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Babachir Lawal Laments Continued Incarceration Of Emefiele, Bawa, Knocks President Tinubu

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has lamented the continued detention of former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele and former  Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Lawal knocked President Bola Tinubu’s administration for detaining the duo of Emefiele and Bawa without trial.

The prolonged detention of the duo has generated controversy leading to protests by various Human Right Groups and Activists calling on the Department of State Security, DSS, under which custody the Government kept them to charge them to Court.

Lawal in a Statement said Nigerians have a right to demand the freedom of fellow Nigerians as the freedom of speech and human rights is for all.

He said, “If Bola Tinubu claims he fought Abacha on the side of democracy and free speech, it is unbecoming and unacceptable that the NBC should threaten journalists under his watch.

“It is indefensible to keep the EFCC Chairman and the CBN governor under arrest for extended periods of time without or before trial, just as it is also unacceptable that political parties are used to intimidate and harass citizens exercising their opinions in the public domain”, he stated.

Lawal was a strong Tinubu ally and an APC Chieftain before they fell apart over the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as Tinubu’s Vice President. Lawal had criticised the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC as not good for the Country.

Akpabio Dismisses Claim There Is Crisis In Senate, Meets With President Tinubu

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has put behind him the face off with Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, at Tuesday Plenary, and debunked speculations of any crisis in the Senate.

At Plenary on Wednesday, Akpabio emphasized the need for unity, oneness and maturity among members at the Red Chamber.

Speaking at Wednesday plenary, he said: “In the parliament, sometimes you disagree to agree. But we will never get to the point of throwing chairs. The Senate is too mature, full of matured people,”

At a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, he dismissed claims of a rift among members of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. Both men discussed the upcoming 10th Assembly retreat taking place in Akwa Ibom State.

He sought the President’s support for representation at the retreat, which was granted.

Speaking with State House Correspondents Akpabio said, “I came to inform the President of the first 10th Assembly retreat which is taking place tomorrow in Akwa Ibom State.

“We are moving the Senate all the way to Akwa Ibom for the next four days.

“Thereafter, I will be travelling personally to Angola to attend the Internal Parliamentary Union, so before he sees me, it will probably take another nine days. So, I needed to inform him,” he said.

Akpabio also dismissed any crisis in the legislature.

“We are all working in one accord. There is no problem at all. Even if some people disagree with some of the happenings in the Senate, it is only the majority decision that is going to prevail,” he noted.

Akpabio further explained that any arising disagreements are swiftly handled in closed sessions, ensuring unity and solidarity are maintained.

Highlighting the Senate’s commitment to the nation’s interests, Akpabio remarked, “We are politicians, no permanent hatred but permanent interest. That interest is the interest of the nation.”

He emphasised the Senate’s role in supporting the President and his administration through legislation and oversight functions, all aimed at moving the country forward.

Inability To Pay Fines: 4,000 Nigerians In Detention – Minister Of Interior

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olubunmi Tunji Ojo

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed that Nigeria houses and feeds about 4,000 inmates who are in detention due to their inability to pay fines imposed on them by Courts.

The Minister disclosed this on Thursday, while featuring on a programme on Arise Television.

He said: “Immediately I assumed office, I set up a committee to review the situation and it was discovered that over 4,000 are in custody over inability to pay fines.

“We are working to mop up the fines and also working to prevent jail break at the correctional centres.”

He assured that efforts are on to make the Centres compete with those of advanced nations.

Tunji-Ojo also revealed that he halted the strenuous conventional process of obtaining International Passport in the Country without spending a dime.

According to him,  the excruciating pains witnessed by Nigerians at Immigration Offices coupled with the delay involved in obtaining passports spurred him to take the bull by the horn.

The Minister noted that Passport is a right and not a privilege, hence Nigerians must enjoy their right to the fullest without any encumbrance.

“Passport is a right and not a privilege, Nigerians are entitled to it. When I assumed duty, the President charged all appointees on dedication to duty, stressing that no excuse for failure.

“Immediately, I set up a committee and I also held meetings with the service providers where they disclosed their challenges and I swung into action momentarily.

“It was revealed that Alausa alone had over 32,000 passports with only two machines. We didn’t spend any money, we only approached the service provider to be of help with more machines.

“We also increased our machines in Ibadan to four. We have really covered the ground and the reward for good work is more work.”

The Minister lamented that the delay in passport collection had forced many public servants to stay away from work to pursue their passports.

He added that the era was over and Nigerians would now only visit Immigration office for biometrics spanning just five minutes.

