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NPAN Congratulates Edun, Idris

August 21, 2023

The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), has described as well deserved, the appointment as Ministers, of Mr Olawale Edun and Alh. Mohammed Idris. Both of them were Executive members of the Association.

While Edun was the Treasurer, Idris was the General Secretary.

Their very rich resumes and track records speak for them and we congratulate them on their new assignments, while thanking Mr. President, for giving them the opportunity to contribute to nation building at this critical moment of national development.

Mr. Edun, an economist, was the Chairman of Vintage Press, publishers of Nation Newspapers while Alh. Idris, a public relations guru and media entrepreneur, is the Publisher of the Blue Print newspapers.

Signed

MAL. KABIRU A. YUSUF
PRESIDENT
NPAN

What Are Your Names, Hon Deputy Speaker Kalu?

The Source

August 21, 2023

By Ikeddy Isiguzo

How many times in a life time can one change names? There seems to be no limit. Why do people change names? The answers are as many as the people you ask. Neither legality nor morality, some claim, is offended if you change your name.

A name is important as an individual’s official, even private, identity. Some change names with minimal regard to their importance and implications.

Could they be the ones who have come up with that seemingly incorrect line, “What are your names?”. You could expect an answer like, “My names are…, but I am addressed as…, also known as…, and also called… just call me anyone”.

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu Okezie is at the centre of a plethora of name changes that is central to the election petition case before the three-man National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal 4 Panel of Honourable Justice Samson P. Gang, Chairman, Honourable Justice Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed, and Honourable Justice Abdulfatai Baba Sekoni, members, which rounded up on 14 August 2023 in Umuahia.

Yunus Ustaz Usman, SAN, in his final address remarked that the petitioner Chief Ifeanyi Frank Chinasa of the Labour Party’s case was built on questions about Benjamin Kalu Okezie who made several changes to his names.

Kalu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, born as Umunna Okezie in 1971, had made these distinct and different changes to his name, according to Usman’s address:

.Affidavit of Change of Name of 17th day of June, 2002

.Affidavit of Change of Name of 10th day of January, 2011

.Deed Poll of 6th October, 2011. South Africa Gazette No. 25492 of 03 October, 2003 for change of name

Punch Newspaper of Thursday August 29, 2002

Usman said the changes provided grounds to doubt Kalu’s identity and ownership of the education documents he uses.

Benjamin Kalu Okezie has documents bearing these names –

The 1st Respondent’s First School Leaving Certificate which he obtained in 1983 but was issued in 1987 has the name Umunna Okezie.

The name in the 1st Respondent’s Leaving Certificate and Testimonial of 1988 is Osisiogu Benjamin Okezie.

The 1st Respondent’s West African Examinations Council Certificate of 1991 bears Osisiogu Benjamin Okezie.

The name in 1st Respondent’s Bachelor of Laws Certificate of 1998 is Osisiogu Benjamin Okezie.

.The name of the 1st Respondent in the Council of Legal Education Certificate of 2011 is Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu.

.The 1st Respondent’s NYSC Discharge Certificate of 2011 has Kalu Benjamin Okezie as his name.

.His Certificate of Call to Bar of 2006 has the name Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu.

.The name in the 1st Respondent’s Statutory Declaration of Age of 2002 is Kalu Benjamin Okezie.

The INEC Form EC 9 for 2019 election submitted by the 1st Respondent bears Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

.INEC Form EC 9 for 2023 election submitted by the 1st Respondent has the name Kalu Benjamin Okezie.

In the course of the trial, Kalu had deposed on oath thus: “That consequently, upon these changes and steps, the Registry of the Supreme Court enrolled me as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with my name Kalu Benjamin Okezie on the 6th day of June, 2012 with enrolment number SCN/078630.”

Usman dug in on the deposition, drawing the attention of the tribunal to the facts that the Certificate of Call to Bar and Council of Legal Education Certificate Kalu tendered had “Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu” on them and not “Kalu Benjamin Okezie”. The Call to Bar Certificate read 6th day of September, 2011 and not 6th day of June, 2012 when Kalu said he was called to Bar. Usman continued that if Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar on the 6th day of September, 2011, he would have enrolled at the registry of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the same day.

