Home Blog Page 1634

House Of Reps: Ogene Emerges Labour Party Caucus Leader

May 7, 2023

…Says Labour Party Has Not Endorsed Any Speakership Aspirant

The 35-member Labour Party caucus in the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives has elected Afam Victor Ogene as its Leader.

Ogene, a ranking member from the 7th Assembly, emerged as the Labour Party leader with 21 votes, after a keenly contested election yesterday in Abuja.

Although 34 Members-Elect of the Party were present at the voting session, only 31 of them took part in the exercise, with the trio of Honourables Oke-Joe Onuakalusi, Obi Aguocha and Professor Lilian Oby Irogbu abstaining, being persons who conducted the exercise.

Speaking after the exercise, conducted under a convivial atmosphere, the duo of George Ozodinobi and Dennis Agbo, who contested the position, lauded the choice of Hon. Ogene.

Describing Ogene as a team player who is vast in the politics of the House of Representatives, Agbo opined that “with .Ogene as our Caucus Leader, Labour Party is sure to hold it’s own in the 10th Assembly.”

In an acceptance speech soon after he was presented to the Party’s Leader and Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, and the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, Hon. Ogene assured that in all undertakings of the Members-Elect, the well-being of the Nigerian people would be uppermost.

“May I use this opportunity to reiterate that the Labour Party caucus, House of Representatives, has not endorsed any Speakership aspirant.

“In fact, anyone desirous of our votes on the day of inauguration must first convince us, as a bloc, of what his plans and programmes for the Nigerian people are. While we may have individual preferences, I can assure that at the end of the day, the Labour Party shall stand as one, indivisible entity to take a common and progressive stand,” Ogene said.

“My Life Has Been Turned Upside Down – Sonia Ekeweremadu”; Wishes Victim Well

Akinwale Kasali

May 6, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Sonia, the 25 year old daughter of former Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Dr Beatrice Ekweremadu, says that her life has been turned upside down.

Her parents were on Friday, 5th May, sentenced to jail terms by Old Bailey Court United Kingdom. While Senator Ike Ekweremadu was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, his wife was sentenced to six years, and a London-based Nigerian-born doctor, Obinna Obeta, an accomplice to the crime they committed, was slammed with a 10-year jail term and his licence as a medical doctor withdrawn.

The Ekweremadus were arrested in June, 2022 at the London Heathrow Airport, on arrival from Turkey. Their crime was getting involved with human organ trafficking. They transported a 21-year old Lagos Street trader to London for the sole purpose of harvesting one of his kidneys for the benefit of their daughter, Sonia, who is suffering from a severe kidney disease, and was waiting for a kidney transplant from a donor.

In an interview with the BBC after her parents’ sentencing, Sonia, who was also arrested for same crime, but was discharged and acquitted by the Jury which found her parents guilty, when asked of the lesson learnt from the family’s ordeal said: “Life is just so dynamic. Like one day you are in your house chilling, the next day, your whole life is turned upside down. For me, it will never be the same.”

Trouble began for the Ekweremadus when the 21-year old would-have-been donor, who claimed that he was unaware of why he was brought to London, but was promised a job, a good life, and the sum seven thousand Pounds Sterling, was rejected by a doctor at the Royal Free Hospital when he was taken there. The doctor rejected him on the grounds that he was too young, did not know what he came for, and the implications therein, especially, the after-care.

When he got back to Dr Obeta’s house where he was kept, he said everybody’s attitude towards him changed. He claimed that they began to maltreat him, which forced him to run away. He slept on the streets for three nights, and went to the Police to report his situation and asked to be saved. Dr Obeta was the middle man in the “procurement” of the donor.

Asked how she felt about the donor whose report to the Police sent her parents to jail, Sonia said: “I wish him well.”

Near tears as she spoke with her interviewer, she said she felt guilty over her parents’ ordeal.

Her words: “I feel guilty because I feel all this happened because of me.”

The donor said in a statement which was read in Court that he feared for his life because the people he got entangled with are powerful people. He said he does not wish to go back to Nigeria because of his fear for his life as his father had come under tremendous pressure to ask him to drop the case. He also rejected money from the Ekweremadus for legal compensation and said they are “bad people”, and tye money will be cursed if he took it.

