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EFCC: Controversy Over Alleged Indictment of Olukoyede By Justice Salami Panel

By
James Orji
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Daniel Bwala, a spokesman for the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Ola Olukoyode as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC despite his alleged indictment by a judicial panel of inquiry.

Bwala who spoke on Channels Television programe, Sunshine Daily on Tuesday said the appointment of the new EFCC Chairman is wrong considering his indictment alongside his former boss, Ibrahim Magu by a judicial panel headed by a former President of the Court of Appeal, Salami.

The PDP spokesman said the new EFCC Chairman “does not fit in,” adding that his appointment amounted to “approbating and reprobating” by the government which claimed to be fighting corruption.

Recall that Magu was sacked from office by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July  2020, the former leader later set up the retired Justice Ayo Salami judicial panel to investigate allegations of corruption against the former EFCC boss.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Olukayode last Thursday to replace Abdulrasheed Bawa who was also removed from office without any reason yet given for his removal, he’s currently being held by the Department of State Services, DSS.

But Monday Ubani, a former Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Chairman, Lagos branch said Olukoyede was never “indicted” by the panel neither was he invited by it for questioning.

He said the new EFCC chairman should be given an opportunity to run the anti-graft agency, saying he possessed the cognate experience to perform the job.

President Bola Tinubu, last Thursday, approved the appointment of Olukoyede to serve as the Executive Chairman, subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

His appointment comes barely four months after he suspended the erstwhile anti-graft agency chief, Bawa.

In a statement titled ‘President Tinubu appoints new EFCC. Chairman and Secretary of the Commission,’ signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu said he appointed Olukoyede following the resignation of Bawa.

“Mr. Olukoyode’s appointment follows the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa,” the statement said.

Olukoyede, a lawyer with over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence had served in the commission as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman, and Secretary to the agency.

New NIPOST Chief, Odeyemi Hails Tinubu’s Gender Inclusion Drive, Promises Enhanced Service Delivery

By
James Orji
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The newly appointed Postmaster General of the Federation, Tola Odeyemi, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a leader committed to inclusion and equity.

Odeyemi, the first woman to occupy the role, stated this on Monday in her inaugural address as the new Chief Executive of the Nigerian Postal Service.

“I would like to express my profound gratitude to Mr President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for entrusting me with the duty of Postmaster-General of the Federation, a national assignment that I hold dear to my heart. As the first female to hold this position in the over 38 years of existence of NIPOST, my appointment is a testament to the strides our nation is making to close the gender and age gap in governance in Nigeria. This aligns seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda and vision for a more inclusive Nigeria, where everyone, irrespective of gender, age, religion or ethnicity, has an opportunity to contribute to the nation building.”

She also pledged to ensure enhanced service delivery to citizens by leveraging on technology and partnering with other government agencies and the private sector.

“My aspiration is to not only solidify NIPOST’s status as one of the leading postal operators in the world but to also make it a critical conduit in bridging the trade, economic, and social gaps of our beloved nation. As we embrace the future, let’s leverage digital transformations, innovative solutions, and the collective power of our human capital to redefine NIPOST for the modern age. As an organization, we shall leverage partnerships both with fellow public sector MDAs and the organized private sector.”

The new NIPOST chief also expressed her readiness to work closely with the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and pledged to prioritize staff welfare.

“I am particularly excited to be working closely with the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who superintends our institution is a visionary who will chart a path that allows us to leverage the latest in technology and digital transformation to better serve our citizens and solidify our position in the global postal community.”

“My primary focus will always be on the welfare of our staff, doing my best to create an enabling environment for each and everyone of us to thrive. To be your greatest cheerleader. Together, we will develop a 21st-century NIPOST, an institution that stands tall in its commitment to efficiency, trust, and impeccable service delivery.”

Odeyemi has over 15 years of experience working in the public and private sectors across the African Continent. She has worked in leading international organisations like Uber and Binance, and also served as Senior Special Assistant to Governor Akinwunmi Amobode during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

Staff of NIPOST, while welcoming her, expressed confidence that with her vast experience in technology and innovation, she will deliver on progressive reforms and a positive turnaround in the management of the agency.

Ondo: “Governor Akeredolu Will Return To Akure Within Days” – APC

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu Resumes

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, will soon return to Akure, the seat of power of the State.

The Governor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has been out of the State for about four months.

He first went to Germany on a medical vacation after he informed the House of Assembly. In his absence, his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was the Acting Governor.

The Governor returned to Nigeria about a month ago. However, he flew straight to Ibadan, Oyo State capital, and since his return, has not stepped into Akure. He has been governing the State from Ibadan, his residence before he became Governor, in an arrangement, obviously to enable him have some more rest and remove him from stress and pressure.

