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Persons With Disabilities In Ondo Accuse Intervention Agency Of Neglect

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in coastal area of Ondo state have expressed displeasure over their neglect by the state owned intervention agency, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (OSPADEC).

The disabled persons, from Ilaje and Ese-Odo local governments areas of the state have resolved to embark on mass protest to the commission’s office in Akure to demand for their rights.

Spokesman for the group, Ikuomola Olubadewa said in a statement that “This is as a result of the large marginalisation, neglect, and carelessness as a form of discrimination against persons with disabilities by the Commission since the tenure of Gbenga Edema, the immediate past Chairman of the commission till the date of  Erejuwa Sam, the present Chairman of the Commission.

“Several letters, sittings and consultations were made between the Executives of the Association of Persons With Disabilities in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Governments, and the management of the Commission over the stipulated and mandated yearly Empowerment Programme for Persons With Disabilities by the Commission in the two mandate areas of Ondo State.

“So unfortunately and uncalled for, the Commission under the present leadership of Hon. Erejuwa Sam insisted the he has nothing to offer for Persons With Disabilities in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Local Governments regarding the stipulated Empowerment Programme by the Commission.

“As a result of that, we the Executives of Persons With Disabilities in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Governments have met, we have discussed vividly and concluded that only the remedy needed wherein the OSOPADEC can positively comply and grant our request is peaceful protest which shall take place any moment from today.

“We the Executives of the Association of Persons With Disabilities called all our members under the eagies of the Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities, Association of Persons With Visual Impaired, Association of Persons With Hearing Impaired, Association of Persons With Albinism to be ready, to embark on a peaceful protest in OSOPADEC Akure.

“Since we were neglected by the past, the Hon. Gbenga Edema, and Sam Erejuwa, the Chairmen of OSOPADEC on our Empowerment Programme; while the only language the Commission needs is peaceful protest at OSOPADEC, Akure.”

NURTW Saga: Agbede Raises Alarm, Says MC Oluomo Wishes Him Dead; Seeks Police Intervention, Protection

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Tajudeen Agbede and MC Oluomo

By Akinwale Kasali

Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo is enmeshed in another crisis following the alarm raised by the Caretaker President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Tajudeen Agbede, alleging that MC Oluomo has been spreading false information about his health status.

MC Oluomo who recently relinquished power as the Chairman of the NURTW in Lagos State to Adekunle Mustapha Sego, is said to be eyeing the Presidency of the NURTW.

He is said to be spreading rumour about the health status of Agbede, saying that he is incapacitated, suffering from paralysis and stroke.

But in a twist Agbede denied the Claim, saying that he is hale and hearty.

In a Statement released by Agbede, he vehemently denied rumors of his paralysis and stroke, accusing MC Oluomo of intentionally spreading false information about his health in an attempt to wish him dead.

Insisting on immediate police intervention, Agbede urged for a thorough investigation into the matter and the prosecution of those responsible for perpetuating the damaging rumor.

On social media platforms, speculations regarding Agbede’s health began to surface on Monday, causing numerous concerned individuals to reach out to him and his family for updates.

It was gathered that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu of Lagos State had a called a meeting in an attempt to mitigate tensions among different factions within the NURTW’s state council, scheduled a meeting with Alhaji Sulaimon Ojora (Kudeti), MC Oluomo and the incumbent state chairman, Mustapha Sego, it was alleged that MC Oluomo misinformed Governor Sanwo Olu on the State of health of Agbede, claiming that Agbede was bedridden and suffering from a stroke.

In a Statement personally signed by Agbede to debunk the alleged misinformation, allegedly, peddled by MC Oluomo, titled “I’m Hale and Hearty,” denouncing the false report as an act of malice orchestrated by his detractors, who harbor ill intentions towards him.

He said, “The people who attended the meeting with MC Oluomo told me everything that transpired at the meeting.”

“It is very unfortunate that Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya could go to that extent of wishing me dead. His level of desperation and greed is second to none.”

“I want to use this opportunity to inform everybody who has been calling me for updates that I’m very strong and healthy. I’m okay.”

Agbede has however called upon the Nigerian Police Force to thoroughly investigate the matter and hold accountable those responsible for spreading the malicious rumor.