Imo Flags Off Cohort 2 Skill-Up Training For 15,000 Imo Youths

The Source

May 6, 2023

The Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma has flagged- off the second edition of the Imo SKILL-UP digital training programme, Cohort 2 for 15,000 Imo youths, reiterating his administration’s irrevocable commitment to laying a solid foundation for youths to deploy their acquired digital skills anywhere they go and excel accordingly.

Launching the programme at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Thursday, May 4, 2023, the Governor emphasised that the welfare of youths is central to the prosperity agenda of his government, as they represent the present and future generation of Imo State.

He disclosed that the success recorded with the first edition, Cohort 1, had come to the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, the multinational national companies such as Coca Cola and others.

For example, he said Imo State has attracted a grant of a million dollars ($1m) from Coca Cola as a result of the investment in digital economy and that the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is poised to support the programme and ensure graduation and proper equipping of the trainees.

Governor Uzodimma recalled that 5000 youths were trained and graduated in Cohort 1, empowered with lap tops and other start-up kits based on their chosen areas of specialization.

He noted that the step to achieving the target of graduating 100,000 youths in digital skills can only be realised with the encouragement of participants.

The Governor said: “Today we are flagging off 15,000 young men and women with plans at top gear to ensure that we shall achieve before the end of this year, 100,000 milestone within our implementation programme. To this end, l have directed the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government to explore necessary collaborations considered expedient to ensure increased access to SKILL-UP Imo programme for all Imo State residents and citizens.

“On graduation, not only will we give you start up kits but also Professional Certificates that will be recognised anywhere in the world.

“The Professional Certificate will make the world look for you and not you looking for the World.”

He assured that the same intense digital, entrepreneurial marketing and literacy training undergone by the Cohort 1 batch will also be undergone by Cohort 2 in basic, intermediate and advance level of courses for the next 6-12 weeks, to enable them compete favorably with their counterparts in any part of the world.

Governor Uzodimma expressed his desire that “between 2022- 2026, as a result of the SKILL-UP Imo programme, more than 500 billionaires under 35 years will be produced in Imo State.This is because what the global literature has recognised is not literacy but enterprise,” noting that ideas rule the world.

“Ideas and creative thinking is the key word.

The idea is up-skilling and re-skilling to graduate at least 100,000 youths per year.”

He begged the participants to make the sacrifice for which the 8-10 weeks will not cheat them.

“Learn the Course, acquire the knowledge and then leave the rest to my government,” he charged them, saying “this will enable you contribute to the economic development of Nigeria and the world at large.”

“The programme will help to engender peace because by the time the 100,000 youths are removed from the unemployment market, Imo State will be safe, Nigeria will be safe and the economy will improve,” he added.

The Governor said the Skill–Up Programme has nothing to do with political party, zone or where one comes from hence he appealed to the youths to convince their parents to allow them acquire the necessary skills for their future.

He commended the efforts of the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government and the Resource Persons for their commitment to the success of the programme and for a job well done.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi said the objective of the training programme is to train 300,000 youths in the space of three years, graduating 100,000 each year.

He revealed that apart from the five learning centres in use, five more have been added to increase access to the training programme as directed by Governor Uzodimma and assured that “the mandate to train 100,000 each year will be realised by his Ministry.”

He listed the extra centres to include Imo State Polytechnic Omuma, K, O Mbadiwe University, Ogboko, College of Health Sciences, Amaigbo, Claretian University Nekede, and University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo.

Some of the beneficiaries of Cohort 1 who graduated last month shared their experiences and gains from the training.

Miss Chioma Onuoha, Mr. Cletus Munachimso, and Mr. Chuks Godwin, individually thanked Governor Uzodimma for the life changing experience they got from the training programme. They said the training had positioned them to be earning money from their skills.

Osun Govt Douses Tension Over Plan Sack Of Workers

Ayodele Oni

May 6, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Osun State Government has doused tension and anxiety raised by rumour of possible job loss by some public service workers.

Government has assured that it has no plan to either demote civil servants in the State or to reintroduce modulated salaries, also known as half salaries.

The Government in a statement signed by Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Saturday, described as outright falsehood and wicked fabrication, the fake news about demotion of workers and alleged plan for half salaries for state workers.

The statement explained that the May Day event also saw confirmation by all stakeholders that Governor Adeleke was the first Governor in Osun state to have workers’ welfare as the first item on his governance agenda.

