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Tinubu Removes Newly Appointed FERMA Chairman, Imam

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

In response to public criticisms over his appointment, President Bola Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of the nomination of Engr. Imam Kashim Imam earlier appointed to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

There have been outcry over Imam heading such a sensitive agency, citing his age and experience. He was 24 years old, and one year post-NYSC.

The removal is coming less than two weeks after he, along with other board members, were named

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, explained in a statement on Thursday that the removal is with immediate effect.

The statement reads “The President’s withdrawal of the above-mentioned nomination is directed with immediate effect.

“All other appointments to the Board and Executive Management team of FERMA are not affected by this directive.”

Supreme Court Hears Obi’s Case Against Tinubu’s Presidential Victory Monday, October, 23, 2023

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The much expected hearing of the appeal filed by Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, against the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, which affirmed the victory of Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s President will, all things being equal, come up on Monday, October 23, 2023 at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Tinubu, the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the February 25, 2023 Presidential Election, winner.  But both Obi and the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar,  cried foul, and filed a case before the PEPC, seeking to overturn the declaration of Tinubu as President.

However, a couple of weeks ago, PEPC dismissed the cases of both Candidates as without merit, prompting them to appeal to the Supreme Court.

A source within the Supreme Court disclosed on Thursday that Obi’s appeal will be heard on Monday, unless there is a change of plans.

The Supreme Court is the last bus stop for Obi, Atiku and Tinubu. Whatever the Justices who will be on the Panel decide, whether any of the three of them likes it or not, will be binding on them and their Political Parties. It is not known yet when Atiku’s appeal will be heard.

Obi and Atiku cited many issues on which they are appealing Tinubu’s victory, including alleged certificate forgery, rigging, nationality and other sundry issues.

Nigeria does not have a history of the Supreme Court, or any Court, overturning the election of an already sworn-in President of the Country.

Ondo Permanent Secretaries Get SUV As Official Vehicles

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has presented brand new SUVs to Permanent Secretaries in the State as official vehicles.

Media aide of the Governor, Richard Olatunde stated that the gesture is coming 14 years after the former Olusegun Mimiko’s administration distributed Toyota Corolla saloon cars to the Permanent Secretaries in the State.

According to the statement, in 2019, Governor Akeredolu had provided reconditioned vehicles to the Permanent Secretaries to enhance their work efficiency.

The new SUV vehicles were presented to the Permanent Secretaries at the 2023 Public Service Week held in Akure.

Representing the Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, commended the beneficiaries and urged them to continue working diligently to justify his administration’s trust.

“We expect you to remain innovative and proactive in advancing the development of our state within our REDEEMED Agenda.”

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of the Forum of Permanent Secretaries in Ondo State Public Service, Mr. Bunmi Alade, expressed gratitude for Governor Akeredolu’s remarkable gesture, highlighting the unprecedented presentation of SUVs as official vehicles for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

He pledged the unwavering loyalty of Public Servants in Ondo State to Governor Akeredolu’s administration, adding that their commitment to delivering excellent services is unwavering.

The Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, acknowledged Governor Akeredolu’s dedication to improving the quality of life for Ondo State workers.

He noted that the presentation of brand new official vehicles to the Permanent Secretaries would enhance their status.

“We can now see that Mr. Governor is genuinely concerned about our well-being. With this enhancement, the role of our Permanent Secretaries is elevated, and I can assure you that our best is yet to come.”

NLC Fingers Labour Minister, Lalong In NURTW Crisis, Threatens Strike

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Lalong

By Ayodele Oni

The relative cordial relationship between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), is being threatened, again, as the Organized Labour has accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, of taking sides in the crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW).

With this development, the NLC said the Minister is trying to scuttle the implementation of the recent agreement it had with the Federal Government.

The NLC  warned that another industrial crisis is looming if the Minister refuses to stop his action.

In a statement, NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said that Government was giving support to the illegal faction of the NURTW and encouraging them to conduct their own delegates conference, both zonally and nationally to confer legitimacy to their action.

“In a shocking turn of events, the Federal Minister of Labour, Mr. Lalong, has thrown a spanner in the wheel of the implementation of the Labour – Federal Government Agreement by his unmasked partiality in handling a critical item in the agreement which is the apparent government meddling in trade union matters by siding with people, who had illegally seized the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) headquarters with police support.

“The illegal group is now being encouraged to conduct its own delegates’ conference, both zonally and nationally to confer legitimacy on their action. Such acts not only constitute interference in the internal affairs of a union, in violation of ILO Conventions 87 and 98, but also represents a clear attempt to sabotage the recently ratified agreement between the labour movement and the Federal Government.

“The Minister’s decision, which is clearly morally reprehensible and legally untenable, marks a disheartening departure from the expected standards of conduct within the nation’s industrial relations sphere.