The statement reads further, “This incident has prompted me to tighten my security measures. I express my sincere gratitude to colleagues, friends, and relatives for their unwavering support and well wishes”, the statement reads.

It was gathered that MC Oluomo was forced to relinquish power to Mustapha Sego following series of complains about his nefarious activities that has got tongue wagging.

It was also gathered that his attitude almost led to the loss of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos during the 2023 Presidential Election to Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate, Peter Gregory Obi.

It was alleged that his statement during the election almost led to Governor Sanwo Olu losing his re-election bid.

Close soured with the All Progressives Congress, APC, circle disclosed that MC Oluomo was becoming a hard nut to crack prompting him to be cut to size.

He was said to have on several occasions flouted and disregarded Governor Sanwo Olu’s order, due to his relationship with President Tinubu, but his fate was sealed after biting more than he can shew.

His removal as NURTW Lagos State Chairman was made known to him by Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikate Elegushi Land, who spoke to him to accept it in good faith.

Seeing that he will become irrelevant in Lagos, he decided to jostle for the National Presidency Seat of the NURTW, prompting him to begin campaign of calumny against Agbede, a source said.

It would be recalled that MC Oluomo masterminded the plot that led to the removal of Tajudeen Baruwa as the President of the NURTW, leading to the ban placed on NURTW activities in Lagos State before it was reinstated by Governor Sanwo Olu following the removal of Baruwa with Agbede been made the Chairman of the defunct National Caretaker Committee of the NURTW.

Ekiti: Gov Oyebanji Sets Templates For New LG Bosses

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ekiti New LG Bosses

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has told newly sworn-in 38 Local Government Chairmen and their Vice, that performance standard has been set for them to beat.

The governor urged them to place high premium on radical improvement on the security of lives and property, as well as revenue generation in their respective council areas.

Oyebanji also gave a matching order to the council chairmen to rev up the pedal of development by building on the strong foundation laid by their predecessors, adding that his administration would not tolerate any form of security lapses at the third tier of government under their watch.

The Governor made the remarks in Ado- Ekiti on Thursday, during the inauguration ceremony for the new council chairmen.

The new council chairmen were elected during the December 2, 2023 local government election in the state.

Addressing the new council bosses, Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, described the Local Government as an integral part of overall development focus and strategy of his government that requires adequate attention to tackle the menace of poverty, joblessness and insecurity.

The Governor praised the immediate past Chairmen and those that were reelected for demonstrating enough political and administrative acumen to deliver, in spite of the multifarious challenges associated with being pioneers.

Stoutly expressing zero tolerance for corruption and pilfering of council funds, the Governor urged them to discharge their duties with utmost “honesty, impartiality , even-handness, compassion and fairness.”

The governor revealed that he decided to put machinery in motion for the conduct of election at the local government level to further corroborate how desirous he was for the councils to be run in a democratic manner.

He saluted the former Chairmen for their outstanding performances and for being shrewd and dexterous in playing local politics that was chiefly associated with the running of local government system, saying this reflected in their acceptability and connectivity with the people.

On his commitment to stamp out bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements out of Ekiti, the Governor charged the chairmen to prioritize security at all times, adding “you must be deliberate about this.

“Your security plans and strategies should be communicated to me through the office of Special Adviser on Security, as soon as you take over. I will not tolerate security lapses in your domains, therefore, ensure all critical stakeholders are carried along and are involved.”

Oyebanji advised the new council bosses against relying solely on the funds accruing to them from the federation and state accounts to run the affairs of the councils, to avert administrative failure and inability to fulfil their electioneering promises.

“You need money to run a successful administration. It is not enough to rely on federal and state allocations, you have to improve your internally generated revenue and ensure it forms a sizeable source of your funding revenue.

“One of your major performance metric will be how much IGR you generate and how much it contributes to your project financing. Government will be looking at the possibility of giving conditional, mileage-incentive to councils with significant IGR improvement.”

On his resolve to bolster the potentials of youth and artisans, Oyebanji, said his government is sensitive to local content in project execution, directing the council chairmen to patronize local contractors, while not ruling out the possibility of direct labour in execution of projects in exceptional cases.