“It is therefore a failed hatchet job by the defeated All Progressives Congress (APC) to allege that a solution provider, a workers’ governor and a performing leader of a peoples’ government is planning any anti-labour agenda

“Let us remind the sponsors of fake news that the Adeleke administration inherited over N400 billion debt from the previous administration, a very low allocation from the Federation account, a demoralized public service, vastly looted public facilities, a very deep state infrastructure deficit and a disillusioned citizenry due to a government of deceit under the former Governor.

“Governor Adeleke has since been working round the clock to restore public confidence in government, to bridge the infrastructural gap, to clear backlogs of salaries owed to workers, to rebuild the public service, to sanitize public finance, and to digitalize Osun economy.

“Osun people rewarded the Governor by massively voting for PDP in all recent Federal and State elections.

“And across Osun state, citizens are undergoing intense prayers for the validation, confirmation, prevalence and sustenance of their governorship choice by the Supreme Court.

“The prayer of Osun voters is that good governance they are enjoying and the Peoples Governor they voted for will continue in office by God, man and the Lord Justices of the Supreme Court.

“We, therefore, urge members of the public to ignore the fake news about demotion of workers and re-introduction of half salaries.

“Governor Adeleke is an apostle of good governance and grassroots development who upholds workers’ rights and aspirations of Osun people.”

NLC Tackles Onyema, Air Peace Chair, Asks FG To Note How Much He Says He Makes, And Tax Paid; Accuses Him Of Deceit

The Source

May 6, 2023

By Charles Igbo

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has taken an exception to the allegations of the Chairman of Air Peace Airline, Barrister Allen Onyema against the Union.

Onyema had in a statement, accused the NLC, led by Comrade Joe Ajaero, of disrupting the schedules of the Airline, and causing it to lose the sum of N700 million within two hours of grounding its flight to Owerri from Lagos and Abuja.

But a shocked NLC, in a statement on Friday, drew the attention of the Federal Government to the amount of money Onyema said his Airline makes in two hours, multiply it by seven days, and then by one month, and compare it to the amount Onyema and the Airline pay in taxes.

It also accused Onyema of banning unionism at Air Peace, and gave him two weeks to lift the ban, allow freedom of association, and pay workers’ check-off dues to the NLC for two years.

Beyond that, the NLC accused Onyema of being economical with the truth in its allegations against the NLC.

Trouble started when the NLC, in reaction to the disruption of its May Day celebration in Owerri, Imo State, allegedly, by thugs sent by the State Government, who also, allegedly, beat some workers up, declared a strike action against the State Government. The strike action affected flights to Imo Airport, as the NLC warned that it would not allow any flights to Owerri.

However, in the morning of Wednesday when the action began, Air Peace had told NLC members who arrived the Lagos Airport to see to the success of the strike that the Airline waa boarding flights to Porthacourt. It was later discovered that the flights were headed to Owerri and not Porthacourt. This angered the NLC which then decided to picket the Airline’s Counters at the Lagos Airport. It resulted in an attack, allegedly, against the NLC members, and the smashing if the eye-glasses of its Lagos State Chaiman, Agnes Sesse.

Following is the full text of the NLC statement titled Call Allen Onyema of Air Peace to Order

“We at the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria are disappointed by the utterances and behaviour of Mr Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace who has put his personal business interest above the lives, welfare, safety, freedom and businesses of Imo State people.

“We had thought Mr Onyema was a reasonable citizen but like the rest of them, he has shown his hand rather too early.

“His desperate attempt to personalise the strike action (by over 70 unions) and present Comrade Joe Ajaero as scuttling the business of a fellow Igbo is a familiar refrain of scoundrels who take refuge in primordial sentiments.

“We find it disgusting that rather than address the fundamental issues that led to this avoidable strike action, Mr Onyema has called for sanctioning of Comrade Ajaero and manacling of the Labour Unions but such is the psyche of those who come upon wealth suddenly or have wealth thrust upon them.

“If the ordinary Nigerian has knowledge of the rights of citizens to peaceful protest as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), corpus of Labour Laws, and African Charter on Fundamental Rights, Mr Onyema, a Lawyer is presumed to even more knowledgeable about the operation of these laws/rights.

“How ever, it inevitably puts a question mark on his claims to his credentials if he is bereft of this basic knowledge of the law.