“The 1st Respondent could not have enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the 6th day of June, 2012, nine (9) months after his Call to Bar. The 1st Respondent had the burden to explain to the Honourable Tribunal the reason for his delayed enrolment, if at all he was called by the Body of Benchers and enrolled before the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Usman said.

Usman raised more issues. Kalu’s 2006 Certificate of Birth and his 2002 Statutory Declaration of Age obtained in 2002 also bear Kalu Benjamin Okezie. An age document is one of the mandatory documents for registration at the Nigerian Law School. Usman wondered how the Call to Bar Certificate and Council of Legal Education Certificate will bear different names Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu and not Kalu Benjamin Okezie which is also on Kalu’s NYSC certificate.

Usman said since it was evident that the first respondent lacked the necessary qualifications to stand for the election, the tribunal should nullify Kalu’s victory and declare Chief Chinasa as the rightful winner.

Kelvin Nwufo, SAN, Kalu’s lawyer, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition for lack of merit. Kalu, he said, did not forge any documents and that all the contested documents bearing different names of Kalu had been duly reconciled and published in the Federal Government Gazette, as the law required.

Counsel of All Progressives Congress, APC, Viginus Nwankwo argued that the burden of proof in Kalu’s names lay with the petitioner. He stated that the burden was not adequately discharged. He was in tandem with Nwufo in asking that the petition be dismissed.

Ifeanyi Chukwuka Igbokwe of Action Alliance, AA, asked that the election should be cancelled as INEC excluded his party’s logo on the ballot paper. INEC stated that AA had no candidate in the election. Its candidate’s name was submitted outside the time the law provided. Latest reports say Igbokwe has disclaimed the suit. He said neither the petitioner nor the counsel was known to him. Igbokwe said he was celebrating with his brother who had been elected the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Outside the tribunal, the counsels bantered in more accessible language, called each other by name or honorifics, in an ambience that belied the battle of a few minutes earlier.

It is important to know what people are. It is more important to know who they are, by name. If you ask the Honourable Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives his names, he has a rich repertoire from which to draw answers.

The tribunal will announce a date for the judgement.

Finally…

PASSENGERS are STILL being asked to disembark and walk across checkpoints in the South East. It doesn’t matter if it is raining or if those being humiliated were old, infirm, infants, or pregnant women. The “punishment” is repeated at every checkpoint. Who ordered this practice? When Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raised the matter on the floor of the Senate, they stopped for a few days. Perhaps, they know that the Senate is on recess.

Isiguzo is a major commentator on minor issues

EFCC: Falana Calls For Bawa’s Release; DSS Has No Power To Detain Him

Tosin Olatokunbo

August 20, 2023

Rights activist, Femi Falana has called on the DSS to immediately release the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrashedd Bawa.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said in a statement on Sunday that the reason the DSS cited for detaining the former EFCC helmsman is no longer valid.

Bawa was suspended on June 14 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and was later detained by the secret police after he honoured their invitation. He has since been held without charge.

According to Falana, the magistrate’s order obtained by the DSS for detaining Bawa ‘has become spent, invalid and illegal.”

He said he’s not “unaware of the claim that Mr Bawa is being detained on the basis of a remand order issued by a magistrate court in the federal capital territory.”

But, “It ought to be pointed out that the remand order has become spent, invalid and illegal as no magistrate has the power under section 493 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 or section 35 of the Constitution of Nigeria to authorise the detention of a criminal suspect for 67 days without trial.

“Indeed, under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the cumulative lifespan of a remand order is 56 days. Therefore, having exceeded the detention period permitted by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Constitution of Nigeria, the State Security Service should be directed to release Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa from illegal custody without any further delay,” Falana stated.

