over the affairs of the state.

The EFCC is now doing everything to ensure that he’s brought to the court at all cost to face trial, according to sources in the commission who spoke on the issue.

The anti-graft commission has also positioned its men with the help of other security agencies to ensure that Bello does not escape through the country’s major land borders.

Instructively, the EFCC is also working with other security agencies to ensure that Bello is not allowed to use their borders to escape into “Europe or Asia” as the former governor is allegedly planning to escape from Nigeria and seek refuge elsewhere.

Some of the countries that have have been contacted by the EFC  include, Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, Cameroon amongst others sources in the commission said.

The source said: “We are aware of a botched  exit to Morocco via Cameroon. We are determined to stop him from going on exile.

“From Singapore, the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede was in Tunisia where he delivered a paper at a session on illicit financial flows. Thereafter, he had a meeting with all the Heads of INTERPOL in North Africa on the intelligence on the ex-governor.

“He formally asked INTERPOL to place  Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries and it was accepted.

“The watch-list has taken immediate effect. He will be arrested in any part of North Africa.

“We took this step because we are suspecting that he had been bidding time not to be available for arraignment.”

Following Bello’s disappearance, and the allegation that some prominent persons in the state were providing him refuge,  the family of the late governor of the state,  Prince Abubakar Audu, said in April that the former governor was being harboured by them.

The Audu family said in a statement: “The attention of Prince Abubakar Audu’s family has been drawn to spurious and ridiculous rumors and publications circulating across various social media platforms, alleging that the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, is being harboured in our family house at Ogbonocha, Ofu Local Government Area, Kogi State. We wish to inform the public that this claim is entirely false.

“We wish to emphasize that our family house at Ogbonocha serves solely as a private residence for members of the Audu family and is not a sanctuary for any political figure, past or present.

“As custodians of our family’s heritage, we uphold the principles of honesty and integrity that Prince Abubakar Audu embodied throughout his lifetime.

“We urge the public to exercise caution and discernment when encountering such sensationalist claims, recognizing them for what they are: baseless conjecture designed to sow confusion.

“The Audu family remains committed to upholding the truth and preserving the dignity of our late patriarch’s memory.”

Kenya Fear: Nigerians Demand Salary Cut For NASS, President, Govs

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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National Assembly Complex - NASS

Nigerian Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu has appealed to Nigerians to stop criticising members of the National Assembly over what is considered to be their bogus salary and allowances.

Adaramodu said the allocation to the NASS is just “one” percent of the nation’s yearly budget.

The senate spokesperson made the remark on Sunday on Channels Television, denying suggestions that lawmakers are earning bogus salary and other allowances.

His spoke amidst calls from Nigerians for government officials to reduce their pay, in line with the current economic situation in the country.

Not a few Nigerians have criticised government officials for earning big pay at the expense of other Nigerians who are current facing hardship as a result of policies introduced by their government.

In this wise, they are calling on the president, vice president, state governors to reduce their take-home pay in line with the current realities in the country.

“You cannot be earning big salary, living ostentatious lifestyles while you are telling Nigerians to tighten their belts, political office holders must show good example that they are serious about moving the country forward, and also show that they are feeling what Nigerians are going through. Failure to do this could end in a catastrophe for the country. There is hunger in the land,” an analyst said.

The magazine reported that Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, warmed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration of a potential protests among Nigerians is an immediate steps are not taken to address the current economic hardship in the country.

The rights activist and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, who urged the president to cut down the cost of governance in the country, stated the hunger in the country has become too unbearable for Nigerians.

Agbakoba Said: “Hunger riot can occur anytime in Nigeria.

“President Tinubu needs to dismantle the cabinet. Having over 40 ministers is too large. We don’t need more than 20 ministries.”

Reacting, Adaramodu explained that the suggestion that NASS members are earning bogus salary is untrue.

“The budget of the National Assembly is not up to 1% of the whole budget, it’s not up to,” Senator Adaramodu said, adding that the NASS is an important arm of government that should not be neglected or starve of funds to run its operation.

The agitation for government officials to reduce their pay has been recently sparked following what happened in Kenya, where President William Ruto was forced to slash the salary of government officials in the country, including the First Lady of the country.

