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LASU In Alleged Certificate Racketeering Mess, LAHA Summons VC, Commissioner For Tertiary Education

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello

By Akinwale Kasali

Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University is presently enmeshed in an alleged certificate racketeering.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has, consequently, summoned her.

The Lawmakers resolved to invite Olatunji-Bello alongside the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Akibu, the Senate of the  Institution and other top staff over allegations of extortion and Certificate racketeering leveled against the school, with the sole aim of digging out the truth.

Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, LAHA Speaker, during Plenary Tuesday, noted that the source of the allegation leveled against the Principal Officers of the institution could be suspicious and not trustworthy because of its tendency to blackmail. He stated that the concerned officials of the institution be invited so that facts about the allegation could be unearthed for the sake of the reputation of the school.

In his submission, Obasa said, “I agree that the Committee should invite those to be invited to establish facts about the allegation, but we must not because of that, destroy our Institution’s reputation”, Obasa, an alumnus of the institution, said adding that if anyone is found wanting, such a person should be sanctioned.

Moving the motion under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’, Hon. Owolabi Ajani told his colleagues that there was a need to invite the Commissioner, the VC and others for the House to unravel the facts behind the allegation.

Ajani noted that LASU had maintained a high level of integrity over the years adding that this must be sustained.

While Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh urged that the investigation should involve people in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) unit of the institution, Hon. Desmond Elliot and his colleague, Ladi Ajomale, who said they attended LASU, supported that the allegation be investigated.

Organised Labour Fixes Tuesday For Sympathy Strike For Ajaero

By
Ayodele Oni
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NLC Protest

By Ayodele Oni

Organized Labour is insisting on its planned nationwide strike to protest against the harassment of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero in his State, Imo, last week.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Tuesday, declared a total nationwide strike effective from next Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

The Leadership of the two Unions resolved this after an extraordinary National Executive Council, (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ajaero, who was in Imo state to mobilize workers in the state was abducted by policemen, who later claimed that he was taken to protective custody.

However the NLC raised alarm that its President was assaulted and brutalised by his abductors. Ajaero was first taken to the Police Hospital, and later to the Federal Medical Centre Owerri. He has since returned to Abuja where he is being treated at a private hospital.

There have been widespread outrage by the Organized Labour accusing the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mohammed Barde of complicity in the recent attack on Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The Organised Labour last Friday handed the Federal Government a five-day ultimatum to replace the Police Commissioner, while also blaming the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma for the attack on Ajaero.

The Governor, however, had since said he had no hand in the attack on the Labour Leader, as is being alleged.

The Organized Labour also demanded the arrest and prosecution of some of the governor’s aides and threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action if their demands were not carried out. However, it has since been discovered that none of the Governor’s Aides, especially, his Special Assistant Special Adviser, Special Duties, Chinasa Nwaneri, was present. At the time of the attack, Nwaneri was in Abuja.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Sunday, redeployed Barde to Force Headquarters for “neutrality’s sake” ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo State.

Lalong, Tinubu’s Minister, Declared Winner, Plateau South Senatorial District By Court Of Appeal, Sacks Bali

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Simon Lalong - Minister of Labour

By Adesina Soyooye

Simon Lalong, Minister for Labour, has been declared the winner of the Plateau South Senatorial seat.

Lalong had contested for the seat as a sitting Governor of Plateau State, just when he was winding down his second tenure. However, in the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the Election which took place on February 25, 2023, the then Governor lost to the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Napoleon Bali.

Bali, according to INEC, scored a total of 148,844 votes to defeat Lalong who scored 91, 674 votes.

But Lalong approached the Election Petition Tribunal with an argument that the PDP, Plateau State, had no proper Party Structure, and so, waa not in a position to field a Candidate. The Tribunal agreed with him, and declared Bali’s votes wasted.

But Bali appealed the Judgement to the Court of Appeal.

On Tuesday, a three-man panel of Appeal Court Justices, chairmaned by the Honourable Justice Elfrida Williams, agreed with the lower Court and sacked Bali.

Disagreeing with Bali, the Court of Appeal said the case was, at once, a pre and post Election matter and sacked him as a Senator. It said the PDP was wrong not to have conducted a new Congress in the State as ordered by a Court.

