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New Law Protects Ekiti Electricity Consumers Against Extortion – Gov. Oyebanji

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that  Electricity Distribution Companies would henceforth find it herculean to cheat electricity consumers in the State due to the enactment of a new law that shields them against brazen extortion.

The Governor revealed that the new law, now mandates the users to pay based on electricity used, thereby prohibiting the estimated billing system that subjects the citizens to outrageous bills monthly.

Oyebanji disclosed this at Omuo Ekiti, in Ekiti East Local Government Council on Wednesday, while commissioning the 33KV electricity network extended to communities in Ekiti East, Ayekire and Gbonyin Local Government Areas, that had been in total black out for over a decade.

The Governor said such ugly situation, whereby communities will be in perpetual darkness for years won’t reoccur in Ekiti again, particularly under his leadership.

Insisting that consumers of electricity are now well protected by law, Oyebanji said: “I have signed a new bill into law that will make it impossible for anybody to cheat electricity users.

“Let me also say openly here that the reconnection project was fully funded by the state government, the BEDC didn’t play any role in it.

“Estimated billing has been the problem, but if you pay for what you used, nobody will complain. The new law will never allow anybody to cheat us in Ekiti, because you will now be paying for what you use. That they will come and cheat us will not happen again.”

The Governor, who sympathized with the people for being plunged into unwarranted darkness for over a decade, said such tendency is capable of grinding the economic activities of the people to a halt.

“It is very bad that you were made to be in darkness for over a decade. We know the importance of light , we are not unaware that being cut off from the national grid can hinder economic growth of our communities.

“In concluding this project, we encountered a lot of challenges. Apart from the challenge we faced with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC), we also had other challenges to make this project successful. That is why we must protect all the facilities in our communities against vandalism.

“We did this because if we are able to solve the problem of electricity, our dams are functional and it will be easy for us to pump water into our reservoirs. There is a connect between the two.

“I want to appreciate the traditional rulers and other citizens for their calmness during the turbulent time. But try and protect those electricity installations.

“Let me give you assurances that your light will be regular and nobody can vandalize it . This ugly situation will never occur in our communities again.”

“Babachir Lawal, Failed Lightweight Politician, Damaged By Obi’s Presidential Loss – APC

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

In response to the garb thrown its way and that of President Bola Tinubu by Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has  dismissed him as a politician without clout who thinks himself as big and important, when he is the opposite.

Lawal, a former staunch member of the APC who parted ways with the Party and its Presidential Candidate, now Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, in a statement on Monday said Peter Obi won the Presidential Election of February 25, 2023, not Tinubu.  Obi is the Candidate of the Labour Party, and was supported fully by Lawal.

Lawal criticised Tinubu’s Government as well as his political appointees, especially, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Yemi Cardoso and Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle. He called them unfit for the job.

He said Tinubu was third in the Presidential Election behind Obi and the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and advised that given the controversies surrounding Tinubu and his Government since his Presidency, he should take the honourable path and resign from office.

But in response to Lawal, the APC, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said Babachir Lawal is filled with bitterness because Tinubu refused to pick him as his running mate. The party noted that Obi’s defeat has done “incalculable damage” to the former SGF’s “psyche”,  and dismissed him as one without any political clout.

The statement, also, accused Lawal of “peddling gibberish, rather than learn from his political misadventure with equanimity.”

Said Morka: “Clearly, the defeat of his principal, Peter Obi, at the poll has done incalculable damage to Mr. Lawal’s psyche and his capacity for rational thought as evident in his analysis based entirely on the figment of his warped imagination rather than on hard facts and figures. A clear sign of his disconnect from reality was his reference to the election held in May 2023, rather than February.

“We challenge Babachir Lawal to give a detailed breakdown of his so-called ‘aggregated facts sourced from independent sources,’ which he claimed proved that Obi won the election or forever keep mute.

“That he did not provide these facts to help Obi prove his case before the Presidential Elections Petitions Court is a massive disservice if not betrayal of his political principal.

“Babachir Lawal ought to have known that running a jaundiced commentary on a matter before the Supreme Court is the height of irresponsibility.