The State Executive Council Members have been shuffling between Akure and Ibadan to hold meetings with the Governor.

Obviously, this has not gone down well with a number of people in Ondo, especially, members of the main opposition party, the PDP. His absence has also planted seeds of distrust and discord even within his Party, the APC.

One of its outcomes is the absence of a cordial relationship between the Governor and his Deputy. The sour relationship, has triggered a move to impeach the Deputy Governor by the House of Assembly, a move which has, so far, been stalled.

On Monday, the ante was raised in the controversy of the Governor’s continued absence from Akure. The Youth Wing of the  opposition PDP which has been issuing statements against the Governor’s absence, and which has called for his resignation from office, planned to stage a protest to demand his immediate return to Akure, or resignation from office.

However, the APC pulled the rug from under PDP’s feet. It raised an alarm, a few days ago, that PDP has concluded plans to stage a protest in the State in connivance with hoodlums in order to disturb the reign of peace.  So, on Monday, when the PDP was ready for what the party termed a peaceful protest, Security Operatives were ready for them. It took over PDP’s Secretariat in the State, a move which aborted the protest, and which has been condemned by the Party.

In reaction to the planned protest, the APC accused the PDP of bad faith, and  insisted that the State has been running smoothly; that the Governor has been discharging his duties without any hitch, his location notwithstanding.

It also said that the planned protest was of no use as the would be back to Akure soon.

Said the APC, “We are optimistic that our Governor, your performing Governor, will be in our midst in a matter of days.”

But a twist has been added to the planned, aborted  protest by the PDP Youths.

A Group,  Ondo Masses Solidarity Movement, MSM, has accused the embattled Deputy Governor of being behind the aborted PDP protest against the Governor. Said its Coordinator, Jeremiah Ogunyemi, ” We have it on good authority that the Deputy Governor instigated the protest and had already sponsored some youths to join the protest. A meeting was held at a hotel in Akure last night where money was shared among the youths.”

The Deputy Governor has not reacted to this allegation, yet. If the APC is to be believed, Governor Akeredolu will be back to the State, perhaps, within the week or, as a source said, over the weekend.

Super Eagles Redeem Image,  Cruise Past Mambas Of Mozambique

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles

By Akinwale Kasali

Three first half goals from Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka and Moses Simon were all the Super Eagles of Nigeria needed to secure a 3-2 win over the Mambas of Mozambique in an international friendly in Portimonese, Portugal.

The Mozambicans took the lead as early as the 7th minute courtesy of a strike from Geny Catamo.

The goal rattled the three time African Cup of Nations champions who hit back through Terem Moffi in the 19th minute before Brentford Football Club of England midfielder, Frank Onyeka scored the second goal for the Coach Jose Peseiro side.

The Southern African team were red-carded in the 39th minutes as Edmilson Gabriel Dove received the marching order to reduce their team to 10 players.

In the run of play, the Super Eagles got a penalty kick that was converted by Moses Simon.

The first half finished 3-1 with the West African side taking the lead.

In the second half,  the Mozambicans made two substitution by bringing in Fernando Chamboco and Gildo to add more bite to their attack which paid off.

Faisal Abdul Bangal scored the second goal for his side to reduce the deficit, but the Super Eagles held on to record a 3-2 win over their opponent.

Coach Peseiro made Nine Changes from the team that started against the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia on Friday with only Goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho and Bruno Onyemaechi making the starting line up.

Jordan Torunarigha made his long awaited debut for Nigeria, pairing Kenneth Omeruo and Bright Osayi Samuel in the defense.

Frank Onyeka, debutant, Olufisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon and Joe Aribo  were in the heart of the Super Eagles midfield, with Terem Moffi playing as a lone striker.

At the later stage of the game, Chiedozie Awaziem, Ademola Lookman, Umar Sadiq, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Victor Boniface Okoh came in as substitute.

The Super Eagles next assignment will be against the Crocodiles of Lesotho and the Warriors of Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in November.

President Tinubu Set To Present N26 Trillion 2024 Budget To National Assembly

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

The shape and size of next year’s budget have started to unfold going by revelation of the Minister of Planning and Budget, Atiku Bagudu on Monday.

Bagudu disclosed that the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has proposed N26 trillion as the 2024 budget to be submitted to the National Assembly before December 31, 2023.

The Minister, made the budget proposal known at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Monday, at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu presided over the FEC meeting, which is the second meeting held since the inauguration of the cabinet.

Before the FEC meeting commenced, President Tinubu sworn in three ministers recently cleared by the national assembly.