Said the Court of Appeal: “Section 287 of the Nigerian Constitution said all are expected to observe orders of the Court. The order was in the realm. It is binding on all persons. It is immutable, and until it is set aside, must be complied with.

“This issue is, hereby, resolved against the appellant. Invalidly nominated Candidates cannot attract lawful votes. This appeal fails. The Tribunal judgement is affirmed.”

Lalong is, currently, the Minister for Labour, Employment and Productivity. It is now left for him to either quit the Cabinet for the Senate or remain in the Cabinet. If he chooses to remain a Minister, it means that INEC will conduct a new Senatorial Election for Plateau South District that is likely to exempt the PDP.

This Government Is Uncaring – Obi

By
The Source
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The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the Federal 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi has described the current Government of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC as totally uncaring.

Responding to a Journalist’s question at his global press conference on Monday on the controversial supplementary budget presented to the National Assembly by the Tinubu administration, Obi said that channeling supplementary budget to individual elite needs rather than the welfare of the people is the height of insensitivity.

“Supplementary budget is a budget made for very important national welfare needs of the people that is not captured originally in the main budget or does not have adequate funding.

For example, Nigeria today, we read it recently from the United Nations, and World Food Organisation that up to 26.5 million Nigerians will go hungry next year.

Of this number largely from Sokoto, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, and Zamfara systems, children are the most vulnerable to food insecurity. There is a serious risk of mortality among children attributed to acute malnutrition.

Obi said that it is with serious issues of this nature of national importance that we can go for a supplementary budget.

Anambra: Reps To Intervene In Oil-rich Ogwuaniocha Violent Crisis

By
James Orji
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Abbas Tajudeen - Speaker

The House of Representatives has mandated the Committee on National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to intervene in the recurrent crisis in the oil-rich Ogwuaniocha community in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state, that has led to several deaths, destruction of property and gruelling impact on Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs

 

It also mandated NEMA to set up an Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camp for the people and provide them with relief materials in order to alleviate their sufferings.

These directives were given on the floor of the House during plenary on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, following a motion of Urgent Public Importance, moved by member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene.

Ogene, in the motion entitled, “Urgent Need to Rescue Ogwuaniocha Community in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra From Reprisal Attacks and the Jaws of Violent Criminal Gangs”, lamented that criminal gangs have taken over the Ogwuaniocha community, set up camps and sacked residents from their homes and farmlands, resulting to untold hardship, fear and despondency for the people in the community and its environs.

According to him, “Since Monday, November 15, 2021 – no farming activity, no school for the children, no business activities as a result of the occupation of the community by the criminal gangs, who have relocated from other parts of the state and set up camps in and around the community.”

The motion read: “Aware that the security of lives and property is the primary purpose of government;

“Also aware that Ogwuaniocha in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state is an oil bearing community, (contributing over 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day), which earned the state its oil producing status;

“Alarm that violent gangs have set up camps in and around Ogwuaniocha Community, sacked the residents, kidnapped the traditional ruler (Igwe), killed and maimed many, unchallenged, which is a desecration of the traditional institution and erosion of our cultural values;

“Worried that there is a resurgence of crisis in the community and its environs last week, leading to abduction of over 20 people who are yet to be accounted for, a trend that has kept recurring since November, 2021, without meaningful steps by
the Anambra State Government, aimed at rescuing the Igwe, who is still unaccounted for, or explore any administrative measures to finding solution to the problem;

“Concern that the displaced people of Ogwuaniocha are going through difficult times without any provision for shelter or relief materials as they have no Internally Displaced Persons(IDP) camps;

“Further concern that while oil production goes on seamlessly in Ogwuaniocha, the people have been forced to stay off their community for two years now – since Monday, November 15, 2021 – no farming activity, no school for the children, no business activities as a result of the occupation of the community by the criminal gangs, who have relocated from other parts of the state and set up camps in and around the community;

“House Resolves to:
(i) Direct the Committee on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to look into the matter, set up an IDP camp for the people and provide them with relief materials; and report back to the House.”