“Let me reiterate my call on the local government leadership that this administration is very sensitive to local content in project execution. While the need for direct labour may be inevitable, in certain circumstances, it shouldn’t be the norm but exception.

“Our shared prosperity mantra is to the effect that all socioeconomic opportunities must go round. Let local contractors with proven track records of performances and delivery benefit in job execution at the grassroots level.”

Oyebanji appealed to the council chairmen to manage their local politics in most effective fashion to mitigate political crises or hostilities that can tinker with peace being savoured by the citizens from rearing their ugly heads.

Ondo PDP Dares NEC, Appoints Alabere As acting Chairman

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Tola Alabere - Ondo PDP Acting Chairman

By Ayodele Oni

As the fate of Mr Fatai Adams remains uncertain as the Ondo state chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) following disagreement over his purported suspension, the State Working Committee (SWC) has appointed Tola Alabere as acting chairman.

The suspension of Adams, last week by the SWC was later declared as null and void but the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP but the state organ insisted that the suspension was irreversible.

The SEC of the party on Thursday appointed Tola Alabere, as the acting State Chairman of the party.

This decision was announced at a press conference after an emergency meeting of the SEC at the party’s secretariat in Akure, on Thursday, as a step forward on the suspension of Fatai Adams by nine out of the eleven members of the State Working Committee.

The SWC of PDP had suspended Adams, citing alleged anti-party activities and actions detrimental to the party’s reputation.

After giving concurrence to Adams’ suspension, the SEC of the party took a step further by approving the appointment of the State Vice Chairman, Tola Alabere, to take over the affairs of the party as acting state chairman of the PDP in Ondo State.

Addressing newsmen, the State Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei said the decision to appoint Alabere followed the due process and in line with the party’s constitution.

Fake Certificates Saga: Students Body Urges FG To Sanction Only Culprits, Says 15000 To Be Affected

By
Ayodele Oni
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Certificates From Togo

By Ayodele Oni

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in Benin Republic, has reacted to the blacklisting of University degree Certificates issued by Universities in some countries in West Africa by the Nigerian Government.

The students body which regretted the situation which led to the ban, called for leniency on the ban of degree certificates from the country and Togo, saying 15,000 Nigerian students are in Benin Republic.

A report detailing how a degree was bagged in under two months from a school in the Benin Republic forced the government to ban the validation of certificates from the country and Togo.

In the wake of the development, the Federal Government  banned the validation of degree certificates from the countries.

But on Thursday, the NANS President of Benin Republic, Ugochukwu Favour said the Government should consider those students that were legitimately admitted.

“For now, I will say that the Federal Government should look into the issue. Now, you can’t because it is happening in this school, punish everyone because it involved close to 15,000 students in the Benin Republic.”

Favour, who spoke on Channels Television’s breakfast show Sunrise Daily, appealed to the federal government to step up efforts to probe the matter and punish those involved in the saga.

He said NANS in the Benin Republic has constituted a committee to probe the matter, expressing confidence that the report of its findings will be vital in curbing future occurrences.

“I have really not validated if it has been happening for a long time. This is just like what just came out on social media and we are still trying to find out how long it has been happening. So, that is why I set up a committee as the president to investigate it.

“I have no sympathy for such people. Instead, they are part of the criminal chain that should be arrested.”

Updated: EFCC Defends Former Minister Umar-Farouq, Says She Did Not Shun Its Invitation

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Contrary to reports that former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development Sadiya Umar-Farouq shunned the invitation of Anti Graft Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Commission says there is no such thing.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC Spokesman disclosed that Umar-Farouq had sent a letter saying that she couldn’t honour the invitation because she was indisposed due to health challenges.

In the words of Oyewale, “ It is true that she didn’t show up, but she sent a letter pleading for more time, explaining that she had some health challenges.

”She didn’t shun the EFCC invitation; she gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up.

”Her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency on why she couldn’t come or honour the invitation,” the EFCC spokesman added.

He added that the Commission put into consideration her pleas and request for a later date for her to appear before the Commission.

As regards arresting her for not showing up, the EFCC Spokesperson said that it was unnecessary to arrest since she has done the needful by writing the Commission to state her reasons for not appearing through her Lawyer.

Umar-Farouq is being investigated for an alleged fraud that took place in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.