“But he is still nursing bitterness and vindictiveness over his failed dream of running on a joint ticket with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Indeed, Babachir Lawal is in dire need of professional counseling and deserves our collective pity. It is obvious he may never get over the pain of being tossed into the dustbin of political ignominy by President Bola Tinubu who, against all odds, defeated Mr Peter Obi that exploited our religious and ethnic fault lines in his campaign for the nation’s highest office.

“Thankfully, Nigerians across all ethnic and religious divides, saw through Babachir Lawal’s and Peter Obi’s shenanigans and voted for the best candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“Furthermore, it is very uncharitable for Mr. Babachir Lawal to call to question the professional competence of President Tinubu’s appointees, some of whom he cannot hold a candle to their political and professional accomplishments.

“Babachir Lawal is one lightweight politician who thinks himself a heavyweight. He failed spectacularly as a politician in his State of Adamawa where in three election circles he could not deliver his ward and local government in his Hong Local Government.

“Despite his legendary failure as a politician, former President Muhammadu Buhari in deference to diversity appointed him to the high office of SGF where he was unceremoniously sacked on account of very poor performance and dishonourable conduct. A man like Babachir Lawal is in no position to offer an opinion on the competence of President Tinubu’s appointees.

“We are convinced that these appointees would justify the confidence reposed in them by the President by delivering on the promises of the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.

“And while they are at it, we would admonish Babachir Lawal to concentrate on managing his farm and stop constituting himself into a needless distraction unbefitting of his age and status.”

Lawal on Wednesday hit out again at the APC and labelled it an Islamic Party. As for Felix Morka, he called him “Mallam Felix” who will never be there when important decisions are taken.

Poverty Alleviation:  How Fortune Smiled on 15 Million Households

By
The Source
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By Chidi Levi

Dr. Betta Edu,  the young Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation must be a fulfilled lady. One of the poverty alleviation programmes of her Ministry- the Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) to the downtrodden- which she has passionately talked about has at last crystallized.

No sooner was she inaugurated as Minister than she hit the ground running, crisscrossing hard-to-reach areas of the country,  slums, including Makoko in Lagos and IDP camps in parts of the North, promising a new lease of life for vulnerable Nigerians and intimating them about the various poverty alleviation schemes of her Ministry.

President Bola Tinubu represented Secretary to the Government of the Federation,  Senator George Akume Tuesday launched the scheme in Abuja.

However, doubts about the feasibility and practicability of the programme persist. Critics alleged the current CCT under President Bola Tinubu is another conduit pipe for corrupt politicians given the fiasco that attended similar past programmes, including the School Feeding Programme.

For example, Mrs Benedicta Nwachi, a widow from Amagu, Oru-East council area of Imo state told this Magazine that “some people came to the village  two years ago, gathered us women, especially peasant farmers, petty traders and widows, and took our names and other details and promised to return with some money for us but they never came back;  we have not seen them till this moment”

However, the Minister has consistently doused such fears and doubts, assuring that the National Social Register has been thoroughly verified,  updated and expanded to ensure that those who truly need the CCT receive it physically.

Notedly,  in the current  CCT, 15 million households will receive N25,000 for the next three months.

Speaking during the launching which coincided with the commemoration of the 2023 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a visibly elated Dr.Edu highlighted the need for all stakeholders including the private sector,  development partners and other countries to support Nigeria in its aggressive drive to eliminate poverty.

“The cardinal goal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is to give the poor and vulnerable Nigerians a new breath of hope which is also in line with the SDG target.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not relent until vulnerable Nigerians are completely pulled out of poverty by 2030 “,  she said

According to Dr Edu, a former Commissioner for Health in Cross River state,  Conditional Cash Transfers is a proven way to alleviate poverty as they give household the financial support to start micro and small enterprises, provide basic health care, and food, keep their children in school and attend to the immediate needs of the households.

