Home Blog Page 1593

Obi: Archbishop Recalls 45 Year Old Incident, Commends Him

By
The Source
-
0

The first Papal Nuncio from Nigeria and West Africa, and the highest Nuncio from Africa, who is also the Nuncio to the Czech Republic, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, has testified to how the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has remained consistent in caring for the society for many decades now, stating that it is in Peter Obi’s nature to help and care for those around him.

Archbishop Okolo shared the testimony at Nnewi, during his 40th priestly anniversary thanksgiving, and 15 years as a Nuncio. He stated that Peter Obi did not develop his caring nature recently, but has consistently shown that kindness and empathy are his lifestyle.

He recalled that in the 1970s, when he was a school teacher at All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha, before proceeding to Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, he decided, one day, to visit his younger brother, Jerry Okolo, at Christ the King College, Onitsha. The then Principal of the College, Rev Fr Nicholas Tagbo (of blessed memory) gave him some tins of milk and packets of biscuits to give to his brother.

“When I handed the items to my brother, he said that I should not have bothered, that he had enough. He told me that his classmate, and friend, Peter Obi, would normally go to his mother’s supermarket, bring a carton of milk from his mother, and share with all of them,” Archbishop Okolo narrated.

Whilst showering admiration for Peter Obi’s character, caring lifestyle, and empathy towards humanity, the Nuncio urged him to continue to do the same in service of the nation.

Insecurity: Federal University, Zamfara Relocates Students

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Federal University Gusau Zamfra State

By Ayodele Oni

Following the continued rise in insecurity, Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State, has charged students living in the Damba district  to either relocate to Sabon Gida or stay within the Gusau metropolis in the state capital.

Kidnappers had struck more than two times within a month leading to abduction of some students.

A statement  by the institution’s information officer,  Umar Usman, stated that the students would be more secure in Gusau town or Sabon Gida village.

The statement reads in part, “the university management wishes to urge students to either relocate to Sabon Gida, which is now well secured with armed security operatives or stay within Gusau metropolis.

“This is because they are more vulnerable to bandit attacks when living at the outskirts, especially Damba.”

Usman further stated that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji and Metro Joint Patrol (Eagle Eye) have successfully rescued all the four kidnapped students of the institution who were abducted on Saturday, 14th October 2023, at Sabon Garin Damba Area, Gusau.

“Two out of the four kidnapped students escaped after they were abducted while the remaining two were rescued after the military troops engaged the bandits on heavy gun battle.”

Bayelsa Teachers Set For Strike Over Minimum Wage

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Academic programme is being threatened in Bayelsa State, as the Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT) is set to call members out to protest the non-payment of N30,000 minimum wage.

NUT threatened that the strike, which will be indefinite,  will affect public elementary and secondary schools.

The Union arrived at the decision during an executive meeting after a previous three-day warning strike failed to persuade the Bayelsa Government to take action.

The State Government and Local Councils have been given 14-day deadline by the teachers to address the issue of throughout the state or face strike.

The NUT listed the State and Local Government’s failure to implement the N30,000 minimum salary and to promote primary school teachers in the state as two of its issues.

The Union claimed that because promotion arrears were not paid to the teachers, they went through unimaginable suffering.

It expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s continued disregard for the predicament of teachers who play important roles in the state despite futile attempts to engage them in various fora.

The NUT added that the state’s primary and secondary school teachers had experienced nothing but embarrassment and frustration as a result of the government’s approach.

According to the union, the 14-day ultimatum went into effect on October 13 and that if the problems weren’t resolved within that time, state teachers would be forced to strike.

It was further gathered that the strike notice was approved by all eight of the NUT’s local government sections in Bayelsa.

Anambra: Unknown Gunmen Cripple South East Economy- Obi Of Onitsha

By
James Orji
-
0
Obi of Onitsha - Igwe Alfred

Respected Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Ontisha has lamented how the activities of criminal elements aka unknown gunmen has crippled the region’s economy.

The traditional ruler made the remark on Saturday during his 22nd Ofala Festival held in Onitsha, Anambra state.