“The same law allows for unionisation of the staff the Air Peace Airline which have been denied this basic right by Onyema from 2016 to date. In light of this, Mr Onyema is given two weeks to allow the staff of Air Peace unionise. He should equally calculate and remit check-off dues from 2016 to date. If he fails to do this, he should be prepared to keep a date with the entire labour movement soon.

“The society Onyema canvasses is that of unquestioning submission to illegal acts, impunity, crime, and bestiality. While this might be helpful to him in the pursuit of his wealth, we find it despecable, immoral and dishonourable. We assure him such society has no place in our democracy as we continue to hold leaders to account for their conduct.

“Mr Onyema says he lost N700 million Naira in two hours of the strike action. That is a lot of money by any standards as that means he makes N5 billion a day and N150 billion a month on the average. We would want to know how much tax he pays. The last time he made tax returns was in 2020. Ordinarily, what he paid should be in the public domain but it is not. We therefore invite the tax authorities to avail us and the general public the tax returns of Air Peace. We also ask them to note the earnings of Air Peace as proclaimed by its owner.

“It was so convenient for Onyema to be hysterical about his financial lossess that he forgot to mention the violence his goons visited on workers including the Lagos State Council Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Sesse who sustained an eye injury after Onyema’s goons smashed her glasses.

“Onyema also forgot to mention the deceit in their flight operations. For instance, after claiming a flight was bound for Port Harcourt, it actually went to Owerri. There were other instances like that which made total enforcement inevitable.

“Since Allen Onyema has decided to pitch his tent with Governor Hope Uzodinma in oppressing, intimidating, exploiting, violating and visiting mindless violence on workers, we wish him well. But we advise he be called to order.

“For the benefit of those not in the know of this matter, the unions have exercised utmost restraint in the face of provocations and violations by Mr Hope Uzodinma.

“The abridged chronicle of what transpired is as follows:

“The meeting of the Joint Central Working Committees of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria held at the Olaitan Oyerinde Auditorium of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Abuja on Monday , May 1st 2023.

“The meeting took a report on how the Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodinma, using thugs and agents of the state, interfered with, disrupted and scattered the commemoration ceremony of May Day organised by workers of Imo State after workers in protest of violations of their rights by the Governor, refused to be part of the Governor’s May Day ceremony.

“The meeting also took a report on how in the course of the violent disruption by the thugs and agents of Uzodinma, several workers sustained injuries and had to flee for their lives.

” In the course of deliberations, it was noted that:

“*The Governor had crossed the ultimate red line;

“*His latest act of violation being consistent with the previous ones which included but not limited to invasion and destruction of NLC State Council Secretariat built by Rochas Okorocha, his refusal to recognise the Caretaker Committee put in place by the Congress, his insistence on foisting on the Congress a state council chairperson in the state against all rules of decency and constitution of the Congress, his serial acts of intimidation of labour leaders and workers forcing some of the former to flee the state, his declaration of 15 thousand workers as ghost workers even after they had been verified, non-payment of pensions and gratuities for 7 years,etc;

“*In the history of labour movement, no governor had so brazenly assaulted the rights of workers;

“*It is an unpardonable affront that if left unchallenged would become a contagion.

“In light of this and the gravity of the situation, the meeting resolved to:

“*Resume the suspended strike action in the state from Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 (the strike action was suspended in March following interventions by leaders of thought as well as to enable the citizens of the state perform their civic duties during the local elections on the one hand and to enable the Governor undo the damage he had done on the other. However, rather than do this, the Governor has compounded the situation);

“*Direct all the unions and workers of NLC and TUC in the state to shut down the state until such a time the Governor purges himself of his abusive and unlawful behaviour as well as redress the situation;

“*After seven days if no appreciable progress is made, all the affiliate unions of NLC and TUC will march down on Imo to enforce their rights;

“*Sanction compromised State Council executives or workers, adding the days are over when state council executives pander to the wishes of Governors.

“The meeting also resolved to report the Governor to the Federal Government and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).”

How Ex-International, Mike Onyemachara, Died

Akinwale Kasali

May 6, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nation’s football enclave has once again been thrown into mourning following the demise of Mike Onyemachara.

Onyemachara was a prominent figure in the heart of the Flying Eagles defence at the 1989 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia where the team won the Silver Medal losing to Portugal in the final.