“Mr. President during the October 1st National Broadcast, announced this intervention, we have gone through a thorough rigorous process of verification for the National Social Register, giving us the lead way to begin payments. The beneficiaries are drawn from across all states in the country plus FCT and are been done in a transparent manner that is traceable and verifiable”

“Beyond this, the government will also be providing low-cost shelter for the poor and internally displaced persons as a form of providing that cover for them. Several other interventions, including the rural vocational skills Intervention, will be carried out at a country-wide scale. All of these are targeted at the various dimensions of poverty in the country.

The Minister assured that many more impact-driven poverty alleviation programs are set to be deployed for the betterment of the living conditions of Nigerians.

She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for adding Poverty Alleviation as a key thematic area of her Ministry, describing it as a first of its kind in the country.

Babachir Lawal Says APC Is An Islamic Party

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, not deterred by criticisms which trailed his declaration, Monday, that Peter Obi, not Bola Tinubu, won the Presidential Election of February 25, 2023,  has again come hard on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). On Wednesday, he said the party can best be described as a pure Islamic party.

In the Wednesday statement issued in Abuja, Babachir Lawal challenged the ruling party to be courageous enough to change the name of the party from the All Progressives Congress to Islamic Party of Nigeria.

He accused the party of being insensitive and taking Nigerians for granted in unlawful ways the nomenclature of the party was thwarted to suit their purpose.

“I really do sympathize with a Christian who finds himself in an Islamic party and is desperate to please his masters, and probably to be noticed, when the next round of political  appointments come.

“When we founded APC way back in 2013/2014, we envisaged it will be a national party that would carry along all the different socio-political and religious tendencies of the nation.

“In those days, we were careful not to sideline any of the religions or tribes of the country in the composition of the membership and leadership of the party.

‘We wanted a party that will embrace all Nigerians. It was this that informed the principle that both the National Chairman and Secretary will not be of the same religion, tribe  or region.

“Sadly, APC  has now transitioned into an Islamic Party of Nigeria. All the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) from the North and some from the South are Muslims.

“They campaigned on an Islamization platform and are striving hard to run the government as such, but for the resistance of the other religions.

“All that is now left for the party is a change of name, but even this may not take long since it already has Kadmul Islam as its national chairman and  a Muslim as its national secretary.

“The Deputy National Chairman North, who acts in the absence of the Chairman, National Organizing Secretary, National Legal Adviser, and three National Vice Chairmen and more, are Muslims. Good for them.

“And talking of electoral value, both the National Chairman and the National Secretary just dramatically lost in the February 25 election.

“Mallam Felix didn’t do well in his own constituency either. It is based on these considerations that I pity a Christian who finds himself in the position of a spokesperson of an Islamic party.

“Mark my words, all critical decisions will be taken behind his back during the afternoon prayer sessions, which he will be unable to attend.”

Babachir Lawal fell out with the APC and President Bola Tinubu over the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Until then, he was a close friend of President Tinubu and a strong chieftain of the APC. He switched his support to Peter Obi, the LP Presidential Candidate during the Election.

Governor Abiodun Gives N10,000 Transport Allowance To Civil Servants

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has approved the payment of N10,000 Transport Allowance to all Civil Servants in the State as palliatives to cushion the effect of the Petrol Subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

The Civil Servants would enjoy this palliative for the next six months.

The Transport Allowance was part of various interventions adopted by the State Government in the wake of the deregulation policy in July ought to have ended in September.

Governor Abiodun revealed  when he met with Permanent Secretaries in the State. He disclosed that the extension would allow the State workforce to continue to cope with the effects of the subsidy removal.

He described the allowance as part of the temporary immediate-term interventions to allow the Government to come up with appropriate medium and long-term intervention plans for all categories of people in the state.

Apart from the N10,000, which also covers pensioners, the State Government also approved hazard allowance for Health and Medical Personnel, immediate release of letters of promotion in respect of 2021 and 2022, payment of March and April 2023 leave bonuses for public servants and immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners.

The Governor recalled that Ogun was the first state to introduce the E-Mobility and Gas Mobility Programme with Compressed Natural Gas-enabled buses and electric-powered tricycles and motorcycles.