Meanwhile, the human rights advocate has urged the federal government to ensure that the rights of Bawa, including that of suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele are respected saying the DSS “by law is under a legal obligation not to breach the fundamental rights of citizens except in a manner prescribed by the constitution of Nigeria.”

SERAP Advises Tinubu To Stop Pension Of Former Govs Now Ministers, Threatens Legal Action

James Orji

August 20, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

A Civil Society Organization, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has reiterated that it is unconstitutional for former governors appointed as ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s government to be receiving pensions.

The organization has asked the president to publicly instruct former governors to stop collecting life pensions, exotic cars and other allowances from their states.

Former Ogun state Governor, Gbenga Daniel, on his assumption in senate, instructed Ogun state government to stop his pension.

SERAP said that Nigerians will judge President Tinubu in part by the conduct, integrity and honesty of the ministers that he appointed to work in his government.

SERAP in a statement on Sunday, by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said that the exercise of the President’s power of appointment ought to reflect ethical and constitutional safeguards, requirements, and the fundamental principles of integrity and honesty.

Former governors appointed as ministers in the Tinubu-led administration, are Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa); David Umahi (Ebonyi), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun).

The organisation stressed that the appointment of former governors who collect life pensions while serving as ministers is implicitly forbidden by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international legal obligations.

SERAP further said that stopping the former governors from collecting double emoluments would be entirely consistent with the proper exercise of the president’s constitutional power to appoint ministers.

“Stopping the former governors from collecting life pensions would ensure that the country’s wealth and resources are used for the common good and benefit of the socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians rather than to satisfy the opulent lifestyle of a few politicians.

“States currently implementing life pensions for former governors included Jigawa, Kebbi, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Yobe, and Rivers. Many of the states owe workers’ salaries and remain the poorest in the country.

“Several of the pension laws in the mentioned states include provisions for six cars every three years, a house in Lagos worth N750 million, and another in Abuja worth N1 billion, unrestricted access to medical attention, and pensionable cooks, stewards, and gardeners.

“Others include the provisions of 100 per cent annual salaries of the incumbent governor, security operatives and police officers permanently assigned to former governors.

“President Tinubu would be acting in the public interest by stopping the former governors now serving as ministers in his government from collecting life pensions, especially given the current grave economic realities in the country.

“If the ministers that the president appoints are those who collect life pensions rather than serve the public interest, then that may show little about the conduct and integrity of the ministers, but speak volumes about the exercise of presidential power of appointment.

“While many pensioners are not paid their pensions, former governors serving as ministers get paid huge severance benefits upon leaving office, and are poised to enjoy double emoluments on top of the opulence of political office holders.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.

“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

“Instructing the former governors now serving as ministers in your government to stop collecting life pensions from their states would also improve public confidence in the integrity and honesty of your government.

“Constitutional oath of office requires public officials to abstain from all improper acts, including collecting life pensions that are inconsistent with the public trust and the overall objectives of the Constitution.

“A false oath lacks truth and justice. The oath statements require the oath takers to commit to uphold and defend the Constitution.

Ahead Of Inauguration, President Tinubu Reshuffles Cabinet, Creates New Ministry

James Orji

August 20, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Ministers due for inauguration on Monday have been reshuffled in a minor cabinet readjustment.

This followed concerns and condemnations which trailed allocations of portfolios to the Ministers and the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta. Niger Delta Stakeholders had threatened fire and brimstone over the non- allocation of a Minister to it.

President Bola Tinubu has, therefore, approved the redeployment of Engr. Abubakar Momoh from the Federal Ministry of Youth to the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

The Federal Ministry of Youth is to be re-assigned to a Minister-Designate soon.

The Ministers-Designate allocated to the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Interior, and Marine & Blue Economy have been reshuffled as follows:

“H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy.

Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Interior.

A statement by Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday, stated that “Hon. Sa’idu Alkali is redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Transportation.

“Furthermore, both Ministers of State in the Oil & Gas sector are now domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources with the following designations:

“Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri is the Hon. Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources. Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo is the Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources.

