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First Nigeria’s Female Military General, Aderonke Kale, Dies

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

Nigeria has lost its first female Army Major General.

Aderonke Kale, was the first Nigerian Female Military General.

She was of the Medical Corp, and was an accomplished Medical Doctor and specialized in psychiatry. She was, also, the first female Major General in West Africa.

Kale was promoted to the rank of a Major General in 1994, and was the Director, Medical Corp of the Nigeria Army, from where she became the Chief Medical Director in 1996. She retired from the Army in 1997.

Her son, Yemi Kale, was Nigeria’s Statistician General.

Major General Aderonke Kale died on Wednesday, November 8, aged 84 years.

House Of Reps Set To Grill Top Officials Of Govt On Key Policies

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

As part of measures to make political appointees be abreast of activities of their offices, the House of Representatives is set to unveil a Policy Brief Series for key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

The maiden edition, tagged ‘Sectoral Debates,’ will kick off on Thursday with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) leading other top officials to appear before the green house.

Spokesman for the green house, Akin Rotimi in a statement on Wednesday, explained that “the series forms part of initiatives by the Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD – led 10th Assembly to improve its constitutional oversight of the Executive arm of government, and is in line with the Legislative Agenda for the 10th Assembly, which is now being finalized.

“The inaugural session will commence on Thursday, with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, and his Deputies, who have been invited to brief parliament about key policies of the apex bank.

“This is coming at a time that citizens are looking to the government for solutions to pressing social and economic challenges.

“In his remarks when announcing the development during plenary on Wednesday, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD., stated that the series is in furtherance of the constitutional mandate of the House, urging Honourable Members to take advantage of the opportunity to be the voice of Nigerians, to engage the invited government officials on the key issues the country faces at this crucial point in time.

“Now, more than ever before, we need to ensure our policy-makers are making the right choices and decisions to address our security challenges and ensure long term growth and stability of our economy.

“The policy brief series will thereafter be followed by sessions with key officials in sectors such as Security, Power, Agriculture, etc., in subsequent plenary sessions, and will provide lawmakers the opportunity to ask invited government officials questions on areas requiring legislative interventions.”

The House Spokesman, Akin Rotimi stated that: “The Sectoral Debate Series is intended to provide political appointees and key government officials an opportunity to brief Members of the House of Representatives about the policies and programmes of their respective MDAs.

“These briefs are scheduled to take place during specific plenary sessions of the House, and would go a long way in fostering constructive and transparent dialogue between all arms of government in line with the Legislative Agenda of the Tenth House of Representatives.

“Citizens and indeed, our constituents are welcome to follow these sessions via our live broadcast platforms in order to gain perspectives on critical policies that shape the various sectors of our national life.”

CBN Says Old Naira Note Remains Legal Tender

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

With less than two months to the expiration of the December 31, 2023 verdict by the Supreme Court on the validity of the Old Naira Note, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has further reiterated the stance of the Supreme Court, by instructing all Banks that the Old and New Notes remain Legal Tender.

The Apex Bank stressed that all denominations of the Old and redesigned Naira Notes remain valid.

The CBN said this in a statement signed by its Director, Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, and posted on its X handle on Wednesday, stressing that this is in response to reports of cash shortages in major cities, despite earlier assurances from the CBN about sufficient cash availability nationwide.

The statement read in part:

“For the avoidance of doubt, while reiterating that there are sufficient banknotes across the country for all normal economic activity, we wish to state unambiguously that every banknote issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria remains legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone, as stipulated in Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007.

“Accordingly, branches of the CBN across the country have been directed to continue to issue different denominations of old and redesigned banknotes in adequate quantities to Deposit Money Banks for onward circulation to bank customers.

“We wish to restate that all denominations of banknotes issued by the CBN remain legal tender. In line with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007.”

It added: “No one should refuse to accept the naira as a means of payment.”

The CBN advised the public to accept all CBN-issued banknotes currently in circulation and guard against panic withdrawals.

“We reaffirm that there is sufficient stock of currency notes to facilitate normal economic activities. Furthermore, to reduce the pressure on the use of physical cash, members of the public are again advised to continue to embrace alternative modes of payment,” it noted.

Court Judgement: PDP Lashes NYSC over Mbah’s Certificate, Demands Apology For Governor

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

The Leadership of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has been accused of partisanship by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The Party accused the  NYSC, of  throwing itself into the politics of Enugu State thus becoming a willing tool in the hands of the opposition in the State.

The NYSC was engaged in a messy face-off with the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, who it accused of forging his NYSC discharge certificate.