Speaking on the political and economic situation around the country, Igwe Achebe said “state and non-state actors all masquerading as unknown gunmen” are responsible for the worsening economic situation in the region.

He explained that the failure of the country to conduct the last general election satisfactorily is largely responsible for the level of insecurity in the country, adding that the poverty in the country has been made worse following the removal of petrol subsidy by the federal government in May this year.

He slammed the government for rushing to remove the subsidy pain on petrol without adequate consultation with Nigerians on the issue.

Achebe’s remark: “The last 12 months have been most eventful for our dear country, dominated largely by the politics of national elections that took place in February this year. The outcome of the presidential elections, which has been upheld by the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal has been further challenged at the Supreme Court.

“Furthermore, the civil society organisations have announced an extended civil disobedience agenda to ‘occupy Nigeria’ in protest against the non-transparency of the presidential election process and the ruling of PEPT.

“The uncertainty that now prevails would have been averted if INEC had convincingly conducted transparent elections with the massive resources at its disposal.

“This has further been complicated by the continuing security concerns in most parts of the country following the eight years of the previous administration, the early economic measures by the new administration, including the unilateral removal of fuel price subsidy without a backup strategy are seriously deepening the hardship in the country.

“It is particularly affecting the lower rungs of the society and in effect, the country is at a dangerous crossroads politically, economically, socially and security-wise.

“In the South-East, we have the aftermath of the last general elections, the complex and protracted security situation involving kidnappers, political thugs, state and non-state actors all masquerading as unknown gunmen as well as the crippling economic strangulation of the region arising from the insecurity and the ill-advised sit-at-home that has cost Ndi Igbo incalculable losses,” he said.

Shetima To Woo Investors At China’s BRI Confab

By
James Orji
-
0

As part of the ongoing effort by the federal government to bring foreign capital into the country, Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Sunday, left Abuja to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative, BRI, Forum in Beijing, China.

The vice president will represent President Tinubu at the forum expected to take place between October 16 and 18 hosted by world’s second largest economy, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports.

According to a statement released on Sunday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Shettima is attending the forum alongside 130 other world leaders from Africa, Asia and Europe.

Shetima will leverage on the forum to woo investors form across the globe, the statement said.

The vice president is attending the meeting in continuation of an earlier one in 2018 by former President Muhamamdu Buhari.

Apart from the vice president, other federal government delegation to the forum include Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu and the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, amongst others.

Part of the statement read: ”The 2023 edition of the BRI will mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) championed by the President of China, Xi Jinping, as an initiative for global infrastructure development strategy.

” Adopted and launched by the government of the People’s Republic of China in 2013.

” The initiative seeks international action to enhance cooperation and promote infrastructure investment in nearly 70 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe through land and maritime routes.

“Nigeria and other partner-countries across the world are to benefit from the initiative in areas of infrastructure investments such as ports, skyscrapers, railroads, roads, bridges, airports, dams and coal-fired power stations.”

Gov Oyebanji Promises To Reduce Tuition Fees Payable In Ekiti State- Owned Tertiary Institutions

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Cheering news is coming for parents and students in tertiary institutions in Ekiti state as Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, revealed plan to meet stakeholders of state owned institutions on possible way to reduce tuition fees.

There are three tertiary institutions, Ekiti State University, Ado, Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere and Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan which are being owned by the state.

According to the governor, part of the effort would be to liaise with the Governing Councils of the Ekiti State University and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, for possible reduction in the tuition fees .

He also admonished  the youths to step out of their  comfort zones and  take advantage of the opportunities created by his administration to succeed in life .

The governor, who was speaking  during a programme tagged “Youth, let’s Us Talk With BAO”, in Ado Ekiti at the weekend,  as part of the activities marking the First anniversary  assured them of a greater future .

Oyebanji said: “I  didn’t create the Ministry of Youth Development by accident. I also adopted the Ekiti Youth Agenda document. We are going to look at this document together to know how to make your lives better.”

He promised to sign the Local Contents Bill into Law to prevent capital flight and mandates contractors to tap into potentials available in Ekiti, rather than going to other states to hire labour.