“The President approves the renaming of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management as the Federal Ministry of Environment.

“All aforementioned changes take immediate effect by these directives of the President.”

Using Force In Niger Republic Has Negative Effect On Nigeria – PDP Chieftain, Olafeso

Ayodele Oni

August 20, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

As forces of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) wait for an order to invade Niger Republic, the erstwhile National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in South West, Chief Eddy Olafeso has called for caution as Nigeria will definitely feel the impact of the war.

Olafeso has, therefore, asked President Bola Tinubu to use diplomacy in addressing the coup d’etat in the Niger Republic.

The PDP chieftain,who spoke in Akure, the Ondo state capital, at the weekend, said any attempt to use force to restore democracy in Niger Republic is like inviting war into Nigeria.

“A Nigerian President, who has a foreign relationship, will know for sure that a war against Niger Republic is war against Nigeria.

“With about 1,200 kilometres of our boundaries across seven states of the North; from Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Maiduguri, and Borno are all with the Niger people, so, we must as a matter of fact, make sure that we utilize diplomacy in dealing with this.”

Mr Olafeso’s advice for Mr Tinubu came after ECOWAS placed sanctions, cut power supply and suspended all financial aid to Niger as well as ban on commercial flights to and from the country following the seizure of power by the military.

On July 26, the military led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani overthrow the democratic government of President Mohamed Bazoum and subsequently detained his guards.

Mr Tchiani had said the sanctions imposed in the country were aimed at putting pressure on the rebels and not finding a solution to the current situation at hand.

A delegation led by former military ruler in the country, Gen Abdulsslam Abubakar was till Saturday in Niger for dialogue and seek possible wats of restoring democracy without war.

Leaders of the junta in that country had however ruled out early return to democracy as they announced three years military rule.

Faulting the action being taken by the ECOWAS, Olafeso reminded President Tinubu that the relationship between Nigeria and Niger Republic was beyond the presidency.

He explained that Nigeria and Niger Republic share a “very historical relationship” that must be recognized before any decision is being taken, noting that about 55 per cent of the Niger people are Kanuris, Hausas and Fulanis.

According to him, the Nigerian leader continued to prove that he has overbearing on other African nations when the country is extremely deep in abject poverty with the unstable policies of foreign exchange.

“Then, how can you be strong abroad when your foreign policies have left your country in extreme poverty. It is dangerous for APC to even contemplate going abroad to come and sort out things when Nigeria is yet to be sorted out.

“This is not the right time for war; it is the right time for diplomacy and the right time to listen to the people of Niger Republic, so that we don’t make mistakes.”

While stressing that the people of Niger Republic know their own history far better than any nation, Mr Olafeso advised the Nigeria leaders to be more careful of who to support in the ongoing coup in Niger.

“These are some of the things we have to be careful about. Our country is in dire need, we do not have resources that we are going to spend anywhere to defend something indefensible.

“The history of the people is not the history of their rulers, if their rulers are supporting the colonialists, especially France, in taking away what belongs to Niger Republic to France and people are kicking against it, we must be careful of who we support, are we fighting EU and France or the West, or are we fighting for the Nigerians in Niger Republic.

“The other groups are the distinctively in control of the government for a long time and most of the time, it is when the majority are in power that the military will come and interrupt and we begin to see an imposition that appears like a minority rule over the majority as we see in the circumstance in the Niger Republic.”

Nigerian Petition Tinubu Against Dangote Alleging ‘Siphoning’ Of $3.4 Billion through CBN

The Source

August 20, 2023

By Gideon Njoku

An Ahmed Fahad, who introduced himself as “a Concerned and Social Justice Advocate”, has written and sent a petition to President Bola Tinubu against business mogul and entrepreneur, Aliko Dangote.

Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, an octopus-like concern, is Africa’s richest man.

In the petition, Fahad alleged that Dangote siphoned a whopping $3.4 Billion siphoned through the Central Bank of Nigeria while suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele was in charge.