A couple of days ago, a Federal High Court, Abuja Division, gave the Governor a clean bill on the Certificate  forgery issue, and slammed the NYSC with a fine to the tune of  five million Naira in favour of the Governor.

Slamming the NYSC, the Party  demanded for a public and unreserved apology from the NYSC to the Governor for “conspiracy, deceit, and wilful misrepresentation of facts to destroy Governor Peter Mbah and dislodge the PDP from Enugu State by hook or crook”.

The party, in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the PDP, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, in Enugu on Tuesday, said the NYSC owed Mbah the apology for the embarrassment and trauma it caused the Governor.

The PDP accused the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, and Director of Corps Certification, Muhammad Ibrahim, of dragging the reputation of the NYSC in the mud by getting enmeshed in partisan politics.

The statement reads:

“The judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, not only exposed the underbelly of the profiteering, conspiracy, ineptness, political partisanship and duplicity in the Governor Mbah NYSC discharge certificate controversy, it also exposed the same factors that have rendered our public institutions weak and ineffectual.

“For instance, in discountenancing NYSC’s claim that a purported certificate number A673517 that could have been issued to Mbah was among the outdated, uncollected, unused, and cancelled discharge certificates covering 1999 to 2004 that were allegedly burnt in 2022 on Management’s directive, the court rightly wondered how the NYSC obtained the certificates dated 6th January 2003, which they certified and tendered before the court.

“In the court’s words, ‘To make matters worse, the certification by the stamp thereon was done on 19th August, 2023, long after this case was initiated on 4th May, 2023; a person can only certify a document which original he is in his possession.’

“It is also a shame that in order to perfect their paid job, cover their tracks, and fool the court, the NYSC resorted to withholding Mbah’s initial file with reference number LA/01/1532 or the temporary file with reference number LA/01/1532/T that contain his records of national service and certificate from the Court.

“The Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo, therefore, unmasked the shameful conspiracy when he held that ‘non-production of files with Ref. No. LA/01/1532 or File with Ref. No. LA/01/1532/T means the contents thereof would have gone against the Defendants (NYSC’s) in this case and I so hold’’

Nnamani: “It should worry Nigerians that it is only in 2022 when the politics of 2023 was already underway that the NYSC found it most convenient and auspicious to burn purported unclaimed and unused discharge certificates from 1999 to 2004, if indeed it did so.”

His request:

“Now that the court has finally established the truth, which is that Mbah diligently served his fatherland and was honourably discharged; that the NYSC was merely playing dirty politics and tried to fool Nigerians and the court, we demand an immediate, open and unreserved apology from the NYSC to both Governor Peter Mbah and the PDP as an institution, and indeed the entire good people of Enugu State.”

It is not known, for now,  if Mbah would sue the NYSC or not.

Wike Has Obscene Resources, Wants To Control Both APC & PDP – Dele Momodu; X User Mocks PDP

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Wednesday said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has a huge ambition to control the two most prominent Political Parties in Nigeria – All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Funds, according to Momodu, is not a problem for Wike as he has obscene resources available to him which only a few politicians can resist.

Wike is the immediate past Governor of Rivers State.

Momodu, a veteran journalist, disclosed this in response to a post by an X  user who criticised PDP for not being able to discipline Wike.

The X user, TENIBEGILOJU202, expressed disappointment in the PDP for not being able to put Wike he belongs.

He posted: “PDP is the most useless party in the world! Rather than take a bold step on Wike, they sent PDP governors to beg him! I am beginning to think dat there is big secret that Wike has against PDP leaders dat made him untouchable. @BwalaDaniel @DeleMomodu you don’t belong in dat party.”

In response Momodu posted on X:

“When a tsetse fly perches piercingly on your testicle, you require all the skills and wisdom to get rid of it. The extraordinary resources available to NYESOM WIKE, courtesy of PDP, ironically, are so humongous, and irresistible to most Nigerian politicians, the reason he wants to be king in two political parties, simultaneously!!”

As a PDP member and Governor of Rivers State, Wike  worked against the party during the 2023 presidential election.

He divided the PDP, and led a faction of four State Governors-  G-5 group- who worked against the Party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the victory of President Bola Tinubu of the APC in the February 25 Presidential election.

Tinubu paid Wike off by appointing him to the high profile office of the Minister for the FCT.

He still mouths his membership of the PDP. And the Party has been unable to raise a voice against him.