Governor Abiodun said the palliatives being distributed across the state have elicited applause across the country and beyond,  except in a few instances where fifth columnists mischievously criticised the Government’s efforts.

According to the Governor, palliatives are not meant for people who are not in need,  adding that it is impossible to distribute palliatives to the five million inhabitants of the state.

The State helmsman spoke of plans by his administration to leave legacy projects behind at the end of his tenure.

He hinted that a Special Committee on the rehabilitation of public schools would soon be set up, saying the committee would be funded through a trust fund.

Abiodun added that efforts are in top gear to improve mobility in the  identifying and rehabilitating critical roads across the State.

COEASU Wants FG To Speed Up Process Of Adeyemi College of Education’s Transition To University Status

By
Ayodele Oni
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Adeyemi College of Education

By Ayodele Oni

Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, (COEASU), has bemoaned the long period of transition  for Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, to a full fledged University.

The Union has, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu, through the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, to order immediate tak-eoff of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, in Ondo State for academic activities.

It also urged the Minister to ensure urgent appointment of a Vice Chancellor that has the requisite qualifications, acumen and attitude to drive the University of Education.

The Union made the call in a letter written to Prof Mamman and signed by the Chairman of COEASU, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo Chapter, Adetokunboh Adepoju and the Secretary, Joel Edafe.

It noted that delay in the takeoff of the university and non-listing of the institution among the Colleges of education, are causing palpable apprehension among staff, students and members of the host community.

In the letter, COEASU stated that “this has become a subject of palpable apprehension among staff, students and members of the host community especially now that the institution is not listed as a College of Education in the new enacted and gazatted Federal College of Education Act, 2023. Some measure of tension is also brewing as a result of the delay.

“Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo was established in 1964 and on 22nd April, 1981 the Senate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife approved that the College commenced the degree programmes in 1982/1983 Academic Session and has since then passed several NUC Accreditations because of the quality of personnel and facilities on ground.

“It was due to this that the College was upgraded to a University. It is also worth mentioning that the Ondo State University of Medical Sciences took off from Adeyemi College of Education Campus due to the quality of facilities in the institution.

“Adeyemi Federal University of Education Establishment Act was signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 23rd of December, 2021 and gazetted by the Judiciary on the 7th of January, 2022.

“The University though recognized by the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has since been delayed in terms of implementation.

“The initial delay after the inauguration of this new administration led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was hinged on the appointment and swearing in of Ministers for the Federal Republic. Since the appointments, nothing has been heard on the take-off of the new University.

“In view of the above therefore, the Union hereby pleads with the Honourable Minister to consider and attend urgently to the following:

“Immediate constitution and mobilization of the Transition Implementation Committee; Facilitation of enabling conditions for the immediate take-off of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education;

“The immediate appointment of a Vice Chancellor that has the requisite qualifications, acumen and attitude to drive a University of Education.

“Use your good offices to assist in the speedy issuance of the license by the National University Commission (NUC) to operate as a University and the listing of the University courses on JAMB portál; and Assisting in any other way that will enhance and promote the laudable vision of this new University.”

Impeachment: Ondo Assembly Bows, Wants Deputy Governor To Withdraw Suits

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State House of Assembly seems to have accepted the peace moves being pushed by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the moves to  impeach the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Aside from the fact that the Lawmakers attended  a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday at the instance of the National Chairman of APC, the Assembly has equally extended its own olive branch, which they expect the  Deputy Governor to honour before the issues could be resolved.

The Leadership of the Assembly stated that as much as Members are ready for a political solution to the issue, the Deputy Governor must withdraw the suits he instituted against the House over the impeachment.

The Assembly had earlier vowed not to welcome any intervention in the impeachment move.

A statement in Akure on Wednesday, signed by the Spokesman of the Assembly, Olatunji Emmanuel, stated thus:  “Following the intervention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC members in Ondo State House of Assembly have agreed to consider the possibility of a political solution on the impeachment proceedings against the State Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

“At a meeting held in the APC’s National Secretariat in Abuja on 17th October, 2023 at the instance of the National Chairman of the Party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Reconciliation Committee set up by the Party under the Chairmanship of RT. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, members of the APC in Ondo State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, and the Ondo State leadership of APC led by Engr Ade Adetimehin, all agreed that a political solution to the impeachment was possible and proper.