“Despite initial assurances from the Minister regarding the illegal occupation of the NURTW’s National Headquarters, the democratically elected leadership, led by Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa, has not been reinstated.

“This serves to affirm our earlier apprehension that the State was maneuvering to orchestrate a coup d’état against the democratically elected NURTW leadership, potentially alluding to the support of the Government, as suggested by Minister Lalong’s actions and statements.

“There is no doubt, both to us and the Nigerian public, about the Government’s intentions regarding the implementation of the October 2, 2023 agreement.

“It is evident that akin to the NURTW issue, the execution of other facets of the agreement may be jeopardized.

“Therefore, we take heed of Minister Lalong’s actions, which flagrantly violate an accord responsibly endorsed by all involved parties.”

President Tinubu Appoints New CEOs For Agencies Under Federal Ministry Of Information

By
The Source
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Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

It is the turn of parastatals and agencies under the Federal Ministry of Information as President Bola Tinubu approved the appointments of eight new Chief Executive Officers to superintendent over them.

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, in a statement listed the new appointees as National Orientation Agency (NOA), Director-General / CEO — Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu; Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) — Director-General / CEO — Mr. Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos.

Also, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) has Mohammed Bulama as Director-General / CEO;

National Broadcasting Commission (NBC),  Director-General / CEO,  Charles Ebuebu while Voice of Nigeria (VON) — Director-General/ CEO is Mr. Jibrin Baba Ndace.

Others are Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Director-General / CEO, Dr. Lekan Fadolapo; News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Managing Director / CEO, Mr. Ali Muhammed Ali and Nigerian Press Council (NPC),Executive Secretary / CEO, Mr. Dili Ezughah.

It added that “The President tasks the newly entrusted leadership in these important sub-sectors to innovate and create new opportunities for Nigerians to leverage upon through the effective reform of these key institutions of government which function to unify our people, reshape mindsets, and showcase this great nation to the rest of the world.

“By these directives of the President, the above listed appointments take immediate effect.”

“I Walked Out Of Plenary Session Over Niger Republic Crisis” – Senator Ndume

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Ali Ndume, Chief Whip of the Senate, has debunked the storyline that he walked out of Plenary on Tuesday over the Senate President’s method of handling issues at Plenary.

He said his action had nothing to do with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, but necessitated by two things – a discussion on the closure of the boarder between Nigeria and Niger Republic, and the observance of his prayer time. Ndume is a Muslim.

Speaking on the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa Service,  the Senator who represents Borno South Senatorial District explained that the rationale behind his departure was related to his decision to leave during the discussion of a topic concerning the closure of Nigeria’s borders.

He explained that the situation stemmed, “when Senator Kawu Sumaila proposed a motion which he said was urgent on closing the border between Nigeria and Niger.

“At first, it was argued that the motion was not urgent, but the President of the Senate let him finish what he wanted to say.

After hearing the motion, it was agreed that since it is related to security, it should be suspended.”

He said he intended to clarify the importance of the motion to the Senate, but the Senate President refused to grant him the chance to address the issue.

“I would like to clarify that the motion, although impactful, falls outside the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Senate.

“The closure of the border was not initiated by the President of Nigeria, but rather during his tenure as President of ECOWAS. As such, he has the authority to advocate on our behalf.

“In order to address this matter, it is imperative to involve the President of our nation, but I was not afforded the opportunity to convey this message.

“While this was happening, it coincided with the time of prayer, prompting my departure. Consequently, my colleagues misconstrued my exit, and the journalists changed the meaning of my exit,” Ndume said.

It would be recalled that during  the plenary session, Ndume raised concerns that he believed were violations within the Senate.

He had used a point of order to draw the Senate President’s attention to what he perceived as “procedural infringements” taking place in the Chambers.

This action went against established parliamentary procedures as Akpabio interrupted Ndume’s speech and, at that point, the Senator left the Chambers for his office.

Baruwa’s Sack Sealed As NURTW Passes Vote Of No Confidence In Him

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Tajudeen Baruwa

By Akinwale Kasali

Suspended former President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Tajudeen Baruwa’s chances of returning into the saddle has been dashed following a vote of no confidence passed on him by stakeholders and the leadership of NURTW.

Tajudeen Agbede, National Chairman, NURTW Caretaker Committee, disclosed the verdict of the NURTW Stakeholders while speaking at a news conference in Abuja.

Before the suspension of his administration,  Baruwa’s  tenure as the President of  NURTW should have expired on August 28th, 2023.

According to Agbede, “We, the undersigned, having the mandate of our members in the various states and zones unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on Alh. Tajudeen Baruwa.”