Ahead Bayelsa Election: IGP Raps Security Agencies, Electorate To Abide By Law

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kayode Egbetokun - IGP

By Ayodele Oni

As preparations for the Governorship Election in Bayelsa state peak, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has paid a visit to Bayelsa to engage stakeholders, police officers, and other security agencies in the state.

This was disclosed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Oluwamuyiwa Adejobe on Tuesday, November 7 on his X handle.

The statement reads: “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, has visited Bayelsa State to engage stakeholders, Police Officers and other security agencies in preparation for the forthcoming guber election in Bayelsa State.

“The IGP met with the governor of Bayelsa State, Sen Douye Diri at the Governor’s Office in Yenegoa, where he promised the people of the state a free, fair, secured, and credible election on 11th November 2023.

“He equally urged the governor as a candidate in the election to charge his supporters to embrace peace in the state. The IGP also met with the traditional rulers at the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers’ Secretariat in Yenagoa.

“He seized the opportunity to discuss many security-related issues with the traditional rulers and urged them to encourage Bayelsans to go out and exercise their franchise during the election, as the Police and other security agencies have placed adequate security for the smooth conduct of the election.

“The IGP later addressed Officers and Men of the Command at the State Headquarters, where he tasked them to discharge their duties without fear or favour and act within the ambit of the law during the Saturday election.

“The IGP warned them to be good ambassadors of the NPF always, even in the aftermath of the November 11 guber polls.”

Hilda Baci Dethroned By Irish Chef, Alan Fischer, As Guinness Longest Cooking Marathon Record Holder

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Hilda Baci, Nigerian Chef and Guinness World Record Longest Cooking Marathon Record Holder,  has been dethroned by Alan Fischer, an Irish Chef, who owns a Restaurant in Japan.

Fischer  claimed the longest cooking marathon (individual) after clocking in a time of 119 hours 57 minutes. That is more than 24 hours longer than the previous record held by Nigerian chef Hilda Baci.

Alan also claimed the longest baking marathon (individual), with a time of 47 hours 21 minutes. The previous record holder was Wendy Sandner (USA) with a time of 31 hours 16 minutes.

What was more impressive is that Alan took on both attempts back to back, meaning he was at work in the kitchen for over 160 hours with just over a day of rest in between.

During the record attempt, Alan Fisher had to overcome different types of obstacles as time went by. During the longest baking marathon (individual) record attempt, it was his back that caused him trouble. Because Alan was mixing dough by hand, his posture got distorted, and as a result, his back got tight and sore.

Towards the end of the longest cooking marathon (individual) record attempt, Alan had to endure fatigue and sleepiness.

He said: “I peeled roughly 300 kg of potatoes during the cooking marathon. For the first few days, I would look forward to this each evening as it gave me a chance to sit down.”

“Towards the end of the cooking marathon however, as fatigue started to take hold I would find it more and more difficult to stay awake whenever I sat down to start peeling. The rhythm of the peeling would almost hypnotize me. I had one hallucination on the second-to-last day. I turned to ask someone to pass me something, like I would on any normal day only to realize there was no one there.”

Despite the challenges, Alan said it was the people of the town who supported his record attempt who gave him the push to carry on.

“It got to the point where I definitely couldn’t give up. In my mind, I was representing myself, my family, and Irish food, and through these attempts, I was sharing our story. As time went by it became clear that many people in Matsue were also wishing me well. As if I had been adopted into this community over 9,000 km from my home. How could I not persevere? That was the only option.”

After nine days of baking and cooking, Alan had made 357 kg worth of soda bread and 590 kg worth of dishes (3,360 portions consisting of 32 recipes). But it was all worth it when he received his two world record certificates.

Aiyedatiwa: Ondo High Court Strikes Out Impeachment Suit

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

In compliance with the directive of the Leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), mediating in the crisis between Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, one of the suits stalling the impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa has been withdrawn.

At a meeting with warring factions in the crisis, the leadership of the APC had advised the Deputy Governor to withdraw suits filed to stop the assembly and parties from impeaching him.

Justice O. Akintan- Osadebay of the Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, on Tuesday struck out an application by Aiyedatiwa, praying the court to restrain the State Chief Judge from setting up an investigative panel as ordered by the state House of Assembly.