The president had on September 17, nominated Ibrahim and Olawande as Minister of Youth and Minister of State for Youth, respectively.

He also requested the Senate to screen Balarabe Lawal as minister from Kaduna.

Lawal, who served as secretary to the government under former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, replaces his principal in Tinubu’s cabinet as Minister of Environment.

Court Sacks Adamawa’s APC Senator Abbo, Gives Victory To PDP’s Yohanna

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

The Ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has lost one of its Senators to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Ishaku Abbo, the Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, was, on Monday, sacked by the Court of Appeal which sat in Abuja.

Elected for a second term on February 25, 2023, Abbo was sacked in favour  of Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Abbo was a member of the PDP before he defected to the APC. However, during the Campaign leading to the Presidential Election, he quit as a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee over the Party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket. He said it was difficult for him, as a Christian, to accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a multi-religious country like Nigeria.

Just before he was sworn-in as a Senator in 2019, Abbo was involved in a physical fight with a saleswoman at an adult shop in Abuja.

He was later to tender an apology after he was asked to do so by his political mentor, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the PDP in 2019 and 2023.

Group Fingers Ondo Deputy Governor In PDP Youth Protest As Police Says Presence Meant To Forestall Anarchy

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ondo PDP Youths

By Ayodele Oni

A Group, Ondo Masses Solidarity Movement (MSM) has accused the embattled Deputy Governor of the State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of being behind the protest by youth forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The group said the protest was meant to incite crisis in the state and derail the impeachment process of the deputy governor.

The allegation by the group is coming just as the state police command defended presence of officers and men at the state PDP Secretariat to abort the protest.

MSM in a statement signed by its coordinator, Ogunyemi Jeremiah said Aiyedatiwa had been reaching out to opposition parties and youths to occupy the street of Akure and protest against the governor.

“We have it on good authority that the deputy governor instigated the protest and had already sponsored some youths to join the protest. A meeting was held at a hotel in Akure  last night where money was shared among the youths.

“As stakeholders in this state and voice of the masses, we condemn in strong terms, the activities of the embattled deputy governor. We are astonished by the actions of the deputy governor and his resolve to set the state on fire.

“We appreciate the security agencies for rising up to the occasion. We are aware that the protest would have led to wanton destruction of properties and people’s lives.

“Part of the plans which was foiled by the security agencies was that the protesters would set a petrol- filled tanker on fire within the state capital. They had also planned to raze down the House of Assembly complex.

“The planned protest was never in the interest of the masses. The masses are receiving their palliative and also enjoying their thriving sales due to the regular payment of salaries and leave bonus in the state.

“We are calling on well meaning Nigerians and people of the state to warn the deputy governor to desist from these attempts to set our dear state on fire. We should learn from history and guide against any act that will bring our state to jeopardy.

“Where were these people when the masses needed a voice? Where were they when we were faced with insecurity and became helpless even in our own homes. Where were they when Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was facing the federal government and speaking for the people of Southwest and Southern Nigeria.

“We are convinced that this induced protest is not in the interest of the masses. We will not fold our arms and allow a group of people who were motivated by few cash to interrupt the relative peace in the state.

Police command spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya explained that “This morning, policemen actually sent some of its personnel to the place to maintain law and orders.

“On Friday we got a kind of unanimous letter stating that some people want to protest and the letter came in without letter-head, no details of those that wanted to embark on the protest and for the safety of the party involved we just felt to mobilize our men to maintain law and orders in case of any thing.

“Because we don’t want a situation whereby people will just take themselves to the streets and at the end of the day people will deny that they are not the one.

“One man, Akintayo Oluyi signed the letter and from our background check, we are not sure either he is the actually the Chairman of the youth wing of the party.”

Oyebanji’s One Year In Office: Delivery, Malaria Treatment In Ekiti Govt Owned Health Facilities Now Free

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has announced that monthly revenue generation of government has witnessed significant improvement since he assumed office.

Addressing members of the state House of Assembly on Monday, as part of activities marking a year in office, the governor disclosed that everything was being done to attain revenue target for the year.

Oyebanji stated that “I am pleased to inform you that due to a lot of innovative ideas and strategies that we adopted, the monthly internally generated revenue of the State has seen a significant upward improvement.

“As an administration that is committed to excellence, we acknowledge that we can do better.

“Rest assured that we have put critical measures in place to improve our performance in the coming months; we have already surpassed our revenue performance for 2022, and I am confident that we will not only finish 2023 with a significant growth, we are also on track to achieve our revenue budget for the year.