The governor expressed  readiness to provide security and good road facility for investors, so that employment can also be generated from the private sector to reinforce what the government is offering.

“But let me tell you that access to power and leadership requires discipline and you being  circumspect. All the leaders need successors that can outmatch and surpass  them. They will want to test you and once you fail leadership test, then you can’t be entrusted with power and leadership.

“As youths, learn how to discipline yourselves. Don’t be selfish. Try and have good and sound morality. Try and step out of your comfort zones and go through self denials. But are you ready to go through the furnace?  If you can’t do these, you can’t be in position of leadership.

The Governor advised the youth to be hopeful for a better future and refrain from  being despondent  due to the current socio-economic situations, exuding confidence that Nigeria is destined to be great and requires the sacrifices of all patriotic citizens for it to assume that status.

While answering some of the questions posed to him, Oyebanji advised the youth not to wait for instant solutions to all their problems, urging them to key into available opportunities created by government in sports, arts and culture and other sectors of the economy and stop scouting for shut cuts to success.

The Governor said he agreed to the fact that youth are supposed to be partners in governance, but added that  they should make enough sacrifices to develop Ekiti the way he and other Ekiti leaders exhibited while scrambling for the state creation under Gen Sanni Abacha-led Military government.

“Despite that this country is  passing through some tough challenges at present, some people  are still making it big in legitimate businesses. So, don’t lose hope in this country. Nigeria is destined to be great and it shall be greater. Let us work harder and hope for the best.

“I know the capacity of our youths, if I partner you, it is going to be a win-win situation. This government will continue to accord you respect, because you have shown great understanding. I know you have expectations.

“This government owes you a great deal, we will partner you to ensure we navigate this path together. I come to this office to deny myself of many benefits, so that we can have a good society that can benefit all of us. That is the kind of spirit  and mindset you must develop.”

Ondo APC Says PDP Recruiting Members To Cause Crisis

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Preparatory to next year’s governorship election in Ondo state, politics is gradually picking up with accusation and counter accusation among parties over actions and inactions.

Apart from preparation for upcoming governorship election, APC is alleging that some opposition members in the state are recruiting its members to cause crisis, capitalizing on absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State on Sunday claimed that it has uncovered  plans by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to instigate crisis in Akure, the State capital, on Monday.

The ruling party, in a statement, stated that “The essence of the arrangement, it was further gathered, is to create a semblance of political instability in the peaceful State, in addition to portraying the ruling party in bad light, ahead of governorship election, coming up next year.

“It has come to our knowledge that some PDP chieftains, who have started making huge contributions, in collaboration with some players within our fold, have finalized plans to destabilize the Sunshine State,”

Alex Kalejaiye, APC spokesman in the state explained that Ondo State has thus far been peaceful, organized, and enjoyed enviable political stability, and industrial harmony.

“It is unbelievable that the main opposition party, PDP, that is engulfed by leadership turbulent in Abuja, will prefer to go into unholy alliance with some elements in APC to foment avoidable crisis in Ondo State.

“Disturbed by the information, the APC in an emergency meeting on Sunday, condemned in strong terms such thoughts and plans to instigate political upheaval and create disaffection among the people.”

Ondo APC argued that the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has been discharging his official duties and responsibilities without any hitch, irrespective of his location.

The party also expressed appreciation for the understanding and prayers of the good people of the State for the admirable governor.

“We are very optimistic that our Governor; your performing Governor, will be in our midst in a matter of days.

“It is imperative to state that any political gathering or activity at this time could easily be hijacked beyond the control and capacity of the organizers.

“We therefore call on security agencies to be vigilant and ensure that every gathering is well guided, and closely monitored for compliance.

“The party is confident that the APC-led government in Ondo State will continue to invest in projects that have direct bearings on the welfare of the public. We will also not relax our commitment to the State workforce.”

NIMASA, Uniben Get Presidency Tech Recognition

By
James Orji
-
0

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has been conferred with the award for the best Federal Ministry, Department and Agency, MDA in Digital Transformation.

The laurel was received by the top maritime agency from the Presidency through the Bureau of Public Service Reforms at the weekend.