“Do not pay anybody to help you facilitate Passport, it is N35,000 and N70, 000. By February, everybody will get their passports at their door steps.”

Tunji-Ojo also assured Nigerians in Diaspora that they would soon get the leeway in the next three weeks to get passports and resolve other issues within a very short period of time.

Parent Beats Teacher To Death In Delta, Enraged Demands Justice

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary School (ASUSS) in Delta State has protested against an alleged assault on a teacher in the State by a parent, which subsequently led to his death.

ASUSS demanded for justice and protection for teachers in the wake of the tragic death of Mr. Sunday Ufah, a teacher at Alihami Secondary School, Agbor.

ASUSS, in a statement, explained that the incident occurred when late Ufah was reportedly attacked by a parent.

ASUSS Delta State Chairman, Kenneth Okoh, condemned the alarming frequency of parents attacking teachers in the state and demanded for Government’s intervention and justice for the deceased.

The Union expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Mr. Sunday Ufah, who it described asa dedicated teacher at Alihami Secondary School, Agbor.

“The unfortunate incident unfolded after some students allegedly stole and consumed palm wine from an elderly man, prompting the man to report the issue to the school authority.

“Subsequently, the father of one of the students, having been informed about the situation, threatened Mr. Ufah before physically assaulting him on October 18th.

“Tragically, Mr. Ufah collapsed and passed away shortly before reaching the Central Hospital in Agbor. The father is currently in police custody, as confirmed by Delta ASUSS.”

“Impeach Akeredolu” – PDP,   “Governor Has Not Breached Any Known Section Of Constitution” – Assembly

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has added a twist to the ongoing Impeachment battle in Ondo State with a declaration that the House of Assembly should immediately commence the process of removing Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from office.

The PDP noted that the continued absence of the Governor without transmitting power to anybody is a breach of the 1999 constitution.

The party, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Kenedy Peretei on Thursday, maintained that the State has been put on auto pilot for almost six months.

But, spokesman of the State House of Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, insisted that Akeredu has not breached any section of the Constitution.

PDP statement reads: “The time has come for the Ondo State House of Assembly to immediately begin the impeachment process of Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN for violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Fe,deral Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“It is no longer news that Ondo State has been on auto-pilot for nearly six months, grounding all activities of the Government due to the ill health of the Governor.

“Unfortunately, rather than tell the citizens the truth, most of Akeredolu’s handlers have resorted to insulting the sensibilities of the people by making a public show of their ignorance. The handling of Akeredolu’s condition by his aides has robbed the Governor of public sympathy.

“The Constitution envisaged that,  it is possible for a State Governor to be ill or incapacitated as it is the case with Akeredolu now and therefore made safeguards.

“Section 193(2) states expressly that “the Governor of a state shall hold regular meetings with the Deputy Governor and all Commissioners of the Government of the State for the purposes of –

Determine the general direction of policies of the state” amongst other provisions.

“When was the last time Akeredolu held a State Executive Council meeting? It is not a crime to be ill, but that will not be reason an entire state must be brought to her knees.

“Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Ondo State Chapter calls on the State Assembly to invoke sections 189(1) to cause a Medical Panel to be instituted to ascertain Akeredolu’s medical status and do the needful in the interest of the people of the state.

“Our Party wishes to urge the Governor’s aides to stop ridiculing themselves by defending the indefensible and standing logic on its head.”

But the Ondo Assembly urged the people to ignore the PDP because it lacked knowledge of the duties of a Governor

Majority Leader of the Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said the Governor has been performing his Constitutional duties and has not breached any aspect of the Constitution.

Ogunmolasuyi said the Assembly has noted ongoing developmental projects across the State including prompt payment of salaries and clearing of backlog of salary arrears.

He said the PDP is not in the know whether the State Executive Council meeting holds or not.

According to him, “The Governor is doing his duties. Everything is going on well in the state. We have met with the Governor and all those that want to meet with him.

“If the Governor is not doing what he is supposed to do, we will question him. He has signed all bills brought before him. What we know is that the PDP is a dead party. They cannot stipulate the duties of a Governor.”

Akeredolu has been battling poor health conditions which forced him to go on a medical vacation to Germany. On return, however, after over a two-month absence, he went to Ibadan, his private residence, to stay. Since his return over a month ago, he has not set foot in Akure, Ondo State capital.  He has been running the State from Ibadan where stakeholders go to, regularly, meet with him – to the anger of the opposition Parties, especially, PDP.