Oyewale further explained that the N37.1Billion said to be misappropriated by the Ministry may not be the actual amount, which is why the EFCC is not resting on its oars in unraveling the true picture.

“ On the figure that is being branded, I cannot categorically confirm the figure because it is an ongoing thing. We are still tracing all the transactions here and there; it may be more than that.

“We can’t publish a figure now until we finish the tracking, and it may be more than what is being brandished now,” he said.

Oyewale also revealed that the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA, Halima Shehu, has been released.

Shehu, who was arrested on Tuesday, has been released and directed to come to the EFCC office for interrogation until the end of the investigation.

She was arrested in connection with the ongoing probe of the humanitarian affairs ministry.

Gov Aiyedatiwa Declares “I Was Once Embattled Deputy Governor,” Thanks Ondo Elders For Intervention

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has expressed appreciation to the elders of the State for the role they played in resolving the recent political crisis in the state.

Particularly, he thanked the elders under the leadership of, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, whose formal petition to President Bola Tinubu attracted the president’s intervention, which eventually hastened the resolution of the recent political crisis that rocked the State.

He expressed the appreciation during a visit to Fasoranti in his Akure residence, where he also promised to continue the legacy of his predecessor, the departed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The Governor told the elders: “I extend my heartfelt greetings to Chief Reuben Fasoranti and the distinguished elders present. Your wisdom and guidance have been invaluable to our state’s stability.

“In the past, during challenging times, your intervention, particularly the letter you wrote to President Bola Tinubu advocating constitutional adherence, restored peace to our state. Your counsel has been instrumental.”

Formally, he conveyed the news of the passage of the former governor to Fasoranti and the elders saying: “I regretfully inform you of the passing of our departed Governor.

“It has been eight days since his passing. In such circumstances, it is crucial to avoid a vacuum in leadership, I had to step in, I appreciate you for all you did during my tenure as an embattled deputy governor. Consequently, I have assumed the position of the new Governor.”

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Aiyedatiwa assured the gathering of his commitment to continuing the departed Governor’s vision, saying: “We pledge to carry forward the departed Governor’s aspirations, ensuring the completion of ongoing projects and the realization of initiatives planned for the state.”

Also, he reiterated his dedication to serving the people of Ondo State while upholding Akeredolu’s legacy.

Aiyedatiwa assured the elders of his administration’s dedication to addressing infrastructure needs, affirming the commitment to furthering development across the state.

Thereafter, Fasoranti offered blessings and prayers for the success of the Governor’s tenure.

He prayed: “May divine guidance and wisdom accompany you in this significant phase of leadership. I pray for success and prosperity in your administration.”

In his own speech, the Olu of Ilu Abo; who was a former Secretary to the Federal Government, Oba Olu Falae, hammered the urgency of preserving the Yoruba language from the brink of extinction.

He said: “We must take action to safeguard our Yoruba language from the threat of extinction, starting from primary to secondary education levels.”

Chris Uba: Anambra Police Say Three Attackers Killed

By
The Source
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Chris Uba Convoy Attacked

By Charles Igbo

Chris Uba, the strongman of Anambra politics, has cause to heave a sigh of relief.

Uba came under a heavy attack a couple of days by heavily armed gunmen who sprayed his convoy of vehicles with bullets.

Uba cheated death in the attack which took place in his Uga Community thanks to his bullet proof SUV.

However, two out of the many  policemen in his convoy were not that lucky. They lost their lives in the attack while others, including passersby were injured.

On Thursday, the Anambra State Command, which personnel gave the attackers a chase, and forced them to flee  abandoning some arms and ammunition, announced that three of the attackers have been killed. “Three  members of the armed criminal gang who targeted the convoy of Chris Uba have been effectively neutralised.

The incident took place on December 28, 2023.

Aderemi Adeoye, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police , confirmed the success of the operation in an interview with Reporters.

His words: “Since the attack at Uga, the gang has been under close surveillance. But what held the police back was to avoid unintended casualties, as this is the season of merry-making.

“The police struck immediately, and the gang was isolated from the innocent public somewhere around Ogboji, in Orumba South Local Government.

“Three members of the gang were killed, and four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered and defused.