“We strongly believe in strategic planning, and have been committed to institutionalizing long-term planning for the development of our state and the good of our people.

“For us, a campaign manifesto is not an empty set of unimplementable promises; but a pledge to be honoured, an actionable plan to be executed, a contract with the people to which utmost fidelity is non-negotiable.

“This is why the six pillars were distilled into concrete policies and program ideas under different ministries and presented as the core of my administration’s inaugural Budget of Strong Beginning.

“Our vision is to have an economy that is dominated by private sector investment and activities. We are currently one of the least industrialized states in Nigeria but we want to change this unpleasant profile.

“A major requirement for industrialization is land availability and regular electricity supply. While we are working round the clock to provide access to electricity and other critical infrastructure.

The governor also highlighted achievements of his administration in other sectors of the economy such as education, transportation and health.

“I have continued to improve the inputs for service delivery. This year, we qualified for World Bank financing to enable our Primary Health Centres (PHC) receive direct facility financing.

“I am happy to inform you all that 177 PHC facilities across the 16 LGAs each received the sum of N4.6m for facility upgrades.

“I’m aware that these funds are now being used to purchase drugs, equipment, data tools and also to carry out minor renovations across these facilities.

“In addition to this, we disbursed the sum of N100,000 monthly to each facility to help with basic operational requirements. A few weeks back, we also distributed antimalarial drugs, color coded bins for separating medical wastes, and other items to 200 PHCs across the 16 LGAs.

“Simply put, no one in Ekiti should pay for treatment of malaria in any of our PHCs any longer. To expand our health insurance program, we scaled our efforts from 25 facilities to one (1) PHC in each ward across the state.

“With this, services such as family planning, ante-natal care, delivery, under 5 childhood illnesses are now paid for by the state. In the last 2 months (August and September) more than 49,000 persons have benefitted.

‘I strongly encourage everyone particularly our expectant mothers to take advantage of our Ulerawa program. No one should have to pay for delivery in any of our PHCs anymore.”

Falana Tackles Tinubu Over Appointment Of EFCC, ICPC Chairmen From Same Geopolitical Zone

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Femi Falana

By Akinwale Kasali

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, has lamented the appointment of Chairmen of anti graft agencies, Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Comission, ICPC, from the same geopolitical zone.

He said it was unlawful and against the Federal Character Principle.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday, the Legal luminary said if the Chairman of the EFCC is from the Northern region, then the chairman of the ICPC should be appointed from the Southern region.

Ola Olukayode and Bolaji Owasanoye were recently appointed as EFCC and ICPC Chairmen respectively by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Both men are from the South West Geopolitical Zone.

Condemning the appointment, Falana said, “There is no issue; the only issue that has been raised has to be considered by the government is that we have in this country, the Federal Character Commission Act and also by the virtue of Section 14 of the constitution, appointments must reflect Federal Character.

“If you are going to have the EFCC and the ICPC, the heads cannot come from same zone. If there are two positions in the public service, one must go to the North, and one must go to the South. If there are four, two must go to the South, and two must go to the North. If there are six, one must go to each geopolitical zone. That is the law in Nigeria today.”

Falana said that though the new EFCC’s Boss is very much qualified to head the Commission, but he, as a person, is not comfortable with the fact that the heads of both anti-graft agencies are from the South-West geopolitical zone.

“So, I am not comfortable with the fact that the heads of the EFCC and the ICPC are from the same zone. Apart from that, Mr Ola Olukoyede is eminently qualified to head the EFCC. My colleagues who have criticised the appointment have not looked at the relevant provisions of the EFCC which is Section 2”, he submitted.

NIPOST: Workers Lock Out New Postmaster General, Insist On Sacked CEO

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Workers of Nigeria Postal Service, (NIPOST) have rejected Tola Odeyemi as Chief Executive Officer/Post Master General of the organization.

President Bola Tinubu had, last week, appointed Odeyemi and others as Chief Executives of some Federal Government-owned parastatals. But he has been rejected by the staff of the agency.

Presidential Spokesman,  Ajuri Ngelale, announced that some changes were made in the leadership of communication agencies, including NIPOST.

However another report surfaced on social media at the weekend that Odeyemi’s appointment has been reversed and the sacked Post Master-General, Adeyemi Adepoju,  reinstated.

Adepoju was seen in a viral video addressing some workers who claimed Tinubu had reappointed him.

But on Monday, NIPOST workers closed down the head office gate of the service in Abuja, protesting against Odeyemi’s appointment.

The protesting workers denied entry to the newly appointed NIPOST CEO, saying her appointment was against their wish.

The workers, who said they preferred Adepoju, chanted solidarity songs and carried placards.

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