The Caretaker Committee Chairman alleged that Baruwa had committed many atrocities while he served as the Union’s President from August 2019 to August 2023.

He alleged that Baruwa had reduced membership of the union in the International Transport Federation from 400,000 members to a paltry 160,000 members.

Agbede also noted that the former President failed, or neglected to pay affiliation dues when appropriate, thus causing the Union to be deregistered from the Industrial Trust Fund, ITF.

“In a letter referenced NLC/NS/A.16 dated 27th August 2019, the NLC wrote to NURTW commending the union for showing a good example to other affiliate unions of the NLC.

“That is by continuing to be financially up to date” and for “being financially up to date as of the end of July 2019,” he said.

He, however, noted that sundry letters received from the Nigeria Labour Congress during Baruwa’s administration were various demands for payment of affiliation dues.

He added that the dues at one point, were owed for as long as 18 months, from April – December 2021 and January — September 2022.

Agbede said that Baruwa failed or neglected to account for Independence National Electoral Commission money paid during his administration for the 2023 general election.

He also noted that during the four-year administration of the former president of the union, the National Executive Council only held four times.

He said that this was against the constitutional provisions of Article 10 (2) of the union’s constitution.

Agbede also said Baruwa had arbitrarily mandated the posting of union staff without concomitant relocation allowances or transfer claims, among others.

He added that this caused unnecessary hardship and adversity to staff.

“He failed to abide by constitutional provisions in respect to succession, by refusing and/or neglecting to conduct credible zonal delegates elections for the continuity of the union.

“Thus putting the union into unnecessary drama before right-thinking members of the public,” he added.

Baruwa was elected president for a second four-year term on August 25 in a unanimous decision before his suspension and now sack.

Baruwa’s travail started when he had issues with Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo was suspended by the Baruwa led NURTW Administration, leading to brickbats, prompting the Lagos State Government to ban the NURTW in the State.

Following this development, MC Oluomo was made the Chairman of Lagos Parks and Garages.

The suspension of Baruwa by the NURTW Stakeholders led to the recall of MC Oluomo back to the NURTW fold.

Guard Killed As Suspected Militants Attack Correctional Centre

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

While the present administration is doing everything possible to guard against attacks on prisons nationwide, gunmen suspected to be militants have attacked a Federal Correctional Centre Facility in Cross River State. They killed one person – a Guard.

The facility is located at Afokang while the deceased person was identified as a security guard attached to the facility.

Sources explained that the militants, who stormed the Prison from the nearby Calabar creeks, gunned down the guard and took away his

However, they were prevented from gaining access to the prison yard. They only operated at the main gate.

There was an earlier report that inmates of the facility were having problem with regards to their feeding, as there has been grumbling that the new State Comptroller, allegedly, rations food for the inmates.

The Comptroller was said to have summoned an emergency meeting with senior officers at the head office of the Correctional Centre opposite the Millennium Park, Calabar, over the prison attack.

A resident of the area, Godwin Esu, said, “The incident happened around 9 p.m. on Wednesday. We heard gunshots. We knew it came from the prison. Then there was a stampede. It was after those who shot had gone that we were told that an officer was killed.”

The Public Relations Officer of Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, DSC Effanga Etim, confirmed the incident.

Anambra: Lawmaker To Soludo: Call  ANSEPA To Order Over Violent Activities In Okpoko 

By
James Orji
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Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Afam Victor Ogene, has called on Governor of Anambra state, Professor Charles Soludo, to urgently intervene, in order to prevent total breakdown of law and order in Okpoko community over what he described as “illegal and violent activities of agents of the Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency, ANSEPA, in the name of  collection of sanitation levy in the area.”
He also said that the state government, should also, in clear terms, address the contentious issue of the 2021 and 2022 sanitation levy in the area, so as to conclusively resolve the disagreement and avert a looming security danger in Okpoko.
Hon. Ogene made this call in a statement in Awka on Thursday, October 19, 2023, after receiving a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter by the leadership of the Okpoko community, over their recent harrowing experiences in the hands of agents of the government agency.
The SOS letter by the leadership of Okpoko community, the most populated area in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, was presented after a massive protest by residents of the community, who accuse ANSEPA of illegally and violently demanding 2021 and 2023 sanitation levy, which they said  government had already “taken care of,” seemingly during the last governorship campaign period in the state.
Narrating their ordeals in the letter, the Okpoko community disclosed that ANSEPA employs the services of daredevil thugs who often besiege the community in odd hours of the day – sometimes, as early as 4am – armed with cudgels and wood, going from house to house to terrorise residents, beating and maiming those who fail to pay the alleged illegal levy.
According to Ogene, such cruel approach to revenue collection is condemnable and ought not to be encouraged in a democracy and any civilized society.
He said future: “While I am not against revenue generation by government, such activities should be undertaken in a legitimate, civilized,  peaceful and fair approach that would not threaten the peace of the people.
“I, therefore, call on Governor Soludo to urgently call ANSEPA management to order, especially the contractor responsible for the collection of levy from Okpoko and Ogbaru Local Government Area in general, in order not to ignite crisis and bad blood between the community and government agencies, that may potentially engulf the state.”