The Deputy Governor had brought the application dated 13th October, 2023, asking the high court to interprete section 188 of the 1999 constitution as amended, if the State Chief Judge has power to extend the seven days granted by the law to set up an investigative panel to probe the Assembly’s allegations against the Deputy Governor.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the Counsel to the Deputy Governor,  Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, moved to withdraw the application, while the Counsel to the State House of Assembly, Femi Emodamori, did not oppose the withdrawal.The presiding judge, Justice Osadebay subsequently struck out the application.

The same State High Court had last week fined Aiyedatiwa a sum of #200,000 to be paid to the respondents, the State House of Assembly, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and others, due to absence of the deputy governor’s legal team in the court.

SUVs: Labour Party Senators Ignore Abure

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Julius Abure - Labour Party National Chairman

By Akinwale Kasali

Senators on the platform of the Labour Party, LP,  have decorated to ignore the call by  their Party Chairman, Julius Abure, not to partake in the profligate spending, which he described as insensitive and wasteful, of the purchase of Sport Utility Vehicles, SUVs.

Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Benin Central Senatorial District under the LP Platform said it is unfair for Nigerians to criticise Labour Party lawmakers for not rejecting the plan by the National Assembly to buy Sport Utility Vehicles allegedly worth N160m for each lawmaker.

Imasuen, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, said the LP lawmakers in the National Assembly are too few to stop the plan by the lawmakers to buy luxury vehicles.

The Lawmaker said LP Members are only eight in the Senate and cannot sway the majority of lawmakers by backing down on the plan to buy luxury vehicles.

He said, “I want to say that I have not received any vehicle and none has been offered to me. However, we are in a democracy where the majority will have their way and the minority will have their say.

“We can only say what we believe is the right thing to do in the parliament; we are just eight senators, amid 109 senators. So, those who have zeroed in on Labour Party Senators, I think it is very unfair.

“Assuming 109 vehicles are given to senators and eight rejected them, can you please tell me what significance that will be to the budget or the overall image of the National Assembly?

“What I can say is that the LP is not the proponent of this and we have made some inquiries and these seem to be the practice every four years.

“What people don’t know is that senators are offered the right of first refusal after their tenure. If they don’t buy the vehicle, it goes back to the Senate.

“It is supposed to be a working vehicle for Senators. If we were to vote on it today, the eight Labour Party senators will vote against it but it doesn’t stop it because the 101 senators will vote yes. Even if we reject it, who takes it, are they going to return them to the manufacturers?”

Presidency Debunks Fake News On Uzodimma, Nnamdi Kanu

By
The Source
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The Presidency has denied ever blaming Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for the non release of Nnamdi Kanu from custody.

It described as fake news of a report by Sahara Reporters that President Bola Tinubu told Igbo business community on Monday that Uzodimma was blocking the release of Nnamdi Kanu because of Saturday’s governorship election.

The story, however, is not on Sahara Reporters site, meaning that it was fabricated and passed on as coming from the medium.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in a statement denied the fake news .

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba said he personally spoke with  Bayo Onanuga who categorically denied the story.

Emelumba said Onanuga sent him a message to debunk the story as false.

It reads:

“The President never said anything like this, never met Igbo business men ” Onanuga  wrote .

In his reaction,   Emelumba commended the Presidency for debunking the fake news which he said was planted by the opposition.

Said he: This is part of the vicious and childish propaganda by the PDP  to antagonise Imo voters against Governor Hope Uzodimma.  But, as always, it has backfired on them. The PDP is so rattled by their impending humiliation on Saturday that it has become paranoid “,.

Emelumba said the timely intervention of the Presidency which made it clear that  President Bola Tinubu never made such a statement has punctured the plan of the PDP and the opposition.

He noted that Uzodimma, along with other Igbo leaders, had been interfacing with the Federal Government for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and, therefore, cannot work against that collective goal.

The Commissioner declared that it has become obvious to the opposition that they would be trounced by Uzodimma and APC in the election, hence their resort to vile propaganda, lies and blackmail.

He insisted that no degree of blackmail by the opposition would dissuade Imo voters from returning Uzodimma to office based on his superlative performance in the last four years.

He called on Imo people to continue to ignore the antics of the opposition and focus on exercising their franchise  peacefully on November 11th.

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