“In addition, two pump action guns and 16 live cartridges were recovered, as well as one Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

“A 51-year-old kidnap victim was rescued.“

Economy: Moghalu, Presidency Trade Words 

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has lamented the economic downturn of the nation under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Moghalu said that the nation’s economic fortunes blossomed under the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but   reversed for the worse under the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Taking to his X handle (formerly Twitter), the former Deputy Governor of the Apex Bank said that the nation’s economic state had experienced a downward trajectory in the past 40 years, only saw the light of the day “briefly” under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Moghalu said that the nation’s economy improved during subsequent PDP-led governments of the late Umaru Yar’Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan.

He wrote, “ Nigeria’s economic distress is simply part of a 40-year downward trajectory that was broken only briefly by the Obasanjo civilian presidency and to some degree under Yar’Adua/Jonathan (up to mid-2014). Ever since, especially from 2015, we fell under completely incompetent economic management and have not recovered.”

Speaking further, Moghalu criticised the appointments of the nation’s economic management team, stating, “Real economic thinking is not happening, so economic transformation can’t follow. Like it or not, individuals in certain positions matter. Sanusi and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala made a huge difference in their roles. That’s because they had capacity. Their appointments went above politics of cronyism. The results, which is what matters more than sound and fury at the end of the day, followed.”

The tweet concluded, “May we recover one day. Like it or not, appointments have real consequences.”

However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi has  faulted Moghalu’s claim, saying that he wondered how Moghalu and some others claimed that their era in government was the “golden era of competence” in the nation’s economic management.

Ajayi lamented how Moghalu and his former principal, Lamido Sanusi, at the CBN, couldn’t explain the whereabouts of the missing $20 billion in oil revenue, adding that “hundreds of millions of dollars were looted under various guises yet Moghalu wants us to believe that that period was the gold standard in economic management in Nigeria.”

“That period till 2015 was a period of trillions of unpaid salary and pension arrears. A period when contractors were owed hundreds of billions with thousands of abandoned and uncompleted projects,” Ajayi stated.

He also noted that since 2015, the nation enjoyed key reforms and changes under the ruling APC government, part of which were the payments of owed salaries and pensions, “massive investments in critical economic infrastructure,” and the “reconstruction of 13,000 kilometres of roads across the country out of 33,000 kilometres of Federal roads in 8 years of President Buhari.”

Ajayi claimed that during the handover of government from Jonathan to the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, on May 29, 2015, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product “declined from 7% growth rate to 2% and Nigeria was already primed for recession which eventually happened with collapse of crude oil price.”

“It should be said too that every indices of measuring economic growth significantly declined from 2010- May 2015, a period when Moghalu was Deputy Governor at CBN,” he added.

He lamented that Nigeria’s foreign reserve dropped to about 52 per cent “from the height of $60 billion to $29 billion when Moghalu was part of the ‘competent leaders’ in government and Excess Crude Account dropped from $20 billion to $2 billion at the time crude oil sold for $100 per barrel for straight 4years from 2011-2014.

“The period between 2010-2014 was when Nigeria made most money from crude oil in history yet nothing to show for it.”

Angry EFCC Says Nothing Will Scuttle Ongoing Investigation Over Alleged N37.1bn Fraud

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said that nothing will scuttle its ongoing investigation into the N37.1 billion alleged fraud following the failure of Sadiya Umar-Farouq, former Minister, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development to honour its invite.

The former Minister has been fingered in an alleged diversion of N37.1 billion belonging to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.

The EFCC disclosed that the Coordinator, National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu, who had earlier been detained for interrogation, and freed, will also be invited again, alongside many others with regards to the case.

It was gathered from sources within the EFCC that Shehu waa detained on Tuesday and had responded to inquiries over the transactions.

The source said, “Halima Shehu is currently in our custody in connection with the ongoing N37.1 billion fraud that took place under the former humanitarian minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

“Halima was the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the ministry during Buhari’s tenure, and she has been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her.

“The former Minister was expected at the office for questioning on Wednesday over the alleged N37.1bn money laundering case but did not show up,” he said.

According to him, the interrogation team left at about 6 p.m. when it was obvious that the former minister was not going to show up.

”She didn’t appear or send a representative to appear on her behalf. The former minister might be arrested if she fails to voluntarily appear before investigators.”

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