He was said to have died on Thursday, May 4th, 2023, at his home in Ajegunle, Lagos.

His Wife disclosed that the ex-international was hale and hearty before he suddenly gave up the ghost.

Recounting how her husband passed, she said she had left for work and the kids left for school only for them to return and see that the food served him on the table was not touched and he was found dead.

The cause of his death remains sketchy, though some of his colleagues that were part of the ‘Daman Miracle’ squad in 1989 revealed that the deceased had always complained of consistent back pain which was taken cognizance of.

Details of the burial of the late Onyemachara is yet to be announced by members of hist family who are still in shock over its suddenness.

The defender played most of his Club career with First Bank Football Club and made his debut for the National side in an away match against Zaire at the qualifiers for the 1989 Under-20 World Cup.

Northern Group Supports Ajaero, Slams AYA’s Comment On Presidential Inauguration

The Source

May 6, 2023

The Concerned Northern Forum has condemned the allegation made by the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) against President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on his purported plot to stop the President-Elect’s inauguration.

The Deputy Spokesperson of the forum, Comrade Mohammed Abbas disclosed this during a Press Conference on Saturday.

Abbas reiterated that the current leadership of the NLC was duly elected at the recently held elective congress of the NLC by its members and not by politicians.

He said that NLC remained the only vibrant and cohesive labour union in the country, hence the last hope of the Nigerian worker and by extension, the common masses.

”We are here today to express our disappointment over the recent press conference organised by our sister association, the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA).

”We watched with total dismay and disappointment the accusations and allegations made by AYA against the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on his purported plot to stop the President-Elect’s inauguration.

”The Arewa Youth Assembly should stop and retract its baseless accusations and blackmail.

”We are particularly concerned that AYA would allow itself to be used for disunity and cheap blackmail by dragging the NLC into politics.

”It is important to note that the Nigeria Labour Congress is a pan-Nigerian organisation and cannot be governed by primordial sentiments such as religion and ethnicity.

Abbas emphasised that the NLC being a pressure group had invited all other presidential aspirants and the President-elect to its May Day (Labour Day) celebration.

He added that the sitting President was also invited, who then sent the Minister of Labour to the occasion, condemning AYA allegation on the NLC President for refusal to invite the President-elect. He was invited, the Group said.

”We want to state unequivocally that we have no knowledge of any plans by the NLC to scuttle the inauguration of the President-elect, Senator Bola Tinubu, on May 29.

”As a peaceful and law-abiding organisation, we would not support any action that is capable of disrupting the peace and stability of our dear nation in whatever guise.

”Mr Ajaero is a refined and dogged activist of note whose loyalty to the NLC and the nation is undoubted. He is a promoter and firm believer in democracy and the principle of separation of power and shouldn’t be dragged or accused of any separatist or ethnic agenda,” he said.

He, however, called on Nigeria and the security agencies to disregard the baseless and unfounded allegations by Arewa Youth Assembly as Nigerians remained resolute and committed to the peace and unity of our dear nation.

South-east Loses First Four Top Postions; Umahi Comes Out Empty-handed, Steps Down For Akpabio

The Source

May 6, 2023

By Gideon Njoku

The South-east will come out empty-handed in the new Government that will be inaugurated on 29th May, 2023. The Zone is not in the calculation to hold any top position, at least, the first three top positions for now, it has lost the first four top positions, and will not head any arm of Government.

The Presidency is headed by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The Vice President is Kashim Shettima, and now the Senate President has just slipped from the Zone’s hands and so did the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Senate President is going to a South-Southerner, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for whom the outgoing Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr Dave Umahi, has just stepped down for. Umahi revealed that he stepped down for Akpabio because the President-elect has endorsed Akpabio for the position and appealed to him, Umahi, to step down.

The office of the Speaker of the House will go to Honourable Tajudeen Abass from Kaduna State.

Umahi, after failing, woefully, in his bid to clinch the Presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, set his eyes on the Senate. He managed to clinch the ticket in controversial circumstances, but won overwhelmingly on February 25 at the General Elections.

On winning, he set his eyes on the Senate Presidency. He seriously lobbied for it, including lobbying the President-elect, Tinubu.

But all the hopes and struggles have come to a sudden halt. Both his Party and the President-elect have chosen Akpabio over him.