The petition, according to POLITICS NIGERIA, which first published it, alleged that Dangote, for years, violated the Forex Guidelines of the CBN.

The petition, according to POLITICS NIGERIA, was attached to a letter sent to the President on August 18th, 2023.

Titled “BRAZEN ILLEGALITY: HOW DANGOTE SIPHONED $3.4BILLION DOLLARS THROUGH THE CBN USING FORM A”, the letter reads:

“I write to you today as an alarmed Nigerian citizen and a tenacious advocate for social justice. I bring to your attention a scandalous issue of gross financial misconduct and illegality involving the Dangote Group – a flagrant abuse of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) forex guidelines for the past 10 years.

“First exposed by Dr. Ope Banwo of Change Vigilantes International (CVI) in his 2016 petition to the former President Buhari (read here: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/dangote-forex-violation-cbn/?amp) this brazen illegality involves a shocking violation of CBN guidelines, causing a USD 3.4 billion diversion from Nigeria’s national treasury at rates between 150-200USD when the parallel exchange rate was more than double that. This insidious financial maneuvering still threatens the very stability of our country’s economy even today.

“Astoundingly, this flagrant siphoning was carried out using Form A, instead of the legal route through Form M, which is tantamount to a gross violation of the law as it offers no financial returns to our country. The barefaced audacity of these financial transgressions is further displayed by several implicated banks, which have audaciously sanctioned millions of dollars at the CBN rate to the Dangote Group, in direct violation of CBN’s instructions to source funds from the parallel or interbank market.

“These unscrupulous actions facilitated the illegal transfer of funds for supposed foreign investments, including the supposed construction of factories in countries like Congo and Liberia. These funds were moved out of Nigeria with the alleged unlawful aim of industrial developments in other nations, while our own country was left bereft of these much-needed investments.

“More worryingly, there are several instances, such as in Liberia, where promised factories were never built. The siphoned funds were, instead, reportedly transferred to Dangote’s accounts abroad, thereby exploiting Form A for illicit cash movements that cannot be reclaimed by our country.

“It must be highlighted that the approvals sought from the CBN clearly stated that money sought by Dangote must be bought from the Interbank market – which means money outside the CBN. However, the funds were bought and transferred from the national treasury with the CBN, which was illegal. On a continued basis over the years and contrary to the approvals, Emefiele’s CBN continued illegally supplying money from Nigeria’s treasury at cheaper rates to Dangote Group (see some evidence attached). This is an illegality that must be righted. For instance in 2015, Form A number AA2541751 was used to transfer over 341million through telegraphic transfer (ECOBANK) in contravention of CBN directive to use interbank funds only for the Dangote Project in Cameroon whilst on February 12, 2016, Form A number AA2649626 was used to transfer over 420million for spare parts in Congo, also in contravention of the CBN directive.

“To further highlight the brazenness of these actions, it recently came to light that the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had borrowed USD 1 billion from Afrexim Bank in the second quarter of 2023, USD 750 million of which was illegally funneled to Dangote at a concessionary rate. These funds were subsequently transferred to Dangote’s account abroad just as previously done in the past.

“Your Excellency, as the beacon of hope for our nation’s financial integrity, your swift action is desperately needed to rectify these glaring injustices. We implore you to order a comprehensive and immediate investigation into these flagrant violations of our financial laws.

“We call upon you to ensure these stolen funds are returned and used for the betterment of our nation under your committed administration. This enforcement is essential not just to deter future violations but also to underscore the ethos of accountability and transparency that your administration represents. We enjoin you to direct the EFCC, ICPC, DSS and other relevant security agencies to investigate these illegal acts against our economy and ensure these funds are returned.

“The time for a new era has come—an era where the rule of law supersedes illicit privileges, and economic justice becomes our national cornerstone. By addressing this issue decisively, you will send a powerful message that corruption, in all its forms, will no longer be tolerated in our country.

“Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.

Yours faithfully,

Ahmed Fahad

A Concerned Nigerian and Social Justice Advocate”.

