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Ambrose Alli University Don In Certificate Forgery Allegation

By
Ayodele Oni
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Dr Omoregie Nosa - AAU

By Ayodele Oni

A university Don at the Ambrose Alli University, (AAU), Ekpoma in Edo state Dr. Omoregie Nosa, is at the centre of certificate and transcript racketeering.

The Don, who is the Acting Head of Department (HoD) of Accounting of the institution is also alleged to be operating a cyber cafe where he carries out the illegal activities.

Besides, Dr. Omoregie is also accused of establishing a cybercafé, which is dedicated to the illegal issuance of fake certificates and transcripts of the university.

The query, Our Ref. FEG/SSA/P.3358/177 issued by management, followed a report by the Directorate of State Security (DSS) that the cybercafé owned by the lecturer  “has been observed to be engaged in the production of fake certificates and transcripts.”

The querry, dated December 12, 2023,  by the Registrar, Mr. Ambrose Odiase , University authorities pointedly accused the Acting HoD of issuing a fake certificate to one Osolase Deborah Ebarekenta, a graduate of the Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science.

Continuing, Mr. Odiase wrote that “there is a Directorate of State Security report that your Cyber Café has been observed to be engaged in the production of fake certificates and transcripts.”

According to the Registrar, the allegation against the Acting Head of Department bordered on indiscipline and insubordination, as well as lack of respect for constituted authority.

Dr. Omoregie who was ordered to respond to the query within 48 hours on the receipt of the query also stood accused of gross misconduct, an allegation which is prejudicial to the interest of AAU Law 1999 (as amended) as well as the Senior Staff Regulations and Scheme of the University 2010 (as amended).

It would be recalled that the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had in a memo dated July 2, 2021 to the former vice chancellor, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo accused the embattled teacher of extortion unauthorized collections of money such as the selling of file which goes for about a N100 for a whopping  ₦1,000

In the joint memo by Dr. Monday Igbafen, the former chairperson of AAU chapter of ASUU and Dr. A.A Aizebioje-Coker and the secretary, the union also accused him of using his office as Acting HoD to collect ₦30,000 per post-graduate student for presentation/defense of proposals/seminars against the approved regulation of Senate.

Igbafen and Azebioje-Coker petitioned: “Dr. Omoregie, using his office as acting Head of Department, has been collecting from the Part-time students between ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 under the guise of checking for missing results. The phenomenon of missing results has since been outlawed by the Senate of the university.

ASUU also charged him with conversion of departmental properties such as a new yellow 5KVA generator donated to the department by the Accounting Student Association (NUASA) 2018/2019 (exco),  20 plastic chairs donated to the department by the post- graduate students, laptop and projector bought for the department by the postgraduate students for personal use amongst other allegations of financial impropriety.

The unionists added: “For over two years, Dr. Omoregie as Acting Head of Department did not call for any Departmental Board of Studies (DBS) meetings and results were never tabled for approval by the board.

“During this same period, allocation of courses and allocation of research essays were also not considered and approved by the board before public display.”

Demolition Of Houses: Iwuayanwu Urges Igbo Not To Cry Over Spilt Milk, Says Aggrieved Agency Fund To Be Set Up

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Emmanuel Iwuayanwu

By Akinwale Kasali

The President General of the Igbo Apex Organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuayanwu has brought respite to the Igbo affected by the demolition of their houses in the Abule Ado area of Lagos by the Federal Housing Authority, FHA. He assured them that moves are on the way to mitigate aggrieved Igbos nationwide.

He said there was no need to cry over spilt milk as regards the demolition, urging them to remain collected and calm.

Speaking during his visit to grieve with the Igbo in the community on Friday, Iwuanyanwu said, “The government has the right to demolish for public interest, but the affected citizens should be compensated. There’s no need to cry over spilt milk.

He added: “In any country, citizens’ rights are sacred. Senator Umeh has briefed me, but I came here to know the main issue. What we are going to fight for are our rights. You only build a country based on the truth.”

Affected Property Owners recounted their ordeals, and stressed that it was disheartening and a traumatic experience.

In his response, Iwuanyanwu disclosed that Igbo in diaspora are seriously concerned about how Igbo at home are being treated.

“ We have decided to set up an Igbo relief agency where every aggrieved Igbo would be funded.

“ will also advise communities to treat Igbos fairly because we are peace loving and we are the highest indigenous people that are adding to the GDP of the nation.

“Treat people the way you want them to treat you. In other words, treat Igbos the way you want Igbos to treat you,” he stressed.

PDP Faults Abia 2024 Budget, Says Will Mortgage Future Of People

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), in Abia State has kicked against Governor Alex Otti’s 2024 budget proposal. The Party said it will put future generations into huge debt.