Said Umahi on Friday: “By yesterday (Thursday), I met the President-elect on his invitation. He said he is already committed, and said, ‘please, hold on’. And I have accepted, and I stepped down for Akpabio. He is my concensus Candidate.”

Umahi and Akpabio have the same story, almost, to tell in their journey to the APC. Both were foundation members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Both won the Governorship seats of their States, twice, under tye PDP. But both, inexplicably, dumped the PDP for the APC.

While Akpabio dumped the PDP for the APC after he climbed on its back to, also, win his first tenure as a Senator, and was appointed the Senate Minority Leader, Umahi dumped the PDP midway into his second term in office as Governor.

In their mission to the APC, Akpabio has come out smelling of roses.

Umahi dumped the PDP, allegedly, because he wanted to be the President and felt it was better for him under the APC. But, he failed. He has also failed in his bid for the Senate President. Yet, unlike Akpabio, he delivered the Governorship seat of Ebonyi State to the APC. Akpabio’s Akwa Ibom State is PDP. Yet, he got it.

Umahi lost the Senate Presidency seat the same way the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, lost it, even with his serious lobbying. Orji was, also, a two-term Governor under the PDP before he dumped the PDD for the APC.

It is alleged that Kalu lost because he has a case against him at the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. But so does Akpabio. As recently as a week ago, the EFCC was on the neck of Akpabio, and, asked him to come in for interrogation.

Akpabio is the immediate past Minister for Niger Delta. Like Umahi, he aspired to the office of the President, but was smart enough to step down for Tinubu when he saw he didn’t have the delegates to make a headway. Umahi was not that smart to read the handwriting on the wall.

APC: Tinubu Tips Akpabio, Abass As Senate President, Speaker

James Orji

May 6, 2023

Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abass have received the endorsement of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Bola Tinubu for the positions of Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Except for any last minute change of plan the duo are expected to replace Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, sources told the Guardian.

The choice of Akpabio and Abass has sealed the fate of other candidates vying for the positions, experts say, particular Orji Uzor Kalu and Ado Doguwa, from Kano state who once said his lifetime ambition is to become Speaker, and is currently facing charges for alleged murder during the last election.

According to the newspaper, the decision to this effect was reached yesterday during the parley of the President-elect, and selected members of the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee, NWC, at the Defence House, Abuja, the nation’s capital.

In attendance at the parley which lasted for over an hour were Lawan, his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege and Gbajabiamila.

Among those at the parley were the APC Secretary, Sen. Iyiola Omisore; the Deputy National Chairman, North, Sen. Abubakar Kyari and his counterpart from the South, Chief Emma Eneukwu.

A member of the NWC who pleaded anonymity confirmed the development to The Guardian, saying, “The Tinubu had made up his mind on the issue long ago except if he changes his mind before the inauguration of the National Assembly next month.

“It is true he has endorsed them for the leadership of the National Assembly after meeting with representatives of the NWC and other stakeholders of the party.”

When contacted, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, who promised to get back to The Guardian on the issue neither confirmed or deny the endorsement of Abass representing Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

Akpabio who was a two-term governor of oil-rich Akwa Ibom State was the first to step down for the President-elect during the presidential primaries held in Abuja last year.

It is understood that the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is to be deputised by Kano-born Senator Barau Jibrin, who chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriation.

Abass who enjoys the full support of Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai is credited to have sponsored 75 bills within the life of the National Assembly. It’s unclear who is billed to deputise Abass who chairs the House Committee on Land Transport Committee.

The 10th National Assembly, NASS, is expected to be inaugurated on June 6.

Eulogies For Buhari, Uzodinma As FUTO Teaching Hospital Is Unveiled

The Source

May 6, 2023

Hope Uzodimma unveils FUTO Teaching Hospital

Nigerians from different parts of the country on Friday poured encomia on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as they gathered at the premises of the former Federal Medical Centre, Owerri to formally unveil the place with its new status as Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri.

Those who spoke – the now Chief Medical Director of Federal University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Kingsley Achigbu, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri ( FUTO), Prof (Mrs.) Nnenna Oti, the Chairman Governing Board of FUTO, Sen. Jack Tilley- Gyado, the Chairman of the Board of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Senator(Dr) IsHaq Salman, the Minister of State, Health, Barr. Joseph Nkama-Ekumankama, among others, lauded the good relationship between President Buhari and Governor Uzodimma that made the unveiling possible.