Fahad, also, attached documents to the letter he addressed to President Tinubu.

NDLEA Intercepts Fake $20 Million Notes

Akinwale Kasali

August 20, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

If not for the vigilance and of operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, fake Dollar notes amounting to $20 million would have found their way into the Foreign Exchange Market.

A Stop and Search Operation by officials of the NDLEA led to the discovery of the counterfeit notes. They were intercepted on the Lokoja-Abaji Highway.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Spokesman disclosed on Sunday in Abuja that the fake currencies were recovered from a bus travelling from Lagos to Abuja.

He stated that the 53-year-old driver of the vehicle, Onyebuchi Nlebedim, was arrested.

Babafemi stated also that one Jude Ndubuisi (52) was arrested in a raid on August 17 while in possession of 2.2kg of methamphetamine at Kabusa village, Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

He added that the suspect was earlier arrested on July 7, 2022, for being in possession of 20.75kg of Indian hemp and that he was on court bail when he was nabbed for yet another drug crime.

“Another raid on two notorious drug joints in the FCT – “Dei-Dei’’ and Tora-Bora Hills, led to the recovery of 82.8kg skunk, 1.8kg Rohypnol and 1.2kg diazepam on Wednesday, Aug. 16.

“In Osun, NDLEA operatives destroyed clusters of Indian hemp plantations measuring about 3.5 hectares (more than 7.5 tons) at Mopatedo in Ifedayo Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, Aug. 19.

“Two suspects – Sunday Otogbo (40), and Peter Makra (35), were arrested inside the Indian hemp farms.

“An additional 30kg of Indian hemp and 16.9kg of Indian hemp seeds were also recovered from the farms,’’ he stated.

Babafemi added that three other suspects – Ndubuisi Okorie (44), Ebilima Emmanuel (38), and Okechukwu Smart (40), were arrested on Aug. 19 in connection with 168kg of Indian hemp seized from them.

The suspects were arrested when their vehicle was intercepted on the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, he stated.

“A shipment of 6,000 capsules of tramadol, 1,200 tablets of `swinol’, 155 bottles of codeine syrup and 20 tablets s of Molly was equally seized on the same road on Sunday, Aug. 13.

“A follow-up operation at Oyigbo area of Port Harcourt led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Remigius Ogechukwu (33),’’ Babafemi added.

He stated also that a teenager, Boniface Odinakachukwu (19), was arrested with a 99.4kg skunk at Isikwe Road, Achi in Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State on Friday, Aug. 18.

The NDLEA spokesman added that a wanted 19-year-old bandit, Aliyu Mohammed Altine, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Illela-Sokoto Road with some wraps of skunk on Thursday, Aug. 17.

Altine was on the wanted list of the police and has since been handed over to the police in Sokoto State for further investigation, Babafemi stated.

Isese Day Saga: Call For Relocation Of Kwara State Capital Intensifies

Akinwale Kasali

August 20, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

The brickbats between Islamic Bodies and Traditionalists in Kwara State is yet to abate over the call by Traditional Worshippers to the Federal and State Government that August 20 should be set aside as a Public Holiday.

The rejection by the Islamic Bodies in Kwara State on the call led to a heated controversy, prompting the Oodua People Congress, OPC, to call on the Federal Government to relocate the Kwara State Capital from Ilorin to a neutral ground – away from the present location since Muslims have refused to accommodate people of other religions.

The State Coordinator of OPC, New Era in Kwara State, Comrade Bayo Fabiyi, made this suggestion in a statement as a way to settle the impasse between Isese adherents and Muslim Clerics in Ilorin.

The OPC coordinator in a statement on Sunday explained that there are several areas in the state which include the entire Kwara South, North and some parts of the Northern parts of the State where they practise Isese traditional religion and other religions, as well as Islam without confrontation.

“There are Muslims in other places cohabiting with their Isese and other religious brothers without crises or disturbances.