A statement on Sunday, signed by the state  Vice Chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary, Elder Abraham Amah noted that the “budget’s total figure is N567 billion; that is N407 billion and a three and half times higher than the state’s 2023 budget and N420 billion and more than four times the 2022 budget even when the state’s economy grew at less than five per cent in the year 2023.”

The party pointed out that it is “unrealistic and a ploy to create enough grounds of excuses for  inability to deliver on  promises and much-touted magic wand in good governance and excellent management of resources.

“The smoking gun in the budget is that of the N567 billion, only N166.08 billion, about 29 per cent, would be generated from the monthly Federation Allocation Account Committee, (FAAC) and the State’s Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR), which has even dropped from the Ikpeazu era of N5.7 billion monthly to N3.3 billion in the last six months.

“This is despite all the fuss about automation that was used to create political noise in the State, while the balance of N401b, which is 71% of the budget would be borrowed from both foreign and local lenders.

“Moreover, the FAAC revenue is almost solely dependent on the FG’s budget benchmark of oil price of $77 per barrel, which is always open to the volatilities of international politics and can fluctuate precipitously and with shocking spontaneity.

“That alone is a red flag and a dead end which dispassionate analysts have read early on and clearly shows that there is nothing to cheer about.

“Worse still, of the N567 billion, 84% amounting to N476 billion would be spent on capital expenditure, while 16%, amounting to N91 billion would be spent on recurrent expenditure.

“The N91 billion recurrent expenditure is more than 50% the last recurrent expenditure of N35 billion of the 2023 budget.

“The recurrent expenditure comprises wage bills of civil servants, security vote and running of the government house.

“It is easy to see the road we are headed because more than 15,000 of Abia civil servants have been sacked, more than 10,000 unpaid in the last six months, yet the recurrent expenditure continues to rise unconstrained.

“In the Q3 2023 budget, July-September 2023, Alex Otti spent 87% of the N25 billion that accrued to the State on himself and his office and this trend would continue because the N91 billion recurrent expenditure would follow a similar pattern.

“He took N5.3 billion to service his office from his personal house, N2.8 billion as security vote when he had campaigned that he will not take security vote, used N233 million for feeding, N552 million for information dissemination and other humongous amounts that cannot be accounted for.

“Of the N401 billion to be borrowed, $115 million which translates to about N100 billion, using the prevailing official exchange rate has already been approved by the lender, African Development Bank, (AfDB) and the obligor, the FGN has also approved for disbursement, and Alex Otti still proposes to borrow N300 billion from both local and external sources.

“So from the onset, Alex Otti has already planned for an excuse for his failure when he fails to borrow about N300b to fund his unrealistic budget.

“In the past 32 years, Abia’s debt profile which Alex Otti converted into a hymn in the last eight years is put officially at N166 billion and this includes those inherited from our sister state, Imo when Abia was carved out of the old Imo State.

“If Alex Otti succeeds in borrowing N300 billion in one year, he would have shot up Abia’s debt exposure up to N570 billion in just one year.

“And the economic question to ask is, which of the capital expenditure projects is an income-generating project that would generate the income to repay the loan or is he just borrowing for aesthetics?

“The debt per capita of Abia is currently N46,315 and by the time he borrows to fund the 2024 budget, the debt per capita would rise by N137,209 by the end of 2025.

“From the foregoing, it is obvious even to the layman in Economics and Finance that the 2024 budget proposals made by Alex Otti would mean more suffering for the masses because the budget as it is, is unrealistic and offers no hope for the future of Abians.”

The Abia PDP, therefore, called on the State House of Assembly to study the 2024 budget proposal closely, cut the excesses and “save future generations of Abians from the future debt which Alex Otti wants to lead them into.

“We also call on the good people of Abia to prevail upon Alex Otti from mortgaging our future with debts and not allow him to bite more than he can chew at a time and ask him to cut his cloth according to his size.”

Killing Of DPO In Rivers, Timi Frank Calls For Investigation Of FCT Minister, Wike

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

As security agents intensify investigation into the killing of the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) of Ahoada Division in Rivers State, Bako Angbashim, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has called on the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi, to probe the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over alleged complicity in the incident.

Angbashim, a Superintendent of Police, had led his men to raid criminal hideouts in the Odemude community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state on September 8, when a dreaded cult group led by Okpara ambushed them, opened fire and eventually captured Angbashim, decapitated his body and filmed their action.

His killing attracted nationwide condemnation with the police high command, the Federal and the Rivers State Governments ordering an investigation and immediate arrest of the suspects.

Frank in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, while reacting to a claim by a member of the House of Representatives, Boma Goodhead, representing Asari-Toru Federal Constituency of Rivers State,

that Wike was complicit in the killing of the DPO.

Goodhead had at a protest rally in Rivers State in support of Governor Siminilaye Fubara, accused Wike and some federal lawmakers of masterminding the killing of the DPO.