The Kenyan government’s decision came following weeks of violent protest in the country due to economic hardship.

Meanwhile, not a few Nigerians insist that the salary and allowance of NASS members have been shrouded in secrecy, making it difficult to know what thy actually earn working for the country.

Petrol Scarcity: Marketers Blame Thunderstorm, Lightning

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Petrol Tankers

Petroleum marketers under the aegis of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, MEMAN, has urged Nigerians not to embark on panic buying in the face of recent scarcity of petrol in some parts of the country.

The marketers said the current shortfall of the products in Lagos and other parts of the country is due to bad weather.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NANS, reports that the remark was made by MEMAN Secretary General, Clement Isong in Lagos.

According to Isong, the product shortfall in most stations was due to adverse weather and thunderstorms that delayed ship-to-ship (STS) trans-loading, among others.

Other problems, he said, included berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, creating a disruption in station supply logistics, amongst others, adding that the marketers are complying with warning from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, to them to avoid loading during rainstorms and lightning because of the flammable nature of petroleum products.

“Any deviation from these regulations poses significant danger and risks, including fatalities. We wish to reiterate that there is no cause for alarm. We strongly urge Nigerians to avoid panic buying or stockpiling of petrol. This behaviour not only creates artificial scarcity but also poses a significant safety hazard.

“Many trucks could not load product for over 48 hours during the storm. Now that the weather is clear, marketers have begun loading, and all trucks have commenced distribution of fuel to all stations across the country.

“We want to assure Nigerians that there is no scarcity, and they should not stock petrol at home.”

“We Will Field Kwankwaso As Our Presidential Candidate”, NNPP Insists

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP, will be fielding back to back Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as its Presidential hopeful come the 2027 General Election.

The Party has, also, warned that its followers will punish President Bola Ahmed Tinubu politically, for his meddlesomeness in the Emirate royal stool tussle at the appropriate time.

Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa, the Kano NNPP Chairman, on Sunday July 7, 2024, at an interactive session with the media in Kano insisted that Kwankwaso the Party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections remains the  only person that has the magic wand  to mount a competitive and meaningful  challenge for the presidency both within the party and in the country.

“We are going to field Kwankwaso as our Presidential Candidate in 202, because for now he stands as the only person who will make it to the Presidency.

He stands the chances of becoming the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The NNPP Chairman, however, said President Tinubu has the chance of averting a political back lash if only he could  retrace his steps, by withdrawing his support for the Kano State deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, and remove him from Kano territory.

“If the President thinks he will use a few of his kinsmen in Kano and the alleged Bayero’s Yoruba lineage to continue to keep the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero in the state, let him wait for 2027, we will show him that those people will not him” the NNPP chairman warned .

Dungurawa maintained that the President will be committing a huge political blunder, if he is of the belief that he would use the Emirate crisis as a bargaining chip in the count to the 2027 election.

He warned that President Tinubu’s stance in the on going royal crisis will surely count against his re election bid ,as far as Kano voters are concerned.

He added that the President’s militarization of the State, owing to his subtle backing of Emir Bayero has already secured for him a bad reputation among the people, who are eagerly waiting for a pay back time.

Twelve Years After, Retired LG Workers, School Teachers In Ondo Set To Receive Gratuities

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

Local Government workers and primary school teachers in Ondo State that retired in 2012 are to heave a sigh of relief as their gratuity is ready for collection.

The State Governor, Lucky  Aiyedatiwa, has approved release the sum of N1bn for payment of their gratuity arrears

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, who disclosed this,  said the beneficiaries would start receiving payment from Tuesday.

Takuro said the release of the money was to ensure gratuities of retirees are paid enbloc rather than piecemeal.

Takuro explained that Governor Aiyedatiwa was sensitive to the plight of the people, especially retired civil servants.

“The first tranche of the bulk payment of gratuities arrears was paid late last year, by the immediate past governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“In continuation of this good work, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa has decided not only to continue in this trend but to make it quarterly.

“He has been alive to his responsibilities as regards payment of Pensions, Salaries of Workers and other entitlements.”

He urged the retirees and the entire workforce to support the Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration.

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