“Therefore, if Ilorin is the only place where Isese becomes a challenge, the status of Ilorin as a state capital should be changed while the ancient town can be allowed to remain purely an Islamic place because of all towns in Kwara, only Ilorin is where Islamic extremism thrives.”

Fabiyi said that while he would advise all Isese people never to fight or kick against the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, as a royal father over all, he also advised that Muslim clerics follow the “deenukum waliya deen” principle of Islam, and allow the Isese people to practise their religion without troubling or causing intrusion into their mode of worship.

Fabiyi had queried the Islamic fundamentalists who ignored several other serious issues such as cultism and other issues of insecurity but chose to selectively face the Isese groups that are just practising their religion without hindering the peace of others.

Fabiyi also reiterated that insecurity in Kwara is occasioned by the admittance of the Fulani who were displaced from Igangan in Oyo State into Ilorin.

He lamented that, against his earlier warnings when Abubakar Iskail was not heeded, the group when chased from Igangan in Oyo State, would settle down in Ilorin, but nobody yielded his advice.

The OPC coordinator lamented that he raised this alarm long ago about the impending danger of allowing the man to take abode in the state, “but no one in the security architecture of Kwara state listened to him.”

He advised that the only way to end insecurity in Kwara is by nipping it in the bud and chasing intruding herdsmen who are allegedly involved in kidnapping out of Kwara.

Crisis Hits NMA In Edo As Members Suspend Chairman, Secretary; Officers Fight Back

Ayodele Oni

August 20, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Edo state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is enmeshed in leadership crisis as some members announced the suspension of the chairman, deputy chairman and secretary, Dr Udoka Imoisili, Dr Benson Okwara and Dr Collins Otoikhila respectively.

The decision was reportedly taken at the Annual General Meeting of the association in Benin city.

This was contained in a communique issued at the Business session of the 2023 Edo NMA Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference (AGM/SC) held at the Doctors House in Benin City, Edo state.

The communique, signed by Dr Iluobe Inegbenosun, Ag Chairman and Dr Emeka Okoh

PR0, read in part, “The AGM voted to suspend the trio of Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and Secretary, for refusing to carry out their constitutional duties as demanded by the AGM.

“A secret ballot was held, and 120 members voted to suspend the Chairman, Dr Udoka Imoisili, Deputy Chairman, Dr Benson Okwara, and Secretary, Dr Collins Otoikhila; 3 voted against and 3 abstained.

“The meeting continued with the adjusted and adopted agenda, and the following resolutions were reached.

“The Deputy Secetary, Dr Iluobe Inegbenosun should assume office as acting Chairman, NMA Edo State with immediate effect as prescribed by the Edo NMA R&R and the suspended officers should hand over the association properties in their possession to the acting Chairman within 48 hours of this meeting.

“Members took cognizance of the fact that all the committees of the association were constituted at a fraudulent and illegal State Executive Council (SEC) meeting where a quorum was not formed and the attendance list was doctored. Therefore, the AGM resolved to dissolve all the committees.”

“The financial report was prepared by the Suspended Chairman with little or no input from the financial secretary.

“There were several inconsistencies in the financial report with a total expenditure of N54,847,067.48 spent under one year without any tangible project and no auditing.The AGM therefore resolved to step down the financial report.

“The AGM expressed its displeasure with the failure of the suspended Chairman, for failing to solidarize with ARD members in Edo State during the NARD industrial action.

“The acting Chairman assured the AGM that going forward, Edo NMA will support all her members including the ARD.”

Reacting in a statement titled “Impersonation of the Office of Chairman and Secretary of Edo NMA” and signed by, Dr. Udoka and Dr. Otoikhila, the embattled NMA officers accused some members including officers of the Edo NMA of acting a pre conceived script with a view to causing chaos and pandemonium in the Association.

“Most galling and disrespectful action by these persons is the impersonation of my office and that of my Secretary, by the Deputy Secretary and the PRO, who have been going about falsely parading themselves as Acting Chairman and Acting Secretary with intent to deceive the doctors in Edo state.”

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