Diesel, Generator Dealers Sabotaging Electricity Supply- Ex-Power Minister

By
James Orji
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A former Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji has accused marketers of Diesel in the country of sabotaging the government’s plan to achieve a stable power supply in the country.

The former minister who served under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan said as long as diesel suppliers and generator dealers continue with the act, the quest by Nigerians to enjoy stable electricity will remain a mirage.

Recall that the professor was unceremoniously removed from office in August 2012 by the former president after serious pressure was said to have been mounted on him.

For years, the efforts by the government to ensure stable power have remained elusive despite more than N7 trillion believed to have been spent to revive the sector.

Last month, the national grid collapsed twice as Nigerians expressed cast more doubts on the capacity of the current administration to turn things around in the sector despite its promise to do so.

But Prof. Nnaji said the situation could remain the same so long as the diesel and generator suppliers are sabotaging the efforts to revive the sector because they believe “stable power supply would destroy their business.”

He said, “Nigeria is a big user of generatorsr because of our enormous power need and those who are in the business would not want any interruption.

“The diesel suppliers feel that stable power supply would destroy their business.

“A graphic picture of how dangerous the diesel suppliers can be was experienced when we were in government, somewhere in this country, some men cut down 30KVA line to stop electricity supply to thousands of users.

“Unfortunately, the diesel supplying company sponsored the operation.

“Incidentally the power cable fell on one of them, who later confessed to the crime.”

Checks showed that Nigeria has the lowest access to electricity globally, with about 90 million persons out of the country’s 200 million population lacking access to power, according to the Energy Progress Report 2022 released by Tracking SDG 7.

Alaafin: Gov Makinde Sends EFCC After Oyo Kingmakers

By
James Orji
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Alaafin Lamidi-Adeyemi

Some Oyomesi aka Kingmakers have been quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over the ongoing contest for the Alaafin of Oyo stool.

The former Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi died over a year ago and serious contestation among qualified princes in the ancient town who are angling to succeed him has followed his demise.

The governor of the state, Seyi Makinde has been criticized for slowing down the process of installing a new Alaafin, an allegation the state government denied.

Sources to Agodi Government House had informed the magazine that the governor refused to install a particular candidate favoured by the kingmakers after he got wind that they have been bribed by him.

Governor Makinde promised to punish those involved in the bribery allegation.

On Wednesday, the anti-graft agency invited some of the kingmakers alleged to have taken bribes for questioning.

According to Punch newspaper, those invited by EFCC include Basorun of Oyo town, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Agbaakin of Oyo town, High Chief Asimiyu Atanda; Samu of Oyo town, High Chief Lamidi Oyewale; Lagunna of Oyo town, High Wakilu Oyedepo; and Akinniku of Oyo town.

It was gathered that the petitioner alleged that the kingmakers collected bribes running into millions of naira to favour a particular candidate, hence the decision of EFCC to summon the kingmakers for questioning.

Investigations further revealed, however, that only Oloye Agbaakin and Oloye Samu honoured the EFCC invitation while Basorun, Lagunna and Akinniku were said to be absent.

Those present were said to be accompanied by their lawyers and were asked to write a statement in defence of the allegation as stated in the petition before they were released.

As of press time, details of their defence were not known.

One of the kingmakers, High Chief Oyewale confirmed the invitation by the EFCC

“Yes, we were invited. We have gone and come back,” he said.

Fidelity Bank Takes Hip-Hop Star, Kcee To US FITCC Trade Expo

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Following the successful maiden edition that was held last November in London with over $200 million worth of deals closed, the bank is set for another edition of the globally rated expo.

This year’s edition follows the tradition of promoting Nigeria’s non-oil exports as well as facilitating integrations to global supply-chain networks.

The second edition of the international expo will take place from October 24 to 25, 2023 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas.

Nneka Oyeali-ikpe, the bank’s chief executive said, “Fidelity Bank is very much invested in supporting export trade and has consistently demonstrated this by the interventions and innovations that we bring to the space.

“Beyond the instrument of financing, some of our key interventions in the space revolve around business management capacity development with initiatives like the Export Management Programme (EMP) which we host in partnership with the Lagos Business School and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and market access development initiatives like FITCC.”

According to the details provided by the commercial bank, guests would be exposed to exhibitions by some of the very best of Nigerian businesses operating in the commodities, agriculture, FINTECH, fashion, arts, and allied sectors during the two-day event.

Similarly, several panel discussions would be held across the various halls at the venue as stakeholders and leaders in the business, regulatory, and investment sectors of the US and Nigerian economies share ideas on bilateral trade opportunities.