She also claimed that the former Governor of Rivers State had caused the diversion of $300million given by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited meant for Ogoni cleanup and N9billion from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

According to Frank, the investigation has become necessary to determine the veracity or otherwise of the claims by Goodhead against Wike and two federal lawmakers from the state.

He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to unravel the killing of the DPO in order to ensure justice for the dead.

According to him, “If the President fails to take action or do the right thing, by arresting Wike and setting up a judicial panel of inquiry, I demand that every murder suspect in Nigeria that is already in prison or that is being tried should be set free.

“This is because nobody is above the law and we are all Nigerians. So we expect equal justice for all Nigerians.”

Frank also urged Wike to resign his position as minister and submit himself for probe over the alleged murder of the DPO and masterminding the diversion of $300million given by the NNPCL for Ogoni cleanup and another N9billion from the IGR of Rivers state.

He insisted that since Wike always claim to be a man of integrity, submitting himself to the security agencies like Goodhead had promised to do on the matter would further vindicate him.

He insisted that all federal lawmakers whose names were mentioned by Hon Goodhead in the killing must also be investigated.

He said: “The investigation must not be done in secret. It must be thorough and the findings made public because Hon Goodhead has offered to reveal further details when invited by any of the security agencies concerning the allegation.

“Justice must be given to the family of this police officer who was killed. This is not the time to protect or hide anybody.

“We are calling on the National Human Rights Commission and the International Criminal Court to take up this matter and invite the Honourable Member who made this allegation to hear her out and thereafter take up the case to ensure that Wike is held accountable for the death.”

He also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged diversion of $300million from Rivers State’s IGR.

Jonathan Mourns Chukwuemeka Ezeife

By
The Source
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Chukwuemeka Ezeife

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has condoled with the family of Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife as well as the Government and people of Anambra State on the passing of the former governor of the state who died at the age of 85 years.

Dr. Jonathan described late Ezeife as a selfless leader who stood for equity and justice. In a condolence letter to the family of the former Governor, Dr. Jonathan urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived an impactful life and left behind lasting legacies.

The former President further stated: “Chief Ezeife was an elder statesman and patriotic leader who was steadfast in his love for Nigeria and the promotion of equity, peace and national development. He was a voice of reason, a mentor to many, a public servant with a reputation of honour and dignity.

“He will be remembered for his selfless and dedicated service to his country and state. I urge his family, friends, and associates to take solace in the fact that he lived an impactful life and left lasting legacies.”

Ikechukwu Eze
Special Adviser to H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Organised Labour Calls Out Workers, Begins Strike Monday

By
Ayodele Oni
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NLC Protest

By Ayodele Oni

For failure to commence implementation of the wage increase, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have ordered all workers to embark on strike from Monday.

Organised Labour stated that the federal government has refused to implement new minimum wage for all workers in the country.

It was also learnt that the strike action is not unconnected with the N35,000 palliative stipend that the Federal government has stopped paying to the federal workers.

Report stated that the federal workers were only paid once for the month of September.

A circular sent by the secretaries of the unions,  Emmanuel Igboaja and Nuhu Toro, for NLC  and TUC respectively, which was released on Saturday, indicated that all workers are to embark on the strike action with immediate effects commencing from the midnight of Monday.

The organized labour has been holding serial meetings with federal government representatives on the new minimum wage and the subsidy palliatives with no concrete decision reached.

Monday’s strike will be the third since the inception of the administration in May.

Jonathan Felicitates Buhari At 81

By
The Source
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Buhari and Jonathan working secretly with APC

Former President Dr. Ebel Jonathan has felicitated ex-President Muhammed Buhari on the occasion of his 81st birthday wishing him long life in good health.

In a goodwill message he personally signed Dr. Jonathan commended Buhari for his service and commitment to the progress of the nation.

The message said: “I am pleased to join your family, friends, well-wishers and other Nigerians to congratulate you on the occasion of your 81st birthday.

“You are a determined leader who has been resolute in

national service and commitment to the progress of our country.

“As you celebrate, I salute you for your faithful stewardship to Nigeria. On behalf of my family, I wish you sound health, peace and joy.”

Ikechukwu Eze

Special Adviser to H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

At 81, Tinubu Eulogizes Fmr President Buhari, Says He’s Paradigm Of Sacrifice, Devotion

By
Ayodele Oni
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Tinubu and Buhari

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has described his immediate predecessor, Mohammadu Buhari as an icon of truth, justice, and patriotism on his 81st birthday.

In a statement, Tinubu extols the peerless leadership credentials and feats of the former President, recalling his meritorious service to the nation at various times as Head of State and as President.

Tinubu pointed out that former President Buhari’s unparalleled record of infrastructural provision, cut across all sectors of the economy.