Even Governor Uzodimma in his remarks did not hide his feelings regarding the unusual attention President Buhari gave to him while he was seeking to have the former FMC upgraded to a Teaching Hospital that will serve the needs of FUTO medical school and the medical and other people of Imo State.

Governor Uzodimma said: “Today’s event which is the formal inauguration of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, is a product of our collaboration with the federal government. It was planted and nurtured by our administration as a sign of our commitment to offer quality healthcare to Imo people. Before now, our people have had to travel long distances to enjoy some of these services with the attendant difficulties with distant travel and dislocation from one’s comfort zone.

“it is therefore with a heart full of gratitude that I commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Honourable Minister of Health, and his colleague the Minister of State for Health, who is also a brother and other officials who have made this dream a reality.

” In addition to complementing our efforts at Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, this institution offers Imo people the much needed employment opportunities with commensurate impact on the economy of the state.

“This institution, therefore, brings with it lots of opportunities to Imo residents, aside the traditional benefits of first class healthcare which we hope will complement the policies of the Imo State government. In addition to supporting the College of Medicine of FUTO, this establishment is also empowered by law to run a number of other training schools most of which provide the much needed skilled manpower for health institutions within the State and beyond. These include the School of Nursing, School of Anaesthetic Technology, School of Dental Technology, etc. These schools offer mostly OND equivalent certification and provide career pathways for our young people. By the affiliation with FUTO, the University can now introduce more graduate courses in health disciplines such as the BNSC degree in nursing.

“We do know that while it remained a Federal Medical Centre, the hospital’s performance was top notch in all areas of its tripartite mandate. Its reputation was comparable to that of other tertiary hospitals of its kind. In fact, it could easily have been ranked about the biggest FMC in the country both in stature and scope of services offered.

“However, its upgrade to a teaching hospital offers a bigger platform for collaborations and the ability to attract and retain the highest level of skilled manpower in health. This is easily because most of the specialists, especially those who have attained the cadre of Medical Consultants, often desire the academic fulfilment which can only be gained from a teaching hospital such as this.

“Since its inception about a century ago, this institution has undergone some metamorphosis. Over this period, it has been quite pivotal in the delivery of good quality healthcare to residents of Imo State and neighbouring States. I must, therefore, commend the present management of the hospital under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Kingsley Achigbu and the Board of Management for restoring peace and order to this institution. They also deserve commendation for their achievements in the area of human capital development and for attracting vital infrastructure to the institution.

“As a Government, we have enjoyed a cordial and collaborative relationship with the Federal Teaching Hospital even while it was a Federal Medical Centre. A good example is the collaboration in the fight against the COVID-19 scourge which confronted the state soon after my assumption of office. To the glory of God, this collaboration was instrumental to the relatively excellent showing by our state in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The long history of its existence, growth in clientele and expansion of services expectedly throws up some unique challenges in the form of inadequate infrastructure, ageing equipment and old buildings. It is worthy of note that a number of colonial – style buildings still dot some parts of the hospital. The infrastructure deficit is expected to be further compounded by the requirements of the medical school. For example, clinical students will not only be quartered in the hospital, but will need other facilities, including lecture halls, library and cafeteria. It is, therefore, reassuring that one of the activities for today is the foundation laying – ceremony of an e-library project for the medical school.

“In that regard, I urge the Honourable Minister of Health and the Hon. Minister of Education to take cognizance of the aforementioned challenges and take steps to address them. I want to thank the Federal Ministry of Health for their support for the hospital so far, especially with the kind donation of a new oxygen plant to the centre among other initiatives. But I am made to understand that there is a need for certain sophisticated equipment like CT Scan, MRI, CAT Lab. and many others required by the hospital to be able to deliver 21st century health care delivery. It is my hope that you will adopt this particular hospital as your baby, especially for its unique history and symbolism.

“At this juncture, let me appreciate some Imo sons and daughters who have supported the hospital in the past by attracting projects to the Centre. Let me add that your support is even needed more today. I am told by the CMD of a plan to erect a hall of fame to showcase and acknowledge these individuals for their gestures.