“The Hon. Speaker restated that the House was only exercising its responsibility under S.188 of the 1999 Constitution, having received a petition accusing the Deputy Governor of some allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

“He however, expressed the desire of the House leadership to further consult with members of the House  across party lines, on the political solution as proposed by the APC.

“The House, therefore, hopes that in the same spirit of genuine wish for a political solution, the Deputy-Governor would take immediate steps to withdraw the multiple court cases he filed over the same impeachment.

“This would allow the stakeholders to freely discuss the settlement proposals and prevent actions or comments over a matter that is still subjudice.”

NAFDAC Approves Gardasil Vaccine Against Cervical Cancer

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has approved the use of Gardasil vaccine as single dose in the routine immunization against cervical cancer.

In a joint statement by NAFDAC and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said NPHCDA will commence the introduction of the off-label use of quadrivalent Gardasil vaccine as a single dose schedule into the routine immunisation in Nigeria in the last quarter of 2023.

She explained that data from immunogenicity trials, post-hoc analyses of efficacy trials, and post-licensure observational studies among females have demonstrated that a single dose of HPV vaccine was sufficient to elicit an immune response that provides similar protection as a multidose regimen against initial and persistent HPV infection.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 119,000 new cases and 81,000 deaths from cervical cancer occurred in Africa in 2020, accounting for 22.5% of the global burden.

Prof Adeyeye said: “Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has one of the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in the continent, with an estimated 15,000 new cases and 10,000 deaths annually. Several factors contribute to the high disease burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria, such as low awareness, poor screening coverage, limited access to treatment, and high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

“Human Papillomavirus infection (HPV infection) is caused by a DNA virus belonging to the family Papillomaviridae. The virions are non-enveloped and contain a double-stranded DNA genome. HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and causes a range of conditions

in men and women, including pre-cancerous lesions that may progress to cancer.

“The decision to deploy the off-label Gardasil as a single dose schedule is based on the scientific evidence that a single dose of Gardasil vaccine can provide solid protection against cervical cancer caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs).

“The benefits of the single dose Schedule include; Reducing the cost and logistical challenges of delivering multiple doses, especially in resource-limited settings, Increasing the coverage and equity of HPV vaccination, as more girls and women can access the vaccine, accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem,

“Gardasil is a vaccine that protects against human papillomavirus – HPV -, a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and other cancers.

The vaccine is given two or three doses, depending on the age of the person receiving it.

“At 18 months post-vaccination, the efficacy of a single dose of HPV vaccine against incident persistent high-risk (HPV16/18) infection was 97.5% (95% CI 82–100) for the nonvalent vaccine and 97.5% (95% CI 82–100) for the bivalent vaccine.

“Gardasil has been granted registration approval by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in exercising its mandate as stipulated by its enabling law, NAFDAC Act CapN1, LFN 2004 and after rigorous regulatory evaluation process for vaccines. The single dose has comparable efficacy and duration of protection as a 2-dose schedule and may offer programme advantages, is more efficientand affordable, and contribute to improved coverage.

Ekiti Varsity Workers Demand Probe As VC, Bursar Accused Of Financial Mismanagement

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Workers of the Ekiti state government owned Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, (BOUESTI), Ikere Ekiti are at loggerhead with some management staff of the University over financial mismanagement.

Management staff at the centre on attack by the workers are the vice chancellor, Prof Olufemi Adeoluwa, and the bursar, Babatunde Apata.

They have appealed to the visitor, Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the anti-graft agencies to beam searchlight on the activities of the two staff.

The workers, in a petition, made available to Journalists in Ado Ekiti, alleged that the VC and Bursar allegedly mismanaged the fund of the institution, hence they demanded a forensic audit to ascertain the gravity of financial mess.