These include several new international airports, multiple standard-gauge railway lines, new seaport development, dozens of new dams, power stations, oil and gas infrastructure, expressways and mega-bridges.

“This is in addition to establishing Nigeria’s first ever national social investment and protection programme, amongst many other feats.”

President Tinubu recalls the former President’s “aggressive push to modernize Nigeria’s defence architecture, while working towards import substitution with the empowerment of millions of Nigerian farmers in his progressive initiative to enhance food security in the country.”

The President described Buhari as the finest paradigm of sacrifice, devotion, patriotism, and fidelity to the national cause.

“President Buhari is from the rarest phylum of virtuous servant-leaders. He has devoted his life to the service of the nation, even earning himself detention for his patriotism and service to our Fatherland.

“The emergence of leaders like my good friend, Buhari, happens only by divine orchestration. He is a man of absolute and undiluted integrity. His yea is yea, and his nay is nay.”

President Tinubu appreciates former President Buhari for his friendship and vote of confidence shown through his stalwart support for the administration.

While wishing the elder statesman longevity and strength, President Tinubu assures the former President that the hope of a prosperous, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria, which he has always worked for, will not be dashed.

Fmr INEC Chairman, Jega Cautions Against Creation Of More States, LGs, Insists On Restructuring Before 2027

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Prof Mahmoud Jega, has advised that no additional states and local governments should be created in the country for now.

He made the suggestion while  speaking at the maiden (merged) convocation of the Bauchi State University, Gadau.

Prof Jega who was a guest lecturer, spoke on the theme: “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Future: Prioritizing Citizen’s Welfare and Security Amidst Challenges”.

According to him “The additional resources current states would get from the de-concentration of power and resources  would make all the 37 states and FCT financially viable and facilitative of grassroots development.

“The cost of governance at both the federal, state and local tiers of governance need to be drastically cut, and measures introduced to entrench transparency,  accountability and effective anti-corruption oversight.

Prof Jega, also stressed  the need for Nigeria to be restructured before 2027.

Some restructuring of the Nigerian federation, he added should be embarked upon through evidence-based constitutional reforms, the objectives of which should be to de concentrate powers and resources from the federal tier and to spread them to those of the state and local governments.

He argued that he didn’t believe Nigeria is a failed state but “a failing state”.

Jega urged the Nigerian leaders to learn from the “best practices” model federations, such as India, Canada and the USA in the areas of revenue generation and sharing and adapted to our local context and circumstances.

“Just like the structure of the Nigerian federation, the structure of the Nigerian economy has a colonial origin, primary designed to meet up with, and satisfy, the economic interests of the colonial powers.

Long after colonial rule has ended, the structure has embedded and integrated the Nigerian economy into the global capitalist system, such that it continues to promote primary commodity production, and export primarily to Europe, and import of finished products from all parts of the world.

“This is rather than commodity production through industrial production and manufacturing for both the home market and export.

“Serious reform measures need to be introduced to diversify Nigeria’s earnings from dependence of export of crude oil, to expand investment in agricultural production and Agro-allied processing both for the home market and for export.

“Revive, expand and reposition our industries and manufacturing enterprises, for production, both for the home-market and for export.”

Heightened Insecurity In Zamfara: Foreign Medical Team Withdraws Services

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Heightened insecurity in Zamfara State has forced some foreign medical team to the State to suspend services.

One of the affected medical team, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) announced a partial withdrawal of its medical mission from Zurmi town, with evacuation of personnel.

It explained that the decision followed ongoing armed confrontations that have displaced thousands of people in the state.

MSF communications officer, Abdulkareem Yakubu,    confirmed this withdrawal in a statement, citing incidents dangerously close to an MSF-supported hospital since December 10.

The statement reads: “These armed clashes have provoked the displacement of thousands of people in need of security, shelter and access to basic services. Humanitarian support is needed to help those in dire need of assistance.

“Faced with important security risks, MSF medical teams on the ground had to evacuate part of its staff and are unable to function optimally, having to suspend the provision of health care to communities outside the town.

“In this context, our team is concerned about patients in need of medical treatment as they are unable to reach the hospital in a safe manner.

“Some of the patients refuse to leave the hospital out of fear,” explained Adjide Hermann, MSF deputy field coordinator in Zurmi.

“We had no choice but to reduce part of our team, and the staff who are still working at the hospital are afraid of what is going to happen next.”

Dr Simba Tirima, MSF country representative, while expressing his deep concern, also said, “This situation is untenable; we urgently appeal to the parties involved in the conflict to cease their hostilities to protect the population.

“This is also crucial to safeguard the medical mission and to maintain the safety of patients and medical staff.

“Our teams are committed to provide medical support to the Nigerian population in Zamfara State; we will do our best to maintain the operations, but we wish to see improvements in the security situation to be able to provide the appropriate medical care.”

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