“The issue of brain drain of some of our best professionals is a painful reality. Tertiary hospitals that employ most of our best hands are, therefore, mostly affected. As painful as it may seem, these movements of staff are often without warning or at best at very short notice. This way, hospitals are almost helpless at times, depending on the quality of staff lost. I, therefore, call on the FMOH and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and budget to enable such sensitive institutions as FUTH to replace cadre for cadre so that such exited staff can be replaced with minimum delay.

“The management of the Teaching Hospital had requested a land space to accommodate some infrastructural development to meet the needs of the FUTO Medical School and accommodate the expansion of other services. Let me end my address, by re – assuring you that my government will continue to be favourably disposed to assisting the institution in achieving its core mandate.”

The Governor, thereafter, proceeded to lay the foundation of the E-library, accompanied by Dr. Achigbu, Prof Oti, Senator Tilley-Gyado, Dr. Salman, Barr Nkama- Ekumankama, among other dignitaries.

Earlier, the dignitaries had taken turns to appreciate President Buhari and Governor Uzodimma.

In his welcome address, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Kingsley I. Achigbu announced that the event was quite remarkable “as it will offer the much-needed support for the Federal University of Technology Owerri Medical School to complete its accreditation process, train and enable licensing of its medical graduates without which these will not be possible.”

Dr Achigbu noted the significant role played by the Governor in attracting the new teaching hospital to Imo state.

His words: “Anyone who understands the workings of government and the painstaking process of getting approval for such an upgrade by Mr President knows that this could not have happened by just mere application. What we are witnessing today took the political sagacity and push of the Governor of Imo State, the Distinguished Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma and his team.”

The Chief Medical Director continued: “The ancillary training schools to be established by our teaching hospital will in no small measure contribute to education, training and empowerment of Imo youths and Nigerians in general, a key focus of the present administration in Imo State under our amiable Governor. It is not in doubt that the anticipated impact of the Teaching Hospital coupled with the present policy thrust of your administration in health promises to give Imo State a quantum leap in health and human-related developmental indices very shortly.”

Dr Achigbu reminded the audience that “Under the hands-on leadership style of the hard-working Imo State Governor, the performance of Imo State in the Covid-19 era attracted wide commendation with Imo State posting arguably one of the best outcomes in the country. When the full story shall be told, Governor Uzodimma will have his place in history.”

In her speech, the Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Oti noted that she feels humbled that the many years of efforts to have FUTO also function as a medical college was realised under her watch, s development she described as “epic achievement.”

She lauded President Buhari and all those who made it possible in the health and education ministries and more importantly, Dr. Osagie Ehanire (Health) and Mallam Adamu Adamu (Education).

“The President’s approval was personally and passionately facilitated by His Excellency, Dist. Senator Hope Uzodimma. The Governor of Imo State, has continued to demonstrate incredible affinity and robust support to the cause of FUTO.”

In his remarks, Senator Tilley-Gyado who is the Chairman of FUTO Governing Board thanked the President for trusting the leadership capacity and judgement of Governor Uzodimma, insisting that the Governor is not used to failure.

“Uzodimma’s chemistry is very universal. He is so charming. If you see him, you love him. Without him, it would not have been possible to get this teaching hospital.”

The Chairman of the Board of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Senator (Dr) IsHaq Salman views were in sync with what the others said earlier regarding President Buhari and Governor Uzodimma.

Dr. Salman said that Imo State is blessed to have someone like Governor Uzodimma who loves his people passionately and pursues anything about his people with zest.

He said President Buhari was attracted to the Governor due to his commitment to the courses of his people.

The Minister of State, Health, Barr. Joseph Nkama-Ekumankama who said the Teaching Hospital is already classified as a Tier One institution had this to say: “It was as a result of the doggedness, commitment and passion of Governor Uzodimma that led to the upgrading of this institution from FMC to a teaching hospital.”

He said the documents on the approval given by Mr President for the teaching hospital happened to be the first assignment he handled and thanked President Buhari for speedly facilitating the processes.

The occasion was also attended by the high and mighty from Imo State such as the former Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former INEC Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu, the Chairman of Imo State Elders Council, HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and his deputy, Prince Lemmy Akakem, the Eze Imo, HRM Eze Dr. EC Okeke, the Chairman of Ben Uwajimogu College of Education Board, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanwe and the Imo State Chairman of CAN, Dr. Divine Eches Divine.

1...1,6331,6341,635...2,955 Page 1,634 of 2,955