Rights’ Group Laments Israeli Bombing Of Gaza, Rallies Support For Palestinians

By
James Orji
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A group, Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, CCSO, has lamented the  spate of bombing by the Israel security forces in Gaza.
The Group said it is perturbed by the prevailing situation in the occupied Gaza Strip, it however expressed unflinching solidarity with the Palestinian people.
It condemn in strong terms, the attacks by the Israeli forces against defenceless Palestinians, among them women and children with number of casualties rising from the siege that started 11 days ago after terrorist Hamas  launched a surprise attack against Israel.
Hamas is currently holding over 150  hostages including Israelis and other foreigners.
CCSO said the death of over 500 Palestinians in a single Israeli strike at the Al-Ahli Arab hospital south of Gaza on Tuesday, 17th October, 2023 is a case of crimes against humanity that the International Criminal Court, ICC, must investigate and hold Israel accountable.
The Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israeli  government has blamed the Islamic Jihad for the blast, describing it as a defective strike from the Palestine-based jihadi group. Investigation is currently ongoing by independent investigators to ascertain who is actually responsible.
In a statement signed by Alex Omotehinse, the group condemned Israel for carpet-bombing the same place it chose as a safe haven for people fleeing bombardment in Gaza, describing it as a coordinated crime against humanity.
“The attempt by the duo of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and US President, Joe Biden to exonerate Israel of the bombing in hospital is shameful and condemnable. The argument that the bombing at the hospital was due to self-explosion is deceptive and a conspiracy in genocidal mission.President Biden cannot walk back his talk: His promise to provide everything Netanyahu needed to prosecute this genocide is on RECORD; The current US president  shall answer to crime against humanity at the appropriate time. President Biden’s efusal to call for a ceasefire and his open green-lighting of Israel’s premeditated genocidal mission are now well-documented.
“The massacre at the Al-Ahli Arab hospital targeted not just civilians taking shelter in the hospital but also medical staff who were treating patients, the sick and the injured who had gathered there in the hope of recovery or rescue; The situation in Gaza runs contrary to the  spirit that of Geneva Convention which prohibits ‘reprisal attacks against the wounded, the sick and the shipwrecked, medical personnel and services, prisoners of war …among others’.
“Israeli’ contempt for rule of engagement in violation of criminal enterprise which has no regard for any law, local or international has once again been re-enacted.
We remember that at the just concluded United Nations Assembly of heads of States, Netanyahu brought a pen and a map and struck out historic Palestine as non-existent.
“Barely a month after, he is committing the genocide on ground which he first committed on paper: he must stand trial
The attack by Hamas freedom fighters on the 7th of October, 2023 was in response to over 70 years of Palestinians being treated like animals by both the Israeli government and the settlers it imported from Europe. We affirm that ‘every single person living under occupation would either die a slow, silent and painful death at the hands of the occupiers or rebel for freedom: Hamas’ action was rebellion against the slow but assured colonial genocide of its people.
“As Africans who had undergone the brutality of foreign colonial occupation in our history, we respond to this HISTORIC CALL today by standing with the people of Palestine and stressing that PALESTINE MUST BE FREE!!!!”
“We affirm that as an occupied people Palestinians have the RIGHT TO RESISTANCE which they continue to muster despite their backs being against the wall. Palestinians are not fighting just Israel, they have been fighting a rogue superpower which is America. We salute their courage and their refusal to be bullied into silence
“We affirm the RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION which is the simple, irreducible minimum they are entitled to as a people.
“The world MUST rise to help Palestinians reclaim their rights, their dignity, their humanity; they must be free to determine their own destiny; create their own political institutions; establish a viable and sovereign state; and live in peace”.
The Group stated that it salutes the Jewish society in the United States who thronged the Whitehouse on Wednesday, 18th October, 2023 to protest the bombings by Israel in Gaza chanting ‘STOP FUNDING GENOCIDE IN MY NAME’
OUR PRAYERS’.
It added that the United Nations must prevail on Israel to agree to a ceasefire, and that It should as a matter of urgency reclaim the peace process from  the united States and European Union, calling on Turkiye, China and the Arab nations  to  invest in the peace process.
The Group also demanded the affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to the Two-States solution not just by rhetoric but by taking practical steps to show that the country is serious about Palestinians statehood.
It also demands the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador for justifying the war which has killed over 5000 people on both sides.
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