Both principal officers were also alleged of high-handedness, incompetence, autocratic policies, blackmail, noting that their action had drastically dragged the already fast growing University backwards and subjects staff to untoward hardship.

In the petition, they alleged that immediately the institution was upgraded and converted from a college to university, things became better and more funds were made but the positive progress could not be felt in the welfare of workers as the VC and the Bursar allegedly connived to divert such funds for personal use.

”It is shocking, that the University is still battling with unpaid salaries despite the fact that it has recorded a significant financial improvement in the last two and half years. A university that made over One billion naira (N1,000,000,000+) in just one session should not find it difficult to run.

“The University is not being run as expected because of the recklessness of Prof. Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa and Mr. Babatunde Apata.

“Prof. Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa led Management owes staff all the arrears of 2018 and 2019 promotion. He cajoled everyone to continue to sacrifice, while the University stabilizes.

“Now that the University has attained some reasonable levels of financial stability, he changed tone and continued to give impression that all is not well with the University.

“The 2018 and 2019 promotion arrears have become bad debts to the University.The staff are now useless and irresponsible at their various homes. No thanks to Prof. Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa who intentionally and wickedly owed them thirty (30) months of amputated salaries. Unfortunately, the VC is living in affluence to the detriment of the sacrificing staff.

“Prof. Adeoluwa took a loan of three hundred and fifty million naira (N350,000,000) from Unity bank in 2021 for capital projects and he mortgaged the salary account of the University as he continues to service the repayment from the account on monthly basis.

“Surprisingly, despite the monthly repayment of over two and half years, which is expected to have reduced the loan, the indebtedness of the University to Unity bank still stood at Seven hundred and sixty six million naira(N766,000,000) as at the time of filling this petition.

“The facts are not far fetched from Unity bank, Ado branch. The big questions therefore are; What is the cause of such huge debts? Why did he secure additional loan? What was the purpose of the loan?

“While the workers are languishing in abject poverty and trying to cope with the bitting economy, Prof. Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa had successfully allocated  twenty two million naira (N22,000,000) for himself to attend a conference of Vice Chancellors holding in Qatar, UAE in December, 2023. This is considered as part of his recklessness, an act of insensitivity to staff well being and a flagrant disregard to staff welfare.

“The University Bursar is equally a partner in the financial crime against the University as he has become  the University Tetfund Desk Officer. He uses this office to syphon the meagre resources of the University in the guise of payment of PR to some unknown individuals at the  Tetfund Office, Abuja.

“Lots of millions of the University funds had gone into such black market payments. Under this present administration, contracts are awarded without following due process. The University is run like a personal property of the Vice Chancellor.

“The maladministration and financial improprieties of the Vice Chancellor; Prof. Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa and the Bursar; Mr. Babatunde Apata is no longer tolerable. This is why BOUESTI staff are calling for immediate probe of the management of the IGR and government monthly grants to the University between 2nd June, 2022 to date, which is the period the VC perpetrated all the acts of financial misconducts.

“A forensic audit of the financial misappropriation of the Vice Chancellor and his cohorts will expose the gravity of damage the VC had caused the University.”

Senate Confirms EFCC Chair; Appoints New Deputy Leader

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Nigerian Senate, on Wednesday, appointed Oyetola Ashiru, from Kwara South as its Deputy Leader. Before his appointment to the position, the senator was the Deputy Chief Whip of the nation’s upper legislative chamber.

The appointment comes as the chamber also confirmed Ola Olukoyede as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Ashiru’s appointment became necessary after the former occupier of the position, Dave Umahi was appointed the Minister of Works by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

While announcing the promotion of Ashiru to his new position, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio also announced Nwebonyi Onyeka to replace him as the Deputy Chief Whip during Wednesday’s plenary.

Olukoyede was appointed last Wednesday by the president who stated that the Senate must confirm him before taking over from Abdulrasheed Bawa, who the presidency said has voluntarily retired from his position.

Recall that Bawa was sacked by President Tinubu in June this year without giving any explanation. The former anti-graft boss is now has since been detained by the Department of State Services, DSS, even though calls have been made by prominent Nigerians for his release.

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