Governor Akeredolu’s Continued Absence: Group Urges Ondo Assembly To Declare Aiyedatiwa Acting Governor

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu Resumes

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo Liberation Initiative has advised the State House of Assembly to follow constitutional provisions and declare the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as Acting Governor in the continued absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The Group, in a letter to the Speaker of the House, signed by Johnson Alabi, wondered why Akeredolu has not resumed duties, a month after his letter informing the assembly of his resumption.

“The Governor reportedly submitted a letter to you dated 7th September. 2023 informing you and the good people of Ondo State of his resumption of office on the Ondo State Government letter head paper bearing the Alagbaka Office address in Akure, Ondo State as widely reported in the media.

“Unfortunately the Governor has not reported in Akure or any other part of Ondo State till date. The total period, put together since the date of the said letter is now sixty  days.

“Going by the legal consequence of non-appearance of Mr Governor in any part of Ondo State since his supposed resumption, it is apparent that the Governor has been unable to carryout the functions of his office and having failed to transmit a letter conveying same to the House of Asembly for the past 60 days, the House of Assembly has no choice therefore than to invoke the provisions of Section 190 (2) of the Constitution.

“For the avoidance of doubt, section 190 (2) of the Constitution stipulates that “In the event that the Governor is unable or fails to transmit the written declaration mentioned in subsection (1) of this section within 21 days, the House of Assembly shall, by a resolution made by a simple majority of the vote of the House, mandate the Deputy Governor to perform the functions of the office of the Governor as Acting Governor, until the Governor transmits a letter to the Speaker that he is now available to resume his functions as Governor.”

“The Governor is, with the greatest respect, “UNFIT” to carryout the duties of his office, and the people of Ondo State are in dire need of a leader to chart the course of progress, determine the general direction of the policies of government and coordinate the activities of the government in the state.

“The good people of Ondo State are now very much desirous of someone that is fit to carryout the functions of the office of the Governor as Acting Governor and you are therefore expected to immediately mandate the Deputy Governor to  commence the performance of the functions of the office of the Governor as Acting Governor as required by law.

“This is necessary, in order to cover up the vacuum which has been created by the continued absence of Mr Governor from the state.

“Being the custodian of the legislature in Ondo State, you are expected to uphold your allegiance first, to the Constitution that you swore an oath to uphold and to the good people of Ondo State by taking up your duty and within three days.”

The group demanded the presence of Akeredolu in the state within 72 hours, address the people, meet with his executive members, failure of which it may resort to legal action to compel the legislature to act.

No Date Yet For Census As President Tinubu Assures Support For NPC

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

The proposed census by the National Population Commission, (NPC) for 2023 may be a mirage, despite assurance by President Bola Tinubu to support the NPC to conduct the botched census in the country.

The President who gave the assurance at the launch of the National Geospatial Data Repository, Digital CRVS System and inauguration of the National Coordination Committee for CRVS at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Wednesday, was silent on the actual date of the exercise.

The NPC had fixed the conduct of census for April this year, with all preparations put in place, but had to be shifted due to change of government at the federal level.

The immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari had released the sum of N200 billion to the Population Commission to conduct a national census.

Tinubu, while calling for collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, underscored the relevance of data to national growth.

He called on the census experts to deploy cutting-edge technology in gathering data on Nigeria’s population saying the nation cannot afford to lag behind in efficient data sourcing.

Tinubu noted that Nigeria has a lot to be grateful for because it is not prone to natural disasters.

According to him, “Collecting accurate and reliable information is an essential governance activity which is also consistent of our renewed hope agenda. The commission will therefore be supported in the conduct of the next census.

“May I, in a special way, thank the private solution providers for this laudable project and assure them that the Federal Government of Nigeria will always extend  hand of partnership to all private investors that want to partner with this government at all levels.”

Banditry: Gov Oyebanji Reads Riot Act, Solicits Traditional Rulers’ Cooperation

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has promised to intensify war against kidnappers and bandits in the State.

This is to bolster investment and ensure security of lives and property, particularly along Ipao-oke Ako-Irele axis, which has become a flashpoint for such horrendous acts.

The two communities, in the Northern Senatorial District of the State, have become danger zones due to banditry and kidnappings.

Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Monisade Afuye, spoke at Ipao Ekiti, Ikole Local Government area of the state, on Wednesday, while presenting the staff of office and instrument of appointment to Obanla of Ipao, Oba Williams Oluseyi Ehinmodupin.

The Kingmakers on the July 6, 2023, declared Prince Ehunmodupin of Adesogan Ruling House, as the Oba-elect, in compliance with the provisions of section II of the Ekiti State Chiefs Law, 2012, and was subsequently approved by the Ekiti State Executive Council on  October 4, 2023.