Other recipients of the Presidential recognition include the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Edo State Government. Individual awards were received by Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, and the Director General of NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, who was honoured with the Distinguished Trailblazers award for exemplary leadership.

Jamoh who led NIMASA Management team to the BPSR Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards presentation ceremony in Abuja, dedicated both awards to members of staff of NIMASA and the entire stakeholders in the maritime industry.

His words “This award from BPSR and by extension the presidency is a call to serve more. We didn’t set out to win any award. I am most delighted at the fact that others are watching every step we take at NIMASA. I dedicate this award to team NIMASA and the entire stakeholders in the maritime industry. We will not relent in our quest to completely digitalise the operations of the Agency with professionalism at the core of the reforms.

The Director General, BPSR, Dasuki Arabi stated that the awardees were chosen based on performance and their achievements. According to him “We assessed the Agencies based on their adoption of ICT in rendering services to citizens in line with the approved e-government master plan of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has maintained  that Information Technology (IT) is the way forward, so we don’t have any option than to adopt the use of IT in delivering service in our Ministries Departments and Agencies”.

“I wish to congratulate NIMASA and other Agencies of government for these wonderful awards. I want to congratulate the leadership of the Agency (Jamoh) too for the wonderful work he is doing and I ask him to do more. To whom much is given, much is expected,” Arabi said.

Public Sector Reforms consist of deliberate changes to the structures and processes of public sector organizations with the objective of getting them to run efficiently.

Falana Cautions NASS Lawmakers Against Paying Lip Service To Basic Education

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Femi Falana

By Akinwale Kasali

Human Rights Lawyer and Legal Luminary, Femi Falana, has urged the National Assembly to desist from paying lip service to the poor state of basic education in the country.

In a statement, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, on Sunday, knocked the Lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives for attempting to amend the Universal Basic Education Act of 2004 by introducing severe penalties for parents who fail to send their children to school.

The statement reads, “The needless resolutions are indeed unfortunate because they show that the federal law markers are seemingly lacking in institutional memories of even the progress made by the legislature in making laws to promote universal access to basic education.

“Since each of the 36 States of the Federation has adopted the Child’s Rights Act and enacted a Child’s Right Law, it has become the joint responsibility of the Federal, State and Local Governments to ensure that every Nigerian child is given access free and compulsory education,” Falana said.

He noted that individuals of the political class have failed to pay enough attention to basic education by failing to ensure that the counterpart fund required to be paid by states is paid to UBEC.

“These laws have been observed in their breach because the members of the political class drawn from all registered political parties have not demonstrated any commitment to the education of every child in Nigeria.

“Hence, the members of the legislative and executive organs of governments have failed to appreciate the danger of having 18.5 million out-of-school children, the highest number in the world. Therefore, amending the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act to make it more strings for parents who will not work in a poverty-stricken environment.

“ What the National Assembly should do instead is address the refusal of state governments to make counterpart contributions to the Universal Basic Education Fund pursuant to section 2 of the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act.

“As a matter of urgency, the National Assembly should ensure the amendment of the Constitution to empower the Accountant-General of the Federation to deduct from the source the counterpart fund payable by every state government to the Universal Basic Education Fund,” he added.

NDLEA Intercepts $4.8m Fake Currency, Apprehends Drug Barons

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Two Drug Barons have been arrested by Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for their involvement In transnational criminal organisations with a multi-billion-naira worth of illicit drugs.

Before now, the drug barons had been declared wanted by the agency as they were on the run.

In a statement by the Agency’s Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, at the Headquarters in Abuja, it stated that the men who concealed cocaine and heroin in their stomachs, were arrested after its operatives intercepted consignments designated to Paris, France and Doha, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The statement read in parts, “Operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday 10th October, succeeded in taking into custody, Hakeem Babatunde Salami, the arrowhead of “Tajudeen Babatunde Abioye Transnational Criminal Organisation” involved in the illicit trade of several narcotics including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and ephedrine between Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Europe.