FITCC Houston would climax with a gala dinner on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 which would feature award-winning Nigerian hip-hop star, Kcee amongst other entertainers. Registration for this event is still open at www.fitccusa.com.

Ranked as one of the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged customer commercial bank with over 8 million customers serviced across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as on digital banking channels.

The bank was recognized as the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards. The bank has also won awards for the “Fastest Growing Bank” and “MSME & Entrepreneurship Financing Bank of the Year” at the 2021 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions, BAFI Awards.

Abia: Don’t Appoint ‘Suspect’ Billionaires As LGA Chairmen, Group Warns Gov Otti

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Alex Otti

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups has warned Governor Alex Otti of Abia state that his plan to appoint billionaires in the state as Local Government Caretaker chairmen will be counter-productive.

The group urged him to jettison the plan, saying some of those the governor is planning to appoint to the 17 councils may have integrity problems capable of casting a slur on his administration.

The former banker and governor during an event at the Aba Sports Club unveiled his plan to appoint billionaires as Mayors of the 17 council areas.

Governor Otti, three days ago appointed foremost Industrialist, Ide John Udeagbala as the Mayor Of Aba City, to drive home his point.

Reacting, the rights body said some of the names being mentioned for such positions are unfit for the positions, it demanded the state government conduct integrity test on such persons.

According to a statement signed by its chairman, Johnson Uzor Emeh, and Secretary, Veronica Ijeoma Nwogu, the group hinted that one of the candidates being considered has a certificate forgery allegation hanging on his neck.

The State House of Assembly has already been petitioned to investigate the unnamed candidate, the statement said.

Part of the statement said: “Recently, there is a viral video where you emphasized that billionaires will be appointed as chairmen of local governments.

“Your Excellency, we brought this to your notice because we are aware of your hard earned integrity and mage going by your antecedents. We will not like anything that will bring your reputation and that new Abia under your watch to disrepute. We struggled hard to ensure that the old order in Abia was chased away.

“The new Abia can’t thrive if we keep quiet when we notice some flash points of the old Abia.

“The rumours of appointment of these suspected persons are gaining ground. The rumours may be occasioned by your utterances eulogizing some of these billionaires who are under investigation of fake certificate and financial misappropriation in the last administration.

“We wish to reiterate that appointments as LGA chairmen should be based on integrity, notable antecedents, sound morals and good administrative acumen and a certain level of education and the fear of God to change the status quo. Most of these billionaires have looted public funds , forged certificates and are involved into many nefarious activities known to the society. So, just being wealthy without a critical look on their source of wealth will bring Abia back to the old days.

“We use this medium to demand that any appointee with allegations of corruption and fake certificate should be thoroughly investigated. It will not be good if such matters are not swept under the carpet.

“Recall that everyone is celebrating Prof. Nnenna Oti , the Vice Chancellor of the FUTO  because of her courage to do the right thing during your election. She displayed integrity and capacity which should be our guiding principle in the new Abia, not on wealth. We are also confident that you will see the merit of this letter and not on the wealth and financial status of the writers.

“Truth is constant and will always be. We will always call your attention to issues that may hinder your mission to realize the new Abia of our dream.”

Tinubu Counters IMF, Plans $1bn GDP

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to grow the nation’s economy to $1 trillion in eight years.

Nigeria is among the top three economies in the continent with a Growth Domestic Product, GDP rate of over $450 billion, currently bigger than that of Egypt and South Africa.

The International Monetary Fund, IMF, recently said the nation’s economy is closely being trailed by the two other economies in the continent, with the possibility of Nigeria’s economy being overtaken by South Africa.

According to the IMF World Economic Outlook for October released last week, South Africa’s gross domestic product will reach $401bn compared to Nigeria’s $395bn and Egypt’s $358bn.

But, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said in a state statement on Wednesday that the administration will double the country’s GDP by the end of 2027.

The target is to raise the GDP to seven percent annually from the current 3.5 percent, the president said.

According to him, the country targets a GDP growth rate of seven percent from the current 3.5 percent.

The statement said, “With this new commitment to the real sector, the economy is expected to see a boost in job creation and a general increase in economic indices, especially GDP growth rates, projected to move from above 3.5 per cent from 2024 to 7 per cent.

“The ambition of President Tinubu is to grow our economy from the current $ 450 billion GDP to $ 1 trillion in the next eight years.

“To actualize this, the government devised a roadmap to stimulate industrial growth, especially catalyzing SMEs growth and reviving up the entire industrial sector.”

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