The stool became vacant sequel to the death of Oba Joseph Aina, who joined his ancestors on 21st June, 2016.

Addressing the community which has been under the siege of kidnapping and banditry in recent time, Oyebanji assured towns in the axis and across Ekiti that his government would continue to be ruthless in the wars against criminals in the state.

“Let me appreciate all of you for the support you gave my Government to overcome insecurity here during the interregnum, when there was vacancy in your traditional stool and now that you have got a new Oba, I promise to sustain the tempo to make you and other Ekiti citizens secured wherever you are.”

Oyebanji urged other contestants and indigenes of Ipao to support the new monarch to fast track development, and as well coalesce actions with government to halt incidences of kidnapping and killings in the area.

He commended the royal fathers across the State for their contributions to maintenance of peace and stability in their domains, saying this has helped in checking unwarranted insurrection and upheavals that could derail developmental focus of the government.

The Governor tasked the new Monarch to pursue peace, unity and stability of the town, by mending fences with his co-contestants and build strong relationships with elite to bring development to the community.

“It is important to emphasize here today that the government of Governor Oyebanji holds our traditional rulers in high regards because they are not only the custodians of our customs, culture and tradition, they play pivotal roles in the stability of our towns , states and the country at large.

“This is the cogent reason why Governor Oyebanji, has always been cautioning the towns where there are vacancies in their traditional stools to guard against any action, either by way of litigation or disagreement that could stall the installation of a substantive Oba.

“Kabiyesi, as the custodian of culture and tradition, you are now the symbol of the people and your achievements will depend largely on how supportive your subjects are, so you must be on the same page with them.”

Abuja Court Warns FG Against Detention Without Trial, Releases Emefiele To Counsel, Seizes Passport

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Court has cautioned the Federal Government against  detention without trial, just as it admitted former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, to bail after 151 days in detention.

Emefiele, first arrested and detained by the State Security Service, (SSS) was handed over to the Economic, Financial and Crimes Commission, (EFCC) two week ago.

The court  admitted the former CBN Governor to conditional bail on Wednesday.

In spite of stiff opposition from the Federal Government, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the EFCC, the court insisted that Emefiele must go home and prepare for his November 15 arraignment.

Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi who granted the bail hinged his decision on the fact that Emefiele had stayed in government custody beyond the time stipulated by law.

The Judge also predicated his decision on the fact that the Federal Government had completed investigation into the allegations against the former CBN Chief and had even prepared the charge against him as far as August this year.

In a ruling on the application for bail argued by Mathew Burkaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Justice Adeniyi held that it is in the best interest of justice and fair play especially the provision of section 35 of Nigeria’s Constitution to follow the rule of law.

The Judge specifically said that there must be an end to detention without trial by the federal government.

Both the Federal Government, and AGF re-presented by Oyin Koleoso had strongly objected to Emefiele’s request for bail on the ground that he would interfere with the November 15 arraignment.

EFCC on its part, through its counsel, Farouk Abudalla stated that Emefiele had not spent three months in its own custody and urged the Court to refuse the bail request.

Counsel to the applicant however punctured the opposition of the Federal Government adding that the claim of likelihood of interference in arraignment was speculative because his client was not declared a flight risk.

He told Justice Adeniyi to disregard the claim of EFCC that Emefiele was brought to its custody only October 26.

The Senior lawyer informed the Court that the former CBN boss was investigated by a team of inter Ministerial Investigators from EFCC, Police and Department of the State Security Service DSSS which jointly constituted government agency.

The court however among others ordered that Emefiele must be released to his Senior lawyer Matthew Burkaa SAN, who must produce him any day the Federal Government chooses to arraign him.

Emefilele is also to deposit his travelling passport with the Registrar of the Court pending his formal arraignment.

Breaking: Again, Court Grants Emefiele Bail

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Emefiele Arrested By DSS

By Akinwale Kasali

After 151 days in the custody of both the Department of State Security Services, DSS, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, has again granted him bail on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

The Honourable Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court granted him bail in the face of tough opposition by the prosecution.

Emefiele was brought to court by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Recalled that the anti-graft agency had failed to produce him in court despite an order by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi on November 3, 2023.

Justice Adeniyi, however, reiterated the order on Monday after the EFCC refused to bring him to court for prosecution.

Since he was sacked by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, the former apex bank boss has  been languishing in the custody of security agencies, from where he had gone to Court a couple of times.

Those close to the administration insist that it’s poised to jail Emefiele at all cost.

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