“He fled Nigeria to South Africa upon the arrest of a member of his syndicate, Suleiman Babatunde Oba at the Lagos airport on August 25 over an attempt to export 25.10kgs of ephedrine to South Africa.

“Hakeem Babatunde Salami was however smoked out of hiding through partnership with South African authorities and other intelligence and investigative mechanisms. While some of his luxury vehicles have been seized and his home in Surulere, Lagos, sealed, other members of the cartel are already in custody including Suleiman and Godwin Edet Mathew.

Babafemi stated further: “In his statement, he claimed he was into the importation of building materials from China to Nigeria and used to sell gold in South Africa before delving into the illicit drug trade about two years ago.

“The head of another cartel, Okafor Ikechukwu Williams (aka Jantu) and his wife, Okafor Ifeyinwa Grace were also taken into custody on Thursday 5th October when NDLEA operatives raided their hideout at 9 Awa Street, Ago Palace, Okota area of Lagos, where they recovered 27.566 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed in a blue box and two sacks, ready for export to Europe and Asia.

“Their Lexus RX350 marked ABJ 512 AY parked in the house was also seized during the operation. Their arrest followed weeks of intelligence gathering about the activities of the criminal network.”

According to the statement, “At the Abuja airport, operatives on Friday 6th October arrested a drug trafficker, Nwofor Ejiogu Charles, 45, during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR 1432 to Doha. After a body scan revealed he ingested cocaine, he was placed under observation during which he excreted 75 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.653 kgs. At the point of his arrest, Nwofor who was the last passenger to board his flight offered to compromise an NDLEA officer with $3,000 to free him.

“The following day, Saturday 7th October, another trafficker, Nwufo Charles Okwudili, 45, was also arrested while attempting to board Lufthansa Airlines flight LH 0595 to Paris, France via Frankfurt, Germany.  After being put through a body scanner, he was taken into a recovery room where he excreted 96 wraps of heroin he ingested with a total weight of 1.413 kgs.

“Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Okene -Lokoja-Abuja expressway on Tuesday 10th October, intercepted a commercial bus coming from Lagos to Kano. A search of the bus led to the seizure of four million, eight hundred and eighty thousand US dollars ($4,880,000), and fifty-seven million Céfa, (CFA57,000,000) suspected to be counterfeits.

“In Sokoto, the Federal High Court in the state capital presided over by Justice Ahmad Mahmud has sentenced an acting district head, Alhaji Umar Mohammed (aka Dan Bala) to five and a half years in jail on four counts of possession and dealing in 436.38 kgs cannabis and 7 kgs psychotropic drugs brought against him by NDLEA in October 2022.

“He was convicted and sentenced to two years on each of counts 1 and 2 with an option of a N1 million fine, and eight months on each of counts 3 and 4 without an option of fine.”

Furthermore, “Operatives in Edo state on Wednesday 11th October stormed the Orue forest, Owan West LGA where they arrested Happy Akashili, 37, and Solomon Uwesue, 40, in a hut located inside a cannabis farm measuring 2.367308 hectares which was destroyed, with 92 kgs already processed skunk recovered, while 49 kgs of same substance were also seized at Ogbeturu camp.

“The Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities.

“Some of these include WADA sensitisation lecture on Drug Use and Mental Health for students of 15 secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state;  WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Ascension College, Iworo Imeke, Badagry Lagos;  WADA sensitisation lecture at Modern Comprehensive College, Amokwe, Udi LGA, Enugu;  WADA sensitisation lecture for students of National  Secondary school, Awka; Students of JIBWIS Islamic Science Secondary school, Herwagana, Gombe;  students of Government College, Makurdi, Benue; students of Government secondary school (Boys), Kafin Maiyaki, Kano and students of JNI Special Model primary School, Gusau, Zamfara.

“While commending the efforts of the NAIA, MMIA, Kogi, Sokoto and Edo Commands of the Agency as well as the Special Operations Unit targeting the drug cartels, for jobs well done in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa assured that officers and men of the Agency will never let down their guards no matter the tricks and distractions orchestrated against it by criminal networks.”

1...1,5921,5931,594...3,110Page 1,593 of 3,110